“This Valentine’s Day will be the last one when you can buy a part of new steam locomotive Tornado for the man in your life”, said Mark Allatt, Chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity that is building the first new main line steam locomotive in Britain almost 50 years, “and what could be more romantic than helping to recreate the lost days of the steam age”. The ex-LNER Peppercorn class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado is being built by the Trust at its Darlington Locomotive Works, is now over 95% complete and steamed for the first time earlier this month. Tornado is due to be completed by April 2008, provided that a further £27,000 of a total cost of almost £3m is raised in addition to what has already been donated and pledged.

Mark Allatt continued, “One of the key ways in which The Trust has raised funds for the locomotive is by supporters sponsoring particular components either on their own behalf or as a gift for others. The lucky recipient of this gift will receive a drawing of the component sponsored and certificate recognising the sponsorship with the dedication worded however the giver wishes. The recipient will have the satisfaction of pointing to the part of the locomotive they sponsored when the locomotive enters service on Britain’s mainline railway. We have many parts on offer, which have in the past ranged from individual nuts and bolts to the wheels and cab fittings, ranging in price from £25 to £25,000. We even have Tornado’s chimney available for £2,500. And as a thank you he will be able to buy tickets take his valentine for a romantic meal on a train pulled by Tornado later this year”.

Components available for sponsorship include:

- fixed boiler stays at £25 and flexible boiler stays at £50

- parts of the boiler cladding from £150 - large boiler tubes at £200

- a piston and rod at £1,900

- the chimney at £2,500

- a coupling rod at £4,355 - exhaust steam injector at £12,000

with other parts at prices to suit all pockets, however deep.

Mark Allatt added, “This is an ideal opportunity to not only give a present with a difference this Valentine’s Day but also to play an important part in building the first new main line steam locomotive in Britain for 48 years. And in today’s world it’s not just the boys who would like to be engine drivers!”

A list of dedicated donations is available in our sponsor a component section or, if there is something special you would like please e-mail enquiries@a1steam.com or telephone us on 01325 4 60163. (09-00 to 17-00 Monday to Friday)