RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9th

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Got our tickets and letter this morning also. A more interesting route I think. We are boarding at Woking but will stay on for the fast return run to Waterloo if there isn't a box involved and then get single tickets from Waterloo back to Aldershot.
Hopefully there won't be a box assisting. 6024 and the double headed Black fives seem to be okay to run without diesel assistance this weekend.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Diesel is on the rear to Yeovil Junction and from Weymouth to Waterloo. 46115 booked to run light engine from Yeovil Junction to Weymouth.Train is booked Slow Line Woking to Weybridge on the return.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Load is only 8 + the support coach, hopefully this lightish load will mead SG doing more work than we thought. As for being booked on the slow line, thats not really a problem as there don't appear to be the same restrictions on the southern as other regions. By the way the rain dances worked today

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Assuming the train crosses over at Weybridge from up slow to up fast, (we did with 35028's May run), then there won't be a 1960s style Woking-Waterloo fast run. By Weybridge you'd have been into the 70s in days gone by, with the max before Surbiton. One of the SR steam "tons" was done on a light weight train starting from Woking! 34013 on the 06.49 ex Salisbury, 101 mph at Hersham.

My best from a Woking start was a mere 90 mph a few times! But of course SG would in any case have to stick to 75 mph, but that was always seen as a good max to get on a "normal" Woking - Waterloo fast run. With a time of less than 28 minutes start to stop very acceptable. Schedule was normally 30 mins for the 24.3 miles, which took account of the old 60 mph speed limit in from New Malden, (very frequently ignored in steam days), and the slow run in from Clapham Junction.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

It rained here in Aldershot this morning.................for about 5 minutes! Where are you located spindizzy?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Just seen the return timings on UK steam.info.

About the best I've seen for a Weymouth - Waterloo line train for a while. Hope they represent the pathway that is now available on that route.

31 mins passing Bournemouth to the Southampton water stop is good. 40 mins Soton onto Basingstoke OK, and 24 mins Basing-Woking is only just outside even time: with a decent start that should be fine with a 75 mph max: in steam days 22 mins start to stop was done without even getting to 80 mph on occasions, (did it in 25 minutes once with unrebuilt 34019 and 14 cars, a max of 77 and a signal stop of nearly a minute outside of Woking!). Then 40 mins up from Woking presumably takes account of the crossover at Weybridge and the usually slow finish into Waterloo for steam special these days.

Now seen outward timings. 36 mins Basingstoke to Salisbury is damn near even time: it's 35.9 miles. Gotta really hope that is a pathway that will be used when there are no boxes around.

Trouble is, what is the box, (reported earlier in this thread to be on the back of the train most of the day), going to do all day?

Just hope everyone on board has good day out.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Fleet or East Grinstead, today its Fleet

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Looks like a good morning to be at either Woking or Winchfield, to see both steam trips within half an hour. Haven't yet decided which one to go to...... Maybe try Staines followed by Winchfield.......

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

I shall be on the twin bridges to the west of Woking for 46115 and 30777.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Thanks Bryan. I hope we do too. It will be a real shame that after getting 46115 down here in the South it ends up being pushed around by a box! Are you still going on the Swange trip?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Apparently the steam dreams tour letter has it stating that a diesel is very likely to be inside the steam and that it may be completely diesel.

In the event you will get a 10 pound refund or 20 pound voucher.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

No. Pulled out of that one. I'll wait for the rains to return then start booking pure steam trips again. Boxes and me do not mix at all well!

Probably going to spend a day on the MHR behind 34007 and the 9F on Saturday if I've read the loco roster correctly.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

We are still talking about two different tours on one thread. RTC to Weymouth with 46115 (thread title) & Steam Dreams to Swanage (originally Weymouth) with 30777. Both on the 9th of July. It is getting confusing. Could mods please separate the two tours.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Good one Al. LOL!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Have West Coast got enough diesels to cover all these runs?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Hope you enjoy your day at the MHR Bryan with bit of Spamcan "chat" up the bank to Medstead and a bit of bark from the 9F.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Anybody know what the box.....damn,I mean diesel is? The times Ive seen quote a 47 but it would be nice to have a 37 as Im filming at Evershot.
Im filming 46115 at Sherborne and again at Moreton. Scots Guardsman is a cop for me so red pen time

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

According to a new advert on the back of the latest Heritage Railway 60019 has been added to the pool of loco's for the RTC Dorset Coast Express programme of trips. She will be the first A4 to Weymouth in preservation unless anyone knows something different............

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

As if being bowled by a Diesel isn't bad enough, a Duff turning up is just rubbing it in!.