NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

06/10 The new paper flow for Enzo Stora commenced running with 66221 working the first 6V53 22.17 (overnight) Felixstowe-Avonmouth (Maidenhead 15.30 and routed via Box) onwards from Wembley (66213 having worked the train to Wembley). The arrival time at Avonmouth was during the early evening.

07/10 66221 returned the paper empties as 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley. The return service that also conveys container traffic from (and to) Avonmouth docks normally passing through Bristol Parkway between 10.40 and 13.15.

08/10 66213 was in charge of the 6M33 with 66168 performing the duty the next day and 66245 the day after.

14/10 66249 arrived light at 10.30 to collect the 6M33. The train was however, not unloaded since Saturday morning and had only just been moved to the Chittening Estate by 08630! The loco departed as 0M33 light-engine to Wembley.

15/10 56099 worked the afternoon 6C90 15.15 Avonmouth-Newport trip freight, being routed via Gloucester believed to be due to flooding at Patchway. 66151 worked the 6M33 freight service.

16/10 66236 headed the 6M33, being noted passing Brentry at 12.34.

17/10 66024 was the 6M33 loco and 60065 arrived at 15.00 light to collect a short 15.15 Avonmouth-Newport trip freight. 66207 arrived in the early hours with the LPG tanks from Furzebrook.

24/10 At 10.00 no-less than seven locos were in the Avonmouth area, these being;- Bulk handling terminal;- 66043/121/163 all with Didcot HTA coal services 66214/222 both on Aberthaw HTA coal services 66241 in Bennetts yard with MGR hoppers for Foxton and 66130 in the docks collecting wagons for the 6M33.

25/10 Recently reinstated 37425 now ex works painted in EWS colours with yellow snow-ploughs, black window surrounds and bonnet and chrome horns (the loco now being part of the WKCK 'Valley Lines' pool) worked the afternoon Newport-Avonmouth and return trip.

27/10 The level-crossing gates at Smoke Lane were blown over in the high winds.

Aberthaw coal traffic departures are currently ;- 03.37 (MX), 05.52 (MX), 09.26, 13.44, 16.44 using 20 wagon HTA sets.

Locos recorded on coal workings in recent weeks;- 60014/018/031/032/083. 66014/017/023/037/039/043/046/049/054/067/ 66070/093/097/106/121/139/148/168/184/191/211/212/214/215/216/222/ 66225/230/235/241/242/244/250. Local pilot;- 08 630.

Binliner

04/10 66530. 07/10 66530. 08/10 66530. 17/10 66527. 24/10 66527.

Bristol Parkway

30/09 66076 + 66072 passed at 12.13 with an engineers train for Newport ADJ.

01/10 47757 was unusual power for the 6L59 10.20 Margam-Swindon bitumen tanks, for Thameshaven (passing at 12.48). There must have been problems with the train as it was running very late. 66 025 worked the Tytherington stone trip, 60091 + 66224 passed at 22.20 with a retimed 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight and 66146 + 60022 were paired on the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight. 66025 working the Tytherington "Stone".

02/10 66540 passed with the retimed 4051 14.10 Wentloog-Southampton container service at 15.08 (as detailed in last month's Magazine). 20314 + 20310 passed at 14.06 with the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks, 66135 + 66 175 were paired on the 6V70 freight at 15.19 and 66050 was on the Tytherington stone trip from Westbury.

03/10 66607 passed at 22.20 with the 6Z91 18.35 Earles sidings-Moorswater cement service and 66050 was again in charge of the Tytherington trip. 66174 worked a empty MGR bound for Portbury and 66050 working a stone train probably ex-Tytherington.

04/10 A signalling failure at Severn Tunnel junction caused some morning delays. 60048 was at Westerleigh on the fuel tanks from Robeston.

06/10 VSOE movements today saw the train running as 5Z84 10.05 Stoke Gifford-Cardiff Central (1Z84 11.30 Cardiff-Cardiff (17.26) via Haverfordwest) and 5Z85 17.45 Cardiff-Stoke Gifford ECS.

07/10 More activity tonight than there has been over preceding weeks, to kick off, 66218 powered the Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66208 with MGR empties for Portbury, 66143 headed towards South Wales with "Scrap" and finally the "Fuel Train" with 66206 plus "Boxes" on the rear, formerly part of the evening Wembley service? The VSOE returned to London behind 47781 running as 5Z86 05.13 Stoke Gifford-Stewarts Lane ECS (departing at 06.35). 57009 was in charge of the 4Z51 that had reverted to its normal morning timeslot (and recoded from 4O51).

08/10 66505 was the 4Z50 05.02 Southampton-Wentloog and 4Z51 09.55 Wentloog-Southampton containers now confirmed as back to the morning, 'more photographer friendly' times!

09/10 An unidentified Class 57 worked the 4Z51 passed at 10.35 and 20309 + 20312 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks north at 14.10.

10/10 66111 was on the Westbury-Tytherington stone trip and 66607 was again on the Earles sidings-Moorswater cement train, passing again around 22.20. Royal 47798 was employed on the 1V33 15.58 London-Plymouth mails departing west at 19.34. Just a solitary empty MGR working recorded, 66176 heading for Portbury.

11/10 Steam 6233 Duchess of Sutherland, passed at 13.10 with support coach running as 09.35 Kidderminster SVR-Barton Hill ready for a PMR railtour duty the next day. 60026 passed at 17.43 with down empty Bardon bogie hoppers towards South Wales, the working being unidentified.

14/10 47760 + 47741 (in Virgin colours) top n'tailed a Serco test train towards South Wales, being looped from 12.35-12.45. The train was formed of three blue MkIIs, a Railtrack Serco coach and three air conditioned MkIIs. Steam 6233 returned north at 10.50 running from Barton Hill-Kidderminster SVR with support coach and 66206 was the Tytherington stone loco. Down to two freight services again, 66049 empties for Portbury and 60016 working the "Fuel Train" and again "Boxes" were conveyed on this service.

15/10 66502 worked the 4Z51 and 66205 + 47725 were paired on the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight at 13.44. Heavy rain caused speed restrictions and flooding at Chipping Sodbury and Patchway.

16/10 47289 powered the 4L56 02.30 Wentloog-Ipswich containers, 66505 headed the 4Z51, 20309 + 20312 the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks at 14.05 and 37710 passed down light-engine at 16.53.

17/10 66138 recorded with MGR empties bound for Portbury later a Redland Self discharge train passed through from South Wales heading east behind 66200. Trainload coal liveried, sandite 37692 worked the 6L46 00.02 Bridgend-Dagenham Ford car parts train.

19/10 Engineering works saw the mainline between Swindon and Didcot blocked.

20/10 The Swindon-Didcot mainline as well as the Parkway-Swindon line were closed for engineering works.

21/10 60051 worked the 6V70, the first wagon carrying red container wagons for a new scrap metal flow from Plymouth Tavistock yard. Plenty of activity this evening, starting with 66143 working the "Wembley" freight followed by 66166 with empty MGRs for Portbury. 66035 was at the head of the "Fuel Train" (Margam - Fawley) and the first MGR from Avonmouth - Didcot for about 8 weeks was worked by 66163. Before the first entry, 66101/139/225/223 were seen earlier on a variety of workings. Also evident tonight were extra VT HSTs in use following the adverse weather the previous week at Dawlish when a number of Voyagers (4 minimum) suffered salt-water damage to the electrical contacts in the auto-couplers.

23/10 There was another signalling failure during the morning at Severn Tunnel junction. 57005 worked the 4Z51. 66166 was still employed on MGR duties to/from Portbury.

25/10 66503 was the 4Z51 loco, the train being loaded to 11 wagons. 60023 was at Westerleigh with 15 bogie tank wagons from Robeston. During the late afternoon;- 60069 passed at 17.00 with the 6B33 13.35 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties, 66143 on the 6M17 Newport-Wembley freight, 180 106 on the 15.30 Paddington-Swansea and 180 102 with the 15.30 Swansea-Cardiff. 66165 headed west with empty Bardon stone hoppers at 18.05.

28/10 47303 worked the 4Z50, but failed at Wentloog before returning the 4Z51. The loco was then sent to Canton for repairs. 66157 worked the 6V70 west at 15.10 formed of only two flask escort saloon coaches. Major disruptions to passenger services noted due to the weather conditions the previous day, which blighted the whole country particularly from the Midlands to the South Coast. Freight activity was particularly buoyant, 66216 working the Tytherington Stone, 66230 with an engineers train of flat beds loaded with track panels and crane on rear of train heading eastbound, 66016 with a loaded MGR from Portbury, 66081 with empties for Avonmouth and the "Fuel Train" plus "Boxes" hauled by 66143.

30/10 47727 + 47781 top n'tailed a 1Z12 Swansea-Old Oak Common Serco test train and 47733 was in charge of the 1M95 21.40 Swansea-London mails in place of a Class 67.

31/10 66502 worked the 4Z51 containers. A brief visit this evening saw 66016, Portbury bound with empty MGR and from South Wales, 66212 with the LaFarge self discharge train.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

01/10 66607 became the first sub-class member to work west from Bristol with the 6Z91 18.35(MWO) (overnight) Earles sidings-Moorswater Freightliner cement service.

02/10 47635 was present on Barton Hill depot during the morning and 47757 ran OZ41 Newport-Exeter light to collect the 6Z41 10.33 Exeter (Riverside)-Newport ADJ (leaving 26 minutes early) train of partially loaded and empty engineers wagons. On arrival on the down through, the loco was replaced by 56094 (which had arrived light from Newport), the 47 then running light to Barton Hill depot. During the late afternoon/early, evening 66079 worked an engineers train formed of empty wagons (including autoballaster wagons) and Mainline-blue 60044 returned coal empties from Westbury to South Wales, both via Day's curve. Also at the same time, the Bathampton junction-Thingley junction mainline was closed following the discovery of a dummy hand-grenade on an embankment at the west side of Box tunnel. Diversions took place with First/GW trains running via either Bristol Parkway or the Limpley Stoke valley to Westbury.

04/10 The overnight First/GW sleeper services were hauled by 47816 (1A99 Penzance-Paddington) and 47832 (1C99 Paddington-Penzance). Other Class 47s in the area during the day were;- 47757 on Barton Hill depot (allocated 5B03 10.34 (FO) RES vans to Cardiff) and 47780 with the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Bristol Parkway RMT mails. 66132 was reported to have worked a one-wagon Bridgwater trip freight, although this was unconfirmed. Despite being promoted as an Adelante working, the first 20.30 (FO) Paddington-Weston-super-Mare First/GW service was operated by an HST set with power cars 43035 + 43152. The driver stated that 'Class 180s had not been cleared for use on the Weston loop in time!'

05/10 The VSOE was based in Bristol again for the day, with 47790 working 1Z82 and 1Z83 11.28 and 18.10 respectively, Temple Meads-Temple Meads dinning circulars (outwards via Bath, Westbury, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill/Junction, Honiton and Exeter and return via Taunton). Another Class 47 recorded during the day was large-logo 47847 which worked an 0V97 Longsight-Laira stock movement formed of HST power-cars 45065 + 43157. A Pathfinder's Bristol-Liverpool area (including the Aintree branch) a trip that was to be have been hauled by a Class 56 was postponed to February 2003.

09/10 47737 and 47757 were present on Barton Hill depot during the day. 56032 worked a 6Z41 10.33 Exeter (Riverside)-Newport ADJ, 28 empty wagon engineers train (travelling over the Weston-super-Mare loop en-route and passing Flax Bourton at 12.02) and 20309 + 20312 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. Steam 4472 Flying Scotsman arrived on an 08.35 Victoria-Bath/Bristol VSOE excursion (passing Keynsham 14.10). 47781 was reported to have commenced the journey from London, the starting point for the steam part of the journey being unknown. Problems with high tides and strong winds in the Dawlish area saw a number of Voyager failures with salt water entering their power-units that are more exposed then that of other motive power including locomotives or HST sets.

10/10 47737 and 47757 were still present on Barton Hill depot, whilst 47725 brought in the Northern Belle 5Z27 09.40 ECS from Yeovil Pen Mill for a return 1Z27 12.10, Flying Scotsman hauled special back to Victoria. The steam loco had stabled over-night on Barton Hill depot. Later in the day, Royal 47798 passed with the 1V33 16.02 London-Plymouth mails.

11/10 An HST set with power cars 43068 + 43014 replaced a Voyager set on the 06.17 Plymouth-Birmingham NS.

12/10 47847 was present on Barton Hill depot. Another HST in place of the booked Voyager set was 43071 + 43196 on the 07.30 Edinburgh-Paignton. 66222 powered the 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks and 47759 brought in around 10.00, a 1Z45 Nottingham-Plymouth PMR tours excursion that was taken forward by steam loco 6233 Duchess of Sutherland (Flax Bourton 10.43). The loco and train returned during the evening around 30 minutes late as 16.55 Plymouth-Nottingham (Nailsea 20.25).

15/10 66119 + Royal 47798 were paired on the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight. Southbound coal train seen at 23.20 headed by 66137.

16/10 Yet another Voyager replacement by an HST set was 43065 + 43162 on the 16.13 Plymouth-Leeds Virgin XC service. 47635 and 47737 were present on Barton Hill depot, 20309 + 20312 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks and 66119 + 66147 double-headed the 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight.

17/10 A trespasser on the line at Taunton, around 06.00 caused some northbound late running. 60065 headed a three wagon Newport-Bridgwater trip freight and 66527 took up duties on the 4V60 Calvert-Bath/Bristol area refuse train.

19/10 "Hanson" stone train noted heading southbound at 14.55, motive power being 66093. A 1Z27 07.15 Paddington-Plymouth Pastime Rail 'Mayflower' outing arrived at Bristol at 09.20 behind 67030 for Steam 6201 Princess Elizabeth to work west (Yatton 10.18). The train returned as 1Z28 16.18 Plymouth-Paddington (Nailsea 19.52) using coaching stock;- 3110, 3100, 35469, 1813, 4996, 4916, 4949, 4941, 17019 (support coach) during the day.

21/10 What appeared to be the 15.30 Bristol-Weston-super-Mare formed with 158817 + 158837 was terminated at Parson's Street station and returned to Temple Meads 'wrongline', the reason being unknown.

22/10 The rear power car of a Bristol-Paddington HST service (reported as 1A58) caught fire at Keynsham, the train being stopped at Saltford where the fire brigade attended.

23/10 A bridge strike by a lorry at Avon Mill Lane, Keynsham saw some breakfast time late running. Later in the morning, a Bristol East depot-Westbury stone train ran, the first for sometime, via Bath. The hauling loco however, was not identified. A 5Z77 12.54 St.Phillips Marsh-Laira stock-move formed of power cars 43144 + barrier van 6336 was headed by 47830. North and southbound freight services seen at 00.40, consists not recorded but locos identified as 66133 & 66043 respectively.

24/10 56033 handled the Bridgwater trip consisting of a single ferry van arriving at 11.00. After the wagon was unloaded, the 56 and empty wagon returned at 11.33 for Newport. 20310 + 20314 were also in the yard at Bridgwater on the Crewe flasks and 66191 powered the afternoon 6V70 freight. 60 066 worked a Westbury-Newport engineers during the day via Day's curve. Southbound stone train seen at 19.45 worked by 66042.

25/10 180113 worked the First/GW 20.30 (FO) Paddington-Weston-super-Mare service.

26/10 The third consecutive Saturday of west-bound steam activity saw 6024 King Edward I work Vintage Trains 'Torbay Express' (1Z24 06.13 Birmingham Snow Hill-Kingswear and return 1Z25 16.30 Kingswear-Birmingham Snow Hill) excursion using coaching stock;- 35333 (support coach), 5191, 5177, 5157, 1861, 5198, 4973, 4960, 9993, 17018. There were problems encountered on the return put down to poor quality coal off the Torbay Steam Railway. The loco struggled to leave Exeter over an hour down, pausing in Tiverton loop. On reaching Taunton 47756 was summoned from Eastleigh to take the train forward and at Worcester the train was terminated, already running very late and an engineering block at Droitwich had already commenced. Taxis were laid on for passengers back to Birmingham arriving at around 02.30 in the morning the planned train return time being midnight! Another special which saw, mostly early running during the day (!) was Pathfinder Tours 'Western Pilgrim' 1Z52 06.18 Crewe-Plymouth, via Parkway and Westbury to Taunton and return 1Z53 16.30 Paddington-Crewe via Taunton Yatton (18.11) to Bristol. Which featured preserved Class 52, D1015 Western Champion from Birmingham to Plymouth and return to Bristol (where 47773 took over for the return to Crewe). This was not however the end of work for the Western, as when running light from Temple Meads-Old Oak Common the loco assisted a failed HST set (with power cars 43170 + 43165) on the 1A77 17.10 Bristol-Paddington service onwards from Dauntsey to Swindon where the train was terminated around 20.30 three hours late! On the freight side, 66189 worked the day's 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks.

27/10 The 23.00 and 23.30 Paddington-Bristol services were diverted due to engineering works with bus road connections between Didcot, Swindon and Chippenham and the 1A99 Penzance-Paddington sleeper started from Plymouth due to engineering works between Truro and Penzance. During the day there were a large number of cancellations, particularly Virgin XC and First/GW trains due to the adverse weather conditions which saw leaves and fifty seven tree falls on the track in the GW zone.

28/10 56096 worked 6W62 Didcot-Stapleton Road. 66222 noted at 15.25 southbound with a coal train. The Bristol-Severn Beach line was closed for five days from this date for track renewal work between Narroways Hill junction and Avonmouth. Wessex train's local services were suspended whilst work took place and a revised bus service operated, this time not trying to keep to the normal train times (which has happened in the past!) which is impossible through the busy Bristol suburbs. Work at Clifton Down during the early afternoon, found four Bcl Railservices road/rail excavators in use (one identified as 012), along with locos 66230 on recovered track panels and crane 78236 and 66043 with 66127 top n'tailing an empty nkv spoil train. At this location, both lines were lifted and re-laid with new steel sleepers and rails during the week. Another engineers train which ran very late was 6W62 09.47 Didcot-Clifton Down, top n'tailed by 56096 and a Class 66 noted passing Twerton near Bath at 15.30. Originally 37890 was rostered for this working but was replaced by the 66 after failing. 47786 was present on Barton Hill depot during the morning. As a result of the weekend storms Bristol-Oxford services were still not back to a full timetable mainly due to signalling and leaf problems on the rails and speed restrictions at certain points on the GW mainline to Paddington saw some late running.

30/10 60051 worked the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks in place of the normal Class 66. The final Steam Dreams 'Cathedrals Express' of the year from Victoria to Bath/Bristol was cancelled due to the previous few days weather conditions. Loco 34016 Bodmin was already booked to haul the train following the failure of 35005 Canadian Pacific a few days earlier. Another visit to Clifton Down again during the early afternoon found 66233 with loaded track panels and crane 78236 and 60061 on an empty spoil train. Interesting to record that a number of engineers trains actually returned to the mainline via Shirehampton, Avonmouth, Hallen Marsh and via Henbury to Filton, on this date 66 233 passed Sea Mills at 15.36 with the recovered track panels train, an unusual sight for a loco-hauled train on this part of the branch line. The engineering work finished on 01/11, but track work continued on the Hallen Marsh to Severn Beach section into November on weekdays between the last morning passenger service and the first evening train. 60059 recorded at 00.50 with empty "steel flats" southbound, this could have been one of the locos noted on the Severn Beach line earlier, or heading for Portbury where a large shipment of steel had accumulated and advised as being moved by rail.

31/10 The Bridgwater trip was caped with 56 051 already rostered for the working, the reason was unknown.

Devon & Cornwall

02/10 37670 was working local Cornish china clay trips and 47 734 was the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' rescue loco (also recorded on this duty on 03/10, 04/10 and 07/10).

07/10 A Class 66 ran light-engine from Westbury to Mod Ernsettle to collect two VGA vans. 09/10 47756 was on Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' duty.

16/10 47725 was recorded on the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' turn. 19/10 66206 + 60066 + 60039 (both Class 60s were dit) hauled the 6W32 11.47 Westbury-Exeter engineers (passing Taunton at 12.52).

23/10 A brief return for loco-hauled passenger stock in the West Country saw 57601 used on the 1C44 14.33 Paddington-Plymouth and 1A88 18.40 Plymouth-Paddington First/GW service (running 30 minutes late).

24/10 66149 headed a 5Z70 Laira-Eastleigh MkIII HST stock move, via Taunton, Castle Cary and a reverse/run-round at Westbury.

26/10 47744 worked a Letchworth-Par 'Edenex' special via Westbury.

28/10 47750 had taken over on the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' duty (also being recorded on 29/10). 37670 ran an 0Z87 St.Blazey-Newton Abbot 'sandite' special run.

Portbury Branchline

24/09 66524 worked the Mossend car train (now with 4S81 reporting number). 25/09 66526 was the 4S81 car train loco.

01/10 66515 worked the 4S81 with 66 512 on the following day's train. The wagons arrive the day before and the northbound working now runs via Parkway (around 17.00) instead of Patchway and the Severn Tunnel. The service is expected to run as TWThO by the end of this year.

25/10 Imported slab traffic resumed during mid-October, 66002 being today recorded on a morning departure for Llanwern steel works. An evening 18.00 Newport ADJ-Portbury train of steel empties was reported to have been Class 56 hauled, the loco not being identified. Another new freight-flow is expected in early 2003, imported containerised gypsum for West Burton, to be moved by EWS.

Locos recorded on coal traffic in recent weeks include;- 66007/010/012/016/042/056/071/126/157/170/174/176/188/212/213/230.

Wessex Area

02/10 47733 worked the 6M44 Eastleigh-Wembley freight, in place of the normal Class 66. 04/10 37682 was on the 7O26 Eastleigh-Didcot freight.

09/10 37682 took up 0Z66 Eastleigh area sandite duties, whilst 56095 headed the 4M03 09.09 Swindon-Longbridge car part'cubes' train. The Serco test train was in the Westbury area running as 1Z14 11.13 Westbury-Westbury (via Bath, the Whatley and Merehead quarry branchlines) headed in top n'tail formation by 47736 and 47791.

10/10 Freightliner Class 47 loco activity today saw;- 47279 head the 6M16 Southampton docks-Crewe transit vans train and 47289 on the 4O84 Leeds-Southampton MCT containers. 14/10 31459 + 31602 worked a special Westbury-Weymouth and return top n'tail trip for the benefit of Fragonset Rail to promote the so far very successful 'new' train concept to various other companies including the media. The train is to be strengthened to a five (ex four) coach formation in the future. 16/10 37712 headed a 6X13 Marchwood-Eastleigh Mod vehicles extra.

18/10 37375 hauled a the 6B43 08.04 Eastleigh-Fawley tanks and return 6Z20.

26/10 47292 handled the 6M16 Southampton-Crewe transit vans. 28/10 37886 was in charge of the 6Y13 Fawley-Holybourne tanks and 37682 was again on Eastleigh 0Z66 sandite duty. Not such a good day for the Fragonset Class 31 top n'tail operation! A special Westbury-Weymouth and return working ground to a halt at Evershot on the outward part of the journey following wheel-slip on damp rail for one of the 31s. The train continued onwards to Yeovil Pen Mill where it was terminated and returned to Westbury double-headed (not in top n'tail formation). Passengers waiting at Maiden Newton, the next booked stop, had to be collected and taken by Taxi to Weymouth. There followed a Railtrack loco-hauled ban for the line during the leaf fall season.

29/10 60061 was unusual power for the 6Y31 Marchwood-Eastleigh Mod trip.

Units noted

220002/004/005/006/007/008/009/010/011/013/014/018/023/026/028, 220030/033/034. 221102/106/107/108/109/110/111/113*/114/115*/119*/120/123*/125, 221128/129/130/131/132/134/135/136/138/139/141/141. * 4-car.

Postals

4s (PCV)

94302 94197 94204 94336

94331 94176 94214 94305

94341 94147 94198 94338

94310 94228 94172 94317

94309 94160 94146 94334

94321 94103 94150 94337

94318 94177 94222 94322

94303 94119 94168 94332

94311 94148 94211 94320

5s

94486 94208 94182 94200 94422

94543 94175 94112 94102 94403

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/10 221128 worked 1S63 06:56 to Edinburgh, 221116 1S67 09:35 to Edinburgh, 220007 1S71 11:10 to Aberdeen, 220032 1S75 12:44 Swansea-Edinburgh, 221129 1S79 15:15 to Edinburgh, 220018 1E91 17:20 to Newcastle and 220013 South Wales Voyager 1E44 19:20 to Sheffield. 37418 worked 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney, 37419 2R42 17:11 Rhymney and 37408 2R46 17:47 Rhymney. 47757 worked 6L59 10:20 Margam-Swindon bitumen tanks.

02/10 66540 worked 4Z51 Wentloog-Southampton Freightliner.

03/10 221109 worked 1S63, 221135 did 1V71 12:10 from Dundee and 221123 1V63 08:55 from Aberdeen.

04/10 57008 did 4Z51 and 66501 4V30 Ipswich Yard-Wentloog.

05/10 37408 and 37419 worked the Saturday Rhymneys.

06/10 221132 worked 1S79.

09/10 57006 hauled 4V30. Due to a problem in the morning, which left one rake of stock at Rhymney, 37408/418 worked 2R38 and 37419 2R42.

10/10 37419 worked 2F03 06:59 from Rhymney and 2R42. 37418 did 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 2R46. 37408 hauled 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R38.

11/10 66535 did 4Z51. 142072/5 were transferred from Neville Hill to Canton.

15/10 37418 did 2R38, 37419 2R42 and 37408 2R46.

16/10 37038 worked 1Z37 14:13 Crewe-Cardiff to take people to the Wales v Italy European Championship qualifying football match. It returned as 1Z38 22:00 from Cardiff. 37408 did 2F03, 37419 2F05 and 37418 2F06. 66505 hauled 4Z51 and 57009 4V30. 221109 did 1S75.

17/10 221110 worked 1V27 06:09 from Leeds and 221106 1V71. The Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day.

18/10 221121 did 1S63 and 221136 1V71. 19/10 37418 and 37419 were on the Saturday Rhymneys.

21/10 37408 worked 2R38, 37419 2R42 and 37418 2R46. 22/10 37418 did 2R38, 37408 2R42 and 37419 2R46.

23/10 The Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day.

24/10 The Rhymneys repeated themselves for the third day.

25/10 37408 worked 2R38, 37419 2R42 and 37418 2R46.

26/10 37408 and 37419 were on the Saturday Rhymneys. However, 37408 developed a fault and was replaced during the afternoon by 37418. 28/10 47303 worked 4Z51.

29/10 37419 did 2R38, 37418 2R42 and 37408 2R46. 221133 was on 1V71.

Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)

06/10 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 09101. 37222/402/408/418/509/717/901/904. 47746/790. 60037/080/089. 66037/040/093/233. 67010/014. 221104.

13/10 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37222/402/412/418/509/901/904. 60016/037/080. 66187.

20/10 08481/493/576/756/801/819/856/955/957. 37222/412/509/901/904. 56038. 60004/080. 66035/037/143/222/250. 67005/016/017/020.

27/10 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37222/408/412/509/901/904. 56033/133. 60035/068. 66049/123/133/163/178/250. 67001/008, 67014/020.

Newport

04/10 Noted were 37677. 56112. 60004/005/026/048/050/083/088. 66055/176/212/214/215/230.

 09/10 56032 worked 6Z41 10:33 Exeter Riverside-ADJ yard.

11/10 47212. 60001. 66002/025/187/249. 18/10 Re-instated 37425 worked 7B48 09:00 ADJ-Machen. The loco was noted at Godfrey Road in the evening in EWS livery, having been repainted at Margam from Regional Railways livery. 56087/114 hauled 6E45 21:29 Llanwern-Lackenby. At 00.10 Godfrey Road stabling point held;- 09101. 37425 (allocated 7B50 Machen ballast). 56062/114 (both allocated Cardiff Canton snow-plough tests). 60007/065. Also noted during the day was 66065. 47270. 56038/087/114. 60017/026/052/056/088/089. 66214/215/241

21/10 56051 hauled 6C91 and 6C92. 37425 was on 7M12. 22/10 Services through Newport were delayed after a giant inflatable Ronald McDonald was reported on the line near ADJ! It had been blown off the roof of a nearby McDonalds. An inspection of the line found the trespasser had left, so services resumed after a 15 minutes delay.

23/10 37425 worked 6M75 ADJ-Warrington. 24/10 56033 worked 6C91 09:14 ADJ-Bridgwater, 6C92 13:46 return, then 6M75. 37425 hauled 7M12 18:17 ADJ-Bescot civil engineer's train and 7V12 00:20 return. 25/10 37425. 56100. 60054/066. 66038/049/163/213.

25/10 56096 6G77 08.16 Newport ADJ-Didcot Yard. 37886 6T95 ADJ - Bescot.

28/10 37425 did 7B48. 56055 worked 6Z44 08:25 ADJ-Toton scrap train.

31/10 56051/095 worked 6E45.

Units noted during the month included;

180102/103/104/106/107/108/109/110/111/112/113. 220002/004/005/006/007/010/012/016/019/021/023/026/027/034 221104/105/106/107/109/110/111/114/115/116/118/122/127/131/132/138 221141.

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers

08828(CF)-TO, 37425(CD)-CF, 37503(ML)/521(CD)-TO 37667(ML)/668/669/670/674/675/682/685/688(CD)/694(ML)-TO, 43007(LA)-NL, 43063/069/070(LA)/071/078/078/079/086/087/088/089(LA)-MA, 43104(LA)-NL, 43155/156/161/162(LA)-MA, 43166/178(LA)-NL, 43180(LA)-MA, 43184(LA)-NL, 43193/198(LA)-MA, 47484(VW)-KM, 47791(CD)-TO, 47802(VW)-KM, 47812/840/847/851(TO)-WN.

Store 37412. 47726. 86214/222/240/244/248/251/254.

BH: 37242/341. CE: 86254. CF: 37412. CS: 37141/188/222. DF: 37255. DR: 47708. LG: 86214/222/240/244/248/254. LT: 20032/070/088/121. SS: 47765. TO: 47726.

MoD,Ashchurch: 56023/080.

Traffic

08662 -CF, 37065/294 -CD, 37409/410 -ML, 37425*/429 -CD, * See Transfers 37516/517/676/677/684/689/692/695/698/708/710/712/890 -TO, 47200 -MM, 47747 -CD, 56006/054/055 -IM, 57304 -WN.

Withdrawn

08493/576/673/756/801/819/940/957. 37073/358/902/903. 47462/471/475, 47492/524/528/535/540/547/574/596/738. 73103/104/107/117/119/134/138, 73138. 86204/208/241/419. 025031(x37070)/025032(x37138).

Disposals

Booth: 37088. H Needle: 08746. 37903. 47256. 025031/032. IMRFT: 86204. Fragonset: 31154/233. 47186/211/228/280/285/307/335/348. 73104/139. DRS: 37902. 47237/298. Churnett Val: 20007.

Renumbered 47807 - 57304, 90144 - 90044, 91019 - 91119.

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers

142077(HT)-CF, 087(CF)-HT. 150223(NH)-CF. 158750(NH)-NL. 170398(DY)/399(NC)-TS.

Formations

168.001 (58151 58451 58651 58251) 168.007 (58157 58457 58257) 168.002 (58152 58452 58652 58252) 168.008 (58158 58458 58258) 168.003 (58153 58453 58653 58253) 168.009 (58159 58459 58259) 168.004 (58154 58454 58654 58254) 168.110 (58160 58460 58260) 168.005 (58155 58455 58655 58255) 168.111 (58161 58461 58261) 168.006 (58156 58456 58656 58256) 168.112 (58162 58462 58262) 168.113 (58163 58463 58263)

New Stock 180113 - OO. 221142/143/144 -CZ.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored

303009/027/045/083/090. (S): 1584.

BD: 508110/120. GW: 303009. RE: 1584. SS: 450012 (Not 001). Yoker: 303027/045/083/090. ZG: 508.108. Car: 76698.

Traffic

334005/008 -GW.

Withdrawn

302 Cars: 70087(x228), 75036(x204), 75060(x213), 75075(x228).* 303303.006/080/087.**

(S): 1110.**

Disposals

 * Sims Metals, Cardiff, ** IMRFT.

Formations 323203 (65020 72203 65003) 323216 (65010 72216 65021) 323204 (64004 72204 64019) 323219 (64015 72219 65012) 323210 (64010 72210 64021) 323220 (64020 72220 64003) 323212 (64012 72212 65004) 323221 (64016 72221 65016) 323215 (65022 72215 65015) 323222 (64022 72222 65019)

(S) 1110 (61951 70312 61323) then Withdrawn. 1616 (61950 70654 70543 61322) 3520 (76697 62131 71025 76359)

The following units reformed and renumbered; 1537 - 2325, 1538 - 2327, 1547 - 2326, 1548 - 2322, 1566 - 2324, 1568 - 2321, 1571 - 2323, 2301 - 2311, 2302 - 2312, 2303 - 2313, 2304 - 2314, 2305 - 2315, 2306 - 2316, 2307 - 2317.

2311 (61804 70607 70539 61805) 2312 (61774 70592 70295 61809) 2313 (61954 70656 71636 61955) 2315 (61798 70354 70229 61799) 2316 (61808 70609 70272 61775) 2317 (61802 70606 70261 61803) 2321 (61766 70588 69341 61767) 2322 (61379 70338 69342 61374) 2323 (61806 70608 69343 61807) 2324 (61722 70566 69344 61723) 2325 (61229 70235 69345 61230) 2327 (61307 70304 69347 61306)

New Stock 375313/338 -BI. 390013/014 -MA.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

10201 -MA, 10229 -OY, 40723/732. 41025/026/035/036. 42036/037/038/051, 42052/053/097/342. 44012/017 -NL, 82102 -MA, 82122 -OY, 82133 -MA, 82149 -OY.

Store CS: 1260. 5773. 5905/76. 6064/67. 6157. 9520. KI: 1207/10/12/16. 1691. 5331/45/81/86. 5745/46/50/75/84/87. 5810/15/21/22/28/45/47/68/81/86/89/93. 5901/02/12/18/83//89/91/95. 6145/70/82. 9502/09/21/24. 13227. TS: 17166.

The vehicles listed below are stored at Sinderby, near Thirsk, but from earlier information have either been advised as scrapped, sold to preservation sites, formerly at MoD sites or ? renumbered departmental stock. If anyone has any answers please advise editor.

5271/82/90. 6400(3167). 6513. 9421/34/35/85. 13438/442/575/583. 14106/110. 19454/464. 35510.

Traffic 1961 -RL.

Disposals

IMRFT: 21265. 975248/547. 977387/781/782/783/784/914/916. Mid Hants: 977402. Birmingham Rail Museum: 977405. Churnett Valley: 024914.

HST Formations (VT)

Following the mass launch of "Voyagers" many HST sets have been formed of shorter formations for "Challenger" operations(11), 4 sets retained for West Coast use (Holyhead) and a reserve of 6 sets as stand ins until the full Voyager fleet is available. Articles have appeared in the magazines stating that overcrowding has been encountered and consideration is being given to ordering a further 82 vehicles to increase the "4s" to "5s" and the "5s" to "6s", watch for developments in the coming months.

The formations and new numbers are advised below;

XC

30 (41149 40427 42162 42166 44079)

31 (41109 40422 42334 42222 44101)

32 (41165 40418 42314 42315 44090)

33 (41081 40420 42330 42237 44075)

33 (41095 40432 42326 42187 44060)

35 (41147 40429 42254 42258 44000)

36 (41119 40435 42246 42247 44078)

37 (41107 40415 42195 42217 44097)

38 (41108 40414 42336 42117 44042)

39 (41096 40419 42178 42338 44021)

40 (41161 40430 42084 42085 44069)

51 (41165 40424 42109 42216 44087)

52 (41166 40416 42306 42308 44088)

57 (41159 40434 42286 42290 44064)

63 (41115 40417 42161 42160 44053)

72 (41114 40403 42231 42232 44074)

74 (????? 40433 42270 42274 44062)

76 (41162 40426 42088 42130 44072)

VW

43 (41160 41086 40423 42302 42303 42304 42305 44068)

44 (41148 41085 40436 42169 42168 42167 42103 44055)

45 (41167 41169 40402 42318 42319 42320 42321 44091)

46 (41045 41059 40437 42175 42176 42177 42105 44081)

Pool Codes QADD Network Rail Diesel Locomotives QAED Network Rail Electric locomotives

Freight Flow News

Coal Traffic

The power stations at Ironbridge, Drakelow C and High Marnham are expected to close next spring.

Mod Traffic

03/10 37886 worked a 6A32 Ashchurch-Didcot special train. 37248 + 37689 powered a 6Y20 10.05 Eastleigh-Ludgershall loaded vehicles train and 6Y21 12.40 return empties (departing at 12.10 and passing Redbridge at 12.40).

Freightliner

The company is looking at restarting the movement of slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog with trial workings expected to take place during November.

Miscellaneous

Class 37

02/10 Working Class members in the South Wales and West of England during the morning were as follows;- 37402/412/692/717 Cardiff (out of service). 37408/418/419 Rhymney Valley line services. 37675 Margam (exam). 37677 Cardiff (exam). 37886 6T50 Didcot-Oxford Hinksey yard trip. 37670 Cornish china clay trips.

This is the complete list of class 37 hauled workings for Valley Lines for the duration of the current timetable.

2F03 06:59SX Rhymney - Central

2F05 07:19SX Rhymney - Central

2F06 07:40SX Rhymney - Central

2F08 08:04SO Rhymney - Central

2R10 08:59SO Central - Rhymney*

2F14 09:13SO Rhymney - Central

2R14 09:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F18 10:15SO Rhymney - Central*

2R18 10:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F22 11:15SO Rhymney - Central

2R22 11:59SO Central - Rhymney*

2F26 12:15SO Rhymney - Central

2R26 12:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F30 13:15SO Rhymney - Central*

2R30 13:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F34 14:15SO Rhymney - Central*

2R34 14:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F38 15:15SO Rhymney - Central

2R36 15:59SO Central - Rhymney

2F42 16:15SO Rhymney - Central*

2R38 16:50SX Central - Rhymney

2F46 17:15SO Rhymney - Central

2R42 16:59SO Central - Rhymney

2R42 17:11SX Central - Rhymney

2R46 17:47SX Central - Rhymney

2R50 17:59SO Central - Rhymney*

2R54 19:05SO Central - Rhymney

2F66 19:15SO Rhymney - Central*

2F70 20:20SO Rhymney - Central

* Only run as loco-hauled when there is an event at the Millennium Stadium.

Class 47

Class members are receiving overhauls and repaints at Toton depot;- 47773 (now named The Queen Mother) being the first of the recent batch (working a 1Z27 08.25 Redhill-Kidderminster and 1Z28 return charter on 13/10). Next was 47747 being named Florence Nightingale (previously carried by 60035) and formerly named Graham Farrish, to be completed with 47727 to follow.

First GW Thames, Wessex Trains and the First GW areas are expected to become one in the next Franchise reshuffle in 2006. A headquarters could be established in either Bristol or Swindon making the area very similar to the 'old' Western Region! 29/10 First GW liveried 47813 worked the 1H44 06.33 Bangor-Manchester First GN service formed of First GW liveried coaching stock!

Fragonset

The company are expected to see some of their Class 33 fleet members 'hired in' by South West trains for driver training duties prior for use on stock movements and 'thunderbird' rescue duties. During November 33108 was to be out-based at Salisbury. Other news is the possible use of Fragonset Class 31s on the Serco test trains in place of EWS Class 47s, before the expected use of HST power cars in the spring next year for the train haulage.

Industrial & Preservation Matters

05/10 Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The following were in use giving brake van rides during the day;- 06003, 08809, 20096, 40135, 45060, 46035, 56006. Visiting Freightliner loco 66544 was also present.

Dean Forest Railway, Lydney junction.

73005/901/906 were present after recent delivery.

Steam Museum, Swindon.

Minor work has been completed on a 1934 built former GWR buffet coach 9631 that is on loan from the NRM York having arrived in July for display.

Motorway Movements

04/10 Midland Mainline power car 43059 was seen on the M5 (Junction 7) heading north on a road low-loader.

10/10 56080 was moved from Wigan depot to Mod Ashchurch for preservation. 56023 followed later in the month, apparently for a source of spares to make 56080 operational.

16/10 73002 was seen heading south on a road low-loader at 07.30 on the M5 just north of Bristol, the loco was then noted heading towards the Severn Bridge.

Class 40

28/10 40145 (D345, tops number 89445) completed a successful mainline test run and will feature on a Pathfinder excursion on the North Wales coast early in the New Year.

Riviera Trains

The company now own 47839 and 47853 for excursion and special trains use. The previously stated use of 47817 is now cancelled.

Avon Valley Railway

The Shell Better Britain Campaign has donated £1500 to the railway towards the new Avon Riverside Platform near Saltford that could be opened at Easter next year. Work is already well advanced on diverting the cycle path to enable the construction of the new platform and a run-round loop. Once open passengers will have easier access to the River Avon and the Pixash Lane Country/wildlife Park.

Additional Information October Magazine;-

Under Bristol Parkway

28/08, the loco convoy from Old Oak Common-Bristol Barton Hill headed by D1015, hauling two Class 50s, a Class 67 included (previously unidentified) postal van 80423.

30/08 The 46035 hauled St.Blazey staff open day loco convoy (formed with two Class 50s and support coach) also included preserved 47306 (normally kept at Old Oak Common).

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This page last updated 23-Sep-2012