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Tornado

Part of History, still creating history – Come and join us!

Tornado is a 21st century steam locomotive. The first main line steam locomotive built in the UK since 1960, Tornado made headlines as it steamed for the first time in 2008. In just over 10 years, the engine has continued to impress, hauling Royal Trains and appearing on the big screen in Paddington2 as well as on numerous television programmes including Top Gear. Tornado is also the fastest steam engine to run since the 1960s, reaching 100mph on a test train in 2017. But, we couldn’t do any of this without our supporters…

Support the Trust

Get on board with us for as little as the price of a pint. As a charity we rely on fundraising to keep achieving amazing feats with Tornado. From build to daily maintenance, much of the locomotive as you see it today has been funded by a lot of people contributing a small amount on a regular basis. Donations from our supporters ensure that Tornado will continue to operate on the mainline for decades to come.

 

TORNADO'S STATISTICS

100

Miles per hour, the preservation era speed record broken by Tornado

130,000

Miles travelled by Tornado, and counting!

2008

Tornado was completed making it the first main line steam locomotive in the UK since 1961

150

Volunteers who worked on the Tornado project

Our Latest News

August ETCS update

09 September 2023

Tornado, Our Latest News

Visits to LMS have seen the completion of key electrical work on the cab.  The most important achievement has been the installation of new wiring boxes under both crew seats, where our wiring...

Supporters' Open Day

05 September 2023

Our Latest News, Our Latest News

Over 200 people came along to the very first Open Day at the new Darlington Locomotive Works on Saturday 5th August. Supporters and their guests braved torrential rain to get the first look at the...

Wheeled Frames and Painted...

05 September 2023

Our Latest News

The last week of August has seen some big milestones hit in Tornado's overhaul. In Loughborough, the driving wheels have been returned to the frames: a significant step fowards! The...

The Footplate

Inside Tornado’s Cab

Here is where the magic happens. The Fireman shovels the coal into the firebox and feeds the water to the boiler to create steam. Do spare a thought for the fireman bailing coal using only a shovel to maintain a grate bigger than a super king size bed! Tornado operates at a maximum pressure of 250lb/in². The high pressure steam is released by the Driver opening the regulator; the steam then rushes down to the cylinders to push the pistons and turn the wheels. Other driver controls include the regulator, the brakes and most importantly the whistle!

The electronic elements in the cab are safety features for running out on the national network – plus a USB port for charging mobile phones – well, it is a 21st century steam locomotive after all!