July 9th 2014.......... End of SR Steam Anniversary run.

Currently running late.

 

Now on board. 44932 + WCRC class 33 top + tail. Class 33 shoving hard out of Woking. We are at the back near the diesel.

 

Sadly that's the conclusion I'm coming to - you can have several days out on a heritage line for the price of a "steam" railtour these days.

 

Seems that you need to consult tuc for likely industrial action then long range weather forcast before booking next trip !!

 

Now being held outside Eastleigh as we are early.

 

Diesel now doing all the work on the section from B Road water stop to Bournemouth. NR banned Steam from working on this section.

 

Here's a view of a trip anyway with 44932 speeding along at Worting:

 

Not surprising given how dry the Forest is ATM. You should do better once you get back into suburban Bournemouth. The best chance of real performance is probably up Porton bank this evening.

 

Thanks for posting this. I had considered driving down to ths area to see 44932 working in that area, but I'm now glad I decided not to.

 

I am surprised that the New Forest is dry - I saw torrential rain on the Met Office rainfall radar in that area yesterday evening.

 

I am amazed. The New Forest area had 14 mm of rain yesterday following another downpour last Saturday. The fire index for the area is low.Which planet are NR on?

Don

 

There was also a lot of diesel assistance after Bournemouth.
Train not very well loaded either. Heard it was only about 40% full.

 

Not surprised. Maybe if they ran what was advertised then more would book. We certainly would. Anyway back to enjoying the Breton sunshine and superb coastal scenery

Don (non gricing)

 

Just had a couple of long slogs from the class 33 on Upwey & Parkstone banks. 44932 assisted a little on Upwey.

 

At long last people are voting with their feet!
It had to happen sometime.
Perhaps now those in the driving seat (no not on the locos!) will sit up & listen.
Today's 2 tours were, well better not say what I think.

 

Just left Southampton. 44932 worked for a short time then left to coast along. Class 33 shoving hard.

 

Not just punters. Went to Pecorama for the day instead as I wanted some bits from their shop and guaranteed myself a steam loco ride. In fact they had two engines out today, small they might be, but they are WORKING steam.

 

44932 actually worked hard on the section from Laverstock Jct to Basingstoke.

 

Yes Al they worked the York to Bomo and also the 930 am down for a while but I don't ever remember them on the last Weymouth, so I think that was very unusual.

Don