THE SOMERSET & DORSET 8th May

There doesn't appear to be the same restrictions on the slow line in Southern territory so plenty of 75mph running should be possible.

 

I will be on Clan Line out of Waterloo, but even at this moment I do not know who my fireman is!
This is due to me getting back off holiday a few hours ago, back away again on the canal boat in Cheshire on Sunday.
Bob Hart is the inspector, we work through to Weymouth.
Brian Butcher and Rob Binsted bring her back to London with Colin Kerswil.

As for another comment, Clan line will be turned at yeovil and work the train to Pen Mill.
The 67 will work the train to Weymouth with us on the back.

Will not be able to answer any further questions as i'm off to bed as soon as I finish this.
Up in 5 1/2 hours (0200) to get up to Stew Lane.

Cheers Wayne Thompson

 

Through Berrylands at 07:34. Picture up later.

 

I videoed the train passing Lenthay Crossing Sherborne on time.Video up later hopefully.

 

Clan Line going really well at top of Parkstone Bank at 1822 with a little help from 66015 on rear DH

 

1953 at Micheldever sounding superb

 

Shot of it from a wet and miserable Berrylands this morning:

 

Through Esher at 20:53. Might upload the video later depending on how it looks on my PC.

 

Video now up of Clan Line at Lenthay Crossing Sherborne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoW_4TYvSc0

 

Yet again Clan Line's loco crews showed they are the masters of heavy load running. In 1960's talk we had the equivalent of 14 and a van, (15 vehicles), behind that superb machine as the diesel was on the back all day. Only gave a little help away from Weymouth, and maybe on Parkstone Bank as well? But certainly not up Roundwood bank! Circa 525 tons.

Wayne had the best of the unchecked running, although he did get a double blow between Woking and Basingstoke with a bridge restriction just after MP 31 and then a crossover at Winchfield.

But he set the standard for the whole day with a sparkling Waterloo-Woking section. My best ever heavy load run despite all those Area 2 Rail Rovers that saw lots of us spend many weekends timing numerous Waterloo-Woking and return trains for the princely sum of ten shillings and sixpence a day!

Basingstoke-Salisbury was unchecked, (there were concerns we would be held before Tunnel Junction for a service train), and included some long sections at or just under the maximum permitted speed. And a great climb over Grateley, (61½ min), despite the speed at the bottom having to be held back to 74 mph.

Some lovely running West of Salisbury to the Gillingham and then the Yeovil Junction stops.

The icing on the cake for the day was being met at Yeovil by that superb Nine Elms engineman Gordon Hooper: he had left a wet and cold caravanning weekend somewhere out West to come and greet us. The broad grin on his face as he met us warmed up and icy cold day!

The return run with Brian Butcher at the regulator had more than it's fair share of checks. But that never stopped some lively and noisy running wherever possible. Highlight was the unchecked run from Eastleigh to Basingstoke. Wonderful climb of Roundwood bank.

A lively start from Basingstoke and a nice section from Weybridge to Clapham Junction were the highlights of the late evening. But signal checks increased as we got closer to London, and the only reason for our few minutes late arrival back at Waterloo was a 6½ minute signal stop outside the London Terminus.

The support crew worked to their normal high standard. A late arrival for a short water stop at Eastleigh, (we had experienced signal checks in the New Forest area), did not stop them getting their work done to allow an on time departure.

 

Thank's to every body involved in yesterdays trip the outward run was very good (did you take your eye's of the speedo between gillingham & sherbourn Wayn ??) thank's a lot every body

 

I will add my thanks also to all those involved for a superb run. Only my second run with the wonderful 35028 and another very enjoyable trip despite the murky weather. My Father and I are kicking ourselves as we chose to get on at Woking and missed the very spirited run from Waterloo to Woking. There were many highlights but for me the best moment was 35028 charging towards Brockenhurst and running alongside the Green CIG unit from Lymington, whistle blowing, and then overtaking the unit as those on board got a great view of 35028 racing along. For a brief moment we were back in the 1960's:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzUzEBnnk20 And Micheldever echoed to the sound of a Merchant Navy in full cry again:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2gzmY4ZbI

 

Yes we noticed this as well. She was certainly shifting near Sherbourne:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoW_4TYvSc0

 

Now we look forward to the York trip in three weeks time. Bit worried about that. Look what the people up there did to 35029!

 

Just timed that lovely video clip. A few times! Train passes the camera at 74 mph, just under the max I recorded from the train on that descent by electronic stop watch. I'd given up using GPS by then because of significant variations from handsets on either side of the train and a high number of "speed spikes", ie up and down variations in very short spaces of time.

We did wonder if the GPS speed variations on either side of the train were because we were going round curves and the outside had to go faster to catch up! LOL!

Now I'm going back to watch that video clip again. And again. And again. And again. It is superb. I hope I don't wear it out Green Five!

 

Thanks for the link to the clip.

My photo's from yesterday can be found at http://paul-simpson.fotopic.net/c1847311.html

Bryan - Can you put names to those I photographed with the " Nine Elms Enginemen " headboard ?

Thanks to Wayne, Brian and the other crew members for a great trip

 

Bryan, I get the feeling you like my video at Lenthay!!!!!!
If you want it put on a DVD to watch on TV then PM me your address.

 

Brill vids and pics all.

Had a fantastic day,35028 putting in a sterling performance.

My photos are now up at:


http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/c1847536.html

Cheers,
Mark

 

Thanks for texting me the update Mark, most useful!!! Glad you enjoyed your day.

 

Just would like say thanks to everyone for all the kind comments and feedback, very happy that you all had a great day, hope to see you all again on the next one.
Brian Butcher, Driver, DBS, Eastleigh.