Train enthusiasts and curious onlookers gathered at Ilkeston Station this morning to catch a rare sight – the iconic steam locomotive 60163 Tornado passing through on a special rail tour to York.
The stunning engine, running under the headboard The Christmas White Rose, arrived in Ilkeston at 10.43am on Wednesday 10 December, sending plumes of white steam over the platforms and offering a nostalgic moment for residents lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Fantastic photos captured by Paul Corah shows Tornado powering north with its distinctive deep-black livery and festive headboard – a brilliant snapshot of the morning’s excitement.
The train will return later this evening, scheduled to pass Langley Mill about three minutes before arriving back into Ilkeston at 7.15pm – giving residents a second chance to spot it in the evening light.
Tornado is one of Britain’s most famous modern steam locomotives, completed in 2008 after an 18-year project to recreate a long-lost Peppercorn A1 class engine. It has since become a favourite on mainline rail tours across the UK.
Anyone hoping to see the return journey is advised to arrive in good time, as this morning’s appearance drew a steady crowd along the platforms and station footbridge.
If you snapped a photo, feel free to share it with Ilkeston News – we love seeing your vantage points around town.
