Jules's bits

The "Brighton Breezy" Mainline steam run 2001 featuring Rebuilt West Country Class No 34016 "Bodmin"

Steam returned once again to the Brighton Line in February 2001 in the form of Rebuilt "West Country" Class loco no 34016 "Bodmin". Yours truly was there on the train to soak up the events. Despite the attempts of Railtrack to kidnap the train in Clapham sidings by jamming the points the train completed the two down, two up journeys in splendid style. Below is a picture of Bodmin simmering at Victoria having stormed up the Brighton line. If you click on the picture it will take you to the Mid Hants Railway(Watercress Line)pages where Bodmin is based, the site contains details photo's and mpeg videos of Bodmin's other mainline runs since she gained her main line certificate in 2000. The "Brighton Breezy" ran again on the 9th February 2002 . Sadly the Black Five loco that got us to Victoria was declared a failure in Clapham yard with a hot axlebox and was retired for the day. The Brighton Breezy 2002 page can be found by clicking here
Having spent a couple of hours in London we returned to Brighton in darkness but as with the "up" journey to Victoria some impressive speeds were maintained. Although not much could be seen in the dark, the sound of the exhaust and frequent whistle blowing was a constant reminder to all that we were not on any old train but one hauled by steam. Both Photographs on this page were taken by Bill Reeve and kindly donated to me.
A very atmospheric picture! Bodmin at Brighton after the second down run.I liked the photo so much that I have used it as a background in black & white on the second of the Jules's Bits Train pages . Below is a shot of the nameplate coat of arms and "West Country" scroll plate. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me on the day and the photo's were very kindly supplied to me by Bill Reeve who took the photos featured on this page.

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