7029 Clun Castle - A perfect combo of Speed, Power and Grace! - The Cathedrals Express to Salisbury

My first video of 2024 started with the distinctive sound of a Great Western Railway Castle Class locomotive no. 7029 Clun Castle hauling The Cathedrals Express to Salisbury on the 2nd of March. Clun Castle was to take the Cathedrals Express from Birmingham to Salisbury via Banbury and Basingstoke. The engine is one of my favourites to film due to its amazing performances and sound when working hard as you'll see in this video. The GWR 4073 Castle class locomotive embodies the perfect blend of speed, power, and grace. Don't miss this exciting ride on the Cathedrals Express!
My first shot should have been around Oxford, but I was snowed in, so had to leave later and made my way to greatelkey instead. I arrived at Grateley in good time and it was busy on the bridge but managed to get to my spot in time. Clun Castle was behind a stopping service which hindered its run to a degree, however, The Great Western Castle showed its power through Grateley uphill towards its destination of Salisbury. Afterwards a layoff, I decided to film the return leg twice with the first being Hurstbourne viaduct near Whitchurch to capture Clun Castle powering over the viaduct and accelerating towards Whitchurch and Basingstoke. The engine was slightly late but she sounded brilliant and going really fast and freely. However, it was nothing compared to the final shot at South Stoke on the Great Western Main Line near Goring and Streatley. The Castle was on time and as an added bonus it was on the fast line which meant a full 75mph super dash towards Didcot. The engine can be heard at Goring and Streatley a good mile away which was incredible, and she thundered through sounded incredible demonstrating the pure definition of Speed, Power, and Grace!
I hope you enjoy the video. feel free to leave a like, comment and subscribe for more steam action from Full Steam Ahead.
#vintagetrains #greatwesternrailway #castle

[@pbsteamatspeed7683]

Great shots. It was exhilarating onboard the train! Thanks for posting.

[@geraldineaherne9763]

So majestic. Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@blackcountrysteamvideos8021]

Sounded great in the first clip Alex. Nicely filmed

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Amazing. Well made and a fantastic train. Greetings Joe 😊

[@robertbate5790]

Superb. 👍👍👍

[@BorisLu]

Great video!

[@swearingkevo]

There great shots

[@basictraincontent]

Nice capture. I caught the Clun Castle at Overton (with an unscheduled stop)

[@SimonTog]

Good video :)

[@tonywise198]

A daily/hourly event during my childhood in the 1950s.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

Where was the viaduct, Hurstbourne or Monxton? I'm used to driving over the top not seeing them from the ground.

[@FullSteamAhead]

It was at Hurstbourne Viaduct. Hurstbourne Viaduct is near Whitchurch and Monxton is near Andover.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

@@FullSteamAhead Thanks, yes, Monxton is between Grateley and Andover, Hurstbourne is very close to Whitchurch. There used to be a station there.