RTC Three Bridges to Bath: 14/12/24

Latest news from the MNLPS. <BJ>

''We are all sorted and ready to go for our final trip of 2024. We will be heading from Three Bridges to Salisbury, where we will be servicing and in the platform for a few hours whilst the tour continues to Bath & Bristol''.

 

Brighton to Salisbury via Eastleigh rather than via Southampton then. Nice to see the correct headcode for a good part of the trip. Hope it goes well.

Peter

 

Please come and visit during the Salisbury layover. The sales team will be there so treat yourself for Christmas.

 

RTT for tomorrow:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U37511/2024-12-14/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U37516/2024-12-14/detailed

I do hope it all goes well for Clan Line and everyone on and involved in running the trip tomorrow.

Bryan

 

Latest from the MNLPS. The loco in pristine condition as usual. <BJ>

''We've arrived at Three Bridges and we're ready to go with today's tour. Next stop after this will be Haywards Heath!''

 

35028 just after Shoreham on Sea

 

I did check last night if I could get a photo of the train coming through Eastleigh - I'd have gone down by train. But from RTT it looks to be booked through platform 2, the old down platform. Rather than through the up main as in 1960s steam days. Something to do with the lack of pointwork these days! - even if the crossovers existed back in the 1960s.

I know that makes me almost as fussy as the strange, tiny minority here who only want to see such as old S.E.C.R and similar locos in that wonderful BR lined black and numbering they wore in the 1960s. . . . . . . . . or they'll throw a

But I am what I am (half Owl and half Yeti) and will never change.

And I hope all is going well on board today - might even get a report from Big Brother Don @gricerdon at some stage today.

Bryan B

 

Left Salisbury RT after running the 47 round and 35028 off into the sidings - pleasantly surprised how smooth that went. Bath & Bristol awaits.

 

Is Clan Line still heading to Bristol? Saw diesel with mixed blue and white rake pass Corston.

 

You really must keep up old boy . This has been discussed here on N-Pres over the last week or so. [BJ]

 

Clan Line is sensibly staying at Salisbury until the train returns from gwr territory.

And considering what that region once did to the railway and SR trains west of Salisbury, I for one can't blame her for putting her foot down about where she wants to go today!

Bryan B

 

The extended pathing stop at Hove to allow a London Victoria to Littlehampton train ahead this morning meant three locations were possible following by train. My video from Hassocks, Preston Park and West Worthing. Large crowds out for this one along the West Coastway line.

 

Nice! I was at Ford where the murk seemed to have cleared. Still the only steam loco I've travelled behind on the main line in England (HRT William Shakespeare 1999)

 

Yes Clan Line ran within itself with 10 plus the DL. I couldn’t detect any help from the DL on the Hove to Salisbury section. It is normally felt by jerking of the stock. Great to run at around 60 mph all the way from just after Barnham to approaching Havant including through a very crowded Chichester. Crowds everywhere along the West Coast route. Well worth an early start and my first main line tour since 45596 in September 2022. Good to have Big Al for company as well as my son Tim

 

A good stream of people visiting the loco and sales stand at Salisbury during the layover too.

 

35028 captured at Preston Park, Shoreham, Fareham & Mottisfont, with a fast passing to end the day:

 

Lovely filming as usual, with an outstanding night sequence to end with.
Bryan

 

Amazing tour - the noise was incredible even in coffins, bring on 2025.