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 – 22/01/2024GBRf 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 – 23/01/2024DRS 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 – 23/01/2024Class 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 – 23/01/2024Refurbished SWR Class 458 EMU No. 458404 at Branksome – 23/01/2024GBRf Class 57 No. 57305 at Branksome preparing to haul 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD into the depot – 23/01/2024GBRf 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 – 26/01/2024GBRf 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 – 26/01/2024SWR 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 – 26/01/2024Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at Bournemouth working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard awaiting the green – 26/01/2024Class 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 – 26/01/2024CrossCountry 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 – 03/07/2023Weymouth 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. – 07/11/2020Reflecting on past glories, the former Weymouth Quay station went into service with Condor Ferries when they operated out of Weymouth – 17/02/2021Going, going… – 28/03/2021Gone – 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 – 02/05/1999Class 73 No. 73106 at the rear of the “Wet-Farer” railtour – 02/05/1999Class 73 No. 73106 on the return leg to Weymouth (Town) station – 02/05/1999With police escort, Class 73 No. 73106 crawls through the streets of Weymouth – 02/05/1999Class 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? – 02/05/1999Transrail 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
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!
Yoshi celebrated his 5th birthday this week with lots of hugs and a new sweater – 12/01/2024
January 12th 2024 to January 19th 2024
Yoshi celebrated his 5th birthday on Friday January 12th 2024 – he posed for a few photographs so he could show off his new sweater (which would come in handy as temperatures plummeted over the course of the following week), cap and bandana. He didn’t really take to wearing the cap outside, so we put it away for another day. Lots of treats ensued.
Yoshi shows off his new sweater and cap on his 5th birthday – 12/01/2024
It has been a busy week or so in Dorset if, like me, you have a penchant for test and engineering trains. Yes, I’m late with this blog entry, yes, I’m obsessed with trains, and yes, I “enjoy” the solitude of a railway station platform at 0430 on a cold January morning with only the sound of waking birdsong, Network Rail staff opening gates to access the trackside and the distant call of a Class 66 locomotive tooting in the dark telegraphing its existence. This was my experience on the morning of Tuesday 16th January when I hauled myself out of bed in the early hours after a disturbed night because Yoshi had busied himself building a pillow fort as I tried to sleep. DB Cargo had two scheduled engineers trains running into Dorset on this day, one in the morning and one in the late evening – both in connection with engineering works around the Hinton Admiral, Hampshire area. The trains were scheduled to run from Eastleigh East Yard and reverse at Bournemouth before heading back in the direction they had come. Both trains employed the same locomotives, Class 66 No.’s 66154 and 66186.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66186 powers through Christchurch at the head of 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard – 16/01/2024Having reversed at Bournemouth, 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard is now in the charge of DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66154 which is seen heading back through Christchurch – 16/01/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66186 having arrived at Bournemouth with 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral – 16/01/2024The driver of DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66154 prepares to depart Bournemouth with 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral – 16/01/2024
Video of DB Cargo engineers train workings 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard at Christchurch and 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral at Bournemouth featuring Class 66 No.’s 66186 and 66154 – 16/01/2024
Monday 15th January and we welcomed the usual monthly Colas test train worked by a pair of GB Railfreight (GBRf) Class 73 Electro-Diesel locomotives. This time around No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ graced us with their presence top and tailing 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth.
GBRf Class 73 No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ leading on 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole passing SWR Class 444 444023 which had arrived with 1B57 1835 London Waterloo to Poole service – 15/01/2024GBRf Class 73 No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’ heads up the return 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard through Hamworthy – 15/01/2024
Video of GBRf Class 73 electro-diesels No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ top and tailing 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 15/01/2024
As I’ve mentioned numerous times previously, I have a short list of railway traction I would like to photograph. This can be because of a name carried by the locomotive or vehicle in question or perhaps a special livery variation. One GBRf Class 66 I’ve been keeping tabs on of late is No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’. The loco was out of sight on Doncaster Roberts Road depot in Doncaster, a stones throw from the Morrison’s petrol station I visited to refuel the car as we drove to Scarborough last month and seemed to spend a good deal of time rostered on duties in the North of the country. However, during January, No. 66756 found its way down south and eventually ended up at Eastleigh. Seeing online that she was stabled on Eastleigh East Yard on Saturday morning of the 13th January, Yoshi and I ventured over the border to Hampshire in the hope that this time the locomotive would be visible from a public space. Suffice to say, we were unable to see just where the loco had been parked, and we left without accomplishing our mission. It wasn’t a totally wasted journey however, as we took the opportunity to take some photos at Eastleigh and then stop off and take a look at Freightliner Southampton Maritime via a short break at St Denys.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66713 ‘Forest City’ stands in Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024Another view of GBRf Class 66 No. 66713 ‘Forest City’ at Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66304 at Eastleigh East Yard. The locomotive had arrived in the company of No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ the previous night working light engine 0O44 1910 Kineton MOD GBRf to Eastleigh East Yard which had prompted my visit on this day – 13/01/202466711 ‘Sence’ painted in Aggregate Industries livery rests in-between duties at Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024Colas Class 66 No. 66848 and track machines at Eastleigh CTT Forwardings – 13/01/2024Class 153 DMU No. 153311 which previously operated in passenger service with East Midlands Railway (EMR) but has now been converted by Network Rail into Video inspection Unit VIU 1 at Eastleigh. This unit had been scheduled to undertake two runs to Bournemouth on the previous day working as 2Q14 1312 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard, but in the event both trips were cancelled – 13/01/2024Pioneer Class 66 No. 66001 part of the DB Cargo fleet stands adjacent to Eastleigh railway station. This locomotive was originally English Welsh & Scottish Railway’s (EWS) first General Motors (GM) 3,300hp Class 66 which arrived in the UK on Saturday April 18th 1998 at Immingham Dock – and according to Rail Magazine at the time was expected to start work on May 18th. More from Rail issue 330:
The pioneer locomotive of the 250-strong class was taken by rail to the nearby Immingham depot, fittingly hauled dead by Class 56 No. 56018, which itself arrived by sea at Harwich from Romania on January 22 1977. After unloading from heavy lift vessel Fairload, operated by Jumbo Shipping, it was inspected to ensure it was fit to move and the brake system tested. Widespread rumours that the locomotive was dropped as it was loaded in the USA were proved to be untrue. After No. 66001 was unloaded a delighted EWS Project Engineer Graham Preston told RAIL: “This is only the beginning – I’ll be even more happy when the rest have arrived. GM has made a cracking start with delivery well within the contract time and bang on schedule. “Our best estimate was for the locomotive to leave the factory in early March and it actually was finished at the end of March. It’s the fastest that GM has ever delivered a new locomotive design.” It was originally hoped that the locomotive would arrive a few weeks earlier, however the original plan, to use a fast seven-day crossing from Canada to Liverpool was scuppered when the price rose considerably. Instead No. 66001 was towed to Albany, New Jersey where it was loaded. The ship previously visited Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, to unload machinery, before arriving at Immingham. Deliveries of the production series, construction of which will start in earnest once EWS and Railtrack are satisfied with the prototype, will be made to Newport, South Wales. A ship, which can carry up to eleven locomotives each journey, has been chartered for two years and will take around 10 days for the crossing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Once the Class has received Railtrack type approval and a safety case, (with completion of acceptance tests on No. 66001) there will not be a need for Railtrack to inspect each locomotive. Locomotives will arrive tested and ready to run. EWS will check lubricants, coolant, brake systems and all systems. This will take three hours per locomotive after which they will go directly into traffic. As production starts in May the first four production series (Nos. 66003-6) are expected in July, eight (Nos. 66007-14) in August and 11 (Nos. 66015-25) in September. Thereafter deliveries will be 11 locomotives a month. The other pre-production locomotive, No. 66002, which has yet to be painted, was due to move to the Association of American Railroads test track at Pueblo, Colorado in late May for a series of exhaustive tests. It will be delivered later this year once the work is complete. During the weekend of April 18/19 No. 66001 was inspected over a pit at Immingham depot, and on Monday April 20 was displayed to the press at the depot, where it made its first movements under its own power in Britain. This took place within the depot confines, which is EWS, not Railtrack infrastructure. One aspect of the Class 66 design is its radial steering bogies which slightly turn the leading axles on each bogie as the locomotive enters a curve. This results in no flange squeal, even on the sharpest curves and is expected to double the life of tyres. No. 66001 was towed to Toton by 60016 on Monday evening, where a further, very detailed inspection was made. Early on Friday April 24 it was towed to Chester where it was exhibited for a visit by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, returning to Toton the same day. It was moved on Monday April 27 to the Engineering Development Unit at Derby (former Research Department) for two weeks of static tests, to be followed by a week of loaded main line trials, probably over the Midland Main Line. After this it will enter service, and is expected to be based initially at Newport, South Wales. Three EWS staff have been trained in Canada to drive the Class 66. Conversion courses for other crews are being developed, but it is expected that Class 59 drivers will require a one-day course, and Class 58/60 drivers will need a three day course. The Class 66 can work in multiple with Class 59s and 67s (to be delivered in 1999). – 13/01/2024Southern Class 377 No. 377201 working 1N15 0928 Southampton Central to Brighton on the approach to St Denys – 13/01/2024SWR Class 450 No. 450057 working 2E20 0838 Portsmouth & Southsea to Southampton Central /at St Denys having passed Southern Class 377 No. 377201 forming 1N15 0928 Southampton Central to Brighton – 13/01/2024Freightliner Class 66 No. 66539 passing St Denys working 4018 0424 Lawley Street FLT to Southampton MCT – 13/01/2024Freightliner Maritime with Class 70 No. 70007, Class 66 No. 66553 in the foreground and Class 66 No. 66556 and Class 70 No. 70005 behind – 13/01/2024Class 70 No. 70002 being shunted around Southampton MCT by Class 66 No. 66556- 13/01/2024“Super Shunter” for the day Class 66 No. 66556 at Freightliner Southampton Maritime – 13/01/2024The Totton based Snow & Ice Treatment Train passes Southampton MCT, top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ – 13/01/2024Having shunted back at Southampton Maritime, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66539 arrives at the container terminal working 4018 0424 Lawley Street FLT to Southampton MCT – 13/01/2024
Video which consists mostly of Freightliner “Super Shunter” Class 66 No. 66556 moving things about at Southampton Maritime – 13/01/2024
Late on Saturday evening, Freightliner had the responsibiity of providing motive power for an engineers train to Hamworthy. Two of the FL Class 66 locos we had last seen at Maritime earlier in the day were provided on this working, which I saw at Poole on the outward trip as well as the return working which ran on Sunday morning. The work site was to the west of Hamworthy railway station and away from prying eyes. I did witness two Network Rail employees placing a temporary STOP sign – to protect the branch line – in front of the existing STOP sign which is fixed to a sleeper chained across the track just after the point where the Hamworthy branch leaves the main line. A case of belt and braces!
Freightliner Class No. 66556 crawls through Poole working 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy – 13/01/2024Freightliner Class No. 66539 at Poole on the rear of 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy as SWR Class 444 No. 444026 arrives with the 2W86 2310 Weymouth to Bournemouth service – 13/01/2024
Video of Freightliner Class No.’s 66 locomotives 66556 and 66539 at Poole working ballast train 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy (13/01/2024) and 6Y85 07:30 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard (14/01/2024)
Moving forward a few days to Thursday 18th January and having received confirmation from friend of this blog, Jamie, that the aforementioned No. 66756 was scheduled to be working down the Fawley branch to Marchwood near Southampton, and taking into consideration the beautiful sunny, but cold day, I made the last minute decision to drive over and wait for the train to cross at the manual level crossing adjacent to the former Marchwood railway station.
Looking from the level crossing at Marchwood down the line towards Totton, GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ can be seen approaching with 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf – 18/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ about to cross over the manual level crossing at Main Road, Marchwood hauling 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf – 18/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ on the associated return working (4Z47 1218 Marchwood MOD GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf) from Marchwood MOD pauses in the former Marchwood railway station awaiting the ‘go ahead’ to proceed from the crossing gate keeper – 18/01/2024 Although semaphore signals remain in situ at Marchwood, they do not appear to be operational as GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ works 4Z47 1218 Marchwood Mod GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf – 18/01/2024
Video of GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ at Marchwood working 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf and 4Z47 1218 Marchwood Mod GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf – 18/01/2024
Fawley oil refinery was established in 1921 with its construction starting in the spring of 1923, the contractors being Sir Robert McAlpine & Co Ltd. The Fawley railway branch line was built under provision of the Light Railways Act 1896 as the “Totton, Hythe and Fawley Light Railway”, opening on 20th July 1925. It branches off at the South West Main Line west of Totton station, running parallel with the line to Bournemouth and Weymouth for one mile before curving away to the south. Prior to the passenger service being withdrawn on 14th February 1966, stations were served at Marchwood, Hythe, and Fawley. Between Hythe and Fawley a station for workmen was opened briefly between 1958 and 1965 named Hardley Halt.
Railway traffic as far as Marchwood increased after a siding to Cracknore Hard was laid in 1939 for harbour defences. It was expanded to a full-blown military port in 1943, the slipway becoming a major assembly point for Mulberry floating harbour sections in 1944.
The passenger service to Fawley was always traditionally somewhat sparse with just three return trips and a long gap during the day when refinery staff were at work. There was an expansion in freight traffic as, for more than 80 years, ExxonMobil and its predecessors used rail to move oil products from the refinery, but all associated traffic ceased in September 2016. Railway Magazine reported the last DB Cargo train from Fawley; a rake of empty bogie tankers, ran on September 5th 2016. The line is now only used by freight to and from Marchwood Military Port as well as taking and removing SWR Class 701 EMU’s in storage.
Looking to the future, it is proposed to partly reopen the line with stations located at Marchwood and Hythe. On 23rd May 2020, the Department of Transport (DafT) announced that the line now marketed as the “Waterside Line” had been shortlisted for further funding to investigate the restoration of passenger services. The end of the 8-mile line would be unused, but a southern terminus, called Hythe and Fawley Parkway, would open on the site of the Hardley Halt station.
In March 2022, Rail Magazine reported that Network Rail would be taking the scheme to get the line reopened forward. However, the proposed Hythe & Fawley Parkway station will not now be included. The service that Network Rail is proposing is a 2 car Class 158/9, running every 30 minutes between Hythe and Southampton with passenger services starting in 2025 at the earliest if plans are accepted. Following public consultations held in August / September 2022, 84% of people backed the proposal to reinstate the line for passenger service.
The Totton Yard based Snow and Ice Treatment Train (SITT) saw multiple incursions into Dorset during the recent frosty January weather working:
12/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
14/01/2024 – 3Y88 1009 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
17/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
19/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
Snow & Ice Treatment Train workings in January 2024 (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
Elsewhere on the UK network, the final day of Class 508 workings took place on 16th January 2024 when Merseyrail withdrew the last operational example of the class, No. 508104 after 44 years of service. The Class 508 developed from the prototype PEP stock were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL), at Holgate Road carriage works, York, between 1979 and 1980 and initially worked alongside much older first generation 4-SUB EMU’s in the London Waterloo area. The first Class 508 unit was delivered to Strawberry Hill depot on 9th August 1979.
Class 508 No. 508018 and 4-SUB No. 4656 at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981Class 508 No. 508017 at the buffer stops at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981Class 508 No. 508042 and 4-VEP 7815 at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981
Transfer to of the Class 508’s to Merseyside began in 1982 when they were reduced from 4-car to 3-car sets. The removed trailer cars live on as part of South Western Railway Class 455.
Class 508 No. 508140 at Southport – 13/07/2022Yoshi at Southport taking a look at Class 508 No. 508140 – 13/07/2022Class 508 No. 508120 at Liverpool James Street with the 1407 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 455 No. 455734 leading classmate No. 455708 towards Branksome working 5Y51 empty coaching stock movement 1431 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Depot to Wimbledon Depot Sidings. The second coach of each unit was taken from Class 508 units and the different height and shape of the carriage to the rest of the unit can be clearly seen – 02/03/2022
As you may be aware, train strikes are planned from Tuesday 30th January through to Monday 5th February 2024.
• Tuesday 30th January – Gatwick Express, Great Northern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink
• Wednesday 31th January – Northern, TransPennine Express
• Friday 2nd February – c2c, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), LNER
• Saturday 3rd February – Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway
• Monday 5th February – Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
In addition, the above train operators will have an overtime ban between Monday 29th January and Tuesday 6th February.
Dorset Council and BCP Council have joined forces to develop a new transport plan for the whole of Dorset fit for the 21st Century and have launched a survey running until 3rd March. They would like our thoughts on the following:
• improving transport across rural and urban areas;
• ensuring all ages and abilities can access services;
• making it easier to be more physically active;
• enabling more opportunities for affordable, available and accessible public transport;
• helping people feel safer on our roads and on public transport;
• reducing congestion and carbon emissions; or
• improving digital and real-time travel information
You can find out more and complete the survey online here – paper copies are also available at Dorset Council and BCP Council libraries.
Many thanks for reading, for your comments and corrections. All being well, we’ll be back soon! Be seeing you.
Yoshi visited The London Museum of Water & Steam to celebrate the New Year. In the background are the museum buildings and the impressive Victorian standpipe tower, which is not, as you might expect, a chimney but a brick winter coat for the two systems of vertical pipes – through which water was pumped before it entered the mains water supply – contained within to prevent freezing and is the museum’s most striking feature standing at 200 ft high. The Grade I brick tower, of Italianate design, was constructed in 1867 to replace an earlier open metal lattice structure – 01/01/2024
January 1st 2024 to January 11th 2024
We kicked off 2024 with a visit to the “New Years Steam Up” being held at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. The Steam Up weekend of celebrations was the first opportunity in two years for people to marvel at the monstrous working steam engines that once provided water to the millions living and working in London. In July 2022, the Museum’s 96 year old Lancashire Boiler failed an inspection when it was discovered one of the seventeen rivets which hold the crown valve mounting flange onto the main boiler shell had lost its heat inside the boiler’s steam space. This meant that the boiler could no longer be used and the steam engines fell silent and still while extensive repairs were carried out. Now, just in time to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary the boiler is steaming once again.
Situated on the site of the former Kew Bridge Pumping Station, close to Kew Bridge on the River Thames in West London, the museum is centred on a collection of stationary water pumping steam engines dating from 1820 to 1910. It is the home of the world’s largest collection of working Cornish engines, including the largest working beam engine in the world; the Grand Junction 90 inch.
The Grand Junction 90 inch has a cylinder diameter of 90 inches (hence its name!) and was used to pump water to London for 98 years. This machine is over 40 feet high and weighs about 250 tons. It was described by Charles Dickens as “a monster”. It was built by Sandys, Carne & Vivian of Hayle in 1846 as the first Cornish beam engine specifically designed for water supplies and was powerful enough to supply water to the upper floors of buildings, allowing direct supply to upstairs bathrooms 01/01/2024
We arrived early after a good run in the car up from Dorset and luckily found parking on site in the small car park at the museum, although the site is only a 3 minute walk from Kew Bridge railway station if you chose to arrive by train. There were a number of families in evidence with young children during our visit and the museum is a great place to learn and have fun.
Exhibiting a plethora of steam, diesel and electric powered pumps, the London Museum of Water & Steam tells the story of London’s water supply housed in historic Georgian buildings and they very kindly allowed access to Yoshi, but explained that our boy may not like some of the steam engines when they are working. We duly followed this advice and Yoshi waited with one of his hoomans in the Pump and Grind Coffee Shop or explored the garden area while the machines were being operated. The coffee shop was very busy and served an excellent cuppa. It is run by “Our Barn Community”, a local charity working with young people with learning difficulties enabling a supported work placement.
We have shared just a small fraction of the engineering marvels housed at the museum below:
The Waddon Engine with drove 3 pumps was built by James Simpson & Co of Newarkin 1910 and originally found use at Waddon Pumping Station in Croydon. It was the last steam water-pumping engine in active UK service before being retired in June 1983. It was restored in 1990 and restored to original Edwardian colours for display at the museum – 01/01/2024This waterwheel was built in 1902 by S. Hindley & Sons in Bourton, Dorset for the Duke of Somerset to serve his estate at Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire and was one of the last waterwheels ever built to pump water in the UK – 01/01/2024The Boulton & Watt (West engine) is the oldest engine in the London Museum of Water & Steam having been built in Birmingham in 1820.It was one of a pair moved to Kew in 1840 which were then converted into a Cornish type between 1846 and 1848. Retired in 1944, this was the first engine to be returned to working order in 1975 – 01/01/2024
Kew Bridge Pumping Station was originally opened in 1838 by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, expanding over the ensuing years and ultimately housing six steam pumping engines as well as four Allen diesel pumps and four electric pump sets. The steam engines were retired from service in 1944, although two were kept on standby until 1958. The Metropolitan Water Board thankfully decided not to scrap the resident steam pumping engines and set them aside to form the basis of a museum display at a later date which came to fruition in 1974 with the formation of the Kew Bridge Engines Trust.
The original Number 1 horizontal AC motor driving centrifugal pump was built in 1944 by Hawthorn Davey & Co of Leeds. This type of electric pump replaced steam engines at pumping stations across the UK and this example is the oldest surviving pump of its kind. It was retired in the late 1980’s – 01/01/2024
The museum also runs a 2 ft narrow gauge railway, which despite being advertised as running over the weekend, was unfortunately not operating during our visit. The museum has been a filming location for many television programmes, including the Doctor Who serial “Remembrance of the Daleks” broadcast in 1988.
After our visit to the London Museum of Water & Steam, we had planned on taking a trip into central London by rail, but in the event decided against this and instead took a drive and a leisurely walk around nearby Richmond, including a visit to the railway station. Of course we did!
The Art Deco façade of Richmond railway station complete with its square clock centrepiece – 01/01/2024
The Art Deco station building in Richmond, designed by James Robb Scott (1882-1965) for the Southern Railway and constructed in Portland stone dates from 1937 and replaced an earlier station on the site. Scottish born Scott became the Chief Architect of the Southern Railway and is perhaps best known for his redesign of London Waterloo between 1910 and 1923 where he was chiefly responsible for the offices, main entrance and war memorial to the fallen employees of the railway known as the Victory Arch. Scott also designed Wimbledon and Surbiton railway stations – now part of the South Western Railway (SWR) network – the latter having recently celebrated 40 years since being bestowed Grade II listed status.
SWR, Network Rail (NR) and the Railway Heritage Trust are jointly funding a £325,000 programme of improvements with hopes of more refurbishment to come in the future, subject to additional funding being made available. Initial work includes cleaning the Portland stone façade, repairing the timber entrance doors and polishing its bronze embellishments, repairing flagpoles and refurbishing customer toilets.
The restored entrance doors to Richmond railway station which Yoshi unceremoniously christened on our visit…. 01/01/2024
The style of the building at Richmond is suggested as being inspired by the work of Charles Holden (1875-1960), the architect behind London Underground stations including South Wimbledon on the Northern line. Holden’s designs included multi-frame glazing, enamelled signage panels, the use of an iconic typeface for signage and brick and tile detailing. Similar features at Richmond have been lost or covered up over time, including during the station’s last major refurbishment in 1985. SWR, NR and the Railway Heritage Trust have worked with Benedict O’Looney Architects on designs that include restoring or replicating those features, and others, in future improvements. Paying close attention to detail, the station’s original, hand-drawn plans are being used together with promotional photographs from when the station first opened its doors to customers. Samples of the station’s original paint are also being analysed by the University of Lincoln, specialists in the conservation and restoration of the interior and exterior features of listed and historic buildings.
The area in front of Richmond station main entrance was pedestrianised in 2013 and includes a war memorial to soldier Bernard Freyberg, who was born in Richmond. As well as Sir trains, the station is served by the London Overground North London Line and Underground District Line trains.
Star of the show, Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 working the 1200 Swanage to Norden service approaches Corfe Common – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway’s first event of 2024 was their annual “Winter Warm Up” weekend held on January 6th & 7th. With cold, but clear weather forecast, I decided on heading down to Swanage on the Saturday after taking a chance on a picturesque sunrise at Durdle Door on the way.
Resident Class 33 No. 33111 crosses Corfe Viaduct hauling the 1245 Swanage to Norden train – 06/01/2023SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ takes her turn on the demonstration freight working the 1132 Norden to Swanage nearing Afflington. Later during the weekend, brake van rides were offered – 06/01/2024This time working a passenger train, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ has departed Norden with the 1415 service to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ takes her turn on the freight wagons working 1302 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Harman’s Cross with the 1030 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024
In action this year was the recently restored Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 hauling its first freight train since its return to service, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and the resident Class 33 diesel locomotives no.’s 33111 and D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 powers away from Corfe Castle at the head of the 1357 Swanage to Norden demonstration freight – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group have been nominated for the “Steam Railway Magazine Award”. This award is decided by the public and will be announced at Heritage Railway Association’s annual ceremony on February 10th 2024 and you can now cast your vote online until the 18th January 2024: www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards
Video from January 6th 2024 Swanage Winter Warm Up
Scheduled mainline action kicked off the year with a “no-show” as the HST powered New Measurement Train (NMT) failed to reach Weymouth on January 3rd after a points failure at Castle Cary curtailed 1Z22 1211 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – top and tailed by Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43257 – at Westbury. Interestingly three different paths were put in for this test train on this particular day. The one which finally ran was timed later than the usual working to Dorset, but not as late as one of the options given for the day!
We did, however, get to experience a daylight Snow & Ice treatment Train (SITT) on Sunday 7th January as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ in top and tail formation worked to Weymouth as 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. 66764 replaced No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ and No. 66743 which had both been previously paired up with No. 66772 on the Totton based SITT locomotive diagram.
Sunday morning tranquility is disturbed as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ top and tail SITT 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard across Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ leads on the return 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard Snow & Ice Treatment Train through Hamworthy with No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy working 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 07/01/2024
Major John Poyntz served in the British army for 35 years, with the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Corps of Transport. After military service, he joined the Railway Inspectorate, now part of the Office of Rail and Road, and was the last Royal Engineer to take such a route, spending 25 years in the role as a Railway Inspector. His work included inspections of heritage railways and dealing with accidents and incidents such as the Severn Tunnel rail accident and the Cannon Street rail crash, both in 1991.
Overnight on Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th a ballast train headed to Moreton working as 6C03 2312 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton (Dorset) in the hands of Colas locomotives Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809. We saw the ensemble pass through Hamworthy on the outward leg and had planned to see the associated return 6C03 0810 Moreton (Dorset) to Eastleigh East Yard crossing Holes Bay, but as the train set off over an hour early and with the sun yet to rise, we played safe and returned once again to Hamworthy railway station to watch the train pass through.
January ballast train with Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809
The SITT returned to the Bournemouth to Weymouth line under the cover of darkness on Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th January employing the same pair of Class 66’s as the previous Sunday run.
January 2024 Dorset Snow & Ice Treatment Train workings (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
In between the SITT workings, on Tuesday 9th January, we saw a first for Dorset as Direct Rail Services (DRS) ran a service to Winfrith using a Class 88 locomotive No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ which had replaced failed Class 68 No. 68004 (which itself had substituted for No. 68005) and No. 68003 ‘Astute’ in top an tail formation. This was the inaugural use a Class 88 on the Bournemouth to Weymouth line.
DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ with Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ working the empties to Winfrith as 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings through Hamworthy – 09/01/2024DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) at Hamworthy – 09/01/2024Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ at the rear of 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings having cleared Hamworthy railway station. Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads – 09/01/2024
The Class 88 is a mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Stadler Rail and is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family.
Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ remained at the rear for the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 09/01/2024
During the development of the Class 68 diesel locomotive for DRS which was first announced in January 2012, the design team at Stadler proposed the concept of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). In comparison to conventional diesel locomotives, this arrangement enables operational costs to be significantly reduced when diagrammed on routes partially or entirely under OHLE, under which the diesel engine can be deactivated.In September 2013, DRS placed an order for ten such locomitives which would become the Class 88. Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotive types, with an approximate 70% share of components.
Video of January 9th 2024 Winfrith run (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
The Class 88 is the first dual-mode locomotive type in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification, as the only other electro-diesel locomotives to have entered service with British Railways are the Class 73’s and Class 74’s, which operated on the Southern Region using third rail electrification, and we’ve reached back into the archives to find some images to share:
Class 74 No. 74010 at Doncaster Works. Withdrawn from service in December 1977, the locomotive was cut up here in October 1979 after being given a brief reprieve so that it could be for evaluated for departmental use by the Railway Technical Centre (RTC) in Derby. It was given a light overhaul at Eastleigh before being towed to Derby, where it was eventually deemed to be unsuitable and taken to Doncaster for scrapping – 22/07/1979A hastily taken photo of Class 74’s at London Waterloo taken from a departing train bound for Weymouth. This side of the station later became Waterloo International between 1994 and 2007 – July 1977Class 74 No. 74004 has had a bit of a bump (not helped by my camera shake!) as it stands forlorn at Eastleigh Diesel Depot during the 1978 Open Day. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in December 1977 and cut up at Birds in Long Marston. She was originally built as the pioneer Class 71 and numbered E5000 – 30/04/1978Withdrawn Class 74’s at Eastleigh Diesel Depot Open Day including No.’s 74005 and 74009 – 30/04/1978
Eastleigh Open Day 1978 flyerClass 73 No. 73122 and 2-HAP Unit No. 6103 with a third unidentified carriage and Class 33 No. 33116 working a test train towards Dorchester South – 13/05/1981The same test train as in the image above focussing on Class 33 No. 33116 on the approach to Dorchester South – 13/05/1981
For The Record:
In other news, the SWR Class 701 Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s) finally entered revenue earning service on Tuesday 9th January 2024 when No. 701037 worked a single round trip between Waterloo and Windsor Eton Riverside. The Derby-built trains had been due to enter service in 2019. SWR have since promised the rolling stock would enter passenger service in 2023 – a promise echoed by the Department for Transport (DaFT) in a statement issued in May 2023, which said the trains would run “this calendar year”. It is intended a Class 701 will continue to run off-peak Monday to Friday between London Waterloo and Windsor, in order to fulfil that commitment, making one single round trip each day, or working between 1000 and 1600. The phased entry into service of the Class 701’s – which continue test runs to Poole and Bournemouth – will eventually allow for the withdrawal of SWR’s Class 455 units and the cascade of the Class 458 fleet to longer distance services.
Back in 2020, the first Class 701 to be delivered, No. 701002, was delivered to South Western Railway and somehow made its way to Weymouth where it is seen here in Jersey Sidings awaiting commissioning tests. Yoshi and I stumbled across it while out for our morning walkies – 16/06/200
The North Dorset NMT ran on Thursday 11th January 2024 – a week earlier than I expected – in the hands of HST Class 43 power cars No.’s 43013 and 43257.
Lake Road was closed to road traffic from its junction with Lake Drive to its junction with Coles Avenue from Monday 8th January up to and including Friday 12th January 2024 – 2200 to 0600 daily to facilitate removal of material from a bridge strike and replace missing signage on Lake Road Bridge situated on the Hamworthy Branch. We popped by a couple of times, and although the road was indeed closed, there didn’t seem to be any activity taking place with regards to bridge repairs, which is disappointing to say the least.
Road closure at Lake Road bridge – but little sign of any repairs taking place – 08/01/2024Yoshi had his first grooming session of 2024 on Monday 8th January and couldn’t wait to show off his new cut to his grandmama – 08/01/2024
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Next week, we’ll celebrate Yoshi’s birthday and hopefully have some more Dorset based railway images and video to bring you. Thank you for reading and for your comments, corrections and amendments. All very much appreciated. We’ll leave you with a couple of shots from that early morning trip to Durdle Door! Be seeing you!
Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024
Yoshi at Yeovil Junction with Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo-Bo diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components (engine and transmission) from General Motors Diesel. Yoshi is a cockapoo dog, a miniature poodle and cocker spaniel mix produced in Wiltshire – 23/12/2023
December 11th 2023 to December 31st 2023
The second part of our December blog is finally here! After our trip to the North, we didn’t have to wait long for some local railway themed action as another Class 458 EMU drag from Widnes Transport Tech to Bournemouth depot took place on Wednesday 13th running as 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD. I kept one eye on its movement via the live maps available on the Open Time Trains website, and at one point almost left home early as the train was running well ahead of time.
GBRf Class 69 No.69008 at Branksome preparing to reverse into the depot with 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
However, the train was held outside of Eastleigh for a while so I was able to get to Branksome on the train as planned just prior to the arrival of GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 69 No. 69008 with South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 No. 458424 sandwiched in-between barrier coaches. The return run taking another Class 458 for refurbishment in Widnes was set for departure the afternoon of the same day, but was afforded three different paths out of the depot. Avoiding the possibility of picking the wrong working and either missing the departure or having a lengthy wait I decided just to remain at home instead!
GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 with SWR Class 458 No. 458424 in tow arrives at Branksome heading 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
No. 56081 is to to be retired to Longport in the New Year. While the option for additional Class 69 conversions doesn’t appear to have been taken yet, the planned despatch of the Class 56 to Longport certainly places it in position for potential conversion to No. 69017.
Later on the same day, the Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) ran from Totton to Dorchester South and back as 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard with Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’. I toyed briefly with the notion of driving to Dorchester to get a photo of No. 66743 in its Belmond Royal Scotsman livery, but decided against it on this occasion.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’ passing Hamworthy with 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 13/12/2023
Saturday 16th December was a bit of a road trip so I could see what could well be the final DB Cargo (DBC) Class 60 hauled railtour as the class are to be ‘retired’ in April 2024 by the Deutsche Bahn owned freight operator following an announcement it is to eliminate the use of its Class 60 locomotives by re-gearing ten of its Class 66 loco’s to provide an enhanced tractive effort. As most of its services are operated by Class 66 locomotives, with the Class 60’s only seeing limited use, DB Cargo concluded that if services operated by its Class 60 locomotives could be transferred to Class 66’s with a higher tractive effort, it would benefit its customers and the company.
DB Cargo has also said that in the future they are going to focus on contractual railtour operations, with the likes of the Belmond British Pullman trains, and less on the ‘ad hoc’ operations for other tour promoters, such as Pathfinder Railtours who were running “The Festive Midland-Ian” which was promoted as an attempt to try and cover as many freight lines, loops and locations as possible in the West Midlands, featuring some “rare track”. The requested motive power had been Top & Tail DBC Class 60’s but, due to the low numbers of the class remaining in service, on the day DBC were forced to substitute a Class 66 for one of them.
Pathfinder named the railtour “The Festive Midland-Ian” after Ian Loveday who devises and helps with many enthusiast rail based excursions. Ian often advises and assists with access to heavily sought after lines including this 16th December charter.
The route for the tour was confirmed as: GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM SPA, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, Kidderminster DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, Stourbridge DGL, Rowley Regis UGL, BIRMINGHAM SNOW HILL, Up & Down Small Health Goods, Caledonia Yard, Up & Down Small Heath Goods, Tyseley Up Through Siding, Dorridge UPL, Leamington Spa UCV, Fenny Compton UGL, Banbury DGL, Banbury Reservoir Sdgs – BANBURY (Break), Fenny Compton DGL, Kineton Branch NR Limit, Leamington Spa DCV, Hatton DGL, Dorridge UDGL, Birmingham New Street (non-stop), Wolverhampton Logistics Centre, Bescot Stadium, Bushbury DGL, Stafford RMT, Oxley Chord, Wolverhampton, Bescot Stadium, Bescot DGL, Aston, BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET, Rowley Regis DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, CHELTENHAM SPA, GLOUCESTER
I decided to head to Banbury as I remembered an accesible road bridge close to the Tarmac works which in turn is adjacent to Banbury Resevoir sidings. “The Festive Midland-Ian” is believed to be the first passenger train to visit to the Reservoir stone terminal sidings at Banbury. On the way, I took a slight detour so I could pick up @smithy.377 and looking at the timings available to us on real Time Trains, we realised we’d have a few passes of the train as it worked its way along Banbury Goods Loop and back before tackling the stone terminal sidings. We also enjoyed a few other passing passenger trains and a couple of freights.
Chiltern Class 58 No. 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) propels 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone towards Banbury railway station – 16/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70014 working 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal nears Banbury – 16/12/2023
The railtour had to arrive at Resevoir Sidings prior to the arrival of a scheduled GBRf stone train which was confirmed as running on the 16th. The Pathfinder tour was then diagrammed to head into Banbury for a brief layover before heading back up the mainline towards Wolverhampton. I had read the previous day that the Class 66 would be leading towards Banbury, but I was very pleased to see the Class 60 at the front as it rounded the distant curve heading for down goods loop. This meant that we managed to get numerous shots of the leading locomotive and led me to abandon any thoughts of chasing the train up to Fenny Compton and possibly beyond.
DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ arrives with 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ prepares to run around her train; 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023Class 66 No. 66194 takes charge of the second leg of “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal – 16/12/2023
After seeing the Class 66 No. 66194 taking “The Festive Midland-Ian” back towards Wolverhampton, I opted to return home via Didcot in the hope that I could get a photo of special King Prince Charles Coronation liveried Class 66 No. 66023 which had been showing as being on Didcot Fuelling Point. On arrival at Didcot railway station, we were allowed up onto the platforms by Great Western Railway gateline staff, but unfortunately, the No. 66023 was nowhere to be seen. @smithy.377 later discovered the locomotive was inside a shed and therefore out of sight of our cameras. We were able to photograph a few other DBC Class 66 locomotives however.
In red DB Cargo livery Class 66 NO. 66149 in Didcot Yard – 16/12/2023Still carrying EWS livery, DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66083 and 66063 at Didcot – 16/12/2023
Video from Banbury on 16th December 2023 featuring DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 and Class 66 No. 66194 top and tail working “The Festive Midland-Ian” from Pathfinder Railtours; 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury & 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal. Other trains featured include: 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) – 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone 221139 – 1M30 07:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 221137 – 1O08 07:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 70014 – 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal 168108/168106 – 1R17 09:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168218/168328 – 1H28 09:13 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220031 – 1V83 06:23 Newcastle to Reading 168004 / 168xxx – 1H30 09:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 168xxx/ 168107 – 1R19 09:32 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168xxx/ 168217 – 1R21 10:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 66740 ‘Sarah’ – 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates 168001 ‘Adrian Shooter’/168xxx – 1H33 10:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220027 – 1O12 09:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 220033 – 1M38 09:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 168322/168215 – 1R25 11:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street
Engineering works at Middle Stream Bridge near Wool on Sunday 17th December meant there were no trains running in the area. Yoshi and I had a little “family” trip out to Weymouth and I grabbed a couple of photographs of track machines resting between duties on our way home.
Balfour Beatty Matisa B66UC Tamper No. DR75501 in the sidings at Dorchester South prior to working the following days 6Q66 05:00 Dorchester Junction to Eastleigh East Yard – 17/12/2023
A tamping machine or ballast tamper, informally simply a tamper, is a self-propelled, rail-mounted machine used to pack (or tamp) the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks and roadbed more durable and level. Prior to the introduction of mechanical tampers, this task was done by manual labour with the help of beaters. As well as being faster, more accurate, more efficient and less labour-intensive, tamping machines are essential for the use of concrete sleepers since they are too heavy to be lifted by hand.
At its most basic, a tamping machine only packs the ballast. Some modern machines, sometimes known as tamper-liners or tamping and lining machines, also correct the alignment of the rails to make them parallel and level, in order to achieve a more comfortable ride for passengers and freight and to reduce the mechanical strain applied to the rails by passing trains. This is done by finding places where the sleepers have sunk from the weight of the passing trains or frost action, causing the track to sag.
The B 66 UC is a high-performance universal continuous action tamping machine designed for normal and high-speed lines. In addition to the plain line, it can handle the heaviest switches and crossings, especially those with concrete sleepers. This machine has a tamping shuttle fitted with four tamping units and a lifting and slewing clamp. In addition to these tools, telescopic diverging track lifting devices can be used when handling heavy switches and crossings. The very responsive shuttle allows a substantial output on plain line despite the fact that this is a single-head machine. The longitudinal stroke of the tamping units is long enough to position the units in a way to easily and quickly tamp Y shaped sleepers. Located in the centre of the machine, the tamping cabin provides an excellent visibility on the tools and the track. Thanks to the machine’s user-friendliness and its ergonomic controls, only two operators are needed to operate the B 66 UC to its full potential. Loram C44 Rail Grinding Machine No. DR79301 in Wool Sidings. It will depart for Poole on 19/12/2023 as 4Q01 23:44 Wool MOD Siding Freightliner Heavy Haul to Poole – 17/12/2023
A railgrinder is a permanent way maintenance train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend tracklife and to improve the ride of trains using it.
The C44 Series Rail Grinder is designed with advanced technology features that also meets stringent international standards, weights and clearances. The C44 Series complies with the W6A clearance diagram and the axle weights of international commuter lines and freight rail applications.
Loram’s C44 rail grinder delivers high-efficiency re-profiling of the railhead, removing or reducing rail corrugations, corrosion, joint mismatches and other railhead surface irregularities with industry-leading productivity.
Monday 18th December and with all lines re-opened, it was the turn of the monthly Colas test train from Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth running as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard employing the usual traction of GBRf Class 73 locomotives. This time it was the turn of No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’.
GBRf Class 73’s No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ passing through Hamworthy working 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC Serco to Eastleigh East Yard – 18/12/2023
Another day out to see a railtour took place on Saturday 23rd December, this time closer to home as DB Cargo Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. No. 67006 is one of two class members painted in a special Royal Claret livery and as such would be primarily tasked with working the Royal Train. However, the locomotive is often used for special charter trains and other occasional passenger services when not fulfilling her Royal duties. We took a roundabout route to see the railtour, taking in Totton Yard so I could finally get a clear photograph of GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 in Belmond Royal Scotsman livery as it is was still being employed on the SITT along with No. 66772 ‘Maria’. I also popped in on Freightliner Southampton Maritime and Eastleigh (which admittedly was rather quiet!)
GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.66772 ‘Maria’ on the rear of the SITT at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 and No.66772 ‘Maria’ in Totton Yard on the SITT. The train was scheduled to head to Eastleigh East Yard later that evening where it would remain over the Christmas period – 23/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70001 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023FL Class 66 No.’s 66606 and 66570 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023Class 08 diesel shunter No. 08785 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023A trio of FL Class 70’s at Southampton Maritime; 70007, 70002 and 70005 – 23/12/2023Class 153 Video Inspection Unit (VIU2) No. 153376 at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 on a DB Infrastructure Train destined for Abbey Street Junction for work over the Christmas period at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023
Always looking for a new photographic location, I had time to scout out the western portal of Gillingham tunnel. After parking up at the side of the road above the tunnel, Yoshi and I made our way along a public footpath through fields which are adjacent to the railway track. A trio of sheep were not too sure about our arrival and took off to the opposite corner to watch us from afar. Yoshi, thankfully, showed little interest in the ovine beasts and settled down at my feet as we waited for the Class 67 to turn up hauling its train.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ emerges from Gillingham Tunnel hauling 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform – 23/12/2023
After seeing the train at Gillingham tunnel, I popped into Yeovil Junction in time to see the locomotive running around her train which was being serviced after dropping off the passengers in Sherborne for the festive carol service at the Abbey the tour was named after.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ runs around its train at Yeovil Junction – 23/12/2023Crests applied to Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ reversing back onto the coaching stock to form the return leg of the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ at Yeovil Junction whilst the coaching stock employed on the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour is serviced – 23/12/2023
Video of 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ working “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform Also includes the following passing trains: Gillingham Tunnel: 159020/159013 – 1L25 1021 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids 159012/159105 – 1L44 1125 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo Yeovil Junction: 159003/159015 1L29 1120 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
On my way home from Yeovil, I made another slight detour to take a look at the Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” operation, this years seasonal offering from the Purbeck Heritage line, which I had so far not managed to see in 2023. “Polar Express” trains started running on 17th December and continued through to 30th December. With failing light which rendered photography of moving trains difficult, I waited for the late running 1445 trip from Swanage to show at Corfe Castle with resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the outward run and Southern Railway 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ with “Polar Express” emblazoned on her tender, working the return. I followed the train down to Swanage and as darkness fell this only enhanced the colourful lights within the carriages.
Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ heads up the 1445 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads towards Swanage after stopping at The North Pole (Norden) with a “Polar Express” train – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 and LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 in the sidings at Swanage while Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ waits with a “Polar Express” service in the station – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 23/12/2023LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 at Swanage – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023Darkness falls on Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ as she awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023
Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” – 23/12/2023
With SWR Desiro Electric Multiple Unit’s (EMU’s) remaining in the old South West Trains (SWT) livery now in single figures, it has been reported that Class 450 No. 450111 and Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’, both wrapped in a striped form of the South Western Railway grey livery, will be the last two units to be painted into standard SWR colours.
Class 450 No. 450111 at Eastleigh working 2B32 0902 Bournemouth to Winchester – 23/12/2023Side view showing the “stripey” South Western Railway livery carried by Class 450 No. 450111 at EastleighClass 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole having arrived with 1B31 1357 Brockenhurst to Poole – 24/12/2023Side view of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Bodyside detail of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole forming the 5B31 1437 Poole to Poole Storage Sidings ECS – 24/12/2023
The original South West Trains train livery used the Stagecoach Group colours – red, blue and orange – in a similar style to the Network South East (NSE) livery. Some detail variations were introduced before a major updating of the group’s design identity in 2000. New logos and typefaces were developed, as well as new bus and train liveries.
An unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU on the approach to Wareham in Network South East Livery at some point in the late 1990’sAnother unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU, carrying the original South West Trains livery based on the NSE style previously carried by the trains, nearing Upwey station – 05/09/1998Class 442’s at Dorchester South in the revised SWT livery in the early 2000’s
The second-generation South West Trains liveries, designed by industry specialist Best Impressions, have swooshes of the Stagecoach colours, which sweep back from the nose of the train to give an impression of movement. There were three versions of the livery employed – white on the Class 444 and 159 trains used on many longer-distance services, red on Class 455 and 456, and blue used on Class 458 and 450 trains.
SWR Class 444 No. 444034 on the approach to Weymouth showing the colours of its former operator SWT – 01/05/2020The final South Western Railway Class 444 in South Western Trains livery No. 444045 arrives at Hamworthy working 1W55 0735 London Waterloo to Weymouth – 30/12/2023SWR Class 450 No. 450060 in blue SWT colours at Weymouth – 20/05/2020Class 450 No. 450088 departing Hamworthy with an early morning Weymouth to Brockenhurst stopping service – 23/12/2021
The final Desiro’s to be re-liveried from former SWT colours into SWR grey are No.’s 450031, 450099, 450116 and 444045.
For completion: a Class 455 No. 455854 in the SWT red livery with a London Waterloo bound service at Clapham Junction – 10/12/2022
The final railtour of 2023 bordering on the Dorset area was run by UK Railtours employing DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives booked for use in a top and tail formation. “Another Awkward Week Adventure”, named because of those so called awkward days between Christmas and New Year originated in Peterborough. Problems with one of the locomotives; No. 66185 meant the railtour left 60 minutes late from its originating station after No. 66028, which had been the rear locomotive, was removed from the back of the train and re-attached to the front with No. 66185 remaining inside. This was how Yoshi and I saw the train after it had passed through Winchester on its way to Eastleigh. Here passengers had the option to detrain and take a bus to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or remain onboard for some rare track miles into Southampton Eastern and Western Docks.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ double heading 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks “Another Awkward Week Adventure” railtour west of Winchester – 30/12/2023
I next moved onto Southampton where I fancied filming the excursion crossing Canute Road which is adjacent to the former Southampton Terminus railway station which served the Port of Southampton and Southampton City Centre from 1839 until 1966. The former Terminus station building is now a casino and The South Western Hotel opened by the LSWR in 1872 has been converted into private apartments. Of the station platforms, all that remains is the glass canopy and a single line that runs from Northam junction to the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal. The private road into where the platforms once stood is now a car park.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66028 crossing Canute Road, Southampton with 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023Disgraced DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ dead in the consist of 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 runs light engine across Canute Road, Southampton as 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023After running light into the docks, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 leads out working 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023
Our final location was the footbridge over the railway line between Southampton Central and Millbrook ready to catch the train head towards Western Docks and out again Yoshi waited in the car as the weather, already very windy, turned increasingly wet! I photographed the railtour on its outward leg into Western Docks, but by the time it returned (running late) the light had gone and I didn’t want another DSLR to fall foul of water damage in 2023! Instead I managed some dodgy video which can be seen lower down the page.
Back leading the tour again; DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ on the approach to Millbrook heading up 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 at the rear of 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks on the approach to Millbrook – 30/12/2023
“Another Awkward Week Adventure” DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ and 66158: 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks / 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks / 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks / 1Z68 1531 Southampton Western Docks to Eastleigh – 30/12/2023
One final festive gift courtesy of GB Railfreight saw the SITT run to Weymouth on New Years Eve as 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard, top and tailed by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’. The SITT with the same two Class 66’s in charge was also the first locomotive hauled train into Dorset early on New Years Day 2024 when it returned as far as Bournemouth in the early hours working as 3Y89 0100 Totton Yard to Totton Yard.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy on SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023Close up of the helicopter decal on the side of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at the rear of the SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. Classmate No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ leads – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ passing Hamworthy working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard (Dorchester South video courtesy of G E Barrett) – 31/12/2023
For The Record
Following 16 days closure for engineering work on the West of England Line, the line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction re-opened on Monday 11th December while landslip repairs were affected by flooding at Crewkerne tunnel which extended the duration required for work to be completed with SWR advising customers not to attempt to travel between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St David’s until Wednesday 13th December.
Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury during the 16 day engineering possession. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66790 ‘Louise’ at Gillingham. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023
Thanks for reading, that’s it for 2023! Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. We’ll leave you with a pic of Yoshi at Durdle Door. Be seeing you!
Yoshi took an early morning trip to Durdle Door to see the sunrise – 22/12/2023
Yoshi at Chester with West Coast Railways (WCR) Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 behind him awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023
December 1st 2023 to December 10th 2023
Lots of catching up to do before we reach the end of 2023 – so here is part one of Yoshi’s December adventures. More next week!
Winter Is Coming
The first Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) of the 2023/24 season ran over the Bournemouth to Weymouth line on Saturday 2nd December 2023. Because of a points failure at Brockenhurst, this was running over 30 minutes late on the outward leg and was delayed over an hour on its return to Eastleigh East Yard.
The first Snow & Ice Treatment Train of the 2023/24 season saw GBRf Class 66 No.s 66303 and 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ working 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth. The SITT is seen here at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66303 leading on 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth passing Hamworthy – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ bringing up the rear of the outward working of 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023Nameplate of No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ at the rear of 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth SITT at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023
Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) in Dorset – 02/12/2023 (Additional video clips courtesy of G Barrett and @da_buckley967)
Yoshi’s Northern Adventure
Yoshi with Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at Scarborough – 05/12/2023
Back in June this year, Caroline arranged to meet up with her old school friends in Liverpool on Saturday 9th December for a pre-Christmas reunion. I was, of course, happy to volunteer my services as chaffeur as I envisaged a day of watching trains in the North West while Caroline caught up with her chums. As we got closer to the date and with announcements from TransPennine Express (TPE) confirming their decision to discontinue the use of its “Nova 3” locomotive-hauled train sets – comprised of a Class 68 locomotive and Mk5a coaches – effective from the December 2023 timetable change, my brain started working overtime at the possibility of getting one last chance of seeing these trains. If we were heading to the north west, why not take a slight detour!
Class 68 No. 68021 ‘Tireless’ having arrived at Scarborough working 1U63 1703 York to Scarborough (set TP10) – 05/12/2023
The story of the “Nova 3” programme dates back to the original tender invitation for the TPE franchise, where the Department for Transport (DafT) had initially specified the procurement of coaches, expecting the future operator to repurpose redundant five-car third-rail Electric Multiple Units (EMU) for use with diesel locomotives. However, in December 2015, FirstGroup, the eventual winner of the franchise process, opted to order brand new train sets from Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). These became the “Nova 3” sets; 52 standard Mk5a carriages and 14 Driving Trailers were built which were formed into thirteen 5-carriage sets (65 coaches intended for regular service, with the 66th coach being a spare Driving Trailer). The trains commenced service on the Liverpool – Scarborough route on 24th August 2019, powered by modified Class 68 locomotives subleased from Direct Rail Services (DRS).
Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ stands at platform 1 Scarborough awaiting time to depart with 1U64 1548 Scarborough to York (set TP06) – 05/12/2023
From their introduction, the “Nova 3″ sets were beset with multiple challenges, including technical issues, slow driver training progress, the impact of Covid-19, and noise complaints from local residents living near the maintenance facility in Scarborough. In July 2023 it was widely reported that faults were discovered in some of the Mk5a coaches, including body cracks around the yaw damper and anti-rollbar bracket area. All these issues limited the fleet’s usage, with very few sets being in service on a daily basis and much of the fleet remaining in storage. FirstGroup’s management of the TPE franchise faced scrutiny and controversy, particularly over the high level of cancelled services and abuse of an operational accounting process, widely deemed to have been used to conceal the true level of missed services. These revelations eventually led to the UK government taking control of the service through their Operator of Last Resort provision. Subsequently, an extensive review of TPE’s operations was conducted, leading to the decision to terminate the “Nova 3” programme prematurely. From December 10th 2023, the Mk5a train sets will be placed into warm storage by TPE until April 2024 at which point they will be returned to their leasing agent. It is hoped that another operator might express an interest in taking over the vehicles.
“None 3” Driving Car of set TP06 leading 1K42 2043 Scarborough to York – 06/12/2023
So, early on Tuesday 5th December, with Yoshi safely secured in the back seat of the car, we set off North and destination Scarborough. I had hoped that five “Nova 3” sets would be in operation during our stay in the North Yorkshire seaside town, but alongside TPE clearly running down the trains and the Aslef union drivers overtime ban meant that on most days only two sets were working.
Class 68 No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U75 1934 Leeds to Scarborough (set TP11) – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ 5K42 1956 Scarborough TMD to Scarborough forming 1K42 2043 Scarborough to York (set TP06) – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68021 ‘Tireless’ having arrived at Scarborough working 1U63 1703 York to Scarborough (set TP10) – 05/12/2023Class 68 No. 68027 ‘Splendid’ at Scarborough at the rear of 1U56 1348 Scarborough to York (set TP13) – 05/12/2023Class 185 DMU No. 185101 the following days (06/12/2023) 1U24 0548 Scarborough to Leeds with 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ standing at platform 1 awaiting time to depart with 1U64 1548 Scarborough to York (TP06)- 05/12/2023What should have been a Class 68 working, Class 185 DMU No. 185145 awaits departure working 1U36 0845 Scarborough to York – 06/12/2023Class 185 No. 185101 out of use awaiting the following days (06/12/2023) 1U24 0548 Scarborough to Leeds – 05/12/2023Northern Trains Class 170 DMU No. 170459 having arrived with 2C00 0542 Sheffield to Scarborough – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ having arrived with 1U67 1803 York to Scarborough (set TP06). Class 37 No. 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ at the rear of RHTT 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 05/12/202337407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ on RHTT duties working 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 05/12/202337266 ‘Victorious’ on RHTT working 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa which reverses at Scarborough – 05/12/202337419 ‘Driver Tony Kay 1974 – 2019’ 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/202337419 ‘Driver Tony Kay 1974 – 2019’ 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/2023DRS Class 37 No. 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ getting ready to depart with 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/2023
We stayed in Scarborough until Thursday, but before departing for pastures new, we enjoyed a trip over to York in order to sample the “Nova 3” coaching stock, which we found very comfortable and I was impressed with the acceleration of the Class 68 locomotive in charge of the train. I asked a number of TPE staff, from drivers, despatch, ticket office and train guards if they would miss the Class 68’s and Mk5a carriages and was quite surprised that only 10% expressed any disappointment of their impending demise. The phrase “more trouble than they are worth” cropped up numerous times!
Settling down with a latte for a train journey from Scarborough to York – 07/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at York at the head of 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) with No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U40 0948 Scarborough to York (set TP11) in the background – 07/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at York working 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) – 07/12/2023LNER Class 91 No. 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977 – 2017’ in bay platform 6 at York having arrived with 1N81 0906 London Kings Cross to York (set NL13) – 07/12/2023
Wednesday was probably our best day where the weather was concerned and we took the opportunity to walk a section of the closed Scarborough & Whitby Railway. The line opened in July 1885 and closed in March 1965 as part of the Beeching Axe. The 21 miles of line traversed the picturesque coast between the two towns serving eight stations. The route, now a multi-use path, is known as “The Cinder Track”.
The start of the Cinder Track at the Scarborough end of the trail which is located next to a Sainsbury’s supermarket – 06/12/2023The Trail sets off north through a series of cuttings, passing under several bridges, into suburbia, before skirting alongside the playing fields, at the site of the former Northstead Carriage Sidings – 06/12/2023 (CS)By 1972 all of the railway track had been removed, however, the route remains as a designated trail for walking, cycling and even horse riding. The pathway was made from cinders rather than crushed stone which gives the route its name the Cinder Track. – 06/12/2023The bridge which once carried the railway over Scalby Beck – 06/12/2023We walked as far as the village of Burniston where we were pleased to find “The Three Jolly Sailors”, a Grade II listed pub which was previously a farmhouse dating back to the early 19th century, where, although packed out with pensioners enjoying early Christmas dinners, the staff found us space at the bar for eagerly anticipated refreshments – 06/12/2023There was only one bar stool in the pub, but I was very kindly allowed to use a broken chair (at my own risk) alongside from which I enjoyed my sandwiches and most excellent bowl of chips which I begrudgingly shared with Caroline. Yoshi was served sausages in his own little dish. He may also have had a chip or three – 06/12/2023 (CS)
We arrived in Liverpool on Saturday morning after spending a couple of nights with friends near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Our first port of call was the Museum of Liverpool and its Land Transport section which is home to Liverpool & Manchester Railway (LMR) 0-4-2 No. 57 ‘Lion’ built by Todd, Kitson & Laird of Leeds. We wrote about this particular locomotives’ starring role in one of my favourite films “The Titfield Thunderbolt” (1953) in March this year and I enjoyed seeing her again. ‘Lion’ actually appeared in three films, the other two being “Victoria the Great” (1937) and “The Lady with the Lamp” (1951).
The Museum of Liverpool, designed by architects 3XN and engineers Buro Happold and built by Galliford Try at a cost of £72 million, opened to the public on 19th June 2011 – 10/12/2023‘Lion’ on display at the Museum of Liverpool with a carriage from the Liverpool Overhead Railway behind which is fixed at the exact height of the original railway – 16 feet above the ground. – 09/12/2023
The LMR ordered two locomotives to haul luggage trains in 1837 as part of a larger order of 6 steam engines, which were named ‘Lion’ and ‘Tiger’. In 1859 ‘Lion’ was sold to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and installed as a stationary pumping engine at Princes Dock. She was rescued by members of the Liverpool Engineering Society in 1928 and after restoration at the Crewe railway works she took part in the centenary celebrations of the LMR in 1930, hauling a replica train. During the period prior to the Second World War, ‘Lion’ stood on a plinth at Liverpool Lime Street railway station but was removed in 1941 and placed in storage at Crewe railway works, out of sight apart from her film appearances and railway publicity events. In 1967 she was loaned to the Liverpool Museum by the Liverpool Engineering Society. This was changed to an outright gift in 1970.
‘Lion’ at the Museum of Liverpool – 09/12/2023
In 1980 ‘Lion’ took part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Rainhill under her own steam. Afterwards, she made a number of working appearances at railway heritage centres and museums until 1989 when ‘Lion’ was withdrawn from steaming for conservation reasons. Following a survey in 1992 which showed that her original structure would need substantial modification if she were to be steamed again, the Trustees of National Museums Liverpool decided, on the basis of her internationally important status, to conserve her for static display only.
A view of the Liverpool Overhead Railway carriage on display at the Museum of Liverpool with Liverpool & Manchester Railway 0-4-2 locomotive No. 57 ‘Lion’ below – 09/12/2023
I really enjoyed the visit to the Museum of Liverpool and learning about the Liverpool Overhead Railway, the world’s first electric elevated railway, built in 1893 to ease congestion along seven miles of Liverpool’s docks. After saying goodbye to Caroline as she went off to meet her friends, Yoshi and I headed to Liverpool James Street Merseyrail station as I had ambitions to catch up with Class 507 EMU No. 507001 which has recently been outshopped in a retro British Rail blue livery wrap as a special project celebrating 45 years of service from the Class 507 and Class 508 trains in a collaboration between Merseyrail, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler. The first Class 507 arrived at Birkenhead North Depot in 1978 with No. 507001 commencing revenue earning service with the very first Merseyrail train working the 0739 departure from Southport to Liverpool Central in November of that year.
The Class 507/508’s are being replaced by new Class 777 units and rail enthusiast Robert Hampton is aiming to save one of the iconic units for future generations to enjoy by starting The Class 507 Preservation Project.
Yoshi and I availed ourselves to a Merseyrail All Area Daysave ticket for the bargain price of £5.95. Having determined which diagram No. 507001 was working we sat at Liverpool James Street for the unit to pass through. Yoshi was often quite vocal at the passing trains and as we were there for a little while, having just missed 001 on our arrival at the station, a friendly Merseyrail station employee checked we were OK, which was kind. He instantly appreciated why we were waiting and told us all about the services No. 507001 had been running that week.
Class 508 EMU No. 508120 at Liverpool James Street working the 2N30 1407 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 507 EMU No. 507023 forms the 2W27 1342 departure from Liverpool James Street to West Kirby – 09/12/2023Class 777 No. 777005 pauses at Liverpool James Street as the delayed 2C28 departure for Chester – 09/12/2023Class 507 No. 507001 in retro BR Blue / Merseyrail wrap stands at Liverpool James Street forming 2N31 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023
After photographing No. 507001 we jumped on the next train to Chester as another of our objectives that day was to record the return departure of Pathfinder Tours “The Chester Christmas Cromptons” headed up by West Coast Railway Co.’s (WCRC) Class 33 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 which were bound for Eastleigh.
Class 507 No. 507018 at Chester having arrived with 2C31 Chester to Chester service via Liverpool – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at rest in Chester sidings having arrived with Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” from Eastleigh – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47826 at the rear of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” waiting to run ECS into platform 3 for the return run to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023Class 197 DMU No. 197101 at Chester working 1H90 1443 Llandudno to Manchester International Airport. uilt by CAF, based on its “Civity” platform. They are currently operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), split into 51 two-car units and 26 three-car units. – 09/12/2023Class 221 Voyager DMU in Avanti West Coast livery No. 221108 (once named ‘Sir Ernest Shackleton’ while with Virgin Trains) at Chester working 1A64 1438 Llandudno Junction to Crewe – 09/12/2023Northern Trains Class 195 DMU No. 195117 forms 1E68 1529 Chester to Leeds. from the Civity family manufactured by CAF, owned by Eversholt Rail Group and currently operated by Northern Trains. A total of 58 units have been built; 25 two-car units and 33 three-car units – 09/12/2023Class 150 DMU No. 150131 works Northern Trains 2H32 1556 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly service. The 150’s were developed and constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited at York Carriage Works between 1984 and 1987 for use on regional services across the UK – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at Chester awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023With the sun setting behind them, West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at Chester awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023
After watching the Crompton’s heading South, we returned to Liverpool on one of the new Class 777 units.
Class 507 No.507001 was on the New Brighton circuit on the day of our visit, so we couldn’t resist taking an evening trip from Liverpool to New Brighton and back. The unit is seen having arrived with 2N43 16:53 New Brighton to New Brighton and formed the subsequent departure 2N47 17:53 New Brighton to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Yoshi appreciated the retro British Rail /Merseyrail livery of Class 507 No. 507001 at New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 507 No. 507001 at Liverpool James Street platform 1 arriving with 2N43 16:53 New Brighton to New Brighton – 09/12/2023 Class 319 EMU’s first introduced by British rail in 1987 are currently being phased out. Originally their last day of service with Northern Trains was to be 9th December 2023, but they have a slight reprieve as the planed withdrawal of the NT Class 319 fleet has be delayed until January 2024. No. 319385 is stood out of service at Liverpool Lime Street. It should have been working service to Wigan – 09/12/2023Yoshi with Northern Trains Class 319 No. 319385 at Liverpool Lime Street – 09/12/2023London North Western Railway Class 350403 ready to depart Liverpool with 1G65 1833 Liverpool Lime Street High Level to Birmingham New Street. The Class 350’s are members of the Desiro family and were built by Siemens Transportation Systems between 2004 and 2014 – 09/12/2023TPE Class 185 No. 185125 awaiting departure from Liverpool Lime Street with the 1K33 1854 service to Hull. Because of disruption on the network due to high winds that evening, the service left 51 minutes late – 09/12/2023Yoshi with the Royal Liver Building behind. Opened in 1911, the building was once the purpose-built home of the Royal Liver Assurance group, which had been set up in the city in 1850 to provide locals with assistance related to losing a wage-earning relative. One of the first buildings in the world to be built using reinforced concrete, the Royal Liver Building is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city of Liverpool with its two fabled Liver Birds, which watch over the city and the sea. Legend has it that if the two birds were to fly away, the city would cease to exist – 10/12/2023The Fab Five! The Beatles statue, by artist Andrew Edwards, on the Pier Head in Liverpool depicts the larger-than-life Fab Four casually strolling along the River Mersey. The Beatles Statue was donated by the musical group’s home venue, The Cavern Club, and was unveiled in 2015 on the 50th anniversary of their final public appearance in the city – 09/12/2023The Great Western Railway (GWR) warehouse and offices at Liverpool. The GWR never ran trains to Liverpool though it offered through passenger fares to the city via the Birkenhead Railway (which it operated jointly with the London & North Western Railway (LNWR), in competition with the Cheshire Lines) and connecting ferries from its terminus at Woodside. Goods were transported by barge across the River Mersey from Morpeth Dock and landed at the Manchester Dock where this warehouse was built around 1890, incorporating earlier offices from the 1850’s. The Manchester Dock was filled in during 1928 using spoil from the construction of the Kingsway road tunnel leaving the GWR buildings high and dry beside the Canning graving docks, inaccessible by rail or water. Once restored to their former splendour, the buildings form part of Liverpool’s World Heritage site – 10/12/2023
On our way home, we had a planned stop in Shrewsbury for a visit to the Christmas Market being held in the prison, which was closed in 2013 and is now a visitor attraction. The prison is located adjacent to Shrewsbury railway station, and I couldn’t resist a quick visit!
TfW Class 153 DMU No. 153353 arriving at Shrewsbury with 1W55 0856 Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly – 10/12/2023MPV No. DR98955 arrives at Shrewsbury as the 3S02 0940 Kings Norton On Track Plant Depot to Kings Norton On Track Plant Depot RHTT working – 10/12/2023Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Signal Box (1903) built in LNWR style, the impressive Grade 2-listed three-storey redbrick building is a marvel of Edwardian engineering, standing imposingly at the south end of Shrewsbury station where lines to Hereford and Wolverhampton diverge. It is the largest surviving mechanical signal box in Great Britain and is rail-locked within a triangular site that will make access difficult for any future reuse. However, Network Rail currently believes replacing the current mechanical semaphore signalling system in the area with colour-light signals would not be economical and envisages it remaining in operation until at least 2030, and possibly as long as 2050 on current plans. We shall be back! – 10/12/2023
VIDEO CLIPS
Video clips from our recent travels:
Class 68 locomotives on the TPE Scarborough / York diagram during their final week of service – December 2023
An hour at York watching; 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U40 0948 Scarborough to York (set TP11) 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) 801207 (LNER) 1E07 0832 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross 802203 (TP) 9M10 1001 Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street 66118 6M16 0540 Wilton EFW Terminal to Knowsley Freight Terminal 170460 2C33 1110 York to Leeds 195129 1B25 1123 York to Blackpool North 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977 – 2017’ 1N81 0906 London Kings Cross to York (set NL13) 802219 9E09 0924 Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle / 180105 1A64 0954 Sunderland to London Kings Cross 185112 1P68 0951 Saltburn to Manchester Airport 800201 5Z60 1050 Doncaster Carr Iep Depot to Newcastle 802219 1S10 0930 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh 801229 1E08 0900 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross 170472 2C85 1142 York to Leeds 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U43 1203 York to Scarborough (set TP11) – 07/12/2023
Rail Head Treatment Trains at Scarborough and Shrewsbury during the final days of operation in 2023
“The Chester Christmas Cromptons” railtour departing Chester -09/12/2023
For The Record
06/12/2023 and 07/12/2023 – DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66111 and 66192 worked 6N70 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome and the associated return 6N70 0410 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard. A further engineers possession train scheduled for the following night run by GBRf was cancelled.
10/12/2023 – Network Rail Video Inspection Unit VIU3 No. 153385 worked 2Q30 1540 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down T.C via Bournemouth
That’s all folks! All that remains is for Yoshi and I to thank you for visiting our page and wish you a very Merry Christmas 2023. We plan on being back for our final blog entry of the year next week. So, until then – Be seeing you!
Yoshi and Class 68 No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’. The “Nova 3” set was scheduled to hang about at Scarborough all day before working 1U72 1748 Scarborough to Leeds (set TP11) – 06/12/2023
Yoshi with English Electric Class 40 No. D345 (40145) in Salisbury awaiting departure of 1Z42 Salisbury to Burton On Trent “Winchester Christmas Excursion” – 25/11/2023
November 24th 2023 to November 30th 2023
DRS Class 68 No. 68012 at Hamworthy working driver training move 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings – 24/11/2023
The morning of Friday November 24th produced an early Christmas present when Direct Rail Services (DRS) ran what is believed to be a driver training / route learner light engine move to Winfrith as 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings and its associated return 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS with Chiltern liveried Class 68 No. 68012, which is as far as I know, the first locomotive in this livery to make it to Dorset. Chiltern Class 68 hauled services operate out of London Marylebone.
DRS Class 68 No. 68012 having passed through Hamworthy as 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings – 24/11/2023DRS Class 68 No. 68012 at Dorchester South working 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS – 24/11/2023 (G E Barrett)DRS Class 68 No. 68012 runs light engine through Hamworthy as 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS – 24/11/2023
On Saturday we took another trip to Swindon in a bid to see English Electric Type 4 Class 40 No. D345 (40145) hauling Pathfinders Tours “Winchester Christmas Excursion” which originated from Burton upon Trent and was bound for Salisbury. I’d chosen Swindon in the hope that I’d get another chance of getting a photo of the Class 67 top and tailed Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) which is operating out of Swindon Transfer Yard. But once again , due to my lack of checking on how the train was running, I managed to miss it by a matter of moments as I was unaware it was 150 minutes ahead of time! I also failed to get a photograph of the Class 40 storming through Swindon because the train was helpfully blocked from my view by a fellow enthusiast at the critical time. However friend of this blog @da_buckley967 has kindly shared some images from the day which can be seen below.
Class 40 No. D345 (40145) on the approach to Swindon with the outward “Winchester Christmas Excursion” 1Z40 0707 Burton On Trent to Salisbury – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Class 47 No. D1935 (47805) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925 – 2013’ approaches Swindon working “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Class 47 No. D1935 (47805) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ at the head of “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour at Swindon – 25/11/2023Class 47 No. 47712 ‘Lady Diana Spencer’ at the rear of “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour at Swindon – 25/11/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ waits in Swindon East Loop with 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon as Class 800 IET No. 800031 approaches Swindon working the 1B13 1148 London Paddington to Swansea service – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ hauls 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ hauls 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon – 25/11/2023Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 stands in Swindon East Loop working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul as IET Class 800 No. 800316 passes with 1C13 1200 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 running 230 minutes early on the approach to Swindon working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 running 230 minutes early at Swindon working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul – 25/11/2023
We found the Class 67’s and its RHTT train parked up in Swindon Transfer Yard as we popped to Tesco to fill the car with petrol for the journey home. Some rather desperate shots over a fence are posted below:
Colas Class 67 No. 67027 at Swindon Transfer Yard – 25/11/2023Colas Class 67 No.’s 67027 and 67023 ‘Stella’ at Swindon Transfer Yard having arrived 150 minutes early with the 3S32 RHTT working from Cheltenham – 25/11/2023Colas Class 67 No. 67023 ‘Stella’ at Swindon Transfer Yard – 25/11/2023
We decided on another attempt at capturing the Class 40, so on our way back to Dorset, our next port of call was Salisbury where the excursion train was due to depart at 1540.
Class 40 No. D345 (40145) at platform in Salisbury awaiting departure of 1Z42 Salisbury to Burton On Trent “Winchester Christmas Excursion” – 25/11/2023
For the Record
Colas Class 37 No. 37607 worked test train 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y.through North Dorset in the early hours of 24th November 2023.
Tuesday 28th November was scheduled for another DRS run to Winfrith for the collection of more low level nuclear waste. However, due to driver sickness, the train was cancelled shortly before its timed departure from Crewe in the early hours of the morning. Scheduled locomotives on the associated workings 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sdgs / 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) were Class 68 No.’s 68006 and 68034. No. 68006 carries a green livery which aims to showcase the environmental benefits of rail freight and how a diesel locomotive can reduce emissions by using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel and would have been the locomotives first visit to Dorset.
Class 68 No. 68006 in its special green livery at Crewe Gresty Road during the 2022 DRS Open Day – 16/07/2022
The recent HST farewell railtour to Swanage from Leeds raised almost £65,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of CrossCountry colleague Jo Taylor.
XC Class 43 No. 43008 crosses Corfe Viaduct working “The Bournemouth Belle” 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth part of the CrossCountry HST Farewell celebrations – 26/09/2023
Train services between Bournemouth and Woking will be significantly reduced from Friday 8th December 2023 to Sunday 10th December due to emergency works to repair a landslip adjacent the railway near Woking following the discovery of cracks up to 148ft long and 3ft deep.
Members of the RMT union have voted to accept a pay deal from 14 train operating companies, ending their involvement in a series of long running strikes. Train drivers, represented by the union Aslef, will continue with their rolling programme of walkouts between 2nd and 8th December however, with different train companies affected on each day. Drivers will also enforce an overtime ban from 1st to the 9th December which will also cause disruption to railway timetables.
From the Archive
Friend of this blog @smithy.377 has very kindly sent us the following images and video of Colas Class 67’s on the RHTT circuit from a couple of years ago, just so I could see what it might look like in operation having narrowly missed this formation twice now!
Class 67 No. 67023 at Gloucester leading on RHTT 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No. 67023 top and tails 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer with classmate No. 67027 at Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No. 67027 at the rear of 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer departing Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No.’s 67027 and 67023 work 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer through Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)
Video of Class 67’s working an RHTT at Gloucester in November 2021 courtesy of @smithy.377
Mainline steam at Swindon:
After working Santa and Mince Pie specials in the West London area in December 1994, Ivatt Class 2 No. 46521 and BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T No. 80079 worked a railtour from London back to the Severn Valley Railway. The pair are seen at Swindon on 1st January 1995
Class 47/7 No. 47712 then named ‘Artemis’ working Steam Dreams “The Sunny South Special” in August 2005:
Steam Dreams “The Sunny South Special” with Class 47 No. 47712 and unique BR Standard Class 8 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive No. 71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ at Bournemouth working 1Z91 0836 Kensington Olympia to Weymouth. The Duke had failed at Totton on the outward leg and was rescued by the Class 47 which worked the return 1Z92 1825 Weymouth to Kensington Olympia solo – 03/08/2005
Thank you for reading and as always for your commments and corrections. We are taking a short break and will be back in a couple of weeks. Be seeing you!
DB Class 66 No. 66013 awaits departure from Bournemouth in the early hours of Saturday working 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023
November 3rd 2023 to November 10th 2023
Engineering work over the weekend in Hampshire meant that a replacement bus service operated between Southampton and Bournemouth with a shuttle train service between Bournemouth and Weymouth. The early hours of Saturday morning saw an engineers train originating from Eastleigh East Yard scheduled to reverse at Bournemouth before working back in the direction it had come towards Sway as 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway. Despite the last passenger service arriving from London Waterloo yet to arrive, Bournemouth railway station was locked up on my arrival. I had hoped to practice some night photography with the DSLR mounted on a tripod, but had to resort to using the phone camera instead! Thankfully Bournemouth has several gates and fences from which it is possible to see trains arriving and departing and I didn’t have to wait long before Class 66 No. 66034 appeared into view.
Video screen grab of DB Class 66 No. 66134 arriving at Bournemouth with 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway engineers train – 04/11/2023DB Class 66 No. 66013 at the London end of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023DB Class 66 No. 66013 which worked into Bournemouth at the rear of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023
Video of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway at Bournemouth – 04/11/2023
I thought it was about time that I caught up with one of the South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458’s which have been on test runs from Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot (T&RSMD) to Basingstoke, Southampton and Havant over the last few weeks. So, on Friday afternoon I found myself back on Branksome railway station awaiting the arrival of No.’s 458405 and 458407 working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D, that days return trip for the units.
SWR Class 458 No. 458405 leads into Branksome with 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth TRSMD – 03/11/2023SWR Class 458 No. 458407 having arrived at Branksome as the rear unit working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth TRSMD about to reverse back into the depot – 03/11/2023
The Class 458 (5-JUP) third-rail electric multiple unit (EMU) belong to the Alstom Coradia Juniper family, built at Washwood Heath, Birmingham between 1998 and 2002 for South West Trains (SWT). The order for the original fleet of 30 four car trains was placed in 1997, and delivery of the first unit followed in October 1998. On introduction the new trains were troubled by several issues, including leaking roofs with water entering the driver’s cabs and passenger areas. Onboard electronics repeatedly failed, affecting the air-conditioning and traction systems, and the Train Management System (TMS) software also proved to be unreliable. Unique amongst the Juniper family of trains, the Class 458’s were provided with end gangways on the driving cars allowing passengers and crew to move between coupled units, however, further frustrations were encountered when it came to coupling the units together which could take up to 30 minutes – a great deal longer than the usual few minutes expected across the network. SWT therefore had no choice but to treat the 458’s as being semi-permanently coupled in pairs. The first Class 458 ran in revenue earning service in February 2000, but even then only two units (No.’s 458004 and 458005) were available for use. The protracted and problematical introduction of these units influenced SWT’s decision in April 2001 to replace the rest of its slam door EMU’s with an order of 785 Siemens Desiro Class 444 and 450 vehicles.
Reliability remained poor and in January 2004 SWT announced that they would withdraw the entire Class 458 fleet at the December 2005 timetable change in readiness to return them to leasing company, Porterbrook, in February 2006. It was later agreed that the Junipers could stay in service on a pay-per-use basis beyond the original end of the lease. In September 2006 the Department for Transport (DafT) awarded SWT a new ten-year contract to operate the South Western franchise, commencing in February 2007. SWT therefore implemented a new rolling stock plan that called for the withdrawal of its 24 Class 442 “Wessex Electric” units with Class 444 and 450 Desiro’s taking over their diagrams, with any short falls in service levels being covered by re-activating the Class 458 fleet. Between 2008 and 2010 the fleet was ‘refreshed’ at Bournemouth Traincare Depot, during which process the units were fitted with CCTV, new seats and tables in first class, and modified Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) 1998 compliant lavatories and doorway lights. The interiors were also cleaned and repainted.
How the exterior of the Class 458’s originally looked – No. 458006 stands at Weymouth during a test run – 18/08/2008 (John Chappell)
The first unit to be refreshed No. 458006 was involved in test runs to Weymouth in August 2008. Later the same year trials of regenerative braking were undertaken between Weymouth and Dorchester South and Wareham using No.’s 458027 / 458002 or 458029 as the calibration unit with Gatwick Express Class 460 No. 460001 on passing tests along with slam-door units 3-CIG No. 1497 and 4-VEP No. 3417 as static units. Energy produced by a standard train braking is lost, but a regenerative braking system returns electricity to the third rail system, allowing trains in close proximity to draw on the electrical supply. These and subsequent trials were successful with regenerative braking enabled across all 30 Class 458 units by mid-2011.
Class 460 Gatwick Express EMU No. 460001 at Weymouth during regenerative braking test runs. It’s no surprise these units earned the nickname of “Vaders” – 24/10/2008 (John Chappell)Class 460 No. 460001 at the buffer stops in Weymouth during regenerative braking test runs – 24/10/2008 (John Chappell)Class 458 No. 8029 and Class 460 No. 460001 at Weymouth taking part in regenerative braking tests – 25/10/2008 (John Chappell)
By the end of 2012 the fleet was achieving an average distance of 106,049 miles between significant failures making them the most reliable fleet in the UK with the first to achieve six figure mileages. It was around this time that SWT looked to supplement their fleet with additional Desiro units, but a request for funding was turned down by DafT. Instead a £42 million proposal was accepted from Porterbrook whereby the Class 458 fleet would reconfigured into five car trains for use on suburban services by supplementing the original four carriage units with vehicles extracted from the Class 460 fleet, which Porterbrook also owned and was at that time being released from service with Gatwick Express. The Class 460 cars would be comprehensively rebuilt to match the Class 458 units providing a total fleet of 36 5-car units that would be designated Class 458/5 providing increased capacity on services into London Waterloo. The contract for the conversion work was awarded to Alstom who in turn contracted Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) based in Doncaster. The traction motors were re-geared to reduce the train’s maximum speed from 100 mph to 75 mph reducing the likelihood of overheating when making frequent stops and starts, and because the higher speed was deemed unnecessary on suburban services. The first two converted Class 460 units entered into passenger service in March 2014 which enabled SWT to release original Class 458/0 units for rebuilding, the project being completed in March 2016.
Class 458 No. 458503 stands in the shed at Bournemouth TRSMD – 28/01/2023
In August 2017, the South Western franchise became a FirstGroup/MTR joint venture named South Western Railway (SWR) who ordered a new fleet of 750 vehicles to be designated Class 701 from Bombardier Transportation intended as replacements for Class 455, 456, 458, and 707 on South Western suburban services from late 2019 onwards. As regular readers will know, continuing delays to the Class 701 program, with these trains yet to enter passenger carrying service, have kept all four older fleets in use into the 2020’s.
Class 458 No. 458530 adjacent to the train-wash at Bournemouth Depot, once the line to Somerset & Dorset Railway terminus at Bournemouth West – 28/01/2023
In March 2021 SWR announced that 28 Class 458/5 units would be refurbished and redeployed on long-distance services along the Portsmouth Direct line. This was as a result of the company deciding to abandon their original plan to use upgraded Class 442 units for this purpose citing continuing technical difficulties and future problems complying with accessibility regulations. As part of the refurbishment the Class 460 vehicle previously added is being removed and the passenger saloons modified by Alstom at Widnes Transport Tech in Cheshire at a cost of £25 million. The original maximum speed of 100 mph will be restored and the reconfigured units, leased from Porterbrook until 2027 at least, will be based at Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. The first two units sent for refurbishment were No.’s 458507 and 458517 which arrived in Widnes during August 2022.
Video of Class 458 No. 458405 and 458407 on test at Branksome – 03/11/2023
5X73 0812 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D ran on Wednesday 8th November consisting of Class 47 No. 47739, Class 56 No. 56081 and refurbished Class 458 No. 458428. I saw the train arriving at Branksome.
GBRf Class 47 No. 47739 slows on arrival at Branksome to allow a driver to climb down from the locomotive ready to take control of Class 56 No. 56081 and lead in to Bournemouth Depot with Class 458 No. 458428 – 08/11/2023Class 56 No. 56081 at Branksome working 5X73 0812 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D into the depot – 08/11/2023
The planned return working as 5Q73 1612½ Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech this time with the locomotives transporting un-refurbished Class 458/5 No. 458524 was cancelled as route clearance was withheld because of paperwork issues, the consist actually getting away the following evening as 5Q73 1810 Bournemouth TRSMD to Widnes Transport Tech. With only 20 minutes notice from the train movement being added to Real Time Trains, I was unable to get over to Branksome to see it depart. However, things didn’t go quite to plan as the train came to a stand at Christchurch because the brakes on the Class 458 were found to be on! If the brakes developed a fault in transit, or someone forgot to release them prior to departure is a moment of speculation at present. Eventually, after causing much disruption to passenger services as the up line was effectively blocked, the train reversed wrong line to Bournemouth. It then returned to the depot where the unit was removed from the consist and moved to the maintenance side of the yard. Many thanks to Bob for alerting me to the fact the train had been stopped at Christchurch as well as keeping me updated. Thanks also to Jamie and Nick for updates. I was otherwise occupied watching Heaven 17 at the O2 Academy in Boscombe!
Heaven 17 on stage at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth – 09/11/2023
Opened in 1895 as the Grand Pavilion Theatre it became The Boscombe Grand Theatre in 1899 and renamed Hippodrome in c.1910. First used as a circus, the venue was built as part of a development including the spacious Boscombe Arcade and Salisbury Hotel. Throughout its life the building has experienced several changes including being converted into a dance hall, a Royal Ballroom and was a renowned venue for the disco era of the 70’s, club acts of the 80’s and the dance explosion of the 90’s. It consists basically of three, very tall, mullioned and transomed windows each surmounted by a Flemish gable. The auditorium is beautiful and looks very much like an early music hall. Above the flat main floor is a shallow balcony carried on iron columns with a semi-circular end and straight side arms and an openwork iron balustrade incorporating acanthus leaf decoration. Tall, slender iron columns rise from the front edge of the balcony to support a curved ceiling and lateral arcade, with florid openwork spandrel decoration. A wide promenade runs around the rear of the balcony, above which, carried on a further ring of columns, is a second, shallower balcony set back behind the arcade. The galleries originally ran straight up to the proscenium wall, but in 1910 a range of paired boxes were placed either side, flanked by giant composite columns and decorated with Baroque plasterwork. At the same time the proscenium was reconstructed – a tall plaster frame, straight-headed with rounded corners. In December 1982 it reopened as The Academy night club with a flat floor but with the stage remaining in place. The main auditorium is still the heart of the Grade II listed hall which became a music venue in 2009 following a major refurbishment in 2006.
The Class 56 and the Class 47 finally left Dorset on Friday 10th November taking the barrier coaches with them, but no Class 458/5 for refurbishment. This time I had almost 30 minutes to drive over to Branksome railway station and just made it as No. 47739 crawled out of Bournemouth TRSMD.
Class 56 No. 56081 makes a stirring departure from Branksome working 5M55 1232 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. – 10/11/2023Class 47 No. 47739 at the rear of 5M55 1232 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. departing Branksome – 10/11/2023SWR Class 159 No. 159105 arrives at Branksome forming 5Y14 1141 Salisbury TRSMD to Bournemouth TRSMD – 08/11/2023
Workings at Branksome on 8th and 10th November 2023
For The Record:
In other news, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are to get new dedicated Transport Safety Officers (TSO’s) on public transport to help stamp out anti-social behaviour on buses, trains and trams as part of a £2.5m Department of Transport funded pilot scheme. The TSO’s will patrol targeted routes and locations, working in co-ordination with local police forces and the British Transport Police (BTP). The officers will work to improve safety with an emphasis on engagement and education, however, they will also hold the power to issue fixed penalty notices in response to certain antisocial behaviour. Along with the BCP area, Lancashire, Stoke-on-Trent and Thurrock will also be part of the trial scheme and local authorities will be able to develop and implement approaches that deal with the specific needs of their local area.
Despite a good summer season and a 19% increase in footfall generally, the Swanage Railway is still experiencing lower visitor numbers than before the pandemic while costs have continued to rise, especially in coal and energy costs due to the war in Ukraine, plus unexpected expenditure such as the repairs to Bridge 11. In an attempt to ease the situation, a “Save Your Railway” appeal has been launched with the aim of raising £450,000 to support the heritage line through to the beginning of the 2024 running season. In the meantime a programme of changes are being implemented designed to make the heritage line more efficient and effective, attracting increasing numbers of passengers. To donate, please click through here.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) have both agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the ongoing rail dispute over pay and conditions. The MoU sets out how the dispute can be developed with a mutually agreed way forward. Some of the agreements include a backdated payrise for 2022 as well as staff and job security guarantees. This will now be put forward to RMT members employed by each of the Train Operating Companies (TOC’s), including SWR and Great Western Railway (GWR) in a referendum vote. If accepted, the MoU will terminate the national dispute mandate and create a pause in industrial action over the Christmas period and into Spring.
The monthly 1Z22 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road test train via Weymouth was turned around at Yeovil Pen Mill (again) without reaching the Dorset seaside town on 8th November 2023. This time Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43257 and 43274 were deprived of sea, sand and ice-cream.
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thanks for reading! Be seeing you!
Yoshi enjoyed our morning walk around Holes Bay on 07/11/2023
Queen Mary 2 alongside Southampton Mayflower Cruise Terminal – 20/10/2023
October 6th 2023 to October 25th 2023
We had a fabulous couple of weeks away cruising on Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 arriving back in Southampton on 20th October where I was quietly pleased to be shown two class 66 locomotives waiting to have their photo taken alongside the Mayflower Cruise Terminal situated at Western Docks via Dock Gate 10 where our ship had berthed.
Class 66’s at Southampton Western Docks – GBRf No. 66729 ‘Derby County’ and DB No. 66143 – 20/10/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66729 .Derby County’ having worked into Southampton Docks with 4O59 2343 Ditton (O’Connor) GBRf to Southampton Western Docks GB Railfreight – 20/10/2023DB Class 66 No. 66143 at Southampton Western Docks having arrived working 4O63 Kingsbury Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings to Southampton Western Docks Shed 107 – 20/10/2023
We had a lot to catch up on (not least two weeks of laundry!) and I was interested to see how many out off the ordinary railway workings to Dorset and other events I had missed. First up was the launch of Adams T3 No. 563 into service at the Swanage Railway following weeks of test runs and remedial work.
Railway heritage at its very best! An immaculate 1893 built LSWR T3 No.563 in all its glory crosses the viaduct at Corfe – 21/10/2023
Built in 1893 by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) William Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 hauled her first passenger trains in 75 years on 7th October 2023 during a special day celebrating supporters who donated to the £650,000, six year restoration of the Victorian steam locomotive. Designed to haul express trains between London Waterloo and the south coast of England, No. 563 was destined for scrap in 1939 but the outbreak of World War Two saw her being saved and pressed into wartime service. She once again escaped the cutters torch when she helped mark the centenary of London Waterloo railway station in 1948. No. 563 was donated to Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2017.
Guests at the launch ceremony included Swanage Railway Trust patron Sir Philip Williams whose great-grandfather was on the board of the LSWR, the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset; Angus Campbell, and Anthony Coulls, senior curator of rail transport and technology at the NRM. The relaunch of the locomotive coincided with the centenary of the Southern Railway (SR) and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the LSWR.
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No.563 departs Swanage with a passenger train bound for Norden – 21/10/2023
The T3 ran public services on the 8th October as well as half-term week 21st – 29th October 2023. We went to see the locomotive in service on Saturday 21st.
T3 No. 563 makes a fine scene passing Harman’s Cross – 21/10/2023Also sharing duties with the T3 was SR U Class 2-6-0 No. 31806, seen here departing Swanage with a member of the footplate crew collecting the token from the signalman – 21/10/2023
Video from the Swanage Railway of T3 No. 563 in action – 21/10/2023
For The Record:
Over the last few weeks, a number of interesting workings have taken place in Dorset. Which is typical as I managed to miss most of them!
GBRf liveried Class 50’s returned to Bournemouth employed on South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 drags on 11th & 12th October 2023 running as 5X72 1044 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot / 5Q73 1610 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech. Locomotives involved were No.’s 50007 ‘Hercules’ and 50049 ‘Defiance’ delivering No. 458425 to Bournemouth and taking No. 458416 to Widnes for conversion. The Class 458 units now based at Bournemouth depot have been out on test runs over the last few weeks.
Engineering work west of Yeovil meant buses replaced trains between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth from Monday 16th to Friday 20th October. Network Rail (NR) engineers renewed just under half a mile of old 1950’s era track between Maiden Newton and Chetnole stations. The track update is said to “help prevent speed restrictions and means smoother passenger journeys”. Work also saw repairs being carried out to brickwork at Evershot tunnel and is part of a long-running programme to improve performance on the Heart of Wessex Line. Network Rail and train operators think it is more efficient to close the route for a whole week rather than to shut it for several weekends.
Sign explaining rail replacement bus operations at Dorchester West (image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
Associated engineers trains were as follows; 15th October 2023: 6C04 2349 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 70 No. 70814 17th October 2023: 6C04 02:00 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No. 70814 / 6G22 0202 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 66 No.’s 66709 and 66774 / 6Y88 0921 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No.’s 66544 and 66556 18th October 2023: 6G22 0837 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No.’s 66774 and 66709 / 6Y88 11:40 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No.’s 66544 and 66556 / 6Y90 2156 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No. 66415. 19th October 2023: 6Y90 2334 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No. 66415
16th & 17th October 2023: saw a rare visit of inspection saloon ‘Caroline’ to the area working as 5Z01 1102 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bournemouth Up Siding / 5Z02 0655 Bournemouth Up Siding to Bournemouth / 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth all involving Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ along with No. 975025 ‘Caroline’
Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ with 975025 ‘Caroline’ working as 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth – 17/10/2023 (video courtesy of G E Barrett)
19th October 2023 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury New Measurement Train in the charge of Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43251 and 43274 failed when climbing the bank between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central. The train returned to Exeter St Davids, departing from there at around 1210 and routed towards Taunton, picking up the timetabled path at Westbury some 114 minutes late.
Two engineers trains also visited the Bournemouth area when the 19th and 20th October 2023 saw 6N70 2254 Eastleigh East Yard to Christchurch /6N70 0502 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard top and tailed by Class 66 No.’s 66007 and 66088 whilst on 21st October 2023 6G17 0032 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton via Bournemouth operated by No.’s 66755 and 66711
23rd October 2023 and it was the return of Network Rail’s Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train (PLPR) hauled, as usual by GBRf Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives which this month were No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’. PLPR trains use a variety of tools to measure and detect defects in the track which may have the potential to cause problems. Equipment include a 4 foot camera used to check on track condition and thermal imaging to check rail temperatures.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Hamworthy with 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ – 23/10/2023
A couple of days later on 25th October 2023 and the Ultrasonic Test Train (UTU) was out and about on our patch as 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. The UTU is usually comprised of a locomotive at one end and a Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) at the other. The DBSO can lead the train and control the locomotive at the other end, which was the case on the outward run of 3Q02 to Weymouth this time around. UTU trains have ground penetrating radar systems to detect voids and deformations up to two metres into the ballast and earth below, and use profile scanners to help identify any issues similar to the PLPR test train.
Colas Class 37 No. 37612 in debranded DRS blue livery at the rear of the Ultrasonic Test Train at Poole – 25/10/2023
Class 37 No. 37612 and DBSO No. 9703 working 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 25/10/2023
In the next few weeks, there is more local rail disruption to come affecting trains in North Dorset on the Waterloo – Exeter route as Network Rail will be closing the line between Salisbury and Axminster for 21 days in November and December 2023.
Firstly, the line between between Yeovil Junction and Axminster will be closed for five days between Monday November 6th to Friday November 10th. A second closure takes place between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction from Saturday November 25th to Sunday December 10th. Engineers will be working around the clock to complete key upgrades at four different worksites and upgrades are part of a wider half a million-pound investment to improve reliability and performance along the line. Work will also take place at Crewkerne Tunnel where engineers will attempt to stabilise the cutting following a landslip in October 2021. There will be an installation of new drainage to help to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall. Additional work will take place with the replacement of the barriers at the Broom and Axe level crossing, and the Weycroft River Bridge will have protective, anti-corrosion paint work applied. Areas of waterlogged track stones will be removed.
The Salisbury-Exeter Rail Users Group (SERUG) accepts the maintenance work to track and earthworks is necessary as it says only 77% of services run on time.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
In other news, the Poole Harbour Trails community group have successfully registered a disused railway line as a right of way after spending the last 13 years trying to formalise the footpath at Sandford, Poole. The currently overgrown route follows the railway that serviced the Royal Naval Cordite Factory (RNCF) at Holton Heath that closed in the 1950’s and had been used as a path by locals for many years until it became obstructed in 2010. The Friends of the Cordite Way Clearance group received permission earlier this year to start clearance but had to wait for the nesting season to end, beginning work in September on the first section to the viewpoint overlooking Poole Harbour and Arne peninsular. It is hoped to open this first section in the summer of 2024.
Recent research by the walking charity Ramblers found that more than 49,000 miles of paths in England and Wales did not feature on official maps and were at risk of being permanently lost with the government setting a deadline in England of 2031 to apply to get these paths re-registered, however Ramblers believe this deadline should be withdrawn.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Holton Heath railway station is located near the western shore of Poole Harbour and was opened on 3rd April 1916 for use by workers at the Naval Cordite Works which had been established during the First World War. The station was made available for public use from 14th July 1924. Holton Heath has been unstaffed since 1964, with the signal box being removed on 3rd November 1969.
On 20th April 1989 a fatal accident occurred just beyond the siding on the London side of the station, when a light locomotive, which had just completed shunting duties at Winfrith nuclear power station, collided with the rear of a freight train. The driver of the light locomotive, Clive Brooker, died in the accident. Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Cordite was an explosive component used as a propellant for shells. The factory was built in 1915-16. It was the first purpose-built site for cordite production in the United Kingdom. One of the main ingredients for cordite was acetone. The factory provided its own supply through an acetone plant, which employed novel fermentation technology using maize as a starch source. The RNCF was effectively self-sufficient and had its own internal rail system with about five miles of standard gauge track and 14 miles of narrow gauge, together with its own rolling stock. During the First World War, cordite was dispatched to a jetty in Poole Harbour by rail where it was loaded onto sailing barges for transport to Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. The factory continued to manufacture cordite until 1946. Production at RNCF finally ended in 1957 but many of the buildings still survive.
SWR Class 444 No. 444002 passes No. 444017 at Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Grand Central Terminal
Sunrise over Manhatten from the deck of Queen Mary 2 – 13/10/2023
We were able to spend a few hours in New York on Friday 13th October 2023. Having never visited the Big Apple previously, I had a short list of things I was hoping to see and Caroline, who has spent time in the city before, was kind enough to indulge me.
QM2 Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. She is too large to dock on the West Side Piers which means passengers require transit to Manhattan – 13/10/2023The NY Water Ferry approaches Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We disembarked the ship at 0700 and were waved through immigration arriving in good time to catch the first water ferry from Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn which was adjacent to QM2’s berth over to Manhattan Island.
A NY water Ferry passes QM2, Red Hook, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We needed to change ferries at Wall Street to take us up the East river to East 34th Street and following a 42 minute walk we were able to have “Breakfast outside Tiffany’s” before continuing our journey on foot through Times Square and past the New York Library (which was yet to open, but was on my list for a visit to the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures) to Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The Chrysler Building, at 1,046 ft is the tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework, overlooks Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Reed and Stem – an American architectural and engineering firm founded in Minnesota in 1891 as a partnership between Charles A. Reed (1858–1911) and Allen H. Stem (1856–1931) – who handled the overall design of the terminal, and Warren and Wetmore – a New York architecture partnership between Whitney Warren (1864–1943) and Charles Delevan Wetmore (1866–1941) – which mainly made cosmetic alterations to the exterior and interior.
“Glory of Commerce”, a sculptural group by Jules-Félix Coutan – 13/10/2023
The Beaux-Arts architecture evolved from the French classicism of the Style Louis XIV, and then French neoclassicism beginning with Style Louis XV and Style Louis XV and was the academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, particularly from the 1830’s to the end of the 19th century. It drew upon the principles of French neoclassicism, but also incorporated Renaissance and Baroque elements, and used modern materials, such as iron and glass, and later, steel. It was an important style in Europe and the Americas through the end of the 19th century, and into the 20th. Various elements inside the terminal were designed by French architects and artists Jules-Félix Coutan (1848–1939), Sylvain Salières (1865–1920), and Paul César Helleu (1859–1927). Grand Central has monumental spaces as well as meticulously crafted detail, especially on its facade, which is based on an overall exterior design provided by Whitney Warren.
I made it to the trains! Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
The Terminal, built on the site of a former railroad depot and phased in over the course of nearly a decade being completed in 1913, covers 48 acres and has over 40 platforms, more than any other railway station in the world. The platforms are all below ground, serving 30 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower. In total, there are 67 tracks, including a rail yard and sidings; of these, 43 tracks are in use for passenger services, while the remaining two dozen or so are used to store trains.
Ramp to the Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was built and named by the New York Central Railroad which also served the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The terminal was built on the site of two previous stations, the first of which originated in 1871. Grand Central Terminal served intercity trains until 1991, when Amtrak began routing its trains through nearby New York Penn Station. Grand Central is now the southern terminus of the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Lines, serving the northern parts of the New York metropolitan area. It also contains a connection to the Long Island Rail Road through the Grand Central Madison station as well as connecting to the New York City Subway at Grand Central–42nd Street station. The terminal is the third-busiest railway station in North America.
The Main Concourse at Grand Central – 13/10/2023
The Main Concourse is located on the upper platform level of Grand Central, in the centre of the station building. The 35,000 square foot area leads directly to most of the terminal’s upper-level tracks. In their design for the station’s interior, Reed & Stem created a circulation system that allowed passengers alighting from trains to enter the Main Concourse, then leave through various passages that branch from it. The Main Concourse, often featured in films and television, is a busy space filled with people hurrying to their destination or onlookers taking in the grandeur of their location.
The four-sided brass clock at Grand Central – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
At the centre of the concourse is an information booth topped with a four sided brass clock, one of Grand Central’s most recognisable icons. The terminal’s main departure boards are located at the south end of the concourse.
The Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal with the train information boards on the left hand side of the image – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal contains a variety of stores and food vendors, including restaurants and bars, a food hall, and a grocery marketplace. The building is also noted for its library, event hall, tennis club, control centre and offices for the railroad, and sub-basement power station.
Ramp to the Dining Concourse, Grand Central – 13/10/2023The Oyster Bar – 13/10/2023Dining Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Ramps include the Vanderbilt Avenue ramp and the Oyster Bar ramps. The Oyster Bar ramps lead down from the Main Concourse to the Oyster Bar and Dining Concourse.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer – 13/10/2023
The main entrance into the terminal, underneath the Park Avenue Viaduct, opens into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer, so named in 2014 in honour of the former First Lady of the United States, who in the 1970’s helped prevent the demolition of the Main Concourse and the plan to build Grand Central Tower.
Vanderbilt Hall , Grand Central Terminus – 13/10/2023
Vanderbilt Hall is an event space on the south side of the terminal, between the main entrance and the Main Concourse to its north. The north and south walls are divided into five bays, each with large rectangular windows, screened with heavy bronze grills. The room is lit by Beaux-Arts chandeliers, each with 132 bulbs on four tiers. Vanderbilt Hall was formerly the main waiting room for the terminal, used particularly by intercity travellers.
After exploring this wonderful building we headed back out into the streets and walked back to the NY Library to find the original Winnie The Pooh and friends who had been donated in 1987 having been brought to the United States by A.A Milne’s (1882-1956) US publisher; Elliott Macrae (1901-1968) former President of E.P. Dutton in 1947.
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour seen behind QM2 – 13/10/2023The Statue of Liberty – 13/10/2023
From the Archive:
A few images from 2020, that strange time when we all spent months staying indoors only going outside for an hours exercise a day. During the Covid pandemic, cruise ships were forced out of work and laid up at anchor in various harbours and ports around the UK, Weymouth being no exception.
RMS Queen Mary 2 in Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020
RMS Queen Mary 2 introduced in 2003 was, at that time; the largest, longest, widest, tallest grandest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She replaced the beloved QE2 on the transatlantic run and as flagship of the Cunard line. Queen Mary 2 has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots which is faster than a contemporary cruise ship. She had the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix conferred on her by the Royal Mail when she entered service in 2004, as a gesture to Cunard’s history. Onboard facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. Queen Mary 2 is powered primarily by four diesel engines supplemented by two gas turbines which provide extra power as and when required.
QM2 employs a quadruple podded propeller propulsion system which like giant outboard motors hang under the ship replacing the need for traditional propeller shafts. The forward pair of thrusters is fixed, but the aft pair can swivel through 360°, removing the need for a rudder. Queen Mary 2 carries eight spare blades on her foredeck. The ship is also fitted with three bow thrusters which allow the ship to turn in its own length while in port, to conduct more complex docking manoeuvres. The pods fitted to Queen Mary 2 have been prone to failure despite redesigns. In January 2009, Cunard sued the manufacturers Rolls-Royce in the United States claiming the design of the pods were inherently defective, and that Rolls-Royce knew about the design deficiencies and deliberately conspired to mislead, deceive and defraud in the course of winning the contract. In January 2011, the court awarded Carnival US$24 million.
During the pandemic the cruise ships would make regular sorties along the south coast and returning to port for supplies and crew changes, Queen Mary 2 is seen here as she departs Weymouth on one such outing – 06/05/2020
When Covid-19 started to spread across the globe in 2020, Queen Mary 2 was enjoying a world cruise. In early February, Cunard cancelled the Asian leg of the voyage, with the remainder of the journey being cancelled on 15th March. Passengers were disembarked in Fremantle, Western Australia, with the ship returning to Southampton in April.
QM2 arrives into the bay at Weymouth – 17/12/2020A stern view of Queen Mary 2 seen from one of the tourist boats which ran trips around Weymouth Bay for close up encounters with the anchored cruise ships – 07/08/2020Yoshi on Weymouth esplanade with cruise ships in the background – 06/09/2020Cunard’s Queen Victoria, Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020Queen Elizabeth, Weymouth – 07/08/2020Yoshi enjoyed walks along the beach as we watched the cruise ships. Three Cunard Queens along with P&O and TUI’s Marella vessels are behind him in this image – 07/08/2020Three Cunard Queen’s lined up together in Weymouth Bay – Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. This was the only time I think I managed to photograph the Cunard fleet without any other interlopers between them – 23/08/2023
A bit of a mixed bag on this occasion, but that’s all we have time for! Thanks for reading and hopefully we’ll be back with another instalment soon. Until then, take care. Be seeing You!
It was lovely to be reunited with our boy as we disembarked QM2 last Friday. He was excited to see us again after being separated for over two weeks. A huge thank you to my brother and family for taking such good care of Yoshi xXx
References used for the Grand Central Terminal section:
Charles River Editors Grand Central Station: The History of New York City’s Famous Railroad Terminal, (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2015)
Metro-North Railroad (2023) Grand Central Retrieved from https://www.grandcentralterminal.com
Wikipedia (October 24, 2023) Grand Central Terminal Rettrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Terminal
SWR Class 701 No. 701505 at Poole working 5Q52 1724 Staines Up Loop to Eastleigh TRSMD – 28/09/2023
September 28th 2023 to October 5th 2023
Thursday September 28th 2023 saw another Direct Rail Services (DRS) run from Crewe to Winfrith for the collection of low level nuclear waste. If estimates are correct there may only be three of these trains left to run. When we took the public footpath alongside the sidings at Winfrith to see the Class 68 locomotives, we were surprised to see a new access gate and path leading to the ground frame which controls the point work to / from the main line into the sidings had been installed. A ground frame is a bank of point levers placed at the trackside to operate nearby points or emergency crossovers and are generally found in remote locations too far away from a signal box to be connected by traditional rodding or wires. The levers on a ground frame look very similar to those found in a signal box and operate in the same way but rarely have a building enclosing them. They are operated either by the train driver or a remote crew that is sent out in a van as and when their operation is required. Because the points at a ground frame are not under the direct control of a signal box, a token or key is required to operate them, this can be in the form of a physical key or in more recent years an electronic token.
The Winfrith Ground Frame and new access gate – 28/09/2023New access gate and path leading to the Winfrith Ground Frame – 28/09/2023DRS Class 68 No. 68018 ‘Vigilant’ leads through Hamworthy on 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings with fellow class member No. 68033 ‘The Poppy’ at the rear – 28/09/2023DRS Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ and 68033 ‘The Poppy’ side by side at Winfrith as the PFA wagons are loaded with low level nuclear waste – 28/09/2023Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ edges out of Winfrith Sidings and onto the main line working 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS). The train heads to Dorchester South where it reverses for its onward journey – 28/09/2023Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ pulls away from Winfrith Sidings working 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 28/09/2023Class 68 No. 68033 ‘The Poppy’ leading 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) on the approach to Holton Heath – 28/09/2023
Video of 28/09/2023 Winfrith Run
Thursday evening, I was contacted by Bob from the “Christchurch Mafia” who kindly called to let me know that a pair of SWR Class 701/5’s were on their way to Poole on a mileage accumulation run. Class 701/5 are a five car variant of the ten car Class 701 EMU.
SWR Class 701 No. 701506 pauses at Poole working 5Q52 1724 Staines Up Loop to Eastleigh TRSMD – 28/09/2023
Class 701/5’s at Poole – 28/09/2023
Over the weekend, Caroline, Yoshi and I had a trip to Derbyshire where we visited Hardwick Hall, the Matlock Bath illuminations and The Heights of Abraham. Despite there being a rail strike on Saturday 30th September, I still managed to find a railway element to indulge in and spent an enjoyable few hours at Peak Rail during the afternoon, the highlight of which was being shown around the shed and storage sidings. Peak Rail covers part of the old Midland Railway line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras which was closed in 1968 and currently operates on approximately 4 miles between Rowsley South Station and Matlock Station Platform 2 with ambitions to extend to Bakewell. Peak Rail operates a number of special events each year and during my visit a Mixed Traffic Gala was in full force with the train I travelled on running a restaurant service; The Palatine, on board two beautifully preserved railway carriages. Neither of which I joined and had to be content with my coffee and a seat in one of the non dining coaches!
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne No. 15 “Eustace Forth’ backs on to her train at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Class 25 No. D7659 (25309/25909) enters Darley Dale station. The locomotive is owned by the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust and came back into service during the latter part of 2021 for the first time in more than 23 years following a comprehensive restoration that effectively saw the 1966 loco rebuilt. As the final locomotive built by Beyer Peacock and the noted Gorton Works in Manchester, D7659 saw 20 years of work with British Railways mostly in the Midlands and North West and also with service in Wales and Scotland and some summer holiday specials to Norwich during the 1970’s – 30/09/2023Hudswell Clarke S102 ‘Cathryn’ at Rowsley – 30/09/2023
The Peak Railway Preservation Society was first established in 1975 and opened a site at the now closed Buxton Steam Centre with restoration facilities and a 300-yard operating line. However, the whole site was sold to Buxton Water when Peak Rail relocated its headquarters to Darley Dale in the 1980’s using funds from the sale.
Darley Dale Station is a Gothic Style building constructed by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway – later to become part of the renowned Midland Railway and later still the London Midland Scottish – 30/09/2023The first station at Darley, as it was officially known until October 1890 was south of what is now Station Road. In 1874 this impressive station was built north of the level crossing and the contract for erection of the station was awarded to Joseph Glossop and the final cost was £2,247.17s – 30/09/2023Constructed in local stone, in a neo-gothic style, the work consisted of a single main line building on the down platform, and a smaller matching waiting room on the up side. Darley Dale was very much a country station, but traffic increases led to additional infrastructure with loop lines north of the station being opened in 1901 together with additional sidings to the south of the station – 30/09/2023
By 1991, the railway had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale with an extension to within a half-mile south of the Derbyshire village of Rowsley opening in 1997. A new station was constructed at Rowsley South next to the site of the former loco shed which housed banking engines for the route to Manchester.
Owned by The North Notts Loco Group, Class 44 No. D8 (44008) ‘Penyghent’ was built in Derby in 1959 and was one of ten Pilot Scheme Peak class locomotives. She is seen here inside the shed at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Waterman Heritage Trust owned Class 47 No. D1501 (47402) has been at Peak Rail since June 2022. Class 37 No. 37310 ‘British Steel Ravenscraig’ is preserved at Peak Rail – 30/09/2023Network Rail acquired Class 73 No. 73138 in 2010 for use in its infrastructure monitoring fleet. Withdrawn in 2017 it was employed as a yard shunter at Derby Railway Technical Centre (RTC) until 2019 when it was placed in storage at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Class 37 No. 97301 (ex D6800 / 37100) was fitted with ERTMS Signalling equipment for use of the Cambrian Lines from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli and is being store at Rowsley for Network Rail – 30/09/2023The Heritage Shunters Trust are based at Rowsley in an impressive new shed which houses their collection of locomotives. Various examples went for a trip in the yard area during my visit – 30/09/2023
After the construction of the Matlock by-pass, and a new Sainsburys supermarket in the former Cawdor Quarry, a new track alignment and track layout was installed between Matlock Riverside and Matlock railway station to provide a through connection from Peak Rail to the national network which re-opened on 2nd July 2011 with a 50 year lease for this and the use of platform 2 by the heritage line.
W G Bagnall No. 2842 in the rain at Matlock Riverside. Class 03 No. D2128, which failed earlier in the day, can be seen in the background – 30/09/2023EMR Class 170 DMU No. 170530 forms 2A39 1237 Matlock to Nottingham service – 01/10/2023Matlock Railway Station – 01/10/2023
Once famed for its hydro and spa treatments, Matlock’s central location, scenic surroundings and public transport links make it a popular base for exploring the Peak District and Derbyshire. Pioneering industrialist John Smedley developed the attractive market town as a fashionable spa in the 19th century, and his legacy lives on in buildings such as Smedley’s Hydro (now the offices of Derbyshire County Council) and Gothic-style Riber Castle. Matlock railway station, originally called Matlock Bridge, was opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway on 4th June 1849, when the line between Ambergate and Rowsley opened. The station buildings, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, opened in 1850. The adjacent station master’s house is now Grade II listed.
Grade II listed Matlock station masters house – 01/10/2023
Just a mile and a half to the south, Matlock Bath is a lively town that was developed as one of England’s first true tourist destinations. It has been attracting visitors since the late 17th Century, and by the 19th Century it was a place for the finest in society to be seen, including royalty. Lord Byron dubbed it “Little Switzerland” on account of its magnificent views and steep, wooded hillsides. Matlock Bath is just as much fun to visit today. It has a long high street lined with quirky shops, cafés, amusement arcades and visitor attractions, as well as peaceful paths for shady strolls alongside the River Derwent.
The Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular annual event running from September to the end of October, when the riverside is decorated and the cliffs floodlit to create a magical scene of colour. At weekends during the Illuminations there are parades of decorated boats, entertainments and, on certain dates, firework displays.
Slinky Dog at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023A well observed Foden steam lorry taking part at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023Peppa Pig’s steam train at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023
Matlock Bath railway station is owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway is also Grade II listed. Opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway on 4th June 1849 and closed on 6th March 1967 but reopened on 27 May 1972.
The station buildings have an unusual ‘chalet’ style, inspired by the romantic notion at the time that the resort was England’s “Little Switzerland”. The station buildings have been occupied by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust since the 1980’s and were restored in period-style and opened as a cafe/visitor centre in 2019 after a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from Derbyshire Dales and Derbyshire County councils, and other donations, but were unfortunately closed when we visited.
The unique chalet style of Matlock Bath Railway station – 01/10/2023
The Heights of Abraham cable car runs from near the station up to the associated visitor attraction. Originally opened in 1787 as a “Savage Garden”, a popular term for wild and exotic locations first coined by the Georgians in the late 18th Century, the Heights is a unique and special hilltop park with guided underground cavern tours, historical exhibitions and other facilities.
Yoshi at The Heights of Abraham with cable cars in the background – 01/10/2023Yoshi takes in the view from The Heights of Abraham – 01/10/2023
Caroline took a guided tour of Masson Cavern, formed over 350 million years ago, while Yoshi and I took the quicker route to meet her after her underground experience at Tinker’s Shaft once the main access point when it was a working lead mine in the 17th Century. It is now safely capped and has been transformed into a viewing platform with incredible vistas over the Derbyshire Dales.
Yoshi waiting apr=tiently for his Mama at Tinker’s Shaft – 01/10/2023
We also took time to visit the Masson Pavilion which houses a new exhibition entitled “A Mirror on the Past” which features 14 historically accurate life-sized figures dressed in reproduction period costumes as worn by the Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian guests who visited the Heights of Abraham between 1787 and 1910 created by Arts University Bournemouth Costume and Make-up students.
Examples of costumes in the “A Mirror on the Past” exhibition at The Heights of Abraham – 01/10/2023
Wednesday 4th October was another Aslef strike day, but one train which did run in our region was the Network Rail New Measurement Train top and tailed by Colas Class 37 diesel locomotives No.’s 37175 and 37254.
Class Class 37 No. 37175 enters Dorchester West with the Network Rail NMT 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023Colas Class 37 No. 37254 at the rear of 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road at Dorchester West (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023
NMT 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road at Dorchester West (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023
For the record, Colas Class 37 No. 37116 was allocated to the Ultrasonic Test Unit with DBSO No. 9701 working 3Q14 1113 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard via Weymouth on Thursday 5th October. It would appear this service was turned around at Castle Cary.
From The Archive:
Video of Thomas and Friends event at Darley Dale on Peak Rail 08/04/1995:
That brings us to the end of another blog entry, thanks for reading and for your comments and corrections. We will be taking a break for a few weeks, but hope to be back at the end of October. Be seeing you!
Yoshi meets Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Norden as the locomotive, complete with tender, is steamed for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023
September 20th 2023 to September 27th 2023
The big local news this week was centred on the Swanage Railway as Victorian era Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 locomotive No. 563 was reunited with her tender after remedial tasks were carried out at Herston Works and steamed while complete for the first time in around 75 years. Yoshi and I headed over to Corfe Castle railway station on Friday 22nd September with the objective of capturing her running light engine to Swanage. Road works in Corfe village delayed our arrival at the station and we were not sure if we had missed the action but after waiting a few minutes or so, the signalman at Corfe box told us he was off to have his lunch and there would be nothing running for the foreseeable. With this nugget of information, Yoshi and I jumped back into the car and headed back to Norden where we found the steaming T3 gleaming in the sunshine.
Beautifully restored Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Norden – 22/09/2023
We busied ourselves taking a few photographs and saying hello to Nathan Au from the 563 Locomotive Group who very kindly updated us with the information that the T3 was not likely to move from Norden for quite possibly two hours as various bits and bobs needed fitting to the locomotive and adjustments made. With one eye on the time, Yoshi and I headed home as we had other early afternoon commitments, during which we kept one eye on the Swanage railway webcams. Or rather I did, as Yoshi took time to snooze at my feet.
Viewing the webcams paid off as I saw the T3’s arrival in Swanage during a brief spell of rain at around 1500. Not knowing if the locomotive was set to run any additional test runs that day we went straight to Swanage to find the T3 simmering on the turntable. After another period of rain, expectations grew as coal was shovelled into the T3’s firebox and eventually the locomotive eased into movement, running into the station mouth and back out up to one of the sidings beyond the engine shed. Although I had missed what turned out to be the solitary the test run that day, I was happy to have at least seen No. 563 move under its own power!
Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 on shed at Swanage – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 beneath the coaling stage at Swanage – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 meets “Greyhound” T9 No. 30120 owned by the National Collection is based on the Swanage Railway after an agreement was reached between the National Railway Museum and the Swanage Railway Trust which will see the 1899 built London & South WesternRailwaylocomotive stored at the Purbeck heritage line following expiry of its boiler certificate in August 2020, which meant the T9 had to be taken out of use. The new agreement includes provision for a limited disassembly of the locomotive – including a boiler lift – so that the Swanage Railway Trust can assess the potential for the locomotive to be returned to steam. Designed by Dugald Drummond (1st January 1840 – 8th November 1912), No. 30120 was built at the Nine Elms Locomotive Works in London. During the Second World War, the T9 was attacked by a German Luftwaffe fighter at Wool station with the locomotive crew having to hide under No. 30120 for cover. The locomotive was withdrawn in 1961 from Exmouth Junction shed in Devon, and joined the National Collection in late 1963 with No.30120 later being put on display at the National Railway Museum in York. In 2010, the locomotive was overhauled at the Flour Mill engineering works, in the Forest of Dean, for service on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, in Cornwall before moving to the Swanage Railway in 2017. The T9 had previously hauled trains on the Swanage Railway in 1991 when passenger trains only operated on the three miles from Swanage to Harman’s Cross and was the first steam locomotive to run to Corfe Castle since June 1967 after relaid tracks reached Corfe Castle en route to Norden – 22/09/2023Two Victorian era locomotives at Swanage; Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 and Drummond T9 4-4-0 No. 30120 – 22/09/2023Swanage shed and turntable with T9 No. 563 and T9 No. 30120 – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 moving under her own steam chuffs out of Swanage – 22/09/2023Passing Class 33/0 No. 33012 / D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 heads to a siding at Swanage following a successful test run under her own steam for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023Class 33/0 No. 33012 / D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ at Swanage – 22/09/2023A cavalcade of locomotives at Swanage as Class 08 No.08436 ‘Beighton’ shunts steam locomotives around the station area at Swanage – 22/09/2023
Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Swanage in steam for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023
The weekend of 23/24th September saw another set of engineering work taking place in the Parkstone area on the down line. The work site was a continuation from where last weeks ended and this time continued through to Parkstone railway station itself. The need for the work to be carried out had apparently been identified by one of the monthly plain line pattern recognition (PLPR) trains. Further tamping of the new line is required in the coming weeks. There is no requirement for the up line to be replaced at present.
Colas Class 70 No. 70803 at Parkstone having worked in with 6C03 2356 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome – 23/09/2023Colas Class 70 N0. 70809 on Parkstone bank which arrived as 6C04 0242 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66760 ‘David Gordon Harris’ arrives at the Parkstone worksite with 6G10 0524 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 ‘Harry Beck’ working 6G11 0635 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth moves slowly up to join the Permanent Way works at Parkstone – 23/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66131 approaches Christchurch appropriately working 6N31 1113½ Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023EWS liveried DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66181 at Milton Road bridge forming 6N32 1313½ Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 named in tribute to ‘Harry Beck’ designer of the London Underground map which has been replicated throughout the World at rest on Parkstone bank – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 ‘Harry Beck’ with a train of fresh ballast at Parkstone – 23/09/2023Work taking place to relay the down tracks through Parkstone railway station – 23/09/2023As part of an charity auction, GBRf gave the opportunity to name a locomotive to one lucky winner who donated what has quoted to have been “an extraordinary amount of money” to good causes and chose to name Class 66 No. 66760 after his father, a career train driver celebrating his 60th birthday; ‘David Gordon Harris’. The loco is seen here running through Poole railway station heading for Holes Bay – 23/09/2023In Genesee & Wyoming livery, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66509 ‘Josiah’s Wish’ is about to set off from Holes Bay, Poole to form 6N32 1855 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 24/09/2023
Yoshi and I managed to photograph all but one locomotive involved in the engineering possession over the weekend – the loco evading our camera lens being Freightliner Class 66 No. 66420 which worked in with fellow class member No. 66509 ‘Josiah’s Wish’ on 23rd September’s 6Y83 2040 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – although we did see its exhaust as we drove above the track via Station road bridge on our way to Castlepoint shopping centre on Sunday morning! No. 66420 returned as 6Y83 1755 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard, but again I was unable to see this move.
Engineering work at Parkstone – 23/09/2023
Monday evening was the return of the Class 73 top and tailed PLPR train which travelled from Derby Railway Technical Centre down to Weymouth and back to Eastleigh East Yard. Class 73 Electro Diesels No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ were picked from the rergular roster of locomotives. We decided on seeing them this time on the outward run through Parkstone so we could admire the new track which was as mentioned above the result of a previous run of this particular test train.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 25/09/2023
Tuesday was highly anticipated with the scheduled run of a CrossCountry High Speed Train to Swanage designed as a farewell celebration to the XC HST fleet after more than 40 years of operation on across the UK. Proceeds from the trip were in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity in remembrance of CrossCountry employee Jo Taylor, who passed away in 2021. Jo was a popular member of the CrossCountry family and was a familiar face to many, having worked at both Leeds and Bournemouth over her 14 years with the company. This excursion train actually comprised of two tours with the “Pines Express” section running from Leeds to Swanage and return, and the “Bournemouth Belle” from Swanage to Bournemouth and return making use of the HST set in the afternoon. The train was a joint venture with CrossCountry, Modern Railways magazine and The Branch Line Society in association with the Swanage Railway alongside support from Porterbrook and Angel trains.
Retro Inter-City 125 liveried Class 43 No. 43007 departs Bournemouth with “The Pines Express” 1Z43 0635 Leeds to Swanage – 26/09/2023Inter-City Swallow liveried Class 43 No. 43008 departs Bournemouth at the rear of “The Pines Express” 1Z43 0635 Leeds to Swanage – 26/09/2023XC Class 43 No. 43008 crosses Corfe Viaduct working “The Bournemouth Belle” 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 awaits departure from Wareham with 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 carried the “Pines Express” headboard while working 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 passes Wareham signal box at the rear of 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43007 and 43008 top and tail 1Z26 1452 Bournemouth to Swanage across Holes Bay, Poole – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 leads the return “Bournemouth Belle” 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds nearing Harman’s Cross – 26/09/2023CrossCountry High Speed Train Farewell headboard – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 at the rear of 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds passing through Harman’s Cross – 26/09/2023Captured by the gallery, Class 43 No. 43008 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds at Holton Heath – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 at the rear of 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds having cleared Holton Heath – 26/09/2023Retro liveries applied to (TOP) No. 43007 and (BOTTOM) No. 43008 – 26/09/2023
CrossCountry High Speed Train Farewell – 26/09/2023
It was great to see so many friends and fellow enthusiasts out on the day capturing images, video and memories of what is most likely the final scheduled public CrossCountry High Speed Train run. Our North Dorset Correspondent, Scott, travelled on the “Bournemouth Belle” mini-special and was able to kindly share images of the following goodies he picked up onboard:
Coaster of the CrossCountry Farewell HST publicity posterWindow stickers available for purchase on the trainCrossCountry HST Farewell BookletThe special Bournemouth Belle Swanage to Bournemouth souvenir ticketA set of CrossCountry themed HST pin badges were available for passengers to buy
Due to planned industrial action, a CrossCountry staff outing to Blackpool North from Plymouth that had been arranged for the 29th September has been cancelled.
Tuesday evening after all the HST excitement, a pair of preserved Class 50 locomotives were employed on a GBRf Class 458 EMU drag from Widnes Transport Tech to Bournemouth depot. However, due to slack oversight and ‘schoolboy’ error, I failed to notice the train worked early after it failed to observe a timetabled 40 minute layover at Brockenhurst. Despite a valiant effort from Jamie, we didn’t make it to Branksome in time to see the ensemble manoeuvre into the depot, arriving 53 minutes early as 5X72 1435 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D.
However, what goes into Bournemouth Depot has to also come out again, and the following day; Wednesday 27th September 2023, saw a return working to Widnes taking an un-refurbished Class 458 unit for conversion. I really thought the train would depart early and kept a weather eye on the Open Time Trains map for movement! In the event the working; 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech, left one minute early and by that time we were safely ensconced on the platform at Branksome, just outside the junction to the depot. Unsurprisingly the attraction of such unusual motive power attracted a number of fellow enthusiasts and the station was very busy.
English Electric Class 50 No. 50007 ‘Hercules’ runs through Branksome with 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’ in GBRf livery awaits the off at Branksome working 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023Moving slowly away from Branksome, Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’ leads with 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023
5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023
For The Record
North Dorset saw the New Measurement Train pass through on Thursday 21st with Colas Class 43 HST Power Cars No’s 43277 and 43274 in charge.
Preparatory work for the installation of new walking and cycling bridges across the railway line on Glenferness Avenue in Bournemouth started in May this year following public consultation on proposals undertaken 24th February to 31st March 2021. Funded through South East Dorset’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), the work forms part of a planned sustainable travel route linking Bournemouth town centre and Ferndown and will see the installation of a four metre wide bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the railway line on the west side of the road bridge. The existing footbridge on the eastern side of the road bridge will be demolished on site and replaced with a new four metre wide pedestrian and cycle bridge, the existing road bridge remaining unaltered.
The installation of the new bridges and removal of the existing pedestrian bridge is programmed to commence during a 26 hour window from Sunday 1st October to Monday 2nd October 2023. Impressive crane action is promised with the first new bridge being lifted into position on the west side of the road bridge and placed onto the precast concrete foundations. This will be followed by the removal and recycling of the existing footbridge. The installation of the new bridge on the east side of the road bridge will complete the process.
Following the bridge installation work, bridge ramps and stepped cycle lanes will be built on Glenferness Avenue between Elgin Road and Alyth Road. This work is anticipated to complete by December. The new bridges will give people a separate, safe, traffic free space to walk, cycle and wheel across the railway line. They form a crucial part of a sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Talbot Woods, Winton and Wallisdown and future plans for the route all the way out to Ferndown.
From The Archive
Taking a look at previous visits of High Speed Trains to the Swanage Railway.
First Great Western (FGW) High Speed Train at Wareham with Class 43 No. 43028 leading the 1Z12 Cotswold – Purbeck Express to the Swanage Railway having originated from Worcester Shrub Hill departing at 0732. This photograph was taken by a Network Rail staff member from a position of safety for John Chappell who is standing second from the right – 28/09/2013
Back in September 2013 the first High Speed Train ventured onto the Swanage Railway with the “Cotswold – Purbeck Express” organised by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group. Because of gauging issues, the train terminated at Corfe Castle where a connecting service to Swanage was provided.
FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 at Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 at Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013Close up of FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 after departing Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 leading away from Corfe Castle and crossing Corfe Viaduct (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013The return Cotswold – Purbeck Express 1Z13 1610 Swanage to Worcester Shrub Hill pauses at Wareham with leading power car FGW Class 43 No. 43078 at the head of the train (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013
The following year, in June 2014 “The Swanage Samaritan” railtour was a special train organised for East Midlands Trains (EMT), South West Trains (SWT) and their guests. The excursion which originated from Sheffield raised funds for the Samaritans charity and saw the first High Speed Train actually reach Swanage, the gauging issues preventing the previous trip from travelling all the way down the branch obviously having been sorted!
East Midlands Trains HST Class 43 power car No. 43089 at journeys end in Swanage having arrived working 1Z43 0613 Sheffield to Swanage (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014HST, Class 33 and Class 08 line up at Swanage (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 with “The Swanage Samaritan” headboard at the buffer stops at Swanage Railway station (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 carried temporary South West Trains branding for the tour (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 power car No. 43089 about to cross Corfe Viaduct with the return “The Swanage Samaritan” 1Z44 1614 Swanage to Sheffield (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 brings up the rear of “The Swanage Samaritan” 1Z44 1614 Swanage to Sheffield having departed Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014EMT Class 43 power car No. 43089 pauses at Wareham on its way back to Sheffield (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014
That’s it for another week. Many thanks to those who kept me company while out watching the T3, HST’s and Class 50’s, I appreciate it. And thank you for comments, suggestions and corrections for Yoshi’s blog. Be seeing you!
