21st Century Steam : Building Brand New Classic Steam Trains

Are steam trains making a comeback? New steam trains are under construction in the UK. We take a look at modern steam trains and how locomotives are indeed being built once again in the UK. It’s a fascinating insight…

The end of the line for steam in the UK

The last British Rail steam trains were withdrawn in August 1968. They were replaced by diesel and electric locomotives. While modern engines are faster, more efficient, easier to run and maintain, they lack the romance and the unique sights, sounds and smells of coal-fired locos. 

The rebirth of steam begins

Incredibly, some 50 years after the end of mainline steam, interest in reproducing ‘lost’ steam engine designs has never been greater.  

These new-build steam trains have actually been a long time coming. Back in 1990, a group of enthusiasts set up a trust to build a ‘new’ A1 ‘Peppercorn’ Class locomotive, named after its designer, Arthur Peppercorn. 

Initially many people were sceptical, doubting such an ambitious project could be achieved. But thanks to generous sponsors and donors, construction began in 1994 on Britain’s first new mainline steam locomotive since 1961. 

Fittingly, it was assembled at the Darlington works, which is where the renowned A1 class steam locomotives were also built.

A Tornado on the tracks

The locomotive was named Tornado, after the Royal Air Force jet fighter. The brand new steam locomotive was given the number 60163. This made it the 50^th of its class, with the other 49 being built in 1948-49 (but sadly all were scrapped by the end of 1966). 

The original design drawings were scanned onto a computer in order to ensure the new locomotive would be built exactly like the originals – and so technically-speaking it is an original, not a copy or a replica. 

Adding new technology to classic steam train designs

Of course, technology has moved on since the last steam engines were in use. Tornado does incorporate a few changes based on manufacturing techniques, material availability and cost, as well as electronics monitoring and control systems to meet current safety regulations. 

Sadly, nowhere in the UK was able to construct the boiler at the heart of the design. This was made in Eastern Germany, where steam trains were still in operational use until the mid-1980s! 

Finally, after 18 years in the making, the brand new Tornado steam train was hand-painted in LNER Apple Green at the workshops of the National Railway Museum in York – and the project was complete.

A new steam train star is born

The incredible achievement of building a brand new steam train in the UK drew huge interest – not only among rail and steam enthusiasts, but also from the wider public. 

In 2008, exactly 40 years after steam trains were withdrawn, the UK’s newest mainline locomotive was ready to pull its first coaches of passengers at the Great Central Heritage Railway in Loughborough.

And in fact, when it first ran, Tornado was, for a time, Britain’s most up-to-date mainline locomotive, as it featured all the latest electronic safety systems! 

The Tornado Steam Locomotive in facts and figures:

• Tornado is 73 feet long and 13 feet high; this is one inch lower than the original A1 Class engines, to meet Network Rail regulations! 
• Total weight is 105 tons, and the coal tender an additional 61 tons 
• Tornado has a capacity of 27,000 litres of water and produces 2700 horsepower
• Tornado’s top speed is 100mph, achieved on a special run in 2017

Other claims to fame include starring in a BBC Top Gear TV episode. It’s the one where Tornado raced a classic Jaguar sports car and Vincent motorbike from London to Edinburgh. Tornado has also had the honour of pulling several Royal Trains and is even a film star, appearing in Paddington 2. 

But perhaps its most unusual news appearance was when Tornado rescued around 100 commuters, stranded when electric trains could not run because of snow!

More new steam trains in the making

For anyone who thinks Victorian steam engineering has no place in the 21^st century, think again. Given the huge interest and success of Tornado, three other ‘new’ mainline steam engines are being built from scratch in the UK. All will represent locomotives of which no examples currently exist. 

The first of these is a British Railways Standard ‘Clan’ Class 6 named Hengist, which will be only the eleventh of its type built. This is being assembled at a Sheffield Company, CTL Seal, more usually involved in making bespoke components for the renewable energy industry. 

Also at CTL Seal is a North Eastern Railway B17 – ‘Spirit of Sandringham’, which is being built for the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust. The B17 was originally designed by perhaps the most famous of all locomotive engineers, Sir (Herbert) Nigel Gresley. 

The third new mainline build project is for a P2 Class. It’s another Gresley-designed steam loco. With eight driving wheels, it’ll be Britain’s most powerful ever steam locomotive. And to neatly round off the story, this project is being led by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust who brought us Tornado!

Get involved with a Steam Train Experience

If this article has re-lit the fire for your interest in steam train travel, get directly involved by booking a Train Experience. From standing on the footplate shovelling coal, to enjoying fine dining in the First Class dining car, there’s a heritage day out for you!

Cover image Hidde Schalm@Unsplash