35028 - The Wessex Express 18/11/17

Times are already out...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54144/2017/11/18/advanced

James

 

Not a day for Clan Line to do much so I can sit back and relax. Wake me up at Basingstoke Al for the sprint to Woking. It was always going to be a trundle

 

The original timings demonstrates the unreliability of taking RTT as 'gospel' - which has been mentioned elsewhere. If you click on the link again you will find that the timings have been subsequently revised - and they're still not entirely correct!
What RTT originally showed was the timings on the first 'offer' from NR to the customer (DBC>UKR/MNLPS). This is how the system should work - but frequently doesn't. The customer prepares a specification complete with outline timings, NR times the train as close as they consider possible to the customer's requirements, and then makes the 'offer' for the customer to accept or reject. with "Clan Line" trips, as I have said before, we almost always prepare a detailed set of timings that is submitted with the bid, utilising the expertise we have within our ranks. This was done for this operation, but somehow our timings went AWOL so the first 'offer' was prepared without reference to our efforts. When we said "no" and our timings were re-submitted, the changes were made. I must emphasise again the NR have the final say on this, and nobody is infallible, but all this was done perfectly amicably. Plus it demonstrates that with train timings there are many 'different ways of skinning a cat' - some better than others. On the NR Special Traffic notice for the operation - which I have here - you will find some variations in certain sections to what is currently on RTT, plus coming back we're on the Fast Line (as requested) between Basingstoke and Woking Jn.
As has been said above, this was never going to be a high speed run, and isn't intended as such - not really feasible in the middle of the day over these routes without a massive number of alterations to other trains. Those joining/leaving at Woking get a four hour run which enables an unhurried lunch but also gives a few decent sections of spirited running.

 

That's a fascinating insight! I had no idea how this all worked. Thanks for explaining.

 

But the NR stn shows SL Basingstoke to Woking. Has that changed?

 

Thank you, as ever, for providing us with infomation that we wouldn't normally be privy to.

On another note, I sent an email through Clan Line's website on 9/10 and am yet to recieve a reply. Any idea when I can expect to get one, please?

Looking forward to the tour next month.

 

I could walk it quicker!!!

 

Well, I know we always reply to messages via the MNLPS website, so this is obviously an oversight (aka admin c*ck up). Can you tell me what the message concerned, and I will reply on here if that's OK?

 

No worries! Just sent you a PM.

 

Version 1 of the STN showed slow line Basingstoke to Woking in 25 minutes as did RTT . The latest version mirrored by RTT shows fast line to Woking Jct and 30 minutes overall. As we will have to wait for the 1454 Basingstoke stopper to clear platform 1 it will almost certainly mean we will be stopped outside Woking whereas the first version would almost certainly have given us a clear run. I know which I would prefer. Better though is the fast line path Soton to Shawford

 

The November issue of Railway Magazine - just out - carries a full page UK Railtours advertisement on Page 75 for forthcoming outings including what appears to be the 2018 follow-up to the Wessex Express. Titled "The King Alfred", it is planned for Saturday 10th February, and the words indicate once again a Victoria departure and a Woking pick-up. But the UK Railtours website doesn't (yet) appear to be carrying any reference to this, less still any details of the itinerary. Don't know if "King Alfred" is any kind of clue and anyway I don't know enough history to be able to interpret it even if it is. Any ideas/ intelligence/ news on this??

 

Alfred was born in Wantage but the place most associated with him is Winchester. The alleged burning of the cakes incident is meant to have taken place on the Isle of Athelney in Somerset. He also spent quite a bit of his reign in Sussex. Of these various alternatives, I would say that Winchester is most likely to feature in the itinerary.

 

Many thanks for that. I can truly claim to be considerably enlightened!!

 

I'm guessing it'll be announced tomorrow or Friday when they next send out a newsletter.

 

Well, as previously mentioned by others, I suspect Winchester is a strong contender. I hope a couple more 35028 tours are advertised sooner rather than later, as there's a lot of competition for my money...

 

Well I wasn't far out...

http://www.ukrailtours.com/product/the-king-arthur/