Tornado will start her 2011 season of trains for Steam Dreams hauling the ‘The Cathedrals Express’ on Thursday 4th August from Cambridgeshire to Bath & Bristol and return. The locomotive is now wearing a different livery of BR Brunswick green, in place of her now familiar LNER apple green, which the original A1s carried for most of their lives up until the last one was scrapped in 1966. Over the duration of her first boiler certificate Tornado will carry all of the A1’s historic liveries of LNER apple green with ‘British Railways’ on the tender, BR blue and BR Brunswick green, with both crest and emblem.
Saturday 13th August - London King's Cross to York and return:
London King’s Cross: depart 0900; return 2135
Potters Bar: depart 0930; return 2115
Stevenage: depart 0950; return 2055
Peterborough : depart 1045; return 2000
York : arrive 1315; depart 1730
Fares range from £85.00 standard class to £225 Pullman style dining.
(please note all times are provisional)
This is Tornado’s first train on the class A1’s historic home route and will be Tornado’s first departure in her new Brunswick Green livery from London King’s Cross station.
Five classes of travel are available on each train – standard, super standard, first, premier dining and Pullman style dining.
Standard: passengers are seated at tables for four in open carriages. Hot and cold drinks and light snacks may be purchased from the licensed buffet car during the trip. Passengers may also pre-order picnic boxes.
Super Standard: the coach has dedicated waiting staff to bring unlimited complimentary tea and coffee all day as well as any items purchased from the buffet. This allows passengers to sit back and relax and enjoy hearing Tornado working hard as the super standard carriage is guaranteed to be the passenger vehicle closest toTornado on one half of the day's trip. As in Standard Class passengers are seated at tables for four in open carriages.
First: passengers are seated in private compartments for up to six people or in an open plan carriage on tables of four. A glass of champagne and fruit juice is served on arrival. A steward will take orders for alcoholic beverages from the bar, and bring complimentary tea and coffee. Passengers may also pre-order picnic boxes.
Premier Dining: tables laid with crisp white tablecloths, gleaming glasses and cutlery and fresh flowers set the scene in premier dining. Passengers will be served a champagne breakfast or brunch on the outward journey accompanied by tea, coffee and freshly baked breads and pastries. On the return journey a delicious four-course dinner is served is served by friendly and efficient staff. A table for two may be reserved for a small supplement.
Pullman style dining: passengers in are seated in wood-panelled carriages and comfortable seats with individual table lamps and curtains at the window. Welcome glasses of champagne accompany the breakfast or brunch on the outward journey. On the return passengers are welcomed on board with canapés and appetizers before being served a four-course meal with a half bottle of wine per person. A table for two may be reserved for a small supplement.
Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said, “We are delighted to hauling the ‘The Cathedrals Express’ again in 2011 and hope that railway enthusiasts and members of the public who have followed Tornado’s progress in the press will take this opportunity to come and ride behind her in her new livery on some classic journeys.”
Marcus Robertson, Chairman of Steam Dreams, added, ’’The Cathedrals Express’ is the leading steam hauled excursion train and we look forward to once again having Tornado heading our train. With three great itineraries, August is a great time to travel and enjoy the English countryside in comfort, perhaps enjoying a meal on board as well.’’