Hodge's mostly 'Rail Blue' railway photo galleries http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 A random selection of bus photographs http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1752866.html I've never been a bus enthusiast as such, but over the years I've taken the odd picture from time to time, more so lateley as they too can record the changes occuring all around us every day, so here they are, I'm sure you bus veg will be able to tell what sort they all are! They are just in date taken order I think. Thursday 1 January 1970: I've never been a bus enthusiast as such, but over the years I've taken the odd picture from time to time, more so lateley as they too can record the changes occuring all around us every day, so here they are, I'm sure you bus veg will be able to tell what sort they all are! They are just in date taken order I think.

An Eastern Counties Bristol RE stabled in the station yard at Thetford sometime in 1983 Taken from the down platform at Ely, An Eastern Counties VR approaches the crossing on a Newmarket service. Outside Cambridge station, 8th Jan 1983 A Leyland National in Grantham Bus station, Feb or March 1984 I think. Bristol VR outside Tonbridge Rail station A fine site, a Maidstone and District Bristol VR waits outside Wadhurst station with a rail replacement service to Tonbridge. A Wilts and Dorset Optare seen in Marlborough High street on the 20A to Bedwyn via Hungerford Stagecoach's attempt at recreating Swindon and Districts livery, not quite the same as it would be on a Bristol VR A RH Transport Optare seen at Swindon Bus station on the X47 service serving the Vale of the White Horse and Wantage Open top Bristol VR at Cheddar on Stanners 2008 summer beerex. An open top VR stored around the back of the New Inn in Stratton, Swindon Pagen Hill Christmas do 2008 An old London Transport bus in Marlow High street Snow in Swindon Feb 2009 Snowy Swindon Feb 2009 Lechlade Market square Lechlade again, old Dart on the No74 to Swindon AP Travels sparse bus service to Cirencester seen in the Market square at Lechlade

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]]> Thu Jan 1 1970 The Hythe Pier Railway, Hampshire http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1718276.html This small railway has been carrying passengers from the mainland to the ferry terminal at Hythe since 1922, the pier is 2100 feet long, originally a tramway ran along it on which handcarts of luggage were pushed to the boats. It was electified using a third rail 110v DC system. Its pretty unique to travel in the original wooden seated coaches and know that this leftover from another age still forms part of the local intergrated transport system. It runs every half hour throughout the day meeting the Ferry from Southampton Town Quay, and the return fare at present is £4.60. Oh, and next to the mainland station is the Royal Oak, a lovely old seafront pub and freehouse.... Sunday 28 June 2009: This small railway has been carrying passengers from the mainland to the ferry terminal at Hythe since 1922, the pier is 2100 feet long, originally a tramway ran along it on which handcarts of luggage were pushed to the boats. It was electified using a third rail 110v DC system. Its pretty unique to travel in the original wooden seated coaches and know that this leftover from another age still forms part of the local intergrated transport system. It runs every half hour throughout the day meeting the Ferry from Southampton Town Quay, and the return fare at present is _4.60. Oh, and next to the mainland station is the Royal Oak, a lovely old seafront pub and freehouse....

Having arrived on the ferry the train trundles down the per to meet us, the trolley at the front is for luggage and pushchairs that don't fit inside the small coaches. A very Victorian interior! The little mainland station, complete with miniture platform Engine No1 rests at the terminal Heading off into the rain again Engine No2 on the shed, inside a coach was undergoing restoration A general view of the little depot, the tank wagon is used to take diesel to the end of the pier to refuel the boats The weathers drying up a bit now, the trains are very well used with all 3 coaches often full The tides come in now, a few years ago a ship cut the pier in two, but fortunately it was repaired. Local wildlife Buses connect at Hythe with the ferry to various places in the New Forest The electrical equipment in the cabs would indicate that both locomotives were built by Brush, Loghborough, possibly the smallest locos they ever built? Hythe Pier head station, complete with overall roof and platform.

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]]> Sun Jun 28 2009 The Volks Electric Railway, Brighton http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1716666.html TBA Tuesday 23 June 2009: TBA

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]]> Tue Jun 23 2009 Saltash Royal Albert Bridge 150th Anniversary http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1691857.html Details to follow Sunday 3 May 2009: Details to follow

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]]> Sun May 3 2009 Last rites for the Moorgate Branch in London http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1669327.html The Moorgate branch was opened in 1868 and originally was served by steam hauled trains, then diesel hauled services to and from Cambridge via Kings Cross until the mid 1970's. In 1983 when the Thames Link line was opened via Snow Hill tunnel at Farringdon the branch was electrified at 25 kV overhead. Its only had a peak service since then to and from Bedford. Services only call at Barbican inbound, the outbound platform is disused. The line will close for good on Friday 22nd March 2009, after that the platforms at Farringdon will be extended to accomade 12 coach trains obliterating Farringdon Junction and severing the branch. All my photos were taken on the Wednesday before closure, with just 2 days of operation left. Thursday 19 March 2009: The Moorgate branch was opened in 1868 and originally was served by steam hauled trains, then diesel hauled services to and from Cambridge via Kings Cross until the mid 1970's. In 1983 when the Thames Link line was opened via Snow Hill tunnel at Farringdon the branch was electrified at 25 kV overhead. Its only had a peak service since then to and from Bedford. Services only call at Barbican inbound, the outbound platform is disused. The line will close for good on Friday 22nd March 2009, after that the platforms at Farringdon will be extended to accomade 12 coach trains obliterating Farringdon Junction and severing the branch. All my photos were taken on the Wednesday before closure, with just 2 days of operation left.

Platforms 5 and 6 at Moorgate A moorgate bound service climbs up the steep gradient into Farringdon station. Barbican station, with an inbound service stopping. Barbican station, soon to be Underground only A moorgate bound service bursting out of the tunnel into Barbicac station, the old signal box is on the right. A Bedford bound service passes through the disused outbound platform at Barbican station.

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]]> Thu Mar 19 2009 Rail Blue Memories Part 6 http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1659815.html Hurrah I finally had some more archive slides scanned! Again its a very mixed bag from all over the country, lots of money spent of rover tickets and beer I fear! I hope you enjoy them, happy memories of when British Rail was worth travelling on, and the idea that a class 60 could be interesting hadn't been contemplated. Saturday 27 February 1982: Hurrah I finally had some more archive slides scanned! Again its a very mixed bag from all over the country, lots of money spent of rover tickets and beer I fear! I hope you enjoy them, happy memories of when British Rail was worth travelling on, and the idea that a class 60 could be interesting hadn't been contemplated.

Occasionally when short of 323 units something a little more heritage made an appearance on Crewe - Manchester locals. Dinosaur 305510, one of the very last in service at the time, arrives at Sandbach in November 1998 with a Manchester bound local. In August 1988 a pair of class 33's are seen near Coleford Junction with a loaded train of seacows from Meldon Quarry bound for the Southern. 31465 at Blackpool North Stored o8 locos hidden away in Dunfermline Townhill depot on 2nd May 1983, they are 08441 and 08425. On 1st May 1983 47708 arrives at Edinburgh Waverley with the 1800 from Glasgow Queen Street, somehow a 158 unit is just not the same. 37674 bursts out of Dainton Tunnel with a short freight heading West sometine in July 1988 Ryecroft Junction An unidentified 47/4 approaches Colchester in May 1984 with the down East Anglian, the 1700 Liverpool Street - Norwich 47580 County of Essex passes a deserted Wymondham station with a diverted Liverpool Street - Norwich service. On 12th September 1983 50046 Ajax has just arrived at Oxford with the 1550 from Paddington. At the end of the Summer timetable in 1982 BR withdrew all but one of the through Yarmouth - London services. On the last day, 2nd October 1982 47571 passes Thorpe Junction with the final 0743 Yarmouth - Liverpool Street. The 1322 Birmingham - Paddington arrives at Banbury on 23rd October 1982 behind 50029 Renown. Scottish delight! 37191 andd 37090 wait at Crianlarich on 17th December 1984 with the 0820 Glasgow - Oban In March 1987 the overhead wires are already in place at Norwich as 31425 waits to depart with a Birmingham bound service. 20155 and 20190 wait to depart Skegness with the 1235 to Leicester on 30th July 1982. A family enjoy the sun at Par station on 14th July 1983 as peak 45023 passes with a load of china clay hoods. We don't get Summers like this anymore! 31407 and 31459 await the tip at St.Pancras with the evening loco hauled service to Derby, they are standing in for a 47/8. A 2 week holiday in Dawlish and the sun shone like this every day! Silver roofed 47114 heads down the Paignton branch just West of Aller Junction with an adex from Paddington on the afternoon of 12th July 1983. 47114 passes a wonderfully unchanged scene at Cowley Bridge Junction on the 11th July 1983 with a Westbound service, the Cowley Bridge Inn on the right still exists today unlike the loco and signal box which are both long gone. The cycle from my house to Norwich station was well rewarded on this occassion in Autumn 1982 with the sight of 40007 on the return Whitemoor freight. It seemed that on this 2 week holiday 47114 was determined to put in an appearance every day. Here at Dawlish on 12th July 1983 47590 heads 47114 on the 0620 Plymouth - Padd vans whilst 50005 Collingwood departs with the 0700 Exeter - Penzance. A pre electrification shot of Grantham as 40155 speeds past with a Southbound frightliner. 37014 at journeys end, Glasgow Queen Street on 30th August 1986 where she had arrived with the 1030 from Inverness. The 0655 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh arrives at Dingwall on 4th April 1985 behind 37025. Labouring up the climb with 13 coaches, 45059 nears the summit of Whiteball bank on 9th July 1983 with the 1020 Paignton - Glasgow. On the 11th July 1983 50016 Barham and 50021 Rodney accelerate the 0740 Penzance - Liverpool past Cowley Bridge Junction. For some reason it was double headed as far as Taunton where 50016 was detached and returned light. Inverness beast 37025 waits to depart with the 1140 to Wick and Thurso on 20th April 1984 The last 0900 Yarmouth - Liverpool street thrashes past Whitlingham Junction on 2nd October 1982 behind 31406. In May 1989 2 class 33's head for the Greenford branch at West Ealing with the Angerstein - Paddington New Yard sand train. On 10th September 1990 37141 departs Bath Spa with the 1658 Weymouth - Bristol, no doubt Hatchetts was the next stop for us! 33103 and 33107 wait at Westury on a ballast train, date unknown but about 1988 50019 Ramillies paused at Basingstoke on 21st July 1982 with the 0910 Waterloo - Exeter 45055 Royal Corps of Transport makes an unusual sight on the Fletton Flyash train at Peterborough on 7th May 1983 26038 and 26041 wait at Blair Atholl on 8th April 1984 with the 1040 Inverness - Glasgow extra. A stone train bound for Acton rounds Crofton Curve behind 56070 on 7th July 1984 I would rather have been on the train than photting it on this occasion as 31110 storms away from the Dawlish stop of the 0750 Bristol - Plymouth on 12th July 1983. Cowley Bridge Junction again on 16th July 1983 as 47103 passes with a St.Austell bound motorail service. Just look at those heritage cars! A down van train hauled by 31204 rounds the curve at Aller Junction and starts the climb of Dainton Bank on 12th July 1983 The 0750 Exeter - Paignton local departs Dawlish on 12th Jult 1983 behind 50018 Resolution. Somewhat better than a pacer unit I think. 50042 Triumph prepares to head off into the setting sun at Sherborne on 4th January 1984 with the 1310 Waterloo - Exeter. 1V36 06xx Milton Keynes - Penzance arrives at Cheltenham Spa on 26th June 1989 behind 31423 and 31433, needless to say the man with the gloves was at Bristol and a spoon went forward. Railfreight liveried 26032 is seen at Kirkcaldy having arrived with the 0935 from Edinburgh on the 28th August 1986 20099and 20218 propel the stock of the morning train from Blythe Bridge into the sidings at llandudno. 31401 waits the road at Norwich Thorpe on a freezing evening in Feb 1986 45118 storms over Stoke Canon level crossing on 16th July 1983 with the 1005 Paignton - Leeds. The 1957 local service to Norwich from Lowestoft was loco hauled formed off the stock off the evening Liverpool street train. On 4th May 1983 31127 waits to head off into the sunset The Summer Saturdays 1020 Birmingham - Great Yarmouth arrives at Thetford on 18th June 1983 behind 31414 and 31417. Feniton

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]]> Sat Feb 27 1982 The GE and GN joint line, March to Spalding RIP Nov 1982 http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1654656.html The Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Line ran from Spalding down to March, right to up to closure which came on November 27th 1982 it remained double track throughout. Generations of families made their way on long trains on Summer Saturdays over this route from the Midlands and the North to Great Yarmouth right up to the end of the Summer 1982 timetable. On the last day I cycled from March to Spalding taking most of the photographs shown here, before returning on the final train over the line, and if I remember rightly enjoying 31114 steaming well on 1E82 back to Norwich. At some point I intend to add some photos taken of the line as it is now to show what remains. Sunday 27 November 1983: The Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Line ran from Spalding down to March, right to up to closure which came on November 27th 1982 it remained double track throughout. Generations of families made their way on long trains on Summer Saturdays over this route from the Midlands and the North to Great Yarmouth right up to the end of the Summer 1982 timetable. On the last day I cycled from March to Spalding taking most of the photographs shown here, before returning on the final train over the line, and if I remember rightly enjoying 31114 steaming well on 1E82 back to Norwich. At some point I intend to add some photos taken of the line as it is now to show what remains.

A Lincoln set passes French Drobe box working the 1031 Doncaster - Cambridge. A classic Fenland scene at French Drove with 40024 heading for Cambridge with a 'last day' railtour from Cleethorpes, 'The Jointliner'. On Flower Parade day May 1982 47530 leaves the GE and GN joint line South of Spalding with a special from East Anglia. A last day special ran from Cambridge to Spalding and back formed of a Swindon Cross Country unit, here it is seen passing Postland Box in bright Winter sunshine. The final train over the line, the 1539 Sheffield - March seen after arrival in March. A wreath was placed on the front at Spalding but must have fallen off enroute. Needless to say it was packed with enthusiasts. The start of the last day was cold and frosty, and the cycle out to Twenty Foot River box at the North end of March yard was very cold. A cravens unit passes on the first Cambridge - Lincoln train of the day. Cowbit was the last block post before Spalding, this photo shows 46047 returning from MArch Yard to Spalding with an ECS to form a Flower Parade Special in May 1982.

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]]> Sun Nov 27 1983 May 2000, hunting Nohabs in Hungary http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1578120.html This was a last minute trip to sample the Hungarian Nohabs loco's before they were all withdrawn from service. At the time only 3 were left in service, all based at Tapolca working trains around Lake Balaton. The scenery was great, the weather sunny and warm and the loco's all behaved themselves! Gruntle, Kev Tipple, The Rat and Dogpie came along too, my notes are lost so the locationsa re somehwat fuzzy, paricularly the narrow guage line we tried to do.... Thanks to Kev Tipple for some of the description details. Saturday 13 September 2008: This was a last minute trip to sample the Hungarian Nohabs loco's before they were all withdrawn from service. At the time only 3 were left in service, all based at Tapolca working trains around Lake Balaton. The scenery was great, the weather sunny and warm and the loco's all behaved themselves! Gruntle, Kev Tipple, The Rat and Dogpie came along too, my notes are lost so the locationsa re somehwat fuzzy, paricularly the narrow guage line we tried to do.... Thanks to Kev Tipple for some of the description details.

M61 010 basks in the Spring sunshine on 23rd April 2000 at Balatonszentgyorgy with the 0629 Szomnethely - Pecs M61 010 on the same train at Taploca M61 002 in te scrap line at Taploca depot M41 2199 arriving at Taploca with a local service Balatonudvari station A rather basic narrow gauge local train by lake Balaton at Balatonfenyves, 23rd April 2000 M61 006 departs Balatonudvari by lake Balaton, there was a lovely lakeside bar here. 22nd April 2000 M41 2187 passes at Balatonfuzfo station on 21st April 2000 with a morning Budapest Deli - Taploca working Balatonfuzfo station The sad remains of M61 004 at Taploca depot M61 020 M61 006 Incredible as it may seem, this tiny loco and coach was actually a service train, seen at Balatonfenyves! M61 010 waits at Tapolca having arrived with the 1445 Pecs - Szombathely on 23rd April 2000 Taploca station Fonyod, by lake Balaton Lord Rat, enjoying a beer outside a rustic lakeside bar at Balatonudvari, Lake Balaton. 2 local 'problem people' !

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]]> Sat Sep 13 2008 The Summer Bus trip to Wells http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1563441.html Every Summer a mate organises a vintage boozy bus trip, this year it utilsed a 33 year old open top Bristol VR double decker. The weather was rubbish but we still sat on the open top deck as we were blasted by the freezing wind over the Mendips, after all it was August, needless to say the day got warmer as the amount of beer consumed increased... Sunday 17 August 2008: Every Summer a mate organises a vintage boozy bus trip, this year it utilsed a 33 year old open top Bristol VR double decker. The weather was rubbish but we still sat on the open top deck as we were blasted by the freezing wind over the Mendips, after all it was August, needless to say the day got warmer as the amount of beer consumed increased...

Bus veg enjoying the balmy Summer weather. Wells bus station The Kings Arms in Wells, a good freehouse serving local guest ales from the barrel by gravity The City Arms in Wells, it used to be the jail, now it serves local beers and full English breakfasts from 0900hrs every day Our trusty VR drops everone off at Cheddar outside the Cheddar Gorge cheese shop, just the job. Running down the High Street, the destination blind is correct, there used to be a 126 from Wells to Weston via Cheddar The guide pub in Cheddar is the White Hart. OK if you like uninteresting beers, kids crawling around your feet and the smell of chip fat. The hotel up the road served Cheddar Ales and was much better. Axbridge awaits the intrepid explorers, well the 2 pubs do anyway The Crown, Axbridge The interior of the Crown Inn at Axbridge, the local sat at the table sports a fine 'shaaaviiittt'! The Lamb, Butcombe Brewerys only tied house, in the square at Axbridge Outside the Crown Inn at Churchill, a wonderfully unspoilt pub virtually untouched by the modern world The photographer, after a few too many?

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]]> Sun Aug 17 2008 The Highworth Branch http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1546178.html I've been wanting to photograph the scrap metal train on the remains of the Highworth branch in Swindon for some time. As the train runs rather infrequently I was very surprised to see it this morning when I just happened to be driving by. Even better the camera was in the car and I had 2 hours of spare time available too. Thursday 17 July 2008: I've been wanting to photograph the scrap metal train on the remains of the Highworth branch in Swindon for some time. As the train runs rather infrequently I was very surprised to see it this morning when I just happened to be driving by. Even better the camera was in the car and I had 2 hours of spare time available too.

Loco 66059 pushes its way through the undergrowth as it heads towards Coopers metal recycling works A good crop of blackberries on either side of the line as 66059 approaches Gypsy lane overbridge. The 4 loaded wagond have been positioned by the works shunter, the 66 is cut off the empties and coupled to the loaded wagons by the travelling shunter The 66 having set back into the former BMW plant exchange sidings, Coopers shunter collects and positions the empties for loading. Heading back with 4 loaded wagons for the train, the works siding and shunter on the left. Later 66059 leaves the main line at Highworth Junction with 4 more empty wagons for loading.

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]]> Thu Jul 17 2008 A day trip to Dawlish http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1533134.html With the Summer timetable we now have a through train to Dawlish and another one back, so what nicer than a walk along the seawall from Teignmouth to Dawlish Warren and a few beers at the GBG listed Smugglers Inn at Holcombe.... Sunday 22 June 2008: With the Summer timetable we now have a through train to Dawlish and another one back, so what nicer than a walk along the seawall from Teignmouth to Dawlish Warren and a few beers at the GBG listed Smugglers Inn at Holcombe....

A Plymouth - Paddington HSt zips along the seawall after departing Teignmouth The seawall looking towards Parsons Tunnel and Dawlish Arriva Voyager heading West Another voyager heads towards Dawlish The Smugglers Inn high up on the cliffs above Dawlish at Holcombe Dawlish seen from the South Devon coastal path Dawlish station, not a thing of beauty, however it was built to weather winter storms.

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]]> Sun Jun 22 2008 Railblue memories Part 5 http://dave-hodkinson.fotopic.net/c1478962.html A real mixed bag this, some East Anglian scans, plus some of various depot 'nedding' trips in the early 1980's, and a few covering virtually the whole of the BR network up to the early 1990's. Some good memories here, I hope you enjoy them. Tuesday 19 January 1982: A real mixed bag this, some East Anglian scans, plus some of various depot 'nedding' trips in the early 1980's, and a few covering virtually the whole of the BR network up to the early 1990's. Some good memories here, I hope you enjoy them.

On a freezing 2nd Feb 1996, 31450, in very rundown condition backs onto the stock of the 1024 to Bangor at Crewe. 73129 City of Winchester is seen at Gatwick Airport on 20th May 1985 with a Victoria service. 50013 Agincourt seen at Banbury on 5th April 1983 on the 1250 Paddington - Liverpool 50037 Illustrious makes a bried stop at Banbury on 23rd October 1982 with the 1320 Liverpool - Paddington Chester TMD, 15th Jan 1983, 40096 and 40063. 40073, Birkenhead Mollington street Unrefurbished 31305 seen at leeds on 6th August 1988 having arrived with the 1345 from Skegness 47229 seen at Manchester Vic in August 1988 with a Blackpool service. The classic Oxford platform shot, 50001 Dreadnaught waits to leave with the 1805 to Paddington, 5th April 1983 On 6th August 1988, 31465 is seen at Blackpool North heading the 2112 to Manchester Victoria 40133 stabled at Wigna Springs Branch on 15th January 1983 On 21st July 1982. 33106 has provided the motive power from Bournmouth for the Channel Islands Boat express from Waterloo, here seen at journeys end at Weymouth Quay. The last train down the tramway was in 1999 and now the local council wants to buy the line and remove it for ever. In the good old days on Sundays 33/1's and 4tc's worked through to Reading on Portsmouth services. 33103 waits at Reading on 2nd May 1982 with one such working. Due to a defect with 37402, 31155 worked in multiple on the 1555 Holyhead - Crewe throughout. I managed to leap to Fflint for it. Here seen at Crewe, 2nd August 1994 31155 waits to depart Blackpool North on 31st July 1994 with the 1920 to Chester Norwich Crown Point 19th June 1983, 03397 and 47325 (stabled after working the Manchester - Yarmouth as far as Norwich). An everyday scene now gone for ever, 31417 and 31401 depart March with the 1610 Birmingham - Norwich on Sat 26th May 1984, whilst we headed to the Great Northern for a couple of pints of Elgoods Bitter After the were usurped from The Kyle and Wick lines by eth 37's, the steam heat tractors still had there uses at Inverness. At Insch, 37261 waits the road with the 1032 Inverness - Aberdeen on 3rd Feb 1986 31284 and 31132 at Wolverhampton where they worked a Euston service as far as New Street. 31405 is seen at Cardiff Central on 15th July 1989, it had just worked in on the 0759 Leeds - Tenby, all thoughts of a trip to Tenby with her soon dissipated when the man with the gloves appeared, a 47 worked forward, and we retired to the Glastonbury Arms (long demolished) for some Brains Dark. Steaming well, 37039 waits at Arrochar and Tarbet with the 1650 Glasgow - Fort William on 19th April 1984 31419 and 31415 at Bristol on 27th jult 1988 with the 1448 Paignton - Liverpool 31455 and 31415 seen at Bristol on 8th July 1989 with the 0840 Paignton - Liverpool The 1635 to Leeds over the S&C waits to depart Carlisle on 1st Feb 1986 behind 31419 and 31462, one of only 2 trains aday over the line at this time. 331xx, Wimbledon, 1010 Waterloo - Salisbury May 1982 A real train, 87003 Brittannia is seen at Carlisle on 3rd August 1982 with the 0935 Euston - Inverness, the 'Clansman'. Thornaby baby 31282 is seen at Boston on the 1022 Skegness - Leeds on 29th July 1989. I leapt here for the pub before taking 31163 to Donny on the 1252 ex Skeg behind. Doncaster on 22nd July 1989 sees 31407 with the 1615 York - Cardiff service. 03175, 03154 and 08393 at Kings Lynn 8th Jan 1983 The old March station before half of it was demolished sees 47492 waiting the tip with the 1120 Glasgow - Harwich, 11th May 1985 When Boston station was still real with old blue enamel signs, 20190 and 20155 arrive with a Derby - Skegness train. 31st July 1982 A touch of luxury on table 18, on 13th May 1985 Crown Point provided a rake of aircons for 31468 to take to Birmingham on the 0935 departure from Norwich. 31143 stands on the blocks of platform 1 at Norwich on 20th July 1986, having arrived with the 0630 Sheffield - Yarmouth. Sometime in June 1989, real DMUS pass a GNER somersault signal on the approach to Thorpe Culvert on the Skeggy line. 03060 performs station pilot duties at Bradford Exchange on 6th August 1982 Withdrawn shunting locos 06005 and 06006 seen at Dundee depot on 1st May 1983 40141 awaits the road into Norwich Yard with the morning Whitemoor freight, 4th October 1982, some steel for Boulton and Pauls works is behind the loco. All this heavy industry has long gone now. Before the advent on rancid turbos, a pressed steel unit is seen at Great Bedwyn having arrived with a Reading service. Nov 1988 31114 and 37053 stabled at Kings Lynn, 8th January 1983. 31462 pauses at Exeter St.Davids on 11th November 1988 with th 0740 Paddington - Plymouth Another everyday scene that we took for granted at the time, 31440 pauses at March with a Norwich - Birmingham service sometime in May 1985 March East Junction, 18th June 1983, 47205 prepares to stop for a crew change with the 0910 Yarmouth - Newcastle. 47591 arrives at Thetford with the 0835 Liverpool Street - Norwich via Cambridge service. Augut 1988, 47501 passing Silverton near Hele with an up Paddington train. Sometime in July 1988, 50019 Ramillies rounds the curve into South Brent with a Plymouth bound service. The 1512 Manchester - Harwich waits to depart Ely on 7th May 1983 behind Stratfords 47435. On 8th July 1983 33012 stands in the back platform at Exeter St.Davids after arriving with an evening service from Paignton Not long after the station reopened to passengers, 50045 Achillies arrives at Templecombe with the 1618 Exeter - Waterloo, 16th September 1985

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]]> Tue Jan 19 1982