Features

More than forty years ago the south said goodbye to steam, as the last locomotives were taken out of service - to be replaced by diesel and electric. 

Chris Coneybeer writes:

"The days when the railways were run on steam have a mixture of memories for me. The smell of the smoke...

Chris Coneybeer

...the roaring noise, the whole exciting atmosphere. But I also remember the dirt everywhere and the hot cinders that were so painful if you were unfortunate enough to catch one in the eye."

We asked whether you had any special memories or photographs you'd like to share and your response has been fantastic. Here's a gallery of some of the pictures we've received.

And here are some of your stories and memories:

Greg Hayward:

"My first trip by steam was back in the mid 30's when, I traveled to scout camp in Devon on the then Somerset & Dorset line. The S&D, usually known as the Slow and Dirty, with good reason, started from the long since defunct Bournemouth West station.

As boys our main occupation was to hang out of the carriage window, especially to watch the change over of the key or token required for single track lines. This was a pouch fitted with a large metal ring which was hung on an arm out of the signal box to be grasped by the fireman as the train passed."

Barry Kitchen:

"My Grandfather, Joe Bartlett, worked at Eastleigh Railway Works in the 1960s. As he was a keen photographer, he took many pictures in and around the works and the surrounding areas. Some of these were of locomotives awaiting the scrapper's torch, probably the last time they were recorded on film."

As a tribute to him I'm putting these on the web at www.tjbartlett.photobook.org.uk

Michael Hillman:

"Joining B.R at 15 years old, working as a cleaner in the engine sheds at Eastleigh, working on the foot plate as a fireman on the steam engines, cleaning the engine named after Sir Winston Churchill that pulled his funeral train, a class of engine was either a battle of Briton class or a merchant navy class, just like the old drivers used to say - there was a driver, a fireman and a big steaming beast!!!"

Ray Metcalfe:

"I was very fortunate as I was brought up with steam as my father was a passenger guard at Bournemouth West Station travelling to and from Bath on the old Somerset and Dorset Railway.

Tools of the trade. Red and green flags and a paraffin lamp with revolving red/clear/green glass sides, and of course the very, very, loud whistle.

It really was brilliant as I was able to go with him during the school holidays, helping out in the Guards Van as necessary - and even coming back from Brockenhurst on the footplate one afternoon !!!

There was always that wonderful smell of steam and the sense of power that the engines generated. I suppose that whenever I'm in the proximity of steam it re-kindles those wonderful memories. Mind you, when diesels were introduced and they had floods down Devon way, they had to call on the good old steam engine to get the coaches and passengers though as the diesel just couldn't get make it due to the depth of water covering the line !!

The engine drivers were real characters and they could make the engines sing. Bert Walker was a case in point. If we were late leaving Southampton, we would be on time at Bournemouth Central !!

Dad was a very well respected Guard and is featured in at least 3 books on the Somerset & Dorset Railway (sometimes called "The Slow & Doubtful" or "The Slow & Dirty" ).

We live in Gosport now - nearly fully retired, but I still fondly remember those wonderful days of steam even though it did mean dirt and grit in the eyes when you stuck your head out of the window!"

Mike Dalzell:

"I remember well as young lad in 1947, visits to Botley Station with my Grandmother. The M7 Locos pulling three non corridor Coaches with 1st /2nd/3rd marked on them and the WHS News shop on the Station and the Daily Botley to Bishops Waltham Freight pulling away from the bay platform up the Single line Track.

And the Summer Days at Bursledon when the Strawberry Waggons were collected once a week from the Sidings for the Markets in London sometimes by a T9 Loco or N15.
Those were the days, true Nostalgia.
Just wonderful."