What was probably the most notable tour of 2017 saw 35028 'Clan Line' return to mainline duties running the Bournemouth Belle from London Waterloo to Bournemouth and return, exactly 50 years to the date that the last steam hauled Belle ran as well as being 50 years to the date that Clan Line bowed out of BR service. This tour was to be a real spectacle and one I could not miss having got a phenomenal path throughout including fast line running from Waterloo to Bournemouth with just the one stop for water at Southampton. The return would see diesel haulage to Southampton from Bournemouth where 35028 would haul the Belle solo back to Waterloo via Andover and Basingtoke, again with a lot of fast line running.
This starts at Worting Junction where Clan Line continues to power away from the 10mph restriction imposed at Basingstoke. A quick dash down to the New Forest and with minutes to spare the Merchant Navy is seen sweeping along the curve at Woodfiddley Crossing near Brokenhurst.
The return continued in superb weather and is first seen at Test Lane. The large crowd that gathered were treated to a fine bit of acceleration as Clan Line restarts its train back to the Capital. A quick race to Whitchurch would this time involve an almost silhouette shot of the Merchant ripping through the station. The final shot in the shadows of Farnborough would see a quick dash along the fast line in the last stages of this memorable run.
It is such an amazing achievement to be able to run such a tour in 2017. To run a Merchant Navy that was withdrawn exactly 50 years ago, on a pullman that last ran behind steam exactly 50 years ago, involving fast line running on pretty much the same route is something that the MNLPS, DBC and many others have so much to be proud of! Kudos to them all.
Please note this video was uploaded when publishing as The RailwayLad.
7 сен 2024
