Dorset Coast Expresses 2015

The video clearly shows the 47 shoving at Brookwood but it certainly wasn’t when I watched it go through Farnborough. I suggest though that there’s a good reason for the diesel assistance out of Woking, and that’s to get the train as fast as possible to the 11 minute water stop at Winchfield, where it blocks the Down Slow line. If the steam hauled train takes its allocated time to take water, it leaves Winchfield at 10:39.The following 2L23 stopping service to Basingstoke is scheduled to arrive just 4 minutes later at 10:43.

This week’s DCE passed Woking Junction 11 minutes late meaning an inevitable delay to the following 2L23, a delay which was reduced to 6 minutes by Winchfield, as a result of the diesel assisted acceleration from Woking. The result was that the SWT 2L23 was only 4 minutes late by Basingstoke. Last week’s late running DCE caused the 2L23 to be 11 minutes late at Basingstoke.

An alternative as happened on the 22nd July was that the 2L23 stopping service was allowed to run ahead of the DCE resulting in a 29 minute to the steam service by Basingstoke.

It really is incumbent on WCRC (or whoever the operator might be) to ensure that their train doesn’t delay following scheduled services and if that means the odd push from a diesel, so be it. The last three DCEs have all been late at Woking and if that pattern continues, expect to see the diesel working hard at Brookwood to get the train up to line speed as quickly as possible. It’s a consequence of heading off on a 150 mile jolly to the seaside, dragged by a 67 year old steam engine with poor acceleration characteristics, on a very busy 21st century main line.

 

An example of this trip , not including half a dozen young footballing lads crossing the line, unusual at this location.

 

Blimey Dave, we would have bumped into each other a lot had I followed my original plan when it was the A4. I was going to go to Brookwood, Ashurst, and Holton Heath for the down, and Redbridge (for the in and out to southampton), Whitchurch and West Byfleet on the up. That view at Ashhurst is surprising, looks useless on Google Earth and its not till you get to the tip of the platform you see the line open up in front of you. I have to say, rather unkindly and very evilly, and purely in the spirit of friendly rivalry you understand, its good to see the B1 wasn't working as hard or going as fast for you as it did for me at that spot when i filmed it there.

 

>> I really think that things shall get better in the south. 61306, 60163, 60009 every once in awhile. 70000 her performances. Add 34046, 46100, 6024 and hopefully things shall improve not to forget about 70013 and the yearly visits on Princess Elizabeth. Flying Scotsman

Although not running on the Dorset Coast Express let's not forget 46233 Duchess of Sutherland running via Reading in September. <BJ>

46233 Rugby - Watford Jct - Reading - Newbury - Bath - Bristol, returning to Willesden (3rd Sept)
46233 Victoria - Staines - Reading - Gloucester - Cardiff and return (10th Sept)

 

Get a life guys. It's because there's a diesel on the back that us linesiders/computer boys are not booking. I am on the next West Somerset Steam Express for one reason. It is guaranteed steam both ways without the imposition of a diesel. I like many others are very selective about what tours we book on these days, I would suggest.

 

Are you an expert on steam traction. Just asking. You seem very keen to promote diesel assistance for insurance reasons when the majority of steam tours in 2015 have run without them and with complete success. As for Hemerdon, this was the first ever steam stall on the bank going back to the 1960's. Yes, in 1985 there was a stall during the GWR150 celebrations but that was west bound on Dainton. Hemerdon has been the perfect "big test" for steam for decades and long may it continue with its brilliant success record.

 

Check out You Tube. There are plenty of places where the duff is heard loud and clear.

 

Have done a bit with steam on the footplate and in MPD work in the past but not for over 30 years since moving away from the NYMR/NELPG. Was an emergency planning officer pre-retirement so aware of risks. Re the need for a diesel on the DCE with the BI several other posters explain in detail, check back in the thread for details. Had the A4 run yesterday fire risk avoidance over the heaths and timetable delay avoidance would have been the only need for pushing.

Personally I would love the DCE concept to go back to all steam, nothing better recently than the 8F and the Castle going solo up to Bincombe tunnel, but equally I would rather if the DCE were to be all steam it ran out of the summer period to avoid the fire risks. On my fairly regular commute to Bournemouth I pass the outcome of a recent, significant, heath fire started by vandals and it isn't something to risk when that risk is avoidable.

If I was risk assessing the Devon section on the knowledge I have (others may know more) then for a WC/BB 7 was apparently the standard in the past to restart on the bank, 8 is probably an OK load to risk anything over that moves into areas the risk averse would avoid without backup. Parkestone is another where risks are taken and mostly got away with (IIRC even a modern freight has stuck at least once) someone has to take the decision of cash from seats versus entering the risky area.

So no, not particularly pro-diesel, just being objective. I don't ride tours, too unpredictable, but do spend a fair bit riding preserved lines and give.a lot of time on the SLS management council. I would say knowledgeable on steam to perhaps A level equivalent but by no means a leading expert.

Hope this is a fair answer to a question I took as seriously asked.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

This is a fair answer indeed and clearly you are a man with great experience on the traction side rather than I who, as an ex signalman, can speak with authority when it comes to manual boxes!!

Nick

 

We're Brits. We need to find something to whinge about.

 

I've done three steam-hauled trips so far this year, all starting from London and none with a diesel on the back.

 

I won't do tours any more during the summer as I've had 2 tours turn in to box hauled tours, including that unfortunate last Olton Hall tour, it's just too unpredictable. In saying that, thank god plenty of people do still go on the tours regardless of the box at whichever end, otherwise we'd have no tours probably. Atleast this week Mayflower seemed to be doing a lot more work, certainly at Dunbridge the box didn't seem to be doing much at all, where as last week she was doing absolutely nothing at Dunbridge with the 37 doing all the work which did sound good though!

 

Hehe. Unfortunately Mayflower was following a service train and the signal at Ashurst was still showing single yellow. At least the diesel was not doing any work.

 

The duff was evidently quiet at Romsey too. When the train came round the 20mph PSR curve from Redbridge on the approach to Romsey, the only sound you could hear was the B1 opening up to accelerate away towards Dunbridge.

 

There wasn't much of a bark from either end at Clapham, although there was a little more noise than when Tangmere brought the DCE through. I'm a bit bored of this view now and wondering which other stations between Feltham & Clapham may give a better view.


Thompson B1 61306 - Mayflower by Tim White, on Flickr


Thompson B1 61306 - Mayflower by Tim White, on Flickr


Thompson B1 61306 - Mayflower by Tim White, on Flickr

Given the choice between Steam with asstance vs No Steam, I would always side with the assistance.

 

My footage from yesterday. Filmed at Potbridge, Brockenhurst, Test Lane, Andover and Potbridge again.

 

Right now I don't know what we would do without Mayflower. She is putting in stellar performances week after week. Many of us really wanted this particular locomotive doing what she is doing right now for at least a couple years. What a delight and a fantastic addition to the mainline steam scene.

 

Yeah, its almost single handedly saved steam out of london this year.

 

Probably 70000 instead as it was in the prep bay at Southall last night, simmering gently and shown on RTT as LE today to Bristol. No sign of 60009 so I guess it was deep in the shed.