NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

20/05 67 014 hauled seven HTA coal wagons as 6G80 10.12 cripple trip to Newport ADJ. The loco returned repaired wagons during the afternoon.

A Birmingham-based company is reported to be buying the Britannia Zinc smelting works (closed earlier this year) for £150 million to be developed as an industrial site. It is not known whether the internal rail system is to remain, but rail movements could take place for the removal of contaminated materials from the site for disposal. Britannia Zinc is to provide £2 million towards costs.

Bristol Parkway

01/05 20308 + 20312 headed north at 12.43 with the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 

08/05 47798 + 47799 passed at 12.38 on eastbound Royal Train ECS. 

14/05 Problems on the 'up line' at Over junction (near Gloucester) saw a number of diversions via the Severn Tunnel, through Parkway to Westerleigh and the north. A South Wales bound Serco test train was seen passing Pilning with locos 47736 + 47760 in top n'tail formation. The train had run as 1Z12 08.48 Swindon-Swansea and return earlier in the day. 

16/05 Fragonset locos 31190 (in Railtrack blue/lime green colours)+ 31468 powered a 5Z31 09.30 Derby-Westbury ECS move formed of 11 MkII air-con coaches for use on the following days Southampton FA Cup football specials. 57601 made a surprise appearance on an up 7 First/GW coach ECS from St.Phillips Marsh-Old Oak Common, the loco and train leaving the up loop at 14.42. 

17/05 FA Cup Final football specials for the Arsenal v Southampton game included, 1Z31 09.45 Paddington-Cardiff (HST), 1Z20 10.24 Paddington-Cardiff (47 793 and stock), 1Z32 10.30 Paddington-Cardiff (HST) and 1Z33 11.45 Paddington-Cardiff (HST). All return evening special services returned between 17.30 and 19.30. 

19/05 A Voyager set working the 1S61 07.11 Bristol TM-Glasgow Central Virgin XC service failed completely near Westerleigh junction, which saw some diversions via Chepstow and Gloucester. The train was eventually moved around 09.30! Later 47773 worked the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT then the 1M06 14.25 ex. Swansea mails onwards to London. 

21/05 The Belfour Beatty one-car filming unit 960011 was recorded heading south at 08.45. 

22/05 A points failure at Patchway between 07.25 and 09.15 saw 28 trains delayed including at least three First/GW services diverted via Chepstow. During the early evening, a 6X19 14.55 Haverfordwest-Ludgershall train of army vehicles was seen in Pilning up loop around 19.30 headed by 66009. 

24/05 Running as 0Z66 12.45 Newport-Willesden, the third batch of GBRf locos 66712-66717 passed at 13.41. 

27/05 A 5Z01 14.15 Westbury-Barrow Hill ECS move was headed by 47488 + 31190 + 31468 with coaches, 5797, 5788, 5812, 5888, 5779, 5866. The two Class 31s and stock had been used on FA Cup duty specials by Wessex Trains hired in from Fragonset ten days earlier. It has been announced that the Royal Mail depot at Parkway could face possible closure with a loss of around 100 jobs on 21st February next year. EWS are reported to be losing the mail contract, which is worth £65 million to the freight company. The railnet depot, opened in 1999 could see use by another operator if closure does take place.

Bristol Temple Meads and Barton Hill

01/05 The 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks were powered by 20308 + 20312. 

02/05 31452 + 31602 top n'tailed the FO 1098 12.00 Cardiff Central-Brighton, the 1V96 17.00 Brighton-Cardiff and 2C96 22.52 Cardiff-Westbury Wessex Trains services. 

03/05 47793 arrived at 09.14 with Pastime Rails 'Mayflower' for steam locos 5029 Nunney Castle+5051 Earl Bathurst to take forward at 10.07. The coaching stock used was maroon set 21245, 3131, 3132, 1671, 3133, 3144, 3110, 3100, 1813, 4946, 4915, 4949, 35461 (support coach-in choc/cream). Problems were encountered on the return with 5051 declared a failure due to a hot-box problem. With 47784 piloting 5029, the train was stopped at Dawlish following an object falling from one of the tunnels smashing the 47s windscreen and injuring a person on the steam loco's footplate. An ambulance was reported to have taken the injured person to hospital from Dawlish Warren station. Arrival back in Bristol was an hour down behind 5029 solo, the Class 47 having been removed at Exeter. 

05/05 Fragonset's 31468 + 47701 were an unusual combination on a 'Green Express' 1Z74 06.08 Carnforth-Bath excursion using an all maroon rake (except Pullman 548 in choc/cream) of West Coast railways stock;- 6528, 4960, 4973, 4984, 99327, 99311, 21266, 3136, 3143, 99125, Grasmere (548/99671). With the ECS serviced at Westbury, the return working was 1Z65 17.52 Bath-Carnforth. Earlier D1015 Western Champion had worked an 07.05 Castle Cary-Llandudno Pathfinder Tours/Mendip Rail staff outing with choc/cream coaches W6310, W21272, 3122, 3112, W3140, W3141, W3107, 3098, 1863, 4927, 4963, W5009, W5309. The Western worked the train throughout, a pair of Class 37s being expected to takeover at Crewe, but this did not happen. Having spent three months on Barton Hill, 5029 eventually departed as 5Z29 10.38 loco and support coach W35461 to Old Oak Common. 5051 Earl Bathurst was also due to be moved in this train as far as Didcot, but as previously reported was failed at Plymouth. 

08/05 Steam loco 73096 arrived just after 13.00 with Steam Dreams 'Cathedral Express' formed with coaches; 35329, 5216, 5222, 5171, 1840, 5200, 13474, 1961, 9392, 5237, 5236. The return working was 15.55 Bristol-Victoria. 

10/05 Additional workings for the West Somerset Railways 'Cross Country' weekend were 5G50 06.05 Barton Hill depot-Bishop's Lydeard formed 67010 + 46035 + 47732 + support coach 35453 and two TPO vans and 220 001 with the 1Z52 09.15 Temple Meads-Minehead. This train returned as 1Z53 16.50 Minehead-Temple Meads, both operating again the following day 

11/05 Returning stock from the West Somerset Railway ran as 5G51 19.50 Bishop's Lydeard-Barton Hill and formed 47732 + 5051 Earl Bathurst + 46035 + 67010+support coach 35453 and two TPO vans. When sighted passing Weston-super-Mare the steam loco appeared to be providing the power!! 

12/05 The 1V49 06.43 Dundee-Paignton Virgin XC service (with power cars 43080 and 43094, the former failed and running as a two+six formation) was terminated on arrival at Temple Meads, Wessex Trains 150244 continuing the working onwards to Exeter. FNW blue 150223 worked the 2C63 04.53 Cardiff Central-Penzance Wessex Trains service 

13/05 47732 + 67025 were paired on the 5C43 10.32 Barton Hill-Plymouth empty RES vans. 

14/05 43089 in new (blue) Midland Mainline livery headed 1M28 15:30 Penzance-Preston, with VT liveried 43070 at the rear. What must rate as the most unusual train consist so far this year was the Wednesdays-only 5A24 07.30 Barton Hill-Old Oak Common empty vans today being formed;- preserved Peak 46035 + 67025 + steam 5051 Earl Bathurst + 35453, 80213, 80404, 80366, 80348 + 67024!! 37605 + 37606 worked the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. 

15/05 31190/468 worked 5Z31 09:30 Derby-Bristol Parkway. 47756 was used to power a 1Z27 04.00 Leeds-Par and return 1Z28 16.45 Par-Leeds 'Edenex' special. A 6G80 20.00 Plymouth Tavistock yard-Bristol East depot was formed of a rail-grinding track-machine, which was to return west the next day. 47811 (1C99) and 47815 (1A99) were the Penzance-Paddington and return Fist/GW sleeper locos. 

16/05 The FO 1O98 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton Wessex Trains service was worked by a Class 158 unit, the return 1V96 17.00 from Brighton was however reported as running an hour late. 165137 worked the final weekday Thames turbo train, the 1N89 17.56 Oxford-Bristol returning as 5N95 22.03 to Swindon empty. This service was set up in the summer of 1998 offering a direct link between the cities of Oxford and Bristol with the aim of possibly setting up a new cross-country route avoiding London. With a recommendation from the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to increase rail capacity over part of the route, the service, which had been reported to be carrying 5000 passengers a week had to finish with the timetable change. MPV DB98912+DB98964 appeared on the up through from the north at 20.23 returning to the north at 20.32. A bus service was replacing trains over the Severn Beach line during part of the evening, the reason for this was not known. 

17/05 Fragonset 47709 worked a 'Green Express' 1Z27 05.21 Leeds-Minehead and return 1Z28 16.00 Minehead-Leeds formed of maroon West Coast stock. Specials for the FA Cup included 31190 + 31468 with the 1Z28 08.35 Southampton-Cardiff (5Z28 07.20 Westbury-Southampton ecs), 31602 + 31452 on the 1Z29 09.35 Southampton-Cardiff and the 09.47 Farnham-Cardiff train which was strengthened and formed 158864 + 150219 + 158865 + 159005 (the latter being 'on loan' from South-West trains for the day and attached at Salisbury). Later a 2Z40 12.40 Cardiff-Temple Meads was formed 150265 + 150219 + 158865 + 159005 and again at 16.10, this line-up was seen leaving back to Cardiff, all these 'extras' were being operated by Wessex Trains. Return trains from the final were 31602 + 31452 on the 1Z34 18.50 Cardiff-Southampton and 31190 + 31468 with the 1Z49 19.15 Cardiff-Southampton. Both trains were formed with eight coaches. Also recorded during the day was FirstNW 150223 on the 04.53 Cardiff-Penzance service, this unit being returned to Manchester from an 'on loan' period the next day. The 1S64 08.05 Paignton-Edinburgh Virgin XC service, with unit 221116, suffered brake problems and late running from Shaldon (near Teignmouth) and the 1V35 08.30 Preston-Plymouth and 1E36 14.13 return were formed of an HST set in place of a voyager set. 66561 and 66525 were recorded stabled in Kingsland Road during the day and 47815 worked the 1C99 Paddington-Penzance First/GW sleeper train during the early hours. 

19/05 A 6Z74 03.37 Crewe Basford Hall-Bridgwater single FNW flask wagon was worked by 20303+20 308 the return leaving Bridgwater at 12.07. With the decommissioning of Hinckley Point 'A' power station up to three trains are now operating a week from Bridgwater (normally MTuWO). Also during the day 47773 was in charge of the 1C06 13.53 Plymouth-Parkway RMT mails. In ex works vinyls colour 150253 newly named Tamar Kingfisher worked the 04.53 Cardiff-Penzance service. 

21/05 20303 + 37218 worked the 6V74 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 47778 headed the 5A24 07.30 (WO) Barton Hill-Old Oak Common vans and the 5C37 13.55 return. 

23/05 31452 + 31602 were on the FO 1O98 12.00 Cardiff-Brighton service and associated Wessex Trains workings. 

24/05 For the Football Division 3 play-off final at the Millennium stadium between Bournemouth and Lincoln 47789 worked a maroon 12-coach 1Z92 06.57 Poole-Cardiff and 1Z93 19.00 return and Wessex attempted to operate their Class 31s (31452 + 31602) as 1Z28 09.51 Southampton-Cardiff and 1Z30 17.51 return. However due to a failure on one of the locos, a unit covered this working. 47787 worked a 1Z40 08.11 Manchester-Victoria Northern Belle special and 1Z41 17.08 return, the ECS running to and from Swindon for servicing. 

27/05 47488 hauled 31452/190 and 6 Mk2 coaches as 5Z01 Westbury-Barrow Hill. 47778 powered the 1M65 19.15 Plymouth-London mails. 

28/05 The 6V74 03.36 Crewe Basford Hall yard-Bridgwater flasks were worked by 37059 and 20306. 47832 formed an afternoon St.Phillips Marsh-Laira stock move with HST coaches and power car 43041. GBRf 66717 (one of two 'on-hire' to Freightliner) became the first sub-class member to visit the West Country on the 6V20 18.20 Earles sidings-Moorswater cement. 

29/05 20313 + 20308 worked the 7V74 Crewe-Basford Hall nuclear flasks. 

30/05 31602 + 31468 were reported to have worked the 5O98 Westbury-Cardiff ECS and 1O98 Cardiff-Brighton service. 47746 hauled the 1V33 15.58 London-Plymouth mails in place of a Class 67, running 30 minutes late.

Gloucestershire and the West Midlands

Locos seen on the Berkeley flask trip from Crewe during the month included. 20309 + 20307 (02/05) and 20315 + 20306 (21/05).

Portbury Branchline

14/05 One of the newly imported Harsco rail grinders was visible on-track in the cargo terminal at 09.30. Later at 13.00 the machine had gone, whether the movement had taken place by road or rail was not known. The Freightliner new car traffic has been retimed now MWFO, 6S41 leaves the cargo terminal at 17.55. Any Tues/Thur runs would be 6Z41. The workings are now often hauled from Crewe onwards to Mossend by a Class 47/8 loco. Other news is that a new plasterboard EWS freight-flow is to start, possibly up to 3 trains a day, 5 days a week. Destinations could include Selby, Mossend and Wembley.

Wessex Area

02/05 The 7C20 19.19 Acton-Merehead stone empties was formed 59101 + 50031 + D1015 ready for the Yeovil Diesel Rail gala. The preserved diesels were removed at Westbury. 

10/05 First/GW 08643 is on loan to MendipRail at Merehead quarry, whilst air-braked 08032 is away on the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore to shunt visiting coaching stock for overhaul in the new carriage works. The following were visible at Westbury during the late afternoon;- 08506. 31452/602. 60017/090. 66044/079/090. 66079 was later seen passing Axminster with a rake of OBAs heading west-bound. 

12/05 31128 + 31459 top n'tailed a 4Z08 19.20 Woking-Havant test train. 

13/05 A track-circuit failure between Didcot and Reading saw a number of diversions via Melksham and Westbury. These included;- 57007 and the 4O18 04.44 Lawley street-Southampton MCT liner and 66535 on the 4O22 01.25 Trafford Park-Southampton liner. New unit 450006 formed a 10.10 Bournemouth-Woking stock move top n'tailed by Fragonset Class 33 locos. 

15/05 The 5Z46 09.35 Midland Railway Centre-Alton formed 66116 + 46035 + 31271 + 33201 + 40135 arrived at Wembley heading for the Mid Hants diesel gala. One of the onward movements from here was 5Z47 14.24 Wembley-Alton formed 46035 + support coach + 56104 + 37709 + 47224 + a Northern Belle coach. 33103 and 33021 top n'tailed a further unit move involving set 458008. 

16/05 The following were active on the Mid Hants gala;- 31272, 33201, 37709, 40135, 46035, 47224, 56104. The last Virgin XC HST service to the South Coast was the 1O16 07.50 Glasgow-Bournemouth and return 1M25 16.38 Bournemouth-Manchester Piccadilly formed with power cars 43195 and 43156. 

17/05 As part of the Mid Hants gala, 46035 and 47224 top n'tailed a 'Sarum Sulzer' railtour on a circular route to and from Salisbury, the Class 47 remaining here on the return. 

19/05 Engineering work at Chippenham found 60020 top n'tail with 60049 and 60017 on departmental workings along with 6690. 46035 + support coach + 56104 + 37709 + Queen of Scots coach departed Alton at 08.50 returning after the gala. 

21/05 'Coal sector' 60090 worked 6W55 08.12 Eastleigh-Hamworthy and 6W56 12.43 Hamworthy-Eastleigh engineers. 59101 was in charge of the 7O39 08.36 Merehead-Hamworthy stone and return 7V89 17.14 Hamworthy-Merehead empties. 66036 worked the 6W59 17.41 Eastleigh-Wool sand empties. 

22/05 31602 powered a 5Z31 15.00 Westbury-Exeter five ECS move, returning as 0Z31 to Westbury at 17.30. The carriages are for store here, but are to eventually form a second top n'tail Class 31 worked train. Some Exeter based Wessex Trains drivers are receiving Class 31 driver training. 

23/05 47811 headed the 9 coach 1C65 17.33 Paddington-Plymouth First/GW service in place of an HST set. 

24/05 31190 + 31468 with stock were still stabled outside the power signalling box at Westbury 

27/05 The following were present at Westbury at 10.20;- 08 506. 31190/452/468. 60020. 66078/079. 

29/05 33021 + 33108 top n'tailed a further up new unit move at 12.40 at Battledown flyover near Basingstoke. 60 026 worked the 6Z25 Hamworthy-Cardiff Tidal scrap service via Westbury. 

31/05 47792 passed Frome at 09.20 with a 1Z27 Ipswich-Par 'Edenex' returning as 1Z28 17.08 Par-Ipswich.

West of England

01/05 47784 + 66080 worked a 6W82 05.00 Truro-Westbury engineers, the Class 47 coming off at Newton Abbot to take up 'thunderbird' rescue loco duty (also being recorded here on 12/05, 19/05, 20/05, 29/05). A 1Z27 06.30 Ealing Broadway-Par 'Edenex' (and return 1Z28) was headed by 47793 and 13 MkI coaches whilst the 1V01 05.42 Birmingham NS-Penzance Voyager was terminated at Plymouth following suspension problems on the unit. 

02/05 66220 hauled a 6G77 Didcot-Ernsettle MOD trip, returning as 09.15 Tavistock yard-Westbury. 

05/05 47815 worked the 14.30 Plymouth-Paddington First/GW service in place of an HST set. 

06/05 45112 was booked to haul four Class 31s from Derby-Meldon for storage but the move was cancelled, because of the Peaks apparently 'non-route availability' over the Okehampton branch. 

10/05 Steam loco 5051 Earl Bathurst was back in action, and ran light from Plymouth to Bishop's Lydeard to take the place of the non-available 5690 Leander on the West Somerset Railway's Cross Country Weekend second day. Voyager set 220001 arrived at Minehead at 11.04 with a special from Bristol. This trip ran on both days all profits going to the Lifeboat charity. 

12/05 150261 was named the Riviera Flyer at Paignton during the day

13/05 47732 was in charge of the 1M99 22.11 Plymouth-Willesden mails. 

14/05 The final 6C06 11.30 St.Blazey-Tavistock yard CDAs to be Class 67 hauled ran today ran with locos 67014 + 67017 and 32 wagons. The CDA move has been retimed and the two Class 67s now run 0C06 St.Blazey-Plymouth light engines. 

16/05 158871 worked the final 2C87 20.30 (FO) Exeter-Falmouth of the winter timetable. This was the only booked Class 158 working over this Cornish branchline. 

18/05 66152 was unusually employed on the 5M99 18.08 St.Blazey-Plymouth TPO empties and over at Devonport, Midland Mainline 43045 left the dockyard by road during the afternoon following repair. 

19/05 150230 was named the Exmouth Advocet. Locos visible at St.Blazey depot during the evening were 09001/013. 47306/773/784. 66079/180. 67004/019/026/030. 

23/05 A bridge strike on the Falmouth branchline saw delayed services. 150221 was working the line during the day. 

24/05 This year's first HST working over the Newquay branchline was the 1V26 08.15 Manchester-Newquay (with power cars 43123 and 43154). Later the 1V59 06.43 Dundee-Newquay saw a power car swap en-route at Plymouth, with 43157 being removed in favour of 43102. 25/05 Another view of St.Blazey depot found 08798. 09001/013. 47306/778/784. 66054/145. 67012/026/030. 

26/05 The 6V95 and return 6O92 Dollands Moor-Exeter (Riverside) freight was worked by 66040, this being on a Bank Holiday Monday. Later the 1C44 14.33 Paddington Exeter and return 1Z69 17.46 Exeter-Paddington were operated by 180101 + 180114, this being the West Country debut for the First/GW Adelante Class units. 159011 + 170306 were also an unusual unit combination on the 1O46 11.59 Paignton-Brighton SWT service, onwards from Exeter. 

27/05 Another Class 150 naming today, that of 150230 Tamar Kingfisher, in new colour vinyls, at Bere Ferrers station. 

30/05 47 784, the Newton Abbot 'thunderbird' was located in Hackney yard during the day 

31/05 47832 hauled the 1C22 10.33 Paddington-Penzance First/GW service in place of an HST set. 47784 was involved in another HST drag hauling the 1V61 10.35 Edinburgh-Plymouth from Exeter leaving at 19.40 for Plymouth.

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

02/05 31452/31602 hauled/pushed 1O98 12:00 to Brighton and 1V96 17:00 return, followed by 2C95 21:32 to Westbury. 

15/05 221110 worked 1S75 12:44 Swansea-Edinburgh, the last Virgin Cross Country service from Swansea. 

17/05 47853 did the 09:50 additional from Crewe and 47793 1Z20 10:24 from Paddington. 221126 formed the 13:35 to Edinburgh 

19/05 170513 in "Robin Hood" line livery worked 2B62 05:40 from Worcester and 1M59 07:50 to Nottingham. 

20/05 170399 in pink "Birmingham" livery worked 1V02 06:03 from Grantham and 1M70 10:50 to Nottingham. VT operated 158758 formed the 19:30 to Portsmouth. 

21/05 VT's 158751/749 formed the 07:30 to Portsmouth, each unit offering First Class accommodation to passengers! 170399 again operated 1V02 and 1M70. 37425 worked 0F75 Cardiff-Westbury Yard 

26/05 47853 hauled a special direct from Wolverhampton to Cardiff via the Shrewsbury Severn Bridge Junction curve. 

30/05 31468/602 did 1O98 and 1V96, with 602 dead on the rear on the return journey. 

31/05 170513 did 2B62 and 1M59, whilst 170399 operated 1V22 10:38 from Nottingham and 1M81 14:50 return.

Cardiff Canton (viewed from the footbridge)

04/05 08493/576/756/819/955/957. 37408/412/413/415/425/509/667. 66178. 67008. 11/05 08493/576/756/819/955/957. 09011. 37412/413/415/425/509. 56083. 66008/010/143/157/160. 67008. 18/05 08493/576/756/819/951/955/957. 37412/413/415/422/425/509/707. 60043/087. 66021/029/216. 67018. 25/05 08493/576/756/819/955/957. 37408/412/413/415/509/521. 56105. 60037.

Sims Metals

25/04, 3 DMU vehicles noted awaiting dismantling, by 27/4 only the back end of vehicle 51442 remained intact, only the frame of another unit alongside with no obvious sign of the third vehicle. 

30/04, 51442 had still not been fully dismantled and seen on site now were 3 x Cl308 "Metrotrain" vehicles. The following day, 

01/05, passing at 18.05 saw a further Cl308 vehicle arriving on a low loader. A stop and identify session was undertaken a couple of hours later and from the gate 75916(308162) plus another car from 162, a car from 141 and 75948(308161) were recorded.

02/05, late evening, another Cl308 vehicle seen (MBS) unfortunately not identified, as by 5/5, all Cl308 vehicles were history. 

09/05 Cl 308: Car 61911, broken up by 11/5. 

16/05 Cl 308: Cars 61902/905, still intact 18/5. 

30/05 Cl 308: Cars 75882/891/952, broken up by 1/6.

Newport

02/05 Noted at 23.05 were 31452/602. 56081. 60049. 66021. 67008/019. 07/05 56081/060 worked 6E47 ADJ-Lackenby. 

09/05 Noted today were 37798. 56113. 60077/091/092. 66008/019/085/089 66136/155/157/168/176. Track Machine 73414. 

15/05 37798 and 66235 were the only locos at Godfrey Road at 10:00. 

16/05 37798. 56058. 57001. 60005/074/091. 

22/05 66713-717 were unloaded from a Jumboship at Newport Docks. All locos are destined for GB Railfreight. 

23/05 66713-717 were on the South Quay at Newport Docks, undergoing commissioning. It was noted that 66713 carried a nameplate "Forest City". Also noted were 31452/602. 47355. 56058. 60004/072/077/092. 66060/133/144/216. 

24/05 66713 towed 66714-717 through Newport station at 12:57 heading for Willesden, where they arrived at 15:40. 

26/05 60077/080/092, 66111/129/131/133/152/167/170/174/194 were at Godfrey Road. 

30/05 Noted today were 09102. 57005. 60004/026/030/032. 66122/142.

LOCO AND UNIT NEWS 

CLASS 37

01/05 37402 did 2F03 06:59 from Rhymney, 37408 2F05 07:19 from Rhymney and 2R46 17:47 return, 37422 2F06 07:40 from Rhymney and 2R42 17:11 return, 37419 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney. 37668 headed the 4B24 14.05 Didcot-Wentloog MOD stores returning with the 4A25. 

02/05 37114 + 37047 worked 5Z74 14.03 Crewe-Yeovil ECS for railtour duty. 37422 worked 2F03, 37408 2F05 and 2R46, 37419 2F06 and 2R42, 37417 2R38. 

03/05 37047 + 37114 worked a 1Z37 04.35 Yeovil junction-Norwich and return Pathfinder tours excursion. 37417 and 37419 worked numerous Saturday services on the Rhymney line. 

05/05 37425 did a few trips on the Rhymney line, to accommodate Bank Holiday daytrippers. 

06/05 37425 hauled 2R38, 37419 2R42, 37417 2R46. 

08/05 37406, which was undergoing overhaul at Canton, worked 6B91 ADJ-Cardiff Docks and 6B64 return, presumably under test. 37417 did 2F03, 37425 2F05, 37408 2F06. 

10/05 37408 and 37419 worked Rhymney line Saturday services. 

12/05 37417 did 2F03 and 2R42, 37419 2F05, 37425 2F06 and 2R46, 37408 2R38. 37410 worked the Didcot - Wentloog MoD "Liner". A survey of other locos in the area found;- 37051 en-route 6A65 Didcot-Appleford, 37408 Cf ok, 37503 en-route 7V27 Eastleigh-Didcot, 37798 7B48 Newport-Machen, 37051 + 37109 south-west area weed killing duties, 37667 CF exam. 13/05 37417 did 2F03 and 2R38, 37425 2F05 and 2R42, 37408 2F06 and 2R46. 37410 worked 6M19 07.00 Didcot-Kineton and 6V03 09.46 return MOD stores. 

14/05 37419 hauled 2R38, 37417 2R42, 37408 2R46. 37410 was again in action, this time on the Ashchurch MOD stores returning passed Gloucester at 12.20 with a single wagon. 37503 + 37689 were paired on the 7V25 04.08 Bescot-Oxford Hinksey yard departmental. 

15/05 37408 did 2F05 and 2R38. 37417 hauled 2F03 and 2R42, the latter carrying SRA Chief Executive Richard Bowker in the secondman's seat! 37419 hauled 2F06. 37422 was diagrammed to work 2R46 but was failed by the driver. As 37419 was undergoing an exam and there was no other serviceable 37/4, 37798 was summoned from Godfrey Road to work 2R46! 37047 worked a 6Y20 10.05 Eastleigh-Ludgershall MOD trip and 6Y21 12.40 Ludgershall-Eastleigh formed of 10 VKA vans leaving Andover at 13.34, 37410 was on the 7O26 08.27 Oxford Hinksey yard-Eastleigh, then the 7V27 followed by the 7M48 to Bescot and 37042 and 37051 were both at Didcot ok. Also 37422 ran 0F84 Newport-Cardiff light-engine, 37425 worked the 6B64 Newport-Cardiff trip, and 37 667 was at Cardiff for exam. 

16/05 37417 did 2F03 and 2R42, 37798 2F05, 37408 2F06 and 2R38, 37422 2R46. 37057 + 37109 top n'tailed a 7Z07 23.35 Eastleigh-Eastleigh via Exeter. However the train was terminated and reversed at Chard junction. 37042 powered a 6G86 10.25 Reading West yard-Oxford Hinksey yard departmental trip. 17/05 37197 worked 1V77 08:33 from Manchester and 1M94 17:44 return. 37408/417/419 worked diagrams on the Rhymney line for most of the day. 

19/05 37417 worked 2F03, 37419 2F05, 37408 2F06. 37503 hauled the MoD "Liner". 37503 worked the 4B24 MOD stores, leaving Didcot at 14.41 and passing Bristol Parkway at 16.15. 37047 was noted stabled at Westbury. 

20/05 37057 with 37109 continued top n'tailing the 7Z07 weedkilling this time running Eastleigh-Dorchester-Weymouth-Yeovil Pen Mill and return. 

21/05 37425 worked 0F75 Cardiff-Westbury Yard. 37408 hauled 2R38, 37419 2R42, 37417 2R46. 37503 headed the Didcot-Ashchurch MOD trip, returning light-engine. High mileage for 37425 during the day saw the loco run 0F75 Cardiff-Westbury light-engine, 0A02 Westbury-Oxford Hinksey yard light, 7C43 22.10 Oxford-Westbury return engineers then 21.00 Westbury-Barnstaple ballast and 06.00 return. 

22/05 37419 did 2R38, 37408 2R42, 37417 2R46. 37425 continued it's travels! working the 7O41 10.02 Westbury-Eastleigh engineers. 37426 was booked to work the 6V30 Fords Dagenham-Bridgend car parts but was replaced by a Class 66. 

23/05 37422 operated 2R38, 37408 2R42, 37419 2R46. 37425 + 66109 worked the 7Y40 15.51 Eastleigh-Hoo junction (getting even further away from Valley line duties!). 

24/05 37422 worked 1B96 09:11 Rhymney-Fishguard Harbour and 1R38 13:35 return, hauling 99319, 5874/69/53. The train was routed over the Vale of Glamorgan line, as the main line between Cardiff and Bridgend was closed for maintenance. It also traversed the Swansea District Line. As a result, around 50 enthusiasts were on board for the track and traction! The train was held at Cardiff Central awaiting a late running connection from Paddington. The FGW HST then preceded the loco hauled service over the Vale of Glamorgan, which led to a 40 min late arrival into Fishguard Harbour. A quick (well photographed!) run-round produced a 25 min late departure but, thanks to plenty of recovery time in the schedule, the train arrived very early at Grangetown and was held adjacent to Canton depot for around 15 minutes, before taking its allocated path up the Rhymney line. A catering trolley was provided Cardiff-Fishguard-Llanelli and did good business. The 37 looked immaculate, despite having been in service for nearly three months since emerging from overhaul at Canton and drew praise from a number of the photographers. 37419 worked various duties on the Rhymney line hauling 9539, 6013, 5491/53. The other Saturday diagram was covered by 37408, with 37417 taking over later in the day. 

25/05 37419 did 2R10 1730 Cardiff - Rhymney. 

26/05 37197 hauled 6064, 5976, 6067, 5905, 5773, 9503, W6310 as 1V77 08:37 from Manchester and 1M94 17:44 return, conveying Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United supporters to/from the football play-off final for promotion to the Premiership. 37408/417/419/422 were all in service on the Rhymney line at various times of the day. 37521 was incharge of the 6O33 19.55 (MO) Cardiff Canton-Eastleigh empty fuel tanks. 

27/05 37408 did 2F03 and 2R42, 37417 2F05 and 2R38, 37422 2F06 and 2R46. 37308 + 37521 were unusually paired on the on the 6W21 08.55 Eastleigh-Furzebrook and 6W15 11.24 Furzebrook-Eastleigh which was an unconfirmed LPG tank (or departmental?) move. 

28/05 37408 hauled 2F03 and 2R38, 37422 2F05 and 2R42, 37417 2F06 and 2R46. 29/05 37422 operated 2F03, 37417 2F05 and 2R38, 37408 2F06 and 2R46, 37419 2R42. 

29/05 37689 worked the 6C91 09.14 Newport-Bridgwater trip and 6C92 return. The 6B36 06.51 Didcot-Ashchurch MOD stores was worked by 37047 and 6A32 partly loaded return. A further unusual Class duty was the 4V95 Tyne yard-Avonmouth containers hauled by 37717. 

30/05 37419 worked 2F03, 37408 2F05, 37417 2F06. 31468/602 did 1O98 and 1V96, with 602 dead on the rear on the return journey. 31/05 37419 worked 1B96 and 1R38, whilst 37408 did services on the Rhymney line. 

31/05 For the Crewe Works open day, Pathfinder tours ran a 1Z97 06.30 Salisbury-Crewe and 1Z67 18.06 Crewe-Salisbury excursion headed outward by 37 517+37 709 The return was in the hands of 37503 + 37674. A 6Z12 08.30 Bescot-Eastleigh departmental (via Coventry) was headed by 37047, leaving at 10.15, the train was later seen with 60042 on the front of the 37 which had failed!

Class 47/57 

12/05 The First/GW fleet were located as follows during the morning;- 47811 1A99 Penzance-Paddington First/GW sleeper, 47 813 Old Oak Common-shunt loco, 47815 1C99 Paddington-Penzance First/GW sleeper, 47832 Landore-exam, 57601 Old Oak Common-ok. 

15/05 A survey of some of the former Virgin front line passenger locos found;- 47805-Saltley-ok, 47812 Rugby 'thunderbird', 47851 Oxley-ok, 47854 Wembley-ok, 47853 4M26 14.41 Dagenham-Crewe (via the Midland Mainline) cars. Fragonset;- 47709 0Z45 Derby-Carnforth light-engine, 47355 4M55 10.12 Southampton-Lawley street liner. 

It has been reported that 57601 is to be puchased by Carnforth-based West Coast railways for charter use along with 47854.

FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

6M16 13.16 Southampton Western dock-Crewe automotive. 

06/05 47292. 20/05 47812. 21/05 47805. 23/05 47847. 27/05 47805. 28/05 47279.

4V08 Southampton-Wentloog & 4O51 Wentloog-Southampton 

13/05 57009. 19/05 66537. 20/05 47358. 21/05 47358. 27/05 57007+66501* 29/05 47358. 

*66 501 had failed at Uffingham and was rescued by EWS 37114 being moved to Swindon, with train where 57007, which had run light from Southampton took over.

4V08 18:30 Basford Hall-Wentloog 

27/05 47355.

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

09/05 66560. 13/05 66513/560. 21/05 66558. 29/05 66528.

Avon - Calvert Binliner 

30/04 66528. 01/05 66539. 06/05 66603. 08/05. 66 525

6V20/6M37 Hope sidings-Moorswater-Hope sidings cement. 

01/05 66529. 06/05 66603. 12/05 66518. 14/05 66518. 19/05 66528. 21/05 66603. 28/05 66717.

Other sightings

10/05 47279 ran south light to collect diesels 20166 and 33110 from the Bodmin & Wenford railway for movement to the South Devon railway for their weekend diesel gala. 

12/05 47279 returned the two preserved locos as 0Z47 08.45 Totnes-Bodmin leaving at 08.56. At 19.00 66513/605 were at St.Philips Marsh (east end), 47279 at Kingsland Road and 66525 at Barton Hill. 

13/05 47355 + 47358 were paired on the 4M81 16.20 Crewe-Trafford Park liner, returning on 4O08 19.13 Trafford Park-Southampton. 

14/05 47355 (only) worked the 4M55 10.12 Southampton MCT-Lawley street liner. 

16/05 66513/525/610 were at Kingsland Road. 

19/05 Correcting information given in last month's Magazine;- 66601 worked a 15.00 Selby-Bristol Kingsland road train of new Blue Circle cement wagons for use on the new Westbury-Millbrook flow. Four days later, three lorry bulk powder carriers, three curtain sided lorry and three curtain sided Blue Circle cement wagons were present ready for the new 6O77 07.36 Westbury-Millbrook and 6V77 14.30 return service booked to run Mon-Fri (due to start during June). 66525 was at Kingsland Road and 66603 at Barton Hill. 

22/05 At Kingsland Road was 66612 and 66525 was at Barton Hill. 

24/05 47224 was still present at Salisbury in the bay following recent railtour duty. 

27/05 47812 worked the 6M80 Dagenham-Calvert refuse containers and 47848 worked the 4M25 Mossend-Crewe Gresty lane empty car carriers. 

28/05 47270 powered the 6Z41 Crewe-Mossend cars. 

30/05 47303 was in charge of the 4V30 18.43 Ipswich-Wentloog containers, the return 4L56 leaving at 02.10 the next day. 

31/05 47358 headed the 4O29 Trafford Park-Southampton MCT liner. Former Virgin 47805/812/829/843/847/848 are now confirmed as 'on loan' for the coming months.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Unfortunately the stock alterations printed last month related to May 2002, so both May and June 2003 are included here.

Locomotives

Transfers 

37065(CD)-OC, 37410(ML)-CD, 37667(ML)-OC, 47818(WN)-MM, 96385/388/389(NP)-CP. 08593(IM)-AN, 08904(CF)-OC, 37038(BQ)-KM, 43063/069/070/071/078/079, 43086/087/088/089/091/155/156/159/161/162/180/193/194/195/196/197, 43198(MA)-NL, 47805/812/829/843/847(WN)-FD.

Store 

08844. 37406/415. 47739/781. 56007/033/054/055/056/067/100/102/106, 56109/111/129. 08879. 09006. 37402. 47744/780. 86221

Traffic 

08676 -CF, 20142 -HQ, 31102/200/319 -ZA(QADD), 37059 -KM, 37087 -BH, 37419 -CF, 37717 -CD, 47792 -CD, 47802 -KM, 56090/114 -IM, 57306 -WN, 58041/043 -GIF(Spain). 08844 -CF, 20048 -HQ, 20168 -BH, 31271 -CB, 37417 -CF, 47298 -KM, 47471/547/574 -DF, 47739/781 -CD, 56067/106/129 -TE, 57308 -WN, 73141/107/117/134 -DF.

Withdrawn 

20902/904. 37037/133. 47052/095/152/296/312/323/354/377. 56019/047/123/135.

Disposals 

Scrap 

Booths: 31434. 

McIntyre: 37012/043. 

Sandbach C&C: 47188/213. 

H Needle: 37048/111. 

I Riley: 37073. 

CDRC: 47312. 

Garrett: 47354. 

NNR: D2267. 

T J Thomson: 37213/278.

Sales 

HNRC: 31275. 37510/515/713/889. 

I Riley: 37423. 

Bodmin&W: 37142. 

Shackerstone: 37227. 

Sellindge: 37254. 

Private: 37097. 47640/771. 

Churnett Valley: 37340.

Renumbered 

47814 - 57306. 47846 - 57308.

New Stock 

66713/714/715/716/717 -WN.

Diesel Multiple Units 

Traffic 

101678/685 -LO. (Cars 53160/164/746. 51210) 55020 -AL.

Withdrawn 

51442/463/509/800. 51371/413.

Disposals 

Sims(Cardiff): 51442/463/509. 

Sims(Nott'm): 51800. 

Chiltern Rlys: 51371/413. 

Iran Railways: 141.101/105/116/118.

New Stock 

168214/215/216/217 -AL.

Formations 

Central Trains are in the process of forming 3 car Cl158 units again, below are the units so far completed; 

951 (57780 + 52780 + 57784) 

953 (57790 + 52790 + 52792) 

956 (57795 + 52795 + 52784) 

958 (57797 + 52797 + 57792) 

Therefore units 158784/792 are disbanded.

Electric Multiple Units

Stored 

312781/783/784/792/796 @SS. 1607/14/16 @RE, 1707 @SS, 1709 @GA, 1710/34 @ZG, 1736 @SS, 1737 @GA. (GA - Gatwick Airport Sidings)

Traffic 

312784 -IL. 508110 -BD.

Withdrawn 

305506/511/516. 308141/155/161/162. 1101/02/03/05/07/08/12/13/14/15/16/17/18. 1564/86. 70586.

Disposals 

IMRFT: 303088. 1101/02/03/05/07/08/12/13/14/15/16/17/18. 1564/86. 70586. 

Simms(CF): 61084/085/415/420/425/884/891/905/911. 62102/114. 75434/895/916/942. 

Simms(NM): 75429/439/448/453/458/886/911/948/949. 76210. 

Simms(N/K): 61415. 75429/434/439/448/458. 

Bo'ness: 75597 + 61503 + 75632. 

Nene Valley: 72704/718.

Departmental 

310: 62078/090. 76137/187 - renumbered as below 960201(62090 - 977978 + 62078 - 977979 + 75187 - 977980 + 76137 - 977981)

New Stock 

360113/114/116. 375701. 377105/106/107/108/110/112/113/114/115/118. 390022. 450013.

Formations 

323204/210/215/219/221/222 - reverted to correct formations. 1565 (61762 + 70311 + 71711 + 61763)

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers 

5631/32/36. 5710/37/40. 9481/94 -CP. 40717/724/747. 41007/008. 41125/126/127/128. 42008/060/061/079/080. 42197. 42236/260/261. 42325/344/347. 44020/026/030 -LA. 6260 -QGEN, 40430. 41161. 42085/086/117/248/249. 44069 -NL, 80220 -CS. 975814/984 -QHST, 977869 - QRSV, 977974 - CDRX.

Store 

80321/362/371. 80403/404/411/413/439/456/458. CS: 96130/131/163/165/166/167/170/172/173/175/176/178/188/191/192. DY: 42173. 42218/298. 42310/311/312. 44062. ZN: 40411/412. Crewe Heritage Centre: 6411(3152). BH: 1221/21. 3312. 9497. BK: 8040/411. CA: 99664. CF: 80362/371/439/456. EN: 80403/413. Nene Valley: 17148.

Traffic 

1800 -OM.

Withdrawn 

1217. 92328/370/897/933/940. 977895/896/897/898/899/900/901/902/903/904. 5226. 6360/61. 10593. 21265. 35512. 975462/529/912/913. 977063.

Disposals 

IMRFT: 977895/896/901/902/903/904. 

Raxstar: 92328/370/897 @ZG. 

Strathspey: 92940. 

Glos & Warks: 92933.

G Central: 977897/898/899/900. 

Appleby HC: 1217. 

Booth:- 975912/913. 

HNRC:- 975529. Raxstar: 975462. 977063. 

Central Eng Services: 5226 21265. 

Northampton & Lamport: 21265.

Renumbered 

99823 - 4832, 99826 - 13229, 99827 - 3096, 99830 - 5028, 977975 - 17162. 40501 - 977984, emu car 71715 - 977985.

Formations 

VT XC HST sets have been amended, the following have an additional vehicle to previously published information; 

XC51 + 42234, XC57 + 42294, XC63 + 42233, XC72 + 42095, XC76 + 42092. 

Sets XC52 and XC59 have been disbanded.

Codes 

QADD Network Rail - Diesel Locos - 31102/200/319. QEPB Network Rail - SR EPB Units - 977533/534/566/567/609/804/805/864, 977865/871/872/874/875/924/925 QGEN Network Rail - Generator Van - 977787. QHAS Network Rail - Hastings Units - 977870/939/940. QSUB Network Rail - SR SUB Units - 975586/587/588/589/602/603/604/605, 975896/897. MTXX Maintrain Coaching Stock QPLV Network Rail Porterbrook Leased Vehicles

Preservation & Industrial Matters

Yeovil Junction Diesel-Gala (Saturday-Monday 03/05-05/05) R.W.Giles 

A visit on the second day found the following;- 37 047/114. 59 002. preserved mainline diesels;- D1015 Western Champion. 50 031 Hood. C/stock;- 1863. 3098/107/112/122/140/141. 4927/963. 5009/309. 6310. 21272 ( all stabled between railtour duties for Pathfinder tours). Industrials;- Pectin (P1579/21), in use giving brakevan rides. (No.2 Donkey Broth) RH 458959/61 (assumed) in oxide undercoat (with engine running). 21 JF 4000007/47. (No 1 Sam) JF 22900/41. Both of these locos underframes and wheels were located outside the loco shed whilst a new cab (for one loco) and body parts were inside being worked on. An 'old' maroon cab carrying no.2 was dumped on the ground near the turntable. Somerset & Dorset Locomotive co. (coal yard area/compound);- Ex.BR;- (20 059)/177. No.8 (TH 178v/67). British Coal 2 (TH 172v/66). (No.6) (TH199v/66). NCB Opencast Executive 6678 (HE 6678/69). (NB 27426/55) (assumed). (AB 594/74). No.5 (Bg 3027/39). Susan NCB (TH 176v/66). NP (JF 421001/49). No.1 (HL 3682/27). 20 (TH 175v/66). NCB North Derbyshire Area EECT No 3210 (HC D1387/67). WD ROD 462 (FH 1891/34). (RH299099/50). Note;- the site was viewed through the fence. 20177 is to be used as a source of spares for 20059 which is to be returned to service.

West Somerset Railway, Cross Country Weekend (10/05-11/05) R.W.Giles 

A visit on the second day found the following in use; - steam 7820 Dinmore Manor, 5051 Earl Bathurst diesel 33 048, 46 035, 47 732. voyager set 220 001 (renamed Somerset Voyager, from Maiden Voyager on the first day). At Bishop's Lydeard 67 010 with two tpo coaches were on display (also see Bristol Notes & News). On view at Williton depot were;- D1010. D2246. D7018. D7523. 03 119 and an industrial diesel.

Stop Press/Stop Press;- The two Blaise Castle Minature railway locos have been sold to a location in Lancashire. All the track is also to go, the line has not seen any use for the last couple of years following an operating problems.

Road Movements 

01/05 08500 was seen near Cheltenham heading northbound on the M5 on a road low-loader at 19.15.

Freight-flow News

Steel traffic 

The previously reported steel flow for East depot is believed to be linked with the building of the new concert venue on the former Bath road depot site.

Stone traffic 

Tower stone is reported to be finishing soon, loading is expected to take place at Machen. Newport docks is also under consideration as a stone loading terminal. A new Merehead-Chichester flow is to begin using the Hamworthy stone path, when this train is not running.

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