New-build P2 becomes all coupled

ALL SIX machined coupling rods have now been delivered to Darlington for new-build LNER P2 2-8-2 2007 Prince of Wales. Seven years after the project’s launch fund-raising has reached £3.9m, almost four-fifths of the way to its £5m target. David Elliott, Director of P2 Engineering, said: “The delivery of the final pair of coupling rods is a major step forward, especially with the limitations of working during COVID-19. The machining of each rod by Stephenson (Engineering) takes around 100 hours. The next few months will see the completion of all the heavy motion and trial fitting of the coupling rods to the engine – creating the first tender-engine standard gauge ‘Mikado’ in the UK since 1945.”