The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust
About the Trust
In 1990 a group of people came together to share an extraordinary ambition – to construct a brand new Peppercorn A1 Pacific. They formed The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and after nineteen years of incredible effort that locomotive, No. 60163 Tornado, moved under its own power for the first time in 2008.
This website tells the story of Tornado’s construction, an amazing tale of cooperation, skill and sheer hard graft which defied the critics who said it could never be done. The A1 Trust has over 2500 regular supporters (covenantors) who have all played some part, small or large, in guaranteeing that we have steam on the main line in the 21st Century.
Tornado is now fulfilling the dream, hauling specials on the mainline and giving joy to thousands of passengers and linesiders who want to witness the legend in action. You can be part of this by travelling with us or by becoming a covenantor, helping us to raise the funds to keep the dream alive.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is delighted to announce that the locomotive plays a starring role in the new PADDINGTON 2 movie to be released on 10th November 2017 along with luxury vintage train, Belmond British Pullman
PADDINGTON 2 is an upcoming British-French family-comedy film directed by Paul King, co-written by King and Simon Farnaby, and produced by David Heyman. The film sees stars Ben Whishaw (as the voice of Paddington) Hugh Grant (as Phoenix Buchanan, a faded and narcissistic actor), Brendan Gleeson (as Knuckles McGinty, a safecracker), Hugh Bonneville (as Henry Brown), Sally Hawkins (as Mary Brown), Julie Walters (as Mrs Bird), Jim Broadbent (as Samuel Gruber), Peter Capaldi (as Mr Curry), Madeleine Harris (as Judy Brown), Samuel Joslin (as Jonathan Brown), Imelda Staunton (as the voice of Lucy, Paddington’s aunt) and Tornado as itself. No. 60163 took part in filming at Paddington station and at Leavesden Studios in December and January 2017. The film is set to release in the UK on 10th November 2017.
Latest News
The Trust respectfully requests that anyone wanting to see Tornado follows the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.
Travel with Tornado
2018 Tour Guide
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is proud that Tornado will continue to be operated on the Network Rail main line by DB Cargo, which has worked successfully with the Trust since the locomotive’s completion in 2008.
Featured Content