A typical Branch line duty.

[kieranhardy]

My last shots for 2009:

[RobertM]

Very nice, is that an act?

Rob

[dee4141]

Excellent shots,Kieran - and very atmospheric too.

[mickrik]

Hi Kieran

Excellent pictures, Lymington, lovely place.

I could almost see the public house just before you get to Lymington Pier Station.

Mick

[desiro5]

Last shots of the year - and an absoloutley stunning way to finish.

As always, your shots are the best around Kieran.

[3digitdriver]

Very nice as alwayse, a good way to end the year. There's somthing special about the lymington line and youve captured it perfectly here. Well done thanks for sharing. Cheers all

[steve1023]

Brilliant screenies on a cracking route. I've got to ask though - in the penultimate shot what is that signal - It's the same shape as a danger but yellow & black like a distant. I noticed it the other day when I was driving but forgot to post - any ideas?

Steve

[RStone]

Brilliant screenies on a cracking route. I've got to ask though - in the penultimate shot what is that signal - It's the same shape as a danger but yellow & black like a distant. I noticed it the other day when I was driving but forgot to post - any ideas?

Steve

Possibly something along the lines of a yellow shunt signal.

[RobertM]

I cant remember the signal type name, and not entirely sure how to explain, but will do my best.

Basically, when its 'on' (stop), then the train/loco can go past it, but only one way, in this case, down the headshunt, but must be prepared to stop as there may be a train/wagon beyond the signal. When the signal is pulled 'off' (clear), the train can go the other way, in this case, onto the mainline. I have seen this many times as a shunt signal, we have one at Haverthwaite, when in the on positions the road is set to take us into the dock where we prep the engine, when off, were set to go into the station and onto the main running line.

Rob

[kieranhardy]

Thanks for the comments,

Although i already responded to Robs question, this was the activity:

The Last Steam Branch [140442 bytes] - The Last Steam Branch.zip File ID: 16707 Date: 27 Dec 2009 - 590 Downloads

However i changed the driveable loco due to the 4MT crashes on certain views.

Although the loco i chose couldn't be anymore appropriate. Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 hauled the last trains on the Lymington Branch which became the last steam hauled branch line in the UK with the final steam services running on April 2nd 1967. Just over 3 months till the end of southern steam on the Weymouth-Waterloo mainline. 41312 of course still survives today and is one of four of these handsome locomotives to stay clear of the cutters torch. She currently is based at the Mid hants Railway (or Watercress Line) at Ropley where she is awaiting overhaul. Her boiler certficate expired last March.

[rickloader]

Rob`s explanation of the yellow shunt signal is correct, but if I may add some more, please......
The crossover onto the mainline is beyond Brockenhurst B advanced starter, and so this shunt signal is acting as an "advanced advanced starter" when cleared for the crossover, and permits the train up to Lymington Jct home. Normally a shunt signal would only permit a movement within station limits, so this large signal shows the special function. The signal was controlled (slotted) from a ground frame in the shunters` cabin and Brock B. Bored you all I bet! I must add that this custom signal was kindly made for the route by John Yelland.
I notice Kieran`s shots show the Isle of Wight (Distant Mountains) much in much more detail than on my computer - a nice surprise (sorry about the jagged mud flats though!)
Rick

[perfnet]

Thanks for the comments,

Although i already responded to Robs question, this was the activity:

The Last Steam Branch [140442 bytes] - The Last Steam Branch.zip File ID: 16707 Date: 27 Dec 2009 - 590 Downloads

However i changed the driveable loco due to the 4MT needed crashes on certain views.

Although the loco i chose couldn't be anymore appropriate. Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 hauled the last trains on the Lymington Branch which became the last steam hauled branch line in the UK with the final steam services running on April 2nd 1967. Just over 3 months till the end of southern steam on the Weymouth-Waterloo mainline. 41312 of course still survives today and is one of four of these handsome locomotives to stay clear of the cutters torch. She currently is based at the Mid hants Railway (or Watercress Line) at Ropley where she is awaiting overhaul. Her boiler certficate expired last March.

As the author of the activity, I'd just like to add that both Ivatt class 2 and standard class 4 locos were recorded on the branch in the last year of steam haulage, though a class 2 would have coped quite easily. It's good news that some have survived!

And my thanks, Kieran, for making some great pictures, as always, out of the activity!

Richard