Western Consort at Eastleigh
Keith Gale
Western Consort at Eastleigh - no not that one - this one! I often see photographs from Westbury on the website - so I thought I would see if the Webmaster may allow me to stretch the geography a little with a tenuous link! The photograph is of Western Consort - not D1065 alas, but 69009 in its rather attractive maroon livery. It shows the departmental 1014 Westbury to Eastleigh Yard arriving at Eastleigh on the 10th September 2026. Please note the large crane in the consist presumably being moved for weekend activities. Copyright Keith Gale.
Many thanks indeed Keith. A nice nod from GBRf to the Westerns. No need to stretch the geography for this one either - we cover the entire area served by a 'Freedom of the SW Rover', which does just extend as far as Eastleigh!
Persil to the rescue!
Andrew & Diane Jones
Hello Keith, Jon and Roger, Please thank Ian for a very well researched article. Back in 2018 I sent in a short article on the wonderful Persil offer.
I’m trying not to sound too negative but our railways are not what they were.
In my opinion it seems that the negatives are starting to out weigh the positives.
Recently our local bbc spotlight totally ignored the opening of Okehampton Interchange but just this week reported that the class 175 units are proving unreliable.
Cancellations are now a real issue.
Diane and I have always used the train if we can but it’s almost impossible to predict if they will be running meaning that flying from Gatwick or Heathrow is now an overnight stop, the same applies to the sleeper.
Is it no wonder that the general public is looking for alternatives.
It’s been reported that Cornwall Council is subsidising Newquay airport to the tune of 10 million pounds a year serving a fraction of passengers to London and beyond.
Clearly something is wrong.
I wonder if readers to this website have any positive ideas on how to improve the situation.
Perhaps buying more detergent is the answer!
I’m trying not to sound too negative but our railways are not what they were.
In my opinion it seems that the negatives are starting to out weigh the positives.
Recently our local bbc spotlight totally ignored the opening of Okehampton Interchange but just this week reported that the class 175 units are proving unreliable.
Cancellations are now a real issue.
Diane and I have always used the train if we can but it’s almost impossible to predict if they will be running meaning that flying from Gatwick or Heathrow is now an overnight stop, the same applies to the sleeper.
Is it no wonder that the general public is looking for alternatives.
It’s been reported that Cornwall Council is subsidising Newquay airport to the tune of 10 million pounds a year serving a fraction of passengers to London and beyond.
Clearly something is wrong.
I wonder if readers to this website have any positive ideas on how to improve the situation.
Perhaps buying more detergent is the answer!
Many thanks Andrew. There are certainly many areas of improvement the railways could focus on - hopefully things improve, particularly in Cornwall where our service is
September 1976
Part 12
Roger Winnen
Teigngrace. 04.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Teigngrace. 04.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.