35028 Clan Line to Exeter: 12/10/24

Some times for the outbound trip have appeared:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U29104/2024-10-12/detailed

 

With a sensible time at Winchfield for watering.

 

Does Clan Line need a water stop?

 

Normally Clan Line can work Victoria to Salisbury without a water stop. As the tour is operated by West Coast, I suppose they have left the specification to suit locos with smaller water capacity.

Cheers, Neil

 

ECS comes from Southall with 35028 on the back of it all of the way (having worked there on the Friday) rather than from Stewarts Lane as on previous trips

Andrew

 

I may be wrong but I don't think this is the same water stop specification as with previous steam runs down the SWML. Previous Winchfield stops have (notoriously) been about 12 minutes, often leading to a late departure and a delay to the following service train (albeit a Basingstoke terminator).

 

It does appear that someone ( RTC? MNLPS? ) has decided that extra water and time is needed and told West Coast.
Certainly the headways are pretty close to the preceeding and following Basingstoke local services.

Cheers, Neil

 

A fairly long time from Waterloo to Salisbury plus the run from Southall may well have tipped the balance in favour of a Winchfield water stop.

With the current stock expected to form the train and the length of day I shall rather sadly be giving it a miss.

Thankfully the Bluebell G.O.S is over that weekend, which has 32424, 34059 and 73082 planned for operation, locos right in my narrow focus. Other locos are available, so I have been told!

Bryan B

 

Although this was originally a sell out for the original date, an email earlier in the week said they have added extra seats and standard class is £30 off with code OCTS.

 

Presumably an extra coach? But I assume the train will still be all/mainly Mk11s?

Not that a miracle change to all MK1s will persuade me to go on it - a far too long a day, especially after I plan to do the G.O.S at the Bluebell at least on Friday, if not on other days too.

Bryan B

 

Return times Exeter to Waterloo https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U29107/2024-10-12/detailed

 

I wonder if 35028 hauls the ECS from Southall to Willesden, with a diesel on the rear, and the diesel then tows everything into Waterloo: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U29103/2024-10-12/detailed Or, does the diesel run round in Willesden yard?

 

Neither no run round/changes of direction required.

Andrew

 

More or less similar timings as July 2022, which was a really good day out with 35028.

 

The big issue for those in Std is whether we're at back or front of the train all day!

 

There is that, but a run over the old stamping grounds is always a good thing.

 

Crucially, I would have thought, does the diesel sit at the back all day or is it left behind in London? Does 'leaf fall insurance' apply yet?

 

It'll stay on the back all day. Got to keep those air cons powered somehow!

 

Clan Line took the Pullman out earlier this week with no diesel, so I don't think we're in leaf fall yet.

 

Based on the photo spread in RH this week plenty of RHTT running now.