Tornado Railtours 2021 Terms and Conditions are available on request and can be read at any time at a1steam.com/railtours If you no longer wish to receive tour brochures, please email [email protected] Front cover photo: Peter Backhouse 2 Welcome 2020 has been a challenge to all of us, and if ever there was a time to have something to look forward to it is now. After a difficult year when many have experienced the disappointment of cancelled plans, we are proud to bring you our programme for 2021. We hope that you can join us on one of our tours and enjoy a great experience with Tornado. Liam Barnes Our first tours of the year fall on Valentine’s Due to popular demand, there are a number of weekend when Tornado will haul two circular trains trains which cross the Settle and Carlisle Railway. around Yorkshire and the North East. The perfect Its rolling landscape scattered with epic tunnels excuse for some steamy romance, these trains and soaring viaducts presents any locomotive a offer shorter days and are competitively priced. The challenging journey, and passengers continue to be evening train will see Tornado visit Harrogate and thrilled by the sound of Tornado hard at work on this Knaresborough for the first time. stunningly beautiful stretch of railway. There are more “firsts” for Tornado in 2021, including Heading into autumn, we are pleased to offer four our first tours from Hull and the East Riding, trains across the S&C with both Tornado and Flying Liverpool and Glasgow. Scotsman. This iconic pairing will take to the rails in September and passengers can join these trains Our annual ‘Aberdonian’ programme has been in the Midlands, North East and North West for a extended to include a springtime train and a steam adventure not to be forgotten! Glasgow start. These trains are sure to delight as we travel along the beautiful North Sea coastline to We shape our trains for the enjoyment of our Aberdeen once more. passengers and supporters. Let us take this opportunity to thank those who have stood by their As regular passengers will know, we have had to move bookings at this challenging time. We look forward to some trains from 2020 to 2021 and these fabulous seeing you in the new year. tours also offer great access to Tornado from the Midlands, Anglia, the North East and North West. 3 4 On Board Our train is formed of heritage carriages, Covid Information which provide a nostalgic journey back in time. Passenger and crew safety is our priority during this Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery as unprecedented time. Our policies and practices on board plumes of steam drift past the windows, and the are regularly updated to reflect the latest government locomotive’s whistle can be heard. However you guidelines. At time of publishing include social distancing and reduced capacity, face coverings when neither eating choose to travel, you can be assured of a magical or drinking, hand sanitiser available in each carriage and day out on a railtour with Tornado. dividers between seats to name just a few. You can read more on how we are striving to keep everyone safe at Standard Class a1steam.com/railtours You can be sure of a wonderful day out in Standard Class, where every seat is aligned with a window to take in the Please be assured that should another lockdown be scenery as it passes by. Where possible, we endeavour to implemented, your money is safe and you will be given the have Standard Class at the front of the train in at least option of a refund or hold your tickets over to a new date. one direction so that the sound of Tornado hard at work can be heard. Top tips for a great day out: First Class 1. Our heritage carriages provide a wonderfully nostalgic Some of our trains offer First Class Non-Dining seating setting but don’t offer some of the conveniences of where passengers can look forward to luxurious modern trains. As there are no electric sockets, you may surroundings, travelling in a comfortable and roomy seat wish to bring a battery pack to recharge your phone for with curtains by the windows. Complimentary teas and taking even more photos of your journey! coffee are served throughout the day. 2. Another charming quirk of our heritage carriages is the temperature control. Heating on the train is provided On-Board Buffet by way of steam made by Tornado, as such it is a little First and Standard Class passengers may wish to bring a variable. By contrast, on a sunny day a lack of air picnic, or indulge at the On-Board Buffet where a selection conditioning can make the train warm. We recommend of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks are available. wearing layers so that you are comfortable throughout the journey. Premier Dining For a fully immersive experience, why not consider 3. Should the stunning scenery and sounds from the booking a Premier Dining ticket; with silver service for locomotive not be enough, you may wish to bring all meals, each freshly cooked on the train by our elite something to pass the time such as a good book, pack team of chefs, there is no better way to travel! Dining of cards or even a board game. Each seat is positioned passengers can look forward to a full english or, for the at a table so there is plenty of room for fun. Aberdonians, a full Scottish on the outward journey and 4. Due to intermittent signal levels along our routes, a relaxed four course dinner on the way home, as the card machines don’t always work. We advise bringing station lights twinkle and Tornado’s reassuring rhythmical some cash along for items from the buffet car and exhaust sets the seal on a memorable day out. merchandise by which to remember the trip! To Book Call +44 (0) 1325 488215 or visit www.a1steam.com 5 The Valentine’s Luncheon Tour Saturday 13th February 2021 Circular tour around the North East, boarding at York, Thirsk and Darlington. Alan Weaver / Mandy Grant Weaver Alan Join us for a wonderful Valentine‘s lunchtime On board passengers can look forward to a cosy heritage tour with Tornado, the perfect way to carriage, with seats alongside large windows, ideal for celebrate the romance of steam. taking in the rolling countryside as the steam from the locomotive drifts by. Standard Class seats are situated On Saturday 13th February, step on board at York, Thirsk at a large tables making it the perfect place for a picnic, and Darlington as we take a circular route along the East while those traveling in First Class can enjoy tea, coffee Coast Main Line, the route locomotive was designed for, and biscuits in their large comfy chairs. For the ultimate with a great mix of speed, scenery and steam. romantic trip, indulge in Premier Dining to experience silver service dining on board. Our train departs from York station a little before midday and we head north to pick up further passengers at Thirsk Boarding at: Outward Return and Darlington. Our journey continues northwards passing York 11.45am 4.30pm Durham with its magnificent view of the Cathedral and Thirsk 12.15pm 4.00pm Castle before we soon cross the Tyne and pass Newcastle. Darlington Bank Top 12.45pm 3.30pm A few miles on we diverge to take the ‘Blyth and Tyne’ route via Bedlington and Hepscott before turning south Prices at Morpeth. We will run along the East Coast Main Line all Standard Class £75 the way back to York retracing our steps from Newcastle. First Class £139 Premier Dining £199 6 To Book Call +44 (0) 1325 488215 or visit www.a1steam.com/valentinesluncheon The Valentine’s Evening Tour Saturday 13th February 2021 Circular tour around Yorkshire boarding at York. David Franklin / Liam Barnes David A most romantic way to celebrate On board passengers can look forward to a cosy heritage Valentine‘s is with an evening steam train. carriage, with seats alongside large windows, ideal for listening to the sound of the steam engine and taking in On the evening of Saturday 13th February, join us from York the twinkling lights as we pass towns and villages. Standard for a romantic adventure through the night. This tour is a Class seats are situated at a large tables making it the great way to mark the occasion and will also be the first perfect place for a picnic, while those traveling in First time Tornado has visited Harrogate and Knaresborough. Class can enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits in their large comfy chairs. For the ultimate romantic trip, indulge in Premier Departing from York station we initially head north before Dining to experience silver service dining on board. turning west and passing through the delightful stations at Poppleton, Hammerton and Cattal. The route still Boarding at: Outward Return features semaphore signals and manually operated crossing York 7.30pm 9.15pm gates, somewhat of a rarity on the modern railway and to a design that predates that of our locomotive. We cross Prices over the river Nidd on a delightful viaduct and will soon be Standard Class £49 curving through Harrogate station as we turn south and First Class £99 square up to the steep climb through the long Bramhope Premier Dining £139 Tunnel. We then descend into Leeds where there will be a break to take photos of Tornado. We then whisk our way back to York and round off a wonderful evening of steam.