Dorset Coast Express 2022

Who knows if the first one will happen with this heat, but times now in RTT include LE moves to and from Swanage.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63234/2022-07-21/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63235/2022-07-21/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63238/2022-07-21/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63239/2022-07-21/detailed

 

Yes indeed with the possibility of a U.K. record temperature on Monday/Tuesday if the train runs at all more diesel than coal will be burnt! Still for West Coast to ask for the Swanage times suggests there is the intention to run the Mogul so maybe another time

 

RTT does throw up some wonderfully weird information when steam locos are involved. I see that 0Z83 is "Pathed as Diesel locomotive, trailing load 715 tonnes. Planned for 45mph max" (...and yes I realise it's done to hoodwink NR's scheduling program into giving enough braking and acceleration allowance.)

 

Temps should be a lot lower by then though the damage to our parched landscape has already been done.

 

With the announcement of RMT strikes on the 18th August, that probably means only two DCE runs this year, if next weeks runs with the heat we've had. September might be the best one!

 

Yes, there is the potential for some serious track damage from the intense heat (buckling), but, there is also the chance of some rain in the breakdown of the heat, so, any possible damage aside, the fire risk may diminish slightly by the 21st. Rain would be so welcome.

 

Now being diesel operated per the RTC website.

 

RTC really hasn't had much joy with the DCE in recent years. Obviously, in 2020, everything went haywire and the DCEs were just one among many series of trains which didn't run. 2021 did see one train run, but the others had to be canceled due to lack of loco availability. Now this year, a heatwave has messed up the first train and a rail strike could put paid to the second.

I also feel sorry for the Bahamas Loco Society, which has lost some steamings with SD due to its takeover by LSL and now another one of its planned turns has bitten the dust.

I have mentioned before that summertime doesn't seem to be the best time for regular workings through the New Forest. Given that Weymouth (and/or Swanage) are not really suitable destinations in Spring or Autumn, maybe if RTC wants to try a repeat itinerary train in the south in, say April or May, perhaps Salisbury and Sherborne (which have plenty to offer all year round) might be a better bet.

Ironically, 10 years ago, at least one Dorset-bound steam train never reached its destination because of flooding. It's a crazy old world!

 

I was on the one which did run last year and it was a cracking day out (apart from dire weather in Weymouth). Certainly works as a steam route - interesting scenery, opportunity for fast running, decent destination - but I agree luck hasn't been with RTC.

 

All set it seems but for the weather.
The loco will have been rained on hard during a brief thunderstorm about 30 minutes ago, and more thunder as I write this, but way way more needed in terms of precipitation.
I always view NR steam bans like petrol price rises. Quick to be imposed and a long time to be removed, although in fairness to NR I expected it before the End of Southern Steam ran.

 

It was a good run, you missed a cracker with 35028, both on the ACE and the Weymouth, the latter from reports of those who were there, I was lucky enough to be on the ACE

 

Well it ran, so I understand, with 47772 hauling coaches 99304; 4905; 1860; 3093; 99121; 13320; 99122; 99712 and 99125 with 47813 bringing up the rear. It appears to have arrived over 9 minutes late despite no water stops, etc.
On the return journey the train has now departed Clapham Junction, at the time of writing [22:10], probably due to waiting for booked path to Victoria.

 

Water stops or not, the train has a path to follow and on a network as busy as the South Western it's unlikely that a train can run early for too long without getting in the way of other services. In particular arriving back at Waterloo or Victoria early could be a problem is there is no platform available.

 

Yes and of course makes a double whammy for the passengers, no steam and a lot of sitting around often somewhere they can not get off and in hot conditions.
The down leg of course, like most SWR trains for reasons I still struggle to understand, lost time west of Bournemouth. Even the train I took from Wareham to Weymouth just in front of it (due to a miscommunication over if I was needed to clean the train during the layover in Jersey Sidings) lost four minutes in the 15 I was on the platform waiting for it.