NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

01/02 A Claus 60 (believed to be 60091 'An Teallach' in old coal sector colours) ran light engine between East depot and Hallen Marsh via Clifton Down for clearance tests follwing the previous days work to bring the line back to freight standards. This would have been the first 60 over this route, but subsequent Didcot-Avonmouth MGR workings have been few, mainly under the cover of darkness. 56007 worked the 6Z91 18.07 Middlesborough empty VKA vane.

04/02 08653 returned as the area pilot replacing 08896 'Stephen Dent'.

14/02 60089 'Arouil' worked the Acton coal MEAs and 66 190 was present light assumed to be later returning empty cartics from the Chittening Industrial estate to Washwood Heath.

26/02 A second Class 08, 08 500 is now allocated for duties in the Avonmouth area in particular additional dockside traffic. This loco has received a recent repaint - on one side only! The overall colour is red, the repainted side carrying an EWS three beasts symbol below the cab window and fancy 08500 numbers whilst on the other side an additional 'Thomas I' is carried. The loco also carries high-level spotlights. 66 059 worked loaded coal wagons from Bennetts yard to Foxton.

28/02 Freightliner 66 517 was present in the Bu1k handling terminal during the afternoon. The loco was on a route learning trip for a new automotive flow of new Ford vehicles from Dagenham. There were two previous Freightliner Ford vehicle trains from this location to Mossend during 2000. The company is also expected to take over the Bristol area refuse container train from early April from EWS. Eight drivers are to be employed locally with the locos to be serviced/stabled by FirstGW at St.Phillips March depot. Rumours also are that with a lower tonnage the Westerleigh part of the operation finish.

Locos seen on MGR duty during February:

60003/026/037/041/054/084. 66033/034/058/085/107/140/162/193/214/222.

Bristol Parkway

01/02 Not a lot of activity to report this evening, 47805 powered the VT ECS from Plymouth to Leeds, 60052 with an empty MGR for Avonmouth, the Teeside fertiliser service comprising 23 VGAs and 2 ferrywagons was hauled by 5600 and the Felixstowe liner was powered by 47323.

03/02 Evening observations at Patchway recorded 66018 at 18.44 with an up rake of new GTRM bogie hoppers; 47758 Regency Rail Cruises with the return Cardiff-Victoria 'Queen of Scots' (having worked as 09.42 Victoria-Cardiff for the rugby international out and back via Bath earlier in the day), confirmed coaches being saloon CR41 (99052), GNER saloon 807 (99880) and 159 (99881) and 66127 at 19.58 with up empty wagons.

05/02 Another quiet night with only a few freights comprising 60054 and 60071 with empty MGRs to Avonmouth and 66074 working the Tytherington - Battersea stone train. The Swansea/Plymouth - Willesden mail service departed heading towards Bristol being rerouted via Bath and there was no sign of either the Margam - Fawley or Felixstowe liner, suggesting the line was closed for engineering works.

08/02 Similar to 05/02, only movements noted 66178 light engine to Avonmouth and 66140 VGAs for Teeside. Line definitely closed beyond Westerleigh as the 21.20 Swansea arrived from the Bristol direction.

11/02 67003+66135 were paired on Pathfinders 'Merseyside Beat' (07.13 Newport-Liverpool Lime Street via Rugby) using chocolate/cream Riviera coaching stock. The train also saw Class 56, 60 and 92 haulage later in the day. The 1Z41/42 being returned in the evening behind the same class 66/67 combination.

12/02 The weather and engineering works took its toll on services this evening, flooding being the main problem in the Gloucester and Swindon areas, assisted by ballast being washed out in the Patchway area. For a while no services ran to South Wales turning the Parkway into a coach park as alternative transport and a four car 158 shuttle operated to Temple Meads. The first service to South Wales was a diverted Portsmouth - Cardiff, 2 car 158, which was well loaded on arrival and left absolutely wedged, circa 19.40, other services followed shortly afterwards some sort of normality by 21.00. VT XC services also suffered, with a couple of services over 3 hours late, 17.37 and 18.57, and covered for later trains which had been cancelled. Due to these delays no southbound postals were seen. Noted running were 47822 and stock covering a northbound service booked for HST, (19.35 Leeds), MGR services were 60014 and 60024 empties to Avonmouth, and eastbound 60018 hauling dead 66159 as part of the train. Only other working seen was the Battersea stone train hauled by 59204.

15/02 Three freight workings noted tonight, 56048 VGAs for Teeside, 66150 empty MGR to Avonmouth and 66127 MGR from South Wales to Didcot.

19/02 Paddington services were disrupted for over an hour this evening as the was a report of a smell of gas in Chipping Sodbury tunnel. This proved negative and the line was re-opened but not before one Swansea service had been diverted via Bath. Coal traffic comprised 66107 working in with empty mgr with 60084 and 60014 passing through with loaded hoppers from Avonmouth to Didcot. Other freight activity recorded was 66034 Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66123 Battersea stone and 66136 Margam - Fawley empty fuel tanks. Also noted was 166.203 in the new Thames trains livery heading ECS to Bristol, possibly for a visit to the wheel lathe at the Marsh.

22/02 Four coal services noted this evening with 66107, 66155 and 66185 all working empties to Avonmouth and 66233 working through with a loaded mgr from South Wales to Didcot?. The Teeside VGAs were powered by 60060 and 47207 worked the Felixstowe liner. Virgin ECS move observed with 47810/722 up front, a selection of Mk2 and Mk3 stock with 43178 bringing up the rear. Another Turbo was noted heading ecs to Bristol was not identified.

26/02 Seven freight workings recorded this evening with 60037 and 66197 with coal empties to Avonmouth, 66129 worked out from this location with a loaded mgr, also from Avonmouth was 66199 with the Tyne Yard "Boxes". 66173 noted with the Battersea stone train, 47150 Felixstowe liner and a rare sighting of the St Blazey - Cliffe Vale (Clayliner) behind 60021. The Felixstowe liner has been very erratic in timekeeping this month and may well be a result of Pengam closing and switching to the new base at Wentloog.

28/02 It was reported that the Felixstowe liner was worked by 66514, the first such sighting since 66501/502 powered this service after their arrival in this country. Also seen light engine was 66517, rumoured to have gone to Barton Hill, but could not be found at this location. The loco was spotted 01/03, stabled at St Philips Marsh HST depot in the afternoon and was still present after 22.00.

Bristol Temple Meads

01/02 66004 worked the 6B68 Burngullow- Newport slurry tanks and 47762 was recorded on the 1V62 Warrington-Plymouth mails instead of a Class 67.

02/02 Filton derailment victim 60088 Buachaille Etive Mor worked the 6C38/6B19 scrap empties and loaded train from Exeter-Cardiff tidal sidings.

05/02 66056 headed the 6V70 08.57 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight instead of a Class 60.

06/02 60077 'Canisp' worked the 6V70 returning north the next day on the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale service.

07/02 66127 hauled the 6B68. GNER power car 43115 was seen in the HST formation working the 1E36 13.57 Exeter-Newcastle service. Two northbound freights noted in the early hours, at 00.35 60098 headed north with empty mgr wagons and at 00.43 the Furzebrook - Hallen LPG passed by behind 66163. 66127 worked 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine china clay tanks.

08/02 60077 worked 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St. Blazey. 47703 arrived on the 08:40 Glasgow-Penzance.

11/02 60077 'Canisp' again powered the 6V70 and 20306+20312 the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. An evening loaded MGR service from Avonmouth-Westbury cement works passed through Day's curve behind 66152. How long this service will continue is not known as controlled tyre burning now takes place at the cement works.

13/02 56118, 60054, 66008/159/179/193 were at Avonmouth. 66166 worked 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties. Recorded at 10.00 northbound were the Flyash empties from Westbury headed by 58050.

14/02 66242 and 37707, with a solitary dogfish between them, worked the first train for several years along the Portishead branch as far as Ashton. The line is being reopened, but requires substantial clearance of undergrowth and reballasting. 66190 was on an MGR at Avonmouth. 66164 worked 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine China Clay.

15/02 66140 worked 6V41.

16/02 60032 William Booth headed the 6V70. BT police were called to, the station during the evening to arrest a person on a northbound service. As the train approached around 20.30 the person jumped out of the train at West Junction but was unable to move due to injuries. The police carried out an interview in hospital regarding an incident ealier in the evening.

16/02 47361 took a Freightliner car train to Avonmouth.

17/02 66148 was the hauling power for the 6B68.

18/02 This was the first Sunday of diversions away from the Bristol-Taunton mainline for six weeks due to engineering actvity. A 1930s road overbridge was demolished at Uphill near Weston-super-Mare during the day a new bridge able to handle 40 ton lorries is to be built. There has been problems for road users with a nearly 20 mile diversion en force from the road, the A370, only a temporary pedestrian bridge has been built.

19/02 60032 William Booth again worked the 6V70. 66162 passed Pilning at 15:34 westbound with a rerailing train including a crane and two ZBA wagons. Northbound MGR empties observed at 17.35 behind 60081.

21/02 The Newport-Bridgwater trip was headed by 66210 formed of one MGR wagon, four VKAs and German cargo flats. The MGR wagon was acting as a brake force runner due to the brakes being isolated on a wagon in the train. 47361 worked 6X27 Dagenham-Avonmouth car train.

22/02 The Bristol Evening Post contained an advertisement for qualified drivers with route knowledge of Bristol, Bath and Calvert to work for Freightliner HeavyHaul. This seems to confirm a rumour that Freightliner will be operating the Binliner from May!

23/02 Noted at Barton Hill at 10.20 this morning was Freightliner loco 47206.

24/02 66183 worked 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington.

25/02 66012 worked 6V41, running a day late!

26/02 Yet another appearance by 60032 William Booth on the 6V70.

27/02 37419 became the first Class 37 to work the Newport-Bridgwater since the train commenced working in December 1999.

28/02 66188 worked the Bridgwater trip, the return working passing Parsons' Street at 13.52. 66168 later hauled the 6B68.

Plans were announced during the month for the return of ticket barriers at the station by First/GW. English Heritage have been contacted regarding the installation of electronic ticket barriers aimed at people who go on the platforms without tickets. A similar set up has been carried out at Reading for the past year and has been very successful in the reduction of fare-dodging. By mid February afternoon checks were taking place with temporary barriers but some members of the public (and enthusiasts?) are not happy with the prospect of not being able to meet or see their friends or relatives arrive or depart by train. Whether platform tickets will be reintroduced is not known.

The West of England Regional Development Agency which helps start major projects for jobs and economic growth is looking at the possible site of a new £30 milliori concert staduim on the Bath Road depot. The location is favoured because of its position near rail and motorway links with the possible link to Temple Meads via a new subway or platform extension. There would also have to be road access from Bath Road near the Three Lamps junction. The return of Bath Road depot to rail use now seems very unlikely.

Cornwall

11/02 Locos on St.Blazey depot were:- 47776 Respected, 60032 William Booth, 66168/233, 67001 Night Mail/003/022.

18/02 Locos present on St.Blazey were:- 08953. 60077 Canisp. 66009/021/029/140/141/168. 67005/018/028. 66227 + 66242 top n'tailed an 08.10 Tavistock Junction. - Gunnislake branchline ballast working.

25/02 St. Blazey held:- 08953. 60032 William Booth. 66012/168/210/248. 67013.

Portishead Branch

14/02 7W18 02.58 Westbury-Parsons Street (via Taunton) became the first loco hauled train to traverse the Portishead branch as far as Ashton level crossing since November 1999. The ballast working formed of three Limpett ZKAs, Shark brakevan DB993753 and 25 Seacow/Lion ballast hoppers was unusually worked from Westbury by 37707 instead of a class 66. 66242 was attached to the front of the train at Parsons Street, making a Class 66 first for the branch which is now expected to be reopened in December. The ballast was first dropped, the train running as far as containers crossing, then returning towards the mainline junction, with the 66 making good use of its sanding gear on the 1 in 76 gradient. The second run was as far as Ashton level crossing to enable the Shark to spread the ballast, the three Limpetts acting as brake force runners behind the 66. The operation was completed by 11.45, the train leaving via the relief line to Temple Meads at 12.38 instead of the booked 14.00 return time to Westbury.

15/01 A tamping machine covered the branchline from the mainline junction to Ashton crossing.

19/01 CWR train No.7 dropped rail on the up line on the branch which is to be retained as a passing loop and relaid, although this level crossing at Ashton will no longer be double track. 66143 brought the train to Parsons Street from Westbury remaining in the 'back platform' of the station before collecting the empty train off the branch and returning to Westbury at 15.10.

28/02 66123 and 66166 top n'tailed 7W19 ballast train ex. Westbury formed of 25 Seacows/Lions with two Shark brake vans. The train again reached Ashton level crossing, leaving the branch at 14.08, with 10 wagons still loaded!

Severn Beach Line

More maintenance, repairs or selected renewal took place on 27 & 28/02 when movement was heard on the line at around midnight. On 27/02 the train was top 'n' tailed by Class 66s, followed by a Tamper. Just the Tamper was heard on 28/2.

Avon to Calvert Binliner

This month's sightings are as follows:

01/02: 66209. 02/02: 66209 05/02: 66049. 06/02: 66049 08/02: 66049. 19/02: 66032. 26/02: 66009.

Locomotives and Units

Class 47 Count

TO 47722/741/750/805/806/810/817/822/827/839/847/848/849/853.

CD 47726/744/758/762.

Hire 47701.

Class 67

67001/003/004/005/006/007/009/010/011/013/015/016/017/018/019/020/021/022/024
67025/026/027/028/029.

Note: 67023 still present at Barton Hill during February.

Units Noted During the Month

143601/614/617/618/620/621/623/625. 150218/230/232/234/238/239/241/248/251/261/265/268. 153302/308/312/327/353/380/382. 158746/815/818/820/821/822/823/824/826/830/835/838/839/840/843/863/ 864/867/868/870.

Postal Sets Noted

4s (PCV)

94342 94196 94175 94322
94335 94138 94204 94308
94339 94137 94132 94337
94315 94116 94114 94321
94338 94117 94103 94307
94343 94215 94223 94305
94306 94202 94108 94334
94327 94205 94176 94304
94316 94100 94224 94317

4s (BG)

94510 94229 94213 94512
94416 94199 94101 94528
94449 94102 94217 94433

5s

94471 94195 94126 94200 94441
94474 94121 94180 94119 94511
94462 94118 94146 94168 94485
94537 94436 94155 94133 94496
94444 94225 94160 94112 94536
94434 94216 94147 94198 94484

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/02 37428 worked 2V07 07:23 Rhymney-Radyr and 37412 2F06 07:44 from Rhymney.

02/02 170502 worked the 06:54 from Worcester. 37412 did 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney and 37419 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney. DRS loco 37611 moved light engine to South Wales as 0Z26 17:30 Crewe-Canton. 66514 worked 4S81 Pengam-Coatbridge.

03/02 There were a large number of special workings, due to Wales playing rugby against England at the Millennium Stadium. A 1Z66 07:57 Crewe-Cardiff relief service operated, but departed 48 minutes late due to problems with 47705 which (unusually) backed its train into Platform 11 at Crewe direct from Crewe C.S. The stock was 5378, 5029, 13227, W17056, 5335, 5331. The 158 on 1V77 08:33 Manchester-Cardiff was replaced by DRS 37610 hauling 5732, 5630, 5647, 17159, 3240, 5322, 6310. This started as 1H98 07:25 Crewe-Manchester, working via Warrington to avoid a run-round at Manchester. The train was originally going to be hauled by 37038, but a defect with it led to the DRS loco substituting. A second Crewe-Cardiff relief, the 2V42 10:28 from Crewe, was hauled by 33108 in black livery with a red waistband! This was its first passenger working on the national rail network since withdrawal from BR, so a large number of enthusiasts were on board for the run. The stock consisted of 5365/07/50, 17086, 5364, 5275. Unfortunately, the loco ran into difficulties at Leominster, due to loss of coolant. Several gallons of water were poured into the cooling system and the loco struggled on to Hereford, where it was declared a total failure. Passengers were turfed off and advised to catch the Class 158 behind, which caused a near-riot amongst the enthusiasts! 37428 was sent light engine as 0Z99 from Canton to recover the train and was seen passing through Newport at 15:45 with 33108 DIT plus the ECS. 47758 worked a Queen of Scots luxury special from Waterloo at 09:42. 47799 left Victoria at almost the same time on VSOE stock. Both services worked via Salisbury, the VSOE passing through at 11:47 and the QoS at 12:03. A third loco hauled service arrived behind 47721. On the Valley Lines, 37611 worked 2F09 07:15 from Rhymney and 2R05 08:50 to Rhymney and continued on a three-hourly cycle, finishing with 2F57 1915 Rhymney - Cardiff. 37412 worked 2F13 08:15 from Rhymney and 2R09 09:50 to Rhymney and continued on a three-hourly cycle, finishing with 2R45 18:50 to Rhymney. 37419 worked 2F17 09:15 from Rhymney and 2R13 10:50 to Rhymney and continued on a three-hourly cycle, finishing with 2R49 19:50 to Rhymney. Stock was 35513, 4876, 5278, 4854. In the evening, 47705 worked 1Z76 18:15 to Crewe, 37610 1Z71 19:15 to Crewe and 37428+33108(DIT) 2B33 19:45 to Crewe. 47721 followed five minutes later behind 2B33 hauling 17167, 3247/75, 1953, 3182, 3267, 1566, 3273, 3174. 158955/170504 worked 20:05 to Nottingham.

05/02 37412 worked 2R38 and 37419 2R42. 66504 worked 4S81.

06/02 The 07:43 York-Swansea service terminated at Cardiff, as it was running 50 minutes late. 43115 in GNER livery was on the rear! 37419 worked 2V07 and 2R38 whilst 37412 did 2F06 and 2R42. 66221 worked 6Z79 Canton-Carlisle enterprise and 66203 was on 6E21 Baglan Bay-Humber Pressure Tanks. 66504 worked 4V04 Coatbridge-Pengam.

07/02 37419 hauled 2R38 and 37412 2R42. 66502 worked 4S81.

08/02 170520 worked the 06:54 from Worcester. 150246 appeared on the 13:24 from Portsmouth. The evening Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day. 66504 worked 4S81.

09/02 66502 worked 4S81.

10/02 47759 worked a 1Z38 Pathfinder tour to Carlisle. 57007 was at Pengam and 66503 at the new Eurofreight terminal at Wentloog.

12/02 37419 worked 2V07 and 37412 2F06 and 2R38. 66503 was at Pengam.

13/02 This was the final day of operations at Pengam FLT. 66502 worked 4S81 and the final train from Pengam was due to be 4L56 20:30 Pengam-Felixstowe. However, it was cancelled after 47289 failed! 66084 worked 6Z79.

14/02 Wentloog Euroterminal became the Freightliner base in South Wales. 4L56 from the previous day departed from Pengam at 09:30 with 47303 in charge, so this was the last train from a now closed terminal! 59201 was noted at Canton. 66022 worked 6Z79. 37412 was on 2R38 and 37415 2R42.

15/02 47744 worked 1Z41 08:35 Swansea-Edinburgh special, taking rugby fans to Scotland for the match involving Wales. The service ran via Hereford, Crewe and Carlisle. 66110 worked 6Z79, 37412 2R38 and 37415 2R42.

16/02 60081 in green livery worked 10:49 Tower Colliery-Aberthaw P.S. MGR. 170520 worked the 15:50 to Nottingham and 170507 arrived on the 12:44 from Nottingham. 66502 was at Wentloog. 37412 hauled 2R38 and 37415 2R42.

18/02 08466/481/752/770/854/951 were at ASW and 08651/792/921/957 at Canton.

19/02 66505 worked 4S81 Wentloog-Coatbridge. 37412 was on 2V07 and 37415 2F06.

20/02 37415 hauled 2R38 and 37412 2R42.

21/02 37801 worked 6V14 07:49 Hull-Baglan Bay. 37419 worked Margam to Aberthaw with a new 100 tonne coal wagon for trial.

23/02 66503 worked 4S81, 66037 6E21 and 66046 6V14.

24/02 59005 was at Canton. 66039 worked 6Z79. 56114 passed through early in the morning on 6Z63 18:20 Middlesborough-Haverfordwest (05:25) with 29 VGA wagons containing fertiliser.

25/02 37029/038 worked 11 coaches as 1Z10 09:55 Liverpool Lime St-Cardiff via Crewe taking Liverpool football fans to the Worthington Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. It returned as 1Z14 19:11 from Cardiff, having been retimed at the last minute when the match went into extra time and then to a penalty shoot-out! Central Trains operated a 10 vehicle Class 158 formation from Birmingham to convey Birmingham City fans.

26/02 66505 was at Wentloog. 37415 worked 2R38 and 37428 2R42.

27/02 66025 worked 6V23 Hardendale-Margam limestone train and 66152 6Z79. 37428 did 2V07 and 2R38 with 37415 on 2F06 and 2R42.

Cardiff Canton

Cardiff Canton was viewed on several occasions during the month and the following observations were made:-

04/02 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/419/898, 37901/904. 47365/575/770/782. 60062/073/098. 66079/175/187/220. Dep: 9775087/471/477/494. Crane: ADRC 96712?.

11/02 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/414/429, 37898/901/904. 47365/770/782/783. 60004/007/043/066/082/096. 66008/056/072/159/176/193/235/242. 67011.

18/02 08493/756/801/819/955. 09107. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406, 37898/901/904. 47770/782. 59102. 60004/005/073/088/098. 66064/076/103/107/144/166/183/239.

25/02 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/414/428, 37898/901/904. 47365/770/782. 59005. 60026/057/086. 66021/125/140/162/171/199. 67001/026.

Cardiff Tidal Sidings

During the month the following observations were made.

04/02 08481/651/770/951.

11/02 08481/752.

25/02 08466/481/854/951.

Newport

02/02 66514 worked west on a Freightliner at 08:30. Noted at 00.05 were 09203. 66034/154.

03/02 60021, 66009/100/193/210 were at Godfrey Road at 19:45.

04/02 In the early evening the following were noted 60021. 66009/018/100/127/155/176.

06/02 60006/033, both in new Corus livery, were on the iron ores. This was possibly insensitive, as large job losses had been announced in the Welsh steel industry a few days earlier. 66044/065/100/140/159/210/215/221/228 visited Godfrey Road. 66215 passed through with a GTRM Autoballaster. 66171 worked 7B66 Westbury-ADJ departmental service and the 6C42 return. 66051/136/176/186/190/193/214 were on MGRs.

07/02 66218 hauled 6G81 05:05 Llanwern-Worcester Yard Metal Box service and returned with the 6G83 10:00 working. 60006/033 continued on the iron ores. 56098 was on tanks. 66136/184/186/190/ 214/242 were on MGRs. 66024/034/044/066/202/215/218/220 were at Godfrey Road.

09/02 The following were noted 09017/105. 47289. 60005/024/082. 66024/088/122/145/164/184/200/205/210/214/220/235.

13/02 Godfrey Road S.P. was empty at 10:45. 66051/174 were at ADJ and 58050 passed by light engine. By 14:45, 66037/051/113/132/172/ 174 had all worked onto Godfrey Road! 47761 took a departmental train west at 14:30.

14/02 66022/60037 worked a departmental train west at 11:00. 66123 and 66227 hauled stone services. 66076/144/193/214 were on MGRs, 66079 on scrap, 66066 on steel, 66022 on flyash and 66133 on oil tanks. 66039/079/113/188/214 all passed through light engine. Visitors to Godfrey Road were 60037, 66009/022/062/076/079/113/188.

15/02 66074 worked 6G81 and 6G83 return. 56048 worked tanks from Avonmouth to ADJ.

16/02 47784 passed westbound at 05:09 hauling 13 Mk1s ECS. 60017 was on iron ore, 66190 on MGR, 66123 on departmental and 60017 hauled one Freightliner flat east carrying just three containers! 09017, 60071, 66076/115/166/167/203 were at Godfrey Road. Also noted were 47302. 60007/021/087. 66034/064/144/163/186.

19/02 60073 was the only loco at Godfrey Road at 09:30. 66215/034 stopped on the down relief with one OBA wagon between the two locos.

20/02 66007/135/183/184/207/233 were on MGRs, 66025 on a departmental service, 66115 on Cawoods coal and 66029/076/128/139/ 239 light engine 66504 was on a Freightliner.

21/02 56025 was noted at Godfrey Road.

22/02 37419, 60089/098, 66074/125/236 visited Godfrey Road. 66037/103/115/190/193 were on MGRs, 66084/151 on tanks, 66121 on Cargowagons, 66062/066 on empty steel, 66008 on containers and 66045/093/233 passed l.e.

23/02 66007/067/103/135 were on MGRs and 66039/233 on steel. 66125 appeared with the Autoballaster and 66084/166 were on departmental services. 66076/115/124/140/180/199 visited Godfrey Road. Also noted were 09203. 37419. 60007. 66007/057/125.

26/02 56114 worked 6B06 ADJ-Cadoxton.

27/02 56085 worked 6C90 ADJ-Avonmouth and 37419 6C91 ADJ-Bridgwater and 6C92 return. 58009 was a surprise sight on 6B73 Westbury-ADJ and return.

28/02 37412 worked East Usk-Fifoots P.S. and returned with empties. 37419 did 6G81 and 6G83. 56058 hauled 6B06.

The following units were noted at Newport during the month: -

143601/610/617/620/623. 150230/234/265/266. 153308/355/370. 158749/791/816/820/823/825/826/827/829/830/831/833/834/836/841/ 851/862/872. 170638.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers

08480(CF)-EH, 08750(ZG)-ZI, 08856(EH)-CF, 37216(CD)-OC, 37401(CD)-ML, 37412(CD)-CF, 37415(ML)-CF, 37419(ML)-CF, 37421(CD)-ML, 37426(CD)-ML, 37428(ML)-CF, 37712(OC)-CD, 47756(ML)-CD. Adtranz - RT Rail: 08573. DFHH: 66525.

Store

31110/207/466. 33025/030. 37429/884. 47575. 56069. BC*: 31168/229/263/282/286/411/417/428/460/516/533/545. 37201. 47238. Bewdley: 37906. 47004. 56006. EH: 37219/884/893. FB: 08901/931. LT*: 20066/081/092. LB: 47309. 56069. ML: 33025/030. 37429. 47575. OC: 31110/207/466. SS: 73204/205. TO: 47738.

BC - Bescot Yard, LT - Longtown.

On Decision 31110/207/466. 33025/030. 37429/884. 47575.

Traffic

37051 -CD, 37509 -TO, 56032 -IM.

Withdrawn

37191. 47530.

Disposals

CRDC: 37191. 47351/530. TJ Thomson: 08515/618. @GD. H Needle: 31196/299. @SF.

Renumbered

90021 - 90221, 90022 - 90222, 90023 - 90223, 90025 - 90225, 90027 - 90227, 90038 - 90238. (Fitted with Composition Brake Blocks).

91007 - 91107, 91030 - 91130. (Refrubished locomotives)

Diesel Multiple Units

Stored

101653 (51426 + 54358), 101663 (51201 + 54347), 101679 (51224 + 51533), 101687 (51247 + 51512), 101694 (51188 + 53268). all at LO.

Traffic

54062 -LO.

Formations

101663 (51201 + 54347)(See Above), 101681 (51228 + 51442 + 54062). Spare: 51506.

New Stock

175108 (50758 + 56758 + 79758)- CH. 175112 (50762 + 56762 + 79762)- CH.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored

308136/154/155/159/163. 488201/203/304/07. 489105. 936003.

BD: 936003. EM: 357005/007/020. EH: 309616/617/624. 458007/009. NL: 308155. PC: 334001. SO: 508123. WD: 458001. SS: 308136/154/159/163. Car: 61912. 488201/03. 488304/07. 489105.

Traffic

334013/014/020. 357004/041. 458008/015.

Formations

309617 (75643 + 61938 + 75982. (71760 - spare))

New Stock

333016 -NL. 375617/626 -RE. 458010/011/014/015/017 -WD.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

1674. 2834 -ZA, 99716 -CS. EWS - HNRC: 94010/011/024. (Not scrapped at OM as advised earlier)

Store

1842. 3293. 3312/74. 13225. 99716. CP: 92936. CS: 4958. 99128/304/329/716/718/721. DR*: 94010/011/024. EC: 13225. LA: 42073/074/361. 44024. NC: 3293. 3312/74. ZN: 1842. 3228/29/44/61. 3520/22/23. 6200/02/03/06/07/12/13/19 6221/26. 9480/92. 9501. 92933. * West Yard.

Traffic

35511 -BN.

Withdrawn

1691/97/99. 1850/71. 4873. 4917. 5132/35/54/56/58/61/63/67/74/80. 5207/09/13/25/26/76/90. 5322/45/79/81/89. 5410/19/20/33/43/46/54 5471/72/75/80. 7183. 9421/34/35. 13225. 17058/064/091/099. 35452/510/512. 80330/336/338. 95366. 96452/453.

Disposals

Raxstar:- 19500. 977570(5535)/571(5543)/577(9470) @CP. DNL :- 975393/916/925/926 @ Peterborough

Codes

GBZZ GB Railways WKCK EWS, Class 37/4, hired to Cardiff Railway

Delete

WKCD, WMAC, WSAC, GD, WU.

NEW STOCK

12/02 175112 worked to Ashford for special tests.

28/02 334002/003/004/006/008/009 were at Polmadie and 334013/016 at Shields. These units are unusual in that the centre car has 2+3 seating, whereas the driving cars have 2+2!

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

Tytherington Quarry (Hanson), near Thornbury (17/02) R.W.Giles

In a smart Hanson blue livery with company badge on one side, 4wVBT S 9387/45 can now be found on a short section of track at the quarry road entrance just off the A38 in the Tytherington village direction. Also present is a narrow gauge tippler wagon again on a short track section. The former 'Mainline' freight company sign is nearby still awaiting an EWS replacement? The cab of the Sentinel is wired over with a dummy in blue overalls and a hard hat on the footplate!

MISCELLANEOUS

Freight Increased Business

Property consultants Chesterton say new research has found that 7.1% of all freight moved in the UK in 1998 went by rail, compared to 5.9% in 1994 and is set to rise further as road costs rise and railfreight costs rise. In turn that will mean rail will become economically viable for most routes, and this will see changes in the sitting of distribution centres.

Correction March 2001 Magazine Bristol Parkway

22/01 31110 Traction Magazine and 31207 only worked the 6V56 20.18 Thameshaven-Llandarcy bitumen tanks as far as Acton and not into South Wales as stated.

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