The John Farrow Salute: 18/08/21

Didn't get much of a chance to get out and see the tour today due to work however, it was great to catch up with the MNLS team at Salisbury and finally meet @Romsey. Clan Line was, as always immaculately turned out and a fitting tribute to John Farrow.

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The timing from Salisbury to Woking was slow compared to the morning and Jim Clarke handled Clan Line well so we got ahead of the schedule and the signallers let us run. A good way to end a wonderful day. Wayne produced more excellent running to get us to Salisbury very early from Sherborne helped by missing out two booked operational stops

 

Another great performance from a consistently great loco. Has been since the early days of main line preservation. Good for her to be stretching her legs as a change from the steady but lucrative trundles around west London.

 

Heres my video of the train, Just two shots, Vineys near Tisbury and Three Arch Bridge near Milbourne Wick.
I have done many UK Railtours and spoke to John a few times and always found him very approachable and helpful, he will be missed by the enthusiast fraternity. Rest In Peace.

 

Well said. Trouble is, those viewing the YouTube clip will no doubt take the 81 at face value.

 

A fantastic performance from Clan Line yesterday, think we can all agree it would've made John proud!

Seen on the fasts at Fleet, charging up Templecombe, Yeovil Railway Centre, powering away from Sherborne and departing Salisbury:

 

I don't know where the 81 comes from, using the "Accused's" (only joshing) own video, me and Mister Stoppy (my stopwatch) make it 76. Over the years, after speaking to several other enthusiast/recorders I go along with what seems to be the generally held view and that is, do not publish any speeds that are more than 3 or 4 mph above the line or loco limit (whichever is lower). Many of us may have travelled at speeds higher than this (possibly/probably!?) but why draw attention; you never know who might read it.

We all want to give our hobby the best chance of continuing for as long as possible and we can do this by conforming to the rules; whether we agree with them or not. Thankfully, there appears to be a universal acceptance and condemnation by forum members regarding trespass on railway property; the same is far from true for the general public (including many "self-proclaimed" enthusiasts).

On another thread, a post expressed "disappointment" that LSL (allegedly) are considering fitting bars to opening windows to prevent passengers putting their heads out. It is a shame that it may have come to this, but some travellers persist in sticking their heads, and often half of their torso, out of train windows. Written and verbal information presented on board is often ignored by a significant few. Bars may be the only way - how sad.

Oswald is not prone to a rant or to criticising others, so if you don't like it please accept my apologies. Mainline steam must continue for as long as possible, we need to protect it through our actions.

 

Nice one Nick !!

 

Mr. Knowwun has removed the offending clip. A good idea.

As mentioned in many of the previous posts, a fantastic run from Clan Line yesterday. Many thanks to the crews and all others involved. <BJ>

 

There is an ongoing rant from a number of folks about possible restriction on heads out of windows on wnxx about the ability of being stopped from doing it on the Pathfinder Class 37 East Anglia tour on Saturday. DRS who were the TOC apparently required (after previous tour issues) a steward to walk the length of the train every 15 minutes apparently. I understand the tour may have lasted 15 hours plus a layover in Norwich, a good fitness regime for some steward.

 

No heads out of windows on that one on the approach’s to Cambridge, I photted it as it passed work. Was very well behaved.

 

I have to say that I also found his trademark extreme rapid zooming detracted from the sense of speed anyway. Each to their own, of course.

 

Must admit I thought the zoom on the video by @mrKnowwun was timed to perfection. Smooth control virtually all the way from Winchfield to Hook. Certainly gave a good impression of the speed she was travelling at.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny Merchant Navys are now cleared for the higher speed? The latest issue of Heritage Railway includes a write up of some very similar running by BIL recently between Preston and Lancaster and is happy to quote the speed.

 

To gain a 75 mph mainline ticket aren't locomotives required to prove they can run at '+10%', up to 82 mph? Was often mentioned when trains were late or required to stay in a tight path that locomotives could use the up to 10% over, obviously subject to line speed allowing it. Guess Control would have to approve it each time.

 

Clan Line definitely only 75 but there seems to be a view that 35018 is cleared for 80 . In any case I felt it was ok to publish the run in full as the top speed was within the 20 percent over 75

 

Was "20 percent" a typo?