THE 55th anniversary of the end of steam on the Southern is marked each year by a day out with a Southern Pacific. Often this has been to Yeovil Junction, returning from Weymouth, and in recent years has always taken a diesel loco along to take the train from Yeovil Junction to Weymouth, and this was the case on July 9 this year. It wasn’t always so, as a look-back confirms. On July 9, 2011, No. 34067 driven by Dave Hewson, worked a 7.55am Waterloo to Weymouth. With 10 coaches, it was given a special path non-stop to Southampton Goods Loop in 88 minutes for the 79.75 miles, accomplished in 87 minutes and 29 seconds despite temporary speed restrictions to 25mph at Wimbledon and 43mph under the aqueduct at Deepcut, plus signal checks in from Eastleigh. There was some very fine running with 79mph at Hersham and Byfleet and a minimum of 61 at Wootton after no more than 65 through Basingstoke. Dave entered into the spirit of the occasion by reminding us of what used to happen down Roundwood bank, but no doubt he wanted to keep out of the way of the Weymouth EMU behind us! We continued in
