GWR 'Dukedog' 9017 Earl of Berkeley
| GWR 'Dukedog' 9017 Earl of Berkeley | |
|---|---|
 9017 Earl of Berkeley at Highley (2008) | |
| Built By | GWR Swindon Works |
| Configuration | 4-4-0 |
| Power class | GWR: B, BR: 2P |
| Axle load class | GWR: Yellow |
| Status | Static display |
| Loco Number | 9017 |
| Other Numbers | 3217 |
| History | |
| Built | 1938 |
| Designed By | C.B. Collett (rebuild) |
| Type | GWR 7800 |
| 2026 | Arrived on loan |
| Technical | |
| Length | 56ft 2¼" |
| Weight | 49 tons, tender 20 tons |
| Tractive effort | 18,955 lb |
| Pressure | 180 lb/sq in |
9017 Earl of Berkeley is the sole surviving GWR Collett 3200 class 4-6-0 passenger locomotive. It arrived on the SVR in March 2026 for a two year loan period for display in The Engine House.
Locomotive history[edit | edit source]
The GWR Collett 3200 class, also known as the "Earl" class, was a design by C.B. Collett intended for light passenger work. They mainly saw service on the Cambrian main line where permanent way restrictions precluded the use of heavier locomotives.
The 30 members of the class were rebuilt between 1936 and 1939, using boilers from members of the former GWR 3252 "Duke" class paired with the frames from members of the former GWR 3300 "Bulldog" class. As a result, they quickly gained the nickname "Dukedog".[note 1] Although the first 20 were allocated the names of Earls with some connection to the GWR, only the first class member received a name; at the behest of those concerned the other name plates were instead allocated to members of the more prestigious Castle class.[1]
Originally numbered 3217, the locomotive was (re)built at Swindon Works in 1938 using frames from "Bulldog" 3425 (built 1906), and boiler and cab from "Duke" class 3282 (originally named "Chepstow Castle", built 1895). In 1946 the 32xx series was renumbered as the 90xx series, with 3217 becoming no. 9017. Mainly deployed on the Cambrian, the locomotive was withdrawn from service at Oswestry in October 1960.[1]
In 1962 the locomotive was privately purchased direct from BR for use on the Bluebell Railway, at the time the UK's only standard-gauge heritage railway. In preservation it received the original Earl of Berkeley nameplates which had been provisionally allocated to 3217 but were instead carried by GWR Castle 5060 (first named Sarum Castle).[2]
At the time of its last overhaul in 2003, its private owner donated it to the Bluebell Railway on condition that it remained mainly in service on the line. The locomotive appeared as a guest at the SVR's 2008 Autumn Steam Gala. It was subsequently withdrawn from service in June 2011 awaiting overhaul. In early 2024 it was moved to the Vale of Rheidol Railway for a two year loan period, to be displayed in their new museum.[3]
On 3 February 2026 the SVR and the Vale of Rheidol Railway announced a two-year locomotive exchange, under which 9017 Earl of Berkeley would move to the SVR for display in the Engine House, with 7819 Hinton Manor moving to the VoR in exchange.[4] The swap took place during March 2026.[5]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Steam Locomotives
- Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas
- Steam locomotives at the SVR in preservation
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The "Dukedogs" were among the last standard gauge steam locomotive classes to retain outside frames.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 GWR 3200 class on Wikipedia
- ↑ Bluebell Railway
- ↑ Steam Railway issue 555, February 2024, 'Dukedog' goes on loan to Aberystwyth
- ↑ SVR Website announcement (retrieved 9 February 2026)
- ↑ Branch Lines, March 2026, Hinton Manor and 'Dukedog' swap places (retrieved 13 March 2026)
Links[edit | edit source]
- GWR 3200 class on Wikipedia
- 9017 Earl of Berkeley on bluebell-railway.co.uk
- 3217 on brdatabase.info
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