Clan Line in 2021

Captured on the climb to Gomshall at Shere Heath, looking fantastic and a soundtrack missed by many:

 

It was nice to see Clan Line out and about yesterday.

A few shots uphill from Gomshall (outside Abinger Hammer)

 

Here are a couple of shots from Friday: Coasting through Egham, waiting for the signal to clear, which it eventually does, then striding up the hill near Shere.

 

The Belmond Pullman hauled by Clan Line on Wednesday is scheduled to run via Chippenham in both directions. Originally RTT gave the timings as via Salisbury.

For photographers note that contractors are clearing and stabilising a large area of the embankment at Newton St Loe (by the Globe roundabout) . It really is rather unsightly at present. <BJ>

 

I think you will find that RTT was simply showing details for the WTT 1V80 and 1O92 paths (with headcodes duly scrambled). The schedules are retained for operation of the regular diesel-hauled Pullman Bath and Bristol workings, which do indeed operate via Salisbury. The STP steam-hauled workings for Wednesday 19th May, in this case via Ascot and Box in both directions, were uploaded subsequently.

 

It hadn't stopped at Shalford for water so had a better run at the bank.

 

I believe it stopped at Chilworth for a crew change

 

Or not......take a look at the video by @mrKnowwun. (Post #18).

 

I stand corrected, I’m sure I’ve seen a video of it restarting, maybe it was Shalford

 

It didn’t stop at Shalford, although a pair of reasonably athletic drivers and firemen could probably have changed places judging by this video from Hils the Train Lady.
If there was a crew change it would have occurred at Chertsey, which was the water stop for this trip and will be for future Pullman tours round the Surrey Hills

 

That slow approach must have been why I thought it had stopped. I know Chertsey is the new water stop due to timetable changes on the Guildford - Redhill line

 

There would be no point in the crew working 35028 hard from Shalford following the GWR unit, they would only be checked approaching Chilworth. It's about 1 .5 miles from the section signal at Shalford to the signal protecting Chilworth LC but about 4 miles from Chilworth to the section signal (RG92) at Gomshall.

Just to clarify, it's one crew works all the way round on Surrey Hills trips.

Cheers, Neil

 

But the video in question shows it was working hard at Shere. It had caught up with the DMU by Dorking and was eased but there's audible proper effort on the video. Once regular workings recommence I suspect there will be fewer hard climbs there as it will only take a couple of minutes' delay to the DMU to see 35028 slinking along behind.

 

As far as anyone knows it didn't stop anywhere between Guildford and Redhill - why are people assuming it did, I wonder?

 

In fact a new crew could probably have boarded at that speed!

 

Yes it would be working hard at Shere, up hill and with high probability of getting green aspects at Gomshall. The crew would have worked 35028 gently from Shalford Jn to Chilworth to let the diesel unit get ahead, so they got a green aspect at Chilworth. There is no point in racing through Shalford only to stop and restart on an adverse gradient at Chilworth. Shere is in the signal section between Chilworth and the section signal at Gomshall. Just because the route has colour light signals doesn't mean it is like many main lines with a multiple aspect signal every three quarters of a mile.

Please refer to the extract from the Network Rail Train Planning Rules which gives headways in that area. ( Gomshall - Redhill is detailed in the Kent and Sussex TPR.)

Sometimes the obvious needs stating again.
Headways are primarily dependant on signal spacing and line speed and speed restrictions. Gradients have a lesser effect for modern traction.
In practice the North Downs is timed like an absolute block line with the headways being defined by the distance between section signals even though it is signalled under Track Circuit Block regulations..



Apologies if anyone feels like I have been restating basics of the railway operation.

Cheers, Neil

 

Tomorrow's trips have been updated in RTT with many more timing points. I notice that the down train is booked main-line all the way from Reading to Wantage Rd. The return is routed via the relief lines.