Weymouth Seaside and Torbay express 2011

Thanks for the link about the Bath trains, that was news to me. Found this there as well:

STOP PRESS: Friday 25th March TORBAY EXPRESS DONATES TICKETS
Torbay Express Limited have donated seats to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway Emergency Fund to asist with the fund raising activities following the two landslips

Nice gesture!

 

There are lots of factors to consider other than just "this is a class 5, that is a class 7" etc. Take 34067 for instance. It took 11 out of Weymouth unassisted whereas 5029 took 9. Both locos are class 7s.

 

5029 could possibly manage 10 out of Weymouth ( based on last years performance) but no more than 9 over Evershot southbound.

 

Not sure about 10, but 9 is just right. Any more coaches would be too much of a risk to take. Evershot really is a challenging climb.

 

When I saw the loco pool for this year's Weymouth trips, I assumed that they would be double-headed. It's clearly asking too much to expect a Hall to take 9 over evershot. Nunney had very little in reserve and would have been in trouble if the she'd stalled, the fire had clinkered or the rails were wet. Making a 9 coach train pay, at the prices RTC charged, must be a bit of a challenge. A 12-coach train, even though double-headed, with most of the extra seats being dining customers is probably a more viable proposition. The interesting thing will be whether they can fill all the extra trains one year on. The risk is that the novelty value will wear off.

 

From what I've heard 5029 wasn't being worked flat out, 55% cut off and full regulator (at least that what the footplate crew told me). I don't think 9 is too much for a Hall, but I certainly think thats the limit. Think about it... Castles have large driving wheels, and smaller cylinders which are designed for high speed running, whereas Halls have large cylinders, a long stroke and smaller wheels designed for mixed traffic duties. During the days of steam I can remember Halls going down to Weymouth almost everyday, but only a handful of Castles. Having spoken to Ray Churchill during one of the Shakespeare Expresses he commented that he prefers a Hall because it will accellerate much faster, which is what is needed when leaving Yeovil bound for Evershot.

I'm not sure a 12 coach double-headed train can be justified. Add the extra cost of another loco, more coal etc (thats got to be and extra £6K or £7K, maybe more!), the extra time to service at Yeovil (which takes long enough with one engine)... there really isn't much point.

The fomula worked when Past Time Rail were promoting the Torbay Express, so it will work again. From my point of view (and bearing in mind what market the Weymouths are aimed at) I think Weymouth is a better destination. Families enjoy days out at the beach, and going by steam train adds something to their day out. Paignton has a beach, but it has that horrible "kiss me quick", tacky feel about it (maybe I'm just showing my age!).

 

This comment wound me up a little when I saw it. It is not just the mature customer they should be looking at - they aren't the Orient Express! Its obvious where the profit is but standard class passengers travelling on a regular basis all help towards profits!

When Past Time operated the Torbay's we did nearly every one for a few season's - have done a couple since the new operators turned up but its quite expensive especially with the parking and travel costs for us to get to BTM. This year I will be surprised if we do 1 - especially with that attitude by the company!!

Thank you RTC for making regular travel behind steam affordable again!

 

A huge hike in prices, the introduction of dining (of dubious quality), the splitting of First Class from Standard and denying First Class access to the buffet car (they were served, sometimes, at seat with a "bistro" service (how do you like your burger?)), all helped to ruin the atmosphere of the train. Repeat itineraries are supposed to be cheaper trains to run but the prices are now equivalent to one off charters. But then there are so many fingers in the pie wanting their cut, that high prices were inevitable.

But now I understand that the Torbay Express wants to go to the next "level of excellence". So all toilets will work, lights will also be available in all vehicles, the thread bare armrests will be repaired and the cracked lavatory seat in the Mk2 will be replaced after two years. Plus the exterior will be cleaned after every trip.

I feel sorry for the former Past-Time stewards who showed a loyalty to the train after the demise of their former "employer", the new crowd will have a hard act to follow, with their customer service and presentation of the train, especially on the return when sometimes it was cleaner than on the outward trip. And no Whiteball Challenge gamble on the return. Thanks to all the former PTR stewards, you were probably the best volunteers aorund the charter scene.

 

I think we can take 'as read' that the Western Region knew something about working trains. The load for a Castle (and a Britannia, County, 47xx or 9F) over Evershot is listed as 315 t. (If running through, 278 t if stopping at Chetnole) At 35 tons gross per coach = 9 vehicles.
The load for a Hall or Std 5 (and reasonable to assume a Black 5, although not listed) is 288 tons = 8 vehicles. (260t if stopping at Chetnole). Based on last years performance with 5029 (which was running better last year, than for a long time) 9 is quite sufficient from Yeovil PM to Dorchester unassisted.

 

83A was always Newton Abbot until that shed closed. 82B was always Bristol St Philips Marsh until it closed. Taunton, my shed, was always 83B.

One notable change was that 83D Laira became 84A when Stafford Road, Wolverhampton closed.

Oddly enough, 72A Exmouth Junction, I believe, became 83D!!

Nick

 

The Steam loco pool for the Weymouth trips is now : - 5029, 6024 & 34067 according to RTC advert on the back of the latest Steam Railway.

UK Steam info shows 6024 for the 17th July, and 5029 for the 24th July, 7th, 14th & 21st August, and the 4th Spetemeber. This is also confirmed by the 5029 & 6024 websites.

That leaves 31st July, 28th August,and 11th September for 34067.

 

According to Uk steam the 4th & 11th September have been cancelled and replaced with Bristol - Tenby (Steam Bristol - Carmarthen, Tenby - Bristol). 5029 down for the 4th according to their website. The 11th from 5029,6024 & 34067 according to Uk Steam.

 

Tenby is an interesting choice and something I hpe will work out for RTC. Any addition to the South Wales steam scene is good in my eyes!

 

34067 up Evershot bank :O!

 

34067 in Tenby (one can dream, as it'll more than likely be 6024)! Tenby's a good destination; a picturesque, compact town with fine views and a fair few things to see, but whenever I'm there, I get bored with the touristy things pretty quickly. However, there is at least one decent pub there, and if you fancy sampling one of our local brews (Feeling Foul, no, sorry, Felinfoel Double Dragon, which is pretty inoffensive to the point of boring), then quite a few serve it. The scenery along the Towy estuary is pretty stunning, and some view it as South Wales' answer to the Dawlish sea wall, minus the tunnels. Whenever I'm 'on tour' on the rails, I find most of the South Wales main line pretty grim (particularly on the last train between Cardiff and Swansea on Saturdays!), but the bit between Swansea and the west is very scenic, and makes up for sometimes ropey trips back from the Swanage or various railtours where I didn't take the car.