Don Coffey cab ride video discussion

[Pigeon]

Yes, I too found the commentary tended to disappear under the wind noise. Thing is that's pretty much bound to happen unless you mike the driver separately in some suitably unobtrusive manner and then adjust the mix afterwards, which probably isn't a goer.

Still much appreciated though!

 

[Don Coffey]

Saturday 20:00 UK time.

We join our usual Freightliner driver Vinny for another heavy freight video. This is a new Job from Dowlow Quarry near Buxton in Derbyshire to Ashburys, right in the middle of Manchester. Our mission is to take a mix of 24 JNA and MWA wagons to the stone terminal. The weight is close to 2530 tonnes and that cannot be done with a single Class 66 so it's time for Freightliner to bring out the big guns. The mighty Class 70 Powerhaul locomotive can single handedly maul the load around the very steep curve at Blackwell Mill. It's no mean feat and it grinds us down to 8mph but maul them it does. We will follow run arounds at Buxton and again at Guide Bridge and the fastest movement of 1920 tonnes of limestone possible.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Saturday 20:00 UK time.

We join our usual Freightliner driver Vinny for another heavy freight video. This is a new Job from Dowlow Quarry near Buxton in Derbyshire to Ashburys, right in the middle of Manchester. Our mission is to take a mix of 24 JNA and MWA wagons to the stone terminal. The weight is close to 2530 tonnes and that cannot be done with a single Class 66 so it's time for Freightliner to bring out the big guns. The mighty Class 70 Powerhaul locomotive can single handedly maul the load around the very steep curve at Blackwell Mill. It's no mean feat and it grinds us down to 8mph but maul them it does. We will follow run arounds at Buxton and again at Guide Bridge and the fastest movement of 1920 tonnes of limestone possible.

I very much look forward to watching this, so many thanks.

 

[THC]

Thank you Don for all the fabulous cab rides. All the best for a long and happy retirement.

THC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly7d8n9yl8o.amp - link to BBC article

 

[dan4291]

Happy retirement @Don Coffey !

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thank you Don for all the fabulous cab rides. All the best for a long and happy retirement.

Hear, hear.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Happy retirement Don.

 

[Don Coffey]

Thank you folks. For your information I'm currently working on Crewe to Holyhead with Avanti Driver Manager Dave Wright giving a superb commentary. As far as the channel goes, as long as I can keep getting footage, I'll keep doing the videos and the next ones are

Nottingham to Matlock including a run on the EVR and Peak Rail.
Middlesbrough to Newcastle via the Durham coast featuring the subterranean Sunderland and the T&W Metro.
Newcastle to Carlisle via the Tyne Valley Line.
Crewe to the ELR to deliver the Class 70 for the diesel weekend.

TPE did me a very flattering video just to say goodbye;

Farewell to Don Coffey

This is "Farewell to Don Coffey" by TransPennine Express on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

vimeo.com

 

[tfw756rider]

Happy retirement Don, although I can't help but notice that your certificate says "12 years in the rail industry" - wasn't it 22 years, the last 12 of those of which were with TransPennine Express?

 

[Strat-tastic]

I imagine now you're retired you won't get as much time to produce your videos

 

[Don Coffey]

Happy retirement Don, although I can't help but notice that your certificate says "12 years in the rail industry" - wasn't it 22 years, the last 12 of those of which were with TransPennine Express?

Exactly - it’s an error.

I imagine now you're retired you won't get as much time to produce your videos

For the time being, I’ll still be making videos. I’m very dependant on helpful rail companies but so far so good.

 

[Don Coffey]

I am a finalist in this year’s Heart of Gold Awards hosted

by Railway Benefit Fund. I have been nominated for Inspirational Volunteer Award

This nomination, put forward by one of my colleagues, is an incredible recognition of the

work we do in the rail industry.

The winner is chosen by public vote; therefore, I would be grateful if you could support

me by voting at: https://bit.ly/RBFHOG25VoteNow

Voting closes on 9 November.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

 

[jp4712]

Just voted for you!

 

[Jimini]

I am a finalist in this year’s Heart of Gold Awards hosted

by Railway Benefit Fund. I have been nominated for Inspirational Volunteer Award

This nomination, put forward by one of my colleagues, is an incredible recognition of the

work we do in the rail industry.

The winner is chosen by public vote; therefore, I would be grateful if you could support

me by voting at: https://bit.ly/RBFHOG25VoteNow

Voting closes on 9 November.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Voted / done chap

 

[Don Coffey]

Firstly, thanks to those of you who voted for the RBF Heart of Gold Award. It was successful and the channel has another award. As a spin off of that event, I will be doing some project work with Pete Waterman in the not too distant future. I'm also getting help from Tim Shoveller with another matter which I'm extremely grateful for, and by the way, he is extremely supportive of the channel and what our regular contributor Vinny does.



Secondly, we are somewhat late with the Crewe to Holyhead video. It is complete and ready to roll but I have a couple of administrative issues to sort out before it can go live - more about that later. The Nottingham to Matlock is also delayed because I wasn't satisfied with the footage from the Peak Rail portion. I did film it but it was badly hampered with rain. I went back last Saturday and watched it come down in stair rods again. Next attempt is from a steam loco on 22/12.

However, I have got something for you this Friday! Here are the "liner notes"

Join us on the R200 journey through genuine Stockton & Darlington territory. It's a gorgeous July day in 2025, the year we celebrate 200 years of the modern railway. We take Northern's stopping train up the Durham Coast all the way to Newcastle. It is a fascinating route which dives under Sunderland Town Centre then over the Wear and then runs on the Metro 1500V DC system. Finally we cross the amazing George Stephenson High Level Bridge over the Tyne.



Furthermore, I'm well on with some footage from Vinny where he took 70008 in sparkling new paint to the East Lancs Railway for their R200 event in September. After taking it WCML to Earlestown and Chat Moss to Vic, we go Calder Valley to Castleton and then as far as Bury Bolton Street. I'll get that done before Christmas.

 

[tfw756rider]

Secondly, we are somewhat late with the Crewe to Holyhead video. It is complete and ready to roll but I have a couple of administrative issues to sort out before it can go live - more about that later.

Might that be your first 197 video, by any chance?

 

[ainsworth74]

Firstly, thanks to those of you who voted for the RBF Heart of Gold Award. It was successful and the channel has another award.

Congratulations!

Join us on the R200 journey through genuine Stockton & Darlington territory. It's a gorgeous July day in 2025, the year we celebrate 200 years of the modern railway. We take Northern's stopping train up the Durham Coast all the way to Newcastle. It is a fascinating route which dives under Sunderland Town Centre then over the Wear and then runs on the Metro 1500V DC system. Finally we cross the amazing George Stephenson High Level Bridge over the Tyne.

Aha another one local to me, I'll look forward to it!

 

[Don Coffey]

Might that be your first 197 video, by any chance?

No it’s an 805

Congratulations!

Aha another one local to me, I'll look forward to it!

Enjoy!

 

[tfw756rider]

No it’s an 805
View attachment 193757

Ah thanks, still looking forward to it!

 

[Don Coffey]

An alternative to repeats! Boxing Day 20:00.

 

[Pigeon]

Cheers for that Don - much appreciated. Hope you had a good Christmas.

Question: what is the terrible bell that sounds passing Dallam?

 

[tfw756rider]

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Yes, thank you for that one. Thanks to Vinny too of course. I'd never before seen any footage of the ELR between Castleton and Bury, Bolton Street so I'm very grateful.

Happy New Year!

 

[Don Coffey]

Cheers for that Don - much appreciated. Hope you had a good Christmas.

Question: what is the terrible bell that sounds passing Dallam?

You'd be surprised how many people that has perplexed! Apparently on a 70 there are certain things that will upset it and cause that alarm which in this case doesn't really apply to a light engine. It was something to do with the use of the brake but it's like my car - it warns me about all sorts of things that I've managed without being warned about since I started driving in 1974!

 

[Don Coffey]

Dagenham to Bedford on Sunday night at 20:00. We take empty tanks around the North London Line and up the Midland Main Line.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Dagenham to Bedford on Sunday night at 20:00. We take empty tanks around the North London Line and up the Midland Main Line.

The North London Line? Do you mean the GOBLIN line (Barking to Gospel Oak) and then Carleton Road Junction? Either way, I look forward to watching this, so thanks in advance.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Dagenham to Bedford on Sunday night at 20:00. We take empty tanks around the North London Line and up the Midland Main Line.

Superb picture quality. Thanks very much.

 

[Forty29]

Is the video available on YouTube as removed from this thread?

 

[tfw756rider]

Is the video available on YouTube as removed from this thread?

It was removed from YouTube (the site it was embedded from). It's been re-uploaded though:

 

[Don Coffey]

Short notice I'm afraid but if YouTube plays ball (currently uploading) and you are available, there are not one but two videos this weekend. Tyne Valley from Newcastle to Carlisle and Nottingham to Matlock with trips on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and and Peak Rail.