| Friday 13 April 2018 was not unlucky for the return to main line action for 'U' Class 31806. The loco, 5 Swanage main line certified coaches and Class 33 diesel D6515 formed 5Z42, 12.20 Swanage to Yeovil Junction test train. Dave Tozer commented 'I have done a little research. Yeovil Town had four U's on it's books in August 1964. 31632/792/798/802. They appeared to have been moved away/withdrawn by the the next month.' A comment elsewhere suggests the last steaming of a U Class in Yeovil was in June of that year. |
| Wareham. (Photo courtesy Paul Blowfield) |
| Dorchester South. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Dorchester South. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| Upwey. (Photo courtesy Paul Blowfield) |
| Maiden Newton. (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| With various reversals (Wareham, Weymouth and Yeovil Pen Mill), it was D6515 leading the train into Yeovil Junction's Platform 3.(Photo courtesy Dave Tozer) |
| (Photo courtesy Dave Tozer) |
| A poignant plaque |
| (Photo courtesy Paul Blowfield) |
| After detaching, 31806 entered Yeovil Railway Centre, unusually, from the east end.... |
| ....reversing onto the pit for an examination, water and oiling. |
| (Photo courtesy Paul Blowfield) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy Dave Tozer) |
| (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| (Photo courtesy Roland Groom) |
| All complete, 31806 resumes its place with the train and departs at 17.00 for its return journey. |
| A cloud of steam. |
| Class 33 at the rear. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Paul Blowfield) |
| Round the curve towards Yeovil Pen Mill. |
| BACK |
