update 1st February 2010

On Friday 29th January, 71000 Duke of Gloucester successfully passed a steam test. Over the weekend of 30th/31st January, 71000 support crew started refitting super heater elements in preparation for another steam test week commencing 8th February.

Richard Holt, 71000 Operations Director, smiles because light may be at the end of the tunnel ... or is it because he is not in the smoke box fitting super heater elements?

71000 coxless pair Adrian Meakin (left) and Ken Wilcock (right) practice their rowing skills whilst fitting super heater elements