It is many years since this record-breaking circular tour from Crewe, north over the WCML and back over the S&C. The highlight without doubt was the climb of Shap with a load of 13 breaking the record for the fastest ascent for this load behind a single steam locomotive. The average speed of 60 m.p.h. at 1 in 75 converts to a sustained output power at the drawbar of 2,709 horsepower, an incredible achievement and well beyond the capabilities of many mainline diesel classes. I originally uploaded this footage in Jan. 2008 when connection speeds were slow and upload file sizes were limited. Compared to today’s HD clips, the resulting 240p footage is very crude and it was suggested that such a popular clip should be re-mastered and uploaded in high(er) definition. The SD camcorder I used back then was a JVC GR-DV2000 with electronic image stabilisation and fitted with a wind-gagged dedicated stereo-zoom microphone. This was knocked out during the pass by the descending freight at Shap Wells and the camcorder reverted to the un-gagged internal microphone. I have done a little work on the sound and image quality (although it is of course still SD), I have also added information about the climb. Please note: the excessive amount of black "smoke" is mainly unburnt coal dust from the poor quality coal supplied for this tour and not due to poor firing practice. 71000 is now in the charge of the “BR Class 8 Locomotive Trust” who are at last embarking on a long awaited overhaul back to mainline operation, the current target being 2022 see https://www.theduke.uk.com. As I wrote originally: “hold on tight”! and now enjoy this amazing climb in full-screen.
For the full tour see:    • Onboard for 70 minutes behind the U.K...