The Swanage Belle 13th June 2013

MNLPS seldom work with WCRC, it's true, but AFAIK there's nothing to prevent it when it suits both sides. It's not like the situation with Tornado or Duke of Gloucester. The only occasion I can think of off-hand was that trip in December a couple of years ago when Clan Line piloted 44932 around Kent.

 

I would,ve thought that the Statesman consist is to heavy for a Class 5 4-6-0. I would've Steamage's suggestion, subject to MNLPS agreement, is the logical one that 35028 takes the Statesman from Willesden Yard on Saturday. In fact, if 28 is available might agree to the changeover at Battersea Loop. However, it would be nice to see 28 run down the West London Line. Another thought. In December 2011 Clan Line dressed up as 35017 ran on successive days. On the Friday 9th it ran the VSOE Xmas Lunch Special and then, on the Saturday (10th) it ran a UKRT tour from VIC to CBW and back. So 28 has run on successive days without a problem. Barry

 

33029 and 33207 get my vote ;-)

 

IIRC, 33xxx numbers were given to the few LSWR duplicate-list locos still around in 1948. Don't think any of them survived, did they...?

 

Well there is always the steam powered version of 33001 in the NRM, don't think that's going anywhere anything soon though!

 

Sad about 34067's failure at Norwich. It certainly has been clocking up the miles recently. No surprise that West Coast bought 35018 last year. Another Bulleid would help share the load in the South of the country.

It will be interesting to find out what will workThursday's train. Timings for Saturday's Statesman run to Canterbury were posted on UKSteam yesterday still showing 34067 hauling the train.

 

Hiya John, Yes I've spotted that. However, the UK Steam web-site works on what it knows. We've been told that 34067 is at Southall so I suspect we're awaiting the result of the repair work. They'll have to decide tomorrow if Tangmere can haul the Swanage Belle and if not maybe bring 44932 down.

 

If WCRC are sending 44932 to Southall tomorrow, she'll be raising steam by now and having her FTR, so they probably had to make the decision yesterday. RTT shows a regular path from Carnforth to Southall Mon-Fri, 3rd June - 23rd Aug.

 

Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53173/2013/06/13/advanced

Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53174/2013/06/13/advanced

James at SVN

 

James at SVN has posted the Realtime Trains link. However, what UKSteam says is it could be either Tangmere or 44932 tomorrow. I assume touch and go whether Tangmere will be repaired in time for Swanage tour. However, I take hope from that that Tangmere is likely to take the Canterbury Statesman on Saturday.

 

That was my understanding too, Barry. It seems from the information we have available that West Coast are ensuring that tomorrow's run will be covered one way or other. Whether or not Tangmere is fit for tomorrow or not, it looks like it will be out on Saturday, and if the problem with the valve gear has been fixed in a mere few days, that is very creditable. It's a bit premature to say "well done to all concerned", but I hope we can say indeed this in a couple of day's time.

 

Well that path has been activated, and something is coming down it running early If it had been steam it would have been spotted by now.


anything been spotted at WCR southall being warmed up?

 

Been told by a very reliable source it's 44932 coming south.

James at SVN

 

Hoping to go over to Swanage tomorrow as I want some photos of a passenger train taking the Swanage line at Worgret Junc for a future talk. Not bothered which engine but is there confirmation yet that it is to be steam hauled southbound (Black 5 as back up to Tangmere) as would prefer the pics to be of steam not diesel.

 

Lovely machines as they are, a Black 5 to Swanage is not my cup of tea these days with that 60 mph limit thank you. Although so far as authenticity is concerned I did board the 11.25 Weymouth-Waterloo Express at Wareham on 29th July 1965 with 44691 in charge all the way to Waterloo!

 

Photos approaching Chiswick station at 0914, having been held for a number of minutes at what looked to be the west end of Barnes Bridge. Diesel on the back. Taken from the A316 road bridge. Best I could manage, I'm afraid, in the dull, grey drizzle of flaming June!

The Swanage Belle Chiswick 1

The Swanage Belle Chiswick 2

The Swanage Belle Chiswick 3

 

Through Brookwood in the gloom. I did think of booking but the thought of a nearly 5 hour stagger back to Woking put an end to those thoughts.

http://simonwhittinghamphotography.zenfolio.com/p434204899

 

Thanks for updates Ian & Simon. Not too bad a day down here in Dorset today.