On the first weekend in June, Royal Engineers returned to Darlington Locomotive Works (DLW) to further assist in track laying.

507 STRE (Specialist Team, Railway Infrastructure) Royal Engineers were helping the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to put tracks in place around the new works site.

507 STRE is an Army Reserve unit that specialises in the repair and construction of railway infrastructure. Based in Nottingham, they recruit members from the railway industry.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is building an all new powerful steam Locomotive using 21st century techniques and technologies.

To be named “Prince of Wales”, the new P2 Class locomotive will operate across the UK.

Locomotive 2007 “Prince of Wales” is based on an original 1934 design by Sir Nigel Gresley that was meant at the time to be Britain’s most powerful passenger steam locomotive.

Unfortunately, this design never reached completion because of issues with its advanced design and the outbreak of World War 2.

The trust relies on volunteers and fundraising for its ambitious venture, and is determined to prove the original Gresley claim about the locomotive’s unrivalled power.

During that weekend’s impressive efforts, the team laid over 110m of plain track, and a vital set of points positioned, leading off the works site to connect with the main line.

The Army will return to Darlington Locomotive Works (DLW) this autumn to lay much more track on an extended exercise.

In fact, in November, 26 Field Squadron of 32 Engineer Regiment will spend a few weeks on site in order to lay the remaining plain track (around 750m) needed to complete the stretch from the works to the main line.

Before then, however, the trust needs to raise funds to secure the 4000 additional tons of ballast required for this project, to prevent the opportunity being lost.

Hoping for fine weather, they aim to lay the ballast in September, well ahead of the actual track laying.

The trust is asking members or kind donors to consider sponsoring a 28t wagon load for £630. The easiest way to sign-up is via the trust’s website here.