Christchurch
GBRf Class 56 No.56081 approaches Christchurch hauling four barrier vehicles, and 47727 trailing to the rear, running as 5O58 05:20 Leicester LIP - Bournemouth T&RSMD in the most fortunate break in the cloud. The train will be used to convey South Western Railway Class 458 No.458524 to Alstom's Widnes facility for upgrade and refurbishment works, a bit more information on that project can be found here.
20 November 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
20 November 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Holton Heath
What a day! The weather may have been dull and grey, but thankfully there was no rain. A divert into Holton Heath station on the way home, and I can honestly say I've never seen the place so busy. Two miles east of Wareham and hammering towards the station is 43008 leading 1Z44 16:18 Swanage - Leeds, the headboard reading Cross-Country High Speed Train Farewell, the train already up to line speed of 85mph and making an impressive sight and sound. And with that it was all over, the end of an era.
26 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
26 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Furzebrook
Swanage! What a seemingly random destination to run this farewell railtour, operated by Cross-Country and The Branch Line Society. You would have thought 'they' may have retraced former routes, perhaps like Portsmouth or Brighton, or Weymouth even which was last served by Cross-Country in 2002, and in fact for a very brief spell their service was operated by HST sets. In a very short-lived, yet welcome burst of sunshine 43007 approaches Furzebrook leading 1Z43 06:35 Leeds - Swanage.
26 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
26 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Furzebrook
West Coast Railways 47746 Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10 comes across Creech Heath at Furzebrook hauling The Swanage Belle 1Z92 15:55 Swanage - Victoria in a brief, yet very welcome, burst of sunshine. As the turntable at Swanage is not long enough the train is diesel hauled from Swanage to Southampton, out-of-sight to the rear is LMS 'Jubilee' 45596 Bahamas which will lead from Southampton to Victoria.
13 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
13 September 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Upwey
No prizes for guessing where this is! Absolutely storming through Upwey station is West Coast Railways 47802 with 1Z83 13:44 Yeovil Junction - Weymouth. This was the diesel portion of the steam operated 'End of Southern Steam' railtour, whilst the loco was being turned at Yeovil Junction, this celebratory tour principally hauled by Merchant Navy 35018 British India Line. It was exactly 56 years ago to the day - 09 July 1967 - that steam operations ceased on British Railways Southern Region, that being the final day, and locally a little more detail and image can be found here.
09 July 2023
(6D Mk.II)
09 July 2023
(6D Mk.II)
Poole
Missing the sun by moments is this record shot of 68002 Intrepid topping two PFA wagons, with 68003 Astute trailing, through Poole station working 6Z62 01:00 Crewe CLS - Winfrith. This was 'a freebie' as the previous working on 01 June 2023 was only eight PFA, instead of the regular ten. There was some local platform-end speculation that this could be the final working out of Winfrith, I don't think so, but lets wait and see what happens.
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
Maiden Newton
The white house is the former Station Master's house here at Maiden Newton, and 'back in the day' would have afforded a good view of the station for the occupying Station Master, of course the vegetation wouldn't have existed like it does today. Taken from the footpath that was formerly the single line branch to Bridport / West Bay, and looking towards Maiden Newton station, with Fore Hill dominating the scene, with 37254 Cardiff Canton departing working 1Q18 07:59 Derby RTC - Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth, blue 37612 now trails to the rear.
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Yetminster
A nervous wait due to the late afternoon cloud that started to bubble up, but thankfully I didn't need to worry as 37612 leads 1Q18 07:59 Derby RTC - Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth over Meads crossing, just south of Yetminster, in some fine weather, whilst trailing to the rear is 37254 Cardiff Canton. The pole is higher here than I would have liked, but vegetation growth since my previous visit here meant it was necessary, although it does afford a better view of the tower of the Grade 1 Listed St Andrews Church in the distance (to the left).
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
14 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Maiden Newton
The headboard top-centre on the nose of D345 (40145) reads 'Pathfinder Railtours 50 Years 1973 - 2023', and what a great way to celebrate that golden anniversary, by bringing the Class 40 Preservation Society's superb D345 (40145) to Weymouth for the day. Although some six to eight miles away D345 could be heard thrashing out of Dorchester, and sounding its horn for the crossings at Stratton, which was incredible, and some ten minutes later finally appeared here at Maiden Newton, the train running as 1Z41 16:36 Weymouth - Burton-on-Trent. Click here for a comparable shot of 40001 at Maiden Newton in almost the same spot back in May 1983.
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Weymouth
Could the light be any worse? Preparing for a group photograph on the platform are the organisers and helpers behind Pathfinder Tours, and in particular this 50th Anniversary special. Lets hope it's not another 40 years before a Class 40 returns to these parts. By comparison click here to see 40001 at Weymouth back in 1983, in almost the same spot.
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Weymouth
A sight that has not been seen at Weymouth since 21 May 1983, when 40001 made it to Weymouth with 'The Wessex Whistler' railtour, on what was at the time the one and only occasion of a Class 40 here. Running off Jersey Sidings into Platform 2 at Weymouth 40 years later is the immaculate D345 (40145) prior to heading back to Burton-on-Trent with the Pathfinder 'Golden Anniversary' tour.
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
Dorchester
How frustrating, after a couple of weeks of fine dry weather things turn cloudy for what is undoubtedly the 'tour of the year' to Dorset, and although very overcast, any forecasted storms thankfully didn't materialise. Breaking new ground for a Class 40, the section of railway between Wareham and Dorchester Junction, sees D345 (40145) accelerate away from DR165 signal, which is approach controlled for the 'A' route (towards Platform 2) into Dorchester South station. The tour was to commemorate the Golden Anniversary of Pathfinder Tours, previously F&W Railtours, bringing the amazing sight and sound of a Class 40 to Dorset on a railtour, the train running as 1Z40 07:01 Burton-on-Trent - Weymouth.
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
10 June 2023
(6D Mk.II)
Christchurch
Six minutes after sunset, taken at 21:24 hrs, and heading towards Christchurch (left) is 66415 hauling five HQA 'auto-hoppers' with 66547 trailing to the rear (right) working Freightliner operated 6Y94 19:53 Eastleigh Yard - Dorchester West (reversing at Dorchester Junction). The train will work as required in a Dorchester West to Castle Cary possession, dropping ballast as directed. Once completed the train would continue on to Westbury Yard.
07 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
07 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Christchurch
Cross-Country Voyager unit 220017 heads towards Christchurch operating 1Z26 19:25 Didcot Parkway - Bournemouth, right on sunset. This whole area, between the railway and the A35 Christchurch by-pass, is earmarked for a huge housing development, known as Roeshot Grange https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/christchurch/roeshot-grange rendering shots like this nigh-on impossible in the future.
07 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
07 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Redbridge (Dorset)
Another new Class 68 to Dorset, this time 68034, which is seen at Redbridge, between Wool and Moreton, leading 6Z95 15:51 Winfrith Sidings - Crewe CLS via Dorchester South. To the rear of the eight wagon consist, which up until now has always been loaded to ten wagons, is 68017 'Hornet' making a third return visit to the area.
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Redbridge (Dorset)
Making its third visit to Dorset on these workings is 67017 Hornet which leads 6Z95 15:51 Winfrith Sidings - Crewe CLS (via Dorchester South) past Redbridge, between Wool and Moreton, with an eight wagon consist, which until now has always been loaded to ten PFA type wagons with red cabriolet containers, sheeted over with blue covers. Trailing at the rear is 68034. Although Winfrith is a couple of miles from my location, the Class 68's could be heard departing the sidings, and right up to the moment they came into view a few minutes later, that was impressive.
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Redbridge (Dorset)
For anyone that has the excellent book 'Dorset Steam Scenes from the Fifties and Sixties' by Michael Welch, published by Capital Transport, Page 11 has a fine shot originally taken by Michael Wigley at this location of Bullied 'Light Pacific' 34036 Westward Ho! on 6 July 1967, just a few days before the end of southern steam. Of course back in 1967 it was far easier to take a shot here, in fact in most places, as there was significantly less vegetation than in 2023. However, I was rather taken with the view looking towards Winfrith in that 1967 view, so here is my take on the scene as 444037 heads west working 1W27 13:35 Waterloo - Weymouth.
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Redbridge (Dorset)
Probably now in the minority, is 444008 still sporting the old SouthWest Trains livery, seen here approaching Moreton operating 1W67 13:05 Waterloo - Weymouth.
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
01 June 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Stoborough
The Swanage Railway DMU heading towards Holme Lane operating 2C23 15:19 Wareham - Swanage.
24 May 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
24 May 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Stoborough
More of a test shot really, as I get to grips with my new camera. Heading along the 'Swanage single' is the Swanage Railways main line registered DMU, used for their trial service on to the main line at Wareham, this service being 2C22 14:23 Swanage - Wareham in very warm dry conditions, the harsh light not helping with the livery of the train as it blends into the surroundings near Holme Lane, roll on autumn.
24 May 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
24 May 2023
(6D Mk.II PL)
Worgret
Not long to wait for the back working after a quick turn round at Wareham for the Class 117 DMU, now running as 2C25 17:19 Wareham - Swanage, again seen by the River Frome Viaduct near Worgret Junction. The 'maintenance boundary' between Network Rail and Swanage Railway is to the rear of the train where the 20mph speed board can just be seen at Bridge No.2.
11 May 2023
(6D PL)
11 May 2023
(6D PL)
Worgret
Crossing the River Frome Viaduct near Worgret Junction is 2C24 16:24 Swanage - Wareham worked by their Class 117 DMU. This is right by the boundary between the Swanage Railway and Network Rail. The 'operational boundary' is at the far end of the second viaduct where PW5752 distant signal is positioned, this being the limit of any Swanage Railway trains not permitted onto Network Rail, however the 'maintenance boundary' is just behind me at Bridge No.2 slightly closer towards Worgret Junction.
11 May 2023
(6D PL)
11 May 2023
(6D PL)
Corfe Castle
Preview Day of the 2023 Swanage Railway diesel gala sees the resident Class 117 DMU approach Corfe Castle operating 2C22 14:23 Swanage - Wareham under a very moody sky.
11 May 2023
(6D)
11 May 2023
(6D)
Wareham
A moment not to be missed, a Class 40 out on the main line in Dorset. A quick trip into Wareham for D345 (40145) hauling 50021 Rodney, 50026 Indomitable and 45108 heading for the 2023 Swanage Railway diesel gala, the heritage convoy running as 0Z42 18:48 Eastleigh Works - Swanage. By a stroke of luck the station lights came on just as the convoy was about to arrive, which adds a nice touch to an otherwise grey sky.
10 May 2023
(6D)
10 May 2023
(6D)
Poole
Having run-round 701041 in Poole yard, the movement gets under way again, and just before the next torrential down pour. Here 47727 Caisteal Dhùn Èideann heads past the More Bus garage at Poole, the driver laying down the power for the ascent of the 1-in-60 Parkstone bank with its ten-coach load as 5Q47 12:40 Bournemouth depot - Eastleigh depot. This really did take me back to those loco-haul inter-regional days of old.
10 May 2023
(6D)
10 May 2023
(6D)
Poole
Yet again another awful day, weather wise, but it was worth a punt. 47727 Caisteal Dhùn Èideann approaches Poole hauling brand new South Western Railway unit 701041, which had been at Bournemouth depot for many months, but was finally moved on 10 May 2023, running as 5Q47 12:40 Bournemouth depot - Eastleigh depot (via Poole) just as the heavens were about to open up....for once the weather forecast was right.
10 May 2023
(6D PL)
10 May 2023
(6D PL)
Dorchester
With engineering works taking place all bank holiday weekend between Cogload Junction and Fairwood Junction Great Western were operating a shuttle service to and from Castle Cary. Passing over Dorchester Junction just five minutes behind the South Western Railway service from Waterloo is 158769 working 2O14 16:06 Castle Cary - Weymouth. To the left is Dorchester Cemetery.
01 May 2023
(6D PL)
01 May 2023
(6D PL)
Dorchester
A shot I've been meaning to do for quite some time, and finally I found an opportunity to try a couple of test shots. First up, 444017 gets away from Dorchester South operating 1W69 13:20 Waterloo - Weymouth, seen here passing along Dorchester Junction in some welcome sunshine, the 'Simpson clouds' really making the scene.
01 May 2023
(6D PL)
01 May 2023
(6D PL)
Winfrith
Now travelling back along the up line, following reversal at Dorchester South, 68018 Vigilant leads 6Z95 15:51 Winfrith - Crewe CLS back past Winfrith, 68001 Evolution now trails to the rear of the ten 'Cabriolet' wagons, ultimately destined for Sellafield for product disposal.
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
Winfrith
The third Direct Rail Services (DRS) operated train out of Winfrith so far in 2023, although only the second loaded run following an aborted effort on Thursday 23 March 2023 due to high winds which made loading difficult, the train on that occasion returning to Crewe empty. Making its first visit to Dorset is 68001 Evolution, which leads 6Z95 15:51 Winfrith - Crewe Coal Sidings away from Winfrith Sidings, to the rear of the ten PFA wagons loaded with 'Cabriolet containers' is 68018 Vigilant, a locomotive that has appeared on this working several times.
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
Winfrith
A glorious afternoon here along the Dorset coast as 444023 passes Winfrith Heath operating 1W67 13:05 Waterloo - Weymouth.
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
20 April 2023
(6D PL)
Bincombe Tunnel
Running 75 minutes late due to multiple reasons along its journey, 43251 leads 1Z22 08:04 Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth, with 43274 out-of-sight to the rear, as they storm south out of the 47 yard long Bincombe No.2 Tunnel and through what was once Upwey Wishing Well Halt. The milepost of this former GWR route tells us that this is 165 and one quarter miles from Paddington via Melksham.
19 April 2023
(6D PL)
19 April 2023
(6D PL)
Bincombe Tunnel
Making a fine sight, and sound, 47828 now leads 47593 Galloway Princess on the return 'Dorset Coast Statesman' as the pair make their ascent of Bincombe bank, the gradient here rising at 1-in-50. The train is seen here approaching the site of the former Upwey Wishing Well Halt, and running as 1Z68 16:37 Weymouth - Crewe.
19 April 2023
(6D PL)
19 April 2023
(6D PL)
Dorchester South
The second time in two-and-a-half years that I've photographed this particular locomotive, on this particular working at Dorchester South. This time around though Inter-City liveried 47828 is paired-up with lead locomotive 47593 Galloway Princess hauling the 'Dorset Coast Statesman' 1Z67 06:14 Crewe - Weymouth, seen here on the approach to Dorchester South in an incredibly fortunate patch of sun.
19 April 2023
(6D)
19 April 2023
(6D)
Stoborough
Swanage Railways Class 117 DMU approaches Worgret Junction operating 2C24 16:23 Swanage - Wareham service, on day three of this years 90-day trial service between Swanage and Wareham. The service, using this DMU, and/or their Class 121 'bubble car' commenced on Tuesday 4 April 2023 and runs on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday until 10 September 2023.
06 April 2023
(6D PL)
06 April 2023
(6D PL)
East Stoke
Running alongside the River Frome at East Stoke, between Wool and Wareham, is South Western Railways 444018 operating 1W58 11:20 Weymouth - Waterloo.
04 April 2023
(6D PL)
04 April 2023
(6D PL)
Dorchester South
The first move of 2023, and the fifth in total, for the Direct Rail Services worked de-commissioning trains of low-level waste from the former Winfrith nuclear research site near Wool. Once again 68016 Fearless and 68018 Vigilant are provided for these moves, which arrived as 6Z62 01:00 Crewe Coal Sidings - Wool (via Reading), and returning as 6Z95 16:03 Winfrith Sidings - Crewe Coal Sidings (via Dorchester South). Here 68016 Fearless leads the return working away from Dorchester South against the setting sun, and in very cold conditions evidenced by the mornings snow and ice on the ground. The train is ultimately destined for the Low Level Waste Repository site at Drigg in Cumbria.
18 January 2023
(iPhone)
18 January 2023
(iPhone)
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by an individual, or organisation, without prior consent.
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