Geoff Turner,
Chief Engineer
1956 -2026
The Geoff Turner Memorial Fund
Honouring a Remarkable Legacy
In March, we sadly lost our much-loved Chief Engineer, Geoff Turner. Geoff dedicated countless hours to the construction of Hengist, sharing not only his exceptional engineering knowledge but also his unwavering passion for preserving Britain's steam railway heritage.
In an extraordinary final act of generosity, Geoff left a legacy of £150,000 to help achieve one of the project's most significant milestones – placing Hengist on her wheels.
Thanks to Geoff's gift, we have already begun ordering the major components required for this stage of construction, including the locomotive's cannon boxes through which the driving axles will run. His contribution has brought us dramatically closer to seeing Hengist stand proudly on her own wheels.
However, building a steam locomotive is far more than just the major castings. Hundreds of additional components are required to complete each wheelset, from manganese steel liners and suspension springs to spring hangers, rubber pads, return cranks and many other essential parts.
To continue Geoff's vision, we are proud to launch The Geoff Turner Memorial Fund.
Help us complete Geoff's vision
Our ambition is simple – to raise a further £150,000, matching Geoff's incredible legacy and ensuring that every remaining component needed for this stage of the build can be manufactured and fitted.
Our goal is to have Hengist standing on her wheels by the end of 2027, and by supporting the Memorial Fund, you can play a direct part in making this historic moment a reality.
Whether your donation is £10, £100 or £10,000, every contribution brings us one step closer to completing Geoff's vision.
In the coming weeks we will publish a dedicated sponsorship brochure detailing the individual components available for sponsorship, complete with illustrations, descriptions and costs, allowing supporters to sponsor specific parts of the locomotive.
How to Donate
If you would like to support The Geoff Turner Memorial Fund, donations can be made by bank transfer or cheque.
Bank Transfer
Please contact us for our bank details by emailing: commercial@72010-hengist.org
Cheque Donations
Please make cheques payable to:
Standard Steam Locomotive Company Ltd
Please clearly state that your donation is for The Geoff Turner Memorial Fund, ensuring it is allocated exclusively to this appeal.
Cheques should be sent to:
Hengist Locomotive Works
c/o Diamond Engineering Group
Butterthwaite Lane
Ecclesfield
Sheffield
S35 9WA
A Fund Built on Trust
The Geoff Turner Memorial Fund will remain open until 31 December 2027. The fund will be administered by Bob Ife, acting as Trustee, with financial oversight provided by Peter Lawne, our Financial Director.
To ensure complete transparency, we will publish quarterly updates detailing the amount raised and the components purchased through the fund. We will also acknowledge the generosity of everyone who supports this appeal.