The gallery features a selection of the best photographs from the Trust’s Photo Library, click on the year below to review the dates featured. We are always happy to receive images from photographers who might want to have their work exhibited in this section of the website.
No. 60163 on the 100mph run – Robin Coombes
This website is illustrated with many photographs, © various, licenced to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. High-resolution copies are available for a fee or donation to the Trust: contact .
Tornado is ready to leave Carlisle with ‘The Queen of Scots’ – Graham Nicholas
Battling up Beattock – Alistair Moulstone
Tornado runs into Edinburgh – Mike Walkingshaw
‘The Queen of Scots’ leaves Edinburgh Waverley – Michael Denholm
The returning train stands in Newcastle – Sam Yeeles
Because of the cancellation of the first two Aberdonians due to the tragic accident at Stonehaven, we were able to take advantage of Tornado’s extended stay at Carnforth to have our support coach, No. E21249, repainted in BR maroon livery. The coach has carried BR carmine & cream since it was originally overhauled and converted into Tornado’s support coach and for much of the time since it has matched the Riviera Trains rolling stock in the same livery. However, with the prospect of operating more trains formed of West Coast Railway and Scottish Railway Preservation Society coaches in maroon livery and No. 60163 returning to BR green livery, it seemed logical for the coach to carry an appropriate colour as well.
The coach is rubbed down in the Carnforth paintshop – A1SLT
Glossy maroon paint is applied – A1SLT
The final result! – A1SLT
During the locomotive’s enforced sojourn at the National Railway Museum a review of the condition of the paintwork suggested that it might need considerable ‘freshening up’ before the next major overhaul. With a continuation of Covid-19 restrictions likely to prevent a return to traffic during the summer months and with the support coach already booked into Carnforth for wheelset attention it seemed logical to ask if their paintshop could undertake repainting of Tornado at the same time. We are extremely grateful to David Smith and the team at West Coast Railways for fitting us in and allowing a little extra ‘tinkering’ for a Steam Railway magazine cover shoot.
Tornado masquerades as Saint Mungo – Steve Davies
The following photos show the progress of the preparation and repainting of No. 60163 – the first time the locomotive has been spray-painted.
At the end of July Tornado was back in steam on the main line for a test run to Carnforth ahead of work on the support coach.
We were delighted to see the engine in fine fettle after spending much of the first half of the year parked up at the National Railway Museum in York, as all steam trains ceased following the onset of the pandemic. This period of isolation came to an end on 24th July when the locomotive moved to Lancashire and Tornado is now being prepared for trains in September.
The engine was prepped by our engineering team at the NRM ahead of the move. In this new age, our Support Crew numbers were limited but the smaller team worked well within the new social distancing guidelines. They report that the move was quite uneventful – which is always a good sign!
Watch this space for updates from Carnforth.
Tornado is spruced up at the NRM – Charlotte Graham
Now in steam. No. 60163 prepares to leave a somewhat forlorn No. 60009 behind – Charlotte Graham
En route – Tornado passes through Bingley – Tony Jackson
The Edinburgh Christmas Market special passes Burnmouth – Stuart Black
With the Tweed looking like a mirror, the train crosses the Royal Border Viaduct – Henry Elliott
Tornado runs into Dunbar – Michael Denholm
Redhouse Castle – Peter Backhouse
Tornado was serviced at the NRM in York – Michael Barnes
Busy times at York! No. 7029 Clun Castle meets Tornado – Thomas Shrimpton
The train pauses at Peterborough on the return run – Thomas Shrimpton
On Thursday 12th December, Tornado stood in as a substitute for the Railway Touring Company’s Christmas special to Chester.
In cold dawn light, Tornado passes Melton Mowbray – Paul Davies
The outward-bound train passes Alpraham – Mick Rogers
Journey’s end at Chester – Paul Davies
Tornado lifts her heavy train past Hungerford – Tony Bartlett
Shortly afterwards the train passed Crofton – Robert Stewart
The train passes Donington – Simon Kerry
Tornado is seen at Huntingdon on the outward leg – Ben Scott
The return run crosses Digswell Viaduct – Barry Goodey
Tornado shares the buffer stops at King’s Cross with an East Coast ‘Azuma’ – Thomas Shrimpton
Train passes Great Bourton – Neil Whitaker
Tornado stands at Reading with the return run – Thomas Shrimpton