A LIFELONG railway enthusiast has been appointed to a charity's board of trustees in its bid to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive.

A former Colonel in the British Army, Steve Davies has joined the The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust in Darlington - the registered charity that built, owns and operates world-famous Tornado.

The trust is now in the progress of building Britain's most powerful steam locomotive, The Prince of Wales.

On retirement from the Army, Mr Davies served as Director of the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester then as Director of the National Railway Museum in York.

During this time he devised, negotiated and implemented the repatriation of class A4 Pacifics Dwight D. Eisenhower and Dominion of Canada from North America to take part in an exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of the Mallard achieving the World Record for Steam Traction of 126 mph.

Mr Davies said: “It’s a great honour be joining the Board of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. I’ve worked closely with the organisation for many years and was delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on board The Royal Train to the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester, hauled by Tornado, on my final day as Director.

"I look forward to working with the other Trustees, Staff, Volunteers and Supporters to deliver on the Trust’s promises – keeping No. 60163 Tornado operating successfully on the main line, completing the construction of No. 2007 Prince of Wales, starting work on Gresley class V4 No. 3403, and expanding the Trust’s base in Darlington.

"I have always been attracted to exciting, ambitious and very professionally delivered projects, and in that respect, I know I am going to feel very much at home with The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.”

The project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive will be holding a series of roadshows across Great Britain in 2019, with the next one being held at Darlington Locomotive Works on Saturday November 2 at 11am.