Great Steam Locomotives – Britannia & The Duke DVD: 70000 & 71000

Description

This is a dvd about two locomotives – the first and last ‘Pacific’ locomotives built for the nationalised British Railways – 70000 Britannia and 71000 Duke of Gloucester.

Each has been restored for use on British Rail’s main lines today – against some of the greatest odds encountered in the history of railway preservation. In this respect the restoration of Duke of Gloucester, dubbed ‘Project Impossible’ by doubting Thomases, will always be held up as proof that determination, boldness and sheer grit can succeed.

As a tribute to those who have brought so much pleasure to so many, we present this dvd of No’s 70000 and 71000 at work today.

Contents include:

The Duke of Marylebone – A storming start!

Britannia on the Main Lines – Britannia’s return to the main lines in 1991, including trackside footage of emergency repairs and her first run on the Settle and Carlisle.

Return to the Nene Valley – Close-up details, lineside and in the cab shots of Britannia on the Nene Valley Railway.

The Duke’s Return – 71000 Duke of Gloucester on the Great Central Railway, under restoration, on early workings and her triumphant return to the main line.

Main Line Phoenix – A review of Duke of Gloucester’s main line workings in 1990 and 1991, from Didcot to Derby, Swindon to Crewe, to Holyhead, the Cumbrian Coast and her eagerly awaited debut on the Settle and Carlisle – including her record-breaking ‘Blue-Riband’ run.

Approx. 48 minutes.