The Merchant Venturer 21 November 2009

A few minutes late climbing from Westbury to Upton Scudamore. Past us at the foot of the climb and sounded superb, you could here the climb all the way to summit, maybe slipped once but we think that was all. Very impress with 12 heavy coaches and a class 67 in very heavy rain. The Diesel wasn’t helping.

Sound track to follow.

 

Even better than you think.......it had 13 on!!

 

Had it started to rain when Clan Line reached Avoncliffe this morning or were you fortunate that it was still dry?

 

It had rained but it just stopped as she came through Avoncliff, then it started to tip it down as soon as she had passed.

Shots from this evening. Warning: It was dark so cann't see much but you can certainly hear a sure footed climb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vey2G0nmRJ8

(Avoncliff if you want to see the loco!! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAdXUcy9wjQ)

 

Passed through Surbiton on time on the fast to Waterloo.

 

I went out to see and film this tour today, first time I've seen Clan line, I think.
Met Mgco from this forum at Corston and had a bit of a chat, nice to have met you.

Finally got around to editing my video and it is now on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_FpUouPIMM . I hope you Southern types like it Clan line certainly is one well polished engine.

 

Top vids all,nice to see her at the the front of a train containing passengers which actually can tell the difference between the front and rear locos of the train!

 

Thanks to every body concerned in running yesterdays trip i had a very good day out inspite of the weather doing its best to spoil things.at least Weatherspoons doe a good out of the rain as not many people went further than there

 

Some outstanding running at times with a loco that was hauling the equivalent of a 16 coach train of at least 575 tons gross, ( I need to know passenger numbers please!). By far the heaviest load I have ever timed behind a Bulleid.

Highlights were the climb from a 15 mph sig check near Bedwyn to 43 on the steepest part of the climb to Savernake, before the loco was eased just before the top, going over the summit at 40½ mph. In drizzle and on damp rails. Then some nice fast running up to 75 mph downhill.

A great run from Salisbury to Basingstoke. Porton Bank with that very heavy load in heavy rain and strong wind was a real challenge and I think Wayne said last night that in the end he let Clan Line decide what settings she wanted to keep her feet on the way up! (Correct me if I am wrong please!). But despite the load and dreadful weather we went over the top of the steepest section at 36½ mph, before a very nostalgic race through Andover at 75 mph. Wonderful. Top of Enham bank only saw us drop to 62 mph and with a slowing at Worting to cross to the slow line we were in Basingstoke in under 46 minutes from Salisbury. Net time probably under 44 minutes, highly creditable with such a heavy load and in such weather conditions.

But the best section IMHO was climbing Upton Scudamore. No run at the bank as for the other steam specials I have photographed climbing the 1/75 and 1/70 bank. We were stopped in Westbury station for nearly 6 minutes, and restarted as heavy rain and wind lashed the side of the last coach where I was timing! No diesel pushing, 16 coach equivalent load and just one slip on the ascent! 20.8 max and 15.5 mph minimum. I stood so I could see individual mileposts from the top sliding window, (sorry to those behind me in the train who may have got a bit wet), and even from 13 cars back listened to that wonderful steady exhaust beat of a loco in the hands of a highly competent loco crew.

I've timed very high speed Bulleid runs: I was on the footplate of 35003 that magic and unforgettable night in 1967 when the late Fred Burridge got her up to 106 mph near Fleet on a lightweight load, (highest properly recorded Bulleid speed). Now in 2009, those high speed memories are joined by one of a 15½ mph climb up Upton Scudamore from a dead stand at the bottom of the bank, with a massive load and in quite dreadful weather conditions.

Thank you guys.

 

Bryan,
I'm pleased to hear you had a great day out. As one who used to dabble with a stop watch (too young for Bulleid's) I find it really interesting to hear your stories of the old times of Bulleid's Pacifics at work on everyday workings, as well as recent times. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Was great to experience another run yesterday behind a well turned out 35028 (as per usual) by the MNLPS. Well done guys.

With a heavy train due to the diesel still attatched on the back, along with the conditions encountered near enough all day, clan line certainly impressed on the climb to Savernake from the signal check further down the bank.

The only bad part of the day was getting soaked by the rain, walking back to the station in Bath. After having just visited the roman baths, we turned up back to the station looking like we had just jumped in!

Great day out, and look forward to another behind the merchant navy next year. A huge thanks go to the loco crew and everyone involved on yesterday's tour.

 

Looks like it was a good run despite the terrible weather. Nice to read the report from Kent Yeti. I was going to put some pictures on but the attachment uploader doesn't appear to be working at the moment.

 

Yes Bryan, I gave up trying to push her up Porton. The rail conditions were awful. I could not give her more than around 120 - 140 in the steam chest or she began to slip. Left her at 120 and 30 % cut-off and left her to it! Held high thirties all the way up, would have been interesting if we had a dry rail!
Coming to a stand at Westbury was annoying and a worry. Such a heavy train in that weather but she did really well. Thankfully the rail was good, as you said just the once did she loose her footing, half way up. Could only get up to 20 mph before we hit the bottom of the climb, which she held until just after Dilton Marsh. 60% full regulator, then a bit more cut-off as we slowed to 17mph. Finally out at 70% for the final half mile. Not much of the fire left at the top! Good job it was easy grades all the way to Salisbury.

Wayne.

 

Bryan, with greatest respect to Wayne, it is great to hear you; who have regaled us with tales of Bulleids, "first time round", state that his driving effectively matches your heroes of yesteryear.

At least I think thats what you mean!

 

Thanks for that Wayne. Not surprised you were annoyed and worried when you got stopped in Westbury. Believe me, the noise of Clan Line on that climb from where I was by that open top, top sliding window, nearly 13 coaches back, was wonderful. Even though I found myself counting down the final yards to the summit!

 

Yes, you are quite right!

I couldn't help thinking, as we left Salisbury last night, that the memory of Fred Hoare and co, (Fred was the best Salisbury top link man I timed), was being kept alive very nicely in 2009! And by loco crews these days who don't have the advantage of working on steam every day of their working lives.

Incidentally, my best ever down ACE run from Waterloo to Salisbury was with Fred Hoare and 35028! (It's in the current issue of the MNLPS magazine).

 

A brilliant day had by all of us in the group on Coach 'J' yesterday - For some reason we can't understand why she was beating so tight to Bristol. But on the way back we had a good run with her and thanks to Wayne for a really great day and reply to what happened as we heard her slip once,but got caught hold off on the bank with the load on!!! And the Box (Diesel) to others didn't seem to do anything all day!!??? Which we were all grateful off. I think we ran into London Waterloo about 2.5 mins late all in all, Obviously getting stuck behind a slow??? With regards to not much fire left at Salisbury - I saw the fireman shovelling hard in the station (Water-Stop)
I think we are all looking forward to the next good run with Clanline and Wayne. I am thinking of seriously going mainline support crew now.

The guys do a fantastic job with the loco and the support crew and route knowledge etc..

I don't think I have ever seen a mainline loco looking so immaculate!!

What happened exactly though at Bristol when I got covered in ash while taking some shots at Bristol when coupling up to the stock???

Andy

 

I expect the diesel locomotive was rather busy heating the train.

 

I expect the 67 was. But it was idle and I don't think the Diesel was ever in Notch 1, from being at the back?? But you sure that Clanline wasn't heating the train with a Steamheat pipe???

Some really good runs with the crew and the loco from yesterday and I will definately be doing it again!! Good to hear the crew whistle at Nine Elms Jct on the return leg - A fitting end to the day and with 35028 being back on home territory!

They certainly crew the loco very well and very polite and welcoming!!!

Andy

 

Couldn't agree more and they confirmed the diesel did none of the work