Class 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' 4-6-2 Steam Loco Didcot 1988 Photo

'Duke of Gloucester' Steam Loco, Didcot Railway Centre

Photo: Charles Moorhen

                     

The same photo, but in my opinion looking better presented in black and white...more 'Age of Steam' 

An excellent example of British Railways Steam traction, Standard Class 8P 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', is seen here on display at Didcot Railway Centre back in June 1988, did not make much of an impression on me when I saw it, apart from appreciating the beautiful condition that it was in, due entirely to the fact that I knew nothing at all about it.  However, since doing some research on it, I realise now what an iconic steam locomotive it is.

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From my research here is a basic history of the locomotive:

In a perverse kind of way, it could be said that if it had not been for the horrific 3-train rail crash at Harrow and Wealdstone on the 8th October 1952, which killed 112 and injured 340, Standard Class 8 8P 4-6-2 No 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', would never have been built.

As a result of the Harrow and Wealdstone crash, Stanier 4-6-2 Turbomotive No 46202 'Princess Anne', was damaged beyond repair and a gap had appeared in the Pacific roster for the West Coast Main Line.  British Railways, who earlier had turned down a suggestion from British locomotive engineer, Robert Riddles, that an express passenger locomotive in the power class of 71000 'Duke of Gloucester', gave the go-ahead for just such a prototype steam locomotive to be produced.

Weighing in at a colossal 101 tons 5 cwt (without tender) , Crewe-built 71000 'Duke of Glousester', was put into traffic from Crewe North TMD in June 1954.

Beset with problems from the outset, the most significant being poor draughting and excessive water and coal consumption, the locomotive gained a reputation for being erratic and unpredictable and only remained in service for a mere eight years before being withdrawn in December 1962.

Following withdrawal, the cylinder assembly and valve gear were removed and retained by National Collection with the remainder sent for scrap to Woodham's on Barry Island, Wales.

Fortunately, in 1974, the Duke of Gloucester Locomotive Trust acquired the rusting locomotive.  Over a number of years restoration work was carried out until reaching completion in the autumn of 1986.  Further work was undertaken to bring the locomotive up to the standard requirements for main-line running, and in April 1990 it made its main-line debut.

'The Duke', as it is affectionately known by the railway preservation fraternity, has a website dedicated to it; offering membership to the society, history, merchandise and more.  To visit the site click here.


Standard Class Locomotive Technical Specifications: (British Railways Classification).
Designed: Derby Works.
Origin: West Coast Main Line of the London Midland Region.
Introduced: 1954.
Purpose: Express Passenger.
Wheel Arrangement: 4-6-2.
Number Series: 71000 (Duke of Gloucester) One only.
Driving Wheel: 6ft. 2in.
Bogie Wheel: 3ft.
Length: 70ft.
Weight: Engine 101 tons. Tender 55 tons 10 cwt.
Water Capacity: 4,725 gallons.
Cylinders: (3) 18 in. x 28in.
Boiler Pressure: 250 lb sq. in.
Tractive Effort: 39.080 lbs.
Coal Capacity: 10 tons.
Power Classification: 8-P.

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