Bahamas 2021 Railtours

Very nice day chasing Bahamas yesterday, out the house 12 hours and 270 miles of driving for 8 locations - though Newington isn't included as the video file corrupted on initial upload and as Bahamas was being pushed as it was turning move I didn't bother to include it. Bahamas was doing almost all the work wherever I saw her on the actual tour yesterday, video from Bearsted, Charing, Wye, Whitstable, Kemsley, Faversham & Chilham. Photos to follow...

 

DORSET COAST EXPRESS Thursday 5th August https://www.railwaytouring.net/the-dorse...ss3b393956

Currently scheduled to be hauled by LMS Jubilee 45596 "Bahamas" with 31806 pencilled-in to haul the tour's return from Weymouth to Southampton [with "Bahamas" banking at the rear of the train on that leg] .
ECS from WCRC Southall to Victoria: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
Trip from Victoria to Weymouth: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
31806 light engine from Swanage to Weymouth: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
Return trip to Victoria [31806 hauling back to Southampton and detach]: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
31806 light engine from Southampton to Swanage: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
WCRC ECS from Victoria to Southall: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
Rain is forecast for rain in the intervening few days so, hopefully, a steam ban will not be considered.

 

For all the Bahamas followers out there, do you know we're a volunteer lead Society and are also a registered charity number 259626
Please support us if you can and help keep Bahamas active on the main line and preserved railways.

https://ingrowlocomuseum.com/?page_id=1051

Many thanks for your support !!!

 

Photos from last Thursday...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/albums/72157719449614114

 

A bit late to the party, but it was wonderful to see 'Bahamas' roar through Borough Green on Thursday's tour with RTC - turn the volume up and enjoy!

 

After much anticipation 45596's tour of the South is finally here. I missed out on 45699's similar tour a few years ago so have been looking forward to these.

My assumption was that Saturday's tour to Bishops Lydeard and next Sunday's tour to Weymouth was outside Jubilee territory. However, looking at Locomotives Illustrated 36 "LMS Jubilees", there is a Brian Stephenson picture dated 10th August 1962 of 45562 Kempenfelt passing Clink Road Junction on a Weymouth - Wolverhampton express.

I wonder where the Jubilee came on?

 

The Weymouth train is on Thursday 5th August not Sunday

 

Tickets arrived for 5th August, but now state Weymouth to Southampton is diesel hauled..

 

I didn't think it was ever planned to be steam. I'll be round to sell you some raffle tickets sometime during your journey!!

 

I believe it was, but as on the postponed SD tour tomorrow I suspect the pingdemic has impacted on crew resources. The RTC website says now diesel for operational reasons. I suspect finding three steam crews who sign for the route was not possible still.

 

Will gladly take some tickets off you..

Why did RTC advertise it as a possibility then? Why are there paths in real time trains for a light engine move from Swanage? I thought the only potential issue was fire risk but it has rained for the last week.
RTC cite 'operational issues' whatever that means . Why can't people be up front and honest!

 

If that was the case, why bother planning a light engine move from Swanage to Weymouth, as linked to above? (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63030/2021-08-05/detailed)

 

When I rang RTC, I certainly gained the impression that it was. What is more, the relevant page on its website still says it is. Oh well, that's one less person on the waiting list for this trip. I just hope the other two DCEs make use of 31806. Steam out of Weymouth with no tail gunner all day was/is the big pull as far as I was concerned.

 

The wording after the *on the website no longer makes reference to fire risk. It states " *For operational reasons the section from Weymouth to Southampton on the return leg would be diesel hauled." It has been altered for all DCE'S.
The only risk other than fire was the availability of 31806 - could the Swanage spare it when there is a two train service.

 

Yes, it did strike me as a big ask for the Swanage Railway given it currently has just three operational locos, but the website must have only been updated in the last few days to remove the mention of fire risk. Oh well, it looks like next year for my long-awaited 100% steam Weymouth trip. What chance of a return visit down south by 45596 in 2022? - Please!!

 

Looking at the sort of commitment required from the support crews I would say there was no chance but you never know. If it happens I don’t think they will commit to so many trips. Sleeping in the support coach for three or four days is no joy, especially when there are trains passing on adjacent the GW mainline all night

 

A the moment there is shortage of Southern based mainline locos, while there is plenty up North. Hopefully there will be a Black 5 available next year, and with the overhaul of 70013 due to be able to be compled first quarter of 2022, and if 6024 can haul non Saphos trips there will be more locos so less trips but the potential to cover others might suit both the society and the promoters.

Which is probably while the West Coast fleet such as BIL usually only come down South for a couple of trips.

 

I asked them and they confirmed 31806 back from Weymouth. Just as well I didn’t book and and I will never trust them again

 

A bit harsh, you don’t know the background to it. What would you suggest if Swanage couldn’t supply a loco for whatever reason?