Like a steel locomotive…

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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January 19th, 2009 8

Last fall, the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire, England saw the roll out of The Tornado, the first steam-powered train to be built in the UK in nearly half a century. Funding for the project was raised by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, a group of UK railroad enthusiasts. The engine is based on the Pacific locomotives, designed for the London and North Eastern Railway in the 1950s. The cost of the project came in at around three million pounds. With the addition of extra water capacity and required safety systems, The Tornado can be operated as a modern, work-a-day, mainline train.

First steam engine built in Britain for 50 years takes to the tracks

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8 thoughts on “Like a steel locomotive…”

Dean Goods says:

January 19th, 2009 at 11:46 am

Great photo! However, the name of the locomotive is “Tornado,” not “Toronto.”

Love the Make blogsite; keep up the great work! Always inspiring.
Joe says:

January 19th, 2009 at 11:48 am

The correct name of the locomotive is “Tornado”, not Toronto. It is named in honour of the British jet fighter, not the city in Canada.
Marc de Vinck says:

January 19th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

@Dean & Joe

Thanks, it’s all fixed now.
Gareth Branwyn says:

January 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Thanks for the (kindly) pointing out of the typo.

Sometimes, my dyslexia gets the better of me and I see a “Toronto” in a “Tornado.”