AN organisation dedicated to building and operating modern steam engines is marking its 30th anniversary with a fundraising appeal to keep its work going.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is celebrating 30 years with a fundraising appeal to keep its steam locomotive No. 60163 Tornado on the main line, and to complete the build of its new Prince of Wales train.
In 1990, the group was formed to build a new Peppercorn class A1 Pacific.
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The original A1s were built by British Railways in 1948 and 1949 but all were scrapped by 1966.
The last survivor, No. 60145 Saint Mungo, was badly preserved, leaving the final development of East Coast Main Line’s steam locomotive classes unrepresented.
At the formal launch of the trust, at the Railway Institute in York, it was announced that the 50th Peppercorn class A1, would carry the running number 60163 – the next in the sequence.
The locomotive, named Tornado, was built at Darlington Locomotive Works and has since steamed over 100,000 miles.
The group is now focused on developing a Gresley class P2 Mikado steam locomotive for main line and preserved railway use.
It estimated that No. 2007 Prince of Wales will cost £5 million to build, over a seven to ten year period, and will be completed in the next three years, but needs donations to keep going.
Steve Davies, chair of the group, said: “We’ve come a long way since those humble beginnings in York 30 years ago thanks to the generous donations of time and money from our dedicated supporters. We are now seeking new supporters to come onboard and help with our ambitious development plans.
“With this increased support, the next few years will see the first of the two new boilers delivered and fitted to No. 60163 Tornado during her next overhaul; the acquisition and overhaul of E35457 for use as a support coach for No. 2007 Prince of Wales; the completion, testing and operation of our new Gresley class P2; the relocation of the Trust’s operations to a new, larger main line connected site in Darlington where we can build, maintain and operate new steam locomotives; and the start of the construction of our third new ex-LNER steam locomotive, yet-to-be-named Gresley class V4 No. 3403.
“We are asking railway enthusiasts who share our vision to consider the different ways in which they might help us to protect what we have achieved to-date and realise our ambitious plans for the future.
"We are looking to welcome‘price of a pint of beer a week’ supporters for both No. 60163 Tornado, which needs an overhaul, and to complete No. 2007 Prince of Wales."
"People think once the locomotive is built, it not longer needs support. Nothing could be further from the truth. Tornado, and Prince of Wales in the future, require additional support to remain in traffic – especially as the impact of Covid-19 has significantly impacted on railtour revenue.”
For further information on how to support, visit www.a1steam.com
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