Uploaded March 2022 | Updated September 2026, 49 minutes ago
A video compilation of fifteen preserved steam locomotives tackling arguably one of the United Kingdom's most famous railway gradients. The four and a bit miles of 1/75 through the rugged terrain of the county of Cumbria provides the ultimate backdrop and challenge for any classifications of steam power along with modern day loco hauled freight services. The Bank begins just after Tebay, this is followed by a long sweeping right curve through Greenholme which is located at the bottom of the bank. The pace and power through here can dictate what kind of climb your're in for as you power your way further up the hill. Scout green follows next, which is where the gradient starts to reveal itself on engine and crew, you then run out of sight until you re-emerge South of Salterwath, you are now half way up. Passing upper Salterwath, you now begin to see the upper part of the bank at Shap Wells where the edge of forest once stood adjacent to line, this was recently felled a few years to open other classic angles from decades ago. Once you pass the the felled forest site you are now on final approach to the summit and just a swift reverse curve under the high up footbridge is left to pass under until you top the summit of Shap !
All scenes and are in geographical order from bottom to top. All scenes are captured from 2013 to 2022. The only notable engine which should of featured running solo was 46233/6233 Duchess Of Sutherland but I was never able to film a Duchess tackling Shap which is shame, as they were notorious performers in the heyday of steam in this neck of the woods. Thankfully I have travelled behind a Duchess up Shap, so in theory I've had the full experience. While there's no solo Duchess the LMS is well represented, there is a Big Lizzie, Two Royal Scots, Two Jubilees and three Black Fives. Tornado, Union Of South Africa and Britannia all feature too. Even the fantastic sounding LNER K4 Class 61994, The Great Marquess features.
I hope you enjoy the sight and sounds of steam action on Shap Bank.
A video compilation of fifteen preserved steam locomotives tackling arguably one of the United Kingdom's most famous railway gradients. The four and a bit miles of 1/75 through the rugged terrain of the county of Cumbria provides the ultimate backdrop and challenge for any classifications of steam power along with modern day loco hauled freight services. The Bank begins just after Tebay, this is followed by a long sweeping right curve through Greenholme which is located at the bottom of the bank. The pace and power through here can dictate what kind of climb your're in for as you power your way further up the hill. Scout green follows next, which is where the gradient starts to reveal itself on engine and crew, you then run out of sight until you re-emerge South of Salterwath, you are now half way up. Passing upper Salterwath, you now begin to see the upper part of the bank at Shap Wells where the edge of forest once stood adjacent to line, this was recently felled a few years to open other classic angles from decades ago. Once you pass the the felled forest site you are now on final approach to the summit and just a swift reverse curve under the high up footbridge is left to pass under until you top the summit of Shap !
All scenes and are in geographical order from bottom to top. All scenes are captured from 2013 to 2022. The only notable engine which should of featured running solo was 46233/6233 Duchess Of Sutherland but I was never able to film a Duchess tackling Shap which is shame, as they were notorious performers in the heyday of steam in this neck of the woods. Thankfully I have travelled behind a Duchess up Shap, so in theory I've had the full experience. While there's no solo Duchess the LMS is well represented, there is a Big Lizzie, Two Royal Scots, Two Jubilees and three Black Fives. Tornado, Union Of South Africa and Britannia all feature too. Even the fantastic sounding LNER K4 Class 61994, The Great Marquess features.
I hope you enjoy the sight and sounds of steam action on Shap Bank.
