'Weymouth Seaside Express'. Sunday, 26th July, 2015

But it's the only chance (flawed though it is) this season, to do Bristol - Weymouth by steam, because of Bath area engineers' possessions.

John

 

But it won't be steam if the diesel is shoving. Not in my book anyway. If people are so desperate to do the route with "steam" that they are happy to have a diesel take them over Evershot and risk a diesel shoving them up Upwey, that's up to them but I'll await future developments.

 

Maybe so but I will have a minimum of two and a half hours drive to get to Bristol so the diesel element makes it highly unattractive to me and my colleagues who also need the route for steam.

 

Another good option is a day at the seaside with The Torbay Express. <BJ>

 

That's another tour I need to do but only for Aller Jct. to Paignton with steam.

 

Didn't Tangmere misbehave last year when trying to climb Evershot in the southbound direction? I seem to remember it took about 3 attempts to get up there. Maybe that is the reason for the change plan.

 

Not on this run it didn't.

 

Stock is already in Bristol, just east of Temple Meads. I counted 8 behind the two tone green 47 diesel.
So assuming Tanglefoot has its support it will def need a shove up Upwey on way back.

Next year, if the load can be kept down to 8, Tangers should be able to handle it without too much difficulty. Here's hoping.

Have timed some very good runs on the Weymouth but won't be going tomorrow.

 

The diesel is needed to take the stock to Weymouth as 34067 is being turned at yeovil


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You didn't watch the clip I linked to then. Her previous runs have been load 9 and apart from one well publicised run, she has tackled both Evershot and Upwey in fine style without a diesel in sight.

 

Most of the Weymouth runs I timed were load 8 but yes I have logged a successful load 9.

And Tangers did take 11 up Upwey bank in ideal conditions.

However, Upwey is a much busier stretch of line with those EMUs helping to clean the rail head, is generally more open and is tackled in the afternoon with more chance of dry conditions.

Evershot is tackled in the morning and the WSE is one of the first trains of the day.

I was on last year's trip that slipped to a stand despite good speed thro Chetnole.

Tangers on load 8 with the diesel at Pen Mill just in case. Maybe it could run to Maiden Newton first and drop a bit of sand too?

 

As WCR have only just come back from suspension I suspect that someone responsible for this trip has reassessed the risks and erred on the side of caution. Evershot risky in the rain (as it happens today is wet!), any delays risking loss of the round trip to Yeovil, and Bincombe bank in the wet as for Evershot so add a diesel. Also either possible changes to the timings of service trains this year altering the path to from Yeovil Junc or simply the profit/loss with the extra steam mileage.

Many potential reasons for the change all of which viewed dispassionately make operational sense. Problem when it comes to rail tours with historic kit is we are all passionate!

Possible the extra tractor mileage might even attract some extra pax. When the regular train was a 37 turn it was a regular diesel enthusiast magnet. (Edit - Actually ran with a 47)


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Probably time for another 52.

 

Tangmere in the wet near Saltford, Bath.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/sets/72157654038259334

 

Saw a possible example of why WCR got suspended today. It may only be sidings but I would think switching the points with a class 47's front wheel set (as opposed to someone walking down the line in advance to use the point lever) is not regarded as best practice. They did that today with the ECS leaving Jubilee Sidings in front of a gallery of around 6 to 12 watchers, so pretty blatant.(Exiting loop via straight road with point ahead set for the curve)

Obviously if that is a set of points with some form of switching equipment that makes that method of working a fully acceptable practice then I'm happy to admit to my ignorance, so is anyone with track certification able to advise?

Edit - image of incident now at http://www.island-publishing.co.uk/railway images/point crop IMG_4651.jpg

 

I could have sworn that the diesel interloper was a class 47 this morning. <BJ>

 

It was a 47 when I went over to see it go out. 37s seem to be WCRs usual diesel down to Weymouth and post was written in advance.

 

Middle Son (6) wasn't impressed by the push the 47 was clearly giving as we watched it leave Frome

 

Even youngsters have some sense then, unlike some so called "grown ups".
As yet, despite all the remarks, nobody has come up with a plausible "excuse" why these things shove at every opportunity? Even off major gradients, maybe driver boredom?