45212 to Swanage: 5/10/17

Couldn't see a thread for this trip.

Popped out to see 45212 this morning with The Cathedrals Express to Swanage via the Portsmouth main line. Seen here climbing the bank just south Milford a little over 5 minutes down, with a 33 on the back which sounded like it was giving some assistance (I'm sure anyone on the train can confirm just how much pushing it's doing).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/37479280222/

 

27 down at Haselmere, Most time made up at Southampton, left 6 late. Now early at Beaulieu Road. Egg Timer timings. 1hr 24 mins for the 48 miles between Haselmere and Southampton Central. How exciting.

 

Not pushing at Netley and the 5 working quite hard

 

She was working hard on the climb up to Buriton Tunnel, although only rolled up the climb to Beaulieu Road as she was stopping for water. A small amount of wheel slip as she left Beaulieu Road (which was quickly controlled by the crew) - some shots near Buriton and at Beaulieu Road

 

Encouragingly, the steam, although running a few minutes late, was allowed to proceed in front of the stopper at Haslemere despite both being ready to go at 2115.

 

Coasted through Carshalton at 22:32. Completely bowled out on the opposite platform by the on time(!) Southern service to Dorking. Quite a few people out for it surprisingly, think a few of them had come from the Fullers pub next to the station which at least had a proper Southern loco on the sign in the shape of a Schools...

 

So you came to that conclusion having witnessed it in one location and that’s it, it’s not a proper steam trip. Sorry but having been with it all day, the noise coming out the chimney has been something else, with the loco well and truly doing itself proud.

 

Yes it was certainly doing all the work in the morning when I saw it. Could be down to the crews

 

I didn’t get much in the end but from what I did get at least the 5 was sounding in top form!

 

I saw her twice on the outbound run - at Lymington Junction and at Town End bridge on the climb out of Corfe Castle. All I can say is that, at the former location, I've never heard a Black Five sounding so good. The noise was just amazing. Likewise, the 1 in 78 out of Corfe with 10 on and an idling Crompton was attacked in good style with plenty of noise. Add to this the very decent weather conditions and I think you can say 45212 has had a pretty decent début down South and I look forward to more from her. She is a real tribute to the quality of Ian Riley's workmanship.

 

Some great images. Pity no one thought about putting express headlamps of the loco. It really is the finishing touch and most locomotives do sport them (or route disks in the case of Clan Line).

 

A bit of video from Horsley, yesterday morning. Had a last-minute scramble to get any view but the sound was magnificent.

 

It’s not that it wasn’t thought about, there just weren’t any. Currently 3 black fives and two sets of lamps, others away for repair. Hopefully next time

 

Ah but that clear and logical reason won't matter, maybe Hatherton will pop his hand in his pocket to purchase another set of lamps to complete that "finishing touch". Can we have them by December when I plan to be on duty so we can be at 100%?

 

my shot at effingham junction




https://www.flickr.com/photos/jumbojet1/37521071221/in/datetaken/lightbox/

dave

 

Here's my offerings from two different locations on the Portsmouth Direct Line. First the outward is seen at Chalton, and then at Rowlands Castle in the evening. The latter a rather brilliant spectacle, you could hear her tackling the climb to Buriton for a good 5 or so minutes after she passed! Seemed to be going very well, with a small amount of assistance from the 33.

Enjoy!