Category Archives: Berks & Hants

Friday 30th September 2011

Posted on by
Reply

I managed to get a day off as our Indian summer was in full flow with high temperatures it is probably the best spell of sunshine we have had all year. I was looking for something to photograph and the Network Rail test train suitably obliged. It had been running about all week but today it was set to depart Didcot and then head down the Berks & Hants via Reading.

Click for larger image

I decided to try the shot near Crofton that I had tried once before and infact the shot has improved as all the undergrowth on the bridge had been cleared. I had a pleasant but anxious wait in the sun as its booked time came and went which was worrying as it was on time at Reading just a few miles up the line but eventually 37601 turned up 30 mins late running as 1Q13 Didcot – Derby.

Click for larger image

In the afternoon I decided to head back up to the Thames Valley and was hoping to bag another Class 70 on the 4M68 Southampton – Birch Coppice liner but I was out of luck today as 66516 was allocated to the working and passed Cholsey in lovely early evening light.

Monday 8th March 2010

Posted on by
Reply

Time for another week off and this time starting with some glorious weather, it all seemed too perfect and it was, as today I learnt the second rule of digital photography! Lesson 1 was learned very shortly after acquiring a digital camera which is to make sure you check you have a memory card before you leave the house. Lesson 2 however wasn’t learnt until today when I discovered you should also check the amount of charge in your battery! This one hurt a lot more as I had a whole days worth of workings and shots planned on the Berks & Hants line but was scuppered after just my first shot. Grrrr!

Click for larger image

Thankfully I did manage one shot and it is one I have wanted to do for a while, the classic curve at Crofton pumping house. The first up working I had planned was the 7A09 Merehead – Acton ‘Jumbo’ train and a quick check before hand showed me the recently re liveried 59005 ‘Kenneth J Painter’ would be in charge and running bang on time 59005 rounded the curve with a lengthy rake behind.

Sunday 22nd June 2008

Posted on by
Reply

The East Somerset Railway celebrated 150 years over the weekend of 21st/22nd June with the help of Aggregate Industries and Mendip Rail at Merehead quarry. To help get people to the event shuttle trains were organised to run from Westbury – Cranmore using EWS 66200 and Mendip Rail 59102 on the Sunday when I visited. Once at Cranmore a number of classic buses were on hand to ferry us down the quarry where the main exhibits were located.

Right inside the gates were a pair of kettles which were working a demonstraion freight hauling 1000 tonnes up the incline at regular intervals. I watched the first attempt of the day which was rather impressive as there was loads of wheelslip and steam everywhere got the load moving. Further down were a pair of slugs (901 & 906) which had arrived from the Severn Valley Railway being hauled down by 50049 which was also on site.

A couple of 59s (59004 & 59101) were nearby both parked on short demonstration set of wagons to show the type of work this class carries out on a daily basis. Moving around to the main shed where most of the exhibits were located with a number of 59s and a few celebrity liveried guests were stabled. 60040 was on hand still in ex works condition fresh from its naming the previous weekend at York NRM where it had been named ‘The Territorial Army Centenary’.

Nearby was another celebrity livery as Freightliner had sent 66623 ‘Bill Bolsover’ in Bardon Aggregates livery and GBRf had sent fresh off the boat 66731, the paintwork was still gleaming along with a rather unusual visitor to the branch, 73204 ‘Alison’. A couple of 59s were in the shed “pretending” to be repaired, 59005 was having a cylinder replaced while 59002 was next door with a bogie being dropped.

Before I left I took a trip on one of the coach tours of the quarry which is the largest in Europe and something I can quite easily believe as it is massive! Overall a great day out and excellent value for money as it included a return trip on the shuttle from Westbury, Classic bus to the quarry, Coach tour of the quarry, entry to the main event and a trip on the ESR all for £15 which I thought was excellent! :)