Terrific! I don't understand why people get into arguments over this wonderful stuff. Enjoyment is enjoyment, argument and especially comparison is bullshit. Lighten up guys, enjoy!
I was on this driver's last railtour I think (Tin Bath Extra) on 7/11/2010. it was with Ian Riley's black 5s & we were meant to get to Sheffield via Hope valley, but went via the WCML due to a derailment somewhere 🙂 He was 75 at retirement & I was 16 & donated £1 to his retirement fund, which was collected in a flatcap 😄
Excellent video. However, as a former fireman (5A) I was surprised the engine needed Firing so soon after leaving Lime Street. We were taught to avoid firing in a tunnel ( black smoke in cab can be dangerous not least very uncomfortable. Keep doors closed between firing when engine working hard.
The duchess class are very difficult to fire as far as i'm aware. They lose pressure very quickly and constant firing is required to maintain the pressure
Liverpool Lime street is pretty enclosed so the fire has to be kept clean to produce as little smoke as possible whilst standing there, so once underway the fire is built up to it's normal level. The tunnels are fairly high and with 4 tracks also wide, and not very long either so smoke build up is not a problem.
I don't begrudge you the joy - but I'm JEALOUS of where you stood to take your masterpiece from. That's one smashing loco, in the hands of a crew who know what they're at (look at that fire, pure artistry, and the driver - only the slightest slip and no wasting steam). It's great to see a Stanier on her home turf. Comparison wise - horses for courses. I just watched footage of a Gresley. Just as magic but so different. Thanks for posting, at least I get to see it on film if not for real...;(
6233 is magnificent loco and she is even better with Bill Andrew driving 6233 Bill ANDREW is a good friend and he understands the loco 6233 is my favourite loco and I clean her up the West shed in Derby shire 6233 is magnificent
What a great video. The crew doing their job professionally without fanfare. On another note, how refreshing to see a lack of unnecessary whistling. I've lost count of the number of videos I've seen from the USA that have been basically ruined by excessive (and unnecessary) whistling.
I had the good fortune to both fire and drive a Polish mainline loco a few years ago. 50mph in the dark. Firing on a wildly rocking footplate at night, having to get the coal exactly where the professional wanted it, while blinded by the fire glare, was one of the most challenging and fun things I have ever tried. He of course could do it with his eyes closed. Driving was fun, especially coupling up when you couldn't see the end of the coaches in the platform. But firing was more interesting. Of course I only got the vaguest idea in the short time I had (pressure falling for unknown reason, driver grumbling, 'push the idiot Anglieski out of the way and do it right', happened a few times that week). Would love to learn more.
Pressure falling for unknown reason... I can think of one! Firing with you eyes shut is the way, or at least one shut, keep your night vision. I enjoyed this vid, steam chest full of steam at 70, notched right up.
@LMatters1 In the USA a little less than 2 years ago Southern Pacific 4449 headed for Michigan. Part of the trip was on a Chicago commuter line known as Race Track. Lots of crossing and railroad station. The engineer was required to blow the whistle on 4449 for each road crossing. It may have sound excessive but it was neccesary. On the other hand as the train crossed the Rocky Mountains where there where not so many road crossing there wasn't whistleing at all. Depends on route.
The need to build a replica of the ultimate, a William RS Stanier but streamlined and then go for the world speed record on the West Coast main line aiming for over 130 mph which the Duchess class could surely do.
@LMatters1 Over in the US we do have better whistles and people like us to blow them on the other hand if we were to do that in the UK it would be frowned upon. And the law says that at ever crossing that is not private or marked a non-whistle zone we have to blow are whistle for at least 15 sec and no longer than 20 sec, with our headlights on full and the bell ringing. Although sometimes i have to agree with you because sometimes those engines are talking and you can't hear because of that
Can someone explain to me why over the last few years steam drivers are now wearing berets instead of grease top hats? This chap isn't the only one. I understood the old BR guys wearing their newer day to day BR hats instead of buying a grease top, but whats with the berets?
loftboy1128 BR hats are cotton, grease top engine drivers caps are leather, berets are usually a soft wool felt. I wonder if its a military veterans thing they are doing.
I Would love to ride on the footplate of a loco on the mainline. But I would need to be on a support crew which is almost impossible to get on. Alas I have rode on the footplate of a steam loco on a heritage railway but not 6233. But instead Llangollens BR Standard no 80072.
@TheWidowsSonTemplar Have worked on and about locomotives since I was 17 (am now 53) and have never heard such unnecessary noise as when one watches American trains. Have a look at videos from other parts of the world (the USA is not the only place on earth, you know) and you will not hear excessive whistling! When I was driving I sounded the locomotive horn only when I had to.
Hope you're going to give Bill a copy of the video. I hope he enjoys his retirement. Complete gentleman. Good to see Woody working for his money too :)
That first five minutes was breathtaking, - and the noise coming from the chimney. Absolutely brilliant
She is a great loco and I love to clean her up wen she is on the shed
A fabulous video! A real testiment to the size and power of these epic machines. Stanier did himself proud, long live the Duchess.
Superb 💖💕🥰 love 💗😘👍❤️ to watch ☺️❤️ this steam 🚂 beauty ❤️💜💖 running at 70mph great 👍❤️ trimming Fabolous video 📷
Brilliant bit of filming. Thank you very much!
What makes this clip magical is the sound of the loco blasting through the tunnels, as well as showing the crew at work
Absolutelly incredible, marvellous.. and other world ...magic, legendary...
I can remember getting on the footplate at Rainhill in '75 and thinking this is huge. Still my favourite class
Terrific! I don't understand why people get into arguments over this wonderful stuff. Enjoyment is enjoyment, argument and especially comparison is bullshit. Lighten up guys, enjoy!
I was on this driver's last railtour I think (Tin Bath Extra) on 7/11/2010. it was with Ian Riley's black 5s & we were meant to get to Sheffield via Hope valley, but went via the WCML due to a derailment somewhere 🙂 He was 75 at retirement & I was 16 & donated £1 to his retirement fund, which was collected in a flatcap 😄
Excellent video. However, as a former fireman (5A) I was surprised the engine needed Firing so soon after leaving Lime Street. We were taught to avoid firing in a tunnel ( black smoke in cab can be dangerous not least very uncomfortable. Keep doors closed between firing when engine working hard.
The duchess class are very difficult to fire as far as i'm aware. They lose pressure very quickly and constant firing is required to maintain the pressure
Liverpool Lime street is pretty enclosed so the fire has to be kept clean to produce as little smoke as possible whilst standing there, so once underway the fire is built up to it's normal level. The tunnels are fairly high and with 4 tracks also wide, and not very long either so smoke build up is not a problem.
I don't begrudge you the joy - but I'm JEALOUS of where you stood to take your masterpiece from. That's one smashing loco, in the hands of a crew who know what they're at (look at that fire, pure artistry, and the driver - only the slightest slip and no wasting steam). It's great to see a Stanier on her home turf. Comparison wise - horses for courses. I just watched footage of a Gresley. Just as magic but so different. Thanks for posting, at least I get to see it on film if not for real...;(
And what a bark! The sheer power of the Princess Coronation Class on display.
super video. Met Bill once what a gent and what fabulous knowledge.
6233 is magnificent loco and she is even better with Bill Andrew driving 6233 Bill ANDREW is a good friend and he understands the loco 6233 is my favourite loco and I clean her up the West shed in Derby shire 6233 is magnificent
What a great video. The crew doing their job professionally without fanfare. On another note, how refreshing to see a lack of unnecessary whistling. I've lost count of the number of videos I've seen from the USA that have been basically ruined by excessive (and unnecessary) whistling.
Men and machine in harmony!! More than just notching up on the power handle!!
I had the good fortune to both fire and drive a Polish mainline loco a few years ago. 50mph in the dark. Firing on a wildly rocking footplate at night, having to get the coal exactly where the professional wanted it, while blinded by the fire glare, was one of the most challenging and fun things I have ever tried. He of course could do it with his eyes closed. Driving was fun, especially coupling up when you couldn't see the end of the coaches in the platform. But firing was more interesting. Of course I only got the vaguest idea in the short time I had (pressure falling for unknown reason, driver grumbling, 'push the idiot Anglieski out of the way and do it right', happened a few times that week). Would love to learn more.
Pressure falling for unknown reason... I can think of one!
Firing with you eyes shut is the way, or at least one shut, keep your night vision. I enjoyed this vid, steam chest full of steam at 70, notched right up.
@LMatters1
In the USA a little less than 2 years ago Southern Pacific 4449 headed for Michigan. Part of the trip was on a Chicago commuter line known as Race Track. Lots of crossing and railroad station. The engineer was required to blow the whistle on 4449 for each road crossing. It may have sound excessive but it was neccesary. On the other hand as the train crossed the Rocky Mountains where there where not so many road crossing there wasn't whistleing at all. Depends on route.
One of my favourite steam locomotives.
The need to build a replica of the ultimate, a William RS Stanier but streamlined and then go for the world speed record on the West Coast main line aiming for over 130 mph which the Duchess class could surely do.
Love how the driver controlled the slip before she slipped more violently great work
think I lost 300 calories just watching the fireman
Absolutely brilliant video 5 stars.
This is without any doubt the Best Steam footage I have ever seen !!
I've had the experience of standing behind the master at work, but alas not on 6233, 'only' a Black 5, but still something I will never forget..
@LMatters1
Over in the US we do have better whistles and people like us to blow them on the other hand if we were to do that in the UK it would be frowned upon. And the law says that at ever crossing that is not private or marked a non-whistle zone we have to blow are whistle for at least 15 sec and no longer than 20 sec, with our headlights on full and the bell ringing. Although sometimes i have to agree with you because sometimes those engines are talking and you can't hear because of that
Can someone explain to me why over the last few years steam drivers are now wearing berets instead of grease top hats? This chap isn't the only one. I understood the old BR guys wearing their newer day to day BR hats instead of buying a grease top, but whats with the berets?
loftboy1128 BR hats are cotton, grease top engine drivers caps are leather, berets are usually a soft wool felt. I wonder if its a military veterans thing they are doing.
Oh ok then. probably.
I Would love to ride on the footplate of a loco on the mainline. But I would need to be on a support crew which is almost impossible to get on.
Alas I have rode on the footplate of a steam loco on a heritage railway but not 6233. But instead Llangollens BR Standard no 80072.
@TheWidowsSonTemplar
Have worked on and about locomotives since I was 17 (am now 53) and have never heard such unnecessary noise as when one watches American trains. Have a look at videos from other parts of the world (the USA is not the only place on earth, you know) and you will not hear excessive whistling! When I was driving I sounded the locomotive horn only when I had to.
Excellent stuff, slight wheelslip etc. Hope Bill will enjoy his retirement from next month.
Superb!!
you have to be fit to feed that hungry beastie!! well done!!
Fantastic video, 5*!
Lucky fella and excellent vid!!
Hope you're going to give Bill a copy of the video. I hope he enjoys his retirement. Complete gentleman. Good to see Woody working for his money too :)
Wow, I find it strange to see an AWS sunflower inside a steam engine’s cab.
Grand Junction Model Railway Have you heard of the Harrow and Wealdstone accident?
such a shame they are only allowed to go at 75mph you could see she wanted to go faster
the best musik!!!!!
Mr Bill Andrew at the helm.
theres your answer uncle bill and simon as per usual
Steady at 70. Nice!
i wonder whos driving and firing
@StanierBlack5LMS Watch this video with beautiful stack talk with no whistle NKP 765 In The Valley 4th one down
Neal Woods firing