RailScene Focus: Hampshire Thumpers, BR(SR) DEMUs on the Ludgershall Legionnaire and Mid-Hants line.

The Southern Region's unusual Diesel-Electric Multiple Units have gathered a following due as much to their quirkiness as to their familiar English Electric sound - they "thump" along.
Over the weekend of 14th and 15th September 2019 Hampshire rang to the thumping sounds as, on both days, the Mid-Hants "Watercress" line employed its 2-car set to work an hourly shuttle service from Alresford to Ropley between its normal steam services and, on the Saturday, Hastings Diesels Limited ran their unique 6-car set on a tour from Hastings to Salisbury and, most importantly, to Ludgershall. The latter is now the northern end of the miniscule remnant of the former through line from Andover to Andoversford of the late Midland and South Western Junction Railway, known to Western Region men as the "Tiddley Dyke". (Note: the Swindon & Cricklade Railway also uses part of the old M&SWJR trackbed)
This footage concentrates on the target of the railtour, the line to Ludgershall from Andover, following the train to a couple of feet from the current "end of track" adjacent to the Ludgershall to Tidworth main road. We then see it negotiating the rusty sidings adjacent to the old M&SWJR main line and then the train's return to, and departure from, Andover (Junction). Finally, after the tour participants had enjoyed nearly three hours in Salisbury we see the homegoing part of the tour as it returns via Romsey at Lockerley.
The following day sees the Watercress Line's two-car DEMU at Ropley and between Ropley and Alresford on the day's shuttles run as part of an Open Weekend primarily for members (but also open to the general public) which featured works visits and various additional activities, as well as "Schools" class 4-4-0 no. 30925 "Cheltenham" back at work in its BR Brunswick Green livery (see another of the RailScene Focus clips on UA-cam).

[@OlafProt]

I grew up in Dorking, and the 'Tadpole' thumpers ran on the Reading-Tonbridge line when i was a kid in the 70s. Such a wonderful sound. They had more of a standard blast horn though. They look rather stately and almost frail in the green livery and slow speeds. Back in the day they were lovely noisy, shaky, filthy beasts in blue and yellow! Love that old ticking sound at 9:00 you got from these and most of the EMUs and Underground Trains. 9:37 that could be me standing on the platform at Gomshall, waiting for it to go past so we could cross the tracks to get to meet my Grandpa in his car (there was no footbridge then)

[@christopherbraiden6713]

Thanks for the video I just love them and there sounds!!😎🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🇬🇧

[@balmesh]

I seem to recall that the line to Ludgershall split in two near its terminus? Or was I dreaming?

[@Railscenevideo]

No, you weren't Alan! The line split just under the new road bridge seen above the train as it goes away in the second shot herein. The left fork goes to the "end of tracks" adjacent to the Tidworth road and the right fork goes to the sidings seen when the train entered the sidings alongside the remnants of the M&SWJR. This split was once the junction for the branch to Tidworth.

[@balmesh]

Thanks very much, Jeremy. Nice to know the old memory box still works!

[@petergrossett6763]

Quaint, but not close to the glory of steam.