April 14th 2024 to April 24th 2024

On Sunday 14th April 2024, preserved Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic locomotive No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ worked a loaded test run from London Paddington to Birmingham New Street, supported by GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 which was utilised as a passenger carrying one way rail tour. No. D1015 ran light into Paddington and then headed up the “One Way Wizzo” as far as Bescot Yard, with No. 57303 taking charge for the final leg into New Street. After the tour, ‘Western Champion’ returned to her base on the Severn Valley Railway.

I was quite intrigued with the idea of trying to photograph both the Western’s light engine move as well as the loaded test run itself, so devised a plan for a visit to a National Trust property as a day-out for Yoshi and Caroline. Checking out the route of the Great Western main line on Google maps, I settled on Basildon Park as our heritage destination as the railway runs very close to the estate. On the day, I checked out potential photographic spots, but discounting these, back-tracked slightly to Pangbourne railway station as the car park is ideally situated for photography as long as you can position yourself above the line-side fencing; remembering to stay safe at all times!

Pangbourne station is located close to the village centre, with the main station buildings on the opposite side of the railway to the village. It has two platforms, one on each of the relief (slow) lines, whilst the fast lines pass behind the station. The platforms are linked to each other and the station entrance, on the up relief platform, by a pedestrian underpass. The station once had four platforms with those situated on the main fast lines now no longer in situ.

While waiting for No. D1015 to pass us on her way to London Paddington, the local security operated by Land Sheriffs Ltd pulled into the car park and parked up casting a weather eye over my activity. As the Western was still a good few minutes off, I strolled over for a chat. The two security guards were really friendly and knew just what I was waiting for. They were, however, surprised to learn that the heritage diesel-hydraulic locomotive was making a solo pass prior to its railtour work as they had been charged with keeping an eye on proceedings further up the line at Didcot when the “One Way Wizzo” was due to pass later that afternoon as the train was sure to attract much attention from railway enthusiasts. Satisfied that I was not a security risk, the Land Sheriffs left me to await the first appearance of No. D1015.

It was a good couple of hours before ‘Western Champion’ was timed to pass Pangbourne on her way to Bescot, so we decamped to National Trust Basildon Park where we enjoyed a woodland walk taking in the bluebells before Caroline took a tour of the mansion house and Yoshi and I headed back to the railway station car park for another shot at photographing No. D1015, this time at the head of a rake of carriages.

Monday 15th April we were back at Poole railway station in readiness for GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ working the monthly 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth test train.

The following day, Tuesday 16th April, we were out to see GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 once again, this time performing electric multiple unit drag duties, hauling South Western Railway (SWR) refurbished Class 458 No. 458421 and 508 barriers as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. having worked down from Widnes Transport Tech as far as Wembley Receptions 1-7 the previous day before progressing into Dorset.

Later the same day, No. 57303 departed Bournemouth depot with un-refurbished Class 458 No. 458513 as 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard. The formation was scheduled to stable at Eastleigh overnight before proceeding to Widnes Transport Tech on Wednesday 17th. We saw this formation at Poole on the first leg of its journey.

Following the successful restoration of LSWR Adams T3 Class No. 563, the team at the Swanage Railway are now turning their attention to their next challenge, that of returning LSWR T9 Class No.120 to steam in time for its 130th birthday in 2029 resplendent in Olive green livery. Thursday 18th April was therefore an eventful one for No.120 as she departed the Swanage Railway by road for transit to The Flour Mill Locomotive Repair Workshop in Lydney, Gloucestershire. The Flour Mill is a listed former colliery electricity generating station which was converted to a railway workshop between 1995 and 1996. The Flour Mill Ltd operates the business undertaking work repairing and overhauling steam locomotives. We popped over to the Purbeck line to witness the Victorian locomotive being collected from Swanage by resident diesel Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’. The pairing then travelled up to Arne Road sidings where No.120 was to be placed on a road low-loader.

The T9 is owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM) and agreement has been reached where the condition of the locomotive will be assessed ahead of a commitment to return her to steam for further service on the Swanage Railway.

Designed by Dugald Drummond and built in 1899 at Nine Elms works, No.120 was a member of the T9 class of locomotives, affectionately known as the “Greyhounds” for their swift performances on the West of England main lines.

Altogether, sixty-six T9 locomotives were built, with No.120 being the only survivor. She was withdrawn from regular service in 1961 and painted in London South Western Railway (LSWR) ‘Pea Green’ livery, colours – inappropriate as she was modified with a superheater by Robert Urie and as a consequence her appearance was substantially altered from her early days. However, in this guise she hauled special trains for a few years before becoming part of the National Collection. After spells of service on the Mid-Hants Railway, at Swanage and on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, No. 120 returned to Swanage in 2017 and became a vital part of the fleet until her boiler certificate expired. During her time at Swanage the locomotive proved a powerful but economic machine, popular with both crews and visitors alike. Her restoration will allow the Swanage railway to develop a more sustainable locomotive fleet into the future as the T9, like the T3, is perfectly sized for the heritage branch.

The Swanage Railway Trust are hoping to raise £50,000 for this project, which will enable No. 120 to be dismantled and assessed at the Flour Mill. Following this, a report will be produced detailing the work required to return 120 to service, including an assessment of the cylinder block and whether this needs to be replaced. If the report is favourable, the Trust can proceed to the next stage of the overhaul later in the year. Should it be decided the locomotive is not a suitable contender for restoration, the remainder of the £50,000 will see No. 120 re-assembled and returned to the NRM for further display.

Engineering Work took place in the Wareham area over the weekend of 20th / 21st April 2024. The sidings to the east of Wareham railway station were renewed, ballast was refreshed at Worgret Junction and the footbridge at Wool railway station received attention. Two engineering trains were engaged for the work; 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66795 & 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 6C03 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Holton Heath in the sole charge of Colas Class 66 No.66850 ‘David Maidment OBE’. Two other associated workings featured 4-wheeler Track Machine Colas Tamper No. DR73931 forming 6J86 1844 Woking Up Yard Reception to Wool MOD Siding GBRf and Pandrol Jackson Plain Line Stoneblower No. DR80205 working as 6U37 2103½ Horsham Up T.C. to Holton Heath.

The Class 66 hauled engineers trains departed the possession area in the early hours of Monday 22nd reporting as 6G13 0230 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard and 6C03 0330 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard.

20th April was the 35th anniversary of a collision which occurred at Holton Heath in 1989. Tragically, Bournemouth train driver Clive Brooker lost his life in the accident. The archived report can be found here.

Wednesday April 24th 2024 and it was the turn of Network Rail’s (NR) New Measurement Train (NMT) to visit Weymouth via the western route from Yeovil Pen Mill. Having missed out the Dorset seaside town because of line closures in March the train, which monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph, was in the hands of former High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43357 this month. Yoshi and I visited Upwey to see the outward and return legs.

Train drivers union, ASLEF, have announced fresh strikes and an overtime ban taking place between Monday 6th May and Saturday 11th May 2024. Train Operating Companies (TOC) in Dorset affected by strike action days are SWR on Tuesday 7th May and GWR on Wednesday 8th May when revised services will run, with short-notice cancellations possible.

That’s it for another belated blog entry, thanks for joining us looking back on our railway themed adventures! We appreciate your comments, corrections and feedback. We’ll be back with another update soon. Until then, be seeing you!