A1 TRUST LAUNCHES APPEALS TO MARK 30TH ANNIVERSARY

As part of its 30th anniversary year, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has launched appeals to support its Peppercorn ‘Pacific’ Tornado and Gresley 2-8-2 Prince of Wales.

Three decades on from the trust’s formation in November 1990, the 30th Anniversary Appeals aim to support the continued operation of ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado on the main line, and the ongoing construction of the ‘P2’, No. 2007, for completion within the next three years.

In the near future, the trust also plans to move to a new, rail-connected site in Darlington (SR472) and begin construction of its third new-build LNER engine, ‘V4’ 2-6-2 No. 3403.

The 30th Anniversary Appeals include the ‘price of a pint of beer a week’ covenant scheme, to raise funds for Tornado’s next major overhaul (due in 2022), and the ‘Boiler Club’ to pay for the construction of the ‘P2’s’ boiler and an identical spare which will be used on both engines in the future.

Trust chairman Steve Davies said: “I sometimes sense in some quarters 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 in particular at the moment as the impact of Covid-19 has significantly impacted on railtour revenue.”

● For more on the A1 Trust and its future plans, see our interview with Steve Davies on pages 36-42.