Wish i could go back and see this era of rail. So unique!

What an absolute magnificent start up out of Dewsbury! That is power, visible and audible, music to the ears! Brings tears to my eyes...

Just loved the way they whistled!

As a Shunter at Penzance, in the 70s and 80s, I can remember a 45 that failed 500 yards from the Station with a seized traction motor. The fitters had to grease the rail to drag the Loco out to the shed.

Thank you again for your time then and now allowing to watch this priceless footage LOVE THESE TRAINS,best wishes Michael Edinburgh

There is nothing, NOTHING like a centre or split box 40 giving it's all from a standing start! A sight to behold, a scene of power!

If ANY of you old loco fans whether your favourite was the 'Choppers' , 'Rats' , 'Duffs', 'Wagons', "Tractors' , 'Grids", 'Hoovers', 'Deltics' or even the Fantastic 'Whistlers' whatever your bag was and if you EVER get the chance take yourself off and go drive one!!! IT IS AN EXPERIENCE YOU"LL NEVER FORGET. Forget about jumping out of a plane with a parachute...... Sit in that seat , release that brake , blast that Horn, Drop down that window to smell and feel the power THEN open that throttle. PRICELESS.

As much as I liked 45's. That certainly is a Impressive departure with the 40 👍👍

Definitely Early 1980s must be 1983/84 time Love the sound of a class 40 Whistler and the Peak 45 ,Classic locos back in the day ❤️ Nothing like it nowadays .

It was the way 197 pulls out with 023 still attached. Thrash all the way. Both classes were superb !

The day before my first birthday. Nothing more to add, other than, I wish these were still a common sight (and the old DMU seen at the beginning)!

The two heaviest types. Just love the spooling of the turbos.

MY LORDZ! Absolute as thrashable as when the 185s depart Dewsbury. Nice video

Thanks for sharing these clips with us, I miss these loco's!

I spent many a happy day at Leeds around this time, mainly Saturdays, or I would buy a Day Rover ticket (cost a quid, and you didn't scratch off the date until the guard gripped you) In 1983 I was on a BR YTS scheme based at Leeds, and I spent some happy days behind some much missed traction, great memories! I remember there was some grafitti somewhere out Huddersfield way extolling the virtures of 40044, always brings a smile to see 40s in blue at work - hate Peaks too, so this vid a win-win!!

Love the good old 40 thrashing out of Dewsbury,showing the Peak what its made of. Must have been quite late as he didn't half go for it .Does remind me of happy times at Donny station with these old masters visiting from time to time. In between Meld, Tulyar and various regiments of course....

I miss all this! :-(

A great video. I love the class 40s!

40069 on the tanks, the exposed oil drain pipe along the skirting gave that away.

I was on this from Huddersfield. The wagon had failed, as they often did. I appreciate that we can't all like the same thing, but I hated 'Peaks.'

@AndrewNeilClarkson I did the day rover thing too, back in mid/late 80's! Was excelent! the Morley tunnel was the best, used to stick head out of the window and just hoped didn't get head knocked off by someone else doing the same!! This was pre health and safety. I'm glad to say I still have a head!!!

hot summers days chasing trains around

Although the trains still retained their charm in the 80s, most of the stations looked like they had been entirely neglected since 1963.

@kevatcrewe totally agree - use to ove travelling on those trains and watching them from my grans at batley carr. We used to have a great view of the railway from batley to dewsbury and you could see the expresses one after the other with loads of coaches. I remember how spacious the coaches were- you could always find a seat and even remember the compartments. Now - you are forced to stand squashed. Sit in an uncomfortable carriage if you are lucky !!!

Peak Malpractice, they should have used the Old Dalby flask method to cure the Peak's woes!

Whats with the extra set of wheels

@Kromaatikse wasn't thinking straight, been out of touch for a few years with the train jobby..lol...loved the 40's

Excellent.

I love br blue. Memories!

@tombaker1222 The outer axles only carry weight, but the others carry weight *and* are powered. If they didn't carry weight, they would just spin uselessly (like the old Cramptons). There's about 20 tons on each driven axle, and only about 8 tons on each of the outer axles.

The Reaks, sorry Peaks, weren't THAT bad. I remember seeing 45 138 storming out of Dewsbury at full chat - impressive sight indeed - so I have a soft spot for them. But they were smoky and smelly....

Brilliant

@bondmatty They weighed approx 135 Tonnes. The axle arrangement is 1co-co1 Meaning only the outermost 2 axles are loadbearing. The inside 6 are all powered - so it's a bit deceptive. 47s weigh approx 127 Tonnes and they're simply Co-Co. You're right, however, they're amongst the heavier of the old diesels - part of the reason they were retired, their weight made them underpowered.

@kevatcrewe yup the last train comp that was grat was gner

happy happy days

nice one mate =D

@cccecider Not strictly a double header, because only one loco is working.

Great clips these. Love the sound of the Class 40 - it's unmistakeable. That high pithced whine and whistle and that throaty low rumble. The 40's must have been quite heavy to warrant 8 axles - is this true?

Oooh yea😊😊

agreed, well put :)

I wish saw that

RUDE class 40 ! summer of 83 - exactly in these days I was a 9 year old girl who was becoming an enthusiast :D hmm hm 30 years ago hmm hm

@bondmatty 133 tons!

This comment just cracked me up! so glad you still have your head..LOL

woweee, dewsbury train station really hasnt changed that much tbh :/

Hell Fire

Someone educate me please ? When diesels are double headed as in this clip , do both diesels use power or just one ?

Why do they look like the class 37?

no 37 look like 40, as 37 where a cost effective locomotive using class 40 parts for a lighter locomotive. ee offered a good price for locomotive that br where happy to pay for but didn't want the nose.

Lol! Or a 142/144 Pacer unit. In this day and age we have to take what traction weve got, to be fair have'nt we!! Unlike the 80s, they were just spoilt.

Today's trains & railway are utterly crap in every way. How the railways have gone downhill since BR was broken up is really beyond me - why fix something if it aint broke? BR needs to be brought back ASAP.

@Kromaatikse That's what I meant to say. lol

@AndrewNeilClarkson I know you wrote this 3 years ago, but why or how can You "hate" PEAKS? I am not a fan because they rusted so bad, but I cant say I hate any of these now deceased machines. I didnt like what happened at Old Dalby either; what a humiliating end to a noble machine. That flask wasnt just put across the rails, it had piles driven 50ft into the ground behind it. Is there logic to your hate? The class 47 was a peak in a "light" body and look how successful they were.

wagon?????

double header

Beautiful sounds ! Mid 70s to mid 80s were great days for railway enthusiasts. It's all too characterless and boring nowadays. No great British built stuff out there now... well very little.

Why on earth did the class 40 need 8 fucking axles?

EE>Sulzer lol