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DVD GALLERY
The following clips are to give you a flavour of what we do and tempt you into purchasing one of our DVD's, enjoy.
For best quality viewing use minimum size screen option, clips have been compressed to allow easy access and minimum download time but as a result quality is lost in full screen mode.
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2010
THE GREAT BRITAIN III
Off we go again for the fourth year to follow the tour around the UK and what a stunner, a combination of great weather (especially in Scotland) and 7 different engines performing well over the nine days of the trip, I think this is the best one yet, certainly photographically, so well done to Nigel and his team for once again pulling off the impossible.
HERE ARE SOME PICTURES AND CLIPS TO GIVE A FLAVOUR OF THE TRIP, IF YOU WANT TO SAMPLE THE FULL MENU YOU WILL NEED TO BUY THE DVD WHICH IS OUT NOW PRICED AT £15.00 + £1.50p&p FOR 75 MINUTES ACTION, NO FILLER ALL THRILLER.
DAY 1 - London to Bristol
5029 - Nunney Castle took the train out of London Paddington to Bristol on the first leg of the journey.
PICTURE - Ladbrook Lane, Westrop
DVD CLIP - Lower Basildon
DAY 2 - Plymouth to Bristol
Western Campion took the train from Bristol to Plymouth in the morning and then Black 5 44871 and Britannia 70013 - Oliver Cromwell brought the train back to Bristol in the afternoon.
44871 & 70013 head for Taunton after the water stop at Exeter seen here at Brampton Speake
DAY 3 - Bristol to Preston
44871 & 70013 took the train up the mainline to Birmingham including the Lickey Incline and then on to the West Coast mainline via Stafford and Crewe to Preston
PICTURE - Re-start from a signal check at Standish Junction
DVD CLIP - The pair race along the West Coast mainline at Moore just south of Warrington
DAY 4 - Preston to Glasgow
70013 Oliver Cromwell headed North from Preston on its own making a fine sight on the Shap and Beattock climbs
70013 at Bay Horse just south of Lancaster in the early morning sun
DAY 5 - Glasgow to Stranraer
A new section of mainline for us to film and we managed three good locations on the outward journey of the two Black 5's 44871 & 45407 hard at work
The Black 5's at Howwood
DAY 6 - Glasgow to Inverness (via Perth & Aberdeen)
The Brit in charge again for a magnificent run to Inverness, we managed 5 passes of this part of the journey
70013 races towards Blackford on the first part of the journey from Glasgow to Perth
DAY 7 - Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Early morning departure from Inverness at 06.30 for the K4 61994 - The Great Marquess but what a stunning morning for light as we followed the train to the Kyle
61994 passes Fodderty in the early morning light
DAY 8 - Inverness to Edinburgh (via Perth & Dundee)
Day 8 saw the combination of 70013 & 61994 as far as Dundee and then 70013 on its own back to Edinburgh over both the Tay and Forth bridges in the sun.
70013 & 61994 storm away from Culloden Viaduct heading south
DAY 9 - Edinburgh to York
6201 - Princess Elizabeth took over the train for the first part of the day
6201 departs from the Tweedmouth water stop at Scremerston
DAY 9 - York to London
For the final leg of the journey 60019 - Bittern was in charge with two tenders, no need to stop for water.
60019 at Gamston just south of Retford
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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY - 25th to 28th MARCH
Another Gala weekend and off we go to the south west for four days we shared the days with our friends Mike Snow and his wife Helen and John and Margaret Bithel.
We started badly after the first pass at 9.00 with 92203 at Watersmeet we had to wait until 14.00 for the next pass due to a failure of 78019 and 4160 not being turned as per the programme.
The weather for both Thursday and Friday was poor with lots of rain and the regular use of the umbrella despite this we got some nice passes and enjoyed the social evenings in the Stags Head at Dunster.
Saturtday and most of Sunday was dry and we chased around the line to make the most of the event featuring:-
92212 - 92203- 6024 - 4160- 5553 - 71000 - 78019 - 34046
WE WILL BE RELEASING A DVD OF THE EVENT PRICED AT 12.50 + 1.50 P&P BY THE END OF APRIL - PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW.
Picture -34046 - Braunton at Leigh Crossing
DVD Clip - 34046 - Braunton departs Blue Anchor
Picture - 71000 - Duke of Gloucester
DVD Clip - 71000 - Duke of Gloucester at Nornvis Bridge
Picture - 92212 at Nornvis Bridge
DVD Clip - 92212 passes Eastcoombe
6024 - King Edward 1 at Wolaston Moor
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SEVERN VALLEY GALA 5th to 7th/03/10
Friday morning we are off down to the Severn Valley Railway, after two hours of interrogating the timetable the night before, it appeared that the action was at the Bridgnorth end of the line, we met up with Mike Snow & Brian Burrows and went onto the lineside for the first departure, only to find that the 'Pig' had not been turned and was tender first.
Best laid plans of mice.... but, with full sun we then spent the day collecting some great footage of 6695, 61994, 5786, 78019, 4566, 43106 & 5764 at a variety of locations between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade.
A very good day
Saturday first thing we ventured onto the Mainline scene for 6201 - Princess Elizabeth on its way from Crewe to London.
On to a cloudy Severn Valley where we spent the rest of the day 'troggling' up and down the line between Bewdley sidings and Foley Park tunnel, meeting up later in the day with Mike Snow and the globetrotting Clive Hanley, we captured all the engines from the list above plus 7802 & 5164.
The weather prospect for Sunday was favourable so off we go again to the SVR, from the moment we got there it was wall to wall sun all day, we saw all the locomotives again plus 7812, 46443 & 42968, it was probably the best days filming for many a year, we met up with Gareth Davies during the morning.
Special thanks to Paul (for all the info and afternoon tea) and Chris (for his acrobatic circus act on the lineside ladders).
Flying Pig 43106 climbs towards Orchard Crossing
6695 passes Daniels Mill
5764 & 5786 emerge from Foley Park Tunnel
78019 is seen at Little Rocks heading for Hampton Loade
61994 - The Great Marquess crosses Oldbury Viaduct
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BLUEBELL GALA 20 & 21/02/10
After another disappointing day on the Mainline on Friday chasing 35028 - Clan Line around the Surrey Hills we arrived at the Bluebell for what was our last visit to the railway, as our lineside passes expired over the weekend and due to the new rules we are logistically and financially unable to renew, we will not be going to the line again.
The gala was different in that only the C class 592 was facing out of Sheffield Park, all the other engines facing out of Kingscote.
As per usual these days the weather forecast was totally wrong and we were greeted on the Saturday morning with glorious sunshine which lasted till well after lunch.
We set off to West Hoahtly to walk the line towards Kingscote, at that stage it was uncertain as to the final line up of engines as it was rumoured that the Fairburn 42085 was not running and would be replaced by the Dukedog 9017.
We waited for the first train from Kingscote which was a small goods with the Terrier 672 - Fenchurch, next to come was the E4 473 in its new green livery.
The next train was the surprise would it be the Faiburn or the Dukedog and to our delight it was 42085 and it performed well all day.
Completing the line up was the Standard 2 78019 from the Great Central and the lines own Standard 4 tank 80151.
Saturday was a day to remember but in contrast and against the forecast the weather on Sunday morning was heavy rain so we stayed for two nice passes and then made the long journey home.
It is a pity that for me and many others we will not be able to enjoy this railway in the future due to its blind compliance with non-existent rules but lets hope that at some stage in the future common sense will return and the reign of the new commandant will be short lived.
WHAT A SHAME!
672 - Fenchurch hurries along with a goods at West Hoathly
592 approaches Freshfield Summit
78019 & 80151 depart from Kingscote
E4 473 accelerates up the bank from Kingscote
Fairburn 42085 approaches West Hoathly
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GREAT CENTRAL MINI GALA 14/02/10
After the disappointment of the Mainline failure on Saturday we headed for the Great Central first thing on Sunday morning the weather was dry but "full dull", we met up with Mike Snow in the morning at Charnwood Water and spent the best part of the morning around that area, then moving on to Kinckley Lane and Quorn and finally ending up at Woodthorpe.
We had 9 good smokebox passes in total from Jinty 47406, Black 5 44767 & Jubilee 5690 - Leander
5690 - Leander at Woodthorpe
47406 departs Loughborough
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KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY GALA 12 & 13/02/10
Friday morning off we go to Keighley we met Mike Snow at Oakworth and manager to move around the whole of the line during the day the weather was cold but we did get a couple of passes in the sun.
The engines performing were - visiting N2 - 1744, 80002, 41241, 90733 & Industrial Nunlow
90733 climbs Oakworth Bank
On Saturday we started by trying to see 46115 on the Mainline at Diggle but, for the second time we receved the news that it had failed, so back in the car and in exactly one hour we were at Oakworth on the KWVR to see the two engines not in operation on Friday Lancashire & Yorkshire 957 & Jinty 47279
975 & 80002 on the goods at Damens
N2 1744 climbs Oakworth Bank
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CHURNET VALLEY GALA - 6 & 7/01/10
Despite the poor forecast for the weekend we set off for Cheddleton and on arrival met up with Mike Snow & Olympic Champion Clive Hanley, we purchased our lineside photo permit (well worth the £15) and began with some shots around the shed where the USA tank 30075 was being prepared for the day.
Then off down to Consall Forge courtesy of Oadby Taxis, now what about those weather forecasters, they are the only people I know who get paid very well to get the job done wrong every time, the sun came up over the trees and we were treated to some unbelievable light for the first two departures, we then spent the rest of the day walking the line between Consall and Froghall,
Four engines performed superbly - 5542, 5199, 30075 & 80072 - well done all involved in organising this event aimed at the enthusiast (please take note Bluebell Railway this is how to look after your supporters )
Great Western Tanks 5199 & 5542 approach Leekbrooks from Cheddleton
Picture - USA Tank 30075 approaches Consall Forge
Clip - 30075 climbs the bank from Froghall to Consall
5542 storms away from Consall Forge
Picture - Standard Tank 80072 heads for Consall
Clip - 80072 departs Consall Forge
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GREAT CENTRAL GALA - 31/01/10
On Friday night the shed was open and we spent a couple of hours photographing the engines on shed.
After a disappointing day on the Mainline on Saturday with the failure of the Scot we headed for the Great Central on Sunday morning and soon met up with Mike Snow & John Marriott on the lineside who told us what we had missed the day before but, with 8 engines in steam and a new Jinty we based ourselves at Woodthorpe and walked to Quorn and back in the morning and then after lunch walked down to Loughborough and back in the afternoon, the weather was mixed with some bright spells and the engines all performed well - 70013 - Oliver Cromwell, 5690 - Leander, 45231 - Sherwood Forrester, 44767 - George Stephenson, 48305, 47406, 78019 & 42968.
Picture - Jubilee 5690 - Leander at Kinchley Lane
Clip - 5690 departs Loughborough
Black 5 44767 approaches Quorn with the Windcutter stock
Picture - Jinty 47406 at Woodthorpe
Clip - 47406 approaches Quorn as the 8F 48476 (48305) passes on the way back to Loughborough
Stanier Mogul 42968 passes Woodthorpe in the afternoon sun
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GREAT CENTRAL - 24/01/10
A lovely Sunday morning so with the promise of two Black 5's we head for the Great Central, we went to Quorn yard first to have a look at the turntable kit that has just arrived at the railway, we then went to Rothley to await the return of the first train of the day from Leicester with 45231 and it is pictured here departing at 11.10
After seeing 44767 depart in the other direction towards Leicester we ventured up to Swithland Siddings and by now the sun had gone and we had some rain showers we waited for 44767 to arrive with the Diner and it is pictured here passing the signal box at Swithland
EAST LANCS RAILWAY - 23/01/10
First Gala of the year so off we go to Bury, the weather was sunny all the way there until we reached Saddleworth Moor on the M62 and from then on it was misty/foggy all day, we started at Rawtenstall for the new Black 5 44871 and then went to Irwell Vale for the K4 but it was so atmospheric we nearly missed them, down the valley to Ramsbottom where the visibility was a bit better for the WD 90733 and the Jinty 47324 seen here departing for Bury.
With 2 hours to kill before the next smoke box we decided on Burrs for lunch and conversation with Mr Vere & Valentine.
We see K4 61994 climbing out of Little Burrs up the bank, all the still lads went for the reflection shot as you can see.
Then back onto the lineside for the Black 5 - 44871 cruising through the cutting
and finally the usual Burrs shot for the last smokebox departure in the light at 2.00 from Bury with the guest engine from Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - WD 2-8-0 - 90733
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MAINLINE SLS SPECIAL
On a very wet and windy Saturday 14th November we went to follow the two Panniers 9600 & 9466 around the Birmingham area, not knowing a lot about the route or the direction the engines were facing made it a challenge but we ended up with three reasonable passes, as you can see firstly bunker first at Oxley, then on the return journey from Ironbridge at Albrighton and finally on the way to Kidderminster at Hagley.
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
A quick visit to the Great Central on Sunday 8th November to see Black 5 45231, a lovely sunny day but with that autumn chill in the air.
45231 departs Rothley
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BLUEBELL RAILWAY GALA
The event was held over the weekend of 23rd to 25th October and was billed as the Giants of Steam event but subsequently downgraded following the failure of the guest engine 30777 - Sir Lamiel at the Great Central Railway.
In my opinion this was the worst event held on the line for enthusiasts in the last 20 years, which is a shame as this has always been one of my favourite railways to visit.
It appeared that bearing in mind the event was geared up for enthusiasts that little thought had gone into the planning.
The engines in steam were Standard Tank 80151, Dukedog 9017, U class 1638 & Battle of Britain 34059 - Sir Archibald Sinclair.
On Friday there were two engines in steam 1638 & 34059 with services starting at 11.00 and with 9 smokebox passes this was a good day.
From there things went down hill, the timetable was the same for Saturday and Sunday with the first smoke box pass not being until 11.30???? (there was an 11.00 departure but this was 80151 bunker first out of Sheffield Park).
The timetable then offered a goods with the 9017 (in black) at 11.32 & 13.52 but these passes were not only spoilt by the rain on Saturday but by the fact that they had left the Earl of Berkley name plates on, then on Sunday the goods was substituted for a passenger train, to "get bums on seats" as the trains were full on Saturday, no problem with that except that they put 9017 on the vintage Met stock?????, why not use the C class 592 which had been in steam Friday and Saturday as spare engine and here's a thought then run the goods in another slot say after the 15.30????.
On Saturday we ended up at Horsted Keynes station were 672 - Fenchurch was doing brake van rides within the station limits but, with the smokebox next to the van, come on Bluebell how difficult would it have been to run the engine round to provide some smokebox photographic opportunities.
Overall there was a lack of attention to detail and I was not the only one with these views it seems that now the enthusiasts have got the railway to the commercial success they are to day that enthusiasts have become a nuisance that are no longer required.
Watch this space for the next development by the railway to irradiate those troublesome linesiders.
Anyway here are some clips and pictures for you:-
U Class 1638 climbs Freshfield Bank (This one is for Henry)
Dukedog 9017 at Lindfield Woods
Standard Tank 80151 rolls down Freshfield Bank
Battle of Britain 34059 - Sir Archibald Sinclair at the top of Freshfield Bank
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MAINLINE IN OCTOBER
A few clips from the Mainline in October with 60163 - TORNADO on the S&C, 45231 & 45407 on the Tin Bath Extra and probably the last mainline run for 6233 - Duchess of Sutherland to London.
6233 - Duchess of Sutherland at Attenborough gravel pits.
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Photo:- 45407 & 45231 cross Penistone Viaduct
DVD Clip - 45407 & 45231 at Grindleford
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60163 - Tornado at Horton in Ribblesdale
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GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY GALA
THE HEAVY METAL SHOW
We attended the gala on the Friday 9th & Sunday 11th October, the weather stayed dry and with a very intensive timetable featuring all the engines in action on both passenger and goods workings and a 15 minute interval between trains the best plan was to get on the lineside and walk up and down the line filming the action as it occurred, here is a flavour, these clips plus many more from all of 2009 will be included on our Great Central Railway 2009 DVD which will be available for Christmas (advanced order are being taken, just give me a ring).
Engines in action at the gala were:- 90733, 92203, 48305, 42085, 78019, 63601& 70013 - Oliver Cromwell
Picture:- 42085 on the local at Woodthorpe
DVD Clip:- 42085 departs Loughborough
WD 90733 with the Windcutter on Quorn straight
92203 at Woodthorpe with the fitted goods
70013 - Oliver Cromwell on the Mail train at Quorn
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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY GALA
GWR 175 The Prelude
We spent 4 days at the railway from 1st to the 4th of October and with good weather a company we saw 12 Great Western engines in action and were inspired to make a special DVD of the event which is now on sale from our e-shop or direct by phone or e-mail, it covers all the action along the whole length of the line, here is a selection of clips to tempt you to buy the DVD, a must for all GWR fans.
Engines in action at the gala were:- 6024 - King Edward 1, 7802 - Bradley Manor, 4953 - Pitchford Hall, 5029 - Nunney Castle, 9351, 3850, 5224, 5542, 5553, 9466, 6695 & 4160.
4953 - Pitchford Hall at Trebles Holford
5029 - Nunney Castle at Roebuck Farm
6024 - King Edward 1 at Watersmeet
Mogul 9351 passes the Farmers Arms, Coombe Florey
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SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
The Severn Valley Gala had an LMS flavour and in particular the Ivatt's with three different classes in action - 41241 the tank from Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, home based "Mickey Mouse" 46443 and newly restored "Flying Pig" 43106.
The other star guest attraction was the N2 1744 (69523) from the Great Central Railway on the Gresley stock.
FOUR PACIFIC'S VISIT YORK IN ONE DAY
On the 19th September not one, not two but four Pacific's were at York in the one day.
We started with 60007 - Sir Nigel Gresley heading north with the Heart of Midlothian bound for Edinburgh, then an hour and a half later 6233 - Duchess of Sutherland going north with the Citadel Express, an hour after that 70013 - Oliver Cromwell with the Cumbrian Mountain Express heading north and then 60163 - Tornado arriving from the south at 13.20.
What a day!
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To start off a busy weekend we went to Llangollen for the gala featuring the newly restored Standard Tank 80072, also in action were 44806, 6430 - on the Auto train & visiting from the Great Central Railway Standard 2 - 78019.
SEPTEMBER SOUTHERN WEEKEND
We had a busy weekend visiting both the Swanage railway on Saturday 11/09/2009 with plenty of action from 34028 - Eddystone, 34070 - Manston, 80104, 80078, 30053, 6695 & guest engine from the West Somerset Railway 7F number 88 (53088)
Here is a taste of the action.
Then on Sunday 12/09/2009 off to the South Devon Railway for there gala with a variety of Great Western motive power - 5786, 5526, 1369, 3803, 4566 (from the Severn Valley Railway) & 4247 (from the Bodmin & Wenford Line).
Here are our reflections of the visit
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SUMMER MAINLINE ACTION 2009
Again 2009 has seen plenty of action on the Mainline during the summer and here is just a flavour from our travels.
46115 - Scots Guardsman on the Stephen Cornish Special.
Picture - Cornholme
DVD CLIP - Copy Pit
4953 - Pitchford Hall on the Stapleford Park Open Day Special
Picture - East Goscote
DVD CLIP - Croft
45231 - Sherwood Forrester on the Welsh Mountaineer
at Roman Bridge
60163 - TORNADO on the Torbay Express
Picture - Dawlish
DVD Clip - Rewe
70013 - Oliver Cromwell on the Cumbrian Mountain Express
at Gargrave
5043 - Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on the Shakespeare Express
at Widney Manor
45407 - Lancashire Fusilier on the Scarborough Spa Express
at Killingbeck, Leeds
76079 - on the Cambrian at Criccieth
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LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY
The second Steam, Stars & Steel event at the railway captured the imagination of the enthusiasts with the diversity of motive power on display including:- Dukedog 9017 (in Black BR livery), 6100 - Royal Scot, 246 - Morayshire, B1 1306 - Mayflower, 5643, 6430, 5199, 44806, 3440 - City of Truro & 5526.
246 - Morayshire & 1306 - Mayflower head for Carrog
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RAILWAY
The Cotswold Festival of Steam had a Great Western theme to it with 3440 - City of Truro, 7903 - Foremarke Hall, 5526, 5972 - Olton Hall, 5619 & from the Southern Region Terrier 662 - Martello.
3440 - City of Truro departs Wichcombe
SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
Big Engines were the speciality at the Spring Gala with four visiting Mainline engines of 60007 - Sir Nigel Gresley, 5029 - Nunney Castle, 71000 - Duke of Gloucester & 70013 - Oliver Cromwell.
5029 - Nunney Castle crosses Oldbury Viaduct
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
Last train gone was the title of the Kent & East Sussex May event with all the engines native to the line at the time of closure, including 01 No65 a guest engine from the Bluebell Railway, plus 3 terriers - 662 - Martello, 32678& No3 - Bodiam and USA Tank 65, Pannier 1638 and P class 753.
Terrier 32678 climbs Tendreden Bank
WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
Spring was in the air with a variety of motive power on show including the first vist to the line of an A4 60019 - Bittern plus 6100 - Royal Scot, 4936 - Kinlet Hall, 3850, 88, 5553, 34046 - Braunton, 34028 - Eddystone & 45231.
6100 - Royal Scot at Watersmeet
BO'NESS RAILWAY
June gala with 246 - Morayshire and Standard tank 80151 in steam and Glen Douglas and Caley tank 55189 on static display in the yard.
246 - Morayshire departs from Bo'ness
NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY
In May the gala event starred 60163 - Tornado plus 43935, 63395, 6619, 45212, 75029, 825, 60007,76079, 45407
Super D 43935 climbs through Beck Hole
BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE
Early April and the Roundhouse hosted an array of LNER power with 2 A4's 60007 and 60009, K1 62005, A1 60163 - Tornado, 04 63601, N2 69621 and on static display 60532 - Blue Peter, J17 8217, 526 - Butler Henderson.
62005 & 45110 in the roundhouse
A selection of clips shown here from the BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE 2009 DVD which is available now priced £15.00 (90 mins)
THE JACOBITE
In June we had a fantastic week in the Highlands with the K1 62005, the engine performed superbly and the weather was good.
K1 62005 - Lord of the Isles climbs up to Glenfinnan.
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