71000 Duke Of Gloucester on 'The Cathedrals Express' up Sapperton - 16/06/12

BR 8P Class 4-6-2 no.71000 'Duke of Gloucester hauled the Southend - Gloucester - Southend train 'The Cathedrals Express' (1Z40/1Z42) replacing 60163 Tornado who had failed her fitness to run exam, quite fitting really considering the tour's destination. This was actually quite a nice surprise as it meant I could finally see the Duke on a proper train as I've only ever seen twice before and those were only loco moves.
For the outward run we went to the crossing by the Tunnel Inn near Coates where we see 71000 running about 30 minutes late climbing up from Kemble to the southern end of Sapperton Tunnel and whistling right past us so we got a nice doppler effect. For the return run we went to the classic location at the top of the northern end of Sapperton Tunnel, amazingly I was the first one there to get a spot and get set up which is unusual for Sapperton. Unfortunately the rain was now on its way and by the time 71000 got to us she was running about 30 minutes late and the rain was really coming down hard, aiming straight for my camcorder's lens which made some of the picture look rather soft. Still though, 71000 performed magnificently with her heavy load of 13 coaches, especially when you consider the weather conditions she was facing. Some really nice whistling too!
Please note the first shot was taken on a public crossing.
Filmed on a Panasonic HDC-HS60 as my HS900 is still out for repair to the mic socket.
Enjoy

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you =D Glad you enjoyed watching. It's always great to get some whistles in =P

[@GRAHAM1514]

excellent video, we was on that train,the way she steamed up that bank in the rain was superb,

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you very much Tim =D The weather was horrendous at Sapperton, worse than it was for 5043 back in April, more so because the rain was being blown straight towards us! Will have a look at your video tomorrow =) Hope to see the Duke more often now.

[@AN21files]

Lovely Kris. Gave up waiting for her at Didcot in the morning (I'm told she passed an hour late). Caught her leaving Swindon (in the rain!) on the return. I remember seeing 71000 in Barry Scrapyard in the late 70's. Never thought then that she'd make it back to main line. A credit to all who have worked on her. 5*

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you Roger =) Yeah she was rather was on the outward, didn't pass through on the main at Didcot either. Looking forward to seeing your video from Swindon, she certainly is a magnificent engine =)

[@gwr3845]

Lovely video as ever. Terrible weather but the steam really looked powerful. Its a lovely stretch up there in the second clip

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you Malcolm =) I do wish the rain could have stayed away from my lens a bit longer!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you very much Barry =)

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Kris,you done well to stay out in that rain.It was well worth it with the superb display the "Duke" put on C&A

[@dickeramb]

Super shots of the Duke, much steam, thanks.

[@bluecomet390]

Wonderful video. Great shots of a great engine. Particularly liked the mood of the second sequence (altho I of course was not standing in the rain).

[@EssexGayBoi]

Superb video, loved the begining with the wildlife etc, very very nice & some great whistles from the DoG :D

[@kebl0597]

I'm with you on that one Kris - will be keeping an eye out for his next run that I can get to.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Cheers Adam =) Was good to see her on a proper train at last, rather than just loco moves.

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you Tim =) In terms of whistles yes, in terms of weather...no, ha ha =P Thanks for the favourite =D

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you mate =D It was indeed, she took the bank with ease on the return run. Seemed as though they were having trouble on the outward run up the bank.

[@tubaherby]

Great footage - great atmosphere

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you Dave =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Cheers Jon =) A bit of rain isn't going to stop me ;)

[@bkendlerA4]

Fantastic filming Kristian. Well done. Two superb clips with the 2nd clip of the Up run being filmed in appalling conditions. Great stuff. Barry

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you =) Yes she performed superbly, no slipping whatsoever. Thanks for subscribing too =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you mate =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you very much =)

[@kebl0597]

I really enjoyed these two Kris, you are an excellent videographer. I like that the two clips complement each other, one close up and the other more panoramic. Conditions look pretty grim over Sapperton and add something to the shot - especially with all the whistles. Good point about the appropriate loco for the destination too, I'd not thought of that! We caught the Duke very late before Didcot, fortunately warned in advance so hung around for him to arrive. Thanks for sharing these clips! Tim

[@bus2birds]

Brilliant filming, great whistles and a Like from me!

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you =)

[@siobhan104]

Excellent Kris. Reminiscent of 4492? Lovely whistles from her up Sapperton. Going straight into my favourites. All the best...Tim.

[@141R729]

Nice shots - see what you mean about the rainy lens - but gives it an atompsheric feel ;)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thankfully not Tim =P It was worth it though, hopefully the weather will be a bit drier when Ollie Cromwell does Sapperton on the 7th =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you =) Yeah in a way it does, it sort of frames the Duke.

[@TimHall42]

Have you gone rusty after that? Impressive stuff

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you mate =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you very much =)

[@SpeedToTheWest]

Thank you =D