Main Line Events for 50th Anniversary of The End of SR Steam in 2017.

I thought I would start a thread where we can post updates on ML Steam events planned for next year.
At the moment there are two trips being promoted by Steam Dreams and UK Railtours.
Details so far:

- Update from a UK Railtours e-mail Newsletter which I received yesterday:

THE BOURNEMOUTH BELLE - Wednesday 5 July 2017
Marking fifty years since the end of steam on the Southern Region, 35028 ‘Clan Line’ heads the British Pullman on an unforgettable commemorative special.

This trip looks very interesting although it could be quite expensive as they are using the Belmond Pullman stock. Bookings are not yet open on this trip but I think it will fill up fast despite the expected price.



- From the Steam Dreams website:
"The Devon Belle: Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 July 2017
An opportunity to enjoy a 3 night mid-summer break in the beautiful South Devon resorts of Dartmouth and Torbay. The Devon Belle also celebrates 50 years since the end of British Rail steam in the South of England.

On Thursday 6 July our journey begins at London and we travel along the South Western Main Line through some of the most beautiful countryside in Southern England. This run, of course, includes the beautiful views of Dawlish before we head inland for the climb along the edge of Dartmoor takes us along the scenic Dartmouth and Kingswear Railway.

On day 2, Friday 7 July, you can enjoy a day trip by steam to Penzance, or join other optional excursions.

On day 3,Saturday 8 July, excursions will include trips by road coach to Greenway House, the South Devon Railway and boat trips from Torbay.

On day 4, Sunday 9 July our train returns from Devon retracing our steps to Exeter. From here we head to Weymouth, for a short break by the seaside. Leaving Weymouth we replicate the last main line steam journey to London from the South, which took place exactly fifty years before."
35018 is currently the provisional Motive power rostered for this multi-day trip.

 

One can only dream it would Flying Scotsman

 

You are, I presume, joking?!

 

Of course

 

travel along the South Western Main Line through some of the most beautiful countryside in Southern England

Woking, Basingstoke.............

 

Yes and what comes after the dots? Any thoughts on the routeings both on the Thursday and the Sunday? What was it Shakespeare said, 'It's the stuff dreams are made of'.

 

SD trip states London - Salisbury - Honiton - Exeter- Kingswear, Kingswear - Castle Cary- Weymouth - London.

UKR. No details at present.

 

It will be the Duchess really.

 

Of course not but as it's Steam Dreams it will be diesel hauled

 

and 48151 for Exeter - Kingswear on the Thursday, for trip to Penzance on Saturday ( with a Diesel ), and Castle Cary - Weymouth, and banking the train out of Weymouth on the Sunday.

 

As soon as arrangements are finalised for the "Bournemouth Belle" - and other 35028 trips next year - details will be given here. One of the "arrangements" is of course related to the considerable rebuilding work taking place at Waterloo (essentially lengthening several platforms) for much of 2017. This will cause considerable disruption. I'm sure readers will agree that we don't want to advertise what we cannot deliver.

 

There is an outline agreement for 34046 to be at the Midhants for the first and second weekends of July 2017 for an end of Southern Steam gala according to another thread.

 

A statement of Best Intentions this may be, but in one simple sentence, the expression of this principle perfectly exemplifies the difference between what you would expect from the Best in the rail-tour sector, and what we have come to accept from the Rest. I just wish it could be trusted to be an unassailable part of the creed of all the main line steam promoters. But as much as I might wish for this, sadly, I just don’t believe this to be the case.

And for the avoidance of doubt, and before any would–be-apologists jump in to defend the record of any particular company, I am addressing these assertions only to the bit of the process that plans, develops, defines and presents the day-trip proposition to the Customer. Not to the operational delivery that solves the problems of the day on the day, where I think we are all lucky to enjoy a standard of service provided to us, the paying public, that is both very good and fairly universal across all promoters/ operators.

 

I would put 35028 down as highly probable, it needs a new tube plate which is an additional unexpected expense (all donations gratefully received I'm sure) but the most reliable main line locomotives is now being reassembled with a target date of March 2017 for return to traffic. The only other loco I would like to see is 777, is it still in ticket for the mainline?

 

Also NR seem to think it's broad gauge considering the gauging restrictions it seemed to had.

 

According to the list on http://uksteam.info/tours/locos.htm 777 is not currently main line ticketed.

 

London to kingswear victoria to clapham reading taunton exeter paignton , i cant see how it can use the Southern route unless it is routed via salisbury then westbury, of course it could be desiel hauled with steam on rear from Exeter , but then it will need turning as it will need to be dragged back to Newton abbot on the day of the Penzance run anyway where as if it was smokebox first from exeter its facing the right direction. i m not sure on the route to weymouth as if its via the southern route the tour will need to be dragged to Exeter anyway then via laverstock to southampton where the engine would have to come off to turn then again desiel hauled to weymouth.