Ncarter2

The colour match of the coaches and 68 looks good.

The landslip at Honiton was due to the incompetence of the contract firm, it wouldn’t be right to discuss/disclose the details, there is a current investigation underway. I will say, had it have been managed correctly, the slip wouldn’t have happened. I will agree to a point on newer staff only concentrating on what can be seen. One of the biggest issues I see over and over, is the lack of hand over between staff when they move on. Add to that, the new individual wants to manage their way, things very quickly get lost/forgotten. We should not forget that engineers no longer run the railway, it’s bean counters, the very mention of prevention in maintenance generally results in work being shut down/declined as unnecessary cost. They don’t look at bigger picture, it’s very much the hear and now and react. As for Hook, the whole of the site is on a risk register and monitored. The site which slipped showed no signs. During the summer months when other sections suffered from the effects of desiccation, this site held firm, again, following the onslaught of the inclement weather, other sites have shown movement, this site didn’t. Only two days prior, there had been dynamic recording on the Down Slow, the track was as stable as it had been for the previous 6 months if not longer. Add to this, the site had recently been inspected from the track, again no signs of concern. This doesn’t mean that the site is forgotten, but it also doesn’t mean that because it’s a known area of previous concern, that it will be subject to works, just in case. It’s was a sudden and unexpected failure. Unfortunately, the slimed down work force, the targets being pushed by the gov and their effects on senior managements way of thinking, the ever reduced access but increased tonnages all result in affecting how the many issues are managed and prioritised.

A two line railway will be in operation from the morning. The works over the weekend being successful.

Just need to do a GBRF and NSE one!

I think you have hit the nail on the head. The WOE line gives the geo team headaches most of the year, desiccation which has become an ever prevalent problem over the last several years, well more so than normal. Wallers Ash portal, Buriton Tunnel, Honiton, Fareham Tunnel, Botley are just some of the site that have required intervention and/or continued intervention over the last few years. Add to that, there has been the big slip at Botley which shut the route for a period, and the previous slip just outside Basingstoke on the Down slow. We have a site on the New Guildford line which had substantial works undertaken, piling etc, but even that didn’t prevent movement during the summer as the bank shrunk. As always, comes down to finance, the work back far outweighs what the money can cover.

All being well, Monday morning there will be a two line railway operational between Pirbright Jn and Basingstoke. Slewing will take place this weekend, the Down Fast will be cut and slewed to join the Up Fast alignment either side of the slip. Other than a 50 speed through the slip site, line speed should be restored.

It’s a a possibility that this will be the case. Options were discussed yesterday and again today.

The one point to consider is this site was not expected. There was no indication, track recording from less than a week prior shows no indication of any movement. The local team had no concerns. Other than being known as a site built on London clay etc. Until excavation begins, and the full extent of the instability is known, it is an unknown. There are genuine concerns within track and geo around the stability of the up fast and what any works to the down fast may cause. There is a positive attitude that works can be done swift and with as little disruption as possible. Bigger picture, questions are being asked around the down slow, this being the the latest in a line of closures due to the bank slipping over the recent years.

Agree there, but if the formation of the Up Fast is compromised or has the potential, it may not be an option. I look forward to seeing the plans tomorrow when I’m back in the office, but both down roads will need to be worked on from what I have seen in photos from site, we know there is substandard formation at the location. Good point on the back fill, I will see if there are any records we keep in Asset Management. Ultimately, we can bodge and come back when it happens again or we do it right and sort it, either way, a touch few weeks for the Wessex Route.

It will be interesting to see how many still retain that competence. Maintenance certainly don’t.

Add to that resourcing the Pilot staff, not really enough MOM’s to cover that, they are thinly spread already. Having done it before between Redbridge and Brockenhurst, it was pulled when we ran out of hours and no one else was available. Given the know bank formation in the area, I’d be surprised if they don’t rebuild under all four lines, it would be shortsighted to not.

Vast majority of container traffic goes via Reading, along the BKE’s, so not affected by the slip. It’s mainly engineering trains that go along the mains and via Virginia Water to use Kew Junction or along the RDG1 to reach latchmere Jn. These are route cleared via Fareham. The line to Salisbury from Worting is cleared, it’s the main diversion route when the main route is under possession. The Warminster line is another route that can be used.

I remember something being mentioned on here, so I have got 2x EWS ones to renumber as 031. My 003 is going to become 046.

Hello all, I am looking for a couple of the Bachmann MK2 TSO coaches in Intercity Swallow livery. Looking online, I only seem to be able to find the executive version. Not fussed if they are DCC fitted or not. Any assistance, most appreciated.

The line speed through the Forest is 80-90mph, not exactly restrictive. Other than a short section on the Up approaching Brockenhurst, which is bizarrely 70mph (no track construction reason for it). The section from Totton to Christchurch is suitable from a track perspective for higher speeds. If the Avon and Stour river bridges get their planned renewal on the Up Line, this would also be suitable for line speed increases on the Up and Down through Christchurch, which is the current restrictive section. As a side note, I have cab rode with a couple of senior drivers who claim to have touched the magic Ton between Brock and Christchurch Bank, but that was way before I had joined the route and the slammers were still very much in charge.

Thanks for posting, been after one for a reasonable amount. GM down to 1 now!

Didn’t the 86/5 carry general?

I’d imagine the reliability of them is a reason. They operate a vast amount of the Test trains on Wessex, let’s just say, the amount of successful recording is, shall we say, lacking………..

Great pic, looks like a rerail is imminent, and needed looking at the sidewear and defects marked on the existing rail. When I was a SM, it used to really irritate me when the rail was dropped so close to S&T equipment, I would often send staff to cut a suitable amount off.

Managed to bag both sets earlier today, the shop had 4 sets of each, now all gone. There seems to be the odd set here and there. But slim pickings now. If like to get some of the originals, but at the prices they are being listed for, not for me.

I believe it may have been 019. The images were used as reference for my Horny refinish.

May need to get a 90136!

That’s was it’s second listing, no buyers first time round. Appears sold this time.

Great photo, I used to enjoy patrolling the station in its pre modernisation days.

Good for track staff too, can see these things miles off in even poor visibility.