The mention of 'killer cat' led me to believe it was a thread about the large exotic cats that have bene found in the UK over the years. Many people believe that they're so rarely spotted as they're likely using current and abandoned RR grades to move around, mostly at night: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_big_cats

In the UK, even our pet kitty's are killers.... We dont need big cats.

I put so much stuff up at times I'm not always sure I haven't posted something before, but even if this clip of Tangmere has been up, it's a most appropriate place to bring it, and it's a personal favorite steam clip of mine from anywhere--just don't blink at the wrong time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFO3SY9s214

Some background information on these unusual locomotives:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR_West_Co ... in_classes

One of the more interesting features of the Bulleid Pacifics was an enclosed valve gear and crank axle. It was a good idea in theory, but it had some problems in practice:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulleid_ch ... valve_gear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bulle ... e_gear.svg

Yeah, we like our locos light and FAST here in the uk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLlT0A6cXG0

Thanks for sharing, even if these really do belong on the "Railfanning" page.

I do have a question, though. What's with the diesels that so often show up in tow behind the coaches on mainline steam trains? Are they for helper service, braking, head-end power, or something else?

You also like them stealthy as well. I'm guessing that NOT sounding a horn or whistle approaching a station is SOP in the UK? Makes American steam excursion (and regular operation) practice seem like running a calliope in comparison. I discovered at Wolsztyn that railroaders across the pond really don't like having the whistle blown much, like one short sound for a grade crossing, and never blowing to start up from a station, unless there is a grade crossing beside it.

You also like them stealthy as well. I'm guessing that NOT sounding a horn or whistle approaching a station is SOP in the UK?

Correct, strictly speaking the only time to use the horn or whistle, is at a whistle board (usually before a foot crossing or a half barrier road crossing) at a specific hazard (track workers in high viz or station passengers too near the edge) or for operational signalling (top and tail working, departing signals etc)

Mind you, Whistles and chimes on UK locos are no where near as evocative as the the US 5 or 6 chimes. Thankfully we don't have damn bells on the front. ;)

You never know when you will get a diesel on the back, yesterday I filmed two steam excursions, one had one one didn't. However once you realise why they are there you can guess when you will get one.

The primary reason is to aid in shunting and turning stock. With a service into a London Terminus, it will need to be towed out again. During busy periods you cant take up platform (track) space waiting for a tug to arrive, so you take it in with you.

Although its rarely, if ever, needed for braking and stability, its sometimes needed for traction. Tangmere featured here, is notoriously light footed, and on a very similar service to this one about two year ago in the autumn (fall) it slipped to a stall on a hill and blocked the line for about 90 minutes. Crews of course try not to utilise the "shove" unless its a last resort, or they have operational order to do so (risk of lineside fires for example)

Fast indeed. When I was stationed in the UK in the 80s I was on a steam trip with the City of Wells, another of the light, three cylinder 4-6-2 locos of this class, when it tried to hit 100 mph. Unfortunately they could only get to 93 mph, which was a fantastic thing to experience. It was on July 24, 1988 and the trip ran from Salisbury to Yeovil Junction and return. The sound at the open windows at the end of the coach was just a complete roar.