"Dukedog" Photo Charter at Llangollen 01/04/09

I had the privilege of going on a photo charter with the "Dukedog" at Llangollen yesterday. As someone who has become very interested in all things Cambrian and WR Mid & North Wales in recent years 9017 was a sight to behold. A big thanks to everyone involved at the Langollen and the 6880 folks for acquiring her on loan and those involved in the re-paint. For me this has now put a good degree of anticipation into the forthcoming SSS2 gala and I eagerly await it. For a taster of what to expect at the gala, my photos from the charter can be seen on my fotopic site.

Regards,

Paul

 

Some great pics there, I cannot wait until the Gala. I'm 14 and going to both Saturdays!!
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excellent pics mate, I`m 57 and still as excited as a 14 year old about going to the gala \/

 

Another fine collection of photos there Paul. The Dukedog certainly makes a good sight on a fantasic railway such as Llangollen.

Jeff

 

It's going to be my first gala with my new DSLR camera!

 

Looking good, never been a fan of the engine myself but now its in black its growing on me

 

It looked absolutely superb this evening at Carrog with the sun glinting off the boiler and the blood and custard coaches behind. This morning was a complete write off for photos, but the sun came out after lunch and we got some superb shots. I'll post some in a couple of days, I'm off to Swanage in 6 hours time for a charter with Manston so need sleep!

 

Thanks for the comments and enjoy SSS2.

Cheers,

Paul

 

I'm impressed how the safety valve bonnet has stayed black !

 

So what have you done to the Safety Valve Bonnet? I've seen pictures of it polished and painted black, I'm guessing you've applied something temporary to it....

 

It's definitely not polished ! And it's definitely temporary :-#

 

It's amazing what a lick of paint will do Gromit.....

 

I was one of the two from 6880 that fought like mad to get 9017 back on her homeground now having read the comments on here and having been on the footplate of her first run and the night shot now featuered on the Cover of steam Railway and two photo charters I am starting to feel it was all worth it.
One day I might just tell you how we did it and at the eleventh hour it nearly all came to a grinding halt.
But we now have a marvellous collection of pictures to prove that 9017 really is at home in the Dee Valley.
I have read a comment by a Bluebell member by the name of Nick Beck claiming that 9017 has been vandalised by what has bene done up here in Wales.
I think the evidence is there for all to see that quite the opposite has happend 9017 has never had so much attention in all her life and its all down to two people with a dream
A big thanks to all the photographers who chipped in you have no idea what a diiference you made to making this happen
A massive thanks to the lads at the Bluebell who said yes and booo! to the non believers who did there best to pull the plug
All in all a fantastic experience for all who were involved
The next time 9017 appears is the 18th of April and I know you are going to love what Lil Bear gas come up with on the loco diagrams
The sight of 5526 and 9017 with seven carmine and creams will be one to watch

 

To recreate the authentic 1950's look, 9017's safety bonnet had to be black.

 

To "6880 Rules" - May I personally thank you for your hard work in allowing us to see 9017 at home in BR black. This livery is how I have seen "Dukedogs" in film and in photos and now to have seen the sole survivor in that livery in North Wales is truly awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed the photo charter and will be back during the gala.
If I find you "6880 Rules" then beware, as the handshake I would like to give you may cause injury as I express my thanks.

Best wishes,

Paul

 

As a Bluebell member may I say thank you Will for your pesistance at the powers that be to get 9017 into BR black. It's as if we have a new engine in steam with all the interest the repaint has regenerated and proved the anti-paint-it-black-brigade that they were wrong. Hopefully it will stay in black for a bit longer than anticipated.

Any chance you could use your powers to pursuade the Bluebell to outshop the H class in lined black first please? [-o< [-o<
Cheers

 

I want to thank those who got 9017 back in black as it were as well. Having seen her twice in GWR Green (at Bluebell in 2004 and SVR in 2008), it will be a nice change to see her in BR Black. Just goes to show that while livery debates may never end, there is always an opportunity to create new interest out there to those brave enough to step up and re-paint a locomotive.

For those at the Bluebell, I would have thought all the positive press from repainting Birch Grove in BR Black a couple of years ago would have shown that while there is a lot of value in unique pre-grouping paint schemes, a change for a few months every now and then or at the end of a boiler ticket can go a long way to making a few quid for the next restoration if done properly!!

 

I believe the bonnet was covered in vaseline then painted black, so that it can be easily rubbed off afterwards. It looked surprisingly good yesterday, the brass was only showing in a couple of places.

 

Hence I'm impressed how good it still looks! Was slightly concerned when the vaseline got hot and it started to run, but seems to have worked out ok.

 

The only part that looked less than perfect was on the rear of the bonnet in front of the cab, so not really visible normally. Well done on the repaint too, it looks superb!