RTC 2025

Not sure what happened today. 563 was OK leaving Norden on it's first return to Swanage but was held at Corfe Castle for a while.
The first Up DMU left Swanage left 13 minutes late but I haven't found out why. It ran 13 minutes late throughout to Norden and things seem to have varied during the morning but, when the rail tour came through, 'our' trains were not in the right places so had to be held allowing RTC's train to maintain it's (diesel revised) booked path.
Oh, the joys of a main line connection. Still, on this occasion it wasn't the rail tour causing the heritage railway some timetable problems.

Here's hoping for somewhat rainier weather on the lead up to The Swanage Belle on Wednesday 10th September.
Who knows, 34028 might be well established on the main line scene by then.
I think a broken spring was discovered, whilst undergoing movements during the main line weighing process, and some other work has been necessary during testing - which is what testing is all about of course.
Fingers crossed for successful running-in and then movement to Southall for the WCRC main line loaded test train.

 

Lineside fire involved at some point I was told on the early delays, plus that was a reason given to the tour pax whilst waiting at Norden Gates, although I think that was spurious as they were about back to time by then.
Appeared to be a very new burn just Swanage side of Haycrafts Lane Bridge, as can be seen in the third image.
Belle coming & going with a very congested Swanage in the middle image.

 

The railtour passengers were fortunate to be able to have a ride behind the stunning T3. The loco has been replaced by Manston today. <BJ>

 

Yep, No.563 is being prepared to spend the weekend at the Roads to Rail event at Norden.

 

https://www.railwaytouring.net/cce-28-06-25

The Cumbrian Coast Express Saturday 28th June 2025


No. 60163 Tornado is scheduled to operate the following Railway Touring Company trains:

Saturday 28th June - The Cumbrian Coast Express - London to Carlisle (steam hauled along the Cumbrian coast on the return journey)

https://www.a1steam.com/steamtrains

Dare we assume Tornado for this one tomorrow?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

 

That's my understanding.

 

Working the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Coast Express' passed Furness Abbey, Peppercorn A1 class No. 60163 'Tornado' heads to Carnforth and onwards to London Euston with Steve Chipperfield driving, Graham Bunker on the shovel and Steve Adams Guard

 

Tornado leaving Foxfield with the up Cumbrian Coast Express

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54619969633/in/photostream/

and running along the sea wall between Grange-over-Sands and the Kent Viaduct

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54618868717/in/photostream/

 

We see 60163 move to Carlisle through Oxenholme Station followed within the hour by 86259 Les Ross with the main tour then Tornado in charge from a breezy Bootle Station.

 

Just looked on RTC website and The End of Southern Steam trip on 9th July appears to be cancelled as it's not on the website anymore.

Does anyone have any info to what happened. Low bookings, unable to secure a Southern Steam loco or fire risk in the South?

 

Probably all three.
Fire risk likely to be the same as last week, looking at the forecast, there is no Southern loco unless Tangmere was serviceable by then, and I suspect that fact it would likely have to be 45212 would put people off. Although I think one year it may have run with Galatea which is less appropriate than a Black 5 (which at least worked the Bournemouth Waterloo leg in BR days).

 

There's virtually no rain forecast for the next fortnight in the south, certainly not enough to improve the fire risk situation over the whole route.

The choice of loco is unavoidable. I understand 34067 is broken again. 60163 up north. 44871 and 45407 in Scotland. That simply leaves 45212.

 

Well also 45212 has been confirmed for this Saturday's North Wales Express and I can only assume will be staying up north to run the Cumbrian Mountain Express trip on the 12th since Tornado is doing the White Rose so for 45212 to go to Crewe, then Southall, then Carnforth in less then a week and during peak fire risk season is potentially too much.

 

Yes indeed, I timed 44691 from Wareham to Waterloo on 29 July 1965 when it worked the 11.25 Weymouth.

Bryan

 

34046 and 35028?

 

34046 operates with Locomotive Services so will never pull RTC trains. 35028 has a British Pullman trip the following day after this railtour was supposed to happen so likely was deemed to have been too much for the support crew.