The Last Day of BR Mainline Steam 1968.

[@lesliedickinson198]

Awesome film of a period i remember so much and without this film history we wouldnt be able to savour those last days of an era i loved so much

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you very much for your comment, really appreciated.

[@mrsp3992]

Thanks very much for posting. A sad day indeed. I put away my notebook, pencil and Locoshed book on this day.

[@lancpudn]

What a sight all those Black fives, so glad someone recorded that day, brings back great memories for me, I could almost taste the smell of steam trains watching that, It makes it all the more sad when it's in black & white for some reason. great job on the video editing thank you.

[@DaveCooper36b]

Many thanks indeed for your lovely comment, and I am very pleased you enjoyed the film....and of course, the memories it brought back for you.

[@trainmanbob]

Classic end of steam as only you could present it, David. Fabulous. Cheers, Bob

[@DaveCooper36b]

WOW, thank you very much indeed Bob for your comment.....thank you.

[@madmcks9745]

Absolutely amazing nostalgia at its best

[@leilacentral1883]

This is brilliant. Sometimes I wish I was born in this period so I could have a career working on the railways in the days of steam. It’s great there are video films like this however to enjoy and to feel how life was back then. Thanks for uploading Clint.

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you for your comment. At the time I wished I had a 35mm camera instead of a silent cine camera....but not I am pleased I had the right format back in 1968.

[@30453trains]

Fantastic pictures, really think the added sound gives it something extra, and the whistle sound really does sound close to a Stanier hooter. Must’ve been a very sad time for rail enthusiasts (I’m too young to have seen it) seeing a hobby and a way of life changed so completely. Thanks for sharing 🚂

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you for your comment, and of course pleased you liked the soundtrack.

[@howarth004]

Nice to have these old Footage clips dave , something you can watch time and time again

[@DaveCooper36b]

Cheers David, you are right of course, as this film cannot be taken now.

[@dinshawmuncherjee5123]

Nostalgic and touching. Wish you could have now added some commentary. enjoyed watching those enthusiasts running about and snapping away with those roll film cameras!

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you for your comment, and you are right about the commentary. It's something I have never got round to doing, but I agree it would enhance the video.

[@sku70]

Magic! Thank you so much for editing it all together (again) Dave, an enormous undertaking! Its part of our history, our heritage, and when you think about it, the country has been in steady industrial decline ever since. Fortunately, this footage has been saved for us 'young un's' see. It must have been a very emotional time for enthusiasts and steam men alike, an important step back, both in time and in progress! Thank you again.

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you Stu for your comment. The project did require a lot of patience and concentration, but the rewards in the end, were very much worth it. It was certainly a sad time looking at all those loco's, knowing they were going to end up as razor blades.

[@johnhercock5727]

Thanks Dave for your time and effort in adding the sound, its really much appreciated and makes the video to come to life and sounds fantastic. It also brings backs some great memories for me from that time!

[@DaveCooper36b]

Oh thank you John, I am so pleased my effort brought back memories for you. This one comment makes all that time doing it worthwhile.

[@BrianSeaman]

What a collection of great memories you have there Dave. It still seems astonishing that the public were permitted to walk amongst operational locomotives without the need for stewards and safety fencing - it must've been great to have had that freedom. Great sound effects too - I've used similar on some of my model films, so I know how long it takes to get as close to matching them up as possible. Sorry to learn that your wife has been so ill - sending my best wishes for a good recovery. Cheers, Brian

[@DaveCooper36b]

Thank you very much Brian for your comment. On this particular day I think they turned a blind eye (as it was the last day of steam). But as you say, certainly would not be allowed today. Many thanks for your good wishes to my wife, I appreciate it.

[@BrianSeaman]

You're very welcome Dave.

[@GRAHAM1514]

You have done a wondeful job Dave on producing your film , really enjoyed it , After reading the comments on here i am Sorry to hear of your problems i hope it all sorts itself out for you wife , Best wishes Graham

[@DaveCooper36b]

Many thanks for the compliment, I am so pleased you enjoyed the show. I would also like to thank you for your good wishes toward my wife, it is appreciated.

[@johnbeck7019]

Great. Video

[@JoshMallard96]

Great video Dave. Some good documentary video about steam trains back in 1968, but very sad still. It makes feel very scared and worried about 1968 with steam locomotives, because all of them were retired back then, and you don’t see them much you know. Sorry Dave I didn’t mean to be awful but you know what I mean. There’s a lot of black fives and Class 8Fs including BR standard class 4 and 5, I think I saw Oliver Cromwell which is number 70013, if I’m right or wrong, but it’s a good looking Steam Locomotive as well. I know end of Steam in 1968 was a long long time ago, but we still see them at heritage Railways or rail tours you know. How are you Dave, I haven’t held from you quite a while, I hope you been okay. It’s my birthday on the 14th February, so I just want to let you know. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend my friend. All the best ... Josh

[@DaveCooper36b]

Hello Josh, nothing you say could offend me my friend, so no apology necessary. Things haven't been too good here I'm afraid, with the wife collapsing two weeks ago, and the hospital finding blood clots in each of her lungs. So I have been "off air" for quite a while. I sincerely hope you have a great Birthday Josh on the 14th., and I send you my best wishes.

[@JoshMallard96]

Thanks Dave, I understand mate, I hope your wife is getting better soon. But at least some steam engines still alive from post 1968 you know. Take care buddy. Yours ... Josh

[@adriankingston4338]

Outstanding!.😃

[@GalgormHall]

Wonderful footage Dave. I sat watching this and wondering when you stood capturing these great beasts moving for the last time did it cross your mind that we all would have such a fondness for them forty years later? If it’s not being too rude, can I ask what age you were when you recordered this too? Paul

[@DaveCooper36b]

When I took this footage, I was just a month short of 23 years old. In answer to your other question, most of us thought this WAS the end of steam. With the exception on Flying Scotsman...."Mallard" and maybe a couple of others....and even then, we didn't expect them to steam on the mainline ever again. Many thanks for your comment.

[@thestarlightalchemist7333]

The good ol' 15 guinea's anniversiary is the day after my B-day?! WOT?!

[@kyriakoshachirokus8982]

In my opinion running costs is what killed steam locomotives. And the labor that got just into starting one up. What a shame 😢

[@allangreenley9901]

Can anyone help where was the film made of all the steam trains awaiting scrapping I suppose .was it York .

[@rsqyoung]

All these locos were not really that old, but run into the ground and were truly fucked with the bare minimum of anything done to them. Probably thats why we loved them so well. If a health an safety expert in 2023/4 inspected these, nothing would have had moved for months, even 2 or 3 years previous! Yet, with some work and a clean, had years of life in them. Locos that looked clean and lasted to the last day, were so fkd they never made it into preservation, one such being 45156 Ayrshire Yeomanry, the last named loco in proper service if you consider Oliver Cromwell was always going to be preserved as it was the last steam loco through Crewe Works, as because Brittania 70000 was thought to be in such poor condition.. Brick Arches colapsed and locos were withdrawn on the spot. Those locos who survived into preservation have since spent more of their life in loving private ownership than that of BR. Maybe, they wern't economic, which I get, but when allowed to be in top form, outperformed most diesels without double heading at that time. Even the preserved Class 17 Clayton diesel is far more reliable and well performing that BR allowed them to be. A telling indictment on Nationalisation. But it was the honest workman that on a day to day basis made them work, and by fuck they did.

[@NoahsTrainProductions]

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