35028 Clan Line takes on Honiton and Upton Scudamore banks | Atlantic Coast Express – 23.05.26

A warm glorious day full of sunshine would greet 35028 Clan Line as she took charge of Railway Touring Companies annual recreation of the famous ‘Atlantic Coast Express’. The tour would start out of London Waterloo, and travel along SWML to Basingstoke, before travelling along the entire West of England line to Exeter St Davids. The return would see the tour travel via Taunton, Bristol & Westbury to reach Salisbury, before returning directly to London Waterloo. In the early morning sunlight, our first shot would see the consist passing Earlsfield on the fast lines. Having departed Waterloo late, the crew were keen to make up the defect. By the time the tour passed our next location, Abbots Ann Road in Monxton near Andover, the tour was back on time. The next shot would be the first main highlight of the day, as Clan Line would take on the 1 in 80 climb of Honiton bank, captured from Honiton tunnel, with permission from the landowner. The engine would provide a stunning soundtrack as she took on the climb with ease. A pathing stop at Honiton allowed for one more shot of the outward run, and the tour is captured near journeys end from Exhibition Way in Pinhoe, where congestion ahead would cause the tour to be signal checked. Our first shot of the return run would come from Pugham Farm, just outside Tiverton, where Clan Line would take on the eastbound climb to Whiteball Tunnel. Strong heat haze would be present by this point as the tour passed at speed. Moving onto the next highlight of the day, Upton Scudamore, the 1 in 70 climb from Westbury to Warminster. In the fading sunset, and running half an hour down, Clan Line is captured once again providing a stunning soundtrack as she headed towards Salisbury. Finally, the tour would be captured in darkness at Surbiton, flying through on the fast lines as it heads for the capital. •Facebook:   / themodsterrailwayvideos