The Duke in trouble once again! 12/6/2011

The jinx has struck again on the Duke!

71000 'Duke of Gloucester' was brought in to haul the Torbay Express on June 12th. But once again disaster struck. On the return working from Kingswear to Bristol 71000 developed problems after leaving Exeter. At Stoke Canon the Duke gradually slows to its unusaul coasting speed at around roughly 55/60mph when it usaully does around 70mph.

Following that I recieved a phone call that the Duke had been stopped at Tiverton Loop, apparently the cause of failure was related to the valve gear controlling the supply of steam to the locomotive's cylinders malfunctioned. With that I dashed over to Tiverton Loop at Willand where 71000 is brought to a halt on the Up loop.

3 hours later and in darkness Class 47 No. 47815 'Great Western' arrives to rescue the striken Duke. The pair and their train leave the scene at around 22.15 hours. They wont arrive back at Bristol till around 23.11 hours.

What is happening to the Duke these days?? One problem after another the last 4 years gone!

If anyone can know what was the real cause to the Duke please do not hesitate to comment or send me a message.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 71000
• duke
• of
• gloucester
• in
• trouble
• failing
• 12/6/2011
• tiverton
• loop
• torbay
• express

[kenbrowne1947]

First time I've watched this vid of the sad day and the Duke is such a magnificent loco it's a shame to see it in this sort of trouble. Before I read the comments properly I thought perhaps the Caprotti gear [particularly the cam action] was acting up. Now I've read the comments properly I would agree with Austin's comment. I'm no expert but as a mechanical engineer it makes sound sense and the audio proves it. Well done for sticking with it! Ken

[GreatWestern175]

@kenbrowne1947 It does seem to be obvious signs that the Caprotti cam shaft might of malfunctioned, even the Stoke Canon clip does give a clue. Although what has really puzzled alot of people (including me) is how the society who own the Duke claimed not to know what happened and why it failed henc why alot of people have viewed this film. Im pretty sure the Duke people have seent his film and come to terms at the time what happened

[EMuksteam]

Brilliant video to see the stranded "Duke" It was also a late night for you as well for the passengers.Why wasn,t a diesel on the back for precautions in an event such as this ?

[GreatWestern175]

@EMuksteam Very late leaving the loop indeed. I think at the time before it all happened there was no need to stick a diesel with the train. But I feel its advisory to always have a diesel nearby such as Exeter TMD but I doubt that would happen so they'le have to wait long periods for a diesel to come from Bristol to the rescue

[acw71000]

A very sad thing to have to film Ryan, but good that you were on the spot to capture the events of the evening.

[GreatWestern175]

@acw71000 Yess...it was puzzling at first when shooting the scene at Stoke Canon I was wondering why it was coasting but when at Tiverton loop later it became obvious. Just had to get what was left of the run

[kenbrowne1947]

Thanks for your reply, most informative. I'm old enough to remember that in BR days the Caprotti valve gear seemed to be a constant source among the many troubles the loco suffered in those days. It consequently got a bad name from the crews which was a bit unfair as proved when the loco returned to the main line in the early nineties. The poor maintenance in BR days was blamed and it could be the Society are now finding that out for themselves? Ken

[Mr46238]

they can not drive the steam loco now,,,, retired driver ex 12B i was a fireman

[redcarmodels]

@Fatmog Yeah your dead right you can here only one cylinder working.

[Semifastslim]

Whilst its nice to see a class 47 working a train these days, its a sad way to end a day out when its used to rescue a steam loco, the Duke is a beast when its working, everything needs some TLC these days.

[penninefilms]

@drummerliam Why not there are lots of mane line steam engines why not use a different one.

[GreatWestern175]

@Fatmog That could well be the answer as it does sound it aswell looking at the clip. I'm just wondering if it could affect the Duke long term.

[drummerliam]

@Fatmog the information you have read from Railway preservation is pure speculation I assure you.