Northern Belle 2022

Still there if you via all tours, but the end of the url may mean it is a sell out.
https://northernbelle.co.uk/search?...gers&categories[]=&departure_day[]=&sold_out=

 

The description and images have now been updated to say its being diesel hauled. Guessing no locomotive available down here and they couldn't send 34067 down.

 

Oh, that's a shame. Never mind, will be able to concentrate on Clan Line's run to Exeter that day ;-)

 

A much better option!

 

I don’t think it is a WC operation

 

Indeed! Though was quite looking forward to potentially having a Battle of Britain and a Merchant Navy both on southern metals on the same day.
And then if LSL got 34046 to run the English Riveria that day as well....sorry, started dreaming for a moment!

 

Just for a change, 'The Spirit of Travel Lunch' alongside the Rochdale Canal at Smithy Bridge today.

 

Today's NB Tribute to the Bournemouth Belle seems to have had a late re route. Outbound from Victoria and the GWML to Reading then Basingstoke. Sure it was in and out via Tulse Hill land Wimbledon earlier in the week.
Return the same route but into Euston. Ironic as the Belle never left from Victoria or ended up in Euston.
Would have been nice with 34067, but this is 2022 so make the best of what we have.

 

WCRC's 57314 hauled the rake to Dorset and was seen just after lunchtime at Arne Road RRI siding. I believe it was meant to have been refuelled and the coaches 'tanked'.
For those interested I have been told the consist was/is - 92904; 10734; 17167; 325; 3247; 3275; 3267; 1566; 3273; 3174 and 99025 with 47804 at the rear.
47804 is powering the tour back to London Euston having left the Swanage Branch a minute or two early.
It departed Bournemouth on time and, as at 18:37, it was running around 3 mins late through Winchester under greens.

 

I wasn't aware that today's Northern Belle had anything to do with the old Bournemouth Belle and I suspect todays passengers would never have heard of it. I believe that the trip that was planned for today was cancelled some time ago and then reinstated at short notice as a private hire charter. As it was crewed at short notice the rerouting via Reading was done to accomodate drivers route knowledge and was able to slot seamlessly back into its original path at Basingstoke.

Peter

 

Thanks Peter, just going of what was still on the NB website about 2 weeks back.
My memory card reader seems to have packed up so I will have to try download via the camera tomorrow and add some images to the Swanage thread.

 

Images of the NB ECS on the Swanage thread post #7065 for anyone interested.

 

Times for the run on 30th July are up on RTT, doubt the strikes would affect this one, but as little or no rain is forecast in the north looks like it may be diesel hauled:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63763/2022-07-30/detailed


https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63767/2022-07-30/detailed

Edit 21.07.22 - last famous words, it rained most of last night here in East Lancashire and is still drizzling at 09.30 as I type!

 

That's a useful start but we need quite a few more nights like that to make a significant difference

 

Anyone know for certain if this Saturday is running, and if it is steam hauled? On my way to Threlkeld, is it worth stopping of at Shap? Not interested in a maroon class 47. Thanks.

 

It's looking like at least two more weeks of dry weather everywhere except W Scotland, NW England and W Wales. If a drought is called I wonder whether it will be national or regional and where steam railways will come in the pecking order.

 

looks like only steam on mainline is the Grosmont to Whitby service, running 5 times a day