11th September, 2026
Against the odds technical triumph ‘Tornado’ will be appearing in a whirlwind of excitement when the iconic locomotive – completed just 18 years ago after being built from scratch by dedicated volunteers - stars in the Swanage Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala featuring five engines dating from 1893 to 2008.
The popular annual event takes place from Friday to Sunday, 11 to 13 September, 2026, inclusive, with some trains running along the entire nine miles of the heritage line – from Swanage to Corfe Castle and four miles beyond Norden to the River Frome within sight of Wareham.
Beloved children’s railway author Christopher Awdry will be signing copies of his new book – ‘The Canadian Wonderland Tour 1980’ diary of George and Wilbert Awdry - at Harman’s Cross station on the Saturday between 10.30am and 2.30pm; two days before the book’s general release by publishers Full-Steam-Ahead.
Based at the Darlington locomotive works between 1994 and 2008 – and bringing new steam to the national railway network - the 4-6-2 Pacific wheel arrangement London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) Peppercorn class A1 Pacific No. 60163 was the first main line steam locomotive to be built in the United Kingdom since the 9F ‘Evening Star’ at the Swindon Works of British Railways during 1960.
‘Tornado’ is named after the fast fighter jets of the Royal Air Force and is a tribute to the brave aircrews who flew in the Gulf War of 1990 and 1991 when the ambitious project to build a new Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive was launched by an intrepid band of dedicated enthusiasts and volunteers.
‘Tornado’ has found fame in the cinema and on television - appearing in the 2017 enchanting live action Paddington Bear animated comedy film Paddington 2 and also starring in the BBC Top Gear’s exciting 2009 Race to the North against a classic Jaguar XK 120 sports car from late 1940s and early 1950s as well as a Vincent Black Shadow from the same period.
In secret controlled night time tests - on the east coast main line between Doncaster and Newcastle in April, 2017, monitored by certification bodies and rail industry engineers - ‘Tornado’ reached 100 mph. The impressive feat made the charismatic steam locomotive the first to reach such speeds on the national railway network since the 1960s and set a preservation era record.
The Autumn Steam Gala will also see the Swanage Railway’s steam locomotives in action – the unique 1893 London and South Western Railway T3 class No. 563, the Southern Railway late 1920s U class No. 31806 as well as two 1940s Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacifics No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ and No. 34070 ‘Manston’.
Food and drink will be available across the Swanage Railway during the Autumn Steam Gala, including hot drinks and snacks from the Brake Train on-train buffet as well as a range of takeaway favourites available from Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden stations. The shop will also be open at Swanage station where there will be railway trade stands on the platform.
Autumn Steam Gala organising committee chairman Alexander Atkins said: “‘Tornado’ is a marvellous machine and there is much expectation ahead of its visit. We’re delighted to be able to offer enthusiasts, and the public, such a wide variety of steam locomotives at work through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside and past the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who have worked so hard to plan and stage such a complicated event as our five steam locomotive Autumn Steam Gala which promises to be a wonderful and evocative taste of yesteryear.
“The Peppercorn A1 class Pacific 4-6-2 wheel arrangement locomotive was designed for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) by Arthur H. Peppercorn and 49 of the express steam locomotives were built by British Railways during 1948 and 1949. Sadly, all the locomotives were withdrawn and scrapped by 1966.
“The incredible, and very British, No. 60163 ‘Tornado’ took 18 years and £3 million to build in what was an incredible achievement by a group of determined and dedicated volunteers, members and donors – a classic example of a triumph against all the odds that came out of the historic Darlington Locomotive Works that was officially named in 2009 by the then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall who are now King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
“While retaining the greater part of the original design, ‘Tornado’ was modified to suit modern manufacturing techniques while also conforming to the requirements of running on the modern high speed national railway network and incorporating improvements had the Peppercorn A1 class steam locomotives continued to have been built in the 1950s and 1960s.
“‘Tornado’ made history in 2010 when it beat a previous record for the fastest steam-hauled railtour over the summit at Shap, in Cumbria, north west England, by 19 seconds. More history was made in 2017 when ‘Tornado’ was the first steam locomotive since 1967 to run at 100 mph in the United Kingdom,” added Alexander who is a volunteer steam locomotive driver.
Anyone interested in finding out about varied Swanage Railway volunteering opportunities should contact volunteering officer Kelly Griffin by emailing iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk.
Story and photographs by Andrew P.M. Wright,
Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.