THE nation’s newest locomotive will haul a special train to mark the 40th anniversary of the return of steam to the main line railway.
The Darlington-built Tornado will haul the train during part of the anniversary in October – taking passengers from Birmingham to Paddington Station, London.
The train journey will mark the anniversary of the decision made in 1971 to allow steam trains to use main line tracks again.
A ban on steam trains using main line tracks had been imposed by British Railways in 1968.
The anniversary train will be hauled by both the 2008- built 60163 Tornado and the 6024 King Edward I on a return journey from and to Paddington via Hereford, Slough, Reading and Birmingham.
The journey will retrace much of the route taken in October 1971 by GWR King class No 6000 King George V – the same class as the King Edward I.
All profits from ticket sales will be donated to Help for Heroes, with key participants providing their services free of charge.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is providing Tornado, while well-known collector Jeremy Hosking (with the 6024 Society) is providing the King Edward I.
Network Rail has agreed to waive any track access fees and Bells and Two-Tones will be sponsoring the provision of water for the steam locomotives.
Operator DB Schenker will not charge for its role and Steam Dreams is providing the booking services.
More sponsors are being sought for other aspects of the train to ensure that the maximum amount from the ticket sales goes to Help for Heroes.
The 40th anniversary train will run on October 8, from London Paddington (initially diesel-hauled) to Hereford, picking up passengers enroute at Slough and Reading.
At Hereford, the diesel locomotive will hand over to the King Edward I, which will take the train on to Birmingham Snow Hill via Severn Tunnel Junction, Swindon, Oxford and Banbury.
At Birmingham, Tornado will take over and return the train to Paddington, London.
Tickets will be priced at £75 standard class, £115 first class and £195 dining. Bookings are being handled by promoter Steam Dreams and seats can be booked online at steam dreams.com, on 01483-209888 or by email at info@steam dreams.co.uk
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