SR Battle of Britain 4-6-2 No 34081 92 Squadron recorded as with a Brighton-Plymouth express passing Millbrook on 12 May 1964. The headcode is for Portsmouth - Salisbury. Whether or not it is then going on to Plymouth or Cardiff we can't tell. 34081 was an Exmouth Junction loco at this time so maybe going on to Plymouth - with 34081 working through from Portsmouth to Exeter?

Robert Waterman adds "Further to my earlier comment, it occurred to me that at about this time, I believe due to the closure of Brighton steam MPD and the lack of electrically heated stock, that the Brighton - Exeter service was electrically hauled using the 'Hornbys' 20001-3 between Brighton and Portsmouth where it reversed and steam took over to Salisbury/Exeter. The loco headcode would thus be correct for the Brighton - Exeter in this instance. I believe this arrangement was troublesome and quickly reverted to steam from Brighton but with a loco supplied light engine from/to Fratton shed. "


Photo: M.J. Fox / Rail Archive Stephenson