NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
07/03 08405 had replaced 09003 as area shunting pilot by this date.
08/03 66236 + 66147 arrived during the early afternoon on coal empties from
Didcot and 60096 also appeared at 13.45 (having been reported passing Bath at
10.53 and Filton at 12.43) unusually employed on the 6C63 10.17 import stone
empties from Westbury. The loaded working was to depart late being still present
at 16.30. Also during the afternoon, 67020 + 66147 departed light-engines for
Didcot.
12/03 Following the recent Severn Beach line closure (see last months Magazine)
for engineering work, track work continued on the section between Avonmouth and
Severn Beach when services had finished late morning. The replaced track panels
which had been lifted and dumped at various points alongside the running line
between Avonmouth and Clifton Down, were noted recovered and stored beneath the
M5 road overbridge having been presumably road-rail moved here over the
week-end.
19/03 A track gang were noted manually packing ballast in the St.Andrews road
station area.
31/03 First/GW operated three 'Easter Bunny Express' services between Bristol
and Severn Beach. Three normal service trains were used (one mid-day, mid
morning and mid-afternoon, between 10.00-16.00) with extra staff on hand giving
out Easter eggs and goody bags to children on board, the event being organised
jointly between First/GW and the Severnside Community Partnership. During the
evening, a Class 66 was noted on an engineers train between Charlton tunnel and
Henbury on the Hallen Marsh-Filton freight-only line.
Members of the Bristol signalling staff are planning to run a special charity
trip from Gloucester, using Cotswold-Rail coaching stock on Sunday 03/06,
visiting Avonmouth, Severn Beach, Portbury, Tytherington and Westerleigh. In a
top n'tail formation, a Class 50 is expected to be used along with a mystery
loco rumoured to be preserved diesel-hydraulic D1015 Western Champion (which has
recently been carrying D1046 Western Marquis plates on one side only).
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66012/017/075/084/139/147/200/235/236.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
01/03 Steam 5051 Earl Bathurst worked Pastime Rail's 'St.David's Day Express'
(1Z51 08.35 Swansea-Paddington) with a choc/cream support coach and an otherwise
maroon set of carriages noted around 5 minutes late near Pilning. However the
train was delayed between Patchway and Parkway (not passing here to 11.44) as
the up loop was not available to access because of work on the new platform.
This had a knock-on affect to the following First/GW 10.55 Cardiff-Paddington
HST service (due Parkway 11.31) which was diverted via Bath! The steam working
had in fact been delayed by the First/GW 09.30 Swansea-Paddington HST in the
Severn Tunnel Junction area which was running 10 minutes late! The steam loco
was to run 11.15 Old Oak Common-Didcot loco and support coach during the
following day. No freights seen this evening, the only working to report was the
Network Rail Cl101 DMU heading to South Wales, motor coaches were 977391 +
977392.
02/03 158842 + 158843 + 158849 + 158848 formed the first of three recorded
Eastleigh-Heaton stock moves passing at 11.15. The formerly stored Arriva Trains
Wales units were to be reinstated back into service for Northern Trains.
03/03 Due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel for engineering works, the 6B80
Westbury-Machen stone empties and the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk empty gunnells were
diverted. The former was recorded via Parkway with 66017 and the latter ran from
Swindon via Kemble and Gloucester behind 66099. A Pastime Rail 'Red Dragon'
railtour, featuring steam 6024 King Edward I between Bristol TM and Carmarthen
was put back to 14/04.
04/03 66017 with the previous days 6C80 Machen-Westbury diverted loaded stone
was still present at Parkway during the morning. The loco had been reported as
have assisted the 6C23 East Usk empty gunnells with a failed 66099 in the Severn
Tunnel junction area the previous day.
05/03 The MML intermediate coaches, hired in by First/GW to cover works
refurbishment until at least November 2007 were recorded in use with power cars
43155 + 43165 working 05.22 Plymouth-Paddington, 10.15 Paddington-Cardiff and
12.55 Cardiff-Paddington during the day. The stock formation, LA79, is as
follows; 41112, 41067, 40749, 42194, 42229, 42227, 42225, 44027. A late 6B65
Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental was noted passing Pilning at 13.30 behind
60096.
06/03 A landslide in the Wickwar tunnel area saw some north-bound diversions via
Newport and late running south-bound services including the 6V53 Washwood Heath-Portbury
partially loaded and empty car train passing at 07.40 behind an unidentified
Class 66 loco. The MML HST, LA79 set was seen in use on the 06.30
Swansea-Paddington First/GW service. Cotswold-Rail 47810 worked a 5Z86 11.10
Brush Loughborough -Landore MTU re-engined HST power car move hauling 43161.
07/03 Noted during the early afternoon were; 47813 on a 6F68 10.52 Plymouth
Tavistock yard-Gloucester New yard stored wagon move formed of 10 white slurry
tanks (which had once been used on a Heathfield-Sezzardio, Italy freight-flow)
at 14.15 followed by 37069 + 20308 on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flask
service at 14.18.
08/03 60056 passed on a down departmental service at 12.54 and later 60054 was
noted with the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties. Two MGRs and the Newport ADJ -
Wembley "Enterprise" recorded this evening, 66236 with an Avonmouth -
Didcot service, 66224 with empties for Portbury and 66059 with the Wembley
working.
10/03 60018 was over at Westerleigh on 6E77 fuel empties for Port Clarence.
12/03 The Severn Tunnel was closed for an hour during the morning with a
Portsmouth-Cardiff First/GW service having to reverse back out a short distance
following the driver reporting hitting something. Some service diversions via
Gloucester took place but an inspection found nothing out of the ordinary.
First/GW HST movements of note during the day found the 'hire' MML LA79 set
working 10.15 Paddington-Cardiff and 12.55 return, and the new 'neon' liveried
LA62 formation running with power cars 43141 + 43165 (and middle coaches 41085,
41167, 40231, 42259, 42167, 42168, 42168, 42169, 44068) on the 12.15
Paddington-Cardiff and 14.53 return. On the freight side; 66581 passed Parkway
at 11.07 on down stone empties and 37229 + 37194 worked up at 15.47 on the 6M67
Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
13/03 Another HST set of note was with power cars 43020 and newly MTU engine
fitted 43161 included 2006 'neon' lined livery coaches 41003, 40752, 44049 and
the 2005 introduced 'silver' liveried interactive coach 42076 (which contains
communication systems, such as television, music and internet access supplied by
Volo) working 11.15 Paddington-Cardiff and 13.55 return.
15/03 60014 handled the 6B33 Theale -Robeston empty fuel tankers.
16/03 Previously stored 158844 + 158853 + 158851 + 158860 formed a second
Eastleigh-Heaton stock move passing at 12.14 for eventual use in the north.
Earlier, 67014 was noted at 10.17 with a Victoria-Cheltenham Northern Belle
'Gold Cup' racing special and later 60058 worked 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank
empties passing at 16.58.
17/03 66526 + 66529 passed up light-engines through Parkway at 10.12.
Observations over at Pilning later recorded;- 60038 with 6C23 Hayes-East Usk
empty gunnells (13.48), EWS silver 67029 on 1Z94 11.38 Victoria-Cardiff VSOE
(formed 99538, Zena, Vera, Ibis, Pheonix, Minerva, Perseus, Audrey, Ione,
Lucille, 6313) (14.26), 66137 with 6C80 Machen-Westbury loaded stone (14.46),
67021 on a 1Z96 12.28 Victoria-Cardiff Northern Belle (14.51) and 60054 with
6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties (15.44). The 1Z94 and 1Z96 dining
specials were running for the Six Nations Rugby match between Wales and England
at the Cardiff Millenium Stadium.
19/03 66137 passed Filton Abbey Wood late at 12.50 on the 6C01 Newport ADj-East
Depot loaded steel. The MML HST hire set (LA79) the First/GW 10.15
Paddington-Cardiff and 12.55 return services with power cars 43020 + 43155.
20/03 Freight workings reported during the day were; 60092 on 6C23 Hayes-East
Usk stone empties and 60060 on 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks.
Cotswold-Rail 47813 was also recorded on a Brush Loughborough-Landore power car
move with 43022.
21/03 57005 worked the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook container service.
22/03 Steam loco 45407 Lancashire Fusilier passed Pilning at 13.10 (30 minutes
late) on 5Z07 06.28 Castleton-St.Blazey loco and support coach 35317 on the
mainline, being followed by 66088 on the Parc Slip-Westbury cement works coal,
the 12.55 Cardiff-Paddington First/GW HST, a Class 153 unit on the First/GW
13.00 Cardiff-Westbury local service and another HST set on the 12.30
Swansea-Paddington First/GW service all running via the up goods loop!! It is
assumed there was a points problem at Pilning West? The MML HST set LA79 was
again noted this time on the First/GW 14.15 Paddington-Cardiff service and 16.55
return. 60092 worked the 6B33 Robeston fuel tank empties.
23/03 The third Eastleigh-Heaton unit stock move was noted passing Parkway at
10.43 with sets 158850 + 158845. Earlier, at 09.06, 66613 had passed in the up
direction on Railtrack ballast hopper wagons.
26/03 Blue liveried 47840 (on loan to GBRf) headed west at 08.45 with barrier
coaches 6336 + 6338 (as 5Z70 09.03 Parkway RMT-Laira), returning a 5Z71 12.08
Laira-Ilford HST stock move latter in the day via Westbury.
27/03 20315 + 20314 passed at 14.48 on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
30/03 47810 handled a 5Z45 14.15 Brush Loughborough-Landore stock move formed
barrier coach with 43169, 43023 and 43197 (the train was however unconfirmed as
recessing at Parkway for a period of time).
31/03 66613 worked an additional Theale-Margam stone empties formed of FLHH box
wagons. A Freightliner, Wentlooge bound container service has been reported as
running during mid Saturday afternoons and was seen the previous week (24/03).
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/03 Cotswold-Rail 47810 worked 5Z74 11.30 Laira-Landore formed with barrier
coaches 6336 + 6338 and 66622 worked 6Z39 Neath Abbey Wharf-Plymouth Tavistock
yard loaded stone.
02/03 The 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks were seen with two unidentified
Class 20s and 33202 passed through the area as 0Z33 Gloucester-West Somerset
Railway light-engine. Another stock move for 47810 saw the loco run 5Z74 11.30
Laira-St. Phillips Marsh, then onwards to Landore for a power car move with
43148 to Brush at Loughborough for overhaul.
05/03 66191 was on the 6C01 Bristol East depot steel trip, whilst Cotswold-Rail
47813 ran light-engine from Old Oak Common to Bristol. A 5F77 04.45 Old Oak
Common-Laira and 5Z47 10.30 Laira-Ilford stock move, booked for 47840 was
cancelled along with a 5Z77 12.06 Derby-Laira).
06/03 47840 worked a 5Z47 09.30 Derby-Laira refurbished HST stock move for
First/GW carrying a 'Bristol Bluebirds' headboard. The train, formed 6723
(barrier coach), 41086, 41160, 42066, 42303, 42304, 42305, 44055, 40901, 40904,
9488 (barrier coach) was noted passing Brent Knoll at 14.59 followed by 220025
on the 11.24 Manchester-Plymouth VirginXC service at 15.02, then a late running
37510 at 15.08 on a 0Z37 Crewe-Plymouth driver route learner (booked Temple
Meads at 09.45-09.57!) with a 'DRS Crewe on a Mission' headboard. 47813 ran 0Z68
light-engine from Temple Meads to St. Blazey to work forward stored china clay
slurry wagons during the following day (also see Bristol Parkway Notes &
News). Central Trains green liveried 158784 carrying 'First Group' lettering in
white, was noted working the 12.36 Worcester Shrub Hill-Taunton First/GW
service. A 5Z52 08.14 Carnforth-Minehead move through the area (Pilning 15.40
and Yatton 16.51-16.58) involving steam loco 850 Lord Nelson and support coach
was cancelled.
07/03 47840 was noted stabled in Temple Meads at 06.00 and later 66581 was seen
at Bath on the 4V60 Calvert-Barrow Road refuse containers. First/GW services
suffered delays during the afternoon following a HST power car fire on the GW
mainline. The First/GW 12.25 Plymouth-Paddington was in trouble near Burnham,
the power car involved being reported as 43179. Later, in the evening emergency
engineering works saw the First/GW 23.30 Paddington-Bristol TM service diverted,
requiring road bus connections to Chippenham and Bath from Swindon.
08/03 DRS 66413 ran 0Z79 10.00 Crewe-Plymouth to collect a failed 37510, which
had worked west on 06/03 on a driver route learning trip. Also recorded during
the day were the MML HST LA79 on the 13.30 Paddington-Bristol TM First/GW
service and 31452 which headed west on a 5F84 12.30 Oxley-West Somerset Railway
stock move formed of an overhauled buffet coach 10205 in choc/cream livery. The
coach was destined for Minehead station for use as a static buffet, replacing Mk
I, 4039. The working had left Oxley behind 47810, a loco swap taking place
en-route at Gloucester.
09/03 DRS 66413 + 37510 returned north as 0Z09 10.10 Plymouth-Crewe (via the
Severn tunnel) passing Filton at 12.55. Steam loco Lord Nelson, with support
coach was reported to have made Didcot on it's return journey from Carnforth to
Minehead to take part in the Spring Gala (which ran over 17/03 and 18/03 and
between 23-25/03).
10/03 Steam loco 7802 Bradley Manor worked Pastime Rail's 'Cider Express' (1Z71
Birmingham NS-Minehead) onwards from platform 1 at Hereford having taken over
from West Coast Railway's 47854. The train was seen passing Pilning at 11.11 (4
minutes early) with coaching stock; 35479 (loco support coach), 99304, 4994,
4960, 4984, 1861, 4973, 4905, 99318. 47854 was following behind as 0Z71 10.20
Hereford-Bishop's Lydeard light-engine, returning the trip as 1Z72 18.15
Bishop's Lydeard-Birmingham NS. This was to be this popular steam locos second
last mainline run before the current boiler certificate expires. Also recorded
during the day were; 60014 + 66059 paired on a Newport ADj-Westbury departmental
(Filton 12.18) and 47847 + 47839 (now named Pegasus) double-heading a 5Z47 10.32
Derby-Bishop's Lydeard ECS (Yatton 13.56) formed of SPRS maroon liveried
coaching stock; 4831, 4836, 1730, 4856, 13230, 35185, 13229, 3115, 1859, 3096,
all for West Somerset Railway gala use. The train's long journey from the north
had suffered delays initially due to the Scottish signalman's strike and the
failure of 47839 in the Doncaster area!
12/03 60041 was on the 6B65 and return 6C41 Westbury-Newport ADj departmental
via Day's curve, the outward passing Filton at 11.26 and the return being
recorded at Severn Tunnel junction at 15.32. 47810 was also reported to have
worked a St. Phillips Marsh-Brush Loughborough stock move with HST power car
43151.
13/03 66527 was on the 4V60 Calvert-Bath/Barrow Road refuse containers.
Southbound coal train for Westbury seen at 23:30 behind 60092.
14/03 60041 was again on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADj departmental passing
Filton at 10.14, 37194 + 37229 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe flasks
and 66082 worked a Victoria-Bath/Bristol VSOE dining special onwards from
Westbury having taken over there from steam 35028 Clan Line. 67007 was
originally allocated but was replaced by the Class 66, the reason for this swap
being unknown.
15/03 66103 was on the 6C01 Bristol East depot steel trip, returning
light-engine and 47810 headed a further St. Phillips Marsh-Loughborough HST
power car move with 43171 for overhaul.
16/03 66230 + 66173 were paired on the 6C41 Newport ADj-Westbury departmental
passing Filton at 16.28.
17/03 Additional railtours operated during the day included; 47853 + 47848 (in
blue livery and carrying the name Titan Enterprise) worked Hertfordshire
Railtour's 1Z47 07.30 Southend-Temple Meads and 1Z48 16.35 return 'Blue
Pullman', the stock actually being a mixture of pride of the nation
(green/cream), choc/cream and a single green liveried Mk Is! and Voyager set
220024 which formed an 07.46 Bristol TM-Taunton, prior to working shuttle
departures from here to Bishop's Lydeard on the WSR as part of their Spring
gala. Departures from Taunton were at 08.48, 09.35, 11.40 (17/03 only), 13.57,
14.57, 16.32 with returns from Bishop's Lydeard at 09.12, 11.05 (17/03 only),
13.25, 14.25, 16.05, these services were to also operate on the following
Saturday 24/03. For the Sundays 18/03 and 25/03, departures from Taunton were at
10.25, 11.32, 1355, 14.55, 16.32, 17.30 with returns at 11.05, 13.25, 14.25,
16.05, 17.00. Virgin were able to provide a Voyager unit over the two weekends
as due to engineering works a spare set and train crew were available at Barton
Hill depot for use. National fares were charged between Bristol and Taunton with
a £2.50 single or £5.00 return fare for the shuttle service, the train also
calling at Weston-super-Mare on the outward and return. A late afternoon view of
Barton Hill depot found the following; 08516. 66012/126/139 (along with the
normal stored Class 37s) and 66513/525/605/613/622 were in the sidings at
Kingsland Road. A railtour cancellation for the day was a Heartlands trip from
Swindon-Penzance due to be Cotswold Class 47 hauled.
20/03 66080 was seen on the up through road at 10.10 in Temple Meads with a late
running 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow empty slurry tanks. 66080 seen with a southbound
"Enterprise" service at 09:20.
21/03 37194 + 37229 were reported passing Ashchurch (around 3 hours late) at
08.54 on a late running 6V74 Crewe-Bridgwater nuclear flask service. Progress
was slow! the train being logged passing Wickwar (near Yate) at 10.35 and later
at Lympsham (near Weston-super-Mare) at 11.42, nearly 5 Hours late! Loaded MGR
from Portbury recorded at 14:45 behind 66150.
22/03 60055 worked into Cornwall overnight on the 6C89 Cardiff Tidal sidings-St.Blazey
freight service. First/GW have offered a £1000 reward to catch vandals who have
damaged ECS stock moves near Bedminster station. A coach window has been
reported broken and there have been graffiti attacks whilst trains stable for
short periods between services in the area. Train services were suspended for 45
minutes between Bristol and Bath around 22.30 when a body was discovered on the
line in the Keynsham area.
23/03 60072 was on the 6C01 Bristol East depot steel trip from Newport. The
B3139 road bridge over the Bristol-Taunton mainline, near the town centre of
Highbridge has been closed by Network-Rail for four years the reason given being
due to continual 'mis-use' by road vehicles over it's 3.5 tonne restricted
weight limit.
24/03 A 1Z44 06.43 Sheffield-Minehaed railtour was seen passing South Liberty
lane at 10.28 top n'tailed by 47839 and 47805 (carrying the name Talisman) and
formed with former Virgin and Anglian liveried MkIIs with a choc/cream buffet
car.
26/03 The First/GW Bristol TM-Weston-super-Mare local service was held in the
Bedminster/Parsons street area following the reported discovery by a passer-by
of 'a hole' in an occupation bridge near Flax Bourton. Network-Rail carried out
a safety check, but already knew of the problem caused by a vehicle knocking
masonary trackside some weeks previous. A late afternoon working saw steam 5051
Earl Bathurst pass Nailsea & Backwell station running from the West Somerset
Railway to Barton Hill with support coach and later an evening working of
interest was the 6C99 St.Blazey-Tidal sidings freight headed by 60055 (believed
formed with 66193 on the inside) which was held at Taunton, the relief Barton
Hill driver not being signed for Class 60 locos!
Two southbound MGR workings seen today, comprising HAAs, 66046 at 14:00 and
66163 at 23:40, destinations being either Portbury or Westbury or both to one
location.
27/03 A GBRf 5Z47 09.30 Derby-Laira and 5Z70 15.00 Laira-Old Oak Common
stock-move was cancelled. 57311 worked west light-engine, thought to be for a
return Voyager ECS move north.
28/03 66406 + 66408 headed a 5Z86 19.08 (tues) Carlisle-Devonport (arriving
close to the booked 12.18) submarine reactor move complete with blue escort
coaches 9419 and 9428 through the area unconfirmed as around 05.00. Steam loco
7802 Bradley Manor returned loco and support coach from the West Somerset
Railway and worked the 'Severn Valley Rambler' (14.38 Temple Meads-Bridgnorth
via the Severn Tunnel) which had arrived as 08.33 Bridgnorth-Bristol TM headed
by West Coast Railway's 57601. This was reported to be the Manor's last mainline
outing. 66137 worked the evening 6C99 St. Blazey-Cardiff Tidal sidings freight,
now reported as MWFO, although today was a Tuesday!
29/03 Following a successful series of west country branch line trips, steam
loco 45407 Lancashire Fusilier, ran with support coach 35517 from Laira-Barton
Hill arriving during the late afternoon.
30/03 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked 10.27 Tyseley-Didcot, arriving early
afternoon, prior to running as 5Z24 13.10 Didcot-Stoke Gifford with 5051 Earl
Bathurst. However, the latter move was cancelled. 47840 was back in action for
GBRf handling a 5Z66 13.15 Derby-Laira stock move of refurbished HST coaches,
departing from the Midlands late at 14.05. Seen at Barton Hill at 09:35 was LMS
Black 5 45407, later at 10:10, 66235 worked southbound with a "Civils"
service.66219 worked by at 16.15 with an empty MGR headed for Portbury.
31/03 Three railtours that operated during the day were;- Steam 5051 Earl
Bathurst + 6024 King Edward I with the Railway Touring Company's 'Royal Duchy'
1Z52 06.00 Birmingham NS-Penzance, having taken over from 47854 + 57601 which
had top n'tailed the train as far as Stoke Gifford down sidings (the steam locos
having worked 05.58 ex.Didcot with support coach W35333, the two West Coast
diesel-locos following the train light-engine); green liveried duo 47815 + 47812
which top n'tailed a 1Z47 05.47 North Walsham-Minehead 'Nenta-Bath &
Quantock Hills Explorer' complete with headboard, and return 1Z48 16.50 ex.
Minehead (noted near Weston-super-Mare at 18.43) and Kingfisher Tours 'Trafalgar
Express', worked outwards by 67020 and returned as 1Z28 13.35 Minehead-Eastleigh,
headed by steam (30)850 Lord Nelson with coaching stock; 35518 (support coach),
5278, 5419, 80041(?), 9391, 5239, 5229, 3??? Sovereign, 1659, 3??? (carrying a
name?), this train being noted passing Yatton slightly up on time at 16.31, the
Class 67 being attached to the rear. The Lord Nelson working took on water at
Temple Meads before continuing onwards via Bath. A railtour which was cancelled
was a HRT's 'Blue Pullman' working from Temple Meads-Skegness.
Also throughout the month, the VT ECS from Cardiff - Barton Hill has reversed at Bristol Parkway and made its way via Avonmouth to its destination being heard passing through Montpelier station anytime between 21:30 - 22:10.
Gloucester
01/03 FM-Rail liveried, but now Cotswold-Rail owned, 47703 handled a
Gloucester-Doncaster stock move with HST coaches 40804. 42286/294, and barriers
6392/393/397.
03/03 66099 with the diverted 6C23 Hayes-East Usk empty gunnells passed through
the platform line at Gloucester at speed ( 13.41), followed later just after
15.15 by 66173 on a diverted Portbury-Aberthaw loaded coal. A view of the
stabling areas found; Horton Road 'old depot' area; 08936. (47033). 47200
c/stock; 94101. track machine; DR80205. stored DMUs; 153311/313/326. Station
sidings; 31128/452. 47703/714. c/stock; 1657. 5669. 9493. 10231. siding near the
power signal box and level crossing; 45112. c/stock; 1211. Another visitor
during the morning was mainline preserved 40145 working Pathfinder Tours 'Welsh
Central Liner II' (1Z47 05.44 Crewe-Llandrindod Wells) with coaching stock;-
5376, 5366, 5292, 5276, 5322, 1863, 21272, 3119, 3097, (3066), 6310. 23 years
ago, 40035 worked the 'Central Welsh Liner I' (1Z16) on 03/03/84 which started
at 04.40 from Plymouth and featured 50001, Plymouth-Bristol TM (via St. Phillips
Marsh), 40035 Bristol TM-Gloucester (via Avonmouth), where 45064 was attached
inside for heating purposes! (and removed at Port Talbot), the Central Wales
line to Craven's Arms (run-round), then back to Severn Tunnel junction, where
37300 + 37266 top n'tailed the train over the Sudbrook branchline and 40035 +
37266 back to Bristol (via Gloucester) for 50001 to Plymouth. The train's
coaching stock used on the day was; W5027, W3767, W35194, W7219, W1948, M4966,
W4941, W4849, W4848, W4858.
06/03 47810 headed a Brush Loughborough-Landore HST power car move with 43161.
13/03 For the 2007 Cheltenham Race festival from 13-16/03, Central Trains hired
in locos and a stock rake from West Coast Trains to work 09.42
Birmingham-Cheltenham, 11.25 Cheltenham-Worcester, 11.55 Worcester-Cheltenham,
18.54 Cheltenham-Birmingham formed with 5487, 5478, 6000, 6022, 6041, 6103,
5481, 9440 and top n'tailed by 57601 and 47826. The ECS was reversed at
Gloucester between workings. Also Virgin XC extended it's Edinburgh-Birmingham
service, onwards to Gloucester (as ECS) for an additional 20.30
Gloucester-Birmingham working being worked each day by a MML 'on hire' HST set
with power cars 43060 + 43072.
14/03 67021 + 67029 top n'tailed an 'additional' race day special from Euston.
15/03 The VSOE was used, Class 67 hauled on a further additional race day
working from London.
16/03 47813 working a 5Z70 14.00 Brush Loughborough-Landore formed with HST
power cars 43017 + 43122 with barriers 6336 + 6338 suffered a broken coupling on
43122 near Cheltenham. The train was eventually moved to Lansdown loop,
eventually going forward, once repairs having been undertaken three days later.
17/03 Vintage Train's 'The King Circular' was headed by steam 6024 King Edward I
as 1Z27 08.38 Solihull-Tyseley (via Didcot, Swindon and Kemble) and for the Six
Nations rugby match between England and Wales shuttles operated between
Gloucester and Newport with 47812 and 47815 and between Swansea and Cardiff with
50049 + 47805, both trains in a top n'tail formation using Arriva stock.
Portbury Branchline
07/03 The inward 6V53 Washwood Heath-Portbury car empties (but with some
Landrovers towards the rear of the train, for export), was recorded passing
Cheltenham late at 10.36 behind 66060.
12/03 Coal services to Rugeley finished from this date.
13/03 60092 was a stranger on the branch with an overnight 6B68
Portbury-Aberthaw loaded coal.
14/03 60092 was again noted with 6F60 21.08 Aberthaw-Portbury coal empties.
21/03 66236 was seen stabled in the cripple siding, assumed a failure.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
60092. 66024/075/093/150/126/173/235/250.
Locos recorded on the 6X52 16.30 Washwood Heath loaded car service during the
month have included;-
01/03 66004. 02/03 66146. 07/03 66060.21/03 66065*. 22/03 66086.
23/03 66216. 29/03 66035.
* The inward working on this date is believed to have consisted of loaded flats
carrying Landrovers for export only
Units noted this period included
143603/611/612/617/618/621.
150219/234/265/266.
153329/369.
158745/746/749/750/760/761/762/763/764/765/766/768/769/778/784/786/790.
158798/815/816/817/842/843/844/845/848/849/850/851/855/860/866/867.
158868/869/871/872.
180108.
220001/004/011/013/015/016/018/024/025/026/027/028/033.
221101/104/108/111/115/116/119/120/121/127/128/129/130/132/133/134/140
221141/142.
Newport
13/03 The 20:15 London Paddington - Swansea service was worked by the
following: FGW-livery power cars 43155, 43153 MML-livery coaches 44027, 42225,
42227, 42229, 42194, 40749, 41067, 41112
Cardiff Central
16/02 66566 (stabled)
08/03 66616 (stabled)
11/03 66605 (stabled)
13/03 66617 (stabled)
18/03 66619 (stabled)
20/03 66528/616 (stabled)
Wentlooge
16/03 66535
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight service
01/03 67029. 12/03 67019 + 67022. 14/03 67018 + 67027.
20/03 67026 + 67027. 21/03 67007 + 67019.
Stock Alterations
Locomotives
Transfers
08854(OO)-MG, 66026 - France, 66032 - UK, 66110 - France
NRLO: 31128. 33103. 45112.
NRLS: 31301/415/437/439. 37019/021/255. 47640/707/716/744/767
WBEN: 66031/033/110/209/244/245 WBAI: 66011
WBAM: 66190/221
Stored
08897. 09015/020. 37029/401. 60053/061. 92003/022.
CE: 92003/022. EH: 58009/032/046. IM: 60053/061. LM: 86235/238.
MG: 09015/020. TO: 37401. WA: 08897. WB: 56038/091.
ZH: 37029. 86218/232. Battlefield: 33053.
Traffic
08646/770 -MG, 08802 -BS, 37422 -TO, 60014/018/027/039/048/049/060,
60078/091 -IM, 92026 -CE.
Disposals
HNRL: 37013 cut up @ Kingsbury
EMR: 47053/710/717/726/781. 56029 cut up @ Kingsbury
T Thomson: 08526/635/910/912/942 cut up
R Hull: 47345/803 cut up
For Scrap/Re-sale?
T Thomson: 08506/695/720/792/807/883/894/902/947. 37351/505/520/705.
47197/270/279/292/302/303/309/358/370. EMR: 08947. 37216/372/678/683/803.
47721/722/732/733/734/737/739/741/742/747/749/750/758/773/776/785/789 47791.
56034.
Ron Hull: 47736/759. 86606/615/620.
Sandbach CC: 08926.
Booth: 31420/427.
Private Purchases: 08881/927. 37116/146/518/674/679. 47761/772/787.
Traditional Traction: 08411/441/460/511.
A Goodman: 08414/683/896. 47770. HNRL: 20119. 31423.
West Coast: 47760/786/792. DRS: 47790. Seco: 47635/727.
LH Group: 08913. Colne Valley: 08915. RT Rail: 08955.
Dean Forest: 31466. Bodmin & Wenford DG: 47306.
Brush T4 Fund: 47746. Magnapps Farm: 47793.
Renumbered
43106 - 43306, 43118 - 43318, 43167 - 43367
New Stock
66582/583/584/585/586/587/588/589/590/591/592/593/594 - FD
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
170303/305(SA)-XW
Stored
51500 - Serco (Derby)
142001/063 @NH
153311/313/326 @NC
Traffic
158842 -NL, 843/844/845 -HT, 848 -NL, 849/850/851/853/859/860/861 -HT
Reformed
159107 (52801 + 58711 + 57811)
Electric Multiple Units
Transfers
377154(BI)-SU
Traffic
365531 -HE
Withdrawn
62405. 70743
Disposals
Booth: 62405(1884), 70743(310058)
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Stored
BS: 94111/150/168/176/192/197/199/213. 94428/518/543. 95763
CS: 9508. 10202/246. 11071/083/084/086/089. 12014/038/043/053/119
KI: 1216/58. 3229. 5773. 5905/41/48/69. 6045. 6101/21/34/51/57/64
LM: 1254. 3366. 5797. 5866. 5906/58. 6046. 9497. 12077
ML: 94214. 94406/498/515/519. SL: 9502.
ZG: 5746/52/76/84/94/96. 5847. ZI: 44100
Mossend: 94137/191. 94401/412/514/530/534/541
Traffic
1021/217. 11027/048/064/079. 12011/054/078/122/133/138. 82101/126 -WB
40903/904. 41045/059/163/166. 42092/093/094/105/108/175/176/177.
44076/081 -LA
Withdrawn
10205. 80429. 94325. 975.422/491/723. 977.978/980
Disposals
Booth: 975422/491/723. 977978/980
Thomson: 94325
West Somerset: 10205 Colne Valley: 80429 Dartmoor: 977.335
Renumbered
99405 - 35486
Codes
DFIN Freightliner Class 66 Intermodal - Low Emission
MRLO Mainline Rail Operational Locos 31454/468/601
MRLS Mainline Rail Stored Locos 56011/021/022
NRCO Nemisis Rail Operational Coaches
NRCS Nemisis Rail Stored Coaches 5226. 6356/57. 17144/170
QETS Network Rail Stored Locos 86424
QTRC Network Rail DVT vehicles 9702/03/08/14
VWLO Victa Westlink Operational Locos
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
Hello once more, and here I go again with another review of the freight
scene. Well, what can I say about the remarkable weather being experienced at
this moment in time - so good in fact that I added an extra day to my Easter
holiday - Thursday 5th April - to spend just over eight hours at Nuneaton
(getting a "tan" in the process) and having a very busy day indeed.
More of that later. On to some changes to the wagon scene and some more new
vehicles being noted on services through my local area. A lot of the BDA
vehicles (950xxx series) are now finding their way into Internal Use. Recent
examples to follow this route have been: 950150/ 172/ 184/ 235/ 265/ 306/ 314/
351/ 372/ 397/ 480/ 562/ 943/ 072 all into Lackenby, and 950422/ 539/ 542/ 578/
656/ 721/ 722/ 725/ 740/ 752/ 753/ 764 to CELSA Cardiff. Also to the latter site
for internal use are four-wheel box-body scrap wagons 4578, 5214, 5215 and 5219.
With the introduction of the EWS bogie tanks in the 870xxx series a lot of the
old bogie vehicles in the 782xx and 859xx series are being placed in store at
Long Marston. Speaking of which, the return Colnbrook--Lindsay service was noted
passing through Leicester on the evening of 2nd April hauled by 60066 with
870272/ 282/ 286/ 308/ 310 in the consist. Some "new" vehicles in the
395xxx series have been noted around the system. Apparently they are conversions
from the old 'Limpet' 390xxx/393xxx series vehicles. They appear to be random
numbers. Known so far (old numbers in brackets): 395277 (390176), 395324
(390245), 395329 (390254), 395337 (390266), 395343 (390273), 395346 (390279),
395382 (393012), 395383 (393013), 395386 (393016). This probably explains the
sighting I had at Leamington at the back end of 2006 of a complete train of
these vehicles heading north. All the HAA family vehicles at Exeter Riverside
appear to have been scrapped -- with more to follow. Some of the CWR vehicles in
the 979xxx series have been renumbered to continental series. Vehicles concerned
are:
979018/019/020/021/022/023/024/025/026/027/030/032/034/035/071/072/074/075/404/429.
Vehicles are renumbered 81.70.4842.001--020 respectively. Some vehicles to be
lucky and enter preservation are 'Catfish' 983444/ 458/ 464/ 661/ 700 at Kirkby
Stephen and 'Dogfish' 992714 to the Great Central Railway. Not so lucky 'Shark'
brake van 993907 was cut up at York. Whilst on the subject of scrapping vehicles
most of the TIPH30xxx scrap carriers have recently met their fate! The
conversions of the 'Coalfish' vehicles continue apace. Recently noted in
Humberstone Road at Leicester were 396104 (ex356923), 396129 (356523), 396138
(358902), 396139 (356108), 396140 (352562) and 396142 (356663). All of these
examples had their former identity chalked onto the solebar! Now on to my
sightings and the day at Nuneaton on 5th April. In the period I was there
(09.45--1825) I noted 35 freight workings, plus a couple of track machine
movements. Remarkably there was a period of just over one hour in the afternoon
when nothing moved on the West Coast due to "overhead line problems at
Lichfield". One of the track machines noted was 2006-built 77002 owned by
First Swietelsky, the other being Carillion Rail-owned 72207 being hauled by
60062. This loco returned later with the following engineers' service: 982597,
980100, 982541, 980114, 982451, 980041, 982784, 996932, 996282, 996927, 460935,
210322, 461088, 110156, 110163, 110221, 200739, 200362, 110630, 2008970, 210105,
200734, 200829, 200760, 110200, 200504, 200291, 110317, 460073, 110181. A mixed
bag if ever there was one. Four rakes of the Network Rail NLU29xxx vehicles were
noted, along with the Croft--Neasden Freightliner Heavy Hail service hauled by
66617. Vehicles being:
369086/078/076/100/099/096/092/098/089/093/097/088/075/087/102/014. (This train
was noted passing my local station at Narborough whilst I was waiting for the
train to Nuneaton.) Three W. H. Malcolm services were noted in the charge of
66404, 66407 and 66414. Also seen was new Freightliner class 66 66624 on a rake
of Heavy Haul boxes, viz: 502009/ 010/ 025/ 026/ 044/ 043/
041/042/006/005/008/007/039/040/050/049/059/060/055/056. Throw into the list the
Royal Train in the charge of 67005 and 67006 and a charter top 'n' tailed by
West Coast Railways locos 57601 and 47245. The services noted are quite a mixed
bag. A lot are Freightliner services, but along with the four Network Rail
services and the engineers' service, there was an empty steel, the RMC roadstone
hauled by 60082 including ex-Rugby Cement vehicles 10027 and 10033 in the
consist, about a dozen enterprise services, a couple of empty rakes of MEAs, a
train of bogie fuel tanks and a Redland self-discharge service. But,
interestingly no coal to or from Daw Mill Colliery -- at least four of these
trains are normally seen on a weekday. I've mentioned locations to view freight
several times in the past write-ups, but at present Nuneaton on a Thursday takes
some beating. I left at 18.25, but normally that is the time I arrive on my
Monday evening three-hour stints in which I log around fourteen freights. So
given that, a period of 09.45--21.00 would log nigh-on 50 freights! Just to
round off on a personal note, two of the new Freightliner class 66s, 66584 and
66586 have both been noted by me at Leicester in the last week, 10th and 12th
April!! See you next month.
Industrial & Preservation Matters
West Country branch and mainline.
Pastime Rail organised a series of branch line specials towards the end of
March, using LMS '5' 45407 Lancashire Fusilier (from the East Lancs Railway)
with an all, but one, maroon coaching stock formation; 4949, 5008, 1813, 4998,
4986 (green), 35469, 35317 (loco support coach). 37406 + 37410 moved the ECS
west as 5Z37 10.07 Old Oak Common-St. Blazey on 23/03, 45407 having arrived on
22/03 as 5Z07 06.28 Castleton (ELR)-St. Blazey loco and support coach (via
Hereford and the Marches). The first workings took place on Sunday 25/03 with
37410 leading the 1Z51 10.34 Par-Truro then 1Z52 11.10 Truro-Falmouth (The
Falmouth Packet), with 45407 leading the 1Z53 10.34 return off Falmouth docks.
The train was again led by the Class 37 as 1Z54 11.10 Truro-Penzance (The West
Briton), where the steam loco was watered in one of the 'outer' bay platforms.
The 1Z55 14.37 to St.Ives (The St.Ives Steamer) was lead by 45407 (with 37410 on
the rear) becoming the first steam working over this line since the 1960s. The
1Z56 15.08 return was 37410 hauled, with 45407 on the rear, later departing on
1Z57 16.15 Penzance-Par. On Monday 26/03, the 5Z20 11.05 St. Blazey-Plymouth ECS
was 45407 hauled, with the steamer working the return 1Z20 13.42 Plymouth-St.Blazey
signal box (The Harbour Master), where a reverse took place for the Class 37 to
lead the train in front of the St. Blazey turntable and former roundhouse and
over the short Par Harbour freight-only line to the Network Rail/Harbour
boundary. Following the 1Z22 15.10 return from Par Harbour, led by 45407, the
steam loco then headed the 1Z23 16.00 Par-Newquay (The Atlantic Coast Flyer)
without the Class 37, but the diesel was required after a slip near Pontsmill,
to assist from the rear. 37410 returned the 1Z24 as 18.15 Newquay-Plymouth, with
45407 on the back. Tuesday 27/03 saw ECS workings off Tavistock yard, with 37410
leading the 1Z21 08.10 Plymouth-Bere Alston (Tamar Belle) and 45407 heading the
1Z22 09.10 return, this being another line not to have seen a steam working
since the 1960s. Returning to Plymouth Friary, the second trip of the day over
this line saw the steam loco lead running as 1Z24 15.00 Plymouth-Bere Alston and
37410 hauled return (1Z25 15.40 to Plymouth, via Plymouth Friary). Wednesday
28/03 saw two freight lines covered in Cornwall both with steam leading on the
outer (and using 37406 inplace of 37410 as the other loco), 1Z21 09.31 Plymouth-Fowey
docks (The Fowey Pony) and 1Z22 11.10 return and 1Z23 12.28 Plymouth-Parkindillack
(The China Clay Pony) and 1Z24 14.35 return. During the final day, Thursday
29/03, the last workings were 1Z21 09.05 Plymouth-Buckfastleigh (The South Hams
Pony) and 1Z22 13.28 return to Plymouth, the two Class 37s returning the train
from Exeter-Plymouth.
Other observations in Cornwall during the week included;-
25/03 Penzance stn; HST 43098. DMU sets; 150233/236/238/248/261. 153329.
Long Rock C.S.; 08410. 57602. DMU sets; 221120/123/127. c/stock;
10225/232/532/584. 10590/594/601/612. 12100. 17174/175. Hayle Station; C/Stock;
MkI; (25355) camping coach.
27/03 C.Groves, Bere Ferrers station; steam
Hilda) P1963/38 (in non working order), but being moved around complete with
a Thomas face! Diesel; HE3133/44 (in use-assumed). HE2642/41. HE3395/46.
C/stock; Mk I; (1815). Ex.LNER; (1459/12735/DE320966). (3107/86072/DE320759).
(3132/12466/DE320894). Ex.LMS; six-wheel bogie sleeper; (379/DB975182). Note;
one former LNER coach was in passenger use.
28/03 Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin Parkway station
Trackwork on the storage sidings was noted being undertaken, with 08444 in
attendance on a works train containing an overhauled DB975033. Most of the stock
had been moved into the mainline station loop to make way for the work,a new
stock shed is expected to form part of the finished site. Diesels; JF 400001/45
(sheeted over). RH 443642/60. Fireless loco; 3121/57. C/stock; Mk I; (1873). Ex.
GWR; (2434/DW150038) assumed. (5131/DW150246). siphon g; (W2994/DB975843/W1498).
internal user; 4w van (064754) assumed.
Thingley Junction, near Chippenham (17/03/07) R.W.Giles
C/stock; (18809), (18706) both fire damaged. 18958 (part burnt). 18968 (NSE
livery). wagon;
78000 (white bogie tank) belonging to the Bristol Industrial Museum.
Bristol Harbour Railway (23/03/07) R.W.Giles
Following the final opening day at the Industrial Museum on 29/10/06, both
steam locos (No34 Portbury AE1764/17 and Henbury P1940/37) with the RH diesel
(418792/59) were out on the quayside undergoing maintenance ready to work again
at Easter. The railway has scaled down it's 2007 operating days whilst the
museum under goes a refurbishment due for completion during the Summer of 2009.
Although not visible from the outside, already extensive internal work has taken
place inside the museum, including the removal of some exhibits into safe store
including a Concorde nose section moved out via the higher storey windows by a
crane on 28/03. Once reopened the Museum has projected an increase in visitor
numbers from 120,000 to 250,000 a year.
Departmentals & Track Machines
24/03 South Liberty Lane
r/r dumper; 2858. excavator; 3739.
09/03 Westbound M5 (near Clevedon)
r/r excavator; BCL375 (on road low-loader).
17/03 Marsh junction (view)
DR76313/318.
21/03 Nr. Weston-super-Mare (in up direction at 10.20)
DR74506 + DR74507.