The P2 Steam Locomotive Company

23/08/2026

The three-cylinder monobloc is one of the defining engineering components of No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

https://youtu.be/2b8kDhz7IFw?is=Su-JhYvcJr6DPaab

In this video from a couple of years ago, former P2 Engineering Director David Elliott provides a fascinating tour of the three-cylinder monobloc he designed for the locomotive, incorporating modern engineering improvements to optimise performance and efficiency.

David also designed the P2’s unique valve gear, with both systems developed with one ambition: to make No. 2007 the most powerful steam locomotive in the UK.

Sadly, David didn’t live to see his work completed, but his engineering legacy lives on as the P2 takes shape at Darlington Locomotive Works.

Today, the focus is on bringing his valve gear design to life. Find out more at a1steam.com/p2valvegear.

With the monobloc for No. 2007 nearly finished, David Elliot gives ...

20/08/2026

Visit Hopetown this August Bank Holiday weekend for a steam train ride just metres from where the world’s first public fare-paying passenger journey took place over 200 years ago! 🚂

The new track around Darlington Locomotive Works was laid by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to bring No. 60163 Tornado home for maintenance and stabling – and next weekend, you can explore the site by rail.

Climb aboard the beautifully restored 1910-built London & South Western Railway carriage No. 1520, hauled by Andrew Barclay Works No. 2134 ‘W.T.T.’

Take time on your visit to explore the Works and see the latest progress on P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales, including its newly fitted cylinders.

Come along, enjoy a steam train ride and see how your support is helping make the next chapter of steam history happen.

10:30–15:30hrs | £7.50 per passenger

Book your steam train ride https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/Steam-Train-Rides

11/08/2026

It was fantastic to welcome so many P2 Supporters to Darlington Locomotive Works to witness the monobloc being lowered into the frames and enjoy a trip up the line behind Tornado!

Here are some of the highlights from the day:

A momentous occasion for supporters of the Clubs and supporters ass...

02/08/2026

We’re delighted to launch the exclusive P2 Project Wh**ky for pre-order – a limited-edition bottling created to celebrate Britain’s most ambitious new steam locomotive project and help bring No. 2007 Prince of Wales ever closer to completion.

Every bottle purchased makes a direct contribution to the construction of the P2, meaning you can own a truly special wh**ky while playing your part in writing the next chapter of railway history.

🥃 Pre-order yours today: https://www.a1steam.com/shop/p/p2wh**ky

Raise a glass to the future of steam.

24/07/2026

Another major milestone for P2 Class No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

At our Summer Supporters’ Day, the P2’s three-cylinder monobloc was successfully lowered into the frames – a landmark moment in the construction of Britain’s most powerful new steam locomotive.

This achievement reflects the engineering legacy of David Elliott and the dedication of the team at Darlington Locomotive Works, made possible by the incredible support of our donors and Covenantors.

Read more here ⬇️

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust celebrated another major milestone in the construction of Gresley P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales at its Summer Supporters’ Day, as the locomotive’s three-cylinder monobloc was successfully lowered into the frames before an audience of supporters whose generosity contin...

04/06/2026

🚂🔥 The Raising Steam Club is already over 50% subscribed — thank you!

Your support has helped us reach a huge milestone: we can now order the £20,000 rocking grate, one of the largest missing boiler components needed to bring No. 2007 to life.

Over 50 supporters have already pledged £500 each towards boiler fitments and steam testing. Every donation is ringfenced for this vital work, and we’re getting closer to steam testing every day.

Help keep the pressure building and be part of making history!

Donate today: a1steam.com/raisingsteam

20/05/2026

Take two minutes to listen to Trust Chairman Steve Davies giving the latest update on the P2 project.

👉 Get involved at a1steam.com/p2donation

🎦 https://youtu.be/VwvNdCuMuE8?is=y7qKwAOfdQAvBk9n

Looking for a quick hit of new build steam news? Here's the very latest on the biggest project of them all, the mighty P2. It's being constructed in Darlingt...

19/05/2026

🎉 GREAT NEWS

The ADA Clutch Trial and Design Club reached its fundraising target in under two months — an extraordinary achievement made possible by the generosity and determination of Supporters who answered the call.

Thanks to these donations, the engineering team can now move the ADA Clutch trial forward and complete sign-off for the P2 design by the end of this year.

The P2 is being built by people:
People who donate.
People who volunteer.
People like you.

Play your part in bringing the P2 to life at p2steam.com

18/05/2026

When precision on paper becomes reality in the workshop 👌🏼⚙️

The 3D printed cam box has now been successfully trial fitted into the monobloc — a major step in bringing the remarkable Lentz-Franklin valve gear to life.

By 3D printing and machining the major components of this complex mechanism, the engineering team can prove dimensions, refine fitments, and validate the design before committing to final castings in metal.

It’s technological innovation meeting steam-era engineering. 🚂🔥

The unique Lentz-Franklin valve gear is at the heart of what will make the P2 Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive — combining post war steam technology with modern methods and materials to power one of the most ambitious new-build steam projects in the world.

Be part of the journey and help power the next stage of construction.

🌐 Support the P2 project at a1steam.com/p2donation

📖 Read more about the innovative valve gear design at a1steam.com/p2valvegear

06/05/2026

🚂 P2 Valve Gear Development Update: we’ve taken delivery of a full-size 3D-printed cambox for the P2!

The model has been developed from original 2D drawings by David Elliott (Engineering Director), refined by Alan Parkin (P2 Design Engineer), and brought to life with key camshaft components 3D printed and machined by volunteer Peter Scott.

This has allowed the engineering team to physically assemble and study the mechanism in detail—helping us:
• Visualise how the valve gear operates
• Check clearances and assembly requirements
• Validate the overall design concept

Using a printed polymer cambox at this stage is a major advantage. It avoids the cost and long lead times of castings while allowing early identification of any refinements needed. It also gives a clear, real-world demonstration of the scale and complexity of the system—and enables a trial fit within the monobloc.

Encouragingly, results so far give strong confidence that the concept is fundamentally sound.

🔧 What’s next?
We are now moving to:
• Finalise quotations for the first metal cambox
• Use the 3D model to clearly communicate requirements to suppliers
• Progress towards casting, machining, and assembly

The programme remains a three-stage plan:
1️⃣ Build and test the first cambox (casting expected this winter, work into 2027)
2️⃣ Refine the design and produce the second unit
3️⃣ Optimise performance once in service
Only after testing the metal cambox will final design sign-off be made.

🚂 Support the Project
This progress is made possible by supporters of No. 2007. Every donation directly funds the design, manufacture, and testing of these complex components.

👉 Donate here: a1steam.com/p2donation

Together, we’re building Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive.