The Royal Wessex 5th July 2014

Is there any info' circulating as to whether Tangmere will be fixed by next weekend and if not if this will revert to steam/diesel (as with previous trips where one engine of the proposed pair has been unavailable)?

The other interesting logistical exercise given that the Sats Only FGW IC125 from Bristol is currently laying over in Jubilee Sdgs every Saturday will be shunting the stock of the Steam-ex to allow running round/loco release etc.

 

Timings outward http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55233/2014/07/05/advanced
Timings return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55237/2014/07/05/advanced

Hauled by 44932 according to RTC website. Since it is via Eastleigh and Botley on the return I suspect it is diesel hauled Weymouth to Eastleigh.There is a path from Swanage to Weymouth so the Swanage diesel might be used. There is no path from Eastleigh to Swanage.

 

The RTC website insists that the train will be hauled by 44932 out of Weymouth, but if that is the case, presumably there ought to be a path to Yeovil to turn the engine and there's no sign of that on RTT. The routing via Eastleigh also points to diesel haulage out of Weymouth and this is what UK Steam now says. I'm surprised that 34046 couldn't have been used as 5029 is working the "Torbay" on Sunday. I hope the passengers won't be disappointed. Quite honestly, if I had booked on this train, I would have been pretty gutted at missing out on banked steam on Upway Bank - that was meant to be the highlight of the day.

 

Well it might be 44932 tender first Weymouth-Eastleigh, but it seems doubtful.

 

Like last year Locomotive service appear to be having 2 locos ( when servicable ) at Bristol in case one fails the FTR the day before. Last year 34046 replaced 5029 when it failed the FTR. I do not expect LSL have a larger enough pool of support crew to cover all the trips their locos are advertised either soley or as part of a pool for.

 

As mentioned - D6515's path from Swanage to Weymouth: http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/U55235/2014-07-05
Goodness knows when D6515 is returning to Swanage.

 

Noted from UK steam now steam one way with the black V and diesel part way on reverse. That should, of course, also solve the stabling/run round issue.

(Reported to mods with request to merge this original post on the Royal Wessex excursion with the thread someone else subsequently opened)

 

Threads merged.

 

Confirming 44932 is working this trip
Ollie to work SD although this may need confirming by them

 

Thanks for the update.

 

And here is 44932 working this trip, on a very early very wet morning in Sussex

 

Approaching Netley...



James

 

Class 33/0 D6515 (33012) with 'Black 5' 44932 banking on rear depart Weymouth for Three Bridges at 16:35 R/T.
Thanks to SG. <BJ>

 

Nice. 44932 wasn't hanging about there, and sounding rather good too

 

Just been through Havant & Warblington on time, video to follow.

 

Any idea what went wrong at Preston Park? Showing 30 late off there.

 

Not been able to post earlier today, will put some images up tomorrow. Good day watching classic traction today at Weymouth, steam and diesel.

Spoof post -

Kettles on the back!

Today my watching of the diesel leg of the Royal Wessex was really marred by the kettle on the back. Couldn't hear the 33 music for the annoying hissing and blasting from the back of the train. Leaving Weymouth the annoying kettle thingy was really working hard, this sort of thing just should not be allowed.

 

Serious follow up to above - From audible sound of the exhaust as they left Weynouth once on the hill passing the site of the former Radipole Halt/Spa Rd bridge the Class 5 was probably aiding with a bit more effort than just moving itself: how much of a shove (if any) was given from the back up Parkestone Bank? Load was 10 with the support coach.

 

Video now up, nothing special but just a record of the trip.



The morning shot was taken on top of Witherbed Lane bridge in Whiteley which had a fence on top of it so I tried my best to shoot through it. The evening shot was taken at Warblington, just east of Havant.