Dorset Coast Express, July - August 2011

Lovely video...

I've just signed up to the live update texts for tomorrow so I'll try and update from the train as we go. Passed Southall earlier and couldn't see any steam thinking that 70013 might be having her FTR, Tornado stood outside and what looked to be the empty stock from 5029 judging by the 47 in between the two running sheds.

Either way, roll on tomorrow.

 

70000 is @ Minehead having a boiler washout now. see WSR.org website.

 

70013 through Addlestone Junction on time. 47500 on the rear for the diesel leg later on.

 

We've just arrived into Weymouth, hope the updates have worked as I turned off the notifications

 

47500 leading return with Oliver giving a gentle bit of help at the back top of Parkstone Bank at 1715.
Was down at 1305 with Oliver running nicely down the bank but not able to update then - sorry to see the end of the season - hopefully back in 2012!
DH

 

Bit late I know. Yesterday's run....well what more can I say than a massive thank you to all concerned for a cracking first run behind 70013. Think I've found a new favourite engine! Next time I'll be looking for a more challenging route with her, she ran faultlessly all day, kept steam with ease, (between Southampton and Laverstock North Junction?) when we were climbing she had her safety valves lifting all the time. Absolutely amazing engine with a matching crew. Many people from the train at Waterloo were commending the driver and fireman for the performance. I have no idea who the crew were, but I recongised the driver from a video I have about the Great Central Railway.

Outward run highlights, joining the Twickernham loop and the very quick accleration passed Feltham towards Virgina Waters, she is defintelay a short footed engine, I was amazed by her accleration all day. The highspeed run after Basingstoke to just before Chandlers Ford? where we went into the loops into Eastleigh won't be forgotten in a hurry.

We were a bit late on the return, courtsey of a track circuit failure at Laverstock Junction, highlights after this, was a Voyager (don't ask me why it was there as I assumed the route is only for FGW Units?, even though the Voyager had its destination showing Southampton Central) held at a signal with the train crew in front taking photo's of us passing, raised a smile seeing that! espeically as the apsect was at green.

The run through Andover was something special, high 60's on my brothers GPS and a long drowning whistle through, I hope someone puts this up on Youtube as there was a few spotters when we flew past.

The run between Basingstoke and Woking went by quickly, high 60's all the way, on what looked to be an averaging rising gradient?, think the highest speed we had was 69mph at Pirbright Junction.

But the bit that got me as we were circa 20mins down after Woking, was when we changed from the Up Slow to the Up Fast at Weybridge, we then had greens all the way until the caution signals into Waterloo, and even then, the route into the platform cleared without us stopping. For me personnelly this showed the co-ordination between signaller and train even though we were running late on what is a busy section of line, so thank you Signaller.

Just to contradict the above, we had a hilarious moment at Southampton Central when we pulled in, where the route was showing green for heading north instead of showing danger for us to then reverse with 70013 towards Romsey. Think the signaller thought we were the late running Manchester Voyager from what the train stewards were saying!

To Conclude:

I'm now sold for this run, and can't wait to repeat this in 2012. Such a shame that it is a long way off.

James

 

Well, that's the 2011 season over. I got a couple of shots at Fleet as 70013 thundered through and they're on my Flickr site if anyone is interested to see them; see the Set dated 21st September :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/collections/72157627090322278/

This is the 'Stop Press!' Collection where all the new pictures go for the first month or so. They are also in the 'Main Line' Collection which is here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/collections/72157627155603462/

Hope that they are of interest.

 

I suspect the Driver used the generally downhill gradients after Worting Jcn to gain speed economically before being signalled onto the Down Slow Line, at Shawford Down Jcn, for the remaining 4 1/2 miles to Eastleigh?

The average gradient is falling between Basingstoke and Woking in the Up direction and I suspect no high speed 'heroics' were needed to keep it's schedule in between the SWT services.
Looking forward to an even longer season next year perhaps - although there may be a two week hiatus during the Olympics (possibly no paths to/from Weymouth and Jersey Sidings full of 'extras' no doubt). Have heard 2012 DCE's may change from Tuesdays to Thursdays but further details will be revealed in due course no doubt.

 

Buzby2- thank you for the clarifications on the gradients, didn't have the handy booklet given to us to hand. Have to admit there was not much of an exhaust beat after micheldever. Indeed it was at shawford we crossed over, think it was 50mph through the crossover.

There's a nice brief write up on the loco associations website as well.

 

Uphill from Worting to Lichfield tunnel then downhill from there all the way to Eastleigh

 

Thanks for all of your photos. from this years runs, very much appreciated!

 

Oliver Cromwell arriving at Winchfield, 13th September 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtCeZBpynt4