Articles
April 2022: A Legacy of B17 Models
The Trust has received a generous legacy consisting of a superb collection of 61 B17 model locomotives. Each model has been professionally repainted with accurate splasher nameplates and numbers, representing the vast majority of the class that were not converted to B2s.
The collection, featuring Bachmann and Hornby models in "out of the box" condition, is for sale complete. Expressions of interest are welcomed via Contact Us.
January 2022: A New Way of Working
On 26th January 2022, The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust met with Ricardo Rail and five other new-build projects (A1 Trust, Patriot, Clan, G5, and General Steam Navigation) to establish a common format for Main Line Certification Risk Assessments.
This collaboration will establish a shared pathway for new-build mainline projects, helping secure the long-term future of mainline steam in the UK by sharing collective knowledge, technical solutions, and third-party costs.
December 2021: Tender Donation (61662 Appeal)
Following the winding down of the 61662 Manchester United project, their ex-B1 tender (No. 4166) has been generously donated to the Trust. While requiring a thorough strip-down and a new tank, the frame structure is in excellent condition and will serve as the preferred choice for Spirit of Sandringham’s mainline running.
October 2020: MP Miriam Cates Visits Sheffield
Two days after our arrival at CTL Seal, Miriam Cates MP (Penistone and Stocksbridge) visited the project. Chairman Brian Hall outlined the construction phases and our successful STEM education programme conducted with schools in Essex.
The Big Move: Llangollen to Sheffield
In October 2020, we successfully navigated Covid-19 restrictions to relocate the static chassis and tender assets to CTL Seal Ltd in Sheffield. The facilities at Sheffield, including heavy overhead craneage, provide a professional environment for the next phase of the build.
Tender Logistics & Track Panels
To accommodate our growing fleet of three tenders, a volunteer team (including friends from the Clan Project) constructed 75ft of track panels using flat-bottomed rail and concrete sleepers.
Sir Rod Stewart CBE becomes Patron
We are delighted to announce that legendary entertainer Sir Rod Stewart CBE has accepted an invitation to become our Patron. A lifelong railway enthusiast and modeler, Sir Rod’s support is a fantastic boost for the project.
His connection to the class is particularly apt given the 'Footballer' names; Sir Rod is a passionate Glasgow Celtic fan, whose ground is just four miles from the works where the first B17s were built in 1928.
Visit Rod Stewart Fan Club NewsMembers' Memories, News, and Obituaries
David Elliott – Rest In Peace
It is with a great sense of sadness that we share the news of the death of David Elliott on Wednesday 20th December 2023, following his long battle with cancer during the last three years. On behalf of all B17 Members and Friends, I offer our sincere condolences to his wife Dominique and family for their loss.
David Elliott is well renowned for his engineering achievements and was the driving force, together with members of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, in the design and creation of the first brand new Steam Locomotive Class A1 No. 60163 'Tornado' to enter service on the mainline during 2008. David continued to similarly create LNER Class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales, now progressing towards completion in Darlington.
My discussions about a new build LNER Class B17 with David Elliot began during 2010, to assess the opportunity and viability of updating the original 1928 design to that of the late 1940s, being similar to Class A1s. David’s initial design work proved the engineering viability and thereafter the B17 project was born. Progress has been continually supported by David and the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust up to the present time.
We will be eternally grateful for David’s interest, professional advice, and work for the B17 Project. He was an inspiration to work toward an in-service date for Spirit of Sandringham.
Brian Hall (Chairman)
In Memory of Eddie Savage (1939 - 2023)
Edward (sometimes known as Eddie to his mates) became a member of the B17 project from its earliest days. A lorry driver by trade who possessed a sound knowledge of the road network, Eddie was a keen and reliable volunteer willing to travel to distant railway venues to represent The Trust.
Eddie was always keen to play his part to promote the B17 project, organise local events and participate in both the publicity and fund raising activities. He would usually prompt each individual to ensure that accommodation arrangements had been made well in advance. Edward’s enthusiasm, friendship and generous contribution of his time will remain an inspiration to us all.
In Memory of Dennis Saville – A Lifelong Railwayman
Sadly, news of the passing of our eldest member, Dennis Saville aged 95 years, was received during early January 2023. Dennis joined the B17 project in 2009, having retired from a lengthy career on the footplate out of Stratford Depot. With a vivid and active memory, he enthralled us with stories of his favoured class N7 engines and the B17 locomotives he encountered daily.
In September 2017, Dennis particularly enjoyed the 80th anniversary of the East Anglian express service, traveling from Liverpool Street to Norwich. He was in his element visiting our promotional stands at each station to "keep us on our toes." Dennis was a career railwayman who carried out his work with pride. Rest in Peace.
Obituary - Geoff Eldridge
A keen member since 2014, Geoff passed away on 24th May 2022. An accomplished photographer skilled with Photoshop, Geoff produced the prints given to those who join the 61673 Constructors Club. He also worked closely with Tony B on the Trust's collection of historic B17 photos. We record our grateful thanks for Geoff's contributions and help to B17 during his membership.
Memories of a Member - Derek Dorling
I've spent all my 72 years living in and near Bury St Edmunds. Between 1957 and 1960, as a lad, I discovered train spotting. By this time, many 'Sandys' had been displaced from mainline duties and were sent to Cambridge, Ipswich and March Depots to end their days.
I was enthralled by the names of these locos. My favorites included Raynham Hall, the only Sandy I traveled behind, and Woodbastwick Hall, a regular on the Cambridge-Ipswich run. I also remember Sunderland appearing on a totally unexpected parcel train, and dear old Blickling, which clanked into Bury until 1960 when she was scrapped as the last B2 Sandy.
Diesels soon ruled OK, leaving me firmly in the Steam Age where I continue to be today. Happy Days.
A Tale of Yorkshire Tea Bags
Last autumn, a member's family took a supply of 'Yorkshire' tea bags on a holiday to northern India. This story was communicated to Taylor's of Harrogate, who generously sent a box of 480 tea bags to support our fundraising. Due to the pandemic, we moved the raffle to an online auction.
The bidding began at £2.50 and rose dramatically to £70, before a final winning bid of £130 was made by Graham Smith of Market Deeping. This was a magnificent result through the generosity of our members.
Sandy's Holidays in India
Sandy traveled the Kangra Valley Railway, built by the British to transport hydro-electric materials. At Kangra Station, he met an 85-year-old lady who has sold refreshments from her porch for 70 years. He even asked the Station Master if he could try his hand as a signalman!
Sandy also visited the Kalka Shimla Railway, a narrow gauge mountain line. He was shown to the only remaining steam engine on the line—No 520—and spent the day cleaning the cab in hopes of a trip up the line.
Models and Nameplate Displays
Member Roy Mears shared his working OO gauge model of 2870 City of London, created from a resin casting and modified for a motorized chassis. Meanwhile, Mangapps Railway Museum has acquired another B17 nameplate—Somerleyton Hall—adding to what is now the best display of B17 plates in the country.
Originally a co-operative design between The London & North Eastern Railway and The North British Locomotive Company Glasgow in 1928. The initial batch of 10 locomotives were constructed and delivered to the LNER from Hyde Park Works, Springburn. LNER – Darlington Works continued construction (52) including design modifications and improvements from 1930 although the final batch (11) were produced by the local works of Robert Stephenson’s in Darlington.
Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, the B17s were prevalent across the Great Eastern section of the former LNER network and later British Railways Eastern Region for over 30 years up to 1960. Mainline passenger operations saw them working London expresses associated with Liverpool Street, King’s Cross and Marylebone, whereas Boat Train duties linked the North with the port of Harwich.
Seventy three locomotives were constructed over a 9 year period from 1928 and all were named after stately homes and football clubs to be found anywhere within the boundaries of the former LNER network including parts of London. Design and initial construction was sub contracted to The North British Locomotive Company, by the LNER.
The first of class was named SANDRINGHAM after the Royal Family’s residence in Norfolk and thereafter established the group name of the class as ‘Sandringhams’. All B17’s were withdrawn from service and scrapped by the middle of 1960, therefore none were preserved. For life information on each individual locomotive refer to the table at the bottom of “SUMMARY OF CLASSES” page.
From new, the first 48 locomotives in the class were introduced with the small GE pattern tender to help meet certain stringent size and weight limitations, to comply with operating restrictions over the railway network of East Anglia. Names assigned to them represented the Stately Home theme except one which was named after a local County Regiment. As time passed more name changes occurred. During their service life many were modified with an improved boiler and tenders were exchanged.
61618 WYNYARD PARK with GE pattern 3700 gallon tender
Photo colour-rail.com
The final B17s to be built were the B17/4s intended for routes with few restrictions and were fitted with LNER 4200 gallon tenders. Many of these were named after football clubs and always held a special interest particularly amongst local communities associated with a football club of the same name. On many occasions local supporters were conveyed to the ‘away’ match by their namesake engine, which usually looked in pristine condition for the day’s outing. THE FOOTBALLERS’ nameplates are almost certainly unique in that many of them can still be observed on display at club grounds, either over the player’s tunnel to the pitch or the reception area or boardroom.
61666 NOTTINGHAM FOREST with LNER pattern 4200 gallon tender
Photo colour-rail.com
The following section shows technical details of the B17 class and a typical allocation:
The following section shows details of a typical B17:
Gifts and Legacies
Writing a Will is one of the most important decisions you will make and we appreciate that it is very personal. However, should you wish to leave a legacy to The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, please be assured that any gift, irrespective of size, is vitally important to the Trust and it will be used wisely to ensure the long term future of the project. This is our commitment to you.
As The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is a registered charity, legacy gifts and donations will also be free of inheritance tax.
What sort of legacy could I leave?
There are three main ways to leave a gift in your Will:
- A Residual Legacy: A percentage of what remains after your expenses and other legacies have been paid. This is often the best way to benefit the Trust because it is unlikely to be affected by inflation.
- A Pecuniary Legacy: A gift of a specific sum of money.
- A Specific Legacy: A gift of a specific item, such as a house, shares, railway artefacts, books, or photographs.
You may wish to relate any of these to funding a specific component or task. However, choosing to make an unrestricted gift will enable the Trust to direct funding to areas of greatest need, which will change as the project progresses.
Income sources generated by donations and legacies are vitally important to our future financial well-being. These will permit us to continue with locomotive development and construction activities that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.
More Information
Download our guide for more details on how to leave a gift.
In Memoriam
Making a donation to The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust in memory of someone special is a wonderful way to ensure that their memory lives on, whilst supporting interests that were important to them.
At your request, the Trust can set up a ‘Living Memory Fund’ in your loved one’s name, which friends and family can make contributions to. A great comfort at a time of loss, a living memory fund celebrates a life, whilst helping to ensure the future of the project.
Sponsorship is invited, in full or part, towards the purchase of components for the locomotive and/or tenders.
Each gift of £150 or greater can be recorded on our "Roll of Honour".
HOW TO SPONSOR A COMPONENT
Option 1: Sponsor Online
Use our secure online payment system.
Option 2: By Post
Prefer to pay by cheque or standing order?
Simply download our sponsorship form, fill in the component details, and return it to us.
Component List Update
The component list is currently being revised to accurately reflect the changing needs of the build. Please contact Contact Us to find out our current requirements.
Acknowledgement: The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust wishes to record their grateful thanks to the A1SLT Team for their kind help and support to the B17 project.