RTC's The End of Southern Steam, 08/07/17

We had a speed restriction through the platform at Poole. Last time I did steam through Poole, we had to wait for a green country side of the station to ensure a good run so I guess a speed restriction made that inevitable.

 

Makes sense, and I'm sure once it was over the top the Crompton eased off a little.

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No point in charging up Parkstone Bank like a bat out of hell. There is a 35mph restriction at the top for pointwork.

 

Deleted.

 

It didn't go charging up like a bat out of hell, in fact I'd estimate about 35mph. But although Braunton was working well, the Crompton was working hard too.

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Went to Bugley between Gillingham and Templecombe , after seeing 34046 performing like that I wondered if it was worth going to Bincombe tunnel at Upwey . How glad I was that I decided to go , don't think I have ever seen 34046 working that hard .

 

Upwey:

 

My offerings from the evening run, captured at Shawford.

Enjoy!

 

Re the water situation at Salisbury. The tanker arrived some 5 minutes before we were due to leave, and it was empty! Rather than wait until they had that one sorted our and thus throw the whole timetable into disarray Pete Roberts agreed to go on without taking water, but that meant that the 33 did most of the work. The 33 struggled mightily on the climb to Evershot - my GPS showed a momentary fall into single figures - but once over the top she ran quite sweetly into the 70s and arrived Weymouth early. Coming back we had fast line in from Basingstoke and did a lovely run - 26 minutes to Woking with the customary slow approach. We were through Brookwood in just about even time from the Basingstoke start,
Ian

 

My footage from today's train, caught at Harroway/St Winterbourne Viaduct, Grateley, Upwey *Highlight of the video! *, Northam Junction, Shawford and Micheldever.

James

 

34052 racing over St Winterbourne/Harroway Viaduct this morning. Aside from one or two small modern touches, this could be straight out of 1967...



James

 

All I can say, despite water tankergate, it turned into an excellent trip. The climb of Upwey Bank was excellent, and we were pleasantly surprised at the lack of diesel assistance until just before the tunnels. My GPS saw a steady fall to 17.6mph before the 33 cut in. A fantastic performance.

Naturally, we had to keep to time up Parkestone, and there was a bit of help through the New Forest as expected- didn't want to ruin today before it started! Also, despite being my fourth attempt at Upwey, it was my first with a Bulleid. Top marks, overall.

 

34052 'Lord Dowding' seen at Shawford and Old Basing on the "End of Southern Steam" railtour

 

The non-diesel part.

 

The 33 briefly touched 18mph on Evershot, but no lower than that

 

Here is my video of Lord Dowding last night, pretty much on time and going well at Farnborough Main. Only a small point but why didn't someone put route disks on the front. A Bullied without them looks like a damsel with no clothes on!! 35028 will certainly have them on today plus a 3 digit route number to show how it was 50 years ago to the day!! Off to Weybridge!!

 

Sorry. Forgot the vid. Doh!

 

413 miles driving yesterday with six shots in total. Long day but worth it - never heard a Bulleid quite like the performance at Bincombe!

 

Some shots of 34052 with the "End of Southern Steam" at Virginia Water and Worting Junction/Battledown

 

That is an absolutely superb video- perfect exposure levels every time- sometimes in difficult light conditions- and beautiful compositions especially on Upwey and the last shot at Winchfield was a masterpiece. And what an engine, blowing off just as it enters the tunnel at Bincombe after slogging up the hill, with I believe, minimal Crompton input before that point. So after all that praise a reminder that it is BULLEID and not bullied!!

John