On Sunday 9th July 1967, Merchant Navy Class, No 35030 Elder Dempster lines rolled into Waterloo with a train loaded with holiday makers and enthusiasts, this marked the final Waterloo sunset of steam on the southern region.
The steam locomotives were replaced by by the Bournemouth line electrification project utilising Push Pull 4TCs coupled to REPs as far as Bournemouth, where the REP was detached and a 33 coupled up to take it onto Weymouth. Also an influx of new VEPs and CIGs also assisted to replace steam and elderly prewar EMUs. An extensive program of CWR installation during 1966 - 67 as part of the program meant a raising of speed limits, enabling steam locos in various stages of decrepitude to regularly reach speeds of 90 - 100mph, faster than most had been permitted to run before, and long weeks of engineering work meant mainline express trains such as the Bournemouth Belle, were often re-routed over cross country secondary routes such as the Mid Hants Line. Further adding to the spectacle.
In their final years Locomotives were allowed to get into a parlious state, as portrayed famously by David Shepherds wonderful paintings, covered in soot and rust, and stripped of their nameplates.
The Video below also shows one of the highly engaging British Transport films as to what replaced steam.
