LocoMotive

Here's a couple more pics from the Hook Heath, Woking landslip, showing the state of play on the 6th December 2023. Not sure whether the curve on the left hand tracks on the other side of the bridge (shown in the last shot) was there before or not, I can't remember. Apologies for the low quality images, I only had my phone with me.

I have similar concerns about a number of non-NR locations in the area, where people have felled a lot of trees because they don't like tidying up the leaves, or want more light. I wonder who's responsible for monitoring the state of hillsides which aren't NR owned?

When I was around 10 or so we moved to a house just outside Woking in Surrey; and in the winter you had an excellent view of the SWML from the house (obscured by trees in the summer). It was a brilliant time to be near the railway, watching the Class 50's thunder along the track every day, mixed in with the odd Class 33/73 and the old third-rail slam-door EMUs (VEP/REP/CIG/HAP/EPB).

There was a little railway footbridge nearby that my brother and I used to visit from time to time; and as a kid there was nothing that could compare to the thrill of standing over the top of a Class 50 as it roared along the mainline at speed, waving to the drivers as they went past. Thud-thud-thud-thud-two-tones-*kippered*-clackclack-clackclack-clackclack.

To this day the Class 50's are still my favourites. I just wish I had managed to see 50041 Bulwark in person and completed the set...

Excellent shots Jim; these are really first rate:

21 hours ago, big jim said:

Not many from today, running late into basford hall due to a train failing on the Sutton park line and having to wait for it to be rescued then following it and another train signal to signal to walsall

 

it was light when I got to basford hall

 

 

And into peak forest where 37716 was doing some shunting 

 

4 hours ago, big jim said:

Some from last night, bescot to tamworth via Stoke on Trent 

 

bescot 

Please let 66786 be owned by Beacon... Please!

I've lurked here for many years, but as I'm starting to get into modelling now, I've just signed up.

I just wanted to say thank you for all your posts Jim so far, it's been fascinating seeing your journey - and congratulations on the weight loss!