kbrouse_banner_example
 
 

Tornado Hits Barrow Hill!

Monday 11th October 2010
Report and pictures by Adam Parrish


Don't worry, not a freak weather incident, but around 1,000 people flocked to Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway centre on a beautiful autumn Sunday (10th October) to take advantage of the chance to ride behind the famous A1 steam locomotive 'Tornado' and for a lucky few there was a unique opportunity to ride on the footplate of the magnificent main line engine!

A1 No 60163 Tornado
The magnificent Tornado at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway

A1 No. 60163 Tornado
is the first UK large steam locomotive to be built since 1960. It's taken 15 years for the A1 Locomotive Trust to build it from scratch and was launched in 2008.

Local boy James Parrish tries the drivers position out for size
Local boy James Parrish tries out the drivers seat for size

Tornado's nameplate Since then, Tornado has hauled many steam tours all over the country's mainlines and made appearances on preserved railways including the Barrow Hill Roundhouse. It has also appeared on the TV programme 'Top Gear'.

On the week prior to the event, there was a rare opportunity to actually fire and drive this famous engine at Barrow Hill for a day. The loco owners, the A1 Trust also held their annual convention there.

The site at which the event was held is unique in itself, being the last operational Railway roundhouse in the country. It was secured for preservation only a couple of days before it was due to be demolished by it's previous owner, British Rail. Between 1992 and 1998 a lot of hard work and effort was put in by committed volunteers to restore the roundhouse to it's former glory. The first open day was held in 1998 and since then the events have gone from strength to strength.

Amelia Elvidge takes the 'wheel'
Amelia Elvidge takes over the controls

The Roundhouse is normally open at Weekends from 10am to 4pm, entry by donation. The next major event for the roundhouse will be the 'Santa Specials' on Sunday 12th and 19th December, For more details about this and future events please visit www.barrowhill.org.uk

Due to the success of the event, the A1 Loco Trust is hoping to host it again at Barrow Hill next year. For further details about 'Tornados' appearances please visit the A1 trusts website at www.a1steam.com.

Mervyn Allcock, Barrow Hill Roundhouse General Manager said: "We were all very pleased at how many people turned out to see Tornado and we hope to run an event like this again in the future."

10/10/10 was a memorable day for all those who attended!

OTHER STORIES

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER -
Residents across North Derbyshire are being encouraged to find out more about keeping warm this winter at a series of drop-in events. More...

LOCAL SPORTING HEROES HONOURED -
Unsung sporting heroes from across the area have been honoured for their achievements. More...

2 PROSECUTED FOR BREACHING TREE PRESERVATION ORDER -
Chesterfield Borough Council successfully prosecuted two defendants for breaching a Tree Preservation Order More...

RECOGNITION GIVEN TO CHESTERFIELD'S GARDENERS -
The 2010 Chesterfield in Bloom awards took place at the Ringwood Hall Hotel with several entrants competing for the competition’s highly regarded titles.More...

296 JOBS FOR CHRISTMAS AT CLAY CROSS STORE -
Candidates preparing to work at Tesco's new Clay Cross town centre store have been taking part in community projects to help develop their team building skills. More...

GIVEN THE RUNAROUND BY WILKINSONS -
Nina Bradwell, 51, from North Wingfield near Chesterfield was handed the keys to her brand new family car after winning the Wilkinsons' prize draw competition. More...

CASA HOTEL ENTERS FINAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT -
Excitement is growing as Chesterfield's new £20 million four-star hotel prepares to open. More...

IT STARTED AS A NORMAL DAY IN THE OFFICE -
7/7 2005 saw Matlock GP Dr Peter Holden at his offices at the BMA in Tavistock Square where he spends two days a week. More...

NEDDC LIFEGUARDS ARE THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY -
Lifeguards working for North East Derbyshire District Council have been recognized as being the best in the UK after coming top in a competition. More...

REPORT FROM THE FRONTLINE - THE INCINERATOR MARCH -
Chesterfield Post Editor Karen Johnson spoke with Campaign Leader Julie Harrington and local MP's Toby Perkins and Natascha Engel for their thoughts on the Campaign and march. More...

OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE CHESTERFIELD POST -
The Chesterfield Post was officially launched today at a lunchtime ceremony at the Winding Wheel Ballroom in Chesterfield Town Centre. More...

NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD FAVOURITE 2 -
Shoppers shared in the fun and watched The Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the revamped Wilkinson's store, More...

MARCH AGAINST THE INCINERATOR -
On Saturday 9th October members of the public march to protest against the planning application for a hazardous waste incinerator on Dunston Road. More...

MORE ABOUT 'DESTINATION CHESTERFIELD' -
The Chesterfield Post brought you news of an exciting new project, run by business leaders and councillors in the town and launched earlier this week. We now can tell you more... More...

MULTI-MILLION POUND CASH BOOST FOR CHESTERFIELD -
Over 600 million pounds of significant development potential is around Chesterfield waiting to be accessed over the next few years. More...

NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD FAVOURITE -
Wilkinsons on Vicar Lane is set for a makeover this month as part of the company's nationwide initiative to invest in local towns. More...

UK OLDER PEOPLE"S DAY 2010 -
'Getting and Staying active in later life' - that's the theme for this
Year's Older People’s Day 2010. More...

HAVE YOUR SAY ON CHESTERFIELD'S TAXIS -
Chesterfield residents, taxi drivers and operators are being asked for their views on a new taxi licensing policy. More...

DON'T MESS AROUND -
Chesterfield Borough Council has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling dog owners who don't clean up their dog mess. More...

EVERY VOLUNTEER HELPS -
Despite the murky weather, hundreds of people visited Tesco's Community Fair. More...

WELL DRESSED CHESTERFIELD -
Reviving a tradition
dating back to 1864, Chesterfield this week celebrates Well Dressing. More...

HOTEL BUILD BRINGS CASH TO CHESTERFIELD - As Chesterfield continues to battle these recession-hit times, one new Hotel complex that's under construction is already bringing a much needed jobs and cash boost to the town. More...

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF STAVELEY - Residents of Staveley are being asked by Chesterfield Borough Council to make comments and give their views of a draft appraisal on the Staveley Conservation Area. More...

MEADOWHALL CELEBRATES 7,000 OPENINGS -
Thousands of well-wishers crowded into Meadowhall shopping centre on Saturday to celebrate it's 20th birthday. More...

JOBS AND TOURISM BOOST - Work has begun today on a new multi million pound hotel development that will bring investment and
jobs to NE Derbyshire. More...

CHESTERFIELD WOMAN ROBBED IN HER OWN HOME - Police are appealing for information after a robbery at a house on Vincent Crescent, Chesterfield on Saturday August 28. More...

FROM THE U.S.A. TO US - A new face has just been appointed to a key position within the 20 million pound Casa Hotel Development in Chesterfield. More...

DAVID MILIBAND VISITS CHESTERFIELD - Part 2. Questions from the Market Hall Meeting with Labour supporters and Members. More...

DAVID MILIBAND VISITS CHESTERFIELD David Miliband, MP, has spent today (Monday 23rd August) visiting Chesterfield to talk to Labour and Trade Union Members at a meeting in Market Hall during his campaign for the Labour Party Leadership... More...

CHESTFEST
Despite the mixed weather hundreds of young people gathered in Chesterfield's Queen's Park at the weekend for Chestfest.
The music and arts event... More...

CAN YOU HELP A FUTURE STAR TO SHINE? A brave Chesterfield schoolgirl, born with a life threatening heart defect requiring  surgery, is now seen as one of the most promising football talents in the UK... More...

Related Tags


News   Community   Sport   Offers & Events   Leisure / Reviews   Public Services
Chesterfield Cranes