The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust‘s New-Build A1 No. 60163 Tornado took a major step towards returning to mainline service last weekend (30th Aug/1st Sept).

The locomotive hauled service trains at the Great Central Railway as part of its running in / mileage accumulation.

With its extended stay at the Great Central Railway, the planned trip to the Nene Valley Railway over the August Bank Holiday had to be cancelled.

However, the Nene Valley Railway says that the weekend at the GCR was a ‘success’ and tickets are now available for Tornado’s visit in October.

Back to September, and the A1SLT says that Tornado is to have mileage accumulation runs at the Great Central Railway, including running at up to 60 mph.

Once this is complete, the engine will move to Tyseley Locomotive Works as a base for main line testing in September.

It was reported earlier this year that part of the Cambrian Line will be used to test Tornado’s new in-cab signalling.