THE first new main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost 50 years rolled into Glasgow for its first ever visit.
The Tornado, a Peppercorn class A1 Pacific locomotive, arrived at Glasgow Central Station to a warm welcome from a crowd of spectators and a traditional piper.
This type of train was scrapped in the 1960s when diesel trains were introduced. The new Tornado took 18 years to build and cost £3 million.
Ian Johnson, 66, was at the platform to witness the engine’s arrival.
He said: “I’m impressed. I grew up with these trains and travelled on them all the time.”
The tour by the locomotive, which was built in Darlington by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, covered a 510-mile round trip and started at 6.20am at Crewe, picking up additional passengers at Stockport, Manchester Piccadilly, Bolton, Leyland, Preston and Lancaster.
The train’s 468 passengers then had a chance to explore Scotland’s biggest city for the afternoon before it departed for its return journey at 6.23pm.
Some 168 of the passengers paid £229 for the privilege of sitting in the Pullman car and were treated to a champagne breakfast, cooked lunch, five-course dinner and wine.
Jane Gill, 59, and Neville Cohen, 72, both travelled on the Tornado from Leyland.
The couple from Skipton, North Yorkshire, are keen steam locomotive enthusiasts, and Miss Gill had the opportunity to drive the Tornado as a retirement present last year.
She said: “I enjoy steam trains, they’re very atmospheric. I’m impressed by the engineering.”
Councillor Gerald Leonard, whose father worked on the railways, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the Tornado to Glasgow. This goes back in time for me.”
Hayden Fortune, a North Yorkshire farmer and lifelong train enthusiast, organised the tour after being inundated with requests for another outing after the Tornado’s maiden voyage from York to Newcastle in 2009.
The 36-year-old put his enthusiasm down to his great grandfather, who was a train driver for Great Northern and LNER rail companies.
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