P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

With over £300,000 raised from the Founders and regular covenanted income plus sponsorship, I'd be pretty annoyed if progress wasn't rapid! Hopefully success=more income=more progress=more income and so on. There came a point with No. 60163 where critical mass was achieved and progress geared up enormously. The A1SLT not only has the experience, it also knows where it made mistakes and wasted time, valuable lessons if the P2 is going to romp ahead!

Foxy

 

Very fair points, though I was only posing the question to people whether they saw the projects being similar, not necessarily suggesting as my full opinion.

While the two share similarities, they are nevertheless very different, principally with 4709 only progressing as fast as it is thanks to donor parts. That project will probably slow down once it reaches rolling chassis stage, with the new build boiler probably being the biggest challenge for the project.

As for it's appearance... Can't argue with that, they're usually the one's that get mixed up by the general public, they just look so alike! Still that's Swindon for ya...

Considering new builds depend alot of their selling point on their loco's uniqueness, it's no wonder generally most new Swindon products have been quite slow in their progress, even with plenty of donor parts to give them a head start...

 

I thought 4709 was borrowing a boiler (ex 2861???), which though not the same as an original 47xx boiler would do in the short term.

Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Dave

 

Your not far wrong, the first member of the class started off with the smaller boiler, but it didn't produce enough power, so an entirely new type of boiler was designed specifically for the class, hence the need to build the boiler brand new.

I think there was a rumour of that idea happening at one point, but I'm pretty sure that's all it is, a rumour.

 

I think the plan is to use the Swindon no. 1 boiler to be going on with, with full-size cladding as if for a no.7, and then to fit a no. 7 boiler at a later date when funding allows. So 4709 will start off with a lot of re-used parts, so it really is an entirely different kind of project from the P2.

I can only agree with previous comments about the distinctive appearance of the first P2 and the forthcoming new one. Ironically, it's really only the very front of the loco that looks much different from many others (particularly Tornado and Blue Peter), but that makes a big subjective difference.

 

I also agree. In fact it was due to googling about the P2 project that I discovered this forum. I first saw a picture on a cigarette card and never forgot it. A few years ago a relative loaned me a book about them (I can't remember the title or who wrote it unfortunately) and it re-kindled the fascination.

As originally designed they have a unique and imposing appearance which marks them out from the crowd. To be able to see one 'in the flesh', albeit not one of the originals, would be amazing. Probably only the A4s and the streamlined duchesses are as memorable and distinctive.

 

Indeed I must admit that back in what 1990 or so I was somewhat sceptical of the scheme to built a "new" A1. As there had been and still are several other "new build" schemes as many were/are little more than a news item in the railway press or website/Facebook page and that's as far as they went. But the A1 Guys proved me and no doubt many others wrong, and as has been mentioned have a proven track record and pedigree. So here's to 2007 and whatever else they are planning......

 

If i was any good i could atach said cigarette cards, one a side on view of Cock of the north, the other an 'Action sketch of Earl Marischal. (With the wrong valve gear)
On a 47xx A smaller boiler with more generous cladding will look the part and provide more than enough steam for heritage use, and its been proven that GWR Boilers , basically very good and can be encouraged to greater output more with better draughting, additional superheat for main line use, whether this would equate to an extra 10% of grate area...

 

I think this is the 'duff' cigarette card people are talking about, clearly No. 2001 doctored as No. 2002:



You can see more on the P2 website history page (under development!) here.

For folk who are on Facebook the P2 page is one of the quickest ways to get updates.

Foxy

 

Spot on.

 

Interesting way that they chose to bend the frames. I wonder how it differs from when it was done on the original locos at Doncaster ? Would they have used a large press or used a similar strategy of bending in situ ?

 

Actually, that is not the same cigarette card that I remember. I'm sure that my mother still has the set, because I saw them a few years ago while helping to look for something. Out of interest I'll try and find it again.

 

Just had the latest SR through the door, states that the P2 appeal has now hit £1m.
Also the first driving wheel has been cast.

 

Has anybody a tel contact for these folk? I sent an application for founders membership but have not had a response. I would like to visit this Friday's do........

 

Can only find an email address which you probably already have.
enquiries@p2steam.com

 

Thanks very much......had no response from e mail.....bit frustrating

 

The WSRA Trustees are running the P2 effort? Who knew?

Noel

 

I Dare say Mr Osprey if you turn up with a cheque theyll let you in, and if you dont go to the Clan Agm on Saturday, they certainly will !

I had the said p2 card in my 'Gallery' which is no longer a nat pres feature...

 

I Dare say Mr Osprey if you turn up with a cheque theyll let you in, and if they dont go to the Clan Agm on Saturday, they certainly will !

I had the said card in my 'Gallery' which is no longer a nat press feature

 

Osprey,

I have sent you a PM. hopefully all will be sorted and I will see you Friday!

Andy