Agreed, the locos are a music divine, a rhythm section playing out over the countryside. Having worked 42 years in freight yards switching, and transfer jobs to other RRs in the Chicagoland area, I can appreciate how much weather can play havock trying to film and use cumbersome equipment! These are terrific video and audio experiences that had me daydreaming and wondering what it was like way back when these steamers were everywhere, no doubt many set their clocks by them, they were heard for miles. Thank you for these wonderful videos, I've only just now stumbled on them. Best Regards and TTFN, T.
Shows how popular steam is here when people travel to places in middle of nowhere to see these beauties.....who needs scenes in USA and Canada etc when we have scenes like this in our great country..20:06..its there if you go out and look properly...top vid.
Fantastic footage! I really wish we had something even remotely comparable in the US. Mainline steam running in all seasons, and as it was meant to be run. You Brits are extremely lucky! The dedication and money it must take for these trips to happen! May it last forever!
Thanks Steve , we are lucky I must admit with all the mainline steam tours still running on our rails and like you say lets hope it last forever . Regards Steve
Umm, we don't run steam in the UK any more and haven't for years and years. Anything you see is either old footage or specials for enthusiasts. Note the overhead cables - this route is wholly electrified.
Beautiful compilation! I have very much enjoyed watching it this evening. Great views of the double-heading in the winter landscape. Good title too! Well done.
Wonderful scenes Steve and edited very well to give non stop action. My favourites have to be Lizzie at Salterwath and the Fives in the snow. Both shots give a real idea of how it must have been in the days of steam
Great steam loco shots. Would have been interesting to see a couple of non-steam trains just as a counter balance; surely they have as much trouble climbing Shap.
Thanks for the very kind comments as they are much appreciated . I know what you mean about non steam but not something I film if at all . Regards Steve
Congrats on an epic video enhanced by great sound. To me the sound quality is of paramount importance and adds tremendously to the enjoyment; especially when viewed in HD and a large screen TV. You have made an old expat living in Tasmania a very happy chappie. Don't stop!
Hi Stephen greetings from an expat in Colorado USA! Wonderful photography one of the best use of available lighting I've ever seen. Particularly the double header in the snow. Also the shot at 25.54 the double header with really long trailing smoke. There's so little available light, the smoke becomes the light source! Steve below says it right, fantastic footage. Those beautiful loco's! I have never forgotten my train spotting days. Thanks again John Lofthouse.
It is nice to have the impression of being immersed in a mostly steam railway would be like once more. I'm stating the obvious but these are big trains mostly without any diesel assistance, driven as hard or harder than they would have been in BR days. I can't praise your work enough, and it helps a lot that you know the locations so well and get out there in all weathers to record steam working 'in anger'.
Thank you for yet another great video compilation. Your time and efforts are much appreciated and well-worth it, from my point of view. Quick question, how do you protect your camera in the sometimes inclement weather? Camera-cover? Umbrella? - James
Cheers James , I tend to hold an umbrella until the last second and then hope the rain does not get on the lens plus I also put a cloth over the camera at times to protect it a tad. Regards Steve
Speaking as a trainspotter who hung up his anorak some 55 years ago... what an absolute delight to see these handsome beasts at full blast (none of which I ever spotted; I was limited to the GWR network). I could almost sense that distinctive smoke/steam smell that the locos make. Loved the black 5 double-header creating its own cumulonimbus. Great work, Stephen.
Thank you very much Paul , my late father got me into the steam bug due to the fact he was a signalman on Shap in the early 40’s so once I knew that the steam was running again out I went camera and tripod 👍
J ' adore regarder ces trains d' Angleterre très beaux à voir et entendre qui ont la vapeur rapide comme > fascinant ... Les prises de vues sont très belles sur la campagne Anglaise . J' aimerais un jour faire ce voyage en Angleterre , voir ces trains rutilants puis les usines MASSEY-FERGUSON Coventry . Merci et bien à vous Joseph , le 02/12/17
Thanks Martine , must admit we are blessed with some lovely scenery in the North West of England and it makes a fine setting for steam trains . Regards Steve
I love to watch these very beautiful trains from England to see and hear who have the steam like "Steam trains at speed" fascinating ... The shots are very beautiful on the English countryside. I would like one day to make this trip to England, to see these gleaming trains then the factories MASSEY-FERGUSON Coventry. Thank you and good to you Joseph, 02/12/17
Strange or WHAT???? DESPITE all the modern day reasons/excuses given for the diesel tail enders, MANY of these engines on Shap are managing unassisted.
It seems a 'shame' as well as being 'OTT' for the two Black 5s to have had a 'tin can' pushing at the rear! I'm sure the two Steam locos could have managed Shap quite happily on their own!
No doubt you'd expect two FINE "British" steam locomotives like that to make it up "Shap" ON THEIR OWN. The PROBLEMS begin when you put CARS behind them.
The last time I was on a steam special with a ‘hanger on” diesel first, it caused a main line blockage at Shrewsbury, then when Duchess of Hamilton climbed the bank out of Shrewsbury with 13 on she left the diesel for dead behind and when at Reading the Duchess came off, the diesel went on the front and promptly failed! A midnight return to Crewe became 4:30am.
Plenty of slip of from 70013 Oliver Cromwell but i particularly enjoyed the segment with 45699 Galatea from 11:58 to 13:14 great shot and location.Thumbs up
Thanks for the kind comment , very sorry for the late reply . That shot you like of 45699 was taken through a wooden fence but to do it now you would need to strap the tripod to the horrid new pallisade fence .
Fantastic to see a Duchess doing what she was designed to do ! The rebuilt Scott’s have to be one of the most underrated class of locomotives ever so potent! As for the Brit & wheezy B.B. I mean , bitch , please.........
Wonderful - thanks very much for sharing. Having learnt Super 8 largely here on Shap in 1968 your comprehensive compilation brings back many happy memories; sadly I don't have much film as it was expensive in those days.
Thanks Andy , pleased it was a blast from the past for you . My late father was a relief signalman on Shap in the 40s/50s working all the boxes from Low gill to Shap summit but his main box was Scout green . Steve
Hi Steve, Apologies for very slow response. I recorded my late father talking to the signalman inside Scout Green box in the 60's. I've tried to find it but without success yet - when I do I will let you know. Andy
Over 15 minutes of engines with 9/10/11 and even 12 behind before the first diesel appeared .Even then it was on the back of 12 hauled by the twin Black 5's.????????????????????
Thanks for the kind comment as its much appreciated .I do seem to get the odd philistine or two who give a dislike but never say why LOL . Regards Steve
What a superb collection of clips there, Steve. I'm very envious of the opportunities you have there! As I started watching I was going to pick out my favourite clip, but there were too many wonderful scenes that I couldn't decide. Keith
Thanks Keith , must admit there is some good stuff on this but the standout for me is always the two fives from 20-00 onward's as the conditions were perfect. Steve
Not sure what the grid reference is Angus but it’s about a mile and a half North of the station at the start of the video. I got permission off the farmer to go in his field but there’s a big green palisade fence in the way now .
I wanted to watch only a few minutes because I have to get up early, now I've watched the whole 25 minutes. It's a nice compilation, the best I've seen in months. And a very good image quality and sound. Thanks for sharing.
The time care and expertise you have taken gives us a supreme compilation of those distant days of steam the smell of coal and the determination of the men who made them work . I travel India by train and sometimes their diesels make just as much smoke but the growl of the engine is without any romance. Rob
My favourite summit what was the one in snow. Loved the almost monochrome it gave the shot, and a wonderful engine reaching the summit at a good speed.