Bournemouth Belle - 05/07/17

My footage from Ashurst New Forest, Walworth and Winchfield. I hope you enjoy

 

My short video of 35028 at Brookwood last night (it also features 34052 on the move from the MHR to Southall):

 

Some great pictures and videos of what looks like a great first trip back out for 35028. Well done to all involved.

 

Yes a wonderful day out with so much thanks due to so many people, Nice to say hello to Wayne and to Mike who recognised my beer-pump tie

Certainly an atmospheric day!! waiter asked me if I wanted a clean plate, I said no chance!! really impressed by the Pullmans.



Clan Line was in wonderful form chasing catchup on the way down, touching 80 as we approached Winchester, disappointing we could not get to see her until the welcome leg-stretch at Basingstoke on the way back.



Sorry for the delay in passing compliment, crisis day at the vets when our wonderful Egyptian Mau had to be resuscitated (so did I when I got the bill)

 

On behalf of the MNLPS - and not forgetting UK Railtours, DBC, Network Rail, SWT, Belmond and all others involved - Can I say a big "thank you" for the complimentary comments that have been received on here, plus those that have come direct to MNLPS committee members. There were lots of 'plusses' from yesterday, together with a few things to be looked at. What is especially gratifying is the number of people who hadn't travelled on the Belmond British Pullman before, who were delighted with the experience. And it would be easy to say that we expected "Clan Line" to perform as she did, but it was still a remarkable display from a loco fresh off overhaul.
Would we go down the Bournemouth line again with the Pullmans? Yes probably, and being a commemorative "Bournemouth Belle" we had to go out of Waterloo, with pathing dictating where the water stop was, but as has just been pointed out the drawback was that passengers didn't get to see the loco until Basingstoke on the return. Particularly galling was the barrier that has been erected at Bournemouth blocking off platform 4. Certainly whatever future itineraries we do, allowing passengers the chance to get 'up close' to the loco wherever possible is a major factor in our thinking.
So to round things off, here's my 'take' of the train passing through the classic LSW main line location of Weybridge in the morning - and there was hardly anyone else there!

 

That was bad luck Bob. Oh well, you can't win 'em all! At least you saw it in the morning — which is more than I did!

 

What makes it even more galling is that (according to someone up thread) people who weren't on the train were allowed past the barrier in the evening to get a good look at Clan Line, when those of us travelling were either already on Platform 2(?) or hurrying there.

 

That is correct. In the morning I challenged the barrier being closed to be told it was "because of the risk of suicide" - I was treated like a 10 year old who didn't know anything about railways. When I challenged the idea of committing suicide in front of a stationary train there was no response. In the evening from platform 2 waiting to board I also challenged why the barrier on P3 was now open with trains running through platform 3 - unfortunately the question was beyond the understanding of the two SWT people I asked so I gave up. However it was really the only low moment of an otherwise superb day.

 

There was also a jobsworth on Platform 2 at Bournemouth. Two nice ladies calmly asking those who had taken their pics to move back for others and to stay behind the yellow line. All very nice, then as 35028 was pulling away with the ECS for Poole, a male version strode right into the assembled photters, shouting to keep back from the line, jostling them and spoiling any recordings. A touch of paranoia at Bournemouth it would seem.

I hope their will be more BB's, as intimated above, perhaps at a slightly cheaper fare so that I can travel as well.

 

Twas always thus - Southampton for the continent - Bournemouth for the in.............

 

Great pictures Chris and really good to meet you. Think you got the warm side on the way back!!

Mike

 

Agreed, Sir Don - it would be quite an achievement to get through these 5 days without anyone mentioning the dreaded word - which I am not going to do. I would be interested in your view of Clan Line's efforts on Wednesday to MP 31, Battledown and up through Porton? I don't know if anyone has published more detailed timings?

Mike

 

I saw the passengers waiting to board the return of the Bournemouth Belle at Bournemouth in the evening. A sea of beige.......

 

From what I have read the climb to Battledown was the best bit. I will try to calculate the edbh. Could do with more detail of the days performance for my column, via a PM

 

One reason why stations are best avoided

 

56mph over the top at Grately without pushing her, thinking of potential fire risk.
That's with around 550 tons behind her.

 

I've been involved in both her revenue trips since she returned home.
She still isn't fully run in yet, so we're not pushing her hard.
But, my golly she's in fine fettle.
She romped up Porton to Grately with the pulmans Wednesday.
And effortless away from Shalford Yesterday.
No more than 195 psi in the steam chest, 45% cut off, 36 mph.
Shalford to Chilworth was done with 170 psi in the steam chest.
Compared to 60009 the other week was 29mph.

 

We used to have a right old Hitler at Arlesey. Gave me loads of grief one day - "can't enter a station without a ticket" (Arlesey is an open station) so I asked for his name so I could report him to his superiors. He buggered off after that.

 

I think jobsworths are everywhere in their standard uniform of a high vis vest. I did an all night bus charter a couple of years ago and had the tripod set up on the seps of the Royal Exchange when the night security man came round and announced 'you can't take pictures here'. I think I upset him when I said 'yes I can look' and showed him the image on the back of the camera. He then want ed my name and address. No chance of that even a police officer needs a good reason to ask that