Four "Gigant" Class V63, June 2016

All of the lower speed 120km/h variant. Further info on class V63: in English and Hungarian.

630034 Budapest - Ferencváros passes through Vác with a freight, 26th June.

630019 at Budapest Nyugati, 27th June. 

 630004 with a freight at Kelenfold. This is second of the pre-series production group, delivered in 1980-81, equipped with Hungarian electronics and bogies. Currently the oldest V63 in traffic.

630009 and 431298 lead a military equipment special into Kelenfold. This 1984 completed locomotive rides on bogies licensed from Krupp.

Locoford Lane Bridge, Chesterfield, 1st July 2016

66144 heads towards Barrow Hill with 6E83 15:25 Hotchley Hill East Leake (on the GCR(N)) - Milford West Sidings empty gypsum containers.

222004 passes, approaching from Sheffield.

Shorter 220011 a few minutes later.

Class 20 miscellany, Swanwick, 2nd July 2016

8001 (20001, new to traffic on 8th July 1957, withdrawn April 1988) stands outside the diesel shed at Swanwick, at the Midland Railway Centre.

Another view of the now 59 year old locomotive, which is carried on bogies of the correct pilot scheme variant (plain equalising beams).

20048 (new in December 1959, withdrawn in November 1990) under overhaul in the diesel shed.

20142 (new in May 1966), which is mainline registered, in the operating shed at Swanwick.

Where "Class 47" and Hungary meet - Budapest Keleti, 27th June 2016

So I had found the Class 56 at Budpaest Keleti, and I walked a bit around the corner for a view from a petrol station courtyard, of the shed and turntable used by Floyd, located here, an easy walk from the terminus station.

Zooming in on the shed, there is a shunter 269 066 , and an undetermined Class 86 (Floyd has 8 operating Class 450 locomotives - 86215, 86217, 86218, 86228, 86232, 86242, 86248 & 86250, with 86424 for spares, the latter still believed to be in yellow colours.

Turning to another angle, another Class 86/2 is seen, and what at the time I though was one of the Floyd Class 56's. However examination today finds that this is a Class 47, so must be 47375 of Continental Railway Solution, So this is actually a Bingo! moment. I was wondering where the locomotive may be, but was happy just picking up what I was seeing, and not looking for it.

47375 was prepared for export by Nemesis Rail at Burton, and is seen here leaving for its sea crossing: one two. Pictures by others taken at Budapest: one two three four five (NoHAB M61.010 is preserved).six seven

"The End of Southern Steam", Romsey, 9th July 2016

45699 Galatea + 33207 T+T 1Z69 16:40 Weymouth - Southampton - Laverstock - Waterloo

 Running through Romsey station where the regulator was closed for a permanent way slack.

The question of the day is "Has a Jubilee ever passed through Romsey before ?". 45699 is understood to have arrived at Eastleigh for overhaul in February 1965, which wascancelled, and it then found its way to Barry scrapyard. So it may have been through Romsey, but perhaps a working Jubilee never has been. Interesting information on 1960s LMS interlopers on the Southern,

A tale of two Princesses, Swanwick, 2nd July 2016

46203 Princess Margaret Rose (LMS Crewe, July 1935) in the exhibition shed at Swanwick, Midland Railway Centre,

Nameplate.

The surprise in the same building was 6201 Princess Elizabeth (LMS Crewe, November 1933),which, following overhaul at Tyseley, failed on its main line steam test on 17th June with a bearing on the leading bogie running hot, and was moved to Swanwick from Derby. The bogie is seen to be removed and parts of the valves and pistons are disassembled. Activity appeared to be intensive, and the locomotive may debut on a Victoria - Weymouth on 19th July,

"The End of Southern Steam", Millbrook, 9th July 2016

49 years on since the end of steam on the Southern, and an LMS "Jubilee" takes centre stage.

45699 Galatea + 33207 T+T 1Z67 08:13 Victoria - Weymouth

45699 was completed by the LMS at Crewe, new to traffic on 15th April 1936.

GALATEA is an ancient Greek name meaning "she who is milk-white".

The locomotive was withdrawn from BR service in November 1964.

33207 Jim Martin (BRCW, March 1962) brings up the rear of the train.

After the train passed, the Network Rail helicopter G-NLSE was seen following the railway line and across the docks area, against the direction of the special train.