Trains on the Lickey Incline 2010-2021- the MOST CHALLENGING GRADIENT on the UK Mainline

Steam locomotives on the Lickey Bank are infrequent these days but this video features a few from the years 2010 to 2021. Also features some classic diesel traction.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

the sight, the sound and the struggle to reach the top then the excitement of whistle sound as they succeed... awsome, magical video. Born 1937, I'm a kid again. thank you

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Well said and I am thrilled and humbled by your reaction and comment. Regards, John

[@kenstevens5065]

First clip, what a footplate crew on 6201, boiler pressure on the red line, no blow off, no black smoke, just listen to the exhaust beat, fantastic and I'm usually a Gresley man! Any need for "Titch'', at the back but why not, she' s putting in a Stirling performance. Only thing missing, best coal from the Barnsley seam. Such sights and sounds would bring a tear to a glass eye.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

A very interesting comment and thanks for watching. Regards, John

[@joshjones3408]

Holy crap 2 little chunguses 😮there must be something in the water.. 😆

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for your great comment. Regards, John

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

Very good. The traditional Pannier on the rear of the first was the making of it!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Alan, Yes the Panniers were very much part of the Bank in the later years of steam traction. Regards, John

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

Panniers were 1 unit of banking, 9Fs were 2, but look at the smoke from the pannier. Black smoke indicating unburned coal. Probably overstoking and a terrible local environmental pollution hazard. Just one example of why steam locomotives were cut up for scrap in the 1960s.

[@sydmichel]

that 57 was just showing off. Damn body snatcher.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@stuarthart3370]

Many thanks to John, I didn't realise that the line had been electrified. I used to love travelling the line to Gloucester in the 50s.. It was the noise and it still is.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

You're very welcome and good to see someone else like me who refers to the good old days. Regards, John

[@MichaelHenderson1948]

Thanks for that wonderful video. In the 1960s I lived between Redditch and Bromsgrove and often watched the trains there. Happy memories !

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Michael, A great place to live in the 1960s with lots of steam and diesel activities on the Bank. Regards, John

[@imbethondion4572]

Shows what an absolute beast the Deltics were, storming up the bank like that with no assistance.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

They sure have a lot of power. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@davidoswald9253]

What a fabulous compilation. I have to say the steam boys have it for such a level of skill to get up that bank rather than one or two power handles!!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Many thanks for your kind review. In steam days the bank must have been a formidable challenge to the crews with below par locomotives. Regards, John

[@joshjones3408]

Chungus an little chungus now isent that just the cutest thang i ever did saw.👍👍👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Another wonderful comment. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

10 years ago in 2012 was the busy month we saw Lizzie being pushed up the hill by not one but two panniers and the entire audiences were out there to see it

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

It was certainly busy. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 yeah

[@robmasterman]

That's the BEST compilation of trains on the Lickey I've ever seen John...that was a Masterpiece...Thanks for sharing that...Best wishes...Bob.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Hello Bob, High praise indeed and many thanks for your kind words. Regards, John

[@keithdawson4804]

07:30 that noise could only be a Deltic.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

In my opinion Westerns & Deltics produced the best sounds. Thanks for watching and for your comment. I look forward to sharing more videos in 2024. Regards, John

[@danielsellers8707]

I went to Bromsgrove for the Avoncroft living history festival last month; first journey on this line and could also be my last on a 323 before the 730s take over. Didn't need banking up from Bromsgrove like the old trains!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Yes the Electric Units have a greater power to weight ratio. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

They’re sending duke of Gloucester to work with vintage trains and hopefully this year we will see her come up the hill just like it did in 2010

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Scott, There was too much assistance from the 66 so hopefully if there is a next time we will see what the Duke is made of. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 yeah

[@donniblanco5239]

Gr8 Shots - tho I have to say they’re the Coolest cows I’ve ever seen - Didn’t Flinch 😄🙏🏻✨

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

That's moosic to my ears and thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@nige7577]

Another excellent compilation John, you caught some cracking action on the incline, regards nige👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Nige, Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching. Regards, John

[@AndreA-ke2id]

You can't beat the sound of the English Electric product in locations like that.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

You're right. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@kenstevens5065]

I'm lucky to be ancient and still alive in a way because I travelled many times on the ECML in the early sixties behind EE's finest in Mk1 stock, much better than cattle class today. Memories of halcyon days, cold war and slum housing excepted. Over the ton through the Vale of York was common until management put their foot down. So many were against privatisation but the filthy condition of the locos under BR back then was a disgrace and sad, not all BR's fault I may add. And who chose that horrible corporate BR blue for the "modernisation?"

[@staffordian]

A great compilation John. Some superb sights and sounds! Cheers, Rob

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Rob, Thanks for comment and glad you enjoyed. Regards, John

[@SimonTog]

A wonderful video, and super sound :)

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Regards, John

[@karenfan010]

fun fact this hill is the inspiration for gordon’s hill in thomas and freinds

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

A fascinating comment. Regards, The Fat Controller 😎

[@gordonjohnson8432]

the Pannier Tank....one of the greatest....first train i ever went on....1960.....Crewe to Ironbridge...via Market Drayton!!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Certainly a happy memory and thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@acw71000]

A great compilation John with many fine shots. I remember reading about the Lickey as a young enthusiast but never dreamed I'd ever get the chance to film there so when I did it was just wonderful

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks Austin and my only regret is not videoing at the location just after the summit which has now been consumed by houses. Regards, John

[@nickkaye176]

You could certainly hear the deltic coming up the bank

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

And what a great sound they make. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@rich_rich90]

04:49 Those little Panniers were going for it! :D

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Yes they were always entertaining to watch. Regards, John

[@swearingkevo]

Great vid,

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Kev, Thanks and your comment is much appreciated. Regards, John

[@user-yr9xq4dc2o]

great video joaquim antunes são paulo brasil

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I was at Vigo bridge in 2017 too and I caught d9009 climbing up the hill without any help of assistance

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Scott, It was certainly a fine sight and sound. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 yeah

[@steventhornton4716]

Anyone else see the smoke coming from the traction motors on the 66?

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steven, Very observant indeed and thanks for sharing your insight. Regards, John

[@irenespoor]

Wonderfull 😊

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

I appreciate your comment. Regards, John

[@7822welshsteam]

Awesome!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

A wonderful comment and thank you so much. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

12:00 this is also the first steamers to pass my area in 5 years the last being 45407 and 44871

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for comment Scott. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 anytime John

[@RedArrow73]

So was Napier England's analogue to Detroit Diesel (Leading US maker of 2-cycle diesels)?

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Whatever the reason they make a mighty fine sound. Regards, John

[@7822welshsteam]

What is the name of the road by this location? I want to see the castkes there on the 18th of March and I don't want to miss them.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Hi William, There are two locations in the video. The main one is at Vigo on the B4096. The other one is at Pikes Pool Lane. You are best looking on Google Earth and search for Vigo, Bromsgrove. Please note that as with the last Castle event the area gets rather crowded. Regards, John

[@7822welshsteam]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 Thanks for the info.

[@dieseldave3879]

1:55 Shed power saves the day! 🚂👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

You're right and thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@EpicThe112]

For the class 20 what could have been done was get a class 37 behind it that way the driver can control both using Blue Star Mu system. Blue Star Mu locomotives are 73 under diesel mode 33 non Sr mu system 37 20 31 45 & 40 locomotives.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for your most informative comment. Regards, John

[@ronaldhaynes4042]

By that takes me back we would use a 8f on the banking.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Always pleasing to hear about people's memories. Regards, John

[@adrianwright8685]

Odd that these powerful monsters should have such difficulty on a gradient which a cyclist would hardly notice.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

To act as a good comparison add a few ton behind the cyclists bike and then compare 😓 Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@keitheglon]

Like to see you try, pulling a heavy load of steel coil wagons on wet slippy rails. See who's fit then 😅😅😂

[@gojirawilson3611]

Thomas Pushing Gordon Up the Hill

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Yes and thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@spankflaps1365]

Big shout out for the uphill chuff lovers!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for your comment and for watching. Regards, John

[@iainhardie3543]

Number 9 battered that climb, just like 22 did back in BR days. Proof Deltics are the ultimate hill climbers

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Well there's plenty of power available that's for sure. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John

[@RedArrow73]

I forget, 1 in ___?

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

37. Regards, John

[@loco42041]

One in 37 and a quarter just under two and a quarter miles.

[@animaltvi9515]

Thats an bit of a slope isn't it.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

It's the steepest gradient on the UK mainlines being 1 in 37 for two miles. Regards, John

[@silverfreddy7705]

That does not look very steep to me

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

You have to be there to see how steep it is. The 1 in 37 gradient for 2 miles is the steepest on UK rail network. Thanks for your comment. Have you seen my latest video which features the Lickey incline. Regards, John

[@davidoswald9253]

you need to gain access to the top of the hill as I did 50 plus years ago to appreciate the struggle that some of these trains had. Its an awesome view down the bank>

[@martincahn6746]

It is indeed steep, I went train spotting there as a child. Engines descending would often produce large flames at the bottom from their braking. But never saw a Castle or Princess climb it then. It is impressive that the steam trains could now do it without bankers. They never, ever did that in the early '60s.

[@That_little_steamer]

They really need big Bertha back however her time is done

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. It's a pity that preservation was not common place in 1956. Regards, John