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Number 6233, Duchess of Sutherland was one of two Coronation Pacifics outshopped from Crewe Works in July 1938 at a cost of �11,094, as one of several of the class without streamlining. She was first allocated to Camden MPD on the 18th July 1938. In March 1941, she received a double chimney, and, on the 20th May 1944 reallocated to Crewe North MPD. In September 1946, she was given smoke deflectors and repainted into LMS postwar black, having carried LMS crimson previously. In December 1952, she was repainted into BR Brunswick green. Come the 14th June 1958, she was reallocated to Carlisle Upperby shed, before being reallocated to Crewe North on the 20th September 1958. On the 2nd April 1960, she was sent to Carlisle Upperby on loan, returning to Crewe North on the 23rd April 1960. She was reallocated to Camden on the 30th April 1960, before being finally reallocated to Liverpool's Edge Hill depot on the 17th September 1960. On the 8th February 1961, her end came, and she was withdrawn from there after nearly 26 years' service, having run 1,644,871 miles. In 1964, along with 46229 Duchess of Hamilton, she was bought from Edge Hill by Sir Billy Butlin and sent to his 'Heads of Ayr' camp, travelling via Ayr shed. There she stood until 1971, when she was loaned to Bressingham Steam Museum. After giving rides on a short length of track, she was laid aside in 1974. After having been formally bought in 1987, she was resold to the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust, based at the Midland Railway Centre, in 1995. Work started on her overhaul in August 1998, culminating in a return to traffic in late March, and a return to the main line on the 4th July 2001. A great honour came on the 6th June 2002, when she hauled the Royal Train to Holyhead, with Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Philip on board. |
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