[Feb 10, 2018] Tornado at GCRN (Nottingham)

The Great Central Railway - Nottingham is excited to announce the visit of legendary steam locomotive, 60163 Tornado, to Ruddington, home of the only Heritage Railway in Nottinghamshire during February 2018.

This superb A1 Pacific class locomotive is Britain’s newest steam locomotive built in 2008 and as part of the celebrations of her 10th year in service will be appearing for the first time at Ruddington. Despite her young age, Tornado is already iconic as a regular sight on mainline services and also having found fame on the television in “Top Gear” and “Tornado: The 100 MPH Steam Engine” alongside big screen fame in the 2017 film “Paddington 2” as well as being the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph in 50 years, so it is no surprise that we are excited to welcome her.

You will be able to travel on the former Great Central Railway main line on a return journey from Ruddington to Loughborough Junction behind this locomotive with 4 trains per day on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February 2018. Booking details can be found by clicking the BOOK NOW link below and are now on sale priced at £15 for Adults and £8 for Children over 3 for a return trip with a STRICTLY LIMITED number of DAY ROVER Tickets available for £50. Advance online booking is strongly advised and tickets are strictly limited and once gone, they are gone!. Please note: Members discounted rate does not apply to this event.

The locomotive has been undergoing annual maintenance at Locomotive Maintenance Services Limited who are based in Loughborough and we would like to thank them and the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust for their cooperation in making this visit to Ruddington possible."

 

I can also add to this information that trains will be departing Ruddington at 10, 12, 2 and 4, and the loco will be top and tailing the 125 Group's Mk3 rake with Intercity Liveried Class 47 47828. Tornado will be on the South end.
Also, to answer the question that will inevitably asked, the Mk3 rake has been chosen simply because the GCRN has more operable Mk3s (and one Mk2) than it has vac braked Mk1s, so having this arrangement allows more passengers to be carried, plus operating with a proper buffet serving hot food.
And the reason why it is not running with the Protoype HST Power Car 41001 is because Tornado needs to be facing south for her run away from the GCRN after the event to wherever she is going next (Network Rail have decreed it so). Because 41001 is currently set up to be on the south end of the rake, were 60163 and 41001 to run together, one would have to be nose-to-coaches, which would spoil the photographic opportunities somewhat. Hopefully Tornado shall make a return visit under circumstances when the two can operate together