NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
13/03 The 6V53 Wembley-Avonmouth 'enterprise' freight service was worked in
by 67021 + 66180.
31/03 Bogie HTA wagons were noted being loaded at West Wharf in the Royal Edward
docks. This was the first time this wagon type had been seen at this location,
being reported as working 6M41 11.45 loaded coal to Radcliffe power station.
This train ran several times around this date, when the loading silos in the
bulk handling terminal were seen to be 'out of use' for servicing, this
occurring on a number of times throughout the month.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month included;- 66020/039/065/079/
090/117/160/169/180/233 66238. 09003 continued as the area shunting pilot.
6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight locos;-
01/03 67021 + 67024. 15/03 67002 + 67021. 24/03 67002 + 67021.
07/03 67021 + 67024. 16/03 67002 + 67021. 29/03 67012 + 67017.
10/03 67021 + 67024. 20/03 67002 + 67021. 31/03 67012 + 67017.
12/03 67021. 22/03 67002 + 67021.
Bristol Parkway and Westerleigh
02/03 Class 60 activity found 60046 over at Westerleigh on the 6E41 Humber
tanks, 60067 working 6B13 from Robeston (both during the morning), 60062 on 6B33
Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties and 60085 on 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone
empties. Three freights recorded this evening starting with the MoD liner hauled
by 66187, followed by an empty MGR service bound for Avonmouth behind 66039 and
66037 with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth to Didcot. Advised loco for the
Moorswater - Earles sidings cement empties was 66621, this was independently
confirmed at 21.35 arriving at Temple Meads to await crew change.
03/03 60049 worked the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties.
04/03 60062 worked 6B13 Robeston-Westerleigh fuel tanks and 57009 was on an
afternoon Millbrook-Wentloog additional Saturday container service.
06/03 66019, 'on hire' to GBRf headed a 6V91 Shoeburyness-Newport docks scrap
stock move made up of odd EMU coaches; 76085, 76031 (both from set 1745), 76066
(1724), 76051 (1735), 76072 (1740), 76121 (1737), 76079, 76103 (1739), 76129
(1738), 76888 (3568), 76877, 76878 (3565). Only sighting this evening was 66520
with the ballast service from South Wales.
07/03 60039 was at Westerleigh on 6B13 from Robeston, 60049 worked the 6B33
Theale fuel empties and 60040 was on 6B11 Thorney Mill-Margam stone empties.
09/03 Two freights recorded this evening, 66509 with cement empties from
Moorswater for Earles Sidings and running just short of 2 hours early and 66059
with an empty MGR bound for Portbury.
13/03 59202 powered the 6B65 09.15 Westbury-Newport ADJ 'engineers'. 66520
worked the ballast service again this evening, and three MGR services seen
empties for Portbury behind 66070, empties for Avonmouth with 66065 and a loaded
Avonmouth - Didcot service hauled by 66090.
14/03 60040 worked 6B13 loaded oil to Westerleigh, 60049 was on 6B11 Thorney
Mill stone empties and 60080 headed the 6B33 Theale fuel empties.
15/03 Cotswold-Rail 47813 failed near Yate south junction with a 5Z92 09.30
Laira-Long Marston stock move formed with coaches; 11017, 11023 (in Anglian
'one' livery), 10240, 11058, 11055. Some service trains were diverted via the
Severn Tunnel and the Chepstow mainline, as EWS 60080 from the nearby
Westerleigh oil terminal was used to move the train onto the currently
'mothballed' Tytherington quarry branch line. Cotswold-Rail HST power cars 43070
+ 'Hornby' liveried 43087 were despatched from Gloucester booked to return the
failed train as 15.02 Yate Middle junction-Gloucester, but were low on fuel and
ran to St. Phillips Marsh depot for a top up, before returning to Yate at 17.15.
Following a single power car shunt, the train departed at 18.47 from Yate with
silver liveried 43070 leading, leaving 47813 on the branchline awaiting repair
by a Cotswold-Rail fitter travelling over specially from Norwich by road!! A
second Westerleigh tank train was also noted during the day with 60100, both
unusually returning to Robeston, instead of one normally heading north.
16/03 60080 was on the 6B33 Theale fuel tank empties and 60040 worked 6V60
Angerstein-Margam stone empties. Three freights this evening starting with 66005
stabled in the up loop with a loaded MGR, this service didn't move for the
duration. First moving service was 66181 with a car train from Portbury followed
by 66101 with MGR empties for Avonmouth. The NR HST put in an appearance using
power cars 43013/062.
17/03 Load-Haul liveried 60059 worked 6B33 Theale fuel empties. 31452 + 31454
were booked to run Derby-Westbury light-engine for Wessex loco hauled passenger
stock workings over Cardiff Millennium stadium sporting event weekends. The move
was however cancelled (also see Westbury Notes & News).
18/03 37670, which had been stored at Temple Mills, ran light-engine to Didcot,
then onwards to Newport. Class 60s at Westerleigh during the morning were;-
Corus silver 60033 on 6E41 Humber tanks and 60040 on 6B13 loaded fuel oil from
Robeston.
20/03 A further afternoon 6V91 Shoeburyness-Newport docks condemned EMU stock
move was headed again by EWS power, 66019 'on hire' to GBRf being formed with;-
76107, 62048, 70726, 76053 (1904), 76027, 70700, 62022, 76081 (1903), 76076,
62017, 70695, 76022 (1705). Earlier, 66063 had worked through on 5Z57 09.57
Cardiff Canton-Old Oak Common ECS (from Pathfinder's Humber Haulier railtour on
18/03, see Gloucestershire Notes & News) and 66526 was noted at Pilning at
11.40 heading a late running 6Z55 Swindon-Moreton-on-Lugg train of Freightliner
empty stone boxes, the green livery now de-faced by graffiti on a number of
these wagons. Three workings to report this evening, firstly the ballast train
headed by 66527 en route from South Wales, 60039 with empty HAA's bound for
Portbury and finally 66241 with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth to Didcot.
23/03 Three Class 60s were recorded during the day;- 60059 over at Westerleigh
on 6B13 loaded oil from Robeston, 60080 was on 6B33 Theale oil empties and 60043
worked 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties.
25/03 50031 + 50049 called with Pathfinder tours 'Redmire Rambler' (07.10
Cardiff-Leeming Bar /Redmire) excursion.
27/03 A near carbon copy of 20/3, 66552 worked the ballast service, 66057 empty
MGR to Portbury and 66190 with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth bound for Didcot.
Over at Patchway station the new temporary footbridge was seen to be in use, the
original one having been dismantled and taken away for refurbishment. Another
6V91 Shoeburyness-Newport dock EMU stock move was recorded headed by the more
normal GBRf power in the form of 66710, hauling 76114, 62055, 71766, 76060
(1711), and odd coaches, 76067(1735), 76069(1738), 76073(1744), 76117 (1735),
76120(1724), 76127(1744). The train was believed to have been terminated at East
Usk yard, the reason for this being unknown.
29/03 The 6C02 Bristol East depot-Newport ADJ steel empties were noted running
this way behind 66093 during the late morning due to problems reported in the
Severn Tunnel.
30/03 60100 was on 6B33 Theale fuel empties and 60032 worked the 6V60
Angerstein-Margam stone empties.
31/03 60047 worked 6B33 Theale empties and 60100 was at Westerleigh on 6B13.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/03 20311 + 20313 powered the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and
59202 was an unusual sight in Temple Meads having arrived at 14.42 (64 minutes
late) with VSOE empty stock on the down through line. Steam 34067 Tangmere had
worked the train as 1Z82 09.13 Victoria-Bath Spa as far as Westbury arriving at
12.50, but as there was no Class 67 available to take the train onwards, 59202
was taken off a stone working! The Class 59 returned the train as 5Z83 17.07
Bristol TM-Bath (then 1Z83)-Victoria, arriving at Westbury at 17.47, departing
behind Tangmere at 18.16 for London.
02/03 Cotswold-Rail 47813, still 'on hire' to First/GW worked 1C99 23.50
Paddington-Penzance sleeper service.
03/03 60047 was on the 6C79 Parc Slip-Westbury loaded coal service and 66156
worked the 6C41 Newport ADJ-Westbury departmental. 60060 was allocated 6C01
Newport-Bristol East depot steel trip, but the working ended up cancelled.
04/03 Problems at Bradford-on-Avon saw the Wessex Train's 10.40 Westbury-Temple
Meads service unable to stop here due to over crowding and a further large
number of passengers waiting to board. The following 09.22 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff
was also unable to stop because it too was also full with standing passengers. A
quickly organised agreement between Virgin XC and Wessex Trains unusually saw
the diverted 07.30 Penzance-Dundee service, formed with 221131 make a special
stop to help convey some of the waiting passengers. These events occurred due to
the Powergen Cup Rugby semi-final between Bath and Llanelli being played at the
Cardiff Millennium stadium attracting extra passengers for the game. On the
freight side, 60050 was on the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties (running via
Day's curve) whilst a number of engineer's trains were recorded between
Huntspill and Dunball (all passenger trains between Weston-super-Mare and
Taunton being diverted via Westbury). The engineers trains and their return
workings (noted during the early afternoon) were recorded as follows;- 59202
(6W01 14.00 Uphill junction-Westbury, rail track components and empties), 66156
(6W02 15.00 loaded spoil), 59004 (6W03 17.00 Uphill junction-Westbury, loaded
spoil) and 59104 (6W04 Uphill junction-Westbury, ballast and empty wagons). The
6W04 had arrived at Taunton in a top n'tail formation with 59001. Observations
near Langport, on the Westbury line saw the diverted 6B99 15.06 (SO) Plymouth
Tavistock yard-Cardiff Tidal sidings freight pass at 17.22 behind 66163, this
train normally runs via Bridgwater to Bristol conveying mainly scrap metal and
empty china clay wagons.
05/03 Cotswold-Rail 47813 was again used on the 1C99 Paddington-Penzance First/GW
sleeper service.
06/03 Northbound coal train from Portbury seen at 11.30 behind 66245, two hours
later 60040 noted with a stone train heading in the opposite direction.
Overnight engineering works over ran in the Weston-super-Mare area causing some
late running for morning commuter services. The 6C01 09.15 Newport ADJ-Bristol
East depot steel trip has been reported as retimed with a new 09.40 starting
time. 60085 was on this train today returning 0C02 light-engine to Newport. Some
observations near Bath during the afternoon saw;- 66009 + 66097 + 60034 on 7C41
15.16 Newport ADJ-Westbury departmental, 66089 on the 6B63 Westbury cement
works-Margam coal empties (16.18) and 66082 on 6C34 (MO) St.Phillips
Marsh-Westbury fuel tank empties (16.57).
07/03 66063 seen with a northbound stone train at 23.25.
09/03 20313 + 37608 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
11/03 59201 was on the Saturdays only 6C80 Machen-Westbury loaded Hansons stone
trip.
12/03 Local area return engineers trips from work on the Bristol-Taunton
mainline were as follows;- 66234 (6W01 08.00 Bristol West-Westbury), 59202 (6W02
09.00 Bristol West-Westbury), 59206 (6W03 12.00 Bristol West-Westbury) and 59104
(6W04 19.00 Bristol West-Westbury).
13/03 59202 headed the 6B65 09.15 Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers. Steam 76079 +
45407 were booked as 5Z76 11.30 Bury (East Lancs railway)-Bishop's Lydeard locos
and support coach running via the Marches and the Severn Tunnel for the
forthcoming S & D steam gala. The locos arrived in Temple Meads for a water
stop around 23.00 instead of the booked 18.37-18.55 time!
14/03 Evening observations at Yatton saw 66604 with the return 6M37 cement
empties from Moorswater (formed only of PCA 4-wheel tanks) leave the loop at
19.25 and Cotswold-Rail 47813 pass on time at 19.38 with a 5Z91 10.39 Longtown-Laira
stock move formed with coaches; 11058, 11055, 17175, 10225, 10232, 11017, 11023
(in Anglian 'One' livery), 10240. Portbury bound empty MGR seen at 16.25 behind
66098.
15/03 47813 returned north with a 5Z92 09.30 Laira-Long Marston formed with
coaches 11017, 11023, 10240, 11058, 11055, only to fail near Yate South junction
(also see Bristol Parkway notes & news). Also recorded during the early
afternoon were;- 33103 on 5Z30 10.14 Derby-Exeter formed of green liveried
former DEMU, saloon coach 975025 Caroline (which covered a number of West
Country branch lines over the following couple of days) and 67012 which arrived
on a VSOE working from Victoria.
16/03 66065 worked a loaded MGR from Portbury at 22.55.
18/03 Weekend engineering work saw the following line closures;-
Weston-super-Mare-Taunton, and Westerleigh junction-Gloucester. Bus road service
connections were in operation aswell as Virgin XC services running via the
Severn Tunnel and the Chepstow mainline. The Class 33 and saloon were booked to
return north via the Severn Tunnel and Chepstow (as 5Z33 10.00 Exeter-Derby)
during the early afternoon, but were not sighted during an observation session
at Pilning suggesting they had run early.
20/03 66154 was on a late running 6C01 Bristol East steel service, passing
Pilning at 11.44. The Virgin XC 08.30 Penzance-Dundee service formed with
Voyager set 221113 was stopped at Weston-super-Mare with smoking brakes on the
centre coach. A travelling Bombardier fitter attended the problem and after 40
minutes the train continued at slow speed, stopping in Yatton loop for a brake
examination. The train eventually arrived at Temple Meads at 13.30 (69 minutes
late) and was terminated, passengers being transferred to the following 09.30
Penzance-Glasgow formed with 220024 which was noted full to capacity on
departure. 66170 worked south at 23.10 with a rake of bitumen tanks in tow.
21/03 60041 was on the 6B65 0915 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental service.
66219 worked by at 16.15 with an empty MGR headed for Portbury.
22/03 37059 + 20312 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flask
service.
23/03 Pastime Rail's 'Somerset & Dorset' circular excusion (1Z76 07.35
Minehead-Minehead) with steam locos 76079 (running as 76009) + 34067 Tangmere,
due in the Bristol area around 15.15, was in trouble on the climb between Exeter
St.Davids and Central stations. The 13 coach train (already running 75 minutes
late off a water stop at Tiverton loop) had been routed on the down,
bi-directional line, but slipped to a stand 10 yards short of Central station,
and had to return to St.Davids where passengers were detrained around 12.40. The
stock was moved to Exeter Riverside yard, with a possible diversion to Paignton
instead planned. However this was not to be, and the participants were able to
travel home to their starting stations free of charge on Virgin XC or Fisrt/GW
services. An enquiry followed, one question being asked was why was there no
diesel loco on hand to 'bank' the train as 47703 was present on the WSR having
brought in the railtour stock several days previous. Another steam move, this
time problem free, was 6024 King Edward I running loco and support coach from
Tyseley-Barton Hill, routed via Banbury and Swindon for forthcoming railtour
duties from Bristol.
25/03 Steam 6024 King Edward I, worked Pastime Rail's 'Red Dragon' railtour
(postponed from 04/03), 1Z24 09.35 Temple Meads-Carmarthen and 1Z25 16.15
return, however a second visiting Vintage Trains steam excursion with 45690
Leander (1Z58 08.05 Tyseley-Temple Meads and 1Z59 15.32 return), was diverted to
Cardiff Central, due to the bridge gauging issue at Cam (which affected last
month's 6201 Prncess Elizabeth 'Midlander' trip). The six coach return Leander
trip was due to be banked over the Lickey bank by 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, but
this was cancelled, however the Princess Elizabeth 12 coach train last month had
66175 attached to the rear for assistance at signal G335 near Gloucester, during
a return water stop.
26/03 47805 was used to return the 'Redmire Rambler' Class 50 railtour stock (of
25/03, see Bristol Parkway notes & news) running via the Severn Tunnel,
Day's curve and Bath as 5Z28 16.30 Cardiff Canton-Old Oak Common.
27/03 67003 was on 5Z25 10.10 Bristol TM-Old Oak CommonECS (via Bath), the
coaches having been used on the 'Red Dragon' railtour on 25/03. Most unusual
power for the 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol steel trip were 37669 + 37670 (both
believed to have been reinstated for snowplough duties in South Wales) passing
Pilning at 11.40 with six loaded wagons. The pair however returned as 0C02
light-engines to Newport being noted leaving Pilning loop at 13.08.
28/03 59201 was on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental trip and 37610 +
20310 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. Cotswold-Rail 47714 (in
Anglian blue and white colours) + 47813 were a surprise sight in Temple Meads at
13.45 on a 5Z04 11.10 Bicester-Laira stock move ( actually booked to run via
Westbury!). Also 57603 headed a 5Z74 15.39 Laira-St.Phillips Marsh barrier coach
move. From 28/03-30/03, Network-Rail liviered 31285 ran 0Z31 08.40 St. Phillips
Marsh-St. Phillips Marsh (via Plymouth) driver route learner, the return being
via Westbury and Bath. Earlier in the year, 67002 had been carrying out a
similar long distance operation for EWS running St.Blazey-Westbury-Bristol and
return.
29/03 47813 + 47714 returned north on a two coach 5Z91 07.50 Laira-Gloucester
move. The return 0Z31, 31285 driver route learning trip was terminated at
Taunton, where the loco remained overnight due to a line blockage in the
Trowbidge area.
30/03 31285 worked the 0Z31(leaving Plymouth at 12.25) as booked and 60009 was
on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport departmental. Observations in the at the old Ashley
Hill station site saw;- FM-Rail 47832 and Pullman Rail liveried 47712 top n'tail
a 1Z24 14.03 Newbury-Newport and 1Z25 16.21 return private dining special using
the new Blue Pullman formation, the unconfirmed stock numbers being;- 9513,
3350, 3392, 1961, 3278, 3352, 3313, 1657, 3431, 3326. The train carrying a 'Core
Transporter' headboard in each direction was noted passing Ashley Hill at 15.42
and 16.21 respectively. Also recorded were, 66606 on a late running 6Z39 12.25
Jersey Marine-Newton Abbot Hackney yard stone service (16.29) and 57603 on a
Temple Meads-Old Oak Common HST stock move with barrier vans at each end
(16.42).
31/03 31285 was booked to return north as 0Z31 08.05 St.Phillips Marsh-Derby
(via Clifton Down, Avonmouth and the Henbury freight-only line). An observations
at Avonmouth station around the booked time failed to see the loco suggesting it
may have gone 'mainline' on the return. Following the HST stock move on the
previous day, 57603 worked the 1C99 First/GW Paddington-Penzance sleeper service
and 57311 departed Plymouth at 14.27 as 0M57 light-engine to Oxley. At Kinglsand
Road 66616 was present and 158741 was noted at the Marsh HST depot. Later at
18.15, 66215 observed heading north with a loaded car train.
The Cattle Market Road area around Temple Meads is set to be developed with a mix of homes, offices and shops, restaurants and bars connected with a direct link to the station. Developers Bristol Exeter House also want to demolish Collett House, Herbert House and the derelict telephone exchange which had seen more recent use as a post sorting office. The 1854 Bristol & Exeter House, a grade II listed building would remain, but will be surrounded by new buildings to create a new square. A total of 220 one, two and three bed room homes would be built on site and four apartment blocks, which would face Temple Gate, the main road and Cattle Market Road. It is felt this type of development would improve safety and security with more adequate public routes and spaces in this currently run-down area. Planning permission has been applied for to convert the former Royal Mail sorting offices, now in a derelict condition, on the east side of Temple Meads into flats. Whether this would see the removal of the now redundant covered conveyor belts at the north end of the station remains to be seen. Work has still not started on the new 10,000 seater concert hall although plans have now been drawn up for the new facility which will occupy the now cleared former Bath Road diesel depot site.
Gloucestershire
01/03 47714 + 47200 worked a nine coach 5Z92 09.30 Wembley-Long Marston stock
storage move, the locos returning light-engine to Gloucester.
02/03 50049 was booked to work a 1Z51 and 1Z50 Cardiff-Cardiff (via Gloucester
and Bristol Parkway) driver training turn, but actually only ran 0Z60
Cardiff-Gloucester light-engine, returning from Gloucester at 12.31.
03/03 50031 + 37411, with two stores vans (200176 + W95194) ran 6Z77 09.43 Old
Oak Common-Cardiff Canton, via Kemble and the Golden Valley, passing Downfield
foot-crossing, Stroud to time at 12.24. With the arrival of a second Class 50,
the two were to top n'tail 'shuttles' between Cardiff and Newport (along with a
Class 47 and Class 37 combination) for the Powergen Rugby semi-final at the
Cardiff Millennium stadium during the following day. On the freight side, 60039
was recorded on the 6V92 Corby-Margam steel empties.
14/03 For the 2006, National Hunt meeting at Cheltenham there were a number of
extra services operated. From this date to 17/03, 67003 + 67017 top n'tailed an
08.43 Euston-Cheltenham (via Birmingham) and 20.38 return theECS stabling at
Worcester.
15/03 Until 17/03, Central Train's hired in locos 47826 + 47851 with coaches to
top n'tail a 1T66 09.50 Birmingham New Street-Cheltenham and 1T67 18.53 return,
the ECS stabling at Gloucester. First/GW operated two additional HST services;-
09.15 and 10.15 Paddington-Cheltenham (via Kemble) and 19.45 and 21.16 (the
latter as far as Swindon only) returns. On this date these services were formed
with power cars; 43009 + 43071 and 43026 + 43023, both sets being noted passing
Yate as empty stock at 17.54 and 18.34 respectively en-route to Cheltenham from
servicing and stabling at St. Phillips Marsh.
16/03 Having failed at Yate the previous day (see Bristol Parkway Notes &
News), 47813 ran from Gloucester-Long Longtown, returning the following day.
17/03 Royal 67005 worked a Victoria-Cheltenham VSOE special for the final day of
this year's race meeting.
18/03 Pathfinder's 'Humber Haulier' (06.00 Gloucester-Goole) was worked out by
66032, returning behind 66063 in the evening. In between this 'spin & win'
tour featured, 92037, 60034, 37218 + 37059 and 66560 also for haulage.
21/03 50049 was reported to have run a further Cardiff-Gloucester and return,
both ways via the Chepstow mainline, driver training trip.
29/03 An unusual sight at Gloucester was steam 34067 Tangmere running 5Z67 08.31
Minehead-East Lancs railway, then proceeding onwards (via the Chepstow mainline
and the Marches to Hereford), with support coach 35518 Merlin being noted
passing under the Old Severn road bridge crossing at 15.17. The loco had run
tender first to Bristol and was turned via Day's curve, before continuing
onwards during the early afternoon. Later, 60080 worked the 6V92 Corby-Margam
steel empties.
30/03 What was booked as a 5Z03 11.10 Bicester-Long Marston stock move turned
out to be formed Coldswold-Rail 47813 + 47714 with stored electric locos 87034 +
87009 + 87020, passing Thrupp near Stroud at 13.45 and presumably running as
0Z03?
Cotswold-Rail are reported to be considering holding an Open-Day at their newly
acquired Horton road depot site (formerly 85A and GL) once fully operational.
Portbury Branchline
04/03 Saturday morning workings saw 66155 work 6M04 09.54 Portbury-Rugeley
loaded coal and 66183 head 6F92 09.48 East Usk-Portbury coal empties.
22/03 66036 was on 6F21 12.48 Portbury-East Usk loaded coal and 66190 later
worked 6X52 16.30 loaded cars to Washwood Heath.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66043/057/092/101/155/183/190/219/246.
Westbury
11/03 The following were present in the area during the day;- 08869/947.
31459. 59001/102/103. 59104/206. 66160/234. At 18.00, 66702 arrived on a spoil
train from Acton departing light-engine and later at 21.10, 66705 arrived on a
similar working, again leaving light-engine.
21/03 47355 + 31452 + 31454 arrived at 09.50 from Derby. The Class 31s were
expected to be used on the Wessex Train's loco hauled set covering Cardiff
Millennium sports events on both 04/03 and 11/03, but were not used. This
probably would have stopped the overcrowding problems at Bradford-on-Avon as
detailed under the Bristol Temple Meads Notes & News section for 04/03.
Yeovil
A rail-day is to be held at the town's Pen Mill station on 29/07/06 from
10.00-17.00 to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the railway here.
Visiting steam and diesel locos will be on display as well as steam 6024 King
Edward I, working a return Bristol TM-Weymouth excursion.
Midland Mainline HST 'Hire' Summary
The MML HST hire, covering a Voyager duty on 07.05 Leeds-Plymouth and 16.53
Plymouth-York ended on 24/03. The listed power car were noted on the following
dates;-
03/01 43046 + 43049. 09/01 43066 + 43072. 16/01 43072 + 43074.
23/01 43072 + 43074. 24/01 43057 + 43072. 25/01 43057 + 43072.
30/01 43043 + 43072. 01/02 43043 + 43072. 06/02 43072 + 43184.
07/02 43072 + 43184. 09/02 43072 + 43184. 10/02 43049 + 43064.
11/02 43061 + 43184. 13/02 43061 + 43184. 16/02 43061 + 43184.
20/02 43049 + 43055. 22/02 43049 + 43055. 23/02 43049 + 43064.
24/02 43049 + 43064. 01/03 43049 + 43064. 06/03 43057 + 43064.
08/03 43050 + 43064. 09/03 43047 + 43064. 10/03 43047 + 43064.
13/03 43064 + 43076. 14/03 43064 + 43076. 17/03 43064 + 43076.
20/03 43076 + 43178. 21/03 43076 + 43178. 22/03 43076 + 43178.
24/03 43076 + 43178.
Notes;- 43050 still retained the 'old' orange and teal Midland Mainline livery.
The stock formation from 20/02 was as follows;- 41068, 40729, 42337, 42119,
42101, 42121, 44027.
Units noted during the month included
143603/611/612/617/618/620/621.
150221/233/239/241/243/244/248/249/251/253/254/261/266.
153302/305/318/355/370/372/374/380/382.
158745/782/789/854/855/859/860/861/863/870/871/872.
158961/962/963/964/965/966/967/968.
220006/007/010/011/013/014/017/018/020/021/024/026/029/032/033.
221101/102/104/108/109/112/113/115/116/118/121/129/131/133/135/139/141
221142/143.
SOUTH WALES AREA
Cardiff Canton (viewed from footbridge)
26/03 47805. 50031/049. 60059 (Passing)
Tidal Sidings / Steelworks
12/03 08941
Newport
03/03 09013. 60050/060/067/085. 66009/072/091/160/196/239/579
11/03 66016/142/145/184
17/03 60050/074. 66046/049/152/216/217/538
24/03 60049. 66170/177
26/03 37669/670. 60039/041/100. 66011/060/196
31/03 37669/670. 60017/043/059. 66083/093/142/177/206/249/250/537
Units noted during the month included
143608/617
150239/247/249/256
153302
158745/818/821/823/824/826/829/832/834/836/838/840/841/845/847/855/859
158861/862/863/963/965/968
170105/107/110/398
175007/008/115
180103/107/114
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V60/4M60 Calvert - Avon Binliner
02/03 66552. 06/03 66552. 09/03 66552. 24/03 66523. 27/03 66523.
4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge
01/03 57004. 03/03 66542. 04/03 57009. 06/03 57002. 06/03 57002.
08/03 57002. 09/03 57002. 10/03 57002. 13/03 57006. 14/03 57006.
15/03 57006. 16/03 57006. 17/03 57009. 20/03 57008. 21/03 57008.
22/03 57008. 24/03 57001.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6C01 ADJ - Bristol East
01/03 66038. 06/03 60085. 07/03 66201. 08/03 66119. 14/03 66046.
15/03 66018. 20/03 60075. 24/03 66078.
6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh
01/03 60067. 02/03 60067. 03/03 60067. 08/03 60039. 09/03 60039.
10/03 60021. 14/03 60100. 15/03 60100. 17/03 60100. 20/03 60085.
22/03 60059. 24/03 60059.
Freightliner Heavy-Haul are to take over a number of stone flows from EWS
centred on Bardon Quarries.
Locally, 6B11 Thorney Mill-Margam and 6V60 Angerstein Wharf-East Usk will both
become FLHH duties. The 6V97 Beeston-Cardiff Tidal scrap metal will also change
to FLHH. These changes will take place from early April.
FREIGHT REVIEW
I will commence this month's effort again at Leicester, which is, after all,
my local area. At 07.10 on the morning of 4th April a call in at the station on
my way to work saw the sight of 67028 en route to Derby with First Great Eastern
unit 315801, presumably for repainting. The consist of the train was as follows:
460027/460317/460101/barrier vehicle 977968/unit 315.801/barrier vehicle
977949/460187/460331/461063. This made a change from the usual traffic. Also
from the Leicester area is news that Freightliner are now handling all the
traffic in and out of Croft and Bardon quarries as of beginning of April. The
ex-RH Roadstone hoppers in the 173xx series, now resplendent in Freightliner
Heavy Haul livery are regular visitors to Croft. A couple of locations to
mention for those of you venturing further afield are Wandsworth Road south-west
London which is quite busy if you get the right time either side of lunch time
seems to be a busy time. Also Doncaster is quite a good spot but, again, it does
have its quiet moments. I spent a day there on 9th March and, although not as
busy as my last visit, was still worth the effort. Highlights were 66708 with
the following rake of GRRf container flats:
640605/640606/640623/640624/630036/630035/640612/640611/640617
640618/630042/630041/650011/650012/630033/630034. This was the second GBRf
working noted. Earlier 66714 was noted heading north with the British Gypsum
service consisting of the following flats: 640622/640621/
95328/640626/840625/630037/630038/640614/640613/640615/640616/
630044/630043/650009/650010/630039/630040. What was unusual was the fact that
not one Freightliner coal service was noted during the day. On 13th March
another very busy evening was spent at Nuneaton between 18.20 and 21.15.
Although at the moment the failing light doesn't help matters, there was still
plenty to note. Again the W. H. Malcolm service from Daventry was worthy of note
with the following flats noted: 33.69.4909.901/
33.68.4909.496/33.68.4909.515/33.68.4909.923/33.68.4909.409/
33.68.4909.505/33.68.4909.422/33.68.4909.484/33.68.4909.491. The train was
hauled by 66404. The class 87s are still plying their trade on the mail services
with 87026 and 87019 in charge of the northbound service consisting of units
325008, 325011, 325012 and 325013. The southbound service in the charge of 87002
passed through somewhat rapidly and only unit 325015 was noted! Most of the
traffic through Leicester at the present time is the coal traffic to and from
Ratcliffe Power Station from Daw Mill, 90% of the traffic being handled by EWS
class 66s, although the odd class 60 and, very rarely, pairs of class 67s still
appear from time to time.
Stock Alterations
Locomotives
Transfers
08699(MM)-GL, 08809/871(MM)-NC, 08936(MM)-WB, 47033/200/316/365(MM)-GL,
47714/810(MM)-NC, 47813(MM)-GL, 47818(MM)-NC, 47828(MM)-GL.
DFGM: 66502. DFIM: 66542/570/579/580. DFRT: 66508.
Stored
31206. 47033. 60001/011/024/026/. 92006/043.
BH: 20092/138. CE: 92006/017/043. DC: 37410. LE: 43153/155/194. LH: 43092/094.
LM: 20081/902. 87029. MM: 31206. OC: 56070/112. TE: 60055. T0:
60001/011/024/026. ZB: 47033/326/528.
Traffic
60014/028/031/038/099 -IM, 92001 -CE.
Disposals
HNRL: 47774 @CD.
R Hull: 47628. 86207/214/224/225.
Booths: 37242/344/376. 47566. 56036.
Dartmoor Rly: 31465. 37905. Peak Rail: 37152/188.
New Stock
66718/719/720/721/722 -WN. (In "Metronet" Livery)
Diesel Multiple Units
Stored
55681 @CF
Disposals
IMRFT: 51179.
Formations
The following have reverted to their correct formations 158812, 168005/107.
168215 (58265 + 58365 + 58465 + 58165)
168216 (58266 + 58366 + 58466 + 58166)
168217 (58267 + 58367 + 58467 + 58167)
170271 (50271 + 56207 + 79271)
New Stock
Class 168 cars 58365/366/367. 465/466/467 -AL.
185110/112 -HQ
Electric Multiple Units
Transfers
377121/132/133/135/136/138/148(BI)-SU,
377403/406/408/417/422/425/439/440(SU)-BI.
Stored
(S): Cars 72603/608/640/641 - Pershore Airfield.
Traffic
(S): 9102/04 - Network Rail Use
Withdrawn
(S): 1705. 1805/66. 1903/04 plus cars from 1709/24/35/37/38/40/45. 3485/89.
3565/68
Disposals
Sims(Npt): Cars from above units: 62017/020/048/381/420/440. 70695/700/726.
71061/100/128.
76022/027/031/049/051/053/066/072/081/085/103/107/121/129/508/666/743
76782/814/853/877/878/888.
CAR Services cars: 70294/300/512. Spa Valley: 9104.
Vale of Glamorgan: 8206. 8311. 9110.
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
3110/19/24/44/49 -CP, 5042. 9529/31 -OM, 10219/225/232. 12100/161 -PZ, 17015
-CP 17056 -OM, 17173/174/175 -PZ, 40417 -PM, 82103/107/112/118/121/132/139/143
-NC.
Stored
CS: 80403/404/405. GL: 10259. 11006/007/038. 82122/124/140/147. KI: 5926.
6053. 6103/66. 9702/05/07/10. LM: 10240/247. 10697.
11016/017/019/023/030/045/046/054/055/058. 12044/052/088/123/158.
40403/416/425/426/433/434. 40810. 41115/165/187/189.
42084/085/086/087/088/130/159/160//286/290/353. 44069/072/078/089. OM: 1832.
3100/14/27/31/32/33. 3331/38. 4925/46/56/59/91/96/99. 5005/07/27/37. 5309.
21245/246. 80041.
OY: 11065. 12014/038/128/139/172. PM: 40423. 42353. WB: 11021. 12142.
LNWR: 9713.
Traffic
1658/79 -OM
Withdrawn
3225/26/58. 5002. 10572. 10604/654/686. 10711/712. 13582. 17058. 977.182/183
Disposals
Booth: 3225/26/58. 10572. 10604/654/686. 10711/712. 13582.
JT Land: 17058
West Somerset 5002. Bluebell: 977.182/183.
Codes
ADFL Advenza Freight
EAAK Transpennine Class 185 Ardwick (Siemens)
AK Ardwick 185.102/103/106/107/108/109
GL Gloucester (Horton Road - Cotswold Rail) 08699. 47033/200/316/365. 47813/828.
NN Northampton (Siemens)
PLANT & TRACK MACHINES
06/03 Saltford ;- Hydrex r/r excavator; 2855. Trailers; RT122/132.
27/03 Flax Bourton ;- Hydrex r/r excavator; 3543, 3691, 4650, 5026.
30/03 Filton Bank,passing;- DR72203.
31/03 Hallen Marsh Junction. ;- BCL r/r excavators; 36, 203. Philmor trailers;
TRR0249/410.
INDUSTRIAL & PRESERVATION MATTERS
Road Movements
03/03 The 50 tonne, replica broad-gauge 2-2-2 Iron Duke travelled along the
A4 Portway beneath the Clifton Suspension bridge from the M5 motorway and the
NRM York. The loco is to be display in the heritage museum near to the S.S.
Great Britain over the coming months.
05/03-06/03 steam 7F, 53809 was displayed under the canopy of the former Bath
Green Park railway station, now a car park, forming part of a Sainsbury's
supermarket. The loco was en- route from the Midland Rail Centre, Butterley to
the West Somerset Railway, in a move partly sponsored by Steam Railway Magazine
to mark the end of the Somerset and Dorset Railway 40 years ago in 1966. A
'Pines Express' headboard was carried on the locomotive during it's stay in
Bath. The Green Park station now well preserved opened as the terminus from
Mangotsfield in August 1869, being closed in March 1966.
28/03 steam 73129 and 44422 were seen returning north from the West Somerset
Railway S & D gala celebrations on separate road trailers on the M5 during
the morning.
Dartmoor Rail (11/03/06) R.W.Giles & F.J.Neate.
Okehampton Stn; 47709/712. dEMU two-car set; 205032. c/stock; 1657/961.
3278/313/326/350/352/392.
3431. 9513. grounded fish van/spv; ?????. Notes; The two Class 47s had arrived
on Hertfordshire Railtour's 'Castle Drogo' dining trip using the Blue Pullman
set making it's first West Country visit. The train routed outward via Westbury,
Castle Cary, Yeovil and Honiton to Exeter (the return being via Taunton and
Westbury) ran as 1Z52 07.15 Paddington-Okehampton and 1Z53 16.35 return. The
dEMU was operating passenger shuttles to/from Meldon Quarry during the
afternoon.
Meldon Quarry ;stored locos; 31301/415/423/426/437/439/465. 37905. 47348/716.
73103/117/134.
Dutch loco; 663. dEMU; 205028 (coach 60677 visible of two car set). EMU sets;
1198 (coach 61736 visible of set). 1399 (assumed). 4-tc set; 410. odd EMU coachs;
(69310). 70812. Industrial; Flying Flea (JF 4220016/62). c/stock;
1213/256/691/697. 3125/354. 3402/411/425. 5925/981. 9505. 10595/611/727. 21224.
(94691). departmental stock; DB977335. horse box; 96300. track machines;
DR98303A+B. small plant; MNN1654 (ballast packer). Notes;- At least two Wickham
trollies were visible, but unidentified.
It is now more difficult to identify everything on site from the cycle path here
as most is now parked in rows. The locos listed are possibly a complete list
with the more recent arrivals being; Dutch 663, 31465 and 37905. Again it would
be difficult to distinguish which locos are serviceable and which are stored as
certainly 47716, 73117 and 73134 have all seen use since arrival. Dartmoor Rail
have now built a two road shed on site at a cost of £100,000 this being
officially opened in February. Of the coaching stock; 10611/727 and 94691 are
accommodation/stores coaches and 69310 (EMU coach) and 10595 are in use for
refreshments near the Meldon viaduct (with loco Flying Flea on display). The
dining train formation which sees regular outings appeared to be; 96300, 3125,
1691, 21224, 3354, 3411. Former LMS Saloon coach 45048 is expected to arrive for
use in the dining train from the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire railway.
Steam loco parts were visible near the old loco stabling shed, but a steam loco,
0-6-0ST Darfield No.1(HC 3783/53) is epected for use on the line during 2006.
This loco which has seen use by the Avon Valley railway at Bitton in 1994 is
currently based on the Llangollen railway and is in serviceable condition.
Future plans for the railway, include the construction of platform buildings at
Sampford Courtney station, which opened in 2004. Current operating restrictions
see the railway run passenger trains as far as Colebrooke junction, alongside
the Barnstaple branch line, but it is hoped an interchange station will be built
at Yeoford. At Okehampton, the former North Devon branch line platform 1 bay is
being re-laid and reconnected for use. In the longer term, a further station
opening at North Tawton would take place and possibly one day through running to
Crediton and Exeter.
West Somerset Railway, Somerset & Dorset 40th Anniversary Celebrations
R.W.Giles & F.J.Neate
A by no means complete visit found the following on 26/03/06, on the final S
& D weekend marking the 40th anniversary since the lines closed in 1966.
Visiting locos recorded in use during the day were;- 34067 Tangmere (from Old
Oak Common), 44422 (from the Churnet Valley), 45407 (from the East Lancs
railway), 53809 (from the Midland Railway centre), 73129 (from the Midland
Railway centre), 76079 (from the East Lancs railway), 92203 (from Glous &
Warwicks railway), as well as local based locomotives; 88 (53808), 80136.
Number changes had taken place, with 45407 numbered 45440, 76079 becoming 76009
and 80136 running as 80138. On the subject of number changing, as during the
sucessful 1996 S & D gala the stations along the line were renamed as
follows;- Bishop's Lydeard-Templecombe, Crowcombe Heathfield-Midsommer Norton,
Stogumber-Binegar, Williton-Evercreech Junction, Doniford-Henstridge,
Watchet-Wincanton, Washford-Midford, Blue Anchor-Sturminster Newton,
Dunster-Shillingstone, Minehead-Bournemouth West. The loco shed at Minehead was
especially open for the event as well as the diesel depot and part of the former
Swindon works carriage shed at Williton.
Wiliton ; steam; 5553. 6412. 9351. 34046 under restoration in carriage shed.
diesel; D1010, D2119. D2205, 6566 repairs in carriage shed, D7018, D9526. DMU;
W50413. W56169. Industrial diesel; MSC DH16 (S10175/64), 501 (BBT 3066/54)+512 (BBT
3102/56). C/stock; gwr; 169. 3639 assumed. 9038 fully restored sleeping coach.
sr vans; 1360/458/964. grounded SR vans; (1587). (1991).
Minehead ; steam; 3850. 7820 (frames/cab no boiler)/828 (stored). diesel; D2133.
D2271. D7523. (33057). 47703 (visiting mainline loco). DMU; 51352/376/852
(stored)/880 (under overhaul inside the workshops). 59505. Notes;- five other
'numberless' DMU cars were in the Minehead station area. C/stock;- 4039 (static
restaurant coach). (10521). 94148. (94502). 35451. gwr; (7740/DW317) assumed.
hand-crane; No. 264 + runner. Coles crane; (15404).
Visiting C/stock; stabled Minehead station area; 1730. 3119/144. 5412. 17015.
C/stock formations (noted in use), including visiting C/stock;-
4909, 4814, 35257, 25308, 25323, 4435, 5025.
4449, 5030, 4987, 9380, 24985, 4911, 4884.
1909 Orion, 3108 Meteor, 1804, 13229, 13230, 9278, 4876, 4599.
21174 Pheonix, 3096, 3115, 1859, 4831, 4836, 4856.
4660, 80736, 3058, 4875, 4260, 5024.
General Notes;- At Williton, the Class 103 Park Royal dmu set 50413+56169 is
expected to be moved to Cornwall for a new preservation project on part of the
former Gwinear Road-Helston branch line. Also 501+512 (master and slave loco),
currently occupying the the Heritage Diesel Visitor centre are expected to
return to the steel works at Port Talbot where they originally came from,
several years ago. At Minehead. the Class 117 DMU set 51352+59505+51376 is due
to leave the line, having made a special final outing on 02/01/06, which marked
the 35th Anniversary of the closure of the branch line by BR on 02/01/7 the
final train being operated by a three car DMU set. The set is owned by the 275
Squadron of the Territorial Army.
Brunel 200 Events
A new mural, first reported in the December 2005 Magazine has suffered a set
back, as the wall on which the display was to be mounted alongside platform 1
would not be suitable to hold it as it was being made from steel. It is hoped to
remake the mural using aluminium, although it would not be in position ready for
early April, the planned unveiling time.
'Brunale' has been created by the Bristol Beer Factory at their micro brewery in
Ashton, (in view of the Clifton Suspension bridge). The 4.6% beer is bottled in
Swindon and is described as strong with malt flavourings and a faint hop aroma.
A Southville butcher has already produced sausages containing the beer which
will also be sold to mark the Brunel 200 anniversary and local gourmet piemakers
Pieminister are producing a beef and ale pie using the beer. Butcombe brewery
have also produced a Brunel 200 beer, launched in December 2005 initially as a
draught India pale ale, which is also now available bottled.
The First/GW catering department are also making new snacks available for sale
dedicated to the engineer on their train services. The Clifton Gorge is a large
bacon bap containing five slices of grilled bacon, the Brunel Topper is a
sandwich made of five slices of bacon with lettuce and tomato, whilst the Great
Westerner is a floured type bap containing chicken breast, grilled bacon,
lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.
One of 29 arts projects marking the 200th anniversary was Luke Jerram's Tunnel
Vision which was set up in Staple Hill tunnel, on the old Midland mainline from
Temple Meads to Mangotsfield, Bath Green Park and Westerleigh, this section
being closed to passengers in 1966 and completely in 1971. The project ran from
06/03 to 12/03 and involved lighting around 300 candles each evening in three
rows, through the tunnel which was wired up with a sound system. An image of
movement combining the architecture, candlelit and the surround sound was
created recreating a project that Brunel tested along the South Devon coast as
his atmospheric railway from 1847 to 1848. The tunnel which is now part of the
Bristol-Bath cyclepath had its safety lighting turned off on each evening the
event was held.