NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

13/11 37717 worked the morning trip freight from Newport consisting of a single container wagon. The loco returned with a rake of empty container flats around mid-day.

14/11 37419 handled today's Newport-Avonmouth trip freight.

24/11 66178 powered the rarely reported overnight 6010 Hallen Marsh-Eastleigh lpg tanks. This service is now only seen during daylight hours on Saturdays near it's regular 17.30 time slot.

Locos noted on coal duty during November;- 60003/019/036/037/048/052/064/093/096. 66007/020/045/052/053/067/071/134/138/139/146/182/200/214/233/241/243/248. The 08 pilots remained unchanged as 08653 and 08896, but by the end of the month the latter had gone (reported for use at Cardiff Allied Steel & Wire). By mid-November two rakes of the new EWS HTA bogie coal wagons were in use on Didcot coal services.

Bristol Parkway

30/10 66511 worked the Machen-Westbury ballast via Day's curve during the afternoon.

01/11 47737 + 47759 top n'tailed a 1Z12 serco-test train during the day, whilst 47634 arrived around 20.30 with a Swansea-Willesden mail train.

03/11 The 1S48 07.15 Bristol TM-Edinburgh was double-headed by 47849 + 47848, the latter showing signs of an oil leak along it's side. Later preserved Class 50 No.D431 called with a Pathfinder's 06.51 Cardiff Central-Blackpool North (1Z27) railtour formed of choc/cream Riviera coaches.

05/11 Five locomotive workings recorded this evening, two MGR services 60096 with empties and 60036 with a loaded train. 66131 Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66169 Tytherington "Stone" and 66221 Margam - Fawley empty fuel tanks.

06/11 The serco test-train was again seen with 47737+47793. The train had made two runs over the Swindon-Standish Junction mainline the previous day.

07/11 66247 worked the 6V70 08.57 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight and 37712 was incharge of a 6T50 12.20 Newport ADJ-Didcot engineers working. A recently repainted, but still in IC colours 47 826 hauled the 1V48 11.17 Manchester-Temple Meads and return 1S93 15.35 to Edinburgh. A Barton-under-Needwod Three Rivers depot-Taunton Voyager driver training run (5Z21/5Z22) was formed of sets 220016 + 220021 (recorded Yatton 14.12 A brief visit this evening saw two MGRs 60096 Didcot bound and 66140 heading for Avonmouth with a rake of HTA hoppers.

08/11 47634 headed the Low Fell-Plymouth mails arriving at 20.42. 67008 took the train forward from Bristol. 20 308+20 311 again worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. Four MGRs seem this evening, 66241 & 66020 with empty HTA rakes and 66071 with "standard" MGR wagons heading to Avonmouth and 60096 loaded MGR for Didcot power station. Also seen was 66191 with a steel train bound for Purfleet, a day early or late?

09/11 66038 was today's 6V70 loco.

10/11 Steam loco 5029 Nunney Castle working Pathfinder's 'Red Dragon' (1Z81 08.05 Swansea-Paddington) passed, being slightly delayed on the Patchway/Parkway curve by a late running Virgin service. The coaching stock used was the usual choc/cream Riviera set which included blue liviered ex. Royal coach 14105 now in use as a service vehicle. 66132 powered the Tytherington-Westbury stone service.

12/11 60096 still employed on Avonmouth - Didcot MGR services and 66210 seen with HTAs heading for Avonmouth. Tytherington Stone train was worked by 66169 again and 66216 powered the Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train" Tanks. 66070 worked the 6V70.

13/11 37712 headed the 6T50 Didcot departmental trip and later 47781 was present in the railnet depot with the 1V33 15.58 Willesden-Plymouth mails.

14/11 37418 powered the 6B24 Didcot-Cardiff Tidal fuel tankers.

18/11 67030 + 67009 were paired on the 1S81 16.05 mails to Shieldmuir, 66205 worked the 6V70 and Voyager sets 220025 + 220026 were recorded on a driver training run. 37 712 worked the 4B24 15.35 Didcot-Wenloog (and return 4A25) mod stores train.

19/11 Seen this evening where 66092 working the Tyne Yard "Boxes", 37712 with an MoD service heading towards South Wales, 66220 with HTAs for Avonmouth BHT and 66178 on the "Fuel Train". Today's Tytherington trip was

21/11 66132 headed the 6V70, which conveyed RES vans 94546 + 94548 + 94447 onwards from Exeter

22/11 47799 + 47798 worked the Royal Train to Cardiff at 13.00, returning at 14.04 via the up loop. 60093 headed the Didcot-Wenloog mod stores at 16.08 and 20310 + 20315 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks and 66202 headed the 6V70. Two freight services noted this evening, 66019 MGR empties to Avonmouth and 60093 MoD service.

26/11 Three MGRs to Avonmouth in quick succession this evening, 66228 and 60028 with "conventional" wagons and 66067 with HTAs, 60093 worked out later with a Didcot bound service. Also recorded were 66224 with the "Fuel Train" and 66148 with a MoD service.

29/11 60022 hauled 29 PGAs to South Wales, 66013 the 6V70 and 66168 the Didcot-Wenloog MoD stores. Just a single MGR noted this evening, 66233 with empty HTAs for Avonmouth.

30/11 58043 headed a 14.00 Stoke Gifford-Didcot four wagon departmental working.Bristol Temple Meads Brief visit this evening saw 66114 take MGR empties to Avonmouth and 60052 with a loaded train for Didcot. Two other eastbound workings recorded 66049 with a "Civils" train and 47832 light engine.

31/10 20311 + 20308 powered the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

31/10 66173 hauled the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks.

01/11 Bridgwater - Sellafield flasks noted en-route at 14.40 behind 20310/315. Voyager sets 220023 + 220025 headed an out and back 5Z42 Birmingham-Plymouth driver training trip, 67006 a 5Z43 17.27 Plymouth-Barton Hill nine van train and 20310 + 20315 the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks (Filton 14.52). Workings via Day's curve during the afternoon included; 60004 + 37516 with the 6V34 10.34 Fawley-Margam 19 TTA tanks (the 37 was to be used for sandite duty but was later found to have a defective wheelset, the replacement loco being 37667 ) and 66511 with the Machen-Westbury ballast. An unusual westbound stock move (5Z77) noted passing Worle junction at 20.02 was 47846 + 6338 + 6340 + 10584 + 96602 + 96606 and 47793 was recorded heading west with the 1V64 Paddington-Plymouth mails.

02/11 220018 + 220028 worked today's driver training run and 47793 returned north on the 1E43 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. 57601 had earlier continued it's work with the 1A28 06.30 Plymouth-Paddington and return 1C50 15.42 Paddington-Exeter. The 1V47 07.10 Edinburgh-Plymouth hst formed with power cars 43080 + 43087 suffered a failure in the latter and First/GW 47846 acted as pilot where at Plymouth the defective power car was replaced by 43063. The return 1E40 departed 58 minutes late. Load-haul liviered 60038 was today's 6V70 loco.

03/11 The First/GW sleepers were worked up by 47813 and down by 47816. 66048 was the power on the 6S55 slurry tanks.

05/11 47815 worked the Penzance-Paddington sleeper (1A99) and 47 830 headed the down (1C99) sleeper, later 47737 + 47793 top n'tailed a serco test train. 57601 continued on the regular diagram and the 1S93 15.35 service to Edinburgh was noted caped in platform 5 behind a failed 47831. The 47/8 and ECS later headed north behind EWS 47759. The 1V46 09.13 Liverpool-Plymouth service was cancelled due to a lack of stock being available. 60026 headed the 6V70, believed to be a West Country debut for this loco.

06/11 EWS 47 635 worked the 1V46 09.13 Liverpool-Plymouth as far as Birmingham NS where 47822 took over the loco and train returning with the 1E61 15.50 Plymouth-Leeds. 57601 continued on the 1A28/1C50 and Voyagers 220005 + 220028 were seen in the station at 15.14 on a training run. 66515 + 66527 were stabled on St.Phillips in the evening

07/11 220016 + 220021 worked today's training trip and 66119 hauled the 6S55 slurry tanks. A serious fire in a former railway warehouse (now a furniture store and auctioneers) alongside platform 6 at Exeter St.Davids caused some northbound late running. Sellafield - Bridgwater flasks recorded at 05.05, utilising the the same motive power as for 1/11, namely 20310/315.

08/11 A new shunter for the Bristol area is rail-blue 08904 noted as the station pilot during the day. 220005 + 220024 were on driving trainer duties today and the 1C50 15.42 Paddington-Exeter loco-hauled First/GW service made additional stops at Highbridge & Burnham and Bridgwater for the Bridgwater Carnival which was reported to have attracted over 100,000 people! A Pathfinder trip booked for Class 50 haulage from Crewe-Bridgwater for the Carnival was cancelled-reason unknown.

08/11 Northbound "Departmental" train seen at 14.35 powered by 60019.

09/11 58047 powered a down engineers passed Filton at 14.50 and 66132 headed a 6X40 11.48 Rosyth-Keyham submarine reactor special (booked TM 21.20/22). Earlier the 1A28 06.30 Plymouth-Paddington service was double-headed by 47816 + 47830. Southbound coal service headed by 66040 was logged at 17.55.

10/11 66248 headed the 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks.

11/11 A St.Phillips Marsh-Laira morning stock move saw 47 846take barrier 6348 and power car 43021 west. Later returning engineers trains from Clink Road junction, Frome to Westbury (via Taunton, run-round and Bristol) were headed by 60019 (6W60) and 66169 (6W61).

12/11 Southbound Enterprise service seen this afternoon at 13.55 worked by 66074. Whilst new point-work was being installed at Barton Hill depot for Voyager stabling the 5S81 14.20 RES empties to Parkway were retimed to leave at 09.20 and the afternoon 5B09 TPO ecs to Cardiff was cancelled.57601 returned to the regular 1A28/1C50, having late during the previous evening assisted the 1A99 Penzance-Paddington sleeper behind 47815 over Hemerdon bank. The train had slipped to a stand.

13/11 220018 + 220021 worked another Birmingham-Taunton driver training special (leaving Taunton at 14.35).

14/11 Royal 47799 worked the final booked VSOE Victoria-Bath & Bristol special for the 2001 programme to/from Bristol. Other active 47s were; 47727 on 5Z68 08.08 Barton Hill-Plymouth running 30 minutes early and 47781 0n the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Paryway RMT mails. Freights noted were; 66042 on the 6S55 and 66013 with the 6V70.

15/11 66517 headed the Machen-Westbury ballast and 66076 the 6V70.

16/11The first duty for the newly repainted large-logo blue 47847, was the 1V35 06.05 Derby-Plymouth and return 1M40 11.50 Plymouth-Liverpool. The loco had been released from the Toton paintshop the previous day. Other workings of interest during the day were; 47712 with a Longsight-Laira seven coach hst stock move (with barrier vans 6392+6394) during the early afternoon, 58047 with a South Wales bound engineers train during the afternoon and 66206 on a seven wagon 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey - Cliffe Vale freight. 220007 + 220019 were today's Virgin Voyager driver training sets.

17/11 47712+47701 returned a morning 5Z74 Laira-St.Phillips Marsh Virgin HST stock move and 66013 powered the 6M68 running today as 08.33 Burngullow-Crewe South yard (incidently the train continued the next day as 6S55 to Irvine behind 37684 + 37418!). Today's 1V35 06.05 Derby-Plymouth service was cancelled due to an engineering blockade.

19/11 57601 continued working the 1A28/1C50 whilst 220025 + 220026 were the Voyager driver training units. 66210 brought the fuel tanks in from Westbury which were tripped to St.Phillips Marsh by 47727. 66511 + 66517 were routed via Day's curve heading for South Wales at 11.40 light.

20/11 66050 worked a late running 6V41 (Irvine-Burngullow slurry tanks), normally not visible in daylight hours, 66518 the Machen-Westbury ballast, 58047 the 7B66 Westbury-Newport departmental (returning with a CWR train), 66151 the 6V70 and 66132 the 6M72. 220021 + 220030 worked a Birmingham-Taunton driver training run (arriving Taunton at 14.35). An 08.00 Swindon-Taunton Serco test train running 90 minutes late passed through top n'tailed by 47770 + 47793 and 47712 + 47701 worked another HST stock move from Bristol-Laira returning light the next day. 57601 performed the regular out/back First/GW services. The 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Glasgow today ran in the path of the 1S35 09.22 Penzance-Glasgow, hauled by 47 840, instead of a non-available HST set. 66518 + 66529 were noted stabled at St. Phillips Marsh in the evening.

21/11 220017 + 220022 worked 5Z21 10.54 Central Rivers depot-Temple Meads and 5Z22 14.17 return driver run whilst alot earlier in the day 47846 hauled the up sleeper and 47 815 the balencing down service. 67021+67012 powered a 5Z24 Barton Hill-Exeter stock move during the morning whilst the 6S55 Irvine bound slurries were in trouble following the failure of 66070 at Lostwithiel. 66050 continued the train onwards after some delay. The 6G88 05.37 Westbury-Hereford and 6G91 13.08 operated today, but the hauling power was not recorded.

22/11 The Machen-Westbury ballast worked via Day's curve behind 66513 (this train normally passes here anytime between 12.50 and 15.40). The 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance was formed of a hst set with power cars 43089 + 43193, whether this was to be a regular HST working from now on is not known? The 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Glasgow service was caped at Penzance following the failure of 47831. 220018 + 220028 were present at Temple Meads between 13.00 and 14.30 on driver training duties.

23/11 Because of engineering works the 1V50 ran as 11.33 Preston-Penzance headed by 47844. The service was however terminated at Birmingham NS due to a fatality. The 1M56 was also cancelled. 67 021+67 001 were paired on the 1S81 16.05 Shieldmuir mails from Parkway and 66 151 headed the 6V70.

24/11 The 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester was retimed to depart at at 07.17 and be routed via Swindon and Oxford along with a number of other services due to engineering work north of Westerleigh junction. 47747 had run as 0M56 Laira-Penzance light to collect the train as well as the failed 47831. 66070 was today's 6M68 loco.

26/11 66076 worked the 6V70.

27/11 57601 was on the 1A28/1C50 diagram and 66202 the 6V70. The 1V50 headed by IC liviered 47826 was running 90 minutes due to problems with the electric loco at Glasgow.

28/11 47701 worked 1V50 11:33 Preston-Penzance. 57601 was the 1A28/1C50 loco whilst 47701 headed the 1V50 again running as 11.33 Preston-Penzance. On the freight side; 66129 headed the 6S55, 66179 + 60008 were paired on the 6V70 (included in the trains formation were EWS saloon escort coaches DM45018 + DB999509, the 60 being enroute to St.Blazey for an 'A' exam), the train passing Yatton at 15.34, 66013 on the 6M72 and 66214 with the overnight 6C24 Newport-St.Blazey enterprise freight (unusual to be running on a Wednesday). 20311 + 20308 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks (Yatton 15.18) and 220024 a solo return Birmingham-Taunton driver training Voyager run (15.22).

29/11 47701 returned north with the 1M56 whilst earlier 47 709 had worked the 1A99 22.00 Penzance-Paddington sleeper. The 1A28/1C50 was worked by an HST set instead of 57601! 20310 + 20315 powered the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. IC liviered 47 826 headed the 1V48 11.17 Manchester-Temple Meads and 1S93 return to Edinburgh whilst the 1V50 was in trouble being caped at Preston. The train was assisted from Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle route by 37607, 130 minutes late having arrived at Carlisle behind 66601. The 1V51 12.08 Newcastle-Plymouth arrived 80 minutes late with power cars 43196 + 43156 (the former shut down). 47722 assisted onwards from Bristol arriving at Taunton 113 minutes late.

30/11 47709 worked the 1A99 'up' Penzance-Paddington slleeper and 47 816 worked the 1C99 down train. 47783 worked the morning 1M59 Bristol-Warrington vans, reported to be the first Class 47 on this train for three weeks. Fragonset 47701 returned north with the 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester whilst IC liviered 47 826 headed the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance. The second celebrity Class 47 repaint made a debut appearance on the 1V48 11.17 Manchester-Bristol and return 1S93 15.35 to Edinburgh, the loco being 47853/D1733. The loco carries the sixties 'XP64' colour scheme of all over light-blue with yellow ends and an orange square beneath the cab windows complete with the old 'arrows' BR emblem. The 6V70 was worked west by 66 076.

Devon & Cornwall

Locos noted with the Meldon - Westbury ballast (6G97/6G98) during November. 01/11 66189 12/11 66162 18/11 66242 09/11 66233 14/11 66007 21/11 66216

St.Blazey depot 18/11 The following were on view at 14.45, 08941.66070/076/191. 67004/005/008/025.

Portishead Branch

This line is due to officially re-open on 21st December, with regular freight flows commencing in January 2002. As there will be an impact on road users using the level crossing at Ashton Vale Road, Railtrack has advised that there could be up to 14 workings a day Monday - Friday. Provisional trainpaths are at: 01.30, 02.50, 05.50, 06.55, 09.30, 11.15, 14.15, 16.30, 17.50, 19.05, 20.40, 22.30 and 23.40.

Salisbury 12/11 37695 worked the Eastleigh-Quidhampton (6Y26/6Y27) out and back trip.

16/11 37042 + 37375 powered a 20.15 Eastleigh-Castle Cary ballast via Tisbury and Yeovil.Birmingham

Locomotives and Units

The Class 47 Count 47634/635/701/709/712/727/736/737/747/737/750/759/781/789/793/799/ 805/806/807/810/812/813/814/815/816/817/818/822/826/828/829/830/ 831/832/839/840/843/844/846/847/848/849/851/854. 57601.

The Class 67 Count 67001/004/005/006/007/008/009/010/011/012/013/015/016/017/018/020/ 021/024/026/029/030.

The Voyager Count 220005/007/008/016/017/018/019/021/022/023/024/025/026/028/030.

Binliner 01/11 66525 02/11 66527 06/11 66527 08/11 66527 12/11 66529 14/11 66529 15/11 66529 23/11 66511 27/11 66513

Units 143611/612/617/619/620/621. 150232/239/240/247/261. 153312/318/323/355/368/373/380. 158745/746/819/829/840/842/865/867/869/870.

Postal sets noted 

4s (PCV) 

94309 94198 94147 94337                     94318 94202 94108 94334 

94316 94177 94172 94305                     94307 94103 94110 94340 

94338 94132 94221 94344                     94321 94132 94215 94343 

94311 94217 94197 94315                      94310 94138 94160 94317

4s (BG) 

94461 94174 94193 94420                      94497 94104 94208 94471

5s 

94510 94229 94121 94106 94512         94464 94101 94119 94180 94413 

94443 94214 94146 94198 94424         94441 94114 94123 94227 94439 

94440 94195 94164 94223 94468         94486 94118 94203 94182 94518

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/11 37412 worked 2F06 07:44 from Rhymney and 2R42 17:11 return. 158857 was on the 15:50 to Nottingham.

02/11 37412 did 2F06 and 2R42. 37408 unusually worked 2R38 16:51 to Rhymney.

03/11 156405 did the 05:50 from Worcester. 37408 returned on the 09:10 from Rhymney. 150010 and 150122 were working Valley Lines services, as Central Trains will be lending 'spare' 150s to Valley Lines on Saturdays until Christmas to help with increased loadings.

05/11 37408 worked 2R42.

06/11 37408 did 2F06 and 2R42.

07/11 37408 did 2F06 but 37418 covered 2R42.

08/11 156408 worked the 06:54 from Worcester. 37418 was on the Rhymneys.

09/11 37418 continued on the Rhymneys.

10/11 Due to a rugby international at the Millennium Stadium, 37412 hauled 9448, 5491, 5569, 5487 on the 07:15 from Rhymney, the 08:50 return, the 10:15 from Rhymney etc., finishing with the 20:50 to Rhymney. 37418 hauled 9440, 5478/63/53 on the 09:15 from Rhymney, the 10:50 return, the 12:15 from Rhymney etc., ending with the 19:50 to Rhymney. A third diagram on the Rhymney line was operated by prototype Sprinter 150001! 37411 operated 1Z10 07:57 from Crewe and 1Z89 16:45 to Manchester. 37419 worked 1V77 08:33 from Manchester and 1Z63 16:15 to Crewe.

12/11 37412 worked 2F06 and 37418 2R42. 170509 worked the 17:10 to Nottingham.

13/11 37418 did 2F06 but 37408 covered 2R42.

14/11 37408 did the Rhymneys.

15/11 37408 was again on the Rhymneys.

16/1137408 again appeared on the Rhymneys.

17/11 Another rugby international saw 37411 working the 07:15 from Rhymney and finishing with the 20:50 to Rhymney. 37408 was on the 09:15 from Rhymney and finished with the 19:50 to Rhymney. Also in action on the Rhymney line was 37509 on Sandite duties! 150106 covered the third Rhymney diagram. 37418 worked 1V77 08:33 from Manchester and 1M94 17:55 return. 37412 was on the 2V42 10:28 from Crewe and 1Z20 18:20 return.

18/11 37411 worked 2R09 21:19 to Rhymney.

19/11 Thanks to funding from the SRA, Valley Lines permanently replaced a pair of Pacers on 2V07 07:21 Rhymney-Radyr and 2R38 16:51 Cardiff-Rhymney with locomotive and stock, to allow one of the Pacers to strengthen an overcrowded service to/from Treherbert and the other to act as a spare. The stock used is the "spare" maroon set for the first Rhymney diagram; a rake of air-con Mk2s is at Cathays Works for repainting and will act as a spare set for both diagrams. 37411 had the honour to operate the new services, with the loco running round at Radyr and then taking the stock to Canton C.S. as ECS. 37408 operated 2F06 and 2R42.

20/11 Three locos were in action on the Rhymney line! 37408 worked the 'new' 2V07 and 2R38, 37411 did 2F06 and 37419 hauled 2R42! 66505 was at Wentloog.

21/11 Brand new 66540 made a quick return to South Wales, working 4V06 from Crewe. 37408 did 2F06 and 2R38, with 37419 on 2V07 and 2R42.

22/11 37419 hauled 2V07, 37408 2F06 and 2R42, with 37411 on 2R38.

23/11 37408 did 2V07 and 37411 2F06.

25/11 A Sunday rugby match at the Millennium Stadium saw 37412 work 1Z66 08:00 from Crewe and 1Z83 17:10 return, 37401 hauled 1Z10 09:00 from Crewe and 1Z12 17:40 return and 37411 did 1Z11 10:10 from Crewe and 1M45 18:22 return

26/11 66516 was at Wentloog. 37419 did 2V07 and 2R38, with 37408 on 2F06 and 2R42.

27/11 37408 worked 2V07, 37419 2F06 and 2R42 with 37418 on 2R38.

28/11 With an evening rugby match being played at the Millennium Stadium, 37412 worked 1Z10 16:15 from Hereford and 1Z11 21:15 to Crewe. 37411 did 1M82 21:45 to Crewe and 37416 1Z12 22:15 to Crewe. 37419 worked 2V07 and 2R38 with 37418 on 2F06 and 2R42.

29/11 37418 did 2V07 and 2R42 with 37419 on 2F06 and 2R38.

30/11 37418 did 2V07 and 37419 2F06.

Cardiff Tidal Sidings

During the month the following observations were made

04/11 08752/770/907/994.

11/11 08466/481/752/770/907/994.

18/11 08466/481/752/770/994.

25/11 08466/481/752/994.

Cardiff Canton

Cardiff Canton was viewed on several occasions during the month.

04/11 08466/493/756/819/955. 09011. 37222/308/408/412/509/901/904. 47365. 60018/052/054/077. 66045/046/068/074/146/185/221. 67020.

11/11 08493/756/819/955. 37222/308/408/509/901/904. 47365. 56027. 60013/037/041/061/077/092. 66153/154/180/191/208/219/236. 67011/026.

18/11 08493/756/819/955. 09102. 37222/308/411/901/904. 47365. 56027. 60003/010/030/037/052/061/068/099. 66022/063/102/133, 66173. 67012.

25/11 08481/493/756/819/955. 37222/408/418/418/901/904. 47365. 56027. 60005/006/043/092/099. 66080/165/205/239/245/248.

Newport

01/11 56117, 60024, 66037/068/074/088 were at Godfrey Road at 10:00. 66604 worked 6Z20 Hull King George Dock-Fifoots Power Station comprising 19 large Freightliner bogie coal wagons.

02/11 09101/203. 37418. 56027. 60008/017/071. 66037/089/157/187/196. 67008.

03/11 66515 worked 7C91 Machen-Westbury.

09/11 09101. 37419. 47846. 58026. 60045/075/084/091. 66010/040, 66067/144/155/172/180/232.

16/11 09101. 60006/041/045/071. 66029/031/038/072/136/154/165/188/220.

25/11 37412 on 1Z83 to Crewe hauled 5309/64, 9417, 5275, 5350/65. It was routed on the Up Relief and then, having been brought to a stand opposite the station car park, was then signalled on the through road! The driver got out and told the panel box that he was supposed to call at Newport. After speaking to the Conductor and then again to the Panel, the route was re-set and the train passed over the crossover into Platform 3. Due to the length of the train, the loco had to pull past the platform starter signal (which the panel had placed at green). It was followed about half an hour later by 37401 hauling 5030, 13227, 17077, 5307/73/75, which was correctly routed into the station.

26/11 37710, 60022/31/62, 66135/188/220 were at Godfrey Road at 15:00. 37710 later worked the 6M75 ADJ-Warrington with 4 empty CSA tanks and 29 loaded HEAs.

23/11 09101. 60011/017/043/062/083/094. 66007/022/031/049/105/135, 66149/220/224/236/248.

27/11 37411/412 left at 19:48 on 6M75.

30/11 47757 worked 6Z44 ADJ-Bescot.

Units noted during the month 143611/612/613/618/619/620. 150001/238/241/244/246/263. 153302/318/323/380/382. 156406/407/418. 158745/746/789/796/816/819/820/821/822/826/827/828/829/830/831/832/833 834/835/836/837/838/839/840/842/856/859/863/864/865/867/868/869/872 170508/517/633.

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers 37408(ML)-CF, 37426(CF)-ML.

Store 08703. 37516. 47114/258/303/349/742/769. CD: 47114/258/349/779. 58022. CE: 47303/306. CF: 37516. 56029. DF: 33029. FB: 08703. IM: 56033. KM: 20094/135. LH: 37013/144/218. 47705/827. LNWR:37383. TO: 47742. 58044/046. ZB: 20905. ZH: 47484/802.

Traffic 08651 -CF, 31128/554. 47355 -DF, 56049 -TE, 56070/099 -IM, 56106 -TE, 56107 -IM.

Withdrawn 08855. 87101.

Disposals Scrap: H Needle:47971(Kingsbury). 87101.

Further Use? DRS: 37344. Railtrack: 73213. (Not SWT)

Fragonset Locos advised last month Pool SDXL - DF.

Renumbered 91028 - 91128.

New Stock 66538/539/540/541 -FD.

Diesel Multiple Units

New Stock 220010/011/012/013/029/030/031/032/033 -CZ.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored 305501. 310050/080/081/082/088/092/093. 312727/728/782. IL:312727/728. KI:310050/051/080/081/082/083/088/092/093. SS: 310087. 312782. ZG: 508102/135/142. ZH: 303003. Dept: 936103/104 -DY.

Traffic 334007/015 -GW. 357201/202/203/205/206/207/208/209/210/211/212/213 -EM. 458027 -WD.

Withdrawn 303014.305502/508. All the above for scrap at Immingham Railfreight Terminal.

Coaching & NPCC 

Stock Renumbered 3136 - 977970, 4939 - 977971, 13318 - 977972, 13341 - 977973. 92302 - 94539, 92316 - 94541, 92329 - 94545, 92330 - 94542, 92344 - 94548, 92345 - 94544, 92389 - 94543, 92392 - 94547, 92804 - 94546, 92860 - 94540 -BK.

NEW STOCK

13/11 357201/213 were delivered to East Ham by 47749.

17/11 MV Stellanova arrived at Newport Docks with four new Class 66s for Freightliner.

18/11 66538/539/540/541 were noted on the South Quay at Newport Docks. They have much larger headlights than all previous Class 66s.

20/11 66540 towed 66541/539/538 through Newport at 15:37, en-route for Crewe.

21/11 66538 worked 6M26 Dagenham Dock-Gresty Lane car train, 66539 was at Basford Hall, 66540 at Wentloog and 66541 worked 6K39 Garston-Gresty Lane.

22/11 66538 worked 6K39 Garston-Gresty Lane, 66539 4M50 Southampton Maritime-Basford Hall, 66540 6M16 Southampton Docks-Gresty Lane and 66541 was at Immingham Dock coal terminal.

24/11 375701 was delivered to Ashford by 66130.

29/11 357215 was delivered to East Ham.

Miscellaneous

14-15/11 Overnight the Kingswinford Junction signal box was destroyed by fire. The box was of particular interest in being built near the same year as Bristol's also now gone Ashton Junction and to the same design.Virgin/First Gw

Diversions The following Sunday diversions are booked to take place due to engineering works; 10/11/01-06/01/02 All to run via Parkway, Badminton to Swindon. 12/01/02-17/02/02 To run from Exeter via Honiton, Yeovil Jcn-Pen Mill, Westbury, Freshford to Bath and Bristol. 24/02/02-24/03/02 To run from Taunton via Somerton, Freshford to Bath and Bristol 13/01/02-24/03/02 With the GW mainline closed between Didcot and Swindon all services will run via Westbury, Freshford to Bath and Bristol. Some Swansea and Cheltenham services will run via Melksham

Freight Flow News 

Coal Traffic Westbury Cement works is again to be served from Avonmouth from the end of December (instead of Parc Slip).

Steel Traffic Iron ore is to be moved from Scunthorpe as 09.45 Stanton-Port Talbot (Gloucester 16.30) and return 7Z17 21.17 Port Talbot-Stanton (routed via Swindon, Didcot and Oxford). The train is booked for Class 60 haulage with 20 wagons.Up to 50,000 tonnes of imported slab is to be moved between Newport dock and Llanwern possibly using the 4E01 trip or a Margam-Llanwern service which would pick up en-route. Further imports could also see additional services to Lackenby. Llanwern is reported to be producing extra steel partly due to the Port Talbot fire. Imports of steel coil via Swansea docks was expected to be rail moved between here Trostre and Ebbw Vale, but this is now in the hands of road transport.

New Mail flows (additional to last months list) 1M28 06.48 Plymouth-Willesden (Parkway 14.13/53), 1V30 10.40 Willesden -Plymouth (Parkway 10.06/10.46). Taunton 15.46 and 08.37 respectively.

Freightliner A contract was set up during the month to move 75,000 tonnes of coal from King George dock, Hull to Fifoots, running as 6Z21 and 6Z22 the first train operated on 05/11 by 66519. There were only a handfull of other workings-whether there was a change in the agreement is definitely not known. From the beginning of January the company are expected to take over all stone traffic to/from the Hayes Tarmac terminal.

Stone Traffic Gwan-cae-gurwen has been earmarked as a possible new stone terminal by Celtic Energy sometime during 2002.

Oil Traffic The Cardiff Tidal-Ironbridge train must only booked for Class 66 haulage, following wheel-slip problems recently on Class 37s.

Sandite Workings With a late leaf-fall the sandite season was extended to 22/12/01.

MOD Traffic Ashchurch traffic ran on 18/11 behind 66036 and on 21/11 58030 (recorded at Standish Junction at 14.24 heading towards Kemble and Swindon formed of twelve empty vehicle flats).

New HST Livery The following power cars now carry the new First Group colours;- 43138/140. Still only coaches PM23 (now LA23) along with a few odd coaches also carry the new livery.

Class 180 It will not be until the Summer 2002 timetable when up to four class members could be in service. 180104 is to be delivered in early December for test/driver training use. Set 180101 currently resides in Eastleigh Works being internally fitted.

Internal User 041909 has been noted at the new Temple Mills depot, this flat wagon was previously at Stratford depot.

Preservation & Industrial Matters

Class 52 The test-run provisionally booked for December was cancelled, a new date for 14/01/02 is now set. The loco D1015 Western Champion is expected to be Railtrack certified during December and railtours are now lined up for the following 2002 dates;- 23/01, 20/04, 15/06 and 26/10. The January test run will be from SVR Kidderminster-Derby-Sheffield.

East Somerset Railway 10/11/01 66151 and 66159 top n'tailed a 1Z90 Paddington-Cranmore Hertfordshire railtour. The trip also covered the freight-only Ludgershall branch during the day.

Swanage (R.W.Giles) 25/11/01 The diesel gala saw D6515, dmu set 401 (M51933+M54504) and D3591 inaction on passenger duty during the day.

Cornwall It has been reported that the use of industrial shunting locos at the Goonbarrow and Kernick china clay works finished during the month.

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