The Tornado rattles through Wivenhoe

The first steam train for a long time

Peter Hill

The TORNADO. the first steam train through Wivenhoe for a very long time.
Photo taken by Frances Belsham

Saturday 12th August 2017 was a special day in Wivenhoe. Groups of people had assembled throughout the day where they could see the railway line for it was on this day, and at various times during the day, that the Tornado came through Wivenhoe station.

About the Tornado

In 1990 a group of people came together to share an extraordinary ambition – to construct a brand new Peppercorn A1 Pacific.  They formed The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and after nineteen years of incredible effort and £3million that locomotive, No. 60163 Tornado, moved under its own power for the first time in 2008.

Tornado is now fulfilling the dream, hauling specials on the mainline and giving joy to thousands of passengers and spectators who want to witness the legend in action.

Achieved 100 mph on 12th April 2017

In a special test run, the Tornado achieved a speed of 101.6mph having previously been confined to 75mph. This was the first time any steam train had reached 100mph since 1967.

Walton celebrates 150 years of rail on 12th August with the Tornado

To help celebrate 150 years of rail at Walton-On-Naze, the Tornado has been invited to visit the town and spend the day shuttling backwards and forwards between Walton and Colchester.  This gave Wivenhoe residents the opportunity to admire her on her way through.

For more information about this occasion, click here

To see the video about the Tornado’s 100mph test run – click here

 

 

 

This page was added on 12/08/2017.

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