Bulleids Galore, 15th to 20th April 2008.
With April providing a lot of main line steam trips, and with at least two Bulleids working on Museum lines I saw in early April that a Bulleid Fest was possible! Something like the "4 Bulleids together" that was the central feature of the Bluebell Railways 2007 Giants of steam weekend. And now nearly 41 years after Bulleid steam locos should have become history!

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My plan had been to start on Wednsday April 16th and then photo Bulleids for 5 days running, two on Museum lines, and two on the main line over three days. But a wonderfully sunny day on Tuesday the 15th changed my mind and I went to the Bluebell Railway where 34023 was booked to work. Just as well as on the Friday that I had planned to see that loco the weather was dreadful and it had been taken off the loco roster!

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15 April. Day One of Bulleids Galore! And in perfect Spring Weather 34023 drifts into Horstead Keynes with the 11.00 from Sheffield Park. next 16 April. The sunshine continued for the first main line day of Bulleids Galore. With 35028 "Clan Line" booked on the VSOE Pullman from London to Westbury and return, here at Battledown summit. next 16 April. Seeing 35028 at this famous location reminded me of my last run with that loco on the down A.C.E, nearly 44 years before. A wonderful perfomance with genial Salisbury driver Fred Hoare at the controls. next 16 April. Nothing fast at Battledown today for Clan Line, but a smart recovery form a signal stop just the otherside of the distinctive flyover. next 16 April. Heading along the Wylye valley near Little Langford 35028 passes a very rural location. next 16 April. The sun re-appeared from behind clouds just seconds before 35028 and her heavy train roared up the climb past Burbage Wharf. next 16 April. Late evening and running nearly ten early Clan Line gets close to the end of another days work on the mainline, here passing through Sonning Cutting. next 17 April. The old West of England line was to see steam haulage 2 days running: one of the reasons for "Bulleids Galore". So Clan Line's Wednesday's run was followed by Tangmere, here just after Red Post Jctn, Andover. next 17 April. By lunchtime the weather had crashed. But despite that 34067 made a lovely sight running along the floor of the Wylye valley, here near to Bapton. next 17 April. next 17 April. Many enthusiasts had gathered near the summit of the 1/70 climb to Upton Scudamore. But bright sunshine and a very strong Easterly wind meant new locations were sought to witness Tangmere storm up to the top. next 17 April. Past 19.30 and the very last of the days sunshine filters through the trees at Salisbury as 34067 closes on the tunnel on her booked non stop run to Woking. next 17 April. And so day three of "Bulleids Galore ends with 34067 climbing away from Salisbury. With 34023 having started the BulleidFest a day early for me, the dreadful weather of 18th April saw me take rest day! next 19 April. Day 4 of "Bulleids Galore". A combination of Tangmere working Weybridge-Canterbury-Dover -London, mixed with dull and wet weather. Plus a stong blustery NE wind, showing it's worst effect here at New Malden. next 19 April. Careful choice of location East of Otford Junction managed to get the wind blowing the exhaust mainly in the right direction! next 19 April. But there was no such position to photo from at Lenham where the considerable exhaust blotted out most of the train and station. next 19 April. Running on time or early all day the Light Pacific hurries past the crossing keepers box at Chartham next 19 April. The end of a very dull day 4 of "Bulleids Galore" as 34067 hurries West from Folkestone and through Sandling station. next 19 April. next 20 April. Day 5 of the Bulleids Galore "challenge", and the choice of photographing 35005 on the earlier trains on the Mid Hants proved sensible. As the loco had to be taken out of service later in the day! top  2008 Photos continued  Index