Andy Louch

Couple more 66s at a gloomy Eastleigh this week. Don't think I've ever seen a 'smokier' as 66082 before....! Have a good weekend all, off to Soton Model Show tomorrow!!

Hi Gwiwer, very many thanks for such a comprehensive post. Interesting to note that the franchise seems to be struggling financially resulting in the, as you note, somewhat haphazard mixture of styles and liveries across the franchise! i also spoke to a driver yesterday who suggested that the 442's might struggle with some of the climbs on the Portsmouth direct route which was pointed out to SWR before the refurbishment of the units started. If I remember correctly, they were only used on the SW routes to Bournemouth and Weymouth in their first incarnation, perhaps for this reason?

Some snaps from west of Southampton this time!

Yes, agreed. Whilst waiting, another photographer said that he'd heard that SWR are not going to paint these units with the 'standard' SWR 'hatching' (as applied to a couple of 158's I've seen) as a cost cutting exercise. At least the paint/vinyls applied to the158's does break up the white a little!

Thanks Peter. Speaking to another photographer today it seems it's presently 'mothballed' and only used when there's sufficient traffic to make it worthwhile. The cranes were stacked at the western end of the yard, out of shot. He also noted that there are 2 additional sidings being laid in the Western Docks so maybe that will increase the traffic/container handling within the port estate?

Spotted more training runs on 'Plastioc Pigs' between Fratton and Bournemouth on 'Wessex Gen' so headed to Millbrook this afternoon to see what was the staple diet of 'Wessex Expresses' 30 years ago!

Black 5 on recent Christmas specials

Couple from the Berks and Hants

More from Eastleigh over last couple of days.

Not sure where the 'headline' photo was taken.... doesn't look like much traffic has passed for quite some time!!

'Right Away'...GCR gala on Sunday last.

Dava, thanks for info. Yes, the intensive house building to the south of Loughborough has certainly impacted on what was a 'rural' vantage point! I can see that crowd control might be needed at Kinchley Lane during galas in the future!!

Yes, the feeling at the GCR over the weekend is that all heritage railways are finding it difficult to allow what are in effect members of the public, onto the trackside even if completion of PTS certification is a requirement. In the event of any incident, it would be difficult for a railway to defend this practice even given the nature of the way in which the railway is operated in terms of speed of trains etc. The loss of revenue to the GCR if the permits are withdrawn is not insignificant; a permit costs about £40 per year and permit holders also have to be 'friends' of the railway at £25 per annum so a 'loss' of £65 for each permit holder.

An excellent couple of days at the GCR 'Last Hurrah' over the weekend. The weather (after gloomy starts!) was brilliant and the locos all looked superb, especially 45305 and 73156. The timetable was excellent with plenty of action throughout both days. Numbers seemed reasonable although a few others commented that the numbers of lineside photographers seemed down particularly given the weather which was as forecast. One piece of news I picked up is that the railway may well withdraw the issuing of lineside permits at the end of the year. This is rather sad although not completely surprising in today's risk averse culture and Im sure it will result in loss of revenue for the railway since other photters I spoke to said that access to the lineside for photography was one of the main reasons for coming to the railway. Anyway, thanks once again to all involved at the GCR for running another wonderful event. I'll post some images on Flickr in due course. Andy.

Many thanks Ian, looks like I will just catch the 'last knockings'! Andy

Planning to visit the area for a few hours next week; hopefully will still be something to photograph!? Andy

Couple of images of the crew who ran the Ivatt tank for us during the photo-charter at the Watercress on Saturday. Many thanks all, for an excellent afternoon and evening.

Does this count?....

A couple more SWR trains in SWT liveries (apart from the name vinyls) at a sunny Eastleigh this morning....

Ha ha, I was amongst the throng at Snow Hill! 7029 hauled 'The Zulu' and, if I remember correctly, 4079 'Pendennis Castle' hauled the preceding 'Birkenhead Flyer'. I've got some of my own (rubbish) Instamatic pics somewhere; additionally, someone also passed on the attached - apologies, can't remember who it wasand hope they are happy for them to be published here? Thanks, Andy

Crikey, Peak Forest looks a bit 'fresh' yesterday morning! Many thanks for posting; have never made it to this location - on the list though!! Couple from Eastleigh on Friday; saw a number of locos actually going on shed - something I haven't seen for a while...

An hour or so at Eastleigh this lunchtime saw a 'blast from the past' as unbranded 'Plastic Pig; 442404 head back towards Bournemouth after leaving repainted 442408 at Eastleigh works. Haven't sen a 'Pig' in Hampshire for a long time!

Couple from Watercress ASG: 1.Loneliness of long-distance signalman (with apologies to Alan Sillitoe!) 2. Thinks:...."Wonder if I rub hard enough it will turn into a Castle"....?!!

Another one from Swanage Gala last weekend; awaiting the 'tip' at Harmans Cross.

Rob, many thanks for posting. I find that the D49 design was rather elegant; note to self; ...'make more of an effort to go and see preserved D49, Morayshire'....Like 71000, I have never seen this loco. Shame on me!