The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust have launched a new appeal to celebrate Tornado's 10th birthday and its return to the mainline.
The ‘I ♥ Tornado' appeal is a fundraising campaign towards the cost of its repairs.
Since being completed in 2008, Tornado has covered more than 100,000 miles and seen service right around the country.
The cost of the repairs following the failure back in April has amounted to £60,163.
The repair has included:
- Reboring the outside valve liners
- Manufacturing and fitting of new valve heads
- Remetalling and machining of outside valve spindle crossheads
- Rebushing of the outside valve chest covers
- Renewing the left had outside union link and pins
- Boring of, and replacement of pins in, the inside reversing gear
- Exchanging and overhauling the front air pump
- Replacing the blowdown valves
- Overhauling the mechanical lubricator and atomisers
- Replacing some of the lubrication pipework
- Fitting of the three-pawl ratchet mechanism to lubricator in order to improve reliability
- Following recent tyre turning, acquisition of a replacement set of coupled wheel tyres
The trust has therefore established the ‘I ♥ 60163' appeal to help with the funding gap and raise £60,163 from 100 people each donating £601.63 in up to six payments.
In return for supporting the appeal, donators will receive:
- An exclusive ‘I ♥ 60163' car sticker
- Access to view Tornado at all reasonable times
- The Trust's newsletters on a regular basis
- The opportunity to attend the Trust's Annual Convention
- A special ‘I ♥ 60163' day with No. 60163 Tornado
- Their name inscribed on the Roll of Honour at Darlington Locomotive Works.
What did the officials say?
Mark Allatt, Trustee, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:
“It's hard to believe that No. 60163 Tornado has now been in traffic for over 10 years – and what a decade it has been! Throughout these years we have had many highs and a few unfortunate lows; we have travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain, hauling main line charters and Royal Trains, visiting dozens of heritage railways & centres and making countless appearances in the press, on TV and even in a movie! The nation – and indeed people way beyond our shores – seem to have taken Tornado to their heart.
“Unfortunately, Tornado's 10th Birthday year didn't quite work out as planned and 2018 has been a challenging year for The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust following No. 60163's failure on 14th April 2018 hauling her first 90mph train, ‘The Ebor Flyer'. Although much of the repair costs and loss of earnings have been covered by our insurance, unfortunately not all those costs could be recovered.
“In response to the many offers of help we have received, we have decided to establish the ‘I ♥ 60163' appeal to help close the funding gap and raise £60,163 from 100 people each donating £601.63 in up to six payments. And, now Tornado is back in steam, we would like to take the opportunity again to thank our supporters for their patience and continued support.”
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