Train lovers are in for a treat at March rail station when the nameplate for a yet to built new steam locomotive is unveiled.

Enthusiasts have clubbed together to pay for the nameplate and will be collecting it this week ready for it to go on display on Saturday at an open day at March station.

Peter Wright explained that some time ago the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust agreed a proposal from members that for publicity purposes the nameplates could be ordered.

Trust member Mr Wright said: “These have now been cast in Yorkshire and will be collected on Thursday.”

The first occasion at which they will be displayed is on the ‘up’ platform of March rail station during ‘Friends of March Railway Station’s Forties Day on Saturday July 23.

They will be available for inspection from 10 am until 5 pm and Mr Wright is hoping many enthusiasts will turn up to see them.

The proposals to build and operate an LNER class B17 locomotive are slowly coming to fruition and the new train will be called Spirit of Sandringham – its predecessor, named with Royal approval, was simply Sandringham. The Queen’s Norfolk estate has given permission for the name to live on.

The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust aims to create an LNER Class B17 4-6-0 express passenger locomotive in compliance with Railway Group Standards for operation on the mainline network and heritage railways in this country. Improvements in performance, reliability and maintenance are planned by the careful introduction of design changes to the original technical baseline.

The engine will be capable of operating with either the GE tender or the larger LNER Group Standard tender normally used by B17s, both of which are owned by the trust. Appropriate certification will be progressively obtained in conjunction with the Vehicle Acceptance Body and Railway Authorities.

The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust (B17 SLT) was formed in 2011 and continues to fund raise and promote the project.