Duchess of Loughborough

Duchess of Loughborough is a LMS Princess Coronation Class who appeared in the special 1964

## Bio:

In 1964, Duchess had escaped from Crewe Works as she had been withdrawn from service to get scrapped. Along the way she came across Ryan at Doncester Works who had also been withdrawn from service too, they decided to go on the run together to find somewhere safe to escape scrap. The two engines stop at Trent station where Duchess was unsure whether they should travel on LNER or LMS rails, while there they met Barry who was waiting there with a goods train. The BR Standard 2 asked them if they were alright, at first Duchess assured him that they were fine, but soon admitted that they weren't sure which way to go and that they are trying to escape from scrap. The two engines then introduced themselves to Barry (who informed them both that he didn't have a name and that he was just called by his number 65). After that Ryan asked Barry if he would like to join them to find refuge, Barry was reluctant at first, but after Ryan asked him how long would it be before British Railways withdraws him from service and Barry mentioned that five of his siblings had already been withdrawn, he decided to join them. Duchess grinned at Ryan's comment when he said that they were forming their own little team to escape from scrap, she then suggested that they travel on ex-LMS rails with Barry stating that he can be a guide to help as the line had changed over the years. The three engines made their way down ex-LMS rails, they eventually ended up at Brentford station unsure on where they were until they met Shaw Savill and Maria who pulled in from the opposite direction. Shaw informed them that they were in the Southern Region and offered to guide them to a safe place to lay low for a while, they ended up hiding in the yards of Eastleigh Works where they slept for a few hours in an old shed. Several hours later, Duchess along with Shaw and Barry were awoken by Maria and Ryan who introduced them to Sir Pelleas a N15 King Arthur class and Ben a D3/12 diesel shunter. She was surprised that the two tank engines brought over a diesel, but she calmed down when Maria and Ryan explained that Ben is a friendly diesel. Shortly into their conversation of what their next move should be, Duchess was surprised when Shaw suggested that they make their way to Crewe as she was built there, but she went along with the plan even though she had some concerns. She later left with the other engines that night to make the journey up to Crewe, but along the way the group ended up crashing into Meryl at Oxford who was derailed due to crashing into some trucks that were left on her line. After getting Shaw Savill and Meryl back on the rails thanks to the help from Lucas, they were spotted by a passing diesel which sent the engines into a panic. Duchess was ordered by Shaw to couple up to Meryl to take her with them as she refused to be apart of their escape, but she simply told him that she doesn't want to come along which resulted in Shaw dragging the GWR Castle himself. They stop at Gloucester to catch their breath, Duchess suggested that they should get themselves organized before continuing on, however tensions between the engines began to heat up when Shaw revealed his true colours and what he had planned for them. Duchess stop Shaw from trying to harm Ryan which resulted in her fighting against Shaw and Maria with some help from Ryan. Shortly after the group was confronted by Roderick, Levi, Goyle, Western, and Whistler who had been hunting the group down; they tried to make a run for it, but they ended up trap at the yards of Gloucester where they ended up staying for a whole day after Shaw took Simon a BR class 01 diesel shunter hostage to prevent the DJD from trying to take them away. That night Duchess apologized to the other engines for getting them into this mess and that she should've just stayed at Crewe to get scrapped, but Ryan reassured her that it wasn't her fault and that it was Shaw's fault. Ryan went on saying that she did try to save each of them from a bad faith even if worse comes to wear with the others stating that they were glad that they met each other. Duchess then went over to speak with Simon asking the BR class 01 if he has a name which he introduced himself to the LMS Coronation, she then told Simon that she was going to help set him free and instructed Barry to move some vans in front of her. When Shaw got back to the group after having a one on one chat with Roderick, he questioned Duchess of what she was doing with the vans to which she explained that she was just making some room for them when really she helping to release Simon, thankfully Shaw didn't think much of it. As soon as they were far from Shaw, Duchess called over Roderick explaining to the blue class 28 that she was trying to release Simon. Roderick was surprised by the sudden turn of the events, but he explained that it doesn't change anything of what was going to happen to her and the rest of her group, Duchess understood and explain that she and the others want to get as far away from Shaw as possible. Roderick told her for her and the others to stand down and that they would target Shaw Savill, but after that they were all going to be sent back to their respective scrapyards to which Duchess understood and went back to the others. After that the group was apprehended by the DJD and sent to their respective scrapyards. Duchess and Ryan were taken back to their respective scrapyards by Roderick and Western who first dropped Ryan off back at Doncester Works allowing the two engines to say their goodbyes. As Roderick and Western prepared to take Duchess back to Crewe, Roderick spoke to the Coronation and admitted that she was a good leader, but that she needed more confidence in herself and to remember that if there would be a next time for her before they set off for Crewe.

## Personality:

Duchess is anxious, letting everyone be the leader and whenever she helps others, she is easily be to bosses around.

## Appearances:

Specials:

* 2022- 1964 A Turn For The Worst

## Technical Details:

Duchess is based on the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Coronation Class. Designed by William Stanier and built at Crewe Works between 1937 and 1948, these 4-6-2 tender locomotives were built for express passenger services and, on test, were the most powerful steam locomotives ever used in Great Britain. They were in service until 1962-1964, when they were withdrawn from service and scrapped en masse. Three examples have been preserved, including No. 6229 Duchess of Hamilton at the National Railway Museum. Harold, Duchess of Hamilton and Jimmy are members of this class

## Trivia:

* Duchess was first shown in her BR Maroon livery in the film 1964: A Turn For The Worst.