MidlandRed.net

Southern Merchant Navy Pacific 35028 'Clan Line' worked the Railway Touring Company 'Cotswold Venturer' Charter from Paddington to Worcester via Oxford and Evesham today Saturday 21 August 2021. It returned to London via Cheltenham and Swindon. This immaculately presented locomotive made its first visit to Worcester on a charter train since the early 1980s and was very well patronised, which was good to see after all the cancellations cause by Covid in past eighteen months.

Here are a few more shots taken this afternoon. Most of the people on platform one are waiting for the return leg of 'Cotswold Venturer'! 66101 works through platform two with the Corby to Margam steel empties train. 37800 is seen in Shrub hill yard working from Long Marston to Northampton EMD with refurbished EMU 350127.

Great to see it so well patronised, and plenty of enthusiasts out!

MattW wrote: ↑

11:41 Sunday 22nd August 2021

Great to see it so well patronised, and plenty of enthusiasts out!

Yes, there wasn't much chance of social distancing; reckon the train must have been sold out with every seat taken. I was a little disappointed that the turn-out of local enthusiasts was not that high when you consider that this locomotive was making its first visit to Worcester in close on 40 years, but it did allow a bit of space for photography, but why everyone has to stand on the edge of opposite platform to take photographs is beyond me - hence the shot with photographers and the loco in the background .

I will probably be slated for the next comment, but I noticed two young women in classic full length coverall black Muslim robes taking photographs of the locomotive and train; never expected that, but great to see interest in heritage steam!

I don't see why you would be Tim - the more the merrier. If we can introduce these great interests of ours to more sections of the community then great. I must admit it is easier with steam though, if I'm ever out photographing on a weekend, its rare that at least one passer-by doesn't ask if it's a steam train coming.