LE movements, ECS and test runs 2025

I guess being the dress rehearsal this was likely to happen in places. The 57 was doing a bit up the hill through Albrighton but the Duke was still being worked, albeit moderately. Hopefully shareholders and members are treated to something a bit more lively, otherwise what's the point. Some of the previous talk about it's past exploits will be in the realms of fantasy on its new ticket. We'll do well to get a fraction of it's past performances in the coming years. Still, it's great to have it back and looking forward to seeing how it shapes up.

 

Not too impressive at Stafford but approaching signals due to ECS Dmu one section ahead.

 

After the previous days sunny afternoon today was full dull for the first day of the three days of test runs, Duke of Gloucester races passed Sytch Lane, Mill Meece on the last leg back to Crewe.

 

The Duke is seen arriving into Shrewsbury and then being dragged back out. 71000 is then caught on the move through Cosford and then just up the hill at an empty Albrighton sounding well.

 

Well it looks magnificent...too good to use..seems nowt wrong with it to me...

 

Interesting postion on platform 3 for the first shot

 

Considering it’s hardly done any mainline mileage and had to have some remedial work after its previous testing and that there probably still trying to set the engine up so it’s happy, maybe there being cautious, work the loco in gently and build confidence.

 

Not my first choice as I turned up quite late and there was already a gallery in position.

 

It's so good to see the Duke back on the main line where it belongs. Below are a couple of photographs and a statement from the BR Standard Class 8 Locomotive Trust. <BJ>

''Today marks an incredibly proud moment for all of us at the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust as 71000 is prepped to take a rake of MK1 coaches out onto the network after 13 years.
A massive thank you, as always, to our dedicated members, generous donators, trust volunteers, Locomotive Services Group, and Tyesley Loco Works.
A very happy scene from Crewe this morning!''

 

71000 Duke Of Gloucester captured on its test run today at Crewe and Shrewsbury

 

Nice picture, no doubt a great team, but very interesting in that following almost 10 years of hard work there appears to be no one present on the first run from the Trusts engineers or TLW who carried out the overhaul…!?