Britain’s Most Powerful Steam Locomotive to be Turned Out in British Railways Express Passenger Blue Livery
We are delighted to announce that preparations are underway for the giant locomotive’s unveiling in stunning British Railways Express Passenger Blue Livery when it is completed in 2021.
The class P2 2-8-2 ‘Mikado’ locomotives were the most powerful passenger steam locomotives to operate in the UK, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to haul 600-ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route. Sadly, the design was never fully developed, and they were rebuilt in 1943/44 and scrapped by 1961. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust (registered charity and builders of famous new steam locomotive No. 60163 Tornado) is building the seventh member of this class over seven years at an estimated cost of £5m. The project will demonstrate how the design can be fully realised through use of modern computer design techniques, enabling the new locomotive to deliver its full potential hauling passenger trains at high speed across today’s national network.
How No. 2007 will look in BR express passenger blue - A1SLT
The giant locomotive, which is under construction in Darlington Locomotive Works, now has its wheels out for painting as they will be difficult to get to once they are back under the engine. The Trust’s regular contractor Ian Matthews, who was responsible for painting Tornado in her Works Grey, LNER Apple Green, BR Brunswick Green, BR Express Passenger Blue and then back into Apple Green, is this time being assisted by local apprentice Joanna Kerr. The original class P2s were painted in LNER Apple Green livery and, when rebuilt with class A4-style front-ends, into Plain Black during the second world war. All six locomotives were rebuilt in 1943/44 into Thompson class A2/2 ‘Pacifics’, carrying Plain Black, LNER Apple Green and BR Brunswick Green liveries until they were scrapped in 1959-61.
Mark Allatt, Trustee and P2 Project Director, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented, “We had tried to keep secret our plans to paint No. 2007 Prince of Wales into British Railways Express Passenger Blue but we were rumbled when we started to get questions during our open days at Darlington Locomotive Works as to why the engine’s wheels were being painted blue. We realise that the livery isn’t authentic for the class P2s but as it looked so good on No. 60163 Tornado, we thought we would do something different. After all No. 2007 Prince of Wales is a brand-new steam locomotive and isn’t expected to be completed until the end of 2021.
“Ian Matthews and Jo Kerr are working hard to complete the painting of the wheels by Monday 1st April, when they will be rolled back under the engine for construction to continue.”
Ian Matthews applying blue topcoat to No. 2007's driving wheels - David Elliott