The Royal Wessex, 22nd May 2010

Had a report of a rather noisy climb of Evershot bank from brother Don.

Sounds like a good day in the Wild West today. Don started with 30585 at the Swanage Railway before getting 30777 and the other loco!

I would have perhaps gone down there but was too busy undoing the fortifications I built to keep any GWR locos out of Kent now that 34067 and 70013 are both out of use. With 44871 (see Kentish Belle Thread), most people's favourite now for the Kentish Belle next week I no longer need to act to keep the copper covered machine out. Instead I am now working on building a trailing pony truck and a third cylinder for the Black 5. The 34871 number plates are already made.

Bryan - OVS - B

 

They were nice and noisy departing from Slough this morning, here's the link to my YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMQP9rdUmE8

 

Thanks, around 60 people at that spot this morning so you may see a few other photos/video from there.

 

Message from 'markitg' on SWRG. Please excuse the muddled message as it was written by a diesel crank.

''09:49 BRI-WEY formed booked single 150 left circa 50 bucket and spade at YVP. 2 hour wait for next available so SSO put on kettle-ex organised to pick up normals''.

Reading between the lines, and crap, I gather that approx 50 passengers at Yeovil who could not board the stopper to Weymouth, were transfered onto the steam charter. <BJ>

 

Heres my video of the train climbing Evershot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzxPvjgnQ8Q&feature=email

 

Lovely bit of filming Nick. Many thanks. Sounded a bit like the Black 5 was taking 11 cars and a King Arthur up the climb!

 

some photo and video taken at westbury to day of 44871 -30777 also some photos of 5029 at newport today waiting for train at http://keyhamtrain.fotopic.net and video at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=keyhamtrain#g/u

 

44871 at top of Parkstone Bank at 1935 with a good solid steady climb of the bank and feather at the safety valves - good work DDH

 

Just had a phone call from a friend down in the area that 44871 passed Hinton Admiral (between Bournmouth & Brockenhurst?) on time.

 

Any further updates? Want to see her at Twyford in a bit if possible.

 

Thanks to everyone involved in running the tour today. 44871 looked superb at Brockenhurst this evening. The tour suprised quite a few (including SWT managers) who were at Brockenhurst for the final day of slam door units on the Lymington branch.

NR must have been confident in the running of 44871 as it was a few minutes late from Southampton and wasn't looped at Northam or Eastleigh for the two following class 1 services.

Cheers, Neil

 

Through Maidenhead on time on the Up Main - seemed effortless!

 

I know it's a bit late, but 44871 made a lovely sight coasting through Reading West on time in the fast fading light on a hot still evening. Heard it whistle in the distance, possibly at Southcote Junction.

 

Slightly unusual end to this one - but 44871 and the stock were still at Paddington this morning, having stabled there overnight.

 

OH NO! They've kept it there to turn it into 4871, and plaster it all over with copper bits!

(wink).

 

It will look nice in green. "Carnforth Hall"

 

Shock!

LOL!

 

An alternative view at Crofton


http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=325223&nseq=1



Thanks to all involved
STEVE

 

Excellent photo Just Starting

 

Here's my video - taken on Evershot and Bincombe banks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs2h1o1TAvg

and one photo - http://www.hemerdonbank.fotopic.net/p64985278.html