The new P2 Mikado 2-8-2 steam locomotive, which is currently being built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, is making advanced progress towards its competition thanks to the generosity of its donors and supporters.

The Valve Gear club of the project was set up two months ago with the aim of raising funds to pay for the design and building of the rotary cam, Lentz-Franklin poppet valve gear.

So far, funding for this has surpassed £50,000. This has allowed the drawings for manufacturing of the value gear to be completed, along with construction of a production prototype and test rig, to carry out preliminary tests to sort out any issues before it can be fitted to the engine.

This milestone achievement of raising £50,000 in just two months has enabled the building of the P2 to attract attention

Having reached one sixth of the funding needed for this area of the Mikado project, The Valve Gear club is looking to secure more funding through donations of £1,000, which can be paid as either a lump sum or in smaller increments over a longer time scale.

Details on donating can be found here.

“I’m so very impressed and grateful for the way in which our wonderful supporters have generously leaned in to quickly raise over £50k in just two months. Their support means that we’re much further ahead of the valve gear game than originally scheduled, moving this last major engineering and development area closer to completion.”

P2 Project Director and Trustee, Richard Courteney-Harris MBE

Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, the P2s were built to pull heavy express trains over the east coast route from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

The most economical way to get the full poetical out of a steam locomotive is to ensure a complete thermal system, from firing the locomotive to the escape of steam from the chimney after it has performed its job.

With a sound boiler and smokebox, the design and operation of cylinders and valves need to be in first class condition to ensure maximum traction on heavy trains.

With completion of the distinctive cylinder mono bloc which was built and delivered to the Darlington Workshop last autumn, attention has now shifted to the designing and manufacturing of the Lentz-Franklin poppet valve gear.

Those that join the club today and contribute to the exciting journey of No. 2007 Prince of Wales, will be taking part in recreating one of Britain’s most formidable steam locomotives.