BR Standard Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust.

03/11/2024

As we move into November the superheater header / regulator valve unit is complete and installed in the smoke box.
The big end bearing for the centre rod is on to oil path machining.
The support crew are busy with electrical fittings, cylinder cladding and getting sensors into spaces with no space!

13/10/2024

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to get involved with one of Britain’s most unique steam locomotives?

Volunteering with the duke can be done in many ways, aiding with the stalls when we visit heritage railways which help bring us a much needed income for the remaining overhaul and then operation of 71000, hands on support, this can be done with volunteering with engineering or support crew for the locomotive, behind the scenes work such as marketing, IT and other general administration.

There are all sorts of ways you can get involved, please visit our website for more details;

https://www.theduke.uk.com/support/hands-on-support/

12/10/2024

A new item to our shop 🚂

This special tumbler commemorates the key years in the accomplishment of the Impossible Dream. The year of the Duke’s original construction (1954), the year that the Duke was rescued from Barry Scrapyard (1974), and the completion of the latest overhaul (2024). These will be a valuable keepsake to celebrate the life of the Duke and the completion of the Impossible Dream. The tumblers are boxed and come complete with a one-page description of the Impossible Dream story.

Get yours now for £25.00 plus post and packing (£5.00) – £30.00 in total.

https://www.theduke.uk.com/product/commemorative-tumbler/

All proceeds go towards the return of 71000 🚂

12/10/2024

We had a great weekend at the Great Central Railway annual steam gala last week!

Progress is going well with the locomotive but we’re at a critical stage and need you more than ever to support 71000 get over the final hurdle!

There are many ways you can help support the duke, donations via our website are always most welcome and your generosity is always appreciated.

You can join our family, being a member of ‘The Duke’ gives you great benefits, regular updates, visit the locomotive up close and in depth details on the progress (members meetings) as well as the chance to travel behind 71000 for just £10 on her first run on the mainline since overhaul 🚂

For more information visit our website at www.theduke.uk.com

Thank you for your continued support 🚂

05/10/2024

Sun is out for the Great Central Railway gala today!

04/10/2024

We have our stand up at Quorn Station yard during the Great Central Autumn Gala.
Do call by on Saturday and chat to our team. Plenty of nice items to buy also!

01/10/2024

Some recent work to the superheater header / multivalve regulator unit. A number of parts replaced including shaft bearing and seen here prepared for hydraulic testing which it has passed.

We have a stand at the Great Central Gala this Friday and Saturday. Call in and see us in Quorn Yard if you are visiting!

06/09/2024

We appoligise for being rather quiet over the last few weeks! A lot has happened at Tyseley 🚂

The majority of work has been to do with pipework returning to the locomotive, this is a long drawn process but the team have been doing an excellent job

The back head is coming together nicely seeing many features return to the cab.

The big question that everyone wants to know is, when will it be finished? Given that this is such a special year for the Duke, we are desperately keen for the overhaul to be completed in 2024. You will see from the list of work that has happened recently that we’re going flat out to achieve that. As soon as we know when the Duke will be in steam again, when the transfer to the Severn Valley Railway will happen and when the mainline ride for our members will be offered.

If you’re interested in becoming a member, please do visit our website at www.theduke.uk.com

Supporting us aids the duke return to the rails once again and keeping her there when we achieve our goal. It’s not possible without the generosity of people like your selves.

Lastly, we’ve recently had our first tumbler produced, these are set to be priced at £25 - if you would like one, please email [email protected]

Thank you once again for your continued support 🚂

04/08/2024

We have a stand at Brownhills West Station on the Chasewater railway today. Do call by for a chat with the team if you are in the area.

03/08/2024

Before and After. A good indicator of our progress as the pipe mountain goes back on the loco.
Getting there now!

03/07/2024

We have been working closely with First Class Prints as part of our 70th anniversary celebrations to produce a graphic design print for 71000.

Rob and Emily have been extremely generous in donating 25% of each print purchased to the BR class 8 steam locomotive trust to aid with the overhaul of 71000.

We’re also working with them to produce another two prints later in the year to be sold as a pack of 3.

You can order yours here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1663452394/the-duke-of-gloucester-br-class-8-train?click_key=21329aa1ef28d26e8fd43365c23e7bee319bcd69%3A1663452394&click_sum=e5444fbd&ref=shop_home_active_15&frs=1&sts=1

Many different sizes to choose from!

Our gratitude goes out to first class prints for their generosity in aiding 71000

This Digital Prints item by Firstclassprint has 3 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on 13 Feb, 2024

03/07/2024

We are thrilled to announce that as part of our 70th anniversary, we shall be working closely with Precision Locomotive Developments to create 71000 ‘Duke Of Gloucester’ in train simulator classic (dovetail games 2024) for the very first time 🤩

The project will begin later this year and will be an accurate details and sounds of the locomotive to add to your train simulator…

More information will be released later in the year 🚂🚂