‘PATRIOT’ UNLIKELY TO STEAM FOR DEADLINE
Chairman, engineering director and contractor resign in ‘restructure’ of new-build project.
‘ P atriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior is unlikely to be completed by its target steaming date of November 2020, its builders have admitted.
It had been the aim to have the new-build Fowler ‘5XP’ 4-6-0 and ‘National Memorial Engine’ in steam by next year’s Remembrance Day, to commemorate the centenary of the Unknown Warrior’s repatriation and burial in Westminster Abbey.
But with the engine dismantled for assessment following its move to the West Shed at the Midland Railway – Butterley, for completion by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust, the LMS-Patriot Project has admitted: “We now believe that our current aspiration of completion by November 2020 is unlikely to be met.
“However, we still intend to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the repatriation of the remains of the Unknown Warrior. We will make further announcements as our planning develops.”
The announcement follows the resignation of three key members of the group, after its annual general meeting on November 9.
Chairman David Bradshaw, who has led the project since its launch in 2008, was the first to tender his resignation, followed a few days later by Engineering Director Steve Blackburn, who has also held that position for 11 years.
Nigel Day, who was contracted to complete the engine’s lubrication pipework, has also stated that he is no longer involved with the project.
The LMS-Patriot Project stated: “The board had already moved to strengthen both the board itself and the management of our engineering processes, in response to a number of significant issues that have confronted the project in recent times.
“Two volunteer members have already joined the board this month: Keith Riches, who has spent over 30 years in the aircraft industry with senior engineering and logistics management experience, and Colin Hall, a former senior officer in the rail industry with 35 years’ service.
“The board will take steps to appoint a chairman in due course. Kevin Finnerty, deputy chairman, has taken up the role of acting chairman in the interim. Board members are concentrating on working closely as a team to take the project forward to completion.
“A crucial step in this process will be more robust forward planning, linking engineering progress and funding at this critical stage.”
But in response to this statement, Mr Bradshaw told Steam Railway: “It is, to say the least, disingenuous.
“The fact is that the muchvaunted restructure was actually initiated and developed by me. I obtained approval from the individuals concerned and the board, and the only thing I didn’t do was to create the job title of the new Project Director [Keith Riches] whom I deemed we needed to appoint. It was a recognition by me (and others) that the existing engineering structure was not
robust enough to see the project through to completion.”
He added: “My resignation was due to my objection to the behaviour of three members of the LMS Patriot Trading Company, who for some considerable time had been pushing for action to be taken against a specific member of the board, who they appeared to hold responsible for many of the project’s engineering issues.
“This came to a head after the new structure had been approved by the charity board and which I believe had dealt with their concerns. This group continued to push for action which I believed was now inappropriate, and the exchanges became more unpleasant.
“It was clear this animosity would linger into the future and damage the project further, so I decided to resign. One of the individuals involved felt it appropriate to apologise, the others haven’t and the charity board has decided by default that this conduct is acceptable. I do not.”
Steve Blackburn commented: “I’ve been involved, with David, from the start, but our efforts weren’t appreciated.
“Some members of the management team and the board were not helpful, and it was a volunteer post, so I wasn’t prepared to put up with it.
“If it was a job it would be different – but I decided it was not a good use of my time, and it was best to walk away and do something I enjoy.”