James May is a national treasure and you should all check out *his personal youtube* here: www.youtube.com/@jmsunemploymenttube9191/ He hardly ever posts anything, but if you all subscribe, perhaps he will post more?
@@robertnapier624Wikipedia: Iron ore trains on the Mauritania Railway are up to 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in length. They consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric EMD locomotives, 200 to 210 cars each carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 service cars.
James at the helm of an SD40-2, after all his talk about Hornby(I.E. Toy Stories), it just feels prophetic. You can tell he’s ecstatic to be driving a real locomotive. Although, I’d assume he’d rather drive the Tornado than an American built EMD. But he’s definitely not disappointed.
It was entertaining in this one because at one point or another they each showed their special skills. James's with the train and history researching ability, Jeremy with his farm skills (telehandler) and later Hammond with his knowledge gained from his repair shop to scan and reset his car (I work as a shop hand in a automotive shop right know and I can't figure out how those programs work.)
The railroad company's locomotives are American-built, but they use a different coupler, model SA3, rather than a Janney coupler, also called an AAR coupler, used on North American railroads.
The Janney coupler is NOT the same as the AAR coupler. Similar yes, but not the same. If you don't believe me lookup Hyce. He works at the Colorado Railroad Museum and has a video on US couplers throughout history.
Reminds me that on their Top Gear: Race to the North episode, James was disappointed not to pick the steam train, saying that he would've liked to have picked the train...
Ironically behind the scenes Jeremy was the one who called the owners and asked if they could film with tornado and he originally wanted flying Scotsman
Yes, but James realized very quickly that he lucked out with taking the car, since he would have had to stoke the Tornado. He probably would have cause the train to stall from lack of steam as well, LOL!
i must admit, as i get older, when faced with problems, i think "what would James May do?" and more often than not i solve it. and when i dont i get to yell "OH COCK!"
Okay. I know James is a train enthusiast, but I do see a few things wrong here. 1. You always tie up and disconnect the air hoses first before uncoupling 2. You do not knuckle in (couple up in American jargon seeing as this had knuckle couplers) at more than 3 miles an hour 3. You ALWAYS keep to 15 mph speed limit when shunting 4. You ALWAYS follow the instructions of the brakemen on the ground.
Speaking as a train conductor who works for Amtrak in the states, and who is a big fan of TG/TGT, this whole segment is legit something I’ve always wanted to see them do The three of them (mostly James) operating a full sized train :D
Breakvan? Do you life in the 19th century? Since the invention of the westinghouse break in the end of the 19th century you need no cars for breaking anymore. This is just the caboose for the people on the train to sleep in.
I love when James is excited just to be on the engine, and then properly chuffed in the cab! This is one of the best moments from the whole Top Gear/Grand Tour franchise in my opinion!
Not a Shunter, that was the lead power, just uncoupled from the front and doing a switching move. Sorry, but that's an EMD/GMD SD40 that was rebuilt and exported.
@@hamiltonsullivan6563 A shunting engine can be any engine functioning as a shunter. That might be a road switcher (engine designed for road and switching use)... but it's functioning as a switcher... which is the 'Murikan form of the word shunting. Ergo, he's driving a shunter. It's not a road locomotive. It's a road switcher. Also, your and you're... learn them.
@@tim3172 I'm going by the locomotives origonal manufacturers designation and how that railroad operates them... Emd SD Imports that have a C C axle variation are road locomotives. The (Mauritania Railway) also has a few emd B B units that are designated switching locomotives. Uncoupling your units and running around to the rear of your train doesn't make your unit a switcher... Plus most road locomotives have fixed couples. Switchers dont so they can maneuver tight curves in a yard or on local duties.
Speaking as a train conductor who works for Amtrak in the states, and who is a big fan of TG/TGT, this whole segment is legit something I’ve always wanted to see them do The three of them (mostly James) operating a full sized train :D
James May is a national treasure and you should all check out *his personal youtube* here: www.youtube.com/@jmsunemploymenttube9191/ He hardly ever posts anything, but if you all subscribe, perhaps he will post more?
Since James is quite a train enthusiast, naturally he’d get excited when getting to drive one.
I'm pretty sure his CRISIS! would be visible from space at that point.
He actually drove a train in the UK if I remember correctly - look for Little Trains & Big Names by Pete Waterman
I’d feel the same too
I totally understand how he feels. I’d be the EXACT same way. I WANT to be him in that situation
I would be excited too
James playing a hornby shunting puzzle
Jeremy being an farmer
Richard crashing into locals
This was a classic episode that will go down in history 😂
It's literally got everything, even a commemoration to one of history's greatest songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot.
How would you think this would be if it a show?
James drives a train
Richard fights Skynet
And I use jet skis.
James going past saying “I’m on the shunter!” While going past was the best!
the opening shot when the train arrived was incredible
It reminded me of the first shot in Star Wars.
It reminded me more of the first shot in Spaceballs.
@electricfootballhero1349 yeh lmao the shot that never ends but is awesome all throughout
I thought it would never end. The train was so long.
@@robertnapier624Wikipedia: Iron ore trains on the Mauritania Railway are up to 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in length. They consist of 3 or 4 diesel-electric EMD locomotives, 200 to 210 cars each carrying up to 84 tons of iron ore, and 2-3 service cars.
@@electricfootballhero1349 its actually much longer than those 2 combined
This was fun until "...deploying my farming skills...", then I got scared!
I was kinda hoping he would stab it right through a door of one of the cars 😁
@@patrikpoldai was fully expecting it to be through both of hammonds doors
Same. Knowing his forklift skills..?
@@cristalmewtwo4160 i was expecting Caleb arriving while screaming "what the fuck are you doin!!???"
@@sparrowlt no impossible it's more then 50 miles away from chipping Norton
James at the helm of an SD40-2, after all his talk about Hornby(I.E. Toy Stories), it just feels prophetic. You can tell he’s ecstatic to be driving a real locomotive. Although, I’d assume he’d rather drive the Tornado than an American built EMD. But he’s definitely not disappointed.
“I’m on the shunter!”
James was the happiest boy right there.
At the end, you can see the passengers have built a fire. On coal. Like, right on top of several tons of coal.
iron
It was entertaining in this one because at one point or another they each showed their special skills. James's with the train and history researching ability, Jeremy with his farm skills (telehandler) and later Hammond with his knowledge gained from his repair shop to scan and reset his car (I work as a shop hand in a automotive shop right know and I can't figure out how those programs work.)
Easily James May's favourite moment of their lastest adventure.
They will do one more epic journey, but when I don't know whem. Probably older and fatter in years to come
@@LasVegar 13th of September is will be the last one
I don’t know what’s funnier, James driving a train, or them trying to speak french😂
I’m not sure about James and Jeremy. But I do know that Richard is relatively fluent in French. But again I’m not entirely sure.
James May reliving his 3-year-old self when he hopped on is just perfect
The railroad company's locomotives are American-built, but they use a different coupler, model SA3, rather than a Janney coupler, also called an AAR coupler, used on North American railroads.
I think it's the EMD SDL40 export type. You can really hear that EMD growl.
@etrainfan Yes, they are EMD.
Guys…..
Exactly that. The train was pulled by SD70ACS locomotives
The Janney coupler is NOT the same as the AAR coupler. Similar yes, but not the same.
If you don't believe me lookup Hyce. He works at the Colorado Railroad Museum and has a video on US couplers throughout history.
As much as I liked this episode, “I’m on the shunter” was probably the best bit imo
This episode was one of their best. It takes you back to those original specials.
Reminds me that on their Top Gear: Race to the North episode, James was disappointed not to pick the steam train, saying that he would've liked to have picked the train...
Ironically behind the scenes Jeremy was the one who called the owners and asked if they could film with tornado and he originally wanted flying Scotsman
Yes, but James realized very quickly that he lucked out with taking the car, since he would have had to stoke the Tornado. He probably would have cause the train to stall from lack of steam as well, LOL!
i must admit, as i get older, when faced with problems, i think "what would James May do?" and more often than not i solve it. and when i dont i get to yell "OH COCK!"
Typical James
Peridot: "Steven! I'm on a tractor!"
James: "I'm on the shunter!"
It’s the to last episode of Clarkson, Hammond, and May. After all these years, James finally got to drive a train.
James May is pure Gold
1:06 Another iconic Grand Tour moment, these 3 will always be funny.
I really hope James does a show about trains one day 😂 I know he’s done a few little docs about the odd train related thing but I want a series!
1:41 RUN AWAYYY!!!! 😂😂😂
The overhead drone shot of this train was amazing, like a sandworm out of Dune.
They gave Captain Slow the SD40-2 (The official model name of the engine) to drive. How satisfying.
That's the closest he'll ever get to railfanning in the States!
James and his railway knowledge, Jeremy and his farm equipment knowledge and Richard with his...
Crashing knowledge?
Does Hornby still make that set? I have the car trucks but not the ramp
Okay. I know James is a train enthusiast, but I do see a few things wrong here.
1. You always tie up and disconnect the air hoses first before uncoupling
2. You do not knuckle in (couple up in American jargon seeing as this had knuckle couplers) at more than 3 miles an hour
3. You ALWAYS keep to 15 mph speed limit when shunting
4. You ALWAYS follow the instructions of the brakemen on the ground.
I take it this was the greatest day of James May's life.
Speaking as a train conductor who works for Amtrak in the states, and who is a big fan of TG/TGT, this whole segment is legit something I’ve always wanted to see them do
The three of them (mostly James) operating a full sized train :D
0:06 That's the weirdest looking brakevan I've ever seen.
Well, I think it's actually classed as a Caboose, but they do the same job.
@@mattevans4377 I'm still going to call them "brakevans" for the rest of my life.
@@elijahstevenson2546I call them “caboosi” or “cabeese”.
We normally call them "Guards Vans" here in NZ. I was surprised to hear Jeremy call it a Guards van when in the UK its normally called a brake van
Breakvan? Do you life in the 19th century? Since the invention of the westinghouse break in the end of the 19th century you need no cars for breaking anymore. This is just the caboose for the people on the train to sleep in.
I love when James is excited just to be on the engine, and then properly chuffed in the cab! This is one of the best moments from the whole Top Gear/Grand Tour franchise in my opinion!
James May running an EMD SD40-2 was fucking AWESOME
It’s quite nice to see James getting to do this. Think he’s found his calling after these three split up.
I love these guys and their adventures.
1:46, "at the wheel of his big blue shunter..." what wheel, Jeremy? 😆😆😆
Going straight to watch the full episode!
I think youtube finally realised im old enough to only be recommended top gear clips.
Cars are great but trains? A freaking beasts.
0:51 That’s Italian.
That’s the joke
Get your wooshes ready everyone
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooosh
Ah okay, thanks
the diesel locomotives are based off the EMD SD40-2 and have Nathan K5LA air horns
The shot previous one to that with the music and drone shot was fucking amazing! 10/10
As a shunter....this was very funny to watch 🤣
2:10 imagine traveling across the desert in the evening on the back of a train with a fire. What a moment in time.
3 legged old man😂😂
Not a Shunter, that was the lead power, just uncoupled from the front and doing a switching move. Sorry, but that's an EMD/GMD SD40 that was rebuilt and exported.
It's a road switcher: an engine designed for road and switching.
A road switcher functioning as a switcher (shunter) is a switcher (shunter).
"properly three-legged" hahaah
When I first watched this, I thought they would have to run & jump on the car wagons like in those old movies.
are they doing a new season or was this an episode ?
it's the latest episode, called 'Sand Job'. it's the 2nd-to-last episode of the final season ever.
Interesting guard’s van. Anyone know of any specs?
Only Railfans will understand:
Do speed the video up?
Can confirm that this would be me! 😂
good ol' emd unit
“Hey! I’m on the shunter!” 👇🏼👇🏼
Is that an EMD locomotive?
Thats end of an era😢💔
Well, I would have been as much excited as he is if I was there. Completely understandable!!!!
My guess is that it's like an EMD SD40-2?
It’s some kind of SD40-2
I laugh, but were I on a train locomotive I'd be giddy too
What season and EPISODE?
It's season Indians are dum
The Grand Tour Sand Job - it's in the title
i like trains
Did you see those guys having a fire...on top of a train?
I came here to ask the same question! And my next question was... is that a coal train??
@@rude252well at least it won’t go out lol
May was quite quiet in this episode and not as jokey as normal
All the blood had pooled in his cock at the sight of the train, so no doubt
If i got to do that, like i will someday, i too, will be fully eject
Bribes do help
He made a mistake, when releasing the independent brake he keeps “bailing off” you don’t need to do that
And that's not a shunter... thats an emd 6 axle road locomotives but who cares! As long as your having fun
@@hamiltonsullivan6563 A shunting engine can be any engine functioning as a shunter.
That might be a road switcher (engine designed for road and switching use)... but it's functioning as a switcher... which is the 'Murikan form of the word shunting.
Ergo, he's driving a shunter.
It's not a road locomotive. It's a road switcher.
Also, your and you're... learn them.
@@tim3172 I'm going by the locomotives origonal manufacturers designation and how that railroad operates them... Emd SD Imports that have a C C axle variation are road locomotives. The (Mauritania Railway) also has a few emd B B units that are designated switching locomotives. Uncoupling your units and running around to the rear of your train doesn't make your unit a switcher... Plus most road locomotives have fixed couples. Switchers dont so they can maneuver tight curves in a yard or on local duties.
yep, filmed in America
yawn shutter not pre-arranged then !!
The dream of every boy lets be honest
they burned a coal fire IN a coal car
Yo how much for your fortnite account
Speaking as a train conductor who works for Amtrak in the states, and who is a big fan of TG/TGT, this whole segment is legit something I’ve always wanted to see them do
The three of them (mostly James) operating a full sized train :D