'Weymouth Seaside Express'. Sunday, 26th July, 2015

The 'Weymouth Seaside Express'. Sunday, 26th July, 2015.

34067 'Tangmere' (plus diesel in consist).

Note that the Yeovil to Weymouth section including the climb to Evershot is diesel hauled. <BJ>

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 6/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U ... 6/advanced

 

That's saved me some money. Most definitely will not be phoning to see if there are any seats available.

 

It's about time that turntable was installed at Weymouth.

 

times on UK Steam.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t15/t0726b.htm

Is this the last steam run through Bath before wires go up?

 

No. I understand that the priority of work that is due to start in 11 days time is to lower the height of the track between
Bristol and Bathampton Jct. The wires will not be going up for some time yet.

The electrification project is running late and way over budget. Sounds familiar?

The trackwork under Dundas aqueduct will also be lowered to allow freightliner traffic to run direct from Bristol to Southampton
without the need to run via Reading. This work will also increase the clearance for steam locos passing under the aqueduct.

If you look at the uksteam website you'll find that there's a rather tasty steam railtour to Bath and Bristol on 3rd September. <BJ>

 

But at least you get steam all the way on the return leg, including the climb out of Weymouth

 

And what's happening to the diesel that worked to Weymouth? If it's in the consist it will shove up Upwey. Also I've already done Eversholt by diesel on a "steam" tour so don't need to do it again.

 

The Bristol to Weymouth and Weymouth to Bristol sections were always steam hauled throughout. A diesel did not travel in the consist. After the train had arrived at Weymouth the steam loco would run tender first to Yeovil Jct. After turning on the turntable the loco was serviced and then return tender first to Weymouth ready to haul the return leg back to Bristol.

I have to feel sorry for the enthusiastic steam folk at the Yeovil Railway Centre who kindly allowed the various steam locos to be serviced at their premises. <BJ>

 

Is the diesel tucked away at the back of this train, or will it be piloting Tangmere all the way from Bristol to Weymouth?

 

uksteam.info has the diesel at the back from Bristol to Yeovil were 34067 is removed from the train to go for turning and servicing, while the diesel takes the train on to Weymouth.

 

Whatever the reason, and you're probably right, I'm not paying good money to do Evershot by diesel and also run the risk of the diesel assisting elsewhere.

 

Bristol-Weymouth-Bristol with steam both ways! As Mary Hopkins once sang.

 

At least it's steam back up from Weymouth. Not worth going over for today's effort with Tangmere down from London.

 

Those days may come again, and passenger demand may increase again after a quiet season or two. Filling trains every Sunday for 6 weeks or so is a tall order.

 

Until somebody comes along and says that the diesel that works to Weymouth will not be in the consist on the return, I remain to be convinced that it will be a purely steam powered run back to Bristol.

 

Just three days to go but RTC are still promoting the Weymouth Seaside Express with the draw of the climb to Evershot. <BJ>
'' We stop at Yeovil Pen Mill for our steam locomotive to take on water, and then there follows a long steep climb through the Dorset Hills up to the summit at Evershot Tunnel. Our steam locomotive will be working flat out on this exhilarating climb''.

 

If only! Happy memories of 5029 Nunney Castle a few years ago barking her way up to Evershot; it really was the highlight, although the climb (preferably without a diesel on the front or back) out of Weymouth (which remains for Sunday's trip) is certainly also a worthy candidate for anyone's bucket list.

John

 

And that's the great unknown quantity. No light engine path is showing in RTT so it has to be assumed that the diesel will be in the consist and the next question is "how much assistance will it provide?" With the loss of steam over Evershot on the outward run and not knowing how much diesel assistance will be involved out of Weymouth, this trip has lost its appeal to me. It's still a required steam route for me after the debacle of my previous "steam" trip but until it reverts to steam unassisted in both directions, my wallet remains closed.

 

It's a shame as it was a seriously good steam hauled day out with plenty of time to lunch and drink in Weymouth. With such a long time in Weymouth I didn't think turning the engine was any kind of a problem. RTC are getting worse at not telling it like it is on the website. Anyone on the train and got the letter and will share what it says? We're doing the Torbay having been tipped off a while ago about the diesel.