SWT442

Some welcome Tug action came to the Solent area over the last 2 days, with DCR's 60055 "Thomas Barnardo" putting in an appearance. Having run down early Wednesday morning from Willesden to Eastleigh with a rake of VTG Blue JNA's, it worked an early afternoon loaded train from the East Yard to Southampton Up Yard, conveying old ballast and spoil. An unusual aspect of the working was it running round in the Up Goods Loop just outside of Southampton Central, instead of running direct into the Up Yard. With the weather not being all that great, and suspecting it would run into the Up Yard anyway, I gave it a miss. However, having watched it on Traksy, it did indeed do as it was supposed to, so I took a punt and went to the footbridge on Saxon Road today to capture the run-round in action. Thankfully, the weather held out! As I type this, the train has already left the Up Yard and is heading back to Willesden, but with a twist again, as it runs back via the West Coastaway and Arun Valley routes to get back to base. Here's some pics: With the train snaking across all the tracks on the station throat, 60055 arrives into the Up Goods Loop with 6Z91 Eastleigh East Yard to Southampton Up Yard. Having detached and run forward to Millbrook station, it then runs along the Up Fast towards Southampton Central, before setting back onto the wagons. As 444045 & 444002 sweep round the curve away from Southampton Central with 1W67 London Waterloo to Bournemouth & Weymouth, 60055 awaits the right away. In the Down Goods Loop, 66737 "Lesia" has just pulled up with 4M51 Southampton Western Docks to Trafford Park intermodal. Andy.

Ah, fair enough. And, yes, I'd definitely agree with the photo date being wrong. To me, the wagons and loco are far too clean for 1999 and, as I said, wrong OHLE stickers on the loco for the year mentioned. I'd have dated the picture 96/97. Andy.

I thought that's what was trying to be distinguished? That there were Blue cradles before the Scottish ones were done under EWS? Also, I wouldn't exactly call Mainline post-privatisation, considering it was shadow privatisation along with the other two. Andy.

This pic on Flickr (not mine) shows quite a few with Mainline cradles. It's dated 1999, but I'd say it's 1998 or earlier as the loco looks a bit too clean and its got the pre-1998 OHLE stickers on it. Close up of one still retaining the Blue cradle and a Mainline sticker in 2004 Andy

Alright, so whilst not wishlisting or trying to drag this topic further from its origins, and as much as I'm with some of the others in this thread as I'd like to see an Electrostar produced too, there are quite a few variations to a theme which I can see being a turn off to the manufacturers. So, correct me if I'm wrong anywhere, but... Do you go for the original Class 375 & 377, which initially replaced the slamdoor stock and come in 3 & 4 coach variants? Only 4 liveries from what I can see: original South Eastern (ex-Connex style); SouthEastern Blue, FCC & Southern. Even with them, there's variations as the first batch of units had seperate head, marker & tail lights while the batches that followed have them as an incorporated 2 lens type. Different front couplings between the Southern & South Eastern units as well I beleive, plus some are dual-voltage so require fitting a pantograph. Or, do you go for later and final build of units before Bombardier switched to the Aventras? Different bodies to the above, as they no longer have ribbon glazing but seperate windows in frames. Potentially gives a greater spread of liveries and operating area though, as it then means you can do Class 377; Class 379 & Class 387. There's now 7 liveries to choose from: Southern (377/6 & 377/7 - all are 5-coaches); GWR; Great Northern, Greater Anglia; C2C; Gatwick Express and the upcoming Heathrow Express (all are 4-coaches). Think all this lot are all dual voltage? You've then got the Overground Class 387 which is different again. Recessed sliding doors rather than flush plug doors, and individual glazing units again. Totally different cab fronts and the bogies have no yaw dampers. Only one livery and limited sphere of operations as well. The Class 357 looks to be a 25Kv version of the original build Class 375/377, but has Turbostar cab fronts and only runs on one line. And to round it off there's the Class 376, which is different again by having recessed sliding doors and seperate glazing which is, of course, a different style to the others as they're a hopper type rather than fully sealed. Plus, the cab fronts are a flush version of the standard Class 375/377 front, there's only one livery, they're all 5 coaches and there's a limited sphere of operation. If there is a unit which should be given some serious consideration IMO, it's the Class 319. While there are variations, and 5 subclasses (319/0; 319/1; 319/2; 319/3 & 319/4), they are mainly to do with changes to seating layout to suit their intended services and mechanical & electrical mods I beleive. Two major difference I can see are the Class 319/2's, which gained a disabled toilet (can't see any external differences after a brief Flickr browse) and that there's a mix of Stone Faivley & Brecknell Willis pantographs. There's a decent amount of liveries to choose from (at least 15 IIRC?), and they cover the popular NSE period being a late-80's unit. Decent spread across the country and at home on a 3rd rail or 25Kv layout. It also then opens up doing the Class 769, giving more liveries, an even greater spread of operations and a valid reason to run an EMU on a layout with no juice rails or knitting! Differences over a Class 319 from what I can see are the WIPAC's changed for 2 spot LED's, new underframes and exhaust pipes on the driving trailers. The underframes and running gear of the Class 319 also gives the ability to do Classes 317; 318; 320; 321; 322 & 325 from what I can see. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. Andy. *cough* Do a Class 442 *cough*

No, nothing has been glued. All I did was snip off the metal arm and then install them upside down in the NEM pocket. I gave the model a run on the layout and had no issues of any uncoupling, either being pushed or pulled through pointwork. Andy.

Evil Like You - Red Sun Rising

Some progress has been made on a couple of bits in the last few weeks. First up, the Anglia Class 170 has had some attention. It's been chipped up and given a good clean up and run in, while the lighting has been disconnected for the time being. The continental style couplings have been replaced in favour of some Kadees #20, which have been mounted upside down, and give a nice close coupling. Some Stenson Models 10.5mm disc brake insert have been added to the wheel faces while an underframe weathering of the usual thinned Frame Dirt has been applied. The roof and additional underframe weathering will be done when I continue with the Class 159, as I've run out of my preferred roof weathering. A spare pair of Hornby BSI couplings have replaced the odd looking examples that come with the model. A product I've had for a little while is a couple of sets of Illuminated Models replacement light boards for Bachmanns 'Bug Eye' Class 66. These replace the existing boards and allow the marker lights to be illuminated as they should be. Quite an easy job, though the only part not changed is the resistors on the main circuit board as my soldering tip isn't thin enough! Light intensity isn't too bad without changing them though. A really good item and helps the Bachmann model sit alongside the Hattons example. Only done two models so far, but will definitely pick some more up to upgrade the rest of the fleet. Only other thing done is adding some wire couplings to the Hattons model of 66587. Andy.

My trio of Railfreight ones arrived on Thursday, which took me by surprise! Was expecting them to arrive next week, so a big thumbs up for a quick dispatch. Think I spent about 10 minutes gawping at the first one I got out the box, the detail is excellent and that deck is a work of art. Considering what the bigger manufacturers charge for a bogie wagon these days, these seem like a bargain in comparison! I did have the above problem on one wagon. Looked like the brake calipers were fouling the wheel faces, but it turned out to be the holes for the axle ends on the bogie side frames being virtually flush, which meant the axle is a tight fit and doesn't rotate when it runs. A small drill bit will sort that out. A bogie on another wagon did have very loose wheel sets on one bogie, which turned out to be one of the side frames coming partially adrift in transit. Again, nothing a dab of glue and pushing back home didn't sort out. Definitely looking forward to the Warflats arriving, and seeing how the TEA's progress. Fancy a weathered pack, but will wait to see what the decoration is like before putting the money down. Here's hoping there's some more wagons up their sleeves as well! Andy.

A bit of progress has been had on the VEP with the application of the unit and coach numbers, along with updated OHLE flashes, the small Class 423 sticker and SWT branding. This unit has become 3811, while the other will be 3415. Be nice if Hornby actually did some more, wouldn't say no to a couple of SWT liveried units to go with them! I really must change those air horns as while I'm at it... The Class 159 has had a start on the weathering, with a first pass over the underframe. Will be tidied up and added to, before the roof is then done. A new project arrived in the form of an Anglia Class 170. These were used on a short lived Basingstoke to Ipswich service at the start of 2000's. My excuse is that it's working an extended service! The plan for this will be to chip, add etched brake discs and give it a light weathering. My Hattons 66587 in its eye catching Pink livery has had a light underframe and roof weathering. The roof has been added to since the pictures were taken as I wasn't overly satisfied with it. Will receive a wire loop coupling in due course. The problem with using the mobile phone camera is that it doesn't quite show the weathering off very well. And finally, some work was carried out on some kit built Salmon I'd picked up off eBay. They were all P4 gauge, but had the earlier plate bogies. Fine for my late 90's modelling period, but not for the current one. Some replacement ASF bogies and OO gauge wheels were picked up from Cambrian, making for an easy swap! Couplings were sorted by using the ingenious (but not cheap!) Symoba compact cam couplings and pockets. I also found another Salmon kit, so built that while I was at! And that's it for now. Will hope to carry on with the weathering on the 159 over the next week or so. Andy.

Time has certainly flow since my last posting in this thread. A few bits and pieces have passed over the bench in that time, but I've not really recorded them, always thinking that I'll make an effort next time. So, here's some recent things I've been working on. With Bachmann having released their updated Class 158 & 159, I quite fancied one but wasn't overly desperate. A chance to acquire the sound fitted NSE Class 159 at a good price got me thinking on what to do with it. I'd have preferred a SWT or SWR unit, but on doing some research the units just lasted into the early 2000's wearing their NSE colours. However, it needed updating for the period, so the NSE branding was removed and the later style of SWT text has been added. Other mods include A1 Models etched brass NRN roof pods and updating the OHLE stickers to the post 1998 style. The unit represents how it was from sometime in 1998 up until mid 2000, when it was then given a full SWT repaint. As an FYI, be careful when removing printing off these models. As is usual for Bachmann, Enamel Thinners took the printing off no problem. However the paint finish is quite thin, so too much force will take it off. And use T-Cut to remove any branding/numbering from the windows as the thinners will attack the plastic. The damage can be seen on one of the cab fronts! Anyway, here's some pictures: Next up is a Hornby 4-VEP, which will undergo the same treatment as the Class 159. I've got 2 of them in NSE livery, and have toyed with getting one repainted into Connex livery. But after a bit of digging about, I found that SWT purposefully kept 4 units (3415, 3809, 3810 & 3811) in NSE colours until withdrawal. Again, these had the NSE branding replaced with the above style of SWT sticker. The first model to pass over the bench has so far had all the numbers and NSE branding removed, while the bogies have been rotated to the correct position! A quick and dirty cab front tweak with Matt Black paint was done to improve the look! The window frames were picked out and the jumper cable cut outs filled in, while the inner edges of the gangway were done and the stripe above the gangway lowered by about 1mm. Personally, I think it improves the face greatly. The window frames have since been tidied up! Some weathering work has been undertaken on a Bachmann Silverlink Class 150. This was a collectors club model from about 10 years ago, but came from eBay for a reasonable sum earlier this year. The model has been left as is, as it didn't gain the supplied name until after the period in which I'm modelling it in. The weathering mainly focused on the underframe and roof, however the sides had a light going over as they didn't seem to stay overly clean. I used my usual mix of thinned Phoenix enamel paints along with MIG powders and Humbrol washes. Another weathering project has been my rake of 5 Bachmann JJA's. I had fancied doing them in debranded Railtrack, having got the transfer pack from Rail-tec. But, after some browsing of Flickr, decided to do them as the type with the Yellow band and Black Network Rail logos. These came from a seller on eBay, who was doing them as a pack of 10 vinyl stripes and NR transfers, which was handy! The old Railtrack branding was filed off, before a weathering mix was applied. Once dried, the insides were treated to an enamel paint wash quickly followed by some powders. Once all was dry, the stripe and transfers were applied. I'm quite pleased with the results, but think I could've done better with the weathering job. That's it for now. I'll try and update more regularly. Andy.

Down to my Last - Alter Bridge

I think that might have been the plan in the past? The flyer that was given out on Thursdays train showed that the existing station at Marchwood would be upgraded, while a new station called Hythe Town built in Hythe and another called Hythe & Fawley Parkway as the terminus of the line, built on the former Hardley Halt site. I'd imagine the best suited site in Hythe is on the site of the old library. Granted the line is on an embankment there, but it's waste ground and big enough to fit a station on, plus there's already a car-park there and it's pretty much by the village centre. There's no way you can get through to the new development in Fawley, as I can't imagine Esso would give the thumbs up for a passenger service to pass through the middle of their refinery. There's no real way to divert around it either. As a resident of Hythe, (likely soon to be ex-resident) this scheme needs to get off the ground, as the road 'enhancements' planned for the A326 & B3053 amount to widening the roundabout approaches and chucking some traffic lights in for good measure. Quite frankly, it's not good enough to help traffic in and out of the Waterside cul-de-sac once the near 1,500 homes are built. The whole of the A326 should be converted into a dual carriageway as was supposed to happen nearly half a century ago! Anyway, here's my video of the train running down the branch. Caught at Frost Lane & Trotts Lane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ZnM2c-zco Andy.

Lovely set of pictures Jo. I've yet to catch any of the Orange Freightliner locos, though would like to bag 59205. Here's the second half of the DB Class 59/2's. 59204 rattles past Crofton with 6M20 Whatley Quarry to St Pancras Churchyard Sidings - 24.02.15 The loco is seen again, this time at Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 13.08.13 In a lovely patch of Springtime Sun, 204 wheels 6O12 Merehead Quarry to Woking Yard through Worting Jn - 04.03.15 Looking nearly box fresh, 59205 rolls towards Eastleigh with 0Y69 Westbury Yard to Eastleigh Yard - 30.06.12 Seen again, the loco is this time in use shunting wagons in Eastleigh Yard - 03.01.17 With the Sun just clinging on, the loco heads through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7O40 Merehead Quarry to Eastleigh Aggregates Sidings - 24.02.17 In good Winter light, 205 works 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry through Mottisfont & Dunbridge - 04.01.18 Running besides the Kennet & Avon, 59206 "John F Yeoman" works 6V18 Allington ARC to Whatley Quarry - 19.09.18 Easing towards Clapham Junction, 206 works 7O68 Acton TC to Purley Foster Yeoman - 14.09.15 With the pumping station behind, 206 leans through the bend at Crofton with 7A17 Merehead Quarry to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman - 24.02.15 Heading away from St Denys, 206 works 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 27.02.15 Andy.

Now for the first half of the 59/2's. 59201 is seen at Beaulieu Road with the 6V52 Hamworthy Quay to Whatley Quarry. The working was the first one after a 5 year gap, but proved to be short lived. The working could sometimes see a Class 60 used - 25.01.17 59201 heads through Hungerford Common with 6C76 Acton TC to Whatley Quarry - 19.09.18 Heading past the lock gates at Crofton, 59201 is seen with 7C77 Acton TC to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15 With its bell leading, 59201 passes through Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 12.11.13 A location where the vegetation has grown is Lee, where 59201 is seen working 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry. Since being taken over by Freightliner, this working now runs via Botley and the Chandlers Ford branch - 16.08.13 Proving to be my only shot of this loco, 59202 "Alan Meadows Taylor" heads through Eastleigh with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 03.02.15 59203 passes Crofton with 4C31 Theale Foster Yeoman to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15 Seen again a few years later, 59203 works the same train through Hungerford Common - 19.09.18 With a rake of 8 ex-scrap metal bogie boxes in tow, 59203 heads through Kimbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 27.05.14 Leaving a trail of stone dust in its wake, 59203 passes Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V52 Hamworthy Quay to Whatley Quarry - 05.02.18 Heading through Radley, 59203 works 7C54 Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry - 30.04.13 The other half will have to be uploaded another time, seems I've hit my limit. Andy.

Now for some shots of the 59/1's. Didn't catch them in ARC colours as I was too young, but I do remember seeing them (just!). I think the Hanson livery suits them quite well. 59101 "Village of Whatley" sits in Avonmouth Bennets Sidings as it awaits to work 6C63 to Westbury - 17.01.15 59101 clatters through Dean with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 12.11.13 59102 "Village of Chantry" approaches Dean with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 14.08.13 Putting on a burst of power, 59102 is seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 25.08.16 59103 "Village of Mells" runs beside the Kennet & Avon at Bedwyn with 7C77 Acton TC to Merehead Quarry - 19.09.18 59103 is seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 13.08.19 Heading away from the camera at Worting Junction, 59103 is seen with 6O12 Merehead Quarry to Woking Yard - 24.02.15 Seen at St. Mary Bourne, 59103 heads home as it works 6V12 Woking Yard to Merehead Quarry - 24.02.15 59104 "Village of Great Elm" hustles through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 26.02.19 Andy.

Now for some shots of 59003 "Yeoman Highlander", which was bought back into the country by GBRf at the back end of 2014. The loco seems to spend most of its time working the daily departmental trips between Westbury & Eastleigh. Back on UK soil and seen at journeys end, the loco is seen behind 20311 & 20314 at Eastleigh. The working was 0Z59 Immingham Mineral Quay to Eastleigh Works - 13.10.14 Caught from the multistorey car park opposite the station, 59003 is seen the next day in Eastleigh Works - 14.10.14 Easing out the yard, the loco is seen working 6V41 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC at Eastleigh - 09.07.19 With a meager load of 3 wagons, it's seen at Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V41 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC - 24.06.19 With an RDT set in tow, it passes through Crampmoor with 6V40 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC via Chandlers Ford - 23.07.19 Bringing it up to date, 59003 is fresh from a partial repaint to remove the Europorte cab end roundels. With the fresh application of Orange quite vibrant, it heads through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 6V40 Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Down TC via Chandlers Ford. Off note is that the cab front number and GB Railfreight text positions have been changed compared to the previous pictures - 03.07.20 Andy.

Been having a catch-up on this thread, some lovely shots of the class. Especially liking the older stuff! Got a few bits to add, so first up are some 59/0's. I'll do 003 in a separate post. 59001 "Yeoman Endeavour" is seen at Bedwyn with 6L21 Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock - 19.09.18 59001 is seen again, this time at Eastleigh with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 02.12.14 59001 ambles through Mottisfont & Dunbridge with 7V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 03.03.14 59004 "Paul A Hammond" rolls through Dean with 7V16 Fareham ARC to Whatley Quarry - 05.02.13 59004 is seen again working 7V16, this time at Kimbridge - 27.05.14 59005 "Kenneth J Painter" rolls through Denchworth before the wires went up with 7C54 Appleford Sidings to Whatley Quarry - 06.03.14 In low Winter light, 59005 rushes through Kimbridge with 6V07 Chichester RFT to Merehead Quarry - 05.01.17 Stabled besides Westbury station, 59005 is at the head of 7A71 Whatley Quarry to Acton TC - 17.01.15 Andy.

Around the Bend - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Standing In The Sun - Slash (feat Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators)

Had a rake of 6 wagons arrive earlier in the week, went for one each or the weathered white ones with & without the patch. Stunning little wagon, very pleased with them! However I do have a query, apologies if it's been asked before, I have scanned through the thread but didn't come across anything. How come the 3 variations (end panels, no end panels & ladders) all have the same running number? I'd have thought that as each wagon was different, they would then have a different running number applied? Andy.

To me, that's not a bad wage to start on and then wind up on in the NHS. When I quit in 2015, my basic was just over £21,500 as I was Band 4. I think, at that time, it was the pay point below the top of Band 4, which was £22k IIRC. If my pay was £41k, I doubt I'd have been complaining! Not to bang about the wages and conditions, but as a further example, a friend and colleague I kept in contact with after I left got in touch a few years ago saying he'd had enough and if there were any roles were I currently work. As a stroke of luck, we'd literally had a vacancy arise a week earlier. Now, when I left he stayed, and in our department had just become a Chargehand (Band 5) and then went onto be an Estates Officer (Band 6). His role in the NHS meant he looked after a team of maintenance staff and managed certain projects and various other bits and pieces and all the hassle that come with it. He joined us as 'just' an electrician with none of previous responsibility for more money and far less stress than what he was previously getting. My then manager couldn't believe he was willing to come and work for us in a 'lesser' role! I will concede, though, that there will always be people who complain about the pay and conditions no matter how good they are. Edit to add: Having re-read this post and with what I put earlier, I kind of come across as a bit anti-NHS. I'm not, as a service it really is a godsend and has certainly been there for myself and family in the past and should be cherished forever and always, not just at 8pm on a Thursday. With what my role was, I was routinely seeing the front line staff putting their heart and soul into everything they did, despite them being in some challenging and distressing situations. For that, they'll always have my respect, as I sure as hell couldn't do it. But, I freely admit, I do have a chip on my shoulder as to how they were as an employer, but that's my cross to bear. Anyway, I'll try and be quiet now. Andy.

Apologies for keeping this on the verge of off-topic, but I've been browsing the thread since its start and the recent posts about the NHS got my interest up. I started my working life in the NHS, as an apprentice Mechanical Craftsman, as I was known, at a large South Coast hospital maintenance department. I wasn't a contractor, but fully NHS employed. It honestly was a joy and privilege to say I worked for the NHS, the career path was a job for life which I fully expected it to be. When I came out of time 4 years later, things had changed quite a bit, and unfortunately not for the better. I ended up being the only Mechanical member of my team, so some days I was the only person responsible for looking after an entire Hospital, it's associated Maternity Hospital and occasionly off site medical records centre. Breakdowns in the front of house (plumbing fixtures, etc) & back of house (steam driven plant, operating theater A/C, etc) we're all down to me to sort out. Issues with the medical gas systems were also within my remit as well. My pay for all this responsibily was £19,500. This wasn't 20 or so years ago, but in 2013. I live in an area that has a high cost of living, so that salary was a joke, especially combined with the skills and training I and others in the department had. We asked for better money, but no-one was interested. Stacking shelves at the local Tesco genuinley paid more money. The way we were treated by the some of the public, patients and other members of staff, even in our own department, was like we were worthless, as as far as they were concerned we're just the brain-dead idiots. I'd never felt so stressed and hopeless in my entire life, especially as it had promised so much at the very begining. My experience has unfortunately had a permanent impact on me, mainly as I've lost a degree of empathy towards people and at times have a very negative and pessimistic outlook on things. So yeah, I can fully see people saying that they feel undervalued in the NHS, they can only put up with so much and being on a piss-poor wage only adds to that. As for me, I did leave and it was the best decision I made, though I will admit not an easy one as there is always that pang of guilt for leaving such a place. For the record, a lot of other people left the shop floor of our department and never looked back. I think in the space of a month 5 people quit. I know if I hadn't, I'd have likely topped myself, such was how I felt. To bring it roughly back on theme, I'm classed as a key worker. I have not stopped working, day and night, through this entire crisis, it's just been business as normal. Though, I suspect, very few are clapping for us and what we do. Andy.

Thanks for doing that table Jo, very useful! I can't say I've seen either the Woking and Fareham trains have anything other than box wagons, as I believe they're unloaded by mechanical grab. The Botley and Eastleigh workings seem to have had the HOA's on though. The trains always seem to be mainly O&K JHA's, with both HOA & IIA mixed in in recent years. (Not mine) Searching for the headcodes (7O40 for Eastleigh & 7O44 for Botley) on Flickr yield results that show mixed trains. Andy.

I don't know whether it'd be classed as a London area sand working, but I have a picture from 2014 of 66148 working 6B35 Acton to Moreton-on-Lugg. The train was all VTG branded PGA's. Andy.