Loco hauled around Havant

[Sun Chariot]

A summer "challenge" deep in SWR/Southern land -
Photograph loco-hauled, or light, services within within my locality. Focus is freight workings or uncommon traffic. I'll add to this thread during the year.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Today's Eastleigh-bound Class 6 trips - ballasts from Effingham, welded rail from Lewes.

 

[Sun Chariot]

If other forum members' have photos / videos of loco haulage around the Havant area, I'd love to be inspired by yours too!

 

[Sun Chariot]

OK, it's not "loco hauled" - but Network Rail's inspection unit was an unusual visitor to the Havant area this morning.

It's safe to assume that the Cleethorpes destination is a little optimistic!

 

[75A]

Everyday's a school day.
I thought the HST derived set was the only test Train on the Coastway West line.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Everyday's a school day.
I thought the HST derived set was the only test Train on the Coastway West line.

I was curious what the RTT described service would be: Eastleigh East Yard to Haslemere (via Fratton sidings). It made for a surprise!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Summer Solstice only brought another pair of PEPs en route for scrapping. Today, though, Chichester to Merehead stone empties, behind a former National Power "GM".

(September) this loco is now in Freightliner's orange + black.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Quite literally ex-works. With paint gleaming, en route from Eastleigh works to Tonbridge.

Modellers take note: it's OK to overspray your roof paint onto the exhaust silencer - because it happens in 1:1 scale too!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Today's Merehead to Chichester stone is a lighter-loaded consist than usual (photos in this thread).

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thunder clouds gather over the Eastleigh to Guildford ballast workings. Colas and GBRf motive power (a Beacon Rail blue example was at the head of the day's first working).

 

[Sun Chariot]

July's grey days do no favours to photos - the Merehead.to Chichester stone service passes by on a typically overcast summer's morning.
So a visit by "Broadlands", in a brief patch of sun, is welcome. Credit due to its driver for tuneful horn playing!

 

[Sun Chariot]

July's miserable weather conditions continue; and the Horsham to Eastleigh class 6 service creeps between morning deluges
On a similar service two weeks before, the Shed at the head still sported "EWS" lettering.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Portsmouth Direct Line resignalling work all this week means the southern-end services are shuttling as far as Petersfield. Here, at Liss, the workforce braves the pouring rain.

Markedly different conditions, a day later - running an hour late (45 minute layover at Fareham, then 15 minutes at Cosham due to lost path), the Merehead to Chichester stone service idles past, with another former National Power 59.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The early bird catches the worm Shed.

Before 7am, a brace of Eastleigh bound services, running ten minutes apart and from Haywards Heath area.
The latter one has a less common visitor here: Fastlline fleet subsequently taken into DRS stock.

 

[Sun Chariot]

August has seen only two occurrences of loco haulage and sunshine. Today the sun welcomed the fifth member of the original Foster Yeoman fleet. The Merehead to Chichester stone workings have yielded members of all the subclasses - photos in this thread

 

[75A]

August has seen only two occurrences of sunshine and loco haulage. Today the sun welcomed the fifth member of the original Foster Yeoman 59 fleet. The Merehewd to Chichester stone workings have yielded members of all the subclasses - photos in this thread

Great shot.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Great shot.

Thanks. The sun has been a rare visitor here, this month!

 

[Sun Chariot]

The cloudy, still air is briefly disturbed by a Network Rail track inspection set, top "n' tailed by GBRf re-engined 73s.

 

[Sun Chariot]

September has already provided more south coast sunshine, than July and August combined.

Today's Merehead to Chichester stone working (and return empties) basks in the early autumn heat.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Fawley branch's traffic thwarted me many times. Today's MoD Kineton-Marchwood working nears its destination.

Thanks due to the crossing controller, who let me take the first photo as he was closing the gates. Marchwood MoD signal cleared so swiftly, the train passed without pausing; and the signal set back to danger whilst the loco passed under it.
And just look at the wonkiness of the rails!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Today's, admittedly, is not taken within.1 mile of my home. However, Fawley branch's traffic thwarted me many times!

The MoD Kineton-Marchwiod working nears its destination. The crossing gates were closing as I took the first photo; and the signal peg cleared swiftly enough for the train to pass without pause.

And just look at the wonkiness of the rails!

Nice pictures however, the "wonkiness" may be exaggerated by a combination of a long zoom and haze

 

[Sun Chariot]

Nice pictures however, the "wonkiness" may be exaggerated by a combination of a long zoom and haze

The loco was pitching and rolling along. Quite a lot of the branch's track is in similar condition.

 

[Sun Chariot]

In conjunction with Goodwood's Revival weekend, Belmond Pullman operated a £750-per-head trip between London and Chichester. The service heads for replenishing and layover at Eastleigh, before its evening return to London.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Track reclamation work at Earlswood, returning towards Eastleigh, offered a colourful combination of DB motive power this weekend.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Content reposted #121

 

[Sun Chariot]

Mid-September's abysmal weather has enabled.viewpoints which would otherwise be in deep shadow.

One of Freightliner's lower-geared fleet powers through a pummelling wind, with return empties from Chichester bound for Merehead.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The autumnal gloom is brightened by DB's livery, as a Clapham to Eastleigh working gradually gathers pace.

 

[Sun Chariot]

As with Fawley's branch, Southampton Eastern Docks traffic has eluded me on a few occasions. Today's Cowley (Oxford) cars for export, negotiates Northam Junction, then it awaits the all-clear for its passage over the main road (past the old Southampton Terminus station) and into the Eastern Docks complex.

In these "Health & Safety everything" times, I am amazed the road-rail crossing has no barriers / gates. It proves that a bit of common sense (and a long loud blast from the loco horn) keeps everything safe.

 

[Sun Chariot]

West Coastway's trackwork maintenance this weekend, saw Colas, DB and GBRf motive power bringing relevant material from Eastleigh.

(Day 1)
The autumn equinox has passed and the sunrise shadows are long. Here, a former DB fleet, subsequently operated by GBRf, heads the first working of the day.

(Day 2)
The actual work was undertaken on track through Emsworth. The trains were stabled along the line slightly to the east.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Cross Country's HST fleet bows out in style: an excursion from Leeds to Swanage, with the power cars resplendent in original blue/grey and InterCity "Swallow" liveries.
Typically, the local sunshine broke through the cloud cover moments after the train passed....

(April 2024) The leading power car has now been exported to Mexico, for further passenger service. The incongruous sight is on this YouTube video, from 2m 47s: