Dorset Coast Express 21st July

How are repairs to 60019 coming along? Does anyone know if it will be 30777 or 60019 on this trip?

 

And does anyone know the route? The last one went from Kenny Olympia and via Yeovil.

I'd love to go on this one, but only if it is 30777 on the direct route with no box on the back of the train. Just hope it gets announced in time to change my existing plans for Wednesday and still get a ticket.

This is my first year of wanting to travel on UK (mainly ex SR steam), again, and it sure is a baptism of fire! Late pathing and times due to computer probs, fire risk, and a severe loco shortage. Along with me being ever so picky about which loco I want to travel behind, and of course wanting no box on the train! I want everything don't I!

 

According to RTC it is expected to be 60019 Victoria-Staines-Bournemouth-Weymouth, and 30777 Weymouth-Bournemouth-Surbiton-Waterloo. But I don't have confirmation or the full times yet. Not sure when 30777 goes to Weymouth or the route.

David

 

"Actual Timings" in summary now appear on RTC website - certainly were not there earlier this afternoon = nothing on motive power
Outward Victoria 0845 pick up at Chiswick and Staines - arrive Bournemouth 1227, Wareham 1257 and Weymouth 1338
Return Weymouth 1635, Wareham 1715, Bournemouth 1735 arrive Waterloo at 2150

With only a bare 3 hours at Weymouth will need to be a second loco available as based on previous experience that is not enough time to get to Yeovil and back
Hope that adds a little more info - thanks for the update on intended motive power David

DH

 

You are about 50 years too late to be that picky about kettles........

 

KentYeti - You do also realise that this train is due to run every Wednesday until the end of the Summer holidays? So if you don't get on it this week there will be more opportunities. Can't predict what the motive power will be though - 34067/70000 and 70013 are supposed to feature at some stage but whether they will is anyone's guess. All the trips are supposed to be on the direct route. On Weymouth Carnival day Steam Dreams are also running a train which returns via Yeovil.

 

Only about UK steam locos, and hopefully only for a few more months this year. But yes, I've been spoiled!. I had several superb years in Germany from 2001 onwards. Where the tours I went on were largely promoted by the loco owners/custodians: so the loco choice was obvious! And the route was mainly a key part of the advance information and tended to be what you got on the day. And along with oil firing on some locos the variables were dramatically reduced. So I got what I had paid for in virtually ever instance. But I still cannot gather the emotional strength to go back to a country where my late wife and I spent so many holidays.

But 6026 King John is correct of course. I've just gotta hang in there and wait for the 30777, 34067, 70013 trio to make up the pool again for later Dorset Coast Expresses. Even two of those will be enough for me, they are all locos I'd love to travel behind.

So I'll stay a picky old sod until I find I haven't timed a main line steam run in the UK for far too long. Not sure what I'll do then!

 

30777 with diesel from Victoria to Weymouth direct. Returns diesel hauled to Waterloo

 

60019 not ready so 30777 down and diesel back. We booked on it partly in the hope of A4 mileage (don't tell Bryan!) but there you go. Fine as long as the Arthur is OK as I need this for haulage. That explains why no LE info on 777.

Don

 

Times are now posted at
www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0721a.htm

However these are for steam both ways. There may be some further amendments now that the return is diesel hauled.

 

I had suspected you were trying to get some secret A4 mileage!

I have been on the verge of booking this one several times, and would have gone for 30777 on the down route, (as it is now booked), and come back on a service train to avoid the sharp pointy thing, (IF I ever travel behind an A4, the first time HAS to be out of Kings Cross. One has standards you know. ).

But I am assuming the box will be on the back of the train going down now, (I think we have been told that above somewhere), and by just being there and adding circa 3 cars weight to the train will almost certainly have to help. Unless it is a light weight train.

So I shall stay at home and sulk!

Which means that Don and all others on the train are guaranteed a superb run from the Arthur with no box help at all. LOL. That'll teach me to be so picky!

 

@Bryan: Don't A4s on the LSW have a BR-era precident? IIRC a few stood in for Merchant Navy locos withdrawn for axle checks in the 1950s, following the Crewkerne accident... or am I getting confused? And there were the loco exchanges in '48... Besides which, Bittern is an honourary Southern engine now, having been "rebuilt" at Ropley ;-)

 

V2's and B1's were drafted in when the MN's had their problems with axle checks - not aware of any mention of A4's or other pacifics being used from articles read over the years. There were also some Black 5's as well IIRC.

60007 as 4498 has been to Weymouth before in 1967 so does that count as a precedent and Mallard and at least one other worked on the ACE during the 1948 loco exchanges

DH

 

Left on time, had two diesels on the back pushing up Grosvenor bank. Which detatched once at the top so steam running solo to Weymouth.

 

What did I say! Me keeping away from the train because of my boxphobia will make it a superb day out for everyone else! Well, at least until Weymouth.

 

Lets hope the kettle don't break down then, and need rescuing!

 

Diesel hauled on return according to some timings i have just recieved,stating that it is to be a 47.

30777 is then going E+C to Yeovil,18:50 off Weymouth Jersey Sidings.

 

30777 and Dorset Coast Express coasting down top of Parkstone Bank at 1242 under easy steam.
37706 and 37516 reported en route to Weymouth - ta various on WRGEN - to top and tail return - may run early as still booked to run on steam schedule
DH