NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

04/03 67009 worked a 6G80 10.12 (TO) Avonmouth-Newport ADJ trip formed of HTA wagons for repair, presumably at Margam. The return balancing working is 6B82 14.13 (TO) Newport ADJ-Avonmouth, both trains are booked for a Class 67 off Barton Hill depot this loco Class being fitted with buck-eye couplings and able to move this type of wagon. 56129 was also present in Bennett's yard on the 6G11 10.40 (TWO) Cawoods coal container service to Cardiff Tidal sidings for export to Ireland. 

06/03 66194 was in charge of the 6M33 10.35 Avonmouth-Wembley enterprise freight service. 

13/03 Green-liveried 60081 arrived in the early hours on the 6V29 20.29 Furzebrook-Hallen Marsh LPG tanks returning as 6O10 03.00 Hallen Marsh-Eastleigh empties. 

14/03 60051 failed in the terminal at Hallen Marsh on the 6O10 03.00 LPG tank empties for Eastleigh. 60081 was sent light-engine from Eastleigh, the pair of Class 60s and train eventually leaving around 10.00, seven hours late! The train was recorded passing Bath at 11.00 the normal routed being via Swindon, Didcot and Reading West curve. Later, 66135 departed from Bennett's with loaded coal MEA wagons, being routed via the Severn Tunnel and believed to be the 6M78 MWO (as required) to Penyffordd. 

19/03 66198 was again seen on a similar coal MEA working to that on 14/03. 

25/03 66129 was again seen on a coal MEA working departing at 13.29 this time possibly the 6M77 working to Clitheroe. 

26/03 66196 worked the 6M33 enterprise service to Wembley and 66111 in use on the Avonmouth-Didcot coal circuit was recorded carrying a 'Highland Stag' body-side logo on each side.

Locos recorded on coal duty in recent weeks include;- 66 006/007/008/025/048/058/067/111/129/132/135/198/205/207/230. 08 685 has remained the local area pilot.

Bristol Parkway

01/03 60081 handled a 10 wagon Tytherington stone trip. 

03/03 The 6B33 TThFO 13.42 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks were powered by coal-sector liveried 60091. Three Class 66 hauled services seen this evening, 66093 working the Tytherington "Stone", 66146 with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth to Didcot. Also seen was an ECS run by 180113 heading towards South Wales. 

05/03 66095 worked the Hamworthy-Cardiff Tidal scrap metal train. 

06/03 60097 was over at Westerleigh on fuel tanker duty. 

06/03 Just one MGR recorded this evening, 66207 with a loaded train from Avonmouth - Didcot. 

12/03 During the late afternoon, 67007 + 67011 + D1015 Western Champion passed light-engine, the three locos having run 6C37 13.55 Old Oak Common-Didcot (formed of 2ZCA, 4MHA and 1MTA engineers wagons). The Western was on Railtour duty at the weekend working from Bristol. Unusually, 0V97 16.03 Longsight-Laira back to back HST power car move was routed via Temple Meads (booked 19.52-20.05) and Westbury during the early evening. 

13/03 60091 was again on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tankers (having worked the 6A1121.28 (TThFO) Robeston-Theale earlier in the day). 66067 worked the "LaFarge" self-discharge ballast train and 66057 with the Margam - Fawley empty fuel tanks. 

14/03 60005 was at Westerleigh on the fuel tanks. 

15/03 Pathfinder Tours 'Western Quarryman' (1Z46 05.39 Crewe-Okehampton and 1Z52 13.36 Okehampton-Crewe) arrived in Bristol behind 46 035. 

17/03 A light-engine loco was reported to have hit something in the Severn Tunnel during the morning. Four freight services noted during the evening, 66148 with the Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes", 66199 working the Tytherington "Stone", 66182 with three empty HTAs heading for Avonmouth and 66016 with the Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train". 

18/03 66174 worked the 4B24 15.35 Didcot-Wenloog MOD stores train passing at 17.23. 

21/03 60010 was the 6T34 (FO) Westbury-Stoke Gifford engineers wagon trip loco returning at 15.10 with train to Westbury. Also recorded was 66196 passing at 11.15 with the 6M33 Avonmouth-Wembley enterprise freight service. 

22/03 66104 was on the Westbury-Tyherington stone trip and 67008 passed with a Herfordshire Railtours 'Edenex' (1Z27 06.58 Paddington-Par) excursion. 

24/03 Two Cl66 hauled services this evening with 66063 working Avonmouth - Tyne Yard "Boxes" and 66227 a loaded mgr from Avonmouth - Didcot. Also some "Nostalgia" with two Class 37 powered services, 37695 with the MoD "Liner" followed by 37798 with the Margam - Fawley "Fuel Train". 

25/03 66230 worked the 4B24 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores during the mid-afternoon and 60 058 was on Westerleigh fuel tank duty. 

26/03 59203 was most unusually employed on the Westbury-Tytherington stone trip (reported to be the first Class 59/2 on this duty since July 2001!), the empty inward train departing Westbury at 15.10. 

27/03 One MGR noted this evening was 66006 with a loaded Avonmouth - Didcot service. 60003 was on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel empties. 

29/03 60083 powered the Tytherington stone working for Westbury. A change of pathing for the 6M17 16.38 Newport ADJ-Wembley enterprise service early in the year, now sees this train routed via Chepstow, Gloucester, Stroud and Kemble to Swindon and the GW mainline. The reason for this is believed to be part of the load consist not being allowed to pass through the Severn Tunnel. 

31/03 Owing to industrial action by members of the RMT, Virgin XC services were very limited, circa every two hours, and were 9 car formations. Freight, however, was not affected and five were recorded starting with two MGRs 66165 loaded train from Portbury and 66049 with empties for the same location, no services seen operating to or from Avonmouth. The Tytherington "Stone" was worked by 66154, and from the South Wales direction heading east were 66186 with a MoD liner and 66228 with a shorter than usual Lafarge self discharge train. 47784 was later recorded on the 1M61 18.44 Swansea-London mails, in place of a Class 67.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

01/03 Special passenger workings today included 47778 with a 1Z82 Ashford International-Par 'Edenex' and Royal 47799 on a 1Z60 08.00 Manchester-Bath Spa Nothern Belle outing. The Westbury-Machen ballast trip was cancelled, but 66003 worked a 6W90 Westbury-Weston-super-Mare (platform 2) autoballaster (returning to Westbury at 05.00 the following morning). 

02/03 For the Worthington Cup final at the Millenium stadium, Wessex Trains ran an additional 1Z12 09.45 Southampton-Cardiff Central (via Day's curve) and 16.45 return (routed via Chandler's Ford) formed of top n'tail 31s, 31106 + 31468 and four coaches (Filton bank 11.34). A strengthened 09.55 Westbury-Cardiff train was also recorded for the event formed 150261 + 153369 + 153370 + 158871. 153369 carried the old regional railways colours and Central Trains branding. 66062 + 66226 were seen stabled at Weston-super-Mare station with a partially loaded and empty ballast train for most of the day, returning to Westbury at 05.00 the next day. 

03/03 A broken rail at Reading New junction, around 11.30 saw some train cancellations between Paddington and Bristol/Cardiff due to reduced line capacity. Repairs were completed by 15.30. In the afternoon at 17.10, 66095 noted with a southbound ballast train. 

04/03 47727 and 47782 were present on Barton Hill depot, the former allocated 0Z43 driver learner to Newport-Chepstow-Gloucester-Bromsgrove and return via Parkway. 66561 was the 6V20 Hope sidings-Moorswater cement loco. 

05/03 20315 + 20313 were paired on the 6V67 03.36 WThO Crewe Basford Hall yard-Bridgwater singe nuclear flask wagon passing around 09.00. Furzebrook - Hallen LPG train noted en-route behind 66093. 

06/03 47782 and 47786 were present on Barton Hill, whilst 47813 was over at St.Phillips Marsh depot. First/GW sleeper locos were 47832 (1A99 Penzance-Paddington) and 47815 (1C99 Penzance-Paddington). Freight services via Day's curve during the afternoon were Mainline-blue 60011 on the 6V34 10.51 (ThO) Fawley-Margam fuel tankers and 60088 with the 6B66 Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers trip. This working returned as 17.07 Newport-Westbury headed by 66051. 20306 + 20312 were also seen on the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flask working heading north through Temple Meads. 

07/03 31106 + 31468 top n'tailed Wessex Train's 1O98 12.00 (FO) Cardiff-Brighton and associated workings. 66188 was in charge of the Parc Slip-Westbury coal service, 47727 headed a 5B03 Barton Hill-Cardiff and return 5B36 RES vans stock move and 47782 ran west light for the 1E41 17.23 Plymouth-Low Fell mails. 

10/03 47727 worked the 1V33 16.02 London-Plymouth mails. 

11/03 The two Cargowaggon 6C91 09.14 TThO Newport ADJ-Bridgwater trip was headed by Load-haul liveried 56111 (arriving Bridgwater 11.53, departing with the empties at 13.07). 

12/03 The missing Voyager 221101 worked the 1E39 16.13 Plymouth-Derby Virgin XC service. This unit was the one used as a test set and saw workings on the European mainland. 13/03 66603 was present on St.Phillips Marsh depot. At Bridgwater, a bogie on 37611 became derailed whilst (with 20307) moving a single-flask wagon towards the loader around 09.00. The wagon was not affected by the derailed loco, but the authorities treated the event as a full-blown 'incident' the scene being cordoned off by police and a helicopter was present. TV cameras also gave adverse publicity to the event. 

14/03 66079 was on the 6C79 Parc Slip-Westbury cement works coal train and 60040 worked the 6B66 Westbury-Newport engineers. 66235 headed a 16 wagon 6V70 MWFO 10.00 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight which included two flask escort coaches. A departmental service recorded southbound at 15.35 behind 60040.

15/03 Pathfinder Tours 'Western Quarryman' (1Z46 05.39 Crewe-Okehampton and 1Z52 13.36 Okehampton-Crewe) arrived in Bristol behind 46035 for D1015 Western Champion onwards. The coaching stock used being choc/cream MkIs;- W6310, W3122, 3112, W3140, 3098, W21272, 1863, W5009, 4927, 5040, 4963, 4902, W5309. Aswell as visiting Okehampton, the tour returned via the Exeter-Yeovil former LSWR route, to Pen Mill, Castle Cary and Merehead quarry via Westbury. Another special recorded was 47773 on a 1Z27 05.30 Milton Keynes-Par 'Edenex' formed of Pride of the Nation MkIs (the return being, 1Z28 16.37 Par-Milton Keynes). 

17/03 Over running engineering work saw some train cancellations in the Weston-super-Mare area. 

18/03 Having been secured in the flask loading compound at Bridgwater over the weekend period, 20307 + 37611 returned north light as 0M67 to Crewe during the afternoon. 60010 handled a Westbury-Newport engineers via Day's curve. 221139 was on Barton Hill at 08:45, presumably defective. 

19/03 47785 + 67002 + D1015 Western Champion were reported to have formed part of the 5A24 07.45 WO Barton Hill-Old Oak Common van train, routed via Bath and Chippenham (09.16). 20308 + 20311 were the Bridgwater flask locos. 

20/03 66101 passed Weston-super-Mare around 07.00 with the 6X40 Keyham-Sellafield submarine reactor MOD train. 

21/03 Royal 47798 worked a 1Z82 11.05 Victoria-Bath VSOE (SL90, load 13) 'weekend special', then running 5Z83 14.52 ECS Bath-Bristol. The train then operated as an evening 1Z83 18.26 Temple Meads-Temple Meads circular dinning trip routed via Bath, Westbury, Castle Cary, Yeovil, Honiton, Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater. 

22/03 60066 handled the Machen-Westbury stone trip, whilst 47798 passed Filton junction at 10.33 with Temple Meads-Cardiff Central ECS for a dinnertime circular outing from the city. The train returned to Parkway RMT as ECS during the late afternoon for stabling overnight. 66223 was in charge of the 6M68 08.33 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks. 

23/03 47799 worked 5Z83 12.16 Parkway RMT-Bath empty VSOE stock (formed 99538, Pheonix, Ione, Audrey, Perseus, Cygnus, Vera, Gwen, Minerva, Lucille, 99543), then return 1Z83 13.00 Bath-Victoria. 

24/03 60028 worked the 6V70 Cliffe Vale-St.Blazey freight and 47767 headed the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT mails. 

25/03 HST power car 43041 was booked to form part of a 5Z77 16.00 St.Phillips Marsh-Laira stock move (with loco 47815) for a power unit change. The working was however cancelled, the repair work being undertaken at St. Phillips Marsh. The 1F16 11.24 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central and 1F26 15.24 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Wessex Trains services were worked by a three car Class 158 unit formed 57864 + 52863 + 57863. 

26/03 20312 + 20313 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks, 66217 worked the Westbury cement works coal, 60040 was on empty Hanson stone hoppers for Tower and 66239 worked the 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine china clay slurry tanks. 60054 + 60081 double-headed the 6B66 Westbury-Newport engineers, the latter loco being required for attention at Canton depot. First/GW sleeper locos were 47832 (1A99) and 47811 (1C99). 

27/03 20306 + 20315 worked the 6V74 Crewe-Bridgwater nuclear flasks, 47793 was on the 1V33 15.58 London-Plymouth mails. Problems with the booked loco 37 886 on the 6C91 09.14 Newport-Bridgwater two wagon trip freight saw 60067 stand-in leaving 40 minutes late (Worle 11.32). This is believed to be only the third Class 60 to worked this train. During the evening, 66221 worked the 6M72 16.55 St.Blazey-Cliffe Vale freight and an emergency 8 hour engineering possession at Stonycombe (near Newton Abbot) saw late running into the next day. 

28/03 66069 worked the 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow slurries and 66 031 was the 6V70 loco. 66043 ran 0G67 Newport-Plymouth Tavistock yard to collect 18 loaded SSA scrap wagons, this being the first working of a new once weekly freight-flow following a Government grant to develop a loading terminal in the area. This was the first guards strike day, a number of Virgin XC services were cancelled and there were a number of unbalanced empty stock moves. 221118 + 221130 headed west during the morning on one such working, whilst also 220002 worked a 5Z27 13.15 Temple Meads-Laira move. Wales & Borders 158 842 was reported at Doncaster in a new Western Mail 'newspaper' vinyls livery. 

29/03 66069 worked the 6M72 12.19 (SO) Burngullow-Bescot loaded china clay tanks and 66143 was in charge of the 10 wagon 6M68 08.33 Burngullow-Warrington slurry tanks. 

30/03 Load-haul grey 60 064 was recorded on a 6W11 Westbury-Day's junction ballast working. 31/03 66170 worked the 6V70 whilst 47773 was on the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails. 47811 (1A99) and 47815 (1C99) were the First/GW sleeper locos. An announcement was made during the month regarding the sale of the former Bath Road depot site to the South-West Regional Development agency from Railtrack (Network Rail). A new multi-million pound 10,000 seater, concert, conference and exhibition centre is to be built, with a completion date set for 2008. The new complex will have direct platform access along with a new river pedestrian and road bridge at the rear. A locomotive shed has been on this site since the days of the Bristol & Exeter Railway in 1852. Also a local company are looking at the possibility of using the East depot sidings as a loading point for steel traffic (no other details being known at present).

The following Voyager sets have been recorded in recent weeks;- 220001/002/003/004/006/007/008/009/010/011/013/018/020/023/024/028/029/ 220030/031/032. 211101/102/104/106/107/108/110/112/114/115/116/118/119/120/121/123/124/ 127/129/130/131/132/136/138/140.

Gloucestershire and the West Midlands

11/03-13/03 For the Cheltenham National Hunt festival the following extra trains were run;- First/GW (all HST sets);- 1Z30 09.06 Paddington-Cheltenham (11.17) 1Z31 09.30 Paddington-Cheltenham (11.26), 1Z74 18.13 Cheltenham-Paddington (20.22), 1Z33 19.11 Cheltenham-Paddington (20.56), 1Z34 20.16 Cheltenham-Paddington (21.57). EWS operated loco-hauled trains (for First/GW);- 1Z50 07.55 Euston-Cheltenham (10.37) via Nuneaton, 1Z48 09.24 Euston-Cheltenham (12.30) via Swindon, the Golden Valley and Stroud. 1Z32 19.40 Cheltenham-Paddington (22.15) via Swindon. 1Z35 20.17 Evesham-Paddington (22.30) via Oxford. Locos recorded on the 1Z50/1Z35;- 47798 (11/03), 47799 (12/03), 47767 (13/03) and 1Z48/1Z32;- 47784 (11/03), 47758 (12/03), 47773 (13/03). Coaching stock recorded on 13/03;- 1Z50/1Z35; W6310, 10729, 17167, Chatsworth, Harlech, 1953, Warwick, Alnwick, Clamis, Topaz. 1Z48/1Z32; 3374, 1696, 3124 3123, 3146, 1698, 3097, 3120, 3141, 3147, 1680, 3149, 21269. Also on 13/03 only;- Fragonset 47488 worked a Merlin Rail operated charter;- 1Z28 09.30 Birmingham Snow Hill-Cheltenham and 1Z29 18.27 Cheltenham-Birmingham Snow Hill (both via Worcester Snow Hill) and formed of Vintage Trains coaches; W17018, W5177, 99993 Club Car, W5198, W5157, W5191, W35470. The first two trains stabled at Worcester, the 1Z50 using Gloucester New yard to run-round and on the 13/03 only the train stabled in Gloucester station. 

18/03 Ex. works 60065 worked the first train, the 6P49 17.35 Castle Bromwich-Washwood Heath for Jaguar cars away from the newly opened terminal here. 

29/03 Steam loco 6233 Duchess of Sutherland worked a Derby-Gloucester Northern Belle excursion, 47747 working the return trip from Gloucester-Birmingham New Street. 

31/03 At Ashchurch a new road over-bridge is to be built to the north of the current A438 bridge and will take 12 months to complete. A walk-way will connect the nearby station with the new bridge once completed.

Portbury Branchline

19/03 Ian Riley's 37038 was 'hired in' by Freightliner and worked 6V14 23.40 (Tues) Crewe Gresty Lane-Portbury empty car carriers, arriving Portbury 07.12 (but recorded in Pilning loop at 03.19!). The loco then returned the 6S41 15.41 loaded car train to Mossend (as far as Crewe) departing on time and loaded to 594 tonnes. This is believed to be the first revenue earning Class 37 freight working over the Portbury line. Also during the day 56103 worked 0Z74 09.00 Saltley-Portbury Cargo Terminal and 0Z44 13.00 return driver training run. This working was covered by 37174 two days later. 

28/03 Afternoon/evening inward coal empties were;- 66165 with 4V22 Washwood Heath-Portbury and 66181 on the 4V03 Washwood Heath-Portbury. Some coal trains to Didcot also ran during the month. Locos recorded on coal duty in recent weeks;- 66049/165/181.

Wessex Area

05/03 60083 was on the 6L21 Merehead-Purfleet stone and steam loco 60009 Union of South Africa arrived at Westbury with an 08.40 VSOE trip from Victoria to Bath. An unidentified diesel loco took the train onwards. 

08/03 Daylight Tours ran their 'Branchliner' tour featuring steam loco 73096 and 37670 (in top n'tail formation) running as 1Z96 07.29 Alton-Fawley and Ludgershall (via Guildford, St.Denys, Havant and Southampton). 60081 + 66148 + 59004 + 59101 arrived at Westbury at 08.30 on the 7C29 05.42 stone empties from Acton. 

09/03 47847 was used on a 5Z51 13.00 Longsight-Southampton ECS for a 1Z51 19.03 Southampton-Wolverhampton FA cup football special. 13/03 59202 was stabled at Westbury. 66 215 ran light-engine from Didcot to Ashchurch for an MOD working. 

17/03 A 5Z50 09.50 Woking-Bournemouth stock move was formed 33103 + 450007 + 33202. 18/03 Hire loco 47853 (of Riviera Trains) was used on the Freightliner 6M16 13.16 Southampton Western dock-Washwood Heath car train. 

19/03 66127 received window and side-scrape damage when in collision with a gunnell wagon at Westbury. 60013 + 60064 were reported paired on the 6L21 13.08 Merehead-Purfleet stone train. 

20/03 60071 with two Class 66s headed a Westbury-Eastleigh engineers whilst 'petroleum' liviered 60054 was the 7V01 Woking-Westbury empty stone loco. A 6Z92 08.18 Burngullow-Wembley train formed of 'old' china clay slurry tanks headed by 66071 passed Frome at 12.35. The wagons were destined for France, although their fate was unknown. 

21/03 60054 worked the 6L21 Merehead-Purfleet stone and 47358 was on the 4O54 05.15 Leeds-Southampton MCT liner. 

23/03 Eastleigh yard was closed from today until 25/03 whilst work on the mainline connecting trackwork took place. 

24/03 60054 was again on the 6L21 and 47150 headed a 5Z70 14.30 Neville Hill-Eastleigh stock move. Having arrived a day or so earlier, 45112 which with 47709 had hauled five Fragonset owned Class 47s as 0Z69 Derby-Eastleigh, was booked to run 0Z70 11.15 Eastleigh-Meldon Quarry, hauling three Class 73s for store. The move, which was due to run over the former LSWR route to Exeter was however cancelled as the Peak's 'paperwork' was not in order! 

25/03 47270 worked the 6M16 13.16 Southampton-Crewe automotive train, repeating the duty during the next day. 

27/03 Class 56 locos are still relatively uncommon in the Southampton area but today 56056 ran 7V25 04.16 Bescot-Oxford Hinksey yard then 7O36 10.27 Hinksey yard-Eastleigh and 7V27 14.33 Eastleigh-Hinksey yard departmental trains. 

26/03 59203 worked the 6L21 13.10 Merehead-Purfleet stone. 29/03 The following were recorded at Westbury at 09.00, 08506. 31468/602. 60071. 66034/077/154/199. 

31/03 33202 was booked to work an 08.10 Bournemouth depot-Woking and 13.10 return (passing Basingstoke at 13.00). Also seen at Basingstoke during the day were;- 33103 with barrier coaches 9506+6122 and 6173+6122 either side of new unit 450007 (5Z51) and 66704 with Eastleigh works bound Anglian Railways stock. 47150 powered the 6M16 Southampton-Crewe cars.

West of England

01/03 Green-liveried 60081 worked a 6W14 22.27 Westbury-Taunton engineers (one of six similar trains to visit Taunton during the evening between 20.00-23.30). 66095 was also recorded on an auto-ballaster at Bridgwater. 

04/03 47750 was on Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' duty, the same loco covering this duty from Exeter during the next day. The loco was also seen back at Newton Abbot on 24/03, 26/03 and 31/03. 06/03 47784 was in charge of the 1C84 21.45 Reading-Plymouth mails. 

08/03 60081 worked a 20.15 Westbury-Bridgwater engineers (returning back at 12.00 the next day) and 60089 powered a similar 19.15 Westbury-Bridgwater working (returning at 15.00), both being routed via Taunton (run-round). 

10/03 47811 worked the 1C56 Paddington-Penzance First/GW service. 

11/03 First/GW 47815 was used on the 1A45 08.34 Penzance-Paddington (in place of an HST set. First/GW were using three extra HST sets on Cheltenham race festival workings for three days from this date. From mid March, the sidings at Taunton Fairwater were officially taken out of use, stored wagons were being dealt with, some being here for many years. The site could see further use by Network Rail. 

14/03 66101 worked a 6G77 02.14 Didcot yard-Erntsettle MOD trip (via Westbury) returning light-engine. Later, 47815 was summoned to assist a Class 67 at Camborne on the 1C01 19.35 Penzance-Bristol RMT TPO. 15/03 Two railtours were present at Exeter during the early afternoon;- D1015 Western Champion on a Crewe-Okehampton outing and steam loco 73096 which had worked in on a Daylight Limited trip from Alton (via Waterloo) in via Honiton and the former LSWR route and return via Taunton and Westbury. Green-liveried 47488 was also present, having assisted on part of the journey. First NW Arriva blue-liviered 150223 continues to see use by Wessex Trains 'on loan', being recorded at Dawlish Warren during the early evening on a local service. 

16/03 47811 worked the 1C11 15.35 Paddington-Penzance service returning on the 1A49 09.32 Penzance-Paddington the next day. In Plymouth Devonport dockyard (DML Engineering), 43035 was under repair but other news from here is that DRS owned 37111 is not to be returned to traffic but scrapped. 

28/03 66043 worked the first scrap train from Plymouth Tavistock yard-Cardiff Tidal sidings formed of 18 SSA wagons. This is to become a once weekly new freight-flow for the area. 

29/03 47734 headed a 1Z29 06.08 Hove-Par 'Edenex' formed of 13 MkI coaches and another special was a Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z27 Finsbury Park-Minehead train hauled by 67006 (which ran for the weekend WSR steam gala). An up 0W43 light-engine move through Newton Abbot was formed 66025 + 66077 + 66154 + 66034 and an incident here during the early afternoon saw a person trapped underneath a 5C15 11.07 Bristol TM-Laira empty stock move (with power cars 43140+43041). The set was split to release the person who was taken to hospital. 

31/03 47832 was on the 1C44 14.33 Paddington-Penzance First/GW service in place of an HST set. 47737 was paired with a Class 67 on the 6C06 11.30 St.Blazey-Tavistock yard china clay CDAs. 66057 + 60071 + 60057 worked an early afternoon engineers train from Exeter(Riverside)-Westbury.

Postals

4s (PCV) 

94332 94168 94119 94303 

94308 94177 94148 94322 

94317 94172 94228 94310 

94323 94216 94211 94320 

94331 94176 94214 94338 

94305 95754*94199 94341 

94321 94106 94104 94335 

94309 94146 94160 94334

* replaced later (27/3) by 94197

5s 

94410 94223 94217 94215 94497 

94450 94182 94208 94190 94432

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

02/03 Special trains ran from Manchester and Liverpool taking football fans to the Worthington Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. 47853 hauled 1Z47 08:30 from Manchester followed by 37038/197 on 1Z48 08:50 from Manchester. A remarkable working comprised FNW units 150222/211/203/207 which formed 1Z56 08:45 from Liverpool, running via Birmingham New Street. Centro liveried 150012/016 on 1Z57 09:03 followed this from Liverpool, also via Birmingham. The Liverpool fans on board did not look amused at being stuck in Class 150s for such a long journey! Others had a more comfortable journey behind 47798 on 1Z38 09:42 from Liverpool. The most luxurious trip was experienced by those on 1Z39 09:13 from Liverpool, which was Pullman stock hauled by 47799. For fans elsewhere, 31106/468 hauled/pushed 1Z12 09:45 from Southampton. 

03/03 221121 did the 06:55 to Edinburgh. 37203 hauled 6O33 17:24 to Eastleigh Yard as far as Newport, where 56129 was added to the front as the replacement driver was not passed on 37s! It departed Newport seriously late at 21:29! The 56 was removed at Bristol East (where another driver presumably took over) and returned light engine to Newport. 

04/03 170399 in Birmingham livery worked 1V28 12:37 from Nottingham and 1M76 16:40 to Birmingham. 37402 did 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37422 2R46. 47200 in Cotswold Rail livery hauled 4V30 Ipswich-Wentloog. 

06/03 47798 hauled 1Z27 07:55 Swansea-Edinburgh, taking fans to Scotland early for the Scotland v Wales rugby match. 220034 worked the 11:10 to Aberdeen and 221128 the 15:15 to Newcastle. 07/03 31106/468 hauled/pushed 1O98 12:00 to Brighton. 

08/03 150238 worked the 08:30 to Portsmouth Harbour and 221109 the 06:42 from Birmingham. 37408/422 did the Rhymney line Saturday services. 

10/03 47798 brought disappointed rugby fans back from Scotland as 1Z19 11:06 Edinburgh-Swansea. 

14/03 31106 arrived pushing the ECS working from Westbury for 1O98 with smoke coming from a bogie. It was examined and found to have dragging brakes, so was detached and sent to Canton. 31468 ran round the train and it was planned to work 1O98 via Dr. Days curve to Westbury, where 31602 would be attached to the rear of the train. However, the conductor had not signed for Dr Days curve, so the train was cancelled from Cardiff and ran ECS 40 minutes late to Bath, where it re-entered service. 56111 in Loadhaul livery worked 6E09 Margam-Lackenby. 

15/03 221138 operated the 06:55 to Edinburgh. 

17/03 221115 worked the 09:35 to Edinburgh. 

22/03 Because of a Wales v Ireland rugby match, with a mid-afternoon kick-off, several loco hauled services ran to take people to/from the match. 47799 hauled 1Z85 11:16 to Haverfordwest & return Orient Express dining train. It then ran ECS to Bristol T.M. from where it operated an evening circular dining trip as 1Z83 18:26 departure. 220010 worked the 08:10 from Dundee. 

28/03 158842 in Western Mail advertising livery worked 5Z32 18:50 Doncaster Works-Canton with 158827 in Ginsters livery, arriving 00:45.

29/03 With large crowds expected at the Millennium Stadium for a Wales v Azerjaban football match, several loco hauled services operated. 47839 did 1V77 08:37 from Manchester and 2B33 19:44 to Crewe. 31/03 57864+158863 formed a three-car 15:30 to Portsmouth Harbour.

Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)

02/03 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957/993. 37203/402/412/413/509. 60074/087. 66066/144/241/250. 67021. 

09/03 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957/993. 37402/412/413/509. 56032/113. 59002. 60003/047/058. 66058. 67010/019. 

16/03 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37412/413/422/425/509/694. 56032. 60005/018/032/041/047/058/061/066. 66048/058/131/171/236. 

23/03 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37408/412/413/509/798. 60051/072/087. 66029/058/109/236. 67007/011/021. 

30/03 08481/493/576/756/819/955/957. 37402/413/886. 66058/067. 67001/005/022.

Margam

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

03/03 60037 [was replaced by 60080 at Margam] 06/03 56102. 07/03 60044. 10/03 60099. 13/03 60060. 19/03 60096. 21/03 60032. 24/03 66104. 27/03 56032. 28/03 60045. 31/03 60059.

Newport

02/03 56065/067/129, 66027/125 were at Godfrey Road at 12:00. 

06/03 56068/129 hauled 6E05 Llanwern-Lackenby. 66051/198 were the only locos at Godfrey Road at 11:20. 

07/03 Locos noted were 57008. 60010/059/060/074/088/097. 66009/039/056/057/166. 14/03 Noted at 21.30 were 56103. 60003/059/072/089. 66014. 15/03 60061/088 worked 6V36 Lackenby-Llanwern. 

17/03 56103/119, 60003/011/059, 66236 were at Godfrey Road. 20/03 37308/415/712, 66182/246 were at Godfrey Road. 

21/03 Locos noted included 31468/602. 37415. 56078. 57010. 60003/066/070/073/098. 66048/063/236/246. 

29/03 56103, 60013/060/067/073/099, 66109/151/233/236 were at Godfrey Road. 31/03 37886 and 56104 were at Godfrey Road at 16:00.

Units noted during the month were

143608/609. 150241/242/246. 153302/370/372/374. 156406. 158748/815/823/824/827/829/835/836/837/838/840/841/842/868/871/872. 170502/515/519/522/630/632/639. 180101/103/106/109/110/111. 220011/022/025/028/029 221103/114/121/125/136/138/139/144

LOCO AND UNIT NEWS

CLASS 33 

31/03 The SWT/Fragonset hire fleet were located as follows;- 33021 Salisbury-ok, 33103 en-route Eastleigh-Woking stock-move, 33108 Bournemouth depot-ok, 33202 Woking-oos. 73109 was also at Woking-ok.

CLASS 37 

01/03 37197/038 worked 1V77 08:33 from Manchester. 37422 and 37425 operated Saturday services on the Rhymney line. 

02/03 37402 hauled 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney, 37422 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney and 37425 2R46 17:47 to Rhymney. 

03/03 37203 hauled 6O33 17:24 to Eastleigh Yard as far as Newport, where 56129 was added to the front as the replacement driver was not passed on 37s! It departed Newport seriously late at 21:29! The 56 was removed at Bristol East (where another driver presumably took over) and returned light engine to Newport. 

04/03 37402 did 2R38, 37425 2R42 and 37422 2R46. A loco-report for the South Wales, Wessex and West of England area was as follows;- 37042 Eastleigh-exam, 37203 Eastleigh-ok, 37308 en-route 6V03 Kineton-Didcot MOD, 37402/422/425 Rhymney passenger locos, 37408 Cardiff-exam, 37503 Didcot-ok, 37670 enroute 7026 Didcot-Eastleigh engineers. 

05/03 37425 operated 2R38, 37422 2R42, 37408 2R46. 

06/03 37422 worked 2F03 06:59 from Rhymney, 37408 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 37425 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney. 

07/03 37408 did 2F03, 37425 2F05, 37422 2F06. 

08/03 37408/422 did the Rhymney line Saturday services. 10/03 37408 hauled 2F03, 37422 2F05, 37402 2F06. 

10/03 66 215+37 042 (dead in transit) were paired on the 6V38 09.02 Marchwood-Dicot MOD stores. 

11/03 37422 did 2F03 and 2R46, 37402 2F05 and 2R38, 37408 2F06 and 2R42. 66146 + 37406 + 37417 + 66171 did 0G98 22:07 Canton to Canton via Queen Street, Radyr and Ninian Park, so that the two 37s would be the correct way around for load bank testing. 37694 worked 6V30 22:37 Dagenham-Bridgend. 

12/03 37695 arrived Ashchurch at 12.00 with the MOD trip from Didcot. Four locos appeared on the Rhymney line - 37408 worked 2F03 and 2R38, 37422 2F05, 37402 2F06 and 2R42, 37425 2R46. 37694 did 6B03 09:18 Swansea-ADJ, then 7M82 20:10 ADJ-Basford Hall. 37607 + 37608 were paired on the 6M67 11.54 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 

13/03 37402 operated 2F03, 37425 2F05, 37408 2F06. 37611 derailed one bogie in Bridgwater yard whilst hauling a nuclear flask. 20307 was on the other end of the train and was able to haul the flask clear for re-railing work to be undertaken. 37674 did 6Z28 15:15 Basford Hall-ADJ and 37694 7M12 18:17 ADJ-Bescot. During the late morning, 37694 was diverted to Avonmouth on the 6C91 09.14 Newport ADJ-Bridgwater trip freight, following the derailment in the yard at Bridgwater 

14/03 37042 was in charge of a two wagon 7O26 10.27 Oxford Hinksy yard-Eastleigh departmental. 37402 operated 2R38, 37408 2R42 and 37425 2R46. 37674 operated 6Z98 06:45 ADJ-Bescot. 

15/03 37402/408 did Saturday services on the Rhymney line 

17/03 37402 did 2F03, 37408 2F06 and 37422 2F05. 37694 did 6B91 09:15 ADJ-Cardiff Docks. 37425 hauled 6M75 19:25 ADJ-Warrington. 

18/03 37 694 handled the 6L56 Fords Bridgend-Dagenham car parts, 37 415 worked a three wagon Bridgwater (6C91) trip (arriving 12.05) and 37 695 headed the 4B24 15.35 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores. 18/03 37422 hauled 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37408 2R46. 37415 worked 6C91 09:14 ADJ-Bridgwater. 

19/03 37308 worked 6V30. 20/03 37 308 worked the 6V30 Fords Dagenham-Bridgend car parts train and 37 669 was unusually employed on the 6M49 09.50 Southampton Docks-Castle Bromwich Jaguar train. 20/03 37308/415/712, 66182/246 were at Godfrey Road. 21/03 37 174 was used on a 0Z74 09.00 Saltley-Portbury driver trainer run, returning as 0Z44. 21/03 37038 and 47839 moved one coach as 5Z71 12.45 Cathays-Crewe. 37408 did 2R38, 37402 2R42 and 37422 2R46. 37415 did 6G98 08:15 Llanwern-Newport and 37798 6B64 12:15 Cardiff Docks-ADJ. 22/03 Because of a Wales v Ireland rugby match, with a mid-afternoon kick-off, several loco hauled services ran to take people to/from the match. 37038/197 worked 1Z66 08:05 from Crewe and 1M94 17:44 return whilst 37427 did 1Z37 08:30 from Crewe and 1Z81 16:00 return. 

23/03 37057 was in the Station area at Salisbury on ballast duty at 16.20. 

24/03 37517 was in charge of the 6L56 Bridgend-Dagenham car parts. 37798 was on the 6O33 Cardiff-Eastleigh oil empties. 37415 did 2F03 and 2R38, 37402 2F05 and 2R46, 37422 2F06 and 2R42. 37798 hauled 6O33 17:24 Canton-Fawley fuel tanks and 37695 worked 6A25 20:40 Wentloog-Didcot. 

25/03 37422 hauled 2F03 and 2R46, 37402 2F05 and 2R38, 37415 2F06 and 2R42. 37109 did 6V30 22:37 Dagenham Docks-Bridgend Ford parts train. A morning local area fleet check found the following;- 37057 Eastleigh-ok, 37695 en-route 6A49 Didcot-Bicester MOD, 37216/670 Eastleigh-exam, 37517 en-route 6B20 Swansea-Newport ADJ , 37669/695 Eastleigh-ok, 37798 en-route 6O33 Cardiff-Eastleigh. 

26/03 37109 was on the 6V30 Dagenham-Bridgend Ford car parts and 37798 worked a 6Z74 13.00 Didcot-Quidhampton working leaving at 12.25. 37 503 powered the 4B24 15.35 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores. 37503 and 37 695 were located at Didcot, whilst 37 669/670/798 were at Eastleigh, during the late afternoon. 37415 operated 2F03, 37422 2F05 and 37402 2F06. 37109 hauled 6M75. 

27/03 37 695 was on the Bicester MOD trip from Didcot. 37422 worked 2F03, 37408 2F05 and 37402 2F06. 

28/03 37402 did 2F03, 37408 2F05 and 37415 2F06. 

29/03 With large crowds expected at the Millennium Stadium for a Wales v Azerjaban football match, several loco hauled services operated. 37425 hauled 1Z66 08:05 from Crewe and 1M94 17:44 return. 37418 operated 1Z37 09:40 from Crewe and 1Z38 18:15 return, both via Wrexham. 37402/408/415 ran services on the Rhymney line for most of the day. 

31/03 37422 did 2F03 and 2R38, 37415 2F05 and 2R46, 37408 2F06 and 2R42. A morning local area fleet check found the following;- 37174/216/372/669 Eastleigh-ok, 37 521 7V27 Bescot-Oxford Hinksey Yard, 37 670/798 Eastleigh-exam, 37402 Cardiff-ok, 37886 en-route 0A59 Cardiff-Didcot. 37695 headed the 7A64 06.44 Hinksey yard-Appleford. 37886 hauled 7M82.

Class 47 

04/03 The First/GW fleet were located as follows during the morning;- 47811 Landore-ok, 47813/832 Old Oak Common-shunt locos, 47815 en-route 1A99 Penzance-Paddington, 57601 en-route 1C99 Paddington-Penzance. 

25/03 On this date the fleet were found as follows;- 47813 Old Oak Common-shunt loco, 47815 Landore-ok, 57601 Old Oak Common-ok, 47811 1A99 sleeper, 47832 1C99 sleeper. 

31/03 Some of the former Virgin passenger fleet were located as follows;- 47810/812/828/840/841/854 47816/830-Crewe, 47805 Edge Hill, 47839/853 Crewe (Riviera Trains).

Freightliner Workings.

4V08 Southampton-Wentloog & 4O51 Wentloog-Southampton 

04/03 57009. 06/03 57011. 14/03 57003. 19/03 66542. 21/03 66543 26/03 57001. 28/03 57007. (the final Class member to work this train)

4V08 18:30 Basford Hall-Wentloog 14/03 47355.

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

05/03 Cotswold Rail 'spot hire' 47200 headed the return 4L56 02.30 Cardiff Wentloog-Ipswich containers (working in on the 4V30 Ipswich-Cardiff Wentloog the previous day)

6V14/6S41 Crewe Gresty Lane-Portbury empties and return Mossend cars. 

05/03 66514. 12/03 66514. 17/03 66508. 19/03 37038. 24/03 66510. 26/03 66510.

Avon Binliner 

03/03 66550. 11/03 66562. 31/03 66527.

6V20 Hope sidings-Moorswater cement. 

18/03 66520. 27/03 66519

Humber-Baglan Bay-Humber 

07/03 66602. 14/03 66603. 21/03 66605. 27/03 66605.

Other sightings 

Seen at St Philips Marsh at 19.05 were 66508/511 and at Barton Hill was 66550.

04/03 66511 worked a 6O36 Westbury-Southampton ballast train. 

10/03 Present at St Philips Marsh at 19.00 were 66520/562/606. 

13/03 A round robin of St Philips Marsh and Barton Hill after 19.00 found 66512/603 and 66562 at these locations. 

14/03 66512 worked box wagons from Eastleigh-Westbury. 

21/03 66605 + 66527 + 66611 ran light engines through Newport at 10:15. 

24/03 Another "Freightliner" hat trick at St Philips Marsh this evening with 66512/527/605 present. 

26/03 66515 + 57009 + 66508 was an unusual combination on the 4S59 15.12 Southampton MCT-Coatbridge containers. 

27/03 66512/527/605 were present at St. Phillips Marsh. 

31/03 Another round robin this evening found 66512 at St Philips Marsh and 66527 at Barton Hill shortly after 19.00

The company are reported to be looking at purchasing six Class 47/8 locos from Virgin for freight use, a new West Country freight-flow is also expected.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers 08799(OC)-IM, 37415(ML)-CF, 37418(CF)-ML, 47750(CD)-TO, 47778(TO)-CD, 73141(BH)-DF(QAED).

Store 08768. 37409/419/717/797. 47212. 56074. BH: 73138. BQ: 37073. CB: 47114/258/323. CD: 37797. DF: 33019. DM: 37893/895. (Ex-Spain)) DR: 56072. DW: 47326/338. IM: 37717. 56090. LNWR: 47212. LT: 47283/361. ML: 08768. 37409. OC: 73108. Peak Rail: 73107.

Traffic 08865 -ML, 08907 -OC, 37406 -ML, 37422 -CF, 37709/798 -CD, 47237 -KM, 56027 -IM, 56104 -IM, 57303 -WN, 86249 -PO, 98767(34067)-OC, 98822(3822)-DI.

Withdrawn 08661/940. 37223/885/899. 47305/462/738.

Disposals CDRC: 08661. S Norton: 08940. 47738* Correction. @Liverpool McIntyres: 37223 @Beeston. HNRL: 47462 @TO. R Garrett: 47305 @CB. Renumbered 91024 - 91124.

Diesel Multiple Units

Disposals 141101/105/116/118 @ZN, prior to sale to Iran.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored 312707 @IL. 350001 @Northam.

Withdrawn (S): 1507. 8317. 9107.

Disposals IMRFT: 1507. Sims - Nott: Cl302 cars: 75197/198/199/201. 61072/077/080/091. Sims - CF: Cl302 cars: 61075/61060/61193. Cl310 cars: 70774. 62101. 76160/173/223. EMR - Snail: Cl310 car: 62097. Wyvern Rail (Ecclesbourne Valley Rly) - 8317. 9107.

New Stock 377103/104/109 - HQ. 390018/019/020/21 - HQ.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers 96187/190/194 - Great Central Rly on-loan.

Store 3521/24. 35512. 92940 - MoD Bicester, 42170/174/223/224/262/266/270, 42274/278/282/313/316/317 -ZG.

Traffic 5229/39/78. 5389. 5491 9391 -OC.

Disposals IMRFT: 5163/67. GN&ELR (Lincolnshire Wolds Rly) - 5161.

Renumbered Corrections: 975971 - 6378, 975972 - 6379, 975973 - 6376, 975975 - 6377.

MISCELLANEOUS 

Road Movements 

19/03 Steam 5643 was seen passing through north Bristol on a road low-loader.

Light-Rail Update 

Bristol City and South Gloucestershire councils are now working towards a 2007 date for an operational tram system for Bristol with a 'short term' Parkway station terminus from the city centre and a long term one at the Cribbs Causeway 'Mall' shopping complex. Bristol's French twin city Bordeaux is to name one of it's new tram fleet Bristol. The French city have built an 18 mile system, passengers being able to use a smart card ticketing system for travelling. The first tram has been named Quebec and will travel at 40mph. Pedestrians within the city have been advised not to use mobile phones or Walkmans whilst in the vicinity of the new trams as they operate so quietly!

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