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August 15th - Head to Head

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Aug 9, 2012.

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  1. steam_mad

    steam_mad Member

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    Video footage of 70013, 34067 and 71000 here:
    34067, 70013 & 71000 - Dorset Coast Express & Dreaming Spiers Express - YouTube
     
    steam_mad, Aug 16, 2012
    #81
  2. royals pete

    royals pete Member

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    Yeah, quite agree with that and we've seen some good photos on here from various trips. wonder sometimes the best place to stand at Wokingham and I usually end up at Winnersh Triangle or Earley where the engines are usually just coasting on towards Reading. still, can't have everything; we have plenty of steam in these parts. Pete
     
    royals pete, Aug 16, 2012
    #82
  3. donbenn2000

    donbenn2000 New Member

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    Yes it was a very good day. Most people would not have known that Tangmere struggled with poor coal and a clinkered fire for most of the trip down. Only the good work by Bill Warriner and the footplate crew in very poor weather conditions as far as Moreton plus some slack sceduling enabled time to be kept. Ollie was very different with good Welsh coal and steam to spare everywhere. Pete was only using full regulator and 22% cut off , reduced to 20% on that superb climb to Roundwood with lovely Brit stack talk all the way up. The climb of Hinton Admiral bank was also excellent, with speed rising from the 56 slack at Christchurch to nearly 63 at Hinton Admiral before falling to 57 at the top;as good as Clan Line on 9th July though with 1 coach less. 70013 is in fine form at the moment. Lets hope it lasts.
     
    donbenn2000, Aug 16, 2012
    #83
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Agreed about Ollie. It's no coincidence, in my view, that both 70013 and 5305 always look and sound good and seem to have a reliability record that others might envy.
     
    Big Al, Aug 16, 2012
    #84
  5. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    RalphW, Aug 16, 2012
    #85
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I'm coming to the conclusion that Weymouth is the best south coast destination for steam because of its accessibility from the Bristol area and also from London. It also seems to have the capacity to handle charters - there were two at Weymouth on the 15th. Pathing seems not to be a major problem (except when the loco has to go to Yeovil for turning). That said, the RTC Dorset Coast express (DCE) works well with different steam each way.

    It strikes me that this is a good example of when, with a little bit of forward planning and the identification of a pool of locomotives from the outset, a package of Weymouth Seaside Expresses and DCE's could work really well into 2013. The printed brochure we had on Wednesday was still showing 777, Bittern and Tangmere as the DCE pool when in practice only one of them was available. One wonders when on earth the brochure was printed given that (IIRC) 777 has never been an option! But that's another matter to do with the RTC brochure that really belongs on the fiction shelf.

    So, maybe now is the time for the right people to sit down and work out a good diary plan for the WSE and DCE into 2013 with a pool of locomotives whose owners can plan their maintenance and other availability well in advance.

    The post Olympic spirit of optimism is still alive and well here!
     
    Big Al, Aug 16, 2012
    #86
  7. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    There was talk of installing a turntable at Weymouth. That would address the one problem affecting Weymouth as a destination. IIRC, there was talk of putting it in in time for the 2013 season.
     
    John Petley, Aug 16, 2012
    #87
  8. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    [video=youtube;KklJKDeg02o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KklJKDeg02o[/video]

    My footage of Bittern's run at Crofton and the site of Patney and Chirton Station.
     
    KristianGWR, Aug 16, 2012
    #88
  9. DH34105

    DH34105 Member

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    John
    Whilst the turntable would resolve some issues with steam to Weymouth there may still be some issues with the loads that are allowed to be taken up from Weymouth - I am not certain what the exact limit is but I think that if the load exceeds 9 then a banker/assistant loco is required. (if anyone can clarify then would be pleased to know) RTC effectively make a virtue out of a necessity by using 2 steam locos for the DCE and giving the banker experience. Appreciate more than 9 have been taken in exceptional circumstances (Tangers a couple of years ago)
    Dick
     
    DH34105, Aug 16, 2012
    #89
  10. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I think we had 10 coaches on the 9th July run last year with 48151 but 9 seems to be the normal limit. For trains from Bristol there is always the climb over Evershott to think of as well.
     
    6026 King John, Aug 16, 2012
    #90
  11. King.6024

    King.6024 New Member

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    Great video! They all sounded like they were going well, although 71000 did sound a bit off! Hope they get her fixed soon, great engine!
     
    King.6024, Aug 16, 2012
    #91
  12. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    Thanks a lot Alex, hope she is ready for next Wednesday's run!

    James at SVN
     
    steamvideosnet, Aug 16, 2012
    #92
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