Cathedrals Express August 18th - 44932 to Weymouth - t0818B

There are still no timings posted on 'Uksteam' for the Cathedrals Express to Weymouth tomorrow, headed by 44932 and starting from Clapham Junction. Does anyone know if it has been cancelled/postponed, or what the timings are?

Thanks.

 

Re: Cathedrals Express tomorrow

Check my Mainline thread there is a bit of info there, seems very quiet although

the Steam Dreams site has'nt given any info either way.

Mike M. (70c)

 

Re: Cathedrals Express tomorrow

times are on uksteam as of 13-00 and on steam dreams website. mark

 

Re: Cathedrals Express tomorrow

Thanks Mark.

I think this thread probably belongs in "What's Going On" with a slightly more specific title. Mods - could you oblige, please? Ta.

 

interesting comparison with 2 tours, £75 for the five (albeit with a late addition of a bit of 30777) Versus £59 for an Arthur and an A4 (sweetened even more with the £10 off voucher from June's SR) Ok the routes vary a bit but the product isn't hugely differen't

 

Re: Cathedrals Express August 18th

Is it normal procedure to close down a thread started a week ago in favor of one started elsewhere today?

Mike M. (70c)

 

Reports on gen groups suggest a class 37 (37706) diesel hauling this as there was a TPWS fault on 44932.

 

Yes it's 37706 just been through Woking

 

Apologies for causing confusion - when I started the thread, I wasn't aware of the 'What's Going On' section - I'm very new!

 

Yes, it was the class 37. We didn't know until someone with us at Potbridge told us they had a text saying the Black 5 had failed. We waited around chatting with a friend who turned up for 44932 after 30777 had gone past and he didn't know it (44932) had failed. The 37 did make a brief stop at Winchfield but left early. Very disappointing.

 

37706 down at top of Parkstone Bank at 1336 - train still well filled despite no steam - had to pass on the bad news as well to a waiting enthusiast!

 

I was at Woking station and having seen 30777 leave for Weymouth and to learn of the failure of the Black 5 on Southall Depot at 3.30am today, I was very disappointed as 2 steam trains both heading for Weymouth within one hour of each other was going to be amazing.

The Steam Dreams traiin may have been very well filled but the reaction of those on Woking station was not very good and some were downright hostile especially when they knew what went south one hour earlier! Having said that, the Steam Dreams professionalism fended off the complaints to defuse the situation very well.

Rumours that at least 30777 was to haul the train back from Weymouth to Yeovil were quickly dispelled as it was confirmed that it was to be diesel all the way back too!

 

The problem with 44932 has been reported as a TPWS fault. As for the hostile reaction of those on Woking station - words fail me.

 

As I understand it 37706 as a heavyweight 37 is banned fromm the Dorchester Yeovil line which means the train will have to go back via Southhampton, gen from Alberta

 

Here's my video of the Dorset Coast Express and the Cathedrals Express today at Woking:

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

 

UKsteam info has been updated today to now show 30777 working the train from Weymouth to Yeovil Jct. But going by the other info posted on this thread this won't happen now.

I can understand how the folks felt on Woking station. One trip we went on (also going to Weymouth!) was rostered for haulage with 34016+73096 doubleheading. When the train turned up on the day though it was doubleheaded by two class 33's! This was down to a sudden steam ban (due to fire risk) being implemented overnight. There was some strong language that day from the passengers.

 

Understand from info on WRGEN (Ta RS) that the return Steam Dreams will be hauled by 37706 direct to Waterloo via Bournemouth leaving Weymouth at 1823, Bournemouth 1948 and Waterloo 2315 - may well run early as water stops not needed and if gets a good road.

37706 has worked many times to and from Yeovil in past and was due to do that stretch anyway tonight - unless the recent speed restrictions etc have affected that though 67s with fairly similar axle loading are using the route every week on Bristol to Weymouth trip DH

 

Yes I remember that - it was in the days when Mid-Hants ran their own railtours. Actually they were very kind and offered a full refund to anyone who decided not to travel. I don't think Steam Dreams are that generous!

These things are very disappointing but there's no use behaving like a bunch of spoilt five year olds - everyone does their best to keep our steam locos running but failures will happen from time to time and I guess we just have to accept that.