RTC: End of Southern Steam - 9/07/26

With another heatwave forecast for the weekend/early next week at the London end, and little or no rain forecasted for the route I wonder if this will be steam hauled. Be a great shame if not as an anniversary train.

 

Just been thinking about this after the most recent weather forecast. I was considering having a couple days of holiday from work at the end of this week to see the two Weymouth specials (RTC & LSL) on Thursday and to also attend the Watercress Line Diesel Gala on Friday.
However, with the temperatures forecast will 35028 even be allowed out as a token steam presence at the head of the SR Anniversary train?

 

I guess if it red down here (cannot believe it is not) then the Yeovil Weymouth move for the loco would either need another diesel to be provided, or the loco to be turned at Yeovil and both the steam and diesel to swap ends along with the support coach with 35028 working the train to Pen Mill and then being on the back to Weymouth. That assumes all that lot would be possible with service train paths.
Would NR even let the loco run round on its own at Yeovil Junction if red?
Would the MNPLS be happy having 35028 towed on the back? To my knowledge it has never hauled a DCE for example.

 

Many years ago but it 35028 has been towed from Pen Mill to Weymouth

https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/00s/100508uk.htm

Andrew

 

Another week of blazing heat with no rain,
Are we sure Clan Line's not just gonna be pushed round like a giant boiling headboard?

 

Presumably the MNLPS will say if 35208 is going to be in use tomorrow, with a FB post later today.

Bryan

 

This https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R52368/2026-07-09/detailed and this https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R52381/2026-07-09/detailed have appeared for tomorrow.
I assume something to assist the 150 ton headboard move from Yeovil to Weymouth.

Andrew

 

Would appear so. Quite a lot of fuel expended for such a short move really.
Does at least imply it is still having some form of steam involvement though, which surprises me really.

 

Short of 35028 having only oily rags smouldering in the firebox, I can't see how tomorrow's run can have any steam involvement at all, very sadly. I have just returned from Mallorca today and conditions here are very similar!

 

As @AMP said, 150 ton headboard - class 47 will be behind the tender tomorrow.

 

35028 Clan Line has passed it's FTR examination. The tour will have diesel assistance due to the 'red' fire risk level. [BJ]

 

A shame - the passengers may still have a nice day out, but it won't be steam-hauled. I just hope the train's temperature is bearable.

 

There is no diesel behind the loco; only one at the rear but it was clear that Clan Line was being worked gently even on the slow through Putney a little while ago.

 

Inevitable I am afraid but I wont be there. In any case July 8th was my end of steam day with all its drama as recounted a number of times including in my book The Twilight of Southern Steam.

Hope it goes well today

Don

 

33025 will be the assisting loco tripping 35028 down light engine from Yeovil Jn to Weymouth this afternoon.

 

Quite a contrast from 59 years ago. There is a well-kn0wn picture of 34021 Dartmoor working a Southampton Docks-Waterloo Boat train on 9th July 1967 taken by the late David Hepburne-Scott in the Winchfield area and the loco was giving out a decent visible exhaust (steam, not black smoke), so the weather must have been considerably cooler than today. Given that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of Southern steam, it would be good if there was 1967 weather rather than 2026 weather in July, as no doubt a number of special events will be planned - both on the main line and heritage railways.

 

A contrast to 59 years ago when, almost unnoticed, there were three Weymouth - Westbury steam hauled perishable freights over the line. If I remember correctly two were Standard 5s and the third a West Country. All three locos returned light to Weymouth for withdrawal. It was indeed a hot sunny day, but not as hot as today.

Peter

 

There may be this evening. 33.025 is escorting Clan Line to Weymouth. A diesel could be positioned at the rear of the train and another behind the tender. Insurance while passing through the New Forest? <BJ