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Welcome to the website of the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust, custodians of Steam Locomotive number 71000 Duke of Gloucester.
Known by many as “The Duke”.
Latest News & Articles
Mike Hill Painting Auction
The Duke - 21 Coach Test Train - 565 tons - 80 mph - GWR Mainline - 1955
This original painting by artist Michael (Mike) Hill has been donated to the Trust by him to help raise funds towards The Duke’s current overhaul. It is A2 in size and depicts an important phase in British steam locomotive development and The Duke’s history. Mike has chosen the title of the painting to depict that importance.
The highest bid received so far is – £625
Bidding will close on 11 December 2020
Send in your bid via the Contact page.
Why we need your support
The maintenance of the Duke is funded primarily by public support including membership subscriptions, donations and fares paid for rail-tours hauled by the locomotive.
The Duke is currently based at Tyseley and is currently undergoing a Heavy General overhaul in order to return it to mainline operational condition. A number of modifications will also be required in order to maintain compatibility with the latest developments in railway technology. It is the objective of the Trust to achieve this by the middle of 2021 and, within the constraints imposed by operation on the 21st century railway, to restore the Duke as closely as possible to its original 1954 external condition and livery on completion of the overhaul.
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Effective Members currently supporting the duke
How you can get involved
By becoming a member of the Duke family. To do this simply subscribe as a member of the Trust. See the Membership menu for details. You will be helping us to fund the return of the Duke to mainline operation and will be making a valuable contribution to the preservation of our railway heritage. There are also opportunities to have a more hands on involvement, for example, working with the support crew or as a member of the sales team. Whatever you choose there will be a warm welcome for you within the new Trust.
Why be involved?
As a member you will receive exclusive updates about the progress of the overhaul, as well as behind-the-scenes glimpses into the process. But, most of all, you make a real contribution to safeguard this iconic engine for future generations. Find out more about Membership and how you can support this much-loved locomotive.
