RTC Portsmouth Flyer - 13/06/26

RTT shows a clash at Woking in the evening - see attached. An ex-Basingstoke train (2L68) is supposed to arrive at p2 at 2003 and terminate. It returns to Basingstoke at 2018 as 2L63. Meanwhile 35028 is also shown as using p2 from 2006 to 2015. Which one will actually do so, I wonder. Assuming things run to time up to then, I imagine '28 will have to tuck in behind the Portsmouth to Waterloo service train (2P66), which is set to occupy P1 from 2011 to 2015, and just follow it as best it can. It'll probably sort itself out but something's gone awry with the planning. Did someone say fitting 35028 into the schedule wasn't a challenge..? Or have I missed something?

 

Surely it would be difficult to run out of things to do there? Old town or even cross to Gosport on the ferry for good views of the harbour and shipping from the pier

 

2L68 to form 2L63 to use platform 4. Remember that platform 3 is the London end bay.
Cheers, Neil

 

'28 at Milford this morning. Still from video. Unfortunately the 47 was working hard too, probably because the train was over 10 late, but it had ample time at the water stop at Haslemere shortly after to recoup that so the diesel's input seemed rather unnecessary here. Video to follow.

 

That may be what will happen but it's not what RTT shows and therefore what has been planned.

 

A nice photo, thanks for posting.

And as for the diesel working hard - such as that can happen these days when a diesel is attached to the rear for whatever reason. A bit sad to see that happening more and more with Clan Line - but I imagine the diesel had to be there today for operational reasons.

Bryan

 

Yes the diesel was needed for the reversal into Portsmouth but it seemed unnecessary at Milford when '28 is more than capable of running to maximum speed on that stretch with that load. Perhaps the fireman wanted a well-earned breather...

 

Many thanks for that picture. My local station in the UK. It's a pity I had to be in Buxton today and missed it.

 

It was only a suggestion .... typed in a hurry.
On the night 2L63 and 2L68 reversed in platform 1. With disruption elsewhere, hopefully the schedule error wasn't even noticed. Looking at National rail there have been problems in the Portsmouth area : emergency services access, Salisbury/Andover, Winchester and Bath / Chippenham / Westbury all for signalling problems. How anything ran on time is probably down to pure luck!

Cheers, Neil

 

Here's my video of 35028 Hauling the Portsmouth Flyer at Whitmoor Common, Witley, Petersfield, Cosham, Portsmouth Harbour, Hamble, Mottisfont, Andover, Whitchurch, Old Basing and Winchfield. Enjoy.

 

Average day on SWR then

 

I was at Woking, trying a new filming spot, in the car park. Far from ideal (not least because it was into the sun), but different. I saw the shenanigans with platform alterations, including a down Exeter train using p2. As you say, seemingly just luck that things seemed to muddle through. Video still of the departure - video to follow.

 

Well, has to be said, the speed the train was going at Witley & Petersfield was a very much welcomed surprise! Clan Line seen on her journey to Portsmouth at Witley, Petersfield, Cosham, departing the Harbour, and Fratton:

 

Awesome at Bursledon and DL not working

 

Images of Bath Spa station during the mayhem shown on social media. It was absolutely packed. <BJ>

 

I noticed a red at Farnborough on 'Traksy', for no apparent reason as the line ahead was clear. Yes, Woking was tangled.

 

Indeed, as I mentioned, the 47 was powering hard at Milford for no apparent benefit on a pretty easy stretch.

 

Quite a few turned out to see it, lining the footbridge!