3803 on the Battlefield Line 060512

GWR 2-8-0 heavy freight loco 3803 was in action on the Battlefield Line on Sunday. Thanks to trainee fireman Chris I was given permission to film on board. Many thanks to Chris, Carl and Andy for tolerating my intrusive presence! Looking at the coal around my feet, I was horrified when fireman Andy produced a brand new fresh out of the packaging, pristine white shirt and proceeded to change into it!
The action starts with the run-round at the southern-most point of the line - Shenton.

[@5786Thomas]

A great video of 3803. Having had sevral footplate rides on 3803 when she was back home in Devon, it was nice to see her running well at the Battlefeild line.

[@terrycollett1461]

Worked as cleaner and fireman at STJ,quite a few 28’s and 38’s there.They were used on the coal trains and iron ore trains.Good engines to fire.Never seen on passenger trains then.

[@petergrossett6763]

This is my favourate steam video. Beautifully filmed, inside the cab and outwith.Sound is excellent. Perfect loco for this line, looks to be working hard. Watched it so many times always a joy, great job all round. Thanks.

[@benskiproductions]

3803 is my favorite loco. I wactheed a lot on the South Devon Railway before she was put on long term loan. Its nice to see the footplate on the on jounry. Great Video!

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks Bob. Glad you liked it. My big advantage in shooting this stuff is a low threshold of boredom, so I try to vary the shots as much as possible!

[@mamodsteam]

this is ABSOLUTLY fantastic ...

[@5786Thomas]

Definitely. Thank you once again for sharing this video!

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. I think it is important to relate what you are seeing on board to what is happening outside so, for me, the lineside shots are essential.

[@JGProductionsRailways]

Another enjoyable video, it's always great to see a sort of behind the scenes type of video of the driver and fireman at work on board the loco, also enjoyed the lineside shots between the cab ride footage. Liked!

[@JintySteam1]

great footage

[@sampadey211]

Very nice, its a great video------

[@andysim232]

gooood stuff! thanks!

[@steampics]

Hi Mike. 5*. Brilliant film of 3803. I was on her yesterday. Hope you will come back for the Steam Gala in September when a variety of steam locomotives will be performing. Cheers Mike. Keep up the good work (Sam - Shackerstone Fireman)

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks

[@robmasterman]

Another Masterpiece Mike, amazing footplate footage, and something you do so well....Bob

[@sampadey211]

Thanks for sharing a this type of video------

[@JamesandPeter]

Cracking footage and very fourtunate to be given permission to film onboard 3803.
I must try and film this loco at some point but its a bit too far for me.
JamesandPeter

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. I hope I will be able to do so, although I did discover that my hard won locations were not optimal for locomotive performance....which is a pity.

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. Yes I was, and I'm very grateful to Chris for the privilege.

[@steampics]

Driving with the ejector open is necessary with a train that leaks so badly it overcomes the vac pump. Interesting comments about braking against the ejector as most engines run with a small ejector running all the time, as per the system design, and get on just fine. Admittedly it isn't the correct way but hardly unsafe. I'd say perhaps more unsafe braking without it on in a situation where the reservoir needle falls faster than the train pipe...

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. It was hard work!

[@steamontheweb]

Mainly charters, but this one was by invitation from the railway. Re the humurous message: unfortunately I remember when it was a new and original joke...many many years ago!

[@Harrison1420]

How long is this locomotive staying at the Battlefield line?

[@ketanparikh4794]

I luv to watch

[@billysmith5721]

cool i love to visit england

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. Now the pond has fallen in value your visits will cost less!

[@jamo813]

Having seen video's of it at the GCR gala last weekend they appear to have ran it the same with the large open aswell.

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks. It is quite a spacious footplate compared to some I have been on.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Howa re you managing to get all these footplate rides?!
.. Notice the humorous notice stuck behind the vacuum gauge ..

[@steamontheweb]

That is exactly the problem of filming large engines on preserved lines. I have filmed the Black 5 on the Mid-Hants and the Churnet Valley and can endorse your comment.

[@TheAaron3850]

Watched the whole video and was about to ask the question why does the driver feel the need to have the ejector open at all times ... Looks like I'm not the only one to have noticed. Above 15mph the vacuum pump should maintain 25 inches no problem at all. Very strange.

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks, but I'll leave you guys to sort out the technical matters!

[@steampics]

You say that Mike but you must rememeber shes a 2884 class and 4 coaches is nothing to her ;) The Black 5 will be nice ;)

[@jamo813]

I was wondering the same thing willf20227!

[@steampics]

Vacuum leak

[@jma7930]

who taught him to drive he is driving with the ejector wide open

[@jaseb8075]

Very poor show of driving. Its one thing unnecessarily running with the ejector open continuously but to brake against the ejector is just poor enginemanship and potentially unsafe!

[@stephenwallbank615]

Jason Busby fuck off

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks

[@steamontheweb]

Thanks