Clan Line in 2021

I did notice you were missing from the group lineup in front of the loco. Though a certain @S.A.C. Martin was at the front, grinning away!

 

It was an excellent day out and a much needed catch up with all and sundry after a pandemic that has made interaction with the many members of committee and society very difficult. I confess to having felt somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds at times: I am still getting used to being out and out again.

Richard Gretton, Tony Clare's and Tim Robbin's speeches really stirred a renewal of purpose in many people yesterday: Tim's point about showing the best of steam in particular one to remember and live by.

It was the first time my wife had seen Clan Line and for me, her reaction to our steam locomotive really made the day for me. Smitten!

 

Looks like it’s you and AK doing your best to reduce the average age!

 

That's most kind, but we also have Tom and James to my left (right when looking at the photo) who are much younger than I. Then there's Mr Ellick on the far left, and we also have a few others (Cameron and Matt) in the photo.

It's of immense pride to us all that we have some truly excellent "young 'uns" coming through the ranks. I do need to find at least one or two who might be interested in the intricacies of the finances of the society, for future proofing and disaster recovery planning.

 

As a recently-retired member of the MNLPS committee (who also wasn't able to be present at the Bluebell yesterday as it's my own '70th' today) can I back up what Simon has said. The society is indeed blessed with a number of very keen active younger members, but anyone else who may have some skills to offer is always welcome. MNLPS is very proud to be an all-volunteer society that has kept 'Clan Line' operational and in pristine condition over the past 50-odd years. But the loco will be around very very much longer than any of us will, so it is beholden on the 'enthusiasts' of today - in our many forms - to carry on the good work and hand the baton on to future generations. The term "The People's Engine" seems to have been requisitioned by another pacific you may have heard of, but by the way 'Clan Line' is owned and managed it can fairly lay claim to this accolade. No matter; we are equally proud to be "London's locomotive" and look forward to welcoming new faces 'on board'.

 

I will second that and say it only took me 48 years from the time I first donated to the fledgling society back in 67, (there was always someone walking around the trains and stations on the Bournemouth line shaking a collecting tin) to finally joining,
From my first visit to ‘the Lane’ I was made very welcome although I’m obviously not one of the youthful members. All you need is a good sense of humour and willingness to get your hands dirty.

 

Presumably : https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91237/2021-10-18/detailed

 

Well said. I joined the society back in 1967 and was involved in a small way with working parties at Longmoor, Liss, Ashford and after a break at Marylebone. I well remember Bernard Wright, John Bellamy and other characters from that time. I don't have the time to be as involved as I would like these days but will be introducing my 12 year old (train mad) step son to the engine later this week (thanks Peter and Dave for facilitating this). Having attended recent AGM's I have every confidence in the current management and as Paul said, the engine will out live the more mature members and it is pleasing to see the younger members getting involved.
Des Shepherd

 

From the Bluebell Facebook:

A special treat before No. 35028 'Clan Line' leaves the Bluebell on Monday evening...

The loco will be available for footplate visits at Sheffield Park from 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday (16 - 17 October).

Come and visit us with a ticket to travel or platform admission ticket! http://ow.ly/zuK050GriqV​

Tom

 

Return times to Stewarts Lane:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91237/2021-10-18/detailed

 

A little anecdote about the obvious pride the MNLPS have in their loco, and how it is seen.

I was Running Foreman at the Bluebell yesterday, in charge of the loco yard for the day. Clan Line is still at the Railway, and arrangements had been made between the Bluebell and the MNLPS to allow the public to have footplate access while it sat in light steam. The loco had been left about five or six feet short of the end of the inspection pit, which is normal, to allow pit access at the front. So for safety we put barriers round the exposed pit. The support crew weren't happy with that in front of the loco where people would stand and take photos, so arranged with me a "can you just" to move it forward until the pit was fully covered at the front, so we could remove the barrier.

They also had a modern form of "not to be moved board", hung out of the cab and very visible to anyone taking a front or side photo. So they got me to find one of our loco boards, which are like conventional SR discs which we could place on the back of the loco (that being the only end from which another loco could conceivably approach), but again out of sight for photos taken by the public from the front.

They might seem really trivial things, and I suspect many people may not have bothered, but what struck me was the evident attention to how their loco would be seen and photographed, trying as much as possible to remove clutter that would obstruct the public from taking photos.

Hopefully they had a good day; there seemed to be a steady stream of people wanting to go on the footplate between about 10am right through to about 4:30. The loco is on display again today I believe.

Tom

 

Passing through Betchworth on todays Belmond Surrey Hills:

 

That's actually Brockham footbridge - across the road from my house! Lovely sequence. '28 was slipping somewhat in the rain at Gomshall and was being assisted considerably in my video. Narrowly avoided being able to get a class 769 in the sequence as it passed WB just beforehand.

 

Times for next Saturday's Hants circuit are now on RTT:

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1144 London Victoria to Overton
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1340 Overton to London Victoria

Out via Streatham & Surbiton, home fast-line Basingstoke - Woking around dusk

 

Assuming the railway is available at Laverstock after the collision. I imagine it's likely that the Salisbury area will be closed for days while investigations and repairs are undertaken.

 

Not wanting to get sucked into a maze of speculation (and there is a thread anyway). But the SWR train passed Laverstock North last night and collided with the FGW train physically at Tunnel Junction. So there is an open question in my mind as to what the signal aspects were reading in the Laverstock North area (normally that is where a down London train would be held if there is a Southampton line train blocking the junction). Until that is resolved, it’s easy to imagine all regular movements in the area will be suspended.

Tom

 

Indeed; right not to promote too much speculation but I have read on another rail forum that at least one signal was displaying no aspect owing to the damage caused by the the first train colliding with something in the tunnel.

The key thing for this discussion is, I suppose, whether the railway will be open again in the area by Saturday. Given the need to examine the scene in huge detail, remove the trains and undertake the track and signalling repairs, I strongly suspect it won't. That then begs the question of any possible re-routing of the 'Hampshire Pullman'.

 

I think it's the eastern face of the triangle that would be used by the 'Hampshire Pullman'. Having it available by Saturday will depend on the extent of the signalling damage and consequent repairs required. Fingers crossed.