EWS Locomotive no. 59202 Vale of White Horse visits Motala on 21st December 2004.

Photo item from from Dave Purvis, Swanage Railway supporter - dated 21st December, 2004.
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Dave Purvis, a Swanage Railway supporter, has sent us these two photos of General Motors built no. 59202 Vale of White Horse at Motala on the morning of 21/12/04. The locomotive was taking part in a traction training run by and for EWS Eastleigh drivers, including Dave Gravell who is also a Swanage Volunteer and member of the 71 locomotive group.

Motala (between Wareham and Norden) is the current limit of the Swanage Railway before it joins the national rail network, and Dave's photos clearly show the stopblock which currently would have to be removed and replaced with a short track panel (extreme left of photo) to allow trains to pass down the Swanage Railway. Swanage Railway volunteers have started discussions on the best way to permanently connect the relaid steam operated Purbeck Line with the national railway network. The move follows Network Rail giving agreement in principle to a permanent connection being made at a meeting between Network Rail and Swanage Railway volunteers at Waterloo station in London in November 2004. See the separate news item by clicking here.