A COMPANY synonymous with model railway building has seen an increase in profits thanks to a replica of an iconic engine built in the region.

Sales of Hornby’s model of Tornado are nearly double that of other engine models which it produces.

The sales have helped propel the company to a four per cent rise in half-year sales.

Part of the reason for the success of the model has been that is has been produced in a Railroad version, a slightly lower spec model which sells for about £80, as opposed to between £120 to £130 for a standard model train.

However, the success is also testament to the appeal of Tornado, which still draws crowds of thousands of people when ever it travels.

The Peppercorn class A1 steam loco was built by a team of volunteers in Darlington in a £3m scheme that took 20 years to complete.

Since it was built in 2009, the engine has been the subject of a BBC documentary and featured on BBC’s Top Gear in a race from London to Edinburgh with a classic sports car and classic motorcycle.

Since the Hornby model of Tornado was launched in June it has sold about 10,000 pieces.

Neil Johnson, Hornby’s chairman, said: “In the current economic climate, it seems a proportion of our hobby customers would prefer a slightly less detailed product, available at a more competitive price point.”

Frank Martin, Hornby’s chief executive, said: “When they’re going round the track, they look exactly the same.”

Mark Allatt, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the charity responsible for building Tornado, said: “We are delighted Tornado is as popular in small sizes as she is in full size.

“Every Hornby model of Tornado purchased helps to keep the full size loco on the main line and they can be purchased directly from us at a1steam.com”

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is carrying out a feasibility study into constructing a P2 locomotive, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley who also designed the Flying Scotsman and Mallard.

When built in 1934, the original P2 locomotive was the most powerful engine built for a British railway, capable of hauling 600-ton trains.