The Railway Dog

Author: Yoshi

  • Mostly Swanage

    The Sun sets on Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ as she awaits the start of another day at the Swanage Diesel Gala – 10/05/2024

    April 25th to May 16th 2024

    It’s been a while… where did we get to last time? Ah yes, Class 52 “Western”, the New Measurement Train, engineering trains, Swanage and such like. I think this post may be a case of deja vu as many of these topics appear once again. But first, we had a trip to Derbyshire to attend a wedding via Bridport where we bumped into Ninth Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston (outside the toilets, no less). Chris was attending a screening of Ken Loach’s “Kes” (1969) as part of Bridport’s Film Festival 2024 ‘From Page To Screen’ series. It was great to see the film on the “big screen”.

    Christopher Eccleston chats about “Kes” as part of the Bridport Film Festival – 25/04/2024

    Having dropped Yoshi off at his cousins, we headed to Derbyshire for wedding celebrations at the beautiful Buxton Pavilion. We arrived in good time and checked into our hotel which meant we had time for a wander into Buxton before the wedding ceremony.

    I was lucky enough to see a pair of Class 66’s top and tailing across Spring Gardens Viaduct as we looked for a pub to have lunch. I managed to get a shot of No. 66044 operating as tail gunner, but an hour or so later, I was able to see this “Shed” and sister loco No. 66156 continue on their way after reversing at Buxton Up Relief Sidings.

    DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66044 at rest on Spring Gardens Viaduct, Buxton on the rear of 6H52 1305 Download Briggs Sidings to Ashburys SS – 26/04/2024
    Video of DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66044 and 66156 working 6H52 1305 Download Briggs Sidings to Ashburys SS at Buxton – 26/04/2024

    Following a wonderful wedding ceremony in the Buxton Spa Botanical Conservatory, as if the day couldn’t have been more fabulous, the bride and groom had arranged for the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway to be in service.

    Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ in Wedding Day Special service on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024
    Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024

    The railway first opened in 1972 as a 10 1/4″ gauge line. Trains were initially hauled by ‘Borough of Buxton’ a Shepperton Metal Products locomotive. In the winter of 1998, the line was regauged to 12.25″ in order to accommodate Alan Keef stock. Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ was built in 2000 and is named after the designer of the park it runs in.

    Video of Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ in Wedding Day Special service on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024

    After an evening of celebration, the following day we travelled north for a stay in Holmfirth via a quick look in at Cemex Peak Forest.

    DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66200 (left) and 66206 with GBRf No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY’ behind at Cemex Peak Forest – 27/04/2024
    DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66044 and 66028 on the Peak Forest Stabling Point – 27/04/2024
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66752 ‘The Hoosier State’ at the head of an engineers train rests at Chinley – 27/04/2024

    We returned to Dorset, stopping off at National Trust Moseley Old Hall, a Grade II* listed Elizabethan farmhouse situated north of Wolverhampton. The house is notable as one of the hiding places of King Charles II during his escape to France following defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

    National Trust Moseley Old Hall – 29/04/2024

    Constructed in approximately 1600 by Henry Pitt, few structural changes were made to the hall until around 1870 when the outer walls were replaced by bricks and casements replaced the Elizabethan windows.

    Tuesday 30th April saw Swanage Railway resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) in advance of booked railtour duties later in the week for the Branch Line Society (BLS). We saw the “Crompton” working light engine through Hamworthy.

    Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) light engine through Hamworthy – 30/04/2024
    Video clip of Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG)

    Later the same day Bournemouth depot received another newly refurbished South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 electric multiple unit (EMU) and despatched another to Widnes Transport Tech to enable modification works. Both of these unit drags involved GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ running round at Poole.

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ at Poole High Street Level crossing leading SWR Class 458 No. 458401 reporting as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD – 30/04/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ at Poole station running round working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh Yard – 30/04/2024

    458527 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh Yard – 30/04/2024

    Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ on Class 458 EMU drags – 30/04/2024

    In the early hours of Wednesday May 1st, I set out for Maiden Newton to see GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66725 ‘Sunderland’ and 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ working the South West Weedkiller reporting as 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside New Yard to Exeter Riverside New Yard. I really enjoyed this little excursion, the train ran more or less on time and as it had to stop at Maiden Newton where the driver needed to pick up a token to allow onward travel through single line sections of track, I had ample opportunity to take photographs as well as recording video.

    GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ at Maiden Newton leading on the outward leg of the South West Weed killer 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY – 01/05/2024
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ pauses at Maiden Newton during weed killer duties having reversed at Dorchester Junction working 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY – 01/05/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 66 locomotives on the South West Weedkiller at Maiden Newton – 01/05/2024

    As our regular reader will know, we enjoy walking along old railway lines, and on Thursday 2nd May, we revisited the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth, the former trackbed of the line from Weymouth to Portland.

    Yoshi on the Rodwell Trail, with the Isle of Portland in the background – 02/05/2023

    For The Record: the North Dorset New Measurement Train passed through Gillingham and Sherborne with High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43062 and 43274 reporting as 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter New Yard on 2nd May 2024. As we were walking along the old railway track bed in Weymouth, we missed this working, but friend of this blog, @smithy.377 kindly shared the video of the same consist running through Highbridge working 1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton the following day.

    New Measurement Train at Highbridge, courtesy of @smithy.377 – 03/05/2024

    On the weekend, the Saturday involved a drive to Exeter to see one of those BLS tours involving Class 33 No. D6515 we mentioned earlier. The Star Wars themed “May the Fourth be With You” charter originated and finished at Eastleigh running via Portsmouth, Westbury, Exeter, Yeovil, London Waterloo. Advertised as utilising the London Underground Class 438 4TC stock hauled by the preserved 71A Locomotive Group’s Class 33 and a GBRf Class 73/1 the reported addition of two Class 59 freight locomotives to pilot the train between Westbury and Exeter was too good to miss. Add to this the possibility of photographing two other rail tours in the West Country and a grand day out was in store. On the day we were surprised to learn that in fact three Class 59’s were being added to the train, meaning there were more locomotives than coaches!

    Class 37 No.’s 37518 and 37668 passing Highbridge with Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear – 04/05/2024
    Steam traction took over the “English Riviera Express” 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear at Taunton. Southern Railway West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ prepares to storm Whiteball – 04/05/2024
    LSL owned Class 47 No. 47828 seen at the rear of 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear – 04/05/2024
    Class 37 No.’s 37518 and 37668 at Whiteball with Pathfinder Tours “The Spring Cornish Explorer” 1Z65 0553 Dorridge to Penznce – 04/05/2024
    Featuring five engines, including three different liveried Class 59 Locomotives, the Branch Line Society’s “May the Fourth be With You” charter featured No.’s 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’ with No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ on the approach to Exeter St. Davids. No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ was on the rear of the London Underground 4tc set. The reporting number for this section of the rail tour was 1Z73 0648 Eastleigh to Exeter Central – 04/05/2024
    Freightliner Class 59 No.’s 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’ with No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ and No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ (at the rear) bring the LU 4tc set into Exeter – 04/05/2024
    GB Railfreight Class 73 No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ on the rear of the BLS “May the Fourth be With You” charter at Exeter St. Davids – 04/05/2024
    After piloting c into Exeter Central the three Class 59’s departed 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’ worked back to Westbury as 0Z73 1359 Exeter Central to Westbury Tarmac BY – 04/05/2024
    Now sole leading engine on the BLS tour, Class 33 No. No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Exeter Central on the next leg 1Z33 1440 Exeter Central to London Waterloo – 04/05/2024
    We also caught the Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the BLS charter “May the Fourth be With You” through Sherborne – 04/05/2024
    Video of BLS charter “May the Fourth be With You” and other trains – 04/05/2024

    The first Dorset Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival caught our attention on Sunday 5th May. Having read about traffic issues getting into the event on the Saturday and other largely negative reviews online, it was with some trepidation that we set off for Dorchester. We sailed into the car park with no problems, save the need for careful driving on a very muddy field. The music was provided by tribute acts to the likes of Neil Diamond, Ed Sheeran and Jess Glynne while a fun fair took up a large part the main arena. Unfortunately for visitors hoping to see a flurry of hot air balloons taking to the skies, weather conditions meant we were only able to witness three balloons lifting off. But they were a fine sight to behold all the same, and a very relaxing mode of transport to watch. I think there were some valid criticisms about the event organisation, but some were also unfairly exaggerated. Nevertheless, if suggestions are taken on board and improvements made, I look forward to this being an annual event in the Dorset calendar. The organisers can not, of course, be held responsible for the weather conditions!

    Weather conditions on the Sunday of the Dorset Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival meant only experienced balloonists could take to the air. The Wallace & Gromit balloon was a favourite! – 05/05/2024
    Wallace & Gromit head up into the skies – 05/05/2024

    The dispute between the ASLEF union and train operating companies continue and the 7th May saw SWR drivers calling a strike day.

    All stop at Weymouth on the South Western Railway drivers strike day. SWR Class 444 No.’s 444004 and 444007 stand idle in Weymouth – 07/05/2024
    Celebrity Pride liveried SWR Class 444 No. 444019 in platform 3 at Weymouth – 07/05/2024

    Although SWR drivers were on strike, this did not affect drivers from the freight companies working. DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66148 ‘Maritime Intermodal Seven’ and 66025 worked engineers train 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton. We videoed the train passing through Poole.

    Video screenshot of DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66148 ‘Maritime Intermodal Seven’ and 66025 working 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton through Poole – 07/05/2024
    Video of DB Cargo working 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton – 07/05/2024

    8th May and time for my favourite railway working of the year; the arrival of the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala convoy of locomotives. This year the positioning move aroused much interest as it was headed up by Class 52 diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ with Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 along with Class 50 No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ in tow. We saw the consist passing through Hamworthy as it made its way over to the Purbeck heritage line.

    Convoy! Always a highlight of the year – the Swanage Diesel Gala convoy with visiting guest locomotives passes Hamworthy with Class 52 “Western” No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’, Harry Needle Railroad Compay Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 with Class 50 No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ bringing up the rear reporting as 0Z53 1544 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 08/05/2024
    Class 50 No. 50021 on the rear of the Swanage bound locomotive convoy 0Z53 1544 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 08/05/2024

    The following day, May 9th, and further Gala attractions made their way through Dorset in readiness for the annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival as Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ ran light engine reporting as 0Z37 0946 Westbury Down TC to Swanage. We saw the locomotive as she ran through Hamworthy

    Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ running light engine as 0Z37 0946 Westbury Down TC to Swanage passing Hamworthy – 09/05/2024

    GBRf had promised to provide a Class 69 locomotive for the Swanage Diesel Gala, with No. 69007 ‘Richard Trevithick’ being the ear marked example. In the event, this locomotive was declared a failure at Eastleigh and was replaced by fellow class member No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&E’. The Class 69 was scheduled to travel to Swanage as part of the BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” charter, again employing the London Underground Class 438 4TC coaching stock along with “Crompton” diesel Class 33 No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’. As a result of a temporary issue with the Electric Train Supply (ETS) on No. D6515, GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ was added to the consist to provide the ETS.

    As my camera “had issues”, here’s a video screenshot of the Branch Line Society promoted “The Jurassic Crompton” charter train with Swanage resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ and GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ double heading on the London Underground Class 438 4tc set entering Poole – 09/05/2024
    Old and new pass at Poole! Screenshot of BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” special train headed up by Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, passing SWR Class 701 No. 701059 on test / mileage accumulation working. Two members of the 701’s crew can be seen taking an interest in the charter – 09/05/2024
    Screenshot BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” charter with GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ bringing up the rear – 09/05/2024
    Video of Swanage Diesel Gala guest locomotives and BLS charter “The Jurassic Crompton” on their way to the Purbeck Heritage line

    Later that evening, a ballast train worked from Eastleigh to Maiden Newton via Dorchester Junction. GBRf provided the traction in the form of Class 66 No.’s 66725 ‘Sunderland’ and 66795 ‘Bescot LDC’. Yoshi was delighted to be reacquainted with GBRf driver Bessie Matthews who spotted our boy from the cab of the leading locomotive at Dorchester South. We saw also saw the train at Dorchester West, but as it was late, and there was no indication when the ballast train would depart for Maiden Newton, we headed home before it left.

    GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ on arrival at Dorchester South working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024
    GBRf driver Bessie Matthews recognises Yoshin and says hello at Dorchester South – 09/05/2024
    Yoshi takes a keen interest in GBRf Class 66 No. 66795 ‘Bescot LDC’ as it rests at Dorchester West working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024
    Yoshi poses with GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ at Dorchester West. The locomotive was working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024
    Video of GBRf ballast train 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024

    For The Record: Colas Class 37 No. 37116 worked 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY through North Dorset overnight of 10th May 2024. I had planned on seeing this move at Yeovil in connection with popping out to see the GBRf ballast train, but as the Class 37 ran early, this was not to be. I wasn’t too bothered, I will admit!

    10th May Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ supported by Class 47 No. 47773 operated the first of Vintage Trains two day “The Great Western Railway” tours between Birmingham Snow Hill and Plymouth. This tour marked 60 years when the locomotive achieved, what was then, the fastest ever non-stop run between Plymouth and Bristol completed in 133 minutes and 9 seconds. We saw the train heading West at Filton Abbey Wood and on its climb to Whiteball bank in Somerset. Unfortunately the return trip own the following day did not emulate the non-stop run of 60 years previously as ‘Clun Castle’ stalled on Hemerdon Bank. Tysley’s Class 47 No. 47773 which had been shadowing the train at this point came to the rescue and provided assistance. Part of the attraction for me of seeing this working was the steam locomotive working unassisted over the notorious Devon banks. But later timings on the Friday and my desire to attend the Swanage Diesel Gala on the Saturday meant I had to be content with the two viewings I was able to fit in.

    Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ at Filton Abbey Wood working “The Great Western” 1Z46 0830 Birmingham Snow Hill to Bristol Temple Meads – 10/05/2024
    Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ approaches Filton Abbey Wood station working the first day of Vintage Trains “The Great Western” charter which would see the steam locomotive tackle the Devon banks solo – 10/05/2024
    Support locomotive Class 47 No. 47773 working light engine as 0Z47 1435 Bristol East Depot DBC to Plymouth ahead of the steam hauled charter – 10/05/2024
    Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ makes the climb up Whiteball bank near Taunton reporting as 1Z47 1547 Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth – 10/05/2024
    Video of Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’on the mainline – 10/05/2024

    The 2024 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival took place from 10th to 12th May. Nine locomotives took part which involved an intensive three train service in operation with several trains running along the the entire length of the nine-mile line route from Swanage to the River Frome at the limit of the heritage line’s operations on the branch from Wareham. Star of the show was very much the Diesel Traction group’s Class 52 ‘Western’ No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ which visited the Purbeck line for the first time since 2007 and the first time a member of the class which has run on the Swanage Railway since 2011. Alongside the first Class 69 hauling passenger trains on the line, the two Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20’s, two Class 50’s and the Colas Class 37, the guest gala fleet was bolstered with Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ which had previously arrived by road. The visiting locomotives were of course joined by Swanage Railway resident Class 33’s No. D6515 and 33111.

    Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ working a Beerex train to Corfe Castle, passing visiting Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’, the London Underground Class 4tc set and resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ – 10/05/2024
    An evening scene in the sidings at Swanage – 10/05/2024
    GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ was on static display at Swanage station. The locomotive was enlisted to assist Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ on mainline railtour duty when the “Crompton” developed a fault – 10/05/2024
    Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ from the East Lancs Railway. No. D5054 is one of just four preserved examples from the original 151 strong fleet of locomotives and was amongst the first diesel locomotives to be based at Bury. She is seen here at Swanage – 10/05/2024

    Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ was only scheduled to haul the Friday evening “Beerex” trains and it wasn’t to take any further part in the gala weekend. However, issues with the electronic field supply for the Electric Train Heat (ETH) generator on No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ meant the locomotive was withdrawn from running and the timetable had to be revised and No. 50026 was pressed into service. On a Class 50, the ETH generator also powers the radiator fan so the fault meant the locomotive had no cooling fan and without which would quickly overheat.

    Visiting Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ on the approach to Harmans Cross – 11/05/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ ( a late replacement for failed sister loco No. 690XX) draws away from Harmans Cross – 11/05/2024
    Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20311 and 20302 hauling the London Underground 4tc set on the approach toCorfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    The London Underground Class 438 4tc set being hauled by the HNRC Class 20’s towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    Class 52 “Western” Diesel-Hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ on the approach to Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ makes a fine sight departing Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ accelerates up the slight incline from Corfe Castle station – 11/05/2024
    Class 33 No. 33111 having departed Corfe Castle station – 11/05/2024
    Carrying a “Sulzer” headboard, Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Swanage as the driver receives the token for the single line working from the signalman – 11/05/2024
    In its Network South East (NSE) livery, Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ powers towards Swanage – 11/05/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ having past Afflington. The London Underground 4tc set was made much use of during the gala weekend – 11/05/2024
    Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20311 and 20302 hauling the London Underground 4tc set towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    HNRC Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 double head the London Underground 4tc set across Corfe Common – 11/05/2024
    Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33111 heads a train from Swanage – 11/05/2024
    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ heads a Swanage bound train – 11/05/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ hauls the London Underground 4tc set across Corfe Common – 11/05/2024
    Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ heads towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ powers towards Corfe Castle with Afflington Bridge behind – 11/05/2024
    My final shot of the day, GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ with Corfe Castle in the distance heads across Corfe Common with a Swanage bound train – 11/05/2024

    Unfortunately there was further disruption on Saturday evening when No. 50026, on the back of a six-carriage passenger train, became partially derailed at Castle Corfe station at approximately 1830 – around the same time I was settling down to watch new ‘Doctor Who’ on BBC 1. The evening gala and Beerex services were suspended following the incident. No passengers were injured and no damage was sustained to the carriages on the train. The government’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) were advised and they carried out an investigation on the cause of the derailment. The Class 50 was re-railed during the night by rail support service Goodman’s and inspections did not reveal any damage to the locomotive.

    Webcam Screenshot from the Corfe Castle camera showing Class 50 No.50026 ‘Indomitable’ being assessed after she came off the rails. The Webcam feed was later turned off at the request of the Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) – 11/05/2024
    Video glimpse of the 2024 Swanage Diesel Gala

    Also of nite, the Saturday saw a surprise run of a pair of SWR Class 450 EMU’s to Weymouth forming an eight coach train. I was too busy on the Swanage Railway or watching new “Doctor Who” to pop out and see them, but good friend of the blog @da_buckley967 was on hand to capture No.’s 450091 and 450038 in Weymouth station having worked in from Portsmouth earlier in the day.

    Unusual visitors for Weymouth; two four car SWR Class 450 EMU No.’s 450091 and 450038 stand at platform having worked in with a VSTP (Very Short Term Plan) working 1K21 1056 Portsmouth Harbour to Weymouth – 11/05/2024 (Image courtesy of da_buckley967)
    SWR Class 450 No. 450038 forming the rear of 1K32 1903 Weymouth to Portsmouth Harbour at the buffer stops in Weymouth alongside GWR Class 166 No. 166215 working 2V96 1845 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads – 11/05/2024 (Image courtesy of da_buckley967)

    A heavily revised timetable was implemented at the Swanage Diesel Gala on the Sunday, but the BLS charter the “Return of the Jurassic Crompton” ran as scheduled, departing Swanage at 1430. We saw the charter train crossing the Holes Bay causeway.

    Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ traverses Creekmoor Viaduct with GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’, the London Underground 4tc set and GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ at the rear working the Branch Line Society railtour “The Return of the Jurassic Crompton” 1Z35 1420 Swanage to London Waterloo across Holes Bay causeway on the approach to Poole – 12/05/2024
    D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ entering Wareham working light engine movement 0z36 1105 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 13/05/2024
    D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ pauses at Wareham to pick up Swanage Railway crew as she returns to the heritage railway after the previous days railtour – 13/05/2024

    The other visiting locomotives mostly departed over the next couple of days, with No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ leaving first on Monday 13th and a convoy consisting of the No. D1015, the Class 20’s and both Class 50’s heading to Eastleigh on Tuesday 14th.

    Colas Rail Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ passes through Hamworthy running as 0F75 1030 Swanage to Westbury Down TC – 13/05/2024
    Homeward bound – the Swanage Diesel Gala guest locomotive convoy crosses Rockley Sands Viaduct with Class 52 D1015 ‘Western Champion’ hauling HNRC Class 20’s 20311 and 20302 with 50021 ‘Rodney’ and 50026 ‘Indomitable’ reporting as 0Z50 1032 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 14/05/2024
    Video from of the 2024 associated Swanage Diesel Gala mainline workings

    Tuesday and another Class 458 delivery / departure ran, once again in the hands of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 heading up 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with refurb SWR Class 458 No. 458413 and returning later on 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh East Yard which took No. 458512 on its first leg to Widnes for refurbishment. These moves ran early and I missed my chance at taking photographs, however I did manage to capture some quick video of the first working as it passed Poole Park.

    Screenshot GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 heading up 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with 458413 – 14/05/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 working 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with SWR Class 458 No. 458413 – 14/05/2024

    And that brings us to the end of another blog instalment. We’ll be back in a week or so with our report from the Severn Valley Railway diesel gala and an update on out of the ordinary railway workings in Dorset. As always, thanks for reading and for your comments which are appreciated. Be seeing you!

  • Yoshi and the One Way Wizzo

    Having worked up to London Paddington earlier in the day, the Diesel Traction Group owned Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passes through Pangbourne at the head of 1Z56 1352 London Paddington to Birmingham New Street charter train. Originally an empty coaching stock movement to Burton, it was instead tuned into a main line test run for No. D1015 and opened up for public use as a joint operation by UK Railtours and Pathfinder Tours named “The One Way Wizzo”. The “Western” worked the tour as far as Bescot Yard, from where Class 57 No. 57303 took over the last into New Street before taking the ECS forward to Burton-on-Trent – 14/04/2024

    April 14th 2024 to April 24th 2024

    On Sunday 14th April 2024, preserved Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic locomotive No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ worked a loaded test run from London Paddington to Birmingham New Street, supported by GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 which was utilised as a passenger carrying one way rail tour. No. D1015 ran light into Paddington and then headed up the “One Way Wizzo” as far as Bescot Yard, with No. 57303 taking charge for the final leg into New Street. After the tour, ‘Western Champion’ returned to her base on the Severn Valley Railway.

    I was quite intrigued with the idea of trying to photograph both the Western’s light engine move as well as the loaded test run itself, so devised a plan for a visit to a National Trust property as a day-out for Yoshi and Caroline. Checking out the route of the Great Western main line on Google maps, I settled on Basildon Park as our heritage destination as the railway runs very close to the estate. On the day, I checked out potential photographic spots, but discounting these, back-tracked slightly to Pangbourne railway station as the car park is ideally situated for photography as long as you can position yourself above the line-side fencing; remembering to stay safe at all times!

    Pangbourne station is located close to the village centre, with the main station buildings on the opposite side of the railway to the village. It has two platforms, one on each of the relief (slow) lines, whilst the fast lines pass behind the station. The platforms are linked to each other and the station entrance, on the up relief platform, by a pedestrian underpass. The station once had four platforms with those situated on the main fast lines now no longer in situ.

    Exterior of Pangbourne railway station. The station is on the original line of the Great Western Railway, which was opened in stages: the portion between Reading and Steventon opened on 1st June 1840, with Pangbourne being the first station west out of Reading – 14/04/2024
    All services at Pangbourne are operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) using Class 387 EMU’s.
    The typical off-peak is two trains per hour in each direction between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway. On Sundays, the service is reduced to hourly in each direction. Screenshot of Class 387 Electrostar electric multiple unit (EMU) No.’s 387169 & 387170 depart Pangbourne working 2N42 1426 Reading to Didcot Parkway – 14/04/2024
    Great Western Railway Intercity Express Train (IET) pass Pangbourne on the fast lines situated behind the platforms at Pangbourne. Class 800 No. 800311 passes Pangbourne working 1A18 1300 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington – 14/04/2024
    CrossCountry trains also pass Pangbourne. Screenshot of CrossCountry Class 221 Super Voyager No. 221133 works 1O16 1124 Manchester Piccadilly to Southampton through Pangbourne – 14/04/2024

    While waiting for No. D1015 to pass us on her way to London Paddington, the local security operated by Land Sheriffs Ltd pulled into the car park and parked up casting a weather eye over my activity. As the Western was still a good few minutes off, I strolled over for a chat. The two security guards were really friendly and knew just what I was waiting for. They were, however, surprised to learn that the heritage diesel-hydraulic locomotive was making a solo pass prior to its railtour work as they had been charged with keeping an eye on proceedings further up the line at Didcot when the “One Way Wizzo” was due to pass later that afternoon as the train was sure to attract much attention from railway enthusiasts. Satisfied that I was not a security risk, the Land Sheriffs left me to await the first appearance of No. D1015.

    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ runs light engine towards Pangbourne railway station working 0Z55 1020 Kidderminster SVR to London Paddington – 14/04/2024

    It was a good couple of hours before ‘Western Champion’ was timed to pass Pangbourne on her way to Bescot, so we decamped to National Trust Basildon Park where we enjoyed a woodland walk taking in the bluebells before Caroline took a tour of the mansion house and Yoshi and I headed back to the railway station car park for another shot at photographing No. D1015, this time at the head of a rake of carriages.

    Yoshi amongst the bluebells in the wooded parkland at Basildon Park – 14/04/2024
    Yoshi at National Trust Basildon Park. The estate was purchased by Francis Sykes in 1771. Sykes had made his fortune in the East India Company and required a home befitting his status. He demolished the old house and employed architect John Carr to build the Bath-stone mansion which exists today. The property was gifted to the National Trust in 1978 by Lord and Lady Iliffe who had bought Basildon Park in 1952 – 14/04/2024
    Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passes Pangbourne with “One Way Wizzo” 1Z56 1352 London Paddington to Birmingham New Street – 14/04/2024
    Video of Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passing Pangbourne – 14/04/2024

    Monday 15th April we were back at Poole railway station in readiness for GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ working the monthly 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth test train.

    Video screenshots of GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ working 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth – 15/04/2024
    Video of 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth at Poole – 15/04/2024

    The following day, Tuesday 16th April, we were out to see GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 once again, this time performing electric multiple unit drag duties, hauling South Western Railway (SWR) refurbished Class 458 No. 458421 and 508 barriers as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. having worked down from Widnes Transport Tech as far as Wembley Receptions 1-7 the previous day before progressing into Dorset.

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 leading SWR Class 458 No. 458421 and 508 barriers towards Parkstone railway station as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. – 16/04/2024
    After running round its train, GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 hauls SWR Class 458 No. 458421 up Parkstone Bank working 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. – 16/04/2024

    Later the same day, No. 57303 departed Bournemouth depot with un-refurbished Class 458 No. 458513 as 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard. The formation was scheduled to stable at Eastleigh overnight before proceeding to Widnes Transport Tech on Wednesday 17th. We saw this formation at Poole on the first leg of its journey.

    Screenshot of GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 with Class 508 barrier coaches and SWR Class 458 No. 458513 arrives at Poole working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard. The train heads out to Poole Storage Sidings – 16/04/2024
    Having left the Class 458 in Poole Storage Sidings, GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 runs light engine into Poole railway station before heading back to attach to the London end of its train – 16/04/2024
    GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 on SWR Class unit drags – 16/04/2024

    Following the successful restoration of LSWR Adams T3 Class No. 563, the team at the Swanage Railway are now turning their attention to their next challenge, that of returning LSWR T9 Class No.120 to steam in time for its 130th birthday in 2029 resplendent in Olive green livery. Thursday 18th April was therefore an eventful one for No.120 as she departed the Swanage Railway by road for transit to The Flour Mill Locomotive Repair Workshop in Lydney, Gloucestershire. The Flour Mill is a listed former colliery electricity generating station which was converted to a railway workshop between 1995 and 1996. The Flour Mill Ltd operates the business undertaking work repairing and overhauling steam locomotives. We popped over to the Purbeck line to witness the Victorian locomotive being collected from Swanage by resident diesel Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’. The pairing then travelled up to Arne Road sidings where No.120 was to be placed on a road low-loader.

    The T9 is owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM) and agreement has been reached where the condition of the locomotive will be assessed ahead of a commitment to return her to steam for further service on the Swanage Railway.

    Designed by Dugald Drummond and built in 1899 at Nine Elms works, No.120 was a member of the T9 class of locomotives, affectionately known as the “Greyhounds” for their swift performances on the West of England main lines.

    LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 at Swanage – 18/04/2024

    Altogether, sixty-six T9 locomotives were built, with No.120 being the only survivor. She was withdrawn from regular service in 1961 and painted in London South Western Railway (LSWR) ‘Pea Green’ livery, colours – inappropriate as she was modified with a superheater by Robert Urie and as a consequence her appearance was substantially altered from her early days. However, in this guise she hauled special trains for a few years before becoming part of the National Collection. After spells of service on the Mid-Hants Railway, at Swanage and on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, No. 120 returned to Swanage in 2017 and became a vital part of the fleet until her boiler certificate expired. During her time at Swanage the locomotive proved a powerful but economic machine, popular with both crews and visitors alike. Her restoration will allow the Swanage railway to develop a more sustainable locomotive fleet into the future as the T9, like the T3, is perfectly sized for the heritage branch.

    Swanage resident Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ having coupled up to 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 in readiness of forming 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024
    Crompton No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ is owned by the 71A Loco Group, and returned to Swanage in time for the May 2011 Diesel Gala after undergoing overhaul at Eastleigh works. She is seen here reversing into Swanage railway station with 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 – 18/04/2024
    Southern Railway 4-6-2 “West Country” Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ at Swanage having backed onto the coaching stock of the 2N10 1640 Swanage to Norden service – 18/04/2024
    Southern Railway 4-6-2 “West Country” Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ departs Swanage working 2N10 1640 Swanage to Norden – 18/04/2024
    Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ hauls 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 away from Swanage working as 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024
    Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ and 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 on the approach to Harmans Cross working 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024

    The Swanage Railway Trust are hoping to raise £50,000 for this project, which will enable No. 120 to be dismantled and assessed at the Flour Mill. Following this, a report will be produced detailing the work required to return 120 to service, including an assessment of the cylinder block and whether this needs to be replaced. If the report is favourable, the Trust can proceed to the next stage of the overhaul later in the year. Should it be decided the locomotive is not a suitable contender for restoration, the remainder of the £50,000 will see No. 120 re-assembled and returned to the NRM for further display.

    Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ arrives at Arne Road with 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 in tow working 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024
    Video of T9 Class No.30120 being hauled to Arne Sidings on the Swanage Railway – 18/04/2024

    Engineering Work took place in the Wareham area over the weekend of 20th / 21st April 2024. The sidings to the east of Wareham railway station were renewed, ballast was refreshed at Worgret Junction and the footbridge at Wool railway station received attention. Two engineering trains were engaged for the work; 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66795 & 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 6C03 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Holton Heath in the sole charge of Colas Class 66 No.66850 ‘David Maidment OBE’. Two other associated workings featured 4-wheeler Track Machine Colas Tamper No. DR73931 forming 6J86 1844 Woking Up Yard Reception to Wool MOD Siding GBRf and Pandrol Jackson Plain Line Stoneblower No. DR80205 working as 6U37 2103½ Horsham Up T.C. to Holton Heath.

    Screenshot of GBRf Class 66 No. 66795 at Poole leading on 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham – 20/04/2024
    Screenshot of GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ passes through Poole at the rear of 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham – 20/04/2024
    Screenshot of Colas Class 66 No.66850 ‘David Maidment OBE’ passing Poole working 6C03 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Holton Heath – 20/04/2024
    Wareham Railway Station – 21/04/2024
    A hand written note informs us that the pedestrian crossing at Wareham railway station is closed due to engineering work – 20/04/2024
    New track panels stacked adjacent the unused signal box at Wareham – 20/04/2024
    Work continues at Wareham – 20/04/2024
    A view up the line towards Wareham sidings which would be partially renewed during the weekend engineering works- 20/04/2024
    A Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) at work in Wareham – 21/04/2024
    Pandrol Jackson Plain Line Stoneblower No. DR80205 used for the initial levelling of track after it has been freshly installed awaits the call of duty at Holton Heath – 21/04/2024

    The Class 66 hauled engineers trains departed the possession area in the early hours of Monday 22nd reporting as 6G13 0230 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard and 6C03 0330 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard.

    Holton Heath railway station – September 2022

    20th April was the 35th anniversary of a collision which occurred at Holton Heath in 1989. Tragically, Bournemouth train driver Clive Brooker lost his life in the accident. The archived report can be found here.

    Plaque in memory of Driver Clive Brooker situated at Hamworthy railway station; “At about 1202, a light locomotive, that is one travelling without a train, collided with the rear of a freight train at Holton Heath. I regret to report that the driver of the light locomotive… died as a result of the accident. The driver and the guard of the freight train suffered minor injuries.

    On a dry clear day, the diesel locomotive, No. 33107, was travelling at speed under clear signals along the Up line between Wareham and Hamworthy Junction, when it struck the rear of the 1145 Wool to Eastleigh freight train 6W54 as it was accelerating away from a stand after carrying out shunting duties at Holton Heath Siding. The freight train consisted of eight wagons hauled by an electro-diesel locomotive No. 73002; the rearmost wagon being the Type VAA four-wheeled covered van with long sliding doors and loaded with bagged and palletised ballcla.”

    Wednesday April 24th 2024 and it was the turn of Network Rail’s (NR) New Measurement Train (NMT) to visit Weymouth via the western route from Yeovil Pen Mill. Having missed out the Dorset seaside town because of line closures in March the train, which monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph, was in the hands of former High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43357 this month. Yoshi and I visited Upwey to see the outward and return legs.

    In its Colas branded East Midlands Railway (EMR) livery, Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43274 leads on the approach to Upwey working the New Measurement Train 1Z22 0747 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – 24/04/2024
    At the rear of the New Measurement Train – reporting as 1Z22 0747 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – in de-branded CrossCountry livery Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43357 passes through Upwey on its way to Weymouth – 24/04/2024
    Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43357 forming the New Measurement Train 1Z22 0747 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth passes South Western Railway Class 444 No. 444024 forming 1W27 1335 London Waterloo to Weymouth at Upwey – 24/04/2024
    Video of the Dorset HST Hew Measurement Train – 24/04/2024 (with thanks to da_bucklet967 and G E Barrett for additional video content)

    Train drivers union, ASLEF, have announced fresh strikes and an overtime ban taking place between Monday 6th May and Saturday 11th May 2024. Train Operating Companies (TOC) in Dorset affected by strike action days are SWR on Tuesday 7th May and GWR on Wednesday 8th May when revised services will run, with short-notice cancellations possible.

    That’s it for another belated blog entry, thanks for joining us looking back on our railway themed adventures! We appreciate your comments, corrections and feedback. We’ll be back with another update soon. Until then, be seeing you!

    Yoshi travels by SWR – 22/04/2024

  • Yoshi’s Castleton Adventure

    Yoshi pauses during a walk along the River Stour in Blandford. The two arches behind our boy are all that remain of the original structure that took the Somerset and Dorset Railway across Langton Meadows. The railway closed in 1966 and the Blandford Railway Arches Trust Limited, in partnership with Blandford Town Council are working to conserve the arches – 08/04/2024

    April 1st 2024 to April 13th 2024

    Yoshi visits the Dolphin Centre in Poole – 02/04/2024

    Yoshi was recently quite perturbed on finding out Barclays Bank have been closing branches across Dorset, with both Weymouth and Poole getting the axe. To replace their High Street presence in Poole, the bank have opened a pod within the town’s Dolphin Shopping Centre. The decline of bank branches in the UK has been attributed to banking consumers’ changing habits and technological changes. Yoshi waited patiently in the ever growing queue at the pod when he wanted to transact business ensuring he had enough pocket money in his account to keep him in Beef & Poultry flavour Mini Tasty treats.

    Yoshi supports Basil Brush and his fund raising for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) – 02/04/2024

    Our first railway themed adventure in April 2024 took place during an overnight trip to the Greater Manchester area. The purpose of our trip was to visit friends, but me being me, I was unable to resist the lure of checking out Real Time Trains and seeing what might be seen on the local tracks. I immediately noticed that regular Class 60 hauled freight trains were scheduled to pass through Rochdale, Lancashire where we were staying the night.

    As we drove along the A664, Edinburgh Way, on the outskirts of Rochdale towards our hotel, we passed under a blue railway bridge with a sign welcoming us to “Rochdale – birthplace of co-operation”. The metropolitan borough in north-west England has long boasted of its association with the 28 mill workers, known as the “Rochdale Pioneers”, who opened their Co-Operative shop in the town on Toad Lane in 1844, devising the “principles” which became the model for cooperatives worldwide.

    It conveniently transpired that our hotel was located a few minutes walk from the railway line running through Rochdale and while out walking Yoshi prior to our heading to bed, we took a stroll just in time to see a Class 60 pass over the A664 blue railway bridge with a Drax Power Station to Liverpool Biomass Terminal train of empty wagons.

    The trains supplying Drax use distinctive state of the art biomass wagons – the largest on UK railways – designed specifically to transport and unload wood pellets.

    The UK Central Electricity Generating Board began building Drax in 1967 to utilise coal from the Selby coalfield, and in 1974 it begins generating electricity for the first time. The power station is officially opened in 1975, with three generators and a total electrical capacity of just under 2 gigawatts (GW). It had the capability to power around two million homes but by 1986, Drax had doubled in size and capacity to just under 4 GW, becoming the largest power station in the UK.

    In 1990, Drax Power Station comes under the ownership of National Power, one of three power generation companies created as part of the privatisation of the electricity industry in England and Wales. Nine years later, the power station is acquired by the US-based AES corporation for £1.87 billion but part ways in 2003 after one of the power station’s major customers goes into administration. As creditors, various financial institutions take control of Drax Power Station. 2005 saw the power station undergoing refinancing and Drax Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

    In 2012, Drax committed to transforming the business into a mainly biomass-fuelled generator using compressed wood pellets in place of coal by upgrading the three generating units that came online in the early 1970’s to run on 100% sustainable biomass, with no use of coal. The first upgraded generating unit came online in 2013 and ten years later in April 2023 Drax announced the official end of coal-fired generation at Drax Power Station.

    As I previously noted above, there are numerous daily paths to and from Drax which pass through Rochdale. So, in order to catch a view of these workings, I elected to get up early on the Thursday morning and drove the five minute journey to Castleton railway station. On arrival at 0530, in good time to witness 6E36 0205 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax AES (GBRf) pass through, the station was in darkness. Luckily for me, the lights flickered into life prior to Class 60 No. 60076 ‘Dunbar’ rumbling through the unstaffed station.

    Screenshot of GBRf Class 60 No. 60076 ‘Dunbar’ running through Castleton working 6E36 0205 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax AES (GBRf) – 04/04/2024
    Northern Trains Class 150 No.’s 150120 and 150110 stop at Castleton railway station working 2B89 0551 Rochdale to Blackburn – 04/04/2024

    Stopping train services at Castleton are currently provided by Northern Trains utilising Class 195 and Class 150 diesel multiple units. TransPennine Express train services also pass through the station.

    GBRf Class 60 No. 60096 ‘Impetus’ on the approach to Castleton working 6M34 0545 Drax AES (GBRf) to Tuebrook Sidings (GBRf) – 04/04/2024

    The first station to be opened in Castleton was in 1839, situated on the western side of the Rochdale to Manchester Road bridge and was originally called “Blue Pits for Heywood”. The existing station opened on 1st November 1875, on the eastern side of the road bridge. The Liverpool and Bury Railway from Bolton once joined the main line at a triangular junction just south of the station. This was previously a busy passenger and freight route utilised by trains avoiding Manchester, but was closed to passengers on 5th October 1970. Castleton station was formerly part of the Oldham Loop Line which provided through services to Oldham via Rochdale. This route was closed in 2009 and converted for light rail use by Manchester Metrolink.

    The western portion of this line was retained for freight traffic after passenger trains ceased serving the coal depot at Rawtenstall until 1980, and subsequently to the Powell Duffryn wagon works. It now forms the link with the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) at Heywood. Subject to permission being granted by Network Rail (NR, in the future, the heritage line plans to extend its services along and towards a possible new bay platform – given the proposed name “Castleton Village” – which would be adjacent to the main Castleton station. Passengers could then alight from their ELR train and change station sides directly to Northern Rail services on the national network.

    Video from Castleton – April 2024

    We arrived back in Dorset on Thursday evening in time to see Colas operated Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) head towards Weymouth propelled by Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ with DBSO No. 9714 leading on the outward leg of 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings.

    Screenshot of Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton at the rear of Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) passing Hamworthy reporting as 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings – 05/04/2024
    Video of UTU 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings – 05/04/2024

    The following day, Friday 5th April 2024, and we were back at Hamworthy station as Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ escaped the heritage railway and ventured out onto the mainline as she headed off to Eastleigh to collect preserved Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’. The two locomotives returned later in the day. The Class 50 is visiting the Swanage Railway to undertake power testing to ensure it is fit and ready to earn a mainline running certificate. More news on this is expected from the locomotives owners in the next few weeks.

    Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ runs light engine into Hamworthy as 0Z33 1130 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) – 05/04/2024
    Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ running light engine passing Hamworthy as 0Z33 1130 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) – 05/04/2024
    Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ approaching Hamworthy reporting as 0Z50 1430 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Swanage – 05/04/2024 – 05/04/2024
    Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ being hauled by Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ at Hamworthy – 05/04/2024
    Video of D6515 & 50026 passing Hamworthy – 05/04/2024
    Yoshi after his date with the groomer. We celebrated by popping into the boys’ favourite pub – 05/04/2024

    Hamworthy Branch update

    The new electrical cabinet at Hamworthy Park crossing on Ashmore Avenue has been installed and the old one removed.

    New cabinet at Hamworthy Park level crossing – 05/04/2024

    For The Record

    The New Measurement Train (NMT) visited North Dorset on Thursday April 4th top and tailed by former High Speed Train (HST) Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43257 which formed 1Q23 0555 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter.

    Saturday 6th April 2024 and North Dorset witnessed the sight of preserved Hasting’s Unit operating “The Cogload Climber” rail tour run by Hastings Diesels Limited. The train passed through Sherborne and Gillingham on its return leg working as 1Z15 1440 Exeter Central to Hastings. Unfortunately, although I had planned to photograph and video the train as it made its way to and from Devon, this just wasn’t meant to be.

    However, good friend of this blog, @smithy.377 has very kindly allowed us to share the following images and video of the tour in Exeter.

    Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) No. 1001 led by Class 202/6L Power Car 60118 ‘Tunbridge Wells’ at Exeter St Davids prior to departure up to Exeter Central working the “Cogload Climber” railtour reporting as 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith, @smithy.377)

    No. 1001 is a Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) which once worked on the London Charing Cross to Hastings route in British Rail days between 1957 and 1986. Following withdrawal, the train was subsequently preserved by Hastings Diesels Limited (HDL), restored to its former glory and  returned to main-line operation ten years later, in 1996.

    Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
    Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
    Unit No. 1001 Class 202/6L Power Car No. 60116
    ‘Mount­field’ in the bay platform at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
    Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central working “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
    Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central forming “The Cogload Climber” railtour. The train departed reporting as 1Z15 1440 Exeter Central to Hastings – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
    “The Cogload Climber” railtour at Exeter – 06/04/2024. Video courtesy of Ashley Smith / @smithy.377

    In other news, Network Rail (NR), who are responsible for UK railway infrastructure, is to spend approximately £2.8billion on protecting railways from extreme weather events over the next 5 years. The government owned organisation will fund measures such as making embankments more resilient, recruiting almost 400 extra drainage engineers, training operational staff to better interpret weather forecasts and installing CCTV at sites with known flood risks.

    Collapsing embankments are causing major disruption to train services, including those which serve Dorset, and measures to prevent these occurring are required in the face of higher than average rainfall. The spending is part of NR’s £45.4billion investment plan for the next five years.

    Weymouth railway station on 8th April when ASLEF industrial action meant no SWR trains were running. Class 444 EMU’s No.’s 444003 and 444005 stand at platform out of use while GWR Class 165 Turbo DMU No. 165101 forms the 2V60 0930 Weymouth to Gloucester service – 08/04/2024

    The train drivers union, ASLEF, launched a new round of industrial action on Friday 5th April 2024 with the commencement of rolling one day strikes across 14 rail companies. In addition, five days of overtime bans caused further cancellations. The dispute has now entered its 22nd month.

    SWR Class 444 No.’s 444036 and 444045 at Weymouth on the ASLEF strike which meant very few SWR services ran – 08/04/2024

    Yoshi and I visited Blandford on the morning of 8th April and took a walk along the River Stour so we could view the “Blandford Railway Arches”, the only physical remaining evidence the Somerset and Dorset Railway once traversed over the river. You can read more about the rise and demise of Blandford’s railway history here.

    A bridge to nowhere… the decision to close the Somerset and Dorset Railway connecting Bath and Bournemouth is one of the great tragedies of the Beeching Era. Yoshi pauses on a walk along the River Stour – 08/04/2024
    For over 100 years the flood arches on Langton Meadows carried the Somerset and Dorset railway over the biodiversity rich Stour flood plain. When the railway closed, most of the infrastructure was demolished, but the arches were left standing, an unlisted but much-loved asset and memorial to the town’s Victorian industrial heritage. When North Dorset District Council considered demolishing them, public opinion in opposition resulted in Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC) seeking a long-term lease for the structure so that it could be preserved – 08/04/2024

    That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thank you for reading, your comments and corrections, which are always welcome. Be seeing you!

    End Piece:

    The British Rail Class 165 Networker Turbo is a fleet of suburban Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) passenger trains, originally specified by and built for the British Rail Thames and Chiltern Division of Network South East (NSE). They were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) York Works between 1990 and 1992. GWR Class 165 No. 165101 forming 2V60 0930 Weymouth to Gloucester – 08/04/2024
    The British Rail Class 166 Networker Turbo Express is a fleet of DMU passenger trains, built by ABB Transportation in York between 1992 and 1993. The trains were designed as a faster, air-conditioned variant of the Class 165 Turbo, intended for longer-distance services, and, like the 165’s, belong to the Networker family. GWR Class 166 No.166216 at Weymouth forming 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester – 11/04/2024

  • Victorian Weekend

    Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 No.563 and SECR 0-6-0 O1 No. 65 passing Corfe Castle during the Swanage Railway’s Victorian Weekend – 23/03/2024

    March 23rd 2024 to March 31st 2024

    As promised last time, in this blog entry, we are going to share our photos and videos from our visit to Swanage Railway’s “Victorian Weekend” event which saw the resident Adams T3 No. 563 in service along with SECR Class O1 No. 65 visiting from the Bluebell Railway. The special gala weekend ran from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th March. I was sorely tempted to visit for all three days, if only to see the first train of the day which involved both the T3 and O1 double heading from Swanage to Norden. In the event, I only made the journey on the Saturday. I have mixed feelings about my photographs recording the two Victorian locomotives working in tandem.

    But before Yoshi and I went off to Swanage, we had an engineers train to find in the Branksome area. Overnight a GBRf pair of Class 66 locomotives had operated as 6N75 2353 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome, with the engineering possession in place from just east of Branksome up to Seldown Junction points near Poole High Street Level Crossing. Looking at the live rail maps provided by websites such as Open Time Trains, the train head code was reporting as sitting in Branksome railway station. After a quick look in at the station, we actually found the train sitting the other side of Branksome viaduct, the lead locomotive obscured by trees. However, I managed a record shot of No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ which was positioned at the rear of its train before making my way to Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway.

    GBRf Class 66 No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’at rest on the rear of engineering train 6G12 2353 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksomeatop bridge E20/23 BML2 Electricity Works between Branksome and Bournemouth – 23/03/2024

    As well as the two Victorian steam locos in action for their Victorian gala, Swanage residents Southern Railway (SR) 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and SR 2-6-0 U Class No. 31806 were also hauling trains. All four locomotives were facing boiler first out of Swanage which limited photographic variety somewhat, but that didn’t in any way diminish my enjoyment and the hard work put in by all concerned involved with running the event.

    The first train each morning of the Swanage Railway three day Victorian Weekend gala was double headed by the two Victorian era locomotives; Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 No.563 and SECR 0-6-0 O1 No. 65, seen here with Corfe Castle as a backdrop as the duo approach Norden – 23/03/2024
    SR 2-6-0 – U Class No. 31806 approaches Harman’s Cross – 23/03/2024
    A wonderful piece of planning saw No. 563 depart Swanage with her train to Norden as No. 65 backed into the station area – 23/03/2024
    No. 563 gets the token for the single line towards Harman’s Cross and No. 65 runs bak to couple on to her train in the bay platform at Swanage Railway station. – 23/03/2024
    Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 Class No.563 makes a fine sight on departure at Swanage – 23/03/2024
    Built in 1896, O1 Class No. 65 is the very last surviving South Eastern Railway (SER) locomotive and was rebuilt in 1908 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). The locomotive was purchased from British Railways in 1963 by the Lewis-Evans family for the scrap value of £850 and has been based at the Bluebell Railway since 1997. The Lewis-Evans family decided to sell No. 65 during the latter part of 2021, the locomotive being purchased by the Bluebell Railway Trust securing the locomotive for the heritage line. No. 65 is seen at Woodhyde on the approach to Afflington Bridge which carries the A351 over the railway – 23/03/2024
    122 locomotives of the O class were built between 1878 and 1899. No. 65 engine was withdrawn by British Railways in 1961, its major claim to fame being the working of the last railtour to run over the Hawkhurst branch in Kent, along with C class No. 31592, which is also preserved at the Bluebell Railway. No. 65 is seen at Woodhyde hauling Swanage Railways Class 117 Diesel Multiple Unit – 23/03/2024
    SR 2-6-0 – U Class No. 31806 nears Townsend Lane bridge – 23/03/2024
    SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ at Woodhyde – 23/03/2024
    One final capture of visiting locomotive SECR 0-6-0 O1 Class No. 65 as she steams up to Corfe Viaduct with a train bound for Norden – 23/03/3034
    Video of Swanage Railway’s Victorian Weekend from 23/03/2024

    Swanage Railway’s ‘Save Your Railway’ appeal, launched in November 2023, has so far successfully raised £120,000 of the £450,000 target. If you would like to help please click here.

    After our Purbeck visit, we popped back to Branksome (of course we did!) so Yoshi could get an update on the maintenance work taking place on the points into the depot at the east end of the railway station. I was pleased the GBRf Class 66’s had moved up with their train which was resting in full sunlight looking very photogenic.

    GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ with sister loco No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ stationary on the approach to Branksome railway station – 23/03/2024
    Work progresses on the points into Bournemouth depot watched by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ – 23/03/2024
    A road-rail vehicle at work in Branksome railway station -23/03/2024
    Yoshi took it upon himself to inspect the engineering work taking place at Branksome. Although, he is looking the wrong way in this image – 23/03/2024
    Another view of the activity taking place at Branksome with GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ – 23/03/2024
    Balfour Beatty’s 08-4X4/4S-RT tamper No. DR73950 ‘Tamper Tantrum’ operating under head code 6Q04 at Seldown, Poole – 24/03/2024
    In October 2021, both of Balfour Beatty’s 08-4X4/4S-RT tampers were named following a competition involving schools. Rather than cast plates, the names are applied in transfers on the main bodyside adjacent to the Balfour Beatty name. The machines also carry details of the first names of the child who selected each respective name, their class year and the name plus the logo of their school. No. DR73950 ‘Tamper Tantrum’ is seen here near Seldown Junction at Poole and was named by Chloe, aged 8, at Rockliffe Manor Primary School. It’s sister machine, No. DR73949 was named ‘Tiny Tamper’ – 24/03/2024

    Monday morning we were up early and popped over to Poole to see the return working of the Branksome engineers train as it made a belated departure to Eastleigh East Yard – delayed by almost 30 minutes because of overrunning engineering work!

    Following the completion of the work at Branksome, the engineering train moved up to Poole Storage Sidings. GBRf Class 66 No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ passes through Poole leading on 6G12 0430 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard with No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’. Departure of this train was delayed by, er. over-running engineering works – 25/03/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ working 6G12 0430 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole -25/03/2024

    Tuesday 26th March 2024 saw further South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 electric multiple unit (EMU) drags between Widnes Transport Tech and Bournemouth TRSMD taking place. Much excitement on the rail enthusiast grapevine when it was discovered that newly repainted GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 was allocated. This particular locomotive was released into traffic back in October 2023 still in its green primer coat, but has recently received a new paint job at Arlington Fleet Services located at Eastleigh Works, emerging in Class 52 “Western” style livery. This is inspired by the British Rail carriage maroon colours with half yellow warning panels and white window surrounds as carried by 71 of the 74 Class 52 “Western” Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives between 1962 and 1971.

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole as part of the running around its train exercise whilst working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh East Yard – 26/03/2024

    The locomotive livery has been completed with the addition of cast number and ‘Western Consort’ name plates in classic “Western” Great Western Railway (GWR) serif lettering. The name was decided upon by GBRf CEO, John Smith, as the original ‘Western Consort’ (No. D1065) was his favourite member of the class.

    We had intended on seeing the train at Branksome, but rush hour traffic queues meant this idea was abandoned, as was the alternative destination Parkstone. Instead, we were able to retrace our steps to Poole and pass the train as it sat in the station before moving out to Poole Storage Sidings where the locomotive would detach and run round before hauling the refurbished Class 458/4 back in the direction of Bournemouth depot.

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ arrives at Poole Storage Sidings with Class 458/4 No. 458422 forming 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth TRSMD- 26/03/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole Storage Sidings with Class 458/4 No. 458422. The locomotive is about to detach from the train and will run into Poole station before returning and attaching to the London end of the consist – 26/03/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ light engine at Sterte, Poole as she runs around her train – 26/03/2024

    After watching the maroon Class 69 locomotive head off light engine from our vantage point on the footbridge above Poole Storage Sidings, we decided to move up to Poole railway station in order to watch the train being taken to its final destination once reunited with No. 69009. However, as we, and a few other enthusiasts, gathered under Towngate Bridge at the London end of the down platform to shelter from the rain, we were approached by an officious and extremely rude member of station staff, which for the purposes of this narrative we shall call Dave – because that’s his name – who informed us we were in contravention of the rules and too close to the platform edge. Everyone there was on the correct side of the yellow line, with the exception of the member of railway staff who took great pleasure in blocking our view of the approaching train. There was also nobody standing in the ambiguous hatched area located at the platform end, nor were we past the sign which clearly informs rail users they should not “pass this point”. In this H&S conscious modern era, I have always taken care to observe safety regulations and very much resent being spoken to like a child. I will not be including Dave on my Christmas card list.

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ passing Poole working 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth TRSMD – 26/03/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole – 26/03/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ on Class 458 unit drags – 26/03/2024

    I’ve included a few images below of Class 52 “Western” locomotives in preservation which clearly show the inspiration for the livery carried by No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’.

    D1015 ‘Western Champion’ is one of seven preserved Westerns from the original 74 built by BR at Swindon and Crewe. She is seen here at Eastleigh during a Works Open Day – 24/05/2019
    No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ seen at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) was built at BR Swindon Works in 1962 and withdrawn on 27/02/1977 at 1630 after completing 1,360,740 miles in BR service – 20/07/2013
    No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ at Blue Anchor in the guise of No. D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’. Following withdrawal from BR, D1010 was sold to Foster Yeoman in July 1977 and moved to their base at Merehead Quarry. The loco was, at that point, repainted into BR Green livery with full yellow ends and was renamed ‘Western Yeoman’ carrying the number D1035 – 20/07/2013
    In January 1993, Foster Yeoman agreed to sell No.D1035 / D1010 to the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) who then replaced the ‘Foster Yeoman’ name and D1035 number with the original D1010 and ‘Western Campaigner’ plates and painted the loco into BR Blue with small yellow warning panels. No. 1035 ‘Western Campaigner’ is seen at Bishops Lydeard running as withdrawn classmate No. D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’
    – 20/07/2013
    A young Yoshi on one of his first railway themed adventures admires Class 52 No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ at Williton shed on the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive had failed at Bishops Lydeard in June 2018 with a seized transmission at the ‘B’ end. The loco was towed to Williton after disconnecting the cardan shaft on ‘B’ transmission. Work continues on fault diagnosis and repair with the hope she will return to service in 2025 – 21/06/2019
    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ on the approach to Weymouth at the head of Pathfinder Tours “The Western Wessexman” 1Z52 0553 Leicester to Weymouth – 07/09/2013 (John Chappell)
    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ at Weymouth having arrived with “The Western Wessexman” 1Z52 0553 Leicester to Weymouth rail tour – 07/09/2013 (John Chappell)

    Returning to 2024, and the last special working which visited Dorset in March was Saphos Trains “The Golden Arrow” rail tour to Folkestone and Canterbury which was in the charge of Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) diesel engines; Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) and Class 57 No. 57311. Later on in the rail tour schedule, outside of Dorset, the Class 57 was replaced by steam traction in the shape of LMS 4-6-0 Royal Scot Class No. 46100 ‘Royal Scot’. The steam locomotive was itself replaced by No. 57311 prior to the tour returning to Dorset metals. This return working operated as 1Z47 1559 Canterbury West to Poole, which arrived back at its final destination 20 minutes late at 0018 on the 31st March 2024 before forming the balancing Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) movement 5Z50 0004 Poole to Eastleigh Works BRML Head Quarters departing 19 minutes behind schedule at 0023 via Poole Storage Sidings. Yoshi and I were happily tucked up in bed at this point after our early start!

    Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ arrives at Poole leading on the Empty Coaching Stock movement Saphos Trains “Golden Arrow” reporting as 3Z45 0406 Eastleigh Works to Poole – 30/03/2024
    LSL Class 57 No. 57311 in lined black livery in readiness for departure from Poole hauling Saphos Trains “Golden Arrow” 1Z46 0553 Poole to Canterbury West – 30/03/2024
    Video of Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) and Class 57 No. 57311 at Poole – 30/03/2024

    That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thanks, as always, for reading, your comments and corrections. These are always welcome. Until next time, Be Seeing You!

    Postscript

    We ended March attending another gig at the O2 Academy where we nostalgically remembered years gone by in the company of Stereo MC’s, Inspiral Carpets and Happy Mondays as they brought “The Been There Done That” tour to Bournemouth – 31/03/2024

  • Yoshi’s Bincombe Visit

    Freightliner Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512 at Bincombe during engineering work reporting as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 18/03/2024

    March 16th 2024 to March 22nd 2024

    Maintenance work between Dorchester and Weymouth closed the railway line from Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th March 2024 affecting both South Western Railway (SWR) and Great Western Railway (GWR) services along this route. In association with the work, an engineers train, in the hands of Freightliner, worked from Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South overnight of 16/17th March, arriving in the County Town at 0156 on the Monday morning, approximately 46 minutes behind schedule. We saw the train pass through Hamworthy, top and tailed by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512, at which point it was running 36 minutes late.

    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66520 leads through Hamworthy working 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 17/03/2024
    FL Class 66 No. 66512 brings up the rear on 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South passing Hamworthy – 17/03/2024

    As we arrived at the station in good time to see the engineering train heading to Weymouth, we were surprised to see an empty coaching stock movement, formed of SWR Class 444 No. 444001 passing through Hamworthy just after 0100 on its way to Bournemouth Traincare depot working as 5W71 0041 Weymouth to Bournemouth TRSMD. A result of the line being closed in the Poole area on the Sunday meant trains from London Waterloo terminated at Bournemouth. A replacement bus service ran to stations between Bournemouth and Wareham with a shuttle train service operating between Wareham and Weymouth during the day.

    The worksite necessitating the Monday to Wednesday line closure was located in the Bincombe area, where track would receive the attention of a tamper and gain some fresh ballast. We popped out on Monday afternoon to take a look at what was going on, expecting to find the two Class 66 locomotives parked up on the down line between Bincombe Tunnel and Bincombe Tunnel Number 2. Instead we found Quattro Group’s Mercedes rail road vehicle ‘Mad Vax’ and one of their tracked Road Rail Vehicles (RRV).

    A RailRoad vehicle at Bincombe – 18/03/2024
    Quattro Group’s Mad Vax vacuum excavation system, which won the Most Innovative RRV Product Award at the National Rail Awards in 2019, prepares to do its stuff at Bincombe. Quattro Group are rightly proud of this piece of kit; “The Mad Vax vacuum excavation system has all the power and performance needed to complete a wide array of rail applications from ballast removal to spillage clean up operation. The unit’s spoil capacity is an impressive 6m3, and with a side tipping hopper it can be emptied lineside, utilising a special split-lid spoil tank to give a lower overall profile and to reduce overall tipping height for works under overhead power cables or at a suitable location when off track. The machine is also equipped with a Powerarm and IKE rotating suction tube to aid in breaking up harder ground for improved efficiency.” – 18/03/2024
    Bincombe worksite for the March 2024 maintenance work – 18/03/2024

    After a quick chat with friend of this blog, Robin, we drove off towards Upwey to see if the engineers train was stabled near the railway station. Despite much of the line side trees and vegetation having been cut back, there was no sign of the Freightliner train. After refreshments at The Royal Standard in Upwey, we proceeded to drive back towards Dorchester when, glancing to the right as we came over the brow of Ridgeway hill, we could see the unmistakable sight of a Class 66 locomotive. Parking the car in the next lay-by, I crossed over the road and proceeded along the footpath back in the direction of Weymouth to see if it was possible to get a photo of the train at rest.

    Class 66 No. 66512 stands out amidst the Dorset countryside – 18/03/2024

    I was quite pleased with the resulting photo of the train parked at the northern portal of Bincombe Tunnel, perfectly placed for a photograph imho.

    Because I liked the shot so much, another view of Freightliner Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512 at Bincombe during engineering work reporting as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 18/03/2024
    A tamper sits in the sidings at Dorchester South waiting to be deployed at Bincombe – 18/03/2024 (G E Barrett)

    The Class 66’s returned to Eastleigh on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th March. It was quite a novelty to see a local engineers train working in daylight hours!

    Class 66 No. 66512 awaiting departure with 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)
    Class 66 No. 66520 in the gloom of a wet Dorchester South at the rear of 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66512 ready to depart from Dorchester South working 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66512 leads on 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard passing Hamworthy – 19/03/2024
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66520 runs through Hamworthy at the rear of 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024
    Video of Freightliner Class 66 No.’s 66520 and 66512 working a Dorset engineering train – March 2024 (Additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)

    The monthly New Measurement Train (NMT) which is scheduled to visit Weymouth via the West route through Maiden Newton was curtailed at Yeovil on Wednesday 20th March 2024 owing to the line closure between Dorchester and Weymouth. Allocated Class 43 High Speed Train (HST) power cars No.’s 43357 and 43277 worked 1Q18 0748 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road.

    While the NMT was making its way to Somerset, I could be found at Norden on the Swanage Railway watching visiting South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 being prepped for towing down to Swanage in readiness for the railways Victorian Weekend. Resident preserved Birmingham Rail & Carriage Works (BR&CW) Class 33 No. 33111 had the task of collecting No. 65 and hauling her down to Swanage.

    Swanage resident Class 33/1 No. 33111 cautiously hauls South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 away from Norden sidings – 20/03/2024
    South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 at Norden during the operation to haul her to Swanage in readiness for the railway’s Victorian Weekend – 20/03/3024
    Class 33/1 No. 33111 hauls South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 as they depart Norden station heading to Swanage – 20/03/2024
    SECR O1 No. 65 arrives on the Swanage Railway – 20/03/2024

    The following day, I hitched a lift with friend of the blog Jamie for a visit to Maiden Newton to see Colas Railfreight Class 37 No.’s 37175 and 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ top and tailing a Structure Gauging Train on its way from Westbury to Weymouth and return. The working left Westbury around two hours late and I probably aged Jamie by a few years by claiming we had plenty of time to make the journey over to see the train! We arrived in Maiden Newton with ten minutes to spare.

    Great Western Railway Class 166 No. 166210 on the approach to Maiden Newton working 2V68 1328 Weymouth to Gloucester – 21/03/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37175 on the approach to Maiden Newton leading on 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard – 21/03/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37175 with 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ at the rear at Maiden Newton leading on 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard on the outward leg to Weymouth – 21/03/2024
    On the return leg of 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ leads into Maiden Newton – 21/03/2024
    Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ pauses at Maiden Newton as the driver collects to token to allow the train to progress onto the next single line section of track – 21/03/2024
    Great Western Railway Class 166 Turbo’s cross at Maiden Newton; No.166220 working 2O76 1110 Gloucester to Weymouth and No. 166210 forms 2V68 1328 Weymouth to Gloucester – 21/03/2024
    Maiden Newton trains – 21/03/2024

    Later that night, another engineering train ventured into Dorset in conjunction with work in the Christchurch area. I didn’t see train 6N75 2300 Eastleigh East Yard to Christchurch arrive, but I did get up early Friday morning to see DB Class 66 No. 66118 and pioneer shed No. 66001 departing Bournemouth as they returned with their train to Eastleigh East Yard this time working as 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard. It was so early, Bournemouth railway station was still locked up when I arrived. However the train departed around 20 minutes behind schedule, but not wanting to risk missing filming the departure, I stood steadfastly at my vantage point overlooking the station when I could have easily ventured down to platform level once the station was opened up to the travelling public for the first passenger trains of the day.

    With Bournemouth railway station as its backdrop, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66118 awaits departure working 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024
    DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66118 at Bournemouth leading on 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024
    DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66001 at the rear of 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024
    DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66001 awaits departure of 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024
    DB Cargo Class 66’s at Bournemouth – 22/03/2024

    HAMWORTHY BRANCH

    Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Annual Stakeholders Open Evening 2024 – 20/03/2024

    Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Annual Stakeholders Open Evening 2024 took place on 20th March in the North Lounge of the Passenger Terminal. We went along to see if there were any updates on the restoration of freight traffic along the Hamworthy Branch which runs down to the port area from a junction to the mainline at Hamworthy railway station. PHC CEO Captain Brian Murphy said; “We are very fortunate to have the port railway. We haven’t used it for some time, but it’s there and it aligns perfectly with our decarbonisation goals. Modal shift is the best way to get transport off the roads. We want to grow the business, we want to grow the freight. We want more cargo through the port but we’d rather actually get as much as possible on to rail rather than the roads. So this does align with the governments ambitious targets which are of part of their 2050 plan for clean maritime and reducing carbon emissions and there has been a lot of work which has actually happened thus far. The commissioners have invested quite heavily in securing the lease that runs from the port all the way to the mainline and there has been a lot of upgrading work which has happened on the Hamworthy Branch. We’ve got a little bit more to do in terms of in the port but we are looking at the business case and hopefully it all aligns. But clearly in terms of ownership, it’ll be a lot of trucks off the road so very excited about that project.”

    We recently learned of the passing of our friend and fellow railway enthusiast, Syd Brown. Syd has been a transport enthusiast for many years and could regularly be found supporting local transport events. He was an active member of the old Dorset Transport Circle in times past. Syd’s working life was spent in Dorset County Council’s Roads and Bridges department (now known as Transport and Engineering) and he was also an official in the Dorset County branch of NALGO (now UNISON). Our condolences to Syd’s family.

    Thank you for reading and for your comments and corrections. We’ll be back soon with our record of our day attending the Swanage Railway Victorian Weekend. Be seeing you!

    Postscript:

    Will we ever see trains coming off the Hamworthy Branch again? Back in 2017, DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60054 heads towards the mainline at Hamworthy while South West Trains (SWT) Class 444 No. 444032 waits at platform with a Weymouth service – 17/02/2017
    DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60054 draws up to the signal protecting the branch from the mainline at Hamworthy – 17/02/2017

  • Yoshi & the Rail Blue 455

    Newly repainted in retro British Rail Blue and Grey livery SWR Class 455 No. 455868 with 455909 behind, awaits departure from Branksome forming 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs – 06/03/2024

    March 1st 2024 to March 16th 2024

    March 2024 kicked off with another visit to Dorset from the Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) in the charge of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ working as 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. This ran on the evening of Friday 1st March and we saw the train passing through Hamworthy as it headed to Weymouth on its outward run.

    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ leads through Hamworthy on the SITT 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 01/03/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ leads through Hamworthy on the SITT 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 01/03/2024

    The following day, Saturday 2nd March, Yoshi exercised his National Trust membership and had an enjoyable day visting Lytes Cary Manor and Montacute House, both located in Somerset. On the way home we took a slight diversion and popped into the independent and dog friendly Winyard’s Gap Inn, situated on the outskirts of Chedington village in West Dorset overlooking the glorious Dorset and Somerset hills. After the First World War, the National Trust donated 16 acres of land close to the pub for a memorial to the 43rd Division of the Dorsetshire Regiment. 

    Yoshi with National Trust Lytes Cary Manor in the background – 02/03/2024
    Yoshi and daffodils at Montacute House – 02/03/2024
    Yoshi likes to walk around the grounds of Montacute House – 02/03/2024
    Winyards Gap where we stopped off on our way home. There were several doggos in the bar and a roaring fire. Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing….. – 02/03/2024

    Monday 4th March was the planned date for the unveiling of South Western Railway (SWR) retro liveried Class 455/8 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) No. 455868, as the set was due to form a staff special running from Bournemouth to London Waterloo initially leaving Bournemouth depot as 5Z67 1012 Bournemouth TRSMD to Bournemouth. It was envisaged that SWR’s Managing Director would join the train at Woking in readiness for a ceremony being held at the London Terminus. However, these plans were cancelled following a derailment (or “operational incident” as it was described on the day) between Walton on Thames and Weybridge blocking all lines into Waterloo. This was the effect of a train, reportedly traveling at 90mph, hitting an object on the conductor rail.

    A Network Rail Wessex safety bulletin posted on X (formerly Twitter) states the train struck scrap rail left on the track following engineering work:

    At 05.50 on Monday 4th March 2024, a passenger train struck scrap rail travelling on the Up Fast line on the four track railway at Walton-on-Thames. This caused the front bogie of the train to partially derail. No passengers on the train were injured. Following the event, all lines were blocked to allow the safe evacuation of passengers. The derailment caused significant damage to the infrastructure. A few minutes before this incident, a train reported striking an object (at the time reported as a possible branch or piece of wood) on the adjacent Up Slow line. This was the third train in the Up direction following weekend engineering works, and the first on the Up Fast line. The works undertaken at the weekend included tamping, ballasting and scrap clearance. The location where the train struck the scrap rail was on a rail road access point (RRAP). This had been used at the weekend as part of a track renewal follow up. The incident is under investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) and Network Rail.”

    Rumours abounded that the newly repainted Class 455 would sneak out of the depot later on the Monday, and when that didn’t happen, it was said to be working to Wimbledon on the Tuesday. And when that run didn’t materialise, news came that it would definitely depart Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot on the Wednesday! So that’s how we found ourselves on Branksome Station after lunch on March 6th, delighted to be one of the first to see No. 458868 in all her retro glory as she formed the 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings working along with fellow classmate No. 455909 which is still in red SWT livery.

    While we waited for the celebrity Class 455 to appear, we saw one of the Class 701 Arterio test runs heading to Poole (as well as its return leg). The introduction of these units is severely delayed, but once they are cascaded onto suburban services, the Class 455’s will be withdrawn from service.

    Five-Car SWR Class 701’s on test as No. 701530 leads to Poole working 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop – 06/03/2024
    SWR Class 701 No. 701510 leads on the return working of 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop – 06/03/2024
    Class 455 No. 455909 in SWT red livery leads No. 455868 into Branksome working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings – 06/03/2024
    Newly repainted in retro British Rail Blue and Grey livery, applied by the paint team at Bournemouth depot, SWR Class 455 No. 455868 with 455909 behind, awaits departure from Branksome forming 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs – 06/03/2024

    The retro look of No. 458868 is inspired by the original British Rail Blue and Minerva Grey livery that passengers would have seen when the trains first arrived on British Rail Southern Region in 1982. To meet modern accessibility standards, some slight changes have been made, with the units’ doors fully painted in Minerva Grey.

    SWR’s name is displayed as are 12 Golden Spanners, commemorating Wimbledon Depot’s 12 award wins at the Modern Railways Golden Spanner awards in the category of Ex-British Rail Electrical Multiple Units. It’s presumed that this retro-painted train will be one of the last of its class to be taken out of service and likely to have a special farewell tour when that time arrives.

    Underneath each of the Class 455 cab windows of No. 455868 there are 12 Golden Spanners, commemorating Wimbledon Depot’s 12 award wins at the Modern Railways Golden Spanner awards in the category of Ex-British Rail Electrical Multiple Units – 06/03/2024

    A pair of refurbished Class 458 EMU’s were also out on day release from Bournemouth depot performing a test run, and we managed to snap a couple of shots of these as they arrived at Branksome to run into the depot before we headed home.

    Refurbished Class 458/4 No.’s 458416 and 458424 approach Branksome working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 06/03/2024
    Awaiting reversal into the depot, SWR Class 458/4 No. 458424 sits at Branksome railway station working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 06/03/2024
    Video featuring retro-BR livery SWR Class 455 No. 455868 – 06/03/2024

    Monday 11th March and the monthly Class 73 top and tailed Colas Railfreight operated test train ventured onto our metals again. GBRf No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ took the honours this time working 1Q51 1005 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard. We were also able to see a nocturnal Class 701 run departing Poole prior to the Class 73’s arriving.

    Ten-Car SWR Class 701 No. 701003 pauses briefly at Poole forming the return 5Q52 1844 Eastleigh to Eastleigh TRSMD having reversed in Poole Storage Sidings – 11/03/2024
    Dorsetway line stalwart Class 444 No.444027 reaches journeys end working 1B57 1835 London Waterloo to Poole – 11/03/2024
    GBRf Class 73 Electro-Diesel No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ arrive at Poole top and tailing 1Q51 1005 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 11/03/2024
    GBRf Class 73 No. 73961 ‘Alison’ at the rear of 1Q51 1005 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard pauses at Poole – 11/03/2024
    Video of GBRf Class 73 Electro-Diesel No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ passing Poole top and tailing 1Q51 1005 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 11/03/2024

    Wednesday 14th March saw more Class 458 Unit drags taking place to and from Bournemouth depot – this time with a variation in paths from recent similar movements when two locomotives have been employed – one loco at each end of the train to enable reversing into the depot sidings from Branksome railway station. On this run, only one locomotive was allocated to the train, necessitating a run round at Poole. This was believed to be at trial for future unit drag operations and saves the cost of hiring two locomotives by employing T7 EMU translator coaches which enable locomotives with standard hook and shackle couplers to move multiple units fitted with tightlock couplers. The coaches were converted at Eastleigh Arlington in 2014 from two ex-Class 508 Driving Motor Coaches, sourced from unit No. 508027, purposely for use on stock drags and make shunting simpler.

    T7 barrier translator coach No. 64707 ‘Labezerin’ at the rear of 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 13/03/2024

    The two bright green T7 barrier translator coaches are registered as No. 64707 ‘Labezerin’ and No. 64664 ‘Liwet’ – both cars being named after angels; Labezerin is the genius of success in talismanic magic. He serves in the second hour of the day and, according to angelic lore, Liwet presides over unique ideas and inventions. So now you know.

    We went to Poole railway station to see Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ hauling refurbished SWR Class 458 No. 458415 arriving with 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth T&RSMD before heading out to Poole Storage Sidings where the locomotive would detach and run round its train. Poole Town Bridge is closed for two weeks for its annual maintenance and I was caught out with a bridge lift at Twin Sails, and arrived at Poole Station with minutes to spare. Unfortunately, the camera on my phone was ‘hunting’ it recorded the train running through platform 2 resulting in out of focus video and the SD card in my DSLR malfunctioned. Not a promising start!

    Rebuilt from Class 56 No. 56038, GBRf Class 69 locomotive No. 69008 recently named after driver ‘Richard Howe’ at Poole whilst running round its train which has been deposited in Poole Storage Sidings – 13/03/2024
    GBRf Class 69 locomotive No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ running into Poole railway station before heading back out to Poole Storage Sidings and recouping to its train – 13/03/2024

    Later in the day, I opted to film the return working at Branksome as under cover of darkness, No. 69008 left Bournemouth depot on the first leg of its journey up to Widnes with Class 458 No. 458521, the next unit in line for refurbishment and conversion, working as 5Z66 1937 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Eastleigh East Yard. We also saw another SWR Class 701 Arterio test run and several passenger and empty coaching stock movements. You can watch events in the video below.

    Video from Poole, Branksome and Parkstone – 13/03/2024

    15th March and the Snow & Ice Treatment Train made another Friday evening visit on the Bournemouth to Weymouth line, reporting as 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard and once again being top ‘n tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’.

    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ working 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard passing Hamworthy – 15/03/2024

    View From North Dorset:

    07/03/2024 – The New Measurement Train (NMT) passed through North Dorset with Network Rail Yellow liveried Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43062 and 43013 as 1Q23 0556 Reading to Exeter via Salisbury.

    Class 37 No. 37607 pauses at Yeovil Junction working the return leg of 3Q07 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. (Scott Lewis) – 15/03/2024

    Over night on the 14th and 15th March 2024, the Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) made an appearance in North Dorset with Harry Needle Class 37 No. 37607 working 3Q07 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y.  Friend of the blog and North Dorset Correspondant, Scott, was on hand to see the train passing Gillingham and at Yeovil Junction in the early hours.

    Class 37 No. 37607 working 3Q07 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. Video by kind permission of Scott Lewis – 15/03/2024

    HAMWORTHY BRANCH

    Work has been taking place at Hamworthy Park Crossing in connection with renewing the electrical supply and the restoration of signalling at this location.

    Aiming to restore signalling, work to clear vegetation at Hamworthy Park Crossing began on 7th March – 07/03/2024
    New ducting etc. has been put in place – 12/03/2024
    Awaiting new electrical connections. We were told the relay box will also be replaced – 12/03/2024
    Lineside vegetation clearance has been carried out near Hamworthy Park Crossing – 12/03/2024

    February 27th 2024 saw the publication of the new Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Masterplan – which expands on the previous ambition in returning rail freight to the port by utilising the Hamworthy Branch. First published in March 2013, the Masterplan identifies PHC’s vision and strategic outcomes for the next 20 years.

    PHC Masterplan in relation to the Hamworthy Branch – February 2024

    A date of 2025 for the reinstatement of the rail link is quoted if negotiations with potential stakeholders bear fruit. This ties in with information we have been told previously by Network Rail (NR). This was further supported in the response to a Freedom Of Information Request recently shared on Facebook:

    [Network Rail] can confirm that there are plans to resume freight traffic to Poole harbour along the Hamworthy Branch. The project is subject to funding being secured to redevelop the sidings infrastructure within the Port, which would prove the catalyst for some latent demand for sea dredged aggregates traffic to originate from the Port and serve the London and Southeast market.

    “There is some potential for container traffic as an onward development, but that is a longer-term prospect and would need to overcome some gauging challenges elsewhere before it could start. The focus will very much be on aggregates traffic and the market should cater for a dally train. There is a potential pot of funding which Network Rail is seeking to utilise for the Poole project but the application for the Port works to be part of this is not confirmed yet.”

    From The Archive:

    ‘Janus’ class 0-6-0DE Yorkshire Engine Co. diesel-mechanical no. 391 ‘Astolat’ (works No.2630 of 1956) at Poole Port. These engines were 0-6-0 wheel arrangement locomotives that weighed 48 long tons and had a maximum speed of 23mph. The two Rolls-Royce C6SFL diesel engines gave a total power output of 400 hp. Each engine had its cooling system at the outer end, and the its generator at the inner end. There were two traction motors, each being powered by one generator, thus simplifying the electrical system. Production began in 1956, and ended in 1965 with 102 Janus locomotives being constructed, mostly for the British steel industry. Other prominent customers included Imperial Chemical Industries (12 locomotives), the Port of London Authority (10), and the National Coal Board (7). Three locomotives were exported. The name Janus is from the two-faced god Janus: the locomotive was symmetrical with two ‘faces’ – 1992 (John Chappell)
    ‘Astolat’ was hired in from Allied Steel & Co., Cardiff from May to November 1992 and is seen at Poole Port – 1992 (John Chappell)
    A 1992 glimpse of ‘Astolat’ at Poole Port. Video by John Chappell
    DC Tours 1Z24 Hamworthy Quay Phoenix with Class 37 No.’s 37227 & 37902 and Class 33 No. 33114 providing the motive power -15/03/1992
    Video by John Chappell

    For The Record:

    Dorset Council announced it is now part of the North as it declared it would receive £2.068 million each for the years 2023/24 and 2024/25 from the Department for Transport (DafT) ‘Network North fund’, from “reallocated HS2 government funding”, which together with other maintenance and pothole funds, will be dedicated to carriageway maintenance in the council area.

    Network Rail and Lambeth council have announced a Vision Statement on future plans for Waterloo Railway Station – the London terminus for the Bournemouth and Weymouth line. Plans include opening up the station undercroft area for public use with new office space built above the station to help fund the upgrade. The masterplan also looks at how the wider area can be improved, with the street outside the front of the station pedestrianised and several of the arches carrying the railway to Charing Cross, directly in front of Waterloo, opened up to form new public walkways. Some of the existing bus and taxi stops could also be relocated to a new enhanced interchange on the south-eastern side of the station.

    For more information on future plans for London Waterloo, follow the links below:

    https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/housing/regeneration-projects/waterloo-station-vision

    https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-03/WSM_Summary%20Vision%20Statement.pdf

    That just about brings us to the end of another railway dog blog entry, but just enough time to say on March 16th 2024, Yoshi and I celebrated the fifth anniversary of Gotcha Day. On this day in 2019, Yoshi adopted me and I’ve loved having his companionship ever since.

    Thanks for reading, and for your comments and corrections. We’ll be back soon, until then take care. Be seeing you.

    Gotcha Day – five years apart!

    Postscript:

    I doubt we’ll see a Class 455 in former SWT livery again. No. 455713 is seen here approaching Clapham Junction (therailwaydog collection)

  • February Unit Drag’s and SITT’s

    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ pass over Upton viaduct on Holes Bay, Poole working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024

    February 22nd 2024 to February 29th 2024

    GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ arrives at Branksome with 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024

    Thursday 22nd February 2024 saw more Class 458 EMU shenanigans with planned working 5X62 0530 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&RSMD and associated return 5M64 1315 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. being cancelled due to a “request by the train operator”. Things were retimed, however, but we still saw GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57303 arriving at Branksome with refurbished Class 458/4 No. 458424 65 minutes later than the revised schedule with 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&RSMD.

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 prepares to lead into the depot working 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024

    As the Class 57 and Class 458/4 consist departed Branksome to reverse into the depot, an un-refurbished Class 458/5 No. 458513, still in the old SWT blue livery, was poking its nose out of the sidings. Which was a bit of a bonus.

    As Class 458/5 No. 458513 edges out of the depot working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings, GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ moves in on the rear of 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024
    SWR Class 458/5 No. 458513 working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings – 22/02/2024
    Video from Branksome – 22/02/2024

    The pair of Class 57’s departed almost an hour late top and tailing barrier wagons as 5M64 1515 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. I was at home cooking dinner, being watched closely by a cockapoo of my acquaintance.

    Later that same day, a Freightliner operated engineers train worked down from Westbury to Dorchester West, top and tailed by Class 66 No.’s 66562 and 66559. Having feasted, Yoshi and I headed off to Castle Cary to see the train arrive. Major redevelopments continue at Castle Cary station with a new car park taking shape which will provide spaces for 193 cars. An access ramp will take station users from the car park up to the front of the station. There will also be a new cafe and office space in the former milk factory building, which dates from 1910 and is adjacent to the new car par. This work is being carried out by the Emily Estate who also have planning permission for a creamery which may see the production of cheese return to the building. That’s something both Yoshi and I can get behind!

    More car parking spaces have been much needed at the station which is located on the GWR line from London Paddington to Taunton. Trains travelling from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth also call at Castle Cary. The present car park, which will be reconfigured to provide additional Blue Badge parking and spaces for taxi use, is often full on weekdays and, until now, no additional parking has been available nearby.

    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 emerges out of the darkness at Castle Cary leading on 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
    GWR Class 158 DMU No. 158950 having arrived at Castle Cary with ECS working 5C90 1847 Axminster to Exeter TMD – 22/02/2024
    The driver of GWR Class 158 DMU No. 158950 prepares to depart Castle Cary with ECS working 5C90 1847 Axminster to Exeter TMD as Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 waits right time with 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024

    After seeing the engineers train at Castle Cary, and not wanting to out stay our 20 minute free parking allowance, we headed to Yeovil Pen Mill where we once again saw the pair of 66 locomotives arrive with 6Y91. The driver wearily acknowledged us as we passed each other on the platform.

    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 at Yeovil Pen Mill leading on 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66559 pauses at Yeovil Pen Mill on the rear of 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024

    Another lengthy booked stop at Yeovil meant Yoshi and I were able to get ahead of the train and see it pass through Yetminster before we were able to once again get ahead of it as there was a booked stop at Maiden Newton and for our fourth and final time of the evening see the Class 66’s pass through Dorchester West.

    Arriving at Dorchester West and heading for Dorchester Junction to reverse and work back is Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 working 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66559 pauses at Dorchester West on the rear of 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West before heading down to Dorchester Junction – 22/02/2024
    Freightliner Engineers to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024

    As the train headed off to Dorchester Junction in order to reverse and return via Dorchester West up platform, Yoshi and I headed off home. The train worked up the West line to its work site and returned to Westbury the following morning as 6Y91 0430 Castle Cary to Westbury Down T.C.

    GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ passing through Hamworthy railway station working 23/02/2024: 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. The return from Weymouth would be curtailed at Dorchester South – 23/02/2024

    The Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) saw increased activity due to the cold snap in the South at the tail end of February. Top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’, the SITT ventured out of Totton Yard on the night of Friday 23rd February working as 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. However, this service was cancelled on the return leg between Dorchester South and Totton Yard “due to an error having been made”, although we believe in reality it was because there was no cover for the Dorsetway signal panel due to late staff absence. We hope everyone concerned is OK.  

    Having been tipped off by friend of the blog, Jamie, we were able to see the SITT parked up in Dorchester South Engineers Siding on the Saturday morning. Although the locomotives were fired up and looked like they were ready to leave, we were unable to wait to witness their departure towards Weymouth as 3Y88 1200 Dorchester South Isu (CE) to Totton Yard

    Friday’s Snow & Ice Treatment Train, having been curtailed at Dorchester South and tucked into a siding by the signal box, returned to Totton on Saturday morning running as 3Y88 1200 Dorchester South Engineers Sidings to Totton Yard top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box – 24/02/2024 (Image: G E Barrett)
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ stands in Dorchester South Engineers Sidings awaiting departure back to Totton Yard – 24/02/2024

    The same locomotives and rolling stock also worked to Weymouth in daylight hours on Monday 26th February and Tuesday 27th February 2024, which gave opportunities for photography.

    GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ and 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ pass Hamworthy working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/02/2024
    GBRf Class 66 locomotives No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear of 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard having passed Hamworthy. No. 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ was leading on this occasion – 26/02/2024
    GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ and 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ on the approach to Bournemouth as 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024
    The SITT in the charge of GBRf Class 66 locomotives No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ leading near Bournemouth railway station working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024
    February 2024 Dorset Snow & Ice Train video

    Tuesday 27th also saw further Class 57 hauled unit drags to and from Bournemouth depot as GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57303 returned with another refurbished SWR Class 458/4, this time No. 458420, from Widnes Transport tech.

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and I have rubbed buffers so many times now, we are on first name terms. We enjoyed a brief catch up here as the locomotive arrived at Branksome working 5X62 0531 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D bringing SWR Class 458 No. 458420 back following refurbishment at Widnes. Sister locomotive No. 57303 was on the other end. Again – 27/02/2024
    The driver of 5X62 0531 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D changes ends so Class 57 No. 57303 leads into the depot from Branksome – 27/02/2024

    The pair of Class 57’s left with 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech, this time taking Class 458/5 No. 458522 for refurbishment. We saw this near Bournemouth from Beechey Road bridge overlooking the railway station.

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ approaches Bournemouth railway station leading on 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech with Class 458 No.458522 sandwiched between barrier coaches – 27/02/2024
    Five car Class 458 EMU No.458522 heads to Cheshire for conversion onto Class 458/4 as 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/02/2024
    GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 brings up the rear of 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech as the train enters Bournemouth Station – 27/02/2024

    Whilst awaiting the arrival of 3Y88 and 5Q64 at Bournemouth, I was almost caught out by a Class 458/4 test run as No. 458424 snuck up on me working the curtailed 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. The outward run (5Q90 1119 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Basingstoke) had been terminated at Southampton Central due to a points failure.   

    Class 458/4 test run as No. 458424 passing Bournemouth working the curtailed 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D, although on RTT the train kept its outward designation; 5Q90 1119 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Southampton Central – 27/02/2024
    Class 458/4 No. 458424 having passed through Bournemouth and heading to Branksome and the depot – 27/02/2024
    More Class 458 EMU video – 27/02/2024

    What better thing to do on the “extra day” provided in the 2024 calendar – 29th February – than pop over to Bournemouth and see Network Rail Class 153 Diesel Multiple Unit No. 153385 converted to a Video Inspection Unit which ran as 2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.

    2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
    2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
    2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
    SWR Class 444 No. 444038 at Bournemouth forming 1W16 1103 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 29/02/2024
    CrossCountry Voyagers No.’s 220023 and 221214 at Bournemouth having arrived as 1008 0725 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth – 29/02/2024
    Class 153 VIU at Bournemouth – 29/02/2024
    Poster seen at Bournemouth detailing the Weymouth line closure which takes place 18th – 20th March 2024 – 29/02/2024

    We returned to Bournemouth later on the 29th to see a Colas Engineers Train top and tailed by regular visitors Class 66 No.’s 66848 and 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ which were running as 6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton.

    6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton
    6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton
    6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton
    Video of Colas Engineering Train reversing at Bournemouth – 29/02/2024

    Saturday 24th February Yoshi took a visit to Dawe’s Twineworks at West Coker in Somerset. This is England’s only surviving working Victorian Twineworks. Built in 1899, Dawe’s Twineworks survived until 1968 utilising the flax and hemp grown in the local rich soil to provide the twine, rope and sailcloth required by sailing ships. “Coker Canvas” made the best quality sails and helped the Royal Navy rule the waves in the 19th Century. The volunteers were lovely, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable with the new Visitor Centre providing refreshments and information all for a donation. Dawe’s is open on the 4th Saturday of each month (please check before visiting).

    Yoshi in the tea room and visitor centre built in 2018/2019 at Dawe’s Twineworks – 24/02/2024

    South Somerset District Council made a compulsory purchase of the site in 2005 to save the buildings which were then close to collapse. The “Coker Rope & Sail Trust”, set up under the auspices of West Coker Parish Council, now has a 125 year lease on the site. In recent years the Trust has managed, with local effort, to restore parts of the building and machinery, install an engine and bring Dawe’s back to life.

    Yoshi outside the engine house. To be honest, he wasn’t too keen on the engine once it was fired up – 24/02/2024
    1927 Shanks 16 litre 23HP oil engine made in Arbroath was secured by the Twineworks. The engine has to be started using compressed air which is supplied by a 3.5HP Lister-Hamworthy compressor dating from the 1940’s and stored in a WWI torpedo casing at 25olb/in2 – 24/02/2024
    The “Walk” is an imposing structure 100m in length, allowing twine to be made in 200m lengths whatever the weather with its Bridgwater-tiled roof protecting valuable machinery – 24/02/2024
    Construction of the “Walk” was very simple, consisting of just oak posts in the ground, bolted trusses to support the roof and a pine first floor.
    The Ford model T was first produced in 1908, and was the first mass produced motor car, and due to this it also became affordable to the people. Due to its success the T was modified and different variants were produced. Yoshi is admiring this example which dates from 1926 – 24/02/2024

    That’s it for another blog entry. Thanks for reading! Yoshi and I hope you’ve found something of interest. We’ll be back again soon. Be seeing you!

    Yoshi after his recent grooming session – 26/02/2024

  • Yoshi & the Stones

    Yoshi in the back of the car having enjoyed a wet and muddy walk in the woods!

    February 10th 2024 to February 21st 2024

    Hello – as mentioned briefly last time around, we were planning on bringing you an archive feature on Bournemouth Depot Open days, but we need to find and scan some additional negatives as well as editing down and converting 8mm video tape, so that’ll take a little bit more time to prepare. That’ll teach us, and to be fair this blog entry has taken long enough! In the meantime, a rolling stone gathers no moss and Yoshi has been exploring Stonehenge (or at least the footpath outside the English Heritage site, as dogs are “NOT ALLOWED” near the ancient monument). A note to English Heritage – can you provide dog poo bins prior to the section where dogs cannot pass please? Thanks very much. And as if Yoshi couldn’t get enough of old rocks, he also took a walk around the stone circle at Avebury – no trains, but lots of mystical ley lines – before moving onto Wells and Tyntesfield House.

    Yoshi gets as close to Stonehenge as he is allowed! Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire two miles west of Amesbury. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons, topped by connecting horizontal lintel-stones. Inside is a ring of smaller bluestones. Inside these, are free-standing trilithons; two bulkier vertical sarsens joined by one lintel. The whole monument is aligned towards the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice. 
    Archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was constructed in several phases from around 3100 BC to 1600 BC, with the circle of large sarsen stones placed between 2600 BC and 2400 BC. Doctor Who used Stonehenge as a plot point in the 2010 episode “The Big Bang”. I liked that episode. I should rewatch it. I include the mention to the BBC TV series, as it was something of a developing theme…..
    An announcement in November 2020 stated that a plan to construct a four-lane tunnel for traffic below the site had been approved. This was intended to eliminate the section of the A303 that runs close to the circle. The plan had received opposition from a group of “archaeologists, environmentalists and modern-day druids” according to National Geographic but was supported by others who wanted to “restore the landscape to its original setting and improve the experience for visitors”. Opponents of the plan were concerned that artifacts that are underground in the area would be lost or that excavation in the area could de-stabilize the stones, leading to their sinking, shifting or perhaps falling. On 14th July 2023, the Department for Transport (DaFT) announced that, despite the original planning application having been overturned by the High Court in 2021, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, had approved plans for a 2 mile road tunnel. On 19th February 2024, the High Court in London rejected a fresh bid by campaigners to stop the road tunnel construction.
    Yoshi’s next stop was Aldbourne where he visited the village green and took a look at the medieval St Michael’s church. During the Second World War, U.S. Army paratroopers of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division were based at Aldbourne from late 1943 to mid-1944, in preparation for the Normandy landings in June 1944 and Operation Market Garden in September.
    Aldbourne is also known as Devil’s End in the Doctor Who story “The Dæmons” featuring The Third incarnation of the Time Lord played by Jon Pertwee. One of the village pubs, The Blue Boar, was renamed as The Cloven Hoof! A model of St.Michaels’s church was also blown up during the story, which anecdotally generated complaints from viewers.
    A reminder of the Aldbourne Doctor Who link is this TARDIS litter bin, free for public use 🙂
    The prehistoric Avebury henge and stone circles were built and much altered during the Neolithic period (2850 BC and 2200 BC) survivING as a huge circular bank and ditch, encircling an area that includes part of Avebury village. Within the henge is the largest stone circle in the UK which originally consisted of approximately 100 stones. Two smaller stone circles are enclosed within. Avebury was memorably used as the location of the itv children’s drama series “Children of the Stones” (1977). As far as I know, the stones have not been seen in Doctor Who. So, in a bid for completism, I searched for a link and found it in nearby Yatesbury, where from 1942 – 1965 an RAF Radar School was situated and attended by Brian Hodgson who went on to run the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and devised the sound of the TARDIS by scraping his mother’s front door key along the strings of a piano. The video to the 1988 No.1 hit song “Doctorin’ the Tardis” by The Timelords, better known as The KLF, was partly filmed at Yatesbury. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the trains soon.
    Yoshi takes a look at Wells Cathedral – construction of which began on c1180 and was completed by the time of Henry VII. It was damaged during the English Civil War, but was later restored during the Victorian age. The building has also been used as a Doctor Who filming location when to stood in for Southwark Cathedral in the 2006 story “The Lazarus Experiment” featuring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.
    National Trust owned Tyntesfield House, bought in 1844 by William Gibbs as a retreat for his wife,Blanche, and their growing family. Close relatives in Bristol and neighbouring Belmont House in Wraxall, the estate benefited from direct links to London on Brunel’s newly built Great Western Railway (GWR). Keeping up with the Doctor Who connection, the property was used as a haunted mansion in Matt Smith’s tenure during the 2013 episode “Hide”.
    A walk in Horton Woods….
    …. past the 140ft high Horton Tower, also known as Sturt’s Folly, built in c1750 by the Lord of Horton Manor, Humphrey Sturt, who was an architect and a Dorset MP. In 1967 the tower featured in the film adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd”. Over the years it had fallen into disrepair but in 1991, Vodafone was granted permission to use the tower for mobile phone masts. As part of the deal the company agreed to carry out repairs, and the conservation project was recognised with a Royal Town Planning Institute award in January 1995.
    Journey’s End; Yoshi relaxing in front of a warm fire at The Horton Inn after our walk!

    For The record

    12/02/2024: 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth

    73963 ‘Janice’ pauses briefly at Poole leading on 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth – 12/02/2024

    GB Railfreight (GBRf ) Class 73 Electro-Diesel No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73963 ‘Janice’ returned for the monthly Colas Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train.

    1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth at Poole – 12/02/2024

    13/02/2024: 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot / 5Q64 1321 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57305 leading on 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. SWR Class 458 No. 458416 was sandwiched between the front loco and No. 57303 at the rear of the consist – 13/02/2024
    GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 at the rear of 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot – 13/02/2024

    GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57303 and 57305 arrived at Bournemouth depot with refurbished SWR Class 458 No. 458416. The pair of Class 57 locomotives departed with 5-Car Class 458 No. No. 458515 later in the day. A similar exercise scheduled for Thursday 15th February; 5X62 0524 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D and 5M64 1314 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. did not run. It is most likely that the same pair of Class 57 locomotives would have been involved.

    While waiting for the morning unit drag to Bournemouth depot, we were entertained by passing South Western Railway (SWR) Class 444’s on regular passenger services.

    SWR Class 444 No. 444017 working 2W13 0904 Bournemouth to Weymouth – 13/02/2024
    Unique Pride liveried SWR Class 444 No. 444019 forms 2W52 0900 Poole to Bournemouth – 13/02/2024
    5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot between Bournemouth and Branksome – 13/02/2024

    18/02/2024: 3Q02 2155 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

    HNR Class 37 No. 37607 seen at Derby Technical Centre at the head of a Network Rail Test Train – 02/04/2023

    Harry Needle Rail operated Class 37 No. 37607 was scheduled to visit the Bournemouth to Weymouth line with the Ultrasonic Test Train overnight on Sunday 18th / Monday 19th February. Disappointingly for us, however, this service was cancelled due to the train crew not being available and did not run.

    21/02/2024: 1Z22 0747 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road

    Former High Speed Train Class 43 Power Cars No.’s  43272 in debranded Virgin Trains East Coast livery and 43274 in East Midlands Railway Purple livery worked the New Measurement Train to Weymouth on Wednesday 21st February.

    I missed this pairing as I was in London for a work meeting. I took the opportunity to pop into London Euston and London Kings Cross on my way to the office after arriving at London Waterloo.

    One of two remaining Class 707 EMU’s still with SWR No. 707024 at the buffer stops of London Waterloo – 21/02/2024
    Caledonian Sleeper Class 92 No. 92038 at London Euston. I had hoped to see the incoming sleeper service in the station, but this was running almost two hours late, and I had places to be – 21/02/2024
    London Kings Cross with Class 91 No. 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017’ working 1D09 1003 London Kings Cross to Leeds alongside LNER Azuma trains 801210 forming 1S12
    1S12 1030 Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, 801213 on 1Y11 0630 Newcastle to London Kings Cross and 800209 having arrived with 1A12 0700 Hull to London Kings Cross – 21/02/2024
    Class 91 No. 91105 at London Kings Cross having arrived at the rear of the 1A13 0656 service from Skipton – 21/02/2024
    Covering low-availability of the Class 180 fleet, Grand Central have supplemented their fleet with a pair of former Avanti Super Voyagers. Here Class 221 No. 221143, now with driving vehicles in Grand Central’s livery stands at platform 10 at The Cross having arrived with 1A59 0659 Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross – 21/02/2024
    Meeting over, we sought out refreshments at The George pub, established in medieval times on Borough High Street in Southwark. It is currently owned and leased by the National Trust and is the only surviving galleried London coaching inn. I recommend the Mac n’ Cheese – 21/02/2024
    One of the railway arches in the recently restored Findlater’s Corner at London Bridge railway station that was formerly an Express Dairy tea room is now a branch of Starbucks. During renovation work an impressive mosaic was revealed showing its previous function, advertising afternoon teas, luncheons, and smoking rooms – 21/02/2024
    Express Dairy was founded in 1864 and its name is part of the marketing as it was an early adopter of the railways to ship milk from the countryside to a bottling plant in South Acton and then ship them around London, also by rail. At a time when many people got milk from urban cows, milk from the countryside was seen as a healthier option. At its peak, Express Dairy had over 240 tea rooms across London, making it the Edwardian equivalent of Starbucks today, which seems fitting….

    Winfrith No More

    On what turned out to be the final trip to Winfrith; Direct Rail Services Class 68 No.’s 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ work 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing through Poole – 23/01/2024

    It has been announced Direct Rail Services (DRS), the rail freight arm of Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), has now completed its task in the transportation of radioactive materials from the Winfrith treated waste store as the very last flasks of radioactive waste have been moved to their final destination at the low-level waste repository near Cumbria in the Lake District.  The final rail shipment ran on 23rd January 2024 and marked a reduction in legacy waste on the Winfrith site by approximately seventy per cent. The successful completion of this contract contributes to returning the site to heathland with public access. It’s the first site from the first generation of nuclear power plants to be completely decommissioned.

    From 1980, a Class 33/0 at Dorchester South yard with a Winfrith flask. I’ve rather frustratingly mislaid the original photographic print which contains the actual date and locomotive detail, but do recall we trainspotters were chased away by railway staff when these workings arrived – xx/xx/1980

    Forthcoming Dorset Engineering Work

    The lines in the Poole area will be closed all day due to maintenance work on Sunday 17th March 2024.

    • London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Bournemouth.
    • London Waterloo to Poole services will terminate at Bournemouth.
    • Buses will run between Bournemouth and Poole (non-stop).
    • Buses will run between Bournemouth and Wareham.
    • A revised service will run between Wareham and Weymouth.

    Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th March 2024, the lines between Dorchester South and Weymouth will be closed from Monday to Wednesday all days inclusive due to maintenance work.

    • Great Western Railway services between Weymouth and Yeovil Pen Mill will be affected by this work.
    • London Waterloo to Weymouth services will be revised and will terminate at Dorchester South.
    • Buses will run between Dorchester South and Weymouth.

    In association with these works, a Freightliner engineering train is showing on Real Time Trains as running as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South departs its source on Sunday 17th March 2024 and arrives Dorchester South at 0110 (on the 18th) – returning as 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard on 19th March

    The lines between Bournemouth and Poole will be closed all day due to maintenance work on 23rd March.

    • London Waterloo to Poole and Weymouth services will terminate at Bournemouth.
    • Buses will run between Bournemouth and Poole.
    • A revised service will run between Poole and Weymouth.

    In addition to this, the lines in the Brockenhurst area will be closed all day due to maintenance work on 24th March.

    • London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Central.
    • London Waterloo to Poole services will terminate at Southampton Central.
    • Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Bournemouth and Poole.
    • Fast buses will run between Southampton Central, Bournemouth and Poole.
    • Buses will run between Southampton and Poole via Brockenhurst (buses will not call at Beaulieu Road).
    • A revised service will run between Poole and Weymouth.
    • Passengers travelling from London Waterloo to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth should change at Southampton Airport Parkway for the fast bus service to Poole.

    Sunday 28th April, the lines in the Wool area will be closed all day due to maintenance work.

    • London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Wareham.
    • Buses will run between Wareham and Dorchester South.
    • Buses will run between Wareham and Weymouth.
    • A revised service will run between Dorchester South and Weymouth.

    Looking further ahead, rail improvement work will also affect train services between Castle Cary and Weymouth in the autumn.

    The March 2024 edition of “Steam Days” magazine features Colin Boocock’s well illustrated account of train diversions in 1960 off the Bournemouth main line and onto what was known as both the ‘Old Road’ after the direct line to Bournemouth was opened in 1888 or ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’, so named after Charles Castleman who was the driving force in getting the Southampton & Dorchester Railway built and its somewhat circuitous route.

    Thanks for reading – we’ll be back soon with a further updates of happenings along the rails in Dorset. Be seeing you!

    Postscript:

    Engineering work in days gone by…. Class 33/0 No. 33035 and Class 33/1 No. 33118 on Bincombe Bank adjacent to Upwey Telephone Exchange sometime in the early 1990’s. No. 33118 was withdrawn from service in April 1993 and cut up by MRJ Phillips at Eastleigh Depot by February 1997. No. 33035 was named ‘Spitfire’ in December 1993 and withdrawn in October 1996 but lives on in preservation – xx/xx/199x

  • The One With The Last Blue Class 450

    The last South Western Railway Class 450 No. 450031 to carry South West Trains Blue Livery working 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D at Branksome – 05/02/2024

    February 1st 2024 to February 9th 2024

    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ waits with 6C01 at Branksome – 03/02/2024

    Over the weekend of 3rd and 4th February 2024, engineering works took place in Branksome station. A small number of track panels were relaid and remedial work carried out to the west of the station. Colas Railfreight were entrusted with providing the  motive power for the two Network Rail engineering trains used during these works; 6C01 0013 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth / 6C02 0315 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth on Saturday and the associated return workings; 6C02 0530 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard / 6C01 0630 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard which ran early Sunday morning.

    Three Class 66 locomotives were employed, No.’s 66846, 66848 and 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’. I elected not to watch the trains arrive in the early hours of Saturday morning (I’m mad, but not that mad), and instead hoped I would be able to find them at work during the day. Initial intel was that the work site was most likely Poole Storage Sidings as activity had been observed in the locality during the week. In the event, it was Branksome railway station which saw the majority of the action.  I made two visits and was lucky enough to observe both trains being utilised obtaining record shots of all three locomotives engaged at work. This meant that I could also rest easy in bed on the Sunday morning as the trains returned, although, if I’m being completely honest, I was quite tempted to set my alarm to see the Class 66’s departing for their journeys back to Eastleigh!

    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ at Branksome. The first wagon containing old sleepers removed from the station area – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ reversing through Branksome – 03/02/2023
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ reversing its train through Branksome, clearing the way for Rail-Road Vehicle’s (RRV’s) to begin work lifting the new track panels into place – 03/02/2024
    New track panels resting on the Up platform at Branksome – 03/02/2024
    Road-Rail Vehicles (RRV) prepare to lift the first track panel into place – 03/02/2024
    The scene after the new track panels had been lowered into place and ballasted – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66846 at the rear of 6C02 spanning Archway Road – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66846 – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 at the head of 6C02 – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 having drawn forward to enable work to continue on the track – 03/02/2024
    Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 with RRV’s at work near Branksome railway station – 03/02/2024
    By the afternoon, Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ had moved forward to occupy Parkstone railway station – 03/02/2024
    Engineering work at Branksome – 03/02/2024

    Monday 5th February there was a great deal of chatter on social media channels regarding South Western Railway (SWR) Class 450 No. 450031, believed to be the last remaining member of the class still adorned in the old second generation South West Trains (SWT) blue livery, carried by trains employed mostly on medium distance services. It was heavily implied that No. 450031 was enjoying its last day in service before heading to the paint shops for a repaint into standard SWR white and grey colours. It was quite easy to trace the workings of the unit on Real Time Trains and I found that it was indeed heading to Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot, due to arrive just after 2200.

    Bournemouth depot is southwest of Bournemouth station, occupying the approach to the former Bournemouth West station. The branch leading to Bournemouth T&RSMD turns off at Branksome station where trains can often be seen stopping at platform 2 and reversing into the depot. Hopeful of getting a record shot of quite possibly the last EMU in SWT blue, I headed off to Branksome with friend of this blog, Jamie, to capture this event for posterity.

    SWR Class 450 No. 450022 at Branksome awaiting to reverse in the depot working 5W81 2128 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D alongside unique Pride liveried Class 444 No. 444019 which is also destined for the depot working 5B60 2131 Poole to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 05/02/2024
    The last blue Class 450 No. 450031 destined for the paint shop? The Desiro is working 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D and is seen waiting to reverse into the depot at Branksome – 05/02/2024
    Contain yourself for Desiro action from Branksome on 5th February 2024, featuring:
    444005 – 1W81 1935 London Waterloo to Weymouth
    450022 – 5W81 2128 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D
    444019 – 5B60 2131 Poole to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D
    444007 & 444034 – 5E57 2025 Fareham to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D
    444010 – 1W82 2100 Weymouth to Woking
    450031 – 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D

    Tuesday, and it was a dash to Christchurch to see GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66759 ‘Chippy’ and 66305 – top and tailing a Network Rail National Delivery Service Schweerbau High Speed Milling Machine consisting of No.’s  DR79602/79603/79604 – just after midnight working 6X69 2316 Eastleigh East Yard to Pokesdown. As the weather was rather inclement, I stayed in the dry under the station canopy on the down platform. There was a fair bit of Network Rail activity around Christchurch Railway station, with members of NR’s Orange Army milling around and to be honest, I was hopeful the train would stop in the platform, but it sailed straight through. I was able to catch up with Bob who was also out braving the elements, however. On my drive home, I had a quick look in at Pokesdown to see if I could identify the work site, but I was unable to see any Network Rail activity from my vantage point over looking the station platforms. 

    Every train that runs on the UK rail network causes an element of wear and tear, and in some causes damage to the rails.  In 2002, Network Rail (NR) implemented a process of frequent rail grinding which removes small amounts of metal from the rail surface to maintain the profile – the portion of the track which comes in to contact with the train wheel. Each year, NR grinds more than 5,000 miles of track and more than 3,000 switch units (points) to remove defects and maintain a smooth rolling surface for trains. Passing trains and exposure to the elements can cause cracks; a severe crack not addressed in time can break the rail, leading to potential derailments. All metal removed from the rails is returned and recycled.

    The associated return working of the Milling Machine was 6X69 0435 Pokesdown to Eastleigh East Yard.

    I think this weeks 6X69 was most likely this machine which I photographed at Eastleigh in the company of Beacon Rail liveried Class 66 No. 66797 in November 2022 – 24/11/2022
    6X69 2316 Eastleigh East Yard to Pokesdown passing Christchurch – 07/02/2024

    Hamworthy Branch

    The Poole Harbour Commissioner’s (PHC) Draft Masterplan Consultation Document is available online. The document is the first draft in the process of updating PHC’s existing Masterplan, published in March 2013, and sets out the strategy and proposals for the future development of the Port over the next twenty years. Following a consultation process, the Final Masterplan is to be approved in early 2024.

    In particular interest to this blog is the following (found on page 42 of the Draft Masterplan):

    MAXIMISE THE PORT ESTATE POTENTIAL

    In addition to the Marine Centre project, we will look at the following activities to make sure we maximise the Port estate’s potential.

    EXPLORE POTENTIAL FOR THE RAIL LINK

    The Port of Poole is one of the few South Coast UK ports to be rail connected and this link is likely to become more relevant as the Government encourages modal shift of freight traffic to be moved by rail rather than by the increasingly congested road system.

    Government guidance states that sites should be identified and protected where they could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen choices for movement of rail freight.

    PHC is in discussion with Network Rail regarding improvements to the Hamworthy branch line and port siding to align with customers’ expansion plans and transportation of cargo via rail. Rail can also be a far more environmentally friendly mode of transport than road, aligning with our ambitions to become a Leading Green Port.

    Discussions with potential customers are ongoing and, if successful, could result in the reinstatement of the rail link as early as 2025.

    In April 2022, Brittany Ferries announced that it had given the go ahead for a new rail-freight link between Cherbourg and Bayonne. With support from the French Government, the EU, and the regions of Normandie and Nouvelle Aquitaine, Brittany Ferries will open the ‘rail motorway’ linking the port of Cherbourg to the European Freight Centre at Mouguerre, near Bayonne, thereby connecting Spain to the UK and Ireland via the French railway network. The launch of the new service is expected by mid-2024.

    This new rail freight link to Cherbourg will provide opportunities for the Port of Poole to increase the volume of freight received from France. It is expected that the majority of the onward UK distribution will be via the UK’s Road network but PHC are in discussion with Brittany Ferries to determine whether their customers will require onward rail transport within the UK.

    This ties in with what we were told by Network Rail last year. We have reached out to prospective users of the rail link, and will update with any responses received.

    For The Record

    Crewe Railwayana Auctions 18th online telephone/email auction, which runs from Friday 1st March until Sunday 3rd March 2024 has some local interest station totems included. Where did I put my wallet?

    What we like to call the “North Dorset New Measurement Train” ran on 8th February 2024 as an all yellow affair bringing back The Flying Banana in all its glory! Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43062 ‘John Armitt’ and 43013 ‘Mark Carne OBE’ have recently returned to service and this pairing worked 1Q23 05:56 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter. Because of the wet weather, we didn’t make the trip up to Gillingham or Sherborne to see this particular working this month, much as I thought about it!

    Here are some shots of “The Flying Banana” from the archive:

    Network Rail Class 43 No. 43062 ‘John Armitt’ at the buffer stops in Weymouth having arrived with the New Measurement Train (NMT). John Armitt is an civil engineer with close connections to UK railways including his time as chief executive of Railtrack being appointed in 2001, and from 2002 to 2007 its successor, Network Rail (NR) – 26/07/2012
    NR Class 43 No. 43014 forms one end of the NMT at Weymouth – 26/07/2012
    Class 43 No. 43062 ‘John Armitt’ leading the NMT on the approach to Upwey railway station. No. 43014 was at the rear – 28/07/2011
    Class 43 No.’s 43014 and 43062 ‘John Armitt’ top and tail the NMT up Bincombe bank, Weymouth. The Isle of Portland can be seen in the distance – 26/07/2012
    The NMT top and tailed by Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43014 and 43062 ‘John Armitt’ about to enter Bincombe Tunnel near Weymouth – 26/07/2012

    The February 2024 edition of “British Railways Illustrated” magazine contains a two page feature entitled “Last Days at Bournemouth Shed” by Keith Chambers.

    Yoshi with the latest edition of “British Railways Illustrated” – 09/02/2024
    The article on Bournemouth Shed in the February 2024 edition of “British Railways Illustrated” caught Yoshi’s eye – 09/02/2024

    Thanks again for visiting our little corner of the internet. We welcome and appreciate your comments and corrections – keep them coming! We’ll be back soon, all being well, with an archive look at Bournemouth Depot Open Days in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Be seeing you!

  • January 2024 Wraps Up

    After rolling in something unquestionable while out on a walk, Yoshi enjoyed a wash in the shower. Afterwards he made himself at home in the guest room. Just as long as he didn’t expect room service! – 30/01/2024

    January 20th 2024 to January 31st 2024

    Sunday 21st – Yoshi and I took a drive to Weymouth to catch up with old friends. We took a walk around the Weymouth Peninsula to see the continuing work at the site of the former Weymouth Harbour railway station which is part of the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project. Tracks which would have once been used by quayside cranes had been unearthed, but their exposure was short-lived and I’m told they have now been removed. The old platform will, I assume be completely levelled to make way for new fishing and harbour businesses, pedestrianised access and seating areas which will be created along the quayside eventually joining with other walkways linking the harbour with Weymouth beach.

    The site of the former Weymouth Quay station in January 2024 – 21/01/2024

    The work has been enabled because of a grant worth £3.79m which was awarded to the then Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, in partnership with the Weymouth Area Development Trust, in March 2019 from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. The bid was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community Team.

    There are still partial remains of the Weymouth Harbour Tramway track, most of which was torn up in 2020/2021 – 21/01/2024

    Monday 22nd – Because of concerns that Storm Isha, which hit the UK overnight on 21st/22nd January, Network Rail (NR) took the precautionary decision to run a “route proving” train between Bournemouth and Dorchester South in the early hours of Monday morning.  It’s a common practice in many parts of the country with locomotives owned by freight operating companies being deployed for specific conditions on a specific route and at riskier locations,  “proving a section of railway line is clear” of obstacles prior to scheduled passenger or freight trains running. I’m not aware of a previous similar event happening locally in recent times.

    Light engine movement passing Hamworthy with GBRf Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ worked proving train 0Y89 0045 Totton Yard to Totton Yard which ran to Dorchester South – 22/01/2024
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ running as 0Y89 0045 Totton Yard to Totton Yard passing Hamworthy – 22/01/2024

    The first passenger train out of Weymouth formed by Class 444 No. 444032 ran ECS to Dorchester South, thus providing route proving between these two stations.

    Tuesday 23rd – A busy day when both a run to Winfrith and a Class 458 Unit Drag to Bournemouth depot took place. First up was Direct Rail Services (DRS) Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool). I chose to see this one passing through Poole and I was both intrepid and fearless heading out in the wet weather conditions.

    Direct Rail Services Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing Poole – 23/01/2024
    DRS Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ top and tail 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing SWR Class 450 No. 450084 working ECS move 5B32 0846 Poole Storage Sidings to Poole before running a service to Winchester – 23/01/2024
    Class 450 No. 450084 working ECS move 5B32 0846 Poole Storage Sidings to Poole approaches Poole as DRS Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) pass – 23/01/2024

    Later that morning I took the train to see GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ leading refurbished South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 EMU No. 458404 with No. 57305 at the rear into Branksome prior to the consist reversing into the depot. This was the second leg of the EMU’s transfer after initially setting out from Widnes the previous day, this working was recorded as 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD. 

    GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ enters Branksome railway station leading on 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 23/01/2024
    Refurbished SWR Class 458 EMU No. 458404 at Branksome – 23/01/2024
    GBRf Class 57 No. 57305 at Branksome preparing to haul 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD into the depot – 23/01/2024
    GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ now at the rear of 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD trails as the train makes its way into the depot – 23/01/2024

    The Class 57’s returned to Widnes later in the day as 5Q58 1711 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Widnes Transport Tech taking with them Class 458 No. 458520, but I was unable to witness this. Well, dinner doesn’t eat itself!

    I did however see the return, loaded Winfrith working;  6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) which was running over half an hour late by the time it passed me at Hamworthy.

    There have been several examples of 4-car Class 450 Desiro units making it west of Poole forming services to Weymouth recently. One such example was No. 450009 working 1W67 1305 London Waterloo to Weymouth and the corresponding return 1W68 1620 Weymouth to London Waterloo on 23rd January. Services to Weymouth are mostly entrusted to 5-car Class 444’s.

    A rare visitor west of Poole Class 450 No. 450009 pauses at Hamworthy on 1W68 1620 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 23/01/2024

    Wednesday 24th – The Network Rail (NR) New Measurement Train (NMT) top and tailed by Colas High Speed Train (HST) Class 43 power cars No.’s 43257 and 43274 working as 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road actually made it to Weymouth this month. Cause for celebration all round! 

    Class 43 No. 43257 on the approach to Dorchester West leading on 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 24/01/2024 (G E Barrett)
    Class 43 No. 43274 departing Dorchester West as 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 24/01/2024 (G E Barrett)

    Thursday 25th – The Ultrasonic Test Unit consisting of Colas Class 37 No. 37116 and DBSO No. 9702 reached Weymouth as 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C.

    Colas Class 37 No. 37116 departing Dorchester West at the rear of 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. – 25/01/2024 (G E Barrett)
    Colas Class 37 No. 37116 at Dorchester West on the return leg of 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.Chaving reversed at Weymouth – 25/01/2024 (G E Barrett)

    Over on the South Western Main Line, services were severely disrupted on 25th January following the discovery of a broken rail between Christchurch and Hinton Admiral. South Western Railway (SWR) and CrossCountry (XC) trains were cancelled, delayed or revised with alternative road replacement transport being provided

    Friday 26th – With the weather turning drier, brighter and colder, today saw another outing for the Totton Yard based Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) – the first and only run this week. Keeping an eye on it via the Open Time Train (OTT) maps and Real Time Trains (RTT) schedules, I could see that it was running almost 50 minutes ahead of schedule after departing Totton Yard early, so I opted to pop up to one of my favourite local locations, Hamworthy railway station, to see GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ run through heading to Weymouth.

    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ running 47 minutes early entering Hamworthy working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/01/2024
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at the rear of SITT 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard with 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ leading, the consist having passed Hamworthy – 26/01/2024

    Work commitments meant I hadn’t planned on seeing the return working, however a signal fault in the Poole area putting a full halt on trains heading east and Caroline having a lunch appointment meant, when I was free, I took the car and drove her to Christchurch – a sensible choice as this was where she needed to be. Conveniently, for me, the SITT still hadn’t passed Bournemouth as I drove home, so I ducked into the Asda car park which is conveniently situated adjacent the railway station and wandered over to the platforms where I was kindly allowed through the barriers to take photographs and video using my phone.

    A signalling fault at Poole caused chaos with trains in the area. SWR Class 444 No. 444022 forms the VSTP (Very Short Term Planning) 1Z18 1259 Bournemouth to London Waterloo service – 26/01/2024
    SWR Class 444 No. 444022 begins boarding as the 1Z18 1259 Bournemouth to London Waterloo service while classmate No. 444018 awaits the arrival of another 5 carriages before it continues as the delayed 1W58 1120 Weymouth to London Waterloo. Due to a later points failure between Basingstoke and Waterloo, this service was eventually terminated at Basingstoke – 26/01/2024
    Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at Bournemouth working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard awaiting the green – 26/01/2024
    Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear of the return 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard SITT pauses at Bournemouth – 26/01/2024
    CrossCountry Class 221 Voyager No. 221135 arrives at Bournemouth as 1010 0825 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth – 26/01/2024

    Later in the afternoon, SWR services were getting back on schedule and Caroline was able to get her planned train home. While she was waiting at Christchurch, she sent me the image below of a CrossCountry Voyager passing through:

    Catching the last of the sun, CrossCountry Voyager No. 220006 races through Christchurch working 1M62 1545 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly – 26/01/2024 (CLS)
    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/01/2024

    Monday 29th – A Class 458 was picked up from Bournemouth T&RSMD by GBRf locomotives, Class 57 No 57305 and Class 47 No. 47749 ‘City Of Truro’ logged as 5058 0511 Leicester Locomotive Inspection Point to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. Thinking it had been cancelled, the train defied me and actually left Leicester 140 minutes late. I was busy and unable to see the incoming working consisting of locomotives and barrier coaches. I had, though, planned on seeing the return with Class 458 No. 458524 in tow, but typically it left 90 minutes early and evaded my gaze! SWR industrial action meant that the train timetable was heavily altered and options for me to get over to Branksome by rail were much reduced. Incidentally, No. 458524 has already been refurbished at Widnes, so there is some speculation as to why the unit is returning to Cheshire.

    Flashback to August 2023 when GBRf Class 47 No. 477749 ‘City Of Truro’ ran to Branksome working 5Z72 1548 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 30/08/2023

    Tuesday 30th – Today was a strike day on SWR with ASLEF the train drivers union members taking industrial action. The drivers also refused to work overtime from Monday 29th January until Tuesday 6th February. The first strike in this long running dispute by ASLEF was in July 2022.

    FROM THE ARCHIVE

    With the site now being redeveloped, we take a look back at Weymouth Quay station. The Weymouth Harbour Tramway was opened by the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1865 in connection with Channel Island boat trains. Regular services along the branch ceased in 1987.

    Pressed Steel Class 117 DMU set B436 (presumably set formed by car No.’s 51334 + 59500 + 51376). This was the first working of a diesel multiple-unit passenger service from Weymouth (Town) to Weymouth Quay. It is believed DMU’s worked on the tramway in 1983 and 1984 – 03/07/2023
    Weymouth Quay station is still standing in this image. On the left is the 78’4″ ‘Fantastic Too’ catamaran yacht, the world’s first full carbon sailing superyacht, built by the Polish shipyard Sunreef Yachts in 2020 and is available for charter and will accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 cabins. – 07/11/2020
    Reflecting on past glories, the former Weymouth Quay station went into service with Condor Ferries when they operated out of Weymouth – 17/02/2021
    Going, going… – 28/03/2021
    Gone – 04/04/2021

    Saturday 25th June 1994 saw Hertfordshire Rail Tours “Corfe Mixture” railtour operate to Weymouth Quay. The train consisted of EMU’s 4-BEP No. 2301 and 4-CIG No. 1318 and appropriately Class 33 No. 33116 ‘Hertfordshire Rail Tours’. The special train ran from London Waterloo to Wareham where passengers transferred onto road coaches which took them to Swanage. After approximately 3 hours, road transport returned passengers to Wareham and the EMU’s continued to Weymouth (Town) station where everyone alighted. The Class 33 diesel loco then attached to the units and took them ECS to Weymouth Quay from where the return leg, propelled by No. 33116 as far as Weymouth Junction, started. From Weymouth Jct the two EMU’s returned to Waterloo stopping en route at Wareham to collect passengers who had elected to visit Corfe Castle after Swanage rather than going down to Weymouth. I wonder how many opted to do this?

    Hertfordshire Rail Tours “Corfe Mixture” rail tour operates to Weymouth Quay with Class 33 No. 33116 ‘Hertfordshire Rail Tours’ – 25/06/1994

    The final train to run along Weymouth Harbour Tramway took place on 2nd May 1999. With holidaymakers, bystanders and rail enthusiasts milling around, and preceded by a police escort, Class 73 electro-diesels No.’s 73138 and 73106 negotiated their way to Weymouth Quay station with Pathfinder Tours “Wey-Farer” railtour – in fact two identical trains worked over the line during the day, although I can only remember one! I must be getting old!

    With Weymouth station in the background, Class 73 No. 73138 heads up the Weymouth Harbour branch – 02/05/1999
    Class 73 No. 73106 at the rear of the “Wet-Farer” railtour – 02/05/1999
    Class 73 No. 73106 on the return leg to Weymouth (Town) station – 02/05/1999
    With police escort, Class 73 No. 73106 crawls through the streets of Weymouth – 02/05/1999
    Class 73 No. 73138 at the rear of “The Wey-Farer” tour passing a packed Harbourside. Did we know this was the last time we would enjoy this incredible spectacle? – 02/05/1999
    Transrail liveried Class 37 No. 37250 runs light engine towards Weymouth (Town) station to lead the “Wey-Farer” tour to Yeovil. Transrail was created in 1994 along with Mainline Freight and Loadhaul as part of the broadly regional split of British Rail’s Trainload Freight operations – 02/05/1999
    Pathfinder Tours “Wey-Farer” railtour – 02/05/1999

    We’ll revisit the Weymouth Harbour Railway in a future blog, I’m sure. It’s a much missed element of the local railway scene and, as always, I wish I’d taken more photographs of the boat trains and other traffic traversing through the streets of Weymouth.

    That’s it for another blog entry – thanks for reading, for your comments and corrections, all are much appreciated. Be seeing you!

    – to absent friends –