Absolutely without doubt the best cab rides anywhere. This particular trip was amazing, that 70 is a brutal bit of kit! And that noise! Wowser!! Excellent stuff, keep up the good work.
In the last couple of years my structures examination team has taken over inspection duties on the SNJ line between Northwich and Sandbach. Fascinating to get a drivers eye view of the tracks I've been walking recently! Great video as always.
Had some time to spare so revisited your videos after a break of several months. Was very interested in this video because of the section between Hazel Grove and Northenden. I lived in Cheadle as a child and spent lots of time train spotting with my friend at Cheadle Heath station. This was in the fifties and in the winter the porter used to let us sit by water column brazier at the south end of the branch platform. A constant stream of trains hauled by Stanier 2-8-0s Fowler 0-8-0s Austerity 2-8-0S and on lighter trains Fowler 0-6-0s, would come up from the Northenden direction and every one stopped for water ready for the climb to the Peak District, including the vacuum braked bogie hoppers which ran from Tunstead to ICI at Northwich. Then every hour a London or Manchester Central bound express would thunder through pulled by a Jubilee. ?There were extensive carriage sidings to accommodate the stock for the commuter trains from Central which were usually hauled by a 2-6-2 tank. A large water tower and turntable were located in the corner by the road junction with Adswood road, and there were an number of sidings for coal and a very large goods shed which were often shunted by a 6 er from Heaton Mersey shed. Apart from the single line nothing remains and I wondered when I called at Morrisons a while back whether it was still in use. Good to see that it is and especially the section from Hazel Grove to New Mills. Is this used as an alternative for trains from Manchester to Sheffield instead of via Romiley? I saw the vacuum braked hoppers pass Knutsford a few years back but I guess that since they had been in service, I think from the late thirties they were life expired as I have not seen them recently. On your journey from Hindlow to Crewe you went via Romiley and Guide Bridge. That seems quite a long way round and I wondered why you were not routed the same way as on the light engine movement. Please to see the Northwich Sandbach line is still in use. You mentioned railtours; I travelled this line in 1967 behind a standard 2-10-0 on a tour of goods and truncated lines, including the link from Molesworth to Helsby West Cheshire Junction. I am very impressed by the quality of your work, comments, useful technical information, and that fact that you support a charity. Also watched the Chester to Holyhead today and as I now live in Anglesey I was delighted that you had such wonderful weather to show North Wales at its best. Keep up the good work
Well Peter, I’m extremely flattered and grateful for your comments. I get the feeling you and I could chat for hours, we’ve got a lot in common. The railway was a big part of my childhood and I saw the same things you did but at New Mills South Junction. It was a little bit later too and the hoppers were hauled by green Class 25s and the express’s green Class 45s but they went the same way - down through Cheadle. By the way, you can see the continuation of that route in the Didsbury to Rochdale tram video which runs right by Manchester Central. The freight videos are courtesy of my mate Vinny and his boss who authorised their use. I think the only reason they take different routes is for pathing. Network Rail tell them what goes which way and when. It’s good to talk to you and thanks for following the channel.
These videos are so cool. I love train journeys, they're my favorite form of transport. Something so relaxing--the views from the windows, the throb of the engine, the clatter of the tracks.
Very good, really enjoyed the film. The commentary is also very helpful to follow on a rail atlas. For me the most interesting part was the industrial sites around Northwich. I remember my Northwich station visit (12/Aug/1999):- bar on the station and a fish & chip shop outside. Great!
Thank you for this fascinating video, Don. Interesting to see that tedious stretch through Middlewich, and the avoiding lines into Basford Hall, which reminded me of my spotting days at the north end of Crewe station when trains would suddenly appear out of the tunnel with no warning and would never give us the chance to tick them off!
I know, it reminds me too Paul. I used to hand around watching all the night mail comings and goings never dreaming I’d be fortunate enough to be part of it one day.
Great video. I was a guard at Bescot in the early seventies and remember the first time I travelled between Crew and Sandbach. The track was like a big dipper you had to see it to believe it. I was told that this was due to the salt in the ground being dissolved by water. Before I worked on the railways I worked on the canals and used to go to Preston Brook some times. In several places the canal went through lakes called flashes which again was caused by the water dissolving the salt below in the ground. Thanks again for your very good videos.
Very interesting Paul. It’s surprising that on my regular run to Hull, I can see undulations in the track which comes from mining in what was described as the Selby Coalfield. The mines ran for miles to follow a seam and it still effects us now.
Oooooooo I loved that one Don. Thanks to the driver for the insite, also for opening the window at key times to listen to 70's engine, mmm lovely. And finally my son says well done for the over use of tones coming to the first crossing. He loved it. Big THANKS Don
Great video Don. I love that not only do I get a cab ride, I get your commentary and educative comments - and by watching a few ads I get to support the Samaritans too. I don’t underestimate all the effort and time you put in to editing these videos - but they are of such a high standard I expect it takes a while. And being able to support the Samaritans - it’s a win win for me. Thanks for all your hard work in bringing to us almost two hours of great entertainment.
I really appreciate that Tim. I still get people moaning about the ads but without them we don’t get the support of the train companies and we don’t have a channel. Take care 👍
I grew up in Middlewich and spent a lot of time at the house seen on the right at 1.27.20 (Cross Lane), I used to walk around the fields and train line back in the late 1990s. So much hasn't changed but a lot has - especially the development of the previous farmlands. Thanks for sharing.
Dry Christmas Don! (Blushes and looks at floor) I couldn’t watch the premier, but I got notified and looked at it. I marked it for “watch later” and I guess this is later. Watched the Great Lakes ships go to bed during January. Fascinating. Came out in March. I am always learning. Thank you for helping me my friend!
Love all the videos over the years. Thanks for each of them. I’d love to see how locos are connected to each other via the electric cables (on a head to head) or passenger train and why locos use a bar to connect to the first wagon and chain links from wagon to wagon. Keep up the good work, love it.
On the locos, they use jumper cables but on the units, they have an auto coupler with multiple contact pins. This platform doesn’t allow me to post photos unfortunately. I think you might have seen a container train which uses a combination of bars and chains throughout its length but some freight definitely uses a chain at the loco. Some use buckeye couplers which are very strong-ideal for long or heavy trains.
Great video. Nice to see the view the public don't get. I buried my dad in 2017, a train driver of 30 years. Coming back to Scotland I asked to sit in hst back cab !! Conductor spoke with driver & said why I'd asked. But policy denied me. I understand why, but was disappointed
Sorry to hear about your dad. The crew would love to oblige but it isn’t allowed, however, I do have a couple of anglo-sottish videos that might be of interest.
As a narrowboater, I have regularly moored near Whatcroft Hall. One canal guide declared it unused. As I read this a freight train clanked by over the bridge! (Recently rebuilt, I noticed when passing south.) Thanks for a fascinating video.
Fab video Don wandering through the countryside with a 70 growling away. Lovely stuff, though mrs pheasant didnt want to move ehh. lol. Also nice to see where the 60s engines were made too.
Many wild animals can’t judge trains at all. I think they’re not used to objects approaching so fast and become complacent based on previous experience. Pheasants take it up a notch and become confrontational to such a brightly coloured adversary. Thanks Russ, take care buddy.
Another superb video Don, beautifully edited and very informative as ever. As a lifelong railway enthusiast I'm constantly surprised how much I was not aware of, for example why semaphore signal lenses are blue! Thank you again for all your hard work producing these videos, you are a true gentleman.
Thanks Don, for this wonderful trip! I'm sure the horses were scared of the locos as they know how many of their bretheren are trapped inside that metal shell!! On the other hand, cows seems to be fascinated by trains, for some reason!!
An excellent, enjoyable and informative video Don . Your videos helped me through lockdown . They have certainly inspired us to ‘ ditch the car ‘ wherever possible and travel by train . Now armed with national railcards we have travelled to York , Leeds and Glasgow by train . Also numerous journeys in and around Great Manchester. Thanks again
Another fabulous trip.many thanks to Don & the Driver. I grew up in Northwich and it’s hard to believe that the area around the station was busy with a sizeable Motive Power Depot or ‘Shed’ as we used to call it. Home to a sizeable fleet of locos including the wonderful Stanier 8Fs which worked the Limestone trains between Buxton and ICI Wallerscote along a lot of this route through Cheshire. As commented there used to be an occasional passenger train on the Middlewich Branch known as the Dodger.
I live right beside the Peak Forest line where those trains used to run. It is bumper to bumper stone trains today but I wish I lived there in the 60s!
A "must watch again & again" for me Don, thanks very much. I've never seen footage of the old Midland route from Hazel Grove to Northenden & of the Middlewich branch before, so incredibly interesting for me. Nice to hear a class 70 in action too. A class 60 or a Grid would also be nice - hint hint! 😉
Not only are these videos a pleasure to watch when you're a wee bit "smashed" with Hawkwind on in the background, they're also educational - Hale Station originating from the Old English "Halh" meaning nook or shelter. Awesome!!
Haha, yes, on the passenger videos I try to add the mileage from origin but on the freight I use the sub heading to add all sorts of location tit bits.
Hey Don, it's good to be watching your latest videos again and that too after a long time. Hope you have more such freight train videos in the near future as well. Thanks for sharing. 😀😀😀
Great stuff. Staggeringly, my Mrs was glued when she realised you were going straight past the end of our garden (just past Plumley). You have a new convert!
I don’t know why you find it so surprising, she’s got exquisite taste 😉😀👍. Haha, glad you both liked it and give her my regards. We’ll be coming back via Middlewich in a future video.
Love the videos you make, it helped me through lockdown, and keep me sane, keep them coming, the class 70 is a locomotive that's growing on me any more with the class 70? Hope so once again thank you and carry on with the great work
G'day Don. Cancer + eviction ain't fun, so nice to have something so normal to enjoy. Thank-you. Many people in our world can't even enjoy this much atm, good onya for your charitable viewpoint.
Great footage.Thank you. Interesting and distinctive noise from the 70. Living yards from the WCML in North Bucks, depending on the wind direction, you could hear the noise they made some miles off, either north of Hanslope Junction or south from Wolverton. Awesome! Sadly they are a rare sight these days.
And another jewel of a video, Thanks for the ride and comments Don. Though I will confess started to feel anxious with the bogies thrashing sound, like if they were coming off the track and bouncing on the ground.
Hi Don - ex Metrolink (and current Northern) driver here. Regarding the 'Metrolink going from Green to Red' you mention around 46:40 - what you will see (46:45) is a diamond sign with a 'station ahead' board beneath it. This acts as a fixed distant albeit not to the same style as a railway fixed distant. These applied on the block signalling sections, and there were also some regular distant signals where the sections were longer with no stations (there are also a couple on the gantry between Navigation Road and Altrincham)
Nice one, thanks Martin. Rob and Darren (Cawthorne) are very good at explaining things for me but we used to come back from Chester and vice versa and comment - crikey look, he’s going from green to red! Of course you guys have a better understanding but to us uneducated heavy rail drivers it was a bit unnerving!
Locomotives obviously needed at Crewe on Christmas Eve as it's the base for Santa's present-distribution network for northwest England. Surprised you didn't know that, Don!
So nice to see the freight line in stockport as it goes under a bridge i used to hang around when I was a kid and of course good to see it pass my old neighbourhood (although the bridge itself has changed sine then -- back then it was a green lattice type bridge which you could grab the top bars off and swing (hence it nickname the Monkey Bridge) now it has been replaced with a green and White type Bridge as seen at 32:07) -- however I remember back then the line there was a double line and also remember in the early 90s maybe it started to get lifted and always loved waving to the drivers when they roared passed :) -- in fact a while ago I saw a video on here called Stockport Lost Railways 1995 CLC and Midland Mainline (still on youtube so check it out) and the bridge in question is on there is it's original form at 10:10 in that video -- it also goes into detail about the line too which also mentions the spur that crossed a viaduct into possibly the Stockport Tiviot Dale line on the corner just before the sewage works -- not sure if it was mentioned here (maybe I missed it) -- anyway great vid don and look forward to seeing more like these in the future -- keep on trucking :)
Much appreciated and an interesting account. It takes me back to when I used to follow my brother about watching the trains and just the same, much of it has gone.
Thank you for a great video. Great footage. What the driver has to learn and absorb is astonishing, route knowledge, signals, etc, so these videos give a great insight too.
I’ve got a mate in trading school at the moment who was a training instructor for the fire brigade and he reckons his head won’t take any more! They force feed you trains and some but he’s not even got out with an instructor yet so it’s set to get worse.
Still is in absolute block as long as the signal isn’t renewed. They sometimes push the distant out to give more braking distance then it becomes incompatible with the wired signal.
Thanks for this, Don. When I was very small, more years ago thatn I care to admit, I used to refer to diesel multiple units as "diesel dodgers". As I was brought up in the Northwich area, I presume, sixty years later, that the the phrase came from the Middlewich branch.
Thank you, Don. Another excellent video, packed with interesting details about working and routes. It was especially interesting in the light of your reply to my query as to why the Hindlow to Crewe train did not follow this route, in your video of nine months ago or so. And your commentary often alluded to other issues of that kind - the fact that part of the route had been the Midland Railway's "racetrack" to Manchester Central (high speed no more!), and the fascinating complexity of the junctions around Heaton and Timperley. The class 70s make a distinctive sound!
There’s lots to talk about Martin and with captions I can only scratch the surface. With each video I try to fill in the gaps so glad you appreciate that 👍
Loved this virtual cab ride. I recognised a few landmarks around Hazel Grove, Cheadle and Knutsford. Let me know when I can hop on for a ride 🙂 Subbed.
Fascinating trip through the English countryside. You're lucky to have these lines survive. Only one line between Dundee and Aberdeen two major Scottish cities where there used to be three alternatives, and it's not even electrified! Forever closed for maintenance with bus replacement and freight going on road. If just one other line was left what a difference it would have made. Dr Beeching was a short-sighted fool of a man, totally lacking in vision, and his demolition of the railways didn't even save any money.
It’s such a shame what was lost George although I must say that Scotland seems to have a much better attitude towards reopening lines. As for Beeching, he was just doing as he was told and the sad truth is that the public had lost interest in the ailing railway and wanted their own personal transport. He did close too much for “good measure” without any regard for what might happen in the situation we have now with multiple cars on most peoples drive. It makes you wonder just how much would have survived if it could have just hung on a few more years.
37:19 On that whole stretch of single track is it one train on the whole bit of single track or is it something else? There doesn't seem to be that many signals along the line either so you couldn't break up the line into blocks...
Hi Don, Reminds me of the route from Newport to Hereford, double track through open farmland with the mountains in the background and semaphore signals. I drive the Hereford route regularly for GWR, we do empty stock moves to and from Hereford and Bristol via Newport. It's right what you say about knowing where the signals are. One of our guys stopped at a semaphore signal at Morton-in-Marsh in fog, he could see the signal post, but when he looked up, the signal head was hidden in the fog, so he had to ring the signaller to ask if the signal was off. So you can see, knowing where the signal is is essential. Cheers Rich
It must be lovely Rich. I was supposed to be coming filming some of your routes - all authorised by your driver standards manager but then covid came along and messed things up. Hopefully, we’ll get back to them one day.
Hi Don. Loving your videos, when do you think we will get some more footage? Keep up the good work, you & your team certainly know how to educate, inform & entertain!
The first part of the ride takes in so much railway history that is all a vivid living memory for me. My uncle Harold was the SM at Edale in the 60s before transferring to Seamer. I can remember the Midland line in the final days of its full glorry with long peak hauled trains of maroon and red and cream coached crossing the Mersey. And of course, the old Cheadle junction, Northenden line when it was doubled and masivly busy with freight. The view toward Stockport from Cheadle station or Abney hall was a fascinating forest of old chimneys and semaphore signals, no motorway. It all looked very open too. The railways were prominent, neat and visible. How things have changed!
Heyup Ollie. There was an old gentleman called Mr Earnshaw who used to stop and chat to me when I was doing the garden. He was a lovely fella and told me that when he offered an interview for Edale Box in the 60s. He rode his push bike from Chapel to Edale which is not inconsiderable on one of those old bikes. He got the job and continued to ride his bike in all weathers. A hero in my opinion and I’m sure your uncle will have known him.
Yes I've been up Eccles Pike and Chinley Churn too. Our four year old granddaughter s who lives here in Swansea went over Chinley Churn with her New Mills cousins and declared it 'an epic walk', they still had energy to play in the pub garden before the train home from Chinley, I'm told.
It was an epic walk for me at 4 years old! We used to live at Low Leighton and head up Laneside Rd then on to Big Stone and into Chinley. I remember the steam trains in the distance.
Thanks for bringing us another top video, Don (& Freightliner for making it possible) I'll have to split up my viewing time on this one as well, but with not quite so many brews as your epic Hindlow to Crewe 3 hour marathon! :) EDIT or Bedford to Earles
Love it!. I grew up in Sandbach and I always wondered what the Middlewich branch would be like to travel on - my older brother used to ride the "Dodger" in the 50s.
Thank you so much for this video, loved it. Really well edited and hats off to you and Vinny for this. Not just relaxing, I find this videos really good for testing my concentration as I would love to be a driver for a freight company in a few years time. Thank you, Don, Brilliant.
Thanks Don, hope all is OK with you. A great video and always delighted to see my old home town of Timperley/Altrincham featuring again! not seen a 70 in action so good to hear what they sound like, quite a good sounding loco. Would be interesting to see a vid from a heritage loco dont know if that's possible one day, take care. Mike
All well Mike, I hope the same for you. Before covid I could have predicted things with a lot more certainty but these days it’s a matter of fingers crossed and see what pops up. I am filming on the Worth Valley on the 14th April.
Thanks for another informative video. Couple of comments, was Altringham station not at some point named Altringham & Bowden (hence the Bowden depot). Back in my Freightliner days we used to carry Teyra Ethyl Lead to and from the continent in special 20' tank containers. The tanks were small, with a heavy armoured framework to protect them. It's extremely nasty stuff, even a hint of a leak stopped the job instantly. Lead free fuel meant that it was no longer being moved, in many ways we were glad to see the back of it.
Hi KD. The caption for Altrincham Station says “used to be called Altrincham and Bowden underneath it 👍. I’m a mechanic by trade and when cleaning carburettors I used to be covered in lead. I’m glad it’s gone but kind of sad to see another rail linked works disappear.
Interesting that signal no GK35 at Northwich has a feather for the route rejoining the Chester line, rather than for the Middlewich branch (1:07) as might be expected. Does this mean that the line through the former platform 3 is actually still a part of the Middlewich branch?
As it’s currently laid out, when you see the junction indicator to the right like that, it means the Middlewich branch is the “main route” so in that case yes, if that side of the platform was still open it would part of it too.
Excellent production, Don. It must be over thirty years since I went down the stretch from Hazel Grove Midland to Northenden Junction, and that was on a Sunday ballast near the old Cheadle station. Things have most certainly changed at Cheadle Heath, where that Morrisons store now stands. Years ago, when I started on the railway there used to be a quite large Smiths Crisps factory in that area. As regards the route from Northwich to Sandbach, I last went along that line when I was at Llandudno Junction, and trains were diverted along there due to engineering on the Chester to Crewe line, and that was over thirty years ago. I'm fairly sure that as well as the salt sidings there was a BP chemical works siding more towards Sandbach on that line, well at least back in the early 80s. Anyhow Don, this is a most enjoyable journey, bringing back many good memories of the old BR days, and thank you so much.
I wish I’d got footage from then Frank. I suppose these films will become a legacy so that the people of the future can look back on them too. Glad it brought back memories for you 👍
Thanks Don, That GE Power Haul has a much different sounding diesel engine than our GE ES44ACs , but the dynamic brake blower sound identical to the ES44ACs Union Pacific and BNSF have.
Absolutely without doubt the best cab rides anywhere. This particular trip was amazing, that 70 is a brutal bit of kit! And that noise! Wowser!! Excellent stuff, keep up the good work.
That’s much appreciated Aaron. I consider that an accolade 👍
Gotta love the sound of a 70
More soon Joe.
In the last couple of years my structures examination team has taken over inspection duties on the SNJ line between Northwich and Sandbach. Fascinating to get a drivers eye view of the tracks I've been walking recently! Great video as always.
Glad it assisted Paul. I will run the return journey at some stage 👍
Marvellous , Christmas eve on a freight line , yonder pheasants and the wise men in the signal boxes ( ? ) Great video 👍🇬🇧
Funnily enough, a very good friend of mine was on duty at New Mills South. He’s more old than wise but don’t tell him I said 😉
@@doncoffey5820 not a word shall pass . 😃
Had some time to spare so revisited your videos after a break of several months. Was very interested in this video because of the section between Hazel Grove and Northenden. I lived in Cheadle as a child and spent lots of time train spotting with my friend at Cheadle Heath station. This was in the fifties and in the winter the porter used to let us sit by water column brazier at the south end of the branch platform. A constant stream of trains hauled by Stanier 2-8-0s Fowler 0-8-0s Austerity 2-8-0S and on lighter trains Fowler 0-6-0s, would come up from the Northenden direction and every one stopped for water ready for the climb to the Peak District, including the vacuum braked bogie hoppers which ran from Tunstead to ICI at Northwich. Then every hour a London or Manchester Central bound express would thunder through pulled by a Jubilee. ?There were extensive carriage sidings to accommodate the stock for the commuter trains from Central which were usually hauled by a 2-6-2 tank. A large water tower and turntable were located in the corner by the road junction with Adswood road, and there were an number of sidings for coal and a very large goods shed which were often shunted by a 6 er from Heaton Mersey shed.
Apart from the single line nothing remains and I wondered when I called at Morrisons a while back whether it was still in use. Good to see that it is and especially the section from Hazel Grove to New Mills. Is this used as an alternative for trains from Manchester to Sheffield instead of via Romiley?
I saw the vacuum braked hoppers pass Knutsford a few years back but I guess that since they had been in service, I think from the late thirties they were life expired as I have not seen them recently.
On your journey from Hindlow to Crewe you went via Romiley and Guide Bridge. That seems quite a long way round and I wondered why you were not routed the same way as on the light engine movement. Please to see the Northwich Sandbach line is still in use. You mentioned railtours; I travelled this line in 1967 behind a standard 2-10-0 on a tour of goods and truncated lines, including the link from Molesworth to Helsby West Cheshire Junction.
I am very impressed by the quality of your work, comments, useful technical information, and that fact that you support a charity. Also watched the Chester to Holyhead today and as I now live in Anglesey I was delighted that you had such wonderful weather to show North Wales at its best.
Keep up the good work
Well Peter, I’m extremely flattered and grateful for your comments. I get the feeling you and I could chat for hours, we’ve got a lot in common. The railway was a big part of my childhood and I saw the same things you did but at New Mills South Junction. It was a little bit later too and the hoppers were hauled by green Class 25s and the express’s green Class 45s but they went the same way - down through Cheadle. By the way, you can see the continuation of that route in the Didsbury to Rochdale tram video which runs right by Manchester Central. The freight videos are courtesy of my mate Vinny and his boss who authorised their use. I think the only reason they take different routes is for pathing. Network Rail tell them what goes which way and when. It’s good to talk to you and thanks for following the channel.
These videos are so cool. I love train journeys, they're my favorite form of transport. Something so relaxing--the views from the windows, the throb of the engine, the clatter of the tracks.
Glad you enjoy them. I agree entirely of course!
Very good, really enjoyed the film. The commentary is also very helpful to follow on a rail atlas. For me the most interesting part was the industrial sites around Northwich. I remember my Northwich station visit (12/Aug/1999):- bar on the station and a fish & chip shop outside. Great!
Sounds idyllic Ross. The vacuum braked hoppers would have been running then.
Thank you for this fascinating video, Don. Interesting to see that tedious stretch through Middlewich, and the avoiding lines into Basford Hall, which reminded me of my spotting days at the north end of Crewe station when trains would suddenly appear out of the tunnel with no warning and would never give us the chance to tick them off!
I know, it reminds me too Paul. I used to hand around watching all the night mail comings and goings never dreaming I’d be fortunate enough to be part of it one day.
what a brilliant video, thank you
Very pleased you liked it. 👍
Great video. I was a guard at Bescot in the early seventies and remember the first time I travelled between Crew and Sandbach. The track was like a big dipper you had to see it to believe it. I was told that this was due to the salt in the ground being dissolved by water. Before I worked on the railways I worked on the canals and used to go to Preston Brook some times. In several places the canal went through lakes called flashes which again was caused by the water dissolving the salt below in the ground. Thanks again for your very good videos.
Very interesting Paul. It’s surprising that on my regular run to Hull, I can see undulations in the track which comes from mining in what was described as the Selby Coalfield. The mines ran for miles to follow a seam and it still effects us now.
Oooooooo I loved that one Don. Thanks to the driver for the insite, also for opening the window at key times to listen to 70's engine, mmm lovely. And finally my son says well done for the over use of tones coming to the first crossing. He loved it. Big THANKS Don
He’ll see your comments Karl. Give my regards to the boys.
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Especially liked the running commentary on places and history. As always, the scenery is beautiful.
You’re becoming a regular Francis. Good to see you and much appreciated 👍
Great video Don. I love that not only do I get a cab ride, I get your commentary and educative comments - and by watching a few ads I get to support the Samaritans too. I don’t underestimate all the effort and time you put in to editing these videos - but they are of such a high standard I expect it takes a while. And being able to support the Samaritans - it’s a win win for me. Thanks for all your hard work in bringing to us almost two hours of great entertainment.
I really appreciate that Tim. I still get people moaning about the ads but without them we don’t get the support of the train companies and we don’t have a channel. Take care 👍
Great as usual! A lot of single track running
Indeed!, often the case with freight.
I grew up in Middlewich and spent a lot of time at the house seen on the right at 1.27.20 (Cross Lane), I used to walk around the fields and train line back in the late 1990s. So much hasn't changed but a lot has - especially the development of the previous farmlands. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Leo. It’s interesting to see it from the railway as that often lies unchanged while things morph around it.
Excellent as ever Don. Really enjoyed it thanks.
Pleased to hear it Clive 👍
Dry Christmas Don! (Blushes and looks at floor) I couldn’t watch the premier, but I got notified and looked at it. I marked it for “watch later” and I guess this is later. Watched the Great Lakes ships go to bed during January. Fascinating. Came out in March. I am always learning. Thank you for helping me my friend!
Always a pleasure to hear from you Thomas. Time flies by but there’s no rush. Keep in touch 👍
Again, thanks Don to you and all concerned for another excellent, entertaining video.
Vinny will see your comment thanks Peter 👍
another great ride mate . stayed for a month at Northenden cheers
Nice one Brett. It’s a hive of activity down there 👍
Love all the videos over the years. Thanks for each of them. I’d love to see how locos are connected to each other via the electric cables (on a head to head) or passenger train and why locos use a bar to connect to the first wagon and chain links from wagon to wagon.
Keep up the good work, love it.
On the locos, they use jumper cables but on the units, they have an auto coupler with multiple contact pins. This platform doesn’t allow me to post photos unfortunately. I think you might have seen a container train which uses a combination of bars and chains throughout its length but some freight definitely uses a chain at the loco. Some use buckeye couplers which are very strong-ideal for long or heavy trains.
Another fine video Don, thankyou as usual.
And thank you Tony, much appreciated.
Great film once again Don, many thanks for uploading.
Good to see you EM 👍
As always, another great video and a pleasure to watch. Thank you!!
Thanks Michael 👍
Masterclass in Teamwork. Well done Driver and Don.
He’ll see your comment Roger, Thank you.
Great video. Nice to see the view the public don't get. I buried my dad in 2017, a train driver of 30 years. Coming back to Scotland I asked to sit in hst back cab !! Conductor spoke with driver & said why I'd asked. But policy denied me. I understand why, but was disappointed
Sorry to hear about your dad. The crew would love to oblige but it isn’t allowed, however, I do have a couple of anglo-sottish videos that might be of interest.
Great as usual Don ,love the sound of the 70!!
A proper deep rumble isn’t it? All the best Kevin.
As a narrowboater, I have regularly moored near Whatcroft Hall. One canal guide declared it unused. As I read this a freight train clanked by over the bridge! (Recently rebuilt, I noticed when passing south.) Thanks for a fascinating video.
Don’t get me started on canals Felix. I find them fascinating considering how old they are and again, the architecture is superb.
Another very good video Don Thanks. I like the freight ones gives us chance to see lines that we don’t normally see.
Nice one Mel, glad you enjoyed it.
Another great interesting and informative video Don. Thanks
My pleasure Chris 👍
Everything totally informative & brilliant. Forward looking ‘ FREIGHTLINERS’ too! Thank you all.
More Freightliner action very soon.
Another good video Don. Thoroughly enjoyed it was light engine, really did.
Much appreciated Paul 👍
Great to see another one of your videos Don. Keep them coming.
Next one soon Ian.
Next one soon Ian.
Thank you Don and thank you FREIGHTLINER. Another great video. Keep them coming.
Much appreciated Patrick.
Fab video Don wandering through the countryside with a 70 growling away. Lovely stuff, though mrs pheasant didnt want to move ehh. lol. Also nice to see where the 60s engines were made too.
Many wild animals can’t judge trains at all. I think they’re not used to objects approaching so fast and become complacent based on previous experience. Pheasants take it up a notch and become confrontational to such a brightly coloured adversary. Thanks Russ, take care buddy.
Another superb video Don, beautifully edited and very informative as ever. As a lifelong railway enthusiast I'm constantly surprised how much I was not aware of, for example why semaphore signal lenses are blue! Thank you again for all your hard work producing these videos, you are a true gentleman.
Very much appreciate you kind words Jim 👍
It is my considered opinion that Highways England should suspend all motorway roadworks when a guys trying to get home for one of Don's premiers
I’ll give them a ring David, it’s just not good enough 😉
Thanks Don, for this wonderful trip! I'm sure the horses were scared of the locos as they know how many of their bretheren are trapped inside that metal shell!! On the other hand, cows seems to be fascinated by trains, for some reason!!
I’m sure some cows take numbers, they seem transfixed by a passing train!
Another great vid. Many thks. I could watch these vids all day. To one and all, please do more of them.
Working on the next one Brian. Glad you like them.
An excellent, enjoyable and informative video Don . Your videos helped me through lockdown . They have certainly inspired us to ‘ ditch the car ‘ wherever possible and travel by train . Now armed with national railcards we have travelled to York , Leeds and Glasgow by train . Also numerous journeys in and around Great Manchester. Thanks again
Nice! Be sure to say hello if you see me on your travels.
Another great video!
Thanks as always Henry.
Another fabulous trip.many thanks to Don & the Driver. I grew up in Northwich and it’s hard to believe that the area around the station was busy with a sizeable Motive Power Depot or ‘Shed’ as we used to call it. Home to a sizeable fleet of locos including the wonderful Stanier 8Fs which worked the Limestone trains between Buxton and ICI Wallerscote along a lot of this route through Cheshire. As commented there used to be an occasional passenger train on the Middlewich Branch known as the Dodger.
I live right beside the Peak Forest line where those trains used to run. It is bumper to bumper stone trains today but I wish I lived there in the 60s!
thank you Mr. Coffey for your wonderful videos.
It is a pleasure to get to know the U.K.'s enviable rail network.
Much appreciated Mr Faliva, thank you for the kind words and glad you appreciate them.
A "must watch again & again" for me Don, thanks very much. I've never seen footage of the old Midland route from Hazel Grove to Northenden & of the Middlewich branch before, so incredibly interesting for me. Nice to hear a class 70 in action too. A class 60 or a Grid would also be nice - hint hint! 😉
They were new to me too Laurie. As for other traction, I doubt I can get to a 56 but a 60 is definitely in the pipeline.
Not only are these videos a pleasure to watch when you're a wee bit "smashed" with Hawkwind on in the background, they're also educational - Hale Station originating from the Old English "Halh" meaning nook or shelter. Awesome!!
Haha, yes, on the passenger videos I try to add the mileage from origin but on the freight I use the sub heading to add all sorts of location tit bits.
Hey Don, it's good to be watching your latest videos again and that too after a long time. Hope you have more such freight train videos in the near future as well. Thanks for sharing. 😀😀😀
Hi Anmol, good to see you. Yes more videos coming as soon as I can work on them.
Thanks Don ,another top draw vid .info packed as per .made a nice end to the day .please keep em comming 👃
Metrolink next Steve.
A real corker! (To resurrect a phrase from my fifties childhood). Thanks once again, Don.
I was born in 58 and I’m very familiar with the term Paul 👍
Great stuff. Staggeringly, my Mrs was glued when she realised you were going straight past the end of our garden (just past Plumley). You have a new convert!
I don’t know why you find it so surprising, she’s got exquisite taste 😉😀👍. Haha, glad you both liked it and give her my regards. We’ll be coming back via Middlewich in a future video.
Love the videos you make, it helped me through lockdown, and keep me sane, keep them coming, the class 70 is a locomotive that's growing on me any more with the class 70? Hope so once again thank you and carry on with the great work
Yes absolutely Daron, loads more freight videos and some feature Class 70s. I used to think they were ugly but from the side they look superb.
Thanks for this Don. Much appreciated
Good to see you John 👍
A great tour! Thanks Don! Cheers mate!
Thanks Martin, much appreciated.
Another excellent video Don. Great to see all these different lines around the place
Cheers Scott.
I've subbed, can't wait to see more of this lovely content!
Much appreciated 👍
Very many thanks Don for another terrific cab ride. Your captions are always very informative and amusing. (What a lovely noise the Class 70 makes.)
Thanks Mike. Much appreciated 👍
G'day Don.
Cancer + eviction ain't fun, so nice to have something so normal to enjoy. Thank-you.
Many people in our world can't even enjoy this much atm, good onya for your charitable viewpoint.
No, I imagine not and I can only empathise and sympathise. I sincerely hope things pick up for you mate and glad the video brought a little escape.
Great footage.Thank you. Interesting and distinctive noise from the 70. Living yards from the WCML in North Bucks, depending on the wind direction, you could hear the noise they made some miles off, either north of Hanslope Junction or south from Wolverton. Awesome! Sadly they are a rare sight these days.
There’s still a lot stood at Leeds Midland Road (see the Keyworker Express video). They need using!
And another jewel of a video, Thanks for the ride and comments Don. Though I will confess started to feel anxious with the bogies thrashing sound, like if they were coming off the track and bouncing on the ground.
The won’t bounce of the track with 129 tonnes on them. Us old folk remember the day when every train made a similar noise 😉👍
Great video Don , thanks for sharing
Cheers Pablo.
At last a Class 70 cab ride! I was not disappointed! Would love to see one with a fully loaded train too. Well done on yet another super video Don.
I’d have to look through my footage but I’m fairly sure we’ve got a loaded one somewhere. Keep an eye open for future vids 👍
Mega thanks Don 🙂👍
My pleasure Daniel 👍
Interesting and informative
as usual thank you.
Much appreciated Howard.
Hi Don - ex Metrolink (and current Northern) driver here. Regarding the 'Metrolink going from Green to Red' you mention around 46:40 - what you will see (46:45) is a diamond sign with a 'station ahead' board beneath it. This acts as a fixed distant albeit not to the same style as a railway fixed distant. These applied on the block signalling sections, and there were also some regular distant signals where the sections were longer with no stations (there are also a couple on the gantry between Navigation Road and Altrincham)
Nice one, thanks Martin. Rob and Darren (Cawthorne) are very good at explaining things for me but we used to come back from Chester and vice versa and comment - crikey look, he’s going from green to red! Of course you guys have a better understanding but to us uneducated heavy rail drivers it was a bit unnerving!
Locomotives obviously needed at Crewe on Christmas Eve as it's the base for Santa's present-distribution network for northwest England. Surprised you didn't know that, Don!
They’ve got 66s named after the reindeer too 😉😂
Another great video. Don, thank you for all your effort in making these videos.
My pleasure Eddie, glad you like them.
Great video as usual Don, thank you
My pleasure Phillip.
So nice to see the freight line in stockport as it goes under a bridge i used to hang around when I was a kid and of course good to see it pass my old neighbourhood (although the bridge itself has changed sine then -- back then it was a green lattice type bridge which you could grab the top bars off and swing (hence it nickname the Monkey Bridge) now it has been replaced with a green and White type Bridge as seen at 32:07) -- however I remember back then the line there was a double line and also remember in the early 90s maybe it started to get lifted and always loved waving to the drivers when they roared passed :) -- in fact a while ago I saw a video on here called Stockport Lost Railways 1995 CLC and Midland Mainline (still on youtube so check it out) and the bridge in question is on there is it's original form at 10:10 in that video -- it also goes into detail about the line too which also mentions the spur that crossed a viaduct into possibly the Stockport Tiviot Dale line on the corner just before the sewage works -- not sure if it was mentioned here (maybe I missed it) -- anyway great vid don and look forward to seeing more like these in the future -- keep on trucking :)
Much appreciated and an interesting account. It takes me back to when I used to follow my brother about watching the trains and just the same, much of it has gone.
Thank you Don! Lovely cuppa and sofa job!
Cheers Mike 🍻👍
Thank you for a great video. Great footage. What the driver has to learn and absorb is astonishing, route knowledge, signals, etc, so these videos give a great insight too.
I’ve got a mate in trading school at the moment who was a training instructor for the fire brigade and he reckons his head won’t take any more! They force feed you trains and some but he’s not even got out with an instructor yet so it’s set to get worse.
Excellent!
Many thanks 👍
Nice trip Don I also watch the swedish rail system very modern and well run lines .
Yes they keep their Railway really nice over there. They must get lots of funding.
Another great video. Thanks Don
Thank you Don very interesting video. hope all had a great Christmas.
Good to see you Philip. All good here, I hope the same for you. Keep in touch.
John from NSW ;In my days the distant was a fish tail .Another great video Thank you Don.
Still is in absolute block as long as the signal isn’t renewed. They sometimes push the distant out to give more braking distance then it becomes incompatible with the wired signal.
Thanks for this, Don. When I was very small, more years ago thatn I care to admit, I used to refer to diesel multiple units as "diesel dodgers". As I was brought up in the Northwich area, I presume, sixty years later, that the the phrase came from the Middlewich branch.
Maybe it did James. I’m afraid I can remember them clearly too 🙄😉
Thank you, Don. Another excellent video, packed with interesting details about working and routes. It was especially interesting in the light of your reply to my query as to why the Hindlow to Crewe train did not follow this route, in your video of nine months ago or so. And your commentary often alluded to other issues of that kind - the fact that part of the route had been the Midland Railway's "racetrack" to Manchester Central (high speed no more!), and the fascinating complexity of the junctions around Heaton and Timperley. The class 70s make a distinctive sound!
There’s lots to talk about Martin and with captions I can only scratch the surface. With each video I try to fill in the gaps so glad you appreciate that 👍
Another excellent video as always, and it's good to have the class 70 as the soundtrack. Great job all round :)
Cheers Paul 👍
Loved this virtual cab ride. I recognised a few landmarks around Hazel Grove, Cheadle and Knutsford. Let me know when I can hop on for a ride 🙂 Subbed.
If you mean a cab ride you’re about nine millionth in the queue! I’d love to take interested people out Neil but the best I can offer is the videos. 👍
Glad to see you support the samaritans
Yes, the final figure will be announced shortly but I expect it to be in the order of 10k.
Fascinating trip through the English countryside. You're lucky to have these lines survive. Only one line between Dundee and Aberdeen two major Scottish cities where there used to be three alternatives, and it's not even electrified! Forever closed for maintenance with bus replacement and freight going on road. If just one other line was left what a difference it would have made. Dr Beeching was a short-sighted fool of a man, totally lacking in vision, and his demolition of the railways didn't even save any money.
It’s such a shame what was lost George although I must say that Scotland seems to have a much better attitude towards reopening lines. As for Beeching, he was just doing as he was told and the sad truth is that the public had lost interest in the ailing railway and wanted their own personal transport. He did close too much for “good measure” without any regard for what might happen in the situation we have now with multiple cars on most peoples drive. It makes you wonder just how much would have survived if it could have just hung on a few more years.
Thanks Don, looking forward to the next one.
Working on it Bob 👍
Thanks Don and, to Freightliner, for another fab video. I hope the driver made it back home to Derbyshire OK
He came and had a brew with me last week so he got back somewhere between Christmas Eve and then 😉👍
Sorry I missed the premier but I'm glad to see that the driver was, "Giving it the Berries!" 🙂 Thanks as ever Don.
He’s always at it Stuart 😉👍
37:19 On that whole stretch of single track is it one train on the whole bit of single track or is it something else? There doesn't seem to be that many signals along the line either so you couldn't break up the line into blocks...
It’s TCB (track circuit block) and you are right, you can’t get many in but you could have two travelling in the same direction.
It’s TCB (track circuit block). You could get two in travelling in the same direction.
Cannot wait for this 😁
Hi Don,
Reminds me of the route from Newport to Hereford, double track through open farmland with the mountains in the background and semaphore signals. I drive the Hereford route regularly for GWR, we do empty stock moves to and from Hereford and Bristol via Newport.
It's right what you say about knowing where the signals are. One of our guys stopped at a semaphore signal at Morton-in-Marsh in fog, he could see the signal post, but when he looked up, the signal head was hidden in the fog, so he had to ring the signaller to ask if the signal was off. So you can see, knowing where the signal is is essential.
Cheers Rich
It must be lovely Rich. I was supposed to be coming filming some of your routes - all authorised by your driver standards manager but then covid came along and messed things up. Hopefully, we’ll get back to them one day.
Hi Don. Loving your videos, when do you think we will get some more footage? Keep up the good work, you & your team certainly know how to educate, inform & entertain!
I’ve got plenty of Freightliner footage Gordon, it’s time I struggle with.
The first part of the ride takes in so much railway history that is all a vivid living memory for me. My uncle Harold was the SM at Edale in the 60s before transferring to Seamer. I can remember the Midland line in the final days of its full glorry with long peak hauled trains of maroon and red and cream coached crossing the Mersey. And of course, the old Cheadle junction, Northenden line when it was doubled and masivly busy with freight. The view toward Stockport from Cheadle station or Abney hall was a fascinating forest of old chimneys and semaphore signals, no motorway. It all looked very open too. The railways were prominent, neat and visible. How things have changed!
Heyup Ollie. There was an old gentleman called Mr Earnshaw who used to stop and chat to me when I was doing the garden. He was a lovely fella and told me that when he offered an interview for Edale Box in the 60s. He rode his push bike from Chapel to Edale which is not inconsiderable on one of those old bikes. He got the job and continued to ride his bike in all weathers. A hero in my opinion and I’m sure your uncle will have known him.
Yes I've been up Eccles Pike and Chinley Churn too. Our four year old granddaughter s who lives here in Swansea went over Chinley Churn with her New Mills cousins and declared it 'an epic walk', they still had energy to play in the pub garden before the train home from Chinley, I'm told.
It was an epic walk for me at 4 years old! We used to live at Low Leighton and head up Laneside Rd then on to Big Stone and into Chinley. I remember the steam trains in the distance.
Excellent as ever!
Thanks Martin.
Thanks for bringing us another top video, Don (& Freightliner for making it possible) I'll have to split up my viewing time on this one as well, but with not quite so many brews as your epic Hindlow to Crewe 3 hour marathon! :) EDIT or Bedford to Earles
I’ll find another epic in the not too distant future!
Brilliant Don thank you.
Cheers Paul.
Love it!. I grew up in Sandbach and I always wondered what the Middlewich branch would be like to travel on - my older brother used to ride the "Dodger" in the 50s.
Hopefully we’ll get the Dodger back one day Simon. Everything crossed for that one 🤞
Not often used but this spur and the connection to the WCML at Hartford prove very useful alternative routes
Yes, they are actually both getting busier with freight day by day fortunately. Alt the best Paul.
Thank you so much for this video, loved it. Really well edited and hats off to you and Vinny for this. Not just relaxing, I find this videos really good for testing my concentration as I would love to be a driver for a freight company in a few years time. Thank you, Don, Brilliant.
If you are determined enough, you’ll make it Edward.
Thanks Don, hope all is OK with you. A great video and always delighted to see my old home town of Timperley/Altrincham featuring again! not seen a 70 in action so good to hear what they sound like, quite a good sounding loco. Would be interesting to see a vid from a heritage loco dont know if that's possible one day, take care. Mike
All well Mike, I hope the same for you. Before covid I could have predicted things with a lot more certainty but these days it’s a matter of fingers crossed and see what pops up. I am filming on the Worth Valley on the 14th April.
Thanks for another informative video.
Couple of comments, was Altringham station not at some point named Altringham & Bowden (hence the Bowden depot).
Back in my Freightliner days we used to carry Teyra Ethyl Lead to and from the continent in special 20' tank containers. The tanks were small, with a heavy armoured framework to protect them. It's extremely nasty stuff, even a hint of a leak stopped the job instantly. Lead free fuel meant that it was no longer being moved, in many ways we were glad to see the back of it.
Hi KD. The caption for Altrincham Station says “used to be called Altrincham and Bowden underneath it 👍. I’m a mechanic by trade and when cleaning carburettors I used to be covered in lead. I’m glad it’s gone but kind of sad to see another rail linked works disappear.
The loop at43:10doesn't look as if it's seen any use for a long time, but they've still installed a TPWS grid at the signal.
I can remember it being used Andrei. Nature soon takes over.
Interesting that signal no GK35 at Northwich has a feather for the route rejoining the Chester line, rather than for the Middlewich branch (1:07) as might be expected. Does this mean that the line through the former platform 3 is actually still a part of the Middlewich branch?
As it’s currently laid out, when you see the junction indicator to the right like that, it means the Middlewich branch is the “main route” so in that case yes, if that side of the platform was still open it would part of it too.
Excellent production, Don. It must be over thirty years since I went down the stretch from Hazel Grove Midland to Northenden Junction, and that was on a Sunday ballast near the old Cheadle station. Things have most certainly changed at Cheadle Heath, where that Morrisons store now stands. Years ago, when I started on the railway there used to be a quite large Smiths Crisps factory in that area. As regards the route from Northwich to Sandbach, I last went along that line when I was at Llandudno Junction, and trains were diverted along there due to engineering on the Chester to Crewe line, and that was over thirty years ago. I'm fairly sure that as well as the salt sidings there was a BP chemical works siding more towards Sandbach on that line, well at least back in the early 80s. Anyhow Don, this is a most enjoyable journey, bringing back many good memories of the old BR days, and thank you so much.
I wish I’d got footage from then Frank. I suppose these films will become a legacy so that the people of the future can look back on them too. Glad it brought back memories for you 👍
Thanks Don, That GE Power Haul has a much different sounding diesel engine than our GE ES44ACs , but the dynamic brake blower sound identical to the ES44ACs Union Pacific and BNSF have.
Thanks Phillip. I don’t profess to be an expert but your comments are very interesting.