Tornado comeback trip for Settle and Carlisle line
NEW-BUILD Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado is to make its first tour following its £1 million overhaul with a 21st Century Steam tour from Leicester over the Settle and Carlisle line on Saturday, June 29.
Through 2022 and 2023, No. 60163 has been in the workshop at Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough and has undergone the world-first fitting to a steam locomotive of European Train Control System (ETCS) technology. This is part of the heritage pathfinder project for the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme.
During the spring, Tornado will undertake static and dynamic ETCS testing, key steps in determining the technical and commercial viability of fitting heritage locomotives and trains. As reported, No. 60163 is pencilled in for dynamic testing during night-time possessions on the Cambrian Line.
The A1 is to visit the Nene Valley Railway from May 21-27, as reported in last issue.
Its main line comeback trip from Leicester, ‘The Ribblehead Rambler’, will be operated by Vintage Trains – the first time it has worked with Tornado – and will call at East Midlands Parkway, Chesterfield, Doncaster and Leeds, before heading for Settle and Carlisle.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (parent company of 21st Century Steam), Vintage Trains and Tyseley Locomotive Works have a long history: the frames of Tornado were assembled there in 1996, VT supported fundraising train ‘The Talisman’ in 2006, and they have been involved in many other collaborative endeavours since.
Icon meets icon
Steve Davies, chairman of 21st Century Steam and The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said “Tornado has been away from the main line for too long – and what better way to return to operations than with a trip over the Settle and Carlisle railway? An iconic locomotive on an iconic route; an unbeatable combination.
“We are also especially pleased to be working with Vintage Trains for the first time and look forward to fruitful partnership between the two organisations.”
Tornado will be active throughout the UK in 2024 and into 2025.
The regular programme of ‘The Aberdonian’ tours in Scotland will run from July to September, and there will be further tours announced for the UK. It is planned for this programme of trains to enable passengers from the North East, South East and West Midlands to enjoy a steam-hauled special train headed by Tornado.
More details about the train and booking information can be found at www.21stcenturysteam.co.uk. Alternatively, the 21st Century Steam booking office can be reached on 01325 488215 and is open Mondays to Thursdays from 9am-5pm and Fridays 9am to 4pm.