The following tours, organised by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and other promotors have been confirmed:
Saturday 18th April 2009 - Yorkshire Pullman - Kings Cross to York and return by Tornado hauling the VSOE British Pullman train.Tornado’s first departure from London King’s Cross will take place on Saturday 18th April 2009 with the Yorkshire Pullman. This name was first used on Monday 30th September 1935, and apart from the hiatus due to the Second World War, survived for some years after steam locomotives ceased to haul it. Originally starting at Harrogate and a regular Peppercorn class A1 turn south of Doncaster, the 2009 Yorkshire Pullman will run from London King’s Cross to York and return with Tornado hauling the luxurious VSOE British Pullman train.A once in a lifetime opportunity not to be missed.Only Pullman class available at £449 per person
Saturday 3rd October 2009 - Tornado's first tour over the legendary Settle and Carlisle line - Departing from Doncaster around 08:15hrs the train travels to York via the East Coast Main Line where Tornado will be waiting to take the train forward. We depart York around 09:00hrs heading for Leeds where we pick up further passengers at approximately 09:30. We call at Skipton around 10:15hrs then our final pick up is at Hellifield around 10:45hrs. Shortly after departing Hellifield we join the famous Settle and Carlisle line, one of the greatest railway journeys in the world, with its magnificent scenery and outstanding engineering. We will pause to water Tornado at Appleby (12:00hrs) where passengers may alight, before we continue on through the Eden Valley to arrive in Carlisle at approximately 13:15hrs.
Our return journey will follow the route as described above departing Carlisle around 16:40hrs and Appleby at approximately 17:50hrs. We set down at Hellifield around 19:30hrs, Skipton 20:10hrs, Leeds 21:00hrs and York 21:30hrs. Our train will then return diesel hauled to Doncaster arriving at approximately 22:15hrs.
This trip will be a fabulous event and a real day to remember so book early to ensure your place on this trip.
*STOP PRESS!* Sunday 4th October - A second chance over the S & C! - Due to overwhelming demand the itinerary of the 3rd will be repeated on Sunday the 4th, details as above.
Prices for the trip are Standard; £75.00, First Class; £115, and First Class Dining; £175.00.Booking agent for both of the above is Steam Dreams on 01483 209888.
Other dates for the diary include:
4th – 5th April – Tornado at the Barrow Hill Gala – www.barrowhill.org
1st – 10th May – Tornado at the North York Moors Spring Gala – www.nymr.co.uk
Monday 18th May – The Coronation arranged by Steam Dreams, with the York to Kings Cross leg hauled by Tornado – www.steamdreams.com Tel: 01483 209888
Saturday 23rd May – Steam Dreams trip Kings Cross to York and return with Tornado and Sir Nigel Gresley (see contact details above)
Sunday 31st May – Sunday 14th June – Tornado at the West Somerset Railway – www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Thursday 18th June – Steam Trips trip from London to Wells and Minehead and return with Tornado hauling the return leg (see contact details above)
Sunday 21st June – Steam Dreams Fathers Day Hampshire and Kent Circulars hauled by Tornado (see contact details above).
Sunday 5th July – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return – Past-Time Rail Limited (Tel: 01543 411971 Web site: www.past-timerail.co.uk Email: contact@past-timerail.co.uk )
Saturday 11th July – Tornado hauls the The Golden Hynd from Bristol to Plymouth and return – the South Devon Banks (see contact details above)
Sunday 12th July – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return (see contact details above)
Sunday 19th July – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return (see contact details above)
Sunday 26th July – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return (see contact details above)
Sunday 2nd August – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return (see contact details above)
Sunday 9th August – Tornado hauls the Torbay Express from Bristol to Paignton and Kingswear (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway) and return (see contact details above)
Saturday 15th August – Tornado on Hants/Sussex Circulars and return – Steam Dreams on www.steamdreams.com Tel: 01483 209888
Saturday 19th September – Kings Cross to York and return arranged by Steam Dreams (see contact details above)
Saturday 3rd October - Tornado's first tour over the legendary Settle and Carlisle line, departing from Doncaster around 08:15hrs the train travels to York via the East Coast Main Line where Tornado will be waiting to take the train forward. We depart York around 09:00hrs heading for Leeds where we pick up further passengers at approximately 09:30. We call at Skipton around 10:15hrs then our final pick up is at Hellifield around 10:45hrs. Shortly after departing Hellifield we join the famous Settle and Carlisle line, one of the greatest railway journeys in the world, with its magnificent scenery and outstanding engineering. We will pause to water Tornado at Appleby (12:00hrs) where passengers may alight, before we continue on through the Eden Valley to arrive in Carlisle at approximately 13:15hrs. The return journey will follow the route as described above departing Carlisle around 16:40hrs and Appleby at approximately 17:50hrs. We set down at Hellifield around 19:30hrs, Skipton 20:10hrs, Leeds 21:00hrs and York 21:30hrs. Our train will then return diesel hauled to Doncaster arriving at approximately 22:15hrs. Booking agent Steam Dreams - www.steamdreams.com Tel: 01483 209888
Sunday 4th October - A second chance at the S & C - itinerary as above.
Saturday 10th October – Hellifield to Carlisle and return – arranged by Pathfinder Tours (Tel: 01453 835414 Web: www.pathfindertours.co.uk Email: office@pathfinder.co.uk )
Saturday 14th November – Worcester to London – Past-Time Rail Limited (see contact details above)
Thursday 26th November – Kings Cross to York and return – arranged by Steam Dreams (see contact details above)
Monday 21st December – Kent Circular – arranged by Steam Dreams (see contact details above)
Please refer to our website – www.a1steam.com – for further information and updates on trips as they are confirmed.
The Trust respectfully requests that anyone wanting to see Tornado's first main line passenger trains follows the rules of the railway and only goes where permitted.