The Duke – Where & When
Mainline Running
We will regularly maintain and update this page making it the go-to place for The Duke running information.
Visits to Heritage Railways
Another great way for the Trust to fulfil its Aims & Objectives is by visiting network-linked heritage railways either by taking a charter to such a railway or visiting for galas or longer periods of time. Such visits allow many more members of the public the opportunity to get close to The Duke and to observe him in operation at slow speed and for lengthy periods of time. These visits will happen from time to time and again will be listed here so that you can plan where you want to see the Trust’s prized asset.
The Duke is Ready
Every steam locomotive that runs on our national network has to undergo a series of tests. These start in the workshop by ensuring the all the necessary safety systems are functional and perform as expected. Only then is the locomotive allowed on the mainline and the first test is a ‘light engine’ run to see if there are any issues with the way it works. The Duke went to the Severn Valley Railway for preliminary testing in June. The Duke has since run several times from Crewe to Chester and return with our Support Coach and a Class 20 diesel as insurance should anything untoward have happen.
These runs were a success.
The Duke returning light engine to Crewe on Saturday, 11 October 2025. Credit: Phillip Goodier
The Duke was scheduled to perform some loaded test runs in mid-August when Network Rail put an embargo on mainline steam due to the risk of lineside fires.
With nothing to do the opportunity was taken to place The Duke in the Paint Shop for a professional top coat finish. This involved several undercoats, 3 top coats and 2 coats of varnish before the lining out was done by hand. And doesn’t he look well in his shinny new coat?
A loaded test run on Tuesday, 7 October established The Duke’s loaded capabilities before the Trust Members run.
‘The Impossible Dream Express‘ – the Trust member’s charter and one of The Duke’s loaded test runs took place on Wednesday, 8 October 2025 leaving Crewe at 12:30 hours. A report is available here and under ‘Running Reports’ on our home page. The Duke’s top speed was 75 mph and he ran at 70 mph for most of the time on the West Coast mainline from Stafford to Crewe.
The Members Charter was followed by a further loaded test run on Thursday, 9th October repeating the Telford Circuit and then on Friday 10th up to Carlisle hauling “LSL Chairman’s Train“. Unfortunately, a technical issue arose at Lancaster and the train was cancelled at Carnforth. West Coast Railways made their workshop available to our Service Crew. They worked long into the night to free a ceased valve. Our video above shows The Duke facing south awaiting the road at Preston Station on Saturday, 11th October returning to Crewe.
As the Chairman’s Special Train didn’t get to go over Shap with The Duke at its head our locomotive hasn’t been fully tested and perhaps the engineers felt a little cheated.
So this advertisement/announcement appeared on 20th October on LSL’s Instagram account with very reasonable ticket prices taking The Royal Scot over Shap. All seats were sold within 48 hours.
The derailment at Shap should have been cleared and the West Coast Mainline reopened by the time this charter runs!
We’d love to hear a report from anyone fortunate enough to have obtained tickets and ridden on this train.
Light Engine Move
To fulfil charter work locomotives have on occasion to undertake positioning moves. To be ready for the charters listed below The Duke along with the Trust’s Support Coach is scheduled to leave Crewe on Monday, 1 December 2025 his destination being Southall.
Forthcoming Charters
- General Enquiries: 0800 038 5320
- Email: enquiries@SaphosTrains.com
- Website www.SaphosTrains.com
The Duke will haul the charters below subject to availability.
| Day & Date | Charter Name | Picking Up At |
| Tue, 2 Dec 2025 | Bath Christmas Market | Rugby, Long Buckby, Northampton, Milton Keynes Central, Leighton Buzzard, Hemel Hempstead, Watford Junction |
| Thur, 4 Dec 2025 | Bath Christmas Market | Dorridge, Warwick Parkway, Leamington Spa, Banbury, Bicester North, Haddenham and Thame Parkway, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross |
| Sat, 6 Dec 2025 | Bath Christmas Market | Ely, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester, Chelmsford, Shenfield |
| Fri, 12 Dec 2025 | Bath Christmas Market | Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing, Barnham, Chichester |
Steam Dreams Rail Company
- Reservations. +44 (0) 1483 209 888
- Email. info@SteamDreams.co.uk
- Website www.SteamDreams.co.uk
The Duke will haul the charters below subject to availability.
| Day & Date | Charter Name | Picking Up At |
| Tue, 9 Dec 2025 | London to Bath Christmas Market | London Victoria, Staines, Woking. Guildford, Haslemere and Petersfield |
| Wed, 17 Dec 2025 | Essex to Oxford or Bicester Village | Southend Central, Leigh-on-Sea, Barking and Stratford |