Saphos Christmas Golden Arrow 16/12/23

I couldn't see a thread for this already, so thought I would start one.

Times for this tour from Stroud to Canterbury and return (via Dover and Tonbridge) are now up. Steam hauled around Kent. Loco is likely to be Braunton?

Outbound: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63645/2023-12-16/detailed
Return: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63647/2023-12-16/detailed

Saphos website: https://saphostrains.com/journey/the-christmas-golden-arrow-16-12-23

 

40.013 + 3330, 3140, 3107, 1863, 3125, 3148, 3100, 80044, 3122, 3045, 17013 + 47.805 to Hanwell.

1Z88 06:31 Gloucester to Canterbury West. <BJ>

 

A rare appearance of steam at Streatham Hill. 8k video frames. It was a few early at Balham and caught up with a service train, meaning a re-start from Balham Junction, well-controlled with no slipping. Ironically, given the Golden Arrow regalia on 'Braunton', the Belmond Pullman set would pass here four times today, but on a diesel run preceded by a complicated ECS move!

 

I filmed the diesel hauled Pullman overtake Braunton at Lenham with much exchange of whistles!

 

A 40 at the head was a bonus!

 

Look forward to seeing that.

 

Being serviced at Canterbury

 

The Christmas Golden Arrow, 34046 Braunton, 16th December 2023.
Filmed at Bearsted and Wye.

 

At Borough Green this morning
https://youtube.com/shorts/XFPmBmhjkBs?si=DC8iIA1KvPuKJzFe

 

Tackling Bearsted Bank, Chartham (including the 67021 on the BBP), Martin Mill, Folkestone West and Edenbridge:

 

Nice, as ever. Interesting to see that the brake with the BBP set is now an air-con Mk2 rather than the toplight windows example. At least I'm not the only one to have auto-focus caught out by swirling steam, low light, etc!

 

A video frame from Redhill. Video compilation to follow.

 

We were on the bridge behind you! My video from yesterday, climbing the last few yards of Bearsted Bank in front of a large crowd (mostly waiting for the hourly service train which was due a couple of minutes later), being overtaken by the British Pullman and then leaving the water stop at Lenham loop and finally joining the Brighton line and working hard away through Redhill towards London...

 

The air con BFK is part of the Belmond fleet. The BFK with opening windows is 17096, the Merchant Navy LPS support coach which is tucked away in Stewart Lane depot.
Cheers, Neil

Sorry about the typing - done on a phone when travelling on acrowded voyager ....

 

Of course! Thanks.

 

A few photos from yesterday... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72177720306505822

 

34046 Braunton showing what a Bulleid Pacific can do and of course adorned with that gorgeous regelia

Filmed at Weavering, Chartham, Martin Mill, Folkestone West & Edenbridge

 

Some photos of this tour on Saturday.

On the approach to Bearsted Station.


Speeding along near Charing.


After servicing in the siding next to the old goods shed, Braunton pulls forward with the support coach at Canterbury West.


The water stop at Paddock Wood on the return.

 

34046 'Braunton' passing Tramlink Stadler Variobahn tram 2562 at Birkbeck station on the outward leg of the Golden Arrow (16/12/2023).


34046 Braunton at Birkbeck by Daniel Hamblin, on Flickr

Regards,

Dan

 

My video is here (after the SD 'Santa' run):