Tickets now available from York to Newcastle and return on ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’

Tornado is returning to the North East on Saturday 26^th September 2015 with ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’ - celebrating 25 years since the project to build a new Peppercorn class A1 was launched by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

Departing from London King’s Cross ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’ will head north, calling at Potters Bar and Peterborough.  Arriving at York late morning, guests alighting here can choose to explore this historic city or visit the staggeringly beautiful Castle Howard. Guests transfer to luxury coaches for the relaxing fifteen mile journey to Castle Howard where they have a break of three hours to explore. Castle Howard is a magnificent 18^th Century residence set within one thousand acres of breath-taking landscape in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A limited number of tickets are now available from York on this historic train.

Tornado will then take our train across the Plain of York and over the River Tees to her Darlington birthplace.  Those disembarking here will have the opportunity of a guided tour of Darlington Locomotive Works where Tornado was completed and the Trust’s second new steam locomotive - No. 2007 Prince of Wales - is under construction. Once completed in 2021, this new Gresley class P2 ‘Mikado’ will be Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive.

On departing Darlington, our train will cross the legendary 1825 Stockton & Darlington Railway and continue north to Durham, where the railway viaduct offers a superb vista of the Cathedral and Castle. It will then descend to the Tyne Valley, welcomed by the Angel of the North, where Tornado will cross the Tyne on one of the many bridges that lead to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and where passengers are able to take a 2½ hour break.

No. 60163 Tornado will take charge of ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’ for our return journey to York where modern traction will take over for the rest of our journey to London King's Cross.

Tornado will be hauling a limited number of main line railtours during 2015, with all profits going towards the upkeep of this magnificent locomotive. Consequently, space on this train is likely to be at a premium and so an early reservation is recommended.  

Provisional Timings for ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman express on Saturday 26^th September 2015 are as follows:

Tickets for the ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’ are priced at standard class (to York £99.00; to Darlington/Newcastle £119.00; from York to Newcastle £70.00), first class non-dining (to York £139.00; Darlington/Newcastle £159.00; from York to Newcastle £99.00) and first class dining (to York £225.00; Darlington/Newcastle £249.00; from York to Newcastle n/a) with all profits going to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust towards maintaining Tornado in future years. Tables for two in first class and first class dining are available for a supplement of £25.00 per person. The York option is only available to passengers boarding at London King's Cross and Potters Bar. First class dining option not available to passengers boarding at York.

Bookings by debit or credit card are via our ticket agents UK Railtours on 01438 715050 www.ukrailtours.com  or throughwww.a1steam.com.

Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented, "We are delighted to be celebrating our 25^th Anniversary in style with ‘The Silver Jubilee Talisman’ and returning to Tornado’sbirthplace. Tornado will still be fresh from her intermediate overhaul and newly repainted in her glorious apple green livery, so we anticipate that seats for this train will sell out rapidly. This is a classic Peppercorn class A1 run from London King's Cross to York, Darlington and Newcastle, offering magnificent sights and sounds that will accompany a fast, express steam locomotive working hard… an experience not to be missed!"

“Guests getting off at York now have the additional option to visit the magnificent Castle Howard and those choosing to disembark at Darlington will have the added benefit of an exclusive guided tour of Tornado’s birthplace, Darlington Locomotive Works, where they will be able to see our second main line steam locomotive, No. 2007 Prince of Wales, under construction. A limited number of first class non-dining and standard class tickets are now available from York.”