'Fascinating' steam train Tornado visits Welsh coast

A "fascinating" steam locomotive has been travelling along the south Wales coast.

Built in 2008, the Tornado is the first mainline steam engine to be built in the UK since the 1960s.

It set off from Bristol on Sunday, before travelling to Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Swansea, Llanelli, Carmarthen and Tenby.

The £3m locomotive is owned by a trust and was built over an 18-year period.

Tony Miles, of Modern Railways Magazine, said the train was a "one off" and was "fascinating" for a lot of people.

"It's not like the Flying Scotsman that has been around for years, it's so new a lot of people haven't seen it yet and will be amazed by it, it's got a real cult following," he said.

Steaming ahead - the Tornado pulls into Ferryside in Carmarthenshire

"It had to have a bit of work done, so it's had a bit of a break.

"A lot of people will have saved up for this and it will be a big treat," he said.

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Alex Owen spent the day on the train, from Cardiff to Tenby in Pembrokeshire and back - all in the company of his 82-year-old grandmother.

He said it brought back fond memories of his grandmother's childhood.

"Every station, footbridge and grass embankment we pass is packed with people there to see Tornado pass by, and all the passengers are having a good laugh, waving at the hundreds of people waving at us," he said.

The £3m locomotive is owned by a trust and was built by a group of rail enthusiasts

"As a Pencoed boy I was chuffed to see a solid crowd at Pencoed station which I use regularly and see the familiar landmarks roll past."

He said the train was "way more comfortable" than a modern first class train coach - even though he was seated in the Tornado's economy carriage.

"It a smoother ride than anything else I've experienced," he added.