| 22 May 2010 Railway Touring Company ran their 'Royal Wessex' excursion from Paddington to Weymouth via Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill and return via Bournemouth. It was notable for a number of reasons! a) The number of alterations to locomotives booked which failed/not available (70013/34067) b) Last minute alteration to Train Plan which resulted in both engines going forward from Yeovil Pen Mill to Weymouth instead of 30777 alone. c) It picked up around 50 passengers at Yeovil Pen Mill who could not get on the previous First Great Western unit! d) 44871 returning from Weymouth to Yeovil Junction without support coach. e) First banking (for many years?) tender first by 30777 - presumably it has happened before? f) Despite everything the train kept very good time, only being delayed a little by service trains! |
| The train seen at Hummer (near Trent) with 44871 leading and 30777 'Sir Lamiel' tucked in behind. (Photo courtesy Bob Tucker) |
| At Beer Hackett. (Photo courtesy Bob Tucker) |
| Chetnole. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Chetnole, again. (Photo courtesy John Cornelius) |
| Approaching Maiden Newton (1). (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Approaching Maiden Newton (2). (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Approaching Maiden Newton (3). (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Prior to coming to Yeovil Railway Centre, 44871 was coaled. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Running onto turntable. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Ron and Terry connect the vacuum hose on the turntable to the engine. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Being turned. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Over the pit. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Reflections in a highly polished tender. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Back on Network Rail metals. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Taking the token for the Yeovil Pen Mill Branch as the first move enroute back to Weymouth. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Seen at Wool on the return journey with 44871 leading... (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| ...and 30777 on the rear ready to be detached at Wareham for the Swanage Railway (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
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