If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Gordon Hodgson Man and Machine as one .

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by sgthompson, Aug 18, 2018.

  1. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
    Short video of now retired steam driver Gordon Hodgson showing what he did best .

     
    30567, leander, Spike. and 11 others like this.
  2. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2010
    Messages:
    1,749
    Likes Received:
    1,637
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Consultant Engineer
    Location:
    Shropshire
    Excellent!! He certainly knew how to make them talk.......

    Cheers,

    Alan
     
    sgthompson likes this.
  3. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2005
    Messages:
    2,245
    Likes Received:
    3,537
    Occupation:
    Transgender toilet attendant
    Location:
    North East
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Steve that clip of 46115 at Harthope,what a performance
     
    sgthompson likes this.
  4. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
    Thanks Henry, must admit Gordon knew what he was doing. Had a beer with him in Crewe the night before the Citadel Express and what a true Gent :)
     
    andalfi1 likes this.
  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,072
    Likes Received:
    20,781
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Such a lovely set of videos. And can I add to that by saying that he gave me one of the best runs I've ever had over Shap. Scots Guardsman with 12 on and a 20 minutes late departure from Carnforth because of the late running TPE. Gordon knew that if he didn't get a move on he would be looped to let the Pendo go by and he didn't want that.

    We went over Grayrigg at 41 and Shap at 24 even after a slip on the grease point. Clearing Shap in under 40 minutes from Carnforth was pretty quick and then he decided that perhaps SG should be allowed to run on. We pulled into Carlisle in under 67 minutes and a couple of minutes ahead of the Pendo. Maximum speed? Won't say, even though he's retired but it kept us out of the way and that was the aim.
     
    ragl, Mick45305, green five and 2 others like this.
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    35,447
    Likes Received:
    9,146
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Location:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    An excellent collection Steve, I hope you don't mind me linking to this one from Linesider of the struggle Gordon had on Wilpshire with 6201, another example of his craft, it starts at 9.30 .

    .

    Alan, I remember that run with Scots Guardsman very well, wasn't it around the time when there was all the publicity with Tornado being allowed to do 90 mph................:rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  7. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
    Not a problem at all Ralph as sometimes the class that was Gordon needs to be remembered !
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2018
  8. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,310
    Likes Received:
    1,355
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Librarian
    Location:
    Just up the road from 56E Sowerby Bridge
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That's a very interesting sounding 45231 at 4.08... What were the cicumstances ? One worthy of the Argo "Trains in Trouble" series, that one!

    Richard.
     
  9. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
    Gordon told me something broke on the fireman’s side shortly after Tebay while he was taking the Jacobite stock to Fort William so he had to try and get it into the loop at Shap summit.
     
  10. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    4,445
    Likes Received:
    6,547
    This was an ECS move from Carnforth to Fort William for the start of the Jacobite season and I was the fireman. We left Tebay loop with the engine sounding spot on, but after about 3/4 mile it suddenly went right off, as you can hear. As the loco was still pulling and steaming well we decided to carry on and requested to "go inside" at Shap Summit. Here we found that the rhs radius rod and combination lever were bent. It transpired that a piece of valve ring had jammed in the port and momentarily seized the valve. We were surprised how well she still went in this condition.

    Peter James
     
    green five likes this.
  11. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    9,238
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Tobacco manufacturing
    Location:
    Kendal
    You might’ve been the chap I spoke with over the fence at the loop Peter as on asking where Gordon was I got a reply that he’s hitched a lift on a freight to get a 37 to carry on the move . If I’m correct 45231 stayed at the summit until Monday.
     
  12. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    4,445
    Likes Received:
    6,547
    That sounds right. Once we had established that the loco was a failure, Gordon was able to hitch a lift with a Freightliner train which was about to pull out of the up loop to go back for a Class 37. We eventually left the loco and support coach behind and carried on with the stock diesel hauled. After repair 45231 made it up to Fort William about three weeks later

    Peter
     
    green five and sgthompson like this.
  13. Richard Roper

    Richard Roper Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2006
    Messages:
    1,310
    Likes Received:
    1,355
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Librarian
    Location:
    Just up the road from 56E Sowerby Bridge
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Many Thanks for your reply Peter! Very interesting, and as you say, it sounded to be pulling very well despite a lost valve event. Well done for managing the climb of Shap and getting looped without sitting down on the main line.

    Richard.
     

Share This Page