Name: Brian Mills
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:21 +0100
Referred By: me
Comment:
Only just found your wonderful website. I was the first child to footplate the brand new Duke of Gloucester when it first appeared at Crewe station in 1954 when I was 10 years old. The place was surounded by officials in dark suits and although the fireman and driver explained all the controls to me, I recall that I hardly heard (or understood) a thing, with all the noise and excitement! I wish I had owned a camera!
The reason I got into that priveleged position was because my Grandad, Harold Mills, worked at Crewe station. He was the brother of Jack Mills - the engine driver who was coshed in the Great Train Robbery. My Uncle Ernest Saddler was the crane driver in the engine sheds and my father (also called Harold Mills) was a sheet metal worker there until around 1947. I am now trying to find out if The Duke will be coming up to the NW of England. Congratulations to everyone involved in its restoration and upkeep - Brian Mills.
Name: Andrew Watson
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 16:51:35 +0100
Comment:
Very interesting articles on an Engine operating past our home on a regular basis. It's great to put some info to the number and name we see most weekends.
Name: mike williamson
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:57:38 +0100
Referred By: nostalgia & shampoo
Comment:
We rode behind the Duke from Appleby to Blackburn (?) in 1991. The noise was superb & the power output must have been off the scale. My wife & I were immediately behind the support coach & it took her all that night to get the dirt out of her hairbecause the windows were open on a very hot day. Laugh? not'arf!
Mike W.
Ride behind him any time!
Name: Max Pickering
Date: Fri, 08 May 2009 15:45:26 +0100
Referred By: Google
Comment:
I saw the Duke of Gloucester travelling on a low loader near Wolverhampton. Still a magnificent sight, even without a tender and away from the mainline.
Where had it come from and where was it going?
Name: Paul Pearson
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:44:36 +0100
Referred By: Life
Comment:
Looks and sounds amazing. Many thanks to all concerned in the renovation, and improvement, of this leviathan.
Your gallery made me smile, the photo of 71000 next to 42968 in Barry Scrapyard, the two engines I travelled behind on Sunday. They've both come a long way since then.
Paul
Name: andy highfield
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:20:04 +0000
Referred By: google
Comment:
I am honoured to sign this guest book
Name: Anthony McDiarmid
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:12:12 +0100
Referred By: no ref required
Comment:
As a long term fan of the Dukes incredible technology and future possible further improvement, I would like to say that while main line steam runs in the UK are great fun for many, overseas rewards may be greater.
Has no one considered the Polish PKP (National rail Network of Poland), offer a few years ago to be more willing to let main line standard British preserved locomotives have an almost unrestricted visit/run/crack at records!!!!!
As almost all BR stock fits within European loading gauges, and PKP still have some minor main line steam operations, most facilities for steam are still in place.
The Dukes, ihp (in excess of 3,000hp) means that a re-run of Mallards world breaking record down the hill to Grantham in the 1930's with far less Horse Power could possibly be broken by the Duke!!!
With the current over zealous British Health & Safety restrictions and Network rails costs etc. Maybe a trip to Poland for the Duke would generate both sufficient revenue for the society, and fly the flag for British steam overseas. I suspect that any offer to have a crack at the world steam speed record, would bring tens of thousands of supporters, from around the world to view and travel behind the Duke on say a series of runs, where just one run were designed to have a crack at the record.
The locomotive would understandably need to be prepared and fettled up for such a task, and it must be understood that some stress/damage to the machinery may of course ensue, but both the Dukes organisation and PKP have responsible engineers conversant with steam traction, to reduce any possible serious consequences of such an attempt. Think about it!!!! Can the Duke reach 130mph in the 21st century????
Name: DAVID WILLOUGHBY
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:19:55 +0100
Referred By: me
Comment:
saw 71000 at stockton today on way to grosmont.BEAUTIFUL! looking forward to the weekend at nymr.
Name: Bob Donaldson
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:36:39 +0100
Referred By: me
Comment:
Saw the Duke at the ,Locomotion Steam Gala at Shildon,20-09-2008.This is not a Locomotive......It is a work of Art !!!!!! What Majesty..
Name: Phil Hunt
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:06:01 +0100
Referred By: 71000 website
Comment:
I came to UK in 2005 for a 6-week holiday, but was unable to see DoG. I am returning for a further 6 weeks in July 2009 and hope to be able to see 71000 and also hope to ride in a train on the mainline behind this magnificent example of British engineering.
Many congratulations to all who have been involved with restoring and improving the locomotive since 1973.
Although it is a one-off example, I have asked Hornby to produce a 00 scale model of the locomotive, and there seems to be a resonable number of modellers who have indicated on their website that they agree with me.
I will watch with interest to see if there are any main line runs that I could join next summer.
This entry is private.
Name: Tony Kernahan
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 22:41:20 +0100
Comment:
We were visiting the U.K. from Canada in April. On 16th (?) we crossed the Carlisle-Newcastle railway line on a quiet country road near Hexham, and noticed several people with tripods looking over the bridge down the line. We stopped to ask if perhaps a special train was coming. Imagine our delight when a couple of minutes later "The Duke of Gloucester" came thundering through. What an awe-inspiring and magnificent sight! It was truly glorious to see it.
Name: Alan Taylor
Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 15:41:16 +0100
Comment:
What a privilege to be able to see such a beautiful piece of engineering. Two days in Wales Saturday 3rd May 2008 at Fishguard (Goodwick) harbour then again at Milford Haven on Bank holiday Monday 5th. She gleamed both days and sounded and smelt wonderful.
I can only say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in rescuing her after the criminal act in the 60s. And another big thank you for such an informative website. One thought though, can we have some pictures of the backhead and some views from the cab please?
Name: keith smith
Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 15:39:18 +0100
Comment:
I had the opportunity to see photograph and film thid magnificent machine over the may bank holiday at port talbot station.may 3/5 2008.
It bright back so many memories of the days when steam was the king.
Name: Dave Yotts
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 17:44:49 +0100
Comment:
Great site, keep up the good work.
Name: Paul Carpenter
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:57:08 +0100
Referred By: sidney hall
Comment:
Brilliant, going to see her at bristol with my Grandchildren
This entry is private.
Name: mark everett
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:17:45 +0000
Comment:
this loco is of great interest to me
Name: Roger Howard
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:18:46 +0000
Comment:
1st class
Name: Jean Michel PLATEN
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:49:34 +0000
Referred By: steaming wonder
Comment:
Well,I born in 1950 and saw the end of stam in France in the sixties/seventies and I remain dazzled when seeing that you have done with the Duke, I find no words to tell my admiration to you all, ho yes: TERRIFIC,I hope to come and see and have a run on Shap or Ais gill with the Dukeheading a train, I discovered your endeavour looking videos on You tube/Internet and am fascinated, for sure I searched and find your site and as I am a steam loco fan,I tell you :well done guys, hope to meet you one day,yu can feel proud of your doings
And long live THE DUKE
Jean Michel
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