Southern’s end of steam

To commemorate this bittersweet anniversary, Paul A. Lunn presents three classic end-of-steam locations.

Below: The sun glints off ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35023 Hollanda frika Line as it works the 9.24am Water loowey mouth through Winchfield cutting on March 3 1967. Driver Bert Hooker recorded 102mph with this ‘MN’, although the unofficial record with this class was 106mph. PAUL COOPER Main: The final steam working on July 9 1967, the last day of Southern Region steam, was the 2.09pm Weymouthwaterloo, hauled by ‘Merchant Navy’ No. 35030 Elder Dempster Lines. An enthusiast adds to the chalk inscriptions on the smokebox door during a water stop at Southampton. JOHN H. BIRD