Dorset Coast Expresses - 2013 season

So after today's rain hopefully we will get next week's train after the first run was cancelled. However I note from the LE Movements thread both the suggested engines (Tangers and Ollie C) are now "up country". Not being sure what's at Southall other than the newly refurbed Braunton has anyone got suggestions for Wednesday other than perhaps steam down diesel back - which IIRC they have had to do at least once previously.

That would get Braunton to Yeovil ready for the return trip the week after or they could do the converse with an LE move to Yeovil this week so as to get the steam engine back to London before the fire risk returns.

Any knowledgeable answers welcome.

 

As mentioned in the Torbay Express thread, Braunton is having some further work done at Southall so probably won't be ready for a week or two. Ollie is supposed to return from the ELR gala on Monday. It's not clear why Tangmere went north last week nor when she's coming back. If she comes back with Ollie then they will probably cover the DCE between them. If not, and if no replacement comes instead (not sure what's available right now?) then I guess we'll have Ollie down to Weymouth with a DL on the back, DL leading back to Southampton, reverse and back to London via Romsey & Andover - as you say, that's the usual fall-back when only one steam loco is available. We might know more by Tuesday morning...

 

Thanks for that update. I hadn't read the Torbay thread as that run is out of cost effective range for a photo safari unless I add it in combination with a visit to something else.

 

I understand it should be a) with 70013 and b) diesel hauled back to Southampton.

Times are on RTT for the return.

James at SVN

 

UKsteam.info now showing revised timings, using Ollie and a DL, reversing at Southampton on the return, as predicted.

RTT shows Ollie is on her way south at the moment. She left Crewe 1 minute late.

 

But is the steam fire risk ban (i.e. must run with a diesel) not still in operation on the Southern to Weymouth? If it is, I guess the diesel will be in the consist all of the day?

 

Is the diesel likely to be from WCRC or DBS?

 

It's operated by WCRC therefore will have a WCRC diesel.

James at SVN

 

33207 I'm guessing

Sent from my HTC Desire C using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

well lets hope there is clear unambiguous instruction re the steam ban, to enable WCR to get the consist in a form acceptable to passengers and NR, IE diesel tucked in behind the steam.

 

Just received update e-mail from RTC :

Dorset Coast Express
* Braunton's first mainline run*
We would like to announce the first run with rebuilt Bullied West Country Pacific 34046 Braunton on Wednesday 14th August on the Dorset Coast Express from London Victoria to Weymouth.
The return will be by un-rebuilt Battle of Britain class locomotive 34067 Tangmere.
"Two Bullieds in one day"
Then 34046 Braunton and 34067 Tangmere will both haul The Dorset Coast Express on Wednesday's 21st and 28th August, be sure to book in advance to guarantee seat availability.

 

From a practicality point in the shunt at the Weymouth end and for the reversal at Southampton the diesel has always previously been on the back when the DCE has run to Swanage or Weymouth in this steam/diesel combination. (Last time 13 June IIRC with the Black 5/Cl 47 combo to Swanage)

Presumably if doing both on the front the return tomorrow is likely to be mainline all the way not via Andover after all to cut out messing around at Southampton.

 

Thinking about it a bit more for the return run the Britannia will be tender first out of Weymouth so the above mainline all the way is unlikely. Thus one would assume either (a) it will be as per UK steam's timings, and as done previously, with the diesel up front and steam tailing as far as the Southampton reversal or (b) diesel only one or both ways. If the latter then if the Brit does come west it would have to go up to Yeovil for the week or return LE.

Interesting times but at least the area has had a good soaking to partially reduce the fire risk.

 

I see the steam loco is booked on the rear from Weymouth to Southampton.

I do hope there is not another mess up and that it appears on the front from Weymouth, causing a delay, a massive reaction from diesel photters and the outbreak of WWIII here again on Nat Pres.

 

Very tempted with either date with braunton and tangmere to see what all the fuss is with these southern engines. Just need to get the time off work and round up colleagues

 

It will needs something much faster than, for example, 33 minutes Basingstoke to Woking, (23.5 miles), start to stop to show one of those locos at anything like it's true potential.

Yes, I know, they have to fit in with the normal services etc etc.

Oh for just one more non-speed limited clear road run over that section behind a Bulleid.

 

Perhaps Mr Hoskins could be tempted to mark the 50th Anniversary of July 9th with one of his Bulleids, he has previous with Bittern after all.

 

If it's anything like I've had with Ollie with a clear road from Basingstoke until hitting cautions at vaxuall I'll go home happy despite being towed up to Southampton.

 

The runs back are normally the ones to watch, the down is usually on the slow stuffed behind a stopping service train, because of where it comes up at Byfleet and the water stop at Winchfield, but the return to Waterloo is fast up all the way from Basingstoke, and they can throw the timetable out the window after Woking,. Going quite nicely thank you by the time they get to Weybridge and its a woosh through Surbiton.

 

Those of you travelling by car to see Ollie tomorrow, keep in mind that it's The New Forest Show, so the roads around Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst will be even more congested than normal at this time of year.