The Railway Dog

Tag: railways

  • Flying Scotsman

    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ sits at Kings Cross platform 8 – 15/10/2022

    Wednesday October 12th to Tuesday October 18th 2022

    ‘Flying Scotsman’, perhaps the most famous steam locomotive ever, kicked off a year of events to celebrate 100 years since she first emerged from Doncaster Works in February 1923. Costing £7,944 and originally numbered 1472 she was the first locomotive built for the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and in 1924 was chosen to be exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park in London which aimed to celebrate the British Empire and its economic achievements and potential. It was at this time the locomotive was renumbered to 4472 and given the name ‘Flying Scotsman’ in honour of the prestigious daily 1000am London to Edinburgh passenger service. In 2022, now in British Railways livery and numbered 60103, ‘Flying Scotsman’ spent the weekend of 15th/ 16th October in light steam at the buffer stops of Kings Cross platform 8 allowing visitors to view this icon. The event also tied in with the 170th Anniversary of the opening of Kings Cross station in 1852.

    Visitors to the station over the weekend were also able to take part in associated activities including a ‘Flying Scotsman’ driving simulator, where people could experience driving the engine out of The Cross, screens to watch live footage of ‘Flying Scotsman’ from the concourse and regular recorded announcements from Michael Portillo.

    Kings Cross railway station exterior – 15/10/2022
    Blue plaque, Kings Cross – 15/10/2022
    Hornby Railways stand at Kings Cross. Hornby is lead sponsor of the ‘Flying Scotsman’ Centenary events. The steel structure engineered by Arup forming the roof seen in this image was added as part of a refurbishment programme completed in 2012 which included a new semi-circular departures concourse has been described as being “like some kind of reverse waterfall, a white steel grid that swoops up from the ground and cascades over your head” – 15/10/2022
    Hornby’s Marketing and Product Development Director, Simon Kohler – 15/10/2022
    The entrance to Platform 8 at Kings Cross – 15/10/2022
    ‘Flying Scotsman’ Souvenir Platform Ticket
    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ sits at Kings Cross platform 8 – 15/10/2022
    ‘Flying Scotsman’ name plate
    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ sits at Kings Cross platform 8 as a modern day LNER Azuma arrives at platform 10 – 15/10/2022
    The Gresley A3’s and A4’s gave way to diesel traction. Class 43 HST power car No. 43059 alongside Class 55 “Deltic” No. 55015 ‘Tulyar’ at Kings Cross – 18/10/1981
    Class 91 No. 91127 at the head of 1D19 1503 Kings Cross to Leeds – 15/10/2022
    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ sits at Kings Cross platform 8 – 15/10/2022

    For my Saturday October 25th visit to see No. 60103 at Kings Cross, Yoshi stayed at home with his mum as we thought things might be a little too crowded for our boy. For my part, it was great to be reacquainted with ‘Flying Scotsman’ once again and to hear her whistle echo around Kings Cross. Also a great joy was to witness the faces of passengers arriving at the station and unexpectedly coming across the peoples’ locomotive. It seems that everyone loves a steam engine, and none more so than Sir Nigel Gresley’s most famous A3.

    Brief video of ‘Flying Scotsman’ at the buffer stops of platform 8 of London Kings Cross – 15/10/2022

    Purchased by Alan Peglar from regular British Railways service for £3,000 in 1963 after covering 2,076,000 miles, ‘Flying Scotsman’ was later under the custodianship of Sir William McAlpine and then Tony Marchington before, in 2004, a campaign spearheaded by the National Railway Museum (NRM) to save the locomotive for the nation was supported by thousands of members of the public, confirming its status as a national treasure. A ten year £4.2 million restoration project funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and public donations followed.

    There will be a calendar of mainline UK rail tours involving No. 60103 across the the next year. ‘Flying Scotsman’ is extremely well travelled as in addition to hauling enthusiast specials across England, Scotland and Wales, between 1969 and 1973 the locomotive toured extensively in the United States and Canada and from 1988 to 1989 she visited Australia where she set a record for the longest non-stop run by a steam locomotive of 422 miles on 8 August 1989. ‘Flying Scotsman’ actually set two world records for steam traction being the first steam locomotive to be officially recorded at reaching 100mph which happened on 30 November 1934.

    The next of the planned Centenary events takes place on Yoshi’s doorstep as ‘Flying Scotsman’ visits the Swanage Railway for a three week visit until November 7th 2022. No. 60103 is on display at Swanage railway station for pre-booked visits to her footplate on 20th and 21st October 2022 as well as every day between 27th October to 6th November inclusive. ‘Flying Scotsman’ will be hauling passenger trains between Swanage and Norden from 22nd October to 26th October.

    Making her way to the Isle of Purbeck, No. 60103 passed through East Dorset and we popped out to see her working tender first as she crossed the Holes Bay Causeway near Poole on the morning of 18th October 2022.

    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ having traversed Creekmoor Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway working 5Z74 0452 Southall WCR to Swanage – 18/10/2022
    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ crossing Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway working 5Z74 0452 Southall WCR to Swanage – 18/10/2022
    LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ nears Hamworthy after crossing Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway working 5Z74 0452 Southall WCR to Swanage – 18/10/2022
    Video of LNER Gresley A3 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ crossing the Holes Bay causeway working 5Z74 0452 Southall WCR to Swanage – 18/10/2022

    Another reason for my visit to London on Saturday was the opportunity to view the former Victorian St Pancras railway station water tower which was the subject of an open day. The water tower was built in 1872 and sat on the eastern side of St Pancras providing refreshment for steam locomotives using the station.

    The St Pancras water tower was designed by the office of Sir George Gilbert Scott and features elaborate brickwork detailing around the edges of the overhang that supported the water tank – 15/10/2022

    The water tower was nearly demolished as part of the 2001 Channel Tunnel rail link development at St Pancras. Thankfully a solution was sought to retain the building, and although now moved slightly from its original location, the water tower survives on land owned by the St Pancras Cruising Club. It was not an easy task relocating the structure as it was discovered that dismantling it brick by brick would be impossible given the hardness of the original mortar used in its construction. So instead, the tower was cut in half horizontally and moved in two pieces, the operation being completed by 2005.

    Once I’d managed to find the entrance, which was gained by crossing canal lock gates, the tower’s elevated location and low lying surroundings contributed to stunning views across St Pancras and the Regent’s Canal.

    Two SouthEastern Class 395 Javelin EMU’s, with No. 395011 ‘Katherine Grainger’ leading, form the 1F38 1425 St Pancras International to Rochester service – 15/10/2022
    Class 373/1 Eurostar set No. 373007 9031 1313 Paris Nord to St Pancras International on the approach to the London terminus – 15/10/2022
    The St Pancras water tower serves as a back drop to the Regent’s Canal – 15/10/2022
    Trains viewed from the St. Pancras water tower – 15/10/2022

    St Pancras railway station was designed by Midland Railway engineer William Barlow and his masterpiece train shed roof was built to span five tracks in one single arc with its cross ties buried under the floor in the form of horizontal girders. At 74 metres this was once the largest span in the world. Not content with this, the company turned to Sir George Gilbert Scott to design a hotel which would be the most luxurious on the planet. Scott’s building has an entrance wing facing Euston Road with a curved quadrant forecourt to reach Barlow’s existing entrance ramps to the station. The Midland Grand hotel closed in 1935 and was then used as office space.

    The interior of St Pancras International with Eurostar trains in evidence – 21/06/2014

    In the 1960’s British Railways driven by modernisation wanted to sweep it all away and concentrate rail services into neighbouring Kings Cross. However, unlike the corporate vandalism bestowed on London Euston, St Pancras had a flurry of supporters determined to save the building led by Sir John Betjeman and the newly formed Victorian Society. In 1967 the British Government acquiesced and St Pancras gained Grade I listed status and was saved the fate of the wrecking ball. Despite continued future use as BR offices and dormitories for rail staff the building fell into disrepair and was shut down in the 1980’s after failing fire safety checks. At a cost of £10 million, the exterior was restored and made structurally sound. But it was not until 2004 that planning permission was given for the building to be redeveloped into a new hotel.

    Statue of Sir John Betjeman who led a campaign to save St Pancras Station from demolition in the 1960’s. In tribute to the famous poet and railway enthusiast a 2.10 metre high sculpture by Martin Jennings was unveiled in 2007 to celebrate the man and his poetry – 21/06/2014

    The main public rooms of the former Midland Grand Hotel were restored, along with some of the bedrooms. The former driveway for taxis entering St Pancras station which passed under the main tower of the building was converted into a hotel lobby and a new wing constructed on the western side of the Barlow train shed. Although open to guests in March 2011, the formal Grand Opening of The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was held on the 5th May the same year, 138 years to the day after the original hotel opened in 1873. St Pancras is, without doubt, my favourite building in London. One day I’ll have breakfast at the hotel, or stay a night – maybe even both.

    St Pancras railway station and The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel viewed from Euston Road – 15/10/2022
    St Pancras railway station and The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – 21/06/2014
    “The Meeting Place” is a 9 metre high, 20 tonne bronze sculpture that stands at the south end of the upper level of St Pancras. Designed by the British artist Paul Day and unveiled in 2007, it is intended to evoke the romance of travel through the depiction of a couple locked in an embrace – 21/06/2014
    Class 45 No. 45112 and an unidentified classmate at St Pancras circa 1977
    Class 47 No. 47484 ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel’ awaits departure at St Pancras – 11/07/1981
    Class 45 No.’s 45149 and 45117 at the buffer stops of St Pancras – 11/07/1981

    Staying with buildings connected to Sir George Gilbert Scott, Grade II Battersea Power Station re-opened on 14th October, so as I was in London and hoping to find an inflatable pig tethered above it, I thought it would be remiss of me not to stick my nose in and see what had been done to the place. The construction is actually two near-identical power stations built to form a single structure balanced by four chimneys, one in each corner of the plan. Designed by a team of architects and engineers, and allowing me to seamlessly segue from railway water towers to power stations, the third son of Sir George; Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, was brought onboard in 1930 by the London Power Company as consulting architect. Working with the buildings designer and the company chief engineer, Leonard Pearce (not to be confused with Lennard Pearce who played Grandad in BBC sitcom “Only Fools and Horses”), Scott’s role was to enhance the external appearance of the structure. He remodelled the four corner chimneys so they mimicked classical columns and added detailing to the vast brick walls.

    Battersea Power Station was originally opened in 1933, but has been disused since 1982. It was always one of the buildings I would look out for on rail journeys into London Waterloo, but is now obscured by modern buildings. At the time of its opening, The Observer newspaper called it “one of the finest sights in London” and I, for one, am happy it survived the intervening years which saw numerous unfulfilled proposals put forward for its regeneration. From theme parks to football stadiums, what we have ended up with on the site is a shopping centre, offices (soon to accommodate Apple’s London HQ) and homes occupying the building which was once dubbed “The Cathedral of Power” at the cost of £9 billion. 1,600 luxury flats have been built with a further 2,400 planned. Despite its size and six million bricks, I felt the former Power Station was somewhat lost amongst these new developments which have sprung up around it.

    The London Underground’s Northern Line was extended, branching off at Kennington, with two new stations; Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station opening on 20th September 2021. The construction cost £1.1 billion and the extension is 3 kilometres long.

    A Northern Line train awaits departure from platform 2 at Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Battersea Power Station roundel – 15/10/2022
    Exterior of Battersea Power Station tube – 15/10/2022
    Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022

    Not everything is open yet or accessible, such as the lift in one of the chimneys which promises aerial views of London, and Control Room A which will be used as an event space by invitation only. You can, however, visit Control Room B which is now a bar of the same name where staff wear white boiler suits and punters sit alongside switches and dials which technicians once used to control one fifth of the capital’s electricity. There was a queue of people waiting for seats when I passed by. On a future visit, I will definitely be checking out chef Gordon Ramsey’s bottomless pizzas at “Gordon Ramsey Street Pizza”. Unfortunately my visit of the exterior area was curtailed because of rain, so my intention of checking out the view of the railway originating from London Victoria across Grosvenor Bridge will have to wait until next time.

    Shopping centre West Entrance to Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Battersea Power Station from alongside the River Thames – 15/10/2022
    North Entrance Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Interior Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Control Room B, Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022
    Control Room B, Battersea Power Station – 15/10/2022

    Sir Giles Gilbert Scott has a Dorset connection having designed the Church of the Annunciation, a Roman Catholic Church in Bournemouth. But this isn’t a blog about churches. Or power stations for that matter. And anyway, Bournemouth was in Hampshire in 1905.

    Returning to my recent London adventure, I did however set Battersea Power Station in my sights later in the day when on my way home, I alighted from my Victoria Line tube train to see Belmond Trains “Brighton Belle” British Pullman rail tour arrive at London Victoria.

    Platinum Jubilee liveried DB Class 67 No. 67007 working the return Brighton Belle 1Z91 Hove to London Victoria passes Grosvenor Road Carriage Sheds with the newly re-opened Battersea Power station as backdrop – 15/10/2022
    Light locomotive Class 67 No. 67024 in British Pullman livery working 0Y83 Stewarts Lane T&R.S.M.D to London Victoria – 15/10/2022
    Class 67 No. 67024 in British Pullman livery departing Victoria station with 5O82 London Victoria to Stewarts Lane T&R.S.M.D
    Comings and goings at London Victoria vowed from Ebury Road bridge – 15/10/2022

    Thank you for stopping by, Yoshi and I will be back next week for more ‘Flying Scotsman’ related tales. Until then, take care!

    Woof!

  • Mid Hants Steam Gala

    Wednesday October 5th to Tuesday October 11th

    Yoshi takes a break while in Ropley on Handyside Bridge which could previously be found spanning platforms 1 to 8 at London Kings Cross. The Grade I listed structure was built in 1892 by Andrew Handyside & Company and was dismantled and reconstructed at Ropley over a period of 18 months. The bridge featured in films “The Thirty Nine Steps”, “Elizabethan Express” and the “Harry Potter” series.

    Hello! On Saturday 8th October, Yoshi and I found ourselves enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the Mid Hants Railway, or The Watercress Line if you prefer, who were holding their Autumn Steam Gala. I hadn’t intended on staying long (honest!) but the weather was so good and there were lots of things to see and people to chat to, we remained at the railway until long after it was our scheduled time to be heading for home. As usual, Yoshi received lots of fuss from other visitors to the event and he had the occasional bark at a passing steam locomotive.

    The Mid Hants is a lovely railway, but country line side photographic locations are few as local farmers actively discourage anyone encroaching on their land. I recall back in the 1990’s an enterprising land owner who charged 50p per head for photographers to use his field as a vantage point.

    The gala was a final opportunity for visitors to see and ride behind Southern Railway Schools Class 4-4-0 No. 30925 ‘Cheltenham’ before her boiler certificate expiration. The engine is at the MHR courtesy of the National Railway Museum. The Schools class were the most powerful 4-4-0 type locomotives to operate in this country and were a very successful design, used for passenger and freight duties. They were named after famous public schools within the area then served by the Southern Railway, a publicity masterstroke given the popularity of train spotting with schoolboys at the time!

    Southern Railway Schools Class 4-4-0 No. 30925 ‘Cheltenham’ runs non-stop through Ropley
    Peckett & Sons Works No 1788 Kilmersdon 0-4-0ST gave shunting demonstrations in Ropley yard
    LMS Ivatt No. 41312 running as No. 41294 departs Ropley. No. 41312 was built in May 1952 at Crewe locomotive works and spent its entire working career on the Southern region. Introduced in 1946, the class were nicknamed “Mickey Mouse” tanks due to the placing of route indicator discs either side of the smokebox that then looked like ears. In 1964 she moved to Bournemouth were she worked over the Swanage and Lymington branches. 41312 performed the last steam service on the Lymington branch in April 1967. The last 3 months of her career were spent at Nine Elms acting as a station shunter for Waterloo. She was finally withdrawn from service on the 3rd July 1967.
    No. 53808 working a demonstration freight which included an opportunity for visitors to ride in the brake vans
    Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway 7F 2-8-0 No. 53808 spent much of its working life as a local goods train. She was built in 1925 at the Darlington locomotive works of Robert Stephenson & Co. and is one of only two that survive from the original 11 constructed. The 2-8-0 spent the whole of its life based at one shed, Bath (Green Park). It mainly worked local goods trains between Bath and Evercreech Junction, which involved a stiff climb over the Mendip Hills in both directions, although in the post-war period it was also used to haul some of the many Summer Saturday holiday trains to and from the North, working between Bath and Bournemouth.

    Unfortunately, No. 53808 had to be stopped for investigation and repair on the Saturday, and was substituted by Brush diesel electric locomotive Class 47 No. 47579 ‘James Nightall GC’, which to be fair was welcomed enthusiastically by many of the visiting enthusiasts despite the emphasis on the steam in “steam gala”.

    Class 47 No. 47579 arriving at Ropley. The locomotive was named ‘James Nightall GC’ on 28th September 1981 to remember the brave actions of 22 year old Fireman James Nighthall, who was killed on 2nd June 1944 whilst splitting a burning ammunition train at Soham in Cambridgeshire. Having split the burning wagon from the rest of the train, they made a run for open countryside, but the wagons contents exploded as it passed through the station leaving a massive crater where the station had been and damaging some 800 houses in the town. James Nightall’s actions along with his Driver, Benjamin Gimbert, saved a far greater disaster, and as a result they were two of the very few railwaymen to be awarded the George Cross for their bravery. Sadly the Signalman at Soham, Frank Bridges, was also killed that night whilst assisting Gimbert and Nightall.  He is remembered by a brass plaque on the Signalbox at Alresford.
    No. 506 takes turn on the freight consist
    London & South Western Railway Urie S15 4-6-0 No. 506, designed by Robert Urie for the London & South Western Railway purely as a fast freight engine, working the heavy night express goods trains between Exeter and Nine Elms, and from Southampton to Nine Elms.  Built at Eastleigh Works No. 506 was completed in October 1920, and delivered to Nine Elms shed in Battersea.
    BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 76017 – formerly based at Eastleigh Shed where she performed on freight, semi fast or all stopping turns to Southampton and Bournemouth. Nicknamed ‘Moguls’, these locomotives were based on an earlier Ivatt LMS design known as ‘flying pigs’. Over 115 of the Standard 4 Moguls were built between 1952 and 1957 at Horwich and Doncaster locomotive works.
    Class 20 No.’s D8059 (20059) & D8188 (20188) in the sidings at Ropley
    Video of our visit to the MHR Autumn Steam Gala 2022

    The Mid Hants line was originally promoted as the “Alton, Alresford & Winchester Railway” receiving its Act of Parliament in 1861. The first chairman of the railway was Edward Knight of Chawton, nephew of author Jane Austen. The line was intended to connect the existing lines at Alton and Winchester providing an alternative route between London and Southampton. A further Act in 1864 renamed the company the “Mid-Hants Railway” and the line opened in October 1865 with train services operated from the start by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR). In 1880 the LSWR took a 999 year lease of the line and in 1884 purchased it outright. The line passed to the Southern Railway in 1923 and to British Railways Southern Region in 1948.

    The Mid-Hants was extensively used as a diversionary route during electrification work on the London to Southampton main line in the 1960’s. Goods traffic ceased in June 1964 and the local passenger service became increasingly run down so much so that in December 1967 closure notices were published. Despite a major local campaign to save the line it eventually closed in February 1973.

    The section between Alresford and Alton was subsequently purchased from British Rail by the Watercress Line with steam trains running once again from Alresford to Ropley on 30th April 1977. Services were extended to Medstead & Four Marks in May 1983 and to Alton in May 1985.

    Over the weekend of 5th/6th February 1994 the Mid Hants Railway held a special event to celebrate 21 years since the line closed under BR. Our video from the Sunday is below:

    Mid Hants Railway celebrate 21 years on from closure in BR days
    Yoshi inspects the refreshed Poole Park Railway’s hired in locomotive

    Local news this week centres on the Poole Park Railway which has been in the media because the company, Track Systems UK, contracted to build and supply the electric locomotive for the re-opened tourist attraction has sadly ceased trading. The Poole Park Railway returned on September 2nd 2022 although within days it suffered a derailment after stones were believed to have been placed on the track. Currently a hired in locomotive is being employed to haul the 32-person capacity, wheelchair accessible and dog friendly railway carriages. An official launch of the service is scheduled to take place at 10am on Saturday, October 15, when the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Tony Trent will officially declare the railway open.

    Yoshi gets comfortable in one of the dog friendly carriages
    Yoshi enjoying the view from the train in Poole Park

    South Western Railway’s Island Line Grade II listed Victorian station at Shanklin, which Yoshi gave his bark of approval when we visited in March of this year, has won the Small Station Of The Year award at the prestigious 2022 National Rail Awards.

    Yoshi visited Shanklin station in March 2022

    The ‘Railway Oscars’ are organised by RAIL Magazine to reward excellence and achievement in the industry. This year’s ceremony took place on Monday 10th October at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, hosted by BBC presenter Huw Edwards and RAIL Magazine’s Managing Editor Nigel Harris. Congratulations to everyone involved at Shanklin.

    You Tube Channel Of The Week: If you need more railway video action from the south, check out Jamie Smith’s most excellent Going Loco You Tube Channel which has some fabulous sequences from the Mid Hants, Swanage and other heritage lines as well as archive footage from the 90’s.

    Many thanks to the Watercress Line webpage for facts and information about the locomotives engaged in their Autumn Steam Gala and to you, Dear Reader, for taking the time to visit The Railway Dog blog this week. We’ll be back in around seven days and we hope you’ll join us again.

  • SVR Autumn Diesel Bash

    Wednesday September 28th to Tuesday October 4th

    Yoshi at Kidderminster enjoying the last gasp of autumn sun with Class 52 Western diesel hydraulic No. D1040 ‘Western Queen’ in the background – 02/10/2022

    Hello Dear Reader! It’s been a relatively quiet week on the rails in Yoshi’s manor. Engineers trains for the Chetnole track upgrade came and went, utilising the same locomotives on a rota as at the start of the work. Because of the their early departures via Dorchester South, Yoshi and I remained snuggled up in our bed. We had planned on seeing the final two trains depart via Yeovil Pen Mill on the Friday evening, but the rain and winds put us off as we didn’t fancy hanging around for them to make an appearance on an open windswept railway station. In the event it appears they left more or less on time, so it would not have be so tortuous!

    Severn Valley Railway

    Sunday 2nd October found us back at the Severn Valley Railway, this time for their 2022 Autumn Diesel Bash. The main attraction for me being the visit of two GB Railfreight Class 56 locomotives which have been repainted into retro British Rail liveries. The GBRf Class 56’s will eventually be rebuilt as Class 69 locomotives in due course, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to catch these while we can. Only one of the two Class 56 locomotives ran each day over the weekend; No. 56098 on Saturday and 56081 on the Sunday. I hoped that the locomotive not being used would be on static display, but this wasn’t really the case, and only a record shot could be achieved from publicly accessible areas.

    GBRf Class 56 No.’s 56098 and 56081 coupled together at Kidderminster SVR awaiting their return to Old Dalby the following day – 02/10/2022

    Despite this, we had another great day out at the Severn Valley. Even the fact the coffee machine wasn’t working at The Engine House cafe in Highley didn’t dampen my spirits. As we left Dorset and made our way northwards, the weather didn’t look conducive to a day out, but once past Bristol, the sun made a welcome appearance for the rest of the day. Thanks to Andrew and Scott for their excellent company and helping to look after Yoshi.

    Deltic No. 55009 ‘Alycidon’ on the approach to Highley. I first saw this class of locomotive at London Kings Cross in 1977 and they immediately became my favourite diesel locomotives – 02/10/2022
    Class 50 No. 50049 ‘Defiance’ departs Highley – 02/10/2022
    Class 50 No. 50035 ‘Ark Royal’ arriving into Kidderminster – 02/20/2022
    Class 50 No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ awaiting to be rescued at Highley with a ‘local service’ after being declared a failure – 02/10/2022
    Class 31 No. 31466 plays Thunderbird loco for Class 50 No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ at Highley. A minor defect in the Class 50’s air system intermittently prevented the locomotive creating a brake – 02/10/2022
    Class 31 No. 31466 at Highley – 02/10/2022
    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ nears Highley – 02/10/2022
    Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ departs Kidderminster with an evening service – 02/10/2022
    Class 52 No. D1062 ‘Western Courier’ running as classmate No. D1040 ‘Western Queen’ catching the late afternoon sun at Kidderminster – 02/10/2022
    The second man on Class 52 No. D1040 ‘Western Queen’ ready to exchange tokens entering Highley – 02/10/2022
    GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 20 No. 20048 being used as a translator locomotive for braking near Highley – 02/10/2022
    GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 having arrived at Kidderminster after its sole round trip – 02/10/2022
    GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 prepares to run to the sidings at Kidderminster – 02/10/2022
    Large Logo liveried Class 56 No. 56098 at Kidderminster – 02/10/2022
    Class 09 No. 09012 (D4100) ‘Dick Hardy’ came to the rescue after Class 46 No. D182 was withdrawn from service earlier during the gala – 02/20/2022 
    Class 20 No. 20048 departs Kidderminster on the rear of a train to Bridgnorth – 02/10/2022
    Yoshi chats with the driver of Class 31 No. 31466 during a stop at Bewdley – 02/10/2022
    Our video from the 2022 Autumn Diesel Bash at the SVR

    Class 91’s

    Prior to our Seven Valley adventure, on Wednesday 28th September I was in London for a work meeting and I took the opportunity to pop into Kings Cross on my way to the office to catch a couple of Class 91 departures. I rather like the look of the business end of the Class 91 locomotive.

    A total of 31 Class 91 ‘Electras’ were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Crewe Works from 1988 to 1991 and numbered 91001 to 91031. They were overhauled by Bombardier at Doncaster between 2000 and 2003 and renumbered by adding 100 to their original number, with the exception of No. 91023 which became No. 91132 due to its involvement in fatal accidents at Hatfield in 2000 and Great Heck in 2001.

    The IC225 fleet of 314 Mk 4 carriages built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham were formed into 30 sets and with the addition of a Driving Trailer Van (DVT) allowed push-pull operation with the Class 91’s. The fleet is now greatly reduced following the introduction of Hitachi InterCity Express Trains (IET) and eight coaching sets have been retained for use on the East Coast Mainline with 12 Class 91’s.

    Over the years the trains have seen several changes in operator as franchises have collapsed and taken over by government backed Operators of Last Resort. GNER was replaced by National Express East Coast, followed by East Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast and currently LNER. Each operator has applied its own livery to the locomotives and coaching stock with most recently LNER simply replacing the Virgin Trains branding with its own. Now, however, the fleet is receiving repaints with those not carrying a celebrity livery receiving a retro style inspired by the original Intercity 225 design of sharp lines and red and white styling, the LNER brand replacing the InterCity lettering and swallow motif which can be seen applied to No. 91004 in the video from 1994 further down this page.

    Class 91 No. 91110 ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’ awaits departure from London Kings Cross with the 1003 1D09 service to Leeds. The InterCity 225 fleet leased by LNER is in the process of receiving a full repaint as the rolling stock is brought in for essential maintenance. The repaint of No. 91110 was completed in July 2022 – 28/09/2022
    Side detail of Class 91 No. 91110 ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’
    Side detail of Class 91 No. 91110 ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’
    Side detail and nameplate of Class 91 No. 91110 ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’
    Side detail of Class 91 No. 91110 ‘Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’. In September 1989 No. 91110 achieved 162.8 mph on an overspeed test at Stoke Bank near Peterborough, the fastest ever recorded by a UK locomotive. Stoke Bank is the same location where the world record for a steam locomotive was set at 126 mph by Gresley A4 No. 4468 ‘Mallard’ on 3rd July 1938.
    Class 91 No. 91107 ‘Skyfall’ at Kings Cross platform 2 heading 1D10 1033 London Kings Cross to Leeds. The Class 91 powered IC225 trains have been operating on the East Coast Main Line for 33 years. The Gresley A4’s managed 27 years and the Class 55 Deltics 20 years. The Gresley A3’s and the IC125 HST’s both notched up 40 years of continuous ECML service – 28/09/2022
    Close up of nameplate for Class 91 No. 91107 ‘Skyfall’
    Class 91 departures at London Kings Cross – 28/09/2022
    Class 91 No. 91114 ‘Durham Cathedral’ at York – 04/07/2013
    Nameplate detail of Class 91 No. 91114 ‘Durham Cathedral’ at York – 04/07/2013
    Livery variation applied to Class 91 No. 91114 ‘Durham Cathedral’ at York – 04/07/2013
    East Coast liveried Class 91 No. 91120 at York – 28/08/2011
    Class 91 No. 91101 with Flying Scotsman branding at Doncaster – 05/07/2013
    Class 91 No. 91102 at York – 28/08/2011
    Class 91 No. 91121 at York – 28/08/2011
    Europhoenix liveried Class 91 No. 91117 stands adjacent to unique Class 89 No.89001 ‘Avocet’ at the recent Barrow Hill 150+2 celebrations – 28/08/2022
    The flat end of Class 91 No. 91120 can be seen clearly in this image alongside Class 89 No.89001 ‘Avocet’ at the recent Barrow Hill 150+2 celebrations. The Class 89 was a prototype for an electric six-axle mixed traffic locomotive which did not progress beyond this example – 28/08/2022
    Another view of Europhoenix Class 91 No. 91120 in the company of “Peak” Class 45 No. 45060 ‘Sherwood Forester’ and Class 66 No. 66726 ‘Sheffield Wednesday’ at Barrow Hill 150+2 celebrations – 28/08/2022

    From The Archives

    My first visit to London Kings Cross found Class 55 Deltic No.’s 55002 ‘The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry’ and 55008 ‘The Green Howards’ await departure in 1977
    In the diesel era the stabling point at London Kings Cross was commonly known as “Passenger Loco”. It was usually used by locomotives that needed a quick service and refuelling before their next trip north. There was a pit inside the shed where an “A exam” could be performed. A few locos would be berthed there during the day between trips and at night. Also from my first visit to The Cross in 1977
    Class 55 Deltic No. 55004 ‘Queens Own Highlander’ stands next to a Class 254 HST set at Kings Cross. The Deltic’s replaced Gresley A3 and A4 Pacific steam locomotives on top link duties before themselves succumbing to the advent of the High Speed Train which in turn were replaced by the Class 91’s – 25/09/1981

    In 1994 what was heralded as being the best ever programme of main line steam specials was announced on 11th August, exactly 26 years after the end of regular steam on British Railways. A big surprise was the announcement of the return to steam at Kings Cross on the weekend of 29th / 30th October 1994 when LNER A4 Pacific No. 60009 ‘Union Of South Africa’, coincidentally the last steam locomotive to leave the East Coast terminus thirty years previously, was booked to haul private charters to Peterborough. Following these successful charter runs, No. 9 found herself imprisoned in Bounds Green depot for six weeks following an “under the wires” ban imposed by Railtrack who declared the locomotive as being out of gauge by 1.5 inches at an overbridge near Primrose Hill Tunnel which could have resulted in a flashover. This led Railtrack to impose a complete ban on all steam movements under overhead wires across the rail network which saw the cancellation of three other rail tours until Railtrack backed down and agreed the locomotive was in gauge all along!

    I went along to Kings Cross on the 30th October 1994 to see the locomotive and train head for Peterborough – but as you can see in the video below my view of the departure was almost ruined by the arrival of Class 91 No. 91004 ‘The Red Arrows’! This Class 91 locomotive was withdrawn in February 2020 and is currently awaiting disposal at Booths of Rotherham, its fate is unconnected with passing in front of me while I was attempting to film steam at The Cross however!

    Steam at Kings Cross 30/10/1994

    Sixteen years later, I was once again able to see steam at Kings Cross – two A4’s this time when No. 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ hauled the Railway Touring Company special train “The Tynesider” from Newcastle to the London terminus with sister locomotive No. 60019 ‘Bittern’ sporting two tenders to facilitate a non-stop run to York as there was no requirement to take on water en-route. I was using a mini DV camera at the time which had a tendency to “hunt’ in low light. Well, in any lighting conditions to be honest. But we include it here as it seems appropriate.

    Steam at Kings Cross 27/11/2010

    Thanks for visiting. We aim to be back again next week and hope to see you again. Thank you as always for comments and corrections which are very much appreciated.

  • Belles and Upgrades

    Wednesday September 21st to Tuesday September 27th

    Yoshi pictured in between trains at Cogload Junction, Somerset wondering how much longer he has to wait before getting more treats – 25/09/2022

    The Swanage Belle – Thursday 22nd September saw the postponed run of The Railway Touring Company organised “The Swanage Belle” headed up by LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ on the outward run from London Victoria and West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Class 47 No. 47804 on the return working Swanage as far as Southampton where the steam locomotive once again took control of the train. Premier dining would have set you back £285 and a standard class seat £115 plus £1 for a bag of crisps.

    LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ powers through Hamworthy with “The Swanage Belle” – 22/09/2022
    Class 47 No. 47804 on the return “The Swanage Belle” rejoins the mainline at Worgret Junction – 22/09/2022

    ‘Bahamas’ was renumbered and renamed as long scrapped sister locomotive No. 45606 ‘Falkland Islands’ while at Swanage in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

    Obscured by steam, LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ running as classmate 45606 ‘Falkland Islands’ on the rear of the return “The Swanage Belle” – 22/09/2022
    Video of “The Swanage Belle” – 22/09/2022

    Rail Upgrades – A section of the Bristol to Weymouth “Heart Of Wessex Line” was closed to passenger services on Saturday 24th September through to Friday 30th September 2022 to allow for the replacement of a mile of track between Chetnole and Maiden Newton. At the same time, Yeovil Pen Mill signal box is being overhauled, the platform at Yestminster station is being resurfaced and the road bridge at Dorchester West is being repaired.

    GWR and Network Rail information leaflet
    GWR and Network Rail information leaflet
    Colas Rail Class 70 No.’s 70804 and 70812 at Maiden Newton having worked 6C02 2037 Eastleigh East Yard to Maiden Newton, the first of 8 scheduled workings for the upgrade work in the Chetnole area – 25/09/2022
    Colas Rail Class 70 No.’s 70804 and 70812 at Maiden Newton – 25/09/2022
    Colas Rail Class 70 No.’s 70804 and 70812 at Maiden Newton – 25/09/2022
    Colas Rail Class 70 No.’s 70812 and 70804 at Maiden Newton – 25/09/2022
    Colas Rail Class 70 No.’s 70812 and 70804 at Maiden Newton – 25/09/2022

    Further local line closures are scheduled to take place in February 2023 when track renewal takes place in the the Thornford area, the Yeovil Pen Mill to Weymouth route being affected Monday 20th February to Friday 24th February 2023 and again from Monday 27th February to Friday 3d March 2023.

    Network Rail “Dear Neighbour” letter detailing the improvement works between Dorchester West and Yeovil Pen Mill – September 2022
    Yoshi and I popped to Dorchester on the evening of Tuesday 27th September. In fading light, Freightliner Class 66 No.’s 66534 and 66585 stand just outside of Dorchester West with 6Y86 which worked 0438 Eastleigh East Yard to Yeovil Pen Mill and the work site at Maiden Newton on 26th September. The train was scheduled to return to Eastleigh via Dorchester South in the early hours of Wednesday 28th September
    In this view taken from Poundbury Road (Barrack Road) Bridge, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66560 waits in the cutting with 6Y89 (26th September’s 1102 Eastleigh East Yard to Yeovil Pen Mill) while the rear ballast wagons of 6Y86 can be seen protruding from under Bridport Road bridge – 27/09/2022
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66560 at the head of 6Y89 near Dorchester West – 27/09/2022
    In orange and black Genesee & Wyoming livery, Freightliner Class 66 No. 66415 ‘You Are Never Alone’ (named in support of The Samaritans) coupled behind classmate No. 66560 waits at Poundbury Road (Barrack Road) Bridge in Dorchester. The train is scheduled to return to Eastleigh via Dorchester South on 28th September 2022 in the early hours – 27/09/2022

    Meanwhile work on the Hamworthy Branch continues with the repointing of the brickwork on the abutments for the over bridge on Lake Road on Monday 26th September 2022.

    Bridge work, Lake Road Hamworthy – 26/09/2022
    Bridge work, Lake Road Hamworthy – 26/09/2022

    Cogload Junction – After we popped into Maiden Newton on Sunday 25th to see the Colas Rail Class 70’s, Yoshi and I headed off in the direction of Taunton to catch a glimpse of Statesman Rail’s “Cornish Explorer Statesman” which was heading back to York having departed Penzance earlier in the day. The train was headed by double headed Class 47 No.’s 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ and 47614. We spent an hour or so at Cogload Junction and saw several GWR Castle HST sets, IET’s and a solitary CrossCountry HST working.

    2C71 1102 Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton with Castle Class HST power cars 43171 (leading) and 43194 at the rear about to pass Cogload Junction via the flyover – 25/09/2022
    Class 47 No.’s 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ and 47614 working 1Z28 0937 Penzance to York; Statesman Rail’s “Cornish Explorer Statesman” at Cogload – 25/09/2022
    A busy few minutes as 1C79 1103 London Paddington to Plymouth formed of GWR IET No.’s 800009 and 800027 flanked by 1A82 0918 Penzance to London with No.’s 800015 and 800025 and Castle Class HST with power car No.’s 43042 and 43094 working 2C73 1055 Cardiff Central to Penzance – 25/09/2022

    Cogload Junction is located at Durston, Somerset about five miles east of Taunton. It is where the 1906-opened London Paddington to Penzance line via Castle Cary joins the original 1842 GWR line that runs via Bristol Temple Meads. A flyover was constructed in 1931 converting it into a flying junction.

    CrossCountry HST 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth worked by Class 43 power car No.’s 43207 and 43321 at Cogload Junction – 25/09/2022
    Cogload Junction on 25/09/2022. Trains include: 2U14 0947 Plymouth to Cardiff Central No.’s 43162/ 43160, 2C71 1102 Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton No.’s 43171/43194, 1M45 1049 Paignton to Birmingham New Street No. 220006, 2U16 0850 Penzance to Cardiff Central No.’s 43010/43092, 1V48 0811 Leeds to Plymouth No.’s 43207/43321, 1A82 0918 Penzance to London No.’s 800015/800025, 1C79 1103 London Paddington to Plymouth No.’s 800009/800027, 2C73 1055 Cardiff Central to Penzance No.’s 43042/ 43094, 1S49 0930 Penzance to Newcastle No. 220013, 2U18 1318 Taunton to Cardiff Central No.’s 43194/43171, 1Z28 0937 Penzance to York No.’s 47593/47614

    Test Train – Regular test train top and tailed by Class 73 Electro-Diesels No.s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ visited on Monday 26th September 2022 working 1Q51 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth. Yoshi barked at the consist as it passed through Hamworthy.

    1Q51 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth seen at Hamworthy – 26/09/2022

    That’s all we have time for this week. We’ll be back in seven days and hope you’ll join us then. Thank you for your comments and corrections, all gratefully received!

  • Holiday Time!

    Wednesday September 7th to Tuesday September 20th

    Felucca’s, a traditional Egyptian wooden sailing boat, at sunset on the River Nile at Aswan, Egypt – 16/09/2022

    Dorset

    After last weeks ‘filler’ blog entry on the XP64 livery, we’re back! I’ve been on my hols, as has Yoshi who has been staying with his cousins. I’m sure it was a very happy doggo madhouse for a couple of weeks! Have to admit I missed our boy and it was so very good to see his excited face again when we were all reunited together ready to catch up on Yoshi’s favourite TV programme; “Married At First Sight UK”.

    Yoshi takes a break during his walkies

    Before we went off on my travels, I was up early on Wednesday September 7th 2022 in order to see the departure of the “Welsh Marshes Express” rail tour from Poole on its way to Shrewsbury. The Dorset part of the tour saw top and tailed Locomotive Services Limited Class 47’s in charge, the working being taken over by steam in the form of BR Standard Class 7 No. 70000 ‘Britannia’ at Bristol where the train was taken forward to Shrewsbury and its return back to Temple Meads before the Class 47’s returned the train back to Poole.

    LSL Class 47 No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ having arrived at Poole with the empty coaching stock movement (5z64 0400 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole) for Saphos Trains “Welsh Marches Express” – 07/09/2022
    Class 47 No/ 47614 awaits the green with 1Z65 0508 Poole to Shrewsbury “Welsh Marshes Express” excursion at Poole – 07/09/2022
    Early morning video of Class 47 No.’s 47593 and 47614 at Poole. I may have messed up the departure shot! – 07/09/2022

    Also the same day was an additional Winfrith working; 6Z62 0103 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings with Class 68’s once again taking a train of empty PFA wagons to collect low level nuclear waste from the Magnox site.

    DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ with sister locomotive 68016 at the rear powers through Holton Heath with a train consisting of ten empty PFA wagons bound for Magnox Winfrith – 07/09/2022
    68016 ‘Fearless’ at the tail end of 6Z62 0103 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings having passed through Holton Heath – 07/09/2022
    DRS Class 68 No.’s 68002 ‘Intrepid’ and 68016 ‘Fearless’ pass through Holton Heath – 07/09/2022

    I was enjoying the hospitality of Heathrow T5 when 2 x Colas Class 37’s were in Weymouth working the New Measurement Train which is normally in the control of former HST power cars, but by kind permission, we can share the video below of the train reversing at Weymouth:

    Class 37 No.’s 37219 and 37421 work 1Z22 0729 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to @da_buckley967

    The return working of the Winfrith low level nuclear waste train was occupying Dorchester South at around the same time the Class 37’s were passing through Dorchester West with the return NMT working. I at least didn’t have to make a choice as to which train I would have photographed as at that moment I was boarding my BA flight to Egypt. However, with kind permission, we can share the following images of the loaded DRS train at Dorchester South:

    DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ with the return working of the loaded low level nuclear waste train working as 6Z95 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe at Dorchester South where the train reversed – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to Scott Lewis
    DRS Class 68 No. 68016 ‘Fearless’ prepares to depart Dorchester South with the return Winfrith – 07/09/2022 with many thanks to Scott Lewis

    Thursday 8th September and Thursday 15th September were scheduled dates for steam hauled excursions into Dorset run by The Railway Touring Company. Unfortunately a passenger falling ill and then sadly passing away at London Victoria on “The Swanage Belle” on the 8th meant the train was cancelled prior to departure. Our condolences to family and friends concerned. “The Dorset Coast Express” due to run on the 15th fell foul of the scheduled rail strike which in the event was itself cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Both trains were to have been worked on the outward leg by LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’. “The Swanage Belle” was rescheduled for 22nd September 2022.

    Egypt

    In 1851 Abbas I, Khedive of Egypt, began negotiations with British engineer Robert Stephenson for the construction of a railway from Alexandria to Cairo. This was only the second railway built in the world and the first on the African continent. The 120 mile line to Cairo was completed by 1856 and work began on a southern extension with a 230 mile section to Assiut finished in 1874.

    in September 2022, the majority of Egyptian National Railway services we saw during our stay were hauled by the impressive ES30ACi Light Evolution diesel locomotives built by the American GE Transportation Systems (now owned by Wabtec) and are are equipped with a 12-cylinder, 3200 HP GE Evolution Series engine. The locomotives are capable of passenger and freight train duties and 110 were ordered in 2017, the final units being delivered in March 2021.

    I was a little concerned about railway photography in Egypt as UK Foreign Office advice noted that British nationals have been arrested for photographing amongst other things, train stations and bridges. So, during my stay I ensured that permission was asked and if possible I was with my guide or a local travel company agent. I’m pleased to report I wasn’t arrested, and was in all instances greeted by friendly waves, enthusiasm and chat.

    We spent a few days in Cairo before flying to Luxor to board the M/S Royal Esadora which would take us along the River Nile to Aswan and back.

    M/S Royal Esadora at Edfu – 14/09/2022

    The Alexandria Tramway Network – Alexandria is located on the Nile delta in the north of Egypt. We travelled by car from Cairo for the day and as we drove around, our guide enthused over the wooden trams which still survive. The license to build a tramway system in Alexandria was issued on 16 August 1860, and the first line of the network began operating in on 8 January 1863. The system was electrified in 1902. There is an extensive network of 20 tram lines operating on 32 kilometers of track, serving 140 stops, running in the streets of central and western Alexandria as well as the coastal Al Raml line.

    Former Copenhagen DUEWAG GT6 – the vehicles are almost 60 years old – Alexandria 11/09/2022
    Former Copenhagen DUEWAG GT6 unit which were introduced to Egypt between 1969 and 1972 – Alexandria 11/09/2022
    Tatra-Yug K-1E6 in service on lines 5/6 on the Ramleh tram – the vehicles are fitted with both standard pantographs and trolley poles in order to be operated on both networks – Alexandria 11/09/2022
    The Japanese Kinki Sharyo units were built between 1975 to 1995. One of the six double-deck iterations on the Ramleh tram – Alexandria 11/09/2022 
    A restored single Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon car dating from 1925 – Alexandria 11/09/2022
    A glimpse of Alexandria Railway Station – 11/09/2022

    Cairo – Ramsis Railway Station is the main railway station in Cairo and our first glimpse of the lengthy imposing structure was out of the windows of the transfer car taking us from the airport to our hotel on our first night in Egypt. The station is named after Pharaoh Ramses II. We saw a lot about him during our stay in the country!

    An older railway station was opened at the site in 1854. Later in 1890 the Egyptian government, driven by a desire to give Cairo a grand entrance way began work on the current, much larger railway station. For most visitors before the advent of air travel, Ramsis station was the entry point into Cairo after arriving in Alexandria by ship. The station is part terminus with some through platforms.

    An upgrade to the structure was carried out in 1955 and from January 2001 to early 2011 the station underwent major modernisation being fully upgraded and air conditioned with new marble flooring and the addition of escalators. The railway station has also a connection to the Cairo Metro (which I was unable to photograph), buses, and taxis (although no idea where these were!)

    Ramsis railway station exterior, Cairo – 20/09/2022
    An Egyptian National Railway ES30ACi Light Evolution diesel locomotive having backed onto a rake of coaches at Cairo railway station – 20/09/2022
    An EMD G16 built by General Motors at Cairo railway station having brought in empty coaching stock. Egyptian National Railway received a total of 111 G16’s in 1960–61 (ER numbers 3301–61) and seventeen G16Ws in 1964–65 (ER numbers 3362–411) – 20/09/2022
    Cairo Railway Station train shed – 20/09/2022
    A view from the twenty fifth floor of Fairmont Nile City of an Egyptian National Railways service about to cross the River Nile via the Imbaba Bridge. Just don’t ask what the bar bill was! – 09/09/2022

    Luxor – Luxor is a modern city in Upper Egypt which includes the site of the Ancient City of Thebes. The temples of Karnak and Luxor are situated within the city with the Valley of the Kings (which includes the Tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter almost 100 years ago) and Valley of the Queens located on the opposite west bank of the Nile.

    Luxor railway station is located near the centre of the city, the original station having opened in 1898 to accommodate standard gauge trains. The railway between Luxor and Aswan was built to a 3 ft 6 in gauge eventually being converted to standard gauge in 1926. The exterior of the current station is built to reflect the local temples.

    Luxor Railway Station exterior – 18/09/2022
    Luxor Railway Station booking hall – 18/09/2022
    Luxor Railway Station booking hall – 18/09/2022
    A Cairo bound train arrives at Luxor – 18/09/2022
    An EMD G16 in the yard at Luxor – 18/09/2022

    Aswan – Aswan is a busy market and tourist centre located just north of the Aswan Dam on the east bank of the River Nile at the first cataract (shallow lengths of the Nile where the surface of the water is broken by small rocks and boulders jutting out of the river bed). I was taunted by the sound of passing trains out of my view as I spent time in my cabin or on the sun deck whilst catching up on my reading time.

    Aswan Railway Station exterior – 15/09/2022
    Aswan Railway Station booking hall – 15/09/2022
    Aswan Railway Station booking hall – 15/09/2022
    ES30ACi Light Evolution No. 2564 in the bay platform at Aswan – 15/09/2022
    A line up of ES30ACi Light Evolution locomotives at Aswan – 15/09/2022
    Video of our railway sightings while in Egypt, September 2022

    Egyptian Railway Museum, Cairo – On our last morning in Cairo, Caroline very thoughtfully surprised me by hiring an Uber which took us into the centre of Cairo and the Egyptian Railway Museum which is located in the eastern wing of Ramsis railway station. I’d been whinging on about trying to fit in a visit throughout our stay. Trying to find a taxi to take us back to our hotel in time for our flight home was a bit of an adventure in itself, but Caroline relished the challenge!

    The museum first opened in January 1933 and contains over 300 models and exhibits, a collection of documents, maps and statistical data.

    No. 986, fabricated by Robert Stephenson in 1865, on display outside Ramsis Railway Station Cairo – 20/09/2022
    Saied Pasha locomotive – 1862
    Saied Pasha locomotive works plate – 1862
    Sectioned 4-4-2 No. 194 manufactured in 1906 by The North British Locomotive Co. Ltd.
    Model of the first steam locomotive imported into Egypt – one of six built by Stephenson & Co.
    Model of a 1957 1700 HP Hanshel diesel electric locomotive
    Model of a 1948 1600 HP English Electric Co. diesel electric locomotive
    Model of German Hanshel diesel electric locomotive from 1983

    Earlier in the week, we enjoyed another mode of transport in the form of a hot air balloon which gave us an exceptional view of the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahri near Luxor:

    Hot air balloons over the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el Bahri near Luxor – 13/09/2022
    SS Sudan, built for the Egyptian Royal Family in 1885 was converted into a cruise liner in 1921 and took Agatha Christie and her husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan, on a trip along the Nile in 1933 and is believed to be the inspiration for her most famous work “Death On The Nile” published in 1937. SS Sudan fell into a state of disrepair following World War II but was restored in 1991 and again in 2000
    I couldn’t resist reading Christie’s novel onboard our ship on the Nile!
    While in Aswan, we visited “The Old Cataract Hotel” where Agatha Christie stayed and part of her novel “Death On The Nile” is set

    We had a wonderful time visiting ancient Egyptian archaeological sites as well as modern railway stations! Huge thanks to our guides while we were in Egypt; Reda and Ahmed who shared their knowledge and facilitated some of the railway station visits.

    This weeks blog was created while listening to Alphaville with Deutsches Filmerchester Babelsberg, Alison Moyet, and Handel’s Passacaglia, Suite no. 7 in G Minor, HWV 432/6 ( Modern Piano Solo Version performed by Johan Halvorsen on repeat). All being well, we’ll be back next week!

  • Waverley

    Wednesday 31st August to Tuesday 6th September 2022

    Yoshi train spotting on the end of Westbury station with Colas Class 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe 1938 – 2013’ in the background – 03/09/2022

    This week kicked off with two Weymouth bound rail tours in two days when “The Dorset Coast Statesman” and “The Dorset Coast Express” passed through our patch.

    LSL Class 47 No.’s 47828 and 47853 (47614) round the curve into Hamworthy with the “Dorset Coast Statesman” – 31/08/2022
    LSL Class 47 No.’s 47853 (47614) and 47828 with the return “Dorset Coast Statesman” arriving at Poole – 31/08/2022
    LSL Class 47 No.’s 47828 and 47853 (47614) with the “Dorset Coast Statesman” – 31/08/2022
    LMS Jubilee No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ is captured between Branksome and Parkstone working the outward leg of “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z82 0845 London Victoria to Weymouth – 01/09/2022
    Class 33/0 No. 33025 at the head of the return working of “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z84 1635 Weymouth to London Victoria. Because of a problem with traction equipment, the tour was terminated at Clapham Junction – 01/09/2022
    LMS Jubilee No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ at the rear of “The Dorset Coast Express” return working 1Z84 1635 Weymouth to London Victoria. The cut track on the pointwork for the Hamworthy Branch can clearly be seen, with the replacement frog for the point lying between the up and down lines. From December 12th 2022 the timetable includes a weekday “runs as required” freight service down the Hamworthy Branch to Hamworthy Blue Circle Industries (BCI) at 07:52. There is as yet no indication of a return working – 01/09/2022
    LMS Jubilee No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ and Class 33/0 No. 33025 with The Railway Touring Company excursion “The Dorset Coast Express” (With grateful thanks to @da_buckley967 for the Weymouth section, and G E Barrett for Winfrith) – 01/09/2022

    No. 45596 ‘Bahamas’ managed to start a couple of minor line side fires between Dorchester South and Weymouth which caused delays to services until the flames were investigated and extinguished. The original intention was for Swanage based SR U Class 4-6-0 No. 31806 to run light engine to Weymouth to haul the train to Southampton, where it would reverse and head to London via Romsey once again in the care of the Jubilee locomotive. In the event, Class 33/0 No. 33025 which was on the rear of the tour from London worked the return section as far as Southampton Central because of the risk of line side fires.

    Yoshi and I eventually saw No. 31806 on Sunday 4th September 2022 working the services on the Swanage Railway. In connection with the last seagoing paddle steamer ‘Waverley’ No. 31806 carried a special headboard on some trains in honour of the visiting ship.

    Video of SR U Class 4-6-0 No. 31806 on the Swanage Railway – 04/09/2022

    As we were in the area, Yoshi and I took a stroll along retired Victorian pier at Swanage to see ‘Waverley’ arrive to pick up passengers for a cruise to see the Bournemouth Air Show. Built in 1946, ‘Waverley’ sailed between Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde and Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973 when she was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1. She has since been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast.

    ‘Waverley’ is the 16th Clyde built vessel to be named after Scottish novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott’s (1771-1832) first novel published in 1814. She was ordered by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) to replace an earlier paddle steamer of the same name which was sunk by aircraft on 29th May 1940 during the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. 

    Waverley, the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world approaches Swanage – 04/09/2022
    Yoshi watches from the end of Swanage’s historic pier as Waverley arrives to take passengers for trip to watch the Bournemouth Air Show – 04/09/2022
    Waverley alongside Swanage Pier – 04/09/2022
    Yoshi takes the air at Swanage Pier with Waverley in the background – 04/09/2022
    Waverley moored alongside Swanage Pier – 04/09/2022

    The Swanage Railway announced this week that LNER A3 Class 4-6-2 No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ would be visiting the line from 19th October to 6th November 2022. ‘Flying Scotsman’ has recently undergone an extensive overhaul and celebrates her 100th birthday on 24th February 2023 and is sure to attract a lot of interest from enthusiasts and the general public.

    Yoshi met up with No. 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ when she visited Southampton on 6th June 2021 and is looking forward to catching up again in October!

    The iconic locomotive will be hauling passenger trains from Swanage to Norden from Saturday 22nd October to Wednesday 26th October 2022 and on static display at Swanage station on Thursday 20th October and Friday 21st October 2022 and again from Thursday 27th October to Sunday 6th November 2022.

    LSL Class 47 No.’s 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ and 47614 (47853) approaching Creech St. Michael working Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z60 0545 Crewe to Dartmouth Kingswear – 03/09/2022

    Saturday 3rd September 2022, Yoshi and I headed to the Taunton, Somerset area for the second week running, this time to see BR Standard Class 7 4-6-2 No. 70000 “Britannia’ in charge of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z60 0545 Crewe to Dartmouth Kingswear storm Whiteball. I was quite pleased to find the BR Standard allocated to this tour as I’d been itching to see her working all summer. As well as ‘Britannia’ we saw LSL Class 47 No.’s 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ and 47614 (47853) passing Creech St. Michael with the train prior to the steam locomotive taking over at Norton Fitzwarren. Shortly after ‘Britannia’ passed by our line side position another tour hurtled by in the form of top and tailed WCRC Class 47 locomotives No.’s 47746 ‘Chris Fudge 29.7.70 – 22.6.10’ and 47815 ‘Great Western’ working 1Z84 0824 Birmingham International to Paignton – I almost missed these two as I was under the impression they were due an hour later than they actually were!

    Standard Class 7 4-6-2 No. 70000 “Britannia’ in charge of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z60 0545 Crewe to Dartmouth Kingswear on the ascent to Whiteball tunnel – 03/09/2022

    A quick perusal of the rail-gen groups flagged up a Class 56 working to Westbury on a train of spent ballast and scrap sleepers and unique “Steel On Steel” liveried Class 60 No. 60062 working 6B33 1137 Theale Puma to Margam T.C. Ruling out the Class 56 due to time constraints, we jumped in the car and headed up the M5 to Pilning, South Gloucestershire, with time to spare before the Class 60 appeared.

    DB Cargo Steel On Steel liveried Class 60 No. 60062 ‘Sonia’, with her striking flame design celebrating the important role DB Cargo UK plays in supporting the UK’s metal transportation market, working 6B33 1137 Theale Puma to Margam T.C. The special livery is part of the company’s “Freight Belongs On Rail” campaign – 03/09/2022

    We were also able to see one of the two parliamentary service trains which stop at Pilning each week. Parliamentary trains, also known as ghost trains, are passenger services operated to comply with the Railway Regulation Act of 1844 that required railway companies to provide inexpensive rail transport for less affluent passengers. The act required that at least one such service per day be run on every railway route in the UK. Although this is no longer a legal requirement, the term describes train services that continue to be run to avoid the cost of formal closure of a route or station but with reduced services often to just one train per week. As platform two is currently out of use at Pilning, the footbridge providing access having been removed in 2016, the two stopping services travel in the same eastbound direction. Currently the times for these trains are Saturday at 08:33 (Cardiff Central to Weston-super-Mare service) and 15:32 (Cardiff Central to Penzance service). Because there are no stopping westbound trains, a fares easement is in place which allows passengers to travel to Severn Tunnel Junction in order to return eastbound to alight at Pilning.

    You can bark along with our day by watching the video below:

    Video form September 3rd 2022 including 70000 ‘Britannia’, Class 60 No. 60062, GWR Castle HST sets and IEP’s – 03/09/2022

    On our way home, we popped into Westbury to see if we could see the Class 56 loco which had arrived there earlier, and to use the loo! As it turned out, the No. 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe 1938 – 2013’ could not have been better positioned for a photograph! With thanks to @da_buckley967 for the company and rail gen updates!

    Class 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe 1938 – 2013’ sits in the Colas sidings at Westbury -03/09/2022
    Nameplate detail of Class 56049 ‘Robin of Templecombe 1938 – 2013’ – 03/09/2022
    Freightliner Class 66 No. 66512 preparing to work 6Y16 1934 Westbury Down Yard to Burngullow Junction – 03/09/2022
    GWR Class 158 DMU No.’s 158760 and 158750 await departure from Westbury – 03/09/2022
    GBRf Class 66 No. 66722 ‘Sir Edward Watkin’ Westbury – 03/09/2022

    In other news, The Railway Heritage Trust is interested in the restoration of the LSWR goods shed at Wool which although is in quite a poor condition still retains its original sliding doors and office partition.

    That’s it for this week – we’ll be back soon. Thanks for being there! Bye for now.

  • Barrow Hill 150+2

    Wednesday 24th August to Tuesday 30th August 2022

    Yoshi was very excited to see the cab of Class 55 Deltic No. 55008 ‘The Green Howards’ when he visited the Barrow Hill 150+2 Celebration Gala – 28/08/2022

    In contrast to last week, Yoshi and I have been kept reasonably busy over the last seven days.

    New Measurement Train

    Colas operated NMT Class 43 No. 43299 at Yeovil Junction heading 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter St Davids seen at Yeovil Junction – 25/08/2022 (Image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
    NMT carriage from 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter St Davids seen at Yeovil Junction – 25/08/2022 (Image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
    NMT Class 43 No. 43274 at the rear of 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter St Davids seen at Yeovil Junction – 25/08/2022 (Image courtesy of Scott Lewis)

    Yoshi’s North Dorset Correspondent sent us video and photos of the New Measurement Train which passed through Dorset on the Salisbury to Exeter line on Thursday 25th August 2022.

    Network Rails’ New Measurement Train running 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter St Davids seen at Yeovil Junction – 25/08/2022 (With many thanks to Scott Lewis)

    South Western Railway (SWR) services between between Tisbury and Gillingham have emergency speed restrictions currently imposed because of the warm weather. Network Rail says the conditions have dried out the clay beneath railway embankments which can result in shrinkage and movement of the rails. SWR will be announcing a temporary, revised timetable on Friday 2nd September 2022 with the likelihood there will be a reduced number of services between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids and journeys will take longer than usual.

    87002 ‘Royal Sovereign’

    On Friday 26th August 2022, Yoshi spent the day with his cousins while I was in London escaping from martian invaders at Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience, which I can thoroughly recommend. After surviving the alien threat, I headed off to London Euston to see Locomotive Services Ltd’s “The Friday Charter” which, for only its second weekly run, between London and Manchester / Crewe was hauled by Class 87 No. 87002 ‘Royal Sovereign’ and a fine sight she looked at the head of a rake of Inter-City Executive liveried carriages. There were a number of railway enthusiasts waiting on platform 16 to see the train depart and it was good to see many were from a younger generation than myself, hopefully assuring interest in railways survives.

    1Z41 1742 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly departs London Euston behind Class 87 No. 87002 – 26/08/2022

    On our way home from London Waterloo, I was able to see Class 701 No. 701046 depart on a mileage accumulation run.

    Class 701 No. 701046 at the platform 6 buffer stops of London Waterloo having worked into the SR terminus working 5Q42 1844 Eastleigh to London Waterloo. The unit would form the 2114 5Q43 London Waterloo to Eastleigh TRSMD departure. Note the new Arterio branding under the SWR logo – 26/08/2022
    Video of Class 701 mileage accumulation runs – August 2022
    Class 701 No. 701038 seen at Poole Storage Sidings working 5Q51 1115 London Waterloo to Eastleigh – 24/08/2022

    Great Dorset Steam Fair

    Yoshi didn’t make it to this years Great Dorset Steam Fair which is held at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford Forum, but his cousin the collie Jess had a great day out and sent us the following images of out of ticket Rebuilt Battle of Britain Class Bullied Pacific No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ which was on show healing to demonstrate heavy haulage and loading / unloading courtesy of heavy haulage contractor Allelys.

    No. 34053 is currently out of ticket following her recent stint at the Spa Valley Railway – 27/08/2022 (Image courtesy of G. E. Barrett)
    Nameplate detail No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ (Image courtesy of G. E. Barrett)
    Smokebox close-up of No. 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ (Image courtesy of G. E. Barrett)

    GBRf Staff Charter

    GBRf liveried Class 50 No.’s 50049 ‘Defiance’ and 50007 ‘Hercules’, the latter still running with one side disguised as No. 50034 ‘Furious’, having passed Cogload Junction north of Taunton working a GBRf staff charter from Warrington to Paignton and return – 27/08/2022

    Saturday 27th August Yoshi and I visited a friend in the Taunton area. We of course looked to see on Real Time Trains for any interesting workings we might be able to see while in Somerset. As luck would have it, GBRf organised staff charter hauled by two Class 50 locomotives were perfectly timed for our visit. We parked up at Creech St. Michael adjacent to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and walked alongside the waterway until we reached the over bridge just south of Cogload Junction which was to be our vantage point.

    The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal – 27/08/2022

    The Canal was engineered by James Hollinsworth and opened in 1827. The original section ran from Taunton to Huntworth where it joined the River Parrett. Ten years later, in 1837, the canal as extended from Huntworth to Bridgwater dock where a lock was made to join the River Parrett. This was to be blocked off when the docks closed to coastal shipping in 1971.

    In 1866 the Canal was under considerable pressure from the railway and was eventually sold to the Bristol & Exeter Railway Company, although control eventually passed to the Great Western Railway. There was no interest in promoting commercial traffic on the Canal which slowly declined in preference to the much quicker railway. In 1907 the last barge tolls were collected after which the Canal became a water course. In 1947 the British Transport Commission took over responsibility of the Canal and later still in 1962 the British Waterways took over its management.

    A noticeable feature on the Creech section of the canal is “The Old Engine House”, built in 1827 to pump water into the canal from the RiverTone, originally housing a beam engine pump, and later two locomotive boilers which worked a centrifugal pump delivering 125,000 gallons per hour. Eventually the engine house supplied the water troughs fixed between the nearby railway lines, so that steam engines could pick up water from the troughs in the railway tracks without having to stop, saving valuable time for through express services.

    GBRf staff charter; 1Z18 0732 Warrington Bank Quay to Paignton and 1Z20 1641 Paignton to Warrington Bank Quay – 27/08/2022

    Barrow Hill

    An early start on Sunday August 28th saw us heading North to Barrow Hill near Chesterfield for the deferred event celebrating 150 years since the opening of the roundhouse in 1870. Intended to take place in 2020, Covid meant that the gala could not take place until two years after the anniversary. Known as Staveley Roundhouse until 1948 when it was renamed as Barrow Hill to avoid confusion with an ex-Great Central Railway shed located nearby, it was built to a standard Midland Railway square shed design in 1870 with a central turntable under cover. The shed was operational from 1870 until 9 February 1991 and Grade II listed in the same year. Chesterfield Borough Council purchased the building and surrounding yard from the British Rail Property Board in December 1996. During the interim years, the Roundhouse and associated buildings were heavily vandalised and came dangerously close to being lost forever. The site reopened to the public in July 1998 after the building was restored by the Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society

    Recreated Baby Deltic Class 23 No. D5910 ( formerly Class 37 No. 37372) took centre stage on the turntable while GBRf Class 69 No. 69003 was named ‘The Railway Observer’ the day before our visit. GWR 1500 Class 0-6-0PT shunting engine No. 1501 was in steam working shuttle trains from the Roundhouse Halt up the Springwell branch line. Midland Railway 158A Class 2-4-0 No. 156 was on display alongside Midland Railway Compound No. 1000, the first time in several years the two Midland Railway locomotives have been seen together.

    It was a little on the warm side, so we took care to ensure Yoshi had lots of water and shade during our time at Barrow Hill. It was quite busy on arrival, but numbers thined out during the day.

    Baby Deltic Class 23 No. D5910 (formerly Class 37 No. 37372) Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 85 No. 85006 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 81 No. 81002 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 45 No. 45105 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 02 No. 02003 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Great Western Railway Class 2-6-2T No. 5164. Built in 1930. On loan from the Severn Valley Railway at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Hawthorn Leslie 0-40ST No. 2491 ‘Henry’. Built in 1901. Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Great Central Railway Class 11F (LNER Class D11)4-4-0 No. 506 ‘Butler Henderson’ built in 1919. On loan from the National Railway Museum at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Nameplate detail of Great Central Railway Class 11F (LNER Class D11)4-4-0 No. 506 ‘Butler Henderson’ built in 1919. On loan from the National Railway Museum at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 20 No. 20905 ‘Dave Darwin’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Midland Railway 156 Class 2-4-0 No. 158A. Built in 1866. On loan from the National Railway Museum at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Midland Railway Compound Class 4-4-0 No. 1000. Built in 1902. On loan from the National Railway Museum at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    GER Class G58 (LNER Class J17) 0-6-0 No. 8217. Built in 1905 at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Vulcan Foundry 0-4-0-OST No. 3272 Vulcan. Built in 1918 at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 08 No. D4092 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    GBRf honoured the Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS) by naming Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ after the Society magazine at Barrow Hill. – 28/08/2022
    Nameplate detail of Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Yoshi with Class 69 No. 69003 ‘The Railway Observer’ at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 66 No. 66726 ‘Sheffield Wednesday’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 91 No. 91120 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 91 No. 91117 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 83 No. 83012 at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    The unique Class 89 No. 89001 ‘Avocet’, was built as a prototype in 1986 for a fleet that was never ordered. Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No. 37610 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No. 37612 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 45 No. 45060 ‘Sherwood Forester’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 82 No. 82002 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 82 No. 82002 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 20 No. 20304 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 20 No. 20301 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 08 No. 08956 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    EMR Class 156 No. 156498 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 27 No. 27066 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Yoshi with Class 50 No. 50008 ‘Thunderer’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 67 No. 67007 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Yoshi with Class 67 No. 67007 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 67 No. 67007 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    DC Rail liveried Class 56 No. 56091 ‘Driver Wayne Gaskell’ at Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No.’s 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ and 37901 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No. 37901 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No. 37667 ‘Flossie’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 37 No. 37667 (D6851)’Flossie’ with Class 47 No. 47769 and Class 20 No. 20314 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 55 No. 55015 ‘Tulyar’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Yoshi gets up close to Class 55 No. 55015 ‘Tulyar’ Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Cab of Class 55 No. 55008 ‘The Green Howards’ – Barrow Hill 28/08/2022

    Although Yoshi clearly took a liking to the Deltic locomotives, he was a little unsure about the metal steps leading up to the door of No. 55008 ‘The Green Howards’, so we reversed back down to the security of ground level. However, Scott kindly took the following video of the Napier Deltic engine simulation which we can all enjoy!

    Napier Deltic engine simulation (Courtesy of Scott Lewis)
    Class 03 No. 03066 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    No. 1501 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 02 No. D2868 Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Class 07 No.D2996 (07012) Barrow Hill – 28/08/2022
    Video of Barrow Hill 150 +2 Celebration Gala shuttles – 28/08/2022

    After our visit to Barrow Hill, we journeyed home via DB Cargo operated Toton Traction Maintenance DepotChanges and currently the only TMD within DB Cargo UK where heavy maintenance is carried out on locomotives. Our visit was to see the lines of withdrawn Class 60 locomotives currently in store. I was surprised by the number of diesel engines slowly rotting away.

    Class 60 locomotives at Toton – 28/08/2022 (Image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
    Yoshi having surveyed the Class 60 locomotives at Toton – 28/08/2022 (Image courtesy of Scott Lewis)

    In other news, Network Rail have been granted retrospective listed building approval for adorning the pedestrian bridge at Wareham railway station with a heritage style roundel sign which has been in place on the grade 2 station site since November 2021. The station was built in 1864 and listed for its historical and architectural importance in 1976. Network Rail said they did not realise the footbridge which is a later addition to the station buildings was included in the listed status.

    Shame about the lamppost! The Wareham station sign as seen on 03/01/2022

    Swanage Railway resident Class 33/1 No. 33111 was taken to Bristol St. Phillips Marsh depot on a low loader for wheel turning this week following her recent failure on the heritage branch.

    On Bank Holiday Monday Yoshi popped down to Poole Quay to see the arrival of Steamship Shieldhall, launched in 1955 for the transport of treated sewage sludge down the river Clyde to be dumped at sea – 29/08/2022

    This week’s blog has mostly been put together with the sound of Alexi Sayle’s “Strangers on a Train” gracing our ears. We loved the idea of combining the “Tank Museum” at Bovington with “Monkey World” and creating a monkey tank driving nightmare. Many thanks for popping by and for your comments, corrections and updates. Thank you to Caroline for helping out with video and putting up with me. And finally a big thank you for Scott for taking the driving seat on Sunday for our trip to Derbyshire. See you in seven!

  • Winfrith Cats 3

    Wednesday 10th August to Tuesday 16th August 2022

    Yoshi in front of stationary Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ which was working Swanage Railway Friday Night Bistro train duties. The train stops here for around thirty minutes and we had permission from the driver and guard to take this photo. Please ensure you and your pets stay safe in and around railway property – 12/08/2022

    This was looking like a quiet week on the local railway scene, but Yoshi and I had some lovely family events to fill the days. It’s not all about the trains, apparently. Despite the lack of main line entertainment, we were surprised to find another Direct Rail Services (DRS) Winfrith train was running on Thursday 11th August. These workings are in connection with the removal of low level nuclear waste from Magnox Winfrith. This weeks run only appeared on the schedules a couple of days previously (Tuesday 9th August 2022) and, according to folk at Magnox Winfrith I chatted to, may well be the last such working of 2022. The next is provisionally slated for around March 2023. Let’s see.

    I chose to see the down working pass through Hamworthy on its way to Winfrith. The locomotives top and tailing the train were DRS Class 68 No.’s 68002 ‘Intrepid’ and 68007 ‘Valiant’. No. 68005 ‘Defiant’ had originally been allocated to the working but developed a fault on its way from Sellafield to Crewe with the empty PFA wagons which would be used for onward transit to Dorset. The Class 68’s were built by Vossloh at Albuixech, Valencia for use by Direct Rail Services. 

    DRS Class 68 locomotives No.’s 68002 ‘Intrepid’ and 68007 ‘Valiant’ top and tail a set of empty PFA wagons bound for Magnox Winfrith powering through Hamworthy with 6Z62 0103 Crewe Coal Siding (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings – 11/08/2022

    For the return run, I wanted to catch the loaded train leaving Winfrith sidings as there will be only a limited number of these workings, so I thought I would take the opportunity on a beautiful sunny day. The security guys at Winfrith were pleasant and relaxed about my taking photos from a public footpath. After departure from Winfrith Sidings, the train goes on to Dorchester South where it reverses to embark on its trip back to Crewe. While it was doing this, I headed off to Poole in order to catch the consist passing over Holes Bay.

    DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ stands in Winfrith Sidings awaiting departure with the loaded train of low level nuclear waste – 11/08/2022
    DRS Class 68 No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ edges out of Winfrith Sidings towards the main line – 11/08/2022
    At the rear of the loaded train DRS Class 68 No. 68007 ‘Valiant’ formerly in ScotRail livery – 11/08/2022
    DRS Class 68 locomotives No.’s 68007 ‘Valiant’ and 68002 ‘Intrepid’ crossing Holes Bay with the loaded 6Z95 1600 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 11/08/2022

    And here’s our video of the August 2022 Winfrith Cats:

    DRS Class 68 locomotives No. 68002 ‘Intrepid’ and 68007 ‘Valiant’ with the third Winfrith train of 2022 seen at Hamworthy, Winfrith and Holes Bay – 11/08/2022

    Digital photography has given us the ability to snap away more or less at our hearts content. Back in my misspent youth armed at first with my 126 Kodak camera, then my 110 Kodak and finally my trusty Russian made 35mm Zenit SLR I was very conscious of both the cost of the film and of the developing and printing. This meant that, often, I had one chance to take a photograph of a particular train. I wasn’t always too mindful however of where the sun was in relation to my subject and the effect this would have on the resulting image. It would take a week or so for the prints to be returned in the post from Truprint or other postal D&P service which might have a money saving promotion on the go. In my mind I had always taken a masterpiece of railway photography, but invariably what was returned never lived up to my expectations. But what did it matter? There would be another Class 33/0 on the Weymouth Boat Train or Inter-Regional Class 47 hauled holiday special excursion to get into the camera viewfinder another day. Until when there wasn’t, of course. Railway’s have always encompassed change and development. If they didn’t, we’d still all be being hauled by variations of Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ and getting smut in our faces sitting in open topped wagons. I sometimes wish I’d taken more photos of everyday scenes back in the 70’s and 80’s. But I didn’t and I don’t have a time machine to take me back there. Which is where, to some extent, our heritage railways step in. I have spent many a happy hour at a steam or diesel gala on a preserved railway. Some people like to travel behind their favourite class of locomotive, whereas I like to photograph or video the trains, as I know a lot of other enthusiasts do. I politely suggest photographers – and I am sure there are many who already do – who don’t travel on the trains make a donation to the railway they are using as their canvas. Or use the catering facilities, or buy merchandise. Anything to give something back.

    Friday evening (August 12th), as the heat of the day had subsided, Yoshi and I ventured out to our local heritage line, The Swanage Railway, to see their resident Class 33/0 No. D6515 (33012) * ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the custard and cream dining set on the Friday Bistro train. Although replicating an era prior to my interest in railways, the ensemble looked magnificent catching the last rays of the sun at the end of the day.

    D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ working Swanage Railways Friday Night Bistro Train 1N08 1930 Swanage to Norden having just departed Corfe Castle station – 12/08/2022
    D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ working Swanage Railways Friday Night Bistro Train 1N09 2010 Norden to Swanage having just departed Norden – 12/08/2022
    Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ with Swanage Railways Friday Bistro Train – 12/08/2022

    Sister locomotive Class 33/1 No. 33111 experienced difficulties earlier on Friday and has had to be withdrawn from service pending repairs. Hopefully she won’t be out of action for too long. In the meantime, during the steam ban which resulted from the recent spell of dry weather, Swanage are employing their Diesel Multiple Unit set to run services in conjunction with No. D6515 with steam expected to return on Wednesday 17th August 2022.

    *A note about British Rail diesel & electric locomotive numbering.  Upon introduction as part of the 1950’s “Modernisation Plan”, diesel locomotives carried one to four-digit numbers prefixed with a letter ‘D’, and electric locomotives with a letter ‘E’. With a move to computerisation all locomotives were renumbered so they could be logged on the Total Operating Processing System (TOPS) which recorded the maintenance history of locomotives and rolling stock, along with its allocation to division and depot and duty, its current status, its location etc. Locomotives were numbered in a consecutive series in terms of classification with the first two or three digits used to denote the class of locomotive or multiple unit. Sub-classifications were indicated in the TOPS system with a slash and a subclass number. For example Birmingham R.C.&W. Co Type 3 Bo-Bo No. D6515 became Class 33/0 No. 33012.

    Ian Allan were well known for publishing books of locomotive numbers for train spotters who could tick off or underline the examples they had seen. Here is the B.R.C&W Type 3 fleet list as at August 22nd 1966 published in “British Rail Locomotives And Other Motive Power”. As you can see D6502 is missing from this list, having already been withdrawn following an accident in 1964
    The Class 33’s divided into sub classes as seen from the 1980 edition of Ian Allan’s “British Rail Motive Power Combined Volume”
    Class 33/0 No. 33016 with a Bristol to Weymouth service at Dorchester West – 25/06/1981
    Class 33/1’s were modified for push pull operations on the un-electrified Bournemouth to Weymouth line and can be easily identified by their high-level brake pipes and jumper cables. They were originally going to be classified Class 34 under TOPS, but instead sensibly became a Class 33 sub-class. No. 33108 is seen at Norden on the Swanage Railway taking part in the 2013 diesel gala backing onto 4VEP EMU No. 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’. Class 31 No. 31466 can be seen in the background. No. 33108 is currently undergoing repairs to bodywork and traction motors at the Severn Valley Railway – 12/05/2013
    A batch of twelve locomotives were built with narrow bodies to enable working through narrow tunnels between Tunbridge Wells in Kent and Hastings in Sussex. These became Class 33/2 under TOPS and were nicknamed “Slim Jims” by enthusiasts. West Coast Railway Co. No. 33207 ‘Jim Martin’ is photographed in the sidings at Poole – 11/06/2011

    I made a quick visit to Top o’ Town car park in Dorchester for The West Country Historic Omnibus & Transport Trust Dorchester Running Day on Sunday 14th August 2022. Although a smaller concern than in pre-covid times, it was still great to see these old vehicles making trips around town or on static display. It was far too hot to take Yoshi with me and he remained at home where it was much cooler for him.

    Perhaps my favourite bus / coach is OTT 98 a Bristol/ECW LS6G integral coach. She was delivered to Southern National in 1953 and given the fleet number 1299 for working as part of the Royal Blue fleet from Bournemouth in 1969. I remember her from her Dorset Transport Circle days and associated trips out – 14/08/2022
    EFJ 92 a Bedford WTB with Heaver C25F body – delivered new to Taylors Central Garage (Exeter) Ltd in June 1938. Sold to Vic’s Tours of St. Mary’s on the Scilly Isles and operated until 1971 when she entered preservation – 14/08/2022
    WS 4522, a 1935 Scottish Motor Traction Co. (SMT) H110 Cowieson bodied Leyland Tiger TS7 – 14/08/2022
    FEL 218; Bournemouth Corporation Bedford WTB Duple B25F – 14/08/2022
    Preserved former Yellow Buses N465 TPR Dennis Dart with East Lancs body and H262 MFX Dennis Dominator with East Lancs body – 14/08/2022
    “Sea Dog” MSJ 499 a Leyland Atlantean PDR1 with open top Metro-Cammell body was delivered new in 1961 to Devon General and named ‘Admiral Blake’. She reminds me of my time working in Torquay in the mid-1980’s, not that I had much time to enjoy the local area! After she finished carrying passengers around the Devon coast she was sold to Yellow Buses in Bournemouth and used as a tree lopper before entering preservation in 2006 – 14/08/2022
    X688 XJT an Optare Solo M850 from 2000 in original Wilts & Dorset livery spent some years as a Tesco free bus – 14/08/2022

    From The Archive

    This week in….

    2019: Saturday 10th August 2019, 8 month old Yoshi and I took a trip out to see SR Merchant Navy No. 35028 ‘Clan Line’ working UK Railtours “The Atlantic Coast Express” which originated from London Waterloo and took in Salisbury, Exeter, Bristol and Bath. It was around this time when I really renewed my latent enthusiasm in railways after several years of having only a passing interest.

    Clan Line on “The Atlantic Coast Express” 1Z82 0752 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids and 1Z84 1550 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo – 10/08/2019

    The following day, Sunday 11th August 2019, saw two special excursion trains visit Dorset. We saw “The Northern Belle” top and tailed by WCRC Class 57 No.’s 57601 ‘Windsor Castle’ and 57314 at Dorchester followed by a trip to Holton Heath to see the return working along with a glimpse of Class 73 No.’s 73107 ‘Tracy’ and 73201 ‘Broadlands’ working “The Swanage Sunday Special No.3”.

    Thursday 15th August 2019 saw LNER Thompson Class B1 No. 61306 ‘Mayflower’ and WCRC Class 47 No. 47802 working a Steam Dream Rail Company “Cathedrals Express” excursion from West Brompton to Weymouth and return. In between arrival and departure of the special train, Colas Rail Class 37 No. D6757 (37057) also visited the seaside terminal with a Network Rail test train.

    2010: The Railway Touring Company ran “The Dorset Coast Express” on Wednesday 11th August 2010. The train departed London Victoria at 0845 and was hauled down to Weymouth by LNER A4 4-6-2 No. 60019 ‘Bittern’ which I saw pass through Bournemouth. The return working to London Waterloo was headed by SR N15 King Arthur Class 4-6-0 No. 30777 ‘Sir Lamiel’ with the A4 providing banking assistance at the rear until Wareham which is where I filmed the ensemble. The A4 was detached and then ran with her support coach to Yeovil Railway Centre at Yeovil Junction.

    That brings us to the end of another entry, this week the Railway Dog blog was mostly put together to the sounds of The Who, Lily Williams and Yoshi barking at anyone moving outside. We really appreciate you stopping by and reading the blog and watching the video clips. As always, comments, suggestions and corrections are welcomed and thank you to everyone who has helped out in some way. We look forward to seeing you again next week.

  • Crompton Week

    Wednesday 3rd August to Tuesday 9th August 2022

    Swanage Railway Class 33 Crompton diesel locomotives were in service from Sunday 7th August 2022 because of the fire risk presented by using steam traction. The driver of No. 33111 hauling the 1030 Norden to Swanage train collects the token to proceed on to Swanage while sister locomotive No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ waits to depart Harmans Cross with the 1030 Swanage service to Norden – 07/08/2022

    Ultrasonic Test Train & DBSO’s

    Wednesday 3rd August saw a scheduled visit of COLAS Class 37 No. 37099 with an Ultrasonic Test Train visiting the Bournemouth to Weymouth line. Due to pass through Poole around 2315, a late departure from Eastleigh meant the train actually passed at 0009 as it headed to Weymouth. I decided on Poole as my location to see and film the train as a stop of a couple of minutes had been programmed into the schedule and I thought I’d be able to get a couple of quick photographs as well as video. In the event the train sailed straight through the station and to disappoint me even further, the locomotive was at the rear of the train propelling rather than pulling the Network Rail stock.

    Class 37 No. 37099 and DBSO No. 9708 working 3Q02 2143 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 04/08/2022

    However, this gives me an opportunity to witter on about the MK2 Driving Brake Second Open (DBSO) coaches currently employed on several test trains which enables a locomotive hauled train to be driven from either end. Famously the Bournemouth to Weymouth route operated a push-pull system for many years following the 1967 electrification of the Waterloo to Bournemouth line with Class 33/1 locomotives paired with unpowered 4-TC units traversing the tracks between Bournemouth to Weymouth. A similar concept was introduced by BR Scottish Region in the late 1970’s / early 1980’s when a number of MK2 brake coaches were modified and fitted with driving cabs, but still retaining their end corridor connections. The motive power was provided by Class 47/7 locomotives which were modified Class 47/4’s to enable push-pull working on Glasgow – Edinburgh services, replacing trains run by top and tailed Class 27 locomotives which were proving costly to run and unreliable.

    Push-Pull Class 33/1 No. 33104 propels two 4-TC units away from Dorchester forming the 1533 Weymouth to London Waterloo service. The Class 33 would be removed at Bournemouth and the 4-TC coupled to motorised 4REP units for the onward journey to London Waterloo – 15/04/1983

    The DBSO’s were cascaded to the Great Eastern Main Line in the late 1980’s when Glasgow – Edinburgh services began to utilise new Class 158 DMU’s, which doesn’t seem much of an upgrade to me! At this time, the corridor connection was removed enabling a larger cab. They continued to run into the privatisation era becoming part of Anglia Railways and later the One franchise, the last being withdrawn from service by the close of 2006, being replaced by more modern MK3 Driving Van Trailers. At this point Network Rail took ownership of five DBSO vehicles for the purpose of running test trains in push-pull mode.

    Class 47/7 No. 47701 ‘St. Andrew’ at Crewe Works – 22/09/1979
    Scanned from a very dark 110 film negative, Class 47/7 No. 47705 ‘Lothian’ is, er, kick-started at Edinburgh Waverley – 13/08/1980. This locomotive was later converted into Class 57 No. 57303 ( see below )
    Class 47/7 No. 47707 ‘Holyrood’ at Millerhill depot – 16/08/1982. This locomotive was cut up at CF Booth, Rotherham in February 2010
    Network Rail DBSO No. 9702 being propelled by COLAS Class 37 No. 37175 into Dorchester West – 16/06/2015
    Class 37 No. 37175 at the rear of a Network Rail test train at Dorchester West – 16/06/2015
    DBSO No. 9714 hauled by Class 31 No. 31106 passing through Upwey bound for Weymouth – 17/11/2011
    31106 at the head of a Network Rail test train entering Upwey – 17/11/2011
    Class 57 No. 57303 ( the former 47705 – see above! ) with One liveried DBSO No. 9710 at Eastleigh – 23/10/2013
    Another glimpse of Class 37 No. 37099 on the rear of a test train utilising a DBSO passing Upwey – 27/04/2017
    And here she is again in British Rail days; Class 37 No. 37099 in BR Blue livery seen at Liverpool Street c.1980

    The Dorset Coast Explorer

    West Coast Railways Class 33/0 No’.s 33029 and 33025 approaches the site of the former Upwey Wishing Well Halt on the climb to Bincombe tunnel with Pathfinder Railtours “The Dorset Explorer” 1Z34 1635 Weymouth to Burton-on-Trent – 06/08/2022

    Saturday 6th August saw Pathfinder Tours run a rail tour from Burton-on-Trent to Weymouth via different scenic routes out and back. On the outward run the train made a circular journey through Central Southern England via the Cotswolds, the Vale of White Horse into the Thames Valley and Reading before heading south to Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton. A run through the New Forest National Park to Bournemouth and Poole followed prior to passing through Dorset heathlands and Dorchester South before arriving at the seaside resort of Weymouth. The return journey went via Dorchester West and through Somerset by way of Yeovil and Castle Cary on to Wiltshire reaching Westbury and the Avon Valley with a stop at Bristol Parkway before heading back Severnside to Cheltenham Spa and the return to Burton-on-Trent. £299 would have gotten you a seat in Premier Dining with a Standard Class ticket costing £125 ( First Class was also available at £185 a seat ). Over the last 20 years or so, Standard Class seating on charter trains has been reduced in favour of more profitable First Class and Premier Dining seating as a result of the changing demographic of passengers.

    Displaying the 91 headcode which denoted London Waterloo to Weymouth fast services back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, West Coast Railways Class 33/0 No. 33025 leads classmate No. 33029 on the approach to Wareham with Pathfinder Railtours “The Dorset Explorer” 0545 1Z33 Burton-on-Trent to Weymouth – 06/08/2022

    The motive power provided by West Coast Railways of two Class 33/0 locomotives was of particular interest to me as these were a regular sight during my trainspotting days back in the late 1970’s / early 1980’s when 33/1’s hauled everyday passenger services via the South with less frequent visits of 33/0’s and, if extremely lucky Class 33/2’s. Class 33/0’s were regular performers on the Bristol to Weymouth route.

    With thanks to @radioc71 and G E Barrett for additional video footage
    Class 33/0 No. 33025 ‘Sultan’ in BR days approaching Westbury – 23/12/1982
    Class 33 No. 33025 ‘Sultan’ at Banbury – 19/06/1982
    Class 33 No. 33029 approaches Dorchester South with an inter-regional service – 20/06/1982

    Hamworthy Branch Update

    Sadly no video of rail/road vehicles taken from the undergrowth this week, but work continues along the Hamworthy Branch with sleeper renewal, tree clearance and an access gate added to Lake Road.

    Lake Road, Hamworthy – 05/08/2022
    Lake Road, Hamworthy – 05/08/2022
    Lake Road, Hamworthy – 05/08/2022

    Swanage Railway

    BR Class 121 ‘Bubble Car’ No. W55028 at the head of the 2100 departure from Corfe Castle. This single car unit replaced one of the driving cars from the three car Class 117 diesel multiple unit which had experienced technical issues – 06/08/2022

    Late Saturday afternoon, August 6th, a line side fire broke out on Corfe Common, the smoke of which could be seen from across the harbour in Poole. Consequently it was announced that during the current prolonged spell of dry weather, all Swanage Railway services would be diesel hauled. I was planning on popping down to visit the railway as the resident diesel-multiple unit was running evening trains in conjunction with a fireworks display at Swanage. I was delayed in traffic because emergency services were hard at work extinguishing the fire and damping down, but saw SR Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ manoeuvring her coaching stock at Swanage after passing the fire damaged area at Corfe prior to the DMU running. Sunday morning, I couldn’t resist seeing the two Swanage Class 33 diesel locos passing each other at Harmans Cross on the first trains of the day.

    Video of Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th 2022 at the Swanage Railway
    SR 4-6-2 Battle of Britain Class No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ preparing to move empty coaching stock at Swanage after bringing in the last steam hauled service of the day, and for the foreseeable during the current hot spell – 06/08/2022

    Great Train Robbery

    Plaque at Crewe Railway Station in memory of driver Jack Mills and second man David Whitby whose Home Depot was Crewe

    8th August saw the 59th anniversary of The Great Train Robbery when £2.6 million was stolen from a Glasgow to London mail train. It has always puzzled and frustrated me as to why the gang who perpetrated the crime were often cast as latter day Robin Hood figures and the robbery itself as non-violent and victimless. The assault on driver Jack Mills was brutal and he sustained injuries that he would not recover from, having been beaten over the head with a metal bar. Jack Mills retired from the railways in 1967 and died in 1970 of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

    Epilogue

    Yoshi had a haircut this week, he has really been feeling the heat in the last few days

    In other local news, a rail grinder visited Poole in the early hours of Sunday morning top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 locomotives No’s 66776 ‘Joanne’ and 66766 ‘Gail Richardson’. A rail grinder is used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn track to extend its life and to improve the ride of trains using the track. No matter how many times I check the schedules on Real Time Trains (RTT) something will invariably sneak through. The train was scheduled to reverse at Hamworthy, but I can’t find any evidence of it having done so, but this isn’t to say it didn’t! To be fair, even I would have probably stayed tucked up in bed at the time this working was scheduled to run.

    The RMT strike day called for August 18th ( other strike days / unions are available ) has put paid to another steam hauled rail tour to Weymouth, although the current run of dry weather would have probably done the job. Fingers crossed the September 1st Railway Touring Company organised “Dorset Coast Express” will run – Mick take note!

    This weeks The Railway Dog was thrown together while listening to Gerry Beckley, China Crisis, David Bowie and PJ Harvey. Thank you for your kind comments, corrections and updates – I really appreciate them!

  • Deltic!

    Wednesday 27th July to Tuesday 2nd August 2022

    The Royal Wessex

    SR West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ pauses at Harmans Cross with the Swanage Railway’s recreation of “The Royal Wessex” 1700 departure from Swanage – 27/07/2022

    Swanage Railway recently launched a re-creation of the 1950’s era “Royal Wessex” train including the option to reserve seats in a heritage carriage designed by Richard Maunsell, the chief mechanical engineer of the Southern Railway in the 1930’s, after it was painstakingly restored by a group of volunteers. Maunsell carriages would have been a familiar sight on the Swanage branch line until the 1960’s when they were withdrawn from service. The “Royal Wessex” was introduced in 1951 and departed London Waterloo with portions designated for Swanage, Bournemouth West and Weymouth. Carriages were detached from the main train and attached to a local branch line service to take passengers to their chosen destination. The Swanage portion consisted of two carriages which were separated from, or for the return working; joined to, the main train at Wareham. The Swanage initiative sees the Maunsell carriage carrying “Royal Wessex” name boards with the locomotive hauling the train having a headboard.

    “Royal Wessex” name board as carried by the restored 1930’s Maunsell Carriage – July 2022
    No. 34028 sporting “The Royal Wessex” headboard – July 2022
    Swanage Railway ‘The Royal Wessex’ – July 2022

    47 On Tour

    Class 47 No. 47830 ‘Beeching’s Legacy’ pauses at Gillingham, Dorset to cross with a late running Exeter to Salisbury service while working 0V45 0835 Southampton to Exeter St. Davids – 28/07/2022 (Photograph courtesy of Scott Lewis)

    In connection with 19th -23rd September 2022 engineering work scheduled to take place between Axminster and Pinhoe, Freightliner celebrity locomotive Class 47 No. 47830 ‘Beeching’s Legacy’ has been working route learning trips between Southampton Maritime and Exeter St. David’s on selected days over the last couple of weeks, which meant the locomotive briefly visited Dorset. We were very kindly sent the images and video reproduced on this page by Scott Lewis, who I’m now going to call Yoshi’s North Dorset correspondent.

    28/07/2022 (Video courtesy of Scott Lewis)
    Class 47 No. 47830 ‘Beeching’s Legacy’ at Gillingham, Dorset – 28/07/2022 (Photograph courtesy of Scott Lewis)

    The engineering work will see a five-day closure of the line with a £5m project undertaken that includes landslip prevention work at Honiton tunnel which will involve the installation of two retaining walls, 32 metres and 16 metres in length accompanied by sheet piles that consist of metal posts with concrete planks for additional support to protect the line from future closures. Weather resilience work will also improve and supplement drainage systems.

    Gloucestershire Warwickshire Diesel Gala

    I found myself with time on my hands on Friday 29th July, so Yoshi, one of Yoshi’s hoo-man uncles and I took ourselves off to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire, a beautifully striking railway in the Cotswolds. The 2022 diesel gala employed the railways’ home fleet, supplemented by visiting Class 55 Deltic locomotive No. 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ – the first ever visit of a locomotive of this iconic class. To be honest, the appearance of the Deltic first attracted me to the notion of attending this gala. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire is a railway I have not visited previously, but I’ll certainly be returning after having a very enjoyable day.

    Yoshi at Toddington with Class 55 No. 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ – 29/07/2022

    The Stratford-Upon-Avon to Cheltenham Railway was constructed between 1902 and 1906 by the Great Western Railway (GWR) for the purpose of achieving a faster and more direct route between the Midlands and the South West, although this necessitated avoiding difficult terrain to allow gentle gradients and sweeping curves enabling high speed running. Extensive cuttings, embankments and a long tunnel at Greet were required, and unfortunately some of the stations were located some distance from the villages they purported to serve. As with many railways, usage began to decline in the 1950’s with passenger services being withdrawn on 7th March 1960. Use for freight and as a diversionary route continued until a derailment outside of Winchcombe station saw a cessation of all traffic with the line finally closed in November 1976, the track being lifted in 1979. Two year later, in 1981, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway plc was formed and they acquired the 14.5 miles of track bed between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway. Stations, signal boxes etc. have been reopened or rebuilt from scratch resulting in a very attractive railway.

    The diesel gala featured the following locomotives:

    Visiting Deltic Class 55 No. 55019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ is owned by The Deltic Preservation Society and its home base is Barrow Hill in Derbyshire. 22 Deltic were constructed for use on the East Coast Mainline, entering traffic between 1961-62.
    Brush type 4 Class 47 No. 47105 is owned by the Brush Type 4 Fund and a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The locomotive was purchased in January 1994 and is seen here approaching Toddington – 29/07/2022
    Brush type 4 Class 47 No. 47376 s owned by the Brush Type 4 Fund and a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The Brush Type 4 Fund was formed in 1992 No. 47376 was purchased in November 2002. The locomotive received a replacement engine from No. 47295 prior to arriving at Toddington in 2003.
    Sulzer Type 4 Class 45/1 No. 45149 was built at Crewe in 1961 and was withdrawn from British Rail service in 1987. The locomotive is owned by The Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group and is a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway..
    English Electric Type 3 Class 37/0 No. 37215 was built in 1963 at Newton-le-Willows being preserved in 1994. The locomotive is owned by The Growler Group and is a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.
    Sulzer Type 2 Class 24 No. 24081 (D5081) was preserved in 1981 and is a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway having remained operational throughout its preservation years. The locomotive is owned by the 24081 Loco Group.
    English Electric Type 2 Class 20 No. 20137 was built in 1966 at Newton-le-Willows and was purchased privately from British Rail in 1994, returning to working order in 1995. The locomotive is a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. (Seen here with class mate No.20228 (D8327) which is undergoing restoration – with their single cabs Class 20’s mostly spent their time coupled nose to nose in pairs to provide 2,000hp and to improve driver visibility).
    English Electric Type 2 Class 20 No. 20228 (D8327) which is currently undergoing restoration.
    Sulzzer Type 2 Class 26 No. D5343 (26043) was one of 47 locomotives built by the Birmingham Railway & Carriage Works (BR&CW) in Smethwick, entering service in October 1959. During January 1993, whilst allocated to snow clearance duties between Perth and Blair Atholl, 26043 suffered a power earth fault. Repairs were not authorised and it was withdrawn on 19th January 1993. Initially stored at Perth, it was then moved to MC Metals in Glasgow for asbestos insulation removal, which entailed major dismantling of the cab interiors. The loco was purchased by the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group in late 1993 and it arrived at Toddington in April 1994.
    English Electric Type 3 Class 37 No.D6948 (37248) was built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry, Newton le Willows, Lancashire and was delivered to British Railways’ Cardiff Canton depot on the 30th October 1964 and withdrawn from service in 2003. After two years in storage at Margam, it was purchased by three Growler Group members in conjunction with West Coast Railways Limited to whom the locomotive was loaned as part of an agreement to restore it to working order for mainline operations, entering WCRC service in 2006. The loan agreement ended in 2009 and the loco entered preservation, becoming a permanent resident on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in 2010.
    Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Diesel Gala 2022

    It was an extremely hot day and we took every opportunity to keep Yoshi cool, in the shade and hydrated. I have also bought a hat for future railway days out in the sun, because I was told to, and I sometimes do what I am told! All in all an excellent day out, with good company and another heritage railway with friendly, enthusiastic and helpful volunteers. I even got back home in time to watch the last episode of Neighbours.

    Test Train Delays

    August kicked off with the scheduling of test train 1Q51 running from Derby Railway Technical Centre to Eastleigh via Weymouth. Our regular reader may remember that the July instance of this working didn’t make it to Weymouth, the train being curtailed at Eastleigh. This time, the test train made it as far as Wool before it was reversed, missing out the Wool to Weymouth section. This was because the 1605 departure from Waterloo developed a fault and it ground to a halt at 1829 just before reaching Wool station, blocking the line to Weymouth and causing following services knock on delays and cancellations. The 1Q51 test train was eventually caught up behind the failed service train.

    GBRf Class 73 No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ approaching Branksome working 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C. to Eastleigh East Yard – 01/08/2022

    Unaware of this, I had ventured out to Branksome in order to see the train in daylight as it usually traverses the Bournemouth to Weymouth section in darkness most of the year. However earlier disruption on the network meant that delays to services resulted in late running empty coaching stock from Poole to Bournemouth T&RSMD passing on the up platform where I was stood, obscuring the 73’s from view as they headed down towards Weymouth. I consoled myself with the knowledge I would have another shot at getting some video on the return leg. However, becoming aware that the test train was sat between Wareham and Wool via the Open Train Times webpage, Yoshi and I set off for Wool to investigate.

    On arrival at Wool we were able to see the failed Class 444 EMU (No. 444021) sitting just outside of Wool station.

    The lights of Class 444 No. 444021 can be seen just up the track from Wool station – 01/08/2022

    By the time the ailing 444 was rescued by a fellow Class 444 at 2211 and the train reversed to the Up line via a set of points situated outside of Wool to clear the line, the test train was well behind schedule. The decision was made to cancel the run to Weymouth and to reverse the train in Wool station – as you can see in the video below:

    1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C. to Eastleigh East Yard – 01/08/2022
    GBRf Class 73 No. 73963 ‘Janice’ at Wool awaiting reversal of 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C. to Eastleigh East Yard – 01/08/2022

    Hamworthy Branch

    More news on the reopening of the Hamworthy Branch, which was finally acknowledged by Network Rail as happening in a mailing to residents living near the railway line:

    I will admit to once again failing to get a decent image of a rail/road vehicle on the branch. I’m considering sending in Yoshi with a doggo-cam to get better shots from the trackside, but in the meantime I’ll share the following video of ongoing sleeper replacement near Hercules Road Access Point ( formerly Butts Crossing ) for reference:

    Hamworthy Branch Maintenance Work – 27/07/2022

    For a far better glimpse of the road / rail traction being employed on the Hamworthy Branch, Kev Scott has kindly given us permission to link to his video of a Komatsu Rail Rider passing over Hamworthy Park Level Crossing. Don’t forget to check out Kev’s other videos on his You Tube page!

    https://youtu.be/rKWsWxTmpPI

    Class 701 on Test

    Class 701 No. 701034 seen running through Hamworthy with test train 5Q56 1612 Eastleigh TRSMD to Weymouth – 02/08/2022

    Another week passes by and South Western Railway Class 701 electric multiple units are still undergoing test runs. This week however, unit No. 701034 ran west of Poole to Weymouth and Wareham on Tuesday 2nd August. Two runs took place, the first from Eastleigh TRSMD ran to Weymouth as 5Q56, the unit then forming 5Q57 to Brockenhurst. The driver and any onboard support crew would hopefully have had time for a cup of tea and cake before departing Brockenhurst at 2114 bound for Wareham as 5Q58 before returning to Eastleigh TRSMD as 5Q59 where the unit was then put to bed at around 2330.

    Class 701 No. 701034 at Weymouth preparing for departure with 5Q57 1838 Weymouth to Brockenhurst – 02/08/2022 (Photograph courtesy of @da_buckley967 )
    Video of Class 701 No. 701034 working evening test runs. With thanks to G E Barrett and @da_buckley967 for their kind permission to use their footage taken at Dorchester South and Weymouth respectively – 02/08/2022

    This weeks ‘The Railway Dog’ was written to the accompaniment of Bear’s Den, Pink Floyd and Bernard Cribbins. I’ve enjoyed the collaborative feel to this weeks blog and my thanks to everyone who has agreed to the sharing of their material, it is much appreciated. Thanks again for reading and for corrections and observations. All being well, we’ll be back here next week for more of the same!