71000 'Duke of Gloucester'

When 71000 departed from Country Park Halt, she picked up the greaser. Which can catch engines out if they don't have a decent run at getting up and around the reverse curves.

 

Definitely a caged lion on any branch line but unlike the gala when she just seem to coast along, when I rode behind her on Saturday i did hear her work and the driver was willing to open the regulator a bit upgrade and away from speed restrictions. The standard SVR timetable is much tighter than the gala and even with 8 coaches she had a very impressive acceleration. She is quite quiet and doesn't have a bark as such, sounds very similar to a West Country to be honest. Prior to her visit to the SVR this was a loco I had only encountered briefly and had ridden behind only once on the east lancs when it was pulling only 5! Even less effort required.. This is no doubt an extemely powerful locomotive which belongs on the mainline but i for one was thankful to have the chance to encounter it up close and have a glimpse of it's capabilities.

 

Ha the back of my head features in one of the shots at Kidder........

 

The Duke was hauling 10 maroon coaches on Sunday. The final departure, the 16:50 from Kiddy, was hauled by 71000 and I managed to film the train at Eardington bank. What a glorious spectacle. Clear blue skies, plenty of clag, and a complete rake of maroon stock.
<BJ>