NOTES AND NEWS
Avonmouth
08/05 Five horses were seen wandering around the bulk handling terminal during the afternoon. The signalman at St. Andrews Road box was alerted and NR personal arrived to round up the animals, although it was not known where they had come from. Luckily being a Sunday, there was only a morning and late afternoon passenger service train to pass, although some engineering trains were routed via the area and through Clifton Down.
11/05 59204 worked 6C63 Avonmouth - Westbury loaded stone, being recorded as passing Filton Abbeywood at 13:57.
15/05 Several engineering trains were routed via the Henbury line, Avonmouth and Clifton Down during the day (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news). 59102 was noted standing at Blaise at 12:30 with a 6W38 09:49 Westbury - Bristol West working awaiting to enter the engineering blockade between Hallen Moor and Hallen Marsh Junction.
16/05 The 1Q13 radio tests train passed Clifton Down at 18:45 top n’tailed by 37601+ 37611 heading for Severn Beach (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news).
17/05 66066 was in charge of a Barton Hill - Avonmouth single HTA wagon (310799) move passing Filton Abbeywood at 10:51, later returning 2 HTAs in the opposite direction, again passing Filton at 14:07. The 1Q13 was again in the area with the same two Class 37s as on the previous day, being noted passing Filton at 13:40 for a reverse in the Bulk Handling terminal and later again at Patchway at 15:14 (30 early) heading for a reverse on Hallen Moor, prior to running back into Bristol and onwards to Highbridge (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).
19/05 66620 departed at 13:20 on a 6Z38 loaded stone service to Didcot.
23/05 Three car 158959 was unusually employed on the 2K46 22:16 Temple Meads - Severn Beach and 2K47 22:54 Severn Beach - Temple Meads First/GW local services.
24/05 66044 passed Filton Abbeywood at 12:21 on the Barton Hill - Avonmouth HTA wagon trip, later returning light-engine.
26/05 66596 worked 6Z38 04:25 Dagenham - Avonmouth Bennetts yard empty MJAs, later returning as as a loaded 6Z39 13:00 import stone service to Didcot. The latter working was reported as departing Stoke Gifford at 14:50 for Didcot.
Locos recorded on coal duty have included: 66025/136/175/184.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
01/05 66617 was on a return 6Y34 departmental to Westbury passing Yate at 10:12.
02/05 Red livered 60040 worked a 6W53 Westbury - Westbury departmental via Gloucester carrying out a ballast drop in the Lydney area. The working which had departed the previous day, was reported as at Severn Tunnel junction at 05:20.
03/05 66549 worked a morning 6O56 Cardiff - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone and returned the empties as 6V44 to Stoke Gifford later in the day.
05/05 57601 was in charge of a 0Z56 08:30 Kidderminster (SVR) - Swanage preserved diesel gala loco move formed: 37503 + D1062 + 55009 + 56301. The working was reported as passing Cheltenham at 09:56, Yate 10:38 (1 late), Filton Abeywood 10:49 and Westbury 11:39 (9 early). Problems in the Birmingham area the previous day with the 0Z55 05:45 Carnforth - Kidderminster (SVR) move saw 33035 detached and left at Soho due to an axle problem.
06/05 60040 worked the morning 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental, 66148 however returned the balancing 6C41 later in the day passing Patchway at 15:50. Another afternoon report was 66081 with a 6Z35 Moreton-on-Lugg - Acton stone service passing Parkway at 16:28.
07/05 Locos stabled at Parkway on the downside during the early afternoon were as follows: 66558, 66560, 66569, 66607. 66560 + 66607 + 66558 later formed a 0Y12 light-engine move to Westbury. Two engineering train reports were: 6W23 14:49 Oxford Hinksey yard - Filton West junction (due 17:00) top n’tailed with 66084 + 66021 (noted passing Swindon at 15:49 - 4 late) and 6W24 16:24 Oxford Hinksey yard - Pilning (due 18:20) with 59104 (noted at Swindon at 17:12 - right time).
08/05 Returning engineering train reports included: 59004 (6W26)- 11:00 Filton West junction - Westbury (via a loco run round at Hallen Marsh), reported Brentry at 12:36 and Stapleton Road at 12:54, 66057 (6W32) - 11:05 Cogan junction - Westbury (reported Filton Abbeywood at 10:10) and 66148 (6W33) - Cogan junction - Westbury (reported Patchway at 15:20). Evening freight diversions reports passing Patchway were: 66080 at 14:22 on 6M30 Llanwern - Dee Marsh steel and 66177 at 17:28 with the Llanwern - Tees yard steel service.
09/05 70005 returned a 4V22 Fiddler’s Ferry - Stoke Gifford train of coal empties via the Severn Tunnel during the early evening. Earlier, DRS pairing 37607 + 37601 top n’tailed a 1Q13 Old Oak Common - Old Oak Common test train via Oxford, Swindon (reported passing at 12:32 on the return) and a reverse at Severn Tunnel junction where arrival was recorded at 11:00.
10/05 66509 ran 0Z51 Stoke Gifford - Pengam sidings light-engine to assist with the arrival of the 4V51 container service from Millbrook. The Swanage Gala locos were due to return as 0Z57 09:15 Swanage - Kidderminster (SVR) behind 57601, but the move was cancelled seeing the Class 57 only return solo north being recorded as passing Romsey at 11:35 (6 early), Bathampton junction 12:45 (30 early), and Parkway 13:12 (37 early). During the afternoon, 70005 arrived around an hour late on 4V58 Fiddler’s Ferry - Stoke Gifford coal empties via Hereford and the Severn Tunnel.
11/05 The 1Q13, top n’tailed by 37601 + 37607 ran 10:19 Old Oak Common - Swindon Coclebury yard via the Bristol area being recorded as passing Parkway, Filton Abbeywood at 12:48 (12 late) and off Bedminster at 14:35 (4 early) following a reverse. The train was later noted on the up through line at Temple Meads at 17:23 ready to depart at 17:32 (and follow the 2E26 15:08 Weymouth - Gloucester First/GW service) on the return run again via Parkway and the Badminton route.
12/05 66505 ran 0Z51 Stoke Gifford - Pengam light-engine to assist the morning 4V50, inward Millbrook container service in a top n’tail formation with the main train loco due to engineering work in the Newport area.
13/05 Pilning West up loop was a rare steam loco watering location for Steam Dream’s ‘Cathedrals Explorer’ (which was a second round Britain steam trip for the year, similar to the ‘Great Britain’ series but with a shorter itinerary). This final section of the trip was headed by ex. LMS Stanier ‘5’ duo 45407 + 44871 as 1Z27 09:20 Carmarthen - Victoria with c/stock: 35317, 35508 (loco support coaches), 5236, 5237, 3093 Pamela, 1961, 99371 Victoria, 99125 Julia, 5249, 13440, 1860, 9104 arriving at 12:43 (3 early). The watering was carried out from a fire brigade tender the previous watering stop having been carried out at Port Talbot. The train was eventually on it’s way again at 13:19 (3 late) arriving in Parkway at 13:29 (2 late), then being routed via the Great Western mainline to London, a route change away from Bath, Westbury and Salisbury as originally planned, the Pilning arrival time on this schedule being at 15:07. Other locos reported to have seen use on this tour by the end of the day were: 34067, 45231, 46115 and 61994, as well as a West Coast Class 37. Other observations for the day were: the NRMT HST set returning as 1Z20 from Swansea - Derby RTC at 11:38 (7 early), 66098 with 6Z14 Trostre - Dollands Moor export steel at 13:14, 66561 up light-engine at 13:22 (having assisted the 4V51 Millbrook containers in a top n’tail formation from Pengam into Wentlooge due to engineering work) and 66587 with 4O51 Wentlooge - Millbrook containers at 13:33.
14/05 Locos stabled on Stoke Gifford downside at 12:40 were: 66558, 66561 and 66607 with 66623 stabled on a rake of empty coal wagons (having arrived as a 4Z08 09:12 empty coal service from Didcot, which had been loaded at Daw Mill. 70005 arrived late afternoon light-engine as a 0Z70 move from Crewe Basford Hall. Some engineering train reports for the day were: 59206 - 6W34 14:37 Westbury - Filton West junction (due 16:00, being reported through Filton Abbeywood at 16:13) and 66050 - 6W35 16:18 Oxford Hinksey yard - Filton West junction (due 18:15, being reported at Parkway at 18:10).
15/05 The 1Q13 returned back to the area as 10:52 Derby RTC - Temple Meads top n’tailed with 37611 + 37601 passing Cheltenham at 12:31 and Parkway at 13:28. 47580 + 57601 meanwhile were heading the other way on 5Z79 13:12 Bristol TM - Carnforth empty stock being reported as passing Filton Abbeywood at 13:12 and Yate at 13:19.
16/05 Sunday engineering train reports for the day included: 59206 - 6W34 14:37 (Sat) Westbury - Filton West junction (16:15) / 01:00 Hallen Marsh junction - Westbury (via Clifton Down), 66050 - 6W35 16:18 (Sat) Oxford Hinksey yard - Filton West junction (18:15) / 03:00 Hallen Marsh junction - Oxford Hinksey yard (via Clifton Down) and 59102 - 6W38 08:49 Westbury - Filton West junction (09:50) / 20:00 Hallen Marsh junction - Westbury (via Clifton Down). A 6W37 23:04 (Sat) Westbury - Filton West junction (00:03) / 20:00 Hallen Marsh - Westbury (via Clifton Down) also ran, with unidentified hauling power.
17/05 The Swanage Gala diesels finally returned as 0Z57 09:15 Swanage - Kidderminster (SVR) headed by West Coast 37516 hauling 37503 + D9009 + 56301 + D1062 being reported as passing Bath at 13:00 , arriving on Day’s curve at 13:15 (19early), then Parkway at 13:48 (9 early) and Yate at 13:57 (also see the April 2011 Magazine cover). The day’s 1Q13 test train working (with 37611 + 37601) departed Temple Meads at 11:08 (8 late) and then ran south to Taunton returning via the Weston-super-Mare loop, Temple Meads (departing at 13:35 - 9 late) and into Avonmouth, via Filton (noted passing at 13:40) and Henbury. The return from Avonmouth was onwards to Severn Tunnel junction for a reverse, Patchway at 15:14 (30 early) and another reverse on Hallen Moor then back to Temple Meads passing Filton at 16:08. With former Society member Jason Dicks at the controls, the train then made the booked Yatton loop stop at 17:30, passing through Weston-super-Mare at 17:37 and later arriving in Highbridge loop at 17:47 (4 early), departing here at 17:56 (12 early) prior to the return to Temple Meads (booked at 20:17) for the night, via St. Phillips Marsh, Parkway (twice) and a reverse at Swindon. 70010 was reported stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings at 14:10.
20/05 67025 + EWS silver livered 67029 headed a 1Z96 14:21 Paddington - Cardiff Central ‘Ruggex’ (for the Heineken Rugby Union Cup final at the Millennium Stadium between Northampton and Leinster), passing Westerleigh junction at 16:21 (8 late) formed with c/stock: 21245, 3417, 3379, 1200, 3334, 3295, 3277.
21/05 66607 passed Filton Abbeywood at 14:33 as a 0Y27 14:30 Stoke Gifford - Newton Abbot Hackney yard light-engine move. Other stabled locos at Parkway during the day were: 66596 and 70005.
A return 1Z97 20:17 Cardiff Central - Paddington ‘Ruggex’ (from the previous day), top n’tailed with silver livered 67029 + EWS red/gold 67025 passed Parkway at 21:01 (15 early). A West Coast Railway company 1Z94 09:09 Northampton - Cardiff and 1Z95 21:00 return (booked for Class 47 haulage) ‘Ruggex’ excursion was cancelled. Late afternoon freight observations were: 66555 on 6V60 Angerstein Wharf - Cardiff Pengam stone empties (booked Parkway 16:33) and 70010 on 4V46 11:15 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties arriving at it’s destination at 16:45.
22/05 66020 + 66188 top n’tailed UK Railtours ‘Thames Taff’ (1Z65 08:45 Paddington - Cardiff and 1Z66 17:13 return). The outward trip, which visited Machen and the Cwmbargoed branch was recorded as passing Chipping Sodbury at 10:42, the return passing Patchway at 18:06 (9 early) and Swindon at 19:16. Having worked a 6Y27 09:00 Yate - Newton Abbot Hackney yard rail ‘slingers’ train, 66607 returned 0Y27 light-engine to Stoke Gifford yard later in the day.
24/05 66517 was reported as in trouble on the 4O51 Wentlooge - Southampton (Millbrook) containers at 10:48 near Pilning. The First/GW 1L48 09:28 Swansea - Paddington HST, the 1F11 10:30 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour and 1L51 10:55 Cardiff Central - Paddington HST were all in the meantime diverted via the up passing loop. The container service was however fully revived and continued onwards at 11:33. Later, 66617 ran light-engine as 0Y27 Stoke Gifford - Newton Abbot Hackney yard for a 6Y27 16:45 rail train departure to Goring & Streatley. Blue livered 31106 was also recorded propelling a 1Q12 09:52 Derby RTC - Bristol TM (formed with dept c/stock: 9701, 72630, 977985, 977869, 977974) being reported through Ashchurch at 12:35 and Filton Abbeywood at 13:46 (1 early).
25/05 66596 worked 6V87 09:59 Crawley - Pengam sidings stone empties (being reported through Swindon at 14:06), 66090 was on 4D14 15:58 Didcot - East Usk yard coal empties, passing Westerleigh junction at 17:11 and 70005 was on the 4V57 15:25 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties.
26/05 66511 returned 4V57 coal empties via Charfield to Stoke Gifford and 70005 was a later arrival
with coal empties from Fiddler’s Ferry P.S. via the Marches and the Severn Tunnel. An evening arrival of stone empties was 66512 on 6V44 18:48 ex. Angerstein Wharf. An engineering train report was 66145 on 6W65 20:15 Westbury - Landeilo junction (due 00:42).
27/05 Afternoon and evening return coal empties at Stoke Gifford were as follows: 70005 with 4V57 (off the 6M55 07:00 departure from Portbury), 66511 on 4V58 (off the 6M65 04:55 departure from Portbury) at 19:36 and 70005 heading 4V57 (off the 6M61 08:26 departure from Portbury) which was reported as passing Tuffley junction, Gloucester at 19:50.
28/05 Silver 60099 arrived at Parkway at 12:43 on the 6B33 Theale - Margam empty fuel tanks. Two engineering train reports for Pilning were: 66078 on 6W08 Westbury - Cardiff Queen St. and 66145 on a 6W01 return working from Radyr - Westbury yard.
31/05 An inward loco failure on the 6V98 Lindsey - Westerleigh loaded fuel oil saw the train arrive double-headed by 60074 + 60084, the same locos later returning the 6E41 empties to Lindsey . Other reports for the day were: 66557 on the 6C29 Theale - Stoke Gifford stone empties and 66511 and 70004 stabled on the downside at 15:40. During the late afternoon, a HST failure in the Severn Tunnel saw delays, the 6B33 Theale - Margam fuel tanks (with 60099) being held at Parkway until after 18:00.
Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road
01/05 Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Pembroke Coast Express’ (1Z24 08:14 Temple Meads - Carmarthen and 1Z26 14:15 return from Pembroke Dock) was worked by 66192 as far as Port Talbot for steam 6024 King Edward I to take over and return the train to Bristol. The King had run 5Z27 09:55 Didcot (GWS) - Margam with support coach W35333 the previous day (see last months Magazine under Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news) on a positioning move . The outward train was reported as passing Marshfield at 08:53 and on the return passing Patchway at 21:27 and arriving in Temple Meads at 21:40 (right time). The ECS departed Temple Meads at 22:05 for Eastleigh (5Z26), assumed in the hands of 66192. Other reports for the day were: 31285 + 31465 top n’tailing a 3Z33 Temple Meads - Derby test working (via Swindon and Oxford) being reported through Bathampton junction at 10:14 (9 early), 66619 + 66622 top n’tailing a return 6Y11 09:10 Barnt Green - Taunton Fairwater HOBC train (due 14:23, via Swindon and Temple Meads) and 66551 passing Yatton at 10:13 on a return 6Y33 track replacement train to Taunton Fairwater. A further report for the evening was red livered 60040 on a 6W40 Atheney level crossing - Westbury (via a loco run-round at Taunton Fairwater) and Bristol engineers passing Bridgwater at 20:12.
04/05 A departmental test train with a NR yellow Class 37 was stabled on Barton Hill at 06:45. The train later made a 3Z16 11:00 Barton Hill - Temple Meads move via a reverse at Bristol West. An evening HST power car move was 43198 + 43152 back to back running as 0Z74 Old Oak Common - St. Phillips Marsh via Box.
05/05 Having run 0B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ light-engine during the morning, 60040 returned on the balancing 6C41 15:15 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental service.
06/05 The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered with the following power cars and intermediate coaching sets: 43304 XC01 43378 - 1V44 06:10 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central and 43321 XC04 43207 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds.
09/05 The Monday’s only Freightliner Heavy-haul 6C73 12:12 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater departmental was headed by 66622, being reported through Bath at 12:47. An evening signalling failure between Reading and Twyford saw some First/GW late running.
10/05 142064 + 143619 arrived at Temple Meads in place of the booked HST set on the First/GW 1A12 07:40 Paignton - Paddington service. 37601 with 37607 top n’tailing dept c/stock: 9481, 977997, 5981, 1256 were noted stabled at Temple Meads.
11/05 67025 worked a return 1O92 15:35 Bristol TM - Victoria VSOE working.
12/05 The NRMT HST set running as 1Z17 Derby - Old Oak Common (via Taunton) was noted on the return from Taunton on the up through line in Temple Meads at 20:42 formed: 43013 , 977984, 975814, 977993, 977994, 977995, 43014. The working had passed Worle westbound at 19:53 earlier in the evening. First/GW single car unit 153373 returned home after works attention as 5Z53 18:00 Derby - St. Phillips Marsh.
13/05 Large logo 47580 + 57601 were noted on the centre road in Temple Meads at 18:00 top n’tailing a 5Z78 07:30 Carnforth - Temple Meads ECS (which had been due to arrive here at 15:29) for railtour duty at Swindon during the following day. The c/stock formation was recorded as: 17080, 3231 Apollo, 3188 Sovereign, 1659, 552 Ennerdale Water, 550 Rydal Water, 549 Bassenwaite, 551 Buttermere, 6528, 4940, 5035, 5419.
14/05 Track side cable theft near Newton Abbot caused some up train delays during the day with up trains having to reverse out of the station and back to Aller junction, then proceeding wrong line through platform 3 and onwards. In the Bristol area, a private company charter (which saw a 309 mile out and back ECS move for a 109 mile circular dining trip !), saw DRS duo 47832 + 47712 work a 1Z48 13:22 Bath - Bath Northern Belle (via Southampton). The 5Z48 08:10 Crewe C.S. - Bath ECS was reported as passing Cheltenham at 11:19 (right time), Yate 11:55 (7 early), Parkway down loop at 12:11 (departing here at 12:35 - 9early), Keynsham 13:08 and arriving at Bath at 13:22 (right time). The return ECS to Crewe departed at 17:18. Newly formed hybrid First/GW sprinter 153399 (see this Magazine’s monthly unit report for its formation details) has received attention, being noted on the day’s 2E27 17:28 Warminster - Great Malvern service.
16/05 153399 worked the 2C43 06:26 Bristol Parkway - Penzance First/GW service. The days Arriva XC HST diagrams (with intermediate coaching sets) were covered as follows: 43304 XC01 43366 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central, 43301 XC02 43303 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds, 43378 XC03 43384 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds, 43207 XC04 43321 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth / 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley. DRS locos 37611 + 37601 were stabled in Temple Meads on the 1Q13 test train.
18/05 Both overnight First/GW sleeper services were booked to run via Bristol: 1A40 21:45 Penzance - Paddington with 57602 (Temple Meads 02:59 - 03:01, Bath 03:12 and Swindon 03:39 - 03:41) and 1C99 23:50 Paddington - Penzance with 57604 (Swindon and Temple Meads 01:57 - 02:12). The up working was reported as delayed at Saltash by 20 minutes due to a trespass incident on 17/05. The DRS Class 37 top n’tailed test train with locos 37601 + 37611 finally left the area as 1Q13 10:54 Bristol TM - Derby RTC (with a reverse at Bristol West) via Parkway and Charfield. A third Class 37, NR yellow 97302, was meanwhile reported on Barton Hill on a second Test working along with resident 08516. A cross-country unit substitution saw 220022 work Arriva’s 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth service, onwards from Leeds at 09:11, in place of the booked HST set.
20/05 The British Pullman ‘Cornish Gardens ’ VSOE outing was headed by 67002 + 67019 as 1Z78 09:48 Victoria - Truro (via Bath), being reported as passing Slough at 11:06 (right time) and arriving in Temple Meads at 12:57 (3 early). The c/stock was reported as follows: 99545, Zena (99536), Ibis (99534), Gwen (99546), Cygnus (99532), Phoenix (99531), Perseus (99530), Minerva (99535), Vera (99543), Ione (99539), Lucille (99541), 6313. The train made its usual day trip tour’s during the following day on it’s West of England stay running out and back from Plymouth to Taunton and visiting Kingswear from Exeter and return during the evening (stabling overnight in Riverside yard). The Arriva XC 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley HST service was cancelled, reason unknown.
21/05 London Midland units, 153325 + 153333 arrived as an ECS move from Worcester Shrub Hill for First/GW ‘hire’ use. The sets were reported as passing through Parkway at 11:09 for St. Phillips Marsh depot.
22/05 The returning West of England VSOE trip (1Z79 13:00 Truro - Victoria) with 67002 + 67019 was routed back via Temple Meads and Parkway, being recorded as passing Bridgwater at 16:25 (2 early), Highbridge 16:31, Filton Abbeywood at 17:45 and Swindon 16:25 (2 early). A morning engineering train report was 66623 + 66622 top n’tailing a 6Y11 08:00 North Somerset junction - Taunton Fairwater HOBC working.
23/05 Both First/GW overnight Class 57/6 hauled sleeper services were diverted via Yeovil junction and Pen Mill due to engineering work. The 1A40 21:15 Penzance - Paddington was booked to call at Pen Mill between 02:25 - 02:35 behind 57602 and the balancing 1C99 23:50 Paddington - Penzance between 02:33 - 02:38 behind 57605. Much later in the day, MPV unit DR98958 + 98908 was noted stopped in platform 3 at Temple Meads at 21:50.
24/05 66555 + 66530 were recorded as working a 6Y33 17:54 Taunton Fairwater - Stoke Works junction track replacement train.
25/05 Only one First/GW sleeper service was booked via Bristol with loco 57602 on the 1A40 via Parkway at 02:39 and Temple Meads from 02:49 - 02:51. 57605 with the 1C99 was booked via the Berks & Hants and Westbury (01:35 - 01:45). Having worked a 6Y27 05:15 Goring & Streatley - Newton Abbot Hackney yard rail train earlier in the day, 66617 returned as 0Y27 10:20 Newton Abbot - Stoke Gifford light-engine during the day, then later returning back to Newton Abbot light !
26/05 Steam 4492 Dominion of New Zealand (formerly 60019 Bittern) now carrying an LNER light blue livery worked Steam Dream’s ‘Cathedral Express’ (1Z94 09:44 Victoria - Temple Meads and 1Z95 17:36 return) in place of the non available 60163 Tornado. The inward working was reported as passing Reading at 12:40 (10 late), Swindon 13:45 (20 late) and arriving in Temple Meads at 14:36 (25 late), the c/stock in use being recorded as follows: 17013 (loco support), S5249, S5236, S5237, 1961, 99125 Jessica, 99371 Victoria, S9104, 13440, 1860, S5171, S5200. The return was later seen near Bath close to time at 17:54. Some evening delays were reported on up services following a cylinder fire at Hele & Bradnich (north of Exeter). Later, the 5U32 19:16 Exeter St. Davids - Bristol empty unit stock move arrived in Temple Meads formed: London Midland 153333 + 150234 + 143618. The Class 153 unit then formed the 2E30 22:14 departure for Gloucester.
28/05 The DBS Exeter scrap ran (unusual for a Saturday) via Westbury (booked here from 04:09 - 04:11), headed by 66187 as 6C49 02:16 Cardiff Tidal - Exeter (Alphington Road) due 07:24 and 6B59 17:08 return, with load 12. Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Curnow Irrupter’ (1Z57 05:40 Thame Parkway - St. Blazey, 1Z58 14:15 St. Blazey - Plymouth Friary and 1Z59 17:00 Plymouth - Thame Parkway) was worked by DRS locos 37194 + 37087 throughout (with 66175 assisting in a top n’tail formation over the Par Harbour and Newquay branch (as far as Goonbarrow). Local reports for the tour during the day were: Cheltenham 07:03 (right time), Yate 07:40 (2 late), Temple Meads at 08:15 (right time) with the return passing Nailsea & Backwell at 20:36 and Filton Abbeywood at 21:31 (20 late). The day’s Arriva XC Saturday HST power car allocations were as follows: 43384 + 43366 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Paignton / 1S51 12:34 Paignton - Glasgow Central. 43301 + 43285 - 1V48 07:44 York - Penzance / 1E75 16:25 Penzance - Leeds, 43384 + 43207 - 1V52 06:01 Glasgow Central - Paignton / 1E67 16:34 Paignton - Leeds, 43378 + 43303 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Newquay / 2P86 19:55 Newquay - Plymouth. What was a loco and stock working last year, the 2O67 09:09 Bristol TM - Weymouth and 2V67 16:55 return ‘relief’ was formed with units 150123 + 153318 + 150121, whilst the LM one car ‘hire’ duo were reported as follows: 153325 + 150283 (Arriva/Wales ‘hire’) on the 2U20 14:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central and 2C85 17:00 return and 153333 + 153372 on the 2U22 15:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central, 2C87 18:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton and 2U32 20:17 Taunton - Cardiff Central. One engineering train report for the day was 66145 working a return 6W01 Radyr - Westbury working. A ‘Southern Irishman’ trip planned for the day with steam 5029 Nunney Castle (standing in for 70013 Oliver Cromwell) working the train from Newport - Fishguard and return was cancelled.
30/05 Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Pompey Pacific’ railtour from Taunton - Portsmouth Harbour was put back to the 10/09/11 following the failure of booked steam loco 70000 Britannia with a hot box after arrival as 5Z29 11:00 Southall - Bishop’s Lydeard loco + support coach on the West Somerset Railway. Britannia was actually standing in for 34046 Braunton which had failed a return to mainline certificate as it’s tender was rebuilt ‘out of gauge’ !
31/05 Barton Hill depot (6A Day’s Road, Bristol, BS5) was transferred to the DBS subsidiary LNWR from Axiom Rail at the end of the month. Signage alongside the main running lines and next to the main road gate were altered accordingly. Meanwhile, at Bristol West, investigations were underway regarding early morning noise level complaints at the ‘Railport’ which now sees up to 20 container train arrival/departures (associated with the Accolade Wines warehouse and bottling plant at Avonmouth) a week for the South-East and Felixstowe. The local Council and operator Freightliner have been informed by some residents in the Ashton and Bedminster areas regarding sleep disturbance from the depot which reopened just under a year ago.
Cardiff
21/05 DRS 66428 was stabled light-engine at Central station. 67029 + 67025 were also present on ECS from a ‘Ruggex’ special (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news). Other reports were: 59101 passing at 15:43 light-engine for attention at Cardiff Canton and steam loco 48151 working a Railway Touring Company 1Z60 ‘Heart of Wales Explorer’ circular trip from Manchester - Llandrindod Wells, having been reported as passing Bridgend earlier at 17:05. West Coast 37706 was the train support loco which passed Cardiff at 15:35 light-engine heading towards Newport. Loco 48151 was standing in for the originally booked steam pairing of 44871 + 5690.
Devon
01/05 For the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Exeter - Exmouth branch line, First/GW operated a 09:50 Newton Abbot - Exmouth and 11:33 return ‘Avocet 150’ special using a HST set with power cars 43091 + 43149.
The new Colas timber flow which is to be loaded on the Newton Abbot - Heathfield branch, mentioned in last months Magazine has been put back to November. The reason was believed to be a lack of suitable wagons, but an rake of newly built wagons are now available. The wood is expected to be felled from the nearby Haldon Hill plantations.
Gloucester
05/05 66020 passed Swindon at 08:22 with the Didcot - Ashchurch MoD trip.
08/05 GBRf 66716 was on the 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap train.
09/05 Colas 66841 was reported as passing through Gloucester light for Llanwern during the day.
10/05 66058 was on a 6A17 11:24 Long Marston - Didcot wagon move being recorded as passing Standish junction at 15:20 (3 early) and Swindon at 16:02 (5 early).
12/05 The 6V74 Crewe Coal sidings - CEGB Berkeley single nuclear flask with 37688 + 37667 was noted arriving at Sharpness at 08:45 for a loco run-round. The train was then recorded passing Newtown on the branch at 09:01 heading for the loading compound located at Wanswell. Later in the day, 66134 was noted near Stonehouse at 13:16 with the 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD trip formed of VGA vans.
14/05 A 1Z79 15:20 Carlisle - Swindon trip, believed to have been a return Pathfinder Tour’s outing was top n’tailed with 47580 + 57601 passing Standish junction at 21:58 - 3 early (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill & Kingsland Road now & news for ECS details).
15/05 With the Newport - Hereford line closed for engineering work several Sunday freight train were diverted from that route via Gloucester. Also the newly formed 153399 (57221 + 153369) with 158769 was recorded as in Gloucester station during the morning.
16/05 DBS red livered 60011 worked 6M11 02:53 Llanwern - Round Oak and 6V05 return to Margam steel services, the latter being recorded through Cheltenham at 11:01.
18/05 Colas 66845 ran 0Z66 09:24 Rugby - Llanwern light-engine (via Gloucester).
19/05 66192 worked the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD service passing Swindon at 08:22.
21/05 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester, standing in for 60163 Tornado worked Pathfinder’s ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ (1Z70 06:29 Gloucester - Carlisle). The train’s ECS had arrived the previous day behind a Class 67 loco as 5Z70 22:58 Eastleigh - Gloucester (via Bath booked 03:12 - 03:14 - crew change) returning on the 22/05 as 5Z73 11:50 Gloucester - Eastleigh via Kemble, Swindon and Didcot.
23/05 Unbranded DRS livered 66403 was on a Cardiff Tidal bound loaded scrap service during the evening period.
31/05 A signalling failure north of Cheltenham saw the 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds Arriva XC HST diverted to call at Gloucester station. Also the First/GW 1G88 19:48 Paddington - Hereford HST service was routed via Bristol Parkway and the Severn Tunnel and the 1W59 17:50 Paddington - Worcester Shrub Hill HST was terminated at Gloucester.
Newport
04/05 60013 was on a Margam - Llanwern and return steel trip. There were problems and delays between Abergavenny and Hereford with emergency engineering work taking place during part of the day.
05/05 60040 passed Newport at 07:07 on a 6W62 Westbury - Westbury (via Cardiff West) departmental working.
07/05 The Saturday’s only 6M60 Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot (downside) freight service was noted departing Newport headed by 66030 + 60040 (dit). Major track work and re-signalling work commenced in the area, with the relief lines to Marshfield and the Maindee North - West curve being closed. Only platforms 3 and 4 were available for use at Newport station and Newport ADJ yard was closed. First/GW operated a reduced HST service during the week and there were other passenger and freight cancellations. The 4V51 Millbrook - Wentlooge containers were top n’tailed during the work period from Cardiff Pengam - Wentlooge yard from the west, using a light loco from Stoke Gifford.
09/05 Colas 66844 was reported as stabled at Llanwern with 66841 arriving later light-engine.
10/05 Colas trio 66841, 66843 and 66844 were all present at Llanwern for steel duty.
11/05 60010 worked the overnight 6V19 Immingham - Margam freight service onwards from Llanwern formed of only two wagons.
12/05 60010 having worked north the previous day, returned as an 0V19 Immingham - Llanwern / Margam light-engine move.
14/05 60011 worked the 6V02 18:43 Tees yard - Margam freight whilst the Saturday’s only 4V46 Crewe Basford Hall - Wentlooge container service headed by 66541 was diverted via Birmigham, Oxford and the GWML to Swindon and Bristol Parkway.
17/05 60010 powered the 6E20 18:44 Margam - Immingham freight being reported through Awre at 22:51 (13 early).
18/05 A return 6W55 Pembroke dock - Westbury engineers passed Newport at 09:31 headed by 66047.
20/05 60096 was allocated a 6H31 23:55 (Thur) Margam - Llanwern exchange sidings steel service.
25/05 66176 passed Newport station at 06:46 heading a return 6W55 Radyr - Westbury departmental and Silver ‘Tata’ steel livered 60099 headed the 6V19 17:22 (Tues) Immingham sorting sidings - Margam freight which was booked at 08:45 through Newport. Two other reports for the morning were: blue livered 31106 on a 1Q13 08:13 Barton Hill - Gloucester (via Machen and a reverse at Pengam) test train at 08:13 and returning at 09:17 and 66125 + 66162 top n’tailing a return 6W57 Aberdare - Westbury departmental earlier at 07:18. Later in the day, Arriva XC 57316 passed on a 0V31 15:50 Cardiff Canton - Holyhead light-engine move.
26/05 66142 + 66063 top n’tailing a return 6W60 Aberdare - Westbury engineers passed Newport at 07:18.
27/05 66403 with the 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap was reported passing Tamworth at 15:41 (50 late).
30/05 66403 was again on the 6Z97 13:43 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap train.
Portbury Branch Line
03/05 Freightliner ran three loaded coal services to Fiddler’s Ferry from this date at 03:00, 04:55 and 23:12, the first and last being often recessed at Crewe for a loco change and then going forward in the 04:55 departure’s path.
07-14/05 With the temporary closure of Newport ADJ, due to major track work and re-signalling in the area (also see Newport notes & news), the inward 6V51 Warrington - Portbury car services was routed via Birmingham, Cheltenham and Charfield between these dates.
10/05-13/05 The 6M55 07:00 departure to Rugeley P.S. was routed via Charfield and Cheltenham on these dates with 66561 running light to Bromsgrove to assist as banker over the Lickey Bank, being only needed however on the second last date.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66511/519/529/546/549/620. 70005/006/010.
Tytherington Branch Line
21/05 59102 worked a 6Z52 05:55 Westbury yard - Tyherington Quarry emty stone train to form a 6Z53 11:50 loaded return service to West Drayton ARC, this being the first loaded stone train away from this location since 2008, when 59001worked a train to Acton on 13/10, although a series of inward blending stone workings ran from August - October last year. The empty working was reported through Bathampton junction at 06:17, whilst the return was noted at Latteridge level crossing at 12:27 and then Yate Middle at 13:01 (41 late), departing at 13:12 (38 late). A further report through Bristol Parkway was at 13:27 (53 late).
28/05 A second loaded stone service from the quarry was cancelled even though a shunter had been booked to deal with the train over the branch line and in the quarry terminal. The reason given for the cancellation was due to loco availability on the day at Westbury.
Westbury
04/05 Red livered 60040 worked the 6O41 Westbury - Eastleigh and 6V41 return departmental trip.
The return First/GW, SWT’s ‘hire’ Class 158 unit following a day’s use, is regularly returned from Westbury at 23:08 as part of the 1O86 22:25 Bristol TM - Salisbury service (due 22:35).
Units seen during the month have included
142064.
143603/611/612/619/620/621.
150120/121/123/127/128/129/131/219/229/233/234/238/239/243/244/246/248/249/261/265/266.
153318/327/329/333/335/368/370/372/373/377/399*.
158745/749/763/766/769/798/950/051/952*/953/954/955/956/957/958.
159010/021/101/102.
220013/014/017/022/026/027/028/030.
221119/121/123/124/125/129/131/136/137/138/139/140.
Arriva XC HST power cars: 43207/285/301/303/304/321/366/378/384.
Notes: 153399 - Following a internal fire involving coach 52221 (from set 150221), the remaining coach 57221 + single car 153369 were formed into a two car set 153399 for the Summer period to maintain First/GW unit strength. The 153 number was used (not 150221) as this Class are banned east of Southampton due to to operating issues. 158952 - This set was reported as operating as a two car unit during the review period.
First/GW Unit ‘hire’:
Arriva Train’s Wales Class 150/2: 150208 (04/05, 26/05).
150213 (28/05). 150217 (11/05). 150230 (24/05). 150237 (09/05). 150251 (27/05,
29/05). 150252 (05/05, 30/05). 150253 (03/05). 150255 (23/05). 150267 (25/05).
150279 (17/05). 150282 (13/05). 150283 (12/05, 28/05, 29/05). 150285 (18/05,
31/05).
SWTs Class 158: 158881 (18/05). 158882 (20/05). 158883 (28/05). 158890 (24/05).
Stock Alterations
Locomotives
Transfers
08442(EH)/516(BK)-Arriva, 08750(HE)-ZI, 09204(Tyne)-Arriva, 66042(France)-TO, 66612 – Poland, 66402/403/404(SV)-PG, 66841-66845 (COLO)–GBRF*
Stored
BH: 37412. 56101/301/302. CB: 66601/606. CE: 66087. 67021. 92003. DC: 08495. EH: 66544. LD: 66526. TO: 60010/013/07470/84. 66146*/159*/173* (WBEP) Longport: 66404.
* being prepared for use in Poland
Traffic
08706 –TO, 08993 –TO(DC), 60024 –TO(IM), 66005 –TO, 66305 –KM, 66573/674/575/576/577 –Colas (Re-registered), 67009. 90020.92009 –CE.
Disposals
Raxstar: 08826 Pioneer Loco Diesel Group: 47484.
Renumbered
66578-66581 to 66738-741, 66841-66845 to 66742-66746 (PG) Europorte: 9113 – 9723, 9040 – 9840
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
150121/127(PM)-EX, 285(NH)-CF 153325/333(TS)-PM (On Loan)
Stored
55020 @AL
Traffic
55034 –AL (Formerly 977828)
Renumbered & Reformed
150399 (57221 + 57368) (Temporary)
Electric Multiple Units
Traffic
379008-016 –IL
Disposals
The Heritage Group, Bellingham: Cars: 76301/302 Longstowe Station, Bourne, Cambs: Car: 70860 Sandford Station Heritage Centre, Somerset: Car: 70826
New Stock
379017-022 –HQ 380016-021 -HQ
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
MBCS: 6364/65. 94101(CS). 94224. 94517/521/529
Stored
LH: 82108/131/144
Disposals
Booth: 5732 East Somerset: 4999 SRPS (Bo’ness): 6339/45
Pool Codes
New
EBHQ GE/Anglia Cl153, 156, 170 315, 317, 321, 360, 379
EKHQ Overground Cl172/0
EJHQ Lon Midland Cl172/3
HFHQ Virgin Cl221
HOHQ Chiltern Cl121, 165, 168 172/1 + 960010/011/014/015, 977992
HTHQ C2C Cl357
HYHQ SWT Cl158, 159, 444, 450, 455, 458 +(421 + 423)
HUHQ SET Cl375, 376, 465, 466, 508
HWHQ Southern Cl171, 377, 442, 455, 456, 460
HAHQ Scotrail Cl380
Delete
CRAL, ICCX, IVGX, MTXX, NGEX, NKCX, NKSX, NMLX, NMYX, NNEX, NNLX, NSBX, NSLX, NSSX, NSXX, NTSX, QCSS, RDNR, RDTS
LOCAL LOCO HAULED PASSENGER SERVICES
1V31/1W91 Holyhead - Cardiff Central - Holyhead ‘The WAG Express’
04/05 57316. 05/05 57315. 10/05 57315. 23/05 57313. 25/05 57315. 26/05 57313.
Notes: Coaching stock formation reports were: 9521, 5965, 5976, 10259 (04/05) and 9539, 6183, 6137, 10259 (23/05).
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V51/4V50 Southampton - Wentlooge containers
03/05 66563. 04/05 66547. 05/05 66566. 06/05 66568. 07/05 66542. 10/05 66565. 12/05 66567. 13/05 66587. 14/05* 66562 + 66591. 16/05 66954. 17/05 66588. 19/05 66567. 20/05 66955. 21/05 66571. 23/05 70008. 24/05 66517. 25/05 66954. 26/05 66558. 28/05 66593. 31/05 66953.
Note: * The train on this date was top n’tailed throughout.
6M65 04:55 Portbury - Fiddler’s Ferry P.S.
03/05 66519. 06/05 66546. 07/05 66549. 26/05 70005.
6M55 07:00 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal
16/05 70005. 18/05 70010. 20/05 70010. 23/05 70005. 24/05 66511. 26/05 66511. 27/05 70005. 30/05 66511.
6M61 08:26 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal
16/05 70010. 17/05 66620. 24/05 70005. 30/05 70005. 31/05 70005.
6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal
09/05 66523.
6A21 Pengam sidings - Theale loaded stone
05/05 66549. 12/05 66558. 19/05 66555. 31/05 66557.
6M36 12:10 Westbury ‘la Farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) cement empties
09/05 66523.
The Container Count - Bristol West (Railport)
The following have been recorded with train identification listed if known:
01/05 66539. 03/05 66955. 04/05 66955. 05/05 66541. 06/05 66561. 09/05 66561. 10/05 66561. 66563. 11/05 66570. 12/05 66505 (4L30). 66570. 13/05 66570. 14/05 66523 (4V32). 17/05 66502. 18/05 66502. 19/05 66536 (4L32). 66562 (4L30). 20/05 66504 (4L32). 66591. 21/05 66504 (4L32). 66590 (4V32). 23/05 66590. 24/05 66502. 26/05 66591. 27/05 66572. 28/05 66536. 30/05 66536. 31/05 66536.
Train notes: Arrivals - 4V32 from Felixstowe / Ipswich (SO). Departures - 4L30 16:27 to Felixstowe (ThO). 4L32 - 11:00 to Tilbury.
LOCAL DBS WORKINGS
6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks
03-05/05 60096. 09-13/05 60096. 16/05 60010. 17-20/05 60011. 23-26/05 60011. 31/05 60011.
6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey fuel tank empties
02/05 60071. 05-07/05 60015. 09/05 60015. 11/05 60015. 12-14/05 60071. 16-19/05 60071. 25/05 60096. 31/05 60074 + 60084.
6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon stores yard loaded steel (TFO)
03/05 66054. 06/05 66074. 17/05 66105. 20/05 66037. 27/05 66047. 31/05 66086.
6B33 Theale - Robeston (Margam SO) fuel tank empties
03/05 60013. 05/05 60013. 10/05 66095. 14/05 60010. 17/05 60096. 19/05 60096. 21/05 60096. 25/05 66171. 26/05 60099. 28/05 60099 31/05 60099.
6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties
01/05 66077 04/05 66081. 19/05 66045. 20/05 66091. 25/05 66084
6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental
03/05 60040. 10/05 66084. 10/05 66047.
6M60 Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot (downside) freight (via Newport) (SO)
07/05 66030. 21/05 66186. 28/05 66011.
6C39 St. Blazey - Newport ADJ freight (ThO)
12/05 66165. 19/05 66186. 26/05 66061.
6A29 Wentlooge - Didcot wagonload freight
04/05 66171. 18/05 66019. 19/05 66092. 24/05 66094.
6A83 Machen - Westbury / West Drayton loaded stone
27/05 59101.
6Z12 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern / * Trostre export steel
03/05 66080. 04/05 66201. 06/05* 66007. 10/05 66184. 13/05 66130. 17/05 66098. 18/05 66108. 20/05 66051. 21/05 66069. 25/05 66119. 28/05 66142. 31/05 66100.
Note - From 20/05, a headcode change to 6V13 was reported to have taken place for this working.
6Z14 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern / Trostre
07/05 66002. 08/05 66035. 13/05 66098. 15/05 66080. 19/05 66100.
Note - From 19/05, a headcode change to 6O32 was reported to have taken place for this working.
LOCAL COLAS WORKINGS
6O78 Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor loaded steel
01/05 66843*. 04/05 66844. 05/05 66843. 08/05 66841. 09/05 66842*. 10/05 66841. 11/05 66843. 12/05 66843. 14/05 66843. 15/05 66843. 18/05 66841. 22/05 66844*. 24/05 66841. 25/05 66843. 27/05 66843. 30/05 66843.
Notes: * The train was confirmed as running as 6Z78 on these dates.
6V78 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern export steel
05/05 66843. 06/05 66844. 13/05 66842. 16/05 66843. 23/05 66841. 26/05 66842. 31/05 66843.
LOCAL DRS WORKINGS
6V73/6M56 Crewe Coal sidings - CEGB Berkeley nuclear flasks
02/05 20308 + 37667. 05/05 20308 + 37611. 10/05 20303 + 20309. 12/05 37667 + 37688. 17/05 37087 + 37688. 19/05 20303 + 20309. 25/05 37087 + 37194. 27/05 66423 + 66434. 26/05 57008 + 57009.
6V74/6M67 Crewe Coal sidings - Bridgwater nuclear flasks
04/05 20303 + 37059. 11/05 20303 + 20309. 13/05 20303 + 37603. 18/05 37603 + 37667.
Note: The return 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe working was noted passing through Bristol Parkway station during the month instead of taking the ‘normal’ crew change in the up loop.
MISCELLANEOUS
Leaf Busting - 2011
Local water cannon, DBS rail-head treatment trains are expected to be based and operated as follows (with approximate times if known): St. Blazey (3S13): St. Blazey (08:45) - Exeter - Crediton (reverse) - Exeter - Taunton - Westbury (08:40 - 08:50) - Salisbury - Westbury ( 10:40 - 11:15) - Taunton (12:25) - Exeter St. Davids (13:15) - Dawlish 13:28) - Plymouth (14:25) - St. Blazey (15:31). Didcot (3J41): Didcot (15:18) - Reading - West Ealing - Reading - Newbury - Westbury (17:50 - 18:30) - Newbury - Reading West curve - Didcot. Bristol Barton Hill (3S59): A similar operation will run from here, covering Westbury and some Welsh Valley lines overnight, returning via Avonmouth (MSO). Salisbury is no longer covered by this working (also see Magazine 467, January 2011 - under Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kinsland Road notes & news). The trains will operate as in previous years between late September and the end of November 2011.
PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS
Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway
Fund raising still continues to raise the £625,000 needed to rebuild the track on the embankment just north of Winchcombe station damaged by a landslide. It has been reported that £100,000 has been donated by a single person towards the project which has severely disrupted train services over the line.
Radstock Branchline (R.W.Giles)
01/05 Remnants of a failed preservation project were found at Mells Road, a derelict LMS design brake van (ex.Westbury) latterly used as a wagon barrier vehicle and carrying a number PR4919. The single line trackwork of this former GWR line, remain in poor condition with several track panels removed near Radstock where two bulidings remain from the former Marcroft Wagon works (which closed in 1990) along with a smaller stone building which was once believed to have been a GW steam loco shed. Land in the former goods yard area has been fenced off as a new controversial building site. Many local people are keen to see this land remain as a nature reserve, with no new houses or industrial units built in this area. Cycling company Sustrans now own the branch and have a tarmac cyclepath running alongside the line from Radstock to Frome.
Sharpness (R.W.Giles)
12/05 In contrast to the above Radstock report, evidence was noted on this date of a new preservation project at this location. Close to the NR/British Waterways boundary, outside the port’s rail dockgate, but fenced off from the running lines, some heavy vegetation had been cleared from a number of remaining but still NR connected sidings near to the area of the former station site closed in 1964. It is hoped in the long term, a passenger service to Gloucester and possibly freight could be run over the branch. Increased nuclear flask activity over the line during the month is believed to be linked with the proposed shut down of the first of the two Oldbury Power station reactors during June.
TRACK MACHINES & DEPARTMENTALS
02/05 DR73110 - Taunton Fairwater yard.
05/05 DR80302 - Newport station pass in the up direction at 21:45.
08/05 DR75407 - Westbury yard.
13/05 Road/rail Quattro plant 203. 472. 530. (99709 911170-7) - Chittening ‘old platform’ area. 422. 437 (99709 940385-6). 553. 555 (99709 914062-3) - Blaise .
21/05 DR73111. DR75406 - Taunton Fairwater yard.
23/05 Road/rail Hydrex digger 3691 with support trailer RT224 - Bristol TM old cattle dock siding.
31/05 DR73115. DR77905 - Westbury yard.