The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which is building a new LNER P2 Class steam locomotive Prince of Wales, has renamed ‘The Cylinder Manufacturing Club’ as ‘The Monobloc Club’.

By renaming the club, the project aims to draw attention to the unique fabrication technique and raise the profile of the project.

The cylinder block is being produced by Howco at Irvine in Scotland. Progress is well advanced and delivery is expected later this summer. Members of the P2 team visit regularly to view progress, whilst earlier this month the certification advisor also visited and was pleased with work to date.

Although the project is pressing forward with manufacturing the monobloc, donations are required to help fund the work. They do not want to slow the pace of the P2 build, so all contributions towards Prince of Wales are greatly appreciated.

Over £4m of the estimated £6m required to complete No. 2007 Prince of Wales within the next three years has already been spent.

In order to keep to this schedule, the cylinder block must be completed this summer. Please consider joining The Monobloc Club today and help to complete Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive in record time. There is still a way to go to reach the £250,000 target.

To reflect this and show thanks, every member of The Monobloc Club will be invited to visit Howco’s factory at Irvine, witness some of the manufacturing the cylinder block in action, and speak with both Howco’s and the project’s engineers. The tour is planned for Thursday 26th May, starting at 11:00. Lunch will be provided and there will be ample time for discussion with other club members, the engineering team, and Trustees.

The longer the build takes, the more it will inevitably cost to complete Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive. The project is relying on donations to continue its progress. With the cylinder block, tender frames, and boiler all due for delivery this year, there has never been a better time to get on board with the P2 project. As a club member, monthly donor, or one-off contributor, your money will help to ensure the future of mainline steam. Find out more about ‘Supporting No. 2007′ at http://www.p2steam.com