The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, who built and maintain No.60163 ‘Tornado’ have announced today that it will be renaming and renumbering the Pacific steam locomotive.
Tornado, the 50th Peppercorn A1 was completed at Darlington Works in 2008 at a cost of over £3 million. The project was launched in 1990.
Tornado was the name chosen to commemorate the RAF jets of the same name. RAF Tornado planes are being withdrawn from March 2019.
This means the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has taken the decision to rename and renumber Tornado to No. 60164 Typhoon – after the RAF jets which will be in service for many years to come.
What did the officials say?
Mark Allatt, Trustee, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:
“Now that Tornado is approaching ten years since completion, the Trust has decided to give the locomotive a new name, new number, and new look. From 1st April 2019 No. 60163 Tornado will be renamed and renumbered to No. 60164 Typhoon and will also be repainted in the popular British Railways Express Passenger Blue livery carried in 2012-14. This change is a reflection of our desire to maintain an on-going link with the RAF and also to forge stronger links with other countries flying the Typhoon jets.”
Graeme Bunker-James, Operations Director, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust continued:
“To celebrate our locomotive’s new identity and to forge closer links with the RAF and allied air forces flying the Typhoon, we are in the early stages of planning an overseas tour which will include Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It’s in the early stages of planning but the first part of the tour will start on 1st April 2019 in Aprilschertz in Germany.”
Oberst Joe Kerr of the Luftwaffe station in Aprilschertz added:
“We are delighted to be hosting the first leg of No. 60164 Typhoon’s international tour and look forward to welcoming our British friends as they embark on their next adventure.”
- Visit the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust website
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Tornado! Having made a total tit of myself with my response to the name change story, only to discover from one of Oliver Cromwell’s army at Locomotion yesterday that I wasn’t the only one, I can only plead minor naïveté! Anyway avoid day at Shildon, despite everyone laughing themselves sick! Guy. 😂
I can’t imagine why this change is necessary; I bet her builders are as perplexed as I am! I elect it’s raised a downgraded tropical storm in Darlington. (oops, sorry!) Guy. X
Is it bloody true
It does not matter what name or number it carries if you are travelling on a train with it on the front.
It’s the performance that matters and I hope that the effort on the 14/04 will be something rather special.
Peter Wilson 60163 Tornado was in blue livery for a couple of years a while back
Nice try but APRIL FOOL!
Very good but on1st April it did not fool me. G4GNQ BRARS President.
P.S. I hate PhotoShop! 😋
Oh….. it’s the 1st of April. Silly me!😊
P.S. I hate PhotoShop! 😂
Hook line and sinker 😉
Don’t know whats funner, the April fool’s joke or the poeple that fell for it
Don’t know anyone who can remember any A1 in blue will be stopping my contribution if it goes ahead
Date today ?
I’m sadden to hear the the Tornado is being renamed Typhoon. The Tornado has served us extremely well over the years in service with the Royal Airforce and naming the A1 honoured the aircraft and the men who have flown and maintained them.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m in awe of the Typhoon with its capabilities based on the cutting edge technology but credit where it’s due to the Tornado.🤔
Bro, it’s an April fools joke!