Dorset Coast Express, July - August 2011

UKsteam is now showing just 34067 and 70000 as the locos for these tours, at least during July. Does this mean that earlier suggestions that 777 would be dropped because she can't work air-braked stock, were correct? I gather RTC have been advertising these trips in the London Evening Standard, pushing the dining options heavily. Would this explain why WCRC need to add air-brake-only carriages to the DCE set?

I hope that 70000 is soon restored to full health. She's got a busy summer ahead...

 

The loco's for the first two trips will be 34067 & 70013 a ccording to an email I received from RTC.

 

Likewise, UKsteam.info has 34067 and 70013 for the first two trips only. Ollie has a trip to Norwich and Lowestoft on 16th July, and then she takes up her Cumbrian Mountain and Scarborough Flyer duties.

If 777 is no use, because she doesn't have air-brakes, then neither is Ollie.

I infer from this that Ollie will work down to Weymouth on 5th July and back up on 12th, and that the train will not include the air-brake-only carriages on those days. This also fits in with Tangmere needing to be in London for The Cathedrals Express to Weymouth and Yeovil on 9th July.

Meanwhile, 777 has been signed up for a couple of months on the Wensleydale Railway, allowing 45305 to join the Crewe loco pool - at least, according to The Beano.

 

45305 left Swanage heading for home early this morning and sounded very nice when she was opened up after getting the road at top of Parkstone Bank.#
If Ollie is working down on Tuesday next week then presumably Tangmere will have to come down light engine from Southall after the trip to Swanage this Thursday - lot of light engine running at moment! DH

 

Times now on UKSteam.info for Tangmere's loco + support-coach move to Yeovil J on Monday 4th. Therefore, it should be Ollie on the down run and Tangers back up on Tuesday. Still awaiting times for the train itself.

 

Tangmere's move to Yeovil Jc today has been cancelled. Tangmere will now haul the DCE on 05-July in both directions, with the return diesel hauled Weymouth-Southampton, then steam Southampton-Andover-Waterloo. Revised times at uksteam.info shortly. These changes have been caused by unavailability of Oliver Cromwell, which apparently has valve problems.

David

 

Any news on Today's run yet?

 

Came through Branksome pretty much on time, Tangmere sounding in good form and a WCR 37 slung on the back for extra ballast. Slight delay to the SWT Poole stopper, but with this path its always going to be a race as to who is allowed to leave Brockenhurst first. Delay probably caused because the steamer is booked & advertised to pick up at Bournemouth.

 

Anybody who's planning on spotting her return run between Andover & the Mary Bourne Viaduct need to bear in mind that a RAF Puma has come down near the Picket Piece industrial estate, hence there's a lot of extra activity around there, so don't leave it until the last minute to get to your spot.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-14034511

 

37516 T n T 34067 top of Parkstone Bank at 1721 with return DCE DH

 

As mentioned briefly in the Britannia at Crewe thread - RTC had advert on front page of Bournemouth Echo today offering £29 return from Bournemouth to Weymouth on the DCE during July. May be repeated during summer possibly depending on the loadings I guess. Motive Power mentioned for July was Tangmere and Oliver Cromwell, though Britannia may be in the frame for enxt week! DH

 

Was on this and 'Tangmere' performed well. For the return the same formation was hauled backwards by the 37 to Southampton where the train reversed and was then hauled by 'Tangmere' via Salisbury then Andover, Basingstoke (took water there), and on to Waterloo, adding about 1/2 hour to the journey.

The 37 had a severe attack of a hunting engine governor at low revs and power, though.

 

Any news on today's trip? Should have Tangmere down & Britannia back according to uksteam.

 

Tangers down top of Parkstone Bank at 1244 chattering and whistling well - obviously on good form as had been reported 15minutes early at Redbridge and Christchurch - had picked up at Bournemouth so had to be held to a bit nearer time. No diesel on back so should be Britannia back tonight - looking forward to that DH

 

Afternoon All,

My pictures from this morning are now on Flickr. To make new pictures easier to find, I'm putting recent additions to the site in a separate 'Stop press!' collection for two to three weeks or so as well as the appropriate collection for the pictures in question. This mornings shots are in the 12th July set :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/collections/72157627090322278/

They are, of course, also in the 'Main Line Steam' set in the Railway Preservation collection.

Hope that they are of interest.

 

Magnificent , Ron. Thank you for your constant stream of superb photos!

 

Really like the old underground pics as well. Remember 25/5/63 very well, a Saturday-day off school-spent at Reading Station watching some of the last GW main line steam on the Worcester/Hereford line. Cheers.

 

My pleasure! As long as I'm not boring you.