The Dorset Coast Express - 23rd May 2009
For the fourth year running Brandon welcomed a steam excursion by the Railway Touring Company. It was a historic occasion because it was the first time that no 70013 Oliver Cromwell had called at the station for something like fifty years, and the last time he had been through since 12 August 1968. Oliver Cromwell pulled the 15 Guinea Special on 11 August, the last steam train run by British Railways. After that there was to be a ban on any steam engines running on BR.
But Oliver was promised to Bressingham museum, and went to Norwich under his own steam the next day, in spite of the ban. So Brandon was one of the last stations in the country where a steam train passed. In the 1950s though Oliver would have been a regular visitor, being one of the fleet of Britannia class pacifics based on the Great Eastern line. In those days there were through steam expresses from Norwich to London via Brandon and Ely, and 70013 was allocated to Norwich depot from 1951 to 1962. If anyone has a picture of Oliver at Brandon, please get in touch!
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70013 came down to Norfolk on Friday 15 May to be ready for a trip to London the next day. At about 9.45 that night there were a few dedicated enthusiasts at the station to see the engine pass. The picture is impressionistic, all that could be managed at that time of night. But it is a record of 70013's reappearance after nearly forty-one years.
Now Jenny Knight takes over to describe the excursion on 23 May, a bright sunny day (nice for those on board, but difficult for photographs)
As usual we were welcomed on board with a Bucks Fizz, and a choice of breakfasts. There were several stops to take on water, and plenty of well wishers, bashers and spotters en route. "Oliver Cromwell" certainly got a lot of photos taken of it that day. After a light lunch on board, we arrived at Eastleigh at 1.45pm. A short walk from the railway works. There was just about every type of engine on show. From the mighty Deltic, Royal Scots Grey, to the tiniest miniature and models, and Railwayania in shed after shed. But before we could get too involved in the exhibits, I had a mission. On asking a Marshall the whereabouts of M7 tank 30053, I was informed that it had been re-numbered and was now in black livery of Southern, No 35, which was doing brake-car rides. Of course we had to have a ride.
By chance we came across the official re-naming of 73201 - Lord Mountbatten, I think, - by Lord Brabourne. This engine was used to carry Earl Mountbatten's Coffin and took the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana on their honeymoon.
After three hours at Eastleigh 100, we made our way back to the Station. We saw, standing in the Station, Merchant Navy Class Pacific 35028 ‘Clan Line’ hauling what looked like Royal Scot coaches.
We departed Eastleigh on time, but no announcement was made at the Station of the arrival. A good job my Husband spotted it! We were diesel-hauled back by a Class 47, and we enjoyed a lovely four course dinner on board. Our arrival at Brandon was approximately 10.30pm, a very long, tiring, but most enjoyable day.
See two pictures by Jenny Knight taken at Eastleigh with the other picture by Stephen Dean.
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