WEYMOUTH SEASIDE EXPRESS

Link not working.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64433281@N07/6017573185/in/photostream

Not sure what happen there. Apologies.

 

Another great run with 5029 on Sunday, the loco being in the very capable hands of Pete Roberts & Dean Morris on the outward and Mel Cox & Simon Scott on the return. We arrived at all stations early on the way down to Weymouth, and we were on time all the way back until being held outside Bristol awaiting a platform.

Same again this Sunday? I think so!

Glad people like the headboard. The design was inspired by the WR Cornish Riviera Headboard.

Cheers, Ben

 

From what I've been told they have all been fully booked.

 

Can confirm this, tried to book Sunday after next and it is fully booked, I am now on a waiting list. RTC email said other dates are similarly well booked.

 

Ben, I should hope so as you are given well over two hours from BTM to departing Frome! Joking apart, the Castle is looking and sounding really good. Keep up the good work.

 

There's a very clear message in this fact for another tour operating on Sundays from BTM. Well done RTC!

 

5029 may have something to do with it.

 

Hmm, don't alienate a loyal customer base??? Indeed well done RTC, however, I am quietly hoping 2 people can't make it on Sunday 21st!

 

From comments on here, the Weymouths are a somewhat shorter train to fill - no doubt limited by the bank out of Weymouth on the return. Indeed, in a day and age when trains seem to have to have 12 on in order to make the promoter their profit from "the last coach", the 8 or 9 discussed here seems too short to pay - I suppose that is the advantage of a series against one off trips.

 

The WTT notice for this Sunday's WSE indicate a loading of Nunney Castle + support coach + 8 coaches.
We aware that last week's notice gave an identical loading but ran with only 8 coaches. <BJ>

 

8 coaches for Sunday,14th. Comprised of the 5029 chocolate and cream support coach and 7 (what appeared to be) very smart maroons. <BJ>

 

The Castle at Bristol in the early morning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/6041468938/

 

Not a lot of gen on this one today so here we go. Nunney Castle and train departed Keynsham on time this morning. I know this because I could hear the loco chugging away from the station although I was approx 1 1/2 miles further up the line. The train blasted out of Saltford tunnel looking superb with X14 reporting code and WSE headboard attached to the smoke box door. After a leisurely drive to Westbury I saw the train passing Fairwood Jct. approx 10 late due to a late running service train. After a quick glance at the loco being serviced at Frome, I drove to Upton Noble to film the train climbing Brewham bank. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning. <BJ>

 

Pulled into Weymouth just a few minutes late. It was very strange watching a train come in rather than being on it.

 

Nunney Castle reported on time departing Weymouth and later passing Queen Camel a few mins late at 18:36. <BJ>

 

Here's my video of today's run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8g9fH7Og7Q

and a photo here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hemerdon/6042688973

 

Reporting numbers X14 southbound and into Yeovil Junction for turning and then X18 outward from Yeovil and onwards north.

Watched today arriving at/on shed at Yeovil Junction, L/E southbound at Maiden Newton and blasting out of Weymouth this evening looking superb. Photo below was at Lorton Lane, Weymouth.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64433281@N07/6043692584/in/photostream

Departing from Bath Spa this evening. Bit better sky than last week although getting very dark!

Best regards,