THE first new main line steam locomotive to be built in Britain in 50 years was taken home to be the star attraction at an open weekend.

Tornado, which was built in Darlington, was the centrepiece at Birmingham’s Tyseley Locomotive Works.

The two-day Tyseley 101 show put Tornado alongside a replica of the world’s first successful steam locomotive – Locomotion No. 1.

Both locomotives were steamed, with Tornado on the demonstration line, hauling passenger trains and using the turntable.

Construction of Tornado started at Tyseley Locomotive Works with the laying of her frames in 1994. It was the first time she had returned since she departed to Darlington for completion in 1997.

The £3m Peppercorn class A1 Pacific Steam locomotive was built over 20 years by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

It was run on the mainline for the first time earlier this year and has attracted millions of people to see her.

On Sunday, June 21, she starred on Top Gear, racing against a Jaguar XK120 and a Vincent Black Shadow motorcycle.

Trust chairman Mark Allatt said: “We were delighted to take Tornado back to the place where her construction started.”