Building an express passenger locomotive by The B17 Locomotive Trust

This talk will appeal to those interested in railways and engineering so we are inviting both members of the public and friends of our members to attend, wherever in the country they may live.

However, be assured, this is more than a talk about what rivet goes where. Read on for details.

This is B17 steam engine 61627 pictured by Brian Morrison in July 1952 as it approaches Hadley Wood North tunnel.  Seventy three of these engines were built over a nine year period from November 1928. The last batch of twenty five were named after football teams. The last B17 type engine to run on British Railways was in August 1960 and called Bradford City. Not one of these engines were saved from the scrap yard by British Railways.

This is the story of how an ever expanding group of enthusiasts decided to build a brand new locomotive, and the challenges they face to get the finished engine approved to run on the main line, pulling a full train of paying passengers.

Join members of The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust who will explain the build of the static mainframe assembly and the continuing work to produce the rolling chassis for a brand new LNER class B17 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive. This will be known as No. 61673 Spirit of Sandringham.

Members should book their place and apply for up to five additional places for friends by using the link in the box below.

Additional Information

Members of u3a may have read an article in the Third Age Matters magazine about this exciting project by John Peat of Wymondham u3a. It can be viewed here

To learn more visit the project website here