Perfect Conditions as 44932 Barks over Ribblehead on the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 21/1/23.

LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman failed a FTR exam so LMS Black five 44932 would be at the helm of the 1st Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express from Manchester Victoria to Carlisle via the famous Settle and Carlisle Railway. 44932 is seen crossing Ribblehead Viaduct with 12 on the hook and shortly after at Blea Moor sounding lovely in the frosty backdrop. The return sees 44932 at Great Strickland and Bessie Ghyll. Thanks to Nige for the company and lift.Good to catch up with Sam , Mike and Liam this morning .

[@robindeer-park5755]

Superb Filming Stephen.

[@keithdeley7236]

What a beautiful sound

[@rodevans602]

Splendid! Each sequence meticulously planned and executed. Another one for my collection of SGT artwork… Thank you….

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Rod , I try my best to produce decent results 👍🎥

[@Sam-jt1fn]

Very nice Steve, the 5 sounded great all day. Good to see you Saturday

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Sam, good to see you again and sorry for the late response.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Incredible display by the Black5 as always. Help in gaining speed then shutting off,from the 47 can be excused this time. Excellent.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind words and a great display from engine and crews.

[@RailJapanStory]

Magnificent view😃⤴️⤴️Excellent video :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@melodymonger]

A work of art 🤩

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Mark , much appreciated 👍

[@iandocwra1169]

Fine scenes - well filmed. The 'Five" sounded like it might have struggled to pass its own FTR with the cylinder leaks!

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent long distance shot of 44932 going over the ribble head viaduct 👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Barry, nearly didn’t use the first shot due to the sun going in but I’m glad I did.

[@1959thornhill]

Great work as always Stephen. I can't get enough of your videos. Very well done!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind words as they are very much appreciated. Regards Steve

[@EMuksteam]

Nice video Steve. Good to see the Black 5 on the tour. Great sounds. Brilliantly captured. Kind regards C&A

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks C&A, the five was a superb stand in for 46115 and was working well I thought .

[@HY...]

Excellent!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind comment 👍

[@Linesider1]

Cracking winter footage Steve, wonderful spectacle at Blea Moor in great light. Not a bad way to start the year!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, certainly great conditions for steam and I was rather lucky at Blea Moor as the sun came out in the Nick 👍

[@frankrogowski5608]

The good old faithful Brush type 4 on the rear.

[@alsmith5604]

There are few things on the planet sound better than a Black 5 at full cry!!! Thanks for another great video!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Al , like you say you can’t beat a five hard at work 👍

[@nige7577]

Excellent shots Steve, ideal conditions for steam and a great sound from the 5, Ribblehead was the right choice I would say, cheers

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nige , very true as we could’ve chased the tour but Ribblehead was the right choice 👍🎥

[@allan5919]

An excellent show by the Black Five Stephen and superbly filmed throughout. 👍👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Allan, things worked well especially in those fine weather conditions 👍🎥

[@deauvilledad07]

Extremely well thought out, the way you adapted what mother nature made available to enhance your video was amazing. Very well done Steve, also well done for braving the cold. 🤓

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Anthony, we decided to concentrate on the viaduct area rather than chase it for a change 👍

[@bobnweaver]

Superb video Steve. All the scenes are stunning but I liked the opening clip in particular. Cheers, Jeff.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jeff , nearly didn’t use the first shot due to the sun going in 😂

[@SimonTog]

Super nice video Steve :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Cheers Simon 👍

[@Boveyphil]

Awesome!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Phil 👍

[@conceyullena]

Like 6 beautiful landcascape, very nice video, greetings from Asturias 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂👍👋

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind comment 👍

[@stephenbrass1808]

Cracking start to the new steam season Steve, lovely sound and light at blea moor, Steve B . 👍🎥

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Steve, we were very lucky with the sun at Blea Moor as thankfully it just about stayed out .

[@updistant]

Excellent vista, subject, sound and vision.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Rob , pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@benzinapaul7416]

Wonderful...as always....thank you for sharing

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind comment and it’s much appreciated as ever 👍

[@warwickroad4111]

Wow, stunning! Thanks for sharing.

[@TheStephengthompson]

My pleasure and I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

[@dougreynolds2813]

i can't explain why this is so satisfying!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Doug, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@madpetrolhead]

Fantastic video, good to hear the awesome Black 5 working hard.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Ken , the five was a great stand in for 46115 after failing its fitness to run exam .

[@railwayscene]

Loved the video and great sound too.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind words Jed . Much appreciated 👍

[@NorthumberlandSnapper]

Very nice indeed Steve. I particularly like the shot of the loco rounding the curve at BM box.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Tom , bit of a trek to the location but worth it on a day like that 👍🥶

[@ambell]

That's a hell of a weight to be hauling up a 1in100 gradient. Looks like the 47 was giving a little shove judging by the way the 5 picked up a little off of the 30mph slack over the viaduct. Great video by the way.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the very kind words as they are much appreciated. Great show from 44932 I must say.

[@acw71000]

Cracking shots Steve, plenty of noise from the Five despite the assistance and great light at Ribblehead

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, bit lucky with the sun at Blea Moor as it nearly went in .

[@grahamhall5211]

Well Steve first day of steam of the season brilliant videoing at bleamoor spot on mate👏 👌

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Graham, worth the trek we thought 🎥😂

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Steve , Great video and locations.Dave...🚂🚂🚂🚃👍👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Cheers Dave , couldn’t go wrong in those conditions.

[@locomotive6727]

@@TheStephengthompson Hi Steve, True, Thanks for reply ...Dave🚂🚂👍

[@SimonBrown89]

Excellant footage Steve, a great start to the year. Nice to see a black 5 back on the S&C aswell.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon, yes indeed a great start in ideal conditions 👍

[@JamesandPeter]

Brilliant video Steve, nice conditions for it too. Regards James

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks James , can’t go wrong in those conditions I must admit.

[@tattoo1084]

Splendid shots Stephen especially at Ribblehead/Blea Moor with the light. Grand day. I got pics of her at Selside and Beck Houses.👍👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, glad you got some good pictures 👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steve, Certainly "Perfect Conditions" stuff and a great start to the New Year. Regards, John

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John, certainly ideal weather conditions for filming steam I must say.

[@JakeBSteam]

Great footage as always Stephen. Regards, Jake.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jake , glad you enjoyed the show 👍

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

Magnificent! Perfect conditions for steam today and the 5 didn't seem to find the load difficult

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Leslie, we were blessed with decent weather conditions and always good to see a five again .

[@derekpennymainlineproducti4885]

A great compilation with the Black 5 performing well and the 47 providing very little assistance, would have loved to have seen a right hand pan at Ribblehead.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Cheers Derek, always difficult to do the pan across the viaduct as I was on the bridge passed the signal box but I know what you mean.

[@williamsanger3868]

Brilliant viewing, the Best!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks William, very pleased you enjoyed it.

[@1Goldsteam]

Great footage as always Stephen, thank you. I waved over Ribblehead 'but was seated on the other side lol'

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan, hope you had a great day out behind 44932 .

[@1Goldsteam]

@@TheStephengthompson - yes we did thank you, it went well.

[@bodorganboys]

Nice shots Steve,.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Idris, much appreciated as always 👍

[@TerribleIvan]

Good to get out again Steve! must have just missed you. Shame the 47 tuned all his taps on.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Ivan, didn’t realise you were around Blea Moor and we must’ve missed each other somehow 😂

[@eaglesfield102]

Great video as usual. We decided to go to Dandry Mire as we were worried about the sun direction coming over the viaduct at Ribblehead for photography.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alistair, yes the sun could have been a problem but thankfully it played ball .

[@bobcannell7603]

Why is it blowing off steam from the cylinders? In the later high speed sections, its only from one side. Are they running with both or one of the cylinder drain cocks open? Why would they waste steam doing that? Anyone know?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Think it’s a common problem on LMS engines with blowing drain cocks but not sure what causes it 🤷

[@thomasarmstrong3804]

Are there Speed Restrictions over Ribblehead ? ?

[@TheStephengthompson]

There are Thomas but I’m not sure what the speed is 🤔

[@henryandoliverfan3115]

Will Scots Guardsman be on the railtour this Saturday (28th January) or will it be the Black 5? Only asking cos I am on it with my best friend

[@TheStephengthompson]

I believe it’s going to be Guardsman 👍

[@henryandoliverfan3115]

@@TheStephengthompson thankyou very much, I'm fine with either, just wondered what me and my best friend were travelling with lol

[@TheStephengthompson]

@@henryandoliverfan3115 We are glad it’s 45115 for the noise she makes alone 👍

[@henryandoliverfan3115]

@@TheStephengthompson do you have any knowledge of what diesel will be at the back of the train?

[@TheStephengthompson]

@@henryandoliverfan3115 As far as I know it’s load eleven and no diesel so expect a lot of noise 👍👍

[@kipsome45]

Beautiful stuff. The 47 wasn’t actually shoving that hard either at Blea Moor…notch 3 or 4 I’d estimate.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Vigsy , pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@lewisdoherty7621]

What is the grade on that hill? It looks scary.

[@steamchasers2809]

1 in 100

[@TheStephengthompson]

It’s 1 in 100 Lewis. Thanks for taking the time to view and comment 👍

[@lewisdoherty7621]

@@TheStephengthompson My grandfather told me that as a kid in rural northern Louisiana, which would have been well over a hundred years ago (I'm now 65 myself), they would go out and soap the top of the rails on grades to watch the fun. I can imagine the mothers wondering why the soap seemed to be disappearing. Then during rains there were likely piles of sand with soap bubbles coming out of them.

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Nice video, sounds like the drain cocks are open.

[@josephinebennington7247]

6.40. Was that you walking away from the filming spot? Ingleborough and Plover Hill as inscrutable as ever.

[@TerribleIvan]

Plover Hill??

[@josephinebennington7247]

@@TerribleIvan Quite! Whoops, Simon Fell. Mistook it for Pen-y-Ghent’s twin.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Josephine, sadly that wasn’t me walking away as I was still on the overbridge. Regards Steve

[@josephinebennington7247]

@@TheStephengthompson Interesting. That and the preceding few minutes are looking at the same stretch of track….aren’t they? Wondered how you got that, unless you had a crew, or set up a static camera

[@TheStephengthompson]

@@josephinebennington7247 Ah see what you mean. My mate was near my first camera looking at the viaduct, the second clip has another camera on the wall with me being on the over bridge for the third shot 👍🎥🎥🎥