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LNER Class A1 60163 Tornado

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description LNER Class A1 60163 Tornado Overview

LNER Class A1 60163 Tornado is a British standard-gauge express passenger steam locomotive built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and completed in 2008. It is a modern continuation of the LNER Peppercorn A1 design rather than an original locomotive from the London and North Eastern Railway. Tornado became notable as the first mainline steam locomotive built in the United Kingdom since 1960, when construction of the original British Railways steam programme had ended. It has operated in the heritage railway and mainline charter context.

help LNER Class A1 60163 Tornado FAQ

Is LNER Class A1 60163 Tornado an original steam locomotive?

No. Tornado is a new-build locomotive completed in 2008 by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, using the Peppercorn Class A1 design associated with the LNER. It continues an extinct class rather than being one of the original locomotives built in the 1940s. [A1 Steam Locomotive Trust](https://www.a1steam.com/tornado/about-tornado/tornados-story)

Why is the locomotive numbered 60163?

60163 places Tornado in the numbering sequence of the Peppercorn A1 Pacific locomotives and identifies it as the modern continuation of that class. The Trust describes it as the 50th Peppercorn A1.

Can Tornado operate on Britain's main line?

Yes. It was built with modern main-line safety electronics and additional water capacity, allowing operation on Network Rail routes as well as heritage railways. The Trust says it has covered more than 130,000 miles in those roles. [A1 Steam Locomotive Trust](https://www.a1steam.com/tornado/about-tornado/tornados-story)

Has Tornado reached 100 mph?

Yes. Tornado reached 100 mph during secret night testing in 2017, making it the first steam locomotive to reach that speed since the 1960s according to the A1 Trust. That test was separate from ordinary heritage railway operation. [A1 Steam Locomotive Trust](https://www.a1steam.com/tornado/about-tornado/tornados-story)

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