RTC End of Southern Steam: London to Weymouth 9th July 2016

Byfleet Junction and Ashurst New Forest

 

She certainly is! There was diesel assistance in only a couple of places. Most of the time 45699 was working very hard. We have never had so many smuts on the table when reaching our destination. Some glorious sounds coming from the Jubilee on the outward run and a great performance.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

You are so right about Mallaig. But Potter will keep people riding the line regardless for years to come. Likes of Weymouth are different. No Hollywood links there. Trips to Blackpool are rare but on a few years ago (Wakes Special I think it was) drew a great crowd. Steam into Blackpool behind Scots Guardsman on an early tour. But no steam out due to turning issues. Potential is huge!

 

Operationally Mallaig doesn't need one, the West Highland Extension linespeed is rarely higher than the max for tender first running, so would be a waste of money for asthetic reasons only.

 

Good to see Galatea performing so well today. Resplendent in her West Coast Railway Company livery...

Considering her state post reclamation, what a sight to behold.

 

Filmed at Brookwood and Ashurst (New Forest):

 

Not the right thread really but turning locos and stock during the long season would even out tyre wear and other mechanical stresses associated with working facing the same way day in day out. Daresay given a choice, a loco owner would like the option of turning periodically. That said, they could go to Spean Bridge if required.

 

We have now left Southampton and the music has started again from the Jubilee

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

Well, it's been a two year wait, but 45699 seems to have settled into its new career. Absolutely singing it's way along as Green Five suggests. Am currently drinking a pint to the locomotive in Coach G, where I feel privileged to hear it at close hand. There was a performer in there somewhere, as Scottish Lowlander suggested. I think they've now cracked it.

 

You are quite correct in that dropping 400 people at a location makes a very positive contribution to the local economy. Look at the Cambrians that ran until 2010. Drop 350 people in Pwllheli at dinner time, what can they do except spend money.
The issue is how do you attribute the benefit to the local economy, to the capital cost of installing a piece of infrastructure. Who is going to make the outlay in the first place. In the current climate the local authorities (who would benefit in the long run) have not got the spare cash to spend, on what a lot of locals would probably regard as a gamble. LA's have to account for every penny they spend and show that it has been wisely spent. The contributors to this site would all say 'of course it makes sense' sadly the other 99% probably wouldn't see it like that.
With regard to Blackpool, it probably would be a good destination like most seaside and tourist towns. Two things are big issues:
1) The Preston - Blackpool line is already pretty congested. and
2) Successful Steam charters tend to run to places where turning and servicing facilities exist, not necessarily because they are a 'good' destination. (Scarborough, York, Crewe, Carlisle, Salisbury, Bristol, Minehead, Paignton, Plymouth, Par/St Blazey). Yeovil was a good destination for steam, (not a particularly good place to visit), but when the Axminster re-doubling was carried out, and SWT increased the service to hourly, the paths suddenly evaporated.

Again, not what you want to hear, or I want to write, but a sad reality.

 

All sounds very sociable, just hope your not drinking lager.

 

There is a mighty roar echoing out across Salisbury Plain right now.....

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

I always drink larger, just not lager. On pint number five.

 

Would even out flange wear though. Not the smallest of problems on that line.

 

There is a turntable at Fort William but WC prefer to always run smokebox first out of FW as that's the only place where the passengers can view the loco at the platform. There is no turning facility at Spean Bridge.

 

Now back at Woking after a stunning run from Basingstoke with a max of 78.1 mph

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

 

So the FW turntable is not used for the simple aesthetic reason cited above as negating the case for one at Mallaig?
Maybe there is an operational reason too although locos have run to Mallaig tender first on the Jacobite.
If there is one at FW makes the case for a Mallaig one much stronger?
Apologies I thought there is a triangle layout at Spean Bridge which has been used to get the Jacobite locos delivered facing Mallaig. My error.

 

Galatea on top form this evening, managed to get some steady mobile footage that does the job and yes, the boy enjoyed it as the video will show!

 

Byfleet & New Haw. Was going to film this on the fast through Weybridge, but on arrival there was confronted with a TSR, so quickly packed up and rushed to BFNH where you can spot the TSR warning board. Galatea shuts off shortly after passing the filming spot.

 

45699 hammers through Winchfield with the return run from Weymouth this evening: