Bournemouth Depot Open Day 1998

[Hassocks5489]

Hi all,

A contact has sent me a scan of a SPORTIS ticket dated 16 May 1998, issued from BOURNEMOUTH to BOURNEMOUTH marked ADMISSION and priced at £3.50. The NLC shows it was a Southampton-based machine. Some web-searching suggests it was issued for an open day at Bournemouth Depot on that date.

Can anybody fill in any background info about the open day? Was it run by/in conjunction with South West Trains? Could you just "turn up at the door" and buy an admission ticket, or were there special shuttle trains from Bournemouth station etc. (like that the Brighton Line 150 event at Lovers Walk Depot, Brighton)? What sort of events were there? Any interesting anecdotes or memories?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[pdeaves]

Exhibits are listed on this page: http://www.bropendays.co.uk/bournemouth1998.html

 

[30907]

Exhibits are listed on this page: http://www.bropendays.co.uk/bournemouth1998.html

Fascinating - shows that there were shuttles from Bournemouth with 2x159.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

shuttles from Bournemouth with 2x159

Strange how a small comment can revive one's semi dead memory after all this time! The first open day there was in 1988 I think, still have the brochure somewhere, then one in 92(?) followed by this one. As I recall (vaguely) the 6-159 was diagrammed to run to a specially constructed short platform alongside 6 Road (arrival road under normal circumstances) in the depot. Just dug out my old union diary for that year, and it reminds me I was on duty - voluntary basis - at the depot that day (Sat). Don't remember too much else about it tbh !

PS; looks like it was a two day event (so I've written in the diary), Sat 16 and Sun 17 May.

 

[pdeaves]

My abiding memory of the event was taking pictures of 50050 in nice large logo blue (so the numbers were easily visible) ready to give to my father for his <ahem> 50th birthday later that year!

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Took a few pics at the '92 open day (also on duty) when we had the 2 BIL on 7 road in the cleaning shed as I recall, and also WC '27, Taw Valley, both items of specific interest for me. Digressing slightly, but mention of Taw Valley reminds me of a test run from Eastleigh to Exeter Central and back in 92, with Taw Valley and Standard 4, 75069. The standard led as far as Yeovil where she was detached and turned and marshalled inside, so Taw Valley led down from Yeovil. The return thus having the standard leading with Taw Valley tucked inside, tender first.
Late running service trains on the Down allowed us a stop at Chard Junction on the Up (the platform being completely intact back then - no idea what it's like now?), but once on the move, the run up to Salisbury I will never forget. The crew on the standard did us proud that evening....one of a very few occasions I can say the hairs on the back of my neck...you get the drift...

 

[Bertie the bus]

Hertfordshire Rail Tours also ran a special from Victoria - Poole for the 1998 open day hauled by 73129 + 73131.

 

[Hassocks5489]

Many thanks all. I suspect the ticket was issued for use on the shuttle trains from Bournemouth plus admission - the same arrangement as at Lovers Walk in 1991.