Following a nine-month overhaul at the DB’s steam locomotive works at Meiningen in Germany, the boiler of LNER Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado arrived back at Darlington Locomotive Works yesterday, 12th November, together with an overhauled lubricator and air pump.

Before starting its return journey the boiler passed its hydraulic tests.  During the next few weeks it will go through various procedures, such as dropping the fire grate into position, so that a steam test can be conducted under the supervision of a boiler inspector.

Once the steam test has been passed successfully, the cladding will be refitted before Tornado’s boiler is moved to Locomotive Maintenance Services at Loughborough, where it will be reunited with its frames. That will be followed by a busy period of work during which the re-assembly of the locomotive will be completed in time to make it ready for operations in the spring.

To avoid damage during the current cold snap, Tornado’s boiler will be kept inside between tests so that any temperature changes, such as occur during the steam test, are gradual.

Next Saturday, 17th December, there is an open day in Darlington, allowing you to see Tornado’s boiler

During the time that Tornado has been undergoing an overhaul, it has missed out on many potential earning opportunities. To make up for the shortfall, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has been we are more reliant than ever on donations from its supporters. Anyone who is able to make a donation towards the overhaul will be very welcome, as, every little helps and a lot goes a long way.

One-off donations are very welcome, whilst the Overhaul Club remains open and invites applications from anyone who wishes to sign up.

If all supporters donated £20 in December, we would enter the new year with an additional £40,000 to go towards our locomotives. Please give what you can.