How time flies! 7 years ago today, Tornado became the first steam locomotive for 50 years to officially reach 100mph. The ton was achieved on an overnight test run between Newcastle and York.

📷: Robin Coombes/Rob Morland/A1SLT

Toady we welcomed the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, & our local MP, Peter Gibson, to Darlington Locomotive Works. The visit enabled the PM to hear an update on the A1 , P2 & track work at DLW. Chairman Steve Davies briefed on plans for a turntable at the site, S&DR 200 & more.

Please support us on easyfundraising today and raise FREE donations with your everyday online shopping at Tesco, eBay, M&S and many more! Once you raise your first £5, easyfundraising will double it! Plus, join this month and we could win a £500 donation: join.easyfundraising.org.uk/a1slt/ucxscc/c…

Thank you to everyone who has purchased items from our Wish List to help restock the Support Coach. We are blown away with the response so far!

There are still a few things we need- if you’d like to support this effort, take a look at the wish list here: amzn.eu/94hJjRr

To ensure the Support Coach is well stocked for the rigours of life back on the main line, we have carried out an audit. Where we have gaps, we have created a Wish List.

Items start at £6, each of them vital to the cause. Follow the link to help: amzn.eu/94hJjRr

Gool Peran Lowen - Happy St Piran’s Day!

Tornado last visited Cornwall in 2017 on a tour from Paddington to Penzance, followed by a visit to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

📷 Ken Brunt/Craig Munday

We are very close to completing Tornado’s overhaul. Last month, a volunteer work party helped the process along, preparing the support coach for use once again and assisting with lagging and pipe work for the locomotive.

Support Tornado at a1steam.com

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! Happy St David’s Day to all of our supporters and followers in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

📷 Frank Price - Tornado hauling the Saint David, on this day 2010.

Great news! It’s now easier than ever to support Tornado with online donations!
Whether you’re chipping in a little each month or making a one-off payment, you can do it at a1steam.com

On Valentine’s Day 2017, Tornado helped celebrate the reopening of the Settle & Carlisle Railway.
The I❤️S&C plandampf saw the A1 hauling the timetabled train service at regular ticket prices!
📷 Bill Lowis

Great news! Online contributions for Tornado are now live on our website at a1steam.com/donation

Make a donation today to support No.60163 as it returns to steam this spring.

We are delighted to have been awarded a grant by the Tees Valley Community Foundation to provide resources for our fantastic volunteers. Our thanks go to TVCF and their donors.
Find out more about the grant and ways to volunteer with the Trust here: ow.ly/Ue9n50Qz7AX

15 years ago today, ‘The Talisman’ ran from Darlington to London King’s Cross. This was Tornado’s first train to the capital, and thousands turned out to see the new steam locomotive.

We send HM The King our best wishes for a swift return to full health following today’s announcement.

January has seen significant progress made on Tornado . All motion, lubrication systems, brake rigging, valves and pistons have been returned to the locomotive. We have also advanced the installation of fitments in the cab and smokebox. It’s all coming together!

Whenever you buy anything online, you could be raising a free donation for us! Over 8,000 brands are ready to give us a donation every time you shop online via easyfundraising. Plus, if you sign up and raise £5 in donations, we will get a bonus £5: join.easyfundraising.org.uk/a1slt/ucxscc/c…

Tornado will visit the Nene Valley Railway this spring. Find out more here: ow.ly/Pjvv50QqYb5

It’s Blue Monday, so here is a superb picture of Tornado in the ever popular BR Blue livery!

📷 Alex Napier, taken at Stirling on the Edinburgh to Inverness Cathedrals Express, June 2013

A work party of staff and volunteers started the new year off the front foot, moving Tornado closer to steaming. The motion was returned to the locomotive, the brake rigging installed and significant progress made in the smokebox.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust - here's to a fantastic new year!