Clan Line on the Golden Arrow: 26/09/24

Just a few days short of the 52nd anniversary of the end of this wonderful train (30 Sept 1972), the Belmond Pullman lunch train today saw 35028 running in full Golden Arrow regalia.

Two photos below - the first saw me back on the bridge overlooking Bromley South station where I photographed 34100 on both the last down and the last up steam hauled Golden Arrow normal service on 11 June 1961.

Today the immaculate Merchant Navy class pacific made a superb sight and sound climbing the 1/95 grade through the station - a very emotional moment for me. My second shot was of it on the return from Dover Priory heading through Paddock Wood.

Many thanks to both the MNLPS and to Belmond for arranging this today.

Bryan B

 

Clan Line captured at Sole Street, Selling & Hildenborough bank:

 

Well, Bryan, fortune favours the brave! I was consdering going to Paddock Wood but decided the weather looked a bit iffy. You must have had a providential break in the clouds at just the right moment!

I have to say that this is a more convincing "Golden Arrow" recreation that 34046 and its train of Mk1s a few days earlier. It would be good if the regalia were to be used on a regular basis when 35028 takes the Pullmans round Kent. Maybe @Johnb will know whether this is the case or whether today was a one-off. Quite a few of the early runs around Kent with the pullmans in the 1990s used the regalia (See below)

 

Nice sequences. And I love the Selling shot and the way you made that lovely old lady waving to the train part of the sequence. That to me was really good filming.

Bryan B.

 

John, I don't worry too much about the weather these days, modern cameras and my fairly basic use of Photoshop Elements can usually recover something. A quite sharp shower had not long finished at Paddock Wood and, standing on a small stool on the bridge there, I had been in position with one hand holding a small umbrella to keep my camera dry, and the other holding the camera, I could have got a shot. With the sun back out I was a bit late dealing with the umbrella, closing it up and stuffing it into a pocket in the mountain coat I was wearing today. I didn't have much time after doing that when Clan Line came into view!

Bryan B

 

Absolutely the Old Lady really makes that sequence.... lovely film thanks for sharing.

 

A couple of photos from Thursday. First an unplanned trip to Meopham station thanks to the A2 being closed.


Then an incredibly lucky break in the clouds at Capel le Ferne. I have removed Network Rail's line of traffic cones next to the track. Still plenty of work going on around here but appears the speed restriction is no longer in place, 35028 was motoring along.

 

"STAND BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE!" I can hear in my mind at a busier station!