Cock O’ The North: Plan for new £5m engine gathers steam

LNER Class P2 No. 2001 "Cock O' The North"

Work has started on the chassis for the Prince of Wales engine which is due to be completed by 2021. The second phase of fund-raising allows people to sponsor components, and then have their names placed on a roll of honour.

The project is led by volunteers who built the Tornado steam engine which went into service in 2008.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s chairman, Mark Allatt, said: “We are delighted with the level of support that the project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive has received since its launch less than 10 months ago.

60163 'Tornado' on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in its new livery - BR Brunswick Green.

“With over £1m pledged we are now at the stage we were with Tornado some five years into the project.

“We are hopeful that we will have completed the rolling chassis for No. 2007 Prince of Wales towards the end of 2015 and we remain on-track for completion in 2021.

“However, to maintain this progress we need to continue to raise in excess of £700,000 per year.”

The engine will be a P2 class loco originally designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, who oversaw the creation of Flying Scotsman in Doncaster.