Western Wessexman -Saturday

Hoping this will be good. Although I have seen a Western down here since I moved I didn't have a camera with me so hoping weather decent on Saturday for some photos.

Incidentally given this topic section header What's Going On doesn't specify steam only tours why do the heritage and oddball diesel tours never get mentioned? Heritage traction isn't exclusively steam although I appreciate that's the most popular option.

 

Any information on when the western is going to Bescot for Saturdays tour ?

 

You got it in one John!

 

HTML:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50683/2013/09/07/advanced

 

I don't think anyone will object to a Western getting a mention here.

Looking forward to a nice day out behind this might Swindon machine and scoring some new track for me (Dr Days jcn - Dorchester Jcn)

 

There are a few classes of vintage diesel still running that have real character, the Westerns are a classic example of this along with the Deltics and Warships. They are still very popular because they were around in our younger years .....well for most of us. I do love the old steam locos but I'm very much looking forward to seeing and hearing Western Champion out and about again this weekend. Lets hope that DBS have a crew available!! Here are the timings for Saturday. <BJ>
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50677/2013/09/07/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50678/2013/09/07/advanced

 

Diesel hydraulics count as honorary steam for me. She was a fine sight at Yeovil, watched by a handful of us; myself included as a part of my public transport odyssey today consisting of bus Bristol - Yeovil, train Yeovil to Dorchester West and Dorchester South to Wareham, bus thence to Swanage for the gala - worth it!

John

 

My video from the Western Wessexman, with D1015 Western Champion at full power through Freshford and Shawford:



James at SVN

 

Excellent tour, plenty of fast running in the high 80/low 90 range on the faster stretches, sunny and a nice destination, just a shame such days are getting rare from DBS as the the crews on the ground can still put on a good show when allowed to.

Highlight of the day for me was when my standard class coach E turned up, it turned out to be a first class MK1 in error with big comfortable armchairs and table lamps (more of that please Pathfinder ), and letting a mate in a "scum class" Mk2 next door know about.

First time behind a mainline western and highly impressed with it, like an electric with acceleration when pushed, takes off like a scalded cat.

I also noticed from tannoy announcements, a number of their future tours will be DRS operated, will DBS have anything left for 2014 ?.

 

Because the blinkered kettle mafia have taken over.....

Good to see the old tub back on the mainline, fair play to all those who got it there.

 

If DBS do have any work will they have the crews available? <BJ>

 

52nd railtour for the Class 52! Here's to the next 52!
http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015-railtour-archive-2013.php

 

Some pics of mine from the tour, including 60163 passing: http://daviddepperphotography.zenfolio.com/p745774167#h74fe776d

 

Was going to ask how come they didn t put up a' proper ' headcode -- ie 1Z52 or similar . But on looking at the various photos ( all great by the way ) I saw the headlight recessed in the headcode panel -- neat arrangement .

 

Saves disfiguring the bodywork with a headlight fitting, she can still run with a regular headcode on heritage lines.

 

I was stewarding on a tour with it a few years ago and one bloke started ranting about the headcode being like that. He couldn't come up with an alternative when I asked where the headlight should be fitted instead. A portable headlight is only suitable up to 75mph, and as the Western is passed for 90mph it wouldn't be much use.

 

Slightly off topic, but what did 60019 carry on it's 90mph runs?

 

Think they fitted high intensity lights similar to tornado with the wiring under the casing. Saw some pics of the damage/holes made for the wires somewhere.

 

I think they were Tornado's lights that were borrowed, they might be made up to look like steam age oil lamps, but they act as fixed high intensity lamps, the problem with the Western is high intensity lamps came in after they were withdrawn, relying on the yellow end and rather dim headcode box for visibility.

For a comparison, look at pics of the mainline Deltic's for the inauthentic high intensity lamp fitted to the bodywork below the headcode panel, then decide which option is the less asthetically intrusive.

 

Had a brilliant day out with 1015....great to see Champion back on the main line and in such good form...As my mate Thomas said every climb was flattened by the power of the mighty Champ!!!!

Heres my video of the day....