A NEW book about Tornado, the first main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for half a century, has been published.

Some of the proceeds from the sale will go back towards the upkeep of the engine.

Tornado: 21st Century Steam, by Jonathan Glancey, recounts the story of Tornado.

The £3m engine, the 50th Peppercorn Class A1 locomotive, was built in Darlington by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

It now runs on the main line and has attracted headlines and supporters from across the world.

A spokesman for the publisher said: “The book tells the tale of this engine, the first brand new locomotive to be built in Britain since 1960 and some of its history. In its heyday it was regarded as significant as the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard.

“The great thing about steam, according to one of the engine’s original apprentices who still helps out as a volunteer today, is that everyone loves it as much now as they did in the Sixties.”

The book costs £24.99, at tornadothebook.com