Today, I have mostly been driving.......

[Smiler.]

....this











Well, not exactly driving, but riding in the cab.

It's a fine example of a British Railways Standard Class 5MT

The sound as it rises up the long incline towards Medstead & Four Marks (the highest station in Southern England) is simply fantastic.

I'll be going back for more.

[CinqAbarth]

Excellent.

I'd love to try something like that.

[Oddboy86]

Lucky git. Looks most fun. How did you go about doing that?

[M-J-B]

Don't forget to have a wash before you go to bed!

Soot and bed cloths = no no...........

[350Wedge]

I was at Mid Hants Railway as well today, mainly to see Tornado (got to drive her last year!!) but it was good to see the 5MT back up and running... Now for the Black 5!!

I'll be back for more tomorrow if the weather isnt too bad. Looking better from late morning onwards!!

[RichB]

I drove a Castle Class in Birmingham about 15 years ago, fantastic experience. I'm envious of anyone getting out onto a mainline.

[perdu]

My mates Dave and Tony drove black fives for a living

happy days


edited to add

lucky git

Edited by perdu on Saturday 21st August 23:53

[Smiler.]

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Our-Services/Railw...

To think that at one time, thousands were employed to keep these going.

Mark Williams in his series Industrial Revelations (or the one that followed, the imaginatively named More Industrial Revelations) had an episode wholly on the railways & demise of steam. *

I can see why, but a diesel or electric will never evoke the same emotion as steam.

Still, most only want to get from A to B in comfort & I'll wager on most commuter routes during peak hours, they're still waiting

Edit: * Actually, it was probably "On the Rails."

Edited by Smiler. on Monday 23 August 08:57

[W124Bob]

Smiler. said:

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/Our-Services/Railw...

To think that at one time, thousands were employed to keep these going.

Mark Williams in his series Industrial Revelations (or the one that followed, the imaginatively named More Industrial Revelations) had an episode wholly on the railways & demise of steam. *

I can see why, but a diesel or electric will never evoke the same emotion as steam.

Still, most only want to get from A to B in comfort & I'll wager on most commuter routes during peak hours, they're still waiting

Edit: * Actually, it was probably "On the Rails."

Edited by Smiler. on Monday 23 August 08:57

2am on a frosty Feb leave Wakefeild for Ellesmere Port with 10 empty 100ton tanks and a class37 on the front,took an hour to get up the bank from Huddesfield to Diggle. Evan now I can hear that loco as the engine noise reverbarated of the valley through Slaithewaite.Pity no was around to see it.

[topsparks]

Did you miss your supercharger!

[43034]

W124Bob said:

2am on a frosty Feb leave Wakefeild for Ellesmere Port with 10 empty 100ton tanks and a class37 on the front,took an hour to get up the bank from Huddesfield to Diggle. Evan now I can hear that loco as the engine noise reverbarated of the valley through Slaithewaite.Pity no was around to see it.

Ah ha. Proper train now. None of this kettle nonsense!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkP5T7_xiA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idg_x8Fe_9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZk0Ur8a1Uw

[crisisjez]

Hey fella, how come you don't pop in to the HSV Forum

[Smiler.]

topsparks said:

Did you miss your supercharger!

Shut it you

43034 said:

W124Bob said:

2am on a frosty Feb leave Wakefeild for Ellesmere Port with 10 empty 100ton tanks and a class37 on the front,took an hour to get up the bank from Huddesfield to Diggle. Evan now I can hear that loco as the engine noise reverbarated of the valley through Slaithewaite.Pity no was around to see it.

Ah ha. Proper train now. None of this kettle nonsense!!.....

Oh get bent

Are you seriously suggesting that the sound of a diesel is sweeter than a steam engine under load?

I'm a fan of most engineering & I include diesel & electric motive units in that, but no way can they compare with steam.

crisisjez said:

Hey fella, how come you don't pop in to the HSV Forum

Yeah, it's been a while. Seems to be a lot of bhing over there at the mo.

I am reading some threads with interest though

[crisisjez]

Yeah, some people are quite passionate about things, its a small community.
Best not to comment sometimes, I find.
You going to make Thunder Road on the 24th Oct? Would be nice to meet you.

[43034]

Smiler. said:

Oh get bent

Are you seriously suggesting that the sound of a diesel is sweeter than a steam engine under load?

I'm a fan of most engineering & I include diesel & electric motive units in that, but no way can they compare with steam.

If I am being honest, yet. I have little to no interest in steam. I appreciate steam, and understand why normals and kettles cranks enjoy them but I have no interest.

I'd rather hear something with 12 cylinders and one fook off large turbo (or something with 16 cylinders and 16 wheels!) screaming away than an A4/A2/Black 5/whatever.

That's just me though.

Edited for speeling.

Edited by 43034 on Friday 27th August 12:09

[Mexic0]

Nice one

[Yertis]

crisisjez said:

Yeah, some people are quite passionate about things, its a small community.
Best not to comment sometimes, I find.
You going to make Thunder Road on the 24th Oct? Would be nice to meet you.

The Monaro forum is a haven of peace compared to some I've been a member of. Monaros seem to attract laid back folks, in general.

[crisisjez]

Yertis said:

crisisjez said:

Yeah, some people are quite passionate about things, its a small community.
Best not to comment sometimes, I find.
You going to make Thunder Road on the 24th Oct? Would be nice to meet you.

The Monaro forum is a haven of peace compared to some I've been a member of. Monaros seem to attract laid back folks, in general.

Its full of really nice people imo
(Having met probablly 60% of them)

[Smiler.]

43034 said:

Smiler. said:

Oh get bent

Are you seriously suggesting that the sound of a diesel is sweeter than a steam engine under load?

I'm a fan of most engineering & I include diesel & electric motive units in that, but no way can they compare with steam.

If I am being honest, yet. I have little to no interest in steam. I appreciate steam, and understand why normals and kettles cranks enjoy them but I have no interest.

I'd rather hear something with 12 cylinders and one fook off large turbo (or something with 16 cylinders and 16 wheels!) screaming away than an A4/A2/Black 5/whatever.

That's just me though.

Edited for speeling.

Edited by 43034 on Friday 27th August 12:09

Each to their own & all that

Although, the Napier Deltic engine at the York museum is something else.

I was on the platform at Southall station late one Friday & one of these came though, fire was coming out of the top.

[Smiler.]

crisisjez said:

Yeah, some people are quite passionate about things, its a small community.
Best not to comment sometimes, I find.
You going to make Thunder Road on the 24th Oct? Would be nice to meet you.

Wise words there Jez

Pretty much tied up until next year with work (new ventures & stuff on the house).

The Monaro is laid-up at the mo, but hopefully will be back next year. Possibly going to make a road legal track car.

Need a trailer though.