The project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday 9th December with the delivery of the locomotive’s boiler.
The boiler is the single largest component required for the engine at a cost of over £500,000 and was built at Dampflokwerk (Steam Locomotive Works) Meiningen, Germany. Following delivery, it is now housed inside the new Darlington Locomotive Works alongside the wheeled frames, locomotive’s tender and monobloc fabricated cylinder.
The P2 class locomotive, No. 2007 Prince of Wales, is the second new build steam locomotive by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust and will operate on the national rail network upon completion. Originally built in the 1930s, the P2 ‘Mikados’ were the most powerful express passenger locomotives to ever operate in the UK. They were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, who also designed Flying Scotsman and Mallard, to haul 600-ton trains over the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route.
P2 Project Director, Richard Courteney-Harris MBE, said “It is a proud day for the Trust as we begin to see the dream becoming reality as the P2 starts to take shape. The boiler is the beating heart of any locomotive and as the largest and most expensive component, its delivery today is a message of intent as we look forward to Prince of Wales steaming for the first time. In the year that railways celebrate their bicentenary, we are delighted to be building on that proud heritage, here in Darlington where it all began with Locomotion No.1 200 years ago.”
The project to build a new P2 is expected to cost around £7million, of which £5million has already been raised, with first movements anticipated in 3 years’ time. This project is predominantly funded by enthusiasts pledging to donate £10 a month, with larger ticket items, such as the recent delivery, paid for by larger donations to the ‘Boiler Club’. This project could not exist without the passion and commitment that is felt in Britain for railway heritage and all things steam! New supporters are encouraged to sign up at a1steam.com/p2donation
A1SLT would like to thank GAC UK for their service and professionalism in enabling the arrival of the boiler into the UK and RSS Ltd for the provision of a suitable wagon to accommodate the new boiler.