The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity that has built the first new main line steam locomotive in Britain for almost 50 years, today announced that 60163 Tornado will leave her Darlington birthplace on Tuesday 19th August 2008 for the Great Central Railway (GCR) at Loughborough.

The process of loading Tornado (engine and tender) onto two low-loaders capable of carrying her almost 170 ton weight will start at about 09:00 hours on Tuesday 19th August at Darlington Locomotive Works, Hopetown Lane, Darlington DL3 6RQ. It is expected that the engine and tender will be loaded and ready to depart by 13:00 hours.

Following their road journey, the engine and tender will be unloaded between 09:00 and 12:00 hours on Wednesday 20th August at Quorn and Woodhouse station, Forest Road, Quorn, Leicestershire LE12 8AJ. Just off the A6 - 10 minutes from Junction 23 of M1- follow the brown Steam Railway signs.

The project to build a new Peppercorn class A1 was launched in 1990 and after 18 years of planning, construction and fundraising 60163 Tornado made her first public moves in steam on Friday 1st August in front of the world’s press. Following the successful completion of her initial test runs at DarlingtonTornado is now ready for further tests and trials on the Great Central Railway in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust commented:

“Today is a bitter sweet day for the Trust. Tornado is leaving Darlington after 11 years of construction in Darlington Locomotive Works which culminated in her first public moves on 1st August. However, she is now ready to stretch her legs on the Great Central Railway, Britain’s only double track, main line heritage railway, where she will be tested at speeds of up to 60mph in preparation for her Network Rail début in the autumn.”

“Thanks to that vision and determination of our supporters, Tornado is complete and ready to haul trains for the first time. It is down to our more than 2,000 regular monthly and other donors, our sponsors lead by William Cook Cast Products Limited and the hard work of our volunteers and contractors that all that remains now between Tornado and main line operations is the successful completion of her test and trials programme, first on the Great Central Railway and then on Network Rail.”

Tornado will spend two months based on the GCR. The first month will be taken up with testing. The locomotive will run by herself and then with test trains of empty carriages. On 21st September Tornado will pull her first passenger trains, initially for our supporters who have helped to finance her construction. Thereafter trains will be open for everyone, for three weekends until the middle of October.

Bill Ford, president of the Great Central Railway added:

“This is a terrific honour for the GCR. Tornado has been the talk of the railway enthusiast community for years, but now she’s finally ready to run, the whole world is taking notice. After testing she will pull her first trains right here in Leicestershire. We're expecting to be very busy indeed!"

Mark Allatt concluded:

“In order to get Tornado onto the main line as quickly as possible the Trust needs to raise a further £66,000 on top of its existing pledges. We are now looking to railway enthusiasts throughout the country to help us through making a donation, sponsoring a component, taking part in our covenant scheme and/or our bond issue. It’s time to get on board!”

- ENDS -

Tornado's departure from Darlington .......

..... and arrival at the Great Central Railway's Quorn Station, 19 August 2008, ....

.... followed by successful offloading and departure to Loughborough, on the morning of 20 August 2008.

Further pictures and text relating to Tornado at the GCR will now be placed on the "Preserved Railways" page.

Notes to Editors

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has built Peppercorn class A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado at its Darlington Locomotive Works and when certified it will be used on charter trains operating on Network Rail. Fitted with additional water capacity and the latest railway safety electronics, Tornado is fully equipped for today’s main line railway. The class A1s were designed by Arthur H Peppercorn for the London & North Eastern Railway and 49 were built in 1948/49 by British Railways. However, following the dieselisation of the railways, all were scrapped by 1966. The A1 Trust has built a new class A1 at a total cost £3 million. Over £2.9m has been raised to-date through deeds of covenant, commercial sponsorship (principal sponsor William Cook Cast Products Limited) and through a bond issue.

For details of how to help Tornado telephone 01325 4 60163, visit www.a1steam.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Great Central Railway has been voted number 12 on the list of the 50 greatest railway journeys in the world and is the UK's only double track, main line heritage railway. It’s the only place in the world where full size steam engines can be seen passing each other – just as it was when steam ruled the rails. The preserved railway has been operating for over 30 years, and is manned by around 700 volunteers and a small team of permanent staff. Originally a main line from Sheffield to London, the 8 mile preserved section between Loughborough and Leicester is fully operational and the 4 stations reflect a different period of the railway’s109 year history. Trains run every weekend of the year, bank holidays and daily in the summer. In addition, First Class Restaurant Car Services provide 4 or 6 course meals, whilst travelling between Loughborough and Leicester or childhood dreams can come true with a Drive a Train Experience. We also run a number of family events, including “Days Out with Thomas the Tank Engine”, Bonfire Night and Santa Specials. The railway has won a number of awards including “independent railway of the year”, and a gold award for the East Midlands best visitor experience and is a quality assured visitor attraction as designated by Enjoy England.

Details on the above and all forthcoming events can be found on the Great Central Railway's extensive website: www.gcrailway.co.uk

Additional information can also be obtained from the Booking Office, Loughborough Central Station, (Daily 9.00 - 5.30) on 01509 230726

For more information please contact:

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust on 07710 878979 (M) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lynn Hill, Marketing Assistant, Great Central Railway on 07789 178387 (M) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it