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FIRST ‘DUCHESS’ FROM KING'S CROSS FOR 41 YEARS Steam-hauled train takes more than 400 supporters to see new steam locomotive under construction (Pictures from the actual run at bottom of this page) The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the registered charity that is building the first new mainline steam locomotive in Britain for over 40 years, is today running a special train, 'The Talisman', from London’s King's Cross station to Darlington to see under-construction steam locomotive Tornado. The Peppercorn Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado is being build by the Trust in its Darlington Locomotive Works and is due to be completed by November 2007, provided that a further £385,000 is raised towards its construction costs. To-date the Trust has raised and spent over £1.5m. 'The Talisman' is being hauled by LMS Princess Coronation class steam locomotive No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland and it is 41 years since a locomotive of this type hauled a train along the East Coast Mainline from London’s King's Cross station. This class of locomotive worked the heaviest express passenger trains on the rival West Coast Mainline from the 1930s to the 1960s and No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland has twice hauled the Royal Train in recent years. Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, added: “The Trust is delighted to be running its first special train from King's Cross today, carrying more than 400 supporters to see Tornado. Not only are we expecting a first-class day out but we are hopeful that the sight of our under-construction locomotive will encourage our supporters to help us finish Tornado by participating in our bond issue or sponsoring a component. We are now calling on all those interested in seeing Tornado in steam in 2007 to help us to bridge our £385,000 funding gap.” The A1 Trust is building Peppercorn Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado at its Darlington Locomotive Works and when complete it will be used on charter trains operating on Network Rail. Significant progress has been made on the construction of Tornado, with over £1.5m raised to-date through deeds of covenant, commercial sponsorship and through a bond issue. In order to complete Tornado as quickly as possible - by November 2007 - the Trust needs to raise £385,000 on top of its existing pledges.

[caption id="attachment_1684" align="alignnone" width="268"] The Duchess ready to depart on the homeward run from Darlington Bank Top Station[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_1685" align="alignnone" width="268"] The Duchess ready to depart on the homeward run from Darlington Bank Top Station[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1686" align="alignnone" width="268"] Happy passengers en-route[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_1687" align="alignnone" width="209"] Journey's end back at King's Cross[/caption]