Swanwick Railway Station - 1980's Diesel Traction in Model Form.

[@doctordeath2332]

Excellent as always. Thank you.

[@EmperorsPath]

I really enjoyed this look into the history of the railway network in my local region. I'm a Portsmouth boy and anything you can share on this area from Southampton - Brighton is valuable knowledge to me! Thank you so much once again!

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Thank you for your kind comments. I'm currently working on a video about the railway at Netley Military Hospital so hopefully you may find that of interest too. There is certainly a lot of interest between Soton and Brighton!

[@Andy-SharlstonEastgate]

Wonderfully narrated Chris & a very interesting look into the past & your 1980's memories of the area. Lovely use of your photos & loco sounds, this all tied in with your interpretation of this era on your own layout. Superb stuff Chris, a very enjoyable video. All the best.......Andy.

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Thanks very much Andy, glad you enjoyed the video, it was nice to be able to make use of some of the pics I took at the time.

[@bennickss]

I love your station design. 4 through lines, 2 bay platforms and a storage track. Plenty of things to do around the station. I might nick a few elements of your layout for mine!

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Thanks very much. I designed it as a kind of "through-terminus"; a bit idiosyncratic, but lots of operating fun!

[@stretchedits]

Hi Chris, that was a very interesting look back at your local line, and you had a great collection of photos and stories behind them. I liked how you tied in your locos, new and old into the local history story............very nicely done. Were you aware when you mentioned models of the "Sprinters", they ousted our Class 31's in Leicester too by the way, that Lima actually did a 156 too in the 1980's......I had one back then, it was pretty good and was the basis of the later Hornby model...........but you probably knew that already..............Great video, thank you, all the best Dave.

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Thanks very much Dave, that's interesting to hear how the sprinters ousted your 31's too. it was the thin end of the wedge of near total replacement of loco hauled passenger services (look at the network today!) . I do remember the Lima model, but forgot to mention it!

[@stretchedits]

@@melchestermodelrailway The Class 31's used to run on the Birmingham to March route through Oakham and Peterborough, I think, may have gone further but I'm not sure now. Many years ago I worked for a coach company and we used to run a day trip from Leicester to Settle, put our passengers on the Settle to Carlisle line to Carlisle, have a few hours there before running back to Settle, collect our coach and run back to Leicester. Originally it was Class 31 hauled too, we used to reserve a coach on the train, then kind of do a guided commentry of the line as we went along. Then they changed it to a two car sprinter, ousing another Class 31, no more reservations and very hard to do a commentry when everyone is spread out over the whole train. Not sure why I thought that would be interesting, maybe just thinking of other happy pre Sprinter days! Anyway all the best Chris, regards Dave.

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

The best thing I’ve seen this week 👍 thanks , that was riveting 👋

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Thanks very much Bleak Hall, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@petes6814]

Know what you mean about hearing diesels climbing Swanwick bank. I lived in Lee on Solent and on a good day could hear Hampshire units “thumping” up the bank from Fareham. I can remember cl 52s and Hymeks at Fareham, and as a child a trip to Bristol on a diesel intercity unit - ex trans penine i think.

[@melchestermodelrailway]

Yes, it's amazing how far away you could hear Thumpers sometimes, just shows how loud they were! Interesting to hear about your memories of Hymeks and 52's at Fareham.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid