Update on the project to build Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales – Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive.
The project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive will be holding a series of roadshows across Great Britain in 2019. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, also the builders, owners and operators of the 100mph famous new steam locomotive No. 60163 Tornado, has announced that it will again be holding a number of presentations on the project to build new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales in 2019. Entry into each roadshow is free.
• Saturday 2nd March 2019 – Darlington Locomotive Works, Darlington
• Saturday 6th April 2019 – York – venue to be confirmed
• Saturday 8th June 2019 – Newcastle – venue to be confirmed
• Saturday 6th July 2019 – Darlington Locomotive Works, Darlington
• Saturday 14th September 2019 – Leeds – venue to be confirmed
• Saturday 2nd November 2019 – Darlington Locomotive Works, Darlington
Public interest in seeing a new Gresley class P2 become a reality sooner rather than later is high with almost 900 people having already signed up to the ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer per week’ (£10 per month or more) Covenant scheme since its launch.
Progress building Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive continues at Darlington Locomotive Works and includes:
• Frame plates for engine and tender rolled and profiled; engine’s frames erected at Darlington Locomotive Works; all major engine frame stays, brackets, horn blocks, axleboxes and buffers cast (44 in total); over 1,000 fitted and driven bolts ordered and delivered, approximately 800 now fitted to the frames
• All 20 wheels for engine and tender cast and proof machined; engine wheelset assembly complete, balance weights manufactured and fitted, tender axles delivered
• Preliminary discussions held with boiler manufacturers and forged foundation ring corners manufactured and machined; start made on boiler fittings with castings for combined injector steam and delivery valves; order placed with DB Dampflokwerk Meiningen to update the design to incorporate modifications and improvements fitted to Tornado’s boiler over the last 10 years
• Study into ride and suspension completed using rail industry standard Vampire® software; Finite Element Analysis completed on re-designed crank axle to ensure it complies with modern standards; assessment and notified body appointed to oversee certification – first site visit made
• Cab erected and cab side window frames fitted; engine footplating and splasher kits delivered and permanently fitted to frames
• Smokebox door pressed, details made and door completed; door frame manufactured, smokebox delivered and erected; chimney cast and fitted
• Crosshead castings delivered; connecting and coupling rods ordered and manufacture started
• Boiler cladding assembly jig built, cladding crinolines and hoops rolled and fitted to jig, cladding sheets made and trial fitted to the engine’s frame
• Tender frame construction under way, axleboxes and other tender castings delivered from William Cook Cast Products; tender tank procurement process underway
• Nameplates and chime whistle delivered
• Over £2m spent, £2.5m donated and over £3.1m pledged.
Over the next 12 months, the Darlington based team aims to:
• Complete the pony truck
• Select the manufacturer and place the order for the boiler
• Make substantial progress on the tender tank and frames
• Finish the detailed design of the electrical system
• Complete the overhaul of and fit two steam driven air pumps
• Manufacture and take delivery of most of the coupling and connecting rods
• Complete the cylinder block design with construction nearing completion
• Start manufacture of the valve gear.
