Cath Ex to P'mth (and IoW): 02/06/18

It's not so much a bug, just the way that particular system handles charters - my experience with the system is 3 years out of date but using Private Charter as the operator would either cause the train not to show at all as it would be classed on the system as "Unadvertised Express' - ie a not a service train. The problem with the unadvertised bit was the inability to advertise to the charter passengers which platforms to use! The other option which would show it correctly on the screens as a charter train, would also automatically send it the nationwide Journey Planner systems and there fore start showing the train as a scheduled service on apps and the like - and offer normal fares too.

It looks to me that the "Swanage Railway" solution is definitely the lesser of two, or maybe 3 evils! As I understand it, I believe that SWT / SWR are now the only users of that particular system, although there may be one or two others.

 

Only time I really saw her flying all day was through Southampton Central on the afternoon run, which gave a few of the SWR punters a start. Everywhere else seemed to be a bit of a sluggish one.

Was glad I went to the far end of Platform 4 at Portsmouth & Southsea for the departure as the sun was superb for about 30 minutes during which she came and went.

More photos at https://railwaygalleries.smugmug.com/MainlineSteam/Steam-Tours-in-2018

Video below

 

Hmm, we were held at Salisbury for the late running Cardiff - Pompey service and in all fairness it made sense due to us being limited to 60mph. Andy Taylor had 5212 going well through Southampton and up to Eastleigh and he commented that it was great to have a good run through for a change. So a 6 late start at Salisbury which had increased to 10 by Romsey turned out to be a 1 late arrival at Eastleigh, not a bad effort considering.

I have to ask though, where else did you come and see us as your quote of it being a bit of a sluggish one isn't justified in my camp. The run up Witley bank to Haslemere in the morning was awesome as was the return back up to Haslemere in the evening. On both occasions the diesel driver was under instruction to be taking its weight only and with the sound coming out of 5212, well lets just say I hope the passengers were entertained to say the least!

 

...Hence why I decided to go ahead and tick it off. I think it could probably be done more regularly (thin end of the wedge and all that), but if it never happens again, I'm happy enough with yesterday's run, and diesels do tend to feature on essentially branch line tours.

 

Late running Cardiff to Pompey service ? Never!! This also delayed the 1713 Southern train to Victoria so the sequence at St Denys was 158.961 on the 1430 Cardiff to Pompey at 1717, 159 on the 1713 Soton to Vic at 1721 and 45212 on the 1636 Sals-Pompey at 1727. Very lucky to get in front of the 1603 Weymouth to Waterloo which is why the charter got a clear run from Redbridge.This was good regulating which is a feature of this very busy area. 45212 was going well with no discernible noise from 47.746 on my video clip.

 

I only witnessed the morning at Portsmouth Harbour and the lunchtime Portsmouth and Southsea moves but they were both very slick and a credit to the station staff, WCRC Guard, the Stewards anf the footplate crews.

 

A few shots of 45212 - Godalming, Portcreek Junction, River Hamble (Lower Swanwick), Test Lane (Redbridge)