Dorset Coast Express 2024

Sorry if I missed this one but is the DCE running today?

 

No it isn't running.

Pick reason from not enough bookings/no stock/4871 needed oop North/not wanting to boil passenger or staff alive in the MK2s

Andrew

 

Thanks Andrew.

You can be sure passenger comfort didn't enter the minds when deciding whether to pull this one!

 

Plus lineside fire risk?

 

Oh yes I forgot that and you can add in Barnes Bridge being shut and no paths via Twickenham.

On another note I see the CME is only steam hauled Carnforth - Carlisle - Hellifield on Saturday. I assume engineering work rather than a permanent change

Andrew

 

50% off standard class seats on tomorrows DCE until 16:30 today.

"For the last few seats we have remaining in standard class on the Dorset Coast Express, tomorrow Thursday 15th August, we are offering a very special chance to purchase these at half price. In order to claim your discount* please quote code DCED when placing your booking, this discount will be available until 16.30pm today"

I believe this will be the blue and grey set which I think is this move currently underway.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C04717/2024-08-14/detailed

 

Blue and Grey set en route to Southall at the moment with 57009 and 47848. 5x FO, 1x TSO, 1x BSO, plus maroon Mk. 1 kitchen and RMB.

 

'Dorset Coast Express' ex Weymouth yesterday:

44871
1 maroon
2 blue and greys
1 maroon
3 blue and greys
1 maroon
2 blue and greys
1 diesel

.....nice

 

Yesterday's Dorset Coast Express with 44871 filmed at Lyne, Parkstone Bank, Southampton Central, Winchester and Woking

 

What is interesting? same as Thursday's DCE but with the buffet removed.

 

I was trying to be diplomatic, rather than have my head hit off for saying that it looked shite.

Oh well, just give up William. [BJ]

 

Colourful.

 

Other than being Mk2's I think that mixed set looks very 1967 or 68 railtour.

 

Happy days. [BJ]

 

There seem to have been few still images of last week's DCE.

An excellent Weymouth departure image from a friend of mine

https://www.railwayherald.com/imagingcentre/view/681860/PL

and mine with the tour at the Bournemouth pick up, (which seems to be 5 rail territory)

 

I didn't go out to see the train myself but have been told that standard class was none too full despite the 50% off offer. Also, my informant said that there were some empty seats in Dining/First.
If true, I hope the attraction of the DCE isn't waning too much so that it's not repeated in future.
I'm sure the various problems that have affected certain RTC steam excursions must be concentrating their minds on reviewing the outcomes of all trips. I wish them well for the future.

 

Yes DCE used to be at least 5, once 7 I think, but in recent times has become only 3 a year. Not sure why, even the drag back to Southampton did not effect it initially, maybe the market just has got tired of Weymouth. The new operation the other way round is better in my view, (maybe just an enthusiast view) although the addition of the Weybridge call for the Staines pax robs it of the blast up the main from Woking, nearly an hour back to Waterloo from Woking now.
It is amazing to think how long ago two loco opertion was now, (which also happened on the Swanage Belle at the time). Without in depth checking I think it was 2012, when Bittern failed with Tangmere banking and NR made it return to Weymouth from Dorchester South and terminated that was the last one. The same evening my wife ended up serving the veg to the diners in Weymouth Station so one of the catering staff could collect the bar bill money before the pax headed back on a service train.

 

2012 was the last year with 2 loco's operating the DCE and the trip when 60019 failed was the last two loco run of the season.
The rest of the 2012 DCE trips (apart from one in September with 34067) were cancelled due to a lack of available motive power.
2013 was not a very good season for the DCE as well; some of the trips were either cancelled due to fire risk or a lack of available loco's.

 

2012!!! Where have the years gone? One of the best days I had on the DCE was with 60019 on the outbound run and 30777 return. It was a lovely hot summer's day and we had all the windows open on the train as it left Weymouth. All well and good until we reached Bincombe Tunnel. By the time we emerged the whole carriage was filled with smoke. Wonderful stuff. I tried the DCE a couple of times more but it wasn't the same - the diesel leg from Weymouth to Southampton was a bit of a bore, so much so that last time I slept thought most of it!