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Product Description
In 1990 a group of dedicated people came together with a vision of what seemed at the time an unachievable task. They were united by an extraordinary ambition to construct a brand new steam engine and to bring back to life the Peppercorn class A1 Pacific steam engine. After 18 years of incredible effort and teamwork, their dream became a reality when locomotive No. 60163 Tornado, moved under its own power for the first time.
This BBC programme tells the story of the construction of a steam engine called Tornado, an amazing tale of cooperation, skill and sheer hard graft by men who defied the critics, who had said it could never be done.
Such an achievement did not go unnoticed and Tornado soon became a celebrity in its own right, taking Britain completely by storm. Wherever it has ventured, it has attracted crowds of people. Thousands turn out to wave and cheer. Children are hoisted aloft. Men hang from bridges and stand on car roofs. Enthusiasts wait hours in muddy fields for a fleeting view. At King's Cross, throngs blocked the platforms and when it blew a cloud of steam over the Duchess of Cornwall in York, the Prince of Wales burst out laughing.
Indeed, in its short life, Tornado, the first mainline steam engine built in Britain for almost 50 years, has been a film star, splashed across newspaper pages and filmed in action by the thousands who contributed to her £3 million cost and waited almost 20 years to see a Peppercorn class A1 Pacific running on Britain's main lines again. It was the star of an episode of 'Top Gear', taking part in a classic challenge race from London to Edinburgh with Jeremy Clarkson on the shovel.
This beautifully shot DVD takes the story on, with new extra footage never before seen on TV. A delight, not only for fans of steam trains, but for anyone who admires a skill and determination that is steeped in the great British tradition.
DVD Extras:
- Speech from Prince Charles at the Royal naming ceremony
- Robert Hall BBC News Interview
- The first run to London
- Extended interview with the team
A donation will be made to The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust for every DVD sold.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By happy hammer
I enjoyed this programme when it was shown on the BBC and watching it again just brought home what an amazing job these guys did. And it was good to get some unseen footage - the "Run to London" has inspired me to get out and see Tornado in all its glory on one of its trips down South! Yes, it a short programme, but well produced and the extras make it worth the money. If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it - it is a testimony to what we used to be famous for the world over...
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
I bought this DVD as a gift for my steam mad Grandad. He absolutely loved it. I take the point from other reviewers that the DVD is a little short but there are some nice extras like the footage of the first mainline run. It would also be good to add the Top Gear Tornado special. Either way this is still a great DVD charting the amazing feat that was building a 40 year old steam engine from scratch. The project too 18 years and it wasn't until the last few years that media interest grew.
Like I said my Grandad loved it, my Dad loved it and I loved it. Add to that the fact that some of the money goes towards the A1 trust and you get a 5 star review.
Like I said my Grandad loved it, my Dad loved it and I loved it. Add to that the fact that some of the money goes towards the A1 trust and you get a 5 star review.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Seagull
Amazon Verified Purchase
Superb! I bought this DVD for my train-enthusiast husband, but within minutes was hooked myself. Not just about the building of a brand-new loco (although that's interesting in itself) - it's also about human endeavour and a very satisfactory triumph over all those who said 'it couldn't be done'. I'd recommend to all!
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A. PRIOR
Like one of the other reviewers I thought this would be much more technical than it actually was. The film is quite short and although it states 57 minutes on the back of the DVD the main film is only about 30mins with the rest of the time given to the extras which appear to be "enthusiast" footage of the train in full steam. For me I would have preferred a longer and more technical film on the loco and perhaps there is scope to do this at a later date. The film was entertaining enough and some of the proceeds of the sale go to the A1 locomotive trust of which I'm happy to give money to.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
The building of a steam engine in 'modern' times from scratch is a massive endeavour....to record it on film/DVD is less of an endeavour but challenging none the less....
sadly they fail.
There is a lot less about building Tornado than you would think, even less about the people who built it.
No technical build stuff other than a few superficial shots, and as for great shots when Tornado is under full steam - one or two under the extras section - First run to London.
It's also a very short DVD in which the Chair of the Charity Trust that built Tornado makes several 'appearances'
As I say very disappointing - only recommended because the proceeds go towards the charity.
sadly they fail.
There is a lot less about building Tornado than you would think, even less about the people who built it.
No technical build stuff other than a few superficial shots, and as for great shots when Tornado is under full steam - one or two under the extras section - First run to London.
It's also a very short DVD in which the Chair of the Charity Trust that built Tornado makes several 'appearances'
As I say very disappointing - only recommended because the proceeds go towards the charity.
By Anne Strange
Amazon Verified Purchase
If you want to know why this DVD will tell you along with the how. Fascinating background to how the A1 Tornado was born and developed.
Amazon Verified Purchase
really enjoyed watching this dvd,have seen the tornado when it can to norwich and managed to stand on the footplate.
Amazon Verified Purchase
An interesting documentary telling the story of the construction of a Peppercorn A1 Pacific steam locomotive, a process that took 18 years in total - from the initial conversation in a London Pub to its initial boiler test in Darlington and first passenger train on the Great Central Railway in 2008.
The Extras section includes filming of the naming of the locomotive by HRH Prince Charles in 2009, plus footage from the first run from Darlington to Kings Cross, London - the first time an A1 had made this journey for over 40 years!
Unfortunately, as the total running time of the DVD is only 52 minutes, the steam enthusiast will be left wanting more.
However, as this production dates back to 2009, I'm hoping that there will be another DVD released shortly providing an update as to the locomotive's exploits since (eg Barrow Hill and Railfest earlier this year) - and especially in its latest blue livery!
The Extras section includes filming of the naming of the locomotive by HRH Prince Charles in 2009, plus footage from the first run from Darlington to Kings Cross, London - the first time an A1 had made this journey for over 40 years!
Unfortunately, as the total running time of the DVD is only 52 minutes, the steam enthusiast will be left wanting more.
However, as this production dates back to 2009, I'm hoping that there will be another DVD released shortly providing an update as to the locomotive's exploits since (eg Barrow Hill and Railfest earlier this year) - and especially in its latest blue livery!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
train buff
The dvd arrived quickly - no problems. It was bought as a present for someone who loves the steam era. He thought it wonderful.
Published 21 months ago by P. Carpenter
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great, but a bit too short
This is a good documentary, but it is way too short (1hour 10mins) I think and I don't think that there is enough footage of Tornado actually in steam. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by Mr. A. P. Birkett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can not get enough Tornado.
Another great title to the collection of Tornado DVDs that I have.
You will find this DVD very informative and well worth viewing over and over.
You will find this DVD very informative and well worth viewing over and over.
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by Wayne Higgison
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