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
Yoshi visited STEAM: The Museum of the Great Western Railway and saw GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ – 11/11/2023
November 10th 2023 to November 17th 2023
Having not seen any of the locomotive operated Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTT) this year, we decided to combine a visit to the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in Swindon with a visit to STEAM Museum and the chance of photographing an RHTT or two. The railways of Dorset are serviced by Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV) during leaf fall season with leaves on the railway line causing problems.
An early morning MPV RHTT working crosses Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay Causeway, Poole as 3S81 0547 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 07/11/2023
Windy conditions can cause heavy leaf fall in a short space of time and rain means they are more likely to stick to the rails. When trains pass over leaves, the heat and weight of the trains bake them into a thin, slippery layer on the rail. This is equivalent to black ice on the roads. This can create operational issues for the signalling system (track circuits) and reduce a trains grip – which can change the ability of a train to start from a station, accelerate and climb hills, or stop at stations and signals. Across the GB Rail Network, there are 32 MultiPurpose Vehicles and 29 locomotive hauled RHTT’s. Both types of train are equipped with a high-pressure water pump delivering 1,500 Bar and, if required, can apply adhesion modifier – a mixture of suspension gel (so it can be pumped), sand (to help train wheels grip the rail), and steel or iron shot that is pushed through contamination (compressed leaves and debris) on the rail head to help the track circuits work correctly – to each running rail. If the track circuits fail to identify, or ‘lose’ a train (because the leaf and debris contamination is preventing this) then the signalling system is designed to automatically stop all the trains to prevent an accident.
Colas Class 66 No.’s 66848 & 66850 ‘David Maidment OBE www.railwaychildren.org.uk’ on the approach to Swindon working 3S59 09:00 Hereford to Swindon Transfer Yard Rail Head Treatment Train – 11/11/2023
Swindon has been synonymous with railways, and in particular the Great Western Railway (GWR) since the 1840’s, when Daniel Gooch – working under Isambard Kingdom Brunel – picked the Wiltshire town as the location for a central repair works with the site opening on 2nd January 1843. The Works transformed Swindon from a small market town with a population of 2,500 into a bustling railway themed hive of industry. Built to the north of the main town centre, Swindon works had a need for locally accessible housing and services for the men and women who worked there. The development of the railway village was on the lines of similar Victorian-era model village lifestyle concepts, such as Bournville near Birmingham, and architect/builder Rigby’s were given license to create a commercially viable development by the GWR. The completed village provided the town with medical and educational facilities that had been previously sorely lacking, together with the large St Mark’s Church and the Bakers Arms public house, all completed before 1850.
The first locomotive constructed at Swindon Works, emerging in 1846 having taken less than two weeks to build, was the ‘Premier’, originally built with a 2-2-2 wheel arrangement but later converted to 4-2-2 and renamed ‘Great Western’ becoming part of the Iron Duke Class of broad gauge locomotives. She was joined by six more engines, with the Iron Dukes being considered the fastest broad gauge engine of its day. By 1851, the works employed over 2,000 people and were producing about one locomotive a week, with the first standard gauge engine being built in 1855. In addition to locomotive building standardised goods vehicles were produced, and in 1867 Swindon was made the central workshop for the construction of carriages and wagons.
In its heyday, Swindon works employed 14,000 people as Charles Collett (GWR’s Chief Mechanical Engineer from 1921 to 1941) greatly improved boiler making and facilities for working heavy gauge sheet metal. In 1927 the GWR’s most powerful and largest class of locomotive, the King’s, were introduced becoming the flagship of the GWR fleet. The King’s had been developed from the Castle Class which, along with the Hall Class, helped cement GWR’s reputation and image.
At the nationalisation of British Railways (BR) in 1948, the works was producing 60 new locomotives a year, with this number reducing to 42 in 1954. From 1948 to 1956, the works made 452 steam engines to GWR designs and between 1951 and 1960 200 BR standard classes. When the decision was made to transition the railways from steam to diesel and electric motive power, the works produced BR’s last steam locomotive; No. 92220 ‘Evening Star’. By this time the works employed 5,000 people and had become the regional hub for the storage and scrapping of steam locomotives and rolling stock.
BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No. 92220 ‘Evening Star’ at the National Railway Museum, York 03/07/2012Nameplate and commemorative plaque commemorating No. 92220’s status as the final steam locomotive built for BR at Swindon – 03/07/2012
As part of its Modernisation Plan, BR Western Region opted to develop and build diesel hydraulic locomotives rather than the diesel electric varieties employed across the rest of the network. From 1957 the works produced 38 “Warship” class D800’s and 30 “Western” class D1000’s.
Class 42 Warship Diesel Hydraulic No. D818 ‘Glory’ at Swindon Works. This locomotive entered traffic on 30th March 1960 and was withdrawn on 1st November 1972. She was cut up in November 1985. ‘Glory’ was a static exhibit at Swindon longer than she was in revenue earning service. Although No. D818 donated much needed parts to fellow classmate No. D821 ‘Greyhound’, it is still sad that this third candidate for preservation was lost – 06/06/1981Class 52 Western Diesel Hydraulic No. D1023 ‘Western Fusilier’ at Swindon where she had been built in September 1963. She was withdrawn in February 1977 having operated various runs including the last ever Western hauled rail tour; the ‘Western Tribute’. In 1973 she was the last ever hydraulic to have a general repair at Swindon. The locomotive was preserved as part of The National Collection and placed on display in the National Railway Museum at York in 1977. No. D1023 has been placed on loan to the Didcot Railway Centre for a period of five years commencing January 2023 – 06/06/1981Class 14 0-6-0 650hp diesel hydraulic No. D9551 in non-original ‘golden ochre’ livery at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway. 56 of these locomotives were built by BR’s Swindon Works between 1964 and 1965. Locomotives of the class were given the nickname “Teddy Bears”, after a comment by Swindon Works foreman George Cole, “We’ve built the Great Bear, now we’re going to build a Teddy Bear!” – 15/05/2021
Locomotive building ceased at Swindon in 1965 following the construction of the Class 14 “Teddy Bear’s” after which the works became a heavy repair facility. In the 1970’s it was decided that the diesel hydraulic’s were non-standard and were withdrawn in favour of the diesel electric classes. The works were absorbed into British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL) but won less and less maintenance business against the internal competition of Crewe and Derby Works. With the town of Swindon expanding and needing land close to its centre for development, the decision was made to close the works with the final day of operation being 26nd March 1986.
The redevelopment of the works took account of the listed building status of the original core infrastructure. The engineers’ office is now the headquarters of English Heritage, with most of the remaining buildings redeveloped as part of the Designer Outlet Village. The rest of the site’s extensive railway yard was used for housing and commercial buildings including purpose built storage for the English Heritage Archive and the National Trust’s central office building, known as “Heelis”, the married name of Beatrix Potter, one of the key figures in the early history of the organisation.
Another original works building houses STEAM: The Museum of the Great Western Railway, which “tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the GWR, a network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, set the standard for rail travel. The story is brought to life with famous GWR locomotives, story-telling displays, videos – mixing rare archive film footage with the stories of ex-railway workers – hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and a large number of rare GWR objects and memorabilia.”
The folk at STEAM had very kindly given Yoshi permission to accompany me on my visit to the museum and we are very grateful for the team in extending the hand of friendship and being very helpful during our time there, which coincided with the National Trust’s AGM being held at the venue, so everyone was already very busy indeed.
King Class 4-6-0 No 6000 ‘King George V‘
GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ on display at STEAM 11/11/2023
Charles Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer at Swindon Works 1922 – 1941, designed the King Class to be the most powerful express passenger steam locomotive in Britain.
In 1927, King George V was the first of the King locomotives to be built. The engine was named after the reigning monarch and later locos were named after previous kings of England.
The King locos were much heavier than previous engines. A number of bridges and platforms had to be strengthened to accommodate them. The Kings weren’t used in Cornwall because the Royal Albert Bridge was too weak to support their weight.
In 1927, No. 6000 ‘King George V’ was sent to the USA to take part in the centenary celebrations for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. While there, it was presented with the brass bell which is still attached to the front of the locomotive.
In 1947, the GWR began experiments leading to a number of modifications to ensure the King locomotives continued to perform well. By the time ‘King George V’ was retired in 1962, it had travelled nearly two million miles. But this wasn’t the end of the story as No. 6000 was preserved as part of the national collection and restored to main line running order at the Bulmer’s Railway Centre in Hereford. In 1971 ‘KGV’ became the first steam locomotive to break the British Rail mainline steam ban that had been in place since the completion of the “Fifteen Guinea Special” – the last main line passenger train to be hauled by steam locomotives over BR metals on 11th August 1968. No. 6000’s restoration to main line service and subsequent operation is often credited with opening the door for the return of steam to the mainlines of the UK.
Back in the 1980’s when I could afford to travel on steam hauled excursion trains, “run-pasts” were a feature where passengers would de-train and the locomotive would back up the stock and then go hell for leather through the station to enable travellers to get photographs of the steam locomotive as here with No. 6000 ‘King George V’ at Craven Arms during a “Welsh Marshes Pullman” tour – 21/11/1981GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ at Shrewsbury – 21/11/1981GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V arrives at Bristol Temple Meads at the head of “The Brunel Pullman” – 12/06/1983GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ pauses under the Royal Mail conveyor which was situated at the northern end of Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Built in the 1970’s to convey mail to the sorting office situated adjacent to the eastern edge of the station, use of the conveyor was stopped after closure of the sorting office on the transfer of Royal Mail’s activities to the West of England Mail Centre at Filton. It has now been removed – 12/06/1983GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ at Bristol Bath Road diesel depot – 12/06/1983GWR King Class 4-6-0 No. 6000 ‘King George V’ runs light engine through Bristol Temple Meads – 12/06/1983
2800 Class 2-8-0 No 2818
No. 2818 was built at Swindon Works in 1905 and has bee resident at STEAM since 2018 – 11/11/2023
George Jackson Churchward, Chief Mechanical Engineer at Swindon Works 1902 – 1921, designed the 2800 class of heavy freight locos – a completely new design and not based on any previous loco type. Churchward’s design proved to be so successful that they were built from 1903 until 1942. During the 60 years that they were in service, they only underwent minor changes to their original build.
The original paint livery was black with red lining. This was changed to green during the First World War. Once the locomotive was under British Railways ownership, it was given the standard unlined black livery.
No. 2818 was allocated to work in South Wales where she hauled heavy coal trains. During the First World War, the loco, along with most others in the class, hauled the Jellicoe Specials, transporting coal to the Royal Navy’s fleet of ships based in Scapa Flow. Unusually for freight locos, the 2800’s were also used on Bank Holiday passenger special trains, where they demonstrated both their strength and their speed.
City Class 4-4-0 No 3717 ‘City of Truro‘
Yoshi meest ‘City of Truro’ at STEAM – 11/11/2023
George Jackson Churchward also designed the City Class of locomotive. For the City locos, he used initial designs prepared by his predecessor, William Dean. The GWR built ten City Class locomotives between 1903 and 1907. They also converted ten GWR Atbara Class locos into the City Class.
‘City of Truro’ nameplate – 11/11/2023City Class 4-4-0 No 3717 ‘City of Truro’ at STEAM, Swindon – 11/11/2023
In 1903, No. 3440 ‘City of Truro’ became the 2,000th loco built at Swindon Works. She was re-numbered No. 3717 by GWR in 1912. This meant that locos of the same class all had consecutive numbers.
On 9th May 1904, ‘City of Truro’ laid claim at being the first steam locomotive to reach over 100 miles an hour. She was travelling between Plymouth and London Paddington, hauling the “Ocean Mails” consisting of a light load of 8-wheeled parcels vans with 1,300 bags of mail onboard giving a total weight of 148 tonnes. ‘City of Truro’ was timed as taking 8.8 seconds to travel a quarter of a mile; equal to 102.3 miles an hour. This was while descending Whiteball in Somerset and can only ever be a claim. It was recorded by railway journalist Charles Rous-Marten, but there was no second timekeeper to confirm his reading. ‘City of Truro’s record has therefore always been a matter of dispute, however if Rous-Marten’s timings are accurate they would indeed correspond to a speed of 102.3mph.
No. 3440 ‘City of Truro’ in readiness to work the RCTS “North Somerset Rail Tour” – 28/04/1957 (Photo courtesy of Chris Bancroft)No. 3440 ‘City of Truro’ at Reading on the RCTS “North Somerset Rail Tour”. This tour was the first one for the RCTS that used ‘City of Truro’- 28/04/1957 (Photo courtesy of Chris Bancroft)Video screen grab of No. 3440 ‘City of Truro’ working the return leg of Pathfinders Tours “The Ocean Mail 100” celebrating the oft disputed record run of 9th May 1904 when Charles Rous-Marten claimed the locomotive exceeded 100mph. The loco is seen on the Exeter to Taunton section of the GW main line on which the controversial speed record was recorded – 10/05/2004
Video of No. 3440 ‘City of Truro’ working the return leg of Pathfinders Tours “The Ocean Mail 100”. Ian Riley Engineering Ltd Electric owned Type Three Class 37/0 No. 37197 diesel-electric followed the steam hauled train ready to provide support if required – 10/05/2004
City of Truro was withdrawn from service in 1931. Although she was later returned to heritage railway service and continued operating until 2011.
Castle Class 4-6-0 No 4073 ‘Caerphilly Castle‘
Yoshi poses with Castle Class 4-6-0 No 4073 ‘Caerphilly Castle’. The Castle Class celebrate their centenary in 2023 – 11/11/2023
Charles Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer at Swindon Works 1922 – 1941, designed the Castle Class of locomotive. He based the designs for the Castle Class locos on the earlier Star Class.
Who built, Castle class loconotives were Britain’s most powerful express passenger loco. Castle Class locos had larger boilers, and were designed to pull heavier loads.
Nameplate of Castle Class 4-6-0 No 4073 ‘Caerphilly Castle’ – 11/11/2023
Between 1923 and 1950, the GWR built 155 Castle locos at Swindon Works. A further sixteen were converted from other classes. On the 23rd August 1923, No. 4073 ‘Caerphilly Castle’ was the first Castle Class loco to go into service. In 1924 and 1925, ‘Caerphilly Castle’ was exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley next to the LNER’s ‘Flying Scotsman’ ( a locomotive we may have mentioned more than once previously).
Visitors to STEAM can see underneath Castle Class 4-6-0 No 4073 ‘Caerphilly Castle’. Yoshi and I declined to take this opportunity – 11/11/2023
Castle Class locos were used on the express route between London Paddington and Cheltenham Spa. The Cheltenham Spa Express was a record breaker. In June 1923, it took just 75 minutes to travel from Swindon to Paddington, at an average speed of 61.8 miles per hour.
In July 1929, it became the world’s fastest train when it achieved an average speed of 66.2mph. On June 6th 1932, the Cheltenham Flyer smashed its own speed record, reaching an average speed of 81.6mph.
Replica of broad gauge engine ‘North Star‘
Yoshi with the replica of broad gauge engine ‘North Star’ – 11/11/2023
North Star is a broad gauge locomotive, built in 1837 for the New Orleans and Carrollton Railroad in the USA by Robert Stephenson and Company.
Replica of broad gauge engine ‘North Star’Replica of broad gauge engine ‘North Star’
The full size replica on display at STEAM was built at Swindon Works in 1926 to the 1837 specification. It was built to celebrate 100 years of the railways. The replica uses some parts from the original locomotive.
2301 Class 0-6-0 No 2516 Dean Goods
2301 Class 0-6-0 No 2516 Dean Goods – 11/11/2023
William Dean, Chief Locomotive Engineer at Swindon Works 1877 – 1902, designed the Dean Goods Class of locomotives. The first locomotive of the class was built in 1883 at Swindon.
During the First World War, 62 of these locos were sent to France and Salonika (Greece). The engines were lightweight, strong, and reliable, making them ideal for war work. Inexperienced crews also found them easy to drive. During the Second World War, 108 of these locos were requisitioned. Of these, 32 had already seen service during the First World War. Most were sent to France and many were destroyed in the retreat to Dunkirk or used on the French railways by German forces.
No. 2516 was built in 1897. It spent most of its working life taking goods and passengers up and down the GWR branch lines in Mid-Wales before being withdrawn from service in the 1950’s.
9400 Class 0-6-0T No 9400 Pannier Tank
9400 Class 0-6-0T No 9400 Pannier Tank on display at STEAM – 11/11/2023
Frederick Hawksworth designed the Pannier Tank Locomotives. Hawksworth spent his entire career at Swindon Works. He began as an apprentice in 1905 and rose to become Chief Mechanical Engineer in 1941, before retiring in 1949.
From 1947, GWR built ten Hawksworth Pannier Tan locos at Swindon Works. The loco was called a ‘Pannier Tank’ because the water tanks on either side of the boiler looked like pannier bags carried by horses.
Hawksworth Pannier Tank locos were used all over the rail network for shunting and hauling passenger and goods trains on smaller branch lines. The locos could often be seen taking empty carriages to and from Paddington Station.
In 1947, No 9400 was the first Hawksworth Pannier Tank to be built at Swindon. It was one of the last locos to be built by the GWR before the railways were nationalised in 1948. After nationalisation, private contractors for British Railways built another 200 Hawksworth Pannier Tanks. By 1965, all Hawksworth Pannier Tanks including No. 9400 had been withdrawn from service.
4200 Class 2-8-0T 4248 (skeleton only)
Diorama featuring 4200 Class 2-8-0T No. 4248 – 11/11/2023
No. 4248 was built in 1916 at Swindon Works. It is one of the 4200 class of 2-8-0 tank engines designed by George Jackson Churchward. No. 4248 spent most of its working life hauling coal trains in and around South Wales. After being withdrawn from service in 1963 the engine spent many years in Barry Scrapyard. It was rescued from there in 1986.
No. 4248 was purchased for the Museum with the support of a Museums and Galleries PRISM grant. The engine has been conserved at STEAM and is on display as if it is a locomotive under construction in the Boiler Shop area of the museum.
The collection holds a small but varied selection of Great Western rolling stock, which includes Queen Victoria’s Royal Saloon (above) which was built in 1897 and formed part of the Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee train. Another highlight is the beautiful art deco styled Buffet Car No. 9631 built at Swindon in 1934 (below).
Interior of Buffet Car No. 9631 – 11/11/2023STEAM holds a small collection of road vehicles, ranging from horse drawn carts to motorised vans like this Scammell Tractor and Trailer. Road vehicles were an essential part of Great Western operations and were used in and around Swindon Works, good depots and stations – 11/11/2023 Swindon Trip to Weymouth!Display case showing GWR’s nautical connections – 11/11/2023
After our visit to STEAM we met up with Caroline who had been exploring the Designer Outlet. The shopping centre is located on the site of the long shop which was once responsible for erecting steam and diesel locomotives. One such example is GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7821 ‘Ditcheat Manor’ which has been on display at the Designer Outlet centre since 2018 when she was moved from the STEAM museum taking the place of sister locomotive No. 7819 ‘Hinton Manor’.
GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7821 ‘Ditcheat Manor’ at Swindon Designer Outlet – 11/11/2023 (CS)Nameplate of GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7821 ‘Ditcheat Manor’ GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7819 ‘Hinton Manor’ at the Swindon Designer Outlet. The locomotive returned to the Severn Valley Railway in August 2018 – 20/02/2014GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7819 ‘Hinton Manor’ at the Swindon Designer Outlet – 20/02/2014GWR 7800 Class 4-6-0 No. 7821 ‘Ditcheat Manor’ when she was resident within STEAM museum – 20/02/2014
My next port of call was destined to be Swindon railway station as I was hoping to see and photograph Colas Class 67’s working the Cheltenham to Swindon Transfer Sidings RHTT. However a rare failing on behalf of Google maps, which directed us to the wrong car park, combined with the early running of the class 67’s meant I missed this particular working by a very thin margin. However, this was more than compensated by the DCR Class 60 which worked through the station on a Tytherington to Willesden DC Rail Sidings freight shortly after I arrived on the platform.
Swindon railway station opened in 1842. Until 1895, every train stopped here for at least 10 minutes to change locomotives. Swindon station hosted the first recorded railway refreshment rooms, divided by class – even the King and Queen of the time took refreshments there – 11/11/2023GWR Class 387157 (with 387167) ready to depart Swindon platform 4 working 1B14 1213 London Paddington to Cardiff Central -11/11/2023Freightliner Class 59 No. 59205 ‘L Keith McNair’ thunders through Swindon working 6C48 1147 Appleford Sidings Freightliner Heavy Haul to Whatley Quarry Freightliner Heavy Haul – 11/11/2023DCR Class 60 No. 60046 working east on the approach to Swindon at the head of 6Z52 10:20 Tytherington to Willesden DC Rail Sidings – 11/11/2023Colas Class 66 No.’s 66848 & 66850 ‘David Maidment OBE www.railwaychildren.org.uk’ on the approach to Swindon railway station working 3S59 09:00 Hereford to Swindon Transfer Yard Rail Head Treatment Train – 11/11/2023GWR IET No. 800320 working 1A20 1132 Taunton to London Paddington nears Swindon – 11/11/2023
Video from Swindon – 11/11/2023
The following day we were off to the Isle of Wight to celebrate our friends 50th Wedding Anniversary in Ryde. We chose to leave the car on the mainland and take the hovercraft from Southsea over to the island. The Hovertravel crossing takes a speedy ten minutes.
Griffon 1200TD Hovercraft GH-2160 ‘Solent Flyer’ in service with Hovertravel arrives at the Southsea HoverPort – 12/11/2023
As we arrived into Ryde, I noticed a number of the railway orange army on the pier. Trains that run to Ryde Pier Head station are currently out of action following extensive damage from Storm Ciarán. The Island Line between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde St Johns Road has been closed since the bad weather on 2nd November and engineers are working to reopen the line. South Western Railway (SWR) hope to have trains running on the pier section again by 20th November. Meanwhile, a minibus service is running between Ryde St Johns Road and Ryde Pier Head to allow passengers to connect with ferries.
The rail line had a £26m upgrade in 2021 which saw Island Line’s old 1938 tube trains replaced by refurbished London Underground District Line trains, and its tracks and platforms upgraded. You can revisit our 2022 IoW trip here
The line remains open between between Ryde St Johns Road and Shanklin with two trains per hour running. On our way to the Wedding Anniversary party, we took a slight detour to see SWR Class 484 No. 484002 depart Ryde St Johns Road with a lunchtime service to Shanklin.
SWR Class 484 No. 484002 awaits departure from Ryde St Johns with the 2D33 1332 service to Shanklin -12/11/2023Class 484 units No.’s 484003 and 484005 at Ryde depot – 12/11/2023SWR Class 484 No. 484002 ready for the off from Ryde St Johns with the 2D33 1332 service to Shanklin -12/11/2023
Isle of Wight – 12/11/2023
For The Record:
The New Measurement Train visited North Dorset on 16th November with High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43013 and 43277 running as 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury.
Network Rail has confirmed the successful completion of the first phase of works in a wider half a million-pound project to improve reliability on the mainline between Yeovil Junction and Axminster. A five day closure, which was announced at the end of last month, saw key upgrades carried out by engineers who worked day and night at four different sites and included works to stabilise the cutting at Crewkerne tunnel in Somerset following a landslip in October 2021. New drainage and specialist six metre long nails were installed into the earth just outside the tunnel entrance to help lessen the impact of heavy rainfall.
The second phase of the project will see a 16 day closure from Saturday 25th November to Sunday 10th December between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction, when approximately 0.3 miles of track on platform one at Gillingham in Dorset will be replaced and works to stabilise the ground by Gillingham tunnel will be carried out. A further 0.8 plus miles of track will be replaced between Tisbury, in Wiltshire’s Nadder Valley and Sherborne in Dorset and vegetation between Tisbury and Gillingham will be cleared. Maintenance work at the Wyley and Castleton level crossing is also planned. Rail replacement services will run during the two-week line closure.
A British Railways half-flanged green and white enamel steel Yeovil Pen Mill station totem is up for online auction on Thursday November 30th with Leonard Auction
We rather like this nameplate too!
Class 153 DMU Network Rail Video Inspection Unit No. 153385 ran to Bournemouth on Friday 17th November 2023 as 2Q34 0942 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. I was picking Yoshi up from the groomer, so missed it!
Class 153 DMU Network Rail Video Inspection Unit No. 153385 at Eastleigh in 2022 – 06/03/2022Yoshi back from the groomer. Better than a Class 153! – 17/11/2023
ASLEF, the train drivers’ union have set dates for further strikes. In a change to previous industrial action, the strikes will be across a whole week split on different days affecting different Train Operating Companies (TOC’s). Union members will walk out at East Midland Railway and LNER on Saturday 2 December; at Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern Thameslink, andWest Midlands Trains on Sunday 3 December; at C2C and Greater Anglia on Tuesday 5 December; at Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line, South Western Railway depot drivers, and Island Line on Wednesday 6 December; at CrossCountry and Great Western Railway on Thursday 7 December; and at Northern andTransPennine Trains on Friday 8 December.
You’ve made it to the end of this blog entry, there are no prizes, but well done and thank you for reading. We’ll be back soon. Be seeing you!
Postscript:
Class 52 Western Diesel Hydraulic No. D1028 ‘Western Hussar’ in the scrap line at Swindon Works. Built at Swindon in 1964, the locomotive was withdrawn on October 5th 1976. She was cut up a month after this photograph was taken – 13/05/1979D1041 ‘Western Prince’ at Swindon. She was withdrawn from service in February 1977 but was rescued from being cut up by the East Lancashire Diesel Group and is one of the original diesel locos based at Bury – 13/05/1979
DB Class 66 No. 66013 awaits departure from Bournemouth in the early hours of Saturday working 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023
November 3rd 2023 to November 10th 2023
Engineering work over the weekend in Hampshire meant that a replacement bus service operated between Southampton and Bournemouth with a shuttle train service between Bournemouth and Weymouth. The early hours of Saturday morning saw an engineers train originating from Eastleigh East Yard scheduled to reverse at Bournemouth before working back in the direction it had come towards Sway as 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway. Despite the last passenger service arriving from London Waterloo yet to arrive, Bournemouth railway station was locked up on my arrival. I had hoped to practice some night photography with the DSLR mounted on a tripod, but had to resort to using the phone camera instead! Thankfully Bournemouth has several gates and fences from which it is possible to see trains arriving and departing and I didn’t have to wait long before Class 66 No. 66034 appeared into view.
Video screen grab of DB Class 66 No. 66134 arriving at Bournemouth with 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway engineers train – 04/11/2023DB Class 66 No. 66013 at the London end of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023DB Class 66 No. 66013 which worked into Bournemouth at the rear of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway – 04/11/2023
Video of 6N04 0029 Eastleigh East Yard to Sway at Bournemouth – 04/11/2023
I thought it was about time that I caught up with one of the South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458’s which have been on test runs from Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot (T&RSMD) to Basingstoke, Southampton and Havant over the last few weeks. So, on Friday afternoon I found myself back on Branksome railway station awaiting the arrival of No.’s 458405 and 458407 working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D, that days return trip for the units.
SWR Class 458 No. 458405 leads into Branksome with 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth TRSMD – 03/11/2023SWR Class 458 No. 458407 having arrived at Branksome as the rear unit working 5Q91 1320 Basingstoke to Bournemouth TRSMD about to reverse back into the depot – 03/11/2023
The Class 458 (5-JUP) third-rail electric multiple unit (EMU) belong to the Alstom Coradia Juniper family, built at Washwood Heath, Birmingham between 1998 and 2002 for South West Trains (SWT). The order for the original fleet of 30 four car trains was placed in 1997, and delivery of the first unit followed in October 1998. On introduction the new trains were troubled by several issues, including leaking roofs with water entering the driver’s cabs and passenger areas. Onboard electronics repeatedly failed, affecting the air-conditioning and traction systems, and the Train Management System (TMS) software also proved to be unreliable. Unique amongst the Juniper family of trains, the Class 458’s were provided with end gangways on the driving cars allowing passengers and crew to move between coupled units, however, further frustrations were encountered when it came to coupling the units together which could take up to 30 minutes – a great deal longer than the usual few minutes expected across the network. SWT therefore had no choice but to treat the 458’s as being semi-permanently coupled in pairs. The first Class 458 ran in revenue earning service in February 2000, but even then only two units (No.’s 458004 and 458005) were available for use. The protracted and problematical introduction of these units influenced SWT’s decision in April 2001 to replace the rest of its slam door EMU’s with an order of 785 Siemens Desiro Class 444 and 450 vehicles.
Reliability remained poor and in January 2004 SWT announced that they would withdraw the entire Class 458 fleet at the December 2005 timetable change in readiness to return them to leasing company, Porterbrook, in February 2006. It was later agreed that the Junipers could stay in service on a pay-per-use basis beyond the original end of the lease. In September 2006 the Department for Transport (DafT) awarded SWT a new ten-year contract to operate the South Western franchise, commencing in February 2007. SWT therefore implemented a new rolling stock plan that called for the withdrawal of its 24 Class 442 “Wessex Electric” units with Class 444 and 450 Desiro’s taking over their diagrams, with any short falls in service levels being covered by re-activating the Class 458 fleet. Between 2008 and 2010 the fleet was ‘refreshed’ at Bournemouth Traincare Depot, during which process the units were fitted with CCTV, new seats and tables in first class, and modified Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) 1998 compliant lavatories and doorway lights. The interiors were also cleaned and repainted.
How the exterior of the Class 458’s originally looked – No. 458006 stands at Weymouth during a test run – 18/08/2008 (John Chappell)
The first unit to be refreshed No. 458006 was involved in test runs to Weymouth in August 2008. Later the same year trials of regenerative braking were undertaken between Weymouth and Dorchester South and Wareham using No.’s 458027 / 458002 or 458029 as the calibration unit with Gatwick Express Class 460 No. 460001 on passing tests along with slam-door units 3-CIG No. 1497 and 4-VEP No. 3417 as static units. Energy produced by a standard train braking is lost, but a regenerative braking system returns electricity to the third rail system, allowing trains in close proximity to draw on the electrical supply. These and subsequent trials were successful with regenerative braking enabled across all 30 Class 458 units by mid-2011.
Class 460 Gatwick Express EMU No. 460001 at Weymouth during regenerative braking test runs. It’s no surprise these units earned the nickname of “Vaders” – 24/10/2008 (John Chappell)Class 460 No. 460001 at the buffer stops in Weymouth during regenerative braking test runs – 24/10/2008 (John Chappell)Class 458 No. 8029 and Class 460 No. 460001 at Weymouth taking part in regenerative braking tests – 25/10/2008 (John Chappell)
By the end of 2012 the fleet was achieving an average distance of 106,049 miles between significant failures making them the most reliable fleet in the UK with the first to achieve six figure mileages. It was around this time that SWT looked to supplement their fleet with additional Desiro units, but a request for funding was turned down by DafT. Instead a £42 million proposal was accepted from Porterbrook whereby the Class 458 fleet would reconfigured into five car trains for use on suburban services by supplementing the original four carriage units with vehicles extracted from the Class 460 fleet, which Porterbrook also owned and was at that time being released from service with Gatwick Express. The Class 460 cars would be comprehensively rebuilt to match the Class 458 units providing a total fleet of 36 5-car units that would be designated Class 458/5 providing increased capacity on services into London Waterloo. The contract for the conversion work was awarded to Alstom who in turn contracted Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (Wabtec) based in Doncaster. The traction motors were re-geared to reduce the train’s maximum speed from 100 mph to 75 mph reducing the likelihood of overheating when making frequent stops and starts, and because the higher speed was deemed unnecessary on suburban services. The first two converted Class 460 units entered into passenger service in March 2014 which enabled SWT to release original Class 458/0 units for rebuilding, the project being completed in March 2016.
Class 458 No. 458503 stands in the shed at Bournemouth TRSMD – 28/01/2023
In August 2017, the South Western franchise became a FirstGroup/MTR joint venture named South Western Railway (SWR) who ordered a new fleet of 750 vehicles to be designated Class 701 from Bombardier Transportation intended as replacements for Class 455, 456, 458, and 707 on South Western suburban services from late 2019 onwards. As regular readers will know, continuing delays to the Class 701 program, with these trains yet to enter passenger carrying service, have kept all four older fleets in use into the 2020’s.
Class 458 No. 458530 adjacent to the train-wash at Bournemouth Depot, once the line to Somerset & Dorset Railway terminus at Bournemouth West – 28/01/2023
In March 2021 SWR announced that 28 Class 458/5 units would be refurbished and redeployed on long-distance services along the Portsmouth Direct line. This was as a result of the company deciding to abandon their original plan to use upgraded Class 442 units for this purpose citing continuing technical difficulties and future problems complying with accessibility regulations. As part of the refurbishment the Class 460 vehicle previously added is being removed and the passenger saloons modified by Alstom at Widnes Transport Tech in Cheshire at a cost of £25 million. The original maximum speed of 100 mph will be restored and the reconfigured units, leased from Porterbrook until 2027 at least, will be based at Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. The first two units sent for refurbishment were No.’s 458507 and 458517 which arrived in Widnes during August 2022.
Video of Class 458 No. 458405 and 458407 on test at Branksome – 03/11/2023
5X73 0812 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D ran on Wednesday 8th November consisting of Class 47 No. 47739, Class 56 No. 56081 and refurbished Class 458 No. 458428. I saw the train arriving at Branksome.
GBRf Class 47 No. 47739 slows on arrival at Branksome to allow a driver to climb down from the locomotive ready to take control of Class 56 No. 56081 and lead in to Bournemouth Depot with Class 458 No. 458428 – 08/11/2023Class 56 No. 56081 at Branksome working 5X73 0812 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D into the depot – 08/11/2023
The planned return working as 5Q73 1612½ Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech this time with the locomotives transporting un-refurbished Class 458/5 No. 458524 was cancelled as route clearance was withheld because of paperwork issues, the consist actually getting away the following evening as 5Q73 1810 Bournemouth TRSMD to Widnes Transport Tech. With only 20 minutes notice from the train movement being added to Real Time Trains, I was unable to get over to Branksome to see it depart. However, things didn’t go quite to plan as the train came to a stand at Christchurch because the brakes on the Class 458 were found to be on! If the brakes developed a fault in transit, or someone forgot to release them prior to departure is a moment of speculation at present. Eventually, after causing much disruption to passenger services as the up line was effectively blocked, the train reversed wrong line to Bournemouth. It then returned to the depot where the unit was removed from the consist and moved to the maintenance side of the yard. Many thanks to Bob for alerting me to the fact the train had been stopped at Christchurch as well as keeping me updated. Thanks also to Jamie and Nick for updates. I was otherwise occupied watching Heaven 17 at the O2 Academy in Boscombe!
Heaven 17 on stage at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth – 09/11/2023
Opened in 1895 as the Grand Pavilion Theatre it became The Boscombe Grand Theatre in 1899 and renamed Hippodrome in c.1910. First used as a circus, the venue was built as part of a development including the spacious Boscombe Arcade and Salisbury Hotel. Throughout its life the building has experienced several changes including being converted into a dance hall, a Royal Ballroom and was a renowned venue for the disco era of the 70’s, club acts of the 80’s and the dance explosion of the 90’s. It consists basically of three, very tall, mullioned and transomed windows each surmounted by a Flemish gable. The auditorium is beautiful and looks very much like an early music hall. Above the flat main floor is a shallow balcony carried on iron columns with a semi-circular end and straight side arms and an openwork iron balustrade incorporating acanthus leaf decoration. Tall, slender iron columns rise from the front edge of the balcony to support a curved ceiling and lateral arcade, with florid openwork spandrel decoration. A wide promenade runs around the rear of the balcony, above which, carried on a further ring of columns, is a second, shallower balcony set back behind the arcade. The galleries originally ran straight up to the proscenium wall, but in 1910 a range of paired boxes were placed either side, flanked by giant composite columns and decorated with Baroque plasterwork. At the same time the proscenium was reconstructed – a tall plaster frame, straight-headed with rounded corners. In December 1982 it reopened as The Academy night club with a flat floor but with the stage remaining in place. The main auditorium is still the heart of the Grade II listed hall which became a music venue in 2009 following a major refurbishment in 2006.
The Class 56 and the Class 47 finally left Dorset on Friday 10th November taking the barrier coaches with them, but no Class 458/5 for refurbishment. This time I had almost 30 minutes to drive over to Branksome railway station and just made it as No. 47739 crawled out of Bournemouth TRSMD.
Class 56 No. 56081 makes a stirring departure from Branksome working 5M55 1232 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. – 10/11/2023Class 47 No. 47739 at the rear of 5M55 1232 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Leicester L.I.P. departing Branksome – 10/11/2023SWR Class 159 No. 159105 arrives at Branksome forming 5Y14 1141 Salisbury TRSMD to Bournemouth TRSMD – 08/11/2023
Workings at Branksome on 8th and 10th November 2023
For The Record:
In other news, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are to get new dedicated Transport Safety Officers (TSO’s) on public transport to help stamp out anti-social behaviour on buses, trains and trams as part of a £2.5m Department of Transport funded pilot scheme. The TSO’s will patrol targeted routes and locations, working in co-ordination with local police forces and the British Transport Police (BTP). The officers will work to improve safety with an emphasis on engagement and education, however, they will also hold the power to issue fixed penalty notices in response to certain antisocial behaviour. Along with the BCP area, Lancashire, Stoke-on-Trent and Thurrock will also be part of the trial scheme and local authorities will be able to develop and implement approaches that deal with the specific needs of their local area.
Despite a good summer season and a 19% increase in footfall generally, the Swanage Railway is still experiencing lower visitor numbers than before the pandemic while costs have continued to rise, especially in coal and energy costs due to the war in Ukraine, plus unexpected expenditure such as the repairs to Bridge 11. In an attempt to ease the situation, a “Save Your Railway” appeal has been launched with the aim of raising £450,000 to support the heritage line through to the beginning of the 2024 running season. In the meantime a programme of changes are being implemented designed to make the heritage line more efficient and effective, attracting increasing numbers of passengers. To donate, please click through here.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT) and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) have both agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the ongoing rail dispute over pay and conditions. The MoU sets out how the dispute can be developed with a mutually agreed way forward. Some of the agreements include a backdated payrise for 2022 as well as staff and job security guarantees. This will now be put forward to RMT members employed by each of the Train Operating Companies (TOC’s), including SWR and Great Western Railway (GWR) in a referendum vote. If accepted, the MoU will terminate the national dispute mandate and create a pause in industrial action over the Christmas period and into Spring.
The monthly 1Z22 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road test train via Weymouth was turned around at Yeovil Pen Mill (again) without reaching the Dorset seaside town on 8th November 2023. This time Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43257 and 43274 were deprived of sea, sand and ice-cream.
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thanks for reading! Be seeing you!
Yoshi enjoyed our morning walk around Holes Bay on 07/11/2023
Definitely not coming to a cinema near you anytime soon! A movie poster created using Microsoft Bing Creator Artificial Intelligence.
October 26th 2023 to November 2nd 2023
It was very quiet around these parts this last week. Nothing much of note to report on the rails of Dorset as far as I’m aware. Storm Ciarán hit the South West in the early hours of Thursday 2nd November with the BBC reporting train lines ground to a halt, with some rail operators telling commuters to work from home – and drivers in the south and west of UK were told to avoid coastal roads. South Western Railway (SWR) ran a revised service during the day and warned of the weather conditions ability to cause flooding, landslips, low adhesion from increased leaf fall and debris on the tracks. Across the South West of England, there were no Great Western Railway (GWR) services in Cornwall because of flooding and fallen trees. The line was also closed between Exeter and Taunton, Salisbury and Southampton, Reading to Gatwick and a reduced service to Heathrow. Locally, SWR Weymouth services terminated at Bournemouth with an hourly shuttle service between Bournemouth to Weymouth providing half the normal frequency. The line between Bournemouth and Hinton Admiral was blocked for a time due to heavy flooding. A pair of two-car SWR Class 158 Diesel Multiple Units No.’s 158884/886 then formed a shuttle service between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst. CrossCountry (XR) services to Bournemouth were also disrupted with several services stopping short at Brockenhurst. Brittany Ferries cancelled most of their services on Wednesday and Thursday, while Condor Ferries suspended all sailings on these two days.
Tuesday evening I was in Winchester visiting the Cathedral to see “Poppy Fields” an immersive light and sound show by Luxmuralis. Billed as a “spectacular light and sound show which takes you on a mesmerising journey of reflection and hope”, the art installation did not disappoint. Developed from the concept of “son et Lumiere” Luxmuralis is a collaborative team combining artists from different backgrounds and artistic disciplines who create works across multimedia and presentation formats whilst exploring the development of fine art tradition through new media ultimately taking the medium onto the streets and providing access to visual artwork in public as well as unexpected places.
Winchester Cathedral – 31/10/2023
“Poppy Fields” was sponsored by South Western Railway and was presented at Winchester Cathedral from 31stOctober to 4th November 2023. Appropriately enough, we took the train for our visit, arriving in the City in good time for our ticketed time of 2000. By good judgement of the stewards in attendance we were allowed early access to the cathedral due to the wet weather and joined a queue of other eager first night attendees.
“Poppy Fields” at Winchester Cathedral created by Luxmuralis – 31/10/2023“Poppy Fields” at Winchester Cathedral created by Luxmuralis – 31/10/2023“Poppy Fields” at Winchester Cathedral created by Luxmuralis – 31/10/2023“Poppy Fields” at Winchester Cathedral created by Luxmuralis – 31/10/2023
Unfortunately our usual good time keeping was lacking for our return journey and this, compounded by our SWR service departing Winchester early meant that we were left on the station platform with the last train west of Poole disappearing into the night. Taking a screen grab from Real Time Trains of evidence, one of our party had the foresight to contact the SWR helpline to advise of the situation with the result that within the hour we were heading home in a taxi (which had come all the way from Southampton to collect us!) provided by the railway company. While our transport was on its way, I obviously took the opportunity to see a couple of freight trains passing through Winchester amongst an assortment of SWR Class 450’s, 444’s and a XR Class 221 Voyager.
CrossCountry Voyager Class 221 No. 221135 working 1O30 1825 Manchester Piccadilly to Winchester. This service would normally run to Bournemouth but on this occasion terminated short at Winchester, the unit moving forward as 5Z30 2228 Winchester to Eastleigh TRSMD empty coaching stock – 31/10/2023
Winchester railway station was opened on 10th June 1839 by the London and Southampton Railway as a temporary terminus for the Winchester to Southampton section. Another station was opened at Basingstoke on the same day, which acted as the temporary terminus of the London to Basingstoke section. The line connecting Winchester and Basingstoke completed in March 1840.
Another line was constructed to run via Guildford, Farnham and Alton, which joined the main line north of Winchester. The present day line runs via Aldershot instead of Guildford, and the line finishes at Alton. British Rail closed the line from Alton to Winchester in 1973 but a section from Alton to Alresford is preserved as the Watercress Line.
The Great Western Railway had their own line having absorbed the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway which opened in stages between 1882 and 1885. This used a separate station on the eastern side of Winchester, when opened called Winchester Cheesehill, which I think is an excellent name but this was later changed to Winchester (Chesil). It was renamed again in 1949 when the brackets were dropped and the station became known as Winchester Chesil, whilst Winchester’s main station was renamed Winchester City. When Chesil closed in 1966, British Rail (BR) changed the station name from Winchester City during the following year to Winchester as it is known today.
SWR Class 450 No. 450119 at Winchester working 1B73 2205 London Waterloo to Bournemouth in tandem with Class 444 No. 444012 – 31/10/2023Class 444 No. 444031 stops at Winchester working 1W82 2100 Weymouth to Woking – 31/10/2023
Video from an hours sojourn at Winchester railway station – 31/10/2023
In other news, the government has cancelled rail industry plans for the mass closure of ticket offices in England, saying they failed to reach the “high threshold of serving passengers”. You may recall The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) had announced over the summer that it intended to shut almost all of the nation’s 1,007 train station ticketing outlets in an effort to reduce costs after a ‘post-COVID fall in passenger numbers’. Following a public outcry over the three week public consultation period running from 5th to 26th July as originally proposed, this was hastily extended to 1st September. Although the cost-cutting proposals were made by the train operators managing the station offices, they were widely understood to have been pushed by a government eager to trim the subsidy for rail. According to the passenger watchdogs managing the survey after receiving over 750,000 responses to the consultation, with what is believed to have been a figure of around 99% of which were objections, the Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed he had asked train operators to “withdraw their proposals”.
The government announcement on Tuesday 31st October came after watchdogs Transport Focus and London TravelWatch said they opposed every single planned closure due to concerns over the impact on passenger accessibility. During the previous week a cross-party transport committee of MP’s also warned the plans went “too far, too fast” and described the consultation as lacking in transparency. Prime Minister and private jet enthusiast Rishi Sunak said in September that closing ticket offices was “the right thing for the British public and British taxpayers” because “only one in 10 tickets are sold currently in ticket offices”. However, Mr Harper said in his statement on Tuesday that the government had made clear to the industry throughout the consultation that its proposals “must meet a high threshold of serving passengers”. He added; “We have engaged with accessibility groups throughout this process and listened carefully to passengers as well as my colleagues in parliament. The proposals that have resulted from this process do not meet the high thresholds set by ministers, and so the government has asked train operators to withdraw their proposals. We will continue our work to reform our railways with the expansion of contactless Pay As You Go ticketing, making stations more accessible through our Access for All programme and £350m funding through our Network North plan to improve accessibility at up to 100 stations.”
Another AI generated image from Bing!
A lot of words this week, and not many visuals! Thank you for visiting and for your comments. We’ll be back soon, in the meantime take care and….. be seeing you!
Queen Mary 2 alongside Southampton Mayflower Cruise Terminal – 20/10/2023
October 6th 2023 to October 25th 2023
We had a fabulous couple of weeks away cruising on Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 arriving back in Southampton on 20th October where I was quietly pleased to be shown two class 66 locomotives waiting to have their photo taken alongside the Mayflower Cruise Terminal situated at Western Docks via Dock Gate 10 where our ship had berthed.
Class 66’s at Southampton Western Docks – GBRf No. 66729 ‘Derby County’ and DB No. 66143 – 20/10/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66729 .Derby County’ having worked into Southampton Docks with 4O59 2343 Ditton (O’Connor) GBRf to Southampton Western Docks GB Railfreight – 20/10/2023DB Class 66 No. 66143 at Southampton Western Docks having arrived working 4O63 Kingsbury Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings to Southampton Western Docks Shed 107 – 20/10/2023
We had a lot to catch up on (not least two weeks of laundry!) and I was interested to see how many out off the ordinary railway workings to Dorset and other events I had missed. First up was the launch of Adams T3 No. 563 into service at the Swanage Railway following weeks of test runs and remedial work.
Railway heritage at its very best! An immaculate 1893 built LSWR T3 No.563 in all its glory crosses the viaduct at Corfe – 21/10/2023
Built in 1893 by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) William Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 hauled her first passenger trains in 75 years on 7th October 2023 during a special day celebrating supporters who donated to the £650,000, six year restoration of the Victorian steam locomotive. Designed to haul express trains between London Waterloo and the south coast of England, No. 563 was destined for scrap in 1939 but the outbreak of World War Two saw her being saved and pressed into wartime service. She once again escaped the cutters torch when she helped mark the centenary of London Waterloo railway station in 1948. No. 563 was donated to Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2017.
Guests at the launch ceremony included Swanage Railway Trust patron Sir Philip Williams whose great-grandfather was on the board of the LSWR, the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset; Angus Campbell, and Anthony Coulls, senior curator of rail transport and technology at the NRM. The relaunch of the locomotive coincided with the centenary of the Southern Railway (SR) and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the LSWR.
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No.563 departs Swanage with a passenger train bound for Norden – 21/10/2023
The T3 ran public services on the 8th October as well as half-term week 21st – 29th October 2023. We went to see the locomotive in service on Saturday 21st.
T3 No. 563 makes a fine scene passing Harman’s Cross – 21/10/2023Also sharing duties with the T3 was SR U Class 2-6-0 No. 31806, seen here departing Swanage with a member of the footplate crew collecting the token from the signalman – 21/10/2023
Video from the Swanage Railway of T3 No. 563 in action – 21/10/2023
For The Record:
Over the last few weeks, a number of interesting workings have taken place in Dorset. Which is typical as I managed to miss most of them!
GBRf liveried Class 50’s returned to Bournemouth employed on South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 drags on 11th & 12th October 2023 running as 5X72 1044 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot / 5Q73 1610 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech. Locomotives involved were No.’s 50007 ‘Hercules’ and 50049 ‘Defiance’ delivering No. 458425 to Bournemouth and taking No. 458416 to Widnes for conversion. The Class 458 units now based at Bournemouth depot have been out on test runs over the last few weeks.
Engineering work west of Yeovil meant buses replaced trains between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth from Monday 16th to Friday 20th October. Network Rail (NR) engineers renewed just under half a mile of old 1950’s era track between Maiden Newton and Chetnole stations. The track update is said to “help prevent speed restrictions and means smoother passenger journeys”. Work also saw repairs being carried out to brickwork at Evershot tunnel and is part of a long-running programme to improve performance on the Heart of Wessex Line. Network Rail and train operators think it is more efficient to close the route for a whole week rather than to shut it for several weekends.
Sign explaining rail replacement bus operations at Dorchester West (image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
Associated engineers trains were as follows; 15th October 2023: 6C04 2349 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 70 No. 70814 17th October 2023: 6C04 02:00 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No. 70814 / 6G22 0202 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 66 No.’s 66709 and 66774 / 6Y88 0921 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No.’s 66544 and 66556 18th October 2023: 6G22 0837 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No.’s 66774 and 66709 / 6Y88 11:40 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No.’s 66544 and 66556 / 6Y90 2156 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No. 66415. 19th October 2023: 6Y90 2334 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No. 66415
16th & 17th October 2023: saw a rare visit of inspection saloon ‘Caroline’ to the area working as 5Z01 1102 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bournemouth Up Siding / 5Z02 0655 Bournemouth Up Siding to Bournemouth / 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth all involving Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ along with No. 975025 ‘Caroline’
Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ with 975025 ‘Caroline’ working as 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth – 17/10/2023 (video courtesy of G E Barrett)
19th October 2023 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury New Measurement Train in the charge of Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43251 and 43274 failed when climbing the bank between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central. The train returned to Exeter St Davids, departing from there at around 1210 and routed towards Taunton, picking up the timetabled path at Westbury some 114 minutes late.
Two engineers trains also visited the Bournemouth area when the 19th and 20th October 2023 saw 6N70 2254 Eastleigh East Yard to Christchurch /6N70 0502 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard top and tailed by Class 66 No.’s 66007 and 66088 whilst on 21st October 2023 6G17 0032 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton via Bournemouth operated by No.’s 66755 and 66711
23rd October 2023 and it was the return of Network Rail’s Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train (PLPR) hauled, as usual by GBRf Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives which this month were No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’. PLPR trains use a variety of tools to measure and detect defects in the track which may have the potential to cause problems. Equipment include a 4 foot camera used to check on track condition and thermal imaging to check rail temperatures.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Hamworthy with 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ – 23/10/2023
A couple of days later on 25th October 2023 and the Ultrasonic Test Train (UTU) was out and about on our patch as 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. The UTU is usually comprised of a locomotive at one end and a Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) at the other. The DBSO can lead the train and control the locomotive at the other end, which was the case on the outward run of 3Q02 to Weymouth this time around. UTU trains have ground penetrating radar systems to detect voids and deformations up to two metres into the ballast and earth below, and use profile scanners to help identify any issues similar to the PLPR test train.
Colas Class 37 No. 37612 in debranded DRS blue livery at the rear of the Ultrasonic Test Train at Poole – 25/10/2023
Class 37 No. 37612 and DBSO No. 9703 working 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 25/10/2023
In the next few weeks, there is more local rail disruption to come affecting trains in North Dorset on the Waterloo – Exeter route as Network Rail will be closing the line between Salisbury and Axminster for 21 days in November and December 2023.
Firstly, the line between between Yeovil Junction and Axminster will be closed for five days between Monday November 6th to Friday November 10th. A second closure takes place between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction from Saturday November 25th to Sunday December 10th. Engineers will be working around the clock to complete key upgrades at four different worksites and upgrades are part of a wider half a million-pound investment to improve reliability and performance along the line. Work will also take place at Crewkerne Tunnel where engineers will attempt to stabilise the cutting following a landslip in October 2021. There will be an installation of new drainage to help to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall. Additional work will take place with the replacement of the barriers at the Broom and Axe level crossing, and the Weycroft River Bridge will have protective, anti-corrosion paint work applied. Areas of waterlogged track stones will be removed.
The Salisbury-Exeter Rail Users Group (SERUG) accepts the maintenance work to track and earthworks is necessary as it says only 77% of services run on time.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
In other news, the Poole Harbour Trails community group have successfully registered a disused railway line as a right of way after spending the last 13 years trying to formalise the footpath at Sandford, Poole. The currently overgrown route follows the railway that serviced the Royal Naval Cordite Factory (RNCF) at Holton Heath that closed in the 1950’s and had been used as a path by locals for many years until it became obstructed in 2010. The Friends of the Cordite Way Clearance group received permission earlier this year to start clearance but had to wait for the nesting season to end, beginning work in September on the first section to the viewpoint overlooking Poole Harbour and Arne peninsular. It is hoped to open this first section in the summer of 2024.
Recent research by the walking charity Ramblers found that more than 49,000 miles of paths in England and Wales did not feature on official maps and were at risk of being permanently lost with the government setting a deadline in England of 2031 to apply to get these paths re-registered, however Ramblers believe this deadline should be withdrawn.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Holton Heath railway station is located near the western shore of Poole Harbour and was opened on 3rd April 1916 for use by workers at the Naval Cordite Works which had been established during the First World War. The station was made available for public use from 14th July 1924. Holton Heath has been unstaffed since 1964, with the signal box being removed on 3rd November 1969.
On 20th April 1989 a fatal accident occurred just beyond the siding on the London side of the station, when a light locomotive, which had just completed shunting duties at Winfrith nuclear power station, collided with the rear of a freight train. The driver of the light locomotive, Clive Brooker, died in the accident. Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Cordite was an explosive component used as a propellant for shells. The factory was built in 1915-16. It was the first purpose-built site for cordite production in the United Kingdom. One of the main ingredients for cordite was acetone. The factory provided its own supply through an acetone plant, which employed novel fermentation technology using maize as a starch source. The RNCF was effectively self-sufficient and had its own internal rail system with about five miles of standard gauge track and 14 miles of narrow gauge, together with its own rolling stock. During the First World War, cordite was dispatched to a jetty in Poole Harbour by rail where it was loaded onto sailing barges for transport to Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. The factory continued to manufacture cordite until 1946. Production at RNCF finally ended in 1957 but many of the buildings still survive.
SWR Class 444 No. 444002 passes No. 444017 at Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Grand Central Terminal
Sunrise over Manhatten from the deck of Queen Mary 2 – 13/10/2023
We were able to spend a few hours in New York on Friday 13th October 2023. Having never visited the Big Apple previously, I had a short list of things I was hoping to see and Caroline, who has spent time in the city before, was kind enough to indulge me.
QM2 Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. She is too large to dock on the West Side Piers which means passengers require transit to Manhattan – 13/10/2023The NY Water Ferry approaches Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We disembarked the ship at 0700 and were waved through immigration arriving in good time to catch the first water ferry from Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn which was adjacent to QM2’s berth over to Manhattan Island.
A NY water Ferry passes QM2, Red Hook, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We needed to change ferries at Wall Street to take us up the East river to East 34th Street and following a 42 minute walk we were able to have “Breakfast outside Tiffany’s” before continuing our journey on foot through Times Square and past the New York Library (which was yet to open, but was on my list for a visit to the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures) to Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The Chrysler Building, at 1,046 ft is the tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework, overlooks Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Reed and Stem – an American architectural and engineering firm founded in Minnesota in 1891 as a partnership between Charles A. Reed (1858–1911) and Allen H. Stem (1856–1931) – who handled the overall design of the terminal, and Warren and Wetmore – a New York architecture partnership between Whitney Warren (1864–1943) and Charles Delevan Wetmore (1866–1941) – which mainly made cosmetic alterations to the exterior and interior.
“Glory of Commerce”, a sculptural group by Jules-Félix Coutan – 13/10/2023
The Beaux-Arts architecture evolved from the French classicism of the Style Louis XIV, and then French neoclassicism beginning with Style Louis XV and Style Louis XV and was the academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, particularly from the 1830’s to the end of the 19th century. It drew upon the principles of French neoclassicism, but also incorporated Renaissance and Baroque elements, and used modern materials, such as iron and glass, and later, steel. It was an important style in Europe and the Americas through the end of the 19th century, and into the 20th. Various elements inside the terminal were designed by French architects and artists Jules-Félix Coutan (1848–1939), Sylvain Salières (1865–1920), and Paul César Helleu (1859–1927). Grand Central has monumental spaces as well as meticulously crafted detail, especially on its facade, which is based on an overall exterior design provided by Whitney Warren.
I made it to the trains! Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
The Terminal, built on the site of a former railroad depot and phased in over the course of nearly a decade being completed in 1913, covers 48 acres and has over 40 platforms, more than any other railway station in the world. The platforms are all below ground, serving 30 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower. In total, there are 67 tracks, including a rail yard and sidings; of these, 43 tracks are in use for passenger services, while the remaining two dozen or so are used to store trains.
Ramp to the Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was built and named by the New York Central Railroad which also served the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The terminal was built on the site of two previous stations, the first of which originated in 1871. Grand Central Terminal served intercity trains until 1991, when Amtrak began routing its trains through nearby New York Penn Station. Grand Central is now the southern terminus of the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Lines, serving the northern parts of the New York metropolitan area. It also contains a connection to the Long Island Rail Road through the Grand Central Madison station as well as connecting to the New York City Subway at Grand Central–42nd Street station. The terminal is the third-busiest railway station in North America.
The Main Concourse at Grand Central – 13/10/2023
The Main Concourse is located on the upper platform level of Grand Central, in the centre of the station building. The 35,000 square foot area leads directly to most of the terminal’s upper-level tracks. In their design for the station’s interior, Reed & Stem created a circulation system that allowed passengers alighting from trains to enter the Main Concourse, then leave through various passages that branch from it. The Main Concourse, often featured in films and television, is a busy space filled with people hurrying to their destination or onlookers taking in the grandeur of their location.
The four-sided brass clock at Grand Central – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
At the centre of the concourse is an information booth topped with a four sided brass clock, one of Grand Central’s most recognisable icons. The terminal’s main departure boards are located at the south end of the concourse.
The Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal with the train information boards on the left hand side of the image – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal contains a variety of stores and food vendors, including restaurants and bars, a food hall, and a grocery marketplace. The building is also noted for its library, event hall, tennis club, control centre and offices for the railroad, and sub-basement power station.
Ramp to the Dining Concourse, Grand Central – 13/10/2023The Oyster Bar – 13/10/2023Dining Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Ramps include the Vanderbilt Avenue ramp and the Oyster Bar ramps. The Oyster Bar ramps lead down from the Main Concourse to the Oyster Bar and Dining Concourse.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer – 13/10/2023
The main entrance into the terminal, underneath the Park Avenue Viaduct, opens into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer, so named in 2014 in honour of the former First Lady of the United States, who in the 1970’s helped prevent the demolition of the Main Concourse and the plan to build Grand Central Tower.
Vanderbilt Hall , Grand Central Terminus – 13/10/2023
Vanderbilt Hall is an event space on the south side of the terminal, between the main entrance and the Main Concourse to its north. The north and south walls are divided into five bays, each with large rectangular windows, screened with heavy bronze grills. The room is lit by Beaux-Arts chandeliers, each with 132 bulbs on four tiers. Vanderbilt Hall was formerly the main waiting room for the terminal, used particularly by intercity travellers.
After exploring this wonderful building we headed back out into the streets and walked back to the NY Library to find the original Winnie The Pooh and friends who had been donated in 1987 having been brought to the United States by A.A Milne’s (1882-1956) US publisher; Elliott Macrae (1901-1968) former President of E.P. Dutton in 1947.
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour seen behind QM2 – 13/10/2023The Statue of Liberty – 13/10/2023
From the Archive:
A few images from 2020, that strange time when we all spent months staying indoors only going outside for an hours exercise a day. During the Covid pandemic, cruise ships were forced out of work and laid up at anchor in various harbours and ports around the UK, Weymouth being no exception.
RMS Queen Mary 2 in Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020
RMS Queen Mary 2 introduced in 2003 was, at that time; the largest, longest, widest, tallest grandest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She replaced the beloved QE2 on the transatlantic run and as flagship of the Cunard line. Queen Mary 2 has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots which is faster than a contemporary cruise ship. She had the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix conferred on her by the Royal Mail when she entered service in 2004, as a gesture to Cunard’s history. Onboard facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. Queen Mary 2 is powered primarily by four diesel engines supplemented by two gas turbines which provide extra power as and when required.
QM2 employs a quadruple podded propeller propulsion system which like giant outboard motors hang under the ship replacing the need for traditional propeller shafts. The forward pair of thrusters is fixed, but the aft pair can swivel through 360°, removing the need for a rudder. Queen Mary 2 carries eight spare blades on her foredeck. The ship is also fitted with three bow thrusters which allow the ship to turn in its own length while in port, to conduct more complex docking manoeuvres. The pods fitted to Queen Mary 2 have been prone to failure despite redesigns. In January 2009, Cunard sued the manufacturers Rolls-Royce in the United States claiming the design of the pods were inherently defective, and that Rolls-Royce knew about the design deficiencies and deliberately conspired to mislead, deceive and defraud in the course of winning the contract. In January 2011, the court awarded Carnival US$24 million.
During the pandemic the cruise ships would make regular sorties along the south coast and returning to port for supplies and crew changes, Queen Mary 2 is seen here as she departs Weymouth on one such outing – 06/05/2020
When Covid-19 started to spread across the globe in 2020, Queen Mary 2 was enjoying a world cruise. In early February, Cunard cancelled the Asian leg of the voyage, with the remainder of the journey being cancelled on 15th March. Passengers were disembarked in Fremantle, Western Australia, with the ship returning to Southampton in April.
QM2 arrives into the bay at Weymouth – 17/12/2020A stern view of Queen Mary 2 seen from one of the tourist boats which ran trips around Weymouth Bay for close up encounters with the anchored cruise ships – 07/08/2020Yoshi on Weymouth esplanade with cruise ships in the background – 06/09/2020Cunard’s Queen Victoria, Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020Queen Elizabeth, Weymouth – 07/08/2020Yoshi enjoyed walks along the beach as we watched the cruise ships. Three Cunard Queens along with P&O and TUI’s Marella vessels are behind him in this image – 07/08/2020Three Cunard Queen’s lined up together in Weymouth Bay – Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. This was the only time I think I managed to photograph the Cunard fleet without any other interlopers between them – 23/08/2023
A bit of a mixed bag on this occasion, but that’s all we have time for! Thanks for reading and hopefully we’ll be back with another instalment soon. Until then, take care. Be seeing You!
It was lovely to be reunited with our boy as we disembarked QM2 last Friday. He was excited to see us again after being separated for over two weeks. A huge thank you to my brother and family for taking such good care of Yoshi xXx
References used for the Grand Central Terminal section:
Charles River Editors Grand Central Station: The History of New York City’s Famous Railroad Terminal, (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2015)
Metro-North Railroad (2023) Grand Central Retrieved from https://www.grandcentralterminal.com
Wikipedia (October 24, 2023) Grand Central Terminal Rettrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Terminal
SWR Class 701 No. 701505 at Poole working 5Q52 1724 Staines Up Loop to Eastleigh TRSMD – 28/09/2023
September 28th 2023 to October 5th 2023
Thursday September 28th 2023 saw another Direct Rail Services (DRS) run from Crewe to Winfrith for the collection of low level nuclear waste. If estimates are correct there may only be three of these trains left to run. When we took the public footpath alongside the sidings at Winfrith to see the Class 68 locomotives, we were surprised to see a new access gate and path leading to the ground frame which controls the point work to / from the main line into the sidings had been installed. A ground frame is a bank of point levers placed at the trackside to operate nearby points or emergency crossovers and are generally found in remote locations too far away from a signal box to be connected by traditional rodding or wires. The levers on a ground frame look very similar to those found in a signal box and operate in the same way but rarely have a building enclosing them. They are operated either by the train driver or a remote crew that is sent out in a van as and when their operation is required. Because the points at a ground frame are not under the direct control of a signal box, a token or key is required to operate them, this can be in the form of a physical key or in more recent years an electronic token.
The Winfrith Ground Frame and new access gate – 28/09/2023New access gate and path leading to the Winfrith Ground Frame – 28/09/2023DRS Class 68 No. 68018 ‘Vigilant’ leads through Hamworthy on 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings with fellow class member No. 68033 ‘The Poppy’ at the rear – 28/09/2023DRS Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ and 68033 ‘The Poppy’ side by side at Winfrith as the PFA wagons are loaded with low level nuclear waste – 28/09/2023Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ edges out of Winfrith Sidings and onto the main line working 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS). The train heads to Dorchester South where it reverses for its onward journey – 28/09/2023Class 68 No.’s 68018 ‘Vigilant’ pulls away from Winfrith Sidings working 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 28/09/2023Class 68 No. 68033 ‘The Poppy’ leading 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) on the approach to Holton Heath – 28/09/2023
Video of 28/09/2023 Winfrith Run
Thursday evening, I was contacted by Bob from the “Christchurch Mafia” who kindly called to let me know that a pair of SWR Class 701/5’s were on their way to Poole on a mileage accumulation run. Class 701/5 are a five car variant of the ten car Class 701 EMU.
SWR Class 701 No. 701506 pauses at Poole working 5Q52 1724 Staines Up Loop to Eastleigh TRSMD – 28/09/2023
Class 701/5’s at Poole – 28/09/2023
Over the weekend, Caroline, Yoshi and I had a trip to Derbyshire where we visited Hardwick Hall, the Matlock Bath illuminations and The Heights of Abraham. Despite there being a rail strike on Saturday 30th September, I still managed to find a railway element to indulge in and spent an enjoyable few hours at Peak Rail during the afternoon, the highlight of which was being shown around the shed and storage sidings. Peak Rail covers part of the old Midland Railway line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras which was closed in 1968 and currently operates on approximately 4 miles between Rowsley South Station and Matlock Station Platform 2 with ambitions to extend to Bakewell. Peak Rail operates a number of special events each year and during my visit a Mixed Traffic Gala was in full force with the train I travelled on running a restaurant service; The Palatine, on board two beautifully preserved railway carriages. Neither of which I joined and had to be content with my coffee and a seat in one of the non dining coaches!
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorne No. 15 “Eustace Forth’ backs on to her train at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Class 25 No. D7659 (25309/25909) enters Darley Dale station. The locomotive is owned by the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust and came back into service during the latter part of 2021 for the first time in more than 23 years following a comprehensive restoration that effectively saw the 1966 loco rebuilt. As the final locomotive built by Beyer Peacock and the noted Gorton Works in Manchester, D7659 saw 20 years of work with British Railways mostly in the Midlands and North West and also with service in Wales and Scotland and some summer holiday specials to Norwich during the 1970’s – 30/09/2023Hudswell Clarke S102 ‘Cathryn’ at Rowsley – 30/09/2023
The Peak Railway Preservation Society was first established in 1975 and opened a site at the now closed Buxton Steam Centre with restoration facilities and a 300-yard operating line. However, the whole site was sold to Buxton Water when Peak Rail relocated its headquarters to Darley Dale in the 1980’s using funds from the sale.
Darley Dale Station is a Gothic Style building constructed by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midlands Junction Railway – later to become part of the renowned Midland Railway and later still the London Midland Scottish – 30/09/2023The first station at Darley, as it was officially known until October 1890 was south of what is now Station Road. In 1874 this impressive station was built north of the level crossing and the contract for erection of the station was awarded to Joseph Glossop and the final cost was £2,247.17s – 30/09/2023Constructed in local stone, in a neo-gothic style, the work consisted of a single main line building on the down platform, and a smaller matching waiting room on the up side. Darley Dale was very much a country station, but traffic increases led to additional infrastructure with loop lines north of the station being opened in 1901 together with additional sidings to the south of the station – 30/09/2023
By 1991, the railway had reopened the section of line between Matlock Riverside and Darley Dale with an extension to within a half-mile south of the Derbyshire village of Rowsley opening in 1997. A new station was constructed at Rowsley South next to the site of the former loco shed which housed banking engines for the route to Manchester.
Owned by The North Notts Loco Group, Class 44 No. D8 (44008) ‘Penyghent’ was built in Derby in 1959 and was one of ten Pilot Scheme Peak class locomotives. She is seen here inside the shed at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Waterman Heritage Trust owned Class 47 No. D1501 (47402) has been at Peak Rail since June 2022. Class 37 No. 37310 ‘British Steel Ravenscraig’ is preserved at Peak Rail – 30/09/2023Network Rail acquired Class 73 No. 73138 in 2010 for use in its infrastructure monitoring fleet. Withdrawn in 2017 it was employed as a yard shunter at Derby Railway Technical Centre (RTC) until 2019 when it was placed in storage at Rowsley – 30/09/2023Class 37 No. 97301 (ex D6800 / 37100) was fitted with ERTMS Signalling equipment for use of the Cambrian Lines from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli and is being store at Rowsley for Network Rail – 30/09/2023The Heritage Shunters Trust are based at Rowsley in an impressive new shed which houses their collection of locomotives. Various examples went for a trip in the yard area during my visit – 30/09/2023
After the construction of the Matlock by-pass, and a new Sainsburys supermarket in the former Cawdor Quarry, a new track alignment and track layout was installed between Matlock Riverside and Matlock railway station to provide a through connection from Peak Rail to the national network which re-opened on 2nd July 2011 with a 50 year lease for this and the use of platform 2 by the heritage line.
W G Bagnall No. 2842 in the rain at Matlock Riverside. Class 03 No. D2128, which failed earlier in the day, can be seen in the background – 30/09/2023EMR Class 170 DMU No. 170530 forms 2A39 1237 Matlock to Nottingham service – 01/10/2023Matlock Railway Station – 01/10/2023
Once famed for its hydro and spa treatments, Matlock’s central location, scenic surroundings and public transport links make it a popular base for exploring the Peak District and Derbyshire. Pioneering industrialist John Smedley developed the attractive market town as a fashionable spa in the 19th century, and his legacy lives on in buildings such as Smedley’s Hydro (now the offices of Derbyshire County Council) and Gothic-style Riber Castle. Matlock railway station, originally called Matlock Bridge, was opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway on 4th June 1849, when the line between Ambergate and Rowsley opened. The station buildings, designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, opened in 1850. The adjacent station master’s house is now Grade II listed.
Grade II listed Matlock station masters house – 01/10/2023
Just a mile and a half to the south, Matlock Bath is a lively town that was developed as one of England’s first true tourist destinations. It has been attracting visitors since the late 17th Century, and by the 19th Century it was a place for the finest in society to be seen, including royalty. Lord Byron dubbed it “Little Switzerland” on account of its magnificent views and steep, wooded hillsides. Matlock Bath is just as much fun to visit today. It has a long high street lined with quirky shops, cafés, amusement arcades and visitor attractions, as well as peaceful paths for shady strolls alongside the River Derwent.
The Matlock Bath Illuminations are a popular annual event running from September to the end of October, when the riverside is decorated and the cliffs floodlit to create a magical scene of colour. At weekends during the Illuminations there are parades of decorated boats, entertainments and, on certain dates, firework displays.
Slinky Dog at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023A well observed Foden steam lorry taking part at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023Peppa Pig’s steam train at Matlock Bath Illuminations – 30/09/2023
Matlock Bath railway station is owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway is also Grade II listed. Opened by the Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction Railway on 4th June 1849 and closed on 6th March 1967 but reopened on 27 May 1972.
The station buildings have an unusual ‘chalet’ style, inspired by the romantic notion at the time that the resort was England’s “Little Switzerland”. The station buildings have been occupied by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust since the 1980’s and were restored in period-style and opened as a cafe/visitor centre in 2019 after a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from Derbyshire Dales and Derbyshire County councils, and other donations, but were unfortunately closed when we visited.
The unique chalet style of Matlock Bath Railway station – 01/10/2023
The Heights of Abraham cable car runs from near the station up to the associated visitor attraction. Originally opened in 1787 as a “Savage Garden”, a popular term for wild and exotic locations first coined by the Georgians in the late 18th Century, the Heights is a unique and special hilltop park with guided underground cavern tours, historical exhibitions and other facilities.
Yoshi at The Heights of Abraham with cable cars in the background – 01/10/2023Yoshi takes in the view from The Heights of Abraham – 01/10/2023
Caroline took a guided tour of Masson Cavern, formed over 350 million years ago, while Yoshi and I took the quicker route to meet her after her underground experience at Tinker’s Shaft once the main access point when it was a working lead mine in the 17th Century. It is now safely capped and has been transformed into a viewing platform with incredible vistas over the Derbyshire Dales.
Yoshi waiting apr=tiently for his Mama at Tinker’s Shaft – 01/10/2023
We also took time to visit the Masson Pavilion which houses a new exhibition entitled “A Mirror on the Past” which features 14 historically accurate life-sized figures dressed in reproduction period costumes as worn by the Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian guests who visited the Heights of Abraham between 1787 and 1910 created by Arts University Bournemouth Costume and Make-up students.
Examples of costumes in the “A Mirror on the Past” exhibition at The Heights of Abraham – 01/10/2023
Wednesday 4th October was another Aslef strike day, but one train which did run in our region was the Network Rail New Measurement Train top and tailed by Colas Class 37 diesel locomotives No.’s 37175 and 37254.
Class Class 37 No. 37175 enters Dorchester West with the Network Rail NMT 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023Colas Class 37 No. 37254 at the rear of 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road at Dorchester West (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023
NMT 1Z22 0749 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road at Dorchester West (G E Barrett) – 04/09/2023
For the record, Colas Class 37 No. 37116 was allocated to the Ultrasonic Test Unit with DBSO No. 9701 working 3Q14 1113 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard via Weymouth on Thursday 5th October. It would appear this service was turned around at Castle Cary.
From The Archive:
Video of Thomas and Friends event at Darley Dale on Peak Rail 08/04/1995:
That brings us to the end of another blog entry, thanks for reading and for your comments and corrections. We will be taking a break for a few weeks, but hope to be back at the end of October. Be seeing you!
Yoshi meets Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Norden as the locomotive, complete with tender, is steamed for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023
September 20th 2023 to September 27th 2023
The big local news this week was centred on the Swanage Railway as Victorian era Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 locomotive No. 563 was reunited with her tender after remedial tasks were carried out at Herston Works and steamed while complete for the first time in around 75 years. Yoshi and I headed over to Corfe Castle railway station on Friday 22nd September with the objective of capturing her running light engine to Swanage. Road works in Corfe village delayed our arrival at the station and we were not sure if we had missed the action but after waiting a few minutes or so, the signalman at Corfe box told us he was off to have his lunch and there would be nothing running for the foreseeable. With this nugget of information, Yoshi and I jumped back into the car and headed back to Norden where we found the steaming T3 gleaming in the sunshine.
Beautifully restored Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Norden – 22/09/2023
We busied ourselves taking a few photographs and saying hello to Nathan Au from the 563 Locomotive Group who very kindly updated us with the information that the T3 was not likely to move from Norden for quite possibly two hours as various bits and bobs needed fitting to the locomotive and adjustments made. With one eye on the time, Yoshi and I headed home as we had other early afternoon commitments, during which we kept one eye on the Swanage railway webcams. Or rather I did, as Yoshi took time to snooze at my feet.
Viewing the webcams paid off as I saw the T3’s arrival in Swanage during a brief spell of rain at around 1500. Not knowing if the locomotive was set to run any additional test runs that day we went straight to Swanage to find the T3 simmering on the turntable. After another period of rain, expectations grew as coal was shovelled into the T3’s firebox and eventually the locomotive eased into movement, running into the station mouth and back out up to one of the sidings beyond the engine shed. Although I had missed what turned out to be the solitary the test run that day, I was happy to have at least seen No. 563 move under its own power!
Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 on shed at Swanage – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 beneath the coaling stage at Swanage – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 meets “Greyhound” T9 No. 30120 owned by the National Collection is based on the Swanage Railway after an agreement was reached between the National Railway Museum and the Swanage Railway Trust which will see the 1899 built London & South WesternRailwaylocomotive stored at the Purbeck heritage line following expiry of its boiler certificate in August 2020, which meant the T9 had to be taken out of use. The new agreement includes provision for a limited disassembly of the locomotive – including a boiler lift – so that the Swanage Railway Trust can assess the potential for the locomotive to be returned to steam. Designed by Dugald Drummond (1st January 1840 – 8th November 1912), No. 30120 was built at the Nine Elms Locomotive Works in London. During the Second World War, the T9 was attacked by a German Luftwaffe fighter at Wool station with the locomotive crew having to hide under No. 30120 for cover. The locomotive was withdrawn in 1961 from Exmouth Junction shed in Devon, and joined the National Collection in late 1963 with No.30120 later being put on display at the National Railway Museum in York. In 2010, the locomotive was overhauled at the Flour Mill engineering works, in the Forest of Dean, for service on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, in Cornwall before moving to the Swanage Railway in 2017. The T9 had previously hauled trains on the Swanage Railway in 1991 when passenger trains only operated on the three miles from Swanage to Harman’s Cross and was the first steam locomotive to run to Corfe Castle since June 1967 after relaid tracks reached Corfe Castle en route to Norden – 22/09/2023Two Victorian era locomotives at Swanage; Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 and Drummond T9 4-4-0 No. 30120 – 22/09/2023Swanage shed and turntable with T9 No. 563 and T9 No. 30120 – 22/09/2023Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 moving under her own steam chuffs out of Swanage – 22/09/2023Passing Class 33/0 No. 33012 / D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 heads to a siding at Swanage following a successful test run under her own steam for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023Class 33/0 No. 33012 / D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ at Swanage – 22/09/2023A cavalcade of locomotives at Swanage as Class 08 No.08436 ‘Beighton’ shunts steam locomotives around the station area at Swanage – 22/09/2023
Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 at Swanage in steam for the first time in 75 years – 22/09/2023
The weekend of 23/24th September saw another set of engineering work taking place in the Parkstone area on the down line. The work site was a continuation from where last weeks ended and this time continued through to Parkstone railway station itself. The need for the work to be carried out had apparently been identified by one of the monthly plain line pattern recognition (PLPR) trains. Further tamping of the new line is required in the coming weeks. There is no requirement for the up line to be replaced at present.
Colas Class 70 No. 70803 at Parkstone having worked in with 6C03 2356 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome – 23/09/2023Colas Class 70 N0. 70809 on Parkstone bank which arrived as 6C04 0242 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66760 ‘David Gordon Harris’ arrives at the Parkstone worksite with 6G10 0524 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 ‘Harry Beck’ working 6G11 0635 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth moves slowly up to join the Permanent Way works at Parkstone – 23/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66131 approaches Christchurch appropriately working 6N31 1113½ Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023EWS liveried DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66181 at Milton Road bridge forming 6N32 1313½ Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 named in tribute to ‘Harry Beck’ designer of the London Underground map which has been replicated throughout the World at rest on Parkstone bank – 23/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66721 ‘Harry Beck’ with a train of fresh ballast at Parkstone – 23/09/2023Work taking place to relay the down tracks through Parkstone railway station – 23/09/2023As part of an charity auction, GBRf gave the opportunity to name a locomotive to one lucky winner who donated what has quoted to have been “an extraordinary amount of money” to good causes and chose to name Class 66 No. 66760 after his father, a career train driver celebrating his 60th birthday; ‘David Gordon Harris’. The loco is seen here running through Poole railway station heading for Holes Bay – 23/09/2023In Genesee & Wyoming livery, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66509 ‘Josiah’s Wish’ is about to set off from Holes Bay, Poole to form 6N32 1855 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 24/09/2023
Yoshi and I managed to photograph all but one locomotive involved in the engineering possession over the weekend – the loco evading our camera lens being Freightliner Class 66 No. 66420 which worked in with fellow class member No. 66509 ‘Josiah’s Wish’ on 23rd September’s 6Y83 2040 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – although we did see its exhaust as we drove above the track via Station road bridge on our way to Castlepoint shopping centre on Sunday morning! No. 66420 returned as 6Y83 1755 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard, but again I was unable to see this move.
Engineering work at Parkstone – 23/09/2023
Monday evening was the return of the Class 73 top and tailed PLPR train which travelled from Derby Railway Technical Centre down to Weymouth and back to Eastleigh East Yard. Class 73 Electro Diesels No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ were picked from the rergular roster of locomotives. We decided on seeing them this time on the outward run through Parkstone so we could admire the new track which was as mentioned above the result of a previous run of this particular test train.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard – 25/09/2023
Tuesday was highly anticipated with the scheduled run of a CrossCountry High Speed Train to Swanage designed as a farewell celebration to the XC HST fleet after more than 40 years of operation on across the UK. Proceeds from the trip were in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity in remembrance of CrossCountry employee Jo Taylor, who passed away in 2021. Jo was a popular member of the CrossCountry family and was a familiar face to many, having worked at both Leeds and Bournemouth over her 14 years with the company. This excursion train actually comprised of two tours with the “Pines Express” section running from Leeds to Swanage and return, and the “Bournemouth Belle” from Swanage to Bournemouth and return making use of the HST set in the afternoon. The train was a joint venture with CrossCountry, Modern Railways magazine and The Branch Line Society in association with the Swanage Railway alongside support from Porterbrook and Angel trains.
Retro Inter-City 125 liveried Class 43 No. 43007 departs Bournemouth with “The Pines Express” 1Z43 0635 Leeds to Swanage – 26/09/2023Inter-City Swallow liveried Class 43 No. 43008 departs Bournemouth at the rear of “The Pines Express” 1Z43 0635 Leeds to Swanage – 26/09/2023XC Class 43 No. 43008 crosses Corfe Viaduct working “The Bournemouth Belle” 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 awaits departure from Wareham with 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 carried the “Pines Express” headboard while working 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 passes Wareham signal box at the rear of 1Z25 1310 Swanage to Bournemouth – 26/09/2023Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43007 and 43008 top and tail 1Z26 1452 Bournemouth to Swanage across Holes Bay, Poole – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43008 leads the return “Bournemouth Belle” 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds nearing Harman’s Cross – 26/09/2023CrossCountry High Speed Train Farewell headboard – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 at the rear of 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds passing through Harman’s Cross – 26/09/2023Captured by the gallery, Class 43 No. 43008 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds at Holton Heath – 26/09/2023Class 43 No. 43007 at the rear of 1Z44 1618 Swanage to Leeds having cleared Holton Heath – 26/09/2023Retro liveries applied to (TOP) No. 43007 and (BOTTOM) No. 43008 – 26/09/2023
CrossCountry High Speed Train Farewell – 26/09/2023
It was great to see so many friends and fellow enthusiasts out on the day capturing images, video and memories of what is most likely the final scheduled public CrossCountry High Speed Train run. Our North Dorset Correspondent, Scott, travelled on the “Bournemouth Belle” mini-special and was able to kindly share images of the following goodies he picked up onboard:
Coaster of the CrossCountry Farewell HST publicity posterWindow stickers available for purchase on the trainCrossCountry HST Farewell BookletThe special Bournemouth Belle Swanage to Bournemouth souvenir ticketA set of CrossCountry themed HST pin badges were available for passengers to buy
Due to planned industrial action, a CrossCountry staff outing to Blackpool North from Plymouth that had been arranged for the 29th September has been cancelled.
Tuesday evening after all the HST excitement, a pair of preserved Class 50 locomotives were employed on a GBRf Class 458 EMU drag from Widnes Transport Tech to Bournemouth depot. However, due to slack oversight and ‘schoolboy’ error, I failed to notice the train worked early after it failed to observe a timetabled 40 minute layover at Brockenhurst. Despite a valiant effort from Jamie, we didn’t make it to Branksome in time to see the ensemble manoeuvre into the depot, arriving 53 minutes early as 5X72 1435 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D.
However, what goes into Bournemouth Depot has to also come out again, and the following day; Wednesday 27th September 2023, saw a return working to Widnes taking an un-refurbished Class 458 unit for conversion. I really thought the train would depart early and kept a weather eye on the Open Time Trains map for movement! In the event the working; 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech, left one minute early and by that time we were safely ensconced on the platform at Branksome, just outside the junction to the depot. Unsurprisingly the attraction of such unusual motive power attracted a number of fellow enthusiasts and the station was very busy.
English Electric Class 50 No. 50007 ‘Hercules’ runs through Branksome with 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’ in GBRf livery awaits the off at Branksome working 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023Moving slowly away from Branksome, Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’ leads with 5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023
5Q73 1712 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Widnes Transport Tech – 27/09/2023
For The Record
North Dorset saw the New Measurement Train pass through on Thursday 21st with Colas Class 43 HST Power Cars No’s 43277 and 43274 in charge.
Preparatory work for the installation of new walking and cycling bridges across the railway line on Glenferness Avenue in Bournemouth started in May this year following public consultation on proposals undertaken 24th February to 31st March 2021. Funded through South East Dorset’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), the work forms part of a planned sustainable travel route linking Bournemouth town centre and Ferndown and will see the installation of a four metre wide bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the railway line on the west side of the road bridge. The existing footbridge on the eastern side of the road bridge will be demolished on site and replaced with a new four metre wide pedestrian and cycle bridge, the existing road bridge remaining unaltered.
The installation of the new bridges and removal of the existing pedestrian bridge is programmed to commence during a 26 hour window from Sunday 1st October to Monday 2nd October 2023. Impressive crane action is promised with the first new bridge being lifted into position on the west side of the road bridge and placed onto the precast concrete foundations. This will be followed by the removal and recycling of the existing footbridge. The installation of the new bridge on the east side of the road bridge will complete the process.
Following the bridge installation work, bridge ramps and stepped cycle lanes will be built on Glenferness Avenue between Elgin Road and Alyth Road. This work is anticipated to complete by December. The new bridges will give people a separate, safe, traffic free space to walk, cycle and wheel across the railway line. They form a crucial part of a sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Talbot Woods, Winton and Wallisdown and future plans for the route all the way out to Ferndown.
From The Archive
Taking a look at previous visits of High Speed Trains to the Swanage Railway.
First Great Western (FGW) High Speed Train at Wareham with Class 43 No. 43028 leading the 1Z12 Cotswold – Purbeck Express to the Swanage Railway having originated from Worcester Shrub Hill departing at 0732. This photograph was taken by a Network Rail staff member from a position of safety for John Chappell who is standing second from the right – 28/09/2013
Back in September 2013 the first High Speed Train ventured onto the Swanage Railway with the “Cotswold – Purbeck Express” organised by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group. Because of gauging issues, the train terminated at Corfe Castle where a connecting service to Swanage was provided.
FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 at Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 at Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013Close up of FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 after departing Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013FGW Class 43 power car No. 43078 leading away from Corfe Castle and crossing Corfe Viaduct (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013The return Cotswold – Purbeck Express 1Z13 1610 Swanage to Worcester Shrub Hill pauses at Wareham with leading power car FGW Class 43 No. 43078 at the head of the train (John Chappell) – 28/09/2013
The following year, in June 2014 “The Swanage Samaritan” railtour was a special train organised for East Midlands Trains (EMT), South West Trains (SWT) and their guests. The excursion which originated from Sheffield raised funds for the Samaritans charity and saw the first High Speed Train actually reach Swanage, the gauging issues preventing the previous trip from travelling all the way down the branch obviously having been sorted!
East Midlands Trains HST Class 43 power car No. 43089 at journeys end in Swanage having arrived working 1Z43 0613 Sheffield to Swanage (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014HST, Class 33 and Class 08 line up at Swanage (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 with “The Swanage Samaritan” headboard at the buffer stops at Swanage Railway station (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 carried temporary South West Trains branding for the tour (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 power car No. 43089 about to cross Corfe Viaduct with the return “The Swanage Samaritan” 1Z44 1614 Swanage to Sheffield (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014Class 43 No. 43064 brings up the rear of “The Swanage Samaritan” 1Z44 1614 Swanage to Sheffield having departed Corfe Castle (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014EMT Class 43 power car No. 43089 pauses at Wareham on its way back to Sheffield (John Chappell) – 14/06/2014
That’s it for another week. Many thanks to those who kept me company while out watching the T3, HST’s and Class 50’s, I appreciate it. And thank you for comments, suggestions and corrections for Yoshi’s blog. Be seeing you!
The sun sets on the final CrossCountry scheduled HST passenger service with Class 43 No. 43008 leading 1E73 1627 Plymouth to Leeds (No. 43007 was at the rear) on the approach to Foal Mead Viaduct – 18/09/2023
September 13th 2023 to September 19th 2023
Wednesday 13th September 2023 saw what I believe to be the final steam hauled excursion of the year to pass through our neck of the woods. Once again LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 46995 ‘Bahamas’ headed a Railway Touring Company railtour, this time travelling from London Victoria through to the heritage Swanage Railway. We saw the outward bound leg as the train passed Poole Storage Sidings. As yet, there are no facilities to turn a steam locomotive on the Swanage Railway and on the return the tour was diesel hauled as far as Southampton Central by West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47746 ‘Chris Fudge’. The loco was named after Chris Fudge who passed away following a long battle with a brain tumour in 2010. Chris garnered an interest in trains from an early age and went on to work for the railways, his final role being a timetable planning manager for Arriva trains.
LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ works “The Swanage Belle” 1Z91 0815 London Victoria to Swanage out of Poole – 13/09/2023LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ heading 1Z91 0815 London Victoria to Swanage passes South Western Railway Class 444 EMU No. 444001 at Poole Storage Sidings – 13/09/2023
We watched the late afternoon return at Hamworthy (and still home for dinner!)
West Coast Railways Class 47 No. 47746 ‘Chris Fudge’ works the return “Swanage Belle” 1Z92 1555 Swanage to London Victoria on the approach to Hamworthy – 13/09/2023LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ at the rear of 1Z92 1555 Swanage to London Victoria passes through Hamworthy – 13/09/2023
LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ on “The Swanage Belle” – 13/09/2023
Wednesday night, I set out for Poole as the second Permanent Way (PW) train of the week was timetabled to pass through the station just after midnight and reverse at Poole Storage Sidings to drop lengths of new rail at Parkstone in readiness for engineering work over the weekends of 16/17th and 23/24th September. The earlier run, reported on in last weeks blog entry, was operated by DB Cargo whereas the Thursday run was in the hands of Colas Rail who sent Class 66 No.’s 66847 ‘Terry Baker’ and 66850 working as 6C17 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset). Unlike previously, the engineers train did not stop as booked in Poole station and I had to be content with taking photographs of South Western Railway Desiro’s. The associated return working of the PW train ran as 6C17 0507 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard when I was tucked up in bed!
Class 450 No. 450084 at Poole having arrived with the 2B73 2316 Brockenhurst to Poole service – 13/09/2023
Colas Class 66 No.’s 66847 ‘Terry Baker’ and 66850 working 6C17 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset)- 14/09/2023
On Friday we took the opportunity provided by Heritage Open Days to visit Morgan Carey Architects in Wareham who restored the former Goods Shed for use as their offices. Originally constructed in red brick with a hipped slate roof in circa 1847 for the Southampton and Dorchester Railway, Morgan Carey have completed a stunning and sensitive restoration using as much original materials as possible. We very much enjoyed our visit and thanks to Mark for showing us around.
The former Goods Shed at Wareham – 15/09/2023A length of track marks the course of the rail line into the former Goods Shed at Wareham which is now the entrance to Morgan Carey Architects – 15/09/2023The new roof of the former Goods Shed in Wareham, the original roof having been destroyed by fire prior to the conversion work – 15/09/2023Rear of the former Goods Shed at Wareham showing what would have been access to the platform level – 15/09/2023
As mentioned above, the past weekend saw a number of engineering trains visit the Poole area as work necessitated the closure of the railway line between Bournemouth and Wareham. Buses ran between these two points, connecting passengers with trains running a revised service for onward journeys. Yoshi and I spent most of Saturday shuttling between Christchurch and Hamworthy in our attempts to see and document the work as a section of the down line west of Branksome was relayed. Track lifting started at a point near milepost 111 and extended under St. Osmunds and Sandecotes Road bridges down Parkstone Bank towards the station. The somewhat heavy rain on Sunday morning curtailed our observations and we refrained from going out to see the return workings of the engineers trains. Maybe we’ll do that next Sunday! I hope the following images capture a flavour of the activities being carried out.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66796 ‘The Green Progressor’ arrives at Bournemouth working 6G13 0709 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 16/09/2023Colas Rail DR73931 Track Maintenance Tamper in the siding at Bournemouth – 16/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66176 at Christchurch at the head of 6N01 0809 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 16/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway’ west of Branksome railway station – 16/09/2023Yoshi was pleased to tick off seeing GBRf Class 66 No. 66796 ‘The Green Progressor’ at Branksome – 16/09/2023Colas Class 66 No.66847 ‘Terry Baker’ passes through Poole with a train load of lifted track panels – 16/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66200 6N02 1048 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 16/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66200 in the distance with its train of new ballast at the Parkstone worksite as work continues – 16/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway’ at Parkstone prior to running down through Poole and spending the night near Hamworthy – 16/09/20236C04 1348 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth hauled by Colas Rail 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ passing Pokesdown – 16/09/2023With a train of wagons being filled with old ballast, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66176 at the western extreme of the worksite – 16/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66176 on Parkstone Bank – 16/09/2023Colas Class 70 No. 70803 speeds through Christchurch at the head of 6C05 1653 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 16/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66007 having worked 6N03 2154 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – 17/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66199 at Branksome with a train of fresh ballast – 17/09/2023Another view of DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66199 at Branksome – 17/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66007 at the work site – 17/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66106 on Parkstone bank – 17/09/2023Colas Class 70 No. 70803 adjacent to Poole Storage Sidings in heavy rain. Plastic tents can be seen covering point work beyond where work was being carried out – 17/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66199 and Colas Rail DR73931 Tamper at Parkstone – 17/09/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66007 stands in Poole station – 17/09/2023Colas Rail Class 70 No. 70803 seen from Sterte Road Bridge – 17/09/2023
For the record, the incoming Permanent Way trains began to leave Eastleigh East Yard late on Friday 15th September with the majority arriving in Dorset on the Saturday.
As each train fulfilled its need, collecting old track panels, empty wagons for the collection of old ballast or wagons full of new stone, most then passed through Poole and were stacked across Holes Bay awaiting their return to Eastleigh which commenced on Sunday evening.
Trains were stacked across the Holes Bay causeway while not in use. An early morning view of Colas Class 66 No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’ and DB Cargo No. 66200- 17/09/2023The view across Holes Bay – 17/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway’ seen amidst the trees of Upton Park – 17/09/2023Colas Class 66 No.66847 ‘Terry Baker’ sits above Blandford Road, Hamworthy – 17/09/2023
The workings and the associated motive power were:
6C03 2355 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome – Colas Rail No. 66847 ‘Terry Baker’
6G12 0315 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth – GB Railfreight No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway’
6G13 0709 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth GB Railfreight No. 66796 ‘The Green Progressor’
6N01 0809 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth DB Cargo No. 66176
6N02 1048 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth DB Cargo No. 66200
6C04 1348 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth Colas Rail No. 66849 ‘Wylam Dilly’
6C05 1653 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth Colas Rail No. 70803
6N03 2154 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth DB Cargo No. 66007
6N04 2352 Eastleigh East Yard to Bournemouth DB Cargo No.’s 66199 and 66106
Video of Dorset Permanent Way trains over the weekend of 16/17th September 2023
As an aside, North Dorset also saw engineering work take place on Sunday 17 September 2023 when the West of England main line was closed between Templecombe and Gillingham. As far as I’m aware there were no PW trains allocated to this work.
Monday 18th September 2023 saw the final chapter for CrossCountry HST’s in use for scheduled passenger trains across the UK network. I was in two minds if to head out and see the last working heading from Plymouth to Leeds as the weather wasn’t particularly good on the day. However, with a few hours respite from the rain forecast and the XC trains on divert via Castle Cary and Westbury because of engineering work in the Worle area, I set off towards Langport as I was hopeful of photographing the train at Foal Mead Viaduct. Located just outside the small town of Langport, the structure consists of two half through girder spans, a truss span and two masonry arch spans. It’s a lovely spot where the main line between Cogload Junction and Castle Cary crosses the River Parrett and I was inspired to seek the location out after seeing recent photos taken by Robin Procter.
To find out about the recent renovation work on the viaduct carried out by Taziker and the challenges this presented, look here.
InterCity Swallow liveried CrossCountry HST Class 43 power car No. 43008 leading 1E73 1627 Plymouth to Leeds crossing Foal Mead Viaduct – 18/09/2023The final full length timetabled HST CrossCountry working crosses the River Parrett. The iron lattice girder railway bridge built in 1853, was recently totally refurbished as part of a major works to re-stabilise the earth embankment close to its approaches – 18/09/2023CrossCountry HST Class 43 power car No. 43007 in retro British Rail livery at the rear of 1E73 1627 Plymouth to Leeds crossing Foal Mead Viaduct, also know as Langport Viaduct or Pool Mead Viaduct, constructed 1900-1906 in RBE brick with 10 spans – 18/09/2023
Two tours are planned to celebrate the XC farewell to the HST, the first being a public tour between Leeds, Swanage and Bournemouth on the 26th September, followed by a staff jolly between Plymouth and Blackpool North on the 29th.
A Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) running a rail head treatment working ran from Totton Yard to Swanage on Monday 18th September 2023. I wasn’t able to go and see the Network rail machine on heritage rails, but with the magic of the Swanage Railway webcam, I was able to watch some of its activities.
Network Rail MPV DB98920 + DB98970 arrives at Corfe Castle as 6Z21 0935 Totton Yard to Swanage – 18/09/2023Rail Head Treatment Train Network Rail MPV DB98920 + DB98970 6Z21 0935 Totton Yard to Swanage passes Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 18/09/2023
Hamworthy Branch Update: Along with the already reported Network Rail work for a bridge inspection which sees the closure of Lake Road from its junctions with Normandy Way/Lake Drive to its junction with Coles Avenue on 21st November 2023 at 2100 until 0500 the following morning, there is a further planned closure in January 2024. This time the road will be closed for what are described as “Works for Rail Purposes” from 2200 on the 8th January 2024 until 0600 on the 12th January 2024.
We asked Network Rail for an update on the Hamworthy Branch and they responded: “we are still looking to acquire funding for the Poole Harbour Port works to provide the infrastructure for freight traffic to start, this traffic being largely aggregates traffic. Over the last 6 months or so, the branch line has been put in a state of readiness by our maintenance teams, this is an ongoing process and includes the bridge inspections that you have referred to.
We remain hopeful we will see freight traffic return to Poole via the Hamworthy Branch and would predict 2025 for this if everything falls into place although this as you can imagine is always subject to change.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are reviewing its strategic transport priorities and welcome our input. Recommendations for potential transport improvement schemes have been grouped into five clusters and relate to locations within the BCP Boundary, including local railway stations, Poole Port Expansion and the reopening of the Hamworthy Branch along with two further clusters with wider scope where one of these includes the South West Main Line.
Thanks for reading. It was good to meet up with fellow enthusiasts at the weekend as we all took the opportunity to watch the toing and froing of the engineering works. Be seeing you!
Yoshi looking out to see if there are any more HST’s following Class 43 No. 43092 ‘Cromwell’s Castle’ into Taunton – 10/09/2023
September 6th 2023 to September 12th 2023
Saturday afternoon, I had booked with the Inter-City Railway Society (ICRS) for a visit to Eastleigh Arlington works. An accident involving three cars on the A31 forced the closure of the eastbound dual carriageway between Picket Post and Stoney Cross and created delays of up to two hours. Thankfully, I believe nobody was seriously hurt in the crash and I have Google Maps to thank in navigating me across the New Forest, arriving just before 1400 and the safety briefing which was given to all those in attendance at the new gated entrance to the works.
The queue at the gates of Eastleigh Works ready for the safety briefing – 09/09/2023The safety briefing at Eastleigh Works – 09/09/2023
Unfortunately part of the terms of entry were that no images taken on site during the visit can be shared, so I’m unable to post any photographs which I took during my time walking around the works. However, pics obtained from outside the fence on the public highway are fair game!
Taken from a public area, Class 50 No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ and Class 08 No. 08567 ‘John Arlington Stephens 20th May 1925 – 19th July 1984’ were providing cab rides for visitors to Eastleigh Works – 09/09/2023Locomotive Services Ltd owned Class 57 No. 57311 looked impressive turned out in a lined black livery – 09/09/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66309 at Eastleigh Works – 09/09/2023GBRf Class 59 No. 59003 at Eastleigh Works – 09/09/2023Numerous withdrawn Class 313 EMU’s are dotted around the Eastleigh Works site, No. 313208 awaits its fate – 09/09/2023
Originally a bustling carriage and wagon repair works for the London & South West Railway (L&SWR), Eastleigh Works boasts a history dating back as far as 1874. In January 1910 locomotive building was transferred to the workshops at Eastleigh from Nine Elms in London. Following the 1923 Railways Grouping Act, Eastleigh became the principal works for the new Southern Railway (SR). As with many large engineering locations, Eastleigh Works made a valuable contribution to the Second World War effort, with production resources being diverted, for example, to producing parts enabling Blenheim Bombers to be repurposed as fighters and building Horsa gliders for the D-Day airborne assault.
Following the 1948 nationalisation of the railways in the UK, new steam locomotive building ceased at Eastleigh, the works concentrating on repair work and the rebuilding of 90 of the Bulleid Pacific classes carried out between 1956 and 1961. In 1962, Eastleigh Works built the first six electro-diesel locomotives which would become later known as the Class 73. As steam locomotives disappeared from use, focus at the works changed from steam to diesel repairs.
As part of the privatisation of British Rail, the plant was acquired from British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) through a management buyout in June 1995 and rebranded Wessex Traincare. In 1998 the site was sold to Alstom and renamed Alstom Wessex Traincare being used for carriage and multiple unit repairs. In 2004, Alstom announced the works were to close due to a lack of work, and this was realised in March 2006 after the completion of a contract to refurbish Class 455 EMU’s for Southern.
However, this was not the end of the story and in more recent times, the works has seen something of a steady resurgence in activity with principal tenant Arlington Fleet Services capitalising on the site’s rail infrastructure and vast engineering sheds; with locomotive and carriage renovations and decommissioning projects all being undertaken.
After spending three very enjoyable hours wandering around the Works, I made my way back to the car. As I walked over Cambell Road bridge, I cast an eye across to Eastleigh T&RSMD where a number of SWR Class 701 EMU’s are still in storage prior to their acceptance into traffic ( has there ever been such a new train fiasco in recent times? Answers on the back of a postage stamp to the usual address). As well as the stored units, I spied the distinct outline of a Class 67 locomotive. As its driver was making his way up the yard, I had a quick look at Real Time Trains (RTT – I really should create a glosary page with all the railway themed acronyms and abbreviations) and noted that the Class 67 was scheduled to depart the depot within the following 20 minutes working the empty coaching stock (ECS – see what I mean?) for the Belmond British Pullman Goodwood Revival railtour which was running that day from London Victoria to (you guessed it) Goodwood and return.
DB Cargo operated Class 67 No. 67021 sits in Eastleigh depot as the driver of the Belmond British Pullman Goodwood Revival railtour empty coaching stock heads over to pick up his train. Class 701 EMU’s are still being stored on site – 09/09/2023
I headed to Eastleigh railway station to take a few photographs of the Class 66 locos stabled adjacent the platforms, pick up some water and wait for the ECS to pass.
Colas Class 66 No. 66846 at rest in Eastleigh – 09/09/2023DB cargo ‘Ukraine’ liveried Class 66 No. 66099 between duties at Eastleigh – 09/09/2023Class 66 No.’s 66099 and 66846 at Eastleigh – 09/09/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ at the head of empty coaching stock move 5Z84 1719 Eastleigh Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Chichester passing through Eastleigh railway station – 09/09/2023Class 67 No. 67021 brings up the rear of ECS working 5Z84 1719 Eastleigh Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Chichester as the train manoeuvres into Eastleigh East Yard – 09/09/2023
5Z84 1719 Eastleigh Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Chichester at Eastleigh – 09/09/2023
On Sunday we took another opportunity to see some CrossCountry HST services passing through Somerset and Devon as only days of them in scheduled service remain. In fact, Yoshi and I decided to sample the delights of High Speed Train travel and planned a short trip utilising these now classic old girls of British Rail. On checking the timetable, we decided on taking a Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class HST set from Highbridge and Burnham to Taunton where, after a two hour wait, we could catch one of the two CrossCountry HST’s diagrammed that day on to Exeter St Davids. Here we would de-train and catch the next GWR Castle back to Highbridge.
We were joined on our mini-rail adventure by @smithy.377 who, on our arrival at Highbridge and Burnham railway station, alerted us to the fact there was the imminent arrival of two Freightliner Class 66’s working a High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) train on its way to Fairwater Yard, Taunton.
On the approach to Highbridge, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66548 heads up the Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner train working 6X37 0705 Didcot Parkway to Fairwater Yard – 10/09/2023Freightliner Class 66 No. 66511 brings up the rear of 6X37 0705 Didcot Parkway to Fairwater Yard passing through Highbridge – 10/09/2023
I don’t think I’ve seen one of these HOBC trains moving, if at all. Over time, railway ballast wears down and becomes rounded, the pieces of ballast then fit together less easily. Fine pieces of granite, like sand, are also created by attrition – these are known as ‘fines’. These fines stick together when combined with water in the ballast, making the ballast like a lump of concrete. This hinders track drainage and the flexibility of the ballast to constrain the track as it moves under traffic. The HOBC is used to recycle old ballast as much as possible during possessions where the ballast is due for renewal, reducing the quantity of new stones needed as the cleaning removes ballast, screens it and replaces the dirty worn ballast with new angular ballast. When in operation, the half a mile long HOBC consists of locomotives each end (to move the train to and from the work site in traffic at up to 60mph), an impressive sounding RM 900 RT ballast cleaning machine, two power wagons used as traction vehicles to propel the train while in operation, and 44 material conveyor and hopper units (22 empty wagons for ballast waste and 22 wagons full of new ballast). The entire system is designed for a cleaning output of up to 900 m3 per hour or 400 metres of track per hour.
You can get a sense of how long the Network Rail High Output Ballast Cleaner train is in this view of Freightliner Class 66 No.66511 at the rear of 6X37 0705 Didcot Parkway to Fairwater Yard at Highbridge – 10/09/2023
Following thunder and a heavy persistent shower of rain our GWR HST rolled into Highbridge and Burnham railway station around five minutes late. Onboard announcements apologising for the delay mentioned unspecific problems with the train which would be checked at Taunton, from where it departed approximately 9 minutes late.
Yoshi samples the delights of a GWR Castle set MKIII carriage on the journey to Taunton – 10/09/2023Class 43 No. 43098 ‘Walton Castle’ readies for departure from Taunton working 2C69 0955 Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth. No. 43162 was the rear power car – 10/09/2023
While we waited for our CrossCountry train at Taunton station, we could see the HOBC train emerging and re-entering Fairwater Yard to the west of the station. After watching various CrossCountry and Great Western Railway trains arrive and depart and enjoying a coffee from the station Starbucks, it was over to platform two ready for the arrival of the 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth service which rolled in 13 minutes late.
GWR IET No. 800010 ‘Paddington Bear’ calls at Taunton working 1C76 0909 Reading to Plymouth. The cab at the other end of the unit is named ‘Michael Bond’ – 10/09/2023CrossCountry Class 221 DMU No. 221137 pauses to pick up passengers at Taunton working 1S45 0927 Plymouth to Dundee – 10/09/2023GWR Castle HST with Class 43 No. 43092 ‘Cromwell’s Castle’ at the rear of 2U14 0947 Plymouth to Cardiff Central. No. 43154 was the other power car – 10/09/2023GWR IET No. 800001 has a layover at Taunton having arrived with the 2C71 1000 Cardiff Central to Taunton working and prior to departing as 2U18 1317 Taunton to Cardiff Central – 10/09/2023XC Class 43 No. 43304 on the approach to Taunton as 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth – 10/09/2023XC Class 43 No. 43303 at the platform in Taunton on the rear of 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth- 10/09/2023XC Class 43 No. 43303 at Taunton working 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth- 10/09/2023
Once onboard the well loaded HST, we discovered the seats were comfy, if high density, and I could imagine being quite settled for a long journey in the MKIII carriage. Mosreso than the Class 220/221 Voyager DMU’s which work the majority of XC services in the West Country.
Yoshi finds a comfy space on the CrossCountry HST to Exeter – 10/09/2023Me and the boy aboard a CrossCountry HST – 10/09/2023
The journey to Exeter St Davids took around 25 minutes and although arrival was behind schedule, we had allowed plenty of time in our schedule for catching the return GWR Castle set back to Highbridge. This gave us time to watch a few trains, explore the immediate station vicinity and top up with water.
XC Class 43 No. 43304 having arrived at Exeter St Davids with 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth – 10/09/2023Yoshi gets a look at the lead power car Class 43 No. 43304 of the 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth service on which we had travelled between Taunton and Exeter – 10/09/2023GWR Class 150 DMU No. 150219 with 150266 having worked in as 5F11 1301 Exeter TMD to Exeter St Davids prior to working a service to Exmouth – 10/09/2023800306 ‘Harold Day DSC’ is the GWR Remembrance IET, seen here at Exeter St Davids working 1C78 1036 London Paddington to Paignton – 10/09/2023In 1934, on his way to London after visiting his friend Agatha Christie, the young publisher Allen Lane stopped at the station bookstall at Exeter St Davids and saw that the books on sale were of a poor quality and overpriced. What was needed, he realised, were good books at a price everyone could afford. Within a year he had founded Penguin Books, creating a paperback revolution that would sweep the world. A plaque recording Sir Allen Lane’s connection with Exeter St Davids is on display at the railway station – 10/09/2023Exeter St Davids now boasts a Penguin Books vending machine – 10/09/2023The Penguin Books vending machine situated on the concourse at Exeter St Davids – 10/09/2023- 10/09/2023Yoshi says hello to one of several Guide Dogs for the Blind collecting points dotted around Exeter St Davids – 10/09/2023The GWR Passenger Stationmaster’s House at Exeter is to be demolished to make way for a platform extension. Some of its architectural features will be moved to the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway and other heritage railways along the Western Route. Built around 1900 it is one of two such identical houses, one for the passenger manager and one for freight. The freight version, situated by Exeter St Davids main road entrance, is now used for non railway use – 10/09/2023
Yoshi took a distinct dislike to a South Western Railway Class 159 in old South West Trains livery which had arrived from London Waterloo just prior to the arrival of our service train becoming quite vexed. So we headed off away from the offending vehicles and waited for our third and final train of the day.
The two GWR services we planned to take should have been diagrammed for the same Castle HST set out and back, but because of the problems with set GW16 (operated by power cars No.’s 43098 and 43162) as announced by the guard onboard as we had neared Taunton earlier, it was replaced on the diagrams for the day by another set; GW02 top and tailed by No.’s 43188 and 43186. This was the same unit we had seen on the Severn Valley Railway back in May.
This, our second GWR HST set was possibly the best of the day as the air conditioning was working, so a cool journey ensued with right time arrival at Highbridge. After this I headed home via Cogload Junction to get a couple more snaps of passing CrossCountry HST’s on their way north and south in quick succession.
The relief driver for GWR HST Class 43 No. 43188 ‘Newport Castle / Y Cymru The Welshman’ gets ready to take charge of 2U20 1245 Plymouth to Cardiff Central at Exeter St Davids – 10/09/2023Yoshi gets comfy on a GWR Castle set – 10/09/2023XC HST Set XC03 with Class 43 Power Car No. 43303 leads the 1S55 1427 Plymouth to Edinburgh working on the approach to Cogload Junction – 10/09/2023XC Set XC03 with Class 43 Power Car No. 43304 at the rear of 1S55 1427 Plymouth to Edinburgh nearing Cogload Junction – 10/09/2023CrossCountry HST 1S55 working 1427 Plymouth to Edinburgh passing GWR HST Castle set forming 2C79 1400 Cardiff Central to Plymouth at Cogload Junction – 10/09/2023GWR Castle HST Set GW09 Class 43 No. 43092 ‘Cromwell’s Castle’ 2C79 1400 Cardiff Central to Plymouth having passed Cogload Junction – 10/09/2023Class 43 No. 43154 ‘Compton Castle’ sharing the load on 2C79 1400 Cardiff Central to Plymouth heads towards Creech St Michael – 10/09/2023CrossCountry HST Set XC05 with Class 43 No. 43321 leading on 1V56 0908 Edinburgh to Plymouth having passed Cogload Junction – 10/09/2023CrossCountry HST Class 43 No. 43378 at the rear of the 1V56 0908 Edinburgh to Plymouth service at Creech St Michael – 10/09/2023
Video of our day out in the West Country – many thanks to @smithy.377 for allowing us to share his video clip of the HOBC train at Highbridge in the above compilation. Heaven knows how he manages to hold the camera so still – 10/09/2023
With a couple of weekends worth of scheduled engineering works in the Bournemouth and Poole area coming up in September, the early hours of Tuesday saw something of a curtain raiser as DB Cargo operated 6N60 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset) and the associated return 6N60 0507 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard. I went to Poole to see the outward working as the train, top and tailed by Class 66 “sheds” No.’s 66047 ‘Maritime Intermodal Two” and 66176, was scheduled to stop before moving out to Poole Storage Sidings and reversing back to Parkstone. I was pleased the blue liveried No. 66047 was leading as it made a pleasant change from the standard EWS or DB Cargo red liveries. Although 6N60 arrived into Poole 14 minutes late it was still held at a red light in the station, so I was able to get a reasonable photo of the lead loco standing at the platform as well as the usual phone video.
66047 ‘Maritime Intermodal Two’ 6N60 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset)66047 ‘Maritime Intermodal Two’ 6N60 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset)
6N60 2240 Eastleigh East Yard to Parkstone (Dorset) engineers train at Poole – 12/09/2023
For The Record
Wednesday 6th September 2023
Colas operated test train 1Z22 0800 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road, in the capable hands of top and tailed Class 37 No.’s 37116 and 37610, was scheduled to run to Weymouth via the West route. Because of late running due to a track circuit failure, the train was reversed at Yeovil Pen Mill.
Thursday 7th / Fiday 8th September 2023
Colas engineering train 6C19 1913 Eastleigh East Yard to Maiden Newton was operated by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66847 and 66849. It’s not clear if the train went all the way to Maiden Newton despite Real Time Trains reporting it arrived on time. It certainly didn’t pass me as I was waiting at Yetminster well past its due time! The associated return working was 6C19 0500 Yeovil Pen Mill to Eastleigh East Yard.
Two historic viaducts on a route which mostly follows the former Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) will be a given a new lease of life after Somerset Council have approved plans for a new active travel route with the aim of encouraging people to walk or cycle to work and school. The route starts at the Ham Wood viaduct in Croscombe and runs through the Windsor Hill tunnel before passing over Ham Lane and Forum Lane. People will then cross the Bath Road viaduct, taking them above the B3136 Bath Road, before ending their journey at a new junction with the A37 at Kilver Street Hill. Once permissions and further funding have been secured, campaigners hope that the route intended to form part of the Somerset Circle – a 76 mile traffic free circuit which would link to the north Somerset coast – can be extended. Two new sections of the Strawberry Line – which will also form part of the Somerset Circle – were previously opened in Shepton Mallet during March 2023, with work currently under way on further extensions in Easton and Dulcote.
PS Waverley on Town Quay, Poole – 11/09/2023Rear view of PS Waverley alongside at Poole Quay – 11/09/2023
Yoshi and I took another opportunity to go see the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer, PS Waverley, alongside Town Quay in Poole on Monday 11th September. Built in 1946 for sailings from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long which she operated until 1973 when she was purchased by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) for the princely sum of £1 and restored to her 1947 condition. She now operates passenger excursions around the British coast. Most years she visits Dorset, operating tours from Poole and Swanage.
Yoshi during his visit to see PS Waverley in Poole – 11/09/2023PS Waverley is named after Sir Walter Scott’s first novel. Yoshi is named after the Japanese word for lucky – 11/09/2023
Thank you once again for visiting and for your comments and corrections. Hopefully we’ll be back next week with photos of the Railway Touring Company organised “Swanage Belle” railtour and the results of our efforts at tracking down local engineers trains! Be seeing you!
