A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has issued an update on the progress of mainline steam locomotive 60163 Tornado.

At the end of September, Tornado’s boiler travelled from Darlington Locomotive Works to Locomotive Maintenance Services (LMS) in Loughborough.

After it arrived at Loughborough on Tuesday 26 September, workers fitted the ashpan beneath the firebox and lifted the boiler in one piece onto the frames. They then made some minor adjustments in order to place the boiler in the best position and secured it onto the frames. Since then, the team has been working to re-affix the pipework and fitments that connect to it.

Over the weekend of 14 October, the boiler was steamed outside the LMS works, in order to understand all clearances  The loco was then moved inside to enable more pipework and fittings to be reinstated.

Workers then sealed the smokebox and bolted it down to the saddle. The team is now focusing on connecting the pipework and reinstalling the footplate fittings and associated connections.

Towards the end of last month, workers assembled the brick arch formers and cast the concrete in situ, an arduous job that involved shifting a lot of concrete.

Engineers have found some snags as the work progresses.

• The second turbo generator’s newly-fitted take-off, which shuts off steam direct from the boiler, has been found to foul the cladding and so will need adjustment.
• The injector clacks require lapping to improve their seating.

These small jobs must be completed before the loco can return to service, and they are taking longer than was hoped. However, A1 Steam expects the work to be done within the next month, in time for the loco to go for running in and ETCS testing at the Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) test centre before Christmas.

The overhaul has taken two years so far of overhaul activity, and the Trust is looking forward to seeing No. 60163 Tornado in steam for main line and heritage line operations from Spring 2024.

The Trust has spent more than half a million pounds on the overhaul so far, and because it has taken longer than expected, Tornado has lost income from running trains during that time. You can make a donation to support Tornado at the A1 Steam website.

RailAdvent’s online shop stocks several 60163 products, including nine prints, five mouse mats, a Blu-Ray and a greetings card.