LONDON - A steam train clocked 161 kilometers per hour on Britain's mainline railway network for the first time in almost 50 years on Wednesday.

Tornado, a Peppercorn-class A1 steam locomotive, reached the landmark speed during a test run aimed at proving it can operate passenger services at 145 km/h.

A steam locomotive has not hit 161 km/h in Britain since 1968, according to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.