'Western Lament' railtour - 24th February 1977 - penultimate railtour of the diesel-hydraulic era

This is a short film about the ‘Western Lament’ railtour on 24th February 1977, the penultimate railtour of the diesel-hydraulic era on British Railways.
The locomotive used was Class 52 D1048 ‘Western Lady’ which meant that this was the final time a Crewe-built Western would leave Paddington before total withdrawal of the class. Two days later, the official ‘Western Tribute’ railtour would take place, after which every member of the class was withdrawn from service.
I recall ‘Western Lament’ being organised at very short notice by John Vaughan, who had organised a number of Western-hauled specials over the previous months.
It’s quite amazing how we all got to hear about the tour being planned, given that there was no internet, no email, no social media and no mobile phones! But somehow the jungle telegraph worked its magic and we all gathered to share in the experience that Thursday in February 1977.
I was able to take some Super8 silent cine film and 35mm colour slides that day. The quality of the movie film is way off modern day standards. However, I’ve done my best to improve the stability, brightness, contrast and colour saturation. Also, I feel that the addition of sound has done much to improve the experience.
I really hope you enjoy ten minutes of nostalgia - if you were there.
If you weren’t there, I hope it gives you a taste of what the day was like for those of us who were fortunate enough to experience it first hand.
Let me know below…
Andy
PS... If you enjoyed watching this video, perhaps you would consider making a donation to the Western Locomotive Association, a charity that owns and cares for three Class 52s - including Western Lady! Here's the link: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/weste...

[@mikehemming1331]

Absolutely fantastic

[@service-with-a-hug]

Thank you Mike, much appreciated!

[@ianallcroft364]

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful record of the day. How great it is to know that "Lady" is still with us, and now in the care of the Western Locomotive Association. We may all be a little older now, but the memories still remain.... Magic!

[@service-with-a-hug]

That's kind of you Ian. I do have some more old cine footage of the Diesel-Hydraulic era so you've inspired me to see what else I can 'put out there' for the enjoyment of others...

[@SydFlix]

A superbly put together record of the day. Brilliant work!

[@service-with-a-hug]

Thank you Syd, glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidreed8679]

Excellent video . Never travelled on the final railtours , my memories cover the period 1969 - 1976 with thousands of miles being hauled by Westerns in 1974/75 . Great days never to be forgotten .

[@service-with-a-hug]

Thanks David, glad you enjoyed the video. They were certainly special times... great memories were made by many of us...

[@JohnWrigley]

Was on a western tour in 1976 with Westerns Fusiliers and Invader hauling and past Lady between Reading and Swindon. As a Doncaster lad I came to the Westerns in their twilight years and mainly missed out on the most charismatic diesels of the era.

[@service-with-a-hug]

Hi John, that sounds like the 'Westerns South Western' Railtour which I was also on. It went to Meldon Quarry in Devon. I have some cine footage of that day... not brilliant quality but I'll be doing my best to bring it alive, as I've done with this one. Make sure you subscribe and click 'notifications' so you'll be alerted when there's another video uploaded.

[@mt_-hn2zh]

Marvellous, simply marvellous!

[@service-with-a-hug]

So pleased you enjoyed it!

[@daystatesniper01]

Was on this tour memories of a better time

[@service-with-a-hug]

How quickly time passes... glad it brought back the memories for you

[@oldgoat5589]

I travelled on most trips organised by John Vaughan. What a bloke!

[@service-with-a-hug]

Me too! Yes, much appreciation for John's contrubution...

[@12crepello]

Ah, the days when you could really enjoy a railtour without being cosmetically sealed in and all at a reasonable price. Great days!

[@service-with-a-hug]

Great days indeed! Thanks for joining in the conversation...

[@johnlladron735]

Brilliant video, thanks very much!

[@service-with-a-hug]

You're very welcome John. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidroberts5791]

I wasn't there at the time, this is marvellous to see. An excellent video, thanks very much for sharing.

[@service-with-a-hug]

Thank you David, I'm so pleased you enjoyed watching. It was a sad day and I'm so pleased to have been there to take the photos and cine film.

[@trevortestertrev5531]

Wonderful, thanks for posting

[@service-with-a-hug]

You're very welcome Trevor, glad you enjoyed it. It makes all the hours at the computer worthwhile!

[@vernongoodey5096]

Oh my it was half term that last week I was 15 and got severely bellowed at on the way out and back at Reading by most of the train who are now all bald old men like me!

[@service-with-a-hug]

Yes, how quickly time passes! And how great that we can re-live the past in this way... thank you for your comment Vernon

[@oldgoat5589]

"My Lordz...."

[@davidfry6097]

I have that headboard in my loft

[@service-with-a-hug]

What a lovely souvenir of the day David!