This channel contains my recordings of steam locomotives working hard on the mainline, mostly in the Southwest of England, with the occasional excursion onto preserved lines. Having witnessed the end of B.R. steam and photographed the return of steam in preservation over the subsequent decades, I switched to video recording to more closely capture the ACTION and SOUND that we steam enthusiasts crave. I film from uncommon locations wherever possible and share just for fun and the constant challenge of getting that elusive "perfect shot", ironically I hope I never get that shot, I don't want the challenge to end!
PLAYLISTS: In addition to the normal overall playlist, specific locomotives and locations have their own playlist.
Also see kzread.info steamclips
IN ORDER TO PROTECT YOUNGER VIEWERS AND CHANNEL INTEGRITY, I will block commenters who use overtly foul language, engage in "trolling" or "spam" e.g. "be my friend", or who attach links to other channels.
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Excellent video. You managed to eliminate most of the very strong wind that was blowing in the morning. Even using an external microphone my video was spoilt by the wind noise.
Sorry Alan, I'm a bit Shania Twain on the subject matter.😒 Good to see you back though!!! All the best till we Vera Lynn👍👍
Very well done video :)
I went on the 'proper' Torbay Express from Pddington in the fifties headed by a Castle with fourteen coaches behind. At Newton Abbott the Castle left us as did a number of coaches which split off and went to Bristol. We continued on to Paignton for our holiday at Broadsands and I saw City of Truro one day going over the Broadsands viaduct. That was a very memorable holiday.
Hi and thank you for your interesting reminiscences. City of Truro was stationed at Paignton to promote the launching of Westward TV, the West country ITV service. I remember it was a hot summer and I went crawling around it under the boiler to view the motion and burnt my naked back. No H&S back then! Kind regards, Alan
You captured some fantastic shots here, perfect angles and shots
Thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan
Another Train with Diesel ?assistance
No help on the flat, hence my locations. Regards, Alan
I've seen the exact same Steam Dreams Railtour, one month ago (11th May 2024), at Chester Station. The Class 47 at the rear was in Intercity Swallow livery, and the steam engine upfront was a different LNER steamy: A4 Sir Nigel Gresley. There's a video on my channel, Sir Nigel Gresley with Saphos Steam Dreams Railtour & Friends, which is calling your name.
Interesting stuff Kelly.
Fine filming. I think 61306 is permitted to 75mph, by the way.
Hi and thank you for your kind feedback and for your info on max permitted speed. I much admit that I thought that it was well over 60 at Powderham, so that explains it! Description now corrected. Many thanks again. Best regards, Alan
beautiful video
Thank you Ravi, very much appreciated feedback. Kind regards, Alan
Doing well with 12 up, how did that rook/crow @0:53 know the speed to escape .. 😲 Thanks for sharing Alan. atvb t ..
Well spotted Terry! Thanks as always for your kind and knowledgeable feedback. Best regards, Alan
2:13 I can see the diesel behind the locos tender
Gone on the last sequence, I was glad to see.
all they did was turn Mayflower around and head back, diesel is only powering the carriages and obviously it helps if things awry.
There goes mayflower again off to the south west
Nice to see something different down here Scott. Alan
I've enjoyed every minute of watching those Steam engine's & On the Main Line's aswell it was like going back in time, Im sure the People at at the station or where ever enjoyed those fantastic engines aswell, 😊
Hello Andre and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Allan
Why doesn't the diesel give them a push????
What diesel???
The Class 47 on the back of the train.
@@22whizzo56 It did give a push at the last minute.
Hi, I am sorry you got this mischievous reply, a slightly tipsy friend had my phone and was watching one of the videos. You are right, the diesel could have assisted sooner but it relies on the steam crew to request it and they obviously didn't until it was almost too late! Thank you for your valued question and apologies once again. Kind regards, Alan
Love the video. It is really nice to be able to hear the sounds of the old steam trains not "crappy" music. Good post and very enjoyable.
Hello David and thank you for such a kind comment, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan
8:28 Tangmere's air smoothed casing doubles as a raincoat!
Why could the banker not keep her going, if it could assist the restart.
Hello Brian and thank you for your question. This was an unassisted train so when the train stalled the support diesel had to travel from Plymouth and attach to the rear in order to release the brakes. Regards, Alan
@@Steamclips Thanks, I just saw the banker as the train passed. Didn't think of that. Cheers Brian
Brookwood Surrey in the early 1960's was the place to be. No speed limits so the Atlantic Coast express with a well maintained Merchant Navy routinely topped 100 mph.
And you never forgot it! Thank you for your fascinating and much appreciated reminiscences. Kind regards, Alan
😊
Will 34073 249 Squadron be mainline certified after being restored from scrapyard condition?
Hi and thank you for your question. As far as I understand 34073 resides at Carnforth and has been used as a source of spare parts for Tamgmere so I guess that if the ultimate plan is to restore to mainline condition it will not be in the immediate future. Regards, Alan
@@Steamclips , 34073 249 Squadron is still preserved and is awaiting restoration
@@Shark30006 Take a look here: locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/Carnforth_Motive_Power_Depot#:~:text=As%20of%20April%202024%2C%20Carnforth,for%20overhaul%20in%20May%202024. you will see that it is still listed as a donor engine. Regards, Alan
@@Steamclips, 34067 Tangmere’s boiler is still working as usual but we have to get 34073 249 Squadron restored from scrapyard condition to normal condition as soon as possible so that it can run again after being restored to working order for mainline operation in Britain
I hope there are plans to restore 34073 249 Squadron to working order
*WOW Superb*
Hi and thank you again for such a nice comment. Kind regards, Alan
*Fantastic !*
Hi and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan
Why was there no Class 47 at the rear?
Hello Ken and thank you for your question. 1Z48 is a re-run of unassisted celebratory tours since 1964: the first of which celebrated 60 years since the 100 mph achieved by City of Truro. Regards, Alan
great camera work, and a great save by the crew - fantastic restart
Hi and thank you for your kind, interesting and much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan
nice video
HI Ravi. Thank you very much for your kind comments on my latest uploads, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan
beautiful video thanks
wonderful video
beautiful video
Hello Ravi, sorry for the late reply to your kind and much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan
@@Steamclips thanks for your belated reply.
I really hope the man in the hat at 5:50 is on the right side of the fence - the camouflage gear makes me wonder. I hope I'm wrong, as this sort of thing continues to blight our hobby.
Thank you for your question. I can assure you that all photographers were on the correct side of the fence. Kind regards, Alan
@@Steamclips Great - and thanks for the quick reply!
I was lucky enough to have a seat on the tour. We were told that there was a butterfly valve in a slightly open position with evidence of a vegetation strike, on at least one of the rear (Mk2) coaches. This would have caused the brakes to progressively leak on as the speed dropped climbing the bank and the vacuum pump on the loco reduced in effect.
Hi and thank you for your valued input. I was hoping I would get some on-board feedback as I have a question regarding progress through Dainton Tunnel on Friday. A regular spectator at the western mouth of the tunnel informed me that it was a real struggle to get through and included a wheel-slip (very unusual for a Castle pulling nine) making it the slowest passage through he had even seen over many years (he works close by). I would be most interested to learn of your experience. The "butterfly valve" explanation is doing the rounds but I have my suspicions that they might discover an underlying problem at Tyseley. Kind regards, Alan
I can confirm there was a big vegetation strike earlier (branches scraping down the side of the top lights). I commented at the time "And that's why you can't look out of the window anymore!). The brakes definitely started dragging before we came to a stand. Real shame. Glad we didn't impact the following service (for one it was an advantage that it was a few minutes late). Very professional recovery from the incident < 30 mins by all involved.
@@andrewblack5911 Hi Andrew, what was the situation through Dainton tunnel on Friday?
Lucky, loved seeing it at Newton Abbot, flying through then.
@@Steamclips Hi, sorry didn't spot your question. Performance up Dainton was not great. The people timing onboard clocked it at between 6 and 11 mph at the tunnel. I can't really provide any specific explanation why this was the case. Some former drivers were critical of the driving style (too conservative). Their view was the loading was within typical loads and therefore there should not have been a problem. I also heard comments that the coal didn't help as it has a tendency to crumble to dust under pressure, so they were shovelling dust. But we didn't seem to be short of steam though. I can say there was a significant change in driving style on the return from Bristol -> Paddington. Sorry I can't be specific, it would have been nice to "storm" the banks, but it wasn't to be. Still a great two days though!
I did some research of my own - including contacting the previous owners of the GUV. Its water capacity is 2 x 2500 litre tanks. 5000 litres or 1100 gallons of water. Additional weight 4.91 tons plus weight of tanks / baffles / mounting points, about 8 tonnes extra weight..
That is one hell of a fire she has there, must be stoked to the limit.
Hi and thank you for your comment. Yes, it was pretty crappy coal so I think they were playing it safe. Regards, Alan
@@Steamclips Speaking of which, where do they get the coal? I mean, where do you buy coal nowadays?
@@Otacatapetl Hi, good question. I know that the P&DR get theirs from Poland. The shame is that if you visit Big Pit in Wales, they have 100 years worth of the best Welsh steam coal still available to be mined and everything in place to extract it! Alan
😅Can't get good old South Wales steam coal any more...
True Jonathon but it was not lack of steam, in fact there was way more steam than required ironically because of the poor coal which led to over-firing. Thank you for your valued input. Kind regards, Alan
@@Steamclips I saw a note concerning brakes - vacuum vs air. No doubt that air brakes are very much more effective than vacuum. But GWR vacuum operated at 25in of mercury, and this has now been 'downgraded' to 21in. Is 7029 fitted with air braking equipment? If so, was 1Z48 using vacuum or air?
@@SteamclipsSorry! Just seen the reply concerning the Westinghouse demand for steam.
Clearly the dragging brake issue as the valves were blowing off at the same time! It would have needed sorting out before it subsequently attempted the Lickey would it not? 🙂
Hi and thank you for your valued input. The "official" explanation is that a butterfly valve partially opened when struck by vegetation but I have my suspicions that there is more to it than that as it had a similar problem on the down leg through Dainton Tunnel. Kind regards, Alan
Good old 47 to the rescue !😊
Good old 47 vacuum pump ! Thanks for your valued input. Kind regards, Alan
@@Steamclips You are welcome!
Nice to catch up again after a long while. Telling you about what what I've been doing outside of filming trains. Plus a big thanks for retrieving my camouflaged gear that I accidentally left behind at Hemerdon, would of had to of comeback for it the next day 😄
Hi Ryan, nice to see you too. A good place and occasion to meet! Best regards, Alan
Nice video 👍👍😎👍👍
Hello Matthew and thank you for your kind and much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan
You can't beat God's Wonderful Railway. Then again, it's nice to see something of LNER status for a change some of the time.
Superb Alan , sounded great until the stall . Right place for it 👍🎥
Hi Steve, I'm guessing that like yourself we both would have preferred to see a storming climb of the bank instead of such a struggle. I am strongly of the opinion that they need to sort out the steam sharing between the Loco and the Westinghouse pump. It looks like we have a situation where when max regulator is required the brakes gradually creep on and we end up with a vicious circle. But as you say, we were in the right place, with hundreds of others I might add! Always great to get your input. Best regards, Alan
Excellent video Alan. Great shame she stopped on this special tour to break the speed record. Well captured. Kind regards C&A
Hi folks. Yes we would have preferred to see the climb anticipated but they seemed to have a problem with the air pump as the same thing nearly happened on the down leg at Dainton. Always nice to hear from you. Best regards, Alan
Excellent video Alan. Well worth capturing 7029 for the sound and performance. Really enjoyed watching. Kind regards C&A
It only just made it through Dainton tunnel on Friday. We thought it was going to stall in the tunnel but it wheel slipped its way out. It was probably the slowest loco we have seen here.
Were you on the train, to be able to give a considered summary like this?
Hi Rob, what you say does not surprise me as it looks like the Westinghouse air pump is being starved of steam at maximum regulator, the brakes creep on, more regulator, brakes come on more, hence the slow pace and wheel slip. Cheers, Alan
No stall what so ever.
Most people it's wallet, keys, glasses - not so for Alan, it's more camera, gloves, secateurs, I'll get the Scouts to give you a Trackside Bramble Clearance badge!! Two great captures, second camera deserves some oft forgotten praise👍👍👍 Oh, and can you come round to mine sometime, the grass needs cutting!!! TC, ATVB
Oooh you are awful!! Still working out the call-out charge to get to your lawn!! Margaret appreciates your kind recognition very much. Best wishes, A&M
It was dragging brakes that was the cause of clun castle to suddenly come to a stop at hemerdon
You got it right there Scott. I would say they need to get the Westinghouse pump sorted when they get back to Tyseley. Cheers, Alan
@@Steamclipsyeah indeed Alan
Having read your detailed notes Alan I feel like the possibility of 'stock issues' would to me be a very likely contributing factor. No shortage of steam power or traction, I'm not knowledgable enough to know how air/vacuum systems work together on updated steam engines however everything has to be in 'good working order' it goes without saying. I'm thinking 'air-break issue'? With the assistant support diesel supplying 'good air' (& a little push no doubt) things quickly got underway .. 😅 .. 😉 .. 👍 Thanks for sharing, atvb t..
Glad our great minds think alike Terry. It looks like it's a steam sharing problem between cylinders and Westinghouse air pump as the brakes seem to come on when maximum regulator and cut-off is needed. Best wishes, Alan
That train is vaccum braked and not air braked. Air brake issues of no relevance. He crosshead driven vaccum pump obviously looses efficiency with reducing speed. This may have caused brake drag although the ejector will overcome this There was said to have been a passcom knocked open by a passing bit of vegetation.
@@Chris64EX4 Hi and thank you for your information, I must admit that I thought the Pullman coaches were air braked. Regards, Alan
Your welcome. I am having a colleague working a train from Plymouth to Exeter check Plymouth - Hemerdon for possible vegetation issues. I didn’t notice any last time I went that way however.
@@Steamclips do we know what the BR / GWR era maximum unassisted loads for a Castle Class locomotive over Hemerdon actually was? I gather the GUV at the front of the set carries an additional 5000 litres of water which presumably adds to the weight.
Excellent footage there Alan, off Clun in action on a very warm day. Shame she stalled on Hemerdon Bank.
Hi and thank you for your always welcome comments. Trouble with the Westinghouse pump I would guess. Best regards, Alan
Ah, Alan - you've done it again! Another treat for us 'foamers' (N American term for steam enthusiasts). You always find great locations to film from... that Rattery pan is superb, so too the way you pull the shot back to give a better idea of the distance covered. With the exception of a few modern vehicles towards the end, we'd think it was still 1950 with the Clun just out of Swindon.
Great to hear from you Peter and thanks as always for your great feedback. Best wishes, Alan
Beautiful! Wonderful location for the Rattery scene, that great wide sweep of the camera. Well done 👏
Hi and thank you for such kind feedback, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan
Nice
Cheers Kev. Been a while? Check out todays upload. Wish you were there??? Best regards, Alan
Nice bit of editing of 7029 climbing to the top of the bank. Enjoyed our chat yesterday waiting of Clun to appear. Just got back to Bath now waiting for the run from Bristol TM to Paddington. Hope you were able to capture the events of this morning.
Hi and thank you. It was nice to meet up and chat. Take a look at this: kzread.info/dash/bejne/iq2usZSGhK7diZM.html for the free video editor. This channel is great for all computer stuff. Best regards, Alan