P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

The rate the A1/P2 Guys are going, I half expect the engine to be completed by this time next year and being prep'd for it's first mainline run even if they do it in works grey as per Tornado

 

I think I may need to book some time off work next Friday to see the frames. Once in a lifetime opportunity. Where did I put my founder's card…!

 

I apologise for the confusion caused by the omission of a smiley and not waiting for 1 April!

 

.....the frames were delivered yesterday:



and work on them commenced at once:



More news here

Foxy

 

....and erection started at once..... you can see the full set of photos here.



Foxy

 

Perhaps you meant here?

Noel

 

Haven't they come a long way in a short time ?

 

Yes, but I'll be curious to see if they can keep this pace up. I guess it will all depend on the money flow rate?

Noel

 

Good point, Noel, but if anyone can keep up the momentum it's this team.

 

Now I'm going to have to amend my presentation on New-Build Steam to reflect the amazing progress of 2007 which, at least as far as current developments are concerned, is going "up the charts" in the "Race" to be the next operational New-Build!

 

The first driving wheel has been cast, and the major part minus the boiler, the frames, have been erected and await inspection by founders and covenantors on Friday. No.2007 has captured the hearts and minds of railway enthusiasts and engineers across the country. It is astonishing to think that some new build groups have been going for a decade or more and no.2007 is threatening to overtake in under a year. The power of a proven locomotive (Tornado), reputation and good, careful PR and sheer British bloodymindedness. I love it.

 

I wonder how long it would take them if all the money was available at the start.

 

The remarkable thing is that most if not all the other new builds are of locomotives that many will recall from their youth but I doubt there's too many who recall an LNER P2.

 

A good point, but I believe that must be offset by the awesome size and looks of the P2. Of all the new build projects on the go at the moment, the P2 is certainly one of the more distinctive builds.

 

That point has really surprised too, as generally most new build projects depend alot of their financial income from people who had seen and are fond of that particular design.

The P2 though clearly (for the most part) does not follow that traditional route, as it has captured the imagination and wonder of the general public, as well as the usual enthusiast, despite the fact that they disappeared at the beginning of the Second World War.

Really I think, as mentioned several times before, it boils down to two things:

1. The looks; Even though most people haven't seen it, show a picture and it immediately catches people's attention, possessing gorgeous looks and (in a world where the general public often mistake one loco design for another) a unique design that would really stand out from a line up with other steam locomotives. Let's face it, it would be hard to mistaken it for anything else...
&
2. The group building it have a proven track record, with Tornado being by far the best resume you could have in this kind of project.

To be fair, some other new builds projects do possess the first quality, but next to none can claim the second.

I must confess I haven't contributed to a steam locomotive heritage project before, but with this one I'm strongly considering it...

 

I'd agree with you there, it's sheer size alone draws attention.

Though having said that, does the 4700 class new build not fit as a strong contender to this too? Both projects share similarities, they both are creating a new member of a class that were few in numbers, and both were not seen and rremembered by many people (though less so with the 4700.) Both are large in size.

They are also both projects that, while only started a year or so ago, have made far greater progress than most others could in the same time span. Plus (though not to the same extent) like the P2, the 4700 does seem to have a good amount of financial backing and support.

 

It should be remembered that a lot of the 47XX is from the pic & mix store at Didcot.

 

To the untutored eye a 4700 will bear strong similarities to other GWR 2-8-0s in particular and GWR tender locos in general so I doubt it will grab the attention of Joe Public in quite the same way as the P2.
As for progress, the big difference between the P2 and the 4700 is that the P2 is starting entirely from scratch but the 4700 - as pointed out by std tank - is using many parts already available from other locos.

 

Tum tee tum tee tum... he hummed with an air of disinterest..... (as if!)



It's been a busy weekend in Darlington....... you can see more here.

As noted above, progress has been rapid - it took five years to get Tornado to this stage. Of course it depends on cash flow, sponsorship and a lot of hard graft but the P2 project does seem to have impressive momentum. There will be even more to see by the weekend for those attending the frames event in Darlo.

Foxy

 

Indeed. That's quite impressive. I wonder if they'll keep this rate (or anything close to it) up after the event, or if this is a special push to get something together for that?

Noel