The Duke of Gloucester by ejn

Photography • Monochrome/Black and White • posted on Mar 16, 2009

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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.

Description

A deviation from my normal images. We took the grandkids to see the steam railway...actually I wanted to see it...they were just a good excuse. So during the day whilst they ploughed their way through drinks sandwiches cakes and anything else my wife had hid from my sight I wandered off for a look around the sheds and sidings. Saw this guy getting the "Duke of Gloucester" ready...what a magnificent piece of engineering. Built in the Crewe Works in 1954 she was sent for scrap when diesel took over from steam but a society rescued the rusting hulk and resorted her to her former glory. It wasn't until 1986 that she steamed again and is still a regular attraction for railway enthusiasts. It wasn't until 1995 that she was after almost 30 years allowed back onto routes previously barred to steam engines In October of that year, "Duke of Gloucester" tackled the notorious Shap bank on the West Coast main line and topped the summit at the highest speed ever attained with a heavy load. Weather conditions on the day were so atrocious the the engine could not be fully opened out, for fear of wheel slip.For those who dont know Shap is an area in Cumbria north west England,wild remote and desolate.A beautiful area to walk in good weather but pretty awful when the weather is bad.

Comments (22)

wonderworld

4:34AM | Mon, 16 March 2009

Very cool image!!!!!

neoexcello

4:55AM | Mon, 16 March 2009

It's funny...I didn't notice your screen name because the thumbnail was so compelling I couldn't look elsewhere. You can instill such incredible drama into your shots it always floors me. This is a knockout! You should do the world of train lovers a real favor and send this shot to one of their bigger websites. You would fill the hearts of many by having so truly captured the power and majesty of this engine.