71000 Duke of Gloucester, which is owned by the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust has gained a new Mark 1 Support Coach.
W17015, was previously used with GWR ‘Hall’ No. 4936 Kinlet Hall.
Kinlet Hall Ltd, which is part of JJP Holdings South West Ltd, says that the sale was made due to the complexity of running on the mainline, and the requirement to operate the coach to higher standards. The group has teamed up with Tyseley, and they have offered the use of their equipment.
Kinlet Hall is currently undergoing her most extensive overhaul since her first overhaul, and it is planned that the locomotive will return to the mainline under the control of Tyseley. There are plans in place to do some trips in the West Country under the JJP tour programme as well as the locomotive returning to the West Somerset Railway once axle weight problems are fixed.