Colas Railfreight Class 43 power cars No.’s 43357 + 43274 work the Heart of Wessex Plain Line Pattern Recognition train through Dorchester West, reporting as 1Q22 0747 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – 14/05/2025

Swanage Railway resident diesel locomotive Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) went on hire to Hanson & Hall in May 2025 to cover GWR sleeper coach moves because of the unavailability of H+H’s Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ which was engaged on railtour duties elsewhere. This afforded the opportunity to see a Crompton back on LSWR mainline metals – 16 & 17/05/2025

The Heart of Wessex weedkiller train ran in the early hours of Monday 19th May 2025 working as 3Q98 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. The train was top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66704 ‘Colchester Power Signalbox’ + 66747 ‘Made In Sheffield’. Yoshi and I saw the ensemble pass through Maiden Newton – where the driver needed to collect the token to operate forward – heading to and from Dorchester Junction where it reversed – 19/95/2025

History is made as Class 701 No. 701046 departs Bournemouth depot carrying GBR branding working . This video also features the final up service through Poole run by First MTR South Western Railway as well as shots of other Desiro EMU’s at Branksome. On May 25th 2025, SWR transferred to public ownership under DfTO, the Government’s rail Owning Group – 24/05/2025

On a windy Sunday May 25th 2025, Yoshi and I went along to the The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway to see how the area helped fuel the Industrial Revolution during day one of the heritage railways’ two day ‘Pit to Port’ Coal Train Event. South Wales was once one of the largest coalfields in the world, and in 1913 produced 36 million tonnes of coal. The railways which run along the valley floors provided the main routes for transporting the coal from the pits to be exported. Wagons would trundle south to ports and docks at Newport, Cardiff and Barry. We were able to see how the coal was transported from the pits as we watched an intense timetable featuring both passenger and demonstration coal trains.  

Rostered locomotives on the day were: –  Hunslet No. 1873 “Jessie” –  Hudswell Clarke No. 1208 “Harold”-  Andrew Barclay No. 1219 “Caledonia Works”-  plus the rostered debut at Blaenavon of Class 37 No. D6729 (37029)

With grateful thanks to Blaenavon’s Heritage Railway, especially Nathan and Jamie and @jamiesmithgoingloco

Locomotive Services Limited’s Class 45 No. 45118 ‘The Royal Artilleryman” passing Romsey – twice! – following a re-dedication ceremony at Salisbury working 1Z45 1126 Salisbury to Southampton Central / 1Z46 1202 Southampton Central to Salisbury. This video also features Class 158 and Class 166 DMU’s on stopping passenger services at Romsey – 30/05/2025

A rare formation of a 12 car Class 455 empty coaching stock move seen reversing at Branksome and running into Bournemouth depot running as 5Z50 0922 Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D – 31/05/2025

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