WORK on building the first mainline steam locomotive in Britain for 40 years is about to take a significant step forward.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the Darlington-based registered charity building the Tornado, is gearing up to put the wheels on.

The trust, which operates out of the locomotive works on Hopetown Lane, Darlington, is making good progress towards the final wheeling in October.

This is a crucial moment in the development of the locomotive and requires precision engineering.

The group carried out a trial wheeling about a year ago and the final work will take place at the beginning of October.

Mark Allatt, chairman of the trust, said: "It really is a major step forward and a really significant milestone in the project."

Recent months have seen plenty of progress made as the locomotive continues to take shape.

Other significant developments have included the completion of hornblock liners to enable the final fitting of axleboxes, the fitting of bogie horn liners and hornstays and the ordering and testing of other key components and equipment.

Work on reducing the height of the cab to the new Railtrack standard is continuing with the arrival of replacement cab sides.

Considerable work has also been made towards selecting a supplier for a boiler and visits to locomotive works in Germany and Poland have been made.

The trust has continued to fill a number of new voluntary positions as it works to accelerate the project.

Bernie Brooks has taken on the role of document controller, but the trust is still seeking volunteers in administration, marketing and engineering.

Mr Allatt said: "The final precise work to wheel Tornado is now reaching its climax.

"For such progress to be maintained we need many more people to become involved with the project as covenantors and volunteers."