35028 Clan Line with a top performance on 'The End of Southern Steam' - 09.07.24

Steam in the south west really doesn’t get much better. Marking the 57th Anniversary since steam in the southern region was done with altogether, 35028 Clan Line would take charge of Railway Touring Companies annual “End of Southern Steam” railtour. Starting out of London Victoria, the train would travel via Staines to Woking and down the SWML to Basingstoke, before heading along the West of England line to Yeovil Junction. Here, Clan Line would be turned and serviced while the tour carried on diesel hauled to Weymouth via Yeovil Pen Mill. Clan Line would then follow along the same route, rejoining the consist at Weymouth for a dash back up the SWML to London Waterloo. The only thing putting off a perfect day was the weather, but that would prove to be of little impact to the trains display throughout the day. Our first shot comes from Frimley Green as Clan Line speeds along the SWML towards Farnborough, followed by a similar passing at Grateley, which would see the worst of the rainfall. A slight knock in the shot is visible here, but it was a challenge holding the umbrella over the camera while filming! The next shot sees us take shelter at Tisbury station, where Clan Line once again charges through at speed with a long whistle. Following a short visit to the Yeovil Railway Centre to witness the Merchant Navy being turned on the turntable, we headed to Thornford to see the locomotive head through with its support coach to Weymouth, before capturing what would be the highlight of the day. Setting up at Bincombe Tunnel, we were witness to a sensational performance as Clan Line took on the 1 in 50 grade of Upwey bank all on her own, with no assistance from the diesel at the rear, providing a top sounding exhaust beat. A seriously grand performance! Heading into the New Forest, we next see the train passing Beaulieu Road at speed, having powered away from a pathing stop at Brockenhurst. With a water stop at Southampton and a pathing stop at St Deny’s, not many vantage points were available, so we setup outside Southampton tunnel as Clan Line cruises through with the rain making a return. Not long later, The Merchant Navy is seen tackling the gradient towards Winchester, captured from the footbridge at Mead Road, once again providing a stunning soundtrack. Finally, and ending the day in fine style, with a path on the fast all the way from Basingstoke to Waterloo, Clan Line is captured whistling at speed through Winchfield. Alongside the anniversary, the day was also significant for Clan Line herself, as she would complete her 100,000th mile in preservation when passing Milepost 80 on the outward journey. There are many locomotives out there that can put on a great performance, but today proved that Clan Line can always be in a league of her own, and can still perform on her home ground, 57 years on! •Facebook:   / themodsterrailwayvideos