Getting steamed up was first for town

There was no cause for alarm though, as on the track below was Britain’s newest steam locomotive 60163 Tornado, taking on water to ensure it did not run dry on its return trip from Stratford to Paddington.

It had set off from London at 8 o’clock, arriving at Stratford just before 11. Its return journey took it via Nuneaton and Coventry before it arrived in Kenilworth for its water stop. A hosepipe attached to the tanker was thrown over the parapet to fill the loco’s tender.

The small group of passers by and enthusiasts who saw it, witnessed a little piece of Kenilworth railway history; in steam days there were no watering facilities at Kenilworth station so it was very probably the first time ever that a steam locomotive has taken on water in town.

Unfortunately, being almost dark and with rain pouring down, it was close to impossible to get a decent photograph; if anybody did better than I, I would be delighted to hear from them! - Robin Leach, via email.

Have you got a better photo of the Tornado engine stopping in Kenilworth? If so email carrie.catterall@kenilworthweeklynews.