The new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 is being built at The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s Darlington Locomotive Works. The Works are open to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month, the latter a day that coincides with NELPG also opening their doors to visitors.
On 10th March 1995 The A1 Steam Trust signed an agreement with Darlington Borough Council, the owner of the 1853-built former Stockton and Darlington Railway Carriage Works, to set up its permanent base in what was to become the new Darlington Locomotive Works.
On 27th September 1997 the Trust opened its the new ‘Darlington Locomotive Works’. Phase one of the restoration and conversion of the building was paid for by grants from Darlington Borough Council (£50,000), the National Heritage Memorial Fund (£100,000) and the European Regional Development Fund (£150,000).
Sadly funding for phases 2 and 3 of the restoration of the building was never forthcoming and so the Trust now occupies only the restored southern end of the building. The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) now occupies the northern end.
In early 2008 the Trust laid new track outside the works, ready for the brand-new Tornado to make its first moves. Finally, in late July, the 50th Peppercorn ‘A1’ was brought out of its birthplace and the fire lit – ready for the first public moves on 1st August – once again, a locomotive had been built in this famous railway town. The works are open to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month, the latter coinciding with NELPG also opening their doors to visitors.
During 2013 the interior of the building was extensively refurbished to make it ready for the arrival of No. 2007’s frames.