Mainline new build steam locomotive groups meet for second time in Sheffield

Six new-build steam locomotive groups, all with the same aim of completing their locos fit for the UK mainline, have held a successful second meeting at CTL Seal Ltd in Sheffield.

The group comprised of The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, The Class G5 Locomotive Company, The General Steam Navigation Locomotives Restoration Society, The LMS Patriot Company, The P2 Steam Locomotive Company and The Standard Steam Locomotive Company.

Giles Turner from the Office of Rail and Road was the principal speaker at the meeting, who explained the ORR's perspective on the process of bringing steam locomotives onto the mainline network and the procedure of submission of certificates and other documentation for a new locomotive.

Graham Nicholas from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (P2 Steam Loco Company) went onto share examples of Technical Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis that is currently being prepared for the new P2 in partnership with Ricardo Certification Ltd, and this can be followed as templates for the other projects.

For the future, the group has now agreed to share technical and engineering information and the first step for this is a supplier list for major components as well as experience with those suppliers.

It is anticipated that there will also be an exchange of technical information on engineering topics surrounding the introduction of new steam locomotives onto the network.

After the first meeting, The King George V Locomotive Trust and The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland approached the group to see if they could join the new partnership. The group unanimously voted in favour of welcoming them onboard and any other interested groups are asked to contact one of the founding members.

The next meeting is planned for March 2023.

Alistair Leach, Principal Consultant at Ricardo Rail said “It is really encouraging to see the groups involved sharing knowledge and using common approaches to address the challenges of building 20^th Century locomotives for safe operation on a 21^st Century railway”.