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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 Brian Hall Memorial Fund
With the untimely passing of our Chairman and Chief Engineer, we have initiated an appeal fund to support the manufacture of the Middle Cylinder and Saddle. With a target of £50,000, this aims to cover the manufacture and placement between the frames and to support the Smokebox. The two outside cylinders will follow at a later date and be the subject of a separate Cylinder Club appeal.
More information is on the Donate page.
Donate to The Brian Hall Memorial Fund 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.