The Dorset Coast Express 2023

D6515 could substitute? That would keep the rest of the trip DL free

 

Quite right. I forgot about that trip.

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I saw it at Upwey with the Black 5 leading and the U banking; as you say it was very impressive.


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OOOoo Thats me on the platform.

 

I have just rung RTC. The lady I spoke to confirmed that 31806 will NOT be working the return leg. She just said "Diesel", which may mean 33012/D6515 working the return leg from Weymouth to Southampton and Bahamas handling the rest of the itinerary solo or it may not. I didn't enquire further.

She also said that the situation with the remaining DCEs has not been finalised. I mentioned gauging issues but she did not know anything about this. Still, it seems as if we mustn't give up hope at this stage of a run with the U at a later date and if whatever the problem is can be resolved in time for next week's run or August 16th, there is plenty of availability in standard class on both dates.

 

It would definitely be a WCRC diesel, I'm not sure why people think they would go out their way to get the swanage 33 to do the return run rather than leave the WCRC diesel on the back from Victoria...

 

Because the Swanage 33 has been used before ( I travelled behind it on a Swanage Belle), and it has been unavailable in recent years due to it being under repair.

 

It is not under repair, it is on its way back by rail from the MHR Gala today and if it had not been rescheduled due to the strike, would have been a loco on The Newhaven Nonsense tour last Saturday.
Only time to my knowledge that D6515 has been used on a DCE is when 47580 refused to fire up in Jersey Sidings (23/08/18) and it had to be collected from (I guess Norden) by one of the WCRC drivers. Of course by the time that happened many passengers had gone back by service train. Mind you sounded good climbing up to the tunnel although I think Pete Roberts was giving very limited help from the rear with No 9 as by then they were a little concerned about water consumption.

 

A diesel from Swanage was used in 2014, it took a return leg of a Three Bridges - Weymouth tour to Eastleigh which was hauled by 44932 the rest of the time, and was due to take part of a Victoria - Weymouth tour which I travelled on until fire risk changed it to diesel at the rear all day. Which diesel from Swanage however I can’t recall now.

 

My comment was not to it's current status but when it was having body work repairs.

 

Seems unlikely as they had the opportunity last year and leaving the diesel on the back at Victoria is easier but it would be a welcome surprise.

 

The Newhaven Nonsense has been rescheduled to 12th August.

 

Yes but only as the Hastings Unit not loco hauled.

 

Seeing as I stewarded that one as well (05/07/14) really should have remembered that one. Although in my defence it was a Royal Wessex not a DCE.
The two trips back from Swanage to Millbrook (my notes) or Southampton U & DGL (Six Bells) on 04/06/14 and 19/06/14 were D6515 hauled with 44932 on the rear.

 

LE paths still on RTT.

 

They will just be cancelled on the day if it does not run, not before.

 

Cancelled as suggested. <BJ>

''This service is cancelled. This service was cancelled due to the train operator's request (TB)''.
Realtime Trains | 0Z80 0845 London Victoria to Acton Lane Reception Sdgs | 26/07/2023

 

Yes got a shot of 45596 passing Totton on time no sound from engine and safety valves lifting and DL pushing. I had been standing there for an hour in the sun but of course clouded over just before it came. Back home in full sun again now! Word on the bridge is that the issue with 31806 has been sorted.

 

Yes, issues with 31806 have been sorted. I deem it likely that it will be on the 2nd trip if nothing else crops up