Clan Line's Return! The Bournemouth Belle 05-07-17

One of the most prestigious and important railtours of 2017 would mark 50 years since Merchant Navy no.35028 'Clan Line' bowed out of service, and would also see it return to service after an overhaul in Crewe.
The Bournemouth Belle, promoted by UK Railtours, would feature Clan Line hauling the 13 coach Pullman train from London Waterloo to Bournemouth, before being dragged back to Southampton by a class 66. After removing the diesel from the train, the Merchant Navy would take the train back to London via Laverstock loop and Andover, before a fast run up from Basingstoke.
We start this video at Worting Junction, near Basingstoke and the Merchant Navy striding away powerfully from a 10mph speed restriction at the station 2 miles away.
After a quick shot at Shawford, we got ahead of the train and caught her again at Foxhills near Ashurst, and then Beaulieu Road.
On the return, we began at Test Lane in some beautiful evening light, and Nursling, before racing up the A34 to Walworth foot crossing. The final shot of the day was at Winchfield and Clan Line thundering along on the fast line (good name for a RUclips channel?) as the light begins to fade.
An outstanding day's chasing, and one that will live long in the memory. 35028 is a credit to the MNLPS, and to everyone involved at Crewe who has overhauled the locomotive.
@JamesSVN
/ onthefastline
www.contrastphotographic.com

[@30453trains]

Absolutely glorious, nice work. I wonder how many Southern steam enthusiasts in 1967 thought that 50 years later, we'd still be lucky enough to see Bullied's finest doing their stuff?

[@66mjtaylor]

Thanks for sharing, some great footage there

[@jackchatfield5464]

Yay another Pullman Train from the 1930s Returns Again

[@AndreiTupolev]

"Proper train".