35028 Clan Line

A sad loss indeed. It is good, though, that Andy's skills will have been passed on. That is something we all need to do, none of us get any younger unfortunately.

Richard.

 

Great article about someone the society and its members will miss dearly. We are very much aware that we have been very lucky with Andy and how he chose his replacement - my esteemed colleague Mr Ellick. Clan Line is in superb hands and long may it be so.

 

Confirmed in the latest issue of Bluebell News that Clan Line is booked to attend the Bluebell Railway’s “Giants of Steam” event, 8-10 October.

Tom

 

I was told to keep that quiet but it’s obviously official now!

 

Ditto - but on the front page of the magazine distributed today so clearly official! Apparently negotiations are underway for “another visiting loco to fit the Southern Region theme”. Let the speculation begin (though maybe on another thread)!

Tom

 

All good publicity, there’s also an article in the forthcoming Steam Railway about the engine

 

I've heard rumours of 35029...

 

If its a giants of steam, and Southern region, another merchant would fit the BIL
Then in the yard at SP you would have the " our engine is cleaner than yours" contest between both sets of support crews

 

Excellent news, I missed 35028 on her brief visit in 2019. Clan Line is one of my favourite locos for a number of reasons and its always good to see her make these rarer trips to preserved lines.

 

No contest

 

What! Whoa! Ruddy Hell! Count me in! Watch out Sussex! Im on my way! (Apologies for the use of so many exclamation marks) If I can swing it I’m there, with bloody massive bells on!

 

can you bring your beer tent with you, and make it a working holiday

 

OK then, the we can manage 8 unaided up to East Grinstead, contest, Bil says i can manage More than that !
next thing you know Bluebell ops marshals 2 10 coach rakes,and each engine runs it non stop either way.

 

Flying Scotsman managed eight unaided to Grinstead without any difficulty, so I suspect not much of a challenge for a MN ...

FWIW, our rule book lists 520 tons as the maximum passenger load that can be worked by a WC/BB while keeping to normal section times; presumably if we had one, a MN would be the same or greater; but a train that heavy is impractical in terms of length.

Of course, for visiting engines, the owners may well wish to set a lower limit.

Tom

 

A couple of photos from today's late afternoon and night shoot with Clan Line. Thanks to Jon , the crews and last but no meands least the MNLPS.
Clan Line departing Hortsted Keynes by Paul Simpson, on Flickr

Clan Line at Horsted Keynes by Paul Simpson, on Flickr

 

From MNLPS Facebook page.

 

Would this have ended up with a diesel on the front anyway? Maybe a blessing in disguise?

 

Given NR's refusal to allow steam on the West Somerset Steam Express, the same would almost certainly have applied to Clan Line's trip as well. But where is the blessing? MNLPS have lost a booking that would have brought in some money and they will have extra expenditure to sort out the thermic syphon.