Heres the 16:33 Weymouth - Waterloo on a Summer Saturday during 1984. Class 33s and 4-Reps still exchanged TC trailors at Bournemouth, as the 3rd rails ahdnt yet been laid west...
We join the train as it has just crested the climb to Bincombe Tunnel - we were reduced to below 30mph as 33111 pushes the 8TC formation...
As we slow for our first stop - Dorchester South, a Weymouth bound holiday train nears its destination...
We await the right away from Dorchester South...
The long evenings... clocks go forward this weekend!
We sweep round the curves at 60mph at Worget Junction. Here is where the former Swanage branch joined the mainline. It had been closed as from Furzebrook but is now re-opened as part of the Swanage Steam Railway...
We pass the Southern Manager's Inspection saloon as it heads west...
We make our stop at Wareham, our 33 is struggling to keep time with an 8-TC!
Between our stops at Holton Heath and Hamworthy we are passed by a Furzebrook bound train of LPG empties...
Were now skirting the coast of Poole Bay as we cros over the bridge that marks the start of the steep incline to Hamworthy...
Another view of the bay as we approach poole. A couple of minutes slack in the schedule has allowed us to make up some time...
A Inter-regional express arrives from Newcastle as we await our departure. The Class 47-hauled train will terminate here...
33111 Splutters back to life as 47971 takes a well earned rest having worked the train from Birmingham!
A view of the industrial landscape near the viaduct at Branksome...
We cautiosly clatter over the pointwork as we are signalled into Platform 2 at Bournemouth...
Here is were the 3rd Rail begins! A Class 421 is stabled in the centre roads as we prepare to say goodby to our Class 33...
In the evening gloom of Bournemouth station our Class 432 4-Rep waits for us. We allow our passengers to alight before we couple up, were scheduled 6 minutes to complete the traction change...
The sun catches the rear TC trailer as 33111 is uncoupled. The loco will await a Down train from London to deposit another 4/8-TC before heading back to Weymouth...
The nature of our train changes drastically at Bournemouth, not only due to the change of power, but stopping pattern. Wheras we had run all stations from Dorchester to Bournemouth, we will now call at Southampton Central and London Waterloo only. The better acceleration is also very noticeable as we speed through Christchurch...
A passenger decides on a lighter evening meal as we roll through Brockenhurst at 70mph...
Where we had been struggling to get over 70mph with our Class 33, we now hold the 90mph line speed with ease as we speed throught he New Forest. These 4-Rep units had more power than a Deltic...
Were checked as pass a down stopper at totton. A slightly early arrival has meant weve caught up the Bournemouth - Waterloo stopper...
We are joined by the line from Salisbury at Redbridge...
Were slowed right down now thanks to the pre-ceeding stopper, but it allows us to note a Class 08 doing some shunting in Maritime Yard...
We pass some football fields as a Salisbury bound Thumper DEMU heads west...
We arrive at Southampton 20 seconds behind schedule. In the adjacent platform is the Bournemouth - Waterloo stopper, which will run all stations to Woking from here. Fortunately its booked to depart 3 minutes after we are!
As we round the curve at Northam Junction a Portsmouth - Cardiff working is seen in the hands of a Class 33...
We begin to pick up speed again following the less than urgent line speeds north-east of Southampton Central. our passengers get a last glimpse of the sea before being whisked the next 78 miles to Waterloo in an hour... Who needs Desiros?
We thunder through Winchester well over 90mph, its a high speed dash all the way now!
More to come when I get round to drivng hte rest of the activity!
I wasnt born when these shots are set, let alone whatever the LSWR was!
