Swanage Railway Diesel Gala Focus, 11th May 2019: Two Class 08 locos

08436 was originally D3551 delivered from BR Derby on 3rd October 1958, allocated to 61B Aberdeen Ferryhill, moving from ScR to ER in  1972. Withdrawn in January 1992 from Doncaster, eventually finding its way to Swanage. The BRML Eastleigh Works finish is a mimic of 08642.

D3591 was new from BR Crewe on 17th December 1958, and was first allocated to Newton Heath. Later in 1971 it was sent to the ScR, becoming 08476 in 1974, seen here at Dunfermline in 1983, eventually withdrawn at Thornton Junction on 9th September 1985. Now at Swanage for many years, apart from a period away on repair.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala Focus, 11th May 2019: 26007

This one goes way back for me, and it's hard to believe that it's more than 60 years old, and a genuine piece of railway history. As class leader D5300, the locomotive was new from Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co on the 30th July 1958, and initially worked from Hornsey on Kings Cross suburban duties. The class was then concentrated in Scotland, with this locomotive reallocated to Haymarket in the week ending 23rd April 1960.

In Scotland this was one of earlier and heavier locomotives, and was selected for dual braking and boiler removal in 1966, for operation of MGR trains for Cockenzie Power Station, also sometimes seen on ECS duties from Craigentinny to Edinburgh Waverley.

Renumbered to 26007 on 25th May 1974, general overhauland refurbished December 1982, withdrawn from service on 4th October 1993.

I first saw this locomotive at the "Edinburgh Rail Festival" of 24th September 1977. The locomotive has previously visited Swanage for the diesel gala in 2009, and is now present at the Swanage Railway for the summer months of 2019.

History at 6LDA

Arriving at Swanage.

Shunt at Swanage.

Departing from Harman's Cross.

Approaching Harman's Cross from Swanage.

On the rear of a working to Frome River Bridge at Corfe Castle.

37254 and an unexpected test train, Eastleigh, 18th May 2019.

9714 + 62384 + 72630 + 99666 + 96606 + 37254
3Z40 12:01 Woking - Eastleigh

9714 is a former Mk2F DBSO, to Lot 30861 of 1974, originally 9536 and converted to DBSO in 1985. In test train service since 2007.

62384 is an Ultrasonic Test Train coach, taking this role from May 2012. Originally a 4-CIG MBSO which ran from July 1971 to April 2005, in unit 7396 later 1296, then 4-BIG 2258 and 4-CIG 1393. It then spent some time at the Great Central Railway until acquired for its current role.

37254 Cardiff Canton was new as D6954 from English Electric Vulcan Foundry on 5th January 1965, and was first allocated to Canton. Stored unserviceable in November 1998 and withdrawn in January 1999. Preserved and ran on the Spa Valley Railway from 2008, until acquired in November 2015 for the current work duties.

Heading onwards into the works.

Miscellany at Eastleigh, 18th May 2019

Two pictures of 08460 Spirit of the Oak in shunting action.

802203 (coaches from left, 834203 & 835203). May be next for departure.

66739 Bluebell Railway had earlier worked an MoD train, returning 0B02 10:50 Marchwood - Eastleigh.

394829 is an MHA, a rarer DB red painted example, built on a former HAA coal hopper underframe. The paint job may be from 2017 period.

Colas locomotives at Eastleigh, 18th May 2019

The locomotives were later shunted into formations for civil engineering workings.

70816.

66848.

66849 Wylam Dilly.

66850 David Maidment OBE.

70811.

Freightliner at Eastleigh, 18th May 2019

No working from Garston this Saturday.

66507 4O05 07:03 Birch Coppice - Maritime.

66506 Crewe Regeneration 4O90 05:27 Leeds - Maritime.

70015 4O29 08:50 Basford Hall - Maritime arrives ....

.... and departs.

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala Focus, 11th May 2019: 25185

This BR Type 2 was delivered from Derby Works  on 6th March 1965 as D7535, allocated to the D16 Nottingham Division. Always allocated to the London Midland Region, it was renumbered to 25185 in February 1974. No train heat, dual braked in March 1978.

I first saw this locomotive on 23rd June 1984 while travelling on "The Ffestiniog Pullman", joining from Winchester.

Withdrawn 5th November 1984 (at only 19 years of service) and stored at Toton, where it used for training. Delivered under its own power to Paignton on 13th - 14th February 1986. In 2018 it was swapped with 37275 and joined preservation at the South Devon Railway under the auspices of South Devon Diesel Traction Limited.

Arrival at Swanage.

Shunt at Swanage.

Departure from Swanage.

At Corfe Castle with an arrival from From River Bridge.