While at the GCR, "Tornado" hauled empty passenger trains at speeds up to , and load test trains of up to around 500 tons. One load test in September involved the hauling of a rake of 11 empty coaches and a dead Class 45 diesel locomotive. Also in one load test, over 2,000edhp (Effective Drawbar Horsepower) was recorded. On 10 September "Tornado" was officially timed for the first time, hauling 518 tons up the 1-in-176 gradient south from Rothley railway station.