The Merchant Venturer 21 November 2009

Oh, no, not the 'Wimbledon' gag again! It raised a smile in my part of the carriage to say the least.

 

You should have heard it!!! That Wimbledon gag will go on for probably a century! Are we at Wimbledon yet!!!

 

I did hear it. I was the chap with sideburns periodically going down to the buffet car and returning with alcoholic beverages, and sometimes going out into the vestibule for a quick look, and coming back trying to disguise a smile on my face after hearing the Bulleid 'chatter'. I was also one of the chaps who happened to be in the wrong seats at Waterloo, for which I, and Brian, apologise most wholeheartedly (the seat numbers are difficult to find in the Mk. IIs) .

 

I can't quite remember - I think I have an idea who you are?? There were a few returning with alcoholic beverages during the return run!! I had to drive unfortunately - So meant I couldn't indulge in a Beverage of that kind! But I think we were out of our seats enough! I was the guy in the Blue top, running out at Salisbury to get some good photos. I hope I have achieved some fairly good shots from the day? I think you were a table behind us, or me at least, running with the goggles for a good look??

 

And I completely agree that the seat numbers are not easy, but we were lucky that all 12 of us were next to each other..

 

Yep, the one with goggles. It's a trademark amongst my enthusiast fraternity whenever we go on a jolly to a railway gala! I did realise who you were after my return, and I now wish I popped over to say hello. Anyway, I'm sure we'll get another chance for introductions on a trip in the not too distant future. I am intending to do 'Tangmere' and/or 'Sir Lamiel' down to Penzance in April, and 'Princess Elizabeth' to Kensington Olympia, returning from Euston in March. I may also do a Steam Dreams trip from Waterloo to Exeter. Other than that, I'll be attending various galas and events. May even pop over to the Mid-Hants at some point for a bash behind 92212.

 

Send me a PM mate and we'll sort out a tour or arrange a photoshoot like the trip we went on? That's if you can remember what I look like!? I thought you were Bulleid Pacific when I saw you on the up as well as the down trip...

 

For me a trip isn't a trip unless a Bulleid - You should know that!! Although saying that - 60163 is a contender for something I want to go on a mainline trip with.. But I can do that lineside...

 

True, but until we get 35027 charging around the Northern Fells or heading to West Wales from Bristol, everywhere off the Southern will have to be without the benefit of a Bulleid. I also want to get some steam mileage in (over the course of several trips where some parts of the route overlap with each other, I have steamed from West to East of Britain, from Milford Haven to Ramsgate. I'm working on North to South, hence the Crewe-Kensington Olympia/Euston-Crewe trip I'm doing, as I've already done Crewe-Carlisle. Add to that Bristol-Penzance, I'll have done 90% of the length of England, with all tours connecting up at various points along the way, courtesy of the West London Extension Line, that fantastic piece of engineering. Don't worry, I have a vague recollection of what you look like. You were the 'younger' member of the group...

 

Yup, I was the younger member of the group - Although not that young!!

 

As the uploader seems to be working now here are the pictures from this trip; one at Ufton and two from Kintbury. The ones at Kintbury show the smoke deflectors doing their job well despite the strong wind that was blowing up the line!

 

Thanks for the photos Green Five - Am pretty sure I saw you - Coach behind the Support Coach of Clanline.