Devonbelle
Western Thunderer
Ive a keen interest in standard gauge military railways and in the 1980s I managed to visit quite a few in the southern part of the country.
First up is the Bramley Military Railway - all shots by self - Father and I did the last day of the Bramley line - 33 miles of track darting through woodland - with spurs everywhere and loading bays a depots spread out over a huge site. the last few months saw government stores shipped out - with daily block trains of VEA box vans hauled by Speedlink class 37s - I once saw a train in Feb 1987 absolutely storm through Swindon - crewed by Tunnel men (Severn Tunnel Depot). Of course the rail tour could only happen once the site cleared of things which could harm folk! Enjoy -
The light on Sun 1st of March was dire - so some very slow shutter settings necessary - the trip worked with a pair of Thumper units Basingstoke to Bramley - then onto the BMR, then split the units - they were then led by an Army Ruston 0-6-0 round the whole system, with a lad clipping up points and hand-signalling - it was rather like the great St Trinians train robbery with multiple trains chasing along- cue 'Im Amanda Spotiswood, Headmistress of St Trinians and claiming the reward for the stolen money' on a wickham railcar pursuing a thumper unit!!
BMR loco shed - home to the three Ruston locos - note the Wickham railcar. When I visited 3 years earlier and viewed the shed from a public footpath as a school boy the marshalling yard in front of the shed was full of MoD and BR wagons - with a lovely ex SR brake Van in Army green.
The shot I took of Army 422 was with a tripod - it was almost dark - witness the brightness of the marker lights and blurred people.
More military railway shots to come…..
First up is the Bramley Military Railway - all shots by self - Father and I did the last day of the Bramley line - 33 miles of track darting through woodland - with spurs everywhere and loading bays a depots spread out over a huge site. the last few months saw government stores shipped out - with daily block trains of VEA box vans hauled by Speedlink class 37s - I once saw a train in Feb 1987 absolutely storm through Swindon - crewed by Tunnel men (Severn Tunnel Depot). Of course the rail tour could only happen once the site cleared of things which could harm folk! Enjoy -
The light on Sun 1st of March was dire - so some very slow shutter settings necessary - the trip worked with a pair of Thumper units Basingstoke to Bramley - then onto the BMR, then split the units - they were then led by an Army Ruston 0-6-0 round the whole system, with a lad clipping up points and hand-signalling - it was rather like the great St Trinians train robbery with multiple trains chasing along- cue 'Im Amanda Spotiswood, Headmistress of St Trinians and claiming the reward for the stolen money' on a wickham railcar pursuing a thumper unit!!
BMR loco shed - home to the three Ruston locos - note the Wickham railcar. When I visited 3 years earlier and viewed the shed from a public footpath as a school boy the marshalling yard in front of the shed was full of MoD and BR wagons - with a lovely ex SR brake Van in Army green.
The shot I took of Army 422 was with a tripod - it was almost dark - witness the brightness of the marker lights and blurred people.
More military railway shots to come…..