18th July - Cathedrals Express to Weymouth

Does anyone know if it will be a second steamer working with 30777. Or will it be a dreaded box?

 

New Steam dreams web site shows Sir Lamiel only so will have to wait for an update I guess - also shows as fully booked

 

Hello All,

Has anyone (may be someone booked on this tour) any times for working. Thank you in advance for any response to my request.

Regards SteamHawk216.

 

No details yet, and we are booked on this one. As far as I am concerned anything steam will do so long as we do not have a box

regards
34042

 

The only loco that looks remotely in the right place is the king. Down at Yeovil if you look at the engine movements.

 

This will be
60019 - Waterloo-Salisbury-Yeovil
30777+60019 - Yeovil J-YPM-Weymouth
60019+30777 - Weymouth-Southampton-Salisbury
30777 - Salisbury-Woking-Waterloo

David

 

Thank you David. With SD using 60019 to York and back only a couple of days before that does seem to make sense.

I'm not sure if I'm bothered I'm not booked on this one. I'd really like to do Salisbury to Waterloo behind 30777. But I'm not sure if, after 50 years of timing, I really want my first run behind a "6" (ER), loco to be on the old SR! If I ever decide to break my duck it would have to be out of Kings Cross.

Anyway SD show it as fully booked, so maybe if there is a waiting list that can be activated, there will be plenty happier than me to get a late chance of a run behind a sharp pointy machine out of Waterloo. And now the cooler, damper weather is back and forecast to stay back for a few days maybe there will be some good, non box assisted running for all onboard.

 

Thanks for the info, David.

Does anyone know, at this stage, whether the train is double-headed (and therefore tender first for the Pen Mill - Weymouth leg), or top-and-tailed? I've got some doubts. The itinerary, with the multiple reversals at Yeovil Junction, Pen Mill, Weymouth and Salisbury, suggests to me it might be top-and-tailed:
- 777 is attached to "London" end of train on arrival at Yeovil Junction and leads to Pen Mill;
- 60019 leads to Weymouth;
- 777 leads to Southampton goods loop;
- 60019 leads to Salisbury (via Redbridge);
- 777 leads (unassisted) from Salisbury.

Normal double-heading would involve:
- turn 60019 at Yeovil Junction;
- run-round at Pen Mill, then tender first (presumably with 777 leading, because of lower tender) to Weymouth;
- run-round at Weymouth;
- Weymouth - Eastleigh - Chandlers Ford - Salisbury;
- turn 777 on Laverstock Triangle at Salisbury;
Steam's steam, and it would be an interesting operation if they go for the top-and-tailed option, but personally, I'd prefer "proper" double-heading.

We will see!

 

The last time we did a similar run with Riley 5 and pocket rocket both locos ran loco first from junction to Pen Mill , ran around at Pen Mill ,tender first at the head of the train from Pen Mill to Weymouth . Pushed whole train out of Weymouth , ran around again, and now facing in the right direction pulled out of Weymouth both locos at head of train. Whole thing ran like clockwork except that only 35mins available at Weymouth . Ran to sea front , got ice cream , ran back , train turned and waiting. My advice would be not to expect the full two hours at Weymouth . As I said before I don't care what is at the front as long as it is steam

 

I remember that tour, it was 2006, part of the commemoration of the Somerset & Dorset's 40th anniversary of closure. They were slowed to walking pace approaching Templecombe (following a bridge strike by a lorry a few days before, IIRC) and accelerated away up the 1-in-100 in splendid fashion! I think that steam haulage began and ended at Salisbury that day.

 

Yes, thanks to David for clearing that up. Forgotten about 60019. Even better news weather wise.

 

Correct Mark, we did indeed start and finish at Salisbury. Was a brilliant run too.

 

As reported in the 60019 kings cross york thursday 15/6/10(sic) thread, 60019 has failed today with exhaust injector problems. It may be something that can be fixed in a day or two, but if not, it raises questions about what will haul Sunday's Cathedrals Express to Yeovil and Weymouth.

6024 would be OK to haul the train to Weymouth and, AFAIK, on to Southampton. Not sure if she's gauged for the line to Salisbury, though. One problem is that 777 and 6024 are the star attractions at the Yeovil Junction gala weekend. The ads. say 777 will be on display on Saturday and 6024 the whole weekend. The South Western gang are understanding enthusiasts, but even so, they might be a little miffed to lose their stars so early.

What other locos might be called in at short notice? I hear (from a usually reliable source) that 44932 may be coming south "soon" to cover Tangmere's summer bookings (RTC Dorset Coast Express, etc.). Assuming that's correct, I wonder whether there's any possibility of that move being brought forward to cover Sunday's train?

(Wild speculation mode on) How about bringing Scots Guardsman back south after her run round the Pennines on Saturday? !!! (Wild speculation mode off)

 

Having just watched the video of 46115 climbing to Buckhorn Weston tunnel I'd be very happy indeed for that loco to come down and stay for quite a while in the South!

 

Afraid you are going to have to 'dampen' your imagination, somewhat! 777 will now work this train, to much the same plan as 6115 did, last Friday, ie. Waterloo - YJ and Weymouth - CJ, with the diesel working the YJ - Weymouth section and banking from Weymouth. Other than for banking, it is not the intention for the diesel to remain on the train.

NR planners have been very understanding in re-working this plan, given that currently we don't have many cards left to play. Stirling Single No.1 was considered, as it was already at Waterloo, but no support crew were available!

JS
WCR

 

Thanks for the update, James. Sounds like a pretty good compromise, given the trying circumstances. I'm sure everyone on here is very appreciative of your efforts and those of your colleagues at NR, the tour operator and the various loco groups. Let's hope now that nothing else unravels and that it goes to plan on the day.

Outline times are now on UKsteam.info

It's a shame No. 1's crew weren't available. Is Anthony C. on holiday at the moment? ;-)

 

Just one thought. Since the diesel will be leading from Pen Mill to Weymouth and banking out of Weymouth, will 777 be attached to the other end at Yeovil Junction and lead from there to Pen Mill, to save running round at Pen Mill? The 3 mins allowed to reverse there (according to the outline times on UKsteam.info) suggest this might be the case.

Second thoughts (and reading JS's post more carefully) - more likely 777 will follow light engine later in the afternoon.

 

The latter is correct!

JS

 

I wonder if those times hide a water stop at Basingstoke on the return. Otherwise 128 minutes from Salisbury to Clapham Jctn is an awfully long time with just the one stop at Woking.

 

I am down in Bournemouth this weekend and am hoping to catch 30777 climbing Bincombe Bank at Upwey, I have seen loads of pictures and videos taken from there and I think I know roughly the location however I couldnt see an clear footpath or way there or a place near by to park. Does anyone know how to get to that location? This video is the place I mean at 1min 33 (thanks to the person whos video it is! Came up first on a Youtube search)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs2h1o1TAvg