As part the Railway 200 celebrations, Alstom’s historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works played host to the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains and rail-related exhibits at “The Greatest Gathering” – between Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd August 2025.
This video is a snapshot of my time at Litchurch Lane. We had such a great time exploring and taking part in the various activities available. The organisation of the event was well planned and the atmosphere was fantastic. At one point I admit to finding the experience quite overwhelming, such was the vastness of the site and the number and variety of exhibits on show.
The festival featured over 100 iconic locomotives and vehicles from the past, present and future of the railways and marked the first time in almost 50 years that the train factory had been open to the public.
Derby Litchurch Lane is one of the world’s largest rolling stock factories, and the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains since 1839.
As part of Alstom’s “The Great Gathering” a number of special charter trains were organised to carry visitors to and from Derby. This video includes a selection of these workings at Derby railway station alongside regular passenger trains – 01/08 & 02/08/2025
“The Greatest Gathering” was a once in a lifetime event, and Alstom and the organisers are to be congratulated on pulling off such a well run festival. The atmosphere was by and large friendly and enthusiastic – in fact, over the two days I attended, I only came across one grumpy person (and no, it wasn’t me!)
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Swanage Railway’s resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ was employed by Hanson + Hall for mainline work in July 2025. The locomotive is seen passing Hamworthy on her outward and return journeys and is also seen at Worting Junction near Basingstoke on a freight working (09/07/2025).
Other freight and passenger trains can be seen at Worting Junction and Eastleigh in the video below:
The Heart of Wessex PLPR test train With former HST Class 43 power cars No.’s 43272 & 43357 ran to Weymouth via Dorchester West on 9th July 2025 as 1Q22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road.
Saturday 19th July 2025; I visited the Midland Railway – Butterley for their “Ale on the Rails 200” event which featured steam and diesel locomotives from the home fleet alongside visiting locomotives celebrating 200 years of railway development. DB Cargo provided several of their locomotives from Toton Traction Maintenance Depot which hauled passenger trains alongside being on display in Swanwick Junction yard.
Visiting DB Cargo locomotives: 67005 ‘Kings Messenger’, 67007, 66023, 66026, 66032, 66091 ‘Accurascale’, 66175 ‘RailRiders Express’, 66200 in Rail 200 livery, 66652 and 92011. Also visiting was BR Class 44 “Peak”No. D8 ‘Penyghent’ courtesy of the North Notts Loco Group & Peak Rail. The Home fleet consisted of: 3F Jinty No. 16440 and No15 ‘Eustace Forth’, Class 44 No. 44004 ‘Great Gable’, Class 45 No. 45108 and Class 31 No. 31108.
It rained most of the day, but this didn’t dampen spirits for an enjoyable event!
On 23rd July 2025, The Railway Touring Company “Dorset Coast Express” ran from London Victoria to Weymouth. The first leg of the rail tour from London to Southampton was steam hauled by LMS Black 5 No. 45212. The train reversed direction of travel at Southampton and continued towards Weymouth, diesel hauled by Class 47 No. 47812, with the steam locomotive on the rear. We saw the train powering through Christchurch some 38 minutes behind schedule.
The return from Weymouth was intended to have been steam hauled for the entire return journey to London Waterloo with the Black 5 leading. However, problems with a hot box on the locomotive’s tender meant No. 45212 was removed from the train and left in the siding at Weymouth leaving No. 47812 to work the train alone – 23/07/2025
The monthly North Dorset test train along the Salisbury – Exeter route ran on 24th July 2025. Reporting as 1Q23 0553 Reading to Salisbury, we caught the train as it passed through Gillingham, Dorset on the outward leg with former High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43062 ‘John Armitt’ + 43013 ‘Mark Carne CBE’ sandwiched between South Western Railway commuter services – 24/07/2025
Views of LMS Black 5 No. 45212 in Jubilee Siding, Weymouth following repairs after her failure on the recent “Dorset Coast Express”. Then approaching Upwey and Dorchester with support coach forming 5Z29 1423 Jubilee Sidings to St Philips Marsh. The locomotive subsequently pulled into the yard at Yeovil Pen Mill as further attention was required to remedy the hot box issue on the tender – 26/07/2025
The Belmond “Britannic Explorer” stock broke cover on a run from Eastleigh to London Victoria utilising GBRf Class 66 locomotive No. 66305 ‘Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway’ top & tailed with No. 66762. The consist stopped on the approach to Shawford due to a report of smoke from under one of the coaches. The driver of the train was requested to take a line block in order to carry out an inspection to a possible dragging brake. It’s believed a parking brake has been left on and once rectified the train, reporting as 3Z10 1106 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to London Victoria, was able to proceed – 27/07/2025
The regular Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) test train along the South West Main Line to Weymouth ran on Monday 28th July 2025. Reporting as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard the PLPR was in the charge of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ & 73964 ‘Jeanette ’. This time we saw the train arrive at Weymouth just as the first of the seaside resorts summer fireworks events kicked off. The train reverses here and continues back to Eastleigh – 28/07/2025
Colas Class 37 No. 37219 worked the North Dorset Ultrasonic Test Train (3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y.) on Thursday 31st July.
Hamworthy Branch Update
I recently wrote to Network Rail asking about the future of the Hamworthy Branch – this is the reply I received today:
Dear Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch about – Re-opening the Hamworthy Branch, Dorset
I have spoken with our Freight team who have provided an update for you below which i hope you find useful in the interim.
The latest update from the freight operator is that traffic is now likely to start early 2026 but we are still making positive progress. They are currently at the stage of making commercial agreements and securing licences.
We’re still waiting to carry out a full inspection of the line using the track maintenance train and for our engineering colleagues to write up a report from a walkout, a lot of this is determined by when the customer(freight operator) is looking to run the trains.
This is all the information i have available at the moment Andrew but do feel free to get back in touch at the start of 2026 and i can check to find out the latest information for you.
Thanks again Andrew, and all the best,
Community Relations, Wessex route
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It’s here! Episode three of Yoshi’s new podcast: The Railway Dogcast with author, artist, freight train driver and dog lover Bessie Matthews. We had so much fun making this one.
Another shameless plug for “The Railway Dogcast”, Yoshi’s brand new podcast where we talk to fellow railway enthusiasts. The second episode, in which HentisRail and I chat to YouTube vloggerJamie Smith is now available.
The regular Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) test train along the South West Main Line to Weymouth ran on Monday 2nd June giving a rare opportunity of catching it in the last throes of daylight through Poole. Reporting as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard the PLPR was in the charge of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ & 73963 ‘Janice’. We also saw the return leg passing Hamworthy – 02/06/2025
A Monday trip to Bridgwater to see Direct Rail Services Class 68 locomotives No’s 68005 ‘Defiant’ + 68009 ‘Titan’ on nuclear flask working 6M63 1200 Bridgwater F.D to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS). This was followed shortly after by Rail Adventure Class 43 power cars No.’s 43465 + 43484 hauling the West Somerset Railway guest locomotives; Class 50 No. 50015 ‘Valiant’, Class 45 No. 45108 and Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ in convoy reporting as 0Q84 1242 Bishops Lydeard to Kidderminster S.V.R. This video also contains a few CrossCountry and Great Western Railway service trains at Bridgwater to add a little flavour to proceedings – 09/06/2025
**Grateful thanks to @smithy37688 for allowing me to use his video in this compilation
Colas Railfreight Class 43 power cars No.’s 43251 + 43257 work the Heart of Wessex Plain Line Pattern Recognition train through Maiden Newton & Dorchester West, reporting as 1Q22 0747 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 11/06/2025
*with thanks to Gerry Barrett for additional video
We took a trip to Canada and Alaska in late June. I was able to see some freight trains and the Rocky Mountaineer at Banff:
A snapshot of train movements in Skagway on The White Pass & Yukon Route – a U.S. and Canadian Class III 3ft narrow-gauge railway which links Skagway, Alaska with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. The railway is an isolated system and has no direct connection to any other rail network. The railroad began construction in 1898 as a means of reaching gold fields during the Klondike Gold Rush and was completed in 1900. Services continued until October 1982 when financial difficulties forced its closure. However, in 1988 the line partially reopened as a tourist route as far as White Pass following the growth of visitors to Skagway arriving on cruise ships. By 2007 the line had been extended to Carcross and is co-owned by cruise ship operator Carnival:
The monthly PLPR test train was set to run to Weymouth on 30/06/2025 as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard in the hands of class 73/9 locomotives No.’s 73963 & 73964. The service was however cancelled and reversed at Totton sidings due to equipment failure.
Thanks for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group.
And don’t forget the first episode of The Railway Dogcast is still available:
Our second episode dropped on 14th June. Watch the trailer here:
In this, the second episode of The Railway Dogcast, our guest is Jamie Smith from You Tube’s “Jamie Smith Going Loco”. Jamie shares how he became interested in trains, how he almost joined the railways and his interest in video & photography.
The episode is available on Spotify and / or YouTube. Links are below:
Colas Railfreight Class 43 power cars No.’s 43357 + 43274 work the Heart of Wessex Plain Line Pattern Recognition train through Dorchester West, reporting as 1Q22 0747 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 14/05/2025
Swanage Railway resident diesel locomotive Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) went on hire to Hanson & Hall in May 2025 to cover GWR sleeper coach moves because of the unavailability of H+H’s Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ which was engaged on railtour duties elsewhere. This afforded the opportunity to see a Crompton back on LSWR mainline metals – 16 & 17/05/2025
The Heart of Wessex weedkiller train ran in the early hours of Monday 19th May 2025 working as 3Q98 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. The train was top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66704 ‘Colchester Power Signalbox’ + 66747 ‘Made In Sheffield’. Yoshi and I saw the ensemble pass through Maiden Newton – where the driver needed to collect the token to operate forward – heading to and from Dorchester Junction where it reversed – 19/95/2025
History is made as Class 701 No. 701046 departs Bournemouth depot carrying GBR branding working . This video also features the final up service through Poole run by First MTR South Western Railway as well as shots of other Desiro EMU’s at Branksome. On May 25th 2025, SWR transferred to public ownership under DfTO, the Government’s rail Owning Group – 24/05/2025
On a windy Sunday May 25th 2025, Yoshi and I went along to the The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway to see how the area helped fuel the Industrial Revolution during day one of the heritage railways’ two day ‘Pit to Port’ Coal Train Event. South Wales was once one of the largest coalfields in the world, and in 1913 produced 36 million tonnes of coal. The railways which run along the valley floors provided the main routes for transporting the coal from the pits to be exported. Wagons would trundle south to ports and docks at Newport, Cardiff and Barry. We were able to see how the coal was transported from the pits as we watched an intense timetable featuring both passenger and demonstration coal trains.
Rostered locomotives on the day were: – Hunslet No. 1873 “Jessie” – Hudswell Clarke No. 1208 “Harold”- Andrew Barclay No. 1219 “Caledonia Works”- plus the rostered debut at Blaenavon of Class 37 No. D6729 (37029)
With grateful thanks to Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway, especially Nathan and Jamie and @jamiesmithgoingloco
Locomotive Services Limited’s Class 45 No. 45118 ‘The Royal Artilleryman” passing Romsey – twice! – following a re-dedication ceremony at Salisbury working 1Z45 1126 Salisbury to Southampton Central / 1Z46 1202 Southampton Central to Salisbury. This video also features Class 158 and Class 166 DMU’s on stopping passenger services at Romsey – 30/05/2025
A rare formation of a 12 car Class 455 empty coaching stock move seen reversing at Branksome and running into Bournemouth depot running as 5Z50 0922 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 31/05/2025
Thanks for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group.
And don’t forget the first episode of The Railway Dogcast is still available:
The locomotives arriving for the 2025 Swanage Diesel Gala continued to arrive with GBRf sending Class 73 No. 73128 ‘Kent & East Sussex Railway’ and Class 69 No. 69007 ‘Richard Trevithick’. These locomotives arrived on May 7th and we saw them on the Swanage Branch at Creech.
Having missed its original diagrammed move to Dorset on May 6th because of urgent repairs to a fuel leak, RES Class 47 No. 47715 ‘Rail Engineering Solutions – Quality Assured’ was collected from the Chinnor & Princess Risborough Railway on the following day by H+H Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ and towed to the Swanage Railway as 0W50 1905 Princes R’boro Ace to Swanage.
The final piece of the jigsaw saw Colas Railfreight Class 56 No. 56090 working 0Z56 1200 Eastleigh East Yard to Swanage on 8th May which completed the line-up for the 2025 Diesel Gala.
Also on Thursday 8th May, a Swanage Diesel Gala Preview Day took place featuring a “Network SouthEast” theme, with Class 47 No. 47715 ‘Rail Engineering Solutions – Quality Assured’ , Class 73 No. 73128 ‘Kent & East Sussex Railway’, and Class 423 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettit’ in action alongside resident steam locomotive SR 4-6-2 “Battle Of Britain” Class No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’
Unusually for me, I spent the next three days on the Swanage Railway and enjoyed haulage behind the Colas Grid and the NSE Duff.
And then it’s all over for another year. The visiting locomotives all departing over the course of the following two days, with the exception of Class 20 No. 20066 which is having an extended stay on the Swanage Railway to help out with locomotive rostering duties.
Thanks for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group.
And don’t forget the first episode of The Railway Dogcast is still available:
A shameless plug for “The Railway Dogcast”, Yoshi’s brand new podcast where we talk to fellow railway enthusiasts. The first episode, in which HentisRail and I welcome Colin Stone, dropped today at midday – 26/05/2025
DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 pass Pot Lane working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025
We kicked off May with a day out around Westbury and the nearby quarries watching freight and passenger trains. As a bonus we also saw classic traction in action when DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 double-headed to Merehead working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry. Thanks to Jamie for driving (don’t forget to check out Jamie’s YouTube page) – 02/05/2025
DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 arrive at their final destination working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 come off of their train at Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025Jamie chats with Francis Bourgeois about Class 56 locomotives at Merehead – 02/05/2025
Early doors at Poole on the morning of 3rd May 2035 as Locomotive Services Limited Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrived with empty coaching stock movement 3Z82 0435 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole in readiness for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” charter. Taking up the rear was Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’. The Brush Type 4 hauled the train away from Poole after the consist reversed in the storage sidings. We saw the rail tour passing through Parkstone with the working reporting as 1Z82 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). Later that day, the train returned its passengers to their starting point as 1Z84 1635 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) to Poole before departing ECS back to Eastleigh with 5Z84 2315 Poole to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 03/05/2025
Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrives at Poole with empty coaching stock movement 3Z82 0435 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole – 03/05/2025Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ climbs Parkstone Bank working Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z82 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). The train had an unplanned stop at Poole High Street Level Crossing – 03/05/2025Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrives back at Poole working 1Z84 1635 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) – 03/05/2025Nameplate from Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ – 03/05/2025Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ passes Poole with ECS working 5Z84 2315 Poole to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 03/05/2025
The first of the Swanage Diesel Gala convoys arrived on the 6th May 2025 when Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauled The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage in readiness for the 2025 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala. Rail Engineering Solutions Class 47 No. 47715 should have been part of the consist, but was not able to travel as part of this train because it was undergoing repairs for a fuel leak. The Class 50 was despatched to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway the following day in order to collect the Brush Type 4 – 06/05/2025
Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauls The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ into Wareham as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage – 06/05/2025Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ pauses at Wareham to collect the token to proceed onto the Swanage Branch with The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ reporting as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage – 06/05/2025Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauling The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ on the approach to Afflington bridge – 06/05/2025
The second convoy arriving into Dorset was hauled by West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 with Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 in tow reporting as 0Z20 1449 Barrow Hill North Jn to Swanage – 06/05/2025
West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 hauling Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 into Wareham as 0Z20 1449 Barrow Hill North Jn to Swanage – 06/05/2025Very blurred images of West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 leading Class 20 No. 20066 and Class 45 No. 45108 as they hurry out of Wareham and head to the Swanage Railway – 06/05/2025West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 hauling Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 pauses at Corfe Castle railway station – 06/05/2025
Thanks for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group. Be Seeing You!
