The Dorset Coast Express 2023

And if West Coast are unable to resolve the central locking situation then LSL will be the only tour operator in the South !!

 

I recall when Steam Dreams ran a few trains to Weymouth and sent the loco to Yeovil for turning. The rather complex set of moves hardly ever seemed to be completed in time. Both the one occasion when I travelled on the train to Weymouth and the two occasions when I was part of the "gallery" on Upwey Bank saw the return to London leave late.

It is a shame that RTC is having such problems with this working. It's not the usual "Diesels on the back" argument. The originals DCEs using two locos not only avoided the Yeovil problems but also provided the exciting spectacle of steam banking on the climb out of Weymouth. The SD workings usually saw diesel assistance on this section (although no one who saw 71000 go up unassisted with the dead 47 on the back will ever forget that sight and sound!) To me, it's the steam banking which is the USP of RTC's "Dorset Coast Expresses" and why I have been waiting four years to travel on it. Although it appears from what people are saying that the 2nd August trip is a lost cause as far as 31806 is concerned, hopefully with no impending heatwave in the pipeline, the watering problem can be resolved quickly so that the trip on 17th might run as advertised.

 

On the current timings it would be impossible to get to Yeovil, service, turn and be back in Weymouth on time for the return trip. The alternative would mean an unacceptably early start or late return. I think it’s a trip more aimed at the family than enthusiast, there were quite a few children on board on Wednesday.

 

Yawn….

 

But a lot of that of course is having to go around the Hounslow Loop rather than out of Waterloo down the mainline.

 

Having given it some thought over the weekend it will be interesting to see (if water is the issue) where NR planners manage to find somewhere to water in the up direction. Not sure of the size of the U tender 3500 or 4000 gallons? 63.5 miles from Weymouth to Southampton and the U on the original plan needs to get back to Totton Yard I assume for water after release at Southampton Central.

Wareham with a long hose may work but probably too close to Weymouth, and may annoy a lot of bus drivers now there are many buses per hour at the station currently, same for Hamworthy regarding the distance from Weymouth.
Poole no chance I suspect.
Parkstone bottom of the climb
Branksome no access
Bournemouth no access and too busy
Christchurch or New Milton maybe but too many service trains?
Sway poor tanker access and too many service trains?
Brockenhurst too far? Can you water in up loop not sure?

With no diesel the Jubilee presumably would be doing more so would that need to be watered as well before Basingstoke or Brookwood?

All makes for a challenege.

 

I believe the issue is with Bahamas, as you say with it assisting 31806 it would need watering before Basingstoke, 31806 was due to take water at Brockenhurst on the return to Swanage.
Southampton would be the most likely spot I suspect but we will wait and see what happens to the timings on the 17th.

 

When is the latest deadline?

 

Out of interest, if yesterday's Royal Duchy was anything to go by, I noticed that there were many stewards on hand when the train arrived back at Bristol.
Admittedly they were from RYTC but the situation concerning lack of stewards was certainly not a problem aboard that particular train. <BJ>

 

A very well stewarded train. Plenty of warnings when passengers joined the train over the PA about not hanging any kit or parts of bodies out of toplights or drop lights. Same after water stops at PLY and EXD. There was one warning from the Guard on the return about an individual who I could probably name who had been doing a bit of video recording with his recorder outside the line of the carriage.

 

I rang RTC a few minutes ago for a definitive update. This coming Wednesday will see the Weymouth-Southampton leg of the journey diesel-hauled, as has been widely expected. The run on 17th is currently scheduled to be diesel hauled on this leg too but it seems they are trying to sort out the issues so there is still a possibility of 31806 doing the honours. The lady I spoke to mentioned gauging issues still being a problem, even though some posters here reckon that they have been resolved. It is possible that only WCRC knows the actual current state of affairs and what the problems are. Anyway, I was advised to ring up a few days before the third DCE when they have the full picture. It would be good if my four-year wait to go to Weymouth and back with steam in both directions was finally to be brought to an end in 17 days' time, but I am not raising my hopes too much at this stage.

 

My understanding is the gauging issues are sorted as far as the fact it can run but at reduced speeds in certain places which would delay getting to the water stop.

 

Bahamas through Chiswick on time. C47 on the rear. Best of luck to anyone out for it today given the appalling weather forecast!

EDIT: My video

 

Indeed - I baulked at it, not so much at the weather itself but because, when filming, the sound of it approaching would be poor in a strong westerly. Good luck to those who do!

 

We are looking after the grandchildren today and they wanted to go to Soton for some retail therapy so left them in the dr y at West Quay and caught the bus in the rain to Central Station. Checked and saw the DCE 16 late Basingstoke but with a clear road it was 4 early into P3 at Soton. Not a bad time for the 31.45 miles. Only had my little Fuji with me but at least its a record shot. Bus back to West Quay and family lunch in Pizza Express. Not a bad way to spend a very wet August day.

 

BAHAMAS at Fleet this morning. Although it clouded over, at least the rain held off:



TTFN,

Ron.

 

Late but going well at Wareham on a true British Summer's day.
The late running meant arrival was due at the same time as the up service. Quite amusing watching everyone relocating from the positions they had taken up well before it was due. In the second image you can just make out the light of the 444 through the smoke from Bahamas.