On the footplate with Gordon Hodgson.

On the footplate with driver Gordon Hodgson on the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express with 44871 and 45407 from Carlisle to Appleby on the 26th January 2013.

[@stevef9530]

Great video, with the snow and the Black 5 almost purring like my cat, so eager those engines. Thanks.

[@gerardbooth40]

What a treat and to see the legend that was Gordon Hodgson in his element makes it doubly so. I recently stumbled across a KZbin video of Gordon with his v4 Saab 99 at a motor show and his mechanical instinct is plain to see in this other aspect of his life. Thanks for sharing this super video.

[@harnettyrailways]

Superb footplate action on board 1 of the 1T57 icons of 1968 & what a true gent is Gordon Hodgson. Great Video

[@pistonvalve]

Thanks for your kind comment Richard, Gordon is a true gent and it was a great pleasure to travel on the footplate with him.

[@lancashirerailproductions]

Now this is my dream Job, Hopefully it will become a reality some day driving steam on the mainline! Great video!

[@JMGamingVideos]

lancashire rail productions how do u get into a job like that ?

[@chrishoggett1375]

JMGamingVideos I was offered a job driving steam in the UK, I’ve done it for 5 years in Belgium till a policy change came along and Belgian railways didn’t want to use drivers from private companies. They thought they could train their own drivers with no steam experience in a few days... didn’t work out well. Haha. I grew up with steam, I also own a loco, it’s a small world and pretty soon you know a lot of people. But with the uncertain economic future of the UK I decided to turn down the offer and remained in Belgium driving freights in Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. If this is your dream I advice you join one of the larger preserved steam railways and apply for a job as a mainline driver. It takes time. A lot of time.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Superb Stuart , a great tribute to the gentleman that is Gordon who sadly has retired so a thanks for uploading this .

[@pistonvalve]

Thanks for your comment Stephen, he,s a real gent and it was a great privilege to have met him.

[@TrainSpotter-rd4hs]

pistonvalve why do you think my videos are rubbish

[@highphysics3617]

Wow! That's almost as good as actually being there. Great video.

[@pistonvalve]

Thanks for watching Allison and your comment, glad you enjoyed the film, it was a memorable trip.

[@michaelgoulding6609]

@@pistonvalve hello, myself & some mate,s are wondering how the coal ban that is coming in 2023 will affect steam trains, i hope they will be exempt, from this stupid coal ban, if i had my way, there would be new coal mine,s opening, & more steam engine,s built or refurbished, i love anything that can burn coal, but a steam engine, just comes to life when a fire is lit, great video btw, that i,ve watched 100s of time,s.

[@mikecawood]

More pure magic, lovely stuff.

[@stephenbutler5512]

Great video.

[@meaksam]

He certainly makes light work of the shift from 1st --> 2nd valve at 4:40 !

[@jack81007]

I see he winds the reverser back then forward,what’s that about?

[@meaksam]

@@jack81007 engines typically have a sweet spot on the reverser, where the regulator easily goes into 2nd valve. The sweet spot is usually around 15% cut off. You wind it back to that point, get it into 2nd valve and then wind the reverser back out to the desired cut off position. If you don't wind it back, you might struggle (or not be able to get it into 2nd valve)

[@jack81007]

@@meaksam thanks for that There are 2 valve heads on each cylinder,what does 2nd valve actually mean?

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Hi many thanks for posting your lovely video on KZbin very nice camera work as usual cracking video well done also which locomotives were they bye for now Philip

[@johnjamieson4968]

What is the height inside of the cab on a black 5 ?

[@jmaltby9]

Gordon Hodgson is now retired from Driving steam locomotive and at trip with Flying Scotsman last year was has last run

[@pistonvalve]

Indeed he is , it was a great pleasure to share the footplate with Gordon a real friendly bloke, thanks for your comment Jamie.

[@MasterMoyle]

Id love to be able to travel on the footplate of a steam engine on the mainline but it's almost impossible as you need to either work for a company like WCRC or be on the support crew. Wouldn't mind travelling on the footplate of a black 5 but 44932's owned by WCRC so that's a no and there's no chance with 44871, 45212 or 45407 as they're under Riley's care and he doesn't have a liking towards me for some reason as iv never upset him or said anything offending towards him. The class of engine I would love to travel on most of all is the LMS Jubilee's, Leander I wouldn't mind being a part of her support crew and it would be fantastic if I could be a part of Bahamas's team when she returns to steam.

[@LuckyTrucker1]

David , I had a trip on the footplate of 44806 on the NYMR 3/4 years ago , they charged £300 . IMHO just the climb from Grosmont to Goathland was worth the £300 , not main line but still very good

[@pistonvalve]

That's Ian Riley for you lol.

[@steamgent4592]

A friend of mine claims Ian Riley's a swell chap. I see there are differing opinions on that.

[@derail14]

STEAM locos are a cool thing as seen in vids but work in one is a different storie dirty,coal dust hot as the fires of hell in warm weather, sweat like a pig and hard labor.