THE SWANAGE BELLE, Thu 16th June

Any news yet about the choice of loco for this tour? I presume 45305 will work the return since, AFAIK, she's still at Swanage following last month's trip. What about the outward, though? UKSteam.info says either 34067 or 777.
-> 34067 is in London, and her next job is the Cathedrals Express (to Swanage, again) on 30th June;
-> 777 is still on the WSR, there's no light engine move showing for her yet, and her next booking is for the Dorset Coast Expresses, beginning Tue 5th July, shared with 34067, 34046 and 70000 (assuming the latter two are up and running by then).
Therefore, I'd guess 34067 will be the choice.

 

Tangmere is booked for the Welshman on Saturday,11th June from Poole to Cardiff. Do you know of a change to the motive power? <BJ>

 

Sorry, I meant her next job after the Swanage Belle. I was thinking about what light engine moves might be required the following week.

 

UKSteam.info says it's Tangmere.

 

Might make sense for "Tangmere" to go to Yeovil Junction steam centre, after hauling trip to Swanage, as it's part of "The Dorset Coast Express" pool I believe.

 

Except that 34067 needs to be in London by Thu 30th June to haul the outward leg of the Cathedrals Express to Swanage. More likely, Tangmere will return to London LE next week, turning at Eastleigh perhaps? (Unless the Swanage Rly have booked her for a weekend?)

30777 will probably go to Yeovil from the WSR in time for the first DCE on Tue 5th July, in which case we'll probably see 34067 on the outward leg and banking the return, with 777 heading the return. Time to start a DCE '11 thread?

 

Is there anyone travelling on this tour?

 

Not with those timings! 11 hours for 292 miles.

I do hope that is not what the trains to that part of the world are going to get this summer.

But I guess running a 75 mph/ 60mph steam train in amongst modern traffic is getting very hard indeed to plan.

But I'm not complaining about the reality of the world we live in. Just commenting on it.

And I would guess that more than 99% of the punters will be quite happy with that. On board listeners with many re starts to enjoy. And the following linesiders having plenty of time for multiple shots. Just hope there is still time for everyone to grab fish and chips at Swanage, which I am told is very good indeed!

And I've got plenty else to do. Like following and photographing one family of Avocets at Oare Marshes in Kent, (among just three pairs that have bred there for the first time in 15 years). From eggs on the nest though to four 20 day old chicks stretching their wings last Saturday. Beautiful wading birds and I believe a favourite of Bill Oddie.

I am getting very close to finally hanging up my stopwatches for good. And settling down to the very enjoyable work of typing up and tabulating all my 1960s SR steam runs. I'll see how the couple of trips I am booked on so far this year go first.

Which means that Tangy will sparkle on Saturday up from Woking to MP 31, and again from Basingstoke to passing Winchester! LOL. That'll learn me. But I'll cope with it. Life has more important things for me these days.

 

Yes I know how you feel about hanging up your stop watch, or more accurately GPS. It can never be the same as it was 45 years ago especially on the Southern with such an intense service now. But I do wonder why NR can't sometimes grasp the nettle and supply a really fast steam timing. I know Mr B is trying to get one for 9th July but it would not surprise me if he doesn't suceed which would be a shame as it can be done. Remember Clan Line's 49 mins 10 secs to pass Worting in 2008? And no real effort so Tangy could do the same with the right driver and fireman. So 78 minutes to Northam which was the old 2 hour train timing should be no problem.

Don

 

Yes I was on that one last year and there was some good running despite the delay. I also recall Sir Lamiel putting up a good performance on the way home. The only thing that puts me off doing this one again is that you only get 2 hours in Swanage (and that's if you arrive on time). It would be nice to been able to enjoy one's fish and chips and a couple of pints at a leisurely pace!

 

Just received the tickets, outward journey is now 70013 Oliver Cromwell, return still 45305, load looks like 8+support and I guess a kitchen car.

 

LOL!

A GPS Al? I would have thought you could time that one with a calendar, (remember the Gnomes who got into Bournemouth top link? I believe it was Paul Rowe who did turn up with a calendar one day to time one of them on an up 2 hour express!).

Anyway. I've posted enough for you to get an hour late start in both directions and storming runs that will be the envy of many for years to come.

And re fish and chips and a couple of pints at Swanage. Just hope there is fish and chip shop with a drinks licence on the platform. Just in case..............

Although more seriously, the timings don't give much of a day at the seaside for any regular punters who want that. What's the point of going all that way if you can't huddle together for warmth and out of the driving rain for a good few hours in a shelter on the seafront?

 

I was on that one too. Great performances from both locos. We didn't get long at Swanage on that occasion though due to the delays and this has put us off these runs this year.

 

Not good news just been told it looks like its Diesel back to Southampton then
Steam back round via Laverstock.

 

Roger Smith posted times on SE Gen earlier confirming the change. 34067 + POB + Load 9 + 37. Diesel stays on back, drags train back to Southampton, then 34067 leads via Salisbury back to Victoria, arr approx half hour later than originally planned.

 

Sort of confirmed on uk steam, but times link does not work.
http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs11.htm#twk

 

I've had the same information from another source, which has proved accurate in the past. The return trip should leave Swanage diesel-hauled at 1615, Bournemouth 1729-1731, reverse at Southampton Central 1816-1826, Laverstock North 1904, Basingstoke 1950-2004, Staines 2114, Victoria 2220. I believe these arrangements were confirmed late yesterday. The steam loco should be 34067 Tangmere. I don't know the reasons for the changes. I suppose there's still time for further changes, though, so please treat this with the appropriate scepticism.