The Racing Stretch - Steam Trains at Brock

Steam trains at speed at Brock, between Preston and Lancaster, near Garstang, on the West Coast Mainline, filmed between 2012 and 2019. The majority of these shots have not been uploaded before. Locomotives featured include:
- 46233 Duchess Of Sutherland (LMS Stanier Princess Coronation);
- 6201 Princess Elizabeth (LMS Stanier Princess Royal);
- 46115 Scots Guardsman (LMS Stanier Royal Scot);
- 45699 Galatea (LMS Stanier Jubilee);
- 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier (LMS Stanier Black 5);
- 44871 (LMS Stanier Black 5);
- 45231 The Sherwood Forester (LMS Stanier Black 5);
- 48151 (LMS Stanier 8F).
- 60009 Union Of South Africa (LNER Gresley A4, sister to 4468 Mallard);
- 4464 Bittern (LNER Gresley A4, sister to 4468 Mallard).
The locomotives were hauling a variety of workings including:
- The Fellsman;
- Cumbrian Mountain Express;
- The Cumbrian Ranger;
- Loaded Test Runs;
- One-off excursions.
Brock is located ca. 7 miles north of Preston railway station on the West Coast Mainline. The former station, which was located close to the modern overbridge (and former foot crossing), closed in 1939; water troughs were located to the north of the station in steam days. Originally built as the Lancaster and Preston Joint Railway in 1840, this section of railway was later subsumed by the London and North Western Railway, and continues to form an essential part of the West Coast Mainline. The LMS struggled to find a stretch of railway straight and flat enough to challenge the LNER world speed record, and perhaps this section was amongst the best it had. The stone badger shown at 5:24 is, I believe, the crest of the local Fitzherbert-Brockhole family, set into an overbridge which local gricers refer to colloquially as 'Badger Bridge'.

[@khankadet]

The magic of steam at speed! Aren't we lucky to be able to witnes such sights so long after the dreadful cull? Thanks for sharing David. Take care - Chris

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Chris, we certainly are and there’s nothing quite like seeing a steam train at speed. Hopefully we can enjoy more of it next year! Thanks, David.

[@thomasgray4188]

I have watched this 5 times today and I will not stop until I have watched it 5 more. Train going fast = happiness

[@Linesider1]

Haha thanks Thomas, please feel free to watch it 5 more times after that!

[@updistant]

You're continuing to excell Linesider, wonderful theatre. Memories as a sprog watching these wonderdul machines charging through Warrinton Bank Quay station at close quarters. Heaven.

[@Linesider1]

Very many thanks Rob, much appreciated. You must have some wonderful memories from Warrington Bank Quay, the finest spectacle going!

[@indiansuperheroesofficial1745]

Old is gold

[@Linesider1]

Certainly is in many ways!

[@indiansuperheroesofficial1745]

@@Linesider1 yeah.

[@hurleyfunbags]

Excellent compilation. You can't beat the spectacle of steam loco's at speed.

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Christopher. You certainly can’t, always great to see them really travelling.

[@rjas365]

A much-enjoyed compilation of stunning performances, David. It's easy to see why you like this location! Happy Christmas, Bob

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Bob, much appreciated. Happy new year and all the best!

[@sydshrimp]

Also astonished at the speed of the LMS 8F!

[@TheMendipman]

Fantastic - again! Noel

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Noel, much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it.

[@World.of.railways]

Much steam to see, appreciate to watch! Best Regards Railherbie from Germany

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Railherbie, much appreciated and glad you enjoyed it.

[@riosrivlog]

Very good video

[@Linesider1]

Thanks very much

[@Sudiptasarkar1994]

Treat to watch ❤️

[@Linesider1]

Sudipta sarkar Many thanks Sudipta, glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinleigh1660]

Brilliant, both camera and train crews! I watched the opening clip several times to verify they were accelerating in the high 50's with sand on...

[@Linesider1]

thanks very much for taking the time to comment, Robin and your kind words, much appreciated.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

3:25 look how the farm animals are running away after the train whizzed past it

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Hi very good camera work cracking video well done

[@Linesider1]

Thanks 👍

[@sydshrimp]

Great video! The performances of the Black Fives were remarkable with long trains up to 13 coaches that I counted.

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed it - hard to beat a black five! 45231 worked this stretch in steam days, amazing that it still does.

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

An enviable collection, David. Thanks for that!

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Alan, much appreciated. All fairly recent yet it feels a long time ago in many respects with the year being how it's been, and the Fellsman now starting at Crewe.

[@quintensmodels5966]

THAT 8F IS MOVING! DAMN THEY ARE QUICK THATS ATLEAST 60MPH AND YOU CAN SEE SHE AINT DONE YET 🇬🇧💪😎 she probably tops out at 75mph but then thats her absolute maximum probably

[@kenmcdowell5325]

Bet it was a bit lively on the footplate

[@quintensmodels5966]

@@kenmcdowell5325 yep 🤣 great performance and fast as fck that 8f 👌

[@lynnthrop7544]

Stunning perfection and presentation:-) x

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Lynn, much appreciated.

[@acw71000]

Another fine compilation David, very enjoyable to watch

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Austin, much appreciated. Those long summer evenings seem a long time ago..!

[@984francis]

Magnificent. It is a shame though, that they have to hold back to 75mph.

[@kenmcdowell5325]

@@984francis straining on the leash mate

[@charlie50015]

A beautifully presented video, from a local place to me. Lovely camerawork, incredible trains.

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Charlie, much appreciated. Can’t beat a bit of gricing at Brock!

[@EMuksteam]

Superb compilation David. Great stretch of track there for capturing steam tours at speed. A fantastic sight. Enjoyable watching through out. Kind regards C&A

[@Linesider1]

Thanks very much C&A, I remember crossing the line as a child when there were foot crossings and being amazed at how straight it was for such a long way. Brilliant that steam came back in 1995, a slice of the past.

[@mr.cheesepocketedition]

The dislike is from diesel, his still mad about the time gordon wants him to move out from his way

[@charlie8970]

Awesome

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks Charlie, glad you enjoyed it.

[@winterknight4176]

Wasn't there a set of water troughs near there, back in the days of steam.

[@Linesider1]

Yes that's right, oh for a time machine :)

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

0:50 and nowadays the level crossing here at brock is long gone

[@Linesider1]

Gone forever. They will probably decide that the pallisade fencing isn't sufficient in future and that the whole railway needs to go in a tube...!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Linesider1 yeah

[@MrThrash37]

Couldn’t put it more right on the racing stretch title all storming!

[@Linesider1]

Many thanks, certainly a great place to see them up their maximum permitted speeds!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

This is where brock crossing used to be on this stretch here 0:26 along with the station

[@Linesider1]

That's right Scott, used to get a buzz seeing modern traction fly through there!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Linesider1 yeah David

[@Volcano-Man]

Used to stand there watching the trains from 'London,' heading to 'Scotland,' Which leads me to my question: You show trains as e.g., Carlisle to Carnforth; but both are north of Brock, and Carnforth is closest. Could you clarify for me.

[@Linesider1]

Some itineraries, e.g the former Fellsman tours, travelled south from Carlisle to Hellifield and Blackburn before returning north to Carnforth.

[@Volcano-Man]

@@Linesider1 Thanks for clarifying that.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

0:33 rewind to 2013 and there was brock crossing

[@Linesider1]

It was great when the car dealership didn't exist and the old lane leading to the crossing could be parked on. Must have been a brilliant spot in steam days, can't be too many who remember the old station (closed in 1939) very well now sadly.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@Linesider1 yeah