Micheldever and a SWT 444 races through on a semi-fast service to Weymouth..

The star attraction of the morning was 34067, Tangmere sporting a Royal Wessex headboard, on a through train from London to Swanage, a journey I first made back in 1960 on a family holiday.

DBS 66238 leaving Popham Tunnel on the 4O53 from Trafford Park

A Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth XC Voyager racing out of the tunnel

Like British Rail SWT are not above inflicting commuter type equipment on long distance travellers, in this case a 450 trails the 444 on the 11:05 Waterloo to Weymouth.

It was followed very closely by Freightliner's 4O27 from Garston.

At Eastleigh a pair of GBRf 73s await their next call of duty whilst a 444 leaves bound for Southampton.

The 4O54 was double headed, I guess this was a positioning move rather than an overly heavy train, although, as you can see, it was well loaded.

And now for some nostalgia. 1497 in its not-quite-authentic BR corporate livery appraches the branch junction just west of Brockenhurst.

Here it is some 30 minutes later, having completed a return trip to Lymington, crossing the heathland of the New Forest

The CIGs were introduced in 1965 and like so much that was Southern were both modern and old fashioned simultaneously. The Phase 2 units, of which 1497 is an example were being turned out for ostensibly inter-city workings whilst elsewhere BR were introducing Mk 2ds with air conditioning.

Stylistically they were an improvement on ther predecessors, the CEPs. But that's not saying alot!

This picture should have included a New Forest pony and her foal, but at the last minute...

...the foal decided it was camera shy and mum followed.

The 15:59 to Lymington crossing the gorse covered heathland

Unlike oil seed rape, which is a similar colour the gorse doesn't look quite so alien.

A CIG at rest, a scene that was common at any Southern terminus for many years.

At Lymington Pier Guard Steve Clark makes sure the headcode is properly displayed and the head board secured..

The Lymington service is a true boat train, connecting with the ferries across to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. 1497 makes its way down to the Pier past a forest of masts in the harbour

And finally its back at Lymington Town en-route to Brockenhurst.