Lé Parisien October 12 & 13 2002
London to Paris & Return behind steam

This trip featured 34027 Taw Valley, running as 34045 Othery St. Mary, from London Victoria to Dover Priory and one time PLM Pacific 231K8 from Calais Ville to Paris Nord on Saturday October 12 2002. On October 13 the train ran in reverse except the routing was different on the French side of the channel. For some reason only known to themselves SNCF slapped a 80kph (50mph) limit on the loco so we never got to see what it was really capable of. However it was a pleasant weekend behind steam over, for me, totally new routes on both sides of the Channel. This trip was my first mainline run behind a Southern Railway Pacific and any sort of compound locomotive, let alone a partially 'Chapelonised' one.

Lé Parisien was run by The Railway Touring Company.

For various reasons I took no photographs of the West Country but here are the better shots of the compound.

SNCF 231K8 and passengers prior to departure from Calais Ville station. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 and passengers prior to departure from Calais Ville station. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 prior to departure from Calais Ville station. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 prior to departure from Calais Ville station. October 12 2002

231K8 stands at Abbeville station during the first water stop of the trip. October 12 2002

231K8 stands at Abbeville station during the first water stop of the trip. October 12 2002

231K8 stands at Abbeville showing the various bits of kit hung on the firemans side of the loco. October 12 2002

231K8 stands at Abbeville showing the various bits of kit hung on the fireman's side of the loco. October 12 2002

The double chimney and feedwater drums on 231K8 stands at Abbeville. October 12 2002

The double chimney and feedwater drums on 231K8 stands at Abbeville. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 under the wires at Amiens. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 and passengers at Amiens. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 and passengers at Amiens. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002.

SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

A rear 3/4 view of SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

A rear 3/4 view of SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

The cab of 'Calais based' SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

The cab of 'Calais based' SNCF 231K8 shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

The front end of SNCF 231K8, complete with 'Fleche D'Or' headboard shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002
The front end of SNCF 231K8, complete with 'Fleche D'Or' headboard shortly after arrival at Paris Nord. October 12 2002

SNCF 231K8 at the head of the return working of 'La Parisien' at Paris Nord. October 13 2002

SNCF 231K8 at the head of the return working of 'La Parisien' at Paris Nord. October 13 2002

SNCF 231K8 takes water (slowly) at Albert on the return working of 'La Parisien'. October 13 2002

SNCF 231K8 takes water (slowly) at Albert on the return working of 'La Parisien'. October 13 2002