Clan Line in 2021

Good visible exhaust - for the second time this week my attempts with steam climbing Betchworth bank produced just a gently coasting loco and thus no exhaust.

 

Today's shots remind me again of the relatively dim lights carried by 'Clan Line' - high-intensity headlamps they are not - I think this has been mentioned before but I don't recall a conclusive reason why it is allowed for this loco (uniquely?) - they are not even as bright as most other main line stock's marker lights - I'm very glad it is permitted, but don't know why.

 

Gomshall today, no usable photo for anything other than video thumbnail as I was so intent on keeping camera dry I subsequently forgot I hadn't changed the settings until she was approaching and by then I was holding umbrella over everything!

 

Nice video.
While I know I am in your video, I am kind of surprised at how well hidden I was, crouched down within the fence of the footcrossing by Hackhurst Farm.

 

Great shot. I had a look at that foot crossing after, but its not great unless you're the wrong side of the gate, standing at the edge with a tripod and camera. A good view for a quick photo for sure however.

 

A revised, confirmed routing has been put on the website, which providing my rail atlas-reading skills haven't deteriorated over the past six months, adds some rather interesting bits of network into what is already a pleasant run round Kent.

Outward is Herne Hill to Bromley South, which opens an opportunity for either Penge Tunnel (the more direct route via Kent House) or Crystal Palace Tunnel (less direct, but would be an unusual route).

The return is star of the show for me as Beckenham Junction to Brixton is mentioned, which tracing the route could potentially mean a rare steam run via Catford Bridge and Lewisham to Nunhead Junction. Fingers crossed events don't overtake things.

 

Unfortunately, as I said earlier, it’s not booking well so anyone thinking of going should book now to get it to break even loading. Unless there is fire risk I’m sure it won’t have a diesel on the back either.

 

Dining has sold out, so it must be booking well enough for it not to have been cancelled yet. The main competition is the Bournemouth trip on the same day.

On the other hand, looking at the atlas again, I may have jumped the gun, as I guess the return could be via Penge too. Just interesting that Beckenham Junction was given specific mention. Whatever, not the usual way from and to Victoria to Kent.

 

Going via the Catford Loop would normally involve turning off the mainline at Shortlands

 

Indeed, which has been the usual way, having most recently done it with 34046 last September. Last time I did Beckenham Junction-Penge-Brixton was with 44932 in 2013, and that was a last-minute route change. However, if its Catford Bridge, that would be completely new for me. I enjoy seeing how much of London's maze-like suburban network can be done with steam these days!

 

I would be surprised if it went Lewisham to Nunhead Junction due to the climb out of Lewisham to cross the mainline. I have not been that way by steam. usually via Penge, or Catford and Nunhead. I have been via Catford Bridge returning to London Bridge.

 

That would suggest Penge, methinks. Oh well, overexcited about a couple of miles of track as usual! Still, scheduled to be my first steam run this year, and will be nice to have a Bulleid breaking the drought, all things considered.

 

In light of Boris' announcement yesterday Pathfinder are re-dating all of their tours that were scheduled to run over the next month, including the Clan Line one to Margate. They seem to be doing things differently to other promoters, as most everyone else is already up and running. Perhaps they were selling tickets as normal, in the expectation that social distancing would be abolished at the end of June, whereas others were just selling tickets to 60% maximum capacity.

Oh well, if I can get down to London early enough I might try the Bournemouth trip instead, so I'll still have MN haulage out of London!

 

S** it. Guess they were going to use the Riviera Set. Heard that the owners haven't put up any covid screening on their carriages that will make them unusable under Social Distancing.

 

Whilst this is not exclusively a Clan Line issue not sure where else to post this - mods please move if appropriate.
Surely the promoter needs to make clear whether the seating offered is socially distanced and pre July 19th compliant or based on pre-pandemic density (or else something else between?)
As is suggested above, some may not care about the closeness of seating with strangers and others may care a lot - it needs to be very clear imho.

However, it is really good to see the preservation and tours movement getting back on its' feet after so long - there's a lot of trips running across the summer and I hope they get enough bums on seats to make it worthwhile.

Best wishes to all, Mike

 

The Riviera Trains Group is Pathfinder's Parent Group and as far as I know they have no choice in where to go for their stock for Steam Charters. Riviera Trains have not made carriages Covid Compliant and a friend who knows the owner says he currently has no intention to fit screens or barriers. Therefore Pathfinder don't need a Covid Policy as they won't run trains while Social Distancing is required for Charter Trains.

The Government can't provide a definite date for that for good reasons, so dates have to be rearranged to be post the latest date quoted by HMG, now July 19th. It's a shame as we enjoy travelling with Pathfinder. Nice people who must be very frustrated with Riviera Trains.

 

Another related point is how long do we have to continue to wear masks on public transport? As I understand it requirements like this may persist even after "freedom day" whenever that is. To some it's mot a problem but for me it's not my idea of fun to be wearing a mask for 4-5 hours at a time on a train so I'm not doing any mainline stuff right now. I know someone will tell me that if everyone had my attitude the business would collapse but it's my personal choice!