Clan Line in 2021

Filmed at Coulsdon South under very difficult lighting conditions.

 

The only place on the surrey hills run where I know there is a good viewing angle with the sun in exactly the right place. Alas no a place of high action but none the less here it is

 

I made a 210 mile journey today to see Clan Line and the VSOE. What a wonderful sight and sound on Gomshall bank. Well worth the trek. Many thanks to the organisers, DBC crew and MNLPS support crews.

 

The diesel on the back was there as it’s still leaf fall season and there are a lot of trees around Gomshall. It wasn’t needed, just another 80 tons of dead weight to pull.

 

One interesting thing about todays trip was that it was Bells and Two Tones were back in action at the water stop at Chertsey.

 

I havent posted on here for many months as my Dad who used to come out with me to watch Clan Line is very frail these days and cant get out much. However I now have an 11 year old Stepson who is railway mad and wants to see Clan Line. Where can I get the timings for Clan Lines run next Saturday December 11th? uksteam.info used to be my almanac but the gentleman who used to compile it sadly passed away. I have tried googling but didnt get much back. Many thanks Matt.

 

I would imagine it is these, the Railway Herald tours page will normally have a link to Real Time Trains these days.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05971/2021-12-11/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05976/2021-12-11/detailed

 

Not as good as UKSteam.info, but a useful resource:

http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/railtours

 

It doesn’t run on that path now although RTT still show it, run as required. Using yesterday’s times as an example these are the new timings. Note it now runs via the West London Line and Kew

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05970/2021-12-02/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05974/2021-12-02/detailed

 

A so much more attractive route with all those scrapyards John!

 

Belmonds on Saturdays are different, they use that path. They still have a stop at Shalford. Gladiator 5076 posted the correct timings.

 

I think Belmond wanted more time on the journey. There are a couple of stops on the way out and a lengthy stop at Longhedge Junction, not the most scenic part of South West London to look out on while finishing the champagne! There is the experience of crossing the Thames four times though.

 

I’ve not done a Saturday Belmond since the change but that’s news to me. Could be worth checking nearer the time

 

From yesterday's run, seen starting the climb out of the Mole valley at Dorking.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone, so it looks like Clan Line will be going through Shalford around 14:20 this coming Saturday? If she stops for Water there I will do as I did before and see her arrive then hot foot it to my favourite location near Gomshall to see her attack the bank.

 

Arrives at Shalford 1422, departs 1442. Doesn't stop for water, that's at Chertsey now, but they do use the stop to pull more coal forward.

 

I would not be too sure about that. Water was definitely taken at Shalford on the last Saturday Belmond run on 20 Nov. The fire engine operator told me that Shalford was more convenient than Chertsey. Obviously this only arises on a Saturday as there is no Shalford stop in the Mon-Fri schedule.

 

A closer shot from the run on 2 December. Seen just after crossing the Mole at Dorking.

 

A little bit less exciting than what the video is mostly about, but included is a shot of 35028 on her last Belmond of the year, powering through Whitton: