Bahamas to Swanage: 22/09/22

1Z48 is on the main line with the route cleared to Wareham - where the Swanage Conductor Driver and Guard alight.
Back to around 1 minute late.

 

The Swanage Belle.
Filmed at Old Basing and Hinton Admiral.

 

Absolutely Al, though we struggled anyway due to overtime at water stops and I suspect the engine speedo is reading high as we were well below all permanent speed restrictions. Perhaps the DL not helping and the driver having to judge braking with the full 550 approx tons was causing the problem. It lost us a few extra minutes

 

The driver of the outward run up until Southampton appeared to be a new one, as he was being guided by another WCRC driver (looked like Pete Roberts). At Basingstoke he appeared to be giving exact instructions on what to do on the loco so he seemed to not just be there for the route knowledge (Pure observation of course).
That along with the late running and what others have said appears to be 2 extra empty coaches has seen the diesel do a lot today.

The diesel was on full power through Hook this morning, but it did mean they got up to speed very quickly from Winchfield so it was still a great sight, and Bahamas was still doing her fair share. I can't fault the crews today as they have certainly got what they can out of the Jubilee while also making up what time they can.

Highlight of today though has to be Pokesdown. The engine climbed the grade on her own and a lot of cinders from the chimney landed on the platform as she passed!

 

Did anyone notice the sneaky rename and number on the engine today? The return journey was hauled by 45606!

 

Was a Mr J Clarkson on the footplate?

 

This was originally planned for July "for a short period of time" to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Postponed after the steam ban in force at the time. The nameplates are replicas cast from the original. It was decided to retain the double chimney. Some "special events" are/were also planed but I know not what or where. (Source: Bahamas Locomotive Society).

 

It was a fantastic chase yesterday seeing the Jubilee(s). Seen at Clapham Junction, Hook, Basingstoke, climbing into Pokesdown, and Millbrook.

 

Despite my pneumonia did make it to the station twice, although even that was too much really. Knew nothing about the naming ceremony, is this the first time an identity has changed mid tour?

Bahamas arriving at Swanage and Falkland Islands departing on the rear of the Belle, pretty rubbish images but at least I did get to see it.

 

I have looked at the detail of the 1-in-99 climb from Christchurch, passed at 42 mph. Speed increased to 44.5 then fell to 32.5 at Pokesdown and 30 at Boscombe. Although I could hear Bahamas from 9 coaches back I don’t think these speeds would have been possible with no DL assistance on what would have been about 550 tons including the dead 47. It did not seem to be pushing hard but was working I think. The crew had a go without DL assistance in a few places such as from Brockenhurst up to MP94.5 but the 47 had to cut in. The wasted two coaches gave it no chance . What a shame as the 5XP s are among my favourite classes

Don

 

It looks like the 'new' person might have been Driver McManus.
If so, he gained his volunteer Drivers 'ticket' at Swanage and later qualified as a main line Driver (forgot which TOC) some years ago before subsequently joining WCRC's ranks [only a few years perhaps?]. This has included the lengthy time needed to expand route knowledge to become more useful which, I suspect, is an on-going task. The number of steam drivers, to cover rail tours over Southern metals, is noticeably smaller now than even 3 or 4 years ago.
I believe the Heritage Railways movement may be the only practical way now to get new footplate crews trained in the basics of steam operation before they can then acquire the necessary Rule Book and Routes knowledge/train handling skills/etc.

 

Matt took it from Southampton to Swanage.

 

Important post this, it is very important to get new drivers on board, but there is progress.

Vintage Trains have announced they hope to qualify 2 this year bringing their total up to 3 and meaning less reliance on hiring in from DB.

DB also hope to pass some more drivers in Scotland for the Aberdonian trips with Tornado.