2. Railways

I finally got to step from the cab at Swanage

On Thursday 21st September 2017, A4 60009 worked a tour from London to Swanage, the railway I first became involved with in February 1976. I was on that first visit for No9 to The Purbeck Line, something I had wanted for a very long time, and after 27 years as part of the support crew I finally succeeded in stepping from the cab onto the platform having rode the footplate from Wareham. A dream come true.
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  • Early morning in west London and the view from the support coach is keeping me sharp with my camera. London Overground unit 378231 runs into Willesden Junction High Level station with 2N07 0620 off Stratford to Richmond.

    Early morning in west London and the view from the support coach is keeping me sharp with my camera. London Overground unit 378231 runs into Willesden Junction High Level station with 2N07 0620 off Stratford to Richmond.

  • Willesden Depot and units 378213 and 313121 rest between duties on shed. Sadly no Duchess pacifics were seen here this day.

    Willesden Depot and units 378213 and 313121 rest between duties on shed. Sadly no Duchess pacifics were seen here this day.

  • The sun is rising over London as 66110 comes round the West London Line with a rake of loaded sand hoppers. This is 6Z81 0522 Angerstein Wharf to St Pancras Churchyard Sidings loaded sand hoppers.

    The sun is rising over London as 66110 comes round the West London Line with a rake of loaded sand hoppers. This is 6Z81 0522 Angerstein Wharf to St Pancras Churchyard Sidings loaded sand hoppers.

  • 66188 fronts an intermodal working passing Willesden shed, the service is 4M07 0418 Felixstowe to Burton on Trent.

    66188 fronts an intermodal working passing Willesden shed, the service is 4M07 0418 Felixstowe to Burton on Trent.

  • An early morning Virgin West Coast service speeds past Willesden depot with class 221 Super Voyagers 221105 and 221106 running as 1D81 0710 from London Euston to Chester. My train was being was being taken from Southall shed to Victoria station diesel hauled with A4 60009 on the back.

    An early morning Virgin West Coast service speeds past Willesden depot with class 221 Super Voyagers 221105 and 221106 running as 1D81 0710 from London Euston to Chester. My train was being was being taken from Southall shed to Victoria station diesel hauled with A4 60009 on the back.

  • Now on former Southern metals and on the run into Victoria station. 377129 is one of two class 377 Electrostar units forming 2S07 0717 West Croydon to Victoria.

    Now on former Southern metals and on the run into Victoria station. 377129 is one of two class 377 Electrostar units forming 2S07 0717 West Croydon to Victoria.

  • As my ECS working drops down the 1 in 64 gradient towards Victoria station, up and down service trains pass each other. 377609 and 377601 are on a down working, 2B90 0747 Victoria to Sutton as 377129 nears the end of its journey.

    As my ECS working drops down the 1 in 64 gradient towards Victoria station, up and down service trains pass each other. 377609 and 377601 are on a down working, 2B90 0747 Victoria to Sutton as 377129 nears the end of its journey.

  • 377601 is the rear unit on the Sutton bound class 2 working.

    377601 is the rear unit on the Sutton bound class 2 working.

  • London Victoria station is heavily built over and 377129 is swallowed up by the darkness as it runs in to terminate.

    London Victoria station is heavily built over and 377129 is swallowed up by the darkness as it runs in to terminate.

  • 375601 has run in and come to a stand with a class 1 working from Ramsgate, 1P10 0632 off. To the right is 377610 getting ready to run the short distance to the nearby Grosvenor carriage shed, the details are 5Y88 0848 off.

    375601 has run in and come to a stand with a class 1 working from Ramsgate, 1P10 0632 off. To the right is 377610 getting ready to run the short distance to the nearby Grosvenor carriage shed, the details are 5Y88 0848 off.

  • A Networker class 465 emu nears its journey's end with 2U62 0756 Dartford to Victoria.

    A Networker class 465 emu nears its journey's end with 2U62 0756 Dartford to Victoria.

  • The steam tour is now underway and we depart Victoria station. 377625 has just crossed the River Thames on Grosvenor Bridge and is dropping down the 1 in 64 approach to Victoria with 1H07 0640 from Littlehampton.

    The steam tour is now underway and we depart Victoria station. 377625 has just crossed the River Thames on Grosvenor Bridge and is dropping down the 1 in 64 approach to Victoria with 1H07 0640 from Littlehampton.

  • A 12 coach, 3 unit train passes over Grosvenor Bridge high above the Thames with 377456 being the nearest unit. The service is 2C05 0740 from Reigate to Victoria.

    A 12 coach, 3 unit train passes over Grosvenor Bridge high above the Thames with 377456 being the nearest unit. The service is 2C05 0740 from Reigate to Victoria.

  • The Swanage bound steam tour has come to a stand at signals on the freight only line between Longhenge and Ludgate GW Junctions. Ahead we will pass below the lines at Clapham Junction, 377621 passes above the freight lines with 2S11 0818 West Croydon to Victoria.

    The Swanage bound steam tour has come to a stand at signals on the freight only line between Longhenge and Ludgate GW Junctions. Ahead we will pass below the lines at Clapham Junction, 377621 passes above the freight lines with 2S11 0818 West Croydon to Victoria.

  • Having passed below the lines at Clapham we now come up on the north side and join them. Juniper EMU 458528 is standing on one of the roads which give access to the vast carriage sidings at Clapham. I believe this to be 5Y15 0845 Waterloo to Clapham Carriage Sidings but may be wrong as the unit is showing tail lights facing Clapham.

    Having passed below the lines at Clapham we now come up on the north side and join them. Juniper EMU 458528 is standing on one of the roads which give access to the vast carriage sidings at Clapham. I believe this to be 5Y15 0845 Waterloo to Clapham Carriage Sidings but may be wrong as the unit is showing tail lights facing Clapham.

  • Beside the Juniper units is brand new 707011 with 5Y16 0830 Waterloo to Clapham Carriage Sidings, it has headlights facing Clapham. I hope I have identified it correctly, I was using the signalling diagram on the excellent Railcam website.

    Beside the Juniper units is brand new 707011 with 5Y16 0830 Waterloo to Clapham Carriage Sidings, it has headlights facing Clapham. I hope I have identified it correctly, I was using the signalling diagram on the excellent Railcam website.

  • Looking towards Clapham Junction Carriage Sheds and sidings (somewhere I have been before with No9) and 456007 heads for Waterloo with 2G92 0807 from Guildford. Passing it is a down train including 450098 working 2P19 0825 Waterloo to Portsmouth and Southsea.

    Looking towards Clapham Junction Carriage Sheds and sidings (somewhere I have been before with No9) and 456007 heads for Waterloo with 2G92 0807 from Guildford. Passing it is a down train including 450098 working 2P19 0825 Waterloo to Portsmouth and Southsea.

  • My son Ross, also a former Swanage volunteer, catches up on some sleep.

    My son Ross, also a former Swanage volunteer, catches up on some sleep.

  • Now at Eastleigh and in the yard is 66156 which has lost its EWS branding, it now carries DB logos instead.

    Now at Eastleigh and in the yard is 66156 which has lost its EWS branding, it now carries DB logos instead.

  • 66138 is idle coupled to a pair of empty container flats.

    66138 is idle coupled to a pair of empty container flats.

  • 66023 has also lost its EWS logos and gained DB ones. It stands in the yard at Eastleigh with a rake of autoballaster hoppers.

    66023 has also lost its EWS logos and gained DB ones. It stands in the yard at Eastleigh with a rake of autoballaster hoppers.

  • GBRf also has a presence at Eastleigh and 66758 is parked up. In the right background is the main building of Eastleigh Works being used by Arlington Fleet Services.

    GBRf also has a presence at Eastleigh and 66758 is parked up. In the right background is the main building of Eastleigh Works being used by Arlington Fleet Services.

  • A few miles beyond Southampton Central station is the container terminal and stabling point of Southampton Maritime. Freightliner uses the stabling point and 66529 rests between duties.

    A few miles beyond Southampton Central station is the container terminal and stabling point of Southampton Maritime. Freightliner uses the stabling point and 66529 rests between duties.

  • The tour passes by and I record 70007 at the head of 4O15 0721 Lawley Street to Southampton Maritime Freightliner. To the right is low emission 66954.

    The tour passes by and I record 70007 at the head of 4O15 0721 Lawley Street to Southampton Maritime Freightliner. To the right is low emission 66954.

  • Also at the terminal is 66504 wearing the then latest Freightliner livery.

    Also at the terminal is 66504 wearing the then latest Freightliner livery.

  • A first for 60009 as it runs into Swanage's platform 2. Photo : Andrew PM Wright

    A first for 60009 as it runs into Swanage's platform 2. Photo : Andrew PM Wright

  • I look out from the cab as we run in. Photo : Andrew PM Wright

    I look out from the cab as we run in. Photo : Andrew PM Wright

  • Journey's end, A4 60009 Union of South Africa at the stop blocks at Swanage. Across the road is estate agent Miles & Son, this used to be The Railway Hotel and a regular haunt of the early years volunteers. I have quaffed many a pint in there, most of them whilst underage!! Photo : Andrew PM Wright

    Journey's end, A4 60009 Union of South Africa at the stop blocks at Swanage. Across the road is estate agent Miles & Son, this used to be The Railway Hotel and a regular haunt of the early years volunteers. I have quaffed many a pint in there, most of them whilst underage!! Photo : Andrew PM Wright

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