The purpose and primary objective of The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust is to create a new build LNER Class B17 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive capable of operating with either the GE pattern tender or the LNER Group Standard tender. Engineering development and construction and the subsequent operating/maintenance regime will all be compliant with Railway Group Standards in order to obtain appropriate certification from the Vehicle Acceptance Authority for operation on the national network and preserved railway heritage sites.

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, Kings Cross and Marylebone, whereas Continental Boat train duties linked the north with the port of Harwich. 73 locomotives were constructed over a 9 year period from 1928 and all were named after country houses, football clubs and local county regiments to be found within the boundaries of the former LNER. The first of class was named SANDRINGHAM after the Royal Family’s Norfolk residence. Thereafter the whole class became affectionately known as ‘Sandringhams,’ which remained to the end when the last half dozen were withdrawn and scrapped in 1960. None were preserved.

The gleaming green finish of these locomotives with 6 ft 8 ins diameter driving wheels provided a magnificent spectacle when either stationary, awaiting the ‘right-away’ signal or hurtling through town and country at speed with a fully laden train. Their elegant lines with shining brass nameplates left an everlasting memory with railway staff, enthusiasts and the general public alike who travelled on those trains or saw them pass-by. However with the rapid demise of steam, all were withdrawn from service before the preservation movement had become established and so none were preserved. Fulfilling the project aim to construct a new B17 will 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.

Could you help return a Class B17 once more to the familiar ‘stamping ground’ of East Anglia and beyond?

PLEASE SHARE IN THIS AIM WITH THE GROWING TEAM OF SUPPORTERS AND CONTRIBUTORS TO
RE-INTRODUCE THE SANDRINGHAM CLASS LOCOMOTIVE.

EACH REGULAR CONTRIBUTION MADE BY AN EVER INCREASING GROUP OF SUPPORTERS IS VITAL AND COLLECTIVELY WILL INJECT A SPECIAL ENERGY TO FUND AND SUSTAIN THIS PROJECT.

A SMALL CONTRIBUTION PROVIDES

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HISTORY

SO WHY NOT BE A PART OF IT?
 

This website serves a number of different, though related, purposes, namely:

• To publicise the work of the Trust, advertising meetings, publications and so on
• To act as an information portal to progress on the project
• To give general information of the B17 class in terms of construction operation and maintenance.

Comments or contributions from interested parties are always welcome, either in person of via e-mail.

Please add your support to this project through a gift or donation which may be enhanced by claiming gift aid.