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The Mine of Serpents Railtour - 5th November 2011

Unusual workings on the Southern Region, even if they are not worked by electric stock, have always been of special interest to members of this group!

provided enthusiasts with some rare trackage by taking their Mine of Serpents railtour into the Mountfield Gypsum Siding which serves 's Mountfield Gypsum Mine. Electro-Diesels 73208 and 73141 top-and-tailed the Mark 1 rake.

BR blue EDL 73208 leads the railtour into the Mountfield Gypsum Siding Here BR blue 73208 leads the tour into the Mountfield Gypsum Siding.

photograph by Chris Livings
EDL 73141 leads the railtour out of Mountfield Gypsum Siding Still carrying a version of First Group's livery, although GBRf is no longer owned by that group, 73141 conveys the railtour out of the siding.

photograph by Chris Livings
73208 hauls the railtour through Robertsbridge on its way to London Bridge 73208 hauls the railtour through Robertsbridge on its way to London Bridge.

photograph by Chris Livings
73141 at the head of the train at Waterloo To back-track, the Mine of Serpents Railtour commenced at Waterloo and here EDL 73141 is seen at the head of the train.

photograph by "GB"

Out of Waterloo the tour took the Linford Street Chord, thence taking the Catford Loop to Swanley and over the Eynsford Viaduct to Tonbridge. From Tonbridge it then took the Hastings Line as far as Mountfield.

Following its run down the Mountfield Gypsum Siding it ran to London Bridge via Tonbridge, Redhill and Croydon. Following a short break the tour's next destination was the Imberhorne Cutting on the (increasingly not rare trackage!) via East Croydon, Oxted and East Grinstead. The tour returned to Waterloo via Oxted, Croydon, Norwood Junction, Crystal Palace, Tulse Hill and the Lindford Street Chord.