The Merchant Venturer 21 November 2009

Three weeks to go before another of the year's big events- 'Clan Line' taking a break from the VSOEs to haul its second enthusiasts' train of 2009 from Waterloo to Bath and Bristol. Going outwards via Reading and Savernake (Berks and Hants) to Westbury and on to Bath and Bristol; returning Westbury, Salisbury and the South West Mainline to Waterloo. Already booked my ticket for what promises to be an excellent day out behind an iconic locomotive. Anyone else planning on doing this one? Not to mention frequenting the various public houses of Bristol?

 

Yup - Already booked that one WELL in Advance!!! It's surely going to be sold out soon! Already got the train times to get into Waterloo well in Advance for some fab photos before setting off for a fab trip!!!

 

Yes I’m on this one. You certainly can’t beat a good high mileage day out behind 35028. I see the 'posh' end is already sold out so it shouldn’t be much longer before standard is full. See you there!

 

I'm in, should be a great day if it is only half as good as the Eastleigh Trip.

 

I have booked this one, this will be my second trip behind 35028 this year looking forward to a great day out

 

For the mileage involved, I think the price of the ticket is great value for money, and takes in two lines I've not done before (although they do send the VSOE along some of this route sometimes).

 

After travelling on 35028 earlier in the year to the Eastleigh event, and bearing in mind the run we was all given...didnt need to think twice about booking this one up!!

Looking forward to it, not much of a wait now.

 

A dozen of us who timed Clan Line amongst many, many other Bulleids in the 1960s are booked together on this. Sort of re-union. Could be a fabulous day out.

 

Plus a couple of others! One who wasn't thought off and another who was a Fireman/Driver at Nine Elms! ;-)

 

I had included you both in the dozen! You get am honorary mention because of the exploits of that "Fireman/Driver" in the 1960s. And of course he himself is a key member of the group.

Should be a great day out for us all!

 

Looking forward to the day!! Just over 2 weeks to go!!!

Do you have timings for the said Fireman/driver of the 1960's?

Don't we all have seats next to each other for the trip??

 

I'm told we are 12 sitting together. Should be a rather noisy part of the train. So much catching up to do as that is the first time so many of us will be together again since July 1967!

Logs of runs with the fireman/driver are around. I seem to remember he was on the shovel the day of Gordon Hooper's 76 mph over Roundwood on the up Belle?

 

Any idea when she is due through Bradford-On-Avon???

 

Outward Bradford Junction 12/27 Bathampton Junction 12/39
Return Bathampton Junction 17/02 Bradford Junction 17/16

John.

 

Times are now available at www.uksteam.info/tours/t09/t1121a.htm

David

 

Thanks David. And I won't shoot the messenger.

But at a first glance the times for the bit I know are dreadful! 50 Minutes From Salisbury to passing Worting Junction. The old ACE schedule was 34 minutes. And 66 minutes in from Basingstoke to Waterloo. Yuk! But I guess we are lucky to get a schedule on the direct route, so will have to live with whatever that brings.

 

Well, we'll see what happens on the day. At least the pubs of Bristol are a tempting prospect, so see you all in the Cornubia (all guest ales), the White Lion (Wickwar pub), the King's Head (excellent interior), or even the Bag of Nails (fine view of the SS Great Britain from the road roundabout in front), or even a swift one in the half-hour water stop at Salisbury (if they allow us off the train)...

 

well there's a pub 100 yards outside the station.

I noticed it when stranded there on my way back from swanage by bus.

 

Looking at those timings we can srab a pint somewhere near Andover as well!

And one after Woking!!

 

At Salisbury -
The Railway is outside the station. Not certain if it has real ale at present.

The Deacons Alms is about 7 or 8 minutes away along Fisherton Street towards the City Centre.

The Village in Wilton Road is about 5 minutes walk away. Down the station approach, left under the railway bridge and follow the main road round to the left. The back exit from the former platform 1 has been locked since ticket barriers were installed. Joe, the landlord of the Village normally keeps a mild on tap and is a railway enthusiast.

In Bristol, try The Orchard near the SS Great Britain. Its just got a CAMRA award in the last few months.

Cheers, Neil