BR in the 1980s 1066 (Hastings - Tonbridge) Route in 1986

I visited this route in April 1986 very shortly before withdrawal of the class 202/203 DEMU being used on the route. Electrification was nearly complete and the route was now cleared for C1 clearance classification, which meant that the "Slim Guage" class 33's (33/2) and the class 202/203 DEMU were not the only allowed traction on this route but many of the classes with C1 restrictions were now allowed to use. This made the class 202 DEMU surplus to requirements. Luckily some stock was secured for preservation and can be seen on specials today. The route got it's name the 1066 line due to the famous "Battle of Hastings" which took place near the site of Battle on October 14th 1066, between the French King William and the Anglo Saxon King Harold with their respective armies. Figures estimate over 6,000 soldiers were killed on the battle field, being a conquest for the Normans. Enjoy this brief visit to the line and back in time.

[@peterharvey1762]

No music needed only the sound of that thumper engine , Also love that the track workers carried on working with the train right by them

[@spompey]

No overkill on safety was about right then too.....best regards...Mark

[@djtrainspotter3079]

Brilliant again sir! I only ever managed five '110' snaps of Hastings units at Sevenoaks a bit earlier than this. Memories galore tho. 33203 is on the 6H35 11.25 Mountfield to Northfleet gypsum (largest cement works in Uk at time) and class 66 hauled trains still run to Mountfield to this day, although loaded southbound from Southampton Docks. Also this service was the first freight headcode etc i learnt as a kid. Rare wagons them too. Also rare is a story this certain spotter has !! As living next to this line at Tonbridge, the freight has to blast uphill to Somerhill tunnel. And so a certain girlfriend once, just before we got some sleep at 0500hrs one splendid night, remarked 'blimey, he's giving it some beans!!!". I replied with "Yes you know its not a woman driving, because the only female loco driver in the south-east is here in this room!". . . (sorry i just had to say hahaha). Just as weird is the fact we could hear the same train at 22.30 passing a mile from her house near Heathrow!!!! The amount of interestingly bizarre things like that when i was with her was/is mind blowing, most of which cant be made public lol :-D

[@spompey]

A great story and memory.....if you said that now she would most likely be in the "Dog House" or change it to She's giving it some beans..... Many thanks and my greatest respect to you both....Mark

[@OlafProt]

1:55 well theres my childhood right there. I grew up in Dorking with the Reading-Tonbridge line running behind my house. Everything about those noises are memories. 4:35 takes me back to the Tadpole Units we had on that line in the 70s and v early 80s 6:18 with that slam door bouncing half open again is a great memory. When the 12-car Bognor trains came through Dorking, there were always a few as it left the station and the station staff used to kick them shut as they went past - one block used to lean and push. How impressed I was as a kid!

[@spompey]

Thanks Nick....Many thanks for watching and commenting...best regards....Mark

[@EM-yk1dw]

When you could get a through train from Tonbridge to Reading, superb upload thanks.

[@spompey]

Up until around 2002 I believe....Many thanks...Mark

[@devilscoachman79]

Very enjoyable video! Thank you so much for uploading, I`m looking forward to watching the other `1986` uploads. Regards Kev

[@spompey]

Many thanks for your interest Kev....Much appreciated....Mark

[@rich_rich90]

I don't think I've ever seen a 205 on a Hasting service before!

[@spompey]

Many thanks for watching and your comment, sorry for the late response was away for 2 weeks...best wishes...Mark

[@pinza.d9007]

superb. 👍❤

[@spompey]

Many thanks....Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

I find it interesting that the electrification was introduced just a month or so before Network SouthEast was launched. It could have had a very good publicity effect if it had been launched with the all new NSE branding

[@spompey]

Yes I agree. The flags were out for some reason....Much appreciated....Mark

[@Broadercasting]

I've always been mystified by the large gap in third rail on the down road on the southern tunnel entrance.

[@spompey]

I have never noticed, but many thanks for the info and for watching....Mark

[@tomcloy1]

Wonderful!! Hope there are more DEMU delights to follow!!

[@spompey]

There are more to follow....Cab ride being rendered in a class 205 as I reply....Do keep returning for latest material and many thanks...best regards....Mark

[@southwestmart]

Cracking video, brings back lots of memories. The 33 freight btw more than likely gypsum from Mountifield. 👍

[@spompey]

Many thanks Martyn and thank you for the correction....best regards to you....Mark

[@dieseldave3879]

🚂👍

[@spompey]

Thanks dieseldave3879....much appreciated.....Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

I suspect you wouldn't be able to chip at the masonry in the wall like at4:20these days without a line possession and the power being turned off. Or paint the white line on the edge of the platform

[@spompey]

Yes very true....Probably require a line possession ....Many thanks....Mark

[@AndreiTupolev]

Never seen a Class 205 beyond Tunbridge Wells on the Hastings line before. That must only have been possible in the last few months after the track through the tunnels was singled.

[@spompey]

Quite right and well noticed....not sure if the tracks were already singled, but the entrance to the station was doubled....Best regards...Mark

[@OlafProt]

We had the 'Tadpole' Units on the Reading-Tonbridge line in the 70s and early 80s but they were 206?

[@alzeNL]

4:19 - parp - "just about to kill ya mate", "no problem, i'm strike from tomorrow, salute you brother"

[@spompey]

Many thanks for the comment and best wishes....Mark