The Flying Merchant | 35028 "Clan Line" storms the '50th Anniversary Pullman' 27/04/2024

On the 50th anniversary of its debut mainline railtour, and fresh from an overhaul, 35028 "Clan Line" would make a storming return to public service as it hauled the '50th Anniversary Pullman' from London Victoria to Bath and back.
The 27th of April 1974. A conditional steam ban implemented by British Railways meant only select steam locomotives were permitted on their rails for working railtours, and only on select routes. Owned by the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society, BR(S) Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class - 35028 "Clan Line" was one of these select few, and would make its railtour debut on this day as it hauled an excursion between Basingstoke and Westbury via Salisbury and return. In doing so, 35028 ended a 7 year drought of Bulleid pacifics on the mainline, and consequently became the first 'Merchant Navy' to operate on the national network in preservation. Over the following 50 years, "Clan Line" has cultivated a deserved reputation as a powerful, fast, and reliable performer on the mainline.
On the day of the 50th anniversary of the occasion, 35028 "Clan Line" would spearhead an excursion between London and Bath and back, covering the entirety of the original route between Basingstoke and Westbury. In 1974, due to the steam ban, "Clan Line" was not permitted to work out of the capital; thankfully, 50 years later that would not be a problem. 35028 would start out of London Victoria, navigating the fabric of railway lines in south London in order to join the South West Mainline at Wimbledon. It's not often steam works on the fast lines of the SWML, but from Wimbledon to Basingstoke, 35028 would be given free rein of the Down Fast Line before joining the West of England Mainline as far as Salisbury, and traversing onto the Wessex Mainline to Bath. The return leg would follow the same route as far as Woking, where it would take a diverted route back into London Victoria, meaning that 35028's run on the Up Fast Line would be curtailed at Woking.
With steam on SWML's fast lines being a rarity, the opportunity was snapped up at Weybridge, with 35028 flying on the Down Fast Line as it rounded the curves through the station. Moving west, the Bulleid pacific issued another turn of speed as it climbed through Bapton, working away from Salisbury. On the return working, the steep gradient of Upton Scudamore Bank would do little to stunt 35028's progress, as it erupted up the 1-in-70 gradient with a glorious symphonic display of Bulleid power. As the rain began to fall, there would be one final brush of speed, as 35028 battled the elements heading on the Up Fast Line at Potbridge.
00:00 - Weybridge
00:51 - Bapton
01:48 - Upton Scudamore
03:36 - Potbridge
All footage filmed on Saturday the 27th of April 2024.

[@richardbaldwin9502]

Great video lovely to see it without a diesel on it

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks "Clan Line" regularly appears without a diesel. On this occasion, thanks to a generator coach in the consist.

[@rodneycooperLMSCoach]

Wonderful!!! Just like the good old days.

[@fenderac3049]

An interesting fact about yesterday’s run, was that Clan Line ran with its original red name plates, which it will do a few occasions, but it ran with its original smoke box number plate, but also its last and original shedcode plate 70A Nine Elms, all in celebration of its 50th Anniversary to mainline running in 1974. Performance was exemplary as per usual to Bath and back.

[@rsilman73]

More than enough steam as she got towards the top of Upto Scudamore back. 1 safely valve lifted👍

[@Nimboid-20]

They did try to find out the limits to MN boiler steam production on a stationary test plant (Rugby?), but all they managed to do was knacker two firemen! ISTR they got to 42,000 lbs/hr of steam produced.

[@nigelstride6158]

Good to meet you again at Bapton, Matthew. Another really impressive video. The power, performance and sound at Upton Scud is absolutely incredible - must have been a memorable occasion for all those watching from the bridge. Many thanks for allowing us to share the experience.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

It was a pleasure to meet you again too, Nigel! Thanks very much. The performance at Upton Scudamore had all of us speechless; a fantastic event to witness first hand.

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

She put on quite the show. So good to have her back, all power and style.

[@julesmctrainspotter3102]

Many thanks for persevering in the rotten weather to get some excellent scenes

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mattflaneur407]

Thanks as always for a collection of beautifully choreographed shots. Your Bapton tracking segment was like an animated Eric Ravilous painting! Clan Line as always looking and sounding in fine fettle. Keep up the good work, always appreciated. 👏🏆

[@bobnweaver]

A very enjoyable video. Great to see Clan Line out and about again.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you. Was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

[@frasercottrell2184]

Superb ❤

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@MartinTreadgold]

I got to see it at clapham junction last night on its return to victoria

[@StephenTomlinsonSteam]

Great video footage of The Merchant Navy in fine form without a diesel on the rear. Very interesting read as well about the history. Thank you very much for sharing. I have liked and subscribed. Regards Stephen.

[@stuartaaron613]

Great video. I love the rebuilt Merchant Navy class locomotives.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@marmion150]

Brilliant, really enjoyed that. Well done for enduring the weather to get some great shots.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the video

[@davideddy5877]

Just gorgeous

[@barrytillman2818]

Awesome !!!!!

[@huwprice881]

Great video, thank you. I got a video of her heading back through Freshford, what a magnificent sight!

[@user-ld7ru7kz3n]

33.495 lb of T.E. in all its glorious splender. Wonderful.

[@bobingram6912]

Great shot coming into Weybridge, almost like it was too fast and she needed a bit of opposite lock!!!! Nothing like a bit of optical delusion. She's certainly running extremely well. Thanks Matthew

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much, Bob! I like that assessment, she really was flying. It also settled the nerves against the stopping 455 which can be seen parallel on the Down Slow Line, which had been scheduled to block the view.

[@bobingram6912]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel Yes I noticed that thing skulking on the slow but good old 28 left it standing in smoke and steam!!!!👍🚂

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@bobingram6912 I do have an affection for them, as aging southern region electrics. But not in that moment 😅

[@bobingram6912]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel A lot better than the 313 "cattle trucks"!!!!

[@paulcaswell2813]

WELCOME BACK CLANNIE!

[@FeckHallBahn]

4:12 Stunning footage throughout but this shot captures the true dedication of the enthusiast! As well as being wonderfully atmospheric. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much! The last shot was definitely a test of patience.

[@garthharris9308]

What a great video. Must head to Weybridge. I’m based in Redhill and often visit Shalford.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much

[@winco68]

Excellent captures and wonderful to see this iconic loco back out on the mainline doing what she does best. I’d love to see MNLPS acquire a second Merchant so that they’re always ‘In traffic’ although I fully appreciate and understand the cost implications not to mention the labour intensive nature of that likely making such a move prohibitive.

[@mulatnochannel]

Nice video 👍❤

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@@mulatnochannel Thank you

[@stestepney]

Very nice

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@sawyerhja]

A great video. It would have been nice to know all the filming locations. Indeed, one of the shots from a bridge looked very much like the line at Shute (Axminster), but maybe that place is not double-track.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you. All the locations are listed in the description.

[@sawyerhja]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel So they are. Many thanks.

[@IowaTrainGay]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! What a train! Clan Line really put on a great show! And those Pullman Cars are freaking beautiful! And no Diesel?!?!? I also noticed that they had more 'modern' cars on the ends so I wonder if they did that for safety. Would also explain why they didn't have one of the Observation cars on the end too. So freaking cool!!!!!!!

[@mattlander9119]

The Mk1 and Mk2 coaches are for the support srew for the engine and staff on the Pullman. There isn't an observation car capable of mainline running which is why they are never seen on the belmond train.

[@AndreiTupolev]

There's a generator car on the rear to provide electrical power for the train

[@ianwarriner8193]

What speed was Clan Line doing through Wadebridge Station ?

[@signalbelle]

I wish it was Wadebridge...😀

[@winco68]

It’s supposed to be limited to 75MPH on the mainline with a tolerance of 5% so potentially 78/79 MPH ?

[@MartinTreadgold]

What's the 2nd carriage at the back of the train.. looks like some sort of generator unit

[@winco68]

Yes it contains an electrical generator for air conditioning and electric train heat. No diesel required.

[@Grumpygoodsengine]

Not even a week ago they were testing her now she is pulling tours

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

A true credit to all those involved in the overhaul.

[@davideddy5877]

Unusual, these days, not to see any backup diesel loco.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

There was a generator coach in the consist providing the stock with ETH and power for the kitchen, so no need for one.