Portsmouth Direct 13th April

Just seen an article on BBc South with the train at Petersfield.

 

WoW, What a cracking day with loads and loads of people around and nice weather too! As for Cromwell, well, not many things make me speachless but the sound coming from the Brit yesturday was something to be hold! A real awesome machine and even on the way back sitting in the rear coach you could still hear hear the roar coming from the chimney. A cracking effort by everyone and thanks to Steam Dreams for running the trip. \/

A little nudge here to SD but after over hearing various conversations on the return, I think more people will travel if trips were organised down the "Pompey Direct" stopping at various locations to pick up......

Cracking pics and videos everyone, top effort! =D>

 

I searched for this but couldn't find. Could you post a link?

Cheers.

 

Sorry, I should of mentioned it was on the TV - not on the Internet.

 

Quite so! Something for everyone: a bit of high speed, some excellent climbing, good company and definitely an excellent sound track. We were at the front on the way home.

Yes, it could be a popular route. I'm not sure about the rest of the train but in dining we left Victoria perhaps 1/3rd full. Passengers boarded at every stop to fill the coach by Havant. The Havant passengers had to eat up quickly on the return though.

Cheers
Alan

 

The worry about the train not being full is unfounded as so many joined and left enroute as would be expected on this trip. A great day out and so good to see railways have the power to generate such interest. As someone on the train remarked, tongue in cheek on seeing the lineside crowds. "Who needs Tornado!"

 

As promised, here's the sound to go with the image. 70013 sets off from Liss and attacks the 1/80 climb towards Liphook in fairly low-fi 64Kbps. Play loudly...

 

The sight and sound of Oliver Cromwell climbing away from the speed restriction under the A31 at Oborne was truly amazing. I cannot remember seeing a steam locomotive accelerate at such a rate of speed towards the summit. Incredible. <BJ>

 

Does anyone know who was on the footplate on the return run?

 

Yesterday was certainly a fantastic trip and the best this year that I have done. 310 miles of steam, good route and a fantastic engine sums it up perfectly. The sound of 70013 was just intense, even on the return when I was in the last coach. Many thanks to Steam Dreams for a fantastic day, re-run soon please!

 

Pedant's hat on : It's the A30 at Oborne.
I was further up the climb near Milborne Port and I agree the sound Ollie made coming up from Sherborne was simply awesome. The guys on the overbridge are still combing cinders out of their hair I reckon. :smt001
I'll upload a clip later.

 

Oborne was something special wasn't it? Were you the chap with the portable whistle board?

 

Well spotted that man. <BJ>

 

Yes that was me,although I didnt use it as I panned round and I was on the firemans side,if the driver see it he generally whistles.FC waved at the driver and he gave a toot so not bad. My whistle board usually works well!!

Glad I didnt put you of this time by wearing my Wolves shorts like I did on Whiteball free2grice!!!!!

 

No problem this time. The filming of Oliver Cromwell was nice and smooth.
The sight of your legs certainly spoilt my concentration at Whiteball. <BJ>

 

Seen crossing the viaduct at Fareham:

 

A couple of lads tried the same trick near Westbury for the Royal Duchy. I found it highly amusing and took a phot of their boards. One threatened to break his knuckles on my face if I posted the shot on the internet. Charming!
I suspect he'd been on the wine gums a tad to early that day. :smt003

 

Ive seen one other guy with a whistle board,last time was near Honiton for 70013
Im suprised nobody has got a shot of me with my board,ive used it many times and as I said it usually works.I think FC has recently been given a print of me at Claverham near Yatton with it, i will see if I can post it later .One thing ive wondered is wether Network Rail approve but I havnt been arrested yet.............. \/

 

Yes, Driver was Dave Euson (Not sure of the spelling in his surname there) and fireman was David Wright.

From what I can gather, quite a few people got on/off at the pick up points etc so the train certainly wasnt empty, think 1C wathcer hits the nail right on the head there.

 

Driver Dave Hewson, fireman Dave Wright. Conductor from Yeovil to Salisbury was Bill Warrener, who drove that stretch.

Train was fully booked, BTW.