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12:50.

Whilst Dawn has taken her niece and nephew out for lunch I’m opting for another day exploring the railways and countryside around Guildford. We still have a lot of sunshine in this neck of the woods although it’s tempered with intermittent cloud and a wind that makes the weather feel positively Baltic when you’re caught out in it – which I have been. After catching a train from Farnham my first stop was a footbridge North of the station which affords great views across the three rail lines converging on the station. Thankfully it also provides some shelter from the wind!

Here’s a few sample shots.

The venerable Class 455s still work many Guildford – Waterloo services via Effingham Jn.
I didn’t expect to see one of these at Guildford. The Alstom built Class 458s have had a chequered history, having been rebuilt twice since they were introduced. Normally they can be found on Waterloo-Reading services.
The first of the Class 444s (001) arrives via the direct line from Woking with a Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour service.
Whilst Guildford is very much SWR territory, GWR run a half-hourly service from Reading to Gatwick airport. Here’s a train bound for the airport arriving.

OK, now it’s time to explore more…

16:15.

I’m back in Guildford after a gorgeous walk Southwards along the river Wey to Shalford. I’ll add more detail soon, but right now – here’s a few pictures.

The river Wey and Guildford rowing club who were making the most of the weather.
A world War Two pill box guarding the West bank of the River Wey. It was only when I wandered further down this footpath that I realised it was an old railway. Shalford Junction used to be a triangle, and this was the Southern side. I’ve no idea when it closed – other than before 1939, obviously!

A pair of Class 450 Desiros head down the main line at Shalford Junction with the line to Dorking and Redhill in the middle distance.

GWR’s 165106 approaches Shalford whilst working a service from Reading to Gatwick Airport.
On my return to Guildford I returned to the footbridge I was at earlier because the light had moved round into a position I don’t normally see as I’m only here in the morning. Here’s 444033 leading 444028 on 2P56, the 1558 from Fareham to London Waterloo.

21:00.

I’m now back in Tilford after a lovely day where I got to explore an area I’d not visited before and one that threw up some great photo opportunities thanks to the weather. Tomorrow our Surrey sojourn ends as the pair of us return to West Yorkshire, but we’ll be back…

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