Unusual Sightings
Deltic diesel locomotive in Dorset - Saturday 3 September 2011
the train arriving in Weymouth
What is believed to be the first visit to Weymouth of a Deltic diesel took place on Saturday 3rd September 2011. The 50-year old locomotive hauled a charter train from Crewe to Weymouth. The train travelled via Yeovil Pen Mill on its outward run and returned via Bournemouth, Basingstoke, Reading and the newly redoubled Cotswold Line on its return north.
Locomotive 55022 Royal Scots Grey used to haul the heaviest express trains between London KIngs Cross and Scotland in the 60's and 70's. The excursion was organised by Pathfinder Tours.
Locomotive 55022 Royal Scots Grey used to haul the heaviest express trains between London KIngs Cross and Scotland in the 60's and 70's. The excursion was organised by Pathfinder Tours.
Dorset Coast Express - Summer 2010
During the summer 2010 steam-hauled trains travelled from London to Dorset every Wednesday
This brought several interesting locomotives to Dorset
This brought several interesting locomotives to Dorset
Weymouth Seaside Express
Special trains ran on Sundays in summer 2010 from Bristol to Weymouth hauled by ex-GWR Castle-Class loco 5029 Nunney Castle. These were operated by The Railway Touring Company under the name of "Weymouth Seaside Express"
| Spitfire and Lancaster
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and Lancaster performed over Weymouth Bay on 18 August 2010 for the Weymouth Carnival
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Last Bristol VR bus
Bus enthusiasts have been coming to Weymouth during the past summers to see the last Bristol VR bus in the First Bus fleet anywhere in the UK. It is MOD 571P. It has been operating in and around Weymouth over the past few years as an open-topper usually on route 501 to Portland Bill. Weymouth depot has replaced it with a newer Volvo converted to open-top. The trusty old VR was put in Weymouth's reserve fleet, but it has now received a new lease of life in Swansea, South Wales operating a new open-top service to The Mumbles.
Cruise ships into Portland Port
The number of cruise ships visiting Portland has been steadily increasing. Most are carrying American or German tourists. They arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. During the day the passengers are offered a choice of tours along the Jurassic Coast. The largest ship so far has been the 80,000 ton Westerdam. A regular has been the Saga ship Spirit of Adventure which also spent a couple of weeks in Portland Port undergoing repairs. They usually dock at the purpose-built Britannia cruise terminal which displays one of the propellers from the ex-royal yacht Britannia.
Condor 10
Fancy buying a ferry? Well, Condor 10 is up for sale. It's now laid up in Weymouth awaiting a buyer. The ferry used to operate between the Channel Islands and St Malo, in France. It's been replaced by Condor's newest ferry "Condor Rapide" . Now that Condor Ferries have three pretty identical vessels (Condor Express, Condor Vitesse and Condor Rapide), they have no further use for Condor 10, which is smaller than the others.
Paddle-Steamer Waverley
Not exactly an unusual sighting, but it's been good to see the Waverley operating along the Dorset Coast in each September for her annual season cruises from Weymouth, Swanage and Bournemouth.
The weather has been sufficiently kind to encourage passengers to travel on this lovely ship - the last of its type still plying the waters around the UK.
This photo was taken on the morning of 8 September 2010, as Waverley backed away from Weymouth Pleasure Pier at the start of a long day excursion to Swanage, Bournemouth, The Solent and Portsmouth Dockyard.
The weather has been sufficiently kind to encourage passengers to travel on this lovely ship - the last of its type still plying the waters around the UK.
This photo was taken on the morning of 8 September 2010, as Waverley backed away from Weymouth Pleasure Pier at the start of a long day excursion to Swanage, Bournemouth, The Solent and Portsmouth Dockyard.
