On the 9th of July 1967, the final fires were dropped and whistles silenced, as steam came to an end on the southern region. 57 years later to the day, the Railway Touring Company would commemorate the occasion with their 'End of Southern Steam' tour. BR(S) Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class - 35028 "Clan Line" would provide traction for the tour, as the Southern thoroughbred returned to its former stomping ground.
The tour started out of London Victoria behind 35028, travelling via Feltham to Byfleet & New Haw, where the excursion joined the South West Mainline as far as Worting Junction. The tour then ventured onto the West of England Mainline, working through Salisbury to Yeovil Junction. West Coast Railways Class 47 - 47812 would then take control, working the tour to Weymouth via a reversal up to Yeovil Pen Mill. Meanwhile, the Bulleid pacific was turned and serviced at the Yeovil Railway Centre, prior to chasing the tour to Weymouth. With 35028 back in charge, the consist would make a dash up the length of the SWML to London Waterloo, to conclude the days' proceedings.
Recent rain, and the conditions on the day, would do well to temporarily reduce the high fire risk, allowing 35028 to stretch its legs a little more. Having made a passenger stop at Woking station, 35028 would then accelerate the tour around the curve west of the station, before passing beneath St John's Hill Road. Moving west, and battling damper conditions, 35028 would be well into its stride by the time reached Grateley, passing through Palestine with a very assured performance. Overtaking the tour during its stop at Salisbury, "Clan Line" would issue an enthusiastic turn of speed as it climbed through Dinton. Upon arriving at Yeovil, some time would be taken to witness the Bulleid pacific being turned and serviced, ready for its jaunt to the seaside. Setting up at Bincombe, the Bulleid pacific is seen gliding towards Weymouth as it descends Upwey Bank, exiting the northern tunnel. On departing Weymouth, 35028 would deliver a crescendos performance as it tackled Upwey Bank, battling the 1-in-50 gradient with a confident and sure-footed display as it passed Bincombe. Overtaking the tour as it travelled through the New Forest, the Bulleid pacific would make a fine sight as it rounded the curve through Ashurst New Forest station. Finally, after traversing the Solent, the Bulleid pacific would be on a charge through Winchester on its sprint back to the capital.
00:00 - Woking
01:18 - Grateley
02:27 - Dinton
03:30 - Yeovil Railway Centre
07:54 - Bincombe Tunnel
08:33 - Bincombe
10:33 - Ashurst New Forest
11:05 - Winchester
All footage filmed on Tuesday the 9th of July 2024.