23.05.09...THE BASINGSTOKE TO READING LINE HAS NEVER BEEN SPOILED WITH MANY DECENT LOCATIONS,AND SOME LONG OVERGROWN OR IN THE CASE OF MOD BRAMLEY,A BLOODY HOUSING ESTATE BUILT ON IT.HOWEVER A RETURN TO SILCHESTER AFTER MANY YEARS WAS SURPRISINGLY MET WITH A MOSTLY UNCHANGED SCENE,REGARDING VEGITATION GROWTH,SO A EVENING SHOT OF 37069+37602,PASSING ON 1Z45..THE RETURN SPITFIRE CHARTER DEPARTING WEYMOUTH AT 16.36 TO CREWE,TURNED OUT BETTER THAN EXPECTED,SO THERE WAS A GOOD END TO THE DAY.

23.05.09..DUE TO THE CURVATURE OF THE GWML AT SOUTH STOKE A SHOT FROM THE OTHER SIDE,SO TO SPEAK IS POSSIBLE IN THE MORNING,FAVOURING THE MAIN.AS THE SPITFIRE TOURS CHARTER WAS BOOKED MAINLINE,A VISIT WAS MADE,BUT SODS LAW INTERVENED AND 37602+37069 ARRIVED ON THE RELEIF,WITH 1Z44,THE 06.49 CREWE TO EASTLEIGH/WEYMOUTH.

21.05.09..WAITING AT ANDOVER FOR THE WOKING TO WESTBURY EMPTIES AND PLENTY OF TIME TO GET BACK TO WORTING JNCT.FOR THE CARNFORTH TO EASTLEIGH ECS SOON WENT TITS UP,FIRST A SHED WAITING TO GO UP THE LUDGERSHALL BRANCH HOLDING THINGS UP,AND THEN 5Z37 RUNNING EARLY,SO A DECISION HAD TO BE MADE ,WITH 5MINS TO SPARE 37516 PASSES WORTING JNCT.WITH THE QUEEN OF SCOTS STOCK.

02.05.09..PONTHIR..37670 St.Blazey Depot+37401..1Z52..18.04 CARDIFF CENTRAL TO MOSSLEY HILL,THE RETURN HEART OF WALES SCENIC RAILTOUR,SOUNDING VERY TASTY AS THEY PASSED.

02.05.09..PENGAM..37401 BRINGS UP THE REAR OF THE ECS TO CARDIFF CENTRAL.

02.05.09..HAVING JUST LEFT THE PENGAM SIDINGS BEHIND THE BRIDGE IN THE DISTANCE,37670 St.Blazey Depot,HEADS THE ECS TO CARDIFF CENTRAL,FORMING 1Z52,THE 18.04 TO MOSSLEY HILL,THE RETURN HEART OF WALES SCENIC RAILTOUR,WITH 37401 DOR.

02.05.09..HAVING LEFT GATCOMBE IN FULL CLOUD AND TRAVELLING WEST IT WAS APPARENT THE COASTAL SECTION LOOKED MORE PROMISING FOR ANY HOPE OF A SUNNY SHOT OF THE TRACTORS ON THE HEART OF WALES SCENIC RAILTOUR,SO ENDED UP HERE AT BRIDGEND WEST,WHERE A GOOD ANGLE ALLOWED HAZY SUN TO ILLUMINATE A WEATHER BEATEN 37670 St.Blazey Depot+37401 AS THEY PASSED WITH 1Z51,THE 07.13 MOSSLEY HILL TO CARDIFF CENTRAL.

22.04.09..DRS 37423 PROVIDES THE POWER AS 975025 Caroline,LEADS ON 2Z44,THE 10.58 DERBY TO SOUTHAMPTON,VIA ANDOVER.

26.01.09..READING..37423+975025 Caroline ON 5Z27 DERBY RTC TO SOUTHALL

15.11.08..TRACTORS 37401+37417 ARRIVE AT READING WITH THE 1Z74..13.01 ROUND OAK TO READING ,AFTER A SHORT WHILE THEY TOOK THE ECS TO OLD OAK MAKING NOISE THAT ONLY A PAIR OF TRACTORS CAN MAKE...NICE

30.07.08..WITH AN EVER INCREASING HAZY SKY,I WAS FORTUNATE THAT 37612/37259 PASSED POTBRIDGE IN A BLUE PATCH OF SKY,ON 1Q14..04.07 EASTLEIGH TO HITHER GREEN SURCO

07.07.08..PONDERING WHERE TO GO FOR 37417 ON 6M58,IN A VERY LIMITED SUNNY SKY I ENDED UP AT KINGS SUTTON,WHERE 37417 PASSED IN A BRIGHTISH PATCH ON THE SOUTHAMPTON WEST DOCKS TO BESCOT CARS,ONLY TO LEARN LATER THAT IT HAD PASSED MY ORIGINAL LOCATION AT S.MORETON IN SUN

08.06.08..LONG MARSTON OPEN DAY..TRANSRAIL LIVERIED 37689

08.05.08 CHINLEY.37417+37401 ON 6F67 DOWLOW TO WARRINGTON ARPLEY ENTERPRISE

08.05.08 AFTER A RUN ROUND AT BUXTON 37417+37401 ARRIVE AT PEAK FOREST TO REVERSE INTO SIDINGS TO ADD A SOLITARY MEA TO THE CONSIST OF 6F67 DOWLOW TO WARRINGTON ARPLEY ENTERPRISE

08.05.08 HARPUR HILL 37401+37417 ON 6F67 DOWLOW TO WARRINGTON ARPLEY ENTERPRISE

25.08.07 WESTBURY 37422+37417..1Z37..08.10 EASTLEIGH TO LLANDRINDOD WELLS HEART OF WALES EXPLORER

24.07.07 AFTER GETTING SHAFTED AT BERKLEY A MOVE TO WARMINSTER ALLOWED ANOTHER STAB AT THE 1Q14 ..05.12 WESTBURY TO EASTLEIGH VIA WEYMOUTH SURCO HAULED BY 37218 AND 37259 ON THE REAR

04.11.06..GATCOMBE..37410 LEADING 37406 ON 2Z53..10.58 GLOUCESTER TO CARDIFF RUGGEX

04.11.06 PULLING AWAY FROM THE CHEPSTOW STOP,ARE 37410 LEADING AND 37406 TAILING ON THE 2Z37.08.15 GLOUCESTER TO CARDIFF RUGGEX

09.06.06..GRENDON..37612+37608..4L46 DITTON TO PURFLEET INTER MODEL

07.06.06 COW ROAST,YES THERE IS SUCH A PLACE,IS THE LOCATION AS DRS PAIR,37612+37608 PASS ON 4L96 DITTON TO PURFLEET INTERMODEL.IN BETWEEN JOBS AT THE TIME I UTALISED THE GOOD WEATHER WE WERE GETTING AND OFF ALL THE SHOTS I MANAGED TO GET OF THIS WORKING,THIS HAD THE NOST LOAD,NO WONDER IT DID NOT LAST.

05.05.06 WITH THE END OF REGULAR LOCO HAULEDS ON THE VALLEYS,IT WAS NOT LONG BEFORE A EVENING COMMUTOR SERVICE WAS AGAIN LOCO HAULED.HAVING HAD A GOOD DAY ELSEWWERE A DECISION WAS MADE TO HAVE A CRACK AT 37411 Caerphilly Castle,WHICH WAS A GOOD BET.DRIVING UP IN THE NORMAL VALLEY HELD CLOUD I HAD WONDERED IF IT WAS A WISE MOVE,HOWEVER THE SUN APPEARED AT THE CORRECT TIME AS THE TRACTOR PASSED THE ALMOST EMPTY FIELD AT PONTLOTTYN WORKING THE 17.01 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY,ANOTHER SHOT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ENCOUNTERED SOME TIME EARLIER DUE TO LANDOWNERS REACTION.NOT LONG AFTER THE LOCO WAS WITHDRAWN.

05.05.06.AFTER GETTING 37425 ON THE BRISTOL STEEL THE PREVIOUS DAY,A TRIP TO THE NEWPORT AREA WAS MADE IN THE HOPE THAT IT WOULD WORK SOMETHING,HOWEVER THE TRACTOR WAS FOUND TO BE STABLED ON GODFREY RD. WHERE IT IN FACT STAYED ALL DAY,BUT WITH GODFREY RD. CLOSING SHORTLY AFTER THIS SHOT,THE PICTURE SEEMS MORE VALUED THAN IT DID EARLIER..

04.05.06 CELEBRITY REPAINTED 37425 Pride Of The Valleys MANAGED TO GET ON 6C01,THE ADJ TO BRISTOL EAST DEPOT,COVEYING STEEL

22.10.05 WITH THE FIELD AT YSTRAD MYNAC A NO GO AREA,A SHOT FURTHUR BACK WAS REQUIRED,AS 37411 APPEARS ON THE 14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

15.10.05 THIS SHOT TAKEN WITH THE FAMILY DIGITAL,(DUE TO MY OLD BUT TRUSTY NIKON IN FOR REPAIR),PROMPTED ME TO REALISE MY YEARS ON SLIDE FILM WOULD HAVE TO END,HOWEVER I CLUNG ON TO THE OLD TECHNOLOGY FOR SOME TIME LATER,HOWEVER 37419 IS SEEN PASSING YSTAD MYNAC ON THE 12.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

20.08.05..PASSING TROEDRHIWFUWCK IS 37405 WORKING THE 14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

20.08.O5 CELEBRITY REPAINTED 37411 APPROACHES THE TIR-PHIL STOP,WITH THE 10.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF SERVICE

16.07.05..PONTLOTTYN..37425...14.59 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY

16.07.05..YSTRAD MYNAC..37425..13.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

16.07.05...TIR-PHIL..37408 Loch Rannoch,09.13 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

09.07.05..CELEBRITY REPAINTED 37425 SLOWS FOR THE TIR-PHIL STOP WITH THE 09.13 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF SERVICE.

18.06.05..CAERPHILLY STATION..37425..12.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF CENTRAL.

18.06.05..CAERPHILLY STATION..37411..11.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

27.05.05..PONTLOTTYN..37405..17.48 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY.

27.05.05..PONTLOTTYN..37411..17.14 CARDIFF CENTRAL TO RHYMNEY.

30.04.05..YSTRAD MYNAC...37405..15.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

30.04.05..TROEDRHIWFUWCK..14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

30.04.05..LARGE LOGO REPAINT 37425 AWAITS THE DEPARTURE FROM THE BOOKED STOP AT CAERPHILLY WITH THE 11.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.IT WOULD NOT BE LONG BEFORE EVERYMAN AND HIS DOG WOULD TRAVEL TO THE VALLEYS EACH SATURDAY TO PHOTOGRAPH WHAT WOULD BE THE LAST BUSY 37 HAULED LINE,AND THIS SHOT WITH NO ONE ABOUT WOULD PROVE TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO ACHEIVE

02.04.05..AFTER BEING REPAINTED IN GREEN, THE MASSES INVADED THE VALLEYS ON SATURDAYS,HOWEVER JUST PREVIOUS TO THIS IT WAS RELATIVELY QUIET AS 37411 The Scottish Railway Presevation Society,PASSED YSTRAD MYNAC ON THE 15.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF SERVICE.SHORTLY AFTER THE TRACTOR UNDERWENT A CHANGE OF LIVERY.

26.03.05..LLANBRADACH STATION..37425..08.01 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

19.03.05..TROEDRHIWFUECK..37425...14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

18.03.05..BATTLEDOWN..37427..4V25 WASHWOOD HEATH TO EASTLEIGH CONCRETE SLEEPERS.

29.01.04.LIKE PRE MOBILE PHONE DAYS,WHERE YOU NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT MIGHT TURN UP.UNTIL THE LOCALS TURNED UP EN MASSE,I HAD NO IDEA THAT 37706+895 WERE ON THE TOTON TO BESCOT TURN,AND ANOTHER BONUS BEING THE SNOW AS THEY PASSED CLAY MILLS.

28.01.04 SUPPOSEDLY ON THE MELDON WORKINGS,37308+37047 PASSED SHALDON BRIDGE ON A ST.BLAZEY TO EXETER RIVERSIDE CHINA CLAY WORKING.UPON ARRIVAL THEY WENT TO MELDON AND RETURN WITH LOADED BALLAST.I AM GLAD I PUT THE EFFORT IN AS ALTHOUGH THEY WERE EXPECTED TO STAY ON THIS MELDON TURN FOR A WHILE, IT INFACT TURNED OUT TO BE THE OPPOSITE.

23.09.03..KINGSBURY 37114 City Of Worcester COMES OFF THE BIRCH COPPICE BRANCH WITH 6G42 TO BESCOT

16.08.03 HAVING ARRIVED EARLY FOR THE DIVERSIONS AT WHITEACRE JNCT,I COULNT BELEIVE MY LUCK WHEN LOADHAUL 37517+37706 APPEARED ON A BESCOT TO DAW MILL EMPTY MGR,WHICH LATER RETURNED ON A MGR TO RUGELY P.S.,BY WHICH TIME EVERYONE IN THE AREA WAS IN HEADLESS CHICKEN MODE TO GET A SHOT

21.06.03 AT A MORE PEACEFULL TIME IN THE VALLEYS,STANDING IN THE FIELD AT YSTRAD MYNAC WAS NOT A PROBLEM,AS 47402 Bont Y Burmo PASSES ON THE 14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF ,HOWEVER THIS WOULD CHANGE SOME YEARS LATER, WITH THE LAST YEAR OF LOCO HAULED ON THIS LINE,THE LOCATIONS WOULD BE CROWDED WITH EVERYMAN AND HIS DOG.

20.06.03..DUNSOMER HILL.37308 ON THE EASTLEIGH TO HINKSEY, COVEYING BALLAST

16.06.03..THE MORNINGS 6B45 FROM EASTLEIGH NEARS ITS DESTINATION AT MOD MARCHWOOD,AS 37425 Cardiff Canton PASSES THROUGH MARCHWOOD STATION,WITH LOADS IN AND OUT INCONSISTENT IT DID HAVE AT LEAST A FEW WAGONS IN THIS VEIW.

14.06.03 PASSING PONTLOTTYN IS 37402 Bont Y Burmo WORKING THE 15.50 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY

13.06.03 AFTER A RUN ROUND IN WESTBURY YARD,MAINLINE BLUE 37372 NOW LEADS 37425 Cardiff Canton AS THEY PASS FROME ON THE FAWLEY TO PLYMOUTH TANKS

13.06.03..NR.WARMINSTER.37425 Cardiff Canton+37372 PASS ON THE FAWLEY TO PLYMOUTH TANKS

15.05.03 NOT LONG BEFORE IT RECEIVED A COAT OFF EWS RED,A TATTY LOOKING 37410 Alluminium 100 PASSED BATTLEDOWN WHILST WORKING THE HINKSEY TO EASTLEIGH,CONVEYING CONCRETE SLEEPERS

19.04.03..HAVING SEEN 37503 GOING SOUTH LIGHT AT BATTLEDOWN EARLIER IN THE DAY,I TOOK A FLYER,WHICH PAID OFF AS THE TRACTOR RETURNED ON A BANK HOLIDAY EASTLEIGH TO DIDCOT YARD SERVICE AT LOWER BASILDON

18.04.03..MAINLINE BLUE 37372 PASSING BATTLEDOWN ON A BANK HOLIDAY HOO JNCT. TO EASTLEIGH

22.03.03..HILLFIELD TUNNEL.37038+37196..1Z66..08.05 CREWE TO CARDIFF RUGGEX.

19.10.02.BALDOCK..37685 TOP+37676 TAILING ON THE TEMPLE MILLS TO ROYSTON WATER CANNON

04.05.02.PONTHIR 37197 ON THE 17.15 CARDIFF TO CREWE

04.05.02 YSTRAD MYNAC..37408 Loch Rannoch.15.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

23.04.02.BATTLEDOWN..37109 HOO JNCT. TO EASTLEIGH

06.04.02.YSTRAD MYNACH..37402 Bont Y Burmo.16.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

06.04.02..TIR-PHIL..37402 Bont Y Burmo. 15.50 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY

06.04.02 STILL WITH ITS HIGHLAND STAG DECAL,37419 PASSES WOOFERTON ON 1Z42,THE 10.00 CREWE TO CARDIFF RUGGEX

06.04.02..WOOFERTON. 37418 East Lancashire Railway.. 1Z37,THE 10.14 CREWE TO CARDIFF RUGGEX

06.04.02 AFTER GETTING 37415 PASSING MORETON ON LUGG WITH 1V77 ,THE FIRST DOWN MANCHESTER TO CARDIFF,I PROMISED MYSELF TO RETURN FOR AN EARLIER LOCO-HAULED ,SO AS TO ACHEIVE A BETTER SUN ANGLE,HOWEVER RUGGEXs AFTER THIS DAY TENDED TO BE LATER,CONSEQUENTLEY I NEVER RETURNED

27.03.02..MAKING PLENTY OF NOISE WHILST CLIMBING UPTON SCUDAMORE BANK,ARE 37372+37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary ON A WESTBURY TO EASTLEIGH,MELDON QUARRY BALLAST WORKING

15.02.02..SOMERTON..37109+37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary.MELDON TO WESTBURY

06.02.02..SILVERTON.37669+37109 MELDON QUARRY TO WESTBURY BALLAST

14.09.01..HIRED IN 37038 PASSING MOUNT PLEASANT WITH THE 09.38 CREWE TO SOUTHAMPTON LINER

15.08.01..HIRED EPS 37605 PASSING ST.DENYS WITH THE CREWE TO SOUTHAMPTON LINER

15.08.01 ANOTHER HIRED IN LOCO,37605 PASSING CHINEHAM,ON THE BASINGSTOKE OUTSKIRT,WITH THE CREWE TO MILLBROOK LINER

23.07.01 HIRED EPS 37602 PASSING MOUNT PLEASANT WITH THE CREWE TO SOUTHAMPTON

16.07.01 PYLE.37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary .HULL TO BAGLAN BAY VINEGAR TANKS

16.07.01 HAVING HIRED IN 37038 FOR FREIGHTLINER DUTIES ,A GOOD BET TO PHOTOGRAPH IT WOULD BE THE MORNING DEPARTURE FROM MILLBROOK AS SHOWN HERE AT BASINGSTOKE WITH THE TRACTOR TAKING THE READING LINE HEADING FOR LAWLEY ST.

26.06.01..DIDCOT N.JNCT.37682 Hartlepool Pipe Mill .BICESTER TO DIDCOT MOD

07.06.01..CULHAM.37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary.WOLVERHAMPTON TO HOO JNCT.STEEEL

23.05.01 HIRED IN EPS 37601 PASSING MICHELDEVER WITH THE LAWLEY ST. TO SOUTHAMPTON LINER.

12.05.01 BRINGING LIVERPOOL SUPPORTERS TO THE MILLENIUM STADIUM FOR THE F.A. CUP FINAL AGAINST THE GUNNERS IS 37029+37038 ON THE 09.19 LIVERPOOL LIME ST. TO CARDIFF,TAKEN FROM THE THEN NEW CAR PARK AT NEWPORT

04.05.01...NEWPORT..37428..A.D.JNCT..TO EAST USK ENGINEERS.

04.05.01..NEWPORT..37895 A.D.JNCT. TO EAST USK BALLAST.

20.04.01..NEWPORT A.D.JNCT..37698 HULL TO BAGLAN BAY VINEGAR TANKS.

11.04.01..NEWPORT..37707 A.D.JNCT. TO ACTON RAIL CARRIER

19.03.01..COOMBE PERRY WOOD..37428..HULL TO BAGLAN BAY VINEGAR TANKS.

25.09.00..SPONDON..37797..CHADDESDON TO TOTON EMPTIES.

30.08.00..DIDCOT NORTH JNCT..37055 HINKSEY TO DIDCOT BALLAST.

28.08.00..TOLACRE..37521 English China Clay,13.23 HOLYHEAD TO MANCHESTER.

28.08.00..LLANDUDNO JNCT..37413..12.19 CREWE TO HOLYHEAD.

28.08.00..PENMAENMAWR..37413..09.50 HOLYHEAD TO CREWE.

17.08.00 WALTHAM ST.LAWRENCE..37375 DIDCOT YARD TO WEST RUISLIP REFURBISHED TUBE STOCK.

01.08.00..PONTLOTTYN..37421..17.10 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY.

21.07.00..TOLACRE..37429 Eisteddfod Genedlathol,13.25 HOLYHEAD TO MANCHESTER.

21.07.00..PENMAENMAWR..37426..12.19 CREWE TO HOLYHEAD.

07.07.00..PENMAENMAWR..37412 Driver John Elliot,10.07 BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL TO HOLYHEAD.

07.07.00 PRESTATYN..37425 Sir Robert Mc Alpine,09.50 HOLYHEAD TO CREWE.

28.06.00..HELSBY JNCT..37428 Great Scottish And Western Railway Co.The Royal Scotsman,17.28 MANNCHESTER PICC. TO LLANDUDNO TOWN.

17.06.00 BANGOR STATION..37426..12.25 TO CREWE

05.06.00 TIR-PHIL..37401 Mary Queen Of Scots,07.41 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

06.05.00 HOLYHEAD STATION..37401 Mary Queen Of Scots,EX.10.07 FROM BIRMINGHAM

06.05.00 PENMAENMAWR..37415..10.22 BANGOR TO CREWE.

06.05.00..SANDYCROFT..37401 Mary Queen Of Scots,06.34 HOLYHEAD TO BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL.

04.03.00..MID-HANTS DIESEL GALA,ALRESFORD..37906 Star Of The South,10.53 ALTON TO ALRESFORD.

04.03.00..MID-HANTS DIESEL GALA,CHAWTON PARK WOODS..37906 Star Of The South,09.30 ALRESFORD TO ALTON.

19.02.00 CAERPHILLY STATION..37420 The Scottish Hosteller,11.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

19.02.00..GILFACH..37403 Ben Cruachen,09.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF

16.02.OO..COOME PERRY WOOD..37042+37051 Merehead,CLIFFE VALE TO ST.BLAZEY CHINA CLAY EMPTIES.

27.01.00..WEST DRAYTON..37042 DIDCOT TO SHOEBURYNESS MOD.

29.12.99..SHRIVENHAM..37896..DIDCOT TO SWINDON CONDEMMED GRAMPUS WAGONS.

14.12.99..HINKSEY..37414 Cathays Carriage And Wagon Works 1846-1993,CALVERT TO BATH BINS.

17.11.9..DIDCOT..37057 Viking,DIDCOT YARD TO WEST RUISLIP REFURBISHED TUBE STOCK.

06.11.99..COEDKERNEW..37408 Loch Rannoch,08.02 CREWE TO CARDIFF RUGGEX.

28.08.99..PONTLOTTYN..37702...14.50 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY.

28.08.99..BARGOED STATION..37414 Cathays Carriage And Wagon Works 1846-1993..14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

21.08.99..PONTHIR..37427..17.45 CARDIFF TO MANCHESTER.

21.08.99..PONTLOTTYN..37424 CARDIFF TO RHYMNEY.

21.08.99..PONTLOTTYN..37407 Blackpool Tower,15.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.

21.08.99..BARGOED STATION..37361..14.15 RHYMNEY TO CARDIFF.