44871 leads the ill-fated 'The Swanage Belle' 26/06/2024

Описание: Chartered by the Railway Touring Company, 'The Swanage Belle' would feature Ex-LMS 'Black 5' Class 5MT - 44871 at the sharp end, with support provided by West Coast Railways Class 47 - 47826, as the pair made an ill-fated dash to the seaside.

The outward leg of the tour began at London Victoria with 44871 at the helm, the tour would travel via Feltham to Byfleet & New Haw, where it would join the South West Mainline. From here, the 'Black 5' would travel down the SWML to Wareham. South of Wareham station, 44871 would diverge onto the Swanage branch at Worgret Junction to complete the final leg of the journey.

Summer may have only recently begun, but recent weeks of warm and dry conditions have left numerous places very fragile to fires; particularly some areas of lineside vegetation. This case was proven with 44871 causing at least two confirmed lineside fires on the SWML. The first was sparked between Fleet and Winchfield, just prior to 44871's water stop at the latter, which resulted in Network Rail issuing a request for 44871 to be used cautiously going forward, and for 47826 to take the majority of the load. The definitive blow came as the tour descended Christchurch Bank near Hinton Admiral, with 44871 sparking a fire in close proximity to high voltage electric control cables, subsequently damaging them, and knocking out all electrical power on the rail network in the area. This would result in no mainline services operating between Brockenhurst and Weymouth, bringing that section of the SWML to a complete standstill. As a direct consequence, Network Rail issued a further request that 44871 be removed from the remainder of the tour, and be left at Swanage for the interim.

This would result in major changes to the return leg of the tour. The plan had been for 47826 to lead the tour from Swanage to Southampton Central, where a reversal would've seen 44871 regain control to lead back to London, working via Romsey and Andover. The new plan saw 47826 working solo, leading the tour direct up the South West Mainline through Southampton, working as far as Clapham Junction before terminating. However this would be met with further delays due to a passenger being taken ill at Bournemouth.

Given the issues experienced, it was no surprise to see subdued performances from the 'Black 5' as it headed to Dorset, captured at Potbridge and Ashurst New Forest respectively. Once onto the Swanage branch, a similar cautious approach could be seen as 44871 passed Holme Lane and subsequently Townsend Bridge. After catching up with 44871 on shed at Swanage, 47826 would take the spotlight, powering the return leg along the branch at Catseye Crossing. With 44871 being removed from proceedings, the decision was taken to hang around in the Isle of Purbeck to catch Ex-SR Rebuilt 'Battle of Britain' Class - 34053 "Sir Keith Park", as it worked a regular SR service train across Corfe Viaduct and over Castle View Crossing.

00:00 - 44871 Potbridge
01:10 - 44871 Ashurst New Forest
02:01 - 44871 Holme Lane
03:04 - 44871 Townsend Bridge
04:12 - 44871 On shed at Swanage
05:03 - 47826 Catseye Crossing
06:12 - 34053 Castle View Crossing

All footage filmed on Wednesday the 26th of June 2024.