60103 Flying Scotsman to St Blazey. The Royal Duchy 30th April 2023

A very special day indeed as a railway icon in her Centenary Year makes a welcome reunion.
We pick up the action as 60103 tackles Tigley and Rattery Banks in "close up" due to the poor visibility. The local farmer has set up a grandstand with a trailer, a lovely gesture for the assembled crowd at this popular spot.
On then to even larger crowds gathered at Saltash Station where Network Rail staff are in attendance to keep everyone “safe”. By chance the Plymouth bound service trains from Penzance, one of which would have blocked the “up” platform, were running 10mins late leaving the view clear for everyone, a real piece of good fortune! In improving visibility “Scotsman” crosses Brunel’s famous bridge over the Tamar and on in to Cornwall as we film amid an excited throng.
However if we are talking: “crowds”, the St Blazey Roundhouse and Turntable was definitely the place to be as all of Cornwall, it seemed, came out to see the much anticipated restored “Grade 2 listed” turntable in action again and what better steam locomotive to inaugurate it than the nation's favourite ? The whole event became a jamboree with cheers, applause, local dignitaries, restoration teams receiving much official acclaim and the second camera remotely controlled on a 10 foot pole recording the only uninterrupted view from the public side of the fence!! I have to admit that 60103 looked absolutely splendid mounted on the newly painted turntable.
For the final shots of the day we chose the climb through Bodmin Parkway, taking a chance with the stopping “down” service train and the Glynn valley where the line is rapidly disappearing behind the growing forestry as a strong gusty breeze blows but I think we just about got away with it!
A truly wonderful day to remember!!
Chapters:
0:00 Titles, Tigley & Rattery Banks
2:13 Saltash & Tamar Bridge
4:53 St Blazey turntable
9:09 Bodmin Parkway & Glynn Valley

[@PeteDevrell]

Photography demonstrated to perfection! - Lovely to see St Blazey back in action again.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Pete and thank you for your kind and much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@DanLoveLexa]

I saw her on railcam on this location of the bridge

[@stuartbroome1258]

Really enjoyable video, great to see 60163 in Cornwall. To far for us up north, so many thanks. 😊

[@Steamclips]

Hello Stuart and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated remarks. She'll be up you way soon I am sure. Best regards, Alan

[@OldeJanner]

Watched it going through South Brent that morning. Smooth as silk, just like the last visit we watched a few years back.

[@Steamclips]

Glad you got to see her. Thank you for your valued feedback. Kind regards, Alan

[@britboy2883]

One of the best looking steam locomotives ever built. Good snappy response from the Kylchap exhaust and what a bonus, the turntable in action. Excellent video coverage!

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind, interesting and much appreciated comments. Best regards, Alan

[@martinwest8374]

Great video. Wonderful to see two icons of British engineering together - Flying Scotsman and the Tamar Bridge. I always like it when you are able to pan with the locomotive - the action of the connecting rods and valve gear is just mesmerising.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Martin and thank you for your kind and interesting remarks, we are or like minds I think! Best regards, Alan

[@JakeBSteam]

Fantastic video, lovely touch from the farmer too. Cheers, Jake.

[@Steamclips]

Many thanks for your kind feedback Jake, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@JakeBSteam]

@@Steamclips Your very welcome Alan. Kind regards Jake. 🙂

[@paullangridgewiltshireride9691]

Brilliant video thanks for sharing. Great photography, love the run through the Glyn Valley

[@Steamclips]

Hello Paul and thank you for such kind comments, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@bobingram6912]

Excellently shot Alan as usual with great locations. Loving the turntable, just about the right size and good that it is still maintained. The Orange Army nearly outweighing the public, no wonder a 10' (I know what what you mean!!!) pole is needed😂😂😂😂. Thank you👍👍

[@Steamclips]

Hi Bob. In hindsight, what I should have done was feature the size of the public crowd a little bit more, there were literally 100's of people crushed into the roundhouse yard. It was obvious that it was going to be that way so for the last week I have been busy in the workshop creating something that would see over the top then use remote control via smartphone and a very useful Panasonic App. I was delighted with the results and am trying to think of hitherto "illegal" locations that can be accessed with a 10' pole!! Thanks as always for your kind and cheery comments. Best wishes, Alan

[@edmundcarew7235]

Wonderful videography. Loved seeing the crowds at Saltash with the period buildings in the background that I admired last year on my trip from Australia when travelling on the 0910 hours ex Penzance. I'll be in UK again in a few short months. Great railway, great loco and great anniversary. Good of you to show the platform layout at Bodmin Parkway as I will be changing to and from that preserved railway soon.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Edmund. Glad to know that you not only got pleasure but also useful information from watching! Many thanks for your kind, interesting and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@lnerrules-iw6ry]

Excellent footage there Alan. Especially of Scotsman climbing the South Devon Banks and crossing the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for such kind feedback, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@EMuksteam]

Excellent video Alan. Great selection of locations. Nice coverage on the turntable. Enjoyable watching. Kind regards C&A

[@Steamclips]

Hi folks. Your kind message must have come in under the radar as I have only just seen it. Thank you as every for your lovely comments, I appreciate it very much. Best regards, Alan

[@davidpinnock5956]

As commented before great to see footage if wonderful train from outside. Privileged to have been a steward on the train so fantastic to see the Flying Scotsman being turned round at recently reinstated St Blazey turntable David P

[@Steamclips]

Hello David, somehow your comment came in under the radar! Belated thanks for your kind, interesting and very much appreciated feedback. Always nice to hear from the "crew". Best regards, Alan

[@davidpinnock5956]

Apologies for any mistypes in my comments Phone keypad very small. Yes FS had 3 "crews" The hardworking locomen. The hot chefs and waiting staff And us passenger stewards. All combined with the fantastic FS to give 300 passengers a great day out.

[@SteveCarrett]

Excellent video I really enjoyed watching that, great camera work.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Steve and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@davidtillson729]

Stunning video

[@Steamclips]

Thank you David, your kind feedback is very much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

[@nickbartlett5928]

Nicely filmed. Good to see the turntable at St Blazey back in use at last. I particularly liked the long pan shot at the end.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you for such kind feedback Nick, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@robalexander7348]

Wonderful video, such a magnificent train, i truely enjoyed viewing it over here in Australia 👍

[@Steamclips]

Hi Rob and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated comments. Best regards, Alan

[@peterhewitson2669]

Excellent, that last shot was fantastic, a loco being worked hard but efficiently 👍

[@Steamclips]

Hello Peter and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated input. I must admit that 6' 8" driving wheels do make it look like she's not really trying .... but we know different! Best regards, Alan

[@30453trains]

An outstanding video of an outstanding performance from ‘Flying Scotsman’. Thanks for your hard work and for sharing these scenes, Alan.

[@Steamclips]

You are most welcome. Thank you for such kind feedback, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I caught flying Scotsman on a light engine movement before that tour at stoke priors

[@Steamclips]

I hope she was just as shiny Scott! Cheers, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Steamclips she was indeed Alan

[@pwblackmore]

Splendid, Alan, just splendid. You always get such good vantage sites, and treat us to great views of the trains and the countryside. Get yourself some safety gear and you can sneak in and crank the Armstrong winch next time! Doesn't look as 'balance' is important here... some huge US locos need to position the centerpoint of the loco's weight on the pivot to make the turning less stressful on the support system - and no doubt the operators. Many thanks...you must have been up half the night to edit this video.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Peter, nice to hear from you again. Thank you for your kind remarks and you are right; I didn't get a lot of sleep on Sunday night! As for balance: with only a few inches to spare, there was not a lot of choice! but if it were a small tanker, it would have positioned over the center. Best regards from the Old Country, Alan

[@thegameoflife9179]

I missed this even though i only live about 8 miles away, however i did see the Flying Scotsman at Guide Bridge Train Station near Manchester in the 1970's when i was about 9 years old... and i have never forgotten that day 👍

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for sharing your interesting reminiscences. Hopefully my video made up in some way for your missed opportunity. Kind regards, Alan

[@thegameoflife9179]

@@Steamclips yes it did, thanks for uploading it

[@chrisheyward6430]

Was good to meet you this evening. Great videos

[@Steamclips]

Likewise Chris. Many thanks for your kind and very much appreciated comment. Best regards, Alan P.S. have just uploaded the video

[@tadpoles10]

Ah now I understand the 'influx' of the enthusiastic 'Highviz Brigade' ... 😏 Two 'fit' guys is all it took to turn a loco, although an extra pair was always welcome .. 👍 Thanks as always for sharing these fantastic shots Alan, hope you caried your passport on this venture to 'foreign' parts .. 😂 atvb t ..

[@Steamclips]

Hi Terry. What I found interesting was that they had to start the turn in the reverse direction before powering forward? When we got there, there were literally hundreds of people squashed in to the roundhouse yard and I jokingly asked if there was something special going on. The reply I got more than once was that the Pasty Van had just turned up!! Best wishes, Alan

[@tadpoles10]

@@Steamclips It's definitely a 'fine balance' for sure as you may imagine Alan Also a testament to the table design enabling two + two to manoeuvre tones relatively without enormous effort.

[@loisknott3763]

Perfection

[@Steamclips]

Hi Lois, the shortest but possibly the nicest feedback I have received! I am most grateful. Kind regards, Alan

[@loisknott3763]

@Steamclips my pleasure Alan I am a steam engine fan love to watch all clips thank you for your reply

[@NickGarswood]

Great video. I was on the train and was hoping someone would have quality filmed and shared FS on the newly repaired turntable at St. Blazey. Thanks. PS it was only when I received my Eticket last Tuesday from RTC and it said, " Steam hauled throughout by FS", that I worked out that the turntable must be back in operation! Nice surprise.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Nick - you lucky person!! Many thanks for your kind and very interesting comments, I really appreciate it. I travelled down and visited the turntable on Thursday of the previous week and talked to staff who were literally fitting the last component before testing on the 21st. The N.R. "official" line they gave me was that FS was not confirmed but a "nod and a wink" told me otherwise. So I headed home and started work on a pole support and I was sure glad I did!! Best regards, Alan

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Alan Steamclips was always out for steamy shots. One day, he elected for a change of railway scenery. Not Dawlish, rather Barmouth. The sun was shining and so the young man decided to do some trainspotting from Barmouth Railway Station. A few Sprinters came and went in opposite directions, all was going smoothly. Standard 4MT no. 76079 was scheduled to appear with a Cambrian Coast Express Special train, and Alan was up for seeing her. Sadly, the tender engine failed with a stubborn injector. The announcement came through that another steamy would stand in for her. Alan and a few other enthusiasts waited patiently. Eventually.... "Peep!" A shrill Swindon whistle echoed round the seashore. Alan could just make out the shape of a GWR tender engine silhouetted against the sunshine, as she rumbled across Barmouth Bridge. "Who's the steamy?" a middle-aged lady asked. "I don't know," answered Alan, "but she's coming this way." The GWR engine whistled again, steaming under a road bridge beyond, her chuff getting louder every minute. At last, her whistle sounded down everyone's ears. Alan and company stared in surprise. The Great Western tender engine came to a stop, with the Standard 4 tender engine's train in tow. Alan noted the number, 7819. Hinton Manor, on loan from the Severn Valley Railway, had saved the day. A truly beautiful sight to behold. Alan was made an offer he couldn't refuse. Hinton Manor gave him a footplate ride from Barmouth to Aberystwyth and back. Best of all, the lucky fellow was allowed to drive her all the way. Nothing could possibly beat this exciting thrill, make no mistake. Happy Steam Day, Alan.

[@Steamclips]

Sounds like fun Kelly, wish I was there! Alan

[@LoonasHusband]

The one thing I don't like about this locomotive is the whistle. It sounds so weat and gutless.