Carstairs station on 11-02-15 featuring class 68s on 4s43 + others

[@mikewhitcher6853]

Am I right in thinking back in the 60s car trains used to run from there to Devon and Cornwall during the summer holidays

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Hi Mike and thanks for watching! There were two car traffic flows during those years. One emanated from British Leyland's Bathgate factory, and the other from Chrysler's Linwood factory producing amongst others, the Hillman Imp and other Hillman and Humber models i understand that both passed through Carstairs though im not sure if either of them stabled in the extensive sidings of the time which were a final resting place for many of the older pre grouping steam locos. Im not sure of the destinations of either of them but will make some enquiries from my fellow rail enthusiasts. Hope this helps! Best wishes. Ken

[@allan5919]

An excellent variety of rail traffic in your video Ken and very well filmed indeed. Not spoiled too much by the interference at all. Nice to see you out with the new Camcorder and it is certainly giving you some great footage so far. Best wishes - Allan.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for watching and commenting Allan and glad you enjoyed it! I'm just about to watch your footage of "Mayflower". Thanks. Ken

[@steve71p]

Excellent shots Ken, sadly I know that buzzing sound only too well having lost a few videos in that way. I haven't used my Rode SVM since getting this camera as I find the X920 captures better sound (less lossy) with it's onboard mic. One function you might benefit from is switching on 'Level Shot' which automatically gets you horizontal, very useful when your handheld. You can find this via pressing the display screen in 'iA' and tapping the arrows in the bottom LH corner... the 'Level Shot' symbol is a fulcrum. Cheers, Steve.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for watching and your encouraging comments Steve, much appreciated. Bob Masterman said the same as you regarding his Rode external mic and I have to say that even though I've only had the cam a short time, the on board mic is mighty impressive! I noticed that "level shot" thingy but didn't take the time to investigate it. I will now tho' Thanks for the tips. Best wishes. Ken

[@TrevorLedgeway]

Looking great the footage Ken with the new camera.Loved the 68s at speed through Carstairs and i noticed it hasn't altered too much the station since i filmed there back in the early 90s...Cheers...Trevor.''

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for your kind comments Trevor! I'm really enjoying finding out things about the new cam and using it. The only major change was the demolition of the old buildings which was such a pity as they were very attractive, and they wouldn't have got away with doing that nowadays. Cheers. Ken

[@bobnweaver]

Superb video Ken with plenty of action. Looks like you and Scott had a really busy day. Great clip of the two class 68s. Me and Allan were at Carlisle when they passed through but my video clip was spoilt with a passing 350 unit. Cheers, Jeff.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for your kind comments Jeff! I'm really enjoying finding out things about the new cam and using it. The sound off the 68s was amazing and the new cam did a good job on the sound. That was a pity the 350 got in your way, it seems like Allan managed to edit it out. Cheers. Ken

[@robmasterman]

All part of the learning curve Ken, I've not encountered this issue, as the cause is the overhead power supplies affecting the Rode mic...(I experienced a similar thing many years ago on the East Coast Main line), being so sensitive to sound, unfortunately this can happen at times.The on board mic does an excellent job as long as you protect it from wind as I've shown you previously. Stunning clarity on the images even in this grey dowdy weather. Until you've had more experience using the zoom Ken, try just keeping the camera at a wider angle, and let the subject come to you....it's how we see things and makes life a little easier. Get out there and test things to the limit...it will be worth it.... :o)...Best wishes...Bob

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks Bob, for your excellent advice and I shall bear in mind the points you've made. I've been practising operating the zoom feature in order to get used to its action, as I've not got the "feel" of it yet, hence the rapid moves at times! As you've in the past, "its like feeding an elephant....." With reference to the OHLE causing the buzz, what you've said seems familiar and I must have read some other guy's similar experiences, probably on You Tube. Steve Smith has also offered his advice too which I also found very helpful. Didn't know Steve was an x920 user - quite a little club we're becoming! I shall also be meeting up with Steve 71p at Carlisle on 12 March and he is another x920 user. I shall also try allowing the subject to come to me, although I'm always tempted to zoom in and back out as it approaches me. I like the subject to impose itself on the frames. However, I'll perhaps just practice the zoom without filming and gauge how I'm coming along as I do so. Thanks as always for your valuable advice which I do find so helpful. Best wishes Ken

[@robmasterman]

Ken Browne There are quite a few of us who use the X920 Ken, as I said, well worth getting in plenty of practice, on whatever subject matter takes your fancy, and things will soon fall into place, then there will be no stopping you....All the Best...Bob

[@hemerdonbank]

Nice collection of clips there, Ken, looks like you had an interesting day. Great images from your new camera, looks like you're getting to grips with it. Keith

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks Keith for viewing it and for commenting. I do appreciate you're encouraging comments. Up here, Carstairs is the place to go if you want some fast action, and we knew there was a pair of class 68s on the Tesco Express. I fell foul of the OHLE wires with my Rode external mic on the first three clips, so only buzzing on them but in fact the on board mic gives excellent sound reproduction. As always, any suggestions are welcome. Best wishes. Ken

[@class170rocks9]

Hi Exellent Video ! ashame about the buzz but the rest was ok. What camera do you use ? Kind Regards James !

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

No sound till 1.25m. The rest OK and well worth waiting for.. Cheers Ken

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for watching and commenting Keith. The lack of sound was due to me not properly setting up the external mic - duh! I eventually took it off hence the sound on the rest of the video. Need to consult the instruction book. Cheers. Ken

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

lol

[@scottishtransport437]

That's strange

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

There's no sound except a buzz due to interference from the OHLE on my external mic until around 1.32. After that the sound is normal. I have since concluded that the Rode external mic is not compatible with my x920 cam. Did you read the other comments? In them several commenters have offered reasons for the lack of sound, so I suggest you take another look at the comments. Ken

[@scottishtransport437]

why is there no sound

[@FabianEason]

Hi, great vid, but sounds like you have some phasing issues with your mic, its whats giving the comb-filter effect to the sound, like you've put your head in a plastic sewer pipe.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for the info Fabian, very useful and I suppose the 25kV overhead wires won't be helping or may even be causing the buzzing sounds? Sewer pipe eh? Wow that sounds gruesome!! Thanks for taking the time to comment - much appreciated! Best wishes. Ken

[@FabianEason]

Ken Browne No problem Ken. Yes the buzzing is definitely coming from the over head wires. But this is a separate phenomenon to the phasing. What is interesting is when the sprinter departed you can here the buzz sound being modulated - odd because that train is not using the AC! But I think that goes to show how there is electrical bleed from the track circuits, signalling, and the overhead AC. As for your mic set up - balanced microphone cables prevent radio interference from being picked up in the cable (which otherwise acts like an antenna!) - but I don't know if your camera supports balanced cabling as that is usually restricted to professional audio equipment. But, non-balanced cables usually have some form of shielding so it shouldn't be this bad, indeed a fault in the cable could be causing the phasing problems as well. I would recommend doing some fiddling about - use square wave generated test tones (can find on youtube) as this will make and listen to what the mic is picking up - you will hear the phasing easiest with these tones enabling you to pin point the fault/problem. Which microphone are you using (I have some Rode mics and I think they are great for the price)

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

*****. Thanks once again Fabian for your excellent advice. I hope you don't mind but I've sent you a personal message as my reply is quite long. Hope to hear from you soon. Ken

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

Superb compilation video Ken.....Really enjoyable. Even the 'buzzing' clips were good...lol...No worries. I noticed comments about stopping the wind noise on the Panasonic. I have used www.thewindcutter.com/ several times in the past couple of Years and they are brilliant....i recently got a black fury stick-on one for my X920. Unfortunately at this time they have had a personnal loss in their family and have suspended trading...they hopefully will come back sometime soon. Their products are excellent, cheap and arrive quickly under normal circumstances....Hope this is of help to you....Carry on the good work...Your getting there.....Best wishes....Steve @ The YT X920 Users Club......lol....

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

YT X920 Users club - I like it Steve! Seriously, thanks for the info and encouragement, I'll look at the website although I already have a furry wind sock I got off Amazon suitable for my Rode mic. Hope you're keeping well, best wishes, Ken

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

Just come back from a major operation in Exeter ken...so i am virtually Housebound for over two weeks....apart from a little toddle down the Road for a few yards. Have to build up to further every day...I had a Robotic Assisted Radical Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and pelvic Lymph Node dissection..Basically i had Cancer in my Prostate Gland. So won't be making any videos for a little while . Sorry if this sounds a bit heavy. It's not nice feeling helpless at times...and i want to get back out Filming as soon as possible now Spring is coming. Take care , have a good Week....S.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

*****. Oh dear Steve, that's a major op and I'm glad to hear you successfully came through it! I don't find it heavy at all Steve, I've had some surgery on both knees (one replacement joint and one snapped tendon) and I know only too well what it feels like to feel so helpless whilst the family are otherwise rushing around you and it can be quite depressing unless you battle it. I'll be supporting your recovery efforts and hope to see you back "on track" soon! Chin up mate! Best wishes. Ken

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

My poor Girlfriend Sharon, bless her is a Star..She's my soulmate...we always support each other no matter what..We've had too for the last 3 Years. . I just hate feeling useless ...ha ha.. Thank you for your great support..although i have known you only a short time. Cheers....S.