Final day of Southern steam 9 July 1967. Nine Elms. 35030 Elder Dempster Lines. Bournemouth-Waterloo

This is never before seen footage of the last day of steam on British Railways Southern Region. Showing scenes of desolation at Nine Elms MPD. Then elation at Bournemouth MPD when Merchant Navy 35030 appears on the 14.07 Weymouth - Waterloo. My brother Richard and I ran to catch it for the historic journey to Waterloo.

[@AdrianHart-o1f]

I read about this in Jim Evans’ book, more than 40 years ago. Never imagined I’d see film footage of it (and watch that on my phone).

[@MasterMoyle]

While we're grateful that preservation has saved a good number of steam engines it's sad that the days of steam came to an end so soon. With the BR standards had they been allowed to reach the minimum of 30 years they could have lasted into the 1980's, the rebuilt Bulleid pacifics could've lasted much longer. As some of the rebuilt examples lasted just 6 years before getting thrown away by 1967.
Would love to one day travel out of London Waterloo behind a steam engine one day, preferably with a Bulleid Pacific.

[@edwardbarnes2702]

Can still smell it, the oil & grease, I may have been one of the youngsters running around in the background! Often used to be hanging around the flats opposite the turntable, happy days gone for ever. Eddie 🤓

[@johntyjp]

I took a last Belle about the same time! I was on expenses and could've saved the fare by having a car lift to London but I wanted to go steam hauled, they thought I was mad!!😄🧐

[@Nimboid-20]

I was there to see 35030 arrive. Aged 15, I only had a basic camera, so my shot at the buffer stops is pretty gloomy and indistinct. Earlier I'd watched the fire being dropped on 76064 at Nine Elms, and was envious of the pretty lady invited into the cab for that loco's last move in the yard. In the shed, an unrebuilt Light Pacific abandoned mid-job, with its valve gear drive chain laid out alongside. What is particularly sad is that all these locos look pretty steam-tight, and would have been as well up to the job the following Monday as they'd ever been. And that MN you shot moving into the shed had a full tender!

[@stephensmith799]

I thought of steam locomotives as friends and their passing was painful to experience

[@rogercarrell]

Just as I remembered it as a fireman there. A sombre record.

[@paulnorthcott6634]

I was on that last train into Waterloo with my dad, although I was only 6 years old and unfortunately have no memory of it. Apparently we were, with other people around the shed and ran for the train, and managed to get into the first coach. If only I could remember it. 🥴

[@David-g1p-v8k]

I'd just turned 12, we could see the main Waterloo line from our house, I remember that day well, Unused to love standing on the footbridge as a locomotive passed beneath.

[@LordTantrums007]

The 1960s was a sad decade for British Railways. The Beeching cuts went way too far. The loss of steam was inevitable but when steam disappeared the railways were never the same and just became another mode of transport.

[@robertcrewdson8611]

Another great film. Did you work for B.R. to get such good shots?

[@46245col]

No just an avid enthusiast.

[@EBush-i4o]

Sad that 35030 wasn't saved, there was an engine that really meant something......the end.

[@geoffcorker6882]

Always thought that😥 35030 was the only MN i ever saw in service....came screaming through Clapham Junction heading west in Oct 1966.

[@aljonflavin6760]

OK shame and thanks.