RTC 2025

To change the subject completely. Timings for the 12th July White Rose trip have gone live on Real Time Trains.

(London to York)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57057/2025-07-12/detailed

(York to London)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57058/2025-07-12/detailed

 

As Clan Line has a Belmond the following day, as you said unlikely they would have been interested as the EOSS does not get back to Victoria until around 22:00 and it puts at risk their major customer.
I guess if it is Black by then, which I assume is highly likely, as the current forecast only shows a few hours of light rain through to July 2 down this way, I guess a 33 and a 47 are End of Southern Steam appropriate, just sadly not steam.

 

Unfortunately more then likely will be the case, or in the event we get enough rail fall they will probably stick 45212 on the train as it's already down south and try and ignore the fact of it's not Southern.

 

I did get a Black five on an up Bournemouth Express in 1966 or 1967!

But with the current weather a diesel on its own looks most likely to me, unless we get a good burst of rain soon.

Bryan.

 

Mail received from RTC - no Tornado on Saturday CME - not even as a show pony - suppose best I can hope for is a Class 37 or two.
Ho hum poxy weather!! Wouldn’t be the UK without swearing about it!!

 

That move Tornado made from Southall to Carnforth is looking to have been pretty pointless given one of it's trips have been cancelled and the others up north are looking to go the same way. But then again same problems down south so.

 

Network Rail have rated the North West Region as Black for this weekend. (Saturday to Monday). No steam allowed on the mainline

 

Looking at the BBC Weather app. Rain is forecast everyday from Saturday until at least next Thursday

 

Does the Met Office agree? ( I'm looking at Shap).

 

They have shap as rainy days from Sunday to the 2nd July

 

The problem I have with the BBC weather app is that it will display a rain icon against a date even if rain is only forecast for a single hour of the day. eg - if rain is only between 3pm and 4pm then the entire day will be represented in the summary by a rain icon. It's downright misleading, in my opinion.

 

Must admit I trust the Met Office App rather than the BBC. It seems much more accurate.

 

Wednesday's Swanage Belle is apparently now diesel hauled throughout according to someone who's booked on it.

 

NR Southern Zone still at fire control Black.

 

And now retimed and no longer going via Andover outbound.
Still they get more time for a ride behind the T3

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54607/2025-06-25/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54608/2025-06-25/detailed

 

It's good the trip is still running and it's very good there is some steam haulage at the destination.

Very useful to be able to get a new timing, and I guess that will keep any further such trips running until steam returns. Good for all except of course the main line steam loco owners

But, first things first, my recollection of a steam railtour to Swanage is that there are some wonderful fish and chips establishment near the station.

Bryan

 

Try the 'Fish Plaice' near to the quayside. The best fish and chips that I've ever tasted. [BJ]

 

1Z92 0845 London Victoria to Swanage with 47804 leading and 47802 at the rear duly arrived with, I believe, a full (i.e. sold out) passenger load.
The platform seemed very busy so hope the many hostelries around town were prepared for the earlier arrival.
Now hoping for some rain a few days prior to the second "Swanage Belle" on Wednesday 10th September. Would be nice if 34028 hauled it of course.

 

You missed out the word hot Peter as there was no a/c on the way down talking to some on the train due to a problem with I believe the leading 47.
Even by railtour day standards had a fair impact on service trains today as I hear (as I type this) the T3 leaving with the 16:40 service about 50 late.