‘P2’ gets pony truck as build passes the two-thirds mark
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P2’ NO. 2007 Prince of Wales is ready to become a true 2-8-2, with the delivery of its front pony truck to Darlington Locomotive Works.
Fabricated by North View Engineering Solutions of Darlington, the pony truck frame has been modified from the original Gresley design to incorporate roller bearings, and a different springing arrangement along the lines of that latterly fitted to ‘V2’ 2-6-2s.
Although the ‘P2’ was made to appear as a ‘Mikado’ with the pony wheelset under the front end for Steam Railway’s issue 488 in 2019, this was with a temporary timber frame. Since then, however, the locomotive has been lifted back off its wheels for access to fit the extensive copper pipework between the frames, including the sanding and air-brake systems; this vital but largely invisible job is currently one of the main tasks at Darlington Locomotive Works.
Construction of the ‘P2’ has passed the two-thirds point with around £3.4m spent, and £3.8m donated, of its £5m cost.
Quotes are now being sought from five engineering firms for the next major component – the three-cylinder ‘monobloc’, which will be fabricated, rather than cast as on the original ‘P2s’.
The cylinders will also be slightly narrower than the originals, in order to ensure that it has the same route availability as ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado on the main line, although the use of a 250lbs sq. in. boiler (30lbs higher than the original ‘P2s’) offsets the reduction in cylinder diameter.