One of the best travel logs, brings information in a timely manner. Uses the drivers knowledge and experience, which does add interest. The interest is maintenence by adding history: not forgetting the importance of track and signaling features as we pass. Congratulations
As always. Excellent and informative. Easily one of the best cab view channels anywhere as it covers not only the ride but the history of line side buildings and towns and former rails.
The whole section around Berwick and the Scottish Border is just stunning. I'm from New Zealand and it almost reminds me of home. I'd love to visit Scotland again someday.
Brilliant video. As a Geordie, the stunning ride up to Edinburgh makes visiting the city such an occasion. Beautiful scenery all the way, one long tunnel and BOOM, into Edinburgh Waverley.
From someone living on the other side of the world and who may never experience this journey in person, many thanks Don for giving me the next best thing 👍Seasons greetings to you and your family. You are the bearer of enjoyable gifts 😄
Wonderful video with expert commentary, highlighting the line's history and operating details. Beautiful scenery. One of the all-time best cab videos ever
Being a Geordie I've travelled this route many times by car watching the trains from the road and always wondering what the train journey was like, now I know! Thanks.
My grandad would have loved this. He was a driver for LNER in the days of steam, finishing his career driving from from Bradford to Liverpool. Died 1971, RIP.
Don, I've known your channel for 2 days and you immediately gained a fan. I am Dutch, currently living in the Dominican Republic and of course I follow Dutch train channels, but also Japanese and some English ones. And I must say, you stand out with all the information you add. I am and will remain a very satisfied viewer.
Don thank you so much a brilliant ride what you said about drivers and there route knowledge is so important it’s not Just driving the train it’s about making sure everyone is safe thank you .Paul in Kent 😊
Hi Don from the land down under. Once again a top knotch video. Spectacular scenery. The views of the north sea were beautiful. As always the commentary was spot on. Thanks again.
Having done the trip a few times it is fascinating to see the view from the driver’s cab. Lots of informative comments and observations. Thanks to everyone involved.
It's pretty amazing that the track corridor remains largely unchanged since it was built in the mid 1800s with so many long straight sections and shallow curves. The 802 can really show its abilities.
Hi. Really enjoyed your super driver's eye view. Reminded me of my 14 day all-line rail rovers of the past. This excellent coastal view on a lovely sunny day was in complete contrast to my last trip where it was gales & very rough seas. I do find your additional information a great read as well. You are our very own tour guide! I also find your journey very therapeutic and restful. All the very best and thank you for a great video.
Such a great day weather-wise, to have this video taken, Don. I've never known anything about this route, which to me, makes it all that more interesting. These 802 sets seem well and truly up to the task of providing a fast and comfortable journey, indeed. As is always, you've provided us all with lots of interesting information about the line, and the various landmarks, and so, many thanks for this presentation. Seasons greetings to you and your family, Don.
It was the first time I’d traveled the route Frank but as a result I’m determined to tour that coast next year. The 802s don’t always get a positive reception but I really like them and they seem to be positive with the drivers. Have a good Christmas and New Year Frank 👍
One thing I was almost expecting you to comment on: the section from 1:34:25 to 1:35:11 is a deviation built in the early 2000s due to mining subsidence under the original formation. From memory it was caused by unmapped medieval coal workings, and the route under the new formation was thoroughly grouted before the deviation was built to ensure stability.
Thank you for this video, for the infos given and for all the comments about this track. Splendid autumn day for a very large part of this nice and interesting cab ride.
Thank you too Javier. It was amazing good luck because the weather had been awful for days and it changed for just that day my colleague was driving it. It returned to rain again the following day.
Another great cab ride. The information and commentary is what sets your videos apart from most others! I didn't know about switching to diesel mode due to power shortages, but it's a great short-term solution. Back when I worked for a freight TOC here in Sweden that was a common issue. I remember well one night when I took over a pretty light and fast container train coming in from Norway, worked by a pair of class Rc4 electrics. There was an unusual amount of trains on the line that night (a diversion perhaps - I can't remember) and the line voltage hung around 13.5-14 kV (nominal power here is 15-16 kV) and even though the train was light I struggled to get it much above 50 mph.
Hi Björn. Yes, they are constantly working on it but for now the restriction stands. The voltage fluctuates quite a lot but but this is a distribution problem I think. They’ll sort it out.
Outstanding! We took this train (leaving from King's Cross) for our daughter's graduation at the University of Edinburgh, so this video brought back some wonderful memories. Thanks very much.
I have travelled on the e.c.m.l. a few times the section of track is breathtaking in north east England close to the north sea. It was a huge engineering feat constructing the route.
This is going to be amazing!! Only traveled this route once when the Sleeper was cancelled due to flooding last year we had to get the first London bound LNER service from Edinburgh and the view was simply amazing
What a treat, Don. That was a lovely journey. Thanks to you and the driver. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I hope you’ve managed to raise a record amount for the Samaritans.
Used to use this a lot whilst a student at Edinburgh, and visiting afterwards. Not so much these days. Spectacular line. And another great video that does it justice. Excellent work, again, Don. Thanks.
Thanks Don, another great video of yours to watch and enjoy. Nice to see parts of the country that I wouldn't normally see. Thanks again keep them coming please.
Awesome upload. I've always wondered what that high pitch whining noise is during high speed travel as you'd hear it on the HSTs too so thanks for explaining!
My Nanna was born in Prestonpans and she's burried at a cemetary in Prestonpans. But she lived in Gosport, Hampshire most of her life. RIP Nanna. Great video and Edinburgh is a lovely city.
Interesting that Diesel is required to lessen the load on the AC System. It's pretty well known that the ECML was not wired to the standard of other main lines, and good to see they will be upgrading it. A brilliant journey Don, really enjoyed the drive! Merry Christmas.😀
Brilliant cab ride video again with great captions and lots of informative comments. Love watching these from NZ bringing back memories of routes travelled in my youth.
Thank you from an eighty year old "hermit" in his attic enjoying a wonderful trip up North by rail. Superb coverage, could almost drive it myself one day! (most unlikely, lol)
Such a brilliant UA-cam Channel of Don Coffey🥰. Every video in detail, every piece of information with so much love and passion unfolded. Thank you so much für providing and informing us with such a lot of hints during the ride. I do really appreciate your effort, your time with this work in generall so much. 😘❣👌Regards from Germany with love.
Thank you, that’s much appreciated. As it happens I was in the motor industry prior to being a train driver and I spent quite a lot of time in Germany. My base was Bad Camberg near Limburg but my boss lived near Hiedleberg so I spent quite a lot of time there too.
What a fabulous video. As a Londoner who has driven up the A1 on many occasions to holilday on Lindisfarne, I am very familiar with Beal crossing, and waiting for the ECML expresses to flash past, and while waiting I often wondered whether anyone was in control of the barriers, or was I totally relying on technology and automation when the barriers went up and I proceeded across the rails. With the Farne islands, Alnwick castle, Berwick and Edinburgh all in easy reach, this has to be one of the nicest parts of this country. And as a rail enthusiast I have to say that I really do appreciate the level of detail in this video. Thank you so much for what you do. What you said about the train switching to diesel to ease the load on the AC supply made me smile. It reminded me of the early days of Eurostar, when they ran across the Southern commuter network out of Waterloo - if I recall corectly, the rule was "one at a time please" because 2 of them powering up at once would mean no commuters were going anywhere!
Thanks DD, it’s certainly inspired me to explore that coast this coming summer. To be fair, they are throwing millions at the railway but it’s still got a long way to go and these are prime examples.
As interesting as this was to see it shows me that I never wanted to be a train driver. That said, thank you for the insight into what is required to be a train driver. It helps to give a better understanding of just what every driver has to do before they can be "signed off" on a particular route.
No, fire away Craig. They are magnets that can be north or south poles and generate a ping for clear or buzzer for warnings that has to be acknowledged. In other words an audible indication especially helpful in poor visibility.
1:44:21. That's the Balmoral Hotel clocktower, not the clock on Register House (which is very small and not visible from here). Since 1902 the Balmoral Hotel clock has been kept three minutes fast to ensure that people don't miss their trains. This is a beautiful video filmed in perfect weather. Thanks!
Yes, thanks for that. I do know about it but I can’t edit it now. There was a correction placed in the description soon after publishing it. Glad you enjoyed it 👍
What a fantastic ride, thank you! I particularly liked seeing Berwick-on-Tweed, where Eric Lomax, author of The Railway Man, lived. His wife still lives there, I believe. I'd love to see some inserted views out of the passenger windows, too...
I took some footage from the side but my camera wouldn’t behave and was constantly hunting for focus. It nearly became resident in a field at the side of the line!!!
We just got done watching it, Don. Great video! Thank you so much! My wife and I are from the United States, we live in Arizona, but we do plan on visiting the UK and Scotland in a couple of years and we do plan on making it a train vacation! Thanks again!
Great video. I travel up and down this line from Edinburgh to London regularly so it's nice to see it from the cab for a change. Lots of great information. Keep posting!
I currently work on the rail for for Network Rail and worked on railways for 10 years and Ive worked almost exclusively up and down the ECML between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Funny watching the travel through all these places and thinking "Ive installed that track"
I remember a time back in the 80s when myself and my now ex-wife used to travel from Wales to Alnwick where her family were from. There were a couple of intercity services a day to Alnmouth, and a very patchy local service. How things have improved. Even in an era when it seems that the railway doesn't work, it pays to look back on the progress.
I’ve got to admit, this is the first time I’ve seen your channel, very impressed. When I don’t fly I use the west coast service to Aberdeen via Edinburgh. In fact, this is why I watched it, I thought it was a passenger video so I was expecting to see a load of offshore guys, probably a bit pissed, thought I might’ve known some. 😄
After my own Country Austria, i checked out the Italian, German, France and Spain highspeed lines. With your Channel its time for England now ! Thanks for upload so many Videos, here we go. 🙂 Greets from Vienna
Just visited Vienna for the Christmas markets. Stayed in the Hilton Waterfront. For me the best part was the beautiful buildings. Glad you found the cab rides - enjoy!
Jeremy Clarkson did a segment on Top Gear where he rode on Tornado from London to Edinburgh, and it was at about 50:36 in this video where some of the most magnificent railway photography I've ever seen was shot. That whole sequence was wonderful, but especially around about here.
This was wonderful to watch, so many memories of my past trips on this line and it's fascinating to see the driver's view. It's a beautiful view over the coast and the countryside of the north. At least the passengers weren't stuck with the train ground to a halt in deep snow for 4 hours as I was in Jan 1996!
That was a stunning video. So many memories from road side not so much the train. Spent a lot of time from Edinburgh down to sea houses. Stunning beaches at Bamburgh castle, haggerston, berwick upon tweed, Fishing at eyemouth, ect. Always remember that accident of the 2 railway men buried underneath that tunnel at grantshouse. Never understood how they could not recover the bodies. Was sad and never liked going passed it.
Just 20 metres before the bridge at 1:33:55, the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway crossed the railway. Opened in 1722, and using wooden rails, it took coal from the pits at Tranent down to the harbour at Port Seton. this upper part probably lasted until 1896 but one part of the line was used until 1968.
My Great grand father drove the pilot between Dunbar and Edinburgh. My dad also worked at Craigentinny depot he moved to it when Leith Central was closed.
Thank you Don, another superb ride and wonderful commentary underneath. As an ex pat Geordie, this brought a lot of long forgotten places back to me! 👍
Great video! As a driver myself I liked the route knowledge tidbit you put in about the requirements a driver needs before signing for the route. My favourite driving is pea soup fog in the dark..love it!
From the passenger views, I love the section crossing the bridge into Berwick Upon Tweed station. The views looks mega for Northumbria into Scotland :-)
I live about two miles east of the line at Chevington Loops and can hear the trains clearly going over the points of the loops from my house. Back in the day you could hear coal trains through the night. Probably 56’s and 37’s. Exceptional video Don. As always.
Much appreciated. It sounds like you could catch some interesting sights in the day although those merry go round trains might be a distraction at night!!!
Merry Christmas and happy New year's wishes to you , enjoyed all your wonderful trips on the railway especially around Manchester thank you for sharing , hope to see more in 2023 ,all the best 👍⛄🎅❄️🌈
Great Video.. And what a pleasant surprise to see at the then new Reston station that when it opened.. the Piper you featured, is my Brother Sandy. I remember him saying he was booked for the full day by TPE. Piping for every train that stopped that day 🙂
When you think you will just watch a little bit but you end up watching the whole thing!😅 Thank you for keeping us safe on our journey🙏🏼🤓
Like a top notch, high budget Spielberg movie eh 😉. Just kidding, glad it kept your interest 👍
As a traveller that lives near Edinburgh, this is a favourite route of mine, the coast of the borders is absolutely stunning. Superb video man!
Oh, it’s spectacular - a lovely route.
One of the best travel logs, brings information in a timely manner. Uses the drivers knowledge and experience, which does add interest. The interest is maintenence by adding history: not forgetting the importance of track and signaling features as we pass. Congratulations
Thanks Patrick. I tend to add the things I’d be bending your ear with if you were sat beside me in the cab. Glad you liked it.
Very nice, Don. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Chris.
As always. Excellent and informative. Easily one of the best cab view channels anywhere as it covers not only the ride but the history of line side buildings and towns and former rails.
Hi, yes, I included the things I find interesting plus the answers I anticipate from the footage.
The whole section around Berwick and the Scottish Border is just stunning. I'm from New Zealand and it almost reminds me of home. I'd love to visit Scotland again someday.
Stunning isn’t it and we caught it on the only good day in weeks of bad weather.
This is absolutely fantastic. Extremely scenic. Thank you for sharing!! 😊🚅❤
Lovely isn’t it - thanks.
Brilliant video. As a Geordie, the stunning ride up to Edinburgh makes visiting the city such an occasion. Beautiful scenery all the way, one long tunnel and BOOM, into Edinburgh Waverley.
I enjoyed it to the point I will travel down that coast next year and include a stay in Berwick.
This part of the ECML is stunning to travel on as a passenger. To see this journey from the cab is an absolute privilege! Many thanks.
I consider myself extremely fortunate Miles. It is undoubtedly the best seat in the house.
From someone living on the other side of the world and who may never experience this journey in person, many thanks Don for giving me the next best thing 👍Seasons greetings to you and your family. You are the bearer of enjoyable gifts 😄
Thanks Joseph, that’s much appreciated 👍. Seasons greetings to you too.
Wonderful video with expert commentary, highlighting the line's history and operating details. Beautiful scenery. One of the all-time best cab videos ever
Glad you like it Bryan. You get to read what I’d be telling you if you were in the cab with me 👍
A classic Don Coffey video.Thank you so much once again Don and for the information and history lessons
Much appreciated Barry 👍
Stunning - thank you so much for all the hard work that goes into these videos !
Much appreciated Ian.
Being a Geordie I've travelled this route many times by car watching the trains from the road and always wondering what the train journey was like, now I know! Thanks.
Yes, it’s a different perspective. Glad you liked it.
Excellent video. I love seeing routes from the driver's perspective.
Thanks Luke.
My grandad would have loved this. He was a driver for LNER in the days of steam, finishing his career driving from from Bradford to Liverpool. Died 1971, RIP.
I’m sorry he’s not here to watch with you. It sounds like he’s one of my Transpennine predecessors. Best wishes 👍
Thanks for making another fantastic relaxing video.
Don, I've known your channel for 2 days and you immediately gained a fan. I am Dutch, currently living in the Dominican Republic and of course I follow Dutch train channels, but also Japanese and some English ones. And I must say, you stand out with all the information you add. I am and will remain a very satisfied viewer.
That’s much appreciated Henk. I try to add the info I’d be telling you about if you were with me in the cab 👍
Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey and for these informations !
My pleasure Michelle and thanks for watching.
Don thank you so much a brilliant ride what you said about drivers and there route knowledge is so important it’s not Just driving the train it’s about making sure everyone is safe thank you .Paul in Kent 😊
In bad weather it can be quite exhausting but I wouldn’t swap it for the world Paul.
Hi Don from the land down under. Once again a top knotch video. Spectacular scenery. The views of the north sea were beautiful. As always the commentary was spot on. Thanks again.
Thanks Neil, glad you liked it 👍
Having done the trip a few times it is fascinating to see the view from the driver’s cab. Lots of informative comments and observations. Thanks to everyone involved.
Much appreciated Bob 👍
It's pretty amazing that the track corridor remains largely unchanged since it was built in the mid 1800s with so many long straight sections and shallow curves. The 802 can really show its abilities.
They seem to get a lot of complaints from died in the wool rail enthusiasts but I think they’re really good.
Hi. Really enjoyed your super driver's eye view. Reminded me of my 14 day all-line rail rovers of the past. This excellent coastal view on a lovely sunny day was in complete contrast to my last trip where it was gales & very rough seas. I do find your additional information a great read as well. You are our very own tour guide! I also find your journey very therapeutic and restful. All the very best and thank you for a great video.
Glad you enjoyed it Alan. Yes, I try to include the kind of things I’d be telling you if you were with me in the cab.
Doesn’t get any better than this. Captivated the whole way. Your videos are informative with superb video quality and sound.
I’m flattered Jeff, much appreciated.
Such a great day weather-wise, to have this video taken, Don. I've never known anything about this route, which to me, makes it all that more interesting. These 802 sets seem well and truly up to the task of providing a fast and comfortable journey, indeed. As is always, you've provided us all with lots of interesting information about the line, and the various landmarks, and so, many thanks for this presentation. Seasons greetings to you and your family, Don.
It was the first time I’d traveled the route Frank but as a result I’m determined to tour that coast next year. The 802s don’t always get a positive reception but I really like them and they seem to be positive with the drivers. Have a good Christmas and New Year Frank 👍
One thing I was almost expecting you to comment on: the section from 1:34:25 to 1:35:11 is a deviation built in the early 2000s due to mining subsidence under the original formation. From memory it was caused by unmapped medieval coal workings, and the route under the new formation was thoroughly grouted before the deviation was built to ensure stability.
The only deviation that popped up in my research was around the tunnel. If I eventually edit the return run I’ll put it in.
Just superb. This is how a cab view should be done. Many thanks.
I’ll take that as an accolade Mr Parker, much appreciated.
Thank you for this video, for the infos given and for all the comments about this track.
Splendid autumn day for a very large part of this nice and interesting cab ride.
Thank you too Javier. It was amazing good luck because the weather had been awful for days and it changed for just that day my colleague was driving it. It returned to rain again the following day.
Another great cab ride. The information and commentary is what sets your videos apart from most others!
I didn't know about switching to diesel mode due to power shortages, but it's a great short-term solution. Back when I worked for a freight TOC here in Sweden that was a common issue. I remember well one night when I took over a pretty light and fast container train coming in from Norway, worked by a pair of class Rc4 electrics. There was an unusual amount of trains on the line that night (a diversion perhaps - I can't remember) and the line voltage hung around 13.5-14 kV (nominal power here is 15-16 kV) and even though the train was light I struggled to get it much above 50 mph.
Hi Björn. Yes, they are constantly working on it but for now the restriction stands. The voltage fluctuates quite a lot but but this is a distribution problem I think. They’ll sort it out.
Outstanding! We took this train (leaving from King's Cross) for our daughter's graduation at the University of Edinburgh, so this video brought back some wonderful memories. Thanks very much.
Thanks Thomas and congratulations for your daughter.
Once again, thank you Don. Great journey.
Glad you enjoyed it John 👍
I have travelled on the e.c.m.l. a few times the section of track is breathtaking in north east England close to the north sea. It was a huge engineering feat constructing the route.
It was Barry, I completely agree. That video has done extremely well.
This is going to be amazing!! Only traveled this route once when the Sleeper was cancelled due to flooding last year we had to get the first London bound LNER service from Edinburgh and the view was simply amazing
It really is lovely footage. I hope UA-cam shows it as clear as I uploaded it. If not leave it a couple of days and try again.
Looking forward to this one, Don. I have had a passenger eye view of the same journey & have always thought breath taking. Thanks in advance!
Yes, I knew it was good but now having experienced it, I want to go visit some of the locations.
What a treat, Don. That was a lovely journey. Thanks to you and the driver. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I hope you’ve managed to raise a record amount for the Samaritans.
It’s coming on nicely. I’ve not got the exact figure with me but it’s approaching £6000 and the end of the year is March so it should do fairly well.
I love these POV train videos. It would be even better if the actual speed was displayed on the screen.
I haven’t got the software to do it Gordon.
Used to use this a lot whilst a student at Edinburgh, and visiting afterwards. Not so much these days. Spectacular line. And another great video that does it justice. Excellent work, again, Don. Thanks.
Much appreciated Damian 👍
A great scenic ride as always. Beautiful weather and smooth ride. Thanks Don. Hope you and your family are well. Cheers Don! 😊
Thanks, you too! Good to see you Martin.
Thanks Don, another great video of yours to watch and enjoy. Nice to see parts of the country that I wouldn't normally see. Thanks again keep them coming please.
Good to see you Phillip. Thanks for the positive feedback 👍
Awesome upload. I've always wondered what that high pitch whining noise is during high speed travel as you'd hear it on the HSTs too so thanks for explaining!
I try to anticipate any questions that might pop up so glad that solved it for you Sanj.
My Nanna was born in Prestonpans and she's burried at a cemetary in Prestonpans. But she lived in Gosport, Hampshire most of her life. RIP Nanna. Great video and Edinburgh is a lovely city.
Sorry to hear it Andrew. Thanks for watching the video.
Thank you Don. You continue to spoil us with your awesome train videos. Greets from Sweden!
My pleasure and thanks for following 👍
One of my favourite rail journeys through a beautiful and historic kandscape.
It really is! Much appreciated Iain.
Brilliant video. Well done for adding excellent description all the way. Magnificent route is the ECML 👍
It is Rich, glad you enjoyed the video 👍
Interesting that Diesel is required to lessen the load on the AC System. It's pretty well known that the ECML was not wired to the standard of other main lines, and good to see they will be upgrading it. A brilliant journey Don, really enjoyed the drive! Merry Christmas.😀
They’re spending millions on the railway thankfully and that is just one project on the list. It’ll get done soon 👍
Brilliant cab ride video again with great captions and lots of informative comments. Love watching these from NZ bringing back memories of routes travelled in my youth.
Glad you enjoyed it Simon. Thanks for watching the videos 👍
Thank you from an eighty year old "hermit" in his attic enjoying a wonderful trip up North by rail. Superb coverage, could almost drive it myself one day! (most unlikely, lol)
I’m passing you out on that route next week Henry ;-)
Such a brilliant UA-cam Channel of Don Coffey🥰. Every video in detail, every piece of information with so much love and passion unfolded. Thank you so much für providing and informing us with such a lot of hints during the ride. I do really appreciate your effort, your time with this work in generall so much. 😘❣👌Regards from Germany with love.
Thank you, that’s much appreciated. As it happens I was in the motor industry prior to being a train driver and I spent quite a lot of time in Germany. My base was Bad Camberg near Limburg but my boss lived near Hiedleberg so I spent quite a lot of time there too.
What a fabulous video. As a Londoner who has driven up the A1 on many occasions to holilday on Lindisfarne, I am very familiar with Beal crossing, and waiting for the ECML expresses to flash past, and while waiting I often wondered whether anyone was in control of the barriers, or was I totally relying on technology and automation when the barriers went up and I proceeded across the rails.
With the Farne islands, Alnwick castle, Berwick and Edinburgh all in easy reach, this has to be one of the nicest parts of this country.
And as a rail enthusiast I have to say that I really do appreciate the level of detail in this video. Thank you so much for what you do.
What you said about the train switching to diesel to ease the load on the AC supply made me smile. It reminded me of the early days of Eurostar, when they ran across the Southern commuter network out of Waterloo - if I recall corectly, the rule was "one at a time please" because 2 of them powering up at once would mean no commuters were going anywhere!
Thanks DD, it’s certainly inspired me to explore that coast this coming summer. To be fair, they are throwing millions at the railway but it’s still got a long way to go and these are prime examples.
Beautiful. The building at 9 o'clock as viewed at 55:18 is what was Castle Hills Maternity Home, where I was born in 1960.
Excellent Tim. I pipped you a bit at 1958 but I was born near a branch line to Hayfield.
Stunning day for it and a beautiful line. Thanks!
A stroke of luck if you’d seen the weather before and after that day!
As interesting as this was to see it shows me that I never wanted to be a train driver.
That said, thank you for the insight into what is required to be a train driver. It helps to give a better understanding of just what every driver has to do before they can be "signed off" on a particular route.
It’s not for everyone Neil but once you get into it it can be quite satisfying and it’s secure with good pay and conditions.
Outstanding! One of the best I have seen and your commentary is excellent. Thank you so much for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it Robert 👍
Hope you don't mind asking a newbie question, what are things between the rails which make the trains "ping" every so often.
No, fire away Craig. They are magnets that can be north or south poles and generate a ping for clear or buzzer for warnings that has to be acknowledged. In other words an audible indication especially helpful in poor visibility.
What a magnificent ‘Office’ Master of your craft Don.🤓
I didn’t drive that one Edward my mate did and I can tell you he was glued to that windscreen the whole journey. Glad you liked it 👍
excellent video quality and great descriptions and explanations. Many thanks
Thanks Dan, much appreciated.
I absolutely love this. I'm coming to the UK foe a visit soon and this is one of the beautiful train rides I'll be taking.
I hope you enjoy it Susan.
Love this route been on it many times, I always sit on the seaside side, great to see this perspective. Fab video
Glad you enjoyed it Clare 👍
1:44:21. That's the Balmoral Hotel clocktower, not the clock on Register House (which is very small and not visible from here). Since 1902 the Balmoral Hotel clock has been kept three minutes fast to ensure that people don't miss their trains. This is a beautiful video filmed in perfect weather. Thanks!
Yes, thanks for that. I do know about it but I can’t edit it now. There was a correction placed in the description soon after publishing it. Glad you enjoyed it 👍
What a fantastic ride, thank you! I particularly liked seeing Berwick-on-Tweed, where Eric Lomax, author of The Railway Man, lived. His wife still lives there, I believe. I'd love to see some inserted views out of the passenger windows, too...
I took some footage from the side but my camera wouldn’t behave and was constantly hunting for focus. It nearly became resident in a field at the side of the line!!!
spectacular journey, mighty interesting and a joy for the eye. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it Jan 👍
I know nothing about trains, but really enjoyed this. Brilliant, well done young Don.
Crikey, I don’y get called young these days!!! Glad you liked it.
Thanks for this Don, a route that I've always wanted to look at. Really enjoyed it and may have to watch again. 🚂🚃🚃👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it Laurie. Its a lovely part of the world isn’t it!
We just got done watching it, Don. Great video! Thank you so much! My wife and I are from the United States, we live in Arizona, but we do plan on visiting the UK and Scotland in a couple of years and we do plan on making it a train vacation! Thanks again!
Be sure to let me know David. If I can say hello, I will.
Great video. I travel up and down this line from Edinburgh to London regularly so it's nice to see it from the cab for a change. Lots of great information. Keep posting!
Will do Rob, thanks.
Thank you Don for yet another first class video, keep up the good work please.
Will do for a while William.
Perfect train journey.
Also shows how experienced you have to be.
Alnmouth is one of my favourite place.
Lots of lovely memories.
It’s lovely all up that coast in my opinion Lynne. Glad you enjoyed it.
Another brilliant video. 👏 . Many thanks 😊 🙏
Thank you too Malcolm 👍
I currently work on the rail for for Network Rail and worked on railways for 10 years and Ive worked almost exclusively up and down the ECML between Newcastle and Edinburgh. Funny watching the travel through all these places and thinking "Ive installed that track"
Good for you Vespah. We have a lot to thank you guys for out there in the elements.
I remember a time back in the 80s when myself and my now ex-wife used to travel from Wales to Alnwick where her family were from. There were a couple of intercity services a day to Alnmouth, and a very patchy local service. How things have improved. Even in an era when it seems that the railway doesn't work, it pays to look back on the progress.
It does, I agree Andrew. Not withstanding the current problems, the railway has come a long way. Let’s hope it continues to flourish.
I’ve got to admit, this is the first time I’ve seen your channel, very impressed. When I don’t fly I use the west coast service to Aberdeen via Edinburgh. In fact, this is why I watched it, I thought it was a passenger video so I was expecting to see a load of offshore guys, probably a bit pissed, thought I might’ve known some. 😄
Haha! Those guys are just having fun! Glad you found us 👍
After my own Country Austria, i checked out the Italian, German, France and Spain highspeed lines. With your Channel its time for England now ! Thanks for upload so many Videos, here we go. 🙂 Greets from Vienna
Just visited Vienna for the Christmas markets. Stayed in the Hilton Waterfront. For me the best part was the beautiful buildings. Glad you found the cab rides - enjoy!
Jeremy Clarkson did a segment on Top Gear where he rode on Tornado from London to Edinburgh, and it was at about 50:36 in this video where some of the most magnificent railway photography I've ever seen was shot. That whole sequence was wonderful, but especially around about here.
It truly is spectacular Joseph. Made me feel quite proud to show it.
This was wonderful to watch, so many memories of my past trips on this line and it's fascinating to see the driver's view. It's a beautiful view over the coast and the countryside of the north. At least the passengers weren't stuck with the train ground to a halt in deep snow for 4 hours as I was in Jan 1996!
Crikey, I bet that was an experience Jackie. I enjoyed seeing it and it has inspired me to visit as soon as I get chance.
That was a stunning video. So many memories from road side not so much the train. Spent a lot of time from Edinburgh down to sea houses.
Stunning beaches at Bamburgh castle, haggerston, berwick upon tweed, Fishing at eyemouth, ect. Always remember that accident of the 2 railway men buried underneath that tunnel at grantshouse. Never understood how they could not recover the bodies. Was sad and never liked going passed it.
Yes it was an unusual situation given it was relatively recent but I suppose they considered the risk too great. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
It’s a beautiful journey this one up or down from Newcastle to Edinburgh. Good on ya cheers. 👍🏆🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed it.
Once again a wonderful presentation, great captions and super scenery. Thank you Don and all involved.
Much appreciated David.
Just 20 metres before the bridge at 1:33:55, the Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway crossed the railway. Opened in 1722, and using wooden rails, it took coal from the pits at Tranent down to the harbour at Port Seton. this upper part probably lasted until 1896 but one part of the line was used until 1968.
Thanks, very interesting. It’s such a pity so much was lost but it’s progress I suppose.
Just travelled on one of these from Newcastle to Alnmouth on a beautiful autumnal November day. A great run!
Hope it was OK. I like travelling on them 👍
Thank you so much for detailed infortive material those expand our knowledge concerning british railway system ..
It's my pleasure. I try to explain the things I’d be telling you if you were with me in the cab.
My Great grand father drove the pilot between Dunbar and Edinburgh. My dad also worked at Craigentinny depot he moved to it when Leith Central was closed.
I bet he saw some amazing sights Douglas. All the best.
Thank you Don, another superb ride and wonderful commentary underneath. As an ex pat Geordie, this brought a lot of long forgotten places back to me! 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Pete. There’s some fascinating and scenic places up there.
An excellent video , throughly enjoyed . A very informative video too .
Thanks Graham. Much appreciated 👍
Great video! As a driver myself I liked the route knowledge tidbit you put in about the requirements a driver needs before signing for the route. My favourite driving is pea soup fog in the dark..love it!
I do too Neal. There’s something satisfying about pulling into a station that you can’t see until you pull alongside the platform 👍
... excellent train trip video ... like the commentary also ... would like to take that ride sometime .....
You should JP, it really is spectacular.
Lovely to see The Wills Building at 5:32 👍🏻.
I didn’t realise Hazel. Thanks I’ll check it out.
Wow, yes I’ve just read up. Perhaps not a popular purpose but a fabulous building.
Very good ride today. Thank you, driver.
Thank you too Josephine.
What a great ride, Don!!😊
Thanks Frits 👍
From the passenger views, I love the section crossing the bridge into Berwick Upon Tweed station. The views looks mega for Northumbria into Scotland :-)
It’s proving very successful Ricky so a lot of people share your view. A little over a week and it will shortly surpass 100k views.
I live about two miles east of the line at Chevington Loops and can hear the trains clearly going over the points of the loops from my house. Back in the day you could hear coal trains through the night. Probably 56’s and 37’s. Exceptional video Don. As always.
Much appreciated. It sounds like you could catch some interesting sights in the day although those merry go round trains might be a distraction at night!!!
Many thanks for all your excellent content, wishing you and your family a happy Christmas.
Same to you! Thank you.
Absolutely brilliant Don thankyou and thanks also for the info' ,wonderful to watch .
Much appreciated David 👍
Merry Christmas and happy New year's wishes to you , enjoyed all your wonderful trips on the railway especially around Manchester thank you for sharing , hope to see more in 2023 ,all the best 👍⛄🎅❄️🌈
I can promise you will see more Leslie 👍
That was a great video. Stunning views from the coast.
Many thanks for all the hard work into making these videos.
Our pleasure Andrew, thank you 👍
Many thanks to one & all who made this vid. possible. Both enjoyable and informative. thks
Much appreciated Brian 👍
Ótima viagem! Fascinante percurso com paisagens espetaculares. Excelente vídeo muito bem filmado! Parabéns!
Muito apreciado, obrigado pelo feedback.
Just great thank you Don, look forward to the next video.
Much appreciated 👍
Great Video.. And what a pleasant surprise to see at the then new Reston station that when it opened.. the Piper you featured, is my Brother Sandy. I remember him saying he was booked for the full day by TPE. Piping for every train that stopped that day 🙂
Thanks for the info! Give him my regards if you see him. It’s a pity we didn’t have some footage for the film.
Fantastic video! 👍👍 Thumbs up!
Thanks for the visit