THE group that built Britain's first steam engine for 50 years has thanked the public for its support since it entered service, after it was taken off the rails for maintenance.
Tornado, which was unveiled in 2008, was brought to Darlington for overhaul earlier this week.
While its frames are in the Darlington Locomotive Works, where it was assembled, its boiler has travelled to Germany.
Mark Allatt, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which build Tornado, said: "After six years of hard work on the Network Rail main line and heritage railways the length and breadth of Great Britain, No. 60163 Tornado has covered 80,000 miles since she was unveiled.
"In that time she has hauled the Royal Train three times, starred in BBC Top Gear and brought a smile to the faces of thousands of onlookers.
"Now she has come back to her birthplace to be overhauled and returned to as-new condition.
“The trust would like to thank all of its supporters for their ongoing generosity, without whose support Tornado would not be able to continue her main line career."
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