End of Southern Steam (RTC) - 9/07/22

As Donald Beale said,”instead of electrifying it, they electrocuted it”

 

The second unit would not have been hauled, or even 'dragged' (if its brakes were locked on) - it all depends on how many units are in the electrical section - two can run together but that probably means only one other can run simultaneously, if that.

 

West Byfleet - if the sunset 'glint' has gone, signals will do!

 

The limit on how many units are drawing power power west of Poole depends on the feeder from the National Grid. In the older parts of the 3rd rail network there were balancing cables at 33kV between grid feeder points which could balance demand and provide power if there was a grid failure. West of Branksome was electrified at minimum cost with only one grid feeder.
When there are problems with traction current supply, drivers are instructed to drive gently, only using the first few notches on the power control. (Equivalent to driving in "series only" on 400 series stock.)

Cheers, Neil

 

Video now up

 

10 cars run Weymouth-Poole in power reduction mode with alternative switching by Eastleigh ECRO. Additional grid supply points have been installed so it is no longer fed just from the grid at Branksome.

 

The Arkwrights can also re gen when braking which helps.

 

A couple from the tour although of course stewarding gives little chance for photography. The original timings would have given me time at Basingstoke to try some glint and departure shots. But the late arrival coupled to the appearance of a "unicorn" (Poole bound SWR train only about 5 late) coupled to a departure board that read please inquire for the next Weymouth train time meant I took the safe option and jumped on. A check on RTT today proves I could have waited for the XC and changed to the Weymouth train at Southampton, but all too risky after the earlier issues and with no time to check.
Not sure how often Clan Line runs T/F on the mainline but I do not have an image of it before.

 

We can debate the term hauled or dragged until the cows cross the Valley Road (Swanage folk we understand) To me non powered stock (coaches, wagons) are hauled, something that could power itself but does not or cannot is dragged.
Just my opinion.

 

Fair enough - to me anything with turning wheels is hauled. To be dragged means encountering much greater than normal resistance, involving fixed surface against fixed surface.

 

Heres my video of all the specials into Weymouth.. Clan Line is seen climbimg near Upwey at 5 min 29 secs if you cant watch 5 Class 47s. I will be doing a video edit of just Clan Line soon.

 

I thought it was 614 plus 805?

 

Nice video but I think the captions for the first two sequences are the wrong way round. I think the first train is the Statesman, not the Northern Belle. Stock looks similar I know.......

 

Yes the first video is definitely the Statesman but What is the number of the lead loco. I was told it was 614 when I saw it in the morning

 

See http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_numbers.php?s_loco=47614

It seems that 47614 and 47853 are the same loco. Renumbered in 1990

 

Thanks for the clarification. It's a few years since I was involved in such things on Wessex Route.

Cheers, Neil

 

Yes you are right, my apologies, I can only put it down to tiredness as I started doing the video as soon as I got back after a very long day in the hot sun but I should have checked it and yes 47614 is 47853. I think the rest of the video is titled ok so I will put a note on the write up. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

Did anybody get a time for the climb from Weymouth Station to either of the tunnels or top of the time. Got sidetracked with a passenger just before departure who was concerned about the likely Woking arrival time, and forgot to start the stopwatch on my phone.

 

Heres my video just featuring Clan Line and its train.

 

My only comment is I think you are a little late on the time for the tour. RTT has us at Dorchester South at 18:14 (18:04 for Upwey) and I do remember leaving just before 18:00.