The final CrossCountry HST heads to Swanage | 43007 & 43008 work the 'Pines Express' 26/09/2023
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- After a spell of over 15 years in service with CrossCountry, the company withdrew the last of its fleet of BR Class 43 HST's from mainline duties. As a final fling for the CrossCountry HST's, the Branch Line Society would organise the 'Pines Express' excursion from Leeds to Swanage and back, as the swansong of their mainline career under the franchise.
The tour would be operated with power cars 43007 and 43008, starting out of Leeds and working down the Midland Mainline to Derby, then through Leamington Spa and onward to Didcot where it would join the Great Western Mainline to Reading. The tour would then venture south to Basingstoke where it would join the South West Mainline, travelling through Southampton and Bournemouth to Wareham. Just south of Wareham, the tour would diverge onto the Swanage branch at Worgret Junction for the final leg to the seaside. At Swanage, the 'Pines Express' would become 'The Bournemouth Belle', with the HST making a return trip from Swanage to Bournemouth. Once back in Swanage, and HST would pick up the mantle of the 'Pines Express' once more for the return leg to Leeds. The tour would largely retrace its route except for a divergence at Eastleigh, travelling via Romsey and Andover to Basingtoke.
Centring around the Swanage Railway, 43007 led the tour onto the branch, basking in the brief sunshine at Creech Bottom. At Harmans Cross, the early autumn sun is no longer high enough to clear the surround trees to light up the cutting. However, 43007 provided a pleasant sight as it accelerated through the station. A brief interlude at Swanage would see 43008 gaining siginificant attention from workers, while LSWR T3 Class - 563 simmered over the adjacent pit. 43008, now under 'The Bournemouth Belle', would lead the tour out of the Isle of Purbeck, passing Arland Campsite. 43007 would again lead the consist towards Swanage, passing Creech Bottom. Finally, back under the 'Pines Express' banner, 43008 would lead the tour away from the seaside again, gliding over Catseye crossing, and then powering up the SWML at Keysworth after departing from Wareham.
All footage filmed on Tuesday the 26th of September 2023.
That shot with the deer crossing is amazing!
HST to Swanage, that is mad 😅
Excellent video. Saw the HST at Swanage today, alongside the magnificently restored steam loco 563, and “Manston”, what a brilliant contrast 😊
Well done to the HST driver for not flattening the deer on the line at 04:30 !
And a complete herd at 3:05 as well! I wonder how they react to steam trains and 33s. Also great to see T3 563 back in steam and hopefully ready to roll.
Oh God, I'm in a parallel universe or was it too much cheese last night!! HSTs, third rail, Pines Express, Heritage Line and to top it all the scene at Swanage was like a drawing from an Rev. Awdry book. I'm still pinching myself but the images won't go away🫣!!! Nicely captured Matthew👍👍👍👍
Super video, thumbs up :)
Thank you
What a fabulous video and on a lovely day too!
Thank you
I was on this (Bournemouth Belle service) it felt surreal and sad at the same time stood on Northbrook road bridge filming it leaving. 3:00 was the absolute money shot, fantastic!!
Wonderful video, beautifully caputued. Makes up for missing the trip almost. Parents went instead though.
Those deer have no fear at all though 😹
Another superbly crafted video, this time capturing a momentous event with fabulous camerawork and brilliant editing. Really well done. Thank you.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it.
OMG WOW!!!! Not sure if this is the first time an HST has come to Swanage. But its definitely amazing to see it sitting in the depot! What a cool train! Sad to see them leave service! What a piece of History!
Not the first! East Midlands Trains ran a railtour!
Great video, I saw her just now at Heyford!
Cheers
Interesting that the Mk.3 TRUB was cut out of the rake and substituted with an ex-ScotRail Mk.3 Composite as formerly used on the Edinburgh-Glasgow 47/7+DBSO hauled Inter-City Shuttle.
Great to see T3 563 in steam at Swanage at 2:40. Her public return to steam is now scheduled for half term week including both weekends, 21 to 29 October, with 5 return trains from Swanage each day. Should be a great occasion. 130 years young, so now the oldest working British express locomotive? (as against tank engines, goods locos and narrow gauge?)
Ho Deer 🦌 the trespassing
Nice pun!
Would of been more fun it was doing 125mph :D