Built to modern safety specifications to a design dating back to the late forties when Britain’s rail network was privatised, Tornado hauls a variety of special trains throughout the country.
Tornado’s unveiling in the summer of 2008 followed 18 years of work and fundraising by a group of about 2,000 railway enthusiasts who committed a total of at least £3m of private money to the project.
Genuine New Locomotive
The Locomotive is a Peppercorn A1 Pacific, Peppercorn being the name of the original post-war designer and A1 Pacific referring to the size and wheelbase of the engine. The project that built Tornado says it is not a replica but a genuine new locomotive of the Peppercorn A1 class, the latest in the fleet, so there are a few modifications to the original design. It is capable of travelling at 100mph but will be restricted to 90mph in regular use.
The last of the original Peppercorn A1 locomotives was scrapped in 1966. Arthur Peppercorn, among other things a lifelong friend of Bentley luxury car founder WO Bentley, had been the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the private London and North Eastern Railway which ran the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland. His A1 Pacific locomotives were the last in a line of famous express steam locomotives that includes the famous and still operating Flying Scotsman, designed by a predecessor of Peppercorn.
In the 1950s the Peppercorn’s were hailed as the cheapest of all British steam locomotives in the same category and the most reliable. But the conversion to diesel and electric traction in the 1960s and the withdrawal of all main-line steam operation meant all 49 Peppercorn A1s were scrapped despite the attempts of railway enthusiasts to preserve at least one example.
Reversing History
In 1990 a group of enthusiasts decided to reverse history and build a brand-new Peppercorn A1 Pacific. Despite considerable scepticism from outside the ranks of the project that such a machine could be built, the locomotive slowly took shape. The result, engine No. 60163, moved under its own steam for the first time in 2008 and was subsequently named Tornado.
In January 2009 Tornado hauled her first passenger train, for supporters of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust who raised the funds to build the new locomotive. In the following month Tornado hauled the Royal Train and in April headed its first-ever public passenger train, the luxury Yorkshire Pullman, from London to York. The event marked the first time a Peppercorn A1 Pacific had left the capital’s King’s Cross Station for more than 40 years.
Modern Features
Although it follows Peppercorn’s design, Tornado has features like additional water capacity – there are no longer many watering facilities on Britain’s railway network – and the latest railway safety electronics to make sure it is fully-equipped for a modern main line railway
Tornado now runs on main line special trains like the Cathedrals Express which takes passengers from King’s Cross station in London to York and back, as well as preserved steam lines like the Severn Valley Railway in central England. It’s also available for hire, although only reveals prices to serious enquirers.
Enthusiasm for Tornado has spread and a modern diesel-electric train operated by East Midlands Trains which happens to share the same number as Tornado – 60163 – has been named Tornado in the steam engine’s honour.
Top Gear Race
Tornado also featured in a TV race by the team that makes Britain’s hugely popular motoring programme Top Gear. Presenter Jeremy Clarkson rode the Tornado’s footplate while fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond drove a classic car and classic motorbike respectively in a race from London to Edinburgh (the car won).
