NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

02/03 66162 worked the Avonmouth-Ketton loaded coal MEAs.
12/03 67003 was in charge of the Newport coal wagon cripple trip, passing Brentry with a single wagon at 12.10.
18/03 67003 worked the 6M33 13.34 'enterprise' freight to Wembley, normally a Class 66 duty.
19/03 The 6M33 was reported to have been worked by 60046. 67003 was on a train of empty flats passing Brentry at 15.16 believed destined for Newport ADJ.
22/03 66069 was noted shunting the Massey Wilcox siding during the morning.66022+66117 were later to double-head the 6M33 freight to Wembley, passing Parkway at 14.45. Wessex trains began their Henbury route learning trips as 5Z43 10.54 Temple Meads-Temple Meads, running 11.18 Parkway-Hallen Marsh, 12.30 Hallen Marsh-Parkway, 13.07 Parkway-Hallen Marsh, 13.40 Hallen Marsh-Severn Tunnel jcn, 14.33 Severn Tunnel Junction-Parkway, 15.07 Parkway-Hallen Marsh, 15.21 Hallen Marsh-Severn Tunnel Junction and 16.00 return to Temple Meads. This was ready for diversions this way over the Easter period, due to track-work at Filton. Units noted have been;- 143619 (22/03 and 31/03), 143617 (23/03) and 150254 (30/03). An unidentified Class 153 unit was reported on 29/03.
At the Avonmouth bulk handling terminal the cripple siding has been extended, complete with maintenance 'apron' and a storage tank. It is reported that EWS are to undertake loco 'A exams' at this location in the future. Also wagon repair work has now completely finished at Stoke Gifford sidings the work is again now to be carried out at Avonmouth.
Locos reported on coal duty during recent weeks include;-66022/029/035/037/039/091/104/106/117/139/150/154/162/175/192/198/201
66210/229.
09003 has remained the area local shunting pilot.

Bristol Parkway

01/03 67029 returned choc/cream MkIs as 11.00 Parkway RMt-Old Oak Common from a previous day's railtour leaving at 11.10.60041 was on the 6B13 fuel tankers over at Westerleigh.
02/03 158838 was declared a failure at West Brompton on the 05.05 Waterloo-Maesteg Arriva service. 158842 was sent to assist returning the set to Canton for attention.
03/03 An incident in the Hullavington area resulted in South Wales First/GW HST services being diverted via Bath between 11.30-14.00. At least five trains operated in each direction, most missing out the Parkway stop.
05/03 There were delays in the Patchway area following a report of an HST set hitting an object in the Severn Tunnel.
06/03 67003 and 67004 passed at 12.12 top n'tailing a 1Z40 08.00 Manchester-Bath Northern Belle special at 12.12 formed with coaching stock;- Crewe (MkIII sleeper 10729), Car No. 17167, Chatsworth, Harlech, Car No. 1953, Warwick, Belvoir, Car No. 1566, Alnwick. The ECS went on to Swindon from Bath for servicing and returned running as 1Z41 18.00 Bath-Manchester behind 67004 only.
07/03 Mainline-blue 60044 worked north-bound empty bogie open wagons during the late morning, and Iris 2 (Lab 19) test-unit (RDB977693 + RDB977694) passed at 12.20 with a 2Z02 10.00 Derby-Exeter (Riverside) via Westbury and Newton Abbot working. The unit carries the all-over Network Rail yellow livery.
11/03 The yellow Serco HST set with power cars 43013+43014 was noted during the day and again recorded two days later having been routed via Bath (12.53), but was unable to complete the 'booked' mainline trip to Taunton due to the route being closed for engineering works.
18/03 60041 was on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties.
21/03 For the LDV Cup final at the Millenium stadium between Southend and Blackpool, two loco hauled extras were operated these being;- 67007+67024 on the 1Z31 07.37 Southend Central-Cardiff Central (11.10) and 10 minutes later 47848 with the 1Z27 07.55 Southend Central-Cardiff Central. The return workings were;- 1Z32 and 1Z29 17.03 and 18.03 ex. Cardiff respectively.
24/03 60037 passed Yate heading North at 13.20 with empty fuel tankers off the Westerleigh branchline and 66072 was recorded on the 6M27 (formerly the 6M17) 16.38 Newport ADJ-Wembley freight.
27/03 Having worked a 1Z85 11.25 Cwmbran-Crewe dinning special, the empty coaching stock was noted stabled in the Parkway RMt late in the evening.
29/03 A 5V97 Longsight-Laira HST stock move passed at 19.20 formed 43084+42168+41166+43087.
30/03 60054 was over at Westerleigh on fuel tank duty.

Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill

01/03 60031 was on the 6C62 (MO) Westbury-St.Phillips Marsh fuel tanks. The 1V07 06.55 Derby-Bristol TM and 1S67 09.58 Bristol TM-Edinburgh Virgin XC services were formed with an HST set (power cars 43092+43121) in place of a Voyager. The set however, did not reach Scotland, as it was seen heading west later in the day working the 1V57 11.45 Newcastle-Plymouth service (17.51 off Exeter). Another Voyager in trouble was on the 1S64 06.40 Plymouth-Edinburgh which arrived at Bristol with two out of the five engines running only.
02/03 Network Rail 73141 arrived at Barton Hill depot by road low-loader at 18.00 for TPWS fitting. This loco had been at Ludgershall depot for spares, but is expected to be returned to traffic.
03/03 67019+67030 top n'tailed a Victoria-Bath/Temple Meads VSOE working inplace of steam 4472 Flying Scotsman which had suffered a hot-box. The train returned at 15.54 to London.
05/03 Corus silver 60033 worked the Parc Slip-Westbury cement works coal via Day's curve during the early afternoon, and 60031 had passed earlier on the Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental service.
06/03 The 09.00 Cardiff-Paignton Arriva service arrived in Temple Meads formed with 158 864 and a Valley lines Class 142 unit. The 142 was however removed and returned to South Wales later in the morning, this type of unit being rarely seen out of south Wales. The following were visible on Barton Hill depot at 13.15;- 08575.66194/233. 47355/712 and 66549 was over at Kingsland road. 08575 was of interest being a Millbrook Freightliner shunting loco on an EWS depot! (reported for TPWS fitting). With the closure of the Bristol-Taunton line for engineering works the following top n'tail workings were in the Bridgwater and Highbridge area;-66010+66224 (6W31) ,66069+66136 (6W30) and 60077+66150 (6W27). A 6W20 was cancelled, but a 6W33 with 66180+60 084 was seen at Temple Meads at 23.25 waiting to head west, all trains having originated at Westbury. Also reported at Westbury during the afternoon was a Virgin HST back to back power car stock move with 43094+43121 heading north.
07/03 An engineers train update still found;-66139+66 012 top n'tailing eleven HQUs at Lympsham, near Weston-super-Mare,66010+66224 on Sea Urchins at Bridgwater and 60077+66150 at Taunton.
08/03 Departmental teast-unit Iris 2 (Lab 19) was present on Barton Hill depot receiving fitters attention during the afternoon having earlier worked 2Z02 09.50 Exeter (Riverside)-Barton Hill (via Honiton, Exeter St.Davids, Taunton and Westbury). 66549 was still on Kingsland road, with police 47829 present there the following day.
09/03 67003 with four Res vans formed a 5Z67 10.15 Barton Hill-Barton Hill (via Reading) driver trainer run, passing Pewsey at 12.30.
10/03 Two driver Class 67 trainers today were;- 67003 on the 5Z67 10.15 Barton Hill-Barton Hill (as yesterday) and 67028 with a 5F50 07.56 Old Oak Common-Old Oak Common (via Bedwyn, Westbury, Melksham and Swindon) noted passing Trowbridge at 10.36. The 1M28 17.13 Plymouth-Preston Virgin XC service was formed with an HST set (with 43094+43121) in place of a Voyager unit.
13/03 Diverts via Westbury again took place with the closure of the Bristol-Taunton mainline for PW work, for example the 1S75 09.20 Penzance-Edinburgh Virgin XC service with 220 029+220 034 was seen passing Bath around 14.00. The engineering work included the replacement completion by Network Rail of a river over bridge near Yatton at a cost of £1.1 million. Locos recorded mainly in the Hewish and Weston-super-Mare areas at various times during the day were;-60005/023/049.66001/035/039/127/133/135. 66151/194 most in top n 'tail engineering train formations.
14/03 For the Sunday Wales v France rugby international at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff, two 'super sprinter' formation were to operate;- 2B70 10.49 Temple Meads-Cardiff (158+150+150+153+150+150) and 1Z43 11.20 Temple Meads-Cardiff (the actual formation being unknown). Only one top n'tail engineers train was recorded in the Weston-super-Mare area during the morning with 66012+66019 at Hewish at 11.00.
15/03 60005+66135 were paired on the 6B66 10.45 Westbury-Newport ADj departmental and 66150 handled the St.Phillips Marsh fuel tanks arriving at 13.53. A misformed Sprinter set was recorded during the morning, formed with a car from 158867 and 158868 together, individual coach numbers were unknown. Virgin power cars 43098+43122 worked west back to back during the evening.
16/03 59206 was unusually employed on the 6B66 Westbury-Newport departmental,60076 was on the Westbury-Margam coal empties and 33 202+33 103+31 128 formed a diverted 5Z59 Old Oak Common-Westbury stock move hauling two coaches passing Keynsham at 15.52. The latter was booked to run via the Berks & Hants, but lack of driver route knowledge saw the train run via Parkway and Day's curve.
18/03 33202+33103 were booked to continue westward (without 31 128) as 5Z59 08.00 Westbury-Meldon Quarry via Bristol. The train actually left at 10.17 passing Yatton at 11.18 with coaches;- 1256, 3312, 3374, 21224, 3125. After arrival at Meldon the locos ran 0Z59 14.38 light-engines to Exeter for fuel before returning light to Meldon for stabling. At Barton Hill, 73141 was started up for the first time.
19/03 A 1Z82 11.00 Victoria-Bath Spa VSOE and 5Z82 15.05 Bath Spa-Stewarts Lane (via Bristol East loop and Parkway) was booked for steam 34067 Tangmere, but 67019 was used instead the reason for this being unknown. The coaching stock formation was;- 6313, Zena, Minerva, Audrey, Ibis, Cygnus, Pheonix, Ione, Vera, Perseus, Lucille, 99538. Recorded on Barton Hill during the afternoon were;- 37077/379. 73141. 67028.
20/03 Steam 5029 Nunney Castle arrived in the early afternoon on Steamy Affair's 'Bristolian' (1Z86 06.30 Ashford-Bristol) having taken over from 47 712 at Victoria. The 12 coach train return as 15.50 to Ashford.
21/03 For the LDV Cup final at the Millenium stadium Cardiff, the 09.45 Frome-Cardiff service was noted formed with;- 150239+158872+150233+
153369+150230+150247!
22/03 There were some morning delays at Paddington when a suspicious package was disposed of. Later the 1V65 14.10 Darlington-Plymouth Virgin XC service was formed with an HST set, due to form a 5V97 Longsight-Laira maintenance move, in place of a Voyager unit. The HST is believed to have worked the train forward from Birmigham NS only at 17.32, running 50 minutes late on arrival at Temple Meads.
23/03 Steam locos 45157+76079 (with support coach 35405) formed a 5Z76 10.01 Castleton East junction-Bishop's Lydeard move for the West Somerset Railway's spring steam gala. The locos arrived at Temple Meads platform 4 early for water, leaving to time and passing Worle junction at 20.11. 37197, which was also to be included in the 'convoy' was not present as part of the working.
24/03 The following were visible on Barton Hill depot at 08.00;-37 077/379. 67028 and over at Kingsland road;- 47150 and 66544 were present. 60040 powered the morning Westbury-Newport departmental service. Later 60091 was on the Westbury-Tower Hanson stone empties.
25/03 33103+33202 returned north as 5Z79 11.30 Meldon Quarry-Oxley with coaches 5897, 9496, 5827, 5789, 5824. The train was running around 20 minutes early passing Flax Bourton at 14.07 and heading north from Temple Meads, however if a relief driver was not available in Bristol the train was to divert to Westbury to stable overnight. Later, 67023 worked an 18.30 Temple Meads-Temple Meads Northern Belle dining special via Bath, Westbury, Castle Cary, Yeovil, Honiton, Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater.
26/03 Back to back Virgin power cars 43098+43122 were recorded at Westbury at 20.50.
29/03 Royal 67005 ran 0F74 12.04 Old Oak Common-Barton Hill light-engine via the Berks & Hants mainline, for unspecified attention. The loco was recorded stabled at Didcot during the following day.
30/03 Steam locos 76079+45157 (running tender first) returned north as 5Z30 07.55 Bishop's Lydeard-Barrow Hill (en route to the North Yorkshire Moors railway) with support coach 99405 passing Yatton at 09.17. At Bristol the locos were turned via Day's curve so the departure from the Temple Meads up through was just after 11.00, boiler first. The Serco 150 test unit was booked to cover the Bristol area including the Weston loop and a number of branchlines, but the visit was cancelled.
31/03 60045 was on the 6B66 10.45 Westbury-Newport ADj departmental and 67022 worked a 1Z47 05.56 Leeds-Par 'edenex' excursion passing Weston at 12.28 behind 67022 with coaches;- 5341, 5276, 1200, 3228, 3244, 3223, 1699, 3240, 3181, 17105.

Gloucestershire

16/03-18/03 For the 2004 Cheltenham National Hunt festival, 66035 worked a 09.05 VSOE trip from Victoria on the 16/03 only. Otherwise, a 1Z27 08.39 Paddington-Evesham (ECS to Worcester) and return 1Z28 20.15 Evesham-Paddington was worked by 67027 (16/03 and 18/03) and 67023 (17/03). On 18/03 a 'Tote Express' 1Z52 09.29 Euston-Cheltenham was headed by 67023, the train running 5Z52 11.31 ECS Cheltenham to Worcester via Gloucester yard (run-round). The Evesham train passengers were road transported by bus to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire railway's Toddington station for a steam hauled trip to Cheltenham Racecourse station and the races.
28/03 Steam 73096 worked a 'Cathederal Express' (1Z96 07.30 Alton-Gloucester and 1Z97 17.12 return), this being the first visit of this train to the city. Daylight Tours propose to run 32 Cathederal Express trains during 2004, both Gloucester and Lincoln are to feature for the first time.

Portbury Branchline

Coal Traffic
Locos recorded on 4V03 Washwood Heath-Portbury empty HTAs and return 6M04 09.20 loaded coal to Rugeley include;-66121 (01/03),66237 (03/03),66145 (04/03),66055 (15/03),66090 (16/03),66227 (18/03 and 19/03),66152 (21/03). Locos recorded on the 6F22 have included;-66079 (04/03), 66102 (05/03),66136 (16/03),66160 (18/03),66057 (19/03). The 4V09 13.38 Washwood Heath-Portbury was noted with;-66073 (18/03) and 66146 (21/03). Also the 4F85 18.23 East Usk-Portbury empties was seen with66029 (21/03) and66206 (29/03).

Automotive Traffic
EWS restarted their flow on 30/03, running as 6V52 03.07 Washwood Heath-Portbury empties and 6X52 17.33 to Washwood Heath with 66160. The loaded train was recorded through Temple Meads running late at 19.05.

Other Traffic
The previously proposed plasterboard rail-traffic from Portbury is reported to being moved by road lorry to Avonmouth dock where it is loaded into up to three containers a day and moved by rail via the 6M33 'enterprise' freight service to Wembley

.

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

02/03 158838 failed at West Brompton whilst working the 05:05 Waterloo-Maesteg and 158842 was sent to haul it back to Canton.
21/03 Blackpool and Southend United played in the LDV Vans Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. Many fans opted to travel by train rather than van, so 67007/024 double-headed 1Z31 07:37 from Southend Central and 1Z32 17:03 return. 47848 did 1Z27 07:55 from Southend Central and 1Z29 18:03 return, hauling a rake of maroon West Coast Railway coaches, including one still marked "Valley Lines"! Wessex Trains clearly expected a lot of fans to travel from their area, as 2B70 09:45 from Frome was formed of 150239+158872+150269+153369+150247 and another service from Bristol was formed of 150232+158751/870/868+153374!
47843 worked 1Z47 from Crewe and 1Z48 return, with connections at Crewe and Preston to/from Blackpool.
27/03 Wales played rugby against Italy at the Millennium Stadium. No trains came from Italy, but 31s, 37s and 47s were in action getting Welsh fans to the match! 47848 worked 1Z47 07:43 from Crewe via Wrexham. 47843 was on 1V77 09:13 from Crewe, but the loco shut down north of Abergavenny and could not be restarted. 47853 worked 1Z55 09:50 from Crewe and was called forward to push the failed train to Cardiff. The train arrived 70 mins late at Newport formed of dead 47843, 5752, 5843, 5796, 5816/14, 9526, 47853, 5376/73, 9457, 5364/07/65. There were two drivers in the front cab of 843 and two in the rear cab, with the driver of 853 gingerly applying power and the lead driver doing the braking. 47812 worked light from Crewe during the afternoon and worked the return 1Z48 18:15 to Crewe with 47843 d.o.r.
A surprise working was 31454/452 pulling/pushing 1Z22 08:45 from Westbury and 1Z23 16:10 return.

Newport

03/03 37896 worked 6V49 15:53 Lynemouth-Newport Docks.
25/03 37402 were on 6M75 ADJ-Arpley.
27/03 37114/308 hauled a Pathfinder railtour as 1Z52 05:35 Newport-Aberystwyth and 1Z53 16:05 return, both legs via Bristol Parkway, Kidderminster and Wolverhampton.

Severn Tunnel Junction

18/03 Newly converted Class 121 single-car dmus were recorded in all over Network Rail yellow carrying numbers 977975 and 977976 (ex. 55027 and 55031). The units carried, front numbers 960 202 and 960 203 but these were wrong, the correct numbers 960 302 and 960 303 being applied a few days later. They are stabled inside a fenced compound next to the area operations portakabins in the old loco stabling point area.

LOCO AND UNIT NEWS

CLASS 31

05/03 There were problems with the multiple-working jumpers on the stock which saw the 1O98 12.52 Bristol TM-Brighton service covered by unit 158815 inplace of the Class 31s.
10/03 31454 and 31452 worked a top n'tail 09.45 Westbury-Merehead fuel and maintenance run. With the proposed Summer operation of two top n'tailed 31 hauled trains, Barton Hill is likely to take over this role.
11/03 In the north, 31468 and 31602 continued their top n'tail operation for FNW, working the 2D44 06.44 St. Annes-on-sea -Greenbank and 2N97 15.49 Chester-Blackpool services, coded diagram NH001.
16/03 31190 and 31601 top n'tailed 4Z08 02.00 Tyseley-Bristol St.Phillips Marsh, noted in Temple Meads at 07.04 and 4Z08 22.45 St.Phillips Marsh-Laira. 31128 meanwhile was hauled behind 33103
+ 33202 on a 5Z59 10.10 Barrow Hill-Old Oak Common two MkII coaching stock move.
17/03 31128+33103+33202 headed 5Z59 the two coach stock move from Old Oak Common to Westbury via Parkway.
19/03 31454 and 31452 top n'tailed the Friday's only 5O98 Westbury-Bristol TM ECS, then the 1O98 12.52 Temple Meads-Brighton and 1V96 17.00 Brighton-Cardiff. A Wessex trains headboard was noted being carried on the 1O98 leg of the diagram.
23/03 31128 ran 0F76 11.48 Westbury-Exeter St.Davids light-engine on what was believed a fuel run.
24/03 31190 and 31601 were seen top n'tailing a 15.42 St.Phillips Marsh-Carnforth test working passing Pilning at 15.54.
26/03 31454 and 31452 with the 1O98 was diverted to Portsmouth Harbour due to a trackside fire between Barnham and Chichester.
27/03 The Wessex 31s, 31454 and 31452 made their first daylight South Wales visit this year for the Wales v Italy rugby international at the Millennium stadium, running as 1Z22 08.45 Westbury-Cardiff (passing Patchway at 10.14) and 1Z23 16.10 return.
31/03 Network Rail, 31285 and 31233 departed Temple Meads at 00.32 on a 1Z06 19.47 Bescot-East Usk structural gauging train.

CLASS 37

01/03 37406 worked 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney, 37402 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney and 37425 2R46 17:47 to Rhymney. The late running and retimed 6V70 16.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight behind 37667+37674 was seen on the down through during a crew change between 23.30 and 00.23 (02/03). The locos were to take over from 37047 and 37308 on ballast work in Devon and Cornwall.
02/03 37425 failed at Rhymney, 37417 came l.e. to work 2F05 07:15 to Cardiff. 37402 hauled 2V07 06:59 to Radyr and 37406 2F06 07:40 to Cardiff. 37667/674 hauled 6V70 09:57 Stoke-St Blazey.
03/03 37425 operated 2V07 06:59 Rhymney-Radyr and 2R46, 37406 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 2R38, whilst 37417 did 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R42. 37667 and 37674 worked a 6W67 22.20 Burngullow-Truro departmental, performing the same duty the following day. This working was in connection with the Probus-Burngullow mainline track redoubling 37417 did 2V07, 37406 2F05 and 37402 2F06.
04/03 37406 operated 2V07, 37417 2F05 and 37402 2F06. 37896 hauled 6F51 10.15 Margam-Westbury.
37896 headed a 6F51 10.15 Margam-Westbury train of 15 JUA (former iron ore) empty wagons. The train was noted passing Pilning early at 11.40. The loco returned from Westbury at 13.30 to South Wales, light-engine.
05/03 37425 worked 2R38, 37406 2R42 and 37402 2R46.
08/03 37402 did 2V07 & 2R38, 37406 2F05, 37425 2F06 & 2R46, 37417 2R42. 37896 worked the 6O33 17.24 (MO) Cardiff Canton-Margam-Eastleigh fuel empties.
09/03 37425 hauled 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37417 2R46.
10/03 37406 worked 2R38, 37425 2R42, 37402 2R46.
11/03 37425 operated 2V07, 37402 2F05, 37406 2F06. 37707 was on the 6V38 09.45 Marchwood-Didcot MoD passing Tilehurst at 12.38 and 37896 was booked on a 6Y44 10.03 Three Bridges-Ludgershall departmental, but actually ran 0Y44 light to Eastleigh. Two Class 37s in the Bristol area were 37417 on a load four, 6C91 09.10 Newport ADj-Bridgwater trip passing Pilning at 09.10 (the return working which ran via the Weston loop, was diverted via Gloucester, passing Bristol Parkway at 14.47) and 37706 which departed Parkway at 1430 light for Avonmouth returning on a 6Z08 15.25 Avonmouth PBA-Newport ADJ 'cripple' trip via the Severn Tunnel.
13/03 37402/406/425 worked most of the Rhymney line Saturday services.
15/03 37174 hauled 6O33 17:29 Canton-Eastleigh fuel tanks. 37425 did 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37417 2R46. 37174 worked the 6O33 17.29 (MO) Cardiff-Fawley fuel empties via Margam and 37 667 and 37 674 were again used on the Burngullow-Truro departmental formed of Falcon wagons, running round in Truro yard. The locos performed this duty again two days later.
16/03 37417 did 2R38, 37406 2R42 and 37425 2R46.
18/03 37425 worked 2V07 & 2R46, 37402 2F05 & 2R38, 37417 2F06 & 2R42.
19/03 37417 did 2V07 & 2R46, 37402 2F05, 37425 2F06 & 2R42, 37406 2R38.
20/03 37406/417/425 worked the Saturday Rhymneys.
22/03 37417 operated 2V07, 37425 2F05, 37406 2F06.
23/03 37417 did 2V07, 37406 2F05, 37425 2F06. 56060 hauled 7E10 17:56 Swansea-Immingham.
24/03 37425 worked 2V07 & 2R42, 37417 2F05 & 2R46, 37406 2F06 & 2R38.
25/03 The Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day, except that 37406 and 417 swapped trains on the evening services.
26/03 37682 hauled 6L46 Bridgend-Dagenham Docks. 37406 did 2R38, 37417 2R42 and 37425 2R46.
27/03 37114 and 37308 (as requested!) worked Pathfinder's 1Z52 05.35 Newport-Aberystwyth and 1Z53 16.08 return, the latter passing Yate to time at 21.17. The locos returned light to Bescot, via Chepstow the following day.
29/03 37417 worked 2R38, 37406 2R42 and 37425 2R46.
30/03 37425 did 2V07, 37406 2F05 and 37417 2F06.
31/03 37417 was on 2V07, 37425 2F05 and 37402 2F06. 37406 worked 7M12 18:17 ADJ-Bescot, allegedly on its way back to Motherwell depot.

CLASS 47/57

01/03 47712 was on the 0Z67 Barton Hill-Severn Beach and Day's Junction to Hallen Marsh Virgin driver route learner light-engine trips. The 1A99 was diverted vai Yeovil from Exeter, with 57 603 top n'tailing 47 815.
02/03 First/GW 47811 worked a 5Z74 15.45 Laira-St.Phillips Marsh stock move formed 6330 + 40231+6338.
03/03 47712 failed on the Bristol area Virgin driver training runs the previous day and the third loco to be used, 47355 was recorded at Clifton Down at 07.22 and at Severn Beach at 08.14. These workings were to continue until 23/03, as 0Z67 07.00 Barton Hill-Severn Beach (twice), and Parkway-Hallen Marsh (twice) before 0Z68 Parkway-Lichfield and return.
04/03 47355 was again on 0Z67 and 0Z68.
05/03 47815 worked the 1C65 17.33 Paddington-Plymouth First/GW service in place of an HST set. The stock formation was seven first class and one second class MkII. The 47 returned the ECS as 5Z70 03.30 Laira-Old Oak Common the next day. Another West Country Class 47 was 47 792 hauling a full HST set with power cars 43080 and 43094 on a 5V97 Longsight-Laira stock move. 43080 was reported a failure in the Birmingham area and needed assistance forward.
06/03 The Bristol area driver trainer runs were to be extended to include Saturdays, but on this date, which was to be the first, 47 355 failed with an AWS fault! Also during the day 47 811 was at Penzance for an HST stock move, using barrier vans 6336 and 6348.
07/03 Both the 1C31 10.05 Paddington-Penzance and 1A88 16.44 return were allocated 47 815 with stock in place of an HST set, but a set with power cars 43033 and 43134 were actually turned out.
13/03 47355 was on a Temple Meads-Avonmouth-Parkway route learning trip passing Brentry at 11.47 heading for Parkway. 57604 was reported to have assisted the 1A91 16.39 Penzance-Paddington HST as far as Plymouth (with power cars 43036 and 43023). The train was seen leaving St.Austell at 17.50, only 10 minutes late. The 'faulty'set had been originally allocated the 1A83 14.42 Penzance-Paddington problems but had suffered an air leak. The trains formations on this date were;- 1A99 57604, 10589/584/616/612. 6720. 5669. 9490. 1C99 57603, 10534/563/588/590. 6722. 5657. 9488.
14/03 47811 ran 0Z76 17.00 Laira-Penzance light-engine, being seen heading north passing Newton Abbot on a stock move formed 43041 and a barrier van, three days later.
Locos recorded on the 1A99 22.00 Penzance-Paddington sleeper and 1C99 21.00 return during the month have been;- 47811/815. 57602/603/604. Some workings are still being operated in top n'tail formations.
29/03 The 1A99 was again diverted via Yeovil, reported with 47811 and 57604.

CLASS 56

27/03 The second last Class railtour, the 'Sarum Flyer' (1Z56 09.34 Finsbury Park-Salisbury and 1Z96 16.34 return) run by Pastime Rail, was powered by 56095 only, there being multiple working problems with the other booked loco 56059 at Peterborough in the morning.
30/03 56115 hauled 6F20 08:17 Llanwern-Orb and 6F23 11:34 return. As all 56s would be withdrawn the next day, so this was possibly the last 56 hauled freight! The loco spent over an hour at East Usk shunting the repair sidings and picking up a brake van before propelling the train down the East Usk branch.
31/03 The end of an Era, the last operating day for the Class56 loco! 56115 worked Pathfinder tours 'Goodbye Grid' (1Z56 05.23 Temple Meads-York) having arrived as 0Z56 light-engine from Newport. At York there was a 'mini' circular tour using 56078 running as 1Z57 12.41 York-York, before 56115+56078 departed with the 1Z58 17.43 York-Temple Meads, leaving 54 minutes late due to multiple working jumper problems, however a 40 minute booked layover at Derby, saw the train arrive only two minutes late into Bristol at 23.52. At Temple Meads, platform 4 with the engine's switched off, the last post was played with a trumpet by one of the passengers! and the locos following a wait on the up through departed into the night at 00.48 for Saltley (and Knottingley depot for store). For the record the coaching stock used was;- 5275, W5309, 4902,5040, W5009, 5322, 1863, W21272, W3098, W3140, 3112, W3122, W6310 which arrived at 01.49 behind 66199, (143 minutes late) as 5Z56 20.36 (Tues) from Old Oak Common. The return 5Z58 ECS to Old Oak Common was hauled by Royal 67005.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V74/6M67 Crewe-Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
02/03 20309+20310. 04/03 66401+66402. 09/03 20311+37059.
11/03 66401+66402. 16/03 66401+66402. 18/03 66401+66402.
23/03 66404+66410. 25/03 66404+66410. 29/03 20307+20311.

6V73 Crewe-Berkeley/6M56 return nuclear flasks.
03/03 66401+66402. 05/03 20311+37259. 10/03 66401+66402.
12/03 66401+66402. 17/03 20302+37607. 19/03 66401+66402.
24/03 20304+20306. 26/03 37259+37610.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V50 05:03 Southampton-Wentloog & 4O51 10:08 Wentloog-Southampton
02/03 66569. 03/03 66572. 04/03 57006. 08/03 66504. 09/03 57009.
10/03 57008. 11/03 66534. 12/03 57004. 16/03 47812. 17/03 66567.
18/03 47309. 23/03 57012. 25/03 66540. 26/03 57004. 29/03 57012.
30/03 57009.

4V30 Ipswich - Wentloog & 4L56 Wentloog - Ipswich
01/03 66574. 02/03 66574. 08/03 57010. 09/03 57002. 12/03 66574.
18/03 57009. 19/03 57005. 22/03 66574. 24/03 66567.

6V14/6X42 Crewe Gresty Lane/Mossend-Portbury and return cars.
01/03 66563. 03/03 66563. 05/03 66563. 08/03 66618. 10/03 66618.
12/03 66544. 15/03 66546. 17/03 66546. 19/03 66546. 22/03 66617.
24/03 66617. 26/03 66617. 29/03 66549. 31/03 66549.

4V60/4M60 Calvert - Avon - Calvert Binliner
04/03 66549. 12/03 66557. 1703 66557. 26/03 66544.

6V20/6M37 Hope Sidings-Moorswater-Hope sidings cement.
03/03 66618. 08/03 66601. 10/03 66528. 17/03 66523. 18/03 66523.
21/03 66528. 23/03 66615. 24/03 66615. 31/03 66 557.

4V77/4077 07.37 Westbury-Millbrook cement and 13.50 return empties.
04/03 47829. 08/03 47829. 11/03 47829. 15/03 47812. 24/03 47812.

Other Freightliner sightings

02/03 Police 47829 worked a 6Z20 09.20 Earles sidings-Westbury train of 6 empty KAAs and one loaded trailer to restart the Millbrook cement service.
08/03 47843 was on the 6M16 13.48 Southampton-Crewe automotive, 47829 powering this train seven days later and also on 29/03.
18/03 66512 was on the 7V36 Southampton-Westbury stone.
22/03 47150 was seen at Portbury light-engine around 10.30 and 47843 ran light from Crewe-Ludgershall the reason for this move being unknown. The loco was later seen 'dit' behind a Class 66 loco on the 6M16 automotive.
23/03 47150 made two return light-engine route learning trips from Aberthaw via the Vale of Glamorgan line, returning to Kingsland road light during afternoon of the following day.
29/03 66616 was on what appears to be the final 4O77 07.37 Westbury-Millbrook cement trailers, as the loco returned all the empty flats during the afternoon to Aberthaw passing Westbury at 14.30.

LOCAL EWS FREIGHT WORKINGS

6F96 Cardiff Tidal-Plymouth Tavistock yard scrap empties
01/03 60003. 04/03 66160. 15/03 66160. 29/03 66185.

6F92 Plymouth Tavistock yard-Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.
01/03 66088. 02/03 66242. 03/03 66242. 05/03 66160. 08/03 66079.
08/03 66136. 19/03 66178. 22/03 66019. 24/03 66019. 29/03 66185.

6M67 ADJ - Wembley
01/03 66057. 02/03 66236. 03/03 66119. 04/03 66017. 08/03 66025.
09/03 66017. 11/03 66017. 12/03 66017. 15/03 66082+66135.
16/03 66135. 17/03 66019. 18/03 66019. 19/03 66019. 22/03 66072.
23/03 66072. 24/03 66072. 25/03 66072. 26/03 66072. 27/03 66121.

6M68 22.26 (SO) Burngullow-Carlisle loaded china clay slurries.
06/03 66219. 13/0366011. 20/0366040. 27/03 66100.

6M72 16.52 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale.

6S55 09.38 (WO) Burngullow-Irvine china clay slurry
03/03 66072. 10/03 66123. 17/03 66162. 24/03 66100. 31/03 66067.
Note;- The Burngullow-Irvine slurries have been running for 15 years on the 13/03, first operating in 1989 behind a single Class 37 loco.

6V70 (M,T,W,FO) Cliffe Vale/Bescot-St.Blazey 'empty clayliner'
01/03 37667+37674. 05/03 66245. 09/03 66163. 19/03 66100. 22/03 66222.
30/03 66163. 31/03 66023.
Note;- 01/03 Wagon problems on this day, saw the locos depart light-engine (0V70), but then return and collect the train! The working was 16.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey, in the end reaching Bristol around 23.40!

6M72 16.55 Burngullow-Cliffe Vale loaded china clay.
04/03 66245. 08/03 66163. 11/03 66245. 15/03 66005. 18/03 66245.
21/03 66222. 24/03 66163. 29/03 66163. 30/03 66023.

Road Movements

10/03 Industrial Sentinel (?) carrying 040 was seen heading south on the M5 at junction 11a at 12.50.
30/03 Steam 65462 was seen heading northbound on the M5 at 11.55 near junction 20 Clevedon and 5542 was seen heading southbound on the M5 earlier at 07.20 near Cullompton. Diesel-shunter 09013 was later seen near junction 28 on the M5 heading north at 19.10.

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