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Sponsor the boiler of Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive Looking for something different for your train-loving Valentine? Hoping things will get hot and steamy this Valentine’s Day? Then how about supporting the construction of the boiler of Britain’s newest and most powerful express passenger steam locomotive – Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales. This huge boiler will generate 40,000lb (17½ tons) of steam per hour and at peak output requires 30 megawatts of coal (the equivalent of 15,000 boiling electric kettles). Mark Allatt, chairman, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented, “Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers – especially lovers of steam. So why not treat your train-loving lover to membership of The Boiler Club – and get hot and steamy over something hot and steamy. The boiler is the beating heart of a steam locomotive and to keep the construction of No. 2007 Prince of Wales on schedule for completion in 2021 we need to place the order for the boiler in 2017 for delivery in 2019. It is our desire if possible to complete No. 2007 debt-free and raise £600,000 to fund Prince of Wales’s boiler is critical to this. Mark Allatt concluded, “With the success of The Boiler Club to date, no-one can now doubt that we really mean business. The next few months will see further major announcements as the construction of the locomotive gathers pace. We are now appealing to those who want to be a part of this exciting project to become covenantors, sponsors and volunteers to help us maintain this momentum.”

No. 2007’s boiler in detail:

• Use of diagram 118A Tornado boiler with detailed modifications to improve overhaul life
• Interchangeable with Tornado boiler
• Tornado boiler is 17in shorter than P2 boiler – No. 2007’s smoke box will be extended within the cladding
• 250psi of No. 60163’s boiler will be retained to improve economy and increase maximum power

Public interest in seeing a new Gresley class P2 become a reality sooner rather than later is high and almost 800 people have already signed up to the ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer per week’ (£10 per month or more) covenant scheme since its launch. In addition to this core scheme, funds have been raised through The Founders Club (over 360 people have donated £1,000 each – target 100 people, now closed), The Boiler Club (112 people have pledged £2,000 each - target of 300 people), The Mikado Club (111 people have pledged £1,000 each – target 160 people/£200,000), Dedicated Donations (almost £200,000 from existing supporters sponsoring a variety of components) and the sponsorship of the locomotive’s distinctive front-end by The Gresley Society Trust. This means that the project has already received pledges almost 50% (including Gift Aid) of the £5m needed to complete the new locomotive by 2021.   For details of how to help visit www.p2steam.com, email enquiries@p2steam.com or call 01325 460163.