Bournemouth Belle - 05/07/17

I so wish I'd been on the train today! So glad to see Clan Line back, I remember her from the last days back in 1966/7 not to mention the Marylebone trains in the 80's, a Settle & Carlisle trip too. Well done to the MNLPS and everyone involved, so good to see the Bournemouth Belle recreated, I watched at Fleet on the return journey.....a brilliant spectacle, took me right back....Thank you!

 

I never did find out who were the crew on the outward leg of the trip today - does anyone know? And also thanks to Wayne's fireman on the return leg whose name I also didn't get - he did a fine job - particularly getting away from Basingstoke when the white feather was flying despite the engine being worked reasonably hard to get us past Hook in less than 7 minutes - again good work with 500 tons on her tail.

Thanks

Mike

 

I got a few shots of the up train at Fleet, albeit on the wrong side for the light. If I'd known that it was going to be on the fast line I'd have gone onto the other platform. Anyway, if anyone would like to see them, they're in this album on Flickr :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/albums/72157648490681413

Hope they're of interest.

 

How about a Deltic Ian?

 

Rob Binsted and Dave Proctor on the down journey. Paul Major was with me.
We swapped over at Basingstoke, Paul was driving, me firing. Gave him a breather as it was extremely hot in the cab. He knows the route up to Clapham so an easy fix for swapping over.
We swapped back places just before Wimbledon.
Checked through Woking, just. Running on double yellows.
Ahead of time slightly approaching Clapham, so no surprise to get checked again.
Stopped outside Waterloo briefly, but right time into Waterloo.
Loco running superbly, to work with so little problems off her overhaul is a credit to those who have worked on her over the last two years.
Nice to have her back.

 

Signal checks Nick.

 

The restriction was on the down fast platform (30mph), signal checks for us on the up fast.

 

Thank you Wayne, for the information, and for a fine run - see you on Sunday!

 

IMO they are honorary steam locos so stand head and shoulders over anything else in the "modern traction" department.

 

It would be an honour to have my picture featured in the MNLPS calendar. Where do I need to send it? And how big a file do they require?

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

The modern trains are better in some respects, notably air conditioning. It was hot on board yesterday.

 

There is nothing worse than being stuck at a station/passing loop etc in a BR Mk1 or similar with the sun beating through the windows, you can be sat there in a Tee shirt, shorts and flip flops and still see the sweat drop off the end of your nose!

 

5 different locations for 5th July - Clan Line hauling the Bournemouth Belle yesterday:

Pirbright Junction




Crossing the River Test between Redbridge and Totton




Redbridge Station (heading backwards towards Soton UGL)




Test Lane, Redbridge




Fleet Station

 

Were you standing next to me at Fleet yesterday?

RD15315. 35028 at Fleet. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

 

I remember coming home from Bournemouth on the 'Bournemouth Belle' one Sunday afternoon when I was about 14. I had afternoon tea with bone china crockery and the tea was served by the attendant from a silver teapot.

You don't get that on a 444!

 

Nope, I was further away - standing on middle landing of the steps at the far end of the upper deck of the car park - I hopefully have some video too (when I get it off my GoPro)

 

But I think you must have been near me at Test Lane - along with plenty of others!

What a marvellous day! I can add little to the comments already posted. How many other locomotives would make their public return to the main line in such style and perform so brilliantly? Well done to everyone concerned, with a special thank you to Wayne for the spectacle - both visual and audible - at Test Lane, which JS Rail videos has captured so well and which I shan't forget in a hurry.

 

Yes there were a few down at Test Lane (was a bit worried when I found the road closed) I hopefully have some video of it at Test Lane too

Agreed - about the great day and the work done by everyone involved - it was a wonderful piece of steam theatre that I am glad I took the day off to see (and chase, I even caught Lord Dowding's LE run so did some miles yesterday)

 

I spent the time in between the outward and return journeys at the Swanage Railway and although Clan Line was very much the star of the show for me as far as yesterday was concerned, it was also great to see the new Wareham services for the first time, not to mention Manston on the service trains. Considering there's a weekend of End of Southern Steam festivities coming up at the Mid Hants, the Bluebell and on the Main Line, we have been well and truly spoilt these last few months, especially when it comes to Bulleid power.

 

My results from a successful day yesterday. Locations are: Frimley Green, Beaulieu Road, Timbury, Worting Junction and in the failing light approaching Hook