Cathedrals Express to Cardiff, 20th August.

Pretty special that, thanks for posting!!

 

Part 2 of my video is up:

[video=youtube;hYU3cMSg03Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYU3cMSg03Q[/video]

 

Good trip out on Monday behind 35028. It was nice to finally get some more mileage behind the loco having not had it since 2008. The outward run was run well so we arrived in Cardiff almost right time. Think there is a restriction for steam on the slow lines out from Cardiff? The return run though was really good, lots of noise coming from up the front with the climb up Sapperton a real highlight. Thanks to all who put up videos, nice to see what it looked like from the lineside! 45 mins down arriving into Victoria but I think the slog round from Acton to Kensington Olympia was a real killer.

This was also my first experience of Steam Dreams' 'Premium' Standard. Although I was sceptical at first with the price tag (I managed to book the trip with a voucher I received at Christmas) it was rather pleasant to see clean tables (not for long after the windows had been open...) with waiters walking through the train. My only slight niggle was that there was no alternative for those who don't drink tea or coffee (of which I'm one) but other than that it was a nice change to the usual standard class. Hopefully the standard of the stock should also improve once Steam Dreams get their own rake together as some of the stock really was at the bottom end. I still can't see myself riding more frequently with the price tag but it was a pleasant experience.

Thanks to MNLPS, Steam Dreams, DBS and all others it what was a very good trip out.

 

A bit late but here's my video from the day.

35028 "Clan Line" Cathedrals express to Cardiff 20/08/2012 - YouTube

 

I was standing right next to you for the shot by the Severn. My vids are earlier in the thread.

 

Bit late uploading due to camera trouble, looks like its on its way out, can hear a slight knocking on playback, with the evening shot that im operating on.

35028 Clan Line with the Cathedrals Express on Sapperton Bank 20/08/2012 - YouTube

 

The sound on the Sapperton videos is magnificent. I throughly enjoyed listening to them, so thanks to all who posted, Clan Line has had a reputation as a rather quiet engine, which to some extent it deserves. I recall seeing it about 5 years ago with the VSOE pullmans taking a different route than usual - the Portsmouth Direct. I was in position on the 1 in 80 up to Buriton Tunnel, and in spite of the steep gradient and the heavy train (and no diesel. or at least, if there was one, it wasn't doing anything except adding to the laod) I saw the steam before I could hear anything! However, in 1995 I saw it on another VSOE excursion, this time to Canterbury, and it sounded absolutely superb on the incline from Deal to Guston Tunnel on the way back - you could hear it a long way off. In fact, I think these recordings of the ascent of Sapperton is the first time I have heard 35028 making as much noise as it did on that memorable late May afternoon 17 years ago.