34067 London - Exeter Sun.5th July

It would be perfectly easy to accommodate the needs of the very small number of sound recordists - we are a dying breed it seems - with just a little bit of forethought by those who chose to apply the "rules" so rigidly. I realise that in the past that some of the window hanging brigade were well out of order, climbing onto other people's tables and generally making a nuisance of themselves but those days are pretty much gone. Just sometimes you can get one over on the "jobsworths." I'd booked dining behind 60009 and after the evening meal had been consumed I set up in the end vestibule to record the climb from Hitchin through to Stevenage. A steward pounced and said "please return to standard class where you belong." The look on his face when I waved my first class dining ticket at him was worth the price of the ticket alone. My next planned trip will be a dining car job as part of a friend's birthday bash and I'm really looking forward to the inevitable confrontation once the mic is out and ready for action.
Lokoing forward to 03 1010 returning. Good some good sounds out of her during the Rheinland Pfalz Plamdampf in 2005. No problems window hanging on those trains. :smt003

 

I don't have the experience of UK steam tours to really be able to fully comment on your specific points. But maybe it would be possible to nominate a few seats for those who want to take recordings. I just know the frustrations felt by people I have steam bashed with since the early 1960s! And now by reading your comments and others I have read here on Nat Pres. Interestingly most of whom have enjoyed the German steam scene, so they know what can happen. But let's not forget the differences in rolling stock design when comparing the two countries. Those wonderful drop down windows in Germany that can allow, (at a pinch), three people to a window down the whole length of a coach. Superb when the front coaches are side corridor vehicles, so joe public, (if he has got into the front coach), can sit insulated in his six seat compartment. If he wants to.

But it's not all bad news. I went to the Bluebell a couple of weeks ago to get my first ride behind the O1, 31065, (just about to go out of ticket). A loco I first saw on the last day of steam in Kent, when it hauled a special into Tonbridge. But when I got to the Bluebell I found it was booked just to haul a Fathers Day special. Two restaurant cars sandwiching a composite brake car which had a handful of compartments, none in use by the diners. I first tried to buy a seat at Horsted Keynes earlier in the day for the dining bit, (even though I'd had my lunch), but it was a sell out. The station staff, and a driver friend who was on the C class earlier that day, suggested I go to Sheffield Park and ask the guard. So I did. He asked the Station Master and two minutes before the train left he had unlocked a door in the brake compo for me to use one of the empty compartments! I offered to get out at Horsted Keynes after a lovely noisy climb up from SP, but the guard told me to stay on for the climb to Kingscote so I could enjoy the noise up the tunnel! Which I did. Returning to Sheffield Park later I thanked the SM and then went and added to my growing collection of "Tenner for the Tip" certificates for the East Grinstead extension.

I'm about to add an appeal for some UK help for the overhaul of 03 1010 to the Plandampf.co.uk web site I run for David Sprackland. I am told that a lot of money has already been raised, so fingers crossed. Maybe we'll meet up in the front coach of a train behind the "Roaring Monster" before too long!

 

Well done the Bluebell. A good example of how you can accommodate different requirements.

 

On loco info it says that 34070 will be going back to Swanage early this week, does anyone know when this is because i am concerned that no timings have appeared as to when it may go back. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Interestingly, on Steam dreams' website it says that at Wareham on the way back it has a stop to detach a diesel, could this be 34070s pilot?

 

The diesel runs light engine from Southall via Reading and Castle Cary to Weymouth to handle the ECS, and possibly tow 34067 to Yeovil and back (not sure about this bit), and then to bank 34067 out of Weymouth as far as Wareham. The diesel then follows the train back to Waterloo for the ECS back to Southall.

I've no info on the return of 34070 to Swanage.

edit: Just realised this message is in the wront thread - should be 34067 to Weymouth 9 July.

David

 

No, that will be the banker that will assist 34067 on Upwey bank this evening. It's probably also going to drag Tangers, and possibly the whole Train, up to Yeovil and back this afternoon for turning and servicing.

I'd expect 34070 to go home by road, though it would be nice if she went by rail.

In any case, both today's run to Weymouth, and 34070's repairs at Eastleigh, have their own separate threads, so maybe we should move discussion over them?

 

Posted on wrong thread,sorry!!! ](*,)

37706 is the assisting loco but its jacked at Maiden Newton,Its now dumped at Pen Mill.Tangmere passed Yetminster with support coach at 1710. 73235 on its way to Weymouth from Bournemouth to help 34067 up the bank.

Its going to be late I think................

 

Just let 34067 loose on the climb and see what she manages unaided.

 

I would love to see ANY loco climbing up the bank unaided but Network Rail say otherwise.Its a false video when you hear the diesel pushing so hard at the back.I was speaking to an Inspector after the King went up with a mighty shove,he said if he had his way the assisting loco would have pushed MORE!!

 

What does this have to do with the Exeter tour?

 

73 on juice shouldn't make much noise.... Go for that vid!

 

Sorry James,I have edited it now with apology.

I should have know you would be keeping an eye on things Southern 8-[

Long time no see,hope to see you lineside soon mate.

 

I kept a very close eye on Sunday...I had a bit of a "Fireboxchaser tan" by Exeter. :smt001

I'd have given you a wave if I'd known where you were...or maybe not as it would have ruined an excellent video. 8-[

 

Not a lot but that's how conversations and threads develop.
I could ask what your question had to do with the Exeter tour.