Weymouth & Bournemouth steam: July 2021

I think I saw somewhere the Bournemouth Belle was a Black 5

 

https://northernbelle.co.uk/trip/st...-the-bournemouth-belle/775?passengers=&promo=

This from the Northern Belle website.

 

I assume this will be from the WCR pool or one that they operate, taking note the need for air brakes and the scale of the train OTTOMH the candidates seem to be 60103, 60163, 46201 (is 46233 match fit at the moment?)

 

Still over a month to go who knows maybe a Carnforth rabbit out of a hat will appear in the shape of Bodmin or Tangmere to make Bournemouth into a proper Bulleid fest in that first week of July.
Well I can always dream.

 

I don't think WCR air brake their loco's so that sadly puts Bodmin out of the picture I suspect, no idea what's happening with Tangmere bar a suggestion last year that she was being overhauled, has she run since 2016 and the WCR issues of that year?

 

Quite inclined to take this with a pinch of salt, seeing as the Northern Belle website itself doesn't even say that this is the case, but a news article on getsurrey suggests that 60163 Tornado will be hauling the tribute to the Bournemouth Belle on July 5th with words from an actual Northern Belle spokesperson. Does anyone have any info on this?

The Article in question: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/whats-o...jfl68Ea-_R3by7WlXVszZFbJxQhgizkBpHOnc_nlU1m8g

 

With all three Riley 5's probably in Scotland, the only other option I could see on the table was 6201. I'd be inclined to believe the article is correct.

 

I think these trips, together with the Northern Belle on Monday 5th July, deserve a thread of their own. Perhaps the Mods would like to merge the relevant posts from the general RTC 2021 thread?

Looking at The Bournemouth Express times in RTT, as well as the switch to Victoria, I notice that the destination is now Weymouth.

The common reverse-at-Southampton pattern suggests there's something on the back from Weymouth to Southampton, at least, and because I've not found anything about 31806 coming out to play again, I'm guessing that will be a WCRC DL, which will most likely be on the back of the train all day. I'm not complaining - it will be good to see another steam tour on LSWR lines, especially if the main loco is 35018 (is that actually confirmed?)

 

Let’s just hope they actually run.
The latest statement from RTC regarding trips between June 21st and July 19th suggests they may be cancelled.

 

I think the RTC statement means that they are cancelling some of the bookings to accommodate social distancing on the trains.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

 

I asked RTC and was told there would be a diesel loco involved on 3rd July. They also told me 31806 would be used on the DCEs

 

Further to that the latest SR says nothing has been agreed about the DCEs

 

It is correct l, Tornado will be working it so the Bournemouth Belle it ain’t

 

If Northern Belle stock is air braked then 31806 cannot be used as it is only vacuum braked [i.e. no air pipes nor drivers air brake handle]
Swanage can't even supply D6515 as it is undergoing extensive work at Eastleigh replacing tin-worm affected steel and cosmetic [?] overhaul.

 

3rd and 9th July, booked steam Loco is 35018. So I assume it will be WCR stock.

 

The Bournemouth Express on 3rd July and End of Southern Steam on 9th July, both with RTC will be the mostly mk1 set that is dual braked I'd imagine, so this could be any loco vac or air braked.

The Northern Belle one is a different tour on 5th July is the one requiring an air braked loco (ie Tornado) and is promoted through Northern Belle itself.

 

Now confirmed on the Northern Belle website that Tornado is hauling the Bournemouth Belle tribute on the 5th.