South Wales Industrial Steam Gala at The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway 17/09/2011

[WoelkerVideo]

SUPER!!!

This is a fantastic video with two steamlocomotives Bob.

[robmasterman]

@WoelkerVideo Vielen Dank Gunter, es war ein sehr angenehmer Tag ... Bob

[PhilbruProduction]

As always, perfect and very enjoyable to watch. Thank you Bob

Philippe

[robmasterman]

@PhilbruProduction Vous êtes trop gentil Philippe, ce fut une visite très agréable .... Bob

[noelist]

I really like the look of this railway Bob, will have to look up where it is, well how to get there, the topography is amazing, so many branches here and there, agree about the sound of the Mardy Monster, thanks for the introduction, marvelous.

[robmasterman]

@noelist Thanks Leon, it's near The Big Pit Museum, and is situated West of Abergavenny, and North of Pontypool in Monmouthshire....Bob

[acw71000]

Excellent video Bob, the Mardy Monster is well named, tremendous sound. Enjoyed Mech Navvies at the Foxfield last year. This line has come on quite a bit recently, hope thaey continue to do so

[robmasterman]

@acw71000 Every year this railway gets better and better Austin, and also has the advantage of being within a world heritage site, has plenty of support towards it's future growth. It's also a splendid location at over 1,300 ft to watch industrial locos at work....Bob

[U2ATOMIC]

Hi,just read one of your posts regarding the DMU number it is 117418

Thanks.

[robmasterman]

@U2ATOMIC Thanks very much for that....Bob

[balmesh]

I too have only just been told of this one! Great stuff, and knocks the Gwili sideways!

I've just sent the URL to Chairman of Gwili to draw his attention to the little platform which he could use at Carmarthen North! Wonderful video Bob, thanks for posting. . . . Alan

[robmasterman]

@balmesh Thanks Alan, seems things to be going array with YouTube at the moment...it seems to be affecting a great number of people. I should imagine that the platform at Carmarthen North needs to be a bit bigger than the one at Big Pit ....:o)...Bob.

[balmesh]

To robmasterman

What they need is no platform at all - just a line and a DMU to run up and down and generate income! The mini-platform is the next stage, where nearly everyone will stay on board because there's no where to go. Loco runs round. Then, with money coming in, you start to do your station proper . . . . . . Alan

[robmasterman]

@balmesh Ha..ha...I see where you're coming from Alan.....a little controversial, but I like it....Bob

[Bevoin1970]

I can't believe I have only just been notified of this video Bob, must have been stored in a back log of videos still to watch. Unusual for me. Oh well here I am, and what a lovely video to watch on a Sunday morning. Great sights and sounds, all captured extremely well. I felt like I was actually there, just a shame I couldn't smell al that steam train goodness. LOL :-) 5*

[robmasterman]

@Bevoin1970 It's gone all to hell at the moment Paul, I'm not getting any messages through, and only picking things up on the actual videos....Bob

[siobhan104]

They certainly have come a long way Bob. Great compilation of clips too, and what a monster!!! Lovely livery on the Mech Navvies loco too. Nice one .....Tim.

[robmasterman]

@siobhan104 They certainly have Tim, and it's becoming a major attraction in the area....Bob

[johnwood57]

Brilliant video Bob,those little tank engines sure have some power,looks as if you had a fab day out,that was an unusual sight of a dmu power car being towed wats up diesel run out LOL..........John

[robmasterman]

@johnwood57 Thanks John, the DMU car certainly added some extra character to the proceedings....Bob

[boodyxx]

@johnwood57 well, get up close to mardy and you will realise, she isnt a little tank engine haha, i work on her and she is a beast

[kenbrowne1947]

Wow that's an impressive show from the railways folks at site, well done to them Bob! All the locos were exceptionally clean and the "monster" is quite amazing, the power of the blast off it being very clearly felt and heard as it passed on the last clip. Was it designed specifically for a very steeply graded line, as this one appears to be? Ken

[robmasterman]

@kenbrowne1947 It certainly was Ken a true spectacle, Peckett built a few of these large locos for Collieries in the Cardiff Valleys, such as Tower and Maerdy, but they found that they didn't steam well, but the Monster seems to be steaming well now although saying that it was failed on Sunday...Bob

[moxon2313]

Great Filming Bob!

Like the Steam Engine towing the 1/2 end of a DMU Coach...

Just out of curiosity - Does that DMU 1/2 Car have a number on it?

[robmasterman]

@moxon2313 Thanks Richard, I'm afraid I don't know what the number of the DMU car is as there wasn't one displayed on it ....Maybe their web page may have the details you need....Bob

[robmasterman]

@moxon2313 The set number for the DMU is 418 Richard....Bob

[AndreiTupolev]

All this talk of Tractive Effort is a bit academic anyway, wasn't it calculated on some arbitrary figure like 80% boiler presure and tyres 10% worn or something like that, so that at full pressure and with new tyres or tyres that are more worn it would differ from the book figure? So in the end small differences here and there are all a bit academic.

[robmasterman]

@AndreiTupolev Well put Andrei, the point I was making that this loco was a powerful industrial loco, it seems have created a bit of controversy...Bob

[littlegiant18794]

@AndreiTupolev Yes, The figures I'm giving are based on 85% tractive effort, which is the general accepted way of measuring it

[Bidone1967]

Nice video.

It´s very interesting to see this british steam trains.

[robmasterman]

@Bidone1967 Thank you, and I am pleased you enjoyed it....Bob

[canvids1]

what great coverage that you have done on this lot of small engines

they are just great little steamers wow

[robmasterman]

@canvids1 Thanks Wayne, it's a great place to see these old industrial locos working hard....Bob

[GreatWestern175]

I never saw this in the subscribtion channel... the line looked like it put on a fair good show of performance with mixed rolling stock. You can't be certain a small Peckett has more tractive effort than a Castle which is 31,625 lbs, only the fact that the Peckett has smaller driving wheels for pulling power

[robmasterman]

@GreatWestern175 For a small Railway they put on a great spectacle for the visitors Ryan, the information regarding the Monster's tractive effort was given to me on the day, although checking it when I got home the tractive effort was around 29,300, which is slightly less than the Castle but still impressive for its size....Bob

[wooltman]

Great sounds from the loco's Bob,nice to hear them working.

[robmasterman]

@wooltman Thanks Chris it's industrial steam at its best....Bob

[eurodestination]

Big Pit Station looks somewhat remote and isolated. Good use of zoom there Bob, that's one thing I don't have any more. Face off between Mardy and Sir Gomer , plenty going on. Nice one.

[robmasterman]

@eurodestination Thanks Gary, I think Railway photography, or filming and nature work are the only ones where the zoom is an essential part of the kit....having said that, it also needs an external mic, something my camera cannot facilitate....Bob

[eurodestination]

@robmasterman ...but it has great quality HD image, with a fine operator! Editing software can do a lot to improve sound these days anyway. I use Sony Vegas, which I use to drown out sirens and gusts of wind all the time.

[robmasterman]

@eurodestination Thanks Gary, much appreciated, I use Corel video ProX2 which is also very good....Bob

[jamielw143]

Another excellent video Bob, for some reason it didn't show up in my subscription box. Mardy looks and sounds excellent passing Big Pit and climbing into Furnace Sidings, and Sir Gomer looks at home on the coal train, shame it couldn't be longer and loaded! Liked

[robmasterman]

@jamielw143 Thanks Jamie, a lot of people are having problems at the moment...Bob

[ShaurntheSheep]

wow lots of battering

great vid

[robmasterman]

@ShaurntheSheep Certainly was thanks again...Bob

[TimHall42]

Lovely stuff! Looks like the weather was quite kind, apart from the wind, which isn't always the case at 1300 feet. The Monster is superb, and the others are all splendid in their own way.

[robmasterman]

@TimHall42 I got soaked twice during my brief visit Tim, but enjoyed every minute of it....Bob

[cmeonthemove]

Wonderful. Those little engines do pack a punch. The first clip is awesome.

[robmasterman]

@cmeonthemove Thanks again, the Mardy Monster is a large loco my industrial standards, but most can produce some superb performances, despite their age and size....Bob

[welydiawl]

Gwych! Swn, stem a llawer o ddigwyddiadau! Well caught on camera! Diolch unwaith eto Sion

[robmasterman]

@welydiawl Dim ond yn treulio amser byr yno Sion, felly roeddwn yn hapus iawn gyda'r hyn oedd yno ... Diolch i chi unwaith eto am eich cefnogaeth .... Bob

[AndreiTupolev]

Not unlike Foxfield, with industrials in their native habitat. A lot of activity going on. Are they building those stations completely from scratch?

[robmasterman]

@AndreiTupolev They are very similar Andrei, although the Foxfield is set in a much more rural setting. All stations at the P&BR have been built from scratch, with Blaenavon High Level being re-built on the site of the old LNWR station....Bob

[ervans]

Really great and interesting to watch

[robmasterman]

@ervans Thanks Ervan, on a much smaller scale than yours, but equally as interesting I hope...Bob

[robmasterman]

@ervans Thanks Ervan, on a much smaller scale than yours, but equally as interesting I hope...Bob

[Firrboxfryup]

Fab video Bob. I love Industrial engines, it's the more interesting side of railways is freight!

Jamie

[robmasterman]

@Firrboxfryup Thanks Jamie, this was a marvellous event laid on my the P&BR, and I wish them every success with it....Bob

[bobnweaver]

Some superb action-packed clips there Bob. There seems to be lot of exiting things happening in Wales with the railway preservation movement. Regards, Jeff.

[robmasterman]

@bobnweaver There seems to be bits and bobs happening all over the place Jeff...just need some more main line trains, then yours truly will be a happy man....Bob

[MonochromeLoco]

Mae pleser i wylio yn ôl yr arfer ... Keith

[robmasterman]

@MonochromeLoco Diolch yn fawr eto Keith....Bob

[TheMichaelWilcock]

I was there on Friday. The sound in the Valley is excellent, I only wish they'd ran a train non stop through the station ! This Friday they have a photographers charter but it's £32 !! Do they have Tornado

Thanks again for another BM special Mike

[robmasterman]

@TheMichaelWilcock I had a hospital appointment so couldn't do Friday Mike, unfortunately The Monster failed on Sunday, so I'm glad I managed to get something....Bob

[robmasterman]

@TheMichaelWilcock I had a hospital appointment so couldn't do Friday Mike, unfortunately The Monster failed on Sunday, so I'm glad I managed to get something....Bob

[MrComedy01]

I remember seeing No.19 @ Bodmin during a Thomas Event, apparantley playing Donald, but I think if the engine appeared during a new Thomas event it would be Victor, I also remember seeing Alfred in his fictitious SCC yellow disguised as Ben, and 57xx 4612 as Duck, with MSC "Lady Armaghdale" as Thomas...

[robmasterman]

@MrComedy01 That's wonderful, you're obviously a big fan....Bob

[Gian2812]

Great video Bob. It seems to be at the Festival of Steam. Extraordinary. Thumbs UP. Gian:)

[robmasterman]

@Gian2812 It was a great weekend Gian, and thank you for watching....Bob

[molzips]

Bob, What an interesting railway. Those gradients certainly look fierce. Thanks for sharing your day. Regards, John

[robmasterman]

@molzips Well worth a visit if your near John, this whole area is part of a World Heritage site, and the Railway is going from strength to strength....Thanks again...Bob

[AN21files]

The Mardy Monster is some loco! Looks like a great Gala and really enjoyed your video as usual.

[robmasterman]

@AN21files Thanks once again, it was a superb Gala, unfortunately I had my family with me so it was a fairly short stay, I did however get some footage that I wanted of the mighty Mardy Monster....Bob

[penninefilms]

It must be quite nice to see industrial steam locomotives working.

[robmasterman]

@penninefilms It was a wonderful sight high up in the Welsh Mountains, and thanks again Bradley for your continued support....Bob

[penninefilms]

@robmasterman That's fine sine you make such nice railway videos of think people may not see.

[robmasterman]

@penninefilms Thanks for your kindness.....Bob

[Bobcatonline]

A great commemorative video Bob. Surprising to some just how much 'muscle' those little locos have. Very enjoyable piece.

[robmasterman]

@Bobcatonline Thanks Rob, strong winds, heavy showers and steam over 1,300 feet marvellous time...Bob

[littlegiant18794]

The tractive effort of the Mardy Monster is not more than a Castle, a Castle has a tractive effort of 31,625. It is, however, more powerful than a Bulleid Light Pacific, a GWR Hall, and an LMS Black 5 or Jubilee, to name some of the more notable examples. Great Video none the less though :)

[robmasterman]

@littlegiant18794 I was given this information yesterday, but didn't bother to check it before producing the video, so thanks very much for putting the record straight, and for your kind comments...Bob

[TimHall42]

@littlegiant18794 Similar TE to an S and D 7F, I believe. Whatever, it's very impressive!

[littlegiant18794]

@TimHall42 Wrong, a 7F has even more power than a Castle. Tractive effort is 35,295, making it the second most powerful 2-8-0 to be built in Britain, just behind the GWR 28xx with 35,380. Of course neither were nearly as powerful as the 9F, with near as makes no difference 40,000 lbs TE. 28,000 is the rough figure for locos such as the NER Q6, LNWR Super D, and the LNER J38

[TimHall42]

@littlegiant18794 Ah, the P and B R booklet is wrong then! Doesn't really matter to me, a fine

machine working hard to an admiring audience is the main thing!

[popsaka1]

...and that was most enjoyable. I noticed exhaust pipes on one of the green coaches... -power for creature comforts or? So it seems as if you've found the secret fairyland for saddle-tankers!

--BTW, nicely filmed (per usual) --cheers

[robmasterman]

@popsaka1 The coach you refer to is from a Diesel Multiple unit, that was being pressed into service for the day, to see so many industrial locos all working at the same time, and in an appropriate environment was certainly a rare sight...Thanks for your kind comments...Bob

[howarth004]

An Exellent show as you say Bob, from the start with Mardy Monster and Mech Navies climbing that Big Pit Bank, then on to HM Dockyard Devonport looked very impressive (as they all did) and I liked Sir Gomer working the Frieght , and I thought that was a good use of the old DMU ..all round a good show ..Thanks for sharing

[robmasterman]

@howarth004 Blaenavon is a world heritage site Dave, and it's not often that industrial steam can be enjoyed working in such authentic scenery....the weather was difficult...both heavy wind and torrential downpours, ...But it kept me on my toes......Bob

[jagafoto]

Sincere congratulations for this beautiful movie! I enjoyed it! Thank you!!!

[robmasterman]

@jagafoto Thanks again for your support....Bob

[pwalpar]

Wow what an awesome display of power All the locomotives were impressive Good video Bob

[robmasterman]

@pwalpar Thanks Walter, it's always a great spectacle to see industrial steam in it's correct environment and up in the Welsh Mountains....Bob