London King’s Cross to Edinburgh on Wednesday 25^th July 2012 with famous new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado and iconic Deltic D9009 Alycidon

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity behind famous new steam locomotive 60163 Tornado, is the recreating ‘The Elizabethan’ express in celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. ‘The Elizabethan’ was the premier train on the East Coast Main Line in the post-war period and this unique railtour will showcase Tornado at her best and provide nearly 400 miles of travel behind an iconic Deltic.

On Wednesday 25^th July 2012, Deltic D9009 Alycidon will set out from London King’s Cross station with her first main line passenger train for many years and head north to Edinburgh, pausing to collect passengers at Peterborough, York and Darlington. After a break in the Scottish Capital, Tornado will head the train south covering the 393 miles to London - the reverse of her famous BBC Top Gear ‘Race to the North’ with Jeremy Clarkson on-board - setting down as outward. This will be the first time a Brunswick Green liveried Peppercorn class A1 will have departed Edinburgh Waverley station since the 1960s and we are pleased to confirm that the carriages will be in the historic carmine and cream livery. Passengers in premier dining will receive a traditional silver service throughout the journey based upon an Anglo-Scottish menu.

We expect there to be much fast running at the permitted maximum of 75mph and with this being a summer tour we anticipate wonderful views of the Scottish coast and the Northumberland and Yorkshire scenery with the long daylight hours.

The timings for ‘The Elizabethan’ express on Wednesday 25^th July 2012 are as follows:

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:

“Having hauled the Royal Train during HRH The Prince of Wales’s visit to Northumberland, we are delighted to be able to join in the celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the re-creation of ‘The Elizabethan’ express. This iconic train of the 1950s was British Railways’ response to the optimism prevalent at the dawn of the new Elizabethan era. With both Tornado and Alycidon on the route they were designed for, this unique railtour will be a day out to remember for all of those lucky enough to be on-board.”

The Trust respectfully requests that anyone wanting to see Tornado follows the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.

Background

In order to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, British Railways renamed ‘The Capitals Limited’ express to ‘The Elizabethan’. The first runs of ‘The Elizabethan’ were made on Monday 29^th June 1953, and then resumed for each summer season, until at the end of the 1961 season on Friday 8^th September, when the last steam hauled runs were made. Being non-stop between London and Edinburgh in both directions, only corridor tender fitted Gresley class A4s could be used, the sheds at King’s Cross and Haymarket being those to provide them. The inaugural time for the journey was 6¾ hours but in 1954 that was reduced to 6½ hours or only 390 minutes start to stop for the 392.7 miles. From 1962, Deltic diesels took over and whilst nominally non-stop to passengers, they halted briefly at Newcastle for crew changing.

‘The Elizabethan’ express was steam hauled from 1953 to 1961 and Deltic diesel hauled in 1962. Therefore 2012 will mark the 50th year since ‘The Elizabethan’ service was withdrawn and 2013 will mark the 60th year since the service was introduced. “The Lizzie” as the service was affectionately known was principally hauled by Gresley class A4s due to their corridor tenders, although there were times when other classes of steam locomotive deputised for the A4s. Some of the occasions when A1s deputised are 60121 Silurian on 24^th & 25^th July 1954, unique Thompson class A1/1 60113 Great Northern on 25^th August 1954 and 60155 Borderer on 12^th September 1954.

 ‘The Elizabethan’ was immortalised in Elizabethan Express, the 1954 British Transport Film that follows the non-stop service from London to Edinburgh along the East Coast Main Line. Although originally intended as an advertising short, it now acts as a nostalgic record of the halcyon years of steam on British Railways and the ex-LNER class A4s. It was directed by Tony Thompson, with a poetic commentary written by Paul Le Saux. It is also notable for its music by Clifton Parker, who wrote the score for several other British Transport Films.