RTC 2022

Swanage Belle on Thursday, but just seen on the Swanage website all trains diesel tomorrow due to high fire risk.
With the northern section being various nature reserves and SSI's not sure if that means it will be OK with full diesel assistance from the rear. Of course we may have a little rain before then, although at one stage that was forecast for yesterday and today, yet none appeared.

 

'The Cheshireman' hauled by LMS 8P No.6233 'Duchess Of Sutherland' on the 3rd September 2022. Seen at Ely, Turves, Elmesthorpe, Beeston Castle and Hargrave.

Video Available Here

 

Next overhaul isn’t due until at least 2025 if I’m right. I’m surprised to hear that given the lack of steamings between February 2020 and October 2021 but there again it has been in near constant service for 2 decades which could mean that the next overhaul could be a long one although I hope I’m wrong on that.

 

Always good to see steam through Stafford, thanks for posting

Did it's path on the down fast catch you out at all?

RTT had it running SL and through P5, and I saw a video taken from P5 which didn't show it to its best advantage. Guess the signallers at Rugby gave it a run with fewer Avanti West Coast trains to keep out the way of, but put it onto the slow at Stafford North Junction?

 

North of Stafford Doxey Jct it was on the Down slow !
The WCML was strangely quiet though.

 

I was keeping an eye on open train times signal diagrams on my phone (other signal diagram apps are available) so knew it was on the fast lines. There was also a block on the slow lines at Milford Jnc so it had to run fast line to Stafford. Could have been crossed south of station, which is unusual for a northbound train, it crossed to the slow lines at Doxey Jnc, north of the station. The only danger to photographing was if they put it through platform 3 and then crossed it on to slow from there. Which fortunately they didn't. As you say there were some that caught out, i informed a few on platform 4 that were set up for it through platform 5.

 

Website says steam hauled trains today. A lot of rain overnight and more to come.

 

It did rain here overnight a bit, but D6515 on the first train out this morning Don.

 

Very grateful for those pictures. As is the widow of the pal I was with when I snapped 46233 there 60 yeas ago (apologies for the quality). TheEuston/Liverpools were mostly steam that day, very unusual as they were mostly dieselised by 1960. As well as this boat train, it was the only day I ever saw steam on the Red Rose and the Merseyside Express

 

We are in Wareham having lunch and it’s tipping down. Same forecast for rest of week. Staying in Corfe Castle tonight but will leave tomorrow if no steam. Stuffed on the main steam and now on a Heritage line!

 

Nothing wrong with the quality from 60 years ago, excellent capture. Just out of interest do you have the date the photo was taken, in addition to the name on the headboard - unable to make that bit out.

 

Thanks - 9th August 1962 and Empress Voyager.

 

Green everywhere so just an excuse I think. Well it’s going to cost them two round trips for the three of us.

 

According to the Swanage Railway thread, there was a small lineside fire yesterday, and will be Steam from tomorrow.

 

That’s great thanks

 

I think it's unrealistic to think there won't be a diesel on the back on Thursday's trip. Maybe third time lucky and it will be one that doesn't fail, although last week was a bonus for me as I could get the Overground from Clapham Junction to Willesden then up to Carpenders Park.

 

It has changed to a 33 best to follow this thread https://www.national-preservation.c...eneral-discussion.37847/page-371#post-2762983

 

It has always been sold as such, and has been previous years. No way to turn a big loco at Swanage during a tour.

 

I knew that, it’s why I said it’s unrealistic, bad choice of words.

 

I remember when The Swanage Belle excursions had steam both ways. In 2010 I travelled on the May 31st Belle which had 44871 on the outward run and 30777 on the return run. Very impressive trip behind 44871 and one of the most lively runs I have ever had behind 30777. (Steam Age Pictures excellent video of 30777 below). After some issues in 2010 it seems loco availability became a recurring problem* for both the Swanage Belle and Dorset Coast Express repeat itineraries. In 2011 I recall 34067 and 60019 being the rostered motive power. I think the last time the Swanage Belle ran with steam locomotives in charge for both the outward and return journeys was in 2012 with 34067/70013.
*This led to 46115 coming South for the first time to work the superb SR Anniversary trip to Weymouth on 9th July 2010.



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