The P2 Steam Locomotive Company have announced that they have raised 50% of the £5 million to build the new locomotive.
This news comes on the day of the 70th birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales.
The parent company, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (operators and owners of 60163 Tornado), have now spent over £2m on the construction of the P2 locomotive and has received over £2.5m in donations with over £3.1m pledged.
Almost 900 people have 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. Additionally, funds have been raised through The Founders Club, The Cylinder Club, The Boiler Club, The Mikado Club, Dedicated Donations and the sponsorship of the locomotive's distinctive front-end by The Gresley Society Trust. This means that the project has already raised £2.5m and received pledges of £3.1m of the required £5m.
What did the officials say?
Mark Allatt, P2 Project Director and Trustee, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:
“HRH The Prince of Wales has been a fantastic supporter of Tornado and along with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall formally named the new locomotive in 2009. Since then, Tornado has hauled the Royal Train on no less than three occasions on behalf of Prince Charles, so we were only too delighted to be able to name No.2007 in his honour. It is well known HRH has a passion for our heritage and a particular interest in steam, but also the skills and craftsmanship required to build a steam locomotive from scratch. It is a clear demonstration that the UK can still turn its hand to quality heavy engineering, making use of modern design and construction techniques whilst engaging and inspiring a new generation that nothing is beyond the realms of possibility.”
“The past five years have seen dramatic progress towards our aim of completing new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales by 2021 and there could be no more appropriate occasion than HRH The Prince of Wales's 70th birthday to announce that our fundraising has passed the halfway point. Now is the time to get on-board this ground-breaking project and help the Trust to raise the £5m needed to ensure its completion in 2021.”
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