UPDATED: We have updated this article to reflect a few changes, and also a new section titled ‘What’s the main difference between the two projects’
The latest update on 61673 Spirit of Sandringham can be found by clicking here.

This weeks Project Information features two new build projects, as both are building the same class of the locomotive, the LNER B17. This article will, therefore, be a bit longer, as there are two projects to cover. This week we will be covering The Engine 61662 Appeal and The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust.

Background

There was a great need for express passenger locomotives to haul the heavy passenger trains on the old Great Eastern main line. The Great Eastern B12s couldn’t cope with the heavy expresses and no other current design was found to be suitable for the needs, leading the new design of 4-6-0, the B17s.

Gresley was unsatisfied with all drawings submitted by Doncaster Works. The design and construction work was handed over to the North British Locomotive Company (NBLC). Despite this, Darlington and Stratford Works both provided drawings of certain parts. NBLC used designs from other LNER locos to help produce a suitable design. Eventually, NBLC submitted two potential designs, neither met the axle loading requirements set (17 tons per axle) but the design with 18 tons per axle was chosen.

The First Locos

NBLC built a batch of 10 locos to the chosen design, the first loco being completed on November 30th, 1928. Whilst being built, the LNER requested some slight modifications. These were large cylinders (17.5 in instead of 17), increased firebox length (by 5in), longer frames and lighter springs.

This batch of NBLC B17s was completed by December 1928 and numbered 2800-09, later becoming the B17/1s when new batches were completed. Cracked frames on the B17/1s was a big problem, leading to the next batch, B17/2s, being constructed by Darlington Works. These had modified springs to try and stop the cracking of frames, this failed and lead to the construction of the B17/3s.

Although being known as rough riders, the B17/3 design proved to solve problems with the frames. In time, all the locos would receive the B17/3 specification. This lead to the B17/1s, /2s and /3s being reclassified as B17/3s. The next variant produced was the B17/4s. The only differences these had was an enlarged tender, for running over routes which could take heavier weights.

The B17/5s appeared next, with two locos, Nos. 2859 Norwich City and 2870 Tottenham Hotspur, which had to be rebuilt with streamline casting, similar to the A4s. They appeared in 1931, purely on publicity grounds, losing their streamlining by 1951.

“Two More Variants”

Thompson’s reign as CME brought two more variants of the B17s. The first being the B17/6. These had new 100A boilers, originally designed by Gresley for the class, though was never applied. Thompson modified the boiler design, resulting in a boiler with 225psi. 55 of the 73 were built with the new 100A boiler. The second variant being the B2s. These were B17/1s rebuilt with 100A boilers and a 2-cylinder layout. Both Thompson rebuilds showed improved performance on the B17/1 design, but the B17/6s marginally outperformed the B2, leading to only 10 being built. This only left 8 B17/1s.

British Railway Life

The class was taken into BR stock in 1948, receiving new numbers. This being 61600 for the first-class member “Sandringham”. Rebuilding with the 100A boiler exclusively took place under BR ownership.  By 1960, all the B17/1s, B17/6s and B2s had been withdrawn and scrapped.

The Project – Engine 61662 Appeal

The main aim of the Engine 61662 Appeal is to build a replica of No. 61662 “Manchester United” – this is currently a mock-up made of timber, aluminium and other materials.

The project began researching into building a replica 61662 in March 2008, this being made possible and far easier with the discovery of 250+ drawings of the B17 from the North British Locomotive Company. The project is promoted by the North British Locomotive (NBL) Preservation Group Ltd. It was a group from within the NBL Preservation Group that decided to begin the project to build a replica of 61662.

Progress

As of November 2017, the project is in the early stages. The group currently have a tender top and frame, cab, smokebox and frame (mostly uncut). Recent work has focused on attaching the running board either side of the smokebox.

The Project – The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust

Like the Engine 61662 Appeal, The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust aims to build a B17 to mainline standard, but, the loco will be the next loco in the sequence, No. 61673. The name “Spirit of Sandringham” has been chosen for the loco, a very appropriate name. They plan to build 61673 in the later condition of the class, with the 100A boiler. This will mean 61673 will be a B17/6.

The project started in early 2011. The trust see the B17s as crucial missing link between the B12s, built by the Great Eastern Railway and the B1s, built by Thompson for the LNER. The B17s were Gresley’s only class of 4-6-0, which makes the project even more special.

Progress

As of November 2017, only the frames have been erected. These are at the Llangollen Railway. Other parts have been manufactured and delivered to Llangollen, such as the Drag box and other parts are on order, such as the Frame Stays.

What is the difference between the two projects?

The difference between 61662 Manchester United project and the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is that 61662 Manchester United is a mock-up replica of the locomotive. However, 61673 Spirit of Sandringham will once complete, be a fully working steam locomotive that will be used on both the mainline and at heritage railways.

I hope you enjoyed this weeks instalment of Project Information. If you are an LMS fan, then next week’s edition is going to be a treat for you!

When new news about either group is released, we will try and cover it as soon as possible.

If you would like to get involved with or find out more information about the Engine 61662 Appeal, please follow this link to their website.

If you would like to get involved with or find out more information about The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, please follow this link to their website.