Train enthusiasts will gather today to watch as Tornado, the first steam locomotive built in Britain in 50 years, steams back to its birthplace. Paul Cook reports.

A FAMOUS steam locomotive which has won the hearts of the North-East public will return to the region today.

Tornado, Britain’s first main line steam locomotive built in half-a-century, will be on show at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, County Durham, for a week.

It will pull a special Tyne- Tees Tornado excursion between Darlington and Newcastle today, before going on to the museum.

The train will be dieselhauled from Gloucester until it arrives in York at 9.38am.

Tornado will pull the train for the rest of the outward journey, leaving York at 9.59am.

It passes Thirsk at 10.25am, Northallerton at 10.33am, Darlington at 10.45am, Durham at 11.05am and arrives in Newcastle at 11.20am.

Mark Allatt, from the Darlington- based A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which built Tornado, said: “On this outward run, Tornado will speed through Darlington, crossing the legendary Stockton and Darlington Railway of 1825.

“Northwards there is varied scenery before Durham, where the railway viaduct offers a superb vista of the cathedral and castle, and then the descent to the Tyne Valley, welcomed by the Angel of the North.

“Tornado will slow for the crossing of the Tyne.”

Passengers have the option of a break in Newcastle or continue on the Blyth and Tyne line, through Bedlington and Morpeth, Northumberland.

Tornado will return from Newcastle at 2.50pm via Durham, Ferryhill and the freight line to Norton and Stockton.

It arrives back in Darlington at 4.17pm.

From there, the main train will return to Gloucester, with Tornado making its way to Locomotion, in Shildon, via Darlington North Road station.

It will be on display from Monday to Friday. Visitors will be able to access the footplate and get an insight into the life of an engine driver.

On Wednesday, at 7pm, the trust’s director of engineering, David Elliott, will host an illustrated talk about the locomotive.

Tickets are £5.

Over the bank holiday weekend, from Saturday to Monday, May 1 to 3, Tornado will be stand alongside other engines with links to the region, including K1 locomotive Lord of the Isles, and J72 locomotive Joem in the North- Eastern Giants of Steam event. There will be a chance to access the cab, early bird photography sessions and steam rides. For tickets and information call 01388-771439, or visit nrm.org.uk/locomotion or a1steam.com

■ An illustrated talk, titled The Tornado Story: From Dream to Steam takes place at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, on Wednesday.

David Elliott, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust director of engineering, will deliver the talk, starting at 7pm. Entry is £5, and must be booked.

Where to see Tornado

York: Depart 09.59
Thirsk: 10.25
Northallerton: 10.33
Darlington: 10.45
Durham: 11.05
Newcastle: Arrive 11.20
Newcastle: Depart 13.31
Bedlington Junction: 14.10
Morpeth: 14.23
Newcastle: Arrive 14.47
Newcastle: Depart 14.50
Durham: 15.04
Eaglescliffe: 15.50
Darlington: 16.17
Darlington North Road: Arrive 16.20, then on to Shildon