The project to build P2 steam locomotive No.2007 Prince of Wales is preparing to wheel the locomotive this summer and a new batch of components have been released in time for Fathers Day on Sunday 17th June 2018.

What is a P2 steam locomotive?

The P2s, also known as The ‘Mikados’, was the most powerful express locomotive in the UK. Designed in the 1930s by Sir Nigel Gresley, they were designed to haul 600-ton trains. The build of 2007 is at an estimated cost of £5 million. The build will use modern construction techniques, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD).

Public interest to see this new Class P2 in steam becoming a reality sooner rather than later remains high and 860 people have already signed up for the ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer per week’ (£10 per month or more) scheme since its launch in March 2014.

Dedicated Donations are only usually available to existing supporters, but are being made available to anyone in the run-up to Father’s Day.

In addition to being able to support one of the 18 spokes of the driving wheels for £600 (£25 a month for 24 months), other components have been made available, such as the following:

• Hornblock Driven Bolt & Nut: £25 each
• Washout door escutcheons: £70 each
• Firebox cladding sheets: £500 each (or £20 per month for 25 months)
• Spring casing for right-hand buffer casing: £1,200 (or £50 per month for 24 months)
• Pony truck axle: £4,440 (or £70 per month for 60 months)
• 6ft 2in Driving Wheel Casting and Proof Machining: £12,000 (or £200pm for 60 months).

People who are able to subscribe to the scheme will have their name, or the persons name who the gift is for, inscribed on the official roll of honour at Darlington Locomotive Works listing the components which have been sponsored, and will also receive a certificate recording the sponsorship and a copy of the drawing of the component.

What did the officials say?

Mark Allatt, Trustee and P2 Project Director, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:

“We are delighted with the support the project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive has received since its launch four years ago, with over £3m of the required £5m pledged to-date. We are confident that we will have the engine on its wheels this summer and remain on-track for completion in 2021. However, to maintain this progress we need to raise £700,000 per year. We are therefore taking the opportunity of Father’s Day to give the Dedicated Donations scheme a boost.

“This initiative is a unique opportunity for supporters to have their father or grandfather’s name associated with a component of No. 2007 and the funds raised will help to ensure that Prince of Wales will be completed on schedule. Just as with the similar scheme that helped to fund the construction of now world-famous Tornado, supporters who subscribe to the scheme will have the satisfaction of pointing to the part of the locomotive they paid for when No. 2007 enters service. 2018 will see further major announcements as the construction of Prince of Wales gathers pace.”

Please contact [email protected] for further information.

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