NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

03/02 FLHH powered a 6Z39 Avonmouth (Bennett’s) - Milton (Didcot) loaded stone. The train recesses at Milton prior to onward delivery to Crawley . 66114 was also recorded on the 4D98 13:59 Avonmouth BBHt - Barton Hill HTA wagon trip passing Hallen Marsh at 12:51 (74 early).

04/02 70011 was on 6M07 20:45 Avonmouth - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal passing Brentry at 20:56. 66526 later departing on a 6M?? 23:25 to Rugeley.

07/02 66043 arrived on 6C63 stone empties from Westbury later forming a loaded return service to Dagenham.

09/02 70011 worked a 6M67 02:22 loaded coal departure to Rugeley P.S..

14/02 The week started with DBS using West Wharf (Bennett’s) for its Didcot coal service.

15/02 70010 worked the 6M07 03:20 loaded coal departure to Rugeley P.S..

22/02 66107 passed Filton Abbeywood at 13:15 on a 5 wagon repaired HTA trip from Barton Hill - Avonmouth.

26/02 66133 was an evening arrival on 4Z65 13:39 Ratcliffe - Avonmouth train of coal empties.

28/02 66070 arrived on a 6C63 empty stone service from Westbury being loaded here instead of at Machen. The return 6A83 13:30 to West Drayton A.R.C. was later reported passing Stapleton Road at 14:44. Also, 66531 was later reported as a second empty stone train arrival during the day as a 6V87 working formed of MJAs.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66007/014/061/063/114/115/130. 66132/133/197. 66526/530. 70010/011.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

02/02 70011 arrived at 13:40 at Stoke Gifford on 4V06 coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

03/02 Four locos seen this evening, 70011 leaving the yard for Avonmouth with MGR empties, 66550 and 66597 remained in the yard at the head of rakes of empties and finally 66098 worked the Newport ADJ – Didcot freight. XC power cars this evening were 43366/378.

04/02 Making a Class debut appearance on the 4V51/4O51 Millbrook - Wentlooge and return containers 70003 passed Parkway at 07:20 and on the return at 10:50. The working was for the benefit of intermodal driver training and further appearance for this loco on this train took place throughout the month. 66112 departed Parkway at 08:58 (95 early) with a 6W65 04:30 Evesham - Westbury return departmental working formed of JNA wagons. The train was later reported through Bath at at 09:25 (92 early). An evening return empty coal service was worked by 66550 as 4V57 15:25 Rugeley P.S.- Stoke Gifford sidings. Details of two specials operated by DBS for the Wales v England Six Nations Rugby international at the Millennium Stadium were as follows: 67026 + 67021 - 1Z96 14:35 Paddington - Cardiff Central (and return 1Z97 23:01 Cardiff Central - Paddington; due Parkway 23:51) with c/stock: 5769, 5792, 6042, 5985, 1699, 5998, 5964, 5929, 9527 reported through Parkway at 16:31 (1 late) and Royal duo 67005 + 67006 - 1Z69 15:33 Paddington - Cardiff Central Northern Belle (and return 1Z70 22:19 Cardiff Central - Paddington; due Parkway 23:07) with c/stock: Glamis (3174), Alnwick (3273), 1566, Belvoir (3267), Harlech (3275), 1953, 325, Chatsworth (3247), 17167, 10588 reported through Parkway at 17:13 (3 early). England won the game 26 - 19, this becoming their first match win in Wales for 8 years!

05/02 Two Saturday light-engine ‘convoy’ records were: 0Y69 06:00 Margam - Eastleigh formed 66001 + 66156 + 66076 + 66089 + 66175 and reported through Newport at 08:19 and Patchway at 08:54 and 0Y12 17:01 Stoke Gifford - Westbury yard formed 66621 + 66539 + 66554.

06/02 There were no First/GW Sunday HST services calling at Parkway during the month due to engineering work in the Severn Tunnel. Diverted Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour services ran to/from Parkway (in place of the Welsh capital), former Silverlink livered 150130 being unusually reported on the 14:51 departure to Portsmouth on this date. In place of the normal Class 158/9 unit. On the freight side: Colas 66845 was in charge of the 6O55 13:10 (Sun) Llanwern Exchange sidings - Dollands Moor export steel which was diverted via Gloucester (booked 14:10). However, the working was reported as a late runner, not being routed via the Stroud Valley and Kemble as has happened in the past and being reported as passing Westerleigh junction at 15:12 (44 late) and Bath at 15:27 (64 late).

07/02 Two afternoon empty coal arrivals at Stoke Gifford were as follows: 70011 (4V58) off the morning 6M65 departure from Portbury - Fiddler’s Ferry and 70002 on 4V22 11:46 Crewe - Stoke Gifford (due 15:15). Just a solitary MGR seen this evening, 66550 arriving with empties from the Severn Tunnel direction. Three other freights were seen, 66043 working eastbound “Hanson” stone hoppers, 66098 again with Newport ADJ – Didcot service. Finally a mega train, top ‘n’ tailed by 66621 and 66616 a full or double auto ballaster set up.

10/02 An unidentified coal train failure at Patchway saw 150281 + 153318 terminated in platform 4 at Parkway on the First/GW 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central service at 12:42. The units returned to Temple Meads at 13:15, whilst 158950 arrived at Parkway at 13:17 on the diverted 1F14 10:23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central service. No freightliner activity or locos this evening, no XC HST working either. The NR HST turned up using power cars 43014/062 as did 66098 with the Didcot freight. An indication that workings were adrift occurred earlier when a service for Cardiff Central arrived formed of 158767 + 150130 and gave the impression after a reasonable stop of proceeding via Gloucester. A second service arrived later formed of 150265, departing ECS towards Cardiff with 2 catering trolleys on board, the former pair of units re-appeared 10 mins later and also proceeded ECS towards Cardiff.

12/02 Stoke Gifford sidings contained the following at 17:00: 66510, 66593, 66597. 70010. 66092 work a 6Z35 12:52 Moreton-on-Lugg - Acton loaded stone service

13/02 66554 + 66550 passed Parkway at 08:54 (101 early) on a 6Y13 10:00 Gloucester yard - Westbury departmental. 70010 was stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings during the day and over the following day. This was to be the final Sunday Severn Tunnel closure date for this series of engineering works.

15/02 66550 worked the morning 6O56 Cardiff Pengam - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone.

14/02 Freightliner locos seen this evening were 70010 stabled in the yard, 66554 moving around light engine and 66561 arriving with MGR empties. 66098 put in its fourth appearance with the Didcot freight and XC HST power cars seen were 43285/384.

17/02 Locos seen tonight, were 70006 stabled in the yard and 66121 with the Didcot freight. XC HST power cars were 43301/304.

18/02 Plain, unbranded blue 142068 passed Parkway at 15:00 (51 early) as a 5Z43 09:14 Newton Heath - Exeter St. Davids empty unit move and over at Patchway, 66204 + DBS livered 59206 passed as 0C41 Newport ADJ - Westbury light-engines at 16:50. 70006 was later reported as a Stoke Gifford arrival on 4V47 coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

19/02 Colas 66845 returned from Llanwern as 0Z66 light-engine to Woking having earlier brought in a steel working from Dollands Moor. During the day Stoke Gifford sidings held: 66550. 70006.

21/02 Afternoon FLHH activity saw 70006 arrive with 4V58 coal empties from Rugeley P.S. and 66512 on 6V60 stone empties off Angerstein Wharf . 66547 noted stabled at the head of an empty MGR in the yard and arriving with empties, having travelled down using the North & West were 70006 and 66550. Newport ADJ – Didcot freight was worked by 66125 and XC power cars seen were 43301/304.

24/02 Blue livered 66623 arrived at Parkway from Chipping Sodbury at 13:15 having run-round empty coal wagons (off a 6F65 Portbury - Uskmouth service) here. A few minutes later at 13:20, track machine DR75406 failed in the area on the up line, the following First/GW 1L60 12:55 Cardiff Central - Paddington service having to return to Parkway and run diverted via Bath and Box whilst the 1S47 11:25 Plymouth - Dundee Arriva XC Voyager service and the 2E22 First/GW 13:19 Bath - Gloucester services were both diverted via the Severn Tunnel and a reversal at Newport. Also during the afternoon, 66512 arrived in Stoke Gifford sidings on 6C29 stone empties from Theale and later over at Filton Abbeywood GBRf 66705 was noted passing at 23:12 heading towards Dr. Day’s junction with scrap metal empties from Cardiff Tidal and 70002 was then recorded at 23:16 on Stoke Gifford - Portbury coal empties to form the 6M65 04:55 departure to Fiddler’s Ferry P.S. (returning as 4V47 empties to Stoke Gifford during the following afternoon).

25/02 Colas Class 47 activity saw 47749 pass Parkway at 07:51 on a 4Z47 04:50 Rugby - Eastleigh (via Bath and Westbury) single Tiphook wagon move (returning as 0Z47 12:25 Eastleigh - Rugby light) and 47727 running as 0Z47 09:00 Washwood Heath - Chipping Sodbury light-engine to rescue the previous day’s failed track machine DR75406. The latter working was in the end cancelled, as the Class 47 failed between Berkeley Road junction and Charfield at 12:53 (83 late) with low oil pressure due to a faulty fuel pump and was moved to Charfield loop by the Lindsey tank loco 60015, which ran light from Westerleigh to assist! A Colas rescue, ‘rescue’ loco 66841 departed as 0Z66 14:25 from Washwood Heath to collect the Class 47, the pair being recorded as passing Westerleigh junction at 17:42 heading towards Parkway for a loco run-round (booked 17:48 - 17:55) and returning through the same location at 18:15 and later passing Cheltenham at 19:00.     

26/02 More Colas loco activity saw 66844 return 0Z78 light-engine to Wembley through Parkway at 10:14 and a conclusion to the Chipping Sodbury track machine failure saga, with 66841 which arrived at Parkway at 10:40 light-engine and departed at 11:06, arriving at 12:12 to haul DR75406 as 7Z02 12:13 Chipping Sodbury - Rugby via Swindon. Other reports for the day were: DRS ‘hire’ 66422 which arrived light from Bristol West ‘Railport’ at 07:59 for stabling, Blue livered 66623 on 6V60 Angerstein Wharf - Stoke Gifford stone empties during the afternoon and 66585 on 6Y12 18:28 Westbury - Llanwern junction (loop) engineers.

27/02 Stoke Gifford sidings at 12:10 held the following locos: 66422, 66512, 66550, 66623.

28/02 First freight was seen after 20:00 this evening and was 66124 working Newport ADJ – Didcot service followed shortly afterwards by 66550 with empty MGR destined for the yard. XC power cars were 43301/304 again.

Bristol Temple Meads

01/02 66250 worked an additional 6V69 16:58 Bescot - St. Blazey freight formed of 21 JIAs (china clay) and 1 IWA wagon (cargowagon).

02/02 A Barton Hill - Eastleigh stock move saw the removal of all the former Anglian livered coaches from the Bristol depot. The stock had been used by First/GW with DBS Class 67s ‘on hire’ up until November last year.

03/02 DRS 37601 + 37038 working the 6V74 Crewe Coal sidings - Bridgwater nuclear flasks were unusually routed via the Weston-super-Mare loop passing the station at 06:52. Later, a FLHH 11:20 Oxford Hinksey yard - Newton Abbot yard departmental with 66554 was reported through Bath at 12:41 (59 early) and Stapleton Road at 13:09 (50 early). Following a loco run-round at Stoke Gifford the working was later noted passing Highbridge at 14:20. The same loco and train returned as 6Z28 10:04 Newton Abbot Hackney yard - Oxford Hinksey yard via Westbury the following day.

04/02 A HOBC wagon turning move was in the hands of 66544 running as 6Z86 14:28 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater, the latter being recorded as passing Yatton at 15:47 (14 early) leaving out a booked loop stop here. An earlier 6Z85 09:49 Taunton Fairwater-Taunton Fairwater move was cancelled.

07/02 Colas Class 47 duo 47739 + 47749 worked a 6Z76 13:05 Newton Abbot - Plymouth Tavistock yard departmental, prior to returning 0Z47 15:43 Tavistock yard - Temple Meads (via Laira depot for fuel) light-engine.

08/02 The Colas 47s continued as 0Z47 09:36 Temple Meads - Washwood Heath (reported Westerleigh junction at 10:14). Meanwhile the third Colas Class 47 fleet member 47727 ran 0Z47 06:53 Washwood Heath - Long Marston to work a 5Z47 13:00 Long Marston - Eastleigh stock move via Day’s curve formed of former GW motorail vans 96606, 96602, 96609, 96608, 96605, 96607, 96605, 96604, 96603. This interesting working was reported through Abbotswood junction at 14:42 (4 early), Ashchurch 14:55, Cheltenham 15:17, Westerleigh junction 15:44 (3 early) and Keynsham 16:10. The loco later returned as 0Z47 19:00 Eastleigh - Temple Meads , going forward as 0Z47 09:36 light-engine to Washwood Heath during the following day.

09/02 Baby food company Nutricia (part of the Danone Group) chartered a DBS operated 1Z58 11:10 Trowbridge - Bodmin Parkway train with loco 67030 hauling a full rake of mainly MkI carmine and cream livered coaches. The train, which had worked to the starting point as 5Z58 08:46 Eastleigh - Trowbridge ECS was reported as departing Temple Meads at 11:57 (1 late)

10/02 Arriva XC HSTs in service with power cars and intermediate coaching sets were as follows: 43285 XC04 43303 - 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central and 43366 XC0143301 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds . The 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth service (with 43357 XC03 43304) was terminated at Newcastle running 114 minutes late, with problems on 43304.

11/02 The Nutricia Baby Foods private charter returned as 1Z59 12:44 Bodmin - Trowbridge again with 67030 and the same stock, being reported through Highbridge at 15:53 and booked in Temple Meads from 16:25 - 16:35. The loco and stock had stabled at St. Blazey depot during the Cornish visit. Another report for the day was 66544 on a 6Z86 HOBC wagon turning move which arrived in Temple Meads at 15:47 and booked off at 16:33. The return via Westbury was recorded back in Taunton at 18:15.

12/02 Arriva Train’s XC HST diagrams for the day were in the hands of the following power cars and intermediate coaching stock sets: 43321 + 43357 - 1V54 07:00 Glasgow Central - Plymouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds: 43303 + 43285 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central: 43366 + 43378 - 1V58 09:00 Glasgow Central - Penzance / 2C80 21:32 Penzance - Plymouth.

13/02 Over running PW at Hawkridge junction (near Westbury) saw at least one service diverted via Taunton (reverse), Bridgwater to Bristol . This was 158954 on what was believed to have been 1F12 09:08 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central. Two returning Sunday engineering train reports were: 66610 + 66621 top n’tailing 6Y11 high output ballast cleaner to Taunton Fairwater passing Parson’s Street at 08:54 (72 early) and 66544 + 66616 top n’tailing 6Y33 track replacement train as 10:30 Ashchurch & Tweksbury - Taunton Fairwater, departing at 08:50 and passing Parson’s Street at 13:06 (73 early) and Yatton at 13:19.

14/02 First/GW sleeper services were confirmed as routed via Bristol TM, 57603 on the 1A40 Penzance-Paddington (running around 70 minutes late due to brake problems early into the journey) then via Bath and 57602 on the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance (due Temple Meads 01:55 - 02:55) also via Bath. 66076 later passed Yatton at 04:15 with 6C49 02:09 Cardiff Tidal sidings - Exeter (Alphington Road) scrap metal empties and 66554 was on a 6Z28 10:04 Newton Abbot Hackney yard - Oxford Hinksey yard YEA rail wagon train, via Temple Meads and Bath being noted passing near the latter at 14:45.

15/02 First/GW sleeper services were confirmed as again routed via Bristol , 57603 on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington and 57602 with the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance both via Bristol Parkway . Arriva/Wales First/GW unit 150282 was on the regular ‘hire’ diagram, 2M20 06:16 Swindon - Southampton, 2M97 08:23 Southampton - Great Malvern, 2O93 12:51 Great Malvern - Weymouth and 2V93 17:30 Weymouth - Bristol TM .

17/02 Both First/GW sleeper services were yet again confirmed as running via Bristol TM with 57603 (1A40) and 57603 (1C99). Later, an ex.works repaint 150123 was noted on the 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central - Plymouth First/GW service. Following the failure of the Arriva XC 1M83 18:25 Plymouth - Birmingham NS, Voyager service at Bridgwater several diversions took place via Westbury including the 1M80 20:12 Paignton - Birmingham NS Arriva XC Voyager service (reported passing Somerton at 21:41) and the First/GW 1A35 17:39 Penzance - Paddington HST (booked via Bristol). The 1V64 13:07 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth Voyager was terminated at Temple Meads and with the passengers de-trained, proceeded to Bridgwater as a rescue unit.

18/02 66616 was in charge of two Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning moves:     departing at 09:49 (6Z85) due Temple Meads from 10:48 - 11:12 and at 14:28 (6Z86) recorded passing Parson’s Street at 16:02 (15 early) and booked Temple Meads from 16:23 - 16:33.

20/02 Track work in the Tiverton area saw First/GW HST diversions via Honiton and Yeovil during the day. Arriva XC services were terminating and restarting at Taunton with road coach connections between here and Tiverton. GBRf 66726 was in charge of a 6Z33 Cardiff - Beeston train of scrap empties via Day’s junction Bath (reported at 22:03) and Swindon (booked 22:31). Busy morning for “Civils” activity, first off was 66617 with a stone train at 08:55, followed by two top ‘n’ tail workings only the tail identified, 66616 with stone blower etc at 09:35 and at 11:20 66561 with NR ballast wagons, all services headed southbound.

21/02 The First/GW sleeper services were both diverted via Yeovil Pen Mill and Junction stations due to track work. 57603 on the 1A40 21:15 (Sun) Penzance - Paddington passed Yeovil junction at 02:40 non-stop, whilst 57602 was on the 1C99 23:50 (Sun) Paddington - Penzance . First/GW 153368 ran 5Z52 02:35 St. Phillips Marsh - Doncaster for repair and later DRS 47712 + 57009 working a 6Z50 08:00 Crewe - Keyham submarine reactor move formed with KYAs 95770 + 95771 with escort support coaches 9428 + 9419 were recorded as passing Cheltenham at 11:20 (12 early), Yate 12:13 (15 early), Westerleigh junction 12:17 (17 early), Filton Abbeywood 12:29 (14 early), Temple Meads 12:46 (6 early), Uphill junction 13:22 (5 late) and Taunton 13:54 (7 early). Major delays followed later in the day with the failure of 60010 running 0A53 13:15 Westbury - Newport ADJ light-engine (having arrived in the Westbury area from Acton during the previous day) at signal UF3 near Stapleton Road station. A number of passenger services were affected most notably the 1V94 09:00 Brighton - Cardiff Central (158951) which had departed Temple Meads at 12:47 and was to return to the same station at 14:34 following a reverse! The 2D12 12:10 Weston-super-Mare - Parkway and 1F14 10:23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central were also earlier reported as in a queue out of Temple Meads behind this train! The 1M45 13:00 Temple Meads - Manchester , 1S47 11:25 Plymouth - Dundee and 1M49 09:40 Penzance - Manchester , Arriva XC services were all held in the Temple Meads area along with the First/GW 2E22 13:19 Bath - Gloucester . First/GW caped both the 2D14 13:10 Weston-super-Mare - Parkway and 1F16 11:23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central workings on arrival in Temple Meads and the 1M45 Voyager was eventually sent forward via Bath, Swindon (reverse) and the Stroud Valley to the north. Rescue loco 60096 ran light from tank duty at Westerleigh to the scene, the Class 60 pair then continuing as 0A53 being recorded passing Severn Tunnel junction at 15:04 (119 late). The line was eventually fully re-opened at 16:00.

22/02 47712 + 57009 worked a return 5Z50 09:52 Plymouth - Crewe escort coach move (no flask wagons were included in the train as expected) being booked in Temple Meads from 12:50 - 13:01 but was recorded passing Parson’s Street at 12:42 - 1 late. Later, 66616 + 66561 top n’tailed a northbound 6Y33 track replacement train move through Temple Meads at 21:15, whilst DBS livered 59206 was present on Barton Hill depot.

24/02 The First/GW 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service with 57604 was confirmed as routed via Bristol TM and Bath , but the balencing 1C99 with 57602 ran via the B & H and Westbury. Steam loco 6024 King Edward I was noted on Barton Hill depot at 17:30 and later 66616 + 66612 passed Temple Meads at 20:01 on a northbound HOBC working (6Y11). Earlier and further west, the 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth Arriva/XC HST was terminated at Newton Abbot at 11:10 following the failure of 43304. Passengers were de-trained, but the set was believed to have been able to later return north as booked on the 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central with 43303 now leading.

25/02 Problems on Filton bank at Lochleaze due to a trackside fire at 11:45 saw the line closed, then reopened with trains allowed to pass at a reduced speed, as a number gas cylinders were in the vicinity. A safety cordon was also placed around the area.

26/02 Some engineering train reports for the day included: 66616 on 6Z87 09:45 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning move, noted passing Flax Bourton at 10:37 and routed via Bristol, Bath and Westbury; 66561 + 66510 top n’tailing 6Y33 20:04 Taunton Fairwater - Spetchley loop TRT; 59004 with a 6W21 21:25 Westbury - Filton West junction and 66149 on 6W11 22:50 Westbury - Pilning (due 23:40).

27/02 Two Sunday engineering train reports were: 59004 on 6W41 Westbury - Bridgwater autoballasters noted passing Nailsea at 07:37 and arriving at it’s destination 3 hours early at 08:04! and 66617 with 6Y27 (Sat) 20:19 Eastleigh - Eastleigh (via Bridgwater, booked 00:01) formed of slinger wagons. The return for this working was routed via a loco run-round at both Taunton Fairwater (noted here at 23:34) and Westbury. With the mainline closed west of Taunton the day’s two Arriva XC HST services operated as follows: 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Taunton (10:16) / 1S39 10:51 Taunton - Aberdeen and 1V60 08:20 Aberdeen - Taunton (18:16) / 1E73 18:54 Taunton - Aberdeen (23:24).

28/02 Freightliner Intermodal ‘DRS hire’ 66422 was noted at Bristol West (Railport) with the 4L32 10:00 departure to Tilbury. Other records for the day were: 31285 working 3Z08 17:54 Derby RTC - Exeter (Riverside) test train (reported through Standish junction at 21:13 - 8 late and Yatton at 22:31) and 66610 + 66561 top n’tailing a 6Z76 Newton Abbot Hackney yard bound rail disposal train passing Highbridge earlier in the day at 14:15.

Correction: Several entries in last Month’s Magazine incorrectly stated the departmental consists of 6Y11 and 6Y33 from/to Taunton Fairwater, as the wrong way round! To clarify - 6Y11 is (normally) the High Output Ballast Cleaner (HOBC) and 6Y33 the Track Replacement Train (TRT).

Cardiff

15/02 73209 was noted in the Cardiff Tidal yard area shunting for CELSA steel works. 08934 was also seen in use nearby with 08202 also present.

Gloucester

01/02 20301 + 20302 ran 0Z21 Small Heath - Gloucester (noted passing Ashchurch at 13:14) route learning light-engines (also see last months Magazine Gloucester notes) for GBRf. Arriva drivers announced a strike over pay and conditions to take place at the end of the month.

02/02 20301 + 20305 top n’tailed the two KPA bogie barrier tank wagons (which had arrived in Gloucester with the locos at the end of January) at 10:15 for Derby . Having also left Gloucester sometime earlier, 20302 with an unconfirmed 20304 ran as a 0Z20 Crewe - Southampton move via Oxford (booked here at 15:21).

03/02 20308 arrived as a 12:23 Crewe - Gloucester light-engine move as a replacement loco for the failed 20304.

09/02 10 china clay JIA wagons, stored at Gloucester since 2008 were moved as a Colas 6Z86 12:08 Gloucester New yard - Kingsbury working with 47727, being reported through Lansdown ( Cheltenham ) at 12:12, the wagons were en route for scrapping. The Class 47 had arrived in the area as a 0Z66 09:42 Bristol T M - Gloucester light-engine, being reported through Bristol Parkway at 09:55.

11/02 DRS 66416 was on 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal scrap metal train.

12/02 A 0Z98 09:00 Margam - Bescot light-engine move formed: 66158 + 66142 + 66106 + 66093 + 66074 was timed passing Margam junction at 09:10 (1 late), Severn Tunnel junction 10:59 (3 late) and Gloucester Horton Road at 11:38 (2 early).

14/02 GBRf 66726 suffered wagon problems on the 6Z30 15:30 Handsworth - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap. The wagons were detached at Rowley Regis, completing their journey during the following day.

15/02 DBS livered 59206 passed Gloucester at 16:10 running some 5 hours late on the 6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh fuel tank empties.

16/02 GBRf 66726 worked through with 6Z60 scrap metal for Cardiff Tidal.

17/02 DRS 66421 + 66423 working the return 6M56 CEGB Berkeley - Crewe Coal siding nuclear were delayed in the loading terminal until 14:00 due to the late arrival of a relief driver following a taxi breakdown ! This working has ‘as required’ paths on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Bridgwater using Wednesdays and Fridays to move nuclear flasks to Crewe Coal sidings for Sellafield.

21/02 6Z97 Cardiff Tidal bound loaded scrap arrived in Gloucester at 20:00 headed by 66729 + 66705. 66729 was detached, 66705 continuing onwards with the train solo at 20:16. Having stabled overnight 66729 was to work a 15:30 Long Marston - Doncaster empty bogie box wagon move during the following day.

25/02 DRS 66414 passed Cheltenham at 19:04 on 6Z90 loaded scrap metal to Cardiff Tidal sidings.

Newport

04/02 57314 + 57315 top n’tailed a 8 coach ‘Ruggex’ relief for the Wales v England 6 Nations match the return running as 1W41 22:10 Cardiff Central - Holyhead, but not routed via Wrexham.

05/02 The Saturday only 6M60 Exeter ( Riverside )-Bescot(downside) freight noted passing Newport station at 08:19 headed by 66250 with 66005 ’dit’.

07/02 Vandalism and cable theft in the Maindee area saw up to 45 minute delays to services. Trains were noted using the ‘relief’ lines whilst the repairs were undertaken. 66151 with the 6B83 Machen stone empties was one of the freight services observed running on the ‘releif’ line towards Cardiff and is assumed to have had an additional loco run round at Pengam to later gain access to the Machen/Ebbw Vale branch via Ebbw junction.

08/02 60074 worked the 6M96 Margam - Corby loaded steel. 57314 was on a 5V31 18:00 Holyhead - Cardiff Central positioning ECS move.

10/02 Flooding caused disruption on the mainline near Shrewsbury between Ruabon and Chirk.

11/02 The NRMT HST set passed Newport at 08:14 heading for Swansea and earlier 67021 worked a 5Z55 ECS from Eastleigh to the same location. This train which ran for a Six Nations Wales v Scotland Rugby game (1Z55 - Edinburgh ) later returned and was noted passing Maindee North at 09:58 (45 late) top n’tailed with 67021 + 66093. There had been a problem and delays at Swansea , which had seen the stock turned via the Landore triangle.

14/02 66144 passed Newport at 09:19 on a 6W03 05:00 Caerphilly - Westbury engineers (routed via Margam for a loco run-round) and later, 67021 returned the previous day’s ‘Ruggex’ as 1Z56 Edinburgh - Swansea .

28/02 The month ended with Arriva Train drivers holding a strike during the day over pay and conditions. Meanwhile, track and signalling work in the Newport area had continued throughout the month.

Portbury Branchline

Power station coal saw DBS operate both their 13:00 (6B86) and 15:00 (6B69) departures for Aberthaw during the month as well as FLHH serving Rugeley, Fifoots and Fiddler’s Ferry with various services.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66007/014/031/089. 66544/550/561. 66597.  70002/006.

Tytherington Quarry branchline

07/02 66167 was noted dropping ballast from a 5 wagon autoballaster set on the quarry side of Latteridge crossing at 11:35. The working was 6W52 06:43 Westbury - Tytherington Quarry and 14:30 return to Westbury. Outward stone is expected to be moved during the summer, being the first since from this location since October 2008.

Weymouth

07/02 66957 was reported as running round the Wool sand working at nearby Dorchester South at 17:05.

Units seen during the month have included:

142063/068.
143603/611/612/617/618/619/620621.
150121/123/128/129/130/131/229/230/232/238/239/243/247/253/257/261/263/265/266/267/280/281/282/283/285.
153318/368.
158749/751/763/769/950/951/956.
159104.
220001/002/003/005/006/007/010/012/016/018/024/025/026/027/029/030/031/034.
221120/124/126/131/133/141.
Arriva XC power cars: 43285/301/303/304/321/357/366/378/384.
SWT First/GW ‘hire’ units: 158882 (12/02).
ATW Wales ‘hire’ units: 150229 (04/02), 150230 (11/02), 150281 (10/02), 150282 (15/02), 150253 (16/02), 150267 (21/02).

LOCAL PASSENGER WORKING ( ‘The WAG EXPRESS’ )

1V31 Holyhead - Cardiff Central / 1W91 16:15 Cardiff Central - Holyhead

10/02 57315. 11/02 57315. 14-16/02 57315. 18/02 57315. 21/02 57315.

23/02 57315. 25/02 57314.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V51*/4O51 Southampton (Millbrook) - Wentlooge loaded containers

01/02 66587. 02/02 66572. 03/02 66541. 04/02 70003. 05/02 66538.

07/02 66569. 08/02 70003. 09/02 66956. 10/02 66540. 11/02 66562.

12/02 66538. 14/02 66571. 15/02 70003. 16/02 66570. 17/02 70003.

18/02 66590. 19/02 66589. 21/02 66543. 22/02 66956. 23/02 66561.

24/02 70003. 25/02 66956 + 66516 26/02 66592. 28/02 66540.

Note: A headcode change has taken place on this service from 4V50 - 4V51.

4V60 Calvert - Bristol Barrow Road binliner

04/02 66539. 15/02 66554. 16/02 66550. 22/02 66512.

6M55 07:00 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/02 66554. 02/02 66554. 03/02 66526 04/02 66550. 05/02 66550.

25/02 66512.

6M61 08:26 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

08/02 66597. 14/02 66529. 15/02 66561. 16/02 66544. 21/02 70002.

23/06 70006. 28/02 70006.

6M04 11:18 Avonmouth West Wharf - Rugeley P.S. /* Portbury - Rugeley P.S.

14/02 66561. 15/02 70006. 17/02* 66544. 18/02* 66550.

6Z50 / 6F65 04:55 Portbury - Uskmouth (Fifoots) P.S. loaded coal

11/02 66597. 12/02 66597. 19/02 66554. 24/02 66623. 26/02 66512.

28/02 66512.

Note: The train was recoded to 6F65 from 6Z50 during the month.

6Z51 / 6F90 10:50 Portbury - Uskmouth (Fifoots) P.S. loaded coal

03/02 66550. 04/02 66526. 07/02 66550. 15-17/02 70006.  21/02  66550.

Note: The train was recoded to 6F90 from 6Z51 during the month.

6M65 04:55 Avonmouth West Wharf - Fiddler’s Ferry P.S. / * Portbury - Fiddler’s - Ferry loaded coal

01/02 66526. 02/02 66550. 07/02* 70011. 08-11/02* 70002.  14/02*  66597.

22/02* 70002. 24/02* 70002. 25/02* 70002.

4V06 08:53 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties

01-05/02 70011.  19/02 66547.  26/02* 66585.

Note: * Reported as a Ratcliffe - Stoke Gifford working.

6M36 Westbury ‘la farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) cement empties (MFO)

04/02 66518. 11/02 66545 14/02 66612. 18/02 66619.

6A21 Pengam - Theale loaded stone

05/02 66614. 17/02 66529. 23/02 66512.

4V32/4L32 11:00 Bristol West (Railport) - Tilbury 04/02 66952. 07/02 66955. 16/02 66587. 18/02 66564. 22/02 66541.

23/02 66577. 25/02 66564. 28/02 66422.

4L30 10:00 (MO) / 16:27 (ThO) Bristol West - Felixstowe / Ipswich 14/02 66593. 21/02 66541. 24/02 66590.

4V32 Felixstowe / Ipswich - Bristol West (Railport) (SO) containers

19/02 66541.

4V26 / 4O24 11:00 Bristol West (Railport) - Grain 09/02 66535. 11/02 66535.

LOCAL DBS WORKINGS

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks

01-05/02 60074.  07-12/02 59206. 14/02  59206. 15/02 59206. 16-19/02 60096.

21/02 60096. 22/02 60096. 24-26/02 59206. 28/02 59206.

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey fuel tank empties

03/02 60040. 04/02 60040. 07/02 60099. 08/02 60099. 16-18/02 60099.

21/02 60015. 24/02 60015. 25/02 60015. 28/02 66151.

6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon stores yard loaded steel (TFO)

01/02 66157. 04/02 66158. 08/02 66165. 11/02 66009. 15/02 66077.

16/02 66148. 18/02 66076. 22/02 66070. 25/02 66070.

6B33 Theale - Robeston fuel tank empties / Margam (SO)

01/02 59201. 03/02 59201. 05/02 59202. 10/02 60074. 12/02 66143.

15/02 60096. 17/02 59206. 19/02 66070. 22/02 66076. 24/02 66003.

26/02 60096.

6B83/6A83 Westbuy - Machen - West Drayton ARC empty / loaded return stone

02/02* 59204. 03/02 59202. 04/02 66204. 07/02** 66151. 16/02 59202.

23/02 66008.

Note: * The train was reported as headcoded 7B53 inward on this date. * * 66151 replaced a failed 59202 at Newport ADJ.

6V62 Eastleigh - Plymouth (Tavistock yard) depot fuel (TO)

01/02 66188. 08/02 66053. 15/02 66023. 22/02 66069.

6X52 Portbury - Warrington/Mossend loaded and empty car carriers (TThO)

01/02 66007. 03/02 66114. 04/02 66107. 08/02 66058. 10/02 66034.

11/02 66154. 15/02 66101. 17/02 66086. 18/02 66188. 22/02 66107.

24/02 66107.

6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

03/02 66034. 05/02 66122. 23/02 66169. 25/02 66116. 28/02 66116

6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental

03/02 66090. 08/02 66016. 22/02 66055. 25/02 66182.

6B59 Exeter ( Alphington Road ) - Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded scrap

08/02 66164. 14/02 66076. 16/02 66148. 18/02 66148. 23/02 66121.

6C39 St. Blazey - Newport ADJ freight (ThO)

03/02 66250. 17/02 66147. 24/02 66024.

6C99 Newport ADJ - St. Blazey / * Burngullow freight (TO)

08/02* 66039. 15/02 66147.

6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) via Newport ADJ freight (SO)

12/02 66039. 19/02 66082. 26/02 66024.

LOCAL COLAS WORKINGS

6O78 / 6O55 (SunO) Margam - Dolland’s Moor export steel (TThSunO)

01/02 66844. 03/02 66845. 05/02 66845. 06/02 66845. 10/02 66844.

15/02 66844. 17/02 66845. 22/02 66844. 24/02 66844.

6V78 Dolland’s Moor - Margam export steel empties (TThSO)

03/02 66845. 05/02 66845. 08/02 66844. 10/02 66844. 12/02 66845.

15/02 66844. 19/02 66845. 22/02 66844. 26/02 66844.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V73 / 6M56 Crewe Coal siding - CEGB Berkeley nuclear flasks

07/02 37601 + 37682. 17/02 66421 + 66423. 24/02 37059 + 37607.

6V74 / 6M74 Crewe Coal siding - Bridgwater nuclear flasks

03/02 37038 + 37601. 11/02 37510 + 37688. 16/02 66420 + 66425.

18/02 66421 + 66423. 23/02 37510 + 37682. 25/02 37059 + 37607.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers

20311/314(DRS)-HNRL, 66178/189/196/227 – Poland , 66242 – France , 66609/611 - Poland

Stored

CE: 67020. 90039.  92005/042.  CS: 37669. 57006.  DC:  08993.

KM:  66411.  LD: 66544.  TO:  08578/922/994.  66002/019/071/245.

ZG:  66579/580.  Longport:  66412.

Traffic

08401 –Tidal on hire to GBRf from Hunslet, 08405 –TO(DC),

08752 –TO(Margam), 08888 –TO(Scunthorpe), 08907 –TO( Carlisle not Hoo)

66301/303/304 –KM, 66581 -PG

Disposals

EMR:      37670/707/895

TJThomson:    56054/067/071/083/107/109/120

NRM:  09015        Cl56 Group:  56301 Private:  56302

DRS:  37401/402/405/406/410/411/416/417/419/422/425/426/427

West Coast:  37669

Renumbered

Eurotunnel:   9101 – 9711, 9107 – 9717, 9111 – 9721

Re-Registered

47703/714 –BH, 47768 –CS

Diesel Multiple Units

New Stock

172101 -HQ

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers

321411/415(NN)-IL

442401-424(BI)-SL

Stored

508207/212 - Telford

65960.  67301 -ZN

Traffic

379005/006/007 -IL

321430 -IL

New Stock

379008/009/010 -HQ

380008/112 -HQ

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Registered

4990.  21100 -NY

Stored

LH:  40724.

Disposals

Keith & Dufftown:  6053   Fire Training College ( W Yorks ): 42324

MISCELLANEOUS

Summer HSTs - 2011

The following Arriva/XC HST diagrams have been identified for this year’s Summer Saturdays:

1V44 06:00 Leeds - Paignton / 1S51 12:34 Paignton - Glasgow Central.

1V48 07:44 York - Penzance / 1E75 16:25 Penzance - Leeds .

1V52 06:01 Glasgow Central - Paignton / 1E67 16:34 Paignton - Leeds .

1V54 06:32 Dundee - Newquay / 2P86 19:55 Newquay - Plymouth . 

More Electrification

Following on from last November’s announcement of a GWML electrification scheme from Paddington to Didcot, Oxford and Newbury, the Government have made a further £704 million available to extend the route miles onwards to Bristol and Cardiff ( via the Severn Tunnel). This is expected to reduce traveling times between Cardiff and the Capital by 17 minutes and from Bristol by 22 minutes. An extension to Swansea could again be a future possibility as well as the electrification of some of the branch lines in Cardiff area with additional funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Bristol Area Station News

Self service ticket machines were due to be installed at Clifton Down and Redland, on the Severn Beach line, during March although tickets for stations along the line from and to Temple Meads will only be available. The line, which has seen an 80% increase in passenger figures since 2007 will see two extra permanent services from May 21st: the 06:53 from Temple Meads and the 07:43 from Severn Beach . These had previously only operated during the summer period in the past. Due to ongoing cost savings, Bristol City Council funding will be reduced from £400,000 - £200,000 a year, although the difference is expected to be spent on another transport project. At Yatton, the December 13th 2010 opened Strawberry Line Cafe set up inside the refurbished downside buildings (also see the February Magazine) is to extend its opening hours on weekends from 09:30 - 16:30 from March 26th 2011. Landscaping work is also to take place in the garden area here. At nearby Nailsea & Backwell, a tidying up project has been carried out, shelters along with the footbridge have been recently repainted and bushes cut back within the car park area and station approach footpaths. New poster cases installed on platform 1 display artwork from local school children from West Leigh and Fairfield Infant Schools and from Backwell School students. New flower planters are planned to be added for the spring. The platform surfaces have also been repaired - much of the work being carried out under the Probation Service Community Payback scheme for young offenders and North Somerset Council waste contractors.

Bristol Area Light-Rail Update

Trams are again a possibility for the £48 million rapid transport route from the park & ride at Ashton Gate through to the city centre. However there have been over 180 objections to the scheme which could become a ‘bendy bus’ route instead, including the Friend’s of the Avon New Cut group and the South West Transport Group. If Government approval is finally given, a public enquiry is likely. A rather bizarre suggestion for the use of double deck vehicles over the route has now been dropped as the former Ashton road/rail river bridge and the Vauxhall footbridge alongside Cumberland Road would have had to be modified at additional costs.

GWR cheques for Sale

A large collection of former GW memorabilia set for auction in March will include former cheques carried by Swindon Railway Work’s employee and individually numbered. These were needed so the workers could claim their weekly wage packet, being each mainly oval-shaped pieces of copper, some with a hole drilled through so the worker could attach them to their watch strap for safe keeping. However, there are several with very low identification numbers that have remained intact so they are believed to have been in use when the works at Swindon first opened in 1843. The collection was owned by the late Fred Stevens who ran the Collector’s Corner store in Swindon .

Road Movement

25/02 HST power car 43135, M5 junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) at 06:55 and near Exeter at 09:00. Assumed a St. Phillips Marsh - Laira move.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

West Somerset Railway (04/01/11)

Following on from last Month’s ‘40th Anniversary closure special’ report using 150234, the train’s detail’s have now been confirmed for the record as 2Z10 09:57 Exeter St. David’s - Minehead and 2Z11 15:00 Minehead - Exeter St. David’s return, being booked to reverse and pick up at Taunton each way en-route.

Bristol Industrial Museum (01/02/11)

The first static exhibit, a 1920 phone box was positioned inside the newly refurbished building now known as the ‘M Shed’. Plans are still in hand to re-open in mid-June, although 2 years behind schedule and £9 million over budget, part due to unexpected high costs of the disposal of waste materials from the site. The whole project which has cost £27 million to complete, will include a new loco workshop and viewing area.

Avon Fire & Rescue Technical Centre, Nova Way, Avonmouth (08/02/11) (R.W.Giles)

The Bance, Landrover 4 wheel road-railer support trailer was noted stored here at the rear of the site.

TRACK MACHINES & DEPARTMENTALS

04/02 Plymouth Station: DR73912. DR75406.

21/02 Creech St. Michael (passing): DR77903 + DR73911 en route as 6U17 to Kingsland Road .

26/02 Westbury Yard: DR73115.