I took a trip to the seaside yesterday. I was travelling by steam train to Weymouth.
The weather was lovely at Weymouth and I met a friend from college and work days who I have known for almost fifty years (that is a scary number). We walked along the promenade and had lunch at the Oasis cafe. I had a Portland crab sandwich and it was the best crab sandwich I have ever had.
This loco called Bittern was hauling us down to Weymouth and here it is arriving at Woking where I joined the train.
The journey to Weymouth was really enjoyable with some high speed sections and literally thousands of people who had come to take photos along the route. They were at stations, on bridges, standing in fields, at level crossings and hanging out of office windows.
After our three and a half hour journey from Woking we arrived at Weymouth where passengers where queueing up to speak to the driver.
The holiday season has started in Weymouth
A very pleasant walk along the prom
After our three hour halt in Weymouth, Bittern hauled the coaches back into the station. As on departure the train has to ascend the steep climb on the Upwey bank we going to have another loco pulling us with Bittern pushing
Sir Lamiel that was built in 1925 was hauling us and would take the train right through to Waterloo
Getting ready on the footplate
We travelled near Poole harbour. Some passengers were drinking a strange mix of lager and Newcastle brown ale.
After a long period of no rain the water had a lot of green on the surface
We stopped to pick up water at Eastleigh and many passengers wanted to see what was going on
Time for some checks in the cab
I thought the water would come from one of those overhead towers but apparently they are long gone, so ours came from a fire tanker
They just rememberd to fit up the correct sign
Time to oil a few bearings
I disembarked at Woking and walked up to see the engine
Bye bye as the train continues on to Waterloo
Peewit
