Duke due back by mid-2023

NO. 71000 Duke of Gloucester is now expected to be available for main line charter from mid2023. The BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust, which is overhauling the Pacific at Tyseley Locomotive Works, has blamed the delay on problems with Covid-19, along with the availability of specialist materials and their significant cost increases. The 4-6-2 remains on target to have the boiler steamed for the end of 2022.

All the three axles arrived at Tyseley by mid-July. Work to turn the tyres on the crank axle and reassemble the two remaining axles into the frame was due to start in earnest. This will then clear the way to very visible progress being made on the Duke’s rebuilding. The three cylinders are already boxed up and ready for connecting to the coupled driving wheels. This, due to the weight involved, along with many other significant parts, has had to wait until all three axles are back in the frames.