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

Looking good this morning after the stop at Winchfield!

 

A fair few photographers at Campbell road bridge Eastleigh this morning.

 

I only went out for one shot, seen here passing Chiswick on the Hounslow loop

 

Nice shot. Quite unusual to get a spam can on the Belle. Harry Pope had one in August 1965 from memory. Failed it at Bono and was given a Standard 5 for the return run. Being Harry he kept time!

 

It was a 47. Not sure which one but maybe one of those which worked on the Southern in 1966/67. 35018 was going nicely at Totton about 9 late. Held at Millbrook for the usual late running SWR train to Weymouth. DL not working

 

The 'Bournemouth Belle' was a Pullman working. If today's run is supposed to recreate that it should have been the Pullman rake, OR not have the headboard. The latter has happened, and looks less inappropriate. Of course, this really only concerns enthusiasts/photographers (as may the support coach!), and the real point is that it is amazing to have another loco back on the main line in 2019.

It's a shame that Tuesday's run won't use the SWML to or from London - are there really no paths in the late evening through Wimbledon - does the tennis still mess it up there that late? It's been managed both ways on the same date before.

 

Don't think it's anything to do with the tennis - I think the Dorset Coast Expresses which used to go straight up the mainline to Waterloo in the evenings now go to Victoria via Staines. In recent years SWML only seems to be possible on Sundays unless SW Railway are prepared to rejig their timetable.

 

At the stops in Weymouth. Excellent, no-nonsense run.

 

A bit difficult to recreate the Belle as WCRC don’t have a set of Pullmans.

 

Other than the Northern Belle set which was I believe the plan when originally scheduled a year ago.

Approaching Wareham whistle on full blast. Note the steam age concrete lamp post.

47802 on rear for whoever asked.

 

And just HOW would you fill a Pullman rake and make it either affordable or pay it's way.

Why not just rejoice that we have a former wreck out and performing so well and looking so good.

 

Exactly - unless the VSOE set could be used, but that would presumably not be feasible. My point was, therefore, that the train is mis-named (even if it had gone to BOMO only) IF it is an attempt to recreate that train. If not, fine.

 

Did you read the last part of my first paragraph?

 

Lovely shot. Surely that's the safety valve open, rather than the whistle? You were there and I wasn't, but I thought the whistle was further forward on the boiler. You say it's not, but that does look like a steam-age post.

 

The Belmond set is only worked by DBC and then the passengers would be paying Belmond type fares. It's a celbration of the end of Southern Steam 52 years ago and back then none of us thought such a thing would ever be possible.

 

Definitely the fireman's side safety valve, the whistle is just ahead of the firebox and mounted horizontally

 

Filmed at Brokenford Lane footbridge, Totton:

 

Anyway, whilst people argue the toss over a headboard, there is the matter of the return run via Andover. Lovely weather down here, too.

 

Agreed it's a safety valve. The whistle is just ahead of the dome but slightly lower down the side of the boiler. If you zoom in on the photo you can just see it.

 

Even ignoring a host of other issues, the Belmond Pullmans are air brake. 35018 has a steam brake and has capability for vacuum only operation.....