Back on track as rail bosses reverse Tornado decision

Yesterday’s Northern Echo revealed how National Express was not going to allow steam fans onto the platform at Darlington station to witness the Tornado leaving for London because of health and safety fears.

The announcement sparked an outcry from local rail enthusiasts, many of whom wrote to and emailed The Northern Echo speaking of their outrage.

Saturday’s event will be the first commercial mainline trip for the locomotive, built by a dedicated band of volunteers in Darlington.

It is also the first time that the A1 Peppercorn class locomotive – which took nearly 20 years to build – has stopped in Darlington since leaving its hometown for “shake down” tests last August.

While it has been put through its paces, the locomotive has attracted thousands of fans at stations across the region.

National Express said it was concerned that the recent cold weather could cause the platforms at Darlington to become slippery, and therefore only fee-paying passengers would be allowed onto the station on Saturday morning.

But after community leaders and members of the public criticised the decision it was decided to open the station to everybody.

Last night, National Express East Coast spokesman John Gelson said: “We are fully supportive of the Tornado restoration project, and have noted the depth of local feeling in Darlington today.

“In light of that, we accept this was the wrong decision and we have acted quickly to fix it.

“We will welcome all visitors to the station on Saturday.”

The news has been welcomed in the town by a number of people, many of whom felt that by not allowing people onto the platform, National Express was denying Darlington a chance to celebrate its railway heritage.

The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Ian Haszeldine, will be whistling the train off when it leaves the station at 7.45am.

He said: “I’m overjoyed. I’ve spoken to National Express and I’m pleased that in light of the pressure that’s been put on them by the public and local media they’ve seen the light and decided that it’s in the best interests of themselves and local people to allow access.

“They’ve got to be congratulated for their courage in making that decision. They’ve made the right choice.”

The deputy mayor, Councillor Jim Ruck, said he had been invited to travel on the train in place of Coun Haszeldine, who was unable to make the trip.

He said: “I’m absolutely elated. It would appear that National Express reacted to public feeling on this. I would commend them. People who change their mind in view of more reasonable outcomes are a very good thing.

“I’m sure it will be appreciated by the people travelling to see the train.

“I come from an engineering background, so I’m very excited about the prospect of travelling down.”

Alasdair MacConachie, the chairman of Darlington Partnership, said: “I’m really delighted.

“I had Neal Smith, from National Express, asking me to call him urgently.

“He said they had clearly got it wrong and he was very happy to reverse the decision.

“Well done to The Northern Echo. I was furious when I heard they had made that announcement.

“But this is really terrific news and I hope lots of people will go and see Tornado.”

Steve Rose, the chief executive of Darlington Partnership, said: “I think this is a fantastic achievement and something that has come out of Darlington and its history and heritage.

“Everybody should really get behind it and show their support for it.”

Mark Allatt, the chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the public will be able to view Tornado as it departs from its Darlington birthplace on Saturday.

“We are all very grateful to National Express East Coast for making this a very special day for Darlington and Tornado’s supporters.

“National Express have been fantastic on all our runs.

“They recognise, like we do, that it’s good news and have been extremely accommodating.”

The Tornado is being housed in engine sheds at the National Railway Museum, at York.

It is hoped that, at some point in the future, it can be brought up to the Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham, to be displayed.

Where to see Tornado on Saturday

Passes Doncaster: 09.38
Waters Retford: 10.04–10.19
Passes Newark: 10.41
Passes Grantham: 10.55
Waters Peterborough Yard: 11.31–11.56
Passes Peterborough: 12.00
Passes Huntingdon: 12.21
Passes Sandy: 12.29
Passes Biggleswade: 12.34
Passes Hitchin: 12.46
Passes Stevenage: 12.53
Passes Welwyn Garden City: 13.05
Passes Potters Bar: 13.17
Passes Alexandra Palace: 13.30
Passes Finsbury Park: 13.38
Arrives London King’s Cross: 13.47
Thanks to National Express East Coast, Tornado will be on display at London King’s Cross station for about an hour after arrival

Peppercorn A1 Factfile

● The Peppercorn class A1s were designed by Arthur Henry Peppercorn
● There were 49 original Peppercorn A1s, built in Darlington and Doncaster in 1948 and 1949
● Peppercorns have a coal capacity of nine tons, water capacity of 5,000 gallons and full weight of 60 tons 18 cwt
● The wheel diameter is 4ft 2in
● The A1s hauled trains of up to 600 tons at an average of 60mph on the East Coast Main Line, but reached speeds of 100mph
● Tornado was named after the Panavia Tornado military jet
● Starting from informal discussions in the late Eighties, the group that was to become The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust first met on March 24, 1990
● Tornado was engineered in the 1853-built former Stockton and Darlington Railway Carriage Works ● She was built thanks to donations
of sponsors and covenators. The 2,000th covenator was 23-month-old Samuel Tindall, from West Yorkshire, who signed up in August, last year
● Mr Peppercorn’s widow, Dorothy Mather, is the president of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. She lit the first fire in Tornado’s firebox in January, last year
● Tornado was issued with her Engineering Acceptance certificate on October 31, last year by Delta Rail and her Route Acceptance certificate on November 3 by Network Rail in order to run main line tests