RTC - BIL to Weymouth 6 & 9/07/19

No, and what would be the point? It's steeply down hill from the Junction to Pen Mill, so whatever is at the front is mainly there to control the brakes. If the train is to be diesel-hauled from Pen Mill to Weymouth, the simpest procedure would be to detach the steam loco at the Junction. For some reason on this occasion the steam loco is going down to Pen Mill for the ride then back up to the Junction. Anyway the diesel then runs round at Pen Mill.

 

No sign of 0Z95 13||57 Yeovil PM - Yeovil Jn on RTT
I suspect that 35018 will be detached in Yeovil Jn down sidings and the train departure from there will be about 1333 crossing between 1L29 and 1L50. I also think 1Z92 should run into platform 3 at Pen Mill as 1Z94 starts from that platform.

Cheers, Neil

 

the point being that the support coach , if it stays on the tour rake will be on the wrong end , so a shunt will be needed if 35018 does run L/E from pen mill to Weymouth .

 

Can anyone conferm she is on her way? something is en route from Carnforth to Southall using this path .

 

It's not a requirement that the support coach is next to the loco, it's just much more convenient! ( And ensures the crew get a mug of tea at each longer stop.) Certainly the Torbay Expresses and similar trips to Kingswear don't swap the support from one end to the other. It could be done, but at the expense of quite a bit of shunting with restricted period for watering, taking coal, turning and lubricating the loco. The track layout at Weymouth isn't conducive to that degree of shunting with four SWR and one GWR movement per hour, all over a single lead point.

With sensible planning the support coach will be at the end where it is more use. Going down to Weymouth, there are no water stops but there is one at Frome on the return. Not having seen ( or maybe noticed), I would suspect the support coach is at the Bristol end of the set.

Cheers, Neil

 

If its BIL she has arrived at Crewe, being that far south her nose will be bleeding!

Video (not mine) suggests its her....

 

Hi there
re the Belle tomorrow - has the loco passed its FTR please?

And I gather the train is diesel hauled back to Southampton with 35018 on the rear - the train then reverses and goes towards laverstock Jct (same as Mayflower last week).

FYI
for steam loco's on tours that run into WEY ---
The turnaround time required for a steam loco to run back to/from WEY- YVJ to be turned and serviced is approaching 5 hours - thus we do not now see any trains do this anymore.
We did it once on Tornado many years ago but got stuck at Maiden Newton due single line delays which made the turn round and meeting the dep time stressed.

The tours today are usually dragged to SOU area where the train reverses, or occasionally another steam loco positions in to WEY to operate the return but this is costly (The U from Swanage did this last year) or if coming down from WSB the steam loco comes off at YPM>to go to YVJ

 

It has been thus for several years now, except when two steam locomotives are available to swap.

 

Yes those were the days - when you could have steam in both directions! Did anything come of the idea of installing a turntable at Weymouth? I'm guessing that project has been mothballed (a bit like the Weymouth Quay line)

 

Hi. Someone please tell BIL goes to Yeovil Junction to be serviced 2moro please.

 

I guess we will only know at around 0540 tomorrow if it is on the stock as it comes off shed at Southall

 

Not tomorrow only Tuesday, in and out of Weymouth on the train tomorrow.

 

What is the stock tomorrow? The picture on the promotor's website is a maroon rake with one Pullman but I am guessing that is generic. The name "Bournemouth Belle" suggests pullman stock but the tour document only says"...we aim to recreate some of the magic experienced by luxury travel on the famous Bournemouth Belle..." Presumably, unlike Clan Line's trip to Bournemouth, it is NOT the Belmond set?

 

Not been anywhere near the Southern main lines since 1964, and was once a Bournemouth/Nine Elms locomotive. So historic on several accounts.

 

I think you are trying to make an unfair comparison with the BB two years ago. We all know that Clan Line looked the business with the Belmond stock and was very nice for those who could afford to travel on it. This one may not have the realism but at least it’s at a fare that’s within reach of most people.

 

BIL could not run with the Belmont Pullmans, anyway, because they are Air Braked, She is Vac only , But less just enjoy it for what it is, a former Nine elms Loco back on home turf

 

Hi Guys. I wasn't knocking it, glad it's running, just hoping!

BIL will still look the part as a Southern Region engine on what would back in the day have been an inter-regional maroon set. Shades of the 1960s when I was line-siding them around Shawford & Winchester.

Having photographed BIL in the sorry part restored state it was in just up the road from me when she (it?) was stored in the open at South Coast Steam (see https://www.island-publishing.co.uk...eam (Repair works, Portland)/album/index.html ) the fact it is coming back restored is a fantastic achievement by all involved. It will be photographed and there will be a feature on before and after in the September/October SLS Journal.

 

That's how I remember BIL. Dumped in a sorry state on the Mid Hants for many years. Never thought we'd actually see it running again let alone on Southern metals.

Here's a thought - the Bournemouth to Southampton section will recall the last days of the Bournemouth Belle. It will probably be hauled by a Class 47!!!

 

I think this was the last southbound one of all, 47 hauled just south of Shawford station. (My photo and I think the fact it was the last down service was why I took the shot) Sorry about the quality.