Steam locomotives of the 21st century

LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado under construction in 2002

The frames of LBSC H2 Atlantic 32424 Beachy Head under construction at Sheffield Park, Bluebell Railway in 2009

Steam locomotives of the 21st century fall into two broad categories: those that use advanced steam technology and are designed to be commercially competitive with diesel locomotives; and those built to more traditional designs for hauling tourist trains. Even locomotives in the second case likely use some modern methods and materials. These include welded boilers, to simplify construction, and roller bearings to improve reliability. For safety reasons, asbestos is not used for boiler lagging and is replaced by other materials, such as glass fibre. If the locomotive runs on main lines, safety systems such as the Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) and an On-Train Monitoring Recorder (OTMR) must be fitted.

Advanced steam

A leading proponent of advanced steam technology is the Swiss company DLM AG.

Traditional steam

Built

• LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado
• GWR Firefly Class replica, built 2005
• GWR steam railmotor project
• Lyd, Replica Lynton & Barnstable loco built by the Ffestiniog Railway.
• Schenectady Locomotive Works #63 Leviathan replica, built 2009
• Steam into History 4-4-0 "York", built in 2013 by the Kloke Locomotive Works

Under construction

• Baldwin Lyn 2-4-2T 762 Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
• BR Standard Class 2 2-6-2T 84030 project - tank conversion of 2-6-0 78059
• BR Standard Class 3 2-6-2T project
• BR Standard Class 3 2-6-0 77021 project
• BR Standard Class 6 4-6-2 72010 Hengist project
• GCR Class 2 (LNER Class D7) 4-4-0 567 project
• GER Class H88 (LNER Class D16/2) 4-4-0 8783 Phoenix project
• GER Class M15 (LNER Class F5) 2-4-2T 67218 project.
• GWR County 4-6-0 1014 County of Glamorgan project
• GWR Saint 4-6-0 2999 Lady of Legend project
• GWR 4709 2-8-0 project
• GWR 6800 Class 6880 Betton Grange project
• LB&SCR H2 class project This project however is a replica of the last Atlantic 32424 Beachy Head and will incorporate some parts from the original locomotive.
• LMS-Patriot Project 4-6-0 5551 The Unknown Warrior
• LNER Class B17 4-6-0 61662 Manchester United project - will use original tender
• LNER Class B17 4-6-0 Sandringham project
• LNER Class P2 2-8-2 2001 Cock O' the North project
• LNER Class P2 2-8-2 2007 Prince of Wales project
• LNWR George the Fifth Class project
• NER Class O (LNER Class G5) 0-4-4T replica of original class member No. 1759 project
• South Australian Railways Z class Z199
• Ffestiniog Railway Double Fairlie 0-4-4-0T No. 8 James Spooner. A replica of the original locomotive being built to replace Earl of Merioneth.
• Catch Me Who Can 2-2-0 replica. Richard Trevithick locomotive of 1808. (Able to turn wheels under steam when set on blocks, but not yet ready to run on rails since braking system not fitted, yet)

Proposed

• 5AT Advanced Technology Steam Locomotive. This project has now officially been cancelled due to lack of support
• A proposed new build of a PRR T1, numbered #5550. The project cast the first major component - a Boxpox driver - in February 2016.
• LMS Fowler 2-6-4T 42424. Work on this locomotive will begin after the completion of 45551 The Unknown Warrior.
• GNR Class J23 (LNER Class J50) 0-6-0T 8905 project.
• LB&SCR Class E2 0-6-0T #110 project.
• LNER Class V4 2-6-2, LNER Class V3 2-6-2T, or LNER Class K3 2-6-0. Work on one of these locomotives will begin after the completion of 2007 Prince of Wales.
• GWR 3800 County Class 4-4-0
• GWR 2221 County Class 4-4-2T