ON January 7, members of the Duke of Gloucester’s management committee, along with engineers Alistair and Bob Meanley, met to discuss modifications to the 4-6-2 as part of its current overhaul programme.
It was decided to produce new cam boxes for the exhaust vents to the Duke’s original design plus opening the blastpipe diameter to its original specification.
These moves are considered to return No. 71000’s exhausting arrangements to how they were intended if a Kylchap chimney had been fitted by BR at Crewe when the unique three-cylinder engine was built.
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Thought was also given to the benefits of replacing steel pistons with cast-iron replacements to reduce wear on liners and perhaps extend the life of the piston rings.
As it is work on the Duke’s overhaul is making good progress with the possibility of re-fitting minor parts in the near future. The day also coincided with a well-attended meeting of the Duke’s support team members – see photograph – held at the nearby Railway Institute’s Social Club.
Addressing the meeting, the 4-6-2’s management’s committee chairman, Trevor Tuckley, began by saying that he felt privileged to be a member of the Duke’s family.
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