Weymouth Seaside Express 2012

She was a regular on these runs last year and tackled both Evershott and Upwey with no problem.

 

I'm not so sure that two runs throughout the 2011 summer season can be described as regular.
All the other trains from 17th July to 4th September were hauled by Nunney Castle. <BJ>

 

Any updates from anyone booked on this tour this week? Have tickets been issued?

 

34067 (with its smaller wheels and higher boiler pressure) can accelerate much better than the Castle so has a good run at the bank. 5029 just digs into the climb.

 

OK so "regular" wasn't the right word to use but she still tackled both climbs without much trouble

 

It may all turn out to be academic if the reason for her withdrawal from today's Thanet Belle is something serious that can't be rectified in time. Still no update from RTC meanwhile regarding what loco they expect to haul Sunday's train so this will just add to more speculation in the absence of information.

 

I had a text from my sister who is on the Thanet Belle - "Tangmere is poorly. Needs a part apparently!"

 

Curiouser and curiouser. UK Steam now has times up for 1st July with Nunney Castle, Braunton and Tagmere all listed for this tour - none of them seem to be functional. Load is 9 and a good period of time in Weymouth - hope the sun shines for those on it (in more ways than one)

 

Sunshine and showers forecast for Weymouth on Sunday with the accent on the sunshine hopefully. I hope for the sake of those on board it does stay sunny as this tour now looks increasingly likely to be diesel hauled so rain on top of that would be a real shame. Fingers crossed.

 

UK steam tours have an LE movement from Southall to Bristol for 70000 on Saturday but I guess that is to run to Kingswear as also shown. Still has 34067 coming down to Weymouth on Saturday although I see elsewhere on here it failed to get onto the Thanet run due to need for spares with Black 5 44932 replacing it on that. Where is DoG currently - the other engine shown for the Kingswear run?

Regrettably I'm expecting a diesel to appear on Sunday although I suppose 44932 (or Tangmere) could run on from Yeovil and do it IF they don't substitute a diesel for Saturday's down run to Weymouth!

 

Well the last reported movement for DoG was LE from Southall to Eastleigh so I'm guessing she's still at Eatleigh. I don't think the Duke could be used for the Weymouth trip as WCRC don't operate it I seem to remember reading elsewhere on here though I could be wrong. Still a chance of seeing steam but my money's also on it being diesel hauled sadly.

 

I had a feeling from a report a few days ago that DoG was still at Southall - not aware that it has come back to EH since it's last tour - may be wrong there
DH

 

I believe that the planned move to Eastleigh on 17 June was cancelled, so DoG is probably still at Southall.

 

Where do steamers stable at Eastleigh, would I be right in thinking it's the same sidings the charter stock is kept these days ?, less than ideal to be away from a proper shed for more than a few days.

 

UK Steam Info now shows 34067 for this trip, rather than TBA.

 

34067 mentioned in the thread about Saturday's trip as working LE to Bristol now after finishing at Weymouth and not stabling at Yeovil. Hopefully it will all work out ok with some coal bags stocked somewhere to top up the BoB's tender as last year it was tight to get to Yeovil on at least one occasion (personal sighting confirmed that not rumour).

 

Whilst I have considerable ssympathy for the organisers, the harsh reality is that it has been known for several weeks that the booked locos would not be avialable. Like the Dorchesters, this tour should have been cancelled as if it is diesel hauled it is not now what people have paid for. Sad but true and a poor representation for steam tour business. I hope I am wrong and a steamer if found in time.

 

Sounds like 34067 is the planned motive power now for this trip reading the above so whatever was wrong yesterday must have been easily rectified. I entirely agree with Northern Union however regarding the uncertainty that has hung over these tours ever since it became generally known neither 5029 and 34046 wouldn't be available. This was known a long time ago and yet even at this late stage we only know there's a plan to use 34067 via the "enthusiast" network rather than any announcement by RTC. This demonstrates very poor organisation / communication skills in my view underpinned only by a tendency to get away with "winging it" on the day.

 

What has happened to 30777 and 60019? These were rostered for the cancelled DCEs. Could they not come to the rescue?

 

30777 - At Tyseley for repairs ( although tender is at the Great Central).