A brief history of 71000 - the odd one out…
Latest news & Updates
WORKING PARTIES
Working Party Update – May 2023
Excellent progress at last weekend’s Working Party – The dome was fitted and the first gloss coat was applied to the smoke box. Additionally, the
ON THE BLOG
Trackside – May 2023: Another challenge for the Duke…
Trackside’s May 2023 edition provides an update on the latest overhaul challenge facing the Duke and how this will be overcome. Checkout the magazine for
IN THE PRESS
Heritage Railway reports on the Duke’s centre con-rod
Heritage Railway (in issue 305) report on the latest challenge for the Trust to overcome to complete the Duke’s
Our current fundraising challenge
Another challenge to overcome – a new con-rod is needed…
Sadly we have discovered that during our none destructive magnetic partial inspection on the centre con-rod revealed two cracks. Stress analysis of this component has now been completed and a source for manufacture of the forging has been found, along with the required machining. The con-rod is 8ft long x 4in wide x 4.25in deep and weighs around 0.25 tons. The billet to produce this will be in the region of 0.4 tons. The new con-rod will be the fourth to be fitted to the 1954-built machine. The original was replaced during the late- 1950s/early 1960s but was cut up after withdrawal, followed by fitting of another during No. 71000’s 1980s rebuild from scrapyard condition at the Great
Central Railway.
This is quite a step back for us estimated to cost within the region of up to £30,000.
If you wish to help us in anyway with the cracked con-rod, you can do so online by clicking on the ‘Con Rod Appeal’ bar above.
You can also do this by becoming a member of our Duke family, we are still have our target for getting 71000 back for summer 2023, and becoming a member of the 71000 family will give you the chance to ride behind 71000’s first mainline passenger run as well as regular updates and exclusive access to our members area on our website. We have packages to suit all from as little as £5 per month…
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 have The Duke available for hire during the last quarter of 2023 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.
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.
