Toton to Walsall - Freight Line Special

[@kevinhowell6458]

As usual superb Don

[@doncoffey5820]

Cheers Kevin. All the best.

[@CemilAmca]

Fascinating information throughly enjoy watching here in Turkey 👍😊

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for visiting 👍

[@Dkentflyer]

Thank you so much for posting these videos I suffer with quite bad anxiety and I feel these really help to calm me down I also learn lots about the journeys too. The train scratching bush made me chuckle.

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m pleased they offer some relief and yes, my sense of humour pops up now and again!!!

[@jontownsend8090]

Great to see the Sutton Park line, a first for me. I appreciate all the information you put into these videos.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Jon. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@spodface12]

luckiest man alive with that job. still trying to become a train driver one day. 18-30 maybe in my 30th year ill get lucky haha

[@doncoffey5820]

Don’t stop trying. Message me if you want advice 👍

[@davidfarrow44]

Wonderful as always Don. Thankyou to all involved.

[@doncoffey5820]

Our pleasure! Vinny will see your comment 👍

[@grahamwalls9379]

A very good video . I remember toton from my young train spotting days . Good memories throughout . Thank you .

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Graham 👍

[@benegeserit1]

I love your videos Don! The information re signals, junctions, locomotives, track, the job of engineer, is really engaging and really adds to the video that puts you streets ahead of most of the other train videos on KZbin. It is so annoying when the majority of train videos have great 4K footage but absolutely NO explanations/narrative about all the stuff that makes one feel engaged and a part of the journey. Thank you Don!d

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a kind of trademark now. It’s just how they evolved through questions and feedback and they make money for charity too 👍

[@timw.8452]

Another excellent video, duly liked. But I have one gripe about this one, and it happened in the first few seconds. Toton is also used to EXPORT thousands of British built Toyota cars using (usually) three long trains to the channel tunnel every week. Yes, imported cars arrive there as well, but I would have preferred your written comment not to imply that it was imports only.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s funny but things like that can stick in my craw too. In fact, that train is loaded with Yaris’s which are imported from the Toyota factory at Onnaing. They also bring in CH-Rs from Turkey. I’m something of an expert with Toyotas and I accept that Corollas go out but not that particular train. I’ll put a note in the video description but I don’t feel I’ve made a fundamental mistake. I’m perfectly capable of doing so and appreciate your feedback 👍

[@melvynnixon2374]

Once again Don you offer us a wonderful piece of railway filming. The quality is in a league of its own. The text as usual is concise, informative and so helpful adding to the film rather than distracting from what we see. You are a master of this art that many try to equal but few if any succeed in. The pace of the film although determined to a large extent by the pace of the freight diagram is not the less so right that it is easy to feel one is actually involved in the cab. So thank you for what you bring us. It always makes my day.

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m flattered Melvyn, thank you. Of course our friend Vinny brings us this footage with the blessing of Freightliner but there are many other companies including my own that help considerably.

[@martingbutcher4645]

Thanks for another insight into our wonderfull railway system.Look forward to the next video.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Martin 👍

[@simonmarsh5062]

Brilliant video Don, however as a pedantic 33 year career S&T man who worked on the Trent PSB patch some years ago, I have to correct your route knowledge at 14:27. The MCB-CCTV crossing which you traversed is Lock Lane and not Sawley. Sawley is on the SPC (Derby) line. Apologies my friend, but we can't afford to make mistakes.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a railway video Simon, not a covert ops plan! However, I’ve checked and you are correct. Network Rail list it as Lock Lane but under the Sawley CP area and I’ve obviously quoted the area and not the location. I’d rather have it right than wrong as I know NR use the videos for reference. I’ll put a correction in the description and keep checking and feeding back because I don’t sign down there.

[@tomoflaherty3638]

Thanks for sharing this this. I used to travel the chellaston route most nights in the mid 2000s but in the early hours when it was still dark, reversing at Stenson so never really saw what it looked like.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Tom 👍

[@johnwhitehouse9885]

Thank you Sir Don. Another great video Enjoyed as always and very interesting to me living in the Water Orton area for over 70 years. Something new every day. Thank you again. Stay Safe.

[@doncoffey5820]

And you John. Much appreciated 👍

[@henkbremmer7838]

What a beautiful ride this is the first time I've been here and it keeps following you. I like how you describe things about the route keep it up

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Henk, more videos soon.

[@davidbarrett1487]

Thanks Don very enjoyable great bits of info.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it David 👍

[@bevsbitznbobz5754]

Thanks for another fantastic and informative video, especially as this one went past the house I was born in near Sutton Coldfield in 1942!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it and glad it brought back memories 👍

[@chrisbuxton1958]

Thoroughly enjoyable video. The Chase line is my local line, great to have such an excellent rail service on hand.

[@doncoffey5820]

I’ve never been that way Chris and it really surprised my how picturesque it is.

[@brettjones5041]

Thanks to you mate loved every klm

[@doncoffey5820]

Great to hear Brett 👍

[@thegreyfolk]

An excellent video. I'm surprised by the greenery between Water Orton and Walsall, so much nicer than the roads.

[@doncoffey5820]

Totally agree! It took me by surprise too.

[@stue9391]

Looking forward to this! Though too many n's in Donington. They probably still spell download like that....

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for that - yes there’s only one n and I’ve corrected it in the description. Now my spell checker doesn’t like it! Luckily, I believe the many references in the video are correct!

[@Adullamite]

Very enjoyable, and full of info as always. It is not often Birmingham is presented this way! Thanks Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it. I must admit that stretch through Sutton Park surprised me for scenery 👍

[@ianplowman2808]

Thanks Don, informative as ever.

[@doncoffey5820]

Very welcome Ian. Take care.

[@bobowen7754]

Just caught up with this one. As always very interesting and informative. Thanks Don and the driver.

[@doncoffey5820]

He’ll see your comment Bob.

[@andrewrichmond5720]

Many thanks for this one, Don - an absolute cracker. I finally managed a run over the Sutton Park line last year with LSL, hauled by "Britannia" & 45231, which had previously absolutely flattened Lickey, en route from Bristol to Lancaster, & giving way to D213 "Andania" at Crewe, which had hauled the outward trip throughout, Lancaster to Bristol. One very special trip indeed, with lots of nominally freight-only tracks covered in the process, so it makes it even more enjoyable watching this particular run, as I get to see the "front end" view of Sutton Park. Cheers, Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

That sounds fantastic Andrew. I remember the 45s clearly and can hear your trip now! I saw photos of that railtour.

[@MrOldways]

Thank you Don, most enjoyable. 🙂

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@jondavies9347]

Couldn't watch this until tonight (15/7),looking forward to this as I live near to a small station called Wilnecote near Tamworth and used to work next to the Sutton Park line a few years ago.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hope it met with your expectations.

[@Pettsy68]

Hi Don, Thanks for another excellent and informative video...great. Graham

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Graham. 👍

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great cab ride. Good to see theses freight only lines.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Henry 👍

[@kenstevens5065]

I used to commute between Long Eaton and Derby years ago often wondering where the frieght line from Sheet Stores Jc went, now I know. Great production with all the information additions as usual. Good work.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Ken.

[@geraldtomson8105]

Oil trains for Kingsbury are often held in Elford loop to wait for the empty oil trains leave Kingsbury oil depot so the full train arriving has access to the oil depot

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m aware it’s a busy spot Gerald. I’ve actually been to the oil terminal working years ago.

[@tomward3656]

Don your videos are always interesting and informative . Excellent. Thank you

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you like them Tom 👍

[@AnthonyValentine-vm1yc]

Usual high standard & entertaing vid Don. These must take forever to research & edit. I am eternally grateful.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Anthony. They do take some doing so glad you appreciate it 👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Anthony. They do take some doing so glad you appreciate it 👍

[@JGrandcourt]

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary and also graduating, well done! As a person living on the opposite side of the world I have enjoyed your creations on history, as I would love to travel there and you have given a great insight on US rail operations and history. So thanks!!!!

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m 20 years on the railway but 10 with my current company. I’m really pleased that you like the videos.

[@rickstravelrides]

Wow Don, words fail me on just how enjoyable your cab rides are. A brilliant ride through some rather picturesque area and great action and noises by the class 70 :-)

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Rick.

[@Melalmighty]

Another very good and informative video thank you Don for these. I like the freight ones as they use lines we don’t normally see and coming from Derby it is good to see the freight lines used around here.

[@doncoffey5820]

Very welcome and many more freight videos to come 👍

[@andyc3088]

Excellent video, Tamworth was also famous for the Tamworth Two, the pigs that escaped Butch (a sow) and Sundance (a boar) were sister and brother. They were on their way to an abattoir when they made their escape to freedom. It attached world-wide news. After capture they lived to ripe old age, Butch died aged 13 and Sundance, aged 14. In 2003, the BBC produced and broadcast a 60-minute drama The Legend of the Tamworth Two.

[@doncoffey5820]

Haha, it must have been a dry news period but good for them. Thanks for that 👍

[@Andrewjg_89]

I’ve seen some of the Class 70 Freightliner on the Great Eastern Main Line including at Chelmsford and Colchester.

[@doncoffey5820]

Nice one Andrew. Yes they get out to all regions and they are great to see 👍

[@markbloor5373]

Hallo don how are you. Listen ive watched a lot of your work do you remember back in the day before any tech & what we have & can use today. All there was was a quick five or six speedy minutes of watching from a drivers eye view well you always out do your self sir. im not a subscriber yet but i love your work. Toton to Walsall everything from Toton to castle Donnington. My home turf Toton sidings & the crossing on lock lane all had signal boxes there back in the past. So a request you have to do a Scarbouragh to Hull leeds don. Again your the man.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Mark. That was planned but then Covid came and they’re still playing catch up with training etc. keep your fingers crossed.

[@nisaax]

Watching your videos late at night is pleasantly soporific! It would be great to see a cab view of the Leicester to Burton line

[@doncoffey5820]

I had to look that up but yes, they make me drowsy but luckily not when I’m driving a train!

[@paulprescott7913]

Thanks Don a most enjoyable video and rare treat to travel on the Stenson line. Spent many an enjoyable day at Claymills as a kid, when there was a signal box there in the late 70s. But even then Derby power box controlled the points into the loops. Something that you may or not know is that as the train passes under Horninglow bridge the entrance to the brewry railway system was inbetween the grain silos and the large brick building.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time at my local box as a kid. Interesting about the brewery. What a pity GoPros didn’t exist then!!!

[@geoffbarry9540]

Love your observation about the p-way heroes. The Video125 Connex Express journey from Brighton to L Victoria has a fettling sunbather adjacent to the up line facing religiously away from the direction of travel as the 319 barrels past him at about 70. There are definitely easier ways to make a living some days...

[@doncoffey5820]

I think once you’ve had your lips sprayed you soon learn Geoff 😉😂

[@alunfrancis8501]

A very enjoyable and informative video which I've liked and subscribed for more! One slight disappointment, no mention of Trent Station when the train passed through Trent Junction. Trent station was one of my favourite train spotting sights until it closed in 1968

[@doncoffey5820]

I thought I had mentioned it or certainly in one of the other videos. I have to be careful with captions and labels Alun because they have to be timed and spaced to give viewers a chance to read and then look up or they end up missing it. Thanks for subscribing and I’ll be sure to mention it when passing on a future video.

[@Martin_Adams184]

Another excellent piece of work, Don. It made Saturday evening so relaxing -- watching the film, following the route on the Adlestrop Railway Atlas, with occasional dips into Google maps. My first experience of several stretches of line too. And your on-screen comments and indications are top-notch. Also, it was an excellent idea to have a list of acronyms and explanations at the beginning. Thanks to the driver. I'm presuming it wasn't you. It crosses my mind that if plans to re-open the Walsall to Litchfield line come to fruition, this working would have a significantly shorter route. Many thanks!! 🙂🙂

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Martin. A track atlas of Amazon is another good resource. No it wasn’t me and I wasn’t there but he did have a Network Rail guy in with him who was observing foliage. Opening the direct route could have an impact on timings but they don’t always use them if it effects passenger service or they need competence on diversions. It’s a complicated affair!!!

[@44662dc]

Another great freight video Don they are so enjoyable. You really are a master at these and all for a very good cause. Many thanks.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you like them!

[@richardgriffiths5920]

Always enjoy your presentations and informative comments Don and this video takes me back to my neck old of the woods as I'm sure you passed through parts of north west Warwickshire after Tamworth, which is an area I knew well. Living now in Canada since 1990, videos like these always bring me nearer to home.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Richard. That certainly is a very scenic part of the world. Stay safe over there.

[@richardgriffiths5920]

@@doncoffey5820 Well it's nice living in Nova Scotia very close to many sandy beaches which is a blessing for me considering I came from Coventry which is right in the middle of England and I believe Skegness was the nearest beach.

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

A very thorough up front video Don. I have never travelled on any of these lines, only a very small section at Walsall towards the end of the video. It's so interesting to view these unfamiliar routes, and the information you give concerning the junctions, the designated up and down lines and associated loops, also the crossover highways and underlying rivers. What is also extremely interesting, is the sites of quite a number of closed passenger stations and the dates when they ceased business. You also give some history of some of the locations that many people wouldn't have a clue about (including myself). Sutton Park is somewhere I didn't have knowledge of, and that looks really beautiful, and almost near Birmingham, too! Don, you deserve a diploma for producing these films, and credit to the people that allow these journeys to be filmed. Many thanks indeed, mate, and take care.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for taking the time to comment Frank. Yes, these freight videos get us into privileged places we wouldn’t normally get to and without doubt this one stands out as the most surprising. I was expecting industrial estates and back yards but as you saw, a complete surprise. Often, the captions don’t allow a full description and researching this video was very interesting. Take care and keep turning your wonderful paintings that also deserve recognition. More videos soon 👍

[@peterwilliams8122]

Another really great video, thanks Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Peter 👍

[@Deepak-wr9pt]

Another great informative video - thanks Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@steviez110]

Great video as usual Don. Interesting to see the signal protecting Stenson jcn is still an old Derby plated signal (DY354) as opposed to the old TT222 at Trent junction which has a new and relocated signal and a new number !.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, anomalies pop up from time to time, sometimes difficult to figure out.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks for sharing. Great video Don and I watched it non stop.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks as always Richard. I keep watching yours too 👍

[@jarrodhook]

Alright Don? I got into your videos in 2020 after visiting London in January of 2020, and love these videos, especially during that rough period we all went through! I still have them playing in the background while I work from home these days, they are great. Makes me want to visit again as soon as I can, but the wife wont let me!! I was pleased to see you raised £11122 for the Samaritans - anyone who complains about ads, just get premium or just think of the help you're doing. Anyway, playing this one now, cheers again.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Jarrod. See if you can sneak over without the wife knowing 😉. Thanks for the support regarding the adverts. I occasionally get really emotive comments and complete dismissal of the fact that without them, we don’t have a channel. It makes a comforting change for some support.

[@rickschell7874]

Another Excellent video. Great photography, excellent narration . I feel like I am in the cab to.

[@doncoffey5820]

Perfect. That’s exactly what I wanted to accomplish 👍

[@ianmosely3441]

Great video. Thank you Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Ian 👍

[@georgeholmes1837]

Hi Don thank you for an enjoyable and informative journey. It was also great to hear of the demise of so many stations and it makes one wonder why some of them were put in those positions

[@doncoffey5820]

At one time George, there was no other option to travel other than horse and carriage so there was enough business to support them.

[@highlandersixtysix]

An outstanding video on a fascinating route.Thanks so very much for taking the time to create these impressively informative and enjoyable productions. I must say, I'm really impressed with the Class 70; the cab seems to be a much more civilised space than that of the 66 by comparison, with very little vibration and noise and she's really quick off the mark for hauling that train.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, in fact they are 3690HP and not the 3300 I quoted in the film. Drivers seem to have mixed views but mainly positive.

[@philipalldred333]

Great Don learnt alot Thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

Good to see you Phillip. Glad it was productive 👍

[@rbrwr]

Well, this sent me down a rabbit hole regarding the direction of "up" on the former Midland Railway. The Wikipedia article on "Rail directions" asserts that up on the MR was towards Derby, and though this would make sense for the MR as originally amalgamated, long before it got to St Pancras, it doesn't actually seem to have been universally true. Anyway, it makes sense for up to be from Birmingham towards Derby on this journey, on a "towards the centre line" basis, as well as from MR practice. Thanks for the video and for the contributions made to Samaritans.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi, yes it’s a minefield trying to work out these directions and there are so many variables. There are journeys where we are frequently changing directions.

[@markgr1nyer]

Ryecroft junction used to be a 4 into 1 Y. From left to right out of walsall used to be wolverhampton low level, Rugeley Trent valley (current), Lichfield City and Water Orton (Current). It also used to have a massive engine shed there. If you go on Google Earth you can still see the old railway lines thanks to the tree lines

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Mark. I could see from the footage that there were once much greater things. It’s a shame but it’s progress I suppose.

[@owentoller5280]

I think I read somewhere that the dimensions of the sections of the storage area at St Pancras under the platforms (now the Eurostar departure lounge and all the shops around it) were chosen so as to fit the measurements of barrels of Burton beer, so that the maximum number could be stored ...

[@doncoffey5820]

Exactly right Owen.

[@NorthernMetro]

Fantastic video as always Don. Thank you. Although I’m not a huge fan of the text in the middle of the screen. The P616 is a great sounding engine.

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m afraid it’s the text for the majority that is the attraction for the channel. You can ignore it like I do with tv news.

[@crazyfroggie6546]

Some of those sidings had a whole lot of very ancient and decrepit old rolling stock, some of which had been vandalised, no surprises there. What happens to that old rolling stock, is it just being stored there to go off for scrap later, or is it being saved for restoration or perhaps spare parts? Such a mix of old paint schemes on the carriages!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, I detest spray paint vandalism (I refuse to give it a name other than that) - I suspect a mixture of all those things so let’s hope they go to a good home.

[@deltic1964]

Fantastic Stream Don

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@spencerbaxter7689]

I've been looking forward to one of your videos, Don, showing a train passing through Burton-on-Trent, a town where my grandparents came from originally. They moved to Canada prior to the 1st World War, settling in Montreal. My Dad remembered it as a brewery town when he visited with family in the late 1920's when he was a boy. Nice to see it as it is today! Thanks!

[@doncoffey5820]

My pleasure and Vinny has just recorded the return trip which we’ll get to on a future trip.

[@mohatchett8001]

The large building on the right hand side at 8.50 used to be owned by M&S and I used watch the workings go by whist I was on my break.

[@doncoffey5820]

Excellent. Thanks for watching it 👍

[@KevTheBusDriver]

Marvellous journey! When do we go back again? Thanks!

[@doncoffey5820]

I’ve actually got the return journey so it will pop up sometime in the future 👍

[@pauloconnor2980]

I love the Lunar lights @ 1:53:59!!!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Good aren’t they! Watch out for the Mexican hat in the KingsX to Hull video.

[@12crepello]

Excellent again Don. I always look forward to your well produced and informative videos. Please keep them coming! Turning into Mr. Pedantic........Del Boy's van was a Reliant Regal, not a Robin. Sorry! 🙂

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks, will do and you are correct about the van, I’ll put a note in the description about that. I used to work on those in my mechanicing days and they were not nice!!!

[@mikedee8104]

Fantastic as usual!! I've been subscibed for years and am just thankful for your informative uploads, so well edited and titled, so from me, you can spell Donington any way you want lol. Thank you!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Haha, I think I got it right most times Mike. Regards 👍

[@pipandbenji]

Newbie to these videos. What's eye opening to the non engine driver is the distance and time required to bring the beast to a Halt!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes it takes quite a while to get used to them. They handle a bit like a canal barge.

[@nealc.6927]

I'm an occasional user/player of SimSig. My fave signalling areas are Carlisle & Derby. I allus wondered about "Sheet Stores Jn" on the latter. I rather assumed it to do with metal of some description. Thanks for setting me right, you're a positive gold mine of info, Don x

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Neal. I had to specifically research that because I was curious about it 👍

[@twofoottaylor1]

How does the driver put the train into emergency following a trespasser or vehicle strike, if the cement gathers up possibly launching the train forward. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing video for those railfans who are unable t be there. Your written commentary was excellent!

[@doncoffey5820]

Good question! In that case we don’t bother if it behaves unpredictably, we just get it stopped as quickly as possible.

[@twofoottaylor1]

@doncoffey5820 Thanks very much Don, that makes sense, although I imagine it would still pose a bit of a challenge for the driver. Thanks again for a great and enjoyable video.

[@phoenixprime24]

The best way to remember the power of the class 70 is to use the GE name for them PH37ACmi

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, good point. I did put a correction in the description 👍

[@richardavery3497]

Sorry to be a pedant Don, but elegant bridge PIERS on the Sutton park line ...

[@doncoffey5820]

Don’t watch the BBC News Richard and I don’t charge a license fee! 😉

[@robertbrierley7083]

Great video as usual Don, It got me thinking in this age where everyone wants to get there the day before is it possible you can tell me what is the maximum speed of these class 70s and how many loaded Intercity carriages it could pull, many thanks.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s authorised to run at 60 and I couldn’t even hazard a guess how many carriages it could pull. It’s a hypothetical situation but it would be a lot!

[@heckelphon]

Another brilliant video. Thanks so much. Your productions really are star quality, and I can imagine that the time and trouble you take to put in all of the invaluable extra information takes hours . Curious why, if we were routed through the Down Tamworth Goods at Burton we weren't routed through all of it, and just from about half-way along. Is the 15mph limit on it because of the track condition? Some of the earlier part which we weren't looped on to didn't look that great, but then it's sitting alongside a 125mph HST line which will be kept in tip-top condition.

[@doncoffey5820]

They hold the speed down in loops because of signalling and in many cases they can put more than one in at once. It simply mitigates risk. They put them in at a location that’s expedites the move in the quickest way.

[@BIGV710]

thanks don for another great video are you still driving trains as i see that the new CAF mk5s are are recalled due to body work cracks

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes I am, I only drive 185s and they are as good as gold. I think the risk of cracks come with newer lightweight designs but they’ll sort them out and of course it will influence newer designs.

[@keystonedriving8180]

Another super video. I have enough seniority (i.e. I'm getting on a bit) to have changed trains at Trent Junction station once (am I right in thinking that the station had no road access, like Dovey Junction)?. I think my uncle was taking me from Craven Arms to Nottingham, I don't remember what the exact route was, though. By UK standards that was a fair train, mind you both BNSF and UP run '16K' trains up to 16,000 feet long - 3 miles with Distributed Power Units 3 or 4 at the front, a similar number in the middle and a couple at the rear. All under the control of a single engineer. One of those would cause absolute chaos in this country! With the class 70, is the dynamic brake controlled separately from the air brake or is there a blended system which controls both?

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m afraid I don’t sign Trent Junction and am not familiar enough to know it’s layout. There’s no doubt our trains are puny compared to other parts of the world but we’re not geared up for really big trains. The most we go to is about 40 vehicles which is half a mile-ish and 4000 tonnes. The dynamic brake is blended automatically with the foundation brakes. I’m not sure if the driver can simply turn it off or if it would need to be isolated.

[@echarlesstreet]

Passing through Burton-on-Trent under 4-aspect signalling DY154 is released to Green + Feather yet the next signal DY106 is at Single Yellow. Why didn't DY154 change to Double Yellow + Feather?

[@doncoffey5820]

We’ll spotted Charles. It’s because the signalling down the loop is 3 aspect. Regulations don’t allow the junction signal to give the impression of 4 aspect arrangement.

[@denisjones7836]

Thanks for the video. I have a question, is there any significance with the yellow paint on the opposite track after exiting the Elford loop? Thank you .

[@doncoffey5820]

Well spotted Denis. It tells the track inspector that either work has been done or needs doing. In other words it highlights a location.

[@nicklittle8780]

Excellent video, Don. Always good to see freight routes and see how they avoid the much faster express trains by taking longer, more interesting routes to destination. Quick question. The 30 mph TSR @ 1:36:05 was very short. What could be the issue that caused that to be applied? Cheers!

[@doncoffey5820]

They just list them as rail defects in the notices Nick but probably a rail burn (where a traction wheel has spun) or a crack maybe.

[@1IpswichTown]

What do you need to be a train driver? Ie qualifications or experience?

[@doncoffey5820]

Nothing special. I think companies ask for basic school qualifications but then it’s down to giving the right impression during an interview then passing a very long day of suitability tests. The tests are more about reasoning and logic than academic. If you fancy it you should go online with your local train company and apply.

[@clairestafford9372]

A couple of times you mentioned the class 70 as being 3300hp yet the GE model number is PH37ACmi where the 37 refers to 3700hp (actually 3690). Does Freightliner have derated engines?

[@doncoffey5820]

No, you correct, I’ve mis quoted it. I’ll put a correction in the description. Many thanks.

[@Riogrande1964]

Yank here. Just realized that "loop" is synonymous with what we'd call "sidings." The British nomenclature is more polite

[@doncoffey5820]

Our sidings are normally closed off and a loop puts us back to the main line.

[@hawthornvalley]

Why is the crossover at 12:21 painted white?

[@doncoffey5820]

They do it to deflect heat from the sun but they can also detect cracks.

[@dvone4124]

The yellow truck at 1:31:56 almost qualifies as an Easter Egg, since the company name is not simple to find on most search providers.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, I spent 29 years in the truck industry and it’s not one I remember either.

[@followthetrawler]

Don, if a Passenger train is diverted onto this kind of route (15:15) has the driver learned the route previously or would he have to adapt his way of driving because it is unknown?

[@doncoffey5820]

We can’t wander into unknown territory or territory that we haven’t kept competency by periodic use. I’ve been called in work this week for the sole purpose of “route conducting” a driver round a route that he or she doesn’t sign. I don’t sign the traction (it’s a Class 802) so I’m not allowed to drive it, I just verbally guide the driver round that route.

[@SteveW139]

I always understood that the Midland Railway, formed by the amalgamation of several smaller lines under the same chairman, chose Derby as its headquarters and zero mile point and and decided thatall MR routes towards Derby would be Up as they didn’t serve London over their own metals at that time. The British Rail-era NE-SW route used MR tracks between Westerleigh Jn near Bristol Parkway and somewhere near Ferrybridge.

[@doncoffey5820]

Possibly so Steve but it is still unusual to head south on a down line. I do appreciate your point and will make a note in the video description.

[@KH-vt4op]

I was looking forward to watching the video but it's not going to happen due to the bottom of the screen is showing a rippling effect.

[@doncoffey5820]

Have another go. It definitely streams ok so it’s your connection or device 👍

[@normanbridge8924]

a question what does a freight train driver do when mother nature calls when he needs a wee does he just litterally urinate in to a a plastic bottle?

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a common question. They basically plan ahead but they sometimes take advantage of a stop at a signal if it’s out of sight or they can retreat to the engine room with a container etc.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

What's the maximum speed this train can run?

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Richard. Hope all is well. It’s a Class 6 train authorised to run at 60mph.

[@paulbowler2760]

Don - ""quite some train"" consists of 6 locos, each 4000HP, 120 wagons, grosses about 10000 tons and is 1 1/2 miles long!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes puny by some standards but not in the uk. Some of ours are gigantic compared to other countries.

[@petenikolic5244]

So much nicer without all the darn overhead scrap metalwork .

[@doncoffey5820]

A necessary evil in some places Pete but I take your point.

[@Nanonic001]

Why do you write things "in quotes"? Is it because you're old?

[@doncoffey5820]

Because that’s how people refer to them regardless of whether it’s the right term or not and it irritates those with nothing better to do than criticise and make unnecessary jibes.