35028 - The Wessex Express 18/11/17

Just so and a non stop run from joining the SWML at Redbridge right through to Worting is not to be sneezed at. The path is a good one as we are tucked behind the Newcastle Cross Country service that calls at Winchester. Southampton to Worting in 39 minutes is a sensible 'ask' that could be improved on but anything too quick might trip us up.

 

At least it will allow the Cross Country ahead of you to get away so you should get a clear run up to Roundwood.

 

That shot at Grateley captures the issue of the day and the reason why WCRC may be very wise in using an 8F on their Santa Specials rather than a Jubilee. "Railhead conditions".

Clan Line had 13 full coaches to lug around today and that included the Riviera Generator Car. Great for clear vision through the windows but pushing the load up to around 510 tons gross. Starting out of Woking it was slippery up to MP 31 although Clan Line was not allowed to slip and the crew did a masterful job of keeping her on the edge of adhesion. So 33 over the top after a speed restriction down to 29 at Brookwood. Similar problems after Basingstoke up to Oakley but then the customary flash downhill to the water stop at Grateley. The start out of Grateley was pretty good with that load - 30 over the top and then speedy down to the turnoff at Laverstock where the weather became dry.

We were then treated to a feisty climb up to Alderbury Junction, (min of 40) and a very quick run to Romsey by which time we were early and had to sit outside of Soton for the Cross Country service to set off for Newcastle ahead of us. Unfortunately NR decided to slip a freight between the Newcastle service and us so we were checked twice up the bank to Roundwood, once as it cleared Shawford ahead of us and then again as it was slowed down to enter Wallers Ash Loop. Given the railhead conditions it would have been more charitable to have allowed Wayne Thompson to tackle the climb without that hindrance. I reckon that the section he drove from Woking around to Basingstoke was intensely challenging although few passengers would have been aware of the skills being deployed up front, not to mention Jim Clarke on the shovel keeping her just under the boil all of the time.

But we knew today was about a steam ride with a meal for most folk, so it was no surprise that Clan Line seemed a little subdued, especially given the conditions. But then Rob Binsted took over at Basingstoke. There is a rumour that today may have been his last footplate run with Clan Line. Anyway, we took off up the slow line like a rocket. (Those who were on the Sunset will remember his exit from Woking towards West Byfleet). I estimate that we were inside even time from the start by Farnborough. That's after 14.5 miles and with a considerable load. Of course it all fell apart after that once we caught up the stopper.

I have to say, that having de-trained at Woking, if that burst along the racing stretch was the last steam run I will have with Rob then I'll happily bank that alongside the last steam run I had with his father when he took Clan Line over Savernake at seventy eight with the pullmans. Seems like a family with steam (well Clan Line, for certain) in the blood.

 

A service from Weymouth should have preceded us up the main but it was late and so we were put SL to let it pass.