Took advantage of being just about on target at work for a day off, in order to use the final day of my rover on what was an historic day - the last working of the Wessex Class 31's to Brighton.

Late start from Weston, with some time to wander around at Temple Meads and to pick up a copy of the new timetable. Decided that I would try to see the journey all the way through just once, so rebooked to complete the trip to Brighton and back.

Started four minutes late, but soon made up time and miraculously by Salisbury we were slightly early. Train very busy throughout, and I can only imagine what it will be like with a 158 in the coming weeks. Onto the south coast, with an increasingly party-like atmosphere in the front coach which was predominantly cranks. As ever, kept quiet and watched the fun develop! Explained the reason for the wake to an older passenger sitting beside me reading 'The Tablet'. After looking rather bemused she said "I though trains were something you were interested in when you were 10?". Soon convinced her of the merit of Peds on the basis of overcrowded units and the fact that is universally accepted by pensioners - that anything old must be good! Paid my respects to Southwick as we passed - scene of a farce on a similar trip back in February! Finally rolled into platform 1 at Brighton in darkness, pretty much on time.

Quick exit into town for some shopping, then back to the station for a swift look around before boarding an already filling front coach behind 31601 for the return leg. Again, solidly wedged for much of the journey. All went to plan timewise too, until Bathampton where a bridge strike at Keynsham had everything stopped and queueing for entry to Bath Spa.

Arrived at Bristol around 30 late. Lots of folks heading over to Cardiff for the very last bit of the trip. Saw them off before boarding the absurdly long six-car unit home to Weston, no doubt a stock movement to Exeter. The irony is, next week 1V96 will be an overcrowded two- or three-car unit and there will be coaching stock languishing at Westbury. A sad day, but a cracking run.