Tornado is named at York 19 February 2009

19th February 2009

Another red letter day in the life of brand-new A1 Pacific No 60163 Tornado - its naming at York by Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. An early arrival enabled me to watch the preparations on Platform 9, but then the lesser mortals (like those of us who have contributed over years) were banished to Platform 10, where many hundreds struggled for a view. It was still another magical occasion for Tornado lovers, even from a distance!

A1 Trust Chair Mark Allatt is interviewed by the media 1024x768 DSCF6500.JPG	The RAF band is setting up 1024x768 DSCF6501.JPG	Mrs Dorothy Mather, widow of A1 designer Arthur Peppercorn 1024x768 DSCF6504.JPG	No 60163 Tornado passes through the station from the NRM to Holgate sidings 1024x768 DSCF6505.JPG
No 67005 Quuen's Messenger hauls the Royal Train into Platform 9 at York 1024x768 DSCF6508.JPG	No 60163 Tornado reverses onto the Royal Train 1024x768 DSCF6510.JPG	No 60163 Tornado reverses onto the Royal Train 1024x768 DSCF6512.JPG	Their Royal Highnesses watch the passage of three other Tornados, in a flypast 1024x768 DSCF6527.JPG
Tornado's offside nameplate is now revealed, together with the Prince of Wales' personal emblem on the smokebox 1024x1024 DSCF6530.JPG	No 60163 Tornado leaves York for Leeds with the Royal Train 1024x768 DSCF6531.JPG	No 60163 Tornado leaves York for Leeds with the Royal Train 1024x768 DSCF6534.JPG	No 60163 Tornado leaves York for Leeds with the Royal Train 1024x768 DSCF6535.JPG