The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced that the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund has granted them £11,100.

These funds will go towards making up for lost income from not being able to operate, and help with preparation work to get back to running mainline and heritage railway steam trains.

About the Culture Recovery Fund

Set up and funded by the UK Government, the Culture Recovery Fund provides financial support to thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK to help survive and recover from the effects of COVID-19.

Almost 4,000 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations have received funds to date.

April 2021 has seen the second round of payouts made, with this support more aimed towards helping business prepare for reopening in Spring and Summer 2021.

About the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is the builder and owner of new-build London North Eastern Railway (LNER) Peppercorn A1 No.60163 “Tornado”.

Since completing “Tornado” in 2008, the Trust has operated the engine across the UK on both the mainline and heritage railways.

Once restrictions have eased, the Trust will resume mainline tours, with full details to be found on their website here

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust Chairman Steve Davies MBE said: “We are delighted to have received £11,100 from the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which will inevitably plug some of the gap from the latest coronavirus lockdown. This grant means that we can now start to look ahead, plan to reopen Darlington Locomotive Works to visitors and welcome passengers back onto our main line railtours this Spring. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the importance of our railway heritage and main line steam operations.”

Chair of the Arts Council England Sir Nicholas Serota said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

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