Valentines Day and my first trip for 2009 beckoned testing to the limit my wife’s forgiveness for absconding from house duty whilst she had to go to work. My new year’s resolution being to resist the temptation to travel too far for my railway fix (the time and expense of having to spend a whole weekend away from home for a day’s railtouring no longer easy to justify even for 40145) I had to cast my eye on something nearer to home. A kettle bash appealed.

Whilst the eyes of the world were on the Steam Dreams two Valentine Specials hauled by A1 new build 60163 'Tornado' or even the steam hauled VSOE British Pullman (SR MN 4-6-2 35028 'Clan Line') I headed to London Paddington for the re-arranged RTC 'The Somerset Explorer' (not that much exploring off train of Somerset was achieved but who cares. It made a pleasant change to leave home at a reasonable hour with the prospect of returning the same day). I required some track for steam traction including the Westbury and Frome cut offs built in response to the 1930s recession (what will be built for the current descent into financial meltdown?) and the twelve miles from Castle Cary to Yeovil that I should have traversed before but for a failure on a previous tour booked that way. Bulleid Pacifics are a favourite of mine given my links to the SR so it was a bonus that the former GW HQ was blessed with descent steam traction for a change and not one of those overrated King 4-6-0 monstrosities some swear by (only joking of course). This trip allowed me to complete travel over the whole route from Penzance to London Paddington behind 'Tangmere'. Something I have yet to manage with one of the GWR’s finest.

All the Standard Class having been taken up before I decided to book I was allocated to coach F (3124) for the duration. At least I would get more leg room and some free tea and cakes for the extra dough. The timing sheet stated that the train was to be formed of loco and support vehicle plus 11 vehicles. A count revealed we were one short of this presumably because of bookings for non dining options being down on expectations (the Tornado effect?). Once the obligatory coach label shuffle had been completed I found myself three coaches from the front sandwiched between the standard class accommodation provided by a mk II TSO and an RMB. The stock was a blood and custard, maroon and green liveried mix and for the record 47787 was the loco. tasked with towing the ensemble into Paddington’s platform 9 ready for the off. Sadly not the most photogenic of the platforms at Paddington but ideal from an operators point of view giving direct access to the down relief without having to cross the main lines.

An on time departure was followed by a slow run down the relief line to the first pick up point at Slough due in no small part to slack timings for this section. However given the average age of the clientele on many of these kettle tours (makes me feel positively young in comparison) the extra time was probably a good thing allowing people to find their coaches and get settled in to their seats before the train was waved away on time towards the next pick up point of Reading. I benefited from the spare seats by getting a four seater to myself as the couple booked to sit next to me from Slough were moved further up the carriage (whatever they objected to I must try again on another trip).

After Reading and the obligatory water stop at Newbury Racecourse, 'Tangmere' settled down to some fine running down the Berks. and Hants. In spite of the other attractions further afield ('Tornado' and 'Clan Line') there were a number of people out to witness 'Tangmere' pass by in glorious sunshine. Once Savernake Bank was topped 'Tangmere' was let loose past the snow covered countryside. Some high speed running on the down grade from Pewsey towards Frome and then again through Bruton to Castle Cary meant an early arrival and an extended stop awaiting 158767 off the Weymouth line. Once the 158 was safely out of the way 'Tangmere' didn’t take long to reach Yeovil Junction and the first scheduled destination of the day (in Dorset).

At Yeovil Junction the former down platform was used to stable the train whilst 'Tangmere' was turned and serviced at the Yeovil Railway Centre. During this time Ruston 0-4-0 diesel DS1174 'Yeo' was giving brake van rides within the Yeovil Railway Centre sidings. This seemed to be a popular additional attraction helping to while away the time till 'Tangmere' was ready to head off to Salisbury on the next leg of the Somerset Explorer. I couldn’t resist a quick shunt with 'Yeo' myself. I had never been in the vicinity when the brake van rides were operating before and new track is not something to turn down lightly. I also took the opportunity to wander over to the former up platforms at Yeovil Junction (now used in both directions for the Waterloo – Exeter services that 'Tangmere' once proudly headed when allocated to Salisbury shed) to make use of the excellent privately run buffet.

Once on the move again 'Tangmere' seemed to struggle on its former stamping ground. In particular the two miles of 1 in 80 from Sherborne to Milborne Port appeared to be taxing 67 to the extent that late running set in over the section to Gillingham (Dorset). I still laugh at the memory of a kettle basher once telling me he didn’t do trips over former SR routes as there were no gradients but I digress. The late running brought a rare non stop run through Gillingham’s up platform. Unfortunately I was now sat at the back of the train so didn’t enjoy the full thrash over this section. Nonetheless I still found pleasure in adding 34067 to the list of steam locos I have had for haulage between Yeovil and Salisbury in the up direction. During this time the raffle took place and much to my envy an elderly couple sitting close by won both top prizes. Such is life. I wonder what use they will make of a Swiss Rail pass for two as one of the prizes. My envious mood wasn’t much improved when the old boy started recounting his last haulage behind a spam can before this trip was to Ilfracombe for ATC camp.

Beyond Gillingham early running was restored and after a short stop outside Salisbury to await a free platform tour participants were dumped at Salisbury (in Wiltshire) in the fading light of a winter afternoon seven minutes early (though not before the dining contingent had been told to be back on the train three quarters of an hour before departure otherwise the dinner would not be completed before the set down stops were reached). Before venturing into the town centre for more sustenance and a bit of sightseeing to waste time I joined other people at the head of the train to witness 'Tangmere' head out of the station to deposit the stock in the East Carriage Holding Sidings (the use of which I had not witnessed before). During the time I was waltzing around Salisbury taking in the cathedral and McDonalds and a walk across the water meadows on the town path 'Tangmere' was watered in the west bay engine line using the same road tanker that was at Newbury earlier in the day. When I got back to the station the dining was in full swing and 'Tangmere' was being admired close up by people on the platform (I hate it when that happens – no thought for us photographers at all).

Next on the agenda was my first run with steam east of Andover in the up direction though as by now it was dark there wasn’t much to see. Another new route steam wise for me brought the train from my current home station of Basingstoke to Reading. I can now claim to have travelled between Basingstoke and Reading by steam, diesel and electric though some might dispute the latter claim even if they were runs behind class 73s.Tangmere couldn’t quite keep to time between Salisbury and Reading but this was rectified by a three minute early arrival back in the Capital after over 269 miles and with it the conclusion of a fine day out even if I didn’t win the raffle. It will be my turn next time. In compensation I did get home before the pumpkin hour and my wife forgave me (I think!)