35028 Clan Line

I don’t think there is much doubt that Clan Line is the most immaculately presented loco running anywhere on the mainline today; and my hunch would be that if you did the stats, probably one of the most reliable. That is alll the more remarkable when you consider the combination of load, gradient and crowded network means that its regular duties are amongst the most challenging mainline steam to operate.

I’ve been lucky enough on a few occasions to see the care and attention that the support crew put into presenting the loco, and it is nothing short of astonishing.

Tom

 

Tom, thank you for your very kind and very considered post, which I will make sure is repeated back to the right people in the society.

 

It was a good job although I don’t think it was as challenging as turning it around in a day to work the Great Britain. The reason is down to the motivation of the active members and that becomes infectious. There were 19 people at the Lane on Thursday including the support crew with some travelling a considerable distance to be there.
I don’t get offended by any comments about the engine on here and I don’t think many of the volunteers would, they know that the engine is never turned out in anything but top mechanical and visual condition.

 

Whilst I can’t agree with this (Infact my preference would be full Arrow kit every time)…….

I can agree with this…..

I don’t particularly think it would have been overly hard to use the correct BR numbers for the job, and infact at least 3 of the MNLPS guys I know could have had easy access to them if they’d asked various people they are connected to, and they would happily have been provided them.

However, hats off to the 35028 guys for turning the engine out in stunning condition as always, and ensuring VE Day was marked on this trip round the circuit. Certainly something I felt several railways have missed a trick of marking this week.

 

Is that second quote responding to the first one or something else?
I had assumed that the first one was referring to the discs with "VE" and "80" slightly off-centre. That is a very small detail, to be sure, but still it seems unfortunate when Clan Line is otherwise so superbly turned out.

 

Actually, this reader of the thread doesn’t know that. And if we’re getting into commemorations, this grump middle aged git has a low tolerance for “x event yth anniversary is a once in a lifetime event”, having noted through observation since D Day 40 that major anniversaries come round every 5-10 years. For this one in particular, he will also observe that VE Day is over represented and that VJ Day is the one that matters as the end of WWII. Finally, he has a low tolerance for this kind of event and is much more moved by major events like those at Westminster Abbey.

None of this detracts from my respect for those who served at the time; like many here there are family names engraved on memorials around the country whom I would have liked the chance to know.

These are matters of taste, and I freely accept that views will vary - and none of this is to detract from the superb job the MNLPS do to look after Clan Line.

 

Thank you.

All I did was post a personal opinion, the last time I looked that was still allowed.
Clan Line is a great machine, always immaculately turned out, and a credit to all who look after it.

Oh, and when I feel the need I shall continue to post my personal opinions and if that doesn't meet with the approval of some members.............well that's 'unfortunate'.

 

There is indeed one member of this forum whose father was in the "Forgotten Fourteenth" and so VJ Day is more significant to him.

If I never hear the re-recorded We'll Meet Again it won't be too soon either... (for those unaware, the original version is just Vera Lynn accompanied by a Hammond 'Novachord'. It has a very different air to it.)

 

If you see the wonky duty numbers on head signal discs 'back in the day' I would say that they were fully in keeping.
Pat

 

I would add that if it were me that were tasked with sign-writing the SR route indicates discs, I'd have struggled to find examples from the past where the numbers were ever neatly placed in the centre of the disc. Just saying.
In my humble opinion, 35028 is the engine that all others should aspire to in terms of condition when turned out for the mainline!

 

Whilst I agree rarely were they straight, they were seldom painted on unless done by a signwriter for a specific job. Normally they were the paper ones, washed on, which easily came off. I have used said paper ones on a number of occasions.

 

Ralph, I would suggest you retract your last comment, publicly.

@Big Al perhaps you could have a word with your colleague and remind him of the forum rules.

I would like to make it clear that there are no “hangers on” at the MNLPS, and I think the assertion made by Ralph (who I note works for WCR in a volunteer capacity) could have professional consequences.

I note once again with exasperation that it is the same two individuals, time and again, responsible for the vast majority of the bad blood and poor behaviour on this forum.

Truly, could we have a moment where groups and individuals could celebrate their successes without the resounding negativity and antagonism they both bring?

 

Personally I think much of this has got out of hand. It’s clear that no harm was intended from anyone who said they didn’t like elements of the VE Day stuff the other day. A few on here took it far to serious, and saw it as criticism which it wasn’t, it was merely an opinion that we are all entitled to. A good loco group recognises and accepts views from the many not the few, but the way some have reacted is OTT and doesn’t accept those differing views.

 

100% agree, now is the time to draw a line under the whole pointless discussion

 

I wouldn’t call it pointless John. Saying people’s opinions are pointless rather defeats the point of a discussion based forum like this one.
As I say out of hand it has got, but pointless it’s not. A good group never calls a debate of this nature pointless. It accepts both the positive and negative comments and works on how it can act to please a wider audience going forward.

 

I think the video in post#555 is superb. The loco crew are obviously on top of their job, the finish of the locomotive and coaches is stunning - a real tribute to those who have done the work and a commemoration befitting VE day - and all that that means to so many people.