Yoshi on the platform at Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway with Class 20 No.’s D8059 (20059) and D8188 (20188) awaiting departure with a train bound for Alton – 15/07/2023
July 12th 2023 to July 19th 2023
I have a not so long list of locomotives or trains which I would like to photograph. This is distinct from my train spotting days when I wanted to see everything! This past week has been a good one in my efforts at ticking off a few items from the list, starting on Wednesday 12th July as I took the train to Birmingham for a work meeting.
South Western Railway Class 444 No. 444028 having arrived as an empty coaching stock movement from Bournemouth T&RSMD before forming the 1B14 0500 departure from Poole to London Waterloo – 12/07/2023
My journey began at 0430 when I left home for Poole Railway Station in order to catch the 0500 train towards London. Reports of over-running engineering work in the Solent area gave me unnecessary cause for concern as we were not substantially delayed by these. I was scheduled to change at Southampton Parkway onto a CrossCountry service, but on checking the train providers website I found that due to a shortage of train drivers, my scheduled train would instead start from Winchester further up the line. This was not a bad thing as it meant I had time to grab a caramel latte at Winchester (although they forgot to add the caramel syrup – bah!) before the allotted Class 221 Voyager diesel-multiple unit arrived to pick up passengers, despite being announced and signed as “not stopping” at this station. This announcement left many on the platform bemused and confused and there was no follow up advice via the station tannoy in an attempt to rectify things. This could have been a bad thing.
CrossCountry Voyager Class 221 DMU No. 221124 stands at Winchester platform 1 working the 1M22 0633 service to Manchester Piccadilly – 12/07/2023
The train was quite lightly loaded from Winchester, and after taking a quick snap of the train, on boarding I discovered there was only one other passenger in my coach. Frustratingly they had decided to sit in my reserved seat. To be fair the seat reservations took a few minutes to show up on the little electronic display panels, and things were soon resolved and we both set off in our allocated seats.
CrossCountry Voyager Class 221 DMU No. 221124 having deposited me at Birmingham New Street – 12/07/2023
On arrival at Birmingham it was a quick seven minute walk to Snow Hill where the work office is located. The meeting room situated on the 17th floor provides a panoramic view over the city and a vantage point looking down upon Birmingham Snow Hill railway station.
An unidentified West Midlands Trains Class 172/3 Turbostar DMU working 2S29 0854 Kidderminster to Stratford-Upon-Avon into Birmingham Snow Hill – 12/07/2023
The meeting over, I scurried back to Birmingham New Street as there was a train on my list I was hoping to see which was diagrammed to work through the station, stopping only to grab few pics of a passing tram.
West Midlands Metro was launched on 30th May 1999 as Midland Metro partly utilising the disused Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton low level route. CAF Urbos 3 Tram No. 38 passes Snow Hill – 12/07/2023 The same tram as in the previous image, No. 38, just beat me down the hill to the Grand Central stop just outside New Street station – 12/07/2023Another tick as in Regional Railways retro livery Class 323 No. 323221 stands at Birmingham New Street with the 2P37 1436 service to Lichfield. No. 323215 is the second unit in standard West Midlands Trains colours – 12/07/2023
Regional Railways retro livery Class 323 No. 323221 working 2P37 1436 Birmingham New Street to Lichfield at Birmingham New Street – 12/07/2023CrossCountry Voyager Class 221 DMU No. 221119 works through Birmingham New Street with 1O20 1325 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth which I eschewed for a Pendolino service to London Euston – 12/07/2023My Avanti West Coast Pendo Class 390 No. 390135 ‘City of Lancaster’ sits amidst the hustle and bustle at Birmingham New Street. 53 of these train sets were ordered by Virgin West Coast in 1999. They were built by Alstom in Italy and fitted out in Washwood Heath near Birmingham – 12/07/2023Nameplate detail of Class 390 No. 390135 ‘City of Lancaster’ – 12/07/2023
My return journey to Dorset was via London which gave me the opportunity to travel on an Avanti West Coast Pendolino train. I wish I hadn’t bothered to be honest, as my reserved seat didn’t match up with a window and my view was quite a slight one but required looking towards the window in the seating in front of me, but at least it provided some sort of view as we sped down the west Coast Main Line (WCML). The preceding service to London Euston ahead of my departure had been cancelled which meant increased numbers of customers travelling on my train. Because the Class 390 Pendolino trains have a tilting capability they have to be quite snug to fit into the UK loading gauge but I found this did not make for comfortable seating arrangements. But I found it fascinating to see the masts for the overhead catenary seemingly at 45 degree angles as we passed by on sections of curved track as otherwise I don’t think you’d know the train was tilting in order to smooth out the bends.
My journey’s end with Class 390 No. 390135 ‘City of Lancaster’ at the buffer stops of platform 7 of London Euston having worked the 1B50 1547 service from Birmingham New Street – 12/07/2023
On arrival in London I took the opportunity to pop into King’s Cross station as Class 91 No. 91111 ‘For The Fallen’ was scheduled to arrive with empty coaching stock forming a later service to Leeds which gave me time to take a few mobile phone photographs before I needed to get the tube over to London Waterloo and my final train home.
While waiting at London Kings Cross I made use of the pub located in the original Great Northern Railway parcels office dating back to 1852 with a view overlooking the platforms – 12/07/2023One from my list; much hoped for Class 91 No. 91111 ‘For The Fallen’ rests at platform 4 having arrived with empty coaching stock movement 5D29 Ferme Park Reception Sidings to London Kings Cross – 12/07/2023LNER Azuma Class 801 No. 801105 arrives at its final destination with 1Y88 1602 York to London Kings Cross – 12/07/2023Another study of LNER InterCity 225 Class 91 No. 91111 ‘For The Fallen’ which will haul 1D29 1903 London Kings Cross to Leeds – 12/07/2023Homeward bound courtesy of the South Western Railway 1W79 1903 London Waterloo to Weymouth service formed of Class 444 No.’s 444035 at the rear and 444041 out of sight at the head of platform 15. The train split at Southampton Central, the front five coaches running a fast service to Weymouth whilst the rear section performs a stopping service to Poole – 12/07/2023
The weekend of 14th to 16th July saw the Watercress Line / Mid-Hants Railway holding their diesel gala. Yoshi and I took the opportunity to visit on the Saturday. As usual, we purchased a gala day ticket and because of the wet weather forecast quite intended to use it! In the event, the rain held off for the most part, but I decided that it might make a pleasant change to enjoy some locomotive haulage along line and opted to ride in the London Underground 4TC unit which was visiting for the event. We were hauled by two visiting locomotives; Class 66 No. 66502 ‘Basford Hall Centenary 2001’ and Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’.
Home fleet Class 47 47579 “James Nightall GC” approaches Ropley – 15/07/2023Class 20 No.’s D8188 (20188) and D8059 (20059) arrive at Ropley with a train from Alresford – 15/07/2023The driver of “Teddy Bear” Class 14 No. 9551, visiting from the Severn Valley Railway courtesy of the SVR Class 14 Company Ltd, exchanges tokens at Ropley – 15/07/2023On static display on Ropley Shed; Class 08 No. 08032 – 15/07/2023Class 08 No. D3462 (08377) at Ropley shed awaiting a trip to Alresford – 15/07/2023 Class 11 No. D12082 was running driver experience opportunities up and down the yard at Ropley – 15/07/2023Class 08 No. 08288 ‘Phoenix’ on shed having worked a train up from Alresford – 15/07/2023Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ appeared courtesy of the 71A Locomotive Group and is, of course, usually found at the Swanage Railway. She is seen here at Ropley – 15/07/2023Another view of Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ this time taken from the footbridge at Ropley – 15/07/2023For many the star attraction, Class 66 No. 66502 ‘Basford Hall Centenary 2001’, courtesy of Freightliner on the approach to Ropley – 15/07/2023Freightliner Class 66 No. 66502 ‘Basford Hall Centenary 2001’ awaits the road at Ropley hauling the London Underground 4TC set No. 428 – 15/07/2023Freightliner Class 66 No. 66502 ‘Basford Hall Centenary 2001’ and the London Underground 4TC set No. 428 at Alresford – 15/07/2023Nameplate of Freightliner Class 66 No. 66502 ‘Basford Hall Centenary 2001’ – 15/07/2023Yoshi takes a ride onboard London Underground 4TC set No. 428 – 15/07/2023London Underground 4TC set No. 428 stands at Alton while No. 33012 runs around out of sho – 15/07/2023Having run round the 4TC coaching stock Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ awaits departure time from Alton – 15/07/2023Alton is also a mainline station and is shared with SWR. Class 450 No. 450005 is ready for departure with the 1A50 1515 service to London Waterloo – 15/07/2023While we were getting off the train at Ropley, Yoshi had to say hello to train guard gone freight train driver, author, illustrator, columnist, fundraiser and lover of all dogs; Bessie Matthews. Bessie has written and illustrated railway safety book “Arlo’s Adventures There and Back” which follows Arlo the badger as he makes his first ever solo trip on the train to see his friends Duskie and Moss, who live a couple of stops away. The reader helps the trio stay safe by turning to the page they think is the best choice featuring real world scenarios such as level crossings and station platforms, as well including a child-friendly glossary of railway terms – 15/07/2023Resident Class 50 No. 50027 ‘Lion’ on static display at Ropley shed – 15/07/2023Always love seeing dog related railway images, and this is one of our faves. Seen at Ropley – 15/07/2023Yoshi didn’t look too pleased when I tried to recreate a railway poster in 2021. Maybe I’ll have another go when I have time on my hands!
Our snapshot video of the Mid-Hants Diesel Gala 2023
Before and after our visit to the Watercress Line, we popped into Eastleigh. In the morning I was looking to get a photograph of Direct Rail Services Class 68 No. 68034 which although had visited Dorset on a Winfrith run in recent months had in the meantime been named ‘Railriders 2000’ at Crewe Heritage Centre on 10th June 2023. The name had been previously carried by Class 66 No. 66303 having received the nameplates on 7thJuly 2021. However the Class 66 was moved to become part of the GBRf fleet in 2022 and the decision to transfer the name was taken.
Prior to seeing the DRS Class 68 move from Eastleigh to Crewe, we did our usual and parked up on Campbell Road for a view of the works. I was pleased to see Class 07 shunter No. 07007. This class of locomotive was originally built to replace USA steam tank engines at work on Southampton Docks back in the early 1960’s – 15/07/2023Eastleigh Works is currently the graveyard of Class 313 EMU’s which await their turn under the cutter’s torch – 15/07/2023More Class 313’s in store at Eastleigh – 15/07/2023While we were walking around Campbell Road to get a view of Eastleigh Works, we heard Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ fire up. She is seen here on the left of the image adjacent to still stored SWR Class 701 units – 15/07/2023The law of the jungle; the elderly Brush Type 4 has not eaten for days and is slowly stalking its prey, a much younger Stadler Rail cat as she manoeuvres out into the open.. DRS Class 68 No. 68034 ‘Rail Riders 2020’ hauls two PFA wagons as 6Z32 0845 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) while GBRf Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ is running light engine working OF47 0900 Eastleigh Trsmd to Leicester L.I. P. – 15/07/2023Nameplate detail of Class 68 No. 68034 ‘Rail Riders 2020’ – 15/07/2023A busy scene at Eastleigh as DRS Class 68 No. 68034 ‘Rail Riders 2020’ passes through working 6Z32 0845 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 15/07/2023
Following the Class 68 departing Eastleigh Arlington, GBRf Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ was booked to run to Leicester light engine.
GBRf Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ running light engine on the approach to Eastleigh railway station working as OF47 0900 Eastleigh Trsmd to Leicester L.I. P. – 15/07/2023
We also ticked another locomotive off the wanted list in the shape of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ which we saw pass through Eastleigh in the morning whilst waiting for the Class 68 move. The Class 66 carries the distinctive outline of a chinook helicopter on its bodyside and with the aid of a step ladder was able to get mobile phone images through the ever rampant buddlea as the locomotive was stabled on Eastleigh East Yard in the afternoon.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ stabled on Eastleigh East Yard – 15/07/2023Bodyside detail of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ stabled on Eastleigh East Yard – 15/07/2023Nameplate of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ stabled on Eastleigh East Yard – 15/07/2023GBRf Class 66 locomotives no.’s 66301 and 66717 ‘Good Old Boy’ parked up at Eastleigh East Yard – 15/07/2023
A short video from Eastleigh – 15/07/2023
Much excitement on Tuesday evening as the first of South Western Railway’s Class 458/4 electric-multiple units was scheduled to arrive at Bournemouth depot. An attempt to run the train the previous week had been cancelled so when the associated workings to Widnes Transport Tech to retrieve the unit went ahead it was a sure sign that we would see it in Dorset.
The 30 original 4-car Class 458 EMU’s were built by Alstom at Eastwood Heath, Birmingham between 1998 and 2002 for South West Trains (SWT) and are part of the Coradia Juniper type of trains. Between 2013 and 2016, the class was merged with the mechanically similar Class 460 units and extensively rebuilt to form a fleet of 36 5-car units which were designated as Class 458/5’s. The trains were operated by South Western Railway (SWR) following SWT’s loss of the South Western franchise.
In March 2021 SWR announced it would be refurbishing 28 Class 458 units, the work being carried out by Alstom at Widnes in Cheshire at a cost of £25 million. Work will involve returning each unit to its original 4-car formation by removing the Class 460 vehicles, restoring the original maximum speed of 100 mph, and reconfiguration of the passenger saloons. These “new” units will be reclassified and renumbered as Class 458/4’s. They will be leased from rolling stock company Porterbrook until at least 2027 and are to be based at Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot (T&RSMD). The first two units to be sent for refurbishment, No.’s 458507 and 458517, arrived at Widnes in August 2022. Now, finally, it is time for their return to SWR metals.
The real excitement was generated over the locomotives which had been allocated to dragging the first Class 458/4 to its new home; GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 69 No. 69008. Both unusual traction for Dorset. So it was no surprise to find Branksome railway station a very popular location for railway enthusiasts on Tuesday evening, all hopeful at getting a glimpse of the special working. The train was scheduled to arrive at Branksome for reversal into Bournemouth depot at around 1840. But it was soon clear that things were not going quite to plan when, looking at the live map on Open Time Trains (OTT), the train appeared stalled at Southampton Central. Many theories were passed around, but it would seem that there were concerns over the dampers or shock absorbers on the refurbished unit. And although not actually out of gauge west of Southampton, there was no paperwork to confirm this which resulted in the train being halted in platform 3 of Southampton Central. At first many commentators were of the opinion that the consist would be moved back to Eastleigh awaiting clearance for it to proceed to Bournemouth the following day. Being a pedant, I kept a close view on OTT and was rewarded by the notification of the train moving towards its intended destination. I was also thankful for the texts and messages from friends who were also observing what was happening. So after walking Yoshi, I returned to Branksome in time to see Class 56 No. 56081 rounding the curve into the station 264 minutes late. It was disappointing that I hadn’t seen the train in daylight as anticipated, but it was great to see anyway.
GBRf Class 56081 runs through Branksome hauling 5Q65 1435 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot – 18/07/2023GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 at the rear of 5Q65 1435 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot as the crew prepare to reverse into the depot – 18/07/2023
Obviously, by this time, the return working consisting of the locomotives and barrier coaches had missed the 2100 departure for Eastleigh, but I quite expected them to return that night, but I for one, wasn’t going to hang around to confirm this. On checking the Real Time Trains schedules the following morning I was quietly pleased to have been proven wrong as a path had been put in the system for a return working at 0900 taking the train to Eastleigh. So off I went to get those daylight shots I had missed the previous day.
Knowing I had to be back at home for 1000, I was getting a little perturbed when there was no sign of movement at the appointed hour or indeed for several minutes afterwards. Eventually the train headcode turned up on the OTT map, which is always a promising sign, followed by the sweet sound of the point motor shifting allowing trains access out of the depot onto the main line. I was very pleased, once again, to see No. 56081 approaching Branksome, this time giving a steam locomotive a run for its money with all the clag it was emitting. Clag can be defined as “dust, dried up oil and other associated bits of junk that have collected in the exhaust manifold being blowing out of the roof with a white to black colouration, in thick opaque clouds” and No. 56081 was certainly living up to that description! And that ticks another thing off my list – a Class 56 locomotive working on the mainline in Dorset.
A view I never though I’d see as Class 56 No. 56081 departs Bournemouth depot working 5M50 0900 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/07/2023Top and tailed by GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 69 No. 69008 5M50 0900 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Eastleigh East Yard eases towards the mainline – 19/07/2023GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 (converted from Class 56 No. 56038), the first of six members of the class to be fitted with Dellner couplers for use on multiple unit stock movements awaits departure from Branksome working 5M50 0900 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/07/2023 With No. 69008 leading, 5M50 0900 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Eastleigh East Yard powers away from Branksome with Class 56 No. 56081 at the rear with Mk1 barrier coaches No.’s ADB975974 ‘Paschar’, ADB975978 ‘Perpetel’, 6376 & 6377 – 19/07/2023
Video of unit stock movement and associated working to Bournemouth 18th & 19th July 2023
The arrival of Tuesday’s unit drag felt like it had taken as long as the time it is taking for the SWR Class 701’s to enter revenue earning service. It’s been a while since I ventured out to see one on a mileage accumulation run, but on July 13th I did just that and was lucky enough to see No. 701054 running through Poole with a brief stop to open and close its doors. Which was nice.
SWR Class 444 No. 444037 awaits departure time at Poole working 2W62 1400 service to London Waterloo as Class 701 No. 701054 passes with 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Staines Up Loop – 13/07/2023
The 701 mileage accumulation continues via Poole – 13/07/2023
For the record…
While I was in Birmingham on 12th July, Swanage based Class 33/0 No. 33012 ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ ran from her Isle of Purbeck home to Eastleigh to collect the LU 4TC set before an onward move to Alton in readiness for the Mid-Hants Diesel Gala. On the same day, via “the West”, Class 37 No.’s 37610 and 37612 ran to Weymouth with the New Measurement Train working as 1Z22 0757 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road.
Hamworthy Watch…
Work has been carried out at Ashmore crossing on the Hamworthy branch with the warning lights to the right of the above image being repaired after sustaining damage from a vehicle hit several weeks ago. Further vegetation clearance has also been observed along this section – 16/07/2023Roadworks have been scheduled to be in place overnight of 21st/22nd November 2023 at Lake Road Bridge on the Hamworthy branch. There has been concerns over the safety of the bridge structure at this point of the line and although there has been previous work to replace rotten timbers it looks as if more does need to be done before trains can pass over this section
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Virgin Trains Super Voyager Class 221 No. 221106 ‘Willem Barents’ celebrates the “The Prisoner” as it carries advertising for “Festival No.6” which is held at Portmeirion, North Wales, the filming location for 1960’s cult TV series. Seen at London Euston on 22/02/2016
Wednesday 14th December to Wednesday 21st December 2022
Seaton Tramway’s Polar Express – 15/12/2022
This week Yoshi’s mum and I took a trip on the Seaton Tramway’s Polar Express. We enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies and received the first gift of Christmas from the big man himself. Unfortunately, doggos were not allowed on the festive trams, but Yoshi had fun at his cousins’ for a few hours, as did we in the company of the conductor, chefs and elves on our journey to the North Pole.
In 2018 a new £3m station building was opened suitable for operation all-year round, and which acts as a venue for a range of tramway and community based events including The Polar Express – 15/12/2022
Established in 1970, the Seaton Tramway is a 2ft 9in narrow gauge electric tramway located in Devon and runs for approximately 3 miles along the Axe Estuary and the River Coly between Seaton on the coast and Colyton and operates over part of the trackbed of the former Seaton branch line railway which closed in March 1966. The tramway was established by Claude Lane, founder of Modern Electric Tramways Ltd, which had previously operated in Eastbourne between 1954 and 1969.
Fourteen trams, all based on classic British designs and varying in size from half-scale to two thirds-scale, run on the tramway, which sees over 100,000 visitors per year. Most of the trams were built from scratch by Claude Lane or his successor Allan Gardner, however three were rebuilt from full-size tramcars which originally ran in London, Bournemouth and Exeter.
TRAM 19 – 1906 – EX-EXETER TRAMWAY CAR Built in 1906. An Exeter Corporation Tramways 3ft 6in gauge open topper, 1906 – 1931. Rebuilt at Seaton, 1994-1998. The only Exeter tram in preservation. Enclosed tram for wet weather – 15/12/2022Tram 19 at Colyton – 15/12/2022TRAM 15 – 1988 Built in 1988 at Seaton. Previously Car 17 and based on the Manx Electric Railway “toast-rack” cars. Rebuilt at Seaton in 2016 and transformed into an all-weather, enclosed single-deck tramcar – 15/12/2022TRAM 14 – 1904 – EX-METROPOLITAN TRAMWAY CAR Built in 1904, the oldest tram in the fleet. A metropolitan Tramways “type A” originally numbered car 94 (Standard Gauge), rebuilt at Eastbourne and Seaton between 1962 and 1984. Enclosed tram for wet weather – 15/12/2022TRAM 16 –1921 – EX-BOURNEMOUTH TRAMWAY CAR Formerly Bournemouth car No. 106, built as a 3ft 6in gauge open-top double-decker in 1921 and withdrawn on the closure of the Bournemouth system in 1936. The body was subsequently discovered in use on a Dorset farm, acquired by the Bournemouth Transport Preservation Group and then donated to Seaton Tramway in 1974 where the body was narrowed, and then rebuilt in its current form. Launched in to service in 1992 – 15/12/2022
Video of the Seaton Tramway from 1996:
The recent cold spell saw the Snow & Ice Treatment Train make its second run this winter along the Bournemouth to Weymouth line with a daylight outing on 15th December.
GBRf Class 66 no.’s 66753 ‘EMD Roberts Road’ and 66745 top and tailing 3Y88 0908 Totton Yard to Totton Yard via Weymouth though Hamworthy – 15/12/2022
3Y88 0908 Totton Yard to Totton Yard via Weymouth – additional video by kind permission of @dabuckley967 – 15/12/2022
For The Record
The final two scheduled test trains of 2022 failed to materialise with Monday evenings 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard being cancelled at source due to ‘a problem with the train’ and Wednesday 21st December’s visit of the New Measurement Train operated by Colas Class 43 HST power car No.’s 43272 and 43257 via the West running as 1Q18 0754 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road was turned around at Yeovil Pen Mill because of late running.
That brings us to the end of another blog entry, and indeed, our final Railway Dog of 2022. All things being equal, we’ll be back in January 2023 – thank you for reading and all your comments, corrections and contributions over the last 12 months. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Yoshi in Loughborough with a Ladybird Book seat featuring images from the “How It Works….” series – 24/11/2022
We were lucky enough to enjoy a few days away last week, and as part of our travels, I was able to take in some railway locations. Before that however, Wednesday evening was one of those occasions when an unusual working along the Bournemouth to Weymouth line passed me by and it wasn’t until Thursday morning that I realised I’d missed out on seeing the Colas Ultrasonic Test Unit hauled by vintage Class 37 diesel electric locomotive No. 37421. I consoled myself with the knowledge it would have been raining as it passed through my local station on the outward run, and I was tucked up in bed by the time it returned. However, on our way to Derbyshire on Thursday morning, we popped into Eastleigh to find No. 37421 perfectly parked for a quick photo opportunity adjacent to Eastleigh railway station.
Colas Class 37 No. 37421 parked up having worked 3Q02 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth and Fratton at Eastleigh – 24/11/2022GBRf Class 66 No. 66797 with a Network Rail National Delivery Service (NDS) track machine at Eastleigh – 24/11/2022GBRf Class 73 Electro-Diesel No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ being readied to work 1Q52 1045 Eastleigh East Yard to Tonbridge West Yard at Eastleigh – 24/11/2022
After our Eastleigh pitstop, we drove on to Loughborough, where I was hopeful at seeing some stored Class 60 diesel locomotives at Brush Traction Works. The plant, known locally as the Falcon Works, was established in 1865 to build steam locomotives. American owned Wabtec took charge in 2011 and in April 2021 they announced reduced volumes had made the site “unsustainable” and proposed its closure which would see the end to over 150 years of locomotive building.
The last time I had attempted to see locomotives at Brush, Loughborough I recall traipsing across water meadows to get a close view through a fence of Channel Tunnel Class 92’s. This time, having studied Google Maps, I drove around the outskirts of the site along access roads which I wasn’t entirely sure were open to the public. I wasn’t stopped by security, even when they drove past me as I snapped away.
Class 92 No. 92006, Loughborough – 24/11/2022GBRf Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ at Loughborough. The Class 47 diesel-electric locomotive was one of Brush’s most successful with 512 examples having been built as part of the British Rail Modernisation Plan. This particular example was built at BR Crewe Works as part of Order Lot 400 and entered traffic as D1629 at Toton depot on the 17th October 1964 – 24/11/2022Class 60 No. 60013 at Brush Loughborough – 24/11/2022
Below are a series of images of nine stored Class 60 locomotives at Brush Works, Loughborough: the locos are No.’s 60057, 60008, 60061, 60070, 60038, 60009, 60090 and 60064. They are owned by Devon Cornwall Rail (DCR) and hopefully some will be returned to main line use.
And here is video of my previous visit in 1995, when Class 92’s, Class 20’s and a Class 47 were amongst the classes of locomotive present:
I very much look forward to learning what is going to happen to the Class 60 locomotives at Loughborough and hope that at least some of them will turn a wheel in revenue earning service in the near future.
From Loughborough, we drove onto Derby where we stopped for refreshment at The Alexandra Pub on Siddals Road. The pub is well known for it’s railway memorabilia and I enjoyed a Diet Coke and a packet of dried roasted peanuts while I took in the signs and locomotive nameplates which adorned the walls.
The Alexandra Hotel has a strong railway theme and Manager Ralf Edge has collected a range of memorabilia that decorates the walls – 24/11/2022Railway memorabilia at The Alexandra Hotel, Derby – 24/11/2022‘Derby Evening Telegraph’ name plate at The Alexandra Hotel, Derby – 24/11/2022The Alexandra Hotel, Derby has the cab of Class 37 No. 37411 in its garden – 24/11/2022
After a nights rest, we set off on Friday morning for a leisurely drive through the Peak District National Park taking in Peak Forest.
The former Peak Forest Railway Station – 25/11/2022
Peak Forest railway station was opened in 1867 by the Midland Railway on its extension of the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway from Rowsley, part of the main Midland Line from Manchester to London. It was also the northern junction for the line from Buxton. A section of the line is retained for freight trains. The station closed in 1967 and the platforms were demolished shortly afterwards, although a section has been reinstated for railway staff and the station buildings which can be seen from the road bridge passing over the tracks survive as offices for the nearby quarry terminal.
DB Class 66 No.’s 66085 and 66143 at Peak Forest – 25/11/2022I was very happy to see Class 20 No.’s 20007 and 20205 parked up at Peak Forest – 25/11/2022MPV No. DR98982 works 3S50 0554 Wigan Locomotive Inspection Point to Crewe at Peak Forest – 25/11/2022Freightliner Class 66 No. 66620 working 6D17 1148 Tunstead sidings to Radlett Redland Roadstone passes Peak Forest signal box – 25/11/2022Class 60 No. 60059 ‘Swindon Dalesman’ at Peak Forest – 25/11/2022
From Peak Forest, we headed into Buxton for lunch in “The Railway @. Buxton” a pub which got its name as it was popular with railway workers after they had finished their shifts. It stands in front of the impressive Buxton Viaduct which carries the freight line from Peak Forest. As we parked up, we saw Class 60 No. 60059 ‘Swindon Dalesman’ pass over working 6E18 1141 Peak Forest RMC Sidings to Attercliffe Sindings EWS
Class 60 No. 60059 ‘Swindon Dalesman’ working 6E18 1141 Peak Forest RMC Sidings to Attercliffe Sindings EWS at Buxton – 25/11/2022
There were once two railway stations in Buxton; the aforementioned Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway from Rowsley favoured by the Midland Railway (MR) and The Stockport, Disley and Whaley Bridge Railway supported by the London & North Western Railway (LNWR) extended its line to Buxton. The stations were built side by side and given identical frontages designed by Joseph Paxton (best known for designing Crystal Palace and for cultivating the Cavendish banana), and built by John Smith each being built from local stone and having a wrought iron glazed train shed, fronted with half-circle fan widows and the names of the operating companies carved into the supporting stonework. Joseph Paxton was a director of both companies and he attended grand lunches at the opening of both stations which occurred on the same day; 1st June 1863. Can’t say I blame him!
A view along the platform at Buxton showing the half circle fan window and Class 156 No. 156452 – 25/11/2022
Buxton’s Midland Station fell victim to the Beeching Axe and closed on 6th March 1967 and was demolished in November 1970. There have been numerous attempts since to relay the track as a heritage line, but these have met without success to date. The LNWR station survives and handles all of Buxton’s passenger traffic today. The glazed roof has been removed, but the fanlight window was restored in 2009 and is Grade II listed.
The LNWR station building at Buxton – 25/11/2022An O gauge model of the demolished Midland Station at Buxton constructed by Barry Bryant, Keith Holland and Charlie Schultz which took four years to build using photographs and scale drawings – 25/11/2022Buxton railway station with Northern Rail Class 156 No. 156452 and Class 150 No. 150121 – 25/11/2022Class 156 No. 156460 contemplates the view towards Manchester with signal box and surviving semaphore signalling – 25/11/2022Mural of Buxton at the railway station – 25/11/2022Joe the Guard statue at Buxton railway station. He was named after broadcaster and comedian Alexei Sayle in honour of his father, Joseph Henry Sayle, who was a lifelong guard. Joe was made from metal salvaged from Buxton Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD) before it was demolished in March 2016 – 25/11/2022
Saturday we had planned to head to Nottingham to meet friends. There was a strike by ASLEF union members which prevented any East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains running through the city. However, a quick look at the rail tour schedule revealed that The Railway Touring Company organised “York Yule-Tide Express” was scheduled to pass very close to Nottingham at around 1030 that morning. So feeling quite pleased that a mainline steam train would be in our sights, we headed off to Toton which is halfway between Derby and Nottingham. After taking some photographs from the A52 looking across to Toton depot, we drove a short distance to Sandiacre and the Iron Giant Walkway which crosses the five track railway line which I though would make a great location to see LMS Coronation Pacific No. 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ head to York.
Toton viewed from the A52 rail over bridge – 26/11/2022A collection of Class 60 and Class 66 locomotives at Toton. Spot the Class 67! – 26/11/2022A view across to Toton depot with Class 60 No. 60079 in the foreground – 26/11/2022Class 60 No. 60012 slowly rotting away at Toton – 26/11/2022Some of the stored DB Class 60 locomotives at Toton with No. 60048 closest to the camera – 26/11/2022Yoshi settles down on the Iron Giant Walkway at Sandiacre waiting for the Duchess – 26/11/2022Pigeon bothering LMS Coronation Pacific No. 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ working 1Z10 0635 Ealing Broadway to York “York Yule-Tide Express” passing Sandiacre – 26/11/2022West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37668 at the rear of 1Z10 0635 Ealing Broadway to York “York Yule-Tide Express” passes Sandiacre – 26/11/2022
Video of LMS Coronation Pacific No. 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ working 1Z10 0635 Ealing Broadway to York passes the Iron Giant Walkway at Sandiacre (additional video footage courtesy of Caroline Smith – 26/11/2022
While we were waiting for The Duchess we learned Nottingham Castle had fallen into liquidation and was closed to the public. We were not discouraged by this set back and headed off to the Park and Ride at Clifton South, Nottingham. It was only when we tried to buy tickets for the Nottingham Tram that we discovered that dogs were ‘not allowed’ onboard. The helpful Nottingham Express Transit (NET) representative at at Clifton South suggested asking tram drivers if they minded Yoshi being carried onboard and luckily none of the drivers of the trams we travelled on that day objected. Quite frankly, I was amazed that dogs were not allowed on the trams. A quick look at other tram networks in the UK revealed that NET are not alone in their no dog policy. Surely if local authorities want to get people out of their cars and onto public transport this absurd rule needs to be changed. I spoke to NET who told me dogs are not carried on the Nottingham trams for “health and safety reasons and for passenger and animal safety”. I was however informed that dogs would be allowed if they were carried in a suitable “pet carrier or bag.”
Nottingham Express Transit Tram No.233 at Clifton South Park and Ride – 26/11/2022NET Tram No. 202 awaits departure from Old Market Square bound for Phoenix Park – 26/11/2022Nottingham City Centre trams No. 234 and No. 219 ‘Alan Sillitoe’ – 26/11/2022
Once in Nottingham, Yoshi and I decided to explore. First stop was Nottingham railway station which is the only surviving city centre station which survives from the four that once served the population of the city of Nottingham. The station was first built by the Midland Railway (MR) in 1848 and later rebuilt in 1904 to design by company architect Charles Trubshaw with external detail by local architect Albert Lambert. It is now owned by Network Rail (NR) and managed by (EMR). The tram network runs above the station on the path of the former Great Central Railway (GCR) viaduct and includes an interchange tram stop. The station was renovated in 2017 but a fire started by a 33 year old female drug addict in January 2018 badly damaged the building.
Nottingham Railway Station exterior – 26/11/2022
The station entrance is itself on a road bridge above the platform level and is of heavy railway baroque style with the frontage consisting of a grand passageway, where road traffic once had access, flanked by a giant arch at each end and five arches along the front. A large domed clock tower dominates the building while the interior ticket hall displays a Renaissance quality
The ticket hall, Nottingham Railway Station – 26/11/2022Yoshi meets East Midland Railway mascot “Miles” at Nottingham Railway Station – 26/11/2022Stationary trains including Class 158 diesel multiple units No.’s 158858 and 158777 in evidence at Nottingham Railway Station during a one day strike by ASLEF members – 26/11/2022Yoshi waits at Nottingham Station Tram Stop while NEC tram No. 213 awaits to depart on a service to Hucknall – 26/11/2022
The other city centre railway stations were the GCR’s Nottingham Victoria, which was raised to the ground and replaced by a shopping centre with only the clock tower surviving, and two on London Road opened by the Great Northern Railway (GNR). Of the Nottingham London Road station’s; the High Level station was demolished in 2006 and although severely damaged by fire in 1996, the Low Level station building has been restored and converted to a health and fitness club.
The clock tower survived the demolition of Nottingham Victoria railway station – 26/11/2022Plaque commemorating Nottingham Victoria with the Victoria Shopping Centre, Nottingham – 26/11/2022
That’s it for another week – thank you for joining us. We’ll leave you with the following thought; “In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag” – W.H. Auden
Felucca’s, a traditional Egyptian wooden sailing boat, at sunset on the River Nile at Aswan, Egypt – 16/09/2022
Dorset
After last weeks ‘filler’ blog entry on the XP64 livery, we’re back! I’ve been on my hols, as has Yoshi who has been staying with his cousins. I’m sure it was a very happy doggo madhouse for a couple of weeks! Have to admit I missed our boy and it was so very good to see his excited face again when we were all reunited together ready to catch up on Yoshi’s favourite TV programme; “Married At First Sight UK”.
Yoshi takes a break during his walkies
Before we went off on my travels, I was up early on Wednesday September 7th 2022 in order to see the departure of the “Welsh Marshes Express” rail tour from Poole on its way to Shrewsbury. The Dorset part of the tour saw top and tailed Locomotive Services Limited Class 47’s in charge, the working being taken over by steam in the form of BR Standard Class 7 No. 70000 ‘Britannia’ at Bristol where the train was taken forward to Shrewsbury and its return back to Temple Meads before the Class 47’s returned the train back to Poole.
LSL Class 47 No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ having arrived at Poole with the empty coaching stock movement (5z64 0400 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole) for Saphos Trains “Welsh Marches Express” – 07/09/2022Class 47 No/ 47614 awaits the green with 1Z65 0508 Poole to Shrewsbury “Welsh Marshes Express” excursion at Poole – 07/09/2022
Early morning video of Class 47 No.’s 47593 and 47614 at Poole. I may have messed up the departure shot! – 07/09/2022
Also the same day was an additional Winfrith working; 6Z62 0103 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings with Class 68’s once again taking a train of empty PFA wagons to collect low level nuclear waste from the Magnox site.
DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ with sister locomotive 68016 at the rear powers through Holton Heath with a train consisting of ten empty PFA wagons bound for Magnox Winfrith – 07/09/202268016 ‘Fearless’ at the tail end of 6Z62 0103 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings having passed through Holton Heath – 07/09/2022
DRS Class 68 No.’s 68002 ‘Intrepid’ and 68016 ‘Fearless’ pass through Holton Heath – 07/09/2022
I was enjoying the hospitality of Heathrow T5 when 2 x Colas Class 37’s were in Weymouth working the New Measurement Train which is normally in the control of former HST power cars, but by kind permission, we can share the video below of the train reversing at Weymouth:
Class 37 No.’s 37219 and 37421 work 1Z22 0729 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to @da_buckley967
The return working of the Winfrith low level nuclear waste train was occupying Dorchester South at around the same time the Class 37’s were passing through Dorchester West with the return NMT working. I at least didn’t have to make a choice as to which train I would have photographed as at that moment I was boarding my BA flight to Egypt. However, with kind permission, we can share the following images of the loaded DRS train at Dorchester South:
DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ with the return working of the loaded low level nuclear waste train working as 6Z95 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe at Dorchester South where the train reversed – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to Scott LewisDRS Class 68 No. 68016 ‘Fearless’ prepares to depart Dorchester South with the return Winfrith – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to Scott Lewis
Thursday 8th September and Thursday 15th September were scheduled dates for steam hauled excursions into Dorset run by The Railway Touring Company. Unfortunately a passenger falling ill and then sadly passing away at London Victoria on “The Swanage Belle” on the 8th meant the train was cancelled prior to departure. Our condolences to family and friends concerned. “The Dorset Coast Express” due to run on the 15th fell foul of the scheduled rail strike which in the event was itself cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Both trains were to have been worked on the outward leg by LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’. “The Swanage Belle” was rescheduled for 22nd September 2022.
Egypt
In 1851 Abbas I, Khedive of Egypt, began negotiations with British engineer Robert Stephenson for the construction of a railway from Alexandria to Cairo. This was only the second railway built in the world and the first on the African continent. The 120 mile line to Cairo was completed by 1856 and work began on a southern extension with a 230 mile section to Assiut finished in 1874.
in September 2022, the majority of Egyptian National Railway services we saw during our stay were hauled by the impressive ES30ACi Light Evolution diesel locomotives built by the American GE Transportation Systems (now owned by Wabtec) and are are equipped with a 12-cylinder, 3200 HP GE Evolution Series engine. The locomotives are capable of passenger and freight train duties and 110 were ordered in 2017, the final units being delivered in March 2021.
I was a little concerned about railway photography in Egypt as UK Foreign Office advice noted that British nationals have been arrested for photographing amongst other things, train stations and bridges. So, during my stay I ensured that permission was asked and if possible I was with my guide or a local travel company agent. I’m pleased to report I wasn’t arrested, and was in all instances greeted by friendly waves, enthusiasm and chat.
We spent a few days in Cairo before flying to Luxor to board the M/S Royal Esadora which would take us along the River Nile to Aswan and back.
M/S Royal Esadora at Edfu – 14/09/2022
The Alexandria Tramway Network – Alexandria is located on the Nile delta in the north of Egypt. We travelled by car from Cairo for the day and as we drove around, our guide enthused over the wooden trams which still survive. The license to build a tramway system in Alexandria was issued on 16 August 1860, and the first line of the network began operating in on 8 January 1863. The system was electrified in 1902. There is an extensive network of 20 tram lines operating on 32 kilometers of track, serving 140 stops, running in the streets of central and western Alexandria as well as the coastal Al Raml line.
Former Copenhagen DUEWAG GT6 – the vehicles are almost 60 years old – Alexandria 11/09/2022Former Copenhagen DUEWAG GT6 unit which were introduced to Egypt between 1969 and 1972 – Alexandria 11/09/2022Tatra-Yug K-1E6 in service on lines 5/6 on the Ramleh tram – the vehicles are fitted with both standard pantographs and trolley poles in order to be operated on both networks – Alexandria 11/09/2022The Japanese Kinki Sharyo units were built between 1975 to 1995. One of the six double-deck iterations on the Ramleh tram – Alexandria 11/09/2022 A restored single Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon car dating from 1925 – Alexandria 11/09/2022A glimpse of Alexandria Railway Station – 11/09/2022
Cairo – Ramsis Railway Station is the main railway station in Cairo and our first glimpse of the lengthy imposing structure was out of the windows of the transfer car taking us from the airport to our hotel on our first night in Egypt. The station is named after Pharaoh Ramses II. We saw a lot about him during our stay in the country!
An older railway station was opened at the site in 1854. Later in 1890 the Egyptian government, driven by a desire to give Cairo a grand entrance way began work on the current, much larger railway station. For most visitors before the advent of air travel, Ramsis station was the entry point into Cairo after arriving in Alexandria by ship. The station is part terminus with some through platforms.
An upgrade to the structure was carried out in 1955 and from January 2001 to early 2011 the station underwent major modernisation being fully upgraded and air conditioned with new marble flooring and the addition of escalators. The railway station has also a connection to the Cairo Metro (which I was unable to photograph), buses, and taxis (although no idea where these were!)
Ramsis railway station exterior, Cairo – 20/09/2022An Egyptian National Railway ES30ACi Light Evolution diesel locomotive having backed onto a rake of coaches at Cairo railway station – 20/09/2022An EMD G16 built by General Motors at Cairo railway station having brought in empty coaching stock. Egyptian National Railway received a total of 111 G16’s in 1960–61 (ER numbers 3301–61) and seventeen G16Ws in 1964–65 (ER numbers 3362–411) – 20/09/2022Cairo Railway Station train shed – 20/09/2022A view from the twenty fifth floor of Fairmont Nile City of an Egyptian National Railways service about to cross the River Nile via the Imbaba Bridge. Just don’t ask what the bar bill was! – 09/09/2022
Luxor – Luxor is a modern city in Upper Egypt which includes the site of the Ancient City of Thebes. The temples of Karnak and Luxor are situated within the city with the Valley of the Kings (which includes the Tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter almost 100 years ago) and Valley of the Queens located on the opposite west bank of the Nile.
Luxor railway station is located near the centre of the city, the original station having opened in 1898 to accommodate standard gauge trains. The railway between Luxor and Aswan was built to a 3 ft 6 in gauge eventually being converted to standard gauge in 1926. The exterior of the current station is built to reflect the local temples.
Luxor Railway Station exterior – 18/09/2022Luxor Railway Station booking hall – 18/09/2022Luxor Railway Station booking hall – 18/09/2022A Cairo bound train arrives at Luxor – 18/09/2022An EMD G16 in the yard at Luxor – 18/09/2022
Aswan – Aswan is a busy market and tourist centre located just north of the Aswan Dam on the east bank of the River Nile at the first cataract (shallow lengths of the Nile where the surface of the water is broken by small rocks and boulders jutting out of the river bed). I was taunted by the sound of passing trains out of my view as I spent time in my cabin or on the sun deck whilst catching up on my reading time.
Aswan Railway Station exterior – 15/09/2022Aswan Railway Station booking hall – 15/09/2022Aswan Railway Station booking hall – 15/09/2022ES30ACi Light Evolution No. 2564 in the bay platform at Aswan – 15/09/2022A line up of ES30ACi Light Evolution locomotives at Aswan – 15/09/2022
Video of our railway sightings while in Egypt, September 2022
Egyptian Railway Museum, Cairo – On our last morning in Cairo, Caroline very thoughtfully surprised me by hiring an Uber which took us into the centre of Cairo and the Egyptian Railway Museum which is located in the eastern wing of Ramsis railway station. I’d been whinging on about trying to fit in a visit throughout our stay. Trying to find a taxi to take us back to our hotel in time for our flight home was a bit of an adventure in itself, but Caroline relished the challenge!
The museum first opened in January 1933 and contains over 300 models and exhibits, a collection of documents, maps and statistical data.
No. 986, fabricated by Robert Stephenson in 1865, on display outside Ramsis Railway Station Cairo – 20/09/2022Saied Pasha locomotive – 1862Saied Pasha locomotive works plate – 1862Sectioned 4-4-2 No. 194 manufactured in 1906 by The North British Locomotive Co. Ltd.Model of the first steam locomotive imported into Egypt – one of six built by Stephenson & Co.Model of a 1957 1700 HP Hanshel diesel electric locomotiveModel of a 1948 1600 HP English Electric Co. diesel electric locomotiveModel of German Hanshel diesel electric locomotive from 1983
Earlier in the week, we enjoyed another mode of transport in the form of a hot air balloon which gave us an exceptional view of the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahri near Luxor:
Hot air balloons over the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahri near Luxor – 13/09/2022SS Sudan, built for the Egyptian Royal Family in 1885 was converted into a cruise liner in 1921 and took Agatha Christie and her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan, on a trip along the Nile in 1933 and is believed to be the inspiration for her most famous work “Death On The Nile” published in 1937. SS Sudan fell into a state of disrepair following World War II but was restored in 1991 and again in 2000I couldn’t resist reading Christie’s novel onboard our ship on the Nile! While in Aswan, we visited “The Old Cataract Hotel” where Agatha Christie stayed and part of her novel “Death On The Nile” is set
We had a wonderful time visiting ancient Egyptian archaeological sites as well as modern railway stations! Huge thanks to our guides while we were in Egypt; Reda and Ahmed who shared their knowledge and facilitated some of the railway station visits.
This weeks blog was created while listening to Alphaville with Deutsches Filmerchester Babelsberg, Alison Moyet, and Handel’s Passacaglia, Suite no. 7 in G Minor, HWV 432/6 ( Modern Piano Solo Version performed by Johan Halvorsen on repeat). All being well, we’ll be back next week!
Old meets new at North Pier, Blackpool – 13/07/2022
Blackpool
As we mentioned in our last blog entry, Yoshi and I spent a few days in the North West a couple of weeks ago when we took the opportunity to take a trip on a heritage Blackpool Tram. The Blackpool Tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood, originally opening in 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is operated by Blackpool Transport (BT) and runs for approximately 11 miles. The last time I visited Blackpool was probably in 2007 when David Tennant, who was at the time playing the Tenth Doctor in BBC TV’s “Doctor Who”, switched on the illuminations. This was just prior to the announcement that the UK Government had agreed to the joint BT and Blackpool Council bid for funding towards the upgrade of the tram track network, with £60.3m coming from Government coffers. The remainder of the £85.3m cost came from Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council which contributed @ £12.5m each. The Government’s funding allowed the entire tramway to be upgraded with 16 modern and accessible Bombardier Flexity 2 trams being introduced in 2012 replacing the traditional fleet of ageing cars.
A number of the old trams which I was familiar with on my previous visits have been retained with some having been lovingly restored to form a Heritage Fleet and modified, widened Balloon trams as part of the main fleet. The depot at Starr Gate houses the Flexity 2 trams with Rigby Road Depot, near Manchester Square, housing the traditional trams. A great deal of effort has been made to ensure that the traditional trams have a future in Blackpool and I was pleased to see one on a run out as we arrived in Fleetwood for our stay at the North Euston Hotel. Thinking perhaps these only ran at weekends, I asked a driver of one of the modern trams about the heritage fleet and was directed to a website dedicated to Blackpool Heritage Trams. From here, Yoshi and I booked a one hour promenade tour which picked up from North Pier on its way to Bispham before heading back all the way to the Pleasure Beach in the south of Blackpool before turning once more and returning via the Golden Mile, dropping us off where we started. I was delighted to see that the tram car operating our trip was one of the recognisable and iconic Balloon cars, so named because of their rounded streamlined appearance, in traditional Blackpool 1940s “Wartime” green and cream livery.
Yoshi waits to board the tram for his Blackpool promenade tour – 13/07/2022
The Balloon trams were originally called “Luxury Dreadnought” cars and had been commissioned in 1933 by Walter Luff, the controller of the Blackpool network, in a bid to modernise the tramway’s fleet which had been working the tracks since the early years. 27 trams were constructed by English Electric between 1934 and 1935, the first being delivered on 10th December 1934. They were built with central doors and stairs, with a maximum capacity of 94 passengers. Half-drop windows provided ventilation with Art Deco curved glass electric lighting providing illumination. The initial thirteen were open-topped and the remaining fourteen were enclosed, these having sliding roof windows and thermostatically-controlled radiators.
Yoshi after enjoying a snooze on Balloon tram No. 700 – 13/07/2022
Between 2009 and 2012, Balloon car No. 700, which was to provide transportation for our journey, along with sisters 711, 713, 719 and 720 were modernised so that they could continue to operate in service following the refurbishment of the whole tramway to light rail standards. New widened doorways were fitted to allow more accessibility, with driver operated doors which fit to the new platforms built at tram stops for the modern Bombardier trams. Fixed seats and new passenger information displays were also fitted to match the new trams. Speedometers were also retrofitted to the driving consoles, which seems like a very good idea to me!
Yoshi considers driving off in Car No. 700 – 13/07/2022
We really enjoyed our trip on the heritage tram, and thoroughly recommend the experience should you find yourself in Blackpool. You can join us on our tour of Blackpool promenade as well as view some of the Flexity 2 trams in our video below:
Yoshi takes time to check out Flexity 2 tram No. 010 at Fleetwood Ferry – 11/07/2022
For a reminder of what it used to be like, here’s a video of Blackpool Trams from October 1999, featuring a brief glimpse of some of the famous illuminated trams:
Dorset Coast Express
Thursday 21st July saw another steam excursion to Weymouth subjected to alterations, this time because of the dry weather and subsequent risk of line side fires, the planned steam motive power was replaced by two Class 47 diesel locomotives. Fingers crossed all goes to plan for the next scheduled The Railway Touring Company Dorset Coast Express in August!
Class 47 No. 47772 ‘Carnforth TMD’ leads 1Z82 0845 London Victoria to Weymouth past Poole carriage sidings – 21/07/2022Class 47 No. 47813 with the return working of the Dorset Coast Express racing through Hamworthy – 21/07/2022
Around Taunton
Video screen grab of Class 47 No.’s D1935 / 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and D1944 / 47501 ‘Craftsman’ power the “Cornish Riviera Statesman” rail tour up Whiteball bank – 23/07/2022
Saturday saw Yoshi and I in the Taunton area as we went to see a couple of rail tours and hoped to catch celebrity High Speed Train power car No. 43384 which has been outshopped in a retro livery by CrossCountry Trains. First on our radar was Statesman Rail’s “Cornish Riviera Statesman” working Derby to Penzance and double headed by Brush Type 4 Class 47 No.’s D1935 / 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and D1944 / 47501 ‘Craftsman’, both resplendent in British Rail two-tone green livery. I just had time to set up for a video capture when the train passed by several minutes ahead of schedule, meaning my camera was still asleep in its bag. Also running ahead of schedule was The Railway Touring Company operated “The West Somerset Express”, which like their tour to Weymouth a couple of days previously had been advertised as being steam hauled, but were deputised with West Coat Railways Class 47 No.’s 47813 and 47772 ‘Carnforth TMD’ again in top and tail formation. This tour originated from London Paddington and was destined for Minehead on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) – the longest heritage railway in the UK. On arrival at Bishops Lydeard, the first WSR station after leaving the main line, the Class 47’s were replaced with a pair of steam locomotives to take the train forward. We saw Great Western Railway (GWR) Inspired 2-6-0 9351 Class WSR Mogul No. 9351 and GWR 7800 Class Manor No. 7822 ‘Foxcote Manor’ hauling the train nearing Crowcombe Heathfield producing some fine acoustics. You can follow our day in the video below, which also includes some CrossCountry Trains and GWR Castle Class HST’s:
CrossCountry Trains (XC) recently outshopped Class 43/3 No. 43384 from Plymouth Laira Depot in a revised High Speed Train livery, known as Intercity Executive, first carried back in the 1980’s. At the time the Intercity yellow and grey livery replaced the original blue and yellow colour scheme that had been used since the introduction of the fleet. CrossCountry has confirmed that the repaint comes as part of marking the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the InterCity 125 by British Rail on to the North East to South West route. Other celebrations include a special Railway Benefit Fund charitable XC HST rail tour on the 27th September 2022 travelling from Leeds to the Severn Valley Railway including a run along the heritage railway itself. An HST power car will be named at Kidderminster to mark the anniversary.
Class 43/3 No. 43384 is seen leading on 1V52 0658 Edinburgh Waverley to Plymouth as it nears Creech St. Michael – 23/07/2022
Eastleigh Grid
Class 56 No. 56081 approaches Shawford working 5O07 1049 Leicester L.I.P. to Eastleigh East Yard hauling Arlington Fleet barrier vehicle’s No. 64664 ‘Liwet’ (Ex Class 508 DMSO from unit 508207) and 64707 ‘Labezerin’ (Ex Class 508 DMSO from unit 508116) ex EMU Barrier coach set T7 – 24/07/2022
Yoshi and I were busy with our chores on Sunday morning when we discovered GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 was on its way from Leicester to Eastleigh with barrier vehicles in order to collect Network Rail’s European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) lab train No. 313121 – this was too good an opportunity to miss and we put down the duster and polish and jumped in the car and set off for Shawford. This is more than likely our final opportunity to see this particular Class 56 in its current form as it has been earmarked for conversion as part of the Class 69 programme.
On our way back home, we had a quick look in at Eastleigh Works and saw the remaining four cars of Wessex Electric Class 442 EMU No. 442412 had been shunted around and were now visible adjacent to the road. Based on the British Rail Mark 3 carriage as used in HST sets, the 442’s were introduced as part of the Bournemouth to Weymouth electrification programme in the late 1980’s and, in my view at least, were the best EMU to have run in the UK.
GBRf Class 73 No. 73141 ‘Charlotte’ at Eastleigh Works – 24/07/2022The remaining four coaches of Class 442 No. 442412 in faded “Express” livery at Eastleigh Works – 24/07/2022
701 On Test
Class 701 No. 701017 passes the site of the former Boscombe railway station working 5Q52 1724 Staines Up Loop to Eastleigh TRSMD via Bournemouth – 25/07/2022
Another week passes by and Class 701’s are still running test trains to Bournemouth and Poole prior to their introduction into revenue earning service. This week we went to take a look at the site of the former railway station at Boscombe which was located between Bournemouth Central and Pokesdown. The station opened in 1897 and served The Royal Victoria Hospital and the shopping area around the Royal Arcade. Boscombe had a goods yard which received traffic for despatch from a large area of Bournemouth along with a coal depot and sidings. The substantial brick built buildings were demolished a few years after closure in 1965. The site now houses business units and threatening signs about unofficial parking. The road bridge which goes over the railway at this point has had footbridges added to each side and these have very high fencing installed for safety reasons.
Access Point Information, Station Approach, Boscombe – July 2022Station Approach, Boscombe – July 2022Station Approach, Boscombe – July 2022
Class 701 No. 701017 was this weeks unit on test as seen in this video – 25/07/2022
Hamworthy Branch
More activity on the mothballed Hamworthy Branch this week as temporary traffic lights were put in place at the crossing on Ashmore Avenue on Tuesday 26th July. Road / rail vehicles were also in evidence along the branch moving ballast. Sleepers and sections of track have also been marked up, possibly for replacement. Network Rail have successfully applied for a road closure permit on Lake Road, presumably to enable work to be carried out on the railway bridge which is located there.
Pressure washing Ashmore Avenue crossing on the Hamworthy Branch – 26/07/2022
We arrived just too late for a decent shot of a road / rail vehicle working on the Hamworthy Branch at Hamworthy station, but we thought we’d share this anyway! 26/07/2022
Weymouth Railway Heritage Trail
In the past week or so, new signage has popped up around Weymouth on the route of the former Weymouth Harbour Tramway which last saw use in 1999 and was dug up by the local council in an act of vandalism in 2020/21 with most of the track being removed at this time. With no sense of irony Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Council and South Western Railway have installed information boards celebrating Weymouth’s unique railway history.
The remodelled station forecourt at Weymouth – July 2022Weymouth Railway Heritage Trail information board ‘The Station’ – July 2022Weymouth Railway Heritage Trail information board ‘The Track’ – July 2022Weymouth Railway Heritage Trail information board ‘The Loop’ – July 2022Weymouth Railway Heritage Trail information board ‘The Quay’ – July 2022
This weeks “The Railway Dog” was mostly written to the sounds of Faeland, Hollow Coves, The Teardrop Explodes and Sibelius Symphony No. 5. Thanks for visiting. Comments and corrections are, as ever, always welcome and we really appreciate it when you point out typos or grammatical errors. We’ll be back next week, we hope you’ll join us.
