The Alton Towers Train! Altonia - Lawrie Goes Loco Episode 3.

[@BazilRat]

"This is a stupid machine" says Lawrie. "I love it." And this is why such wonderful things have been saved. Please, keep that joy in the barmy and fun.

[@lmm]

It's fantastic fun! I love things that probably shouldn't have been saved, but are still around. It was a lovely day out on it.

[@adelestevens]

I'm so glad that Altonia was saved. When the line closed at Alton towers all the stock and track was piled up in old car park and I asked how to buy it, but I was assured it was already purchased but the management wouldn't divulge who to.

[@lmm]

Well, now you know a bit more of the story! I'm glad it was saved too, nice bit of history.

[@BazilRat]

My school went to Alton Towers. I remember seeing the train from a distance thinking "Oh, cool, a steam train" and hearing it clatter up to the station was really confusing! It was a fun little train ride though.

[@lmm]

It's a really strange little thing. Really enjoyed having a go with it though!

[@karlmaddox1209]

It made me so happy and more than a little nostalgic to find this video. As a young boy in the 1970s I used to love riding on the train at alton towers. My Grandad was the master potter there and we'd go to the towers most weekends and we always had a train ride. This engine was part of my childhood. Wonderful to see it again and the fact that it's not rusting away in an old shed somewhere really makes me happy

[@lmm]

Oh that's super!

[@patrickwebb7311]

I usually don't like steam cased locos, but this one does have a certain charm to it. Great job Lawrie. Also, should you ever get a chance to come to the US, make sure to visit the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana. There's a lot of great mechanical marvels there.

[@shaunsconfusingmachines8402]

Lawrence : all engines are female. Thomas : am I a joke to you

[@blacksmeim8791]

Gordon and James Approve this message.

[@MatthewHilbertsBaritone]

Aside from Captain Howie at the RH&DR.

[@harrisongrant8558]

Even machines that are named after men, like Oliver Cromwell and Sir Nigel Gresley, are still referred to as "she". Why that is is a mystery, but that's generally how it goes in rail preservation.

[@lmm]

Most machines are referred to as female, likely goes back to the olden days where men operated said machines, and developed affection towards them, and thus deemed the machine female.

[@harrisongrant8558]

@@lmm that's honestly an interesting take. I thought it was because they were seen as beautiful, refined and elegant, but I've heard that part of the story too in some old railway books that I had many years ago

[@SimplyRailways125]

Not a big fan of steam outline deisel locomotives but lawreis enthusiasm just makes it worthwile

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SimplyRailways125]

@@lmm sure did lawrie

[@lukegreen5341]

0:53 I've Didn't Know Alton Towers Got A Locomotive Too. Thanks Mate. X

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@graemew7001]

That looked as labour intensive to start up as a steam loco!! An awesome little thing though and you can really see your passion and childlike enjoyment of it.

[@lmm]

Oh believe me, its nothing compared to a steam engine! It is far more than I was expected for a little diesel though. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@graemew7001]

@@lmm Yeah to be honest that was a bit of a rash comment, I've watched on tv how they set the boiler etc up and it looks hard work. I live down the road from the Shildon Locomotion Museum, don't know if you'll have heard of it and some of the steam loco's they've had in there such as The Flying Scotsman are monsterous machines.

[@lmm]

Oh yeah, I've visited a couple of times. Some great stuff in there too! We'll be covering some steam engines in the future, so you'll get to see some of the work that goes into them!

[@graemew7001]

@@lmm I live about 3 miles away from it. Look forward to the videos cos if it has an engine I'm there LOL. Away to a classic vehicle/memorabilia auction in Pickering this weekend.....I'll be like a pig in the proverbial!!!

[@lmm]

Hahahah, glad you're enjoying it! The Moors are stunning - I'd be no good at an auction, I wouldn't be able to control myself, and end up with more tat and no money!

[@robinforrest7680]

You just made my Thursday. Thanks Lawrie.

[@lmm]

You're welcome! We aim to please :)

[@stuartwaterman2734]

Remember this loco at Alton Towers in the 1990's. Glad to see it is still about.

[@johnnycotton3217]

Just discovered your channel your work is fascinating thank you

[@lmm]

Thank you, glad you're enjoying what we do!

[@panzerkamphwaggenlll5247]

I also just discovered this because of the drunken algorism

[@lmm]

Pleased you've found us!

[@Captain_Char]

all it needs is a vent pipe from the "steam dome" to the actual chimney so when she's boiling its actually steaming

[@lmm]

Hahahah, yeah that would be a nice touch. When it was 'steaming' it was all part of the atmosphere. 😂

[@gosportjamie]

Yup, I remember that one from school trips to Alton Towers back in the '80s. It didn't sound anything like as sweet as that then though. It was very hit-and-miss whether you'd actually get a ride on it as it was often out of service, and even if it was in service it was far from unusual to see it stopped somewhere it shouldn't have been in a cloud of smoke or steam...

[@lmm]

I think this all goes back to the this cooling tank thing isn't a very good idea in constant use! Amazing how warm it was after the little we did with it!

[@joefarrow8054]

I love the Perkins Badge on the front!!! That LH point is abit viscous though - really wrenches the Loco round!!!

[@lmm]

I suppose that's makes sense after it was re-engined 😂 Yes, it's rather aggressive. Feels pretty horrible going round. That said the rest of the railway is remarkably good for 2 foot.

[@Colin_Wait]

Time flies by when you’re the driver of a train... come on Lawrie, sing up

[@lmm]

Musical number it is then!

[@RiflemanMoore]

Some of the most handsome steam outline IC locomotives ever built.

[@lmm]

It's certainly a pretty little thing.

[@justjack8909]

I didn't even realise this was to do with Alton towers and I was pretty confused when I heard Alton towers in a train video, but that's so cool that you now drive the train that was in the park, I never got the chance to ride it but it's still nice to see where it went

[@lmm]

It's a really interesting bit of history.

[@olic9804]

I remember once exploring the railway not long after it had been closed and finding Altonia parked up the line, looking kinda forlorn. Makes me very glad the loco's now found a good home!

[@lmm]

Oh that's really cool, yeah, it's lucky that it survived really 😂

[@olic9804]

@@lmm There was a second green loco there that was similar but dunno where it is now - I suspect it was saved

[@lmm]

I'll ask about, see if anyone knows what happened to it.

[@jamespotter3334]

There's a pair of these same locos at Wicksteed park in Kettering Northamptonshire. Lady of the Lake and king Arthur. Also some of the same style of coaches are there too.

[@lmm]

Oh really?

[@jamespotter3334]

@@lmm yep they have been there since the park opened. King Arthur was under overhaul last time I was there.

[@tonydeleo3642]

Hi Lawrie, what a great job, running all sorts of trains. Re this little engine, after watching you trying to oil the places such as the bearings boxes for the axles, and I am sure that you and many others have had this idea, why not mount a central oil reservoir where it would be easy to service and then run tubing down to all those hidden oil receivers. Cheers!!

[@lmm]

Some locos do have this kind of setup, I suppose its the old idea of keeping something original or modifying it. I'll suggest it to the railway! Certainly would make life easier.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

And just after you get the nozzle of the oil can in, you find there is not enough oil in the can, or it is held at such an angle that you cannot put any oil into the reservoir. So pull out the oil can, refill it and spend another few minutes getting the nozzle in. I know the felling.

[@lmm]

Yeap! Happens all the time 😂

[@malcolmpym507]

2 Baguelys one automatic and one manual Lady of the Lake and King Arthur are at Wicksteed Park kettering. 1923 vintage . Both are retired as the rolling stock is now withdrawn.

[@FunAngelo2005]

First time he acctually likes a steam outline

[@alexmcmahan4018]

Dear Lawrie I'm not much fan of the engine but the other engines you have been on I do love the steam locomotives I live in tennessee over here in the U.S. and we to also have 2 steam engines here at Dollywood called Klondike Katie and Cinderella and they are the most beautiful engines we have there's always something about steam engines that just puts goosebumps on ya and there whistles.

[@lmm]

I do love steam engines, they've got such character! They'd be great things to have a look at!

[@sophiecooke2839]

I never knew there was a train at Alton Towers. However, this was around before I was born. It looks really cool though.

[@lmm]

It's a really strange but lovely little thing!

[@DingRawD]

Reminds me of when I used to drive the Polperro at Drayton Manor. It is the most easiest and simplest locomotive you will ever drive!

[@lmm]

Apart from being easy, what was that like?

[@DingRawD]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels Absolutely fun. As a driver all we do on it is drive. We have a maintenance team who checks the locomotive and engine in the morning as part of their checks. In the cab all it consists of is a throttle, deadman pedal and parking brake. (As well as the gauges for the amps, water temp and etc)

[@lmm]

@@DingRawD Oh I do like a turn up and drive setup!

[@twonkfieldrailways4110]

I was disappointed when I realized this was a fake steam engine. I can vouch for the gwr comment ever tried to clean the smokebox on a 56xx it's parallel with the end of the running board.

[@lmm]

Steam is coming! Don't worry! I've not done the smokebox, but the driver let me go under to oil up, and it was just such a faff.

[@Nowheres_Channel]

I recently saw another video on the history of the Alton railway, and I'm pretty impressed to see their engine still alive and kicking. Most amusement park locos I've seen don't really have happy endings, especially fakers.

[@lmm]

No they don't, I'm pleased that this survives though

[@ellis8238]

Interesting looking locomotive, how's the Ruston 48DS going?

[@lmm]

It is going again - last I checked it was back in service and helping with the extention!

[@ellis8238]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels That's good! Hoping to see another video on it!

[@lmm]

It's in the pipeline to be reviewed! It's featured a little in what's broken now, but I will get round to reviewing it, probably the next day I have on it!

[@joshneville8254]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels hi Lawrie there is a railway in Tunbridge Wells called the spa valley railway and they have an rsh ugly class and it is stronger than a black 5 however 2020 is its last year in service before overhaul it is a Grate locomotive and after this pandemic is over could you review it as it is a beast of a loco and I am sure you will love it

[@TankEngine75]

Wow This Loco Is Unusual Looking!

[@lmm]

It's a very strange design isn't it.

[@georgegreen7163]

that's fitted with the same engine as your 35 has,I do like the sound of a Perkins engine

[@lmm]

Is it really? No wonder I enjoyed it so much!

[@georgegreen7163]

@@lmm yes the Massey Ferguson 35 (3 cylinder),35x and the 135 were all fitted with the Perkins 3 cylinder diesel engine as standard

[@lmm]

Ah awesome! Didn't realise it was the same unit!

[@chrishoggett1375]

Fascinating little thing :) I hope you haven’t lost to many followers by insinuating that the GWR didn’t build the worlds most practical engines ;)

[@lmm]

I love firing Western engines, they're super bits of kit, but having oiled up a few, they are not friendly things to prep. Downside of inside motion I suppose.

[@mattseymour8637]

@@lmm what are the GWR locos like to fire?

[@lmm]

Generally steam incredibly well.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

I love that little train

[@lmm]

It's a lovely little thing isn't it.

[@_R0BB_]

NEVER STOP! PLEASE! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NEVER STOP MAKING THESE! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

[@lmm]

Have no plans to stop!

[@_R0BB_]

@@lmm We need to get you down to essex, my friend built a lister loco from parts he bought off e-bay!

[@andrewwilson8317]

Some tweaking of the hydraulics would take away that snatch on driving off. Valve technology has come a long way a progressive metering valves would make it so much smoother. We call it whiplash,you call it character!

[@lmm]

I suppose yes, they could do some upgrading on it? It is part of the character though 😂

[@alexanderip1003]

this train should make *a comeback as a Park Orbital railway with stops along the circuit with covered and weather enclosed coaches which uses longitudal seating *Alton Towers Overground

[@SDE1994]

just wondering, while you are talking about the carriages, my attention is some what drawn to the cafe looking building behind that looks like a tram body incorporated intot the canopy

[@thomastjds3316]

Well spotted, indeed it is! There's a good article about it here: www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/portsmouth-tram-car-lives-to-fight-another-day-as-a-waiting-room-nostalgia-3292176 and more information can be found on our website oldkilnlightrailway.co.uk/trip-along-the-line/

[@SDE1994]

@@thomastjds3316 thanks

[@Andy84_YT]

Hey Lawrie that's a nice little engine but feel sorry to who ever got to reach inside to oil them parts every time

[@lmm]

I'm sure it'll get easier with repeated attempts 😂. It's not as bad as some steam locos I've worked on! Super little thing though.

[@Andy84_YT]

@@lmm yh I'm sure it will but it's a smashing little train tho

[@lmm]

Really really enjoyed my day on it!

[@lorenzo42p]

that's the beauty of a hydrostatic transmission

[@lmm]

Yeap. Super thing!

[@e-mananimates2274]

She is a funny locomotive. I can imagine the story she'd have if she ever ended up on Sodor. 4:50 "All steam engines, diesel engines, locomotives in general were all female." The Fat Controller would like to have a word with you.

[@lmm]

Yeah, that's the main case of them being refered to as male. Machines generally are she's, locos no exception 😂

[@e-mananimates2274]

In my opinion, I don't think there's a specific rule for assigning the female gender to machines. I see it as a matter of taste whether you want a male tank engine or not.

[@thomasalden6263]

I want one of these in my backyard

[@stevebarnes2]

I wonder if the design for the cooling system was inspired by the water jackets used on machine guns during the early 20th century. Some of the engineers at Baguley must have come into contact with these during the war.

[@lmm]

Oh that's a good thought - frankly I have no idea. The tank doesn't surround the engine though, so maybe not?

[@lsmith2030]

love the name, wondered if yours is Lawrence as well haha Lawrie Smith

[@lmm]

I am, and spelt the correct way too! Nice to meet you.

[@philipstreechon4523]

very cool

[@lmm]

Yeah, it's a lovely little thing!

[@jezdrawz1227]

1:02 that looked like a rough rail bend.

[@lmm]

It was OK

[@jezdrawz1227]

@@lmm :> well I'm glad ur okay with it, love ur content especially the "Lawrie goes loco" series, keep up the amazing work!

[@grumpyoldman47]

Do you know how many if these were built by Baguley? There was at least one at Trentham Gardens in the mid 1960s

[@lmm]

Quite a few - there's a good number still kicking around in preservation.

[@stephenpointon]

@@lmm if memory serves me Trentham's locos were Arthur , Galahad, Lancelot, and the lady of the lake .My dad helped build them at Baguley's in the 1950's and i helped rebuild them there in the early 1980's

[@NJPurling]

You wonder why the axleboxes did you have lubrication via a pipe. Unless they were more accessible with the OE engine.

[@lmm]

Pipes would certainly help...

[@roshasensi2220]

Crewmate there is one imposter among us 🚡🚃🚠🚟🚈🚂🚄

[@OliverLee390]

Its so weird hearing a 35/135 engine in a locomotive!

[@lmm]

Good little lump though!

[@davidlongman2341]

Hi. I'm a little surprised that on a railway train intended for use by the public, albeit a toy, there is no apparent continuous braking in the coaches to ensure that, in the case of a breakaway, the whole thing stops instead of just rolling away. The coach ends seem to sport air brake pipes but they appear to be not in use. No air brake pipework on the front of the engine also suggests that through braking is not available. What measures to the operators employ to ensure safe operation in the case of an unforeseen train division?

[@lmm]

It's not a toy. That kind of thought process leads to accidents. The Loco only ever operated, and continues to operate its train with Loco on the front. If you look you can see there is no coupling on the front either. The Loco works facing downhill, so it would be impossible for the train to break away. I think they're air braked but honestly can't remember.

[@davidlongman2341]

@@lmm The railway can't run forever downhill. It may be on a dead end line now therefore hauling and propelling alternately but if it was on a circuit at Alton it must have gone uphill sometimes. Who oversees the safe running of private and miniature railways. I'm not criticising but having worked on the railway all my life I am fascinated by safety on private lines

[@lmm]

I've no idea what it had at Alton Towers - though it was on a circuit then. Not knowing the layout of how it was and how long ago it was set up, I wonder if it was deemed necessary back then?

[@andyphillips7437]

It had air brakes retro fitted to the carriages at Alton Towers after previously relying on a person sat on the rear carriage with a hand brake.

[@MrNoUsername]

15:04 "Peep peep!" *"EEEEEHH"*

[@lmm]

That's good subtitles

[@thewolfmanfromthewolfpack5831]

Could you do the SPOORIJZER RT8 of the springfield agricultrial railway?

[@lmm]

If they were willing, we'd certainly like to next time we're in the states!

[@thewolfmanfromthewolfpack5831]

@@lmm its in great britain.

[@lmm]

Oh I'd heard of that railway, but never realised that was the name. Yes I'd like to do that!

[@microbusss]

I think I'd change the Klaxxon with a regular horn

[@lmm]

Klaxon is kinda fun though!

[@samuelpotter6639]

I wonder if anyone tryed to make an E2 or pannier tank engine the same size as this narrow gauge engine

[@SuperTrainStationH]

I'd almost like to see what this would look like with this boiler-like water cooling tank, but without the steam loco style dressup. It would look like a little ugly industrial contraption I'm sure, which is the only possibly way it could become more endearing than it already is.

[@lmm]

They do look quite interesting without the steam engine style fittings

[@ianhudson2193]

The cooling tank may stem ftom WW1 "Field Locomotives" operating temporary railways near the front where, what with bits of german metal "flying about" a radiator was a stupid idea.....

[@lmm]

I think the simplex locos used in the trenches had radiators. I guess cause it allowed the whole thing to be smaller and significantly lighter for travelling on the poorly laid track.

[@ianhudson2193]

@lmm They did. But with all the armour on to protect everything were difficult to operate, stifling to work in, prone to overheating and seceptable to damage.......that's why many photos you see show much of the armour stripped off unless absolutely essential...

[@thomashambly3718]

It looks just like the old train that ran at wiksteed park

[@lmm]

There were several of this type around.

[@osamaben-landing3668]

Is this the alton towers theme park or actually alton towers

[@lmm]

It was part of the theme park, back in its early days.

[@osamaben-landing3668]

Oh thx

[@jordanbailey3289]

I do like Perkins engines my scarab has a p4

[@lmm]

They did make good engines!

[@legionnairegonk4425]

The old style Perkins badge on the front.... Not seen that since we (as an ex-Perkins employee) had a display in our heritage area at work in Peterborough. By the way not sure how many know this Lawrie but for a while there was an even older Perkins emblem design to the one on the train that resembled a star with a striking similarity to the Jewish star of David. Needless to say it didn't last very long due to concerns of what it might be representing afaik. Political correctness - not a new concept by any means 😁

[@lmm]

That's really interesting - I had no idea. How long ago was the star being used?

[@DanielChannel57]

4:50 - 4:54 The Union Pacific Big Boy would like to have a word with you.

[@lmm]

She's a gorgeous bit of kit isn't she!

[@DanielChannel57]

@@lmm I meant that Big Boy is a masculine engine, and having seen him for myself, no one can tell me different.

[@yemmel9761]

At first when i looked at this to me it looked like a very un proportioned steam locomotive but i was gob smacked when he said it was a diesel

[@mattseymour8637]

Good train but would be better if was steam!

[@lmm]

It's a really strange little thing isn't it!

[@panzerkamphwaggenlll5247]

The actual train that could

[@lmm]

It's a great little thing.

[@civishamburgum1234]

What is Alton Towers?

[@lonelymelon6623]

It's a huge theme park in the uk.

[@jasimaine9682]

It’s the home with a lot of rules and big rollercoasters with a few of the first world records the most famous is the smiler the first rollercoaster with 14 inversions

[@lmm]

As they said. It's one of the UK's most established and biggest theme parks.

[@alexthomas637]

🚂🚂🚂😎😎😎👍

[@RiverDoncaster]

what about the flying scotsman who has man in its name

[@lmm]

Yep, still female.

[@victorpaul904]

🇮🇳💐🍁🌹♥️🥰🥰👌🌹🍁💐🇮🇳

[@bwolfe2514]

not even steam so sad

[@lmm]

It's a really strange design isn't it.

[@myriaddsystems]

Poor neglected little loco

[@TotoDG]

How tall are you? Judging by you _barely_ being able to fit in the cab, as well as the simplistic controls, I’m starting to think you *weren’t* kidding when you said this locomotive was designed for children.

[@lmm]

I'm 6 foot, it's not a big locomotive!

[@TotoDG]

Evidently!

[@gwrduck7975]

6:26 never trust Dominis engines they’re not respectable

[@lmm]

It's a Perkins now. And I love a Perkins.

[@sodorflubbs5000]

Maybe all the train drivers were shorter in those days with longer arms!!!!! At least you won’t need a work out.

[@lmm]

That's quite possible

[@lmm]

That's quite possible

[@humbucker0076]

"all locomotives are all female" Proceeds to name his own locomotive after a blocke. So that's what British punk has become nowadays?! XD Screw the system but softly

[@lmm]

Yeap. She's Sir William McAlpine Also, not a bloke. A great man.

[@humbucker0076]

@@lmm ups, sorry for getting connotations wrong - I'm not a native speaker

[@lmm]

@@humbucker0076 a bloke would generally be the correct term, it's more of your typical chap. Sir William was a little more extraordinary!

[@jappedut9009]

😂😂😂

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

Hello, Clovis, how's your belly for spots⁉️ By the way, in view of your sexist comment, does Sir Nigel Gresley know it's a woman⁉️ It would seem we live in difficult times for the gender-specific, therefore, poor Cletus must be in a considerable quandary‼️. My Grandad says he remembers this "train" at Alton Towers, but he also claims to have played drums for The Beatles, and my Grandad's name isn't Ringo - whoever he was⁉️ So, I'll leave it up to you to decide. All in all, Clovis, a great video, they just keep getting better and better. Until they start showing some of Cletus' animal porn, you're the best show on KZbin‼️👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@lmm]

Heya, not bad thanks, how're you holding up? Yeap, she knows she's female. As does Oliver Cromwell. I think Cletus is always in a quandary - this basically his default state. Wow they lost Beatle! 😂 😂 😂 Thanks buddy, glad you're enjoying the videos. And you don't want to see that 😂

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm I'm holding up just fine, thanks for asking.💀💀💀 This gender-bender thing with trains explains why The Flying Scotsman wears a skirt. I've always wondered about that‼️💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 Well, you can't mix your genders, like Cletus does, and not be in a quandary. It's his/her/its fault‼️😫😫😫 Nah, my Grandad ain't the lost Beatle, he's just lost, period‼️🤪🤪🤪 When Cletus got stuck-in to the animals, I always felt really sorry for the animals. I mean, is that any way to treat a Highland bull⁉️😳😳😳

[@lmm]

He did at least buy the cow dinner first 😂

[@MrKeyboardCommando]

@@lmm Yes, but an Aberdeen-Angus steak⁉️ I mean, it's akin to cannibalism‼️🥩🥩🥩

[@lmm]

Hahahahah. That's so harsh but so funny

[@bluefoxy6478]

Well, not every loco was referenced as a she.

[@lmm]

Over here it's pretty much the case. Machines are generally she's. My Loco is a she. As are all the ones I work on.

[@tico360]

i give locomotives their genders by the way they look.

[@lmm]

Generally speaking, they're all given the female pronouns. Old girl, dear, her, she etc

[@Susman69-w1r]

do not be meam to the train

[@lmm]

To the Loco or the train?

[@furious1533]

Nice train but I went on a better one at Swanage the FLYING SCOTSMAN

[@lmm]

Oh yes I saw some of the videos, it looks like super!

[@furious1533]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels yep

[@lmm]

Very expensive bit of kit

[@furious1533]

Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels ???

[@lmm]

Flying Scotsman, cost around 5 million for purchase and overhaul.