WITH FULL REGULATOR LOCOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE THEN AND NOW
THE good work of LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45699 Galatea over the Fells continues and although my column this time is about Southern steam, it is worthwhile reflecting on the consistency of performance by this in-form locomotive, even if the more recent climbs to Grayrigg from Carnforth have been marred slightly, the one on March 10 apparently by a poor batch of coal.
Over the S&C to Ais Gill, the times from the Appleby start have all been quiet close as the table left shows. Remarkable considering the different engine crews and weather conditions involved, and very high marks indeed to all at West Coast Railways.
Back to Southern matters, on February 10, UK Railtours ran another of its circular trips around Hampshire, this one from Victoria via Twickenham, Woking, Basingstoke and Winchester to Hedge End, returning via Havant and Petersfield, named ‘The King Alfred’. As usual our locomotive was Merchant Navy Pacific No. 35028 Clan Line and our load 12 coaches for 431 tons tare, or about 465 tons full; 13 coaches in old money.
