Bahamas 2021 Railtours

I would agree Al, triples the market potentially, also I think Margate or Ramsgate offer as much as Canterbury unless you want the Cathedral or shops. Many "normals" may not worry about climbing Martin Mill, although I accept the Channel view is pleasant after Dover.

 

Even if 31806 is available - please don't forget the ever-present risk arising from NR's policy on New Forest fire risk during dry Summers

 

This is the reason why I have noted the date of Bahamas' trip to Weymouth in my diary but haven't as yet booked a ticket. I am rather baffled by RTC's reluctance to run a DCE outside of the summer season. Indeed, even in normal times RTC seems completely to ignore the south of England for the first six months of the year. Given the number of people willing to make the long 500+ mile slog from London to Carlisle and back in the height of winter, surely there must be a market for a couple of steam-banked trips from London to Weymouth and back in say, March or April or some other time outside the New Forest fire risk season. I have raised this with RTC on a couple of occasions but never had anything more than a brief acknowledgement.

 

Timings now posted for the Kentish Belle outing with Bahamas on 22nd July.....
OUT https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U52286/2021-07-22/detailed
RETURN https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U52291/2021-07-22/detailed

A couple of changes from the original itinerary - the return is now, as outward, via the Maidstone East route, not Tonbridge, and is now confirmed to feature the interesting detour that I believe some had been hoping for via the Catford Loop and Nunhead.

Information accompanying the RTC Ticket Letter indicates Load 8 (+ POB). I gather from John Petley's post that the likelihood is that a diesel will be attached throughout to facilitate the turning manoeuvre at Sittingbourne, so sadly no spectacle on Bearsted Bank. In this context, I look back fondly to the Shepherd Neame "Spitfire" excursion to Faversham via Dover in May 2011 (with 70013 Oliver Cromwell), when the accompanying Class 37 travelled to Faversham separately, having done its bit on the climb out of Victoria.

The visit of a Jubilee to Kent is interesting enough in its own right, indeed any main line steam in Kent is an interesting enough event nowadays, let alone such a distinguished interloper. But a solo performance really would be/ would have been the icing on the cake.

 

I guess from the perspective of a Dorset resident the difference I would see is that Carlisle for and hour and a half gives passengers a reasonable chance of getting some food or a quick visit to the shops or the castle (at least to view it). A Dorset seaside town (like most British seaside towns) can have a bit of a "closed" feel in the winter. Yes I guess you could turn the tour around quicker and get back earlier, but even if you leave Weymouth at 1535 most of the trip back would be in the dark. At least on a CME most of the darkness (at both ends) is behind Less Ross.
I of course have no idea what the RTC perspective may be. Plus if you are talking about the use of 31806 Swanage is often shut during some of the winter, for engineering works, further restricting your options.

 

The ECS is worked from Faversham to Sittingbourne Down Yard and 45596 goes off light engine to turn.
Schedules are live on RTT for the ECS but there were problems with the schedule of 0Z98 earlier today.
45596
Sittingbourne DGL 14||28
Gillingham 14.44 14RM47
Swale 15.10 15RM16
Sittingbourne DGL 15||28

Cheers, Neil

 

Jubilees were banned on the Chatham line in the days of steam. I remember seeing 45602 standing at St Mary Cray Jct blowing of steam furiously whilst waiting for Control to decide what to do. Eventually it was allowed to proceed. That would have been summer 1957 or 1958

 

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's outing having never seen a Jubilee in action before.

 

You've never lived!

 

45596 has reached Victoria.

Looks like 47245 will be at the back all day but it could be worse......

Andrew

 

Passed Clapham High Street 08:54.

I was properly bowled out this morning. Went to a footbridge over Sheperds Lane Junction (country side of Clapham High Street) which would have been right for the sun only to find said footbridge has been closed since March! Oh well, suppose I best get to work now!

 

Perfect conditions this morning, sun in the right place and Bahamas making quite a soundtrack given the heat we've had recently! A bit of help with the 47 at the rear but to be expected. Lets hope it doesn't get to anymore than that! Passing through Bickley this morning:

 

The Kentish Belle.

Filmed at Wye and Seasalter:

 

A bit late to the party but 45596 back at Paddington after a very pleasant trip to Salisbury and Southampton on Sunday

 

The route has changed for this evening's return.

The train will now come back via Beckenham Junction as the loco is out of gauge through Bellingham.

The link above for the times still works.

Andrew

 

That's quite late to realise something like that! Wonder who spotted it.

 

Very nice. With a load like that, 45596 would have been easily capable of tackling it without assistance from the 47. I remember 73096 with 11, unassisted, making stirring work of Bickley years ago. The overhanging foliage is dense - forming a loading gauge tunnel!

 

Having filmed 45569 today in Kent (in Bahamas type weather) it got me wondering if that’s the first time a Jubilee has ever been to Kent?

 

45699 ???

 

Apparently not. See this quote from Don above:

However, I think it's probably the first time in preservation - but hopefully not the last as I thought Bahamas looked and sounded terrific yesterday. I can't post up my picture from the footpath just north of Otford on the return journey as I'm one of these dinosaurs who still enjoys using a film camera, but take it from me, the spectacle was pretty impressive. A big thanks to the crew, RTC and the BLS.