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Two keen firemen at 85B Gloucester Horton Road, Keith Bannister and Derek Smith, managed to go on loan to 71A Eastleigh from October1966 to July 1967 and work on Southern Region steam locos after full dieselisation of trains in the Gloucester area.
Keith Bannister started his railway career in his native Yorkshire, at 55D Royston shed, as a cleaner. He then transferred to 85B Gloucester Horton Road, where he became a fireman.
Find Keith's 1966 firing turns at Gloucester in https://sites.google.com/view/gloucestershirerailwaymemories under 'Gloucestershire Railway Memories'.
Keith saw out the end of Southern Region steam in July 1967 and what follows are details from his diary of his steam work at Eastleigh.
OCTOBER 1966
12-10-66 Works pilot at Eastleigh 30067, good to be back on steam.
13-10-66 Works pilot 30067
17-10-66 Soton (Southampton) tripper 41319
19-10-66 tripper 41319
20-10-66 tripper 41319
21-10-66 tripper 41319
26-10-66 Pompey (Portsmouth) parcels 73115
27-10-66 Pompey parcels 73113
28-10-66 Pompey parcels 73155
29-10-66 Pompey parcels 34089
30-10-66 Pompey passenger 80016, return light engine
31-10-66 Bournemouth passenger 75068, return with 75076
One of Keith's first duties after transferring to Eastleigh was local trip work with an Ivatt class 2 2-6-2T, as seen at Eastleigh with Southern Region disc headcode and trip number.
On 31 October 1966, Keith fired two BR Standard class 4 4-6-0s between Soton and Bournemouth, both had a double chimney like 75067 in the picture.
NOVEMBER 1966
1-11-66 Bournemouth passenger 76066, return with 76031
2-11-66 Bournemouth passenger 76031, return with 76053
4-11-66 Bournemouth passenger 34088, return with 80085
5-11-66 Bournemouth passenger 34089, return with 76009
7-11-66 80139 Pompey Havant Fratton
8-11-66 Book on at 00.15hrs Bournemouth mail with 73016, back with 34098
9-11-66 Bournemouth mail with 34024, back with 34056
10-11-66 Bournemouth mail with 34060 then down to Branksome for passenger stock with 34018.
But the signalman throw the points under us, then we derailed, so home on the cushions
12-11-66 Bournemouth with 73085
14-11-66 Bournemouth with 75076, back with D6514
15-11-66 41319 Soton tripper
17-11-66 Bournemouth 75074 down, 80016 back
20-11-66 73043 Millbrook
22-11-66 Soton 34012 & 34044
23-11-66 Soton 34040 &73115
24-11-66 Soton 34088
25-11-66 off shed to sidings 34071 & 34087
26-11-66 Bournemouth with 76011 return with 76026?
28-11-66 Winchester-Bournemouth with 73092, return with 34087
29-11-66 Bournemouth with 73085, return with 34012
30-11-66 Bournemouth with 34090, return with 34040
DECEMBER 1966
2-12-66 Bournemouth 73115, return with 34040
3-12-66 Bournemouth 73085, return with 34019 (Unrebuilt)
4-12-66 Down to Brockenhurst to relieve a Brush type 4, but train turned up behind 35007. 20 minutes down leaving Brockenhurst, just 2 minutes down on arrival at Waterloo. Return Waterloo to Eastleigh on 73080
5-12-66 Bournemouth passenger 34104
6-12-66 Bournemouth passenger 34071
8-12-66 Bournemouth passenger 73092
9-12-66 Bournemouth passenger 76063
10-12-66 spare, prepare 76009
12-12-66 Basingstoke with 34005
13-12-66 Basingstoke with 34060
14-12-66 Basingstoke with 73155, back to Eastleigh on D6508 light engine
15-12-66 Eastleigh-Salisbury-Pompey with 75069
16-12-66 Basingstoke 34077, return with D6508
17-12-66 Eastleigh-Salisbury-Pompey 76031
19-12-66 Pompey-Salisbury34089, Salisbury-Eastleigh D6518
20-12-66 Brockenhurst-Basingstoke 76057
21-12-66 Pompey-Salisbury 34006 (Unrebuilt), return to Eastleigh on D6515
22-12-66 Eastleigh-Waterloo 34036, return with 73118
23-12-66 Basingstoke and return on 76016
Keith fired rebuilt Pacific 34040 'Crewkerne' on three occasions between 23 November and 2 December 1966, it is seen at Southampton Central. He also fired unrebuilt Pacifics 34019 'Bideford' on 3 December and 34006 'Bude' on 21 December. The unrebuilt one in the photo, right, at Bournemouth Central is 34057 'Biggin Hill' in the week that Keith started work at Eastleigh.
JANUARY 1967
3-1-67 73043 Bournemouth, then prepare 76xxx
4-1-67 34013 Bournemouth, prepare73018
5-1-67 34088 Bournemouth, prepare 34071
(may have worked back with prepped engines)
8-1-67 cleaning 34102 (Unrebuilt)
9-1-67 Pompey 73043
11-1-67 Pompey 34108
12-1-67 Pompey 34001
13-1-67 Pompey 34090
14-1-67 Pompey 34036
17-1-67 worked Redbridge-Chichester, Eastleigh-Chichester, return light engine all with 34060
18-1-67 tripper 73037
19-1-67 41319 ?
20-1-67 41319 Bevois Park-Fareham
23-1-67 booked on 5.59pm, Eastleigh-London (Waterloo) 34102 (Unrebuilt) up, 34090 down
24-1-67 Eastleigh-London (Waterloo) 34034 up, 34087 down
25-1-67 tripper 41319
26-1-67 London 34036 up, 73020 down
27-1-67 London 34090 up, 35028 down
30-1-67 Havant 80151
31-1-67 Bournemouth 34088, down 34036 up
FEBRUARY 1967
1-2-67 Bournemouth 73118 down, 34102 up
2-2-67 Bournemouth 35023 down, 34077 up
4-2-67 Bournemouth 34077 down, 75076 up
6-2-67 prepare 76xxx & 76006
7-2-67 Northam - Pompey 76064, Pompey-Eastleigh 76033
8-2-67 prepare 34104,75xxx and 41319
13-2-67 Boat train Soton Docks - Waterloo, then light engine to Nine Elms shed with 34104, home as passenger.
17-2-67 Bournemouth 35028, then Bournemouth-London as far as Eastleigh with 73018
20-2-67 Weymouth-London from Eastleigh with 34093, return with 34087
21-2-67 Weymouth-London from Eastleigh with 73037, return with 34088. 73037 steamed badly.
22-2-67 shed
23-2-67 Weymouth-London from Eastleigh with 34108 up, 35007 down
24-2-67 Weymouth-London from Eastleigh with 35007 up, 34036 down
25-2-67 Bournemouth Central - Branksome - Bournemouth with 34095, Bournemouth-Eastleigh with 73119
Unrebuilt 'West Country' 34102 'Lapford' awaits its next duty at Eastleigh loco depot. Keith fired it on a Bournemouth duty on 1 February 1967 and again on 8 March 1967 with a fitted freight from Southampton New Docks to Nine Elms yard. On 22 March 1967, he travelled to Nine Elms depot, seen in the picture, right, to prepare 34024 before firing it from Waterloo, as detailed below.
MARCH 1967
2-3-67 works pilot
4-3-67 disposed 34095
8-3-67 Soton New Docks - Nine Elms yard with 34102, then home light engine
9-3-67 Soton New Docks - Nine Elms on fully fitted vans train with 75076 – a fantastic engine for steaming. 75076 left at Nine Elms loco depot
10-3-67 Eastleigh-Bournemouth 35008
11-3-67 Eastleigh-Basingstoke with 80139, Basingstoke-Eastleigh with 77014. (77014 was the only B R Standard class 3 2-6-0 on the Southern Region, arriving in 1966)
12-3-67 on shed cleaning 80151 & 34087
13-3-67 Eastleigh - London with 34060, London -Soton – Eastleigh shed with 73085
14-3-67 Eastleigh - London with 34044, London -Soton – Eastleigh shed with 35014
16-3-67 Eastleigh - London with 34037, London -Soton – Eastleigh shed with 35013
17-3-67 Eastleigh - London with 35028, London -Soton – Eastleigh shed with 34044
22-3-67 Travel as passenger to Nine Elms Loco, prepare 34024 and work the Channel Island Boat express from Waterloo down to Soton
26-3-67 cleaning 34098
27-3-67 Soton Docks – London with 34090
28-3-67 Soton Docks on 76064
30-3-67 Redbridge – Wimbledon with 34023, then light engine to Nine Elms shed.
31-3-67 D1925 Eastleigh Loco to Basingstoke, 76069 Basingstoke – Eastleigh Loco – Bevois Park – Eastleigh station
Rebuilt Pacific 34090 receives attention at Eastleigh depot. Keith fired the loco on 27 March 1967 from Southampton Docks to London and on 30 March 1967 he had unrebuilt 34023, pictured in 1966, working a train from Redbridge to Wimbledon. By 1967, probably all the 'named' locos had their nameplates removed, for safe keepng!
APRIL 1967
3-4-67 Soton Docks tripping 41319
4-4-67 Soton Docks tripping 80016
5-4-67 Soton Docks tripping 41319, then dispose 34037 at loco depot
6-4-67 Soton Docks tripping 41319, cleaning 73029 and 30069 on shed
11-4-67 Bournemouth-London to Basingstoke with 34098, then Basingstoke-Soton New Docks with 35013, back to Eastleigh Loco
13-4-67 Eastleigh Works pilot 30064
15-4-67 Soton-London 35023. London to Guildford with 35023, changed engines for 75074 to Fareham. .H ome as passenger from there.
21-4-67 76066 Brockenhurst ballast train
24-4-67 Northam with 73020, next on 34087 to Soton Docks
25-4-67 Basingstoke 35030
26-4-67 Eastleigh-Northam-Eastleigh with 75076, then prepare 34034
27-4-67 Northam with 35030, followed by 34034 to Soton Old Docks
28-4-67 Northam with 34034, followed by 34024 to Soton Old Docks
BR Standards were used extensively on Southern workings. Left is a named 73xxx 4-6-0 - only the Southern Region had named ones - passing Battledown flyover near Basingstoke on the Salisbury line, with the Southampton route above. Right, 2-6-0 76066 with the larger tender fitted to numerous Southern based 76xxx.
Eastleigh Works used ex-USATC 0-6-0T for shunting duties, worked by Eastleigh shed crews. Keith was there on 13 April 1967 with 30064, looking smart in green livery in this picture taken in 1964.
35028 'Clan Line' survived into preservation as a main line loco. When Keith fired it in BR days, on 18 May 1967, the timings were recorded and are reproduced below. The picture shows 'Clan Line' at Bournemouth shed on 2 July 1967 after it had worked a BR sponsored enthusiast special from Waterloo to commemorate the end of Southern Region steam. Photo Stephen Mourton
MAY 1967
2-5-67 Branksome-Eastleigh 73043
4-5-67 34036?
6-5-67 on loan to Bournemouth, fired 73043 to Weymouth
8-5-67 Soton 34093, then works pilot 30071
9-5-67 Soton34060, then works pilot 30071
10-5-67 Soton 34087, then works pilot 30071
15-5-67 As passenger to Poole. Poole-Waterloo 35003 and
Channel Island Boat Express
16-5-67 As passenger to Poole. Poole-Waterloo 35028 and
Channel Island Boat Express
17-5-67 light engine for Soton Old Docks-Capham Junction
empty coaching stock with 34060
18-5-67 Poole-Waterloo 35028, this was the 16.00 Weymouth Quay to
Waterloo - the actual performance from Southampton Central is recorded, right.
20-5-67 Bournemouth-Waterloo 35013
23-5-67 Northam 34060, Old Docks 34095
24-5-67 Bournemouth 80133
25-5-67 shed shunt with 80133, then Soton Central with 34087
26-5-67 Soton Docks tripper 80133
30-5-67 empty coaching stock Bournemouth-Soton 35007
31-5-67 Poole-Waterloo 35008
Keith's turn on 18 May 1967 was recorded and part is reproduced above. A top speed in the 90s and consistent running in the 80s! It also usefully shows the distance from Southampton Central to Waterloo as being 79.2 miles. Lots of hard work on a hand fired express loco.
A detailed analysis of this fine run from Poole to Waterloo is appended at the foot of this article.
Keith worked the Channel Island Express from Poole to Waterloo a few times in May 1967, here is that train at Poole with a 'Merchant Navy' , possibly 35013.
Right, a Bulleid Pacific on a Waterloo- Bournemouth working speeds through St Denys station.
JUNE 1967
1-6-67 Waterloo-Soton 35030
6-6-67 Eastleigh works pilot 30064
7-6-67 Soton Old Dock - Feltham, then to Basingstoke 34090
9-6-67 Waterloo – Soton 35013
12-6-67 Bournemouth 75077
13-6-67 Bournemouth 75077
15-6-67 Bournemouth 75077
16-6-67 Bournemouth 75077
17-6-67 Pompey 80139
19-6-67 Poole-Waterloo 34023 (Channel Island Boat Express)
20-6-67 Soton New Docks – Waterloo, then Clapham Junction - Soton Old Docks 34090
21-6-67 Poole - Waterloo 35013
22-6-67 Poole - Waterloo 35008
23-6-67 Soton Docks - Waterloo 34093
26-6-67 Soton Docks tripper 80152
27-6-67 Soton Docks tripper 80152
28-6-67 Soton Docks tripper 80152
29-6-67 Soton Docks tripper 80152
A round trip between Southampton Old Docks and London was Keith's duty on 20 June 1967, his loco was 34090, depicted at the Old Docks.
JULY 1967
7-7-67 Soton-Clapham Junction with Driver Ted Bramble 34037
8-7-67 Southampton - Waterloo 35023 on the last steam hauled CHANNEL ISLAND BOAT EXPRESS with Driver F. J. Pearce
ALL OVER- BUT I HAD A DECENT RUN.
Scenes photographed by Keith at Clapham Junction on 7 July 1967.
Left above is his driver Ted Bramble.
Left below, his loco 34037 'Clovelly' blows off ready to roll from the carriage sidings. In the background is a tank loco on shunting duties.
Above, a photo from the footplate of 34037 at Clapham Junction where, along with the rest of the Southern Region, everyday steam would very soon become just a memory .
Keith went as a fireman from Gloucester to Eastleigh with Derek Smith, who is seen, below, in the cab of Standard class 5 73020. Both later went to South Africa for a brief spell firing steam locos there.
Derek Smith started on the railway at his home loco depot, Cheltenham Malvern Road, a sub-shed of 85B Gloucester Horton Road. When it closed at the end of October 1963, he transferred to 85C Gloucester Barnwood, then to 85B. From October 1966 to July 1967 he worked at 71A Eastleigh.
Derek kept in contact with fellow Dowty RPS members after he transferred to Eastleigh loco shed and his letter to them was published in a 'Footplate' newsletter:
'Eastleigh, Hants, 30th Jan 1967
At the moment as you will probably recall, I'm still having a 'fling' on the steamers and have been fortunate via devious means to get on quite a number of 'Pacifics' on the 'runners', 70mph on a steam-hauled passenger train - especially on the old Southern green stock of which up until now a lot exists - with occasionally a clean green lined engine complete with nameplates and smokebox numbers (if you are lucky!). I'm certainly glad I made the move down here. As I've good digs I shan't volunteer to come back, not while the opportunity of working on steam exists! Steam, to some extent, should be about until July 1967. '
Derek wrote a very detailed account about a firing turn he did from Eastleigh to Southampton and Bournemouth in April 1967. The article reproduced below first appeared in the 'Footplate' newsletter in 1968.
More to come
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