"No other product of man's mind has ever exercised such a compelling hold upon the public's imagination as the steam locomotive. No other machine in its day has been a more faithful friend to mankind, nor has contributed more to the growth of industry in this, the land of its birth and indeed throughout the whole world. Those who have lived in the steam age of railways will carry the most nostalgic memories right to the end.."
The words of R F Hanks, Chairman of the Western Area Board of British Railways at a ceremony in Swindon Works on 18th March 1960, marking the end of steam locomotive construction in the UK with the completion and naming of 9F 2-10-0 No 92220 "Evening Star".

The 5AT Project

Mr Hanks' words (above) are as true today as they were in 1960, though the nostalgia and passion that the steam locomotive generates has extended far wider, and for far longer, than he could have imagined. Most preserved steam operated railways in the UK continue to attract record numbers of visitors each year, and 2009 witnessed widespread public interest and enthusiasm when "Tornado", the first main line steam locomotive to be built in the UK since "Evening Star", made its public debut on the nation's railways.

The 5AT Project plans to go one important and potentially vital step further, namely to build the first of a totally new design of steam locomotive incorporating proven technical advances developed since 1960 that will provide the power, speed, range and reliability to maintain an ongoing presence for steam traction on the main line rail network of the future.

One of the lasting legacies of the project will be to create a new generation of steam design engineers, who can bring steam locomotive design into the 21st century and carry on the work of Chapelon, Porta and Wardale.

The 5AT Locomotive

The 5AT is a totally new steam locomotive design, incorporating the latest proven steam locomotive technology, for hauling main line steam charter and rail cruise trains.

With an 80% increase in thermal efficiency over "classic" steam, and almost 3500 horsepower available at the cylinders (more than an English Electric "Deltic,"), the 5AT's performance will amply demonstrate the untapped potential that steam traction is capable of delivering in the 21st Century.

Features of the 5AT include:

• Maximum continuous operating speed of 180 km/h/113 mph to keep up with modern rail traffic (maximum design speed of 200 km/h/125 mph);
• High power to weight ratio, combined with good adhesion - 1890 kW / 2535 hp, at the draw bar, at 113 km/h / 70 mph;
• Optimised adhesion;
• High thermal efficiency (for steam traction) of approximately 14%
• Wide route availability - 20 tonne axle load;
• Simplicity, reliability, easy maintenance and servicing;
• High capacity tender to provide extended range;
• Low fuel and water consumption (see note below);
• Low operating costs;
• Low maintenance costs;
• Conformance to latest safety regulations;
• Good crew conditions;
• Gas-oil fuel (similar to diesel) with an option for a coal fired version.

The 5AT's fuel and water ranges are calculated to be 925 km / 570 miles and 610 km / 380 miles respectively under representative average service conditions, and 552 km / 345 miles and 367 km / 230 miles respectively at maximum operating speed and power - i.e. at 113 km/h / 70 mph with 1890 kW / 2535 hp at the drawbar. See Operating Range page.