SR 35028 Clan Line races along the GWML & storms up Sapperton! | The Cotswold Venturer | 24/8/24

Today’s video is another chase, this time of SR Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 35028 Clan Line hauling RYTC’s The Cotswold Venturer from London Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill via Staines, Reading, along the GWML to Swindon, then both ways up Sapperton Bank through the Golden Valley to Cheltenham, after which it ravelled to Worcester. Clan Line is always a great performer so we were hoping for some great shots! Firstly a huge thank you to ‪@themodster‬ and ‪@danielstrainsukofficial9133‬ for the lift in the car to many of the locations today. The Great British summer was out in force too today, with heavy rain forecast until the very end of the day lol, which did catch us a couple times at Sapperton although the day did clear up a little earlier than expected which was nice.
I set out from my local at 6:59, heading for the 7:55 from Banbury to Oxford. As seems to always be the case my day is never complete without a healthy dash of chaos lol so whilst I was at Oxford ‪@danielstrainsukofficial9133‬ rang me to say that a broken rail between Reading and Wokingham meant all lines were blocked. The only way for the tour to get from Staines to Reading was to send it the other way at Virginia Water, join the South Western Main Line at Byfleet and travel to Basingstoke before the diesel could reverse it into Reading from there. After that the tour would travel via its original route, albeit nearly an hour late. I met ‪@adtrainvids9569‬ at Didcot Parkway, with us travelling to on the 9:56 to Reading to see if we could shed any light on what was happening lol. After that we parted, with him heading to Basingstoke and me heading to my originally planned first location at Cholsey. It was pouring with rain as ‪@themodster‬ and ‪@danielstrainsukofficial9133‬ arrived, with Clan Line having been sent down the GWML Fast lines after completing her diversion. Clan Line came racing through at top speed! Next up was a race in the car to Sapperton East, a race which we lost due to bad weather on the M4 which caused lots of congestion. Instead we continued to Homesdown Crossing near Ashchurch! Clan Line, despite having been delayed by a late running northbound XC Vomiter service, came absolutely barrelling through again at high speed!
After that a quick stop for some supplies in Cheltenham, we headed for the main 1 in 60 climb to Sapperton on the return run, where we set up above the tunnel mouth with ‪@WestCountrySteamVideos‬, ‪@blackcountrysteamvideos8021‬, ‪@LiamsLocos‬, ‪@SpeedToTheWest‬ and two other chaps. 35028 could be heard whistling through the Golden Valley up from Stroud from afar, and before long it could be heard climbing the bank making quite some noise although with a slight slip just before the tunnel! Even more remarkable was that the diesel was providing zero assistance for the run! Impressed, we headed out to Bourton on the GWML just outside Swindon. The lighting was superb for this shot, 35028 glinted as she accelerated off up the GWML towards Didcot. After that we headed for Earley station just outside Reading! Quite surprising was the fact you can hear 2024's Reading Festival really clearly all the way in Earley, which to a Midlander sounds crazy!! 35028 is seen powering through running a bit down and heading towards London Victoria against a darkening sky.
Thanks to all who made today possible, thanks particularly to Thomas, Daniel and the car for allowing today to happen and thanks also to WCR, the crew and 35028 herself as well as NR and XC. Thanks also to my company for the day! I hope you enjoy as I did!

[@andrewnormansell1518]

Superb filming! Thanks

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Many thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Dan

[@marmion150]

Great stuff, really felt for you in the 1st sequence, that weather! Quite a smokescreen at Sapperton, anyone would think they didn't want us to see that 47 on the back.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Haha cheers! And yes that can be the way it rolls in the UK sometimes lol. And yes, the smoke was very thick at Sapperton, great to hide the 47 lol. Regards, Dan

[@ragarse3]

Talk about smellivision - that coal dust/smoke smell never leaves you and is immediately evoked in this fab film. Cheers

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Steam locomotives really do smell good lol. Regards, Dan

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brillaint video! I saw her at Martins Heron which was very disappointing location.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune at Martins Heron, hopefully you'll manage to get out and see 35028 again somewhere where she doesn't disappoint. Regards, Dan

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Another lovely video well done great camera work as usual I am really looking forward to seeing your next video I hope you get a nice video next time also when is your next video going to be on KZbin bye for now Philip

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Thank you very much! My uploads are fairly regular so you'll have more to watch very soon. Regards, Dan

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

I'd rather chase Rood Ashton Hall, Who is still under overhaul.

[@crunchynutsteamfilms5043]

Doing a chase with her would be a bit boring in her current state lol. I'm looking forward to her return though. Regards, Dan