The Hard Climb to Shap Summit .

The 1 in 75 Climb from Tebay to Shap Summit on the West Coast Mainline would test many a Steam locomotive and crew so I have put together some of the most memorable moments including Double Headers all seen just before the Summit and not a diesel in sight . Locomotives seen are 46115 Scots Guardsman , 45699 Galatea, 44932 & 45305, 60163 Tornado, 45305 , 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, 60103 Flying Scotsman , 61264 & 45407 , 70000 Britannia,45407 & 45690 Leander ,35018 British India Line and 60009 Union of South Africa.

[@marytheresaburns4728]

I don’t know much about steam engines but there is something beautiful about them as they power along their way.

[@user-cw9qn1nb2n]

At 7:30 a single Black 5 with 12 on! Amazing. That is a decent load for any Pacific, and yet handled with ease by this engine and crew. It certainly wouldn't be allowed in this day and age.

[@pedalman130]

When I was a young lad my dad was a fireman on these steam locomotives. We lived in Carlisle and he fired engines over shap all the time. He often described how hard it was to keep steam up for the climb over shap.

[@atlantaman]

It was always a pleasure go watch steamers battling Shap. Your video rekindles those memories, Steve. Thanks

[@TheStephengthompson]

My pleasure and I’m pleased you enjoyed the video 👍Regards Steve

[@AmbroseB1900]

Great footage and some amazing performances with 11 and 12 up in those conditions! Thanks for sharing this.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and it was good to see these tours without a diesel pushing so a proper test for engines and crews 👍

[@Sam-jt1fn]

Lovely that Steve, particularly like 45699 in the snow. Cheers 👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Sam, I must admit 45699 was a lucky shot 👍

[@tattoo1084]

Super shots Stephen, always a good spot there at summit. Like the wintery shots. Cheers.👍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, can’t beat the summit especially when there’s snow about 👍

[@locomotive6727]

Hi Steve, Really great filming ,Looked great in the snow,Take Care ...Dave

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Dave , both times it snowed I was lucky that it wasn’t blowing onto the lens 👍

[@locomotive6727]

@@TheStephengthompson Hi Steve,That can be a problem,Thanks for reply...Take Care ...Dave

[@CrossfellRailwayVideos]

Very good, Steve. Sorry it took so long, RUclips only sent it this morning!!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Alan, no worries 👍

[@TheCrazyhorse1876]

Good to see the "Queen of steam" finish of your excellent compilation.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Robert, thought it fitting to finish the video with 09 👍

[@44662dc]

brilliant footage and what a compilation many thanks

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Denis , pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@mrtalmos]

Amazing footage, and loved Flying Scotsman slipping 😯👍🏻

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and Gordon Hodgson the driver of FS was actually waiting for the slip as it happens a lot at that point.

[@acw71000]

Some memorable moments indeed there Steve, a very enjoyable video

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Austin, always good to see steam hard at work at the summit 👍

[@stravinskymusic]

Loved this video on a boring afternoon where there’s not much to do! Nice to see an array of different locos and how they take to the climb ☺️👌

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@ocaphoenix5347]

Stunning! Many thx!🤗

[@leswall6293]

Thank you, really well put together video , thanks for sharing

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Les , my pleasure and I’m pleased you enjoyed the video 👍

[@iankemp1131]

A fascinating compilation and great to hear the different sounds of all the different engines. 5305 clearly had the toughest task in relation to size, a single Black Five with a 12 coach train.

[@deauvilledad07]

Super video Steve, strange only certain locos lost there footing. Well done 🤓 stay safe 💙

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Anthony, yes indeed as some slipped badly and oddly others didn’t 🤔

[@XxBec3509]

Gorgeous video

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Sean , must admit I’m lucky with living in Kendal as I’m close to Shap and the S&C 👍

[@davidreed5557]

Magnificent. Great location, wondeful locos working hard. You must be a sucker for punishment and have an excellent overcoat, but the results are worth it. Many thanks for the enjoyment.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks David, good umbrella usually does the trick 😂☔️

[@rjas365]

A superb compilation, thanks Steve. Great variety on a theme too, with wonderful atmosphere. All impressive performances with the double-headers high on my list... and very well done for continuing to record and capturing the bonus long chime of Britannia. It's such a personal favourite that I have something similar as the SMS alert on my phone! Kind regards, Bob

[@GreatBritishRailways1]

Steve, Always a pleasure watching the action at Shap Summit. Regards, John

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks John, seen a lot of good running at the summit I must admit 👍

[@aydenwest9343]

Hi

[@aydenwest9343]

effect try try by rtf fhjhgggg rtf by5ttin general when you need a game to do of it on it as a tool to p p I think the best

[@markturner4219]

wonderful compilation. So good to see these engines doing what they were built to do, especially the ex LMS types on their home stomping ground. The shots in the snow were very evocative - thanks so much for braving the weather up there to get them. Only one microscopic criticism - I wish it was posted on Christmas Eve - would have made the perfect post Christmas Dinner viewing - but I guess you ight have had other things to do. LOL. Thanks again so much for all the pleasure you bring us.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Mark, snow and steam always look good I think 👍

[@michaelyates5976]

You are certainly an all weather man Steve. Excellent footage once again.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Michael, yes indeed as I never worry about any weather conditions as you can get better shots sometimes 👍👍🎥

[@butikimbo9595]

Music for my ears! Lovely compilation!

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@holmesjunction]

Brilliant selection (as usual). Putting names to faces - Did you see the C5 documentary on Lizzie and the Northern Bell? Cheers, Steve.

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks for the kind comment and yes that was me on channel 5 😂🎥

[@SimonTog]

Super video Steve :)

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Simon 👍

[@ianjohnson13]

Hi Steve. Love these shots, and I can pinpoint on Google Maps exactly where they were taken from, but how do you get there?

[@TheStephengthompson]

Thanks Ian, there are two ways to get the location both being public footpaths. On is from the A6 so you park across from the Quarry before the motorway turnoff and follow the signs that lead you to the shot but I prefer the one on the road from Orton to Shap . Easy way is go from Orton and follow the road that goes past the turn off to Shap Wells and you will come to a sharp 90 degree uphill bend so you park up and follow the gravel road that goes to the left and if you keep following the track you will come to the green overbridge so over that you go and turn right until you arrive at the summit 👍👍👍🎥

[@ianjohnson13]

@@TheStephengthompson Very many thanks. Might see you there sometime - I hope! Keep up your good work.

[@joshjones3408]

Hill she wants to go 👍👍👍👍👍

[@limeyfox]

That was quite an afternoon’s filming 😂

[@stravinskymusic]

If only 😍

[@TheStephengthompson]

Yes the camera was red hot 😂😂🎥