Tornado to make North Yorkshire Moors Railway debut in May

Tornado, which was officially named by the Prince of Wales in York earlier this year, is expected to draw thousands of visitors next month as it travels between Pickering and Grosmont on Britain’s leading heritage railway.

The £3 million Peppercorn class A1 60163 engine is the result of an 18-year project to build the steam locomotive and return it to main line rail service.

As it makes its debut on the Moors, the apple green-coloured engine will rub pistons with ten other steam engines as part of a spring steam gala.

The event will bring together a line-up of locomotives rarely seen in operation together, including the LNER Class A4 Pacific-type Sir Nigel Gresley, which represents one of the most famous and much-loved designs of the steam era.

The gala will also feature the North East engine 63395, otherwise known as a Q6, the Lancashire Fusilier and 49395 Super D.

Philip Benham, the general manager of the railway, said the visit of Tornado would be the highlight of the season.

“We cannot compete with the high speed running already seen on the East Coast Main Line, but the varied topography and dramatic scenery of the Moors route, as it carves its way through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, will provide plenty of opportunity,” he said.

“The highlight will undoubtedly be the pairing of Tornado with our teak-liveried LNER coaching stock, to recreate the express train image that would have been seen when Tornado’s early cousins first emerged in 1948.

“We are delighted to be able to provide the public with a unique opportunity to see and ride behind such iconic engines.

“It will be a ‘must-see’ for anyone with an interest in railways.”

The gala will be taking place over the May Bank Holiday, from Friday, May 1, to Monday, May 4, and on the following weekend, from Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 10.

A souvenir brochure has been produced to mark the event.