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Description
In 1925, the NWR was in a tight spot. They had a contract with the Admiralty to Run trains up to Fort Arlesdale, yet they also needed every engine they had to run the railway, and the heavy work often required two. The solution was simple. Buy an engine for the sole purpose of running trains to Arlesdale. The NWR Controller, Sir Topham Hatt I, arranged with the LMS to have one of the Hughes 4-6-4T "Dreadnought Tanks" built for them. Completed by mid-spring and Christened "Iron Duke", the name of the Flagship at the Battle of Jutland, the engine was put to work running trains from Vicarstown to Arlsedale. The Sensitive nature of Iron Duke's work forbade him from talking about it, but by all accounts, he was a friendly engine. He worked until 1933 when the Fort was closed down. Though the NWR wanted to keep him on, The Great Depression was squeezing the railway's finances, and as he needed an expensive overhaul, it was decided to pull him from service. He was left in the shed Tidmouth for several years, until 1938, when, as Great Britain prepared for war, the Fort was reopened. Despite his poor condition, he was put back into service, doing his old job. He worked hard, despite his deteriorating condition, until the night of February 3rd, 1941, when something happened to him, though what it was is unclear.
The Official Admiralty Report was Death Due to Severe Mechanical Failure, citing his poor condition.
Locals, however, claim that there was a loud whistle, then a small explosion, and gunfire. A local fisherman reported seeing a U-Boat in the area, that same night.
This has led many to believe that Iron Duke spotted a Landing Party from the U-Boat, and whistled to warn the Fort, before being killed. The Admiralty disputes this, but, if one takes a walk up to the hills behind the abandoned Fort today, You'll find 8 graves, with nothing but "Died Feb 3rd 1941" on the faded wooden crosses.
Sprite Body by - tsDra90n Sprite Face by - Princess-MuffinsEdits by Me

Description
In 1925, the NWR was in a tight spot. They had a contract with the Admiralty to Run trains up to Fort Arlesdale, yet they also needed every engine they had to run the railway, and the heavy work often required two. The solution was simple. Buy an engine for the sole purpose of running trains to Arlesdale. The NWR Controller, Sir Topham Hatt I, arranged with the LMS to have one of the Hughes 4-6-4T "Dreadnought Tanks" built for them. Completed by mid-spring and Christened "Iron Duke", the name of the Flagship at the Battle of Jutland, the engine was put to work running trains from Vicarstown to Arlsedale. The Sensitive nature of Iron Duke's work forbade him from talking about it, but by all accounts, he was a friendly engine. He worked until 1933 when the Fort was closed down. Though the NWR wanted to keep him on, The Great Depression was squeezing the railway's finances, and as he needed an expensive overhaul, it was decided to pull him from service. He was left in the shed Tidmouth for several years, until 1938, when, as Great Britain prepared for war, the Fort was reopened. Despite his poor condition, he was put back into service, doing his old job. He worked hard, despite his deteriorating condition, until the night of February 3rd, 1941, when something happened to him, though what it was is unclear.
The Official Admiralty Report was Death Due to Severe Mechanical Failure, citing his poor condition.
Locals, however, claim that there was a loud whistle, then a small explosion, and gunfire. A local fisherman reported seeing a U-Boat in the area, that same night.
This has led many to believe that Iron Duke spotted a Landing Party from the U-Boat, and whistled to warn the Fort, before being killed. The Admiralty disputes this, but, if one takes a walk up to the hills behind the abandoned Fort today, You'll find 8 graves, with nothing but "Died Feb 3rd 1941" on the faded wooden crosses.
Sprite Body by - tsDra90n Sprite Face by - Princess-MuffinsEdits by Me