" Dorset Coast Express " - Wed. 8th Sept.2010

Last one of this first [seemingly very successful] season:
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0908a.htm
However the actual return times might have been 'tweaked' by about 15 minutes, since they were first published, so that it now runs behind a Manchester bound Voyager - e.g. passing Brockenhurst at 18.08. Apparently previous workings have held up, occasionally, this Cross Country service so this is an attempt to eradicate disruption.

 

44932 appeared to be struggling this morning, passing Wandsworth Town 20 minutes late with a badly-leaking left cylinder. Not good weather for a final DCE of the summer, either!

 

You may well be right. The deafening roar of the escaping steam could be heard all way from Clapham Junction (I was at Wandsworth Town), and completely blotted out the exhaust beat of the hard-working engine. As it passed us, it was painfully-loud and somewhat alarmed a number of 'normal' passengers on the station!

 

It was leaking a fair bit on last weeks run also although from the train all we could hear was the exhaust beat. She did make some strange noises though on the journey down.

 

Yes, them darn sarf who are used to box-shaped locos wiith oval smokebox doors seem to struggle with the concept of sticking drain cocks. Maybe they'll get used to it now that they've got a Black 5 on the Mid-Hants.

 

For info 44932 was down at top of Parkstone Bank at 1247 having made up quite a bit of time and when under power leaving Branksome before shutting off to drift down bank did not seem to have the same steam leak as reported earlier in run.

60019 was on the return and finished the 2010 DCE season on Parkstone Bank in style with a super climb - look forward to 2011 as has been suggested!!

Thanks to RTC and the crews etc for a super show over the summer DH

 

In fading light 60019 heads through Winchfield:

 

I read somewhere that they are planning to repeat these trains next year and hope to use more appropriate motive power for the route. "Tangmere" and "Braunton" have been mentioned - will definitely try to do the trip again if that is the case. Anyway they did well this year to provide two steam locos for every trip - if I recall correctly only one leg had to be diesel hauled.

 

44932 purred it's way up from Yeovil Jnc through the Staines area today 9th.on time.Support coach in tow,not a head turned on the stations.Much to say,so what.Thanks Britain,more worried about the recession or the mortgage...

Southall here we come,glad to be back & cool off.

 

Here it is passing Wandsworth Town. Flickers of interest from passengers seated awaiting their train. As last week, it waited for its path at Clapham for around 10 minutes, and a few people chatted to the crew.