| 26 July 2012 Unfortunately this turned out not to be steam's finest hour due to the failure of 'Bittern' with injector problems. |
| 25 July 2012 Network Rail train with DRS 37603 at one end. 'Bittern' (being prepared over the pit) and SWT 159 unit in view. Note the signal on the left shows the aspect via a small repeat for drivers whose train is near the signal post and therefore cannot see the main aspect. |
| 37604 at the east end. Departed towards Salisbury. |
| 26 July 2012 'Bittern' leaves Yeovil Railway Centre enroute to Weymouth at noon. |
| (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Shortly after 'Bittern's' departure the Network Rail HST Track Testing train appeared from Exeter direction. Route indicator set for Yeovil Pen Mill branch. |
| After a crew change, the HST departs. We will see the HST in Weymouth! |
| The down 'Dorset Coast Express' at Dorchester South with 'Tangmere'. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Following scenes are at Weymouth. 'Bittern' is running to the far end of the stock. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| 'Tangmere' shunting. The ex-fire engine is used as a mobile steam engine water supply! (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| That Yellow HST appears. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| The train left Weymouth ('Bittern leading and 'Tangmere' banking) but only got as far as Dorchester South before 4464 'Bittern' was declared a failure as the injectors were not delivering sufficient water to the boiler and to carry on risked a major failure on the main line. It was resolved to return the train to Weymouth (with 'Tangmere' leading) and to terminate the excursion. The passengers were returned to London via South West Trains, the stock and 4464 'Bittern' retired to the sidings. 34067 'Tangmere' then ran to Yeovil Junction albeit rather later than planned. Here the Centre's Ruston shunter is ready to move the support coach on arrival. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| 34067 arrives - the station clock shows 22.35 approx (some 2 hours late!). (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Coaling by candlelight. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| The turntable operatives. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Engine turned. (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Thats Mike! (Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| Over the pit, having its fire cleaned. 'Tangmere' departed for Southall at 8.17am next morning. Think the Centre's volunteers were ready for their beds at 1.15am!!(Photo courtesy Roger Marsh) |
| 27 July 2012. The stock is recovered from Weymouth by 37516 which is seen powering through Wool on its way to Southall. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| 28 July 2012. 4464 returns to Southall under its own steam. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
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