HRH The Duke of Gloucester becomes Patron of Hengist Locomotive

30th October 2025

The Standard Steam Locomotive Company is deeply honoured to announce that His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester has graciously accepted the invitation to become Patron of the 72010 Hengist locomotive project.

Steven Cooper, Hengist Fundraiser & Marketing Consultant said “We are immensely proud to welcome His Royal Highness in this role. The Duke of Gloucester’s long-standing interest in engineering and the preservation of Britain’s rich heritage aligns closely with the values and aspirations of our project. We are recreating what could be the last ever BR Standard Class locomotive built in the UK, so Hengist represents not only a significant engineering undertaking, but also an important contribution to the education and celebration of Britain’s railway legacy.”

The support of His Royal Highness as Patron brings considerable prestige and encouragement to our dedicated team of volunteers, engineers, and supporters. It also strengthens our commitment to delivering a project that not only honours the past but inspires future generations through education, skills development and community engagement.

We believe this patronage will play a vital role in promoting our long-term educational and heritage objectives, as we continue working towards the completion and operation of Hengist for the benefit of the public and the preservation of our national rail story.