Clan Line Belmond British Pullman Saturday March 21

Congratulations to Jim Clarke who "passed out" as a qualified steam engine driver after the outward leg of today's Surrey Hills trip following, of course, in the footsteps of his father Don who was there today.

Four pics of the return into Victoria, including a wave from Jim and a blast on the whistle. Left arrow from the first photo takes you to the rest:

Clan Line Grosvenor Bank March 21

 

Also got BBC web coverage which also gives MNLPS a mention.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-32000416

 

Bravo!!!

 

Here is my shot at Woking today and what a splendid site she made. No diesel either which was a bonus. Congratulation to Jim for passing out for mainline steam driving today at the age of 33. He was on the regulator in this shot.

 

Very nice, but could you possibly drag yourself away from the South and get up to Cumbria asap where your lineside fire risk testing skills are very urgently required.

Thank you.

PS. A nice touch to add the section at the start about Jim Clarke.

 

It even made the 9pm news on Radio 2 this evening.

 

not needed - its always raining up there.

 

I hope that some of the members of the Clan Line Support Team read this forum: as I want to express my extreme thanks to them for their kind offer in letting me, my son and daughter onto the footplate prior to the departure from Victoria this lunchtime. The picture I've got of my son in the drivers seat will long be a cherished memory, he's been talking about it all day!
I was thinking of making a donation but think that I'll sign up for a family membership for a year instead.
Fingers crossed that nothing too unexpected is found when she is overhauled shortly and she can be back quickly where she belongs on the main line.
Thanks again guys.

 

I remember my old primary school teacher, Mrs Clarke telling me once about 35028 coming through Haywards Heath in I think 1998 on a VSOE (when I was about 7) and her husband was driving it. That article seems to confirm that she was/is married to Don. Good to see her son is now a driver as well and that he's from my hometown. She was one of my favourite teachers.

One pity was I was in London today but missed it by about 2 hours.

 

It was amazing to see so many people anxiously reaching for their i-phones to capture 35028 at Woking when they saw it approaching. At the end of the shot, you can see a mother and small child. I told them that there was a steam train just a couple of minutes away. To see the joy on both of their faces made my day. Wonderful.

 

The short Press Association news video issued along with their 13 still pics and written report:

 

Great little piece, but which is more technically correct , "steam train" or "steam engine" Driver, or are both equally correct ?

 

Yes, the PA reports ideally should have more correctly referred to Jim as driving Clan Line, rather than the "train". But I'm not sure a general audience would notice and it's got fairly widespread coverage with more appearing all the time - as I've outlined in the info with this audio of that BBC Radio Two news report:

BBC Radio Two News Clip

 

A steam engine could be a traction engine, a road roller, a lorry, a water pump. A "steam train driver" is unambiguous, and every little boy wanted to be a "train driver" didn't they?

 

Agreed. The initial mention should be of a "steam train driver" but ideally the next reference should have been "driving steam engine Clan Line and the Belmond British Pullman…"

But, as already stated, I don't think it matters that much for a general audience. And PA took some great pics of Jim, Clan Line and Jim with Don, which is what most people will look at

 

Very well done to Jim. I popped out to Buckland (on the north side as it was cloudy) and got a couple of shots.

https://flic.kr/p/rHPEnH

 

Just think, he will get to do Tornado in a few months.

 

Every sliver lining has a cloud.