Problems shunt new steam locomotive into the sidings

Firebox returned to German manufacturer for repairs to fixed stays and foundation ring

A new £3 million steam locomotive is out of action for at least three months after major problems were found with its boiler.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust said that boiler from its Peppercorn class A1 pacific steam locomotive would need to be returned to its manufacturer, DB Meiningen, in Germany for repairs to its firebox.

Although the full extent of the repairs have yet to be agreed with DB Meiningen, they will include the replacement of several hundred fixed stays and a number of flexible stays as well as repairs to cracks in the two back and two front corners of the foundation ring. 

The boiler was lifted this week from Tornado’s frames at the National Railway Museum in York and it will be sent by road and ferry to Germany.

Mark Allatt, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said: “The extent of the work required has caught us by surprise. We are hoping to get the train back up and running by the end of April. But it does mean we have had to cancel some trips.”

Allatt said the problems with Tornado’s firebox were part of learning about the locomotive in today’s operational environment. “They are a source of great disappointment to all of Tornado’s supporters and customers.

“As a part of our commitment to get Tornado back on the main line as soon as possible the Trust decided that the most appropriate course of action was to return the boiler to its manufacturers. We are working as hard as we can to bring Tornado back to full health and onto the main line at the end of April.”

The new £3m Peppercorn class A1 pacific steam locomotive was built over almost 20 years by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a registered charity, at its Darlington locomotive works. The locomotive has since entered regular service on excursion trains on the Network Rail main line.