Dawn of the New P2 Age
by Sharon Ann Holgate
E&T
Nov 9 2015 online, and in the December 2015 print edition
In early June 1934, Cock o’ the North, a huge new locomotive with eight 6ft 2in driving wheels, went on display at Ilford, Aberdeen then Edinburgh after its launch at King’s Cross. Crowds flocked to see the London and North Eastern Railway’s (LNER) No 2001, the first locomotive of the innovative ‘P2’ class designed by LNER chief engineer Sir Nigel Gresley to haul long passenger trains on the steep Edinburgh to Aberdeen route.
All Aboard Tornado
by Sharon Ann Holgate
E&T
March 6 2010
Amongst 2009’s gloomy stories about the state of the economy, one piece of news could raise a smile. On 7 February, Tornado—the world’s newest and most advanced steam engine—was treated to a rousing welcome as thousands crammed into London’s King’s Cross station to witness its arrival in the capital. This was just the start of a year that saw the Peppercorn class A1 Pacific draw large crowds around the country.
Tornado steam locomotive embraces microelectronics
by Sharon Ann Holgate
E&T
March 1 2010
Think of the technology involved in a steam locomotive, and you’re not likely to count a mobile phone charger, radio communication system, LED lighting or electronic safety equipment among your first thoughts. But the recently completed Peppercorn class A1 Pacific locomotive Tornado contains all of these – and they’re all directly steam-powered.