Steam went out in a blaze of glory on the Southern Region in 1967. HARRY POLLARD recaptures the atmosphere of the depots at the time in this stunning ‘OO’ gauge layout.Photography, Trevor Jones
My mum has always apologised to me saying I never had a chance of having any other hobby beyond the railways. My father is a serial ‘O’ gauge locomotive builder and has always been the enabler for me in the world of toy trains.
Plenty of visits to the Mid-Hants Railway in Hampshire during the early 2000s to see a certain little blue engine got me started. As my grandparents also lived on the south coast, this meant the Swanage Railway was also regularly visited. This combination meant I was only ever going to end up liking the green of the Southern Region.
Above: A footplate crew finish their shift at Five Elms MPD as BR Standard ‘4MT’ 2-6-4T 80133 is replenished beneath the depot’s coal tower and BR Standard ‘3MT’ 2-6-4T 82019 rests between duties alongside.
Despite home being deep in Great Western Railway territory on Brunel's ‘billiard table’, Bulleid’s ‘Pacifics’ ultimately became firm favourites of mine. Five Elms evolved from this passion I’ve developed for …
