Steam & Excursion > 50 years ago today

Exactly 50 years ago today, June 16th 1967, Bulleid light Pacific 34018 'Axminster' heads along the racetrack west of Farnborough (85mph speed limit) on its way from London Waterloo to Exeter with the 5pm express. In less than a month, the last steam mainline out of London would change over to third rail electric power. Photo copyright John McIvor/svsfilm.com

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Nice to see this. My only chance to see SR steam was at Clapham in 1967 and was surprised to see things like this still in operation. Chris uk

Wow! That is a great photo! And looks
timeless in black and white. 85 mph?
Great! So glad you got to see and
photograph this engine then!

Looks like the site of a former station or halt. Note the retaining walls for a platform structure on both sides.

What a sight it must have been to see in person!

Yes there was a station there - opened sometime shortly before World War 1 to serve Bramshot Golf Club, it was a request stop. The golf course was requisitioned by the Air Ministry in 1940, and it was rumoured that General Eisenhower stayed at the golf club at some stage. It was also used by workers building the nearby Southwood army camp. However it was closed in about 1946 following a major accident which killed a number of the workers hit by a fast train as they crossed the tracks to the request stop.