The LMS-Patriot Company, the charitable project who are building the new Royal British Legion endorsed national memorial engine, has launched a fundraising scheme to complete the all new £477,000 boiler for ‘The Unknown Warrior’. The LMS-Patriot Company is seeking loans from supporters to finance the boiler. Loans will be repaid with an attractive fixed rate 2.5% compound interest rate after 15 years. Interest on loans will start to be repaid from 2020, by which time ‘The Unknown Warrior’will be a revenue earning engine.

The front of 'The Unknown Warrior' appeared on the front cover of Steam Railway magazine (issue 418) which was published on 16th August. This was the first time that the front of a 'Patriot' had been seen since 1963 and was part of a general appeal to raise £150,000 to complete the bottom end. A new fundraising leaflet was also inserted in every copy of Steam Railway magazine.

The third Members' Day took place at the Llangollen Railway on the 15th June. Around 190 Members attended the day and travelled behind specially chartered Black 5 number 44806, which did three round trips to Carrog. Lunch was served on the middle train of the day when all Members took the opportunity to see the beautiful Dee Valley on the way to Carrog.

This month marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Project at the Llangollen Railway. Five years on from the launch we had our sales stand at the Llangollen Spring Gala, which featured the Railmotor and autocoach as the stars of the gala.

To mark the anniversary the Project is appealing to Members and supporters to support the Boiler and Cylinder Appeals so that the tremendous rate of progress can continue.