6024 King Edward 1 Struggles up to Ais Gill with the CME 14/03/1998
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- čas přidán 18. 10. 2014
- Another Golden Oldie from my archives, and this time we see Collett 4-6-0 King Class 6024 King Edward 1 ( Not Churchward as shown in the Title ) as it struggles up to Ais Gill Summit with 13 coaches on a very windy 14th March 1998. These locos were built at Swindon to run on best Welsh Steam Coal, and obviously despite having the power to do so, the loco is definitely struggling with it's train. After a water stop at Garsdale, it makes a spirited departure as it heads Southwards .
This footage was captured on Standard VHS tape, so the quality is nowhere near what we have come to expect today, however, I hope the sounds and the content are worth it.
You can stick all your 100 mph attempts and high speed running, nothing beats the sight and sound of any engine working hard and this bit of film certainly does that to its best. Fantastic or what
Thank you Tony, your comments are very true and greatly appreciated.
@@robmasterman great video,i love steam trains,steam tractor,s,steam roller,s,steam,stationary engine,s, infact i love anything that can burn coal,
@@michaelgoulding6609 Thank you Michael, that's a wonderful thing.
Totally agree anything that burns COAL and uses STEAM is Fantastic & nothing beats steam slogging it out working hard being thrashed up a hill!!
The loco's re-start from Garsdale is simply fantastic. No sign of any wheel slipping (or picking up the wheels) On the mark but not blowing off. Excellent enginemanship by both the driver and the fireman. The kings & Castles were/are wonderful locomotives. Long live the GWR.
I totally agree Brian, and thank you very much for your kind and greatly appreciated comments....Bob
I remember crawling over this Engine and it's Sister in Barry Scrapyard in the 70's. It is Fabulous to see these Imperious Engines Preserved for us all to Enjoy. I noticed at the time that someone had cut the centre driving wheels for some ridiculous reason. Apparently Swindon Works pulled out the drawings and the Casting Models for New driving wheels were made for the Restoration. It is Fantastic to see the Engine Managing this Task, but no Engine Built was designed to haul 13 fully laden coaches up that Gradient. Finally, what sold me to Steam Engines was when i was 6yrs i was going on holiday to Devon from Newport, South Wales with my family and King James the First 6 011 double chimney, cruised through the curve in the platform, the giant 6' 6" driving wheels and the Fabulous motion, the Rumble, the Power, the Presence, the Smell, the Sounds. The lovely friendly Engine Driver talking to a Smitten Schoolboy. Halcyon Days! The Kings of the GWR. I wore my Ian Allen book out! Great Video thank you, very evocative!
Hello Andrew, and a big thank you for your comments. It was 6023 that had her driving wheel cut after being derailed at Woodhams. I spent many an hour painting 6024 in red oxide paint. before her departure to Quaiton Road for preservation....Happy days.
The colour of the exhaust is a testament to how hard the fireman was working on this climb
Indeed Iain, a tremendous effort from Crew and loco.
The Long Drag takes no prisoners!
Obviously a very experienced footplate team. Great video. Loved every second
Thanks very much Chris, the Firemen on that turn certainly earned their keep.
Just come across this, and it's magnificent. Clearly the loco and crew were in fine fettle that day and she/he never missed a beat or slipped an inch. Superb to see and hear a King working hard and well.
Thanks Jim, it's a long time ago now, and although captured on VHS Tape, the content deserved an airing....Regards...Bob
Sounds great but it's awful. Speed is a barely maintained 17 mph as the loco approaches the camera. This needs about 700 drawbar horsepower (equivalent) and is within the capability of a 51XX tank which is of course nearly 2 coaches lighter than a King and its tender. The sharpness of the exhaust shows it's in a very long cut-off, possibly full gear, and the boiler pressure must be well down, possibly as low as 140 psi. ISTR reading that the steaming problems with this engine were at least partly due to a badly leaking smokebox door. A properly steaming King with a good fireman can keep going up this bank at 35 mph.
Complete with loud "Oh Boll*cks sound effects.. Good to see that. I'm old enough to have seen Kings and Castles in action back in my schooldays. They can go very much faster than that. Never forget seeing one on "The Bristolian" non-stop through Swindon whilst waiting for my train connection. Had no idea a steam train could move that fast with so many coaches in tow. Unforgettable stuff. Thanks for posting. Magnificent Hill Country... steep inclines. Could have done with a touch of Sunshine.
Both the Castles and Kings were magnificent machines, and combined style, speed and power like no other. As this is not what they were built for, she's done a magnificent job having been stopped further back on the climb.
@@robmasterman On several memorable occasions, short trousers schoolboy me paid my 6d ( six old pence = 2.5 Decimal pence, ) for an official guided factory tour of Swindon Railway Works in the mid 1950s. Just wish I could have afforded a camera back then. Image capture was very expensive unlike today when you can press a button on a hand held phone. On one of those tours I became detached from the main party and got lost in those tunnels. It's a vast place and a ten year old can easily get lost. When I emerged, I found myself in what I was told was the "stock shed". All alone and trying to find my bearings, there were a number of special locomotives there. All covered in dust from long term storage. Shafts of bright sunlight show the dust as white. One of the Locomotives was City of Truro... which I had read somewhere was the first locomotive to achieve 100 mph .. I had a picture book with it on the Cheltenham Flyer. How true all that was I do not know. Move on a decade or three and I took my then two young sons to the Dean Forest Railway deep in the heart of the magnificent Forest of Dean. We boarded a Santa Special... pulled by no less a celebrity than City of Truro. Also in the Swindon stock shed was Lode Star or was it North Star ... was a long time ago. Several others there too. To see Kings and Castles being refurbished in Swindon Works was a special treat for any schoolboy in those still war effect impoverished early post war years. In 1951, my family split up. After the divorce court visit I found myself waiting for a train on Stratford Station in East London. Most of my immediate family were East Enders. A low point for a little boy just nine years old. I saw a fast steam express approaching out of Liverpool Street Station. Yes East Anglian Express was moving very fast but not fast enough that I could not read the letters on the nameplate on the locomotives Smoke Deflectors..."OLIVER CROMWELL"..looking brand new which much later I learned that it had only been built shortly before I saw it. Boy was that locomotive shifting. A small highlight on an otherwise unhappy day for a little boy. Following that family split up I found myself in Gloucester soon afterwards. My new to me school was alongside the railway bridge in Gloucester. I was then to see other brand new locomotives of that same Britannia class with names like Venus and Mercury on running in and shake down duties from Swindon before entering full time duty. Also seen looking brand spanking new on that bridge was GWR County Class 1026 "County of Salop"... fabulous sight as it parked on the bridge. It looked brand new and probably was. Those experiences sewed the seeds of a lifetime's enthusiasm for all forms of transport. My sons enjoy things like that too. Back in the summer, my sons surprise treated me to a full day out at a Diesel Gala Day in the GWR.. at Toddington in Gloucestershire. Took lots of images that day and next to no expense. Good to talk to fellow Rail Enthusiasts. Classic old Buses, Coaches and vans there too. Free rides on any train and coach trips to the nearby Cotswold countryside all on the one ticket. Nice way to spend a Summer Sunday.. Good time had by all. Recommended. King 6023 EDWARD II in blue was there that day... not in steam though as it was a Diesel day ... My sons and their friends had visited previously on a steam day when it was in action.
The climb was made from a standing start at the bottom on this trip. So very impressive sure footed climb - mno slipping or slowing, didn't miss a beat and great getaway from Garsdale.
Shes pulling a lot of weight up an incline steam in all its glory
What a beautiful video. You can certainly hear where King Edward 1 is struggling, but moreover sounds like he's catching his breath to keep on going. Granted that it is a VHS tape, it's quality is remarkable. The sound and picture were the greatest viewing definition back in its day, and I've certainly come back to see this video again.
Cheers,
Hank
I'm very grateful for your very kind comments Hank....the sound track hopefully making up for the indifference image quality in this upload ...Best wishes...Bob
The British locomotives are very beautiful I love it when I see a railroad take care of their aged machines!
Many of the British Locomotives that have been preserved were withdrawn from service in the 1960, and most of them, including this one spent many years rusting away in a scrap merchant's site in Barry in South Wales. They were rescued and after years of restoration, were brought back to life, and despite their age, still work regularly on the Main Railroad Network.
Thanks for your comments...Bob
No problem that’s amazing! Have a nice
You too.
@@robmasterman ok p
Great video of these King class Steamers. Reminds me of my boyhood in the 50s when my brother and I used watch the Meabh and the Macha (Two King class that the Irish Rail Company had) making their way up Rathcannon Hill in Tipperary, Ireland. A big well done. Really shows off the power of these magnificent engines.
+Bandsman Pat Thanks Pat, they were superb machines and rare to see one even in preservation working this route...Best wishes from Wales...Bob
Those were 3-cylinder machines, much closer to the LMS Royal Scots than the GWR Kings. Fine machines. One survives but sadly hasn't run in a long time...
A stunning capture at Aisgill Bob, it's nice to look back at tours from the past. Cracking exhaust from the king, as a GWR man I'd say she was putting on a show for the linesiders rather than struggling lol! Thanks for sharing... Sam
I couldn't have put it better Sam...Thanks again for your support...Regards...Bob
Sam, as a Southern man I'd love say that it was struggling, but typical of GWR engines that were built for banks, it was just digging in and doing what GWR engines did best, just gone on with the job in hand. Great movie.
A fine blast from the past Bob. I bet the crew were glad to see the summit that day. With better coal and a reduced load let's hope the "new" King may be given a shot at this route -- if and when it finally makes it onto the mainline.
regards
Mike
Thanks very much Mike, good to hear from you....this footage needed an airing despite not being up to today's quality...5043 did a great job when working the S&C and I'm sure a King whichever would be available would also do a wonderful run......Best wishes...Bob
What a start, but here again GWR locos were renowned for their sure footed starts and the good old bark when under load. good on you for dragging this piece of history out and give it an airing.Thanks I just love GWR locos
Thanks Jim, it was an unforgettable sight at the time, and I'm pleased you've enjoyed it...Regards....Bob
Excellent video Bob, nice locations. It's great to see railtours from the past with the variety of locos and stock that was on them. Regards JamesandPeter
The King has traveled up from Hereford the previous day with this stock in tow...Thanks again for watching...Best wishes...Bob
I can feel the raw power of this beast. It may not have been fast..but wow that is brute strength.
It was stopped further down the climb, hence the slow speed, Thanks for watching...Bob
Just trying to catch up Bob. What glorious footage. A bit of a plod to Ais Gill but not a disaster given the load and then a superb restart from Garsdale. Really enjoyable few minutes and the quality of the image is no problem at all. Chris
Great to see you're back Chris, hope all is well....Thanks for watching, and for your kind comments...Best wishes....Bob
Fantastic photography as usual Bob . Thank you very much .
Thanks very much, and I'm pleased you've enjoyed it after all these years.....Bob
Have to admit that this is one of the best videos of preserved British steam that I've seen on CZcams. It would be equally interesting to see the Frisco 1522 run in Britain someday, although I suspect the size difference would make it rather difficult to accomplish.
+HighlandWinterWolf Thanks for your kind comments, which are greatly appreciated...unfortunately, Steam ob the Main Line in the UK is becoming rarer each year....Bob
American locos are upwards twice as heavy as the largest British locos and the loading gauge is at least two ft wider.
Wonderful sight . . . beautiful sounds! Thank-you.
Thanks very much David, I'm pleased you've enjoyed it.
@@robmasterman Enjoyed it? I could watch this stuff till the cows come home. Until I emigrated to Thailand in 2012, I lived at Horton-in-Ribblesdale where I was treated to the occasional steam special, usually hauled by 'D-o-Sutherland' or 'Princess MR' . . . happy days and more thanks, Robert.
@@davidpilkington911 How wonderful David, I didn't realise you are an Ex Pat....Thanks again for your kind comments, and I wish you and your Family a Happy New Year....Bob
@@robmasterman And the same to you, good sir!
Sadly, Thai railways are amongst the poorest in the world, with a very limited network and dinosaur machinery. I was lucky enough to enjoy 20+ years of steam, living within sight of the Colne to Preston line and catching a steam train, probably hauled by a Black Five (we called them 'Mickeys') or a tanker, to spend Saturdays train-spotting at Preston, where I fell in love with steam and especially the Princess Coronation class, 'Semis' as we called them. It took me an age to spot them all, with the Duchess of Atholl seeming to have been withdrawn before appearing on an afternoon northbound stopper and whose driver allowed me onto the footplate . . . yippee!
On fine summer days we'd cycle from our Oswaldtwistle home to Farington, a few miles south of Preston, where we'd sit on the bank of the main London-Glasgow line, munching Marmite toasties as a Princess Royal or Coronation class would pass at around 90mph, regulator open and with the most spell-binding sound. What days they were!
Strange that it's only nowadays, with these excellent CZcams videos, that I've given any thought to the vast number of steam locos that were running in their heyday . . . 22,537 if my Wiki info serves me right. And when you stop to think of the amazing engineering that went into just one of these, consisting of hundreds (thousands, maybe) of heavy forgings, castings, riveting, welding and machining, all made in those busy railway works at Crewe, Swindon, etc. What a heritage for the proud families of William Stanier & co to look back on. But no more smoke and steam, alas!
And to close, as much as I like your King Edward 1 panting its way over Ais Gill, for me there's nothing to match a high speed display like this one:
czcams.com/video/lhsuffACHaE/video.html
Best regards
David
Brilliant. Loved it. Thank you.
Thank you Clive, for your kind and greatly appreciated comments...Bob
Stunning footage! Great video Bob!
Cheers from the Netherlands
Bjorn
Thanks very much Bjorn for your kind and greatly appreciated comments. This video is over 20 years old now, but still as popular as ever.
Greetings from West Wales....Bob
@@robmasterman Vids like this dont have any time on them... They are timeless
Thanks again for your kindness.
Beautiful locomotive and coaches. Amazing sound and steam clouds. Wonderful landscape. Thumbs up! :)
Greetings
Mega
Thank you once again Mega for your kind comments...Best wishes...Bob
Stunning footage,,,, and lovely camera work,,, thanks,,,
Thanks Alan, this was captured on old VHS Tape, if only I had my present set up back then....Bob
What a nice movie - showing two experts on the engine: No black smoke and no wheel spinning! Thanks a lot!
Thank you Thomas for your kind and greatly appreciated comments.
Wonderful stuff, thanks for posting!
+Mark Russell Thanks Mark, I'm delighted you've enjoyed it....Bob
Nothing nicer to the ears than hearing a strong engine work for it's master.
Thanks Ted, I'd travelled hundreds of miles to video this and was disappointed in seeing this magnificent machine struggling, However, I later found out that she's been stopped further down the gradient, hence the massive efford recorded on here...Best wishes...Bob
What a beaut ! The 1st clip shows the brute power of steam worked by a 1st class machine and crew. The start up from Garsdale is just awesome ! The GWR always produced sure-footed engines, not known for wheel slip under most circumstances. One of Bulleid's pieces of crap would have needed the passengers to get out and push at Garsdale as it wheel slipped into oblivion
Oh so very true Andrew, and thanks for your humorous comments.
Superb Bob - Great footage.
Cheers, Bob.
Thanks Bob, too good to be left there gathering dust...Regards...Bob
Really nice video Robert, quality is fine. Lovely scenery as well.
Thank you Barry, this older footage isn't as good as today's, but content such as this makes it worthwhile, your kindness is greatly appreciated Barry....Bob
Another wonderful look back in time Bob. I wonder if that is what has prompted CZcams to start telling me again of your latest uploads Bob! I am glad they do!
Thanks Mike, who knows what CZcams get up to these days....Bob
Great footage Bob, a stunning departure from Garsdale, a typical GWR loco surefooted start, not a slip in sight, she didn't appear to be short of steam either as the safety valve was feathering upon departure from Garsdale, thanks for sharing, it's a like, cheers...Bill
Thanks Bill, if I remember correctly, she was stopped North of Ais Gill, and with 13 on had to work hard to get up speed to top the summit. Looks as though they had time to clean the fire at Garsdale which resulted in a cleaner start....Best wishes...Bob
Lovely shots,lovely sounds,lovely loco.....Regards Chris.
Thanks Chris, I remember it as though it was yesterday...Best wishes...Bob
A lovely artistic video and great shots.
+RAILsIMAGES Thanks very much, that is very kind of you...Bob
Quite the contrast to the clips of her flying through Warrington Bank Quay headed south later that day! Said clips are sadly not on YT anymore. :/ Kings are one of my favourite British steam locos and this, the aforementioned Warrington vids aside, is my fave vid of one. Raw, brute strength with a skilled crew on the footplate. Class vid, Robert. :)
Thanks very much, tour kind comments are greatly appreciated. I just wish I had HD available back then.
Great video. Stunting landscape!
Thanks very much, a long time ago now,.....Bob
Very nice Bob, nice to see some old classics
+itfcsam Thanks Sam, good to hear from you again....Bob
Stunning footage of 6024 Bob. A great sight working hard up to Ais Gill. Regards, Jeff.
Thanks Jeff, it was worth the journey to get this footage.....Regards...Bob
Bob great spot you chose to film from!
really nice film
Enjoyed it thoughrouly!
Cheers
Richard
Byenos Aires, Argentina
It's one of the best known areas of England Ricardo...part of the Settle & Carlisle Railway....Cheers ...Bob
I actually wondered if I'd put my foot in it there, but I remember hearing a King lumbering up the long drag from Selside toward Ribblehead and being ridiculed by my Northern walking chums, then having the last laugh when 5043 thundered up Mallerstang.
So I new I was on good ground commenting.
You were on the ball there Robert, it was the stop further down the climb that caused the King to struggle up to Ais Gill....5043 had a much lighter load and a clear road to the summit....Bob
Hello Robert, I was videoing with my Sony mini tape camcorder at Ais Gill on the slope and must have been awfully close to you at Garsdale as I got that long shot too ( hand held though!). Thanks for publishing this very good film. Cheers John
snowjohnb Small world isn't John, thanks for watching and for your kind comments...Bob
Again stunning footage ,,, obviously the last time I past this way I was a fool not to check out your other stuff,,, and subscribe ,,,,, truly awesome and mesmerising footage,,,,
Thank you Alan, hopefully you'll enjoy watching my work...Regards...Bob
great capture bob, sound was great as she works hard chugging up that climb
***** Thanks Colin, she's been stopped further down the climb, and the sounds as she passed were unforgettable...Bob
Excellent shot, that was my part of the world until I worked in Swansea 95- 98.thanks for the memories............Mike
Thanks Mike, we all forget what we've got filed away under the dust....so good to give this older footage an airing, despite the quality not being what we're used to these days...Bob
Amazing to see what The King did. Amusingly last time I went over the S&C was a sprinter. One of the engines conked out and though we made it (20 minutes later) the lights went out every time we entered a tunnel
Sounds as though you've had an unforgettable experience regarding the S&C Olan, thanks for sharing your experience....Bob
Great footage! I was on this run with my late Father and my steam crazy 3 year old (at the time) son. It was my first main line steam run since the 1960s and we had a fabulous time. I seem to remember there was some issue with the coal at one stage but apart from that 6024 put in a cracking performance.
I also was fortunate to ride the S&C around this time Rex, we stopped at Garsdale for a long time and on arrival at Carlisle there was a small hole found on the smokebox door which was the cause of some poor running on that day.
Great stuff Bob. I really hope they decide to have another crack at the S&C and Shape with the King with a sensible load and a fireman who knows how to get the best out of her. The performances by the Earl on the northern hills have shown what can be achieved
Me too Austin, the better coal that's around now, a great Crew and a load of about 10, would make a big difference....who knows what the future will bring...Regards...Bob
A fine recording Mr Masterman but only what we have come to expect from you. Thank you very much .
I'm deeply flattered by your kind comments, and very grateful to you...Regards...Bob
Not really struggling, just attacking the gradient in a workman like manner. What they were built to do. And the start uphill from a standing shows the power these engines had. Brilliant. Enjoyed at trip on the Torbay express with her in 2012.
Thanks very much for that, and I totally agree with your comments...Regards...Bob
Just watched this again…still great to see!
Thanks very much, I only wish that I had a digital camera back then.
A Great video brings back memories of going on the Flying Scotsman with my wife .👍
Thank you Graham, I'm delighted you've enjoyed it and that it brought back some Happy memories from the past.
fantastic footage love it cant get better than this
+nickladey Thanks very much, I only wish I had the equipment I have now back then...Regards...Bob
yes its like me got a lot of steam on cine film and early vhs camcorder got sony handy cam now goes straight from pc to disk
It's so much better these days....Thanks for responding...Bob
Great footage of 6024 Bob....and not a diesel banker in sight....Certainly a cracking departure from Garsdale in the second clip. Amazing how this was filmed 16 Years ago...and how things have changed in the World of Videography nowadays...!! Seems strange that it is in Minehead (WSR) on an ongoing major overhaul as we speak... Thanks for showing us this Bob.....Best wishes.....Steve.
Thanks again Steve, I didn't know that the King was currently at Minehead, and as you say what a difference between VHS and HD Best wishes...Bob
May have been VHS but the angle and sound makes up for it.
Excellent stuff.
Also imagine if we had DVDs / Blue ray in the 50s and 60s.
Thanks very much for your kind comments, I've lost count of the number of times I've looked back over the last 50 years, and wished I had then, the equipment I have now......Bob
Great video, what an awesome sight pulling 13 coaches, did i hear a few wheel slips?, i remember the Hall, Castle & Kings as a lad at Paddington Stn, always lovely and clean, in the late 80s i worked with an ex GWR fireman he said what hard work it was, he also said he didn`t like working with some drivers as they rinsed through the coal.
+bmwnasher Thanks very much...it was a strange feeling videoing a King hard at work at Ais Gill, but with it having been stopped further down the gradient, it was a tremendous effort from loco and crew with such a heavy load. These are very sure footage locos, and the odd wheel slip may have happened on this climb....Regards...Bob
Wow, tremendous shots there Bob, she certainly smoked out the spectators brave enough to stand directly above her on that bridge!!!
Thanks Justin, it was a memorable occasion...Regards...Bob
Personally Bob, I cannot see any lack of quality. Excellent footage and what a sound!
I never fired a King but I cleaned the undernath of 6018 at Newton Abbot 83A in 1962.
***** That's kind of you to say so Robin, the reference to quality is made comparing VHS tape with the HD quality I use today....Having said that the content is priceless...Bob
Well, it may have taken me five years to get here, but it was well worth it. Finding places for such long panning shots is not easy, but MUCH preferable to the usual "so close its gone in a few seconds" fare (though those efforts are appreciated, too!). I really enjoyed that, despite being a LMS/L&Y man at heart! Only 650 ish thumbs up? There's NO justice Sir!
Thanks very much for your kind comments, The thumbs up and the thumbs down don't bother me, but it's good to know that over 132,000 people have watched this old footage.
Excellent, thanks!
+ian macadie Thanks Ian, much appreciated...Bob
Brilliant footage!
+P Jay Thanks very much for your kind comment...Bob
You're welcome sir and keep up the excellent work. Made my day watching this yesterday. Thank you.
Cracking footage from a day gone by Bob, a fair old load behind her so a job well done up Aisgill . Regards Steve
Thanks Steve, I traveled up fro South Wales for this one trip...those were the days....Best wishes...Bob
Rob.. No Words..You are really a Man of Master..
Thank you very much, such kind comments are greatly appreciated.
I can honestly say having seen 5043 blitz Ais Gill in 2010 and now seeing 6024 struggle in this, its a stark difference. The cutting down of the King's double chimney really had a significant effect on it's steaming capabilities as well as the unfamiliarities with the crews and route really tells in this.
Mind you Ry, the King had 13 on and was stopped on the climb to Ais Gill, whereas the Castle only had 9 on....Bob
ohh and err.. not forgetting the dead 47 at the rear which is the weight equivalent of 2 to 3 Mark I coaches
Excellent video Bob
Thanks my friend, much appreciated...Bob
Hello Robert, many thanks for taking the trouble to make a reply, as my old Grampa used to say, the older one gets memories of far away are more realistic. Have just completed a 'book' about my Firing experiences.
Very true, and congratulations on having your work published...Regards...Bob
So relaxing after a hard days work
+barneyda351 Thanks Barney, glad you've enjoyed it...Bob
Wow Bob great advantage points for capturing a superb loco at its best even with 13 on.
Kev
Thanks very much Kev, hard to believe it was 16 years ago....Regards...Bob
Uncle's old days were beautiful 😘
They certainly were Ki, glad you have enjoyed my work.
Though you could see it was way down on pressure, still amazing sound and a sterling effort by the crew. Great acceleration in the second shot.
I recon that good Welsh Steam Coal, now in general use, would have helped Andrei, plus the fact that a trailing load of thirteen coaches was a big ask even for a King, which was designed for the Devon Banks, which although steep were much shorter than The Long Drag. Having said all that, it makes a very enjoyable watch even in VHS quality...Best wishes...Bob
AndreiTupolev qà
I remember a memorable trip behind KE1 from Swansea to Paddington in the 1990s. We had 13 behind and we were doing well over 60 mph climbing out of the Severn Tunnel. The fireman was a young man fortunately for him and he knew what was doing. We flew down from Badminton at well over 90 - it was clocked by an "Anorak" in the vestibule who had a stop watch. Pure white steam exhaust all the way as far as Didcot where the King was uncoupled and re-coaled. From there to Paddington it looked they were burning old tyres in the firebox - dense pitch black smoke. Just goes to show what good coal can do.
Happy days Andrew, and thanks for sharing your happy memories.
Superb old footage Bob. That was a slog up the climb Well driven by the crew to maintain an even pace Departure was great as well. C&A
Bit like me C&A old and superb!....You forget what you've got hidden away, and deserves to get an airing....Bob
Very nice stock footage, Bob. You have many old treasures in your drawers. Diolch i chi am rannu.
Philippe
Merci Philippe, je souhaite seulement que je pouvais enregistrer des scènes comme celle-ci avec mon équipement moderne ... Diolch unwaith eto ..... Bob
A splendid sure-footed start from Garsdale - typically Kingly!
Thank you John, sinece having her chimney and safety valve casing lowered, she's never performed quite as well.
Not struggling, but going steady & working hard after the Garsdale stop. Fantastic old video and would love to see a King back on the main line in 2024. Driver JG.
After taking a breather at Garsdale she pulled away with great gusto, despite being captured 25 years ago, I still remember this day as though it was yesterday.
Thanks very much for your comments, the Crew did extremely well to get that performance from her after stopping further down the climb.. Regards....Bob
nicely shot video, Bob and quite a skilled engineer on that engine- not once did a driver wheel slip
The Kings were a powerful and sure footed locomotive Tommy, the pride of the Great Western Railway who built them....Best wishes...Bob
Where else in the world would you get such magnificent views?
Totally agree John, the S&C is a very special route....Best wishes...Bob
Climbing, pulling around 750 tons, good driver, perfect video!
Thanks very much Hans, I am pleased that you have enjoyed it.
Great footage, Bob. I think KE1 needs to return there one day and show what she is really capable of. Keith.
Couldn't agree more Keith, maybe with better coal and a slightly less load...Best wishes...Bob
WOW! This is a great video! Thumbs up from me, although apparently there are 2 people out there that disapprove of the boiling of water.Nothing beats a hard working steam engine. Amazing how she?--maybe "he" because of being a King Edward Class engine--held the rails and didn't even slip a bit, though I was expecting it would at any moment with just six very small steel on steel contact patches transferring all of that energy. Now I love some good slipping action as much as anyone, but I think when an engineer has his engine balanced as perfectly as this one, between the throttle setting and the cut-off and the weight of the train against the grade and curves, and a fireman that is able to supply the incredible amount of steam being consumed is just a display of great knowledge and skill. And, the sound of this 2-cylinder engine just really stuck out to my American ears. Quite different than the many 3 and 4-cylinder British steam engines I've been watching videos of for the last few days.
Thanks very much for your detailed and enthusiastic comments. The King Class was a superb GWR design, and to see one slip, was very rare indeed. On this run, she had been stopped further down the climb, so needed all it's power and the skills of the footplate crew to get this performance from her....despite her name, a steam engine is always referred to as her! One final thing, is that this is a four Cylinder engine, giving great power output and a very smooth ride. Most engines on British Railways, having two or three cylinders....Best wishes from Wales...Bob
Thank you for the additional information. It seemed natural for me to refer to her as a "she", but then after recognizing that it was a King, I didn't want to upset anyone. As for her being a 4-cylinder engine and her sound, I guess it makes sense that she should sound just like a 2-cylinder engine since all for cylinders should be 90-degrees from each other and therefore still produce 4 chuffs per revolution. I did notice that the outside cylinders were set quite far back from what I am used to seeing, but I thought that was possibly a design feature to shorten and therefore lighten the main connecting rod for better balancing. I now realize that there are 2 cylinders inboard of the frame to contend with also. Regardless of all of that, it is still a joy and a thrill to watch and listen to, even the 10th time! As for Wales and the Welsh countryside, I'm jealous. I'd sure love to see it in person someday. The cool green mountains are even more appealing when we here in the Arizona desert will be in 115*F/46*C temperatures come Saturday.
Thanks again for your fascinating response, and obviously knowledgeable about mechanical things.....I live in South West Wales on the Coast of Carmarthenshire, and I wouldn't change it for the World....There are several video uploads of my Home Town, if you have the inclination to have a look on my CZcams page...Best wishes...Bob
Yes, thank you. I've watched many of your videos over the last couple of days. It's nice to see places so far away and different than anything I'm used to. I also like the modern train videos you shoot too. Though I didn't comment on any of them, you did get a lot of thumbs up on them. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for that, and it's greatly appreciated..what part of the World do you live?
She did well back then with 13 coaches (must be the Welsh Coal) Bob , you sure pick good locations , not bad clarity for back then ..shows how things in photography have changed in such a short time ..Dave
She was certainly giving it all she had Dave, there wasn't much Welsh Steam Coal about then, and it would certainly have helped..Imagine being able to re-do this with today's equipment....Best wishes...Bob
Robert Masterman With the camera you have to-day Bob , it would be spectacular ...Dave
*****
Thanks Dave...if only eh!....Bob
Both my father and grandfather were railroad men who worked in the steam era.
How wonderful Bruce, at a time, when men were men!
Great work. The grey exhaust is evidence of terrible coal. The 4-6-0 arrangement gives better traction than a pacific, hence the lack of slipping (although the rails were dry anyway).
A sight and sound that I will never forget Ian, some hard Welsh Steam coal, and not being stopped on the climb would have helped immensely. Regards...Bob
Sorry Rob I forgot to thank you for the splendid video.
Thank you Terry.
To
"thanks for watching"
THANKS for sharing!!!
Gorgeous!!!
Thanks very much Ricardo, for your kind comments...Bob
Superb footage of a superb loco utilising inferior fuel with aplomb, well shot.
Thanks David, I was so disappointed when she came into view and appeared to be struggling, but when I heard that she had been stopped on the climb, it showed the tremendous power within the King....Bob
Wow, absolutely fabulous footage. Is that an up-grade start out of Garsdale? Expert crew on the foot plate, in any case. Clean-burning locomotive.
Thanks very much for your kind comments, there is a slight climb out of Garsdale Southbound, the King certainly finding it's feet to accelerate the train away.
Great performance from the Glorious GWR King 13 Coaches Driver 1004 Tonnes Drawbar. Good old days at Stafford Road Wolverhampton. Always a King on the Inter City Wolverhampton - London Paddington 7.20am. Ex GWR Footplateman 1963-1967.
Thank you Graham, I'd travelled up from South Wales especially for this event. Initially I was so disappointed when it seems to struggle up to me, then realised that it had been stopped further down the climb....an amazing performance that was captured.
A GWR locomotive named Pendennis Castle was in Western Australia for many years and was eventually returned to England.
Thanks for that information Vivian, ...Bob
Stunning!
Thank you Josef for your kind comments.
Brilliant Bob - but "Churchward". Surely it was Collett?
Oooops Alan, another Senior moment which I've corrected in the text, but as you know can't do anything in the video...Thanks for letting me know....Bob
Fantastic bit of action.
Thanks Barry, old footage, but still a good watch.
Very impressive and all kudos to the man who was working hardest on that climb, the fireman. What was the gross weight behind the tender, something in the region of 450 tons? I wonder what the bark from the chimney would have been if she was in the original single blastpipe form.
Absolutely Martin, she had been stopped on the climb up to Ais Gill, so the effort put in by the crew was tremendous.
i would not say she struggled even a little bit! Superb engine!
It wasn't until after I'd uploaded this that I found out that it had stopped on the climb to Ais Gill, so the performance was outstanding Robert....Thanks for watching.
I was onboard this train and it was not a good day for King Edward I. Heading south the train overshot the platform at Warrington. The excuse was that the brakes failed(?). By then the train was running late and fell further behind schedule. However, the following year I was on another train hauled by Edward and the loco performed without fault.
I understood that she's been halted on the climb up to Ais Gill, she seemed to cope much better after a water stop at Garsdale. What a treat to have travelled behind her in this run.
@@robmasterman After the stop at Garsdale, Edward and the crew got to grips with the climb. However, it still seemed that the Loco was off the beat. I think the problem was the coal being used that day and what happened at Warrington was a failure of the crew.
Fantastic footage, who cares about the quality, that start from Garsdale is an absolute joy but wasn't 13 up asking a bit much?
These Kings are powerful locos Jonathan, and thirteen is well within its capabilities normally, she did do well at the end as you say..
Great action Bob! No chance of anything like that these days of course, almost certain to have some snotty diesel on the rear "just in case"...
+struck2soon I was so disappointed when the King appeared and was struggling to the summit as Ais Gill, it wasn't until later I found it had been stopped on the gradient further down the line. It redeemed itself with a spirited departure from Garsdale...Regards...Bob
Yes, but then you wouldn't have got such a dramatic bit of footage had it just romped past. As it is, you can see how hard the engine is working, with long cut-off and clearly nowhere near full boiler pressure. The clip is all the better for it!
Very true...:o)....Bob
+struck2soon Yes, the sharpness of the bark shows the long cut-off and the boiler pressure must be well down for a King to labour like that. Not a breath from the safety valves. AFAIK 6024 had a problem with a leaky smokebox door which ruins the draughting. An excellent video, I thought.
+Rosie6857 And a rake of 13 on that terrain didn't do it any favours either.
She's working incredibly hard!
She certainly is, and needed all her power to reach the summit after being stopped on the climb, further down the line.
Wow! This one certainly gets the adrenaline going.
Thanks Martin, delighted you've enjoyed this vintage video.
I think that is an astonishing piece of driving leaving Garsdale. 13 on - we're talking of 450 tons trailing load here,485- 490 with passengers, and not a hint of slippage. I don't think Scots or Brits, which were the most powerful loco normally allowed over the line in steam days (OK, A3s from about 1962) normallyi had anything more than 11? In fact, I wonder if they were allowed more than 12? Perhaps someone who knows for sure could comment.
Thanks Geordie, these Kings were magnificent machines. and built to take heavy trains over the South Devon Banks, so it's well within their power capabilities. After being stopped on the climb to Ais Gill, this departure from Garsdale showed a great deal of skill from the crew....Bob
What a perfect video 📹
Delighted you enjoyed it, only wish I had HD back then....Regards...Bob
I can hear "make it , make it , make it" in the exhaust sound 😃
It did make it in fine style Jonathan, a long time ago now, but I'm glad you like it.