NOTES & NEWS

Avonmouth

02/06 Having arrived on 6Z38 04:25 Dagenham - Avonmouth stone empties, 66519 later passed Hallen Marsh junction at 13:16 working 6Z39 Avonmouth West wharf - Didcot (Milton estate) loaded stone.

16/06 66546 departed Stoke Gifford at 09:31 with stone empties to Avonmouth, later returning at 14:53 with a loaded train.

23/06 Having brought in 6Z38 stone empties, 66605 was on the 6Z38 13:30 Avonmouth - Didcot loaded stone, being later reported as passing Swindon at 14:18.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66092/115/129/184/193.

Bristol Barrow Road branch line

Despite losing it’s only booked traffic, the Avon area bin liner train in April (see the July 2011 Magazine) this short line from Easton junction (Lawrence Hill) to just passed the Barrow Road Refuse Transfer station is to be retained. The route once served the Avon Street wharf area, cement being the final traffic this ending in the late 1980s. Freightliner Heavy-haul are to use the line as a ‘siding’ to ease congestion at Stoke Gifford and to save movements to and from Pengam, which is often used to recess their stone trains.

08/06 Near enough using the former ‘bin liner’ train path, 66519 worked the first train of empty stone wagons over the line as 6V87 09:49 Crawley - Barrow Road formed of 20 HIAs, arriving at the mainline branch ground frame at 15:25 (4 late) prior to a reverse move to the end of the line, arriving here at 15:42 (2 early). The loco then departed light-engine at 15:56 for Stoke Gifford. This inward working is booked to run via Bath so a reverse move is possible on arrival at Easton junction.

14/06 66527 worked the 20 HIAs away as 6B92 16:55 Barrow Road - Cardiff docks, having run 0B92 15:53 Stoke Gifford - Barrow Road light-engine presumably with a reverse in the Temple Meads area.

21/06 More activity over the branch saw 66613 depart with a further train of empties around 16:45, being later recorded through Filton Abbeywood at 17:12, assumed for Cardiff Docks.

22/06 66613 arrived on another 6V87 Crawley - Barrow Road empty stone train arriving at Lawrence Hill at 15:30, later returning light to Stoke Gifford.

24/06 66557 ran 0B92 Stoke Gifford - Barrow Road light, passing Stapleton Road at 16:28, before later being recorded through Filton Abbeywood at 17:15 with 6B92 stone empties to Cardiff Docks.

25/06 66557 was reported to have visited the branch to collect two stone wagons which were moved to Stoke Gifford, arriving here at 16:23. Another 6V87 09:59 Crawley - Barrow Road (15:51) and a 6Z87 16:21 Barrow Road - Stoke Gifford were both booked to run on this date, although both were unconfirmed as operating, the two wagon train may have been a early running second working (routed via a loco run round at Chipping Sodbury booked between 17:00 - 17:30).

29/06 66519 arrived in the refuse terminal at 15:36 (8 early) on 6V87 stone empties ex Crawley today formed of 18 HIA wagons. The loco then departed at 15:41 for Stoke Gifford light-engine.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

15/05 Two missed engineering train reports from the August Magazine (on this date) were: 66619 + 66622 top n’tailing a 6Y11 08:50 Gloucester Yard junction - Taunton Fairwater return HOBC (noted passing Charfield at 09:06) and 66957 + 66560 top n’tailing the 6Y11 09:00 Abbotswood junction - Taunton Fairwater track replacement train. This train had run north the previous day as 20:06 Taunton Fairwater - Stoke Works junction.

01/06 70005 departed Stoke Gifford at 15:10 on a 0Z25 light-engine move to Crewe Basford Hall yard.

02/06 66060 worked an additional 6Z61 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental in the path of the soon to end 6C41 service.

03/06 Due to problems in the Severn Tunnel, the 6B49 Llanwern - Swindon stores yard was diverted via Gloucester. The 6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S coal was also routed this way with 66953. 66143 was on the final 6B65 11:15 Westbury - Newport ADJ and 6C41 15:15 return departmental. This train has now been replaced by a working from Westbury - Bescot (see Westbury notes & news).

04/06 70003 arrived at 14:34 with 4V20 08:00 Rugeley P.S - Stoke Gifford coal empties. Later two engineering train reports via Filton and Pilning were: 66121 - 6W09 16:50 Westbury - Grovesend Colliery loop and 66117 - 6W11 17:27 Westbury - Grovesend Colliery loop.

05/06 66529 worked an afternoon 6Y27 Cam & Dursley - Newton Abbot Hackney yard rail train. During the evening: 66511, 66607, 70003 were stabled on the down side at 17:15.

06/06 NR Departmental Class 37, 97301 arrived in the area on a 2Q88 05:35 Derby RTC - Temple Meads test working propelling dept c/stock: DB999508 and 9701. A visit over the Sharpness branch was reported not to have taken place, the train having been looped in Charfield running to Yate for a reverse move back to Cheltenham Alstone loop departing here at 11:02, for the Tytherington quarry and Westerleigh branch lines (also see Tytherington quarry notes & news). The working was later recorded passing Westerleigh junction at 14:30 (20 late) and Filton Abbeywood at 14:39. An early evening arrival at Stoke Gifford was 70003 working a 4V57 15:25 train of coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

07/06 Under strict security at around 10:15, the Royal Train called at Patchway top n’tailed with 67005 + 67006 to pick-up Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, to join the Queen on board for a visit to Cardiff to open the Welsh Assembly at 11:00. The train was reported to have stabled on the Quidhampton branch (near Salisbury) overnight being reported as passing Bath at 09:40 earlier in the day and was again later seen passing Parkway at 15:45 as ECS heading towards Westerleigh junction, the c/stock being reported as: 2920, 2915, 2917, 2923, 2904, 2903, 2921. Another Parkway observation during the afternoon was plain blue repaint 142009 on a Newton Heath - Exeter St. David’s ECS move. Stabled during the evening at Stoke Gifford were: 70003 and 70004.

09/06 A points failure at Westerleigh junction saw some diversions including the 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth Arriva XC service, formed with 43384 XC01 43366 routed via the Severn Tunnel, departing Severn Tunnel junction at 17:44. Other reports were: unbranded 66576 on the afternoon 6O78 Llanwern - Dollands Moor export steel and 70005 passing Patchway at 19:45 with 4V58 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties (off the previous day’s 6M07 departure). A 3Z01 19:56 Didcot - Eastleigh Alstom works test working (via a reverse in Cardiff: booked here from 00:47 - 00:57), top n’tailed with 31106 + 31285 was reported off route through Wotton Bassett at 20:16 (57 early) and Newport at 00:20 (1 early). The train was to have run via Kemble and Gloucester.

10/06 142029 passed Parkway at 11:16 on a Exeter St. Davids - Newton Heath empty stock move. Later, 70005 worked in on 4V58 Fiddler’s Ferry - Stoke Gifford coal empties.

11/06 Having arrived as 5Z93 08:46 Barton Hill - Parkway loco and support coach, steam 6024 King Edward I (in place of 60163 Tornado) took over the Railway Touring Company ‘Welshman’ (1Z72 08:04 Paddington - Shrewsbury), from West Coast 47500, passing Patchway at 11:18. Sadly, the sight of a another steam working at Patchway within 5 minutes of the this train was not to be as 47500 was pressed into action as a ‘thunderbird’ loco to rescue the failed second steam trip with 34067 Tangmere (standing in for 70013 Oliver Cromwell) which had come to a halt nearby on Filton bank south of Abbeywood station at 11:32, working Steam Dream’s ‘Cathedral Express’ (1Z82 06:35 Poole - Cardiff). The diesel / steam combination was later recorded as passing through Filton Abbeywood at 13:10 (111 late), Tangmere being moved to Canton for attention following the train’s late arrival at Cardiff. Around 100 minutes of delays were reported affecting other services because of this incident. A revised departure time for the return 1Z83 from 16:16 to 18:30 was put in place due to the loss of time, Tangmere being later noted solo on the train passing Patchway at 19:24. The King’s day out was reported as trouble free, with the return 1Z74 17:27 Shrewsbury - Paddington passing Patchway at 20:44 (3 late) for 47500 to return to the Capital from Parkway, the steam loco then running 5Z94 20:53 Parkway - Barton Hill loco and support coach. On the freight side: 66613 arrived at Stoke Gifford at 14:18 with 4V20 coal empties from Fiddler’s Ferry. 

13/06 Two morning return engineering train reports were: 66087 - 6W03 22:30 (Sun) Bridgend - Westbury (via Tondu and Margam) and 66098 + 66005 top n’tailing - 6W04 23:00 (Sun) Tondu - Westbury (via Margam). Noted stabled at Parkway during the day were: 66524 and 70003.

16/06 70005 arrived with 4V58 Rugeley - Stoke Gifford coal empties via the Severn Tunnel.

18/06 66613 worked in on 6V60 Crawley - Stoke Gifford stone empties during the evening. 66519, 66607 and 66613 were present stabled in the yard.

19/06 66020 passed Pilning at 09:27 on a 6W01 04:45 Grovesend - Westbury departmental, with a second train (6W04 10:39 Grovesend - Westbury) being recorded through Patchway at 11:27 with unidentified DBS 66 hauling power. 6W02 06:45, 6W03 13:30 and 6W04 19:45 Grovesend departures were also booked to run on the day. Additionally at Filton Abbeywood, 66613 passed at 10:20 (183 early !) on 6Y34 13:00 Bathampton junction - Oxford Hinksey yard autoballaster and an unidentified Class 59/2 was reported on 6W35 08:30 Evesham - Westbury working . On the freight side: 66181 was on 6Z12 Trostre - Dolland’s Moor (Patchway 11:29 and 66575 with 6Z78 Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor export steel services. An evening arrival at Stoke Gifford was 66546 on a 4Z66 six empty HXA coal wagon move from Leeds Hunslet, which was reported through Standish junction at 21:25.

20/06 70003 was stabled at Stoke Gifford with 66613 departing as 0Y27 16:37 Stoke Gifford - Newton Abbot Hackney yard light engine for rail train duty, passing Uphill junction at 17:30 (39 early).

22/06 For this year’s Glastonbury Pop Festival held at Pilton, First/GW diverted their 09:15 (1B17), 11:15 (1B27), 13:15 (1B37) and 15:15 (1B48) Paddington - Cardiff services to Castle Cary, via Swindon and Melksham, the ECS returned to Paddington via the Berks & Hants route. Also a separate HST operated a shuttle from Temple Meads to Castle Cary during the day, via a reverse at Taunton. These arrangements were to also take place during the following day. The Glastonbury Festival will have a break year in 2012.

24/06 Freight/departmental train reports through Parkway during the day were: 66088 on 6V10 05:27 Dollands Moor - Barry, 66519 with a 4Z67 Eastleigh - Stoke Gifford train of 7 empty HXA coal wagons (reported through Swindon at 16:20) and 66613 powering a 6Z12 Crewe Basford Hall yard - Westbury departmental passing Severn Tunnel junction at 16:00.

25/06 66519 departed Pilning loop at 11:27 with four empty Freightliner Heavy-haul coal wagons on what was believed to have been a Stoke Gifford - Crewe working.

The new venue for this year’s CARS AGM at the Parkway Tavern, Stoke Gifford had surprise distant mainline views from the function room to add additional interest to this year’s event! Identified during the afternoon were: 66538 with 4O51 Wentlooge - Millbrook containers (13:27), 66104 on 6V13 Dollands Moor - Margam steel (15:15) and a eight loco DBS Class 66 convoy (assumed running Margam - Didcot), with only 66007 + 66031 + 66142 + 66009 + 66070 identified (15:32). A report on the internet stated that this was an ADJ – Bescot movement and consisted of 66031/147/142/206/007/130/089/070. DRS 47818 + 47501 on a return Northern Belle trip were also seen in the far distance at 16:21 coming off the Filton - Patchway chord for South Wales (see Bristol TM, Barton Hill & Kingsland Road notes & news). Following the event 66609, 66610 and 70011 were present stabled on the downside in Stoke Gifford sidings. The Class 70 had arrived at 14:20 on 4V20 coal empties from Fiddler’s Ferry power station, 70003 later arriving at 19:12 with a similar working (4V58).

26/06 Sunday observations at Patchway included diverted Arriva XC HST services. Records for the day included: 43301 + 43285 - 1V48 08:10 Leeds - Plymouth (13:12), 43357 + 43321 - 1S55 12:25 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley (14:48), 66576 - 6Z78 Llanwern - Dollands Moor steel (17:04), 66168 - 6O32 Llanwern - Dollands Moor export steel (18:25). Both steel services were routed via Filton, Dr. Day’s junction and Bath due to track work in the Badminton area. At Stoke Gifford downside: 66607, 66610, 70003, 70011 were all reported as stabled.

27/06 31465 worked a 3Z08 12:00 Derby RTC - Exeter (Riverside) test train being reported through Cheltenham at 15:10 (51 early), Parkway at 15:48 (75 early) and the Weston-super-Mare loop station at 18:30. 66519 was reported as an evening arrival at Stoke Gifford with 4V58 coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

29/06 66171 was reported as a failure on the 6A83 West Drayton ARC loaded stone in the Filton junction ‘old’ station area.. At least two services were reported as diverted via Parkway for a reverse move, these being: 158954 on the 2U18 13:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central and 150128 + 153372 with the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton service. Afternoon and evening freight activity saw: 66020 on 4Z16 11:16 Hothfield - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties, 66527 with a 4Z29 15:12 Eastleigh - Stoke Gifford formed of five empty HXA wagons (reported as leaving at 14:58) and 66557 with 4V58 coal empties to Stoke Gifford (reported Patchway at 19:13).

30/06 66607 worked 6O56 Pengam - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone passing Patchway at 06:46.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

01/06 Steam loco 71000 Duke of Gloucester was observed in light steam on Barton Hill depot during the day. At 21:53, 70004 was noted held at Temple Meads on a Stoke Gifford - Portbury train of coal empties.

02/06 Serious signalling problems in the Reading area saw a number of Fist/GW services diverted away from the GWML to the Berks & Hants route and Trowbridge. Some Paddington - Cardiff trains were cancelled, the remaining Paddington - Swansea trains were subject to delays.

03/06 66126 top n’tailing green livered 47815 arrived during the evening on 5Z30 Eastleigh - Barton Hill ‘Torbay Express’ empty stock. The full choc/cream rake was formed: 5366, 4991, 3140, 3122, 3110, 1671, 3100, 3098, 21272, along with (4902) and 4949 both of which were moved to the former west-end parcels bay as ‘spare’ coaches. Evening reports of the two ‘hire’ LM Class 153 single car units working for First/GW found: 153325 with 150263 on the 2M72 21:28 Exeter St. David’s - Bristol TM service and 153333 with 150243 on the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton service (then booked to run as 5C89 21:07 Taunton - Exeter St. David’s empty stock). 

04/06 57601 brought in the first stage of the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Devonian’ (1Z54 06:05 Birmingham International - Plymouth and 1Z55 16:10 return) to Bristol (passing Parkway at 08:30), where steam 6024 King Edward I took over, departing Temple Meads to time at 09:21. However due to two trackside fires at Flax Bourton and near Yatton, 57601 which was following the train, was needed to pilot the steam loco and train onwards from here departing at 10:40 (20 late) for Plymouth. The Class 57 again led from Plymouth on the return (gaining time en-route due to non required water stops) passing Dainton at 16:45 (14 early), Newton Abbot at 17:09 (5 late), departing Exeter St. David’s at 17:34 (30 early), passing Taunton at 18:05 (50 early) and arriving at Temple Meads 19:05 (45 early), leaving at 19:33 (50 early), Class 57 hauled. The day’s c/stock formation was recorded as: 9391, 5032, 99347, 3136, 3143, 99712, 99352, 99121. Regular BSK W35333 was in use as the King’s support coach.

05/06 Due to the dry spell (and the previous day’s trackside fire problems), the ‘Torbay Express’ (1Z27 09:15 Bristol TM - Kingswear and 1Z28 16:42 return) was reported on the outward through Nailsea & Backwell at 09:28 double-headed with steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester + 47815. There were several reports of brake problems on the Class 47 on the return trip.

06/06 Both overnight First/GW sleeper services were confirmed as running via the Bristol area: 57605 on the 1A40 21:15 Penzance - Paddington due 05:09 (Temple Meads 02:08 - 02:39 via Bath and Swindon 03:20 - 03:22) and 57603 with the 1C99 23:50 Penzance - Paddington due 08:59 (Swindon 01:15, Bath 01:45, Temple Meads 01:58 - 02:39). The Monday’s only 6C73 12:12 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater yard departmental was routed via Bristol with 66557.

07/06 57603 with the overnight 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service was routed via Bristol with the balancing 1C99 Paddington - Penzance running via the Berks & Hants and Westbury with 57605. Having arrived the previous day (see Bristol Parkway, Pilning & Westerleigh notes & news), 97301 departed as 2Q88 06:07 Temple Meads - Merehead quarry / 08:35 Merehead quarry - Laira, the latter being reported as arriving in Bath down goods loop at 09:15 and passing Highbridge at 10:09. 150129 + ‘hybrid’ 153399 were reported as working one of the day’s previously loco and coach diagrams being seen departing Weston-super-Mare as 5Y10 ECS to Taunton for the return 2U14 11:04 service to Cardiff Central, 2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton and 2U24 16:07 return.

08/06 DRS 66429 (on ‘hire’ to Freightliner) made an unusual sight passing through the main platforms at Parson’s Street having been put straight onto the mainline by Bristol control with the 4L32 Bristol Railport - Tilbury container service. It was always thought to be a bold signalling move to put anything direct on to the mainline at Parson’s Street instead of running ‘relief’ to Temple Meads, but on this day, 66511 had passed only minutes earlier with the 6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal, which the container service was to pass at Bristol West junction ! MPV 98958 + 98908 was reported as stabled on Barton Hill.

10/06 57601 + 47851 (47760 being de-allocated) top n’tailed a West Coast railtour stock move as 5Z35 08:05 Carnforth Steamtown - Bristol TM being reported as passing Severn Tunnel junction at 16:32 (50 late) and Filton Abbeywood at 17:04 (25 late), with a 17:10 (24 late) arrival in Temple Meads.

11/06 57603 was routed via Bristol Temple Meads and Parkway with the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper, 57605 with the opposite direction 1C99 working ran via the Berks & Hants and Westbury. The West Coast trains railtour stock which arrived the previous evening, departed as 5Z36 05:05 Temple Meads - Newport (arriving at 05:30 - 35 early) with 57601 + 47851. The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered with the following power cars and intermediate coaches: 43366 XC01 43384 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Newquay / 2P86 19:55 Newquay - Plymouth, 43301 XC 43285 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Paignton / 1S51 12:34 Paignton - Glasgow Central, 43357 XC04 43207 - 1V52 06:01 Glasgow Central - Paignton / 1E67 16:34 Paignton - Leeds, 43378 XC05 43304 - 1V48 07:44 York - Penzance / 1E75 16:25 Penzance - Leeds. 150123 worked a 2Z11 08:48 Temple Meads - Bishop’s Lydeard for the West Somerset Railway diesel gala week-end, then working Bishop’s Lydeard - Taunton shuttles for the event visitors, during the day. The set returned as 2Z25 17:58 Bishop’s Lydeard - Bristol TM (19:42) at the end of the operating day (also see Preservation & Industrial Matters). During the late morning problems on Filton bank, with the failure of steam loco 34067 Tangmere on a 11 coach railtour (see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news) saw some northbound late running. An engineering train report was, 66557 + 66560 top n’tailing a 6Y33 20:20 Taunton Fairwater - Gloucester Tuffley junction track replacement train, passing Highbridge at 20:22.

12/06 66560 + 66557 top n’tailed the return 6Y33 10:00 Standish junction - Taunton Fairwater track replacement train through Temple Meads at 10:49, whilst 150128 was on the 2Z10 08:24 Temple Meads - Bishop’s Lydeard (and 2Z23 17:58 return) special WSR gala connection. The previous day’s railtour stock top n’tailed with 47760 + 57601 returned north as 5Z29 14:53 Temple Meads - Carnforth Steamtown. The return ‘Torbay Express’ (1Z28 16:42 Kingswear - Bristol TM) trip, with steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester, failed with cylinder problems near Cullompton and was looped at Tiverton to await an assisting loco. 47815 ran 1Z99 20:47 Barton Hill - Tiverton light rescue loco, the train being later recorded as departing Taunton at 22:39 (212 late) and Weston-super-Mare 23:29 (312 late). Customers on board received a £12:50 credit voucher each as compensation for the evening delays!

13/06 66557 was on the Monday’s only afternoon 6C73 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater departmental and later following it’s display at this year’s West Somerset Railway diesel gala, NR yellow Class 37 97301 passed Yatton at 17:55 (38 early) propelling test coach 999508 and DBSO 9701 running as 2Q88 17:10 Bishop’s Lydeard - Cardiff ( via Cadoxton, Barry, Aberdare and Merthyr).

14/06 The 1A40 Penzance - Paddington First/GW sleeper service was again routed via Bristol and Bath overnight with 57603. The balancing 1C99 again ran via the Berks & Hants and Westbury with 57605.

15/06 The driver and a passenger on the First/GW 2M06 05:30 Taunton - Temple Meads local service reported the sighting of a body on the line side at Bleadon near Weston-super-Mare. BT police closed the line at 06:12 whilst a 54 year old man’s body was recovered. Road buses operated between Highbridge and Weston-super-Mare, whilst some Arriva XC services were diverted via Westbury; 220016 passing here at 09:35 on the 1S31 07:25 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley and 221136 passing at 09:36 with the 1V42 06:10 Derby - Plymouth. In Bristol, 67019 was on VSOE duty working in on 1V80 09:44 Victoria - Temple Meads and returning as 1O92 15:55 to Victoria.

17/06 MPV set 98957 + 98907 worked 6Z05 22:00 Barton Hill - Barton Hill (08:31) via Barnstaple (booked 03:42 - 03:50) on weed killing duty.

18/06 What had been a Summer Saturday loco-hauled working during 2010, the 2O67 09:09 Temple Meads - Weymouth ‘relief’ was formed with units: 150219 + 153305 + 150238. Vintage Train’s ‘Collet Double’ (1Z50 07:05 Solihull - Temple Meads and 1Z53 17:08 return) which was re-dated from 12/03/11, was worked by a single steam loco, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe only (the second loco 4965 Rood Ashton Hall was reported as out of gauge over part of the train’s route, which included Didcot, Reading West curve and the Berks & Hants line). The train was recorded as arriving in Bath at 13:10 (4 late) and into Bristol at 13:28 (5 early), the return departure time being revised on the day to 18:09 as the loco had to run light-engine to and from the GWS Didcot for coal as a planned coal drop at St. Phillips Marsh depot had somehow not taken place! A second railtour arrival was a DRS Northern Belle dining operation with 47818 + 47832 running as 1Z47 06:35 Gobowen - Temple Meads and 1Z48 18:04 return, using c/stock: 10729, 10734, 17167, Warwick (3182), Chatsworth (3247), 1953, Harlech (3275), Belvoir (3267), 1566, Alnwick (3273), Glamis (3174). This working routed from Birmingham via Oxford was recorded as passing Didcot North junction at 10:58 (14 early), Swindon 11:16 (10 early) and arriving in Temple Meads at 12:08 (2 early). Later, observations at Keynsham recorded the return Northern Belle train as passing at 18:09 with the ‘Collet Double’ following nine minutes later. The day’s Arriva XC HST services were covered with the following sets (see the 11/06 for train details): 43366 XC01 43384 - 1V44 / 1S51, 43301 XC02 43285 - 1V48 / 1E75, 43357 XC04 43207 - 1V54 / 2P86, 43378 XC05 43304 - 1V52 / 1E67.        

19/06 153303 + 150261 + 153382 + 153325 worked the First/GW 2O64 09:20 (Sun) Bristol TM - Weymouth service.

20/06 The overnight First/GW sleeper trains were diverted via Yeovil Pen Mill and Junction stations, 57605 handling the 1A40 21:15 Penzance - Paddington and 57603 the 1C99 23:50 Paddington - Penzance. The Bristol out-based MPV ran 6Z05 Barton Hill - St. Blazey during the evening.

21/06 The 1A40 21:45 Penzance - Paddington First/GW sleeper service was booked to run via the area behind 57603, timed at Temple Meads from 02:36 - 02:38 and Parkway at 02:46. The balancing 1C99 Paddington - Penzance service, with 57605 was routed via the Berks & Hants and Westbury.

23/06 57605 worked the First/GW 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service via Temple Meads and Parkway, whilst the balancing 1C99 with 57603 ran again via the Berks & Hants and Westbury. 66622 worked the diverted 6C73 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater departmental via Bristol, being reported through Bridgwater at 12:40. Later, at Bridgwater, 37218 + 37601 departed with the 6M67 nuclear flasks at 14:05 (3 late) and was later recorded in Temple Meads at 15:04 and passing Parkway at 15:14. Steam loco 70013 Oliver Cromwell arrived with a Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Express’ (1Z88 09:46 Victoria - Temple Meads and 1Z88 09:46 return) at 14:19 (9 late).

24/06 The 1A40 Penzance - Paddington First/GW sleeper service was routed via Bristol and Parkway with 57603. The day’s Arriva XC HST services were covered by the following power cars: 43285 + 43301 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central. 43304 + 43378 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth / 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley. 43303 + 43207 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds. 43304 + 43366 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds. Later, 150243 working the 2E22 13:10 Weymouth - Gloucester First/GW service failed near Narroways Hill junction. The stricken train was believed to have been assisted from the rear by the 1F20 13:23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central service as far as Bristol Parkway. A departmental working report for the day was blue livered 66623 on a 6Z86 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater part HOBC turning move which was recorded passing Taunton station at 15:03 and arriving in Temple Meads for Bath and Westbury at 16:21.

25/06 Heritage Traction day!! For this year’s Penzance Mazey day event, three railtours made the long journey to the Cornish terminus for the town’s celebrations. The trains, stock and operators details were as follows:

20309 + 20308 tnt 57601 - ‘The Kernow Voyager’ (Spitfire Tours) - 1Z37 06:07 Gloucester - Penzance / 1Z38 17:30 return. c/stock: 99680, 99328, 4905, 5032, 6528, 3359, 3360, Ullswater (504), 3150, 3148.

37409 + 37229 - ‘The Kernow Voyager II’ (Spitfire Tours) - 1Z31 05:03 Birmingham International - Penzance / 1Z32 16:12 return. c/stock: 99723, 99121 Julie, 99352, Windermere (506), 3143, 99347, 1861, 4973, 5035, 4940, 5478). 31601 + 31190 - ‘The Mazey Day Cornishman’ (Pathfinder Tours) - 1Z20 05:22 Thame Parkway - Penzance / 1Z21 17:13 return. c/stock: 35469, Gainsborough (3348), Brunel (3330), 1692, 3107, 3141, 3146, 3144, 1813, 4959, 4927, 5322, 5276.

Reported timings were as follows: 1Z37 / 1Z38 - Departing Parkway at 06:54 (right time), passing Parsons Street at 07:14 and Highbridge at 07:36, the return, which had needed assistance from 67001 (which ran 0Z21 Barton Hill - Plymouth light) over the Devon banks was recorded as departing Taunton at 21:41 (1 late), passing Flax Bourton (near Bristol) at 22:20 and passing Yate at 23:05 (11 late). The Class 67 was removed at Temple Meads on the return. 1Z31 / 1Z32 - Passing Westerleigh junction at 07:07, Parkway at 07:15 (5 early) and Highbridge at 08:04. The return was reported as passing Flax Bourton at 20:05 and Gloucester at 21:14 .

1Z20 / 1Z21 - Departing Parkway at 07:50 (2 late) and passing Highbridge at 08:39, the return was noted departing Taunton at 21:45 (48 late), passing Flax Bourton at 22:22 and departing Cheltenham at 23:36 (57 late). Other reports for the day were: MPV 98908 + 98958 returning a 6Z05 20:25 (Fri) St. Blazey - Barton Hill (due 08:15) weedkilling trip passing Highbridge at 06:37 and 47501 with 47818 top n’tailing a 1Z71 11:15 Cardiff Central - Eastleigh and 1Z72 14:18 return (via Romsey), ‘Spirit of Travel’ Northern Belle dining circular, the outward being recorded through Patchway at 11:52 and Keynsham at 12:26 with the return passing through Lawrence Hill at 16:13 and Pilning at 16:23 (6 early).

26/06 Having not run on the previous Sunday, the day’s Torbay Express was again cancelled.

27/06 Both First/GW sleeper services were routed via the Bristol and Bath area with 57605 on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington and 57603 working the other way on the 1C99 being booked via Bath at 01:45 and Temple Meads from 01:58 - 02:25. 67001 ran 0Z27 04:43 Barton Hill - Westbury light-engine having stabled in Bristol (and used on a Mazey Day Penzance special) over the weekend off a Glastonbury pop festival special. The loco returned the train north as 1Z27 10:00 Frome - Preston (also see the Westbury notes & news section). 66591 on the morning 4O24 Bristol West (Railport) - Grain (Thamesport) service was noted passing North Somerset junction at 09:21 conveying two containers only ! 66622 later passed Parsons Street at 13:10 with the Monday’s only 6C73 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater departmental. Steam loco 45305 passed through the area via Day’s curve on a 5Z35 06:11 Swanage - Crewe loco and support coach move being reported as passing Bath at 12:36 and Filton Abbeywood at 13:15. 31465 with dept c/stock: 6262, 999605, 9702 worked a 3Z08 Derby RTC - Exeter (Riverside) test train, which later formed a 3Q54 23:10 Exeter - Exeter working via a reverse at Lostwithiel (booked 02:24 - 02:54).

28/06 A signalling and track circuit failure due to a lightening strike in the Southall area saw some late First/GW HST running and West of England cancellations.

29/06 Steam 35028 Clan Line worked a 1Z91 08:44 Victoria - Temple Meads and 1Z93 16:39 return VSOE ‘British Pullman’ working throughout. The 1Z93 was noted passing Keynsham at 17:03 having departed Temple Meads 14 minutes late - reason unknown.

30/06 31465 was noted in the former high level ‘stub’ siding throughout the day on a test working, whilst former Fastline loco 66304 was at Bristol West (Railport) during the afternoon, departing on the 4L30 16:27 (ThO) service to Felixstowe. Possibly the working of the month was a day light appearance of two First/GW Class 57/6s. 57603 + 57602 (with c/stock: 17175, 12100, 10225, 10563, 10616, 10534, 10601) in a top n’tail formation on a 5Z30 11:19 Old Oak Common - Old Oak Common (via Bristol TM booked 14:04 - 14:36) loco test train working (also see the May Magazine cover). The train (which had departed 18 minutes late during the morning) was reported through Bath at 14:12 (22 late) and on the return, with both locos now double-heading passing Chippenham at 15:37 (39 late) and a Swindon stop between 15:51 (7 early) and 16:15 (12 early).

Cardiff

04/06 57313 + 57315 top n’tailed an additional 08:08 Holyhead - Cardiff Central and 18:19 return service for the Wales v The Barbarians rugby game held at the Millennium Stadium.

09/06 A view of Canton depot recorded the following: 08499. 37308. 50044. 57315.

15/06 A test train with Class 37 97301 at it’s head was stabled next to the signal box at Central station.

24/06 DRS 47818 + 47832 worked 5Z65 01:10 Crewe C.S. - Swansea Northern Belle ECS (reported Hereford at 03:17 - 22 late) for a 1Z65 06:19 Swansea - Oxenholme Lake District dining special via Cardiff (booked 07:15 - 07:19), Newport (booked 07:47 - 07:51) and Hereford. The return working saw 47818 head the train solo to Crewe where 47501 was attached for the journey to West Wales via Shrewsbury and Hereford and the return ECS move.

25/06 DRS 66421 was noted stabled in Central station during the morning.

27/06 Now carrying a BR blue (instead of a non-authentic two-tone green!) livery 50044 (carrying a 5Z50 headcode) ran 0Z39 09:23 Cardiff Pullman - Codnor Park (Midland Rail Centre) light-engine (being recorded as passing Lydney at 10:13 - 19 early) via the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster (to collect 50135 from here). The loco was later used to move further preserved locos: 20048 + 33201 + 46045 onwards from the Midland Railway Centre to Barrow Hill for a diesel event that was held there.

29/06 WCRC 47760 + 47804 worked a 1Z70 06:41 Rugby - Cardiff Central (14:54) excursion via Llandrindod Wells and the Central Wales line.

Gloucester

21/05 Additional information for this date (July Magazine): steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester worked part of the Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Cumbrian Mountain Express’ in place of 60163 Tornado (1Z70 06:29 Gloucester - Carlisle and 1Z72 16:31 return), between Carlisle, Settle and Crewe. The trip was otherwise worked to and from the north by a DBS Class 67.

01/06 The return 6B36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD trip was recorded passing Swindon early at 13:05 with unusual hauling power 67019.

02/06 66011 was on the return 6B36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD trip.

03/06 DRS 66428 headed 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap whilst unbranded blue 66403 was on the 6Z97 13:43 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded scrap wagons.

07/06 66101 powered the Tuesday only 6V67 Bescot - Newport freight.

10/06 GBRf 66737 was on the 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap. DRS 66432 was also recorded on a 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap service.

12/06 LM / First GW ‘hire’ 153333 + 150263 were working Cheltenham - Swindon local services during the day. 66737 was stabled at Gloucester during part of the day before running light towards South Wales.

15/06 66737 powered 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap being later reported through Newport at 17:43.

20/06 66703 passed Cheltenham at 17:18 on a Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap service.

24/06 66421 worked Tyne dock - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.

27/06 A 2Q88 Derby RTC - Swansea test train top n’tailed with 37601 + 37038 was recorded as passing Cheltenham at 09:54 and Lydney at 10:55.

Newport

01/06 66117 was on a 6W57 return Westbury - Westbury departmental (via Carmarthen junction) passing Newport at 08:03.

02/06 66121 returned a 6W60 departmental from Carmarthen junction through Newport at 08:01.

07/06 66035 worked a 6W35 return Aberthaw - Westbury departmental passing at 06:25.

08/06 66035 was again on departmental duty passing at 07:52 on a 6W35 Bridgend - Westbury working.

11/06 57601 + 47851 top n ‘tailed a morning 1Z36 Newport - Carlisle and return excursion (also see Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news). 66093 passed Newport at 17:20 with the 6B59 17:08 Exeter (Alphington Road) - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.

13/06 GBRf 66737 was reported as passing Severn Tunnel junction at 18:19 on 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.

15/06 Colas 66841 passed Newport down light at 10:39 returning again at 12:35 for Llanwern. Later, departmental Class 37, 97301 passed Newport at 20:54 in the up direction on a test train.

16/06 Having earlier been reported at Swindon around lunch time, the NRMT HST was recorded as passing Newport at 17:25 in the up direction following a Swindon - Swansea outward move via Cheltenham (reverse), Lydney, Barry and Bridgend. The set was formed with power cars 43013 + 43062 with intermediate coaches: 977984, 975814, 977993, 977994, 975984.

18/06 60011 worked a 09:28 Trostre - Llanwern steel service during the day. The damaged 70012, after a period of store in Newport docks was moved by road to Liverpool.

20/06 60011 worked 6M76 00:40 Margam - Dee Marsh reception sidings loaded steel via Llanwern (booked 02:00 - 03:08). In the Liverpool area, 70012 was loaded at Seaforth dock for movement by the ship the Atlantic Concert back to the United States.

21/06 60010 was recorded on the 6V02 18:43 (Mon) Tees yard - Margam steel service and 66020 powered a 6W03 Newport ADJ - Westbury morning departmental.

23/06 60011 was on a 6Z42 14:15 Cardiff Docks - Margam freight which called at Newport ADJ en- route.                                                                                  

24/06 60011 powered the 6E20 18:35 Margam - Immingham which was booked through Newport at 20:53.

29/06 Colas 66844 ran Llanwern - Margam light-engine.

Portbury Branch Line

No DBS coal workings were reported over the branch during the four week review period.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66511/519/524/529/557/953. 70003/005.

Tytherington Quarry Branch Line

04/06 59102 worked 7Z52 05:40 Westbury - Tytherington stone empties, formed of Hanson JHAs later returning as 7Z53 11:50 loaded stone to Westbury departing the quarry at 12:02 (12 late) and arriving Yate at 12:38, then passing Westerleigh junction at 13:09 (40 late) and Parkway at 13:18 (42 late).

06/06 Yellow livered 97301 propelling 999508 + 9701 as a 2Q88 05:35 Derby RTC - Bristol TM test train visited the branch being noted at Latteridge crossing at 13:36 and returning here at 14:00. For the record, the booked quarry reversing times were from 13:12 - 13:22 (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news).

Westbury

22/06 67001 worked a 1Z25 09:20 Preston - Frome special for the Pilton (Glastonbury) pop festival with c/stock: 5810, 1254, 6173, 6001, 5919, 6117, 9506 via Oxford, Swindon and Melksham. The 5Z26 17:42 ECS to Westbury went on to Taunton Fairwater yard (booked 18:31 - 18:59) for the loco run round prior to the move back to Westbury yard, the Class 67 then running 0Z26 20:38 light to Barton Hill for stabling. Road coaches carried the passengers from Frome to Glastonbury to complete the final part of their journey. Initially, it was expected that this train’s destination was to have been Cranmore.

27/06 A change of shunter took place with 08737 arriving and 08711 going to Crewe Electric depot on the same road trailer. The 6B65 11:15 Westbury - Newport ADJ and 6C41 15:15 return departmental services were replaced during the month with a 6M50 07:40 (FSX) Westbury - Bescot working via Oxford Hinksey yard. The balancing train is 6V28 18:00 Bescot - Westbury (due to arrive in the early hours of the following day).

Units seen during the month have included

142009/029.
143603/611/617/618/620/621.
150120/123/128/131/129/219/233/230/232/238/239/243/244/246/247/248/249/261/263/265/266.
153305/325*/329/333*/361/368/370/372/377/380/382/399*.
158749/763/766/767/766/769/798/950/951/952/953/954/955/956*/957/958/959*.
159003/005/101/103/106/107.
220003/006/012/014/016
22121/123/124/127/128/130/136/139.
Arriva XC power cars: 43207/285/301/303/304/321/357/366/378/384.
Arriva/Wales / First/GW ‘hire’ : 150213 (22/06, 27/06). 150229 (23/06). 150231 (15/06). 150235 (25/06). 150237 (11/06). 150241 (05/06). 150251 (28/06). 150252 (07/06). 150254 (19/06). 150256 (14/06). 150260 (08/06, 19/06). 150264 (23/06). 150267 (26/06). 150283 (20/06). 150284 (12/06). 150285 (09/06, 11/06)
SWT / First/GW ‘hire’: 158880 (11/06)

Notes: * 153325 and 153333 remain ‘on loan’ from the LM. 153399 is still formed 57221 + 57369. 158956 and 158959 were reported as running as two car units during the month and 57762 (158952) was noted ‘loose’ on St. Phillips Marsh depot on 08/06.

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers

08531 –FS (Trafford Park), 08676–TO (DC), 08874 – MDBL, 43078(OO)-LE, 47805/839(CP)-KM, 66146/153/159/163/173 –Poland, 66203 –UK, 70012 –USA. 20121 (BH)-Wensleydale

Ownership: 03112. 08704 – HNRL (x Boston Docks)  92006/014/018/023/033 –Europorte (GBRF) (PTXX)

Stored

BH: 08704. 20311/314/906. CD: 47799. CE: 08428/711. 67017/022/028. 90019. 92005 DC: 08993. KM: 20307/310/312/313. 66412. MD: 59201/202. TO: 60010/045/079/084/096. 66016/066/077/101/108/119/132/144/187/194. ZG: 47813 Boden Rail: 08765 LH Group: 08530 Nemisis: 37679. RVEL: 37261/612

Traffic

08495 –TO(DC), 08507 –BH(Boston Docks), 08567 –TO(Mossend), 08737 –TO(Westbury),08873 –FS(Maritime), 60011/040/049/071/074 –TO, 66544 –FD, 66601/606 –FD, 67001/008/018/030. 92009/016/042 –CE. Re-Registered: 20059 –BH, 47715 -MBDL

Disposals

Booth: 08517       EMR (K): 08668/827. 20902. 47295 Thomson: 56059/095

Renumbered

66573-66577 inclusive - 66846-850 –RU (Colas)

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers

153354/364(NC)-TS  180102/104(BN)/109/110/111/113(XW)-OO

Traffic

172101-104 -AL

Stored

221: Cars: 60394/494 – Crewe Station

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers

306017(ZG)- East Anglian RM (Chappell & Wakes Colne) 322482/483(GW)-NL

Stored

460004/006 -BM

Traffic

378234 –NG                   379001/003-029 –IL    380101-116 –GW          390054 –LL (9 car formation)

New Stock

380022 -HQ

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

40732. 41062/154. 42123/125/205/201/335. 44073(NL)-EC  CDCS: 10242. 11064/084/086

Stored

AL: 11027 Burton-on-Trent(Nemisis Rail?): 3223/40

Traffic

977987/988 -AL

Disposals

R Hull: 977856      Whitestar: 6335 @LA N/K: 43086 at Churnett Valley     Epping & Ongar: 1214 GCR(N): 975000 Skipworth Station: 5941           Suffolk Fire & Rescue, RAF Wattisham: 975498 + 977337

Pool Codes

Further Update

EBHQ GE/Anglia Coaching Stock

EJHQ Lon Midland Cl139, 150, 153, 170, 321, 323, 350

HFHQ Virgin Cl390, Coaching Stock

HOHQ Chiltern Coaching Stock

EAHQ Tr’pennine Cl185

PFHQ Hull Trains Cl180

HEHQ Merseyrail Cl507, 508

EHHQ XC Cl170, 220, 221

HAHQ Scotrail Cl145, 158, 170, 314, 318, 320, 322, 334 & C. Stock

HBHQ East Coast Coaching Stock inc HST Trailers

HWHQ Southern Cl313, 442

HUHQ S Eastern Cl385

EFHQ G Western Cl142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 165,166, C.S & HST Trailers

EDHQ Northern Cl142, 144, 150, 153, 155, 156, 158, 180, 321, 322, 323, 333

EMHQ E Midlands Cl153, 156, 158, 222, HST Trailers & Barriers

EGHQ Cap Connect Cl313, 317, 319, 365, 377

HMHQ Heathrow X Cl332, 360/2

HLHQ Arriva TW 121, 142, 143, 150, 153, 158, 175 & C. Stock

Delete

IANR, HACX, HACN, HAHE, HAHT, HAGC, HAGB, HAGA, HAGE, HAIS, EAAK, IECD, IECX, IECD, HOCO, HOCS, HWBI, HWSL, HUAD, MBCS(139), EJSH, EJTS, EJSL, EJWC, EJXC, EFBB, EFSP, EFBC, EFPM, EFRG, EFPZ, EFSK, EFTH, EFTL, EFBU, EDAA, EDAB, EDBA, EDBB, EDCA, EDCB, EDDA, EDEA, EDFA, EDGA, EDGB, EDHA, EDMA, EDNA, EDLA, EMDA, EMDB, EMDC, EMDE, EMTC, EMXX, PFAD, EGGN, EGTL, HMCO, HEBA, EHVO, EHSV, EHDA, EHDB, IWCX, HLVS, HLCN, HLVR, HLVE, HLCH, HLSE

LOCAL LOCO HAULED PASSENGER SERVICES

 1V31 / 1W91 05:32 Holyhead - Cardiff Central /16:15 Cardiff Central - Holyhead (WAG Express)

09/06 57315. 15/06 57313. 16/06 57313. 17/06 57313.

Note: Coaching stock on 09/06 was recorded as: 9539, 6183, 6137, 10249. By the 15/06, 10259 had replaced 10249 in the train’s formation.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

 

4V51 / 4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers

01/06 66535. 02/06 70001. 03/06 66591. 04/06 66539. 06/06 70008. 07/06 66589. 08/06 66550. 09/06 66541. 15/06 66533. 16/06 66590. 18/06 66590. 20/06 66587. 23/06 66590. 24/06 66587. 25/06 66538. 28/06 66564.

6M55 06:55 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/06 70004. 02/06 70003. 06-10/06 70003. 13/06 66529. 14/06 66524. 15/06 70003. 20/06 66519. 21/06 66519. 23/06 66519. 24/06 66560. 30/06 66519. 

6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/06 66557. 02/06 66953. 03/06 66953. 07/06 66511. 08/06 66511. 16/06 70003. 20/06 70005. 27-29/06 70003.

6A21 Pengam sidings - Theale loaded stone

09/06 66529. 25/06 66610.

The Container Count - Bristol West (Railport)

The following have been recorded with headcodes listed where known:

01/06 66536. 02/06 66536 (4L32). 03/06 66536. 04/06 66570 (4V32). 06/06 66570. 07/06 66429 (4O24). 08/06 66429 (4L32). 11/06 66956. 66517 (4L32). 12/06 66517. 15/06 66955. 17/06 66535. 18/06 66535. 20/06 66535. 21/06 66567. 22/06 66567. 23/06 66542 (4L32). 66539 (4L30). 24/06 66542 (4L32). 25/06 66534 (4V32). 26/06 66591. 27/06 66591 (4O24). 28/06 66594 (4O24). 30/06 66566. 66304 (4L30).

Train notes: Arrivals - 4V32 from Felixstowe (SO). Departures: 4L30 16:27 (ThO) - Felixstowe. 4L32 11:00 - Tilbury. 4O24 11:00 - Grain (Thamesport).

LOCAL DBS WORKINGS

 6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks

01-03/06 60011. 06-09/06 60011. 13-15/06 60074. 16/06 60011. 23/06 60074. 24/06 60074. 27-30/06 60074.

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey fuel tank empties

06/06 60024. 10/06 66166. 11/06 66230. 13/06 60024. 15/06 60099. 18/06 60024. 20/06 60024. 25/06 60024. 27/06 60045. 29/06 60024.

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

03/06 66137. 10/06 66093. 14/06 66130. 28/06 66003.

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

01/06 66093. 02/06 60099. 04/06 66063 + 60099. 09/06 60074. 10/06 66141. 11/06 60074. 14/06 60011. 18/06 66164. 21/06 66086 + 60011. 23/06 60010. 28/06 60010.

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

07/06 66107. 14/06 66001. 21/06 66174. 28/06 66126.

6X52 Portbury - Warrington loaded car carriers (TThO)

02/06 66085. 03/06 66102. 09/06 66102. 16/06 66121. 28/06 66068.

6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

15/06 66193. 20/06 66176. 27/06 66019.

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

11/06 66093.

6A83 Machen quarry - West Drayton ARC loaded stone

03/06 66182. 22/06 59206. 28/06 66171. 29/06 66171.

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

04/06 66057. 18/06 66002.

Note: Not previously reported was the routing of this service, via the Marches and Hereford onwards to Bescot from Newport, due to a lack of assisting loco available at Bromsgrove for the Lickey Bank, from the end of May.

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

02/06 66250. 09/06 66101. 16/06 66177. 23/06 66107.

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

14/06 66177.

6A29 Wentlooge - Didcot wagonload freight

09/06 66087. 10/06 66034. 14/06 66134. 16/06 66187. 26/06 66050. 29/06 66157.

6O32 Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor / * Trostre export steel

02/06 66057. 12/06 66164. 23/06 66016. 25/06* 66104. 26/06 66168.

6V13 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern / * 6Z12 Trostre steel

01/06 66094. 03/06 66057. 04/06* 66098. 07/06 66183. 08/06 66124. 09/06* 66002. 18/06* 66021. 19/06* 66181. 25/06* 66104.

 LOCAL COLAS WORKINGS

 6O78 Trostre / Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor export steel

01/06 66844. 05/06 66843. 06/06 66844. 08/06 66841. 09/06 66576. 12/06 66576. 15/06 66841. 19/06 66575. 20/06 66576. 21/06 66576. 22/06 66844. 26/06* 66576. 29/06 66844.

Note: * operated as 6Z78 from Llanwern on this date.

6V78 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern / Trostre steel

02/06 66841. 06/06 66841. 11/06 66576. 11/06 66576. 13/06 66841 + 66844* 18/06 66576 + 66575. 19/06** 66575. 20/06 66841. 24/06 66576. 27/06 66844.

Note:* 66841 was removed at Llanwern en-route. ** operated as 6Z78 on this date.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS 

6V73 / 6M56 Crewe coal sidings - CEGB Berkeley nuclear flasks

01/06 37603 + 37607. 03/06 37510 + 37423. 10/06 37038 + 37611. 29/06 66420 + 66432.

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

02/06 57003 + 57007. 13/06 37682 + 37688. 16/06 37510 + 37604. 23/06 37218 + 37601. 27/06 37229 + 37409. 30/06 37607 + 37611.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

M Shed (Bristol Industrial Museum), Prince’s Wharf (17/06/11) R.W.Giles

This Bristol museum finally re-opened, at a cost of £27 million (£8 million over budget and two years behind schedule!). The refurbished former dockside warehouse houses 3,000 items on show displayed in three main halls titled people, pleasure and life. Steam loco Henbury (P 1937/40) took part in the re-opening ceremony which commenced at 11:00 moving props along the quayside for a spectacular display involving a rail wagon mounted tower and acrobats, held between two of the four remaining 1950s built Stothert & Pitt dockside cranes. The new internal workshop viewing area at the rear of the building contained No.34 Portbury (AE 1764/17). The museum was reported to have attracted 18,000 visitors during it’s first week of re-opening, around 150,000 people a year have been recorded as visiting the old building between 1974 (when the museum first opened) through to 2006. Princess Anne is to officially re-open the museum with a ceremony that is to take place on 14th December.

West Somerset Railway ‘25th Anniversary of the Class 59s gala’  (10-12/06/11)

09/06 97301 departed St. Erth at 07:04 with a 2Q88 test train (formed DB999508, 9701) to Bishop’s Lydeard for display at the forthcoming diesel gala.

10/06 The main ‘stars’ of the event, 59001 + 59103 + 59206 + 59002, arrived as 7Z27 Merehead quarry - Bishop’s Lydeard formed of six empty bogie box JNAs (3909, 3963, 3974, 3907, 3950, 3955). The working was recorded as passing Taunton at 06:50.

11/06 First/GW operated a shuttle service using 150123 on the first day, from Taunton - Bishop’s Lydeard, the unit having arrived on a service from Bristol (see Bristol TM, Barton Hill & Kingsland Road notes & news). The set worked the following during the day: Taunton departures:- 10:03 (2Z12), 11:03 (2Z14), 12:03 (2Z16), 15:03 (2Z18), 16:03 (2Z20), 17:03 (2Z22), 17:50 (2Z24) and Bishop’s Lydeard departures:- 10:30 (2Z13), 11:30 (2Z15), 12:30 (2Z17), 15:30 (2Z19), 16:30 (2Z21), 17:30 (2Z23).

12/06 First/GW 150128 was on WSR shuttle duty, for the record the workings were as follows:- Taunton departures:- 10:30 (2Z12), 11:30 (2Z14), 12:30 (2Z16), 15:31 (2Z18), 16:30 (16:30), 17:31 (2Z22). Bishop’s Lydeard departures:- 11:03 (2Z13), 12:03 (2Z15), 15:03 (2Z17), 16:03 (2Z19), 17:03 (2Z23), 17:58 (2Z25). 59002 + 59001 + 59206 + 59103 departed as 7Z27 19:43 Bishop’s Lydeard - Taunton, then 7Z28 20:04 Taunton - Merehead quarry with the six JNAs. The working was running late, being recorded as in Taunton station at 20:56.

For this successful three day event: D832 Onslaught, D1010 Western Campaigner, D6566, D9526, 33048. 47840 /D1661 North Star were used on passenger and some demo freight workings, with ex SDR steam loco 88 also featuring. The Western in fact, failed on the first day, D6566 standing in on the Class 52’s remaining diagrams. Also reported at Bishop’s Lydeard during the event was 08377 and visiting steam un-named loco 70000 (Britannia).

18/06 Steam 70013 Oliver Cromwell arrived with the Railway Touring Company ‘West Somerset Explorer’ (1Z71 08:04 Paddington - Minehead) with c/stock: 14064, 5222, 99311, 99350, 99348, 99128, 99316, 99127, 99371. D7017 was attached as a pilot loco from Bishop’s Lydeard onwards to Minehead. The train, routed via the Berks & Hants route was watered at Newbury Racecourse on the outward with Woodborough and Theale on the 15:30 return from Minehead (1Z73).

19/06 Steam 60163 Tornado made its first appearance in the West Country since a boiler overhaul, arriving as 16:45 from Didcot, via Melksham with support coach. The loco now carries a BR green livery.

Road Movements

13/06 Ex. GWR steam 4253 - M4 junction 17 (Chippenham) east bound on a Pontypool & Blaenavon - Kent & East Sussex Railway move at 17:45.

21/06 70012 Newport Docks – Seaforth Docks, for shipment back to the USA.

29/06 Ex. SR steam 30777 - M5 junction 25 (Taunton) north bound ex West Somerset Railway at 07:00.

TRACK MACHINES & DEPARTMENTALS

01/06 77327 - on lorry low loader trailer, M5 west bound at junction 26 (Wellington) 15:45. DR75407 - running as 6J84 Worle Junction - Cardiff (Taff Vale sidings).

10/06 DR75406 - Exeter St. David’s.

14/06 5474 (road/rail excavator). 99709 911083 (road/rail personal carrier). RT123 (99709 9401011-4). RT226 (99709 9401041-4) both support trailers. - Pilning West.

18/06 4273 Hydrex (road/rail excavator) - Bristol TM (old fish dock). DR80302. 453 Quattro Plant (road/rail excavator).