LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust

LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust Named by royal decree after HRH Prince George. The LNWR George the Fifth steam locomotive trust is a new build project. Follow for news and events.

23/09/2026

Working on our Loco on a Perfect Autumn Day
22 September 2026

A glorious afternoon in Kirkby in Ashfield, checking out our trailing hornblocks and carrying out a trial fit. While we were at it we removed the driving horblocks to clean up the interfaces where they hadn’t quite made the desired snug fit. All four are now fitted very snugly with temporary bolts. We don’t intend to take them down again, the next operation is to ream out all the bolt holes to an exact size before fitting drive fit bolts. Once that is done we can erect the footplating and other platework.

Our engine is now about 20% complete by weight.

As ever, the tent that is our engine shed needed some attention to give it a better chance when the likely equinoctal storms arrive.

Finally we have a full set of Hornblocks.
11/09/2026

Finally we have a full set of Hornblocks.

Cylinder Design on the Move AgainGood news, CAD design on the cylinders is moving again. Some clearing out of unwanted ...
09/09/2026

Cylinder Design on the Move Again

Good news, CAD design on the cylinders is moving again. Some clearing out of unwanted files and programs has probably helped, as has trying a few alternative ways of doings things. The computer still needs an upgrade anyway, as our model is getting larger all the time as it includes more and more parts. The view below shows the 2 ton cylinder block as ithe model shows it today. There is more work to convert the model to drawings, create a checking sheet thoroughly check it. We can’t afford any mistakes, it is a very expensive component, so best not to be in too much haste.

There should be more news on physical progress very soon.

Thank you all for your support, it is much appreciated and every little donation brings closer the day when we have a new loco taking to the rails with a good head of steam.

Eagle Fabrications have completed our cab splashers. The top photo shows the external view. The right side one is on t...
29/07/2026

Eagle Fabrications have completed our cab splashers. The top photo shows the external view. The right side one is on top with the front end at bottom right of the photo. When turned 90° clockwise, it will fit in the front of the outer cab side sheet. At the top left is the profiled cab rear plate. Giving clearance to the firebox ogee curve requires the angled plate. Clearances between the splashers, driving wheels and the firebox are pretty complex in this area. Angled plates forming the actual splasher are shown on the right photo. There will be quite a bit of work to fit these to the cab outer panels.

Profiled plates are on their way for the right hand side coupling rod splashers. Once a trial fit of all these parts has been carried out they we all be sent off for grit blasting and painting before being permanently fitted to the frames.

Two other news items: our trailing hornblocks are almost finished, and delivery is expected early in August. Connecting Rod forgings are on order, and their will be an opportunity for a one or two members to witness this quite spectacular process. Once we have a date we will put the available places out to auction amongst our members. Eligibility might be a good reason to sign up for a minimum of £5/month!

It’s expensive building a locomotive, please consider becoming a member. These days £5/month is only a monthly pint of b**r, so go on you can afford it! Please sign up to join: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/donate-to-build-prince-george. If that is too complex just search Zeffy Prince George. It only takes a minute or two.

Good morning, the latest photos of the Trefoil Horn Blocks.
17/07/2026

Good morning, the latest photos of the Trefoil Horn Blocks.

Those Cab Brackets!!At long last we have the modified cab support brackets back. In the first photo below the large cut...
25/06/2026

Those Cab Brackets!!

At long last we have the modified cab support brackets back. In the first photo below the large cut-out in the top plate is wide enough to accomodate the full width of the driving wheel, while the second photo has a much smaller cut-out to clear the fl**ge. Four bright steel buttons in the vertical plate are stepped on the outside diameter with the smaller diameter locating in a 40mm diameter hole in the plate. The button is bored to take a countersunk head M24 bolt. It all looked good, so we fitted the two up to the dragbox at the rear of our loco, see below. The holes lined up, and so did the top and rear faces. Success!

The brackets will stay attached for now, but when the coupling rod splashers are delivered and subjected to a trial fit they will all be removed and sent for grit blasting and painting.

Our trailing hornblocks have been badly delayed. After casting they were heat treated to give the required strength, an...
17/06/2026

Our trailing hornblocks have been badly delayed. After casting they were heat treated to give the required strength, and unfortunately suffered some distortion. After being set back at the foundry, there is still some distortion. Yesterday afternoon our Chief Engineer met the Foundry’s manager and the machining sub-contractor round the machine. As usual, once everyone gathers round and sees the work a plan is soon found. Completion will now take 2-3 weeks and we can then carry out a trial fit. After that comes the tricky bit: drilling out the bolt holes very accurately for the tight-fitting special bolts.

Good morning,A photo of our new cast elbows for the smokebox sides and front end vacuum pipes.
17/06/2026

Good morning,
A photo of our new cast elbows for the smokebox sides and front end vacuum pipes.

16/06/2026

Good evening,

Today our cab corner brackets are completed. These seem to have had a hex on them since they were first made for our display at Crewe Heritage Centre in 2023. As well as manufacturing faults, in the hurry to get the display ready we failed to give the clearance required for the rear driving wheels. First the modifications were delayed by sudden staffing changes at our contractor. While some of the changes required were relatively simple, others were quite problematic. Machining bolt hole counterbores proved unviably slow, and we opted for stepped inserts welded into enlarged holes. We look forward to taking delivery next week, so we can start building up the coupling rod splasherews and cab.

A more routine delivery was the cast elbows for the smokebox sides and the front vacuum pipes. Normally we would try to use standard items, but modifying modern elbows would have been expensive. Fortunately Boro Foundry can print short-life patterns for this sort of application, exactly replicating the LNWR originals at a bearable price. Machining these and fitting them will be one of those relatively small jobs that make a the locomotive look much more like the original.

Sometimes we do not realise how much progress we are making!!
11/06/2026

Sometimes we do not realise how much progress we are making!!

Address

Norton Bavant
Warminster
BA120EW

Telephone

+447941000861

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