After a run out to west Wales yesterday, decided to head for the south coast today, on a trip to Portsmouth using one of the free Day Return ticket vouchers which Wessex Trains have distributed via the local newspapers. It seems everyone waited for the last week of the offer (which has run for the past month) to travel. Since the ticket is valid from 0930 onwards, the 0934 from Weston was extremely full. Mainly, it has to be said, with older people who probably haven't used the network for some time, and appeared a bit bewildered by things.

Changed at Bristol to find Platform 9 heaving with bodies awaiting the increasingly delayed 1022 to Portsmouth Harbour. Added myself to the crush and smiled wryly at the 1042 arrival of a single Class 150. The journey was reasonably uncomfortable at first, but the crowds thinned out after the popular destinations of Bath and Salisbury. Unfortunately, missing our path and further delays en route caused the train to be cancelled and turned around at Fareham. I left the train at Southampton Central, leaving a bunch of passengers wishing to travel on to Portsmouth to haggle with a South West Trains employee about using their 'Wessex Only' freebie voucher on SWT services!

A nice quiet run back on the next Wessex service, getting the chance to have a good look at what was happening at the Southampton Maritime Freightliner terminal. Not a hugely successful trip, but its always nice to get out on the rails for free, even if you don't quite get to your destination!

Another pretty bad night of sleep, in part due to some worrying family news. Uncertain whether I might need to travel to the Midlands this morning. Things a bit more positive today, so instead set off late for Bristol to see the Midland Mainline 'Project Rio' HST sets being dragged to Laira Depot in Plymouth by Freightliner Class 47 locomotives. Initially, I was alone on the platform, rather miserable and chilly, and under leaden skies. A couple of other brave souls finally turned up and we waited for 5Z16, reported 30 minutes late.

5Z17 - the second working caught me by surprise, running a little early and hot on the heels of 47150. Just about got a picture of 47812, but it was pretty poor. Every day I seem to learn more about this new camera. Perhaps it will soon start paying off?

A long, long wait for the next service. The weather changed rather bizarrely from heavy rain and strong wind, to warm sunshine and back again. Reports of late running southbound services, which were probably the cause. Finally got some news, on 5Z18 at Lawrence Hill and 5Z19 at Standish Junction. Got ready for 47805's imminent arrival.


Pretty chilly now, so dived off for a comfort break and a cup of tea before heading back to the platform. 5Z19 arrived surprisingly quickly, resulting in a slight tea spillage and another rather hurried shot of 47197, still looking rather filthy and neglected - especially in comparison to the clean, recently refurbished Rio sets.


During a dash down the platform, noted a 'retimed' Penzance bound service arriving. Lots of passengers waiting, but managed to grab a seat as the rear doors luckily ended up next to me. An ill-tempered crowd on board with some heated inter-passenger arguing about reservations and luggage space, which threatened to turn a little physical at one point. Glad to alight at Weston, despite more rain! Pleasant afternoon doing just what I tell people I don't do - hanging around at the end of the platform!

Up early to perform cat-feeding duties after a fitful night of sleep. Decided that I needed to go in search of some haulage today, since I'll be in London next weekend. Opted for another attempt on the Fishguard trip, with a cautious option of Rhymney if all else failed.

So, started with a ticket as far as Cardiff Central. A bit of an extended wait at Weston for the 0809 due to my bad planning. Onto an ex-CrossCountry 158747 at Bristol - myself and some fellow enthusiasts being ensconced in the declassified First Class section. Made it to Newport, where the brake wouldn't release. After some valiant efforts, the driver sent us over to get the Arriva service signalled into platform 1 and waiting to depart. Considered waiting for the 0944 Swansea HST, but wasn't convinced I'd make the Fishguard service if I stalled.

Into Cardiff in good time. Turned out our crew were going onto the Fishguard, and since it was off platform 7 it was clearly loco hauled. Quick dash to ticket office, shop and back to platform in time to see 37422 on the Rhymney, and then a surprise - our rescuer from last Saturday 37425 on the Fishguard!

Perhaps it was a little too soon to do this trip again, or maybe just a lack of sleep resulted in me dozing quite often during the outbound journey. Passed through variations of weather from fine late summer sun, to decidedly autumnal wind and rain storms. Quick, timely run - with a few of the annoying slowings and stops associated with the odd timings on this train.

Alighted to watch 37425 run around the stock at Fishguard Harbour. Got some rather better shots than last time.

Again, an unremarkable journey back despite a false start, sudden stop and wonderfully noisy standing restart. All this drama taking place with the train half way over the level crossing! 37425 performed faultlessly throughout the journey once again. Our arrival at Bridgend, and my time to alight coincided with a truly huge rainstorm!

A couple of short hops back to Bristol, via a change at Cardiff onto 158817 and 158867. These units divided at Bristol, with our front half heading on as the 1725 to Weston, and the rear heading for Westbury. Both units wedged solid after splitting, with plenty of passengers milling about wondering what to do on the platform! Absolute chaos with people utterly failing to understand simple instructions. Quite a large rugby crowd to confuse things further. By the time we reached Weston I spotted seven people in one coach alone who were anxiously looking to head back to Bristol having caught the wrong part of the train. In fairness to Wessex, the split was announced before we arrived in Bristol, after the units divided and again before the off! How would these people cope in the South East?

I almost wondered if I really wanted to go out for the Virgin 67's today, having done so every Saturday for weeks - but since it was the last week, and since I don't know when we'll get any decent haulage around here again, sentimentality overcame idleness! Glad it did, since it turned out to be a varied and interesting day.

Started with the customary jaunt down to Exeter, via a change at Taunton. Quick dash over the bridge and onto 1M89 for 67028 - one of three required locomotives out today.

Uneventful run back to Bristol, and the usual photography session - including some shots of 67011 on 1E99 - which I also needed, and hadn't been expecting today. A spot of lunch, and then a bit of time to lurk before 1V15. During this slack time, noted a plume of steam on the line from St. Phillip's Marsh. Soon saw 5051 which was out from Barton Hill being turned for tomorrow's Torbay Express. After running towards Bedminster, it reversed through the station on the up through line.


A late platform change nearly tripped a couple of us up, but made it over in time for 67026 - another new one for me, previously seen from a distance on the first week I did these services. Set off in improving weather for Exeter once again. It was about now strange messages and rumours began to circulate about 1M25, being the Newquay-Manchester HST running for the holiday season. All kinds of things were mentioned, since it seemed that an ailing power car was causing problems, and something was likely to drag the service back. First concrete information was that 37425 had left Newport for Bristol to haul the service forward from Temple Meads. Quick calculations and timetable checks to ensure I'd get to see this later in the evening. Also noted that the Train Manager on 1V15 uncannily resembled minor British celeb Abi Titmuss!

Later, more news - 37425 was now heading for Plymouth to drag the service to Birmingham, and would be passing Exeter soon. Revised my plans, and settled in for a long wait at Exeter. Considered pressing ahead to Newton Abbot , but decided that there was likely to be more action at St. Davids. Thankfully, there was quite a bit going on - firstly watching 37425 go by light engine to Plymouth (after a helpful cry of 'yer tis!' from the level crossing staff). Next 67014 on 1V19, and finally 5A15 and 5A19, the two top-and-tailed sets of empty stock from today's 67 hauled services on their way back to Old Oak Common. Also ate too much and read a great deal whilst waiting.


The service finally arrived at 1859, with 37425 storming into Exeter, approximately 100 minutes late. A very speedy run indeed, with a noisy start at Taunton which could be heard a couple of coaches away! Amazing, bright evening sunshine on the way back too, with a brilliant sunset somewhere around Highbridge. Other photographers along the way took some fine shots before the gloom set in.

Lots of activity at Bristol. Watched 37425 depart before heading over to catch the 2030 service back to Weston. A long, but eventful day in the south west - and a fitting end to a summer of 'real trains'.