The Swanage Belle Monday 31st May 2010

Haulage now confirmed as 44871 from London to Swanage and 30777 "Sir Lamiel" on the return.
Some seats left apparently : http://www.railwaytouring.co.uk/index.php/the-swanage-bell---310510-030710-260910.html

 

Hopefully we should get some tickets and timings soon.

 

Hi Buzby2 - do you know whether the repairs to 777 (that you mentioned in the Royal Wessex thread) have been successful, then?

 

Mark, Boilersmith still expanding tubes [well, it sounded like that's what he was doing] when I went past at 17:00. Will try to find out something/anything during my constitutional on Wednesday.

gwr4090/David, I hope NR's IT problems are sorted soon so we can see their final timings. Any changes might have a major impact on our proposed (already heavily disrupted!) WTT!! I hope our passengers forgive us for not running our normal 40 minute interval service at many times of the day.

 

What's this I hear about an 'interesting' test run for 777 before this trip...?

 

She needs to be turned before Monday. One option is to run to Eastleigh and turn on triangle in the works. This avoids having to split loco from tender (as discussed elsewhere, this is required because Swanage turntable is rather short). If you've heard of a light-engine move this week, this could be the reason. What have you heard and how godd is your source?

 

Eastleigh does not have a triangle. It is a loop, round the depot site perimeter, coming off the Eastleigh-Portsmouth line and ending up outside the Works offices to get onto the Southern main line.
Was told earlier today that 30777 had some welding done, in addition to tube expanding and stay work, but not been able to find out exactly what! I understand that it is hoped to put a fire in her on Thursday but have not been able to confirm if all works have been completed now.
Hopefully the work is complete of course as the move to Eastleigh is to turn the loco, rather than split loco from tender and use our 50ft turntable, in readiness for Monday's tour return leg.

 

Hmmm, no tickets, no times, engine under repair, fire risk,over running track maintenance, trains running early enough on Monday to even get to town..... all the makings of a good day out.

 

It's not looking good with only 2 days left to get the tickets out. There was no one at the RTC office yesterday due to a training day.

 

30777 will be going to Eastleigh tomorrow, its fixed

oh and for those who might be interested, its not returning light engine......

 

Thanks for this update Dan. Good to hear they fixed Sir Lamiel. Perhaps we might get the tickets and timings now.................

 

Good news indeed and I find I can get to town in the morning. A miracle indeed!

 

A further update:

Timings now on the RTC website which has been updated and now says 44871 is working the outward leg:

Actual Timings 31st May 2010
Station Depart Return (Approximate)
London Victoria 08:35 22:15 (London Waterloo)
Staines 09:34 21:05
Woking 10:05 20:50
Basingstoke 10:52 20:20
Swanage 13:56 (arrive) 17:30 (depart)

 

Looking forward to the tour. Decided to do it as a back up plan to celebrate the end of my exams after 35028 to York was cancelled. Should be good!

 

what time does 30777 arrive at eastleigh?????

 

Don't know whether these are actual - but found on wnxx:
Swanage Dep 10:34 Eastleigh Arr 14:08
Eastleigh Dep 15:19 Swanage Arr 18:26

 

30777 up top of Parkstone Bank LE at 1200 en route to EH DH

 

Tickets and timings arrived this morning. Please note the return times have changed since the letters were sent out:

Actual Timings 31st May 2010
Station Depart Return
London Victoria 08:35 21:38 (London Waterloo)
Staines 09:34 20:41
Woking 10:05 20:04
Basingstoke 10:52 19:20
Swanage 13:56 (arrive) 16:11 (depart)

 

30777 and one coach from the DMU down 5Z77 at Parkstone at 1710 - has an Arthur ever towed a DMU before? DH

 

Not much time at Swanage then - does anyone know any good pubs to help pass the time?