Site contents © D. Bailey 2001-2008
Past Recordings

What a spiffing wheeze!

Added 15th Jan 2008

For quite a few years now I have always managed to visit the K&WVR just before the end of the year for a final breath of steam. In the past only flu or other similar ailments have kept me away. This year I didn’t manage it as I now live considerably further away than I did and, despite being much nearer to the NYMR I didn’t go there either – I thought about it but the very poor weather and inconvenient bus connections didn’t make it attractive.
However, a visit to Leeds early in the New Year did give me the opportunity to go to Keighley.
The rostered loco for Sunday 6th January 2008 was the Jinty, which I was looking forward to as I haven’t recorded it in quite a while. You can imagine my disappointment when, instead of the Jinty, the Taff Vale 0-6-2T No. 85 rolled into Keighley station with it’s 4 coach train. Still, as the first steam hauled train off Keighley was fairly quiet and the loco sounded a little more interesting than usual, I decided to do a bit of on-train recording.
This recording was made departing from Ingrow.
And why did I think that the loco sounded more interesting than normal? Well, isn’t that an absolutely spiffing wheeze!

Click to play - right click to save 85 departing from Ingrow. 6th January 2008
1:32
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I know quite a few people who hate Christmas, there's one in particular who is a real 'Bah, Humbug' type but for myself, I’m not really bothered, I can take it or leave it. However, while making this next recording I found a new reason to dislike the season.
Not far from Keighley station is a small industrial estate and, during this lineside recording of No. 85 departing you may be able to hear a number of children having been brought there by their parents riding their Christmas presents up and down the road, a public road too. It shouldn’t be allowed, disturbing the peace of a Sunday afternoon with mini-motorbikes! What is the world coming to?

Click to play - right click to save 85 departing from Keighley.
1:52
879KB

Main Line Steam around York

Added 15th Jan 2008

My front page plea for recordings has, so far, produced these from my good friend Mike who was able to get out on a few weekends in the run up to Christmas to record some of the steam hauled charters visiting that ever popular Christmas destination; York!
The first of these recordings, made at the beginning of December is of a Vintage Trains Charter returning to the Birmingham area.

Mike writes:
Sheltering from quite a strong wind in a small wooded area, GWR Hall 4-6-0 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' heads past Copmanthorpe with load 7 hauling a return charter train from York to Tyseley.

Click to play - right click to save 4965 at Copmanthorpe. 1st December 2007
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Recording © M. Cawthorn 2008

As I wrote with other recordings made the same day, on 9th December, after recording 45407 at Beeston and on the climb out of Sheffield Mike and I didn't fancy the idea of hanging about for the return but, despite a marked deterioration in the weather, Mike raised the enthusiasm to venture out again.

Mike writes:
On a foul evening trying to shelter the microphone between my car doors, 45407 is heard bursting under a road bridge at Ulleskelf station on the way back to York.

Click to play - right click to save 45407 passing Ulleskelf. 9th December 2007
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Recording © M. Cawthorn 2008

The long awaited and somewhat delayed return of 'Bittern' to the main line finally happened late in the year and it's first two revenue earning trains took it to York. Both trains running from Kings Cross had originally being advertised as having steam haulage in both directions but perhaps wiser heads decided that it would be safer to have steam haulage in one direction only.
Although neither Mike nor I were able to get out to record the first train on 1st December, unexpectedly though I did get a brief look at the loco after it's arrival in York as I passed through on the way to Scarborough, In theory, I should have been too early to see it but the A4 had an excellent run on it's old stamping ground and was very early arriving at York.

Mike was able to get out for the loco's return run to Finsbury Park a fortnight later and writes:
At last a recording made in still conditions at a location about a 1/4 of mile south from the spot where the 'Rood Ashton Hall' recording was made. This location was not through choice but as the York departure time approached two farm workers arrived in a land rover with some animal feed and started chatting to each other, hence the move.
In the distance 60019 can be heard accelerating as a Liverpool unit passes by, the A4 was not working all that hard and soon disappears from earshot but as the carriages rattle over Colton Junction, 'Bittern's chime whistle can be just heard echoing off the road bridge.

Click to play - right click to save 60019 at Copmanthorpe. 15th December 2007
2:10
1.0MB
Recording © M. Cawthorn 2008

The last of Mike's selection is of Railway Touring Company charter running from the Midlands double headed by Ian Riley's stalwart pair. These two locos have proved absolutely invaluable to charter train operators this year, stepping in, often at short notice, where other locos have been unable to run. Without them, even more trains would have been canceled in the last few months!

Mike writes:
Running about 20 minutes late 45407 and 76079 speed past with a train for Derby. This recording was made on the site of Chaloners Whin Junction, now the site of a large Tesco. The date was December 22nd 2007.

Click to play - right click to save 45407 & 76079 passing Chaloners Whin. 22nd December 2007
1:03
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Recording © M. Cawthorn 2008

45407 (and a diesel!)

Added 3rd Jan 2008
The last months of 2007 proved to be a good time for substitute locos and the train run by the Railway Touring Company on 9th December was unable to run with it’s originally booked motive power, 71000, that loco not being ready in time. The substitute was to have been Ian Riley’s pair, 45407 & 76079 which had worked a train to York on the previous day. However, for this second train, only the Black 5 was used as, almost unbelievably, Network Rail hadn't gauged the Standard for the route. One has to wonder why it is that they insist on many months notice for these trains and then fail to do the work required to ensure that the train can run as booked?
From the sound recording point of view the change from double to single heading was a bonus, or at least it would have been had the load not been 12 coaches with a Class 47 diesel attached at the rear. With that load, the diesel would most certainly have to provide assistance on the climbs!
Despite this we still decided to make the effort.
The train was running from York to Lincoln and back via Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Sheffield and Chesterfield so, as steam on the climb out of Leeds is rather rare, we made our first attempt at a recording near Beeston.
As you can hear, our fears of diesel assistance proved entirely justified. It sounds like the Class 47 is doing much more than it’s fair share!
Click to play - right click to save 45407 at Beeston. 9th December 2007
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After the disappointment of our first recording we almost decided to call it a day but as we had already gone to the trouble of coming out we decided to continue to Sheffield and give the Black 5 another chance.
Our location this time was on the climb to Bradway Tunnel not far to the north of Dore & Totley station.
We had been troubled by road noise at our previous location but this time we had the addition of dogs. Our location was right opposite Millhouses Park and one dog in particular was particularly annoying as it was howling and squealing from time to time. I’m not sure what it’s owners were doing to it but I was almost tempted to call the RSPCA!
We had a longer than expected wait. Although 45407 had been a little late at Beeston we expected an on time departure from Heeley Loop where the loco was booked to take water. However the train must have been a good 25 minutes behind time when we first heard the Black 5 approaching on the climb.
As you can hear, the diesel was assisting once again but was perhaps not pushing quite as hard as it had been on the climb out of Leeds earlier.
Better, but we were not tempted to hang about for the return!
Click to play - right click to save 45407 near Dore & Totley.
1:45
824KB
 

6201 on Shap

Added 25th Nov 2007
Saturday 24th November 2007 should have seen the ex LNER Pacific A4 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' on it's inaugural main line working after overhaul with a train from Preston to Carlisle and back over Shap. As often happens these days, problems getting the appropriate paperwork prevented the loco being available and a most satisfactory (to me at any rate!) substitute was provided in the form of the LMS Princess Royal Pacific 6201 'Princess Elizabeth'.
The weather was typically 'Shap'. After fine and calm weather the previous day we suffered the seemingly usual combination of strong wind and rain.
We were lucky in that our choice of location, at Shap Wells, seemed remarkably sheltered from the strong wind and, although we could see 6201's smoke being blown away across the fields as it approached, we weren't forced to take shelter behind dry stone walls on this occasion. However, there was no avoiding the rain!
6201 seemed to be going well when we first saw it away down near Greenholme but, by the time we began to hear it above Scout Green speed had fallen. The load was 10 coaches but there was a Class 47 tied on at the rear of the train making the load equivalent to 12. The diesel can't have been doing anything to help power the train but, as it passed us, although the driver seemed to open it up a little, there didn't seem to be any noticeable acceleration and we were able to hear 6201 all the way to the summit.
Click to play - right click to save 6201 at Shap Wells. 24th November 2007
4:33
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We had a long wait for our next recording of 6201 on its return from Carlisle and, as things turned out, might have been better heading straight for home from Shap Wells.
In view of the weather conditions we went to our usual spot near Harrison's Siding where we knew we could find a little shelter from the wind and rain.
Although the diesel at the rear of the train hadn't seemed to have been providing much power on the northbound climb, it certainly appeared to be doing most of the work as the train passed us on the southbound climb to Shap!
Click to play - right click to save 6201 passing Harrison's Siding.
0:56
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45407 & 76079 over Copy Pit and Sough

Added 4th Nov 2007
On Saturday 3rd November 2007 Pasttime Rail ran a railtour on a circular route from Manchester which took in the climbs of Platting Bank, to Standedge Tunnel, Copy Pit and Sough.
Motive power for this train was Ian Riley's pair, ex LMS Black 5 4-6-0 45407 and BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 76079.
The train didn't have the best of starts. Delays getting the locos and stock down from Castleton to Manchester Victoria lead to departure from that station being an hour later than planned and, although an hour's stop was allowed at Stalybridge for water, this was taken in full, not just for water but for pathing among the frequent service trains on the line.
Our first recording was made during the climb of Copy Pit.
We have made recordings here before and although in the past we have found good locations on the southbound climb we are still trying to find the best spot for northbound trains.
This time we tried a spot high up on the west side almost opposite Kitson Wood Tunnel and while the view was spectacular there was quite a strong north westerly breeze was blowing and we had some difficult finding shelter from it.
45407 & 76079 appeared to have gained a little time when smoke appeared in the distance down towards Todmorden slightly sooner than we had expected. This was hardly surprising when we saw the length of the train. We had heard that the load was supposed to have been 13 coaches but when the train came into view only 8 were behind the tender, easily sufficient for the number of passengers travelling.
As you can hear in this recording the two engines with this lightweight load are making easy work on the 1 in 65 gradient passing through Kitson Wood Tunnel.

Click to play - right click to save 45407 & 76079 at Kitson Wood. 3rd November 2007
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As the train was booked to stand at Blackburn for some time we had plenty of time to find somewhere for a recording on the climb to Sough (pronounced Suff!).
We had tried recording once before on this climb and had a less than satisfactory result as we were too near Darwen Station and its passing loop so this time we found somewhere lower down the climb.
The location we found proved to be very close to the site of Lower Darwen loco shed although nothing now remains to mark the site.
Also not far away was Ewood Park football ground which, later in the day was to see Blackburn Rovers at home to Liverpool and, while we waited, we couldn't fail to hear lots of away supporters arriving at the ground entertaining themselves with frequent choruses of 'When the Saints go marching in'!. Fortunately they were far enough away to just add atmosphere to our recording rather than being a nuisance!
Once again running about an hour later than planned we eventually heard the train starting on the climb. Only 45407 was audible with 76079 coupled behind being worked very easily and, as you can hear, the Black 5 now has a cylinder cock stuck open.
With this load the 1 in 101 gradient presents no difficulty.
The match was a 0 - 0 draw, in case you are interested!


Click to play - right click to save 45407 & 76079 near Lower Darwen.
1.51
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North Yorkshire Moors Railway LNER Week

Added 27th Oct 2007
Perhaps still trying to make up for the disappointment caused by the non-event that the Spring LNER Gala proved to be, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway declared that the last week in October, the schools half term holiday week, was to be LNER Week with up to 5 LNER locos in use. The half term holiday week is usually quite busy on the moors and, through most of the week, the full peak timetable is in operation anyway so it was easy for them to enhance the timetable on a couple of days and make an event of it.
I was able to visit on Wednesday 24th October 2007 when four of the five available LNER locos were in use, only the Q6 was missing, but it rather amused me to note that the first two trains of Pickering that morning were hauled by GWR 6619 and BR Standard 75029 top and tail with Lambton Tank No. 29 - hardly typical LNER!
The first train we were able to see and record was the first one off Grosmont which we just caught passing Moorgates not far south of Goathland and this train lived up to the LNER theme being in the hands of the ex LNER A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'.
As we arrived at Moorgates we had just been able to hear the loco arrive at Goathland and it did seem to be having some problems with slipping on the steep gradient into the station but on the easier gradients at Moorgates, as you can hear, the A4 had no problems with the 7 coach train.
Click to play - right click to save 60007 passing Moorgates. 24th October 2007
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As the years go by, things seem to happen occasionally that reminded me that I'm getting older! This time I was reminded that the latest thing that seems to be deteriorating is my memory as, arriving at Moorgates, I had opened my rucksack to find that I had forgotten my windshield and, if I might remind you, the windshield I use is rather large, gray, hairy and not easy to miss!
Help was at hand fortunately as my friend Mike had a spare small one and, as luck would have it, the day was remarkably calm.
Our next recording was made near to Beck Hole Bridge on the 1 in 49 gradient from Grosmont to Goathland and was of our second LNER loco of the day, the ex LNER K1 2-6-0 62005 recently returned from a season on the West Highland Line.
The area around Beck Hole has interesting acoustics. Under normal conditions it is rare to hear the loco until it is quite close as the line down towards Grosmont is hidden behind a hillside. The first warning that the train is on its way is given by a gradually increasing roar which builds slowly and often sounds to be coming from the opposite direction. This is caused by the sound of the hard working loco echoing from the other side of the valley. This recording begins as 62005 is approaching the road bridge.
Despite the lack of a breeze, sound was carrying well and 62005 with its 7 coach load could be heard all the way to Goathland.

Click to play - right click to save 62005 at Beck Hole.
2:02
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We stayed at Beck Hole for our next recording which proved to be of the ex LNER B1 4-6-0 61264.
Once again, the first thing we heard was the echo from the opposite side of the valley before the sound of the loco became clear.
The B1 was working tender first which doesn't make things easy on the steep gradient as the sanders are less effective and the loco shows a tendency to slip especially with 7 coaches strung out round the sharp curve before Beck Hole Bridge.
Speed is not particularly high as the loco passes but once onto the straight track up towards Thomason Foss the driver can work the loco a little harder and it begins to accelerate.
Further on, passing Thomason Foss, the loco slips again and speed begins to fall again but the sound carried back well all the way past Darnholme until the train reaches Goathland.

Click to play - right click to save 61264 at Beck Hole.
4.01
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After a few recordings at Beck Hole we decided on a change of location and headed for the top of the hill opposite Esk Valley for the next train off Grosmont which provided our only non-LNER recording of the day, the BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 75029.
Sound was still carrying well and although I have heard the sound of locos departing from Grosmont (about ¾ mile away) from here, I have never heard the guards whistle giving the right away before!
As well as 75029, which is heard here emerging from Grosmont Tunnel, makes a very fine sound with its 7 coach train on the gradient and can be heard all the way to Beck Hole, the LNER theme was maintained as earlier, we had also been able to hear the sound of 60007’s chime whistle and the K4 shunting stock as the Standard left Grosmont station.
And, just to complete the scene, if you listen carefully, you'll hear the sound of a DMU on the Esk Valley Line!

Click to play - right click to save 75029 at Esk Valley.
3:47
1.7MB

As well as having trains running between Grosmont and Pickering, the NYMR also were running to Whitby and we returned to Beck Hole Bridge later in the afternoon for a recording of the ex LNER K4 2-6-0 61994 'The Great Marquess’ running from Grosmont up to Goathland prior to returning and running through to Whitby.
With just 5 coaches behind the tender there are no problem for this loco on the gradient.

Click to play - right click to save 61994 at Beck Hole.
1.26
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For our last recording of the day we headed for Levisham and Newton Dale to try for a recording near Gallock Hill about half way between Levisham Station and Newtondale Halt.
I have already mentioned that the day was very calm and nowhere had we experienced more than the lightest of breezes (just as well since I had forgotten my wind shield!) but here there was no wind at all so, perhaps for the first time ever, I was able to risk making a recording with no wind shielding whatsoever.
Not only was there no wind but, aside from bird song and the faint sound of water in Pickering Beck, there were no other sounds to disturb us – until just before the train came when, of course, there just had to be a plane overhead!
Fortunately the sound of 61264 working hard on the gradient soon drowns out the aircraft noise and as it heads up the valley towards Newtondale Halt we are left, once again, with just bird song and the sound of the occasional Autumn leaf falling from the trees!

Click to play - right click to save 61264 at Gallock Hill in Newton Dale.
1:40
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Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Autumn Steam Gala

Added 14th Oct 2007
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway had their usual three day Autumn Steam Gala and I visited on the first day, Friday 12th October 2007.
Making its first Gala appearance was the ‘new’ BR Standard WD 2-8-0 90733 heard in this recording departing from Damems Loop with a 6 coach train for Oxenhope.
I had commented before that the ‘Dub Dee’ isn’t quite like the ones I remember back in the 60s. Well, it still doesn’t clank and, although it isn’t quite as clean as it was when I first saw it, it needs to get a lot dirtier before it will look right!
Click to play - right click to save 90733 at Damems Loop. 12th October 2007
2:30
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The visiting guest loco for this gala was the GWR 2-8-0 3802, normally found on the Llangollan Railway, and this was on the next train up from Keighley, an ‘Express’ running non-stop as far as Haworth.
As the recording begins 3802 can be heard approaching from Damems and slowing to exchange the single line token passing through the loop.
With the tokens exchanged 3802 is soon accelerating again and is heard passing and climbing towards Oakworth.
Click to play - right click to save 3802 at Damems Loop.
1:55
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The Worth Valley is gradually becoming a noisy place, not something that a railway sound recordist wants, unless the noise is coming from the locos of course!
As I had found that Damems Loop was getting noisier due to grass cutting operations at the adjacent caravan park I decided that a change of location was in order and walked up to the other side of the level crossing at Oakworth. Here, as expected, the only disturbances were the sound of car horns at the nearby sharp bend in the road and the resident flock of Geese!
My first, and only recording here (a second suffered from technical difficulties – fat finger syndrome!) was of the two tank locos, Ivatt 2-6-2T 41241 piloting BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T 80002 making a smart departure for Haworth and Oxenhope.
Click to play - right click to save 41241 & 80002 departing from Oakworth.
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During the afternoon a freight train ran the length of the line most appropriately hauled by 90733 and I went to the Haworth side of Mytholmes Tunnel to record it.
As the day progressed the freight train had grown for the very short length that I recorded earlier in the day and had lengthened to no less than 13 4 wheel wagons, a bogie parcels van and two brakes!
As the recording begins 90733 can be heard approaching the tunnel then its exhaust echoes through the tunnel before it passes on its way to Haworth and Oxenhope.
As the loco passes my microphone, did I really detect a clank?

Click to play - right click to save 90733 at Mytholmes Tunnel.
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The next train came up to Haworth double headed by the Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T No. 85 and 3802 but 85 was to be detached at Haworth and, as this recording begins the pair are standing in Haworth Loop.
Normally, locos are detached near the loco shed but as the turnouts there are in the process of being replaced, the top points, not far from where I was recording had to be used.
No. 85 has already been uncoupled and is heard running forward over the points before setting back towards the shed. Then, with the points reset for the main line, 3802 can depart with its train for Oxenhope.

Click to play - right click to save 3802 between Haworth & Oxenhope..
3:21
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North Yorkshire Moors Railway Autumn Steam Gala

Added 3rd Oct 2007

The 2007 3 day Autumn Steam Gala on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway was held between 28th & 30th September and, after the big disappointment that the intended Spring 'LNER' Gala proved to be earlier in the year the NYMR must have felt that they had something to prove.
Well, if what I experienced on the Sunday was typical of the previous two days, they certainly succeeded and provided us with one of the most varied and interesting steam events that I have experienced on the railway.
During the course of the day we were able to record no less than 10 different locomotives including LNER B1 61264 & K4 61994 'The Great Marquess' working trains on the Esk Valley Line.
And the weather was good too!

Although we got to Grosmont in time to see the first train to Pickering depart, we weren't quite in time to record it (see the picture above) so our first recordings were of the two trains that the NYMR ran on the Esk Valley Line.
As there is no scheduled passenger service on the line on a Sunday at this time of year the NYMR had the full use of the line and made the most of it by running two trains between Whitby and Battersby, crossing at Glaisdale.
The first of these had been hauled by the B1 but it was the second that we were keen to get recordings of as this was hauled by the ex LNER K4 2-6-0 61994 'The Great Marquess' which had 5 coaches behind the tender and is heard in this recording made between Grosmont and Egton Bridge heading for Battersby.
As the recording begins the K4 is heard recovering from a speed restriction over a bridge over the River Esk.
And if you are wondering who is making the coughing sound - well, it isn't me. In the next field where a herd of cows who all came to look at what the two men next door were doing. Perhaps they weren't used to 3 cylinder locos as they became quite agitated when the K4 passed. Maybe one of them had just got a mouthful of grass and it went down the wrong way!
Click to play - right click to save 61994 between Grosmont and Egton Bridge. 30th September 2007
1:41
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After recording the K4 we returned to the hillside above Esk Valley where the next train to Pickering was hauled by the ex S&DJR 7F 2-8-0 53809.
As you can hear, the 7F had a cylinder cock stuck open but, despite this, makes a fine sound on the 1 in 49 gradient with 7 coaches behind the tender.
Click to play - right click to save 53809 at Esk Valley.
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Having trains running on the Esk Valley line as well as on the NYMR proper gave us the opportunity, providing we could find a suitable location, of recording two trains leaving Grosmont at around the same time.
We felt that our best chance was at Lease Rigg on top of the ridge separating the Esk and Murk Esk Valleys. This spot had two disadvantages; the first was that it was quite exposed to the breeze which had sprung up as the day progressed and the second was that it was almost impossible to see what was going on down at Grosmont station due to trees - the view in the other direction, towards Goathland, was excellent!
Our first attempt at a recording here was of 61264 with it's second train that day from Whitby to Battersby which was due to depart from Grosmont at 12:56 closely followed (we hoped!) by the 13:00 to Pickering which proved to be in the hands of ex LMS Black 5 4-6-0 45212.
The train from Whitby ran a little late but, as it was a connection, the 13:00 waited for it's passengers to change trains.
The B1 got away first and makes a fine sound starting on the gradient towards Glaisdale and, with almost perfect timing, as the sound of the B1 faded away, the Black 5 departed for Pickering.
This almost 6 minute recording has been edited somewhat as we could hear the B1 recover from the speed restriction over the Esk before 45212 departed and were able to record the Black 5 until it was beyond Beck Hole. In addition, in the unedited recording, 60007 ' Sir Nigel Gresley' and the Q6 also put in an appearance - 4 separate locos in the same recording!
Click to play - right click to save 61264 on the Esk Valley & 45212 on the NYMR heard near Grosmont.
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The next train from Grosmont was a freight train running to Goathland and hauled by the recently restored ex LNER Q6 0-8-0 63395, the first loco that I ever had a ride behind on the NYMR back in the 1970s.
This powerful loco really needed more of a load than just 8 wagons and two brake vans but still sounds good on the 1 in 49 gradient passing Esk Valley.

Click to play - right click to save 63395 on freight at Esk Valley.
1:41
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By mid afternoon we had started to think that we had seen all the locos that were in use that day - we were wrong!
Back on the hillside at Esk Valley, waiting for the 16:00, we confidently expected to be about to get another recording of the S&D 7F. However, when the loco emerged from Grosmont Tunnel and came within earshot, clearly, it wasn't the 7F.
My friend was particularly pleased to get a recording of this loco as he had missed it on it's previous appearances both here and elsewhere.
The loco in question was the ex LNWR G2 0-8-0 49395, better known as the Super D, and is heard making its way up the 1 in 49 gradient to Goathland with a train of 7 Teak coaches.
Click to play - right click to save 49395 at Esk Valley.
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For our last couple of recordings we went down to Levisham and arrived there just in time to see the Super D leave for Pickering.
Our usual recording spot at Levisham has always been just to the north of the station not far from the line but, having arrived with insufficient time we stopped on the road heading down to the station, tried a recording from the hillside there and were very pleased with the result. Not only could we hear the Grosmont bound train depart on the steep gradient into Newtondale but we could also hear the Pickering bound train depart.
In view of this we decided to stay there for the final train, 49395 would be departing for Grosmont and we expected to see the Black 5 on the train to Pickering. Wrong again! This recording provided us with out tenth engine of the day, the BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 75029.
As this recording begins, the Super D has just got the 'right away', departs heading north and, as the sound of the 0-8-0 fades away, 75029 departs for Pickering.
What made this particularly memorable and an excellent way to round of a truly excellent day was, as there was hardly a breath of wind, we had almost perfect recording conditions. Also the smoke from each loco hung in the still air for quite some time, quite a sight with the addition that, although we couldn't see the Super D passing through the trees below us, as well as the smoke we also saw a couple of perfect smoke rings rising gently above the trees!
Click to play - right click to save 49395 crossing 75029 at Levisham.
3:07
1.4MB

60019 on the Mid Hants

Added 5th Sept 2007
The last time I saw and heard the ex LNER Pacific 60019 'Bittern' was back in the early 70s and the place was Scarborough which, coincidentally, is where Ray Walkington had last seen it until he visited the Mid Hants Railway in early August and found the loco in service.
Fortunately for us, Ray sent me some of the sounds he recorded that day so here is a short section made during the climb from Alton to Medstead.
Ray writes:
Saturday 4th August 2007 was a glorious summer's day. The Mid-Hants Railway was busy with picnic parties and many family days out and the standard service of two steam trains was operating punctually. To hear "Bittern" working hard on the climb between Alton and the summit at Medstead and Four Marks was reminiscent of the 1950s on the East Coast and of recordings made of A4s on the Glasgow/Aberdeen three-hour expresses during the early 1960s.
60019 is certainly in excellent condition, running like the proverbial sewing machine. The only innocuous note is the noise from the new air-brake pump that seems to echo underneath the streamlined casing.
During conversation with the driver, he said that "this loco will make history when it gets out onto the main line".
Added to this joy of steam was an excellent real ale lunch at the Bell Hotel in Alresford - heaven!
Click to play - right click to save 60019 on the climb to Medstead & Four Marks. 4th Aug 2007
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Recording and pictures © Ray Walkington 2007

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