A big step in the return of popular mainline loco, 60163 Tornado, was reached yesterday as the LNER A1 passed its steam test.

The good news follows on from a successful hydraulic test last week.

60163’s boiler had been gently warmed since the weekend and on Wednesday 12th July, the boiler inspector arrived in Darlington and passed the boiler with no issues.

Whats next for 60163? Well the boiler now needs to have its cladding fitted before it moves to Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough to be reunited with the frames, which are about to be rewheeled.

An A1SLT spokesperson said “It wont be long now until our fine locomotive is back on the rails! It has been a long journey to get to this point, not only with additional work required around the ETCS project and other components overhauled in Loughborough, but with a protracted course of action required to return the boiler to steam. Since delivery at Christmas, and facing challenges around materials quality, the team from Northern Steam have worked with the staff, contractors and volunteers at Darlington Locomotive Works (old and new!) to remove, replace, secure and weld the tubes. A great team effort has led us to today’s milestone.”