Dorset Coast Expresses - 2013 season

Always happy to see a Black 5 down these parts, noisy yappy things, like loveable terriers. I don't know why the TOCs don't hire one for the season and base it at Southall.

 

I've never seen a loco number abbreviated like that before, had me going for a while.

 

Oh goodie, I haven't seen that beastie in many a year!

 

Shame about braunton, will have to try another trip then. Black 5 should be good though, I've only been behind them on preserved railways. 1960's event up on the svr being the last time. Looking forward to my run on Wednesday. Slow and steady can win the race.

 

Hold up Ralph, moi hypocritical?............................................................

I haven't "rejected" 6233, far from it! My signature states that I prefer loco's of an apple green persuasion, nothing more And like I've said, I'm looking forward to seeing 45231 as a, I haven't see her for years and b, its something different from the usual fayre we get down here, Heck I would LOVE to see the Duchesss, a Jub or a Scot down here or even something different from the brasso collective........................ wouldn't it be nice if half way through a season if some loco's could swap North for South and vice versa giving enthusiasts and paying public alike a bit more variety? I know that's unlikely to happen, but we can dream can't we?.................................. As it is we still have steam on the mainline, for which we should be grateful!

And at the end of the day, the tour in question is now "guaranteed" steam haulage which means that the traveling public get what they have paid for, it may not be what was advertised but its still steam............ If you go back to the eighties steam tours were advertised and run but you had know idea what loco would be up front until it backed onto the train and you certainly didn't get the mileage then that you get today!!!!!

 

Is THAT what you call it!.....................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

Rest easy in your beds folks, 45231 has made it safely down South, and boy does she look good!

 

Very excited about tomorrow, I've only ever seen her in captivity, never out on the mainline!

On a different subject, I find it interesting to see that my DCE video on YouTube for 34046 has over 2000 views, and the same for 70013 a week later has just under 300.

 

45231 working well through Egham this morning near enough on time. Believe it was 47237 bringing up the rear.

 

45231 gets away from Winchfield on a bright morning:

 

What a great loco, she made a storming departure from Woking, and lots of whistling/hooting from the footplate crew.

 

Morning All,

I went to my usual vantage point at Fleet this morning. I was shooting into the sun as is usual at this location, but I managed to get a couple of pictures. This is the first one if anyone would like to have a look :


RD8066. 45231 passing Fleet. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

As usual, clicking on it will enlarge it and take you to the others.

Hope that they're of interest.

 

Here is my video of her departing from Woking in fine style, with the hazy sun illuminating a nice exhaust;

 

And here it is powering through Brookwood

 

Absolutely lovely run to Weymouth. A real credit to her owners and the crew today. Now drinking at the quay waiting for the return. Some very spirited running so far and rapid departures, especially Woking!

 

Quite possibly the loudest departure I've ever recorded. Was covered in soot until 45231 rattled through Winchester at it's max speed!

Here's to a good run back to London tonight!

James at SVN

 

Very impressive videos of 45231 this morning. She has always been an excellent performer and I recall she was very noisy when she was briefly based on the MHR for ML work. Hope to see her return later. Should be good going by the outward run!