BR Standard Class 7 Superpower .

BR Standard Class 7 ( Britannia Class ) locomotives 70000 Britannia and 70013 Oliver Cromwell have hauled many a mainline railtour over the West Coast Mainline and the Settle and Carlisle so I have put together a compilation of many a day filming these two superb machines . Both of the Britannia class locos were completed at Crewe in 1951 . The BR locomotive naming committee were determined not to use names already in use on other locomotives so they decided not to use Britannia on 70000 as it was already in use on Jubilee class engine number 45700 but Robert Riddles overruled the committee and the Jubilee was renamed Amethyst .The last shot of 70000 climbing Shap sees the Brit running under caution due to 45699 being not much further in front on a Cumbrian Coast tour .Apologies for the bad edit at 23-05 .

[@Nurwin1]

I saw Brittania at Swanage this weekend. Such a super loco.

[@adriannorris1486]

I (we) prefer riding behind them, eating, so I will always be super-grateful for guys like you who turn out in all weathers to bring us such magnificent sights and sounds.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Adrian, I try to produce footage I’d like to watch myself if that makes sense.

[@nicholashunt9522]

Brilliant machines. So well proportioned and perform almost like a Class 8.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nicholas, must admit I do love this class of loco .

[@pieterschraa9619]

Excellent camera work.

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

Steve, this is all really good stuff. One ( or two) of my favourite engines, too!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan, can’t beat the sound of a Brit in full chat .

[@tattoo1084]

Superb yet again Stephen of two fine engines performing well at some really good locations. Thanks.👍👍👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, pity we don’t see much of Cromwell now but it’s good to see 70000 more now.

[@tattoo1084]

@@TheStephengthompson that's true!

[@deauvilledad07]

Steve, another excellent compilation, extremely well put together. The haunting sound of the whistle is amazing. Well done, stay alert 💙💙🤓

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Anthony, can’t beat the whistle from either of these two engines 👍

[@nige7577]

Excellent compilation Steve, Britannia’s ruling the rails.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nige, must admit the sound the Brit class makes is Bob on 👍

[@acw71000]

Fine compilation Steve, as you know, the Brits are one of my favourite classes of loco. The performances of 70000 on Shap and the S & C last year were very special so look forward to the day when will see her again

[@barrieboulton8904]

OS Nock once compared our NSWGR C38s to the famous 2 cylinder Britannias when he did a footplate trip on a 38 heading the speedy “Newcastle Flyer. He said it was like being on a Brit, These excellent takes sound to me just like a 38 class in action... even the A4 style chime whistle is close to that of the 38s, although it would be more at home on a Queensland steam loco... The engines look to be steaming very well: clean exhaust and crisp valve settings... sent from Goulburn NSW.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, thought it would be right up your street 👍

[@rjas365]

Wonderful compilation, thanks Steve, a bit of a paradox really... both exciting and thoroughly relaxing to watch. That final sequence is really something, some expert driving made all the better through no diesel at the back. Kind regards, Bob.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob , nothing much better than the sound of a Brit hard at work I reckon 👍

[@robmasterman]

Fantastic material Steve of two magnificent locos....Bob

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob, thankful that the Brit is back up North now Saphos have taken on the Fellsman.

[@flippop101]

Superb! Thank you!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Philip , my pleasure and I’m pleased you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@joshhemingwaythewlismetcalfe96]

Wonderful video Steve.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Josh, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@samadshaikh5271]

Amazing buddy ✨✨

[@SimonTog]

Super nice video Steve :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon 👍

[@cachinnans]

Really missing the live action, but your videos are the next best thing Steve, especially the "Brits". My favourite class as a kid and still today. Regards, Nic.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nic , can’t beat the noise these machines make 👍

[@easteinrailway]

Nice sounds♪

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@barrieboulton8904]

The steaming problems of the Duke were caused by errors in the firebox draughting which worked against the optimum fuel/air mix in the firebox and therefore adversely affected the combustion efficiency and hence steam production. At the other end the smokebox draughting and blast pipe with Kylchap exhausting was out of kilter, which also adversely affected the firebox draught and combustion and steam production. Firemen had a hard time, because the engine seemed to be a “coal miners’ friend”. These original construction errors were discovered during the restoration of the engine. As I understand it, the corrected engine is now capable of performing as a Duchess. Perhaps a bit better. Suggest people interested should look up Duke of Gloucester on Google for further information...

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Barrie , a very detailed explanation so thanks again for that . Regards Steve

[@edwardwaring4972]

The engine number of the Jubilee that changed from Britannia to Amethyst was actually 45700.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Edward, changed the description and not sure how I got that wrong as I took of a Jubilee website. Regards Steve

[@tomharrington1393]

👍👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Tom , much appreciated 👍

[@truthful3777]

Sound like a horse 🐎 galloping..most probably a steel horse.

[@justahillbilly7777]

10:27 Majority of the cows in the left side pasture: *Run away from Britannia.* That one cow that didn't hardly move: Why are you running?

[@Shark30006]

How fast do the BR Standard Class 7s go?

[@farric1]

How does the modern Duke of Gloucester compare to a Britannia?

[@TheStephengthompson]

The Duke has different valve gear and more tracktive effort with it being a class 8 . Hope that helps.

[@barrieboulton8904]

Duke of G was more powerful and classified as 8P. TE was 39080 lb. It had three cylinders, so exhaust beat is 6 per revolution of drivers. It had Caprotti rotary valve gear with poppet valves. It was to be up there with the big Stanier 8Ps in capability. The engine was not as successful as it should have been and this was due to a prob with the blast pipe and smoke box arrangement. The prob was fixed during the later restoration of the engine, when it was able to show on Shap what the design was really capable of...

[@farric1]

@@barrieboulton8904 I'm aware of the technical differences. I was wondering how it compares performance wise. My late uncle was a fireman at Crewe and he didn't have a lot of nice things to say about the Duke! I was interested to see how the modifications have improved the beast!

[@barrieboulton8904]

Craig's Classics The engine now seems capable of outclassing a Duchess. But it can’t really be compared with what it was when first in service. The Duke of G Trust restorers discovered various errors in the original construction. They must have compared what they had with the drawings . The firebox issues once corrected improved combustion greatly. They also found problems with the exhaust blast pipe arrangements. As I understand it, the front end now has a Kylala Chapelon

[@barrieboulton8904]

Continuing: ... that is, a Kylchap front end exhaust system. That is a very significant difference, a bit like having a Giesl oblong ejector blast pipe system. The fully modified engine also has the advantages of the Caprotti valves. It has three cylinders and this total combination has given the engine a hitherto unexpectedly good performance. It now can steam very well indeed. This was its previous flaw. Evidently it is now fully in the 8P power category; at least equal to a Stanier 8P with 4 cylinders... All this has shown that Riddles was on the right track with his 8P design, even Greeley had teething probs with his A1-A3 Pacifics. With the Duke, there was little incentive to work through the initial running problems. This because if the decision to dieselise the BR motive power fleet.

[@sudhirbhatt5523]

Wonderful ❣️ bit, beaing locomotive Driver at Wankener Rajkot India my feverit black buty.

[@nightlightabcd]

If it's your "favorite", don't you think you could at least get the spelling right, "beauty", and shouldn't the name be in caps? Black Beauty! There now, was that so hard?