RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9th

No need to worry, Peter, the second train to Weymouth on 25 August was my senior moment not yours !

I'm not entirely sure, but I suspect that the banking engine out of Weymouth will assist to Dorchester without its support coach, and will then return light to Weymouth to collect its support coach before heading to Yeovil Jc, where it will turn and stable until the following week.

David

 

The Dorset Coast Express - RYTC tours.

David
Suspect your supposition of banking loco working on its own is correct.
Was hoping 'my' theory might be possible - just to see the faces of photgraphers!
Presume NR will require banker to be coupled up to Dorchester - although early rumours about DCE's being banked all the way to Wareham would cause less delay to the tour [using the pick up station dwell time to uncouple].
Peter

 

How come they are stabling at Yeovil and not Swanage? Is there a restriction as to how many trains can use the connection in a year or something??

 

At a guess turning facilities....

 

I think that Southyorkshireman has the answer there as Yeovil has a large (70 foot?) turntable whereas the Swanage turntable is smaller (50foot?) and larger engines would need to be split from tender to be turned which then necessitates further exams before loco returns to Network rail metals.

DH

 

The lack of an adequate size turntable has been a cause of some 'concern' when main line locos at Swanage are considered. Our marvellous engineering team have had to get quite skilled at splitting Bulleids for turning purposes - and they are. Not practical for main line steam day trips.
I understand a new working arrangement will be used for the first time on Tornado's visit to Swanage on Wednesday 16th June. On arrival at Swanage 60163 will go on shed for attention [Water, coal, oiling, fire cleaning, etc.] whilst the stock is taken away to clear the running line for our (revised) scheduled service. The stock will return for 60163 to re-attach and then a DBSchenker diesel [66 or 67] will haul the tour back to Southampton [with 60163 tender-first on the back]. 60163 will then haul the tour to Redbridge before turning North to Romsey, then Andover, Basingstoke and London. A steam tour with diesel haulage from Swanage to Southampton. This UKRailtours trip was well over half filled some time ago - book now for Tornado's first trip to Swanage!

 

Ah yeah....forgot that Doh....

 

I wonder if the trains will still run to the full 11 or so coaches, or whether they might run too less seeing as the whole operation isnt a one off.

 

I asked John Farrow yesterday about seat availability on the Purbeck Tornado, on the 16th June,and he said it was full.

 

"LN850 I wonder if the trains will still run to the full 11 or so coaches, or whether they might run too less seeing as the whole operation isnt a one off."

We do have to be very careful with maximum train lengths at Swanage as, if we occupy the wrong track circuit, the whole Swanage Station layout gets jammed!!

Word reached me, about the train being full, at Swanage Station on Saturday.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

The RTC programme is turning out to be excellent value for money for what's involved. Two engines, a five-hour trip and banking up Upwey Bank for only £59 quid, plus a discount for Steam Railway readers on the first trip. Its a no-brainer!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

UK Steam now shows the 9th July trip as 46115 throughout. We may be losing a loco but what a substitute!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Yes! we were going to go on the Cathedrals on the same day but not now.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

OOOH, i have actually wanted to see that for sooo long, 46115 how great!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

I've booked it today, and got a £20 discount to boot! So high mileage from London to Weymouth for only £39! If you remember that Steam Railway reader's offer in March, it's still valid. It should be interesting...

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Bearing in mind these trips were booked originally for 2 different locos - I wonder how much extra time at Weymouth will be added to allow 46115 to get to Yeovil Jcn for turning and servicing?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Booked up the 46115 run on the 9th July last night. I would imagine this run is going to fill up fast.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

46115 now confirmed on RTC website for the 9th. Get your tickets now!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

70000, 70013 and 34067 all not expected back until late July at the earliest. So 30777 and who else do we think will run the July trains?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

6024 is at Yeovil in July