Tyres back on the Duke
The overhaul of No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester to main line standard continues to progress at Tyseley Locomotive Works (TLW). With the tyres having been fitted to Pacific’s wheels by Buckfastleigh-based South Devon Railway Engineering, it was anticipated that they would be dispatched to TLW by late October. TLW will then reprofile the tyres. Also by the end of October, TLW was expected to have the piston heads reassembled along with fixing the slide bars to the cylinders. Meanwhile, volunteers from the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust have stripped and painted the roof of the loco’s support coach, BR Mk.1 BSK No. W17015 at TLW. They have also fitted a kitchen. The carriage was due to move to Rampart Engineering at Barrow Hill by the end of October. Members of the trust will be able to benefit from a ride on 4-6-2’s loaded test run for only £10. Details of how you help No. 71000 can be found at www.theduke.uk.com