I went on a steam Footplate Experience back in 2014 on the South Devon railway my Dad had booked my place on it as a special birthday gift. sadly he was a little upset because he didn't see me driving 3205 but he did take some photos of me on the driver's side. during the safety talk I insulted the fireman because I had asked him if he had lighted the fire with firelighters I said sorry to him after I had realised I had made a mistake. he was a great help when it was my turn at stoking the fire because most of the coal ended up on the cab floor. I think the Driver was impressed by me having previous experience with live steam models and that he was teaching a 18 year old lad how to driver a full size steam loco. one of the two men nearly melted his phone when he tried taking a photo of the fire
Oh dear!!! 🙁 You can tell some people here have zero idea about what it's like on the footplate of a steam locomotive! White shoes? Puffer jackets? Nice clothes? There's no place for them on a steam locomotive! These people don't seem to be able to get the gist of it all! There's no being "gentle" on a steam locomotive when you want it to do something! I'm sure I can do so much better...
I must say, the driving instructor made him do a load of gear changes in the space of a few minutes. I thought the idea of driving a loco was to do as little as possible and let the Loco do the work. In slowing down you could leave the loco at 45%, surely, and either use the regulator or the brake control, leaving you to concentrate on the stop/junction ahead? With lever reverse it's a bit different... Either that or it's just to cram in as much learning, into a few miles, as possible...? But totally agreed. Not brilliant footplate attire. Surprised he didn't burst into flames 🤣😂
@@JintySteam1 I remember using the vacuum brake handle on 1450 when I had my Footplate Experience. Unlike an airbrake, there seemed to me to be a lot more pressure needed to work the brakes. Once I got used to it, it wasn't hard, and I remember my driver commenting on how I picked it up so easily. My reply was that I have many years of heavy vehicle experience in me, so feathering brakes and getting the feel of different brake pedals - or in this case brake handles - is all part of driving and keeping proper control of your vehicle - be it rail or road.
For a project of mine I'm looking for a detailed pic/video of the back of the cab (from the inside) of a 1400 class locomotive. Given you had this great experience in such an engine, do you have any? Totally envious by your experience by the way!
You might have noticed Tim 60009 is in its last run before going on static display along with the great marquess 3442 also the seven valley railway resident to Scotland 🏴 for next year
Excellent video. Lovely memories of the site. I spotted myself in the 2003 clip. I was wearing a yellow raincoat and was holding my 2 year old daughter, Annabel wearing a lilac coat, and standing next to my 5 year old son Nicholad in a red raincoat. - it was wet!
@TimEaston Aye I know about the blanket 25mph limit (work at the Strathspey in my free time), I just wasn't sure about the deal with the mail drops, thanks for clearing that one up for me. Is it 60 that the railway has to be closed to the public for then?
@Paraffinmeister its because the track on heritage railways is not up to main line standards in the most part, the mail drops on the GCR are done at 45mph because they don't carry passengers.
Well, last month two tank engines ran on the mainline around Ironbridge so we could borrow them. That would mean a Swanage to Weymouth Quay service then! Now that would be a sell out!
Very interesting clip 5* looks great, why can't Weymouth Quay be reopened for a steam line with street running. The Olympics in 2012 there would thrive with a GWR tank engine and coaches from Didcot. A service from the station to the old quayside terminus would appeal to all the tourist's from around the world. I heard that like Bristol it is planned to use guided busways and trams? Politicians who dont like trains are dangerous. It was once and can be done again. re-arrange the roads.
Must say, having fired the loco on the saturday, and guarded the morning goods behind it on the Sunday, despite the mixed reports I'd heard about her, she is some tool!
Hi, Tim Now you know what these little engines had been built for: shunting on industrial narrow gauge lines. Having had the own hands at the regulator of the real loco must have been an experience you will never forget! nice, nice, nice ! Regards John (Who owns a challoner -live steam model)
very nice video. my family is going to the isle of Harris via Mallaig and Skye in like 2 weeks. cannot wait lol. gna hopefully see a train on glenfinnan if we can time things right. we live down in Bristol which is ages away but we drive up all the way and take the ferry. been all over the hebrides, islay, skye, harris, iona, arran, colonday, Uist, Rasaay and love it all lots.
The TPO apperatus only works correctly at higher speeds. Therefore the TPO is alloud to go through Quorn at a higher speed then normal trains. To do this I beleve they have to have a man on the foot crossing to stop people crossing the line as it approaches.
