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Events

Annual Convention

Annual Convention

The Annual Convention in 2024 will be held on Saturday 12th October, at Darlington Locomotive Works, with the evening meal at Hall Garth Hotel. All Supporters are welcome to attend this popular event!

Darlington Locomotive Works is open to the public on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:00hrs until 15:00hrs. This is a wonderful opportunity to view the latest progress on No. 2007 Prince of Wales, view the roll of honour listing our donors, and meet with our team of volunteers. The Trust and its locomotives moved to a new locomotive works in summer 2023, and you can find us at 9 Bonomi Way, Darlington, DL3 0PY.

Special arrangements can be made for parties from interested clubs and societies.
 

On the Road

We often attend events to meet new audiences. This year you’ll find our stand at:

  • Nene Valley Railway - 19th. 20th and 26th of October.
  • Newark Steam Rally - Sunday the 10th of November

Talks and Presentations

The Trust regularly gives fascinating presentations to interested groups on our work; how we built and now, how we operate Tornado and how we are building Prince of Wales as part of our ongoing Educational remit, and many of these talks are free and open to the public.

We can promise you a most interesting and entertaining occasion!

Scheduled Presentations (updated 20 October 2024):

  • 11th September 2024 - U3A Northallerton, Graham Nicholas, A1 & P2 (To be rearranged.)
  • 13th November 2024 - Zoom talk Lutterworth Railway Society plus 2, Graham Nicholas
  • 14th November 2024 - Peterborough RCTS Branch, Liz Gibson, P2
  • 27th November 2024 - Ipswich & District Historical Society, Liz Gibson, P2
  • 12th March 2025 - Basingstoke Railway Club, Chris Ardy, P2
  • 12th March 2025 - Bromsgrove Railway Club, Andrew Taylor. P2
  • 27th March 2025 - Stevenage Locomotive Society, Liz Gibson, A1
  • 17th April 2025 - Marlow & District Railway Society, Chris Ardy, P2
  • 17th September 2025 - Bradford Railway Circle, Gary Hughes, P2
  • 20th October 2025 - Newbury & District Transport Group, Chris Ardy, P2

Recent feedback includes

“A truly exceptional event – highly informative and entertaining from a brilliant speaker.”

“This must be one of the most interesting talks that I have attended. This was enhanced by the fact that the speaker was so directly involved and hands on. The tornado project has so captured the public’s interest. It was a privilege to have attended this event. Thanks to all involved.”

To arrange your own lecture or wish to attend one full details can be found here

We can usually offer speakers nationwide, and we have lectured all over the UK, on Cruise liners; on one occasion a talk was given to the Shanghai Steam Club in China! We have also given a talk to the Indian National Steam Congress in Delhi.

We welcome all enquires, from small local groups to large corporate events. If you would like to book or attend a presentation, please contact Chris Ardy at presentations@a1steam.com detailing your group’s background, date required, location, and attendance numbers expected.

Our superb PowerPoint slide and digital video media Presentation can be easily adjusted to suit your group’s meeting from 45 to 120 minutes (Q & A sessions always welcome) We do ask that a digital media projector and screen are provided, with audio sound. Our speaker can normally can bring their own lap-top to plug-in, together with a selection of  our Tornado Official merchandise to sell if required.

Whilst the Trust does not charge a fee for these Lectures, we do ask that you please kindly consider making a most appreciated donation, all of which goes towards Tornado’s upkeep and now the building of Prince of Wales.

May we suggest for larger or Corporate events a minimum donation of £500 or £100 for smaller clubs/societies. (Just £40 for very small groups with less than 40 members) Travel expenses, plus a hotel, should your location deem it necessary, are respectfully required for all our speakers. You may download a Donation form

A complete Lecture resume, synopsis and suggested titles will be sent upon your confirmed booking request. Delegate leaflets will be provided.