Chairman's Newsletter

Summer 2008

Last season’s meetings ended with a talk on the Light Railways of London and one on Railways without motive power, not all were before the days of steam. We also had a visit to the Class 450 Simulator, which was enjoyed by all, even if your chairman was put in the position of being unable to stop the train! This was followed by our two observation evenings. Eastleigh in June was cold and most of us called it a day at 8.00 pm. We saw the four scheduled freight trains and also 59203 running around an empty stone train in the yard. The Didcot observation was poorly attended. For me the journey to and from Didcot was more interesting than the time there. At Basingstoke we saw 66732 on a rake of EMU Stock comprising 1881 + 1884 + 1304, which was on its way to Knights Rail at Eastleigh. We only saw two coal trains at Didcot and no apparent MOD traffic. However on the way back, at Reading we saw A4 60019 Bittern on its way back with the Cathedrals Express.

Locally Knights Rail has taken on more work at Eastleigh, including repairs to bogie tank wagons and VGA vans. On our observation evening we saw 153365 arrive for refurbishment. The EMUs mentioned above are intended to form one for operation on the mainline, with maybe a second for back up, using eight coaches in all. They are also overhauling Mk 2 coaches for export to New Zealand. From time to time class 31s and 66/7s can be seen here on transfer duties.

At the EWS Depot the stored class 58s have been moved about, with a rumour that some are being overhauled for more work abroad. At least four 37/4s have arrived, but for what reason I do not know. It is virtually impossible now to identify locomotives on site due to the positioning of vans. Traffic locally remains much as before, but with occasional visitors. Colas Rail Locomotives 47727/49 have been seen with another under refurbishment in the works, and may be out by the time you read this. Class 60s and 67s also appear as do class 59s on stone trains. There is the regular class 66/7 on the Gypsum train and 66/6s also frequent the area. There are often 66/7s and class 73s stabled by Eastleigh Station. Keep your eyes open for Fastline class 56s, as they have a path from Doncaster to Southampton, although I don't think it has been used yet.

Three coach class 158s, from the strengthened sets 158950-9 are being used on some of the Portsmouth to Cardiff trains. Some of these trains have been routed via Chandlers Ford. Noted at Salisbury, the Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton trains are shown as terminating at Chandlers Ford, presumably to ensure that Romsey passengers get off the first time the train gets there. High Density class 450s have been seen in service at Alton. They are being converted at Bournemouth depot and usually pass through non stop as an ECS move, but at least one has been seen on a stopping train at Eastleigh, but whether in use or as a means of getting it to London is not known. At Millbrook Freightliner Terminal all the class 57s have now gone, but none of the latest batch of 66/5s has been seen there to my knowledge. Shunter 08077 is now ‘off rail', literally, as it was on the concrete at the end of July and had gone by early August. Hopefully this means it is scheduled for preservation. All four class 395 Javelins have now been delivered, were you lucky enough to see one? Fratton is now back on the freight map, but how much has moved is questionable as there are clearance problems on the Botley line for Container traffic. On the Isle of Wight, the Dinosaurs have disappeared and more conventional liveries applied. Don't forget that you can always find up to date information on the Society website, including Branch News and what is happening locally. It only remains for me to say 'Enjoy your hobby, and see you in September’.

M H (Mike) Green,
Branch Chairman.
E-Mail Mike Green

02/09/08