Fleet Steam

Main Line 2010

	13 February 2010 Running in place of 34067 Tangmere, 60019 Bittern climbs past Froxfield Lower Lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal.  Making a splendid sight on a dull winter day, 60019 was heading 'The Valentines Express' from London Victoria to Bath, Bristol and return. 60019 is heading along nicely here and we get no sound to speak of really.  However, we catch 60019 on the return at Theale which you can listen to on Sound 2010 here.
	04 August 2010 A fine, late evening at Brookwood and 60019 Bittern is seen preparing to depart with the returning 'Dorset Coast Express'.  The outward leg to Weymouth had been hauled by 30777 Sir Lamiel. In the second view 60019 is seen getting underway on its way to Woking and London Waterloo. We eventually get a little noise from 60019 on Sound 2010 here.
	01 September 2010 Another run for 60019 Bittern on the 'Dorset Coast Express', here heading the return leg to London Waterloo in the late evening at Winchfield.  The outward leg to Weymouth from London Victoria had been headed by 44932.
	08 September 2010 Heading the final 'Dorset Coast Express' trip of the season, 60019 Bittern cruises through Winchfield in fading light.  Just visible under the road bridge are the tail lights of the 17.42 Basingstoke service, having departed just moments before.
	11 September 2010 Under a leaden grey sky 60019 Bittern tears up the climb at Grafton on the Kennet and Avon Canal.  Note the second tender, used to carry water only and once carried by Flying Scotsman.  60019 was heading 'The Mayflower' running from London Euston to Plymouth.  From Taunton the trip was assisted by 5029 over the Devon banks with the tour later returning to London Paddington.  60019 is really powering along here which you can listen to on Sound 2010 here.
	07 October 2010 The crew of 60019 Bittern are clearly enjoying the steep 1/80 climb towards Haslemere and even give us a blast on the whistle.  With a load of 13 coaches, second tender and diesel, 60019 is on good form here with seemingly little help from the Class 37 at the rear.  60019 was heading for Bristol from London Victoria before returning to London Waterloo. A brief clip of sound on Sound 2010 here.
	30 October 2010 This trip was due be hauled by 70000 Britannia but with 70000 being unavailable 60019 Bittern headed the tour.  At the Waterloo departure 60019 ran through a set of wrongly set points causing a delay of some ninety minutes.  When the train did finally get underway it was routed down the main line via Wimbledon and Woking instead of the booked route via Staines.  Heavily assisted by a Class 37 diesel at the rear, 60019 is seen here at Winchfield some thirty minutes behind schedule.  The trip was headed for Exeter and would later return to London Paddington via Basingstoke.

	14 February 2010 Two views here of 60163 Tornado with a Valentine's Day circular tour from London Paddington via Reading, Newbury and Salisbury. First, we see 60163 heading through Kintbury on its was to Westbury.  Then, following a slow pass through Basingstoke, 60163 accelerates away towards Reading in steady rain.  The lines in front of us carry the main route to London Waterloo.
	16 June 2010 A1 Class no. 60163 Tornado heads away from Basingstoke in the late evening with the returning 'Purbeck Tornado'.  The tour had run from London Victoria to Swanage with the return being Diesel hauled towards Southampton with 60163 at the rear.  60163 then lead the tour via Romsey, Laverstoke Jct, Andover and Basingstoke. A large crowd to view but a little sound on Sound 2010 here.
	20 June 2010 A1 Class No. 60163 Tornado heads west near Winchfield in some lovely evening sunshine.  60163 was heading a circular 'Cathedrals Express' from London Waterloo via Eastleigh, Havant and Guildford.  This was the second tour of the day for 60163 having earlier run a circular trip from London Victoria via Dover Priory.
	20 August 2010 Back on the main line following repairs to its boiler, 60163 Tornado breezes up the climb away from Worplesdon with this VSOE circular tour.
	13 November 2010 In the fading light of a dull November afternoon, 60163 Tornado pounds up the climb near Chilworth with this VSOE circular from London Victoria.

20 February 2010 Catching a little late afternoon sunlight 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe make a spectacular departure from Swindon with the 'Great Western Incursion'.  The pair are heading for Tyseley Warwick Road following a trip to Didcot.  The the tour ran via Cheltenham over Sapperton and is seen here just taking the diverging line.  The lines in front carry the main route to the west and we are probably lucky not to have been eclipsed by a HST. The two locos are on top form and we even manage a little sound despite a crowded location on Sound 2010 here.

06 March 2010 In fading light 70013 Oilver Cromwell pounds up the climb from Westbury near the summit at Upton Scudamore.  Heading for Salisbury, with 'The Bristolian' headboard this section of the climb is around 1:70.  70013 was returning to Three Bridges in West Sussex following a trip to Bath and Bristol. This section of line between Westbury and Salisbury was built by the Great Western but became the responsibility of BR Southern Region in 1950. The noise from 70013 here is truly memorable so make sure you take a listen over on Sound 2010 here.

03 May 2010 Running a series of trips between London Victoria and Windsor and Eton Riverside, 70013 Oliver Cromwell heads through Bedfont.  The trips were run on behalf of the Girl Guides and 70013 is seen here heading for Victoria in the evening with the final train of the day, partially hidden by the lineside vegetation. Following a lengthy trip across Britain with the GBIII tour, 70013 is enjoying some relatively easy running here and we have no sound to listen to today.

25 March 2010 This is the first time we have seen 6201 Princess Elizabeth on Fleet Steam.  The Princess Royal Class loco was hauling a 'Cathedrals Express' tour from London Victoria to Bath, Bristol and return.  This would appear a 'one off' appearance on old Southern metals, but 6201 makes a truly wonderful sight that I hope will be repeated one day. Two views here, both from Guildford on the outward leg.  First we get a good overall view of the scene as 6201 gets underway.  Various multiple units are seen on the left as 6201 just begins to take the crossing immediately in front of the loco to join the Reading line. Second, 6201 comes powering by.  6201 was completed at Crewe works in 1933 and is owned by the 6201 Princess Elizabeth Society.  6201 is making some noise though which we somewhat surprisingly manage to capture along with the climb to Gomshall later in the day.  Listen on Sound 2010 here.

10 June 2010 We finally get to see a little colour on 6201 Princess Elizabeth during this sequence at a water stop at Ascot.  Returning to London Victoria following a trip to Bath and Bristol we first see 6201 arriving along the Reading line.  To the left we see the lines curving away towards Bagshot, Aldershot and Farnham.  Second, with muted colour on a very dull evening, 6201 draws to a halt allowing us to view the station layout.  Of note is the double faced Platform 1 that 6201 is passing.  The platform is used to ease passenger traffic on race days.  Next we view 6201 departing from Ascot in fine style before we finish with a cab study.   A big crowd to view but we get a little sound on Sound 2010 here.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.	26 March 2010 I was privileged to be invited to travel in the support coach of 35028 Clan Line for a VSOE trip around the Surrey Hills on this Friday afternoon.  A very special journey to be enjoyed but I did manage a couple of images from the trip which are included here: 1.  At the beginning of the trip 35028 stands at the head of the train awaiting departure form London Victoria.  The train has just been diesel hauled from the depot at Stewarts Lane. 2.  Following a journey via Staines, Woking and Guildford we arrive at Shalford where the locomotive is serviced. 3.  The hard working and well organised support crew prepare Clan Line for a climb through the Surrey Hills and the remainder of the trip. 4.  Linkfield Street, Redhill. 5.  Approaching Redhill. 6.  35028 rests at London Victoria at the end of the trip.  Above we see renovation work continuing on the trainshed roof. Travelling immediately behind 35028 we are afforded a rare opportunity to record some unique sound which you can listen to on Sound 2010 here.
	14 April 2010 A desperately dull day in Berkshire sees 35028 Clan Line heading west near Woolhampton with this VSOE trip to Bristol.  No diesel on the rear for this trip which would return to London Victoria.
	08 May 2010 A dark and cold evening in Hampshire sees 35028 Clan Line thundering through Fleet with the returning 'Somerset and Dorset'.  35028 was returning to London Waterloo following a trip to Yeovil Junction and Weymouth.  The headboard carried by the locomotive reads 'Nine Elms Enginemen 1838-1967' and is dedicated to all Nine Elms enginemen past and present.  A number of ex Nine Elms enginemen and their friends were aboard for this trip. Moments before, the 20.19 to Southampton had completely obscured our view and a number of spectactors can be seen peering around the rear of the Class 444 eight coach set.
	07 December 2010 On the return leg of a VSOE trip to Oxford on 21st May Clan Line suffered a major failure.  The locomotive crew were unable to replenish water in the boiler of 35028 using the locomotive injectors.  As a result the locomotive fire was 'dropped' and the trip continued with diesel assistance, with much delay.  Whilst the problem was being investigated it was decided to move 35028 to Crewe Heritage Centre for annual maintenance.  (Southern Express Issue 2 - 2010 journal Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society Limited). As a result, this was the first public run for 35028 since May 21st.  The first view here sees 35028 in fine form heading through Worplesdon with this VSOE circular tour from London Victoria.  Second, it's still green for 35028 as it storms up the climb at Gomshall following a stop at Shalford. An explosion of sound as 35028 passes on Sound 2010 here.

08 April 2010 On day three of 'The Great Britain III' tour, 'Black Five' no 44871 and 70013 Oliver Cromwell hauled the tour from Bristol to Preston.  Four views here from the start of the trip: First we see the tour leaving Bristol at Narroways Junction.  The pair climb out of the city having just passed a freight working, the tail end of which you can just make out on the left of this picture.  The location is caged in and surrounded by high fences but it is just possible to view the line through the fencing. The next three views are all following a brief stop at Bristol Parkway Station.  The final view shows the tenders full with coal for the long trek north to Preston. Some interesting sound from the trip can be heard over on Sound 2010 here. 44871 and 70013 were two of the four engines that hauled the final steam trip on British Rail on 11 August 1968.

	23 April 2010 Running as classmate 30453 King Arthur, 30777 Sir Lamiel makes a welcome return to the main Line in 2010.  30777 is seen here on 'Cathedrals Express' duties enjoying some late morning sunshine at Sonning cutting.  30777 was heading for Stratford-Upon-Avon having departed London Victoria.  The tour would return to London but run only asfar as Clapham Junction.  I was a little out of position here and couldn't set up any sound recorders as 30777 worked a twelve coach load.
	03 July 2010 Due to dry weather conditions in the South of the UK and a high fire risk, Network Rail insisted on steam locomotives run with a diesel immediately behind.  This was to assist the steam loco meaning it would not have to work so hard and increase the risk of starting a lineside fire.  In the first view here we see 30777 Sir Lamiel heading towards Basingstoke at Pirbright with 'The Swanage Belle' with a Class 37 Diesel behind 30777.  The Diesel would reverse the train at Swanage, running round to lead the tour back to Southampton with 30777 at the rear.  30777 would then haul the return to London Waterloo via Romsey and Andover. The second view here sees 30777 having just departed Basingstoke following a water stop, Sir Lamiel heads for home against a dramatic sunset.
	18 July 2010 Flying the flag for Southern steam, N15 'King Arthur' 30777 Sir Lamiel powers through Farnborough with this 'Cathedrals Express' from London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction and Weymouth in the first of these two views.  With many locomotive failures, 30777 was about the only main line steam locomotive left operational in the south at this time.  As dusk falls at Brookwood 30777, arrives for servicing on the return leg running as far as Clapham Junction in  the second view.  Already running around 15 minutes late 30777 has been delayed outside the station whilst a couple of service trains stop at Brookwood.  Suffering steaming problems, 30777 is further delayed with a lengthy stop at Brookwood. A little sound on departure on Sound 2010 here.
	28 July 2010 Throughout the summer 'The Railway Touring Co.' ran this series of trips from London to Weymouth each Wednesday.  The return would be 'banked' (another locomotive at the rear, usually the loco hauling the train in the morning on these trips) on the steep climb out of Weymouth.  For this trip, 60019 Bittern, hauled the outward leg.  N15 'King Arthur' 30777 Sir Lamiel took over the return with 60019 banking as far as Wareham. On a very gloomy evening at Fleet, 30777 cruises along heading for London Waterloo.

01 May 2010 Under a threatening sky, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe heads north at Culham with 'The Beltane Express'.  5043 was returning to Solihull following a visit to the GWR 175 event at Didcot.  The restored station building at Culham can be seen on the left.  Culham is an example of a Brunel 'roadside' station in the 'Elizabethan' style. 5043 is running easily here with around 7 coaches and we get no real sound today.

22 May 2010 Making a wonderful sight on a fine morning 44871 and 30777 climb alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal at Crofton with 'The Royal Wessex'.  The trip began at London Paddington and was heading here for Yeovil pen Mill.  The tour would then run to Weymouth (along with a few stranded passengers unable to board the single car service to Weymouth).  30777 would then bank the return as far as Weymouth before 44871 bought the tour home via Southampton and Basingstoke. We even get some sound today so head over to Sound 2010 here.

31 May 2010 Running around one hour late due to a train failure in the Brentford area, Black 5 no 44871 heads across Holes Bay.  44871 was heading for Swanage with a trip from London Victoria.  The return leg to London Waterloo was hauled by 30777 Sir Lamiel. 44871 was signal checked just before heading across the bay and makes some good sound pulling away.  Unfortunately the roar of the A350 beside the bay rather masks the performance.

	19 June 2010 6024 King Edward I accelerates its train towards Reading in the late evening at a foot crossing just west of Theale following a water stop.  This was 'The Great Western 175' from Minehead to London Paddington.  The outward trip was Diesel hauled by D1015 with the pair double-heading the return as far as Allerford Junction. A short burst of sound on Sound 2010 here.
	10 July 2010 Despite dry weather conditions and some tours running with diesel assistance, 6024 King Edward I heads this trip to Worcester without any diesel attached.  The tour originated at London Paddington with 6024 hauling the return as far as Reading West Junction with remainder of the trip diesel hauled.  6024 is seen here powering up the climb at Saunderton on the outward leg. 6024 is in fine form here but for whatever reason we don't hear the loco very well at all and we can't get any worthwhile sound today.
	28 August 2010 Heading the 'down Bristolian', 6024 King Edward I makes a fine sight at Cholsey despite the lack of sun.  6024 was returning to Bristol following a trip to London Paddington.

09 July 2010 Recently restored to main line running order and making its first visit to southern metals is Royal Scot Class 46115 Scots Guardsman.  Although very much on 'foreign territory' 46115 makes a splendid sight in these two views.  46115 was running from Kensington Olympia to Yeovil, Weymouth and London Waterloo and we see the loco first at Pirbright with the 'Dorset Coast Express'.  Second, on a fine evening but in deep shade we see 46115 heading away from Basingstoke on the return leg. 46115 appears to have a sticking drain cock at Basingstoke and we hear little more hissing steam and we miss the sound yet again.

	05 August 2010 Another Black 5 for the main line and welcome relief for the depleted stock running in the south.  No. 44932 was completed in 1945 at Horwich works.  Purchased from BR by a Mr David Davies the locomotive was moved to Carnforth Steamtown in February 1969.  44932 has recently been restored by the Midland Railway Centre before heading back to Carnforth, now West Coast Railway Company, to complete the restoration. 44932 is seen here then during a stop at Winchfield with a 'Cathedrals Express' trip to Bath and Bristol. First, we see the train arriving at Winchfield, then a couple of views as servicing gets underway. Next, a look inside the cab before we see the loco getting underway.  A little sound on departure at Sound 2010 here. Finally, on the return, a rather poorly panned view as 44932 heads for London Waterloo in the evening at Fleet.
	12 August 2010 Another trip out for Black 5 No. 44932 with a 'Cathedrals Express' tour from London Victoria to Gloucester and return.  44932 is seen here on the outward leg climbing through the Surrey Hills near Gomshall.  We get some good sound from here and on the return leg at Sound 2010 here.
	27 November 2010 This trip had originally been planned to run from Swanage to London Paddington and return.  This was later changed to run into London Waterloo.  The return would stop for water at Winchfield where we catch up with Black 5 No. 44932.  A couple of views here then in freezing conditions before a dramatic departure following a short delay. 44932 makes an incredibly noisy departure and we catch most of it on Sound 2010 here.
	07 December 2010 Another look at the busy Black 5 No. 44932 on a trip from London Victoria to Sherborne. In freezing temperatures and severe frost 44932 completely obscures Battledown Flyover as it charges west just outside Basingstoke in the first view here.  Second, although poorly set up, this view shows the harsh conditions nearby.  Finally, on the return leg, a spectacular view of 44932 in conditions now well below freezing during a water stop at Brookwood. 44932 is in fine form on the outward leg which we can listen to on Sound 2010 here.
	17 December 2010 A final look at 2010 and an eventful trip for Black 5 No. 44932 with this 'Cathedrals Express' from Ashford to Oxford and return.  44932 is seen here accelerating away from a signal check at Longcross behind a Reading bound service train, note the steam leaking from the right hand cylinder.  44932 would soon stall outside Sunningdale climbing towards Ascot in the icy, freezing conditions.  After having to 'hand sand' to restart the locomotive 44932 was bought into the wrong platform at Ascot and service trains were delayed whilst water hoses were laid across the rails.  Return run last reported at Clapham Junction running 74 minutes late... Listen to 44932 at Longcross on Sound 2010 here.

16 October 2010 6233 Duchess of Sutherland makes a fine sight just catching a ray of sunlight as it heads passed Wymondley on the East Coast Main Line.  We haven't seen 6233 on Fleet Steam since 2008 but this was to be the final trip for 6233 before overhaul.  Running in LMS black this tour was headed for London King's Cross before returning to Derby. Our best wishes go to The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust whose dedicated team keep this locomotive on the main line for us all to enjoy.

05 November 2010 Another visitor not seen in some time is 71000 Duke of Gloucester. With the continuing absence of 35028 Clan Line this VSOE circular tour from London Victoria was hauled by 71000 and is seen here heading for Worplesdon surrounded with some good autumn colours.  Class 67 diesel No. 67022 lurks just behind 71000 to assist on a somewhat slippery day on the network. 35028 is currently undergoing annual maintenance and investigation into injector problems.

01 December 2010 A trip aboard 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley with a 'Cathedrals Express' trip to Bristol.  The majority of trains in the South East of England had been subject to delay or cancellation at London Victoria due to adverse weather conditions.  However, 60007 waits in the early morning at Victoria before an on time departure in the first view here.  Second, a look inside the surprisingly confined cab of 60007 before departure.  Next, a stately arrival at Bristol Temple Meads with the spire of St Mary Redcliffe prominent in the background.  Finally, in the early evening, we see 60007 poised for departure as an unidentified 'Virgin' service speeds by in the background.