In 2003 we launched a construction fund to raise the money needed to build and operate a full size steam driven locomotive.  We are grateful for grants we have received from the Penwith Community Development Trust, the Redruth Town  Mayor`s Charity Fund, Mrs Friday`s coffee mornings and other bodies. We also acknowledge grants of £700 from the Redruth Charity Trust, £3800 from Redruth Town Council, £1000 from Transco plc, £1000 from an anonymous benefactor, £270 from The Penventon Park Hotel, Redruth and other donations and funds raised by our project members and "Friends".  Timber valued at over £800 for construction of the chassis and column was donated by Atkins & Cripps, hardwood importers of Ely, Cambs.

The Cory Environmental Trust awarded the project a grant of £2,000 towards the locomotive construction in 2005.  A further grant of £3,500 was agreed in February 2006 to enable us to construct a coal & water support wagon for the locomotive.

This money has been added to our construction fund which has now reached over £28,800.   We acknowledge these grants and donations and we are very grateful to the trusts, organisations and companies concerned.

After four years of research, design, building and testing miniature locomotives, the team started construction of the full size steam driven locomotive in 2004.  The timber was cut to size, laminated, glued and bolted to form the locomotive chassis.  A wood turning lathe was constructed in the workshop to make the column. The wheels and under-carriage were then made. The boiler had to comply with current legislation and safety standards. Nigel Eden`s boiler drawings were examined and approved by Lloyds Register and an order was placed for the boiler to be made by Bell Boilers of Gloucestershire. It was completed and delivered to Redruth at the end of July 2005.  This marked a key milestone in the building of the locomotive and meant that construction work could proceed.  A first test firing of the boiler was accomplished in December 2005. Construction of the locomotive is now completed.  Our boiler examiner has successfully carried out the thorough examination and steam test. The wheels and some other metal parts have been painted in the Redruth town colour of burgundy.

American ash timber was purchased for a support wagon.  Cast steel wheels and steel axles were assembled and the timber chassis was made for us by Woodcraft Joinery of Scorrier.  This was then delivered to Nigel Watts of Penponds, near Camborne, where work on construction of the wagon body and assembly of the wagon was carried out.  The wagon has been fitted with a large barrel for water storage.  Cast brass plaques bearing the names of our major sponsors have been fixed to the sides of the wagon.  The wheels, axles and other metal components have also been painted in the Redruth town colour of burgundy. 

We were pleased to welcome Julia Goldsworthy M.P. to our workshop to see the progress made and several of our members were interviewed on Radio Cornwall.

With  construction completed, the full size steam locomotive underwent commissioning trials on Sunday 20th May 2007.

In order to transport the locomotive to display events, we need a twin axle low level trailer, about 12-14 feet long. We are very grateful to Rent-a-Fence of Redruth and Shaun Moyse who have loaned us their trailers. An Gof scaffolding have also offered us the use of their trailer.  We are very grateful for their help.

The locomotive was displayed at The Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge in June 2007.  It formed a static display on the frontage of the Skinner`s Brewery stand.  We are very grateful to Skinners who produced a special Murdoch Flyer Ale to mark the completion of the locomotive and sold it in their bar at the show.  Our display attracted both the visiting public and the press reporters using the adjacent media centre and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be in that location.

The locomotive was displayed moving under its own steam for the first time in public in Redruth on Murdoch Day,  Saturday 16th June 2007.   We attracted large crowds of well wishers.  Our display area was in the Royal British Legion car park and we are very grateful to them for their co-operation.  Murdoch Flyer Ale was again on sale in the town and we appreciate the further help we received from Skinners Brewery.

We plan to display the locomotive at the West of England Steam Engine Society`s steam rally at St Agnes in Cornwall in August 2007.  Last year, we were delighted to be awarded the Samuel Pearce Memorial Trophy for the best steam powered model at the show. 

Despite our considerable success, we need more money and urgently require new sponsors to come forward in order that we can display the full size locomotive and support wagon. We plan further public displays under steam. Insurance costs are a heavy expense for us amounting to around £800 in 2007.  Workshop electricity bills are around £400 and ongoing running expenses for materials, tools, transport etc., add up to around £600. We will continue to explore any funding opportunities from which we might benefit and we raise funds ourselves. However, we still need more sponsors so please contact us now.

All sponsors are publicised in our project display which appears at public events.  Each sponsor of the project in cash or in kind to a value of £500 or more is acknowledged by a plaque affixed to the coal and water wagon.  We  urge companies and individuals to support us now. There is still time for your name to appear on a brass plaque fixed to the wagon. Large or small sums will be gratefully received and acknowledged.  We need more help to display the locomotive and wagon as marshals and general helpers. Younger people can help us with some of the heavier and more demanding tasks.  Help is required in many areas and if you think you can contribute, please contact us.

Our popular compact disc, "The Ballad of William Murdoch", professionally produced by Ed Hamilton, was launched on BBC Radio Cornwall.  We have obtained further stocks of the cd and now have it on special offer at £3.00 each.  It was recorded by Fast Buck on Rabbit Records (Fast Buck Music Ltd) Tel: 01932 785853. All the money resulting from sales of the cd is now added to our construction fund and we are very grateful to Ed for his support. The sleeve of the case features pictures of the Flyer, contains a brief history of William Murdoch and gives details of the Flyer project. Copies of the cd make excellent presents and are available (postage extra if applicable) from Keith Dinham Tel. 01209 215498.

"The Scot Who Lit The World" is the title of a biography of William Murdoch written by Janet Thomson.  This excellent paperback, first published in 2003, can be obtained by mail order from Janet Thomson, 5 Circus Place, Dennistoun, Glasgow