The project to build steam locomotive No.2007 Prince of Wales has announced that they have placed an order worth £220,000 with Stephenson Engineering Ltd, based in Manchester, for the heavy motion for the locomotive.
The order includes the forging, machining and heat treatment of the nine heavy motion rods, intermediate coupling rods on both the left and right hand sides, trailing coupling rods on both the left and right hand side, leading couple rod on the left and right hand side, outside connecting rod on the left and right hand ride, the inside connecting rod assembly, which includes strap, gluts and strap nuts and washers, and the combined piston and rod.
The motion is expected to be delivered between December 2018 and December 2019.
In April 2018, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust launched their appeal to raise the funds to manufacture the motion for this locomotive. The Motion Club was launched with the aim of raising £210,000 from 175 supporters donating £1,000 to the project. In just seven weeks, the appeal had already reached over a quarter of its target.
This order means the locomotive is still on track to be completed by 2021.
What is a P2 steam locomotive?
The P2s, also known as The ‘Mikados', was the most powerful express locomotive in the UK. Designed in the 1930s by Sir Nigel Gresley, they were designed to haul 600-ton trains. The build of 2007 is at an estimated cost of £5 million and will use modern construction techniques, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).
What do I get if I donate?
If you would still like to become part of The Motion Club, there are special benefits for members:
- Opportunity to buy ticket (seat already reserved) on one of the first trains hauled by No. 2007 Prince of Wales
- Reasonable access to No. 2007 at all times
- Opportunity to buy exclusive Motion Club badge
Opportunity to join one of the teams building No. 2007 - First choice of other components to sponsor
- Special Motion Club day with Tornado
- Special limited-edition version (signed/numbered) of Stuart Black's drawing of No. 2007 Prince of Wales
What did the officials say?
Mark Allatt, P2 Project Director and Trustee, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:
“We are delighted with the level of support that the project to build Britain's most powerful steam locomotive has received since its launch. Thanks to our supporters' continued generosity, over £3m has now been donated or pledged. Recently we have been focused on preparing to wheel No. 2007.
“We now want to turn our attention to the motion which is our next major design and manufacturing challenge. Raising 27% of our £210,000 target for The Motion Club in just seven weeks has given us the confidence to place the order for the nine heavy motion components whilst we work hard to raise the remaining £150,000. This means that we remain on-track for completion of the new locomotive in 2021.
“I would encourage all steam enthusiasts who haven't yet contributed to this exciting project to help us to meet these deadlines by becoming a member of The Motion Club or a monthly ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer a week' covenantor. It's time to get on board! This year will see further major announcements as the construction of new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales gathers pace.”
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