15th May 2005

Last train of the day for me! It's 17.20 and the immaculately-turned out Class 20 pair, nos. 20001, in rail blue, and 20227 "Sir John Betjamin", in faux London Transport maroon livery, glow in the late afternoon sun. They have just left Medstead and Four Marks and are now on the downhill section towards Ropley. This is the 15.58 Alton to Alresford train. By now the timetable had more-or-less "fallen apart" and this train is now over an hour late. But the good thing about heritage railways is that it really doesn't matter. It's not as if you have got to make a connection anywhere! But it was a full day of rail action, and plenty of variety to keep us all interested. The lovely countryside coupled with good weather made it a great success.