Belmond British Pullman 13th May

It's amazing to think she will be a kit of parts in three months time. Some restored loco's out on their first trips do not look as good as Clan Line does here after ten years work!

 

Been waiting to use this spot for nearly a year now.....

 

On time at Wokingham tonight. I have never seen so many people out to see a steam special here. Having faced the possibility of an almost total steam ban on the mainline, perhaps it was folk showing their love for steam and a reflection of what might have been. By the way, NO DIESEL ON THE BACK!!

 

35028 approaching Bath Spa a bit earlier...



James

 

This is my offering from Wokingham tonight. Love to see (and hear) the kids getting all excited. THAT'S STEAM FOR YOU. MAGIC!

 

The Return leg - Midgham. Filmed at a now blocked and disused crossing, doubtful if this view will be available again this time next year.

 

Filmed at Avoncliff and Theale:

 

Some nice footage there, particularly the panning shot to finish with.

 

My footage from Kintbury and Avoncliff.

 

Pullman by Nigel Pitt, on Flickr

Near Crofton. Despite the almost clear blue skies, a thin bit of wispy cloud covered the sun briefly as the train appeared.

 

In all the videos of its British Pullman duties, 35028 always seems to make it look so easy, like it's barely working with 13 coaches behind the tender.

 

Very powerful locos in the right hands and never, ever tested by the 1960s SR schedules. It took late running and /or those magnificent crews who ignored schedules to show what they could do. The up Belle with 35012 being one of the best runs, Gordon Hooper, (still with us), and 76 mph over Roundwood on the heavy train., (brother Don timed that). And, on lightweight trains, the incredible ease with which 35003 on the Monday ran up to 106 mph that wonderful Burridge week in June 1967. With me standing right behind Fred on the footplate. I still wonder what speed she would have reached if he had opened her out just a little bit. So little fuss on the footplate, she could have been drifting along at 60 mph. Only the speedo and twenty or so stopwatches in the front coach told the truth! My footplate log published in Steam Railway a few years back.

Back to 35028 and the consistently heavy load she takes these days. The obvious great performances with those loads are a tribute not just to the loco but to the crews who seem to handle her so well and to the way the MNLPS turn her out: Wayne as already touched on that earlier here.

I still yearn to see her at the front of an 11 car train at Waterloo again with a clear path to Salisbury and an 11.00 departure and a relaxed view of an 85 mph speed limit! Been there, done that with 35028. Fred Hoare at the controls and I think Pete Allen on the shovel. No fuss anywhere, usual gentle start from Fred, no significant excesses over speed limits, he just let her run. 77 mins 32 secs with a long and severe 20 mph tsr just over the top of Grateley and a short signal stop outside Salisbury. Made a mockery of the 80 minute schedule. Just over 90 mph through Andover. Thinking back to the numerous runs I timed behind Fred I don't recall any where there was more than a gentle purring noise from the front. Top of the top link of Salisbury drivers IMHO. Superb engineman and a true gentleman too.

Should such a run ever be possible again with 35028, (highly unlikely of course), there is a certain driver who posts here who I would love to see at the controls!

 

Here's my footage of Clan Line's last VSOE trip to Bristol before her overhaul, filmed at Pixash Lane and Keynsham Station.

Hope you enjoy.