35028 Clan Line to Exeter - now 10/08/19

The chap sitting opposite me had travelled up from Cornwall but stayed in Woking, considerably cheaper than London.

 

My pictures of Clan Line at Semley, Honiton Bank and Yatton. She was really quick at Semley and Yatton. She did well after a signal check at Axminster on Honiton Bank as well as a nice evening shot at Newton St Loe. Enjoy.

 

Yesterrday's trip promised much and it certainly delivered! Can't add much to Big Al's summary really other than to just add a very big thanks to all involved for a great day out with Clan Line. I don't do much mainline steam these days as my time is limited and there is so little real (i.e. diesel free) mainline steam with decent running and timings here in the South East these days. However you know that with MNPLS and DB Cargo in charge they are going to deliver and once again they didn't disappoint.

Special word to the MNPLS guys who organised some bags of coal and formed a human chain to get them on board at Salisbury on the return leg. Don't know what the problem was with the coal at Exeter but they obviously didn't have enough to get back to London.

 

Is that wise, I know she would be properly looked after, but those LMS types already having to put up with BIL's talks about his glory years Down South, then having to listen to BIL and her shed mate swopping stories might push them over the edge, and when 28 returns home, they might sneek 18 in behind her,

 

It's a shame BIL and Clan Line can't be double-headed, but until BIL gets air brakes it can never happen. Shame, as that really would be a sight to behold!

 

A couple of shots from Salisbury station yesterday evening. Loading the coal looked like hard work!
www.railimagesuk.co.uk

 

BIL is operated by WC and 28 by DBC so no chance of that happening

 

That's a good idea!

 

It always amazes me that Clan Line appears so immaculate. After a day of heavy rain and gales you would expect her to look a little shabby but here's the proof to show otherwise. She's a credit to her support team. <BJ>

 

Since when has Clan Line been fitted with a diesel horn? (Listen to the approach to the crossing at Semley).

 

That last bit of footage at Newton St. Loe is first class!

 

There was no problem with the coal delivered to Exeter. Loading a 'top-up' at Salisbury was pre-planned as Exeter-Bristol-Salisbury-Waterloo is 212 miles, thus a bit beyond our calculated mileage for one tenderful for Clan Line.

 

Just a few(!) shots from yesterday -

Potbridge, Honiton Bank and Upton Scudamore

 

I hope Clanline return to south west soon

 

28 Has been worked by West Coast before, and is actually duel braked, it still has vacuum brakes, so saying they couldn't work together isn't 100 % true, they could, on a vacuum brake train, and by through piping 18, with a control handle, it could operate an air braked train, with Clan line providing the air, i'm not sure if the air on 28 is independent from the vac when operating loco brakes, OK, the relationship soured between the owner of West Coast and the MNLPS but you can't rule it out for ever .

 

My footage from Semley, Honiton Bank and Upton Scudamore. Enjoy!

 

I don’t think there is a sour relationship between MNLPS and WC. On MNs the loco is steam braked with the tender being vacuum and this setup has been retained with Clan Line. I’m think back in the day the Southern civil engineer didn’t allow doubleheading with MNs so it wouldn’t be a realistic combination. I’m not entirely sure if the latter point is correct so I await photographic evidence to the contrary.

 

If we are talking fantasy then how about Clan Line to Exeter and Bil on the return? THAT would be a real Ace! It would need to be WCR worked of course but we can dream!!