NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

20/08 66146 was noted stabled on the Chittening Estate siding near the junction. It is has been reported that car traffic is to resume from this location. A conflicting report states that the paper firm Enzo Stora are purchasing the remaining rail-connected warehouses for paper distribution. The company were known also to be interested in developing East Depot sidings but Railtrack wanted to lease the site and not sell it outright.

Recorded on coal traffic during recent weeks have been 66022/029/031/048/070/092/117/118/119/137/138/165/186/214 66216/228/230/231/234/240/242/248. 08630 has remained as the local area pilot.

4V60 Calvert-Bristol Avon binliner.

This month's sightings are given below;

01/08 66527. 02/08 66527. 09/08 66546. 12/08 66546. 14/08 66546. 16/08 66546. 19/08 66520/546. 21/08 66520. 22/08 66520. 23/08 66520. 29/08 66530.

Bristol Parkway

01/08 47732 was seen at 21.57 with the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails and earlier 20901 + 20903 passed at 12.37 with the 7M53 Bridgwater-Sellafield nuclear flasks. 66022 was noted with MGR empties for Avonmouth and 66527 working the Binliner ahead of schedule, probably due to engineering work taking place en-route.

03/08 60094 worked the Tytherington stone service (seen loading at the quarry at 08.15).

05/08 Just three freight movements this evening, 66169 working Tytherington "Stone", 66032 the Tyne Yard "Boxes" and 66219 Portbury bound with empty MGR. Also noted heading east was Freightliner loco, 47197, originating direction not seen.

06/08 180111 worked the 09.55 Cardiff-Paddington First GW service and 66055 was on the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight.

08/08 The combined 1C06 (13.53 Plymouth-Parkway) and 1M06 14.30 Swansea-London no longer run onwards as a top n'tail formation at around 17.10. Today's working was headed by 47756 + 67030. The 1V49 06.40 Dundee-Penzance HST, with power cars 43086 and 43063 arrived around three hours late piloted by 47839 following a complete failure at Stenson Junction. 60092 + 60011 were paired on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks at 15.54, whilst 37402 was an unusual sight on the 1B33 19.26 Swansea mails in place of a Class 47. Freightliner 66548 passed up at 21.53 with the Moorswater-Earles Sidings cement empties.

09/08 47781 worked the 1B33 19.26 Swansea mails.

10/08 50031 + 50049 were paired on a Pathfinders West Wales excursion (07.45 Paddington-Fishguard and 16.47 return). 66032 worked the Tytherington stone, the empties departing Westbury at 06.00 and the loaded train passing Yate at 10.50.

12/08 47828 with the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance was reported 70 minutes late at Bolton. On the freight side 66505 handled the 4Z51 09.55 Wentloog-Southampton containers and 60085 the 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight. 13/08 60034 worked 6G80 East Usk Yard-Tytherington blending stone train (and 11.50 empties to Westbury). 47781 worked the 1M06 14.30 Swansea-London mails.

14/08 47781 worked the 1M06 again and over at Westerleigh, 60056 was in charge of the Port Clarence tanks.

5/08 47781 was again active on mail duty heading the 1B33 Swansea service. 66115 headed the 6V70 the consist only being saloon escort coaches DM45020+DB999509. 16/08 57005 powered the 4Z51 Wentloog-Southampton containers.

17/08 66141 + 66053 + 66012 + 66117 passed at 13.35 heading for Didcot light.

19/08 47781 hauled the 1M06 14.30 Swansea-London mails.

20/08 37521 headed the Fords Dagenham-Bridgend car parts train in the early hours, 20307 + 20313 the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks, 66134 the 4B24 Didcot-Wenloog MOD stores and 66236 the Tytherington bound empty stone MBAs. 47781 was again on the 1M06 14.30 Swansea-London mails.

21/08 37521 returned again under cover of the darkness with the Bridgend-Dagenham empties and 66539 worked the 4Z50 inward Southampton-Wentloog containers at 07.55. 47781 was the 1M06 loco following problems with the booked 67005.

22/08 Fragonset pairing of 47703 + 31602 passed down light at 17.40 and 31190 was later seen heading north light at 18.45 for Derby. 66076 worked the Newport-Wembley freight, 37109 the 4B24 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores (17.39, returning at 20.24) and 47725 was on the 1E43 15.09 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. Freightliner 66520 passed at 19.37 with the return Calvert refuse containers instead of the normal next day booked time of 03.20.

26/07 31602 returned the three Railtrack test coaches north at 13.16 running from Westbury-Derby. 47703 then passed south at 13.30, hauling three coaches for Weymouth line duties. 47832 later passed up hauling two barrier vans destined for Old Oak Common at 17.20.

26/08 Departmental two-car test unit DB999600 + DB999601 seen stabled during the day.

27/08 56007 worked a 6G87 (TO) 13.18 Cardiff Tidal Sidings-Swindon train of scrap empties (13.35) returning at 17.00 light to south Wales.

29/08 56078 headed a 6G87 00.30 Swindon-Cardiff Tidal Sidings loaded scrap train whilst later 66535 hauled the 4Z51 containers. 20307 + 20313 having worked west light returned at 12.39 hauling a single FNA nuclear flask container wagon.

30/08 No freight services seen this evening, the only noteworthy item was Voyager 220031 heading north ECS. 46035 running as 5Z46 07.55 Crewe-St.Blazey (with support coach 35469) picked up 50031 + 50049 (which had run light from Barton Hill to Parkway, also see Temple Meads notes) en-route to the Cornish depot's staff open-day on the next day. 66151 headed an up unidentified container train at 14.23.

31/08 Having reached South Wales via Salisbury, Westbury, Bath, Day's Curve and the Severn Tunnel during the morning, preserved Hastings DEMU set 1001 returned an excursion as 16.20 Cardiff-Hastings via Hullavington.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

31/07 66202 worked a late evening Sellafield-Keyham nuclear submarine flask train with escort coach DM45020. 60057 with a four wagon 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight was involved in a SPAD (passing a red light at danger) incident at Lawrence Hill. The loco and train were reported to have ended up in the westbound station platform, the scene of the November 2000 crash involving a coal and mail train headed by 67002 (Which has only just been repaired).

01/08 20901 + 20903 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks (departing Bridgwater at 11.29, 182 minutes early!). Because of the derailment in Cornwall of the first Freightliner, Moorswater cement train on the 30th July (see last months Magazine) today's working was cancelled. 02/08 221134 operated 1M40 Plymouth-Liverpool Lime Street. 47829 in Police livery was on 1V48 11:15 Manchester-Bristol. 31602 was noted at Barton Hill.

02/08 The 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance was terminated at Manchester Piccadilly with the failure of 47818. The ECS then ran to Longsight for a loco change, the train then continuing onwards from Stockport. The 17.08 Oxford-Bristol and 18.50 Bristol-Oxford Thames Trains service were cancelled due to a staff shortage.

03/08 50031 + 50049 were paired on a Pathfinder Tours 06.07 Salisbury-Carlisle (1Z50) excursion routed via Day's Curve (seen at Twerton, near Bath at 07.17). Part of the Riviera stock formation was;- 5322, 5366, 5647, 1203, Emerald, Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Sapphire, 1863, 3125, 17105. Another special passenger working during the morning (10.50) was a Cheshire Tours Leamington Spa-Minehead (1Z40) headed by 47732, with 11 BN94 (blue/grey) and a single green S3124 coach. The 1V43 07.16 Manchester-Paignton and 1M38 15.08 Paignton-Preston were top n'tailed by 47853 and 47810 instead of a Voyager set whilst the 1S36 11.00 Penzance-Edinburgh (with power cars 43121 and 43091) was diverted via Bath and Oxford the reason unknown. At 09.00 the following were visible on Barton Hill depot;- 08904. 31602. 67003. 220012, whilst at St.Phillips Marsh, the following could be seen;- 08643. 43020/090. 180104. 165135. Interestingly, no Freightliner Class 66/5s could be seen at either location.

04/08 221104 worked 1V46 09:46 from Manchester. 05/08 Southbound departmental working seen at 15.00, powered by 66206.

06/08 31602 was still present on Barton Hill, reported to be en-route to Derby for repair to a week bogie spring. 66 525 powered the Moorswater cement service. 221129 formed 11:51 Plymouth-Liverpool.

07/08 Afternoon observations at Narroways Hill junction recorded the following;- 66055 (14.27) 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks, 66168 (14.56) 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight, 47830 (15.13) with HST power car 43027 and barrier van 6338 (as 5Z86 15.00 St.Phillips Marsh-Landore, the 47 with a suspected blown turbo and the power car for a 'C' exam), 31602 (15.37) Barton Hill-Derby light-engine, 66206 (16.12) Westbury-Tytherington Quarry Hanson stone wagon empties. Earlier 66200 had worked wagons to Bridgwater and returned light. By mid-August this trip working from Newport had again finished.

08/08 221117 worked 1V55 Newcastle-Bristol.

09/08 47810 + 47839 were paired on the 1M56 08.40 Penzance-Glasgow service, onwards from Plymouth. 60095 headed the 7B66 Westbury-Newport engineers (Filton bank 12.55) and 66223 worked the 6V70 (Parkway 15.21). 1

0/08 220030 worked 1V37 Preston-Paignton and 1M31 Paignton-Manchester.

11/08 The 1S44 10.40 Plymouth-Edinburgh service was top n'tailed by 47 854 and 47 805 following an HST failure the previous day and the 1V84 10.03 Glasgow Central-Penzance was a Voyager set as far as Birmingham New Street, where an HST set took over instead of a loco and coaches.

12/08 The 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester was an HST set instead of a loco and coaches.

13/08 47750 was present on Barton Hill and allocated 1M61 18.44 Swansea-London mails later in the day. 60032 noted with stone empties at 18.35.

14/08 59004 was rare power for a three tank 6C22 14.30 Westbury-St.Phillips fuel train in place of the normal Class 66. The loco then ran light from Bristol-Cardiff Canton for wheel turning. Also recorded during the afternoon were 60085 + 47734 on the 6V70 freight and 66546 with the 4V60 Calvert-Bath/Barrow Road refuse containers. The 1C53 16.15 Paddington-Plymouth service was headed by 47816 in place of 57601. 60069 worked a ballast train from South Wales to Westbury.

15/08 66115 was today's 6V70 loco whilst 59004 was reported to have returned on an 18.00 Newport-Westbury ballast train.

16/08 150281 (in new Valley Lines Livery) + 150238 were paired on the 06.39 Worcester-Weymouth service. Two more loco-hauled 'finals' today were, 47805 on the 1V48 11.17 Manchester-Bristol TM and the 1S93 15.35 return to Edinburgh and 47840 with the (what was to be the actual second last) 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester, complete with a 'Cross Country Locomotive Farewell' (and a Loco Master Profiles film-crew in the cab recording the journey, this company put some of the money towards the locomotive's repaint back into BR blue livery costs).

17/08 What was to be the final Summer Saturday for loco-hauled passenger trains saw 47812 with the 1V45 09.16 Manchester-Paignton piloted by 47761 onwards from Bristol. The return 1M25 16.17 Paignton-Manchester was formed 47761 + 47812 + DVT82111 leading the train formed of MkIII West Coast coaching stock. These two trains were to remain a loco and coaches until the end of the Summer Timetable in September. Also recorded were 47843 + 47818 top n'tailing the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Paignton service, in place of a Voyager set and 66115 on the 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington china clay slurry tanks. For the record the other loco-hauled passenger workings during the day were, IC liviered 47826 on the 1S66 09.00 Paignton-Edinburgh and return 1V52 15.56 Birmingham NS-Penzance and 'XP64' 47853 with the 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester.

18/08 47847 + 47840 worked the 1V84 10.03 Glasgow Central-Penzance service west ready for the farewell 1M56 the next day and 47826 headed the 1M87 09.35 Penzance-Manchester (becoming the second last Virgin West Country loco-hauled departure and the final one over the Weston-super-Mare loop).

19/08 An immaculately turned out 47840 (also carrying 47077) + 47847 complete with 'Cross Country Locomotive Farewell' headboard headed the final Virgin Class 47 hauled weekday service the 1M56 08.46 Penzance-Manchester. The train was strengthened to 11 coaches to cater for additional haulage enthusiasts, saw the 47s worked as far as Birmingham where they then ran to Toton for a special ceremony to mark the end and the Voyager take-over. The weather was over cast, in the Bristol area some said to mark the mood of the occasion, but large numbers of enthusiasts lined the route to record the event for example a report was received of well over 100 people on Taunton station! Later 60004 was seen on the 6V70 freight. 66520/546 were on the binliner running 5 hours late, 520 having previously been at St Phillips Marsh with 66606. It was assumed there was a problem with 546.

20/08 66208 + 60072 headed a one tank wagon 6V70 (Bridgwater 16.16), 20313 + 20307 worked the 7M53 Bridgwater-Crewe four nuclear flask train and 47725 powered the 1E43 15.09 Plymouth-Parkway RMT mail service. 47813 was on the First/GW 1C53 16.15 Paddington-Plymouth service in place of 57601.

21/08 Only two days after the end of weekday loco-hauled trains, 47812 was reported to be assisting the 1V51 12.08 Newcastle-Plymouth HST following a power car failure. However due to late running the train was terminated at Derby. Also the 1V50 08.40 Glasgow-Penzance Voyager set was recorded as being in trouble near Plymouth being hauled into the station by 08645! The afternoon/evening period proved to be another good day for EWS/RES Class 47s on mail trains in place of Class 67s. Noted were;- 47750 on the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT and 47725 with the 1E43 15.09 Plymouth-Parkway RMT. 47813 was again on the First/GW 1C53 16.15 Paddington-Plymouth service.

22/08 New Valley Lines liveried 150281 and 143621 were on the 06.39 Worcester-Weymouth service. 66166 passed through at 08.45 with a 6X40 Keyham-Sellafield submarine flask train complete with escort coaches and 66157 arrived with the Westbury-St.Phillips Marsh fuel tankers. Another afternoon arrival was steam loco 35005 Canadian Pacific with Steam Dreams 'Cathederal Express' (1Z80 09.10 Victoria-Bristol and 1Z81 15.52 to Victoria), seen near Bath at 13.33 with green liveried coaches S5200, S5222, S1840, S13440, S9104, S5237, S1659 + S5236. The return service made an around 20 minute booked stop in Bathampton loop. Also seen during the afternoon was 180113, with front paneling missing, on a first Bristol visit presumably heading for St.Phillips Marsh depot. Earlier 47725 had worked west on the 5C64 09.27 Bristol TM-Plymouth RES vans. 43160 arrived dead at Temple Meads on the front of the 06:45 Newcastle-Plymouth. The 12:10 to Newcastle was formed by 221128.

23/08 Observed at 02.20 southbound was 66092 with "Tanks".

24/08 50031 + 50049 headed a Pathfinders Central Wales line trip (1Z50 06.26 Slough-Llandrindod Wells and 1Z51 1620 return) calling at Keynsham (08.45) and Patchway, running via Day's Curve whilst Royal 47799 was on a Northern Belle outing to Bath arriving just after 13.00 from Manchester. 66 040 was on a morning empty stone working formed of 17 JHA Hanson hoppers (Lochleaze 09.17) heading towards Filton and 47847 was the 1V45 09.16 Manchester-Paignton and return 1M25 16.17 Paignton-Manchester loco. The return on arrival at Bristol failed and left over an hour late with Fragonset 47703 (which had come over from St.Phillips Marsh) acting as the pilot loco.

27/08 Departmental two-car unit DB999600+DB999601 ran as 2Z08 11.35 Temple Meads-Tytherington (12.40), Westerleigh (13.36) and via the Severn Tunnel, Newport and Gloucester, Sharpness (16.48). 66002 headed an 08.12 Westbury-Stoke Gifford train of engineers OBA wagons and 37670 + 60085 arrived as 0V70 11.48 Bescot-St.Blazey (running in the path of the 6V70, but with no wagons) during the afternoon. Because the Barton Hill driver was unfamiliar with Class 37s, the 60 took the lead onwards from Bristol, being delayed by a late afternoon track circuit/signalling failure. Which also caused late running for a number of local westbound services notably the 15.05 Cardiff Central-Weston-super-Mare (67 minutes late, which also affected the booked return 16.51 Weston-super-Mare-Birmingham NS) and the 16.00 Bristol-Taunton (36 minutes late).

28/08 221136 worked 1V55 13:08 Newcastle-Temple Meads. D1015 Western Champion was back in mainline action hauling the 5C37 13.55 (WO) Old Oak Common-Barton Hill today formed 50031/D431 + 50049/D449 + 80???(TPO Coach) + 67001. The Class 50s were destined for show at the St.Blazey depot Open Day three days later. The formation passed Filton Abbey Wood at 16.26. Also seen at this location during the afternoon were;- 58020 (the final class member to visit the Bristol and South Wales areas) with a return Newport-Westbury engineers of partially loaded low-sided ballast wagons (15.06), 60031 with a 14 wagon 6V70 (15.23) and 66038 with Tytherington bound empty stone wagons (15.32). 57601 was back on the First/GW 1C53 Paddington-Plymouth service and 47725 was on the 1E41 17.23 Plymouth-Low Fell mails.

29/08 220011/136 worked 1E28 06:45 Temple Meads-Newcastle. Having run light from Barton Hill depot to Stoke Gifford sidings, D1015 piloted 60085 west on the 6V70 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight. The train passed Yatton at 16.05, a most unusual sight a preserved diesel-hydraulic on a mainline freight heading west from Bristol! The Western, as with the Class 50s was enroute to St.Blazey for the Open Day, but during the following day was used in Cornwall on CDA china clay trip workings! 47756 worked the 1E43 15.09 Plymouth-Low Fell mails during the afternoon, but was not affected by a gas-leak on the Winterstoke Road overbridge at Weston-super-Mare which saw a few normally mainline services routed via the town's loop station.

30/08 47791 worked the morning 5C36 Cardiff Canton-Barton Hill RES vans trip and 47813 headed the 1C53, 57601 after a single day appearance was out of service again at Laira Depot. 31/08 'XP64' 47853 worked the 1V45 09.16 Manchester-Paignton and 1M25 16.17 Paignton-Manchester. Two railtours noted during the day were;- 47760 with a Pathfinder's Eden Express (06.00 Cardiff-Par) with coaches 5029, 4963, W1842, 17056, (3069), (3068), (3066) + 3125 which was steam hauled by 6024 King Edward I onwards from Exeter and a return 1Z67 17.04 Bristol-Norwich NENTA excursion formed with Anglian Railways stock (complete with a DBSO) top n'tailed by 67006 and 67023 (Keynsham 17.10).

Gloucester

14/08 66031 worked a 15 wagon MOD train for Ashchurch past Standish at 08.55. 180104 + 180107 were also seen on the 08.02 Cheltenham-Paddington First/GW service and 20312 + 20314 on the Berkeley nuclear flasks.

Portbury Branchline

03/08 A Hydrex r/r machine excavator (2195) was noted failed with a suspected hydraulic-fluid leak at Ashton Level Crossing during the morning.

06/08 A 6X32 17.00 Portbury-? freight service operated, this being a possible first Freightliner car train over the branchline.

07/08 66 070 departed mid-afternoon with a loaded coal train formed of HTA hoppers believed to be Didcot bound.

Locos Noted on coal duty in recent weeks have been 66011/031/070/081/088/179/234/248.

An announcement towards the end of the month, stated that Portbury Dock was to become Britains premier aviation fuel import and storage location. Most of the fuel would be moved by underground pipework, with storage tanks at Redcliffe Bay which are still connected coming back into use. This location is in turn connected to the disused rail-connected fuel depot at Flax Bourton.

Wessex Area

11/08 31190 + 31459 worked an additional Westbury-Weymouth service with the regular IC liviered coaches;- 5958, 6168, 9505, 5981 (all owned and on lease from Fragonset).

12/08 IC liveried 37685 has been returned to traffic after an exam the locos first duty being 7V27 14.51 Eastleigh-Didcot. 21/08 31190 + 31459 were used for Weymouth Carnival reliefs, top n'tailing their four coach train as 2Z17 11.30 Westbury-Weymouth, 2Z18 13.30 Weymouth-Yeovil Pen Mill, 2Z19 14.30 Yeovil Pen Mill-Weymouth, 2Z20 20.30 Weymouth-Yeovil Pen Mill, 2Z21 21.30 Yeovil Pen Mill-Weymouth and 2Z22 22.36 Weymouth-Westbury.

26/08 The 31s and their train ran ECS to Exeter for fuelling, their normal fuelling/servicing point at Mendip Rail's Merehead Quarry being closed for the Bank Holiday Monday. The train then worked an additional 11.30 Westbury-Weymouth and 18.52 Weymouth-Westbury service.

28/08 37051 handled the morning 6Y27 Eastleigh-Quidhampton and return 6Y28 trip.

31/08 The final day for the Class 31s on the 09.30 Westbury-Weymouth and 16.30 return. Wessex are to keep the train operating, working a morning Westbury-Filton Abbey Wood (ecs to Cardiff) and return commuter extra over the Winter period and Cardiff-Brighton return (FO).

The following is additional coaching stock details for vehicles hired in by Wessex trains during the Summer period;- Railtrack Blue (former Gatwick) coaches 72616, 72708, 72639. Glastonbury Pop Festival Coaches;- 5816, 5843, 5792, 5769, 5814, 5791, 9526 (all in IC colours and on hire from Riviera Trains). Fragonset are expected to paint their coaches in a new livery based on the Inter-City colour scheme!

Postal sets

4s (PCV)

94322 94222 94177 94315

94302 94197 94217 94336

94310 94228 94160 94317

94341 94147 94198 94338

94320 94168 94148 94311

5s

94403 94102 94112 94191 94543

94540 94132 94133 94113 94427

94441 94195 94104 94100 94546

94468 94227 94223 94406 94539

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

01/08 37612 worked 1Z37 05:45 Cardiff-Manchester and 1Z38 19:17 return for people attending the Commonwealth Games. 37419 hauled 1B96 10:35 to Fishguard Harbour and 1B97 13:35 Fishguard-Rhymney. 37695 hauled 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney due to a shortage of serviceable 37/4s. 37408 operated 2R46 17:47 to Rhymney.

02/08 37612 was again on 1Z37 but 37038 hauled the 1Z38 return working. 37419 worked 2V07 07:21 Rhymney-Radyr followed by 1B96 and 1B97. 37695 hauled 2F05 06:59 from Rhymney and returned on 2R46, whilst 37408 did 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R42.

05/08 37419 worked 1B96 and 1B97. 06/08 37402 did 1B96 and 1B97. 07/08 37402 was again on 1B96 and 1B97. 37419 did 2R42 and 37418 2R46. 08/08 37418 hauled 1B96 and 1B97. 47212 worked 6Z82 11:00 Aberthaw-Crewe cement empties. 09/08 37421 arrived at Canton from Motherwell to cover for accident damaged 37412 and was immediately put to work on 2V07, 1B96 and 1B97!

10/08 37419 and 37421 operated the Saturday Rhymney diagrams, although 37418 and spare stock from Canton was drafted in to cover 2R42 16:59 Cardiff-Rhymney as diagrammed 37421 had been delayed for 30mins on its outward working by a fallen tree at Caerphilly. 57012 worked 4L56 Wentloog-Ipswich Yard.

11/08 37114/521 worked 1Z37 10:45 from Hereford and 1Z39 16:35 to Liverpool via Birmingham for fans attending a football match at the Millennium Stadium.

12/08 37421 hauled 1B96 and 1B97. 13/08 37419 worked 2V07, 1B96, 1B97, whilst 37418 did 2F05, 2R46 and 37421 2F06, 2R42. 66608 hauled 6E99 Baglan Bay-Humber.

14/08 37418 did 2V07, 1B96, 1B97; 37419 hauled 2F06, 2R42; 37421 worked 2F05, 2R46.

16/08 37402 on 1B96 failed at Dynevor Junction with the fire alarm ringing on the loco! 37419 was despatched from Canton, arriving at 13:20 and propelled the train to Llanelli, where it ran round and took the train back to Cardiff, detraining passengers at Bridgend. 57006 worked 4Z51 Wentloog-Southampton.

17/08 37418 and 37419 were on the Saturday Rhymneys. 37682/886 worked through Cardiff Central on a train of steel slabs. 19/08 37418 worked 2V07, 1B96, 1B97. 37421 did 2F05 and 37419 2F06.

20/08 221134 worked 15:24 Swansea-Newcastle in place of the usual HST. Due to a landslide at Yate, it was diverted from Bristol Parkway back to Newport, where it reversed and travelled north via Chepstow. 37421 did 2V07, 1B96 and 1B97, 37419 was on 2F05 and 37418 2F06. 66503 worked 4Z51.

21/08 37682/886 worked 6V02 17:30 Thrislington-Margam. 47781 was on 6L59 20:55 Llandarcy-Thameshaven tanks. 37418 did 2V07, 1B96, 1B97 and 37421 2F06.

22/08 37421 worked 2V07, 1B96 and 1B97. 37419 did 2F05 and 2R46 with 37418 on 2F06. However, 37408 worked 2R42. 37109 hauled 4B24 Didcot-Wentloog.

23/08 37419 worked 2V07 but was then replaced by 37418 for 1B96 and 1B97. 37408 did 2F05 and 37421 2F06. 37682/886 hauled 6V75 09:29 Dee Marsh-Margam steel empties. 66504 worked 4Z51 and 66534 was on 4V30 Ipswich Yard-Wentloog.

25/08 37886/682 worked 6M30 10:31 Margam-Dee Marsh steel via Cheltenham due to a possession on the Marches line. 170638 arrived on the 14:57 from Nottingham and 150104 worked the 18:20 to Birmingham.

26/08 37421 worked 1B96 and 1B97 as far as Cardiff, where the train terminated without going forward to Rhymney. 37408 and 37418 ran services on the Rhymney line during the afternoon in place of units. Both variations were because it was a Bank Holiday Monday.

27/08 37418 worked 2V07, 1B96, 1B97. 37408 did 2F05 and 2R46. 37421 did 2F06 but 37419 appeared on 2R42. 28/08 37419 did 1B96 and 1B97.

29/08 37418 was on 1B96 and 1B97. 30/08 37419 worked 2V07 1B96, 1B97. 37408 did 2F05 and 37421 2F06.

Cardiff Canton

04/08 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37109/222/402/418/509/695/901/904. 47756/781. 56083. 60043. 66211.

25/08 08481/493/576/756/801/819/955/957. 37222/509/901/904 47205/365. 60017/051. 66043/050/056. 67010/022/024.

Cardiff Tidal

27/08 08770.

Newport

10/08 66165 worked 6G80 Westbury-Machen. 17/08 37408, 56100, 60019/43/82 66043/076/219/230 were at Godfrey Rd at 14:00. 66157 worked 6G80 Westbury-Machen.

20/08 37682/886 worked 6E09 Llanwern-Lackenby steel empties. 66149/120 with 60020 dit hauled two Ferrywagons through Newport at 20:10 on 6E20 Trostre-Belmont.

22/08 56032 worked 6Z46 12:55 East Usk-Arpley MEAs. 56100 hauled steel slabs east at 09:45.

25/08 As the line between Gloucester and Westerleigh Junction was closed due to engineering work, Virgin services were diverted via Chepstow and Newport. Several HSTs arrived at Platform 1 and reversed, along with 221126 on a service to York and 221116 on a service to Manchester Piccadilly.

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers

08480(CF)-TO, 09021(TO)-AN, 37057(CD)-OC, 37667(CD)-ML, 47714(MM)-NC, 86212(WN)-CE.

Store

08912. 37520. 47481/721/771/806/817/831. 56006/046/048/063/073/085/110/116/131/134. 58016/021/025/029/030/041/043/050. 73129/211. 86207/213, 86220/224/225/226/231/258. BH: 33019. 37201. 31412/417/433/460. CD: 47774. CE: 86220/226/231/258. CF: 37406. CS: 08634/700/707/729. DF: 33202. DR: 37520. EH: 58016/021/025/029/030/041/043/050. HG: 73129. IM: 56006/046/063/073/110/116/131/134. LG: 86207/224. LH: 37211. 47806/831. LT: 20007/105/108/159. MG: 37403. SL: 73211. TE: 56085. TO: 47721/771/817. ZB: 08648. ZH: 20094/135. 47156/223. 86213/225.

Traffic

08489-ML, 08709-TO, 33025/030-KM, 37194-BH, 37229-KM, 37235-BQ, 37685-CD, 47033-MM, 47750-CD, 56041/059/100-TE, 57302-WN, 67002-CF, 73136-HG, 86242-NC, 96385/386-CP.

Withdrawn

03179. 08746.

Disposals

Thomson: 08731/826. 31205. H Needle: 37088/209/252. Booth: 20133/206. Sims: 43011 @ZC. IMRFT: 86103/252. S&D Yeovil: 20177. Dean Forest: 31210. A1A Group: 31418. I Riley: 37235. Llangollen: 37240. Renown/Repulse Group: 50029/030.

Renumbered

47827-57302, 90221-90021, 90222-90022, 90223-90023, 90225-90025, 90227-90027, 90238-90038, 90141-90041, 90143-90043, 90145-90045, 90150-90050, 91012-91112, 91015-91115.

Diesel Multiple Units

Traffic

55032 -HQ.

Withdrawn

142008. 165: Cars 58967. 55429.

Disposals

ZF: 142008. Sims Metals: 58967. 55429.

New Stock

168: Cars 58456/457/458/459/460 -AL. 170270/271/272/273 -NC. 180108/111/112 -OO. 221131/132/133/124/135/138/139 -CZ.

Renumbered

168: 58656-58451, 58657-58452, 58658-58453, 58659-58454, 58660-58455.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored

312730 @SS. (S): 1553. 3428. 3801. DY: Car: 72640. ZG: 3428. 3801. 458001. Cars: 71120. 76231/456.

Traffic

375601/602/603/604 -RE. (S): 1581 -FR.

Withdrawn

303023/032/033/037/054/070/085.

Disposals

IMRFT: 303023/033/037/054/070/085. Sims Metals: car 70762. AEA Technology: car 62138. For Preservation: 303032. Summerlee Heritage Trust Museum, Coatbridge: 936.103.(311103) Gravesend Police Training College: 977849.(76415)

New Stock

375322/323/325/327/328/329/330/331/332/333 -BI.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

West Coast Railways: 5853/69/74. 5913/65. 6013. 9539. 92908.

Stored

1202/04/08/13/51/52/55/59. 5746/84/93. 5801/21/22/47. 5900/17/25/30/947/51/58/62/67/75/81/94/96/99. 6000/05/10/11/15/18/21*/22/25/26/41/46/59/61/73. 6105/12/20/59/72/82/84. 9498. 9507/08/13/16/21/23/38. 35511. 80400. 92114. * See below. CF: 80400. DF: 5746/84. 5821/47. 5925/58/81. 92114. DY: 3521. 6105. 92923/927/928/937/939/988/991/998. 96210/212/218. KI: 1204/08/13/51/52/55/59. 5793. 5801. 5900/47/51/67/75/94/99. 6005/10/11/18/21/25/59/61/73. 6112/20/59/72/84. 9498. 9507/08/16/22/23/38. LA: 5930. LO: 5822. OY: 1202. 5917/62/96. 6000/15/22/41/45. 6182. 9513/21.

Traffic

1200/03 -CP, 1256 -DY, 1258 -CP, 3188. 3374 -DY, 5447 -CP, 5748/52/69/76/89- DY, 5791/92/94/96. 5814/16 -CP, 5824/27 -DY, 5843 -CP, 5897. 5906 -DY, 6021 -OY, 6168 -DY, 9489 -CP, 9500/09 -DY, 9526. 92936 -CP, 94503/505/506 -ML, 94510 -BK, 94521/523/530 -ML.

Disposals

CDRC:- 92309/822/854. Sims Metals:- 40213. 41042/060. 42082. H Needle:- 92503/815/867. 95105/109/120/124/125/135/145/152/165. IMRFT:- 5674/99. 5716/38. Central Railways: 5154/78. East Lancs: 5462. 13585. 35508. Mid Hants: 80223. MML: 17156.

Codes

GBCM GB Rail Commercial Contracts GBRT GB Rail Railtrack Contracts IMFT MML Fire Training Coach (17156) SDXC Fragonset Stored Coaching Stock WNSS EWS Locomotives Stored Serviceable. SIEM Siemens Transportation (96385/386) nt: 143611/619. 153318/382.

Miscellaneous

Corrections and Additional Information September Magazine

Bristol Temple Meads 13/07, 47853 was carrying a 'Class 40 Fund' headboard, not a Farewell Board as stated. A similar board was carried around the same time during 2001. Devon & Cornwall 27/07, 37308 returned the train to Alton, not Paddington. Freight Flow News, Coal Traffic, the Lickey Bankers date is 19/07. Bristol Temple Meads 28/07, 45337 should read 45157 (alias 45407!) and 35??? has now been confirmed as 35317. Beamish Open Air Museum 19/07, tram 131 should be deleted.

Edenex/Pastime Rail Specials These are the latest dates for Railtours visiting the Eden Project tourist attraction near St.Austell, normally being hauled by a Class 47 and MkI coaches and routed via Bristol (regularly between 09.30 and 10.30) unless stated;- 05/10 Woking (via Westbury). 26/10 Letchworth. 02/11 Lichfield. 25/01 Crewe. 15/02 Hove (via Westbury).

Wales & Borders Fishguard Service The popular Class 37 hauled train is set to return for 2003 running during the whole of July and August M-F and on each Summer Saturday during the Summer Timetable.

Serco Test Trains A traction change could be taking place for the normally Class 47 top n'tailed test trains (1Z14) during 2003. HST power cars 43013/014/062 could see use as the hauling power.

Class 58

This was the final month of regular operation for the once 50 strong fleet of locomotives. By early August only 58020/024/033/045/047 remained in service. Here follows details of some of the workings;- 12/08 58033 headed the morning 6W58 06.35 Eastleigh-Wool sand train returning light. 16/08 58045 was in charge of the Eastleigh-Quidhampton and return trip. 19/08 58033 + 37688 were paired on the Eastleigh-Quidhampton and return trip. 23/08 58024 powered the 6V37 21.10 Eastleigh-Westbury engineers returning on the 6O34 Tavistock Yard-Eastleigh tanks. 26/08 58033 and 58045 were paired on Pathfinder's 'Bone-Breaker' (1Z58 05.30 Crewe-Clacton) Farewell Tour. The trip ended early when travelling in top n'tail mode, with 58 045 leading, the train hit the buffers at low speed at Walton-on-Naze. With the tour terminated here, participants were allowed to travel home by service trains, reaching a mainline station by a fleet of taxis. The accident actually made the National News Headlines. Both locos were taken out of service and moved to Old Oak Common for special tests. 28/08 Two Class members were in the Severnside area during the day, 58047 headed the 4V09 04.18 Longbridge-Swindon 'cubes' and return 4M03 09.09 Swindon-Longbridge empties (out and back via Kemble) and 58 020 worked a return Westbury-Newport ballast trip. 29/08 58047 headed an overnight Washwood Heath-Eastleigh car train (Westbury 03.30) and 58020 hauled a 6G94 06.00 Westbury-Westbury autoballaster (via Taunton). On return the loco was moved to Eastleigh for cleaning prior to hauling Hertfordshire Railtours 'Class 58 Farewell' trip with 58 024. 01/09 Hertfordshire Railtours operated their 'Bone Idol' farewell trip with 58020 + 58024, having been the railtour operator to use the first Class 58 on a railtour, 58002 between Nuneaton and Matlock on 18/09/83. Today's trip ran from King's Cross to Nottingham and return. 02/09 66025 + 58020 + 58024 ran as 6X48 13.13 Dagenham Dock-Wembley and 58047 headed the 6M44 12.33 Eastleigh-Wembley Yard freight-the very last Class 58 hauled train!

[ Home ] [ September 2002 ]