34052 + 46100 Six Cylinder Westcountry Spectacular on the Great Britain X.

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May 2017
Note: SR re-built Westcountry Class 34046 Braunton dressed as re-built Battle of Britain Class 34052 Lord Dowding.
A unique pairing of LMS Royal Scot and SR Westcountry classes (is this a first?) hauled the last two legs of this year’s Railway Touring Company, Great Britain tour from Bristol to Plymouth, then as a grand finale: Penzance to Paddington via Bristol…what a journey! In the hands of doubled-headed classification 7 locomotives, 11 coaches was never going to prove a challenge even over the Westcountry Banks, but they still put on a spectacular show with 6 cylinders purring all the way. Restricted to a local location on Saturday, I chose Tigley Bank, newly cleared of line-side vegetation with views re-opened after many years. In steady rain and a brisk North-East wind the pair assault the climb (feared more than Dainton by past crews). Look out for the “Little Pigs” scared out of their sty at the sound of “huffing and puffing” outside (you might recall the tale!). The return leg on Sunday is captured looking across the Tamar as the pair leave Cornwall and cross Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge, looking splendid in its new coat of paint even in the dull flat light, then the climb towards Plymouth North Road through Dockyard Halt. As the bridge at Hemerdon was rammed we went to Ivybridge, not so spectacular but fairly exclusive as the train speeds around the foot of Dartmoor. During the 2hr 20min layover at Exeter, we passed the time watching the locos being serviced before a final shot in a rare bit of sunshine at Stoke Canon. The pink effect opening the last shot is red earth dust blown across from a neighbouring field which is being harrowed. Congratulations to the organisers, customers and crews for a splendid finale to what must have been a wonderful tour.

[@LeovanderMeij]

Thank you very much Steamclips for your very beautiful and well described steam movies!

[@Steamclips]

Hello Leo and thank you for your very kind and much appreciated comment. Best regards, Alan

[@70029]

Magnificent locomotives well filmed...what more could one ask. Thanks for doing this.

[@Steamclips]

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

[@sirjohng1]

What a great pairing, they look so powerful and confident. Lovely shots, thanks for taking the time to share.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and many thanks for your kind and always welcome comments. Glad you enjoyed. Best regards, Alan

[@SuperWHIZZO]

Thanks for all these gems you've captured , super action from these mighty beasts from the industrial Jurassic Park that is railway preservation . Long may these annual Great Britain gigs continue.

[@Steamclips]

Many thanks for your kind and interesting comments. I heartily agree with your sentiments. Best regards, Alan

[@taofledermaus]

Beautiful trains, scenery and camera work! Amazing!

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your very kind remarks, they are much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

[@hemerdonbank]

Another excellent video, Alan. What a way for steam to return to the South West. This strange pairing put on a great show. Keith.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Keith and thank you as ever for for your most welcome and kind feedback. It was and excellent tour to film, only sorry steam did not make it into Cornwall on the down leg. Best wishes, Alan

[@paulcaswell2813]

Only one thing better than a three-cylinder beat: two of 'em! Wonderful stuff!

[@Steamclips]

Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed the clip. Best regards, Alan

[@KeithTucker45]

Great video. Particularly liked the shots by Saltash, over the viaduct and the bridge. Noticed that the vehicles on the road bridge were slowing down as the steam train passed!

[@Steamclips]

Hello Keith and many thanks for the positive response. I had not noticed the vehicles until your comment! Best regards, Alan

[@Castlebridge-00]

Thanks for putting the locations on. I live in Ivybridge and did not know about the run. Loved the Albert Bridge shots and the coaling at Exeter. Cheers. Barry. Devon.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Barry and thank you for your kind feedback. Sorry you missed the run, keep yourself up to date for the Tornado run into Cornwall here: www.uksteam.info/tours/trs17.htm Best regards, Alan

[@KianCorrieCoolCorrie11]

Steamclips when is the tornado? Thanks

[@Steamclips]

Hi again Kian: Bank Holiday Monday 29th, down only, then you can see it on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway for a few days. Alan

[@KianCorrieCoolCorrie11]

Steamclips Hi Alan, thanks for informing me, will you be following its journey down, like you followed the GB Tour up? If so I hope to see you trackside in Ivybridge again soon! Thanks, Kian

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video. Superb location, and it's great to see a double header working well. A well worth journey following them. Very enjoyable. We followed the GBX around the country. Kind regards C&A

[@Steamclips]

Hi C&A: I must say, it was nice to be out and about again with the camera. It seems incredible that my last post was in November! Thanks as always for your kind and most welcome comments. Best regards, Alan

[@scada4321]

What a pleasure to watch! Well done!

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind remarks. Much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

[@AndreiTupolev]

Superb sounds climbing the banks, and some nice whistling crossing the Tamar. It may have been "only" 11 coaches, but that's no joke on those curves and in those conditions. Just managed to avoid Voyager spoiling things!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Andrei: always nice to get your take on things! It's true, the load was just heavy enough for good sound and exhaust. When I heard the Voyager coming I quickly zoomed out to reduce the impact and I think I just about got away with it and I might call that location "Pigley" from now on! Best regards, Alan

[@caerphillycastle]

Well done Alan, great video & locations. Geraint

[@Steamclips]

Hi Geraint and thank you for the nice comment. Missed you this time! Best wishes, Alan

[@tridentmusic5570]

Some great images there! -love the "salute to IKB" ? (some fine "coaling" as well. a good man on the grab!)

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your positive feedback, am glad you enjoyed the clip. Best regards, Alan

[@bobingram6912]

Alan, guess what I'm not going to say, you know my thoughts on your vids!!!! What a pairing, loving the Bulleid obviously but great to hear that low note LMS whistle.

[@Steamclips]

Once again Bob, thank you for your support and encouragement, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Let's hope it continues for many years to come.🙃😉

[@Fishfingers232]

I myself prefer the GWRs 4-cylinder bark but this is glorious nonetheless.

[@Steamclips]

Amen and thank you for those remarks, can't wait to see a couple of Castles do the same!. Best regards, Alan

[@KianCorrieCoolCorrie11]

Hey, nice video work there, remember me from ivybridge ? I found your channel finally! Brilliant, keep up the good work!!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Kian: of course I remember you and thank you so much for the nice feedback. Maybe we will meet line-side again sometime. Best wishes, Alan

[@KianCorrieCoolCorrie11]

Steamclips hi Alan, please also could you link me when we have another steam tour on the way, thanks Kian

[@swearingkevo]

Lovely vid

[@Steamclips]

Thanks Kev, nice to get your feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@haroldpearson6025]

The government is talking about banning the use of solid fuels which could be a serious issue for preserved live steam as well as live steam models. It may not effect the engines themselves but would become uneconomical to keep the coal mines in operation. I suppose one solution would be for preservation societies to take over and run a few mines?