Dorset Coast Express 21st July

What a shame 60019 couldn't be fixed in time. I bet Nigel (RTC) is losing some sleep over these trips what with the last minute timings and uncertain loco availability. Things started so well with 46115. Lets hope he has better luck with the rest of the programme! We are going to do another one of these trips on 1st September as they are good value for money.

 

Getting regular reports from Don, my elder brother who is on the train. (donbenn2000 here on Nat Pres).

30777 on 11 for circa 400 tons and running well.

Section I would love to have timed was the good start from Basingstoke, ( 4 late), to passing Winchester in 21 mins 24 secs. 75 mph max down the bank. That's equivalent to under 22 mins 30 secs start to stop. Good running indeed.

On time at Eastleigh where they caught the local train in front!

Don't have the time from Soton to Bomo but the train was checked near Brockenhurst: not good with the steep climb up past Lymington Jctn, (could have been good for the photters though). And a max on that section of just under 70 mph.

30777 sounds like she is having a good day.

 

Don is enjoying himself!

47 min over Moreton bank, after 54 max before hand.

Sounds like a great run down to Weymouth.

And I'm taking bets now that Don will time the box on the way back, (he doesn't suffer from boxphobia like me). Please don't let anyone who knows you let you see you doing that Don!

 

7 late into Weymouth after a very hard schedule from Wareham.

 

Thanks for the updates - much appreciated. Good to hear of another completed run after a lack of jobs for the girl.

 

Updates all down to Don! Who somehow found time to keep me well informed by text even though he was busy with stopwatch, gps etc.

A trip I'd have loved to have been on. Should have rung the Tour Promoter yesterday to find the actual situation re the box. But such is life. At least Don (and I guess Timmy), were on board and timed the run. Although I'm still worried about him being seen timing the box on the return!

 

In view of Don's latest report to me, and the fact that he is happily married to a very lovely lady I think dispensation has to be given to him timing the return box hauled trip in very great detail. Eyes on note book, stop watch and gps the whole way back Don please!

"Added attractions on train were pretty wenches in v short tartan skirts selling raffle tickets".

Now if I was to buy some dirndls from Germany, we could have on board Bavarian Serving Wenches. Which could become even more exciting if the German made stays started to fail! LOL!



PS. Anyone who has never been served ice cold , local village brewed, cloudy wheat bier by one of those Bavarian beauties wearing a traditional Bavarian dress, (dirndl) has yet to live a full life. IMHO. My lovely late wife always used to tease me that the only reason they always leaned so far over me when taking and then bringing my order was so I would give them an even bigger tip when paying my bill! As if.................

 

That's really the reason why we are going again!!

 

Return was 37706 and 37516 top and tail at 1730 top of Parkstone Bank - both under power and rather noisy DH

 

Have you never been on an RTC trip then Bryan? It certainly makes the day abit more enjoyable lol so I recommend you book on one fairly sharpish! Fair play to Mr D for having the balls to do something like this.

 

Me, book on a trip because of attractive women in short skirts? Whatever next!

Does anyone know who the crew were on 30777 this morning? Don would like to know. Give him something to smile about as he is being forcibly removed from the train in the Southampton area this evening. His wife found a link to Nat Pres....................

Any photos today anyone, by the way?

Of 30777 of course!

 

Yes I timed the 37 on the way back but as the running was fairly dire we baled out at Soton to take an early bath. The 37 was helped by the one on the back on the bank out of Weymouth and up Parkstone, but lost time on a couple of sections. Just too much for the old gal I suppose.

Don