35028 Clan Line returns: 27/04/24

The driver on Monday was Jim Clarke with Dave Proctor firing. yesterday I saw Jim looking out from the fireman's side at Upton Scudamore but I don't know who the driver was. DB often roster two drivers and they swap over along the way. There was a crew change at Woking on the way back, hence the short stop there.

 

I am glad it was such a good day and that you understandably enjoyed it.
Of course what Belmond is selling is exactly an experience way beyond even things like NB and Statesman. It is the rail version of comparing First Class on a decent legacy airline carrier with economy or maybe Premium Economy. Fine wine and good food should be expected.
On a personal level other than the experience of the rolling stock it would do little for me over a normal tour, as fine wine and "up market" food hold no interest to me.

 

Preservations finest 35028 ‘Clan Line’ on its 50th Anniversary trip from London to Bath and return, featuring an outstanding performance on Upton Scudamore, anyone who’s says Bulleids can’t bark, think again!

Also combined footage of the Mid Hants Railway gala during our time inbetween see the Merchant Navy

 

Presumably not "severe flooding" either, then! Thanks for that.

 

David Proctor drove London-Salisbury
Wayne Thompson drove Salisbury-Bath-Salisbury and Jim Clarke drove Salisbury back to London

Also had Don Clarke & Tim Steadman for most of the return on the footplate, good to see the DBC steam crews finally back and showing what’s been missed!

 

Lovely stuff. Bulleids, being three cylinder engines, can't bark like a two cylinder, but they can be noisy!

 

Thanks, I forgot to ask about the crew arrangements on Friday. Don Clarke would have been TI, he was still on holiday when we had the test run on Monday.

 

After Woking, 35028 was planned to cross to the slow for the run to Byfleet and New Haw, but stayed on the fast. I suspect that may have been because the police were apparently called to West Byfleet to attend the slow train that 35028 should have followed, resulting in the rare steam move across at Byfleet and New Haw.

 

I'm not convinced that three versus two cylinders makes much difference. Blastpipe and chimney differences certainly do.

 

It is indeed the ambience of the vintage Pullman coaches, as well as the fine wine and the quality of the food. It's also the service. The last time I was on the Belmond Pullmans was one of the rare trips promoted by UK Railtours rather than Belmond themselves, The Medway Valley Pullman in November 2022 with Tangmere. That was a short trip without time for two main meals, but we were served a succession of courses throughout the trip.

 

Adding to the pile of shots of that brutal climb of Upton Scudamore, as well as a clip from Potbridge in the morning. I hope you enjoy my video

The mighty Merchant is truly back!

 

Very kind. I did it ages ago and every time I see a Bulleid three-quarters rear view it reminds me of it. I used it as one of my submissions to gain entry to The Guild of Railway Artists.

 

Al, I hear what you say about the pure steam experience but there are many factors at play to consider. The things that came together for Saturdays trip was good time at the destination to allow the shunt moves, the Genny car for auxillary power meaning needing not a diesel as you say, the willingness of the support crew to marshall the support coach at the end of the train (it was their trip and their engine so if course they would be) and the fact it is a big, reliable class 8 Pacific that can maintain schedules comfortably to not give rise to performance issues. Also, most trips WCR run down south are often class 6 or less but the operators are asked by the promotors to (hopefully!) run profitable trains of 10 or 11 coaches. From personal experience, several locomotive owners do not like the support coach being so far from the locomotive and neither do the TOCs - not least because it is their accomodation on the train but in the event of a breakdown and being on the back of the train, more recent examples include the Brit at Chilworth last year, the A1 on the 90mph run and Tangmere at Winchfield in 2013 when motion all had to be removed. Several loco owners were really not keen to do certain trips on that basis - Stratford Upon Avon being a destination where the POB needs to go on the rear in one direction. I suppose what I am trying to say is if WCR (not VT or LSL as they already said a rear gunner would be present) had a reliable class 8 Pacific on a sensible day out, going to a destination where turning the loco is comfortably possible including servicing time, I am sure they would gladly send their diesel back to Southall to save the fuel and mileage!

 

Unless it’s required for operational reasons Bahamas rarely runs with a diesel, it took last year’s Atlantic Coast Express over Honiton and Upton Scudamore with no problem.

 

My take on the return of Clan Line on Saturday- compared with a photo I took of 35029 on the up Bournemouth Belle on 2 September 1962. Both taken from the same Pirbright bridge that I took 35028 on the way down to the Mid Hants gala on Saturday.

I couldn't find any more trips for 35028 on the Pullmans due to be on this stretch this year. So I had decided that despite the time it was due back in the evening (19.24) , and the appalling weather when I got to the bridge, that I had to take the photo to compare with that of a MN on an up Pullman train that I took there in 1962. With both on the up fast line. Same issue as in the morning with not being able to get further away from the track due to lineside vegetation growth. And of course I had to be this side for the comparison, so I knew exhaust steam would be an issue. 1/640th sec and 16,000 ISO. But I'm glad I took the photo - one handed with my left hand holding a much needed large umbrella! Very low res images for posting here.

Bryan B

 

16000ISO?! Sounds like it was a tad dull.

 

I drove up from Salisbury along the M3 not far from there, it was like a monsoon all the way, he deserves a medal for being out there

 

Nearly right!
Dave Proctor was driving Victoria to Salisbury, with Andy Denton firing.
I took over from Dave at Salisbury who then stayed on as fireman to Bath.
Jim Clarke took over firing duties from Dave at Bath, which he did until Woking.
I got off at Woking and Jim took over driving duties from there.
Tim Stedman was Jim's fireman for the remainder of the trip.
Fred Lewis was Ti outwards with Don Clarke doing the return.
Ta Wayne.