Dorset Coast Expresses - 2013 season

A photograph of the Great Dorset Steam Fair at the weekend showing just how dry the ground is at present in the Dorset area.
http://railwayherald.com/imagingcentre/view/297978/TW
Thanks to Peter Watson for the photograph. <BJ>

 

Very hazy in an already warm west London with the sun in the usual difficult place for these morning runs. Taken around 0915 in west Chiswick as 70013 crossed under the District Line / London Overground section between Kew Gardens and Gunnersbury:

Steaming Under The District Line 1

Steaming Under The District Line 2

Steaming Under The District Line 3

(Edited to add a third photo)

 

Nice shots Ian. The thick mist down here is clearing away and sun is forecast for the time it arrives at Weymouth.

Any update on which diesel is on the back for those of us who might want to photo the train this evening between Wey and Soton?

 

Thanks johnnew. I usually take a photo of the diesel on the back as a matter of course but didn't today. All I can remember is that it had "West Coast" on the side. I'm sure someone will be along soon with the right info!

 

Thanks. Probably either their 37 or 47 then not the 33. I'll go out to to see the incoming run anyway but probably won't bother hanging around for the departure.

 

Into Weymouth about right time. Looked good.

 

A morning of two halves.

First half - the incredible departure from Basingstoke, with 70013 working hard and the diesel dead in tow.

Second half - the high speed shot at Sway, with 70013 doing nothing and the 47 doing all the work.

Fire risk? Well, it was tinder dry in the New Forest and having seen a lineside fire start up out of 3rd rail arcing while on my way to Bournemouth Air Festival on Sunday, I think the fire risk is very high. While disappointed that 70013 couldn't do something, it was very understandable.

James at SVN

 

At Brookwood this morning.

 

uksteam.info currently lists next Wednesday's (Sept 11) Dorset Coast Express ("loco to be advised") as leaving London Victoria at 0844, one minute before a Clan Line / VSOE Special to Bath. Both timed through Clapham Junction at 0902. If only! I see from the Railway Touring Company site that the DCE is timed to leave Victoria at the later time of 0940.

 

So just speculating but... 70013 and 34046 both rostered to head into Devon with tours tomorrow. Assuming there are no dramas, is it safe to say it's then a good bet that the DCE might finally get its two-loco plan with Ollie and Braunton this coming Wednesday...?

 

Unlikely Unlikely !

 

Hah, fair!

 

Ahead of this week's Dorset Coast Express finale, here is my video from last week's charter with 70013 at the helm, caught at Basingstoke, leaving Southampton Central and being pushed through Sway on the outward, then at Brokenford bridge, Nursling and Overton on the return:



James at SVN

 

Unfortunately the predictable single engine event is now confirmed again for tomorrow's last working. Was always on the cards with 34046 rather than 70013 shown on Uk Steam as being still in Bristol for the weekend tour.

 

Times now in RTT.
Outward: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54928/2013/09/11/advanced
Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54930/2013/09/11/advanced

 

.

 

Definitely cancelled, according to RTC website, due to a leaking tube.

 

Interesting. If you look at James' film of the return leg above you can just see an uneven puff too on that long head on shot. Thought it was just a trick of the light when i watched that earlier but could be a symptom of something.

 

The full statement on the RTC site:

"We are very sorry to inform you that due to leaking tube which was discovered late yesterday on 70013 Oliver Cromwell we are cancelling the Dorset Coast Express for Wednesday 11th September.
We had found an alternative locomotive which was ready to haul the tour, but unfortunately Network Rail have refused this due to gauging issues, they therefore informed us that the tour would have to be diesel hauled throughout.
We have therefore made the decision to cancel the train and are therefore able to offer you to hild your funds in credit against another tour or receive a full refund.
Once again please accept our sincere apologies for the disappointment this late cancellation will undoubtedly cause."