NYMR Visit and Planned Maintenance

2 Sep 2026 Wednesday

NYMR Visit and Planned Maintenance

Tornado has enjoyed an extended visit to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) with twelve successful days of operation despite the high temperatures across the country. Careful management of the locomotive and a lighter than usual train helped ensure a clean record and many happy passengers.

The locomotive nearly didn't make it, due to a nationwide steam ban, imposed by Network Rail in response to the very hot weather. While understandable, this meant a diesel pilot for the move from Darlington to Grosmont and in a first fo the Trust, the Connecting Rods were also removed. While this wasn't ideal, it allowed the locomotive to meet all its commitments. We are grateful to Vintage Trains and DB Cargo for helping us with the late changes.

A special group of passengers joined us on Friday 7^th August 2026. Over 100 serving personnel and their families, from RAF Leeming and RAF Fylingdales, were able to join us for a return trip from Pickering. Led by their Commanding Officer Group Captain John 'Geordie' Lawson they all had a fantastic journey and got to see the locomotive up close. Many of the children travelling also got to see the footplate. For the occasion, the driver was from the RAF and the fireman from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (pictured above).

Due to the weather conditions Tornado has remained at the NYMR and a period of maintenance is being undertaken (see more below).

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A1 MAINTENANCE

With the hot weather continuing to have an impact, the planned maintenance window has taken place at Grosmont rather than at home in Darlington. Not ideal but we are grateful to the NYMR for their support and hospitality.

The primary activity has been an A exam and boiler washout with a number of minor repairs to be completed ahead of operations through the Autumn. We have also taken the opportunity to install new felts in all three big end bearings and to fettle the middle big end now, which brings forward a job that would have been scheduled for immediately after Christmas.

We will also be undertaking a routine exam on the Support Coach which has been working well and providing a great location for our team.

Images: Steffan Owens/Nic Proctor/Peter Anchor/A1SLT