'The Duke' goes home
71000 leaves Cornwall
Steam Dreams 'The Cornish Riviera 2026' left Cornwall today, with 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' leading the 1030 Penzance - Paddington as far as Taunton, where 50050 'Fearless' would take over for the remainder of the journey.
A selection of images are below. Our grateful thanks to all who have sent in photographs.
A selection of images are below. Our grateful thanks to all who have sent in photographs.
5Z71 10.10 Longrock T&RSMD-Penzance with 71000 on the rear running into Platform 1 at Penzance. 25.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
No.71000 leading Steam Dreams Return 'Cornish Riviera 2026' Tour running as 1Z71 10.30 Penzance-London Paddington passing Marazion, with 57302 on the rear. Click for enlargements. 25.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
71000 and 57302 heading east on the outskirts of Truro. Click for enlargements. 25.09.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
71000 'Duke of Gloucester' about to pass beneath Trethellan Overbridge (click for enlargements). 25.09.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
57302 on the rear as the train heads on towards Crugwallins. 25.09.2026, copright Julian Stephens.
71000 crosses Moorswater viaduct in some lucky sunshine. (This one is taken from private land with thanks to the owners). 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
71000 purring through Liskeard, with barely a wisp of steam. 25.09.2026, copyright Peter Murnaghan.
The castle on the hill overlooks Forder Viaduct as 71000 continues east. 25.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A lower view at Forder as 71000 heads east. 25.09.2026, copyright Keegan Hopkins.
After a pause at Plymouth, the tour accelarates past Tavistock Yard, ready for the attack on the Devon banks. 25.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith
71000 Duke of Gloucester passing Sprey Point, Teignmouth this afternoon with 1Z71 Penzance to London Paddington. She was running 48 minutes late at this stage. It was good to see lots of people all along the sea wall waiting for the train to appear. 25.09.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
71000 Duke of Gloucester passes over Staffords bridge on the 1030 Penzance to Paddington. 25.09.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
71000 Duke of Gloucester with the 1030 1V71 Penzance to Paddington taken at Silverton running some 50 minutes late. On the rear was Class 57 57302. 25.09.2026, copyright David Tozer.
71000 on the approach to Whiteball summit. 25.09.2026, copyright Keegan Hopkins.
BR 71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, tailed by 57302, worked back 10.30 from PZ to Paddington as 1Z71, arriving in to Fairwater yd for loco change. Seen here passing Norton Fitzwarren about 48 late, but sounding great after a signal stop before entering the yard. Click for enlargements. 25.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks again to all those who have contributed photographs of this excursion.
First encounter with 'The Duke'
Neil Phillips
I'd been looking forward to 71000 'Duke of Gloucester's Cornish visit because I'd missed its previous mainline runs since preservation, so my second encounter with the 'Duke' was last Tuesday as it rushed through Par! My first had been during my one and only visit to Dai Woodham's scrapyard at Barry in South Wales over 52 years ago, on a thankfully sunny 23rd February 1974, when it appeared to be the only locomotive there receiving on-site attention. There are a number of Youtube videos about the 'Duke', one of which claims that the smoke deflectors and tender were sourced from '9F' 2-10-0s - well, handily there were seven donors in the immediate vicinity (92085/207/12/14/19/40/45)!
The story behind 71000 is quite remarkable - Robert Riddles' proposal for a Class 8 express passenger locomotive - basically a 'super-Britannia' - was initially rejected by the Railway Executive as unnecessary; but the loss of 46202 'Princess Anne' - shortly after rebuilding from the experimental 'Turbomotive' - in the 1952 Harrow disaster opened the door to a replacement, and 71000 got the go-ahead, emerging from Crewe Works in 1954. Unfortunately the prototype locomotive was undermined by design and manufacturing errors and it never fulfilled its promise, being difficult to steam and heavy on coal consumption - rumour has it that crews with prior knowledge of its rostering for their train would often call in sick! With the advent of the Modernisation Plan there was no will to correct the one-off's shortcomings and it was eventually withdrawn for scrap in 1962, only one cylinder & Caprotti valve gear set going for preservation in the Science Museum. Its luck then changed as it was purchased by Dai Woodham, although it was initially sent to Cashmore's scrapyard, a mistake which was thankfully spotted in time and the locomotive moved to Woodham's which, as is well-known, preferred to scrap the thousands of wagons which came their way while the locos sat awaiting their turn, which for very many would never come of course! The 'Duke' was one of those lucky escapees - however it was luckier still because during its restoration the knowledgeable preservationists were determined to correct the failings in the design and finally prove what the locomotive was capable of - and the results have been nothing short of spectacular!
My notebook lists 113 steam locomotives (and two diesels), plus another 25-30 ex-GWR locos I couldn't identify. I took around a dozen photos, with my first 35mm camera which turned out to be a disappointing purchase, but they are what they are and it did perform better when the sun was shining. One SR 'West Country' I have managed to identify is 34028, since also rescued and restored to working order as 'Eddystone' and which by huge coincidence is due to work this Sunday's 'Royal Duchy' tour from Bristol to Par! A third photo shows the sad state of the first diesel to work the up 'Cornish Riviera Express', from Plymouth on 16th June 1958, over six years after withdrawal - from latterly mainly Cornish service - on 30th December 1967.
As a point of interest, at the time of my visit to Barry, depots around the BR network were embarking on the mass renumbering of the diesel fleet into the TOPS system, a process which had been largely completed by the end of April.
The story behind 71000 is quite remarkable - Robert Riddles' proposal for a Class 8 express passenger locomotive - basically a 'super-Britannia' - was initially rejected by the Railway Executive as unnecessary; but the loss of 46202 'Princess Anne' - shortly after rebuilding from the experimental 'Turbomotive' - in the 1952 Harrow disaster opened the door to a replacement, and 71000 got the go-ahead, emerging from Crewe Works in 1954. Unfortunately the prototype locomotive was undermined by design and manufacturing errors and it never fulfilled its promise, being difficult to steam and heavy on coal consumption - rumour has it that crews with prior knowledge of its rostering for their train would often call in sick! With the advent of the Modernisation Plan there was no will to correct the one-off's shortcomings and it was eventually withdrawn for scrap in 1962, only one cylinder & Caprotti valve gear set going for preservation in the Science Museum. Its luck then changed as it was purchased by Dai Woodham, although it was initially sent to Cashmore's scrapyard, a mistake which was thankfully spotted in time and the locomotive moved to Woodham's which, as is well-known, preferred to scrap the thousands of wagons which came their way while the locos sat awaiting their turn, which for very many would never come of course! The 'Duke' was one of those lucky escapees - however it was luckier still because during its restoration the knowledgeable preservationists were determined to correct the failings in the design and finally prove what the locomotive was capable of - and the results have been nothing short of spectacular!
My notebook lists 113 steam locomotives (and two diesels), plus another 25-30 ex-GWR locos I couldn't identify. I took around a dozen photos, with my first 35mm camera which turned out to be a disappointing purchase, but they are what they are and it did perform better when the sun was shining. One SR 'West Country' I have managed to identify is 34028, since also rescued and restored to working order as 'Eddystone' and which by huge coincidence is due to work this Sunday's 'Royal Duchy' tour from Bristol to Par! A third photo shows the sad state of the first diesel to work the up 'Cornish Riviera Express', from Plymouth on 16th June 1958, over six years after withdrawal - from latterly mainly Cornish service - on 30th December 1967.
As a point of interest, at the time of my visit to Barry, depots around the BR network were embarking on the mass renumbering of the diesel fleet into the TOPS system, a process which had been largely completed by the end of April.
The beginning of the 'Duke of Gloucester's second life! Looking far better already than the other c140 locos around it, BR '8P' 4-6-2 71000 receives preparatory attention at Woodham's, Barry, on 23 February 1974, around the time of its purchase for preservation. Copyright Neil Phillips.
I am certain this SR 'West Country' 4-6-2 is 34028, currently no stranger to Cornwall (as far as the St Blazey turntable anyway!) Seen here awaiting better times on 23 February 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Alas, better times would never come for NBL Type 4 'Warship' D601, despite hanging around until June 1980. On 23 February 1974 it was six years gone and another six to go before whatever was left by then was dismantled. A D600 Warship surviving into the 1980s, who'd have believed it possible! Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil. Quite a remarkable locomotive. It's been great to see it in action here in the far west over the past couple of days.
Bodmin Diesel Gala
Day One
Jon Hird
The Bodmin Railway diesel gala kicked off on Friday 25th September.
The day featured mainly visiting loco 31210, but 08444 and resident 'Bubble Car' 121020 also worked a trip or two each.
The main event begins today, with visitors 33012, 31210 working alongside the home fleet of 08444, 47306, Sentinel 'Denise', 121020, and later in the day will see the return to traffic of class 37 number 37142.
For more information, please click here.
The day featured mainly visiting loco 31210, but 08444 and resident 'Bubble Car' 121020 also worked a trip or two each.
The main event begins today, with visitors 33012, 31210 working alongside the home fleet of 08444, 47306, Sentinel 'Denise', 121020, and later in the day will see the return to traffic of class 37 number 37142.
For more information, please click here.
31210 about to pass beneath the A38 with the second service of the day for Bodmin Parkway. 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Two drone shots from both sides of the line showing 31210 at Charlies Gate. 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
08444 approaches Quarry Curve with the 1305 from Bodmin Parkway. 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
31210 on an afternoon service to Bodmin Parkway, approaching Colesloggett Halt. 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
31210 powers away from Boscarne Junction with the 1512 to Bodmin General. Today is believed to be the first time a Class 31 has visited Boscarne - although a classmate visited the line in the 1990's, it was limited to the Bodmin Parkway branch. 25.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The RHTT is in town
Bill Elston
The railhead treatment train returned to Taunton yesterday, working as 6V69 Eastleigh to Fairwater yd., hauled by 57310 with 57305 and 306 and wagons in tow, seen here passing Cogload jct about 65 late. 25.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks Bill - is it really that time of year again already!
September 1976
Part 26
Roger Winnen
50043 arrives at Bodmin Parkway. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
50043 now departs Bodmin Parkway. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.