A Southern Saturday: May 16th 2009.

Saturday 16th May had the prospect of a good number of ex Southern Region locos working quite close to each other. A chance too good to miss, despite mainly dull weather forecast. next

It is very hard to get decent photos of locos working chimney first out of Alton. But a brief spell of brighter weather and some nice exhaust from 34007 did help a lot as "Wadebridge" left Alton on the 10.50 to Alresford. next

34007 gets stuck into the steep 1/50 grade up to Medstead and Four Marks.

next 34007 drifting down towards Alresford in what was to be some very rare sunshine on May 16th! next

A short drive back to Alton was rewarded by seeing 30850, "Lord Nelson" head up the steep grade towards Medstead and Four Marks. next

Back near Alresford as 30850 drifts downhill. next My plan was to leave the Mid Hants Railway around 13.00 hrs so as to be in postion to photo Clan LIne. That plan gave me just enough time to see 34007 heading the 12.50 departure from Alton. next A gentle drive up past Guildford, through Dorking and to near Betchworth left me with time to walk up from the valley to he top of the North Downs and back, before 35028 headed past on the British Pullman Surrey Hills lunch train. next Clan line takes the grade with ease despite the heavy 13 coach train. next Another gentle drive got me to the Bluebell Railway near Hortsed Keynes. In time to see a late running 16.00 from Sheffield Park. hauled by Standard tank 80151, substituting for 01 31065 which had failed earlier in the day. next A short wait and then, winding up my "Southern Saturday" the fifth type of loco that had once worked regularly on the old Southern Region came into view. Battle of Britain class 34059, "Sir Archibald Sinclair" on the 16.47 from Sheffield Park. top  Earlier 2009 Photos   Index