RTC "Dorset Coast Express" - Wed 25th Aug.

A technical question, this may have been asked before.
Is it Jubilee sidings or Jersey sidings at Weymouth.
Both names are used on Railtour movements with Bavarian wenches on board?

Mike M. (70c)

 

It's called Jersey sidings which are adjacent to Jubilee Close. <BJ>

 

Thanks for confirming that I guessed it might be because of the old Channel Islands link.

Regards

Mike M. (70c)

 

The two long sidings with a run round are Jersey Sdgs. The short sdg that leads to the fenced compound is Jubilee sdg(i.e. the one adjacent to Jubilee close).

 

On time and looking good at clapham junc. Off to boring office now!

 

Thru Egham approx 0940.

 

60019 down through Parkstone at 1240 on a rather wet Wednesday DH

 

Here's my video of the train near Egham and then at Deepcut, two positions I have not shot from before. Bit noisy with the alarms at the level crossing! Bittern was looking really nice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJt_KOXPP0I

 

Deepcut:know the bridge well from Army days...A gentle reminder.

 

Yes it's a good spot both ways providing the sun is right (o.k. today)

Have'nt been over there since Scotsman and Bodmin days.

Mike M. (70c)

 

"Bittern" arrived at a rather wet Weymouth, on time at 1338. After swiftly detraining, the ECS was propelled back to the sidings - no diesel on the back.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Does anyone know what the fenced compound is for? I suppose it could be used to protect sharp pointy things from marauding Bulleid fans and Bavarian serving wenches.

 

It's to stop those Channel Island ghost trains getting through loaded with those Serving wenches

and weather girls!!

Mike M. (70c)

 

30777 was seen running tender-first through the outskirts of Weymouth at 1525, bang on time with its 5Z94 'engine and coach' move from Yeovil. In torrential rain, the cabsheet was very well tied down, with the crew peering from beneath!

Roll on tonight's assault of Upwey Bank, with the bizarre sight of the A4 banking, tender-first. Weather conditions in Dorset are absolutely abysmal, with the rain coming down horizontally, and visibility pretty low. Only a mad-man would go out in these weather conditions....so, erm, here we go then!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Sir Lamiel on return Dorset Coast Express over top of Parkstone Bank at 1736 in awful weather conditions. Splendid steady climb in very poor conditions - excellent effort by the crew! Worth getting very wet to see. Did not see her or train after she had gone under the bridge at top of bank for steam and rain and she could be heard accelerating through Branksome by the time the steam cleared. Magic! There were a few out tonight at the two bridges at the top of the bank despite the weather DH

 

The compound and pit were installed in connection with the commisioning of Desiro units. Make a good base for servicing steam locos' if only we had a turntable!

 

Bincombe was taken in a similar fashion. I'm sure those on the train will be able to quote authorititively on performance etc, but having watched from the lineside (above the first tunnel) the run up Upwey Bank deserves a mention for being in the most torrential weather conditions, and in low light. Only three others were present at Bincombe, to watch it blast through. Like DH34015, I only saw 30777 before getting engulfed in steam/rain - 60019 certainly made itself heard though, working very hard at the rear.

Video to follow later, when the cameras dried out...

Cheers,

Phil.

 

The pit has been filled in, previously it did a good impression of a sheep dip...

That car park looks auite a tempting place to put a turntable. Has any charter that has had the same loco in and out of Weymouth ever left Weymouth on time? None I ever had did! A 60 mile round trip tender first over single lines, big hills and with 2 run rounds... No offence to Yeovil steam centre, but if a more sensible option was ever to become viable...

Maybe Weymouth council would like to do the same as Scarborough...

 

Some nice shots of streamlining on this thread. It's the apparent effortlessness of the A4 at speed that always impresses me.
And a propos streamlining. It'll be Oktoberfest time in Munich in 3 weeks' time, the 200th edition. Shouldn't we petition Carol Kirkwood to celebrate it by doing the weather forecast in a Dirndl (the local name of those dresses). I have a feeling it'd suit her.