Great train video! No annoying panning and zooming, just fine camera work. The comments and location names add greatly to this footage, keep up the good work! Cheerio from the USA!
Never expected a video about a train journey to be as interesting as this one. Thank-you, Don, for the extensive annotations which transform the experience. Your hard work is appreciated.
@@doncoffey5820 "learnt a lot" *Auto-correct! Don't do yourself an injustice Don. This was a long edit I am sure. Lots of information packed in. Just brilliant.
Thanks Peter. They are a kind of cab ride magazine that covers many different aspects and if you work your way back through the existing ones you’ll find all kinds of subjects covered.
My thanks to you and your driver for another great Video Don. They seem to be getting longer. Some day soon I expect it will be Kings x to Inverness !! All the best.
Brings memories flooding back of steam days (Jubilees) and diesel engines. What a change at Bedford. I recall the massive signal posts at Bedford South.
The Tarmac place that provides the granite used to be Lafarge. There is a conveyor belt that carries the stone from the quarry at Mountsorrel to the rail side plant across country.
@@doncoffey5820 I used to work there and drove to various plants to unload the Self Discharging Train (S.D.T.) but I see from your video that it is no longer used.Link to the promo video. ruclips.net/video/rind1Id77lo/видео.html
How did I lose myself so much on RUclips and why all of your videos will loop on my Apple TV 24/7 from now on ? Never thought I'd say that about a video of this kind, but this was hella cool
No wonder electrification costs so much these days. The structures north of Bedford are so much cumbersome compared to the south. And when was the Midland Mainlines speeds raised from 110 to 125mph?
Love it. Damn virus would have liked to come to the UK this year. In Australia on the main line between Melbourne & Sydney you are going slower than 80 years ago & bounce all the way on a similar trip. We do have trains that do 125km/ hr but not on that main line. Governments of both sides ignore rail which to me is absolutely irresponsible. Believe me your railways are really 1st class.
That would have been a great video even without the added text information - you can tell a lot of thought has gone into it. It was interesting seeing the new layout south of Derby - my memories are of always waiting at a red signal tantalisingly close to the station...
Another excellent cab ride, many thanks Don. Great camera work and informative captions. Those 222's can certainly 'munch the miles' and the track if there is an axle failure! Thanks again.
TV style quality video. Professional informative and interesting captions. No in your face “look at Me” presenter reminding us to subscribe/like constantly . Proceeds to charity. Don, you should get RUclipsr of the year! Best video I have seen this year and hope you enjoyed your break from Manchester!
I’m flattered James thanks. I try to make each video into a kind of magazine for anyone with the remotest interest to true enthusiasts. The revenue to charity is the cherry on top. I’m delighted that you enjoy them.
I donate to a different one every time. I don’t do the videos for money but since Google (who own RUclips) offer money for advertising, I take the money and donate every single penny of it to charity. I recently rescued a homeless person from a tunnel so will give the next donation to the homeless.
This video is superb. The video is very informative and it give so much quality, that you stop the video every now and then to show what you have been explaining to the viewers. Thank you for taking you time to show this from your job and to take your time to explain the things during the ride.
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant.Without a doubt the best train video on RUclips. The descriptions as you go along are fascinating and really add to the journey. Many Thanks.Do you have any more of the same type?
Hi, Don. I watch your videos in Canada and I'm always amazed at European trains. They are so quiet and efficient, and so incredibly fast! I think if I have enough money, someday, I'd like to come to England and buy a private coach and attach it any train that would take me, and I would just travel from place to place, meeting people in different communities, and generally having a great time! Well, dream on I guess!
This is great video. I am a fan of high speed passenger rail, being in the middle of the United States I have to be satisfied by watching it elsewhere. I have been to the UK several times but I have never traveled on this route. Your commentary is especially informative for us foreigners. I'm looking forward to visiting the UK again, someday. Take care and stay safe.
Brilliant video! It’s so fascinating to see the driver’s view of this line that I’ve travelled up and down from Sheffield to London many times. The accompanying text you provide gives a great insight into the route and helps me appreciate the work of thh drivers, one of whom is relative (of sorts) of mine.
From the other side of the pond - This is amazing and informative. I love the captions: Where you are, how many miles out, speeds and most informative the explanation of the signal and whistle rules. And a history lesson also. Thank you!!
They aren't kidding when they say stay behind the line. Something that big moving that fast definitely creates an air vortex that can suck you right in.
You’ve set the standard for these kinds of videos. I may live 5 time zones away but the clarity of the image and sound with accompanying commentary puts me right in the moment. And I don’t even have to shell out the £100 for the ride!
Thanks Jeff. I’m fussy about such things and it’s taken a lot of experimenting to get here. The bottom line is that most cameras and memory cards won’t handle the motion after about 70 of 80 mph so everything has to be top notch to get a standard I’m happy with so it’s nice to get feedback of this kind.
Well compiled documentary. A scan of the driver's cab and his handling of the controls and other related duties involved with the safe and smooth running of the train would have added more interest to it. Thanks anyway
I’ve got to be careful what I show. One of the conditions of being able to share the video is that I don’t show how the train is driven. I do show the occasional glimpse.
A fascinating film. Aside from the superb footage I greatly enjoyed the captions detailing the lineside equipment and features. Really well put together and a joy to watch.
I love the information. Some videos have information running along the bottom of the screen, but by the time you've read it, the thing they were describing has passed. Not so with these videos. There's obviously a lot of time and effort put into these videos and it's much appreciated.
Thanks Don, as brilliant as ever and well worth the wait. I have watched a lot of videos on SmileVideoTrains (SVT) channel and seen the MML from a passenger perspective (on board trains and on stations) - this is a perfect complement. As I commented on SVT a couple of weeks ago - Marples and Beeching must be spinning in their graves with all the railway upgrade/expansion work taking place!
@@doncoffey5820 Exactly my thoughts Don. Should have been a pruning & trimming job, instead it was a heavy handed hatchet job. Alas the damage is done........
This is no fault of you Don; I watch most of your videos and thoroughly enjoy them; BUT, I have been watching this film for the second time. I cannot recall when I first watched it, but it was a long time ago - possibly not long after it premiered. This time, there are adverts just about every three to four minutes (so far at least and I am about 30 minutes in), which I am almost certain was not the case on my first viewing. So this is further evidence of a major increase in advertising on You Tube. One understands there has to be advertising, and I have read your messages, Don, about the need for it on your videos specifically. But it is now getting so that films are almost unwatchable and I, for one, find that I quickly lose interest. I shall not be finishing this second viewing. Again, I repeat, this is not a dig at Don, and, anyway, this is presumably not in his control, but some middle-way solution needs to be found to this or, with this absurd level of advertising, You Tube will ultimately wither on the vine. It will as far as I am concerned anyway.
Firstly, I agree. I can’t watch anything on ITV or Sky, I have to record it because I simply lose interest or fall asleep. However, I have an agreement with the operating companies that the videos will make money for charity. When I upload them, RUclips suggests the placing and I just let it choose the standard package. I’m not an expert but from what I understand, it assumes that most people won’t watch the whole video (many are several hours) so it loads up the initial part of the video. That’s what they refer to as “click through”. Of course, these videos are free, unlike DVDs bought from specialist suppliers so I would urge the steady number of people that complain about the ads to be patient. You’re getting a free video and by tolerating the ads, you donate to charity. I would also add that I don’t make a penny profit and trust me, they take quite a long time to edit. I find RUclips a brilliant resource but I do hate the adverts. I don’t get any now because I subscribe and I would urge anybody using it to do the same. Maybe they’ve got greedy, I can’t see them so I don’t know if there are more now. I don’t know what to do best, if I stop the ads, the companies will stop giving me footage.
Hi Don, Oh my line, Leicester to St Pancras. I hadn't realised MML had to some extent saved St Pancras from being demolished back when they took over. We've just had the wires recently put up between Market Harborough and Wigston, on my, how much work...........raising bridges, cutting back the trees etc etc............Sad to see the historic Midland Railway bridges disappearing under their new facelifts. Last time I went to London, a few years ago now, we went First Class on a HST up, smooth, quietand so comfy and a Class 222 return, noisey, rattling and the seats were like sitting on boards................Sad to say they were like chalk and cheese. I miss the HST's................I liked your comment about them being like the Jumbo Jet! Oh one last question, how do you film these cab rides, do you film these yourself, or get colleagues to do the filming for you? Thanks for another great video, all the very best Dave.
It’s a fascinating line, steeped in history and fortunately it’s on the up. The wires will continue to creep forward to Sheffield as its appearance will change somewhat. I know what you mean about the HSTs but they aren’t as efficient and don’t fare well in a crash so their time is up. It’s nice to see an odd one about. Regarding the filming, it’s a mix. Some gets sent to me - sometimes after being filmed with my cameras and sometimes I go out filming. Most of the 185 trains (but not all) I drove.
From what I recall, this is the second video where you used the term "tea and biscuits" and it makes me chuckle. Though I know it's not a laughing matter
I just recently found your videos, and I want to say I much appreciate the various sorts of information you provide along the way. The mix of technical stuff and the historical is just fine. I follow along in my copy of Trackatlas of Mainland Britain (which of course shows the attitude of Brits toward the rest of Europe: this is the mainland, and over there is the rest of them). I look forward to hours of enjoyment with these cab rides.
Very much enjoyed the video. I was surprised you didn't mention the track remodelling at Derby following major work at the station in 2018. This eliminated the bottleneck to the south of the station where there was conflict between the London lines and the Birmingham lines. Both routes had to merge before reaching / after leaving the platforms, but now they are separated to avoid this. The video shows this new approach very clearly. New track, further track realignment and new signalling also improved approach and through line speeds.
Thanks Mr B. I can’t always fit everything in but in any case I didn’t know the detail you’ve added because it’s off my patch. However, many people read the comments so will benefit from your explanation.
Another very informative and interesting ride. I especially like the freeze frame showing infrastructure that otherwise would be missed. I remember looking at flange greasers due to relatively sharp curves on the CSS&SB electric line in my home town (Michigan City, Indiana) back in the early 60's. No solar power back then! Thanks, Don
Thank you Andrew. I used to visit Troy in Michigan in my motor industry days and I would spend as much time as I could get away with peering out of the office windows at the gigantic double decker freight trains that rumbled past every few minutes.
Love this video! A hypothetical question for you all. IF a driver were allowed to really 'put his or her foot down', what is the maximum speed one of these could do? Regarding the speed checks the rail companies implement, would speed limiters prevent drivers from accidentally exceeding the set limits?
I don’t actually sign them Alan. Our 185s will automatically shut off power at 103 mph but I suspect the HSTs are a little old for that. I’d be guessing to be honest.
Now, i am not a train buff by a long chalk, the thumpers are more my thing, having grown up with them running past the bottom of my garden. But i saw this video, a train journey,with the trivia, facts and explanations, Its an absolutely brilliant video.. I say sack michael portillo and get you on the case...
Hello Don from Pennsylvania. I’m taking advantage of the lockdown to catch up on lots of older videos. Thank you for this fine video. I always enjoy the historical perspective you provide as well as the operational information about the railway you are riding along. Always the very best. Thanks again. Stay well. CAS.
Bit of a joke that in the UK an express train like this can only carry 2 (maybe 4) bicycles, when in Germany they have double decker trains and will carry loads of bicycles.
Bikes take up a lot of people space Robert. Maybe one day when the public take a serious interest in public transport, we will get enough space for several bikes.
Don Coffey raises the bar again! This is extremely well done (okay, apart from the spelling mistakes!) and top-notch quality as well. Definitely one of my favourite driver's-eye view uploaders - and I am a great fan of the likes of fourfoot and OldSkidmark, so my standards are high!
Thanks John and much appreciated. My spelling isn’t brilliant because I missed so much school (working class upbringing) and I’m slightly dyslexic. In some ways, I’m surprised you can read it at all but it’s free to view and the footage itself is where I’m satisfied. More soon John.
Nice to see my hometown station of Loughborough feature in one of your videos... a few things you and your viewers may find intresting is just before you go through Loughborough station you pass under a green bridge which is a part of the Great Central Steam Railways "Bridging The Gap" project so the Nottingham portion of the GCR can be re-connected to the Loughborough to Leicester portion. And just after passing Loughborough station you can still see the remants of what was a small but quite busy goods yard and holding sidings... my mother used to work at the Brush Falcon works when i was young in the late 80s and i would wait for her close to the goods yard and watch the coal and stone hoppers be shunted in and watch the Tamper units and other locos use the sidings. As for the footbridge that collapsed in Barrow Upon Soar, in my opinion that was an accident waiting to happen (although not in the manner of what actually happened)... i remember (again in the late 80s) that footbridge being closed off to pedestrians and both sides barricaded with warning signs everyware saying 'danger bridge closed'' apparantly even back then it was very unstable. Thanks for your videos Don, i've watched them all but never commented before now. Kind regards.
Well I’m glad you have commented because it’s all very interesting. The videos seem to evoke memories for many of the viewers in one way or another. It’s surprising how quickly it has changed.
It depends on the diagram Nigel. In this case he did but there are other instances where they’ve brought the train in having had a break and take some or all of the way back.
Hi Don. Brilliant - Thank you STUPID question - Most of the trip Isee overhead power lines. Does this Loco run on Diesel as last part of journey there are no power lines. Sorry if i missed a cooment. Keep up the fine work. Ronnie Cape Town
Exceptional video. All the junctions and stations being pointed out is genius. The scrolling info bar takes it to the next level. Used to travel this route on an almost daily basis as a student for 3 years (the Derby-Leicester section) and it was good to see the route from the driver's eye perspective. An improvement might be that if there is any additional info that you cannot fit into the scrolling bar (eg wagon's crane colliding with a train at Mountsorrel) you could put that information into the description or provide some sort of link to a news article. I shall leave you to consider if this is a worthy idea and, if so, how you would wish to implement it. Finally, congratulations on an additional subscriber. I wish you well in your future ventures on the railways of this country.
Great Video, with a lot of additional information for me. Can you tell me, how big is such a videofile? Now I am watching your another cabviews the next week. Something different from my normal rides in germany / switzerland.
Hi, glad you enjoyed it. The files are huge. When recorded, the GoPro cuts them up into 4Gb clips and there were 20 in that video. After editing I have to convert them to MP4 and they finish at about 10Gb for uploading to RUclips.
St P will never be as nice as when I used to visit London in the 80's. With its trainshed sometimes full of desolate moodiness and at other times full of diesel smoke and echoes of throbbing peak class locomotives and that magnificent arched roof uncluttered without 25kv overhead wires.
Well that certainly poses a different argument Adelle but I think many would prefer the new version. There’s something about fond memories that have tremendous pull.
I have to disagree... I used St Pancras back in the day to get from Guildford to Sheffield (girlfriend visits at uni!!). Always made me sad to see the hollowed out, neglected and near derelict facilities. Going back recently for the first time (I'm now in Oz), made me quite happy and pleased to see it's modernization and rejuvenation. It's now a bustling hub once again. Shame no express services to Manchester anymore though 😎😎
Compared to both earlier and later overhead line equipment designs, St P got off lightly!! The headspan wire support design which BR produced for 1970s/80s/90s electrification schemes was pretty unobtrusive. The West Coast equipment dating from 1950s/60s features great steel portals structures with solid stovepipes dangling from them; as for the Great Western scheme just finishing...well, even uglier. It is said that the masts are more suited for mooring ocean liners!
1:16:32 is the (*new) Grand Central Railway "bridge to the future" over the Midland Main Line joining the Loughborough Gap www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughborough_Gap
Most interesting added information throughout, very helpful to an NZ viewer. Kudos to yourself for presenting a quality piece of work and a shout-out to the driver for keeping the screen clean as this is by no means the norm! Salutary to realise that the train was travelling at pretty well the all-out speed of an earlier 4.2 XJ6 Jaguar - I know; I used to drive one. Frankly, I'd feel much safer in the train!
Hardly any 'clicketty-clack' rail joints! Fancy. The 1873 Grand Trunk "International Railway Bridge" (from New York to Ontario, across the Niagara River) is about 1.5 miles from me, but I can hear the wheels slamming over the loose joints even with my window closed! Ballast half gone, wooden ties rotted, broken bolts, missing spikes, bridge itself not painted in living memory so it's totally rusty & popping its rivets ... very sad. I was nearly beaned by a falling rivet head, in fact !
I noticed on my trips to the USA that the track was often in relatively poor condition but ours is by no means perfect when you get off the trunk lines. It’s a question of budgets in these days where everyone wants their own personal transport sitting outside the door. The biggest shame for me is the loss of all the bridges, tunnels and buildings that were the trademark monument of the people that built them.
Always great to find quality content like this on RUclips :-) I enjoyed it a lot, having lived in Wigston as a boy, and even worked on Kilby Bridge farm for a bit. When I took the train from Leicester to see chums in London in the early '70s it was often headed by a Class 55, oh yeah.
@@doncoffey5820 I should have said also that your running commentary about track maintenance brought to mind my stepdad (also named Don), who as a trackworker used to walk the road as part of his duties, knocking those pins in. I think his stretch was just about where you were talking about it. He's retired now.
There’s a set of books by a chap called Adrian Vaughan that you might like. They tell the tale of all these workers like your stepdad and how they visited the signal boxes for a brew. Fascinating stuff. Signalsmans Morning, Signalmans Nightmare and Signalmans Twighlight. You can get them dead cheap secondhand.
Great video and a history lesson. Can it get any better? I've stood in St Pancras when Midland Main Line ran smokey HST sets out of there. It was a very dark horrible station but now I'd say, St Pancras along with the hotel is one the most beautiful railway termini in the UK.The fact that the {Powers that be} wanted to demolish it all, beggars belief. The Midland Railway company certainly went to town building that masterpiece. It's just as well we had Railway Mania at the turn of last century when I see the amount of space/land given over to put down the tracks, that would be near impossible today with the dense concentration of buildings and we need all those lines to cope with growth and there seems to have been a lot of digging to get the line in, judging by the embankments either side. I remember hearing years ago there was talk of putting in another carriage into these trains with a pantograph so it would be electric propulsion where there were wires. I notice the XC Class 220/221trains seem to spend most of their time under wires, except when the come up my way (Stonehaven) to Aberdeen.
Agreed. I remember as a child, many decades ago, being taken to London from Leicester with my parents from time to time. My overriding impression of St. Pancras was the blackness, the dark (you could barely see light through any of the glass in the roof), the dirt and the clouds and clouds of grey smoke and steam. The station now and the Hotel are absolutely magnificent and stand comparison with any station anywhere!
A very informative video. in my army days I trave led a lot by train. in my young days I lived along side the Southend Victoria---Liverpool Street line (in steam and electric days. I lived in Nottingham in the 60s. Traveled to Edinburgh a few times. Some of your videos bring back great memories. I'm in my early 80s now. Thanks again for your efforts.
Brilliant! I don't think I've seen such an informative cab ride before. I find I'm having to concentrate a little more than usual rather than be lulled by the general passing of the countryside 😀.
Awesome video enjoyed every bit of it especially with the information running along bottom of screen :) sometimes i can get bored when just looking at a track and trees so it makes it much more interesting for me does all the info thanks
Don't forget - HST has usually: 5 cars of 2nd class, and 2 first class plus one buffet car (with 1st class seats) Meridian in maximum 7 cars configuration: 4 (not full lenght because cab and bigger accesible toiles) cars of 2nd class and 3 not full (same reason) 1st class cars. But WORST of all is 4 cars Meridian/Voyager 1.3 cars of first class (minus cab) and 2.7 cars standard (minus cab as well). I will recommend seat reservation, otherwise big chance to stay all way with normal ticket price (no discount for standing). So much much more space in HST.
I probably missed a lot of things Kevan but there’s a limit to what I can include before making it impossible to watch. The captions are timed to allow the watcher read then look up. I’m always up for ideas and if we do another St P video I’ll try to remember to put it in 👍
Another excellent video Don. You have, however, shattered my mid-1970’s memories of Leicester! Travelling up on the Thames-Clyde Express from St.Pancras to what I remembered to be a grim, and grimy, Leicester station. It was my first introduction to travelling by rail in the UK (after moving from Australia) was this almighty diesel locomotive at the head of the train, what was probably a 44/45/46 Class?! How much lighter and airy these places look now! Again, thanks for posting.
Sorry Andrew! Yes, they have brightened and de cluttered many stations but the old ones with the fancy wooden awnings had a certain charm. These videos are proving to bring back memories for so many ex pats.
Watching from California during lockdown.Love this video.Been a fan of England and trains for a long time.We don't have trains like this in the USA.Thank you for taking me out on a ride in my mind! May you and all your viewers stay safe and healthy.
Thank you for the wonderful and informative video. I have travelled to Britain twice and greatly enjoyed travelling on my Britrail pass around the country. I enjoy all your videos and find them very relaxing.
Say you're doing 100mph and you hit a 60mph speed limit, are you allowed a while to slow down or should you be a 60 as you hit the 60 sign? Given that trains can't stop on a sixpence I wonder how the rules work?
It’s all down to route knowledge John. Drivers must be doing 60 at the sign just like in a car. Train companies monitor speed and you’ll notice many speed changes are close to an AWS magnet and somebody doing a download will know the speed is correct. During a route passout, a driver is expected to list every single speed restriction and that includes every loop and every possible variation through a place like Manchester or Leeds.
This is nice, I've seen Nottingham to St Pancras with Train_PlaneHub, now we've got the down journey! Ooh, 66779 Evening Star at Churchyard Sidings. 5:58 and that's where the wires usually come down :oops:
I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute. Thankyou for taking the time to film, edit and upload. I love the way you stop the film so we can see what you have described and I also like the way you describe what we will see before we get to it.
I remember sitting as a child in the early 50s on a hill overlooking this line watching long, long freight trains go by -often over 100 trucks- and planes taking off and landing at Hendon Aerodrome. Probably many of those trucks were filled with London Brick Co bricks to rebuild London after the war. At that time St Paul's still stood as a lone figure in a wasteland of bombed buildings.
The building on the left at 24:37 is what remains of Chiltern Green station. Just down the road, literally, was Luton Hoo station, on the Welwyn Garden City-Dunstable North (and on to Leighton Buzzard) branch, which ran roughly parallel to the Midland Mainline from Harpenden to Luton. Luton Bute Street was also within yards of the Midland Mainline, being alongside Luton (Midland) station, just the other side of Midland Road (now station Road) to the left on your video. The site of Bute Street station, and the line between Kimpton Road (just to the South) and Dunstable is now used for a Guided Busway (with plans for a reopening of the rail line having been scuppered using dubious information about service levels and potential patronage - but that's another story entirely). The righthand bend at 33:20 is sometimes referred to by drivers as 'Chimney Corner' for reasons that your text makes obvious.
Stunning, thank you for posting, really interesting facts and figures along the way.
Thanks Alistair
Great train video! No annoying panning and zooming, just fine camera work. The comments and location names add greatly to this footage, keep up the good work! Cheerio from the USA!
Glad you enjoyed it. If you visit my community page you’ll find updates on new videos.
Yes, a brilliant video in every way! Australia.
I am an American and I absolutely love these videos. It is like a little vacation, to the UK, on my computer. Keep up the great work!!
Much appreciated Stephy. More vids coming soon. Proceeds go to charity 👍
Never expected a video about a train journey to be as interesting as this one. Thank-you, Don, for the extensive annotations which transform the experience. Your hard work is appreciated.
Much appreciated.
I certainly learns lot watching this. Thanks Don, fantastic video as always.
Nowthen Paul. Not quite got the production finesse that yours do but it gets the message over ;-)
@@doncoffey5820 "learnt a lot" *Auto-correct!
Don't do yourself an injustice Don. This was a long edit I am sure. Lots of information packed in. Just brilliant.
Thank you it makes a change to see the front instead of being in the passenger compartment enjoy your videos thanks again
It’s a whole different world out of the front isn’t it. Glad you enjoyed it.
This is the best cab ride video I have ever seen. Loved the comments. I subscribed immediately. Thanks for your hard work.
Thanks Peter. They are a kind of cab ride magazine that covers many different aspects and if you work your way back through the existing ones you’ll find all kinds of subjects covered.
My thanks to you and your driver for another great Video Don. They seem to be getting longer. Some day soon I expect it will be Kings x to Inverness !! All the best.
Oou I’d be weeks editing that. Thank Jim 👍
Great Ride, Great Video. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks equally for watching.
Really appreciated the information captions! Thanks for a very interesting video.
Thanks Richard.
Brings memories flooding back of steam days (Jubilees) and diesel engines. What a change at Bedford. I recall the massive signal posts at Bedford South.
It would be fantastic if we could run side by side footage John.
Sir John looks down and smiles.
The Tarmac place that provides the granite used to be Lafarge. There is a conveyor belt that carries the stone from the quarry at Mountsorrel to the rail side plant across country.
There is, it wonderful engineering.
@@doncoffey5820 I used to work there and drove to various plants to unload the Self Discharging Train (S.D.T.) but I see from your video that it is no longer used.Link to the promo video. ruclips.net/video/rind1Id77lo/видео.html
Great video Don really enjoyed it, here in Queensland most trains travel at about 80Kms an hour.
We do in the suburbs John but we scoot along when we get away from them.
I've been on Qld trains, and you'd be lucky if they went as fast as a donkey!! Lol!!
@@doncoffey5820 jj
How did I lose myself so much on RUclips and why all of your videos will loop on my Apple TV 24/7 from now on ?
Never thought I'd say that about a video of this kind, but this was hella cool
Thats much appreciated and all of the revenue is donated to charity.
Very relaxing!
It’s amazing how many people say that. I never thought of them as such.
No wonder electrification costs so much these days. The structures north of Bedford are so much cumbersome compared to the south. And when was the Midland Mainlines speeds raised from 110 to 125mph?
Not sure when it was raised to 125. The last time I travelled over it was 110 but that must be about 10 years ago.
Love it. Damn virus would have liked to come to the UK this year. In Australia on the main line between Melbourne & Sydney you are going slower than 80 years ago & bounce all the way on a similar trip. We do have trains that do 125km/ hr but not on that main line. Governments of both sides ignore rail which to me is absolutely irresponsible. Believe me your railways are really 1st class.
Let me know if you come, I’ll try and say hello at some stage of your trip.
That would have been a great video even without the added text information - you can tell a lot of thought has gone into it. It was interesting seeing the new layout south of Derby - my memories are of always waiting at a red signal tantalisingly close to the station...
Thanks Nick, thats much appreciated.
very interesting commentary.
Im watching this in double speed, does that mean im going at 250mph?
At times, yes.
Another excellent cab ride, many thanks Don. Great camera work and informative captions. Those 222's can certainly 'munch the miles' and the track if there is an axle failure! Thanks again.
Yes, it did make a mess Mike. It happened very quickly, those two miles took just over a minute.
i've made this trip loads of times its nice to see it from a different prospective, thank you.
When was this recorded??
Thanks Arron. Not sure of the exact date but August 19.
Pity all cab rides are not as informative , excellent !
Much appreciated Robert.
TV style quality video. Professional informative and interesting captions. No in your face “look at Me” presenter reminding us to subscribe/like constantly . Proceeds to charity. Don, you should get RUclipsr of the year!
Best video I have seen this year and hope you enjoyed your break from Manchester!
I’m flattered James thanks. I try to make each video into a kind of magazine for anyone with the remotest interest to true enthusiasts. The revenue to charity is the cherry on top. I’m delighted that you enjoy them.
Don Coffey which charity may I ask?
I donate to a different one every time. I don’t do the videos for money but since Google (who own RUclips) offer money for advertising, I take the money and donate every single penny of it to charity. I recently rescued a homeless person from a tunnel so will give the next donation to the homeless.
This video is superb.
The video is very informative and it give so much quality, that you stop the video every now and then to show what you have been explaining to the viewers.
Thank you for taking you time to show this from your job and to take your time to explain the things during the ride.
Thanks for the feedback Peter, much appreciated.
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant.Without a doubt the best train video on RUclips. The descriptions as you go along are fascinating and really add to the journey.
Many Thanks.Do you have any more of the same type?
Glad you enjoyed it Terry. There’s a whole series of them on my RUclips Channel; ruclips.net/channel/UC8LH7xMAyCSqpClAvTHwJRw
@@doncoffey5820 Many Thanks
Have just discovered these videos - very relaxing during the "lockdown"
Glad you like them!
Love your comment about the HST, “Queen of the rails”. Couldn’t agree more.
Hi, Don. I watch your videos in Canada and I'm always amazed at European trains. They are so quiet and efficient, and so incredibly fast! I think if I have enough money, someday, I'd like to come to England and buy a private coach and attach it any train that would take me, and I would just travel from place to place, meeting people in different communities, and generally having a great time! Well, dream on I guess!
This is great video. I am a fan of high speed passenger rail, being in the middle of the United States I have to be satisfied by watching it elsewhere. I have been to the UK several times but I have never traveled on this route. Your commentary is especially informative for us foreigners. I'm looking forward to visiting the UK again, someday. Take care and stay safe.
Watch out for the next video Wayne. We go north from York to Newcastle on one of our brand new Class 802s at mostly 125mph.
I can't believe, with all that information,...people still ask questions,..
They do but I can’t cater for everyone in the captions.
Brilliant video! It’s so fascinating to see the driver’s view of this line that I’ve travelled up and down from Sheffield to London many times. The accompanying text you provide gives a great insight into the route and helps me appreciate the work of thh drivers, one of whom is relative (of sorts) of mine.
Thanks Adam.
From the other side of the pond - This is amazing and informative. I love the captions: Where you are, how many miles out, speeds and most informative the explanation of the signal and whistle rules. And a history lesson also. Thank you!!
Much appreciated. They’ve evolved into magazine type publications that cover all sorts of subjects.
It must be a bit unsettling standing on a platform and having many tons of metal zip by you at more than 200 kmh... Great video as always Don 👍👍👌😁
Its an experience for sure Joseph.
That's nothing compared to standing on the track.
The worst place for it is Didcot Parkway - one of the platforms in particular is horribly exposed and turbulent...
MPH please.
They aren't kidding when they say stay behind the line. Something that big moving that fast definitely creates an air vortex that can
suck you right in.
You’ve set the standard for these kinds of videos. I may live 5 time zones away but the clarity of the image and sound with accompanying commentary puts me right in the moment. And I don’t even have to shell out the £100 for the ride!
Thanks Jeff. I’m fussy about such things and it’s taken a lot of experimenting to get here. The bottom line is that most cameras and memory cards won’t handle the motion after about 70 of 80 mph so everything has to be top notch to get a standard I’m happy with so it’s nice to get feedback of this kind.
Well compiled documentary. A scan of the driver's cab and his handling of the controls and other related duties involved with the safe and smooth running of the train would have added more interest to it. Thanks anyway
I’ve got to be careful what I show. One of the conditions of being able to share the video is that I don’t show how the train is driven. I do show the occasional glimpse.
A fascinating film. Aside from the superb footage I greatly enjoyed the captions detailing the lineside equipment and features. Really well put together and a joy to watch.
Much appreciated. I love your logo.
Really excellent video! Thank you for sharing your many cab adventures with us.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I love the information. Some videos have information running along the bottom of the screen, but by the time you've read it, the thing they were describing has passed. Not so with these videos.
There's obviously a lot of time and effort put into these videos and it's much appreciated.
Thanks, yes I was guilty of that once so I’ve learned to time the captions so you can read them before returning to the footage.
Thanks Don, as brilliant as ever and well worth the wait. I have watched a lot of videos on SmileVideoTrains (SVT) channel and seen the MML from a passenger perspective (on board trains and on stations) - this is a perfect complement. As I commented on SVT a couple of weeks ago - Marples and Beeching must be spinning in their graves with all the railway upgrade/expansion work taking place!
What they did needed doing but not on the scale they did it. Now some of what needs reopening can’t because the land is lost.
@@doncoffey5820 Exactly my thoughts Don. Should have been a pruning & trimming job, instead it was a heavy handed hatchet job.
Alas the damage is done........
This is no fault of you Don; I watch most of your videos and thoroughly enjoy them; BUT, I have been watching this film for the second time. I cannot recall when I first watched it, but it was a long time ago - possibly not long after it premiered. This time, there are adverts just about every three to four minutes (so far at least and I am about 30 minutes in), which I am almost certain was not the case on my first viewing. So this is further evidence of a major increase in advertising on You Tube. One understands there has to be advertising, and I have read your messages, Don, about the need for it on your videos specifically. But it is now getting so that films are almost unwatchable and I, for one, find that I quickly lose interest. I shall not be finishing this second viewing. Again, I repeat, this is not a dig at Don, and, anyway, this is presumably not in his control, but some middle-way solution needs to be found to this or, with this absurd level of advertising, You Tube will ultimately wither on the vine. It will as far as I am concerned anyway.
Firstly, I agree. I can’t watch anything on ITV or Sky, I have to record it because I simply lose interest or fall asleep. However, I have an agreement with the operating companies that the videos will make money for charity. When I upload them, RUclips suggests the placing and I just let it choose the standard package. I’m not an expert but from what I understand, it assumes that most people won’t watch the whole video (many are several hours) so it loads up the initial part of the video. That’s what they refer to as “click through”. Of course, these videos are free, unlike DVDs bought from specialist suppliers so I would urge the steady number of people that complain about the ads to be patient. You’re getting a free video and by tolerating the ads, you donate to charity. I would also add that I don’t make a penny profit and trust me, they take quite a long time to edit. I find RUclips a brilliant resource but I do hate the adverts. I don’t get any now because I subscribe and I would urge anybody using it to do the same. Maybe they’ve got greedy, I can’t see them so I don’t know if there are more now. I don’t know what to do best, if I stop the ads, the companies will stop giving me footage.
Excellent quality & narration as usual Don, when are you going with passport into Europe lol Eddie 🤓
I’m open to offers Eddie. I can’t just turn up but somebody might offer to get me in one day.
Awesome footage. I live in Leicester and travel this route every now and again. Just wish it was electrified this far.
Yes, hopefully one day soon HP.
Kettering sounds to me like some kind of criminal offence.
Haha, it does. I wonder if George Michael was ever suspected of it ;-)
Very clear video. It's a great line. North of Sheffield needs inproving. It is a pity it doesn't run beyond Sheffield.
I think improvements are afoot Alex 👍
I never knew an internal organ would have a patron Saint. Long live St Pancreas.
:D
Hi Don, Oh my line, Leicester to St Pancras. I hadn't realised MML had to some extent saved St Pancras from being demolished back when they took over.
We've just had the wires recently put up between Market Harborough and Wigston, on my, how much work...........raising bridges, cutting back the trees etc etc............Sad to see the historic Midland Railway bridges disappearing under their new facelifts.
Last time I went to London, a few years ago now, we went First Class on a HST up, smooth, quietand so comfy and a Class 222 return, noisey, rattling and the seats were like sitting on boards................Sad to say they were like chalk and cheese. I miss the HST's................I liked your comment about them being like the Jumbo Jet!
Oh one last question, how do you film these cab rides, do you film these yourself, or get colleagues to do the filming for you?
Thanks for another great video, all the very best Dave.
It’s a fascinating line, steeped in history and fortunately it’s on the up. The wires will continue to creep forward to Sheffield as its appearance will change somewhat. I know what you mean about the HSTs but they aren’t as efficient and don’t fare well in a crash so their time is up. It’s nice to see an odd one about. Regarding the filming, it’s a mix. Some gets sent to me - sometimes after being filmed with my cameras and sometimes I go out filming. Most of the 185 trains (but not all) I drove.
From what I recall, this is the second video where you used the term "tea and biscuits" and it makes me chuckle. Though I know it's not a laughing matter
;-)
I just recently found your videos, and I want to say I much appreciate the various sorts of information you provide along the way. The mix of technical stuff and the historical is just fine. I follow along in my copy of Trackatlas of Mainland Britain (which of course shows the attitude of Brits toward the rest of Europe: this is the mainland, and over there is the rest of them). I look forward to hours of enjoyment with these cab rides.
Much appreciated Robert. I try to answer all the questions I’d be asking if I were out in the cab as an interested party. Lots more videos to come.
I don't care if you make a spelling mistake Don ,just keep the vids coming ,thank you 👍
It seems to matter to some people. They seem to forget it’s a rail video!!!
Very much enjoyed the video. I was surprised you didn't mention the track remodelling at Derby following major work at the station in 2018. This eliminated the bottleneck to the south of the station where there was conflict between the London lines and the Birmingham lines. Both routes had to merge before reaching / after leaving the platforms, but now they are separated to avoid this. The video shows this new approach very clearly. New track, further track realignment and new signalling also improved approach and through line speeds.
Thanks Mr B. I can’t always fit everything in but in any case I didn’t know the detail you’ve added because it’s off my patch. However, many people read the comments so will benefit from your explanation.
Another very informative and interesting ride. I especially like the freeze frame showing infrastructure that otherwise would be missed. I remember looking at flange greasers due to relatively sharp curves on the CSS&SB electric line in my home town (Michigan City, Indiana) back in the early 60's. No solar power back then! Thanks, Don
Thank you Andrew. I used to visit Troy in Michigan in my motor industry days and I would spend as much time as I could get away with peering out of the office windows at the gigantic double decker freight trains that rumbled past every few minutes.
Love this video! A hypothetical question for you all. IF a driver were allowed to really 'put his or her foot down', what is the maximum
speed one of these could do? Regarding the speed checks the rail companies implement, would speed limiters prevent drivers from
accidentally exceeding the set limits?
I don’t actually sign them Alan. Our 185s will automatically shut off power at 103 mph but I suspect the HSTs are a little old for that. I’d be guessing to be honest.
This is very well edited!! It's a shame in Ireland we have hardly any drivers willing to do as you do. Great video.
Hi Kieran. You have to get special permission to film from a cab and maybe your guys aren’t allowed.
First timer here, watching March 2020 in UK lockdown. What lovely video to watch, really relaxing and informative, subbed & coming back for more.
Glad to have you with us Steve.
Now, i am not a train buff by a long chalk, the thumpers are more my thing, having grown up with them running past the bottom of my garden. But i saw this video, a train journey,with the trivia, facts and explanations, Its an absolutely brilliant video.. I say sack michael portillo and get you on the case...
Very kind. Now where are my coloured jackets?!!!
@@doncoffey5820 you need to have a matching bright pink floral shirt,mustard coloured cords,green loafers .
Hello Don from Pennsylvania. I’m taking advantage of the lockdown to catch up on lots of older videos. Thank you for this fine video. I always enjoy the historical perspective you provide as well as the operational information about the railway you are riding along.
Always the very best. Thanks again. Stay well. CAS.
That’s much appreciated Charles and the same to you my friend.
Bit of a joke that in the UK an express train like this can only carry 2 (maybe 4) bicycles, when in Germany they have double decker trains and will carry loads of bicycles.
Bikes take up a lot of people space Robert. Maybe one day when the public take a serious interest in public transport, we will get enough space for several bikes.
Maybe the Germans can't afford cars as Clarkson would say...
Don Coffey raises the bar again! This is extremely well done (okay, apart from the spelling mistakes!) and top-notch quality as well. Definitely one of my favourite driver's-eye view uploaders - and I am a great fan of the likes of fourfoot and OldSkidmark, so my standards are high!
Thanks John and much appreciated. My spelling isn’t brilliant because I missed so much school (working class upbringing) and I’m slightly dyslexic. In some ways, I’m surprised you can read it at all but it’s free to view and the footage itself is where I’m satisfied. More soon John.
Nice to see my hometown station of Loughborough feature in one of your videos... a few things you and your viewers may find intresting is just before you go through Loughborough station you pass under a green bridge which is a part of the Great Central Steam Railways "Bridging The Gap" project so the Nottingham portion of the GCR can be re-connected to the Loughborough to Leicester portion. And just after passing Loughborough station you can still see the remants of what was a small but quite busy goods yard and holding sidings... my mother used to work at the Brush Falcon works when i was young in the late 80s and i would wait for her close to the goods yard and watch the coal and stone hoppers be shunted in and watch the Tamper units and other locos use the sidings. As for the footbridge that collapsed in Barrow Upon Soar, in my opinion that was an accident waiting to happen (although not in the manner of what actually happened)... i remember (again in the late 80s) that footbridge being closed off to pedestrians and both sides barricaded with warning signs everyware saying 'danger bridge closed'' apparantly even back then it was very unstable. Thanks for your videos Don, i've watched them all but never commented before now. Kind regards.
Well I’m glad you have commented because it’s all very interesting. The videos seem to evoke memories for many of the viewers in one way or another. It’s surprising how quickly it has changed.
Nice video!!! Is it only me who noticed the huge gap between Bedford and Wellingborough?
I think you’re the only one that mentioned it.
Thank you for a brilliant video! With the comments along the route it lifted it well beyond lots of other front window videos.
I appreciate that, thank you.
Does the driver get decent break on arrvial to london or is it straight back?
It depends on the diagram Nigel. In this case he did but there are other instances where they’ve brought the train in having had a break and take some or all of the way back.
Hi Don.
Brilliant - Thank you
STUPID question - Most of the trip Isee overhead power lines.
Does this Loco run on Diesel as last part of journey there are no power lines.
Sorry if i missed a cooment.
Keep up the fine work.
Ronnie Cape Town
Excuse spelling errors -----
Will be more careful.
The odd spelling error makes me feel human! Yes it was a diesel Ronnie so your observation was correct.
7:14 When you think it the light at the end of the tunnel but it turns out to be an oncoming train.
Exceptional video. All the junctions and stations being pointed out is genius. The scrolling info bar takes it to the next level. Used to travel this route on an almost daily basis as a student for 3 years (the Derby-Leicester section) and it was good to see the route from the driver's eye perspective.
An improvement might be that if there is any additional info that you cannot fit into the scrolling bar (eg wagon's crane colliding with a train at Mountsorrel) you could put that information into the description or provide some sort of link to a news article. I shall leave you to consider if this is a worthy idea and, if so, how you would wish to implement it.
Finally, congratulations on an additional subscriber. I wish you well in your future ventures on the railways of this country.
Thanks for the positive feedback (I do post both but thankfully very little poor feedback) I’m pleased you find the content interesting.
Great Video, with a lot of additional information for me. Can you tell me, how big is such a videofile?
Now I am watching your another cabviews the next week. Something different from my normal rides in germany / switzerland.
Hi, glad you enjoyed it. The files are huge. When recorded, the GoPro cuts them up into 4Gb clips and there were 20 in that video. After editing I have to convert them to MP4 and they finish at about 10Gb for uploading to RUclips.
St P will never be as nice as when I used to visit London in the 80's.
With its trainshed sometimes full of desolate moodiness and at other times full of diesel smoke and echoes of throbbing peak class locomotives and that magnificent arched roof uncluttered without 25kv overhead wires.
Well that certainly poses a different argument Adelle but I think many would prefer the new version. There’s something about fond memories that have tremendous pull.
I have to disagree... I used St Pancras back in the day to get from Guildford to Sheffield (girlfriend visits at uni!!). Always made me sad to see the hollowed out, neglected and near derelict facilities.
Going back recently for the first time (I'm now in Oz), made me quite happy and pleased to see it's modernization and rejuvenation. It's now a bustling hub once again. Shame no express services to Manchester anymore though 😎😎
Compared to both earlier and later overhead line equipment designs, St P got off lightly!! The headspan wire support design which BR produced for 1970s/80s/90s electrification schemes was pretty unobtrusive. The West Coast equipment dating from 1950s/60s features great steel portals structures with solid stovepipes dangling from them; as for the Great Western scheme just finishing...well, even uglier. It is said that the masts are more suited for mooring ocean liners!
They used to go right by my house in Chapel en le Frith Craig.
1:16:32 is the (*new) Grand Central Railway "bridge to the future" over the Midland Main Line joining the Loughborough Gap
www.gcrailway.co.uk/unify/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loughborough_Gap
Thanks Paul. Several have mentioned that bridge since I posted the video.
Most interesting added information throughout, very helpful to an NZ viewer. Kudos to yourself for presenting a quality piece of work and a shout-out to the driver for keeping the screen clean as this is by no means the norm! Salutary to realise that the train was travelling at pretty well the all-out speed of an earlier 4.2 XJ6 Jaguar - I know; I used to drive one. Frankly, I'd feel much safer in the train!
He’ll see your comment thanks. I think your jag might have used the same amount of fuel too!
These train simulator games have gone so realistic
;-)
Hardly any 'clicketty-clack' rail joints! Fancy. The 1873 Grand Trunk "International Railway Bridge" (from New York to Ontario, across the Niagara River) is about 1.5 miles from me, but I can hear the wheels slamming over the loose joints even with my window closed! Ballast half gone, wooden ties rotted, broken bolts, missing spikes, bridge itself not painted in living memory so it's totally rusty & popping its rivets ... very sad. I was nearly beaned by a falling rivet head, in fact !
I noticed on my trips to the USA that the track was often in relatively poor condition but ours is by no means perfect when you get off the trunk lines. It’s a question of budgets in these days where everyone wants their own personal transport sitting outside the door. The biggest shame for me is the loss of all the bridges, tunnels and buildings that were the trademark monument of the people that built them.
This is an excellent and very informative video. I don't think I have seen a better on for information!
Much appreciated Phill
Always great to find quality content like this on RUclips :-) I enjoyed it a lot, having lived in Wigston as a boy, and even worked on Kilby Bridge farm for a bit. When I took the train from Leicester to see chums in London in the early '70s it was often headed by a Class 55, oh yeah.
Thanks Neil. I never drove a Class 55 but I have mastered a Class 142. They’ll be iconic one day!!! Glad it brought back memories for you.
@@doncoffey5820 I should have said also that your running commentary about track maintenance brought to mind my stepdad (also named Don), who as a trackworker used to walk the road as part of his duties, knocking those pins in. I think his stretch was just about where you were talking about it. He's retired now.
There’s a set of books by a chap called Adrian Vaughan that you might like. They tell the tale of all these workers like your stepdad and how they visited the signal boxes for a brew. Fascinating stuff. Signalsmans Morning, Signalmans Nightmare and Signalmans Twighlight. You can get them dead cheap secondhand.
Thanks, Don. I found a copy of SIgnalman's Morning for a couple of pounds, and will give it a read.
Don you spoil us... Thank you my friend... Yee Har Happy Days...
He he, thanks Peter. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video and a history lesson. Can it get any better? I've stood in St Pancras when Midland Main Line ran smokey HST sets out of there. It was a very dark horrible station but now I'd say, St Pancras along with the hotel is one the most beautiful railway termini in the UK.The fact that the {Powers that be} wanted to demolish it all, beggars belief. The Midland Railway company certainly went to town building that masterpiece. It's just as well we had Railway Mania at the turn of last century when I see the amount of space/land given over to put down the tracks, that would be near impossible today with the dense concentration of buildings and we need all those lines to cope with growth and there seems to have been a lot of digging to get the line in, judging by the embankments either side. I remember hearing years ago there was talk of putting in another carriage into these trains with a pantograph so it would be electric propulsion where there were wires. I notice the XC Class 220/221trains seem to spend most of their time under wires, except when the come up my way (Stonehaven) to Aberdeen.
They do but as soon as they leave the wires they only have one option. Agree entirely about saving the station.
Agreed. I remember as a child, many decades ago, being taken to London from Leicester with my parents from time to time. My overriding impression of St. Pancras was the blackness, the dark (you could barely see light through any of the glass in the roof), the dirt and the clouds and clouds of grey smoke and steam. The station now and the Hotel are absolutely magnificent and stand comparison with any station anywhere!
A very informative video. in my army days I trave
led a lot by train. in my young days I lived along side the Southend Victoria---Liverpool Street line (in steam and electric days. I lived in Nottingham in the 60s. Traveled to Edinburgh a few times. Some of your videos bring back great memories. I'm in my early 80s now. Thanks again for your efforts.
Glad you enjoyed them Tony.
Brilliant! I don't think I've seen such an informative cab ride before. I find I'm having to concentrate a little more than usual rather than be lulled by the general passing of the countryside 😀.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Fantastic video Don. I love trains. Don't stop.
There’s plenty more in the pipeline!
@@doncoffey5820 Wow, thanks, keep em' coming. Greetings from Ireland, wider gauge at 5' 3 and 1/4", and I won many a bet on that!
Would be nice to see an updated version of this when the MML is electrified fully
You never know ;-)
@@doncoffey5820 well I’ll be waiting 😄
I’m told it will happen when the 810s are introduced.
Awesome video enjoyed every bit of it especially with the information running along bottom of screen :) sometimes i can get bored when just looking at a track and trees so it makes it much more interesting for me does all the info thanks
Much appreciated. 👍
These trains have a diesel engine under each carriage. As a passenger still prefer the HST, ride is smoother, especially sat in the middle.
Yes, the HST was a fine train. We are planning a run in one.
diesels growl in DHMUs and dont growl so much in DEMUs. NVH levels are much better in DEMUs.
Don't forget - HST has usually: 5 cars of 2nd class, and 2 first class plus one buffet car (with 1st class seats)
Meridian in maximum 7 cars configuration: 4 (not full lenght because cab and bigger accesible toiles) cars of 2nd class and 3 not full (same reason) 1st class cars.
But WORST of all is 4 cars Meridian/Voyager 1.3 cars of first class (minus cab) and 2.7 cars standard (minus cab as well). I will recommend seat reservation, otherwise big chance to stay all way with normal ticket price (no discount for standing).
So much much more space in HST.
@@doncoffey5820 i absolutely love these diesel speedsters!
A useful and interesting education about the railway in this part of the u.k✌️❤️🇬🇧
You might like Kings Cross to Hull on Boxing Day.
You seem to have omitted the fact that St Pancras station was built by the Butterley Company of Ripley in Derbyshire?
I probably missed a lot of things Kevan but there’s a limit to what I can include before making it impossible to watch. The captions are timed to allow the watcher read then look up. I’m always up for ideas and if we do another St P video I’ll try to remember to put it in 👍
Brilliant, just Brilliant, thank you for sharing
An excellent and informative video. May I confess, I watched it at double speed. None the less for that! Well done.
Haha, you are not alone apparently but at least you watched it and by doing so you donated to charity.
Love your videos. The info bar is perfect and unobtrusive but filled with interesting snippets. Just spent my morning watching this. Am I sad?
I hope not! The analytics suggest you are not alone by a long chalk!!!
Another excellent video Don. You have, however, shattered my mid-1970’s memories of Leicester! Travelling up on the Thames-Clyde Express from St.Pancras to what I remembered to be a grim, and grimy, Leicester station. It was
my first introduction to travelling by rail in the UK (after moving from Australia) was this almighty diesel locomotive at the head of the train, what was probably a 44/45/46 Class?! How much lighter and airy these places look now! Again, thanks for posting.
Sorry Andrew! Yes, they have brightened and de cluttered many stations but the old ones with the fancy wooden awnings had a certain charm. These videos are proving to bring back memories for so many ex pats.
Watching from California during lockdown.Love this video.Been a fan of England and trains for a long time.We don't have trains like this in the USA.Thank you for taking me out on a ride in my mind! May you and all your viewers stay safe and healthy.
Thanks Diana. Glad it help you forget for a while.
My route i drive daily
Excellent - EMR?
@@doncoffey5820 no Thameslink
Nice! All new gear then.
Thanks Paul.
I always find your vids very interesting and informative ✅
Thanks 👍
Thank you for the wonderful and informative video. I have travelled to Britain twice and greatly enjoyed travelling on my Britrail pass around the country. I enjoy all your videos and find them very relaxing.
That’s very pleasing, thank you 👍
Don that was a brilliant video. Information top class as usual. It must take a lot of your time, but it is really appreciated. THANK YOU.
It takes a day to get the footage and hours and hours to edit it.
Say you're doing 100mph and you hit a 60mph speed limit, are you allowed a while to slow down or should you be a 60 as you hit the 60 sign? Given that trains can't stop on a sixpence I wonder how the rules work?
It’s all down to route knowledge John. Drivers must be doing 60 at the sign just like in a car. Train companies monitor speed and you’ll notice many speed changes are close to an AWS magnet and somebody doing a download will know the speed is correct. During a route passout, a driver is expected to list every single speed restriction and that includes every loop and every possible variation through a place like Manchester or Leeds.
This is nice, I've seen Nottingham to St Pancras with Train_PlaneHub, now we've got the down journey!
Ooh, 66779 Evening Star at Churchyard Sidings.
5:58 and that's where the wires usually come down :oops:
I’ll be doing Derby to Lincoln and back to Nottingham soon.
I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute. Thankyou for taking the time to film, edit and upload. I love the way you stop the film so we can see what you have described and I also like the way you describe what we will see before we get to it.
Thanks Geoffrey, I sometimes add picture in picture too. Glad you liked it.
I remember sitting as a child in the early 50s on a hill overlooking this line watching long, long freight trains go by -often over 100 trucks- and planes taking off and landing at Hendon Aerodrome. Probably many of those trucks were filled with London Brick Co bricks to rebuild London after the war. At that time St Paul's still stood as a lone figure in a wasteland of bombed buildings.
Yes, a harrowing time despite the interesting things you saw.
The building on the left at 24:37 is what remains of Chiltern Green station. Just down the road, literally, was Luton Hoo station, on the Welwyn Garden City-Dunstable North (and on to Leighton Buzzard) branch, which ran roughly parallel to the Midland Mainline from Harpenden to Luton. Luton Bute Street was also within yards of the Midland Mainline, being alongside Luton (Midland) station, just the other side of Midland Road (now station Road) to the left on your video. The site of Bute Street station, and the line between Kimpton Road (just to the South) and Dunstable is now used for a Guided Busway (with plans for a reopening of the rail line having been scuppered using dubious information about service levels and potential patronage - but that's another story entirely).
The righthand bend at 33:20 is sometimes referred to by drivers as 'Chimney Corner' for reasons that your text makes obvious.
I learn a lot from feedback like this. Thanks Stuart.
Brilliant video with lots of information that only a railway man would know.