Onboard for 70 minutes behind the U.K's Most Powerful Steam Locomotive: 71000 Duke of Gloucester *

Рет қаралды 21,889

Күн бұрын

The "Record Breaking" 3rd Sept. 2005 Dalesman.
* "The Duke" is currently the most powerful steam locomotive in preservation.
We travel North on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) over Grayrigg and Shap, then back over the Settle & Carlisle (S&C) featuring “The Long Drag” to Ais Gill, Ribblehead Viaduct and The Ribble Valley Line before finishing at Crewe, a stunning route in equally stunning weather including a performance not beaten to this day.
Re-mastered from the original SD “Letterbox” format you can now view this footage in “Full Screen” and although video quality is not as good as current HD & UHD, this is soon forgotten as you get involved with the action! I have punctuated the presentation with essential information on location (so that those who do not know the route can follow it on a map), also gradients and “comments” of my own! I have included the climb of Shap for continuity, previously published separately with more route information here: • 71000 Duke of Gloucest... .
Many things have changed since 2005: Health & Safety Rules have prohibited much of what you see here by controlling access to door windows (what happens at 13:33 is probably an example of why!). Track has been upgraded on the S&C and (thankfully) on The Ribble Valley Line where steady filming back then was almost an impossibility! Housing developments have appeared and line-side infrastructure changed. Some things have not changed: Line-side trespassing took place as with more modern Flying Scotsman tours and of course, the incredible scenery in good weather is as stunning as ever.
Notes:
1) The whole presentation represents only 20% of the steam action on the day.
2) The delivery of coal was of very poor quality and contained a lot of dust which was sucked straight up the chimney when working hard, with the effect of producing a lot of black smoke. This is in no way down to poor firing, indeed the exceptional performance achieved was a testament to the outstanding skills demonstrated by all on the footplate.
3) there is one Blooper I'm afraid: I wrongly name Farington Junction as Euxton Junction. Thanks to Olderrover for pointing it out.

Пікірлер: 108

@aleu650 Жыл бұрын

I never get tired of watching and listening to this video over and over again. What a nice exhaust sound. It sounds very similar to the old ALCo diesel electric (RSD16) that still operate in my country.

@Steamclips Жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

@dereklund7077 4 жыл бұрын

What a tonic in these days of lockdown! Well done steamclips. Heritage railways are wonderful and I volunteer on one. But to get behind a three cylinder steam loco that's really SHIFTING on the main line is something else. Here's to the return of those glorious days.

@OzzieMozzie777 6 ай бұрын

I love this engine so much. The clean and efficient raw power of steam has so much more potential. And it's very aesthetically pleasing. Beautiful even. Imagine if we still built things that way today.

@Steamclips 6 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for your interesting and much valued feedback. Kind regards, Alan

@jamesproctor2934 3 жыл бұрын

Well filmed, and a big thank you to the folk who keep these loco's in running order!

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you James, your kind and profound comments are very much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

@terryashton3541 2 ай бұрын

Congratulations to the person who did this cracking video, one of the best without doubt, from an ex-pom in Australia.

@Steamclips 2 ай бұрын

Hi Terry and thank you for your kind and most interesting messages, I really appreciate it. These "out of the window" views are not possible these days due to safety considerations. Best regards, Alan

@bobingram6912 4 жыл бұрын

Alan, sorry for late comment but I can't stop watching!!!! This has to be the ultimate steam tour, difficulty is, do you watch the scenery, pin your lugs back and enjoy the Duke or hang out of the window on the curves and gather some smuts!!!!! Still, when Alan is about you can do all three to your hearts content👍 Any more like this kicking about?????

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Bob, late for the best of reasons I should say! Thank you so much for your lovely comments, I really appreciate them. As for another....... I have something reeeeeeeally special lined up if you like rare and quirky tours. It's going to take a while yet but it is keeping me occupied when it's not sunny outside. Best wishes, Alan

@bobingram6912 4 жыл бұрын

@@Steamclips I'm in the armchair waiting!!! 👍😃

@TheStephengthompson 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant Alan , by far the best onboard video I’ve seen. What a machine the Duke is 👍👍

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Stephen, lovely to hear from you and get your very much appreciated support. Best wishes, Alan

@grahamcoote9208 4 жыл бұрын

Your efforts to bring this to us are MUCH appreciated.Superb, and yes it did take my mind off things for a while.Very well done.

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Graham, your response is very much appreciated and just what I was hoping to hear. Best regards, Alan

@ceanothus_bluemoon 7 ай бұрын

Just been reading up on The Duke and came to see if I could see her in action. So glad to have found this film, and can't wait to see her back in action, hopefully in the next couple of years. Thanks for sharing!

@Steamclips 7 ай бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind, interesting and very much appreciated feedback. Like you, I cannot wait so see her back in action. Best regards, Alan

@terryashton3541 2 ай бұрын

It's great to see this magnificent loco and it's true power, it was so sad back in the 1960s that this beautiful loco got such negative publicity, I can remenber many a train boffin back then more of less writing the Duke of Gloucester off as a failed prototype and should be scrapped outright, thankfully some folks out there had the foresight to save this majestic loco from the scrapyard after only 8 years of service and today the results are there for all to see, to see a 3 cylinder loco hauling 13 coaches up a 1-75 gradient is superb to say the least and achieving 60 mph to boot.

@KeithTucker45 4 жыл бұрын

Caught up with this video at last. Lovely video over an iconic part of the railway network. However, looks like your camera was lucky to survive the journey! Thanks for sharing.

@billmmckelvie5188 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks great video and for the re-mastering of what was an excellent & historical day out and the sun decided to add its glory for the entirety of the run. It is great to see that the Duke can still perform magnificently 50 years on now that the improvements have been engineered in!

@paulcaswell2813 2 жыл бұрын

You mean the original errors were engineered 'out'!

@billmmckelvie5188 2 жыл бұрын

@@paulcaswell2813 - LOL, Yes there was quite a lot of things 'engineered out'. Plus there were a lot of additions to the locomotive such as sensors to ensure the locomotives performs at its maximum potential. State of the art communications were brought on board to fulfil the demands of mainline running! When it does return from its latest rebuild it will be interesting to see her improvement!

@984francis 2 жыл бұрын

@@paulcaswell2813 Thank you. Swindon cost cutting/ possible sabotage. I believe they fitted two Dean goods blastpipes/chimneys, not the intended double Kylchap. Fortunately, Daniels (valve gear design engineer, can't remember his first name) was still alive during the the correction stage and was available to advise).

@tankmicr00man Жыл бұрын

Breathtaking! First time I've seen this- definitely one to watch again on the big TVs with sound bar! Thanks so much!

@Steamclips Жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for such kind comments, I really appreciate it. Enjoy the re-watch! Best regards, Alan

@magic1ond 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent an absolute pleasure to view,thankyou for sharing .

@jackofalltrains8244 4 жыл бұрын

Great footage you have here cannot wait for the return of this locomotive 👍

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

@10wanderer 4 жыл бұрын

That Truck at 11.30 is doing a min of 55 mph Log limit and the duke is overtaking with ease, a lot of coal is being chucked on the Grate looking at the smoke !

@graemehannam3950 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video thanks, what a fantastic run for the Duke, gotta feel for the fireman maintaining a fire like he did, for such an awesome run especially over the west coast line and the settle and Carlisle line, all credit to the footplate crewe and to you for your video

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Graeme and thank you for your kind, informed and much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

@davidantoniocamposbarros7528 3 жыл бұрын

I'll say this: the Duke is the perfect express loco

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello David and thank you for your recent comments, they are very much appreciated. Kind regards, Alan

@hallewellsutcliffe5938 Жыл бұрын

Excellent well done

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 4 жыл бұрын

The good news is that engine is coming back later this year and this time it’s gonna be working with vintage trains

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Let's hope the present situation allows for that Scott. Regards, Alan

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 2 жыл бұрын

I hope so Alan

@boboldfield8571 3 жыл бұрын

That was great, thankyou from Australia

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome Bob. Thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback Best regards, Alan

@mervynsands3501 3 жыл бұрын

You don't get many better days out than this with steam! 👍

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Amen to that Mervyn! Thank you for your valued input. Regards, Alan

@tadpoles10 4 жыл бұрын

First cup of tea for the day, but maybe I'll savour this for later & report back Alan. In the meantime thanks for all your efforts in bringing 'footplate action' to my life. atvb t ..

@tadpoles10 4 жыл бұрын

Well that was an interesting trip, certainly had a dusty coal load as you suggested Alan I imagine a few 'smutty eyes'.. Once again many thanks for the work involved in brining this up to date for us to enjoy. atvb t ..

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

@@tadpoles10 Hi and thank you for your kind support. With all the lovely weather around at the moment I may have miss-timed publication a little! Best regards, Alan

@The60007 3 жыл бұрын

very enjoyable!

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Nigel and thank you for such positive and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

@thrupnybit 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Yes, wonderful. I liked the comments (naughty!) and location info.

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind feedback Alan, we "Alans" obviously have a similar sense of humour! Best regards, Alan

@geoffreyking4515 2 жыл бұрын

You have to compare like for like ,the big duchess, tornado ,scotsman, blue peter ,the 2 brits,the 2 Scots, the kings,and Castle All brilliant locos ,but laugh if you want my favourite is a jubilee, love it when they come to the G.C R..sad thing is my old pal Tony wheelhouse int there RIP flower

@matchit100 4 жыл бұрын

What a sound track

@stephenharrison645 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video... Yes 71000 is a beast, but gobbles the fuel, even in improved form post preservation. But you get nowt for nowt I suppose... Her performance on the Shap time trial back in 1995 was pretty impressive also, but maybe less so than your 2005 trip. Thanks for posting,,👍

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Stephen: glad you enjoyed the tour. Thank you once again for your kind and interesting feedback. Best regards, Alan

@WhittleBlue 4 жыл бұрын

Super video. Thank you. Caption correction required - Euxton Junction is in fact Farington Junction.

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind comment and correction, they are very much appreciated. It's a big Oooops! from me which I will highlight in the description. Best regards, Alan

@TheGeoff2209 4 жыл бұрын

She was bought back to life a G C R. Loughborough took 11 years, Tony wheelhouse (RIP my old friend) drove her most days even before she was bedded in we knew she was a bit special

@TheGeoff2209 4 жыл бұрын

She was renamed at Loughborough by prince Richard Duke of Gloucester his father named it at crewe many years ago, Tony wheelhouse who drove it at Loughborough said to me if I meet him what do I call him I said you call him your grace.. Tony said "" thanks flower"" R. I. P my old friend

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your valued and interesting comment. It's always nice to hear from "insiders". Regards, Alan

@davidshields7072 2 жыл бұрын

Snappy exhaust, Caprotti valve gear at its best

@TheGeoff2209 4 жыл бұрын

She has an amazing turn of speed to say they were only 6ft 2 wheels. Would give the 6ft 8 and 6ft 9 Pacific's a run anyday, we were all sorry to see her go, but she belonged on the main line for all to see

@TheGeoff2209 4 жыл бұрын

Imagine her with a jube as pilot two three cylinder battering away

@alanhindmarch657 3 жыл бұрын

I have had the honour and privilege of driving the Duke when it visited Locomotion The National Railway Museum Shildon.

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Alan and thank you for such an interesting comment. It is always nice to hear from "the footplate". Regards, (another) Alan

@titup2 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Thank you. Did they take on more -and better- coal in Carlisle? Exhaust looks much cleaner over the S&C.

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind comment and question. The tour turned immediately onto the S&C just before Carlisle and was serviced at Appleby where I believe we received beter coal. Best regards, Alan

@michaelnaisbitt1590 3 жыл бұрын

I think you will find that extant Princess Royal and Coronation classes plus the three King class excerpt more tractive force than 71000 GREAT upload anyway

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your feedback Michael but I have to contend that the power development of 71000 in it's current form of development exceeds that of all the classes you mention. It is true however, back in B.R. days, what you say is correct. Regards, Alan

@teddansonLA Жыл бұрын

Tractive effort is not power.

@chatty1chatty1NickD 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Thank you. Is it me, or did the fireman really struggle with that injector? Seemed to be a lot of water on the hitting the track from time to time.

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your interesting observation. I must say I am always amazed at the amount of water wasted in various ways from a steam locomotive on the tours that I have filmed and it is no wonder that water stops are so frequent!. Regards, Alan

@piggynice-06 4 жыл бұрын

Very good video, mate! But just for correction, Britain’s most powerful locomotive was the P2 Mikados

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind comment and interesting statement which includes the important word: "was". I am talking about today on the U.K. mainline, sorry if I misled but hopefully, when 2007 "Prince of Wales" appears in the not too distant future, I assume as originally designed? we will see if that still is the case after all the post restoration development and improvements that have been applied to 71000. Best regards, Alan

@984francis 4 жыл бұрын

No. Not in terms of DBHP, the P2 barely managed 2600, the Duke was quite a bit more powerful than that, as were the Duchess Pacifics. Yes, the Mikados had greater tractive effort, so did the Kings.

@steamgent4592 3 жыл бұрын

@Steamclips am I understanding you correctly that your H&S prevents anyone from looking out the window or a window on the vestibule??

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your question. You have never "officially" been allowed to "lean" out of the window of a carriage door, even when standing at a station on the British rail network. That said, onboard staff would often "turn a blind eye" and allow photography and filming as long as did not lean out too far. I understand that the situation today is much more H&S conscious, although in reality probably due more to the danger of litigation! Regards, Alan

@steamgent4592 3 жыл бұрын

@@Steamclips so will train crews allow video and recording equipment (go pro and microphones today's are small) held with magnets to be placed?? Sound equipment i normally put on the back of loco tenders actually only video on the coach

@Pirate-Scorcher-1998 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video love it 13:35 Quite dangerous when people pop there head out of the window on the main line when a approaching train comes at high speed while the train you’re on is going high speed too. I probably think it’s banned in today’s health and safety

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi and thank you for your kind and profound comments. I must admit, it looks pretty close in the video! Best regards, Alan

@Pirate-Scorcher-1998 4 жыл бұрын

No problem

@HughFromAlice 4 жыл бұрын

What a beast..... as powerful as a modern day top line diesel perhaps???!!~!!! If BR had got it right back in the 1960s perhaps they could have saved millions by using these engines until the next (reliable) generation of diesels were available!!!

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Hugh and thank you for your always welcome comments. We are looking at between 2700 and 3000 D.B.H.P. (Developed Brake Horsepower) at the current stage of development for this loco which is in excess of most diesels. I say "current" stage as it is still in continual development and improvement as B.R. intended. Regards, Alan

@DeCasoU1 3 жыл бұрын

Even if BR had got it right, this engine is not representative of what can be achieved with steam. If it could equal the standards set pre-war it should have been able to sustain in excess of 4000ihp and given that it was built in 1954 should have reached a higher standard. In 1948 L D Porta set about producing a metre gauge 4-8-0 which had a tractive effort figure of 54,635 lbf when calculated using the formulae given by Phillipson and produced more horsepower than any British steam locomotive all for a weight in working order of 68 tons. Why were our engineers out thought? And for so long?

@jamesbradford4550 3 жыл бұрын

What's the Duke of gloucesters tractive effort? Will this new P2 locomotive be more powerful than the Duke itself?

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello James and thank you for your question and comment. Tractive Effort is not power, even though railway companies in the past used it to compare like-for-like locomotives. Put tiny wheels on any locomotive and you raise the tractive effort enormously without any increase in power. What B.R. used was Developed Brake Horsepower D.B.H.P. in order to compare all traction types and basically calculates how fast a locomotive can pull a given load up a given gradient. In the Duke's current stage of development, it's maximum power equates to around 3000 D.B.H.P. which is higher than most diesel locomotives and way above any steam locomotive currently running. As to the P2? we will see, but it is effectively an un-developed design and even with it's massive boiler, I doubt if it will get near The Duke in power. Regards, Alan

@liamgough683 3 жыл бұрын

Th A1 steam trust are developing the design

@davidwhiting1761 3 жыл бұрын

It'd be something to see if Duke of Gloucester were ever certified for 90mph running like Tornado, though I wonder despite it's power if the Duke's 74in drivers might make it harder to achieve such high speed when compared to Tornado's 80in drivers.

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

It's a good question David and as you will see at the end of the presentation we probably travelled in excess of 90 m.p.h. on the day. It is interesting to note that since being certificated for 90 m.p.h. running, the A1 has never done so! Maybe because of all the problems they experienced, as a "new" locomotive, after the higher speed testing? Contrast that with the "old" A4 Bittern which managed a number of 90 m.p.h. runs with ease without any undue consequences!! Kind regards, Alan

@paulcaswell2813 2 жыл бұрын

@@Steamclips Remember: the 'natural' top speed of an A4 is recorded at 112-ish mph, often reached. There's no way a 6'2" engine could comfortably reach that, let alone anything higher.

@Paul09 2 жыл бұрын

@@paulcaswell2813 but 9Fs were clocked at 90 I've read. Their drivers ( of which there were ten not 6) were 5'00 (60" )dia.

@paulcaswell2813 2 жыл бұрын

@@Paul09 I was talking about 71000 with the 6'2" drivers, not the 9F LOL!

@Paul09 2 жыл бұрын

@@paulcaswell2813 the point is that if a 9F could do 90 with 5'00" drivers then 71000 with 6'2" should be able to go much faster.

@michaelcampin1464 3 жыл бұрын

After.its rebuild and rebuilt cylinders and pistons 4472 aka The Flying Scotsman is now rated as the most powerful steam engine ever built in the uk

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Michael and thank you for your interesting but puzzling comment. When FS was overhauled between 2006 and 2016 the intention was to restore her to final B.R. form. That meant selling off her 250psi A4 boiler fitted during private ownership and fitting an original 225psi A3 boiler. As a consequence, her power would actually have dropped by about 10%! No modifications that would effect power or performance were made. A1 Tornado is more powerful than FS and A2/3 Blue Peter is more powerful still. So I wonder were you got the idea you made in your comment. FS is still the "Most Famous" locomotive in the world however. Kind regards, Alan

@michaelcampin1464 3 жыл бұрын

I actually got it from a DVD about the FS but could well have been produced before 2006.

@williamwoolhouse3702 3 жыл бұрын

I think that you will find that the Peppercorn Pacifics had a tractive effort of 40.430 lb.Making them the most powerful locomotives in the UK. The Beyer Garratt would have been the most powerful of all had they survived with a mighty TE of 45,620.

@Steamclips 3 жыл бұрын

Hello William and thank you for your comment. Tractive Effort is not power, even though railway companies in the past used it to compare like-for-like locomotives. Put tiny wheels on any locomotive and you raise the tractive effort enormously without any increase in power. What B.R. used was Developed Brake Horsepower D.B.H.P. in order to compare all traction types and basically calculates how fast a locomotive can pull a given load up a given gradient. In the Duke's current stage of development, it's maximum power equates to around 3000 D.B.H.P. which is higher than most diesel locomotives and way above any steam locomotive currently running. Regards, Alan

@paulcaswell2813 2 жыл бұрын

@@Steamclips 60022's ascent of Stoke in 1962 ish? Mallard hit mid 80s on that climb. I don't have the maths available, but to haul a normal 12-on express at that speed needed a bit of power...

@teddansonLA Жыл бұрын

@@paulcaswell2813 Mallard ascending Stoke bank at 84 mph needed a drawbar power of 2400 hp, so very impressive (would have been well over 3000 at the cylinders).

@984francis 4 жыл бұрын

What could have been....

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Too true! although I think from an engine-man's point of view, they were quite happy to get into a clean dry diesel cab and just turn a key!! Thank you for your valued comment. Regards, Alan

@haroldpearson6025 4 жыл бұрын

Isn't the 9f more powerful?

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hello Harold and thank you for your question. In B.R. days the 9F was a little more powerful but since development has continued on this locomotive during preservation beyond even what was eventually envisioned by B.R., 71000 is by far the most powerful locomotive on the U.K. mainline today although in the description I still qualify the claim with "Passenger" locomotive which I could not fit in the title. Regards, Alan

@984francis 4 жыл бұрын

Only if you consider TE as a measure of power (strictly it's pull, not power, which is a function of both TE and speed). The Duke has produced outputs just north of 3000 DBHP.

@TheGeoff2209 4 жыл бұрын

It's what it sez 9F..this is 8P an express passenger loco... FACT

@boblovell5789 3 жыл бұрын

I believe the 9f's put in some remarkable turns of speed on passenger work which was remarkable for a loco designed for heavy freight.

@10wanderer 4 жыл бұрын

Have there been tests to prove that the Duke is the most powerful ? there are 3 contenders for this title, the Duchess class. Merchant Navy class or the Duke , all 3 need to be in tiptop condition with the correct coal and conditions , Whilst the Capprotti system is good for high speed engines it,s poor for low speed and it also clogs up with ash , comments please ps I am a fan of all three !

@Steamclips 4 жыл бұрын

Hello Peter and thank you for your comment and request. You probably know that 71000 was conceived as a test bed for future steam development by B.R. and as such had a programme of "improvements" which sadly were never implemented as diesel traction took over. In B.R. days therefore, there was not a lot to choose between the classes you describe. However, in preservation all the B.R. improvements and more (with even more still to come!) have been applied with the result that 71000 is now capable of 2700 "developed" horsepower or more, a match for most large diesel locomotives. The other classes you mention have had no further development and are basically preserved in the best condition possible. I have travelled behind "The Duchess" and Clan Line and found the performance of "The Duke" to be far more impressive than either. Regards, Alan