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Tornado Fortnight 1 to 15 June 2009
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A brand new steam locomotive...
The completion and entry into service of the AI Class Pacific locomotive no 60163 Tornado in 2008 was one of the major news stories of the year, attracting both national and international coverage as the first mainline express steam engine (as distinct from smaller machines for narrow gauge lines) to be built for use in Britain since the 1950s. The West Somerset Railway are delighted to welcome this wonderful locomotive to the Minehead Branch for a fortnight’s stay which includes appearing at the Mixed Traffic Weekend.
The A1 locomotives, of which Tornado is a development, were designed by Arthur Peppercorn, the last Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway and they were built between 1946 and 1949 at Darlington and Doncaster. The locomotives were excellent performers on express trains and fast freights between Kings Cross, North East England and Scotland and also achieved high mileage figures between maintenance periods. Sadly the rapid withdrawal of steam in the 1960s saw them all out of service by 1966 and all were scrapped.
The A1 Trust launched the project to build Tornado in 1990. It is intended to be a development rather than a recreation of the original engines incorporating various engineering and design developments that have taken place in the last half-century. The curious can find fuller details of these changes in a comprehensive entry for the engine on Wikipedia.
Most of the engine was built in Darlington but the boiler was actually built in the Meiningen Works in the former Eastern Germany which still had the necessary equipment to build a boiler of the size required.
As is inevitable with a massive project like this there were many hurdles both practical and fiscal to overcome but these have been surmounted and Tornado is a great tribute to, and reward for, the efforts of the A1 Locomotive Trust. It will be working West Somerset Railway trains from 1 June to 15 June and by booking your ticket in advance you will be able to walk past any queues at ticket offices and ride on the WSR including taking a journey behind No 60163.
Tornado train times for 1 to 11 June and 15 June
The West Somerset will be using the engine on service trains daily between 1 - 11 June, and on 15 June. On these days it will leave Bishops Lydeard station at 11.40am and 3.05pm, and Minehead at 1.15pm and 4.55pm. In addition these dates there will also see two other steam engines in action hauling passenger trains. Full timetable for 1-11,15 June.
Further, on 12, 13, 14 June Tornado will feature in the Mixed Traffic Weekend, working trains alongside a fleet of 1960s classic diesel locomotives, and ironically being of more modern construction than the internal combustion engines which originally displaced steam. See the Mixed Traffic Weekend page for train times for 12, 13, 14 June.
Tickets for 1 to 11 June and 15 June
Please note that no party discounts will be available on any trains hauled by Tornado.
Rover Tickets can be purchased in advance- use the Tornado Fortnight Booking Form .
Rover Tickets for the Tornado Fortnight are now online at TicketWeb.
Tickets for Mixed Traffic Weekend 12 to 14 June
Please note that no privilege ticket, free pass and voucher facilities are valid at the Mixed Traffic Weekend (12-14 June). Ordinary fares apply to all passengers. Rover Tickets can be purchased in advance- use the Mixed Traffic Booking Form.
Rover Tickets allow you the complete freedom of the line and purchasing them is the best way of enjoying the Gala. One, Two and Three Day Rover Tickets will be available. Rover Tickets for the Mixed Traffic Weekend are now online at TicketWeb.
How to Book...
You can book Rover Tickets in advance in the following ways...
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