Trains in Trouble 3

SR Merchant Navy class 35018 British India Line slipped to a stand on frosty rails early morning on a Lune Rivers Trust special in the cutting near Borwick old Station and is seen from Starrick's Farm restarting a heavy train with fantastic driving skills from Chris Cubbit on the regulator and also hard work from the onboard crew .

[@stephenmiller5004]

The birdsong and cows in the background is very special to English country life, and worth everything to me as are the steam trains ...fantastic film

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Stephen, really appreciate the response and your so right about the countryside sounds 👍

[@jorodo299]

Mostly Robins from what I could hear. Lovely birdsong.

[@daviddunsmore103]

@@jorodo299 I could pick out ring necked pheasants in the chatter, among the many other wonderful creatures. 😀

[@bigcasey4143]

When I started my train driving career as a young secondman at Eastleigh way back in 1978, the old boys used to constantly reminice in the messroom about the "old steam days" which ended on the old "southern" in 1967... many of these old boys, who are now long gone, drove Merchant Navys & West Country/Battle of Britain locomotives... they used to curse them as they were always prone to slipping, often to a stand, as in this video. Restarting from rest wasn't always guaranteed... Nothing seems to have changed over the years... The good old days??? Now 3 years retired... nice video though... and good skill... Take it from me... train driving is still a highly skilled job... I won't be reminicing over any of the many & varied types of EMU, DMU or locomotives I drove during my nearly 41 years... doing so, would probably induce sleep...

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Casey , had a chat with an ex British Rail driver who had gone back to work once the preservation scene took off and what a gent with fantastic stories to tell 👍

[@JANGLEPOP1]

A video equivalent of a Peter Handford sound recording...that good! Superb catch, Thank You for posting this gem.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and the conditions were perfect for the sound 👍🎥

[@jeanhutchinson6198]

Love the stack talk and the early morning birds. Cool video!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jean, pleased you enjoyed it 👍

[@neilbolger2679]

Great morning catch . Can't beat a bit of vintage on an early morning with amazing sounds. Keep up the good work

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Neil , much appreciated 👍

[@struck2soon]

There can’t be many active enginemen left with as much steam experience as Chris Cubitt!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andrew , not many other’s but Ron Smith and Mick Rawlings are long term drivers.

[@Jules8463]

Excellent capture on video. Thank you for sharing

[@alsmith5604]

A notoriously light footed loco, on a steep grade, with a decent weight of train and in the frost...a great piece of enginemanship under difficult conditions... and excellently captured! :)

[@ianwebb7488]

That was summer, everything is green, and the birds are singing, so how could it have been frost affecting the loco.

[@alsmith5604]

@@ianwebb7488 Read the description!

[@olly5764]

@@ianwebb7488 definately a cold morning the way the exhaust is hanging around

[@TheStephengthompson]

It was -3 on a Saturday morning around 7am at the end of September Ian with most of the frost on the ground in the shaded areas.

[@04clemea]

Notoriously light footed? Only a reputation gained from people just saying it. It's was a really heavy on horrendous railhead conditions, any other Pacific would have got into the same trouble. Soon has it found dry rail, it was away.

[@philipizzard2584]

Love the robin singing but amazing driving skills by Chris thanks

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Philip , it was a superb display from Mr Cubbit as I thought at first it would be there for a while.

[@davidtillson729]

Fantastic video. Even the cows seem to be joining in🐂

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, the cows certainly added the sounds 😂👍

[@MySteamChannel]

Lovely sound...great job to all concerned!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and my external mic picked up everything that morning with it being still .

[@acw71000]

Only just spotted this one Steve, you definitely picked the right spot that day to capture the slips. What a great job from the driver

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, yes I certainly did as it was different again near Clapham weather wise oddly .

[@jimbegin6554]

Success from near failure! Although you know the outcome, you still wonder? Hope there was no serious wear and tear to the engine? Loved the sound of the cheery bird song and hissing & slips from the engine. Thanks Steve HNY.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jim , I know what you mean as that morning I did think oh dear this isn’t going to end well.

[@stephenbrass1808]

Remember that one well Steve, think you got ahead of it a few times, was it the day i saw you nr clapham where we filmed it, very good, 'happy new year' . 🚂👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Steve, it was indeed the day I saw you near Clapham and I could’ve got it again coming into Low Bentham but changed my mind 🤷

[@nige7577]

Spot on Steve, hard work but she got there in the end, cheers 👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nige , it was another of those right place mornings 👍🎥

[@howardjones6752]

I’d almost forgotten what a real train sounds like, thanks for the reminder

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Howard , pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@itiswhatitis4846]

Trains would mean plural.. I seen one after almost 10 minutes.. almost 10 minutes of my life just… GONE!! Looked like it was doing the job it was intended to do! The only good thing about this video was after ten minutes we FINALLY got to see an old steamer!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the comment Scot , sorry you thought it overly long but i think if I’d have chopped the video somewhat the story of what happened that day would not be the same. Regards Steve

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Steve, Very good capture ,Remember first time ,All the best for 2022...Dave

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Dave , all the best for 2022 👍

[@locomotive6727]

@@TheStephengthompson Hi Steve,Yes and same to you ,,Cheers....Dave 😷

[@rjas365]

A classic capture of a masterclass in driving, thanks Steve, much enjoyed. Kind regards and Happy New Year, Bob

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bob , at the time I thought this could be a long time to get moving again but a superb job from the crew 👍

[@jameslaurencesmith7537]

if there "masaterclass drivers " they shouldnt have ground to a halt ...

[@TheStephengthompson]

Even the best driver would struggle with railhead conditions beyond there control 🤷

[@adriankingston4338]

What a stunning vidio !

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Adrian 👍

[@alantoms3263]

Excellent driving as you say! Loved the bit ~7 minutes into the video where the cows started complaining about the noise and smoke!! Nice control, and thanks for sharing. Where's that diesel banker when you need it, 'though in fairness it wasn't needed. Al.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan, the animals did there part in the soundtrack I must admit 😂The t RTT oafs around where she slipped were very icy so pretty understandable the rails were also.

[@conceyullena]

Like 10 beautiful video, greetings 🚂👍🎅

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@tattoo1084]

She may have struggled, but got some good exhaust and sound. Cheers.👌

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, it was very still and clear skies but nearer Hellifield it was totally different.

[@lynnthrop7544]

Excellent recovery 👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Lynn, it certainly was 👍

[@darylcheshire1618]

I recall a rainy day on the Timboon line where a Y class diesel had a problem with it’s sanding gear up an incline. It would lurch and stop, I think someone helped by shovelling ballast on the track.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Daryl , a similar thing happened years back where the support crew had to hand sand the line to help restart the engine.

[@johnking1381]

Don't the Bullied Pacific's have valve gear running in an oil bath, which is to say at best, incontinent, adding to the likelihood of slippage? Excellent video, sounds amazing 👌

[@pencarrow-7mmogaugecornish510]

The oil bath was removed on locos rebuilt by BR and replaced with conventional valvegear. No oil bath on this rebuilt Merchant Navy.

[@johnking1381]

@@pencarrow-7mmogaugecornish510 thankyou

[@floodedcar123]

Nice you caught this one

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and I was in the right place for once .

[@philipashbourn1538]

The lightweight Bulleid Pacifics always had the reputation of being prone to slipping . Even the best drivers found them a problem when conditions were not ideal. But they were able to use secondary lines where heavier locomotives would have been banned.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Philip, wasn’t sure about the Merchant at first being an LMS man but she has put in some blistering shows 👍

[@chuxtuff]

Need some good ol "Distributed Power" (as we call it in America) bringing up the rear by pushing a bit!! Might look funny on a passenger train though...

[@vernonmatthews181]

Distributed Power Units ( DPU ) is also used in the Pilbara Iron Ore Railroads of Western Australia, but not New Zealand ( my native country ), loved the English Countryside and usual farm sounds. Not been in UK for 27 years which was better than my parents. Love the scenery, thanks for sharing. Happy 2022 from New Zealand. A similar train exists in North Island, New Zealand I think between Pukekohe & Waiuku ( same size as pictured UK ). A scaled version for kids & parents exists in North Islands ( NZ ) Thames area which I believe is called the Driving Creek Railway, which was NZ gold rush area. Watch for associated museum for gold extraction. A great spot to visit next time in New Zealand. 😁👌👍😄

[@ciscotheinkboi]

8:54 You know this engine was so happy conquering that hill when he did that fast Casey Jr chug

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@martinpook5707]

Memories of the 'Bounemouth Belle', a Merchant Navy with 12 or 13 Pullmans, leaving at 4.25 (I think) on a wet afternoon, and the whole of the area between the station and the 'tunnel' filing with smoke and steam as the locomotive lost traction. The next thing you saw was the end of the train disappearing. I often see videos of steam engines on specials having problems, but I wonder how often this took place in the 'old' days.

[@lesigh1749]

I think practice makes perfect with this. We have people who occasionally drive steam locos now, where back in the day they did it every day for decades so likely were a lot more skilled in squeezing out the most from their machines without wheel slip or grinding to a halt.

[@smokeless7774]

My favourite spot. Looking through the railings between Kennedys and the Post Office sorting office!!

[@TrainDriverM]

Very nice video 🙂

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@SimonTog]

Interesseting video Steve

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon, a right place moment that morning 👍

[@RTWest-kn5fr]

Okay, I'm gonna be the first to admit that I don't know much about steam train operations. And, I'm using Spanish almost all of the time now and everyday. I may also be a little lacking on past and current Lancashire, England or UK history in general... but I was thinking at the opening that the train's delay might be a good time to come out of hiding in the forest, steal some of Starrick Farm wealthy landowner's domestic stock, maybe rob the rich train passengers, y por supuesto (whoops! ... and of course) ... give back to the poor. Is that anything close to what you had in mind? Gracias por tu video... ¡excelente! RT West sends... envía, Colonia Centro HIstórico, Puebla, México...

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind words and I like your thinking 👍

[@stevengroberts8565]

The trouble with England is trying to find someone that speaks English, Pizza delivery man foreign, local shop all foreign, Barber shop all foreign, Taxis all foreign, My local MP foreign, my neighbours foreign and no English whatsoever. Yes this film is lovely and makes me ache for the days that here in Hampshire when we could actually communicate in English.

[@nigelduckworth406]

Brilliant recovery on such a steep gradient after slipping to a standstill with 12 on. But as we have often seen, some top link express locos were just not built for climbing. The Bulleid pacifics and A4s were two which stand out. The WCs and BofBs were limited to only 8 coaches unassisted on the S&D climb up the 1 in 50 of the Mendips, same as the much lower powered Black 5s, but the Black 5s were better. And we can see why. Bittern stalled on the bank from Paignton to Kingswear and had to be bailed out. No recovery in that case.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nigel, this was the second time 35018 had trouble on this line as the year before it struggled to restart the heavy load away from High Bentham station but it was on a tight uphill curve.

[@thomasstambaugh5181]

Great clip, great catch. Do you know what caused the loud noise starting at 0:30, and going until 1:16? Was that the pop valves letting go? I wondered if a disaster had happened.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Thomas, it was the safety valves opening to let the excess steam out. Regards Steve

[@spitfirenutspitfirenut4835]

A nice big Canadian Royal Hudson would hardly feel that load..

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

A sight to remember!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan, right place right time moment 👍

[@MagnetOnlyMotors]

Wonder if they included wheel slip into the time scheduling ?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Doubt it as I caught her up due to more slips nearer Hellifield 😂

[@nigelfarley814]

I know I’ve seen film of locos spinning their wheel leaving mainline stations but was this such a problem in the days of steam? Is it just that drivers these lack the experience.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Nigel, pretty sure it happened back in the past but I don’t think a Bullied ever ran from Carnforth to Hellifield via this line but this day on a tight uphill right hand bend with a heavy load and frosty rails in the cutting ultimately caused the problem but fair play to the driver to get the train moving again.

[@MrDibbsey]

It's not a lack of experience, more a case of local conditions proving too much, as can be seen the train made it eventually, which took a great deal of skill in and of itself. It can be safely said there are few mainline steam drivers with more experience than Mr Cubitt.

[@tonithomas393]

I think I can, I think I can!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Toni , got there in the end.

[@gavanwhatever8196]

1:10 Sounds like the bird is mimicking the engine. Has to be some weird acoustic effect though.

[@daviddunsmore103]

That's the call of ring necked pheasant, which I recognize because we have them living here in my neighborhood in Canada as well. 😉🇨🇦

[@tbearrails9983]

A real life example of having a Bachman steam locomotive.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and I do like the details on he Bachman locos 👍

[@tbearrails9983]

@@TheStephengthompson Was referring to Bachman's lack of tractive effort

[@TheStephengthompson]

Sorry yes I did know what you meant just didn’t come across that way 🤔👍

[@bruceanderton1518]

I almost lost the will to live when watching this, until I found the "fast forward" button.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Bruce, at least you gave me a view even with the fast forward so thanks again. Regards Steve

[@Michael-zf8up]

I think they did very well because I think it was been raining so it’s been very slippery

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Michael, it did look like it’d rained as the roads were pretty slippery that morning.

[@tuc-dh4df]

Ah, its the Slipper class

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Kevin 👍😂

[@ciscotheinkboi]

Gordon's hill in real life!!

[@TheStephengthompson]

👍

[@Willysmb44]

Sounds like the locomotive valves are slightly out of time as well...

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Willy , possible that they were that day.

[@welshpete12]

I bet there were a few rail burns !

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Pete , probably were 😂

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

& this is why they usually have a diesel loco on the rear.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment but it was September so normally an easy run at that time of year just unusual weather conditions did make life difficult 😞

[@NorthTH-trains]

Sometime to trouble

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@collinblack_60103-]

As usual west coast loading steam locomotives one past maximum load. And I wonder if she has 6ft driver's now instead of 6ft2in.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Collin , surprised they used 35018 as Guardsman would’ve been better.

[@04clemea]

It has 6'2". I don't think the Scot would've faired much better in the conditions, and it's got 6'9" wheels.

[@simonbeckett690]

These rail tour companies should be made to foot the bill for any & all repairs that have to be carried out after trying to kill the engine by sticking a 'rake of 11' + the service coach on a 76yo engine!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon, to be fair it has been rebuilt in the last few years and is probably better than it was back in the day 🤔Pretty sure the crew wouldn’t have jeopardised the engine or track .

[@nedmerrill5705]

Tractive effort.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Is she rated for twelve fully loaded coaches?

[@TheStephengthompson]

I’d say Graham as she’s been over Shap and the S&C with 13 or more 👍

[@mumumaaaah]

What gives it that triple puffing sound

[@TheStephengthompson]

That’s the sound of the wheels spinning on the frosty rails Eddie possibly but mainly it’s because it’s a three cylinder engine as Collin mentions .

[@collinblack_60103-]

Maybe because it's a three cylinder steam locomotive.

[@andys2588]

Looks like the brakes are stuck on 😧

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andy , don’t think they were but you could be right 🤷

[@jimclarke1108]

Might need a new catalytic converter, or an O2 sensor🛠

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Jim , possibly both 😂

[@dennisleslie8962]

Stephen, shouldn"t that be "steam locomotives in trouble" ? You do know the difference between a "train" and a locomotive, I expect.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Dennis, fair comment actually as your spot on so will think better next time.

[@suevosloo2008]

should put sand on the rails like they do in america when the wheels slip or get everyone out and tell them to push lol

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Obiwan , 35018 actually has gravity fed sanders that give sand directly onto the rail head but I think they were nearly empty. The support crew would have had to hand sand the rails if the worst scenario had happened like Mr Cubbit not being able to get the engine moving. Regards Steve

[@karenblackadder1183]

I know exactly how she feels! Old and stiff. She'll get where she's going, but she'll do it in her own time.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Karen, that’s very true 😂😂

[@andywomack3414]

And here I thought that the reason British locomotives did not have cow catchers was because there were no cows in England! Hell, I'm shocked that Britain has countryside!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Andy , plenty of cows etc where I live 👍😂

[@microbusss]

well this be why NA use sandboxes on trains

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and the sand boxes were in use that morning just sad they ran out of sand hence they were refilled at the next stop.

[@Smokealarm]

you could have gone and given it a push

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Martin, think I could’ve 😂😂

[@Smokealarm]

@@TheStephengthompson you could have tried..haha..great video btw. Right place right time

[@x91w]

08:40 Locomotive appears

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Gerald, it’s a long video yes but I maybe could’ve made it shorter 🤔

[@x91w]

@@TheStephengthompson Sped the train up until the interesting part

[@robinfryer479]

The crew managed very well. Especially when you consider that they certainly don’t have the practice that her original crews did, in SR & BR days. Bulleid’s beautiful locomotives were wrecked by the LMS, posing as BR. And apart from an over-population of a moderately successful class 5, which was revamped into a class 73, they never made a decent express engine of their own. Their Pacifics were overweight GWR Kings. Although less powerful, I’d say a Castle was probably a better locomotive than a King. Gresley and OVSB designed far superior locomotives. BR’s best effort was probably the 9F…!!!

[@nigelmitchell351]

What absolute bollocks!

[@Rosie6857]

@@nigelmitchell351 My sentiments also. Bullied's locos were rebuilt because they were very inefficient. They would certainly do the business if you absolutely hurled coal at them but BR were running a railway, not playing trains. They were also very heavy on maintenance. Their reversers were a joke and on test could not be held in one position - they drifted all over the place. Tangmere (34067) stalled on Hemerdon not because of slipping or shortage of steam but because the steam driven reverser simply would not go into a longer cutoff, like a car driver unable to engage a lower gear on a steep hill. Ridiculous! Bullied was a self-indulgent show-off. As for no decent BR express locos I think the known performance of the Britannias puts the lid on that nonsense.

[@nigelmitchell351]

@@Rosie6857 I largely agree Rosie, strange why such a well maintained loco like Tangmere should suffer this ailment though.? Bullied wasn't the first to use steam reverers, they were widely used on American locomotives. However there can be no doubting Mr Bullied's modern boilers could really perform, read the performance figures whilst on test at Rugby, my home town incidentally. I have have had some very interesting conversations with drivers and firemen who worked in the test house. As for the Coronation Pacific's being copies of over weight GWR kings, well I refer you to my previous comment.! 😁 PS I read that BR checked the weight of a King and found them nearer 25 tons on the drivers, no wonder they didn't slip too often. The Brits were fine locos I think almost straight off the drawing board, if only it could have been the same for the Duke. I'm not partisan about any companies locos, I love them all really, just some a bit more than others...... Happy new year.!

[@Rosie6857]

@@nigelmitchell351 The Kings were significantly overweight and so were the Castles incidentally but I think the reason they were pretty slip-free was because they were 4-6-0's, not 4-6-2's. Pacifics are inherently slippy beasts, all of them. Maybe we should have had 2-8-2's but it is difficult to design a pony truck suitable for high speeds. Or even 4-8-0's à la French 240P, a monster performer. Incidentally, there is a loco on the Bluebell Line with a steam reverser, the C class 0-6-0 no. 592. Seems a bit of an unnecessary refinement for such a small loco but it works well. It's a different design from Bulleid's gear. I've seen it work from the footplate. ­

[@petergaskin1811]

I think from the video, one can see why we have gone to electric traction for Locomotives. They are more powerful, efficient, less polluting and don't normally slip. Much as I love the steam locomotives of my native Southern Railway/Region, It is long past time when the few remaining steam locomotives should be tucked up in a nice cosy Museum. Nostalgia is a terrible way to run any railway.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Peter , a lot of people do like to travel behind the locos from days gone bye still so could be around a bit longer yet .

[@HAZYFALKIRK]

all that steam at the drive wheels

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@elainelethborg2550]

Three things can cause havoc with a steam loco. Bad coal. Bad water. Bad fuel in the firebox. The 1st one in this clip looks like she's afflicted with all three!!!!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Elaine, the main problem was big wheels on very frosty rails I’d say.

[@naajohnnorthcott8267]

Faulty sanding gear is another possibility.

[@TheStephengthompson]

I believe they had to refill the sand boxes at Hellifield as they were nearly empty .

[@matthewpayne42]

A lovely calm summers evening, the birds singing away, and that polluting smoke bellowing piece of useless junk ruined it all.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Matthew , it was early morning but you can’t please everyone obviously 🙄

[@philgeorge1003]

Shitty cameraship.

[@TheStephengthompson]

😂😂I’m laughing because you gave me a view 👍