All photos: Fastline Recent shots of work at Darlington, England, by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust.

Three pivotal decisions were made by the A1 Trust at the onset. Fundraising would be the top priority of the trustees and not regarded as a necessary nuisance; trustees would be professionals in the relevant fields so that their work would be to the highest standard; and the manufacture of the locomotive would be undertaken by professional engineers and not by amateurs.

The latter point was a departure from traditional railroad preservation societies whose restoration projects have primarily entailed enthusiasts devoted to the cause of saying that they did it all by themselves. This is not to demean those who can cut threads and wield a riveting hammer, but it is to say that white collars, working with top engineering companies such as British Steel, can undertake a major job with success.

Success? So far, $1.2 million has been spent, to budget, in building the frames, cylinders, wheels, motion, and making a start on the cab and smokebox. Alone among many such projects that have been launched in Great Britain, the A1 has made far more progress than many thought possible.

Most now regard the completion of the locomotive as a matter of when, not if, and this is reflected in the continued inflow of funds. This has been achieved through the simple but effective device of getting people to pay small amounts regularly; specifically, £5 ($7.50) or multiples of £5, every month. The theory is that once you start paying, you don’t miss it. It works in practice.