The Railway Dog

Month: May 2025

  • The Railway Dogcast

    A shameless plug for “The Railway Dogcast”, Yoshi’s brand new podcast where we talk to fellow railway enthusiasts. The first episode, in which Hentis Rail and I welcome Colin Stone, dropped today at midday – 26/05/2025

    Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/…/The-Railway-Dogcast…

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/Shgg86eCQh4?si=MDKhufV9X0x7gyg8

    Trailer for episode one of “The Railway Dogcast”

  • Classic Diesel Traction in Action!

    DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 pass Pot Lane working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025

    We kicked off May with a day out around Westbury and the nearby quarries watching freight and passenger trains. As a bonus we also saw classic traction in action when DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 double-headed to Merehead working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry. Thanks to Jamie for driving (don’t forget to check out Jamie’s YouTube page) – 02/05/2025

    DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 arrive at their final destination working 6Z60 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025
    DCRail Class 56’s No.’s 56301 + 56103 come off of their train at Merehead Quarry – 02/05/2025
    Jamie chats with Francis Bourgeois about Class 56 locomotives at Merehead – 02/05/2025

    Early doors at Poole on the morning of 3rd May 2035 as Locomotive Services Limited Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrived with empty coaching stock movement 3Z82 0435 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole in readiness for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” charter. Taking up the rear was Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’. The Brush Type 4 hauled the train away from Poole after the consist reversed in the storage sidings. We saw the rail tour passing through Parkstone with the working reporting as 1Z82 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). Later that day, the train returned its passengers to their starting point as 1Z84 1635 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) to Poole before departing ECS back to Eastleigh with 5Z84 2315 Poole to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 03/05/2025

    Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrives at Poole with empty coaching stock movement 3Z82 0435 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole – 03/05/2025
    Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ climbs Parkstone Bank working Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z82 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). The train had an unplanned stop at Poole High Street Level Crossing – 03/05/2025
    Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ arrives back at Poole working 1Z84 1635 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) – 03/05/2025
    Nameplate from Class 57 No. 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ – 03/05/2025
    Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ passes Poole with ECS working 5Z84 2315 Poole to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 03/05/2025

    The first of the Swanage Diesel Gala convoys arrived on the 6th May 2025 when Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauled The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage in readiness for the 2025 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala. Rail Engineering Solutions Class 47 No. 47715 should have been part of the consist, but was not able to travel as part of this train because it was undergoing repairs for a fuel leak. The Class 50 was despatched to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway the following day in order to collect the Brush Type 4 – 06/05/2025

    Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauls The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ into Wareham as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage – 06/05/2025
    Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ pauses at Wareham to collect the token to proceed onto the Swanage Branch with The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ reporting as 5W50 1410 Strawberry Hill C.S.D. to Swanage – 06/05/2025
    Hanson & Hall Rail Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ hauling The Southern Electric Traction Group 4VEP No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’ on the approach to Afflington bridge – 06/05/2025

    The second convoy arriving into Dorset was hauled by West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 with Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 in tow reporting as 0Z20 1449 Barrow Hill North Jn to Swanage – 06/05/2025

    West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 hauling Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 into Wareham as 0Z20 1449 Barrow Hill North Jn to Swanage – 06/05/2025
    Very blurred images of West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 leading Class 20 No. 20066 and Class 45 No. 45108 as they hurry out of Wareham and head to the Swanage Railway – 06/05/2025
    West Coast Railways Class 37 No. 37706 hauling Shaun Wright ‘s Class 20 No. 20066 and the Peak Locomotive Company Limited Class 45 No. 45108 pauses at Corfe Castle railway station – 06/05/2025

    Thanks for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group. Be Seeing You!

  • April 2025 Round-Up

    Yoshi had a walk along a section of the “Strawberry Line” which was a rural railway linking Yatton to Cheddar and Wells, opening in 1869. The last passenger train ran along the route in September 1963 with freight services continuing for a few more years before the final axe fell – 01/04/2025

    We kicked off April with a trip to Somerset to see the nuclear flask train and met up with friend of this blog @smithy.377 (don’t forget to check out his Instagram page!). On the way, Yoshi and I saw GBRf Class 60 No. 60096 ‘Skiddaw’ thundering through Trowbridge at the head of 6Z52 0704 Tytherington to Quainton Railhead – 01/04/2025

    This was followed by a visit to Yatton to capture the Bridgwater flasks operated by Direct Rail Services (DRS0 Class 68 No. 68007 ‘Valiant’ and Class 88 No. 88008 ‘Ariadne’ top and tailing 6M63 1200 Bridgwater F.D to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 01/04/2025

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ snuck into the far end of Bournemouth platform 3 working 0Z69 1255 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. This mirrored a similar working which took place the previous week – 03/04/2025

    GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ passing Poole with the monthly Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) Test Train 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth – 07/04/2025

    Yoshi took time out for a trip to North Dorset on 8th April to see Loram Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ leading inspection saloon No. 975025 ‘Caroline’ into Gillingham working 2Z32 1035 Exeter St Davids to Guildford U.C.H.S. – 08/04/2025

    Yoshi poses with Loram Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ at the head of inspection saloon No. 975025 ‘Caroline’ at Gillingham reporting as 2Z32 1035 Exeter St Davids to Guildford U.C.H.S. – 08/04/2025
    Yoshi with inspection saloon No. 975025 ‘Caroline’ at Gillingham – 08/04/2025

    Class 66 shenanigans around the witching hour at Dorchester West as Freightliner operated No.’s 66565 and 66563 passed through twice having reversed at Dorchester Junction with their train consisting of five HQA ballast hoppers reporting as 6Y91 2202 Westbury Down T.C. to Dorchester West – 9th/19th April 2025

    Colas Rail Class 43 power cars No.’s 43272 & 43251 were in action once again on the Heart of Wessex line working the Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) test train to Weymouth, reporting as 1Q22 0710 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road. We saw the train at Maiden Newton and Bincombe – 23/04/2025

    For The Record: A late test train addition to the schedules saw Colas Class 37 No. 37175 heading through North Dorset overnight 22nd/23rd April 2025 with the Ultrasonic Test Unit.

    Over the final weekend of April, Key Model World Live took place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. Of particular interest to me was the display model of EFE’s forthcoming Class 74 OO scale model locomotive.

    The Class 74 Electro-Diesel Locomotive is the next new tooling model to be developed for the EFE Range and a subject that has never before been produced as a mainstream ready to run model in OO Scale.
    This class of ten locomotives was creating by rebuilding redundant Class 71 Electrics and whilst they operated for little more than a decade at most, their work was varied and spanned the early years of the popular BR Blue era making this new model a must for any Southern Region modeller depicting the period from the end of steam to the late-1970s – 26/04/2025
    A Lego replica of the Forth Bridge, made from around 100,000 bricks, was on display at Model World Live. The 26ft (8m) long display features two working replica train tracks and was created by a team of four dedicated builders from the Lego UK railways group – 26/04/205
    While I was passing through Birmingham New Street, I saw Class 20 No.’s 20007 + 20205 working “The Really Good Positiong Move” charter train 1Z38 Kings Norton Signal Sy522 to Stratford. Class 37 No. 37403 was at the other end – 26/04/2025

    After a weekend spent in the West Midlands, we stopped off at Penkridge as I hoped to see a steam hauled train heading North. Unfortunately the assigned locomotive, LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 45212 had failed at Bristol St Philip’s Marsh depot with a suspected hot axle box on the tender and “The Great Briton XVII: Day 3” was instead in the charge of West Coast Railways Class 57 No. 57314. However to sweeten the disappointment, we also saw Class 37 No. 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ an hour after the Class 57, as it worked to Crewe.

    WCRC Class 57 No. 57314 hauls “The Great Briton XVII: Day 3” 1Z20 0946 Cardiff Central to Carnforth on the approach to Penkridge – 28/04/2025
    Class 37 No. 37403 ‘Isle of Mull’ at Penkridge working positioning move 1Z92 1007 Stratford (London) to Crewe. The locomotive is owned by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) – 28/04/2025
    Usual traction for stopping trains at Penkridge are Class 350 Desiro electric multiple units operated by West Midlands Trains No. 350130 1G57 1433 Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street. Class 350 trains are nearly identical to those of South Western Railways’s Class 450. The latter class is only fitted with traction equipment for Southern Region 750 V DC third rail, whilst the Class 350/1 units can operate from either 25 kV 50 Hz AC OLE, as is done in regular service, or alternatively third rail – 28/04/2025

    Thank you for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group. Be Seeing You!

  • March 2025 Round-Up

    In March, Yoshi underwent a surgical procedure to improve his quality of life. This meant he had to endure a cone of shame for a few weeks. Our boy was not happy, but we’re pleased to report he has recovered well! His cuddly squirrel has not fared so well however……

    The Snow & Ice Train (SITT) continued running in March featuring GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66720 ‘Wascosa’ & 66776 ‘Joanne’ as visits to Dorset took place on 3rd and 5th with the final run taking place overnight on 29th/30th March 2025.

    Screengrabs of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66720 ‘Wascosa’ & 66776 ‘Joanne’ working the SITT through Hamworthy – 03/03/2025

    On 6th March we popped over to Wool to see Network Rail’s Linsinger Rail Milling Train MG31/ SF06-UK No.’s DR79105/79104 & DR79103/79102 at rest in the sidings.

    The track machines had been working around the Dorchester area having arrived from Crewe on Sunday 2nd March 2025 working as 6Q01 0940 Gresty Lane Down Sidings to Wool.

    Railway tracks are subjected to constant wear. In order to extend rail service life and to extend traffic safety, rail profiles have to be regularly maintained. Linsinger develop mobile rail milling machines that enable fast rail head reprofiling and minimise traffic disruption.

    Network Rail’s Linsinger Rail Milling Train MG31/ SF06-UK No.’s DR79105/79104 & DR79103/79102
    at Wool – 06/03/2025
    Network Rail’s Linsinger Rail Milling Train MG31/ SF06-UK No.’s DR79105/79104 & DR79103/79102
    at Wool – 06/03/2025

    GBRf Class 73/9 Electo-Diesels No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ & 73963 ‘Janice’ working the monthly PLPR test train 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard. The train is seen passing Holton Heath and Dorchester South – 10/03/2025

    GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66734 ‘Platinum Jubilee’ and 66797 passing through Christchurch with a rail delivery train reporting as 6G24 2223 Eastleigh East Yard to Brockenhurst. The train ran to Bournemouth where it reversed and headed back to Brockenhurst – 11th/12th March 2025

    The annual Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Stakeholders Open Evening took place on 12th March 2025.

    Rail related highlights were:

    It was revealed Capital Expenditure for 2025/26 includes £1m for reinstatement of the port rail link.

    The previous government had ambitious targets to grow rail freight. Waiting to see what the current government’s targets for rail freight will be.

    Talking to Brittany Ferries with a view to bringing container traffic through the port and out via rail.

    The only question from the floor during the Q&A was rail related: “How long before the rail link is actually going to appear?”

    PHC CEO Captain Brian Murphy: “That’s a great question and the rail link is there now, it just needs upgrading and reinstating. So the first train, the first cargo out of Poole is likely to be towards the end of the year. We’re planning January next year – hopeful late in the year this year.

    Q: “So it actually goes from the port to Hamworthy.. Junction is it?”

    Captain Murphy: “Correct. And then onwards to West London”

    There was a supplemental question which I think was going to ask how the train would turn round, but this was lost as the session was wrapped up.

    Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) CEO Captain Brian Murphy gives his annual presentation at the PHC Stakeholders Open Evening took place – 12/03/2025.

    Colas RailFreight Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43257 and 43357 working the monthly “Heart of Wessex” Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) train, reporting as 1Q22 0745 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road, in and around Dorchester. As the train was running almost half an hour late on reaching Dorchester West the decision was made to reverse at Dorchester Junction, foregoing Weymouth – 19/03/2025

    GBRf Class 69 No. 69014 in its striking unique Electro Motive Division (EMD) demonstrator livery of yellow and black with EMD branding is seen at Eastleigh having departed the works working 0M45 1020 Eastleigh Works Gbrf to Longport F.D. The nameplates were covered over, but are believed to read “Longport EMD”. The video also features selected trains running through Eastleigh around the time No. 69014 ran through the station – 20/03/2025

    GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 No. 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ arrives on Swanage Railway metals in advance of the 2025 Spring Steam Gala Built at by the Great Western Railway at Swindon Works at a cost of £4375, No. 4953 entered traffic in August 1929. The locomotive worked from a wide variety of sheds all over the GWR network, until withdrawal by British Railways in May 1963. Acquired for scrap by Woodham Brothers in Barry, South Wales during October 1963, she was purchased for preservation by Dr John Kennedy in 1984. ‘Pitchford Hall’ is owned by and based on the Epping Ongar Railway and currently carries British Railways lined black livery. – 24/03/2025

    As the clocks were getting ready to move forward, I was at Brockenhurst waiting for a DB Cargo engineering train reporting as 6N01 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth. Surprisingly both Class 66 locomotives – No.’s 66013 & 66089 – retained the diminishing EWS livery, a sight set to disappear from the railway scene. The train is also seen racing through Christchurch – 30/03/2025

    Bark Along to the Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala 2025 as we join Yoshi in the Purbeck Hills. The gala took place over the final weekend of March 2025. As well as home fleet locomotives in action, we also saw visiting guest locos; GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 No. 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ and BR built LMS Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-2T No. 41313

    Thank you for reading – the best way to keep up to date with our latest videos is via the Railway Dog YouTube Channel – why not subscribe today! Or you can catch random witterings and photos via the Railway Dog Facebook group. Be Seeing You!