RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9th

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

The first Dorset Coast Express is 21st July. That's the week before the Cambrian Coast trains start, so perhaps 44871 might be available? Also, 44932 has just had its test run but is not penciled in for any of the North of England "pools". Is the King "in gauge" for the LSWR main line?

Of more immediate interest - which loco will join 777 on the Cathedrals Express to Swanage on 9th July? 44871? If none is available, perhaps they will do what Tornado did on 16th June, and have a diesel tow to Southampton, then steam again via Redbridge, Laverstock and Andover?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

most likily deisel hauled unless there is a le path from yeovil to wereham that could get the king to swanage metals after the train i dont know if a king is passed for the weymouth waterloo line, or even if its on WCSR books as i assume they are providing the crews .

Just dont tell clan line, we dont want a relapse she is showing signs of getting over the worse of her Greatwesternitus and news of first a castle, and possibly a king would send her straight back into rehab

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

King has been to Weymouth before from both Southampton and Yeovil directions - was some time ago now from Southampton and she had real problems on that day and had to be assisted by a 33 on back of train - not sure if the clearances have changed at all since then ? DH

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Surely 70000 will be longer than that as it needs to be completed and trials run and still needs a bit a of work looking in SR this month.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Is a King "in gauge" for the Swanage Railway in case one of the forthcoming tours might use it?
Well, I understand it might - but don't quote me!!!! I believe a clearance survey is being/has been carried out as, no doubt, tour operators have been talking to the SR management about different classes being used in the future.

We're just waiting to see what turns up. No doubt someone will let relevant SR personnel know in advance what's coming - and when. We've got coal and water waiting whichever locos arrive. The apparently continuing problems with NR's computer timing system certainly gives our timetablers some late nights at the moment trying to route SR's frequent services around railtours.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

With 46115 in London at the moment I would guess she would work the 3rd July run to Swanage. However, this would require some positioning moves back from Swanage to work the Weymouth trip. Also where is 30777 at the moment? Southall I am assuming as she didn't work the trip worked by 44871 instead. So either 30777 or 46115 could go down to Swange to be in place for working the return leg of 3rd July Swanage Belle. Haven't got tickets or timings yet for Saturdays run to Swanage (We enjoyed the last one so much we are going again!). Hopefully they will arrive soon.............

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

According to a leaflet handed yesterday on the Cornish Riveriera, it will be 30777 only and as the 16th June.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Probably the most sensible solution. I hope they leave the diesel at Southampton on the return. I don't think 777 would keep time with 10/11 coaches and a box, so the diesel would have to share the work. Mind you, I think Tornado had to assist the diesel on Parkstone bank on 16th June, but that was with 13 coaches...

UKSteam.info is showing 44932 or 46115 for the outward run.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

seems the likely addition of a diesel to this trip has not scared to many, standard appears to be sold out and only 20 or so 1st class left. I for one am looking forward to it.

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

There is some confusion evident in this thread as there are TWO separate trips on 9 July.

RTC are running to Weymouth using 46115 throughout both ways. This is the first Dorset Coast Express
Steam Dreams are running a Cathedrals Express to Swanage with 30777, using the same arrangements as tomorrow, ie diesel Swanage-Southampton with 30777 at the back.

This thread is about RTCs Dorset Coast Express Trains.

David

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

It may need amending again !

Dorset Coast Express - 46115 - Friday 9 July
This train has been rerouted and will now run Kensington Olympia-Basingstoke-Yeovil Jc (rev), Yeovil Jc-Yeovil Pen Mill(rev)-Weymouth(rev), then as advertised Weymouth-Southampton-Waterloo. Not sure whether the Yeovil-Weymouth leg is steam (tender first) or diesel hauled, but I expect there will be a diesel in attendance for Evershot bank.

David

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Taken from the RTC website
"9th July is being hauled by 46115 Scots Guardsman and has been diverted to run from Kensington Olympia and via Yeovil on the outbound journey due to pathing issues.
It will be diesel hauled from Yeovil Junction to Weymouth."

Would pathing be timing wise, or include gauging?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

The pathing issue is a timing problem I believe. I don't think it is practical to do London Southampton-Weymouth both ways and fit in a Wemouth-Yeovil Jc-Weymouth turning move in the current timetable, using the same engine throughout.

David

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Many thanks for that update David,sounds like a more interesting trip,however,with no rain in sight, I fear the diesel may be all too much in attendance probably for the entire trip!

Thanks for your fantastic website,what would we all do without it?

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

Presumably, (without seeing any times yet), the 07.17 slot ex Waterloo wasn't considered as too early. Hopefully that slot still exists for the pathway down the main line. Two good runs from Clan Line using that in the recent past and well worth the early start.

I don't understand why the tour with 46115 hasn't had the same advance warning as the SD train re the possibility of a box due to fire risk? There are still tickets available for that train, (albeit first class), but I don't want to splash out and jump from the frying pan into the fire!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

There are some times on the RTC website,and its not that early path

Actual Timings 9th July
Station Depart Return
London Kensington Olympia 08:25 21:20
Returns to Waterloo
Staines 09:22 22:22 (Service train)
Woking 10:07 20:37
Basingstoke 10:53 20:01
Yeovil Junction 13:20 (arrive)
14:00 (depart) -------
Weymouth Arrive 15:25 Departs 17:38

I've been booked on this one for ages,and I'm assuming the worst i.e. there will be a box doing a lot of the work most of the time.If anything better happens I will be very pleasantly surprised!

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

40 mins at Yeovil Junction. Is that enough time to turn, coal and water 46115, swap the box to the Exeter end of the train, and send it off top-and-tailed with SG leading to Pen Mill and the box leading over Evershot? It seems a bit tight to me, compared with previous tours. On the other hand, it's quite generous just to unhook SG and send the train off with the diesel leading to Pen Mill (assuming it's been on the London end of the train up to that point). We will see...

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 Dorset Coast Express, London - Southampton-Weymouth July 9t

I understand from some local information that the diesel will take the train on down to Weymouth and 46115 will follow on LE or with support coach later as has happened previously when specials have run to this format. Not enough time to turn and service 46115 to go with the train DH

 

Re: RTC 30777/34067/70000 London - Southampton-Weymouth return

Tickets & Letter arrived today for the 9th July train.

Only mention of diesels is that the train is diesel hauled from Yeovil to Weymouth. Letter aso states we will enjoy a fast run along the main line from Woking to Waterloo with Scots Guardsman.

*Fingers Crossed*