This summer, a steam locomotive will be returning to the mainline tracks, with plans for a stop in Basingstoke.
The No. 60163 Tornado will operate The Atlantic Coast Express steam day trip departing from Woking and Basingstoke for The Railway Touring Company.
Featuring fresh BR green paintwork, the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 locomotive is set to return to service following extensive refurbishment, keeping it out of commission for several years.
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The No. 60163 Tornado locomotive will operate The Atlantic Coast Express steam day trip.
(Image: Ben Collier)
Kelly Osborne, the managing director of The Railway Touring Company, stated: “We are thrilled to collaborate with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to offer residents of Woking and Basingstoke the chance to journey aboard Tornado. Additionally, this partnership will enable countless others to witness the locomotive in operation.”
I’m thrilled that Tornado will return to the national rail network.
The resumption of Tornado’s service after being overhauled includes successful trials on the mainline.
This is the quickest steam engine to operate since the ’60s, achieving a speed of 100 mph during a testing run in 2017.
The Railway Touring Company offers summertime railway excursions such as “The Atlantic Coast Express” scheduled for Saturday, August 16. This trip will feature locomotive haulage by Tornado, departing from London Waterloo via Woking and Basingstoke, providing passengers with an idyllic one-day adventure through picturesque landscapes following the path once treaded by vintage ‘ACE’ trains heading towards the Southwest coastline.
It will stop at the historically significant cathedral city of Exeter.
The Tornado is a 21st-century steam locomotive that garnered significant attention upon its launch in 2008 as the first mainline steam engine to be constructed in the UK since 1960.
Ever since, it has kept astonishing people by pulling royal trains and making appearances in movies like “Paddington 2” as well as various TV shows such as “Top Gear.”
It has accumulated over 130,000 miles.
Check out The Railway Touring Company’s website for information about The Atlantic Coast Express featuring Tornado.
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