AS heritage railways slowly emerge from a year-long hibernation, this weekend also saw several steam excursions also make a welcome return. With the North Yorkshire Moors Railway now open for business and Wensleydale Railway set to restart this weekend, two iconic steam locomotives passed through North Yorkshire along the main line – albeit at opposite sides of the county. Last Saturday morning, Tornado, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s express train built in 2008 at Darlington traversed North Yorkshire, hauling an amazing 13 carriages to ensure safe social distancing. One of a number of planned excursions, the The Pennine Explorer travelled from Leicester to Carlisle. Taking in York and passing through several towns en-route, including Northallerton and Darlington, it gave waiting passengers a welcome visual treat.