60007 Sir Nigel Puts the Modern Railway to Shame - Carlisle 23.05.24

Following a night of heavy rainfall Avanti, Trans-Pennine Express, Northern Rail and even the usually totally reliable ScotRail all cancelled their services - but a 1930s steam locomotive cheerfully hauled its train over two of the closed routes.
If Sir Nigel were looking down on the 21st century railway from the Chief Mechanical Officer's place in the afterlife, he must have been rubbing his hands with glee!

[@songsmith31a]

There are sights that exist to lift the heart and aid the health. The sight of Sir Nigel Gresley is one notable example. Beautiful. Thank you for this chance to "participate".

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you songsmith - we're obviously made of the same stuff!

[@tankmicr00man]

An excellent example of the tried and tested I think! Thank you Tim for enduring modern travel woes to bring us all this gem. It certainly brought me a wry chuckle!

[@schoolshorts]

In hindsight, the 1950s may not have much to recommend them - but travel was certainly more reliable then than today, albeit slower and smokier!

[@philiprufus4427]

@@schoolshorts I can remember runs to the Clyde Coast at speeds up to 70mph in the very late 50s by Standard and Fowler Tanks,Largs particularly.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Excellent video, with tongue in cheek narration comparing superior old technology with the modern inferior. To put the crown jewels on the narration of this challenging day and for those who are old enough to remember. This is communicated with a voice that sounds like the late Fyfe Robertson. One of the great orrators who had you captivated with evey word he spoke. His easy listening voice detailing his profound observations adding further irony to the situation. Well done!

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you. It intrigues me that people compare me to Fyfe Robertson. I remember him well but - do I really sound like him?

[@billmmckelvie5188]

@schoolshorts Wow, if more than one, two, or even three have confirmed it. Truly, you must be blessed. I had to sit down to listen to you both twice to double-check before I made the statement, I hope that encourages you to up the frequency of your video production. All the best, Tim

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

A beautiful sight indeed. I remember earlier this year, several stem hauled tours were out in dreadful storms. Electrics and diesels cancelled/broken down in various places. The steam tours ran to time, through hell and high water with no apparent problems. Makes you think!

[@schoolshorts]

I well remember the winter of 1962/3 when I was doing university admission interviews. Diabolically cold weather and the brand-new diesels were breaking down left, right and centre. My home town was Darlington and ancient steam locos were being dragged out of retirement, fired up and sent out to rescue the shiny new showpieces. The steam-age engineers knew what they were doing!

[@philiprufus4427]

Advantages of having no traction motors at axle level.

[@dh9033]

Nicely filmed and commented on. Thanks for sharing, Dudley

[@schoolshorts]

Many thanks Dudley - glad you enjoyed it.

[@tattoo1084]

Great once again Tim, glad you managed to reach Carlisle. I saw her at Scout Green and Greengates and saw no flooding in those areas. 👍

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks David. I didn't actually see the flooded stretch of railway myself - Les Gilpin did and it sounded pretty serious - but what I saw of the River Eden and River Esk from the bus was quite alarming.

[@mobilephil244]

People who run the railways don't care about them. It's just a job. A cancelled train means no more than a lost biro. People who run the heritage lines and steam engines care a whole lot. We all know who would run the better railway.

[@schoolshorts]

I fear this is true of too many of our big organisations today!

[@Thursdaym2]

Nostalgia is fine but running private heritage railways cannot be compared to operating national railways .

[@Morgan-Owen]

Exactly!

[@mothmagic1]

So true

[@philiprufus4427]

@@Thursdaym2 Nor can making money as the obejective as compared to heritage !

[@katherinetuck4434]

Superb video Tim, I love that you show the life at the station and not just the engines. See you tomorrow with the wee spotter (or is that “Future Driver 😅) in tow.

[@schoolshorts]

Thanks Kate/Katherine (Kate is easier to spell!). I'll look forward to seeing you both tomorrow - provided that we're not underwater.

[@katherinetuck4434]

@@schoolshorts For you ‘Kate’ is allowed.

[@katherinetuck4434]

@@schoolshorts I took the train to Dumfries yesterday, water has all receded. X

[@stephenbrass1808]

Great to see both you And SNG managed to get to Carlisle Tim, great coverage on a difficult day for all concerned, very nice to see Sis Nigel in attendance at the Cidtadel, cheers Steve .

[@schoolshorts]

A difficult day, as you say, but worth it to see 60007 looking so magnificent - and showing the 21st century stuff how to do it!

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

Good stuff! Thanks for posting.

[@schoolshorts]

You're very welcome - glad you enjoyed it.

[@thegrowler-blackwoodngauge]

Excellent Tim. Great to see the "old stuff" knocking spots off the modern counterpart 😊.

[@schoolshorts]

Yes - that generation knew what they were doing - and they built to last!

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@schoolshorts I'm old enough to remember the winter of '62-'63, when there were enormous snowdrifts. Two memories - Widney Manor, with a 'King' coming through the snow as if it was a midsummer's day. Also, but only from books (North Eastern Steam from Lineside), a photograph showing an A2 that had been snowed in on a parcels. There had been two vans of Scotch in that train: BR staff had used explosives to get through the snow to rescue the 'hard stuff'. The rest of the train, and locomotive, remained for a fortnight 'til the snow cleared LOL!

[@schoolshorts]

@@paulcaswell2813 The railways had their priorities right in those days!

[@paulcaswell2813]

@@schoolshorts Ha ha!!!

[@philiprufus4427]

@@schoolshorts Some Railway management did, - Marple's however had more furtive plans !

[@ncs8730]

60007 Sir Nigel looks splendid!

[@schoolshorts]

@@ncs8730 Yes - Sir Nigel (the man) knew how to design a locomotive that was elegant as well as powerful.

[@davidbailey533]

Remember couple years ago we had load of snow and only trains running were steam hauled railtours a big embarrassment for the modern trains

[@schoolshorts]

Modern trains are like modern cars - highly sophisticated - TOO highly sophisticated for their own good at times. The simple old steam engine just kept going!

[@nige7577]

Spot on Tim and nicely covered, glad your journey although by bus was rewarding in the end, the slightest hiccup and everything seems to get cancelled nowadays yet a charter is able to run which makes you wonder if it’s a knee jerk decision by the rail companies as LSL wouldn’t have set off if they hadn’t been assurances they would get through, it was great to see Gresley again, cheers 👍

[@schoolshorts]

I fear that's the world we live in today. In my last working years I did supply teaching for Dumfries and Galloway and was staggered at how often schools would close at the first sign of a snowflake. I grew up in the north-east of England in the days when real, deep snow was an annual event and often trudged to school in short trousers and wellies that weren't always high enough to keep the snow out - but I don't remember my school EVER closing. After all, our fathers had just fought a world war - they wouldn't have dreamt of allowing us to be so soft. 60007 was indeed looking superb.

[@colin10ten83]

My Friend and his Wife, were on the SNG Trip. He told me there was only one little spot of flooding, which made the trip interesting but did not stop it, like everything else.

[@schoolshorts]

Steam locos always had a capacity to keep going when later, more sophisticated machines, couldn't cope. The severe winter of 1963/4 demonstrated this with brand new diesels failing in the icy cold while ancient steamers kept running merrily!

[@buffplums]

Isn’t that just a wonderful sight seeing SNG approach

[@schoolshorts]

- - one that we don't see often enough at Carlisle.

[@ncs8730]

Yes! A4s are so stylish!

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent shots👍 sadly i didn't get to see it on the 11th may because it ran early it passed behind a commuter train that was standing in the station at aspley 😟

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you Barry - shame you missed it.

[@mythicalmermaid5757]

Rode behind this beautiful engine last summer with the grandsons. North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

[@schoolshorts]

It is indeed a beautiful locomotive. I trust you enjoyed your trip across the moors.

[@derekhartas3770]

Brilliant video Tim....

[@schoolshorts]

Many thanks Derek - glad you enjoyed it.

[@cedarcam]

Well i'm surprised you made it, with all the chaos I thought perhaps Les would but not you. I was chuckling myself following the progress on Railcam UK with FLUD entered here and there miraculously disappearing as Sir Nigel made her way along the line leaving our modern trains in her wake. Nothing in front and nothing behind. Seeing the sleeper was a real bonus for you. I would of liked to see that myself. Saturday looks a lot better day for you. I am planning on a day out on ELR Bury hoping for a fine Bank Holiday weekend.

[@schoolshorts]

Sadly I'm booked on La'al Ratty for most of next week and the forecast isn't looking good. Travelling on Sunday but rail replacement buses between Dumfries and Carlisle then between Carlisle and Maryport. May end up having to use the car - expensive, old and not sure how reliable it'll prove. Hope you get some decent weather for your Bury outing.

[@cedarcam]

@@schoolshorts I saw it was not looking good for next week Just your luck like last time you were there. Bury is 1940's weekend which I enjoyed last year. Hopefully you will get there OK if you have to use the car, it's a long drive.

[@bertiesworld]

Wow, certainly as come on a long way since 2018 when I saw Sir Nigel being renovated at the National Railway Museum in York . Back then, it was just the frame and the cab.

[@schoolshorts]

Yes, she's a magnificent machine now and busy doing that for which she was built. Long may it continue!

[@rodneycooperLMSCoach]

I have seen many old black and white photos of steam trains going through 1ft deep flood water.

[@schoolshorts]

Aah yes - but that was before "elf and safety"

[@pn112upfast]

Excellent 👍👍

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it.

[@johannessilver8653]

So great that the loco is in running order and also looks fine...

[@schoolshorts]

She does look good, doesn't she.

[@lasalleman6792]

Gotta love those Gresleys!

[@schoolshorts]

- - and we do!!

[@michaelgraham7022]

Least Sir Nigel managed to get through to Carlisle, I did managed to see it in Appleby as I was on a extra yesterday made my day up as I was dealing with the cancellations on the S&C

[@schoolshorts]

Must have caused you some serious problems at Appleby, given the lack of alternative transport in that area. Definitely throwing you in at the deep end! Best wishes. Tim

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

They should keep these famous steam locomotives in main line services for always

[@schoolshorts]

Would be nice if they could!

[@anitaroberts8729]

Long live Steam!! 🚂🖤🚂

[@schoolshorts]

- - and so say all of us!

[@mpeterll]

3:38. Driver gets out to see how close he managed to get to the stop block.

[@schoolshorts]

Just so long as he didn't hit it!

[@ACELog]

"We aoplogise that, due to flooding, there will be no services to......". Sir Nigel: "Flooding? Water? It's what I RUN on! No problem for ME!"

[@schoolshorts]

Very good - 10 out of 10!

[@martinhall60]

An excellent video. Well done sir. 👍👍👍🚂

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you Martin - much appreciated.

[@PJ1996-y5r]

Steam is Power

[@buffplums]

Never liked the idea of a diesel being attached to steam hauled train but because modern diesels are replacing our old diesel locos the likes of class 47s belong with the steam era end and make good bed fellows these days

[@schoolshorts]

Yes - some of us remember a time when diesels were something to be found on railroads across the Atlantic. We're definitely getting old when we start to think of them as historical.

[@mikecawood]

Any excuse to cancel trains from our useless rail companies.

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Didnt SNG look good? I was amazed at the crowds when we thought things looked quiet. I went up to Caldew Junction and then along the closed goods lines. The water had receded a good 15 feet but still looked turbulent. Avanti were running trains again in the evening apparently

[@schoolshorts]

Sir Nigel (the man - not the machine) knew how to design something that looked superb and worked extremely well. When I was a boy in Darlington, back in the 1950s before diesels took over, the A4s were the machines we all wanted to see. They were the stars of the show. An A4 hauling one of the crack, non-stop, named expresses at speed past Bank Top station was truly a sight to behold. If only we could see it again!!

[@tristacker]

An interesting presentation. So despite the route from Crewe being passable the main operators pulled the rug from passengers by cancelling all trains north of Preston. I suppose compensation is not due for a cancellation but only if delayed, so at first sign of trouble cancel everything.

[@schoolshorts]

My only experience in this area was with Northern Rail a few years ago when I got caught up in horrendous delays due to severe weather. The company gave me two vouchers, each giving me freedom of their entire network for a whole day and each valid for the next twelve months. I had two glorious summer days out and travelled extensively. Quite what their legal position is once they've issued a "Do not travel" notice - I simply don't know. You'd need to enquire of a lawyer. Those passengers on the overnight sleeper were left in a dreadful situation - they might at least have been allowed to remain onboard until ongoing transport was arranged for them.

[@tristacker]

@@schoolshorts You mean they were asking to disembark? That seems harsh.

[@101jumpit]

Truely magnificent !

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you - much appreciated.

[@andrewharveyofficial]

The heavy rain has caused confusion and delay

[@schoolshorts]

It certainly did!

[@Pedro-lf4gr]

You won't stop steam with a bit of a stream 🤗

[@elrjames7799]

Pulling the 47 type 'deadweight' diesel: why?

[@Scotsman60103]

I imagine the 47 is there not only as a backup but also to provide Electric Train Heating for the coaches.

[@schoolshorts]

Not necessary if the train consists of Mark 1 coaches. Later coaches have air-conditioning, electric heating etc. - and steam locos can't supply the necessary electricity. Plus, if an elderly steam loco breaks down, the diesel can give it a shove to prevent the failure from blocking a main line which might put a huge question mark over the future of steam-hauled specials.

[@jameshennighan8193]

GRAMMATICAL NONSENSE The grammatically banal and ridiculus ""......See it, Say it..Sorted.....!" clearly still in use. So Gresley runs north of Prestion.....in the rain........but not Avanti or TPE.......? Marvellous......! Passengers continue to be insulted........ James Hennighan Yorkshire, England

[@schoolshorts]

Yes. - - yes. - - and yes!

[@4693-v1m]

Not just the organisational chaos - the weed-infested trackbed makes it look uncared-for and dangerous - quite third-world!

[@schoolshorts]

@schoolshorts 1 hour ago The weeds are only encountered in the station where spraying is not permitted for health reasons. Once outside the station the track is perfectly clear and safe for high-speed running. I agree it doesn't look well. (Sorry - replied on a Kindle Fire which posted the reply elsewhere - it does strange things from time to time!)

[@Play_fare]

@@schoolshortsI was wondering about the ROW greenery too. With more rain, it could cause some serious drainage issues in the station. Hopefully they find an effective non-hazardous solution to the weed problem in station areas.

[@alkhaov]

What an unfortunate coincidence, flooding on the 65th jubilee.

[@schoolshorts]

True - but it gave the A4 a chance to show it's mettle.

[@schoolshorts]

The weeds are only encountered in the station where spraying is not permitted for health reasons. Once outside the station the track is perfectly clear and safe for high-speed running. I agree it doesn't look well.

[@Roy-gi5ul]

H&S gone absolutely crazy! Surely there are safe alternatives?

[@schoolshorts]

@@Roy-gi5ul You'd have thought so, wouldn't you.

[@stevelewis6154]

Great video but let's face it the train operators don't need much of an excuse to cancel trains. The railways in this country have become a joke.

[@schoolshorts]

I didn't see the flooded track myself so can't comment on how bad it was. I believe it was a mile or so north of the station so wouldn't have affected the charter train. ScotRail were not operating between Dumfries and Carlisle - and they don't cancel lightly.

[@TamasKiss-bv9hz]

👍👍👍❤🤍💚 Tom from Hungary.

[@schoolshorts]

Thank you Tamas.

[@mothmagic1]

Modern railways don't run they stagger from one crisis to the next

[@schoolshorts]

It often seems that way, doesn't it.

[@titup2]

Modern trains are much more vulnerable to damage from water beneath the carriages, and the GW rule is that trains must not run if the water is above the railhead; if it does happen, the train has to be taken out if service for checks for damage underneath. Heritage trains do not have the same problems.

[@schoolshorts]

Sophistication brings its own problems!

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi Leslie another great video mate

[@schoolshorts]

You 've got the wrong channel I'm afraid!

[@rosewhite---]

complete with period oil lamp!

[@schoolshorts]

- - but of course!

[@martinreed9565]

sorry but it British and so are all the Mk 1 and 2 they are much Better than an unconfutable Class 700/ 707 /717 way better the the appressed class 390 like being in a Sardine can. now even the IC125 Are in Mexico and class 86 /87 and 92 in Bulgaria Doing well for being life expire.and all our wonderful steam Locomotives .

[@schoolshorts]

In the days when we built our own - we did it well.

[@owainbaber4159]

'modern stuff just couldn't hack it', this is just nonsense, why the hyperbole.

[@1974silverboy]

Absolutely no need to cancel any trains due to rain. When you understand that there's a hidden agenda to stop / restrict travel though (same happening on the airlines) it makes it obvious why they are doing this.

[@schoolshorts]

Unfortunately most of the trains on the West Coast Main Line have axle- mounted electric motors which wouldn't survive immersion in flood water. Sir Nigel doesn't have that problem.