The P2 Steam Locomotive Company has announced that over 1,000 covenantor have now signed up to support the construction of new-build steam engine London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) P2 Class No.2007 “Prince of Wales”.
Set up by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust who built and operate LNER Peppercorn A1 No.60163 “Tornado”, the P2 Steam Locomotive Company set up a regular donations scheme called ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer a week', where supporters donate regular small amounts towards the cost of construction.
This scheme was key behind funding “Tornado” and is now ensuring good progress can be made in building “Prince of Wales”. The company is aiming to raise £250,000 per year through ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer a week', a figure which the P2 Steam Locomotive Company are on track to meeting.
There are a number of different clubs which you can join to support the manufacturer of a specific component. These include:
- The Boiler Club – 228 members, 300 target
- The Tender Club – 106 members, 250 target
- The Injectors Club – only launched in June 2021, has already recruited 14 members with a target of 50
- The Cylinder Manufacturing Club – only launched in July 2021, has already recruited 26 members with a target of 250
- The Motion Club – the target of 175 met, but still accepting members
- The Pony (Truck) Club – 32 members with 20 target! This has also funded certification costs
- The Turbogen Club – target of 40 members achieved
- The Founders Club – target of 100 members, over 360 signed up!!
- The Mikado Club – 200 members target met
Supporters can become a P2 Covenantor (regular donor) for as little as £2.50 per week by going to the Trust's new online donations pages.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust Trustee Mark Allatt commented: “Having already built one steam locomotive – No. 60163 Tornado – from scratch, the levels of support and interest that have been generated towards our new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales have been nothing short of sensational.
“Over the past eight years, the project to build Britain's most powerful steam locomotive has spent more than £4m on design & construction and raised over £4m of the estimated £6m required to complete No. 2007 within the next two years – and, in spite of the impact of COVID-19, completion is now within sight. Coincidentally the last of the former Gresley class P2s, No. 2002 Earl Marischal which had been rebuilt as a Thompson class A2/2, was scrapped 60 years ago in July 1961 in its final identity as No. 60502.
“The ‘P2 for a price of a pint of beer a week' covenant (regular donation) scheme has recruited it 1,000th on-going supporter meaning that it is now on-track to raise over £250,000 per year, having raised almost £2m to-date. If you would like to see a new Gresley class P2 sooner rather than later, I would encourage potential supporters to get on-board.”
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