Question re Dorset Coast Express

[GreenDiesel]

I live in Canada and my wife & two sons have just flown to England, to visit family in Winchester where she is from.   ...Long story short: I was supposed to have gone on this trip but had to cancel at the last minute due to some eye/retina surgery.  :-(

 

At any rate, my youngest son (age 14) is quite a steam train fan (as I am) and I understand that the Dorset Coast Express is travelling from London Victoria to Weymouth on 2 August. There is a train bridge that we often go to in Winchester and we saw Tangmere from there in 2015.

 

Based on this timetable below, what time should this train realistically reach Winchester?  

http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/the-dorset-coast-express-1

 

I'm thinking he should be at this train bridge by 11:00 am.  I realize that trains are often late, but I hope the rest of my geography and calculations are correct!  Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Cheers, Rob

 

[john new]

Hi - if you look on the UK steam tours site at http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs17.htm when the definitive times are available for the train that site will list them. It will also give the RTT code number and on the day that can be checked for live timing updates.

[4630]

I'm thinking he should be at this train bridge by 11:00 am. I realize that trains are often late, but I hope the rest of my geography and calculations are correct! Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Cheers, Rob

The times for the Dorset Coast Express are already in the system;

 

Down run in the morning;

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54916/2017/08/02/advanced

 

Up run in the afternoon/evening

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54922/2017/08/02/advanced

 

I hope your son gets a good view.

Edited July 20, 2017 by 4630

[GreenDiesel]

The times for the Dorset Coast Express are already in the system;

 

Down run in the morning;

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54916/2017/08/02/advanced

 

Up run in the afternoon/evening

 

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54922/2017/08/02/advanced

 

I hope your son gets a good view.

 

Thanks -- these links are very helpful.

[GreenDiesel]

Is there a way of finding out which loco will haul this train? According to this site --http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9701461.Steam_trains_set_to_visit_Weymouth_this_summer/?ref=rss -- it could be  No. 30777 Sir Lamiel, No. 34067 Tangmere, No. 60019 Bittern, No. 70000 Britannia or No. 5029 Nunney Castle. Thanks... Rob

[Dunsignalling]

Is there a way of finding out which loco will haul this train? According to this site --http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9701461.Steam_trains_set_to_visit_Weymouth_this_summer/?ref=rss -- it could be  No. 30777 Sir Lamiel, No. 34067 Tangmere, No. 60019 Bittern, No. 70000 Britannia or No. 5029 Nunney Castle. Thanks... Rob

UK Steam Info has it listed for 60009 Union of South Africa.

[GreenDiesel]

UK Steam Info has it listed for 60009 Union of South Africa.

 

Great -- my son really likes the A4's but he's never seen one in steam! He's seen them in museums as well as seeing Bittern at Ropley on the Watercress Line. 

[GreenDiesel]

So it looks like the Dorset Coast Express schedule is still as follows:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54916/2017/08/02/advanced

 

I'm "stuck" here in Canada still, but I've instructed my family in Winchester to be at this train bridge in Winchester by 11:00 to watch it pass by around 11:15. Just checking if anyone else has heard of any news or changes re this train?

 

Thanks again! Rob

[Andy Louch]

So it looks like the Dorset Coast Express schedule is still as follows:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54916/2017/08/02/advanced

 

I'm "stuck" here in Canada still, but I've instructed my family in Winchester to be at this train bridge in Winchester by 11:00 to watch it pass by around 11:15. Just checking if anyone else has heard of any news or changes re this train?

 

Thanks again! Rob

 

 

Good day Rob, yes train is still scheduled to pass Winchester at 1115. Train reporting number is 1Z67. Up to date information about all trains can be found at: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk - use the 'advanced' menu and this excellent website details all trains and timings at locations throughout the UK.

Weather forecast for south of England is poor however - tell your family to take waterproofs!

Cheers, Andy

[bike2steam]

Thanks for reminding me, and the timings, I have to pop into Dorchester on business this morning, then I can go down to Bincombe to watch the train afterwards, if it doesn't rain.

[PaulRhB]

Looks like I'll see it later although only as lights on the panel as it goes round Laverstock Loop and not actually past the box. Hope the family catches it

Started 2 min late

Edited August 2, 2017 by PaulRhB

[bike2steam]

Thanks for reminding me, and the timings, I have to pop into Dorchester on business this morning, then I can go down to Bincombe to watch the train afterwards, if it doesn't rain.

Naa, didn't bother, one of those rare days, heavy rain over the Ridgeway.

[john new]

Naa, didn't bother, one of those rare days, heavy rain over the Ridgeway.

Yep, very heavy downpour as it pulled into Weymouth.

[GreenDiesel]

Well, my sons, my wife and sister-in-law saw it today and got lots of good pix and videos!  Will have to try to post them here....

Thanks for your feedback. It was worth the rainy walk to the bridge!

[GreenDiesel]

Here's photo, courtesy of my son, of Union of South Africa passing through the south end of Winchester.  Not sure if I can upload the video... seemed to get an error msg. Rob

[Andy Louch]

Excellent picture given weather we've had in Hampshire - started raining at 0900 and hasn't stopped yet!! Pity the poor campers in the New Forest....