The Royal Wessex 27th June

I will be most interested to see the route which this takes because as far as I know steam isn't cleared for the Netley line, so if its going to get to Weymouth it will need to reverse at Eastleigh, which suggests lots of diesel haulage

Don

 

Last year on the 5th July it ran via Netley.

 

44932 was on the front so the weight restriction over Bursledon bridge wasn't an issue.

I've just quoted this direct form the RTC website:

"The route follows the south coast of England with brief glimpses of the sea at Shoreham and between Chichester and Havant.
We pass through Fareham and Southampton before entering the New Forest, the picturesque area of heathland and forest, famous for its ponies."

No mention of reversing at Eastleigh so maybe it has the green light to head via Netley, we shall see!

 

Times are up now:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63673/2015/06/27/advanced

and

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U63678/2015/06/27/advanced


appears to be via Netley on outward and reversal at Eastleigh on return.

 

Implies DL leading Weymouth-Eastleigh. That makes some sense operationally, though it's a shame not to have steam leading on the climb to Bincombe. I wonder what the diesel will be? If it's something like a 33 then Tangmere may need to join in. If it's a 57, the footplate crew can have a brew then get the fire in order ready for the last leg. ;-)

 

33's seem to be bottom of the WCR diesel pecking order, 47/57 is top for haulage/ETH capabilities, then come 37's if short of power or RA restricted route, and 33207 when there's nothing else working on shed.

 

You cant rely on what's put on the RTC website but in this case it appears to be true.

Don

 

I believe WCR have withdrawn their 33s.

Don

 

It's about time the long-promised turntable was installed at Weymouth. I live in Sussex and Haywards Heath is only half an hour's drive away. This tour would have been really appealing if it could have been steam both ways. RTC seems to have given up on the two-loco option with the steam banker to Upwey on all their Weymouth trains. Wish they would have a re-think. I would be prepared to pay that bit extra for 100% steam. Still, at the moment, we are hardly awash with main-line locos. Perhaps the return of 35018 might mark the beginning of an improvement.

 

If they do this tour again, later in the year or next year, I'd like to see it run the other way round, with the reversal at Eastleigh on the way out and steam leading on Bincombe, Parkstone and Swanwick banks. I wonder if that's possible, or if there are restrictions that make it impossible - or at least, impractical?

 

Email from RTC - the Royal Wessex has been postponed as Tangmere has flats on the tender. New date to be confirmed shortly.

 

Blimey, she must have got them last weekend as she hasn't been used since March.

 

Maybe it was towed back to Southall with the tender handbrake on!
A few tears ago steam was initially banned eastbound on the Netley line, I believe because of clearance problems, it was then banned both ways. Last year's Three Bridges - Weymouth ran westbound via Netley but the loco was changed from Tangmere to a Black 5 at the last minute, possibly because BBs were/are still not cleared for the route.

 

That is my recollection. Not sure Bulleids are cleared for the Netley route. Would have been a nice shot crossing the bridge at Swanwick just down the here.

Don

 

Rugger!

As its pretty rare - I went out yesterday to scout some suitable spots on the Netley leg. Ah well found a good pub and had scampi and chips, and the dog had a good time rolling around in pony poo in the new forest.

 

There are some good spots but IMHO the bridge over the Hamble at Swanwick is the best

Don

 

Yes checked it out, very nice location for stills from both sides of the bridge but too short on moving action and lots of background noise from the M27 for video. I did find a spot where I could get two lots of riverside action in one scene, but thats all academic now. I did toy with the irony of filming Tangmere at Bitterne.

 

Yes agreed no good for video. The other place if you like river shots is the path by the river next to the Horseshoe bridge at St Denys, where you can shoot the train crossing the Itchen almost side on before it gets to St Denys.

 

Shame, was looking forward to seeing steam on home turf

 

What would I do without this forum? It's 5.45AM on Saturday morning. I've got up at the crack of dawn in preparation for the 45-minute drive to see 34067 go over Balcombe Viaduct. Thought I had better check first and then discovered it has been postponed. Thanks for saving me a wasted journey. I do hope it is re-scheduled and not just cancelled.