Steam locomotive 60163 Tornado’s return to mainline delayed

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has released an update on the overhaul of LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado.

The trust says that there has been a delay in the return of the popular locomotive, with the situation over the last month being ‘fluid', with many variations to the original plan.

With the reassembly of the boiler and fittings, the Trust needed to undertake some work to the gauge frame pads. There is a lot of paperwork required for this task as well as a high level of welding.

The trust has also found that their usual welder was no longer available, and it has been difficult to source a qualified coded welder for this task.

In order to reset the seven-year ticket, a hydraulic test has had to be completed.

This was carried out on the 1st May, which the boiler passed. However, the trust found a stay to be weeping, which suggested a small crack.

Upon finding this, the Trust has checked the other stays on the right-hand side and found ‘a reasonable' number of them needed replacing. The left-hand side still needs some replacing, but the number is not as high.

Subject to the welding being complete, it is expected that the locomotive will leave Locomotive Maintenance Services on the 20th May to allow for static testing to take place.

Tornado will therefore miss the planned visit to the Nene Valley Railway, more information of that can be found in our previous article here.

The tender for the locomotive has now been moved to the Great Central Railway, with only minor tasks still left to complete – some ETCS tests can also be carried out.

The Trust says that the overhaul of the locomotive is now approaching £1,000,000, with a loss in income due to cancelled trains. Donations towards the overhaul can be made over on the A1 Trust website.