A Beautiful Noise! 7029 Clun Castle & 61306 Mayflower. The Bath Christmas Market 1Dec19

It’s cold and Bath is stuck under heavy cloud whilst all around is dry and sunny but the sight and, as Neil Diamond famously sang; "Beautiful Noise" of two 4-6-0’s with regulator wide open can brighten the darkest skies and warm the coldest spirit! The much anticipated return of Clun Castle to the Western Main-line sets the scene as we hear, then see this distinctive locomotive blast through Twerton Tunnel and thrash along the Avon Valley below Corston. Not to be outdone, 61306 Mayflower puts on a fine show lifting her train out of Bath Spa Station and powering through Oldfield Park. After more "beautiful noise" from the Abbey bells but huge crush of humanity in the Christmas Market it is a relief to retire to the quiet of Bathwick Hill for the departure of 7029. Spare a thought for the photographers whose view is entirely blocked by the held 'down' service as the Castle’s exhaust echoes in the valley. We finish with the full atmosphere of tired but excited shoppers in Bath Spa Station as Mayflower gathers her cargo and sets off into the cold night.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Superb noise and effort from the B1. Excellent 👍🏻

[@garyhess7439]

WOW even the tunnels facade is fantastic.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Gary and thank you for your comment. Two things combine here to explain, first: the City of Bath which even at the time of railway construction was considered to be architecturally unique and proud of it's standing in the country and second: one of the most innovative and extravagant Chief Engineers of any Railway Company at the time; Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Many of the tunnel mouths and bridges in the area are similarly ornate. Regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

That’s the excellent view from the building to look down at bath station

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Excellent job Alan especially seeing mayflower chasing clun castle on two different railtours

[@Steamclips]

Thank you for your kind and interesting comments Scott. Have a good Christmas. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

same to you alan

[@bobingram6912]

My heart sank when the lights changed to green whilst 61306 was powering towards us, but I was relieved all was OK, nice one sir!!!👍 Good night shooting under the circumstances, thought that slopey fronted effort was going to block the view for a minute and I expect the shepherds will have been well pleased with that sunset!!! Alan, all that we wish for is for you to carry on bringing your top quality videography to us lesser armchair mortals. All the very best to you and thank you for your first class captures❤

[@Steamclips]

Hello Bob and thank you once again for such heartwarming comments. We were really lucky with passing services on the day, if you look under the bridge at 5:42 you will see the lights of the Up service which passed in about 10 seconds. I anticipated the problems at station level for the return 7029 tour and was again lucky with that final shot. It was a great way to finish filming for the year. Have a lovely Christmas. Best wishes, Alan

[@bcu567obzx]

Beautiful camera work and yes you're right the sound is quite unique and beautiful sounding through the valley.

[@SimplyTakuma]

The elegant Castle class ❤️

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

first class top quality videography. thank you for making and sharing

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind and very much valued feedback. Have a good Christmas. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Clun castle last came to Bristol in 1985 during the 150th anniversary of the great western railway when it did the double heading work with earl Bathurst the sister castle keith

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Nothing beats the sights and sounds of Steam at Night.

[@EMuksteam]

Excellent video Alan. Fantastic filming at Corston and Bathwick, . Great selection of locations. Enjoyable watching. We captured these two tours at Bath Spa. Kind regards C&A

[@Steamclips]

Hi folks, great to get your heartwarming comments as always and glad you were able to get to see the show for yourselves. A bit like buses: we've had nothing for weeks then two come along at once! but great to see. Have a lovely Christmas. Best wishes, Alan

[@tadpoles10]

Thank you for sharing this great video Alan. I still have to pinch myself when viewing this great iconic piece of history that I had the pleasure of not only firing her in the last days prior to retirement but have cine film to prove it. Just this week I met up with a few 'old' workmates I had the pleasure of spending time with on the footplate back in the early 60's. 'Happy Days'. atvb t ..

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you so much for sharing your memories, it is always a great pleasure to hear from footplate-men both past and present. Who could have imagined that when you finished your career working steam, that 50+ years later you would be able to see sights such as this on a regular basis with locomotives (in marked contrast to the last days of B.R. steam) immaculately turned-out, well maintained, loved and treasured. Best wishes for a great Christmas and look forward to the return of my all time favourite: "Spud" next year. Maybe you fired her too?. Alan

[@joeykn9014]

Top notch stuff alan you never fail to impress keep up the awesome work

[@Steamclips]

Thank you Joseph I really appreciate your kind remarks. Have a good Christmas. Alan

[@tobytrainspotter]

Excellent video! Some great captures and shots. Was very nice to meet you at Oldfield Park. All the best.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Toby and thank you for getting in touch with such kind comments, I really appreciate it. The pleasure was all mine and I hope we meet again sometime. Best regards, Alan

[@tobytrainspotter]

Your welcome. Keep up your excellent footage that you are making.

[@Steven_Rowe]

Alan Yah dunit again? Brilliant video. Also like to hear Bath Abbey ring some Stedman Caters on he 10 bells? Another interest of mine bellringing.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you Steven and interesting to get your bell-ringing info. , I must say, it did add to the atmosphere. Best regards, Alan

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@Steamclips you would be amazed at how many ringers are actually ail fanatics. It seems that bells beer and steam coexist in perfect harmony.

[@Steamclips]

@@Steven_Rowe as an ex Morris Dancer (with bells on), I know exactly what you mean!!

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@Steamclips are you really that is fantastic

[@arthurreeder2474]

Great footage again mate, and as for those bells!!! 'Clunc' has always been my favourite Castle from the first time I cabbed it at Tyseley. Odd to think that it was surrounded by the mortal remains of Defiant, Earl of Mt Edgcombe and Albert Hall(as it was then) with Thornbury inside the works, that all bar Thornbury have steamed and steamed well. I hope that some day you can capture Thornbury being put through it's paces like this as well?

[@Steamclips]

Hello Arthur and thank you for your kind and most interesting comments. It is always a joy to hear "inside" stories from those familiar with the locomotive in the clip. Best regards, Alan

[@Pirate-Scorcher-1998]

Extravaganza video love it

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you, your kind comment is very much appreciated. Best Regards, Alan

[@callumthornelow2936]

Absolutely amazing filming of both engines!, Mayflower put on a good show, but Clun Castle just stole the limelight, Your first couple of shots look like 1959 not 2019.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Callum and thank you for such kind and very much appreciated comments. Now you mention it, the first two shots look like they are from a different era, maybe the dull weather and suppressed colours have something to do with it! Best regards, Alan

[@2025SPACEDUDE]

5:03 it sounded like a girl was screaming at the top of her lungs

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your fun (and pretty accurate!) comment. The pitch chosen for whistles is interesting. These engines were originally designed for use in Scotland (and Northern England) where a high pitched whistle was believed to be more audible in open country. At the other end of the scale the LMS hooter was adopted because low frequencies travel further. Neither however are half as effective as the pitch of Clun Castle's whistle, which seems to strike the right balance between high and lower frequencies. Kind regards, Alan