The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has released an update on the work to construct new-build LNER P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

Whilst progress has slowed recently, mainly due to the ongoing overhaul of A1 No. 60163 Tornado and the Trust moving to its new workshop, work has still been ongoing.

The locomotive’s cylinder block is now essentially complete and is now being prepared for a hydraulic test. The manufacturers, Howco, found issues with the porosity in the cylinder covers when they were being machined, which meant new castings needed to be made.

A small adjustment has been made in the casting process which now means that the castings are free from porosity.

Daniela Filova, who machined the new castings, has also been working on casting new sleeves that are required for the valve chest covers and these are soon to be dispatched to Howco.

A problem with the Philidas self-locking nuts that are used all over the frames whereby a defect was found in their locking devices has now been resolved with replacements delivered. Whilst some of these nuts have been replaced, it was decided not to change all of them due to moving to the new workshop.

Replacement manganese steel liners, which are to be used on the pony truck cannon box, have been welded by Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough.

The cannon box halves are back at Darington, but require some more machining before being complete. After this, the lines can then be machined to make sure they are the required fit for the cannon box in the frame.

2007’s boiler has been delayed due to issues found during the overhaul of 60163 Tornado’s boiler, but the Trust says the boiler should be delivered later this year.

Finally, work on the locomotive’s tender has progressed with details for the frame being manufactured by I D Howitt. The tender’s axle boxes are at Darlington and CNC machining has been carried out on behalf of I D Howitt as their CNC lathe is out of commission at the moment.

Delivery of the tender frames have been postponed whilst the trust moves into their new home.