A £5 MILLION project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive is on the right track thanks to a team of young apprentices.

Expert engineers have been building the North-East’s latest contribution to the railways in a Darlington Locomotive Works shed after taking on a new-build project in 2013.

The “steam team” are set to construct loco No. 2007 Prince of Wales before allowing passengers to travel at high-speed from 2021 following investment from the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

And now British railway giants, Virgin Trains, are supplying several pairs of hands to help with the historic construction of the Trust’s latest feat of engineering.

London-based pair and Virgin Trains apprentices, Michael Olley and Simon Nadolny, both 23, have been working in Darlington alongside fellow engineers as part of a sponsored opportunity to gain experience in different depots.

Mr Nadolny, who is from Doncaster, said: “This week we’ve been getting down to basics, bending metal and hammering nuts and bolts into place, helping to install three large fabricated frame stays and assembling the smokebox lifting sheets.

“It’s been a real privilege and I’m proud to have played a small part in creating what will be the UK’s most powerful steam engine.”

The Trust constructed Peppercorn Class A1 No. 60163 Tornado using original drawings, before appealing to the public over which locomotive should be built in Darlington next.

Mark Allat, chairman of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said: “We’re delighted that apprentices from Virgin Trains are now working with us to build No. 2007 Prince of Wales, a true inheritor to this route’s combination of speed and style.

“We look forward to welcoming many more apprentices to Darlington Locomotive Works over the next few years.”

For more information on the build, visit p2steam.com