LNER Peppercorn Class A1 Steam Locomotive

Explore the locos built to haul express passenger services on LNER, which together clocked-up over 50 million miles in service.

Arthur Peppercorn

Designed by Arthur Peppercorn, 49 LNER Peppercorn Class A1 Steam Locomotives were built to haul express passenger services on the London and North Eastern Railway.

East Coast Mainline

Built to cope with the heaviest passenger trains – of up to 15 coaches and 550 tonnes – on the East Coast Mainline in the immediate post-war period, they proved a reliable workhorse, clocking-up nearly 50 million miles in service between them.

The Steam Era

At the end of the steam era, these locomotives were withdrawn from service and by summer 1966 all had gone for scrap. Despite being less than 20 years old at the time of their retirement, none were preserved.

In the early 21st Century history was made when the 50th member of the class called 60163 Tornado was built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust through public subscription and can be seen running on British Rails again.