19/10/86. This time taken from South Queensferry. A 47/7 with push-pull stock heads north.
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As a 'basher' you always had your favourites, right? I definitely had a soft spot for Cromptons and a real strong hold for them in the mid eighties was on the Wessex line, nominally the Bristol - Portsmouth's. As such, Southampton proved a good base and almost became a second home for extended trips away from the Midlands.
10/08/85. Diagramed for 33/0's with a typical load of 5, Cromptons pounded up and down the line largely on an hourly schedule. 33046 makes the stop at Fareham on the 12.05 Cardiff - Portsmouth Harbour.
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A classic scene from my youth.22/12/86. 33003 pulls in to Sailsbury with the 14.15 Portsmouth - Bristol. 33004 is stabled in the bay platform.
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Oh yes, that captures it perfectly! Cracking, characterful loco's perfectly suited to this type of cross country service.I absolutely loved doing the 33s on the Portsmouth - Cardiffs. Being in the front vestibule of a mk1 with the shonky lightbulbs glowing away as you hit the dip in the middle of the Severn Tunnel and the driver opened the loco up to full power. Just brilliant!

Superb composition - and a location I wish I'd had the chance to "do" when the Gosport branch was still open.04/11/85. Absolutely stunning light at Fareham makes this one something of a favourite as 33027 rounds the curve with the 10.10 Portsmouth - Swansea.
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I am really enjoying this black and white portrayal on this thread. It really allows comparison with the steam era. And there is so much atmosphere compared to colour some how.Trying to shape whatever I have left into digestible chunks, I have this little siding we can pause in en route. On the summer Saturday , 5th July '86, I took these 4 photographs all with 26034 in the frame in the late afternoon at Glasgow Queen St.
Firstly, after arrival from Carstairs on the 07.15 Paignton - Inverness. My notes say that some of these summer services were routed via Queen St. Very much now in Railfreight livery, this was probably a chuck out from Eastfield to cover for a shortage of ETH 47's.
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More great photos....but that one was taken at Mallaig!07/07/86. 37422 has a drink at Fort William before taking charge of the 10.05 to Mallaig.
That looks like Ardlui (@Cheshire Scot will know for sure)....in which case the loco has probably failed and is awaiting a tow back to Eastfield!05/07/86. Shot from the same Fort William bound train, 37404 is captured lurking in the shadows
Oh dear, that isn’t the first picture of that train, nor the first time I have been called out on it!More great photos....but that one was taken at Mallaig!![]()