The visit by the first newly built steam locomotive in 50 years to the East Lancashire Railway saw unprecedented numbers of visitors to the attraction during the series of events last week.
Tornado, the BBC’s Top Gear featured steam locomotive, helped to ensure the railway smashed all previous records in terms of visitor numbers over the weekend of the annual steam enthusiasts event plus pulled in considerable crowds during the school holiday week as the ELR sought to satisfy the public’s appetite for the star attraction. Over 10,000 visitors turned out to see the locomotive over the 9 day event.
The locomotive was built over a period of 20 years costing over £3 million and funded almost exclusively from public donations. It was constructed in Darlington to provide a representative of the renowned Peppercorn class 'A1' steam locomotives, the last of which went to the scrapheap in 1966.
Tornado’s first visit to a steam railway in the North West comes to an end this coming weekend when the locomotive will work scheduled services on the East Lancs Railway on both Saturday and Sunday and for those with a particular passion for steam engines rides on the footplate can be booked.
The successful week was topped off by the phenomenal turnout for the ELR’s Halloween Special trains on Saturday evening. In what has now become and annual event on the railway some 1100 revellers turned up, most dressed up for the occasion, for a scary ghost train ride along the line
The popular North West tourist attraction is also reporting unprecedented numbers of bookings for the Santa Special trains which start operation at the end of November. Railway officials are reporting that staff responsible for handling reservations are being overwhelmed by the response so far, this year. Customers are being advised to make sure they book early to avoid disappointment.
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