It may be partly down to the time of day this was filmed, but I feel compelled to comment that the colour and lighting on this video truly are amazing. The colour of the signal lights are all vibrant and clear whether at distance or close up, and also in the short tunnel (or long bridge) near Lichfield junction there is no issue of the scene white-ing out beyond the tunnel exit as happens on so many of these kinds of videos on many channels. Fabulous job! 👍
This is great! First 30 mins through my local spotting area. Enjoyed the branch off at Colwich too, not many, if any, cab views along this stretch to Stone/Stoke. Thanks for uploading 👍🏻
Truly excellent…just what I would expect from Ben. Thank you! It was such an unusual route (for me anyway!) that I had a job at first identifying where we were! Once past the single line section from Lichfield onto the TV route it was soon obvious where we were. I much appreciated the chance to see tracks I rarely see from such an iconic unit such as the HST Measurements train. Thank you Ben…despite the weather your camera did very well indeed. Regards, Rob in Bournemouth.
Exhilarating run. Looked like they looped the local at Macclesfield to give a clear run down to Cheadle Hulme, given the numbers on the intermediate platforms. Thanks for putting this together and posting, was well worth the wait.
I enjoyed this video.. Harecastle Tunnel was a highlight for me as we went through the Harecastle Canal tunnel on narrow boat holidays on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Originally there were 3 rail tunnels under Harecastle Hill, but the electrification in 1964 needed more headroom, so a curving diversion was excavated to the west of the earlier route. The canal tunnels were paralleled by the old tunnel.
This must be one of the finest cab ride videos I've ever viewed. I have often have wondered what the up and down Trent Valley Chord connection was like, and also the Colwich Junction to Stone connection is another bonus! Some lovely high speed running and the HST sound is music to the ears. I do wonder though, if when the Voyager units do eventually become withdrawn, will that chord line become defunct maybe if Central Rivers is wound down? Anyhow, this video is very professionally produced, and so many thanks for sharing it.
as i live just on the edge of stoke -on -Trent was interesting seen places from the track view especially kidsgrove then going in to congleton and at 50:27 cloud side top right corner of the screen on the way to macclesfield . years ago the road at congleton by the station was at the same leave as the track then the fly over was put in to go over the tracks 👍
Really hope the line from Walsall to Lichfield is reopened continuing on through Alrewas, Burton and on to Derby. It'd make such a useful cross-midlands link
Thanks for this very informative. The speed is impressive. Any chance please of the cab view of an NMT going along the North Staffs line from Stenson Junction?
It’s a shame what happened with Etruria station. Used to go there all the time from Congleton to visit Hanley and the Odeon cinema and things in the early 90s in my late teens. Fun old class 304s I recall. WCML upgrades closed it for a while and no one came back. Restoring your railway tried twice in 2020 and 2021 to reopen but were unsuccessful, which seems odd as all it is is an extra stop between Longport and Stoke station. Great video.
Another super video. Do I take it that the aim is to run as close to line speed as possible to get realistic ride data, or is it more a case of keeping out of the way of regular services?
As the driver has to sign to say he knows the road and as class 43s are not common on most of the network, how do they get around familiararity with the route and with the loco? Do they use a local driver and train him to operate the 125?
Not routinely. There's nothing to stop me asking the technicians and I do sometimes but usually the answer is that no faults were found. I wouldn't imagine that I am allowed to share any such data.
Ok so, in confused about these "Measurement trains" what exactly are the measuring? Width of the track? Station length? Route length? Space between sleepers? Could someone help me with this pretty please. Also loving the views and the speed your travelling at
Thanks for the great content. You got me through a very boring Christmas! Can I ask, do these trains run with both power cars working or is the rear one just to avoid the train having to be turned/loco run around? With the speeds/weights/times involved it seems a bit overkill to use them both.
Correct me if I’m wrong… but, it’s a shame that they took out that original Paxman Valenta diesel electric engine…. and replaced it with a… something more or less the same. But not quite the same, perhaps?. Thursday am 1st February 2024. Southampton England 🏴
A couple of times on the edge of the track I saw the sign of a white circle with a black line diagonally through, on the road this means national speed limit is the maximum speed that can be travelled at, is it the same on the railway system
If you mean the structures from 44:50 to 45:00, they look like butresses to prevent the ground behind the walls from pushing the walls out of position and onto the track. My best guess, any others?
@@roboftherock @shineonfloyd2469 Correct, they are buttresses. That was originally a tunnel (North Harecastle) that was opened up when the line was electrified. The New Harecastle tunnel was built at that same time on a deviation around the other two Harecastle tunnels which were unsuitable for electrification, they're off to the right somewhere out of shot
There are cameras underneath that check to see if too many clips that hold the rail to the sleeper are missing. There are also lasers, vertical and horizontal actuators, gyros, and accelerometers that monitor various measurements of the track like gauge, alignment, twist, and cant. They can also see if there are voids underneath sleepers, something that is not possible to measure by crew walking the track. There are also cameras on the roof that can measure the wear level of the overhead wires and check that they zig-zag properly. Equipment is onboard that checks the strength of the radio signal for the driver's cab radio. All of this is checked onboard and identified issues are noted, along with their location, so that P-way maintenance crew can attend and fix it.
thanks for sharing
It may be partly down to the time of day this was filmed, but I feel compelled to comment that the colour and lighting on this video truly are amazing. The colour of the signal lights are all vibrant and clear whether at distance or close up, and also in the short tunnel (or long bridge) near Lichfield junction there is no issue of the scene white-ing out beyond the tunnel exit as happens on so many of these kinds of videos on many channels. Fabulous job! 👍
😮6😮😮 no
This is great! First 30 mins through my local spotting area. Enjoyed the branch off at Colwich too, not many, if any, cab views along this stretch to Stone/Stoke. Thanks for uploading 👍🏻
Exactly. It's now finally possible to put together cab rides from Euston to Manchester via Stoke.
Truly excellent…just what I would expect from Ben. Thank you! It was such an unusual route (for me anyway!) that I had a job at first identifying where we were! Once past the single line section from Lichfield onto the TV route it was soon obvious where we were. I much appreciated the chance to see tracks I rarely see from such an iconic unit such as the HST Measurements train. Thank you Ben…despite the weather your camera did very well indeed. Regards, Rob in Bournemouth.
Exhilarating run. Looked like they looped the local at Macclesfield to give a clear run down to Cheadle Hulme, given the numbers on the intermediate platforms. Thanks for putting this together and posting, was well worth the wait.
Thanks for sharing this Video
I enjoyed this video.. Harecastle Tunnel was a highlight for me as we went through the Harecastle Canal tunnel on narrow boat holidays on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Originally there were 3 rail tunnels under Harecastle Hill, but the electrification in 1964 needed more headroom, so a curving diversion was excavated to the west of the earlier route. The canal tunnels were paralleled by the old tunnel.
😀Hello 😀
Very good Video! 💥
Thumbs Up and Big LIKE 👍😎
Thanks Ben!
Excellent footage thank you
Thanks, Ben.
Another Great Video Ben Keep them coming
Very enjoyable, and informative. Thanks.
cheers Ben, nice one, couple of roads I've not been on for some while.
Great video Ben with super sounds of the 125. Nice shot of DB Cargo's works south of Stoke-on-Trent. Look forward to future cab rides.
This must be one of the finest cab ride videos I've ever viewed. I have often have wondered what the up and down Trent Valley Chord connection was like, and also the Colwich Junction to Stone connection is another bonus! Some lovely high speed running and the HST sound is music to the ears. I do wonder though, if when the Voyager units do eventually become withdrawn, will that chord line become defunct maybe if Central Rivers is wound down? Anyhow, this video is very professionally produced, and so many thanks for sharing it.
as i live just on the edge of stoke -on -Trent was interesting seen places from the track view especially kidsgrove then going in to congleton and at 50:27 cloud side top right corner of the screen on the way to macclesfield . years ago the road at congleton by the station was at the same leave as the track then the fly over was put in to go over the tracks 👍
Most enjoyable ride 👍
Rarely seen Colwich to Stone road. Agree with other poster - why no Lichfield to Burton passenger service ?
Really hope the line from Walsall to Lichfield is reopened continuing on through Alrewas, Burton and on to Derby. It'd make such a useful cross-midlands link
There should be a station at Arlewas this weekend for the National Memorial Arboretum Armistice & Remembrance Sunday
Thanks Ben. Great video. Any chance of Carlisle and over the Settle and Carlisle please
Thanks for this very informative. The speed is impressive. Any chance please of the cab view of an NMT going along the North Staffs line from Stenson Junction?
That will be something I put on here eventually yes!
Great video very interesting also to see English country side not normally seen from a coach window. A1*
It’s a shame what happened with Etruria station. Used to go there all the time from Congleton to visit Hanley and the Odeon cinema and things in the early 90s in my late teens. Fun old class 304s I recall. WCML upgrades closed it for a while and no one came back. Restoring your railway tried twice in 2020 and 2021 to reopen but were unsuccessful, which seems odd as all it is is an extra stop between Longport and Stoke station. Great video.
The problems with Etruria are that there's no option for parking and also, it would be a re-build rather than just a re-opening
Very Enjoyable, I like the name labels of the stations and junctions and the details of closed stations. look out for your next video. Thank You
Another super video. Do I take it that the aim is to run as close to line speed as possible to get realistic ride data, or is it more a case of keeping out of the way of regular services?
Amazing video ben what video editing app do you use
Amazed the platelayers hut still stands at Lich TV!!!! 🤣
The flying banana was in south Wales this week. Were you driving Ben?
One that's really needed with the test train if ever possible is the Edinburgh to Slateford Depot via Fife
As the driver has to sign to say he knows the road and as class 43s are not common on most of the network, how do they get around familiararity with the route and with the loco? Do they use a local driver and train him to operate the 125?
Excellent video - thanks. Do you get to see the results of the test run? Are there any that you can share?
Not routinely. There's nothing to stop me asking the technicians and I do sometimes but usually the answer is that no faults were found. I wouldn't imagine that I am allowed to share any such data.
Ok so, in confused about these "Measurement trains" what exactly are the measuring? Width of the track? Station length? Route length? Space between sleepers?
Could someone help me with this pretty please.
Also loving the views and the speed your travelling at
They're measuring the state of the infrastructure, rails, sleepers etc.
What about doing videos of Transport for Wales Trains
Thanks for the great content. You got me through a very boring Christmas!
Can I ask, do these trains run with both power cars working or is the rear one just to avoid the train having to be turned/loco run around? With the speeds/weights/times involved it seems a bit overkill to use them both.
Hi Gary, thanks! They are indeed always both running and powering.
Poweeeeeeeeeerrr 😮😮😮
Correct me if I’m wrong… but, it’s a shame that they took out that original Paxman Valenta diesel electric engine…. and replaced it with a… something more or less the same. But not quite the same, perhaps?.
Thursday am 1st February 2024. Southampton England 🏴
Hope it's nor raining!
Why were brakes isolated ? Otherwise, it must be good driving a short rake, the HST would be so much more responsive. Long may the 43s continue !
Can someone tell me what the measurement train is measuring exactly please?
A couple of times on the edge of the track I saw the sign of a white circle with a black line diagonally through, on the road this means national speed limit is the maximum speed that can be travelled at, is it the same on the railway system
No, they are banner repeaters.
@@beneliastrains Cheers for the info
What are the Concrete like pillars over the line just north of Haresfield Tunnel..anyone ?????
If you mean the structures from 44:50 to 45:00, they look like butresses to prevent the ground behind the walls from pushing the walls out of position and onto the track. My best guess, any others?
@@roboftherock @shineonfloyd2469 Correct, they are buttresses. That was originally a tunnel (North Harecastle) that was opened up when the line was electrified. The New Harecastle tunnel was built at that same time on a deviation around the other two Harecastle tunnels which were unsuitable for electrification, they're off to the right somewhere out of shot
So do the cars have high-speed cameras scanning the track?
There are cameras underneath that check to see if too many clips that hold the rail to the sleeper are missing. There are also lasers, vertical and horizontal actuators, gyros, and accelerometers that monitor various measurements of the track like gauge, alignment, twist, and cant. They can also see if there are voids underneath sleepers, something that is not possible to measure by crew walking the track.
There are also cameras on the roof that can measure the wear level of the overhead wires and check that they zig-zag properly. Equipment is onboard that checks the strength of the radio signal for the driver's cab radio.
All of this is checked onboard and identified issues are noted, along with their location, so that P-way maintenance crew can attend and fix it.
This would be a dream job. Being paid to travel on train all day WITH NO PASSENGERS !!😂
I get to see to not thus Sunday next
?
@@Midlander1956 I get to see this next sunday
@@Midlander1956 hopefully it will be 43013 and 277