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| Class P2 Loco No.2001 'Cock o' the North' |
Here's a snippet from the A1 Trust website:
The P2 is the most frequently requested locomotive the Trust is asked to build next. In addition to its striking looks, incredible power and undoubted glamour it also has around 70% commonality with Tornado, including the boiler, tender and many other detailed fittings. However, the design was never fully developed and the locomotives failed to reach their full potential. The Trust is therefore conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a new Gresley P2, to be numbered 2007 as the next in the series. As a part of this study we are examining the commercial, engineering and certification challenges that we would face in completing that development work to make a new P2 a success. Initial conversations with the regulatory bodies have been very positive but we have a long way to go yet.
The aim of the study to answer the question once and for all as to whether the Trust can successfully and commercially build, certify and operate a P2. If the answer is yes, then we will launch the project. If no, then we will look at an alternative locomotive to build.
Today I read an interesting article from the Doncaster P2 Locomotive Trust, (see here). They have already paid the National Railway Museum £5,000 for the required blueprints for 'Cock o' the North'. They plan to have this project completed within 10 years and have gone ahead with an order for steel to create the main framework.
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| The later streamlined version of No.2001 |
Does this mean we could see two new P2's? Or will it be commissioned by only one trust? And which one?
I see little point in both trust's creating the same loco, but could we see them putting their heads together since Doncaster have the Blueprints and Darlington the experience?
Either way it will be interesting to see what comes of all this. Let's just hope we see this powerhouse of the railways return once more. I'll keep you posted......
Until next time....
Craig
