Dorset Coast Expresses - 2013 season

@steamsvideonet - are you planning recording at weybridge again?

 

Sounds like I turned up at the wrong place. While some others have posted some good photos/vidoes, at Lymingtom Junction on the start of the 1 in 103 to Sway, there was more noise and black stuff coming out of the diesel than from 45231. She opened up about 1/4 mile after passing us. Oh well, perhaps I'll get another chance in a fortnight.

 

Through Poole at 17:20. Will update again when we leave Southampton

 

Leaving Southampton Central at 18:30

 

45231 on the outward leg this morning.http://stephenleek.smugmug.com/Railwayphotos-1/Mainline-Steam-2013/i-8pvbzkL

 

There was plenty of 'yapping' as she pulled out of Winchfield this morning.
Enjoyed your vid from Brookwood.

 

Laverstock South Junction 19:04

 

Andover 19:22

 

What are the chances of the DCE being back to two locos next week? Main reason for asking is because it's a good chance to pop into Yeovil Railway Centre while the up engine is being prepared and setting off, something a bit different.

 

Leaving Basingstoke at 20:03

 

So, how do Steam Engines start lineside fires? This video of 45231 throwing a large red hot cinder on the track through Weybridge tonight shows how.



Slow motion close up at the end.

 

My video from yesterday's Dorset Coast Express with 45231 - caught at Woking, Winchester and Eastleigh on the outward, then Redbridge, Test Lane (x2), Walworth foot crossing, Potbridge and Winchfield on the return:


James at SVN

 

Few pictures from yesterdays run. Massive thank you to the WCR crews, support crew and RTC, especially the driver at Waterloo for allowing the other half onto the footbplate. Thank you.

An enjoyable day indeed with some spirited running along the way. There's nothing like steam in the night with fire glistening in the night sky and every station being acknowledged. Lovely stuff.

She is one yappy little thing when let loose.

James

 

Sorry to bring this up again but watching James's video it seems the thing was pushing all day long. Why was it pushing for all it's might leaving Woking? I don't think it was a particular fire risk there, anyway I thought the fire ban was lifted in the South.
The clips at 7/8 minutes in show it shoving for all it's worth as well.
I thought it was only there to haul part of the return leg before reversal. Should of been shut down at all other times except if needed in emergency.

 

My footage from yesterday's run, seen at Brookwood, Totton, Redbridge, Grateley and Potbridge.

 

There were a fair few occasions we were assisted. Leaving Staines was an obvious one as I could see the exhaust of the 47 wailing away, clearing the junction at romsey and laverstock south being another couple of examples. It felt like on a few occasions she was left to her own devices. It felt like leaving Basingstoke and Woking on the return were examples. My take on it is the reduced top speed and maybe a still medium risk of fire. Them again, the climb up upwey was pretty sedate from the 47, felt like the black 5 should of been banking it!

 

Having seen the departures from Woking, Winchfield and Basingstoke, they were certainly much too nimble for a Black 5 with that load, looks to me like it was prudently done to keep to timetable. Having said that at those locations the crew of the 5 certainly made the departures noisy and showy, and at the end of the day unless you are a purist, you got your moneys worth. With the dirth of steam traction down south at the moment, yesterdays run was a good effort.

 

On top of the lower power compared to a class-7, Black 5s are limited to 60 but the train was (probably) timed for a 75mph loco. Therefore, brisk acceleration and not loosing speed on the climbs was essential to keep out of the way of everything else. Judging by the reports and videos, 45231 was doing a lot of the work and putting on a good show. No it's not ideal, but it's a pragmatic approach that made the best of a bad situation.