Dukedog 9017

Can anyone at the Bluebell confirm how long the Dukedog is likely to stay in it's black livery? I had the idea it was just temporary and would like to catch it in action before it gets repainted. I thought it was supposed to be rostered today but it wasn't running - never mind, these things happen!

 

Don't take this as official, but it's hard to see it getting repainted this year, bearing in mind the queue of more important projects in the wworkshop.

Tom

 

9017 wasn't rostered to work this weekend. It's always best to check with the website first and if you're particularly interested in a loco to ring the railway.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_roster.html

Regards

 

I did - but maybe I read it incorrectly. However I have noticed some inconsistency between the loco roster page and the "services for the coming week" page. Which one is more likely to be accurate?

Anyway I'm not complaining - 473, 1638 and 80151 were all in action so it was a good day!

 

The loco roster is compiled quite a long way in advance, so is only a plan - things change. Where as the Services page is written closer to the time, so is more likely to be accurate, tough even then there's no guarantee when you are dealing with 100 year old machinery!

Tom

 

9017 was sitting cold in front of the workshop this afternoon when I popped in to pick something up from the shop. Stepney looked pretty nice in black and Baxter was sitting at the far end of the shed preparation/disposal area minus cab roof and dome cover.

Regards,

Dan

 

9017 is currently stopped with some leaking boiler tubes.

 

Personally, I couldn't give a damn what colour they paint it, this is one of the nicest engines I have ever had the privilege to drive, or fire. It was on a photo charter, just after it had had a V&P on the Severn Valley. It is an absolute sweetheart and possesed of an astonishing amount of thrutch. We certainly opened some war-weary photters' eyes.

 

I agree with your comments entirely being the first to fire a Dukedog down the Dee Valley since......well ...the days of steam was a privalage but the the loco itself really makes your day you do come off 9017 with a big grin she steams well and responds well ( like many steam locos ) but there is only one 9017, just hanging out the cab listening to the sharp exhaust and watching the rods go round , the open cab etc etc


I do hope the Bluebell turnber round back into traffic when her boiler is due