| How long will it be before the residents of Hampshire and Dorset are able to turn up at their local station, jump on a train and request that ticket?? Hopefully SOON!! The first direct service from London to Swanage for 37 years ran today with DBS Class 66s in charge from London Victoria through to the Dorset Terminus. The Charter train was a sellout and a repeat has been arranged for tomorrow. Due to work commitments i couldnt stray too far to Fot the Train and i will include an update tomorrow when i start later. Have also included some shots from the same afternoon on the Lymington Slammer. This collection has now been updated with images form 'Tangmere's' visit to the line with a Charter from London Victoria, the first Steam hauled service to Swanage from London for 40 odd years |
66152 is running approximately 6 late behind 1W21 so runs gingerly downhill through Parkstone station. The Charter is running as 1Z98 Victoria-Swanage Buy Print |
66152 and its recently applied DB livery are seen in beautiful Springtime sunshine at Parkstone station |
3 Chocolate and Cream carriages are seen tucked in behind the locomotive Buy Print |
A shot from the footbridge at Parkstone sees the Charter approach a signal at Caution as it runs down grade towards Poole Buy Print |
The first 6O48 stone train for 8 weeks was worked by 59104 seen at a very shadowy Bournemouth station. Thankfully this flow has started running again as the lighter evenings approach Buy Print |
I was allocated to do 5 round trips to Lymington off my Spare turn today. 1498 was provided for my afternoons entertainment Buy Print |
When the other Guard had taken over the workings i decided to do one more trip to get a shot of the train coming into Lymington Town station with the 'Lymington Flyer 150' headboard on the train. This is the 17.14 from Lymington Pier Buy Print |
Back at Brockenhurst and just in time to see 66142 take 1Z91 from Swanage to London Victoria Buy Print |
The spectacular ruins of Corfe Castle sparkle in the sun |
A distant blast on the horn told us 66152 and 1Z98 was on its way. The train cautiously approaches Corfe station Buy Print |
Framed between the Semaphores at Corfe Buy Print |
A quick pan back for an overall view of this beautiful location Buy Print |
66142 brings up the rear as it did the day before Buy Print |
Even with my 4 year old Son in tow, we managed to get back to the car and beat the train to Swanage. Although the crowds were not as big for the first run of the train, there were still plenty of people at Swanage to witness the arrival Buy Print |
66152 parks up next to Swanage's resident Crompton 33111 Buy Print |
Kingston village Church is seen nestled into the hills with the distant signal for Corfe station in the foreground Buy Print |
The 4 car DMU set burbles its way towards Harmons Cross Buy Print |
34070 'Manston' runs down hill towards Corfe. This loco will stay in Corfe station as it is passed by 'Tangmere' to provide the sight of 2 West Country Class locos passing Buy Print |
34067 passes a gallery of photographers shortly after leaving Corfe station. Date is Saturday 2nd May 2009 Buy Print |
34067 is really struggling to keep its load 11 and a dead 37 on the move as it crosses Corfe Common Buy Print |
Corfe Castle provides a stunning backdrop to this historic train, the first Steam hauled passenger train from London-Swanage for 40 odd years Buy Print |
'Tangmere' is still making plenty of steam as she slogs her way towards Harmons Cross and yet more photographers awaiting her arrival on the A351 overbridge Buy Print |
A tell tale trace of Diesel exhaust means that 37706 has been comandeered to give 'Tangmere' a helping hand on the last mile or so into Harmons Cross Buy Print |
Later that evening i was working on the Brockenhurst-Lymington shuttles and we were due into Brockenhurst at the same time the Diesel hauled return leg was due to pass. Slam Door unit 1497 runs alongside 37706 near Lymington Jn on the approach to Brockenhurst |
