If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Clan Line - Surrey Hills - March 1st

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Mar 1, 2014.

Page 2 of 2
  1. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,212
    Likes Received:
    1,268
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Maybe, but imagine that Clan Line had a problem at Betchworth and sat down for 45 minutes before getting underway again. Not a massive delay by the standards of steam (and especially with no 67 on the back anymore), but that would affect two trains between Dorking and Redhill, which would then mean delayed turnarounds back to Reading. This could then lead to knock on delays on the Waterloo to Reading line, and in turn into and out of Waterloo later on. Someone on WNXX once made the point that incidents these days are not isolated, if something goes wrong in Southampton it can eventually have an impact in Aberdeen, Cardiff and Norwich later in the day.

    No I'm not, I'm using it as an example of how even at a quiet time of day (10.30pm on a Saturday) it can still cause major problems.
     
    A1X, Mar 1, 2014
    #21
  2. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,366
    Likes Received:
    2,823
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    So by definition you are saying that any steam at speed at any time on any line is an unacceptable risk and should not be allowed, or are you saying that Clan Line is a higher risk than any other loco?
     
    mrKnowwun, Mar 1, 2014
    #22
  3. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    22,591
    Likes Received:
    22,721
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It's amazing that what is the closest we get to a regular steam service in the south - the Surrey Hills runs about 20 times a year - has become a talking point because a) it runs b) it runs to time (except when NR prevents it from so doing) c) it looks good and provides a wonderful spectacle of steam for enthusiasts and the public.

    The schedule between Shalford and Redhill is actually quite tight and that is why is often slips away from Shalford a few minutes early. The slow bit is around via Staines and there is a lot of recovery time after Virginia Water to ensure it slots into the busy West Byfleet to Guildford leg on time. As for the total journey time, I seem to remember being told that if it were to rush around the circuit in about three hours that I'm sure is possible, then the passengers (guests) would not have enough time to enjoy their meal. So it's all done like it is for a reason and diners and staff would certainly not appreciate this service swinging around any curves lest they end up with food and drink in the guests' laps.
     
    Big Al, Mar 1, 2014
    #23
  4. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,366
    Likes Received:
    2,823
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    No one is disputing it runs ;) and you are right you can set your clock by it most times.
     
    mrKnowwun, Mar 2, 2014
    #24
  5. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    I see no reason to change my opinion of your comments either.

    Pity, prior to that I had a level of respect for your posts and thought you had a reasonable understanding of our hobby.

    I am quite happy to see 35028 on an "undemanding schedule" " pootling" around surrey in a "Disneyland" "artificial style", and am sure all its 10's of thousands of passengers do too.
    If pootling is not your thing, next week it will be doing the same at the mid hants for many thousands more so presume you have no interest being there ?
     
    ADB968008, Mar 2, 2014
    #25
  6. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,366
    Likes Received:
    2,823
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Backwards too
    I'll pass, thanks.
     
    mrKnowwun, Mar 2, 2014
    #26
  7. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2011
    Messages:
    1,968
    Likes Received:
    2,476
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Southampton, UK
    The first proper video on my new YouTube channel, OnTheFastLine, features 35028 Clan Line on two VSOEs at the start of 2014 - caught at Byfleet and New Haw, Worplesdon (1st March) and London Victoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up2VNO_6oe0

    James
     
    steamvideosnet, Mar 2, 2014
    #27
  8. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Messages:
    930
    Likes Received:
    1,389
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swindon


    Yesterday's outing mainly to see 44932 on 'The Cathedrals Express', but also features 'Clan Line' on the VSOE.
     
    KristianGWR, Mar 2, 2014
    #28
  9. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2010
    Messages:
    2,099
    Likes Received:
    1,403
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Early retirement! (Ex-Business Improvement, LU).
    Location:
    Gomshall, Surrey
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    'Clan Line' works quite hard on the climb to Betchworth summit on most trips - Saturday was no exception, and the weather was kind. I live across the road from this spot so it was pleasant to 'cycle over for a leisurely view:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepgreen2009/12860491154/
     
    Deepgreen, Mar 3, 2014
    #29
  10. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    1,212
    Likes Received:
    1,268
    Occupation:
    Insurance
    Location:
    Good Old Sussex by the Sea
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer

    Neither, why are you trying to put words in my mouth?
     
    A1X, Mar 3, 2014
    #30
  11. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,366
    Likes Received:
    2,823
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Not putting words in your mouth, its the logical extrapolation of what you were suggesting. In your scenario what applies to clan line applies to any engine on any line.
     
    mrKnowwun, Mar 3, 2014
    #31
  12. bonniville

    bonniville New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2013
    Messages:
    171
    Likes Received:
    93
    Gender:
    Male

    it did go backwards at redhill, most unusual
     
    bonniville, Mar 4, 2014
    #32
  13. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Not sure about backwards, but this thread has certainly gone downhill.
     
    KentYeti, Mar 4, 2014
    #33
    steamvideosnet, green five and Drysdale like this.
Page 2 of 2

Share This Page