Black Fives 44871 & 45407 roar up the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline! | Great Britain XVI Day 2 | 14/4/24

Today’s video sees me chasing LMS ‘Black 5’ Class 4-6-0 44871 double heading with LMS ‘Black 5’ Class 4-6-0 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier, hauling Day 2 of RYTC’s “Great Britain XVI”, which is a 9 day tour covering all the best and most scenic routes in Britain! The tour goes from London and back, this year passing the Kent Coast, through the Cotswolds, up through the Cumbrian Fells and spending a few days in Scotland, before it will return back to London via Central Wales and the Great Western Mainline. Because of the ongoing central door locking (CDL) issue with West Coast, the duties for this tour this year are only with air brakes locos, hence the heavy use of 44871 and 45407 as well as 34067 on a couple of the days around the North West. Day 2 originated in Cheltenham, with the Black 5s double heading the train to Lancaster, via the Lickey Incline between Bromsgrove and Blackwell, the steepest sustained mainline gradient in Britain at 1 in 37.7! It then continued through the suburbs of Birmingham, Stafford, Crewe, where it stopped for water, Warrington, Wigan and then through Preston to finish the day.
Luckily for us the weather forecast on this day was looking great, with clear skies and sun in the morning, which meant we could try out the Lickey from angles that work well with the sun's positioning. Unfortunately because trains don’t start until very late in the West Midlands on a Sunday, I had to start the day on the bike with ​⁠​⁠‪@LukeAlfordUKsteam‬. After a cycle ride to the Lickey, where we met ​⁠​⁠‪@blackcountrysteamvideos8021‬,​⁠​⁠‪@LiamsLocos‬, ​⁠​⁠‪@James_Trains‬, ​⁠​⁠‪@FullSteamAhead‬ and ​⁠​⁠‪@MarshSteamVideosTM‬ at Vigo, I decided on Pikes Pool (where I met ​⁠​⁠‪@Sidmouth34010‬) rather than the usual Vigo to deviate from my norm. We did have the usual bowlage risk but thankfully a late departure off Cheltenham permitted us a clear view. The 47 thankfully was not doing too much of the work which was a relief, so the shot worked out terrifically as the lighting looked a real treat on the pair as they thrashed up the incline to Blackwell and made quite some noise, completing the whole climb in about 3 minutes and topping the incline at some pace. A very quick dash on my bike to Bromsgrove ensued, where I took a 323 to Birmingham. After that, a meal deal and then a 350 ensured my next shot at Penkridge, where despite someone standing in my shot and the sun having gone in by now, I'd say this turned out well. Next, during my change at Crewe I was able to observe the pair of Black 5s and even cab 45407! After that I continued to Warrington for the final shot of the pair, where a lovely whistle and them travelling at full speed rounded off a good day brilliantly.
After this I headed back home. Thanks to all who made this possible, including my bike, my company, Avanti, WMR, the mighty Black 5s and their crew! Thank you also to my secondary planner who's again shown her mastery of location scouting by helping me out with locations today. I hope you enjoy this as I did!

[@laalrattysbrother]

Nice video, especially that Lickey shot! I saw them with the ECS at Hest Bank, wish more stuff would head my way on a Sunday.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Sunday steam isn't particularly common so i can see why! I imagine Hest Bank would have been lovely. Regards, Dan

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Dan, Thanks for covering Pikes Pool as I had considered videoing there and you produced a superb capture. You were luck with that service train. Great coverage. Regards, John

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much John! No worries as for Pikes Pool, I knew of the location but wasn't sure if the fence had ruined it, and yes we were very lucky with that 323. Regards, Dan

[@rankoutsiderproductions6006]

I like the worm's-eye views!

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Haha thank you! They aren't always practical but a nice addition when they are. Regards, Dan

[@LiamsLocos]

As always, never lacks quality Dinabloke💪🏽 As always we have a laugh when we meet up and always a pleasure :) Liam

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Legend mate! Absolutely great to catch up even if only briefly. Roll on the next one I say. Regards, Dan

[@Tristan_303]

Another nearly-bowled shot. Keep that luck going!

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Haha some day my luck will run out lol. I was nearly bowled at Penkridge too lol. Regards, Dan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

At least the weather is looking good for today and I’ve just caught the hst that was following that tour 4 hours behind it going to Berwick upon tweed

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

I hope you enjoyed it mate! Regards, Dan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@crunchynutsteamfilms5043same to you

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Another good video, Good to see you again bloke. Glad I sacked penkridge off with those people stood over the line.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much mate. Yes Penkridge has its usual risks but overall pleased with it. Great to see you again too as always mate, onto Plymouth! Regards, Dan

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Another lovely video well done great camera work as usual I am really looking forward to seeing your next video I hope you get a nice video next time also when is your next video going to be on KZbin bye for now Philip

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Dan

[@Tristan_303]

I was at Leyland and I am just starting to upload my video

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

That's great! I'll check it out now. Regards, Dan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Thumbs up to you Danny check out my footage from bowling green lane overbridge The last time I saw these two locos together was 8 years ago when they were in charge of the other tour to Cardiff

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Same for me Scott, back in 2016. Regards, Dan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@crunchynutsteamfilms5043yeah Dan