On Armistice Day 2023 LMS Jubilee no 45596 ‘Bahamas’ was to set out from London to pay its respect to the fallen by hauling Railway Touring Company’s “The Armistice Kentish Belle” from London Victoria on a circular of Kent visiting Stood, Sheerness on Sea, Folkestone & Dover
The Jubilee is no stranger to southern metals and is expected to be repeated again next year, however the temptation of an autumnal steam outing was all the more a reason to embark on a chase day

Setting out from the capital (and away from the Pro-Palestinian protests headlining the news) the Jubilee is seen meandering its way through the SouthEast London suburbs at Crofton Park on the Catford Loop heading towards Bromley, a little later the 4-6-0 is next seen raising the sound as she heads through Maidstone Barracks following a water stop near Maidstone West, the low sunlight creating for an unusually decent shot from a safe side platform position

Following a run to Strood the train was then diesel hauled onto Sheerness on Sea for what was the first steam along the branch in (I believe) over a decade whilst also being the first time a Jubilee Class has been seen on the Isle of Sheppy, Bahamas is seen hauling the return leg to London accelerating over the Kingsferry Bridge at Swale, once again in some perfect autumnal conditions for the area

After a lengthy trip around Kent, 45596 once again puts on the power for the last shot of the day at Barming in the fading light as she takes on in style the 1in132 gradient without a sence of assistance from the diesel on the rear, truly some fine work!