The aim of The Trust is to build a new B17 Sandringham class locomotive for use on the national network, preserved standard gauge railways and exhibition purposes. The Trust will be re-creating this late 1920’s designed and built locomotive using 21st century design tools and manufacturing techniques, modern materials and safety systems to meet the rigorous requirements of today’s railway.
Part of the Trust’s objectives in being awarded charitable status is to share benefits and opportunities arising from the project with the public, specialised institutions, training establishments and schools. One specific objective is to facilitate basic skills training and development of people in formal training such as graduate training schemes and apprenticeships. This will include the adoption of advanced design techniques, improved materials and modern manufacturing processes. As a charitable trust we are committed to ensuring the continuity of engineering skills and the development of individuals within formal training schemes.
This project is based upon a cooperative design between the LNER (attributed to Sir Nigel Gresley) and the North British Locomotive Company (NBL) to provide additional power, improved performance and faster journey times compared to the existing ageing fleet extant in the eastern counties. There were severe design constraints related to axle loading due to the light track formations, strength of bridges and turntable size limitation that dominated the eastern railway network at the time. Seventy three of these locomotives were built between 1928 and 1935 and were part of the railway history of your area on the Great Central line into London Marylebone and throughout East Anglia. All were withdrawn from service by the middle of 1960 with none being preserved.
So through the IET in the appropriate regions and engineering disciplines, the Trust are trying to establish if there are ways that their project can be publicised and promoted. They hoped that this would identify any of members (or training establishments) in these regions who may have an interest in the traditional engineering methodologies, or specifically steam locomotive design and manufacture. They are also hoping there may be individual members who may be able to contribute to our knowledge of these locomotives. This initiative is intended to be of mutual benefit with The Trust providing opportunities for, and supporting individuals, in their training and personal development.
If you are interested in getting involved in this project in anyway, please contact
John Peat (Director) johnpeat439@btinternet.com