The Snow & Ice Treatment Train passing Hamworthy on the return leg working as 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. The locomotives were GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ and 66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered Hitachi Rail Europe’ – 06/01/2026
2026 started as 2025 finished with a run of the Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) into Dorset. New Year’s Day 2026 saw my first video recorded by a drone, loaned to me by friend of the blog, Jamie Smith. I caught the SITT passing Baiter, Poole top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66734 ‘Platinum Jubilee’ + 66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered Hitachi Rail Europe’ working 3Y88 1011 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.
The linked video, filmed on 31st December 2025 & 1st January 2026, includes the following SITT workings:
3Y88 0911 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard – 31/12/2025
3Y88 1011 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard – 01/01/2026
LNER Class 91 No.’s 91130 ‘Lord Mayor of Newcastle’ and 91114 ‘Durham Cathedral’
A family visit to London on January 2nd 2026 included a brief visit to King’s Cross railway station which produced three (count them) Class 91 electric locomotives. 31 members of the class were built between 1988 and 1991 when the InterCity 225 was officially introduced to revenue earning service.
No. 91109 ‘Sir Bobby Robson’ departed empty as 5Y18 1450 London Kings Cross to Ferme Park Recp. having worked down from Leeds earlier in the day.
No. 91114 ‘Durham Cathedral’ had arrived working 1A19 1137 Bradford Forster Square to London Kings Cross just moments before I trotted onto the platforms.
Finally No. 91130 ‘Lord Mayor of Newcastle’ arrived at platform 5 with 1A20 1240 Leeds to London Kings Cross and departed as 1D20 1510 London Kings Cross to Leeds
This wasn’t the only railway themed entertainment of the day as the reason for a trip to the big smoke was to attend a performance of “The Red Shoes” at Sadlers Wells, the denouement of which featured a representation of a steam locomotive.
Swanage Winter Warm Up 2026
T3 Class No. 563 crosses Corfe viaduct – 04/01/2026
The annual Swanage Railway “Winter Warm Up” returned for 2026 over the weekend of Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of January. I was able to spend the second day photographing and filming the event.
Battle of Britain Class No. 34070 ‘Manston’ at Creech Bottom – 04/01/2026
Class 33 No. 33053 – 04/01/2026
Resident U Class No. 31806 – 04/01/2026
A total of five locomotives were utilised during the two day event with a mix of steam and diesel locos from Swanage home fleet, including visiting Class 33 No. 33053, T3 Class No. 563, U Class No. 31806, Battle of Britain Class No. 34070 ‘Manston’ and West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ which had recently returned home from its mainline duties.
West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads towards Swanage following the River Frome stop – 04/01/2026
As trains were running “over the road” in the extension towards the mainline connection for the first time at a Winter Warm Up event, we chose to concentrate on this section of the line when we visited on the Sunday. Huge thanks to all the volunteers and staff at the Swanage Railway for putting on such a fantastic show.
Unusually the Snow & Ice Treatment Train saw some runs in the early hours under the cover of darkness as well as later in the day. I just missed the return run passing Hamworthy on 3rd January around 0100 which utilised the pairing of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66798 ‘Justine’ + 66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered Hitachi Rail Europe’ working as 3Y89 2302 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. This was the only appearance (to date) of No. 66798 on the SITT this year.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ heads up ’3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole- 05/01/2026GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ passing Poole with ’3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard – 05/01/2026
66740 ‘Sarah’ + 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ appeared as 3Y88 1000 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard on 4th January. The same pairing ran the following day as 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.
No. 66740 was swapped out with No. 66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered Hitachi Rail Europe’ on 6th January which ran with 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ as 3Y 88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66736 ‘Wolverhampton Wanderers’ + 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ passing Poole working 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard – 08/01/2026
On 7th January, as I was waiting at Hamworthy railway station, the SITT was reversed at Poole because of disruption towards Weymouth. The locomotives involved were GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66736 ‘Wolverhampton Wanderers’ + 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’. Thankfully this pair ran again the following two days, the 8th & 9th January, as 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ + 66736 ‘Wolverhampton Wanderers’ on the approach to Hamworthy forming 3Y88 1120 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard – 09/01/2026
12th January 2026 – the regular Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) train ran for the first time in 2026 with GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel No.’s 73961 ‘Alison’ + 73963 ‘Janice’ as 1Q51 1150 Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard.
Yoshi was also seven years old! Where has that time gone? We were not in Dorset to see the 73/9’s as we had a few days away in the Cotswolds.
To celebrate the boy’s birthday we took a visit to All Saints Church, Selsley, the only church in Britain to have all its windows designed by William Morris and his colleagues followed by a walk along the Gloucester and Sharpness Ship Canal.
Designed by GF Bodley and dedicated in 1862, All Saints is of major importance as his first collaboration with William MorrisThe exceptionally fine windows were manufactured at the Morris factory and designed by Burne Jones, Rossetti, Ford Madox Browne, Webb and by Morris himself. They remain the only complete ecclesiastical glazing by this firm in existence.Saul Junction is where the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal crosses the line of the earlier Stroudwater Canal, the only crossing of two independently owned canals in the country. The Stroudwater Canal, opened in 1779, allowed barges to carry coal to the cloth mills of the Stroud Valley. To form the Junction, the level of the Stroudwater Canal had to be raised about four feet locally to suit the level of the Gloucester Canal, and this required the construction of a new lock. A house was built at the Junction for the official who collected tolls from vessels passing from one canal to the other and who opened the foot-bridge over the Gloucester Canal.Yoshi enjoyed a stroll along the Gloucester and Sharpness Ship Canal – 12/01/2026
The following day, Tuesday January 13th, because of the bleak weather outlook, we decided we’d take a visit to Cheltenham via Bristol Parkway as a Class 175 unit move to the West Country was passing through with Europhoenix Class 37 No.’s 37512 and 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ top and tailing Class 175 No. 175010 as 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D.
Europhoenix Class 37 No.’s 37512 and 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ on the approach to Bristol Parkway with Class 175 No. 175010 forming 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. – 13/01/2026
Class 175 No. 175010 being transported via 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. – 13/01/2026
Europhoenix Class 37 No. 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ on the approach to Bristol Parkway at the rear of 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. – 13/01/2026
After a visit to the Cheltenham Model Centre, Yoshi took in Sophie Ryder’s Hare and Minotaur sculpture and the sculpture of Neptune, the ancient Roman God of sea and water, holding a trident surrounded by sea-horses and tritons. It was designed in 1892 by Joseph Hall, the town’s Borough Engineer and executed in Portland stone in 1893 by R.L. Boulton & Son’s.
Wednesday, we walked a section of the Stonehouse and Nailsworth Railway. The line opened on the 1st of February, 1867 initially as a freight line to shift goods being produced in the Nailsworth Valley such as cloth, timber, dyes, arms and ammunition. Passenger services started three days later. The line fell immediately into financial difficulties and was purchased by The Midland Railway purchased in 1868.
The passenger service was suspended in 1947 as a response to the post-war national fuel emergency, but the suspension was shortly made a permanent closure. The local goods service continued until 1966 from which time the line was completely closed.
The route from Nailsworth begins in a lovely wooded valley and follows the Nailsworth stream, making a very pleasant easy walk or cycle. It links Nailsworth, Stroud and Stonehouse. We started our walk at the site of the former goods yard, now the car park for Egypt Mill hotel, passing Nailsworth station on the right which is now a private residence.
After a cup of tea, we headed towards Cam and Dursley railway station as the Europheonix Class 37’s from the previous day were returning north with barrier wagons working 5M57 0925 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail)
Class 37 No. 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ leads barrier coaches and 37512 through Cam and Dursley – 14/01/2026
Europheonix Class 37 No.’s 37512 and 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ are seen passing Cam and Dursley on their return home working 5M57 0925 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) – 14/01/2025
Europheonix Class 37 No.’s 37512 and 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ on the approach to Bristol Parkway with Class 175 No. 175010 forming 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. – 13/01/2026 The pair are also seen passing Cam and Dursley on their return home working 5M57 0925 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) – 14/01/2025
Other trains seen in this video:
GWR Class 165 No. 165101 working 2V57 0733 WEYMOUTH to GLOUCESTER
GWR Class 387 No. 387155 forming ILI3 0949 CARDIFF CENTRAL to LONDON PADDINGTON
Colas Class 66 No. 66846 No. + Class 70 No. 70812 work 0Z66 0915 WESTBURY DOWN T.C. to BRADWELL UP SIDINGS COLAS
CrossCountry Voyager No. 221125 approaching Cam and Dursley working IM49 1400 BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS to MANCHESTER PICCADILLY
Sunday January 18th on a visit to Salisbury, I managed to pop over to the railway station to see GBRf Class 66 No. 66718 ‘Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire’ passing through light engine working 0O72 1315 Westbury Down T.C. to Eastleigh East Yard.
The locomotive was formerly named ‘Sir Peter Hendy CBE’ and was renamed in May 2023 to mark Lord Hendy’s appointment to the House of Lords. Formerly the Chair of Network Rail, Lord Peter Hendy transitioned to the new government body Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), the purpose of which is to bring all the currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
Also making an appearance for the videowere South Western Railway Class 159 No.’s 159005 + 159007 departing as 1L33 1215 London Waterloo to Crewkerne with classmate No. 159003 having detached from the consist and forming 5L48 1355 Salisbury to Salisbury – 18/01/2026
Two test trains visited Weymouth via The Heart of Wessex Line this month over the course of two days.
First up was the Plain Line Pattern Recognition train top and tailed by Colas Class 43 power cars No.’s 43257 + 43301 reporting as 1Q18 0718 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road which ran on Wednesday 21st January 2026.
The following day – Thursday January 22nd 2026 – Colas Rail Freight Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ paired with Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) No. 9701 worked the Network Rail Structure Gauging train 3Q14 1102 Westbury Up T.C. to Westbury Down T.C.
Colas Rail Freight Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ at the head of 3Q14 1102 Westbury Up T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. passes Dorchester West – 22/01/2026
Colas Rail Freight Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ pauses at Dorchester West at the rear of 3Q14 1102 Westbury Up T.C. to Westbury Down T.C. – 22/01/2026
DBSO No. 9701 at Dorchester West – 22/01/2026
The DBSO was converted from a MK 2F coach to act as a remote control carriage for push-pull trains, allowing a locomotive to be driven from the opposite end of the train by adding a cab and control equipment.
With grateful thanks to Gerry Barrett for additional video clips.
An early start on Monday 26th January as I headed off to Wareham to capture images of two DBC Class 66’s No.’s 66128 and 66100 ‘Armistice 100 1918 – 2018’ on their way to the Swanage Railway. The red sheds were working 0Z60 0632 Eastleigh Trsmd to Swanage to undertake the movement of tamper No. DR73957 on its journey back to Plasser & Theurer for necessary bogie works.
After seeing the locos pass through Wareham railway station, I was picked up by Jamie and we set off for Norden where we arrived momentarily before the light locomotives. There was no delay as the 66’s crossed the road into the station area and the crew positioned the locomotives so they could couple up to the tamper before heading off towards Corfe Castle in top and tailed formation.
Following a personal needs break for the DB team at Corfe Castle railway station the consist moved off towards the main line as 6Q60 0928 Swanage to West Ealing Plasser Sidings which we saw crossing Corfe viaduct and finally once again at Wareham.
A midweek trip on 28th January to see DC Rail’s Class 56 locomotives No.’s 56103 + 56045 which were allocated to work 6V23 1034 Willesden Dc Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry (FHH) along the Berks and Hants line.
Due to flooding on the road near Wimborne, arrival at our intended destination was severely delayed, and combined with its early running we were robbed of the opportunity to film DC Rail’s Class 60 No. 60055 6M02 0704 Tytherington to Quainton Railhead by a matter of seconds. One of those things!
Conversely, the 56’s were running 48 minutes late by the time they passed us at Bridge 99 of the Kennet & Avon Canal which runs parallel to the railway at this point. The headcode was also changed from 6V23 to 4V23 after the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop at Newbury to allow an ECS move to pass.
On the last day of January, Yoshi visited Winchester Cathedral to look at the Sun in the form of Helios, a touring artwork of by UK artist Luke Jerram.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features detailed imagery of the Sun’s surface. At an approximate scale of 1:200 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 2000km of the Sun’s surface.
Yoshi knows it is very dangerous to look at the Sun directly as it can damage our eyesight, so Helios provides a safe opportunity for the public to get up close to, and inspect its extraordinarily detailed surface, including sunspots, spicules and filaments.
Thanks for reading! We’ll be back soon… be seeing you!
I rather like this video screenshot of LSL Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ as she opened up while passing through Branksome during a heavy rain storm heading “The Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024
North Dorset Railway
Class 62 No. 30076 and the Shillingstone signal box – 26/08/2024
On Bank Holiday Monday, the North Dorset Railway operated behind the scenes guided tours at Shillingstone allowing visitors to get a close up view of the projects currently being worked on by railway volunteers. This included the signal box and Project 62 which is working towards the restoration of Yugoslavian built Class 62 USA type 0-6-0 tank steam locomotives No.’s 30075 and 30076.
Yoshi enjoyed his tour of the replica signal box at Shillingstone – 26/08/2024Yoshi on the steps to the signal cabin – 26/08/2024Project 62 represents the owners of Yugoslavian built Class 62 USA type 0-6-0 tank steam locomotive No. 30075 (formerly JZ 62-669 acquired from Store Steel in Slovenia in 1990) which, having been most recently operational since June 2004, was out of service pending firebox repairs and full overhaul – 26/08/2024The group is also involved in the current project to construct No. 30076 from 62-521, which was acquired from ArcelorMittal Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina in December 2006 – 26/08/2024
Class 62 “Yankee Tank” steam locomotives are a pattern build of the World War II USATC S100 Class 0-6-0T Switcher/Shunters designed by Colonel Howard G Hill. Many of these locomotives saw service in the UK – including 14 on the Southern Railway plus a number in industrial service with Austin Motors/BMC at Longbridge, the NCB in the North East and on the Longmoor Military Railway. Four original US built and two Yugoslavian built locomotives are preserved in the UK.
Some of the impressive retired wagons at the North Dorset Railway – 26/08/2024Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Diesel Loco ‘Ashdown’ was built by Hudswell Clarke, Leeds in 1959 for the Manchester Ship Canal Railway. After working at several locations, it arrived at Shillingstone in Sept 2020 – 26/08/2024Shillingstone station running board – 26/08/2024It’s the small detail! – 26/08/2024Reconstruction of the embankment and trackbed at Shillingstone is going well by the looks of things and it is hoped they can soon commence tracklaying on the northern extension towards cattle creep over Haywards Lane bridge – 26/08/2024Haywards Lane bridge which one day soon may see trains running over it once again – 26/08/2024
We had a lovely weekend at Shillingstone, everyone we spoke to was friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable and we look forward to more visits to see developments in the future.
Shieldhall
Yoshi takes a look at Steamship Shieldhall – 28/08/2024
Yoshi took the opportunity to pop down to Poole Quay to see the Steamship Shieldhall, the largest working steamship in Britain, on her annual visit to the town.
Thanks to Shieldhall, PHC and Caroline, I had a look around the impressive vessel, visiting the engine room with its original steam engines and the bridge, with its traditional instruments and gleaming brasswork. You can discover more about how you can see Sheildhall here.
15/08/2024 – “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” and “The Dorset Coast Express”
Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ at the stops in Weymouth having arrived with The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” 1Z82 0743 Birmingham International to Weymouth – 15/08/2024
With two railtours scheduled to visit Weymouth on Thursday 15th August, it was set to be a busy afternoon in the Dorset seaside town. First up was The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” special which originated from Birmingham International and was top and tailed by two West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) Class 57 locomotives. I intended to catch train to Weymouth to see the ensemble arrive, but problems with crossing gates in the Wool area resulted in my train being delayed and I arrived in Weymouth over 15 minutes late and behind the arrival of the “Northern Belle”.
Class 57 No. 57315 prepares to depart Weymouth station and head to Jersey Sidings with the ECS of The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” 5Z82 1340 Weymouth to Weymouth Jersey Sidings – 15/08/2024
Following the arrival and shifting into the sidings of the “Northern Belle”, around an hour later we saw the arrival of The Railway Touring Company’s “The Dorset Coast Express” hauled into Weymouth by another WCRC locomotive, this time Class 47 No. 47848. This excursion, however, enjoyed the sight and sound of a steam locomotive on the return working in the form of London Midland Scottish (LMS) Stanier Class 5 No. 44871. I stayed in Weymouth to watch the steam locomotive being serviced and the stock being shunted out to Jersey sidings to rest alongside that of the earlier arrival from Birmingham International.
Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ rests in Jersey Sidings, Weymouth with the ECS for The Northern Belle operated “Weymouth Harbour – The Dorset Coast” while Class 47 No. 47848 passes leading The Railway Touring Company’s “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z91 0845 London Victoria to Weymouth – 15/08/2024LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 in Jubilee Sidings, Weymouth awaiting coaling and watering in preparation for hauling “The Dorset Coast Express” to London Waterloo – 15/08/2024Close up of the “Dorset Coast Express” headboard carried by LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 – 15/08/2024LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 in Jubilee Sidings – 15/08/2024Class 57 No. 57313 ‘Scarborough Castle’ with Class 47 No. 47848 alongside in Jersey Sidings, Weymouth – 15/08/2024
For the return steam hauled “Dorset Coast Express”, I opted for Parkstone bank. I was disappointed with my photographic efforts, but the sound of the LMS Black 5 climbing the bank made it worthwhile all the same.
LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 44871 makes the climb to the top of Parkstone Bank at the head of “The Dorset Coast Express” 1Z96 1736 Weymouth to London Waterloo – 15/08/2024
Video from Thursday 15th August Railtours to / from Weymouth – 15/08/2024
17/08/2024 – “English Riviera Express”
A couple of days after the Weymouth bound excursion trains, Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) Class 57 No. 57311 and Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ passed through Poole with the empty coaching stock for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” reporting as 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole. The top and tail formation ran to Poole Storage Sidings before returning to platform 1 in order to pick up passengers who were off to Devon. The train departed with the Class 47 leading working 1Z29 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth). I declined popping out later in the day to see the return working, which was around an hour late back into Poole following a fatality further up the line.
Screenshot of LSL Class 57 No. 57311 passing through Poole with 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole ECS 3Z28 0432 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Poole (via Poole Storage Sidings) for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” – 17/08/2024Screenshot of Class 47 No. No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ at the rear of the empty coaching stock for Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” – 17/08/2024Having reversed at Poole Storage Sidings, Class 47 No. D1924 (47810) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ is now at the head of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z29 0634 Poole to Kingswear (For Dartmouth) – 17/08/2024
Video of Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” departing Poole – 17/08/2024
19/08/2024 – Track Recording Unit (TRU) at Yeovil
Monday 19th August and we had a little trip just over the border into Somerset so I could see the Network Rail Track Recording Unit No. 950001. I’ve not seen this purpose-built unit previously, so took the opportunity while it was passing reasonably close to us on its way to Devon and Cornwall.
Owned and operated by Network Rail, the Track Recording Unit (TRU) was built by British Rail Engineering Limited’s Holgate Road carriage works in York during 1987 for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. It utilised the final class 150/1 from the original batch built at York. The TRU is formed of two driving motor vehicles, numbered 999600 and 999601 and is designed to monitor and record track geometry. On Monday August 19th 2024, No.950001 worked 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth. I had planned on seeing the TRU trundle through Yeovil Pen Mill, however because of road traffic delays and the train running 16 minutes early on departure from Castle Cary, I instead opted for Yeovil Junction. The unit was held in the station to allow a late running passenger service to make headway on the single line section west of Yeovil Junction. The driver took the opportunity to visit the buffet on platform 2, hence stopping the train short of the signal, catching me out! The unit is currently painted in a plain overall yellow livery with Network Rail branding. It mostly works on branch lines, where the track quality is not good enough for larger and heavier track assessment stock. It is able to operate over most railway lines around Great Britain. The unit is based at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby.
Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth arrives at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth awaits the “Off” at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024
Video of Network Rail’s Class 150 Track Recording Unit No. 950001 working 2Q08 0352 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Plymouth at Yeovil Junction – 19/08/2024
20/08/2024 – Balfour Beatty Class 20’s to Eastleigh
Much excitement was generated on the enthusiasts grapevine recently when it was discovered two Class 20 locomotives were being dispatched to Woking, following their use in Scotland, as cover for unavailable motive power for the “drain train”. The move which was carried out on the 12th/13th August was well covered and I considered making the journey up to Woking Yard the following Saturday in the hope of photographing the Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20’s No. 20901 & 20905 where they were being stabled since their arrival. I’m pleased I held off as the internet railgen was buzzing again when the pair were diagrammed to run from Woking to Eastleigh and back on Tuesday 20th August reporting as 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception. This was too much of a temptation for me, and I set off for Shawford to capture the outward and return runs. Despite a few spots of rain, the sun shone when the Class 20’s appeared on their outward run.
Class 20 No. 20901 leads on 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception approaching Shawford on the outward leg to Eastleigh – 20/08/2024Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20 No.’s 20905 and 20901 at Shawford working 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception having reversed at Eastleigh – 20/08/2024
Video of Balfour Beatty liveried Class 20 No.’s 20901 and 20905 passing Shawford operating 6J09 1100 Woking Up Yard Reception to Woking Up Yard Reception – 20/08/2024
24/08/2024 – “Dorset Coast Statesman”
Saturday 24th August 2024 saw Statesman Rail run a railtour from Nantwich to Weymouth initially top and tailed by two Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 diesel locomotives No.’s 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’. The train named the “Dorset Coast Statesman” experienced problems with 47593 leading on the outbound journey which forced a change of route in the Newport area so the train could turn and 47805 could lead. This configuration is how I saw the train passing through Branksome in the pouring rain.
Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ rounds the curve leading into Branksome at the head of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024Class 47 No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ passing Branksome in the rain hauling the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth – 24/08/2024 LSL’s Class 47 No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ disappears through the road bridge situated at the country end of Branksome railway station at the rear of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z48 0416 Nantwich to Weymouth. This locomotive carries “The Statesman” headboard as before developing motive power issues she was leading on departure from Nantwich. The train was reversed in the Newport area to allow No. 47805 to lead – 24/08/2024
For the return journey from Weymouth to Nantwich, the train was rearranged and both Class 47’s were marshalled to the front of the carriages and the train departed double-headed. I went to Holes Bay to see the “Statesman” pass over the causeway. As I was driving back towards Poole, I noticed the train was standing in the station, so pulled into the car park area behind the down platform and was able to get a bonus shot of the “Dorset Coast Statesman” pulling away. Hurrah!
Class 47 No.’s 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ and 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ cross the Holes Bay causeway, Poole with the return “Dorset Coast Statesman” 1Z49 1537 Weymouth to Nantwich – 24/08/2024The train was held at Poole which enabled me to get another shot of the pair of Class 47’s with No. 47805 ‘Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013’ leading No. 47593 ‘Galloway Princess’ on 1Z49 1537 Weymouth to Nantwich – 24/08/2024
Video of “The Dorset Coast Statesman” in Dorset – 24/08/2024
26/08/2024 – Network Rail Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train
The regular monthly Plain Line Pattern Recognition (PLPR) train ran on August Bank Holiday Monday, top and tailed by GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No. 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’. I saw the train reporting as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard passing through Poole on the outward leg to Weymouth in what was a busy ten minutes of activity with SWR Desiro EMU’s coming and going.
Screenshot of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotives No. 73963 ‘Janice’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ working 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole passing South Western Railway Class 444 No. 444019 forming 5W80 2026 Weymouth to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 26/08/2024Screenshot of GBRf Class 73/9 electro-diesel locomotive No. 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ at the rear of 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 26/08/2024
Plain Line Pattern Recognition uses a variety of tools to measure and detect defects and potential problems that might arise in track condition. PLPR uses equipment such as: 4 foot camera used to check the track condition, thermal imaging to check rail temperature, fasteners are checked with diagonal and top down cameras. The various cameras used store HD laser scanned images which show different angles and planes of the track and rails. PLPR was initially rolled out on the NMT measurement train, but has since been fitted to Network Rail’s coaches and can be seen across the UK rail network. PLPR trains often use class 1 headcode, 1Qxx. If you use Rail Record live train times, it will show you that it is a test train in the service description once activated. The train service code (TSC) for PLPR is usually 52495111 or 52495113.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 26/08/2024
28/08/2024 – Class 458 Unit Drags to and from Bournemouth T&RSMD
While a CrossCountry Voyager and South Western Railway Desiro EMU’s come and go, refurbished SWR Class 458/4 arrives ‘down South’ after conversion work at Widnes Transport Tech as GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauls unit No. 458418 through Bournemouth station on its way to Bournemouth depot. Later on, the same locomotive makes a return trip setting off on the first leg with No. 458511 which will undergo refurbishment in Widnes. The train runs from Bournemouth Traincare depot to Poole Storage Sidings where the Class 69 runs around the train before propelling it back eastwards to Eastleigh.
GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauls SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 through Bournemouth with 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD while CrossCountry Voyager No. 220001 awaits departure with the !M66 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly service – 28/08/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ hauling SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 passing Bournemouth with 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 28/08/2024Screenshot of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/4 No. 458418 powering through Bournemouth working 5Q64 1531 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&RSMD – 28/08/2024Screenshot of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/5 No. 458511 at Poole forming 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Eastleigh East Yard. The EMU is destined for refurbishment at Widnes Transport Tech – 28/08/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole – 28/08/2024Screenshot GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ with SWR Class 458/5 No. 458511 passing back through Poole workiing 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&RSMD to Eastleigh East Yard – 28/08/2024
GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ performing haulage duties with SWR Class 458 EMU’s – 28/08/2024
31/08/2024 – 33111’s Last Running Day on the Swanage Railway
Yoshi says a fond au revoir to Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 31/08/2024
Announced as Swanage Railway resident BR&CW Class 33 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive No. 33111’s last scheduled running day on the Purbeck heritage line for the foreseeable future, Yoshi and I spent the afternoon of 31st August barking at our favourite Crompton. The loco is off to The Bluebell Railway in West Sussex at the beginning of September. This will be followed by much-needed bodywork repairs and a fresh coat of paint being carried out at Barrow Hill meaning she will be away from Swanage for several months.
Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33111 on the approach to Norden having departed Corfe Castle on her last day of 2024 working trains at Swanage – 31/08/2024Class 33 No. 33111 on her way to Swanage at Castle View between Norden and Corfe Castle – 31/08/2024
Video of Class 33 No. 33111 from her last 2024 running day at Swanage – 31/08/2024
For The Record
The New Measurement Train running as 1Q23 0552 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter passed through North Dorset on Thursday 22nd August 2024 top and tailed by Colas Class 43 former High Speed Train power cars No.’s 43272 and 43274 . We were not able to see this working, but good friend of the blog @smithy.377 caught the NMT configuration the following day passing through Highbridge working 1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol East Yard before it returned to Derby RTC.
Screenshot of Class 43 No. 43272 leading on the NMT at Highbridge & Burnham – 23/08/2024 ( courtesy of @smithy.377 )
1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol East Yard – 23/08/2024 ( courtesy of @smithy.377 )
Colas Class 37 No. 37610 ran through North Dorset with test train 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Exeter Riverside N.Y. overnight on 29th/30th August 2024.
The Heart of Wessex Line will be closing between Castle Cary and Weymouth on Monday 23rd September 2024 to Sunday 29th September 2024 as Network Rail replace less than a mile of over fifty year old track. Improvements will also be made to the junctions either side of Maiden Newton railway station. A rail replacement bus service will operate during the closure period.
Engineering work is also scheduled to take place between Dorchester West and Weymouth on Sunday September 22nd.
From the Archive
Back in 1989, Hunslet-Barclay acquired six Class 20 locomotives from British Rail, re-engineered and re-numbered them for use as the motive power on a Nomix-Chipman weedkiller train. A subsequent loco was also purchased for spares. Hunslet-Barclay were the second company after Foster-Yeoman to operate privately owned locomotives on the BR Network. Although driven by a Hunslet-Barclay employee, they were always accompanied by a BR driver over routes being sprayed. The locomotives were sold to Direct Rail Services in November 1998.
On 21st May 1996, Class 20 No.’s 20904 and 20901 visited Weymouth top and tailing a weedkiller train as this archive footage reveals.
Great Western Approaches
Great Western Railway (GWR) passengers across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset can now travel back in time as part of an archive film project by Windrose Rural Media Trust. It’s been inspired by an old film called “Great Western Approaches”, a renowned film made in 1936 and still available, which took viewers on a journey to the sun.
Windrose has used footage from 1909 to the 1990’s to craft short films relevant to 24 stations across seven routes:
Westbury to Salisbury
Westbury to Weymouth
Westbury to Bath
Westbury to Swindon
Westbury to Bedwyn
Westbury to Taunton
Taunton to Bristol
Each film explores local life as it used to be, allowing customers to travel into the past via a QR code linkon posters displayed at stations, which can be scanned into phones while waiting for the train.
Windrose Rural Media Trust is a Dorset-based charity which uses the media – television, radio and the internet – to portray the past of rural communities in the south west and to give them a voice in the present day.
A still of Weymouth from the Great Western Approaches project
That brings us up to date with Dorset railway events to the end of August 2024. Thanks for reading and your updates and corrections which are very much appreciated. Be seeing you!
The Sun sets on Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ as she awaits the start of another day at the Swanage Diesel Gala – 10/05/2024
April 25th to May 16th 2024
It’s been a while… where did we get to last time? Ah yes, Class 52 “Western”, the New Measurement Train, engineering trains, Swanage and such like. I think this post may be a case of deja vu as many of these topics appear once again. But first, we had a trip to Derbyshire to attend a wedding via Bridport where we bumped into Ninth Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston (outside the toilets, no less). Chris was attending a screening of Ken Loach’s “Kes” (1969) as part of Bridport’s Film Festival 2024 ‘From Page To Screen’ series. It was great to see the film on the “big screen”.
Christopher Eccleston chats about “Kes” as part of the Bridport Film Festival – 25/04/2024
Having dropped Yoshi off at his cousins, we headed to Derbyshire for wedding celebrations at the beautiful Buxton Pavilion. We arrived in good time and checked into our hotel which meant we had time for a wander into Buxton before the wedding ceremony.
I was lucky enough to see a pair of Class 66’s top and tailing across Spring Gardens Viaduct as we looked for a pub to have lunch. I managed to get a shot of No. 66044 operating as tail gunner, but an hour or so later, I was able to see this “Shed” and sister loco No. 66156 continue on their way after reversing at Buxton Up Relief Sidings.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66044 at rest on Spring Gardens Viaduct, Buxton on the rear of 6H52 1305 Download Briggs Sidings to Ashburys SS – 26/04/2024
Video of DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66044 and 66156 working 6H52 1305 Download Briggs Sidings to Ashburys SS at Buxton – 26/04/2024
Following a wonderful wedding ceremony in the Buxton Spa Botanical Conservatory, as if the day couldn’t have been more fabulous, the bride and groom had arranged for the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway to be in service.
Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ in Wedding Day Special service on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024
The railway first opened in 1972 as a 10 1/4″ gauge line. Trains were initially hauled by ‘Borough of Buxton’ a Shepperton Metal Products locomotive. In the winter of 1998, the line was regauged to 12.25″ in order to accommodate Alan Keef stock. Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ was built in 2000 and is named after the designer of the park it runs in.
Video of Steam Outline 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic No. 2000 ‘Edward Milner’ in Wedding Day Special service on the Buxton Pavilion Gardens Miniature Railway – 26/04/2024
After an evening of celebration, the following day we travelled north for a stay in Holmfirth via a quick look in at Cemex Peak Forest.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66200 (left) and 66206 with GBRf No. 66707 ‘Sir Sam Fay GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY’ behind at Cemex Peak Forest – 27/04/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66044 and 66028 on the Peak Forest Stabling Point – 27/04/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66752 ‘The Hoosier State’ at the head of an engineers train rests at Chinley – 27/04/2024
We returned to Dorset, stopping off at National Trust Moseley Old Hall, a Grade II* listed Elizabethan farmhouse situated north of Wolverhampton. The house is notable as one of the hiding places of King Charles II during his escape to France following defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
National Trust Moseley Old Hall – 29/04/2024
Constructed in approximately 1600 by Henry Pitt, few structural changes were made to the hall until around 1870 when the outer walls were replaced by bricks and casements replaced the Elizabethan windows.
Tuesday 30th April saw Swanage Railway resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) in advance of booked railtour duties later in the week for the Branch Line Society (BLS). We saw the “Crompton” working light engine through Hamworthy.
Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) light engine through Hamworthy – 30/04/2024
Video clip of Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny lewis RN’ working 0Z33 0920 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG)
Later the same day Bournemouth depot received another newly refurbished South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 electric multiple unit (EMU) and despatched another to Widnes Transport Tech to enable modification works. Both of these unit drags involved GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ running round at Poole.
GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ at Poole High Street Level crossing leading SWR Class 458 No. 458401 reporting as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD – 30/04/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ at Poole station running round working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh Yard – 30/04/2024
458527 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh Yard – 30/04/2024
Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 ‘Richard Howe’ on Class 458 EMU drags – 30/04/2024
In the early hours of Wednesday May 1st, I set out for Maiden Newton to see GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66725 ‘Sunderland’ and 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ working the South West Weedkiller reporting as 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside New Yard to Exeter Riverside New Yard. I really enjoyed this little excursion, the train ran more or less on time and as it had to stop at Maiden Newton where the driver needed to pick up a token to allow onward travel through single line sections of track, I had ample opportunity to take photographs as well as recording video.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ at Maiden Newton leading on the outward leg of the South West Weed killer 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY – 01/05/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66719 ‘Metro-Land’ pauses at Maiden Newton during weed killer duties having reversed at Dorchester Junction working 3Q98 2309 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY – 01/05/2024
Video of GBRf Class 66 locomotives on the South West Weedkiller at Maiden Newton – 01/05/2024
As our regular reader will know, we enjoy walking along old railway lines, and on Thursday 2nd May, we revisited the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth, the former trackbed of the line from Weymouth to Portland.
Yoshi on the Rodwell Trail, with the Isle of Portland in the background – 02/05/2023
For The Record: the North Dorset New Measurement Train passed through Gillingham and Sherborne with High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43062 and 43274 reporting as 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter New Yard on 2nd May 2024. As we were walking along the old railway track bed in Weymouth, we missed this working, but friend of this blog, @smithy.377 kindly shared the video of the same consist running through Highbridge working 1Z18 1539 Paignton to Taunton the following day.
New Measurement Train at Highbridge, courtesy of @smithy.377 – 03/05/2024
On the weekend, the Saturday involved a drive to Exeter to see one of those BLS tours involving Class 33 No. D6515 we mentioned earlier. The Star Wars themed “May the Fourth be With You” charter originated and finished at Eastleigh running via Portsmouth, Westbury, Exeter, Yeovil, London Waterloo. Advertised as utilising the London Underground Class 438 4TC stock hauled by the preserved 71A Locomotive Group’s Class 33 and a GBRf Class 73/1 the reported addition of two Class 59 freight locomotives to pilot the train between Westbury and Exeter was too good to miss. Add to this the possibility of photographing two other rail tours in the West Country and a grand day out was in store. On the day we were surprised to learn that in fact three Class 59’s were being added to the train, meaning there were more locomotives than coaches!
Class 37 No.’s 37518 and 37668 passing Highbridge with Saphos Trains “English Riviera Express” 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear – 04/05/2024Steam traction took over the “English Riviera Express” 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear at Taunton. Southern Railway West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34046 ‘Braunton’ prepares to storm Whiteball – 04/05/2024LSL owned Class 47 No. 47828 seen at the rear of 1Z36 0424 Nantwich to Kingswear – 04/05/2024Class 37 No.’s 37518 and 37668 at Whiteball with Pathfinder Tours “The Spring Cornish Explorer” 1Z65 0553 Dorridge to Penznce – 04/05/2024Featuring five engines, including three different liveried Class 59 Locomotives, the Branch Line Society’s “May the Fourth be With You” charter featured No.’s 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’ with No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ on the approach to Exeter St. Davids. No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ was on the rear of the London Underground 4tc set. The reporting number for this section of the rail tour was 1Z73 0648 Eastleigh to Exeter Central – 04/05/2024Freightliner Class 59 No.’s 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’ with No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ and No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ (at the rear) bring the LU 4tc set into Exeter – 04/05/2024GB Railfreight Class 73 No. 73136 ‘Mhairi’ on the rear of the BLS “May the Fourth be With You” charter at Exeter St. Davids – 04/05/2024After piloting c into Exeter Central the three Class 59’s departed 59104 ‘Village of Great Elm’, 59101 ‘Village of Whatley’, 59202 ‘Alan Meadows Taylor’ worked back to Westbury as 0Z73 1359 Exeter Central to Westbury Tarmac BY – 04/05/2024Now sole leading engine on the BLS tour, Class 33 No. No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Exeter Central on the next leg 1Z33 1440 Exeter Central to London Waterloo – 04/05/2024We also caught the Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the BLS charter “May the Fourth be With You” through Sherborne – 04/05/2024
Video of BLS charter “May the Fourth be With You” and other trains – 04/05/2024
The first Dorset Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival caught our attention on Sunday 5th May. Having read about traffic issues getting into the event on the Saturday and other largely negative reviews online, it was with some trepidation that we set off for Dorchester. We sailed into the car park with no problems, save the need for careful driving on a very muddy field. The music was provided by tribute acts to the likes of Neil Diamond, Ed Sheeran and Jess Glynne while a fun fair took up a large part the main arena. Unfortunately for visitors hoping to see a flurry of hot air balloons taking to the skies, weather conditions meant we were only able to witness three balloons lifting off. But they were a fine sight to behold all the same, and a very relaxing mode of transport to watch. I think there were some valid criticisms about the event organisation, but some were also unfairly exaggerated. Nevertheless, if suggestions are taken on board and improvements made, I look forward to this being an annual event in the Dorset calendar. The organisers can not, of course, be held responsible for the weather conditions!
Weather conditions on the Sunday of the Dorset Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival meant only experienced balloonists could take to the air. The Wallace & Gromit balloon was a favourite! – 05/05/2024Wallace & Gromit head up into the skies – 05/05/2024
The dispute between the ASLEF union and train operating companies continue and the 7th May saw SWR drivers calling a strike day.
All stop at Weymouth on the South Western Railway drivers strike day. SWR Class 444 No.’s 444004 and 444007 stand idle in Weymouth – 07/05/2024Celebrity Pride liveried SWR Class 444 No. 444019 in platform 3 at Weymouth – 07/05/2024
Although SWR drivers were on strike, this did not affect drivers from the freight companies working. DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66148 ‘Maritime Intermodal Seven’ and 66025 worked engineers train 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton. We videoed the train passing through Poole.
Video screenshot of DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66148 ‘Maritime Intermodal Seven’ and 66025 working 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton through Poole – 07/05/2024
Video of DB Cargo working 6N65 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton – 07/05/2024
8th May and time for my favourite railway working of the year; the arrival of the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala convoy of locomotives. This year the positioning move aroused much interest as it was headed up by Class 52 diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ with Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 along with Class 50 No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ in tow. We saw the consist passing through Hamworthy as it made its way over to the Purbeck heritage line.
Convoy! Always a highlight of the year – the Swanage Diesel Gala convoy with visiting guest locomotives passes Hamworthy with Class 52 “Western” No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’, Harry Needle Railroad Compay Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 with Class 50 No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ bringing up the rear reporting as 0Z53 1544 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 08/05/2024Class 50 No. 50021 on the rear of the Swanage bound locomotive convoy 0Z53 1544 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 08/05/2024
The following day, May 9th, and further Gala attractions made their way through Dorset in readiness for the annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival as Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ ran light engine reporting as 0Z37 0946 Westbury Down TC to Swanage. We saw the locomotive as she ran through Hamworthy
Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ running light engine as 0Z37 0946 Westbury Down TC to Swanage passing Hamworthy – 09/05/2024
GBRf had promised to provide a Class 69 locomotive for the Swanage Diesel Gala, with No. 69007 ‘Richard Trevithick’ being the ear marked example. In the event, this locomotive was declared a failure at Eastleigh and was replaced by fellow class member No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&E’. The Class 69 was scheduled to travel to Swanage as part of the BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” charter, again employing the London Underground Class 438 4TC coaching stock along with “Crompton” diesel Class 33 No. D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’. As a result of a temporary issue with the Electric Train Supply (ETS) on No. D6515, GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ was added to the consist to provide the ETS.
As my camera “had issues”, here’s a video screenshot of the Branch Line Society promoted “The Jurassic Crompton” charter train with Swanage resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ and GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ double heading on the London Underground Class 438 4tc set entering Poole – 09/05/2024Old and new pass at Poole! Screenshot of BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” special train headed up by Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, passing SWR Class 701 No. 701059 on test / mileage accumulation working. Two members of the 701’s crew can be seen taking an interest in the charter – 09/05/2024Screenshot BLS “The Jurassic Crompton” charter with GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ bringing up the rear – 09/05/2024
Video of Swanage Diesel Gala guest locomotives and BLS charter “The Jurassic Crompton” on their way to the Purbeck Heritage line
Later that evening, a ballast train worked from Eastleigh to Maiden Newton via Dorchester Junction. GBRf provided the traction in the form of Class 66 No.’s 66725 ‘Sunderland’ and 66795 ‘Bescot LDC’. Yoshi was delighted to be reacquainted with GBRf driver Bessie Matthews who spotted our boy from the cab of the leading locomotive at Dorchester South. We saw also saw the train at Dorchester West, but as it was late, and there was no indication when the ballast train would depart for Maiden Newton, we headed home before it left.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ on arrival at Dorchester South working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024GBRf driver Bessie Matthews recognises Yoshin and says hello at Dorchester South – 09/05/2024Yoshi takes a keen interest in GBRf Class 66 No. 66795 ‘Bescot LDC’ as it rests at Dorchester West working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024Yoshi poses with GBRf Class 66 No. 66725 ‘Sunderland’ at Dorchester West. The locomotive was working 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024
Video of GBRf ballast train 6G28 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester West – 09/05/2024
For The Record: Colas Class 37 No. 37116 worked 3Q07 2031 Exeter Riverside NY to Exeter Riverside NY through North Dorset overnight of 10th May 2024. I had planned on seeing this move at Yeovil in connection with popping out to see the GBRf ballast train, but as the Class 37 ran early, this was not to be. I wasn’t too bothered, I will admit!
10th May Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ supported by Class 47 No. 47773 operated the first of Vintage Trains two day “The Great Western Railway” tours between Birmingham Snow Hill and Plymouth. This tour marked 60 years when the locomotive achieved, what was then, the fastest ever non-stop run between Plymouth and Bristol completed in 133 minutes and 9 seconds. We saw the train heading West at Filton Abbey Wood and on its climb to Whiteball bank in Somerset. Unfortunately the return trip own the following day did not emulate the non-stop run of 60 years previously as ‘Clun Castle’ stalled on Hemerdon Bank. Tysley’s Class 47 No. 47773 which had been shadowing the train at this point came to the rescue and provided assistance. Part of the attraction for me of seeing this working was the steam locomotive working unassisted over the notorious Devon banks. But later timings on the Friday and my desire to attend the Swanage Diesel Gala on the Saturday meant I had to be content with the two viewings I was able to fit in.
Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ at Filton Abbey Wood working “The Great Western” 1Z46 0830 Birmingham Snow Hill to Bristol Temple Meads – 10/05/2024Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ approaches Filton Abbey Wood station working the first day of Vintage Trains “The Great Western” charter which would see the steam locomotive tackle the Devon banks solo – 10/05/2024Support locomotive Class 47 No. 47773 working light engine as 0Z47 1435 Bristol East Depot DBC to Plymouth ahead of the steam hauled charter – 10/05/2024Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ makes the climb up Whiteball bank near Taunton reporting as 1Z47 1547 Bristol Temple Meads to Plymouth – 10/05/2024
Video of Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 ‘Clun Castle’on the mainline – 10/05/2024
The 2024 Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival took place from 10th to 12th May. Nine locomotives took part which involved an intensive three train service in operation with several trains running along the the entire length of the nine-mile line route from Swanage to the River Frome at the limit of the heritage line’s operations on the branch from Wareham. Star of the show was very much the Diesel Traction group’s Class 52 ‘Western’ No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ which visited the Purbeck line for the first time since 2007 and the first time a member of the class which has run on the Swanage Railway since 2011. Alongside the first Class 69 hauling passenger trains on the line, the two Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20’s, two Class 50’s and the Colas Class 37, the guest gala fleet was bolstered with Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ which had previously arrived by road. The visiting locomotives were of course joined by Swanage Railway resident Class 33’s No. D6515 and 33111.
Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ working a Beerex train to Corfe Castle, passing visiting Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’, the London Underground Class 4tc set and resident Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ – 10/05/2024An evening scene in the sidings at Swanage – 10/05/2024GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’ was on static display at Swanage station. The locomotive was enlisted to assist Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ on mainline railtour duty when the “Crompton” developed a fault – 10/05/2024Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ from the East Lancs Railway. No. D5054 is one of just four preserved examples from the original 151 strong fleet of locomotives and was amongst the first diesel locomotives to be based at Bury. She is seen here at Swanage – 10/05/2024
Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ was only scheduled to haul the Friday evening “Beerex” trains and it wasn’t to take any further part in the gala weekend. However, issues with the electronic field supply for the Electric Train Heat (ETH) generator on No. 50021 ‘Rodney’ meant the locomotive was withdrawn from running and the timetable had to be revised and No. 50026 was pressed into service. On a Class 50, the ETH generator also powers the radiator fan so the fault meant the locomotive had no cooling fan and without which would quickly overheat.
Visiting Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ on the approach to Harmans Cross – 11/05/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ ( a late replacement for failed sister loco No. 690XX) draws away from Harmans Cross – 11/05/2024Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20311 and 20302 hauling the London Underground 4tc set on the approach toCorfe Castle – 11/05/2024The London Underground Class 438 4tc set being hauled by the HNRC Class 20’s towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024Class 52 “Western” Diesel-Hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ on the approach to Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ makes a fine sight departing Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ accelerates up the slight incline from Corfe Castle station – 11/05/2024 Class 33 No. 33111 having departed Corfe Castle station – 11/05/2024Carrying a “Sulzer” headboard, Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Swanage as the driver receives the token for the single line working from the signalman – 11/05/2024In its Network South East (NSE) livery, Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ powers towards Swanage – 11/05/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ having past Afflington. The London Underground 4tc set was made much use of during the gala weekend – 11/05/2024Harry Needle Railroad Company (HNRC) Class 20 No.’s 20311 and 20302 hauling the London Underground 4tc set towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024HNRC Class 20 No.’s 20302 and 20311 double head the London Underground 4tc set across Corfe Common – 11/05/2024Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33111 heads a train from Swanage – 11/05/2024Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ heads a Swanage bound train – 11/05/2024Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ hauls the London Underground 4tc set across Corfe Common – 11/05/2024Class 24 No. D5054 ‘Phil Southern’ heads towards Corfe Castle – 11/05/2024Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ powers towards Corfe Castle with Afflington Bridge behind – 11/05/2024My final shot of the day, GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ with Corfe Castle in the distance heads across Corfe Common with a Swanage bound train – 11/05/2024
Unfortunately there was further disruption on Saturday evening when No. 50026, on the back of a six-carriage passenger train, became partially derailed at Castle Corfe station at approximately 1830 – around the same time I was settling down to watch new ‘Doctor Who’ on BBC 1. The evening gala and Beerex services were suspended following the incident. No passengers were injured and no damage was sustained to the carriages on the train. The government’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) were advised and they carried out an investigation on the cause of the derailment. The Class 50 was re-railed during the night by rail support service Goodman’s and inspections did not reveal any damage to the locomotive.
Webcam Screenshot from the Corfe Castle camera showing Class 50 No.50026 ‘Indomitable’ being assessed after she came off the rails. The Webcam feed was later turned off at the request of the Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) – 11/05/2024
Video glimpse of the 2024 Swanage Diesel Gala
Also of nite, the Saturday saw a surprise run of a pair of SWR Class 450 EMU’s to Weymouth forming an eight coach train. I was too busy on the Swanage Railway or watching new “Doctor Who” to pop out and see them, but good friend of the blog @da_buckley967 was on hand to capture No.’s 450091 and 450038 in Weymouth station having worked in from Portsmouth earlier in the day.
Unusual visitors for Weymouth; two four car SWR Class 450 EMU No.’s 450091 and 450038 stand at platform having worked in with a VSTP (Very Short Term Plan) working 1K21 1056 Portsmouth Harbour to Weymouth – 11/05/2024 (Image courtesy of da_buckley967)SWR Class 450 No. 450038 forming the rear of 1K32 1903 Weymouth to Portsmouth Harbour at the buffer stops in Weymouth alongside GWR Class 166 No. 166215 working 2V96 1845 Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads – 11/05/2024 (Image courtesy of da_buckley967)
A heavily revised timetable was implemented at the Swanage Diesel Gala on the Sunday, but the BLS charter the “Return of the Jurassic Crompton” ran as scheduled, departing Swanage at 1430. We saw the charter train crossing the Holes Bay causeway.
Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ traverses Creekmoor Viaduct with GBRf Class 73 No. 73109 ‘Battle of Britain’, the London Underground 4tc set and GBRf Class 69 No. 69002 ‘Bob Tiller CM&EE’ at the rear working the Branch Line Society railtour “The Return of the Jurassic Crompton” 1Z35 1420 Swanage to London Waterloo across Holes Bay causeway on the approach to Poole – 12/05/2024D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ entering Wareham working light engine movement 0z36 1105 Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) to Swanage – 13/05/2024D6515 (33012) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ pauses at Wareham to pick up Swanage Railway crew as she returns to the heritage railway after the previous days railtour – 13/05/2024
The other visiting locomotives mostly departed over the next couple of days, with No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ leaving first on Monday 13th and a convoy consisting of the No. D1015, the Class 20’s and both Class 50’s heading to Eastleigh on Tuesday 14th.
Colas Rail Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ passes through Hamworthy running as 0F75 1030 Swanage to Westbury Down TC – 13/05/2024Homeward bound – the Swanage Diesel Gala guest locomotive convoy crosses Rockley Sands Viaduct with Class 52 D1015 ‘Western Champion’ hauling HNRC Class 20’s 20311 and 20302 with 50021 ‘Rodney’ and 50026 ‘Indomitable’ reporting as 0Z50 1032 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (ZG) – 14/05/2024
Video from of the 2024 associated Swanage Diesel Gala mainline workings
Tuesday and another Class 458 delivery / departure ran, once again in the hands of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 heading up 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with refurb SWR Class 458 No. 458413 and returning later on 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh East Yard which took No. 458512 on its first leg to Widnes for refurbishment. These moves ran early and I missed my chance at taking photographs, however I did manage to capture some quick video of the first working as it passed Poole Park.
Screenshot GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 heading up 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with 458413 – 14/05/2024
Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69008 working 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth TRSMD with SWR Class 458 No. 458413 – 14/05/2024
And that brings us to the end of another blog instalment. We’ll be back in a week or so with our report from the Severn Valley Railway diesel gala and an update on out of the ordinary railway workings in Dorset. As always, thanks for reading and for your comments which are appreciated. Be seeing you!
Having worked up to London Paddington earlier in the day, the Diesel Traction Group owned Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passes through Pangbourne at the head of 1Z56 1352 London Paddington to Birmingham New Street charter train. Originally an empty coaching stock movement to Burton, it was instead tuned into a main line test run for No. D1015 and opened up for public use as a joint operation by UK Railtours and Pathfinder Tours named “The One Way Wizzo”. The “Western” worked the tour as far as Bescot Yard, from where Class 57 No. 57303 took over the last into New Street before taking the ECS forward to Burton-on-Trent – 14/04/2024
April 14th 2024 to April 24th 2024
On Sunday 14th April 2024, preserved Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic locomotive No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ worked a loaded test run from London Paddington to Birmingham New Street, supported by GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 which was utilised as a passenger carrying one way rail tour. No. D1015 ran light into Paddington and then headed up the “One Way Wizzo” as far as Bescot Yard, with No. 57303 taking charge for the final leg into New Street. After the tour, ‘Western Champion’ returned to her base on the Severn Valley Railway.
I was quite intrigued with the idea of trying to photograph both the Western’s light engine move as well as the loaded test run itself, so devised a plan for a visit to a National Trust property as a day-out for Yoshi and Caroline. Checking out the route of the Great Western main line on Google maps, I settled on Basildon Park as our heritage destination as the railway runs very close to the estate. On the day, I checked out potential photographic spots, but discounting these, back-tracked slightly to Pangbourne railway station as the car park is ideally situated for photography as long as you can position yourself above the line-side fencing; remembering to stay safe at all times!
Pangbourne station is located close to the village centre, with the main station buildings on the opposite side of the railway to the village. It has two platforms, one on each of the relief (slow) lines, whilst the fast lines pass behind the station. The platforms are linked to each other and the station entrance, on the up relief platform, by a pedestrian underpass. The station once had four platforms with those situated on the main fast lines now no longer in situ.
Exterior of Pangbourne railway station. The station is on the original line of the Great Western Railway, which was opened in stages: the portion between Reading and Steventon opened on 1st June 1840, with Pangbourne being the first station west out of Reading – 14/04/2024All services at Pangbourne are operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) using Class 387 EMU’s. The typical off-peak is two trains per hour in each direction between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway. On Sundays, the service is reduced to hourly in each direction. Screenshot of Class 387 Electrostar electric multiple unit (EMU) No.’s 387169 & 387170 depart Pangbourne working 2N42 1426 Reading to Didcot Parkway – 14/04/2024Great Western Railway Intercity Express Train (IET) pass Pangbourne on the fast lines situated behind the platforms at Pangbourne. Class 800 No. 800311 passes Pangbourne working 1A18 1300 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington – 14/04/2024CrossCountry trains also pass Pangbourne. Screenshot of CrossCountry Class 221 Super Voyager No. 221133 works 1O16 1124 Manchester Piccadilly to Southampton through Pangbourne – 14/04/2024
While waiting for No. D1015 to pass us on her way to London Paddington, the local security operated by Land Sheriffs Ltd pulled into the car park and parked up casting a weather eye over my activity. As the Western was still a good few minutes off, I strolled over for a chat. The two security guards were really friendly and knew just what I was waiting for. They were, however, surprised to learn that the heritage diesel-hydraulic locomotive was making a solo pass prior to its railtour work as they had been charged with keeping an eye on proceedings further up the line at Didcot when the “One Way Wizzo” was due to pass later that afternoon as the train was sure to attract much attention from railway enthusiasts. Satisfied that I was not a security risk, the Land Sheriffs left me to await the first appearance of No. D1015.
Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ runs light engine towards Pangbourne railway station working 0Z55 1020 Kidderminster SVR to London Paddington – 14/04/2024
It was a good couple of hours before ‘Western Champion’ was timed to pass Pangbourne on her way to Bescot, so we decamped to National Trust Basildon Park where we enjoyed a woodland walk taking in the bluebells before Caroline took a tour of the mansion house and Yoshi and I headed back to the railway station car park for another shot at photographing No. D1015, this time at the head of a rake of carriages.
Yoshi amongst the bluebells in the wooded parkland at Basildon Park – 14/04/2024Yoshi at National Trust Basildon Park. The estate was purchased by Francis Sykes in 1771. Sykes had made his fortune in the East India Company and required a home befitting his status. He demolished the old house and employed architect John Carr to build the Bath-stone mansion which exists today. The property was gifted to the National Trust in 1978 by Lord and Lady Iliffe who had bought Basildon Park in 1952 – 14/04/2024Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passes Pangbourne with “One Way Wizzo” 1Z56 1352 London Paddington to Birmingham New Street – 14/04/2024
Video of Class 52 “Western” diesel-hydraulic No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ passing Pangbourne – 14/04/2024
Monday 15th April we were back at Poole railway station in readiness for GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ working the monthly 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth test train.
Video screenshots of GBRf Class 73 No.’s 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ and 73961 ‘Alison’ working 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth – 15/04/2024
Video of 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC to Eastleigh Yard via Weymouth at Poole – 15/04/2024
The following day, Tuesday 16th April, we were out to see GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 once again, this time performing electric multiple unit drag duties, hauling South Western Railway (SWR) refurbished Class 458 No. 458421 and 508 barriers as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. having worked down from Widnes Transport Tech as far as Wembley Receptions 1-7 the previous day before progressing into Dorset.
GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 leading SWR Class 458 No. 458421 and 508 barriers towards Parkstone railway station as 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. – 16/04/2024After running round its train, GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 hauls SWR Class 458 No. 458421 up Parkstone Bank working 5Q64 1534 Southampton Central to Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D. – 16/04/2024
Later the same day, No. 57303 departed Bournemouth depot with un-refurbished Class 458 No. 458513 as 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard. The formation was scheduled to stable at Eastleigh overnight before proceeding to Widnes Transport Tech on Wednesday 17th. We saw this formation at Poole on the first leg of its journey.
Screenshot of GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 with Class 508 barrier coaches and SWR Class 458 No. 458513 arrives at Poole working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth T&R.S.M.D to Eastleigh East Yard. The train heads out to Poole Storage Sidings – 16/04/2024Having left the Class 458 in Poole Storage Sidings, GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 runs light engine into Poole railway station before heading back to attach to the London end of its train – 16/04/2024
GBRf Class 57 No. 57303 on SWR Class unit drags – 16/04/2024
Following the successful restoration of LSWR Adams T3 Class No. 563, the team at the Swanage Railway are now turning their attention to their next challenge, that of returning LSWR T9 Class No.120 to steam in time for its 130th birthday in 2029 resplendent in Olive green livery. Thursday 18th April was therefore an eventful one for No.120 as she departed the Swanage Railway by road for transit to The Flour Mill Locomotive Repair Workshop in Lydney, Gloucestershire. The Flour Mill is a listed former colliery electricity generating station which was converted to a railway workshop between 1995 and 1996. The Flour Mill Ltd operates the business undertaking work repairing and overhauling steam locomotives. We popped over to the Purbeck line to witness the Victorian locomotive being collected from Swanage by resident diesel Class 33 No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’. The pairing then travelled up to Arne Road sidings where No.120 was to be placed on a road low-loader.
The T9 is owned by the National Railway Museum (NRM) and agreement has been reached where the condition of the locomotive will be assessed ahead of a commitment to return her to steam for further service on the Swanage Railway.
Designed by Dugald Drummond and built in 1899 at Nine Elms works, No.120 was a member of the T9 class of locomotives, affectionately known as the “Greyhounds” for their swift performances on the West of England main lines.
LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 at Swanage – 18/04/2024
Altogether, sixty-six T9 locomotives were built, with No.120 being the only survivor. She was withdrawn from regular service in 1961 and painted in London South Western Railway (LSWR) ‘Pea Green’ livery, colours – inappropriate as she was modified with a superheater by Robert Urie and as a consequence her appearance was substantially altered from her early days. However, in this guise she hauled special trains for a few years before becoming part of the National Collection. After spells of service on the Mid-Hants Railway, at Swanage and on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, No. 120 returned to Swanage in 2017 and became a vital part of the fleet until her boiler certificate expired. During her time at Swanage the locomotive proved a powerful but economic machine, popular with both crews and visitors alike. Her restoration will allow the Swanage railway to develop a more sustainable locomotive fleet into the future as the T9, like the T3, is perfectly sized for the heritage branch.
Swanage resident Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ having coupled up to 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 in readiness of forming 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024Crompton No. D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ is owned by the 71A Loco Group, and returned to Swanage in time for the May 2011 Diesel Gala after undergoing overhaul at Eastleigh works. She is seen here reversing into Swanage railway station with 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 – 18/04/2024Southern Railway 4-6-2 “West Country” Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ at Swanage having backed onto the coaching stock of the 2N10 1640 Swanage to Norden service – 18/04/2024Southern Railway 4-6-2 “West Country” Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ departs Swanage working 2N10 1640 Swanage to Norden – 18/04/2024Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ hauls 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 away from Swanage working as 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ and 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 on the approach to Harmans Cross working 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024
The Swanage Railway Trust are hoping to raise £50,000 for this project, which will enable No. 120 to be dismantled and assessed at the Flour Mill. Following this, a report will be produced detailing the work required to return 120 to service, including an assessment of the cylinder block and whether this needs to be replaced. If the report is favourable, the Trust can proceed to the next stage of the overhaul later in the year. Should it be decided the locomotive is not a suitable contender for restoration, the remainder of the £50,000 will see No. 120 re-assembled and returned to the NRM for further display.
Class 33 No.D6515 (33012) ‘Lt. Jenny Lewis RN’ arrives at Arne Road with 4-4-0 T9 Class No.30120 in tow working 6Z12 1652 Swanage to Arne Road Siding – 18/04/2024
Video of T9 Class No.30120 being hauled to Arne Sidings on the Swanage Railway – 18/04/2024
Engineering Work took place in the Wareham area over the weekend of 20th / 21st April 2024. The sidings to the east of Wareham railway station were renewed, ballast was refreshed at Worgret Junction and the footbridge at Wool railway station received attention. Two engineering trains were engaged for the work; 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham top and tailed by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66795 & 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 6C03 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Holton Heath in the sole charge of Colas Class 66 No.66850 ‘David Maidment OBE’. Two other associated workings featured 4-wheeler Track Machine Colas Tamper No. DR73931 forming 6J86 1844 Woking Up Yard Reception to Wool MOD Siding GBRf and Pandrol Jackson Plain Line Stoneblower No. DR80205 working as 6U37 2103½ Horsham Up T.C. to Holton Heath.
Screenshot of GBRf Class 66 No. 66795 at Poole leading on 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham – 20/04/2024Screenshot of GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ passes through Poole at the rear of 6G13 2212 Eastleigh East Yard to Wareham – 20/04/2024Screenshot of Colas Class 66 No.66850 ‘David Maidment OBE’ passing Poole working 6C03 1939 Eastleigh East Yard to Holton Heath – 20/04/2024Wareham Railway Station – 21/04/2024A hand written note informs us that the pedestrian crossing at Wareham railway station is closed due to engineering work – 20/04/2024New track panels stacked adjacent the unused signal box at Wareham – 20/04/2024Work continues at Wareham – 20/04/2024A view up the line towards Wareham sidings which would be partially renewed during the weekend engineering works- 20/04/2024A Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) at work in Wareham – 21/04/2024Pandrol Jackson Plain Line Stoneblower No. DR80205 used for the initial levelling of track after it has been freshly installed awaits the call of duty at Holton Heath – 21/04/2024
The Class 66 hauled engineers trains departed the possession area in the early hours of Monday 22nd reporting as 6G13 0230 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard and 6C03 0330 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard.
Holton Heath railway station – September 2022
20th April was the 35th anniversary of a collision which occurred at Holton Heath in 1989. Tragically, Bournemouth train driver Clive Brooker lost his life in the accident. The archived report can be found here.
Plaque in memory of Driver Clive Brooker situated at Hamworthy railway station; “At about 1202, a light locomotive, that is one travelling without a train, collided with the rear of a freight train at Holton Heath. I regret to report that the driver of the light locomotive… died as a result of the accident. The driver and the guard of the freight train suffered minor injuries.
On a dry clear day, the diesel locomotive, No. 33107, was travelling at speed under clear signals along the Up line between Wareham and Hamworthy Junction, when it struck the rear of the 1145 Wool to Eastleigh freight train 6W54 as it was accelerating away from a stand after carrying out shunting duties at Holton Heath Siding. The freight train consisted of eight wagons hauled by an electro-diesel locomotive No. 73002; the rearmost wagon being the Type VAA four-wheeled covered van with long sliding doors and loaded with bagged and palletised ballcla.”
Wednesday April 24th 2024 and it was the turn of Network Rail’s (NR) New Measurement Train (NMT) to visit Weymouth via the western route from Yeovil Pen Mill. Having missed out the Dorset seaside town because of line closures in March the train, which monitors and records track condition information at speeds up to 125mph, was in the hands of former High Speed Train Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43357 this month. Yoshi and I visited Upwey to see the outward and return legs.
In its Colas branded East Midlands Railway (EMR) livery, Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43274 leads on the approach to Upwey working the New Measurement Train 1Z22 0747 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – 24/04/2024At the rear of the New Measurement Train – reporting as 1Z22 0747 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth – in de-branded CrossCountry livery Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43357 passes through Upwey on its way to Weymouth – 24/04/2024Class 43 High Speed Train power car No. 43357 forming the New Measurement Train 1Z22 0747 Derby Railway Technical Centre to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth passes South Western Railway Class 444 No. 444024 forming 1W27 1335 London Waterloo to Weymouth at Upwey – 24/04/2024
Video of the Dorset HST Hew Measurement Train – 24/04/2024 (with thanks to da_bucklet967 and G E Barrett for additional video content)
Train drivers union, ASLEF, have announced fresh strikes and an overtime ban taking place between Monday 6th May and Saturday 11th May 2024. Train Operating Companies (TOC) in Dorset affected by strike action days are SWR on Tuesday 7th May and GWR on Wednesday 8th May when revised services will run, with short-notice cancellations possible.
That’s it for another belated blog entry, thanks for joining us looking back on our railway themed adventures! We appreciate your comments, corrections and feedback. We’ll be back with another update soon. Until then, be seeing you!
Yoshi pauses during a walk along the River Stour in Blandford. The two arches behind our boy are all that remain of the original structure that took the Somerset and Dorset Railway across Langton Meadows. The railway closed in 1966 and the Blandford Railway Arches Trust Limited, in partnership with Blandford Town Council are working to conserve the arches – 08/04/2024
April 1st 2024 to April 13th 2024
Yoshi visits the Dolphin Centre in Poole – 02/04/2024
Yoshi was recently quite perturbed on finding out Barclays Bank have been closing branches across Dorset, with both Weymouth and Poole getting the axe. To replace their High Street presence in Poole, the bank have opened a pod within the town’s Dolphin Shopping Centre. The decline of bank branches in the UK has been attributed to banking consumers’ changing habits and technological changes. Yoshi waited patiently in the ever growing queue at the pod when he wanted to transact business ensuring he had enough pocket money in his account to keep him in Beef & Poultry flavour Mini Tasty treats.
Our first railway themed adventure in April 2024 took place during an overnight trip to the Greater Manchester area. The purpose of our trip was to visit friends, but me being me, I was unable to resist the lure of checking out Real Time Trains and seeing what might be seen on the local tracks. I immediately noticed that regular Class 60 hauled freight trains were scheduled to pass through Rochdale, Lancashire where we were staying the night.
As we drove along the A664, Edinburgh Way, on the outskirts of Rochdale towards our hotel, we passed under a blue railway bridge with a sign welcoming us to “Rochdale – birthplace of co-operation”. The metropolitan borough in north-west England has long boasted of its association with the 28 mill workers, known as the “Rochdale Pioneers”, who opened their Co-Operative shop in the town on Toad Lane in 1844, devising the “principles” which became the model for cooperatives worldwide.
It conveniently transpired that our hotel was located a few minutes walk from the railway line running through Rochdale and while out walking Yoshi prior to our heading to bed, we took a stroll just in time to see a Class 60 pass over the A664 blue railway bridge with a Drax Power Station to Liverpool Biomass Terminal train of empty wagons.
The trains supplying Drax use distinctive state of the art biomass wagons – the largest on UK railways – designed specifically to transport and unload wood pellets.
The UK Central Electricity Generating Board began building Drax in 1967 to utilise coal from the Selby coalfield, and in 1974 it begins generating electricity for the first time. The power station is officially opened in 1975, with three generators and a total electrical capacity of just under 2 gigawatts (GW). It had the capability to power around two million homes but by 1986, Drax had doubled in size and capacity to just under 4 GW, becoming the largest power station in the UK.
In 1990, Drax Power Station comes under the ownership of National Power, one of three power generation companies created as part of the privatisation of the electricity industry in England and Wales. Nine years later, the power station is acquired by the US-based AES corporation for £1.87 billion but part ways in 2003 after one of the power station’s major customers goes into administration. As creditors, various financial institutions take control of Drax Power Station. 2005 saw the power station undergoing refinancing and Drax Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
In 2012, Drax committed to transforming the business into a mainly biomass-fuelled generator using compressed wood pellets in place of coal by upgrading the three generating units that came online in the early 1970’s to run on 100% sustainable biomass, with no use of coal. The first upgraded generating unit came online in 2013 and ten years later in April 2023 Drax announced the official end of coal-fired generation at Drax Power Station.
As I previously noted above, there are numerous daily paths to and from Drax which pass through Rochdale. So, in order to catch a view of these workings, I elected to get up early on the Thursday morning and drove the five minute journey to Castleton railway station. On arrival at 0530, in good time to witness 6E36 0205 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax AES (GBRf) pass through, the station was in darkness. Luckily for me, the lights flickered into life prior to Class 60 No. 60076 ‘Dunbar’ rumbling through the unstaffed station.
Screenshot of GBRf Class 60 No. 60076 ‘Dunbar’ running through Castleton working 6E36 0205 Liverpool Biomass Tml to Drax AES (GBRf) – 04/04/2024Northern Trains Class 150 No.’s 150120 and 150110 stop at Castleton railway station working 2B89 0551 Rochdale to Blackburn – 04/04/2024
Stopping train services at Castleton are currently provided by Northern Trains utilising Class 195 and Class 150 diesel multiple units. TransPennine Express train services also pass through the station.
GBRf Class 60 No. 60096 ‘Impetus’ on the approach to Castleton working 6M34 0545 Drax AES (GBRf) to Tuebrook Sidings (GBRf) – 04/04/2024
The first station to be opened in Castleton was in 1839, situated on the western side of the Rochdale to Manchester Road bridge and was originally called “Blue Pits for Heywood”. The existing station opened on 1st November 1875, on the eastern side of the road bridge. The Liverpool and Bury Railway from Bolton once joined the main line at a triangular junction just south of the station. This was previously a busy passenger and freight route utilised by trains avoiding Manchester, but was closed to passengers on 5th October 1970. Castleton station was formerly part of the Oldham Loop Line which provided through services to Oldham via Rochdale. This route was closed in 2009 and converted for light rail use by Manchester Metrolink.
The western portion of this line was retained for freight traffic after passenger trains ceased serving the coal depot at Rawtenstall until 1980, and subsequently to the Powell Duffryn wagon works. It now forms the link with the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) at Heywood. Subject to permission being granted by Network Rail (NR, in the future, the heritage line plans to extend its services along and towards a possible new bay platform – given the proposed name “Castleton Village” – which would be adjacent to the main Castleton station. Passengers could then alight from their ELR train and change station sides directly to Northern Rail services on the national network.
Video from Castleton – April 2024
We arrived back in Dorset on Thursday evening in time to see Colas operated Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) head towards Weymouth propelled by Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton’ with DBSO No. 9714 leading on the outward leg of 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings.
Screenshot of Class 37 No. 37254 ‘Cardiff Canton at the rear of Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU) passing Hamworthy reporting as 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings – 05/04/2024
Video of UTU 3Q45 2103 Woking Up Yard Reception to Reading Triangle Sidings – 05/04/2024
The following day, Friday 5th April 2024, and we were back at Hamworthy station as Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ escaped the heritage railway and ventured out onto the mainline as she headed off to Eastleigh to collect preserved Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’. The two locomotives returned later in the day. The Class 50 is visiting the Swanage Railway to undertake power testing to ensure it is fit and ready to earn a mainline running certificate. More news on this is expected from the locomotives owners in the next few weeks.
Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ runs light engine into Hamworthy as 0Z33 1130 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) – 05/04/2024Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ running light engine passing Hamworthy as 0Z33 1130 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) – 05/04/2024Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ approaching Hamworthy reporting as 0Z50 1430 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Swanage – 05/04/2024 – 05/04/2024Class 50 No. 50026 ‘Indomitable’ being hauled by Swanage resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ at Hamworthy – 05/04/2024
Video of D6515 & 50026 passing Hamworthy – 05/04/2024Yoshi after his date with the groomer. We celebrated by popping into the boys’ favourite pub – 05/04/2024
Hamworthy Branch update
The new electrical cabinet at Hamworthy Park crossing on Ashmore Avenue has been installed and the old one removed.
New cabinet at Hamworthy Park level crossing – 05/04/2024
For The Record
The New Measurement Train (NMT) visited North Dorset on Thursday April 4th top and tailed by former High Speed Train (HST) Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43257 which formed 1Q23 0555 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter.
Saturday 6th April 2024 and North Dorset witnessed the sight of preserved Hasting’s Unit operating “The Cogload Climber” rail tour run by Hastings Diesels Limited. The train passed through Sherborne and Gillingham on its return leg working as 1Z15 1440 Exeter Central to Hastings. Unfortunately, although I had planned to photograph and video the train as it made its way to and from Devon, this just wasn’t meant to be.
However, good friend of this blog, @smithy.377 has very kindly allowed us to share the following images and video of the tour in Exeter.
Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) No. 1001 led by Class 202/6L Power Car 60118 ‘Tunbridge Wells’ at Exeter St Davids prior to departure up to Exeter Central working the “Cogload Climber” railtour reporting as 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith, @smithy.377)
No. 1001 is a Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) which once worked on the London Charing Cross to Hastings route in British Rail days between 1957 and 1986. Following withdrawal, the train was subsequently preserved by Hastings Diesels Limited (HDL), restored to its former glory and returned to main-line operation ten years later, in 1996.
Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)Unit No. 1001 Class 202/6L Power Car No. 60116 ‘Mountfield’ in the bay platform at Exeter Central having arrived with “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central working “The Cogload Climber” 1Z14 0630 Hastings to Exeter Central – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)Unit No. 1001 at Exeter Central forming “The Cogload Climber” railtour. The train departed reporting as 1Z15 1440 Exeter Central to Hastings – 06/04/2024 (Ashley Smith/ @smithy.377)
“The Cogload Climber” railtour at Exeter – 06/04/2024. Video courtesy of Ashley Smith / @smithy.377
In other news, Network Rail (NR), who are responsible for UK railway infrastructure, is to spend approximately £2.8billion on protecting railways from extreme weather events over the next 5 years. The government owned organisation will fund measures such as making embankments more resilient, recruiting almost 400 extra drainage engineers, training operational staff to better interpret weather forecasts and installing CCTV at sites with known flood risks.
Collapsing embankments are causing major disruption to train services, including those which serve Dorset, and measures to prevent these occurring are required in the face of higher than average rainfall. The spending is part of NR’s £45.4billion investment plan for the next five years.
Weymouth railway station on 8th April when ASLEF industrial action meant no SWR trains were running. Class 444 EMU’s No.’s 444003 and 444005 stand at platform out of use while GWR Class 165 Turbo DMU No. 165101 forms the 2V60 0930 Weymouth to Gloucester service – 08/04/2024
The train drivers union, ASLEF, launched a new round of industrial action on Friday 5th April 2024 with the commencement of rolling one day strikes across 14 rail companies. In addition, five days of overtime bans caused further cancellations. The dispute has now entered its 22nd month.
SWR Class 444 No.’s 444036 and 444045 at Weymouth on the ASLEF strike which meant very few SWR services ran – 08/04/2024
Yoshi and I visited Blandford on the morning of 8th April and took a walk along the River Stour so we could view the “Blandford Railway Arches”, the only physical remaining evidence the Somerset and Dorset Railway once traversed over the river. You can read more about the rise and demise of Blandford’s railway history here.
A bridge to nowhere… the decision to close the Somerset and Dorset Railway connecting Bath and Bournemouth is one of the great tragedies of the Beeching Era. Yoshi pauses on a walk along the River Stour – 08/04/2024 For over 100 years the flood arches on Langton Meadows carried the Somerset and Dorset railway over the biodiversity rich Stour flood plain. When the railway closed, most of the infrastructure was demolished, but the arches were left standing, an unlisted but much-loved asset and memorial to the town’s Victorian industrial heritage. When North Dorset District Council considered demolishing them, public opinion in opposition resulted in Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC) seeking a long-term lease for the structure so that it could be preserved – 08/04/2024
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thank you for reading, your comments and corrections, which are always welcome. Be seeing you!
End Piece:
The British Rail Class 165 Networker Turbo is a fleet of suburban Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) passenger trains, originally specified by and built for the British Rail Thames and Chiltern Division of Network South East (NSE). They were built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) York Works between 1990 and 1992. GWR Class 165 No. 165101 forming 2V60 0930 Weymouth to Gloucester – 08/04/2024The British Rail Class 166 Networker Turbo Express is a fleet of DMU passenger trains, built by ABB Transportation in York between 1992 and 1993. The trains were designed as a faster, air-conditioned variant of the Class 165 Turbo, intended for longer-distance services, and, like the 165’s, belong to the Networker family. GWR Class 166 No.166216 at Weymouth forming 2V72 1528 Weymouth to Gloucester – 11/04/2024
Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 No.563 and SECR 0-6-0 O1 No. 65 passing Corfe Castle during the Swanage Railway’s Victorian Weekend – 23/03/2024
March 23rd 2024 to March 31st 2024
As promised last time, in this blog entry, we are going to share our photos and videos from our visit to Swanage Railway’s “Victorian Weekend” event which saw the resident Adams T3 No. 563 in service along with SECR Class O1 No. 65 visiting from the Bluebell Railway. The special gala weekend ran from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th March. I was sorely tempted to visit for all three days, if only to see the first train of the day which involved both the T3 and O1 double heading from Swanage to Norden. In the event, I only made the journey on the Saturday. I have mixed feelings about my photographs recording the two Victorian locomotives working in tandem.
But before Yoshi and I went off to Swanage, we had an engineers train to find in the Branksome area. Overnight a GBRf pair of Class 66 locomotives had operated as 6N75 2353 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksome, with the engineering possession in place from just east of Branksome up to Seldown Junction points near Poole High Street Level Crossing. Looking at the live rail maps provided by websites such as Open Time Trains, the train head code was reporting as sitting in Branksome railway station. After a quick look in at the station, we actually found the train sitting the other side of Branksome viaduct, the lead locomotive obscured by trees. However, I managed a record shot of No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ which was positioned at the rear of its train before making my way to Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’at rest on the rear of engineering train 6G12 2353 Eastleigh East Yard to Branksomeatop bridge E20/23 BML2 Electricity Works between Branksome and Bournemouth – 23/03/2024
As well as the two Victorian steam locos in action for their Victorian gala, Swanage residents Southern Railway (SR) 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and SR 2-6-0 U Class No. 31806 were also hauling trains. All four locomotives were facing boiler first out of Swanage which limited photographic variety somewhat, but that didn’t in any way diminish my enjoyment and the hard work put in by all concerned involved with running the event.
The first train each morning of the Swanage Railway three day Victorian Weekend gala was double headed by the two Victorian era locomotives; Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 No.563 and SECR 0-6-0 O1 No. 65, seen here with Corfe Castle as a backdrop as the duo approach Norden – 23/03/2024SR 2-6-0 – U Class No. 31806 approaches Harman’s Cross – 23/03/2024A wonderful piece of planning saw No. 563 depart Swanage with her train to Norden as No. 65 backed into the station area – 23/03/2024No. 563 gets the token for the single line towards Harman’s Cross and No. 65 runs bak to couple on to her train in the bay platform at Swanage Railway station. – 23/03/2024Adams LSWR 4-4-0 T3 Class No.563 makes a fine sight on departure at Swanage – 23/03/2024Built in 1896, O1 Class No. 65 is the very last surviving South Eastern Railway (SER) locomotive and was rebuilt in 1908 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SECR). The locomotive was purchased from British Railways in 1963 by the Lewis-Evans family for the scrap value of £850 and has been based at the Bluebell Railway since 1997. The Lewis-Evans family decided to sell No. 65 during the latter part of 2021, the locomotive being purchased by the Bluebell Railway Trust securing the locomotive for the heritage line. No. 65 is seen at Woodhyde on the approach to Afflington Bridge which carries the A351 over the railway – 23/03/2024122 locomotives of the O class were built between 1878 and 1899. No. 65 engine was withdrawn by British Railways in 1961, its major claim to fame being the working of the last railtour to run over the Hawkhurst branch in Kent, along with C class No. 31592, which is also preserved at the Bluebell Railway. No. 65 is seen at Woodhyde hauling Swanage Railways Class 117 Diesel Multiple Unit – 23/03/2024SR 2-6-0 – U Class No. 31806 nears Townsend Lane bridge – 23/03/2024SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ at Woodhyde – 23/03/2024One final capture of visiting locomotive SECR 0-6-0 O1 Class No. 65 as she steams up to Corfe Viaduct with a train bound for Norden – 23/03/3034
Video of Swanage Railway’s Victorian Weekend from 23/03/2024
Swanage Railway’s ‘Save Your Railway’ appeal, launched in November 2023, has so far successfully raised £120,000 of the £450,000 target. If you would like to help please click here.
After our Purbeck visit, we popped back to Branksome (of course we did!) so Yoshi could get an update on the maintenance work taking place on the points into the depot at the east end of the railway station. I was pleased the GBRf Class 66’s had moved up with their train which was resting in full sunlight looking very photogenic.
GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ with sister loco No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ stationary on the approach to Branksome railway station – 23/03/2024Work progresses on the points into Bournemouth depot watched by GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ – 23/03/2024A road-rail vehicle at work in Branksome railway station -23/03/2024Yoshi took it upon himself to inspect the engineering work taking place at Branksome. Although, he is looking the wrong way in this image – 23/03/2024Another view of the activity taking place at Branksome with GBRf Class 66 No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ – 23/03/2024Balfour Beatty’s 08-4X4/4S-RT tamper No. DR73950 ‘Tamper Tantrum’ operating under head code 6Q04 at Seldown, Poole – 24/03/2024In October 2021, both of Balfour Beatty’s 08-4X4/4S-RT tampers were named following a competition involving schools. Rather than cast plates, the names are applied in transfers on the main bodyside adjacent to the Balfour Beatty name. The machines also carry details of the first names of the child who selected each respective name, their class year and the name plus the logo of their school. No. DR73950 ‘Tamper Tantrum’ is seen here near Seldown Junction at Poole and was named by Chloe, aged 8, at Rockliffe Manor Primary School. It’s sister machine, No. DR73949 was named ‘Tiny Tamper’ – 24/03/2024
Monday morning we were up early and popped over to Poole to see the return working of the Branksome engineers train as it made a belated departure to Eastleigh East Yard – delayed by almost 30 minutes because of overrunning engineering work!
Following the completion of the work at Branksome, the engineering train moved up to Poole Storage Sidings. GBRf Class 66 No. 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ passes through Poole leading on 6G12 0430 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard with No. 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’. Departure of this train was delayed by, er. over-running engineering works – 25/03/2024
Video of GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66749 ‘Christopher Hopcroft MBE 60 Years Railway Service’ and 66730 ‘Whitemoor’ working 6G12 0430 Poole to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole -25/03/2024
Tuesday 26th March 2024 saw further South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 electric multiple unit (EMU) drags between Widnes Transport Tech and Bournemouth TRSMD taking place. Much excitement on the rail enthusiast grapevine when it was discovered that newly repainted GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 was allocated. This particular locomotive was released into traffic back in October 2023 still in its green primer coat, but has recently received a new paint job at Arlington Fleet Services located at Eastleigh Works, emerging in Class 52 “Western” style livery. This is inspired by the British Rail carriage maroon colours with half yellow warning panels and white window surrounds as carried by 71 of the 74 Class 52 “Western” Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives between 1962 and 1971.
GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole as part of the running around its train exercise whilst working 5Z66 2018 Bournemouth TRSMD to Eastleigh East Yard – 26/03/2024
The locomotive livery has been completed with the addition of cast number and ‘Western Consort’ name plates in classic “Western” Great Western Railway (GWR) serif lettering. The name was decided upon by GBRf CEO, John Smith, as the original ‘Western Consort’ (No. D1065) was his favourite member of the class.
We had intended on seeing the train at Branksome, but rush hour traffic queues meant this idea was abandoned, as was the alternative destination Parkstone. Instead, we were able to retrace our steps to Poole and pass the train as it sat in the station before moving out to Poole Storage Sidings where the locomotive would detach and run round before hauling the refurbished Class 458/4 back in the direction of Bournemouth depot.
GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ arrives at Poole Storage Sidings with Class 458/4 No. 458422 forming 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth TRSMD- 26/03/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole Storage Sidings with Class 458/4 No. 458422. The locomotive is about to detach from the train and will run into Poole station before returning and attaching to the London end of the consist – 26/03/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ light engine at Sterte, Poole as she runs around her train – 26/03/2024
After watching the maroon Class 69 locomotive head off light engine from our vantage point on the footbridge above Poole Storage Sidings, we decided to move up to Poole railway station in order to watch the train being taken to its final destination once reunited with No. 69009. However, as we, and a few other enthusiasts, gathered under Towngate Bridge at the London end of the down platform to shelter from the rain, we were approached by an officious and extremely rude member of station staff, which for the purposes of this narrative we shall call Dave – because that’s his name – who informed us we were in contravention of the rules and too close to the platform edge. Everyone there was on the correct side of the yellow line, with the exception of the member of railway staff who took great pleasure in blocking our view of the approaching train. There was also nobody standing in the ambiguous hatched area located at the platform end, nor were we past the sign which clearly informs rail users they should not “pass this point”. In this H&S conscious modern era, I have always taken care to observe safety regulations and very much resent being spoken to like a child. I will not be including Dave on my Christmas card list.
GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ passing Poole working 5Q64 Southampton Down Loop to Bournemouth TRSMD – 26/03/2024GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ at Poole – 26/03/2024
Video of GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’ on Class 458 unit drags – 26/03/2024
I’ve included a few images below of Class 52 “Western” locomotives in preservation which clearly show the inspiration for the livery carried by No. 69009 ‘Western Consort’.
D1015 ‘Western Champion’ is one of seven preserved Westerns from the original 74 built by BR at Swindon and Crewe. She is seen here at Eastleigh during a Works Open Day – 24/05/2019No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ seen at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) was built at BR Swindon Works in 1962 and withdrawn on 27/02/1977 at 1630 after completing 1,360,740 miles in BR service – 20/07/2013No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ at Blue Anchor in the guise of No. D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’. Following withdrawal from BR, D1010 was sold to Foster Yeoman in July 1977 and moved to their base at Merehead Quarry. The loco was, at that point, repainted into BR Green livery with full yellow ends and was renamed ‘Western Yeoman’ carrying the number D1035 – 20/07/2013In January 1993, Foster Yeoman agreed to sell No.D1035 / D1010 to the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) who then replaced the ‘Foster Yeoman’ name and D1035 number with the original D1010 and ‘Western Campaigner’ plates and painted the loco into BR Blue with small yellow warning panels. No. 1035 ‘Western Campaigner’ is seen at Bishops Lydeard running as withdrawn classmate No. D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’ – 20/07/2013A young Yoshi on one of his first railway themed adventures admires Class 52 No. D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ at Williton shed on the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive had failed at Bishops Lydeard in June 2018 with a seized transmission at the ‘B’ end. The loco was towed to Williton after disconnecting the cardan shaft on ‘B’ transmission. Work continues on fault diagnosis and repair with the hope she will return to service in 2025 – 21/06/2019Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ on the approach to Weymouth at the head of Pathfinder Tours “The Western Wessexman” 1Z52 0553 Leicester to Weymouth – 07/09/2013 (John Chappell)Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ at Weymouth having arrived with “The Western Wessexman” 1Z52 0553 Leicester to Weymouth rail tour – 07/09/2013 (John Chappell)
Returning to 2024, and the last special working which visited Dorset in March was Saphos Trains “The Golden Arrow” rail tour to Folkestone and Canterbury which was in the charge of Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) diesel engines; Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) and Class 57 No. 57311. Later on in the rail tour schedule, outside of Dorset, the Class 57 was replaced by steam traction in the shape of LMS 4-6-0 Royal Scot Class No. 46100 ‘Royal Scot’. The steam locomotive was itself replaced by No. 57311 prior to the tour returning to Dorset metals. This return working operated as 1Z47 1559 Canterbury West to Poole, which arrived back at its final destination 20 minutes late at 0018 on the 31st March 2024 before forming the balancing Empty Coaching Stock (ECS) movement 5Z50 0004 Poole to Eastleigh Works BRML Head Quarters departing 19 minutes behind schedule at 0023 via Poole Storage Sidings. Yoshi and I were happily tucked up in bed at this point after our early start!
Locomotive Services Limited Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) ‘Crewe Diesel Depot’ arrives at Poole leading on the Empty Coaching Stock movement Saphos Trains “Golden Arrow” reporting as 3Z45 0406 Eastleigh Works to Poole – 30/03/2024LSL Class 57 No. 57311 in lined black livery in readiness for departure from Poole hauling Saphos Trains “Golden Arrow” 1Z46 0553 Poole to Canterbury West – 30/03/2024
Video of Class 47 No. 47810 (D1924) and Class 57 No. 57311 at Poole – 30/03/2024
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Thanks, as always, for reading, your comments and corrections. These are always welcome. Until next time, Be Seeing You!
Postscript
We ended March attending another gig at the O2 Academy where we nostalgically remembered years gone by in the company of Stereo MC’s, Inspiral Carpets and Happy Mondays as they brought “The Been There Done That” tour to Bournemouth – 31/03/2024
Freightliner Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512 at Bincombe during engineering work reporting as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 18/03/2024
March 16th 2024 to March 22nd 2024
Maintenance work between Dorchester and Weymouth closed the railway line from Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th March 2024 affecting both South Western Railway (SWR) and Great Western Railway (GWR) services along this route. In association with the work, an engineers train, in the hands of Freightliner, worked from Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South overnight of 16/17th March, arriving in the County Town at 0156 on the Monday morning, approximately 46 minutes behind schedule. We saw the train pass through Hamworthy, top and tailed by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512, at which point it was running 36 minutes late.
Freightliner Class 66 No. 66520 leads through Hamworthy working 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 17/03/2024FL Class 66 No. 66512 brings up the rear on 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South passing Hamworthy – 17/03/2024
As we arrived at the station in good time to see the engineering train heading to Weymouth, we were surprised to see an empty coaching stock movement, formed of SWR Class 444 No. 444001 passing through Hamworthy just after 0100 on its way to Bournemouth Traincare depot working as 5W71 0041 Weymouth to Bournemouth TRSMD. A result of the line being closed in the Poole area on the Sunday meant trains from London Waterloo terminated at Bournemouth. A replacement bus service ran to stations between Bournemouth and Wareham with a shuttle train service operating between Wareham and Weymouth during the day.
The worksite necessitating the Monday to Wednesday line closure was located in the Bincombe area, where track would receive the attention of a tamper and gain some fresh ballast. We popped out on Monday afternoon to take a look at what was going on, expecting to find the two Class 66 locomotives parked up on the down line between Bincombe Tunnel and Bincombe Tunnel Number 2. Instead we found Quattro Group’s Mercedes rail road vehicle ‘Mad Vax’ and one of their tracked Road Rail Vehicles (RRV).
A RailRoad vehicle at Bincombe – 18/03/2024Quattro Group’s Mad Vax vacuum excavation system, which won the Most Innovative RRV Product Award at the National Rail Awards in 2019, prepares to do its stuff at Bincombe. Quattro Group are rightly proud of this piece of kit; “The Mad Vax vacuum excavation system has all the power and performance needed to complete a wide array of rail applications from ballast removal to spillage clean up operation. The unit’s spoil capacity is an impressive 6m3, and with a side tipping hopper it can be emptied lineside, utilising a special split-lid spoil tank to give a lower overall profile and to reduce overall tipping height for works under overhead power cables or at a suitable location when off track. The machine is also equipped with a Powerarm and IKE rotating suction tube to aid in breaking up harder ground for improved efficiency.” – 18/03/2024Bincombe worksite for the March 2024 maintenance work – 18/03/2024
After a quick chat with friend of this blog, Robin, we drove off towards Upwey to see if the engineers train was stabled near the railway station. Despite much of the line side trees and vegetation having been cut back, there was no sign of the Freightliner train. After refreshments at The Royal Standard in Upwey, we proceeded to drive back towards Dorchester when, glancing to the right as we came over the brow of Ridgeway hill, we could see the unmistakable sight of a Class 66 locomotive. Parking the car in the next lay-by, I crossed over the road and proceeded along the footpath back in the direction of Weymouth to see if it was possible to get a photo of the train at rest.
Class 66 No. 66512 stands out amidst the Dorset countryside – 18/03/2024
I was quite pleased with the resulting photo of the train parked at the northern portal of Bincombe Tunnel, perfectly placed for a photograph imho.
Because I liked the shot so much, another view of Freightliner Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66520 and 66512 at Bincombe during engineering work reporting as 6Y85 2348 Eastleigh East Yard to Dorchester South – 18/03/2024A tamper sits in the sidings at Dorchester South waiting to be deployed at Bincombe – 18/03/2024 (G E Barrett)
The Class 66’s returned to Eastleigh on the afternoon of Tuesday 19th March. It was quite a novelty to see a local engineers train working in daylight hours!
Class 66 No. 66512 awaiting departure with 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)Class 66 No. 66520 in the gloom of a wet Dorchester South at the rear of 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66512 ready to depart from Dorchester South working 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024 (G E Barrett)Freightliner Class 66 No. 66512 leads on 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard passing Hamworthy – 19/03/2024Freightliner Class 66 No. 66520 runs through Hamworthy at the rear of 6Y85 1454 Dorchester South to Eastleigh East Yard – 19/03/2024
Video of Freightliner Class 66 No.’s 66520 and 66512 working a Dorset engineering train – March 2024 (Additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
The monthly New Measurement Train (NMT) which is scheduled to visit Weymouth via the West route through Maiden Newton was curtailed at Yeovil on Wednesday 20th March 2024 owing to the line closure between Dorchester and Weymouth. Allocated Class 43 High Speed Train (HST) power cars No.’s 43357 and 43277 worked 1Q18 0748 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road.
While the NMT was making its way to Somerset, I could be found at Norden on the Swanage Railway watching visiting South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 being prepped for towing down to Swanage in readiness for the railways Victorian Weekend. Resident preserved Birmingham Rail & Carriage Works (BR&CW) Class 33 No. 33111 had the task of collecting No. 65 and hauling her down to Swanage.
Swanage resident Class 33/1 No. 33111 cautiously hauls South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 away from Norden sidings – 20/03/2024South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 at Norden during the operation to haul her to Swanage in readiness for the railway’s Victorian Weekend – 20/03/3024Class 33/1 No. 33111 hauls South Eastern & Chatham Railway (SECR) Class O1 steam locomotive No. 65 as they depart Norden station heading to Swanage – 20/03/2024
SECR O1 No. 65 arrives on the Swanage Railway – 20/03/2024
The following day, I hitched a lift with friend of the blog Jamie for a visit to Maiden Newton to see Colas Railfreight Class 37 No.’s 37175 and 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ top and tailing a Structure Gauging Train on its way from Westbury to Weymouth and return. The working left Westbury around two hours late and I probably aged Jamie by a few years by claiming we had plenty of time to make the journey over to see the train! We arrived in Maiden Newton with ten minutes to spare.
Great Western Railway Class 166 No. 166210 on the approach to Maiden Newton working 2V68 1328 Weymouth to Gloucester – 21/03/2024Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37175 on the approach to Maiden Newton leading on 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard – 21/03/2024Colas Railfreight Class 37 No. 37175 with 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ at the rear at Maiden Newton leading on 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard on the outward leg to Weymouth – 21/03/2024On the return leg of 3Q14 1021 Westbury Down Yard to Westbury Down Yard Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ leads into Maiden Newton – 21/03/2024 Colas Class 37 No. 37219 ‘Jonty Jarvis’ pauses at Maiden Newton as the driver collects to token to allow the train to progress onto the next single line section of track – 21/03/2024Great Western Railway Class 166 Turbo’s cross at Maiden Newton; No.166220 working 2O76 1110 Gloucester to Weymouth and No. 166210 forms 2V68 1328 Weymouth to Gloucester – 21/03/2024
Maiden Newton trains – 21/03/2024
Later that night, another engineering train ventured into Dorset in conjunction with work in the Christchurch area. I didn’t see train 6N75 2300 Eastleigh East Yard to Christchurch arrive, but I did get up early Friday morning to see DB Class 66 No. 66118 and pioneer shed No. 66001 departing Bournemouth as they returned with their train to Eastleigh East Yard this time working as 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard. It was so early, Bournemouth railway station was still locked up when I arrived. However the train departed around 20 minutes behind schedule, but not wanting to risk missing filming the departure, I stood steadfastly at my vantage point overlooking the station when I could have easily ventured down to platform level once the station was opened up to the travelling public for the first passenger trains of the day.
With Bournemouth railway station as its backdrop, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66118 awaits departure working 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66118 at Bournemouth leading on 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66001 at the rear of 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66001 awaits departure of 6N75 0505 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard – 22/03/2024
DB Cargo Class 66’s at Bournemouth – 22/03/2024
HAMWORTHY BRANCH
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Annual Stakeholders Open Evening 2024 – 20/03/2024
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) Annual Stakeholders Open Evening 2024 took place on 20th March in the North Lounge of the Passenger Terminal. We went along to see if there were any updates on the restoration of freight traffic along the Hamworthy Branch which runs down to the port area from a junction to the mainline at Hamworthy railway station. PHC CEO Captain Brian Murphy said; “We are very fortunate to have the port railway. We haven’t used it for some time, but it’s there and it aligns perfectly with our decarbonisation goals. Modal shift is the best way to get transport off the roads. We want to grow the business, we want to grow the freight. We want more cargo through the port but we’d rather actually get as much as possible on to rail rather than the roads. So this does align with the governments ambitious targets which are of part of their 2050 plan for clean maritime and reducing carbon emissions and there has been a lot of work which has actually happened thus far. The commissioners have invested quite heavily in securing the lease that runs from the port all the way to the mainline and there has been a lot of upgrading work which has happened on the Hamworthy Branch. We’ve got a little bit more to do in terms of in the port but we are looking at the business case and hopefully it all aligns. But clearly in terms of ownership, it’ll be a lot of trucks off the road so very excited about that project.”
We recently learned of the passing of our friend and fellow railway enthusiast, Syd Brown. Syd has been a transport enthusiast for many years and could regularly be found supporting local transport events. He was an active member of the old Dorset Transport Circle in times past. Syd’s working life was spent in Dorset County Council’s Roads and Bridges department (now known as Transport and Engineering) and he was also an official in the Dorset County branch of NALGO (now UNISON). Our condolences to Syd’s family.
Thank you for reading and for your comments and corrections. We’ll be back soon with our record of our day attending the Swanage Railway Victorian Weekend. Be seeing you!
Postscript:
Will we ever see trains coming off the Hamworthy Branch again? Back in 2017, DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60054 heads towards the mainline at Hamworthy while South West Trains (SWT) Class 444 No. 444032 waits at platform with a Weymouth service – 17/02/2017 DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60054 draws up to the signal protecting the branch from the mainline at Hamworthy – 17/02/2017
Yoshi visited The London Museum of Water & Steam to celebrate the New Year. In the background are the museum buildings and the impressive Victorian standpipe tower, which is not, as you might expect, a chimney but a brick winter coat for the two systems of vertical pipes – through which water was pumped before it entered the mains water supply – contained within to prevent freezing and is the museum’s most striking feature standing at 200 ft high. The Grade I brick tower, of Italianate design, was constructed in 1867 to replace an earlier open metal lattice structure – 01/01/2024
January 1st 2024 to January 11th 2024
We kicked off 2024 with a visit to the “New Years Steam Up” being held at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. The Steam Up weekend of celebrations was the first opportunity in two years for people to marvel at the monstrous working steam engines that once provided water to the millions living and working in London. In July 2022, the Museum’s 96 year old Lancashire Boiler failed an inspection when it was discovered one of the seventeen rivets which hold the crown valve mounting flange onto the main boiler shell had lost its heat inside the boiler’s steam space. This meant that the boiler could no longer be used and the steam engines fell silent and still while extensive repairs were carried out. Now, just in time to celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary the boiler is steaming once again.
Situated on the site of the former Kew Bridge Pumping Station, close to Kew Bridge on the River Thames in West London, the museum is centred on a collection of stationary water pumping steam engines dating from 1820 to 1910. It is the home of the world’s largest collection of working Cornish engines, including the largest working beam engine in the world; the Grand Junction 90 inch.
The Grand Junction 90 inch has a cylinder diameter of 90 inches (hence its name!) and was used to pump water to London for 98 years. This machine is over 40 feet high and weighs about 250 tons. It was described by Charles Dickens as “a monster”. It was built by Sandys, Carne & Vivian of Hayle in 1846 as the first Cornish beam engine specifically designed for water supplies and was powerful enough to supply water to the upper floors of buildings, allowing direct supply to upstairs bathrooms 01/01/2024
We arrived early after a good run in the car up from Dorset and luckily found parking on site in the small car park at the museum, although the site is only a 3 minute walk from Kew Bridge railway station if you chose to arrive by train. There were a number of families in evidence with young children during our visit and the museum is a great place to learn and have fun.
Exhibiting a plethora of steam, diesel and electric powered pumps, the London Museum of Water & Steam tells the story of London’s water supply housed in historic Georgian buildings and they very kindly allowed access to Yoshi, but explained that our boy may not like some of the steam engines when they are working. We duly followed this advice and Yoshi waited with one of his hoomans in the Pump and Grind Coffee Shop or explored the garden area while the machines were being operated. The coffee shop was very busy and served an excellent cuppa. It is run by “Our Barn Community”, a local charity working with young people with learning difficulties enabling a supported work placement.
We have shared just a small fraction of the engineering marvels housed at the museum below:
The Waddon Engine with drove 3 pumps was built by James Simpson & Co of Newarkin 1910 and originally found use at Waddon Pumping Station in Croydon. It was the last steam water-pumping engine in active UK service before being retired in June 1983. It was restored in 1990 and restored to original Edwardian colours for display at the museum – 01/01/2024This waterwheel was built in 1902 by S. Hindley & Sons in Bourton, Dorset for the Duke of Somerset to serve his estate at Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire and was one of the last waterwheels ever built to pump water in the UK – 01/01/2024The Boulton & Watt (West engine) is the oldest engine in the London Museum of Water & Steam having been built in Birmingham in 1820.It was one of a pair moved to Kew in 1840 which were then converted into a Cornish type between 1846 and 1848. Retired in 1944, this was the first engine to be returned to working order in 1975 – 01/01/2024
Kew Bridge Pumping Station was originally opened in 1838 by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, expanding over the ensuing years and ultimately housing six steam pumping engines as well as four Allen diesel pumps and four electric pump sets. The steam engines were retired from service in 1944, although two were kept on standby until 1958. The Metropolitan Water Board thankfully decided not to scrap the resident steam pumping engines and set them aside to form the basis of a museum display at a later date which came to fruition in 1974 with the formation of the Kew Bridge Engines Trust.
The original Number 1 horizontal AC motor driving centrifugal pump was built in 1944 by Hawthorn Davey & Co of Leeds. This type of electric pump replaced steam engines at pumping stations across the UK and this example is the oldest surviving pump of its kind. It was retired in the late 1980’s – 01/01/2024
The museum also runs a 2 ft narrow gauge railway, which despite being advertised as running over the weekend, was unfortunately not operating during our visit. The museum has been a filming location for many television programmes, including the Doctor Who serial “Remembrance of the Daleks” broadcast in 1988.
After our visit to the London Museum of Water & Steam, we had planned on taking a trip into central London by rail, but in the event decided against this and instead took a drive and a leisurely walk around nearby Richmond, including a visit to the railway station. Of course we did!
The Art Deco façade of Richmond railway station complete with its square clock centrepiece – 01/01/2024
The Art Deco station building in Richmond, designed by James Robb Scott (1882-1965) for the Southern Railway and constructed in Portland stone dates from 1937 and replaced an earlier station on the site. Scottish born Scott became the Chief Architect of the Southern Railway and is perhaps best known for his redesign of London Waterloo between 1910 and 1923 where he was chiefly responsible for the offices, main entrance and war memorial to the fallen employees of the railway known as the Victory Arch. Scott also designed Wimbledon and Surbiton railway stations – now part of the South Western Railway (SWR) network – the latter having recently celebrated 40 years since being bestowed Grade II listed status.
SWR, Network Rail (NR) and the Railway Heritage Trust are jointly funding a £325,000 programme of improvements with hopes of more refurbishment to come in the future, subject to additional funding being made available. Initial work includes cleaning the Portland stone façade, repairing the timber entrance doors and polishing its bronze embellishments, repairing flagpoles and refurbishing customer toilets.
The restored entrance doors to Richmond railway station which Yoshi unceremoniously christened on our visit…. 01/01/2024
The style of the building at Richmond is suggested as being inspired by the work of Charles Holden (1875-1960), the architect behind London Underground stations including South Wimbledon on the Northern line. Holden’s designs included multi-frame glazing, enamelled signage panels, the use of an iconic typeface for signage and brick and tile detailing. Similar features at Richmond have been lost or covered up over time, including during the station’s last major refurbishment in 1985. SWR, NR and the Railway Heritage Trust have worked with Benedict O’Looney Architects on designs that include restoring or replicating those features, and others, in future improvements. Paying close attention to detail, the station’s original, hand-drawn plans are being used together with promotional photographs from when the station first opened its doors to customers. Samples of the station’s original paint are also being analysed by the University of Lincoln, specialists in the conservation and restoration of the interior and exterior features of listed and historic buildings.
The area in front of Richmond station main entrance was pedestrianised in 2013 and includes a war memorial to soldier Bernard Freyberg, who was born in Richmond. As well as Sir trains, the station is served by the London Overground North London Line and Underground District Line trains.
Star of the show, Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 working the 1200 Swanage to Norden service approaches Corfe Common – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway’s first event of 2024 was their annual “Winter Warm Up” weekend held on January 6th & 7th. With cold, but clear weather forecast, I decided on heading down to Swanage on the Saturday after taking a chance on a picturesque sunrise at Durdle Door on the way.
Resident Class 33 No. 33111 crosses Corfe Viaduct hauling the 1245 Swanage to Norden train – 06/01/2023SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ takes her turn on the demonstration freight working the 1132 Norden to Swanage nearing Afflington. Later during the weekend, brake van rides were offered – 06/01/2024This time working a passenger train, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ has departed Norden with the 1415 service to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ takes her turn on the freight wagons working 1302 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024Class 33 No.D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ departs Harman’s Cross with the 1030 Norden to Swanage – 06/01/2024
In action this year was the recently restored Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 hauling its first freight train since its return to service, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ and the resident Class 33 diesel locomotives no.’s 33111 and D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 powers away from Corfe Castle at the head of the 1357 Swanage to Norden demonstration freight – 06/01/2024
The Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group have been nominated for the “Steam Railway Magazine Award”. This award is decided by the public and will be announced at Heritage Railway Association’s annual ceremony on February 10th 2024 and you can now cast your vote online until the 18th January 2024: www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards
Video from January 6th 2024 Swanage Winter Warm Up
Scheduled mainline action kicked off the year with a “no-show” as the HST powered New Measurement Train (NMT) failed to reach Weymouth on January 3rd after a points failure at Castle Cary curtailed 1Z22 1211 Derby RTC (Network Rail) to Bristol Kingsland Road – top and tailed by Class 43 power cars No.’s 43274 and 43257 – at Westbury. Interestingly three different paths were put in for this test train on this particular day. The one which finally ran was timed later than the usual working to Dorset, but not as late as one of the options given for the day!
We did, however, get to experience a daylight Snow & Ice treatment Train (SITT) on Sunday 7th January as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ in top and tail formation worked to Weymouth as 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. 66764 replaced No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ and No. 66743 which had both been previously paired up with No. 66772 on the Totton based SITT locomotive diagram.
Sunday morning tranquility is disturbed as GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ top and tail SITT 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard across Upton Viaduct on the Holes Bay causeway – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ leads on the return 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard Snow & Ice Treatment Train through Hamworthy with No. 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ at the rear – 07/01/2024GBRf Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66764 ‘Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwayman’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy working 3Y88 1035 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 07/01/2024
Major John Poyntz served in the British army for 35 years, with the Royal Engineers and later the Royal Corps of Transport. After military service, he joined the Railway Inspectorate, now part of the Office of Rail and Road, and was the last Royal Engineer to take such a route, spending 25 years in the role as a Railway Inspector. His work included inspections of heritage railways and dealing with accidents and incidents such as the Severn Tunnel rail accident and the Cannon Street rail crash, both in 1991.
Overnight on Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th a ballast train headed to Moreton working as 6C03 2312 Eastleigh East Yard to Moreton (Dorset) in the hands of Colas locomotives Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809. We saw the ensemble pass through Hamworthy on the outward leg and had planned to see the associated return 6C03 0810 Moreton (Dorset) to Eastleigh East Yard crossing Holes Bay, but as the train set off over an hour early and with the sun yet to rise, we played safe and returned once again to Hamworthy railway station to watch the train pass through.
January ballast train with Class 66 No. 66848 and Class 70 No. 70809
The SITT returned to the Bournemouth to Weymouth line under the cover of darkness on Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th January employing the same pair of Class 66’s as the previous Sunday run.
January 2024 Dorset Snow & Ice Treatment Train workings (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
In between the SITT workings, on Tuesday 9th January, we saw a first for Dorset as Direct Rail Services (DRS) ran a service to Winfrith using a Class 88 locomotive No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ which had replaced failed Class 68 No. 68004 (which itself had substituted for No. 68005) and No. 68003 ‘Astute’ in top an tail formation. This was the inaugural use a Class 88 on the Bournemouth to Weymouth line.
DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ with Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ working the empties to Winfrith as 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings through Hamworthy – 09/01/2024DRS Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sdgs to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) at Hamworthy – 09/01/2024Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ at the rear of 6Z62 0100 Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) to Winfrith Sidings having cleared Hamworthy railway station. Class 68 No. 68003 ‘Astute’ leads – 09/01/2024
The Class 88 is a mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Stadler Rail and is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family.
Class 88 No. 88002 ‘Prometheus’ remained at the rear for the return 6Z95 1551 Winfrith Sidings to Crewe Coal Sidings (DRS) – 09/01/2024
During the development of the Class 68 diesel locomotive for DRS which was first announced in January 2012, the design team at Stadler proposed the concept of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). In comparison to conventional diesel locomotives, this arrangement enables operational costs to be significantly reduced when diagrammed on routes partially or entirely under OHLE, under which the diesel engine can be deactivated.In September 2013, DRS placed an order for ten such locomitives which would become the Class 88. Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotive types, with an approximate 70% share of components.
Video of January 9th 2024 Winfrith run (additional video courtesy of G E Barrett)
The Class 88 is the first dual-mode locomotive type in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification, as the only other electro-diesel locomotives to have entered service with British Railways are the Class 73’s and Class 74’s, which operated on the Southern Region using third rail electrification, and we’ve reached back into the archives to find some images to share:
Class 74 No. 74010 at Doncaster Works. Withdrawn from service in December 1977, the locomotive was cut up here in October 1979 after being given a brief reprieve so that it could be for evaluated for departmental use by the Railway Technical Centre (RTC) in Derby. It was given a light overhaul at Eastleigh before being towed to Derby, where it was eventually deemed to be unsuitable and taken to Doncaster for scrapping – 22/07/1979A hastily taken photo of Class 74’s at London Waterloo taken from a departing train bound for Weymouth. This side of the station later became Waterloo International between 1994 and 2007 – July 1977Class 74 No. 74004 has had a bit of a bump (not helped by my camera shake!) as it stands forlorn at Eastleigh Diesel Depot during the 1978 Open Day. This locomotive was withdrawn from service in December 1977 and cut up at Birds in Long Marston. She was originally built as the pioneer Class 71 and numbered E5000 – 30/04/1978Withdrawn Class 74’s at Eastleigh Diesel Depot Open Day including No.’s 74005 and 74009 – 30/04/1978
Eastleigh Open Day 1978 flyerClass 73 No. 73122 and 2-HAP Unit No. 6103 with a third unidentified carriage and Class 33 No. 33116 working a test train towards Dorchester South – 13/05/1981The same test train as in the image above focussing on Class 33 No. 33116 on the approach to Dorchester South – 13/05/1981
For The Record:
In other news, the SWR Class 701 Electric Multiple Units (EMU’s) finally entered revenue earning service on Tuesday 9th January 2024 when No. 701037 worked a single round trip between Waterloo and Windsor Eton Riverside. The Derby-built trains had been due to enter service in 2019. SWR have since promised the rolling stock would enter passenger service in 2023 – a promise echoed by the Department for Transport (DaFT) in a statement issued in May 2023, which said the trains would run “this calendar year”. It is intended a Class 701 will continue to run off-peak Monday to Friday between London Waterloo and Windsor, in order to fulfil that commitment, making one single round trip each day, or working between 1000 and 1600. The phased entry into service of the Class 701’s – which continue test runs to Poole and Bournemouth – will eventually allow for the withdrawal of SWR’s Class 455 units and the cascade of the Class 458 fleet to longer distance services.
Back in 2020, the first Class 701 to be delivered, No. 701002, was delivered to South Western Railway and somehow made its way to Weymouth where it is seen here in Jersey Sidings awaiting commissioning tests. Yoshi and I stumbled across it while out for our morning walkies – 16/06/200
The North Dorset NMT ran on Thursday 11th January 2024 – a week earlier than I expected – in the hands of HST Class 43 power cars No.’s 43013 and 43257.
Lake Road was closed to road traffic from its junction with Lake Drive to its junction with Coles Avenue from Monday 8th January up to and including Friday 12th January 2024 – 2200 to 0600 daily to facilitate removal of material from a bridge strike and replace missing signage on Lake Road Bridge situated on the Hamworthy Branch. We popped by a couple of times, and although the road was indeed closed, there didn’t seem to be any activity taking place with regards to bridge repairs, which is disappointing to say the least.
Road closure at Lake Road bridge – but little sign of any repairs taking place – 08/01/2024Yoshi had his first grooming session of 2024 on Monday 8th January and couldn’t wait to show off his new cut to his grandmama – 08/01/2024
That brings us to the end of another blog entry. Next week, we’ll celebrate Yoshi’s birthday and hopefully have some more Dorset based railway images and video to bring you. Thank you for reading and for your comments, corrections and amendments. All very much appreciated. We’ll leave you with a couple of shots from that early morning trip to Durdle Door! Be seeing you!
Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024Sunrise at Durdle Door – 06/01/2024
Yoshi at Yeovil Junction with Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. The Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo-Bo diesel electric mainline locomotives which were built for the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway between 1999 to 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components (engine and transmission) from General Motors Diesel. Yoshi is a cockapoo dog, a miniature poodle and cocker spaniel mix produced in Wiltshire – 23/12/2023
December 11th 2023 to December 31st 2023
The second part of our December blog is finally here! After our trip to the North, we didn’t have to wait long for some local railway themed action as another Class 458 EMU drag from Widnes Transport Tech to Bournemouth depot took place on Wednesday 13th running as 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD. I kept one eye on its movement via the live maps available on the Open Time Trains website, and at one point almost left home early as the train was running well ahead of time.
GBRf Class 69 No.69008 at Branksome preparing to reverse into the depot with 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
However, the train was held outside of Eastleigh for a while so I was able to get to Branksome on the train as planned just prior to the arrival of GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 and Class 69 No. 69008 with South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 No. 458424 sandwiched in-between barrier coaches. The return run taking another Class 458 for refurbishment in Widnes was set for departure the afternoon of the same day, but was afforded three different paths out of the depot. Avoiding the possibility of picking the wrong working and either missing the departure or having a lengthy wait I decided just to remain at home instead!
GBRf Class 56 No. 56081 with SWR Class 458 No. 458424 in tow arrives at Branksome heading 5X73 0722 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Bournemouth TRSMD – 13/12/2023
No. 56081 is to to be retired to Longport in the New Year. While the option for additional Class 69 conversions doesn’t appear to have been taken yet, the planned despatch of the Class 56 to Longport certainly places it in position for potential conversion to No. 69017.
Later on the same day, the Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) ran from Totton to Dorchester South and back as 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard with Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’. I toyed briefly with the notion of driving to Dorchester to get a photo of No. 66743 in its Belmond Royal Scotsman livery, but decided against it on this occasion.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66743 and 66772 ‘Maria’ passing Hamworthy with 3Y89 2211 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 13/12/2023
Saturday 16th December was a bit of a road trip so I could see what could well be the final DB Cargo (DBC) Class 60 hauled railtour as the class are to be ‘retired’ in April 2024 by the Deutsche Bahn owned freight operator following an announcement it is to eliminate the use of its Class 60 locomotives by re-gearing ten of its Class 66 loco’s to provide an enhanced tractive effort. As most of its services are operated by Class 66 locomotives, with the Class 60’s only seeing limited use, DB Cargo concluded that if services operated by its Class 60 locomotives could be transferred to Class 66’s with a higher tractive effort, it would benefit its customers and the company.
DB Cargo has also said that in the future they are going to focus on contractual railtour operations, with the likes of the Belmond British Pullman trains, and less on the ‘ad hoc’ operations for other tour promoters, such as Pathfinder Railtours who were running “The Festive Midland-Ian” which was promoted as an attempt to try and cover as many freight lines, loops and locations as possible in the West Midlands, featuring some “rare track”. The requested motive power had been Top & Tail DBC Class 60’s but, due to the low numbers of the class remaining in service, on the day DBC were forced to substitute a Class 66 for one of them.
Pathfinder named the railtour “The Festive Midland-Ian” after Ian Loveday who devises and helps with many enthusiast rail based excursions. Ian often advises and assists with access to heavily sought after lines including this 16th December charter.
The route for the tour was confirmed as: GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM SPA, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, Kidderminster DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, Stourbridge DGL, Rowley Regis UGL, BIRMINGHAM SNOW HILL, Up & Down Small Health Goods, Caledonia Yard, Up & Down Small Heath Goods, Tyseley Up Through Siding, Dorridge UPL, Leamington Spa UCV, Fenny Compton UGL, Banbury DGL, Banbury Reservoir Sdgs – BANBURY (Break), Fenny Compton DGL, Kineton Branch NR Limit, Leamington Spa DCV, Hatton DGL, Dorridge UDGL, Birmingham New Street (non-stop), Wolverhampton Logistics Centre, Bescot Stadium, Bushbury DGL, Stafford RMT, Oxley Chord, Wolverhampton, Bescot Stadium, Bescot DGL, Aston, BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET, Rowley Regis DGL, STOURBRIDGE JUNCTION, WORCESTER SHRUB HILL, CHELTENHAM SPA, GLOUCESTER
I decided to head to Banbury as I remembered an accesible road bridge close to the Tarmac works which in turn is adjacent to Banbury Resevoir sidings. “The Festive Midland-Ian” is believed to be the first passenger train to visit to the Reservoir stone terminal sidings at Banbury. On the way, I took a slight detour so I could pick up @smithy.377 and looking at the timings available to us on real Time Trains, we realised we’d have a few passes of the train as it worked its way along Banbury Goods Loop and back before tackling the stone terminal sidings. We also enjoyed a few other passing passenger trains and a couple of freights.
Chiltern Class 58 No. 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) propels 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone towards Banbury railway station – 16/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70014 working 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal nears Banbury – 16/12/2023
The railtour had to arrive at Resevoir Sidings prior to the arrival of a scheduled GBRf stone train which was confirmed as running on the 16th. The Pathfinder tour was then diagrammed to head into Banbury for a brief layover before heading back up the mainline towards Wolverhampton. I had read the previous day that the Class 66 would be leading towards Banbury, but I was very pleased to see the Class 60 at the front as it rounded the distant curve heading for down goods loop. This meant that we managed to get numerous shots of the leading locomotive and led me to abandon any thoughts of chasing the train up to Fenny Compton and possibly beyond.
DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury – 16/12/2023DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 hauling “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury towards Banbury on the Down Goods Loop – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ arrives with 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66740 ‘Sarah’ prepares to run around her train; 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates – 16/12/2023Class 66 No. 66194 takes charge of the second leg of “The Festive Midland-Ian” 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal – 16/12/2023
After seeing the Class 66 No. 66194 taking “The Festive Midland-Ian” back towards Wolverhampton, I opted to return home via Didcot in the hope that I could get a photo of special King Prince Charles Coronation liveried Class 66 No. 66023 which had been showing as being on Didcot Fuelling Point. On arrival at Didcot railway station, we were allowed up onto the platforms by Great Western Railway gateline staff, but unfortunately, the No. 66023 was nowhere to be seen. @smithy.377 later discovered the locomotive was inside a shed and therefore out of sight of our cameras. We were able to photograph a few other DBC Class 66 locomotives however.
In red DB Cargo livery Class 66 NO. 66149 in Didcot Yard – 16/12/2023Still carrying EWS livery, DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66083 and 66063 at Didcot – 16/12/2023
Video from Banbury on 16th December 2023 featuring DB Cargo Class 60 No. 60024 and Class 66 No. 66194 top and tail working “The Festive Midland-Ian” from Pathfinder Railtours; 1Z60 0545 Gloucester to Banbury & 1Z61 1211 Banbury to Wolverhampton Walsall Street Steel Terminal. Other trains featured include: 68012 (set AL04/ DVT 82309) – 1H27 08:19 Stourbridge Junction to Marylebone 221139 – 1M30 07:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 221137 – 1O08 07:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 70014 – 4O27 06:49 Crewe Basford Hall SSM to Southampton Marine Container Terminal 168108/168106 – 1R17 09:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168218/168328 – 1H28 09:13 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220031 – 1V83 06:23 Newcastle to Reading 168004 / 168xxx – 1H30 09:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 168xxx/ 168107 – 1R19 09:32 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 168xxx/ 168217 – 1R21 10:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street 66740 ‘Sarah’ – 6G34 02:59 HINDLOW GBRF to Banbury Reservoir Redland Aggregates 168001 ‘Adrian Shooter’/168xxx – 1H33 10:43 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone 220027 – 1O12 09:25 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth 220033 – 1M38 09:45 Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly 168322/168215 – 1R25 11:02 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street
Engineering works at Middle Stream Bridge near Wool on Sunday 17th December meant there were no trains running in the area. Yoshi and I had a little “family” trip out to Weymouth and I grabbed a couple of photographs of track machines resting between duties on our way home.
Balfour Beatty Matisa B66UC Tamper No. DR75501 in the sidings at Dorchester South prior to working the following days 6Q66 05:00 Dorchester Junction to Eastleigh East Yard – 17/12/2023
A tamping machine or ballast tamper, informally simply a tamper, is a self-propelled, rail-mounted machine used to pack (or tamp) the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks and roadbed more durable and level. Prior to the introduction of mechanical tampers, this task was done by manual labour with the help of beaters. As well as being faster, more accurate, more efficient and less labour-intensive, tamping machines are essential for the use of concrete sleepers since they are too heavy to be lifted by hand.
At its most basic, a tamping machine only packs the ballast. Some modern machines, sometimes known as tamper-liners or tamping and lining machines, also correct the alignment of the rails to make them parallel and level, in order to achieve a more comfortable ride for passengers and freight and to reduce the mechanical strain applied to the rails by passing trains. This is done by finding places where the sleepers have sunk from the weight of the passing trains or frost action, causing the track to sag.
The B 66 UC is a high-performance universal continuous action tamping machine designed for normal and high-speed lines. In addition to the plain line, it can handle the heaviest switches and crossings, especially those with concrete sleepers. This machine has a tamping shuttle fitted with four tamping units and a lifting and slewing clamp. In addition to these tools, telescopic diverging track lifting devices can be used when handling heavy switches and crossings. The very responsive shuttle allows a substantial output on plain line despite the fact that this is a single-head machine. The longitudinal stroke of the tamping units is long enough to position the units in a way to easily and quickly tamp Y shaped sleepers. Located in the centre of the machine, the tamping cabin provides an excellent visibility on the tools and the track. Thanks to the machine’s user-friendliness and its ergonomic controls, only two operators are needed to operate the B 66 UC to its full potential. Loram C44 Rail Grinding Machine No. DR79301 in Wool Sidings. It will depart for Poole on 19/12/2023 as 4Q01 23:44 Wool MOD Siding Freightliner Heavy Haul to Poole – 17/12/2023
A railgrinder is a permanent way maintenance train used to restore the profile and remove irregularities from worn tracks to extend tracklife and to improve the ride of trains using it.
The C44 Series Rail Grinder is designed with advanced technology features that also meets stringent international standards, weights and clearances. The C44 Series complies with the W6A clearance diagram and the axle weights of international commuter lines and freight rail applications.
Loram’s C44 rail grinder delivers high-efficiency re-profiling of the railhead, removing or reducing rail corrugations, corrosion, joint mismatches and other railhead surface irregularities with industry-leading productivity.
Monday 18th December and with all lines re-opened, it was the turn of the monthly Colas test train from Derby RTC to Eastleigh East Yard via Weymouth running as 1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard employing the usual traction of GBRf Class 73 locomotives. This time it was the turn of No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’.
GBRf Class 73’s No.’s 73964 ‘Jeanette’ and 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ passing through Hamworthy working 1Q51 11:15 Derby RTC Serco to Eastleigh East Yard – 18/12/2023
Another day out to see a railtour took place on Saturday 23rd December, this time closer to home as DB Cargo Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ was in charge of UK Railtours “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform. No. 67006 is one of two class members painted in a special Royal Claret livery and as such would be primarily tasked with working the Royal Train. However, the locomotive is often used for special charter trains and other occasional passenger services when not fulfilling her Royal duties. We took a roundabout route to see the railtour, taking in Totton Yard so I could finally get a clear photograph of GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 in Belmond Royal Scotsman livery as it is was still being employed on the SITT along with No. 66772 ‘Maria’. I also popped in on Freightliner Southampton Maritime and Eastleigh (which admittedly was rather quiet!)
GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.66772 ‘Maria’ on the rear of the SITT at Totton Yard – 23/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66743 and No.66772 ‘Maria’ in Totton Yard on the SITT. The train was scheduled to head to Eastleigh East Yard later that evening where it would remain over the Christmas period – 23/12/2023Freightliner Class 70 No. 70001 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023FL Class 66 No.’s 66606 and 66570 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023Class 08 diesel shunter No. 08785 at Southampton Maritime – 23/12/2023A trio of FL Class 70’s at Southampton Maritime; 70007, 70002 and 70005 – 23/12/2023Class 153 Video Inspection Unit (VIU2) No. 153376 at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 on a DB Infrastructure Train destined for Abbey Street Junction for work over the Christmas period at Eastleigh – 23/12/2023
Always looking for a new photographic location, I had time to scout out the western portal of Gillingham tunnel. After parking up at the side of the road above the tunnel, Yoshi and I made our way along a public footpath through fields which are adjacent to the railway track. A trio of sheep were not too sure about our arrival and took off to the opposite corner to watch us from afar. Yoshi, thankfully, showed little interest in the ovine beasts and settled down at my feet as we waited for the Class 67 to turn up hauling its train.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ emerges from Gillingham Tunnel hauling 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform – 23/12/2023
After seeing the train at Gillingham tunnel, I popped into Yeovil Junction in time to see the locomotive running around her train which was being serviced after dropping off the passengers in Sherborne for the festive carol service at the Abbey the tour was named after.
Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ runs around its train at Yeovil Junction – 23/12/2023Crests applied to Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ reversing back onto the coaching stock to form the return leg of the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour – 23/12/2023Class 67 No. 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ at Yeovil Junction whilst the coaching stock employed on the “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” railtour is serviced – 23/12/2023
Video of 67006 ‘Royal Sovereign’ working “Carols At Sherborne Abbey” 1Z15 0715 Peterborough to Yeovil Jn Heritage Platform Also includes the following passing trains: Gillingham Tunnel: 159020/159013 – 1L25 1021 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids 159012/159105 – 1L44 1125 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo Yeovil Junction: 159003/159015 1L29 1120 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids
On my way home from Yeovil, I made another slight detour to take a look at the Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” operation, this years seasonal offering from the Purbeck Heritage line, which I had so far not managed to see in 2023. “Polar Express” trains started running on 17th December and continued through to 30th December. With failing light which rendered photography of moving trains difficult, I waited for the late running 1445 trip from Swanage to show at Corfe Castle with resident Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ hauling the outward run and Southern Railway 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ with “Polar Express” emblazoned on her tender, working the return. I followed the train down to Swanage and as darkness fell this only enhanced the colourful lights within the carriages.
Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ heads up the 1445 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ heads towards Swanage after stopping at The North Pole (Norden) with a “Polar Express” train – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 and LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 in the sidings at Swanage while Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ waits with a “Polar Express” service in the station – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33111 at Swanage – 23/12/2023LSWR 4-4-0 T9 Class No. 30120 at Swanage – 23/12/2023Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023Darkness falls on Class 33 No. 33012 (D6515) ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’ as she awaits departure of the 1645 “Polar Express” service from Swanage – 23/12/2023
Swanage Railway’s “Polar Express” – 23/12/2023
With SWR Desiro Electric Multiple Unit’s (EMU’s) remaining in the old South West Trains (SWT) livery now in single figures, it has been reported that Class 450 No. 450111 and Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’, both wrapped in a striped form of the South Western Railway grey livery, will be the last two units to be painted into standard SWR colours.
Class 450 No. 450111 at Eastleigh working 2B32 0902 Bournemouth to Winchester – 23/12/2023Side view showing the “stripey” South Western Railway livery carried by Class 450 No. 450111 at EastleighClass 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole having arrived with 1B31 1357 Brockenhurst to Poole – 24/12/2023Side view of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Bodyside detail of Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ – 24/12/2023Class 444 No. 444040 ‘The D-Day Experience Portsmouth’ at Poole forming the 5B31 1437 Poole to Poole Storage Sidings ECS – 24/12/2023
The original South West Trains train livery used the Stagecoach Group colours – red, blue and orange – in a similar style to the Network South East (NSE) livery. Some detail variations were introduced before a major updating of the group’s design identity in 2000. New logos and typefaces were developed, as well as new bus and train liveries.
An unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU on the approach to Wareham in Network South East Livery at some point in the late 1990’sAnother unidentified Class 442 “Wessex Electric” EMU, carrying the original South West Trains livery based on the NSE style previously carried by the trains, nearing Upwey station – 05/09/1998Class 442’s at Dorchester South in the revised SWT livery in the early 2000’s
The second-generation South West Trains liveries, designed by industry specialist Best Impressions, have swooshes of the Stagecoach colours, which sweep back from the nose of the train to give an impression of movement. There were three versions of the livery employed – white on the Class 444 and 159 trains used on many longer-distance services, red on Class 455 and 456, and blue used on Class 458 and 450 trains.
SWR Class 444 No. 444034 on the approach to Weymouth showing the colours of its former operator SWT – 01/05/2020The final South Western Railway Class 444 in South Western Trains livery No. 444045 arrives at Hamworthy working 1W55 0735 London Waterloo to Weymouth – 30/12/2023SWR Class 450 No. 450060 in blue SWT colours at Weymouth – 20/05/2020Class 450 No. 450088 departing Hamworthy with an early morning Weymouth to Brockenhurst stopping service – 23/12/2021
The final Desiro’s to be re-liveried from former SWT colours into SWR grey are No.’s 450031, 450099, 450116 and 444045.
For completion: a Class 455 No. 455854 in the SWT red livery with a London Waterloo bound service at Clapham Junction – 10/12/2022
The final railtour of 2023 bordering on the Dorset area was run by UK Railtours employing DB Cargo Class 66 locomotives booked for use in a top and tail formation. “Another Awkward Week Adventure”, named because of those so called awkward days between Christmas and New Year originated in Peterborough. Problems with one of the locomotives; No. 66185 meant the railtour left 60 minutes late from its originating station after No. 66028, which had been the rear locomotive, was removed from the back of the train and re-attached to the front with No. 66185 remaining inside. This was how Yoshi and I saw the train after it had passed through Winchester on its way to Eastleigh. Here passengers had the option to detrain and take a bus to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu or remain onboard for some rare track miles into Southampton Eastern and Western Docks.
DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ double heading 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks “Another Awkward Week Adventure” railtour west of Winchester – 30/12/2023
I next moved onto Southampton where I fancied filming the excursion crossing Canute Road which is adjacent to the former Southampton Terminus railway station which served the Port of Southampton and Southampton City Centre from 1839 until 1966. The former Terminus station building is now a casino and The South Western Hotel opened by the LSWR in 1872 has been converted into private apartments. Of the station platforms, all that remains is the glass canopy and a single line that runs from Northam junction to the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal. The private road into where the platforms once stood is now a car park.
DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66028 crossing Canute Road, Southampton with 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023Disgraced DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ dead in the consist of 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 runs light engine across Canute Road, Southampton as 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks – 30/12/2023After running light into the docks, DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 leads out working 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023
Our final location was the footbridge over the railway line between Southampton Central and Millbrook ready to catch the train head towards Western Docks and out again Yoshi waited in the car as the weather, already very windy, turned increasingly wet! I photographed the railtour on its outward leg into Western Docks, but by the time it returned (running late) the light had gone and I didn’t want another DSLR to fall foul of water damage in 2023! Instead I managed some dodgy video which can be seen lower down the page.
Back leading the tour again; DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ on the approach to Millbrook heading up 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks – 30/12/2023DB Cargo Class 66 No. 66158 at the rear of 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks on the approach to Millbrook – 30/12/2023
“Another Awkward Week Adventure” DB Cargo Class 66 No.’s 66028 and 66185 ‘DP WORLD London Gateway’ and 66158: 1Z66 0730 Peterborough to Southampton Eastern Docks / 0Z66 1340 Eastleigh Down Carriage Shed to Southampton Eastern Docks / 1Z67 1402 Southampton Eastern Docks to Southampton Western Docks / 1Z68 1531 Southampton Western Docks to Eastleigh – 30/12/2023
One final festive gift courtesy of GB Railfreight saw the SITT run to Weymouth on New Years Eve as 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard, top and tailed by Class 66 locomotives No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’. The SITT with the same two Class 66’s in charge was also the first locomotive hauled train into Dorset early on New Years Day 2024 when it returned as far as Bournemouth in the early hours working as 3Y89 0100 Totton Yard to Totton Yard.
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66723 ‘Chinook’ and 66772 ‘Maria’ at Hamworthy on SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023Close up of the helicopter decal on the side of GBRf Class 66 No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66772 ‘Maria’ at the rear of the SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard. Classmate No. 66723 ‘Chinook’ leads – 31/12/2023GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ passing Hamworthy working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard – 31/12/2023
GBRf Class 66 No.’s 66772 ‘Maria’ 66723 ‘Chinook’ working the return SITT 3Y88 1200 Totton Yard to Totton Yard (Dorchester South video courtesy of G E Barrett) – 31/12/2023
For The Record
Following 16 days closure for engineering work on the West of England Line, the line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction re-opened on Monday 11th December while landslip repairs were affected by flooding at Crewkerne tunnel which extended the duration required for work to be completed with SWR advising customers not to attempt to travel between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St David’s until Wednesday 13th December.
Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury during the 16 day engineering possession. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66732 ‘GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD’ at Dinton near Salisbury. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023Class 66 No. 66790 ‘Louise’ at Gillingham. TV screen grab from BBC South Today – 01/12/2023
Thanks for reading, that’s it for 2023! Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. We’ll leave you with a pic of Yoshi at Durdle Door. Be seeing you!
Yoshi took an early morning trip to Durdle Door to see the sunrise – 22/12/2023
Queen Mary 2 alongside Southampton Mayflower Cruise Terminal – 20/10/2023
October 6th 2023 to October 25th 2023
We had a fabulous couple of weeks away cruising on Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 arriving back in Southampton on 20th October where I was quietly pleased to be shown two class 66 locomotives waiting to have their photo taken alongside the Mayflower Cruise Terminal situated at Western Docks via Dock Gate 10 where our ship had berthed.
Class 66’s at Southampton Western Docks – GBRf No. 66729 ‘Derby County’ and DB No. 66143 – 20/10/2023GBRf Class 66 No. 66729 .Derby County’ having worked into Southampton Docks with 4O59 2343 Ditton (O’Connor) GBRf to Southampton Western Docks GB Railfreight – 20/10/2023DB Class 66 No. 66143 at Southampton Western Docks having arrived working 4O63 Kingsbury Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings to Southampton Western Docks Shed 107 – 20/10/2023
We had a lot to catch up on (not least two weeks of laundry!) and I was interested to see how many out off the ordinary railway workings to Dorset and other events I had missed. First up was the launch of Adams T3 No. 563 into service at the Swanage Railway following weeks of test runs and remedial work.
Railway heritage at its very best! An immaculate 1893 built LSWR T3 No.563 in all its glory crosses the viaduct at Corfe – 21/10/2023
Built in 1893 by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) William Adams T3 4-4-0 No. 563 hauled her first passenger trains in 75 years on 7th October 2023 during a special day celebrating supporters who donated to the £650,000, six year restoration of the Victorian steam locomotive. Designed to haul express trains between London Waterloo and the south coast of England, No. 563 was destined for scrap in 1939 but the outbreak of World War Two saw her being saved and pressed into wartime service. She once again escaped the cutters torch when she helped mark the centenary of London Waterloo railway station in 1948. No. 563 was donated to Swanage Railway Trust by the National Railway Museum (NRM) in 2017.
Guests at the launch ceremony included Swanage Railway Trust patron Sir Philip Williams whose great-grandfather was on the board of the LSWR, the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset; Angus Campbell, and Anthony Coulls, senior curator of rail transport and technology at the NRM. The relaunch of the locomotive coincided with the centenary of the Southern Railway (SR) and the 185th anniversary of the formation of the LSWR.
Adams 4-4-0 T3 No.563 departs Swanage with a passenger train bound for Norden – 21/10/2023
The T3 ran public services on the 8th October as well as half-term week 21st – 29th October 2023. We went to see the locomotive in service on Saturday 21st.
T3 No. 563 makes a fine scene passing Harman’s Cross – 21/10/2023Also sharing duties with the T3 was SR U Class 2-6-0 No. 31806, seen here departing Swanage with a member of the footplate crew collecting the token from the signalman – 21/10/2023
Video from the Swanage Railway of T3 No. 563 in action – 21/10/2023
For The Record:
Over the last few weeks, a number of interesting workings have taken place in Dorset. Which is typical as I managed to miss most of them!
GBRf liveried Class 50’s returned to Bournemouth employed on South Western Railway (SWR) Class 458 drags on 11th & 12th October 2023 running as 5X72 1044 Wembley Terminal Complex Wheel Lathe to Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot / 5Q73 1610 Bournemouth Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot to Widnes Transport Tech. Locomotives involved were No.’s 50007 ‘Hercules’ and 50049 ‘Defiance’ delivering No. 458425 to Bournemouth and taking No. 458416 to Widnes for conversion. The Class 458 units now based at Bournemouth depot have been out on test runs over the last few weeks.
Engineering work west of Yeovil meant buses replaced trains between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth from Monday 16th to Friday 20th October. Network Rail (NR) engineers renewed just under half a mile of old 1950’s era track between Maiden Newton and Chetnole stations. The track update is said to “help prevent speed restrictions and means smoother passenger journeys”. Work also saw repairs being carried out to brickwork at Evershot tunnel and is part of a long-running programme to improve performance on the Heart of Wessex Line. Network Rail and train operators think it is more efficient to close the route for a whole week rather than to shut it for several weekends.
Sign explaining rail replacement bus operations at Dorchester West (image courtesy of Scott Lewis)
Associated engineers trains were as follows; 15th October 2023: 6C04 2349 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 70 No. 70814 17th October 2023: 6C04 02:00 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No. 70814 / 6G22 0202 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – Class 66 No.’s 66709 and 66774 / 6Y88 0921 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No.’s 66544 and 66556 18th October 2023: 6G22 0837 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No.’s 66774 and 66709 / 6Y88 11:40 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down Yard – No.’s 66544 and 66556 / 6Y90 2156 Westbury Down T.C. to Yeovil Pen Mill – No. 66415. 19th October 2023: 6Y90 2334 Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury Down T.C. – No. 66415
16th & 17th October 2023: saw a rare visit of inspection saloon ‘Caroline’ to the area working as 5Z01 1102 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Bournemouth Up Siding / 5Z02 0655 Bournemouth Up Siding to Bournemouth / 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth all involving Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ along with No. 975025 ‘Caroline’
Class 37 No. 37418 ‘An Comunn Gaidhealach’ with 975025 ‘Caroline’ working as 2Z02 0735 Bournemouth to Southampton Central via Weymouth – 17/10/2023 (video courtesy of G E Barrett)
19th October 2023 1Q23 0556 Reading to Salisbury New Measurement Train in the charge of Class 43 HST power cars No.’s 43251 and 43274 failed when climbing the bank between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central. The train returned to Exeter St Davids, departing from there at around 1210 and routed towards Taunton, picking up the timetabled path at Westbury some 114 minutes late.
Two engineers trains also visited the Bournemouth area when the 19th and 20th October 2023 saw 6N70 2254 Eastleigh East Yard to Christchurch /6N70 0502 Bournemouth to Eastleigh East Yard top and tailed by Class 66 No.’s 66007 and 66088 whilst on 21st October 2023 6G17 0032 Eastleigh East Yard to New Milton via Bournemouth operated by No.’s 66755 and 66711
23rd October 2023 and it was the return of Network Rail’s Plain Line Pattern Recognition Train (PLPR) hauled, as usual by GBRf Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives which this month were No. 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and No. 73964 ‘Jeanette’. PLPR trains use a variety of tools to measure and detect defects in the track which may have the potential to cause problems. Equipment include a 4 foot camera used to check on track condition and thermal imaging to check rail temperatures.
1Q51 1115 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Eastleigh East Yard at Hamworthy with 73965 ‘Des O’Brien’ and 73964 ‘Jeanette’ – 23/10/2023
A couple of days later on 25th October 2023 and the Ultrasonic Test Train (UTU) was out and about on our patch as 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. The UTU is usually comprised of a locomotive at one end and a Driving Brake Standard Open (DBSO) at the other. The DBSO can lead the train and control the locomotive at the other end, which was the case on the outward run of 3Q02 to Weymouth this time around. UTU trains have ground penetrating radar systems to detect voids and deformations up to two metres into the ballast and earth below, and use profile scanners to help identify any issues similar to the PLPR test train.
Colas Class 37 No. 37612 in debranded DRS blue livery at the rear of the Ultrasonic Test Train at Poole – 25/10/2023
Class 37 No. 37612 and DBSO No. 9703 working 3Q02 2140 Eastleigh East Yard to Eastleigh East Yard at Poole – 25/10/2023
In the next few weeks, there is more local rail disruption to come affecting trains in North Dorset on the Waterloo – Exeter route as Network Rail will be closing the line between Salisbury and Axminster for 21 days in November and December 2023.
Firstly, the line between between Yeovil Junction and Axminster will be closed for five days between Monday November 6th to Friday November 10th. A second closure takes place between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction from Saturday November 25th to Sunday December 10th. Engineers will be working around the clock to complete key upgrades at four different worksites and upgrades are part of a wider half a million-pound investment to improve reliability and performance along the line. Work will also take place at Crewkerne Tunnel where engineers will attempt to stabilise the cutting following a landslip in October 2021. There will be an installation of new drainage to help to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall. Additional work will take place with the replacement of the barriers at the Broom and Axe level crossing, and the Weycroft River Bridge will have protective, anti-corrosion paint work applied. Areas of waterlogged track stones will be removed.
The Salisbury-Exeter Rail Users Group (SERUG) accepts the maintenance work to track and earthworks is necessary as it says only 77% of services run on time.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
In other news, the Poole Harbour Trails community group have successfully registered a disused railway line as a right of way after spending the last 13 years trying to formalise the footpath at Sandford, Poole. The currently overgrown route follows the railway that serviced the Royal Naval Cordite Factory (RNCF) at Holton Heath that closed in the 1950’s and had been used as a path by locals for many years until it became obstructed in 2010. The Friends of the Cordite Way Clearance group received permission earlier this year to start clearance but had to wait for the nesting season to end, beginning work in September on the first section to the viewpoint overlooking Poole Harbour and Arne peninsular. It is hoped to open this first section in the summer of 2024.
Recent research by the walking charity Ramblers found that more than 49,000 miles of paths in England and Wales did not feature on official maps and were at risk of being permanently lost with the government setting a deadline in England of 2031 to apply to get these paths re-registered, however Ramblers believe this deadline should be withdrawn.
Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Holton Heath railway station is located near the western shore of Poole Harbour and was opened on 3rd April 1916 for use by workers at the Naval Cordite Works which had been established during the First World War. The station was made available for public use from 14th July 1924. Holton Heath has been unstaffed since 1964, with the signal box being removed on 3rd November 1969.
On 20th April 1989 a fatal accident occurred just beyond the siding on the London side of the station, when a light locomotive, which had just completed shunting duties at Winfrith nuclear power station, collided with the rear of a freight train. The driver of the light locomotive, Clive Brooker, died in the accident. Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Cordite was an explosive component used as a propellant for shells. The factory was built in 1915-16. It was the first purpose-built site for cordite production in the United Kingdom. One of the main ingredients for cordite was acetone. The factory provided its own supply through an acetone plant, which employed novel fermentation technology using maize as a starch source. The RNCF was effectively self-sufficient and had its own internal rail system with about five miles of standard gauge track and 14 miles of narrow gauge, together with its own rolling stock. During the First World War, cordite was dispatched to a jetty in Poole Harbour by rail where it was loaded onto sailing barges for transport to Priddy’s Hard in Gosport. The factory continued to manufacture cordite until 1946. Production at RNCF finally ended in 1957 but many of the buildings still survive.
SWR Class 444 No. 444002 passes No. 444017 at Holton Heath railway station – 07/09/2022
Grand Central Terminal
Sunrise over Manhatten from the deck of Queen Mary 2 – 13/10/2023
We were able to spend a few hours in New York on Friday 13th October 2023. Having never visited the Big Apple previously, I had a short list of things I was hoping to see and Caroline, who has spent time in the city before, was kind enough to indulge me.
QM2 Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. She is too large to dock on the West Side Piers which means passengers require transit to Manhattan – 13/10/2023The NY Water Ferry approaches Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We disembarked the ship at 0700 and were waved through immigration arriving in good time to catch the first water ferry from Red Hook Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn which was adjacent to QM2’s berth over to Manhattan Island.
A NY water Ferry passes QM2, Red Hook, Brooklyn – 13/10/2023
We needed to change ferries at Wall Street to take us up the East river to East 34th Street and following a 42 minute walk we were able to have “Breakfast outside Tiffany’s” before continuing our journey on foot through Times Square and past the New York Library (which was yet to open, but was on my list for a visit to the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures) to Grand Central Terminal, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The Chrysler Building, at 1,046 ft is the tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework, overlooks Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Reed and Stem – an American architectural and engineering firm founded in Minnesota in 1891 as a partnership between Charles A. Reed (1858–1911) and Allen H. Stem (1856–1931) – who handled the overall design of the terminal, and Warren and Wetmore – a New York architecture partnership between Whitney Warren (1864–1943) and Charles Delevan Wetmore (1866–1941) – which mainly made cosmetic alterations to the exterior and interior.
“Glory of Commerce”, a sculptural group by Jules-Félix Coutan – 13/10/2023
The Beaux-Arts architecture evolved from the French classicism of the Style Louis XIV, and then French neoclassicism beginning with Style Louis XV and Style Louis XV and was the academic architectural style taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, particularly from the 1830’s to the end of the 19th century. It drew upon the principles of French neoclassicism, but also incorporated Renaissance and Baroque elements, and used modern materials, such as iron and glass, and later, steel. It was an important style in Europe and the Americas through the end of the 19th century, and into the 20th. Various elements inside the terminal were designed by French architects and artists Jules-Félix Coutan (1848–1939), Sylvain Salières (1865–1920), and Paul César Helleu (1859–1927). Grand Central has monumental spaces as well as meticulously crafted detail, especially on its facade, which is based on an overall exterior design provided by Whitney Warren.
I made it to the trains! Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
The Terminal, built on the site of a former railroad depot and phased in over the course of nearly a decade being completed in 1913, covers 48 acres and has over 40 platforms, more than any other railway station in the world. The platforms are all below ground, serving 30 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower. In total, there are 67 tracks, including a rail yard and sidings; of these, 43 tracks are in use for passenger services, while the remaining two dozen or so are used to store trains.
Ramp to the Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal was built and named by the New York Central Railroad which also served the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. The terminal was built on the site of two previous stations, the first of which originated in 1871. Grand Central Terminal served intercity trains until 1991, when Amtrak began routing its trains through nearby New York Penn Station. Grand Central is now the southern terminus of the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Lines, serving the northern parts of the New York metropolitan area. It also contains a connection to the Long Island Rail Road through the Grand Central Madison station as well as connecting to the New York City Subway at Grand Central–42nd Street station. The terminal is the third-busiest railway station in North America.
The Main Concourse at Grand Central – 13/10/2023
The Main Concourse is located on the upper platform level of Grand Central, in the centre of the station building. The 35,000 square foot area leads directly to most of the terminal’s upper-level tracks. In their design for the station’s interior, Reed & Stem created a circulation system that allowed passengers alighting from trains to enter the Main Concourse, then leave through various passages that branch from it. The Main Concourse, often featured in films and television, is a busy space filled with people hurrying to their destination or onlookers taking in the grandeur of their location.
The four-sided brass clock at Grand Central – 13/10/2023 (CLS)
At the centre of the concourse is an information booth topped with a four sided brass clock, one of Grand Central’s most recognisable icons. The terminal’s main departure boards are located at the south end of the concourse.
The Main Concourse, Grand Central Terminal with the train information boards on the left hand side of the image – 13/10/2023
Grand Central Terminal contains a variety of stores and food vendors, including restaurants and bars, a food hall, and a grocery marketplace. The building is also noted for its library, event hall, tennis club, control centre and offices for the railroad, and sub-basement power station.
Ramp to the Dining Concourse, Grand Central – 13/10/2023The Oyster Bar – 13/10/2023Dining Concourse, Grand Central Terminal – 13/10/2023
Ramps include the Vanderbilt Avenue ramp and the Oyster Bar ramps. The Oyster Bar ramps lead down from the Main Concourse to the Oyster Bar and Dining Concourse.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer – 13/10/2023
The main entrance into the terminal, underneath the Park Avenue Viaduct, opens into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer, so named in 2014 in honour of the former First Lady of the United States, who in the 1970’s helped prevent the demolition of the Main Concourse and the plan to build Grand Central Tower.
Vanderbilt Hall , Grand Central Terminus – 13/10/2023
Vanderbilt Hall is an event space on the south side of the terminal, between the main entrance and the Main Concourse to its north. The north and south walls are divided into five bays, each with large rectangular windows, screened with heavy bronze grills. The room is lit by Beaux-Arts chandeliers, each with 132 bulbs on four tiers. Vanderbilt Hall was formerly the main waiting room for the terminal, used particularly by intercity travellers.
After exploring this wonderful building we headed back out into the streets and walked back to the NY Library to find the original Winnie The Pooh and friends who had been donated in 1987 having been brought to the United States by A.A Milne’s (1882-1956) US publisher; Elliott Macrae (1901-1968) former President of E.P. Dutton in 1947.
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbour seen behind QM2 – 13/10/2023The Statue of Liberty – 13/10/2023
From the Archive:
A few images from 2020, that strange time when we all spent months staying indoors only going outside for an hours exercise a day. During the Covid pandemic, cruise ships were forced out of work and laid up at anchor in various harbours and ports around the UK, Weymouth being no exception.
RMS Queen Mary 2 in Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020
RMS Queen Mary 2 introduced in 2003 was, at that time; the largest, longest, widest, tallest grandest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She replaced the beloved QE2 on the transatlantic run and as flagship of the Cunard line. Queen Mary 2 has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots which is faster than a contemporary cruise ship. She had the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix conferred on her by the Royal Mail when she entered service in 2004, as a gesture to Cunard’s history. Onboard facilities include fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. Queen Mary 2 is powered primarily by four diesel engines supplemented by two gas turbines which provide extra power as and when required.
QM2 employs a quadruple podded propeller propulsion system which like giant outboard motors hang under the ship replacing the need for traditional propeller shafts. The forward pair of thrusters is fixed, but the aft pair can swivel through 360°, removing the need for a rudder. Queen Mary 2 carries eight spare blades on her foredeck. The ship is also fitted with three bow thrusters which allow the ship to turn in its own length while in port, to conduct more complex docking manoeuvres. The pods fitted to Queen Mary 2 have been prone to failure despite redesigns. In January 2009, Cunard sued the manufacturers Rolls-Royce in the United States claiming the design of the pods were inherently defective, and that Rolls-Royce knew about the design deficiencies and deliberately conspired to mislead, deceive and defraud in the course of winning the contract. In January 2011, the court awarded Carnival US$24 million.
During the pandemic the cruise ships would make regular sorties along the south coast and returning to port for supplies and crew changes, Queen Mary 2 is seen here as she departs Weymouth on one such outing – 06/05/2020
When Covid-19 started to spread across the globe in 2020, Queen Mary 2 was enjoying a world cruise. In early February, Cunard cancelled the Asian leg of the voyage, with the remainder of the journey being cancelled on 15th March. Passengers were disembarked in Fremantle, Western Australia, with the ship returning to Southampton in April.
QM2 arrives into the bay at Weymouth – 17/12/2020A stern view of Queen Mary 2 seen from one of the tourist boats which ran trips around Weymouth Bay for close up encounters with the anchored cruise ships – 07/08/2020Yoshi on Weymouth esplanade with cruise ships in the background – 06/09/2020Cunard’s Queen Victoria, Weymouth Bay – 07/08/2020Queen Elizabeth, Weymouth – 07/08/2020Yoshi enjoyed walks along the beach as we watched the cruise ships. Three Cunard Queens along with P&O and TUI’s Marella vessels are behind him in this image – 07/08/2020Three Cunard Queen’s lined up together in Weymouth Bay – Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. This was the only time I think I managed to photograph the Cunard fleet without any other interlopers between them – 23/08/2023
A bit of a mixed bag on this occasion, but that’s all we have time for! Thanks for reading and hopefully we’ll be back with another instalment soon. Until then, take care. Be seeing You!
It was lovely to be reunited with our boy as we disembarked QM2 last Friday. He was excited to see us again after being separated for over two weeks. A huge thank you to my brother and family for taking such good care of Yoshi xXx
References used for the Grand Central Terminal section:
Charles River Editors Grand Central Station: The History of New York City’s Famous Railroad Terminal, (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2015)
Metro-North Railroad (2023) Grand Central Retrieved from https://www.grandcentralterminal.com
Wikipedia (October 24, 2023) Grand Central Terminal Rettrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_Terminal
