LNER P2 Class 2007 Prince of Wales

The first original P2, No. 2001 Cock o' the North

The original six Class P2 locomotives (Nos. 2001 to 2006) were built at Doncaster Works between 1934 and 1936 to a design by chief mechanical engineer Nigel Gresley. They were employed to haul express trains over the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and were the most powerful in Great Britain, capable of hauling 600-ton trains.[1] However, restrictions brought on by World War II caused them to suffer mechanical problems during the 1940s, which contributed to the decision to rebuild the class into LNER Thompson Class A2/2s by Gresley's successor, Edward Thompson. The rebuilt engines were withdrawn between 1959 and 1961, and none survived into preservation.

In 2008, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust completed its first new build steam locomotive project, the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 No. 60163 Tornado, which marked the first British mainline steam engine built since 1960. The success of Tornado gave the A1 Trust the opportunity to look into a second new build project. In December 2010, it announced its intention to conduct a feasibility study into building a seventh Class P2, the most frequently requested engine.[1] The study included the examination of commercial, engineering, and certification challenges that may arise and discussions amongst the trust and regulatory bodies were "very positive".[1] A 3D computer model of the P2 was created using original drawings kept in the National Railway Museum and used for track dynamic analysis using Tornado as the basis and track position data from Network Rail to validate the modelling data.[2][3]

The project officially launched in September 2013. On 14 November, Prince Charles' 65th birthday, the A1 Trust announced that No 2007 would be named Prince of Wales.[4] Despite Charles ascending to the throne in September 2022, the engine's name will not change.[5][6]

Prince of Wales, like Tornado, will be built as a new member of its class rather than a replica. Its design is based on the original drawings of P2 No. 2001 Cock o' the North, but with extensive alterations to improve maintenance, lower life-cycle costs, address historic problems, and comply with modern operating requirements and standards.[2] Modifications include roller bearings, an all-welded, all-steel boiler and Lentz poppet valve gear.[3] The external appearance will match Cock o' the North in its original configuration before it was streamlined.[3] Components in common with Tornado have been incorporated into Prince of Wales as a cost-saving measure.[2] The A1 Trust estimates both locomotives will have about 70% of their parts in common, including the boiler and tender.[7]

A1 Trust director of engineering David Elliott observed that the original P2s had several shortcomings, difficulties when traversing tight curves, and being prone to crank axle failures but was confident that these will be resolved by contemporary engineering techniques.[2] To address crank axle fatigue failures, Finite Element Analysis has resulted in the axle diameter being increased to 10 inches (250 mm), compared the original 9+5⁄8 inches (240 mm). The curve problem was studied using Resonate Group's Vampire software to simulate the vehicle's rail dynamics.[3] The simulation determined optimal coupled wheelset clearances and design of a pony truck with side-spring control.[2]

The original P2 cylinder diameter of 21 inches (530 mm) is out-of-gauge where track has been positioned for a reduced platform gap.[2] To avoid excessive route limitations, the cylinder diameter on Prince of Wales has been reduced to 19+3⁄4 inches (500 mm), and 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) was saved by using fabricated steel instead of cast iron for the cylinder block. To retain the same power output as the P2s, the boiler operates at 250 psi instead of 220 psi.[2] Because of improved heat treatment methods and modern tooling, a durable infinitely-variable cam can be used instead of the stepped cam adopted for the early P2s, enabling greater efficiency.[2] Prince of Wales's boiler is 17 inches (430 mm) shorter than the original, and the smokebox is 17 inches longer.[2] The change was made because the extra boiler length failed to raise extra steam as firebox gases cooled towards its far end and the longer smokebox will provide a larger vacuum reservoir to smooth exhaust pulses. The boiler is based on Tornado's as is the complex superheater header and electrical system. The sloped smokebox meant that the chimney on Prince of Wales required a unique casting.[2]

A Solidworks computer aided design (CAD) model was created for use in the manufacturing process. The frames have been built using CNC machines from the CAD data.[2] Modelling data for Prince of Wales and a modified design with a LNER Class V2-type pony truck, was released in early 2013.[3] In April 2014, construction commenced at Scunthorpe Steelworks, where the frame plates were rolled and flame profiled.[2]

Construction was expected to take seven years, and the A1 Trust projected that the cost will be £6 million.[8]

• Nov 2013 (Nov 2013): 2007 to be named Prince of Wales.[9]
• Feb 2014 (Feb 2014): James May creates 2007's smokebox door dart.[10]
• Apr 2014 (Apr 2014): Frames cast at Tata Steel in Scunthorpe.[11]
• Jun 2014 (Jun 2014): Driving wheels ordered.[12]
• Jul 2014 (Jul 2014): Frames dedicated.[13]
• Oct 2014 (Oct 2014): Roller bearings ordered.[14]
• Jul 2015 (Jul 2015): 2007 construction 1/3 complete.[15]
• Oct 2015 (Oct 2015): £2m raised in two years.[16]
• Mar 2016 (Mar 2016): P2SLC launch "The Mikado Club".[17]
• Jan 2017 (Jan 2017): James May makes slacking cock flange.[18]
• May 2017 (May 2017): Tender frames ordered.[19]
• Oct 2017 (Oct 2017): Campaign for 2007's boiler passes half way.[20]
• Jan 2018 (Jan 2018): Campaign for 2007's clyinder block two-thirds completed.[21]
• Mar 2018 (Mar 2018): Cylinder block fully funded.[22]
• Apr 2018 (Apr 2018): Boiler half funded.[23]
• Apr 2018 (Apr 2018): 2007's construction 40% funded.[24]
• May 2018 (May 2018): Mikado Club reaches target.[25]
• May 2018 (May 2018): Motion Components ordered.[26]
• Jun 2018 (Jun 2018): 2007's tyres fitted.[27]
• Jun 2018 (Jun 2018): Boiler tender issued.[28]
• Jun 2018 (Jun 2018): Boiler cladding trial fitted.[29]
• Jul 2018 (Jul 2018): Wheels arrive in Darlington.[30]
• Aug 2018 (Aug 2018): Electrical equipment ordered.[31]
• Sept 2018 (Sept 2018): V4 to be constructed after P2.[32]
• Sept 2018 (Sept 2018): Wheelsets fitted to engine.[33]
• Oct 2018 (Oct 2018): DB Meiningen to undertake boiler design.[34]
• Oct 2018 (Oct 2018): First cylinder parts arrive.[35]
• Nov 2018 (Nov 2018): 2007's construction 50% funded.[36]
• Dec 2018 (Dec 2018): Construction progress.[37]
• Nov 2019 (Nov 2019): Tender wheels delivered (Now awaiting balancing and roller fitting)[38]
• Mar 2020 (Mar 2020): Tender tank delivered[39]
• July 2023 (July 2023): Cylinder block partially finished and hydraulically tested[40]

• Official website at P2 Steam