Peterborough to Birmingham (Landor St)

Its a lovely day in April 2021 and our job is to take empty bogie hoppers from Peterborough to Birmingham which is one leg of our train’s journey. Its a really good run through Stamford, Oakham, Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Nuneaton then right into the heartlands of Birmingham. There is a real mix of main lines and signalling with lots to see and talk about.
Rail map courtesy of www.projectmapping.co.uk

[@4376ED]

Don, thanks for explaining how the driver gets back home.

[@johncollier2169]

Personally the start of this reminded me of when coming home from Peterborough and the driver of the 31 thought he'd race the hst leaving from platform 4 at same time,he gave it a really good go....

[@Martin_Adams184]

Thank you, Don. Thanks also to the driver and to Freightliner for making the filming possible. This is such a beautiful route. And your written commentary is among your best -- so informative about operational matters. One of the best things about these freight routes is that they let you encounter routes and tracks that a single passenger train would not cover. Happy Christmas!

[@doncoffey5820]

Watch out for the next one Martin. It’s superb footage from Bedford to Earles.

[@taddavison3043]

Truly brilliant! 50 years ago, I knew every inch of this journey, and although so much has clearly changed, it took me right back to my youth. I could name one or two un-named places, and I need to go back over the film to be sure of others, but I was entertained throughout. The references at the foot of the film explained the new signalling system, and ways of doing things. I am truly indebted to the makers of this film. Highly recommended.

[@doncoffey5820]

That’s much appreciated Tad and just what I’d hoped to achieve. Another video coming soon.

[@joshs5052]

Glad it’s another freight run 👍

[@paulpearce1161]

Well done to all involved . A programme long overdue. What a treat.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@de9ux]

Fantastic route, with a wealth of information portrayed. Thank-you 👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Donald. More soon.

[@phwbooth]

Informing, entertaining and educational - a rare combination - thanks, Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Good to hear from you Paul.

[@grahamwalls9379]

Excellent video again Don . Will keep looking out for your videos to watch .

[@doncoffey5820]

Quite a lot of new stuff coming Graham.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Thanks don for another wonderful journey, love the the sound of the big gm diesel cheer's bob.

[@doncoffey5820]

Distinctive aren’t they Bob.

[@milorussell9338]

What a treat this was! Such a change from the countryside flashing past at high speed. I was drawn to this video because my father worked at Peterborough in the New England sidings and the main station concourse for a number years during the 50's and 60's. As I now live in Rutland I have used that line from Oakham to Peterborough a number of times. A journey through beautiful countryside, informative on operational matters with some history and geography thrown in. A plus factor was no irritating voice-over droning on, just the scrolling text to read at our own pace, especially helpful when your hearing is not so great, and it allowed me to be immersed in the ambience created within the cab, so relaxing. Very well put together and presented Don, thank you.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you for the detailed feedback Milo. You’ve summed up just what I try to achieve so it’s a success as far as I am concerned! Not everybody likes the captions but that is my style and it’s a bonus if it helps the hard of hearing.

[@PharaohDeathMask]

I watched every second of this video and read every word. Loved it all! Thanks for the work that you put into making and uploading these videos.

[@doncoffey5820]

Many thanks and there will be another soon 👍

[@robertjamesgreen]

Thanks for the latest upload. I really appreciate the hard work you must put in to bring these to us. Very informative as always.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks, much appreciated. Yes, to get the footage and then research and edit it, does take a lot of commitment but I enjoy sharing it and of course the revenue goes to charity.

[@paulfearn4905]

Absolutley amazing videos that you show. A pleasure to see.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Paul, glad you like them 👍

[@carlandersen3832]

Another gem.Please keep them coming

[@doncoffey5820]

Next one late January all being well.

[@peterbrackenbury]

Thanks once again Don for an excellent video, they just keep getting better. Best wishes to you and yours for the festive season and the coming year.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Peter. Same to you of course 👍

[@chaz1550]

Informative as ever. Sincere thanks to all involved.

[@doncoffey5820]

Another one on Saturday Mr Lloyd 👍

[@electrifyingbeatz598]

Great video through fantastic scenery. Lovely pace, can't believe I've been watching for two hours. Absolutely engrossing and the captions are perfect.

[@doncoffey5820]

I think they call it high quality slow tv 👍😉

[@jessicamorgan3073]

Thanks to everyone involved for another fab video 👏

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks as always Jess.

[@winders128]

Thanks Don. Excellent as always.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated David.

[@transporter4060]

This is awesome - - thanks for sharing 👍

[@robertjohnmottershead1165]

What a video well worth the wait. Thank you Don your explaining of things is very useful had 3 tots of whisky watching it.

[@doncoffey5820]

Steady on Robert, at least until I’ve got a tot too 👍🥃

[@howdymartin6258]

Fascinating and entertaining --- just what KZbin is at its best..... the train even went over a crossing that I often use on my walks near Oakham - great stuff !

[@doncoffey5820]

Good stuff Martin, glad you enjoyed it. It’s a lovely part of the country where you live.

[@scottmaclean1248]

Another superb video Don. Great to get an appreciation of Nuneaton from these lines and the flyover

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it’s a view I’d not seen previously Scott. Our driver has an amazing route card.

[@garysmith8.7587]

Looking forward to this

[@doncoffey5820]

See you Tuesday Gary.

[@brianeakins235]

Another very enjoyable video. Thank you Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Brian 👍

[@johnhopkinson695]

Another excellent video. Thank you Don and the driver. I commuted between Derby and Birmingham for 8 years between 1976-84 and knew the Water Orton-New Street line very well. How things have changed. In particular the junction at Water Orton where Leicester bound trains share tracks with Derby-New Street trains. Reminds me of the junction after Mirfield where the Dewsbury and Wakefield lines part. It is a restrictive layout. In the 'good old days' it was four tracks from Water Orton to Saltley and the freight train would have had a clear run.

[@doncoffey5820]

Mr Hopkinson, as I live and breath! I’ve seen loads of photos in railway magazines of Water Orton but never actually seen it in this way, we can thank our friends at Freightliner for that. It’s amazing how things have changed. My main memories are from New Mills South and that has changed beyond recognition. Now these rationalised junctions are coming back to bite us in the backside and they aren’t good enough to handle todays traffic. Still, some money is going back to the railway and we will see some of these misdemeanours put right. Keep safe and keep in touch John.

[@HSTPaul]

Another excellent video, thanks Don and Freightliner (and the driver of course)

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Paul. He reads the comments so he’ll see what you said.

[@paulsutcliffe9169]

Loved this, really interesting ride and route. Thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Paul.

[@chrisbuxton1958]

Thoroughly enjoy your videos DC, especially the freight runs.

[@doncoffey5820]

More soon Chris 👍

[@andrewr2825]

I know you posted this some time back Don, but it’s a decent run and full of interest. In the distance of a handful of miles, you manage to leave the “race track” ECML with new infrastructure at Werrington Junction, pass over a manned level crossing and then amongst all the “you beaut” modern signalling you get a lower quadrant at Ketton!! Great stuff👍🏻 (Oh, and the the Airfix/Dapol model railway signal box kit inspiration of Oakham)

[@doncoffey5820]

Watch out for forthcoming videos Andrew. I’ve got loads of this freight footage that Vinny has provided including the trip through that underpass at Werrington Jn towards Peterborough 👍

[@HenrysAdventures]

Another great video! I've travelled on this line a few times so its good to see it from the cab!

[@doncoffey5820]

Good to see you and glad you liked it.

[@steveclarke5796]

An informative and entertaining video as usual. Thanks for posting, Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

My pleasure Steve. Another one soon 👍

[@mikebass3721]

I have PICOP’d possessions on the whole of this route before I retired, brings back a lot of memories of bleak windy winters nights walking out to place the stop boards, then meet a “66” on its way into engineering works. The ELR changes so many times between Manton & Leicester along with multiple mileage changes that can confuse people. I can remember when Landor street was like a scene from fast and furious with fast cars screaming down the road and being burnt out as they blew the engines, lots of people watching from the car roofs

[@doncoffey5820]

Fascinating Mike. It always seem fowl weather when the engineers have possession so I can relate to that. As for the cars, we’ll a sign of the times I suppose.

[@SM326ACK]

Excellent viewing again,and good example that we have plenty of green and pleasant land left around our rails!

[@doncoffey5820]

Looks lovely in the summer doesn’t it Steve.

[@chriswells6594]

Thanks Don for a very interesting and informative video. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Chris.

Just another masterpiece from Don... ;-)

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Pablo 👍

[@jackking5567]

Another excellent video supporting a worthy cause.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, I’ll publish the year end figures around April but it will be in the thousands.

[@k.c1126]

Thanks again. I'm at the end of the video now, and I have to commend you for making the route easy to follow and your comments interesting and informative. I followed along on Google Maps, and I never got lost ... always had a sense of where the train was in relation to the countryside as a whole.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it KC, there are more videos in the series and I’m constantly working on new content.

[@paulcampbell5202]

The plastic model HO scale signal box that Airfix made for many years was the Oakham signal box. I had that model on my layout and we must have driven past it on the crossing there many times in the 1960's on trips from our home in Norwich to visit the grandparents, aunties and uncles in Derby where my family comes from. Seems so long ago and far away as I sit here now with the snow coming down in northern Ontario, Canada! Love all your videos.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Paul. That was in the days when the railway was king and I’m sure you saw some magnificent sights. Keep safe and we’ll over there.

[@Melalmighty]

Another great video Don thanks for this. I like the freight videos see tracks that we don’t normally see and once again very informative.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Mel. Watch out for the next video, you’ll like it.

[@edtheshed23]

Oooooh yay another ying ying video! Love the engines on these. Class 66s do have some great nicknames.

[@doncoffey5820]

Watch out for Bedford to Earles.

[@peteh7646]

Thank you again for another video.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Pete, much appreciated.

[@170166]

Really enjoyed this - lots of useful information too. Big thumbs up.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Paul, much appreciated 👍

[@simonrichardson5077]

Great work Don,i love to hear that engine working

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, they certainly have a distinctive sound when under load.

[@MartinMiller1]

Another excellent and interesting production

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Martin.

[@TheDutchman92000]

Thanks for another very informative video.

[@doncoffey5820]

My pleasure David 👍

[@ianplowman2808]

Thank you another great video

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Ian 👍

[@raymondwhitehouse7206]

Please keep those video coming thank you all ways good to watch

[@doncoffey5820]

Next one is a gem Raymond. Late January time I expect 👍

[@29brendus]

Don, well done, another great vid. Very enjoyable.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated.

[@markcf83]

Another excellent video Don,which I will watch over the course of the next few days.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Mark, much appreciated.

[@TheDalaiLamaCon]

My cousin and I used to collect scrap along the line just before Hinckley, for beer money, when we worked on the golf course alongside the railway, over 30 yrs ago. Coincidentally I also worked at Triumph, and in a hosiery factory. Loved this vid, thanks.

[@doncoffey5820]

I visited the Triumph factory and I owned one too. 👍

[@coventrycitykid]

Absolutely fantastic video Don, Thank You. The foot crossing at 1:41:52 (Burbage Common) is one of my regular haunts for watching trains, plus I only live 10 minutes away :)

[@doncoffey5820]

Nice one James. I remember you told me you were near Hinckley when I announced the vid 👍

[@jansmith574]

And once again, this is a very entertaining video through the beautiful English countryside. I keep getting better at geography only by watching these great videos. I have te admit that England (and partially Wales) are much vaster than I initially thought. Great lessons. Thnx Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Jan. I’ll be passing you out as a driver the rate you’re getting through these videos 😉👍

[@phph1731]

Back later in a spare moment for a brilliant route. Cheers!

[@brettjones5041]

absolutely great content mate . love it

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Brett 👍

[@johnwhitehouse9885]

Thank you Don Great video Enjoyed it.

[@doncoffey5820]

Many thanks John, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@philipalldred333]

Thank you Don for a very interesting and informative journey from East to west. I would love to see the rest of the journey from Birmingham to Bristol I expect that would most interesting. I wait and hope I will see it soon.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Phillip. Good to hear from you. I can’t show you the part to Bristol because it wasn’t recorded but watch out for the next epic journey which is Bedford to Earles. Should be out late January. Have a good Christmas.

[@pauladams723]

Terrific video Don, love OAKHAM Box!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Delightful isn’t it. Thanks for watching Paul.

[@katebuckley7263]

Awesome! I used to travel on part of this line in the 80's, mainly on class 31/4s and MK2s, and 120DMUs. Proper traction!

[@doncoffey5820]

Sound idyllic Kate. Glad it took you back.

[@phil4384]

Cheers Don great video once again

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Phil. 👍

[@johnbradford333]

Thanks for sharing this, wonderful video and information, evoking old memories. last travelled part of this route from Peterborough in my trainspotting days in the fifties, then my destination was Rugby which I believe is no longer possible, we have lost so much of our ralways since than, what a shame, we need them more than ever now especially with all the road traffic congestion. thanks again.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks John. I take it you’re an ex-pat? Let me assure you that Rugby is very much on the railway map and we may well get there in one of our videos.

[@The_camping_biker_]

Love this. It is so cool

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Josh.

[@brianknowles7130]

Great vid. enjoyed very much Appreciate & acknowledge the route learning required. Thks

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Brian 👍

[@ramonwilliams5721]

Thank you again Don for another great video,I certainly was born to early, 18 years waiting for my drivers position.ah well.Seasons greetings to you and yours! 🚂🚂🚂

[@doncoffey5820]

Don’t stop trying Ramon. You never just know.

[@andyc3088]

Thank you for another cracking video. Happy New Year to you Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

Same to you Andy, thanks mate.

[@mikkie444]

Nothing better than a train ride through the wonderful English countryside on a spring day

[@doncoffey5820]

Agreed Mikkie. Take care.

[@flenomusic]

Hi Don, I really love to enjoy your train rides direct from your driver's cab. It’s quite amazing, how much effort you’ve put on all these interesting notes, details and information at all. That makes it even more exciting to watch and read it, mostly all without getting bored. And well, afterwards I felt myself by far really relaxed throughout your journey🚂. However, many greetings from Germany, and thank you for such great video trips, made with so much passion.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you. I used to work in Germany at our head office at Bad Camberg near Limburg and loved it there but I’m embarrassed to say I am not able to be bilingual like you are. Thanks for the comments, they are much appreciated.

[@mgmegray]

Hello Don, I'm very much looking forward to this video, back to heavy-rail! All best from Geelong, Australia.

[@doncoffey5820]

Wait until you see the next epic too Martin. Take care over there in Oz.

[@mrbluesky2050]

In fond memory of Saltley Depot....... a regular call on our grice tours of the Midlands, highlight? classing my 60's there one night ( 040 ) absolute great video as always Don, many thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

Many thanks Richard. I’d love to have seen it too.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Great video as always Don.Like the "give it the berries" saying. When I worked on the railways it was "hive it the juice".

[@doncoffey5820]

Good to see you Richard. I alway say “give it the beans” but Vin reckons Class 66s prefer berries! Look after yourself and keep in touch Richard.

[@alan9160]

Hello Don...another great video.Love watching these, so relaxing and informative..i now preempt the driver sound the horn a second or two before the sign ha ha....

[@doncoffey5820]

The requirement is “as you pass the board at line speed”. In that case the wise angle camera plays tricks because it looks like you are way past the object (notice how late the AWS sounds after it’s apparently gone under the train). Secondly, if the train is doing 40 in a 50 mph limit, he may hold back a while.

[@Robertonnz]

Happy Christmas Don - to you and all your family. Love your videos

[@doncoffey5820]

Same to you Rob. Glad you like the vids.

[@craigmollins8057]

Thank you Don!! Very informative as usual. I try and make as many of the live streams as I can. Took a Euston to Lime Street train earlier in the year, I felt like I knew every inch of the line after Crewe!!

[@doncoffey5820]

We’ll get you signed off on the route and get you driving Craig.

[@alemikelj]

I really enjoy these videos. The Class 66 may be noisy but the GM engine sound is one of the best for me. Greetings!!!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Greetings to you too. Yes, it’s a distinctive sound for sure.

[@nickmaguire5104]

Excellent video. I enjoyed following along using my Railway Track Diagrams Midlands and North West book.

[@doncoffey5820]

Another premier on Saturday Nick 👍

[@88pablo18]

What always amazes me, is drivers route knowledge! I driver the same route to work everyday and can still be caught out with junctions lol 😆 😂

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, the driver learns it first, then does an exam and also gets a ride out. It’s very detailed.

[@mikecrowther8131]

Finally got round to watching this. Another superb, informative video, Don, of an area that I’m unfamiliar with. Cheers Mike

[@doncoffey5820]

Watch out for the next one Mike. It is superb footage.

[@EM-yk1dw]

Lovely film once again Don, informative and unobtrusive commentary. The Saxby and Bourne railway was actually the old Midland and Great Northern railway which ran right across to Great Yarmouth. This extensive system was closed in 1959. The line leading to Old Dalby was once a through route to Edwalton and Nottingham.

[@doncoffey5820]

I read up on some but I can’t always fit it in. I don’t know where you store your knowledge 👍

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

nice train video bro ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@keninblack]

Looking forward to this one Don, the Peterborough to Nuneaton journey I've done many many times as a passenger, so it'll be great to see it from a proper seat.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hope it met your expectations 👍

[@k.c1126]

I like that you are supporting charity with your efforts. Thanks for sharing with us - Your view is different from the average passenger.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, I’ll be announcing the year’s donation around the end of March.

[@geoffdickinson5903]

I like seeing the various Midland Railway signal boxes. The one at Oakham was the prototype for the Airfix plastic kit of 1960s vintage that those of us of a certain vintage ourselves well remember

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m afraid I remember Geoff. I didn’t know about the signal box before making this video 👍

[@sexygirlove20]

thanks for posting.... i was surprised that the driver didnt sound the horn for every crossing... very good video, hello from australia

[@doncoffey5820]

Are you sure? I think he did 😉

[@starwood213]

Aussie subscriber here loving your videos.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you Susan, good to have you onboard 👍

[@bruces3575]

Thank you Don. I was born and raised Leicester and also worked in Birmingham and Peterborough. However, my first job after leaving school was to work at Empire Stone which you mentioned in your narrative. So you can imagine how familiar all of that was to me.

[@doncoffey5820]

That’s excellent Bruce. I’d not heard of Empire until researching the video but they produced some fantastic architectural stone. No doubt you know that but it really appeals to me 👍

[@EM-yk1dw]

Looking good Don 😁😁

[@stewartthefishwhisperer]

Sorry I missed the start will watch it from the beginning ☺️☺️☺️

[@NikEastwood161]

awesome film

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Nik 👍

[@TachyonDriver]

Whilst I didn't get to watch the premiere, I made sure to watch this video tonight: Sausage & Mash for tea and a mug of tea to wash it down with.. :) right time to settle in and watch this freight run! Thanks again for your uploads, Don.

[@doncoffey5820]

You might need supper too on the next video, it’s a long one 😉

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

Hi Don, fantastic video on a lovely day. @16:45 to the right is the old line of the Stamford and Essendine branch and @16:48 it enters through that large gate to what was the old Stamford East railway station, also @16:54 you get a glimpse of the former goods shed which is now offices. Stamford East station is on Water Street and is a glorious building to this day.

[@doncoffey5820]

Those goods sheds can tell a story or two! I use The New Adlestrop atlas and this one to research lines and locations. Of course the captions don’t allow me to include all. Glad you liked it Seamus. www.archiuk.com/cgi-bin/build_nls_historic_map.pl?map_location=%20Newthorpe%20Barrack%20Leeds&search_location=Newthorpe%20Barrack,%20Leeds,%20SE4532,%20SE%2045%2032&os_series=1&is_sub=&pwd=[e-mail]&latitude=53.782388&longitude=-1.318549&postcode=

[@closedclosed4753]

Don as always your Vids are informative

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Paul 👍

[@jslonisch]

Great video. When we hit Melton Mowbray I realised why you pointed out the pig farm somewhere between Stamford and Oakham. Locally grown!

[@doncoffey5820]

That’s it Jim. Poor pigs don’t know why they live there.

[@12crepello]

I am surprised by your description of the uncomfortable conditions in the cab of a 66 seeing as they are relatively new locos! Great video, please keep 'em coming.

[@doncoffey5820]

Don’t get me wrong, the seat is comfortable and the view is superb but they are quite primitive. They are utterly reliable which makes them popular with operators.

[@anmolmehta7116]

Hey Don. That was a brilliant video. I enjoy freight can rides. Look forward to your next video. Anyway, Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@doncoffey5820]

Good to hear from you Anmol. Next video tonight as it happens!

[@allrightdrive1537]

That was an education don thank you 👏👏

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated 👍

[@tracksidemike]

Great video and view Don 🚂👍🏻

[@doncoffey5820]

Cheers Mike. All the best.

[@davidoswald9253]

Only watched to just after Leicester but a wonderfully informative journey!! Thank you will watch the rest at a later date - dinner has arrived>

[@doncoffey5820]

Enjoy dinner David!

[@terryashton3541]

All the very best for Christmas and the New Year Don😊

[@doncoffey5820]

Same to you Terry, thank you 👍🎉😉

[@magicdave93]

Looking forward to this one 🙂

[@doncoffey5820]

Watch out for the next one David. Bedford to Earles via Toton.