P2 Locomotive Company and related matters

I think the hubris and boosterism of the A1SLT now needs to be replaced with a healthy dose of reflection and humility.

 

ENGAGE.... there are strange noises coming from URANUS....

 

Funny... reading this post, how things have changed: https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/lms-patriot-project-updates.30546/page-90#post-2712508

 

I think somebody with vision leading this whole morass which it has seemed to have become is desperately needed. Mark Allat had that and successfully worked alongside with David Elliott. I never donated to the A1 build, being sceptical, but threw a big lump into the POW project based on the success of the A1 project. I'm prepared to substantially donate further, but not under present circumstances. Sadly, and respectfully, I think the present Chair is not the "Man for the Job"...

 

Yes, all the right cap badges but the results say different. Unless the cavalry in the form of the Corps of Royal Engineers are going to roll up and sort it out i have to agree...

 

They are sharing manufacturing costs with the B17 project, they need the same pieces.

 

Yikes! I thought the B17 had had their cannon boxes made.

 

Yes, the A1SLT was the example then. Now, if they've got any desire to get the thing running they need to go to the Patriot team and ask how to get out of a hole.

Every project will have something not right. It's when you find it and what you do about it that matters.

Ironically, I think the lack of shareholders will be what kills the A1SLT. There's no obvious way of holding the top brass to account...

 

Sadly, you're right. I doubt that even a mass withdrawal of covenants would do it, unless the covenantors and financial supporters organised into a group and directly challenged the Trust with an action calling for a major restructure in how it operates. Sometimes, you have to get nasty and the only thing that the Trust seems to understand is money so turning the taps off might concentrate their minds; after all, they've nothing with which to earn money.

I doubt the original founders foresaw this but then, they only wanted to build an A1...

 

Same here: my donations for 2007 came because of the success of 60163. Unlike yourself, I can't afford to give any more though as my financial situation has changed markedly in the last couple of years and believe me when I say that I could really use those sums now!

As has been discussed in other posts here and elsewhere though, the manner in which the A1SLT is run effectively protects its structure and dare I say it, I'm not sure that even a legal challenge could be brought - but I'm not a lawyer. It comes back to one thing: money talks.

 

Replacement of manganese steel liners on a cast steel axlebox or cannon box is not a novel task. There must be procedures available for the multitude of locos with manganese liners welded to the axlebox etc.

Damage to the cannon box by welding liners, sounds like incompetence by the welder, or by the specification.

A1SLT may or may not be able to claim on the welder's professional insurance.

 

Yes but that doesn’t recoup the cost of the scrapped parts, reclaim the time lost does it?

Fitting of the pony truck was one of the more achievable goals in sight.

 

That was mentioned, as once it is in, the cylinder block would be next for fitting.
They said they can fit the cylinder block without the pony being in, just it is a bit more time consuming.
As well as the linkages etc,,,, need to be manufactured for the inside cylinder.

Easier still would be to build up the kit of parts for the tender........

 

Doing that would at least show tangible progress to a lay person; a whole vehicle getting built would generate good publicity, which they sorely need at the moment.

 

They have no one to do the work, no money to do it and no one competent to do the associated promotion and fundraising.

 

"No money to do it" ? Has the P2/A1 mish mash of entities run out of money ? This is becoming a nightmare....

 

If that's the case, my prediction might well be the outcome, that the trust is going to bancrupt itself and be left with Tornado not able to be used, an P2 thats incomplete and in need of finishing, and possible having to be re examined in light of the cannon box defects, to ensure there are no further nasties, waiting to be found, and it will have to be bought out by another company with the means ,and skills to complete the builds,

 

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1022834

2 Samuel 1: 25-26 applies.

 

So they had just short of a million come in, plus whatever reserves already accrued n 2023... no money doesnt make sense.

Mind you without the seemingly relentless marketing drive and scarcety of positive exposure the incomings maybe a little less for last year, plus the new boiler(s) will have to be paid for at some point...

 

They received c£800k from government contract.

Cash in bank c£750k

Creditors within 1 year c£650k

cost of two new boilers c£1m

If you look carefully at last TCC most P2 clubs stagnant and covenantor numbers falling.

accounts are to year ending 31 Mar 23 (filed 47 days late)

Next Accounts due eom….