Building the new P2 locomotive

Peterborough branch heard a detailed description of the progress being made in the building of a new Gresley 2-8-2 P2. November meeting speaker Liz Gibson is from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which is recreating Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive – 2007 Prince of Wales. The first LNER P2, Cock o’ the North was delivered in 1934, and was followed by another five P2s for use in Scotland. Sadly, they developed problems which could not be resolved and were converted to Pacifics during the war.

The new loco is being built using 21st century design and manufacturing technology, as was ‘sister’ engine Tornado. We were given a detailed description of the complex design and engineering involved via film, video, drawings and photographs: much has already been completed and paid for, and Liz believes the end of 2027 is an achievable completion date.

Finding the millions required for a major project is always a problem – largely overcome in this case by the establishment of ‘clubs’ of people wishing to sponsor a specific project – the boiler club, and the tender club for example.

Alan Burgess