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AN ambitious project to build a brand new steam locomotive is powering along the right track as all of its wheels have now been cast.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust is behind the project to build the No. 2007 Prince of Wales, following on from its success in building the Tornado loco which launched in 2008.
The project’s principle sponsor, William Cook Cast Products (WCCP) of Sheffield and Leeds, have cast 20 wheels for the Prince of Wales and they are expected to be fitted to the locomotive by the end of 2015.
Mark Allatt, chairman of the trust, said: “The completion of all 20 wheels – 12 for the engine in three different sizes and eight for the tender – mark a significant milestone in the project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive.
“Over the next few months the wheels will be machined, have their tyres fitted, attached to their axles and the completed wheelsets equipped with roller bearings.”
He added: “Thanks to the help that such a world leading and technologically advanced company as William Cook Cast Products is giving us in producing the wheels for No. 2007, we are hopeful that we will have completed the rolling chassis for the new Gresley class P2 towards the end of next year and that we are on-track for completing the locomotive in 2021.”
The Gresley class P2 locomotives were the most powerful passenger steam locomotives to operate in the UK, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to haul 600 ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route.
However, the design was never fully developed and they were scrapped by 1961.
The trust is building the seventh member of this class at an estimated cost of £5m, using modern computer design and modelling techniques to enable the new locomotive to haul passenger trains at high speed across today’s national network.
Andrew Cook CBE, chairman of WCCP, said the company was proud of its association with the Prince of Wales and the Tornado before it.
He added: “This is a sponsorship arrangement that will enable us to demonstrate again the variety of uses to which our castings can be put and one that demonstrates that the UK still leads the world in this branch of steel technology.
“We look forward to working with the Trust on this and other aspects of the locomotive's construction.”
The Trust is appealing for sponsors of the project and more information on how to donate can be found at www.p2steam.com.
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| LH-22217BK+AHX317 NTN | 80 | 52 | |
| LH-22217EK+AHX317 NTN | 80 | 52 |