The Bognor Belle, 21/10/17.

Starting the thread as I'm on it. Locomotive now confirmed by RTC as 46100; timings and final routing still to arrive. To say 46100 has been elusive if you live in the NE is an understatement... Looking forward to it.

 

It was visible through the shed windows at Southall as we left there on Tuesday night on the delayed SD Gloucester trip.

 

It will be interesting to see what route it takes. I doubt if a Scot has ever been gauged for the Brighton Main Line, let alone the return working through Horsham and Dorking. Still Duke of Gloucester, not the smallest of engines, went back up the Arun Valley/Mid Sussex Line from Chichester in December 2004 if my memory serves me correctly

 

If the worst comes to the worst, they can always send it back through to Three Bridges via Horsham. I'd rather it didn't, but its still new track for me.

 

And pigs might fly. I am surprised a path can be found up the Arun valley let alone Wimbledon

 

Possibly a contender for the most unappealing title for a train 2017....

 

There might be a path on the Arun Valley following the resignalling, but it will be very tight as the signal sections are not evenly spaced from memory. The Brighton Main Line between Balcombe Tunnel Jn and Keymer Jn is probably as bad for capacity, but does have the benefit of signalling for 3 minute headways.

Cheers, Neil

 

What part of the title is unappealing Bognor or Belle? The Southall set usually has a list one Pullman liveried coach so Belle just about works. Bognor may not be the greatest South Coast resort but the comment seems unduly harsh.

 

There is a path for an RHTT train mid-afternoon on the Arun Valley line on weekdays, so I guess that a special could be accommodated, but as you say, it will be very tight. What is more, there are likely to be far more one-off restrictions for weak bridges, etc applying to a hefty 4-6-0 with 11 coaches and a diesel in tow than for one of those yellow thingummies which spray the track. I travelled up that route behind 73096 during its main line career and remember that the brakes were going on rather frequently between Arundel and Pulborough for some restriction or other - mainly bridges over the Arun, I would suspect.

 

A possible issue is that there are four Up services per hour form Arundel Junction to Horsham (where they join to make two per hour to London Victoria) during the day that have different calling patterns. The portion from Bognor runs first, stopping at most / all stations whilst the portion from either Portsmouth or Southampton catches it up without stopping. I guess the charter would be pathed behind one of the second portions.

In regards to structures; bridge work has been undertaken since steam last visited the line: Black Rabbit has been replaced. Laden engineering trains do use it (the Pullmans have been up it too [top and tailed with diesels]). The "weak" point could be Timberley Viaduct (pictures and info. here: http://www.semgonline.com/structures/struct_61.html).

It will be interesting to see what the finalised route and timings are. (Have not booked to be on it.)

-SC-

 

I doubt if a path can be found but we will see. Not on it but an easy chase by train if it runs.

 

Railway Herald now reporting Royal Scott, Cromwell (and Braunton although I thought that still out of service) all out of gauge. Looking like it might need a Black 5 from somewhere if true. 45212 still at Southall anyone know?

 

Railway Herald has been known to get things a little mixed up, though. We'll see what the next few days bring.

PS. As 45212 has been quiet since 5 October, I'd say it's still at Southall.

 

This seems a bit strange given that only on Thursday, I received an e-0mail from RTC which said the following:-

Bognor Belle - Saturday 21st October 2017

We have received confirmation that the Bognor Belle on Saturday 21st October will be steam hauled by 46100 Royal Scot from London Victoria to Bognor Regis, a popular seaside resort in West Sussex.

Due to the popularity of this tour we have now increased our availability in standard class and have some seats available, so if you would like to be part of this rare occurrence please book quickly to avoid disappointment. The First class is already fully booked and there are just a few seats still available in Premier Dining class.

It does seem strange to have sent this e-mail out and presumably added an extra coach without first confirming with NR that 46100 is gauged. As mentioned in the post above, I don't think a Royal Scot has ever visited Sussex before and I doubt if this fact has escaped RTC either. Perhaps a change to part of the route will be required? Who knows. Anyway, all will no doubt be revealed in the next few days

 

Yes I agree RH often not too accurate on railtour gen, but I did notice yesterday the RTC Worcester trip the following weekend has already been timed, whereas this one is still not showing (maybe just not uploaded yet). As you said time will tell.

 

Outline timings now up on the RTC website and still saying 46100 in charge. Couldn't find anything on Real Time Trains as yet. Return still stated to be via the Arun Valley Line then Dorking & Wimbledon.

Times are as follows:-

09.43 dep Victoria, 13.09 arr Bognor
15.12 dep Bognor, 15.33 arr Littlehampton
17.19 dep Littlehampton, 19.31 arr Victoria

 

E-ticket has arrived, too. No mention of return route, so it'll remain a bit of a mystery until RTT publish it.

 

Now confirmed:
46100 Victoria-East Croydon-Haywards Heath-Hove-Arundel Jn-Bognor Regis
46100 Littlehampton-Arundel Jn-Horsham-Epsom-Victoria
Times up shortly

 

Thanks for confirming. Now the question is which way after Epsom?