Peterborough To Southall Light Engine Move - 19th November 2023

After overnighting on the Nene Valley Railway, 44871 returns to Southall down the East Coast Mainline.
This allowed some extra footage to be captured so please enjoy.
Many thanks for watching & please like & subscribe!

[@TheSpikehere]

Such a wonderful video.

[@gb5uq]

For 78 years old she goes well. They don't build 'em like that anymore. Can't tell you how much i enjoyed this many thanks.

[@Shoddy127]

Glad you enjoyed the video gb5uq, please check out the other videos on the channel & the latest video will be posted up in the coming days!

[@HSTPaul]

As much as I love other cab ride videos in multiple units, this is a great change having a ride from a steamer. Thank you for uploading the video.

[@Shoddy127]

Thank you Paul, glad you enjoyed the change & check out the other videos on the channel. My next video will be uploaded in the next few days.

[@HSTPaul]

@@Shoddy127 You're welcome, I'll check some others out. Looking forward to the next one.

[@taffboyslim]

1:18:50 Rule #2 of model railways in full effect

[@pbsteamatspeed7683]

Great video,done this route on a Merrymaker excursion in the 1980s, so great to have a driver's eye view!!

[@norbertnedsworth7172]

Superb. Thanks

[@JohnSmith-pd1fz]

Absolutely absorbing two and a half hours. Thank you very much for posting.

[@Shoddy127]

A pleasure John & thank you for watching!

[@Ashfaq1999]

Brilliant !! Really enjoyed the ride 👏

[@updistant]

Wonderful. exhilarating run. Thank you for posting.

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks for the comment updistant, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@likoni02]

EXCELLENT!!

[@duncanrogers5762]

very good duncan

[@bernardgooch4308]

very nice thank you.

[@landl47]

Loved it- I used to live in Acton more than 50 years ago and it brought back memories. Great footage.

[@Shoddy127]

Glad you enjoyed it landl47, it’s all a bit of fun but really happy it brings back fond memories for people!

[@ianclarkson2251]

Superb Video this, even better with headphones on, giving the listener appreciative sounds, hisses,gear changes,braking etc etc. awesome stuff this amazing quality. Many thanks for uploading this,,,,,Regards Ian

[@Shoddy127]

Evening Ian, thank you for the kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the video so please check out my other videos & the next video which will be released in the coming days. It’s going to be a long one!

[@mikebutler3263]

Most enjoyable... those wonderful loco sounds.

[@PamelaBane]

The sound of the engine brings back very happy memories of steam hauled trips with my late father, of whom gave me the love of trains of all classes, but you cant beat a steam engine for the sounds ( and smells which I could evoke a memory of) thankyou so much for uploading this.

[@Shoddy127]

My pleasure Pamela & thank you for your kind comment! I'm glad it brings back happy memories of your Dad & you're right, you can't beat a steam engine for all it's characteristics!

[@davidfarrow44]

Superb from start to finish with the Black 5 thank you for posting

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks David, glad you enjoyed it!

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

What a lovely experience. Most enjoyable. Thank you very much.

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks, keep an eye out over the coming days for the latest video.

[@Pak_Rail_Fans]

Great ❤

[@heckelphon]

Thanks so much for this -- a great treat. Having the sound of a "proper" loco, but hearing just continuously welded track makes one realise what other bits of the "traditional" soundscape are no longer available!

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Heckelphon, thanks for the kind comment! It’s just one part of the modern network which steam has to fit in & around to keep running on the mainline.

[@TheMisterB2u]

Interesting to watch it from that prospective, sounds made a big difference. Thank God for Go Pro's!

[@Shoddy127]

Absolutely, a lot of trial & error involved with getting to this point in the making of these videos but I think I’ve pretty much got it spot on now thankfully!

[@user-ul8vz2ub4m]

Really enjoyed watching that. Thank you 👍

[@Shoddy127]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesmcbride6304]

Brilliant !!

[@michaelward2082]

Great video, I am 36 miles from Peterborough

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks Michael for the kind comment & glad you enjoyed the video!

[@EasternTrains]

Great video 👍

[@chriswalker8440]

Excellent filming and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Superb!

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed it!

[@kennethhume8628]

Excellent video plus I also enjoyed reading your replies to viewers comments .

[@Shoddy127]

Ah many thanks Kenneth, glad you enjoyed the video & appreciate you subscribing! Feel free to check out the other videos on the channel too!

[@jameshennighan8193]

OUTSTANDING Outstanding for its quality and for the geographical path it shows...... The run through the cross-overs onto the Great Western Main Line is particularly impressive.......and smooth. Just goes to show what can be done with higher speed switches....... If only we had more of them.... Mind you, the run down the East Coast at speed was also impressive.. What camera are you using...and is it possible to show the type of fitment to the loco...? For example, is it encased in plastic or glass to protect the lens, which it has to be said remains remarkably clear for the journey. James Hennighan Yorkshire, England. P.S. The Cultural Blight that is Graffiti much in evidence in the London area... Almost as bad....if not worse than Switzerland and Austria.....yep them..! When will the Authorities and Network Rail act against this environmental affront...?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi James & a massive thank you for the kind comment! I use a GoPro Hero 4 Silver which although not one of the latest models, does exactly what I ask of it! The camera itself & additional battery is fitted into a plastic case which protects it from all the elements. An external microphone also helps with the sound, the microphone is also encased in a plastic case to remove the wind noise but allows the sound of the loco to still be heard. A large, external battery keeps the camera powered for some considerable time as my next video will show! This is also encased in an old plastic lunch box which I have sprayed mat black & drilled a hole in one side to allow the cable to be connected to the camera & external battery. All 3 items are fitted to magnets in one way, shape or form which allow them to be fixed to the running board of the loco so they move with the loco rather than against it if that makes sense. More importantly they stay in place when attached to said loco when it’s running at high speed! Even more so when all 3 items have been attached to Flying Scotsman when it’s been running at 75mph as those videos show! Check them out on the channel & take a look if you already haven’t!

[@alistairkewish651]

When spray paint is banned?

[@ing4trainz]

Wonderful! Especially that route through North London - know it well - and then that marvellous fast run from Acton Main Line to Southall on Brunel's brilliant GWR. Thanks.

[@martyn6792]

Agreed, and especially the suburban part, hearing her at line speed on the main line was quite hypnotic

[@keithturner428]

Superb!!!

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks Keith, glad you enjoyed it & check out the other videos on the channel!

[@nickdawson9270]

Interesting to see the route from LNER to GWR through north London. Inspiring to witness to confidence shown by the driver leaving Acton Main Line yard at gathering speed to cross four intensely busy lines. The endless miles of passing under overhead gantries could have done with some meaningful commentary to relieve the tedium. Why for example was the steady beat of the pistons overlaid with that rattling noise from time to time?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Nick, thanks for the reply & glad you enjoyed the video. I don’t have the equipment to do voice over commentary and it also takes a bit of time to edit the video with the captions, it maybe something I might look at in the future but this is really done for a bit of fun as I’m luckily enough to have access to do it & I also feel it’s different to the other cab ride video channels that exist. The rattling noise is the snifting valves which open when the regulator is shut & steam isn’t being applied. This is normal & shows they work correctly as they’re intended to do.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

It is interesting to note that the black high intensity lamp is wobbling more than the traditional lamp!

[@Shoddy127]

I agree Bill, its not until I started doing these videos that I also noticed the movement of the black lamp compared to the traditional ones.

[@jameshennighan8193]

SIGNAL P428 Signal P428, coming out of the Loop / Slow and onto the Main, (flagged up by the Banner at the previous bridge), looks like it could do with it's head adjusting for sighting purposes.... James Hennighan Yorkshire, England

[@richardgriffiths5920]

A video full of variations and wonderful scenes especially crossing London from the Eastern Region main line to the First Great Western line for the final run in to Southall. First time I've had a view of the new Arsenal stadium. Hope you show more of the faithful LMS Black Five 44871 as she runs extremely well for an 'old girl'.

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Richard, thank you for the kind comment. When the opportunity arose to capture the return to Southall, one of the things I was keen to show was the route from the ECML to the GWML as it’s something that isn’t shown a lot but used a fair bit by all sorts of trains. 44871 certainly has done some miles over the last few weeks & being honest, it’s my favourite of the fleet. I’m sure there will be more opportunities next year for some more footage! 🤞🏻

[@HenrysAdventures]

Interesting trip. Especially the round around North London.

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Henry, that was the real icing on the cake for me to be honest. It’s a busy route but never seems to get covered much & now 48 has done it with the camera attached!

[@delticnapierdccsound4236]

Has to be the best drivers view on youtube. Excellent.

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed the video & check out the others that are on the channel!

[@brooklynroad8581]

Excellent video. Going quick the old steam. What a route ❤

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks!

[@estar9d749]

Thanks for an interesting vid - I’ve never seen one taken from a ‘kettle’ before! I used to sign all of this route as a driver 20 odd years ago (apart from the last bit between West Ealing and Southall), so it was interesting to see what had changed. Infrastructure wise, apart from the Hitchin flyover, nothing much has. As for the lineside developments such as new tower blocks etc - well that’s an entirely different story! Thanks again, and looking forward to seeing more of your work.

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks Estar9d, really glad it gave you a different perspective of your old route that you used to sign. Please check out the other videos on the channel & also the latest one from 2nd December, it’s a long one but hopefully you’ll enjoy it also. There’s also some Flying Scotsman videos from earlier this year too so check them out if you wish & you can find the time.

[@mikkie444]

At times she seemed to be going faster than 75 mph

[@Brit-Tamilan]

Excellent video - I loved it. I wish you have showed the engine. Kudos to you.

[@Shoddy127]

Thanks for the comment Brit-Tamilan, it’s always difficult showing the loco whilst moving as this limits the view, hence why I always show a picture at the start of the video.

[@mikkie444]

You could feel that she wanted to go faster

[@minimaxi802]

Now I know how the train gets from the Kings Cross line to the Paddington line passing the St Pancras, Marylebone and Euston lines.

[@Shoddy127]

Indeed minimaxi802, all very intricate!

[@055deltic]

Another fantastic film; following on from your Portsmouth/Woking outing. Liked & subscibed. What apity the driver didn't keep a whisp of steam in the valves, would have cured the clacking noise...

[@Shoddy127]

Many thanks for the kind comment 055deltic. The clanking noise you can hear is more than likely the snifting valves which open when steam is not being applied. They’re meant to do this so it’s not bad. Huge thanks for the subscribe too!

[@andy81e12]

Stunning video! Are steam locos really TPWS DRA AWS fitted ? Love it how the ‘ normals ‘ on the platform like wtf when you pass through the many stations😅

[@Shoddy127]

Thanks for the comment Andy. Yes all steam locos that run on the mainline have to have TPWS etc fitted.

[@JakeBSteam]

Great video, certainly an interesting watch. Specially coming into to Southall WCR Depot. Kind regards, Jake.

[@Shoddy127]

Glad you enjoyed it Jake!

[@iantaf5559]

Absolutely wonderful video. Thoroughly enjoyed it the sounds of proper engineering and the run on the down main after Acton. Is 44871 permitted to 60 or 75 mph on the main line??

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Ian, man thanks for the kind comment! 44871 is permitted to run at 60mph as are all other mainline registered Black 5’s.

[@steamfandan9682]

One of the finest especially the Run into Southall ( which has changed a lot recently)

[@thediamonder11]

Found myself on youtube again!

[@stuartwhite8074]

We were main line since before Ealing Broadway.

[@rwhb1]

Great video what chance of a footplate view as well next time? I am quite surprised that there were no whistle warnings even when entering stations.

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Russ, thanks for the kind comment. I’ll need to get a 2nd camera to catch some footplate footage & obviously that will require permission from the crew also but that may be something I look into in the future.

[@user-yo3gv1ee8c]

Enjoyable video from the buffer front end.One query what were the ratchets clicks recorded occasionally,for the sake of sounding completely ignorant not familiar sound l can remember from my early teens as a steam engine spotter.Lubricator?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Tony & thank you for watching. I think you're referring to the snifting valves which are an automatic anti-vacuum valve which work when the loco is coasting, ie. when the driver has shut the regulator.

[@RogerPritchard-k4p]

When joining the GWR, the 5 was routed onto the down fast, but the caption kept saying Slow Lines?

[@Shoddy127]

Yes, the platforms were located on the slow lines or the fast line platform is not used anymore. For example, at West Ealing, there is no platform on the fast line so to inform everyone as to what the station name is as we passed through, I wrote slow line on the caption.

[@Maelli535]

Great - but what's the clanking sound for the final few miles?

[@Shoddy127]

It’s probably the snifting valves when the regulator is not open.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Was it drumsticks or wafty valve gear, odd noises at start.

[@Shoddy127]

It’s probably the snifting valves working that you’re hearing.

[@joginns778]

Superb video its been many years since i was at Peterborough, does the new england yard still exist ? On Google news its reported that the end could be in sight for mark one zlam door stock because of the incident with flying Scotsman in Scotland,

[@Shoddy127]

Thanks for the comment joginns778, I’m unsure if New England yard exists as I’m not local to the area. Dont always believe what you read, you know what the mainstream media is like & making a mountain out of a molehill!

[@joginns778]

@@Shoddy127 thank you for answering back,we enjoyed your video very much, my husband was a bit shocked to see at Southall she'd all the graffiti on those coaches my husband is X railway worker he was a shunter at Corby Lloyds sidings for many years,

[@Shoddy127]

@@joginns778 Hi Jo, the guys at Southall do there best with deterring the graffiti artists, a lot of this was from some time ago but its a tough job.

[@joginns778]

@@Shoddy127 hi I don't know if you know the east west route, a small place called Winslow there's a brand new footbridge just a few yards of the new station, within a month it was hit by the graffiti artist my husband contacted the mayor about this and didn't here anything from him it's a disgrace how these people get away with it, can I ask, were you a member of the crew on the loco on your video if so my husband envies you,

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Jo, I am a support crew member yes. Obviously when I volunteer for these jobs, this allows me to take the videos & put them on here.

[@wotaneye]

Great video. Why was the guards whistle used on some of the stops? Can't the driver move as soon as the yellow or green aspects show?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi wotaneye, thanks for the kind comment! The guard was just doing his job so that’s why he blew the whistle. It was a change to using a walkie talkie as it was only an engine & coach move.

[@brianjudkins1106]

Enjoyed watching this! Any reason to stop at Brookmans Park?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Brian, it was an unplanned stop due to an incident behind us but we were soon on our way again.

[@daviddearden6372]

Why the stop at Brooklands Park ?

[@Shoddy127]

An unscheduled stop but we were soon on our way again after a couple of minutes.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

What's the clanking noise while braking, e.g. at 02:17:13 please?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi hoagy_ytfc, it’s the snifting valves opening when steam isn’t being applied by having the regulator open. When steam is sent to the cylinders, they close.

[@jess.hawkins]

Was that an adverse change of aspect at 4:35? Signal seemed to jump from yellow back to red whilst loco on approach..!

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Josh, just watched the clip & it didn’t look like a change to me, it must be the camera picking up the change due to the angle. The driver was always slowing so the signal was always showing a red aspect.

[@jess.hawkins]

@@Shoddy127 Cool, must be the angle of the light then!

[@mikecaird5554]

I used to live in Peterborough & the line from the NVR to Fletton Junc, on the ECML, passed the bottom of our garden. I would have been very interested to see that part of the journey included in the video.

[@Shoddy127]

Hi Mike, thanks for the comment. Unfortunately when we moved off the NVR, 871 had to go tender first for that section & had to run round the support coach to the north of Peterborough station. With the time constraints we had in the run round manoeuvre, the first section had to be missed & it would have meant moving the GoPro from one end of the loco to the other so the first part off the NVR had to be sacrificed unfortunately.

[@mikecaird5554]

@@Shoddy127 understood. Perhaps next time, if the opportunity presents itself.

[@Требучет]

Интересненько . Я так понимаю скоростной паровоз?

[@Shoddy127]

44871 is restricted to 60mph so it’s not a fast as other locos that can run on the mainline in the UK which can run at 75mph.

[@Требучет]

@@Shoddy127 благодарю за ответ

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Nice Footage there. Is it doing the run to Lincoln next Saturday?

[@Shoddy127]

Hi & thanks for the comment! The engine is booked to run to Lincoln next Saturday but unfortunately I’m not. Feel free to look back on last years video where 44871 is featured again departing from Kings Cross where it ran to Lincoln in December 2022.

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

@@Shoddy127 Ok. Thanks. Do you think that the loco is going through Gainsborough in a few weeks time on its York run?

[@Shoddy127]

@@lnerrules-iw6ryI’m not sure if I’m honest, as I’m not booked on the job I won’t get informed of the timings but keep an eye out on realtime trains in due course as this will confirm the route nearer the time.

[@tpaul2866]

Did you drop off crew at Finsbury Park?

[@Shoddy127]

Yes it was a crew change at Finsbury Park as the first driver doesn't sign the road to Southall from there.

[@g7usl]

Why the need for a support coach? Loco should not be running 'light engine' if it has one, or more coaches.

[@Shoddy127]

Hi g7usl, there are many reasons why we need a support coach, the obvious one being its our home when we are on a rail tour. Where else do we sleep, eat, drink, cook & store materials that the engine needs ie oil, cleaning materials, tools, PPE, spare & replacement items & safety equipment that are required for running on the mainline. This is why you will see all mainline loco running with a support coach nearly 100% of the time, no support coach means no support crew.

[@mikemorris4952]

But what on earth is that AWFUL rattling clatter, even with steam on sometimes? Stanier would be mortified.

[@Shoddy127]

If it’s the clicking noise you’re referring to Mike, it’s the snifting valves doing what they’re meant to do when steam isn’t being applied. I think Stanier would be content in all fairness that his loco is working efficiently as it should do lol.