Today's video is of SR Rebuilt West Country Pacific 34046 Braunton on the Santa Steam Expresses around Greater London! The trains do a circular from London Victoria, out diesel hauled via Kensington Olympia to Willesden, from where it reversed and travelled steam hauled via South Acton, Chiswick, Barnes, Clapham Junction and returning into Victoria. There were 4 departures each doing this circuit today, with an intermission between the 2nd and 3rd for coaling and watering of the locomotive in Battersea Loop. LMS Black 5 45231 Sherwood Forester was initially rostered to work this but had issues so couldn't make the journey.
With off peak tickets and a journey from the Midlands ahead of me, I knew no shots of the first departure would be possible but with some intricate planning I made two shots of the second departure possible. I left my local at 10:00 and travelled down to Marylebone, changing onto the Bakerloo Line (a change I made by the skin of my teeth lol) and travelling to Willesden Junction where I took an overground train to South Acton for the first shot of the day. Here I had the pleasure of meeting @themodster. She was signal checked and running late which made the remainder of my plan hard to execute but I did my best! I ran down to Chiswick Park and took a District Line train to Sloane Square where another run took me to Ebury Bridge - unfortunately I didn't have time to set up but a handheld shot sufficed - even if I was bowled lol. In fairness at a location like that there's always a high chance of that occurring. With the first two shots of the day in the bag I got a few refreshments and moved to a rather windswept Chelsea Bridge where I waited with @danielstrainsukofficial9133 and @adtrainvids9569 for the empty coaching stock from Battersea Loop. This was quite challenging to make smooth with the wind but I did my best, and 34046 certainly looked great whilst crossing the River Thames. At that we headed for Putney, grabbing a train from the nearby Queenstown Road station. 34046 smoked out the station! We then finished off by moving to Chiswick and waiting a couple hours for 34046's final run of the day, which certainly didn't disappoint. On the train back to Waterloo it was good to briefly say hello to Thomas again. At that it was just the Bakerloo line back to Marylebone before a train back home!
Thank you for all who made today possible, to 34046 and her crew, as well as LSL, NR, SWR, TfL, Chiltern and to those who gave me company today! Ia hope you all enjoy as I did!
