RTC - BIL to Weymouth 6 & 9/07/19

Wow! There are so many videos of BIL's exploits I hesitate to put mine before y'all. Nevertheless, it's up on YouTube and can be viewed here

https://youtu.be/Asybj8B8md0


I'd like (probably not love) your comments and feedback . . . .

Jeremy English, Railscene

 

This was on departure from Brockenhurst. The smokebox door looks to have some significant paint bubbling/blistering - from the effort out of Weymouth?

 

In fact, it's John Bunch's although Carnforth has a pretty big stake in it now. Bunchie lives down here . . . .

 

The smokebox door issue, whatever it is, was there during the Jersey Sidings shunting so not caused by the attack on Upwey Bank.

 

The day didn't go as planned with a few shots missed due to late running at both ends of the day, the Andover stop was missed in the morning and it would have been dark beyond Bournemouth in the evening but here are the three pictures I got of the Clan Line tribute act, good to see it down here. I know RTC want to advertise themselves but the headboard on the lower smokebox lamp bracket looked ridiculous so I've removed it in the first shot at Worting Junction, the other two are at Tisbury and Holes Bay.

 

Not that it matters anyway but are the cab side numerals on 35018 slightly smaller than in BR days or is my ancient memory getting even more inaccurate. Great day out anyway yesterday and excellent food and service from the Gravy Train people. Thx.

 

Fine shots indeed, but it was far from dark beyond Bournemouth in the evening - see mine from Brockenhurst, for example.

 

I had wondered that too, but a comparison with 1960s shots has shown me they're right.

 

Thanks for that - interesting to know where it happened (unless it was painted that way to add authenticity!).

 

The 22 December 2010 pairing mentioned earlier in the thread.

 

That's been my only gripe with BIL's presentation, but I came to the conclusion that they had applied numbers without a black edging so they look narrower and less substantial. Bear in mind she's (sorry, HE's) portrayed in post 1959 condition with the last BR steam crests so would have the black-edged numerals applied at the first (and only) post-rebuilding General. The kinked feedwater pipes had also been replaced by the straight ones then, as portrayed today.
I have a photo (used in a Steam Days bookazine by Key Publishing in which I wrote an article about the rebuilding of the Bulleids) which shows 35018 alongside 35020 just after rebuilding - I think its a Colourail photo - and both have larger numerals than the engine sports today.

 

Yes I know there was some sunny weather before Eastleigh but we wouldn't have made it in time. the rest of the run was in murk

 

Heat resistant paint is needed

 

My footage of BIL on yesterday's trip. I filmed her at Grateley, Templecombe and Bincombe Bank. I also filmed Clan Line today at Kings Sutton with a British Pullman train. Enjoy.

 

I see that both "Braunton" and BIL have had their returns northwards cancelled! Is it the magnetic attraction of the South holding them here?

 

For those concerned or wondering, when the bubbling/blistering on 35018's smokebox occured. If you view my photos, in posting #237, of working 5Z92 arriving at London Victoria at 08:17 the marks/blisters can be seen clearly. Therefore they occured before Tuesday's running.

 

One day when SWT was in chaos, A friend of mine was travelling on the return leg of a Steam Dreams special to Sherborne hauled by 60009 which picked up a few stranded passengers at (I think) Andover. Two teenage girls who sat opposite them had no idea that they had just boarded a steam-hauled train until someone told them, but they then became very excited indeed!

 

John I have no real issue with lower nameplate position, Swanage do the same on the dining train and Santa headboards sometimes. At the end of the day RTC are bearing the risk of promoting the tour so why not have one there (rather than not at all) when the disc code restricts it from a more "normal" position. At least it is a correct shape unlike the Saphos one. I also think it is pleasant to see various headcode combinations.

 

A few from yesterday. The original plan went out the window once I realised it wouldn't stop in Wallers Ash and beating it from Shawford to Worting was a no-hope, so instead opted for Redbridge Causeway with some fantastic evening light! Congratulations for all at Carnforth for bringing BIL back to life, and many thanks for the visit.



Departing Woking


Crossing the Causeway at Redbridge

Through the night at Addlestone

 

No problem with the correct West of England Mainline headcode discs or with a headboard although this one is the wrong shape for the Southern. It seems that RTC is the only tour operator that insists on advertising itself in this way.