The Great Britain 111 Attacks the Lickey Incline 08/04/2010

[HarryPotter573]

Lovely engines, Great camera work!!

[robmasterman]

@HarryPotter573 Thanks very much, Bob

[scotsguardsman100]

Great video. Which 2 stations is the Lickey Incline in between?

[robmasterman]

@scotsguardsman100 Not my part of the world, but Bromsgrove is at the bottom of the incline, and I'm not sure where the next station is over the summit....Bob

[zogozogo]

@robmasterman

BARNT GREEN is the next station up the line. Up until the mid 1960s it was Blackwell

[robmasterman]

@zogozogo Thanks very much for that information....Bob

[M1A4Sherman]

Awesome!!...love the lines of Brit steam and that bark!!....great job

[robmasterman]

@M1A4Sherman Thanks for watching, both these locos have two cylinders each, rather than the three or four that some designs have, and this always gives them that distinctive bark to the exhaust...Bob

[santafemad]

Great video !!

[robmasterman]

@santafemad Thank you for your kind comments...Bob

[robmasterman]

@peterwilson21 Flat tyres are still too common unfortunately, Thanks for watching.....Bob

[leggo23]

what a fantastic and great vid

[robmasterman]

@leggo23 Thank you very much, your comments are greatly appreciated...Bob

[2010ditta]

I do apolgise Bob ... so its not the camera you got from Ebay for £60?

[robmasterman]

@2010ditta I'm afraid not, the current camcorder was purchased in October last year, the video of Oliver Cromwell was shot with the old camera...Bob

[2010ditta]

Nice video Bob. Great zoom on your "cheapie" camera too.

[robmasterman]

@2010ditta Thanks very much...this was shot on my HD camcorder...not cheap I'm afraid....Bob

[AtomicFFProductions]

Great video, nice of you to include the Western at the end. Saw the lot (iirc) at Plymouth that day

[robmasterman]

@AtomicFFProductions Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it. I was actually walking away from the location when I heard the Western approached.....Bob

[60103Henry]

Great Video, 5 Stars!

[robmasterman]

@60103Henry Thanks Henry, glad you enjoyed it...Bob

[magicmaybach]

Nice one, 44871 with safety valve blowing off, up the Lickey!! well done that fireman..

[robmasterman]

@magicmaybach Too much power up front, even for the Lickey, but a great sight never the less......Thanks....Bob

[swifthalf]

Spectacular video! The "Wait for it....." made me laugh out load. Thanks

[robmasterman]

@swifthalf Thanks very much, and I'm delighted that you enjoyed it....Bob

[theguitarsmith]

Good to see that they managed to sort some appropriate stock too - a real 60s feel. Beautifully shot from a great spot - the sign frames the train well. Thumbs up from me!

[robmasterman]

@theguitarsmith Thanks very much for your comments which are greatly appreciated...Bob

[fatheribrahim11]

Another great scene. I was privileged to be on GB 3 and this bank was indeed one of the highlights of the tour. Pity one cannot see the train and be on it concurrently!

[robmasterman]

@fatheribrahim11 I totally agree, however this incline is a tremendous obstacle for any locomotive, let alone one as old as these, more specials up this line would be welcomed by all I'm sure...Bob

[redcarmodels]

Nice one

[robmasterman]

@redcarmodels Thank you very much....Bob

[thelnerrules]

fantastic footage from 2 brilliant 1968 steam loco surviours

[robmasterman]

@thelnerrules Thanks very much, it was a great sight....Bob

[stapleford]

great shot

i took some video of dmu's going up and down but need to see steam working it

Nige

[trainfart]

Wow, great shot! 5 up and fav.

Last time I 've had the same luck us you =)

[robmasterman]

@trainfart Thanks as always it happens to the best of us...ha..ha...Bob

[AndreiTupolev]

The Western was an added bonus.

[robmasterman]

@AndreiTupolev I was walking away when I heard them coming, so nearly missed them...Thanks for watching...Bob

[jammyhartley]

In 1956 when I was 15 years old, I cycled from Harrow to Lickey, staying at Youth Hostels and visiting various engine sheds on the way specifically to see 58100 - Big Bertha the 0-10-0 incline banker, unfortunately I had missed her by a few days and never did get to see her before she was scrapped that year. I know it's not very likely, but has anybody got any film shots of this beautiful (to me she was) beast at work on the Lickey Incline? If so PLEASE PLEASE post them on You Tube.

[robmasterman]

@jammyhartley Somewhere in my video collection I have a short sequence of Big Bertha working the Lickey before withdrawal, but unfortunately I cannot recall who produced the video. The very last loco to work the Lickey before the end of steam was 6947 Helmington Hall, which deputised for a failed banker D6939 on 7th October 1965....Bob

[ay76]

Nice 5*

[robmasterman]

@ay76 Thanks very much....Bob

[MrLmsjohn45407]

Great Video Bob

[robmasterman]

@MrLmsjohn45407 Thanks very much, your kind comment is much appreciated...Bob

[LondonMuckShifters]

Every video I have seen of this climb of the Lickey illustrates the poor firing skills of the crews on both locomotives. You have the 5 leading, blowing off all of the way up the hill and Cromwell behind, with nothing but black smoke from the chimney!  Amateurs.

[robmasterman]

@LondonMuckShifters Thanks for your obviously passionate comments, however when you have a 2 mile climb ahead of you at 1.37 and thirteen fully loaded coaches behind you, then a full head of steam is essential. The speed at which these two tackled that climb was an amazing feat compared with passenger workings of the 1950's...Bob

[AndreiTupolev]

@LondonMuckShifters

yes of course, making sure that you have enough steam is a really, really bad idea isn't it. Would have so much more sensible to have had to stop halfway up. Yes, that really makes sense.

*rolls eyes*

[LondonMuckShifters]

@AndreiTupolev Making sure you have enough steam is part of being a good fireman, you idiot! If the fireman were not confident enough in their abilities, they should have let someone who is!

rolls eyes.....

[khankadet]

Wow - thanks for the dedication in arriving so early to capture this Bob. Glorious site in super conditions. Chris

[robmasterman]

@khankadet Thanks Chris I felt I was standing on hallowed ground....Bob

[shafferfox]

Spectacular trains - and a typically superb video from you, Bob, with nice surprises!

[robmasterman]

@shafferfox Thanks for your kindness Shaffer....Bob

[Ragrog105]

Superb! I had to watch it three times. This is one of the best railfanning videos I've seen yet.

[robmasterman]

@Ragrog105 That's very kind of you to say so, and thanks for watching....Bob

[LondonMuckShifters]

@Ragrog105 This video was not bad, but compared to the 7325 2968 climb, it makes 70013 44871 look rubbish!

[1adamstephen]

the great britain 3 tour was certainly givin it all the power it had up the hill good job that 220 didn't run 1 min before as u would have missed the steamers lol

Adam

[robmasterman]

@1adamstephen Oh very true Adam, thanks goodness I wasn't further up the Bank....Thanks for watching....Bob

[welshmuzhik]

Great views Bob, it's who you know....

[robmasterman]

@welshmuzhik Thanks Gary, your comments are appreciated as always...Bob

[ervans]

Amazing video Bob, great to see a rare sight like that

[robmasterman]

@ervans Thanks Ervan, this was a very special moment for me...Bob

[rosegrovempd1]

Thanks for capturing the moment. It really is great to see the steam locos powering up the Lickey a great spectacle for anyone. Dare I say the vid of the 2 moguls some years ago still takes the biscuit. Nevertheless 5*, Dave.

[robmasterman]

@rosegrovempd1 Thanks very much Dave, and although I wasn't there, the two Moguls was far more spectacular, and of course the first in preservation...Bob

[FonteDeiMarmi]

Hi Bob, lovely shot,didnt know about the route change till heard through grapevine which trails back to you!

All I could do was send my Dad to Ashchurch with his Leica to click away! Was in london,would have jumped in the car for that one but too busy! You captured it for me perfectly and I am very glad too! Nearly as good as being there!

[robmasterman]

@FonteDeiMarmi You really must get your priorities sorted out, work can't possible get in the way of filming on the Lickey.....Thanks as always...Bob

[FonteDeiMarmi]

@robmasterman Yes Bob, I know! This really is heartbreaking stuff now, missing all this on such a beautiful day! Still I am looking forward to June and King to Minehead from Paddington. Euston has a couple of interesting visitors soon,as does KX. Work won't catch me out on those ones for sure!

[1Z64]

Like you Bob i've only been to the Lickey once, in 97 when the mighty Moguls were the first locos in preservation to attack the climb. Waiting for that length of time for the main event can make you anxious when the train arrives but you've captured beautifully this marvelous spectacle for us all to enjoy. ps. At the end of this piece the man up the ladder is my good friend TVP's David Birt. And i bet he was one of the two people there before you.

[robmasterman]

@1Z64 Thanks Martin, and you're quite right about David Birt, but nothing would have got in his way that's for sure. I've never seen a tripod like it in my life, it was made out of scaffolding poles :o) I also met David Oldham, and Carl Jauncey, so a great day was had by all....Bob

[DownGrand1967]

Superb footage, so good to see double-headed steam on the mainline. Excellent.

[robmasterman]

@DownGrand1967 Thanks very much again for your kind comments...Bob

[BENTRUCK]

Well done Bob,great video...the Voyager...well its par for the course now, lots of people there aswell,remember being at Tondu when ten 2 class 58s on worksop wanderer turned up....thought the footbridge was going to collapse with the weight of photographers/videographers...­thanks a lot

Brian tucker

[robmasterman]

@BENTRUCK Thanks very much Brian, it's one of the big problems when you're the wrong side of the track, but at this location there was very little choice, and people in the field behind me had an even closer escape.....Bob

[ADMIRALSCORNER]

So glad you were there to record this for us Bob! Very well worth the effort!

[robmasterman]

@ADMIRALSCORNER It was an amazing experience just to be there Mike, I enjoyed every minute...Bob

[PhilbruProduction]

Magnificent shots Bob. He had fascinated many passionate persons on the edge there to admire this magnificent locomotive! Thanks.

Friendly.

Philippe

[robmasterman]

@PhilbruProduction Thanks Philippe, it was a great event watched by many people...Bob

[pwalpar]

Awesome catch Bob, Its hard to imagine so many railfans at a particular spot, that you have to fight for a spot on the front line. *****

[robmasterman]

@pwalpar It always happens when a rare event occurs Walter, and like you most of my filming is done from the maddening crowds...Thanks as always....Bob

[hornbachhh]

Another top class video Rob!!!!!!!

[robmasterman]

@hornbachhh Thanks very much Andy...Bob

[noelist]

and I'm very happy you shared, thanks.

[robmasterman]

@noelist Thanks for watching, and leaving your comments...Bob

[jamielw143]

Fantastic video Bob, must of been brilliant standing there as they climbed, great video! Hope I can see 70013 (think it is) on May 29th. And well done for the luck with the Voyager aswell haha. Shame we don't have the stars anymore, would be 5* for certain.

[robmasterman]

@jamielw143 Thanks once again for your kind comments Jamie...Bob

[peggey707]

superb video Bob! liked

[robmasterman]

@peggey707 Thanks very much Peggey...Bob

[lancasterrach]

Excellent video Bob - terrific lineside location and great filming - I'm so pleased you had such a good and memorable day - thanks for sharing - all the best and with kind regards - Rach :)

[robmasterman]

@lancasterrach Thanks Rach, it sent a chill up my spine to be stood on such hallowed ground for the first time, Dad's latest video was brilliant wasn't it...Best wishes...Bob

[NN2Blue]

Well Bob, that's the duck broken in some style, though the added tension of possibly being bowled by The Voyager would have been interesting to watch in itself! LOL. Wasn't the train originally routed up the North and West with Oliver Cromwell only? Was this a change due to the impending Network Rail strike?

Mike

[robmasterman]

@NN2Blue Thanks Mike, originally it was indeed routed via the N&W and to be hauled by Royal Scott, then it was to be Lizzie, then 70013 solo, but due to the threatened strike, it was diverted via the Lickey, which is a rare event anyway, hence the double heading and two diesels as support. However on the day they flew up this notorious incline with thirteen on...Bob

[NN2Blue]

Looked very easy for the two engines as they ambled up the hill! I'm sure it wasn't is just looked it. Should have stuck the two diesels on the end (ticking over) in and opened up the steamers for a fire-starting climb through the Lickey Hills! LOL NOW that would have been a sight! - Mike

[johnwood57]

Brilliant video Bob,

I can see why that day will stick in your life that was superb,i think there will be a few dreams there mate.........as they say in Thunderbirds.. FAB...LOL....John

[robmasterman]

@johnwood57 Unforgettable for sure John, and thanks as always for watching...Bob

[churchward82c]

Bob - fantastic! 5* 'Got very lucky with the Voyagers ;-)

[robmasterman]

@churchward82c Wasn't I just..ha..ha...Thanks for watching...Bob

[uhm121]

great shot bob john uhm121

[robmasterman]

@uhm121 Thanks John, and thanks for the updates, it was nice to see you again...Bob

[GreatWestern175]

Ahh you was at Lickey aswell! I was too and originally was going to do the spot you was on but swapped with Dave. Its suprising that I never noticed you! I was the guy with distinctive blonde hair if you might recall.

[robmasterman]

@GreatWestern175 There's a shame Ry, there was so much going on, it was difficult to know who was around me...next time maybe....Bob

[cuzinitr]

Great work Bob! Congrat's on this first time catch! 5*+

Rich

[robmasterman]

@cuzinitr Thanks Rich, it was an amazing sight...Bob

[bankerbertha]

Ah! my childhood spotting location (1950s/60s). Great video, thank you.

[robmasterman]

@bankerbertha With an user name like that, it couldn't be anything else. I was first made aware of this incline through Peter Hanford's superb sound recordings, and over the years much cine and video footage as well as many excellent sill images, but to finally stand there to witness this for the first time ever was magical...Thanks very much...Bob

[jammiebeasts]

Superb vid mate. I thought of going to the Lickey but I wouldnt of fancied fighting for space there looking at the crowd! I went north of Bushbury due to having to go to work, but it got stuck at Bushbury with a points failure so I had to give it a miss!

[robmasterman]

@jammiebeasts What a shame you didn't get your shot Jamie, thanks for watching mine....Bob

[Jonern67]

Wow Bob, what a video! I'd never thought that a steam train would manage 1 in 37! That were out of my mind! Thank you very much for sharing this video form the Lickey Incline, it was stunning to see the steam train up this line. A very HUGE thumbs up!

Jonern

[robmasterman]

@Jonern67 Thanks Jonern you're too kind and once again your comments are greatly appreciated...Bob

[TheGondorian]

Wow, thats an awesome Shot with the steamers!

[robmasterman]

@TheGondorian Thanks Thomas, this is one of the steepest inclines in England...Bob

[bladesman123]

Excellent video Bob, steam, diesel and lovely weather :)

Thankyou for uploading

Dave

[robmasterman]

@bladesman123 Thanks Dave, and a great day was had by all...Bob

[EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Bob,I thought about going there but had feeling it would be busy there 5*

[robmasterman]

@EMuksteam Busy is a bit of an understatement, but obviously the place to be on this leg of the journey, thanks as always for your support...Bob

[Bevoin1970]

That looked a very long and hard slog for that steamer, reminded me of the long haul up to Shap summit.

Nice to catch the "old" and the "new" side by side, although timing wise it could have been disastrous had it been a touch earlier...

And look at all those people at the end !! I was amazed at how many and all the equipment...!!! Almost looked like a film crew had turned up.

Excellent stuff Bob :-))

[robmasterman]

@Bevoin1970 Thanks Paul, it was an experience I've always wanted to achieve, and most of the crowd around me had dispersed by the time the diesels had arrived. I wanted to film the people around be, but I couldn't move to do it...fantastic day out though...Bob

[HughFromAlice]

TU :-) Great video from good location with high level engine performance. Both those engines are beauties in terms of looks & mechanical condition. Sounds like you had heaps of fun filming.

The Lickey is so impressive as it's practically all straight. Magnifies the sense of length & steepness. Nearest equiv we probably have is the tough Cowan Bank just north of Sydney on the S to Newcastle main line with 3801+3642 pulling 12 coaches up it. (If that means anything to you!!).

[robmasterman]

@HughFromAlice Thanks very much, it's a classic location, but is rarely used for steam runs as the authorities are worried that failure on the bank would cause serious disruption to services. I'll have to search out some videos of trains working Cowan Bank, it sounds fascinating...Bob

[HughFromAlice]

@robmasterman watch?v=pNMNvrTpqyM Great intro video of NSW-Australian steam...hill climbing/fast running.

Triple header - main express engines of their day: At front 35 Class - built 1914 to 1918. 36 Class built from 1925 onwards (some drivers claimed these faster - near 100mph - than the 38s!), and 38 class (38 class STILL holds record for any train between Sydney and Newcastle at 2hrs 1 min & 2hr 2 min approx in June 64 on Newcastle Flyer - yes, up the Cowan bank too.)

[ThomastheE2engine]

brillient! just brillient!!

man the second loco was lorking hard.

also was it hot because you can see the heat waves comeing off the track?

[robmasterman]

@ThomastheE2engine Thanks very much for your comments, it was getting a little warm, but it''s the long telephoto setting that picks up the heat haze...Bob

[ThomastheE2engine]

@robmasterman oh, ok thanks.

[Ffrwd14]

Brill Bat. You must initiate me in how you get this info. I live quite close too Tyseley but never even keep up with their workings.

Pete

[robmasterman]

@Ffrwd14 Thanks Pete, you need to know the right people, and you've just got me..put it on the list..ha..ha...Bat

[SteamingYorkshire]

Great clip Bob, looks like you had an enjoyable day. Hopefully it'll be as nice for us tomorrow up Shap, Beattock and beyond :P

Si

[robmasterman]

@SteamingYorkshire Thanks Si, the weather for tomorrow is forecast to be perfect conditions for filming, so go and get it...Bob

[RAVENSMAD16]

Great video bob 5*

[robmasterman]

@RAVENSMAD16 Thanks very much Craig....Bob

[steamontheweb]

Hi Bob that's excellent stuff, you chose a good spot and you coped well with the signs and goodness knows what else! The heat haze was quite something; who would have thought that! The Voyager was not a big problem as the locos had already gone. The footpath through the field is accessible through a gate in the hedge about 75 yards up the road from the bridge.

[robmasterman]

@steamontheweb Thanks Mike, I shall bear that in mind if ever I have this opportunity again...Bob

[MG06ZT]

Good going Bob. I knew nothing about that X country until seeing your footage! What a good day all round; two steam, two diesel. Nice shots of the tour and the Western, like the clip of the crossing at the end!

[robmasterman]

@MG06ZT Thanks very much, you were on the right side of the train, you might see yourself in that final clip...Bob

[GWRDec]

superb video Bob, they sounded great up there 44871 and 70013, would have loved to have seen this myself, well without the voyager, they allways get in the way haha, D1015 sounded lovely too, thanks for uploading!

Thumps up'd and faved, great shots

[robmasterman]

@GWRDec Thanks Dec, these Voyagers seem to be the scourge of wrong side filming don't they....Bob

[nxea170202]

Superb footage there Rob! Nice to see Steam attacking the Lickey, I must visit there myself one day. (Liked & defently favourited).

Fred.

[robmasterman]

@nxea170202 Thanks Fred, it's certainly a very special place...Bob

[balmesh]

Another good'un Bob. Was that why you went to Oxfordshire? That Voyager must have slowed down for you! Near miss, anyway

Alan

[robmasterman]

@balmesh No we came up to collect our grandson Alan, and intended going back on Tuesday, but stayed as the weather was much better than at home. I'd given up on this run after it was cancelled over the Newport to Hereford Line then just last night was given some help on getting to this location, and now I'm very happy...Bob

[balmesh]

To robmasterman

Can certainly go with that last comment. Son and I went to the Lickey some years back, and there were precious few trains of any sort. Steam was a dream!

BTW - do they use 150 units on our line? some come by looking like 156s, but not quite, if you know what I mean?

Alan

[robmasterman]

@balmesh It's almost like standing on hallowed ground Alan...very special feeling. The 150 units do pass your house usually on the Cardiff to Fishguard and return, it's about 12.20 heading West and 14.20 on the return. There are no 156 units running in Wales now...Bob

[DJGENEX71]

Wow! That was fantastic! Looks like a pretty steep grade there for sure!

Great video! Thumbs up!

[robmasterman]

@DJGENEX71 Thanks Gene, it's 1 in 37 at it's steepest, and one of the most notorious in the UK...Bob

[bikerarni]

Superb footage Bob from what must be one of the top spots for filming, very lucky not to get bowled by the voyager, and a nicr touch with the western and brush at the end.

I took my brothers little girl to see this today at the vulcan, just up the line from winwick, she was more interested in the horses in the field next to the track !!

[robmasterman]

@bikerarni Ha..ha..I know the feeling Mike, my six year old grandson was more interested in talking to a kind elderly gentleman that watching this spectacle,,,kids eh!!...Bob

[robmasterman]

@stephengthompson Thanks Steve, it's an amazing place where you are literally looking down this very steep incline on a main line....Bob

[scruffwood]

great shot mate you were along way from home though eh worth the trip i would say

[robmasterman]

@scruffwood I was up at my sons and so was lucky to be only an hour away..Thanks for watching...Bob

[21C123]

Stunning video Bob, absolutely stunning! 5* and favourited.

[robmasterman]

@21C123 Thanks Craig, it was like being at a football match with all the action in front of you and not being able to move because of the crowd surrounding you...Bob

[TheMysticEgg]

Superb results Bob, anything like that truly deserves a pat ont he back at Vigo when there's a steam special. This view of this is really quite epic with such a long approach, rising from the distance. Love it. 5* and fav.

[robmasterman]

@TheMysticEgg My Dream has come true, thanks to your help Greg, and I shall cherish this day for ever....Bob

[acw71000]

Great stuff Bob, I was a little bit lower down the bank and like you it was my first time...unforgettable

[robmasterman]

@acw71000 So near yet so far Austin, I've heard trains on this bank through Peter Handford's recordings and I've seen numerous films and videos, but I've never been there in person, so a momentous and memorable day for me....Bob

[34027]

Outstanding video bob thumbs and fav

[robmasterman]

@34027 Thanks very much Jason...Bob

[puffernutterlou]

brilliant vid, i know someone who was filmin opposite you. I got on the footplate of the Black 5 when Bill took over at crewe. I gave up waitin for the western it was stuck somewhere round Penkridge at 6 due to a broken down freight train.

[robmasterman]

@puffernutterlou What a day Lou, I've never seen anything like it....Di and Tommi were with me and we thought you'd be out for this...Thanks as always....Bob

[Jonnyvalenta]

Tremendous video!

[robmasterman]

@Jonnyvalenta Thanks John, much appreciated...Bob

[350LMDesiro]

great video bob i filmed this at Crewe but were was the western i was there for a few hours after?

[robmasterman]

@350LMDesiro The Western and 47660 followed up immediately behind it, but were held back somewhere en route....Thanks for watching....Bob

[350LMDesiro]

@robmasterman HMMM i wonder were they went i was at Crewe till 7 30

[itfcsam]

Awesome as per normal Bob! My footage at Filton will be on shortly.

Lovely power 5* and fav'd

[robmasterman]

@itfcsam I shall look out for it Sam, and thanks again for watching...Bob

[imautuber444]

Lickey sure is a bugger of a climb and nothing looks or sounds as impressive as a steam assent. Luck sure was on your side with the voyager that could of been disasterous. A first class film as per usual Bob 5*...........Martin

[robmasterman]

@imautuber444 Always a risk when you're on the wrong side of the line Martin, another 5 seconds and I would not have been happy...Thanks as always for your support Martin...Bob

[Firrboxfryup]

Brilliant video Bob.

Ah, those 4 locos look familiar, and darn those Cross Country services! ;-)

5*

Jamie

[robmasterman]

@Firrboxfryup Thanks Jamie, love the comments...Bob

[railwaychannel]

Heart-stoppingly good timing!! A few seconds earlier and the day was ruined . . . . well, done!

[robmasterman]

@railwaychannel You could have cut the air of anticipation with a knife Mark, and thank goodness I wasn't a few hundred yards up the bank. Thanks again for your much appreciated comments...bob

[kelbym07]

Very nice. I wish US railroads still ran steamers as part of the main fleet. We might have a few more railfans.

[robmasterman]

@kelbym07 Thanks very much, these are privately owned locomotives that are allowed to run Steam specials on the National Rail Network...Bob

[kelbym07]

@robmasterman Oh ok. Well that's more in line like what we have here. Thanks for that info.