Stanier's Finest

[@johnnypoker46]

If I had to pick a favourite it would probably be the Jubilees, but they're all great! I spotted 46245 'City of London' and 46256 'Sir William Stanier, F. R. S.' on my single excursion onto the Midland Region in 1961

[@mikep4821]

Very smart looking locos 👍

[@delboybis]

I absolutely loved these eight minutes and 56 seconds, and yes, I noticed the bloke in the yellow sitting on the fence. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikep4821]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it as much as I enjoyed filming it

[@bianchikat]

wow! so loved that..what a great layout and stock. I love a layout that sticks to its geographical location and the engines that would have been there at that time... the first Stanier Pacific saw was 46245 City of London passing a few feet from me at speed at Harrow and Wealdstone. It terrified me! but remains my favourite individual loco. I last saw it heading a parcels train past my house towards Marylebone. Always looked forward to see a Corrie simmering at Crewe waiting to take over a train. But yes, red duchesses.. I loved the Royal scots too. I like smoke deflectors! never saw any unrebuilt Patriots. I look forward to the new build at Llangollen. Would love to have seen a rebuilt Claughton.

[@petergrossett6763]

Red Duchess my favourite too! Superb action!! I was fortunate to visit Perth shed circa 61/62. 3 Princess Coronations! Royal Scots Jubilee’s and Black 5s I was aged 7/8, unforgettable!!!!

[@mikep4821]

I got to Crewe a couple of times in 1961/2 and only have a clear memory of seeing three Duchesses, two red, one green I think. Log books went 50yrs ago.

[@MrMoggyman]

My uncle Percy had driven them all! Princess Coronation Class, Princess Royal Class, Royal Scot Class, Patriot Class, Jubilee Class, Black 5, Stanier Mogul etc etc. He was a Wessy, formerly of the LNWR, then the LMS, and finally BR right to the end of steam when he retired in around 1964 as a top link driver. He had been on the streamlined Princess Coronation Class locos of the 1930's as a firemen. My favourite of them all? Princess Coronation Class 46256 Sir William A Stanier FRS. A beautiful grand loco. When I met my uncle Percy last he asked me too, then told me he would be driving her in three weeks time. If steam had continued, it would be where I would be right now. Percy had me sorted for an oily rag (cleaners) job starting at Crewe. But it never happened, because in 1967 they were all gone. Two grandfathers over 45 years each as steam enginemen on GCR/LNER/BR (they had their BR long service awards), uncle Percy as top link driver on LMS/BR, uncle Ted as senior instructor at BR (from oily rag [cleaner] to senior instructor - steam/diesel/electrics - he drove the most powerful diesel on BR at that time - 4000 Kestrel - I walked underneath her when I was 7), and uncles Keith, Donald, and Malcom who were firemen on LNER/BR. Malcom even moved Flying Scotsman around the shed, onto the turntable etc at Langwith Junction shed (71J). Incredible family history on the railways. Steam, it is in my blood. I grew up with the sound and smell of steam locomotives all around me. On Shirebrook Station I watched as the coal trains came through. WD Austerity, O2's, 9F's, 8F's, counting the trucks from the nearby colliery off to the power station. 36 x 16 ton coal wagons was the standard haul. I have yet to stand on the footplate of a live steam engine. When I do, the process of firing will be almost instinctive. Interesting. You mix stone wagons with coal wagons. Did not see that ever in my time. It was a train of one or the other. Mainly because the coal was off to the power plant and they did not need them mixed in with stone wagons.

[@mikep4821]

Thank you for your very moving account. If my models and this video helped to rekindle memories of what you and your family enjoyed about the railways over the years I'm well pleased. Thanks again. p.s. the mineral wagons ae supposed to be carrying something other than coal but the loads are various shades of grey (scrap metal maybe?). My coal wagon rake (6 mins in) has all-black coal loads.

[@MrMoggyman]

@@mikep4821 You sure did. You seem to go for late crest locos too, just like me. In my collection I have 309 steam locos that consist of Hornby, Bachmann, and Heljan. It is a massive collection I know, but ok, I have been building it for years. I additionally have a number of diesels too. This collection includes Sir William A Stanier FRS and 4000 Kestrel. I have most of the Princess Coronation Class (PCC) locos and a good many of the others. Sometimes I kick myself. Both grandfathers could have told me so many tales of their exploits on the railway. Both grandfathers would have had quite a few tales after 45 years each on the railway. Uncle Percy had a brain like an encyclopedia, especially when it came to Princess Coronation Class locos. I reckon that he had got around driving almost all of them in his time, probably all the Duchesses and the City's too. He not only knew names, but their whole service history in detail. The times when they were repaired, overhauled, and what was replaced etc. He also knew in so much detail how to treat each engine, as they all had their little peccadillos when it came to firing and driving. If only I had written down the detail, but I was young then. Did he have a favourite? Yes, Duchess of Hamilton. Why? Natural firer, and a joy to operate. Only had to show her the shovel to raise steam. A3 Galtea More was the same on the LNER according to one grandfather, although he never got his hands on her as Langwith Junction shed (71J) was mainly concerned with moving coal, although there were a number of passenger services in the 50's. It would appear that the guys at 71J had a soft spot for Robinson O2's and 9F Spaceships. Flying Scotsman? A pig to fire, as were Princess Royal Class (PRC) locos according to Percy. That is why they had two firemen on a PCC loco. Percy reckoned that Stanier had done that to deal with the poor steam raising of the PRC locos. He hated them just as much as Bullied Light Pacifics (Spam Cans). What was it he said.....ah yes, I remember now......'Chain operated valve gear....CRAP! No wonder they had to rebuild them. Light axle, poor tractive force. Give me a Black 5 anyday, and I'll show you what you can do with Spam Cans!' Wow, the smell of them. The combination of soot, oil, and steam. Ah......I sure miss that. I miss that smell and the sound too. I loved them. Such a pity that they were taken away. The brown 16 ton wagons were usually filled with road stone, ballast, or gravel. But the light grey 16 ton wagons were used exclusively for coal. Later they changed to 21 ton high sided hopper wagons, but still in the same light grey livery with the white diagonal stripe on one panel each side. I remember them like yesterday as the trains steamed through from Shirebrook Colliery. But mainly light grey ones, as you would normally only see the brown ones around when they were laying ballast. They would usually be tucked away in a siding waiting to be hauled to wherever.

[@mikep4821]

@@MrMoggyman Blimey I thought I was bad. I reached 102 before needing to pare it back to the present 62, 40 or so on the layout at any time. I like to see a well stocked engine shed area then there are 17 available lines through the station and fiddle yard.

[@Rog5446]

We saw the City of London on an up fasted, and The Caledonian headboard on a loco in the yard. In the early 60s, I was walking over a bridge at Harlesden and heard a train coming. I looked over the bridge wall and saw the Caledonian passing under with The City of London in charge.

[@mikep4821]

I think I saw City of London at Crewe but never kept my logbooks so may be mistaken. There are some superb colour photos of her online, beautiful loco.

[@alanmunro]

Thanks for your lovely strainer locomotives

[@mikep4821]

Thanks Alan, nice to hear you like them, there are even more in my other videos, more Duchesses, Scots, etc. Check out my Channel (kzbin.info/door/Bls-Isn7CPn-ojuxH1LPxQvideos)

[@letzterinstanz]

And what a celebration ! A dream layout with all the best stock. Really enjoyed this and the others I've watched on your channel. A railway definitely of "my type". Look forward to many more...............Reinhard

[@mikep4821]

Thank you very much, I'm pleased you enjoyed it

[@Tonytrainset]

Lovely!Been a bit chilly in my garage this weekend so got my fix of model trains from KZbin!

[@mikep4821]

Tonytrainset haha freezing here too but braved it over several days and gallons of hot tea 😊

[@turbine6202]

Terrific. I love the scale length named trains with headboards etc. I missed out on my favourite (red) Duchess - City of Lancaster, but with Hornby's new offering maybe if I live long enough...

[@mikep4821]

Hi, thanks for the comment. Most of my Duchesses were bought secondhand off eBay in the last 3-4 years. The only two new ones were a City of Bradford, that I had renamed and weathered as Duchess of Gloucester, and Sir William Stanier- just had to have Sir Bill

[@gwrdriver1660]

Hi Mike, wonderful layout. My favourites are Princesses and Duchesses. My first train set was a Hornby Princess Elizabeth in the 1970's, went to see the full size version at Bulmers Cider in Hereford when I was a young lad, been my favourite ever since. I still have my original model (it's in a pretty sorry state, missing the smoke generator, valve gear and my mate had repainted it). Thinking of trying to renovate it some time. Keep up the vids, I've subscribed, Cheers Rich

[@mikep4821]

Thanks Rich, all the best.

[@trw1089]

Great video Mike, really enjoyed the variety of motive power and stock.

[@mikep4821]

Thanks very much, pleased you liked it

[@johnwebster3224]

Great video of Stanier locos in action. Only wish I had some where to run my allocation of 37 "Coronation's" - yes, I only need City of Salford! Hurry up Hornby, I aint got long to live!

[@mikep4821]

Thanks John, wow you must have a lot of Streamliners (which would pre-date my 1960s layout). I just have 10 and thought that was a bit excessive. I’m sure City of Salford will be along soon as they have the right body shape now.

[@dennisesplin3285]

I ran a massive layout Floral Hall Morecambe. Joe public viewed from a platform. I wonder what happened to it.

[@mikep4821]

Not my part of the world Dennis, hope they loved it 👍

[@johnrugman52]

P.S. I like the Jubilee class, very versatile

[@mikep4821]

Me too, I only saw a few back in the 60s but they were always kept very clean. Best design deserving of that famous saying, "If it looks right, it probably is right"

[@tomlee9534]

I think my favourite Stanier loco has to be Duchesses in LMS black.

[@mikep4821]

I only ever saw them in green or crimson and only about 4 in total before I gave up spotting.

[@tomlee9534]

@@mikep4821 I’m not that old (excuse meet etc). My initial exposure was my dad’s slides. Which were mainly late BR trains. As an adult I’ve gravitated to the late Grouping.

[@scottishsteamproductions2014]

Stanier 8f 48151

[@MrBristolmidland]

Wonderful video Mike. I like the way the colour light signals change as the train passes. Are they automatic or are you in the" box?" I have a fair collection of Stanier locos myself with two Coronation class, 5 Scots, a Jubilee, a black 5 and an 8F. 1 Coronation, the black 5 and the 8F have sound. I also have a 4F with sound and a Brit.

[@mikep4821]

Hi Steven and thank you. The lights are all manual so I’m switching them at an appropriate point. Electronics are not my strong suit and I’ve still got 4 more lights to fit elsewhere. But with up to 6 locos running simultaneously I’m busy enough at present 😊

[@alanmunro]

Duchess

[@mikep4821]

Here's the link to my playlist of Cafford & Strewe videos. Hope you enjoy them kzbin.info/aero/PL0mFIkLquzu3lMzqTvuj7L8QWX3bZYwkO

[@johnrugman52]

Good designs yes but he did have a Great Western background

[@mikep4821]

haha John that's what they all say. Fair do's though he had to learn somewhere and the tapered boiler definitely has GWR roots

[@timspiers6225]

He brought the best bits with him and left the other at Swindon. His greatest asset was already there in the shape of Tom Coleman.

[@timspiers6225]

Just one little quible, The Caledonian was a fast light train and only ever had eight coaches. Still enjoyed it though.

[@mikep4821]

Thanks Tim. I chose the Royal Scot and Caledonian trains as I saw them a few times at Crewe. I must admit I've probably misinterpreted the notes I read, in thinking the Caledonian was reduced in length at the same time as the Royal Scot and Mid Day Scot. And somewhere in my hoard of railway books I could've sworn I'd seen a Caledonian with 9 or 10 on but can't find it now. In fact spookily at least half a dozen photos are cropped at the 8th coach! I'll therefore reduce its length to 8 in future. Thanks again for your interest, look out for another period piece on Monday

[@truthful3777]

I thought it was a real thing!...but it is a toy...a good one though.

[@mikep4821]

Thanks, glad you like it.