NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
29/12 Load-haul liveried 60059 was in charge of the 6M71 11.52 Avonmouth-Ketton
loaded coal MEAs (via Charfield). For the five weeks up to 31/12 the following
have been noted on coal duty:- 60059.
66033/037/040/043/061/062/069/079/092/114/121/156/168/174/177/178/183
66187/201/208/214/235/237/242/247.
During the same period, the following have been recorded on the 6M33 13.15
Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight;-
66033/036/038/040/073/121/135/147/148/158/186/202/217/232.
The month started with two Class 08s being present, 08630 (assumed) and 08685.
The latter remained into January 2004.
Bristol Parkway
01/12 66137 + 60035 observed light engines working into the postal sidings.
Two MGRs were also seen, these being 66109 with empties to Portbury and 66201
empties to Avonmouth with 66237 on the rear of the train.
02/12 Two MGRs noted this evening, 66237 empties to Avonmouth and 66208 from
Avonmouth bound for Didcot.
04/12 60059 was in charge of the Westbury-Tytherington stone empties, passing at
16.32, returning loaded at 20.03. Other locos recorded on this train during the
five weeks up to the end of December have been;- 66139/148/222. Seen this
evening were 66213 with MGR empties for Portbury, and 66043 which was in charge
of the MoD Liner.
07/12 The 6E48 12.02 (Sun) Llanwern-Lackenby steel empties was diverted via
Parkway, assumed to be for driver route knowledge in preparation for forthcoming
diversions.
08/12 66114 passed at 13.00 with loaded HAAs forming the 6L63 Newport-Foxton
loaded coal service. This evening saw 66045 working the Tyne Yard
"Boxes", 66201 MGR from Avonmouth, 66177 empties to Avonmouth and
66023 the "Fuel" Train. Also seen was 47778 which top 'n' tailed the
Low Fell postal with 67026. The reason for this was that access to Gloucester
was blocked due to engineering work. In addition to this all Voyager services
were routed via Newport. From this date, until 14/12, the mainline from
Westerleigh to Gloucester was closed for engineering works near Gloucester.
During this period all traffic was diverted via the Severn Tunnel, Newport
(reverse), Chepstow to Gloucester. As previously during 2003 the 6B13
Robeston-Theale oil tanks were top n'tailed by Class 60 locos; 60075 + 60081
being today's locos. Further trains were recorded with 60023+60075 (09/2) and
60037+60052 (12/12).
09/12 From this date until 14/12 mail traffic was top n'tailed from/to the RMt
at Parkway. Services affected were all Christmas (and retimed) 'additions';-
1S82 10.05 Parkway-Shieldmuir, 1E21 11.05 Parkway-Low Fell ,1V58 07.27 Low
Fell-Parkway, Parkway 15.48 and 1V38 09.20 Shieldmuir-Parkway. The following is
a summary of the top n'tail operation for three of these trains during this
period;- 1S82 67012+67005 (09/12), 47770+67003 (10/12), 67016+67028 (11/12),
67006+67018 (12/12). 1E21 47778+67003 (09/12), 47770+67022 (10/12), 67008+67018
(11/12), 67008+67016 (12/12). 1V58 47778+67026 (09/12), 47770+67 028 (11/12),
67014+67018 (11/12), 67016+67026 (12/12).
Note;- The rear loco was attached/detached at Birmingham New Street.
11/12 Four freights recorded this evening starting with 66222 working the
Tytherington "Stone", 66201 MGR empties to Avonmouth also 66174 and
66237 a loaded service from Avonmouth.
14/12 66243 returned 5Z29 12.58 Cardiff Canton-Old Oak Common ECS, from
Pathfinder Tours 'Moonraker' excursion from Gloucester to Southampton the
previous day (see Gloucester Notes & News).
15/12 60009 was over at Westerleigh having arrived on the 6V04 loaded fuel tanks
from Port Clarence. It has been reported that Freightliner drivers have walked
this branchline during the month for a new freight-flow (details of which is
unknown at present). Normal operations this evening now that services are able
to access the direct route to and from Gloucester. Freight activity consisted of
services been recorded, 66126 with the Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66174 a
loaded MGR from Avonmouth, 66237 with empties for Avonmouth, 66204 working the
MoD "Liner" and 66235 with the Margam - Fawley empty tanks (Fuel
Train).
17/12 60093 was today at Westerleigh on oil tank duty. Of the mail 'extras'
during the day;- 67021+67022 were paired on the 1E21 11.50 Parkway RMt-Low Fell
and 47770 was in charge of the 1C30 15.02 Parkway RMt-Plymouth.
18/12 Two freights this evening, 66139 working the Tytherington
"Stone" and 66174 MGR empties to Avonmouth.
22/12 Four MGRs seen within an hour this evening, starting with 66142 on a
loaded MGR from Portbury and in the opposite direction 66117 with empties. 66247
with MGR for Avonmouth and 66214 with a train for Didcot.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/12 Northbound departmental service seen at 14.20 behind 66069.
03/12 An emergency timetable was put into place by Virgin trains following
gearbox transmission problems discovered by Bombardier, requiring all sets to be
taken out of service for an exam. There was late running, 221134 for example,
was working the 09.21 Newton Abbot-Edinburgh but running 27 late due to the
exam. Problems with a broken rail on the up avoiding line at Weston-super-Mare
saw all services running via the loop this included Virgin XC services and two
freights;- 66043 on the 6G78 09.08 Ernsettle-Didcot MoD stores and 66040 with
the 6S55Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks. The 6G78 was already diverted this way
due to engineering works on the B & H mainline! Also recorded was the
4-coach ultrasonic test train top n'tailed by 31190 and 31601 running as 4Z08
09.51 Laira-Hornsey.
04/12 66073 handled the 6V34 (ThO) Fawley-Margam fuel tanks, passing via Day's
curve.
09/12 What could possibly be the final Class 56 to visit Bridgwater on the 6C91
09.14 trip from Newport ADJ was. This class is expected to see further
reductions and by the end of March all could be withdrawn.
10/12 The 1V35 08.07 Preston-Plymouth Virgin XC services was formed of an HST
set (with power cars 43094 and 43080) in place of the booked Voyager set. The
return working was the 1Z29 16.13 Plymouth-Preston and was formed with a
different set (with power cars 43068 and 43123). The correct return working
according to the diagram should have been the 1S50 15.15 Plymouth-Glasgow, but
this ran using 220020 as a 1Z39 15.15 Plymouth-Leeds passengers being advised to
use this train for at least part of their journey. The 1Z29 was however later to
be in trouble on the Lickey bank requiring the assistance of 66055. Another
train in trouble was the 6B66 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental behind 66187,
requiring help onwards from Trowbridge by 59205.
13/12 The Serco HST was again back in the area, visiting South Wales during the
morning and running 1C00 12.30 Swindon-Taunton and 1A00 Taunton-Derby (via
Swindon and Temple Meads-twice!). The power cars in use were 43013 and 43062.
16/12 66083 noted with MGR empties, Portbury bound at 15.00.
17/12 Pathfinder's 1Z50 11.05 Cardiff-Cardiff circular dinning special using two
Class 50s and Northern Belle stock was cancelled due to low bookings.
18/12 Another Pathfinder's dinning special from Bristol did run using 50031 and
50049. The train ran 5Z50 09.34 Cardiff Canton-Temple Meads ECS and then as 1Z50
11.44 Temple Meads-Temple Meads via Bath, the Limpley Valley, Westbury, Castle
Cary, Yeovil, Honiton, Exeter, Taunton, Westbury and back for a 5Z51 17.14
Bristol-Old Oak Common ECS move. On the freight side, 66235 was on the 6V34 (ThO)
Fawley-Margam fuel oil.
21/12 An HST returned to the Cross-Country network, when a Virgin West Coast set
powered by 43067/122 worked 1E32 09:50 Plymouth-York!
22/12 66126 powered the St. Phillips Marsh fuel tankers, the return empties
passing Bath at 14.25 for Westbury. Wessex unit 150243 was used in place of a
Voyager set on the 1E32 10.45 Exeter-Newcastle as far as Temple Meads and a
further Virgin XC HST operated service was a 1Z97 18.02 Birmingham NS-Plymouth.
MGR empties passed by at 10.05 behind 66044 heading for Portbury.
23/12 The previous days HST set returned as 1Z87 10.45 Plymouth-Stafford. The
6C91 Bridgwater freight trip from Newport finished the year in the hands of
66228. Also during the evening the 1M65 19.10 Plymouth-London mails, with 67011,
was seen carrying a 'Last Christmas post' headboard (apparently belonging to the
driver!).
The Bristol Bath road depot site was finally cleared of buildings during the first week of the month. The last structure to go was the office block (noted half demolished on 30/11) part of which had been in use by Network Rail up until June 2003.
Gloucestershire
04/12 60100 arrived on a 6Z61 08.26 Mountsorrel-Gloucester 'La Farge' ballast
train. Also recorded was 56058 which ran light-engine around the Gloucester
triangle twice (as a training run for Margam drivers who are to work the
Westerleigh tanks during the Gloucester engineering blockade) and 47703, which
did the same earlier once on a 0Z11 Derby-Taunton light-engine run.
05/12 Load-haul 56090 worked a 6T95 10.15 Bescot-Gloucester departmental (the
loco was to have been withdrawn on 08/12) and 56 058 passed on the 6E35 11.19
Llanwern-Lackenby empties at 13.00.
08/12 At 07.15 for the local engineering blockade, 60082 and 60089 were present
on trains, later in the day 60005/050/062 had all worked in. A large amount of
track machinery was also seen present at Berkeley road.
11/12 60005/050/062/067/068 were present on engineering trains.
13/12 Pathfinder's 'Mooraker' spin and win haulage tour (1Z29
Gloucester-Southampton) was headed by 56096, returning with 56054 during the
evening taking the ECS onwards to Cardiff Canton. Other locos used during the
day for haulage were;- 37051+37717, 60041, 66504 and 86622.
16/12 50031 and 50049 were used in top n'tail mode on a 1Z50/1Z51 circular
Northern Belle dinning special from Worcester via the Gloucester avoiding line.
20/12 A Pastime Rail Paddington-Cardiff excursion (via Gloucester) was cancelled
due to the tour steam loco 60009 Union of South Africa being out of service.
Portbury Branchline
The following have been recorded on the 4V03 Washwood Heath-Portbury empty
HTAs and 6M04 09.20 return loaded coal to Rugeley; - 02/12 66077, 03/12 66127,
04/12 66127, 05/12 66211.
From Monday 15/12 additional coal trains operated to Aberthaw at 12.43 and 16.35
and from Tuesday-Saturday departures at 02.21 and 06.02 brought the total up to
four a day for the South Wales power station. The occasional use of HAA coal
wagons still continues as on 05/12 the 6M12 23.00 Portbury-Rugeley was worked
forward from Washwood Heath (on 06/12) by 56069+56088, the pair returning on
4P33 11.30 Rugeley-Washwood Heath empties. Car traffic has been run down during
the month the EWS service to Wembley having finished and the Freightliner
Mossend train only running on 03/12. Freightliner has continued to run
occasional route learning light-engine trips from Crewe to maintain driver route
knowledge.
Locos recorded on coal duty for the five weeks up until 31/12;-
66070/077/083/093/095/114/124/127/128/136/138/162/168/183/211/213/217
66242.
Wessex Area
01/12 The MO Exeter-Dolland's Moor freight, because of the B&H
engineering blockade, was diverted from Westbury, via the Limpley valley to Bath
where the loco ran-round and proceeded via Box and Swindon. A 6W80 07.07
Westbury-Lavington engineers was powered by 60066.
06/12 SWTs 73109 was in passenger action (using emu stock 3561+3406) working
2L44 21.44 Basingstoke-Waterloo, 1B67 22.55 Waterloo-Brockenhurst and 2Z70 00.59
return.
07/12 Steam 34067 Tangmere+66120 returned railtour ECS to Alton.
08/12 The three-car departmental Class 101 Metro-Cammell DMU worked;- 2Z02 09.26
Eastleigh-Southampton-Bournemouth-Southampton-Bournemouth-Poole-Bournemouth-Southampton-Eastleigh.
09/12 Fragonset 33021+33108 were unusual power for the 7Y39 09.45 Hoo
Junction-Southampton and 7Y40 15.51 return, performing the same duty during the
following day. Today's load was 29 wagons loaded to 1,022 tonnes. The Royal
Class 47s were active on Christmas 'extra' mail traffic;- 47798 hauling the 1V11
08.55 Warrington-Reading (and the 1M66 during the next day) and 47799 (with
66174 'dit' on the rear as far as Oxford Hinksey yard) on the 1M66 07.36
Reading-Warrington. 47799 returned on the 1V11 during the following day (this
time with 66043 'dit' on the rear). Problems on the B&H saw 59102 and 59005
diverted via Melksham during the morning. At 12.45 the following were present in
the Westbury area;- 08947. 31454/468/602. 59004. 60003/016. 66222.
66225 was also recorded on the 6V34 (ThO) Fawley-Margam loaded fuel tankers.
12/12 Electro-diesel 73136 was used on an ECS move for railtour operator Steam
Dreams from Alton-London in place of 37109 which had failed at Eastleigh.
13/12 158958 unusually worked the 06.33 Birmingham NS-Reading and 08.36 return.
15/12 Steam 60009 Union of South Africa was undergoing a weight check at
Merehead quarry as repairs neared completion on the pony wheel beneath the cab,
following a road move from Barton Hill depot, Bristol. 47799 was again used on
the 1M66 07.30 Reading-Warrington mail and 73136 hauled a 14.01 Eastleigh-Grove
Park stock move.
16/12 60016+60032 were paired on the 6L21 13.08 Merehead-Purfleet stone.
17/12 Steam 60009 was booked to leave Merehead as 13.00 light-engine to Barton
Hill, to collect support coach 99405 and run 16.00 to Kidderminster. However the
loco failed at Merehead Quarry Junction and had to be pushed back to the quarry
by a Class 66 which had run light from Westbury. Earlier 66222 had headed the
6O41 Westbury-Eastleigh engineers formed of a Grant Rail crane and vans in ex
works blue and orange.
18/12 A further visit to Westbury at 11.15 found the following;- 08947.
31452/454/459. 59102. 60032/077/083. 66166.
19/12 A 5Z01 10.30 Barton Hill-Alton move was formed 47703+73104+73139.
21/12 158956 was on the 1V99 16.33 Birmingham NS-Reading and 18.25 return.
23/12 A view of the sidings at Eastleigh depot noted 10 Class 58s stored in one
long line.
27/12 Diversions via Honiton, Yeovil and Castle Cary saw a First/GW HST set
(with power cars 43021+43020) working the 06.35 Plymouth-Paddington travel this
way. Engineering works was taking place at Whiteball between Taunton and
Tiverton.
29/12 Further diversions via Yeovil during the day were;- 66032 on 6C62 14.30
Westbury-Tavistock yard fuel tank, 47793 on the 1C84 21.45 Reading-Plymouth
mails, 67009 with the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails, 67018 on the 1M99 22.11
Plymouth-London TPO and 67019 with the 1V40 23.10 London-Plymouth TPO.
30/12 More diversions via the former LSWR route to Exeter were;- 66126 on the
6V62 fuel tanks and 66067 running 0V70 Bescot-St.Blazey light-engine. As well as
the 6M72, 66229 on the 6V41 Burngullow -Irvine slurry tanks were reported routed
this way.
30/12 Hertfordshire railtours 'Way-Out' railtour (1Z73 10.12 Waterloo-Weymouth
and 1Z93 17.30 return) saw the final EWS Class 73 run using loco 73136 (the last
Class member in service, 73133 having been withdrawn a few days earlier) and
SWTs 73109. The train arrived at 15.53, to time formed with green liveried
coaching stock;-S17015, S3114, S3127, S3124, S4925, 1832, S4986, S5007, S5023,
S5482. The train arrivals/destination indicator described the train as the
'10.12 Shoebox Express from Waterloo'! A 'Farewell ED Class 73 headboard' was
also carried.
West of England
03/12 Due to transmission problems Class 221 Voyager sets began congregating
at Laira depot for checks. Meanwhile HST power car 43028 returned from Devonport
dockyard to Laira depot following attention. At Plymouth station, 66166 was on
area pilot duties in place of a shunting loco and 09013 was on the Cattewater
scrap metal branchline trip.
04/12 The 1C01 19.35 Penzance-Bristol Parkway Rmt TPO was in trouble with the
failure of 67009 leaving at 21.11 behind 66215. The train was terminated at
Exeter due to the late running, 67021 with the 5V69 Parkway-St.Blazey (running
as 1Z69) was used to act as the balancing 1C02 TPO from Parkway being extended
to Penzance. Royal 47799 which had arrived at Exeter on the 1C84 21.45
Reading-Plymouth mails was used to remove the failed 67 and train to Riverside
yard (66 215 having returned light from Exeter to St.Blazey).
05/12 66166 handled the 6C43 13.19 Burngullow-Exeter Riverside freight and a 2+1
Virgin XC HST set formation (43080 and 43068 were the power cars) passed Newton
Abbot at 18.10 heading north. Later the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails headed
by 6 010 was recorded carrying a 'Last Christmas post' headboard.
07/12 At 14.30 the following were visible on St.Blazey depot;- 47306.
66075/203/240. 67017021. 67026. Freight yard;- 08993. 66089.
10/12 43185+43036+43128 formed an 0Z77 Laira-Laira stock 'test' move via Newton
Abbot and Midland Mainline 43104 was reported as a new arrival at Plymouth
Devonport dockyard for repair. Also noted at St.Blazey was 09001 on a road
low-loader.
11/12 66213 was in charge of the 6C43 13.19 Burngullow-Exeter (Riverside)
freight running via Heathfield to collect a single tank wagon. The Network Rail
Serco test HST set with power cars 43013+43062 passed Newton Abbot down at 15.59
and returned at 18.10 and a Virgin HST set (with power cars 43080+43094) assumed
runnig from Laira-Longsight.
13/12 143613 was an unusual sight at Paignton on the 17.05 Wessex trains arrival
from Exeter.
15/12 67008 powered the 6C21 08.09 St.Blazey-Penzance fuel tanks and the 6C11
14.14 return.
16/12 09 001 was noted being off-loaded at Tavistock yard at 08.50. 09013 and
09016 were already present in the yard.
19/12 43123+43092 formed a 0V97 16.12 Longsight-Laira power car move passing
Taunton at 21.10. At Plymouth First/GW HST power car 43127 left the dockyard by
road for Laira depot.
20/12 159022+159014+159002 were unusually employed on SWTs 20.30
Exeter-Basingstoke service. The Virgin XC 1V72 15.48 Newcastle-Plymouth was
worked forward from Sheffield by an HST set in place of a Voyager (with power
cars 43067+43122). An autoballaster, was top n'tailed by 60074 and 66177 running
as 7W27 15.08 Westbury-Plymouth, returning as 6W27 08.55 Plymouth-Westbury the
next day. Work was taking place in Cornwall on relaying the up mainline near
St.Germains, another departmental working being a 6W11 21.12 Westbury-Plymouth
headed by 66188.
21/12 The HST set (with power cars 43067+43123) returned north on the 1E32 09.50
Plymouth-York service inplace of a Voyager set calling at Taunton at 11.15.
Interestingly the set then worked 1M72 16.38 York-Birmingham NS and 1P37 20.00
Birmingham NS-Preston. All are normally Voyager worked!! The 09.53
Cardiff-Plymouth service was formed of 158 825+158 838, the latter in the new
Arriva livery. On arrival at Plymouth the train was split, the former working
the 1M41 15.38 service to Manchester and the latterr the 1B49 19.31 departure to
Cardiff.
22/12 The Penzance fuel tanks were headed by 67 014, the return passing Camborne
at 11.16.
26/12 Over the Christmas period 66038/046/148/220 were at St.Blazey.
27/12 159004 became the first unit class member to visit Cornwall since
September, working the 1L59 13.33 Waterloo-Penzance SWTs service, the set
returning 1L64 during the afternoon of the following day. Also the 1S71 08.18
Penzance-Edinburgh Virgin XC service was started from Plymouth using Wessex
150239 as far as Exeter due to there being no 'on train' manager available. The
unit returned as 1Z46 11.46 Exeter-Plymouth.
29/12 66143 handled the Penzance fuel tanks complete with the internet group 'SWRG
(South-West rail-gen) on Tour' headboard, the return passing Camborne at 11.39
with two wagons only. 67009+67018 were also recorded paired on the 5M99 17.04
St.Blazey-Plymouth empty mail stock. Because of engineering activity between
Taunton and Tiverton, the following adjustments took place for West of England
mail trains;- 1E43 14.55 Plymouth-Low Fell; started Bristol Parkway 18.12, 1E41
17.23 Plymouth-Low Fell; started Bristol Parkway 20.12, 1M65 19.15
Plymouth-London; diverted via Honiton and 1C01 19.35 Penzance-Bristol Parkway
TPO; terminated at Exeter St.Davids. The latter was hauled by 67014.
30/12 The 6C43 Burngullow-Exeter freight was headed by 66046 formed of six
wagons and as the occupation between Taunton and Tiverton was given up early,
the 1M65 mail was not diverted via Honiton to the north behind 47793.
31/12 On New Year's eve the following Class 66s were stabled on St.Blazey
depot;- 66038. 66046/067/220/229.
Local china clay locos recorded during the month were;- 66038/046/053.
As mentioned in the January 2004 magazine, work is to start during January on
stockpiling ballast at St.Blazey for the 're-doubling' of the Cornish mainline
between Burngullow and Probus (which was singled in the early eighties). Meldon
quarry is now confirmed as the supply point for ballast and Class 37 hauled
trains are to run as;- 6G94 08.52 St.Blazey-Meldon quarry (empties) and 6G95
14.02 Meldon-St.Blazey loaded ballast in seacows and sealions. Spoil is also to
be moved but as yet further details are not known, but around 46,000 tonnes of
ballast is needed for the contract.
Locos and Units noted in the area this month
Class 47
47770/778/793.
Class 67
67002/003/005/006/007/008/010/013/014/017/018/019/022/023/026/028.
Postal sets noted
4s (PCV)
94338 94228 94137 94310
94303 94200 94104 94335
94331 94176 94214 94332
94318 94176 94119 94307
94309 94160 94118 94306
94336 94198 94150 94302
5s
94475 94147 94193 94113 94427
94455 94103 94209 94121 94544
94503 94477 94473 94463 94465
Virgin units noted this month
220007/009/010/013/015/021/025/030/034.
22101/108/110/115/118/121/131/132/134/138/139/142/143/144.
SOUTH WALES AREA
Cardiff Central
03/12 56078 hauled 6V31 16:07 Immingham-Swansea Burrows, 56133 6V02
Tees-Margam and 56058 6V19 18:08 Immingham-Margam.
04/12 56078 did 7E10 17:56 Swansea Burrows to Immingham MGR coal train.
The following Central train services were noted 17:50 Cardiff
Central-Nottingham: 170501 and 22:15 Cardiff Central-Worcester Shrub Hill:
170523.
06/12 45112 in BR blue hauled 21272, 3068/66, 3122/40/07, 1863, 5009/40, 4963,
5309 as 1Z29 12:16 "Pathfinder" railtour to Minehead via the West
Somerset Railway. The train was noted lightly loaded at Newport, despite the
rarity of a Peak on the national network.
07/12 Arriva took over the Wales & Borders franchise, running under the name
"Arriva Trains Wales". 45112 worked the ECS from the railtour as 5Z31
14:07 Canton-Crewe C.S.
08/12 158818 in Arriva turquoise livery worked the 08:33 from Manchester. Train
staff, including the trolley steward, were wearing Arriva uniforms.
12/12 170634 operated the 07:07 from Nottingham and 170635 the 07:10 from
Lincoln.
23/12 The following Central train services were noted 17:50 Cardiff
Central-Nottingham: 170520 and 18:06 Newport(exNottingham)-Cardiff Central
170509.
Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)
07/12 08576/955/957. 37412/413/415/418/509. 47761. 60004/008/062.
66006/035/126. 67008.
14/12 08576/955/957. 37412/413/415/417/509/704. 47761. 60046/067/093.
66006/118/149/173/217.
21/12 08576/957. 37412/413/415/428/509/517/689/704/798/890. 47761/772. 56100.
60023/055. 66016/041/044/083/118/226.
28/12 08576/957. 37402/412/413/415/428/509/517/704/798/890. 47761/772.
56038/062/100. 66030/231. (66555 - adjacent to the signal box at Central)
Margam and Briton Ferry
01/12 Noted in the yard were 60040. 66231. Corus shunter 07
03/12 The yard and depot held 60023/037. 66173. Corus shunter 902
09/12 Noted at Briton Ferry was 66561. Margam S.P. and Yard held 60081/085.
67006.
10/12 08900 was being unloaded during the morning from a low-loader in the
permanent way yard at Port Talbot. The Class 08 was still in the PW yard the
following day.
15/12 Margam S.P. and Yard contained 66126/225. 47793 'Christopher Wren'
replaced the usual Class 67 on the evening RES parcels
17/12 Margam S.P. and yard held 66057/146
18/12 60037 66159/231 were noted at Margam S.P. and yard.
22/12 A busy morning in Briton Ferry yard where 66039 and 66165 were both
present on permanent way trains. Also present stabled 'off rail' were the usual
collection of BCL road/rail vehicles, which had made their debut in the area a
few weeks earlier.
22/12 Margam S.P. and yard contained the following 60004/050. 66073/146/240.
Corus shunters 09, 902.
Newport
01/12 56119 did 6B03 11:11 Margam-ADJ and 6E47 20:10 Newport Docks-Tees.
The Southampton - Wentloog Freightliner loco was 66534. Other freight workings
noted have been 09102, 60018/030/032/044/052/072, 66033/074/091/218.
02/12 Freightliner 66610 headed west light engine at 14:15. Other freight noted
09105 60044/090 66148/232.
03/12 66502 was the Southampton - Wentloog loco today, with class mate 66555
working west light at 14:40. 66040 was on the Burngullow - Irvine clay slurries,
other freight working saw 37425 60023/034/062/095 66040/091/151/209/222/233 in
action. 56107 did 6V37 Lackenby-Llanwern.
05/12 Locos noted 31545/468. 57003. 60028/052/068/072/078/089. 66071/153.
05/12 56058 worked 6E35 11:19 Llanwern-Lackenby.
06/12 56091, 60005/020/28/078, 66023/143/243/242/231/184/172/153/114 were at
Godfrey Road at 12:30.
12/12 31454/459. 37706. 60052/062/078. 66068/095/114/149/243.
13/12 Jumboship MV Fairload arrived at Newport Docks and 66573-574, 66613-618
were unloaded.
14/12 The Jumboship sailed and the eight locos were observed in a single line
along the South Quay.
15/12 56054 operated 0E47 20:10 Newport-Tees Yard.
16/12 At 00.05 the stabling point held;- 37706. 56133. 60005/050.
66044/083/114/217.
17/12 Four of the new Class 66s approached ADJ from the Docks branch at 14:15,
followed closely by another four. At 14:21, 66617 carrying a headboard with text
in Latin (!) crossed to the up relief line hauling 66573+613+615. Four minutes
later, 66614 with a "Bristol Herons on tour" headboard followed
hauling 66574+66613+66615. All were destined for Crewe Basford Hall.
19/12 Locos noted included 57012. 60009/037/046/081.
66016/041/063/070/118/185/226/235.
24/12 At 21.40 the following were noted 60024/030/041/075/087/093.
66031/063/107/136/183.
LOCO AND UNIT NEWS
CLASS 31
02/12 31190+31601 top n'tailed a 4Z08 Kingsland road-Laira ultrasonic test
train.
03/12 The same locos returned a 4Z08 09.51 Laira-Hornsey ultrasonic test train
unusually running via the Weston-super-Mare loop.
05/12 The ultrasonic train appeared again! running as 4Z12 10.05 Hornsey-Laira
with the same locos. The train formed with coaches;- 999666, 62482, 72631, 72630
later worked to Penzance during the evening. 31454 and 31468 top n'tailed Wessex
trains 5O98 Westbury-Bristol TM ECS, 1O98 12.52 Bristol TM-Brighton and 1V96
17.00 Brighton-Bristol TM.
06/12 31190+31601 again top n'tailed the 4Z08 01.14 Penzance-Laira ultrasonic
test train continuing on as 4Z08 18.51 Laira-Bristol Kingsland road the next
day.
09/12 The ultrasonic test train was to be found in South Wales during the day,
again with the same locos leaving Swansea at 22.35 for Bristol TM (02.00) before
running 4Z08 to Carnforth (via Newport and Hereford).
11/12 With a Wessex's trains loco swap taking place 31468+31602 ran OZ81 13.36
Westbury-Derby light-engines whilst 31452+31459 worked the other way as 5Z31
10.00 Derby-Westbury (with coaching stock 5906+9497) and routed via Hereford and
the Marches to Newport.
12/12 31459 and 31454 top n'tailed the regular Wessex trains diagram, the 1V96
arriving at Temple Meads around 30 minutes late. This resulted in the Wessex
20.50 Temple Meads-Cardiff service being cancelled. The coaching stock in use
with the Class 31s was;- 5981, 9505, 5958, 5925.
19/12 Due to late running of the outward service from T.M., 1V96 started at
Barnham, with 31454 hauling and 31459 pushing.
Further news for the Class is another passenger diagram for First NW trains in
the north. Running from 02/02/04, top n'tail Fragonset Class 31s will work;-
06.40 St.Annes-Greenbank ,then ECS to Chester for a 15.49 service to Blackpool
North.
CLASS 37
01/12 37065 was on the 6A65 09.14 Appleford-Didcot trip and 37717 worked the
6B45 08.31 Eastleigh-Marchwood and return 6V38 10,27 Marchwood-Didcot MoD
trains. 37417 worked 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney, 37418 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney and
37422 2R46 17:48 to Rhymney.
02/12 37717 powered the 6M65 18.19 Didcot-Carlisle and the 7Y40 15.50 Eastleigh-Hoo
junction departmental service was booked to run with 66011+37057+37109. The
Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous evening.
03/12 37042 was the 6M65 freight loco. The water cannon trains were in use;-
37426+37668 top n'tailed a 6Z04 23.50 Didcot-Didcot and 37294+37706 was on a
6Z92 21.06 Barton Hill-Newbury. 37422 did 2R38, 37418 2R42 and 37417 2R46. 37425
hauled 7M82 19:58 ADJ-Basford Hall and 7V82 02:10 return.
04/12 37425 headed the 6C91 09.14 Newport ADJ-Bridgwater trip, formed with two
wagons. 37418 was reported to have been at Parc Slip during the evening on the
Canton BTU and crane. 37417 was on 2R38, 37402 2R42, 37422 2R46. 37425 operated
6C92 Bridgwater-ADJ and 37692 6B20 17:10 ADJ-Swansea Burrows.
05/12 37294 and 37689 were again active on water cannon duty, running as 6Z92
12.14 (FO) Barton Hill -Westbury, 6Z94 14.43 (FO) Westbury-Newbury and 6Z95
16.23 (FO) return. Also during the day, 37717 headed the 6V38 10.27 Marchwood-Didcot
MoD and the 6M65 18.19 Didcot-Carlisle freight. 37402 hauled 2V07 06:59 Rhymney-Radyr
and 2R46, 37422 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney, 37417 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R42,
37418 2R38.
08/12 37042 was on the 4B24 Didcot-Wentloog MoD stores whilst 37717 was again on
the 6M65 freight. With water cannon requirements no longer needed, 37 294 ran
6Z40 10.31 Barton Hill-Tyne yard with KFA wagons 93278+93261 via Didcot
(reported to collect further KFA wagons) and the ECML to Newcastle. The loco was
due to be stored on arrival. 37294 worked 6Z40 10:31 Barton Hill-Tyne Yard.
37418 did 2V07, 37422 2F05 and 37417 2F06.
09/12 37 717 was on the Marchwood MOD trip, 37426 worked the 4V03 10.00 Kineton-Didcot
MoD trip (due to have been withdrawn on 12/12) and 37042 was on the 6B36 Didcot-Ashchurch
MoD formed of three empty flats. The latter service was diverted via the Severn
Tunnel and Newport (run-round) to Chepstow and Gloucester. This was due to
engineering work at Gloucester, the return 6A32 was recorded the same way. In
Cornwall with sandite needs no longer required, 37676 formed part of the 6C99
22.35 St.Blazey-Exeter (Riverside) freight behind 66240. 37422 operated 2V07
& 2R42, 37402 2F05 & 2R38, 37425 2F06 & 2R46.
10/12 37042 was on the 4B24 15.33 Didcot-Wentloog MoD stores, 37796 ran 0F74
20.44 Exeter (Riverside)-Barton Hill light and 37684 worked 6V70 22.30
Bescot-St.Blazey , the train terminating at Exeter, the loco then running 0F74
Exeter-Barton Hill light-engine. 37706 hauled 6L46 22:50 Bridgend-Dagenham.
37689 did 6M75 ADJ-Warrington Arpley.
11/12 37668 worked the morning 6V03 10.00 Kineton-Didcot MoD, later working the
4B24, 37706 was on the overnight 6L46 Dagenham-Bridgend Ford car parts and 37428
powered the 6B45 08.31 Eastleigh-Marchwood MoD and 6V38 return to Didcot. 37109
was booked to move to Merehead for a bogie swap via the 7V39 09.46 Hoo
junction-Eastleigh departmental headed by 66160. The loco however stayed at
Eastleigh, but Merehead is now reported as a location, which can be used for 'A'
exams on EWS locos. 37689 returned on 6V71 01:03 Warrington-ADJ. 37684 hauled
7M12 18:17 ADJ-Bescot.
12/12 37428 was again engaged on MoD duty working;- 6O12 Didcot-Eastleigh, 6B45
to Marchwood and 6V38 return to Didcot. 37 668 was also in action on the 6A49
12.05 Didcot-Bicester and return 6A48 MoD trips. 37402 did 2V07 & 2R46,
37422 2F05 & 2R42, 37425 2F06 & 2R38.
15/12 37042 was still at Didcot working the morning Appleford trips. 37428 was
on the 7V27 14.41 Eastleigh-Didcot departmental. 37402 operated 2V07 & 2R42,
37422 2F05 & 2R38, 37425 2F06 & 2R46.
16/12 37402 worked 2V07 & 2R46, 37425 2F05 & 2R38, 37422 2F06 &
2R42. 37428 hauled 6Z60 18:20 Rugeley-Cardiff Tidal. 37428/517/717/798/890 were
all reported present on Cardiff Canton 'stored', 37668 worked a 07.50 Didcot-Shoeburyness
stock move and blue 37308 was on the 6O12 Mossend-Eastleigh freight.
17/12 37402 did 2R38, 37422 2R42 and 37425 2R46. 37684 worked 6V30 22:37
Dagenham-Bridgend. 37717/890 did 7V12 00:20 Bescot-ADJ and 37798/517 6V71 01:03
Arpley-ADJ. 37890 worked 6G17 13:30 ADJ-Briton Ferry Yard, then rejoined 37717
on 7M82 19:58 ADJ-Basford Hall. 37668 was on a Didcot-Fenny Compton MoD trip and
37 308 worked 6O12 onwards from Didcot at 07.30 to Eastleigh returning on the
6V38 departmental to Didcot.
18/12 37375 was on the 6O12 Mossend-Eastleigh freight, and 37308 worked the 6B36
06.54 Didcot-Ashchurch MoD trip returning as the 6A32 13.27 return departure.
37425 operated 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37422 2R46.
19/12 Problems at Cheltenham resulted with the failure of 67008 on the 1E21
11.50 Bristol Parkway RMt-Low Fell mails, 37689 being summoned to assist. The
class 37 was however in trouble with a power loss, 66223 running 1Z99 15.00
Saltley-Cheltenham light to assist. The 66+67 combination eventually left at
16.10 running to Derby (18.30) where 47635 replaced the locos for the onward
journey. Also, 37684 was noted 'dit' as part of the 6M17 16.17 Newport ADj-Wembley
behind 66240.
20/12 37402/422/425 worked Saturday services on the Rhymney line.
22/12 37402 did 2R38, 37422 2R42 and 37425 2R46. 37689 did 6G40 09:58 ADJ-Gloucester
Yard. Arriva continue their Leeds-Carlisle 'Settle & Carlisle' top n'tail
Class 37 operation locos 37408 and 37411 being in use today, complete with
Father Christmas onboard and free sherry! Further south, 37689 worked a 6G40
09.58 Newport ADJ-Gloucester yard.
23/12 37422 hauled 2V07 & 2R38, 37425 2F05, 37402 2F06 & 2R42, 37417
2R46.
27/12 37402/417/422 operated the Rhymney Saturday services.
29/12 A Saturday service operated on Valley Lines, so 37402/417/422 made various
trips to/from Rhymney.
30/12 Valley Lines again operated a Saturday service, so 37402/417/422 were in
action again!
31/12 For a record third consecutive day, 37402/417/422 were in action on the
Rhymney line, as a Saturday service was provided, albeit with an early closedown
for the New Year.
Other news is that, 37 077/377/379/696 have all been assigned to Barton Hill for
over haul prior to overseas use (see last month's Magazine) and the South Wales
Valley's Class 37s are expected to see continual use by Arriva up until December
this year. 37037 is reported destined for preservation on the South Devon
railway at Buckfastleigh and will join 50002 as part of the diesel fleet. 37263
is to go to the Dean Forest railway for preservation.
CLASS 47/57
01/12 47778 worked a 5X61 12.54 Birkenhead-Eastleigh stock move involving unit
508127. 57602 was noted stabled in Laira yard.
04/12 Fragonset 47703 ran 0Z11 08.34 Derby RTC-Taunton and 0Z12 14.42
Taunton-Bristol Kingsland road light for driver route learning. A 5Z31 08.48
eight coach test train from Old Oak Common-Old Oak Common was top n'tailed by
57603 and 57602 and routed via Parkway), Day's curve and Keynsham to Bath and
Swindon. 47778 worked a 6Y21 12.40 Ludgershall-Eastleigh train formed of 15
vehicles and 67027+47799 were paired on the 1V34 20.30 Willesden-Swansea mails,
the Class 47 coming off at Reading to work west on the 1C84 21.45 mails to
Plymouth (and to assist problems with the 1C01 Penzance-Bristol TPO.
05/12 Royal 47799 worked the 5M99 St.Blazey-Plymouth empty tpo and then the 1M99
to London and Fragonset 47712 hauled 57602 as 0Z95 14.36 Old Oak
Common-Loughborough for repair.
09/12 47773 powered the 1V69 17.32 Low Fell-Plymouth mails.
13/12 47709 with 47854 on the rear worked 1Z29 06:40 Blackburn-Cardiff railtour
via the Heart of Wales Line. It returned as 1Z30 18:10 from Cardiff via
Hereford.
15/12 47793 was in charge of the 1C30 11.36 Willesden-Swansea extra mail
service, passing Badminton at 14.00 and further south 47784+37109 were paired on
the 7Y40 15.00 Eastleigh-Hoo junction departmental.
16/12 47793 was back in action on the 1V40 20.10 Reading-Plymouth mails.
17/12 47709 hauled 73 104+73 139 as 5Z47 10.19 Carnforth-Alton, 47 770 worked
the 1C30 15.02 Bristol Parkway Rmt mails, 47793 returned 1M99 22.11
Plymouth-London tpo and earlier in the day 47787 was on the 1V11
Warrington-Reading mail extra.
18/12 47770 was on the 1V30 11.32 Willesden-Swansea mails and 67013+47734 worked
the 5C40 Plymouth-St.Blazey mail ECS, the Class 47 having arrived on the 1C84
21.45 Reading-Plymouth mails the previous day. 47787 was again on the 1V11.
47772, having worked the 5V20 03.29 Willesden RMT-Barton Hill empty mail vans,
ran light-engine to Cardiff Canton later in the morning for store.
19/12 47734 was on the 5M99 and 1M99 services.
22/12 47734 returned west on the 1V40 23.10 Willesden-Plymouth TPO, returning on
the 5M99/1M99 the next day. 57603 assisted the 1A86 15.58 Penzance-Paddington
HST, as far as Plymouth. The loco then returned as 0Z76 19.30 light-engine to
Penzance.
23/12 57601 having come off lease on 01/12, ran 0Z57 10.00 Old Oak Common-Carnforth
light-engine for use by West Coast trains.
First GW sleeper locos
1A99 Penzance-Paddington
01/12 47811. 02/12 47 813. 06/12 47815. 15/12 47815. 17/12 47813.
20/12 57603. 24/12 47815.
1C99 Paddington-Penzance
01/12 47 813. 02/12 47 815. 06/12 47 811. 16/12 57 603+47 811.
Notes;- The 1C99 working on 16/12, was the first revenue earning trip for 57
603, but the loco failed at St.Austell being removed to the nearby sidings by 47
811 which continued the train onwards to Penzance. The failed Class 57 remained
at St.Austell overnight running as 0Z77 08.52 St.Austell-Laira light the next
day, arriving in Plymouth at 10.30 for attention.
LOCAL DRS WORKINGS
6V74/6M67 Crewe-Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
28/11 20302+37218. 02/12 37605+37610. 04/12 37069+37611.
09/12 37218+37610. 11/12 37609+37611. 16/12 37218+37610.
18/12 37218+37259. 23/12 20307+37610. 28/12 20307+37218.
30/12 37218+37605.
Note;- 11/12 The working was routed via Hereford to Crewe due to the Gloucester
engineering blockade, whether via the Severn Tunnel remained unconfirmed.
29/12 37218+37605 worked the Crewe-Berkeley nuclear flask trip.
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V50 Southampton-Wentloog & 4O51 Wentloog-Southampton
01/12 66 534. 10/12 66 572. 12/12 66 570. 16/12 57 012. 17/12 66 569. 18/12 57
007.
6V14/6S41 Crewe Gresty Lane/Mossend-Portbury and return cars.
03/12 66 716.
4V60/4M60 Calvert - Avon - Calvert Binliner
01/12 66717. 04/12 66717. 09/12 66717. 10/12 66717. . 11/12 66555.
15/12 66555. 22/12 66555.
6V20/6M37 Hope sidings-Moorswater-Hope sidings cement.
01/12 66 563. 04/12 Canc. 08/12 66 523. 10/12 66 523. 15/12 Canc. 17/12 66 558.
Other Freightliner sightings
01/12 Having arrived at Merehead on 28/11 for turbo repairs, 57011 ran
light-engine as 0Z58 11.58 Merehead-Southampton Maritime. Also 47292 ran 0O77
05.58 Southampton Maritime-Westbury light for the 4O77 07.37 Westbury-Millbrook
cement and 66569 was noted in Didcot yard on a 4Z31 09.10 freight to Grain.
03/12 Police 47829 worked the 4O31 18.00 Leeds-Millbrook liner returning the
4E44 08.45 Millbrook-Leeds the next day. 66555 was on an 0Z77 07.35 Basford Hall
yard-Portbury route learner.
04/12 66572+57003 'dit' were on the 4S59 15.24 Southampton-Crewe liner.
06/12 GBRf 'hire' 66717 was stabled in Kingland road yard between binliner
duties.
07/12 A new freight-flow commenced;- 11.45 Seaforth-Wentloog and 19.00 Wentloog-Basford
Hall yard.
15/12 47805 was recorded passing Romsey at 09.31 on the 4O77 Westbury-Millbrook
cement service.
23/12 66573 on the 4O31 18.00 Leeds-Millbrook failed at Wingfield between
Ambergale and Clay Cross. The following 1V69 was able to push the train from the
rear into Broad Holme loop.
28/12 66555 was stabled outside the panel signal box at Cardiff Central, having
been first noted here on 24/12.
30/12 47150 was noted stabled in Kingsland road sidings during the morning and
47358 was reported on the 4O11 Coatbridge-Southampton Maritime liner running 530
minutes late!
Other news is that the former Avon area binliner flats have now found use on the
Calvert-Dagenham refuse service. On the loco front things don't look good for
66535 which is reported to be on decision with a cracked bedplate.
LOCAL EWS FREIGHT WORKINGS
6G51 18.00 (T,ThO) Cardiff Tidal-Plymouth Tavistock yard scrap empties
02/12 66166. 04/12 60020. 09/12 66046. 11/12 66006. 16/12 66007.
18/12 66095.
6G58 20.01 (W,FO) Plymouth Tavistock yard-Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.
05/12 60020. 10/12 66202. 12/12 66006. 17/12 66007. 19/12 66095.
6M68 22.26 (SO) Burngullow-Carlisle loaded china clay slurries.
06/12 66213. 13/12 66046. 20/12 66137.
6S55 09.38 (WO) Burngullow-Irvine china clay slurry
03/12 66040. 10/12 66075. 17/12 66001. 23/12 66053.
6V41 16.21 (T or ThO) Irvine-Burngullow china clay slurry empties
02/12 66053. 04/12 66240. 08/12 66220. 11/12 66213. 15/12 66148.
18/12 66038. 22/12 66046. 29/12 66229.
6V70 (M,T,W,FO) Cliffe Vale/Bescot-St.Blazey 'empty clayliner'
02/12 60020. 03/12 66089. 05/12 66089. 09/12 66075. 10/12 66053.
16/12 66001. 17/12 66137. 23/12 66220. 30/12 66 067.
6M72 16.52 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale.
01/12 60020. 02/12 66089. 04/12 66089. 08/12 66075. 09/12 66053.
15/12 66001. 16/12 66137. 18/12 66148. 22/12 66220. 29/12 66148.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
56018/051/054/056/058/059/060/065/067/070/071/076/083/095/106/117/119/133
(TE)-IM.
Store
37685/712. 47772. 56006/007/038/049/099/100/113/114/118. 86606.
CD: 56118. CE: 86606. CF: 37685. 47772. 56100. DC: 37712. 56038/049/113. IM:
56006/007/099/103/114. NL: 43093*/101/157.
DC = Doncaster Carr. *Moved from MoD Bicester(See below).
Traffic
43099 -NL, 43101 -DY, 43160 -NL, 57603 -LE.
Withdrawn
08601/817. 31465. 47566/576. 56029. 86205/212/229/233/243/245/247,
86259/417.
Disposals
Thomson: 31112/132/171. 37139.
HNRL: 37045/343 @TO, 56019/047 @IM.
Raxstar: 47211 @EH.
McIntyre: 37262 @Beeston.
IMRFT: 86220/236.
In Spain: 37885/899.
Barrow Hill: 20119 (P).
Renumbered
47349 - 57603.
Diesel Multiple Units
Withdrawn
51175/177/230/253/533. 53171/211/269/311/322. 54085/091.
Disposal: All above to J T Landscapes at Caerwent.
New Stock
170426 -HQ.
Electric Multiple Units
Stored
312709/713/728 @SS. 1550. 2321/24/27 @BM.
Withdrawn
75975-(309627). 310066/074/075/084/085. 76058-(1749).
Dept: 975588/589. 977804/805.
Disposals
IMRFT: 975588/589. 977804/805.
Sims(A): Cl310 Cars: 62112. 76170.
Sims(C): Cl310 Cars: 62099/100/110/113/115/116/118/119/120.
70759/769/770/772/773/776/778/779. 76159/168/171/172/175/177/179.
76213/219/224/225/226/229.
Sims(N): Cl310 Cars: 70760. 76169. 76208/209.
N/K: Cl309 Car: 75975. Cl421 Car: 76058.
A = Avonmouth, C = Cardiff, N = Nottingham.
Renumbered
310109 - 960201 - Hitachi Test Train.
AC Operation: 977977 + 977978 + 977979 + 977980
DC Operation: + 977981 - 977978/979?
76137 - 977977, 62090 - 977978, 62078 - 977979, 76187 - 977980,
62138 - 977981.
New Stock
377157 -BI.
444016 -HQ.
450006/042/052 -HQ.
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Stored
KI: 6117/22/73. 9506/26.
Withdrawn
5623/29/50/90. 5711/15/24/28.
Disposals
Sims(C): 5650. 5711/28.
Sims(N): 5623/90.
N/K: 5629. 5715/24.
Road Movements
05/11 EMU coach M76171 (310087) was seen westbound on a road low-loader on
the M4 between junctions 18-19 at 13.40.
21/11 EMU coach M76168 (310084) was seen heading westbound at the new Severn
bridge at 09.05.
02/12 Steam 60009 Union of South Africa was seen heading westbound on the M5 at
Clevedon at 17.10 from Barton Hill, Bristol to Merehead quarry for attention.
07/12 Steam 30587 was seen heading south on the M5.
09/12 Dmu coach 53171 was seen heading south at 09.00 on the M5 near junction
14.
Narrow-gauge loco 040 Welinheli (?) was seen passing Clevedon on the M5 at
07.30. At Wellington, an ex. works 08904 was reported heading west at 11.25 for
Tavistock yard, Plymouth.
22/12 Steam saddle-tank loco, 68011 was seen heading south at 09.42 on the M5
near junction 27.
Future Railtours
Some local tours of interest;-
27/03 37114+37308 (requested) Bristol TM-Aberystwyth (Pathfinder).
15/05 2xClass 37 and a Class 60 top n'tail to Caerwent (Pathfinder).
05/06 2xClass 37 Westbury-York (Pathfinder and MendipRail). Note this tour was
originally to be Class 55 Deltic hauled.
17/07 2xClass 37 and a Class 67 top n,tail to Caerwent from London
(Hertfordshire).
The starting points for the 2004 Programme for Pastime Rail's 'Edenex'
excursions to Par for the Eden Project, is as follows;-
Sat 07/02 Aylesbury. Wed 18/02 Hove. Sat 06/03 Ipswich. Wed 14/04 Milton Keynes.
Thur 22/04 Swansea. Wed 19/05 Chester. Sat 05/06 Bedford. Sat 12/06 Derby. Sat
17/07 Cambridge. Thur 29/07 Nottingham. Sat 31/07 Doncaster. Sat 11/09
Bletchley.
Note;-Trains on 14/04, 22/04, 19/05, 12/06, 29/07, 31/07 all call at Temple
Meads at approx 09.45, the rest are routed via Westbury to the west.
Preservation & Industrial Matters
22/11 East Somerset Railway Traincare and Maintenance, Cranmore
Having arrived in June 2003, work was completed on the overhaul of one-car unit
W55023. The 'bubble' car saw use between 12.00 and 15.00 during the day.
Blaise Castle Minature Railway (R.W.Giles)
The site was cleared of all remaining usable items at the end of November by the
owner of the Old Down Park Minature Railway (near Thornbury). This included the
tunnels, signal posts and the station railings which had come from the closed
former GWR station at Saltford between Bristol and Bath.
West Somerset Railway (R.W.Giles)
06/12 Steam 7820 Dinmore Manor with diesel 33 048 were in use top n'tailing 'Dunster
by Candlelight' shuttles to and from Minehead station. Preserved 'Peak' arrived
on a 1Z29 Pathfinder tours excursion from Cardiff during the afternoon.
27/12 The railway saw it's 3 millionth passenger during the day since opening in
1976. The lucky person, Mr. Carr has received free travel for a year over the
line, which has seen 170,000 passengers during 2003.
26/12 Avonmouth (R.W.Giles)
A local TV report stated that two steam locos have been discovered in an
underwater shipwreck near the port.
28/12 Dartmoor Rail, Okehampton
47716 and 73134 were in use top n'tailing specials during the day.