Watch the Merchant Venturer and the Birmingham & Shrewsbury Christmas Express pass. Did they really?

[@chriswilson2431]

Superb video. The first shot of the castle approaching with that fantastic exhaust beat and the roar of the blower as she passed. I bet that was magical to hear it with your own ears. Happy new year and here’s to another year of your brilliant filming.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Chris, These are very kind words and are much appreciated. Happy New Year to you and I look forward the opportunity of producing more videos in 2022. Regards, John

[@karlreading3201]

Great video John, that train hammered through Hatton - also +10 points for not instantly having an asthma attack at 05:12 mark!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Karl, Somewhat of a masquerade here but digital manipulation is fair game and my son did a sterling job with that stills image.

[@stephenbrass1808]

Superb video John, best thumbnail ever, so nearly got the pair meeting, perfect weather for filming, Steve .👌

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steve, Yes my son did a superb job with that still and oh so close. Regards, John

[@SYKAROST]

Your turn to chase this week and very nicely done John/Andrew. I did see that the actual pass was at Banbury but a very near miss indeed. Lovely to see 44871 through our patch especially in New St, a lot of memories there for me, Regards, Brian, PS, apologies John, in my confusion I was thinking of the return despite the light and the fact you were in New St later,,,,,,,, Another Duh moment!!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Brian, Yes I was dropped off at Hatton whilst Andrew had all the excitement at Kings Sutton. I was disappointed that my two clips were slightly out of focus and have reset the camera which appeared to have improved the focus. Whilst I expected to be bowled at BNS I was not expecting an 8 car car unit. Suddenly there was an awful lot of people on a small platform area but I managed to get the pound seat. Regards, John

[@nige7577]

Excellent footage John and a superb bit of trickery showing what might have been, well done, regards nige👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Nige, I know that the use of Photoshop is not to everyone's liking but my son produced an amazing image. Thanks for your comment. Regards, John

[@robmasterman]

Absolutely outstanding John, the superb combination of both clips at Kings Sutton was extremely well done....an image to treasure for sure....Regards...Bob

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Bob, Whilst I was at Hatton Andrew had all the excitement at King Sutton and produced that amazing stills image. Regards, John

[@sirjohng1]

The scene with church spire could well have been in the 1950's. Great filming and what luck to find no people in the way😉👍🏻

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Yes my son, Andrew, was at Kings Sutton and captured a very nice scene and with the use of Photoshop created the passing shot which actually happened about half a mile away. Thanks for watching and your kind comment. Regards, John

[@staffordian]

Great video John, and so close to capturing the money shot! Cheers, Rob

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Rob, Yes the video at Kings Sutton was continuous with no breaks but of course the image was produced with the use of Photoshop. A great effort by my son, Andrew. Regards, John

[@swearingkevo]

Nice vid. I was in the field at kings Sutton

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Kev, Thanks for your comment and I will take a look at your video. Regards, John

[@TheStephengthompson]

Superb John , cracking sound from Clun in the 1st shot and although you were unlucky to get the pass the editing looked good from the still clip 👍

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steve, Just a little bit disappointed about the Hatton images being slightly out of focus and in stark contrast to the going way shot at Hatton where I used my iPhone. My son, Andrew, produced that amazing still image. Regards, John

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Brilliant coverage of both trips. Love the shots at kings Sutton.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Luke, The praise is all for Andrew who was my cameraman at KS. Regards, John

[@SimonTog]

Very nice John, thumbs up :)

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Your comment is most welcome and appreciated. Regards, John

[@sirhcsteam]

Excellent capture I was at Leamington station to see both Regards Chris

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks Chris and I will take a look at your video. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

6:45 that brings back memories of steam pulling out of new street of the 1950s

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Scott, Such is my age that I actually saw this for real in the 1950s.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 have you John

[@acw71000]

Excellent John, that first shot of Clun at speed was wonderful. You were very unlucky not to have caught them passing at Kings Sutton but a good bit of digital trickery to show how it might have been

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Austin, There was always a chance of the passing shot in that area and the main clip actually shows the exhausts passing and then Andrew did an amazing job on the still image. Regards, John

[@jammiebeasts]

Excellent, especially the pass at KS!

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Gaz, That was quite a masterpiece that my son, Andrew, produced. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

Wow a double steamer passing each other outside kings Sutton

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

A very rare sight - nearly 😬 Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 yeah nearly

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I caught up with 44871 at Dudley port

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Scott, I will take a look at your video. Regards, John

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@GreatBritishRailways1 okay John

[@dinmorejunctionmodelrailway]

Magic pure magic 🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks and I appreciate your kind words. Regards, John

[@jamesburnside3023]

Love it

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Thanks for your watching and your comment. Regards, John

[@mlp-hot-rod5824]

Unlucky on the timing. It was so close! Still, the photo trickery does make up for it.

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Looking at the timing sheets and being reasonably on time it was always going to be somewhere in that area. As you say a bit of digital trickery replaced the real thing. Thanks for watching and your comment. Regards, John

[@John900C]

You should have made them do it again with better timing. 😅

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

It was all a bit of a lottery. Thanks for watching and for your comment. Regards, John