THE DORSET COAST EXPRESS WED.11TH & 18TH AUGUST

Does anyone know which loco is rostered for the outward and return the following week as yet.

I would presume Bittern unless Carnforth are sending another engine South ?

Mike M. ( 70c )

 

Why do you think it might not be Bittern?

 

Presumably because UK Steam shows the outward leg next week as TBA. However I have today received my ticket for next week's train and it says Bittern outbound and Sir Lamiel inbound as expected.

 

Thank you King John i was just looking for a straight answer.

Regards

Mike M. (70c )

 

From info on WRGEN earlier in the week (Ta RS!) it is likely to be Sir Lamiel and Bittern alternating for rest of season. 44932 appears to be likely to do Cathedrals Express work - looking forward to Lamiel up Parkstone Bank again next week!

 

There is now an extra Dorset Coast Express trip which has been added for 8th September.

 

Left victoria on time

 

I've just posted a video of her noisily leaving Woking this morning, looking and sounding in fine form!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg4efyigxs4

 

Comment from my "correspondent" in Egham re Bittern today: "Idiot photters stood on the up line East of Staines"....

I just pass on his comment.

46118

 

:noidea: Wasn't me, I was in Woking!

One nice thought is that the third rail will probably limit their life expectancy somewhat severely if they make a habit of it!

(Though, just to add, if I remember right there are a couple of foot crossings east of Staines, so they may have been at one of those. Not easy to spot that if you're on the train. Doesn't make it clever to stand on the line, but I have sneaked out a bit on foot crossings myself from time to time. Always following the green cross code of course.)

 

Good video. Looks/sounds like Driver Hewson on fine form again.

 

Yes he probably was especially as we went from being 15 minutes late at Basingstoke to on-time arrival at Weymouth. Train was delayed by a long signal stop outside Farnborough, but most of the time had been made up by a fast run on the downhill stretch to Southampton. The water stop at Northam Junction included some running repairs (injectors again ???) but we were back on schedule by Wareham.

Return run with Sir Lamiel got a bit delayed before and at Southampton but there was some good running after the Eastleigh stop and the water stop at Brookwood was omitted so we were almost back on time at Woking where I hopped off.

Train was very full - not many enthusiasts on board though, mainly day trippers. I would recommend this trip to anyone who hasn't done it though as you get two locos for the price of one including the banking up the hill from Weymouth.

One operational question - why does the banker stay on the back till Wareham and not come off at Dorchester? I think the bit after Dorchester is downhill.

 

30777 was in fine form at Brookwood last night. Some of us were caught out as we had set up for her to stop and we still weren't sure if she was or not as she slowly approached but then the driver cracked open the regulator and 30777 powered through and away towards Woking. Lovely sound as she accelerated round the bend into the distance.
A very impressive turnout to see her as well with commuters getting off the service trains enquiring what we were waiting for staying around to see her too. The charter was even announced over the tannoys with (automated) updates telling us she was running late and it would be calling at Woking and Waterloo. My, how times have changed. A few years ago most of the national network staff would not even know a steam special was coming through!

 

Sir Lamiel was in grand (and very loud!) form last night climbing Parkstone Bank a few minutes late DH

 

Hope this is the right thread, left Victoria on time. Sent a message to the text system, not sure if it worked or not.

 

Sir Lamiel down at top of Parkstone Bank at 1240 hurrying down the bank this week with steam still on - normally tend to drift down from Branksome

 

Here's my video of the Dorset Coast Express and the Cathedrals Express today at Woking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHRPMWOzKdo

 

My shot from this morning:http://steamtube.ning.com/photo/30777-dorset-coast-express-1?context=latest

Any news on the return run?

Also here is my shot from last Wednesday in the rapidly fading light:http://steamtube.ning.com/photo/30777-dorset-coast-express?context=latest

 

60019 over top of Parkstone Bank at 1734 - going well super climb tonight accompanied by much whistling! DH

 

Thanks for the info DH34105. I'll be out at Brookwood later.