Boiler plans on track

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the group working on the project, has dispatched its initial tender documentation to companies keen on building the engine's boiler.

The building of the boiler is the project's "final big hurdle", as engineers will tackle the task of following 53-year-old plans while meeting modern standards.

Five organisations have expressed an interest in building the boiler for the new Peppercorn class A1 pacific No 60163 Tornado.

The locomotive is being built at a cost in excess of £1.7m, while the boiler will cost around £250,000 to £300,000, closely following the design of the originals, built in 1948/9.

Work is being carried out at the Darlington Locomotive Works.

Despite this replication, there will be alterations to suit modern materials and regulations, including an all-welded construction, rather than riveted, and a steel firebox instead of copper.

Mark Allatt, chairman of the trust, said: "The boiler is the final big hurdle for the trust to overcome in its mission to build 60163 Tornado. We are confident that all of the technical and engineering issues have been resolved and that British engineering will be able to meet our requirements."

The trust must now find a way of finding the money needed at the same time as funding ongoing work on the locomotive's wheels, motion, brakes and tenders.

"The trust hopes to announce its preferred supplier and fundraising campaign by the autumn and is still aiming to complete Tornado by the end of 2003, subject to our income continuing to grow at current rates, when it will be the first new express passenger steam locomotive for 50 years," said Mr Allatt.

The trust has made Dorothy Mather, of Hutton Rudby, its first honorary president. She is the widow of Arthur H Peppercorn, the last chief engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway and designer of the A1s.

Read more about the railway campaign here.

Updated: 13.35 Wednesday, May 23