Clan Line and the Pullmans 13/09/17

Filmed at Chartham and Dover:

 

35028 slips through Chelsfield with the outward leg... quite literally, there was a wheelslip just as she entered the station, throwing out a volcanic amount of black smoke in the process!



James

 

Four shots from yesterday's run

 

Thanks for posting the videos and pictures, everyone. I decided to give my wife and myself a treat and we were travelling on this one. I'm afraid I'm no master of the finer arts of train timing so no detailed log to follow.

It was a fantastic day - Clan Line on top form, great food, marvellous rolling stock and a destination that never disappoints.

Performance-wise, one of the highlights for me was Ashford-Paddock Wood which, relying on my wristwatch, I reckon was knocked off in 20 minutes - pretty good for 22 miles. Not quite sure why we were routed through the platform at Paddock Wood, still, speed recovered after this and we had a good climb up Hildenborough Bank.

Martin Mill Bank was interesting. The weather had deteriorated and I wonder if the rails were a bit wet. As far as just past Walmer, Clan Line hardly seemed to notice that it was hauling 13 coaches up a gradient steeper than Gomshall Bank. After Coldblow crossing, however, the pace was a bit slower and I think I heard a couple of slips. (Maybe Wayne can confirm if he was indeed driving at this point) Still, never any doubt we would get to Guston Tunnel - indeed after Martin Mill station, speed picked up although I think the gradient eases at this point.

For some reason we were held at Orpington for several minutes and then were routed through Penge even though the brochure and UK steam stated that we would be going via the Catford Loop in both directions. This did, however, make a total of 12 different tunnels between Martin Mill and Victoria if anyone is interested in quirky statistics!

I fail to see why Kent (and Canterbury in particular) is so rarely visited by main line steam these days. Admittedly, there are limitations on what can run. Clearances are tight, so no Duchesses, Scots, A4s or any GWR 4-6-0s. However, pathing is much easier than in many other parts of the UK as everything that goes really fast in Kent runs on HS1, yet at the same time a great deal of money was spent on upgrading the lines in the 1990s to accommodate the Eurostars and the anticipated extra freight workings thought the Channel Tunnel. There is plenty of scope for 75mph running yet all he main routes have some decent climbs thrown in. There are also several possible routes which essentially are circular, so turning the loco is not an issue. Clan Line proved yesterday that a challenging schedule can be adhered to with a heavy load and no diesel on the rear (I'm not sure what happened to the 67 which brought the ECS in from Stewarts Lane. I was expecting us to stop outside the depot soon after leaving Victoria. We didn't do so, yet there was no 67 on the back after a few miles as the videos will prove. Maybe someone can enlighten me?)

Shame about not going back via Penshurst and Redhill as this would have been new mileage for me in the preservation era (although it's one of few lines on which I definitely travelled behind steam as a small child) but in no way did this spoil a marvellous day out. A big thank you to UKRT, the staff who served us so well on the Pullman Train, the 35028 support team and the loco crews. You did a great job.

 

I think typical operation sees the diesel uncoupled at Vic, and it then banks the train out of the platform and then drops off (not sure where).

 

There are special working instructions at Victoria ASC to cover assisting locos on departures from Victoria Eastern. The assisting loco is not attached to steam specials departing from Victoria and only assists to the top of the bank, which is the Victoria end of Grosvenor Bridge. The assisting loco follows the charter to Grosvenor Bridge Jn (Signal VS35) where it waits for a couple of minutes while the route is set down to Stewarts Lane.

I agree there is probably capacity across Kent for more railtours, but with the agreement of Freight Operators to make use of the many unused "Q" Channel Tunnel paths.

A quick look at RTT doesn't give any clue why you were diverted via Kent House. Both the South Eastern (Orpington) and Chatham (via Swanley) seemed to be running reasonably well.

Cheers, Neil

 

Jim Clarke and Dave Proctor with Geoff Ewans as TI in the morning.
Tim Stedman and Bob Hart with me from Canterbury.

 

Because (maybe) we were a bit late, the Signaller asked us if we would like to go that way.
Quick check to see if we were cleared for the route (restriction wise) and we said yes.

 

Just started to rain as we backed the train into Canterbury, and it was a bit of a struggle to keep traction all the way to Minster.
Luckily we ran out of the rain at Deal so the bottom of the climb to Martin Mill was straight forward. But a light rain shower around the third quarter of the climb gave me problems, so eased off quite a bit. 15 mph over the top.

 

A couple of shots of mine from yesterday. On the outward run approaching Chelsfield and the return at Headcorn in the late evening sun. A MN with the Golden Arrow Regalia, a set of Pullmans on the train's original route, I think this is as good as it gets with mainline steam

 

The evening shot is gorgeous John - thank you and also thanks as always to Wayne for the inside information.

Mike

 

Here are my offerings from yesterday, a brilliant day despite the weather! Locations included are Marden, Headcorn, Coldblow Crossing (near Walmer) and Folkestone Warren.

Enjoy!

 

My footage from yesterday, captured at Chelsfield, Chartham (x2), Martin Mill bank and Folkestone Warren.

James

 

Thanks, for once the sun gods were good to me, the clouds only cleared at Chelsfield as the train approached and it was raining at Headcorn when I arrived

 

Thanks Neil. I didn't realise that "traditional" banking was still permitted with steam specials. You learn something new every day!

Thank you too, Wayne for the explanation of why we went via Kent House. I'm very grateful that you took taking up the option. We had a very tight connection at Victoria for our train home which we only made by the skin of our teeth, otherwise I would have said hello at Victoria. I couldn't do so at Dover Priory as we were being served the main course of our marvellous dinner while you were taking on water!

I guessed slippery rails were the issue. Still, a terrific performance. Thank you again. I'd love to know what the top speed was. 35028 was going like a rocket until you had to slow for the platform at Paddock Wood.

Rather ironically, while on the train I did speculate where I might have gone to take a photo had I not been on the train. Every shot from my provisional list would have been in the cloud. Definitely a good day to have been travelling rather than photographing but I've enjoyed the photos others have posted and glad that some excellent pictures and videos were taken.

 

Looks like a pretty good day all round - I'm jealous stuck in Portugal on an otherwise lovely holiday

Last question for Wayne - given the comments/concerns in July about being only just run in - is she better now?

You can imagine how the footplate crews in the late 40s and early 50s must have felt getting on an unrebuilt and discovering just how much sheer power they have/had, compared to the Nelsons and Arthurs.

Best wishes,

Mike

 

I only flew back from holiday on Tuesday but got up early for this one. If you are in the Algarve and need a steam fix there are three engines stored in the old locoshed in Lagos!

 

Not only is the loco limited to 75 mph, so are the pullmans.
So definitely not over the top. Got the train up to 75 then just had her cruising along.

 

John, is the top photo the long cutting at Postern?
Roger.