45596 "Bahamas" takes on 'The Dorset Coast Express' 26/07/2023

The Railway Touring Company would call upon Ex-LMS 'Jubilee' Class - 45596 "Bahamas" to provide the motive power for 'The Dorset Coast Express', with support provided by West Coast Railways Class 47 - 47802. The pair battling varied weather conditions on their trip to the seaside.
Beginning out of London Victoria with 45596 at the helm, the tour would travel via Feltham to Byfleet & New Haw, where it would join the South West Mainline. From here, the 'Jubilee' would make a sprint down the SWML to Weymouth. For the return working, 47802 would lift the tour out of Weymouth, hauling the consist as far as Southampton Central. Here, a reversal would see the Stanier stalwart regain control for the charge back to London, working via Romsey and Andover. The role filled by 47802 had originally been scheduled for Swanage Railway based Ex-SR U Class - 31806. However, at short notice, a lack of suitable water supply for the locomotive saw it relieved of duty.
Starting the day at Egham, 45596 is captured in glorious morning sunshine gliding towards Virginia Water. A better performance would be seen at Potbridge, with 45596 and 47802 working in tandem to bring the tour up to line speed, as they accelerated away from the water stop at Winchfield. Overtaking the tour while it stopped in Southampton, the 'Jubilee' put in a fine performance through New Milton on the final charge towards Dorset. By the time of the return working, the weather had deteriorated considerably, with 47802 battling the elements as it worked through Christchurch heading for the Solent. Finally, in dying light, 45596 is seen back at the helm of the tour at Mottisfont & Dunbridge, accelerating after being signal-checked.
All footage filmed on Wednesday the 26th of July 2023.

[@KINGANDCASTLE]

Nice one 😊

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Cheers

[@SimonTog]

Good video :)

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video great camera work as usual I am really enjoying your lovely videos and camera work keep your lovely camera work up I am really looking forward to seeing your next video bye for now Philip

[@JakesTrains52]

Excellent video Matt

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@ARossiEsquire]

I didn’t know that was you at Christchurch! That’s me sat on the floor 😂

[@mahmoodQureshikohatiPakistan]

Very nice beautiful fantastic locomotive powerful 🚂🚂🛞🚄🚄🚄

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@alanswallow9033]

great viewing Cheers from Christchurch New Zealand.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thank you

[@christiantrainspotter6727]

OMG that was you at motisfont I nodded my head at you wow really didn’t realise good to see you tho and very good video

[@IowaTrainGay]

That Double Bridge shot at 1:00 is so cool! If you don't mind sharing, where is that? I want to look it up on Maps.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks, Chris! Not a problem, see here: www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B016'58.0%22N+0%C2%B055'45.6%22W/@51.2827888,-0.9299847,138m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d51.282788!4d-0.929341?authuser=0&entry=ttu

[@bobingram6912]

Matthew, where are you finding all this crap weather?!!!!!! Great shooting, shame about U boat, makes a change to see a slow passage through Mottisfont!!👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Can't seem to get too lucky with the weather recently. Thanks very much! A shame indeed, but still fingers crossed for the other DCE's.