RTC running short of steam for Dorset tours
TWO well-filled trains – the Railway Touring Company's ‘Dorset Coast Express, and‘Swanage Belle'due to run on September 2 and 9 respectively – were both cancelled because of a lack of locomotives available to work them.
In desperate last-moment attempts to save the day, RTC even appealed to Swanage for the use of U class 2-6-0 No. 31806 but to no avail.
However, it was understood that RTC is interested in using No. 31806 next year.
The Swanage Railway plans to operate three Bulleids next season, which could release the 2-6-0 to main line tour promoters.
In terms of RTC's successful ‘Dorset Coast Express,' the trips could well be rerouted, providing steam all the way from London to Weymouth and back again.
Direct route
Starting from Paddington or Bristol Temple Meads, the ‘Express' could pick up at Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge and Westbury, or even Frome, turning off the main line at Castle Cary for Yeovil.
On arrival at Pen Mill, the steam locomotive would uncouple and make for the Yeovil Railway Centre's yard for turning and servicing while the train went forward with a supporting diesel to Weymouth.
Yeovil said it can turn engines around in an hour, meaning that steam would be ready to run tender first to Weymouth well in time for the train's departure back to its starting point.
By taking the direct route via Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester instead of Romsey and Laverstock, such a train would either allow passengers more time by the sea or an earlier arrival at the end of its journey.
Meanwhile, RTC's ‘Tin Bath' departs Preston on October 24 – probably behind a ‘Black Five' – for Sheffield, calling at Wigan North Western and Manchester Victoria before the challenge of the 1-in 47 Miles Platting bank. On October 30, the ‘Stratford Flyer' starts from Manchester for a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. Hauled by A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, the ‘Flyer' stops at Stockport, Wilmslow and Crewe, and then runs south down the West Coast Main Line.
November 13 sees the first of two ‘Cheshireman' outings to Chester. The first unusually starts out from Bristol, hauled by Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado and running via the Severn Tunnel and Maindee Junction, picking up at Cwmbran, Abergavenny and Shrewsbury.
The second trip, on November
20, departs Euston with Black
Five No. 44871 on the front end. Passenger stops are scheduled at Watford Junction, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Rugby.
November 23 heralds the first of RTC's Christmas market trains.
Starting from London Victoria, it is booked for LMS Pacific No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, calling at Staines, Ascot, Reading, Didcot and Gloucester, and then optionally, on to Cardiff.