30925 'Cheltenham' - Alresford to Alton from the footplate

Schools Class 'Cheltenham' came to the end of its boiler certificate this year, bowing out in the Autumn. Join us for one of her last runs up the line from Alresford to Alton.
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[@stephensmith799]

Ian Giles is a brilliant instructor: clear, to the point and inspiring of confidence. This loco inspires confidence too. Maunsel’s masterpiece. It has all sorts of valuable details. I especially like the very light fire hole door which opens and closes with very little effort. Hat’s off to crews that handled these at 80mph in filthy weather on heavy trains in the dark through Kent👍 Let’s see this loco back in ticket ASAP Not forgetting that as part of the National Collection, this loco belongs to every UK citizen equally!

[@johnsharp8632]

The Schools class is one of my favourites. They are a handsome design, but in my view they looked even better as originally built without the smoke deflectors. Thanks for a wonderful video, and how nice to see the inside of the cab and how the cab fittings are laid out.

[@T16MGJ]

Good to see. So pleased at least one Schools Class has been preserved. Compact Powerful design specifically for some routes on the Southern Railway. British engineering from a time when it was the best. Thanks for posting, I used to live in Cheltenham. Lots of young lady students cruising by on their bicycles from the local colleges and schools. At the Toddington Preserved railway centre in Gloucestershire and combined MG-40 event back in the summer, many transport enthusiasts like me gathered. A good day was had by all with two interests combined. Railways and cars.

[@matthew0605]

I agree MG ,my favourite southern class , I was born in Gravesend Kent and now I live in Hastings, and these locos worked trains to Ramsgate as well as to Hastings. Very powerful, reliable and a lovely looking loco . Like a personal message from God !!! . Wonderful -bud the painter-

[@dis80786]

Love it, love everything about it both singularly and in total, and may a Schools be seen on Southern rails once again as soon as possible. Don't care if it's Shrewsbury or Cheltenham, just get it done!

[@timbatty7963]

Thanks for this - especially loved the view of the inside cylinder in motion!

[@steamsearcher]

Superb and yes we have visited many many times. We now have 2 in OO gauge for an eventual layout. My main interest is in live steam models and in Southern have just got in 3 1/2 inch gauge an S15. Almost built with a tested boiler. Yes another lovely locomotive on the railway we have watched and encouraged back to life over the past 10 years. David and Lily Reading.

[@markknowles6374]

An excellent film and so informative, thank you.

[@the231Pacific]

Great video -- many thanks to all concerned. A special thanks for the informative commentary, al last solving my confusion about which end of the firebox is the back end. It's the back in relation to the loco's forward movement, i.e. nearest the fireman.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Great video, very well narrated throughout. Enjoyed the view of the underside of the engine when in motion. Good luck from Spain!!

[@marctremblay8087]

Ive recentley got this train as an old Airfix kit for a diorama, Your video has certainly helped me undertsand the workings and process that goes into this type of Locomotive , Excellent video and well imformative .many thanks.

[@steveevans6241]

Great teamwork from Ian & Martin on another superb ride with Cheltenham - will be much missed!

[@kenalexander8714]

Excellent video and good to see what is involved in this journey.

[@mattseymour8637]

A good video and narration of what is happening along the journey and things explained well and in an easy to understand way.

[@geralldus]

Great stuff, well done!!

[@richardbaldwin9502]

Cracking video.Watercress line definitely one of my favourite lines.

[@bigricci777]

I love watching you guys!

[@ThatScottishAtlantic57]

Wonderful Flim Lads, keep it up 👍

[@martinorford58]

Oh I don’t know! We had a cracking time that day and I didn’t need to put too many on to get us up the hill. It was a nice easy day with good company and Cheltenham in fine form.

[@Mounhas]

The Schools class, my favorite!

[@chrisbentley6015]

Enjoyed the video. Very informative. Subscribed.

[@raphaelwhittle9606]

Getting that teabag into the back corner needs practice otherwise fine work.

[@gilesy6468]

That's why I'm a driver now and not a fireman!

[@larryduncan6756]

IN THE PAST I DROVE TO ALTON,VISITED THE MODEL SHOP FIRST THEN HEADED FOR THE STATION....I MISS RIDING THE TRAIN,UP AND DOWN ...SOMETIMES ID DRIVE TO ALRESFORD AND DO REVERSE TRIP-OR TWO! CANT DO IT NOW AS GOV TOOK AWAY FUNDING FOR CAR.......LIFE CAN BE HARSH AT TIMES.....................

[@Bammer2001]

Hmm, maybe if I end up taking a trip to the United Kingdom for once, I would for sure try riding on a train by a steam locomotive. I just wonder where?

[@davidgriffiths6179]

Great film well done ,didn't see much injector action though !

[@MarkInLA]

This really should have had closed captioning..Near impossible, at least for this Yank, to understand the dialog..

[@BPJJohn]

Likewise some Americans I have no idea what they're trying to say ;)

[@The_DuMont_Network]

Sounded clear to me.

[@bluebellrailwayfan]

Will it be a rapid turnaround?? @thewatercressline