ONE of the country's fastest and best-loved locomotive trains, the Tornado, will be steaming into the region next spring.

The popular locomotive, which moved under its own power for the first time in 2008, can reach speeds of up to 100mph and will power along the North Yorkshire Moors Railway line from March 3 to March 11 next year.

Chris Price, general manager at North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said: “We’re very excited about the arrival of the iconic locomotive and are sure it will delight visitors travelling up and down our line.

“Over the years we’ve had many guest locomotives visit us and we expect Tornado to be one of the best yet.

"With its searing speed and fantastic recent history, it’s sure to be a head turner.”

After 18 years of construction and fundraising, the £3million Tornado was completed in August 2008 and was named by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at York station in February 2009.

The train was the subject of the BBC documentary ‘Absolutely Chuffed: The Men Who Built a Steam Engine’ and featured in ‘The Race to the North’ on Top Gear.

Tickets for the Tornado visit went on sale today (Wednesday, September 13) and are available to book via nymr.co.uk/tornado