34046 - The Dorset Coast Express 14-08-13 *34046's first main line railtour!*

It's been a long time in coming, but at last I can finally say that 34046 Braunton has hauled a railtour on the main line. Since it emerged from it's overhaul in 2008, Braunton has been hit with a variety of set backs that have meant that it's return to the main line was continually pushed back further and further.

Finally though, 34046 was ready, and hauled a test train around the usual Carnforth loop to prove that the main line preparations were complete. After moving down to Southall, 34046 had to wait 3 weeks for it's first train, the Dorset Coast Express from London to Weymouth and back.

This video begins at Potbridge with the re-built West Country accelerating away hard from the water stop at Winchfield. 25 minutes later, it rattled through Micheldever with a nice whistle for the crowds.
Because 34046 was required to wait at Eastleigh for a service train to pass, I could jump ahead and made it to Totton, and Brokenford bridge, where the safety valves lifted after accelerating away from Southampton towards the water stop at Beaulieu Road.
Unable to follow the DCE any further, the video jumps 6 hours to the return, and we begin at Totton station with the class 33 dragging the coaching stock and 34046 through to the reversal at Southampton Central.
After the reversal, it was to Test Lane to capture the acceleration away from the junction.
Good conditions on the road meant there was enough time to get set up at Whitchurch. Finally, with darkness well on it's way, it was back to Hook and Winchfield, to capture the Bulleid pacific racing through on the lines it worked on frequently 48 years ago.

#BrauntonReturns

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