Tornado was ready to go

There was a reference in RAIL 803 to A1 steam locomotive

Tornado having “failed” on June 11, resulting in a Class 60 being forced to continue with the tour to London King’s Cross.

This statement does not tell the whole story, which is actually another unfortunate and highly embarrassing episode for the rail industry in its treatment of charter operators and locomotive owners.

The official statement from the A1 Steam Trust on this incident, issued via its Facebook page, read: “Tornado was de-registered from the Rolling Stock Library at midnight on Friday June 10. There were no reasons for this in terms of paperwork or mechanical condition of our locomotive.

“Investigations have shown that this was caused by a computer error associated with recent new software introduced by the RSL. As a consequence, the locomotive was unable to haul a train for UK Railtours on Saturday June 11, nor return to London in time for today’s ‘Belmond British Pullman’.

We are pursuing this with the RSL to ensure it doesn’t happen again to ourselves and hopefully anyone else. We are also addressing the financial impact this has had on the Trust with relevant parties. When resources allow, Tornado will return to London and resume her calendar of operations.”

So in short, 60163 was in steam, fit and very able to haul this trip - but a computer said no. It would appear no human could overrule the glaring mistake.

It remains to be seen who will cover the coal, water and light engine moves required to cover this trip, as well as lost hire revenue from this and the Belmond Pullman a few days later. And not forgetting the time and goodwill of the volunteer support crew who had the locomotive in steam and ready to go at the National Railway Museum in sight of the train, but then saw it banned from leaving the site.

In light of difficult times for mainline steam, I hope this sets the record straight.