Duke of Gloucester now set for mid-2023 return to steam
UNIQUE BR Standard 8P Pacific No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester is poised for a main line comeback by the middle of the New Year, according to its owning group.
Currently in the final stages of its overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works, the Duke has now been re-wheeled and as we closed for press, the cab was being refitted.
Trevor Tuckley, chairman of the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust, said: “We are on target to get steam in the boiler by the end of the year and all is looking good to have it available for hire by the middle of 2023.
Progressing well
“All the three driving axles are now back in the frames. The cross heads have been machined and fitted, the cylinders are ready for the connecting rods, the Caprotti valves have been set and all looks good. The cylinder drainpipes have been annealed and fitted. The cab gauges for steam, vacuum and air – nine in total – have gone for testing and calibration.
“The support crew members continue with their vital work on Wednesdays and Saturdays and the tender has made significant progress with the fitting of the cable runs for the new electrics and the battery boxes can now be fitted.
“The support coach is finished externally, and the fitting of the Controlled Emission Toilet by a Network Rail contractor is expected by the end of the year.”
Remember that the offer of a ride on the Duke’s loaded main line test run for £10 is available exclusively to trust members.
They will also have the opportunity to see first-hand the current progress that has been made at a membersonly open day at Tyseley Working Men’s Club, opposite Tyseley works in Warwick Road, on Saturday, November 19.
There will be tours of the Tyseley workshop and before lunch, Trevor will chat with steam driver Ray Churchill about his life on the railway and his reminiscences of driving the Duke.
A video will be made of the whole day, including the meeting and the works visit, and it is intended to have a DVD on sale before Christmas.
The Duke was last seen in action in August 2012 when it hauled a train from Poole to Oxford. It failed at Eastleigh and was removed from the train.
A preliminary examination at Eastleigh works identified problems with the Caprotti mechanism and the cross heads were found to need remetalling. Although the boiler certificate was valid until December 2013, it was decided that the locomotive should be withdrawn from service.
In December 2018 it was reported that a new set of Caprotti inlet and exhaust cams are to be produced for the locomotive to the 1954 original design to reverse a modification made at its previous overhaul.