A day off, and a spare day on a Wessex Rover. Slept very late, and set off on the 1134 from Weston to Bristol. During the week, 31601 had developed a major generator fault and was back at Derby. The replacement, 31106 was sitting on the stock at Platform 4. However, early indications were not good - with a 158 arriving in Platform 15. A quick announcement later, and a dash over to Platform 5 saw me surface just as the stock arrived with 31452 at the front.
Set off steadily, and all seemed well. Mysteriously looped at Bathampton - I assumed at first due to the Great Western diversions, but an announcement confirmed that staff at Bath Spa had spotted smoke coming from 31106. A dragging brake was quickly diagnosed, and the luckily very knowledgable crew of cranks up front managed to persuade the driver that this was not fatal. Howver, carrying a delay of over 30 minutes at Westbury meant the train was unlikely to make it to Brighton today.
Much confusion and changing of plans from here onwards. Talk of Fareham (seemingly the driver's preferred option) and Worthing as places where the train could wait and reverse picking up the return service. A report of a lineside fire between Barnham and Chichester put paid to that, but opened a rich new vein of speculation towards Fratton or Portsmouth Harbour.
My own plan to go from Southampton Central to Weymouth and pick up the other set of 31s to Bristol was likely scuppered now, so decided to go ahead if Fareham or Portsmouth were our destination, but to hop off at Southampton otherwise. Since a reasonably certain Barnham was announced, alighted and took some extremely poor pictures of 31106. Noted 1544 Weymouth was ominously 'Delayed' with no report, so decided to head back.
Decided to go for the 1533 to Swindon, via Melksham. Regrettably the usual 153, but made for a bit of variety, and it was much quieter than the preceeding 158 to Cardiff had been! Typically, the warm day became truly stifling as the poorly-ventilated unit trundled slowly northwards!
Off at Chippenham to find the 1725 back to Weston slightly delayed by a medical emergency at Swindon. Explored a bit in the sun, remembering spots from previously wandering around Chippenham Folk Festival on serious pain relief with a broken arm! After boarding, noted a truly stupid fellow trying to force the door open as the train moved off because someone had run alongside trying to catch the train! The guard yelled pretty colourfully that he should stop, but this goon did his best to force the central locking. The driver slammed on the brakes, but the guard steadfastly refused to let the latecomer board and once the door was secure, the train once again moved off. Not a popular decision with some passengers, but I think he was entirely justfied.
Back to Weston about twenty minutes behind schedule. A strange day, but undeniably interesting!
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
