The Railway Dog

Category: North Dorset Railway

  • More August Shenanigans

    I rather like this video screenshot of LSL Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ as she opened up while passing through Branksome during a heavy rain storm heading “The Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024

    North Dorset Railway

    Class 62 No. 30076 and the Shillingstone signal box – 26/08/2024

    On Bank Holiday Monday, the North Dorset Railway operated behind the scenes guided tours at Shillingstone allowing visitors to get a close up view of the projects currently being worked on by railway volunteers. This included the signal box and Project 62 which is working towards the restoration of Yugoslavian built Class 62 USA type 0-6-0 tank steam locomotives No.’s 30075 and 30076.

    Yoshi enjoyed his tour of the replica signal box at Shillingstone – 26/08/2024
    Yoshi on the steps to the signal cabin – 26/08/2024
    Project 62 represents the owners of Yugoslavian built Class 62 USA type 0-6-0 tank steam locomotive No. 30075 (formerly JZ 62-669 acquired from Store Steel in Slovenia in 1990) which, having been most recently operational since June 2004, was out of service pending firebox repairs and full overhaul – 26/08/2024
    The group is also involved in the current project to construct No. 30076 from 62-521, which was acquired from ArcelorMittal Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina in December 2006 – 26/08/2024

    Class 62 “Yankee Tank” steam locomotives are a pattern build of the World War II USATC S100 Class 0-6-0T Switcher/Shunters designed by Colonel Howard G Hill. Many of these locomotives saw service in the UK – including 14 on the Southern Railway plus a number in industrial service with Austin Motors/BMC at Longbridge, the NCB in the North East and on the Longmoor Military Railway. Four original US built and two Yugoslavian built locomotives are preserved in the UK.

    Some of the impressive retired wagons at the North Dorset Railway – 26/08/2024
    Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Diesel Loco ‘Ashdown’ was built by Hudswell Clarke, Leeds in 1959 for the Manchester Ship Canal Railway.  After working at several locations, it arrived at Shillingstone in Sept 2020 – 26/08/2024
    Shillingstone station running board – 26/08/2024
    It’s the small detail! – 26/08/2024
    Reconstruction of the embankment and trackbed at Shillingstone is going well by the looks of things and it is hoped they can soon commence tracklaying on the northern extension towards cattle creep over Haywards Lane bridge – 26/08/2024
    Haywards Lane bridge which one day soon may see trains running over it once again – 26/08/2024

    We had a lovely weekend at Shillingstone, everyone we spoke to was friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable and we look forward to more visits to see developments in the future.

    Shieldhall

    Yoshi takes a look at Steamship Shieldhall – 28/08/2024

    Yoshi took the opportunity to pop down to Poole Quay to see the Steamship Shieldhall, the largest working steamship in Britain, on her annual visit to the town.

    Thanks to Shieldhall, PHC and Caroline, I had a look around the impressive vessel, visiting the engine room with its original steam engines and the bridge, with its traditional instruments and gleaming brasswork. You can discover more about how you can see Sheildhall here.

    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024
    Onboard Steamship Shieldhall – 27/08/2024

    Dorset Movements of Note

    15/08/2024 – “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” and “The Dorset Coast Express”

    Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ at the stops in Weymouth having arrived with The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” 1Z82 0743 Birmingham International to Weymouth – 15/08/2024

    With two railtours scheduled to visit Weymouth on Thursday 15th August, it was set to be a busy afternoon in the Dorset seaside town. First up was The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” special which originated from Birmingham International and was top and tailed by two West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Class 57 locomotives. I intended to catch train to Weymouth to see the ensemble arrive, but problems with crossing gates in the Wool area resulted in my train being delayed and I arrived in Weymouth over 15 minutes late and behind the arrival of the “Northern Belle”.

    Class 57 No. 57315 prepares to depart Weymouth station and head to Jersey Sidings with the ECS of The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” 5Z82 1340 Weymouth to Weymouth Jersey Sidings – 15/08/2024

    Following the arrival and shifting into the sidings of the “Northern Belle”, around an hour later we saw the arrival of The Railway Touring Company’s “The Dorset Coast Express” hauled into Weymouth by another WCRC locomotive, this time Class 47 No. 47848. This excursion, however, enjoyed the sight and sound of a steam locomotive on the return working in the form of London Midland Scottish (LMS) Stanier Class 5 No. 44871. I stayed in Weymouth to watch the steam locomotive being serviced and the stock being shunted out to Jersey sidings to rest alongside that of the earlier arrival from Birmingham International.

    Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ rests in Jersey Sidings, Weymouth with the ECS for The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” while Class 47 No. 47848 passes leading The Railway Touring Company’s “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z91 0845 London Victoria to Weymouth – 15/08/2024
    LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 in Jubilee Sidings, Weymouth awaiting coaling and watering in preparation for hauling “The Dorset Coast Express” to London Waterloo – 15/08/2024
    Close up of the “Dorset Coast Express” headboard carried by LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 – 15/08/2024
    LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 in Jubilee Sidings – 15/08/2024
    Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ with Class 47 No. 47848 alongside in Jersey Sidings, Weymouth – 15/08/2024

    For the return steam hauled “Dorset Coast Express”, I opted for Parkstone bank. I was disappointed with my photographic efforts, but the sound of the LMS Black 5 climbing the bank made it worthwhile all the same.

    LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 makes the climb to the top of Parkstone Bank at the head of “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z96 1736 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 15/08/2024
    Video from Thursday 15th August Railtours to / from Weymouth – 15/08/2024

    17/08/2024 – “English Riviera Express”

    A couple of days after the Weymouth bound excursion trains, Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) Class 57 No. 57311 and Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ passed through Poole with the empty coaching stock for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” reporting as 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole. The top and tail formation ran to Poole Storage Sidings before returning to platform 1 in order to pick up passengers who were off to Devon. The train departed with the Class 47 leading working 1Z29 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). I declined popping out later in the day to see the return working, which was around an hour late back into Poole following a fatality further up the line.

    Screenshot of LSL Class 57 No. 57311 passing through Poole with 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole ECS 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole (via Poole Storage Sidings) for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” – 17/08/2024
    Screenshot of Class 47 No. No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ at the rear of the empty coaching stock for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” – 17/08/2024
    Having reversed at Poole Storage Sidings, Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ is now at the head of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z29 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth) – 17/08/2024
    Video of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” departing Poole – 17/08/2024

    19/08/2024 – Track Recording Unit (TRU) at Yeovil

    Monday 19th August and we had a little trip just over the border into Somerset so I could see the Network Rail Track Recording Unit No. 950001. I’ve not seen this purpose-built unit previously, so took the opportunity while it was passing reasonably close to us on its way to Devon and Cornwall.

    Owned and operated by Network Rail, the Track Recording Unit (TRU) was built by British Rail Engineering Limited’s Holgate Road carriage works in York during 1987 for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. It utilised the final class 150/1 from the original batch built at York. The TRU is formed of two driving motor vehicles, numbered 999600 and 999601 and is designed to monitor and record track geometry. On Monday August 19th 2024, No.950001 worked 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth. I had planned on seeing the TRU trundle through Yeovil Pen Mill, however because of road traffic delays and the train running 16 minutes early on departure from Castle Cary, I instead opted for Yeovil Junction. The unit was held in the station to allow a late running passenger service to make headway on the single line section west of Yeovil Junction. The driver took the opportunity to visit the buffet on platform 2, hence stopping the train short of the signal, catching me out! The unit is currently painted in a plain overall yellow livery with Network Rail branding. It mostly works on branch lines, where the track quality is not good enough for larger and heavier track assessment stock. It is able to operate over most railway lines around Great Britain. The unit is based at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby.

    Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth arrives at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024
    Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth awaits the “Off” at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024
    Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024
    Video of Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024

    20/08/2024 – Balfour Beatty Class 20’s to Eastleigh

    Much excitement was generated on the enthusiasts grapevine recently when it was discovered two Class 20 locomotives were being dispatched to Woking, following their use in Scotland, as cover for unavailable motive power for the “drain train”. The move which was carried out on the 12th/13th August was well covered and I considered making the journey up to Woking Yard the following Saturday in the hope of photographing the Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20’s No. 20901 & 20905 where they were being stabled since their arrival. I’m pleased I held off as the internet railgen was buzzing again when the pair were diagrammed to run from Woking to Eastleigh and back on Tuesday 20th August reporting as 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception. This was too much of a temptation for me, and I set off for Shawford to capture the outward and return runs. Despite a few spots of rain, the sun shone when the Class 20’s appeared on their outward run.

    Class 20 No. 20901 leads on 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception approaching Shawford on the outward leg to Eastleigh – 20/08/2024
    Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20 No.’s 20905 and 20901 at Shawford working 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception having reversed at Eastleigh – 20/08/2024
    Video of Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20 No.’s 20901 and 20905 passing Shawford operating 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception – 20/08/2024

    24/08/2024 – “Dorset Coast Statesman”

    Saturday 24th August 2024 saw Statesman Rail run a railtour from Nantwich to Weymouth initially top and tailed by two Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 diesel locomotives No.’s 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’. The train named the “Dorset Coast Statesman” experienced problems with 47593 leading on the outbound journey which forced a change of route in the Newport area so the train could turn and 47805 could lead. This configuration is how I saw the train passing through Branksome in the pouring rain.

    Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ rounds the curve leading into Branksome at the head of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024
    Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ passing Branksome in the rain hauling the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024
    LSL’s Class 47 No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ disappears through the road bridge situated at the country end of Branksome railway station at the rear of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth. This locomotive carries “The Statesman” headboard as before developing motive power issues she was leading on departure from Nantwich. The train was reversed in the Newport area to allow No. 47805 to lead – 24/08/2024

    For the return journey from Weymouth to Nantwich, the train was rearranged and both Class 47’s were marshalled to the front of the carriages and the train departed double-headed. I went to Holes Bay to see the “Statesman” pass over the causeway. As I was driving back towards Poole, I noticed the train was standing in the station, so pulled into the car park area behind the down platform and was able to get a bonus shot of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” pulling away. Hurrah!

    Class 47 No.’s 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ cross the Holes Bay causeway, Poole with the return “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z49 1537 Weymouth to Nantwich – 24/08/2024
    The train was held at Poole which enabled me to get another shot of the pair of Class 47’s with No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ leading No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ on 1Z49 1537 Weymouth to Nantwich – 24/08/2024
    Video of “The Dorset Coast Statesman” in Dorset – 24/08/2024

    26/08/2024 – Network Rail Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train

    The regular monthly Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) train ran on August Bank Holiday Monday, top and tailed by GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No. 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’. I saw the train reporting as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard passing through Poole on the outward leg to Weymouth in what was a busy ten minutes of activity with SWR Desiro EMU’s coming and going.

    Screenshot of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No. 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ working 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole passing South Western Railway Class 444 No. 444019 forming 5W80 2026 Weymouth to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 26/08/2024
    Screenshot of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotive No. 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ at the rear of 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 26/08/2024

    Plain Line Pattern Recognition uses a variety of tools to measure and detect defects and potential problems that might arise in track condition. PLPR uses equipment such as: 4 foot camera used to check the track condition, thermal imaging to check rail temperature, fasteners are checked with diagonal and top down cameras. The various cameras used store HD laser scanned images which show different angles and planes of the track and rails. PLPR was initially rolled out on the NMT measurement train, but has since been fitted to Network Rail’s coaches and can be seen across the UK rail network. PLPR trains often use class 1 headcode, 1Qxx. If you use Rail Record live train times, it will show you that it is a test train in the service description once activated. The train service code (TSC) for PLPR is usually 52495111 or 52495113.

    1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 26/08/2024

    28/08/2024 – Class 458 Unit Drags to and from Bournemouth T&RSMD

    While a CrossCountry Voyager and South Western Railway Desiro EMU’s come and go, refurbished SWR Class 458/4 arrives ‘down South’ after conversion work at Widnes Transport Tech as GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauls unit No. 458418 through Bournemouth station on its way to Bournemouth depot. Later on, the same locomotive makes a return trip setting off on the first leg with No. 458511 which will undergo refurbishment in Widnes. The train runs from Bournemouth Traincare depot to Poole Storage Sidings where the Class 69 runs around the train before propelling it back eastwards to Eastleigh.

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauls SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 through Bournemouth with 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD while CrossCountry Voyager No. 220001 awaits departure with the !M66 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly service – 28/08/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauling SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 passing Bournemouth with 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 28/08/2024
    Screenshot of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 powering through Bournemouth working 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 28/08/2024
    Screenshot of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/5 No. 458511 at Poole forming 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Eastleigh East Yard. The EMU is destined for refurbishment at Widnes Transport Tech – 28/08/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole – 28/08/2024
    Screenshot GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/5 No. 458511 passing back through Poole workiing 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Eastleigh East Yard – 28/08/2024
    GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ performing haulage duties with SWR Class 458 EMU’s – 28/08/2024

    31/08/2024 – 33111’s Last Running Day on the Swanage Railway

    Yoshi says a fond au revoir to Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 31/08/2024

    Announced as Swanage Railway resident BR&CW Class 33 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive No. 33111’s last scheduled running day on the Purbeck heritage line for the foreseeable future, Yoshi and I spent the afternoon of 31st August barking at our favourite Crompton. The loco is off to The Bluebell Railway in West Sussex at the beginning of September. This will be followed by much-needed bodywork repairs and a fresh coat of paint being carried out at Barrow Hill meaning she will be away from Swanage for several months.

    Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33111 on the approach to Norden having departed Corfe Castle on her last day of 2024 working trains at Swanage – 31/08/2024
    Class 33 No. 33111 on her way to Swanage at Castle View between Norden and Corfe Castle – 31/08/2024
    Video of Class 33 No. 33111 from her last 2024 running day at Swanage – 31/08/2024

    For The Record

    The New Measurement Train running as 1Q23 0552 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter passed through North Dorset on Thursday 22nd August 2024 top and tailed by Colas Class 43 former High Speed Train power cars No.’s 43272 and 43274 . We were not able to see this working, but good friend of the blog @smithy.377 caught the NMT configuration the following day passing through Highbridge working 1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol East Yard before it returned to Derby RTC.

    Screenshot of Class 43 No. 43272 leading on the NMT at Highbridge & Burnham – 23/08/2024 ( courtesy of @smithy.377 )
    1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol East Yard – 23/08/2024 ( courtesy of @smithy.377 )

    Colas Class 37 No. 37610 ran through North Dorset with test train 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. overnight on 29th/30th August 2024.

    The Heart of Wessex Line will be closing between Castle Cary and Weymouth on Monday 23rd September 2024 to Sunday 29th September 2024 as Network Rail replace less than a mile of over fifty year old track. Improvements will also be made to the junctions either side of Maiden Newton railway station. A rail replacement bus service will operate during the closure period.

    Engineering work is also scheduled to take place between Dorchester West and Weymouth on Sunday September 22nd.

    From the Archive

    Back in 1989, Hunslet-Barclay acquired six Class 20 locomotives from British Rail, re-engineered and re-numbered them for use as the motive power on a Nomix-Chipman weedkiller train. A subsequent loco was also purchased for spares. Hunslet-Barclay were the second company after Foster-Yeoman to operate privately owned locomotives on the BR Network. Although driven by a Hunslet-Barclay employee, they were always accompanied by a BR driver over routes being sprayed. The locomotives were sold to Direct Rail Services in November 1998.

    On 21st May 1996, Class 20 No.’s 20904 and 20901 visited Weymouth top and tailing a weedkiller train as this archive footage reveals.

    Great Western Approaches

    Great Western Railway (GWR) passengers across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset can now travel back in time as part of an archive film project by Windrose Rural Media Trust. It’s been inspired by an old film called “Great Western Approaches”, a renowned film made in 1936 and still available, which took viewers on a journey to the sun.

    Windrose has used footage from 1909 to the 1990’s to craft short films relevant to 24 stations across seven routes:

    • Westbury to Salisbury
    • Westbury to Weymouth
    • Westbury to Bath
    • Westbury to Swindon
    • Westbury to Bedwyn
    • Westbury to Taunton
    • Taunton to Bristol

    Each film explores local life as it used to be, allowing customers to travel into the past via a QR code link on posters displayed at stations, which can be scanned into phones while waiting for the train.

    Windrose Rural Media Trust is a Dorset-based charity which uses the media – television, radio and the internet – to portray the past of rural communities in the south west and to give them a voice in the present day.

    A still of Weymouth from the Great Western Approaches project

    That brings us up to date with Dorset railway events to the end of August 2024. Thanks for reading and your updates and corrections which are very much appreciated. Be seeing you!

  • Shillingstone

    Shillingstone Railway Station built in the Dorset Central Railway style of red brick with cream decorative brickwork around windows and doors and featuring a Welsh slate roof – 11/02/2023

    Wednesday February 8th to Tuesday February 14th 2023

    South Western Railway Class 444 Electric Multiple Unit No. 444023 departs Weymouth – 07/01/2021

    On Friday, it was announced that South Western Railway had received a two-year extension on its existing contract from the Department of Transport. Scottish parent company FirstGroup PLC said their national rail contract would now run until May 2025. With no sense of irony Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland said, “We welcome the contract extension for South Western Railway, which enables us to build on the achievements of the first two years of the contract and continue improving the customer offering.” FTSE 250-listed FirstGroup operates another three rail franchises in the UK: Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway (GWR), and TransPennine Express (TPE), plus an open access passenger service, Hull Trains. It also has a bus division, which operates around a fifth of local bus services in the UK. 

    In other SWR related news, it is hoped that Network Rail will complete work on the landslip at Hook to allow the full restoration of normal timetabled train services from 24th February 2023.

    Yoshi takes a look at the short section of track representing the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway which is displayed in Railway Gardens, Sturminster Newton – 11/02/2023

    Saturday 11th February 2023, Yoshi, his mama and I headed to North Dorset to walk a section of the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) trackbed which is now part of the North Dorset Trailway. We decided to walk four miles from Sturminster Newton to beyond Shillingstone and back, so that we could visit the North Dorset Railway and enjoy a refreshing cup of tea and a slice of cake before retracing our footsteps back to our starting point. However, we wish we had asked our North Dorset Correspondent where we could have found a cup of tea on our arrival back in Sturminster!

    Yoshi amongst the snowdrops along the North Dorset Trailway – 11/02/2023
    Abandoned railway furniture on the North Dorset Trailway – 11/02/2023
    Lamb House Bridge, Shillingstone – 11/02/2023

    On arrival at Shillingstone we were able to watch some shunting manoeuvres which were taking place around the station site. The station which opened on the 31st August 1863 and is the last remaining building of the Dorset Central Railway which later formed part of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway running from Bournemouth West to Bath Green Park until falling victim to the Beeching cuts in March 1966.

    There are several posters from the age of steam as well as a museum packed with railway artefacts on view at Shillingstone railway station – 11/02/2023

    During World War I Shillingstone saw additional trains in the form of troop and supply workings. One such instance, in February 1915, saw the Naval Battalion based at Blandford Camp march en masse to Shillingstone to board a train bound for Avonmouth and ultimately to take part in the Gallipoli Campaign. Included in their number was the war poet Lt. Rupert Brooke who died of septicaemia en route off Skyros, Greece.

    A few years after the station at Shillingstone closed to rail traffic, the Dorset County Council purchased the trackbed for a proposed road which would by-pass the village. This plan never came to fruition and the council eventually decided to dispose of the station site. Following protracted negotiations, the North Dorset Railway Trust signed a lease in 2005.

    I loved this imaginary painting of what might have been and the S&DJR survived the Beeching cuts which hangs in the station tea rooms (Steve Hiscocks, 2012)

    The North Dorset Railway Trust aim to relay track in the direction of Sturminster Newton over Lamb House Bridge. Maybe one day we may even see a Class 9F or similar working part of the route once again.

    Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Diesel Loco Works No. D1186 ‘Ashdown’ passes Shillingstone signal box – 11/02/2023

    ‘Ashdown’ was built by Hudswell Clarke, Leeds in 1959 for use on the Manchester Ship Canal Railway (MSCR), numbered D1 and based at Partington coal basin she was the first of a small fleet of diesel locomotives working on the MSCR. She has had an illustrious career being sold on to Hunslet Engine Co. of Leeds, who leased the locomotive to the National Coal Board (NCB) Crompton colliery in Lancashire, before returning to Hunslets as their works shunter. In 1986 she was subject to a re-build before moving to the NCB Gwent Coal Distribution centre in Newport, South Wales. She was renumbered No. 8526 and named ‘Pride of Gwent’ lasting up to 1991 when she entered preservation firstly at the Butetown Historic Railway Society in Cardiff until 1997 before moving to the Vale of Glamorgan Railway. In 2008, she was purchased by the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. In July 2013, she was exchanged for a diesel locomotive located at Peak Rail in Derbyshire and reunited with the ‘Ashdown’ name. The North Dorset Railway purchased ‘Ashdown’ in 2020. She is of a unique design and therefore the only locomotive of this type preserved.

    Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Shunter No. RH305302 (DS1169) ‘Little Eva’, Shillingstone – 11/02/2023

    No. RH305302 (DS1169) ‘Little Eva’ was built by Ruston & Hornsby, at their Boultham Works, Lincoln in 1951, for the Ransome and Marles Bearing Co of Newark, where she was used to move steel casings around the factory site. She retired from service in 1978 and donated to the Market Overton Industrial Railway Trust before moving to the Statfold Barn Railway in Tamworth.  She was purchased in 2015 and moved to Shillingstone and underwent full restoration.

    Yoshi strikes a pose alongside Class 62 Yankee 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive No. 30076, Shillingstone – 11/02/2023

    The Class 62 “Yankee Tank” steam locomotives were built from the US Army Transportation Corps template of S100 Shunters of World War II designed in 1941 by Colonel Howard G Hill. The class was extremely successful, proving powerful, economical to operate and relatively easy to maintain. More than 400 of these locomotives were deployed across Europe after the war, with over 100 ending up in Yugoslavia earning the designation Class 62. A further 90 of the class were built in Yugoslavia by Djuro Djakovic of Slavonski Brod between 1952 and 1961. Four original US built locomotives are preserved in the UK, one at the Bluebell Railway, two at the Kent & Sussex Railway and one at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

    Here in the UK, 14 (plus one for spare parts) of the S100 Class were purchased by the Southern Railway (SR) from the United States Army Transportation Corps in 1946, mainly for shunting in Southampton Docks, between the end of World War II and the end of steam in the 1968. Other examples saw use as industrial locomotives with Austin Motors/BMC at Longbridge, the NCB and on the Longmoor Military Railway.

    There are two examples of these locomotives currently at Shillingstone. Firstly No. 30075, built in 1960 and acquired from Store Steel in Slovenia in 1990 after clocking up only 25,000 miles in service. She was transported to the Swanage Railway, where she was completely overhauled and returned to steam in late 1992. The locomotive suffered a major steam pipe failure in 1998 and was withdrawn from traffic. No. 30075 was then dismantled and moved to the East Somerset Railway in July 2002 and was returned to traffic in July 2004. August 2009 saw her being relocated to the Mid-Hants Railway and later visited the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, the Bristol Docks Railway, Yeovil Junction Steam Centre, the Churnet Valley Railway and the Dartmoor Railway. Following withdrawal due to leaks in the inner firebox, No. 30075 was eventually moved to Shillingstone for repairs in January 2016 where she is undergoing full restoration to operational service. On our visit, No. 30075 was under cover from the elements away from public view.

    The second “Yankee” No. 30076 was built in 1954 with factory No. 62-521. She was purchased by the P62 Group in 2006 from Mittal Steel Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina and arrived at Shillingstone in 2016 after spending many years in store at Allelys Heavy Haulage in Studley near Birmingham. She will be a spares donor for her sister locomotive and as such will be on static display.

    Yoshi enjoyed spending time on a sniffari during our walk along the former S&DJR track bed – 11/02/2023

    Over the weekend of 11th / 12th February 2023, the Swanage Railway held a special “Behind the Scenes” event with the aim of encouraging more volunteers to help out maintain and run the railway. Passengers were able to enjoy beautiful Purbeck countryside views not often enjoyed from a train thanks to a special heritage diesel train service employing the Class 117 DMU on the occasionally used four-mile line between Norden and the River Frome, within sight of Wareham. At Swanage railway station, SR West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ was available for footplate visits and Class 08 diesel shunter No. 08436 ‘Beighton’ was the focus of a “driver for a fiver” experience while SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 No. 34070 ‘Manston’ ran passenger trains between Swanage and Norden.

    Class 08 No. 08436 waits patiently in the bay platform at Swanage – 12/02/2023
    Side detail of Class 08 No. 08436 – 12/02/2023

    I was joined by my brother and @da_buckley967 at Swanage railway station at 0930 on the Sunday morning as we had managed to book the first three available slots of this sell out escapade. Once the doors to the booking hall were unlocked, we made ourselves known and signed our lives away on a safety declaration. We then learned that the driver who was conducting the driver experience was marooned in Eastleigh because of transportation issues and an emergency relief driver had been called in to take their place, necessitating a thirty minute delay. This gave us the opportunity to grab a cuppa and take a look at ‘Eddystone’ parked up in the station and to watch ‘Manston’ depart with the first steam hauled train of the day while I constantly complained about not having any gloves with me because I was finding it cold. Diddums. At 1020 we were ushered over to No. 08436 and I was first to be allowed to climb onboard and take the controls.

    It really was a fun and interesting ten minutes being supervised at the number 2 driver position. I think was a bit harsh on the brake, and I’m amazed at the poor visibility looking out of the windows down the nose of the Class 08 and drivers, past, present and future have my full admiration! Grateful thanks to The Swanage Railway for including the chance for a taste of driving the loco as one of the ‘open weekend’ attractions – you can share our experience in the video below:

    Driver for a Fiver! – 12/02/2023
    Swanage Railway’s Class 117 DMU at Creech Bottom with a River Frome to Norden service – 12/02/2023
    Swanage Railway’s Class 117 DMU on the Norden to the River Frome section, February 2023
    SR West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on display in Swanage enabling visitors the opportunity to view the locomotive’s footplate – 12/02/2023

    Monday evening saw a Class 37 top and tailed test train actually find its way to Dorset in 2023 with 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth. I decided to see Colas liveried Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ and on hire No. 37610 pass through Poole on the outward run and couldn’t resist a second shot at Hamworthy as they returned on the final leg to Eastleigh East Yard. It was a foggy evening and the sound of the two English Electric built veterans could be heard from several miles away – pure bliss!

    Colas Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ passing through Poole (video screen grab) – 13/02/2023
    Harry Needle Railroad Company owned Class 37 No. 37610 on hire to Colas Rail accelerates through Hamworthy (video screen grab) – 13/02/2023
    1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard – 11/02/2023

    Thank you, dear reader, for visiting and your comments and corrections which are very much appreciated! We’ll be back next week for a delve into our archives for video of ‘Flying Scotsman’ as we celebrate 100 years of the world’s most famous steam locomotive.

    Sturminster Newton – the start and end point of our walk this week – 11/02/2023

    The Night Journey 

    Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

    Hands and lit faces eddy to a line;
        The dazed last minutes click; the clamour dies.
    Beyond the great-swung are o’ the roof, divine,
        Night, smoky-scarv’d, with thousand coloured eyes

    Glares the imperious mystery of the way.
        Thirsty for dark, you feel the long-limbed train
    Throb, stretch, thrill motion, slide, pull out and sway,
        Strain for the far, pause, draw to strength again. . . . 

    As a man, caught by some great hour, will rise,
        Slow-limbed, to meet the light or find his love;
    And, breathing long, with staring sightless eyes,
        Hands out, head back, agape and silent, move

    Sure as a flood, smooth as a vast wind blowing;
        And, gathering power and purpose as he goes,
    Unstumbling, unreluctant, strong, unknowing,
        Borne by a will not his, that lifts, that grows,

    Sweep out to darkness, triumphing in his goal,
        Out of the fire, out of the little room. . . .
    —There is an end appointed. O my soul!
        Crimson and green and signals burn; the gloom

    Is hung with steam’s far-blowing livid streamers.
        Lost into God, as lights in light, we fly,
    Grown one with will, end-drunken huddled dreamers.
        The white lights roar. The sounds of the world die.

    And lips and laughter are forgotten things.
        Speed sharpens; grows. Into the night, and on,
    The strength and splendor of our purpose swings.
        The lamps fade; and the stars. We are alone.