NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
03/12 37114 worked the 6C90 trip from Newport ADJ formed of empty flats. The loco was booked to return as 6B82 14.13 Avonmouth-Newport, but eventually returned light-engine. 60001 was reported to have worked a South Wales bound Cawoods coal container service during the late morning.
12/12 56120 worked an afternoon 6B92 Avonmouth-Newport trip working. 19/12 37886 handled the 6B87 15.18 Avonmouth-Newport trip.
Locos recorded on coal trains in recent weeks;- 66007/017/036/038/048/078/079/080/081/094/131/162/191/206 66209/216/222/225/227/233/238. 08630 remained as the loco area pilot.
An announcement was made by Britannia Zinc that the works is to close during 2003. The company owned by Australian firm MIM Holdings was set up on this site 80 years ago, but has been making heavy operating losses and been up for sale over the past couple of years. Current rail traffic is only sulphuric acid to Dalry (Ayrshire) but in the past lead ingots, lead dross and hydroflouric acid have all been moved by rail some destined for mainland Europe. The company own two 0-4-0 Sentinel diesel shunters which work over the internal rail system, the last in an industrial location in the Bristol area. Since the middle of 2001, EWS Class 08 shunters trip the acid tanks from Hallen Marsh-King's Weston Lane level crossing where the industrials move the wagons into the works. Fertiliser traffic has also been moved by the locos to a Norsk Hydro transit shed located on part of the Britannia Zinc complex in the past.
Binliner
06/12 66527. 16/12 66544. 20/12 66508. 27/12 66508/527.
Bristol Parkway
29/11 60001 worked the 6M17 16.45 Newport-Wembley freight service.
02/12 66502 worked the 4V50 05.03 Southampton (Millbrook)-Wentloog and return 4O51 10.08 Wentloog-Southampton containers. 47770 + 47778 arrived at 13.40 with a down 1Z14 Serco test train working which returned north at 13.46. Four freights seen this evening, two MGRs 66244 with empties for Avonmouth and 66094 loaded train for Didcot, 66221 working Tyne Yard "Boxes" and 60052 Tytherington "Stone".
03/12 66504 worked the 4V50 into South Wales at 10.35 and returned on the 4O51 at 15.30 to Southampton. 66227 was the 6T50 engineers trip loco, 20307 + 20303 worked the 6M67 14.24 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks north at 15.30 and 66104 was in charge of the 6V04 Tytherington bound MBAs stone empties ex. Battersea at 15.05.
05/12 37114 headed an engineers train to South Wales at 12.47, whilst 66505 was the 4V50/4O51 container train loco. 47760 was later recorded on the 1M95 21.40 Swansea-London mails and earlier 47 770+67 014 were on the 1M06 16.56 Willesden bound mails.
06/12 The Serco test train was again recorded top n'tailed with 47784 + 47793 running as 1Z14 06.14 Exeter Riverside-Derby (via Westbury and Reading). The train reversed at Temple Meads passing inwards at 10.04 and out at 10.46. Class 47 workings were;- 47760 on the 1M95 21.40 Swansea-London, 47770 headed the 1M06 14.25 Swansea-Parkway mails and 47778 (now repainted in EWS colours) with the 1M61 18.44 Swansea-London mails. Earlier 66543 passed at 11.07 with the 4O51 containers. 07/12 Mainline-blue liveried 60078 worked the Tytherington stone trip.
09/12 47358 was the 4V50 and 4051 loco (the latter passing at 10.50), 60078 was again on the Tytherington stone trip, 66189 on the 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley paper empties and containers and 60 003 headed the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight. Five services recorded this evening, 66527 with a early "Binliner" run, 66173 with the Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66007 MoD Liner, 60078 Tytherington "Stone" and 66191 with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth.
10/12 66535 was on the 4V50 and 4051 containers (inward train passing at 10.50) and 47778 worked the 1M05 21.40 Swansea-London mails. Additional Christmas parcel services commenced today, these being as follows;- 1C26 07.22 Swansea-Parkway RMT (arr 09.24), 1M28 07.20 Plymouth-London (arr 13.23, Parkway 10.23-10.46), 1S82 10.52 Parkway-Glasgow Shieldmuir (arr 18.04). 1E21 11.50 Parkway-Low Fell (arr 18.44), 1V30 11.01 London-Plymouth (arr 17.52, Parkway 13.54-15.02), 1V58 07.27 Low Fell-Parkway (arr 14.50) and 1B27 15.16 Parkway-Swansea (arr 17.26).
11/12 66536 worked the 4V50 and 4O51 containers. 12/12 Cotswold Rail owned 47200 worked the 4L56 02.30 Wentloog-Ipswich containers and 66542 was on the 4O51 containers (up loop 11.01-11.18). Other freight services recorded were;- 66106 with the Didcot-Cardiff Tidal sidings BP tanks at 18.51, 66610 and the Moorswater-Hope sidings cement empties at 20.50 and 66113 with a submarine-flask reactor working for Keyham at 20.55. 37675 had earlier powered a Didcot-Newport engineers train through at 10.38 and 47778 arrived at 16.25 on the 1M06 14.25 ex. Swansea.
12/12 On a cold night two freight movements observed, 66191 with empty MGR for Avonmouth and 66113 recessed in the down loop, consist not identified. (This loco, 66113, was recorded on the same day last year working the MoD Liner)
13/12 66179 shunted the sidings during the day and an unidentified Class 66/5 worked the 4O51 up at 11.01.
16/12 Another four freights evening starting with 66089 working the Tytherington "Stone", 66177 Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66028 empty MGR for Portbury (large hoppers) and 66106 Margam - Fawley empty "Fuel Train".
17/12 47758 worked the 1M28 Plymouth-London mails away at 11.00, 47778 worked the 1M06 14.25 Swansea-London mails, 66095 handled the 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley paper empties/containers passing at 10.58. A Class 180 was in trouble between Yate and Chipping Sodbury, when what was believed to have been a discarded track bolt flew up under the train and fractured the fuel pipe. Around 1700 litres of fuel was loss, some running into the nearby River Frome causing a pollution scare. Reports say the smell of diesel fuel continued to linger in Chipping Sodbury tunnel for some weeks later.
18/12 47778 was again seen with the 1B27 'extra' mails for Swansea. 19/12 57004 was the 4V50/4O51 container train loco.
19/12 Four freights recorded this evening starting with 66132 coal empties for Portbury, 66038 with a loaded train from Portbury for the Midlands, 66216 loaded train from Avonmouth to Didcot and 60089 heading eastbound with a GTRM auto ballaster rake. 20/12 60077 worked a Westbury-Stoke Gifford engineers trip, then proceeded to shunt the sidings during the late morning and afternoon. 47 303 was in charge of the 4O51 containers passing at 11.12. 23/12 66534 worked the return 4O51 containers past at 11.18.
23/12 Three MGRs this evening, 66228 and 66220 with empties bound for Portbury and 66216 with an Avonmouth - Didcot service. Also seen were the Tyne Yard "Boxes" behind 66235.
28/12 60074 was over at Westerleigh on the fuel tankers from Robeston and 66206 passed through with a diverted 6B68 07.53 Avonmouth-Aberthaw loaded coal HTA service, running this way via Gloucester because of maintenance work in the Severn Tunnel. The 6M68 08.33 Burngullow-Crewe South yard headed by 66092 and formed of new slurry tankers was also diverted passing Westerleigh towards Gloucester at 14.55. Later 37886 hauled a failed 5-coach HST set (with power cars 43094 + 43122) as 5Z71 13.35 Cardiff-St.Phillips Marsh ECS, the set having failed to start the earlier 1S71 11.35 Cardiff Central-Edinburgh service. 29/12 66503 worked a late running 4O51 container train east at 14.19.
30/12 Problems with flooding at Chipping Sodbury tunnel saw diversions via Dr.Days, Bath and Box. Swansea-Paddington services were calling at Patchway with a road coach connection from here to and from Parkway station.
Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill
29/11 31459 + 31106 top n'tailed the 1O98 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton, 1V98 17.00 Brighton-Cardiff and 2C96 22.50 Cardiff-Westbury, Wessex Trains services.
01/12 There were still some cancellations due to the Ealing derailment whilst track replacement work was taking place. Also diversions were taking place via Gloucester due to closure of the Severn Tunnel for maintenance up until 05.00 on 02/12.
03/12 47786 was present on Barton Hill depot (allocated 0C84 light-engine to Cardiff) and 47746 worked the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails. 47784 + 47793 top n'tailed the 1Z14 08.06 Swindon Transfer sidings-Taunton and return 1A31 10.08 Taunton-Paddington (recorded passing Worle Jcn at 09.25 and 10.25 respectively). 20307 + 20313 worked the 7V74 Crewe-Bridgwater and return nuclear flasks.
03/12 Two southbound workings recorded this afternoon, at 15.00, 66135 with the "Enterprise" service and at 15.40, 66227 with a stone train.
05/12 66555 was in charge of the overnight 6V20 18.35 Hope sidings-Moorswater cement service and 37114 the 6C92 09.14 Newport-Bridgwater and return 6C93 13.46 Bridgwater-Newport trip freight. 47746 was present on Barton Hill depot and 47770 powered a 5A24 Barton Hill-Old Oak Common van train. 47786 was on the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT mails and 57601 had earlier headed the 1A99 Penzance-Paddington First/GW sleeper service. The Wessex Trains Fragonset Class 31s were back in action on the 'ThO driver training run' 5O95 05.31 Westbury-Brighton ECS, 1V94 09.00 Brighton-Cardiff and 5C94 13.20 Cardiff-Westbury ECS.
06/12 31106 + 31459 continued their 'FO' top n'tail Cardiff-Brighton and return service, 47746 was still present on Barton Hill, 47811 was present on St.Phillips Marsh depot and 57601 was on the 1C99 Paddington-Penzance sleeper.
07/12 The First/GW sleeper locos were 47815 (1C99) and 47813 (1A99).
09/12 47813 (1C99) and 57601 (1A99) were the First/GW sleeper locos and 47746 was still present on Barton Hill. A broken rail at Bathampton junction caused some morning delays and later in the day 60032 failed at Freshford with the 6C62 Westbury-St.Phillips Marsh fuel tanks. A Class 67 was reported to have been despatched from Barton Hill depot to assist.
10/12 66527 worked the Avon area refuse container train. The driver of a late afternoon HST service reported hitting an object in the Severn Tunnel which closed the tunnel for a couple of hours whilst checks took place. In the meantime, the 10.30 Edinburgh-Paignton Virgin Voyager service called at Nailsea & Backwell and Yatton (believed to be a Voyager first!) to cover for diverted Wessex Trains services running late via Gloucester.
12/12 56111 + 60003 were unusually paired on the 6V70 11.48 Bescot-St.Blazey freight, but the train had not departed until after 13.00 (King's Norton 13.51). On arrival at Temple Meads, the 56 was detached, returning as 0Z96 light-engine to Saltley (Standish junction 16.50). 20306 + 20315 were the Bridgwater flask locos and 47811 and 47832 were present on St.Phillips Marsh depot. 47813 (1C99) and 57601 (1A99) were the sleeper locos. 47791 was reported to have assisted the failed 1A92 17.30 Penzance-Paddington HST (with power cars 43016 + 43188) from Plymouth to Bristol. 31459 + 31106 were again in use on the 'FO' 1O98 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton, 1V96 17.00 Brighton-Cardiff and 2C96 22.50 Cardiff-Westbury Wessex Trains services and there was a report of a low-speed collision between two Class 180 units at Platform 11 during the day. 56120 handled the Newport-Bridgwater trip freight, the return leaving Bridgwater at 12.47 formed of three ferryvans. 66559 stabled adjacent Marsh PW depot at 19.10.
13/12 47813 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99) were the sleeper locos and 47739 headed the 1E43 15.09 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. Afternoon "Enterprise" working seen at 15.40 heading southbound and double headed by 56111 and 60003.
15/12 66057 noted heading south with a "Civils" train at 09.30. 16/12 Heading for St Philips Marsh? light engine, was 66546 at 09.35.
17/12 Plenty of Class 47 activities today! Those recorded were;- 47747 with the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT, 47739 on the 1E41 17.23 Plymouth-Low Fell and 47756 at the head of the 1V33 15.58 London-Plymouth mails. 66113 + 37670 were paired on the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Bescot freight, the 37 returning from Cornish sandite duties. Another Class 37 to reach Bristol was 37109 on the 1Z06 19.37 Worcester yard-Kingsland Road (via Evesham and Oxford) structural-gauging train formed;- DB975802 (serco red & grey)+ADB975982 (choc/cream colours)+DC460000+DB975280 (Railtrack green/blue).
18/12 43123 + 43098 formed a back to back 09.51 Laira-Neville Hill HST power car stock move. 31106 + 31459 again top n'tailed the 1V94 09.00 Brighton-Cardiff (which was delayed not far from Cardiff Central station due to a bridge strike) and return ECS for Westbury (recorded passing Pilning at 15.21 around an hour late) with 31106 leading. 37109 worked the 1Z06 north as 2148 Kingsland Road-Didcot via Gloucester (reversing at Temple Meads between 00.52 and 00.57, with the 37 propelling away on the 19/12).
19/12 60046 + 60004 worked a 11.15 Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers via Day's curve and 66601 ran via Platform 3 at 23.35 with the 6V20 Earles sidings-Moorswater cement service. Some late running was recorded, due to a bridge strike in the North for example the 17.52 Glasgow Central-Temple Meads Virgin XC voyager service, formed with set 220011 arrived at 00.57 (20/12) instead of 23.51. 66546 stabled adjacent Marsh PW depot at 21.20.
20/12 At 00.05, the canopy lines (platforms 3-6) were closed for an engineering occupation in the Bath Road bridge area. 66137 was later recorded on a 20-wagon 6V70, with four scrap container wagons included as part of the formation. 31 106+31 459 again worked the 'FO' 1O98, 1V96 (noted calling Keynsham at 20.33) and 2C96.
21/12 50031 + 50049 were paired on Pathfinder Tours 'Cornubian' (1Z27 05.53 Ealing Broadway-Newquay and return 1Z28 15.58 Newquay-Ealing Broadway), the outward train calling at 08.25. 66106 worked the 6M68 Burngullow-Crewe South yard china clay slurry tanks.
23/12 Noted ECS or as an additional service to Cardiff at 09.40 were 31106 & 31459 in push/pull operation with 4 mk2 coaches. The Bridgwater - Sellafield "Flasks" passed by in the afternoon powered by 20303/307. Present at St Philips Marsh at 19.10 were 66508/546. 180107/109/112/113. 30/12 Two southbound movements recorded, 10.25, 66609 light engine to St Philips Marsh? and 66170 with a coal service, possibly empties for Portbury or diverted Avonmouth - Didcot.
Devon and Cornwall
05/12 47791 was on Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' rescue duty (also being recorded on 12/12 and 13/12).
09/12 Regional Railways Central Trains branded 153 329 was in use on the St.Ives branch during the day. 12/12 37670 was present on St.Blazey depot.
17/12 47739 + 47747 were paired on the 6C06 11.30 St.Blazey-Tavistock yard china clay CDA wagons (the locos going on to work the 1E41 17.23 Plymouth-Low Fell and 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Bristol Parkway RMT mails respectively ). The Exeter Riverside stone from Westbury (7C27 and 7C28) was worked by 59001. 18/12 60043 powered the 7C27/7C28 stone service.
20/12 47813 with coaching stock, was used on the 08.30 Plymouth-Paddington, 1C33 12.33 Paddington-Plymouth and 1A83 16.40 Plymouth-Paddington services in place of an HST set.
Gloucester
14/12 Pathfinders 'Merry Widow' (1Z27 07.12 Gloucester-Sheffield) excursion was worked by 56056 (Gloucester-Birmingham NS), 92025 (Birmingham NS-Crewe), 37712 + 37798 (Crewe-Leeds), 66241 (Sheffield-Leeds), 60051 (Leeds-Toton) and 37712 + 37798 (Toton-Gloucester).
Portbury Branchline
Further previously unrecorded non-coal workings (including some corrections to past reports) are as follows;-
01/10 66515 worked 6Z27 16.11 loaded cars to Doncaster (via Yate).
02/10 66512 worked 6Z17 15.58 loaded cars to Doncaster (via the Severn Tunnel). 21/10 56074 powered the 6G89 18.14 Llanwern-Portbury steel slab empties.
22/10 56074 returned as 6G90 00.10 Portbury-Llanwern loaded steel slab.
24/10 56090 worked 6G94 00.45 Llanwern-Portbury steel slab empties, returning with the 6G95 09.05 Portbury-Llanwern loaded steel slab.
25/10 56113 headed the 6G89 18.09 Llanwern-Portbury slab empties, returning on the 6G90 23.38 Portbury-Llanwern loaded slab.
03/12 Three Virgin (assumed Pendolino) power cars were present on the quayside in the main dock during the day.
16/12 66028 worked 4V17 Washwood Heath-Portbury coal empties
17/12 66147 worked a 6M04 09.40 Portbury-Rugeley MGR.
21/12 66025 headed a morning slab train (passing through Temple Meads at 08.00). 66220 followed later with an mgr service (Temple Meads 09.51). 30/12 66147 was waiting at 22.30 with HTAs for Rugeley.
11/01 56051 and 56072 top-and-tailed 1Z56 Doncaster - Portbury charter to both the Auto Terminal and the Coal Terminal. Stock consisted of 11 MK1 vehicles (including Generator Car) owned by Riviera, W6310 + W3122 + 3112 + W3140 + 3098 + W21272 + 1863 + W5009 + 4927 + 5040 + 5275 Wendy. Returned double headed from Portbury coal terminal to Doncaster as 1Z57. The tour also visited Ashchurch MOD branch where MOD shunters 253 RIVER EDEN (TH271V) and 01506 (AB668) were observed stabled. In addition 37901, 56023 and 56080 (seriously dismembered) were noted.
Locos noted on coal duty during recent weeks;- 66002/011/012/024/028/079/129/147/156/166/211/219/220/221/224/234/249. It is hoped the listed workings will be on going, the coal terminal suffering with the collapse of TXU and the closure/mothballing of the Ironbridge and Fifoots power stations.
Wessex Area
03/12 Blue liveried 37308 worked the 7O26 10.27 Oxford Hinksey yard-Eastleigh freight. 37042 worked the 6B36 Didcot-Ashchurch and return 6A32 return MOD trip.
05/12 Freight activity today was as follows;- 47757 on 6Y20 Eastleigh-Hoo junction, 37248+37375 with the 7V39 Hoo junction-Eastleigh, 37308 on the 6T31 Eastleigh-Woking engineers, and 47150 on 6M16 Southampton-Crewe vehicle train. MOD trips were;- 37042 with 6A49 Didcot-Bicester and 37 886 on the 6V03 Kineton-Didcot. 33021 was in action on a 13.15 Eastleigh-Salisbury driver training light-engine trip.
07/12 37248 + 37375 worked an 06.46 Swindon-Lincoln (1Z37) Pathfinder excursion throughout.
08/12 The ECS of the above excursion returned to Crewe as 13.00 ex. Swindon behind the two Class 37s. The train ran early, being noted passing Gloucester at 13.00, and routed via Chepstow, Severn Tunnel junction, Newport Maindee to the Marches and Hereford for Crewe.
09/12 33021 failed at Blatchbridge junction near Frome on a driver training light-engine run. The loco was rescued by a Class 59 and left in Witham sidings. 37042 worked the 7O26 Didcot-Eastleigh freight and 37 886 was on the 6V03 Kineton-Didcot MOD trip. 37308 was on Eastleigh for an exam.
10/12 47744 + 47727 worked north from Didcot with the Serco test train.
12/12 37042 worked 5Y86 Alton-Victoria ECS whilst 37694 was on the 7O26 Didcot-Eastleigh. freight. 47727 + 47744 were reported again at Didcot with 1Z14 Serco test train to Derby.
13/12 33021 was used on the 0Y82 10.05 Salisbury-Portsmouth (via Netley) and 0Y80 12.00 return (via Chandlers Ford) driver training run.
16/12 Fragonset 47355 was reported to have powered the 6M16 Southampton-Crewe automotive train.
Units noted during December
143610/611/612/618/620/621. 150238/242/266. 153302/308/318/372/373/382. 158745/746/748/815/829/870. 180107/109/111/112/113. 220001/002/004/011/028/033/034. 221102/103/105/110/113/114/115/116/123/128/130/131/136/141/143/144.
Postals
4s (PCV)
94302 94197 94204 94336
94321 94150 94106 94319
94338 94198 94216 94341
94317 94172 94228 94310
94323 94148 94211 94320
94334 94146 94160 94309
94308 94177 94222 94332
94332 94168 94119 94303
5s
94441 94195 94100 94468 94415
94422 94547 94227 94223 94545
SOUTH WALES AREA
Cardiff Central
01/12 221143 worked the 13.05 from Glasgow.
02/12 66502 hauled 4051 Wentloog-Southampton Freightliner 04/12 37419 worked 2F03 06:59 from Rhymney and 2R38 16:50 return. 37425 did 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 2R46 17:47 return. 37402 hauled 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R42 17:11 return. 66505 was on 4051. 158859 operated the 07:50 to Lincoln, 158784 the 08:50 to Nottingham and 158786 the 07:10 from Lincoln.
05/12 37419 hauled 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37402 2R46. 221110 worked 1V04 05:55 from Derby and 220016 1V55 08:10 from Dundee. 180110 operated the 07:00 Paddington-Swansea.
06/12 221103 did 1V27 06:09 York-Swansea and 221117 1V47 07:35 from Edinburgh. 66543 hauled 4051. 37419 worked 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37425 2R46.
07/12 37425 worked various Saturday services on the Rhymney line. 220025 operated 1V63 10:10 from Aberdeen.
09/12 47358 worked 4O51. 37425 worked 2R38, 37419 2R42 and 37402 2R46.
10/12 56049 worked 6Z49 15:03 Tidal-Lindsey. 37419 did 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37402 2R46.
12/12 47200 in silver Cotswold Rail livery worked 4L56 02:30 Wentloog-Ipswich freightliner.
13/12 37425 hauled 2F03, 37402 2F05, 37419 2F06. 220016 worked the 15:15 to Edinburgh, 180105 arrived on the 13:30 from Paddington and 180106 worked the 14:00 Paddington-Swansea.
14/12 37402 worked a few Rhymney diagrams.
16/12 221136 worked 1S67 09:35 to Edinburgh, 221132 1S71 11:10 to Aberdeen and 221116 1V63 08:55 from Aberdeen. 180112 did the 10:55 to Paddington and 180105 the 15:30 from Paddington. 37402 did 2F03 and 2R46, 37425 2F05 and 2R42, 37419 2F06 and 2R38. 56068/118 hauled 6E09 08:49 Margam-Lackenby.
17/12 37425 worked 2F03 and 2R46, 37402 2F05 and 2R38, 37419 2F06 and 2R42. 37677 hauled 6Z49 15:03 Tidal-Lindsey. 220010 operated the 19:20 to Sheffield.
18/12 37419 did 2F03 and 2R42, 37425 2F05 and 2R46, 37402 2F06 and 2R38. 31106/459 worked the 09:00 from Brighton. 37410/710 hauled 6E04 22:50 Margam-Lackenby.
19/12 37419 worked 2F03, 37408 2F05, 37402 2F06.
20/12 56113 hauled 6B35 11:15 Cardiff Docks-Swansea Burrows. 66501 did 4V30 Ipswich Yard-Wentloog.
21/12 221120 worked 1S67 09:30 to Edinburgh, 220020 1S71 11:35 to Edinburgh, 221103 1S75 12:44 Swansea-Edinburgh, 221117 1E43 15:30 to Newcastle, 220016 1E91 17:30 to Newcastle and 220003 1E44 19:30 to Birmingham.
22/12 37689/695 hauled 6E09.
28/12 221141 worked 1S75.
31/12 66536 hauled 4O51.
Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)
01/12 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37402/406/412/413/425/509/677. 47793. 60074. 66037/038/102/147/154/168. 67008/017.
08/12 08481/493/752/756/819/941/955. 37406/412/413/419/509. 47778. 66035/144/168/173/241. 67021.
15/12 08481/493/756/819/955. 37406/412/413/425/509/677/695. 60096. 66001/060/106/155/185/195/216/220/236. 67028.
22/12 08481/493/756/819/955/993. 37406/412/413/418/425/509. 47778. 56094. 60002/076/089. 660079/155/229. 67007/016/020.
29/12 08481/493/756/819/955/957/993. 37406/412/413/418/509. 66003/008/057. 67020.
Newport
03/12 37114 worked 6B82 14:13 Avonmouth-ADJ, followed by 7M12 ADJ-Bescot.
04/12 At 00.50 the S.P. held;- 56120. 60046. 66020/037/199/212.
06/12 56100 in Loadhaul livery worked 7B48 09:00 ADJ-Machen. 37114 was in charge of 6B71 09:15 ADJ-Tidal. Also noted were 31106/459. 56055/072/100. 60013/041/046/098. 66087/168/241/512.
10/12 37114 again did 6B71 plus 6B64 return. 12/12 66559 worked light engine towards Severn Tunnel Junction at 09:30.
13/12 56120 worked 6C91 09:14 ADJ-Bridgwater and 6C92 13:46 return. Also noted were 31106/459. 60010/018/052. 66001/058/075/155/177/185/195/239 66532.
15/12 37710/410 hauled 6V49 14:06 Tees Yard-Newport. 16/12 37410/710 worked 08:00 Llanwern-Dee Marsh.
17/12 56107 hauled 6V49 15:53 Lynemouth-Newport Docks. 19/12 56087 worked 7B50 10:35 Machen-ADJ. 37886 did 6B87 15:18 Avonmouth-ADJ.
20/12 37886 worked 6B71 and 6B64. Also noted 31106/459. 37886. 56107. 57008. 60073/089. 66011/025/058/089/138/239/546.
21/12 37886, 56094, 60047/065, 66008/011/071/083/097/138/164/239 were at Godfrey Road at 14:00.
23/12 37886 did 7B48 and 7B50.
24/12 Noted at 21.40 were 56032/129. 60004/0210/036/084. 66003/008/057/058/235/546.
27/12 Renewal of both centre relief lines at Newport station, plus points at the west end of the station, made platforms 1 and 2 unavailable for passenger use. As a result, the former platform 8 (part of which is the footpath to the car park) was brought into use as "Platform 4", with a new tarmac surface and signs. The platform could take four cars, so services to Manchester, Portsmouth, Birmingham etc used it. At seat catering trolleys were conveyed from the front of the station to the long term car park in a tail-lift van, before being pushed up the path to the platform. The introduction of platform 4 allowed all westbound services to use platform 3 instead of 1&2, although some trains were delayed outside the station waiting for the platform to become free, as eastbound HSTs and Voyagers continued to use 3 (as they were too long for 4). Locomotives were still able to use Godfrey Road S.P., although some were routed via platform 3 rather than platform 4. Temporary buffers were installed at the west end of platform 2, allowing it to be used for terminating services and for stabling units. 66055/160/175/185 were on used ballast trains. The condition of the ballast, a mixture of mud and stone, showed the necessity for the work. Whilst the track was up, the opportunity was taken to waterproof part of the roof of the pedestrian subway underneath. A Hydrex road/rail excavator was in use, moving lengths of new rail about.
28/12 37886 passed westbound through platform 4 at 14:05 towing a five coach Virgin HST ECS to St Phillips Marsh after 43122/094 failed on 1S71 11:35 Cardiff-Edinburgh.
Units noted during Decemeber were 150242/263. 156415. 158746/748/796/816/820/823/825/827/828/829/830/834/837/838/855/864/865/866 158869/872. 170398/502/504/511/517/523/631. 180102/106/110/111/112/113. 220003/012/021/030/031. 221104/106/112/113/118/119/124/129/131/143.
LOCO AND UNIT NEWS
Class 37
05/12 Sandite locos were located as follows;- 37516/521/667-BS ok, 37670-BZ ok, 37685 Temple Mills, 37675/682-Didcot ok, 37676-Didcot out of service, 37677-CF oos, 37689-MG b-exam, 37694-CF ok, 37698-Acton-ok.
Class 47
03/12 During the morning the First/GW fleet were located as follows;- 47811 PM ok, 47813 1C99 Paddington-Penzance sleeper, 47815 1A99 Penzance-Paddington sleeper, 47832 Old Oak Common, 57601 Old Oak Common shunt loco, 47816 TO, 47830 West Ealing (?). 05/12 47828 worked the 1A31 08.27 Manchester-Euston and return 1G35 16.35 Euston-Wolverhampton Virgin XC services. 47810 ran 0T51 Longsight-Rugeley and 0T52 return, driver training run.
Fragonset 31454 is expected to replace 31602 (fuel leak) at Westbury for use on Wessex trains top n'tail Class 31 passenger operation. 31106 will become the spare loco and will be replaced by 31 602 once returned from Derby after repair. 31 454 is to be repainted at Derby and receive a Wessex based name. Locos 73105/114 and 47705/803/972 have been moved to Darley Dale at Peak Rail for component recovery by Fragonset.
Direct Rail Services (DRS) The company has ordered 10 Class 66 locos funded through Porterbrook for an August delivery. Class 66/7s are to be 'loaned' in the meantime from GBRf with up to three during January. The company's Class 47 locos, once returned to service, are expected to take over the Daventry-Grangemouth freight service, currently in the hands of double-headed Class 37/6 locos.
Riviera Trains 47839 (ILRA) carries a new Riviera Trains livery, similar to DRS blue with a light grey roof.
Wessex Trains The unique 1999 Alphaline dark blue/grey and orange livery carried by 158 867 was lost during December when the unit entered Doncaster works for a repaint. The set will emerge in silver and burgundy colours during January, the last Class 158 to be treated for the Wessex train company.
Motorway Movements 05/12 HST power car 43007 was seen on a road low-loader heading north on the M5 at Junction 28 (21.35).
FREIGHT FLOW NEWS
Stone Traffic
A new contract for a Tytherington-Appleford (north of Didcot) service is to commence running during the coming months.
Steel Traffic
Activity at Sheerness in Kent has now finished for the long-term, but a new buyer Celsa, a Spanish firm is to take over the ASW Cardiff operation and set to restart steel production later in the year.
Enterprise Traffic
From 12/01/03 the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Bescot freight (due Bristol Temple Meads at 22.10) is to run T,ThO and SO. The new Saturday departure time is 10.30, the train is expected to follow 6M68 08.33 Burngullow-Crewe South yard china clay slurry tanks through the Bristol area.
GBRf
British Gypsum have signed a contract with the company to move material from Southampton-Robertsbridge from 30/03/03.
Virgin
The report in the last magzine that class 57`s & Mk3`s will be working summer saturday trains will not take place. The reason for this is that Bristol Drivers dont have the traction knowledge also Train Managers dont have Mk3 knowledge. The area C.S.M said that it would cost to much to train said drivers & train managers to work them for such a short period of time. Birmingham Drivers do not sign South of Bristol so that option seems unlikely as well.
INDUSTRIAL & PRESERVATION MATTERS
28/12 Hanson's, Machen Quarry. Ex. BR Class 03, D2199 was still present 'on hire'.
ATPWS (Automatic Train Protection)
As well as the continual fitting of this new safety device to modern locos and stock, mainline passed steam locos are also being fitted at Ian Riley Engineers on the East Lancashire Railway. The only loco so far fitted being 45407, with 6233 (Jan), 34027/067 and 60009 all to follow during the first half of 2003.
RAILTOUR DATES
V.S.O.E. 2003 Dates
The Orient Express is due to visit Bristol/Bath on the following dates, from Victoria during the year;- 29/01, 07/02, 26/02, 05/03, 21/03 (dinning trip from Temple Meads), 22/03 (luncheon trip from Cardiff), 22/03 (dinning trip from Bristol), 09/04, 16/04, 30/04, 07/05, 14/05, 28/05, 11/06, 25/06, 27/06 (dinning trip from Bristol), 28/06 (luncheon trip from Cardiff), 28/06 (dinning trip from Bristol), 01/07 (s), 23/07, 06/08, 20/08, 17/09, 08/10 (s), 22/10, 05/11.
The Northern Belle is due to visit Bath from Manchester on the following dates;- 11/01, 01/03, 11/04, 19/04, 24/05, 11/06 depart 12/06 (s), 14/06, 28/06, 14/07, 02/08, 10/09 depart 11/09 (s), 20/09, 09/10, 11/10, 08/11. 2004;- 07/02, 08/03 (both from Nantwich). (s) possible steam haulage.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
08511(TO)-ML, 08577(IM)-TO, 08879(ML)-IM, 43124/125/126/127/128/129,
43130/131/132/133/134/135/136/137/138/139/140/141/142/143/144/145,
43146/147/148/149/150/151/152(PM)-LE, 47200(MM)-NC, 47829(TO)-WN.
Store
37676/685. 47816/830. 86210/243/261/401/424.
BH: 86213. CE: 86210/243/261/401/424. DI: 37676. IM: 86240/251. KI: 47186/201/219/228/280/293/307/360. LH: 47206. LT: 86207/214/222/244/248/256/257. OC: 31427. SP: 56004/034/132. TO: 47816. ZH: 86253. Temple Mills: 37685. MoD Ashchurch: 37901.
Disposals
Mid Norfolk Railway: 31530. Stratford Cl47 Group: 47367. Brush Type 4 Fund:
47376.
Renumbered
91025 - 91125.
New Stock
66561/562/563/564/565/566 -FD.
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
142074(HT)-CF.
Traffic
60116 (x60016) -SE.
Formations
150003 (52103 + 57210 + 57103) 150105 (52105 + 52210) 156411 (57411 + 57364)
Electric Multiple Units
Stored
(S): 1507 @FR. 375311/326 @ZG.
Traffic
375302/303/304/305, 702/704/705/706/708 -RE.
Withdrawn
70060/075/080/083/084/085/087/193. 75033/036/060/063/068/072/073/250.
1509/70/82/84.
Diposals:
IMRFT: 1509/70/82/84.
Sims: 70060/063*/072*/075/080/083/084/085/193. 75068/072/073.** 70087.
75036/060.***
* Not Cardiff as advised earlier, ** Nottingham, *** Cardiff
Mangapps Farm: cars 75033/250.
New Stock
375306/307/308/309/310/706/709/710/711/712/713/714/715 -AF(Test) 377102
-BI(Test).
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
9497 -NC, 99666 -ZA.
Store
42090/091/116/127/161. 99884. CS: 99884. DY: 42090/091/116/127/161.
Traffic Dept:
999700/701 -ZA.
Disposals
EMC (Snailwell): 977469. Devon Railway Centre(Tiverton): 92948.
Codes
QADD Network Rail, Diesel Locomotives, 31105/285. QHBD Network Rail, Hot Box
Detection Coach, 72503. QUTU Network Rail, Ultrasonic Test Train, 62482,
72630/631, 99666.