14. Berks. & Hants.-24.06.78

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1978 > 14. Berks. & Hants.-24.06.78
Another visit to the Berks. and Hants. line prior to its re-signalling. I went with Graham and a teacher from school. We travelled in Graham's bright orange Mini. Unfortunately, the weather was not fantastic and spoilt some of the pictures I took.
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Images 1-11 of 11 displayed.

50022, unidentified up working, Hungerford SU345682 50022 'Anson' heads an unidentified up express past Hungerford's down bracket signal post. The picture is taken from an area to the east of the Berkshire town called Hungerford Common. Keywords: 50022, unidentified up working, Hungerford SU345682
47080, unidentified down working, Hungerford SU345682 Bristol Bath Road based 47080 'Titan' approaches Hungerford passing the Common to the east of the town. It is leading a set of Mk. I stock heading westwards with an unidentified down working. In its 34 year life, this loco. carried a total of five numbers, D1665, 47080, 47612, 47838 and 47779 but was named 'Titan' throughout. Keywords: 47080 down working Hungerford SU345682
50047, unidentified up working, Hungerford SU345682 50047 had only been named 'Swiftsure' three weeks prior to this picture being taken at Hungerford Common to the east of the town of the same name. It was nice to see it working an unidentified up service in a burst of summer sunshine past the bracket signal that has been pulled-off for a down train. Keywords: 50047 up working Hungerford SU345682
50031, unidentified up working, Hungerford station 50031 races through Hungerford station with an unidentified up working. It is about to pass Hungerford signal box that replaced the original Great Western structure in 1971. This followed the derailment of a freight train that partially destroyed the old box that was situated just on the other side of the crossing gates seen in this image. Examination of 50031's bodyside reveals that it has been prepared, by the moving of the BR double arrow from the centre to the cab, in order for it to be named 'Hood' two days after this picture was take that may also account for its smart appearance. Keywords: 50031 up working Hungerford station
47456, unidentified down working, Bedwyn station 47456 opens up as at speeds through Bedwyn station with an unidentified down express for the West Country. The roof of the signal box can be seen above the locomotive. The 47 was a Midland interloper being a Crewe Diesel engine. Also, to the left Graham Vincent is seen taking his photograph behind his Velbon tripod that had his 6mm ciné camera mounted on top. Keywords: 47456 down working Bedwyn station
50044, unidentified up working, Savernake Junction Not a very well exposed picture but it was taken straight into the light. Photoshop has brightened things up a bit but it's not great! It shows the 1884 Savernake West Junction that is located just on the edge of the Wiltshire forest of the same name. 50044 'Exeter' is seen climbing the bank that starts just after Pewsey and passing the switched-out signal box with an unidentified up working. The line branching off to the right was only a short spur and was all that remained of the line to Marlborough and beyond that was constructed by the Midland and South Western Junction Railway. Keywords: 50044 up working Savernake Junction
50045, unidentified down working, Savernake Junction Taken with my back to the switched out signal box at Savernake West Junction, 50045 'Achilles' surmounts the bank and begins its decent towards Pewsey. It is heading an unidentified down working. Yes, as the box was switched out, we did permit ourselves access to the lineside; not something I would ever consider today but it was a different time forty years ago. Keywords: 50045 down working Savernake Junction
50002, unidentified up working, Savernake Junction 50002 'Superb' thrashes up Savarnake Bank and is about to breast the summit with an unidentified up working for Paddington. I visited this spot again in 2017 and very little could be seen as trees obliterated virtually everything apart from the trackbed itself. The track to the right is where the line that led to the bay platform of Savernake (Low Level) station used to be. The station itself, closed 18.04.66, was partially located directly under the bridge where I am standing. For such a rural location, there was also a Savernake (High Level) station, closed 15.09.61, on an avoiding line some 250 metres to my right such was the craziness of the politics of the Victorian and Edwardian railway companies. Keywords: 50002 up working Savernake Junction
50009, unidentified down working, Pewsey station 50009 'Conquerer' leaves Pewsey station with an unidentified down working heading for the West Country. Pewsey station was bit down on its luck back in 1978 and did not enjoy a great service pattern. However, on my most recent visit last year in 2017 it had gone through a total renaissance looking very smart and with a huge and very full carpark indicating that patronage was healthy! Keywords: 50009 down working Pewsey station
50039, unidentified down working, Woodborough A striking shot of 50039 'Implacable' at full chat on a down express for the West Country. It is seen approaching Woodborough between Westbury and Pewsey. I am not at all sure where I was standing taking this picture but it does not look to be a 'legal' spot as there is no foot crossing just east of the bridge that carries the road into the village of Woodborough itself. Given the very poor lighting, the speed of the train and the Exa camera's maximum 1/150th sec. shutter speed I am amazed how little motion blur there is. The naming process of the 50s was in full swing at this time, 50026 had its 'plates unveiled four days previous to this picture being taken. Keywords: 50039 down working Woodborough
50032, unidentified up working, Woodborough After a torrential summer rainstorm 50032 (yet to be named) hammers eastwards past Woodborough signal box with a Paddington Express. This image shows evidence of things to come. Notice the recently constructed relay room to the left and various other rationalisation works taking place. The West of England MAS programme was in full flow and this box was in its final year of operation. However, interestingly the relief lines remained and have actually been added to making it a short four-track section complete with other refuge sidings. Notice the distinctively bright yellow British Rail Leyland crew truck and, parked behind it, the signalman's Austin Allegro estate. Finally, glance away from the railway to the fields behind, notice the line of dead elm tress that had been killed by Dutch elm disease that had totally blighted the West Country landscape. Keywords: 50032 up working Woodborough

Images 1-11 of 11 displayed.