NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

06/04 The 1Q13 radio tests train top n’tailed was back in the area with 37607 + 37611 being noted passing Avonmouth at 18:58 (3 late) as 15:46 ex. Gaer junction (Newport) and later departing Severn Beach at 20:02 (20 early) but being held to correct time in the St. Andrews Road signal box area (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).

08/04 59205 worked the 6A83 West Drayton ARC loaded stone service.

11/04 66102 was on the return 6A83 loaded stone.

12/04 66618 headed a 6Z39 13:30 Avonmouth - Didcot Milton estate loaded stone passing Brentry at 13:25. Earlier, 67026 (off the Portbury car train) had brought in two repaired empty HTA wagons from Barton Hill, returning early afternoon as with three more from Avonmouth - Barton Hill (4D98) for attention passing Hallen Marsh at 14:12.

15/04 59204 worked a 6A83 Avonmouth - Acton loaded stone working.

21/04 59004 was on 6C63 stone empties ex. Westbury.

26/04 59205 arrived in on 7C63 09:46 Westbury - Avonmouth stone empties.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66050/068/076/083/107/118/140.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

01/04 DBS livered 66152 worked a 6Z35 Moreton-on-Lugg - Acton stone service. 66204 returned the 6B50 Swindon stores - Llanwern steel service formed with the usual BYA coil wagons and unusually loaded MBA wagons containing scrap metal.

05/04 Steam locos 6024 King Edward I + 70000 departed at 11:22 on a West Somerset Railway - Didcot/Southall loco and support coach move (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).

06/04 Having arrived in the area the previous day, the 1Q13 radio signalling tests train was in action, top n’tailed with DRS 37607 + 37611, working Temple Meads - Gloucester through Yate at 11:54 and returning here at 12:55 (20 late) and then over to South Wales where a 15:15 report through Magor on the return found the train running around 50 minutes early to Temple Meads. Signalling problems near Parkway saw First/GW London services diverted via Day’s curve, Bath and Box from 12:00 - 13:45.

08/04 French livered 66033 was noted stopped at Parkway at 08:30, later departing at 08:50 towards south Wales. The working was assumed to have been the 6Z12 Dollands Moor - Trostre steel although this was unconfirmed.

09/04 66613 and 66614 were stabled during the morning period on the downside at Parkway. Afternoon return ‘empties’ noted at Parkway included: 66620 on 6V60 Angerstein Wharf - Pengam, 66597 with 6V87 Crawley - Stoke Gifford (having worked the 6O58 loaded stone off Pengam in the morning) and 66548 on 4Z08 Didcot P.S. - Stoke Gifford off a power station coal working from Daw Mill.

10/04 66843 was on what was reported as the first 6Z78 Colas export steel working off Margam as 14:05 to Dollands Moor.

12/04 66597 was on an afternoon 6C29 Theale - Stoke Gifford empty stone formed of HIA wagons. 67026 was unusual power for the 6X52 Portbury - Warrington loaded car service which today was noted passing Pilning at 17:23, over 60 minutes early! The working appeared to be shorter than normal this was assumed to be why the train was running so early.

13/04 A further 1Q13 test train, running as 07:38 Tyseley - Old Oak Common (via Haresfield loop) was top n’tailed with 37059 + 37069 was recorded through Ashchurch at 13:10 (2 late) prior to a reverse at Temple Meads around 14:00 then being routed onwards via Bath. The dept c/stock was reported as the usual: 1256, 5981, 977997, 9481.

14/04 66559 worked the morning 6056 Pengam - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone. During the evening, 66953 which arrived on 4Z18 Didcot - Stoke Gifford coal empties (having earlier powered a Daw Mill - Didcot loaded coal train), later worked 6M07 20:45 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal which returned as 4V47 (Sat) during the following afternoon of the 16/04.

15/04 66012 worked a afternoon 6Z35 Moreton-on-Lugg - Acton loaded stone.

16/04 66597 was on the morning 6O58 Pengam - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone and 66559 headed a 6V87 09:59 Crawley - Pengam empty stone passing Parkway at 14:42. A 0W31 Newport - Westbury light-engine move via Pilning and Dr. Day’s curve was reported as arriving at it’s destination at 16:20 formed: 66080 + 66138 + 66184 + 66020 + 66162 + 66053.

19/04 Colas 66843 ran Ashford - Llanwern light-engine for steel duty.

20/04 66549 was on an afternoon 6V87 Crawley - Pengam empty stone working.

21/04 66603 having worked a morning 6O56 Cardiff Pengam - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone, returned with the 6V44 empties during the afternoon to Stoke Gifford.

22/04 Stoke Gifford sidings held: 66511, 66532, 66549 during the late afternoon. Steam: 45305 (making it’s first preserved mainline steam appearance in Bristol) + 70013 Oliver Cromwell were noted passing near Westerleigh junction at 18:30 as 5Z44 15:39 Southall - Bristol Barton Hill with maroon support coach E14064. The working which was in readiness for railtour duty, was later reported as arriving at Temple Meads at 19:00 (2 late) then departing for Barton Hill at 19:02 (2 early). Later, 66187 was recorded through Parkway on a diverted 6V06 Hemsworth - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap metal train which had been routed via Didcot Foxhall curve to the Great Western mainline from Oxford.

23/04 Following a loco failure at Acton, 66070 + 66144 passed Parkway at 14:33 (52 late) with the 6Z12 Dollands Moor - Trostre steel service.

24/04 DBS livered 60011 powered a Sunday diverted 6Z51 16:10 Margam - Scunthorpe empty container service passing Patchway at 18:37 (the booked Pilning passing time being 18:04). Earlier, at 17:29, 66070 + 66144 were also recorded at the head of another freight diversion the 6M75 Llanwern - Warrington service.

25/04 Colas pairing 66844 + 66843 passed Parkway at 12:15 as 6Z78 07:00 Dollands Moor - Llanwern, 66841 later returning on a 6Z78 return steel service to Dollands Moor, 66843 going on to Margam light-engine. The return Pathfinder ‘Eastern Highlander’ excursion (1Z24 15:01 Carlisle - Salisbury) with 47501 + 47832 (a loco swap for 47810) was reported as departing Gloucester at 21:25 (6 late) and passing Yate at 21:58 (3 early), the ECS, on arrival at Salisbury, departing as 5Z24 23:55 to Eastleigh (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).

27/04 37069 + 37611 top n’tailing a 2Q88 Didcot yard - Banbury test working was noted departing Severn Tunnel junction, the reversing point at 11:11 prior to heading back through Pilning and Parkway.

Other reports for the afternoon and evening periods were: GBRf 66714 on a 6Z30 13:30 Cardiff Tidal - Eastleigh 2 cargo wagon move (booked through Pilning at 14:43 - but running 90 minutes early !!) and 66135 heading a 6Z16 Hothfield - Moreton-on-Lugg empty RMC stone wagon train.

28/04 66549 passed Filton Abbeywood at 07:04 on a return 6Y34, 5 wagon autoballaster set for Westbury. This train had been reported through Lawrence Hill at 18:40 during the previous day heading for Spetchley. Also, during the afternoon at Pilning, 66206 was recorded heading for south Wales with 3 empty HTA coal wagons on an unidentified working.

30/04 At 10:35, Stoke Gifford downside held the following: 66549, 66558, 6659, 66622.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

01/04 As reported in the May Magazine, under Local Freightliner Workings, this was the final operating day for the 4V60 10:57 Calvert - Bristol Barrow road ‘binliner’ train. Without any ceremony or headboard the last train with 66548 arrived in the refuse terminal at 15:35, the first empty container being lifted off at 16:07. 66548 following a final shunt, departed light-engine for Stoke Gifford at 16:50. For the record the final train was formed with the following wagons: KFA AVON 92563/564/566/567/568/569/570/573. 92575/576/577/578/579. 641002. Also see a ‘timeline’ article for this train later in this Magazine.

02/04 Pathfinder’s ‘Humber Don’ (1Z27 06:17 Temple Meads - Cleethorpes and 1Z28 16:20 return was worked outward by 66096 with 60074 later assisting on the train from the other end. The working departed Cleethorpes at 17:24 (64 late) with 66096 and 60074 attached to the rear, but arrival back in Bristol was at 23:36 only 11 late! The c/stock in use on the tour was as follows: 35469, 3098, 3110, 80041, 3107, 3140, 1813, 5009, 4927, 5040, 4939, 5366. A First/GW HST set with power cars 43018 + 43146 saw use on a Cardiff - Taunton local service diagram during the day in place of the booked units.

03/04 Unusual for a Sunday, DRS 57008 + 57009 top n’tailed a 5Z51 12:30 Crewe Gresty Bridge - Plymouth (Keyham) escort coach (9419 + 9428) move via the Marches and the Seven Tunnel, being reported through Magor at 15:47 and Worle at 16:59. Also during the day, the previous day’s ‘Humber Don’ was noted passing through Chippenham heading for Eastleigh DBS Class 66 hauled (assumed to have been 66096?).

04/04 A fatality at Southall saw some early evening First/GW HST delays from London.

05/04 Steam locos 6024 King Edward I + 70000 (now in BR black, and not carrying it’s Britannia nameplates) running 5Z27 09:38 Bishop’s Lydeard - Didcot (GWS) and Southall (respectively) locos and support coaches arrived in Temple Meads at 10:53 (9 early) and departed at 11:07 (18 early), having been earlier recorded passing Yatton at 10:28 (6 early). 37607 + 37611 top n’tailing departmental coaches: 9481, 977997, 5981,1256 arrived in Bristol during the evening some hours late as 1Q13 10:52 Derby RTC - Bristol Barton Hill. Loco 37611 was found to have a TPWS fault early into the train’s journey, seeing the working return to Derby for attention. 57008 + 57009 returned north as a 6X48 Keyham - Sellafield nuclear sumarine flask and escort coach move being recorded in Temple Meads at 22:21.

06/04 66303 (carrying Fastline livery) + 66423 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe Coal sidings nuclear flasks. Arriva XC HST allocations for the day were as follows: 43366 XC01 43378 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth / 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley, 43384 XC02 43321 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central, 43285 XC03 43357 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds, 43304 XC05 43303 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds.

07/04 The 1Q13 test train top n’tailed with 37607 + 37611 was active being noted passing Yatton at 12:58 northbound close to time from Taunton and then reported departing Severn Tunnel junction at 15:08 for Temple Meads (due 17:36 - 17:41) via Hallen Moor. The train was then recorded entering Yatton loop at 17:03 departing for Highbridge loop (and the reversing point) at 17:26, returning again north through Parson’s Street at 18:44 (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh and Avonmouth notes & news sections) heading for a reverse at Swindon, routed both ways via Parkway. The April 1Q13 diagrams were similar to those operated by DRS locos 37059 + 37069 from 08/03 - 16/03 recorded in the May Magazine.

08/04 MPV DR98925 + DR98975 arrived at Barton Hill during the morning on a 6Z21 move from Eastleigh Alstom works. The 1Q13 test train was again booked to visit Ashton Gate, but this was left out and the working was recorded in the Bath area around 11:00 heading for Swindon and a return to Derby RTC. The test train was stabled in the former cattle dock siding at Temple Meads station during it’s stay. DBS 66128 ran 0Z69 Margam - Taunton Fairwater light for a return 6Z69 two wagon move to St. Phillips Marsh. During the evening there were signalling problems in the Worle junction area (Weston-super-Mare) which saw some XC Voyager diversions via Westbury and road bus connections to Weston-super-Mare station.

09/04 66020 ran 0Z69 Margam - St. Phillips Marsh light-engine. A First/GW HST set formed with power cars 43191 + 43131 worked the 2C73 06:36 Temple Meads - Penzance service in place of a unit, then worked 2P88 11:45 Penzance - Plymouth, 2C62 14:15 Plymouth - Penzance and 2B88 16:45 Penzance - Exeter. An evening northbound departmental report was 66619 + 66561 top n’tailing a 6Y11 Taunton Fairwater - Cheltenham HOBC. The 6Y33 track replacement train was also reported as a runner to Abbotswood junction with the usual FLHH locos whose identity was unknown.

11/04 The Barton Hill based MPV, 98908 + 98958 ran 6Z05 19:30 to St. Blazey for Cornish weed killing duties.

13/04 Steam 35028 Clan Line arrived on a 1Z91 08:44 Victoria - Temple Meads "Bath & Bristol" VSOE working with 67003 attached to the rear. The train returned as 1Z93 16:39 to Victoria. An evening departmental was diverted via the area as 6W63 19:40 Westbury - Lostwithiel with 66043 (reported through Uphill junction at 20:13, but booked Castle Cary at 20:05 !!).

14/04 During late morning, 43189 + 44011 + 43155 formed a 5Z77 St. Phillips Marsh - Laira stock move. Another HST report for the day was, the NRMT set formed 43013, 977984, 975814, 977993, 977995, 43062 which was noted passing through Nailsea & Backwell at 19:57 for Taunton.

15/04 A track machine failure on the up line between Cowley Bridge and Cullomptom saw some Arriva XC service late running and several First/GW diversions via Honiton, Yeovil and Castle Cary. A rescue track machine arrived later from Westbury. A return departmental service report was 66043 again, working a 6W69 05:00 Truro - Westbury yard rail train (via Bristol) passing Worle at 12:59. The loco later worked a 6X41 Newport ADJ - Westbury yard engineers passing Severn Tunnel junction at 17:45 and Filton Abbeywood at 18:12.

16/04 A Chester Model Railway Association ‘English Riviera Express’ (1Z39 06:43 Hooton - Kingswear and 1Z40 16:15 return )was worked throughout by 67008 (Royal train dedicated 67006 having been de-allocated) with c/stock: 9507, 6158, 5945, 6024, 5952, 1203, 3379, 3325, 3333, 3386, 3340, 3343 being recorded through Severn Tunnel junction at 10:01 and Worle junction at 11:04 (1 late). The 1Z40 return did not leave until 16:48 (33 late) due to ETH problems, but had recovered time when noted passing Filton Abbeywood at 19:05 (2 late). Other reports for the day were: HST set (with power cars 43053 + 43182) covering a Saturday morning Cardiff - Taunton diagram, in place of a unit and 66053 with DBS livered 60011 top n’tailing a 6W31 Westbury - Gloucester Barnwood junction engineers passing Filton Abbeywood at 19:23.

17/04 DBS 60011 worked a 6W31 13:35 Barnwood junction - Oxford (Hinksey yard) via Day’s curve and Box, departmental which arrived at Bristol Parkway before 12:00 and was recessed, prior to departure at 14:38 (14 early) and later passing Filton Abbeywood at 14:42.

18/04 The down First/GW sleeper service (1C99 23:50 Penzance - Paddington) with 57604 was confirmed as routed via Swindon, Bath and Temple Meads being booked here from 01:55 - 02:55. Later, 150238 was used to cover the First/GW 1A12 07:40 Paignton - Paddington HST service as far as Temple Meads and Silverlink livered 150130 was noted on the 2C43 06:20 Parkway - Taunton service. During the evening, FL ‘intermodal’ 66540 was on a 6Y27 Eastleigh - Bridgwater rail train, being noted in Temple Meads at 21:40. The return working was via a loco run-round at Taunton Fairwater and Castle Cary.

19/04 The concluding ‘binliner’ move saw 66617 remove the empty container flats from the Barrow Road waste terminal as 4Z60 to Southampton (via Stoke Gifford, for a loco run-round and Westbury), the working being noted at Bristol East at 13:00. The loco returned light-engine to Taunton Fairwater on completion.

21/04 The 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth Arriva XC HST was replaced by a Voyager set.

22/04 Good Friday rail tours included Pathfinder’s ‘Eastern Highlander’ (1Z21 10:00 Salisbury - Inverness) which suffered a coaching stock shunt incident at Eastleigh and was delayed being noted passing Newton St. Loe (near Bath) at 11:01 and Filton at 11:22 (around 240 minutes late !), top n’tailed with DRS locos 47501 + 47810 (newly named Peter Bath MBE). Because of the late running, the itinerary and route was changed, the train going via the Severn Tunnel, instead of the Lickey Bank to Carlisle (where 37607 + 37218 took over for the Scottish part of the tour). The train’s c/stock was recorded as: 5292, 3146, 3141, 1683, 2144, 3110, 3107, 3140, 1699, 3112, 3098, 35469. A second tour for the day was The Railway Touring Company, ‘The Great Britain IV’ (1Z51 08:45 Preston - Temple Meads) with steam 5029 Nunney Castle (being the third loco choice after 46115 and 46201, for this part of the round Britain steam tour!) noted passing Severn Tunnel junction at 15:25 and Patchway at 15:41 arriving in Temple Meads at 15:56 (9 early). The c/stock in use was as follows: W35461 (loco support), 99304, 99122 Alexandra, 3136 Diana, 99712, 99128 Pamela, 99127 Christina, 99371 Victoria, 99316, 99352, 99121 Julia. Support loco 47760 was running light in front of the train and did a reverse at Parkway then passing Filton Abbeywood at 15:52 (correct time), eventually arriving in Temple Meads at 16:08. A late afternoon/evening departmental service, was 66559 working a 4V11 12:45 Washwood Heath - Taunton Fairwater sleeper train (booked Temple Meads 16:34), a service which is normally routed via Oxford and Westbury.

23/04 57604 was routed via Temple Meads, Bath and Swindon with the First/GW 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service. HST reports for the day included 43069 + 43032 standing in for a unit on the 2C73 06:36 Bristol TM - Penzance diagram (as listed on the 09/04) and 43098 + 43177 which had worked a 1Z30 Swansea - Fratton (Portsmouth) football special and were then reported to have formed a 1Z22 19:35 Dorchester West - Temple Meads (dep 11 late) following a Class 158/9 failure on the inward 2O90 14:49 Temple Meads - Weymouth service at Castle Cary. With the mainline closed between Cogload junction and Castle Cary, diversions took place via Bristol, worksites being reported at Holly Moor (near Langport) and Keinton Mandeville. Having arrived the previous evening steam locos 45305 + 70013 Oliver Cromwell continued the ‘Great Britain IV’ tour onwards as 1Z46 08:00 Bristol TM - Penzance. 47760 having run 0Z46 08:19 Temple Meads - Penzance light-engine returned the train (in place of the unavailable D1015 Western Champion) as 1Z40 17:15 Penzance - Temple Meads. The coaching stock in use was that as recorded the previous day with a support coach swap W35461 removed and replaced by E14064. Some engineering train and associated move reports for the day included: DBS 59205 - 6W40 Westbury - Cogload junction (reported through Temple Meads at 07:47 and Bridgwater at 08:25, 59002 - 0W41 Westbury - Exeter (Riverside) light-engine to work a 6W41 10:26 Exeter (Riverside) - Cogload junction train and 59102 - 0W42 Westbury - Exeter (Riverside) light-engine for a 6W42 13:30 Exeter (Riverside) - Cogload junction working. FLHH services included: 66617 through Lawrence Hill at 11:02 on a 6Y34 track replacement wagons from Taunton Fairwater - Gloucester and 6Y35 on a return Gloucester - Westbury working with 66511. The 6Y33, track replacement train also ran with top n’tailing locos 66622 + 66618 from Taunton Fairwater - Abbotswood junction, although the route (reported via Banbury?) was unconfirmed.

24/04 Day 9 of 9 for the 2011 ‘Great Britain IV’ tour, steam loco 5029 Nunney Castle was back on duty working the 1Z68 11:00 Temple Meads - Paddington being noted passing Twerton, near Bath at 11:16, with 47760 following light at 12:02 as 0Z68 Barton Hill - Theale Up goods loop to attach to the rear of the train, this being the tour’s final booked water stop. Despite the current financial climate, a ‘Great Britain V’ tour is expected to return in a revised form for 2012. Further weekend PW train reports were: 59205 - 6W70 Westbury - Cogload junction (formed of MRAs) and 66027 - 6W71 Westbury - Cogload junction.

25/04 Bank Holiday Monday. The First/GW 1A40 Penzance - Paddington First/GW sleeper service with 57602 was confirmed as routed via Temple Meads, Bath and Swindon. Later in the day, 59205 headed a 6W70 Westbury - Cogload junction engineers with a loco run-round at Taunton Fairwater.

26/04 Both First/GW sleeper services were booked via Bristol Temple Meads, Parkway and Swindon (not Bath) with 57604 on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington and 57602 on the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance. The 6V62 (6C62) with 66027 departed Eastleigh over 4 hours late, later being reported through Southampton at 14:06 (173 late!). 66572 arrived at Bristol West (Railport) during the evening light-engine from Southampton to take out the 4L30 16:27 (ThO) container departure to Felixstowe. MPV 98908 + 98958 departed Barton Hill during the evening, on a weed-killing trip covering the Meldon Quarry and Barnstaple branch lines.

27/04 A track circuit failure at Uphill junction during the morning saw service delays and nothing operating over the Weston-super-Mare loop. Later in the day, the 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe Coal sidings nuclear flasks with 20308 + 20309 were reported as a late departure, not leaving until 16:54 (172 late !) formed with 3 FNA wagons: 550011, 550023, 550002. An evening arrival in Bristol was 31602 on a 3Z13 test working from Derby RTC which had been routed via the Cotswold line (reported Evesham at 14:29) en-route.

28/04 31602 with dept c/stock: 6263, 999602, 9703 were present on Barton Hill depot. The train later departed as 3Z14 Temple Meads - Weymouth (arriving here at 13:24), the return being via Yeovil and Westbury (as outward) but taking in Melksham and a reverse at Thingley junction (departing here at 17:22 for Bristol) instead of Swindon.

29/04 Royal Wedding day and a Bank Holiday! 31465 with 31285 were stabled in the former high level sidings stub, close to platform 1 throughout the day top n’tailing a test train.

30/04 With the Cogload junction - Castle Cary mainline still closed, First/GW HST diversions were still being noted as running via Temple Meads. A First/GW HST set with power cars 43182 + 43012 stood in for the normal units on the Saturday’s 2C73 06:36 Temple Meads - Penzance diagram. Steam locos 45305 + 70013 Oliver Cromwell returned with the Railway Touring Company ‘ The Royal Duchy’ tour as 1Z28 12:45 Penzance - Slough passing Taunton at 18:08 (8 early) and Yatton at 18:49 (5 early) with c/stock: E14064, 99304, 3093 Paula, 99371 Victoria, 99316, 99127 Christina, 99128 Pamela, 99350, 99348, 99311. 47500 was running in front of the tour at 18:18 as 13:50 Penzance Temple Meads light-engine (0Z27). The Class 47 had worked the outward train as 1Z27 05:30 Slough - Penzance being reported as passing Parson’s street at 07:37 (right time). Also, 66192 worked in on a 5Z66 14:55 Eastleigh - Temple Meads ECS move ready for a West Wales railtour featuring steam 6024 King Edward I (which had arrived earlier in the day on a 5Z27 09:53 Didcot (GWS) - Barton Hill loco and support coach move) during the following day (see the August 2011 Magazine for full details). Also, 31285 + 31465 were still stabled in the west end bay with the dept c/stock being now identified as: 6263, 99602, 9703.

02/04 DRS 66427 was noted stabled at Central station. 66148 passed at 14:43 on 6Z12 Trostre - Dollands Moor loaded export steel.

20/04 66013 with 66059 top n’tailed the 6E30 Margam - Hartlepool freight service through at 17:20.

22/04 First/GW 150120 was reported as at the Canton Pullman works for a repaint into local lines livery which had been completed by the 1st May.

02/04 Vintage Train’s ‘Coronation Express’ was double-headed with ex.GW steam locos 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe + 4965 Rood Ashton Hall running as 1Z45 08:05 Tyseley - Didcot and 1Z46 15:50 return, both ways via the Stroud Valley. The c/stock in use was as follows: 9101, 5177, 5191, (5157), 99361, 99349, 99353, 3125, 13227, 5340.

11/04 67022 was a rare choice of motive power for the 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD train being recorded as passing Cheltenham at 12:40.

14/04 A 4B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD trip headed by 66140 was reported as passing Swindon at 08:20.

19/04 Colas 66842 ran 0Z66 Rugby - Llanwern light-engine for steel duty.

20/04 66081 passed Swindon at 12:55 with the 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD trip.

22/04 Track work north of Gloucester saw all trains starting and terminating here from the south.

27/04 GBRf 66732 was noted stabled at Gloucester having arrived light-engine via the Stroud Valley and Kemble line.

Newport

01/04 60096 worked 6M81 02:37 Margam - Round Oak steel returning later with the empties.

02/04 59103 ran 0F59 Merehead - Cardiff Canton Pullman light-engine for wheel-turning passing Newport at 08:59. The Saturday’s only 6M60 Exeter Riverside) - Bescot (Riverside) was noted leaving Newport headed by 66151 + 66165 (dit).

05/04 Colas 66844 was on route learning light-engine runs between Llanwern and Margam until the 7th. Colas were to operate further light-engine route learners between the same two locations also later in the month.

06/04 Colas 66843 ran from Rugby - Llanwern light-engine.

07/04 66135 passed Newport at 08:59 with a 6W62 Whitland - Westbury return engineers. 37607 + 37611 were later reported at Severn Tunnel junction at 15:08 on a 1Q13 test train, prior to returning to the Bristol area and later Highbridge during the early evening (also see the Bristol area reports).

15/04 The NRMT HST with power cars 43013 + 43062 passed at 08:15 as 1Z20 for Swansea, later returning for Derby at 12:20.

18/04 DRS livered 60011 passed at 18:55 light-engine heading towards the Severn Tunnel. Also recorded earlier at 17:55 was 66175 heading a rake of yellow tilting wagons for Crewe, with MPV 98904 + 98954 (which had been in use for training purposes at Newport) included in the formation.

22/04 The 6V19 (Thur) Immingham - Margam freight service passed at 08:12 top n’tailed with 66230 + 66046. An evening 6V06 DBS Handsworth - Cardiff Tidal scrap metal service which had been diverted via Oxford and Foxhall curve, Didcot was headed by 66187.

23/04 60013 passed Newport at 08:25 on a 6Z43 Scunthorpe - Margam freight.  

Portbury Branch line

12/04 67026 was an unusual visitor on the morning 6V51 Warrington - Portbury empty car service.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66017/050/068. 66515/545/555/597/953.

Westbury

02/04 The following were reported as present: 08711. 59205. 66016/107/135.

12/04 DBS livered 60011 was at Westbury for several days around this date, working a 7C27 Exeter (Riverside) stone trip out and back trip on this day.

15/04 59002 + 59206 + 59004 were noted passing Frome at 19:23 heading south from Westbury.

Units seen during the month have included:

143603/611/612/612/617/618/619/620/621.
150127/130/131/219/232/233/238/243/244/246/247/248/249/263/265/266.
153305/361/368/369/372/373/377/382.
158749/763/766/767/769/798/950/951/952/953/954/955/956/957/958/959.
159002/101.
220002/004/007/009/013/014/023/025/029/034.
221120/121/126/134/138/139.

First / GW - Arriva Wales Class 150 ‘hire’
150236 (01/04). 150250 (20/04). 150251 (24/04). 150252 (01/04). 150253 (04/04, 06/04, 07/04, 08/04, 12/04, 18/04). 150259 (15/04, 16/04). 150260 (19/04). 150262 (22/04). 150284 (06/04,30/04).

First/GW - SWT Class 158 ‘hire’
158884 (22/04). 158889 (23/04). Arriva XC HST power cars: 43285/301/303/304/321/357366/378/384.

The Avon Binliner - Timeline  by R.W.Giles

1985 - Avon County Council and BR Railfreight sign a 15 year contract to remove household waste to the London brick pit area of Buckinghamshire at Calvert for land-fill from three purposes built loading terminals at Bristol Barrow Road, Westerleigh and Bath Westmoreland yard (also see Magazine 167 December 1985). 47592 County of Avon was believed to have worked the first train on the 18th November.

1987 - BR Railfreight is sectorised under a ‘new’ Trainload operation. The train becomes a Trainload Construction working.

1994 - Regionalised freight companies are formed: Mainline, Load-haul, Transrail and Freightliner. The working becomes a ‘Mainline’ operation.

1995 - US based Wisconsin Central take over all of the English freight companies (except Freightliner) to operate under the EWS (English, Wales & Scottish) banner.

1996 - After, 22 years of existence following the 1974 boundary changes, the County of Avon is no more.

2000 - The rail contract is extended by Bristol City Council.

2001 - The terminal at Westerleigh (now located in South Gloucestershire) closes on 30th March, 66040 working the last train, which was also the final EWS working. Freightliner Heavy-haul taking over operations from 2nd April, 66509 + 66518 powering their first company train.

2008 - The terminal at Bath, Westmoreland yard (now located in North-East Somerset) closes on 9th October, 66513 working the final train to call here.

2011 - The third handling terminal at Bristol Barrow Road closes, 66548 headed the last train on 1st April.

It is interesting to note, prior to the more recent GM Class 66 take over, locos from Classes 37, 47, 56, 58, and 60 had all been used as hauling power for this working during it’s near 26 years of operation.

Waste is now to be dealt with at Avonmouth at a £30 million recycling plant. This new 300,000 square foot facility will be operated by New Earth Solutions and divert waste away from landfill. Up to 200,000 tonnes of waste will be dealt with a year taking in rubbish from the four local Councils of Bath & NE Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire as well as other local authorities and private sector customers. All processes will take place inside the new building which will be fitted with an emissions management system. Waste movements to the works will be by road but as the Avonmouth site was not expected to be opened fully in time (April) disposal is believed to be temporary taking place at Calne (Wiltshire), again with further road movements involved.

LOCAL LOCO HAULED PASSENGER SERVICES

1V31/1W91 05:32 Holyhead - Cardiff Central / 16:15 return

05/04 57316. 13/04 57313. 14/04 57313. 18/04 57314. 20/04 57315. 26-29/04 57316.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V51/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers  

01/04 66563. 02/04 66956. 04/04 66587. 05/02 66502. 06/04 66568. 07/04 66577. 08/04 66567. 09/04 66538.  11/04 66564. 12/04 66541. 13/04 66543. 14/04 66956. 15/04 66594. 16/04 66567. 19/04 66575. 20/04 66577. 21/04 66541. 22/04 66566. 26/04* 66590. 28/04 66575. 30/04 66541.

Notes: * A second train, also ran on this date as 4Z51 with 66537. The service was confirmed as caped on 23/04.

01/04 66548.

Note: This was the last working of this train..

04/04 66953. 05/04 66953. 11/04 66548. 18/04 66515.

6M65 /*6Z65 04:55 Portbury - Fiddler’s Ferry P.S. / - Rugeley P.S.

26/04 66545. 27/04 66555. 19/04* 66552. 20/04* 66597. 21/04* 66552.

6A21 Pengam sidings - Theale loaded stone

05/04 12/04 66597. 19/01 66603.

6M36 12:10 Westbury ‘la Farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) (MFO)

01/04 66602. 08/04 66531. 11/04 66531. 15/04 66509.

The Container Count (Bristol West - Railport)

The following have been recorded here with train identification listed where known:

01/04 66572 02/04 66571, 66535 (4V32) 03/04 66535, 66571. 04/04 66571 (4L30) 05/04 66543 (4O24) 06/04 66543. 

07/04 66575. 08/04 66588 (4L32) 11/04 66588 12/04 66542 13/04 66542. 14/04 66591. 15/04 66589 

16/04 66503, 66532 (4V32) 17/04 66503, 66532 19/04 66503 20/04 66503 22/04 66532 26/04 66572 (4L30) 66532 (4O24) 

27/04 66532 28/04 66503. 30/04 66539

Train Notes: Arrivals - 4V32 from Felixstowe / Ipswich (SO). Departures - 4L30 10:00 (MO), 16:27 (ThO) to Felixstowe. 4L32 - 11:00 to Tilbury. 4O24 - 11:00 to Grain.

LOCAL DBS WORKINGS

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks

01/04 60011. 02/04 60011. 04-08/04 60096. 11-16/04 60013. 19-22/04 60011. 26-29/04 60013.

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey empty fuel tanks

06-08/04 60074. 15/04 60015. 20/04 60015. 21/04 60015. 25/04 60015. 28/04 60074.

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

01/04 66204. 08/04 66161. 12/04 66090. 15/04 66121. 19/04 66160. 22/04 66170. 26/04 66184.

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

05/04 60013. 07/04 60013. 12-14/04 60096. 19/04 60096. 21/04 60096. 26/04 60096. 28/04 60096. 29/04 60013.

6A83 Machen - West Drayton / * Ardingley loaded stone

13/04 59205. 19/04* 59204. 22/04 59206. 27/04 59104.

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

05/04 66102. 12/04 66111. 19/04 66156. 26/04 66027.

6X52 Portbury - Warrington loaded car carriers (TThO)

05/04 66125. 06/04 66109. 07/04 66046. 12/04 67028. 19/04 66124.

6B35 Hayes / * Acton - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

06/04 66119. 12/04* 66096. 28/04 66135.

6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental

22/04 59206. 26/04 66173.

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

14/04 66067. 19/04 66238. 26/04 66177.

Correction - April Magazine: 29/03 the destination of this service on this date with 66121 was Newport docks, not Cardiff Tidal as stated.

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

09/04 66122. 16/04 66083. 22/04 66040.

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

07/04 66122.

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

05/04 66122.

6A29 Wentlooge - Didcot freight

19/04 66184. 21/04 66184. 22/04 66200. 26/04 66169. 27/04 66013.

6Z12 Dollands Moor - Trostre steel

01/04 66117. 02/04 66148. 05/04 66025. 06/04 66181. 08/04 66166. 09/04 66238. 12/04 66112. 13/04 66020. 15/04 66169. 16/04 66175.

19/04 66046. 20/04 66177. 22/04 66198. 26/04 66037. 27/04 66148. 

6Z14 Llanwern / *Trostre - Dolland’s Moor export steel

01/04 66020. 02/04 66175. 08/04 66238. 10/04* 66016. 22/04 66144. 24/04 66092.

LOCAL COLAS WORKINGS

6O78 Dollands Moor - Llanwern loaded steel

07/04 66844. 18/04 66844. 17/04 66843. 19/04 66843. 20/04 66842. 21/04 66843. 22/04 66842. 25/04 66844 . 26/04 66843.

27/04 66841. 28/04 66843.

Notes: The train was confirmed as operating as 6Z78 on 07/04, 17/04, 25/04 and 28/04 and ran to Trostre on 19/04. It is interesting to note, the train’s mainland European destinations have varied throughout the month with workings running to locations in France, Holland and Germany.

6V78 Llanwern - Dollands Moor steel / empties.

07/04 66844. 10/04 66843. 13/04 66844. 14/04 66844. 16/04 66843. 17/04 66843. 23/04 66841 25/04 66843 + 66844. 27/04 66841. 30/04 66843.

Notes: The train was confirmed as operating as 6Z78 on 07/04 and started at Margam on 07/04 at 14:05.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V73 / 6M56 Crewe Coal sidings - CBGB Berkeley nuclear flasks

28/04 66428 + 66431.

6V74 / 6M67 Crewe Coal sidings - Bridgwater nuclear flasks

06/04 66303 + 66425. 12/04 37229 + 37682. 20/04 20308 + 20309. 27/08 20308 + 20309.

MISCELLANEOUS

Welsh Binliner

Freightliner Heavy-haul are reported to have the contract to move rubbish by rail to a new waste incinerator to be built at Cwmbargoed, with an opening date of 2015. A new incinerator has also been granted planning permission for company Viridor at Avonmouth, although at this stage, is not expected to be rail served.

The Day’s are numbered for the EWS Beasts!

DBS are reported to have successfully tendered and been awarded the contract to repaint their own loco fleet into the new house colours, carried on active locos 59206, 60011, 66152 and 67018 so far as well as withdrawn 37419 and 37670. The work is to be carried out in the Toton paint shop and a loco every 2 - 3 weeks is expected to be completed once the full work programme starts later this year.

New Devon freight-flow

With the former Moretonhampstead freight only branch line from Newton Abbot brought back into use, a new timber flow is expected from Heathfield now the end of the line, during September. Colas could be the train operator. It is believed that a second loading site at Alphington Road (Exeter), currently used for DBS scrap metal traffic to south Wales, will also be available.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL

Sandford & Banwell Heritage Centre (02/04/11)                    R.W.Giles

A visit to this new preservation location on the former Yatton - Cheddar branch line found former MkI coach 70826 (which had arrived by road from Meldon Quarry on 25th March) from 4TC set 415 on site along with two restored 4 wheel open plank wagons. The wagons which were ex PBA Avonmouth arrived at the site via the West Somerset Railway and are believed to have been used over the Cheddar branch to move stone from a nearby quarry to help in the building of Avonmouth docks. The restored former station buildings which now form part of a St. Monica Trust retirement home site and had been used by the Sandford Stone company for many years, now houses a growing collection of ex. GWR items, some with local connections. The nearby former goods shed has been restored and is now in use by the local residents as a dining hall. The site is open to the public on Sunday’s and Bank Holiday Monday’s between 11:00 - 15:00 and can be accessed from the nearby ‘Strawberry line’ public foot path. An official site opening and tree planting ceremony is to take place during the early summer.

West Somerset Railway

13/04 31106 worked a 3Q63 17:50 Taunton - Minehead ultrasonic test train working over the branch with DBSO 9714 leading, departing Bishop’s Lydeard at 18:18 (4 late). The train arrived at it’s destination at 19:23, departing at 20:50 and later reaching Taunton at 22:10 prior to working onwards to Didcot.

26/04 FLHH are still continuing to move spent ballast onto the railway’s Norton Fitzwarren triangle side for use with track laying at this location. 66551 + 66617 arrived at 10:46 with a 6C76 HOBC move from Taunton Fairwater yard on this date.

27/04 The restored tender of West Country Class steam loco 34046 Braunton has been found to be out of gauge, a set back for the loco’s forthcoming return to mainline running.

Fire & Rescue Technical Centre, Nova Way, Avonmouth (R.W.Giles)

The two recent Magazine entries for this location refer to the un-powered Landrover 4-wheel road/rail support trailer which is towed on a road trailer. The reference to the powered Bance built vehicle should be ignored.

Road Movements

13/04 Ex.BR Class 25 D7541 westbound M5 junction 20 (Clevedon) at 15:00.

14/04 Ex.BR Class 25 D7612 southbound M5 junction 13 (Stroud) at 08:30.

 Ex.BR Class 20 20118 northbound M5 junction 13 (Stroud) at 15:50.

15/04 Unidentified ex. 4TC driving coach northbound M5 junction 17 (Cribbs Causeway) at 18:30.

19/04 Ex.GW steam 3850 westbound M5 junction 19 (Gordano) at 08:40.

TRACK MACHINES & DEPARTMENTALS

05/04 Weston-super-Mare : road/rail support trailers: RT278 (99709-010471-9). RT287 (99709-010480-0)

16/04 Newton Abbot Hackney Yard: DR80303. road/rail excavator: Quattro plant: 470.

19/04 Gloucester stn / Horton Road areas: DR73118. DR73804. DR77905.

DR80211 had earlier departed on a 6U31 move to Swindon .     

27/04 Bridgwater: DR77903 passing in the up direction at 10:25.