THE trust building the first steam locomotive in Britain for more than 40 years has selected a German company to supply a boiler for the train.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has chosen Dampflokwerk Meiningen, a steam locomotive works in Meiningen, Germany, to make the boiler.

The decision was made after almost three years of discussions with potential suppliers in the UK and Europe, as well as with the authorities on certification and quality matters.

The A1 Trust is building Peppercorn Class A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado at its Darlington Locomotive Works, and when complete, it will be used on charter trains on the rail network.

Significant progress has been made in construction, with more than £1m raised to date through deeds of covenant and commercial sponsorship.

Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said: "The boiler is the single most expensive component of Tornado left to manufacture, and the decision to select DB Meiningen as our supplier marks a major step forward in the construction programme, and one for which our many supporters have been awaiting for some time.

"Whilst we are disappointed that no UK supplier could meet the requirements of our various certification authorities and ourselves, we are confident that DB Meiningen will deliver a first-class boiler."

Jrgen Eichhorn, of Dampflokwerk Meiningen, said: "We are delighted and feel very honoured to have been selected as the supplier of the new boiler for The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

"We feel this might be a significant step into the British market, which we consider to be most important for us in the future."