8F 48151 Full Bore over Wilpshire & Copy Pit (2006)

Ex-LMS 8F 48151 on 2 workings in 2006:
- The Big Day Out (March 11th 2006), seen at Clapham, Long Preston, Wilpshire and Hoghton Bottoms.
- The St. James Daytripper (September 23rd 2006), seen at Hoghton Tower/Summit and tackling Copy Pit in both directions - at Holme Chapel on the outward journey (with Frank Santrian on the shovel), and Kitson Wood Tunnel on the return. This followed work re-boring the cylinders.

[@WhalleyMasons]

As a member of the St. James’s Day Tripper team I can say on their behalf thanks for capturing and publishing this footage of our charity fundraising rail trips. Steam trips always sold out within days if not weeks and our clientele over the 42 charters we ran became family. SJDT recently wound up its charity account having raised over £264,000 for local, regional and national charities. A magnificent sum not adequately appreciated.

[@Linesider1]

You are welcome and thank you very much for highlighting that information - it is indeed a magnificent sum. On behalf of the enthusiast fraternity, may I say thank you for running these - they provided some very special moments, not to be repeated.

[@khankadet]

After Lizzie my favourite (non-Southern) loco so always a pleasure to see some quality footage to be reminded what we are currently missing. What a work horse. Lots of little bits to enjoy like the smoke billowing out of Wilpshire Tunnel. Thanks for sharing. Take care - Chris

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Chris, I agree, she is a wonderful machine - little subtlety and just gets the job done.

[@larx4074]

Stonkin' !! The 8F was really digging it's heels in on both climbs to Copy Pity. Many thanks for sharing David........ Cheerz, Alan

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks again, Alan - much appreciated as ever. Crewe-legend Frank Santrian on the shovel on the outward journey - seen gazing from the cab with the loco letting off steam whilst taking 13 up the grade, what skill!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

That loco is currently undergoing an overhaul so hopefully we will see that loco again sometime in the future

[@Linesider1]

Yes indeed Scott, a fine loco with such a great sound.

[@peterainsworth6146]

Another expertly filmed collection of the 8f working hard over the steep climbs of the Northwest David- I believe she is referred to by some as ‘The Carnforth Duchess’

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks D - great memories of her making lots of noise. I've heard some be a little dismissive of her over the years, partly on account of her being a freight loco hauling passenger trains, and also the volume of runs she has done. For me she is one of the very best mainline loco's and we owe a lot to David Smith as we wouldn't have had any chance to enjoy much other 8F action.

[@acw71000]

I do miss the 8F David as you always knew she was going to produce a good performance. Excellent selection of shots from the archive

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Austin, absolutely - not an engine that would sneak up on you easily!

[@nige7577]

Excellent footage David, this is one loco that I do miss so hopefully will be back soon, a loco that just gets on with it and lets you know about it, I caught the return leg of the St James Daytripper up to the summit with thirteen on and barking well and there was no need for a diesel on this one, cheers nige.

[@Linesider1]

Thanks Nige - a brilliant spectacle with 13 and no diesel as you say. As we drove back over the summit we thought we may catch it again but it had cleared the top, just the faint haze of clag left in the air, brilliant.

[@bfcmik]

The 8F's main purpose was moving heavy loads of bulk minerals over the Pennines. I lived close to Rosegrove shed and the shed was almost totally stocked by 8Fs and WD 2-8-0s with a single class 8 diesel and, at the end, several 'black 5s'. It always was, more or less exclusively, a freight shed.

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks for sharing that, it must have been a very interesting place and I wish I had experienced the sight and sound of regular 8F-hauled freights over the Pennines.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Superb performance from the 8F David, if Gordon Hodgson said it was his favourite engine to drive it must be good 👍

[@bfcmik]

Fingers crossed

[@Linesider1]

Absolutely Steve, one of my favourite engines since we paced it once past Shotlock where it was up to 50mph having stopped for water at Garsdale, superb.

[@LoKe1]

Love it!

[@Linesider1]

Thank you very much - plenty of bark for something which isn't a tree.