Blue Peter - An unintentional Record breaker

today we look at the only surviving A2 peppercorn to grace the UK metals, in this weeks video we look at the history of blue Peter, its links to a special TV series and we look at the accident and its aftermath that made it potentially a technical record breaker.
Heartbreaking by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. creativecommon...
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@stephenphillip5656]

That volcanic slip must have been a terrifying experience for the engine crew & everyone else.

[@benstrainsandthings]

Durham viaduct?

[@chumishdatank]

I wouldve been a nightmare for engineers and the people who owned blue peter

[@jboxgaming444]

She’s Back and she’s in Service once again!

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah and in blue too I'd love to see her at some point

[@duncancurtis5971]

How Blue Peter survived is still a remarkable feat. By 1966 all others had gone to the boneyards.

[@JelMain]

A sad day for this 13 year old, as every loco that ever there was passed the foot of our garden on the way to Ashford.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

it was a combination of luck and will in my opinion but im glad she did survive

[@grahamc887]

My Father was a driver at Ferryhill loco (61B) in Aberdeen where Blue Peter was based. He recalled firing the engine on many occasions and how the engine had an accident and ended up in a field. Sadly my Dad is no longer with us to ask more detail as to the accident,all I can recall is him saying was “ the engine was never as good after the repair it used to ride like being in a coach before the accident”. My Dad served 47 years with LNER and British railways and was one of the last drivers to be promoted as a “Steam Driver” having to convert to diesel in the early 1960’s.

[@Mr.Neil1]

do you know which engine was involved in the accident? may your dad rest in peace

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

The engine in question was 60532. There was a good photo of it on BBC TVs 'Blue Peter', over on its side in a ditch. The photo was sent in by the son of one of the recovery team who was seen in the pic..@@Mr.Neil1

[@Mr.Neil1]

@@tooleyheadbang4239 thanks for the information!

[@huyshe123]

I was there in Durham that day looking across at the viaduct. When the emergency release valves opened the sound could be heard for miles, I'm not exaggerating. A code red (full disaster scenario) went through to the emergency services and every appliance in the county raced there. Let us not forget someone was badly injured too.

[@itzteslamodels9320]

Imagine Tornado and Blue Peter and Flying Scotsman And Sir Nigel Gresley Together A1 A2 A3 A4!

[@ViperZero523]

Can you use a comma, fuckin hell dude

[@bassetdad437]

A well done video. I was a member of the NELPG team which collected the Albatross from Dinting and took it to Wilton for overhaul. We spent many evenings and Sundays working on the loco. When it was nearing completion when ever we raised steam the works fire brigade was on standby so we gave them short rides for their trouble. We ran the loco in on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Blue Peter film crews had a few days recording our runs. The loco entered revenue earning traffic on Boxing Day 1991 getting some mileage before going to Derby for final inspection and a loaded test run before being approved for main line running.

[@danielbarton9291]

Brilliant video, well done. I was there on board the Heart of Midlothian railtour that day, we enjoyed a brilliant day until the breakdown. My dad and I joined the train at Newcastle, over to Carlisle diesel hauled where we picked up BP, North to Kilmarnock, then Edinburgh and south on ECML to Newcastle then Durham. The stop on the viaduct was noticeable on board but there was no panic or fuss. I remember leaning out of the window after the event and seeing the fire below the engine, must have been raked out quickly. I can't cross Durham viaduct now without recalling those events. That was actually my first time on an intercity 225, the newest train on the ECML at the time, once the rake got hauled back to Durham, we walked to the other side and got the train back to Newcastle, I can't recall if the loco was dragged back or not, Im fairly certain that she remained on the viaduct. What a shame but at least lessons were learned. Didn't put me off steam or trains and now I have kids of my own, I feel that it's so important to keep steam alive, now more than ever. Channels like this do so much to help the cause and I'm happy to subscribe.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you and welcome :) yeah I still cringe when I hear and see that clip. its horrific to see and you just know its not going to be pretty the other side. thankfully the repairs were done relatively quick considering the damage and while they could have put her on preservation, they didn't. I've yet to see Blue Peter on the tracks but its something im really looking forward too.

[@RoseSupreme]

A nice video of this engine who recently returned after 22 years!

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

I remember this loco being adopted by the BBC children's programme of the same name in the 70's. Even rode on it at Dinting!

[@a.r.productions]

Exellent documentary, very well put together! It all makes sense why the east coast mainline via Newcastle hardly sees any railtours. Hopefully we can see this glorious engine return. Cheers Aadil

[@rypatmackrock]

Based on the story of what happened, and lessons learned; a highly experienced crew for the engine will be required with proper regulations to keep it under control. Maybe this engine could sit next to its famous cousin/sibling the flying Scotsman, and maybe the A4s like Mallard and the other preserved examples. I am very imaginative, yet the near disaster was quite harrowing to hear, and see with that footage.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

it was awful, but lessons have been learnt from this. I hope one day that blue Peter would sit alongside scotsman - time will only tell.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much and I hope so too I would love to see her out and about

[@jackthedragon612]

Great video! Absolutely amazing, loved the passion in the speech in the last few minutes.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@RichardLordRix]

Thank you. This was a wonderful introduction to your channel of which I was previously unaware. Back in the day I remember John, Peter and Valerie taking about "532 Blue Peter" [Yeah, they always said the number before the name!] and I've often wondered what happened to her but never motivated myself to find out. I even thought the programme had taken any old loco from the scrapyard and restored it and renamed it with the programme's name. To find out the loco's history and Peppercorn's involvement and biography was a welcome revelation. The "mishap" has also filled in a hole in my knowledge of the history of mainline steam in BR days. I've already subscribed to your channel and look forward to catching up with your content, as well as the new content you release.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so so much and welcome

[@brianyoung5532]

I remember seeing it at Dinting ,many thanks for a good video

[@DoncasterDrawn]

you are welcome :)

[@barry5787]

A scary moment for the crew, dearie me, what was going through their minds doesn't bare thinking about.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yup luckily we learnt lessons from this

[@DramaCarWolf]

March 2024 and Blue Peter is back and running now! 🎉 Being an American, this engine has been one of the most facilitating steam engines I have ever seen since it showed the true power of what steam can do.

[@peterjohncooper]

A fascinating story. And an excellent narration. Well done all round.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

Many thanks!

[@stuarthart3370]

Beautiful locomotive. many thanks for this delightful video.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

I needed to know why they don’t dig a tunnel and do an extension for the main line Train so that they can extend the unused abandoned underground train stations. Why couldn’t they use the part D78 Stock train doors on the sides and also restructure the front face of the A60 and A62 stock that includes the class 313, class 314 and class 315 remix and make them all together and also redesign them an overhead line and also make them into Five cars per units and also having three Disabled Toilets on those Five cars per units A60 and A62 stock trains and also convert the A60 and A62 stock trains into a Scania N112, Volvo B10M, Gardner 6LXB, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 8LXB Diesel Engines and also put the Loud 7-Speed Voith Gearboxes even Loud 8-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Gearboxes in the A60 and A62 stock, class 313, class 314, and class 315 and also modernise the A60 and A62 stock and make it into an 11 car per unit so it could have fewer doors, more tables, computers and mobile phone chargers. A Stock Trains and also having 8 Disabled Toilets on those A stock trains. why couldn’t we refurbish and modernise the Waterloo and city line Triple-Track train tunnel and make it more Larger and extend it to the bank station, making it into a Triple-Track Railway Line so those Five countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden to convert the waterloo and city line Triple-Track Railway tunnel into a High-Speed Railway lines? The Third Euro tunnel Triple-Track Railway line to make it 11 times better for passengers so they could go from A to B. Then put the modernised 11 car per unit A Stock and put them on a bigger modernised Waterloo and city line Triple-Track train tunnel so it could go to bank station to those Five countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden. The modernised refurbished 11 cars per unit A stock could be a High Speed The Third Triple-Track Euro Tunnel Train So it is promising and 47 times a lot more possible to do this kind of project if that will be OK for London Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden. oh by the way, could they also tunnel the Triple-Track Railway Line so it will stop from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex so that the Passengers will go to Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden and also extend the Triple-Track Railway Line from the Bank to Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex Stations so that more people from there could go to Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland And Sweden more Easily. Why couldn't they extend the Piccadilly Line and also build brand-new underground train stations so it could go even further right up to Clapton, Wood Street can they also make another brand new underground train station in Chingford and could they extend the Piccadilly Line and the DLR right up to Chingford? All of the classes 150, 155, 154, 117, 114, 105, and 106, will be replaced by all of the Scania N112, Volvo B10M, Gardner 6LXB, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 8LXB Diesel Five carriages three disabled toilets are air conditioning trains including Highams Park for extended roots which is the Piccadilly line and the DLR trains. Could you also convert all of the 1973 stock trains into an air-conditioned maximum speed 78 km/hours (48 MPH) re-refurbished and make it into a 8 cars per unit if that will be alright, and also extend all of the Piccadilly train stations to make more space for all of the extended 8 car per unit 1973 stock air condition trains and can you also build another Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive Companies and can they order Every 67 Octagon and Every 37 Hexagon shape LNER diagram unique small no.13 and unique small no.11 Boilers from those Countries such as Greece, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, can they make Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive speeds by up to 147MPH so you can try and test it on the Original Mainline so it will be much more safer for the Passengers to enjoy the 147MPH speed Limit only for HS2 and Channel Tunnel mainline services, if they needed 16 Carriages Per units, can they use those class 55’s, class 44’s, class 40’s and class 43HST Diesel Locomotive’s right at the Back of those 18 Carriages Per Units so they can take over at the Back to let those Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive’s have a rest for those interesting Journeys Please!!!!!!, oh can you make all of those Coal Boxes’s 18 Tonnes for all of those 147MPH Mayflower and Tornado Steam Locomotive’s so the Companies will Understand us PASSENGER’S!! so please make sure that the Builders can do as they are told!!!!! And Please do something about these very very important Professional ideas Please? Prime Minister of England, Prime Minister of Australia, Prime Minister of Sweden, Prime Minister of Germany, Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Minister of Poland and that Includes the Mayor of London.

[@simonpenrose5466]

Most interesting, I always wondered what happened to the 532 after I stopped watching Blue Peter. Thank you.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

you're welcome

[@trevorhart545]

Thank you for this. I last saw Blue Peter at ICI Wilton, Teesside, where is stayed for a while. Regarding "powerful" I believe when GWR and LNER swapped engines that the King and Castle Class locomotives actually had the edge. I am from the North East so biased but credit to the unique range of 4-6-0 Locos of the GWR. My favourite has never changed though, A4.

[@BrokenIET]

4079 "Pendennis Castle" was the only GWR loco to be used on the LNER for trials (excluding the 1948 exchange trials), but yes, she ran laps around Gresley's A1s which she was being tested against, hauling larger trains, burning less coal and faster than the LNER engines. Bear in mind the castles were built with Welsh coal in mind, and yet still despite having Northern coal still was superior to the A1. Same scenario when the LNER tested their A1 on the Great Western mainline, the castle it was being tested against ran laps around the LNER loco. and people wonder why I like GWR, its amazing.

[@MidlandProductions]

clearly one of your most interesting and best videos

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thanks so much

[@lukeslocomotives]

Just had this recommended to me, and my only regret is... Not finding your channel sooner! Great content, I have subscribed =)

[@DoncasterDrawn]

Welcome aboard! Thank you so much

[@user-uz6ny3dj3k]

Excellent production/narration - well done!

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you very much

[@mick35w]

I was in Durham that evening, can still remember the roar as it was slipping, the sound echoed across durham

[@DoncasterDrawn]

ooff, i can only imagine

[@kupferbergbahn7952]

Such a well put together and informative video! That accident is almost like what happened at the Gettysburg Railroad. Although I'd actually consider what happened to Blue Peter to genuinely be an accident rather than having very little training, like at Gettysburg.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@robertgift]

What happened at Gettysburg? East Broadtop Railroad?

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@robertgift It should have been scrapped after the accident. Too many design flaws and too unreliable for modern day running

[@wizlish]

Crownsheet partial failure due to a combination of dubious maintenance and dubious operation. I think we have the Canadians to thank, more or less directly, that the accident was not far worse than it was.

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

@@wizlish A good way of destroying a steam locomotive is run it up to full temperature and pressure. Then let the water level drop so the crown sheet is exposed. Exit the footplate and observe from a distance!

[@markstott6689]

I remember the locomotive being on Blue Peter in the early 70's. I'd only have been 4 or 5 at the time I'd guess. It seems strange that I had forgotten all about the locomotive until I saw this video.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

glad i could be able to bring back those memories

[@limeyfox]

I enjoyed this video very much, subscribed. A well made and fair account of the origins and details of the locomotive. My only comment would be that the ‘ban’ on ECML steam did not last particularly long, as soon as Open Access rules came in with privatisation, then Railtrack / Network Rail could not legally prevent steam from operating provided all the necessary safety cases were obtained. (This is incidentally why there was such an explosion of steam charters on the network in the last 20-25 years compared to the BR years before. The reason ECML sees relatively little steam action is simply because it is a very congested trunk railway with extensive double-track sections, making even 75mph steam paths difficult to timetable.)

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much and welcome :) yeah the ban didn't last long. the public loved their steam. you're right, the privatisation of the railways was a factor in bringing steam back and in many ways im glad for it. I can only hope that with the new Great british rail coming back into force in 2023, we don't see it crumble.

[@JelMain]

It's a tad surprising, given you can already do Fishguard-Cardiff-Crewe-Ribbledale-Carlisle-Newcastle on local lines, including some very scenic stretches. Indeed, once the Waverley route is renewed, Edinburgh and the entire Scotrail network is possible - eventually.

[@joshslater2426]

I’m still a firm supporter of Mallard holding the record. Regardless of whether an American loco may have potentially been able to go faster or whether Blue Peter accidentally went faster due to an accidental surge, Mallard deserves the record. The loco is the final stage of a long design chain.

[@brentleajunction]

Hi nice video didn't know any of this great to watch never a big fan of steam until I bought myself the model flying Scotsman and now I have it in sound and the Tornado now I love them the sound excellent machines great video thanks

[@DoncasterDrawn]

you are very welcome

[@tomriley6957]

Proves that British locomotive design has always been the best in the world.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

im not gonna say it but considering british engines were made for all over the world - we are pretty damn good :)

[@JelMain]

@@DoncasterDrawn Anyone else remember Bill Close and his poodle?

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@DoncasterDrawn America is a close second at least

[@caledonianrailway1233]

5:09 and look who is in charge of the blue Peter society

[@elijahstevenson2546]

The Thin Clergyman. The Creator of Thomas The Tank Engine himself.

[@gregkiteos1936]

Very good video capturing not just the history of _Blue Peter_ but also of Arthur Peppercorn. I hope to see it back sometime within the next 10 years, hopefully sooner. By the way, all the Gresley A1s (apart from _Great Northern,_ which was -butchered- rebuilt by Thompson into a unique A1/1), were converted into A3s. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@gregkiteos1936]

@@DoncasterDrawn You're welcome. I think you meant that Geoff Drury was hoping to buy a Peppercorn A1, but they had all been scrapped.

[@caledonianrailway1233]

Thompson objected to using great northern but was forced to by manegment because of it being cheapest

[@BobFarnell]

wonderful Documenary young lady

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thanks glad you enjoyed

[@terryashton3541]

Regarding this beautiful loco, I did all my trainspotting back in the 1950s mostly on the LMS but also on the LNER, of all the locos I watched back then and this includes `semis` `princess royals``scots` `V2s` `A4s` there was non as magnificent as the A2s, I can vividly remember back in the late 1950s on Doncaster station when I watched Blue Peter come out of the works in ex works condition, what a fantastic sight for a young trainspotter, I sincerely hope this beautiful engine will be back on British rail metals in the not too distant future, there's something about a steam locomotive in motion that cannot be put into words, maybe this is why they hold such a attraction not only to rail fans but the public in general.

[@kristoffermangila]

Good news! She'd just left the shop!

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

Hopefully won't be long before Blue Peter and Tornado are both in service, and I think Blue Peter should wear the blue Livery that Tornado wore for a few years, it looked amazing

[@MasterMoyle]

Ew, no way. Should be done up matching 60163 in BR apple green.

[@kristoffermangila]

Well, she's out of the shop, in BR Express Blue.

[@MervynPartin]

Blue Peter also spent time in Didcot Railway Centre in 1971 or 1972 (not in working order). If I remember correctly, the boiler was awaiting inspection and possible repairs. I do remember hauling it out of the shed together with Pendennis Castle using the Ruston 88DS shunter that the GWS had at the time.

[@RailRocketRicky]

I saw Blue Peter at the Didcot Railway Centre too, but in the year 2000 where she stood inside the Engine Shed.

[@jakedarling7549]

Very nice video. I hope when Blue Peter returns to service, Tornado will still be running and we can see them side by side

[@williamscheuerman1867]

maybe we'll get luck and they'll do a double header with Tornado and blue Peter. But I'd love to see tornado, blue peter, and Prince of wales together in the years to come

[@DoncasterDrawn]

that would be amazing

[@DoncasterDrawn]

ohh yeah, can you imagine it? :)

[@williamscheuerman1867]

Yup, they used to do triple headers in the old days so if blue peter is finished at the same time as the p2. They could make a train race out of it. 2 peppercorns vs the mightiest gresley

[@MasterMoyle]

@@williamscheuerman1867 unlikely we'll see the pair double heading unless on a heritage railway as with the A2 being owned by Hosking 60532 will only operate trains operated by Locomotive Services Limited, 60163 Tornado works trains operated by either DB Cargo OR West Coast Railways.

[@barryroberts2196]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

You are welcome!

[@peter.bridge5897]

Great video of famous locomotives. Love to see them in steam

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@Mustang525]

I can't wait for tornado to not be alone anymore

[@harrythered4-4-0production8]

Actually, they may be built by the same people but tornado isn't an a2. It was buit from scratch and was never associated with blue peter

[@kristoffermangila]

He's referring to the fact that both Blue Peter and Tornado are Arthur Peppercorn designs.

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Very interesting 👌 thanks for sharing 👍

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@khtrains]

Hold on. 5:06 BLUE PETER LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY President: Rev. W. Awdry I did not know he was also involved with Blue Peter!

[@elijahstevenson2546]

Me neither.

[@remmington-allumvidoes7266]

There is another unique steam locomotive that appears to be somewhat forgotten. The Riddles designed Pacific... The Duke of Gloucester.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

the Duke? I think i need to have a look at that one - maybe a research recon to the NRM is on order

[@wizlish]

In my opinion, the finest flower of British steam. The amount of work required to restore 71000 to operating condition dwarfs any cost to Blue Peter, and the way in which the work was conducted and financed is a model to us all. I am of the opinion this locomotive was sabotaged in construction, much as Bulleid's Leader was said to have been -- but the problems have been put right. Be sure to discuss the advantages of British Caprotti (in fact you might want to discuss poppet valves in general)

[@remmington-allumvidoes7266]

@@DoncasterDrawn I believe the loco is at Tysley undergoing restoration.

[@Rosie6857]

@@wizlish Yes, it is now the most efficient British steam locomotive ever produced, largely because of the British Caprotti gear it has. Also the draughting has been sorted whereas previously the loco was known as a "coal scoffer". I know of no evidence that it was sabotaged in construction, just a mistake in design. On the other hand Bulleid's Leader was a ludicrous conception from the word go. I think Bullied was frankly a bit of a nutter.

[@wizlish]

There were too many 'mistakes' in 71000's construction for them all to be 'accidental' (and "coincidentally" giving the locomotive a dog reputation). The arch angle was wrong and the combustion air wrongly provided, too. I'd agree that Bulleid was a bit of a nut, and that Leader as she was actually built in postwar Britain was one of the nuttier productions. Here too you have the overspending of one of the engines (tested on air); the ASLEF blacking; the smokebox door conveniently left ajar... And the complicated valve arrangement just couldn't be kept sealed and lubricated, which led to the chronic leakage including that on poor Harrland Point. I have read that they got it sorted by the end of testing... but I would not want to bet on it staying so for very long in the anticipated service... Bulleid thought that using roller chain for valve-gear drive was a great idea... reasoning by studying machinery that used such drives. It seems not to have occurred to him that most such machinery is rotated in only one direction... meanwhile, he figured cheap sheet metal would work for an oil bath, forgetting (just like the Beslers did on the B&O W-1) that there is a storm of stones,dust, and other crap thrown up by the slipstream...

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

I thought this was an actual record, but actually it's the "Blue Peter Incident"

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah, sorry about that - I would keep an ear to the ground though, with the new P2 coming out, who knows?

[@twowheelfrenzy]

I've been on a train pulled by a peppercorn, but not an A2. I hope one day it's back on the rails =)

[@DoncasterDrawn]

I hope so too!

[@spearn0x]

One time, a PRR S1 broke a record of 156 mph which was never recorded. And Pennsylvania railroad received a fine for that.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

ooff they would have! but very interesting run though. I might do a bit of digging on this

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

There's no official record of that, it's merely claimed

[@spearn0x]

I just said “it wasn’t recorded”

[@beeble2003]

@@spearn0x You also said "broke a record". It didn't break any record, because there was no serious evidence that the locomotive had actually gone that fast.

[@wizlish]

The claimed record was from Arnold Haas, and only about 141 and a fraction which suspiciously maps to a metric speed. The more 'valid' claim was made in an American magazine as ~132mph, but if you examine the supposed location it is not highly likely. I think you have your speed confused with the (ridiculous, imho) supposed top speed of a GG1.

[@dakotastuart4486]

Actually, Geoff Drury had his eye on Saint Mungo, a Peppercorn A1. But it was scrapped and he got 4464 Bittern instead.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

ahh. i never knew the name of the engine but interesting he got bittern

[@kristoffermangila]

IIRC, Saint Mungo's the last of the original Peppercorn A1s to be withdrawn, right?

[@simongleaden2864]

Renaming - renumbering really - ceremony. A 6 year-old me was there! Saw 532, Valerie Singleton and Peter Purves. Didn't manage to see John Noakes. Also, in one the workshops got to go on and walk through Deltic D9003 Meld.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah it was an unofficial/ official renaming (i couldn't understand it either) but the BBC wanted an episode so they got it. very lucky though to be there and to the meet the presenters and go round the shed

[@nounoufriend1442]

Had tour round Blue Peter at Thornaby TMD before it had its mishap ,it was on wheel lathe to have tender wheels re profiled . We were on a class 60 diagnostics course for 2 weeks , guy that showed us round was old fitter from Buxton tmd that had worked on BR steam , he was not best pleased to be on class 60 computer diagnostics course though

[@rypatmackrock]

As an American watching this video for the first time, (after hearing the history and seeing some pictures of steam engines after boiler explosions), I thought I was watching a disaster unfold with that footage of the engine nearly falling apart, even though it mostly survived with a burst safety valve. It was also interesting to see that picture of a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement steam engine that looked like the flying Scotsman, with it’s iconic smoke box door. I paused the video at the picture of the 2-8-2, and I mentally compared it with the famously preserved US steam engines that are of the 4-8-4 design in the US wheel arrangement system. Correct me if I’m wrong, yet I wonder if there is a height limit for British locomotives steam and diesel, because of tunnel clearance. While in the US, (and possibly in South Africa and Australia), The preserved American 4-8-4 steam engines and other American designs are possibly bigger than blue Peter and other British designs. I could be generalizing. It is just my observation based on the wheel arrangements. My honest commentary from watching this video for the first time. The near disaster footage was harrowing to watch for me, and the mental comparison I did on my own accord was interesting to imagine and there’s probably much to learn regarding such.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

Each railway system has its own so called loading gauge. This determines not only, as the name suggests, the maximum height and width a freight car can be loaded to, but mainly the maximum height and width any vehicle can have on that part of a railway network. In the UK where the first railways were built the loading gauge was small accordingly to the then tiny locomotives and wagons used on these. Later when locomotives and rolling stock got larger the loading gauge was somewhat increased, but as many tunnels, bridges, stations and cuttings trough inner cities didn't allow for a huge increase this increase was limited. The British loading gauge is the smallest in use for the standard track gauge of 1435mm/ 4' 8 1/2", in fact smaller than the South African loading gauge in use on their narrower track width of 3'6". Most railways of Europe are built to the UIC loading gauges, there are 9 different templates, of which the larger are similar in shape and size of the American AAR plate B or plate C templates, except for the width being 4" narrower. North America and Mexico use the AAR loading gauges, of which plate A and B are the smallest, and there are another 9 plates used for different types of rolling stock and excess height vehicles like car carriers and double stacked containers. As the US railroads were built on mainly undeveloped land and the cities they terminated in were more spaciously built than European cities they used a large loading gauge direct from the start, also rolling stock was already considerably larger by the time most US railroads were built, think of the 4-4-0 with the large spark arresting stacks. So for the UK, building larger locomotives would be something of a challenge as a longer locomotive needs to be built narrower towards the ends which overhang the drivers at both ends, as these sway out in a curve but need to stay within loading gauge. This is technically problematic on a steam loco as this is usually the place where the cylinders are, in general the widest point on a steam loco. This is why many large locomotives in the UK had 3 or 4 cylinders, to keep cylinder size of the outside cylinders down. Also would more powerful freight locomotives than the 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 be of little use as on freight trains chain and hook couplers were still in use well up to 1970, a locomotive too powerful would pull these apart. Also many of those trains were not automatic brake fitted, so the locomotive and a brake van at the rear had to stop the train, this limited the weight of a freight train to what such engines could pull and stop. So, British steam locomotives were smaller than many US locomotives, and where a 4-6-0 or 4-6-2 was considered a small to medium passenger engine in the US, it was classed as a medium to large engine in the UK, and the 2-8-2 was the largest passenger engine to exist in the UK. South African railways which did use the Buckeye coupler and vacuum brakes on all their trains could use larger engines, and they had a 4-8-4 locomotive, the class 25, which relative to the track gauge, was in proportions with the American Northerns, basically being 2/3 size on track gauge, size, weight and power.

[@rypatmackrock]

@@Tom-Lahaye thanks for the explanation and it makes a lot of sense. Given that railways and steam locomotives were invented in the UK beginning with Richard Trevithick, and the Stevensons rocket at the beginning of the 19th century, it does make sense to build engines that can fit into the previously built infrastructure all the way to the HST sets. The US on the other hand, of course having more open land until we dug our tunnels, (let alone expand, daylight, or reroute with new tunnels like on Donner Pass), now I understand why the UK could only build steam wheel arrangements as big as the 2-8-2 while the US famously maxed out at 4-8-4 with some designs being as long as 2-10-2, 2-10-4, 4-10-2, and even 4-12-2 that the union pacific used on the plains until of course it couldn’t handle turns as easily where the 4-6-6-4 challengers like 3985, and 4-8-8-4 Big boys like 4014 could. I am familiar with the famous articulated steam engines largely used in South Africa, yet I need to check their wheel arrangements or the name they had after their designer from what I remember. I also remember the famous red devil steam engine that was one of the last designs built for South Africa as late as the early 80s, and it is quite similar to a popular earlier design from what I know. Here on KZbin, you can find the famous Union Pacific documentary called the last of the Giants which was a tribute to the big boys at at the end of the era of US steam engines which is widely acknowledged to be 1960. Given how I am an American, I have mostly paid attention to US steam engine designs, routes, and some operations, while Thomas the tank engine thinks to Britt Alcroft and the Audrey family has gained international fame since those classic early seasons were first sold to the US and Japan 1989 and 1990 after beginning in the UK in 1984 to introduce the world to British railroading. Enough said, and thanks for your explanation. There is so much to learn when it comes to trains.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

hear hear and thank you :)

[@rypatmackrock]

@@DoncasterDrawn you’re welcome.

[@Peasmouldia]

The British loading guage is much smaller than US and most other international standard guage railways. It's a consequence of being the first. US loading guage is massive compared to the UK. Although all the Gresley P2 2-8-2s were scrapped, there are two new builds currently under construction.

[@atgordon1948]

Pity about the music ... overpowers what is a great video. Well researched and well done.

[@beeble2003]

If you say so. I found it barely audible, so not intrusive at all.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you and i'll keep the music in mind :)

[@petergeorgedirector4]

At 07:47, the narrator says that the A2s were notorious for priming "especially in the hands of EXPERIENCED crews. Did she mean to say such a ridiculous thing?

[@09amusement]

Has everyone overlooked that the newly built "Tornado" is a Peppercorn loco in regular use on the main line today?

[@DoncasterDrawn]

I didnt know that but thank you

[@JRS06]

I'm sorry, but Mallard is and forever will be the fastest steam engine on the planet. I don't let anyone say otherwise. Still this is a well- put together video.

[@michaelkaliski7651]

There was never any doubt that steam railway engines were capable of speeds well in excess of one hundred miles per hour. The running speed limitation was due to the axle bearings generating huge amounts of heat at high speed due to friction from the huge weight of the engines. At speeds over one hundred miles an hour, eventually the packing grease in the axle bearings would overheat and potentially catch fire disrupting any lubrication in the process and destroying the axle.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

i never thought of it that way thank you for the info

[@Electricfox]

And she's back!

[@destra1257]

I wish Many steam engines got overhauled and modernized.. I'm from Altoona Pennsylvania.. (PRR) In Pennsylvania there's a Project to Build a fresh T1. with modern equipment. Im excited to see it active. It will serve on the main line. Possibly capable of 115mph! Who knows..

[@AndreiTupolev]

"Could do no more than whistle in distress"?? "With an almighty roar the cylinder heads exploded"?

[@SkyeSoarer04]

when you said the speed i paused the video and cheered im not a fan of the a4's and now technically Blue Peter is the new record holder that has made my day

[@northstar1950]

Spare a thought for the footplate crew, that must have been horrific.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

absolutely the crew, I really felt for. one had a broken arm and I can only imagine the panic in the cab as they tried to control the slip. luckily though there was no serious injuries and they were able to stop the slip eventually and the safety valve did its job. I would not have like to be in their shoes having to explain the situation and how a priceless one of a kind engine ended up nearly off the rails for good. nowadays, crews are taught about the engine specifics and quirks from their owners and how to handle their specific type so the likelihood of this happening again in a severity as this and on the mainline is slim.

[@alanfbrookes9771]

When you say that the A2s took over some of the work of the P2s and A3s you seem unaware that the P2s were rebuilt into the original A2s by Thompson, so they were no longer around for the new P2s to take over from.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah, i think i made a misunderstanding in my wording. You are right that the P2 were made into A2's but what i meant to say is that they took over the route the P2 had (namely the Edinburgh - Aberdeen route) but yeah absolutely right :)

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Is it just me or does it appear like Blue Peter has a chime whistle? It’s just amazing how he survived into preservation, crazy that it had been through such a violent accident, and wonderful how it was able to recover.

[@xjxnebxg]

she has and she’ll be back in steam later this year 👀 i hope she’ll still have her chime whistle connected

[@BrokenIET]

@@xjxnebxg Don't see why she wouldn't have it

[@michaellane1620]

Incompetent crew costing the owner thousands, what a mess, bet they were sacked !

[@hypercat7367]

We need more women in the railroading hobby.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

definitely. there are a few I have met while I work on the Lines and many I admire.

[@robinfrankham8180]

Interesting, clear and concise... but I'm afraid it is a nonsense to say that it exceded the maximum speed of Mallard. At the time of the catastrophic slip, it wasn't moving at all.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

i understand and lessons learned xx

[@alan2804]

At 0:50 the photograph looks like one of the A1’s at the North British Locomotive works in Glasgow, not an A2 in Doncaster. NBL sorted out many of the design issues of the Gresley locos but only ever got contracts to build a minimum amount, the bulk of the work with the design flaws removed was given to Doncaster.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

interesting - thank you for letting me know

[@nielsleenknegt5839]

That incident of the wheelslip is definately also the fault of management. The assembled an unexperienced group of men? That is just a recepy for disaster.

[@andrewscolari5724]

I'm a huge fan of steam. If i had magical powers like Harry Potter, I'd use my magic to restore all the scrap steam engines in the world to running condition and have them pull trains on a special railway that I created with magic.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

I would too - interesting fact, the train in Harry Potter was always a standard steam train - no magic. the train will feature eventually on the channel as its got quite a history tho

[@jonathanaina7754]

You know, if I had magic like Harry Potter, I would cast a spell to let all the preserved steam engines run on the modern railways of Britain. LNER GWR GNER (LMS & Southern) Reply to my comment if I missed some British Railways

[@Lner4472.]

​@@DoncasterDrawn 60532 blue Peter is now operational today as of 2024

[@DoncasterDrawn]

@@Lner4472. its amazing to see, I can't wait to see her for myself chugging down the mainline

[@paulbrennan3996]

Well that's good news she is getting a much deserved over haul it will be a good day once Blue Peter Steam's up again and gets a chance to haul passengers again last in its class still stands and keeps fighting for another chance for joy and freedom 🙏👏👏👏

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much :)

[@Jawst]

What a shame! Just like the vulcan at welsbourne... overconfident and underskilled

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yeah but lessons were learned out of this

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Work is currently underway to get blue Peter loco to return back to the mainline and service

[@DoncasterDrawn]

that's brilliant i look forward to seeing her on the mainline

[@MasterMoyle]

Atleast it's overhaul has been paid for with real money, not imaginary money or chocolate coins like Jamie Twonkby Donkey Maltby thinks is legal money.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@DoncasterDrawnyeah mate

[@john1703]

I enjoy the romance of steam as much as the next person. However, "Blue Peter" is a machine, which failed catastrophically due to operator error. We are fortunate indeed that no-one was hurt. To claim an unintentional speed record because the wheels were spinning madly out of control is a nonsense. No-one would accept the use of a rolling road for a world land speed record attempt.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you and thank you for feeding back, i always learn from it xx

[@abloogywoogywoo]

The driver was injured. Foruntate no one was killed, you mean. That's the point of the video, no speed record was being attempted, nor given, it was a freak accident the engine was going faster than Mallard, while stationary.

[@davesimms5397]

Nice video, obviously the 'Race horse' was named after the Blue Peter flag flown by sailing ships before leaving port.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

there's a flag named Blue peter as well? (does now make sense with the program!) thank you

[@JuniorJunison]

I find it interesting how the name is "Blue Peter" but the train is painted green

[@beeble2003]

Small point -- it's "Kylchap", not "Klychap"; the L's before the Y. No idea how it should be pronounced. It's named after Kylälä, who was Finnish ("KOO-la-la", short A's as in "cat"), and Chapelon, who was French (shap-uh-lon(g), with the French nasalised N at the end). I guess we English-speakers brutalize it to KILE-chap.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

yup - i have a Yorkshire twang to my voice as well, I had no hope! lol

[@gerardlardner3104]

André Chapelon was possibly the greatest steam locomotive engineer ever. A pity so few of his engines were completely new; many were (very extensive) rebuilds of older designs.

[@FictionalADDON]

One question and one question only: Is this engine worthy of becoming a Thomas character?

[@kellypaws]

Yeah, spinning it's wheels at 142 mph without a load, is a very, very far cry from propelling a train at 142 mph.

[@xjxnebxg]

i bet the whole town heard that boom 😵‍💫

[@Hilux5972]

Double Klychap Bastpipe? Kylchap Blastpipe I think you meant 😂

[@DoncasterDrawn]

oops, well i gave you a giggle :) (cool channel name BTW)

[@dansterland1824]

Hope this engine returns soon only ever seen it at barrowhill the zay when it returns every one will be out in force 😀😀😀😀😀

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you, im looking forward to its return too

[@silasfatchett7380]

Fascinating video, but Blue Peter is a locomotive (or loco), not an engine.

[@MrDannyDetail]

A locomotive is a type of engine, so neither word is wrong.

[@beeble2003]

This is an excellent video, but it's silly to claim that a wheelslip equates to a speed record. There's no equivalence there at all. As soon as you put any load on the wheels -- even moving the weight of the locomotive itself -- the power required to maintain any given speed increases. The wheelslip event basically shows that the locomotive's design was capable of getting steam in and out of the cylinders fast enough to get the wheels rotating at 140mph, but doesn't show that the power was available to move the locomotive, let alone a train, at that speed. Thanks for making this, though. The biography of Peppercorn was particularly good, and there was lots of good information in the video that I didn't previously know. Honestly, I'd not even heard of the wheelslip event before.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you, i have a lot to learn and always love the feedback :)

[@TheRealDandyes1997]

And now it back!!!!

[@rosiefay7283]

4:42 So the steam loco was named after a racehorse. The children's TV series was named after a maritime signal. Coincidence, or was the horse named after the signal?

[@DoncasterDrawn]

its a possibility but im not sure if we never know the answer to that

[@iankemp1131]

The racehorse was basically named after the naval signal, but it should also have been some sort of pun on its parents' names, as usual. There's an article on it in Wikipedia under Blue Peter (British horse). I must admit I can't see the connection to either the sire or dam's names though ...

[@bassetdad437]

When the Blue Peter TV series was originally broadcast the opening sequence included the flag (Blue Peter) being hoisted up.

[@SpottoBotto]

It's painful to watch

[@DoncasterDrawn]

it was I cringe every time I hear it

[@cobbss1405]

what an interesting story, I don't blame the crew, they where just inexperienced, and had human error, but it is still fascinating to know that if you bend the rules, this is the fastest steam engine on Earth

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you so much

[@bassetdad437]

By bending the rules you can argue that the replica of Stephensons Rocket is the fastest steam loco in the world as it was carried to Japan in a jet airliner to a railway exhibition.

[@thesteamenginelover1974]

Why is their a live leak logo in one of the photos 💀💀😭😭🙏🙏

[@David-The-YorkshireMan]

Anyone else came to watch this vid thinking it was the TV series?

[@DoncasterDrawn]

in the engines defence, it did have the name first :)

[@thatrainguy7067]

No because if it was moving it couldn't do that speed

[@-FreeMiner-]

Wow

[@taxidude]

It didn't reach this speed. A slipping loco is not pulling weight but merely overcoming friction.

[@MasterMoyle]

The loco might not have got to 140mph as it basically crawling up the hill but the wheels we're spinning at 140mph when the wheelspin happened.

[@Gfr4OfficalYT]

My train is *ded*

[@garryferrington811]

So when did all this happen? 1822? 1066? 2014? Dear, even the most basic school paper requires dates.

[@christophersheward9266]

If the motion of this engine was destroyed at an estimated 140mph does this imply that Mallard at 126 was not far from away from the same fate ?

[@wizlish]

Nearly all this is more or less wrong. The priming didn't 'jam the regulator', it carried water and foam into the superheater (which on these British designs is after the regulator, instead of using a multiple poppet front-end throttle. This accelerated the drivers too quickly to re-establish adhesion. If the locomotive had had a power reverse (Hadfield, for those who might think I'm being American-centric) all would have been well; there might still be runaway via the combination lever but with the gear at mid it wouldn't have run away with high mass flow and crazy superheat from the effective front end. My opinion is that the gear unwound with momentum, clocking the driver on the jaw and stunning him for the 'critical' time. If we're talking estimated high speed as a 'record', many of the observed high speeds recorded for the Franklin type B on the PRR T1's were faster -- that isn't road speed but it sure is driver rps and cyclic. And of course Kiefer of NYC ran carefully instrumented tests that spun a J3a Hudson to 161 documented rpm on greased rail for augment testing (published 1947) without particular mechanical derangement -- despite the locomotive having a typical percentage of two-cylinder overbalance.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

While i was researching this - I struggled to find an official report on the incident. I checked both the RAIB and the railway archive and the LNERs history pages but could find nothing official. the only thing i had to go on was a general consensus from various articles and testimonies I did find from the accident as they were all saying similar - i took it as what happened. I am interested though with what you advised as the gear did unwind with force. I will be visiting the line i volunteer at and will ask the chaps there as well. in the meantime - thank you so much for your feedback on this, I do appreciate it very much and do take any feedback on board to help me get better.

[@metal_wheels]

I'm curious, is the firebox still a problem now? Is it still better than Gresley's A1?

[@beeble2003]

The firebox isn't a problem, except that being large makes it physically harder to fire.

[@metal_wheels]

@@beeble2003 alright then thank you for the info

[@DoncasterDrawn]

thank you :)

[@harrypenn611]

Do miss blue Peter running

[@DoncasterDrawn]

hopefully in a few years we will see 'em out again - im sure of it

[@harryharris3905]

I think Blue Peter is the faster engine in the UK.

[@DoncasterDrawn]

maybe, it was unintentional but who says other engines can't go as fast? im thinking Tornado's probably got some left over in the tank after her runs but network rail won't let her crew push her. with new steam engines being built Mallards steam record is still not cemented yet.

[@nicholashunt9522]

@@DoncasterDrawn l think if it was to materialise that N.R. let a "speed trial" be done again, so to speak, the new P2 could claim the title, although the smaller "drivers" could hinder it.

[@rayhankazianga6817]

​@Nicholas Hunt the fastest recorded speed by an LNER P2 was in the range of 70 mph, no way it breaks Mallard's record

[@simontaylor2319]

How much of this engine is original (cf Flying Scotsman)

[@DoncasterDrawn]

I’ve heard just a middle wheel arch dunno if there’s any truth in it

[@simontaylor2319]

As much as that! I understand that just an embalmed puff of smoke from Flying Scotsman is it's sole survivor

[@nigelkthomas9501]

How did it eventually stop? Run out of steam?

[@kristoffermangila]

Safety valves kicked in.

[@JelMain]

That being said, another horse comes to mind. Trigger. Not Roy Roger's cowboy steed, though, but Del Boy's. Renowned for his "Original Broom" - it's only had five new heads and seven new handles. Is there actually anything that's original? The front bogie truck, perhaps?

[@DoncasterDrawn]

lol not too sure - they say (although i don't know it to be true) that the only thing original on Scotsman are its splashers. its possible though parts get swapped all the time

[@JelMain]

@@DoncasterDrawn Those must be the same folk who consider the "Go Faster" deflectors "original"

[@jimihendrix991]

Triggers broom, with over 20 years of service had 17 new heads and 14 new handles... (...and he had a photo to prove it) 😉