Two Panniers Round Brum

On the 1st October last year the Vintage Trains operated a steam hauled tour using Pannier Tanks 9600 and 7760 on an itinerary starting from Tyseley and taking in Nuneaton, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Stourbridge Junction before returning to Tyseley.
Performance noise wise was a little disappointing in the early stages, even the hoped for thrash up Hatton was not forthcoming. However, after leaving Stratford matters began to improve.
This is how the two Panniers sounded during the climb from Stratford not far from Henley-in-Arden.

The steepest gradient that the train encountered during the day was the short 1 in 45 climb through Snow Hill Tunnel. This was often proved to be a tricky ascent in steam days and the station pilot was used to rescue stalled trains many times but the gradient caused no problem for two Panniers on just 6 coaches on this occasion.

The best bit of the day for noise was the ascent of Old Hill Bank on the way back from Stourbridge Junction. In parts as steep as 1 in 51 the two Panniers are heard approaching Old Hill Tunnel in this recording.