Driving and Firing - The Big Four (Part 2)

[@alexthewoo]

Rip Clive Groome

[@chriswilson2431]

Well, I’ve watched it now and I can honestly say I never tire of listening to Clive and his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the magical machine that is a steam locomotive. Next year, I’ll be paying a visit to the bluebell railway and I hope to bump into Clive. If there’s any more content I’ve not seen involving Clive, I’d dearly love to watch it. What terrific man.

[@MasterMoyle]

The only other stuff iv seen is in the second series of Trainspotting where Mark Collins visits the Bluebell Railway to drive 34023 Blackmoor Vale. However that's not on my channel, this programme is on the YT channel Otilia Roy. Infact here's a link for the episode in question. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip-ufamjqtRkjNU

[@chriswilson2431]

@@MasterMoyle brilliant! Thanks David

[@johnmiller5664]

Such intuitive information and could listen to these stories all day, Such a gentleman of steam.

[@nigelfield2492]

Bloody good show old boy.

[@Thunderer0872]

Clive mentions the single bore tunnel which is 'Linslade tunnel' just north or Leighton Buzzard which was famous for burning crews if they didn't step out of the way or hide in the corners as described. I've heard crews talk about that on cab ride videos before where some older locos with wooden floor boards has to check they were still in situ before stepping back into the cab from their corner before.

[@crewelocoman5b161]

Clive Groome featured prominently on a Channel 4 series of programmes about the history of steam on our railways circa late 1990s...I think? The series was hosted by John Peel and the episode Clive appeared was called "Express!"

[@SuperDALLAMAN]

Watching the "fireman" throwing shovel after shovel in the same place on 6233 it's a wonder they ever got there.

[@chriswilson2431]

Can’t wait to watch this in full. Clive is such an interesting man. I would love to meet him. Thanks David!

[@MasterMoyle]

Part 1 is already up.

[@lukeslocomotives]

Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH2zaqFror-CjbM

[@michaeleades574]

A fantastic video such a gentle man 👍

[@Backwardlooking]

Thank you very much. I’ve been waiting for this as someone who grew up watching these in the 1960’s. Wonderful bloke and fantastic to learn about his conclusions. 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@samuelfarris1949]

Clive Groome is one of those men who picked up his experience from a "what you see is what you get" approach, and provides an honesty underlying what he tells you that I appreciate myself, even outside of my own interest in steam. What he says about different engines from the different companies tells me how I see the philosophies of the Big Four railways in their era: - The Great Western, set right back to founding in 1835, had a long tradition that can be compared to Coca-Cola's example; a certain standard to uphold but one based on very good principles. - The London, Midland & Scottish, especially under ex-GW man Stanier's influence, took the GW's principles and improved on them in their much-needed gain. - The London & North Eastern developed a high reputation simply by relying on the crucial essentials, not doing more than was absolutely necessary to support their credibility. They only took advice from the Great Western in relation to curbing the issues on their own Pacifics. - The Southern was the right-hand one; they focused on what they served, but built up a credible, personally-oriented standard in doing so. The WW2-era Bulleid Pacifics were designed with the best in firing and comfort values in relation to their crews and fitters in mind. Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@MasterMoyle]

Even in the days when standard gauge had long since abolished the broad gauge they still made their locos look victorian with the brass safety valve covers and copper capped chimney's, they even kept making their locos wide as hell and height wise in later years would cause huge trouble, and not because of NR restrictions but because of incidents involving certain engines. Width wise has restricted where they can run on mainline metals too.

[@geraldoram2453]

Fabulous insight into operating steam engines 👍👏

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Nice one David

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

Right there..."run as a service, not just as a way of taking as much cash as possible off people". Sums up modern thinking in a nutshell, and what's missing. Super documentary

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@johnnyjames7139]

I have been firing my 2 1/2" scale live steamer on wood and wondering about using coal. This has been very instructive, thank you!

[@MasterMoyle]

Wood's ok for miniature engines but with full size locos it's a completely different story. Some of the early American steam locos you might see firing wood but with most standard gauge engines in the UK it will likely only ever see them coal fired. Ffestiniog did use oil firing but converted back to coal thanks to costs and it's still more expensive now. Glad to see you enjoyed the video though.

[@railfanmiguel4422]

Nice!

[@CHBTrains]

Very Nice video!

[@VlakynaSlovensku]

Amazing video!!

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I’m gonna catch up with duchess of Sutherland on Oct 30th and November 20th this year

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Interesting.

[@haroldpearson6025]

My father was a driver on the LMS out of Saltley Birmingham. On long runs a decent driver would spell the fireman.

[@paulcasini4759]

Princess Elizabeth was the pride of The LMS She should be in the National Collection

[@MasterMoyle]

That won't happen as the NRM have no need for her because they already have princess coronation 6229 Duchess of Hamilton which is basically a bigger version of the Lizzies but with smoke deflectors. When I went on that "Stratford Flyer" railtour a couple of months ago I spoke to someone who was formerly involved with the group and he confirmed that management of the 6201 society have previously said that they will never sell the engine.

[@paulcasini4759]

@@MasterMoyle You never know as My late farther always said this loco was The pride of The LMS

[@questforalex9539]

does anyone know id hes still around or not?

[@matiasavellanal5244]

yes he still teaches Course Leader: Clive Groome FOOTPLATE DAYS AND WAYS LTD

[@bussesandtrains1218]

​@@matiasavellanal5244 Good on him

[@Richardsrailway]

Clive passed away recently February 2024 after a short illness at aged 93 .