With a lack of available southern locomotives down south, 35018 British India Line made a welcome return to her home soil, to take charge of Railway Touring Companies “End of Southern Steam” railtour.
Marking 56 years since BR did away with steam on the southern region, the Merchant Navy would mark the anniversary travelling from London Victoria to Yeovil Junction, via Staines, Woking & Salisbury, where the loco would then be turned and serviced at the nearby railway centre, while the tour would continue diesel hauled to Weymouth. After being serviced, BIL would travel light engine to Weymouth to rejoin the stock, where it would then haul the return, travelling via Bournemouth, Eastleigh and Wimbledon to reach London Waterloo.
Having departed London Victoria around 17 minutes late, my outward chase didn’t quite go to plan. We began at Chertsey where 35018 is seen chasing yellows hot on the tail of a stopper. This was followed by a much more spirited passing at Grateley, as the Merchant powers her train past at speed with a doppler on the whistle. Having been running nearly half an hour down, but still leaving its booked Salisbury water stop bang on time, it wasn’t going to be possible to beat it to our next planned spot at Tisbury. However, just as BIL left we found ourselves driving over the railway line near Wilton Jn and bailed out in order to not miss out completely, and the loco is captured from the road bridge on The Avenue as it heads for the West of England line.
With more distance to cover than planned, we weren’t going to be able to overtake the train further, and so we headed straight for the railway centre at Yeovil to witness the Merchant Navy being turned on the turntable, before catching it pass Yetminster tender first as it heads for Weymouth.
The highlight of the day would be the bucket list location of Bincombe tunnels on Dorchester Road, to capture the Merchant Navy tackling the 1 in 50 grade of Upwey bank, and she did with gusto, as the mighty machine hauled her 10 coach load up the gradient sounding excellent, with very little help from the Class 47 at the rear. Next we headed to St Deny’s where once again BIL was signal checked by a service train ahead of her. A water stop at Eastleigh allowed us to overtake again where we caught it at Shawford station. A tightly timed dash in the car allowed us to arrive at Hook before the train sped through on the fast, before finally catching it in the fading light at Berrylands, also on the fast, on its final leg back to the capital.
It was certainly refreshing to have a Merchant Navy back in the south, reminding us all of how lucky we are to be able to witness these machines 56 years after they were due to never steam again. Certainly a top day out.
•Facebook: / themodsterrailwayvideos