Restored steam train returns to Darlington

The Peppercorn class A1 locomotive Tornado was originally constructed at Darlington Locomotive Works. Credit: Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees

A classic steam train has returned to Darlington for the first time since it was built there in 2008. The A1 Class locomotive Tornado has been completely deconstructed during its seven-month service, at a cost of £350,000.

The train, which was constructed over 18 years and cost £3m, was the first steam locomotive to be built in Britain for decades.

The locomotive was due to be serviced after it travelled more than 80,000 miles on mainline and heritage railways since it was first built at Darlington Locomotive Works.

Tornado's boiler underwent a full internal inspection before being lifted from its frames and sent to Germany for repairs last October.

The train has since been driven from Chesterfield in Derbyshire to Darlington where it is now undergoing the final stages of its overhaul.

While the train is in Darlington, it has sat alongside the frames for Gresley class P2 engine Prince of Wales. The engine, number 2007, is being built by the same team behind Tornado and will be the UK's most powerful steam train when it is completed in 2021.