35005, "Canadian Pacific". 43 years on from 105 mph.

15th May 1965 was a day that some steam enthusiasts will never forget. On that day Merchant Navy Class pacific 35005 headed the ten car 21.20 Waterloo to Bournemouth passenger train. Loco crew were driver Gordon Hooper, Fireman Dave, "Dropgrate" Wilson and Inspector Brian Smith. In the first coach with stop watches ready were Don and Bryan Benn, Terry, "The Spoon" Jackson and John Evans. Waterloo to Basingstoke was done in a record start to stop time for steam, 43 minutes and 48 seconds, with 90 mph reached just after Hook in the dip down to Newnham Siding. Basinsgtoke to Winchester was run in 18 mins and 50 seconds start to stop with 105 mph reached approaching Winchester Junction. Who would have thought, all those years ago, that it would still be possible to travel behind the same locomotive, and not that far from where the maximum of 105 mph was reached, on 15th May 2008!   next

On that night 43 years ago speed was the name of the game for Canadian Pacific!  next

15 May. But no such high speed was planned on 15th May 2008 as 35005 waits at New Alresford on the head of the 11.00 to Alton. next 15 May. The fire looked good, with the driver about to ask the fireman to build up the back.   next 15 May. And the speedo was still at zero, with the prospect of it staying below 30 mph on the Mid Hants Museum line.   next 15 May. Eleven O'clock approaches. But in reality it is five to midnight for 35005 whose ten year operating certificate was due to expire just three days later.    next 15 May. On our way, and Don Benn still uses the same type of hard back note book and a red pen as done all those years ago. But a GPS handset has replaced stopwatch!  next 15 May. No photo is available of 35005 on the 21.20 on 15/5/65. But Don Benn did get a photo of it hurrying through Raynes Park on the down Bournemouth Belle on 15th May 1964! Photo Don Benn   next 15 May. And a year to the day after that Bournemouth Bell photo, this is what the speedo of 35005 would have looked like at 22.33 on 15th May 1965. Today courtesy of Photoshop, not high speed running on the Mid Hants! next 15 May. A good climb to the summit at Medstead and Four Marks, and then onto Alton where Canadian Pacific runs round on this 43rd anniversary of her historic run from Waterloo. next

The last two numbers of Canadian Pacific's number plate tell their own story for the three crew and four timers who enjoyed that wonderful run all those years ago. None of us for a moment expecting then, that all these years later we could celebrate by travelling behind this very strong member of the thirty members of that class of SR steam loco. Sadly John Evans, one of the timers, is no longer with us. And also sadly 35005 will not be running again for quite a while. Her time is up and she is now due a full overhaul, which steam loco preservation history indicates could take anything between five and ten years. But all the other six involved that night are still enjoying life, and quite often enjoying Bulleid's magnificent steam locomotives. See next page for a recent photo! next

15 May. Three of us from that day 43 years ago , (left Gordon Hooper, centre Brian Smith, and myself, Bryan Benn), were together again at the 2008 Nine Elms Re-Union on the Bluebell Railway, (5th August). Hopefully to meet up again in 2009, maybe with more of those present on 15th May 1965. next 15 May. A name some of us will never forget! next 15 May. Having travelled behind the pacific it was of course in the plan to watch her pass by: here soon after leaving New Alresford on the 13.00 train to Alton. next 15 May. And then entering the "summit" station of Medstead and Four Marks. next 15 May. next 15 May. The lovely pacific prepares for the easier downhill stretch to Alton. next 15 May. Farewell Canadian Pacific. Thanks for those wonderful memories. And may you be back in action after your overhaul sooner than we all expect! top  2008 Photos continued  Index