BR Standard Class 8

Specifications
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	4-6-2
• UIC	2′C1′h3
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.	3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Driver dia.	6 ft 2 in (1.880 m)
Trailing dia.	3 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.003 m)
Length	67 ft 8 in (20.62 m)
Width	9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
Height	13 ft 0+1⁄2 in (3.98 m)
Axle load	22 long tons (25 short tons; 22 t)
Adhesive weight	66 long tons (74 short tons; 67 t)
Loco weight	101.25 long tons (113.40 short tons; 102.87 t)
Tender weight	BR1E: 55.5 long tons (62.2 short tons; 56.4 t); BR1J: 53.7 long tons (60.1 short tons; 54.6 t)
Tender type	1954–1958: BR1E; 1958–1962: BR1J
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	10 long tons (11 short tons; 10 t)
Water cap.	BR1E: 4,725 imp gal (21,480 L; 5,674 US gal); BR1J: 4,325 imp gal (19,660 L; 5,194 US gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	48.6 sq ft (4.52 m2)
Boiler	BR13
Boiler pressure	250 psi (1.72 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	226 sq ft (21.0 m2)
• Tubes and flues	2,264 sq ft (210.3 m2)
Superheater:;
• Heating area	677 sq ft (62.9 m2)
Cylinders	Three
Cylinder size	18 in × 28 in (457 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gear	Caprotti valve gear
Valve type	Poppet valves

Type and origin
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	Robert Riddles
Builder	BR Crewe Works
Build date	April 1954
Total produced	1

BR Standard Class 8
BR Standard Class 8
	The sole Standard Class 8 (71000 Duke of Gloucester) locomotive crossing the Somerset Levels, 2010
Power type
Type and origin
Power type	Steam
Designer	Robert Riddles
Builder	BR Crewe Works
Build date	April 1954
Total produced	1
Configuration:;
Specifications
Configuration:;
• Whyte	4-6-2
• UIC	2′C1′h3
Gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Leading dia.	3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Driver dia.	6 ft 2 in (1.880 m)
Trailing dia.	3 ft 3+1⁄2 in (1.003 m)
Length	67 ft 8 in (20.62 m)
Width	9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
Height	13 ft 0+1⁄2 in (3.98 m)
Axle load	22 long tons (25 short tons; 22 t)
Adhesive weight	66 long tons (74 short tons; 67 t)
Loco weight	101.25 long tons (113.40 short tons; 102.87 t)
Tender weight	BR1E: 55.5 long tons (62.2 short tons; 56.4 t); BR1J: 53.7 long tons (60.1 short tons; 54.6 t)
Tender type	1954–1958: BR1E; 1958–1962: BR1J
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	10 long tons (11 short tons; 10 t)
Water cap.	BR1E: 4,725 imp gal (21,480 L; 5,674 US gal); BR1J: 4,325 imp gal (19,660 L; 5,194 US gal)
Firebox:
• Grate area	48.6 sq ft (4.52 m2)
Boiler	BR13
Boiler pressure	250 psi (1.72 MPa)
Heating surface:
• Firebox	226 sq ft (21.0 m2)
• Tubes and flues	2,264 sq ft (210.3 m2)
Superheater:;
• Heating area	677 sq ft (62.9 m2)
Cylinders	Three
Cylinder size	18 in × 28 in (457 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gear	Caprotti valve gear
Valve type	Poppet valves
Tractive effort
Performance figures
Tractive effort	39,080 lbf (173.84 kN)
Factor of adh.	3.78
Operators
Career
Operators	British Railways
Power class	8P
Numbers	71000
Locale	London Midland Region
Withdrawn	December 1962
Disposition	Preserved, operational, to be mainline certified

The BR Standard Class 8 is a one-off 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive designed by Robert Riddles for use by British Railways. Only a single locomotive, the prototype, was constructed, which was named Duke of Gloucester. Constructed at Crewe Works in 1954, the Duke, as it is popularly known, was a replacement for the destroyed LMS Princess Royal Class locomotive 46202 Princess Anne, which was involved in the Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash of 1952.

The Duke was based on the BR Standard Class 7 Britannia design. It incorporated three sets of modified Caprotti valve gear, new to British locomotive engineering and more efficient than Walschaerts or Stephenson valve gear. Due to errors made during the original construction of The Duke, it was regarded as a failure by locomotive crews due to its poor steaming characteristics and its heavy fuel consumption. Trials undertaken by British Railways also proved disappointing, revealing problems with the draughting of the locomotive, which caused difficulties in adhering to timetables.

Consequently, the unique locomotive had an operational life of eight years, comparatively short for a British steam locomotive. It was taken to Woodham Brothers scrap yard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, but was saved from being cut up when it was purchased by a group of railway enthusiasts, who restored it to as-built condition over 13 years. Since then, modifications have been made to the original design, creating one of the most efficient and powerful steam locomotives ever to run in Britain. As of 2025, the locomotive is being overhauled to return it to operational condition at Tyseley Locomotive Works.