45. The Wessex Wanderer-19.07.17

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2017 > 45. The Wessex Wanderer-19.07.17

A really interesting day out with Andy around the Wessex area. We started off on the Berks and Hants line near Newbury then headed down towards the Romsey and Southampton area. We then headed back up L&SW mainline with the thunderstorms heralding the end of the proceeding hot and dry weather following us!

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Images 1-45 of 45 displayed.

166213, GW 09.39 Bedwyn-London Paddington (1K45, 3L), Aldermaston station
'Turbo' 166213 arrives at Aldermarston station on the Berks and Hants line just west of Reading working the 09.39 Bedwyn to Paddington local service. Notice that the signs of change are all around from the raised bridge in the background to the more obvious electrification stanchion crossing the line.
Keywords: 166213 1K45 Aldermaston station

Mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus) & 165121, GW 10.13 Newbury-Reading (2K47, 5L), Midgham station
A beautiful mistle thrush (turdus viscivorus) stands atop a relay box at Midgham station observing operations. In the background, 165121 is slowing for its stop at the station working the 10.13 Newbury to Reading shuttle.
Keywords: Mistle thrush turdus viscivorus 165121 2K47 Midgham station

Colthrop Crossing singal box (GW, 1912)
With celebrity crossing keeper Eddie Langford leaning out of his window chatting to a lorry driver, Colthrop crossing box looks very smart in the summer sunshine. The box was constructed in 1912 to a typical GW design. Unfortunately, it has gained nasty replacement windows an has lost its chimney but it still stands and is in operation. Eddie Langford appeared on one of the Channel 5 Paddington programmes being filmed inside his box.
Keywords: Colthrop Crossing singal box

165111, GW 10.12 Reading-Newbury (2K44, 3L), Colthrop Crossing
When I last visited Colthrop box it was 1986 and behind was a creamery and a large area of MOD warehousing. Whilst the box has outlived these structures it has not come through unscathed having lost its central chimney and tin cap. It also has a reproduction nameplate now, it had nothing fitted back in the mid-1980s. In this picture, 165111 has just passed the box with the 10.12 Reading to Newbury working.
Keywords: 165111 2K44 Colthrop Crossing

60009, outward leg of The Cathedrals Express, 08.43 London Paddington-Salisbury (1Z82), Colthrop Crossing
With no time to find a reasonable spot a pure record shot will have to suffice of 60009 'Union of South Africa' leading The Cathedrals Express from Paddington to Salisbury. It is seen passing Colthrop Crossing just east of Newbury. Up until recent times, a marginally better shot could have been taken from the footbridge at this spot. However, because of the impending electrification, this has been demolished and is not going to be replaced.
Keywords: 60009 The Cathedrals Express 08.43 London Paddington-Salisbury 1Z82 Colthrop Crossing

Andy, 43140, GW 10.06 London Paddington-Penzance, The-Cornish-Riviera , (1C077, 3L), Colthrop Crossing
Andy get his picture at Colthrop level crossing! He has captured 43140 'Landore Diesel Depot 1963 Celebrating 50 Years 2013 / Depo Diesel Gandwr 1963 Dathu 50 Mylnedd 2013' heading west with the down 1C99 'Cornish Riviera'. This along with a handful of others, is one of the best known and most fondly remembered titled trains of which a few still operate today but with little to differentiate them from others.
Keywords: Andy 43140 'The-Cornish-Riviera' 1C077 Colthrop Crossing

166215, GW 10.19 London Paddington-Bedwyn (1K46, 1L), from Colthrop Crossing Box
Taken from the interior of Colthrop Crossing box 165215 is seen passing with the 10.19 Paddington to Bedwyn working. Notice the controls for the level crossing gates on the poll to the right.
Keywords: 166215 1K46 from Colthrop Crossing Box

66725, 08.13 Wellingborough-Whatley (6V042), from Colthrop Crossing Box
Taken from the open end window of Colthrop Crossing box 66725 'Sunderland' leads the 08.13 Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry stone empties running as 6V42. Behind the train can be seen the march of change heading westwards, the electrification masts have been installed if extremely late and massively over budget!
Keywords: 66725 08.13 Wellingborough-Whatley 6V042 from Colthrop Crossing Box

165121, GW 11.12 Reading-Newbury (2K48, 3L), Newbury Racecourse station
165121 arrives at Newbury Racecourse station with the 11.12 Reading to Newbury. Racecourse station is not purely and events station, it is open on a day to day basis serving much of the East Fields part of Newbury that includes a large industrial estate.
Keywords: 165121 2K48 Newbury Racecourse station

Kintbury Crossing Ground Frame box (BR, 1978)
I visited Kintbury on the day the that the semaphore signalling was decommissioned in April 1978. Then, I was permitted access to the GW box situated immediately to my right here. This is the BR monstrosity that replaced it! It controls the three level crossings in the area west of Newbury, Hamstead, Kintbury and Hungerford.
Keywords: Kintbury Crossing Ground Frame box

166213, GW 11.18 London Paddington-Bedwyn (1K50, 2L), Hungerford station
The small West Berkshire town of Hungerford is 61 miles from Paddington has a regular service that operates to and from the village of Bedwyn and Paddington. The station has seen a steady rise in passenger numbers over recent yeras and it has had some recent improvements carried out. 166213 drifts into the station with the 11.18 Paddington to Bedwyn.
Keywords: 166213 1K50 Hungerford station

43127, GW 11.34 London Paddington-Exeter St. David s (1C81, RT), Hungerford station
43127 'Sir Peter Parker 1924 - 2002 Cotswold Line 150' passes Hungerford station with the 11.34 Paddington to Exeter St. David's service. I have a similar picture taken in 1978 and it shows a virtually empty gravel car park to the right and where the houses are a huge area of derelict land with the old goods shed still standing in the middle.
Keywords: 43127 1C81 Hungerford station

Bedwyn station, looking east
A strange picture to take but another one replicating on I took on my Exa camera in 1978. To the left where the cars are parked, was a small bay platform. In the middle distance, some way beyond the platform end was the GW signal box and the trees to the right are much bigger of course! The only other difference is that in the distance on my 1978 picture is that a Class 50 is seen approaching with a down express, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/25327936604/x50029-down-working-bedwyn-station
Keywords: Bedwyn station

Frontage, Pewsey station
The Berks and Hants Railway opened its station at Pewsey in 1862. It initially had a single broad-guage line but over time it became standard gauge and was doubled by the GWR. Notice the waiting shelter constructed on the up platform. This was built in a similar style to the main building when the original structure was deemed unsafe and pulled down.
Keywords: Pewsey station

158952, GW 12.30 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour (1F17, 2L), Dean station
Dean station is situated just east of Salisbury. It is a delightfully rural spot set in a quintessentially perfect village! The Wiltshire and Hampshire border actually crosses the line and the platforms just behind where I am standing. 158952 passes the station working the 12.30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour.
Keywords: 158952 1F17 Dean station

66569, 14.17 Southampton-Hams Hall (4M67), Dean station
66569 leads the 14.17 Southampton to Hams Hall Freightliner at some speed through Dean station. I am standing in Wiltshire but the majority of the train is still in Hampshire with the county boundary cutting through somewhere around the third flat waggon!
Keywords: 66569 4M67 Dean station

158883, SW 14.56 Salisbury-Romsey (via Southampton) (2R54, 1L), Romsey station
158883 arrives at Romsey station with the 14.56 Salisbury to Romsey. However, this train has not completed its journey, this is its first of two stops at Romsey It will now continue via Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh to Southampton and thence back to Romsey for the second time.
Keywords: 158883 2R54 Romsey station

158883, SW 14.56 Salisbury-Romsey (via Southampton) (2R54, 1L) & 158951, GW 14.23 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central (1F24, 5L), Romsey station
Two class 158s meet at Romsey station. Its strange how a different livery makes two identical units look so different! To the left, 158883 operated by SW Trains waits with the 14.56 Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton. Whilst, to the right, 158951 operated by Great Western Railway, leaves with the 14.23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central.
Keywords: 158883 2R54 158951 1F24 Romsey station

220015, XC 11.27 Manchester Piccadilly-Bournmouth (1O16, RT), Redbridge station
With the blue summer skies of earlier having been obliterated by a veil of grey cloud and an ominous heaviness in the air, 222015 passes Redbridge station with the 11.27 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth. The train is about to fork off to the left and cross the Rover Test and onwards to the New Forest and Bournemouth.
Keywords: 220015 1O16 Redbridge station

444041, SW 15.05 London Waterloo-Weymouth (1W71, 2L), Millbrook station
The footbridge that crosses the lines at Millbrook station affords superb views in both directions. Here, 444041 forms the 15.05 Waterloo to Weymouth service that has just left Southampton station some mile of so east from here.
Keywords: 444041 1W71 Millbrook station

444001 & 444033, SW 15.03 Weymouth-London Waterloo (1W24, RT), Millbrook station
With the cranes of the Millbrook container terminal dominating the view, 444001 and 444033 from the 1W24 15.03 Weymouth to Waterloo. They are about to pass Millbrook station in the suburbs of Southampton. Whilst I love photographing trains in lovely rural spots miles from anywhere, a spot such of this is full of interest.
Keywords: 444001 444033 1W24 Millbrook station

Southampton Central signal box (Closed) (SR, 1935)
The utilitarian design of Southampton central signal box would win prizes when compared to the L&SW boxes it was replacing when built by the Southern in 1935. However, functionality was the order of the day and outweighed aesthetics! It has been closed since the area was resignalled in 1980 with control going to the Eastleigh PSB. I am not sure what it is used for now or of its future?
Keywords: Southampton Central signal box

220027, XC 12.27 Manchester Piccadilly-Bournmouth (1018, 4L), Southampton Central station
Cross Country's 22027 pauses at Southampton Central working the 12.27 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth. Central station was opened in 1895 as West. After reorganisation it was enlarged and renamed Central in 1935 to become plain Southampton under BR in 1967. Finally, in the early privatisation era it reverted back to Central in 1994.
Keywords: 220027 1018 Southampton Central station

450008, SW 16.44 Southampton Central-Portsmouth & Southsea (2E09, RT), Southampton Central station
450008 leaves Southampton Central working the 16.44 to Portsmouth and Southsea. The train will leave Southampton station and enter the short half a kilometre long tunnel that can be seen in the distance.
Keywords: 450008 2E09 Southampton Central station

444034, SW 15.20 Weymouth-London Waterloo (1W66, RT), St
St. Denys station is a busy spot just north of Southampton and marks the point where the Portsmouth line diverges from the London line via Winchester. Here, 444034 passes forming the 15.20 Weymouth to Waterloo. Notice the very grey and ominous sky in the background. There were already random flashes in the distance, it was clear that the Met. Office had been quite right about the change in the weather!
Keywords: 444034 1W66 St. Denys station

450001 & 450094 15.58 Bournemouth EMD-London Waterloo ECS (5Z51), St
The impressive station building at St. Denys is a listed structure and is now in private use. It was opened in 1861 as Portswood. It was relocated and renamed St.Denys in 1876. Having been brought to a halt by a red signal, 450001 and 450094 get going again as the 15.58 Bournemouth EMD to Waterloo 5Z61 ECS. I suspect that ti will have a pretty stop-start journey to London given the traffic that ti will be caught up in.
Keywords: 450001 450094 ECS 5Z51 St. Denys station

158888, SW 17.07 Romsey-Salisbury (via Southampton) (2S51, 5L), Southampton Airport Parkway station
Southampton Airport Parkway station was very busy! It felt a little too crowded with all the passengers and their luggage and the platforms being on the narrow side. Its usage numbers are steadily on the rise and I see no reason why this should not continue. Here, 158888 arrives with the 17.07 Salisbury to Romsey via. Southampton.
Keywords: 158888 2S51 Southampton Airport Parkway station

445027 & 444029, SW 16.35 London Waterloo-Weymouth and Bournmouth (1W33 & 2B51, 2L & 2L), Eastleigh station
445027 and 444029 rattle through Eastleigh station working a train that will split. The front part will continue on to Weymouth as 1W33 and the rear portion as far as Bournemouth as 2B51. Both started out from Waterloo at 16.35.
Keywords: 445027 444029 1W33 2B51 Eastleigh station

70814, 70811 & 70809, stabled, Eastleigh Yard
Colas Rail have a stabling point in Eastleigh Yard. Their livery certainly brightens up a dull late afternoon as the thunder storms head in! Lined up are 70014, 70811 and 70809.
Keywords: 70814 70811 70809 stabled Eastleigh Yard

450011, SW 16.03 Weymouth-London Waterloo (1W26, 1E), Eastleigh station
450011 speeds through Eastleigh station working the 16.03 Weymouth to London Waterloo. The station was opened very early in 1839 by the LSWR and was called Bishopstoke. It's a busy station today with three platforms, the majority of trains rattle through on the middle roads as shown here.
Keywords: 450011 1W26 Eastleigh station

158890, SW 16.56 Salisbury-Romsey (via Southampton) (2R62, 2L), Chandlers Ford station
158890 draws into Chandler's Ford station with the 16.56 Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton service. The station was closed in 1969 and the line only saw very occasional use. However, the station was reopened in 2003 and now enjoys healthy patronage and a regular service.
Keywords: 158890 2R62 Chandler's Ford station

450109 & 450117, SW 17.09 London Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour (1T53, RT), Shawford station
Shawford is a small village just south of Winchester. The station sits on top of an embankment in an elevated position. Here 450109 and 450117 passes the station working the 17.09 Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour.
Keywords: 450109 450117 1T53 Shawford station

450012, SW 16.50 Poole-London Waterloo (2B64, 9L), Shawford station
450012 arrives at Shawford station working the 16.00 Poole to London Waterloo. Notice the very threatening sky in the background marking the end, quite dramatically, of the recent hot and sunny spell!
Keywords: 450012 2B64 Shawford station

444016 SW 16.20 Weymouth-London Waterloo (1W68, 13L), Shawford station
444016 passes Shawford working the 16.20 Weymouth to Waterloo. Shawford has three platforms but use has declined recently, maybe the service pattern is something that needs looking at?
Keywords: 444016 1W68 Shawford station

Winchester signal box (BR, 1960)
The closed Winchester signal box that is situated just to the north of the station. The BR standard design box was opened in 1960 but only had a working life of a mere six years being closed when the Eastleigh PSB opened in 1966. Is this the shortest operational life of any new-build signal box?
Keywords: Winchester signal box

450031 & 450035, SW 17.39 London Waterloo-Porstmouth Harbour (1T55, 3L), Winchester station
450031 and 450035 slows for its stop at Winchester station forming the 17.39 Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour.
Keywords: 450031 450035 1T55 Winchester station

450086, SW 18.44 Winchester-Winchester Baltic Sidings ECS (5B94), Winchester station
Desiro 450086 leaves Wichester at walking pace making the very short trip from the station to the Baltic sidings for stabling. The move is less than a mile in distance but still has a timetabled departure time of 18.44 and a reporting number of 5B94!
Keywords: 450086 18.44 Winchester-Winchester Baltic Sidings ECS 5B94 Winchester station

444037, SW 17.03 Weymouth-London Waterloo (1W28, 6L), Winchester station
Winchester station was busy when we were there. There were regular trains and lots of passengers. 444037 arrives with the 1W28 17.03 Weymouth to Waterloo. It was still very warm but the stormy skies had just started to drop one or two drops of rain.
Keywords: 444037 1W28 Winchester station

450081, SW 17.47 London Waterloo-Southampton Central (1B93, 2E), Winchester station
450081 arrives at Winchester station with the 17.47 Waterloo to Southampton Central. The station was well looked after and shows a healthy increase in patronage up to over five million over 2016-2017.
Keywords: 450081 1B93 Winchester station

Frontage, Winchester station
The busy scene at the font of Winchester station taken on a stormy early evening. I took a very similar picture when I visited on New Year's Day in 1983. Instead of a black VW Passat parked at the front was my parent's delft blue Triumph Dolomite. Apart from a very different road layout, everything else was pretty much the same. I will upload the image and put a link here when I get around to scanning it!
Keywords: Frontage, Winchester station

66170 & 66133, 10.17 Scunthorpe Trent-Eastleigh East Yard (6X01), Micheldever station
By the time Andy and I reached Micheldever the thunder and lightening sweeping in from the south was virtually on us, but not quite. It created a very strange light that can be seen in this picture. 66170 and 66133 head south through the station with the 10.17 Scunthorpe to Eastleigh track train.
Keywords: 66170 66133 10.17 Scunthorpe Trent-Eastleigh East Yard 6X01 Micheldever station

66088, 17.36 Southampton Eastern Docks-Morris Cowely (4V39), Micheldever station
Just look at that sky! It was unfortunate that I did not manage to get some lightning in this picture as there was plenty around! 66088 emerges from the blackness with the 4V39 17.36 Southampton Eastern Docks to Morris Cowley empty cartics. Interestingly enough, as we drove away from Micheldever towards home we left the stormy weather behind and were soon back in warm evening sun by the time we got to the Oxford area.
Keywords: 66088 17.36 Southampton Eastern Docks-Morris Cowely 4V39 Micheldever station

Entrance to Micheldever oil depot
The rail access to Micheldever oil depot where it intersects with the station access path from the east. The large oil depot was built in 1939 as part the war effort. It remained in use until the early 1990s but has since seen little use. It is evident that recent clearance has taken place and that a planning application was put in to develop the site but this was refused.
Keywords: Micheldever oil depot

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