Cab Ride: York to Butterwell - via the ECML, Newcastle and Morpeth.
The East Coast Mainline north from York may not be the most exciting railway, it’s mostly flat, 4-track then 2-track and there’s not a great deal to see! That image changes somewhat when you add a Class 56, hauling a heavy coal train, running at speed, passing Darlington, Durham and Newcastle and onto the single-track Butterwell branch and then further along the line to Potland Burn and the coal-loading facility.
This is a cab ride on board 56312, filmed on a fine sunny day in August 2013, featuring the entire 102 mile journey. Departing from York Holgate sidings, we take the station avoider and run alongside various Class 91s, HSTs and other freight trains to Butterwell Junction and onto the freight-only line to Potland Burn.
As well as the journey itself, the run-round move at Potland Burn is featured, plus coal loading and loco refuelling. A special thrash cam in the back cab of the 56 records the loco hard at work. Includes maps, part narration and on-screen captions.
Produced by - Train Crazy
Running time - 150 Minutes
Format - 16:9 widescreen
Blu-Ray or DVD
Released - 2014