"And Now For Something Completely Different" on the Looe Valley Branch

Steam Rail Motor (SRM) No. 93 on GWS's "The Looe Valley Shuttles", 11th November 2012.
The phrase immortalised by Monty Python truly summed up a lovely autumn day in the Looe Valley as a genuine GWR Steam Rail Motor, heroically re-created from sparse remains, drawings and not a little invention by a dedicated Great Western Society team at Didcot made its first appearance on Network Rail(s). After the first of five return runs from Liskeard to Looe, the schedule looked doomed as regular steam pressure drops caused unwanted brake applications and increasing delays. However, as the day went on, problems were gradually sorted out and by the fourth run, things were literally "back on track". My main intention was to capture the last of the autumn colours and I was not disappointed by the amount of colourful foliage surviving in the sheltered Looe Valley. The "Completely Different" theme continued with the appearance of Steve, out for a stroll with his Eurasian Eagle Owl: "Tilly" ! The clips are as I took them on the day including a return to Terras as the afternoon light and tide allowed a "wrong side" shot with wonderful reflections at the crossing. Enjoy the Edwardian quirkiness in an English Autumn.

[@cadser0engco]

If there were more of these on the rails today I bet the amount of people wanting a ride would go up, bring back the branch lines.. Great video

[@Steamclips]

Hi Brian and many thanks for the kind comment and wishful thinking. If only? Best regards, Alan

[@stephencooney9870]

What a truly wonderful, magical beast this Steam Rail Motor is. I have never heard of this before and have just spent 2 wonderful hours watching and wishing I could visit her in person. Thanks for the video.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Stephen and thank you for your kind and interesting feedback. You may be interested to find out more from this article: didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/84/93-steam-railmotor Best regards, Alan

[@thebear3178]

This was nuts but absolutely fascinating! Credit to all , a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind, amusing and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Peter: how wonderful to get a comment from one of the crew. I'm not sure that I envy you wrestling with a vertical boiler whilst travelling at speed, but thanks to yours and the rest of the crews efforts, everyone had a fantastic time. I am glad in a small way to give you something back. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi again Peter and thank you very much for updating me on the improvements in operation that you were able to achieve this past weekend. It must be very satisfying for the whole team to be going through the learning experiences your predecessors must have gone through when these wonderful contraptions first appeared on the GWR. Hopefully we will see you back again sometime, maybe with an auto train? Best regards, Alan

[@aplinewalker]

Stunning ,,,, What a wonderful little loco and its got to go down as one of the most picturesque railway videos, Many thanks never seen it before...... Alan

[@Steamclips]

Thank you very much Alan, I am glad that you found the clip so interesting. Alan

[@aplinewalker]

Steamclips Been watching a lot moor,,, wonderful footage,,,, you put my attempts to shame,,, as the say Location location location ,,,,,

[@acw71000]

A wonderful record of the event and how fitting that the weather was so good which meant that the beauty of the Looe Valley could be fully appreciated.

[@podski4]

Stunning location, superb video.....love it!

[@Steamclips]

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

[@hans2406]

A truly unique video. A unique steam driven rail carriage. A very unique surrounding beauty. Good camerawork, good sound. Thank you. I am retired Dutch railwayman, living in SE Asia, and I adore the British "steam scene"

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your very kind remarks, I really appreciate your feedback and am glad the clip gave you so much pleasure. Best regards, Alan

[@declanjoyce8640]

Excellent...thank you

[@vishwajitpawar4076]

Brilliant shooting. Lovely landscapes and greenery. Blue sky and waterbody. Everything gives wonderful experience. Only thing train is not goodlooking . Thanks.

[@Papasmurf7597]

I have seen a number of photos of very old steam railcars, but have NEVER seen one in operation. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@Steamclips]

You are welcome! Thank you for your kind comment, glad you enjoyed. Regards, Alan.

[@laurieharper1526]

Thank so much for putting this up. We used to go on holiday to Looe the best part of 50 years ago. Travelled down from Paddington on the Cornish Riviera Express and picked up the Looe branch at Liskeard. Lovely little branch line.

[@GreggJune]

I've never seen this kind of steam locomotive before!!! Its absolutely amazing! Thankyou Steamclips for all of the amazing videos!!!! They are highly appreciated :)

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your very kind comments, they mean a lot to me. It is a rather unusual contraption but rather advanced in it's day and the forerunner of the diesel multiple unit (the least said about that, the better!). So glad you are enjoying my channel. Best regards, Alan

[@notmyrealname9399]

+TheBladeMaker They were pouplar with passengers but in the end proved to be too underpowered when packed to standing (the steam engine squashed into the cab is very small) so they were mostly rebuilt as autocoaches and coupled to 14xx locomotives as push-pull trains. There is a matching non-driving trailer coach to go with it now.

[@hurleyfunbags]

What a superb video of a brilliant preservation project. Who would have thought a Steam Railmotor would return to the Main Line? Excellent.

[@pwblackmore]

Ah, the SRM in its natural environment! Everything looks so well put together and normal. I doubt if we'd see this sort of construction going on these days ... environmental concerns, Roman oyster beds, habitat of the lesser spotted whatsit, etc.. And yet it looks so perfect here, as if the loco enhances the beauty. Goodness know what will happen if the line through Dawlish and Teignmouth is redirected through Bovey and Christow... And yes - kudos to you for a delightful journey through wonderful countryside - enhanced by superb photography taken from clever vantage-points. Sometimes I swear you are the only one out there with a camera - you manage to stay back from the crowd ,and make us feel like we're the only ones there, too.

[@Steamclips]

One of the nicest comments I have ever received, for which I am most grateful and humbled. It was one of those perfect days; the weather was perfect and my planning worked out, which is a rarity I can assure you!!! Best regards, Alan

[@782sirbrian]

Lovely sight the people who rebuilt this must be very proud ! Quite a turn of speed at times too. I hope with more experience they get the firing and steaming spot on. Thanks for sharing Regards Brian

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind comments. I detect that your mind works like mine when viewing your videos; always on the look out for new locations. I look forward to your shot if you manage to do it sometime as I am sure that steam will return next year. Best regards, Alan

[@flippop101]

What a fantastic piece of film. Really enjoyed it. a big thankyou to you with regards from Germany.

[@m222rjr]

Once again I must congratulate you on the quality of this video. I really enjoyed watching it. The finished product really is a cut above the rest! Mind you, what a beautiful place is the Looe Valley.

[@Steamclips]

Hello and thank you very much for such kind comments and I agree entirely with your sentiments about the Looe valley. Best regards, Alan

[@GreatWestern175]

And now for something completely different sounds very true to it's phrase, again outstanding work contributed by the GWS and NR to having this unique Railmotor or steam coach I call it,not often you get steam in autumn colours like this anywhere you go apart from Scotland but you get some pretty good stuff in the south west when possible I take it you looked more closely at the railmotor inside and out whilst at Liskeard as reccomended? I'm still having uploading issues with my video at present

[@chrissiebabyify]

Superb positioning for your shots, terrific location and exquisite subject. I guess you are very happy with this sequence! Well done, thanks for sharing.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your very kind remarks, it was a special day in a beautiful place. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hello Richard: thank you so much for your kind comments. The pleasure was all mine. Alan

[@peterscandlyn]

All over, wonderful to watch. May it long continue.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you for the nice feedback Peter. Regards, Alan

[@siobhan104]

What a weird and wonderful machine. Lovely film Alan, with some great shots and autumnal colours. Especially the reflection shot and the one across the estuary. All the best...Tim.

[@Andyww08]

The coal is kept in a bunker below the windows of the power bogie end, hence the smaller windows at that end, this was to accommodate as much coal as possible. and held about 1.25 tons of coal. The water tank is slung below the frames, and you can see it quite well at 09.51 in the video, this is the rather long black object that you can se between the cylindrical Gas tanks. This held about 750 gallons of water

[@Steamclips]

Hi Tim: thank you for your kind comments, it was a fun day and it's a fascinating contraption! Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Andrew, great to here from another KZbinr from Aus, HughfromAlice is another member I regularly hear from. It is a real pleasure to hear that you are modelling something similar to the Looe branch line. I was a scratchbuilder in 4mm myself for many years. Best regards and good luck. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi C&A: glad you enjoyed the show. We were lucky with the weather considering the year we have had! Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi John and thank you for your welcome and much appreciated comments. I think I might have picked the right weekend to film as the forecast is not so good for next weekend. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Austin and thank you for your kind remarks, it was a fun day. Alan

[@oigringo]

I am responding on behalf of a friend in Chile who I sent the link to,and he thinks its fantastic, railmotor and video. Msamny thanks from him.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Ruairidh and thank you for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind and interesting comments. After such a dissapointing summer, it's nice to get a bit of sunshine in November. It was a splendid owl called Tilly ( I must put that in the description!). Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi again David: thanks for the nice comments, there are plenty of videos on KZbin of the SRM, some of which show the footplate interior. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hello Brian and thank you for your interesting comments, my pleasure to share. Alan

[@AndreiTupolev]

Full credit to Network Rail and FGW for being so co-operative in arranging this. they did a good job of arranging the weather too, didn't they. Stunning conditions.

[@Castlebridge-00]

How did I miss this impressive video several years ago. You had some great shots. Thanks. Barry Devon.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Barry: you never know what remains hidden in the mists of time! Thank you for the kind comments, it was certainly an unusual event. Best regards, Alan

[@peterjennings5458]

By way of an addendum, we were able to get the Railmotor performing at its best on the 18th, which was most satisfying. For each of the 5 climbs from Coombe Junction Halt (where we took water each time we stopped) the boiler pressure for the 8-odd minute climb to Liskeard had the boiler pressure at just below blowing-off (160 psi). It's a pity that there appear to be no places on that stretch at which photos or recordings can be made, but the sound at Liskeard must have been, well, dead good!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Nathan: this is truly a unique vehicle and a lot of fun to witness. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Christopher and thank you for your very kind comments. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your interesting comments. There is a normal coal door which can only be opened when the loco is stationary. I don't believe that Railmotors were classified by wheel arrangement, but if they were I am sure that your assumption would be correct. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you, I am flattered by your kind message. Best regards, Alan

[@nitetrane98]

Great video. Even better is the audio. Love the chugging start. The old girl just a talking away.

[@Steamclips]

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

[@Steamclips]

Hi Nathan: take a look at the SRM 93 Project Page on the GWS Project Page for railmotor93 , this will answer all your questions on the build. Space confines the engine unit to a fairly small vertical boiler which cannot make steam as quickly as a horizontal boiler which you normally see on a steam locomotive. Hence the need for the crew to get the balance right with experience. I am sure that things will go better this weekend. Alan

[@dietero100]

Truly an excellent video. Lovely capture!!

[@Steamclips]

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

[@Steamclips]

You are very welcome Tony. Thank you for your kind comments. Alan

[@Spamcan81]

A nice film. Was a very enjoyable day bit riding and filing.

[@Steamclips]

Many thanks for your kind comment, I am glad that you enjoyed. Alan

[@NorbertRoll]

A beautiful steam rail motor.

[@oigringo]

Superbly shot video in all respects

[@kge420]

That would make a nice modeling project.

[@Steamclips]

Sounds a nice idea Keith. Thank you for commenting. Kind regards, Alan

[@paulsim8668]

Beautiful, just beautiful....

[@Steamclips]

Hi Paul and thank you for the nice comment. England is hard to beat when we have a good autumn. Alan

[@steventhornton4716]

Lovely to see her running the only one of her kind still in service isn't she?

[@Steamclips]

Hello Steven and thank you for your valued comment and question. She certainly is one-of-a-kind, actually a "re-creation" rather than a survivor. See the full story here: didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/312/a-more-detailed-history-of-the-steam-railmotor Regards, Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi again Peter: thank you for that very interesting information. So I guess on the first run, you had to get all this right by experience. You certainly sorted things out by the end of the day when performance looked really competent with non-stop climbs up to Likeard. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you so much for your very kind comments. Thank you also for your subscription, I hope you find more clips to enjoy. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Ryan: what a fun and unusual day despite the minor annoyances of "headless chicken" photograpers running into shot and talking over the soundtrack!! We did get a good look inside, very interesting and impressive, apparently windows had to remain closed to prevent smoke damage during trips! That's it for us this year as I can't believe that filming conditions could possibly be better next week and we have no other plans - so enjoy Lizzie over Shap! Alan & Margaret

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind remarks. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for commenting. Amen to everything you say. Alan

[@scada4321]

The “Doodlebug’ was the common name for a self-propelled railroad car. Such a coach typically had a gasoline-powered engine which provided electricity to traction motors on the vehicle which drove the axles. The Doodlebug was an early solution to a thorny problem. The railroads were legally required to provide passenger, mail, and express service, but on low-traffic branch lines, using a steam locomotive and regular heavy-weight equipment was a money losing proposition. With the founding of the Electro-Motive Corporation in 1924, self propelled cars were produced featuring a body based on standard passenger cars, an electric transmission derived from proven streetcar technology, and a relatively powerful gasoline engine. Doodlebugs sometimes pulled an unpowered trailer car, but were more often used singly. The design was quite adaptable to carry passengers or mail freight as the area required and these gas-electric cars became one of the main providers of branchline service. But the steam version proves to be more interesting....

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you again for such interesting information. Best regards, Alan

[@BritishTrainVideos]

Stunning footage, excellent camera skills and choic of locations. hope steam will return to this line in the near future with a little more warning! A shot from the hill at 08:55 could be stunning with the causeay in it and thenn the curve away. Could be compition for the West Highland Extension!

[@Steamclips]

I fully agree with your comments Andrei, thank you for your response. Alan

[@davidfrobel7582]

good video,,never seen a trolly like that, love to see inside where they keep the coal and water,,thanks for shering.

[@robertbage5052]

Superb.

[@Steamclips]

Many thanks for your kind remark Robert. Best regards, Alan

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

Steamclips I am amazed I did not think any of these steam rail cars were operable. It is a superb restoration may it run for many years

[@kiwitrainguy]

Good video, well shot. Your camera must have been on a tripod, so much better than the shaky efforts some post. We had a Steam Rail Motor like this in NZ during the 1920s but was not successful, taken out of service and not saved (no Steam Preservation in those days!). Why don't Model Railway Manufacturers make a version of this one? It would be a great addition to my collection. - Dennis

[@Steamclips]

Hi Dennis and thank you for your kind and very interesting comments regarding NZ railmotors. I have good news for you: @50706 Best regards, Alan

[@Steamclips]

Seems the URL did not paste, so go to: kernomodelrailcentre.com

[@kiwitrainguy]

Steamclips Thanks for the tip. It's a DJ Models one.

[@davidfrobel7582]

thanks,,very interesting.

[@srinivasvaranasi1645]

Beautiful!

[@Steamclips]

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

[@Steamclips]

Hi Jamie and thank you for your kind and interesting comments. H&S is the new gospel I'm afraid. Alan

[@peterjennings5458]

Cracking video - I was one of the firemen :)

[@felixthecleaner8843]

Awesome!

[@Steamclips]

Hi Felix and thank you for your kind and much appreciated comment. Best regards, Alan

[@princegabor]

very nice video

[@soulbabe79]

i bet those children wouldn`t know what that was but im a child who does. catch ya at the final Steam on the met (if your coming)

[@Thursdaym2]

Big whistle for small train! Where is it normally stationed?

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your comment/question. You will find the railmotor here: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/ Regards, Alan

[@soulbabe79]

next year is final time of Steam on the met

[@microbusss]

That IS different WOW! So how does the coal go into boiler? Wouldn't this be a 0-4-4 really? Or different?

[@allanegleston4931]

interesting machine . looks harry potterish . is that bird an eagle owl?

[@Steamclips]

Hello Allan and thank you for your valued comment and question. As I wrote in the description: "Tilly" was/is indeed a Eurasian Eagle Owl. Regards, Alan

[@scada4321]

Somewhat similiar to the Pennsylvania RR's "Doodlebugs"....howevever, PRR used a six cylinder gas engine. Nevertheless, a fine video! Thank you.....

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for the kind and interesting comments, like the PRR, the GWR eventually moved to diesel Railcars as shown here: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/locos/22/22.html Regards, Alan

[@Thursdaym2]

Presume as it's from Didcot, it came down towed as part of a train?

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your question. It was transfered by road as far as I remember. Kind regards, Alan

[@tony1961chl]

but that beauty machine

[@Steamclips]

Hello Francisco and thank you for your comment. Best regards, Alan

[@tony1961chl]

Steamclips Dear Alan, not only the tram in incredible, video and scenery are very beautiful congratulations, I wish to live there, thanks again.

[@rorymacve]

Now I must admit, this certainly makes a stark difference to the usual Class 153!! Amazing video sir, fantastic colours! Keep it up! :D

[@nathan83699]

Alan, How long has it taken to build that loco? Why does it take so much pressure?

[@Jimmer93]

Great video. Still think NR went a bit mad on H&S!

[@BritishRailProductions]

Think me an Idiot but did they use the Steam Rail Moter for everyday use or was it a Railtour

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your perfectly reasonable question. Normal service was replaced entirely on the day (Sunday) by the Steam Rail-motor shuttle service which you had to book in advance with a tour operator. The whole thing was organised by GWS and consisted of five return trips Liskeard/Looe. A similar event took place two years earlier with 9466 in charge, see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4GTl2eXbp5npc0 where again the weather was excellent. Regards, Alan

[@nathan83699]

Hi alan, Is this the same loco as didcot? Nathan

[@wadeeubanks8435]

How would this thing be classified under the Wythe Notation?

[@lfewell2161]

Good question, an 0.4.4 running in one direction,a 4.4.0 when running in the other direction probably?

[@jimmywalker1568]

Did we have them before the Americans cab forward

[@Steamclips]

Hi: the first GWR Railmotors were introduced in 1903. I hope this helps answer your question. Regards, Alan

[@themanagerno1]

The one dis liker must be the guy who orders an orange juice in a real ale bar. Brilliant video, when will they paint it chocolate and cream?

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your very kind and amusing comments. Unfortunately I cannot directly answer your question but you may get an answer here: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/zrailmotor93/index.html Best regards, Alan

[@edwardlorence]

Hello Is there a store in the UK who offers the model in OO ? Your Help is Appreciated. Ed

[@Steamclips]

Hello Ed: you are not the first to ask this question, this is the only OO model of a GWR Railmotor I have found: www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/144/GWR-Steam-Railmotor . Regards, Alan

[@HMSHOOD1920]

Where's its second coach?

[@Steamclips]

Find information about the trailer (No. 92) here: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/coaches/92/92.html

[@scopex2749]

Wow now i have NEVER even heard of these before....a STEAM thumper!! If flipping Beeching had never been born , maybe this country would still have branch lines :((( So where does the fireman stand......in the toilet???? This must be UNIQUE in preservation?

[@Steamclips]

Hi: you will find the answers to your questions here: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/zrailmotor93/index.html Regards, Alan

[@silasfatchett5693]

If Beeching had never been born, Marples would have found someone else to carry the can.

[@TrainDriver1953]

What the hell is that ?

[@Steamclips]

Hi Michael and thank you for your question. You can find a detailed history here: didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/article.php/312/a-more-detailed-history-of-the-steam-railmotor Kind regards, Alan

[@victorpaul904]

🇮🇳💐🍁🌹♥️🥰😂👌🌹♥️🍁💐🇮🇳

[@fredwood1490]

Seeing how Victorian technology is treated as entertainment today, despite the essential nature of it a hundred years ago, I wonder what essential technology and even social norms of the first half of the twenty-first century, will be viewed as quaint and mildly entertaining, in another hundred years? Will there be special roads for automobiles and electric vehicles? Fairs where you can ride a jet plane? Maybe hand held communication devices instead of implanted ones? Maybe speculations on what a Moon base or a Mars base might be like?! Maybe vids on what life on Earth used to be like, a hundred years ago? I wonder what the pop corn will taste like in the twenty second century as you watch Disney films and violent Superheroes ? Just a thought.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Fred and thank you for sharing your fascinating thoughts and entertaining predictions. Best regards, Alan

[@nathan83699]

cool, we usally don't see many of there around on our railways?

[@PublicTransportVideo]

Fantastic video. I only found this thanks to the Cornwall Railway Society webpage. I wish I had been there in 2012 to see it.

[@Steamclips]

Thank you for your kind and interesting comment, I must admit I am a fan of of the Society webpages myself and often scout out good locations in Cornwall from there. It was a perfect day! Best regards, Alan

[@Steamclips]

Hi Nathan: yes it is. This is the first time that it has ventured out onto Network Rail. Alan

[@niyazahmedkhan557]

Hope less airtel network internet.

[@tango6nf477]

stunning and beautiful video sir, this is how to film steam in motion. Thank you

[@Steamclips]

You are too kind, thank you for such kind comments, they are very much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

[@peterjennings5458]

It's one of the features of the railmotor - no firing on the move! There's no deflector plate or brick arch, so any cold air entering through the doors goes straight up the tubes and causes a) an immediate drop in pressure and b) leaking tubes; it was one of the main causes of failure in GW days. So, you (the fireman) put in as much coal as you reasonably can for what you think the demands of the forthcoming journey might be ..... get the water level high, close yer eyes n pray!

[@snertlegrubber]

Wonder if the driver needs a heater in the cab?

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video great to see No 93 on Network rail metals.They have made a cracking job of her, & she sounds great too & glorious autumn weather.