I can only imagine how many lorry loads that one train saves ! If only we had kept more of the network intact . Thanks for sharing I pass the quarry every day on my work route . 👍
@johnniec9097 Thanks John appreciated and yes, I totally agree, so short-sighted really removing the rail network. I live at Shaftesbury so not yo many miles away for me, a great area to capture slow movements. All the best, Darren
The Hanson Livery 59 is one of my earliest railfan memories, not seeing it in person but on a "Railway Diaries" DVD when I was little. Always thought it looked so smart with the matching hopper wagons. One of my all-time favourite liveries on one of my favourite locos.
Hi Robin, many thanks glad you enjoyed the video. No way really what's that for capturing the layer trains? PS just subscribed to your channel looks good 👍
Wish these locos had become more commonplace on the mainline. Many similarities with their replacement the 66s, but easy to forget these monsters were actually more powerful than their successors.
@@DarrenJohnsonRail Please do I'd love to see them in action. I remember I saw one in a siding whilst my train into St. Pancras was stuck at a signal. I was in awe that'd managed to actually see one in person, albeit through a grubby Meridian's window. I feel like it was DB livery but i could be wrong, this was maybe 2 years ago now?
I believe it was a tradition of GM to fit a bell to all their first build Railroad Locomotives! The bell was ornamental, and the fact that it's still fitted after all these years shows respect for this amazing design from GM!
Hi Mike, thanks for the information appreciated. Yes, I'm reading up about the bell fitted to the front and do believe that indeed it is fitted to all their first build locomotives. What a nice touch! All the best Darren
@DarrenJohnsonRail I understand that if you go to the manufacturer of GM Locomotives division in London (Ontario Canada) you will find a Photo on the wall there taken in 1984/5 of the completed 59 001 in Foster Yeoman livery with all the factory employees who built it gathered around! There is a very proud tradition with loco building with General Motors!
Hi Mike, I just looked up GM Locomotive Division makes some very good reading and they certainly did take pride in the loco building. Again thanks for sharing this information.
Good to see they’ve named 59 201 after Westbury PSB (Westbury Panel Signal Box, using the old Western Region nomenclature). I spent a bit of time on on-site work around there when that PSB was brand new 40 years ago. Around then, the 59s were brand new, bought by Foster Yeoman.
Hi John, thanks for the information appreciated. I wondered what the PSB stood for makes sense now! I also remember the 59's new I did like the Yoeman livery suited them well. All the best Darren
About 30 years ago, I wrote a control system for the asphalt drum mix plant at Whatley, then the biggest in the UK. Pressing the Start button was exciting!
My mother and i stayed in a cottage just over from the bridge charlton marshall halt christmas 2023 and we walked from charlton marshall to spetisbury on christmas day lovely walk lots of bridges everyone we met were friendly i had to walk back to get the car to pick her up as my mother is in her 70s and cudnt face the walk back it was about 2 miles 🙂
Hi Darren, that's great glad you enjoyed your stay in Dorset. I live in a town called Shaftesbury about 15 miles from Charlton Marshall and feel very fortunate to live in such a friendly area. Yes there are still plenty of railway structures in place, if you are ever this way again the other side of the line from Blandford to Sturminster Newton has a large selection of historic railway structures in situ still well worth a walk. All the best, Darren
I used to train spot there in 70s. Freight was 47s, 33s,73s and the occasional 52 from the west country heading to Botley with aggregate. Thumpers were still going to Fareham and back. There used to another line and platform where the car park is now. But it wasn't used even back then. Cool video, bought back some good memories. Thank you.
Hi many thanks for your kind words. I use to go over in the early 90's the traction was very similar to what you have mentioned apart from the 52's but in the NSE and sectorisation liveries. I have just uploaded a second video at Eastleigh that will be shown on Tuesday. I don't remember the line where the car park is but just checked out some old pictures and seen it thanks for that information. All the best Darren
