British Pullman with 35028 - 11/08/17

Here's my humble offerings of 35028 storming Gomshall Bank, cresting the summit at Shere Heath bridge with the 'British Pullman' this afternoon. With load 12 on the drawbar, she was certainly going well!

Hope you enjoy!

 

I have never seen anything tackle the climb at that pace! It may have been a slightly lighter load than usual, but a phenomenal ascent nonetheless!

 

My efforts from Frenches Road footbridge, Redhill:

 

Probably helped a bit by being a couple of minutes late departing from Shalford but still being a minute or so early at Redhill. It was certainly the fastest that '28 has passed that site since coming back after overhaul. I guess we can say she is run in now!

 

I thought Bulleid pacifics were supposed to have a quiet exhaust! This sounds magical.

 

Brilliant video. That is a stunning effort from 35028 and her crew. Of all the videos I have seen at this location nothing else has been going that well. What a wonderful sound from 35028.
The video also reminded me that I had to book up a couple of seats on the UK Railtours 18th November circular excursion.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

The regular driver is Wayne, if he was at the regulator today it would be interesting to hear his comments

 

Go to Walmer or Martin Mill on 13th September. She will be even louder there! (Gradient 1 in 74 or 75 I believe as opposed to 1 in 96 up to Gomshall) When I took the attached photo in 1995, you could hear the sound for a long time before she came into view

 

I think she had a fourth cylinder fitted Al

 

Wasn't it 2 extra cylinders? A booster on the tender. She's now a 4-6-2-6 ;-)

 

Get her up north or at least north of Watford, she is wasted down here on the regular runs ! Not counting the Southern Steam celebrations !

 

@Johnb , Wayne is one of the regular drivers!

 

An historic defect was discovered in the middle cylinder during the recent overhaul, which was put right. The centre big end has also been re-aligned and some other re-alignment work carried out, so she seems to be delivering the hoped-for improved performance stemming from this work...

 

Not forgetting the west country. Hemerdon and Dainton anyone?. <BJ>

 

Yes, north or south west will do !

 

I meant to post this info over 2 weeks ago, but other things intervened (and of course there's been another sparkling performance by 'Clan Line' on the Torbay Express since then). But for those who are interested, on the 11th August Surrey Hills trip it was 42mph at the top of the first part of the climb of Gomshall Bank with cutoff at 43 %, followed by 51mph at top of second climb with no more than 38%.
By the way, there was much criticism initially when the fares for the Bournemouth Belle were announced, yet the train ran full and compared to other advertised Pullman trips it offered very good value. The next operation of 'Clan Line' + the British Pullman is on 13th Sept, and this offers exceptional value in comparison to anything similar being advertised, especially when combined with the very rare offer of 15% discount being advertised by UK Railtours through their newsletter on September operations (http://mailchi.mp/ukrailtours/newsletter-no236-247045?e=2e718a2334). The offer also applies to the 'ACE' on 23rd Sept, and expires on 31st August so be quick - it's not going to happen again, and seats are selling rapidly.

 

So it's not returning the Belmond from Bristol on the 6th as unofficially advertised on steaminfo ?

 

I didn't read the above post correctly. I just saw 'The next operation of 'Clan Line' + the British Pullman is on 13th Sept' Indeed value for money and comfort.