|
|
|
14 January 2006
On a thoroughly wet and miserable lunchtime near Worting Junction, Tangmere heads this VSOE
tour through the Winter gloom. The tour was the usual early year start for VSOE from Victoria to Southampton E
Docks. 34067 was right on time at 12.30pm.
On the return leg of this trip we catch Tangmere at Brookwood in Surrey during a booked
stop. This would normally be a stop for water but there was no tender present.. There had been no water tender at the
outward stop at Winchfield either, so I presume other arrangements had been made.
Hear as Tangmere gets underway following this stop on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
|
18 February 2006
On a tour re-routed due to engineering works, 34067 heads quietly through Fleet following a service
train. Tangmere was on the return leg of a circular VSOE tour from Victoria via Eastleigh.
|
|
|
18 March 2006
On a bitterly cold and windy day Tangmere charges west near Aldermaston, Berkshire with
'The Pines Express'. Although running without the appropriate headboard this tour was part of events marking the 40th
anniversary of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Railway. The 'Pines Express' was the principal express of the
S&D and this tour would run through some classic S&D country before reaching the West Somerset Railway. At Bishops
Lydeard it would join Standard 4 76079 to run 'doubleheaded' all the way to Minehead. The tour, which originated at
London Victoria, would then return to London by Class 47 diesel loco.
|
|
|
02 September 2006
A couple of views here of 34067 on The Somerset & Dorset Remembered tour for Kingfisher
Railtours. Both views taken at Eastleigh where Tangmere paused briefly for a crew change. In the
first view the rails sparkle in the pouring rain as 34067 arrives on time at 8.15am. Secondly, 34067 gets underway with
the signal clearly showing the locomotive is about to take the Romsey Branch. This tour originated at Wareham and is
heading for Salisbury and Bristol.
|
|
|
23 September 2006
These two views show 34067 heading The Sussex Belle. The first picture shows Tangmere
crossing the River Arun near Ford, West Sussex on a Sunny day at last. This tour ran from London Victoria calling
at Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. The tour later passed Southampton, Andover and Fleet.
Secondly, back at Fleet for the return leg, Tangmere passes the site of original 'up' platform
at Fleet Station, just before the Minley Road bridge.
|
|
|
07 October 2006 With
the main LSWR route shut between Woking and Subiton, this VSOE tour to Southampton E Docks ran via Hounslow and Staines before
rejoining the main line near Byfleet. Headed
by 34067 Tangmere, the first view here depicts the 'Pacific' having just passed underneath the
Basingstoke Canal at Frimley Green. The canal is carried across the line by the four arched aqueduct in the background. In the second view, we catch 34067 on the return leg. Tangmere nears the top of the long climb from St Denys as it powers through Micheldever Station as
dusk approaches.
|
|
|
28 October 2006 34067 Tangmere
charges across the Pond as it approaches Fleet Station on this VSOE tour from London Victoria to Westbury, Bristol
and return. 34067 was running about 40 minutes late. The tour had been routed via the Hounslow route due to engineering
works, additionally, there was an accident on the level crossing at Barnes. Finally, failure of the Class 67 at
the rear of train at London Victoria meant 34067 was required to pull all 500 tons out of the terminus including a section
at 1 in 62 (the '67' would normally assist on the departure from Victoria). Tangmere was running
on the 'down fast', becoming a rarity at present with Winchfield water stops and 60mph max for 45231 The Sherwood
Forester.
|
01 April 2006
On the centenary of Chiltern Railways, LMS locomotives 8F no 48151
and 5XP 'Jubilee' no 5690 Leander hauled a series of shuttles between High Wycombe and London Marylebone on April
1st and 2nd. Featuring 5690 and 48151 'top and tailing' this series has action from Beaconsfield on 1st April.
There are also a few sound recordings of the day on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
01 April 2006
The first train of the day sees the 8F on the rear of the 9:15 ex Marylebone.
48151 storms away towards London on the 13.25 ex High Wycombe.
Listen to this powerful engine as it gets underway on Sound 2006 here.
This is the 15.15 ex Marylebone showing the whole train at the 'down' platform.
Here this train getting underway on the Sound 2006 page here.
These final four views are of the last train of the day, the 16.25 ex High Wycombe.
First we see the arrival under the road bridge with 48151 at the head.
Next 5690 waits to get underway.
Third, a monochrome of 5690 on the move.
Lastly, an overall look at the scene as both locos leave the Station. As you can see the event
proved to be very popular and was also very well organised with all trains running pretty much to time.
A, rather interrupted, sound track of this sequence is on Sound 2006 here.
|
|
|
29 April 2006
A4 'Pacific' Union of South Africa heads this VSOE 'Surrey Hills' tour through Woking Junction
in the first two pictures of this sequence.
Following a Shalford water stop, 60009 leads its train through the North Downs on the long climb
towards Gomshall.
You can listen to locomotive on the climb and heading through Woking Junction on the Sound 2006 page
here.
|
|
|
07 June 2006
After several cancelled tours Steam Dreams finally managed to get a trip running. 45231 The Sherwood Forester makes smooth progress round a curve at a foot crossing near Shoreham,
Kent on this Cathedrals Express tour from London Victoria to Canterbury and return.
Listen to 45231 heading past on Sound 2006 here.
|
|
|
13 July 2006
45231 The Sherwood Forester heads into Winchfield on the outward leg of this Cathedrals
Express tour from London Victoria to Bristol. This was a water stop for 45231.
The other images show the busy cab during the stop and a view of
the 'Black 5' just before departure.
Hear 45231 get underway following this stop on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
|
13 July 2006
On the return leg of the above trip 45231 The Sherwood Forester cruises towards Winchfield
late on a perfect summers evening. 45231 was returning to London Victoria following a trip to Bristol.
Listen as the loco cruises past on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
|
31 August 2006
45231 The Sherwood Forester heads into Winchfield hauling the 'Green Train' stock on this
Cathedrals Express tour from London Victoria to Westbury and Bristol. 45231 was making a water stop at Winchfield.
In the second view it's nightime at Fleet station. 45231 is silhouetted
against the station lights as it makes steady progress on the 'up slow' behind the 8.40pm stopping service.
|
|
|
30 September 2006
'Coasting' up the 1/100 grade west of Wanborough, 45231 approaches a single yellow aspect signal. The Sherwood Forester was heading for Minehead with this Cathedrals Express tour
from London Victoria. This tour had run through South London via Redhill and Guildford. 45231 was now heading
for Reading along the Blackwater Valley route. The 'roundabout' pathing was due to engineering work on the main 'LSWR'
route.
45231 was due to stay at Minehead to run during the autumn steam gala for the West Somerset Railway.
|
|
|
05 December 2006
45231 Sherwood Forester arrives at Salisbury from London Victoria around 10 minutes late due to adhesion
problems en route. This was a Cathedrals Express tour from London Victoria to Westbury. For the full
story of this trip and more images go here. For sound from this trip go here.
|
11 October 2006
Following the run of 45231 to Minehead on 30 September, this
Cathedrals Express tour ran from Minehead to Salisbury. At Salisbury a Class 47 would take the tour back to
Minehead with the 'Black 5' running 'light engine' to the Mid-Hants Railway. The tour included a steam hauled loop
from Salisbury via Romsey and Southampton and these images are taken during this part of the trip. There are also a couple
of sound recordings of the day on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
11 October 2006
45231 arrives Platform 4 Salisbury on time at around 3.00pm following a trip from Minehead.
Secondly, we see a view from the train as we approach Southampton Central on a dark and damp
afternoon.
The third view sees the 'Black 5' approaching Salisbury at the end of the loop.
Fourth, a huge crowd milling around the loco whilst it is detached from the train.
Next, 45231 waits in the bay adjacent to Platform 4 with its support coach for servicing, having
detached from the train.
Finally, 45231 waits in the bay platform under the evening sky, while the Class 47 makes ready to
return to Minehead in the background.
|
|
|
26 June 2006
6024 King Edward I works its train West at Crofton with this Steamy Affairs tour from Willesden
to Bristol and return. These two views show the 'King' passing alongside the Kennet and Avon canal at Crofton Crossing
then powering on past the pumping station.
KEI has been climbing steadily for about 25 miles since passing just West of Reading and sounds superb
heading for the summit at Savernake.
Listen to the noise as 6024 passes on the Sound 2006 page here.
|
|
|
09 September 2006
On a fine late summer evening, 6024 King Edward I catches the sunlight as it cruises towards Cholsey.
6024 was returning to London Paddington with this VSOE Sir John Betjeman Centenary Tour to Bristol.
|
|
|
09 July 2006
On a day more akin to February than July 71000 heads through Fleet with a Cathedrals Express
tour from Clapham Junction to Exeter and return in this sequence of three shots.
|
|
|
09 July 2006
On the same day as the above sequence we catch up with Duke of Gloucester at a water stop
at Winchfield still on the outward leg of this trip. This study shows detail from the cab as the crew prepare to continue
the journey.
Secondly we see 71000 underway and heading along the platform.
Get a bit of 71000 noise and a lot of Class 31 noise as the diesel pushes DoG hard out of Winchfield
on Sound 2006 here.
|
|
|
02 August 2006
71000 Duke of Gloucester stands in Platform 4, Basingstoke Station on a wet and windy night.
71000 was taking on water on the return leg of a 'Sunny South Special' for 'Steam Dreams' and heading for Clapham Junction
following a trip to Weymouth. The time is about 10.30pm and 71000 is running nearly an hour late at this point.
Listen to 71000 as it pulls through the junction on leaving Basingstoke on Sound 2006 here.
|
|
|
25 November 2006
During a violent thunderstorm and in quite appalling conditions the brave crew of 71000 pilot the
'pacific' west alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal towards Thatcham. This Cathedrals Express tour from
London Victoria to Bristol and return was off the power following a service train having apparently been 'checked' east of
Reading.
No sound from this trip, just thunder. I did catch the much delayed return at Theale though
which you can find on Sound 2006 here.
|
|
|
21 December 2006
The final trip of 2006 for Fleetsteam sees 71000 on a Cathedrals Express tour
from London Victoria to Winchester, Eastleigh and return. The first view here catches Duke of Gloucester at
Winchfield, in dense fog, waiting to get underway following a water stop. The next three views are all from the return
trip again at Winchfield for water. On a night of freezing conditions are more dense fog, first a general view of the
loco with exhaust trailing off into the night. Next, the support crew set to work on 71000. Finally, we catch
the 'pacific' poised for departure under the fog and station lights as the fire tender crew begin stowing their
gear.
|
|
|
18 November 2006
Making perhaps its final ever trip south on the mainline, 4771 Green Arrow powers through Arlesey
in fine form and perfect weather. Heading the 'London Lights' tour for the National Railway Museum (NRM),
this tour originated at York and was heading for Kings Cross. The return trip would be Diesel hauled with 4771 making
its final run north with a trip from Kings Cross to York the following Saturday - 25 November. 4771 is expected
to be withdrawn from mainline duties by the NRM due to excessive wear on the cylinders.
|
|
