P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

I agree, the report was not about the P2s - but as I said, he did take aim at them.

Singling them out for criticism, which he did not do of a variety of Gresley's other classes (where are the mentions of the V3 classes which shared the conjugated valve gear, or the 2-8-0 classes, for instance?) is taking aim at them I am afraid. How else could this be described? I'm afraid you are not seeming very objective in yourself: rather, defending the indefensible. Whether we agree with the report or not, ES Cox singled out the P2s for criticism. That is factual.

Thompson then followed ES Cox's suggestions to the letter and rebuilt the P2s incorporating three separate sets of walschaerts valve gear.

A timely reminder of the link, thank you.

 

Can we keep this stuff on the ET thread please? No matter what the Cox report did or didn't say about the P2's, we're getting a modified one built so let's rejoice in that and keep the ET debate in the thread where it belongs. We're only going over old ground again anyway.

 

I agree. In fairness I have directed people there a number of times!

 

Any danger we can actually get back to the subject of this thread, the GRESLEY P2?.......... which has cock all to do with ET or Peppercorn!

 

God grief gents. Is there any need?

Besides, if you knew your LNER history you'd know the P2's influence stretches far into the Peppercorn era...

 

Good grief - get a life man - the new build P2 is the GRESLEY design - improved - end of!

Same as 60163 is an improved version of Peppercorn's A1 & nobodies kicking up a fuss about that.

So just let the A1/P2 lads get on with it, they know what they're doing.

 

I'm well aware they know what they're doing - I backed them monetarily.

 

I'm finding posts from 1081 onwards more than somewhat bewildering.

Post 1080 made a number of points, all of which seem reasonable to me, and all of which are relevant to the original P2s and therefore to the new build. 1081 notes that the Cox report was about issues applying to several Gresley designs, not just the P2s. That is correct, but does not contradict 1080.

Then 1083 refers to "snarky remarks". I don't see any such remarks in the previous few posts, though 1083 itself might be considered snarky.

Then 1087 says "Can we keep this stuff on the ET thread please?". This discussion is about the P2s. They had flaws, which prompted Thompson to rebuild them. Discussion of how successful or otherwise that rebuilding was would indeed belong on the ET, but the fact that they had flaws which Gresley did not deal with is an essential part of the P2 story and an important part of the background to the building of the new improved version, as addressed by the last paragraph of 1080.

 

How long were the trains hauled by the P2's?

 

About 8 - 9 years...

Tom

 

Oh dear, I walked in to that.

How many carriages would the trains that a P2 haul be comprised of?

 

An interesting question - I believe there was an exceptional load - a long troop train of well over twenty five carriages pulled by one of the P2s during the war. They were extremely capable machines.

However normally? Whatever the Edinburgh-Aberdeen trains were normally loaded. That I don't know but I am sure I can check my usual sources on the morrow.

 

Cliffe and Clay.... ?

 

More new shiny (and not so shiny) bits to bolt on! The latest update can be seen here. However this component is worthy of note, the combined frame stay and motion bracket (minus the boiler support) reconfigured from a casting to a welded fabrication:

Foxy

 

Those Horn blocks look very nice! Are you bolting or riveting them on to the frame?

Also, please tell me that plate had a hole or a large section cut out of it before it went on the cnc...hahaha...?

 

Wow! I must admit I hadn't realised how far advanced the construction of this engine had got... They certainly aren't hanging around are they? It's a real credit to the sponsors and to those involved in the construction process directly. Well done!

Richard.

 

P2 roadshow stand at Minehead during WSR steam gala 12 and 13 March

 

Following proof machining all the wheels for the P2 have been delivered to Darlington before they go various contractors to have the next stages of work done on them: Once tyred and fitted to their axles the balance weights will be added and filled as appropriate:


Foxy

 

Excellent progress again, be finished for xmas at this rate!!!

 

The P2 Steam Locomotive Company is delighted to announce the publication of an all new book on the P2 class locomotives in conjunction with Ian Allan Publishing.

The book, written by the Trust's researcher and archivist Andrew Hardy will feature new and unseen photographs, letters and other material never previously printed making this the must read book on the class. A contribution from the sale of each book will go towards No. 2007 Prince of Wales. This will be higher if bought direct from the Trust.

Pre-orders are available now through the Trust for publication in May 2016 with no money required until final publication. To pre-order or for more information please email andy.hardy@p2steam.com