Editing BR Standard Class 8 (section)

{{Short description|One-off three-cylinder 4-6-2 locomotive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| powertype = Steam
| name = BR Standard Class 8
| image = Hugh llewelyn 71000 (5363551073).jpg
| imagesize = 300<!--to avoid infobox being too squashed-->
| caption = The sole Standard Class 8 (71000 ''Duke of Gloucester'') locomotive crossing the [[Somerset Levels]], 2010
| designer = [[Robert Riddles]]
| builder = BR [[Crewe Works]]
| builddate = April 1954
| totalproduction = 1
| whytetype = {{whyte|4-6-2}}
| uicclass = 2′C1′h3
| gauge = {{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
| leadingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|0|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| driverdiameter = {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = {{convert|3|ft|3+1/2|in|m|3|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|67|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|9|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|13|ft|0+1/2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| axleload = {{convert|22|LT|ST t}}
| weightondrivers = {{convert|66|LT|ST t}}
| locoweight = {{convert|101.25|LT|ST t}}
| tenderweight = BR1E: {{convert|55.5|LT|ST t}}<br>BR1J: {{convert|53.7|LT|ST t}}
| tendertype = 1954–1958: BR1E<br>1958–1962: BR1J
| fueltype = [[Coal]]
| fuelcap = {{convert|10|LT|ST t}}
| watercap = BR1E: {{convert|4725|impgal|abbr=on}}<br>BR1J: {{convert|4325|impgal|abbr=on}}
| boiler = BR13
| boilerpressure = {{convert|250|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on}}
| firearea = {{convert|48.6|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| fireboxarea = {{convert|226|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| tubesandflues = {{convert|2264|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| superheaterarea = {{convert|677|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
| cylindercount = Three
| cylindersize = {{convert|18|x|28|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = {{convert|39080|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}
| valvegear = [[Caprotti valve gear]]
| valvetype = [[Poppet valves]]
| factorofadhesion = 3.78
| operator = [[British Railways]]
| locale = [[London Midland Region of British Railways|London Midland Region]]
| powerclass = 8P
| fleetnumbers = 71000
| axleloadclass = 
| withdrawndate = December 1962
| disposition = Preserved, operational, to be mainline certified
}}
{{Listen
 |filename     = 71000 passing St Andrew's Junction.ogg
 |title        = 71000 passing St Andrew's Junction
 |description  = (A steam locomotive makes a lot of noise when working hard: play loud for realism)
 |type         = sound
 |pos          = right
 |header       = Hear 71000 at work
}}

The '''BR Standard Class 8''' is a one-off [[4-6-2|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 [[LMS Turbomotive|46202 ''Princess Anne'']], which was involved in the [[Harrow and Wealdstone rail crash]] of 1952.<ref name=Langston />

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.<ref name="dukeofgloucester.co.uk">{{cite web |website=The Duke of Gloucester Locomotive Trust |url=https://www.dukeofgloucester.co.uk/ |title=The changes of the locomotive's characteristics |access-date=30 August 2007}}</ref> {{As of|2025}}, the locomotive is being overhauled to return it to operational condition at [[Tyseley Locomotive Works]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wakeland |first=Steve |date=15 February 2025 |title=Overhaul update - January 2025 |url=https://www.theduke.uk.com/2025/02/15/overhaul-update-january-2025/ |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=The Duke |language=en-GB}}</ref>