The Portsmouth Pullman: 15/11/25

35028 Clan Line with the Pullmans from Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour and return (UK Railtours).
Outwards via Brixton to Wimbledon then the Bournemouth Main Line to Eastleigh turning off for Fareham (Botley for water) with reversal at Havant (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U67053/2025-11-15/detailed).
The return is via the West Coastway to Brighton (almost) then then up the Brighton Main Line (watering at Preston Park) through Redhill (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U67054/2025-11-15/detailed).

 

Any idea when the last steam engine was at Harbour? I can’t remember.

 

Back down to earth for Class 8 fast schedule fans!

It says Slow Line running from joining its old running route from Wimbledon. And slow it most certainly looks to be.

NOT a complaint, just an observation - we know, and I most certainly accept, there can be very long waits between class 8s being allowed to run fast and hard on the 21st century big railway.

And no doubt all the time will be very well spent treating the Pullman car patrons as Pullman car patrons deserve to be treated for the price they have paid for their tickets.

Of course I hope it runs well all day and that everyone on board has a very enjoyable time. I have a family event tomorrow so won't be out photting it, but very much hope to see some photos and videos appear here.

Bryan

PS. Back in the dinosaur era, it was a few shillings supplementary charge to join the Bournemouth Belle all Pullman train that was usually a Merchant Navy - although I did once do it with a BR Standard 5 on the front. And I cannot recall how the elite classes who travelled on it, coped with an influx of gricers who were on a seven day rover. Who often travelled for days on end, sleeping on the Mail trains, and with the cold water coach end toilet room basins on normal service trains for those ablutions deemed essential.

 

A few minutes behnd a stopper from Surbiton to Woking won't help. Given the fog and the slow line running I'm in two minds about whether to venture out. Hope the passengers enjoy it. This is billed as "Pullmans", so are UKRT hiring the Belmond set? Won't Belmond be worried that the plebs will soil them terribly?!

 

The ECS from SL is shown on RTT as cancelled but has actual running times as well! Some data confusion is afoot.

 

Fast line Wimbledon West Jn - outside Woking, 72mph hit, fantastic.

 

1Z81 was let out at Wimbledon W Jn in front of the train it was meant to follow(2F19). Certainly a good start on a trip with plenty of pathing issues.
Cheers, Neil

 

Such is life. Still accelerating with loads of clag on a muky/misty day photted on the down fast from the New Malden bridge I have used since 1962 would have been good.

Here's what else I would have seen there later today if I had stayed for the afternoon/evening in that area.

Dinosaurs keep records from such as 1965 so that after the next asteroid arrives subsequent archeologists digging deep can unearth the glory of the BR Southern Region steam days.

Bryan

 

I set out but gave up as I got stuck in traffic (I hate driving to see steam!) and it ran 11 early at Byfleet and New Haw! Win some, lose some...

 

I grew up in New Malden and used the overbridge east of the station for train-spotting and photography on countless occasions in the 1970s.

 

I'm sorry you missed out on a photo - especially if you had planned to go back to that wonderful trainspotting bridge at New Malden. I have used it a few times in the heritage era.

To try and make up for it just a small amount, here's a comparison of photos I took from that bridge either side of your time in the 1970s using it; 1962 for the S15 and 2007 for Clan Line.

And in my table above, some may note that 35012 did well to work the 13.30 Weymouth-Waterloo, (due 16.40), and the down Royal Wessex (Due off Waterloo 16.35). Changes now made in my draft book to put 350?? as the Wessex loco. The error was because I was cycling from New Malden to Wimbledon and saw the Wessex during that ride - and it was hard enough for a (young) dinosaur to ride a push bike, let alone write down a steam loco number at the same time!

Bryan

 

Not that rare I believe.
Is it not a regular SD destination with a mini tour to Salisbury in the afternoon during the layover. 45212 did this on 2 June 2018 I am sure there have been more since then.

 

Lovely comparison shots. I was actually en route to Byfleet and New Haw to film it, and gave up after repeated delays owing to roadworks and seeing on RTT that the train was over 10 early! Not a complete waste of time, though, as I did stop off at Effingham Junction on the way back and saw three EMU classes (450, 455 and 701) in service in five minutes - it's been a while since that much variety was to be found there! My (Bulleid!) shot is from 23 April 1978 (yes, that late in the year for snow). Sorry for the digression everyone!

 

Yup Switched to the fast at Wimbledon, racing ahead of the clock here at the River Mole Bridge, Hersham.

 

Flying Scotsman- 17th June 2023

 

Some shots of 35028 from Wandsworth and Basingstoke this morning, more at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MainlineSteam/Steam-Tours-in-2025

 

Been told to close my window which was cracked to hear the noise, what’s the point

 

Join MNLPS and become part of the support crew is an answer.....
Long hours as standard, lots of Mickey taking and the chance for "glory seeking" .
Cheers, Neil

 

Wasnt the down Wessex worked by the same Merchant as the up Wessex due. 1050?

 

We saw it passing Fareham on a beautiful sunny lunchtime. Perfect low three quarter sun and Clan Line looking quite superb

Don