THE SPIRIT OF SANDRINGHAM
Established in 2011 as an organisation with charitable trust status, the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is building a full-size working example of an LNER B17 express passenger locomotive for use on the main line network and heritage railways. The locomotive is to be known as No. 61673 Spirit of Sandringham by permission of the Queen’s estate.
In addition to its prime objective of building a new example of a popular bnut extinct class, the B17 SLT is undertaking to maintain and develop traditional engineering skills in the British Isles wherever possible by engaging UK firms to manufacture the locomotive and to provide education and skills training for people in apprenticeships and other schemes associated with engineering, science and technology.
Genesis of the B17s
The newly-formed LNER soon realised that train weights and speeds of express passenger services in East Anglia were becoming beyond the capacity of the existing fleet locomotives. Neither stopgap delivery of new engines of existing former GER designs, ‘Clauds’ and 1500s, nor the transfer of former GNR ‘Ragtimer’ 2-6-0s was sufficient to meet demand. A new, more powerful locomotive was required. Constraints within which any new locomotives must conform included weight and length because of weak bridges and short turntables at the principal termini. These were overcome by having
