Torbay Expresses 2017

My footage of 35028 Clan Line hauling her first ever Torbay Express. Filmed at Newton St Loe and Upton Noble. Enjoy.

 

46100 went over the top northbound at 60 last year, though I think that was load 11.

 

TAU to FRO 45m 09s. Speed held up well on the 5 miles at 1:264 or so thro Somerton Tunnel, falling from 70 to a high min of 68.

Through Bruton at 68 then opened up to reach 70 before falling to an impressive 60 mph at Brewham summit.

Now at Frome for pathing stop.

 

Frome pathing stop not needed as HST late...
FRO to WSB 12m 49s 48 max for the record.

Back to Whiteball - 60 sustained to mp 174 1/4 but may have slipped then shut off early anyway? Min 58 not 57.

Looking fwd to Brewham vids later.

 

Four clips of Clan Line today , one on either side of White Ball tunnel and for the return in mist and pouring rain one at Stoke Canon and finally Rewe.

 

Had company today but managed an outward and return shot. Outward at Bruton and return at Brewham Summit. Enjoy!

 

To round off, WSB to BTH a tedious 36m 27s, but used P1 (dn main) at Bath, so gauging issue resolved for Clan Line at least.

BTH to BRI 18m 00s with a full 75 max, nice way to finish.

 

Thank you

 

One from the return.

 

Tornado +12; 12th July 2015; PGN-TAU 64m 54s. Wet.

 

Sound recording from on train. Torre bank and Whiteball. V pleased with how Wball came out!

 

'Climbing to Churston'
35028 approaches the summit of the PDSR yesterday in dreadful conditions for photography. That said, she was in fine form (when isn't she??). I got a shot of 35028 at Burlescombe, and I don't think I've ever heard a MN's exhaust sound that good. The only thing I could liken it to was machine gun fire. Video to follow after her next run...



James

 

A pleasure to be on the first Torbay Express featuring Clan Line. @Sean Emmett has given timing details as they happened.

We left Bristol in eager anticipation. Clan Line was given her head early on between Bristol and Bath Spa hitting the 75mph limit much to the joy of the on board train announcer. Westbury to Taunton proved as exhilarating and I's sure we touched 78 at one stage. Arrival was into Taunton early giving plenty of time to photograph the splendid loco with a very accommodating crew. Again, the 70's were constant between Taunton and Exeter and although we were only due to pass we made an emergency stop to render assistance to a passenger in the next coach who ben taken quite ill. The emergency services were on hand very quickly and we were off again #30 minutes late. We burst out of Whiteball Tunnel and again ran in the 70s for some time. Running along the sea wall was a delight but the rain decided to come in a tad earlier than thought. Quick change at Paignton and we were off to Kingwear for Dartmouth and the drizzle.

Time for a wonderful lunch in the Rockfish - todays catch being the speciality. Caught a sighting of Kinsgwear Castle steaming in the river and made a note that next time we must have a trip.

On returning to the train it was good to hear that the lady taken ill had made something of a recovery and things looked positive. Some confusion followed when it was announced on board that instead of the earlier than planned departure at 16.45, we would be leaving sometime after the 17.00 Paignton service had departed due an an issue with the Fire on Clan Line. Within minutes Clan Line was attached to the front and announcements were made that we would be leaving on schedule. Que panic for those who had left the train! Away we went only three minutes late.

Again some spirited driving the 70s, occasionally needed a check as Clan Line showed her class. Lost time gained by Taunton. A little sedentary after the Frome loop primarily due to a slow running Cardiff service. However once we cleared Bath Spa, we again hit the 70s ending the tour with a real flourish. Throughout we were treated to a virtuoso performance on the whistle!

The MNLPS volunteers are really committed to the loco. One was really miffed that the over hanging foliage has left marks on the Tender.

Clan Line is a fine beast so thank you Messrs Bulleid and Jarvis. But all credit to the Society for maintaining this fine locomotive for others to enjoy.

TBE, DB and NR are to be congratulated for delivering an excellent day of thrilling high speed pure steam that was appreciated by everyone. All parties must have worked hard to minimise the impact of our unfortunate delay at Exeter. It just shows how problems can be successfully managed with the will and expertise.

 

My footage of yesterday's rather fantastic run, Clan Line being on the mark every single time! Filmed at Claverton, Whiteball, Goodrington Sands/Saltern Cove, Noss Marina and Burlescombe. I hope you enjoy

 

Thanks for that, and to Shireman for putting things in perspective. 60163's last run in 2016 was also a tad quicker. But 35028 fastest in parts and after Taunton IIRC not had 60 at Brewham eastbound before.

Ossie Nock eulogised a run with "Taunton Castle" with a heavy train up Brewham:
"Then came the main climb..nearly 7 miles of really tough going over the eastern flanks of the Mendips..the gradient averages 1:140 for 5 1/2 miles...we began at 60mph yet we were within a quarter mile of the summit before speed had fallen below 40"
Quite what he would have made of Clan Line topping it at 60 with a similar load is open to conjecture..

 

Interesting to compare this with logs which Sean has previously contributed to this forum covering two Tornado performances over this same section in 2016 - the 2nd April Devon Belle and the 11th September Torbay Express.

With Load 13, the former achieved a virtually identical overall time - 44 minutes 57 seconds - speed falling from 73 to 68 over the five miles through Somerton Tunnel but significantly slower than Clan Line's run from Bruton (64 vs 68) up to Brewham Summit (53 vs 60).

With Load 12, the start-to-stop time for Tornado's Torbay Express run was faster than Clan Line - at 44m. 01s. - but slower on the 5 mile climb though Somerton Tunnel (67 falling to 63) and slower from Bruton (63) to Brewham Summit (52) although this latter performance was very similar to the Devon Belle run.

Looks like honours pretty much even from this snippet, but I'm sure that the opportunity to draw comparisons between these two magnificent machines won't go begging on future outings now that Clan Line seems to be enjoying a bit more freedom to roam following her recent overhaul.

 

My footage from yesterday's trip, captured at Powderham and Langstone Rock in less than desirable conditions!

Hope you enjoy!

 

Indeed. Would be interested to see what Clan Line can do on a dry rail. Way back I did a Past Time trip from EXD to PAD with load 12 which topped Whiteball at 60 and ran down to Taunton rather quickly.

IIRC that was on a dank drizzzly December afternoon with a photo stop at Castle Cary after 4pm.. Great for moody shots.

But on the restart Brewham was topped at 52-53 mph with sound effects to match.

I do like this engine. After enjoying its runs from Salisbury to Yeovil in 1986 I was persuaded to book a 'South Yorkshireman' from Marylebone to Sheffield and return, with 35028 which produced an ear splitting climb of Hatton Bank

 

With Tornado now licensed to run at 90mph, what is stopping Clan Line and others achieving the same? 35028 was certainly held back in places yesterday when it was clearly within her range.