Museum of Science and Industry

HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall arrived at the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station by Royal Train, pulled by Tornado - Britain's newest steam locomotive.

The Prince of Wales visited MOSI, which is housed in the buildings of the former Liverpool Road railway station (opened in 1830), as part of a series of engagements Their Royal Highnesses were undertaking in Greater Manchester on Thursday 4th February. HRH toured the Museum's Power Hall, which tells the story of energy production - from the water wheel through to the steam engine - and includes one of the largest collections of working steam engines in the world.

The Museum's own replica 1830 Planet steam locomotive was in steam for the occasion. No. 60163 Tornado - a Peppercorn A1 Pacific steam engine, was completed just a year ago in Darlington by The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. The last Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive was scrapped in 1966, but Tornado is a brand new locomotive which will make a special trip to MOSI for the Royal visit.

MOSI Director Steve Davies said, "It was an historic moment when the Royal Train was pulled into the Museum by the spectacular new Tornado and Their Royal Highnesses disembarked onto the world's oldest surviving passenger railway platform. As well as walking through this historic site for railways, the Prince saw some of the oldest forms of energy production - such as the water wheel and the horse gin, and the story of how that developed into the vast steam engines which powered Manchester's textile mills. Energy production continues to be one of society's biggest concerns, and an issue about which I know The Prince has a particular interest."

Mark Allatt, chairman of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, added, "The Trust and all of its supporters are deeply honoured that Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, who named Tornado last February, have chosen to travel on The Royal Train to the Museum hauled by Tornado. There couldn't be a more appropriate occasion for this honour as The Prince visits the amazing collection assembled by MOSI. This honour is recognition of the shared vision and determination of all of those who worked so hard over 19 years to bring Tornado into being and are now doing the same to keep her operating on the main line."

MOSI is housed in the buildings of the former Liverpool Road Station, which opened in 1830 as part of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. It is the oldest surviving passenger railway station.

For more MOSI information or images please contact:

Sarah Roe, MOSI, on 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647 www.mosi.org.uk or Mark Allatt, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, on 07710 878979 or mark.allatt@a1steam.com

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