Train trust wants to get replica of famous Cock o the North on the tracks

The Doncaster P2 Steam Locomotive Trust wants to bring the Cock o the North train back the public, and promote the town's rich railway history in the process.

The trust's plans are long-term. It will cost £5.5 million to get the replica on the rails.

Chairman David Court said patience would be required to see the plan through.

"Even if we had the £5.5 million now, it would still take between five and 10 years to build it," Mr Court said.

"There are only one or two places in the country which could make a boiler of this size."

There were just six locomotives in the class. They were all built at Doncaster between 1934 and 1936.

They were designed by Sir Nigel Grealey to haul trains over the harsh Edinburgh to Aberdeen line in Scotland.

"An arduous route," Mr Court said.

A month-long railway exhibition at Frenchgate Shopping Centre attracted plenty of people interested in joining the trust.

More than 11,000 people visited the exhibition. The 11,000th person was given a free year's membership to the trust.

"We picked quite a few members up," Mr Court said.

Its members want to see a museum dedicated to Doncaster's locomotive building past.

"Doncaster is the world's most famous locomotive town," Mr Court said.

"All the most famous locomotives were built here, like the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard."

Mr Court, 70, has a long history with locomotives.

He was the fireman on the Flying Scotsman during its US tour in 1969.

The tour took in 17 American states on its way from Boston to Houston.

It visited Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Fort Worth and Dallas on the way.

"We took it another 500 kilometres after the exhibition finished," Mr Court said.

Six P2 locomotives were built at Doncaster from 1934-1936.

To get involved with the trust, visit the website at www.cockothenorth.co.uk