Belmond British Pullman 2018

With 60163 originally scheduled to haul the train I presume the idea was to attract kids during half term to travel behind the locomotive that featured in the recent film - ‘Paddington 2’.
Hope the kids won’t be too disappointed when they find out the engine that appeared in the film is not the one on the front of the train.

 

It's got big driving wheels, it makes a noise (far more than Tornado) it makes lots of smoke, and it's a similar colour. I doubt the Paddington Bear film generation will even notice. My wife wouldn't.

 

When the children spot the immaculate and powerful locomotive at the head of their train I'm sure that they will not be disappointed. <BJ>

 

Victoria Station, 12 o’clock:

 

It looked lightly loaded through Barnes but I suppose at £495 a pop it can afford to be. There was a service train in Platform 2 and it came through 3; I thought it might be going over Barnes Bridge but instead it went towards Mortlake "wrong line" didn't know they could do that.

 

Happy Children say D1002 is a grumpy old goat.

 

It's been surprising how little comment the unavailability of "Tornado" to haul the 'Paddington Bear Afternoon Tea special', and then "Clan Line" stepping in at 3 days notice, has generated. That said, the operation went superbly, and all on-board seemed delighted.
As far as the MNLPS is aware, no children's feelings were hurt by the making of this late change!

So to continue the 'good news theme', MNLPS have subsequently received the following communication from a passenger on board :

"I thought I would send a brief message to all those that are a part of the MNLPS.

We had a trip behind your locomotive on Friday 16th February 2018 aboard the Paddington Belmond Pullman and I must say I’m a huge steam loco fan, I thought the locomotive was turned out exceptionally well and performed spectacularly throughout the trip.
I just could not believe the superb as new condition that '28 was in, and indeed is for each trip that it makes.
I’d like to say a huge congradulations to all of the support crew on the day who were very welcoming, friendly and informative - and for making Clan Line look as fabulous today as no doubt she did when she was turned out after rebuilding in the late 50s.

Both me, my wife and 2 year old daughter had a thoroughly enjoyable day that was perfect from start to finish.
It was my 1st personal trip behind 28, but i’ll defiantly be returning in the not to distant future.

Kindest Regards etc.

P.S. I was fortunate enough to be able to alight the train at Shalford to get some good shots of '28 during her water stop. Whilst I was there I spoke with one of your support crew standing by the tender (apologies I forgot the chap's name) about how spectacular I thought Clan Line was turned out.
It quickly turned into him thanking me for the praise but also giving me some leaflets regarding becoming a member. He said us old guys can’t continue forever so we need people like you to keep her running.
He did mention about it being possible if I were a member to help with the support on trips, on both the footplate and support train crew.
Could you let me know what I’d need to do to make this happen because I can see the special relationship you all have with the loco and I’d love to be a part of that.

Makes it all worthwhile.......

 

Nice one Derby 2 - this is what we need to happen to encourage the 30/40/early fifty somethings to get involved with the resources of money and time to keep alive the dream of mainline steam. I am sure there are already many regular contributors to this site in that age range but there are many more who will never see 60 again and for whom BR Steam is a fading memory. We need to encourage the younger generations to value steam on the mainline in its own right - not as a memory jogger otherwise this hobby dies with us.

I would also add, without wishing to be inflammatory, that many of the younger generations whom we depend on to keep this going when we cannot, will not give a toss about a diesel on the back because they don't go back to 1967 - some will be bothered about it of course but I believe fewer and fewer and the younger ones will understand how important it is to keep out of the way of the modern railway whilst we indulge our hobby.

I should also declare an interest in being a member of the MNLPS and it is great to know that the efforts of the crews that prepare and maintain 35028 are appreciated.

 

I thought you had to be the wrong side of the fence to get that shot at Shere....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for that Thickmike - obviously you don't live up to your name on here as you appreciate the vast amount of time, money and effort that goes into 'keeping the show on the road'.
Fortunately the MNLPS does have some young, keen and skilled working members whose age means they have no experience of B.R. ere steam at all (our CME being one). But we need more of the same, so the door is always open. As for diesels on the back, it's simply not an issue within MNLPS, because it's never done other than for about 2 months or so in Autumn on the Surrey Hills trips as a 'just in case' for Gomshall Bank, where poor railhead conditions sometimes occur (though it's very rarely needed). Would we operate regularly on any route with a diesel at the rear to provide 'assistance as necessary' to keep time etc. - NO. We'd either run with a shorter train or not run at all.

 

I would like to echo the thanks to @derby2 for the open and informative insights you provide into the running of trains with 35028, great communication of this sort really is a breath of fresh air which can have only positive outcomes.

 

My Footage from today's Surrey Hills Circular - seen at Battersea Loop, Prune Ln (Egham) and Purley.

 

Worplesdon and Gomshall yesterday 09/03/18...



https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/38901744380/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/40711715631/in/dateposted-public/

 

Spent 90 minutes or so chasing this one around on Friday, Clan Line looked spotless as always, my thanks to all involved. Video and photos follow...




Battersea Loop



London Victoria



Grosvenor Bridge

 

Is there no way from the West London Line via Acton to Kew Bridge?

 

Depends where the closure is, but steam services have taken the Barnes/Barnes Bridge/Kew Bridge/ Hounslow - The Hounslow loop - route. Not sure if a MN is gauged through there tho

 

Was in gauge in September 6 2017 when Clan Line hauled as Victoria-Bristol Pullman. Of course engineering works since then may have "moved things"
Back around 2010/11 I think always went round the Hounslow loop as you could see it at Clapham Junction grab a train to Feltham and get it again there if SWT were running to time, as the steam would be held at Feltham Junction as you went past.

 

Not that unusual at it's Easter that weekend, so a good way of stuffing up leisure travel rather than commuters.