7F up the alps: Front Window Steam - 7F 53808 | Mid Hants Railway - 07.10.22

One of the best soundtracks I've captured riding behind steam saw me take a ride on S&D 7F No. 53808 at the Mid Hants Railway (currently on loan from The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust), during their 2022 Autumn Steam Gala.
With the engines boiler ticket soon to expire, and her facing Alresford since she arrived in 2020, it was a good opportunity to capture engine working hard up the steep gradients to Meadstead. But, rather than holding my heavy camera gear out a coach window, the railway were allowing passengers to ride in the brake van on the freight set, so I put the camera up on the tripod, and left it rolling throughout, which not only gave a great viewpoint, but I could also enjoy the ride without constantly watching a digital screen.
The trip sees us leave Alresford and tackle the climb to Ropley, where we were shortly held outside the station, before taking on the steep 1 in 60 climb to Meadstead.
This was also the first time I'd filmed behind steam since aquiring a new microphone, safe to say the results were more than impressive!
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[@alsmith5604]

Great soundtrack! No better place for an S&D loco, than on a heavily graded line!

[@themodster]

Thanks! It was a great sound. Thomas

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Apart from back on the S&D pounding up the Mendips. No8 & 9 will undoubtedly end up back home as the line expands each way from Midsomer Norton in future.

[@SimonTog]

Great video Thomas :)

[@themodster]

Cheers Simon! Thomas

[@greatwesternproductions2857]

Glorious film. The combination of the sound of the engine and the stability of the tripod makes this a very enjoyable watch.
To be honest I’m surprised the brake van looks so stable. All the ones I’ve ever been on have bumped and jolted around like hell.
Just found your channel so will be subscribing now. Cheers and keep up the great work - Alex.

[@themodster]

Thanks Alex. I can tell you I was shaking about standing behind the camera, but it looks very stable. Thomas

[@callumthornelow2936]

Magnificent footage Thomas. 7Fs do sound awesome when there's a heavy gradient involved. 😁

[@themodster]

It was a great sound to listen to throughout Callum. Thanks, Thomas

[@Burak_06x]

❤️The video is very nice, well done Thomas❤️

[@themodster]

Cheers. Thomas

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Thomas, Different,Mic did good work.A lot has changed since I was last there .....Dave 🚂🚂👍👍👍

[@themodster]

Thanks Dave. Was pleased with the soundtrack, the microphone does work a treat. You can certainly see a lot more of the lineside from a Brake Van rather than a coach window. Thomas

[@locomotive6727]

@@themodster Hi Thomas , Yes indeed Not in the winter lol...Cheers ...Dave 🚂🚂👍👍