Some Sunny September Saturday Steam

Saturday September 23rd was another of those days when it was possible to catch multiple steam specials to the west of London, even if it did mean starting at 6am. First to be on its way was 60009 Union of South Africa with "The Yorkshireman" from Victoria to York. For this we used the tried and tested Barnes & Barnes Bridge combo. A quick relocation to Mortlake followed because roughly 45 minutes behind came 35028 Clan Line on the Victoria to Exeter "Atlantic Coast Express". Staying with Clan Line, we jumped ahead to two locations near Overton before doubling back to another two at, and near, Mortimer* for 46233 Duchess of Sutherland. The Duchess' train was a Faversham to Salisbury "Cathedrals Express" although the loco had only joined it at Hanwell, hence the caption. Next came four shots of 46100 Royal Scot, standing in for the otherwise engaged Clan Line, on the Belmond Pullman around the Surrey Hills, two around the M25 near Chertsey, and two near the top of Gomshall Bank. From Gomshall it was back out to Oakley for the return of 46233 as it passed the site of Oakley station. Here the video ends; the train was booked to stand at Basingstoke for 14 minutes, meaning that it should be possible to beat it to Bramley. Unfortunately, the stop was cut out and as we reached Bramley everyone was walking away from the station, and having been on the go for twelve hours we didn't feel like waiting another two for Clan Line, so we called it a day. The shot of 46233 passing the multiple unit is taken from a foot-crossing, a fact that is not obvious in the video.