Loco hauled around Havant

[Sun Chariot]

A railway reborn.

The Varsity Line - from Oxford to Cambridge - is long gone; however, 2025 sees re-opening of the Bicester to Bletchley section.
This week, Chiltern and GWR are conducting equipment and gauging tests; with 100mph running in places. Today's paths find a bit of sunshine, too!

I remember this line as single track bullhead rail, with only the Whatley - Wolverton stone and Calvert - Avonmouth domestic waste trains to earn its keep, prior to its mothballing.
What a difference 30+ years make. Now it's re-doubled, a high speed permanent way, with new signalling and a new station at Winslow. I will forgive demolition of the lovely LNWR stations - they were dangerously decaying.

 

[Sun Chariot]

I.C.E. I.C.E. (Internal Combustion Engine)  Baby.

I have a soft spot for 1970s-80s cars that actually get used as they were intended - rather than merely rolled out for car shows, or kept garaged for eleven months per year.
They are the cars of my youth; and my first car. - a targa red 1986 Rover SD1 - was saved-hard for and much enjoyed.
These beauties have all appeared locally. Me? Envious?

 

[D6130]

I.C.E. I.C.E. (Internal Combustion Engine)  Baby.

I have a soft spot for 1970s-80s cars that actually get used as they were intended - rather than merely rolled out for car shows, or kept garaged for eleven months per year.
They are the cars of my youth; and my first car. - a targa red 1986 Rover SD1 - was saved-hard for and much enjoyed.
These beauties have all appeared locally. Me? Envious?

Nice photos....but completely off-topic!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Nice photos....but completely off-topic!

I'll ask forgiveness from the OP.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Are Friends Electric?

Gary Numan sang "It's cold outside" which aptly sums up the south coast. Time for a "not loco hauled" retrospective of the past 18 months in these parts - with a bit of sun...

@75A and @lostwin(m) - I had you both in mind, as I posted Bognor's semaphores and Big Four era signal box.
R - a few more "little EDs" for you, on posts #187, #190, #198.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The "on-demand" service to Chichester's stone terminal, has been very infrequent over the past two months; and today's working is the first one to find some sun.
The autumnal afternoon light flatters Freightliner's livery.

 

[lostwin(m)]

Are Friends Electric?

Gary Numan sang "It's cold outside" which aptly sums up the south coast. Time for a "not loco hauled" retrospective of the past 18 months in these parts - with a bit of sun...

@75A and @lostwin(m) - I had you both in mind, as I posted Bognor's semaphores and Big Four era signal box.
R - a few more "little EDs" for you, on posts #187, #190, #198.

Just catching up, super picture of Bognor's signals - great patina on them. It is almost shocking to see a blue/grey 313 - i"m going to show my current scene ignorance here, but I didn't realise anything carried that livery still.

edit - it has a headboard on it, so obviously a special

 

[lostwin(m)]

Network Rail's track inspection service visits the sunny West Coastway once again - and the familiar sound of elderly EDs fills the late summer air today.
The Bedhampton shot really shows the class 73's '"Hastiings friendly" 8' 8" body width, when compared to the coaches.

Where do ED's hide themselves these days. There was a little spate of sightings on my commute a few months ago in and around Ashford, now everyday I peer up hopefully, but nothing for ages now. Is there a reliable place to catch up with them in Kent? Tonbridge?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks @lostwin(m) The semaphores I have had on my "to do" list for a while. I am not happy with the Littlehampton shots; I'll try again in 2025 if an ED is booked there.
The 73s were a bonus this autumn - they were being used for route learning circuits, out of Horsham and out of Tonbridge.
Tonbridge is where I'd expect most chance of snaring one (or more!) these days.

The blue-grey 313 was on the farewell tour, 29th April 2023. Their imminent demise (all class withdrawn 21st May 2023) got me back into rail photography.
I'd put down my SLR in 1996 and distanced myself from the UK rail scene, until March last year.
Your thread last year, got me looking through my prints and slides, so I'll try getting a selection onto a new thread in the coming weeks.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Post #215 has a retrospective of EMU shots over the past 18 months.
Here, the past 18 months' local loco-hauled or light workings, have "heritage" BR blue or sectorisation liveries. Enjoy!

 

[lostwin(m)]

It's strange how your perception of a loco changes depending on livery - or maybe it's just a personal age / era thing. I've never thought much of 66's in their reds and oranges, but that large logo blue makes it look like a proper engine! To be fair though, the grey/yellow ED to my eyes is probably the best suited livery they have ever carried (the all over yellow on the ones i have seen most recently, undoubtedly the worst) - lovely picture leaving Bognor and the 73 headcode is a nice railman's touch.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The Civil Engineer "Dutch" livery nicely hid the very slab-sided shape of the 73. Personally, I thought it also suited the 26, 31, 33 and 37 but looked awkward on the 47, 50 and 56.
Here is 73119 again - a month earlier than the Bognor image, this time it's on the Horsham route learning circuit.

Today's photo-plan out the window. After two days of unbroken sun, a steam hauled excursion due past late morning, will be in conditions more associated with the North Atlantic...

 

[Sun Chariot]

Step back in time.

With incessant grim days thwarting hopes of photographing the three recent steam specials past this locality, I've taken Kylie's advice - and I found these images amongst a motley mix from 2014-2015:
A walk along some of the Kennet & Avon canal; mostly shots of narrow boats, but also these three.
Two visits to the Purbeck area; photos mainly are of scenery, some steam, plus these. Is it me - or is that 37 driver asking: "what on earth is this for - winding the darn thing up?"

 

[lostwin(m)]

Step back in time.

With incessant grim days thwarting hopes of photographing the three recent steam specials past this locality, I've taken Kylie's advice - and I found these images amongst a motley mix from 2014-2015:
A walk along some of the Kennet & Avon canal; mostly shots of narrow boats, but also these (empties for Westbury?).
Two visits to the Purbeck area; photos mainly are of scenery, some steam, plus these. Is it me - or is that 37 driver asking: "what on earth is this for - winding the darn thing up?"

Lovely selection of shots - and it is nice to see some proper Summer weather, it's been so gloomy lately. My favourite is the narrow boat, the boatman's gaze nicely ties together the river and rail scene.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks @lostwin(m)
Those were taken with a budget digital compact camera and it shows! Mind you, the digi compact I use for this thread: it's similar. Meanwhile, my Canon EOS 1v HS, battery pack and a fair assortment of lenses, fester unloved in the wardrobe...

The shot of the boatman - my wife and I were strolling with a picnic and we briefly stopped in the shade. That narrow boat came along, I composed the shot with the boat moving to the spot where it is; all of a sudden, the GMs (59s) burst onto the scene. I definitely fluked it!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Those who follow this thread might recall post #180, about our beautiful fluffy bear's journey into forever sleep.
We weren't sure when, or if, we'd find the right replacement.

The wonderful people at German Shepherd Rescue South: an independent and self-funded group who do immense things to save and re-home abandoned GSDs. They also have dogs in need of a foster-home; dogs unsuited to kennels (whether too young, or too injured).
My wife would have them all in a jiffy! Realistically, it has to be the right one for us, for our son with learning disabilities; and for the dog, too.

We're at Day Three of fostering this 16 month old bundle of energy and unconditional love. He has settled in remarkably quickly, he's bonded with each of us and he's a joy to be with.
If things continue this well, I think a certain young furball will become a permanent resident.

 

[75A]

Absouletely gorgous, hope it all works out.
GSD's are great fun but I'm a Springer man but that's because they're as mad as me.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Many thanks @75A and it's fair to say that this little chap has energy levels on par with the sprightliest Springer Spaniel. Twenty hours per day, of bouncy playful energy and miles of sniffathons.

 

[75A]

Can't beat it.
I'd post a photograph of Marley if the bu...r would stand still long enough.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Floody weather...

When my wife and I first got together, I was also lured by her assurances of perennially balmy micro-climate on this "sunny south coast". I now realise this was just a cunning ruse by my wife!
So here's a retrospective of what the darn sunny south coast really looks like - and why my best-laid rail photography plans are often thwarted...

 

[Sun Chariot]

I've decided to draw this thread to a close.
Thanks to all of you who have inspired me along the way.

Once I can get decent digital results from my old 1980s and early 1990s 35mm prints, I might create a thread for those.

 

[Sun Chariot]

So long - and thanks for all the fish (showing my age )

Does your layout run a fish train?

I've recently been getting into fish. I don't mean I've turned  pescatarian - I mean, I've been digesting online resources about UK dedicated fish trains of the LMS, LNER and early Nationalisation. These sites whetted my appetite for fish...

www.railforums.co.uk

And especially for @75A
Our foster for German Shepherd Rescue South, is putting on muscle and weight. His CT scan, last week, sadly identified significant hip displacia; which will limit his life expectancy.
We'll love him like our own, until his time comes. Here he is today, after his water based therapy.

 

[75A]

Now that's a serious aaaaaah
Unfortunatley GSD's are known for hip problems but hopefully Chase has many years of fun to come. Really is a cracking looking chap.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Now that's a serious aaaaaah
Unfortunatley GSD's are known for hip problems but hopefully Chase has many years of fun to come. Really is a cracking looking chap.

Thank you. The dog osteo gave us (and the rescue centre) a broad estimate for when his arthritis will reach "immobility"; so, he'll get the best loving life for the time he has. He sends a huge wag to Marley.

 

[75A]

We"ve just come back from a walk along the seashore Marley is soaking wet and still running round like lunatic.

 

[Sun Chariot]

We"ve just come back from a walk along the seashore Marley is soaking wet and still running round like lunatic.

That sounds familiar too! We took Chase along the sea front, facing towards the eastern most side of the Isle of Wight. Any normal dog would run parallel to the waves and along the shoreline. Oh, not this one - he made a dash for France, with me up to my waist in cold water and hanging onto his long lead for dear life.
One of us emerged triumphant, then shook himself off and wagged. The other of us...

 

[75A]

Marley goes into the sea most days and dors come back eventually after being called. Our nearest neighbour rides one of her horses regularly in the sea and it's s habit we've got into of walking down with her.
On a good day we can see the Isle of Man 10-12 miles away, on a day when the sea frets about we can't see the.Lighthouse at the entrance to Strangford Lough which is about a mile away

 

[D6130]

Fascinating stuff about dogs once again....but way off-topic. Perhaps one of you would like to start a new thread about our canine friends?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Fascinating stuff about dogs once again....but way off-topic. Perhaps one of you would like to start a new thread about our canine friends?

I think my other thread, linked in post #232, might generate photos of dog-chewed Parkside and Cambrian fish van kits.

Post #231, I'd decided this thread had run its course. I don't plan to continue it.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The Snow & Ice Treatment Train (SITT) has been conducting circuits up the Portsmouth Direct Line & down the SW Main.
Although blackthorn bushes are yet to bloom, spring's buds are already showing amongst the foliage by the line's climb to Buriton summit.