34046 Braunton and the Dorset Coast Express - 14-08-13

Wednesday 14th August, and 34046 Braunton finally turns a revenue earning wheel on the main line, at the head of the London to Weymouth, Dorset Coast Express.
Unfortunately, just as Braunton was passed fit 34067 Tangmere, which should have been sharing the duty on this train, was sidelined for repairs, leading to substitution by 33029 Glen Loy, and a change to the return route.
As we like to record every main line performer passing through our home station at least once, we begin the video at Isleworth.
The road bridge at Potbridge was our next port of call, one of the few locations in this video that isn't a station.
After Potbridge came Redbridge, where we divided the shots between the station platform and the causeway across the River Test.
Beyond Poole there are few suitable vantage points, so we decided to give Holton Heath station a try. It's not the greatest of locations, but at least it's free of trees.
After a flying visit to the Swanage Railway (not included in this video), we caught up with Braunton at Weymouth's Jersey Sidings in time for the ECS move into platform 2.
The bridge that carries Lorton Lane over the new A354 proved to be a suitable spot to catch the return working on the ascent of Upwey Bank, with 33029 pulling and 34046 pushing.
Despite heavy traffic, and innumerable roundabouts, we were able to drive from Weymouth to Millbrook and still beat the train. It's a shame that we couldn't show just how many people there were on, and around, this obscure, unstaffed, halt as Braunton powered away from Southampton, heading for Basingstoke via Romsey and Andover.
In our many visits to Worting Junction we've never videoed a London bound train passing under Battledown Flyover. Well now we have.
The water stop at Basingstoke gave us plenty of time to drive to Weybridge for one final shot. Sadly, Braunton couldn't match Oliver Cromwell's sound level when passing through the station, but it was still a great sight.

[Geoffers]

Due to adverse weather conditions and having no car, I didn't get much of a chance to see Braunton in action at Weymouth, so I am both grateful and impressed by this.

[AndreiTupolev]

That was some pretty impressive driving to be able to cover all those locations. Impressive view @ Weybridge with the lights and the light from the firebox

[EMuksteam]

Brilliant video with lots of worth while travelling superbly filmed.(C&A)

[robmasterman]

She looks in fine fettle Martyn...great coverage as always....Bob

[hurleyfunbags]

Fantastic video. She certainly looked and sounded great on Wednesday. I saw her return run at Winchfield and she was flying through there.

[SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Super effort. Must have taken some planning. Well captured

[francis]

Expat Brit in America, grateful, you bet I am!