20118 + 20132 with Chiltern Railways stock for Long Marston, Romsey, 13th April 2021

20118 Saltburn-by-the-Sea + 20132 Barrow Hill Depot 5X20 09:56 Eastleigh Trsmd - Long Marston, operated by DCR, with locomotives from HNRC, which departed Eastleigh station 95 minutes late, and lost further time through the journey. At Romsey, the train was held in the station for the preceding train to pass Dunbridge.

The formation observed was TSOs 12041 + 12115 + 12019 + 12027 + 12012 + 12026 + 12151, + FO 11094. The Mk 3A TSO coaches were built by BREL Derby to Lot 30877 between 1975-77. After initial service in LMR stock, the four coaches numbered up to 12030, later 12031, were in the ScR 47/7 push-pull trains (the 'disco' RCH jumper controls), and I noted these between 1979 and 1986, also 12151. The Mk3B FO was built to Lot 30982 in 1985.

These eight coaches arrived at Eastleigh from Norwich on 8th April 2020 for updates and fitting of AAR push-pull capability. The external changes have seen the changing of the door colour, and the application of "Chilternrailways by arriva" logos, however, there now seems to be the possibility that these slam-door coaches may not now re-enter passenger service. 

20118 was new from Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns Ltd., Darlington, on 8th March 1962 as D8118, allocated to 66A Polmadie. I first noted this locomotive on 4th October 1980, while on an RCTS visit to Eastfield shed. Withdrawn in March 2000, and preserved for a while on the South Devon Railway, but was sold to Harry Needle Railroad Co., and resumed service from October 2013.

20132 was delivered as D8132 from English Electric Vulcan Foundry on 5th March 1966, allocated to 41A Tinsley. I first noted it on 4th January 1988, while on a WCML journey in the Preston - Crewe area. Stored by 2000, then transferred ownership to DRS, moved to Longtown, then sold to HNRC. To Barrow Hill in January 2005, where it was repainted in green, and relisted on TOPS from August 2006.

TSO 12115.

TSO 12027, which at one time was in ScotRail push-pull service.

"Chilternrailways by arriva" logo on 12151.

FO 11094 on the rear - may also show extra AAR connectors.

Train for the day on Flickr.

Dunbridge for the Test Train, 8th April 2021

66719 METRO-LAND passing with MXA wagons on 6V41 14:48 Eastleigh - Westbury.

67023 Stella passes with the test train 1X23 15:13 Salisbury - Southampton UGL - Salisbury where the first coach was 975091 MENTOR. The full formation is believed to have been 975091 + 72631 + 9701 + 9523.

70001 PowerHaul with a rather lightly loaded 4O57 13:29 Wentloog - Maritime.

67027 Charlotte with the return of 1X23.

975091 MENTOR, originally BSK S34615 delivered by Gloucester RC&W in October 1955 to Lot 30142, then configured with vacuum brake and dual heat the electric heat being 750V UIC compliant.

Workings at Romsey, 6th April 2021 (part 2)

Three in a row, one through late working, the second being halted by a red signal at Romsey, and the third managing to wait in a slow crawl for the green after the second passed the next signal at Dunbridge.

Heavy metal on 6V41 14:48 Eastleigh - Westbury, with 66719 METRO-LAND leading dead-in-tow 66850 David Maidment OBE + 66054. This train ran via Redbridge.

The morning arrival to Southampton Up Yard was 2 hours late, and consequently the return working was 90 mins late, and was held to await the Romsey trains on the Chandler's Ford section. It then had to stop in Romsey to wait for 6V41 to pass Dunbridge.

VTG 3229 was one of two KEA wagons in the consist, the other being 3202.

The third train was the return of the Chi-stone, 7V09 13:41 Chichester - Merehead, creeping through behind 66601 The Hope Valley.

Dual-piped JNA wagon, VTG 3408 (Marcroft, Stoke, 1998), in the consist.

5th - 10th April 2021

Believed to be being prepated for the 2021 season of The Staycation Express, TF 41183 was originally TS 42274, built to lot 30939 at BREL Derby in 1979-80. Following storage at Long Marston, this coach was delivered to Booth's scrapyard at Rotherham on 23rd June 2020, subsequently moved to Eastleigh East Yard by road on 16th September as it was in better condition than some of LSL’s existing stock. It appears that Hornby have already created a model of the coach in Blue Pullman livery, which it may not now carry.

66747 Made in Sheffield approaches Western Docks through Millbrook, 9th April, with 4Y19 from Mountfield. Image by Roger Homan.

Monday 5th April: 20142 + 20007 5Q20 09:53 Eastleigh Works - West Ruislip one two, 0Z21 16:03 West Ruislip - Eastleigh one two three four five

Tuesday 6th April: 73971 0O66  02:52 Doncaster - Eastleigh one two three four

Wednesday 7th April:

Thursday 8th April: 67023 + 62027 1X23 15:13 Salisbury - Southampton UGL - Salisbury one two

Friday 9th April:

Saturday 10th April:

57302, which came to Eastleigh Works in December 2017, reportedly to yield parts for 57307, has been moved to DRS's XSDP pool for coming disposal. 37602, at Eastleigh since February 2019, was already in this pool. Noted, rather obscured, on 5th April.

Eastleigh Works: 08Mar - 11Mar - 15Mar - 16Mar - 18Mar - 22Mar - 23Mar - 25Mar - 26Mar

The buffer fitted HST power cars at Eastleigh Works appear to be associated with Rail Adventure, who already provide barriers which have been seen here on deliveries from Italy of Hitachi units for Hull Trains, and also on deliveries of Class 701 from Derby.

59003 has gone on another excursion to Kent 

"Rail companies add services so people can travel with confidence as Britain steps out of lockdown"

"DP World injects 40 million GBP in port of Southampton"

New footbridge in use at Millbrook, 9th April. Image by Roger Homan.

Workings at Romsey, 6th April 2021 (part 1)

DR 73931 on the return leg of 12:52 Salisbury - Romsey - Salisbury.

66780 The Cemex Express passing in light snow with 6V44 12:18 Marchwood Mod Gbrf - Bicester Mod Gbrf.

609002 was one of several FAA wagons in the consist.

66569 running north with 4M65 1346 Maritime - Lawley Street.

Two Class 08s at Eastleigh T&RSMD, 5th April 2021

 

08810 was built at BR Derbty as D3978, entering traffic in July 1960. Currently named RICHARD J WENHAM EASTLEIGH DEPOT December 1989 - July 1999, this name previously being borne by 08804 and 08442.

The latter, 08442, is still extant at the T&RSMD, but seems rather the worse for wear. Built as D3557 at BR Derby, and entered traffic in November 1958.

Class 317s for disposal, Eastleigh Works, 5th April 2021

From my previous visit, on 5th March, 317346 was now being scrapped, with 62706 in the scrapping area, and 77045 ready to follow in. Sorry, no reasonable picture to share.

 

DTS 77282 of 317671, which arrived on 25th March. This unit entered traffic as 317371 in March 1987, as the second last delivery.

DTC 77223 of 317652, which arrived on 4th March, and appears to be next to follow 317346. This unit entered traffic as 317352 in January 1986.

317659 also arrived on 25th March. This was new as 317359 in March 1986.

317659 and 317671.

A final view of 317671, with 313121 facing it.