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Support The Trust
If you would like to support The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, you can make a single donation online or download our membership form.
(Note: Select 'One-off' when asked how often you want to give)
Alternatively: Download Membership & Donation Form (PDF)
Completion of this form enables you to gain the full benefits of membership.
🏆 2025 Grand Prize Draw Results
The winners of the 2025 Grand Prize Draw, held at Quorn and Woodhouse station (Great Central Railway) on Saturday 15th November are:
- 1st Prize (£250): Peter Cooper, London (Ticket no. 3963)
- 2nd Prize (£150): Graham Percival, Leicestershire (Ticket no. 6134)
- 3rd Prize (£100): Anna Hallas, Cambs (Ticket no. 0513)
- Footplate Ride: Sam Brewerton, Norfolk (Ticket no. 6393)
- Nameplate: Kathryn Broughton, Cambs (Ticket no. 0694)
Congratulations to the winners and grateful thanks to all those who bought tickets!
🚂 Current Appeal: Time to Splash Out and Step up to the Plate
Launched February 2026
Front Splasher, inc supporting brackets - £1500 (both sponsored).
Centre Splasher, inc supporting brackets and nameplate supports - £2500 (both sponsored).
Rear Splasher - £750 - two still available.
Please note that the sponsorship of the splashers is on a first come, first served basis
Footplate/Running Boards is in multiples of £50 per foot - approx. 132 sq. ft. is available.
Other Funds & Successes
Completed Appeals:
- Put A Spring In Our Step: COMPLETED (£31,440 raised)
- The Smokebox Appeal: COMPLETED (£52,000 raised)
- The Cab appeal : COMPLETED (£30,000 raised)
How to Donate
Contributions to the Splasher/Footplate Appeal or Boiler Fund can be made via:
1. Direct Bank Transfer:
Account: The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust
Sort Code: 20-41-12 | Account No: 53357821
Reference: Please use "FOOT" for the running boards, "REAR" for a rear splasher or "BOILER" for the boiler deposit appeal.
2. Cheque:
Payable to: The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust
Address: c/o 171 Clifton Road, Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5AG
Please mark the envelope with the specific appeal name.
"There was a dream..."
Thanks to the generous help from our members, sponsors, and supporters, the static mainframe structure (with frame stays fitted) for 61673 Spirit of Sandringham is complete at our engineering base, CTL Seal Ltd in Sheffield. All manufactured parts were produced by the best of British Industry.
Significant funds will now be required to maintain the next phases of the project, involving larger and more complex components to be made in Great Britain.
JOIN THE 61673 CONSTRUCTORS CLUB
The Club has been created to consolidate our fundraising efforts into a single appeal to see 61673 complete and operating on the mainline.
Contribution: £616.73 per unit
(Payable as a single sum or over 3 years via monthly installments)
Download Sign Up Form
Project Roadmap
Contributions are invited in accordance with the project programme:
- Rolling Chassis: The immediate next step.
- Motion: Cylinders, pistons, and motion assembly.
- Running Gear: Bogie, followed by boiler and firebox.
- Superstructure: Cab and smokebox.
Manufacturing drawings for horn block castings and horn stays are complete for the leading, driving, and trailing positions. These parts will be manufactured first. Also required (as funds permit) will be cannon axle boxes, roller bearings, crank axle assembly, and plain axles for the driving and trailing locations.
Technical Strategy
The technical baseline is based upon the 1935 LNER Darlington build standard. However, modern design changes will be adopted where improvements in performance, reliability, maintenance, and safety can be realized.
Proven CAD/CAM technology forms the basis of the design, using 3D models compatible with modern manufacturing processes. To satisfy Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) certification requirements, an independent assessment authority has been appointed to verify design, manufacture, and safety compliance.
Planned Build Details:
- Cylinders: Fabricated cylinders are planned (design work to commence), including pistons and motion parts.
- Bogie: Will conform to the original LNER side spring design but with side bearers to evenly distribute load. It will use roller bearings and cannon axle boxes (as proven on the A1 Tornado).
- Boiler: The diagram 100A boiler and firebox is planned. We are currently evaluating materials and assembly techniques to maximize operating efficiency and reliability. Sourcing this major item in Great Britain remains our priority.
Member Benefits
On full payment of the first unit (£616.73), contributors receive:
- Transferable invitation to purchase a seat on one of the inaugural runs.
- 61673 Constructors Club badge.
- Personalised Club certificate.
- Name on the ’Roll of Honour’ (subject to consent).
- Regular updates on manufacturing progress.
- Photograph of chosen B17 locomotive.
Achievements & The Next Phase
NOW: Static Mainframe
Relocated to CTL Seal's site at Sheffield (Oct 2020). Frame stays fitted and passed.
NEXT: Rolling Chassis
Construction now in progress.
THEN: Boiler & Firebox
The final major engineering hurdle.
Charity Registration No. 1144738 | Company Registration No. 07598363
These pages define the Mission Statement for the project with the subsequent Objectives to achieve it. The Management of Project page identifies the Trustees/Directors of the Trust with a brief biography of each.
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Brian Hall RIP It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that our Chairman, Brian Hall, passed away peacefully on March 22nd, after a short illness. His wife and children were with him as he faded away without any pain or distress. Brian's passing very clearly marks the end of an era for the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust, which he founded and led for more than a decade. The Trust is unwavering in its determination to press ahead with the project and to bring it to fruition in Brian's memory, as he himself would have wished. |
Open Day 2026
Our 6th Joint Open day with our friends in the Clan group was the best ever, with a record 758 visitors through the door.
A full report will appear in later pages, but here is the latest Tom Ingall video on his YouTube Channel.
Currently, LNER B12 and B1 locomotives are operational in preservation, but none of the B17s survived the cutter's torch. The B17 is the only 4-6-0 locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley that is missing from our heritage.
Help fulfil the project aim to construct a new B17, to recreate again those exhilarating sights and sounds of a ‘Sandringham’ hard at work on the mainline at the head of its train and re-introduce something of our past heritage, for greater public benefit in years to come.
Almost 65 years without a B17. Help us ensure that we can recreate this wonder within the next 10 years.
🚂 The Splasher and Footplate Appeal
A new appeal for the financing of the Footplate/running boards and Splashers. We have made an excellent start with the cab, that includes the start on both sides of the footplate. So we are raising money to complete the footplate all the way around the chassis inc the Splasher. Help us complete this next vital stage of construction.
Donate to The Splasher and Footplate AppealConstruction Progress & Video Updates
The Face of Spirit of Sandringham is taking shape.
Watch our latest updates from Tom Ingall, featuring the machining of our six driving wheels and an interview with Daniela Filova on the Smokebox Door fittings.
2026 showed the Smokebox in position and the part built cab.
Photos by John Pearson | Some historical photos courtesy of Eastern Daily Press Archives.