31806 and possible mainline use

Well the clock is ticking on and the GB tour is edging ever closer, so as far as i know, the mogol has not had any of the mainline light or loaded tests yet that would be needed for it's certification to become live ,
So has anyone heard of when its likely to venture out to Wareham and what its likely test circuit is going to be i would think most likely scenerio is le/ pob first then assuming West coast send some stock down to Swanage , could she possibly run weymouth to Yeovil? or is the more likely route going to be Southampton then romsey , Salisbury ? or is it more likely that she will miss her booked slot and the tour will be topped and tailed with a 47

 

Why would West Coast need to send some stock down? I’m sure I read that the same grant that paid for the bells and whistles on 31806 also included a provision to put a certain number of Swanage coaches main line.

 

Ai, what i meant was that along with either the booked loco ( 34052 or 60009 would have to have a deisel as the tour has to be headed with steam facing london for the final leg from Weymouth to Swanage and the next days leg if 31806 don't make it

 

Stock for test run will be a rake of SR Mark 1 Coaches as these were done as part of the DFT grant.

 

How about Braunton to Yeovil Junc, detach,service and turn. 31806 attached so its leading to Weymouth,attach Braunton so its on rear to Weymouth and banking up with tender leading the Braunton takes the train to Wareham with 31806 banking up Bincombe. 31806 then takes train to Swanage.

 

thanks 007, i was unsure if the coaches had been plated, so is the test run imminent ? just out of interest what was 31806's last run on BR before withdrawal and sale to Woodhams for scrap?

 

first I heard of that

 

Heard it here first! 5 Mark 1 coaches were included in the DFT bid, all have been equipped with Buckeye over ride devices. This was done after the fitting of the OTMR and TPWS on 31806. I believe the work on the coaches was undertaken during the shutdown.

 

Will this become the Wareham set? so that in the future you have a loco hauled set that can operate over the link with NR as well as being a rail tour set i'm assuming you have a registered brake to act as support vehicle for the U?

 

Yes, it will become the Wareham capable set. Im not sure about the support coach bit im afraid.

 

As regards support coaches, didnt you have the one used by the S15 at Swanage?

 

828 used Mk.1 BCK 21236, which is at the MHR.

 

And the PO brake35317 for 850 was eventually sold by ERPS and has ended up with LSL, last seen with 46100. ( Still with hand painted lettering on the emergency vacuum valve done by Mrs R.)

Cheers, Neil

 

BSK 35464 is registered currently, I believe, and used when the loco convoy was taken to Eastleigh 100 as well as on other (main line) movements. Not my video. 35464 is seen around 5' 30".
I'm unsure, however, if 35464 was included in the 5 Mk1s earmarked for works under the DfT grant. If not, then it looks as if a 6 coach test rake might be run with D6515 (as insurance) at the rear.
As I mentioned today on the GBXI thread .....
Heard that this Friday had been proposed for a loaded test run but it was postponed apparently. Have no further information.
Regarding a light engine main line run, perhaps this might not be required with the mileage she's accrued at Swanage.
Anyway, whenever it happens, let's hope she'll sustain going above 25 mph for the first time in many years.

 

It seems to have been relatively quick and easy for the Swanage railway to mainline register a set of Mk1s.

If only they had done this a few years ago, and obtained another mainline diesel or two. It could have been a much quicker easier and cheaper option than bringing the DMUs up to standard for the Wareham services.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I believe 6 coaches are being mainline registered, including two brake coaches so there is some contingency.

 

plus also there might be the scope for limited outings on the lesser used routes away from the main routes, Steam is now becoming rarer in the far south for instance how heavily used is the Dorchester to Yeovil line on Sundays is there room for any steam paths ? early or late season when A loco and the stock can be spared or replaced by one of the DMU'S , or even have a heritage DMU tour using the Swanage DMUS

 

Or why not offer the Hastings unit a permanent home....

 

I think they're probably very happy with their nice warm shed in Hastings, rather than an open siding at Swanage.

 

I was joking.