The Bluebell Explorer

Hi all,
I spent what seemed like an eternity out yesterday photographing and video'ing steam. Sorry about the quality, but weather was rubbish and so here it is..... I'm thinking HD Video Camera later on!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoHCEW9umjo

Cheers

Andy

Thanks for posting Andy, it looks good despite the weather.  

There was a bit of wheel slip going on up that incline, it reminds me of when I was young living close to the WCML, and the steam goods trains that were checked at the signals at Standish junction northbound used to slip like mad for ages before they got going again, I saw a class 25 with a long excursion train of MK1's struggling up the same incline many years later doing about 2 or 3 mph on full throttle. (someone had got their sums wrong)

Hi Andy,
Whenever I go out to photograph a steam train, it always seems to be raining!!

I particularly like the struggling Black 5 section (3:00 onwards) - being a Midland man, it's one of my favourite classes of steam loco
I had to smile when that gentleman stood right in front of the camera - I bet you were fuming   

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Andy
Some thing strange there a Black 5 slipping and Bullied not slipping,the Bulleid's could even slip on the flat in the rain.

Mike

Thanks for the comments guys! The reason why the Bulleid didn't slip is because the crew weren't doing anything to help the Black 5 up the bank!!! Very odd considering when I was on the Midhnts whenever we were the banking engine, we did exactly that! Also seems that the Glands need re-packing on the Black 5. I wonder if it has been done between Saturday and today's excursion?
Cheers
Andy

Must admit it did seem strange that only one Loco appeared to be doing all the work,even if slipping a bit the Bulleid would have taken some of the strain.

Oh look I'm famous!!!   
On this Video at about 03:25. I'm seen at the left hand corner of the video!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFuIDzfmCVI
Cheers
Andy

Handsome devil !!!!!

Hi Andy,
Gotcha!!  
At least, later on in that clip, the WC did seem to be helping the Black 5 !

Cheers,
Ged

Cheers Roger!  
Ged, to me it doesn't look like Braunton's crew are helping out? You can't hear the Converted WC working at all? i.e, no beat? But looking at the smoke, that tells me the driver only has the regulator open ever so slightly??
Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,
I take your point, and bow to your greater knowledge! I was going by the smoke, but the WC seemed to be coasting when it passed the camera.

Maybe it was done deliberately, so that the many videos being taken would have a more dramatic effect? Am I being cynical, or what??!!

Cheers,
Ged

Andy,

brilliant video, Tailing locos on the mainline can't assist the leading loco, 34046 looked great. A Black 5 to me a Loco that does exactly what you want can slog away or speed along, I noticed the person standing at the edge of the platform. Don't get me started on those I could rant for a week.

Hi Ben,

Tailing locos on the mainline can't assist the leading loco

Are you sure?
Have you seen the first part of that second video, as the train was leaving Victoria? Certainly looks as if the Black 5 was assisting!

Cheers,
Ged

Hi Ben; Ged and everyone else,
Firstly can I just say that the Black 5 was assisting 'Braunton' in the 2nd video and rightly so. The 2 main reasons; well 3 in fact is as well for the interest part of it, one of the locos was to be a 'Banker' as well as leading loco (Hence the 3rd reason)
To me the Crew on 34046 were being lazy! Hardly any steam; I suspect looking at the chimney; if my mate was on it as he was on the way in to the Bluebell, I am sure he would have helped. Also I am pretty sure I spotted ex-Nine Elms Man (70A) Pete Roberts on the footplate on the way in to the Bluebell on the Black 5?
As for that person in my video at Crowborough, he arrived well after I had setup and many others and ruined there's as well.... He wasn't at all popular! He knew what he was doing because of the look he gave us! I just wish I had told him to (Fox-Trot-Oscar) now!!
How any one can be that arrogant and get in the way when you have setup like that is beyond me?! He ruined that part of my video and any chances of photos....
Rant over I guess  
Cheers
Andy