NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
20/09 Cotswold-Rail 47810 was an unusual sight routed this way on a 5Z47
Gloucester-St. Phillips Marsh stock move with First/GW sleeper coach 10563. The
working was reported at Clifton Down at 09.25 and later collected an HST power
car at St. Phillips Marsh before continuing on to Laira depot.
27/09 The Westbury stone was observed near Holesmouth Junction with an
unconfirmed 66034 in charge.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;
66039/068/102/131/165/174/208/228/248.
09003 continued as the area shunting pilot.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
04/09 Only one sighting this evening, 66544 with a stone train heading east,
service originating in South Wales.
07/09 One MGR seen, 66175 with empties for Portbury.
08/09 47812 headed a 10.00 Old Oak Common-Cardiff Canton ECS for a railtour
during the following day.
09/09 47812 called with a Pathfinder's 05.?? Cardiff Central-Liverpool
excursion, working the train to (and the return from) Bescot where steam 6201
Princess Elizabeth took over running via Shrewsbury and Crewe
11/09 Two sets of MGR empties seen this evening, 66139 heading for Portbury and
66040 bound for Avonmouth.
14/09 Another quiet evening for freight, 66054 working mgr empties to Portbury.
DRS 66409 (still 'on loan' to Freightliner Heavy-haul) headed the 6V60
Angerstein Wharf-Pengam stone empties during the early evening.
16/09 The 6B13 Robeston loaded fuel tanks have been reported as retimed to
arrive earlier at Westerleigh, with the 6B47 return empties booked to depart at
16.10.
18/09 Three workings to report this evening, 66083 mgr empties for Avonmouth,
66071 empties for Portbury and 66191 with a loaded service from Portbury.
20/09 The 8 stored former RES/TPO vans had returned to Stoke Gifford down
sidings by this date, having been reported as moved last month!
21/09 Brief afternoon observations recorded; Mainline-blue liveried with EWS
stickers 60078 up light-engine at 13.50 followed by 20301 + 20310 on the 6M67
12.03 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks at 13.55. The Class 60 was reported to
have re-appeared later on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks.
21/09 Solitary MGR working seen this evening, 66184 with empties bound for
Portbury.
22/09 66537 worked the morning 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook loaded containers and
60078 was over at Westerleigh on the 6B13 loaded fuel tanks from Robeston.
23/09 60052 headed the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel empties passing Pilning at
15.20. Pathfinder's 'Principality Freighter' railtour from Birmingham
International-Gwan-Cae-Gurwen and Uskmouth was put back to 18/11/06 being booked
to be hauled by two DRS Class 37s.
25/09 A further series of inward M-F blending stone commenced from
Westbury-Tytherington (the last workings having run from 04/09-08/09) using the
regular 14 JNA bogie box wagons. In charge was 59206, the return empties being
reported as leaving around two hours earlier then the booked 11.44 booked time.
An unusual visitor during the afternoon was DRS 37605 running as 0Z62
Crewe-Stoke Gifford siding light-engine, returning at 15.43 as 6Z62 15.21 Stoke
Gifford-Crewe hauling a stone-blower track machine.
26/09 The Tytherington stone was cancelled today due to loading problems at
Whatley quarry.
27/09 66025 was the Tytherington stone loco, again leaving two hours early with
the return empties. Two empty MGR workings to report this evening 66190 bound
for Portbury and 66162 to Avonmouth. Also seen NR HST utilising power cars
43014/062.
28/09 60062 was on the 6B33 Theale fuel empties and a booked 5C46 Brush
Loughborough-St. Phillips Marsh HST stock move (Westerleigh junction 17.25) was
cancelled.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
31/08 The coaching stock formation of the 5Z98 08.40 Laira-Derby stock move,
with Metro-net 66718 (see last months Magazine) has been confirmed as 6336
(barrier coach), 42287 (First/GW green livery), 42108, 42093, 44076, 42094,
41163, 41166 (all unbranded former Virgin red livery), 6348 (barrier coach).
01/09 DRS 66409 (along with 66407) which continues 'on hire' to Freightliner
Heavy-Haul worked the 4V60 Calvert-Bath/Barrow road refuse containers replacing
66515 used on the previous day. The train continues to be diverted via the Berks
& Hants mainline, Westbury and Melksham, with a reverse at Chippenham due to
the nine day (not ten as stated last month) Wootton Bassett engineering
blockade. 47811 was again the assisting loco between Westbury and Chippenham,
the train running as a top n'tail formation leaving the former 70 minutes early
at 13.48. At Barton Hill depot, Arriva Wales 142081 had replaced a completed
142072 for overhaul by the end of August.
02/09 A Cotswold-Rail/Heartlands Tour 1Z69 09.28 Gloucester-Paignton and 1Z70
17.45 railtour was cancelled for both today and for the following day. An
FM-Rail 1Z71 05.46 Warrington Bank Quay-Paignton (and 1Z72 16.08 return) did run
out and back via the Severn Tunnel, top n'tailed by 47703 + 47709 (the latter in
Pullman blue livery), the return working being noted passing Yatton at 17.54.
Another excursion which ran was Kingfisher tours 'Somerset & Dorset
Remembered' (1Z84 06.20 Wareham-Temple Meads via Salisbury, and Bath and 1Z85
13.01 return via Taunton, Exeter and Honiton). The train was headed by steam
34067 Tangmere with Royal 67005 attached to the rear and used for the return leg
between Salisbury and Wareham. The train passed Yatton at 13.18 formed with a
full Wessex Trains choc/cream MkII coaching stock formation with cream/green
Pride of the Nation's MkI 3119 also included.
The final 2006 Summer Saturday Virgin XC 'holiday' HST diagrams were covered as
follows;- GNER 43038 + 43105 with 1C02 07.35 Temple Meads-Paignton/ 1E46 10.22
Paignton-Newcastle, MML 43048 + 435056 1V49 09.41 Newcastle-Newquay/ 2C75 19.15
Newquay-Plymouth, MML 43058 + 43104 2C34 06.51 Plymouth-Newquay/ 1E47 09.40
Newquay-Newcastle and MML 43044 + 43081 1V29 07.24 Manchester-Newquay/ 1M28
15.22 Newquay-Newcastle. A summary from the year's magazines, found 18 different
GNER power cars were used, these being;
43006/038/039/045/049/096/43102/105/108/110/111/113/114
43115/116/118 /120/167. All made single appearances except 43039, 43113 (both
twice) and 43038, 43105 (three times each). Of the MML power cars 22 different
ones were used these being;
43043/044/045/047/048/049/051/052/054/056/058/061/064/066/072/073/074/075/076.
43081/104/166. The most used were 43066, 43081 both nine times, 43054, 43058
both with seven workings and 43104 used five times. On the freight side DRS
66409 was again used on the 4V60 Calvert-Bath/Barrow road refuse containers
running on a Saturday due to the previous August bank holiday Monday. Further
Trans-Pennine 'hire' units arrived in the area with 158760 + 158766 running as a
5Z98 09.00 Heaton-Exeter move.
03/09 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked Pastime Rail's final 'Torbay Express'
(1Z27 09.19 Temple Meads-Kingswear and 1Z28 return) ran, this being the final of
nine trains operated for this year all headed by this loco ( with one being
cancelled due to a fire risk steam ban on 29/07 planned for A4 60009 Union of
South Africa).
04/09 66132 noted with southbound stone train at 16.15
05/09 47810 worked a Long Marston-Laira stock move formed with;- 11065 (acting
as a barrier coach), 44042, 41161, 42115, 42338, 42336, 41096, 42178, 10235
(acting as a second barrier coach).
06/09 67017 + Royal 67005 top n'tailed a Manchester-Bath and return Northern
Belle dining special. South-West trains driver's called off their strike planned
for 08/09 and 11/09 following negotiations regarding taxi use for early and late
night shifts.
07/09 Probably the local 'working of the year' saw Freightliner Heavy-Haul
rescue the DRS 6M67 12.03 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks!. 66620 (noted
carrying an 'unofficial' name Buccaneer) ran light-engine from Kingsland Road-Bridgwater
to assist the two wagon train formed with 37605 + 20307, the latter reported
failed. The convoy passed through the Bristol area some three hours down during
the late afternoon.
An HST power car naming took place at platform 4 during the morning with newly
re-engined First/GW 43097 named Environment Agency. This was to mark the
government body's 10th anniversary, in attendance were its chairman Sir John
Harman and First/GW managing director Alison Forester. The power car, one of
several so far fitted with a more environmentally friendly new MTU 16V 4000
engine, was named to recognise the Bristol based agency's role in managing the
effects of climate change. All 117 First/GW HST power cars are to receive this
engine type by the end of 2007 providing a more efficient and quieter operation
with lower emissions.
08/09 DRS class 37s were back covering the Friday's NRMT HST in the usual top
n'tail formation believed to be covering the Paddington-Taunton-Swindon-Swansea
diagram.
09/09 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked a 'Sir John Betjeman Centenary' Northern
Belle dining special (1Z24 10.11 Paddington-Temple Meads and 1Z25 17.03 return)
commemorating the birth of the late poet and writer, the city of Bristol being
one of his favourite places. 800 guests including relatives, family friends and
tv personalities attended a service of remembrance at St. Mary Redcliffe church.
11/09 57303 + 57304 ran north light-engine as 0Z62 07.00 Laira-Oxley c.s., the
latter having failed on West Country standby duty during the previous couple of
days as the highest tides of the year along with bad weather could have caused
problems for Voyager units on the Dawlish seawall. As it was the weather stayed
'calm' over the weekend. Silver EWS liveried 67029 was seen on Barton Hill depot
during the morning, whilst later DRS 66407 ('on hire' to Freightliner
Heavy-haul) worked the 4V60 Avon area refuse containers.
12/09 A planned FM-Rail 07.30 Sheffield-Paignton and 17.45 return 'merrymaker'
excursion was cancelled.
14/09 A body found on the Great Western main-line in West London saw some late
evening running with Paddington station closed. Arriva Trains Wales 142069
became the latest arrival at Barton Hill depot for overhaul and Cotswold-Rail
47813 ran 5Z74 11.00 Old Oak Common-St. Phillips Marsh with two barrier coaches.
The new Brunel 200 mural was finally unveiled on the wall behind platform 1
(also see December 2005 and May 2006 Magazines). Problems with its construction
saw a change of material used from steel to aluminium.
15/09 The NRMT was still in the hands of DRS Class 37s in a top n'tail
formation, being recorded with 37607 + 37608 running as 1C00 14.49
Paddington-Temple Meads, (arriving around 20 minutes early) and 1A00 17.32
Temple Meads-Paddington again running early being noted passing Narroways Hill
junction at 17.15.
16/09 57303 made a second visit for the month, to the area working Pathfinder
tour's 'Virgin Territorial' (1Z64 06.18 Worcester Shrub Hill-Penzance and 1Z65
16.35 return). The train, routed both ways via the Severn Tunnel and Bristol was
running nearly an hour down due to the late arrival of the coaching stock at
Worcester. The departure time was adjusted at Penzance to 17.10 because of the
late running, although the working was noted passing Nailsea & Backwell at
20.52 not far off its booked Temple Meads departure time of 21.02. The coaching
stock was recorded as; 6107, 5946, 3364, 3334, 1699, 3330, 3348, 3426, 9527.
Another special passenger working noted during the day was 67020 with VSOE ECS
which ran as 5Z82 13.01 Gloucester-Bristol East loop (booked 13.58) and 5Z83
16.15 return to Gloucester.
On the freight side; 60019 was on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks (now
running on a Saturday instead of a Friday) routed via Bath and earlier 66008
worked the 6B80 Westbury-Machen empties and 6C80 return loaded stone.
17/09 More First/GW train delays and cancellations following a trackside fire at
a recycling plant near Langley. A 200 metre 'exclusion zone' was set up around
the incident after gas cylinders had exploded, which closed both the main and
relief lines for six hours as signalling cables had been damaged. Arson was
suspected, the fire is thought to have been started in a small bin.
18/09 60020 was in charge of the late running 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol East
depot (and 6C02 return empties) steel trip.
19/09 59103 was unusually employed on the Westbury-St. Phillips Marsh fuel
tanks.
20/09 Having worked a St. Phillips Marsh-Laira First/GW HST power car stock
move, 47810 returned as 0Z47 14.30 Laira-Gloucester light-engine. A
Victoria-Bath/Bristol VSOE excursion was headed by 67020.
21/09 Freightliner Heavy-haul 47811 on a route learning light-engine trip from
Kingsland Road-Westbury (via Taunton) was used on an HST failure 'drag' between
Exeter and Plymouth.
22/09 60094 + 66128 were paired on the morning 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ
departmental and 66006 powered the 6C01/6C02 Bristol East depot steel trip.
23/09 66119 was on the 6B80/6C80 Westbury-Machen stone train. A railtour
cancellation for the day was a Cotswold-Rail/Heartland tours outing to Penzance.
24/09 57316 (the West Country 'thunderbird' rescue loco since at least the
21/09) hauled Voyager set 221140 as 5Z74 18.50 Newton Abbot-Barton Hill depot.
25/09 Cotswold-Rail 47810 ran 0Z83 09.45 Gloucester-Laira light-engine,
returning as 5Z83 14.30 Laira-St. Phillips Marsh hauling First/GW sleeper coach
10563 + HST power car 43183. The move was recorded passing Yatton near enough to
time at 16.34, having been earlier in the day running up to 25 minutes early!
The Class 47 later worked a 5Z85 18.29 St. Phillips Marsh-Gloucester move.
The new engineers stabling sidings at Taunton Fairwaters were brought into use,
with a 6Z33 09.47 Bristol-Fairwater yard track renewal train booked to run. This
train however was late running, being noted passing Filton Abbey Wood at 12.25
in a top n'tail formation with Freightliner Heavy-Haul locos 66620 + 66604. The
mid 1940's laid sidings, a mile west of Taunton, initially saw use as a track
pre-assembly depot with a dedicated shunting loco, one of a number of yards on
the former Western Region. There followed use as a civil engineers depot before
a rundown, finally ending up as a wagon storage site. The yard is expected to be
used for track renewal trains working in the West of England and will be served
with ballast trains from Westbury, 47811 being in charge of the day's trains.
It has still not been confirmed whether a loco stabling and fuelling point is to
be built nearby, until then light loco movements will take place, as required to
and from Kingsland Road, Bristol.
66561 headed LE west through Temple Meads about 09.32. 66039 headed east on the
up through with a train of SSA scrap wagons at 18.50.
26/09 66604/622 were waiting on the up through LE at 09.45.
27/09 Inter-City liveried 31454 ran 0Z31 14.30 Canton-Newton Abbot.
28/09 Virgin XC commenced another 'hire' spell using a MML HST set, from today
possibly through to December to cover the following Voyager diagram; 1V05 06.05
Derby-Plymouth and 1E47 11.45 Plymouth-Newcastle, power cars 43056 + 43066 being
in use today. There was much confusion during the late afternoon with an ECS
move destined for the West Somerset Railway. A 5Z33 12.30 Barrow Hill-Bishop's
Lydeard headed by 31128 + 31452 + 45112 was 43 minutes late at Clay Cross (being
booked to pass Westerleigh junction at 16.05) was terminated at Derby at 16.49!
Two test trains passed through the area during the evening;- DRS 37607 + 37608
top n'tailed a 4Z10 15.35 Derby-Taunton-Derby working (with coaching stock
62630, 999606, 72631) being noted slowing for Yatton down loop at 20.01, whilst
later 31454 + 31106 top n'tailed a 4Z07 18.34 Newton Abbot Hackney
yard-Worcester ultrasonic test train, being noted on the up through at Temple
Meads at 22.52.
29/09 The previous day's ECS move was reported on the move again, with the same
three locos as 5Z31 09.30 Mantle Lane-Bishop's Lydeard. However the working was
eventually diverted to Salisbury ready for a steam hauled railtour to the West
Somerset Railway using steam loco 45231 Worcestershire & Sherwood Forester
with a Steam Dreams 'Cathederals' 07.40 Victoria-Minehead special on the 30/09.
43058 + 43085 were the MML HST power cars in use on the Virgin XC Voyager
diagram during the day.
At Bristol East depot steel terminal, Clugston distribution have introduced a
third forklift truck, supplied by Bristol Forklifts, of Patchway for use. A
seven, sixteen and now 25-tonne lifting capacity truck is now in use as steel
loads, originating from the North-East have become larger on the daily trip
working from Newport ADJ yard.
Gloucestershire
02/09 Cotswold-Rail 47810 hauled re-engined First/GW HST power car 43094 from
Brush Loughborough to Gloucester.
04/09 HST power car 43094 was moved onwards from Gloucester-Landore again by
47810. The sidings held 47033/200/316/714/810 with stock 10235 11065 12172.
10/09 Riviera Trains owned 47812 returned the previous day's 'Liverpool'
railtour stock (also see Bristol Notes & News) via Gloucester, Stroud and
Kemble as 15.30 Cardiff Canton-Old Oak Common.
12/09 The 6X52 16.30 Portbury-Washwood Heath loaded cars were seen passing
Gloucester New yard at 18.17 behind 60004 in place of the normal Class 66.
16/09 67020 worked a 1Z82 09.25 Victoria-Gloucester (via Kemble) VSOE and 1Z83
return. The ECS was interestingly stabled at Bristol East depot (also see
Bristol Notes & News).
25/09 Steam 6201 Princess Elizabeth ran 5Z01 13.43 Kidderminster SVR-Didcot loco
and support coach (via Stroud and Kemble).
Weekend engineering works will see the mainline closed between Cheltenham and
Birmingham from the end of September through to December. Steel services are
reported as to be either cancelled or routed via Hereford, with the Saturday's
(as required) 6E41 10.18 Westerleigh-Humber fuel tanks diverted via Stroud, the
'Golden Valley' and Kemble, after the loco has run-round at Gloucester.
Portbury Branchline
12/09 60004 was unusual power for the 6X52 16.30 loaded cars to Washwood
Heath.
Other locos noted on this service during the month have included;
01/08 66171. 19/09 66066. 21/09 66009.
The laying of the new arrival/departure line for the coal terminal continues
with the cripple siding moved and reconnected to the new line on 23/09 and the
previously unconnected point beneath the M5 road over bridge being connected to
the newly laid track on 30/09. Both these dates were Sundays.
Locos recorded on coal duty have included; 66054/091/108/154/164.
Units noted this period included
143603/611/612/617/621.
150219/221/232/234/239/241/242/243/248/254/266.
153302/305/368/374/377.
158750/760/762/763/765/766/855/863/871.
220008/010/015/016/017/018/021/023/025/027/031/033/034
221112/115/116/119/122/128/129/130/136/140/141/142.
SOUTH WALES AREA
Cardiff Central
01/09 50049 was in charge of the 1B96 10:57 Cardiff - Fishguard service.
08/09 50049 was again in charge of the Fishguard. 37608 + 37611 headed 1Z94
Swansea Derby test train instead of the normal HST formation.
09/09 Today was the last loco hauled Fishguard service 50049 was in charge, the
service was routed via the Vale of Glamorgan.
Newport
01/09 66055/125/181/193/208/539
04/09 66542 headed the 6Z92 Hitchin - Tidal scrap train before running light to
Kingsland Road, earlier 66506 ran light to Pengam to pick up a rake of VTG
hoppers for Briton Ferry. Also noted were 66078/090/125/144/188/193/212.
05/09 59202 hauled a Westbury - Machen, also noted at
66016/078/079/099/144/164/188/199/236.
06/11 66611 headed the 6Z92 Hitchin - Tidal scrap service at 09:05, returning
later light to Kingsland road.
08/09 09101/102. 66123.
09/09 A railtour double headed by Halls 4953 + 4965 from Barnt Green to Newport.
12/09 37602 + 37605 hauled a 1Z14 Worcester - Swansea Network Rail test train.
14/09 66409 hauled 6V60 Angerstein-Pengam empty stone service.
15/09 37602 + 37605 returned as 1Z14 Swansea - Derby.
16/09 57303 hauled a Worcester Foregate - Penzance service via Maindee East
Curve at 08:51. 66409 + 66407 + 66617 passed East Usk at 12:05 light engine, as
0Z666 Kingsland Road - Crewe.
19/09 50031 + 50049 top and tailed a ECS from Cardiff returning the stock used
on the Fishguard service.
21/11 66614 headed the 6Z92 Hitchin - Tidal scrap service at 09:50, it was later
noted stabled at Cardiff Central in the company of 66564.
29/09 60019. 66039/119/175/217/250/574
Units noted this period included
142069
150208/219/221/243/244/249
153373
158747/751/818/821/828/834/838/850/963/964
170117/501/516/517/520
180108/110/111
175008/102/103/105
Tidal Sidings/Steelworks
25/09 08939
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
Avon "BinLiner"
31/08 66515. 01/09 66409. 02/09 66409. 04/09 66409. 11/09 66407.
15/09 66409. 22/09 66561. 25/09 66553.
4V08 Crewe - Wentlooge.
01/09 66539. 06/09 66572. 08/09 66570. 11/09 66543. 13/09 66536.
14/09 66517. 15/09 66577. 19/09 66577. 20/09 66541. 27/09 66571.
28/09 66567. 28/09 66574.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh
01/09 60072. 02/09 60019. 07/09 60059. 08/09 60072. 11/09 60028.
12/09 60028. 14/09 60059. 15/09 60028. 19/09 60072. 20/09 60047.
21/09 60047. 22/09 60078. 26/09 60034. 28/09 60034. 29/09 60062.
6M33 16.23 SX Avonmouth-Wembley
01/09 66201. 07/09 67023 + 67027. 11/09 67023 + 67029.
12/09 67023 + 67029. 13/09 67023 + 67029. 14/09 67023 + 67029.
15/09 67023 + 67027. 20/09 67005 + 67011. 21/09 67005 + 67011.
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
Welcome to another month's review of the freight scene and any other bits and
bobs of news that may be of interest. Actually, it's with some items of news
concerning freight vehicles that I will begin this month's epistle. Noted
recently at Willesden in the consist of a northbound intermodal service was
Austatte flat 33.68.4909.155-6. Nothing strange about that you may well think,
but this particular vehicle is not listed in the "number books" as
existing. Whether it was a vehicle renumbered for use on other traffic and has
been returned to its original identity is not known. Also the British
curtain-sided vehicles in the 33.70.4666.xxx series which were, I believe,
stored at Newport are being seen in traffic. Other news has noted the Ford flats
in the 33.87.4438.xxx series, which were seeing less use due to a downturn in
Ford traffic, have been seen on food traffic at Tilbury! Whilst mentioning
stored vehicles, at Wembley Euro Terminal there are approximately a dozen or so
33.80.2398.xxx vans which appear not to be used; at Brent there are twenty-six
33.70.4739.xxx "cube" vehicles apparently stored, along with a dozen
of the new Metronet 503xxx vehicles. These latter wagons are believed just be
awaiting final maintenance before commissioning. There are also five of the
210xxx engineers' "cage" vehicles at Wembley. On to the sightings from
the last month now. I have recently spent a week down at Christchurh in Dorset
on a holiday, and it reminded me just how busy the area can be for freight if
you get the right time. So, for a location visit why not try Eastleigh which can
be very busy late afternoon on weekdays or Southampton Central station. Anyone
just wanting movement will be very pleased with this latter location as there
are quite a few freight movements during the late afternoon/early evening to and
from the Freightliner terminals at Millbrook and Maritime and engineers from and
to Eastleigh. Whilst mentioning engineers' services a day trip down to Weymouth
during the break saw 66616 in the siding at the side of Wool station with a
train of sand in the old ARC PGAs. This siding was formerly used by the MoD for
traffic to and from Bovingdom Camp, but the siding was lifted and replaced by a
car park! However, time has returned it to a siding! Mentioning Weymouth (and
not freight) 450120 was noted on test there on 4th October. Just one more thing
from the Dorset holiday, at Brockenhurst, just to the west of the station, on
the down side, and probably mentioned before, are two 'Loriot' four-wheel well
wagons, 904131 and 904132. They have been there for several years now, but are
still in situ. Due to the holiday my only Monday night out recently was on 9th
October at Leamington - and a busy night was had. Noted was the new Freightliner
service from Birch Coppice to Southampton, hauled by 66541. The train consisted
of the following vehicles: 608118, 608117, 608404, 607082, 607017, 608315,
608385, 608166, 640423, 640424, 93297, 97704, 92616, 97748, 97723, 97714, 07726,
97717, 608418, 607098, 607055, 608417. The MoD service on this particular date
was an interesting one also. Hauled by 66174, the train consisted of: 394536/
725/ 286/ 331/ 542/ 109/ 304/ 597/ 390/ 892/ 581/ 147, 396002, 391236, 610082/
081/ 277/ 278/ 93214/ 236/ 221. Mixed bag to say the least! That's all for this
time, apologies for lack of sightings but more next month. Bye for now!
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
47848(CP)-KM, 58004 - ret'd to UK, 66010 - to France
IWRP: 43092/097/098/122/153/154/155/158/194/198
HNRS: 20016/057/081/092/105/132/138/902/904. 37010/100/131/170/178/667/672/898
(Re-registered )
MBDL: 37906 -KR (Re-registered)
Stored
31107. 47200. 92031.
BH: 86101. CE: 90019. 90031. DF: 31107. GL: 47200.
LM: 37220. 43068. 87032. OC: 37422. TO: 60040.
Traffic
37680 -BH,60002/017/019/020/025/026/028/035/042/051/053/058/060/062,
60072/073/082/095 -IM, 92004 -CE, 92028 -WB(GBAC), 92039 -CE.
Disposals
Booths: 47365 Sold(NK): 47236.
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
156488/489(NL)-NH, 158750(PM)/760/761/766(NL)-CF, 792/794(EX)-NL
Stored
158800 - ZB
Traffic
185127/128/129/130/131/132 -AK.
Disposals
Booth: 51506. 54393
New Stock
185135/136/137/140 -hq
Electric Multiple Units
Transfers
377153(BI)-SU
Stored
WD: 458005/008/014/016/017/022/024
Traffic
450111/112/113/114/115/116 -NT
Disposals
Sims(Npt): BR(S): 6308/09. Cars: 70737(310052), 76202(310068)
New Stock
450117/118 -hq
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Stored
12172.
CS: 96210. Gl: 10231. 82134. LA: 41096/161. 42115/178. 44042.
LM: 10588. 11086/089/097. 12038/104/121. ML: 94413.
OY: 5779/89. 5812/88/97. 5948. 6001/45/49. 6134/51/64. 9479.
12092/128/139. Coalville: 6167. 6806/20. 9704/09.
ZD: 41045/059/163/166. 42093/094/105/108/175/176/177/336/338. 44026/081.
Traffic
6035/66. 6124/70. 9521/24 -CF, 94412/514/534 -ML
Withdrawn
5775/78. 5822/63. 6030/55/62. 6105/16. 35509. 10510/695.
80386. 94175/202/226. 94407/449/453/506. 96212. 975898/899. 977510.
Disposals
Booth: 10510/695. 35509. 80386. 94449. 975898/899. 977510.
Thomson: 94175/202/226. 94453/506.
JT Land: 5775/78. 5822/63. 6030/55/62. 6105/16.
GC Ruddington: 94407. Dartmoor: 96212.
PRESERVATION AND INDUSTRIAL MATTERS
Further information; Midsomer Norton (16/07/06).
Coach M5562 has now been confirmed as former BSK M34527, and BTU departmental
van ADB975470.
Isle of Wight (05/09/06) R.W.Giles
Isle of Wight Railway Co. Ltd Haven Street
In Use; Waggoner (Army 92) (HE 3792/53) with c/stock; S2416, S6349, 4112, 6369,
2515, 2343, 6336. Loco Shed area;- steam; 11 Newport (Btn 1878). W8 Freshwater (Bton
1876). W24 (Calbourne) (9E 341/1891). (38) Ajax (AB1605/18). Army 198 Royal
Engineer (HE3798/53). 37 Invincible (HL 3135/15). ex. BR; 41313. ex. BR diesel;
D2059 (Edward). D2554 (05001). industrial diesel; ARMY235 (AB371/45). c/stock;
SR vans; S1046. (S1603). Departmental; DB975967. grounded bodies; (S1750).
(ADS70014/S752S). with another unidentified SR Van, either S1048
(S1720/DS70257/082056) or S1617 ? Inside Works ;- loco parts; side tanks from
Calbourne, with more parts from this loco grounded outside. c/stock; 6378.
Griffin Field sidings/headshunts
Trolleys; (DX68809) (Perm 010/86). (DX68810) (Perm 011/86). DS3320 PWM3320 (Wkm
6645/53). c/stock; 4145. SR vans; S210. (S1566). (S1669). Departmental; DS70239.
sheeted over coach and an unidentified coach body sheeted over on a bogie flat
wagon. 6-wheel crane+runner; 429s.
Rear over-flow car-park
Around 10? grounded wooden coach bodies were present, one carried 4116.
Car park behind signal box
grounded coach bodies; 2403 with another wooden 4 wheel unidentified coach.
East Bridge No.9
Grounded SR Van body; (S1783) assumed. (in S&T use).
Goose Field? (opp abve on other side of running line) off track
SR Vans; (S1052/S1692/082975) assumed. S1803/930 along with two unidentified 4
wheel wooden coach bodies.
Main car-park, isolated track section
Crane; 1 ton Taylor, Birkenhead..
Wootton Station platform
Grounded SR Van body; S1497.
Electric Railway
EMU units in use; 004/006.
Ryde St. Johns Depot
EMU units; 002/007/008/009.
Notes; The boiler of W24 Calbourne was away at the L&NWR works at Crewe.
41313 was the most recent arrival from Quainton on 03/08/06, 41298 is also due
to be moved to the island from the same location in the future. Coach 6378
(No.233) was undergoing an overhaul in the workshop.
East bridge No.9 and the Goose field were locations as listed in a 1994 stock
book for the line.
Health & Safety regulations prevented a visit around the depot area, but all
could be identified as listed in 14EL from around the site. The only item
unconfirmed was the 4wDMR Bg/DC 1647/27 dismantled, which was assumed to be in
the Griffin field sidings area.
The railway is hoping for a lottery grant towards a new four track rolling stock
storage and display building which is to be built in the Griffin field area,
also known as the 'show field'. A cost of around £625,00 is projected, with
£125,000 hoped to be raised by appeals by the railway.
On the electric railway, all six EMU sets were noted, the only other items of
stock were two or three wagons left in the long head-shunt, former running line
(?) from Ryde depot towards Smallbrook junction. 002/004/006/007 are all in the
island unique 'dinosaur livery', whilst 007 and 009 carry London Transport
underground red. No side numbers are carried externally, the latter two carry no
set numbers, but an employee at the depot said the numbers are set in the old
destination headcodes. Of the two ends observed, these had been moved to 017 (viz
007) and 019 (viz 009)!!
TRIP REPORTS
ALAN KEEF OPEN DAY 02/09/06 J. Dicks.
J. Golding, Kingswood
Industrials BE 1 RH 221561/43: Yard No. 766 RH 414300/57
Horton Road
47200 Fosse Way/316 + 3 others Track Machines 73805 75406 77323
Bradshaw's, Tewkesbury
8 Case/Poclain 988 CGG 0232332/03, 24 Case/Poclain 988 CGG 0232253/02
38 Caterpillar D4H 8BP 02707, 47 Case/Poclain 988 CGG 0232312/02,
52 Liebherr A312 5511131/99, 57 Liebherr A312 5510738/96, 59 Liebherr A312
5510814/97, 65 Thwaites 1-92679/97, 87 Philmoor Trailer 2038/00,
89 Philmoor Trailer 2070/00, 100 Philmoor Trailer 2191/02, 101 Philmoor Trailer
2192/02, 103 Philmoor Trailer 2142/01, 104 Philmoor Trailer 2143/01, 105
Philmoor Trailer 2197/02, 111 Thwaites A3306/03, 115 Philmoor Trailer 2261/04.
Honeybourne Airfield Industrial Estate
GW Steam Engine Tender (3,500 gall?): ADW150142 (GWR 2501): Internal User 070837
(Ex Honeybourne Tip): Toad Brakevans 17464 22346: BR Brake 950155: Wagon Frames
52137 52243 75745: Gunpowder Van/Iron Mink W16908: Vanwide 783769: U/I vans GWR
Banana, GWR(BR built), LMS(Poss Caledonian or L & Y design): LNER.
Allelys, Studley
08699/809 47767/803 86424: Demus 60822 67301(Set 7001): Industrial Teucer VF/DC
D294/ DC2567/55 Coaches 3300/337/429 10555 24458 34042 72608/ 702 (U/I coach
from Gatwick Set 8205) 94101 Departmental ADB975723
D. J. Craddock & Sons, Beoley
Industrials Yard No.P261 HE 2254/40: HE 3149/44: HC D752/49 (All Ex P102 13EL)
Harrington Old Station
Coach 10557(g)
Evesham Vale Light Railway
Narrow Gauge Dougal SL 1970, 5751 Prince William G&S 1949, St. Egwin(sic)
ESR 312/03, L 41545/55: Eddy/Knowell 2002, Eddy/Knowell 2004:
Notes
1. Cromwell was in pieces and locked in a shed. It was not on public display.
2. The boiler of Cagney (Ex Canada) was on site but the rest was at a private
location as was the Morse loco.
Park's Farm, Evesham
Coach S1485(g)
Alan Keef Open Day, Lea-on-Wye I
Industrials 3' 0" Gauge 5 Slieve Callan D 2890/1892: Handyman HC 573/1900:
900mm Gauge OK 5102/12 (frame only): HE 9282/88 (identified by AK as 9285): Mary
RSL106 RFS L106/89: 2' 6" Gauge ND 3308 GB 3547/48: Bill RH 221625/43 (ex
P28) 2' 0" Gauge Taffy AK 30/94(in steam): Pixie WB 2090/19 (In steam Ex
P126): Woto WB 2133/24 Dsm: Skippy AK 2/76: BLW 44656/17 (Ex P26, 13EL): 37 EEDK
760/30 (Ex P177): HE 9332/94 (ex Singapore): Lady Jean HE 9334/94 (Ex Singapore)
MR 7066/38 Dsm: MR 8875/44 Dsm: Sir Toby MR 8877/44 (ex P99, 13EL): Digger MR
8882/44: MR 8995/46 Dsm: MR 40SD502/75: Jenny Sch 5239/41: Lindsay Sch 5240/91:
WR 1393/39: Monorail 002 AK M002/89: 003 AK M003/89
Perrygrove Railway, Coleford
1' 3" Gauge Spirit of Adventure ESR 295/9 (In steam): LJ 1990: 3 Ursula
Waterfield 1999 (In steam): HE 9337/94: MR 26014/67 (Located at the far end of
the line): Also here are the frames of Ella - under construction)
GWR Museum, Coleford: Industrial 182 P 1895/36 GWR Brake W35959 Internal User 061032 Miniature - 7 1/4" Gauge 2091 Victor K. Hardy 1980: English Electric I. Smith 1980: "Maud" - under construction: 45110: LSWR 0-4-0T: GWR Tank 4850. Model locos of 4 1/2" Gauge were also present.
Lydney Junction
27006 33065 73002/101 Emu Sets 1392 1499 Coach 92387
Newport. (R. PERRY & J. DICKS) 17.10.06.
Newport Docks
09105 66234 66614/617/618/619
Alexandra Dock Junction
60025 Caledonian Paper 66107//224/248 DMU 170639 passing
Newport Station
43029/030 The Christian Lewis Trust/034 The Black Horse/128 60025 Caledonian
Paper 66026/071/147/207 66408 66532 P&O Nedlloyd Atlas DMU 150249
158762/782/835/859/965 170105 170510 175116