steamsounds - volume 6

This sixth volume continues the lineside series of recordings started with Volume 3.

steamsounds Volume 6 contains no fewer than 21 recordings of steam locomotives heard from the lineside working hard on the main line. With a playing time of over 77 minutes this CD includes some of the best recordings that I made in 2004 including 6233 and 45407 climbing Shap. Also included are a rowing boat and a serious risk of being mugged. Read the notes if you want to know more!

Complete with comprehensive notes.

Available at just £4.50 including UK postage. To obtain details of how to get a copy or for any further information please see this page.

Many of the tracks were originally featured on the web site and can be found on the steamsounds archive at www.steamsoundsarchive.com.

To hear some short, near CD quality samples of the tracks from this CD click the buttons in the track list.

Track List

Hear near CD quality samples of track 1 , track 16 & track 18.

1. On Sunday 2nd May 2004, the Mid-Cheshire Rail Users Association organised two return trips from Chester to Altrincham. These trains were hauled by the BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 76079 and were very well supported.
   As the trains called at all stations they seemed ideal for lineside recording and our first was made at Mouldsworth station.
   Mouldsworth is on the climb from the Gowy Valley into the Delamere Forest and in this recording 76079 with 8 coaches behind the tender can be heard approaching and stopping in the station.
   After a short pause and with a few more passengers on board 76079 departs heading for the next stop at Delamere making a fine sound on the rising gradient. Even the nearby clay pigeon shooters cease firing to listen!
   Hear a of track 1.
   
2. We had plenty of time to get ahead and get another recording of this first train about three quarters of a mile east of Plumley station.
   One problem with recording here is the proximity of Manchester Airport and the sound of aircraft taking off is almost continuous.
   Still, we were fairly lucky in this respect and as 76079 is heard departing from Plumley, the sound of a westbound jet fades away.
   The gradient here is rising but quite gentle. Never the less 76079 sounds fine accelerating away from the stop and heading for it's next stop at Knutsford just a couple of miles away as yet another jet takes off.
3. The return from Altrincham saw 76079 working tender first and after a short recording at Lostock Gralam station we had sufficient time to get ahead of the train and went to Delamere station in the forest of the same name.
   76079 makes a fine sound departing and accelerating away from the station on the rising gradient through the trees.
   
4. For our first recording of the second round trip from Chester to Altrincham we found a spot on the climb into the Delamere Forest which has gradients as steep as 1 in 90.
   BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 76079 is heard distantly departing from Mouldsworth station about ¾ mile away before passing making a fine sound on the gradient heading for Delamere.
   
5. On 29th May 2004, in connection with the Railfest exhibition at the National Railway Museum, the LNER A3 Pacific 4472 'Flying Scotsman' was supposed to work a train from Doncaster to York and make a triumphant arrival at the NRM, it's new home.
   Unfortunately during it's journey north from Southall the loco developed leaking tubes and was failed.
   The substitute provided for the train from Doncaster was GWR Hall 4-6-0 5972 'Olton Hall' still in it's red 'Hogwarts' livery.
   Although still a little windy, the weather had improved since the morning and we were fortunate to find a suitable spot for recording on the 1 in 150 gradient between South Kirkby Jc. and Hemsworth.
   A Sheffield bound DMU passes braking for a signal check before 5972 is heard approaching and passing going well with 10 coaches behind the tender.
   
6. Over the many years that I've been making them I've had my recordings interrupted by all sorts of things but on 12th June 2004 I was able to add a new one to the list - a rowing boat!
   I had gone to York to try for a recording of ex LNER A4 Pacific 60009 'Union of South Africa' departing with a train for Newcastle and had decided to try to record from the east bank of the River Ouse just to the north of the station almost opposite the NRM.
   The first problem turned up in the shape of one of York's many sightseeing boats which turned up just as the A4 was about to depart. However, this chugged off towards the city with the commentator mentioning the NRM, home to 'The Mallard steam train'(!) just as it's stable mate was getting in to it's stride. As No. 9 passes another outboard powered boat heads off up stream but worse is to come. A rowing boat arrived and pulled into the bank close to where I was recording. This boat was occupied by four young ladies being taught how to row by their cox. Without knowing the circumstances it would be easy to misinterpret some of his comments! Sadly Cheryl's performance doesn't appear to improve.
   After a Class 142 DMU passes southbound and peace finally descends (too late!) the A4 can still be head accelerating north up the main line. Next time I'll try the other bank!
   
7. That same day, in addition to the A4, GWR 4-4-0 3440 'City of Truro' worked two return trips to Scarborough for Vintage Trains.
   With the second of these 3440 is heard accelerating soon after leaving York not far from Bootham level crossing as a, fortunately almost silent, eastbound Class 158 DMU passes.
   
8. In the spring of 2004 the entire railway enthusiast population of the country rejoiced at the news that, contrary to expectations, 'Flying Scotsman' had been saved for the Nation! Well, perhaps I exaggerate as I am pretty sure that there were at least a few who didn't give a hoot!
   When the loco was put up for sale everyone expected that the highest bids for the 'most famous steam train in the world'(!) would come from overseas but the National Railway Museum's appeal produced sufficient funds and, in due course, the loco became part of the National Collection.
   One of the promises that the NRM made concerning the loco was that it would be allowed to work on the main line, not just working Pullman trains at very high prices but running tours at prices that the general public could afford. In the early summer a six week programme of trains was announced with the loco working two trains each day between York & Scarborough on three days each week and at the 'bargain' fare of £25. Last year we were paying £15 for the same journey!
   I travelled over to York on 21st July 2004 to see the LNER A3 Pacific 4472 'Flying Scotsman' departing for Scarborough on it's second day of working these trains and was rather surprised to see how many people appeared to be prepared to pay what I felt was a high price for a trip to the coast.
   The first train of the day departed from York at 12:06 from Platform 5 and I intended, as I had done in the past with some success, to record on the station. The problem was that there were other trains about that made this a bit of a gamble. There was a train from Scarborough due in York at about the same time which made recording from Platform 4 impossible. I eventually decided to go to the end of Platform 9 although there was a train to Leeds via Harrogate due to leave at 12:11 from the adjacent bay platform. As long as Scotsman left on time - no problem. You can guess what happened, can't you?
   4472's second departure of the day from York is at 18:10 and a quick look at the timetable revealed that there was an 18:13 departure to Leeds via Harrogate!
   As I'd already been caught out, I took myself off to the river bank to try for a recording of the loco crossing the bridge, known as Scarborough Bridge, over the River Ouse.
   4472 was a little late departing and you can hear the DMU for Harrogate and Leeds heading up the main line past the NRM building at the other side of the river as Scotsman gets it's train on the move. It was a good decision not to try recording on the station again!
   
9. In the days preceding the weekend of 24/25th July 2004 the weather forecasters had been promising fine weather and, as there were steam hauled trains over the Settle - Carlisle line on Saturday and Sunday a couple of days making lineside recordings seemed like a good idea.
   As the weekend drew nearer the forecasts became less and less good and it came as no surprise to us as we waited on 24th at Ais Gill for ex LNER A4 Pacific 60009 'Union of South Africa' to find our recording being troubled by a little rain and a very strong wind.
   As this recording begins a farmer further down the valley can be heard making another circuit of his field cutting grass for silage as 60009 appears climbing the 1 in 100 gradient towards the summit.
   Judging by the clag coming from the A4's chimney all was not quite as it should be with the fire and the loco is making heavy weather of the 13 coach load on the climb as it passes.
   
10. On 25th July 2004 the ex LMS Black 5 4-6-0 45407 worked a train off the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway to Carlisle and back.
    After the poor weather conditions we had experienced the previous day when recording 60009 at Ais Gill, had we been hoping for better weather we would have been disappointed. It was far worse with persistent rain added to the strong wind.
    After a very wet recording of the loco passing Bell Busk, a water stop at Long Preston and a stop to pick up passengers at Settle meant that we had plenty of time to get to Selside where the weather was even worse!
    The choice of this location was a good one as there was a handy dry stone wall to provide some shelter from the wind and even heavier rain.
    In view of the strength of the wind I thought that we would only get a short recording here but sound was carrying well and we were able to hear 45407 approaching soon after it became visible through the falling rain above Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
    Although not being worked all that hard the Black 5 makes a fine sound climbing the 1 in 100 gradient and can be heard almost all the way to Ribblehead. Well worth getting a soaking for!
    
11. Our next recording was of 45407 during its return from Carlisle and we set off for Ais Gill in much better conditions. The rain had stopped, the sky cleared with even a hint of sunshine and the wind had dropped a little.
    As you can hear in this recording the Black 5, once again just about on time, is being worked much harder on the 1 in 100 gradient towards the summit and sounds to be going well passing and reaching the top of the climb.
    
12. By the beginning of August, everybody's favourite, 'Flying Scotsman' was still just about managing to complete it's booked trips to and from Scarborough on three days each week although it had suffered a number of failures and been replaced a few times by 45407. Passengers had even found themselves paying £25 to go to Scarborough behind a Class 47 diesel more than once.
    After a couple of embarrassing failures while working these trains the operators had decided that it would be wise to have the Class 47 at the rear of the train, just in case, and this was the situation when I went out to try for some recordings of the loco on 5th August 2004.
    This recording of 4472 heading for Scarborough with the first train of the day was made at Bootham just to the east of the level crossing and, despite a steam leak from one of the cylinders, the loco doesn't sound too bad heading for Scarborough with it's fully loaded train.
    Later in the day 4472 succumbed to more problems and the diesel had to go on the front as pilot to 'Flying Scotsman'!
    
13. Ex LMS Black 5 4-6-0 45407 worked another very well supported train from Keighley to Carlisle and back on 22nd August 2004.
    As this recording begins, the Black 5 can be heard accelerating slightly on the short level section which interrupts the 1 in 100 gradient at Helwith Bridge.
    Once back on the gradient 45407 sounds to be going well climbing past Horton-in-Ribblesdale with West Coast Railway Co. driver Bill Andrews in charge.
    
14. On 4th September 2004 LMS Coronation Pacific 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' worked a train from Crewe to Carlisle and back so we went to Shap Wells to attempt to get a good recording of the loco climbing the 1 in 75 gradient.
    Despite the noise from the nearby M6 motorway and someone starting to use what sounds like some kind of mechanical digger among the trees on the opposite side of the line after the train has passed and is nearing the summit, I was quite happy with this recording.
    With 12 coaches behind the tender and, once again, driver Bill Andrews in charge, 6233 was being worked a little harder than on past occasions and the loco sounded much better.
    As 6233 reached the summit a Virgin Pendolino passes going down the bank.
    
15. On 30th October 2004 ex LMS Black Five 4-6-0 45407 provided the rare sight and sound of a single Black Five working a train both ways over Shap.
    The train started from Manchester and our first recording was made near Boar's Head on the 1 in 104 climb north of Wigan.
    We nearly missed this recording as the train ran a few minutes early. Fortunately the distant sound of a Stanier whistle alerted us in time to get set up!
    When the train passed our spot, about half a mile from the top of the gradient we were a little disappointed, but not surprised, to find that at the back of the 10 coach train was a Class 57 diese. Was it giving 45407 a push?
    
16. After a brief visit to Barton & Broughton Loop where the train was due to be looped (but wasn't!) we continued to our usual recording spot at Shap Wells.
    Weather conditions were excellent with only a light breeze and plenty of sun. One slight problem was that the light breeze was coming from the south east, just the right direction to carry the sound of traffic from the busy M6 motorway not far away.
    When we had seen the train earlier in the day we had noted that there was a diesel attached at the back, there to provide assitance if required, but felt that there was a chance that it would be detached at Carnforth and the Black 5 be allowed to tackle Shap unassisted.
    A few minutes later than expected after a Pendolino had passed heading down the bank, the breeze also carried the sound of 45407 with 10 coaches behind the tender coming up from near Scout Green. The Black 5 was carrying the number 44996 and not the cleanest condition I have ever seen it having recently returned from a stint working trains on the West Highland Line.
    The train must have been down to around 20 mph as it passed on the 1 in 75 gradient and the sound carried back all the way to the summit.
    We were pleased to see that the diesel that had been on the back earlier had been detached during the water stop at Carnforth but was following along behind as insurance and passed just one section behind as the 45407 cleared the summit.
    Hear a of track 16.
    
17. Returning from Carlisle, 45407 was booked to stop at Lancaster and we wanted to try for a recording on the difficult southbound climb away from the station with it's curves and 1 in 98 gradient.
    We had tried before to find a recording spot on this climb before but without success. However, this time more by luck than by good navigation we found a suitable location among some trees almost at the very top of the gradient at the site of the junction off the West Coast Main Line to the original station in Lancaster the line to which now, except for this small area of land, has long since vanished.
    Running a little late and with 57601 re-attached at the rear we could hear 45407 departing from Lancaster station and, aside from one brief slip, climbing the gradient in fine style and without assistance from the diesel as the buffers between the Class 57 and the train did not appear to be compressed when it passed us!
    As the sound of 45407 fades away to the south towards Preston a Class 175 DMU heads towards Lancaster. Also heading south was a Class 47 diesel running light engine following 45407 and getting checks at every signal.
    
18. On 27th November 2004 the LMS Coronation Pacific 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' worked a train from Derby to York and back.
    Recorded in the dusk, close to the site of Dringhouses marshalling yard, now covered by housing, as the sound of a DMU hurrying west fades away 6233 can be heard approaching from York station. After the train has passed the light south westerly breeze carries back the sound of the loco as it accelerates it's heavy 13 coach train past Chaloners Whin and on towards Copmanthorpe.
    Hear a of track 18.
    
19. In the weeks before Christmas Vintage Trains ran a series of Christmas Lunch trains starting at Dorridge and running through the Midlands via Tamworth, Burton, taking in the scenic delights of Coalville before returning to Dorridge via Nuneaton utilising the two GWR Hall 4-6-0s based at Tyseley.
    On 16th December 2004 4936 'Kinlet Hall' was motive power at the head of an 8 coach train and is heard passing through Widney Manor station after a Chiltern Trains DMU has passed heading south. As the train had a pickup at Solihull not far away the driver closes the regulator as the loco passes.
    
20. For the return I tried for a recording of 4936 departing from Solihull on the last leg of its journey back to Dorridge. The location chosen was in a public park on the west side of the line just to the south of Solihull station and although there have been many occasions over the years when, while making lineside recordings, I have been forced to question my sanity and this was definitely one for the book!
    For a start off it was almost dark, it was very cold, there was a strong wind blowing and the notices warning that this particular park was a crime hot spot did nothing to inspire confidence or make it sensible to stand in the middle of a field clutching a recorder and a microphone with a large, hairy windshield while muggers gathered in the surrounding bushes!
    Still, I survived the experience and the recording of 4936 departing with 8 coaches was compensation enough!
    
21. Perhaps I have a death wish or maybe I'm just stupid but the late afternoon of the following day saw me back in the same park at Solihull to give the muggers another chance and to get a recording of Tyseley's other Hall, 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' departing.
    Once again I survived the experience but, if I ever go back there again, I swear it will only be in summer and in daylight!