British Rail Network SouthEast & InterCity at Reading with class 47, 47 & 73s, 1992

[@davidgriffiths464]

Thanks for zooming in on the numbers ... so many people don't do that and it is crucial we know what's coming. We deal in numbers. We are spotters.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, that's exactly why i do it! I used a combined volume to mark off what i had filmed. I did manage to get every HST on video plus all the 87s and 91s.....

[@davidgriffiths464]

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus Getting every HST is quite an acheivement ... I had every HST for haulage, (including the prototype 43000 and 43001) but I did start in 1975. The 87's were fairly easy when they were principal power on the WCML, except for 87101, which hardly ever worked.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

@@davidgriffiths464 I missed some HST power cars for haulage sadly, although i scored two on the last day of HST's into Padd-result! Got all my 87s inc 101. Filming was easier of course than getting haulage although i have done/do both. I am after my Trans-Pennine 68s now although the last year hasn't helped! I got two last Jan after working for a week at the Manchester Beer Festival, nipped across to Huddersfield and grabbed two winners!

[@saintnick7]

Reading was my favourite place back in the day, awesome video

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

There was always something of interest happening there. Southern units both ends of the station as a bonus!

[@Crepello100]

I spent a whole day there in 1985, then went really mad and did 2 whole nights. There were trains all night long including parcels trains remarshalling which was fascinating. By chance the queen went by on the Royal Train and a Class 50 on the up postal had to refuel. It was a bit of an endurance test but looking back I'm so glad I did it. Night watching at Exeter was easier - watched from my bed in the Great western Hotel!

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, Reading never slept back then, plenty of freight action as well!

[@vicsams4431]

Done 1 night there, to catch an early morning Pathfinders Tour to Edinburgh featuring a 50 to Brum New Street and a 45 to Edinburgh ! You are correct you don't get much sleep with the 08 shunting parcel vans all night. CRASH !

[@going2thedogs]

Another great video from nearly 30yrs ago now. Especially liked the triple headed class 47 (@ 7.47). & the RTC stock @ 7.20 & 9.07.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, there was some good action there this day.......

[@steveluckhurst2350]

Pushing it to refer to it as "triple headed".

[@grahamsmith-thompson6827]

Memories of when I was a driver at OOC, 81A. Many thanks, Sol.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

My pleasure.......i have probably worked with quite a few people you have from my days at Acton......As well as those that started when the depot opened a few more crept down from Padd, Thames Trains not being a fun place to be!

[@dgattenb]

in the late 80s we used to go there for the day .. we used to hate all the 47s ... :( how times have changed

[@ianjones4116]

Surely the triple 47 haulage was an empty stock move,,, as not a Single head hanging out of a door !! Windmilling Basher Paradise, with a Spirited get away to boot. Thanks for posting and sharing. 🍻👍

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

It arrived behind an IC 47 so i assume 441 had failed. This was mid wekk at midday, not always a lot of bashers about. It may well ahve been terminated at Reading and gone forward as ECS to Padd for the stock's next working.

[@adamw2911]

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus looked like only the leading loco was powered as it left Reading?

[@uries15]

When we thought Class 47s were of no interest. What I wouldn't give to get those days back now.

[@adamc1272]

When mighty beasts walked the Earth (and quite often failed), fantastic video again, many thanks

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, the old RfD 47s were a long time out of works, all with high engine hours......

[@daliarcam5708]

3 47’s on one service a bashers’ dream. Excellent video from the ‘good’ old days.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you.....a real snapshot in time now......

[@davidgriffiths464]

Great video ......... Reading was a fantastic place in those days. All done downhill now, unless you like voyagers and 800's.

[@lamborghinihexagons5502]

i like voyagers

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, not much variety there now. On other vids i have HSTs, DMU, DEMUs on film plus more variety of locos......

[@neilcrawford8303]

Another great record of times past. Forget space travel, I can't wait for someone to invent a time machine. How different Reading looked then, a proper station with character. Always felt too far to travel to, wish I had made the effort and got the train from Clapham Junction.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

I know that feeling well, the things i regret not doing even now 30+ years later.....And Reading was a direct train from Clapham.........

[@bindonrail46]

What a selection of great captures. Platform 4a and 4b where my local lines when I lived down there, never saw anything strange in them, so top'n'tail class 73's is awesome. I do remember a class 33/1 and 4TC doing a Waterloo - Reading and return one Friday evening (if I remember correctly), but the only reason anyone even noticed is because the service had a platform change to Platform 10 - which raised alarm bells!! LOL. I'm struggling a bit with the treble headed 47. At first I thought it was the return of the Old Oak Test train - Old Oak Common would regularly use daytime Oxford services as test trains with the loco on test piloting the train engine - but then I realised it was ECS, so more likely that 441 had failed. I doubt 819 would have been spare at Oxford, so I can only presume it was running light engine from Saltley to Paddington to work a cross-country back north, hence the removal at Reading so it can go straight to Paddington avoiding Old Oak, and was commandeered at Oxford. I can only presume then that 581 had been running to Reading on test with 583 provided as guarantee and then the pair were equally commandeered to work the ensemble back to Old Oak. The appearance of 526 on what looks like a 'scratch' IC rake could be a number of things. If I recall rightly there was a Paddington - Oxford and return about that time which used an IC rake, or it could be a vice HST, or indeed just a cross-country. Keep up the good work :-)

[@adamw2911]

Wasn't there an XC denoted Paddington to Manchester via Reading and Banbury back then?

[@bindonrail46]

@@adamw2911 Yes there was, but 526 was a Network South East engine back then (not that that would stop it), and the XC rakes were pretty much formed into standard formations, which this set certainly is not. The rake looks like it has been cobbled together.

[@adamw2911]

@@bindonrail46 Wasn't there a NSE MK2 air con or two knocking about during this period? Seem to recall seeing one on the GW and SR. Must have been a trial that never really took off.

[@bindonrail46]

@@adamw2911 To the best of my knowledge there was just one, a first class carriage that spent all it's time on the Waterloo - Exeter's. I think it's number was 13575. It's all a long time ago now! LOL

[@adamw2911]

@@bindonrail46 that was it. I believe the other was an IC livered mk2d that appeared on the final year or so of the King's Lynn to liv st NSE loco hauled.

[@ianjones4116]

Just noticed the Triple 47s had the Tail lamp still on place, from when they arrived. 🤔 Great vid Soi. 👍

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you......

[@davidwallace5831]

Legend has it that 47619 made it as far as Southall before a keen signalman noticed the lack of a train :-)

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Lol..... i can well believe it! I used to be a driver on the Western in the 1990s......

[@ianjones4116]

Cracking stuff.. 47315 & 619 running like Hooligans. 619 even forgot its train lol. Triple 47s ,,, very nice. Now all but memories . Really enjoyed this. 👍👍

[@paulaisbitt1180]

Great retro video. Have not came across you before, but on the basis of that vid alone, immediately subscribed👍🏻

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you.....There's quite a back catalogue of vids uploaded, not to mention all those still waiting their turn......

[@kungfuwitcher7621]

Never seen a triple head with 47's before. Love the Network Southeast era. It's the paint scheme mainly as I don't think modern schemes have come near. Love class 47's as well. Many memories going up to London and hearing that engine note. Tim.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

The triple header was actually a failed 47 (next to the coaches) which was rescued by a pair of 47s running light engine. Only the one at the front was providing power as they were not capable of multi working (although a few freight ones were modded in later years with equipment off withdrawn class 20s).....

[@TheWellington2006]

Takes me back to my train spotting day's, love this video, lovely time of year with some great old Sulzers etc. I believe Reading has changed considerably since.

[@saintnick7]

Complete rebuild, none of what can be seen in this video remains, very sad

[@markcf83]

It has indeed, and not necessarily for the better either......

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

It has changed beyond all recognition! Not such a nice place to video any more.....

[@Keithbarber]

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus I agree I went there on my freedom pass last year and hadn't been there in many years - so different

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

@@Keithbarber Ah, so you went on an all stations stagger.......too tight to pay for the lovely Hitachi IEP sh*te?........lol

[@foxhillrailway2252]

hello, I watch all your videos but don't always comment.. this video was crazy... a stream of 47s and to top it all the 73s at the end... (even better not like most you tube vids, not a single 66 in sight ) what a relief . i cant stand them lol ... keep up the great work my friend... 🤠🚂🚃Neil from France

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thanks for your comments. No 66s around then although 59s used to thunder through day & night on the Mendip stone workings......Much better locos than rancid 66s through, and a nice loco to drive!

[@alanmolyneux5957]

How Reading station has changed in recent years. Forgot just how much 47's used to clag..

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

I hardly recognise the place now and i used to sign the road through there!......

[@tomsaltford]

Someone foegot to remove the tail lamp from 583! Thank you for uploading. Another great video.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Well spotted, i hadn't noticed that!......

[@ianjones4116]

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus I saw it on way in,, but was too busy watching the Clag when they left lol.

[@waltertownsend3821]

I went to Reading by accident when I was younger. Mum had the idea to go to Leamington Spa from where we lived in Northampton by changing in Coventry. But all services were delayed and we eventually got on a train which sailed through Leamington and Oxford and Didcot (I think) before eventually stopping in Reading! We spent a hot day playing in a large paddling pool near the station before going home! Might have been 1986?

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

It sounds like you were on a very late running service that had station calls omitted to try & make up time. At least you had some fun when you got to Reading......

[@bwmillington7869]

Thank you for sharing your fabulous videos.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

My pleasure! Still lots more to come.....

[@transportenthusiast11]

Thank you for uploading this. Now I know what Network Southeast used their Mk1s with since I was born over 15 years after this was filmed which is kind of sad. btw 100th comment

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

My pleasure..... We all regret missing things that finished before we were born sadly.......

[@garymcgregor7048]

Loving the lack of health an safety. Good old days. Days went everyone was happy

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

I certainly was......lots of loco action!.....

[@markcf83]

Ah yes,the era when we were responsible for our own health and safety.....

[@iMagic16]

Thank you

[@flymajj]

Certainly one of the most interesting videos you've posted. Not to say any of your others aren't interesting (they all are), but this one had some real gems.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you.....just part of the everyday scene back then.......

[@AndreiTupolev]

Mk 2 Ford Escort Ghia, with vinyl roof, in a lovely shade of green, parked over there on the right at 1:50! 😚 Just above an Austin Ambassador I think.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, it's good to look through the vids now to see what lurks in the background......

[@rogerclark5869]

Great video of Duffs

[@hellooldchap]

Another one I could watch for hours.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Please do!.......lol

[@theimperialist2686]

Another great railway video, glad to watch it.

[@robd2184]

Nice video. I’d lost interest in trains at that point - wished I hadn’t ! Now have a renumbered Bachmann model of 47315 in Dutch which is nice

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you.....i have driven 315, it was named Templecombe by then. It still had planty of go in it on a 1600 ton binliner to Forders!

[@limeyfox]

1992 is surprisingly late for a corporate blue 47/4 on frontline express passenger work. Presumably drafted in during the handover period from Class 50s but before Turbos became available.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

The 50s had gone off Thames duties by 1991 (apart from an odd-ball throw out WoE pool from OOC, see here kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKiZk5WPYr19opI) replaced by 47/7s from Scotrail. But the WoE 50s were failing fast and in July 91 BR shutdown the Speedlink Network which threw up the BR blue and Large Logo 47s as spare. They took over the Thames duties and pushed the 47/7s over to the Exeter route. They didn't do too bady considering how long out of a works visit they were.......

[@annescholey6546]

We were at Banbury in April 92 getting loads of stuff and missed the last workings by a mile. Ashley Butlin records the demise of the Oxford 47s at OOC late in 1997, a sad end for many fine performers.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, i watched Harry Needle cut up a lot of 47s at Old Oak in the late 90s when i was working on the Western......

[@annescholey6546]

Yep. Using big Leibherr scrap jibs to recover spares. 47406 Rail Riders met the same fate at Frodingham in 1995.

[@adamw2911]

@@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus Didn't a handful of 47s soldier on until around 2002 out of Paddington? Working on a couple of XC workings to Manchester. Also recall there being about 4 daily class 47/57 hauled services to Plymouth/Penzance as quite a few HSTs were out of traffic being fitted with enhanced safety features?

[@Jonsie66]

Thought to myself wonder if they'd remember the remove the tail lamp, so had to chuckle when I saw they hadn't!!

[@Cliffjumper24]

Great footage once more!!

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Thank you.....

[@thescrapline4905]

Another good one. Keep them coming.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Don't worry, i will!.....

[@StuartT1981]

The raillways are getting boring now,too many multiple units.Did you get any class 50's go through Reading?

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, i do have vids at Reading with class 50s.....i will look at an upload for the future......

[@vicsams4431]

This was filmed before they renumbered all the platforms, so no one had a clue. "Don't ask me where the platform is. I only work here and I am lost too.". Two ex Stratford locos to the rescue. 47 581 (formerly Great Eastern) and 47 583 County of Hertfordshire. 47 819 cannot haul it. Not an Intercity train. (Sectorisation gone mad.)

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, i don't recognise Reading these days.....

[@frostycola42]

Before privatazion we had loco hauled trains now most trains are multiple unites

[@lamborghinihexagons5502]

yea, chiltern and tpe 68s, tfw 67s, and sleepers are pretty much the only loco hauled trains left

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

And the Trans-Pennine class 68 workings Liverpool to Scarborough.....

[@steveluckhurst2350]

And before cars we had horses! it's called progress. 😊

[@SCHRANZ3040]

Love it

[@cidertom5140]

Nice to see a 37

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

They crept about the western on freight......

[@nickrockall2845]

The good old days

[@AndreiTupolev]

47 441, can't say I'm surprised, one of the old nails that they were kindly donated by, in this case, Immingham. Withdrawn 01.93, and I'm a bit surprised it wasn't earlier. And 526 was even worse, though that was on InterCity duty?

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

These Thames line 47s were throw outs from Tinsley, allowing the 47/7s to replace 50s on the West of England line. All due a works visit which in the main never came apart from a few that Res claimed.....

[@markcf83]

One of my childhood memories, sitting on the recessed bit platform 5 at Reading. Brilliant times. Incidentally both the Network liveried Class 47/5's are ex Anglia.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, they are two ex Stratford beasts! I remember people sitting on the edge of that bay to watch the trains go by.....happy days!

[@robgrootdavies6118]

Brilliant

[@AndreiTupolev]

Actually I'm surprised they thought it worth the effort to do all that shunting about with the up Oxford, since there'd have been no shortage of trains to Paddington if they'd cancelled it. Or was it ECS and they needed the stock up at Paddington?

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

I have a feeling it left ECS straight to Padd where it could pick up its next working......

[@Scots_Diesel]

Yay first & great video

[@EM-yk1dw]

Great film Reading before it was turned into that disgusting, cold and soulless monstrosity it is now. Nice to hear human being announcements rather than the perpetual nonsense you hear at stations nowadays. Also the lovely XC services with comfortable coaches at a decent length, rather than those wretched stuffy toilet smelling things you get now.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

A different world back then, and much nicer! I went to Reading at the end of 2018 and was amazed how much it had changed since my last visit! As you say, very souless now......

[@dannycarter1966]

Suicidal behaviour at 02.00. Every health and safety rule broken along with one slip and that's an amputation. You wouldn't get away with that now.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

Yes, i know a freight guard who lost his foot to a class 60 at Harlow Mill......