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

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

The trust, which operates out of the locomotive works in 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 on Saturday, October 5.

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

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

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."