NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

05/03 What was believed to be the first steel slab import working (6G94 07.04 Avonmouth-Llanwern) was handled by 56115. This new traffic flow detailed in the March magazine, is expected to last up to a year.

06/03 66225 worked a 6Z42 17.36 Avonmouth dock-Mossend loaded Ford car train formed of Wincar car carriers. The vehicles had arrived by sea at Royal Edward no 5 wharf, the same location which is dealing with the import steel slab.

16/03 Another slab train was recorded at Pilning at 09.20, behind 66166 today being a Saturday.

22/03 66007 + 66009 were recorded arriving on an empty train of HTA hoppers. Coal traffic towards the end of March was suspended whilst maintenance took place on the loading equipment (which included the computer hardware).

26/03 56081 arrived around mid-day to work the afternoon Newport trip. Besides coal and steel slab traffic, the other day time workings at this location are as follows;- 6C90 09.40 Newport ADJ-Avonmouth (TThO) and 6C91 14.37 Avonmouth - Newport ADJ (TThO), enterprise trips. 4E41 (MO) 18.45 Avonmouth - Tyne yard 'sea-wheel' containers. The 6V16 18.20 (TThO) Middlesborough-Avonmouth (03.05) and return 6E28 18.20 (WFO) Avonmouth-Middlesborough fertilisers are expected to finish during the month.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month;- 60060. 66007/009/010/014/021/022/025/032/067/091/109/143/213/218/228/229/ 66250.

Binliner

This month's sightings;

01/03 66506. 05/03 66549. 27/03 66545.

Bristol Parkway

01/03 A 1Z14 06.07 Derby-Swansea (via Reading, Swindon Bristol Parkway) was top n'tailed by 47736 + 47756.

03/03 Two Voyager sets were recorded around 19.00 heading for South Wales. This was later learnt to be a York - Swansea Virgin XC service, which had changed from HST since 24/02.

04/03 Normal service resumed to Avonmouth after repairs to the conveyor belt and the following MGR services noted, 66091 & 66218 with empties and 66125 with a loaded train. 66002 worked the Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes" and 66091 Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train". A surprise working was 66549 with the "Binliner" probably due to engineering works making its usual early morning departure impossible.

05/03 The first visit of a Super Voyager (4-car tilting set) was recorded when 221110 ran as 1Z18 08.20 Barton-under-Needwood - Plymouth during the late morning. The set returned as 1Z27 during the mid-afternoon. The 1V64 14.06 Low Fell-Plymouth mail was headed by 47757 instead of the normal Class 67.

06/03 Over at Westerleigh, 60030 powered the afternoon Port Clarence fuel tank empties.

07/03 Brief visit this evening saw 66028 work out from Avonmouth with the Teeside Fertiliser train, 60065 with an early running St Blazey - Bescot "Clayliner and two empty MGRs for Avonmouth behind 66007 & 66190 respectively.

09/03 A major problem which caused serious delays (also see Temple Meads notes) occurred during the late morning when over-head power lines were blown onto the track at Hambrook (also closing the M4 motorway). A number of services were diverted via Newport including the 1V45 09.10 Liverpool-Plymouth powered by 'celebrity 47' 47853 (this loco had taken over from 47774 at Birmingham NS).

11/03 No MGR traffic to or from Avonmouth this evening, 66239 noted with MGR from Portbury. Other freight comprised 66047 Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66218 with MoD Liner and 66032 Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train".

13/03 During the early hours, 37682 was reported to have headed the 6V30 Dagenham-Bridgend car parts and later 66213 hauled the Didcot-Wentloog MoD containers.

14/03 Another 37, no 37688 was reported on the 6V30 car parts. 66008 MGR from Portbury, 66083 with empty "Cartics" eastbound, 66202 Avonmouth - Teeside "Fertiliser" traffic and 47840 with ECS northbound.

16/03 Pathfinder's 'Valley Voyager' (1Z37 05.40 Sheffield-Onwllyn) with preserved 37038+37197 was routed this way, although not picking-up. The train formed of choc/cream Riviera coaches visited a number of West Wales freight-lines (top n'tailing with 66145). The special returned via Chepstow to Gloucester during the evening (as 1Z38 15.45 Onwllyn-Sheffield).

18/03 47782 worked the 1M61 18.44 Swansea-Willesden mails. The sole MGR working being 66229 from Portbury to the West Midlands. 66082 worked the Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66222 the MoD Liner and 66016 Margam - Fawley tanks.

19/03 Varied freight motive power during the day saw; 37408 (in repainted EWS colours) on the 6A21 03.34 Cardiff Tidal sidings-Didcot and return 6B24 15.33 Didcot-Tidal sidings fuel tanks (noted at 19.15), 20306 + 20307 with the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks at 16.20 and 66222 on the Didcot-Wentloog Mod stores at 17.04.

20/03 37 670 headed the 4B24 15.35 Didcot-Wentloog and 4A25 20.40 Wentloog-Didcot Mod stores and 60 082 was recorded with the 6M17 Newport-Wembley freight service.

21/03 Following a landslide at Saltford and signalling problems between Newport and Severn Tunnel Junction 180105 ran empty at 15.20 from Temple Meads to Parkway to work the 14.55 Cardiff-Paddington FirstGW service (16.00 from Parkway).

24/03 An ex.works EWS liveried 08690 (WSGW) was stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings (believed to have arrived from Ferrybridge). Over at Pilning an overnight ballast train was headed by 37688 returning as 7W58 08.15 Severn Tunnel junction-Newport.

25/03 Four MGRs recorded this evening, to Avonmouth with empties 66020 and from Avonmouth 66250 to Didcot. Portbury - West Midlands train with 66051 and 60021 with empties to Portbury. Other activity saw 66034 with Tytherington stone train, 66102 Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes", 60045 Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train" and 66090 St Blazey - Bescot "Clayliner". Stabled in the yard was 08630 ex-works from Ferrybridge.

26/03 66032 headed the Tytherington - Westbury stone service.

27/03 66133 + 66007 passed during the late morning with a Washwood Heath-Portbury train of IPA 'Wincar' car carriers and 47785 headed north on a three van RES train.

28/3 66007 recorded this evening on a MGR working from Portbury. 08630 left the yard this evening towing, a Cl47 which had worked light engine from Barton Hill, back to Barton Hill, where it is currently residing.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

01/03 66506 worked 4V60 Calvert-Bristol binliner. The overnight FirstGW sleeper services were headed by 47816 (1A99 Penzance-Paddington) and 47846 (1C99 Paddington-Penzance). Voyager 220030 worked a Bristol-Exeter and return morning driver training trip and 60082 a South Wales-Westbury engineers train via Day's curve during the mid-afternoon.

02/03 Southbound stone train noted at 09.40 behind 66115. The 1M40 08.42 Penzance-Manchester Virgin XC service was headed by 67021 (with 47817, which had suffered a turbocharger defect on the previous day on the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance on arrival at the terminus, attached to the rear). The train arrived on time at Bristol where 47747 took over, the Class 67 then returning to St.Blazey light.

03/02 Overnight engineers trains ran as follows;- 66187 with 8W20 Westbury-Highbridge (via Taunton. run-round), then working 09.00 Worle junction-Westbury via Bristol (this train was originally rostered for 37047, but the driver would only drive it if it was a Class 66!), 60082 (6W22), 60073 (6W21) and 66109 (6W23) all Westbury-Highbridge (recorded at Weston-super-Mare station at 23.25, 23.28 and 23.44 respectively). These trains all returned via Taunton (run-round) to Westbury. Another engineers train was seen heading towards Bath during the afternoon worked by 58041. Noted at Barton Hill at 21.15 were 66007/192/549.

04/03 220003/023 worked 1E28 06:45 Bristol T.M.-Newcastle. The 1V55 13:08 return was operated by 220011/029. 66506 was on the binliner. Freightliner 66520 ran from Barton Hill to Baglan Bay (Cardiff 08.30) light (and return) during the day on a route learning trip. During the late afternoon the same loco with 66549 were stabled on Barton Hill depot.

05/03 1V55 was operated by 220025/020. The 1A28 06.30 Plymouth-Paddington and 1C50 15.42 Paddington-Exeter was again in the hands of 57601, also working this diagram on 06/03, 11/03, 13/03, 25/03, 27/03 and 28/03. The 1V45 09.10 Liverpool-Plymouth and 1E61 15.50 Plymouth-Leeds services were cancelled due to the non-availability of a loco! A bomb scare at Birmingham New Street caused southbound late running, the all clear being given around 15.30. On the freight side, 58041 passed Filton at 15.54 with a South Wales-Westbury engineers train and 66520 ran light to Baglan Bay to work the first Freightliner 6E99 08.22 Baglan Bay-Humber tanks, complete with the 'Bristol Herons on tour' headboard.

06/03 1V55 was covered by 200025/020 again. 47757 headed the 1E41 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. 47805 working the 1E33 12.10 Bristol-Newcastle service failed at York. 47840 ran light from Toton depot to continue the train returning to Bristol on the 1V67 18.40 Newcastle departure. The 1C99 Paddington-Penzance sleeper headed by 47846, failed at Cogload junction near Taunton. 60043 was the rescue loco taking the train onwards to Plymouth where 47757 continued the working to Penzance.

07/03 220019 + 220013 were recorded with the 1V55 13.08 Newcastle-Bristol service. 66549 worked the Avon Binliner. At 15.50, 66189 headed south with empty MGR wagons presumed en- route to Portbury.

08/03 220013/019 worked 1E28 and 220021/027 1V55. 66549 was on the binliner.

09/03 220027/007 worked 1E28. As already mentioned under the Parkway news section, a fallen power cable near Hambrook caused serious delays and diversions via Newport. For the record, the 1V42 06.45 Newcastle-Penzance HST was 186 minutes late, 1V47 07.10 Edinburgh-Plymouth, 108 late and the 1V45 09.10 Liverpool-Plymouth (with 'XP64' 47853) 240 late!! The latter was terminated at Exeter whilst the 1M40 11.50 Plymouth-Liverpool was terminated at Temple Meads (with 47831) and returned west as 1Z50 to Penzance in the path of the 1V50 (08.40 Glasgow-Penzance) which was terminated at Birmingham New Street because of the late running! 60044 powered the Exeter-Cardiff Tidal sidings scrap metal service during the afternoon.

10/03 An overnight engineers train to Highbridge was hauled by 58025, returning as 6Z50 13.00 to Westbury (via Taunton), actually leaving at 09.30!

11/03 220027/029 did 1E28 and 220006/008 1V55. 67028 + 47776 were paired on the 1M59 09.12 Temple Meads-Warrington vans.

12/03 220006 & 220008 worked 1E28 and 220032/034 1V55. Westbury bound "Flyash" seen at 12.50 with by today's standards unusual motive power, 37248, shortly afterwards 60049 passed by with a stone train.

13/03 57601 on the 1A28 06.30 Plymouth-Paddington service failed at Totnes, 47786 was sent from Newton Abbot and hauled the working to Newton Abbot where 47811 took over. The return 1C50 15.42 Paddington - Exeter with 47811 was in turn delayed with the failure of the 2W57 17.30 Bristol TM-Weston-super-Mare local service (being worked by 143603 + 143612) at Nailsea. The train eventually departed just after 19.00, 73 minutes late, with a Weston-super-Mare stop added. The 1E61 15.50 Plymouth-Leeds service was cancelled following the failure of 47840 at Plymouth and 47782 worked in on the VSOE having taken over from steam loco 4472 Flying Scotsman at Westbury. 220010 + 220008 headed the 13.08 Newcastle-Bristol TM. On the freight side; 37042 + 37047 worked the 6G98 Westbury-Meldon stone empties via Bristol (Bridgwater 04.30), 37408 handled the 6C91 08.39 Newport-Bridgwater trip consisting of one roofing-flat wagon, the loco returning light (Yatton 11.23) to Newport and 37 248 worked an 09.05 Westbury-Newport ADJ and 6C40 12.35 return (via Day's curve). 66549 hauled the binliner. 47741 worked 1V39 07:11 Leeds-Bristol TM.

14/03 37248 worked another engineers between Westbury and Newport, this time the 7B66 (10.45 ex Westbury). 220019 + 220003 were paired on the 13.08 ex Newcastle.

16/03 At 10.15 60047 passed by, southbound, with a stone train. Steam locos 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 4936 Kinlet Hall worked Pastime Rail's 'Torbay Express' (1Z27 07.17 Paddington-Kingswear via Gloucester). 67018 had brought the train into Gloucester where steam traction took over, the 67 then running 0Z28 10.05 Gloucester-Barton Hill depot in front of the railtour. Departure from Temple Meads was to time at 11.48. The coaching stock used was;-35470, 3144, 3131, 3110, 35469, 1813, 4949, 4946 + 4996 and the train used the Weston-super-Mare loop non-stop to allow a following Virgin XC HST to pass. The return 1Z28 17.00 Kingswear-Paddington was routed via Westbury again Class 67 hauled (believed to have been 67001).

17/03 XP64 47853 failed at Taunton on the 1E32 09.55 Penzance-York with a serious generator flashover. With the train terminated here, 37042 + 37047 were sent from Westbury as rescue locos to bring the train into Temple Meads (via Westbury) as 5E32. 47853 was taken forward inside the train loco, as part of the 1S48 07.15 Temple Meads-Edinburgh the next day.

18/03 220005/011 worked 1E28 and 220033/006 1V55. Yet another Class 180 media launch, near enough two years after trial running began! Set 180105 worked the 1C26 11.15 Paddington-Bristol TM and return 1Z26 13.04 Bristol TM-Reading (then ECS to Old Oak Common). The 1C26 was to continue on going as a relief service to accumulate operating mileage for the Class, although the return was to run as empty stock.

19/03 220006/019 did 1E28 and 220011/022 1V55. 66155 worked the 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow slurry tanks west during the morning 322 minutes late and 47767 + 47786 top n'tailed a 1Z14 08.00 Swindon-Taunton and return via Westbury, 1A30 10.16 Taunton-Paddington, Serco test train. 220022 + 220011 arrived at Bristol with the 13.08 Newcastle-Bristol service. 1E33 12:10 Bristol TM-Newcastle and 1V67 18:40 return. 220032/034 did 1E28 and 220008/010 1V55.

20/03 220011/033 operated 1E28 and 220014/019 1V55. 47811 stood in for 57601 on the 1A28 06.30 Plymouth-Paddington and return 1C50 15.42 Paddington-Exeter FirstGW services. 08904 was seen at Pylle Hill shunting parcels stock during the late morning, whilst on the freight side, 37688 covered the 6C91 08.39 Newport-Bridgwater and return 6C92 13.46 Bridgwater-Newport trip freight and 60037 was seen near Bath at 16.28 with down Hanson hoppers presumably bound for Tytherington quarry.

21/03 220023/033 worked 1V55. 56133 (replaced the originally booked 37402) on the Bridgwater trip running from Newport light (Yatton 09.38). The loco returned light (0C91) through Yatton at 11.59. Further enquires revealed that the single ferryvan to be collected suffered a brake failure and could not be moved! A Voyager set 220022 was also recorded at Yatton during the morning passing west at 10.36. More problems at Saltford saw a third and the most serious landslide on the Bristol side of the former station site, in the cutting before the tunnel. An emergency timetable and diversions via Badminton were introduced, all Thames trains to/from Oxford were cancelled. Some bus services operated between Bristol and Bath as the line was closed between 19.00 and 07.00 whilst clearance work took place. 47744 worked the afternoon 1E41 Plymouth-Low Fell parcels. Afternoon "Enterprise" service noted on its way south at 14.40 worked by 60096, later at 18.00 the 13.08 Newcastle - Bristol.

22/03 66549 hauled the binliner. 220022/023 were on 1E28 and 220020/027 1V55. A Serco test train today, top n'tailed by 47736 + 47756 ran as 1Z14 06.07 Exeter-Reading, 08.29 Reading-Bristol TM (10.04) via Badminton and 10.06 Bristol-Derby. Another top n'tail working today was the 1V45 09.10 Liverpool-Plymouth and 1M31 15.50 Plymouth-Manchester using locos 47840 + 47810. Noted at 01.00 were 66228/506/514/549. 220033.

23/03 47725 worked a Pastime Rail 'Eden-ex' as 1Z51 06.10 Nottingham-Par and 1Z27 16.25 Par-Nottingham using green liveried BN96 coaching stock and 60061 headed the 6B19 15.00 Exeter Riverside-Cardiff Tidal sidings scrap train (Yatton 16.40). Because of late running, the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance service was terminated at Plymouth, passengers continuing west in 150232!

24/03 Planned engineering works at Highbridge was cancelled so work could be centred on repairs at Saltford. The Bristol-Taunton mainline remained open and a specialist 'long-reach' crane brought in at Saltford to assist with the work where sand blasting took place. Some areas of the bank were secured by netting. 47811 was recorded at Weston-super-Mare during the early evening calling with the diverted 1C56 15.15 Paddington-Plymouth service.

25/03 220010/020 did 1E28 and 220018/024 1V55. 37402 worked a two wagon 6C91 08.39 Newport-Bridgwater trip, being diverted via Taunton following ground-frame problems at Bridgwater. The loco returned light to Newport during the afternoon. 37667 + 37047 with the 6G99 10.18 Meldon-Westbury stone was diverted via Bristol during the mid-afternoon following a broken cab window on 37047. As the train was to run onwards to Eastleigh on arrival at Westbury, the train was routed via Bristol so 37047 remained at the rear of the duo. Other freight services recorded during the day were;- 66016 with the 6C62 (MO) Westbury-St.Phillips Marsh fuel tankers and 66079 on the afternoon Westbury coal MGR service. 66512 was seen arriving at St.Phillps Marsh light during the morning from Baglan Bay having worked the Humber tanks, and 220029 ran empty west on a driver training run. Other workings of interest during the afternoon were;- 47786 on the 1E41 15.10 Plymouth-Low Fell mails and 143 606 with the 19.40 Plymouth-Gloucester service, a Class 143 unit being this far west was a real rarity! 66512 passed Filton at 17.00 running back to Baglan Bay for the Humber tanks.

26/03 220018/029 worked 1E28 and 220006/007 1V55. 47811 hauling 43086 + 43097 worked a 0Z86 12.00 St.Phllips Marsh-Laira stock move and a further Virgin Class 47 repaint made it's Bristol area debut in the form of 47829 in a striking Police colour scheme of white with an orange/yellow band. A BT badge emblem is also carried on it's sides, the loco being complete with full yellow ends and a painted back in black former headcode area. The loco was released from Toton paint shop the previous day, touring the Birmingham area with an inspection saloon during the day, before heading west on the 1V35 06.05 Derby-Plymouth and return 1M40 11.50 Plymouth-Liverpool. At 16.15 Barton Hill depot held;- 08904. 47292/785/786. 66014/020/250. 66514. 67030. What will probably rate as one of the areas workings of the year occurred when 47843 arrived with the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance after 16.00. There was a report by the driver of fumes in the cab, so shabby (recently reinstated) Freightliner 47292 was summoned from Barton Hill to pilot the service onwards all the way to Penzance! The train departed around 16.30, substantially late and was reported at Truro 67 minutes down (20.15). MGR empties for Portbury noted at 09.10 behind 66083 and in the afternoon at 14.30 the "Enterprise" service worked by 66090.

27/03 47292 was returned to Bristol at the rear of the 1M56 08.40 Penzance-Glasgow headed by a repaired 47843 and running to time. The unbranded Freightliner loco had arrived in Bristol the previous day bringing in replacement refuse container train flats from Crewe and was due to take others north later in the day.

28/03 37669 arrived propelling the 1Z06 18.21 Margam-Newport structural gauging train at platform 5 at 00.25. The train was formed of departmental stock;-DB975081, DC460000, DB975280, RDB977468 + ADB977470. The train departed at 00.33 (20 late) having arrived via Bridgend-Barry-Radyr-Bridgend-the Severn Tunnel, returning to Newport via Penarth. 180105 worked the 11.15 Paddington-Temple Meads service and 158845 (in green former Central, Wales & Borders colouring) + 158830 worked the 1V80 06.52 Manchester-Penzance service. Another Freighliner Class 47 was recorded! This time 47289 ran westbound light (Worle 17.05) as 0Z77 13.15 Crewe-Laira.

29/03 220004/034 were on 1V55. 47289 returned north hauling a Virgin HST set with power cars 43157+43090 as 5Z55 10.00 Laira-Derby. The train left Plymouth 3 minutes early, the HST set being moved was coming 'off lease' from Virgin.

30/03 The 1Z57 07.30 Manchester Victoria-Bath Spa Northern Belle was worked by 47756, the ECS then running on to Swindon for servicing. The return ran 16.00 Swindon-Bath and 16.37 Bath-Manchester Victoria. The 16.04 Temple Meads-Severn Beach service was noted with silver-liveried 158865. Some adjustments were made on the Virgin XC loco hauled services today as the Tamar Bridge at Plymouth was shut (from 30/03-01/04) for repairs, a bus road service operating between Plymouth and Liskeard. 47805 headed the 1Z56 (1M56) 10.37 Plymouth-Bristol and 1Z47 14.05 Bristol-Plymouth, 47839 the 1V39 06.40 York-Plymouth and a 1Z32 15.50 Plymouth-Bristol return and 47 750 hauled the 1V35 08.46 Bristol-Plymouth and 1Z41 11.50 Plymouth-Bristol.

31/03 43127 hauling a single barrier van passed Parsons Street station with a Laira-St.Phillips Marsh stock move at 12.34 and 47749 arrived with VSOE ECS at 11.50 from Bath from a working in from London. 47786 returned the ECS to Bath (Twerton 14.45) for London whilst earlier 66161 + 66061 had top n'tailed an up train of track sections at 13.17, the pair returning light at 14.57.

Cheltenham Races

13-15/03 Specials for this years race meeting were mainly worked by FirstGW HST sets. There were two loco-hauled trains over the three days;- 1Z66 09.06 Euston-Cheltenham worked by 47 783 each day and returning as 1Z63 20.02 Gloucester-Paddington with BN91 maroon coaches and 1Z61 09.40 Paddington-Cheltenham (Tote) with 47799 and return 1Z68 20.15 Evesham-Paddington (using Pride of the Nation stock).

Devon & Cornwall

01/03 37042 + 37375 were paired on the 6G98 04.15 Westbury-Meldon and 6G99 10.18 return. The train however left the quarry late, due to maintenance work being carried out near Okehampton by the Dartmoor Railway company. The train eventually left Exeter for Westbury after 17.00.

02/03 47786 worked a 1Z27 07.39 Paddington-Par Pastime Rail 'Eden project' special, 47774 taking over at Plymouth and returning the train at 16.09 from Par. 47786 was then to be used as the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' rescue loco on 04/03, 07/03, 08/03, 11/03 and 13/03.

03/03 Present on St.Blazey depot at 16.45 were;- 60043 (allocated the Penzance fuel tanks the following day) 66235/236 67013/021/026.

04/03 37042 + 37047 continued work on the 6G98/6G99, also on 06/03, 11/03, 13/03, 18/03.

08/03 37042 + 37047 headed the 6Z86 14.15 Westbury-Eastleigh stone and return 6Z15 20.07 Eastleigh-Westbury empties repeating these duties on the 20/03.

10/03 The 1S35 11.15 Penzance-Edinburgh Virgin XC HST service was terminated at Newton Abbot, following a 'serious incident' near Totnes. Someone was reported to have been riding on the roof!!

11/03 60065 handled the Penzance fuel tankers.

19/03 37042 + 37047 worked 0T34 08.00 Westbury-Eastleigh and return 6T34 10.05 Eastleigh-Westbury freight.

21/03 58030 worked the 6C27 02.39 Merehead-Exeter (Riverside) stone service and return 6C28.

22/03 The 6C27/6C28 were hauled by 66046. 37047 + 37667 were paired on the 6G98/6G99 and continued on to Eastleigh with 6Z86/6Z15.

25/03 37047 + 37667 were again paired on the 6G98/6G99 and 66067 was on the 6C27/6C28.

26/03 With a new freight-flow to Ernsettle on the Gunnislake branchline from Plymouth, 66067 ran 0G71 09.24 Westbury-Ernsettle route learning trip. This light-engine working is to run Mon-Fri, although yesterdays run was cancelled. 66034 worked the 6C27/6C28 Exeter stone and 37372 + 37667 were the days Meldon stone locos, running as 06.00 ex Westbury.

27/03 58031 covered the 0G71, believed to be the first class member to pass through Plymouth station to the West. 66054 was on the Exeter stone and 37372 + 37667 on the Meldon stone. The pair later did the Eastleigh return trip.

29/03 66054 worked the 0G71 trip. Devonport HST power car movements saw 43176 and 43164 go in during the month and 43168 and 43172 come out after repair.

The annual railtour into Cornwall by Mendip Rail/Pathfinder tours is planned to use a pair of Class 59s on the Bristol-Par trip on 03/06. Not so good for the proposed Easter Pastime Rail 'Royal Duchy' steam trips however, with low bookings the trips to Newquay and Fowey were all cancelled. Locos to have been used were to have been 4936, 4965, 7760 and 9600. The Looe branch had already been ruled out because of a weight-restriction.

Portbury Branchline

05/03 66225 powered a 6Z42 17.36 Portbury-Bathgate car train formed of two-tier 'Wincar' car carriers (IPAs).

07/03 67003 made a Class debut over the line with a short rake of Wincar car carriers (6Z90), from Avonmouth (not used on the previous days Mossend Fords train).

08/03 56085 is believed to have worked the 6Z30 Bathgate-Portbury empty Wincars, the train having been reported passing Doncaster at 21.00.

09/03 60052 arrived with a late running Saturday train of empty MGRs, but was unable to leave due to the problems with power cables over the line at Hambrook (also see Bristol Parkway notes).

11/03 60052 departed with the loaded train during the morning for the Midlands.

15/03 66153 was on the Bathgate car train.

27/03 66133 + 66007 arrived at 11.00 with a late running Washwood Heath-Portbury train of Wincar car carriers (running in the path of an empty MGR train as 6V53). 47786 arrived light at 12.09 and collected the two Class 66s, presumably the car trains driver had run out of hours, taking them to Barton Hill (Ashton 13.53). With 66140 present on a loaded MGR, this was probably the first instance of four locos being present since the line reopened. 66133 later arrived light to collect the loaded car train for Bathgate.

Locos recorded on MGR duty during the month;- 60021/052. 66004/008/014/025/033/051/053/057/074/067/083/084/85/121/132/138/ 66139/140/153/155/164/165/174/183/185/189/192/195/214/239.

Wessex Area

05/03 60088 + 37047 + 37042 worked the 7Z86 14.15 Westbury-Eastleigh stone service.

12/03 59101 with the 6004 03.53 Westbury-Woking stone train arrived 692 minutes late at Acton at 16.10!!!

16/03 At 11.15 the following were found in the Westbury area;- 08947. 58025/045. 59205. 60072/079. 66032/034/038/062/072/101. Reports say the Weymouth tramway could see further use this year, although no other details are at present known. 73109 with a 4-car unit was booked to work 5Z25 10.55 Basingstoke-Poole and 5Z26 13.41 Poole-Basingstoke driver training runs on 11/03, 12/03, 15/03, 16/03 & 17/03.

Yate

Noted working the 06.45 Bristol T.M to Newcastle.

06/03 220020/025 09/03 220007/027 12/03 220006/008 13/03 220032/034 14/03 220008/010 15/03 220003/019 25/03 220010/020

Noted working the 13.08 from Newcastle. 21/03 220023/033 25/03 220018/024 27/03 220025/030

Local Freight Watch

6V70 08.57 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey 

01/03 60043. 05/03 60065. 06/03 66206. 07/03 60043. 08/03 60065. 11/03 60043. 12/03 60049. 13/03 60043. 18/03 66231. 19/03 60096. 21/03 60096. 22/03 66090. 25/03 60068. 28/03 66090. 

6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale 

01/03 66029. 05/03 66206. 06/03 60043. 07/03 60065. 11/03 60065. 12/03 60043. 21/03 66090. 22/03 60096. 26/03 60068. 27/03 66090. 28/03 60068. 

M68 (SO) Burngullow-Warrington 

2/03 66055. 23/03 66231. 30/03 Cancelled. 

6S55 (WO) Burngullow-Irvine 

06/03 66122. 13/03 Cancelled 20/03 66206. 27/03 66052.

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/03 66540 worked 4V30 Ipswich Yard-Wentloog. 37419 did 2R38 16:51 to Rhymney and 37412 the 2R42 17:11.

02/03 Wales played Italy at the Millennium Stadium, so additional capacity on various routes was provided by loco-hauled services. 37415 worked 1Z10 07:10 from Crewe via Chester with stock 9417, 4902, 17159, 5378/76/73 and returned on 1M89 16:45 to Manchester. 37421 hauled 5365/64, 17077, 5275, 5350, 5307 as 1V77 08:33 from Manchester Piccadilly and returned on 1Z81 16:15 to Crewe via Wrexham. 37418 did 2V42 10:28 from Crewe with 5331/86, 17086, 5381/35/09, returning as 1Z75 at 17:15. 37412 worked the 07:15 from Rhymney, 08:51 return, 10:15 from Rhymney etc, finishing with the 20:51 to Rhymney. 37419 did the 09:15 from Rhymney, 10:51 return, 12:15 from Rhymney etc. finishing with the 19:51 to Rhymney. 158796 worked the 11:50 to Nottingham and 170506 the 17:05. 66540 did 4L56 Wentloog-Ipswich Yard. 56018 was on 6Z92 Hull-Swansea.

04/03 66502 worked 4S81 Wentloog-Coatbridge to Crewe. 37412 did 2V07 07:21 Rhymney-Radyr and 2R38. 37419 was on 2F06 07:44 from Rhymney and 2R42.

05/03 66520 worked 6E99 08:22 Baglan Bay-Humber (Cardiff 09:38). Freightliner have won the contract for this train, previously operated by EWS. 66537 did 4S81. 37412 operated 2R38 and 37419 2R42.

06/03 37412 worked 2V07 and 37419 2F06.

08/03 158782 did the 10:04 from Nottingham. 37402 was on 2R38 and 37412 2R42.

09/03 66532 did 4L56 and 66505 4V06 Basford Hall-Wentloog. 150246 worked the 18:33 from Manchester.

11/03 37682 worked 6V30 22:37 Dagenham-Bridgend (05:00) and the 6B30 06:04 Bridgend-Swansea (08:36). 66540 was at Wentloog.

12/03 66547 worked 6E99. 56113 did 6V71 01:02 Warrington Arpley-Cardiff Tidal sidings (06:15) and 6B64 07:10 Tidal-ADJ (07:40)

13/03 37197/038 worked 1Z37 09:45 Crewe-Cardiff driver training trip.

14/03 37419 did 2R38 and 37412 2R42. 37682 worked 6V30.

15/03 66547 worked 6E99. 37682 did 6B30 and 37402 6B89 11:10 Tidal-Aberthaw. The Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day.

18/03 37412 did 2V07 and 2R38 with 37419 on 2F06 and 2R42.

19/03 66545 worked 6E99. 37408 hauled 6A21 03:34 Tidal- Didcot power station and 6B24 15:33 return. The Rhymneys were a repeat of the previous day.

20/03 The Rhymneys continued unchanged.

21/03 37412 did 2V07, 37419 2F06/2R42 and 37408 2R38. 57003 hauled 4S81.

22/03 66506 worked 6E99. 37408 operated 2V07 and 37419 2F06.

24/03 For the LDV Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium between Blackpool and Cambridge, 33108/31602 worked 1Z60 08:50 from Blackpool and 1Z61 18:30 return.

25/03 37401 worked 1V76 07:19 from Manchester and 1Z75 17:15 to Crewe. 37418 was on 1Z42 10:32 from Crewe and 1Z43 15:20 return.

27/03 37401 worked 1Z42 and 1Z43 with 37418 on 1V76 and 1Z75.

28/03 37401 did 1V76 and 37418 1Z42.

Cardiff Canton

03/03 08493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 09016. 37222/402/422/901/904. 56029/032/115. 66032/059/250. 67019/024.

10/03 08493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 09016. 37222/402/412/422/901/904. 47776. 60044/072. 66010/018/032/080/143/202/211. 67029.

17/03 08493/576/756/801/819/856/955/957. 09016. 37222/408/422/901/904. 47782. 60037/082/099. 66031/054/082/085/129/187/246. 67030.

24/03 08493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 09016. 37222/408/419/422/901/904. 56048/073. 60003/004/005/014/032/044/064/088/094. 66129 67003/007/025.

31/03 08493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 09016. 37222/422/901/904. 60004/005/012/019/040/052/064/070. 66068/129/134. 67008.

Cardiff Tidal

03/03 08481/653/770/896/951. 09105

10/03 08466/481/653/770/854. 09105.

17/03 08481/653/770/854.

24/03 08481/653/770/856/951. 09105.

30/03 04841/653/854/856. 09105.

Margam

The folowing were noted on the 6B48 Margam - Trostre steel coil trains. The same locomotive also works the 6E20 and 6V19.

01/03 56118. 04/03 60056. 05/03 60098. 06/03 66133. 07/03 66163. 08/03 60092. 11/03 60059. 12/03 66250. 13/03 66005. 15/03 66205. 18/03 60090. 19/03 60094. 20/03 66006. 21/03 60048. 25/03 60041. 27/03 60092. 28/03 56116.

Newport

01/03 56041. 60029/055/056/094. 66002/008/017/101/120/239/250. 67019.

02/03 60014/015/072, 66123/133/239 were at Godfrey Road.

04/03 56051 worked 6V49 Lynemouth-Newport Docks and 37402 did 7M12 18:50 ADJ-Bescot departmental train.

06/03 37707 worked 6BO6 06:43 ADJ-Barry Docks and 6B39 14:25 return.

08/03 56018 worked 6V07 14:00 Round Oak-Llanwern. 37197/038 hauled 17159, 13227, W17056, 5630, 5732, 5025 towards Cardiff at 13:20 on a driver training run. 37669, 60053, 66018/162/225/240/241 were at Godfrey Road. Also noted were 60005/014/034/041/059/089. 66032/059/085/116 67018.

11/03 220013 stopped in Platform 1 at 09:25 en-route to Swansea where it was to be named South Wales Voyager by former C&ARS Committee member Paul Harley. It left at 09:45 for Cardiff, where it picked up a group of guests before making a non-stop run to Swansea in a record time. After the naming ceremony, the train returned to Cardiff where Chris Green made a presentation on the new CrossCountry network at the Millennium Stadium.

13/03 37419 60080 60090 66096 66162 66245 were at Godfrey Road at 09:45 and 37308/408, 60017/085, 66028/096 at 22:30. 37308 was in BR blue livery and 37408 was in ex-works EWS livery. These two locos had worked 6B39 earlier in the day.

14/03 37248 did 6B73 09:05 Westbury-ADJ and 6C40 12:35 return.

15/03 37308 worked 6B06 and 6B39. 37248 did 7B66 10:45 Westbury-ADJ and then joined 37308 to operate 6M75 19:26 ADJ-Warrington. 37402 worked 7M12 18:20 ADJ-Bescot. Also noted were 47782. 60003/017/042 60070/080/083/085. 66013/016/029/031/043/054/166/203/205.

18/03 37402 did 6B06 and 6B39. 37688 worked 6B03 09:18 Swansea-ADJ and then 6M75. 37402 hauled 7M12.

19/03 37688 did 6B64 07:10 Tidal-ADJ. 37402 covered 6B06 and 6B39.

20/03 37688 worked 6C91 08:39 ADJ-Bridgwater and 6C92 13:46 return.

21/03 37688 operated 6B06 and 6B39. 56133 hauled 4V60 21:48 Mossend-ADJ, then 0C91 ADJ-Bridgwater and 6C92. It left South Wales on 6M75.

22/03 37402/668, 60030, 66085 were at Godfrey Road at 22:30. Also noted were 60012/018/059/083. 67020.

23/03 37412 worked 6E39 Llanwern-Lackenby empty steel train.

25/03 37402 did 6C91, returning light engine 37688 hauled 6M75.

30/03 The following were noted 37402. 56037/081. 60029/087/092. 66014/041/043/093/202.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers 08451/454(WN)-VW, 08480(CF)-IM, 08611(LO)/617(WN)-VW, 08630(ML)-CF, 08678(DF)-CS, 08696/721/790(LO)-VW, 08879(IM)-ML,08887(LO)/934(WN)-VW.

VW = Virgin West Coast 08s, depot allocations unchanged at present.

Store 47722/822. 56077. 73101/128. 86416. BH: 47053/229/375. CB: 47206/302. CD: 47114. FB: 08489. HG: 73128. LH: 37334. 47822. LNWR: 47358/370. OC: 73101. SP: 08815/940. 56029. TE: 56077. 86416. TO: 47722. ZC: 55016(9016). ZH: 33023/025/030. Cathays: 56097. Middlesborough: 37221.

Traffic 37682/684/685/698 -TO, 47279 -FD, 47481 -MM, 47484/802 -VW(Alstom), 86228 -WN.

Disposals DRS: 20209 @KM. H Needle: 31541 @OC, 47344/539 @Kingsbury. Raxstar: 33204 @RL. Private Purchase: 50040.

Renumbered 91022 - 91122, 91029 - 91129. Not renumbered 91002.

New Stock 66554/607/608/609/610/611/612 -FD.

Diesel Multiple Units

Renumbered 55029 - 977968 -RU.

New Stock 180106*/107*/108 -OO. * currently at Alstom (Wembley) 221103/111 -CZ.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored 312798 @EM.

Traffic 8206/09. 9104/10 -SL.

Disposals 303008/012/016/077 - IMRFT.

New Stock 390008 - MI. (Manchester International opp Longsight)

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers 35453 -DI.

Store 94174/205 @WB, 94465/487 @BK?, 94503/505/506/521/523 @ML, 94530 @ Temple Mills.

Disposals Swanage: 4842. AEA Technology: 5854. Telford Steam Railway: 10676. East Kent: 13317.

New Stock

13/03 Working during the evening rush hour at Fenchurch Street were 357201/202/203/204/205/206/207/209/210/213/214/215/216/217/218/219/220/221/222/223/224.

18/03 375606/627 worked the 18:35 Victoria-Ramsgate and 375623/608 the 18:41 Victoria-Dover. The coach at the front of each train had window stickers displaying "Welcome to Connex First Class" and had "First Class" antimacassars on the seats, even though the interior was identical to the rest of the train i.e. blue 2+2 seating! On the Dover train, the inner end of the Driving Car didn't have any first class designation and carried stickers "This vehicle is available to standard Class ticket holders". A Bombardier technician rode in the rear cab of each service.

22/03 375314 was delivered to Brighton depot by 47734.

27/03 66513 towed 390009 Virgin Queen north through Wolverhampton at 15:30 with barrier vehicles 92929 and 92111 at either end of the Pendolino.

28/03 390001 was in the test bay Alstom Washwood Heath along with another Pendolino. No 180s were visible, although an inner vehicle of a Class 334 was seen.

29/03 66554, 66607-12 were unloaded from the Jumbo Spirit at Newport Docks. 37402 was used to shunt the locos around the quay. 66554 is the replacement for 521 (written off in the Great Heck collision) and has been paid for by Gary Hart's insurers. Shortly after being offloaded, each loco had its blue sheet removed and GM, EWS and Freightliner staff started commissioning and testing. A wood cover on the exhaust was removed, the batteries were connected, oil levels checked, radiators filled with coolant from a grounded container, fuel tanks filled from an EWS road tanker, sand put into four hoppers each side, screen wash reservoirs filled, fire extinguishers, detonators, red/green flags, track circuit clips fitted and AWS receivers installed.

Departmental & Track Machines

05/03 Weston-super-Mare ;- 73102. 77403. 10/03 Yate ;- Roadrail BCL 001 K 30273-99 Komatsu PW170 018 K 30448-99 " " Philmor Trailers 2132 2156 13/03 Yatton ;- Hughes r/r 450 11. 16/03 Pilning ;- Bradshaw r/r P43ONF (59). CGG21310/2001 (83). 24/03 West Depot ;- Ready Power r/r FR603. 01/04 Pilning ;- Hydrex r/r 3691/CGG232135.

Preservation & Industrial

Barton-under-Needwood Virgin Voyager depot (25/02) 08501 in orange livery was visible on the depot from the mainline.

Devon Railway Centre, Bickleigh Mill (01/03) The site was viewed;- Boris (Bg 3357/52) and three narrow gauge locos were seen with coaching stock (4493/602).

Freight Flow News

Stone Traffic The Penmaenmawr-Tytherington stone trains are now booked locally as follows;- 6G90 05.17 WFO Newport ADJ-Tytherington (07.05). 6Z41 11.50 WO Tytherington-Crewe Basford Hall yard. 6G91 11.50 FO Tytherington-Westbury. Normal early evening departures continue to Westbury from Mon-Wed and Sat morning, for outward stone movements.

MoD Traffic As already mentioned under the Devon & Cornwall notes traffic from Kineton is expected to be moved to Ernsettle on the Gunnislake branchline, possibly by the end of April. Empty wagons could be attached to the return Tavistock yard-Eastleigh tanks, to save another train path. Movements to/from Aschurch during the month included;- on 11/03, 37174 6B36 06.51 Didcot-Ashchurch and 6L32 13.27 Ashchurch-Didcot return with 11 empty warflats (13.22 Cheltenham) and 37174 again, on 27/03 with 6X36 06.51 Didcot-Ashchurch returning light engine. On 20/03, the same loco worked 6X85 15.17 Redmire-Ludgershall (Didcot 01.49, then booked 07.10 to Ludgershall) arriving at 08.34 on the 21/03 at Andover. The loco then worked 6V39 09.18 to Didcot.

Freightliner The companies timetable of train services has been revised, locally the following changes have taken place;- the 4S81 Wentloog-Coatbridge has now finished being replaced by 4V08 18.32 Crewe-Wentloog and return 4M32 23.32 Wentloog-Crewe. A new service is 4Z50 (SX) 05.02 Southampton-Wentloog and return 4Z51 (SX) 09.52 Wentloog-Southampton (Parkway 10.30). The company have also been linked with the Moorswater cement traffic but no further details of their planned operation of this service is known. 47279 and 47292 have now been put in a new DFLH pool, Heavy Haul division.

Mail Traffic The 1V62 16.44 Warrington-Bristol Parkway RMT is replaced by 5V62 20.42 Bristol TM-Plymouth RES van empties.

Coal Traffic Port Talbot Grange sidings has been supplying Didcot and Ironbridge with up to two trains a day, part of the reason being the reduced output from Avonmouth. Grange has now finished supplying Aberthaw with coal the final trains running on 19/03 were worked by 66006 and 66013. News from Avonmouth is the experimental running of 28 wagon loaded HTA trains to Didcot which would require banking from Hallen Marsh to Parkway down sidings. There is also talk of running to Didcot via Bath, the Limpley Valley and the Berks & Hants, Reading Southcote curve to save a run round at Didcot. 37174 had been used on driver route learning trips on this route during the month. Fifoots power station is expected to be moth-balled until a buyer can be found. Substantial money has been spent here to demolish the 'A' station and desulphurisation. Around 120 people are employed, the current owners being the US firm AES who also own Drax power station in the Midlands.

Sharpness Local company Howard Tenens are interested in expanding their warehouse operation here to 42,000 sq. foot. They are also looking at a possible rail link connecting onto the branchline which currently only sees nuclear flask traffic.

South Marston (near Swindon) The mainline point connections and signalling for this new freight depot were commissioned during the month.

Miscellaneous

Motorway Movements 05/03 56097 was present at Micheal Wood services (M5) overnight en-route from Wigan to Cardiff Cathays. 20/03 Steam 61264 was seen near Thornbury (M5) heading south-bound for the West Somerset railway. 25/03 Steam GWR 813 was seen near junction 14 (M5) heading south.

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