7029 Clun Castle hauls the Birmingham 'Polar Express' - 01.12.24

[@nickjh1968]

Fantastic footage, and I must say the quality/resolution is incredible, thank you !

[@themodster]

Glad you enjoyed it Nick. Thanks

[@callumthornelow2936]

Superb footage Thomas. I remember 10 years ago when very few places in the UK did "Polar Express" trips at Christmas time. Now they're everywhere.

[@themodster]

Thanks Callum. Indeed they're certainly covering their ground now

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Fantastic stuff Thomas, glad you did go in the end as you’ve got some lovely footage there with 7029 sounding well. Regards, Dan

[@themodster]

Thanks Dan. The sunshine made it very tempting.

[@joelightrailway2362]

Nicely done video of Clun Castle with the Polar Express tours 👍👍

[@themodster]

Thanks Joe

[@allangibson4354]

Excellent compilation, many thanks for posting.

[@themodster]

Cheers Allan

[@BrianSeaman]

Thomas - you are amazing - I don't know what you're on, but your productions are great :)

[@themodster]

Thank you Brian. Must've improved over the last few years! It obviously helps when plans come to fruition.

[@LiamsLocos]

Lovely coverage Tom! If I’d of known you was up my kneck or the woods I’d of come and said hi!

[@themodster]

Thanks Liam. I'm sure our paths will cross again.

[@Backwardlooking]

👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Thank you.

[@SimonTog]

Nice video Thomas :)

[@themodster]

Thanks Simon

[@SSccaanniiaa]

No support coach needed? 😮

[@themodster]

Not for a short run like this. The loco and stock are based at Tyseley so should there be an issue they're not far away from their base.

[@SSccaanniiaa]

@themodster Oh ok! 👍

[@thomasspencer2649]

@@themodster Plus they have a Diesel to assist which will come in handy if anything went wrong

[@rogerredding5269]

Love it but tender first at the rear above 45 mph looks a bit iffy to me ?

[@themodster]

When towed by a diesel, steam locomotives are allowed to go up to 60mph backwards. If they are running tender first providing the power, they're only permitted to 45mph.

[@PaulMiller-h2l]

Anyone see 196105 in the depot?

[@CyclarityUK]

How often do you get steam here?

[@themodster]

These runs take place every weekend until Christmas.

[@vsts2004]

👏👏👏👍👍

[@neilosborne716]

Lovely to see but always sad to see a diesel on the back as it gives the impression the steam loco isn’t powerful enough. I have heard the reasoning behind this and how it was going to be made unnecessary but sadly never happened.

[@themodster]

In this case, the diesel was needed to tow the train to Dorridge. It wasn't working when the steam was leading, meaning the Castle was hauling the equivalent of 10 coaches.

[@Matty_1843]

Literally been standard practice for decades, and just because it's there doesn't mean it's working. And on this particular occasion it's literally necessary to run the route they are. Believe me, if it was working, you would know.