GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ pass over Upton viaduct on Holes Bay, Poole working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024
February 22nd 2024 to February 29th 2024
GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ arrives at Branksome with 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024
Thursday 22nd February 2024 saw more Class 458 EMU shenanigans with planned working 5X62 0530 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&RSMD and associated return 5M64 1315 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. being cancelled due to a “request by the train operator”. Things were retimed, however, but we still saw GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57303 arriving at Branksome with refurbished Class 458/4 No. 458424 65 minutes later than the revised schedule with 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&RSMD.
GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 prepares to lead into the depot working 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024
As the Class 57 and Class 458/4 consist departed Branksome to reverse into the depot, an un-refurbished Class 458/5 No. 458513, still in the old SWT blue livery, was poking its nose out of the sidings. Which was a bit of a bonus.
As Class 458/5 No. 458513 edges out of the depot working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings, GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ moves in on the rear of 5X62 0909 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 22/02/2024SWR Class 458/5 No. 458513 working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings – 22/02/2024
Video from Branksome – 22/02/2024
The pair of Class 57’s departed almost an hour late top and tailing barrier wagons as 5M64 1515 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. I was at home cooking dinner, being watched closely by a cockapoo of my acquaintance.
Later that same day, a Freightliner operated engineers train worked down from Westbury to Dorchester West, top and tailed by Class 66 No.’s 66562 and 66559. Having feasted, Yoshi and I headed off to Castle Cary to see the train arrive. Major redevelopments continue at Castle Cary station with a new car park taking shape which will provide spaces for 193 cars. An access ramp will take station users from the car park up to the front of the station. There will also be a new cafe and office space in the former milk factory building, which dates from 1910 and is adjacent to the new car par. This work is being carried out by the Emily Estate who also have planning permission for a creamery which may see the production of cheese return to the building. That’s something both Yoshi and I can get behind!
More car parking spaces have been much needed at the station which is located on the GWR line from London Paddington to Taunton. Trains travelling from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth also call at Castle Cary. The present car park, which will be reconfigured to provide additional Blue Badge parking and spaces for taxi use, is often full on weekdays and, until now, no additional parking has been available nearby.
Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 emerges out of the darkness at Castle Cary leading on 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024GWR Class 158 DMU No. 158950 having arrived at Castle Cary with ECS working 5C90 1847 Axminster to Exeter TMD – 22/02/2024The driver of GWR Class 158 DMU No. 158950 prepares to depart Castle Cary with ECS working 5C90 1847 Axminster to Exeter TMD as Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 waits right time with 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
After seeing the engineers train at Castle Cary, and not wanting to out stay our 20 minute free parking allowance, we headed to Yeovil Pen Mill where we once again saw the pair of 66 locomotives arrive with 6Y91. The driver wearily acknowledged us as we passed each other on the platform.
Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 at Yeovil Pen Mill leading on 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024Freightliner Class 66 No. 66559 pauses at Yeovil Pen Mill on the rear of 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
Another lengthy booked stop at Yeovil meant Yoshi and I were able to get ahead of the train and see it pass through Yetminster before we were able to once again get ahead of it as there was a booked stop at Maiden Newton and for our fourth and final time of the evening see the Class 66’s pass through Dorchester West.
Arriving at Dorchester West and heading for Dorchester Junction to reverse and work back is Freightliner Class 66 No. 66562 working 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024Freightliner Class 66 No. 66559 pauses at Dorchester West on the rear of 6Y91 1929 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West before heading down to Dorchester Junction – 22/02/2024
Freightliner Engineers to Dorchester West – 22/02/2024
As the train headed off to Dorchester Junction in order to reverse and return via Dorchester West up platform, Yoshi and I headed off home. The train worked up the West line to its work site and returned to Westbury the following morning as 6Y91 0430 Castle Cary to Westbury Down T.C.
GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ passing through Hamworthy railway station working 23/02/2024: 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. The return from Weymouth would be curtailed at Dorchester South – 23/02/2024
The Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) saw increased activity due to the cold snap in the South at the tail end of February. Top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’, the SITT ventured out of Totton Yard on the night of Friday 23rd February working as 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. However, this service was cancelled on the return leg between Dorchester South and Totton Yard “due to an error having been made”, although we believe in reality it was because there was no cover for the Dorsetway signal panel due to late staff absence. We hope everyone concerned is OK.
Having been tipped off by friend of the blog, Jamie, we were able to see the SITT parked up in Dorchester South Engineers Siding on the Saturday morning. Although the locomotives were fired up and looked like they were ready to leave, we were unable to wait to witness their departure towards Weymouth as 3Y88 1200 Dorchester South Isu (CE) to Totton Yard
Friday’s Snow & Ice Treatment Train, having been curtailed at Dorchester South and tucked into a siding by the signal box, returned to Totton on Saturday morning running as 3Y88 1200 Dorchester South Engineers Sidings to Totton Yard top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box – 24/02/2024 (Image: G E Barrett)GBRf Class 66 No. 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ stands in Dorchester South Engineers Sidings awaiting departure back to Totton Yard – 24/02/2024
The same locomotives and rolling stock also worked to Weymouth in daylight hours on Monday 26th February and Tuesday 27th February 2024, which gave opportunities for photography.
GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ and 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ pass Hamworthy working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/02/2024GBRf Class 66 locomotives No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear of 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard having passed Hamworthy. No. 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ was leading on this occasion – 26/02/2024GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ and 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ on the approach to Bournemouth as 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024The SITT in the charge of GBRf Class 66 locomotives No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear and 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ leading near Bournemouth railway station working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 27/02/2024
February 2024 Dorset Snow & Ice Train video
Tuesday 27th also saw further Class 57 hauled unit drags to and from Bournemouth depot as GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57303 returned with another refurbished SWR Class 458/4, this time No. 458420, from Widnes Transport tech.
GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and I have rubbed buffers so many times now, we are on first name terms. We enjoyed a brief catch up here as the locomotive arrived at Branksome working 5X62 0531 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D bringing SWR Class 458 No. 458420 back following refurbishment at Widnes. Sister locomotive No. 57303 was on the other end. Again – 27/02/2024The driver of 5X62 0531 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D changes ends so Class 57 No. 57303 leads into the depot from Branksome – 27/02/2024
The pair of Class 57’s left with 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech, this time taking Class 458/5 No. 458522 for refurbishment. We saw this near Bournemouth from Beechey Road bridge overlooking the railway station.
GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ approaches Bournemouth railway station leading on 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech with Class 458 No.458522 sandwiched between barrier coaches – 27/02/2024Five car Class 458 EMU No.458522 heads to Cheshire for conversion onto Class 458/4 as 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/02/2024GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 brings up the rear of 5Q64 1315 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech as the train enters Bournemouth Station – 27/02/2024
Whilst awaiting the arrival of 3Y88 and 5Q64 at Bournemouth, I was almost caught out by a Class 458/4 test run as No. 458424 snuck up on me working the curtailed 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. The outward run (5Q90 1119 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Basingstoke) had been terminated at Southampton Central due to a points failure.
Class 458/4 test run as No. 458424 passing Bournemouth working the curtailed 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D, although on RTT the train kept its outward designation; 5Q90 1119 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Southampton Central – 27/02/2024Class 458/4 No. 458424 having passed through Bournemouth and heading to Branksome and the depot – 27/02/2024
More Class 458 EMU video – 27/02/2024
What better thing to do on the “extra day” provided in the 2024 calendar – 29th February – than pop over to Bournemouth and see Network Rail Class 153 Diesel Multiple Unit No. 153385 converted to a Video Inspection Unit which ran as 2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.
2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard2Q32 1113 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East YardSWR Class 444 No. 444038 at Bournemouth forming 1W16 1103 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 29/02/2024CrossCountry Voyagers No.’s 220023 and 221214 at Bournemouth having arrived as 1008 0725 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth – 29/02/2024
Class 153 VIU at Bournemouth – 29/02/2024Poster seen at Bournemouth detailing the Weymouth line closure which takes place 18th – 20th March 2024 – 29/02/2024
We returned to Bournemouth later on the 29th to see a Colas Engineers Train top and tailed by regular visitors Class 66 No.’s 66848 and 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ which were running as 6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton.
6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton6C19 2259 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton
Video of Colas Engineering Train reversing at Bournemouth – 29/02/2024
Saturday 24th February Yoshi took a visit to Dawe’s Twineworks at West Coker in Somerset. This is England’s only surviving working Victorian Twineworks. Built in 1899, Dawe’s Twineworks survived until 1968 utilising the flax and hemp grown in the local rich soil to provide the twine, rope and sailcloth required by sailing ships. “Coker Canvas” made the best quality sails and helped the Royal Navy rule the waves in the 19th Century. The volunteers were lovely, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable with the new Visitor Centre providing refreshments and information all for a donation. Dawe’s is open on the 4th Saturday of each month (please check before visiting).
Yoshi in the tea room and visitor centre built in 2018/2019 at Dawe’s Twineworks – 24/02/2024
South Somerset District Council made a compulsory purchase of the site in 2005 to save the buildings which were then close to collapse. The “Coker Rope & Sail Trust”, set up under the auspices of West Coker Parish Council, now has a 125 year lease on the site. In recent years the Trust has managed, with local effort, to restore parts of the building and machinery, install an engine and bring Dawe’s back to life.
Yoshi outside the engine house. To be honest, he wasn’t too keen on the engine once it was fired up – 24/02/20241927 Shanks 16 litre 23HP oil engine made in Arbroath was secured by the Twineworks. The engine has to be started using compressed air which is supplied by a 3.5HP Lister-Hamworthy compressor dating from the 1940’s and stored in a WWI torpedo casing at 25olb/in2 – 24/02/2024The “Walk” is an imposing structure 100m in length, allowing twine to be made in 200m lengths whatever the weather with its Bridgwater-tiled roof protecting valuable machinery – 24/02/2024Construction of the “Walk” was very simple, consisting of just oak posts in the ground, bolted trusses to support the roof and a pine first floor.The Ford model T was first produced in 1908, and was the first mass produced motor car, and due to this it also became affordable to the people. Due to its success the T was modified and different variants were produced. Yoshi is admiring this example which dates from 1926 – 24/02/2024
That’s it for another blog entry. Thanks for reading! Yoshi and I hope you’ve found something of interest. We’ll be back again soon. Be seeing you!
Yoshi after his recent grooming session – 26/02/2024
Yoshi in the back of the car having enjoyed a wet and muddy walk in the woods!
February 10th 2024 to February 21st 2024
Hello – as mentioned briefly last time around, we were planning on bringing you an archive feature on Bournemouth Depot Open days, but we need to find and scan some additional negatives as well as editing down and converting 8mm video tape, so that’ll take a little bit more time to prepare. That’ll teach us, and to be fair this blog entry has taken long enough! In the meantime, a rolling stone gathers no moss and Yoshi has been exploring Stonehenge (or at least the footpath outside the English Heritage site, as dogs are “NOT ALLOWED” near the ancient monument). A note to English Heritage – can you provide dog poo bins prior to the section where dogs cannot pass please? Thanks very much. And as if Yoshi couldn’t get enough of old rocks, he also took a walk around the stone circle at Avebury – no trains, but lots of mystical ley lines – before moving onto Wells and Tyntesfield House.
Yoshi gets as close to Stonehenge as he is allowed! Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire two miles west of Amesbury. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons, topped by connecting horizontal lintel-stones. Inside is a ring of smaller bluestones. Inside these, are free-standing trilithons; two bulkier vertical sarsens joined by one lintel. The whole monument is aligned towards the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice. Archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was constructed in several phases from around 3100 BC to 1600 BC, with the circle of large sarsen stones placed between 2600 BC and 2400 BC. Doctor Who used Stonehenge as a plot point in the 2010 episode “The Big Bang”. I liked that episode. I should rewatch it. I include the mention to the BBC TV series, as it was something of a developing theme…..An announcement in November 2020 stated that a plan to construct a four-lane tunnel for traffic below the site had been approved. This was intended to eliminate the section of the A303 that runs close to the circle. The plan had received opposition from a group of “archaeologists, environmentalists and modern-day druids” according to National Geographic but was supported by others who wanted to “restore the landscape to its original setting and improve the experience for visitors”. Opponents of the plan were concerned that artifacts that are underground in the area would be lost or that excavation in the area could de-stabilize the stones, leading to their sinking, shifting or perhaps falling. On 14th July 2023, the Department for Transport (DaFT) announced that, despite the original planning application having been overturned by the High Court in 2021, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, had approved plans for a 2 mile road tunnel. On 19th February 2024, the High Court in London rejected a fresh bid by campaigners to stop the road tunnel construction.Yoshi’s next stop was Aldbourne where he visited the village green and took a look at the medieval St Michael’s church. During the Second World War, U.S. Army paratroopers of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division were based at Aldbourne from late 1943 to mid-1944, in preparation for the Normandy landings in June 1944 and Operation Market Garden in September.Aldbourne is also known as Devil’s End in the Doctor Who story “The Dæmons” featuring The Third incarnation of the Time Lord played by Jon Pertwee. One of the village pubs, The Blue Boar, was renamed as The Cloven Hoof! A model of St.Michaels’s church was also blown up during the story, which anecdotally generated complaints from viewers. A reminder of the Aldbourne Doctor Who link is this TARDIS litter bin, free for public use 🙂The prehistoric Avebury henge and stone circles were built and much altered during the Neolithic period (2850 BC and 2200 BC) survivING as a huge circular bank and ditch, encircling an area that includes part of Avebury village. Within the henge is the largest stone circle in the UK which originally consisted of approximately 100 stones. Two smaller stone circles are enclosed within. Avebury was memorably used as the location of the itv children’s drama series “Children of the Stones” (1977). As far as I know, the stones have not been seen in Doctor Who. So, in a bid for completism, I searched for a link and found it in nearby Yatesbury, where from 1942 – 1965 an RAF Radar School was situated and attended by Brian Hodgson who went on to run the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and devised the sound of the TARDIS by scraping his mother’s front door key along the strings of a piano. The video to the 1988 No.1 hit song “Doctorin’ the Tardis” by The Timelords, better known as The KLF, was partly filmed at Yatesbury. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the trains soon. Yoshi takes a look at Wells Cathedral – construction of which began on c1180 and was completed by the time of Henry VII. It was damaged during the English Civil War, but was later restored during the Victorian age. The building has also been used as a Doctor Who filming location when to stood in for Southwark Cathedral in the 2006 story “The Lazarus Experiment” featuring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor.National Trust owned Tyntesfield House, bought in 1844 by William Gibbs as a retreat for his wife,Blanche, and their growing family. Close relatives in Bristol and neighbouring Belmont House in Wraxall, the estate benefited from direct links to London on Brunel’s newly built Great Western Railway (GWR). Keeping up with the Doctor Who connection, the property was used as a haunted mansion in Matt Smith’s tenure during the 2013 episode “Hide”.A walk in Horton Woods….…. past the 140ft high Horton Tower, also known as Sturt’s Folly, built in c1750 by the Lord of Horton Manor, Humphrey Sturt, who was an architect and a Dorset MP. In 1967 the tower featured in the film adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd”. Over the years it had fallen into disrepair but in 1991, Vodafone was granted permission to use the tower for mobile phone masts. As part of the deal the company agreed to carry out repairs, and the conservation project was recognised with a Royal Town Planning Institute award in January 1995.Journey’s End; Yoshi relaxing in front of a warm fire at The Horton Inn after our walk!
For The record
12/02/2024: 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth
73963 ‘Janice’ pauses briefly at Poole leading on 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth – 12/02/2024
GB Railfreight (GBRf ) Class 73 Electro-Diesel No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73963 ‘Janice’ returned for the monthly Colas Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train.
1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth at Poole – 12/02/2024
13/02/2024: 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot / 5Q64 1321 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech
GBRf Class 57 No. 57305 leading on 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. SWR Class 458 No. 458416 was sandwiched between the front loco and No. 57303 at the rear of the consist – 13/02/2024GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 at the rear of 5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot – 13/02/2024
GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57303 and 57305 arrived at Bournemouth depot with refurbished SWR Class 458 No. 458416. The pair of Class 57 locomotives departed with 5-Car Class 458 No. No. 458515 later in the day. A similar exercise scheduled for Thursday 15th February; 5X62 0524 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D and 5M64 1314 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Leicester L.I.P. did not run. It is most likely that the same pair of Class 57 locomotives would have been involved.
While waiting for the morning unit drag to Bournemouth depot, we were entertained by passing South Western Railway (SWR) Class 444’s on regular passenger services.
SWR Class 444 No. 444017 working 2W13 0904 Bournemouth to Weymouth – 13/02/2024Unique Pride liveried SWR Class 444 No. 444019 forms 2W52 0900 Poole to Bournemouth – 13/02/2024
5X62 0524 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot between Bournemouth and Branksome – 13/02/2024
18/02/2024: 3Q02 2155 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
HNR Class 37 No. 37607 seen at Derby Technical Centre at the head of a Network Rail Test Train – 02/04/2023
Harry Needle Rail operated Class 37 No. 37607 was scheduled to visit the Bournemouth to Weymouth line with the Ultrasonic Test Train overnight on Sunday 18th / Monday 19th February. Disappointingly for us, however, this service was cancelled due to the train crew not being available and did not run.
21/02/2024: 1Z22 0747 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road
Former High Speed Train Class 43 Power Cars No.’s 43272 in debranded Virgin Trains East Coast livery and 43274 in East Midlands Railway Purple livery worked the New Measurement Train to Weymouth on Wednesday 21st February.
I missed this pairing as I was in London for a work meeting. I took the opportunity to pop into London Euston and London Kings Cross on my way to the office after arriving at London Waterloo.
One of two remaining Class 707 EMU’s still with SWR No. 707024 at the buffer stops of London Waterloo – 21/02/2024Caledonian Sleeper Class 92 No. 92038 at London Euston. I had hoped to see the incoming sleeper service in the station, but this was running almost two hours late, and I had places to be – 21/02/2024London Kings Cross with Class 91 No. 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017’ working 1D09 1003 London Kings Cross to Leeds alongside LNER Azuma trains 801210 forming 1S12 1S12 1030 Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, 801213 on 1Y11 0630 Newcastle to London Kings Cross and 800209 having arrived with 1A12 0700 Hull to London Kings Cross – 21/02/2024Class 91 No. 91105 at London Kings Cross having arrived at the rear of the 1A13 0656 service from Skipton – 21/02/2024Covering low-availability of the Class 180 fleet, Grand Central have supplemented their fleet with a pair of former Avanti Super Voyagers. Here Class 221 No. 221143, now with driving vehicles in Grand Central’s livery stands at platform 10 at The Cross having arrived with 1A59 0659 Bradford Interchange to London Kings Cross – 21/02/2024Meeting over, we sought out refreshments at The George pub, established in medieval times on Borough High Street in Southwark. It is currently owned and leased by the National Trust and is the only surviving galleried London coaching inn. I recommend the Mac n’ Cheese – 21/02/2024One of the railway arches in the recently restored Findlater’s Corner at London Bridge railway station that was formerly an Express Dairy tea room is now a branch of Starbucks. During renovation work an impressive mosaic was revealed showing its previous function, advertising afternoon teas, luncheons, and smoking rooms – 21/02/2024Express Dairy was founded in 1864 and its name is part of the marketing as it was an early adopter of the railways to ship milk from the countryside to a bottling plant in South Acton and then ship them around London, also by rail. At a time when many people got milk from urban cows, milk from the countryside was seen as a healthier option. At its peak, Express Dairy had over 240 tea rooms across London, making it the Edwardian equivalent of Starbucks today, which seems fitting….
Winfrith No More
On what turned out to be the final trip to Winfrith; Direct Rail Services Class 68 No.’s 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ work 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing through Poole – 23/01/2024
It has been announced Direct Rail Services (DRS), the rail freight arm of Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), has now completed its task in the transportation of radioactive materials from the Winfrith treated waste store as the very last flasks of radioactive waste have been moved to their final destination at the low-level waste repository near Cumbria in the Lake District. The final rail shipment ran on 23rd January 2024 and marked a reduction in legacy waste on the Winfrith site by approximately seventy per cent. The successful completion of this contract contributes to returning the site to heathland with public access. It’s the first site from the first generation of nuclear power plants to be completely decommissioned.
From 1980, a Class 33/0 at Dorchester South yard with a Winfrith flask. I’ve rather frustratingly mislaid the original photographic print which contains the actual date and locomotive detail, but do recall we trainspotters were chased away by railway staff when these workings arrived – xx/xx/1980
Forthcoming Dorset Engineering Work
The lines in the Poole area will be closed all day due to maintenance work on Sunday 17th March 2024.
London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Bournemouth.
London Waterloo to Poole services will terminate at Bournemouth.
Buses will run between Bournemouth and Poole (non-stop).
Buses will run between Bournemouth and Wareham.
A revised service will run between Wareham and Weymouth.
Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th March 2024, the lines between Dorchester South and Weymouth will be closed from Monday to Wednesday all days inclusive due to maintenance work.
Great Western Railway services between Weymouth and Yeovil Pen Mill will be affected by this work.
London Waterloo to Weymouth services will be revised and will terminate at Dorchester South.
Buses will run between Dorchester South and Weymouth.
In association with these works, a Freightliner engineering train is showing on Real Time Trains as running as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South departs its source on Sunday 17th March 2024 and arrives Dorchester South at 0110 (on the 18th) – returning as 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard on 19th March
The lines between Bournemouth and Poole will be closed all day due to maintenance work on 23rd March.
London Waterloo to Poole and Weymouth services will terminate at Bournemouth.
Buses will run between Bournemouth and Poole.
A revised service will run between Poole and Weymouth.
In addition to this, the lines in the Brockenhurst area will be closed all day due to maintenance work on 24th March.
London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Southampton Central.
London Waterloo to Poole services will terminate at Southampton Central.
Fast buses will run between Southampton Airport Parkway, Bournemouth and Poole.
Fast buses will run between Southampton Central, Bournemouth and Poole.
Buses will run between Southampton and Poole via Brockenhurst (buses will not call at Beaulieu Road).
A revised service will run between Poole and Weymouth.
Passengers travelling from London Waterloo to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth should change at Southampton Airport Parkway for the fast bus service to Poole.
Sunday 28th April, the lines in the Wool area will be closed all day due to maintenance work.
London Waterloo to Weymouth services will terminate at Wareham.
Buses will run between Wareham and Dorchester South.
Buses will run between Wareham and Weymouth.
A revised service will run between Dorchester South and Weymouth.
Looking further ahead, rail improvement work will also affect train services between Castle Cary and Weymouth in the autumn.
The March 2024 edition of “Steam Days” magazine features Colin Boocock’s well illustrated account of train diversions in 1960 off the Bournemouth main line and onto what was known as both the ‘Old Road’ after the direct line to Bournemouth was opened in 1888 or ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’, so named after Charles Castleman who was the driving force in getting the Southampton & Dorchester Railway built and its somewhat circuitous route.
Thanks for reading – we’ll be back soon with a further updates of happenings along the rails in Dorset. Be seeing you!
Postscript:
Engineering work in days gone by…. Class 33/0 No. 33035 and Class 33/1 No. 33118 on Bincombe Bank adjacent to Upwey Telephone Exchange sometime in the early 1990’s. No. 33118 was withdrawn from service in April 1993 and cut up by MRJ Phillips at Eastleigh Depot by February 1997. No. 33035 was named ‘Spitfire’ in December 1993 and withdrawn in October 1996 but lives on in preservation – xx/xx/199x
The last South Western Railway Class 450 No. 450031 to carry South West Trains Blue Livery working 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D at Branksome – 05/02/2024
February 1st 2024 to February 9th 2024
Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ waits with 6C01 at Branksome – 03/02/2024
Over the weekend of 3rd and 4th February 2024, engineering works took place in Branksome station. A small number of track panels were relaid and remedial work carried out to the west of the station. Colas Railfreight were entrusted with providing the motive power for the two Network Rail engineering trains used during these works; 6C01 0013 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth / 6C02 0315 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth on Saturday and the associated return workings; 6C02 0530 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard / 6C01 0630 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard which ran early Sunday morning.
Three Class 66 locomotives were employed, No.’s 66846, 66848 and 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’. I elected not to watch the trains arrive in the early hours of Saturday morning (I’m mad, but not that mad), and instead hoped I would be able to find them at work during the day. Initial intel was that the work site was most likely Poole Storage Sidings as activity had been observed in the locality during the week. In the event, it was Branksome railway station which saw the majority of the action. I made two visits and was lucky enough to observe both trains being utilised obtaining record shots of all three locomotives engaged at work. This meant that I could also rest easy in bed on the Sunday morning as the trains returned, although, if I’m being completely honest, I was quite tempted to set my alarm to see the Class 66’s departing for their journeys back to Eastleigh!
Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ at Branksome. The first wagon containing old sleepers removed from the station area – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ reversing through Branksome – 03/02/2023Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ reversing its train through Branksome, clearing the way for Rail-Road Vehicle’s (RRV’s) to begin work lifting the new track panels into place – 03/02/2024New track panels resting on the Up platform at Branksome – 03/02/2024Road-Rail Vehicles (RRV) prepare to lift the first track panel into place – 03/02/2024The scene after the new track panels had been lowered into place and ballasted – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66846 at the rear of 6C02 spanning Archway Road – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66846 – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 at the head of 6C02 – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 having drawn forward to enable work to continue on the track – 03/02/2024Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66848 with RRV’s at work near Branksome railway station – 03/02/2024By the afternoon, Colas Railfreight Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ had moved forward to occupy Parkstone railway station – 03/02/2024
Engineering work at Branksome – 03/02/2024
Monday 5th February there was a great deal of chatter on social media channels regarding South Western Railway (SWR) Class 450 No. 450031, believed to be the last remaining member of the class still adorned in the old second generation South West Trains (SWT) blue livery, carried by trains employed mostly on medium distance services. It was heavily implied that No. 450031 was enjoying its last day in service before heading to the paint shops for a repaint into standard SWR white and grey colours. It was quite easy to trace the workings of the unit on Real Time Trains and I found that it was indeed heading to Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot, due to arrive just after 2200.
Bournemouth depot is southwest of Bournemouth station, occupying the approach to the former Bournemouth West station. The branch leading to Bournemouth T&RSMD turns off at Branksome station where trains can often be seen stopping at platform 2 and reversing into the depot. Hopeful of getting a record shot of quite possibly the last EMU in SWT blue, I headed off to Branksome with friend of this blog, Jamie, to capture this event for posterity.
SWR Class 450 No. 450022 at Branksome awaiting to reverse in the depot working 5W81 2128 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D alongside unique Pride liveried Class 444 No. 444019 which is also destined for the depot working 5B60 2131 Poole to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 05/02/2024The last blue Class 450 No. 450031 destined for the paint shop? The Desiro is working 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D and is seen waiting to reverse into the depot at Branksome – 05/02/2024
Contain yourself for Desiro action from Branksome on 5th February 2024, featuring: 444005 – 1W81 1935 London Waterloo to Weymouth 450022 – 5W81 2128 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D 444019 – 5B60 2131 Poole to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D 444007 & 444034 – 5E57 2025 Fareham to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D 444010 – 1W82 2100 Weymouth to Woking 450031 – 5B61 2152 Bournemouth to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D
Tuesday, and it was a dash to Christchurch to see GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66759 ‘Chippy’ and 66305 – top and tailing a Network Rail National Delivery Service Schweerbau High Speed Milling Machine consisting of No.’s DR79602/79603/79604 – just after midnight working 6X69 2316 Eastleigh East Yard to Pokesdown. As the weather was rather inclement, I stayed in the dry under the station canopy on the down platform. There was a fair bit of Network Rail activity around Christchurch Railway station, with members of NR’s Orange Army milling around and to be honest, I was hopeful the train would stop in the platform, but it sailed straight through. I was able to catch up with Bob who was also out braving the elements, however. On my drive home, I had a quick look in at Pokesdown to see if I could identify the work site, but I was unable to see any Network Rail activity from my vantage point over looking the station platforms.
Every train that runs on the UK rail network causes an element of wear and tear, and in some causes damage to the rails. In 2002, Network Rail (NR) implemented a process of frequent rail grinding which removes small amounts of metal from the rail surface to maintain the profile – the portion of the track which comes in to contact with the train wheel. Each year, NR grinds more than 5,000 miles of track and more than 3,000 switch units (points) to remove defects and maintain a smooth rolling surface for trains. Passing trains and exposure to the elements can cause cracks; a severe crack not addressed in time can break the rail, leading to potential derailments. All metal removed from the rails is returned and recycled.
The associated return working of the Milling Machine was 6X69 0435 Pokesdown to Eastleigh East Yard.
I think this weeks 6X69 was most likely this machine which I photographed at Eastleigh in the company of Beacon Rail liveried Class 66 No. 66797 in November 2022 – 24/11/2022
6X69 2316 Eastleigh East Yard to Pokesdown passing Christchurch – 07/02/2024
Hamworthy Branch
The Poole Harbour Commissioner’s (PHC) Draft Masterplan Consultation Document is available online. The document is the first draft in the process of updating PHC’s existing Masterplan, published in March 2013, and sets out the strategy and proposals for the future development of the Port over the next twenty years. Following a consultation process, the Final Masterplan is to be approved in early 2024.
In particular interest to this blog is the following (found on page 42 of the Draft Masterplan):
MAXIMISE THE PORT ESTATE POTENTIAL
In addition to the Marine Centre project, we will look at the following activities to make sure we maximise the Port estate’s potential.
EXPLORE POTENTIAL FOR THE RAIL LINK
The Port of Poole is one of the few South CoastUK ports to be rail connected and this link is likelyto become more relevant as the Governmentencourages modal shift of freight traffic to bemoved by rail rather than by the increasinglycongested road system.
Government guidance states that sites should beidentified and protected where they could becritical in developing infrastructure to widenchoices for movement of rail freight.
PHC is in discussion with Network Rail regardingimprovements to the Hamworthy branch line andport siding to align with customers’ expansionplans and transportation of cargo via rail. Rail canalso be a far more environmentally friendly modeof transport than road, aligning with our ambitionsto become a Leading Green Port.
Discussions with potential customers are ongoingand, if successful, could result in the reinstatementof the rail link as early as 2025.
In April 2022, Brittany Ferries announced that ithad given the go ahead for a new rail-freight linkbetween Cherbourg and Bayonne. With supportfrom the French Government, the EU, and theregions of Normandie and Nouvelle Aquitaine, Brittany Ferries will open the ‘rail motorway’linking the port of Cherbourg to the EuropeanFreight Centre at Mouguerre, near Bayonne,thereby connecting Spain to the UK and Irelandvia the French railway network. The launch of thenew service is expected by mid-2024.
This new rail freight link to Cherbourg willprovide opportunities for the Port of Poole toincrease the volume of freight received fromFrance. It is expected that the majority of theonward UK distribution will be via the UK’s Roadnetwork but PHC are in discussion with BrittanyFerries to determine whether their customerswill require onward rail transport within the UK.
This ties in with what we were told by Network Rail last year. We have reached out to prospective users of the rail link, and will update with any responses received.
For The Record
Crewe Railwayana Auctions 18th online telephone/email auction, which runs from Friday 1st March until Sunday 3rd March 2024 has some local interest station totems included. Where did I put my wallet?
What we like to call the “North Dorset New Measurement Train” ran on 8th February 2024 as an all yellow affair bringing back The Flying Banana in all its glory! Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43062 ‘John Armitt’ and 43013 ‘Mark Carne OBE’ have recently returned to service and this pairing worked 1Q23 05:56 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter. Because of the wet weather, we didn’t make the trip up to Gillingham or Sherborne to see this particular working this month, much as I thought about it!
Here are some shots of “The Flying Banana” from the archive:
Network Rail Class 43 No. 43062 ‘John Armitt’ at the buffer stops in Weymouth having arrived with the New Measurement Train (NMT). John Armitt is an civil engineer with close connections to UK railways including his time as chief executive of Railtrack being appointed in 2001, and from 2002 to 2007 its successor, Network Rail (NR) – 26/07/2012NR Class 43 No. 43014 forms one end of the NMT at Weymouth – 26/07/2012Class 43 No. 43062 ‘John Armitt’ leading the NMT on the approach to Upwey railway station. No. 43014 was at the rear – 28/07/2011Class 43 No.’s 43014 and 43062 ‘John Armitt’ top and tail the NMT up Bincombe bank, Weymouth. The Isle of Portland can be seen in the distance – 26/07/2012The NMT top and tailed by Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43014 and 43062 ‘John Armitt’ about to enter Bincombe Tunnel near Weymouth – 26/07/2012
The February 2024 edition of “British Railways Illustrated” magazine contains a two page feature entitled “Last Days at Bournemouth Shed” by Keith Chambers.
Yoshi with the latest edition of “British Railways Illustrated” – 09/02/2024The article on Bournemouth Shed in the February 2024 edition of “British Railways Illustrated” caught Yoshi’s eye – 09/02/2024
Thanks again for visiting our little corner of the internet. We welcome and appreciate your comments and corrections – keep them coming! We’ll be back soon, all being well, with an archive look at Bournemouth Depot Open Days in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Be seeing you!
After rolling in something unquestionable while out on a walk, Yoshi enjoyed a wash in the shower. Afterwards he made himself at home in the guest room. Just as long as he didn’t expect room service! – 30/01/2024
January 20th 2024 to January 31st 2024
Sunday 21st – Yoshi and I took a drive to Weymouth to catch up with old friends. We took a walk around the Weymouth Peninsula to see the continuing work at the site of the former Weymouth Harbour railway station which is part of the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project. Tracks which would have once been used by quayside cranes had been unearthed, but their exposure was short-lived and I’m told they have now been removed. The old platform will, I assume be completely levelled to make way for new fishing and harbour businesses, pedestrianised access and seating areas which will be created along the quayside eventually joining with other walkways linking the harbour with Weymouth beach.
The site of the former Weymouth Quay station in January 2024 – 21/01/2024
The work has been enabled because of a grant worth £3.79m which was awarded to the then Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, in partnership with the Weymouth Area Development Trust, in March 2019 from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. The bid was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community Team.
There are still partial remains of the Weymouth Harbour Tramway track, most of which was torn up in 2020/2021 – 21/01/2024
Monday 22nd – Because of concerns that Storm Isha, which hit the UK overnight on 21st/22nd January, Network Rail (NR) took the precautionary decision to run a “route proving” train between Bournemouth and Dorchester South in the early hours of Monday morning. It’s a common practice in many parts of the country with locomotives owned by freight operating companies being deployed for specific conditions on a specific route and at riskier locations, “proving a section of railway line is clear” of obstacles prior to scheduled passenger or freight trains running. I’m not aware of a previous similar event happening locally in recent times.
Light engine movement passing Hamworthy with GBRf Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ worked proving train 0Y89 0045 Totton Yard to Totton Yard which ran to Dorchester South – 22/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ running as 0Y89 0045 Totton Yard to Totton Yard passing Hamworthy – 22/01/2024
The first passenger train out of Weymouth formed by Class 444 No. 444032 ran ECS to Dorchester South, thus providing route proving between these two stations.
Tuesday 23rd – A busy day when both a run to Winfrith and a Class 458 Unit Drag to Bournemouth depot took place. First up was Direct Rail Services (DRS) Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool). I chose to see this one passing through Poole and I was both intrepid and fearless heading out in the wet weather conditions.
Direct Rail Services Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing Poole – 23/01/2024DRS Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ top and tail 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) passing SWR Class 450 No. 450084 working ECS move 5B32 0846 Poole Storage Sidings to Poole before running a service to Winchester – 23/01/2024Class 450 No. 450084 working ECS move 5B32 0846 Poole Storage Sidings to Poole approaches Poole as DRS Class 68 No.’s 68 68016 ‘Fearless’ & 68002 ‘Intrepid’ working 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings DRS to Winfrith Sidings (Wool) pass – 23/01/2024
Later that morning I took the train to see GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ leading refurbished South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 EMU No. 458404 with No. 57305 at the rear into Branksome prior to the consist reversing into the depot. This was the second leg of the EMU’s transfer after initially setting out from Widnes the previous day, this working was recorded as 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD.
GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ enters Branksome railway station leading on 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 23/01/2024Refurbished SWR Class 458 EMU No. 458404 at Branksome – 23/01/2024GBRf Class 57 No. 57305 at Branksome preparing to haul 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD into the depot – 23/01/2024GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175’ now at the rear of 5X73 0728 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD trails as the train makes its way into the depot – 23/01/2024
The Class 57’s returned to Widnes later in the day as 5Q58 1711 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Widnes Transport Tech taking with them Class 458 No. 458520, but I was unable to witness this. Well, dinner doesn’t eat itself!
I did however see the return, loaded Winfrith working; 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) which was running over half an hour late by the time it passed me at Hamworthy.
There have been several examples of 4-car Class 450 Desiro units making it west of Poole forming services to Weymouth recently. One such example was No. 450009 working 1W67 1305 London Waterloo to Weymouth and the corresponding return 1W68 1620 Weymouth to London Waterloo on 23rd January. Services to Weymouth are mostly entrusted to 5-car Class 444’s.
A rare visitor west of Poole Class 450 No. 450009 pauses at Hamworthy on 1W68 1620 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 23/01/2024
Wednesday 24th – The Network Rail (NR) New Measurement Train (NMT) top and tailed by Colas High Speed Train (HST) Class 43 power cars No.’s 43257 and 43274 working as 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road actually made it to Weymouth this month. Cause for celebration all round!
Class 43 No. 43257 on the approach to Dorchester West leading on 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 24/01/2024 (G E Barrett)Class 43 No. 43274 departing Dorchester West as 1Z22 0746 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 24/01/2024 (G E Barrett)
Thursday 25th – The Ultrasonic Test Unit consisting of Colas Class 37 No. 37116 and DBSO No. 9702 reached Weymouth as 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C.
Colas Class 37 No. 37116 departing Dorchester West at the rear of 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. – 25/01/2024 (G E Barrett)Colas Class 37 No. 37116 at Dorchester West on the return leg of 3Q14 1109 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.Chaving reversed at Weymouth – 25/01/2024 (G E Barrett)
Over on the South Western Main Line, services were severely disrupted on 25th January following the discovery of a broken rail between Christchurch and Hinton Admiral. South Western Railway (SWR) and CrossCountry (XC) trains were cancelled, delayed or revised with alternative road replacement transport being provided
Friday 26th – With the weather turning drier, brighter and colder, today saw another outing for the Totton Yard based Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) – the first and only run this week. Keeping an eye on it via the Open Time Train (OTT) maps and Real Time Trains (RTT) schedules, I could see that it was running almost 50 minutes ahead of schedule after departing Totton Yard early, so I opted to pop up to one of my favourite local locations, Hamworthy railway station, to see GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ run through heading to Weymouth.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ running 47 minutes early entering Hamworthy working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at the rear of SITT 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard with 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ leading, the consist having passed Hamworthy – 26/01/2024
Work commitments meant I hadn’t planned on seeing the return working, however a signal fault in the Poole area putting a full halt on trains heading east and Caroline having a lunch appointment meant, when I was free, I took the car and drove her to Christchurch – a sensible choice as this was where she needed to be. Conveniently, for me, the SITT still hadn’t passed Bournemouth as I drove home, so I ducked into the Asda car park which is conveniently situated adjacent the railway station and wandered over to the platforms where I was kindly allowed through the barriers to take photographs and video using my phone.
A signalling fault at Poole caused chaos with trains in the area. SWR Class 444 No. 444022 forms the VSTP (Very Short Term Planning) 1Z18 1259 Bournemouth to London Waterloo service – 26/01/2024SWR Class 444 No. 444022 begins boarding as the 1Z18 1259 Bournemouth to London Waterloo service while classmate No. 444018 awaits the arrival of another 5 carriages before it continues as the delayed 1W58 1120 Weymouth to London Waterloo. Due to a later points failure between Basingstoke and Waterloo, this service was eventually terminated at Basingstoke – 26/01/2024Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at Bournemouth working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard awaiting the green – 26/01/2024Class 66 No. 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear of the return 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard SITT pauses at Bournemouth – 26/01/2024CrossCountry Class 221 Voyager No. 221135 arrives at Bournemouth as 1010 0825 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth – 26/01/2024
Later in the afternoon, SWR services were getting back on schedule and Caroline was able to get her planned train home. While she was waiting at Christchurch, she sent me the image below of a CrossCountry Voyager passing through:
Catching the last of the sun, CrossCountry Voyager No. 220006 races through Christchurch working 1M62 1545 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly – 26/01/2024 (CLS)
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Point Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ working 3Y88 0931 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 26/01/2024
Monday 29th – A Class 458 was picked up from Bournemouth T&RSMD by GBRf locomotives, Class 57 No 57305 and Class 47 No. 47749 ‘City Of Truro’ logged as 5058 0511 Leicester Locomotive Inspection Point to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. Thinking it had been cancelled, the train defied me and actually left Leicester 140 minutes late. I was busy and unable to see the incoming working consisting of locomotives and barrier coaches. I had, though, planned on seeing the return with Class 458 No. 458524 in tow, but typically it left 90 minutes early and evaded my gaze! SWR industrial action meant that the train timetable was heavily altered and options for me to get over to Branksome by rail were much reduced. Incidentally, No. 458524 has already been refurbished at Widnes, so there is some speculation as to why the unit is returning to Cheshire.
Flashback to August 2023 when GBRf Class 47 No. 477749 ‘City Of Truro’ ran to Branksome working 5Z72 1548 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 30/08/2023
Tuesday 30th – Today was a strike day on SWR with ASLEF the train drivers union members taking industrial action. The drivers also refused to work overtime from Monday 29th January until Tuesday 6th February. The first strike in this long running dispute by ASLEF was in July 2022.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
With the site now being redeveloped, we take a look back at Weymouth Quay station. The Weymouth Harbour Tramway was opened by the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1865 in connection with Channel Island boat trains. Regular services along the branch ceased in 1987.
Pressed Steel Class 117 DMU set B436 (presumably set formed by car No.’s 51334 + 59500 + 51376). This was the first working of a diesel multiple-unit passenger service from Weymouth (Town) to Weymouth Quay. It is believed DMU’s worked on the tramway in 1983 and 1984 – 03/07/2023Weymouth Quay station is still standing in this image. On the left is the 78’4″ ‘Fantastic Too’ catamaran yacht, the world’s first full carbon sailing superyacht, built by the Polish shipyard Sunreef Yachts in 2020 and is available for charter and will accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 cabins. – 07/11/2020Reflecting on past glories, the former Weymouth Quay station went into service with Condor Ferries when they operated out of Weymouth – 17/02/2021Going, going… – 28/03/2021Gone – 04/04/2021
Saturday 25th June 1994 saw Hertfordshire Rail Tours “Corfe Mixture” railtour operate to Weymouth Quay. The train consisted of EMU’s 4-BEP No. 2301 and 4-CIG No. 1318 and appropriately Class 33 No. 33116 ‘Hertfordshire Rail Tours’. The special train ran from London Waterloo to Wareham where passengers transferred onto road coaches which took them to Swanage. After approximately 3 hours, road transport returned passengers to Wareham and the EMU’s continued to Weymouth (Town) station where everyone alighted. The Class 33 diesel loco then attached to the units and took them ECS to Weymouth Quay from where the return leg, propelled by No. 33116 as far as Weymouth Junction, started. From Weymouth Jct the two EMU’s returned to Waterloo stopping en route at Wareham to collect passengers who had elected to visit Corfe Castle after Swanage rather than going down to Weymouth. I wonder how many opted to do this?
Hertfordshire Rail Tours “Corfe Mixture” rail tour operates to Weymouth Quay with Class 33 No. 33116 ‘Hertfordshire Rail Tours’ – 25/06/1994
The final train to run along Weymouth Harbour Tramway took place on 2nd May 1999. With holidaymakers, bystanders and rail enthusiasts milling around, and preceded by a police escort, Class 73 electro-diesels No.’s 73138 and 73106 negotiated their way to Weymouth Quay station with Pathfinder Tours “Wey-Farer” railtour – in fact two identical trains worked over the line during the day, although I can only remember one! I must be getting old!
With Weymouth station in the background, Class 73 No. 73138 heads up the Weymouth Harbour branch – 02/05/1999Class 73 No. 73106 at the rear of the “Wet-Farer” railtour – 02/05/1999Class 73 No. 73106 on the return leg to Weymouth (Town) station – 02/05/1999With police escort, Class 73 No. 73106 crawls through the streets of Weymouth – 02/05/1999Class 73 No. 73138 at the rear of “The Wey-Farer” tour passing a packed Harbourside. Did we know this was the last time we would enjoy this incredible spectacle? – 02/05/1999Transrail liveried Class 37 No. 37250 runs light engine towards Weymouth (Town) station to lead the “Wey-Farer” tour to Yeovil. Transrail was created in 1994 along with Mainline Freight and Loadhaul as part of the broadly regional split of British Rail’s Trainload Freight operations – 02/05/1999
We’ll revisit the Weymouth Harbour Railway in a future blog, I’m sure. It’s a much missed element of the local railway scene and, as always, I wish I’d taken more photographs of the boat trains and other traffic traversing through the streets of Weymouth.
That’s it for another blog entry – thanks for reading, for your comments and corrections, all are much appreciated. Be seeing you!
Yoshi celebrated his 5th birthday this week with lots of hugs and a new sweater – 12/01/2024
January 12th 2024 to January 19th 2024
Yoshi celebrated his 5th birthday on Friday January 12th 2024 – he posed for a few photographs so he could show off his new sweater (which would come in handy as temperatures plummeted over the course of the following week), cap and bandana. He didn’t really take to wearing the cap outside, so we put it away for another day. Lots of treats ensued.
Yoshi shows off his new sweater and cap on his 5th birthday – 12/01/2024
It has been a busy week or so in Dorset if, like me, you have a penchant for test and engineering trains. Yes, I’m late with this blog entry, yes, I’m obsessed with trains, and yes, I “enjoy” the solitude of a railway station platform at 0430 on a cold January morning with only the sound of waking birdsong, Network Rail staff opening gates to access the trackside and the distant call of a Class 66 locomotive tooting in the dark telegraphing its existence. This was my experience on the morning of Tuesday 16th January when I hauled myself out of bed in the early hours after a disturbed night because Yoshi had busied himself building a pillow fort as I tried to sleep. DB Cargo had two scheduled engineers trains running into Dorset on this day, one in the morning and one in the late evening – both in connection with engineering works around the Hinton Admiral, Hampshire area. The trains were scheduled to run from Eastleigh East Yard and reverse at Bournemouth before heading back in the direction they had come. Both trains employed the same locomotives, Class 66 No.’s 66154 and 66186.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66186 powers through Christchurch at the head of 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard – 16/01/2024Having reversed at Bournemouth, 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard is now in the charge of DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66154 which is seen heading back through Christchurch – 16/01/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66186 having arrived at Bournemouth with 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral – 16/01/2024The driver of DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66154 prepares to depart Bournemouth with 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral – 16/01/2024
Video of DB Cargo engineers train workings 6N60 0455 Christchurch to Eastleigh East Yard at Christchurch and 6N65 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Hinton Admiral at Bournemouth featuring Class 66 No.’s 66186 and 66154 – 16/01/2024
Monday 15th January and we welcomed the usual monthly Colas test train worked by a pair of GB Railfreight (GBRf) Class 73 Electro-Diesel locomotives. This time around No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ graced us with their presence top and tailing 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth.
GBRf Class 73 No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ leading on 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole passing SWR Class 444 444023 which had arrived with 1B57 1835 London Waterloo to Poole service – 15/01/2024GBRf Class 73 No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’ heads up the return 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard through Hamworthy – 15/01/2024
Video of GBRf Class 73 electro-diesels No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ top and tailing 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 15/01/2024
As I’ve mentioned numerous times previously, I have a short list of railway traction I would like to photograph. This can be because of a name carried by the locomotive or vehicle in question or perhaps a special livery variation. One GBRf Class 66 I’ve been keeping tabs on of late is No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’. The loco was out of sight on Doncaster Roberts Road depot in Doncaster, a stones throw from the Morrison’s petrol station I visited to refuel the car as we drove to Scarborough last month and seemed to spend a good deal of time rostered on duties in the North of the country. However, during January, No. 66756 found its way down south and eventually ended up at Eastleigh. Seeing online that she was stabled on Eastleigh East Yard on Saturday morning of the 13th January, Yoshi and I ventured over the border to Hampshire in the hope that this time the locomotive would be visible from a public space. Suffice to say, we were unable to see just where the loco had been parked, and we left without accomplishing our mission. It wasn’t a totally wasted journey however, as we took the opportunity to take some photos at Eastleigh and then stop off and take a look at Freightliner Southampton Maritime via a short break at St Denys.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66713 ‘Forest City’ stands in Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024Another view of GBRf Class 66 No. 66713 ‘Forest City’ at Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66304 at Eastleigh East Yard. The locomotive had arrived in the company of No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ the previous night working light engine 0O44 1910 Kineton MOD GBRf to Eastleigh East Yard which had prompted my visit on this day – 13/01/202466711 ‘Sence’ painted in Aggregate Industries livery rests in-between duties at Eastleigh East Yard – 13/01/2024Colas Class 66 No. 66848 and track machines at Eastleigh CTT Forwardings – 13/01/2024Class 153 DMU No. 153311 which previously operated in passenger service with East Midlands Railway (EMR) but has now been converted by Network Rail into Video inspection Unit VIU 1 at Eastleigh. This unit had been scheduled to undertake two runs to Bournemouth on the previous day working as 2Q14 1312 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard, but in the event both trips were cancelled – 13/01/2024Pioneer Class 66 No. 66001 part of the DB Cargo fleet stands adjacent to Eastleigh railway station. This locomotive was originally English Welsh & Scottish Railway’s (EWS) first General Motors (GM) 3,300hp Class 66 which arrived in the UK on Saturday April 18th 1998 at Immingham Dock – and according to Rail Magazine at the time was expected to start work on May 18th. More from Rail issue 330:
The pioneer locomotive of the 250-strong class was taken by rail to the nearby Immingham depot, fittingly hauled dead by Class 56 No. 56018, which itself arrived by sea at Harwich from Romania on January 22 1977. After unloading from heavy lift vessel Fairload, operated by Jumbo Shipping, it was inspected to ensure it was fit to move and the brake system tested. Widespread rumours that the locomotive was dropped as it was loaded in the USA were proved to be untrue. After No. 66001 was unloaded a delighted EWS Project Engineer Graham Preston told RAIL: “This is only the beginning – I’ll be even more happy when the rest have arrived. GM has made a cracking start with delivery well within the contract time and bang on schedule. “Our best estimate was for the locomotive to leave the factory in early March and it actually was finished at the end of March. It’s the fastest that GM has ever delivered a new locomotive design.” It was originally hoped that the locomotive would arrive a few weeks earlier, however the original plan, to use a fast seven-day crossing from Canada to Liverpool was scuppered when the price rose considerably. Instead No. 66001 was towed to Albany, New Jersey where it was loaded. The ship previously visited Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire, to unload machinery, before arriving at Immingham. Deliveries of the production series, construction of which will start in earnest once EWS and Railtrack are satisfied with the prototype, will be made to Newport, South Wales. A ship, which can carry up to eleven locomotives each journey, has been chartered for two years and will take around 10 days for the crossing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Once the Class has received Railtrack type approval and a safety case, (with completion of acceptance tests on No. 66001) there will not be a need for Railtrack to inspect each locomotive. Locomotives will arrive tested and ready to run. EWS will check lubricants, coolant, brake systems and all systems. This will take three hours per locomotive after which they will go directly into traffic. As production starts in May the first four production series (Nos. 66003-6) are expected in July, eight (Nos. 66007-14) in August and 11 (Nos. 66015-25) in September. Thereafter deliveries will be 11 locomotives a month. The other pre-production locomotive, No. 66002, which has yet to be painted, was due to move to the Association of American Railroads test track at Pueblo, Colorado in late May for a series of exhaustive tests. It will be delivered later this year once the work is complete. During the weekend of April 18/19 No. 66001 was inspected over a pit at Immingham depot, and on Monday April 20 was displayed to the press at the depot, where it made its first movements under its own power in Britain. This took place within the depot confines, which is EWS, not Railtrack infrastructure. One aspect of the Class 66 design is its radial steering bogies which slightly turn the leading axles on each bogie as the locomotive enters a curve. This results in no flange squeal, even on the sharpest curves and is expected to double the life of tyres. No. 66001 was towed to Toton by 60016 on Monday evening, where a further, very detailed inspection was made. Early on Friday April 24 it was towed to Chester where it was exhibited for a visit by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, returning to Toton the same day. It was moved on Monday April 27 to the Engineering Development Unit at Derby (former Research Department) for two weeks of static tests, to be followed by a week of loaded main line trials, probably over the Midland Main Line. After this it will enter service, and is expected to be based initially at Newport, South Wales. Three EWS staff have been trained in Canada to drive the Class 66. Conversion courses for other crews are being developed, but it is expected that Class 59 drivers will require a one-day course, and Class 58/60 drivers will need a three day course. The Class 66 can work in multiple with Class 59s and 67s (to be delivered in 1999). – 13/01/2024Southern Class 377 No. 377201 working 1N15 0928 Southampton Central to Brighton on the approach to St Denys – 13/01/2024SWR Class 450 No. 450057 working 2E20 0838 Portsmouth & Southsea to Southampton Central /at St Denys having passed Southern Class 377 No. 377201 forming 1N15 0928 Southampton Central to Brighton – 13/01/2024Freightliner Class 66 No. 66539 passing St Denys working 4018 0424 Lawley Street FLT to Southampton MCT – 13/01/2024Freightliner Maritime with Class 70 No. 70007, Class 66 No. 66553 in the foreground and Class 66 No. 66556 and Class 70 No. 70005 behind – 13/01/2024Class 70 No. 70002 being shunted around Southampton MCT by Class 66 No. 66556- 13/01/2024“Super Shunter” for the day Class 66 No. 66556 at Freightliner Southampton Maritime – 13/01/2024The Totton based Snow & Ice Treatment Train passes Southampton MCT, top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ – 13/01/2024Having shunted back at Southampton Maritime, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66539 arrives at the container terminal working 4018 0424 Lawley Street FLT to Southampton MCT – 13/01/2024
Video which consists mostly of Freightliner “Super Shunter” Class 66 No. 66556 moving things about at Southampton Maritime – 13/01/2024
Late on Saturday evening, Freightliner had the responsibiity of providing motive power for an engineers train to Hamworthy. Two of the FL Class 66 locos we had last seen at Maritime earlier in the day were provided on this working, which I saw at Poole on the outward trip as well as the return working which ran on Sunday morning. The work site was to the west of Hamworthy railway station and away from prying eyes. I did witness two Network Rail employees placing a temporary STOP sign – to protect the branch line – in front of the existing STOP sign which is fixed to a sleeper chained across the track just after the point where the Hamworthy branch leaves the main line. A case of belt and braces!
Freightliner Class No. 66556 crawls through Poole working 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy – 13/01/2024Freightliner Class No. 66539 at Poole on the rear of 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy as SWR Class 444 No. 444026 arrives with the 2W86 2310 Weymouth to Bournemouth service – 13/01/2024
Video of Freightliner Class No.’s 66 locomotives 66556 and 66539 at Poole working ballast train 6Y85 22:44 Eastleigh East Yard to Hamworthy (13/01/2024) and 6Y85 07:30 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard (14/01/2024)
Moving forward a few days to Thursday 18th January and having received confirmation from friend of this blog, Jamie, that the aforementioned No. 66756 was scheduled to be working down the Fawley branch to Marchwood near Southampton, and taking into consideration the beautiful sunny, but cold day, I made the last minute decision to drive over and wait for the train to cross at the manual level crossing adjacent to the former Marchwood railway station.
Looking from the level crossing at Marchwood down the line towards Totton, GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ can be seen approaching with 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf – 18/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ about to cross over the manual level crossing at Main Road, Marchwood hauling 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf – 18/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ on the associated return working (4Z47 1218 Marchwood MOD GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf) from Marchwood MOD pauses in the former Marchwood railway station awaiting the ‘go ahead’ to proceed from the crossing gate keeper – 18/01/2024 Although semaphore signals remain in situ at Marchwood, they do not appear to be operational as GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ works 4Z47 1218 Marchwood Mod GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf – 18/01/2024
Video of GBRf Class 66 No. 66756 ‘Royal Corps Of Signals’ at Marchwood working 4O77 0256 London Gateway GBRf to Marchwood Mod GBRf and 4Z47 1218 Marchwood Mod GBRf to Doncaster Down Decoy GBRf – 18/01/2024
Fawley oil refinery was established in 1921 with its construction starting in the spring of 1923, the contractors being Sir Robert McAlpine & Co Ltd. The Fawley railway branch line was built under provision of the Light Railways Act 1896 as the “Totton, Hythe and Fawley Light Railway”, opening on 20th July 1925. It branches off at the South West Main Line west of Totton station, running parallel with the line to Bournemouth and Weymouth for one mile before curving away to the south. Prior to the passenger service being withdrawn on 14th February 1966, stations were served at Marchwood, Hythe, and Fawley. Between Hythe and Fawley a station for workmen was opened briefly between 1958 and 1965 named Hardley Halt.
Railway traffic as far as Marchwood increased after a siding to Cracknore Hard was laid in 1939 for harbour defences. It was expanded to a full-blown military port in 1943, the slipway becoming a major assembly point for Mulberry floating harbour sections in 1944.
The passenger service to Fawley was always traditionally somewhat sparse with just three return trips and a long gap during the day when refinery staff were at work. There was an expansion in freight traffic as, for more than 80 years, ExxonMobil and its predecessors used rail to move oil products from the refinery, but all associated traffic ceased in September 2016. Railway Magazine reported the last DB Cargo train from Fawley; a rake of empty bogie tankers, ran on September 5th 2016. The line is now only used by freight to and from Marchwood Military Port as well as taking and removing SWR Class 701 EMU’s in storage.
Looking to the future, it is proposed to partly reopen the line with stations located at Marchwood and Hythe. On 23rd May 2020, the Department of Transport (DafT) announced that the line now marketed as the “Waterside Line” had been shortlisted for further funding to investigate the restoration of passenger services. The end of the 8-mile line would be unused, but a southern terminus, called Hythe and Fawley Parkway, would open on the site of the Hardley Halt station.
In March 2022, Rail Magazine reported that Network Rail would be taking the scheme to get the line reopened forward. However, the proposed Hythe & Fawley Parkway station will not now be included. The service that Network Rail is proposing is a 2 car Class 158/9, running every 30 minutes between Hythe and Southampton with passenger services starting in 2025 at the earliest if plans are accepted. Following public consultations held in August / September 2022, 84% of people backed the proposal to reinstate the line for passenger service.
The Totton Yard based Snow and Ice Treatment Train (SITT) saw multiple incursions into Dorset during the recent frosty January weather working:
12/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
14/01/2024 – 3Y88 1009 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard
17/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
19/01/2024 – 3Y89 2200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard
Snow & Ice Treatment Train workings in January 2024 (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
Elsewhere on the UK network, the final day of Class 508 workings took place on 16th January 2024 when Merseyrail withdrew the last operational example of the class, No. 508104 after 44 years of service. The Class 508 developed from the prototype PEP stock were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL), at Holgate Road carriage works, York, between 1979 and 1980 and initially worked alongside much older first generation 4-SUB EMU’s in the London Waterloo area. The first Class 508 unit was delivered to Strawberry Hill depot on 9th August 1979.
Class 508 No. 508018 and 4-SUB No. 4656 at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981Class 508 No. 508017 at the buffer stops at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981Class 508 No. 508042 and 4-VEP 7815 at London Waterloo – 23/03/1981
Transfer to of the Class 508’s to Merseyside began in 1982 when they were reduced from 4-car to 3-car sets. The removed trailer cars live on as part of South Western Railway Class 455.
Class 508 No. 508140 at Southport – 13/07/2022Yoshi at Southport taking a look at Class 508 No. 508140 – 13/07/2022Class 508 No. 508120 at Liverpool James Street with the 1407 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 455 No. 455734 leading classmate No. 455708 towards Branksome working 5Y51 empty coaching stock movement 1431 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Depot to Wimbledon Depot Sidings. The second coach of each unit was taken from Class 508 units and the different height and shape of the carriage to the rest of the unit can be clearly seen – 02/03/2022
As you may be aware, train strikes are planned from Tuesday 30th January through to Monday 5th February 2024.
• Tuesday 30th January – Gatwick Express, Great Northern, South Western Railway (including Island Line), Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink
• Wednesday 31th January – Northern, TransPennine Express
• Friday 2nd February – c2c, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), LNER
• Saturday 3rd February – Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway
• Monday 5th February – Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway
In addition, the above train operators will have an overtime ban between Monday 29th January and Tuesday 6th February.
Dorset Council and BCP Council have joined forces to develop a new transport plan for the whole of Dorset fit for the 21st Century and have launched a survey running until 3rd March. They would like our thoughts on the following:
• improving transport across rural and urban areas;
• ensuring all ages and abilities can access services;
• making it easier to be more physically active;
• enabling more opportunities for affordable, available and accessible public transport;
• helping people feel safer on our roads and on public transport;
• reducing congestion and carbon emissions; or
• improving digital and real-time travel information
You can find out more and complete the survey online here – paper copies are also available at Dorset Council and BCP Council libraries.
Many thanks for reading, for your comments and corrections. All being well, we’ll be back soon! Be seeing you.
Yoshi visited The London Museum of Water & Steam to celebrate the New Year. In the background are the museum buildings and the impressive Victorian standpipe tower, which is not, as you might expect, a chimney but a brick winter coat for the two systems of vertical pipes – through which water was pumped before it entered the mains water supply – contained within to prevent freezing and is the museum’s most striking feature standing at 200 ft high. The Grade I brick tower, of Italianate design, was constructed in 1867 to replace an earlier open metal lattice structure – 01/01/2024
January 1st 2024 to January 11th 2024
We kicked off 2024 with a visit to the “New Years Steam Up” being held at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. The Steam Up weekend of celebrations was the first opportunity in two years for people to marvel at the monstrous working steam engines that once provided water to the millions living and working in London. In July 2022, the Museum’s 96 year old Lancashire Boiler failed an inspection when it was discovered one of the seventeen rivets which hold the crown valve mounting flange onto the main boiler shell had lost its heat inside the boiler’s steam space. This meant that the boiler could no longer be used and the steam engines fell silent and still while extensive repairs were carried out. Now, just in time to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary the boiler is steaming once again.
Situated on the site of the former Kew Bridge Pumping Station, close to Kew Bridge on the River Thames in West London, the museum is centred on a collection of stationary water pumping steam engines dating from 1820 to 1910. It is the home of the world’s largest collection of working Cornish engines, including the largest working beam engine in the world; the Grand Junction 90 inch.
The Grand Junction 90 inch has a cylinder diameter of 90 inches (hence its name!) and was used to pump water to London for 98 years. This machine is over 40 feet high and weighs about 250 tons. It was described by Charles Dickens as “a monster”. It was built by Sandys, Carne & Vivian of Hayle in 1846 as the first Cornish beam engine specifically designed for water supplies and was powerful enough to supply water to the upper floors of buildings, allowing direct supply to upstairs bathrooms 01/01/2024
We arrived early after a good run in the car up from Dorset and luckily found parking on site in the small car park at the museum, although the site is only a 3 minute walk from Kew Bridge railway station if you chose to arrive by train. There were a number of families in evidence with young children during our visit and the museum is a great place to learn and have fun.
Exhibiting a plethora of steam, diesel and electric powered pumps, the London Museum of Water & Steam tells the story of London’s water supply housed in historic Georgian buildings and they very kindly allowed access to Yoshi, but explained that our boy may not like some of the steam engines when they are working. We duly followed this advice and Yoshi waited with one of his hoomans in the Pump and Grind Coffee Shop or explored the garden area while the machines were being operated. The coffee shop was very busy and served an excellent cuppa. It is run by “Our Barn Community”, a local charity working with young people with learning difficulties enabling a supported work placement.
We have shared just a small fraction of the engineering marvels housed at the museum below:
The Waddon Engine with drove 3 pumps was built by James Simpson & Co of Newarkin 1910 and originally found use at Waddon Pumping Station in Croydon. It was the last steam water-pumping engine in active UK service before being retired in June 1983. It was restored in 1990 and restored to original Edwardian colours for display at the museum – 01/01/2024This waterwheel was built in 1902 by S. Hindley & Sons in Bourton, Dorset for the Duke of Somerset to serve his estate at Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire and was one of the last waterwheels ever built to pump water in the UK – 01/01/2024The Boulton & Watt (West engine) is the oldest engine in the London Museum of Water & Steam having been built in Birmingham in 1820.It was one of a pair moved to Kew in 1840 which were then converted into a Cornish type between 1846 and 1848. Retired in 1944, this was the first engine to be returned to working order in 1975 – 01/01/2024
Kew Bridge Pumping Station was originally opened in 1838 by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, expanding over the ensuing years and ultimately housing six steam pumping engines as well as four Allen diesel pumps and four electric pump sets. The steam engines were retired from service in 1944, although two were kept on standby until 1958. The Metropolitan Water Board thankfully decided not to scrap the resident steam pumping engines and set them aside to form the basis of a museum display at a later date which came to fruition in 1974 with the formation of the Kew Bridge Engines Trust.
The original Number 1 horizontal AC motor driving centrifugal pump was built in 1944 by Hawthorn Davey & Co of Leeds. This type of electric pump replaced steam engines at pumping stations across the UK and this example is the oldest surviving pump of its kind. It was retired in the late 1980’s – 01/01/2024
The museum also runs a 2 ft narrow gauge railway, which despite being advertised as running over the weekend, was unfortunately not operating during our visit. The museum has been a filming location for many television programmes, including the Doctor Who serial “Remembrance of the Daleks” broadcast in 1988.
After our visit to the London Museum of Water & Steam, we had planned on taking a trip into central London by rail, but in the event decided against this and instead took a drive and a leisurely walk around nearby Richmond, including a visit to the railway station. Of course we did!
The Art Deco façade of Richmond railway station complete with its square clock centrepiece – 01/01/2024
The Art Deco station building in Richmond, designed by James Robb Scott (1882-1965) for the Southern Railway and constructed in Portland stone dates from 1937 and replaced an earlier station on the site. Scottish born Scott became the Chief Architect of the Southern Railway and is perhaps best known for his redesign of London Waterloo between 1910 and 1923 where he was chiefly responsible for the offices, main entrance and war memorial to the fallen employees of the railway known as the Victory Arch. Scott also designed Wimbledon and Surbiton railway stations – now part of the South Western Railway (SWR) network – the latter having recently celebrated 40 years since being bestowed Grade II listed status.
SWR, Network Rail (NR) and the Railway Heritage Trust are jointly funding a £325,000 programme of improvements with hopes of more refurbishment to come in the future, subject to additional funding being made available. Initial work includes cleaning the Portland stone façade, repairing the timber entrance doors and polishing its bronze embellishments, repairing flagpoles and refurbishing customer toilets.
The restored entrance doors to Richmond railway station which Yoshi unceremoniously christened on our visit…. 01/01/2024
The style of the building at Richmond is suggested as being inspired by the work of Charles Holden (1875-1960), the architect behind London Underground stations including South Wimbledon on the Northern line. Holden’s designs included multi-frame glazing, enamelled signage panels, the use of an iconic typeface for signage and brick and tile detailing. Similar features at Richmond have been lost or covered up over time, including during the station’s last major refurbishment in 1985. SWR, NR and the Railway Heritage Trust have worked with Benedict O’Looney Architects on designs that include restoring or replicating those features, and others, in future improvements. Paying close attention to detail, the station’s original, hand-drawn plans are being used together with promotional photographs from when the station first opened its doors to customers. Samples of the station’s original paint are also being analysed by the University of Lincoln, specialists in the conservation and restoration of the interior and exterior features of listed and historic buildings.
The area in front of Richmond station main entrance was pedestrianised in 2013 and includes a war memorial to soldier Bernard Freyberg, who was born in Richmond. As well as Sir trains, the station is served by the London Overground North London Line and Underground District Line trains.
Star of the show, Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 working the 1200 Swanage to Norden service approaches Corfe Common – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway’s first event of 2024 was their annual “Winter Warm Up” weekend held on January 6th & 7th. With cold, but clear weather forecast, I decided on heading down to Swanage on the Saturday after taking a chance on a picturesque sunrise at Durdle Door on the way.
Resident Class 33 No. 33111 crosses Corfe Viaduct hauling the 1245 Swanage to Norden train – 06/01/2023SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ takes her turn on the demonstration freight working the 1132 Norden to Swanage nearing Afflington. Later during the weekend, brake van rides were offered – 06/01/2024This time working a passenger train, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ has departed Norden with the 1415 service to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ takes her turn on the freight wagons working 1302 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Harman’s Cross with the 1030 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024
In action this year was the recently restored Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 hauling its first freight train since its return to service, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and the resident Class 33 diesel locomotives no.’s 33111 and D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 powers away from Corfe Castle at the head of the 1357 Swanage to Norden demonstration freight – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group have been nominated for the “Steam Railway Magazine Award”. This award is decided by the public and will be announced at Heritage Railway Association’s annual ceremony on February 10th 2024 and you can now cast your vote online until the 18th January 2024: www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards
Video from January 6th 2024 Swanage Winter Warm Up
Scheduled mainline action kicked off the year with a “no-show” as the HST powered New Measurement Train (NMT) failed to reach Weymouth on January 3rd after a points failure at Castle Cary curtailed 1Z22 1211 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – top and tailed by Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43257 – at Westbury. Interestingly three different paths were put in for this test train on this particular day. The one which finally ran was timed later than the usual working to Dorset, but not as late as one of the options given for the day!
We did, however, get to experience a daylight Snow & Ice treatment Train (SITT) on Sunday 7th January as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ in top and tail formation worked to Weymouth as 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. 66764 replaced No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ and No. 66743 which had both been previously paired up with No. 66772 on the Totton based SITT locomotive diagram.
Sunday morning tranquility is disturbed as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ top and tail SITT 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard across Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ leads on the return 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard Snow & Ice Treatment Train through Hamworthy with No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy working 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 07/01/2024
Major John Poyntz served in the British army for 35 years, with the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Corps of Transport. After military service, he joined the Railway Inspectorate, now part of the Office of Rail and Road, and was the last Royal Engineer to take such a route, spending 25 years in the role as a Railway Inspector. His work included inspections of heritage railways and dealing with accidents and incidents such as the Severn Tunnel rail accident and the Cannon Street rail crash, both in 1991.
Overnight on Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th a ballast train headed to Moreton working as 6C03 2312 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton (Dorset) in the hands of Colas locomotives Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809. We saw the ensemble pass through Hamworthy on the outward leg and had planned to see the associated return 6C03 0810 Moreton (Dorset) to Eastleigh East Yard crossing Holes Bay, but as the train set off over an hour early and with the sun yet to rise, we played safe and returned once again to Hamworthy railway station to watch the train pass through.
January ballast train with Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809
The SITT returned to the Bournemouth to Weymouth line under the cover of darkness on Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th January employing the same pair of Class 66’s as the previous Sunday run.
January 2024 Dorset Snow & Ice Treatment Train workings (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
In between the SITT workings, on Tuesday 9th January, we saw a first for Dorset as Direct Rail Services (DRS) ran a service to Winfrith using a Class 88 locomotive No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ which had replaced failed Class 68 No. 68004 (which itself had substituted for No. 68005) and No. 68003 ‘Astute’ in top an tail formation. This was the inaugural use a Class 88 on the Bournemouth to Weymouth line.
DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ with Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ working the empties to Winfrith as 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings through Hamworthy – 09/01/2024DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) at Hamworthy – 09/01/2024Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ at the rear of 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings having cleared Hamworthy railway station. Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads – 09/01/2024
The Class 88 is a mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Stadler Rail and is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family.
Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ remained at the rear for the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 09/01/2024
During the development of the Class 68 diesel locomotive for DRS which was first announced in January 2012, the design team at Stadler proposed the concept of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). In comparison to conventional diesel locomotives, this arrangement enables operational costs to be significantly reduced when diagrammed on routes partially or entirely under OHLE, under which the diesel engine can be deactivated.In September 2013, DRS placed an order for ten such locomitives which would become the Class 88. Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotive types, with an approximate 70% share of components.
Video of January 9th 2024 Winfrith run (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
The Class 88 is the first dual-mode locomotive type in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification, as the only other electro-diesel locomotives to have entered service with British Railways are the Class 73’s and Class 74’s, which operated on the Southern Region using third rail electrification, and we’ve reached back into the archives to find some images to share:
Class 74 No. 74010 at Doncaster Works. Withdrawn from service in December 1977, the locomotive was cut up here in October 1979 after being given a brief reprieve so that it could be for evaluated for departmental use by the Railway Technical Centre (RTC) in Derby. It was given a light overhaul at Eastleigh before being towed to Derby, where it was eventually deemed to be unsuitable and taken to Doncaster for scrapping – 22/07/1979A hastily taken photo of Class 74’s at London Waterloo taken from a departing train bound for Weymouth. This side of the station later became Waterloo International between 1994 and 2007 – July 1977Class 74 No. 74004 has had a bit of a bump (not helped by my camera shake!) as it stands forlorn at Eastleigh Diesel Depot during the 1978 Open Day. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in December 1977 and cut up at Birds in Long Marston. She was originally built as the pioneer Class 71 and numbered E5000 – 30/04/1978Withdrawn Class 74’s at Eastleigh Diesel Depot Open Day including No.’s 74005 and 74009 – 30/04/1978
Eastleigh Open Day 1978 flyerClass 73 No. 73122 and 2-HAP Unit No. 6103 with a third unidentified carriage and Class 33 No. 33116 working a test train towards Dorchester South – 13/05/1981The same test train as in the image above focussing on Class 33 No. 33116 on the approach to Dorchester South – 13/05/1981
For The Record:
In other news, the SWR Class 701 Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s) finally entered revenue earning service on Tuesday 9th January 2024 when No. 701037 worked a single round trip between Waterloo and Windsor Eton Riverside. The Derby-built trains had been due to enter service in 2019. SWR have since promised the rolling stock would enter passenger service in 2023 – a promise echoed by the Department for Transport (DaFT) in a statement issued in May 2023, which said the trains would run “this calendar year”. It is intended a Class 701 will continue to run off-peak Monday to Friday between London Waterloo and Windsor, in order to fulfil that commitment, making one single round trip each day, or working between 1000 and 1600. The phased entry into service of the Class 701’s – which continue test runs to Poole and Bournemouth – will eventually allow for the withdrawal of SWR’s Class 455 units and the cascade of the Class 458 fleet to longer distance services.
Back in 2020, the first Class 701 to be delivered, No. 701002, was delivered to South Western Railway and somehow made its way to Weymouth where it is seen here in Jersey Sidings awaiting commissioning tests. Yoshi and I stumbled across it while out for our morning walkies – 16/06/200
The North Dorset NMT ran on Thursday 11th January 2024 – a week earlier than I expected – in the hands of HST Class 43 power cars No.’s 43013 and 43257.
Lake Road was closed to road traffic from its junction with Lake Drive to its junction with Coles Avenue from Monday 8th January up to and including Friday 12th January 2024 – 2200 to 0600 daily to facilitate removal of material from a bridge strike and replace missing signage on Lake Road Bridge situated on the Hamworthy Branch. We popped by a couple of times, and although the road was indeed closed, there didn’t seem to be any activity taking place with regards to bridge repairs, which is disappointing to say the least.
Road closure at Lake Road bridge – but little sign of any repairs taking place – 08/01/2024Yoshi had his first grooming session of 2024 on Monday 8th January and couldn’t wait to show off his new cut to his grandmama – 08/01/2024
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Next week, we’ll celebrate Yoshi’s birthday and hopefully have some more Dorset based railway images and video to bring you. Thank you for reading and for your comments, corrections and amendments. All very much appreciated. We’ll leave you with a couple of shots from that early morning trip to Durdle Door! Be seeing you!
Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024
Yoshi at Yeovil Junction with Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo-Bo diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components (engine and transmission) from General Motors Diesel. Yoshi is a cockapoo dog, a miniature poodle and cocker spaniel mix produced in Wiltshire – 23/12/2023
December 11th 2023 to December 31st 2023
The second part of our December blog is finally here! After our trip to the North, we didn’t have to wait long for some local railway themed action as another Class 458 EMU drag from Widnes Transport Tech to Bournemouth depot took place on Wednesday 13th running as 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD. I kept one eye on its movement via the live maps available on the Open Time Trains website, and at one point almost left home early as the train was running well ahead of time.
GBRf Class 69 No.69008 at Branksome preparing to reverse into the depot with 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
However, the train was held outside of Eastleigh for a while so I was able to get to Branksome on the train as planned just prior to the arrival of GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 69 No. 69008 with South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 No. 458424 sandwiched in-between barrier coaches. The return run taking another Class 458 for refurbishment in Widnes was set for departure the afternoon of the same day, but was afforded three different paths out of the depot. Avoiding the possibility of picking the wrong working and either missing the departure or having a lengthy wait I decided just to remain at home instead!
GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 with SWR Class 458 No. 458424 in tow arrives at Branksome heading 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
No. 56081 is to to be retired to Longport in the New Year. While the option for additional Class 69 conversions doesn’t appear to have been taken yet, the planned despatch of the Class 56 to Longport certainly places it in position for potential conversion to No. 69017.
Later on the same day, the Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) ran from Totton to Dorchester South and back as 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard with Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’. I toyed briefly with the notion of driving to Dorchester to get a photo of No. 66743 in its Belmond Royal Scotsman livery, but decided against it on this occasion.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’ passing Hamworthy with 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 13/12/2023
Saturday 16th December was a bit of a road trip so I could see what could well be the final DB Cargo (DBC) Class 60 hauled railtour as the class are to be ‘retired’ in April 2024 by the Deutsche Bahn owned freight operator following an announcement it is to eliminate the use of its Class 60 locomotives by re-gearing ten of its Class 66 loco’s to provide an enhanced tractive effort. As most of its services are operated by Class 66 locomotives, with the Class 60’s only seeing limited use, DB Cargo concluded that if services operated by its Class 60 locomotives could be transferred to Class 66’s with a higher tractive effort, it would benefit its customers and the company.
DB Cargo has also said that in the future they are going to focus on contractual railtour operations, with the likes of the Belmond British Pullman trains, and less on the ‘ad hoc’ operations for other tour promoters, such as Pathfinder Railtours who were running “The Festive Midland-Ian” which was promoted as an attempt to try and cover as many freight lines, loops and locations as possible in the West Midlands, featuring some “rare track”. The requested motive power had been Top & Tail DBC Class 60’s but, due to the low numbers of the class remaining in service, on the day DBC were forced to substitute a Class 66 for one of them.
Pathfinder named the railtour “The Festive Midland-Ian” after Ian Loveday who devises and helps with many enthusiast rail based excursions. Ian often advises and assists with access to heavily sought after lines including this 16th December charter.
The route for the tour was confirmed as: GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM SPA, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, Kidderminster DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, Stourbridge DGL, Rowley Regis UGL, BIRMINGHAM SNOW HILL, Up & Down Small Health Goods, Caledonia Yard, Up & Down Small Heath Goods, Tyseley Up Through Siding, Dorridge UPL, Leamington Spa UCV, Fenny Compton UGL, Banbury DGL, Banbury Reservoir Sdgs – BANBURY (Break), Fenny Compton DGL, Kineton Branch NR Limit, Leamington Spa DCV, Hatton DGL, Dorridge UDGL, Birmingham New Street (non-stop), Wolverhampton Logistics Centre, Bescot Stadium, Bushbury DGL, Stafford RMT, Oxley Chord, Wolverhampton, Bescot Stadium, Bescot DGL, Aston, BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET, Rowley Regis DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, CHELTENHAM SPA, GLOUCESTER
I decided to head to Banbury as I remembered an accesible road bridge close to the Tarmac works which in turn is adjacent to Banbury Resevoir sidings. “The Festive Midland-Ian” is believed to be the first passenger train to visit to the Reservoir stone terminal sidings at Banbury. On the way, I took a slight detour so I could pick up @smithy.377 and looking at the timings available to us on real Time Trains, we realised we’d have a few passes of the train as it worked its way along Banbury Goods Loop and back before tackling the stone terminal sidings. We also enjoyed a few other passing passenger trains and a couple of freights.
Chiltern Class 58 No. 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) propels 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone towards Banbury railway station – 16/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70014 working 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal nears Banbury – 16/12/2023
The railtour had to arrive at Resevoir Sidings prior to the arrival of a scheduled GBRf stone train which was confirmed as running on the 16th. The Pathfinder tour was then diagrammed to head into Banbury for a brief layover before heading back up the mainline towards Wolverhampton. I had read the previous day that the Class 66 would be leading towards Banbury, but I was very pleased to see the Class 60 at the front as it rounded the distant curve heading for down goods loop. This meant that we managed to get numerous shots of the leading locomotive and led me to abandon any thoughts of chasing the train up to Fenny Compton and possibly beyond.
DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ arrives with 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ prepares to run around her train; 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023Class 66 No. 66194 takes charge of the second leg of “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal – 16/12/2023
After seeing the Class 66 No. 66194 taking “The Festive Midland-Ian” back towards Wolverhampton, I opted to return home via Didcot in the hope that I could get a photo of special King Prince Charles Coronation liveried Class 66 No. 66023 which had been showing as being on Didcot Fuelling Point. On arrival at Didcot railway station, we were allowed up onto the platforms by Great Western Railway gateline staff, but unfortunately, the No. 66023 was nowhere to be seen. @smithy.377 later discovered the locomotive was inside a shed and therefore out of sight of our cameras. We were able to photograph a few other DBC Class 66 locomotives however.
In red DB Cargo livery Class 66 NO. 66149 in Didcot Yard – 16/12/2023Still carrying EWS livery, DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66083 and 66063 at Didcot – 16/12/2023
Video from Banbury on 16th December 2023 featuring DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 and Class 66 No. 66194 top and tail working “The Festive Midland-Ian” from Pathfinder Railtours; 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury & 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal. Other trains featured include: 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) – 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone 221139 – 1M30 07:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 221137 – 1O08 07:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 70014 – 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal 168108/168106 – 1R17 09:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168218/168328 – 1H28 09:13 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220031 – 1V83 06:23 Newcastle to Reading 168004 / 168xxx – 1H30 09:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 168xxx/ 168107 – 1R19 09:32 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168xxx/ 168217 – 1R21 10:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 66740 ‘Sarah’ – 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates 168001 ‘Adrian Shooter’/168xxx – 1H33 10:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220027 – 1O12 09:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 220033 – 1M38 09:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 168322/168215 – 1R25 11:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street
Engineering works at Middle Stream Bridge near Wool on Sunday 17th December meant there were no trains running in the area. Yoshi and I had a little “family” trip out to Weymouth and I grabbed a couple of photographs of track machines resting between duties on our way home.
Balfour Beatty Matisa B66UC Tamper No. DR75501 in the sidings at Dorchester South prior to working the following days 6Q66 05:00 Dorchester Junction to Eastleigh East Yard – 17/12/2023
A tamping machine or ballast tamper, informally simply a tamper, is a self-propelled, rail-mounted machine used to pack (or tamp) the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks and roadbed more durable and level. Prior to the introduction of mechanical tampers, this task was done by manual labour with the help of beaters. As well as being faster, more accurate, more efficient and less labour-intensive, tamping machines are essential for the use of concrete sleepers since they are too heavy to be lifted by hand.
At its most basic, a tamping machine only packs the ballast. Some modern machines, sometimes known as tamper-liners or tamping and lining machines, also correct the alignment of the rails to make them parallel and level, in order to achieve a more comfortable ride for passengers and freight and to reduce the mechanical strain applied to the rails by passing trains. This is done by finding places where the sleepers have sunk from the weight of the passing trains or frost action, causing the track to sag.
The B 66 UC is a high-performance universal continuous action tamping machine designed for normal and high-speed lines. In addition to the plain line, it can handle the heaviest switches and crossings, especially those with concrete sleepers. This machine has a tamping shuttle fitted with four tamping units and a lifting and slewing clamp. In addition to these tools, telescopic diverging track lifting devices can be used when handling heavy switches and crossings. The very responsive shuttle allows a substantial output on plain line despite the fact that this is a single-head machine. The longitudinal stroke of the tamping units is long enough to position the units in a way to easily and quickly tamp Y shaped sleepers. Located in the centre of the machine, the tamping cabin provides an excellent visibility on the tools and the track. Thanks to the machine’s user-friendliness and its ergonomic controls, only two operators are needed to operate the B 66 UC to its full potential. Loram C44 Rail Grinding Machine No. DR79301 in Wool Sidings. It will depart for Poole on 19/12/2023 as 4Q01 23:44 Wool MOD Siding Freightliner Heavy Haul to Poole – 17/12/2023
A railgrinder is a permanent way maintenance train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend tracklife and to improve the ride of trains using it.
The C44 Series Rail Grinder is designed with advanced technology features that also meets stringent international standards, weights and clearances. The C44 Series complies with the W6A clearance diagram and the axle weights of international commuter lines and freight rail applications.
Loram’s C44 rail grinder delivers high-efficiency re-profiling of the railhead, removing or reducing rail corrugations, corrosion, joint mismatches and other railhead surface irregularities with industry-leading productivity.
Monday 18th December and with all lines re-opened, it was the turn of the monthly Colas test train from Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth running as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard employing the usual traction of GBRf Class 73 locomotives. This time it was the turn of No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’.
GBRf Class 73’s No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ passing through Hamworthy working 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC Serco to Eastleigh East Yard – 18/12/2023
Another day out to see a railtour took place on Saturday 23rd December, this time closer to home as DB Cargo Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. No. 67006 is one of two class members painted in a special Royal Claret livery and as such would be primarily tasked with working the Royal Train. However, the locomotive is often used for special charter trains and other occasional passenger services when not fulfilling her Royal duties. We took a roundabout route to see the railtour, taking in Totton Yard so I could finally get a clear photograph of GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 in Belmond Royal Scotsman livery as it is was still being employed on the SITT along with No. 66772 ‘Maria’. I also popped in on Freightliner Southampton Maritime and Eastleigh (which admittedly was rather quiet!)
GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.66772 ‘Maria’ on the rear of the SITT at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 and No.66772 ‘Maria’ in Totton Yard on the SITT. The train was scheduled to head to Eastleigh East Yard later that evening where it would remain over the Christmas period – 23/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70001 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023FL Class 66 No.’s 66606 and 66570 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023Class 08 diesel shunter No. 08785 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023A trio of FL Class 70’s at Southampton Maritime; 70007, 70002 and 70005 – 23/12/2023Class 153 Video Inspection Unit (VIU2) No. 153376 at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 on a DB Infrastructure Train destined for Abbey Street Junction for work over the Christmas period at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023
Always looking for a new photographic location, I had time to scout out the western portal of Gillingham tunnel. After parking up at the side of the road above the tunnel, Yoshi and I made our way along a public footpath through fields which are adjacent to the railway track. A trio of sheep were not too sure about our arrival and took off to the opposite corner to watch us from afar. Yoshi, thankfully, showed little interest in the ovine beasts and settled down at my feet as we waited for the Class 67 to turn up hauling its train.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ emerges from Gillingham Tunnel hauling 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform – 23/12/2023
After seeing the train at Gillingham tunnel, I popped into Yeovil Junction in time to see the locomotive running around her train which was being serviced after dropping off the passengers in Sherborne for the festive carol service at the Abbey the tour was named after.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ runs around its train at Yeovil Junction – 23/12/2023Crests applied to Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ reversing back onto the coaching stock to form the return leg of the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ at Yeovil Junction whilst the coaching stock employed on the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour is serviced – 23/12/2023
Video of 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ working “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform Also includes the following passing trains: Gillingham Tunnel: 159020/159013 – 1L25 1021 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids 159012/159105 – 1L44 1125 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo Yeovil Junction: 159003/159015 1L29 1120 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
On my way home from Yeovil, I made another slight detour to take a look at the Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” operation, this years seasonal offering from the Purbeck Heritage line, which I had so far not managed to see in 2023. “Polar Express” trains started running on 17th December and continued through to 30th December. With failing light which rendered photography of moving trains difficult, I waited for the late running 1445 trip from Swanage to show at Corfe Castle with resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the outward run and Southern Railway 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ with “Polar Express” emblazoned on her tender, working the return. I followed the train down to Swanage and as darkness fell this only enhanced the colourful lights within the carriages.
Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ heads up the 1445 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads towards Swanage after stopping at The North Pole (Norden) with a “Polar Express” train – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 and LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 in the sidings at Swanage while Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ waits with a “Polar Express” service in the station – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 23/12/2023LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 at Swanage – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023Darkness falls on Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ as she awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023
Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” – 23/12/2023
With SWR Desiro Electric Multiple Unit’s (EMU’s) remaining in the old South West Trains (SWT) livery now in single figures, it has been reported that Class 450 No. 450111 and Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’, both wrapped in a striped form of the South Western Railway grey livery, will be the last two units to be painted into standard SWR colours.
Class 450 No. 450111 at Eastleigh working 2B32 0902 Bournemouth to Winchester – 23/12/2023Side view showing the “stripey” South Western Railway livery carried by Class 450 No. 450111 at EastleighClass 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole having arrived with 1B31 1357 Brockenhurst to Poole – 24/12/2023Side view of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Bodyside detail of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole forming the 5B31 1437 Poole to Poole Storage Sidings ECS – 24/12/2023
The original South West Trains train livery used the Stagecoach Group colours – red, blue and orange – in a similar style to the Network South East (NSE) livery. Some detail variations were introduced before a major updating of the group’s design identity in 2000. New logos and typefaces were developed, as well as new bus and train liveries.
An unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU on the approach to Wareham in Network South East Livery at some point in the late 1990’sAnother unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU, carrying the original South West Trains livery based on the NSE style previously carried by the trains, nearing Upwey station – 05/09/1998Class 442’s at Dorchester South in the revised SWT livery in the early 2000’s
The second-generation South West Trains liveries, designed by industry specialist Best Impressions, have swooshes of the Stagecoach colours, which sweep back from the nose of the train to give an impression of movement. There were three versions of the livery employed – white on the Class 444 and 159 trains used on many longer-distance services, red on Class 455 and 456, and blue used on Class 458 and 450 trains.
SWR Class 444 No. 444034 on the approach to Weymouth showing the colours of its former operator SWT – 01/05/2020The final South Western Railway Class 444 in South Western Trains livery No. 444045 arrives at Hamworthy working 1W55 0735 London Waterloo to Weymouth – 30/12/2023SWR Class 450 No. 450060 in blue SWT colours at Weymouth – 20/05/2020Class 450 No. 450088 departing Hamworthy with an early morning Weymouth to Brockenhurst stopping service – 23/12/2021
The final Desiro’s to be re-liveried from former SWT colours into SWR grey are No.’s 450031, 450099, 450116 and 444045.
For completion: a Class 455 No. 455854 in the SWT red livery with a London Waterloo bound service at Clapham Junction – 10/12/2022
The final railtour of 2023 bordering on the Dorset area was run by UK Railtours employing DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives booked for use in a top and tail formation. “Another Awkward Week Adventure”, named because of those so called awkward days between Christmas and New Year originated in Peterborough. Problems with one of the locomotives; No. 66185 meant the railtour left 60 minutes late from its originating station after No. 66028, which had been the rear locomotive, was removed from the back of the train and re-attached to the front with No. 66185 remaining inside. This was how Yoshi and I saw the train after it had passed through Winchester on its way to Eastleigh. Here passengers had the option to detrain and take a bus to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or remain onboard for some rare track miles into Southampton Eastern and Western Docks.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ double heading 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks “Another Awkward Week Adventure” railtour west of Winchester – 30/12/2023
I next moved onto Southampton where I fancied filming the excursion crossing Canute Road which is adjacent to the former Southampton Terminus railway station which served the Port of Southampton and Southampton City Centre from 1839 until 1966. The former Terminus station building is now a casino and The South Western Hotel opened by the LSWR in 1872 has been converted into private apartments. Of the station platforms, all that remains is the glass canopy and a single line that runs from Northam junction to the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal. The private road into where the platforms once stood is now a car park.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66028 crossing Canute Road, Southampton with 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023Disgraced DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ dead in the consist of 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 runs light engine across Canute Road, Southampton as 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023After running light into the docks, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 leads out working 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023
Our final location was the footbridge over the railway line between Southampton Central and Millbrook ready to catch the train head towards Western Docks and out again Yoshi waited in the car as the weather, already very windy, turned increasingly wet! I photographed the railtour on its outward leg into Western Docks, but by the time it returned (running late) the light had gone and I didn’t want another DSLR to fall foul of water damage in 2023! Instead I managed some dodgy video which can be seen lower down the page.
Back leading the tour again; DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ on the approach to Millbrook heading up 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 at the rear of 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks on the approach to Millbrook – 30/12/2023
“Another Awkward Week Adventure” DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ and 66158: 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks / 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks / 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks / 1Z68 1531 Southampton Western Docks to Eastleigh – 30/12/2023
One final festive gift courtesy of GB Railfreight saw the SITT run to Weymouth on New Years Eve as 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard, top and tailed by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’. The SITT with the same two Class 66’s in charge was also the first locomotive hauled train into Dorset early on New Years Day 2024 when it returned as far as Bournemouth in the early hours working as 3Y89 0100 Totton Yard to Totton Yard.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy on SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023Close up of the helicopter decal on the side of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at the rear of the SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. Classmate No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ leads – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ passing Hamworthy working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard (Dorchester South video courtesy of G E Barrett) – 31/12/2023
For The Record
Following 16 days closure for engineering work on the West of England Line, the line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction re-opened on Monday 11th December while landslip repairs were affected by flooding at Crewkerne tunnel which extended the duration required for work to be completed with SWR advising customers not to attempt to travel between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St David’s until Wednesday 13th December.
Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury during the 16 day engineering possession. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66790 ‘Louise’ at Gillingham. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023
Thanks for reading, that’s it for 2023! Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. We’ll leave you with a pic of Yoshi at Durdle Door. Be seeing you!
Yoshi took an early morning trip to Durdle Door to see the sunrise – 22/12/2023
Yoshi at Chester with West Coast Railways (WCR) Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 behind him awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023
December 1st 2023 to December 10th 2023
Lots of catching up to do before we reach the end of 2023 – so here is part one of Yoshi’s December adventures. More next week!
Winter Is Coming
The first Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) of the 2023/24 season ran over the Bournemouth to Weymouth line on Saturday 2nd December 2023. Because of a points failure at Brockenhurst, this was running over 30 minutes late on the outward leg and was delayed over an hour on its return to Eastleigh East Yard.
The first Snow & Ice Treatment Train of the 2023/24 season saw GBRf Class 66 No.s 66303 and 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ working 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth. The SITT is seen here at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66303 leading on 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth passing Hamworthy – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ bringing up the rear of the outward working of 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023Nameplate of No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ – 02/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ at the rear of 3Y88 0900 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth SITT at Hamworthy – 02/12/2023
Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) in Dorset – 02/12/2023 (Additional video clips courtesy of G Barrett and @da_buckley967)
Yoshi’s Northern Adventure
Yoshi with Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at Scarborough – 05/12/2023
Back in June this year, Caroline arranged to meet up with her old school friends in Liverpool on Saturday 9th December for a pre-Christmas reunion. I was, of course, happy to volunteer my services as chaffeur as I envisaged a day of watching trains in the North West while Caroline caught up with her chums. As we got closer to the date and with announcements from TransPennine Express (TPE) confirming their decision to discontinue the use of its “Nova 3” locomotive-hauled train sets – comprised of a Class 68 locomotive and Mk5a coaches – effective from the December 2023 timetable change, my brain started working overtime at the possibility of getting one last chance of seeing these trains. If we were heading to the north west, why not take a slight detour!
Class 68 No. 68021 ‘Tireless’ having arrived at Scarborough working 1U63 1703 York to Scarborough (set TP10) – 05/12/2023
The story of the “Nova 3” programme dates back to the original tender invitation for the TPE franchise, where the Department for Transport (DafT) had initially specified the procurement of coaches, expecting the future operator to repurpose redundant five-car third-rail Electric Multiple Units (EMU) for use with diesel locomotives. However, in December 2015, FirstGroup, the eventual winner of the franchise process, opted to order brand new train sets from Spanish manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). These became the “Nova 3” sets; 52 standard Mk5a carriages and 14 Driving Trailers were built which were formed into thirteen 5-carriage sets (65 coaches intended for regular service, with the 66th coach being a spare Driving Trailer). The trains commenced service on the Liverpool – Scarborough route on 24th August 2019, powered by modified Class 68 locomotives subleased from Direct Rail Services (DRS).
Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ stands at platform 1 Scarborough awaiting time to depart with 1U64 1548 Scarborough to York (set TP06) – 05/12/2023
From their introduction, the “Nova 3″ sets were beset with multiple challenges, including technical issues, slow driver training progress, the impact of Covid-19, and noise complaints from local residents living near the maintenance facility in Scarborough. In July 2023 it was widely reported that faults were discovered in some of the Mk5a coaches, including body cracks around the yaw damper and anti-rollbar bracket area. All these issues limited the fleet’s usage, with very few sets being in service on a daily basis and much of the fleet remaining in storage. FirstGroup’s management of the TPE franchise faced scrutiny and controversy, particularly over the high level of cancelled services and abuse of an operational accounting process, widely deemed to have been used to conceal the true level of missed services. These revelations eventually led to the UK government taking control of the service through their Operator of Last Resort provision. Subsequently, an extensive review of TPE’s operations was conducted, leading to the decision to terminate the “Nova 3” programme prematurely. From December 10th 2023, the Mk5a train sets will be placed into warm storage by TPE until April 2024 at which point they will be returned to their leasing agent. It is hoped that another operator might express an interest in taking over the vehicles.
“None 3” Driving Car of set TP06 leading 1K42 2043 Scarborough to York – 06/12/2023
So, early on Tuesday 5th December, with Yoshi safely secured in the back seat of the car, we set off North and destination Scarborough. I had hoped that five “Nova 3” sets would be in operation during our stay in the North Yorkshire seaside town, but alongside TPE clearly running down the trains and the Aslef union drivers overtime ban meant that on most days only two sets were working.
Class 68 No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U75 1934 Leeds to Scarborough (set TP11) – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ 5K42 1956 Scarborough TMD to Scarborough forming 1K42 2043 Scarborough to York (set TP06) – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68021 ‘Tireless’ having arrived at Scarborough working 1U63 1703 York to Scarborough (set TP10) – 05/12/2023Class 68 No. 68027 ‘Splendid’ at Scarborough at the rear of 1U56 1348 Scarborough to York (set TP13) – 05/12/2023Class 185 DMU No. 185101 the following days (06/12/2023) 1U24 0548 Scarborough to Leeds with 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ standing at platform 1 awaiting time to depart with 1U64 1548 Scarborough to York (TP06)- 05/12/2023What should have been a Class 68 working, Class 185 DMU No. 185145 awaits departure working 1U36 0845 Scarborough to York – 06/12/2023Class 185 No. 185101 out of use awaiting the following days (06/12/2023) 1U24 0548 Scarborough to Leeds – 05/12/2023Northern Trains Class 170 DMU No. 170459 having arrived with 2C00 0542 Sheffield to Scarborough – 06/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ having arrived with 1U67 1803 York to Scarborough (set TP06). Class 37 No. 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ at the rear of RHTT 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 05/12/202337407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ on RHTT duties working 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 05/12/202337266 ‘Victorious’ on RHTT working 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa which reverses at Scarborough – 05/12/202337419 ‘Driver Tony Kay 1974 – 2019’ 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/202337419 ‘Driver Tony Kay 1974 – 2019’ 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/2023DRS Class 37 No. 37407 ‘Blackpool Tower’ getting ready to depart with 3J51 0950 York Thrall Europa to York Thrall Europa – 06/12/2023
We stayed in Scarborough until Thursday, but before departing for pastures new, we enjoyed a trip over to York in order to sample the “Nova 3” coaching stock, which we found very comfortable and I was impressed with the acceleration of the Class 68 locomotive in charge of the train. I asked a number of TPE staff, from drivers, despatch, ticket office and train guards if they would miss the Class 68’s and Mk5a carriages and was quite surprised that only 10% expressed any disappointment of their impending demise. The phrase “more trouble than they are worth” cropped up numerous times!
Settling down with a latte for a train journey from Scarborough to York – 07/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at York at the head of 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) with No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U40 0948 Scarborough to York (set TP11) in the background – 07/12/2023Class 68 No. 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ at York working 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) – 07/12/2023LNER Class 91 No. 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977 – 2017’ in bay platform 6 at York having arrived with 1N81 0906 London Kings Cross to York (set NL13) – 07/12/2023
Wednesday was probably our best day where the weather was concerned and we took the opportunity to walk a section of the closed Scarborough & Whitby Railway. The line opened in July 1885 and closed in March 1965 as part of the Beeching Axe. The 21 miles of line traversed the picturesque coast between the two towns serving eight stations. The route, now a multi-use path, is known as “The Cinder Track”.
The start of the Cinder Track at the Scarborough end of the trail which is located next to a Sainsbury’s supermarket – 06/12/2023The Trail sets off north through a series of cuttings, passing under several bridges, into suburbia, before skirting alongside the playing fields, at the site of the former Northstead Carriage Sidings – 06/12/2023 (CS)By 1972 all of the railway track had been removed, however, the route remains as a designated trail for walking, cycling and even horse riding. The pathway was made from cinders rather than crushed stone which gives the route its name the Cinder Track. – 06/12/2023The bridge which once carried the railway over Scalby Beck – 06/12/2023We walked as far as the village of Burniston where we were pleased to find “The Three Jolly Sailors”, a Grade II listed pub which was previously a farmhouse dating back to the early 19th century, where, although packed out with pensioners enjoying early Christmas dinners, the staff found us space at the bar for eagerly anticipated refreshments – 06/12/2023There was only one bar stool in the pub, but I was very kindly allowed to use a broken chair (at my own risk) alongside from which I enjoyed my sandwiches and most excellent bowl of chips which I begrudgingly shared with Caroline. Yoshi was served sausages in his own little dish. He may also have had a chip or three – 06/12/2023 (CS)
We arrived in Liverpool on Saturday morning after spending a couple of nights with friends near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Our first port of call was the Museum of Liverpool and its Land Transport section which is home to Liverpool & Manchester Railway (LMR) 0-4-2 No. 57 ‘Lion’ built by Todd, Kitson & Laird of Leeds. We wrote about this particular locomotives’ starring role in one of my favourite films “The Titfield Thunderbolt” (1953) in March this year and I enjoyed seeing her again. ‘Lion’ actually appeared in three films, the other two being “Victoria the Great” (1937) and “The Lady with the Lamp” (1951).
The Museum of Liverpool, designed by architects 3XN and engineers Buro Happold and built by Galliford Try at a cost of £72 million, opened to the public on 19th June 2011 – 10/12/2023‘Lion’ on display at the Museum of Liverpool with a carriage from the Liverpool Overhead Railway behind which is fixed at the exact height of the original railway – 16 feet above the ground. – 09/12/2023
The LMR ordered two locomotives to haul luggage trains in 1837 as part of a larger order of 6 steam engines, which were named ‘Lion’ and ‘Tiger’. In 1859 ‘Lion’ was sold to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and installed as a stationary pumping engine at Princes Dock. She was rescued by members of the Liverpool Engineering Society in 1928 and after restoration at the Crewe railway works she took part in the centenary celebrations of the LMR in 1930, hauling a replica train. During the period prior to the Second World War, ‘Lion’ stood on a plinth at Liverpool Lime Street railway station but was removed in 1941 and placed in storage at Crewe railway works, out of sight apart from her film appearances and railway publicity events. In 1967 she was loaned to the Liverpool Museum by the Liverpool Engineering Society. This was changed to an outright gift in 1970.
‘Lion’ at the Museum of Liverpool – 09/12/2023
In 1980 ‘Lion’ took part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Rainhill under her own steam. Afterwards, she made a number of working appearances at railway heritage centres and museums until 1989 when ‘Lion’ was withdrawn from steaming for conservation reasons. Following a survey in 1992 which showed that her original structure would need substantial modification if she were to be steamed again, the Trustees of National Museums Liverpool decided, on the basis of her internationally important status, to conserve her for static display only.
A view of the Liverpool Overhead Railway carriage on display at the Museum of Liverpool with Liverpool & Manchester Railway 0-4-2 locomotive No. 57 ‘Lion’ below – 09/12/2023
I really enjoyed the visit to the Museum of Liverpool and learning about the Liverpool Overhead Railway, the world’s first electric elevated railway, built in 1893 to ease congestion along seven miles of Liverpool’s docks. After saying goodbye to Caroline as she went off to meet her friends, Yoshi and I headed to Liverpool James Street Merseyrail station as I had ambitions to catch up with Class 507 EMU No. 507001 which has recently been outshopped in a retro British Rail blue livery wrap as a special project celebrating 45 years of service from the Class 507 and Class 508 trains in a collaboration between Merseyrail, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Angel Trains, and Stadler. The first Class 507 arrived at Birkenhead North Depot in 1978 with No. 507001 commencing revenue earning service with the very first Merseyrail train working the 0739 departure from Southport to Liverpool Central in November of that year.
The Class 507/508’s are being replaced by new Class 777 units and rail enthusiast Robert Hampton is aiming to save one of the iconic units for future generations to enjoy by starting The Class 507 Preservation Project.
Yoshi and I availed ourselves to a Merseyrail All Area Daysave ticket for the bargain price of £5.95. Having determined which diagram No. 507001 was working we sat at Liverpool James Street for the unit to pass through. Yoshi was often quite vocal at the passing trains and as we were there for a little while, having just missed 001 on our arrival at the station, a friendly Merseyrail station employee checked we were OK, which was kind. He instantly appreciated why we were waiting and told us all about the services No. 507001 had been running that week.
Class 508 EMU No. 508120 at Liverpool James Street working the 2N30 1407 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 507 EMU No. 507023 forms the 2W27 1342 departure from Liverpool James Street to West Kirby – 09/12/2023Class 777 No. 777005 pauses at Liverpool James Street as the delayed 2C28 departure for Chester – 09/12/2023Class 507 No. 507001 in retro BR Blue / Merseyrail wrap stands at Liverpool James Street forming 2N31 service to New Brighton – 09/12/2023
After photographing No. 507001 we jumped on the next train to Chester as another of our objectives that day was to record the return departure of Pathfinder Tours “The Chester Christmas Cromptons” headed up by West Coast Railway Co.’s (WCRC) Class 33 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 which were bound for Eastleigh.
Class 507 No. 507018 at Chester having arrived with 2C31 Chester to Chester service via Liverpool – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at rest in Chester sidings having arrived with Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” from Eastleigh – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 47 No.47826 at the rear of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” waiting to run ECS into platform 3 for the return run to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023Class 197 DMU No. 197101 at Chester working 1H90 1443 Llandudno to Manchester International Airport. uilt by CAF, based on its “Civity” platform. They are currently operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), split into 51 two-car units and 26 three-car units. – 09/12/2023Class 221 Voyager DMU in Avanti West Coast livery No. 221108 (once named ‘Sir Ernest Shackleton’ while with Virgin Trains) at Chester working 1A64 1438 Llandudno Junction to Crewe – 09/12/2023Northern Trains Class 195 DMU No. 195117 forms 1E68 1529 Chester to Leeds. from the Civity family manufactured by CAF, owned by Eversholt Rail Group and currently operated by Northern Trains. A total of 58 units have been built; 25 two-car units and 33 three-car units – 09/12/2023Class 150 DMU No. 150131 works Northern Trains 2H32 1556 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly service. The 150’s were developed and constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited at York Carriage Works between 1984 and 1987 for use on regional services across the UK – 09/12/2023West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at Chester awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023With the sun setting behind them, West Coast Railways Class 33 No.’s 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ and 33029 at Chester awaiting departure of Pathfinder Tours “Chester Christmas Cromptons” 1Z35 1610 Chester to Eastleigh – 09/12/2023
After watching the Crompton’s heading South, we returned to Liverpool on one of the new Class 777 units.
Class 507 No.507001 was on the New Brighton circuit on the day of our visit, so we couldn’t resist taking an evening trip from Liverpool to New Brighton and back. The unit is seen having arrived with 2N43 16:53 New Brighton to New Brighton and formed the subsequent departure 2N47 17:53 New Brighton to New Brighton – 09/12/2023Yoshi appreciated the retro British Rail /Merseyrail livery of Class 507 No. 507001 at New Brighton – 09/12/2023Class 507 No. 507001 at Liverpool James Street platform 1 arriving with 2N43 16:53 New Brighton to New Brighton – 09/12/2023 Class 319 EMU’s first introduced by British rail in 1987 are currently being phased out. Originally their last day of service with Northern Trains was to be 9th December 2023, but they have a slight reprieve as the planed withdrawal of the NT Class 319 fleet has be delayed until January 2024. No. 319385 is stood out of service at Liverpool Lime Street. It should have been working service to Wigan – 09/12/2023Yoshi with Northern Trains Class 319 No. 319385 at Liverpool Lime Street – 09/12/2023London North Western Railway Class 350403 ready to depart Liverpool with 1G65 1833 Liverpool Lime Street High Level to Birmingham New Street. The Class 350’s are members of the Desiro family and were built by Siemens Transportation Systems between 2004 and 2014 – 09/12/2023TPE Class 185 No. 185125 awaiting departure from Liverpool Lime Street with the 1K33 1854 service to Hull. Because of disruption on the network due to high winds that evening, the service left 51 minutes late – 09/12/2023Yoshi with the Royal Liver Building behind. Opened in 1911, the building was once the purpose-built home of the Royal Liver Assurance group, which had been set up in the city in 1850 to provide locals with assistance related to losing a wage-earning relative. One of the first buildings in the world to be built using reinforced concrete, the Royal Liver Building is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city of Liverpool with its two fabled Liver Birds, which watch over the city and the sea. Legend has it that if the two birds were to fly away, the city would cease to exist – 10/12/2023The Fab Five! The Beatles statue, by artist Andrew Edwards, on the Pier Head in Liverpool depicts the larger-than-life Fab Four casually strolling along the River Mersey. The Beatles Statue was donated by the musical group’s home venue, The Cavern Club, and was unveiled in 2015 on the 50th anniversary of their final public appearance in the city – 09/12/2023The Great Western Railway (GWR) warehouse and offices at Liverpool. The GWR never ran trains to Liverpool though it offered through passenger fares to the city via the Birkenhead Railway (which it operated jointly with the London & North Western Railway (LNWR), in competition with the Cheshire Lines) and connecting ferries from its terminus at Woodside. Goods were transported by barge across the River Mersey from Morpeth Dock and landed at the Manchester Dock where this warehouse was built around 1890, incorporating earlier offices from the 1850’s. The Manchester Dock was filled in during 1928 using spoil from the construction of the Kingsway road tunnel leaving the GWR buildings high and dry beside the Canning graving docks, inaccessible by rail or water. Once restored to their former splendour, the buildings form part of Liverpool’s World Heritage site – 10/12/2023
On our way home, we had a planned stop in Shrewsbury for a visit to the Christmas Market being held in the prison, which was closed in 2013 and is now a visitor attraction. The prison is located adjacent to Shrewsbury railway station, and I couldn’t resist a quick visit!
TfW Class 153 DMU No. 153353 arriving at Shrewsbury with 1W55 0856 Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly – 10/12/2023MPV No. DR98955 arrives at Shrewsbury as the 3S02 0940 Kings Norton On Track Plant Depot to Kings Norton On Track Plant Depot RHTT working – 10/12/2023Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Signal Box (1903) built in LNWR style, the impressive Grade 2-listed three-storey redbrick building is a marvel of Edwardian engineering, standing imposingly at the south end of Shrewsbury station where lines to Hereford and Wolverhampton diverge. It is the largest surviving mechanical signal box in Great Britain and is rail-locked within a triangular site that will make access difficult for any future reuse. However, Network Rail currently believes replacing the current mechanical semaphore signalling system in the area with colour-light signals would not be economical and envisages it remaining in operation until at least 2030, and possibly as long as 2050 on current plans. We shall be back! – 10/12/2023
VIDEO CLIPS
Video clips from our recent travels:
Class 68 locomotives on the TPE Scarborough / York diagram during their final week of service – December 2023
An hour at York watching; 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U40 0948 Scarborough to York (set TP11) 68030 ‘Black Douglas’ 1U39 1103 York to Scarborough (set TP06) 801207 (LNER) 1E07 0832 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross 802203 (TP) 9M10 1001 Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street 66118 6M16 0540 Wilton EFW Terminal to Knowsley Freight Terminal 170460 2C33 1110 York to Leeds 195129 1B25 1123 York to Blackpool North 91119 ‘Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977 – 2017’ 1N81 0906 London Kings Cross to York (set NL13) 802219 9E09 0924 Liverpool Lime Street to Newcastle / 180105 1A64 0954 Sunderland to London Kings Cross 185112 1P68 0951 Saltburn to Manchester Airport 800201 5Z60 1050 Doncaster Carr Iep Depot to Newcastle 802219 1S10 0930 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh 801229 1E08 0900 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross 170472 2C85 1142 York to Leeds 68026 ‘Enterprise’ 1U43 1203 York to Scarborough (set TP11) – 07/12/2023
Rail Head Treatment Trains at Scarborough and Shrewsbury during the final days of operation in 2023
“The Chester Christmas Cromptons” railtour departing Chester -09/12/2023
For The Record
06/12/2023 and 07/12/2023 – DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66111 and 66192 worked 6N70 2304 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome and the associated return 6N70 0410 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard. A further engineers possession train scheduled for the following night run by GBRf was cancelled.
10/12/2023 – Network Rail Video Inspection Unit VIU3 No. 153385 worked 2Q30 1540 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down T.C via Bournemouth
That’s all folks! All that remains is for Yoshi and I to thank you for visiting our page and wish you a very Merry Christmas 2023. We plan on being back for our final blog entry of the year next week. So, until then – Be seeing you!
Yoshi and Class 68 No. 68026 ‘Enterprise’. The “Nova 3” set was scheduled to hang about at Scarborough all day before working 1U72 1748 Scarborough to Leeds (set TP11) – 06/12/2023
Yoshi with English Electric Class 40 No. D345 (40145) in Salisbury awaiting departure of 1Z42 Salisbury to Burton On Trent “Winchester Christmas Excursion” – 25/11/2023
November 24th 2023 to November 30th 2023
DRS Class 68 No. 68012 at Hamworthy working driver training move 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings – 24/11/2023
The morning of Friday November 24th produced an early Christmas present when Direct Rail Services (DRS) ran what is believed to be a driver training / route learner light engine move to Winfrith as 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings and its associated return 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS with Chiltern liveried Class 68 No. 68012, which is as far as I know, the first locomotive in this livery to make it to Dorset. Chiltern Class 68 hauled services operate out of London Marylebone.
DRS Class 68 No. 68012 having passed through Hamworthy as 0Z67 0917 Southampton Central to Winfrith Sidings – 24/11/2023DRS Class 68 No. 68012 at Dorchester South working 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS – 24/11/2023 (G E Barrett)DRS Class 68 No. 68012 runs light engine through Hamworthy as 0Z68 1140 Winfrith Sidings to Willesden Brent DRS – 24/11/2023
On Saturday we took another trip to Swindon in a bid to see English Electric Type 4 Class 40 No. D345 (40145) hauling Pathfinders Tours “Winchester Christmas Excursion” which originated from Burton upon Trent and was bound for Salisbury. I’d chosen Swindon in the hope that I’d get another chance of getting a photo of the Class 67 top and tailed Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) which is operating out of Swindon Transfer Yard. But once again , due to my lack of checking on how the train was running, I managed to miss it by a matter of moments as I was unaware it was 150 minutes ahead of time! I also failed to get a photograph of the Class 40 storming through Swindon because the train was helpfully blocked from my view by a fellow enthusiast at the critical time. However friend of this blog @da_buckley967 has kindly shared some images from the day which can be seen below.
Class 40 No. D345 (40145) on the approach to Swindon with the outward “Winchester Christmas Excursion” 1Z40 0707 Burton On Trent to Salisbury – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Class 47 No. D1935 (47805) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925 – 2013’ approaches Swindon working “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Class 47 No. D1935 (47805) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ at the head of “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour at Swindon – 25/11/2023Class 47 No. 47712 ‘Lady Diana Spencer’ at the rear of “The Bath Christmas Statesman” 1Z88 0543 Chesterfield to Bath Spa rail tour at Swindon – 25/11/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ waits in Swindon East Loop with 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon as Class 800 IET No. 800031 approaches Swindon working the 1B13 1148 London Paddington to Swansea service – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ hauls 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66005 ‘Maritime Intermodal One’ hauls 6C03 0928 Northolt Sidings to Severnside SITA at Swindon – 25/11/2023Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 stands in Swindon East Loop working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul as IET Class 800 No. 800316 passes with 1C13 1200 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 running 230 minutes early on the approach to Swindon working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul – 25/11/2023 (@da_buckley967)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66622 running 230 minutes early at Swindon working 6V28 1306 West Drayton Frays Sidings to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul – 25/11/2023
We found the Class 67’s and its RHTT train parked up in Swindon Transfer Yard as we popped to Tesco to fill the car with petrol for the journey home. Some rather desperate shots over a fence are posted below:
Colas Class 67 No. 67027 at Swindon Transfer Yard – 25/11/2023Colas Class 67 No.’s 67027 and 67023 ‘Stella’ at Swindon Transfer Yard having arrived 150 minutes early with the 3S32 RHTT working from Cheltenham – 25/11/2023Colas Class 67 No. 67023 ‘Stella’ at Swindon Transfer Yard – 25/11/2023
We decided on another attempt at capturing the Class 40, so on our way back to Dorset, our next port of call was Salisbury where the excursion train was due to depart at 1540.
Class 40 No. D345 (40145) at platform in Salisbury awaiting departure of 1Z42 Salisbury to Burton On Trent “Winchester Christmas Excursion” – 25/11/2023
For the Record
Colas Class 37 No. 37607 worked test train 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y.through North Dorset in the early hours of 24th November 2023.
Tuesday 28th November was scheduled for another DRS run to Winfrith for the collection of more low level nuclear waste. However, due to driver sickness, the train was cancelled shortly before its timed departure from Crewe in the early hours of the morning. Scheduled locomotives on the associated workings 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sdgs / 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) were Class 68 No.’s 68006 and 68034. No. 68006 carries a green livery which aims to showcase the environmental benefits of rail freight and how a diesel locomotive can reduce emissions by using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel and would have been the locomotives first visit to Dorset.
Class 68 No. 68006 in its special green livery at Crewe Gresty Road during the 2022 DRS Open Day – 16/07/2022
The recent HST farewell railtour to Swanage from Leeds raised almost £65,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of CrossCountry colleague Jo Taylor.
XC Class 43 No. 43008 crosses Corfe Viaduct working “The Bournemouth Belle” 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth part of the CrossCountry HST Farewell celebrations – 26/09/2023
Train services between Bournemouth and Woking will be significantly reduced from Friday 8th December 2023 to Sunday 10th December due to emergency works to repair a landslip adjacent the railway near Woking following the discovery of cracks up to 148ft long and 3ft deep.
Members of the RMT union have voted to accept a pay deal from 14 train operating companies, ending their involvement in a series of long running strikes. Train drivers, represented by the union Aslef, will continue with their rolling programme of walkouts between 2nd and 8th December however, with different train companies affected on each day. Drivers will also enforce an overtime ban from 1st to the 9th December which will also cause disruption to railway timetables.
From the Archive
Friend of this blog @smithy.377 has very kindly sent us the following images and video of Colas Class 67’s on the RHTT circuit from a couple of years ago, just so I could see what it might look like in operation having narrowly missed this formation twice now!
Class 67 No. 67023 at Gloucester leading on RHTT 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No. 67023 top and tails 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer with classmate No. 67027 at Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No. 67027 at the rear of 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer departing Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)Class 67 No.’s 67027 and 67023 work 3S33 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer through Gloucester – 23/11/2021 (@smithy.377)
Video of Class 67’s working an RHTT at Gloucester in November 2021 courtesy of @smithy.377
Mainline steam at Swindon:
After working Santa and Mince Pie specials in the West London area in December 1994, Ivatt Class 2 No. 46521 and BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T No. 80079 worked a railtour from London back to the Severn Valley Railway. The pair are seen at Swindon on 1st January 1995
Class 47/7 No. 47712 then named ‘Artemis’ working Steam Dreams “The Sunny South Special” in August 2005:
Steam Dreams “The Sunny South Special” with Class 47 No. 47712 and unique BR Standard Class 8 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive No. 71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ at Bournemouth working 1Z91 0836 Kensington Olympia to Weymouth. The Duke had failed at Totton on the outward leg and was rescued by the Class 47 which worked the return 1Z92 1825 Weymouth to Kensington Olympia solo – 03/08/2005
Thank you for reading and as always for your commments and corrections. We are taking a short break and will be back in a couple of weeks. Be seeing you!
GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57310 ‘Pride of Cumbria’ head into the yard after reversing in Tonbridge station working 3W01 0907 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf – 19/11/2023
November 18th 2023 to November 23rd 2023
I may have mentioned previously that I have a list of locomotives or unit trains I would very much like to photograph. These include named examples to livery variations. One such loco is GB Railfreight’s (GBRf) Class 66 No. 66743 which can be usually found North of The Border operating the luxury Belmond Royal Scotsman train along with sister locomotive No. 66746. GBRf took over the running of these excursion trains from West Coast Railways (WCR) in 2016. Outside the Scottish railtour season, the Royal Scotsman locos have to earn their keep on more mundane tasks, and last week No. 66743 was shuttling backwards and forwards from Scunthorpe or Doncaster to Eastleigh East Yard on freight or engineers related workings. At least until the weekend when she ended up on one of the engineering trains involved in the 16 day closure of the railway line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction. This, I observed, meant she was stabled at Eastleigh East Yard on Sunday following her outing to Wiltshire. So with hopeful abandon, off I set at 0730 thinking the locomotive might well be parked in an advantageous position for a photo. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case with No. 66743 being somewhat obscured by a row wagons. It’s like that, this hobby, you win some and you lose some. The trick is not to be disheartened because next time, things may well go your way.
Belmond Royal Scotsman liveried Class 66 No. 66743 partially hidden behind wagons in Eastleigh East Yard – 19/11/2023
While I was in Eastleigh I took advantage of the lull in between rain showers to walk Yoshi and photograph other trains parked up.
Class 66 No. 66303 stands in Eastleigh East Yard – 19/11/2023Class 66 No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ alongside stablemate No. 66303 at Eastleigh East Yard – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ stands at Eastleigh CTT Forwardings – 19/11/2023A view across to Eastleigh East Yard – with Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66730/66303/66740 resting between duties – 19/11/2023Class 66 No. 66782 at Eastleigh East Yard alongside a Class 08 shunter – 19/11/2023Class 08 No. 08511 in Eastleigh East Yard – 19/11/2023Colas Class 70 No. 70810 at Eastleigh – 19/11/2023Class 153 DMU Network Rail Video Inspection Unit No. 153385, Eastleigh – 19/11/2023
Eschewing a FatMacs breakfast (I’m on a diet, don’t you know), I decided to press on and drive over to Tonbridge in the hope that the Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTT) based there would be engaged in leaf clearing as runs were scheduled across the day to and from Tonbridge West Yard. These are dependant on requirements and don’t always run however. Coincidentally, we started this blog two years ago on November 22nd 2021 with a brief clip of a steam hauled Belmond British Pullman tour through Tonbridge taken the previous day. I’d forgotten just how short those early blog entries were – something to be mindful of now, perhaps! We made another visit to Tonbridge on 12th November 2022, so this is becoming rather like an annual tradition. I felt the visit this year was one of diminishing returns, although we were able to capture an assortment of Class 57’s and Class 73’s!
Class 57’s have been employed on the Tonbridge circuit RHTT this year. No.’s 57305 and 57003 are seen in-between duties at Tonbridge West Yard – 19/11/2023Class 73 No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73128 ‘O.V.S. Bulleid CBE’ with Class 57 No.’s 57305 and 57003 in Tonbridge West Yard – 19/11/2023Class 73 No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73128 ‘O.V.S. Bulleid CBE’ at Tonbridge West Yard. A new GBRf shed can be seen during construction in the background – 19/11/2023Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary’ in seasonal RHTT livery in Tonbridge West Yard – 19/11/2023Class 73’s No.’s 73965 and 73961 at the rear of 1Z01 1300 Tonbridge West Yard to Derby RTC in Tonbridge West Yard with two unidentified Class 66 locomotives at the head of aggregate trains – 19/11/2023Class 73 No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ in Tonbridge West Yard – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 73 No. 73963 ‘Janice’ at the head of 1Z01 1300 Tonbridge West Yard to Derby RTC awaits departure – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 was the only member of the class in evidence at Tonbridge West Yard during this visit – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 73’s No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ and 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ at the rear 1Z01 1300 Tonbridge West Yard to Derby RTC depart Tonbridge West Yard. No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ are leading – 19/11/2023 With four GBRf Class 73’s attached, Colas test train 1Z01 1300 Tonbridge West Yard to Derby RTC departs Tonbridge West Yard. No. 73961 ‘Alison’ is the trailing locomotive along with No.’s 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’, 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73963 ‘Janice’ – 19/11/2023 GBRf Class 73 No. 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ leading 1Z01 1300 Tonbridge West Yard to Derby RTC out of the yard while RHTT 3W01 0907 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf top and tailed by GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57310 ‘Pride of Cumbria’ arrive at Tonbridge station where the train reverses – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 57 No.’s 57306 ‘Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate’ and 57310 ‘Pride of Cumbria’ pause as they enter Tonbridge West Yard working 3W01 0907 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 73 No. 73119 ‘Paul Taylor’ arrives at Tonbridge West Yard working 3W91 1026 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf, with No. 73212 ‘Stephen Eaves’ at the rear – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 73 No. 73212 ‘Stephen Eaves’ at the rear of 3W91 1026 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf – 19/11/2023GBRf Class 73 No. 73119 ‘Paul Taylor’ in retro BR ‘Dutch’ Civil Engineers livery at Tonbridge West Yard having arrived with RHTT working 3W91 1026 Tonbridge West Yard GBRf to Tonbridge West Yard GBRf – 19/11/2023
On leaving Tonbridge, Yoshi and I had planned on seeing one more RHTT, this time passing through at Edenbridge Town Station as it was in the direction of home.
Edenbridge Town railway station on the Uckfield branch, one of two stations serving Edenbridge in Kent, was opened in January 1888 – 19/11/2023
We parked up in the station car park and checked Real Time Trains (RTT) to see that the train; 3W90 0715 Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard via the South East of England, top and tailed by GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73107 and 73213, was at Uckfield and had been for 20 minutes or so beyond its scheduled departure time. Passenger trains into Uckfield (which is a terminus station) were being turned around at Crowborough as the line beyond was effectively blocked.
RTT information regarding partially cancelled passenger trains on the Uckfield branch – 19/11/2023
I hung around in Edenbridge for a little while, but soon came to the conclusion that this RHTT was not going to be heading our way while there was still a decent amount of daylight left to photograph it. I briefly contemplated driving to Uckfield, but Google Maps informed me it was at least a 30 minute drive away and would substantially delay my arrival home, so instead made the decision to head for Dorset. Had I known there would be delays on the M25 caused by pedestrians “being loose on the carriageway”, I might well have taken the Uckfield option and returned home via the South Coast route!
Video from our visit to Tonbridge – 19/11/2023
Monday 20th November saw another attempt to collect South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) No. 458524 for onward transit to Alstom Widnes Transport Tech where it is to undergo refurbishment. Our regular reader may recall an abortive attempt a couple of weeks ago when the brakes on the EMU curtailed the train in Christchurch station. With the associated locomotives and barrier coaches due to arrive at Bournemouth depot mid-morning, I chose to head out to see the train pass through Bournemouth railway station as I felt I’d photographed and videoed these workings at Branksome where they reverse into the depot many times, so was looking for something different. The change of location was well rewarded as Class 56 No. 56081, leading on 5O58 0520 Leicester L.I.P. to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D, made a fine sight and sound as she opened up passing through the station with the sound of her 3,250 brake horsepower (bhp) Ruston-Paxman power unit echoing around the glass roofed building.
GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 opens up as she arrives at Bournemouth station working 5058 0520 Leicester LIP to Bournemouth T&RSMD passing SWR Class 444 No. 444015 which has arrived on 2W54 1000 Poole to London Waterloo – 20/11/2023GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 thunders through Bournemouth station on 5058 0520 Leicester LIP to Bournemouth T&RSMD. Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle’ is at the rear, while SWR Class 444 No. 444015 awaits the arrival of a Weymouth service before coupling up and departing for London Waterloo – 20/11/2023Class 47 No. 47727 ‘Edinburgh Castle / Caisteal Dhun Eideann’ passing Bournemouth at the rear of 5058 0520 Leicester LIP to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 20/11/2023
I had also planned on seeing the return working from Branksome, due to arrive at 1715 running as 5Q58 17:11 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech. However, unbeknown to me – and most of the other local rail enthusiasts – the train left the depot, unheralded, at around 1300. You win some…..
While I was in Bournemouth, I took the opportunity of capturing some images and video of everyday operations, which I mostly forget to do.
CrossCountry Class 220 Voyager DMU No. 220001 in Bournemouth Middle Sidings waiting to move forward to form a service to Manchester – 20/11/2023 SWR Class 450 No. 450034 at Bournemouth platform 1 awaiting departure on 2B36 1002 Bournemouth to Winchester while Class 444 No. 444001 stands at platform 3 with the short formed 1W08 0903 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 20/11/2023SWR Class 444 No. 444024 waits at platform forming 2W57 0805 London Waterloo to Poole as fellow class member No. 444017 departs with the front five coaches of 1W57 0805 London Waterloo to Weymouth – 20/11/2023
Video from Bournemouth station, including GBRf Class 56 No. 56081, captured on 20/11/2023
Later Monday evening the regular monthly Colas test train from Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth ran as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard employing the usual traction of GBRf Class 73 locomotives. This time is was the turn of No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ – two locomotives we had seen the previous day departing Tonbridge bound for Derby.
Video screen grab of GBRf Class 73 No. 73963 ‘Janice’ at the head of 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth passing through Poole – 20/11/2023Video screen grab of Class 73 No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ passing Poole at the rear of 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth – 20/11/2023
Video of 1Q51 1115 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth passing through Poole – 20/11/2023Notification of BCP roadworks for 21st November 2023
The railway bridge over Lake Road on the Hamworthy Branch was subject to an inspection this week. A small group of Highway Maintenance engineers were on site for a few hours from 2100 on Tuesday 21st November.
Inspection of Lake Road bridge on the Hamworthy Branch – 21/11/2023Inspection of Lake Road bridge on the Hamworthy Branch – 21/11/2023Inspection of Lake Road bridge on the Hamworthy Branch – 21/11/2023Inspection of Lake Road bridge on the Hamworthy Branch – 21/11/2023
The guy we spoke to from the team was very enamoured with Yoshi, but wasn’t able to give us an inside scoop of what might happen at the bridge in the future. Further road closures described as “Works for Rail Purposes” are scheduled at the location in January 2024.
BCP roadworks map detailing roadworks at Lake Road bridge in January 2024
For The Record:
Poster giving customer information for the, clearly over-running, Weymouth Station Gateway Project in May 2022 – 22/05/2022
The Weymouth Station Gateway project (WSP), designed to create a more welcoming and user-friendly space for residents, businesses, and visitors to Weymouth railway station has won two trophies at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2023. The £1.2m project led by Dorset Coast Forum in partnership with Dorset Council, using funding from South Western Railway, was designed by WSP to open up the layout of the station forecourt, promoting sustainable transport options and reducing anti-social behaviour. The scheme also involved the creation of Pocket Park from a disused section of track on the former Weymouth Harbour Branch. As well as being presented with the Community Award, Weymouth Station Gateway was also given the Judges’ Special Award. The judging panel was impressed with the collaborative, respectful partnership behind the scheme, bringing together the local community, the rail company and the transport authority to improve the public realm. The judges described the project as an outstanding example of infrastructure that unites communities and improves people’s daily lives.
Works during the Weymouth Station Gateway Project – 23/07/2022Works during the Weymouth Station Gateway Project – 22/05/2022
Ten project awards and two individual trophies were presented at the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards in association with Kier BAM on Friday 10th November 2023 at a gala ceremony in Bristol hosted by TV presenter, Rob Bell. The awards are held annually to recognise achievement among regional engineers and project teams.
…. and relax. Thanks for visiting our page and for your comments and corrections, which are always gratefully received! We’ll be back next week all being well! Be seeing you!
Yoshi celebrating not only this blog’s second birthday, but the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Whoof – 23/11/2023
