BLS "Type 3 to the Sea", 10th August 2019

Another Branch Line Society extravaganza, featuring three Class 37 locos (two double-heading and one on the rear) from Crewe to Portsmouth Harbour and return by different routes, and several options on reaching Portsmouth. The tour was run in conjunction with West Coast Railways, Network Rail and Hovertravel (for the hovercraft options at Portsmouth), the whole event raising funds for the Royal National Lifeboats Institution (RNLI). Sadly, the foul weather over the Solent (and elsewhere!) rather curtailed the hovercraft options and other arrangements had to be made. There was also the option to remain with the train for extra mileage back to Eastleigh, where the ECS went into Arlington for servicing and re-marshalling of the stock for the return trip.