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Tornado masquerades as Saint Mungo in honour of the latter's role in the formation of the Trust - Steve Davies

(No. 60163 was specially prepared for a Steam Railway magazine cover photo before being re-painted in BR locomotive green)

It’s hard to believe that it is now 30 years since The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust was formed to build a new Peppercorn class A1 ‘Pacific’. The original A1s were built by British Railways in 1948/49, however all were scrapped by 1966. The last survivor No. 60145 Saint Mungo was the subject of a failed preservation attempt which left the final development of East Coast Main Line’s famous steam locomotive classes unrepresented in preservation. The formal launch of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust was held at the Railway Institute in York on 17^th November 1990. To loud applause it was announced that the 50^th Peppercorn class A1 would carry the running number 60163 – the next in the sequence. The organisation was established with a clear mission: “To build and operate a Peppercorn class A1 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive for main line and preserved railway use.” After 18 years of construction and fundraising with the support of principal sponsor William Cook Cast Products Ltd, the £3 million locomotive was completed in August 2008. Tornado was named by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at York station in February 2009 and in April 2017 became the first British steam locomotive to reach 100mph for 50 years.

Remember how it all started in 2008? - Chris Milner

Since completion, No. 60163 Tornado has steamed over 100,000 miles the length and breadth of Great Britain. Following her unveiling in works grey, Tornado has worn all of the historic Peppercorn class A1 liveries – apple green, BR locomotive green (with emblem and crest) and BR blue.  In celebration of the Trust’s 30^th Anniversary, Tornado is being temporarily returned to the BR locomotive green livery of No. 60145 Saint Mungo which inspired the organisation’s formation.  Following the completion of Tornado, the overhaul & conversion of its support coach E21249 and the repayment of the £1m of loans taken out to speed completion, the Trust launched its project to build a second new main line steam locomotive in 2013 -  Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales. With your generous donations of time and money, we’ve come a long way since those humble beginnings in York 30 years ago. With your continued support, the next few years will see the first of the two new boilers delivered and fitted to No. 60163 Tornado during her next overhaul; the acquisition and overhaul of E35457 for use as a support coach for No. 2007 Prince of Wales; the completion, testing and operation of our new Gresley class P2; the relocation of the Trust’s operations to a new, larger main line connected site in Darlington where we can build, maintain and operate new steam locomotives; and the start of the construction of our third new ex-LNER steam locomotive, yet-to-be-named Gresley class V4 No. 3403. As part of our 30^th Anniversary we are asking our supporters to consider the different ways in which they might help us to protect what we have achieved to-date and realise our ambitious plans for the future. There is currently a very real need to raise funds for Tornado’s next overhaul - in some quarters there seems to be a view that once a new steam locomotive is built it requires little further support. Nothing could be further from the truth and both Tornado now, and Prince of Wales in the future, require additional support to remain in traffic.  Tornado is in particular need at the moment as the impact of Covid-19 has significantly impacted on railtour revenue. It only remains to thank you in advance for your support. You can download the full Appeals Leaflet here and you can support our 30^th Birthday Appeals by downloading this form.  Alternatively you can also support Tornado by joining one of our railtours and travelling behind this masterpiece of 21^st century steam technology!  You can contact us by emailing enquiries@a1steam.com or calling 01325 460163.

Tornado with last year's 'Yorkshire Pullman' - Alan Weaver