35018 British India Line tackles Upwey Bank | The End of Southern Steam - 09.07.21

On the 9th July 2021, 54 years since British Railways operated its final southern steam service, a Merchant Navy would grace its home metals once more.
35018 would haul Railway Touring Companies "End of Southern Steam" trip from London Victoria to Weymouth, the outward travelling to Yeovil where she would come off to be turned and serviced, while the 47 at the rear would head the train to Weymouth. BIL would then travel to Weymouth light engine tender first before hauling the return journey to London via Southampton.
The outward journey is seen at Barnes, followed by Andover, with 35018 giving a great whistle as she speeds past, and ending with a bucket list location, Templecombe. Having been signal checked, 35018 accelerates up the grade into the station.
Next we head to the Railway Centre at Yeovil Junction to witness the Merchany Navy being turned on the turntable. A few hours later, the return is seen from Upwey station on the 1 in 50 climb to Bincombe Tunnel, with the Merchany Navy working her train up the gradient, assisted from the diesel at the rear, following a late departure from Weymouth. Because of this late running we overtook the train earlier than planned and managed to get one final passing shot at Winchester. A great day had chasing this mighty machine, over 50 years after many thought it was over!
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