The Branch Line Society

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How easy is it to run a train to Portsmouth? Type 3 to the Sea - Part 3 - 10th August 2019

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Mileage table<br>[&copy; Jim Sellens 2019]

Historical map 1<br>[&copy; Dave Cromarty 2019]

Historical map 2<br>[&copy; Dave Cromarty 2019]

37707 & 37518 at Crewe P5 double head our tour with RLNI Stormy Stan and RNLI Fundraiser Mark Thomas - he's the one on the right!<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Shugborough Tunnel (777yd) between Stafford and Rugeley on the Trent Valley Line, heading south, seen from the rear cab of 37669.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Shugborough Tunnel London end portal. It isn't a tunnel at all but was built to keep the local NIMBYs happy - in this case the 1st Earl of Lichfield - the other portal faces the estate and is Grade II listed. When the trains started he chopped down some trees to get a better view of them!<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

The slowly disappearing Rugeley Power Station (RIP) and thoughts of our 7 Oct 2016 'Cliffe Hopper' railtour that reached the end of line.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

'They are gaining on us..!' A Virgin (at the time) Pendolino heading to London is about to overtake the tour near Canal Farm Jn, Nuneaton.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

After passing through Rugby P2, on the bidirectional flyover heading south from Rugby South Jn to Hilmorton Jn and the Northampton Line.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Northampton - our tour is on the Up & Down Slow looking north. The 02.57 Felixstowe North to Garston powers up (!) at 07:51¼.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Roade cutting - the direct Weedon line to Rugby is alongside high up top left. 1960s electrification grandfather rights clearances here!<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Heading south on the Up Slow at Berkhamsted.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Wembley Central station is middle background to the right; the tour is arriving on the yard North Departure Line at Wembley Central Jn.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Passing Wembley Yard Loco Sidings to the left; far left is the WCML. 'Type 3 to the Sea' is now on the South Departure Line.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Two Pullman Class 67s, only slightly further south than the previous picture - the man in orange is the same person, the two crossovers ahead are closer together than TRACKmaps 4 p2A Dec 2018 would suggest (yes, we know Martyn, it's only diagrammatic!).<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

The Martians have landed! The remaining container crane at Willesden looks like something out of HG Wells' War of the Worlds. On the single bidirectional Up/Down Acton Branch from Willesden Jn (No7) heading towards Acton Canal Wharf Jn, talking of which...<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Acton Canal Wharf Jn and Signal Box showing the link from Wembley Yard rising to join the Cricklewood lines. Is that a sit on lawn mower?<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Approaching Acton Central, on the Down (West) North London Line ; the 09.40 Richmond to Willesden Junction service passes at 09:53¾.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

South Acton station and Junction on the Down Kew line heading for Old Kew Jn (do they keep them waiting at the signal a long time there?)<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Kew East Jn; to the right the Up and the Down Kew Spur go round to New Kew Jn. The lower bridge carries the A4 and the higher one the M4.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

On the Down Kew Branch heading for the single lead in Old Kew Jn.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Taking the line through Virginia Water P4 to Chertsey and Byfleet Jn.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

On the Down fast through Winchfield cutting, looking towards Waterloo.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

Journey's end... 37669 at the London end of Portsmouth Harbour P5; note the narrow platform width here.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

After 260m 17ch 37707 & 37518 are at Portsmouth Harbour concourse end of the platforms which are now considerably wider.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

The RNLI on train sales stand which contributed to the funds raised by the railtour.<br>[&copy; Geoff Plumb 2019]

37706 running round at Arlington Works Eastleigh.<br>[&copy; Taken by authorised staff from a place of safety 2019]

Our, as always, very friendly West Coast Railway train crew at Arlington Works Eastleigh.<br>[© Taken by authorised staff 2019]

Two Arlington shunters; right is TOPS Class 01/5 0-6-0DH, No. 01508, Ruston & Hornsby No466617 of 1961; left is former DB 'Kleinlok' (Köf No6231) No323 539-7 'Cheviot' - currently non-operational.<br>[© Geoff Plumb 2019]

Window decal<br>[© Amy Nash 2019]

Route<br>[&copy; Paul Stewart with help from Martyn Brailsford 2019]

In Sep Kev Adlam represented the Society for the cheque (£10,346) presentation at Pwllheli lifeboat station. Thanks to our member Mark Thomas who is second from the left.<br>[&copy; Mark Thomas 2019]

Kev with a matching sweatshirt is in his element here, sat between two 'cats' in the boat (Caterpillar engines).<br>[&copy; Mark Thomas 2019]