Atlantic Coast Express: RTC/Clan Line - 2/07/22

Actually the SWML is one of the best laid-out, straightest and easiest exits south from London.

 

Indeed, but I was just pointing out that it was a light load and that a 'normal' load would not necessarily get the same pathing and/or performance. A credit to all concerned, of course.

 

Just checked my notes, and the run on 10 August 2019 (UKRT/DBC) was load 11, so hardly a great difference.

As I have previously suggested, if the commonwealth bogies were swapped for the lighter B4s, you would save the weight of a coach. Last time I went past Carnforth there were still loads of former postal vans, still on their B4/B5 bogies. No doubt there is a reason why this has not been done?

Anyway, glad it went well yesterday, and I too would be interested to see a log.

 

A bit of a pernickety observation, as its like saying the Brighton mainline is the best way to get to Brighton by rail. Surely in this instance it's South West? Anyway, we did weave out of Bristol, and we were woven between the timetabled services out of Waterloo.

The only thing worse than people complaining about a train having a diesel on the back is people who complain about unassisted trains not running in 2020s as they did in the 1960s. Sadly a comment of a similar ilk to that regarding the Bournemouth Belle run by RTC a few years ago.

 

I’m amazed that a couple of people are disappointed that the train was shorter than they would have liked.

It wasn’t that long ago that there was a load of fuss about overloading of steam locos!

Admittedly, some of the criticism was of they way that 60103 had been treated for many years, prior to its current regime.
That said, it’s somewhat silly of me to compare MNs with A3s!

 

From the other video clips I've seen it looked like a fantastic trip out and 35028 on top form! Didn't get such luck at Pinhoe but the 70 odd mph passing at Tiverton Parkway with a doppler whistle was quite the specticle, even if the 800 drowed out the sound:

 

Must've spoken to you at Tiverton! I was one of the chaps next to your static camera down the far end of the platform. Was a great specticle

 

Clan Line has done similar with big loads. For instance Basingstoke to Salisbury in just over 35 minutes for the 36 miles with 12 for 465 tons

 

Another brilliant day out with Clan Line, too many highlights to list but screaming through Taunton and Andover (particularly in the up direction) with the Middle C held on through the entire platform length took some beating. Many thanks to everyone at RTC, WCRC, the MNLPS and Network Rail for pulling this off in spectacular style.

 

That would of been my dad. Cheers.

 

Adsolutely correct as I pointed out

 

One or two on here seem to be scraping the barrel for something to disagree about.

 

I think you may be the one missing the point. I don't read any of the posts about the train length as "moaning", simply noting that Saturday's train was shorter than some of the previous trips that people might be comparing it against.

 

Nevertheless, it was a good day, and am glad to say I was there.

 

The important thing is there was no moaning from the people who matter, the passengers. Everyone I spoke to said it was among the best days they had.

 

Seconded - as a standard class passenger who had expected to be at the back (coach G), I couldn't believe my luck when the train was in reverse alphabetical formation. And the run was superb, with quite a few photo opportunities. I go on one main line steam trip each year, and it seems I made a lucky choice. So much so, that I am looking at doing another this year!

 

I feel lucky to have been selected for this trip . There is a lot of unwarranted criticism of West Coast and this run showed that they are well up to the job. The crews were brilliant. We had driver Bill Monteith Waterloo to Exeter, well pleased as an ex Southern man at getting a MN on its proper route. Unfortunately I didn’t get the name of his young fireman who helped out at Stewart’s Lane the previous day and to get to know a bit about the engine, he’d not been on a Bulleid Pacific before. Exeter to Bristol was driver Andy Taylor with Bob Baines taking over back to Waterloo. The fireman from Exeter all the way back to the Lane was Craig Stinchcombe.
The journey from Waterloo back to the Lane is a story in itself, suffice to say I finally got home at 03.45 Sunday still on a high!

 

"Impressive" to lose 1 hour 14 minutes in 7.04 miles from Acton Lane to Battersea Loop John