(HD) DEMU 1001 'The Worcester Leveller' thumping up the Lickey Incline 03.10.09

Hastings Diesels Ltd ran a tour with their DEMU Class 201 4-BIG Thumper titled 'The Worcester Leveller' on 3rd October 2009, from Hastings - Worcester Shrub Hill and return. Today I went to see the tour on it's return leg at Pikes Pool, on the Lickey Incline near Bromsgrove. The Lickey Incline is the steepest mainline gradient in the country (1 in 37). The two diesels, 'Tunbridge Wells' and 'Mountfield' were really struggling up the hill but making a great noise.

We first see a bit of mixed traffic, including 66017 on 6V36 Lackenby - Margam. Then we see a London Midland 150 Sprinter (150 122) which is quite rare to see, then we see another photographer doing a bit of gardening, but he was cutting the wrong hedge and wasn't tall enough to make any difference to his shots! We were all wondering what he was trying to achieve, but he walked away having made no difference lol! Then a CrossCountry HST set heads south to Plymouth. Then a 170 Turbostar heads up with a service to Nottingham, a London Midland Turbostar heads to Great Malvern, a CrossCountry Voyager heads north to Leeds. Finally we see what we've been waiting for!

Enjoy!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Hastings
• Diesel
• DEMU
• Class
• 201
• 1001
• thumper
• br
• green
• up
• the
• lickey
• incline
• bank
• 3rd
• october
• 2009
• bromsgrove
• barnt
• rail
• uk
• diesel
• hellfire
• my
• lordz
• flailing
• hst
• 43
• 170
• 150
• DBS
• Schenker
• DB
• 66017
• 6V36
• Lackenby
• Margam
• Worcester
• Leveller
• Railtour
• Shrub
• Hill
• steep
• hill
• thrash
• ThemysticEgg

[wellowvids]

Great video Greg!

[TheMysticEgg]

Thanks Derek!

[robmasterman]

What a rare sight Greg, and expertly captured as always. That's a brilliant location to film the trains, and that sky really added to the atmosphere...5* Bob

[TheMysticEgg]

Thanks Bob! It's the first time I've been up there, and it certainly won't be the last. Although it's much better in the winter as all the trees lose their leaves giving a longer approach. If all goes to plan, I might see D1015 up there later this month if I can persuade someone to get me up there at 8am!

Any luck on the camera/software issue yet? Greg.

[HUMSWHILEPEEING]

I'm going down there on the 2nd november

[TheMysticEgg]

What's on the 2nd?

[TheCptBush]

lol searched demu and got this

[cmeonthemove]

The bodywork of 1001 certainly looked battered and beaten compared to the pristine buffet car! Great sound though. Well filmed too.

[tnewton1988]

I went today saw nothing but Voyagers and Turbostar and one Class 47 free wheeling down the incline 2nd visit to it now have not seen a banker once.

[37057viking]

Great footage, fella. But who's the numpty doing the gardening? These linesiders will go to any length, eh? LOL

[chris9338]

Good video , it was hard work going up... I was in the front... we are going up Old Hill on 24/04 . That should be good with a 50mph approach speed thru Cradeley heath

[justandy333]

Fair enough. Horses for courses and all that.

Thats quite impressive lasting 3 times longer than intended.

[panzer1066]

Everyone to their own, fella. The old thumpers were built as a 10 year stopgap back in 1956/57 - and the preservation society formed in 86 to keep the "Hastings" name alive, after nearly 30 years' service, deserves all the credit it gets. Going to and from work on them was infinitely more of a pleasure for me than the 377 fare I endure today.

[justandy333]

Ive been a rail enthusiast for a while now, but can someone explain to me what people see in the DEMUs.

I totally get Steam engines, HSTs and freight stuff but I just dont get this. Even the horn sounded like it was giving up.

[50046ajax]

God this was slow at pikes pool it flew through bromsgrove, the lickey sure takes its toll on all.

[21C123]

Nice video, espeically the bit of the Thumper. Can just see myself in the middle of the fourth coach. Thanks again for the comment on my video of The Worcester Leveller tour.