NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

04/02 The up line near Hallen village (close to the M49 road overbridge) was vandalised during the early morning when a rail was partially cut through using a petrol-driven power cutter. The vandals (who were believed to have been disturbed) had not fully cut through the rail and three coal departures from Avonmouth passed over the section of track before the rail had broken and was discovered by track workers. The line was closed during the morning whilst the location became a BT police crime scene and repairs took place, reopening during the late afternoon.

06/02 66214 worked a 34 wagon 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley enterprise freight and 66 042 worked loaded coal MEAs from Bennett's yard during the day.

13/02 66215 was the 6M33 loco. This train as well as conveying Cittening Estate paper empties and Avonmouth containers also has been moving seasonal fertiliser empties from the North East and sulphuric acid to Dalry (Ayrshire).

20/02 This was the official closure date for the Britannia Zinc smelter (as detailed in the February 2003 Magazine). This is expected to see the end of Bristol's last working standard gauge industrial rail system with the end of the Dalry sulphuric acid flow, although the railway could see use moving away contaminated soil or scrap material, but this is unconfirmed.

25/02 Green-liveried 60081 worked the 6W65 16.50 Eastleigh-Furzebrook and 6V29 20.29 Furzebrook-Hallen Marsh LPG tanks. The loco returned with the loaded 6O10 03.00 Hallen Marsh-Furzebrook tanks the following day.

26/02 66247 powered the 6M33. By the end of the month, Massey Wilcox had taken over the rail off-loading operation and associated warehousing on the Chittening Industrial estate.

Locos recorded on coal duty during recent weeks;- 66022/027/123/138/139/159/171/182/191/200/205. 08685 had taken over as local area pilot at the beginning of the month from 08630.

Bristol Parkway

03/02 66137 was on the afternoon Purfleet-Cardiff Tidal steel empties and. 47746 worked the 1V34 20.30 London-Swansea mails. 66036 working Tytherington "Stone", MGR action was just two services 66010 working into Avonmouth with empties and a loaded train out behind 66040.

04/02 47758 worked the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails. 66058 passed at 14.58 with empty 'La Farge' hoppers for Cardiff dock. This was reported to be one of a new-flow of loaded stone trains from Cardiff to Leicester.

05/02 and 20307 + 20308 were on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flask service passing at 15.15. 47746 worked the 1M61 18.44 Swansea-London mails. 60098 was the 6V70 11.48 (MWFO) Bescot-St.Blazey freight loco.

06/02 66135 with a rake of 4 wheel stone wagons heading for South Wales. 07/02 The First/GW Paddington-Penzance (1C99) and Penzance-Paddington (1A99) sleepers were worked by 47811 and 57601 respectively. 20307+20308 again powered the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.

10/02 Only four freights again for a Monday, 66237 with the Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66076 Tytherington "Stone" and 66207 with MGR empties bound for Portbury.

12/02 66247 was on the 6V70 freight. 66204 worked a 6Z71 08.37 Didcot-Caerwent MOD trip formed of five VGA vans.

15/02 60058 was on the 6B13 Robeston-Westerleigh fuel tanks.

18/02 66028 worked loaded Redland stone from Cardiff Tidal sidings-Mountsorrel (Leicester) during the early afternoon (being routed via Foxhall curve at Didcot, to the north).

21/02 47727 handled the 1M06 14.25 Swansea-Parkway RMT mails.

24/02 Two MGRs noted this evening, 66171 loaded train from Avonmouth and 66235 in the reverse direction with empties. Only other freight was 66180 working Tytherington "Stone".

25/02 Petrol-liveried 60054 headed the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tankers during the late afternoon.

27/02 This evening saw 60030 working the Tytherington "Stone", 66146 a Didcot bound MGR from Avonmouth and heading eastwards from South Wales was 66067 with a LaFarge self discharge ballast train.

28/02 66067 passed during the evening with a Cardiff Tidal sidings-Leicester 'La Farge' aggregate train.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

29/01 20306 + 20312 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks, 66028 worked the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine slurry tanks and 66171 the 6V70. 47811 was in charge of the 1C99 and 47832 the 1A99 First/GW sleeper services, 47750 was on Barton Hill depot and 47758 at Westbury.

30/01 47737 was present on Barton Hill depot as the 'stand-by' loco and 47811 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99) were the First/GW sleeper locos. 66038 headed the 6V34 Fawley-Margam loaded fuel tanks via Day's curve during the early afternoon.

31/01 57601 put in a rare daytime passenger working appearance with the 1A43 09.24 Plymouth-Paddington service. With signalling problems west of Swindon and a reduction in line capacity, the service was diverted via the Limpley Stoke valley to Westbury and onto the Berks & Hants route to Reading. A number of HST services also went this way with the 15.45 Paddington-Bristol TM cancelled as well as the 15.30, 16.30, 18.30 Bristol Parkway arrivals (ex. Paddington) and the 16.00 and 17.00 departures (for Paddington) also from Parkway. 47773 + 47791 unusually double-headed the 1Z14 05.53 Exeter Riverside-Derby Serco test train (via Reading and Bristol TM). The inward train was recorded passing Narroways junction at 09.50 returning north at 11.39. 47758+67002 were later paired on a 5C36 Cardiff-Barton Hill RES vans stock move and 47 737 worked the 5C43 09.19 Barton Hill-Plymouth empty RES vans. Steam loco 5029 Nunney Castle ran as 11.04 Old Oak Common-Barton Hill depot loco and support coach 35461 ready for railtour duty the next day. 47727 worked 1B33 19:26 Parkway RMT-Swansea in lieu of a Class 67.

01/02 D1015 Western Champion + 5029 Nunney Castle were paired and departed at 07.23 on a Pathfinder tours 04.45 Slough-Penzance excursion, the Western having arrived on the trip at 06.23 with coaching stock;- 5275 Wendy, 5040, 1863, 3140, 3112, 3122, 5341, 6310 (and 35461 support coach). The steam loco was swapped to the inside, as was the practice during the transition period of steam to diesel, as the diesel loco could suffer problems with an intake of steam blowing in through its vents if in second place. On the return, the train was worked by 67024 from Penzance-Plymouth where D1015 took over but was terminated at Temple Meads, because the driver was unwilling to cross an EWS drivers pay dispute picket-line at Acton later in the evening (EWS drivers carried out a couple of weekend strikes from 15.00 on some Saturdays through to Sunday night during February). The ECS was moved to the RMT at Parkway for stabling by the Western, prior to returning to Barton Hill depot light-engine. On the freight side, 66130 was in charge of the 6M68 Burngullow-Crewe South yard china clay slurry tanks, 66011 the Westbury-Machen ballast trip and 60034 on the 6M72 Burngullow-Cliffe Vale (which no longer starts at St.Blazey yard).

03/02 First/GW sleeper locos were 47815 (1C99) and 47832 (1A99). Southbound "Enterprise" service seen at 16.30 behind 60098.

04/02 60085 worked the morning 7B66 Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers trip and 60065 was reported allocated the 6B79 Westbury-Tower stone MBAs. 47737 was present on Barton Hill depot, 47815 (1A99) and 47 813 (1C99) were the sleeper locos. The Wales & Borders 1O28 20.16 Pembroke Dock-Waterloo service was diverted until the

07/02 due to engineering works with road bus connections between Temple Meads, Swindon, Didcot and Reading. 05/02 47811 (1C99) and 57601 (1A99) were the sleeper locos and 47747 headed the 5A24 07.45 Barton Hill-Old Oak Common two empty RES vans. D1015 Western Champion was also in the consist returning to it's home depot (Parkway 10.00). The Class 47 later returned on the 5C37 13.55 Old Oak Common-Barton Hill depot vans. During the morning Barton Hill depot contained;- 08711/896. 66041/133. 67001/006/025 and later 20306 + 20308 headed the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks and 47737 assisted 67005 (with a TPWS fault) on the 1E43 14.55 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. 06/02 158827/841, both in Ginsters livery, worked the 11:03 Manchester Piccadilly-Penzance. 47832, 47756 and 66041 on Barton Hill and 47811 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99) were the sleeper locos. 20308/307 worked the 6V74 nuclear flask train. 47770 worked in on the 1V79 09.45 Victoria-Bristol/Bath VSOE, 47747 and 47750 were present on Barton Hill and 66012 powered a 20 wagon 6V70 freight. The Wessex Trains 1O98 12.00 Cardiff Central-Brighton service was top n'tailed by 31106 + 31468 (following a traction motor failure on 31459 and the non-availability of the booked reserve loco 31452 with flat-batteries at Hornsey!).

08/02 56071 was the main power for Pathfinder Tours 'Folly Forester' (04.40 Temple Meads-Buxton) visiting the Folly Lane freight-line in Runcorn and the Peak Forest. 20306 + 20312 were used to assist the train in top n'tail formation in the Buxton area. The ECS remained in Bristol along with the Class 56 overnight, returning to Crewe during the late afternoon of the next day.

10/02 47736 and 47750 were stabled on Barton Hill depot, the latter being allocated 0Z49 driver training run (Newport 09.55-10.03, Chepstow 10.44, Bromsgrove 11.59-12.09, Gloucester 16.00 and Parkway 17.00). Other 47s in use during the day were;- 47 815 (1C99) and 47 832 (1A99) on First/GW sleeper duty. 66 099 returned the Parc Slip-Westbury coal empties (to Margam) passing Keynsham at 17.20.

12/02 The sleeper locos were 47811 (1C99) and 47813 (1A99) and 20311 + 20313 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.

13/02 47727 covered the 0Z49 Barton Hill driver training run, travelling over the same route, 66080 worked the 6V34 Fawley-Margam fuel tanks.

14/02 47727 was present on Barton Hill depot during the morning later working the 1E43 14.55 Plymouth-Low Fell mails, 47811 (1C99) and 47815 (1A99) were the sleeper locos and 31106 + 31468 top n'tailed the regular 12.00 (FO) Cardiff Central-Brighton and associated Wessex trains workings. 20307 + 20308 were paired on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.

15/02 Blue-liveried 46035 worked Pathfinder Tours Exe-Tawe (1Z66 04.40 Crewe-Bridgend, via Newton Abbot!) west formed of coaching stock 5292, 5040, 4927, 5009, 1863, 3098, 3140, 3122, 3125, 6310. The train returned behind steam-loco 5029 Nunney Castle (with additional support coach 35461) as 10.19 Newton Abbot-Bridgend (1Z67) passing Yatton at 12.21, with the 'Peak' 46035 following three minutes behind light-engine, to later return the train to the Midlands from Bridgend (dep. 18.44) via Bristol Parkway. 66247 was later in charge of the 6M68 08.33 Burngullow-Crewe South yard china clay slurry tanks.

17/02 47811 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99) were the sleeper locos. Heading for Portbury with empty MGR was 66060 at 17.10.

19/02 Bridgwater - Sellafield flasks noted en-route at 14.30 powered by 20307/309. 18/02 56103 was in charge of the 6C91 Bridgwater trip freight which arrived at Bridgwater at 11.20 formed of three ferrywagons, containing steel from France. The train was unloaded and returned at 12.38 for Newport. 47747 was later recorded on the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT mails. 19/02 Some freight workings recorded today were;- 60 010 on the Westbury-Newport engineers trip, 20307 + 20308 on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.

20/02 20 306+20 312 were the Bridgwater flask locos, this train having now settled to WThO which sees the train crew of the Wednesday train take the Thursday working back having lodged over-night at Bridgwater.

21/02 A slight variation on the First/GW sleeper service today as 47811 on the 1C99 was removed and replaced by 57601 for the Bristol-Penzance part of the journey. 47815 was the other (1A99) sleeper loco. Also recorded today was 66206 on the 6T34 Westbury-Stoke Gifford engineers trip and 31106 + 31459 top n'tailing the regular 'FO' Wessex Trains diagram. 22/02 66003 noted with "Carillion" ballast wagons heading southbound at 11.25. 66156 powered the 6M68 Burngullow-Crewe South yard slurry tanks.

23/02 66062 noted with ballast train heading northbound at 00.01. Noted at Weston-super-Mare during the early hours were two top n'tailed engineers trains with 66022 + 66101 (which remained stabled here for 12 hours!) and 66127 + 66182 (with ballast at 02.45). Both trains had been engaged on work at Uphill junction. 47727 was on Barton Hill depot (exam) and 47811 and 47813 were at St.Phillips Marsh (both ok). 47815 (1A99) and 57601 (1C99) were on sleeper duty.

24/02 "Carillion" Ballast train seen at Montpelier at 01.00 top 'n ' tailed by 66003 and 66062. 25/02 43009+43015 worked a 0Z74 07.05 Laira-St.Phillips Marsh back to back HST power car move, 66222 headed a 6Z21 08.16 Taunton-Bardon Hill formed of 29 long-term stored PGA stone hoppers destined for refurbishment and 56068 worked the 6C91 Bridgwater trip freight west, formed of three wagons ex. France. The return Bridgwater trip left for Newport at 13.28.

26/02 By the end of the month it had been announced that DRS are to take over from EWS, the movement of the Keyham-Sellafield submarine reactor trains operated in conjunction with the refit of Vanguard type submarines at Devonport dockyard, Plymouth. Driver route learning will initially take place with drivers travelling in Virgin XC Voyager cabs, two Class 20s will be used eventually on these workings. The Victoria-Bath/Bristol VSOE was worked by 47770 and an unidentified EWS liveried Class 47 had earlier headed the 5A24 07.45 Barton Hill-Old Oak Common vans (leaving at 08.30). 47770 pulled into Temple Meads platform 3 at 12:52 as 1V79 09:45 from Victoria hauling 6313, Phoenix, Ione, Audrey, Perseus, Minerva, Gwen, Vera, Ibis, Lucille, 99545. A 'micro' Virgin HST passed through the centre road at 17:57 comprising 43152+40436+43080. 153369 in Central Trains livery, shown transferred to Cardiff in last month's LSAs, worked the 18:53 to Castle Cary. It remains in Regional Railways blue/white, so stands out from the Wessex Trains 153s!

27/02 47727 was on Barton Hill whilst over at St.Phillips Marsh 47 811 was present. 47815 (1A99) and 47 832 (1C99) were the sleeper locos.

28/02 31106 + 31468 were noted with the 1O98 12.00 Cardiff Central-Brighton Wessex Trains service in top n'tail formation.

Gloucestershire

04/02 20307 + 20308 were paired on the 6V73 Crewe-Berkeley nuclear flask train.

21/02 20306 + 20312 worked the 6M56 Berkeley-Crewe flask train.

Portbury Branchline

09/01 The two car Serco test Class 150 test-unit DB999600+DB999601 visited the branch as 2Z08 11.14 Exeter-Portbury (Ham Green 13.19) and 13.17 Portbury-Bristol TM the set returning north to Derby during the next day.

11/01 On the date of the Class 56 railtour (see last months Magazine), two coal trains were booked to depart during the morning for Rugeley at 09.20 and 10.45. The latter working with 66200 was recorded at Ashton at 12.00.

15/01 66170 worked an additional inward train of empties (Ashton 13.45) formed of HAA coal hoppers, unusual in that by this date this wagon type had been nearly completely replaced by the new EWS HTA bogie hoppers.

16/01 66236 departed at 03.15 with a loaded train, whilst later 66169 was reported as leaving Washwood Heath at 10.45 with 19 HTA wagons. 66133 was another loco recorded on coal duty, passing Ashton at 22.00 on an outward loaded train.

06/02 A cripple trip ran to collect the three remaining HAA hoppers which had been in the dock for sometime-the hauling power was however unidentified.

Locos recorded on coal duty during recent weeks;- 66022/033/044/133/169/170/173/200/217/220/230/236/239/240.

From mid-December the following departures to Rugeley were booked: 02.21 (6Z27), 05.51 (6Z43), 09.20 (6M04), 19.53 (6M10), 23.00 (6M12).

Correction and additional information;- 02/10 The car train was running to Mossend, not Doncaster as stated and TXU (February 2003 Magazine) stands for Texas Utilities, the American firm who were rescued by Powergen following financial problems with cheap electric production for customers at a substantial loss also not been helped by the loss of a number of customers who had changed to gas. Two of their power stations at Fifoots and Ironbridge have been mothballed.

Wessex

27/01 150247 was involved in a new livery 'vinyls' un-veiling ceremony at Southampton, working 2M83 08.46 Swindon-Southampton and 2M84 11.41 Southampton-Swindon for Wessex Trains.

01/02 Load-haul 60008 worked the 6C23 Hayes-Westbury 'gunnells'. 33202 + 33103 top n'tailed a 5Z42 05.00 Bournemouth-Weymouth and return 5Z43 10.00 Weymouth-Bournemouth Desiro Class 450 emu stock move. The Jubilee siding, one of the remaining former carriage sidings at Weymouth has been set up as a test track for the new units and the third rail switched back on.

02/02 Two Class 73s were reported to have top n'tailed dinner time luncheon trips as;- 1Z82 10.31 Victoria-Basingstoke (11.48), 1Z92 12.00 Basingstoke-Victoria (13.48), 1Z83 14.31 Victoria-Basingstoke ( 15.48), 1Z93 16.08 Basingstoke-Victoria (17.31).

07/02 33202 + 33103 top n'tailed a 5Z30 20.17 Bournemouth TMD-Weymouth Desiro EMU stock move.

10/02 60071 + 60077 were paired on the 6L21 13.08 Merehead-Purfleet stone train.

11/02 31106/468/602, with coaching stock visited Merehead quarry for a fuel and servicing run, returning at 12.10 off the quarry.

13/02 66080 ran light-engine to Ashchurch and returned an MOD trip back to Didcot formed of VKA vans.

17/02 73109 worked a 1W07 08.00 London-Weymouth as far as Bournemouth.

23/02 66241 with the 6Z24 Dorchester South-Hither Green.

24/02 Load-haul grey, 60 064 worked 7V01 Woking-Merehead stone empties.

25/02 Having arrived light-engine, 37308 was reported to have worked an Ashchurch-Didcot MOD train of armoured vehicles.

26/02 60 020 powered an Acton-Westbury train formed of empty Mendip Rail stone wagons.

27/02 At 14.30 the following were visible at Westbury;- 31106/468/602. 60081/083. 66003/040.

West Country

01/02 47813 + 47811 top n'tailed the 1C23 10.35 Paddington-Penzance (The Cornish Riviera) and 1A91 16.40 Penzance-Paddington First/GW services in place of an HST set following problems at Old Oak Common depot.

03/02 47758 with a Class 67 were paired on the 6C06 11.30 St.Blazey-Tavistock yard CDA china clay wagons. 47790 was the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' loco.

04/02 66206 + 66158 were paired on the 6V62 Fawley-Tavistock yard fuel oil tanks. 47790 was on 'thunderbird' duty at Exeter. 05/02 47737 was on 'thunderbird' duty at Exeter, replacing 47790.

10/02 47747 was on 'thunderbird' duty at Newton Abbot. 12/02 60057 was present in Exeter (Riverside) yard on what is believed to have been a stone working from Westbury. 47750 was the Newton Abbot rescue loco (also on 17/02, 21/02, 24/02 and 27/02), whilst 47727 and a Class 67 were paired on the 6C06 11.30 St.Blazey-Tavistock yard CDA wagons.

Postal sets noted

4s (PCV)

94305 94214 94176 94331  
94308 94177 94222 94322
94302 94197 94204 94336
94321 94106 94104 94335
94313 94198 94199 94341
94317 94172 94228 94310
94332 94168 94119 94303
94323 94216 94211 94320

5s

94450 94190 94182 94208 94432
94410 94223 94226 94215 94497

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

04/02 158827 in Ginsters livery worked the 06:02 Reading-Maesteg. 170398 did 1M78 12:50 to Nottingham, 1V50 16:38 return and 2B91 22:15 to Worcester

05/02 170637 worked the 15:50 to Nottingham and 170507 the 12:37 from Nottingham.

06/02 170508 in a three car formation with 56633 as the centre car worked the 11:15 from Lincoln. 180114 operated the 13:30 from Paddington and 180109 the 14:00 Paddington-Swansea.

07/02 The 1O98 12:00 to Brighton was cancelled before departure as 31468 on the front had failed. 31106 was operational at the rear, but it was decided not to run the train with one loco, particularly as there would be no ETH for the carriages. 57008 did 4O51.

13/02 170398 operated 1V12 08:39 from Nottingham, 1M78 12:50 return, 1V50 16:38 from Nottingham and 2B91 22:15 to Worcester.

14/02 170399 in a multi-coloured Birmingham livery worked 1V26 11:15 from Lincoln and 1M82 15:50 to Nottingham. 31106/468 hauled/pushed 1V96 17:44 from Portsmouth Harbour.

19/02 170512 did the 06:03 from Grantham and 170509 the 08:39 from Nottingham.

21/02 142081, the final Valley Lines Pacer to be refurbished, was launched in a special livery to publicises the 200th anniversary next year of Richard Trevithick's Penydarren Tramway locomotive during a ceremony at Merthyr Tydfil. It carries the words "Where history was made...." as this was the birth of the railways as we now know them. Afterwards, the unit conveyed guests to Cardiff as the scheduled 08:52 from Merthyr. Refreshments were served from an At Seat Catering trolley, the first one to operate on a 142 and the first time a scheduled Valley Lines train has seen a trolley catering service!! 156419 worked the 05:40 from Worcester, 220029 the 06:55 to Edinburgh, 221142 the 05:26 from Leeds and 180106 the 16:55 to Paddington.

22/02 Due to public safety fears caused by a late kick-off, special arrangements were in place to handle people travelling from the Wales v England rugby match at the Millennium Stadium. No trains ran east of Newport after 18:30, apart from charter trains from Ninian Park. A triple-header of 37197/038 with 47839 providing ETH only worked 1Z37 12:20 from Crewe hauling 5378, 5275, 5373/65, 17159/056, 5307/64/50/76! The 37s returned as 1Z38 20:30 to Crewe with the 47 on the rear. The 47 looked very smart in a new coat of BR blue. 37418 did 1V77 08:37 from Manchester and 2M33 19:44 to Crewe hauling 9417, 5647, 17086, 5322, 5276, 1260. D1733 worked 1Z42 10:46 from Crewe and 1Z98 20:46 return hauling 9503, 5976, 6067, 5905, 5773, all ex-Virgin Mk2s. 47488 + 4 ex-VT Mk2s formed a standby train at Hereford but was not used. There were two further charter trains from London. 47770 hauled a Pullman set comprising 99538, Phoenix, Ione, Audrey, Perseus, Minerva, Gwen, Vera, Lucille, 99545 as 1Z27 12:15 from Victoria and 1Z28 20:15 return from Ninian Park. 47744 hauled Glamis, 325, Alnwick, Warwick, Car No 1566, Harlech, Chatsworth, Car No 17167, Car No. 10729 as 1Z83 12:41 from Victoria and 1Z29 20:55 return. Another unusual working was 31452 hauling a short rake of 'Queen of Scots' stock Pullman 310 Pegasus, BSK 35 (35322/99035), BSK 86 (35407/99886), 159 (99880) LNWR Saloon, 807 (99881) GNR Saloon, GE41 (99052) Saloon. It is interesting to note the wooden-bodied coaches 159 and GE41 have original building dates from the 1890s! Tickets for these charter trains, including admission to the match, were rumoured to be £600! 37402/408/425 worked services throughout the day on the Rhymney line. Also on the Valleys, CT units 150002 (one of the prototype Sprinters) and 150005 were noted in service. In the evening, 221114 worked an additional train from Cardiff to Newport to help move the crowds. It then ran ECS to Barton Hill. 221144 worked the 15:10 to Edinburgh.

23/02 170398 worked 1V42 14:38 from Nottingham and 1M18 19:05 return.

24/02 221137 worked 09:35 to Edinburgh.

26/02 180109 operated the 11:25 to Paddington. 47747 worked 1M61 Swansea-London mail in place of a 67.

28/02 31106/468 hauled/pushed the 12:00 to Brighton.

Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)

02/02 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 09203. 37402/412/413/425/509. 60058/059. 66035/057/133/138. 67020/025/027.

09/02 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37402/408/412/413/422/503/509. 60072. 66036/133/138/165. 67002/020/029.

6/02 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37412/413/509/667. 60056/061/083/087. 66020/135. 67003/013/020.

23/02 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 09003. 37413/422/509. 59004. 60012/059/087. 66031/236. 67011/013/020.

Margam

Locos on 6B48/6E20 Margam - Trostre - Doncaster Belmont were:

03/02 60033. 06/02 56102. 07/02 60043. 08/02 60040. 11/02 60050. 12/02 66148. 13/02 60004. 17/02 66222 + 60047. 18/02 60026 + 60055 19/02 60097. 20/02 60084. 21/02 66141. 24/02 60055. 25/02 66020. 26/02 56106.

Newport

06/02 221110 forming the 07:30 Edinburgh-Cardiff arrived at Newport 80 minutes late and was terminated short in Platform 1 to form the 15:15 Cardiff-Newcastle, leaving Newport only 12 minutes late. 56071 worked 6M12 to Bescot.

07/02 37402/503. 56055. 57003. 60064/070. 66009/135/148/226.

14/02 Noted at (23.00) 31106/468. 37667. 56055/099. 60059. 66001/135/157.

18/02 56102 did 6C91 ADJ-Bridgwater.

21/02 56065/067, 60012, 66250 were at Godfrey Road at 07:00. Also noted were 60003/010/017/061. 66018.

25/02 56068 did 6C91.

28/02 Locos noted were 31106/468. 56065/067. 60044/080/099. 66032/125/144/237/562.

Severn Tunnel Junction

01/02 09 015 with the emergency train was stabled near the station. The trains formation is currently as follows;- TDB977526 (QXA coach), KDB904150 (ZXA low-mac wagon), ADB975615 (QVX coach), PR70083 (TUA water tank), TDB905093 (ZXA low-mac wagon). Spare stores coach ADB975497 is at Sudbrook.

LOCO AND UNIT NEWS

CLASS 33

19/02 33 103 was seen shunting emu stock at Bournemouth depot at 15.00.

27/02 The Fragonset (SWT hire ) locos were located as follows;- 33021/202 Bournemouth-ok, 33103/108 Strawberry Hill, to work an evening test train formed of CEP unit 1571 to Woking. Also, preserved 33012 was in use on the Swanage railway on this date standing in for non-available steam traction.

CLASS 47

10/02 The Fragonset Hire 'fleet' were located as follows;- 47 355 Crewe-ok, 47 488/701/709/712 Derby-ok, 47 703 Neville Hill-ok, 47 714 Norwich-exam.

12/02 The 'passenger' fleet were located as follows;- 47805 Stoke 'thunderbird' standby, 47812 1G46 Euston-Wolverhampton, 47812 Saltley-ok, 47816/830 Crewe, 47818 Willesden-ok, 47826 Toton-oos, 47828 Rugby 'thunderbird', 47829/840/851/853 Crewe-ok, 47839 Crewe-exam, 47841 Carstairs 'thunderbird', 47843 North-West route learner (0T57 off Rugby), 47847 Scottish, Polmadie route-learner (0Z11), 47848 Preston-Carlile (0Z47), 47854 Crewe-Nuneaton (0T51).

CLASS 37

30/01 37418 worked the 6C91 09.14 Newport ADJ-Bridgwater trip working the return 6C92 departing near enough to time at 12.46 with four wagons loaded to 217 tonnes.

01/02 37418/419 worked Saturday services on the Rhymney line, commencing with the 08:04 and 09:13 off Rhymney and finishing with the 17:15 ex-Rhymney and 16:59 ex-Cardiff.

03/02 37418 hauled 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney and 37419 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney. 37667 powered the 4B24 15.30 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores service. Also in the area were 37174 Eastleigh-exam, 37308 Cardiff-exam, 37402 Cardiff, 37408 Newport-ok, 37425 Cardiff Canton-ok, 37674 0O26 Didcot-Eastleigh light-engine. 37682 worked the 7V25 04.32 Bescot-Oxford Hinksey yard and 37674 ran light from Didcot-Hinksey yard (0O26) for the 7O26 engineers train to Eastleigh.

04/02 37419 did 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37418 2R46 17:47 to Rhymney. 37886 worked 6V30 22:37 Dagenham-Bridgend. 37503/689 powered the 6V97 13:48 Beeston-Newport Docks. Blue-liveried 37308 ran as 0A16 Cardiff-Didcot light-engine during the morning, 37682 was present at Westbury.

05/02 37503/689 worked 6M81 05:02 Llanwern-Round Oak and 6V07 14:00 return, followed by 7M82 20:10 ADJ-Basford Hall! 37886 was originally rostered for the 6V30 22.37 Ford Dagenham-Bridgend, early hours car parts, but a Class 66 actually worked the train

06/02 37425 was on 2R38, 37418 2R42 and 37419 2R46. 37402/503 worked 6M81 and 6V07. 37689 did 6B20 17:00 ADJ-Swansea. 37308/667/668 were present at Didcot-ok and 37674 was at Eastleigh-exam. 37308 worked the Fenny Compton MOD trip during the morning.

07/02 37418 worked 2F03 and 2R38, 37419 2F05 and 2R42, 37425 2F06 and 2R46. 37402/503 again worked 6M81 and 6V07. 37607 + 37608 were the nuclear flask locos. 37308 was still present at Didcot, 37667 worked a 6G80 Didcot-Old Oak Common and 37682 was on the 6V03 Didcot-Kineton MOD trip. 37674 was still at Eastleigh.

08/02 37418/419 worked Saturday services on the Rhymney line, with 37425 coming out early evening to work 2R54 19:04 to Rhymney and 2F70 20:18 return.

10/02 37425 did 2R38, 37418 2R42 and 37408 2R46. 37503 put in an evening appearance on the 6O33 Cardiff-Margam-Fawley empty fuel tankers. 37308 covered the 6V03 Kineton-Didcot MOD trip with 37682 also present at Didcot.

11/02 37408 failed to start at Rhymney and was taken to Canton dead behind 37402 on 2F05. 37418 worked 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37425 2R46. 37308 worked 20 VKA vans (6A32) on an MOD trip from Didcot-Ashchurch (Swindon 08.28) returning at 12.05 light-engine off Ashchurch.

12/02 37308 again worked the 6A32 leaving Didcot at 07.03 for Ashchurch hauling 13 VKA vans and flat wagons (Swindon 08.10). The loco returned the 6B36 Ashchurch-Didcot formed of VKA vans (Standish junction 14.29). 37402 did 2F03, 37408 2R38, 37425 2F05 and 2R42, 37418 2F06 and 2R46. 37047 was present stabled at Gloucester with the 1Z06 structural gauging train, not leaving to the following day.

14/02 The following locos were active today 37425 2F03, 37418 2R38, 37402 2F05 and 2R42, 37408 2F06 and 2R46. Class 37s in the area during the morning were;- 37308 6W19 Didcot engineers trip, 37695 7026 Didcot-Eastleigh engineers and 37682 stabled Didcot-ok.

15/02 37402 and 37418 worked the Rhymney Saturday services.

17/02 37422/425 worked 6C79 10.03 (MWFO) Parc Slip-Westbury Cement coal train and 6B83 return to Margam. This was a test run for 37422 after post-overhaul adjustments. This loco had been out of traffic for sometime and it was reported that when the train passed Canton depot a number of depot fitters who had worked on the loco over the previous months were there to see the loco in mainline action! 37667 hauled 6O33 17:24 Canton-Eastleigh fuel tanks. 37402 did 2F03 and 37418 2F06. 37408/419 Cardiff Canton-oos, 37308/682 Didcot-ok, 37503 7V27 Didcot-Eastleigh engineers, 37694 7V25 Bescot-Didcot engineers. 37294 has been withdrawn, being replaced by 37668 (reinstated to traffic).

18/02 37418 hauled 2F05 and 37402 2F06.

19/02 37418 worked 2F03, 37402 2F05 and 37408 2F06. 37308 passed Pilning around Midday running 0Z72 Didcot-Caerwent light-engine (via Newport) to collect the five VGA vans (which had arrived on the 12/02 behind 66204) and work back as 6Z72 15.03 Caerwent - Didcot. The train actually departed the Caldicot exchange sidings over two hours early at 13.16! then ran via East Usk yard (run-round), Gloucester, Standish junction (16.26) and Stroud to Swindon.

20/02 37402 operated 2F03, 37418 2F05, 37425 2F06. 37418/419 hauled 6M75 19:21 ADJ-Warrington Arpley. 37308 was on local MOD trips off Didcot.

21/02 37425 worked 2F03 and 2R38, 37402 2F05 and 2R42, 37408 2F06.

22/02 See Cardiff Central notes for class 37 workings on Rugby Specials.

23/02 37682 arrived at Westbury hauling two Class 66s, then went light-engine to Eastleigh working a return 6Z23 15.13 Barham-Eastleigh engineers. 37308 + 37682 paired on the 6Z50 17.13 Haywards Heath-Hither Green.

24/02 37402 hauled 2R38, 37422 2R42 (its first passenger working since overhaul) and 37425 2R46. 37503 was at Didcot-ok and 37 694 worked the 6O26 Didcot-Eastleigh engineers trip. 37682 powered the 6Y30 08.18 Fawley-Holybourne tanks (the loco originally being rostered for the Quidhampton trip). 25/02 37425 did 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37422 2R46. 26/02 37203 worked 6B11 12:03 Southall-Swansea Burrows comprising 34 HGAs but was replaced at East Usk yard by 60059. The 37 later worked 7M82 20:10 ADJ-Basford Hall. 37607/608 headed north through Bristol Temple Meads with a nuclear flask wagon at 13:00. 37607 + 37608 passed west at 08.40 through Bristol on the Crewe-Bridgwater nuclear flasks departing Bridgwater with a one wagon return at 11.40. 37308 handled the 6V38 09.02 Marchwood-Didcot MOD stores trip. 27/02 37425 worked 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37422 2R46. Another early departure for the Bridgwater-Crewe single flask was 11.33, again with locos 37607 + 37608 in charge. 37308 was still working MOD trips off Didcot covering the 6V03 from Fenny Compton 28/02 37402 did 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37422 2R46.

Freightliner Workings.

22/01 Freightliner restarted their Automotive flow to Mossend following a gap of several. 66546 worked the 6S41 15.41 departure to Mossend, although this being a Wednesday, this is normally a MFO working.

29/01 66612 headed the late evening 6V20 (MWO) 18.20 Earles sidings-Moorswater cement service.

30/01 66608 worked the 6S41 service from Portbury departing at 16.12 (this was believed to be the first Class 66/6 to the branchline).

03/02 47309 was on a 0Z55 Southampton-Wentloog driver training light-engine move. 47289 was on the 4M55 10.13 Southampton-Crewe containers. St. Philips Marsh held 66605.

04/02 47289 was used on the 0Z55 Southampton-Wentloog driver training light-engine run, arriving at Wentloog at 11.32. 66609 ran 0E99 St.Phillips Marsh-Baglan Bay 'light' to work the 6E99 Baglan Bay-Humber tanks 47309 worked the 4O27 Trafford Park-Southampton containers.

05/02 47289 was again the 0Z55 Freightliner driver training loco. 47150 commenced working 0Z77 Rugby-Colnbrook light-engine driver route-learning trips for Freightliner over the Colnbrook branchline (this loco also performing the same duty on 06/02, 07/02, 12/02, 14/02). The company are to operate trains bringing in materials for the construction of the new terminal 5 at Heathrow airport. 66605 headed the 6S41 departing at 15.53 (having arrived during the morning on the 6V14 Crewe Gresty Lane-Portbury empties).

06/02 66605 again present at St Philips Marsh

07/02 47303 on the 0Z55 Wentloog driver trainer. 66518 ran 0E99 St.Phillips Marsh-Baglan Bay 'light'.

09/02 47289 + 57002 arrived at Westbury at 18.42 light-engine for Merehead quarry. The Class 57 was due for piston and bent crank repairs (requiring a new crankcase), at Merehead.

10/02 47303 was again the 0Z55 training loco.

11/02 47303 was again on the 0Z55 duty.

12/02 Freightliner 47s in action during the day were;- 47303 on the 4E01 Millbrook-Leeds containers and 47 358 with the 4O54 Leeds-Southampton containers.

13/02 47303 was on the 0Z55 driver trainer, 66605 returned as a Baglan Bay-St.Phillips Marsh light-engine

14/02 47303 worked the 4O27 11.10 Crewe-Southampton containers. 47289 covered the 0Z55 duty

17/02 47289 covered the 0Z55 duty

19/02 66519 worked the 6S41 15.41 Portbury-Mossend car train.

21/02 47150 + 47355 worked the Crewe - Wentloog Liner.

24/02 66563 was the 6S41 loco recorded at Ashton with train at 16.40. 19.00 found 66517/545/550 stabled at St Philips Marsh. Fragonset 'spot-hire' loco 47355 was used on the 0Z55 light-engine driver training run

26/02 66514 departed at 15.50 with the 6S41. 27/02 The Freightliner Fleet were located as follows;- 47150/224/358 Crewe-ok, 47197 Leeds, 47270 Mossend, 47279/292 Crewe-exam, 47 289 Southampton, 47303 4027 Crewe-Southampton (en-route), 47309 4R19 Felixstowe-Ipswich (en-route). Hire; 47355 Crewe-exam, 47200 Ipswich-ok. 47289 worked the 4S59 containers from Southampton-Coatbridge, reported to be the locos final working before withdrawal. Another hat trick for Freightliner at St Philips Marsh this evening, at 19.10 present were 66511/550/602.

Avon Binliner

03/02 66546.
05/02 66546.
07/02 66546.
10/02 66550.
11/02 66550.
13/02 66550.
21/02 66550.

4V08 Southampton-Wentloog & 4O51 Wentloog-Southampton

03/02 66504.
05/02 47355.
06/02 66518+47355 worked 4V08. 66539 did 4O51.
07/02 57008.
11/02 57011.
13/02 66537.
20/12 57004

4V30 18.43 Ipswich-Wentloog & 4L56 02.30 Wentloog-Ipswich

04/02 47358.
10/02 47200.
12/02 57005.
13/02 66537.

Humber-Baglan Bay-Humber

04/02 66609.
07/02 66518.
13/02 66605.
14/02 66605.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers
08442(IM)-CF, 08466(CF)-IM, 08869/928(IM)-BH, 43013/014(NL)/062(LA)-DY, 47839 (TO)-CP, 66025/038(TO)-CF, 66055/056/057/058(CF)-TO, 66062/067(TO)-CF.

Traffic
08653 -OC, 37668 -TO, 47326/338 -MM, 47550 -HQ, 47780 -CD, 47816/830 -WN, 56070 -TE, 57303 -WN.

Store
08865. 37294. 56041/090/104/114/116.

BH: 47245. DR: 56104. HM: 58004/012/027/035. IM: 56041/116. RL: 47765*. SP: 37407. 47762/768/779. TO: 37294.

* Load Bank based at Mid Hants Railway - Desiro testing.

Withdrawn
66521 returned to leasing company.

Disposals
R Garratt: 47301 @ Basford Hall.
H Needle: 47341 @ Toton.
IMRFT: 86216.
Sandbach*: 08673. 47738. 86208/241/419. *Sandbach Car & Commercial Dismantlers

Sold for Further Use?
DRS: 47283/361.
RT Rail: 08493/756/801/819/957.
Fragonset: 33019. 47471/574. 73103/107/117/134.
HNRL: 08576. 47462/492/535.
Eden Valley: 37217/358.
Ian Riley: 37073.
Brush T4 Fund: 47295 @ MoD Ashchurch.
Cotswold Rail: 47475/528.
SF Cl47 Group: 47596.
AC Electric G: 73119/138.
P: 47524/570.

P = Private Purchase

Renumbered
47705 - 57303, 90047 - 90147.

Diesel Multiple Units

Store
101678/685.(53160/164/746. 51210)- @LO.

Electric Multiple Units

Store
FR: car 69346. RL: 450.012*. SS: cars 61816. 75624. 76218. SU: 1705.

Traffic
375316/320 -BI.

Withdrawn
303001/004/009/010/011/024/041/043.

The above to Immingham Railfreight Terminal for disposal.

Disposals
Sims, Nottingham: 302 cars, 61063/087. 75063/088/097/100/191/194/205.
EMR, Snailwell: 411 cars, 70297/516/534.

Formations
323212 - correct formation, 323219 (64015 + 72219 + 65010) 323221 (65021 + 72221 + 65004) (S): 1199 (61328 + 70578 + 613290) formerly 2326.

New Stock
450006/010/011.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers
3107/48 -CP, 5331/86 -BN, 40742. 41066/164. 42091/116/222/227/228/234/38/239/288/289/355/357/363. 44031 -EC.

Store
DY: 930009/010/102 ZN: 977795.

Traffic
5482 - BN.

Sold
10535. 10668 - Bo'ness & Kinniel 96179 - Appleby Heritage Centre

Renumbered
96386 - 6322, 96387 - 6323, 92116 - 6260, 975971 - 6376, 975972 - 6377, 975973 - 6378, 975975 - 6379, 977936 - 5482.

Codes
QCAR Network Rail HST Power Cars (43013/014/062)
QDCL Network Rail DC Loadbank Vehicles (68501/508)
QHST Network Rail HST Coaches
QTIP Network Rail Derailment Practice Coaches (3172/92, 3230/48, 17144/146)
QTRC Network Rail Track Recording Coach 999550.8201

MISCELLANEOUS

Railtours

'Peak' 46035 worked Pathfinder Tours 'The Western Quarryman' 1Z46 Crewe - Okehampton as far as Bristol Temple Meads where Class 52 D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION took over the working to Okehampton. The return 1Z52 Okehampton - Crewe worked by D1015 via Honiton, Chard, Yeovil Jnc/Pen Mill, Westbury (including trip down Merehead quarry branch), Bath to Bristol TM. 46035 then took over Bristol to Crewe. Train consist was 13 coaches owned by Riviera trains, numbers W5309, 4902, 4963, 5040, 4927, W5009, 1863, W21272, 3098, W3140, 3112. W3122 & W6310. Items of interest noted during the tour were: steam 5029 'NUNNEY CASTLE' dead on Barton Hill shed; black painted un-numbered 08 (08937) named 'BLUEBELL MEL' at Okehampton; live steam 73096 at Exeter Riverside and again at Westbury top'n'tailed with 47488; 59001/002/005/102/104 stabled at Merehead Quarry; and 47773 back at Bristol TM that evening.'

Motorway Movements

12/02 08 442 was seen on a road low-loader at 15.55, near Bristol heading south.

Industrial & Preservation Matters

Somerset &Dorset Railway Heritage, Midsomer Norton South station.
A LSWR signal has now been put into position at the preservation centre, being welded back into an original concrete base which was installed in 1949. When the line part of the Somerset & Dorset route from Bath to Bournemouth closed in 1966, the original signal did remain in position until 1970 when it disappeared, assumed stolen, the 'new' signal was provided by the Avon Valley railway at Bitton. More track materials including concrete sleepers are to be delivered over the coming weeks so track can be relaid in the two platform station area.

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