(LMS) Black Five Slogs Over The Peaks & Tunstead Quarry ! Buxton Spa Express

An almighty show of power from LMS Black Five 45407 provided one the best hardworking steam scenes We've shot in quite while as the sound of a Stanier Black Five reverberated around the Peak District. The Buxton Spa Express starting from Preston would see 45407 tackle three significant gradients with the first being Copy Pit in Lancashire. We decided to focus on the long eight mile climb from Furness Vale to Bibbington Summit just outside of Buxton. The Black Five is seen twice at Bibbington summit as it tops the 1/70 gradient from Dove Holes with very little steam to spare. As can be seen in the video the diesel was working to an absolute minimum with enough power to take its own weight. The return leg would head up the freight only line through Tunstead Quarry. This shot has been on the bucket list for years. Tunstead Quarry is a 24/7 operation and it supplies aggregates, cement and lime for a wide range of uses around the UK and it has since the 1920's. Obviously as its a working quarry there is a lot of external noise but thankfully Black Five 45407 does its best to dampen down the external mechanical noises with an unassisted slog up the 1/90 gradient to Peak Dale summit. The driver of the diesel was under strict instructions not to get involved unless called upon. Two angles capture the action with the 2nd shot giving you a better scale of the quarry. I hope you enjoy the sight and sound of a hardworking Black Five. #steamtrain #railways #trains #locomotive