Peaks on the Midland Main Line

Class 44, 45 and 46 locomotives as they were known under TOPS renumbering were to be found the length and breadth of Britain. Their natural home intially however was the Midland Main Line route out of London St Pancras where they operated throughout their lives during the 60s, 70s and 80s. Featured here are some examples of such workings on the route with shots taken at Kettering, Leicester, Loughborough and St Pancras.

[@timothyparsons8327]

Simply the best! These beasts are still my favourites having ridden behind the on the MML and the glorious Settle Carlisle. On one occasion we had 46 006 with 12 MK 1 s growling up the Lickey with a 20 MPH restriction at Bromsgrove. Anything powering up that notorious 1 in 37 is mega but nothing compares to a Peak

[@garygriffiths2487]

East midlands 7 day rover.
Master Cutler.
Heeley Bank.
Power handle in the "ON" position.
What a way to start your six week hols.

[@anthonywhiteside6845]

Glorious and thank heavens that people thought to take movie film of these beauties.

[@johnledwood]

Saw all but one of these

[@paulnolan1352]

Fantastic film. It took me right back to the mid seventies and my time seeing and hearing these Beasts running through. 3RD Carabinier was a regular a lot of the time accompanied by various 47’s 44’s on Coal to London and of course our old friend the double headed 25’s on London Brick. I’d go back in an instant if I could.

[@brianwillson9567]

Ive always loved the sounds of the big Sulzers. St pancras was a wonderful place with three or four throbbing away under mr Barlow's wonderful roof.

[@modeltrainsandtracks]

Great video that does the class proud!
The cut from the first express passenger shot to a Peak hauling coal wagons was harsh though fair, they always earned their keep!

[@stevehull787]

Wonderful footage top man 👍

[@foretrak]

Thanks 👍

[@stevehull787]

@@foretrak no probs mate 🤞

[@stevehull787]

👍

[@kevinfowkes2327]

Hi John. Assume the sound is dubbed onto cine footage? If so it's very well matched, including the subtle sound difference between mk1 and mk2 coaches, and the squeaking that unfitted coal trains used to make. PS was it true that the natural home of the 46s was the Midland Main Line? I didn't think they were that common south of Derby, being mostly focused on cross country routes. Thanks for the video.

[@foretrak]

Yes, it is Kevin, added for atmosphere to lift the otherwise silent footage. Thanks for watching.

[@markedgar6437]

Best video to date 😊

[@foretrak]

Thank you so much 😀

[@cefnonn]

1.30 Cricklewood