Providing the concept phase is a success

Providing the concept phase is a success, the agreement will then enter a second stage to bring the advanced dual fuel engine to start of production.Mr Abramovich's Ervington Investments and Zara Shvidler, who is married to Eugene Shvidler, another ultra-wealthy Russian, were described as "two new strategic investors" by the Leyland-based firm last year, when they bought a stake equivalent to about 1.5 ?per cent as part of a ￡5m fundraising.After "significant institutional interest", Ervington and Shvidler ended up with a stake in the Leyland firm said to be worth around ￡350,000 each.

Clean Air Power, based in Leyland, is seen as global leader in its field.One of its investors is the Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.Geoff Hayes, 89, right, of Ilkeston, continues his recollections of his years as a young footplateman working for the LMS out of Toton loco sheds in the early 1940s.MY favourite l"otive driver was Charlie Richmond, the dad of one of my pals.I was his "booked fireman" in 1940-41, when I first moved up to the footplate after staring as an engine cleaner in 1939.It was 11pm on a very cold and wintry night. We met up at Sandiacre station and we walked down the path to sign on at 11.25pm. Our destination was London. We met our guard at the loco sheds and, at about midnight, we were on our way.

We had a full load of 84 wagons of coal and our engine was a Garratt.We set out from the southside sidings and, when we reached Trent station, we were directed to the main line.We were right away, all signals green. I was feeling so thrilled, being with Charlie was enough in itself. I was feeling good.
The engine was steaming beautifully; the steam pressure gauge was brilliant. I did some stoking up and put the injector on to "top up".I pulled out some cigarettes, took one out and walked over the footplate and gave one to the driver. We lit up.We were on a real main line run and we were heading for Loughborough. Charlie suddenly shouted out: "Geoff, give out three whistles now."I looked over startled and asked: "What did you say, Charlie?"