70013: Regulator Wide Open | The Christmas Cheshireman - 25th November 2017

With the Christmas season of Railtours now under way I made the decision to capture the more favorable of the days tours which had 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' at the helm - a loco that I haven't seen on the mainline since 2014. The loco failed to dissapoint with not one shot where the regulator wasn't wide open.
After waking up at 4am, I made it to Bristol just before 7am for the early departure and the run up Filton Bank caught at Narroways junction. The Brit made a fantastic attack of the bank having just began the day. After a dash across into Wales , the next shot is at Llanvihangel Bank captured roughly half way up the 1-82 bank. With the tour making a passenger pick up at Abergavenny, diesel assistance was inevitable. Luckily this was minimal at the point it passed me with the Brits bark heard for a long time before and after passing. Back in the car and a quick dash to Wistanstow followed. Having run late at the Hereford water stop, Oliver Cromwell passed 20 minutes late in fantastic winter sunshine - something we wouldn't have had if the tour was on time. The final shot was to have been at the crossing just beyond the A5 tunnel after Chirk, however with the Brit making up almost a quarter of an hour by the time it got to Chirk, it passed underneath just as we got to Chirk and therefore the shot was missed.
For the return we ventured to the destination at Chester. Originally hoping for the shot overlooking the station, we had to settle for the proceeding bridge owing to the closure of the aforementioned bridge. 70013 was eventually away in a light drizzle that luckily we managed to miss throughout the day despite an unpromising weather forecast. Finally, we ventured to the small station at Wem. I had no idea what to expect here but was pleasantly pleased to witness the Brit fly through pushing the 75mph limit.
Please note this video was uploaded when publishing as The RailwayLad.

[@HROM1908]

The best steam video I have ever see left me in tears. The last thing I heard was a baby crying after the monster left the station !

[@rodneymaennling5963]

YES! THE BEST EVER! Nic forwarded this video to me, thanks Bro. Also, I enjoyed the story (above) of the filming. What fun! Remided me of when as a boy standing on the LMS Watford station being blown sideways as the express screamed past.

[@harnettyrailways]

Brilliant filming especially at the beginning as the sun rose. Best Wishes. Richard

[@AuthenticAspects]

Cheers Richard

[@dazt103]

Brilliant video. Wonderful sights and sounds of a superb engine. Thanks for sharing it.

[@victoriousrufus6747]

What a magnificent sight! Long live steam locomotives!

[@geograph1000]

Really good vid, I thoroughly enjoyed this production

[@paulcaswell2813]

Love the opening clip - exhaust through the townscape. As a still it's framable!

[@iandocwra1169]

Fine filming (and sound!).

[@TheCrazyhorse1876]

I can't add to what has already been said other than you must have slept well that night,great stuff

[@philippankhurst6680]

'Pushing the 75mph limit' ? A thrilling piece of film

[@cachinnans]

That's a fantastic film Will! Obviously a lot of work and planning went into getting the locations right and it really paid off. And 70013 in such fine form didn't disappoint! A real joy to watch.

[@AuthenticAspects]

Thanks Nic! Took a bit of scouting and planning but I’m glad it all paid off - Ollie clearly in fine form. Cheers, Will.

[@billhoward7354]

A brilliant piece of filming. I have not heard No 13 bark quite so much as that before but it was a pity they had to put that thing on the back. Still a brilliant day by the looks of it. Well done.

[@AuthenticAspects]

The bark of the Brit could be heard loud above the thing ticking over on the back - certainly didn’t deter the enjoyment of the day.

[@conkeroonee]

At least it added extra weight to make 70013 work a bit harder.

[@red110tdi]

The last clip through the station is magical

[@bobnweaver]

A superb video, well done catching 70013 at all those locations.

[@AuthenticAspects]

Cheers Bob, it certainly took some doing!

[@ianwarriner8193]

many thanks! simply wonderful sound

[@inyobill]

Steam was gone in San Diego by 1950, I am JUST to young to remember main-line steam. I am jealous of folks who grew up in areas where steam was retired later.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Very good video with Ollie in great form, sparkling pan shots, great positioning and a night shot as well - love them! A good day's work, you must be really chuffed with the results! Best wishes. Ken

[@AuthenticAspects]

Thanks Ken! Yes was great to have had the planning pay off - Ollie performed spectacularly. Cheers, Will.

[@inyobill]

These clips speak for themselves, no dialogue, cheesy music, … required. Very nice. I've often wondered, why is there typically a pronounced beat to the exhaust? I would expect the exhaust on each stroke to be equal. Is it because of the 90 degree timing on the valves?

[@John900C]

Crackin'! I was on that train with my wife for a grand day out in Chester. It was nice to be warm and cosseted in first class, but we missed the spectacular views you captured for us. Thanks for braving the weather.

[@AuthenticAspects]

Thanks John. Certainly looked like a good tour to be on with a lot of noise from upfront! Glad you enjoyed the day and the video. Cheers, Will

[@John900C]

We could hear the engine well on the train. The driver gave the fireman plenty of work. A few slips on the banks but well caught. Do you think the valve setting was a bit off? The exhaust sounded unbalanced.

[@AuthenticAspects]

I’ve heard a couple of comments regarding the beat. Sounded on point to me

[@ralph5407]

Cracking coverage Will.

[@AuthenticAspects]

Thanks Ralph

[@JintySteam1]

In the first shot I bet residents heard it from miles away!

[@ajt7027]

superb piece of video with well thought out content good work ajt

[@AuthenticAspects]

Thanks Allan, not to sure the I thought through the amount of time I’d be awake for though... cheers, Will

[@stestepney]

Very nice mate cheers Steve ..

[@MrKnowwun]

very nice indeed

[@martinbayliss3868]

What a beast!

[@jamesrippard4998]

I had also recorded her through Moreton on lugg unfortunately she was having problems. but she was going fine for me to film.

[@yorkshirelad2102]

Absolutely brilliant - gave me goosebumps!

[@Sikkenbaas]

Awesome!!

[@wooltman]

What a cracking video,thanks for sharing it's a thumbs up and subs from me!.........Regards Chris

[@AuthenticAspects]

Cheers Chris!

[@scotsguy422]

3.04 !!!!!