Thankfully my friend said she would drive me to Swanage for the start of the day! I needed to be there for an 8 o'clock start and buses from Bournemouth to Swanage aren't great at that time! To get there via public transport would have required me getting on the bus at 0530 in Boscombe! Hmmmm! Luckily a more sociable 0700 leaving time was had!
So at Swanage the first train should have been 08436 and D3591. Only 08436 was present! D3591 had failed. This was not good! They were already 4 locos short due to two loco failures trying to bring a convoy of traction to the event.
Anyway off we went from Swanage to Norden in the brake van behind 08436! I also did Norden - Harmans Cross and back whilst waiting for the next train I was able to catch. I think it's safe to say 08436 is my most hauled by shunter with over 10 miles in the bank! I also met a mate at Harmans Cross he was here for the failed shunter so wasn't best pleased and didn't hang around for long.
So the next train was 50026. Working her first train in 22 years and looking splendid in BR Blue Large Logo livery, I did this to Swanage. It was then D5401 which took me back to Norden. My first Class 27 for sight too! It was then, working it's first passenger train since being bought by Network Rail 57312 with D5401 back to Swanage.
Next up was 33111s turn. I took this to Norden and then back to Harmans Cross. By now I had done all the diesels here except the failed shunter!! Whilst at Harmans Cross Dave turned up again. Still no news about the failed shunter.
He went off to see if he could find anything out. I headed back to Norden behind the 57 and 27 again. It was during this move I got a message saying D3591 had been fixed and was doing cab rides at Swanage.
So off I went back there and luckily got a ride! I'm not sure show long they were doing them but didn't seem like long. So we went off the platform down to siding number 2! D3591 in the book and in the cab! 0.4 miles there and back!
My next train was the substituted diesel!!!! D80104! Yes someone put a D in front of the number. It wasn't a diesel but was required for haulage. I got this to Corfe Castle as I decided it was time for photos!
I spent the next couple of hours at the Castle taken photos from high up. Was pleased with some of them so was worth it. It was soon time to head to Norden again as the late arrival of a 73136 was due. Well done GBRailfrieght for supplying at short notice. The 73 led 33111 to Swanage and was the only time I saw it lead. For the rest of the weekend it worked with the 57 and was used as a translator for the braking.
After this it was ale time. Off I went to Harmans Cross for a few pints at the festival. Being close to the line was obviously good. However during one of 50026s runs it had issues. It shut down in the station and when it restarted and moved it only went a few coach lengths out of the station.
It eventually got going but this meant it was now late for its return and this was my train to Corfe! I was now going to miss the bus to Wareham!
In the end I managed to get hold of my wife who was heading to Bournemouth from Plymouth. She obviously said she would divert slightly and pick me up! Phew! Would have been a stupidly long wait till the next train!
Good day despite the unfortunate situation of missing locos. Eight winners either way. Tomorrow would see me drive a train!
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