PRCLT secures ‘Patriot’ contract
Assembly of The Unknown Warrior to be completed by ‘Duchess’ owning group.
IT HAS TO BE A FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENT TO MEET ALL THE CHALLENGES THE PROJECT FACES
LMS-PATRIOT PROJECT
‘Patriot’ The Unknown Warrior is to be completed by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust at the West Shed, on the Midland Railway – Butterley.
The PRCLT, owner and operator of Stanier ‘Pacific’ No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, was announced on July 12 as the winning contractor to finish construction of the new-build Fowler ‘5XP’ 4-6-0, following a tendering process in which Riley & Son (E) Ltd, and Railway Forgings & Castings, had also taken part.
Currently at Crewe Heritage Centre, the bottom half of the ‘Patriot’ will be moved to the West Shed at Swanwick Junction in the coming weeks, once the LMS-Patriot Project engineering team and the PRCLT have finished assessing the outstanding tasks and determining the work programme to complete it.
The previously stated target is to have the ‘National Memorial Locomotive’ in steam by November 2020, to mark the centenary of the Unknown Warrior’s burial in Westminster Abbey. However, Andrew Laws, marketing and publicity director for the LMS-Patriot Project, commented: “All I can say at the moment is, that’s the aim – the contract and
timescales with the newly available resources at the West Shed are still being worked on.”
The project describes the final stages of the ‘Patriot’s’ construction as “largely an assembly job” with most large components already sourced and fitted, while the boiler is being constructed separately by Heritage Boiler Steam Services of Huyton.
It stated: “The LMS-Patriot Company would like to thank the other bidders, Riley & Sons and Railway Forgings & Castings, for their patience and understanding as we arrived at our conclusion. The decision is not a criticism of their ability to do a first class job, rather a recognition that the PRCLT bid better met our unique requirements.
“The three bids received were excellent and the decision to award the contract to PRCLT was because it scored most highly on our set criteria which comprised: capacity, continuity, main line preparation and operation, volunteer input, capability, resource, inspection and preparation, after support, warranties, relationship, culture and safety.
“The decision was based around our ability to establish a good working relationship with the contractor with the clear understanding that it has to be a flexible arrangement to meet all the challenges the project faces.”
LMS-Patriot Company chairman David Bradshaw said: “We are delighted that the PRCLT has been chosen to complete The Unknown Warrior. Our partnership with the PRCLT will mean the successful completion of the new ‘National Memorial Engine’. The PRCLT has excellent facilities and its expertise will help ensure that
The Unknown Warrior is finished to the highest possible standards for main line running.”
PRCLT chief mechanical engineer Simon Scott said: “The PRCLT is delighted to have been awarded the contract to complete The Unknown Warrior. We look forward to a successful partnership with the LMS-Patriot Company that will see the completion of this fantastic project and the steaming of the new ‘Patriot’ class locomotive.”
To date, over £3 million has been raised for the ‘Patriot’, but further funds are needed to finish construction, as well as completing the tender and fitting main line equipment, while a separate £100,000 appeal is open to purchase a BR Mk 1 support coach (SR491).
Donations can be sent to
The LMS-Patriot Company
Ltd, The Hub, 17 Eastgate Street, Stafford ST16 2LZ or at www.lms-patriot.org.uk