35005 Canadian Pacific

As soon as I get my Mid Hants News, there will be some cash on the way...I'm working all day tomorrow or I'd drop some in to the office.

 

We got the note today saying our distribution is ready to be picked up.

 

Duplicated Post Deleted

 

Mine arrived this morning, traditionally it arrives a couple of weeks after everyone else's happy days

 

A nice photo by Carl Watson has popped up today, showing the latest progress on the beast.

 

I would love to think "the beast" may once again be at the front of a steam hauled railtour on Network Rail. Some of my best remembered railtours featured 35005, most notably, VT's Birmingham Snow Hill to Paignton and return in September 2000. For much of that tour the average rail traveller would never have guessed the train was steam hauled. Such tours were still a bit of a novelty at that time so will always be remembered as something special,

 

I don't think there are any plans for 35005 to return to the big railway. I too have fond memories of 35005 on the main line. The return from Salisbury on its first main line tour wih SD was quite something. I have no idea how fast we were going between Basingstoke and Woking, but we weren't hanging around!
However, even if 35005 never graces the main line again, we should have 35018 to look forward to later this year , with 35027, 35009 and 35022 all to follow one of these days, or years.

 

We will have 18 and 28 on the mainline over the next couple of years so if you want something different you will have to pop down to the MHR and ride behind the beast in some lovely Bullied coaches.

 

Or in charge of the RAT perhaps

 

Now that is a very good idea!

 

Yes, 28 is still my favourite main line loco of all time, but 05 had something special about it, as did 27 and 92 during their main line careers IMO.

Your mention of 35027 made me think. Anybody any idea when she is likely to steam into Waterloo again ?

 

Shame theres no Tavern Car there though the ultimate in comfort though!

 

Not had the pleasure of it for some time. This could be the year !

 

For me chuffing along the MHR although very pleasant is nothing like as enjoyable as a mainline run.

 

I got to admit I prefer heritage line running over mainline trips. I love the more leisurely pace, wooden coaches (especially the Isle of Wights 4 wheel coaches), exploring loco sheds and seeing all the sleeping giants. I am looking at doing the Shakespeare Express this year so maybe that will change my mind.

 

But you are too young to have wandered round 34A, 34B, 1A, 1B, 70A, 70B, 81A, and 81C when they were full of wide awake giants. Or to have hurtled down to Southampton and back on a couple of platform tickets.

 

No doubt you could be similarly teased about Victorian and Edwardian treats on which you missed out. Even so, can't help feeling distinctly jealous,

 

That really was a golden era for our hobby. I have heard stories of T9s and Terriers based at my local station (Fratton) and every day all I see is 444s and 450s wish I could have seen what you guys saw in your younger days.

 

Can still hear the ring of the rods on T9 s going down the bank from Eastleigh to Romsey from my younger days .......

 

And don t forget 14A and 14B on the day trip around the London sheds .......glad to have been part of that era ....wow memories