RailRoad BR A1 Class 60163 'Tornado' Steam Locomotive

RailRoad BR A1 Class 60163 'Tornado' Steam Locomotive

1:76 scale model produced by Hornby. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Details

Add one of Britain's most famous modern steam locomotives to your collection with the Hornby RailRoad Peppercorn A1 No. 60163 'Tornado', finished in striking British Railways lined Apple Green with BR tender lettering. As the world's most successful new-build steam locomotive, Tornado has become a modern railway icon, making this OO gauge model a fantastic addition for both collectors and operators.

Part of the popular Hornby RailRoad range, this model is designed to provide reliable operation and excellent value while retaining the distinctive appearance of the celebrated Peppercorn A1 Pacific. Featuring working valve gear, accurate livery application and DCC-ready capability, it is ideal for newcomers to the hobby and experienced modellers alike.

Representing Tornado in a heritage-inspired BR Apple Green livery, complete with modern warning flashes, this locomotive bridges the gap between Britain's steam-era heritage and contemporary main line operation.

Designed for reliable day-to-day running, this RailRoad model features durable construction with moulded body detailing and smoothly operating running gear. The locomotive is equipped with a 21-pin DCC decoder socket, allowing straightforward installation of a compatible HM7000 decoder for enhanced digital control and sound functionality.

NEM coupling sockets provide compatibility with a wide range of OO gauge rolling stock, while the included accessory pack allows additional detailing. Suitable for layouts using 2nd radius curves and above, this model offers an excellent combination of performance, affordability and iconic prototype appeal.

Features:

• 1:76 Scale Model
• Analogue DC Model
• This model mainly operates in Britain
• Decorated in BR company markings
• Best suited to 438mm radius curves
• British Railways lined Apple Green livery with BR tender lettering
• 21-pin DCC decoder socket compatible with the Hornby HM7000 system
• Fully working piston rods and connecting valve gear
• NEM coupling sockets for easy coupling compatibility
• Robust RailRoad specification designed for dependable operation

Historical Background

The original Peppercorn A1 Pacifics were among the finest express passenger steam locomotives built for British Railways. Designed by Arthur Peppercorn, the class entered service in the late 1940s and became renowned for their power, reliability and efficiency. However, despite their success, none survived into preservation following the end of steam on British Railways.

Determined to correct this omission, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust launched an ambitious project in 1990 to construct a brand-new Peppercorn A1 from scratch. Built at Darlington using a combination of traditional engineering techniques and modern technology, No. 60163 'Tornado' was completed in 2008, becoming the first new main line steam locomotive built in Britain for decades.

Following extensive testing at the Great Central Railway, Tornado gained certification for operation on the national rail network in 2009. Since then, it has become a regular performer on rail tours and special trains across Britain, appearing in several historic liveries. In 2017, the locomotive achieved international recognition by becoming the first steam locomotive in over fifty years to reach 100 mph, cementing its status as one of the most significant preservation-era steam locomotives ever built.