NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

07/11 37890 ran light from Newport to collect a 15.15 Avonmouth-Newport trip freight.

11/11 66118 + 66250 were paired on an empty HTA coal train from Didcot during the morning.

14/11 66004 worked the 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley paper empties and containers.

21/11 60013 was in charge of a 6G10 06.23 Cardiff Tidal sidings-Avonmouth (Bennett's) empty and return 6G11 10.40 Avonmouth-Cardiff Tidal loaded Cawood coal containers.

28/11 60064 worked the 6G10 and 6G11 coal containers. 66203 was seen passing Wickwar (near Yate) at 14.45, with a single ferryvan, assumed to be a Newport-Avonmouth trip working.

Locos recorded on coal duty in recent weeks;- 66017/037/038/054/080/118/123/162/186/191/222/227/233/244/250. 08630.

Binliner

01/11 66527. 06/11 66527. 07/11 66527. 08/11 66527. 11/11 66527. 26/11 66527. 29/11 66527.

Bristol Parkway

03/11 60040 worked a Chipping Sodbury-Westbury departmental (one of a three from this location during the early afternoon). The line between Parkway and Swindon being closed for an engineer's possession.

04/11 47727 + 47781 top n'tailed a 1Z14 12.50 Westbury-Cardiff Canton Serco test train (via Reading and departing Westbury at 14.20). 57004 was on the 4Z51 09.55 Wentloog-Southampton containers and 66206 powered the Tytherington-Westbury stone. Two MGRs noted this evening, 66050 with a loaded train from Portbury and 66233 from Avonmouth. The "Fuel Train" and "Boxes" arrived at 22.00, 66049 piloting a "failed" 60037?

05/11 47289 worked the early hours 4L56 02.30 Wentloog-Ipswich containers, 66501 headed a late running 4Z51 and 66206 was again the Tytherington-Westbury stone train loco.

06/11 57010 worked the 4Z51 and 60038 the Tytherington stone.

07/11 57003 powered the 4Z51 (passing Pilning at 10.50).

11/11 Two MGRs noted, 66129 empties for Portbury and 66227 for Avonmouth. Supplementary activity was provided by 66527 working early with the "Binliner", 66104 MoD Liner and combined Fuel & Boxes train powered by 66168. 47811 + 47816 were seen in the loop at 10.30 running as 0Z86 Old Oak Common-Landore light-engines.47727 + 47781 top n'tailed a Serco train to South Wales and 66539 was in charge of the 4V50 05.02 Southampton-Wentloog and 4051 09.55 Wentloog-Southampton (the 'Z' classification in the headcodes now being removed from this date).

12/11 47370 was the 4V50/4051 loco, the inward train to South Wales passing late at 11.52 and 66128 powered the Tytherington stone.

13/11 66542 was today's 4V50/4051 loco, the return passing late at 13.40, 20306 + 37606 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks at 15.15 (departing Bridgwater at around 14.00) and 37886 was unusual power for the 4B24 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores train.

14/11 47289 was again employed on the 4L56 containers to Ipswich, 66008 worked the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight which also conveyed nine brand new Imery china clay tankers and 47756 with the 1E43 14.55 Plymouth-Low Fell mails arrived having been diverted via Yeovil and Westbury due to flooding west of Tiverton. The 4051 containers were also seen at 11.18 headed by an unidentified Class 66/5. An HST set (with power cars 43091 + 43099) was used on the 07.30 Edinburgh-Cardiff Central and 15.15 return in place of a Voyager set. Because of the fire fighters strike all fuel tank traffic (loaded and empty) is not permitted to run via the Severn Tunnel in case of an incident, so today the 6V34 10.34 (ThO) Fawley-Margam depot fuel and the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empties (with 60047) were diverted via Parkway, Westerleigh junction, Gloucester and via Lydney to Severn Tunnel junction. A most interesting working during the afternoon was a 5Z33 10.30 Derby-Bournemouth (via Weymouth) stock move conveying former Virgin XC MkII stock 6106, 6117, 6122, 6173, 9525 (for future barrier coach use) and 5925 (for Wessex trains use) headed by Fragonset owned 33202 + 33103 (for South-West trains use)! The train arrived at Parkway 123 minutes late and was piloted on to Westbury by 31459 (which had run as 0Z88 Westbury-Stoke Gifford sidings light) as 5Z88, passing Filton Abbey Wood at 15.32. The train however, on reaching Hawkridge junction was stopped with the rear coach suffering dragging brakes. The 31 could not be restarted and 33202 was started up to push-pull the formation into Westbury station where the train was terminated! The other so far out-based Fragonset 33108 arrived the next day to take the 33s and five coaches on to Bournemouth running via Salisbury. Freight movements comprised 66129 coal empties for Portbury and 60077 working "Wembley" freight. The latter was seen as it was towed back from Chipping Sodbury area by 47733, before proceeding via Bath, Sodbury tunnel closed as service approached.

15/11 47289 was again on the 4L56 containers and 66537 on the 4V50/4O51 (the 4V50 being routed via Box and Filton bank due to flooding in Chipping Sodbury tunnel, some Avonmouth-Didcot coal also went this way during the early part of the day). With the South Wales mainline reopened, 47727 + 47781 top n'tailed a Serco train towards Temple Meads at 09.44, later returning north and 47760 headed the 1M61 18.44 Swansea-London mails. Another47was also recorded,47734 on the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails.

17/11 66081 headed a 13.50 Westbury-Chipping Sodbury 'autoballaster'.

18/11 57008 worked the 4V50/4051. Four freights were noted during the evening, two empty MGR 66051 and 66233 bound for Portbury and Avonmouth respectively. Tytherington "Stone" put in appearance after an absence hauled by 66161 and the "Fuel Train" minus "Boxes" and a change of motive power in the form of 60035. 66244 worked a rake of MGR empties for Avonmouth.

19/11 An HST set with power cars 43094+43103 were used on the 06.14 Plymouth-Newcastle Virgin XC 21/11 37675 passed light during the early afternoon as 0A16 Cardiff-Didcot following speedo repairs at Canton depot.

22/11 A 6T50 Oxford Hinksey yard-Newport Alexandra junction loaded ballast train (around 1400 tonnes) behind 37886 was stopped at Swindon, the loco requiring assistance from Didcot. 37675 + 37682

23/11 66245 worked the Tytherington-Westbury stone trip. 66119 headed on what was at least one Avonmouth-Aberthaw loaded coal MGR during the day to run via Gloucester due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel for maintenance.

25/11 One freight service this evening, 66094 MGR from Avonmouth to Didcot. FGW services suffering because of the derailment at Ealing, track spread, reduced to hourly frequency. 47776 was today's 1M95 loco working the train again on the next day.

26/11 66543 was in charge of the 4V50 and return 4O51. 27/11 66123 worked the Tytherington "Stone" train. 57003 worked the 4051 and 180105 was seen in the down loop during the afternoon 'on test'. 66515 was later seen heading north at 14.30 on the Avon area refuse container train.

28/11 Two mgrs recorded 66081 with empties for Avonmouth and 66227 with a loaded train bound for Didcot. 57010 passed Pilning at 10.53 with the 4O51, and later 37798 (in place of the normal Class 60or 66) ran via Gloucester due to the fire-fighters strike, on the 6V34 10.34 (Th0) Fawley-Margam fuel tankers.

30/11 60052 worked the Tytherington stone trip leaving the quarry loaded for Westbury at 10.10. 66114 worked MGR empties to Avonmouth and 60052 with a loaded evening MGR for Didcot. Two other eastbound workings recorded were 66049 with a "Civils" train and 47832 light engine.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

01/11 43097+43154 powered the 07.30 Aberdeen-Plymouth service in place of a Voyager set.

02/11 47793 worked the final Pastime Rail 'Edenex' excursion (1Z27 06.28 Lichfield TV-Par and 1Z28 16.32 return) of the year, recorded passing Parson's Street station at 09.14. The train was top n'tailed between Lichfield and Birmingham NS the other loco being 47791. The 10.10 Temple Meads - Paddington First/GW service with 180108+180102 was stopped at Chippenham for fitters attention.

04/11 37042 worked an overnight 21.12 Derby-Laira stock move formed of barrier vans.47811 was in charge of the 1C99 Paddington-Penzance First/GW sleeper service and 47830 was on the balancing 1A99 Penzance-Paddington train. 20309 + 20314 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 67009/015/017 were noted on Barton Hill at 09.20

05/11 37042 returned as 5Z71 05.16 Laira-Didcot (formed of two barrier vans and HST MkIII coaches) running around an hour early (the Bristol TM booked time being 07.29-07.50).47811 worked the 1A99 and 47816 the 1C99 First/GW sleeper services and 66157 + 37692 (in repainted grey trainload freight coal sector colours) were paired on a single tank wagon 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight. The latter passed Yatton at 16.08 and was routed via the Weston-super-Mare loop en-route to the west. A landslip near Saltash saw some early morning late running and around 14:30 the Bristol panel box was evacuated following the discovery of smoke coming from a circuit room. It was a false alarm and the building was reoccupied at around 15:00. All train services in the area were at a stand for around 30 minutes.

06/11 Steam 4472 The Flying Scotsman worked a 1Z82 08.40 Victoria-Bath VSOE special as far as Westbury where 67015 headed the train onwards at 13.10 to Bath, the ECS (5Z82) then stabling in Bristol. The ECS returned as 16.18 to Bath, for Westbury where 4472 worked the train back to Victoria via Newbury. 180107 was recorded on the 11.45 Paddington-Bristol service and 180113 worked the 12.45 Paddington-Bristol train. The 11.40 Bristol-Paddington formed with power cars 43025+43127 saw the latter carrying a new First/GW livery variation with more blue in place of the white. Freight traffic noted during the afternoon were 20307 + 20313 on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks and 66176 on the South Wales-Westbuy cement works coal.

07/11 47830 worked the 1A99 and47811 the 1C99. 66249 hauled the 6C91 Newport-Bridgwater trip freight formed of six ferryvans (Pilning 09.42).

08/11 66096 + 66 145 were paired on the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight.

09/11 Wessex Trains used their top n'tail Class 31 formation for the first time into South Wales for a Rugby Union international at the Millennium Stadium. 31459 + 31602 worked 5Z79 11.37 Westbury-Southampton ECS, 1Z80 12.46 Southampton-Cardiff and 1Z81 18.58 Cardiff-Southampton during the day. Southbound coal recorded at 09.50 behind 66233.

11/11 The overnight First/GW sleepers were worked by 57601 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99).

12/11 66200 worked the 6V70 and 20307 + 20313 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.47781 + 47727 top n'tailed the Serco test train (1Z14) over the Bristol-Taunton mainline during the morning.

13/11 20306 + 37606 worked 6M67 14:24 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 66200 worked the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks.

14/11 47750 was present on Barton Hill depot (allocated 0C84 light-engine to Cardiff). The mainline west of Taunton was closed due to flooding at Hele & Bradnich, a road bus was used to connect Taunton, Tiverton and Exeter. The 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight was headed by 66205+37 692, the 37 being returned from Cornish sandite duties.

15/11 47733 was on Barton Hill depot and the overnight sleepers were worked by 47815 (1C99) and 57601 (1A99).47760 powered a 5V61 01.12 Willesden-Barton Hill empty RES vans train and 56115 headed the Newport-Bridgwater trip freight.

17/11 A serious incident of vandalism took place at Uphill junction near Weston-super-Mare during the afternoon, when the 11.20 Blackpool North-Plymouth Virgin XC HST struck a road sign thrown on the line. The leading power car suffered a 200 gallon fuel leak, the line being closed for sometime after 16.00.

18/11 47733 was still present on Barton Hill depot,47815 (1C99) and 57601 (1A99) handled the sleeper services.

19/11 Following the failure of a Wessex Trains working around 17.30 near Parsons Street station, the down main was blocked for around four hours as the unit had suffered a serious axle problem. Earlier the 6Z61 09.30 Didcot-Highbridge loop sandite MPV passed Twerton at 10.56 and 66079 worked the 6V70. 47733 and 47793 were present on Barton Hill depot during the day and 47780 worked the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Bristol Parkway mails.47816 (1A99) and 57601 (1C99) were the sleeper locos.

20/11 56018 ran light as 0G85 East depot-Exeter Riverside to collect seven ex. stored MGR hoppers and returning as 6G85 12.52 Exeter-Margam (Highbridge 12.05). MPV DB98914+DB98964 arrived at Highbridge at 11.55 returning north at 11.58 on sandite duty. The unit was running as 6Z61 09.30 Didcot-Highbridge loop, 6Z62 12.20 Highbridge loop-Warminster then 6Z63 Warminster-Didcot (via Melksham) 'transit' move. This working ran on a number of weekdays during November, the MPV being 'hired in' by Network Rail (formerly Railtrack) Western zone to provide additional sandite cover to light Class 37 locos performing the same duty in South Wales and Cornwall. 20308 + 20303 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks leaving Bridgwater at 14.28 and 66205 worked the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurries passing at 14.19.

21/11 47816 worked 1A43 09:24 Plymouth-Paddington via TM in place of an HST. 66138 worked the Bridgwater trip, the return formed of two empty bogie flats was seen passing Pilning at 14.43.60040 worked the 6V34 10.34 (ThO) Fawley-Margam fuel tanks via Day's curve and 31459 + 31602 top n'tailed the 1V94 09.00 Brighton-Cardiff Wessex Rail service returning as 13.20 Cardiff-Westbury ECS. The train ran as a five coach formation, this was expected to be a one off as Railtrack had rejected the safety case for the additional coach on the Weymouth line which has stations with shorter platforms. The fifth coach will now act as a spare at Westbury. During the morning 47816 hauled the 1A43 09.24 Plymouth-Paddington First/GW service formed of coaching stock in place of an HST set via Bristol.

22/11 This was to be the first day for Wessex Train's new top n'tail Class 31 Cardiff-Brighton service, but due to an engine room fuel leak on 31602 the previous day, the working was cancelled pending the arrival of 31106 during the following week. The full diagram of this FO working is as follows;- 5098 1010 Westbury-Cardiff ECS, 1O98 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton (Newport 12.14, Temple Meads dep 12.52, Bath 13.10 and Westbury 13.35), 1V96 17.00 Brighton-Cardiff (Westbury 19.40, Bath 20.05, Temple Meads dep 20.24 and Newport 20.58) and 2C96 22.50 Cardiff-Westbury (Newport 23.10, Bristol Parkway, Temple Meads dep 00.08, Bath 00.24 and Westbury 00.56). 56018 was in charge of the 6C91 09.20 Newport-Bridgwater trip freight but failed in the yard remaining there until the following Monday. Pastime Rails 'Spinnin State IV' (1Z29 09.05 Victoria-Bristol Temple Meads and 1Z30 13.46 Temple Meads-Victoria) arrived at Temple Meads at 13.25 behind 67018 which had taken over the train at Westbury. The train was running late the booked arrival time being 12.33, but departure for Gloucester behind 60096 was on time. The coaching stock in use was;- 6311(blue), 3133(maroon), 3148, 3107, 4991, 4938, 4999, 4956, 1658, 21246, 5005, 4959 (all BN94 blue/gey) and the other locos used 37710 + 37890 from Victoria-Westbury, 56 127 Gloucester-Reading (via Kemble) and 59204 + 66064 Reading-Victoria. Seen at St.Phillips Marsh outside the CCE plant depot was 143611 showing signs of a 'heavy shunt' with uneven corridor connections.

23/11 66203 + 66224 were paired on the 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks, the reason being the train was to traverse the Lickey incline due to the Severn Tunnel being closed for engineering works.

24/11 Two coaches on the 10.37 Swansea-Paddington HST were derailed at Ealing causing track damage and some very late running and cancellations over the following days. During the evening, the 20.30 Paddington-Bristol HST did not depart until 01.10 and on arrival at Bath at 04.00 (Monday morning) passengers found the station locked and there were problems to leave, one of the doors being reported as broken down!

25/11 37057 + 37308 (in blue livery and part of the active heritage loco pool) worked a 6Z50 19.07 (Sun) Crewe Gresty lane-Exeter engineers (Dr.Day's junction 08.30). The locos on arrival at Exeter ran light to Westbury for fuel and the train was to see use in the Bridgwater area overnight between 26th and 27th. Other workings of note during the day were 57601 (1A99) and 47813 (1C99) on the First/GW sleepers, 67014 + 67002 on the 5C43 09.10 Bristol TM-Plymouth empty res vans and 56070 which ran light from Newport to Bridgwater during the morning to collect a failed 56018 and wagons (from the 21st). However, problems with the ground-frame at Bridgwater saw the loco return to Highbridge loop light, the return movement to Newport eventually took place around 16.30!

27/11 20309 + 20312 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. There were more diversions during the late afternoon with the closure of Box tunnel which had been fully reopened by the following morning. The reason for the closure was unknown. 66247 worked 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St Blazey.

28/11 47793 was present on Barton Hill depot during the day, the 6C91 Newport-Bridgwater trip was cancelled (despite 37402 being allocated!) and47815 (1A99) and 57601 (1C99) were the sleeper locos.

29/11 47793 was serviceable on Barton Hill and 47813 (1C99) and57601 (1A99) were the sleeper locos. 31106 + 31459 worked the 1098 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton service and 33021 passed Keynsham at 10.42 with a Salisbury-Temple Meads route learner. During the evening 37308 + 37057 + 47741 (dit) were at the head of the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight (Worle 21.15).

Devon & Cornwall

04/11 37670 was on sandite duty.47750 was at Newton Abbot on 'thunderbird' rescue duty (also being present on 06/11 and 07/11).

08/11 37 692 was on 'thunderbird' duty at Newton Abbot.

11/11 47736 was on 'thunderbird' duty (also present here on 14/11, 15/11, and 19/11).

14/11 37670 was present on St.Blazey depot whilst 37692 ran between Newton Abbot and StBlazey on a sandite turn.

19/11 47815 worked the 1A21 05.55 Plymouth-Paddington and 1C77 18.33 Paddington-Plymouth First/GW services with coaching stock, in place of an HST set.

25/11 47741 was the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' (and on 28/11) and five Class 66 locos formed a Tavistock junction-Westbury light-engine move during the morning.

27/11 An out an back ballast train was due to run but was cancelled. 29/11 37057 + 37308 worked the 6C24 Tavistock yard-Fowey china clay CDAs and 6G17 09.58 Fowey-St.Blazey CDAs.

Portbury Branchline

Only 66050 and 66224 were reported on coal duty during recent weeks. Coal to Ironbridge power station is expected to finish early during January. Work relaying the relief line between Parson's Street and Bedminster which is used by Portbury branch trains has continued, the line being noted lifted on 2nd ready for relaying. 25/10 The Class 56 reported on a steel slab working on this date has now been identified as 56090.

Severn Beach Line

Having reopened following a weeks closure for essential maintenance, work was being carried out on 10/11, as a "long welded rail" train was seen heading towards Clifton Down at 21.30 top 'n' tailed by Class 60s.

Taunton

The former coal concentration depot area to east of the station on the down-side could see use as the town's new bus depot. At Fairwater's yard, west of the station, work has commenced on scrapping the large number of stored wagons that have accumulated there during the past few years.

Wessex Area

01/11 BR blue 37308 was seen at Eastleigh with car carriers.

04/11 143622 worked the 1V81 05.51 Birmingham NS-Swindon service onwards from Gloucester. Some freight workings during the day were;- 37248 on 7Y40 Eastleigh-Hoo junction, 37 712 with 6T50 Oxford Hinksey yard-Didcot, 37308 on the 6B46 09.02 Marchwood-Eastleigh MOD trip and 6V38 Eastleigh-Didcot,47292 with the 6M16 Eastleigh-Washwood Heath Ford transits and 47358 on the 4S59 15.12 Southampton-Crewe containers.

05/11 37712 worked the morning 6B36 Didcot-Ashchurch and 6A32 13.27 Ashchuch-Didcot MOD trips, although one working could have been just a light-engine run-but was not confirmed.

06/11 37042 powered the 7O26 Eastleigh-Didcot, 37 203+37 248 the 7V39 09.46 Hoo junction-Eastleigh and 37 886 the 7A65 Didcot-Appleford freight working.

08/11 66086 + 66024+66196 worked a Wembley-Eastleigh freight.

11/11 66108 + 60040 were paired on the 7O41 Westbury-Eastleigh departmental.

13/11 37712 again handled the Didcot-Ashchurch MOD trip.

15/11 33108 ran light from Salisbury to Westbury to collect Class 33s, 33103 + 33202 and four Virgin barrier coaches, departing for Bournemouth at 09.05 (via Salisbury).

18/11 37712 worked the 6T51 Didcot-Westbury departmental trip, 37 798+47 749 were paired on the 6O12 Eastleigh-Didcot and 37 886 worked the 6V03 Kineton-Didcot and 6A49 Didcot-Bicester MOD trips. 37 890 was stabled at Didcot-serviceable.

19/11 37886 and 37890 were present at Didcot, whilst 37712 worked the 6O20 Didcot-Eastleigh.

21/11 56095 worked a 7T50 Bescot-Westbury (Oxford 13.57) engineers and 56007 was on the 4V27 Longbridge-Swindon car 'cubes' (Gloucester 12.46) and return 4M08 14.12 Swindon-Longbridge. 37 710 + 37890 were paired on the 7O26 Didcot-Eastleigh freight (ready for railtour duty at the weekend).

22/11 73109 passed Millbrook at 14.50 hauling Class 442 units for Bournemouth depot.

25/11 37203 worked a 6Z52 Exeter (Riverside)-Westbury departmental and 33108 arrived light at Westbury from Salisbury on what was assumed to be a route learner.

29/11 47150 worked a Southampton Western dock-Crewe car train, and 37 886 handled the 6A49 Didcot-Bicester MOD trip. Some general news from the area is that work at Swindon is well advanced on bringing the former down-side parcels platform into passenger use and it is now unlikely that the Salisbury-Exeter mainline is to be doubled due to funding, this is despite heavy criticism from the Strategic Rail Authority.

Postals

4s (PCV)

94334 94146 94160 94309
94332 94168 94119 94303
94331 94176 94214 94305
94323 94148 94211 94320
94322 94222 94177 94308
94337 94150 94106 94321
94317 94172 94228 94310
94302 94197 94204 94336

4s (BG)

94531 94147 94226 94443

5s

94466 94102 94112 94175 94543
94422 94200 94182 94208 94486
94427 94113 94193 94132 94540

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/11 221107 worked the 05:55 from Derby, 220013 South Wales Voyager the 05:26 from Leeds and 221119 the 06:09 York-Swansea. 180110 formed the 07:30 from Paddington and 180108 the 14:00 Paddington-Swansea. 37408 hauled 2F03 06:59 from Rhymney, 37418 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 37419 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney. 57010 worked 4V30 Ipswich Yard-Wentloog. 37904 left Canton by road for Carnforth at 12:40.

02/11 37418 worked 2F08 08:04 from Rhymney.

03/11 To return locos and stock from servicing at Canton to Rhymney, 37408/418 plus stock replaced the unit on 2R09 2049 Barry Island-Rhymney from Cardiff, with 37419 dead on the rear.

04/11 47727/781 worked 1Z14 12:50 Westbury-Canton Serco test train via Reading and Bristol Parkway.

05/11 37408 worked 2F03, 37419 2F05, 37418 2F06. 47289/303 hauled 4L56 02:30 Wentloog-Ipswich. 47727/781 worked 1Z14 09:35 Canton-Derby RTC. 221141 formed 1V55 08:10 from Dundee and 1E91 17:20 to Newcastle.

06/11 37419 hauled 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney, 37408 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney and 37418 2R46 17:47 to Rhymney.

07/11 47853 worked 5Z47 08:04 Crewe-Canton and 5Z48 12:50 return with 17159, 3122, 3112, 3140, 80213, 5029 as a crew training run for Freightliner drivers hired by Wales & Borders for rugby specials. 57003 hauled 4Z51 Wentloog-Southampton and 37890 did 4A25 Wentloog-Didcot. 37408 did 2F03 and 2R46, 37418 2F05 and 2R38, 37419 2F06 and 2R42. 221134 did the 15:15 to Edinburgh and 180107 the 14:00 Paddington-Swansea. 08/11 47292 hauled binliner wagons from Crewe to Wentloog for storage as 4V08 11:00 Basford Hall-Wentloog. 57011 was on 4Z51 and 57009 worked 4V30.

09/11 Several loco hauled services ran because of a Wales v Fiji rugby match. 37197/038 worked 1Z66 07:57 from Crewe, but 37197 failed at Hereford with a burst hose, with coolant pouring out of the loco and the fire bells ringing! The loco was removed, but 37038 was unable to restart the 12 coach train. Two hours later, 47853 in blue livery arrived on 1V78 09:44 Crewe-Bridgend, so passengers were transferred from this and the 47 coupled to the front. 1Z66 reached Newport at 13:45, three hours late! 47853 worked the 18:35 to Crewe and 37038 the 19:15 to Crewe with 37197 dead on the rear. 31459 worked 1Z80 12:40 from Southampton with 31602 working in multiple on the rear! The combination returned as 1Z81 18:58 from Cardiff. 37408 worked various services on the Rhymney line for most of the day. 170399 worked 09:30 from Birmingham, 11:50 return, 14:00 from Birmingham and 16:40 return.

11/11 221133 operated the 11:10 to Aberdeen, which was terminated at Derby due to a freight train derailment in the Rotherham area. 220034 worked the 12:44 Swansea-Edinburgh, also terminating at Derby. 150246 did the 12:30 to Portsmouth Harbour and 156404 arrived on the 09:12 from Lincoln. 37418 did 2R38, 37408 2R42, 37425 2R46.

12/11 170398 worked the 06:03 from Grantham, the 10:50 to Nottingham, the 14:37 return and finally the 19.03 to Birmingham New Street. 47370 hauled 4Z51.

13/11 37419 worked 2R38, 37408 2R42, 37418 2R46.

14/11 37418 hauled 2R38, 37419 2R42, 37425 2R46. 221108 operated 1V63 08:55 from Aberdeen.

15/11 221130 worked 1V71 12:10 from Dundee. 57004 hauled 4V30. 37419 did 2R38, 37425 2R42, 37418 2R46.

16/11 Due to a Wales v Canada rugby match at the Millennium Stadium, 37038/197 worked 1Z66 07:57 from Crewe and 1Z36 18:35 return. 47853 again worked 1V78. 37425 worked several diagrams on the Rhymney line.

19/11 The Royal Train arrived behind 47798/99, bringing Prince Andrew and Sophie on a visit to South Wales. It left ECS for Wolverton at 10:00. 66538 worked 4Z51. 37425 did 2R38, 37418 2R42, 37419 2R46.

20/11 56018 worked 6G85 12:52 Exeter Riverside-Margam with 7 HAA wagons, running two hours early! 220025 was on 1S79 15:15 to Edinburgh and 220016 1E91 17:20 to Newcastle. 66502 worked 4Z51.

21/11 31602 and 31459 at either end of a rake of Mk2 coaches worked 1V94 09:00 from Brighton! 220033 operated 1V63.

22/11 37901 was removed from Canton by road, apparently for preservation. 31459/602 were diagrammed to work 1O93 12:00 to Brighton and 1V96 17:00 return, but 31602 was failed at Canton with an oil leak, so the service was covered by a unit. 170398 worked the 06:03 from Grantham, the 10:50 to Nottingham, the 14:37 return and the 19:03 to Birmingham. 57005 did 4V30. 37419 worked 2F03, 37425 2F05, 37418 2F06.

23/11 Yet another rugby match at the Millennium Stadium produced loco hauled trains. 47798 hauled ex-VT coaches 5773, 5905/76, 6064/67, 9503 as 1H98 1V77 08:33 from Manchester and 47853 did 1Z66 07:57 from Crewe. 47776 arrived with 1813, 3100/10/31/32/44, 4916/46/49/96, 5008, 35469, 80041 on a charter, origin unknown. 37419 operated various services on the Rhymney line. 170633 did the 06:38 from Nottingham.

25/11 37419 worked 2F05 and 2R46, 37425 2R42, 37418 2R38. 56032 did 6Z49 15:03 Tidal sidings-Lindsey.

26/11 220003 did the 06:55 to Edinburgh, 170509 the 09:00 to Nottingham, 220014 the 05:26 from Leeds. 66543 was on 4Z51 and 37425 did 2F03 and 2R42.

27/11 37419 hauled 2F03, 37425 2F05, 37418 2F06. 28/11 31459 and 31602 were at either end of 1V94 09:00 from Brighton. 37418 did 2F03, 37425 2F05 and 2R46, 37419 2F06. 37798 did 6V34 10:54 Fawley-Margam fuel tanks 29/11 31459 with 31106 at the other end hauled 5 Mk2 coaches as 1O98 12:00 to Brighton and 1V96 17:00 return. 37419 worked 2F03, 37418 2F05, 37425 2F06. 221122 operated the 07:30 from Edinburgh.

30/11 170398 did the 06:32 from Worcester, the 08:50 to Nottingham and 12:43 return, followed by the 16:40 to Birmingham. 170399 was on the 06:38 from Nottingham and the 10:50 return.

Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)

03/11 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37408/412/689/890. 60023. 66055/083/123/158/186/239. 67014/020/024.

10/11 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37197/406/412/418/425/710/901. 47733. 66043/089/168. 67008/010. 221136.

17/11 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957/993. 37406/412/418/509/689/901*. 56054. 60075. 67024/029. * awaiting road transport

24/11 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37402/406/412/413/418/509/677. 56032. 60098. 67028.

Newport

01/11 60014/017/077. 66060/121/163/188/234/501. were notec 02/11 37896 hauled 6V71 01:07 Warrington-ADJ, then 6W82 11:26 ADJ-Cardiff Up Goods Loop engineering train and 6W82 18:07 return. 47798 was on 1Z60 08:00 Manchester Victoria-Bath worked 6B71 09:15 ADJ-Tidal Sidings and 6B64 11:00 return. 37890 via Maindee east curve. 66001 worked 6C80 Machen-Westbury Yard.

04/11 37425 worked 7B48 09:00 ADJ-Machen and 7B50 10:35 return, the latter being light engine. 37896 did 6M75 ADJ-Warrington. 57004 worked the Southampton freightliner, other Freightliner engines noted were 66511 + 66514

05/11 37425 did 7B48 and 7B50. 37425, 56033/120, 60015, 66083/129/230/246 were at Godfrey Road at 17:30. 56098 took a train of steel slabs east.

06/11 A former Class 101 DMU with a Mk1 coach between the two driving cars was parked at Godfrey Road all day. It comprised DB977391, DB999602, DB977392 in blue/lime livery, each vehicle marked "Railtrack The heart of the railway". It carried large lights on the front pointing down, suggesting it was for track surveying work. 180110 worked west as ECS at 08:20.

07/11 37710/890, 56068/120, 60045, 66083/123/201/219 were at Godfrey Road at 16:00.

08/11 66527 worked and train of Avon "Binliner" flats westbound through station at 21.05. Also noted were 56120. 60040.66088/089/123/162/175/186 66201/249. Godfrey Rodd held 37710 66052/234 at 10:40. Noted in ADJ were 56033/098 together on a frieght

09/11 66527 headed a rake of Binliner flats east at 07.50.

11/11 60006 in Corus livery worked an ADJ-Machen service. 37710, 56007/120, 66045/060/239 were at Godfrey Road at 12:30. 66539 worked the Wentloog-Southampton service

12/11 37710 worked 7M12 18:16 ADJ-Bescot.

14/11 37710 worked 7B48 and 7B50.

15/11 09102. 37408. 60027/033/047/053. 66037/201/231. 67001/024.

18/11 57008 worked the Wentloog-Southampton service 21/11 57011 worked the Wentloog - Southampton service 56068 with 37421 d.i.t. (for tyre turning at Canton) worked 6V71 01:07 Warrington-ADJ. 56018 worked 7B50 and 7B49 13:04 ADJ-Machen, followed by 7M12 (with a crew change in platform 2 at Newport), then 7V12 00:20 Bescot-ADJ. Speno rail grinder 79200 A/BC was stabled in East Usk Yard. Godfrey Road held 56081 66085/217/239

22/11 37408 worked 6Z74 05:07 to Beeston. 56018 did 6C91 09:14 ADJ-Bridgwater Yard. 37886 was allocated to 6T50 11:50 Hinksey Yard-ADJ, but the working was vetoed by Railtrack as they considered the 1400 tonne load too heavy for one Class 37! The driver took 37886 to Didcot, where he exchanged it for 37675/682. Due to this, the train arrived at ADJ five and three-quarter hours late! Also noted were 60019/045/056. 66037/138/197/200/238.

25/11 Newport seemed to be overwhelmed with Class 56s, as 56070 with 56018 dit worked 6C92 13:46 Bridgwater-ADJ, 56114 6B03 09:18 Swansea-ADJ then 6M82 ADJ-Crewe auto-ballasters plus CWR, 56054 6V49 15:30 Lynemouth-ADJ, 56032 6M75.

26/11 56054/114, 66013 were at Godfrey Road at 10:00. 29/11 31106/459. 37402. 56018. 57009. 60041/072/073. 66037/144/147/154/189/219.

Units noted during the month included

156406.

170501/505/506/509/511/514/520/523/632/633/634(2 car)/637.

180102/106/108/110/111/113.

220005/006/008/013/028/032/034

 221106/107/110/112/114/120/122/125/126/128/130/134/135/141/143.

Severn Tunnel

14/11 The emergency tunnel train, headed by 09 203 was noted stabled near the station during the morning.

NEW STOCK

02/11 47780 worked 7X14 Derby-Chart Leacon hauling 375707.

23/11 MV Daniella arrived at Newport Docks with new Freightliner 66s aboard. 24/11 66555-560 were offloaded from the ship, aided by 09102.

25/11 The 66s were noted being commissioned on the quayside in three lines of two locos.

26/11 66555/557/556 worked as 0Z25 18:54 ADJ-Crewe, followed by 66558/559/560 as 0Z26 19:00 to Crewe.

27/11 Some of the new locos went to work immediately. 66555 took two ex-VT coaches from Crewe to Old Dalby test track). 66559 worked 6Z25 Garstang-Tees Dock. 66560 took autoballaster wagons north through Preston.

28/11 66555 worked 4X70 Old Dalby-Washwood Heath hauling 390001, 66556 did 6M25 Mossend-Gresty Lane empty cartics, 66557 was at Castleton welded rail depot, 66558 worked Seacows from Crewe to Rugby, 66559 was at Tees Dock and 66560 at Crewe.

29/11 66555 was at Basford Hall, 66556 Willesden, 66557 working 6K65 Castleton-Crewe, 66558 4R02 Ipswich-Felixstowe, 66559 6Z36 Dagenham-Crewe, 66560 6L36 Garston-Gresty Lane

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers
33202(BH)-DF, 37717(OC)-CD, 43013/014(LA)-NL, 43194/195/196/197(LA)-MA, 47829(WN)-TO, 47853(TO)-CP. Fragonset: 31163, 37255, 47145. HNRL: 37222.

Store
08653/676. 37429/688/708. 86206/226/231/236/249/253/256/258. AN: 09104. CS: 37904. DR: 37708. FB: 08653/676. IM: 37688. IMRFT: 86226/231/258. KI: 47226/313/314/335. LH: 47209/330/337/349/371/372. OC: 37175. SP: 86603. ZH: 47237/298.

Traffic
56104 -IM.

Disposals
Scrap: H Needle: 47294. Booth: 47584.

Further Use?
37153/165. 47844.

Renumbered
91011 - 91111, 91018 - 91118.

New Stock
66555/556/557/558/559/560 -FD.

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers
142073/080/081(HT)-CF, 088/090/093(CF)-HT.

Stored
55032 @LNWR.

Traffic
55020 -AL.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored
375313/324/331/334/337/338 @ZG. 508110/120 @ZG. SS: Car 76156.

Traffic (S):
1507/53 -FR.

Withdrawn (S):
1575/87. Cars: 70063/072/091/733/747/748/757/763. 72504/698. 75063/071/079.

Disposals
IMRFT: 1575/87.

Sims: 70063(302204), 70072(302213), 70091(302230), 75071(302224).* 70075 + 75063(302216), 75079(302230).**

* Sims - Cardiff, ** Sims - Nottingham EMC:

Cl310 cars: 70733/747/748/757/763 @Snailwell.

Formations Further amendments to last month's amendments;
1110 -(61950 70312 61322), 1616 -(61951 70654 70543 61323) 3520 -(76697 62131 71025 76698)

Renumbered
508102 - 301, 135 - 302, 142 - 303.

New Stock Cars
72414/415/416/417/418 -OH. 375305/702/703/704/705/707/708 -RE.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers
1260 -CP, 1860. 4905/51/58/60/73 -CS, 5773. 5905/76. 6064/6067 -CP, 6117/22 -DF, 6157 -CP, 6173. 9506 -DF, 9520 -CP, 9525 -DF, 14007 -CS, 40414/415/418/419/420/422/427/429/430/432/435. 41081/095/096. 41107/108, 41109/119/147/149/161/168. 42084/085/115/162/166/178/187/185/217/222, 42237/246/247/254/258/314/315/326/330/331/332/333/334/336/338/353. 44000/021/042/060/069/075/078/079/090/097/101 -MA, 99128/304/326/326, 99712 -CS.

Stored
94510. HB: 975471/477. KI: 1205/50/54. 5754. 5876/99. 5911/19/60/61. 9504. MM: 10557/577/604/651/662/682. ZF: 40619. MoD Bicester: 40411. 42092/095/173/218/223/224/233/234/266/270/274/282, 42294/298/310/311/312/313/316/317. 44062/089.

Traffic
92114/146/923/927/928/934/937/939/961/988/991/998. 93234/542. 96210/212/218 -DY?. (Either for departmental use or change of storage location, data not clear)

Withdrawn
10671. 92312/323/324/332/337/340/343/348/362/364/365/366/369/379/380, 92385/390/395/398/404/417/542/805/810/817/827/861/876/886. 94533. 95211. 96112/133/134/136/168/171/174/185/186/189/193/195.

Disposals
HNRL: 92312/323/324/332/337/340/343/348/362/364/365/366/379/380/385/390/395/398/417/542 92805/810/817/827/861/876/886. 95211.
Booth: 94533.
IMRFT: 96112/133/134/136/168/171/174/185/186/189/193/195.
??: 10671 @Litchurch Lane.
EMC: 5662. 9484.
Churnett Valley: 92369.
Brechin: 92404.
Private: 1691. 17166.

HST Formations
XC59 41163 40425 42094 42093 44076
XC74 Disbanded
WC67 41149 40427 42162 42166 42170 42174 44079

Codes
QGXT Network Rail Coaches 72612/613/616/639/706/708 -DY.

Freight Flow News

Automotive
EWS are to start moving Honda cars from the new South Marston sidings near Swindon.

Oil.
The Cardiff Tidal-Didcot and return (normally WO), power station fuel oil train now runs from Immingham (via Hatton).

Freightliner
The Avon area refuse container train now uses new Freightliner branded container flats which were delivered from Crewe to Cardiff Wentloog on 08/11 by 47292 (via Lydney). The wagons are however restricted to 60mph whilst the old wagons could travel at 75mph. The slate trial to Blaenau Ffestiniog reported in last month's Magazine took place on 17/11 using 66506 and 66601 top n'tailing wagons from/to Crewe (6Z26/6Z27). The company have also been reported to operating light-engine driver training runs over the North-east Boulby branchline.

G B Rf
Five more Class 66/7s, nos 66713-66717 have been ordered for a March 2003 delivery. The locos have been funded by HSBC Rail. Ten drivers are to become Eastleigh based to work on Eastleigh Docks (Mountfield)-Westbury area CWR contract work.

Loco News

Virgin
The company are launching a new timetable from 03 January 2003. It is strongly rumoured that Class 57s and MkIII coaches are to be used on some summer Saturday 'holiday' trains during 2003, in place of Voyager sets.

Fragonset
33046 is to become the latest addition to the fleet.

Class 37
06/11 West of England and South Wales area Sandite locos in use during the morning were as follows;- 37 670 0Z88 Newton Abbot-St.Blazey, 37 675 0Z91 off Margam depot, 37 677 Reading, 37 682 0Z66 off Eastleigh, 37 689 Coryton branch 0Z84 (off Cardiff Canton) and 37 692 0Z90 Penzance-St.Blazey.

28/11 During the morning, locos located in the West of England and South Wales areas were as follows;- 37670 St.Blazey sandite, 37675 Eastleigh exam, 37677 South Wales Valleys sandite 0Z77, 37057+37308 6W17 engineers off Didcot, 37203 Eastleigh exam, 37 418/419/425 Cardiff-Rhymney passenger locos, 37710 6B03 Swansea-Newport (ADJ) freight, 37886 Margam exam, 37422 Cardiff Canton -load bank tests, 37 402 Newport ok, 37682/692 Didcot ok, 37689 Margam ok.

Class 47
12/11 A survey of 'passenger' locos at 13.00 found the following;-47811/816 Landore exam,47813/815 Old Oak Common ok,47818 0T51 Longsight-Rugeley and 0T52 return light-engine,47830 Old Oak Common shunt loco,47832 atp tests Crewe,47736 Newton Abbot 'thunderbird',47757 First NW (Manchester),47759 Banbury 'thunderbird',47786 First NW (Birmingham),47805/812 Crewe ok,47810 Rugby 'thunderbird',47826/854 Liverpool ok,47828/841/843 Crewe out of service,47829/839 Toton oos,47840 Oxley ok,47847 Longsight exam,47848 Longsight ok,47851 Carstairs 'thunderbird',47853 Crewe ok,57601 Penzance ok.

13/11 Fragonset owned47355 hauled47226+47 313+47 314+47 315 from Healy Mills-MOD Kineton for store. 28/11 During the morning the First/GW Class47fleet was located as follows;-47815 1A99 Penzance- Paddington sleeper.57601 1C99 Paddington-Penzance sleeper,47816/830 Old Oak Common (off lease, due to run 0Z47 Old Oak Common-Toton),47811/832 Old Oak Common ok,47813 Old Oak Common shunt loco.

Industrial & Preservation Matters

West Somerset Railway (01/11/02)

For the visit of HRH Prince Phillip to Minehead and the North Devon area,47798 hauled the Royal Train over the branchline from Taunton. This was reported to be the first ever visit of the train over the line. The return to Wolverton was around 10.30 from Bishop's Lydeard, travelling back via Westbury.

Mid Hants Railway

40145 (D345) is to visit the line between 16/05/03-18/05/03 for passenger use. The debut mainline outing for this loco took place on 30/11 from Crewe to Holyhead via Birmingham and not as stated in the last Magazine as 'next year'.

Road Movements

01/11 08506 was seen on a road-low loader near Warminster. The loco was later seen on track at Westbury.

03/11 37904 was stabled overnight at the M5 Michael Wood services, leaving the next morning heading north.

21/11 37901 was seen near junction 30 on the M4 on a road low-loader heading eastbound.

Track Machines & Departmentals

25/09 Pilning ;- Hughes r/r 728, wagon 805, ZEF395BNA00000089.

09/10 Pass Flax Bourton;- DR77325.

13/10 Pilning ;-Hydrex r/r 2156 CGC00005936.

25/10 Passing Pilning ;- 78228. 28/10 Clifton Down ;- 78236.

06/11 Near Severn Bch ;- DR73252. Newbury;- DR73905 Eddie King. Passing near. Bath ;- DR73903.

10/11 Cardiff Central 5 BCL roadrailers were noted in the station area carrying out repairs noted were 13 Komatsu PW150 + 0051 Komatsu PW 170 the others were unidentifable

21/11 Cattybrook ;- Hydrex r/r 247.

25/11 Passing Newport ;- DR73902

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This page last updated 23-Sep-2012