7029 Clun Castle: 10 Minutes Of Great Western Glory - 2019

A short compilation of Tyseley's flagship locomotive, British Railways built Castle Class 4-6-0 No.7029 'Clun Castle'. This video covers four of her runs undertaken between April and June of this year. Fittingly, we start off with her inaugural run, on April 6th, marking her official return to main line service for the first time since the 1980s! Titled as 'The Cotswold Explorer', this run took the Castle from Dorridge to Oxford and back, running outward via Cheltenham and Swindon, then back via Evesham. We kick off the action at Sapperton Tunnel, where we eagerly awaited the sight and sound of Clun attacking Sapperton Bank, for the first time since 1985. She didn't disappoint, as she barked her way up the final winding section of 1 in 60 towards the tunnel. Truly, a sight to behold! Our next shot, sees her at Chipping Campden, running back to Dorridge, along the Cotswold Line.
The following two shots see her on May 18th, working another 'Cotswold Explorer'. Once again, she is seen working hard up Sapperton Bank, viewed this time from one of the two foot crossings at Frampton Mansell. Another fine show! Much like the previous run, the return leg sees us on the Cotswold Line. This time, we see Clun at Fawler, running along the single track section between Wolvercote Junction and Charlbury.
A fast shot now, as 7029 is captured at Bredon, just north of Ashchurch. Filmed on May 25th, she was working 'The Welsh Marches Express' from Dorridge to Hereford, via Gloucester, then back via Shrewsbury. A further two shots were planned after this, as she was due to run another 'Cotswold Explorer' on June 1st. That run, however, was unfortunately cancelled.
The final three shots see her working in Oxfordshire on June 15th, in conjunction with 175th anniversary celebrations along the Oxford to Didcot line. This day saw her working two different railtours, one running from Solihull to Oxford and back, called 'The Oxford 175 Express', while the other was a circular luncheon tour, running to and from Oxford Parkway. This ran south along the Cherwell Valley Line, then east along the Great Western Main Line, north along the Chiltern Main Line then, finally, back west along the Bicester to Oxford line.
Having missed the run down to Oxford, as I was otherwise engaged with filming Flying Scotsman heading to Worcester - see here: • Around The Bend: 60103... - we start off at the footbridge, just south of Kennington Junction. 7029 is seen in fine form, as she storms away from Oxford with the luncheon train. After having some luncheon ourselves, we headed on over to Oddington, where the sun makes a miraculous appearance, after we'd endured nearly an hour of torrential rain. Our final shot, captures 7029 at the pretty location of Tackley, working back to Solihull with the return leg of 'The Oxford 175 Express'. This was another moment of good fortune, as not 5 minutes before her appearance, the light was completely gone and we were caught in yet another heavy rain shower, although not as long as at Oddington, fortunately!
Filmed on a Panasonic VXF990 with a Pro Sound L92AA microphone.
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[@bennickss]

The glorious castle is coming to my local station soon, it’ll be great to see these gorgeous ladies of steam, the great western definitely had the best 4-6-0s of any of the big four companies. From their manic screaming whistles to their polished brass dome, they are the definition of a picturesque loco.

[@wurlitzer895]

Say what you like about the GWR, but their locomotives are very fine indeed and the sight of 'Clun Castle' in such magnificent form is absolutely thrilling. Grateful thanks for uploading such wonderful 'footage'. Keep well and stay safe.

[@Havoc5429]

What a gem of an engine, power and a wonderful whistle. Long may she rule the rails ❤

[@Havoc5429]

PS; Great video too, many thanks to you 😊

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thanks for watching 😄 Can't go wrong with a Castle 👌

[@johnjephcote7636]

She took me to Banbury on the last scheduled steam out of Paddington in 1965. Wonderful to see her still around.

[@ScenicFox]

I would say - The "BEST" railway videographer on KZbin : Always top class footage taken from hand picked locations : Never stop Kris... Thank you for all your uploads. Best to You Ken

[@terryboyer1342]

Oh! Me too thinks this is the best!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

You're too kind, Ken. Thank you very much!

[@Pesmog]

That shot with the Sheep was fabulous.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thanks!

[@christophernewman5027]

Wow, l enjoyed that. Many thanks for another cracking upload. 😊

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you, Christopher.

[@rjas365]

Thank you, Kris, for a superb compilation featuring a superb locomotive. All greatly enjoyed, I thought your pan shot at 06:45 was outstanding and you clearly saved the best until last. Kind regards, Bob.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you for your kind words, Bob, they're much appreciated :)

[@crewelocoman5b161]

The final shot, reminds me, shades of 5043 'The Earl' in 2017 that wonderful evocative early evening view quite simply the finest shot of a 'Castle' on the internet. Thank you again!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Funnily enough, I hadn't actually been back to Tackley since I filmed 5043 there. Wonderful to get a double chimney Castle there in the sun again! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@alzinn8231]

The finest British steam locomotive. Not as big or glamorous as the East Coast Gresleys, but just as powerful, using less fuel and more reliable. Simply superb!

[@robmasterman]

An outstanding compilation of clips featuring 'Clun' Kris...amazing locations, and a real joy to watch...Bob

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Much appreciated, Bob. She's been a delight to film.

[@red5_skywalker]

This is quite possibly my favourite of your videos. Simply superb footage. Regards, Cameron

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Very kind of you to say, Cameron. Thank you!

[@TERRYBARTLETTRAILMAN28]

Wow Brilliant love the speed of Clun Castle glad she is running faster like her sister 5043

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thanks, Terry!

[@TERRYBARTLETTRAILMAN28]

Your'e welcome

[@stephenbutler5512]

Boy, can you frame a shot! The one with the guy standing on the concrete pipes to the right is terrific.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Many thanks, Stephen 😃

[@stephenbutler5512]

@@SpeedToTheWest You're welcome. Looking forward to your 2019 compilation. I'm not a full-on train buff (buffer?) but I love steam railway videos and yours are among the cream of the crop. By the bye, can you tell me if there is a single go-to source online which lists forthcoming steam on the mainline dates and routes? I always seem to miss them around here - even when, as last year, poor old Oliver Cromwell limps past at about 5mph!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Very kind of you to say, thank you 😃 Railway Herald is currently the best source for railtour info 👍 www.railwayherald.co.uk/railtours

[@tony1961chl]

Que hermosos vídeos produces , en ellos hay decenas de hermosos y sutiles detalles, una flor, un puente antiguo, pernos oxidados, el canto de los pajaritos, las curvas que muestran toda la belleza de un tren y su locomotora, un espectacular sonido, el paisaje ,todo es armonía , un trabajo muy lindo, gracias.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

¡Muchas gracias! :)

[@locowerke]

Glorious indeed! Thanks for posting this great video!!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you!

[@Richardsrailway]

Stunning .

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thanks for watching 😃

[@tony1961chl]

Que hermosa es Inglaterra.

[@Philb68888]

Fantastic video. What camera did you use?

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you 😄 This was shot using a Panasonic VXF990.

[@tomriley6957]

Ever considered Panning ?

[@SpeedToTheWest]

For gold? No, I can't say I ever have.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

In all seriousness, though, panning is neither always an option, nor always necessary.