Wessex Test Train and Rail Tours including Clan Line – 08 & 09/07/2026

Filmed amongst scheduled passenger trains, this video features the Heart of Wessex Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) test train top and tailed by Colas Class 43 power cars No.’s 43303 + 43277 ‘Safety Task Force’ working the Heart of Wessex PLPR test train 1Q22 0825 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road on 08/07/2026, as well as two railtours in Dorset territory on 09/07/2026.

With our filming centered mostly around Upwey, first up was the LSL operated “Dorset Coast Statesman” for Statesman Rail with top and tailed Class 47 No.’s 47830 + 47810 ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’: 1Z82 0638 Stafford to Weymouth. After a brief interlude in Weymouth for shunting of the empty stock, we see the associated return working with No. 47810 ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ leading: 1Z84 1537 Weymouth to Stafford

Originating from London Victoria behind West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Clan Line’, we filmed West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Class 47 No. 47802 hauling the Railway Touring Company’s “The End Of Southern Steam” tour on the Yeovil to Weymouth leg, again at Upwey: 1Z95 1434 Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform to Weymouth

The Bulleid Pacific was serviced and turned at the Yeovil Heritage Centre before being piloted by WCRC Class 33 No. 33025 along with support coach to Weymouth: 5Z95 1605 Yeovil Jn Heritage Plat to Weymouth. We see this ensemble at Dorchester West and Upwey.

The Crompton left Weymouth on its own after No. 35028 rejoined the main tour train. Upwey is the featured location to see No. 33025 on this light engine movement: 0Z48 1800 Weymouth to Southall WCR

And finally the main event saw No. 35028 ‘Clan Line’ leading “The End Of Southern Steam” tour out of Weymouth and up Bincombe Bank (admittedly the Class 47 diesel at the rear providing much of the power due to the hot weather): 1Z96 1738 Weymouth to London Waterloo

This video features the following trains:

08/07/2026: Dorchester West
165132 – 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester
43303 + 43277 – 1Q22 0825 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road

09/07/2026: Upwey
444038 – 1W61 1005 London Waterloo to Weymouth
444030 – 1W20 1303 Weymouth to London Waterloo
444029 – 1W21 1035 London Waterloo to Weymouth
166215 – 2V68 1328 Weymouth to Gloucester
47830 + 47810 – 1Z82 0638 Stafford to Weymouth

Weymouth
47810 + 47830 – 5Z83 1351 Weymouth to Weymouth Jersey Siding

Upwey
166204 – 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester
47810 + 47830 – 1Z84 1537 Weymouth to Stafford

Dorchester**
47810 + 47830 – 1Z84 1537 Weymouth to Stafford

Upwey
47802 – 1Z95 1434 Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform to Weymouth

Dorchester West**
33025 + 35028 – 5Z95 1605 Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform to Weymouth

Upwey
33025 + 35028 – 5Z95 1605 Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform to Weymouth
33025 – 0Z48 1800 Weymouth to Southall WCR
166219 – 2O80 1509 Gloucester to Weymouth
35028 + 47802 – 1Z96 1738 Weymouth to London Waterloo

** with thanks to Gerry Barrett for Dorchester video clips

Four Diesel Tours at Norton Fitzwarren in Four Hours (give or take!) & other trains – 18/07/2026

Network Rail has imposed a ban on steam locomotives working on the mainline during the spell of extreme hot weather. But with four rail tours due to pass through Taunton on Saturday 18th July 2026, I still made a beeline for Norton Fitzwarren which I considered the ideal place to see the now diesel hauled special trains sandwiched between regular service trains in the form of Great Western Railway IET’s and CrossCountry Voyagers. Join Yoshi and I and bark along!

First up was “The Britannic Explorer”, which had unfortunately arrived from the West Somerset Railway ahead of schedule and was waiting at the signal protecting the main line when I pulled up. Anyway, it was good to see recently named GBRf Class 66 No. 66745 ‘Wigan Springs Branch’ top and tailing with dedicated Britannic regular No. 66748 ‘St Michael’s Mount’ before they returned double-headed working 1C02 0900 Bishops Lydeard GBRf to Penzance.

A bit of a wait ensued before Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” passed our vantage point; the footbridge above the tracks. This time vintage traction ruled as LSL Class 47’s No.’s 47830 (D1645) + 47810 (D1924) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ were in charge of 0625 Woking to Kingswear (For Dartmouth).

This was followed not long after by WCRC Class 33 No.’s 33207 + 33025 with Class 47 No. 47848 at the rear working Railway Touring Company’s “The West Somerset Steam Express” 1Z25 0701 London Paddington to Minehead West Somerset Railway.

Finally Hastings Diesels Limited owned Diesel Electric Multiple-Unit (DEMU) No. 1013 also worked onto the West Somerset Railway with the
“Cotswold and Exmoor Explorer” organised by the Branch Line Society
(BLS) reporting as 1Z13 0610 Hastings to Minehead West Somerset Railway.

Other trains in this video include:

802016 – 1A76 0612 Penzance to London Paddington

802102 – 1C72 0803 London Paddington to Penzance

220026 – 1S43 0827 Plymouth to Aberdeen

800004 – 2C67 0758 Cardiff Central to Exeter St Davids / 2U14 1043 Exeter St Davids to Cardiff Central

220011 + 221133 – 1V46 0611 Leeds to Plymouth

220022 + 220032 – 1V50 0640 Newcastle to Plymouth

WCRC Class 47’s work the Dorset Coast Express – 22/07/2026

Because of the continuing Steam ban on Network Rail metals, West Coast Class 47’s No. 47848 and 47237 deputised for West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ on the Dorset Coast Express which ran from London Victoria to Weymouth on Wednesday July 22nd 2026.

We see WCRC Class 47 No. 47848 leading through Hamworthy on the outward leg of the Dorset Coast Express 1Z94 0846 London Victoria to Weymouth with No. 47237 at the rear. The train is also seen at Dorchester South.

The return reporting as 1Z95 1738 Weymouth to London Waterloo featured Class 47 No. 47237 top and tailing with 47848. This video includes scenes at Dorchester South where the tour was held awaiting the arrival of a South Western Railway service to Weymouth before getting the road to proceed on the single line section to Moreton. We also see the train passing the Holes Bay causeway at Poole.

With thanks to Gerry Barrett for the Dorchester videos.

Pathfinder Railtours Tribute day at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway – July 2026

Yoshi spent Sunday 26th July 2026 at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWR) enjoying the final day of their 2026 Diesel Gala.

The Sunday was a special Pathfinder Railtours Tribute day. Founded by Peter Watts in Gloucestershire in 1973, Pathfinder became one of Britain’s best-loved railtour operators, organising countless excursions across the national network for over fifty years. They ran their final excursion in 2025.

Throughout the day trains on the GWR carried original Pathfinder headboards from past tours in celebration.

Visiting locomotives for the gala were:

• BR Class 27 No. 27056 – courtesy of the Northampton Type 2 Group
• BR Class 25 No. 25262 – courtesy of South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd
• BR Class 35 No. D7018 – courtesy of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group

Members of the GWR “Home Fleet”featured:

20137
20228
24081
26043
37215
37248 (D6948)
45149
47105
47376
W55003

• The recently acquired BR Class 47 No. 47355 cab section was also on view

Plain Line Pattern Recognition Test Trains in Dorset – July / August 2026

A couple of Class 37 hauled test trains to Weymouth scheduled over the last few weeks failed to materialise, much to the disappointment of many. However, we can usually rely on the Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) test trains on reaching Dorset metals.

Monday 27th July 2026 saw GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ + 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ working the South West Main Line (SWML) PLPR 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth through Poole.

The Heart of Wessex PLPR) ran on Wednesday 5th August 2026 as 1Q22 0825 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road. Class 43 No.’s 43277 ‘Safety Task Force’ + 43357 were allocated after some excitement earlier when two Class 37’s were showing on the system as the provided motive power. The Colas power cars are seen passing Dorchester West as well as arriving and departing Weymouth.

PLPR is an important part of Network Rail’s ‘predict and prevent’ strategy. State-of-the-art technology monitors and records track condition information, and can find issues such as missing fasteners, excess ballast and ineffective rail clamps.

Cameras mounted underneath the trains capture an image every 0.8mm, taking 70,000 images a second at the top speed of 125mph.
PLPR identifies potential defects and sends them to an expert inspection team in Derby. Local track section managers then receive information about confirmed defects, enabling engineers to target track maintenance more effectively.

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back again with more of Yoshi’s adventures – be seeing you!

West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival 2026 – 06/06/2026

A wet and windy, but fab Saturday at the West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival featuring…

Visiting locomotives:

• Class 26 No. 26007
• Class 37 No. 37250
• Class 47 No. 47714
• Class 50 No. 50049

Home fleet locomotives:

• Class 14 No. D9526
• Class 33 ‘Crompton’ Nos. D6566 & D6575
• Class 35 ‘Hymek’ No. D7017

Bonus Britannic Explorer departure with GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66744 + 66748 working 1C02 0900 Bishops Lydeard GBRf to Penzance

Two Hours at Kintbury on the Berks & Hants – 12/06/2026

On the morning of 12th June 2026, I dropped Caroline and her friend Fiona at Whitchurch for a tour of the Bombay Sapphire Gin factory. I then drove 25 minutes up the road to Kintbury for a couple of hours spotting trains on the Berks and Hants.

Trains in this video include:

800023 – 1A77 0835 Plymouth to London Paddington

153383 – 2Q64 0934 Bristol Kingsland Road to Oxford Down Engineers Siding

802003 – 1C77 1036 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids

165121 – 2T13 1130 Newbury to Bedwyn

802013 + 802014 – 1A78 0710 Penzance to London Paddington

59004 ‘Paul J Hammond’ – 6A12 0918 Whatley Quarry F Liner HH to Appleford FHH

802103 – 1C78 1103 London Paddington to Plymouth

59001 ‘Yeoman Endeavor’ + 66562 – 6A50 1026 Whatley Quarry F Liner HH to Hanwell Bridge Loop

165121 – 2T14 1158 Bedwyn to Newbury

60055 ‘Thomas Barnado’ – 6M51 1020 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Quainton Railhead

60029 ‘Ben Nevis’ – 6V95 1008 Willesden Dc Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry (FHH)

165121 – 2T15 1220 Newbury to Bedwyn

800309 – 1A80 0815 Penzance to London Paddington

800306 – 1C79 1203 London Paddington to Penzance

800317 – 1C80 1205 London Paddington to Plymouth

165121 – 2T16 1252 Bedwyn to Newbury

59206 ‘John F Yeoman Rail Pioneer’ – 6A60 1045 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman FH

Loram Class 37 No. 37418 & ‘Caroline’ in Somerset and Dorset – June 2026

This is the first of two videos celebrating “special” workings which visited Dorset in June 2026. Always a favourite of mine is observation coach No. 975025 ‘Caroline’ and I was disappointed to learn she was visiting my home patch while I was away from home.

However we were given permission to share some film of Loram Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ and No. 975025 ‘Caroline’ working in Somerset and Dorset (that would be such a good name for a railway!)

01/06/2026: Highbridge & Burnham 5Z31 0646 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Penzance (video courtesy of Ashley Smith)

02/06/2026: Taunton 0730 Penzance to Bournemouth (video courtesy of Ashley Smith)

02/06/2025: Dorchester West 2Z32 0730 Penzance to Bournemouth (video courtesy of Gerry Barrett)

For information, the combo journeyed via the Heart of Wessex line to Weymouth before traversing the South West Main Line up to Bournemouth where they stabled overnight before heading off to Swansea on the morning of 3rd June 2026.

Selected Special Dorset Workings – June 2026

June 2026 was a relatively quiet month. The highlight probably being a visit by Loram operated Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ with 975025 ‘Caroline’ of course! (See above)

This selection, our second showing special workings in Dorset however, contains the following:

04/06/2026: Dorchester South
Locomotive Services Ltd Class 47 No.’s 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925 – 2013’ + 47810 ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ – 1Z47 0640 Peterborough to Weymouth “The Dorset Statesman” (filmed by Gerry Barrett)

10/06/2026: Dorchester West
Colas Class 43 High Speed Train power cars No.’s 43303 + 43274 were allocated to the 1Q22 0751 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road test train (filmed by Gerry Barrett)

10/06/2026: Dorchester West
165135 – 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester (filmed by Gerry Barrett)

29/06/2026: Branksome
South Western Railway Class 450 No. 450118 runs ecs 5B58 2108 Poole S. S. to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D

29/06/2026: Branksome & Hamworthy
GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s
73961 ‘Alison’ + 73963 ‘Janice’ work the regular Plain Line Patrern Recognition (PLPR) test train 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back again with more of Yoshi’s adventures – be seeing you!

GBRf Class 73/9 PLPR Test Train at Weymouth – 04/05/2026

GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ & 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ at Weymouth working the monthly PLPR Test Train 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4th 2026

The Road to the 2026 Swanage Diesel Gala – the guest locos arrive!

The road to the 2026 Swanage Diesel Gala began with the arrival of the first locomotive convoy of visitors at Wareham on 6th May 2026. Swietelsky Class 37 No. 37607 leads Class 58 No. 58023 ‘Leicester Depot’ + Class 20 No. 20066 + Class 26 No. 26007 working 0Z40 1400½ Peterborough to Swanage.

The next day, GBRf Class 99 No. 99004, the first example of the class to visit Dorset, hauled the London Underground Class 4TC with Class 73 No. 73141 ‘Spa Valley Railway 25 Year Anniversary’ at the rear. We saw the consist crossing Holes Bay, Poole and then passing through Hamworthy reporting as 5Z73 1621 Eastleigh East Yard to Swanage.

Also on 7th May 2026, West Coast Railways Class 33 No. 33025 worked to the Purbeck Heritage railway as 0Z33 2010 Southall Wcr to Swanage. The WCR Crompton was a late replacement for Class 45 “Peak” No. 45041 ‘Royal Tank Regiment’ which was unable to attend the gala due to a derailment in the yard at Wansford and subsequent track damage and it was trapped behind the incident. We saw No. 33025 at Poole.

The Swanage Railway 2026 Diesel Gala – Preview Day 07/05/2026

Swanage Diesel Gala preview day with the timetable operated by visiting Class 26 No. 26007 and resident SR Bulleid Pacific “Battle of Britain” Class No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’

The Swanage Railway 2026 Diesel Gala: Day One – 08/05/2026

The first full day of diesel action for the 2026 Swanage Diesel Gala, featuring visitors Swietelsky Class 37 No. 37607, Class 58 No. 58023 ‘Leicester Depot’ (Courtesy of Ed Stevenson), Class 20 No. 20066 (Courtesy of Shaun Wright), Class 26 No. 26007 (Courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz), London Underground’s Class 438 4TC Multiple Unit No. 428, GBRf Class 73 No. 73141 ‘Spa Valley Railway 25 Year Anniversary’ + Class 99 No. 99004, along with home fleet Class 33’s No.’s 33053 and D6515 ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’. Sadly the Class 58 only managed one trip before being withdrawn from service following a fault.

The Swanage Railway 2026 Diesel Gala: Day Two – 09/05/2026

For the second day of diesel action at the 2026 Swanage Diesel Gala, we chose to ride the trains, which I’m pleased to say were very busy.

The Class 58 No. 58023 ‘Leicester Depot’ (Courtesy of Ed Stevenson) which had failed the previous day was on display at Swanage station, still leaking coolant. Really feel for the owners and organisers, but well done on making the locomotive available for photographs.

The remaining visitors Swietelsky Class 37 No. 37607, Class 20 No. 20066 (Courtesy of Shaun Wright), Class 26 No. 26007 (Courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz), London Underground’s Class 438 4TC Multiple Unit No. 428, GBRf Class 73 No. 73141 ‘Spa Valley Railway 25 Year Anniversary’ + Class 99 No. 99004, along with home fleet Class 33’s No.’s 33053 and D6515 ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ put in fine performances. The Class 73 stood in for the Class 58’s turns, with the “58” headcode being a nice touch!

The Swanage Railway 2026 Diesel Gala: Day Three – 10/05/2026

The third and final day at the 2026 Swanage Railway Diesel saw us taking a look at a couple of trains working “across the road” to the River Frome before returning to Swanage railway station.

This compilation also includes the triple headed Class 33 run passing Harmans Cross filmed by Scott Lewis and included by kind permission.

The Road Home from the 2026 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala

The first move away of the visiting locomotives which appeared at the 2026 Swanage Diesel Gala featured GBRf Class 73 No. 73141 ‘Spa Valley Railway 25 Year Anniversary’ + Class 99 No. 99004 with the London Underground 4TC. Reporting as 5Z73 0930 Swanage to Eastleigh Works GBRf is seen crossing Holes Bay, Poole – 11/05/2026

The second convoy away from Dorset following the 2026 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala featured Swietelsky Class 37 No. 37607, Class 26 No. 26007 and Class 58 No. 58023 ‘Leicester Depot’. The trio is seen at Parkstone reporting as 0Z37 0719 Swanage to Leicester L.I.P.

Saphos Rail “Welsh Marches Express” with LSL Class 47’s & LNER B1 No. 61306 ‘Mayflower’ – 13/05/2026

13th May 2026 Saphos Rail “Welsh Marches Express” ran from Bournemouth for a visit to historic Shrewsbury.

We see Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 No.’s 47805 (D1935) ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ + 47810 (D1924) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ arrive with the empty coaching stock working 3Z60 0402 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Bournemouth, before departing as 1Z61 0533 Bournemouth to Shrewsbury.

Then later the same day, we are in Craven Arms to see LNER Thompson Class B1 4-6-2 No. 61306 ‘Mayflower’ hauling the return working 1Z62 1615 Shrewsbury to Bournemouth with 47810 (D1924) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ providing support from the rear.

Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Festival 2026

Action from the first two days of the 2026 Severn Valley Railway Spring Diesel Festival featuring home fleet and visiting locomotives.

The video also includes the arrival in Kidderminster of:

Colas Class 56 No. 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe 1938-2015’ reporting as 0Z57 1555 Doncaster West Yard to Kidderminster S.V.R. on May 13th 2026 and GBRf Class 57 No. 57306 ‘Branch Line Society’ + GW Class 57 No. 57604 ‘Pendennis Castle’ – 0M04 1246 Reading Traincare Depot to Kidderminster S.V.R. on 15th May 2026

Chiltern Class 68’s & The Parry People Mover at Stourbridge Junction – May 2026

A little video of Class 68’s arriving at Stourbridge Junction along with some footage of Class 139 Parry People Mover No. 139001 which is one of a pair traversing the line between the Junction and Stourbridge Town at regular intervals throughout the day.

This video was filmed over two days, and isn’t necessarily presented in date / time order. Featured Chiltern Class 68 movements are:

13/05/2026

68022 – 1J55 1837 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction

68022 – 5J55 2119 Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Jn Depot

14/05/2026

68022 – 1J47 1637 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction

68022 – 5J47 1912 Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Jn Depot

68031 – 1J55 1837 London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction

68031 – 5J55 2119 Stourbridge Junction to Stourbridge Jn Depot

Grateful thanks to the crew of No. 139001 during our visits. For more information on the Parry People Mover Stourbridge Shuttle, visit this website: Stourbridge Shuttle

34028 ‘Eddystone’ returns to Dorset with The Railway Touring Company’s “The Swanage Belle” 20/05/26

SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ returned to Dorset heading up The Railway Touring Company’s “The Swanage Belle”. We saw the train passing to and from Swanage at Hamworthy. On the return journey, West Coast Rail Class 47 No. 47848 was the leading locomotive with the Bulleid at the rear in readiness for taking over further along the route.

The reporting numbers of each leg were:

1Z88 0821 London Victoria to Swanage

1Z89 1635 Swanage to London Victoria

First Great British Railways liveried Class 701 breaks cover – 21/05/2026

South Western Railway Class 701 No. 701006 breaks cover at Branksome as the first SWR unit to have the Great British Railways livery applied working 5Y53 2246 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Wimbledon Park Depot Sdgs

Classic Traction In Action! Clan Line at Yeovil Junction & Western Champion at Castle Cary: 23/05/26

Two railtours to the West Country on Saturday 23rd May 2026 demanded our attention.

First up was The Railway Touring Company run “Atlantic Coast Express” featuring SR Merchant Navy Class No. 35028 ‘Clan Line’ + West Coast Railway Class 47 No. 47802. We headed to Yeovil Junction to see this one which reported as 1Z28 0714 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids.

Then a quick drive to Castle Cary where we arrived just in time to witness Western Class 52 Diesel Hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ speeding through with Vintage Trains “The Golden Hind”1Z33 0955 London Paddington to Plymouth.

Then we headed for Hampshire to see more classic traction as Class 56’s passed through Totton. You can watch our video of 56051 + 56094 + 56302 + 56049 here: https://youtu.be/QLswZCj6cfM?si=kWoCHwULYrUbeBuj

With thanks to my brother, Gerry Barrett for additional video of Clan Line at Yeovil!

Grid Farewell! Class 56 Convoy as 56094 + 56302 head to Marchwood for export – 23/05/2026

We visited Totton to see four Class 56 locomotives heading to Marchwood. Colas Railfreight Class 56 No.’s 56051 + 56049 provided a top and tail escort for ex-stablemate Grids No.’s 56094 + 56302 which are destined for export to Ghana. The consist order and movement reporting number was 56051 + 56302 + 56094 + 56049 – 0Z55 0854 Rectory Jn (Colwick Colas) to Marchwood

No.’s 56051 + 56049 returned after dropping off their white painted classmates as 0Z56 1657 Marchwood Mod GBRf to Westbury Down T.C.

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back again with more of Yoshi’s adventures – be seeing you!

West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ at Poole and Eastleigh

Southern Locomotives Limited’s West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ departed the Swanage Railway following a brief stay to head off to Southall Depot.

‘Eddystone’ travelled tender first to Eastleigh where she ran around two support coaches before departing towards Southall smokebox first.

I positioned myself on the country end of platform one at Eastleigh and if anything was going to get in my way of viewing No. 34028, it did! You win some, you lose some – 08/04/2026

Dorset Engineering Trains at night – April 2026

I love seeing late night engineers trains.

This month, we had two examples visiting East Dorset timed especially for night owls! First up we saw DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66131 working 6N75 2253 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton at Bournemouth running 20 minutes late. The locomotive ran around its ballast hoppers before heading back towards the work zone – 10/04/2026

A few days later we enjoyed an outing to Christchurch and Bournemouth to see GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66712 ‘Peterborough Power Signalbox’ + 66738 ‘Huddersfield Town’ top and tail 6X12 2207 Eastleigh East Yard to Pokesdown via Romsey – Salisbury – Romsey with reversals at Redbridge and Bournemouth.

The consist included Network Rail’s Kirow KRC1200UK Heavy Duty Diesel Hydraulic Crane No. 99 70 9319 013-7. Kirow 1200 cranes are versatile, which makes them great for track, bridge and lineside infrastructure installations, and breakdown and recovery.

The train was running 25 minutes behind time at Christchurch due to the late running of the preceding SWR service 1Z89 0105 Brockenhurst to Poole which was delayed by passengers causing a disturbance – 12/04/2026

Dorset Test Trains – April 2026

A compilation of test trains seen on Dorset metals in April 2026:

Test train 1Q23 0553 Reading to Salisbury top and tailed by Colas Class 43 No.’s 43277 ‘Safety Task Force’ + 43257 passing Sherborne on Thursday 2nd April 2026.

GBRf Class 73/9 No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ + 73961 ‘Alison’ passing through Poole on the regular PLPR Test Train 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Woking Up Yard Sidings may run on Easter Monday, April 6th 2026.

Colas Class 43 power cars No.’s 43301 and 43321 are seen at Maiden Newton and Dorchester West working the PLPR test train 1Q22 0805 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road on 15th April 2026.

With thanks to Gerry Barrett for additional material used in this video.

Class 68 Mega Move – six ex-Chiltern Cats head to Eastleigh

Unbranded ex-Chiltern liveried Class 68 No. 68010 leads with 68013, 68014, 68015, 68012 and 68011 working 6Z68 0800 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Eastleigh TRSMD where it’s believed they will be put into storage – 27/04/2026

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back again with more of Yoshi’s adventures – be seeing you!

More trains on the Berks and Hants including two Class 60’s – 02/03/2026

Learning that DCR Class 60 No. 60099 was scheduled to work a Merehead turn, and with the offer of a day out from friend of this blog Scott, we headed to a favourite location on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Great Bedwyn. No. 60099 carries a special livery designed by Accurascale. You can read more about this here.

Great Bedwyn – 02/03/2026

802111 – 1J73 0838 London Paddington to Westbury

802114 – 1C74 0903 London Paddington to Totnes

802102 – 1C76 0934 London Paddington to Totnes

800315 – 1A76 0916 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington

59102 – 1014 Theale Hanson Aggs (FLHH) to Whatley Quarry F Liner HH

802105 – 1A77 0905 Totnes to London Paddington

59205 – 6A12 0918 Whatley Quarry F Liner HH to Appleford FHH

802106 – 1C77 1036 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids

802113 – 1A78 0942 Totnes to London Paddington

59101 + 66614 – 6A50 1026 Whatley Quarry F Liner HH to Hanwell Bridge Loop

800309 – 1C78 1103 London Paddington to Totnes

60028 – 6M51 0945 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Quainton Railhead

59103 – 6A60 1045 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman FH

60099 – 6V17 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry (FHH)

New Liveried CrossCountry Class 220 Visits Bournemouth – 04/03/2026

The first refurbished and reliveried Class 220 ‘Voyager’ No. 220033 returned to service with CrossCountry on 24th February 2026 after its unveiling at Derby Litchurch Lane. The multiple unit made its debut on Dorset metals in the new CrossCountry colours on 4th March as it formed the 1O26 1625 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth service.

The ‘Voyager’ then ran into Bournemouth Middle Sidings as 5O26 2125 Bournemouth to Bournemouth, departing later for Eastleigh TRSMD.

Remarkably, Cross Country has calculated that since introduction, the set has travelled more than 5.8 million miles before being stopped for refurbishment, that is further than 12 return trips to the moon. Artemis II take note!

Monthly 1Q51 PLPR Test Train

The monthly Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) train was due to run to Weymouth via the South West Main Line on Monday 9th March 2026, top and tailed by Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives, reporting as 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard. However, due to a traction equipment failure, the service was cancelled. Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No.’s 73962 + 73965 which were allocated to the service, returned to Derby with the train.

PLPR trains employ specialist Network Rail vehicles that use high-speed cameras and lasers to automatically scan tracks for faults like missing clips or damaged sleepers. Operating as part of a “predict and prevent” strategy, these trains capture 70,000 images per second, covering thousands of miles to improve safety and reduce maintenance delays.

Unique Legoland liveried SWR Class 701 escapes into the wild – 16/03/2026

A quick trip to Branksome as South Western Railway Class 701 No. 701060 escaped into the wild this afternoon showing off its unique new Legoland livery working 5Y51 1432 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Clapham Yard Sidings.

Hamworthy Branch Update

Following the construction of a compound at Ashmore Level Crossing, work along the Hamworthy branch to return the line to a state of readiness continued through March. Activities included putting up new line side fencing, cutting back foliage, checking the state of the rail under the road at Ashmore Crossing and replacing sections of rail up towards the mainline station. It is understood the line is to be handed over to Network Rail in April 2026.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) welcomed around 250 guests to its annual Open Evening on Monday March 23rd 2026.

PHC Chief Executive Captain Brian Murphy delivered a comprehensive overview of the Port’s activities over the past year, covering key strategic projects, and a financial update.

A key highlight from the presentation included reference to the reinstatement of the Port Rail Link. Captain Murphy said, “anything we do going forward is looking at getting <freight> onto rail instead of the roads at Poole. We are working with a local aggregates company and we are looking to introduce the port rail link back to the port, to the quay edge and transport hopefully aggregates out to wherever it’s needed when the market picks up again. So when we can actually decide we’re building houses again, and infrastructure around the UK – there’s a bit of a halt on it – then we’ll start doing it by rail.

In the meantime we’ll get the rail reinstated up to the level crossing and we’ll use it for a freight lay-by until the point where the market picks up and we can use it fully in the port.

One train a day / five trains a week; that’s a saving of 5,000 tonnes of carbon a year relative to road haulage.”

A follow up question on money spent from the £1m budget announced for the reinstatement of the port rail link last year and possible timescales elicited the following response from Captain Murphy, “we’ve spent @£200,000 on applications and securing part of the lease of the Hamworthy branch line. There will be some works required this year. The railway line up to the level crossing is actually in not a bad state; every third sleeper or so needs replacing. Not a significant amount. The project as a whole to quay edge <will cost> £1.5m.” Timescales for the reinstatement of the port line is dependant on commercial constraints but is expected to take two years.

Wessex Test Trains and SITT – March 2026

A compilation of test trains and a Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) captured across the Wessex region in March 2026

2026 Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala

The 2026 Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala took place over the final weekend of March and saw the three visiting locomotives; Grange Class No. 6880 ‘Betton Grange’, Austerity Tank Engine No.’s WD152 ‘Rennes’ and 68067 in action alongside the home fleet; T3 Class No. 563, U Class No. 31806, Battle of Britain Class No.’s 34070 ‘Manston’ and 34072 ‘257 Squadron’.

This video features highlights from the 27th and 28th March 2026.

Work on the Heart of Wessex Line

Between Saturday 28th February 2026 to Sunday 8th March 2026 Network rail engineers returned to the Heart of Wessex to carry out essential engineering work which neccesitated closure of the line .

As part of the closure work was carried out to strengthen embankments at Evershot Tunnel, Dorset to help prevent the risk of landslips. In order to stabilise the embankments, engineers cut through soil and rock and stabilised the slope by using soil nails and netting

To take full advantage of the 8-day closure the following was also carried out :

• Stress testing the continuous welded rail to improve reliability, reducing the need for speed restrictions in hotter months
• Carrying out minor improvements to the track in the Thornford area following recent track renewal in September 2024
• Management of vegetation by selecting diseased and dangerous trees that could cause delays to the running of trains between Chetnole and Maiden Newton Railway Stations

Thanks for reading! We’ll be back again with more of Yoshi’s adventures – be seeing you!

Class 67 to the Swanage Railway

Colas Rail Class 67 No. 67027, recently outshopped from Eastleigh with East Coast Thunderbird decals, arrived at Corfe Castle for ETH testing on the morning of 3rd February 2026. Working as 0Z67 0705 Westbury Down T.C. to Swanage, the locomotive only travelled as far as Corfe Castle because of embankment stabilisation work further down the line at Harman’s Cross.

The Skip departed the heritage railway as 0Z67 1002 Swanage to Westbury Down T.C. the following day.

SWR Class 159’s and the New Measurement Train at Sherborne

The 5th February 2026 produced another wet Thursday lunchtime. I stopped off at Sherborne on the way home from visiting my mum. The New Measurement Train (NMT) was scheduled to pass through the station just after two service trains operated by South Western Railway (SWR) Class 159 diesel multiple units;

159020 + 159108 1L25 1020 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids 159018 + 159015 1L44 1125 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo

Sherborne station was opened by the Salisbury and Yeovil Railway (S&YR) on 7th May 1860, when the company extended its line from Gillingham. A level crossing is situated at the eastern end of the platforms. The station features two platforms connected by a footbridge, added in 1886, with the main building constructed in rusticated Sherborne stone under a slate roof, including mullioned windows and a distinctive ledged canopy supported by iron brackets. The London & South Western Railway took over the line in 1878 having provided the trains from the outset. Following the Railways Act of 1921, the LSWR was amalgamated into the Southern Railway in 1923, under which the station continued to operate until nationalisation in 1948, when it became part of the Southern Region of British Railways.

In 1963, amid broader organisational changes, control of the line and station transferred to the Western Region of British Railways.

Today, the station is owned by Network Rail and operated by South Western Railway (SWR), which took over the South Western franchise in 2017. The station is currently promoted as part of the Blackmore Vale Line Community Partnership.

The NMT duly arrived a minute early being top and tailed by Class 43 power cars No.’s 43013 ‘Mark Carne CBE’ + 43062 ‘John Armitt’ forming 1Q23 05:53 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter. The train had to pause in the station to allow the crossing gates – controlled from the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre – to be lowered

Wiltshire Wanders – time spent watching trains – 12/02/2026

A trip across the county border to Wiltshire for a day watching trains in the company of Jamie Smith. The highlight for me being the DCR Class 60 No. 60028.

This video features the following locations and workings: Hawkeridge Junction:

66704 + 66754 – 6G99 0428 Hanwell to Westbury Down T.C.

Westbury:

59005 – 6A12 0918 Whatley Quarry F Liner HH to Appleford FHH

Fairwood Junction:

60028 – 6M51 0942 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Quainton Railhead

Bratton:

802101 – 1C76 1003 London Paddington to Penzance 802018 + 802017 – 1A78 0710 Penzance to London Paddington 60028 – 6M51 0942 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Quainton Railhead

North Bradley:

166207 – 1F14 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central 67021 – 1V80 0947 London Victoria to Bath Spa 59202 – 6B12 1143 Merehead Quarry (FHH) to Wootton Bassett F.Y. (FLHH)

Wylye:

158890 – 1O52 1338 Yeovil Junction to London Waterloo

59203 – 6V22 1334 Woking D. Agg. Yard (FLHH) to Merehead Quarry (FHH)

Railway 200 Inspiration exhibition train visits the Swanage Railway

The Railway 200 Inspiration exhibition train arrived on the Swanage Railway early morning on 16th February 2026, reporting as 3Z21 0537 Eastleigh East Yard to Corfe Castle (Swanage R). GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66710 ‘Karen Harrison’ + 66719 ‘Michael Portillo’ top and tailed the train.

No. 66710 remained at Corfe Castle acting as a “brake” for the carriages, while No. 66719 departed light engine as 0Z21 0740 Corfe Castle (Swanage R) to Eastleigh East Yard.

Two days later No. 66719 returned to rejoin the train as it worked 0Z22 1543 Eastleigh East Yard to Corfe Castle (Swanage R), this time carrying the Rail 200 Inspiration headboard.

No. 66719 departed Corfe with the Inspiration train in the company of No. 66710 bound for the Watercress Line working as 3Z22 1930 Corfe Castle (Swanage R) to Alton.

Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration’s exhibition carriages are:

* Railway Firsts: Showcasing groundbreaking innovations in railway history

* Wonderlab on Wheels: Offering engaging hands-on activities to explore the science and engineering behind railways

* Your Railway Future: Uncovering some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to consider a career in rail to shape the next 200 years

Test Trains and Engineering Trains in Dorset – Mid-February 2026

A selection of test trains and engineering trains which visited Dorset in mid-February 2026.

This video includes;

09/02/2026 Poole 73962 + 73964 – 1Q51 1150 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard

11/02/2026 Bournemouth 66182 + 66107 – 6N60 0525 New Milton to Eastleigh East Yard, 444023 + 444020 – 5Z24 0520 Southampton Central to Poole, 444025 + 444036 – 1B90 0540 Poole to London Waterloo

12/02/2026 Bournemouth 66182 + 66107 – 6N70 0525 New Milton to Eastleigh East Yard, 444001 + 444009 – 1B14 0500 Poole to London Waterloo

18/02/2026 Dorchester West 43303 + 43301 – 1Q22 0743 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road, 166202 – 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester (This sequence courtesy of Gerry Barrett)

A video compilation of the Snow & Ice Treatment Train in Dorset during January and February 2026

This video includes:

01/01/2026 66734+66751 at Baiter, Poole and Hamworthy 3Y88 1011 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

04/01/2026 66740 + 66750 at Wareham and Dorchester South 3Y88 1000 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

05/01/2026 66740 + 66750 at Poole 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

06/01/2026 66751 + 66750 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

08/01/2026 66736 + 66750 at Poole 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

09/01/2026 66750 + 66736 at Turlin Moor 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

13/02/2026 66730 + 66734 at Sterte, Poole, Dorchester South and Hamworthy 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

17/02/2026 66725 + 66704 at Hamworthy 3Y89 2253 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

17/02/2026 day 66725 + 66704 at Weymouth 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

18/02/2026 66792 + 66704 at Poole 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard

New GBRf Class 99 No.’s 99005 + 99006 on tow at Bristol and other trains

GBRf Class 99 No.’s 99005 & 99006 were collected from Portbury Docks and hauled to Leicester LIP on Wednesday 25th February 2026. Stablemate Class 57 No. 57305 was the hauling locomotive provided for the transfer, running in light during the morning as 0Z33 from Leicester L.I.P. to the automotive terminal at Portbury Docks, then returning to Leicester with 99006 & 99005 in tow as 0Q33 from the automotive terminal at Portbury Docks to Leicester L.I.P.

This video features other passenger, freight and departmental trains at Bristol Parson Street and Bristol Parkway.

Eastleigh Visit

As Caroline had a lunch planned with a friend in Southampton, I chivalrously volunteered to drive her over the county border and back home after her catch-up. No, no… of course I didn’t mind waiting!

So that’s how I found myself at Eastleigh railway station on the afternoon of Friday February 27th 2026 witnessing the chaos caused by Colas Class 56 No. 56051 ‘Survival’ which had been booked to operate OZ56 1150 Eastleigh Yard to Eastleigh Yard via Basingstoke in the company of on hire Class 66 No. 66544. The Grid made it as far as the approaches to Eastleigh where it suffered an internal combustion incident with flames reportedly coming out of the locomotive. All lines between Eastleigh and Winchester were immediately put on a stop situation, with trains being unable to run past the stricken loco. Eventually the Shed dragged ‘Survival’ back to Eastleigh East Yard where a fire engine was waiting its arrival.

Trains were subject to delay for several hours afterwards, and this made for a busy couple of hours while things slowly got back to normal.

That’s it for another month – thanks for reading. Be seeing you!

2026 marks sixty years since the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, a line that, for many people, was far more than just a railway.

We went along to Shillingstone Railway Station where a group of dedicated volunteers have been hard at work to keep the S&DJR alive, alongside a group of preservationists whose aim is to restore two Yugoslavian steam locos. You watch the trailer on YouTube or Spotify here:

To find out more about the North Dorset Railway and Project 62, visit their respective websites:

https://www.northdorsetrailway.co.uk

https://www.project62.co.uk

The full episode is available on YouTube, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!

Available Now! Yoshi met up with YouTuber and videographer The Southerner for a chat about railways and filming trains over a mug of tea and a long chew:

YouTube:

Spotify:

For the next episode of The Railway Dogcast, Yoshi met up with YouTuber and videographer The Southerner for a chat about railways and filming trains over a mug of tea and a long chew – coming soon! 

Spotify Trailer: 

YouTube Trailer: