A busy day and a tight connection

Back in the day, when you were chasing steam you had two main options. The first was to wait somewhere suitable, see what turned up, take a ride if you fancied the trip and then decide what you did next. The alternative was to plan in advance, look for where there were opportunities to change plan, but usually stick to what you intended.

It was, of course, a sensible person who ensured that any planned connections would include some leeway in case there were delays...and at the end of steam that was the norm, so you needed to be careful.

One of the Southampton connections that it was always wise to avoid was the Fridays only 17:23 from Waterloo that was booked to stop and take water at 19:09, just six minutes before the last fast, Merchant hauled, service back to London. It was always good to know what engineering work and restrictions were in place so you could get a sense of whether the return train might be delayed. This service, affectionately called the 'Club Train' amongst enthusiasts, has, for me, departed for London at any time between 19:15 (booked) and 19:45, so there was plenty to think about.

Anyway, on the day in question I had started on the 08:30 with 35003. Driver Blanchard did a great job up front with the whole run judged impeccably and we rolled into Southampton one early, including three tsrs en route. This gave me a comfortable ten minutes before going back on the 11:57 arrival behind 35012 that carried the Chief Engineer's saloon. It turned into one of those nightmares you sometimes esperienced. A two-minute signal stop at Eastleigh, five minutes at Micheldever, three tsrs, more signals at Woking and a final signal stop at Wimbledon. Nearly two hours to Waterloo and fifteen late on a relaxed schedule. But it told me what all trains had to contend with that day.

As we rolled into Waterloo I saw 34006 on the down (12:30) Bournemouth Belle. Change of plan. No lunch break and a supplement to pay for something unusual. The whole journey felt as though the loco was being nursed along as we passed Woking with a clear road at 60 before dropping 10 mph up to Milepost 31. Five late into Southampton where I watched the antics of the driver trying to 'snatch' the train away after fighting with the reverser and taking the train back about three metres. Spilt coffee after lunch in the Pullmans, I expect.

With 34036 rolling into the London bound platform on the 16:52 arrival I decided to improvise and return with 'Westward Ho!', that departed late but kept to the booked schedule and was into Waterloo by 5 pm.

It was Friday. My plan had changed because of Bude and if I wanted to end up on the Club Train, there was just one option - the 17:23 - with 73022 at the head of a full 10 coaches. I had no choice!

Driver Hawkins was a good sign and we settled into the mid sixties before a check at Woking (of course!). Nevertheless, we punched up to Milepost 31 with the Standard 5 making quite a noise up front and we made good time before flying down towards our stop at Winchester. At this point, things took a turn for the worse. We were held outside of Winchester and arrived three late. This train was popular with commuters so we overstayed at the platform to unload everyone and were away six late. I did the maths and it looked as though we might emerge from the tunnel at Southampton to see the London train pulling away. Perhaps the Belle was not a good idea, especially given the way Bude had performed on the day.

True enough, despite a feisty dash from Winchester we emerged at Southampton to see 35008 sitting at the platform....but with the water bag still in and the fireman on top of the tender! I had already positioned myself in the train at a door that would be close to the overbridge steps and so it was a dash across to the London train. One of the station staff closed the door behind me and we were away - two minutes after arriving...and breathless.

My reward was a lovely run home. Three tsrs and one signal check but with Fred Burridge on the lever we were not going to hang about. Two early into Waterloo.

What do they say? Fortune favours the brave? Maybe so, but that was the only time I pushed my luck on the FO 17:23.