Four Double-Headed, Full-Throttle Climbs of Hemerdon Bank

Of all the imfamous Devon Banks, the 2 mile climb at 1 in 42 of Hemerdon Bank was and still is the most feared climb for a steam locomotive crew. When single-headed, the regulator has to be used carefully as loss of adhesion, the biggest risk, can bring your train to a standstill more easily than the risk of low boiler pressure. This usually ends up in what is known as "A Slog" as I demonstrate in this compilation: • FOUR HARD SLOGS. Steam... . However, when two locomotives are used to pull less than twice the load of one, the risk of slipping is greatly reduced, the crews are then free to "open the regulator" and the results are usually spectacular!
Here are four "full-on" climbs of Hemerdon Bank which illustrate this point well. Turn the sound up and enjoy steam at its most exciting.
* Note: The diesel on the rear of the Saphos dining train in chapter 2 is only providing enough power to account for its own weight and the electrical requirements of catering, hence the virtual absence of exhaust smoke and low engine noise.
Chapters:
0:00 Titles & The Tamar Devonian 18th July 2012
1:43 The Devonian Express 9th June 2021
4:03 The Cornish Riviera Express (Day 2) 28th June 2010
5:38 The Devonian 22nd October 2011
The full original uploads can be viewed here:
• Steam Mega-Power Flatt...
• Hard Working Staniers ...
• 5029 Nunney Castle + 6...
• 6024 King Edward 1 + 7...

[@bobingram6912]

Hooray, Alan has been scratching around on the cutting room floor and produced "Tales from the Hemerdon Bank" to blow the January clag out of our tubes. That was the best accompaniment to my Sunday cornflakes, the neighbours aren't best pleased though!!!!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Bob, anti-social behaviour excused for a essential needs! Lovely to hear from you again. Best wishes, Alan

[@JayStimbo-nf6qp]

I was stimming watching this.

[@HughFromAlice]

Great shots - all of them. The climb of 6024 and 70013 impressed me the most in terms of actual speed vs theoretical power!!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Hugh, long time! I have to agree with your sentiments hence putting as "the climax". Best regards, Alan

[@tadpoles10]

Sights & sounds to warm my heart Alan.
Your notes above describe the event spot on. In my brief experience working at the end of mainline steam, passenger & more so goods weight somewhat unknown could be a struggle at times when engines were 'past their best' end of life in many cases.
Thanks as always for sharing .. 👍 atvb t ..

[@Steamclips]

Always great to get your insight Terry and glad I got my assumptions correct! Best wishes, Alan

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Very nice compilation. I don't feel like writing a story. You'll possibly get one, next time you upload.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you Kelly, you probably need things to warm up a bit to get you going! Best wishes, Alan

[@ravichristian6364]

wonderful video

[@pwblackmore]

Was just thinking earlier about you! A couple of sites were posting yesterday about a certain Merchant class loco going to travel various rails... and I thought "I wonder if Alan will be filming it". Glad you have a video to fill in this present dearth, this is much appreciated, thankyou.

[@Steamclips]

My pleasure Peter. Hope it's not too cold over there? Best wishes from mild Devon (12C today). Alan

[@kimballthurlow577]

Lovely to see the Duke. Thankyou.

[@Steamclips]

You're welcome Kimball. Many thanks for your kind and much appreciated comment. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

3:00 that’s the locos I saw during the 2021 season in July and it was the first time I see 45231

[@Steamclips]

Glad to have brought back memories Scott. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Steamclipsyeah Alan

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Excellent footage there Alan, really like the double heading off 71000 and 60163.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind feedback, I really appreciate it. Nice to have the L.N.E.R. represented. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

1:05 Hopefully we will get to see Duke of Gloucester someday

[@Steamclips]

Duke and King Scott!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Steamclipsyeah indeed

[@andykimpton7877]

Fantastic, I wish i was there.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you Andy for your kind and valued input. I'm glad you enjoyed the compilation. Best regards, Alan

[@AndreiTupolev]

With any luck, we should see at least four or five of those engines (5029, 6024, 60163, 70013 & 71000) back on the main line before very long at all 😋

[@Steamclips]

I hope you are right Andrei, I am especially concerned about KE1 as it seems to have got lost in Crewe somewhere!! Best regards, Alan

[@GrrMeister]

*Fantastic !*

[@Steamclips]

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