The Swanage Belle Monday 31st May 2010

Try the Red Lion or the White Swan, both in the High Street about 5 minutes walk from the station (and both in the Good Beer Guide).
Enjoy . . .

 

The Red Lion in the High Street

 

This 'last minute' changing of railtour times is causing havoc with re-timing our scheduled services [think the planners were on version 3 before the departure time was brought forward]. Trust our 'normal' passengers will be able to cope with alterations to their travelling times so we can path the tour in and out (and the ECS moves from/back to Swanage).

Also, on uksteam.info it shows 44871 leaving Swanage at 14:XX for Eastleigh - which has got me confused. I thought we'd arranged for 44871 to be used on our scheduled services on 1st, 2nd and 3rd!
First we can't use 30777, for engineering work to be carried out, and now I'm wondering if we can't use 44871 either. It appears its next working is 12th June on The Cheshireman (Cleethorpes-Chester-Sheffield). Hope it is just getting turned and returning to Swanage straightaway - but I suppose I will just have to wait and see.

 

Buzby - info on WRGEN (ta RS) suggests that the run to Eastleigh is cancelled and 44871 is staying at Swanage - Swanage Web site still saying that she is to work Tues to Thurs at Swanage - hope that does not change now! DH

 

Thanks for that. Think the timings must have related to 70013 going straightaway but, as it is at Loughborough for repairs, there's no need.
Looking forward to three days of Black 5 action next week! Not sure when 44871 leaves us as I think it's due to go to NYMR in readiness for its next tour - "The Cheshireman" from Cleethorpes on 12th June.

 

44871 is due to go Loco + POB Swanage - ELR on 5th June. Then ELR - Grosmont on 6th June.

 

Many thanks for the clarification.

 

Running around 20 minutes late through the Staines area.

 

Near half an hour late West of Woking:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p65127652.html

 

running just under an hour late down at top of Parkstone bank in intended path plus one hour! Hope not caused too much chaos at swanage!! DH

 

Through Sway an hour late
http://tombayford.fotopic.net/p65129887.html

 

Shame that it was apparently a late running SWT unit with problems that caused the initial hold up to the Black 5 LN850 !!!!

 

Sir Lamiel top of Parkstone Bank at 1802 about 35 minutes or so down - going well and making the climb in great style - worth the wait!! DH

 

Through Swaythling in fine form bout 40 down.

 

...and through Staines area around 21.10pm

 

Just to clear up what i said, it was a jiibe about the southern being better than the LMS, it was not meant to offend and i think you have all taken the comment to heart too much. I personally know a few of the guys involved with the tour, ie loco support crews, and it is just a bit of friendly banter,

apologies however if it was perceived to be an insult to anyone.

 

Tongue was very firmly in cheek with my earlier reply LN 850 - no offence taken here - pleasure to have seen two fine locos in action today both of which classes I fondly remember in Poole area from younger days DH

 

Depends how you define 'chaos' of course!
A certain amount [lots, actually!] of 'creative operational flexibility' was required to cope with the one hour late arrival and the 45 minute-ish delayed departure. At least most/all RYTC passengers seemed to be happy despite the delays.
Grateful thanks to the RYTC team for allowing some of our passengers to utilise the ECS to/from Corfe Castle - who would otherwise have experienced major hold ups. Unfortunately passengers to other stations had to wait during the interruptions for our service trains. At least the weather was warm and dry for those waiting and the Swanage Bird's Nest platform buffet stayed open to cope with their refreshment needs.

 

Yesterday at Barnes, plus Tornado at Willesden....
http://50031.fotopic.net/c1855550.html

 

50031..nice pics of Stn 5 going through Barnes.Well timed.