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

Описание: 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 YouTube).