Christchurch snow Thu 6 Feb 86

The early snow of January 1986 disappeared to be replaced by wind and sleet but by Thursday 6th February the snow had returned and on that day 47056 is seen on 6W62 11.55 Furzebrook OS to Fawley ESSO, riding the yellows as it heads East around an hour early with loaded TEA's. Within a few weeks this locomotive was taken into works for ETH fitment and emerged as 47654 in May. At this time the former Pickfords warehouse was in use by 'Peeks', a local company specialising in party and giftware but business expansion and Council persuasion saw them move out in 1998 to a nearby industrial estate built on the former railway goods yard (Cl.1973). Uninspiring residential housing has replaced the structure. Next to pass was an unidentified 47 which hustles a late running Up interregional, 1M14 11.40 Poole to Manchester Picadilly, before we move to the former loading dock at the London end. Here an 12-Vep arrives over the River Avon bridge past the former junction for the line to Ringwood (Cl.1935). Only the first 9 coaches actually fit in the platform so anyone in the rear Vep will either be jumping down onto the cess or be running through the train to get out before it pulls away. The down fast formed of a Rep/TC follows but is checked by signals as it approaches the station. A down interregional, 1O03 06.50 Liverpool Lime St to Poole follows with 47603 'County of Somerset' in charge. Finally a 4-Vep departs with an up Slow. It was then home to thaw out and recharge the battery which frankly did well to last so long in the cold.

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Any more footage yet