Poole Sunday 16th December

[Oracle]

I took the kids down to Poole and the train arrived at Bournemouth, crossing to the P2? (usual Up), which then crossed-over after the sidings, There was a 444 in P4? (the one further adjacent to the sidings), so that made sense. However just before we left Bournemouth two former Virgin units came in, with BOURNEMOUTH description on the front though the P3? describer suggested that the train was not in public service. It then seems to have run to Poole. A while later another ex-Virgin ran to Poole as well. This rather brought back memories of the past! Was this because of inability to reverse at Bournemouth?

 

[westcoaster]

think from previous posts on a sunday they run down to poole and reverse there instead

 

[Tom]

I took the kids down to Poole and the train arrived at Bournemouth, crossing to the P2? (usual Up), which then crossed-over after the sidings, There was a 444 in P4? (the one further adjacent to the sidings), so that made sense. However just before we left Bournemouth two former Virgin units came in, with BOURNEMOUTH description on the front though the P3? describer suggested that the train was not in public service. It then seems to have run to Poole. A while later another ex-Virgin ran to Poole as well. This rather brought back memories of the past! Was this because of inability to reverse at Bournemouth?

On a Sunday Virgins used to run through to Poole due to low capacity at Bournemouth and a very tight timing if it was a "run in run out" at Bournemouth (6 minutes IIRC).

However, now they only do it for route retention purposes.

 

[Oracle]

I thought Tom would have the answer! As I said it seems that at least two trains ran to Poole. Of course Branksome and Parkstone were closed today so that meant the stopper we were on ran through more quickly. I assume that the diesels ran Up-Down-Up to bypass the 444 unless that had reversed back and cleared the way?

Not worthy of note any more is that the Wemouth stopper at New Milton had a 450 London end!

 

[Tom]

I thought Tom would have the answer! As I said it seems that at least two trains ran to Poole. Of course Branksome and Parkstone were closed today so that meant the stopper we were on ran through more quickly. I assume that the diesels ran Up-Down-Up to bypass the 444 unless that had reversed back and cleared the way?

I also noticed, don't know why not before, that the last Southampton ex-Waterloo has disappeared leaving the 0005??MX to Bournemouth as last train out.

Before the timetable change:

Voyagers ran into Poole anyway due to no capacity at Bournemouth.
The London - Bournemouth stopper reversed in Bournemouth.
The London - Weymouth semi-fast was the only train beyond Bournemouth.

After the timetable change:

Voyagers run into Poole for route retention purposes.
The London - Bournemouth stopper is extended to Poole non stop between Bournemouth and Poole.
The London - Weymouth runs the same as before.

For a look at the new timetable, have a look at www.swlines.co.uk in the timetables section.

The 0105 Southampton still exists on all days - 0005 is last service to Bournemouth SuX, 2254 London - Poole on a Sunday.

 

[Oracle]

I also noticed, don't know why not before, that the last Southampton ex-Waterloo has disappeared leaving the 0005MX to Bournemouth as last train out.

I looked at the TT in the Down booze, sorry passenger shelter at ANF and it appeared as though the 0105 had gone, as is the way of SWT, at the beginning of the day and at the end. I'll check agaiu to see if it is a misprint.
Some very nice person had drawn a neat biro line under the station's times to help pax see the relevant times applicable to our station. A very neat idea and plaudits are due, Sir! Or Madam!