Eastleigh 11th May 2007 - Wet n' err Wetter
Only my second trip out of the year but it was to Eastleigh as I was out to hopefully see some of the new Freightliner 66's that had been working in the area. As it turns out I kopped 2 of the new Freightliner 66's and one GBRf 66 as well. Also a number of units were kopped. As expected the weather was diabolical for May but blame it on Global Warming... it works for me!!
444022 is passed by a 10 car 444 of which 444037 is the leading unit. 444022 was the train that I arrived at Eastleigh on.
GBRf's 66708 & 66706 are stabled opposite platform 3 ready for the weekend engineering works to take place. Hopes were riding high that these GB sheds plus others would be working the CE trains to Wareham on the Saturday night / Sunday morning. As it turned out these worked the Fareham and Portsmouth CE trains.
First Trans Pennine livried 158746 heads for the Romsey branch on a Totton - Romsey working as 450026 heads a 12 coach consist going to Southampton.
About 3 minutes after seeing a Heanors lorry go across the bishopstoke road bridge (behind me) I saw 08482 trying to sneak past with 47749 in tow. This was delivered to Seco Rail, who were using the old Eastleigh BREL workshops for light work on locomotives they use. This was a swap for 47635 that left a day previous bound for the Swanage beer fest and into preservation. So 47749 were acquired for use by them. Its currently undergoing overhaul in the works. What color this will emerge in is unknown.
One of the new ones that was around the Southampton area on Friday was 66590. 66592 was Maritime having turned up in the early morning.
Another shot of 08482 & 47749 as they have moved further up into Eastleigh's yard.
I had just sat down about 4 minutes before this turned up so I could not be arsed to stand up for it so I took this shot of 66578 sat down... didnt turn out to bad after all either.
666239 accelerates away from a signal check on platform 3 with the return leg of the Quidhampton tanks (6Y27).
66126 prepares to get underway from a driver change on platform 3 with the 4O53 Wakefield Europort - Southampton Western Docks intermodal service.
Highland Rail stuck 66111 leaves platform 3 at Eastleigh for the yard with a rake of WIA car carriers.
Prototype 66,66001 stops at platform 1 at Eastleigh for a crew change whilst in charge of the 4M66 Southampton Western Docks - Hams Hall Intermodal service.
Even when its pee'ing down with rain the work has to go on in the yard at Eastleigh. Here 08482 is shunting wagons around for one of the afternoon Civil Engineer train departures.
Although I knew this 31 was running it still caught me off guard as it was supposed to be running through Platform 1 and not the up fast!!! 31106 speeds through Eastleigh with the 0Z31 08:32 EGHT&RSMD - DERBY RTC, via Weymouth route learner, on the return leg to Derby.
One of the numerous wagons dotted around Eastleigh area used for weekend engineers trains. This is OCA 112034.
66540 Ruby slows for a crew change at Eastleigh with the 4M61 Soton Maritime - Trafford Park intermodal.
My nemesis for over a year was 450035. This was the only unit I needed from the original batch of 450's that were delivered to South West Trains. 450035 was working the Brockenhurst - Wareham locals when I saw it again on the following Saturday. Now its 450124 thats needed.
Another 66 kop for me at Eastleigh was 66724 in First Great Barbie livery. This was in tow with 66704.
I liked the GBRf livery as it was now with the latest batch of 66's the livery looks terrible and from my point of view does not suit the locomotive at all. Perhaps another famed First livery change is needed.
66195 passes through Eastleigh's up slow so it can traverse the Romsey branch with the 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock Junction oil train.
This page updated:- 20th May 2007
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