‘PATRIOT’ PROJECT FOCUSES ON CHASING THE PAPERWORK
LMS-Patriot Project collects necessary documentation for The Unknown Warrior to run.
Missing paperwork for ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior must be obtained to ensure that the locomotive can operate.
Although the LMS-Patriot Project has confirmed that it still intends to take the new-build Fowler ‘5XP’ 4-6-0 onto the main line from the outset, the paper trail to certify all of its components must be completed before it can gain approval to run, either on preserved railways or Network Rail.
With the engine stripped down to its frames at the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust’s West Shed, Butterley – following its move from the Llangollen Railway – the LMS-Patriot Project is now in the process of collecting the necessary documentation, including material certificates, manufacturing information, and competency certificates of staff who have worked on the parts.
The PRCLT, owner of main line-certified Stanier ‘Pacific’ No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, was awarded the contract to finish the construction of the ‘Patriot’ last July (SR495). The LMS-Patriot Project also announced in February that it had appointed Ricardo Certification of Derby as its new independent assessment party. Colin Hall, the new chairman of the LMS-Patriot Project, told Steam Railway: “It is common knowledge that we have suffered in years past from quality problems on the component supply and assembly front, and the consequences are still with us today.
“We already have access to paperwork for the boiler, tender and significant parts of the ‘rolling chassis’, and we are getting cooperation in other areas.
Yes, we need to plug gaps and assemble all the documentation in a structured way. Any missing documentation might lead to extra cost and time, but without necessarily being a showstopper.”
It is now confirmed that the ‘Patriot’ will not be in steam by its target date of November 11 2020, the centenary of the Unknown Warrior’s repatriation and burial in Westminster Abbey. However, no estimates are now being made for the timescale of its completion, nor for the additional costs.
Said Mr Hall: “Understandably, we have allowed significant target dates to dominate our thinking and efforts up to now. A more measured approach now will be in the long-term interests of the locomotive’s future.
“The actual cost will be heavily dependent on the progress with providing risk assessment and supporting documentation, and any engineering issues revealed by the assessment process – a combination of the extent of novelty in the design and how well we have built the locomotive to date. It can never be a fixed price.”
It has now been decided to fit the ‘Patriot’ with air brakes for main line use because, said Mr Hall, “strategically, we want to keep our operational options open.”
In order to gain experience of main line steam operation, a number of LMS-Patriot Project board members and volunteers are to undergo Personal Track Safety training and accompany the PRCLT’s support crew on railtours with Duchess of Sutherland.
Mr Hall concluded: “With PRCLT and Ricardo Certification working together, and our boiler manufacturer Heritage Boiler Steam Services doing a quality job, we are better equipped than ever to achieve our eventual goal.”