Two round trips per day will be run and normal fares will apply on the trains headed by ‘Tornado’. Advance booking of tickets is possible and although this will not guarantee a booked seat it will allow ticket holders to walk past any queues that have formed at the booking offices. The tickets will also be valid on other WSR service trains on the day. During the two weeks ‘Tornado’ will head the 11.40 a.m. and 3.05 p.m. from Bishops Lydeard and the 1.15 p.m. and 5.35 p.m. from Minehead on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays whilst on Tuesdays and Wednesdays the first departure from Bishops Lydeard will be at 11.05 a.m. with the departures for the rest of the day being at 1.15 p.m. from Minehead, 3.05 from Bishops Lydeard, and 5.35 p.m. from Minehead - see the timetables below

‘Tornado’ is the most modern mainline steam locomotive in Britain. Its owning group, the A1 Locomotive Trust, was formed in 1990 to construct a new engine that would essentially recreate one of the Peppercorn A1 Pacific locomotives, the last express steam class to be produced by the London and North Eastern Railway. The original engines were highly successful but in the mass withdrawal and scrapping of steam that went on in the mid-1960 none of the originals were preserved for future generations to enjoy. It took 18 years for the engine to move from dream to reality but in 2008 ‘Tornado’ steamed for the first time.

Since then 60163 has become one of the most popular and best known steam engines in Britain. It has headed the Royal Train, worked main line excursion trains the length and breadth of the country and even, during the snow and ice of January 2010, rescued commuters in South East England.
To find out more about ‘Tornado’ you can e-mail enquiries@a1steam.com or write to them at Darlington Locomotive Works, Hopetown Lane, Darlington, DL3 6RQ. (Stamped addressed envelope for any replies please).

Timetable for 13th to the 19th September

The timetable below shows Tornado working two round trips each day starting at Bishops Lydeard. Other trains will be steam worked by one of our home fleet of engines.

13 and 16 September

14 and 15 September

18 and 19 September

Times shown in dark green are only in operation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the weeks of Tornado's Visits (13th & 14th July and 14th and 15th September 2010)

Fish and Chip Specials behind Tornado

Wednesday 15 Sept

Please note that the Fish and Chip Special on the 15th September has had extra seats added due to high demand - book now to avoid disapointment!

The train depart from Bishops Lydeard at 19.30 for an evening run to Minehead (expected back at Bishops Lydeard for 22.00). There will be 100 places for travellers to be served Fish and Chips together with a glass of wine or soft  drink on departure from Bishops Lydeard. There will be a further 100 seats available for ‘non-diners’. Tickets are only available in advance. No Tickets will be available for selling on the two evenings in question.

Please note: Rover Tickets purchased on these days are not valid for the Fish & Chip Specials

For prices please see the fares section below. To book on the Fish and Chip Special (no seats available online) please call 01643 704996 or use the booking form. For details of remaining seats please click here

Fares

The best way to enjoy both round trips on a day with Tornado is to purchase a Rover ticket either in advance or on the day at the booking office, which gives unlimited travel on the day of issue, on Tornado's train. The prices are as follows:

• Adult day Rover £14.80
• Senior Citizen Day Rover £13.60
• Child Day Rover £7.40
• Family Day Rover £42.00

The Fish and Chip Special Prices are as follows:

• Adult with Fish and Chips £26.00
• Child with Fish and Chips £20.00
• Adult ticket for Travel only £14.80
• Senior Ticket for Travel only £13.60
• Child Tickets for travel only £7.40
• Family for Travel only £42.00

You can purchase tickets over the phone by calling 01643 704996, downloading the booking form or you can purchase your ticket online at ticket.web by clicking the logo below:

To book on the individual dates for day Rover tickets online please click the link below:

Please note that no party discounts or seat reservations will be available on any trains hauled by Tornado

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