71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ battles Witley Bank | 9/12/25

As the rain bands from Storm Bram would effect the British Isles, that wouldn’t put a stop to Duke Of Gloucester as she’d continue her start to her new ticket with another tour from the nation’s capital ending up at Bath. This tour would be charted by Steam Dreams and would be the first time in 13 years that ‘The Duke’ has been at the head of a Steam Dreams charter.

Leaving London Victoria, 71000 would take a route more familiar with RTC charters with a scurry towards Staines and Egham. It is here where first capture the Duke with a spring in her step after having to wait for the road barriers to come down. 71000 would continue onwards to Chertsey & Guildford where she’d stop for lengthy periods at both which gave us the chance to over take. The choice was the fierce Witley bank with gradients peaking at 1:80 which would sure put duke to the test but in short, she aced the climb: should have I expected any different? A mad dash back down the lengthy footpath back to my car followed with an attempt to capture the duke once again climbing through the grade at Cosham, unfortunately this chase was unsuccessful with me realising half way through that it wasn’t just to happen, however Farnham Tunnel was just possible and with a few minutes to spare: the camera witnessed the duke accelerate out of said tunnel towards a water stop at Hedge End. Using the water stop once more to my advantage, I overtook the Duke once more and positioned the camera at a foot crossing outside of Mottisfont & Dunbridge however she’s rather annoyingly get signal checked through the station but she’ll quickly put the power back on as passed the camera.

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Timestamps:

0:00 Egham
1:03 Grayswood
2:35 Farnham Tunnel
4:12 Mottisfont & Dunbridge