The BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced that mainline running for BR Class 8 No. 71000 Duke of Gloucester is now a certainty.

As the Duke’s overhaul has progressed, the team at the BR Class 8 SLT has found several problems, most of which have been steadily resolved.

The final problem that the team found was that a flaw in the crank axle on the front driving wheel. The crank axle is driven by the middle piston and is an essential piece of kit.

Faced with needing to replace the crank axle, a search began to find the right type of steel that would withstand the demands of the crank axle.

The search, at first, proved to be frustrating as the steel suggested by South Devon Engineering proved to be difficult to source.

Thankfully, the trust’s relationship with Tyseley Locomotive Works was important in finding the available steel. This meets the original 1954 specification, in some aspects, exceeds it.

The proposal for the steel was submitted to the VAB (Vehicle Acceptance Body) which they have since approved.

The brilliant news now means that the trust has a solution for the crank axle problem, the steel has been accepted by the VAB. The big end pin and both stub axles will need replacing on the crank axle.

Tyseley and South Devon Engineering are proceeding ahead with orders for the components and will get the repair moving forward.

This is now the final issue for 71000 and means that it is now certain that ‘The Duke’ will return to the mainline.

The September overhaul completion is still possible if the trust can fund the £80,000 still needed.

How Can I Help?

We hope that our readers can help support the trust in reaching their 2020 target of returning The Duke to the mainline. However, if you cant help at working parties, then you can always donate.

You can donate in a number of ways. The first way is easy, you can donate however big or small via the Just Giving page – which you can view here.

The second way is you can sponsor one or more of the bearings, you can do that by emailing [email protected]

Finally, you can send a cheque payable to the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust and send them to:

BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust
Aurora House
Deltic Avenue
Rooksley
Milton Keynes
MK13 8LW

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