34067 and 35028 stretch their legs in SE England on a mild Winters Day! : 21st February 2009

Yes, a day when two Bulleid pacifics were to be roaring around the SE of England. And in generally good weather. 34067 on a Portsmouth to Waterloo and return special, and 35028 on the normal VSOE lunchtime circular via the Surrey Hills. next

First off for the day was 34067 working from Portsmouth via Eastleigh to Waterloo. A rare chance to photo a morning train climbing Roundwood Bank. Here seen just below Micheldever station. next A fairly short drive whilst "Tangmere" took water at Basingstoke got me in position at an over bridge between Old Basing and Hook. A good location to see and hear the rousing departure 34067 made towards Woking on the Up main. next A closer look as 34067 accelerates into speed on the old steam racing stretch between Basingstoke and Woking. Bringing back memories of the day in 1967 when Driver Gaffney utterly thrashed 34102 "Lapford" up to 100 mph on a lightweight up Salisbury semi fast over the same section. next It's not often two steam specials work on the same day within reach of the photographer in this part of the world. But another short drive got me to Mayford well in time to see 35028 on the VSOE Surrey Hills lunchtime special. next 35028 hurries back into speed at Mayford, after the normal slowing through Woking. next 35028 was on the faster of the two lunchtime schedules, meaning no spare time in the driving schedule needed to get ahead of the train while it was stopped briefly at Shalford to take water. next Hardly had I arrived at a very busy Hackhurst farm area, (the most photographers I have yet seen around that location), than 35028 rounded the curve on the last part of the climb to the summit of Gomshall Bank. next A last look at "Clan Line" climbing to the summit on a day when the weather got better and the steam action from two ex SR pacifics gave a very worthwhile day out for photographers. top  Earlier 2009 Photos   Index