New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

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New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by richard »

PRESS RELEASE

NEW STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TO BE NAMED ‘PRINCE OF WALES’


In honour of Prince Charles’s 65th Birthday, Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive is to be named after the heir to the throne
Doctored photo of the original No. 2001, representing what the final No. 2007 'Prince of Wales' will look like.
Doctored photo of the original No. 2001, representing what the final No. 2007 'Prince of Wales' will look like.
The P2 Steam Locomotive Company (P2SLC), the builder of Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive, is delighted to announce that the name of its new Gresley class P2 2-8-2 steam locomotive will be ‘Prince of Wales’. The new steam locomotive is being named in honour of HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, to coincide with his 65th birthday celebrations and The Queen has kindly approved the use of His Royal Highness’s name for the locomotive.

The P2 Steam Locomotive Company is a subsidiary of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (a registered charity), the builders and operators of No. 60163 Tornado, the world-famous new steam locomotive completed in 2008 and officially named by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at York station on 19th February 2009.

The mission of the P2SLC is to develop, build and operate an improved Gresley class P2 steam locomotive for main line and heritage railway use. These 2-8-2 locomotives were the most powerful express passenger locomotives to operate in the UK, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to haul 600 ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route. Sadly the design was never fully developed and they were rebuilt in 1943/4. The P2SLC is building the 7th member of this class and will demonstrate how the design can be fully realised through use of modern computer design and modelling techniques, enabling it to deliver its full potential hauling passenger trains at high speed across the national network. It is estimated that £5m will be needed to build No. 2007 over 7-10 years, with funds being raised through public subscription. The formal launch of the project will take place in February 2014.

There have been many steam locomotives named after The Prince of Wales over the years. These included Gresley class A3 No. 2553 (later No. 60054) Prince of Wales, sister locomotive to No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, which was named by HRH The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) on a visit to Doncaster Works on 11th November 1926. This locomotive was scrapped in 1964.

Mark Allatt, Chairman, The P2 Steam Locomotive Company, commented:

“HRH The Prince of Wales has been a fantastic supporter Tornado and along with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall formally named the new locomotive in 2009. Since then, Tornado has hauled the Royal train on no less than three occasions on behalf of Prince Charles, so we are only too delighted to be able to confirm the name for No.2007 in his honour. It is well known HRH has a passion for our heritage and a particular interest in steam, but also the skills and craftsmanship required to build a steam locomotive from scratch. It is a clear demonstration that the UK can still turn its hand to quality heavy engineering, making use of modern techniques design and construction techniques whilst engaging and inspiring a new generation that nothing is beyond the realms of possibility.”


For more information about the P2 Project and details on how you can join The Founders Club, please visit http://www.p2steam.com
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Tom F »

Hmmmm not what I was expecting if I'm honest. Think it will take some getting used to.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by lar1976 »

Not Sir Sean Connery? Surely they're mistaken and should be calling it Bonnie prince?
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by LNER4479 »

Phew! I've been 'sat' on this news for nearly 12 months so it's a relief for it to be out in the open.

You'll get used to it Tom, it's a traditional LNER name after all.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Mercator II »

Well off my radar that choice, will make going out with the merch' team sound weird "off out for the day with a Prince Charles"

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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by mick b »

Very tame effort and not in keeping with the remainder of the P2 class.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by will5210 »

I wasn't sure at first but I quite like it now. I'm sure 'Tornado' sounded quite odd at first
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Iron Duke »

Not a bad choice, when is he 65?

Will the locomotive qualify for a winter fuel allowance? :wink:

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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Andy W »

Today mate, hence the fuss.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by richard »

will: Yes it did, and some enthusiasts were metaphorically spitting blood that an LNER Pacific wasn't being named after a racehorse - of course lots of Gresley Pacifics were not named after racehorses!
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by mr B »

patronising and grovelling at its best , and if royal approval is granted - it gets to carry the coat of arms :wink:

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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by giner »

Yep, stick it on a tender axle.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Atlantic 3279 »

As an enthusiast for true LNER tradition the name certainly came as something of a disappointing surprise to me, but on reflection I suppose it may give the loco a popular brand image amongst the uninformed. Some of the heirs to the throne over the years have at least shown great interest in horse racing, so the connection between LNER express locos and race horses is at least tenuously present.
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by lar1976 »

Still a dissapointment, of course it will bring wider media coverage but it's made me feel meh! It should be something stirring or related to previous P2s. I shall now bow and take my cap off as I back away from his royalness!
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Re: New P2 to be named 'Prince of Wales'

Post by Thane_of_Fife »

A bit of an anti-climax :( It's a pity 'Duke of Rothesay' was used by a Thompson A2/1 as as well as carrying on the tradition of re-using ex NBR C11 names it's also Chuck's official title in Scotland.
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