The Royal Wessex 8th April 2017

Did you have a couple of buckets full of emergency Russian/Scottish/Welsh/fuel of your choice in the cab when you went and hauled them in with a 33 on Saturday?

 

The need to "conserve fuel" indicates really bad planning...

 

I would say the current supply is Russian rocket fuel, but that would (a) imply it was vodka, or (b) put me next on Mr Trump's hitlist!

 

One reason for the assistance away from stops could be the very dry state of the heaths in Dorset and Hampshire at the moment. I noticed this when at Corfe Castle last weekend. It wouldn't surprise me if WCRC were being cautious

 

Or that it is speculation based on speculation. Derogatory is a strong word and out of context here.

 

@mrKnowwun did say it was foggy!

Steven

 

IF the need was to conserve fuel it is a reasonable observation... As I said, speculation based on speculation.

 

Mmm reading all this "speculation" regarding the use of the Class 57! Yes the Class 57 assisted when departing Moreton, but prior to that, 34052 done all the work from Three Bridges on load 10 plus Diesel which was 132 miles.

 

So how much extra coal and water does a deadweight 57 demand over 132 miles, speculatively?

 

Yes, sadly the days of "proper" steam to Weymouth seem to be over. Hopefully Swanage will fare better as a destination once the turntable is installed. Even so, there is still the issue of fire risk in the New Forest during the summer, but that still leaves a reasonable margin in the Spring and Autumn when no diesel need be involved once locos can be turned. A day spent visiting the Dorset coast this time of year can still be very pleasurable - as the recent Bulleid gala proved.

 

Which creates a interesting dilema for the promoter. If a diesel has to be in the consist for an operational reason at the destination can it be guaranteed not to affect, in some way, the advertised product? Even if not assisting it becomes a limiting factor for other reasons.

 

I am always amazed when on the normal trains or charters how paths are found/changed when there is a problem. Sometimes even when there is no problen with a sensible signalman. An LE path for DL must be possible. Skill and will stuff.

 

It wasn't being assisted earlier on or when we saw it at Netley and Totton

 

No assistance at all in the morning around Brighton, and having seen nearly every tour that has run that route in the last 10 odd years since it started that's probably actually unusual.