Class 442 Feature - The Last Day with South West Trains

Having reversed at Twickenham to run back down the Kingston loop the tour turned on to the Shepperton branch at Strawberry Hill Junction and is seen here passing through Hampton. Although you cannot make it out on this small version of the photograph, on the high resolution original it is clear that the bus in the background is on route 111 running between Kingston and Heathrow Airport, currently run by Transdev (was London United).

This is the sort of shot that really ought not to have been taken for safety reasons - even more surprising on a railway staff railtour - however it does gve a really good view of the wintry suburban countryside on the approaches to Shepperton station.  Generous lineside clearances mitigating the out of the window shot.....!

Meanwhile just round the bend Terry Ellis is standing at the platform end recording the arrival of the tour.

Everyone piles out again to get their photographs!

The organsing team - willing volunteers to a man - plus the plush pig, pose at Shepperton. More of the team's antcs follow on the next page.....