I had the pleasure of a half days driving with Clive and it was absolutely fabulous. I was always a GWR man and remembered seeing the Kings and Castles going through Small heath in Birmingham absolutely lovely looking engines. It’s great to hear how different engines respond and the firing that was required. So sorry to hear that Clive has passed away but I know that his daughters will keep his memory alive. Wonderful man driving wonderful machines shame that they had to go.
What a marvellous film. Clive groome speaks so well, memories so lucid, he comes across as a lovely man. Bought tears to my eyes. And more... his girls carry on his passion.
Thank you so much for sharing this remarkable documentary about Clive Groome. A truly remarkable man and the passing of a generation that will be sorely missed. I trust that his daughters will keep his memory alive and continue his great work. They were very lucky to have him as a father. May he rest in peace.
A heart warming video from a 92 year old who went to work on the steam engines between Costorphine Station to Edinburgh Waverly every day.Thank you brought back so many memories
What a marvellous story to tell and live. At times i was so engrossed it was like being on the plate with him. Its a great shame that respect from those day hasnt carried on. Mr Groome is a legend. Bless him.
I have to say this has been the most gracious video I have ever watched. The knowledge and information passed during this film is amazing. Thank you to all involved and good fortune to his daughters to keep this world alive!! Thank you.
This is a truly magnificent and factfull documentary. The context centred on Clive Groome answered all schoolboys questions which was the best region for engines? Great thing is it shows the wonderful differences across the regions befoe we settled for utility and conformity. Great professional quality - well done,
There wasn't much difference between the engines when they arrived at Cashmores yard for scrapping. Except they loved breaking GWR engines. There was a lot more copper in the fire boxes that, in their haste to dispose of the junk, BR did not account for. Even Dai Woodham liked breaking GWR. He cut about 70 in the 1960s along with some BR standards. Dai and his crew attended a seminar at Swindon C shop to teach them how to cut GWR locos and extract the scrap for melting.
Wonderful film with a fantastic man describing all the british railway lore quietly...expertly with a quiet perfectly laid coal fire burning in the grate behind him
Great video thank you. I relate to the idea of wanting to be the fireman. I used to be involved with the William C Daldy Preservation Society. The Daldy is a triple expansion twin engined steam tug based in Auckland, New Zealand. I started there as a volunteer in my teens, subsequently went to sea as a marine engineer and got the requisite steam ticket to be the Chief Engineer, along with a number of others similarly or better qualified than me. The engine room ran so smoothly, that once we were up and running I would spend a fair amount of my time in the boiler room stoking. That was a skill bordering on art, while you had to shovel a lot of coal, it was so much more than shoveling coal.
What a great insight into the life of an engineman. Some fantastic footage and great commentary. My dad was a fireman in the LMS region in Lancashire although under British railways so I grew up with railway tales and anecdotes. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Greetings from Toronto, Canada. I've always had a fascination and love for steam locomotives. I was profoundly affected in the way Clive Groome himself takes us on his personal journey about his love of steam power and presents his story. If I had met him, no doubt he would have been a very personable man to share an ale with. R.I.P. Clive.
What a lovely piece of film of better days gone by. Clive was remarkable for the unbiased balance that he showed towards each of The Big Four operators.
Hi Clive I new a cousin of yours I Australia. Richard Groom. He was a model train fanatic loverly man. He lived in a town called Carrum Downs Victorian Australia. Richard was teacher of driving our very large lortys thes trucks where called B Ws. He was a great mate of mine.
Can't tell you the amount of joy, and sadness as I sneaked into sidings and climbed onto the footplates of the UK,s renowned loco,s waiting to be scrapped.
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be the engineer of the Panama Limited on the IC. Looked good to me - ride around all day, watch the signals, and blow the whistle once in a while.
Speaking as an American, I would like to point out that only in the early days of railroading was one sight glass common on American locomotives. Around the turn of the century, likely when the ICC was established, every engine was mandated to have at least two sight glasses, one on each side. Larger locomotives such as the Big Boys had as many as four.
Spot on. I had a few cab rides on US steam and helped bring Pere Marquette RR 1225 the Polar Express and the loco was straight from the dead line at Grand Rapids to the MSU campus and the old heads from the steam days. They ensured that we used both glasses.
Thank you for sharing, I’ve always admired the American Steam locomotives, great power and strength and more thought given to maintenance and servicing. The locomotives Clive refers to were inspired by American practise from the second half of the 19th century. In spite of their paint and bright work the engineering was remarkably old. Modern boiler designs and aerodynamics of cylinders and valvegear. Looking at the oiling points between the frames on inside motion it’s remarkable how little modernity was on display.
Yes,my grandad smuggled me on to a shunter,after being taken to the loco sheds mess room,big slab sandwiches, very big mugs of strong dark tea. It was Folkestone to dover,to shunting wagons. The 3 tunnels was very noisy,clattering,dark and smokey.I was told to duck down,passing a signal box-[ to keep my grandfathers licence clean!]. At 90 in December the family and me will have a steam trip,not in the cab,but in the bar! I'll ask to just stand on the footplate,to re enjoy the past! John B
This was an interesting interview. Clive spoke well and was careful to avoid needless criticism. I found it impossible to pause the story. Just waiting for the next part to reveal itself. But the piece de la resistance was when he described how if he went to the "other place" he would be a useful senior fireman there. I am not sure that I want to experience his skills first hand there.
Any idea when this video was originally made? According to Google AI, the transition to diesel in the UK started in the 1930s and was mostly complete by 1968. I'm trying to reconcile that time frame with Mr. Groome's apparent age and the ages of his daughters. Of course, I realize that the later shots were likely museum or restored excursion engines. Confusing the age of the video is that it is in Hi-Def and widescreen.
@BryanTorok Clive Groome passed away in February 2024, at the age of 93. Adding some dates to the story in the video: he started at Norwood in 1951, transferred to Nine Elms in 1954 and was appointed a driver in 1961. Seems he wasn't enthused by the transition to diesel and electric traction, resigned in 1979, and from the 1980's onwards developed lectures and technical and practical training courses for footplate crews. I think the video was released in 2011. (Caveat - just from a bit of work with Google). Clearly a greatly admired figure in steam preservation circles. One last follow-up - found a photo at Alamy of his three daughters - reported as the first all-female loco crew of Flying Scotsman - on the final day of the Gala Event at the Bluebell Railway in 2017.
@@tassiedevil2200 Absolutely amazing. I would be concerned that exposure to coal dust and smoke along with the oils and solvents would shorten one's life, but perhaps all the robust exercise of shoveling the coal off set that. Thanks for the reply.
My grandad was a fireman/driver on LMS - BR and was still full of beans and energy in his late eighties despite smoking cigars and the odd tipple, it certainly made him a fit man. RIP Clive, what a role model and gentleman.
At least in germany (BR 01.10 and 03.10) the value of the streamlining was well proven. It reduces the drag by 40-50 percent. And has a reduction in fuel use (The engines ran operational with and without the external shell so the data base is very good here). What killed the streamline shell in germany was the maintenance hours. Even the cut back shell still required more hours than the otherwise mostly compareable BR 01 and BR 03 (1) and post 1945 the additional maintenance time was a bigger problem than the fuel use. So off came the shell (BR 01-1102 later got a replica. The engine is sheduled to get re-certified in the near future(2)) (1) Yes, I know that the 01 and 03 are two cylinder engines while the 01.10 and 03.10 are three cylinder engines. The data did take that into account, the Bundesbahn guys knew their job (2) Hopefully somewhere around 2026 we get the three fat ladies at Beekbergen (01-1075 - coal fired, no shell, 01-1104 - oil fired, no shell and 01-1102 - oil fired with shell)
@@robertdshannon5155 It’s not that it’s asking or such. Their BR Livery is something most people will remember it in, it’s different when an engine had a Pre-BR livery when it was last overhauled so usually it doesn’t undergo a livery change. The only Light Pacific to hold the malachite green livery seems to be 34081 “92 Squadron”.
Those young cleaners don't look like they are wearing gloves. I wonder if they were taught about the dangers of PAH's, getting oil, grease and kerosene all over themselves.
I had the pleasure of a half days driving with Clive and it was absolutely fabulous. I was always a GWR man and remembered seeing the Kings and Castles going through Small heath in Birmingham absolutely lovely looking engines. It’s great to hear how different engines respond and the firing that was required. So sorry to hear that Clive has passed away but I know that his daughters will keep his memory alive. Wonderful man driving wonderful machines shame that they had to go.
What a marvellous film.
Clive groome speaks so well, memories so lucid, he comes across as a lovely man. Bought tears to my eyes.
And more... his girls carry on his passion.
Thank you so much for sharing this remarkable documentary about Clive Groome. A truly remarkable man and the passing of a generation that will be sorely missed. I trust that his daughters will keep his memory alive and continue his great work. They were very lucky to have him as a father. May he rest in peace.
A heart warming video from a 92 year old who went to work on the steam engines between Costorphine Station to Edinburgh Waverly every day.Thank you brought back so many memories
What a wonderfully knowledgeable and yet modest gentleman Mr. Groome was. RIP.
Rest in peace Clive. Thank you for sharing. What a legacy he left with his daughters.
What a marvellous story to tell and live. At times i was so engrossed it was like being on the plate with him. Its a great shame that respect from those day hasnt carried on. Mr Groome is a legend. Bless him.
I have to say this has been the most gracious video I have ever watched. The knowledge and information passed during this film is amazing. Thank you to all involved and good fortune to his daughters to keep this world alive!! Thank you.
This is a truly magnificent and factfull documentary. The context centred on Clive Groome answered all schoolboys questions which was the best region for engines?
Great thing is it shows the wonderful differences across the regions befoe we settled for utility and conformity. Great professional quality - well done,
There wasn't much difference between the engines when they arrived at Cashmores yard for scrapping. Except they loved breaking GWR engines. There was a lot more copper in the fire boxes that, in their haste to dispose of the junk, BR did not account for. Even Dai Woodham liked breaking GWR. He cut about 70 in the 1960s along with some BR standards. Dai and his crew attended a seminar at Swindon C shop to teach them how to cut GWR locos and extract the scrap for melting.
What a interesting and beautiful story,loved it.
What a superb film, best of its type I have ever seen.
There's the Flying Scotsman the famous engine.
What a delightful film. I learned so much.
Wonderful film with a fantastic man describing all the british railway lore quietly...expertly with a quiet perfectly laid coal fire burning in the grate behind him
Great video thank you. I relate to the idea of wanting to be the fireman. I used to be involved with the William C Daldy Preservation Society. The Daldy is a triple expansion twin engined steam tug based in Auckland, New Zealand. I started there as a volunteer in my teens, subsequently went to sea as a marine engineer and got the requisite steam ticket to be the Chief Engineer, along with a number of others similarly or better qualified than me. The engine room ran so smoothly, that once we were up and running I would spend a fair amount of my time in the boiler room stoking. That was a skill bordering on art, while you had to shovel a lot of coal, it was so much more than shoveling coal.
Wonderful commentary. I could listen to this man all night! What a lovely man. What a great communicator. A true gentleman who truly loved steam.
What a great insight into the life of an engineman. Some fantastic footage and great commentary. My dad was a fireman in the LMS region in Lancashire although under British railways so I grew up with railway tales and anecdotes. Thank you so much for sharing this.
A truly excellent vlog, very interesting and extremely informative… 👍🏻😊
Superb, and you got a wave too. All the best Stephen, hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Greetings from Toronto, Canada. I've always had a fascination and love for steam locomotives. I was profoundly affected in the way Clive Groome himself takes us on his personal journey about his love of steam power and presents his story. If I had met him, no doubt he would have been a very personable man to share an ale with. R.I.P. Clive.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Clive on a Drivers day many years ago. A real character who just lived loved and breathed steam.
What a lovely piece of film of better days gone by. Clive was remarkable for the unbiased balance that he showed towards each of The Big Four operators.
Much respect for such a gentleman
Hi Clive I new a cousin of yours I Australia. Richard Groom.
He was a model train fanatic loverly man. He lived in a town called Carrum Downs Victorian Australia. Richard was teacher of driving our very large lortys thes trucks where called B Ws.
He was a great mate of mine.
What a truly delightful man>
a brilliant program and well worth a watch!
Great stuff.... excellent film....
Thanks so much. 🇳🇿👍🙏
Can't tell you the amount of joy, and sadness as I sneaked into sidings and climbed onto the footplates of the UK,s renowned loco,s waiting to be scrapped.
Woodham Brothers , Barry if you have memories of that place as I do.
Excellent material... so much information and with such beautiful images 👍
Wow, I think this is just amazing - his story has to be shared with all - all the love history and steam Era xxx
What a brilliant video - well done.
Great photography and commentary - brilliant documentary
Fantastic and informative video.
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be the engineer of the Panama Limited on the IC. Looked good to me - ride around all day, watch the signals, and blow the whistle once in a while.
My father was a driver on the LMS, before, during and after WW2 stationed at Saltley depo in Birmingham.
Oft that LMS in chapter 3 was truly beautiful at speed❤❤❤
Speaking as an American, I would like to point out that only in the early days of railroading was one sight glass common on American locomotives. Around the turn of the century, likely when the ICC was established, every engine was mandated to have at least two sight glasses, one on each side. Larger locomotives such as the Big Boys had as many as four.
Spot on. I had a few cab rides on US steam and helped bring Pere Marquette RR 1225 the Polar Express and the loco was straight from the dead line at Grand Rapids to the MSU campus and the old heads from the steam days. They ensured that we used both glasses.
Thank you for sharing, I’ve always admired the American Steam locomotives, great power and strength and more thought given to maintenance and servicing. The locomotives Clive refers to were inspired by American practise from the second half of the 19th century. In spite of their paint and bright work the engineering was remarkably old. Modern boiler designs and aerodynamics of cylinders and valvegear. Looking at the oiling points between the frames on inside motion it’s remarkable how little modernity was on display.
Great story.
Yes,my grandad smuggled me on to a shunter,after being taken to the loco sheds mess room,big slab sandwiches, very big mugs of strong dark tea. It was Folkestone to dover,to shunting wagons. The 3 tunnels was very noisy,clattering,dark and smokey.I was told to duck down,passing a signal box-[ to keep my grandfathers licence clean!]. At 90 in December the family and me will have a steam trip,not in the cab,but in the bar! I'll ask to just stand on the footplate,to re enjoy the past! John B
Some great camerawork too!
RIP Clive Groome
RIP
This was an interesting interview. Clive spoke well and was careful to avoid needless criticism. I found it impossible to pause the story. Just waiting for the next part to reveal itself. But the piece de la resistance was when he described how if he went to the "other place" he would be a useful senior fireman there. I am not sure that I want to experience his skills first hand there.
Any idea when this video was originally made? According to Google AI, the transition to diesel in the UK started in the 1930s and was mostly complete by 1968. I'm trying to reconcile that time frame with Mr. Groome's apparent age and the ages of his daughters. Of course, I realize that the later shots were likely museum or restored excursion engines. Confusing the age of the video is that it is in Hi-Def and widescreen.
@BryanTorok Clive Groome passed away in February 2024, at the age of 93. Adding some dates to the story in the video: he started at Norwood in 1951, transferred to Nine Elms in 1954 and was appointed a driver in 1961. Seems he wasn't enthused by the transition to diesel and electric traction, resigned in 1979, and from the 1980's onwards developed lectures and technical and practical training courses for footplate crews. I think the video was released in 2011. (Caveat - just from a bit of work with Google). Clearly a greatly admired figure in steam preservation circles. One last follow-up - found a photo at Alamy of his three daughters - reported as the first all-female loco crew of Flying Scotsman - on the final day of the Gala Event at the Bluebell Railway in 2017.
@@tassiedevil2200 Absolutely amazing. I would be concerned that exposure to coal dust and smoke along with the oils and solvents would shorten one's life, but perhaps all the robust exercise of shoveling the coal off set that. Thanks for the reply.
My grandad was a fireman/driver on LMS - BR and was still full of beans and energy in his late eighties despite smoking cigars and the odd tipple, it certainly made him a fit man.
RIP Clive, what a role model and gentleman.
At least in germany (BR 01.10 and 03.10) the value of the streamlining was well proven. It reduces the drag by 40-50 percent. And has a reduction in fuel use (The engines ran operational with and without the external shell so the data base is very good here).
What killed the streamline shell in germany was the maintenance hours. Even the cut back shell still required more hours than the otherwise mostly compareable BR 01 and BR 03 (1) and post 1945 the additional maintenance time was a bigger problem than the fuel use. So off came the shell (BR 01-1102 later got a replica. The engine is sheduled to get re-certified in the near future(2))
(1) Yes, I know that the 01 and 03 are two cylinder engines while the 01.10 and 03.10 are three cylinder engines. The data did take that into account, the Bundesbahn guys knew their job
(2) Hopefully somewhere around 2026 we get the three fat ladies at Beekbergen (01-1075 - coal fired, no shell, 01-1104 - oil fired, no shell and 01-1102 - oil fired with shell)
He's sat in front of a coal fire. 🔥😊
One ask: with all the number of spamcams is it asking that some get malachite green and sunshine letters?
@@robertdshannon5155 It’s not that it’s asking or such. Their BR Livery is something most people will remember it in, it’s different when an engine had a Pre-BR livery when it was last overhauled so usually it doesn’t undergo a livery change. The only Light Pacific to hold the malachite green livery seems to be 34081 “92 Squadron”.
Let us ALL go shunting-you can do the shovelling! Folkestone memories.
Britain built some and designs some of the most elegant steam trains in the world.
Very good explanations of the work and film content. But the rose coloured nostalgia at the end, for me, was too much.
Yes definitely the good olde days when people had pride in what they did from the trains too the stations everything spotless not anymore so sad
Those young cleaners don't look like they are wearing gloves. I wonder if they were taught about the dangers of PAH's, getting oil, grease and kerosene all over themselves.
what year was this filmed, exellent
What an amazing hunk of a steam man on a TRAIN - nice pic indeed - glad it exists - Regards Elizabeth Lines loves Trains @ Tauraco00Railways🚂🚃🚃🚃