Four Castles at Didcot - From the Footplate of Pendennis Castle!

Hello everyone,
Do I have a treat for you!
I was invited to go down and take part in the Didcot Railway Centre's Castle 100 event, helping out on the footplate with the biggest steam engine we've featured on the Channel so far. The recently restored Pendennis Castle!
A massive thank you to everyone who made this video possible.
If you want more information on the DRC, have a look at their website here: didcotrailwayc...
This video is proudly sponsored by the Foxfield Railway - have a look at their website an upcoming events here: foxfieldrailwa...
A video featuring:
Lawrie - Presenter, very excited to be having a go on a 'big' engine,
Charles - Cameraman, equally very excited to be helping with a castle.
Additional footage by Larry and TJ.
A video edited by Lawrie.
Want more info on us and the stuff in The Shed, or want to get in contact? Check out our Website!
lawriesmechani...
Fancy supporting us on Patreon and receiving extra bits of LMM? Have a look at our Patreon here:
/ lawriesmechanicalmarvels
Get more of what we're up to with Instagram! - / lawries_mechanical_mar...
Want to some LMM Merch? Check out our teespring store!
teespring.com/...
Chat with us and other like minded people on our discord - / discord
Follow us for video alerts and other updates on Facebook - / lawriesmechanicalmarvels

[@roberthopper1872]

I like how you have gone from a tinkerbell to a castle in the space of a month!

[@lmm]

Rather opposite ends of the scale

[@Aeonterbor]

​@@lmm Next he could go to the states and fire up a Big Boy.

[@alistairwhite2906]

@@Aeonterbor Or Australia for a run with Garratt 6029. She's pretty big too......

[@daviobryker]

@@alistairwhite2906 or 3801 or NA

[@datguymiller]

@@Aeonterbor that actually takes days due to us standards, so yeah it be fired up for him

[@Hyce777]

Great to see you on a big loco, Lawrie :)

[@lmm]

It was great to be on a big engine!

[@eliotreader8220]

@@lmm would you do one about other GWR engines. I drove and fired one back in 2014

[@lmm]

@@eliotreader8220 working on it!

[@alanjhargreaves]

Seeing this video tweaked my memory. Many years ago, when I was still a child, This locomotive came through the docks at the port of Newcastle in NSW Australia waiting to be placed upon the Iron Baron its way to Western Australia. I have a photo somewhere of me standing up on the footplate (with full permission of course). This must place the event in March, 1978, making me 13 years old at the time. This is one of my most favourite memories, and until I watched this video I had forgotten which locomotive it was. Thank you so much, Lawrie, for reminding me of this. Now I have to go off and find that photo.

[@alanjhargreaves]

Remembering more of that day now, I got to be shown around one of the ships in port, get up on Pendennis Castle, and then off to Rutherford for the Scouts Flying day.

[@2760ade]

You were really lucky to be part of this! Those 'Castle' class engines are magnificent. I used to see Clun Castle regularly when I lived in Birmingham! One thing did strike me though, the sheer grind and filth of prepping and maintaining these beasts must have been miserable for those who did it every day as a job. We tend to look on these machines now with somewhat romantic rose-tinted glasses, but I suppose, that is the point!!

[@invisibleman4827]

​@aussiepom Re: sickness you're partially right, collections were made, but the railway had a Mutual Assurance Society that took a deduction out of your wages to cover the costs of medical care, especially since pre-health and safety, railway work was very dangerous, and the personal records of drivers and firemen shows that almost all of them suffered various accidents and minor injuries such as heavy lumps of coal landing on hands and feet, falling off locomotives, burns from hot surfaces etc. That's why the medical for the footplate was so strict, to the point that some men would fail the GWR medical, but after applying for the Royal Navy they passed with flying colours as far back as 1891. Under the MAS, the GWR created its own hospital at Swindon, which became a template for the NHS when it was established in 1948.

[@onnelli]

I think my favourite thing about this channel is that, as an American, I get to experience what steam is like across the pond, in the same, gritty way that I can watching Hyce. I get to see the hands on stuff, and also learn a thing or two about steam as a whole in doing so

[@Nova_Blaze]

He's the British Hyce, or vice versa

[@sleeplessingc]

it was an honor to watch that. You are a lucky man.

[@alistairwhite2906]

I got to see Pendennis Castle while she resided in the Pilbara in Western Australia as a kid. Lots of red dust and she was pulled out of the shed with a winch...... While it's a shame she couldn't enjoy a busy life in Oz to this day showing off the great engineering of the GWR, it's brilliant to see her back home and looking better than ever. And yep, having to oil up an express loco with the instructions of 'get to it' is challenge but also a lot of fun. Done that a couple of times as a volunteer with a Victorian Railways R class. Thankfully nothing between the frames that needs attention on those girls.....

[@stephenchappell7512]

Wasn't really suited to Oz though but at least you got to see her and Flying Scotsman back in the 80's

[@laurieharper1526]

Wow. Four Castles in steam together. The prettiest mainline steam loco in my humble opinion. The proportions, brass banding and colours just work. Love the tenders, too. They look so elegant with their spoked wheels. The GWR really knew how to make their kit look special.

[@alanclarke4646]

The sweep of the exhaust pipes too. They look so much more elegant than the straight ones on other locomotives.

[@BadlanderOutsider]

A sponsored ad in a KZbin video that is relevant not only to the channel itself but ACTUALLY something I'd be interested in? Rare stuff indeed!

[@lmm]

I know right!

[@christopherbrown3695]

How fantastic Laurie! My late uncle Bert Brown drove Pendennis Castle a lot and took me on its last run to Birmingham and let me up on the footplate. He always considered it was “his engine” and he consistently said it was the best engine he ever drove. So glad you did this.

[@lmm]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@bellyruffian]

@@lmm Sorry I spelt your name wrong! I met you when you came and drove Tinkerbell, I am the gobshite with the bell

[@Streaky100001]

I feel like someone's trying to compete with Hyce with all those camera angles of the inner workings, and I love it!

[@lmm]

We've always hung cameras all over locomotives?

[@Streaky100001]

​@@lmm oh, fair. I guess I've just lost touch somewhat then. In my defence though, you've not put out that many videos of full sized steam locomotives of late. I'd also like to state for the record I wasn't trying to be an arse with the original comment, it was purely intended as a throwaway joke, however on re-reading it with fresh eyes.... yeah... maybe wasn't in the best taste, so my apologies for that. I did very much enjoy the video, as I do all of your content, so thank you for that.

[@lmm]

@@Streaky100001 no no, didn't seem arsy at all. We do normally try to show as any angles as possible. Glad you're enjoying what we do

[@anthonydavies6021]

This takes your breath away - these locos are simply magnificent. Words are not adequate to describe the emotions they evoke - you can only watch and wonder!

[@johnjephcote7636]

I remember two exciting Castle runs; one in 1959 returning from Wolverhampton behind Great Western, the last GW-built one, and then in 1965 on the last scheduled steam from Paddington (to Banbury) behind the BR-built Clun Castle.

[@1toonhead]

OMG, I just done a model of the Pendennis Castle. That used to live in Australia for a time in its life.

[@RHTeebs]

At the beginning, when Lawrie was taking all the Great Western insults, I was throwing out compliments. Because, I love the Great Western. As a wise employee said: "There are two ways of doing things: the Great Western way, or the wrong way."

[@keithv708]

That sounds like duck from Thomas the tank engine

[@kevfrombutterley]

9:45 "Ah go on, you'll enjoy it, down you go!" Gotta love prepping a Western engine 😂

[@rudolphbondefangerer5513]

Oiling under the locomotive must have been a lot easier in Australia, everything is upside down down there.

[@generalxabierosa2636]

I grew up in Canada listening to my grandfather talk about his days in the railyards and visiting the old locomotive his father operated, and I am honestly quite jealous of you, I would give my left arm to be able to operate a train. Thanks for the many great videos.

[@markgouthro7375]

When you mentioned a turntable being used for it's proper purpose you reminded me of a story my grandfather told me. He was a ham radio operator and he heard from another guy using an old turntable to mount his 80 m band antenna and used the turntable to direct it.

[@thomaspickles9058]

You’ve given me a real appreciation and admiration for the castle class I hadn’t had previously, your passion is infectious it seems- thanks Lawrie for sharing your experience with us 😊

[@KPen3750]

Lawrie’s face when the man in the awesome hat said “there’s about 120 on this” was priceless EDIT: stupid phone mispelled his name, here to rectify that

[@Morganstein-Railroad]

You Lucky Dab! You Drove a Castle Class! The beast I have driven is a HST 125. Only From The Platform to the yard in Swansea, mind. I was 15 and had two proper drivers with me as I took the controls, but I did it! I also drove a class 08 shunter a couple of days later to the Landore yard. This was in 1976, when our school was caught up in strikes and I had an few afternoons off school.

[@andersholt4653]

Simply AWESOME, 'nuff said. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪.👍

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Bolt33827]

That has to be a once in a lifetime experience.. what a spectacle!

[@lmm]

It was pretty good!

[@Shed87AProductions]

Was nice to see you there, brilliant day. And that other one is 5051 Drysllwyn Castle / Earl Bathurst and in my opinion the best of the castles.

[@richardsweeney197]

What a wonderful line up, congratulations. Once again, I would be jealous if you hadn't worked so hard to get there! About the turntable, it is impressive when you think how strong and well-balanced the turntable has to be for two people to be able to turn a castle class by hand.

[@roberthocking9138]

What an amazing and historical moment and what a privilege for you to be on board . Thanks for the vision

[@AustNRail]

As an Australian I love the Great Western locomotives.

[@lmm]

They are pretty stunning

[@nealhove]

Great video thanks Lawrie - I last saw Pendennis at Didcot during an RMWeb event and Drew was kind enough to get me a footplate ride on the Saint. Drew of course was our guide for the day last August and I see he was on the footplate with you.

[@jakesmainchannel]

Hi there Lawrie, my names jake, i was the station master on 8 road platform that day when you were driving! thank you so much for coming down and spending the day with us and especially with pendenis castle! we really do appreciate it!!! many thanks Jake - Station Master - 8 road

[@lmm]

It was a great day! Looking forward to returning!

[@mikepurdy1738]

There's a man who loves his job, brilliant, think I'll watch it again 🙂

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

That line up of all four was truly spectacular and possibly not repeated very often at all.

[@lmm]

This particular one is unlikely to happen again

[@746laurie]

Only just got round to watching this in October 2024. My Dad joined the GWR at Didcot as an engine cleaner in April 1930. Went on to become a fireman, passed fireman (driving local freight and passenger workings) and a fully fledged driver in 1946, a couple of months after I was born. During his time as a Didcot driver he drove 92220 Evening Star in the early 1960s and 3440 City of Truro in 1957 after she was brought out of York museum and restored for mainline running. While 3440 was shedded at Didcot he often drove her on normal service trains over the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton line, commuter service trains to Paddington as well as the occasional enthusiast special. He also drove 1466 on the Wallingford branch which I believe was the first use of a steam train after the lifting of the blanket ban on steam locomotives on BR tracks.

[@johnchild61]

I have seen Pendennis Castle many time as a 10 Year old on the foot bridge of Southall Sheds and on the platform at speed great memories of 60 years now ,never forgotten

[@lmm]

Must have been something amazing to see!

[@vernongoodey5096]

Must repeat the comment about the wonderful camera shots of the inside motion. The Castle Loco was simply superb, the LMS tried to buy 50 off Swindon. GWR loaned one to the LNER after the Exchange trials so Nigel Gresley could sort out their problems whilst designing the A4s and the rest is history

[@andyaccount]

William Stanier used to work for the GWR, wasn't the Class 5 based on a Castle? Having asked that I'm not sure he was still there when the Castles were built 100 years ago, which I believe was the real reason for this event to celebrate the centenary. Despite only living a couple of stations away from Didcot, I was not aware of this event taking place and might have gone myself.

[@marcblackman7372]

The black 5 was based on the hall.the duchess, staniers masterpiece is a "super king"

[@matt_acton-varian]

​@@andyaccount The LMS Stanier Moguls were heavily inspired by the Castle class, as he incorporated the tapered boiler design into an incomplete blueprint from his predecessor. Many medium express, MT or goods LMS designs that followed kept the boiler shape. There was a GWR Mogul that preceded the Castles which was in a 2-6-0 configuration, but had a few persistent gremlins so most of them got rebuilt at some stage into other classes. The Castles mostly put pay to the GWR Mogul.

[@michaelhayes1678]

Truly special event, truly exciting video. Thanks.

[@BrokenIET]

Wow, a sponsor actually fitting with a channel? Thats never happened before! Its quite a far trek up north so I probably won’t be able to visit but I can always donate, I‘m sure. Great video also! Pendennis castle is possibly my favourite loco!

[@LittleGiant197]

I absolutely loved this video. It filled me with me with such joy to hear the sound of the engine.

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinforrest7680]

You lucky, lucky, lucky ….. I LOVE ❤️ GWR castles. I’m literally GREEN with envy. But thanks for sharing. Basically you’re doing all the stuff I’d love to do. Well done mate 👍 I’m jealous but happy for you at the same time. Good stuff Mr Rose Rob

[@eze8970]

Thanks Lawrie, a long day. glad you had the energy for it, not a proper breakfast in sight either! Great seeing them all together! 🙏🙏

[@deansgoods4577]

I was there! Absolutely amazing experience.

[@mikeyp2777]

What a fantastic video! Truly awesome unique coverage of the event! Thanks for sharing :)

[@mikeeuritt4396]

Greetings from soaking wet California. What a dream day you had, I'm envious of the total experience, it's easy to understand your excitement. This is probably my favorize episode or yours, good luck trying to top it.

[@daviobryker]

Lucky duck on firing Pendennis Castle looks like you had fun should visit Australia lots of train and fans here both miniature and big

[@CharlesTrains99]

Lawrie, a magnificent video. Thanks for sharing. Your video coverage made it possible for those of us who couldn't be there to see everything in the first person. Looking forward to the next video.

[@trainzville9237]

Hello Lawrie, that is a spectacular video you have ever created, I'm happy that you had a wonderful day working with Pendennis Castle, especially having a go at driving her, she's a beautiful steam locomotive, the best GWR Castle Class of all, I'm looking forward to seeing her at the Severn Valley Railway during their Spring Steam Gala next month & again at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham for their Open Day in June, keep up the good work mate.

[@johnmatthews5810]

Wonderful video, Lawrie. Fantastic shots of the inside cylinder and motion in action. As well as of all four Castles of course!

[@davidderbidge8232]

Your best 1 yet Lawrie.the coaling stage reminded me of when I was a kid at Laira my dad used to work the coaling stage and he would get me into the wagons to shovel the coal over to the exit and he would shovel it into the hoppers and let me tip it into the the tenders and when they were full we used to drive it forward to place the next tender under the shute and sometimes he would let me drive the engine as well.not bad for a 10 year old.the steam engines and the coal stage brought back wonderful memory's for me and very emotional as well.thanks

[@IndyD89]

What a truly amazing line up of these majestic locos. Wish I could have been there for this event. Got to love the oil in sauce bottles. Thanks for this epic video Lawrie and team.

[@stepheny6321]

Absolutely brilliant

[@speleokeir]

A fun, enthusiastic and interesting video. Great work and four fantastic Castles: Pendennis, Clun, Drysllwyn and Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.😀 Fun fact: In the mid 60s Mike Higson bought Pendennis Castle from BR for £1,750. Today you could buy eight new OO gauge Hornby Castle class locos for the same price!🤔😮

[@lmm]

Amazing how much its value has changed!

[@glennwoods2462]

What a wonderful day....

[@Duececoupe]

Done that a fair few times still living in Sweden, I miss the smell and everything....🥺🥲 Excellent video as always! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻😎

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@woobyvr9654]

Australian here, we would happily take back our beloved castle :)

[@lmm]

It's in good hands here!

[@andrewentwistle515]

What a fantastic video from Lawrie. It was great to see the Prep work that has to be done to get a Great Engine ready for the day ahead. It was also great to see the other Castle's in one location. Thank you for sharing your love of mainline Engine's with us.

[@johnbarham7718]

What an extra ordinary film. Very well done to you and your crew, and the people at Didcot. Makes my Thunderbolt 1 look very miniscule.

[@kristaduke1896]

A great loco been to didcot lots as we’re family members missed all the castles together as was working thanks for the video

[@lmm]

Sorry you missed it, but glad you enjoyed the video!

[@1toonhead]

One of your best videos EVER and I'm now so jealous but very happy you had the experience.

[@shakedydogshake]

Nice one Lawrie! Lovvvved it!!!

[@PaulMJStone]

Some great footage from a fireman's perspective. Best overall video of the day I've seen so far!

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@siraff4461]

🤯 So much great stuff in this.

[@lmm]

Thank you very much!

[@edwardreed67]

Haha I was actually at this! It was wonderful to see Drysllwyn, Pendennis, Clun and of course Earl of Mount Edgecumbe.

[@lmm]

It was a good day!

[@Lethalape15]

Just spotted myself in the video! It was great to see all the locos together

[@OCPS4361]

Lucky guy! bit of a change from a tink!

[@cbmsysmobile]

As soon as I hear the word "sponsor" on KZbin I fast forward. Just because it's you, Lawrie, I didn't. I know which side my bread is buttered!

[@lmm]

Very much appreciated - it's a good sponsor too!

[@michaelmiller641]

Fantastic video, Lawrie, very interesting thank you !

[@lmm]

You're most welcome!

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

The Castles look great no matter what livery they wear

[@lmm]

They do wear green very well

[@carbidejones5076]

Awesome, thanks.

[@Nikki-Kitten]

Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

[@lmm]

You're more than welcome!

[@AquesousSolution]

It is never hard to tell when you are having great fun and using all the you have learned about steam locomotives. Thanks for the through and complete day in the life of steam. The videos of the third undercarriage crank assembly are seldom shown. Would like to see that sequence at startup sometime so the action was more apparent.

[@TheJinty13]

“The Great Western Way indeed!” Said Duck enthusiastically as the castles fueled up

[@4ntig3n]

Did enjoy the video :) Thanks for sharing

[@percyob1]

I'm so jealous! Wonderful Stuff L!

[@lmm]

It was pretty special!

[@davidkelly3705]

Great place visited there last year. Will definitely go back again soon. Great video Lawrie 👍

[@curlew1000]

Fantastic day. Well done.

[@aberdeenbelfry316]

Truely beautiful machines

[@cptfrecell]

I am actually getting excited just watching

[@henkdeblouw4169]

@17:20 What a magnificent sight

[@lmm]

Wasn't it just!

[@bbutcher112]

Amazing Vid! I say, I wouldn’t mind seeing you do a few more colabs with your American friend Hyce! Jolly Good!!

[@samuelfarris1949]

You are one lucky driver, my fellow Suffolk lad. Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@dds37037]

Awesome video as always, was fantastic to meet you and discuss all things lorries tractors and trains. Will contact regarding the vehicles we discussed soon. Regards Adam

[@mikesanders5433]

This whole video was superb, I loved the comic relief cameos in it 😂😂

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@colinhiggins1618]

Well done you.

[@danielrawlings-en4ib]

One of my favourite videos of yours keep the work up

[@lmm]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@vegtamthewanderer1516]

We love to see it

[@matt_acton-varian]

I was lucky enough to ride behind Pendennis Castle soon afterwards when she visited Severn Valley. It was my son's first ever ride in a heritage train. I really don't get the GWR hate, the lines and terrain were unsuitable for the huge all-out Pacifics, and the designers and engineers at Swindon made a beautiful fleet of lighter locomotives that were extremely capable and versatile, and often more reliable. The similarly designed Manors and Hall classes are also beautiful examples of well thought-out fit for purpose engineering.

[@kapegede]

What a wonderful video!

[@Stubwood_on_YT]

What a fantastic opportunity!

[@stephengough8458]

I saw the mainline special tear it down at 60. It was lovely

[@JakeBSteam]

Great video Lawrie, was great to speak to you again. Kind regards, Jake.

[@GreatWestern5199]

This place is wonderful. I'd love to go but haven't had the chance yet, but what's not to love about a haven for GWR steam! And what a wonderful locomotive to have the privilege to fire! Could I please recommend that next you have a go with 4144 the Large Prairie? They're my favourite type of engine and if Didcot are happy with you filming/driving sometimes for videos then I'd love to see some Large Prairie content!

[@dangerotterisrea]

Looking very dapper in that intro!

[@grendel_nz]

Thank you for letting the visuals do most of the talking :)

[@lmm]

You're welcome

[@peddersmeister]

Ha as soon as I saw the loco I knew the sponsor was Foxfield! For a while I was involved in a number of events there 😊

[@paulhorn2665]

What a nice engine, these castles are such nice engines. And a good and interesting video also! But why have these just one sightglas?

[@huwdavies6650]

Superb!

[@gort326]

funny looking boat

[@Jaidencharlotte]

I too was at the 4 Castle event :) I was going to say hi but I felt it was better not to disturb you

[@harrys_railway]

Hi lawrie it was great meeting you when pendennis was on the heritage line there

[@lmm]

Good to meet you too!

[@darrenraymond5334]

love didcot railway center

[@davidhall5868]

I’ve been there once to see flying Scotsman back in 2017 in didcot I have a photo me next to flying Scotsman’s nameplate it was the best memory and moment of my life