Although Tornado made her first moves just over two years ago, the locomotive has already clocked up 25,000 miles in service.  The landmark mileage was recorded on the southbound leg of August 14th's "Cathedrals Express" run by Steam Dreams.  Graham Nicholas, The A1 Trust's performance guru, calculates that 60163 achieved the mileage just north of Doncaster on the return trip that day.  The original A1s were famed for their reliability and ability to clock up large mileages between visits to the 'shops.  According to Peter Townend a number of classes of locomotives were costed by British Railways in the early 1950's and the total maintenance cost in pence per mile for the A1s was considerably lower than that of any other class 8 locomotive. Higher mileages were generally achieved between classified repairs. One of the roller bearing engines at Kings Cross no.60157 attained 197,000 miles, the highest of any Kings Cross engine. 

Tornado hammers through Retford, on the return run on the 14th August - Alan Weaver

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, in conjunction with Barrow Hill Roundhouse, is pleased to announce that Tornado will be taking part in driver experience days on Monday 4th, Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th October 2010. Opportunities to drive and fire this unique locomotive are very rare indeed and places are strictly limited.

The cost of the Driver Experience Day is £550 per person. A1 Steam Locomotive Trust Covenantors and Barrow Hill Society Members are entitled to a £50 discount on this price. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To ensure every guest gains the most from the experience, a maximum of four people will be allowed to take part on each day.

The day will start at 9.00am with breakfast, a safety briefing and an introduction to the two locomotives you will be firing and driving - A1 Pacific Tornado and the 0-6-0 Peckett 2000. The group will then be split into two pairs and each pair will take it in turns to fire and drive both locomotives throughout the morning. There will be a break for lunch and a tour of the Roundhouse after which the driving and firing turns will continue, this time using Tornado only. The day will finish at 4.00pm.

Put yourself here - this is a rare chance to get your hand on the regulator of Tornado! - A1SLT

At the end of the course you will receive a commemorative certificate, signed by representatives of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

We are also offering you the opportunity to bring a partner or friend to share the day's experience with you at a cost of £50 per person. They will join you for breakfast and lunch and the tour of the Roundhouse. They may wish to spend the day observing your driving and firing prowess from the Coaling Stage in the yard or perhaps take a break in one of the carriages being hauled by the Peckett.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to book your place on this unique driver experience course. Alternatively please call Barrow Hill Roundhouse on 01246 472450 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Payments - by cheque only - should be made payable to "Barrow Hill Limited" and sent to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield, S43 2PR. Please note that we cannot accept payment by credit card.

Tornado on the Barrow Hill turntable - Clive Hanley

Although boiler problems precluded its planned appearance at the West Somerset Railway in July the WSR can announce revised dates for the visit of the new express steam locomotive number 60163 Tornado.  The engine's owners the A1 Locomotive Trust have advised the WSR that repair work has progressed well and not only should Tornado be available for its pre-planned five day visit between September 13th and 17th but it will also be appearing at two special event weekends earlier in the month.

The engine will make a headlining appearance at the Late Summer Weekend on September 4th and 5th, running in company with three other steam locomotives and three vintage diesels on an intensive train service over the twenty miles of line between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead. To add some extra interest one of the steam locomotives operating alongside Tornado will be another "Pacific", number 34046 Braunton of the "West Country" class which is due to join Tornado on mainline excursion train work in 2011. To add to the attractiveness of the weekend normal WSR fares will apply and can even be obtained at a discount if booked by Tuesday September 1st.

The following weekend Tornado will be running service trains whilst the 11th annual Campaign for Real Ale (Somerset Branch) Beer Festival takes place at Minehead station. The Beer Festival is a celebration of British traditional brewing with over 100 beers in varying styles, many from the award-winning smaller breweries of Somerset but others from further afield.

West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare was delighted when the 'phone call from the A1 Locomotive Trust was received. "We were all naturally disappointed with the bad news concerning Tornado", he said "but the news concerning the repairs and its appearance for extra days in September has given us all a lift. We hope our visitors will support will continue to support UK tourism this year and enjoy travelling through our glorious Somerset countryside behind this beautiful locomotive."

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust can confirm that 60163 Tornado will be hauling the Venice Simplon Orient-Express 'British Pullman' on Friday 20th August. The train will depart London Victoria at 1225hrs and return at 1610hrs and travel via Guildford.

As the train makes its way into the station at Victoria, your glamorously dressed hosts invite you out to the platform to board. Take the time first to walk to the front of the train and admire the gracious, powerful and magnificent steam locomotive Tornado.

From the moment liveried stewards welcome you to your immaculately appointed carriage, the adventure begins. Stepping aboard the British Pullman is like stepping back in time. For every detail, from regal carpets, woven brass luggage racks and mahogany glass-panelled doors to silken lampshades and velour tapestry armchairs, transports you back to back to a more gracious age.

In the care of your steward as time passes unnoticed, enjoy a delicious five course lunch, unruffled and unhurried. Few journeys will take you out of modern time quite so thoroughly and into another era.

A liqueur will round off your meal before the train arrives at London Victoria. Your journey aboard the 'British Pullman' takes you on a circular tour. Guests do not disembark from the train during this journey.

VSOE ‘British Pullman’ (Tel: 0845 077 2222; web: www.orient-express.com)