SouthernBlue80s

Seeing as I mentioned Dover town yard, here is 33050 on a sunny Summers morning in 1980. My memories of the railways in these days as teenager in Kent are full of atmosphere.

33/1 at Clapham Junction on push pull services. We never saw them in depths of the South Eastern Divison. One however did make it to Dover town in the early 80s.

The EMU pictures remind me of my youth in Kent. Also I find it facinating that in 1967 there were clean modern electrics with big power and also steam on the network at the same time.

A close call. Taken off the bridge near Willesden at the start of the walk down to Old Oak Common. The 47 with the steel train is hard on the brakes trying to stop before hitting the light engine 37 at the red signal. It just made it. It is hard to see, and I am not sure, but is the cab door open at the front of the loco?

Class 33. A hot summers day at Temple Meads

47583 County of Hertfordshire was my favourite 47, I can´t quite remember why, I guess it was because it was an early recipient of large logo. Here it is in the early 80s at Stratford after having suffered a spot of bother.

Thank you. I will amend the caption.

Yes I remember that. The grey seat moquette with the yellow, blue, white and red bits in it takes me back whenever I see it, to the world of lightbulbs, mirrors with BR logos on, wooden window frames with gaffiti and orange curtains. I wonder if Broadlands above is working on of the first workings, given its headboard?

Early days of the Gatwick Express at the old Victoria Station. An EMU in the background with the old orange curtains and comfortable seats that I remember.

Having looked at it again, I see what you are saying. I had a look at the origonal under a magnifying glass but can not make it out. Perhaps it is a picture of the return working of 47072 from Margate in 1983, as pictured above.

Finsbury Park a year or two before closure. Always the friendliest depot in London I felt, I would ask to look around and it was always no problem. A sketchy part of London back in the 70s and 80s.

A class 86 and Brutes at Euston.

Margam. Developed and printed by myself as a young man... which is why it is not the best. I have fond memories of these places in South Wales.

A slightly blurry Severn Tunnel Junction Not the best picture but captures the atmosphere.

20s at Tinsley about 1988

A few of my latest editions, still working on them. Now back to the day job..

Thats very kind of you James. I am taking a break for a few months as work has become very busy. But will pick things up again and update in the Autum. I have the latest Accurscale Ferry Van to weather which I am looking forward to and my engineering train to finish. I also have that 08 to salvage. Here is an older work in progress picture.

The bank next to Tinsley late on a Summers day.

I know I am repeating what others have said..... But that is outragously good. Wow.

47072 August 1983 Thunders through Herne Bay on the return leg from Margate. In some years this might be the only time a 47 would visit this North Kent coast line during the whole year. So what was an everyday occurrence accross much of the rest of the network, A 47 on a set of MK1s, was once a once in a year capture on this line, usually at the end of August.

A few final pictures of 47072 shunting the stock on that glorious August day. My notes say the train originated from Reading.

To stay on topic. 47072 backing onto its stock at Margate on a wet August day 1983. For those of us in the far corner of the South East Divsion is was not often a 47 got this far. This area of Margate station is now housing.

Not sure where the Dover Town came from on the notes. As you know, most of those excursions ended up in Margate. I know for a fact having witnessed it that the stock was stabled at Margate. I dont remember the 47s involved heading to Ramsgate for fuel, not to say they didnt but the fueling facilities at Ramsgate were apparently a bit basic. A few of those out of region excursions ended up at Canterbury or more usually Folkestone. So in realation to the reference to Dover Town Folkestone would make more sense as an end destination. However would that have been routed via strood?

Thank you, a rare sight on the SE divison. I have a record of 47301 with a service that started at Dover Town for that date, which sounds like a frieght train. Have you any more details on the service above?

If you get a chance dig it out. I never saw one in Kent.