Dorset Coast Statesman - The Dorset Coast Express 31st aug and 1st sept 2022 and a couple more

[VEP3417]

see these are coming up soon, im busy on the 31st but will try and catch the one on the 1st

Wednesday 31st August 2022​

Dorset Coast Statesman (Statesman Rail)​

• LSL Class 47 (Pair)Wolverhampton (pu) - Tame Bridge Parkway (pu) - Stourbridge Junction (pu) - Kidderminster (pu) - Droitwich Spa (pu) - Worcester Shrub Hill (pu) - Cheltenham Spa (pu) - Stonehouse (pu) - Stroud (pu) - Kemble (pu) - Bournemouth (sd) - Poole (sd) - Weymouth (break/rev) & return

Thursday 1st September 2022​

The Dorset Coast Express (Railway Touring Company)​

• 45596London Victoria (pu) - Staines - Woking (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Bournemouth (sd) - Weymouth
• 31806 and 45596 tntWeymouth (pu) - Bournemouth (pu) - Southampton Central
• 45596Southampton Central - Romsey - Andover -Basingstoke (sd) - Woking (sd) - Staines (sd) - London Victoria

also a bit later on in the month

Thursday 8th September 2022​

The Swanage Belle (Railway Touring Company)​

• 45596London Victoria (pu) - Stains (pu) - Woking (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Swanage
• WCRC Class 47/57Swanage (pu) - Southampton Central
• 45596Southampton Central - Romsey - Andover -Basingstoke (sd) - Woking (sd) - Staines (sd) - London Victoria

Thursday 15th September 2022​

The Dorset Coast Express (Railway Touring Company)​

• 45596London Victoria (pu) - Staines (pu) - Woking (pu) - Basingstoke (pu) - Bournemouth (sd) - Weymouth
• 31806Weymouth (pu) - Bournemouth (pu) - Southampton Central
• 45596Southampton Central - Romsey - Andover -Basingstoke (sd) - Woking (sd) - Staines (sd) - London Victoria

 

[341o2]

Thanks for that RTT showing TBA for Statesman Rail. Dorset Coast Express & Swanage Belle 1228 BCU down, DCE 1807 BCU up

 

[MiNi]

I still believe that a diesel will go along on the rear for the ride on The Dorset Coast Express. Just in case network rail decide that there is still a fire risk en route.

 

[bleeder4]

SW England is now officially in a drought - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-62723419.
Environment Agency added it today.
So I think it is extremely unlikely that Network Rail would allow unassisted steam in an area that is officially in a drought. It's possible they won't even allow assisted steam, might be diesel only.

 

[341o2]

I am a member of the Swanage Railway unofficial FB group, asked the question there, nobody so far has confirmed 31806.
The Bournemouth Echo has confirmed Dorset in drought.
More importantly Railtours 2022 not showing detailed timings of tomorrows Statesman Rail
Edit - found down journey on RTT https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66452/2022-08-31/detailed

 

[MiNi]

Times for the statesman have been on real-time trains since last week. Along with Thursdays timings to Weymouth + the light engine move for 31806 to Weymouth

 

[bleeder4]

I'm a passenger on board tomorrow's Statesman so can confirm it's definitely running. It's been on RTT for a while now. Should be double-headed 47s.

 

[341o2]

Yes, I observe the Statesman is currently at Worcester, but my question relates to 31806, and indeed whether the Dorset Coast Express will be steam hauled given the current situation.

 

[MiNi]

47828/853(614) en route.

 

[VEP3417]

im actually free today so will try and catch some photos

as far as i know all steam tours are diesel assisted these days just in case the train brakes down?
all the ones down this way over the past few years have been anyway

 

[341o2]

LE showing in RTT Swanage to Weymouth. If it runs, then it will be either 31806 or D6515 aka the Thunderbird as it will assist the DMU in the event of a problem
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U63235/2022-09-01/detailed

 

[VEP3417]

few pics from earlier, it was going a fair old lick of speed, compared to others in the past

any idea if it will be steam or diesel on the 1st?

 

[MiNi]

No gen on this one today yet.

 

[VEP3417]

the times are on realtime trains if thats what you mean but no word if steam or diesel yet

 

[MiNi]

Reported elsewhere that it's steam on the front and 33025 on the rear

 

[VEP3417]

thanks for the reply, i just got conformation my self that it was steam yes, which will be nice to see

 

[341o2]

RTT always lists steam workings as diesel. So presumably 31806 will not be making a mainline foray today.
This will be confirmed when it either doesn't run, or RTT cancels the workings

 

[VEP3417]

pics from the run to weymouth earlier

 

[341o2]

In other news, it has been announced that Flying Scotsman will be visiting the Swanage railway in October

Also disruption is occurring between Bournemouth and Dorchester because of a fire, cause not stated.
Estimated to last until (revised) 4pm

 

[MiNi]

Line side fire after the tour passed. Still really dry down there.
disruption until 6pm possibly

 

[VEP3417]

seems to be somewhat on time looking at this

Realtime Trains | 1Z84 1635 Weymouth to Clapham Junction | 01/09/2022

Real-time train running information for 1Z84 1635 departure from Weymouth to Clapham Junction on 01/09/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

couple more photos of today

 

[Dougal2345]

Thursday 15th September 2022

The Dorset Coast Express (Railway Touring Company)​

I notice this one is on a strike day, so presumably won't run...

 

[VEP3417]

thats a shame, fingers crossed

forgot to ask , what went on about there being a lineside fire yesterday apparently "after the tour had passed" on the return journey causing a few delays to other trains, that might cancel all further steam tours if it was found to be the cause

 

[bleeder4]

thats a shame, fingers crossed

forgot to ask , what went on about there being a lineside fire yesterday apparently "after the tour had passed" on the return journey causing a few delays to other trains, that might cancel all further steam tours if it was found to be the cause

Reported on the NatPres forum that steam wasn't responsible.

"TM Les just advised that the fire was reportedly there before we passed through, not after."

and

"Saw it from Coach A (back of train). A mile north of Bincombe. Would have been a remarkably quick spread if 45596 was responsible. ....."

 

[Western Sunset]

Todays Victoria - Swanage cancelled; interesting reason:

This service was cancelled due to a passenger having been taken ill (RO)

 

[MiNi]

Must have happened before departure as it didn't even leave London.

 

[VEP3417]

thats a shame, as said bit of an unusual reason, why would a passenger being ill before departure cause a cancellation rather than just a delay, unless it was a very bad illness that required an ambulance so it was thought better to cancel the tour

 

[Amlag]

Today 8/9/22 0845 London Vic. to Swanage and return Special Charter train.
Apparently, a passenger died on board at Victoria and THREE hours later this train was eventually cancelled, causing much stress to the passengers.
BTP would not allow the train to run until a coroner had attended.

Similar situations in the past have seen paramedics remove the person from train to ambulance, to a room in the station or direct to hostpital.

Any more info anyone ?

 

[Southern Dvr]

I gather it was the coroner who requested the deceased remain in place on the train.

 

[Watershed]

thats a shame, as said bit of an unusual reason, why would a passenger being ill before departure cause a cancellation rather than just a delay, unless it was a very bad illness that required an ambulance so it was thought better to cancel the tour

It's possible that blood, vomit or worse contaminated the coach where the passenger was. If that was in the middle of the formation it could have made things very difficult for the tour.