A STEAM locomotive with strong North-East links is to be repainted in a different colour, the charity that built it has announced.

Tornado, the first main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for nearly 50 years, will have its traditional green livery temporarily replaced by blue.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which built the engine at its Darlington works, said the paint job would be carried out during the first part of Tornado’s forthcoming winter maintenance, when it would have been repainted anyway.

The original Peppercorn class A1s carried four liveries during their short service lives – Apple Green with British Railways on the tender, Express Passenger Blue with the BR Crest on the tender and Brunswick Green with both crest and later BR emblem on the tender.

Speaking at the recent annual convention of the trust, chairman Mark Allatt said: “We have long promised that Tornado will carry all four historic liveries during her first period of operation.

“Tornado will therefore carry Express Passenger Blue with the BR Crest on the tender following her winter maintenance.

“This will be for a limited period only as the Tornado brand is very much as an Apple Green locomotive and this will remain her ‘core’ livery.”

The repaint will be carried out by the same team that applied the current and original liveries and the locomotive will again be brush painted.

Meanwhile, the trust has given an update on a feasibility study into the possibility of building a second steam locomotive, a Gresley class P2.

The feasibility study is being carried out in three phases: 􀁥 Create a validated computer model of Tornado; 􀁥 Develop a model of Gresley P2 as built; 􀁥 Optimise the model to prove acceptable performance.

The convention heard the first phase had been completed, with substantial progress made on the second.

Commenting on the study, Mr Allatt added: “The P2 is the most frequently requested locomotive the trust is asked to build next.

“In addition to its striking looks, incredible power and undoubted glamour it also has around 70 per cent commonality with Tornado, including the boiler, tender and many other detailed fittings.

“However, the design was never fully developed and the locomotives failed to reach their full potential. The trust is therefore conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a new Gresley P.

“We are examining the commercial, engineering and certifications challenges that we would face in completing that development work to make a new P2 a success. Anyone wishing to play a part in this exciting venture should come on board.”

For more information, visit a1steam.com or email enquir ies@a1steam.com