The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust has released a small update on the work to build an LNER Class B17 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive, No. 61673 Spirit of Sandringham.
The locomotive is being built in compliance with Railway Group Standards, for operation both on the mainline network and on heritage railways.
The group is also including some improvements in performance, reliability and maintenance.
Sir Nigel Gresley designed the B17s and was a common sight across the Great Eastern section of the LNER network. Operations on the mainline saw them work express trains out of Liverpool Street, Kings Cross and London Marylebone.
73 locomotives were built in total and were named after stately homes and football clubs. The first of class, number 2800 was named ‘Sandringham', subsequently, the class was named as The Sandringhams.
All B17s were withdrawn from service and scrapped by the middle of 1960, therefore none are currently preserved. The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is building the next locomotive in the line, number 61673 and will be named ‘Spirit of Sandringham'.
Construction of 61673 began at the Llangollen Railway in 2015, and in February 2019, a successful inspection took place on the mainframe by Ricardo Rail Ltd. The inspection demonstrated the torque tightening of fasteners to ensure that frame stays were fully secured between the frames.
Since February, the trust has completed the design of the various pieces that make up the rolling chassis. It is therefore in discussion with potential suppliers, and orders will start to be be placed, once approval is received from Ricardo Rail Ltd.
The above is all part of an 18-month plan to convert the chassis into the rolling chassis, a major milestone in the construction of the locomotive.
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Yes, I grew up in the north-east where Sandringhams were rare, to say the least and I only saw them as far north as York, though hardly ever.
Our NE world of passenger traffic was Gresley and Peppercorn Pacifics and V2s mixed in with B1s, D49s and B16s (not 17s).
Some GNR types like K3s were seen.
Of all the new-build locos, this one captures the imagination, probably because of childhood memories and train-spotting at Bury St. Edmunds, with journeys to Liverpool Street; always looking out for a ‘Sandy”.