FAQs

The Duke Frequently Asked Questions

The Trust now has an agreement with Locomotive Services Limited of Crewe for them to utilise The Duke on their charter trains under the Steam Dreams or Saphos Trains banners. LSL will maintain The Duke during the 10 years of his current ‘ticket’.

The Duke returned to the mainline in late 2025. The Trust has an agreement with Locomotive Services Limited of Crewe for them to carry out a rolling maintenance programme along with The Duke being based at Crewe for the 10 years of his current ‘ticket’.

The Trust has an agreement with Tyseley for them to carry out a rolling maintenance programme along with The Duke being based at Tyseley for 10 years following the completion of the current overhaul.

71000 Steam Locomotive Limited, Company Number 01195307, was incorporated on 2nd January 1975 and is the registered owner of The Duke.

The BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust has rolling Custodianship of The Duke. This is currently for 100 years but can be increased for a further 50 year terms before the expiry of the rolling period at the Trust’s discretion.

The Trust is dependent on its members for financial support. In return, the Trust provides regular newsletters, both electronically and by post where appropriate. Now that The Duke has returned to traffic you will be kept informed of forthcoming tours or heritage railway visits as well as receiving reports about The Duke’s performance on past excursions.

Members of the Trust also have access to a private area on this website where you will find interesting videos and downloads not available elsewhere.

At all times members, no matter what level of commitment, are treated as members of a ‘family’.

If you would like to become a member of The Duke ‘family’ click here.

The Duke needs Support Crew before and when in traffic. Our Support Crew is made up of volunteer Trust members.

During Overhaul

There’s always work to do on The Duke during a heavy overhaul. If you have the time and the energy to work on The Duke at Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) within one of our Working Parties then please get in touch. 

On the Road

The Support Coach and Crew are an essential part of the long distance operation of preserved steam locomotives in the United Kingdom on the main line network. Since main line steam operation ended in 1968, the static infrastructure and paid staff required to support steam locomotive operation no longer exists, requiring the use of support coaches and crews to travel with The Duke. The crews are made up of volunteers from locomotive preservation societies. The Support Crew supplements the three-man professional train crew consisting of the Driver, Fireman and Traction Inspector, who are employed by the Train Operating Company (TOC) for charter trains and railtours.

Being part of the Service Crew is like being a member of The Duke’s extended family. Though at times the working day can be long there is a great deal of pleasure to be had working behind the scenes. Seeing the numerous onlookers as we travel over Network Rail metals is reward in itself.

Joining the The Duke’s Support Crew

If, after reading all the above you are interested in becoming a member of the The Duke’s Support Crew then please complete the Support Crew Application Form. Any questions please email the Support Crew Principal.

Need Trust membership information – it’s here.

We’d love to have you in our ‘Crew.

You can join the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust online here right now – our preferred method, or you can download our application form and post it to us. Which ever way you join us you’ll be treated as a member of The Duke family.

Join NOW!

Hope you found the answer to your question above. If not contact us and we’ll get back to you.
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