The underground Loco working overground - Lawrie goes Loco Episode 16.

Hello all you fine and wonderful people, do I have a treat for you.
In this video I visit the Talyllyn railway in Wales. Yes that's right. The Talyllyn. Birthplace of railway preservation. And I've been offered a go in the railway's workhorse - Alf.
Video Shot before the lockdown began
If you'd like to help the Talyllyn railway survive this current worldwide crisis, then please visit the website below, both the railway and I would be exceedingly grateful for your support.
www.talyllyn.c...
If you like what you've seen in the video, and would like to know more about the railway, visit their website: www.talyllyn.c...
If you really like what you've seen and would like to be able to join the railway as a volunteer, drop them a line on this email on [e-mail]
A video featuring:
Lawrie - Presenter, overly excited to be on the world famous Talyllyn,
Ben - Camerman, on his first trip to Wales.
A video edited by Lawrie
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[@Jack-hg1hq]

how many locos would you like to move? alf: yes

[@lmm]

Pretty much. It's proper mighty!

[@ls-zx5dd]

Comedy

[@titmouse-distribution]

XD

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

alf is teeny tiny i have never seen such a tiny narrow gauge engine

[@maritaflores1061]

Me:how many locomotives would you like to move alf Alf:as many locomotives as possible

[@crazypickles8235]

I love this squat, robust workhorse locomotive. What a champ. She will probably continue to run for another 80 years owing to her rugged British engineering.

[@lmm]

It's a brilliant little thing

[@Jordan4Ibanez]

The way Alf even does wheel slip is insane. "Ah yeah man I just need a bit ah sand 'ere, still got about 40k foot-pounds ah torque to put down 'ere"

[@mewtheenigma2732]

“They’re pretty sure it’ll pull basically everything on the railway.” I mean, brilliant display pulling out the four steamers, Lawrie, but now I can’t help but think of Alf attempting to pull literally “everything on the railway...” that is, every piece of rolling equipment they have, all coupled up together, all at once. ...hey, it’s a proper use for first gear! lmao

[@MrDalek2150]

"literally "everything on the railway..." that is, every piece of rolling equipment they have, all coupled up together, all at once." Why stop at every piece of rolling equipment?

[@carebloodlaevathein6732]

@@MrDalek2150 Yeah~ Let it pull the shed too XD

[@lmm]

I think it would pull the moon into a closer orbit 😂

[@LordPhobos6502]

That was a beautiful little wheelspin too 😁❤ From one driver to another, you're doing it right 😁

[@PHsRailwayVideos]

It would probably be longer than the seven mile line itself!

[@blockstacker5614]

pretty sure the ideal train for that would be several fully loaded minecarts

[@notmuch_23]

yeah; several _thousand_ probably...

[@sawyerawr5783]

or just about every slate wagon the railway has left

[@studiocommer]

Often in use for ballast wagon trains on track-relaying sessions in the Winter.

[@lmm]

I'm fairly confident it would move anything you asked it to. I mean pulling the four locos out, that's close to 40 tonnes, once I got traction it just walked away. Hardly bothered.

[@woozleboy]

Alf is apparently also a Transformer, robot in disguise! Look at that pilot beam down low.

[@steeveedee8478]

Yeah I saw that too. Optimus has vacated the road and gone onto rails.

[@beeurd]

Literally only came to the comments to see if anybody else had picked up on that. Autobots... Roll out!

[@cows_cowsandcows]

So, autobots were real, and Alf was one too, basically Alf copies the original Hunslet and died while fighting, and he was reborn as a normal narrow gauge locomotive. Cool.

[@spartangoku7610]

Well, Alf stands for Alien Life Form.

[@LNERN7Productions]

I saw it as well how very strange

[@LordPhobos6502]

"It's a smile machine" - perfectly said.

[@stamrly418]

Her or her mates were used to move men and materials round the mine I worked at. The speed may be low but underground with a low roof the speed looks far more. One day. Coming out on one, the light disappearing into the blackness of the way ahead, being bounces off the white ( ish )of the stone dusted sides and the beams flashing past.. Memories one does not forget , but forget to remember every day till something opens the memory bank. Imagine that sound in a enclosed space.... The flame traps quietened them some what but a gardener is always good.. Lucky man..Amacf

[@lmm]

It really must have been something else thundering about underground. An amazing sight!

[@mansnilsson4382]

While they're not diesels, one can try out "travelling in open carriages underground" in some of the Maginot line forts. Most of them were connected to Decauville lines going back to depots and the tracks continue underground, at some places where geography so permitting the line continues straight in, other forts (Schoenenbourg, for instance) they've got an elevator that takes one bogie Decauville truck 25 meters down.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

What is a flame trap? I'm American, so it is possible I know what it is, just by a different name.

[@jamesbuckner4791]

@@jed-henrywitkowski6470 a heavy duty muffler.

[@warrenstemphly5756]

Thank you mysterious KZbin algorithm for the random recommendation

[@awebimmer]

The shot of you pulling all the locos out of the shed is nothing short of astonishing. Kudos.

[@lmm]

Thank you very much. Great little Loco!

[@oscardavidson2139]

a really strong little diesel moved those steamie's like they were paperweights

[@thevioletvalleyrailway346]

He says: Alf doesn’t pull passengers He drives Alf pulling the vintage passenger wagons

[@lmm]

It's not a passenger Loco. We pulled the vintage stock as it was already out from something else that was going on.

[@whistlingspy]

Come on the right day and it will. Have experimented with diesel gala last year, we just don’t have enough engines with air pumps for the breaks. Alf has an air pump and has been used as an assist train with the steam when its pump is needed

[@manfacilitymetalworks1296]

My dad may have worked on that loco. He was a mine engineer. I personally think the cab is the front of it, better visibility in the mines.

[@lmm]

It could well be, I assume when the worked as a pair they would have a cab at each end. Cool to think he may have operated something like that!

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

I love that you English have such an affinity for naming your locos. Here, across the "pond", we typically just assign locos ID numbers. I suppose it makes remembering nationally significant locos easier to remember.

[@anzaca1]

The British are masters at naming...everything. Although America does have good muscle car names.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

I can think of a few named US locos .... generally older machines with huge smokestacks. 🙂

[@D0nnyB0y]

I saw "Hunslet" on your Instagram, with that grill and thought, "There's no way he's on Alf." Sure enough!

[@lmm]

Well guessed! Cracking little engine.

[@OmegaInfinityAlpha]

8:44 I've seen other videos involving Alf, so I already knew how much power the little thing had. Which is why I was so confused when I saw that little bit of wheel slippage, leaving me wondering just what the hell you were pulling. Then I saw Dolgoch's cab and I just went "Oh..."

[@lmm]

It's great isn't it!

[@joefarrow8054]

A Gardner at full-chat. Absolutely glorious noise! Jealousy is an understatement!

[@lmm]

It is just stunning isn't it!

[@zeanyt2372]

It sounds and looks like a tractor and I love it. It's so beastly.

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

Almost as much pleasure from the sounds of the locomotive as the pleasure you are clearly sharing with us all, Thank you

[@lmm]

Thank you very much, glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@nathanchan4653]

From 8:52 to 9:44 Fred: Come on, let’s get all of you outside Rheneas: It’s going to be a great day out Ivo Hugh: Oh yes, it’s lovely. Sir Handel: Why me?! Why did I even get up in the morning? Peter Sam: I love having a great time outside.

[@lmm]

That would suite the TTTE personalities

[@rebelforce4965]

But where's Luke and Skarloey? 🤔

[@nathanchan4653]

Raiden HQ Luke is in his tunnel, and Skarloey is well sleeping. (Do not ask about Duke)

[@maxnobles6498]

@Nathan Chan, I can imagine Enterprisingengine93 version of Sir Handel saying this.

[@Terrier55Stepney]

Good ol' Thunderbird 9! Lovely review - it's so nice to see a video giving Alf some attention. Highly respected but often forgotten.

[@frankieboitv619]

It’s always been my favourite lol

[@lmm]

It's a cracking bit of kit. I loved being out on it!

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

Thing has a Autobot Logo on it, almost think Lawrie just brings those with him and slap them on anything he looks at.

[@Scioneer]

Awesome sound and more character than any "beauty queen" loco would have.

[@lmm]

I agree it's got a wonderful noise, but some 'pretty' engines do sound amazing too!

[@stevewareing8525]

I Love the sound of a Gardner diesel, 40 years ago in my teens I worked at a factory that had a beautiful second hand Gardner marine engine converted to run a back up generator.As an apprentice I used to help the plant engineer run the regular generator tests and maintain it, (Check, oil and water etc and polish it to within an inch of it;s life)That was back in the day's before mandatory ear defenders and disposable gloves but I survived with hearing intact and surprisingly unblemished hands. It gave me a lifelong appreciation of engineering and the thundering sound of *POWER* from a classic British built Diesel engine. 🤔👍

[@lmm]

They've magnificent things! That's a great thing to have looked after. Lovely rumble and sense of power!

[@Porty1119]

I love it! Underground equipment is a passion of mine; I own two EIMCO rubber-tire mine loaders that are in the process of being rehabilitated for use underground. A friend of mine also owns an EIMCO air-powered locomotive - the majority of the unit is an air receiver tank that is recharged off of compressed air lines underground every few hundred feet. The same friend bought a battery electric mine locomotive this winter; we've got no idea what to do with it because none of us have any batteries!

[@michaelgamble296]

I once owned an Austin-Healey 3000 MkII - and my greatest enjoyment - was . . . opening the throttle! It had a roar like no other! Thanks for the treat, Lawrie.

[@lmm]

Oh really? That's cool! You're welcome!

[@alwaysbearded1]

Love the sound of a Gardner engine. It is no wonder Alf is still running. There are still people that rebuild them. They are lovely engines.

[@lmm]

It's a cracking Loco, recently got a new coat of paint too

[@alwaysbearded1]

@@lmm Glad to hear about the paint job. Alf deserves some TLC. Did they do some body work before painting him? I could see significant wasting of the panels. I took some time to look up the LW series Gardeners on lunch yesterday and found they made a loco version complete with a transmission. Not sure if that is what Alf has or if a custom adaption was made. I also looked at the catalog for the company that had the data and found they both sell parts and offer rebuilding. I'm amazed so many parts that are still available.

[@SkyFire2112]

Now I have no idea how to spell these names so Im going to use their Thomas counterparts but when I saw that little thing pull Rheneas, Ivo Hugh, Sir Handel and Peter Sam I’m not going to lie I got very jealous. That’s incredible

[@DAKOTA56777]

They... all have quite visible name plates on them.

[@TankEngine75]

Dolgoch,Tom Rolt,Sir Hadyn and Edward Thomas,those are the names,Alf has a Thomas Counterpart in the RWS too (called "Fred")

[@SlateTruck]

I love how it practically has a launch control system 😂

[@lmm]

Lovely thing

[@woodbees2801]

I am glad to report that Alf has now gotten a fresh coat of paint and some other minor repairs.

[@lmm]

Yes, I saw it was looking smart!

[@mechamax7919]

5:08, you seem to go a bit Ned Flanders there: "Heavily dutily"

[@lmm]

😂 😂 I thought that in the edit 😂

[@donwright3427]

When we were kids we made a kind of bike thing with an outrigger to ride along these tracks but it kept falling if the rails. We then modified it for the Fairbourne railway and got told off for messing about. One guy took pitty on our misserable attempt to ride the tracks and give us free tickets ti ride up and down the line.Now I am older and more skilled at making things I would love to revisit that project!!

[@lmm]

It's very important to do these things with permission of the railway.

[@bentullett6068]

That exhaust sound is so good. Its such a powerful little diesel loco as well especially pulling all of the steam locomotives out of their shed. I would urge everyone to support all of the preserved railways at this time even the Severn Valley Railway that I volunteer at is in financial difficulty due to the crisis.

[@lmm]

The exhaust is incredibly good. Yeah, it's a brilliant little workhorse. Railways everywhere are struggling. It's a really worrying time for us involved in the heritage movement.

[@serbianrailfanning967]

16:39 Such a nice place to relax and watch the old steam, or maybe diesel locos coming by, i can see myself being an uncool trainspotter recording all trains that pass here.

[@elitegamerandrew5979]

I was damn well surprised in the intro when Lawrie said that he’s at the Talyllyn railway, I go there every year for the Land Rover Series One Rally and it’s fantastic. Also that Hunslet sounds awesome when you give him some throttle!

[@lmm]

At full throttle its absolutely incredible. It's a fantastic railway. Super friendly, and just generally awesome. Lot of landys around those parts!

[@teamidris]

@@lmm The Mrs is a life member. I haven’t been to the S1 landy rally for years. I bit like Alf it’s a long journey at 35 miles per hour :o)

[@sudriansignalman9387]

Why do I get the feeling you had a go at trying to buy the parts locomotive

[@sawyerawr5783]

I mean because its Lawrie? :D Let's be honest I was figuring he got there and went, "Look I know I'm here for Alf...but do you think I can have a go in Dolgoch too?" I know I'd have done that!

[@sudriansignalman9387]

@@sawyerawr5783 Imagine if Talyllyn was in service, or if he saw Toby on one of the sidings

[@lmm]

You'll have to see what happens in future LMM..

[@lmm]

You'll have to see what happens in future LMM..

[@knapfordman1984]

the fact Alf can pull 4 engines all twice his size with just a bit of wheelslip is really amazing i personally believe that the earth exploding would not hurt Alf at all.

[@LiamE69]

My ex had similarly proportioned overhangs.

[@lmm]

Hahaha!

[@TheHoveHeretic]

You were married to a Maunsell Z Class?

[@a.ivlogs2678]

I love steam locos and diesel locos but the steamies will never have is the amazing engine sounds

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

ALF! As a member of the Alf Cult, this video has made me very happy. The little Hunslet is my favorite non-steam thing they have. Got to love the whistle and jackshaft. I also noticed the spare parts engine when I visited last year - Neat design! My jaw kind of dropped when Alf suddenly and effortlessly yanked out *all* of the steam locomotives, though-

[@lmm]

It's a magnificent little bit of kit. Once I managed to get the power down she just walked away with the load. She's great.

[@teddill4893]

It truly glorious sound from this engine! Thank you for bring so much joy to these Loco videos. :)

[@lmm]

You're more than welcome! So glad to hear you're enjoying what we do!

[@deansiracusa3966]

Excellent job framing the sequence of pulling all the steam locomotives!

[@lmm]

I enjoyed that

[@rjvermaak]

There's something about gear whine that is just awesome.

[@TimEaston]

Another lovely film of Laurie driving another loco

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wellingtonnorthjunction3911]

“Won’t get in gear” ,” swearing at it” sounds a lot like my old bike 😅

[@content_deleted2416]

I love that railway , Talyllyn is also in my home country - thanks for the vid

[@joshrides3676]

Town

[@content_deleted2416]

JoshRides - I was trying to imply that I’m welsh

[@lmm]

Wales is lovely to visit. Scenery is just magnificent! And you're most welcome!

[@Kimmiesman24]

Cheers from the us. Love that little piece of locomotive history. Maybe after this whole thing is over ill have to visit the uk and checkout some of the stuff you guys have 😁

[@lmm]

Talyllyn is well worth a visit. Wales is very pretty, if a tad wet. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@tonyrobinson362]

I use to drive similar down Blidworth Colliery in the 80s, Taking miners into the coal face.

[@lmm]

Oh really?

[@cadenthecadburyengine8198]

8:55 magic moment

[@lmm]

It was rather!

[@loanedengineproductions]

I guess we can say that "Alf is running well" 😂😂

[@MachRacer4]

I love how it has the Autobot emblem down on the buffer beam.

[@lmm]

Me too!

[@hopkinsmiler]

Generally underground it doesn't rain that much is one of the best things I have ever heard.

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Rain underground ISN'T generally a good thing. See Tom Rolt's description of conditions at Bryn Eglwys (Railway Adventure). 🙉

[@SammyBFilms]

2:22 Alf is an Auotbot!! :-D Can't wait to visit this place again! :-)

[@zackattack7489]

I don’t see it

[@simonwood1402]

Alf needs some love ❤ and a paint Job! 🎨 plus the Flight Deck needs a cab!!!

[@Techno-Universal]

That engine would be powerful enough to use in a large diesel vehicle like a 15 tonne truck or large bus! Also most busses use four cylinder Diesel engines like that so it’s likely that most busses from the year 1950 also had engines of that design and size in them! :)

[@morphoist]

It's good to see Alf running well........

[@lmm]

It was good fun

[@shakedydogshake]

Very pretty coaches, and nice little railway…..Alf almost sounds like an old John Deere 2popper.

[@lmm]

It's a wonderful railway. Love the sound of this when it rumbles into life.

[@jameszimmerman4693]

Thank you for the awesome videos

[@lmm]

You're most welcome! Glad to hear you're enjoying them!

[@pitbox6497]

Hope to see more from the TR soon, they are a fantastic little railway and an extremely friendly bunch of people. I went up in the summer and we were met with nothing but friendliness from all the volunteers there.

[@lmm]

It's honestly one of the most friendly lines I've ever visited. They're just super, and a fantastic railway!

[@ajaxengineco]

*Railway with a Heart of Gold intensifies*

[@lmm]

It's a glorious little place.

[@calebc.2290]

I actually know of another engine like Alf his name is Fred and he works on the SKR

[@lmm]

I don't think the Sittingbourne and Kemsley light railway have one. If you mean the TTTE character, then yes Alf is the basis for Fred.

[@pizzalover346]

Alf's running well as always

[@jimbarchuk]

"Full throttle! Wow!!! That is such a brilliant noise!"

[@Lichtviech]

Engine sound without a silencer - I love it 😍

[@lmm]

It's magnificent isn't it!

[@Lichtviech]

@@lmm yessss!

[@rjds1800]

Cracking Video, that Hunslet sounds like the Hooligan of Narrow Gauge Railways.

[@lmm]

It's sounded fantastic! Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Puckoon2002]

In 1980 I saw Alf used in passenger service. The steam loco had failed, but there where no spare steamers available, Midlander was in the process of having it's engine replaced and Merseysider had failed that morning with water in the fuel, so Alf was the only loco left. It was the fastest I've ever seem a train leave the platform at Wharf, but it had already reached top speed by the time it reached the road bridge.

[@lmm]

Oh yeah, it's really not fast 😂 sounds great though!

[@28YorkshireRose12]

Sounds like a David Brown gearbox - our Crop Masters (and others) used to grind like that! Even the engine reminds me of our DB 990!

[@lmm]

Oh really? I guess it does have quite the agricultural feel to it!

[@mamodsteamreturns5492]

the noise it made when droped in gear a tad to quickly ..gawjuss railway lovely loco thanks for uploading ..

[@lmm]

It's magnificent isn't it! It's such an amazing railway!

[@dailrharris9009]

That Gardener when you put a little "snoots" on ,,,,,What a sound

[@lmm]

It sounds amazing doesn't it!

[@quarrylocomotiveproduction5439]

The Talyllyn railway alf is not just used for shunting and freight trains it's used for passenger trains when one of the other engines can't start

[@lmm]

Alf is rarely used as a thunderbird these days due to its lower top speed, and the railway has other more suitable locomotive.

[@shakedydogshake]

Lawrie Goes Loco, ROCKS!

[@lmm]

Thank you

[@Mouzekiller83]

for some weird reasons i love this one much.

[@lmm]

It's got real character doesn't it!

[@fritz46]

The Bala Lake Railway uses buffers too. Most (if not all?) Quarry Hunslets originally had simple buffers made from blocks of wood.

[@lmm]

So they do!

[@cornishadz]

Gorgeous locomotive. That gardner engine is lovely and sounds stunning

[@mhgs13]

Absolutely love these series of videos. All of your videos are great.. But, these are my favorites. Well done.

[@lmm]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying what we do.

[@steeveedee8478]

I'm pretty sure he likes that engine....!

[@patrickporter6536]

I noticed. I'm looking for all the episodes I can find now. Thanks!

[@lmm]

There should be a play list with them all

[@graffb.5531]

Another great video Lawrie. They have some BD70 locomotives at the Tallylyn, would be great to see you drive one of them. 👍

[@lmm]

I'm hoping to return and do some more engines!

[@Stgpop]

SHE JUST GOES MAN!!

[@SteamboatWilley]

"Flight deck"? That is a footplate, sir.

[@lmm]

No no, definitely prefer flight deck 😂

[@lorenzosdeadchannel]

i believe its not technically a foot plate cos you're sitting down not standing like on (some of them at least) a steam engine

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Good solid machine!

[@stef.b.m.lk1902]

The second oldest heritage railway in the would is puffing billy. Nise video mate 👍

[@lmm]

I'd love to visit it!

[@albinklein7680]

Those Gardner engines just sound lovely.

[@user-ds1nv9op4r]

Brilliant video, The last time I saw "Sir Haydn" at 9:22 was when it went visiting other heritage lines :)

[@lmm]

Yeah, I think that was the first time I saw it too!

[@jamesriley6315]

Well is plain to see lawrie went home with a massive smile on his face

[@lmm]

That I did indeed. Super fun!

[@Idkwhattosay000]

Alf is a very special engine

[@frederickmoller]

I'd love to drive that, I drove Battery Locos and Overhead Power Electric Trolleys underground at the now closed Dome Gold Mine in Timmins Canada, but never a diesel as they didn't have them.

[@franzkoviakalak6981]

It does sound brilliant.

[@lmm]

I absolutely loved it!

[@mrmalos4194]

im gonna be honest this is my favorite engine on the talyllyn and yes the steam engines are amazing and beautiful but then i see him and im like damn.. he cool

[@lmm]

It's a proper little thing!

[@RailwayManiaNet]

Another great episode :) Thanks Lawrie and pals.

[@raychambers3646]

ALF alien life form ,certainly a strange looking beast.

[@lmm]

Hahahah, it's great isn't it!

[@kepa504]

glorious noise

[@MRPUD1]

That put a smile on my face it looks & sounds excellent. I just hope the Railway survives through all the down time . I’m sat twiddling me thumbs I wanna get back to work at the Dvlr . It’s killing me not to be able to work.

[@alanmuddypaws3865]

Awesome! I wholeheartedly agree with you about the engine noise. You're a lucky chap to be able to sit in so many great driving seats.

[@lmm]

I'm an exceptionally lucky chap! It's a real honour.

[@blindpeteoz5673]

My dad drove one of these (I am almost sure) at Craghead Colliery, County Durham in the mid 50's for 5 years, before getting a job at Pelton Fell Colliery, where the rest of his family worked. We left UK in 1961 to come to Australia, when all the pits started closing.

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

Awesome video, what a brilliant loco! That sound is the same reason I love driving my Fordson Major Diesel.

[@lmm]

Sounds great doesn't it!

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

@@lmm Its magnificent

[@millicentduke6652]

My favourite part of watching your channel is seeing you grinning like a little boy when the loco picks up speed. ^_^

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

JUST AMAZING!! Hello from Excelsior Springs, MO USA Great video!

[@SlateTruck]

9:37 I was laughing my ass off at this point. That thing is STRONG

[@lmm]

Isn't it just

[@craigbrown3870]

4 narrow engines, that's insanely one strong diesel

[@lmm]

She's a mega little thing!

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

The Talylyn railway is my favourite Welsh narrow gauge railway mainly because this is the inspiration for the Skarloey railway in the Railway series