Bournemouth Belle - 05/07/17

Leaves Waterloo 09:52 for Bournemouth at 12:29

Returns 17:36 via Romsey, Laverstock and the West of England main line arriving Waterloo at 21:23.

No mention of traction so I hope Clan Line's test runs go OK!

 

I hope so too, the only other appropriate motive power is Braunton.

 

Hopefully I'll be taking the morning off work for this.

 

I'll be using up some of my 365 days holiday allowance too. I missed the last steam hauled Belle when the police turfed us off the top floor of the flats just outside Waterloo, if the sun's out will need to be the other side of the line this time

 

Will you be chasing or just going for the one shot? I'll need to be back at work for the tea time/evening session so just the outward bound run for me. Just a question of where to go.

 

Chasing, an opportunity not to be missed, even worth closing a chippy for! Where to go depends on the route and which line it's on. If only it could run on the down fast leaving from the mainline side at Waterloo the classic shot off the platform at Vauxhall would be good. The same signal is still there but some of the buildings in the concrete canyon have changed.

 

The times for this are up.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53169/2017/07/05/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53174/2017/07/05/advanced

A rather impressive path by NR - non stop to Southampton and only one stop on the way back for water at Basingstoke with fast line running for the majority.

James

 

That's great stuff by NR. Let's hope the timings for 9th July are as good at least going down especially to Salisbury.

 

Found the following paths:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53172/2017/07/05/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53175/2017/07/05/advanced

Suggests the tour is going out without a rear gunner?

 

It's a DBS working so yes it will be on its own, the only time the Pullman has a diesel on the back is for ETH

 

Excellent paths indeed, and in-line with what MNLPS asked for, BUT readers need to be aware of a couple of caveats.
The final say on what pathways are available rests with Network Rail - period. But the specification supplied to the TOC by the promoter is all the better for being as detailed as possible, whilst also being realistic. As an example, earlier threads have often inferred that good pathways have been supplied "because Graeme Bunker did them". No he didn't; though he would have requested them, and being an experienced railway manager he is aware of 'the art of the possible'.
MNLPS started work on planning the Bournemouth Belle 18 months ago. Part of this work was to consult with senior SWT management, and MNLPS are fortunate to have four ex-train planners in our marketing & operations team - me being one of them. Another is ex-SWT, and it was he - and consulting with his former colleagues - who came up with the timings that have been published more-or-less exactly as he planned them a few months ago.
Please, nobody should think "Ah, there's a lovely 09.52 fast pathway from Waterloo on weekdays that can be used in future". No - MNLPS also identified exactly which SWT services needed to be 'flexed' slightly (quite a lot as it happens) and it's only by the excellent co-operation of SWT planners and management that they have agreed to do this, for what they themselves recognise is a very special commemorative train.
And of course, this has all been done in conjunction with our operator DBC through the 'proper channels' to ensure a robust train plan emerges.
The same will apply for the Waterloo Sunset on 9th July, though being a Sunday it was a slightly easier timing exercise.

 

A refreshing attitude compared with 50 years ago when, despite pleas from both enthusiasts and railwaymen the powers that be insisted the last BB ran with an oil box.

 

Not going to be steam only all the way as there is the reversal back from Bournemouth to Southampton with Clan line at the rear, looks to me like the box detaches at Southampton up goods loop (hopefully), but I am sure those more knowledgeable will advise.

 

Agreed - looks like the are doing the same reversal across the New Forest that a number of steam excursions did last year (including the one where the diesel unit failed and steam hauled it and the carriages back bunker first)

 

Correct; the lack of turning facilities at Bournemouth, or anywhere in the vicinity, is a problem for all steam operations beyond Southampton. We looked at various options, and DL haulage back to the Southampton area seemed the best (or least worst).

 

Class 47?

 

Will 35028 be restricted through Woking in either direction by gauging or will she be allowed to go through at 70+ as she did on the 2012 run?
I am considering going to Woking to watch her pass through with my Dad. I want to see and experience what he used to as a young man, Bulleid Pacifics hammering through Woking on the Belle and shaking the station to its foundations.

 

Yes it was. 20 years ago I worked with a guy who back in 1967 was very much involved in loco diagramming - specifically Nine Elms I think. He was an enthusiast too, and I think it's safe to say now that it was no co-incidence that there was still so much steam haulage at weekends up until the last couple of weeks! He diagrammed a Bulleid onto the last BB, but was over-ruled by the SR GM, who thought it was 'inappropriate'!

 

30mph restriction on the down fast Woking, 10 mph down fast Basingstoke.
On the return, 30 mph Wimbledon staff halt on the up fast.
Few other restrictions on the slows, but train mainly on the fasts.