Panniers on the mainline: The SLS Special 14th November 2009

What a treat, two pannier tanks on the mainline. Despite the forecast of bad weather, there was no way I was going to miss this!

Saturday 14th November saw the pair on the SLS Special from Tyseley to Ironbridge and onward to the Severn Valley Railway. I managed to catch them on the first leg, to Ironbridge and return and also at Kidderminster as they shunted from the mainline to the Severn Valley Railway.

Running a bit late I opted to call at Albrighton Station for the first shot, where we see the pair pass through at speed. A few static shots at the following water stop at Cosford then moving on to a bridge just outside Shifnal. It was here that I (and others who were there) was taken by surprise to see steam heading our way a good 15 minutes before the allotted time. I wasn't at all ready but I think this shot didn't come out to bad considering I had to scoot back to the van get the camera out and ready!

I caught back up with the pair at Madley Junction where the class 47 diesel passed them and went down the Ironbridge line with the tour. The Panniers followed shortly and obviously coupled to the back of the train at some point. We then see the 47 and panniers going down the line. A quick drive down to the river gave it all away. The tour was meant to be pannier hauled all the way down to the power station where the pair would run around and bring the train back. It transpired that for whatever reason the tour was not being allowed into the power station grounds, hence the "top n tail" arrangement. Another drive back to Coalbrookdale enabled a shot of the climb back out of the valley.

Apparently they then stopped for water at lightmoor, this was unknown to me, otherwise I would have got another shot in. Instead I drove to Shifnal station where again we see the pair coming through. Naturally as soon as they appeared an helicopter flew overhead!

We now jump forward a couple of hours and watch the panniers shunt the train on to SVR metals. The sound of Kidderminster Harriers who were playing at home may be heard now and then as anyone who knows the area will also know the ground is just over my left shoulder.

Well done and thank you to Tysely for arranging this tour, I'm not a basher but as a self confessed smaller engine freak, I would have loved to have been on that tour.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• SLS Special
• 9600
• 9466
• mainline
• steam
• Tyseley
• Kidderminster
• Ironbridge
• pannier
• rail
• railway
• loco
• locomotive
• SVR

[togreektown]

You UK folks are so lucky to have all that steam to watch we here across the pond just dream of all your steam

[steamvideo]

Book that flight ! :)

[NN2Blue]

Excellent compilation of a cracking looking day out. I agree it is good to see the smaller engines on the main line and at a good speed! 5* Thanks for sharing! - Mike

[steamvideo]

They are great to see, can't wait for when they are next out.

[GreatWestern175]

Now I really wish I shoulda gone up there, but couldnt risk travelling over 150 miles to get hundreds of pounds of camera and equipment damaged by storms that they forcasted that day :(

[steamvideo]

Yes thankfully the forecasters got it very wrong.

It was quite sunny most of the time just the occasional shower and a bit windy.

Sounds like you need to invest in a decent rain cover for the cam.

[EMuksteam]

Fantastic video brilliantly put together 5*

[trainlover658]

we dont get tank engines on the mainlines like we used to...

[MG06ZT]

Some good shots, 5*.

[steamvideo]

Yes Bob, I was quite amazed, looked more than 45 to me at Albrighton.

[steamvideo]

Thanks for all the comments, nice to hear you like the film. my next one may have a Southern feel.

[robmasterman]

Congratulations Bill on that excellent record of this superb event. Didn't they get up to some cracking speeds...brilliant as always...5* Bob

[pwalpar]

Excellant video