35028 - The King Alfred 10/02/18

Was a cracking day, and if the MNLPS and UKRT can offer more of the same we’ll be back for more. We certainly appreciate the shorter day, and I bet the MNLPS guys do too!

The run down from Worting Jn to Shawford definitely felt pacy, while the climb to Buriton felt sure footed but steady for us in B.

Hopefully Wayne can come on and share his thoughts on the day, he certainly knows how to make her sing!

 

Platform 9 worked brilliantly for us yesterday, and the Southern barrier staff couldn't have been more smiley and obliging.

Photos and writeup of the memorable day will follow soon.

Peter on a February morning in Manchester with the SUN streaming through the windows
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

Clan Line made, as always, a magnificent sight at Haslemere, but I was struck how shabby the Riviera mark 1's are becoming (externally anyway) with rust patches evident. BR found out in the 1950's that blood and custard fades and weathers badly, and this set now seriously needs a makeover. Presumably UKR have plenty of clout with Riviera so I wonder if it will happen.

It used to be WCRC who had shabby coaches, but the SD set and the one used on the CME's ex-London look sparkling compared to the set used yesterday.

 

We once arrived with a railtour in P2 and the SE gateline staff (who I think they have been in the midst of a dispute over something) refused to let the passengers out of the barriers as "they should have a ticket that opens them". When we suggested 300 angry people blocking their gateline may not be what they wanted they relented.

 

Not my video, unfortunately ! The raising of the Hairs moment !

 

Merchant of the South Downs 10 February 2018

The latest circular tour of the South Western Division by Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific No 35028 Clan Line featured a climb through the western end of the South Downs National Park, along the old Portsmouth Direct route.
Departure from Victoria was followed by the usual trundle along suburban lines south of the Thames round to Byfleet, but Clan Line gave us a taste of what was to come with a burst to 64 mph through Ashford Middlesex.

Once on the South Western main line, the pace remained pedestrian until Woking but by Brookwood we were up to 50, then 67 through Farnborough and into the early 70s before having to slow to 30 through the platform at Winchfield. 56 through Hook was followed by 67 before slowing, then crawling, through Basingstoke. We then worked gradually up to 37 at Worting Junction, then Clan Line was given her head, reaching 58 at Steventon, 65 at Roundwood and 70 at the Popham tunnels. From there we rollicked down through Micheldever at 75 and sustained the high speed dash for the next ten miles, rattling the windows at Winchester with a magnificent display. As we approached Winchester we came down to earth for a bit, then turned eastward at Eastleigh on the line towards Portsmouth.

After stopping for water at Hedge End we reached 50 after Fareham and were up to 67 after Portchester before a signal stop at Cosham. Then we turned onto the Portsmouth Direct line to reach Bedhampton at 31 and Havant at 34, where we were blowing off in anticipation of the climb ahead. Despite the gradient we blasted up to 49 and slackened only to 47 at Rowlands Castle, but accelerated again into the mid 50s and dropped only to 38 at Buriton summit. Then we fairly galloped downhill, whistle screaming through Petersfield at 70 and well into the 70s through to Liss at the foot of the next climb. We remained in the 60s almost to Liphook where we were slowed to 49, then back up to 59 before the slowing for our water and coaling stop at Haslemere.

With nothing to worry us now, we fairly roared away downhill, reaching 74 within 4 miles before being brought down to 15 through Witley. Milford at 64 and Godalming at 59 seemed pedestrian after the fireworks, but we were not done yet. 66 on approach to Guildford provided a fitting finale to a most exhilarating tour.

Moseying back through Twickenham, where England and Wales were at loggerheads, we happily reflected on the huge success of this collaboration between MNLPS and UK Railtours, reached even from Manchester with a decent sleep at home both before and after.

21 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p738853853

Peter, at the end of a snowy and sunny day in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

PS It was good to be at the front of the front coach with the Old Timers, Gricerdon, Big Al, Kent Yeti et al. I enjoyed the craic!

 

Thanks to both of you for the reports on what sounds like an excellent day - bring on the Devon banks as the booking made today.

 

We'll get a comparison of the two serious Class 8's over the banks this year as I've been reliably informed that 60163 will be attacking them on the 8th September. Shame 60163 will have 10 on.

 

A rather belated showing of my efforts from Saturday, nearly got caught out with the early arrival at Haslemere, didn't expect it to be quite so up the backside of the SWT service. Some more shots here - https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MainlineSteam/Steam-Tours-in-2018

 

Such a shame it clashed with 70013 to Worcester. Can't be in 2 places at once. Out of interest Al, was the train full?

 

Wonder how many would have come behind 70013 if there hadn't been a clash? Couldn't turn down a Brit over Sapperton; that's too special; moreso with the engine at the end of it's mainline ticket, not the beginning. Hope there's a rerun for those of us who wanted to do both!!! Can't get my TARDIS to work properly.

 

Just for the record, this is what UK Railtours published on 6th February - four days before the outing - in their weekly Newsletter No.271
"Our tour with 35028 'Clan Line' now has two individual seats available in First Class Dining. Call the office to book. The rest of the train is fully booked."