July 9th 2014.......... End of SR Steam Anniversary run.

Put some southern route disks on....sorted.

 

Now have the e-tickets for the run. I will make the most of the day out behind two maids of all work. Also looking forward to fish and chips by the coast followed by a Rossi's ice cream.

 

Been done to 44932 before, of course...

 

At least a certain member will enjoy tomorrow......

 

No need to do that; the ticket letter says we are being hauled by a Black V class locomotive. V class is a Schools class locomotive...............................

 

I can see your point. I'd have been a bit disappointed if I'd booked on this one hoping for Tangmere and Braunton. However. that's because our levels of expectation are so high these days. I can recall what it was like down South 25 years ago. If in 1989 there had been a run just one way from London to Weymouth with a Black Five (including on 9th July) it would have sold out even if the loco in question was painted in "Thomas" blue with a big face on the front and the linesides would have been thronging even if the carriages were painted in NSE livery or Inter City "Raspberry Ripple". It's good to stop and get a sense of perspective. We do have much for which to be grateful.

 

Actually I don't think this is a trip to mark the end of Southern steam on 9th July. I think it's just the first of the Dorset Coast Expresses for the Summer season and it just happens to fall on 9th July. It was Steam Dreams that used to make a big fuss about the anniversary (I went on two fantastic trips with Tangmere and Clan Line) but now they seem to have given up on that.

 

Perhaps they are just resting the idea until the next "significant number" anniversary? 2017 will be the 50th...

 

Next significant date is in 2016, with the 90th anniversary of its commencement.

 

That would have

Sol

If only!

 

Anyone able to give the Maunsell Locomotive Society a blank cheque for the restoration 'Stowe' with the proviso that it runs Sheffield Park to Victoria shuttles?

 

Haven't you heard 30925 is being pressed back in to main service for tomorrows rail tour. It's all top secret.

 

Get away... It's evidently being repainted into BR mixed-traffic livery.

 

I think perhaps we should reflect a while here - an alternative viewpoint.

Much as I would have liked to have a Bullied pacific to see tomorrow I think everyone is totally overlooking the fact that Black Fives were fairly regular runners between Basingstoke and Bournemouth on services coming south via Reading, bog-standard locos between Poole, Branksome and Bournemouth W off the S&D and not exactly an unknown type into Weymouth either. Bittern and the Brits are lovely engines but were not SW Main line regulars so tomorrow it is going to be very nice going out and photting a genuine SWML engine to fill another gap in my locations. If the assisting engine for the return leg is D6515 again (as opposed to WCR's maroon 37) then all the better for authenticity. It is going to be good to see/photo a train probably pretty much authentically representing an off-the L M Region inter-regional of the 1960s.

So much more authentic than say LNER liveried Bittern on maroon MK1s that had not even been built when it was in garter blue! I'm not paying to ride the train, would have a right to grumble "trade descriptions/misleading advertising" if I had, but as a photographer I'm quite pleased it is an authentic combo' with 44932 again so that I can get a few more shots of what might have been.

Just a shame the gates have gone now from East Stoke crossing in the re-signalling scheme so that is one shot I can't get.

 

'Brits' may not have been on the Western section, but they were on the Southern Region, so I wouldn't complain. At least the trip is running with steam, as it could have so easily been cancelled. I'm more worried about the impact of the forecast heatwave when I take my turn on this trip on 30 July. Steam seems to be best suited for 'bookending' the winter and summer, so its a case of filling your boots at these periods if you want the more ambitious trips to run.

 

True, even did Bournemouth IIRC for a while as Bullied substitutes. It was more a - why slag off a Black V? post

 

D6515 won't be doing the 'Diesel Leg' tomorrow. Apparently there is a such a high fire risk this week that a WCR diesel will be on the 'other end' all day tomorrow to assist in high fire risk areas.
Not WCR's or RTC's idea......

Tinder dry in Dorset this week:-
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne...r_Gardens_flooded_after_heavy_rain/?ref=var_0

 

Thanks. Fire risk concur. Been watering the garden. Was about to post - is it diesel on the back all day?, as I couldn't spot any LE movements on RTT into Weymouth for tomorrow. Head on shot somewhere at lunch time then give rest a miss I think. Too much else on even though I really like Black Vs.

 

Oh FFS!
This is why I don't book many trips at all these days. Tomorrow's trip will be only my second this year after 60007 to Kingswear. May be my last for 2014. Money is better spent on heritage lines.