The Bath Spa Express & The VSOE With 35028 Clan Line & 70000 Britannia

03/08/11. A full day of railway action. Just what I wanted. And with the added bonus of full sun throughout the day! My day starts outside Bath, at Freshford. Stood waiting for 70000 (Britannia), I capture Freightliners 66601 'The Hope Valley', which I saw working tthe 6M22 to Stud Farm only the previous day. I opt for the footbridge to capture the video as my usual locations were either overgrown, out of bounds or people were already there. As 70000 enters the valley, the echoes of the Mark 1 Coaching Stock can be heard for a good 20 seconds before the train comes into sight. Just like somthing straight out the 1950s.

Credit to the driver, he managed to make me jump! I haven't been made to jump filming railway things since 70013 with The Welshman last August, so well done to him! After filming 70000, I had just over an hour before 35028 Clan Line was due to run through Freshford to Bristol working the VSOE Special. I changed location, from Freshford to Avoncliff Halt. I arrived and 35028 was running some 15 minutes late. But, the lovely (pre-arranged) whistle made up for the waiting in the 25 degree sun.

After 35028 passed working 1Z91, I went home to recharge the camera and think of a new location to see both locos return later in the day. I decided to go to my new favourite location, and capture Britannia working hard up the gradient towards Salisbury. Good choice on my part, as she was running late but sounding great. The noise was a change from the sunday Castle Class. 70000 could be heard for a good few minutes after passing, but the camera didn't pick a majority of the audio up so I've cut it to the end of the audable exhaust.

Finally, Clan Line was meant to work the same line as far as Hawkeridge Junction, and I didn't want to stay and film in the same place twice, straight after the 70000 shot. I decided to move again. I opted for the final shot in full sunlight, and found a neat embankment a few hundred meters away. I set up the tripod and waited....and waited....and waited. Eventually, some 35 minutes after her booked time, 35028 passes, making some good exhaust sound to accompany. A day well spent by the lineside I think.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 70000 Britannia
• 35028 Clan Line
• The Bath Spa Express
• The VSOE Special
• 1Z91
• 1Z93
• 1Z87
• 1Z88
• 66601
• Freightliner
• Freshford
• Westbury
• Salisbury
• MK1s

[TheFNUK]

Seeing such legendary machines today is a real gift! Really puts a smile on your face... :)

[1Z88]

@TheFNUK

It sure does. I love seeing things like this, it brings a smile to everybodys faces!

[bkendlerA4]

Great to see Britannia thrashing through Freshford. An outstanding clip. Two great clips of Clan Line. I especially liked the Avoncliff Halt clip. A deserved like. I filmed Clan Line hurrying through Chiswick. Please take a look and comment. Barry

[1Z88]

@bkendlerA4

Thanks. Yes, 70000 hasn't been down the Avon Valley line for quite a while, so I thought the location would be suitable. With all my normal 'shot' spaces taken by other photographers, I had to use the footbridge. Definatley a shot I will use again. Thankyou for the like. I think it was a nice clip too, (partly because of the pre-arranged whistle from 35028). But I would say that as it's my video! I'll have a look at yours when I get some spare minutes tomorrow. Will.

[msdejesus]

Lovely video, yet again. Thanks a lot for sharing. Regards,

Manuel

[1Z88]

@msdejesus

Thankyou very much Manuel. Thanks alot for watching. Will.

[1Z88]

@mrsfleckers

It's my pleasure. I enjoy going out and capturing things like this, it's a memory of the past in a sense. I'm glad my video was able to show your day from a linesider's perspective. Thankyou for your kind comment.

[mrsfleckers]

Thank you for this. My daughter and I were on this train and it's lovely to see it from a different perspective. The train was the real star of the day and we had tears in our eyes when we said 'goodbye' to it at Bournemouth that same evening. Should be listed as one of 'ten things to do before you die' and I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting a special day out.

[1Z88]

@cazzieSP4

Your right there! It was red hot the whole day, perfect for steam engines. It was a long wait for 35028, I was glad she came through in full sun, and not so glad that she was late, but I can't have it all! They have made a good choice with what to do sunday! No lie in for you then! =] Im sure 5029 Nunney Castle won't disapoint if the sunday before last is anything to go by! Cheers!

[1Z88]

@letmadnessbegin

Cheers mate :) Very good for me, nice to spend a day in the sunshine! Thanks for the Fav & Like!