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Page contents © D Swan 2010
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These recordings are intended primarily
as a supplement to the photographs on this site. However, I hope that some of them do stand as works in their own right.
The recordings should, in any case, provide a bit of audible atmosphere to go along with the photographs. I hope also,
that with practice, the quality will continue to improve! Happy listening. Instructions The sound
files are arranged in chronological order with a listing at the top of the page summarising all the recordings. It is
then just a matter of scrolling down the page to find the date of the recording in which you are interested. After a
short description is a box containing a summary of the recording including time and size of the file and a thumbnail of the
action if available. I`ve tried to keep the files at a manageable size for all users to avoid major downloads but the
trade off is a slight loss in quality. All files are in mp3 format sampled at 64kbs (with the occasional 128kbs recording).
The recordings are probably best listened to in headphones. In the summary box
is a large CLICK TO PLAY link. Click the link to launch the track in your default media player (ie Windows Media Player
(WMP), the track should load and play. Do ensure that your media player is configured to play mp3 files. In WMP
go Tools/Options/File Types and tick mp3. If that fails you can right click on the CLICK TO PLAY link, this will bring
up a standard Windows dialogue where you can select 'Save Target As' (Internet Explorer), 'Save Link As' (Firefox)..
Selecting this option will bring up another standard Windows 'Save As' box. You can then choose where you want
to save the file; you can then download the file and play it in your chosen media player whenever you like!
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Index
of Sound Recordings 2010
13 February 60019 Bittern departs Theale
13
February 35028 Clan Line near Shere
20 February 4965 Rood Ashton Hall & 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe depart
Swindon
06 March 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Upton Scudamore
25 March 6201 Princess Elizabeth departs Guildford
and climbing near Shere (2 runs)
26 March 35028 Clan Line at Stewarts Lane, Shalford and Redhill (3 tracks)
08 April 2010 44871 & 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Bristol (2 runs)
22 May 2010 44871 & 30777 Sir Lamiel
at Crofton
22 May 2010 44871 departs Basingstoke
10 June 2010 6201 Princess Elizabeth departs Ascot
16 June 2010 60163 Tornado departs Basingstoke
19 June 2010 6024 King Edward I near Theale
18
July 2010 30777 Sir Lamiel departs Brookwood
04 August 2010 60019 Bittern departs Brookwood
05 August
2010 44932 departs Winchfield
12 August 2010 44932 Surrey Hills (2 runs)
11 September 2010 60019
Bittern at Grafton
25 September 2010 44932 near Porton
07 October 2010 60019 Bittern nr Haslemere
16 October 2010 6233 Duchess of Sutherland nr Wymondley
13 November 2010 60163 Tornado nr Albury
27
November 2010 44932 departs Winchfield
07 December 2010 44932 nr Basingstoke
07 December 2010
35028 Clan Line at Gomshall
17 December 2010 44932 at Longcross
13 February 2010 A quiet start to 2010 changed over the Valentine's weekend with three tours running
in the South. 60019 Bittern started everything off with a trip from London Paddington to Bath and Bristol via
Reading and Newbury. 60019 was tripping along nicely in the morning alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal but no real
noise. On the return leg we catch up with 60019 at Theale for a water stop. Not too many people around in
the dark on a Saturday in the business park. A light breeze blows but is no match for the loud hum from the nearby M4.
60019 gives no departing whistle so we pick up the loco in the distance slowly gathering speed. By the time 60019 comes
by the crew are really getting the power down and we get a good sense of acceleration. A quick blast on the whistle,
the safety valves open briefly but we lose the loco as it heads under the M4 and away towards Reading and London Paddington.
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60019 Bittern departs Theale 13 February 2010
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13 February 2010 High up in the North Downs, under a stunning star scape an unidentified First Great Western
DMU speeds downhill near Shere heading for Chilworth and Guildford. On a calm night we soon pick up the rhythm of 35028
Clan Line climbing towards us. 35028 seems to slip for a moment but is soon back on the task of climbing this
1/100 section. 35028 comes into view, twin headlights piercing the darkness followed by the orange glow from the cab
and passes by in terrific style. The diesel at the rear is heard then we pick up the sound of 35028 again echoing around
the hills. A moment of quiet then we hear a distant car and 35028 again, clearly on easier gradient accelerating on
through the night. This was a VSOE circular dinner trip on the usual route. A short fade as a couple of minutes
pass. I am just packing up and about to switch off the tapes but then Clan Line lets out a long mournful whistle
which we just manage to catch from the now far away loco, the horse seems to like it too (I think). Possibly our best
record of 35028 to date.
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35028 Clan Line nr Shere 13 February 2010
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20 February 2010 We haven't managed to catch a 'double-header' before so a trip to Swindon
to see 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. The pair we returning to Tyseley
Warwick Road following a trip to Didcot. The car park at the western side of the station was more crowded than I had
expected but we set up the gear anyway and shuffled off for a photograph. The station is right in the centre
of a busy town and on a Saturday afternoon is busy with people and traffic. We hear a short blast on the whistle of
each loco as a signal they are ready to depart. The train is soon underway with the sound from the two locos echoing
around the buildings and remains of the old locomotive works, very evocative. The locos come past and we get
a long whistle from each as they head around the curve on the line leading to Cheltenham and over the climb at Sapperton.
The tour followed closely behind what was presumably a slightly late (16:14) service train to Cheltenham Spa. Some
minutes after the crowd had dispersed I'm still packing up when I hear the train again starting away on the other
side of town presumably delayed by the earlier service. Recorder packed away but some compensation for usually being
the last to leave. Enjoy in 128kps anyway.
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4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe depart Swindon 20
February 2010
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06 March 2010 We are out in a field near the village of Upton Scudamore high on the western fringes of
Salisbury Plain. A cold breeze is blowing and the fading Sun illuminates the town of Westbury in the distance.
Behind is the hum from the nearby A36 taking traffic between Bath and Salisbury. Ahead of us and far below we can just
discern the faint rhythm of a steam locomotive working away at the climb. We are here, along with a sizable gathering
to see 70013 Oliver Cromwell heading up the climb from Westbury towards the nearby summit on its way to Salisbury
and Three Bridges in West Sussex. 70013 had visited Bath and Bristol. For a couple of miles from Westbury the gradient
is as much as 1:70 and 70013 makes a tremendous noise as it heads up towards the summit. After a faultless climb 70013
roars by and whistles as it heads into a cutting, the sound echoing around us. A moment of silence enables us to change
our position. As the loco passes most of the crowd start talking and packing up and the recording is not much use.
However, another microphone a little further down the hill is still working so we swap over to that and the note from 70013
changes slightly. Stay with us though as the loco whistles at a footbridge and accelerates away towards Warminster.
Although a light aircraft arrives on the scene Oliver Cromwell starts to really get the hammer down on now level
track making a great finale to the recording. The recording ends as an enthusiast jumps in their car and heads off presumably
to chase 70013 towards Salisbury.
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70013 Oliver Cromwell at Upton Scudamore
06 March 2010
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25 March 2010 I don't know the last time a Princess Royal Class locomotive ventured out onto old Southern
metals but here is 6201 Princess Elizabeth making an appearance on a 'Cathedrals Express' tour. 6201
was heading for Bath and Bristol before returning to London Victoria.
Two tracks here. First we are out on the
busy walkway between Guildford centre and the University. Rain is threatened and its a breezy day, but 6201 is on time
and somehow misses the multitude of service trains coming and going. We start though with one of the service trains
slowing for Guildford having arrived from the Woking line. A student trundles across the walkway with some luggage as
we pick up the sound from 6201 getting underway. A bus negotiates a traffic pillar behind us before 6201 sounds the
hooter and powers beneath us and away towards Ash and Reading. A Woking bound service heads past and I think we hear
a Dunnock too for good measure in this interesting clip.
Secondly, high in the North Downs we await the return run.
It's dark, muddy, wet and cold, although the moon makes an occasional appearance through the clouds. 6201 is
about 50 minutes late and I'm getting ready to pack up. Some inquisitive horses are being entertained by all the
gear though. Suddenly we are able to pick the note from 6201. Listen very carefully to first minute of this recording.
We hear 6201 setting off from Shalford some four miles downhill and around nine minutes before arriving near to
our position. There is clearly a slip from 6201, but the loco recovers as a horse trudges around in the mud nearby.
We then jump around 5 minutes and pick up 6201 much closer now, hoots at a crossing and is really attacking the climb.
Some dogs pick up the sound too before 6201 starts to get into trouble. On a damp night the loco slips several times
but never completely loses momentum. The crew ease off the power a little and loco gets the adhesion back and comes
pounding past near the top of the climb at Shere. A Guildford bound service sounds its horn and speeds past downhill
before we pick up the sound of 6201 again heading off towards Gomshall just before the recording ends. Although I've
said something similar in the past, the sight and sound of this 1933 built locomotive at work around Guildford on a Thursday
in March 2010 is truly, head shakingly, unbelievable.
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6201 Princess Elizabeth departs Guildford 25 March 2010
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6201 Princess Elizabeth nr Shere 25 March 2010
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26 March 2010 I was privileged to be invited to travel in the support coach of 35028 Clan Line
for one of their regular VSOE trips around the Surrey Hills. Whilst this was a trip to be savoured I did take the
opportunity to make the odd recording and these three tracks are the result. Riding immediately behind the tender of
35028 gives us a rare chance to sample the sound of 35028 from just a few feet away. Many thanks to the Merchant Navy
Locomotive Preservation Society for inviting me on board.
It's a breezy but fair day at London Victoria as we climb
aboard the train at Platform 2. We are soon climbing out of Victoria but we are banked by a diesel and make easy progress.
However, as far as I can ascertain this is the last help given to 35028 on the trip. We cross the Thames and are soon
held near Stewarts Lane Junction awaiting a path out onto the main line towards Clapham Junction. Soon we have a clear
road and our first recording starts here. We head underneath the South Western main line as the whistles blasts out
before climbing our way through the tangle of tracks towards the main line. Some good running through Staines, Woking
and Guildford leads us to our water stop at Shalford and the second track. The well organised and efficient support
crew attend to their locomotive and we pick up the stop as the cylinder cocks open with someone saying 'Here we go'.
The whole climb from Shalford to the summit of this 1/100 climb took over 12 minutes but there is nearly nine minutes here
to listen to so enjoy the journey. We hear 'raining again'. With around 600 tons behind us and damp rails,
a challenge for any locomotive. A short fade and we are clearing the station as a Guildford bound service rattles by.
Almost immediately we are onto the climb but continue to accelerate as we head towards Chilworth. Another fade and we
are well into the climb now. There are several slips on the damp rails but Clan Line manages to maintain the
momentum. A final fade and we are now nearing the summit of the climb. The safety valves are lifting as we whistle
near the foot crossing at Little London and enter a deep cutting. We head beneath the bridge carrying the road to Shere
at the summit, then 35028 emerges into more open country. The loco then accelerates dramatically on firstly level then
falling gradient where the recording ends as we head for another climb through Gomshall.
We have more
good running through Dorking and Reigate before slowing for a stop at Redhill. Slightly ahead of schedule we need to
let another service depart in front of us. This gives 35028 a chance to attack the short climb towards Merstham from
a standing start. The gradient is around 1/250 as we pick up the loco just getting underway from Redhill. We are
soon accelerating as the sound of the engine echoes around the Surrey town. The progress from 35028 is unrelenting and
we are soon pounding through Merstham Station in fantastic style. We tear over the M25 before plunging into Merstham
tunnel at the summit of the climb. For comparison you could listen to 70013 Oliver Cromwell recorded on the
same climb but from Merstham Station on 30 July 2009.
Although the VSOE is sometimes routed through slow lines from this
point, we were treated to a spectacular run along the Southern main line and were around 13 minutes early as we headed back
towards Victoria.
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35028 Clan Line nr Stewarts lane Junction 26 March 2010
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35028 Clan Line departs Shalford 26 March 2010
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35028 Clan Line departs Redhill 26 March 2010
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08 April 2010 It is day three of the 'Great Britain III' tour. Our only chance to catch
up with this is today so it is a long trek to Bristol. Fortunately it is a warm, sunny day with a light breeze.
The trip today leaves Bristol before heading for Preston with 70013 Oliver Cromwell tucked in behind 'Black Five'
no 44871 for the journey. I don't know Bristol and spend some time circulating the roundabout underneath junction
2 of the M32 looking for the turn out to our destination at Narroways Junction. The junction provides a good viewpoint
over the city with some gradient up towards Filton. I hadn't reckoned with the caged footbridge and eight foot palisade
fencing though but the locals seem friendly as we await the tour to depart. The bridge defences are actually less hindering
than those on the Elvetham Heath footbridge at Fleet in any case. The tour is a little late departing as we follow the
exhaust trail through the city and we join the first recording here. As the train comes into view a freight working
appears behind us trundling downhill and threatens to eclipse all those on the eastern side of the bridge. I watch
as interminable wagons trickle by as the duo pound up the bank in front of me. We hear the brakes on the freight
and the wagons, and as the last wagon rolls by the train enters the left side of my camera viewfinder. A very lucky
escape. As soon as the wagons pass we pick up the train heading up the bank. The train powers under the bridge
and explodes into a deep and narrow cutting at the aptly named junction. Having grabbed his shot a breathless photographer
pants by on his way to his next shot. Someone rattles the fence as the tour continues up the bank.
The train was
due a stop at Bristol Parkway Station so we head off there to see if we can get another look in the second recording
here. Do you like dogs? This is for you then. A narrow road bridge at the eastern end of the station gives
a good view but is teeming with people and an excitable dog. We first hear a vehicle pulling across the bridge before
an HST thunders by below. Next we get a light plane overhead and cars tearing around but we hear first
the 'five' then 70013 then the dog. Soon the tour is underway and noise seems to come from every direction.
A couple of slips, I think from the 'five' as the noise builds and the train powers by below. We don't
really hear the locos again but this is a great soundscape of a big crowd out to enjoy a famous tour.
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44871 & 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Narroways
Junction 08 April 2010
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44871 & 70013 Oliver Cromwell depart
Bristol Parkway 08 April 2010
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22 May 2010 A warm and sunny day with just a light breeze greets us for 'The Royal Wessex'.
With Black 5 no 44871 and 30777 Sir Lamiel at the head we are beside the Kennet and Avon Canal at Crofton along with
many others. The tour began at London Paddington heading for Weymouth via Yeovil Pen Mill. 30777 would bank the
train from Weymouth to Wareham before 44871 completed the trip via Southampton and Basingstoke. Things don't start
well as we are instructed to hide our equipment by a photographer. I'm trying to enjoy myself and don't want
a confrontation so the recorder ends up in a hedge, beside a stream and behind a tree. This gives us some
odd sound effects and there is a short fade on the first recording here to edit those out. We hear the hooter on 44871
before the fade then pick up 44871 again as it powers up the climb towards the summit at Savernake. The locomotives
roar by in fine style although the more easy note of 30777 is rather overshadowed by the Black 5. Listen out though
as we hear 30777 whistle in the distance towards the end of the clip as the photographer packs up...
For the return
we head out to Basingstoke where a short stop is booked with just 44871 at the head of the train now. In the twilight,
in the centre of the town we get some delightful evening chorus even before the sound of the hooter on 44871 echoes around
us. As the loco gets underway the amazingly helpful car park platform screens tells us the passing service
train is the 21.52 heading for Southampton. A car load of very late spectators roar across the car park as 44871
heads away from the south west main line towards Reading. Having negotiated the speed restriction across the junction
44871 turns on the power whilst some points are changed in front of us.
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44871 & 30777 Sir Lamiel at Crofton 22 May 2010
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44871 departs Basingstoke 22 May 2010
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10 June 2010 A very dull evening in Ascot, Berkshire. There's a breeze and its threatening
to rain. However, the sight of 6201 standing at Platform 1 taking on water more than compensates for the weather.
A large crowd of onlookers over on Platform 3 mean we are relegated to the weedy end of the car park near to the A330 Station
Hill.
First we hear a couple of platform whistles, then 6201. As the train gets underway one of the
cylinder drain cocks appears to stuck open and we can clearly hear the escaping steam. 6201 does not appear to be too
hampered though as it passes by. There is just a small slip as the stock rumbles passed and quite difficult to detect.
Once the stock clears the busy road becomes evident although we still get to hear the loco quite well making a Thursday night
trip out worth the while.
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6201 Princess Elizabeth departs Ascot 10 June 2010
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16 June 2010 This trip saw 60163 Tornado on its first trip to the Swanage Railway running
direct from London Victoria. The return was Diesel hauled towards Southampton before the train reversed with 60163 leading
the tour home via Romsey, Laverstoke Junction, Andover and Basingstoke. We are at Basingstoke as 60163 departs a water
stop. It is normally dark here when the tours arrive but it is still light at this time of year at around 9.00pm and
there are plenty of onlookers. The acoustics are good here and 60163 makes an impressive departure on a delightful evening.
Unfortunately, by the time the generator car sparks its way by the crowd are already furiously packing up. We carry
on listening though, in some ways to show how much you can miss. It's a little like a 'Le Mans start' as
everyone runs for their cars. As the first car gets away 60163 is still clearly audible and would be for another couple
of minutes but we end the recording anyway. (128Kps)
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60163 Tornado departs Basingstoke 16 June 2010
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19 June 2010 Just 2 minutes before the arrival of 6024 King Edward I at this fairly remote location just
west of Theale, a group of dog walkers suddenly appear. One of them appears to be holding a camera and I presume they
have come to look at 6024. They stand near to our microphone and one of them starts shouting. They seem quite
intimidating and I feel a little threatened and I am not looking for a confrontation. 6024 is approaching
and it is too late to move our gear. As 6024 passes there is more shouting and the result is only about 1 1/2 minutes
of good action from 6024. We could have some more sound but are glad to get away afterwards. We also get to hear
a west bound HST charging by at the end of the track. A disappointing evening. (128Kps)
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6024 King Edward I nr Theale 19 June 2010
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18 July 2010 With no luck trying to record either 6024 again or 46115 Scots Guardsman
recently we head out to Brookwood to catch 30777 Sir Lamiel on the return leg of this 'Cathedrals Express'
trip from London Waterloo to Weymouth. 30777 is due to arrive for servicing at around 10pm but is running about 15 minutes
late and has missed its path. Consequently, the train is delayed outside the station while a couple of service trains
call at Brookwood. When 30777 eventually arrives as dusk falls on a fine evening, the crew set to work servicing the
locomotive. As we head out into the car park there is evidently a problem with 30777 and there is another lengthy delay.
The recording begins and we hear the whistle on 30777 along with the pumps on the tender truck. We have a short fade
as a motorist reverses wildly around the car park with his girlfriend hanging out of the window. They then have
the idea of racing 30777 along the car park, still with girl hanging out of window. 30777 sets off at around 10.50pm,
we briefly hear the open drain cocks as the loco makes a steady departure. 30777 comes by along with the car both
travelling slowly and fortunately the car is inaudible here. 30777 then gets the power down despite what were later
reported as steaming problems. I had assumed the car would make some kind of handbrake turn at the end of the car park
but in fact stops and the occupants get out. We do therefore manage to hear the loco making good progress out towards
Woking and its final destination, Clapham Junction. As the sound fades we continue to listen and hear the points changing
in front of us to presumably allow the now late running 10.45pm departure to pass. Eventful.
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30777 Sir Lamiel departs Brookwood 18 July 2010
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04 August 2010 A fine evening sees 60019 Bittern standing at Brookwood with the returning
'Dorset Coast Express'. The outward leg to Weymouth had been hauled by 30777 Sir Lamiel. As 60019
simmers away we hear a Class 450 set slowing for a stop on the 'down' platform. After a short fade, 60019 lets
out a long whistle whilst an express rushes by. 60019 has no trouble getting the train underway and heads by in style
as the commuters from the 450 head back to their cars.
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60019 Bittern departs Brookwood 04 August 2010
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05 August 2010 A welcome visitor to the south is newly restored Black 5 No. 44932. We catch the loco
at a Winchfield water stop with a 'Cathedrals Express' trip to Bath and Bristol on a cloudy but calm day. Most
spectators are on the opposite side of the station but there are a couple of people trudging about nearby. Also. we
are joined by some workers from the maintenance depot that appears well established now just behind our location. This site
was formally a goods yard. The workers have switched off a small mechanical digger whilst 44932 is serviced.
As 44932 prepares to depart an express tears by towards Basingstoke. 12 coaches is quite a load for a 'Black 5'
but 44932 makes a careful but faultless departure on the slightly uphill gradient. As the train heads for Potbridge
the digger starts up but we are shielded by a wall and continue to listen to 44932.
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44932 departs Winchfield 05 August 2010
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12 August 2010 Another trip for Black 5 No. 44932, this time from London Victoria to Gloucester.
The route passes through the Surrey Hills in both directions and gives to chance to listen the loco on the hills. First,
we are out near Gomshall on the climb from Dorking. A breeze is blowing and we are by a large field with a large
herd of cows shuffling about. We start as a car buzzes along nearby, but we soon pick up 44932 making good progress
up the bank. 44932 powers by before the loco begins to speed up on an easing gradient as another car heads by.
Next, we are back in the Surrey Hills for the return. A showery day is giving way to fine and calm evening.
In the semi-darkness a bat patrols up and down around us and a large number of Jackdaws are starting to roost.
44932 is soon heard heading up from a water stop at Shalford. Nearby, the sound of church bells among other sounds of
evening wildlife. 44932 is stricken by some kind of cylinder problem and we can hear escaping steam as the loco approaches, attacking
the climb in determined fashion. Despite the damp conditions and cylinder problem, this is a surefooted climb with no
slips.
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44932 nr Gomshall 12 August 2010
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44932 nr Shere 12 August 2010
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11 September 2010 A very wet and windy morning has relented to calmer conditions but a leaden grey sky looms
above us. We are alongside The Kennet and Avon Canal near Crofton at the site of former Grafton East Junction of
the Midland and South Western Junction Railway. A light rain is falling, forming a myriad of tiny circles on the still
canal water. We are waiting for A4 60019 Bittern heading 'The Mayflower' from London Euston to
Plymouth. In the distance we hear the chime whistle of the approaching A4 as it passes the pumping station at Crofton.
We listen to the sounds of the canal for a short time before we suddenly pick up the rhythm of 60019. CARE!! As
60019 approaches it is nearing the top of the climb to Savernake and despite the damp conditions is really tearing along here.
As 60019 roars by the calm is shattered and you will probably have to turn the volume down to avoid damaging your
hearing if you are using headphones!! As the sound of the stock fades away the local Corvids appear a little
agitated but we can just make out 60019 in the distance, still with the hammer down, now virtually at the summit. At
Taunton, 5029 Nunney Castle was added to the head of the train to assist over the Devon Banks which, along with 60019
carrying its second tender, must have made quite a spectacle (and sound). 128kps
Caution - this track has a sudden
increase in volume
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60019 Bittern at Grafton 11 September 2010
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25 September 2010 High above Salisbury we are out near Porton for another run by Black 5 No. 44932.
The Moon is just rising as the evening turns to night in cool and clear conditions. Although it is dark we don't
have a view of the line so first we hear a service train speeding by downhill towards Salisbury. We are perhaps a little
too far back and this is a fairly quiet recording best with headphones but we soon pick up 44932 climbing away from Laverstock
Junction. 44932 had been visiting Swanage from London Victoria. The train reversed diesel hauled from Swanage
to Southampton. 44932 then led the return to Kensington Olympia. On a gradient of around 1/150 44932 is on good
form here having been failed the previous Saturday in Norwich. 44932 comes by in a deep cutting heading for Grateley
and disturbs some nearby cows. As the loco fades we just hear the stock heading away over the jointed track. (128kbs)
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44932 near Porton 25 September 2010
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07
October 2010 With some of kind of construction
work going on and limited site access this trip out to catch 60019 Bittern was never going to be hugely successful.
On its way from London Victoria to Bristol 60019 is routed up the climb between Witley and Haslemere on the 1/80 gradient.
At least it is a bright and calm morning as first we hear a Guildford bound service heading down the hill. The construction
workers had been chatting away in their native dialogue but then one of them hears 60019 approaching and yells 'TRAIN
COMING' in perfect English. It might have been nice in the other language too. The crew of 60019 are enjoying
the climb, they spot us on the bridge, wave and sound the whistle, which our set up just about manages to keep the lid on.
60019 charges under the bridge and away towards Haslemere. The load for 60019 is 13 coaches, second tender with Class
37 diesel at the rear. The Class 37 is audible but doesn't appear to be working too hard and this is not too
bad a clip. The tour would later return to London Waterloo. 128kps
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60019 Bittern near Haslemere 07 October 2010
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16 October 2010 This was to be the last run for 6233 Duchess of Sutherland before overhaul
so we take a trip out to the East Coast Main Line to catch the run from Derby to London Kings Cross. Out on
a windswept road at Wymondley it's raining, dark and 6233 is running around 20 minutes late as we join this recording.
Against some distant road noise we can just make out the sound of 6233 heading up the climb from Hitchin. A northbound
express thunders by before hooting the approaching 'Pacific'. As the wind rips across the field a ray of sunlight
breaks through before 6233 heads under a bridge and passed our position. A Class 47 diesel on the rear is heard to be
providing a little assistance. The train heads away towards Stevenage as an airliner passes overhead.
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6233 Duchess of Sutherland at Wymondley 16 October 2010
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13 November 2010 This is a new spot in the Surrey Hills for us but in a slight hollow the acoustics are not
brilliant. After a week of storms in the UK the weather has relented and it is a mild, calm but overcast afternoon.
Far below us and approaching Chilworth we can just make out the rhythm of 60163 Tornado at the head of this VSOE
circular trip from London Victoria. The whistle from 60163 drifts around the hills, then the sound is lost completely
for a couple of minutes as 60163 works through Chilworth and there is a short fade. When we pick up the sound again
we hear another whistle as 60163 works away at the climb. We get a couple of small slips as Tornado passes
by but the sanders don't appear to be working and the diesel at the rear seems fairly idle. The crew are in full
control and 60163 continues toward the summit at Shere although a little drowned out by the diesel. Some good atmosphere
and action then on this challenging stretch of line.
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60163 Tornado nr Albury 13 November 2010
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27 November 2010 This trip from Swanage to London and return was originally planned to run into Paddington
but later changed to Waterloo. A stop at Winchfield on the return lets us catch up with Black 5 No. 44932.
We have been to Winchfield many times and I didn't expect too much from this recording and spent more time on photographing
44932. As a result we don't capture all the sound of a dramatic departure. It's a realtively calm but
bitterly cold night at Winchfield as 44932 arrives. Servicing appears to go well but there is a delay. If there
is a problem the crew don't even have time to whistle and as we join the recording as the cylinder cocks are blasting
and the brakes come off. On a slight uphill gradient and no diesel, 44932 makes a very calculated but immense departure.
Our neglected microphone struggles to keep on top of the sound as 44932 heaves its train along the platform. There's
a slip as the train clears the road bridge at the 'country' end of the station but 44932 is soon heard to be making
good progress towards Basingstoke as a few photographers pack up their gear. Another slip from 44932 before finally,
as the loco fades away, a Waterloo bound express tears past. To add to the drama the 18:39 ex Waterloo follows just
behind. Not our best recording but not to be missed.
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44932 departs Winchfield 05 August 2010
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7 December 2010 Another run for the busy Black 5 No. 44932. Today a 'Cathedrals Express'
trip from London Victoria to Sherborne and return. It is a freezing day out near Basingstoke with fog stopping any sun
breaking through. The frost is severe and coats everything around us. Despite the cold we do get some bird calls
as traffic rumbles by on the nearby road. In the background 44932 can just be heard approaching.
The wonderful rhythm of the Black 5 is soon heading by as it heads for a water stop at nearby Overton. I tried for another
recording at Brookwood in the evening but spent too much time photographing and just missed the departure and missed the loco
again at Virginia Water! I just managed to hear some steam leaking from one of the cylinders as I arrived though.
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44932 nr Basingstoke 07 December 2010
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07 December 2010 Hauling its first public train since failing on May 21st 35028 Clan Line is
back on VSOE duties with a VSOE circular from London Victoria. It is a freezing day in the Surrey Hills and we are trackside
on the platform at Gomshall. Snowfall from the previous week still covers much of the ground. The acoustics are
not great for the approaching 'Pacific' but we can see exhaust from 35028 rising above the trees as the train climbs
towards us. A couple of whistles and 35028 is suddenly upon us in an explosion of noise. Listen out for the wheel
flats clonking away halfway along the train and the diesel at the rear. Peace quickly returns, although some maintenance
workers are efficiently changing bulbs on the platform lamps. We keep listening though and eventually we can make out
35028 again, away in the distance just at the summit of the climb east of Gomshall. (128kps)
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35028 Clan Line at Gomshall 07 December 2010
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17 December 2010 Our final recording of the year and an eventful day for Black 5 No. 44932.
Another 'Cathedrals Express' trip this time from Ashford to Oxford. We are Longcross on a bitterly cold
day in the midst of a heavy snow shower. As an airliner passes overhead we can just make out 44932 nearby but heading
slowly. The train is following close behind a Reading bound service train. As we pick up 44932 again the loco
still has a red aspect at the station, suddenly this turns to yellow and 44932 explodes into action. 44932 accelerates
past in some style whilst we clearly hear steam leaking from a cylinder. We hear the loco for a short time in the distance.
However, in the icy conditions 44932 was reported to be checked by the service train at Sunningdale and stalled on the climb
to Ascot. After taking some time to restart 44932 was routed into the wrong platform for the Ascot water stop causing
a further delay. Despite the conditions though the loco made an uneventful departure from Ascot with its giant ( for
a Black 5 ) train of 12 coaches.
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44932 at Longcross 17 December 2010
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