We are still alive and well

Can you believe we are already 30 months into a 120 month project? It’s been quite a journey so far, having to deal with issues typically faced by voluntary organisations. We have had to learn and learn quickly how to manage a project like P22. We have been through the pain and panic, as well as the excitement of taking our information stand to galas and meeting people; the people we depend on to provide the initial income and skills needed to build a locomotive.

Project 22 is making very good progress. As you may know, we have an engine, number 220, which is safe and sound at “The Cab Yard” – the home of Project 22. We have a small but steady income stream, which includes the very popular books, ‘A Pictorial Salute to the Class 22’ and its follow-up, ‘The Second Pictorial Salute to the Class 22’. Any guesses on the name for the next one?

In 2016 we launched our ‘Donate & Invest’ option, and have seen many people become monthly contributors to P22, providing important income towards the build cost. All investors become shareholders in Nelly (our pet name for D6358 – it rolls off the tongue better when you are mentioning her so many times in emails and meetings. Don’t worry – there won’t be a name plate made!)

2017 is going to be a year of calling to arms and mobilising our members and followers to become more instrumental in taking P22 forward. There are many developments in the pipeline for the project. What we are doing is vast in concept and requires a lot of planning and consideration. This is a first, a new build diesel locomotive, and we fully understand the importance of demonstrating progress, because we have been asked many times when will we start the build? The answer is still the same, we can’t start or consider building anything until we make significant progress with the planning and design module of the project. Work on this is continuing daily – it’s a long and detailed process. This is where we need to attract support, in order to bring the planning stage to a point where we can actually cast some aluminium. We would estimate that we are 10% into this process and we will need to be at least 60% complete before we can make anything.

So now we need to look at momentum. During the past 30 months we have learned much about the Class 22 locomotive, and attracted many contributors. The information and knowledge bank is bursting at the seams. We are collecting data and small amounts of memorabilia, with the view to making this information available for those interested. We want Project 22 to become ‘all things class 22 related’. Our Journal “Lister” is developing nicely and is going to evolve further in 2017.

2017 promises to be the year for Project 22, where we plan on taking some substantial steps forward. Not only progressing with the build plan, but also lateral growth: expanding the scope of the project so we are better prepared to meet the challenges ahead of us. We are looking forward to welcoming investors, members and our followers to take an active role. “Just wait for the call – it’s coming!”

There will be much more news to share, so please look out for “Lister” – the journal of the Project Class 22 Society