Eastleigh, worth a trip?

[Temple Meads]

I'm considering a trip Eastleigh this Tuesday, and need some advice, namely if it's a good place to 'spot', is there there a reasonable amount of freight?
Is Tuesday between 14:30 and 18:30 a good day/time for train watching there?
Could I see a Class 70 or two?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Tim.

 

[Lrd]

There are always loco's in the sidings at Eastleigh, near the station. If you look south towards Southampton, you will see a bridge, if you go over there you should be able to see in to Eastleigh works, there are plenty of trains in there, ranging from SWT Desiro's, LUL stock, old carriages and a few loco's.

I think you will see the once a day Southern 377 change ends at Eastleigh at about 1435 iirc. You will see plenty of Desiro's and Voyager's blast through the station at speeds from both directions. There are additional services early evening that stop at Eastleigh, this is usually a 159 but I have seen them attach a 158 at Eastleigh a few times.

Winchester is a good place to see the freight pass through at high speed, blowing dust and dirt into everyone's faces.

There was a thread before with the timings of the Class 70 workings, not sure how out of date this is though.

Have fun!

 

[Freightmaster]

Is Tuesday between 14:30 and 18:30 a good day/time for train watching there?
Could I see a Class 70 or two?

Yes and yes!

To help you decide, here is an excerpt adapted from the Eastleigh Freightmaster timetable:


Eastleigh from 14:00 to 19:00 on Tuesdays

Time   code         Train                                   Traction  Type of train
14c15  4O49     09:23 Crewe Basford Hall-Southampton      F.Liner 66  Freightliner
14:50  6V41     14:47 Eastleigh yard-Westbury yard            EWS 66  Departmental
14c55  6O49 (Q) 10:51 Neasden-Wool                        F.Liner 66  empty FHH bogie hoppers
15c15  4O27     05:40 Garston-Southampton Maritime        F.Liner 66  Freightliner
15c20  4M68     14:50 Southampton-Birch Coppice           F.Liner 70  Freightliner
15c35  4M52 (Q) 15:10 Eastern Docks-Castle Bromwich           EWS 66  empty car carriers
16:20  4O23     11:13 Hams Hall-Western Docks                 EWS 66  Intermodal
17:20  4M99     16:57 Southampton Maritime-Trafford Park  F.Liner 70  Freightliner
17c35  4E70     16:10 Western Docks-Wakefield                 EWS 66  Intermodal
18c20  4M98     18:00 Southampton Maritime-Garston        F.Liner 66  Freightliner
18c30  4O09     10:18 Trafford Park-Southampton           F.Liner 66  Freightliner
18:40  1Z95     16:35 Weymouth-London Waterloo                 steam  'The Dorset Coast Express'

MARK

 

[wintonian]

I never realised that we had that much fright come down here, I knew it was quite a bit with S'ton docks and things coming from the Midlands and of course personal experience but it only seemed like a couple of movements an hour.

Anyway you regularly see spotters at Eastleigh and they can't all be wrong, if you just tell them what you are up to and they should be fine.

Oh and if you want a break then the pub opposite station (Weatherspoons) is quite good (compared to Eastleigh standards) and reasonably new.

and if you pop down the Portsmouth line there is a couple of Virgin liveried MK3's in the sideling of the works, and is the 3cig still there (I forget which one)?

 

[Temple Meads]

Cheers guys, much appreciated, I'll definetly try to make the trip.

 

[noddy1878]

It's definitely worth a look. I've not been there for a while because I don't need much down that way anymore (a few 66s maybe but nothing else). But as already stated plenty of freight and I've got some good photos from there.