NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
08/05 59202 departed just before 16.00 late on 6C64 14.20 loaded imported
Irish stone to Westbury formed of 18 Hanson JHA hoppers.
09/05 Unusually, another 6C64 operated (normally this being a once weekly
service) headed by 60022, passing Brentry again late this time at 18.40!
14/05 37406 + 37422 were very rare visitors arriving light-engine from Newport
having worked into South Wales on a railtour. The locos collected the empty vans
for the 6M33 16.21 'enterprise' freight to Wembley from the Chittening
Industrial estate later running round the train in the Bulk Handling terminal
around 14.30. The train was to depart early being noted passing Hallen village
at 16.10. 67025 would have been the booked 6M33 loco (which normally stables at
Barton Hill over the weekend) but was needed for the railtour, which had used
the Class 37s over the Central Wales line in place of a Royal Class 67, this
Class being banned over this route. This is not the first Class 37 appearance on
the 6M33, 37670 has the honour, working the train on 14/04/03, this freight
having first operated from early October 2001.
During the middle of the month Didcot imported coal departures were suspended
due to track works taking place on the power station's internal lines
31/05 From the previous week, the Irish imported stone now loads on the West
Wharf quayside, 66006 being noted arriving here at 12.32 with the 6C63 10.17 ex.
Westbury yard empty Hanson hoppers, alongside the Aasheim, which along with the
Aastun are the regular two ships used between Belfast and Avonmouth on this
stone-flow. It was noticed on the day that at least three Hanson wagons had been
detached for loading separately in the more regular Bennett's loading area where
a stone stockpile still remains.
St.Modwin properties continue to develop the former Zinc Smelting works
alongside Kingsweston Lane. Although the company specialises in purchasing land,
often rail connected, clearing the site and rebuild purpose built warehouses for
customers, plans to use the internal rail system here are not under
consideration. The property company also own the Long Marston and Eastleigh
works sites where rail is still used. Nearby, contaminated land (adjacent to the
former Pasminco rail sidings) amounting to 31 hectares (76 acres), a brown field
site at Merebank and Lakeside, which has been vacant for 30 years due to its
previous use in dealing with mustard gas, phosphoric acid and wood preservative
manufacture is now being developed with new roads and warehouses. Again whether
the surviving sidings will see further use is unknown. Construction material,
brought in by road has been used to form a cap across the ground so people do
not come into contact with any remaining dangerous materials.
At Montpelier station, vandals have covered a mural only completed during the
middle of the month with tags, First/GW are now offering a £500 reward to
identify the persons responsible. The new mural was painted on the ground floor
of the station building by professional artists, with schools and local
businesses assisting, a new station garden has also been created. First/GW plan
to install CCTV cameras at this station to monitor activity as it has become a
graffiti 'hotspot'.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month has included
66040/053/066/100/134/149/164/167/179/196/199/224.
08405 continues as the area shunting pilot.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
01/05 Having stabled here light-engine overnight, DRS 37510 worked a 6Z37
09.10 Stoke Gifford-Ashford stoneblower move.
02/05 Anglian 'One' liveried 47818 (which has not been seen in the Bristol area
for sometime, having been out-based in East Anglia) passed at 21.25 in the up
direction hauling a single First/GW liveried coach.
03/05 60055 worked the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties. Observations at
Pilning during the afternoon recorded 60025 on 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel
tanks (16.03), 66111 on an up MoD freight service at 16.39, 66510 with stone
empties down at 17.05 and 66053 with loaded coal HTAs also down at 17.26. The
former 4B24 (FX) Didcot-Wentlooge MoD, 'Q' service has been reported as retimed
passing Severn Tunnel junction at 12.55, the return being the 20.30 Newport
ADJ-Didcot, the empty wagons normally being 'tripped' between Wentlooge and
Newport. A single MGR working seen this evening, 66156 with empties for Portbury.
04/05 66178 worked 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties and 60035 was on the 6B33
Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks.
07/05 Bank Holiday Monday and due to an engineering block between Cam and
Stonehouse, the 6B13 Robeston-Westerleigh fuel tanks were diverted and ran via
the Severn Tunnel and Parkway, with a reverse at Yate. The train was top
n'tailed by 60025 and 60092, being noted in Pilning loop at 11.20, then passing
Westerleigh junction at 12.30 (having taken a crew change at Parkway, the train
leaving here following the 10.30 Swansea-Paddington First/GW service, with power
cars 43040 + 43168). The return 6B47 17.10 Westerleigh-Robeston empties were
also routed the same way.
09/05 The new Platform 4 was opened at Parkway by Rail Minister Tom Harris, with
Network Rail route director Robbie Burns, MP Doug Naysmith and Alison Forster
managing director of First Great Western. The work costing £3 million was
funded by Network Rail with First/GW contributing £100,000 towards a new
waiting room and customer help point. This makes, the up platforms 4 and 3 an
island, with 3 being available for reversible working. The down platform 2 is
not signalled for reversible working, but in the long-term will become an island
platform also once funding for a new platform 1 becomes available using a down
goods loop. There was a mix-up reported on the opening day. The 07.30
Swansea-Paddington First/GW HST being the first train booked to call, but it was
cancelled, the following 08.00 being given the honours, but nobody had told the
driver and on the approach to Parkway the train was stopped as he queried why
the train was being signalled into the up goods loop!! Once in the platform due
to there being no coach number stop boards, the train was to stop in the wrong
place for the opening ceremony and was carrying double the amount of passengers
due to the preceding service having been cancelled!. There was a report of the
platform being closed after the train departed so new signage could be put in
place. Also during the day Virgin XC 'thunderbird' rescue loco 57302 was noted
heading in the up direction at 10.17.
10/05 Two afternoon freight services noted were 20303 + 20304 paired on the 6M67
Bridgwater-Crewe flasks (14.15) and 60041 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel
empties.
11/05 Another 'thunderbird' move saw 57314 pass up light-engine at 11.48.
14/05 Cotswold-Rail 47810 passed Bromsgrove at 18.04, later passing Parkway
hauling a 5Z86 14.20 Brush Loughborough-Landore stock move formed with two
barrier coaches and refurbished MTU re-engined 43027 + 43148 on each end.
15/05 A test train was noted stabled in the former Royal Mail railnet depot
platform during the evening formed;- 31105 + 31602 and coaches 977969, 62482,
6283. Earlier, 60045 had worked through the area on the 6B33 empty fuel tanks
for Robeston.
17/05 66510 passed at 19.20 on a late running 6V60 (ThO) 12.31 Angerstein-Pengam
empty stone train. Two workings recorded tonight, 66137 with MGR empties for
Portbury and 66510 with an eastbound stone train.
18/05 47853 worked a 5Z70 11.20 Reading-St. Phillips Marsh via Parkway stock
move having hauled a 5Z70 07.00 Laira-Old Oak Common working (via Westbury)
earlier in the day.
19/05 37410 + 37406 called with Pathfinder tour's 'Snowdonian' (1Z37 06.00
Cardiff-Pwllheli), the return running from Gloucester to South Wales via
Chepstow, with a road bus connection to Parkway, due to an engineering block
near Cam. Afternoon freight services recorded included;- 60020 on the 6B33 empty
fuel tanks and 66516 with the 4Z54 Tilbury-Wentlooge loaded containers.
20/05 37410 + 37406 passed at 10.43 (booked Pilning 10.57) on 5Z39 10.00
Cardiff-Old Oak Common ECS off the previous day's railtour. Local highlights for
the new First/GW timetable, which commenced today (which was reported to have
taken public comment into account) will see a new 12.34 Bristol TM-Westbury
service and an additional Keynsham stop for the 08.57 Brighton-Cardiff Central
service. The 05.35 Weymouth-Filton Abbeywood train is now extended to Cardiff,
also calling at Patchway and Newport, whilst the 18.02 Cheltenham Spa-Taunton
will now leave Temple Meads at 19.25, providing a later evening service for
users. Also two HST alterations will see the 17.00 Paddington-Temple Meads
service extended to Weston-super-Mare (19.25) also calling at Nailsea and Yatton
and the 23.30 Paddington-Temple Meads extended to Cardiff with a Newport stop
included.
21/05 66581 worked down stone empties at 10.28 and later 66566 appeared on up
stone at 12.56. 47813 handled a Brush Loughborough-Landore refurbished HST power
car stock move formed with 43151 + 43179. GBRf 66724 was also seen at 12.53 on a
Laira-Derby HST stock move.
22/05 Newly delivered 66587 was on the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook containers.
23/05 66590 worked the 4O51 containers.
24/05 Peak 45112 + 47813 passed down light-engine towards Temple Meads at 13.00,
returning northbound at 14.47. This was believed a test and fuelling run for the
Peak prior to week-end railtour use. 66510 was later recorded on down stone
empties at 16.40.
25/05 66588 was on the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook containers.
28/05 60092 was on the 6B33 Robeston fuel tank empties and Steam 6024 King
Edward I, following railtour duty, ran 5Z59 12.20 Barton Hill-Kidderminster with
support coach W35333 via Parkway.
31/05 A Freightliner container service was noted leaving the down loop at 11.35
with double-headed Class 66 locos, assumed to be a late running 4O51
Millbrook-Wentlooge which had suffered a failure.
Network-Rail are confirmed as seeking planning permission to change the former
Royal Mail rail-net depot into a personnel training centre. The depot closed
early in 2004 following the end of mail movements by rail, having been opened in
May 2000 at a cost of £6 million, and consists of a warehouse, offices and two
covered platforms. The site has seen occasional use since closure, the 12,000
square foot warehouse being used by Royal Mail as an extension to its Filton
West of England centre for Christmas sorting during 2006, and the platforms have
seen use as 'safe' stabling for locos and coaching stock from time to time. Only
sighting this evening was 66178 with a MGR empties for Portbury.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
27/04 Arriva Trains 150230 was present on Barton Hill depot.
01/05 'Thunderbird' 57301 ran 0Z57 06.55 Exeter-Bristol TM (via Westbury), and
0Z58 10.50 Bristol TM to Laira (via Bridgwater) driver route-learning
light-engine. 37218 + 37038 were paired on 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
02/05 66584 worked the 4V60 Calvert-Bath and Barrow Road refuse containers.
66156 noted with southbound MGR empties for Portbury at 16:50.
03/05 DRS 66420 passed through the area around 08.30 on a single flask wagon
Sellafield-Devonport working. Two MGR services seen within 5 minutes this
evening, at 18:00 66085 passed by with empties for Portbury and at 18:05 66021
headed north with empties from Westbury.
04/05 57301 wsas noted stabled on the former Bath Road depot stub, alongside
platform 15, whilst 57302 passed light-engine on an Oxley-Laira move.
05/05 Diversions were in place over the Bank Holiday weekend (until 07/05) with
engineering work taking place at Narroways Hill junction and north of Cam. From
01.00 (Sat)-23.59 (Mon) Birmingham-Bristol/West Country Virgin XC services were
diverted via Stroud, Swindon (reverse) and Bath (with around a one hour
additional journey time between Bristol and Cheltenham), whilst road bus
services operated between Gloucester, Bristol Parkway and Temple Meads to cover
First/GW train connections.
06/05 Engineering work continued until 08.30 (sun), with
Paddington-Bristol/South Wales services running via the Berks and Hants, with
road bus connections to Didcot, Swindon and Chippenham.
07/05 GBRf 66724 was booked to work a 6V11 Peterborough-Taunton Fairwater yard
concrete sleeper train onwards from Reading at 16.56, (but actually departing
here late at 17.55) via Bristol. The train however was diverted after passing
Chippenham to run via Melksham, Westbury and Castle Cary!
08/05 FLHH 66621 handled 6Z39 13.36 Neath-Newton Abbot loaded stone (running
around 30 minutes late), Mainline-blue/EWS stickered 60044 was in charge of the
6B83 (TO) Westbury-Machen and return 6C83 loaded stone, arriving in Westbury at
15.30. Cotswold-Rail 47813 hauled HST power car 43195 on a Laira-Brush
Loughborough working.
09/05 Steam loco 30777 Sir Lamiel (which has still not made a mainline
preservation appearance in Bristol) was replaced by (30)850 Lord Nelson on a
Steam Dreams 'Cathedrals Express' (1Z82 08.53 Victoria-Bristol and 1Z83 17.33
return), arriving in Bristol at 14.07, the ECS being stabled on platform 5 and 6
during the afternoon causing many platform alterations to booked train services!
Another arrival was the VSOE, top n'tailed by 67028 and 67015 on a Victoria-Bath
working, the ECS being stabled in East depot loop. On the freight side;- 60076
worked 6C02 Bristol East-Newport ADJ steel empties and 66547 was on the 4V60
Bath and Barrow Road refuse containers.
10/05 20303 + 20304 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and
66622 worked 6Z60 10.51 Neasden-Newton Abbot Hackney yard loaded sand (departing
45 minutes late), but recorded passing Worle (Weston-super-Mare) near enough to
time around 15.00. 47839 (which has replaced 47840 inworks for a repaint from
blue to green) on loan to GBRf worked a 5Z70 14.10 Old Oak Common-St. Phillips
Marsh move formed of two barrier coaches.
11/05 47839 headed a Derby-Laira refurbished HST stock move, formed with coaches
41096, 41161, 42178, 42201, 42336, 42338, 44042 and two barriers. MGR heading
for Westbury seen at 14:40 behind 66038.
12/05 Railtour activity during the day saw; Royal 67006 work 1Z64 07.40
Cardiff-Par and 1Z66 17.10 return Northern Belle dining trip (passing Pilning at
08.15, five minutes late) and Cotswold-Rail's 47810 + 47813 top n'tailing
coaches 9488, 5700, 5710, 6724, 6723 (all in First/GW green and white) 10231,
11029, 11033 (all in Cotswold-Rail silver), 11013 (in Virgin unbranded red) as
1Z55 05.25 Bristol TM-Whitby, for Heartland Tours. The locos and stock had
arrived as 5Z55 04.10 ex Gloucester. A further steam trip, again with substitute
hauling power was 1Z47 06.33 Ipswich-Temple Meads and 1Z48 16.45 on the Railway
Touring Company's 'Bath & Bristol' headed by 6024 King Edward I (in place of
34067 Tangmere) from and return to Didcot, with West Coast 47245 working the
non-steam parts of the journey.
13/05 The previous day's Cotswold-Rail ECS was noted stabled on the up through
canopy road, booked to return as 5Z56 11.19 Temple Meads-Gloucester.
14/05 Freight workings during the day included;- 66063 on 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol
East depot loaded steel, 66046 on 6C79 Parc Slip-Westbury cement works loaded
coal, 60044 on 6Z48 Westbury-Port Talbot empty MRL box wagons and loaded 6Z49
14.15 return slag (Pilning 17.40) and 66149 on 6C89 16.40 (MWFO) 16.40 Cardiff
Tidal-St.Blazey empty scrap wagons (Pilning 17.10).
15/05 37229 + 20302 worked the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and 47810
ran 0Z45 09.15 Bristol TM-Landore light-engine.
17/05 47853 was attached to the rear of the overnight First/GW 1C99 Paddington-Penzance
sleeper service.
19/05 Following the successful 'Two Halls to Newport' Vintage Trains trip in
September 2006, locos 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 4953 Pitchford Hall (the latter
making a preservation mainline debut in Bristol) headed 1Z57 08.38 Solihull-Temple
Meads and 1Z58 15.35 return 'Two Halls to Bristol' (routed, due to engineering
work out and back via Oxford) with coaching stock; W9101, W5177, W5157, W5191,
99353, 99361, 99349, W35470 (loco support coach), the ECS stabling at Bristol
West. The inward working was recorded passing Fenny Compton at 09.25 and Filton
Abbey Wood near enough to time at 12.45. The return (which departed to time) was
reported as to have started a tree fire near Westerleigh junction, the locos
being checked for any problems at Didcot. Also recorded during the day, were;
59201 on 6C80 (SO) 13.33 Machen-Westbury loaded stone (passing Stapleton Road at
15.29) and 66547 with 66608 which were stabled in Kingsland Road sidings.
Water-cannon derailment damaged and stored 67013 (the incident having taken
place towards the end of last year) was observed on Barton Hill depot carrying
an unofficial 'For Sale-One Owner' poster in one of it's cab windows! During the
evening, 67030 passed Nailsea & Backwell at 21.09 with a 5Z22 17.09
Crewe-Exeter ECS (formed of Anglian and former Virgin liveried coaches with DVT
9713 on the rear) for an Exeter-Paddington Conference League football play-off
final at Wembley between Exeter and Morecombe running via Westbury the following
day. Another ECS arrived in Exeter from Old Oak Common as 5Z21 (via Westbury)
headed by 67021 to work a second train to London for the final.
20/05 The First/GW 18.26 Taunton-Paddington HST service was cancelled due to
stock problems. Stabled on Kingsland Road were 66525/581/585/608.
21/05 GBRf 66724 passed Oldmixon (on the Weston-super-Mare avoiding line) at
11.50 with a 5Z45 10.00 Derby-Laira HST stock move (with two barrier coaches at
each end) for refurbishment, the coaches being 44001, 42107, 42185, 42184,
42183, 41094, 41093.
22/05 66724 returned west, passing Temple Meads at 15.35 on 5Z71 12.00
Derby-Laira with refurbished HST coaches 44060, 42090, 42309, 42308, 42347,
41081, 41108, the loco later working a Laira-Ilford move, via Westbury and two
days later a return Ilford-Laira refurbished HST stock move.
23/05 Preserved Peak 45112 + 47714 were booked to run from Gloucester-Birmingham
and return on a test working prior to railtour use, but actually worked 0Z47
12.30 Gloucester-St. Phillips Marsh additionally for fuelling, passing Standish
junction at 12.45. 57301 passed Bath down at 12.15 on a
Laira-Westbury-Bristol-Laira crew route learning light-engine.
24/05 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester worked 5Z71 07.01 Castleton-Barton Hill
(13.00) loco and support coach passing Cattybrook (near Pilning at 12.30).
26/05 71000 ran 5Z55 06.37 Barton Hill-Newport loco and support coach to work
the Railway Touring Company's 'The Southern Irishman' (1Z55 Birmingham
International-Fishguard) onwards from Newport. For the Division 1 play-off final
between Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City an additional 08.02 Weston-super-Mare to
Paddington service operated for travelling fans top n'tailed by 67026 + 67027.
The train ran via Bristol Parkway where it was reported as 30 minutes late.
Virgin XC are continuing their Summer Saturday use of HST 'hire' today's
workings (and these services are also to run on Saturdays 02/06, and from
07/07-08/09) were as follows;- 1C02 07.35 Bristol TM-Paignton/ 1E46 10.32
Paignton-Newcastle (GNER 43051 + 43057), 2C34 06.53 Plymouth-Newquay/ 1E47 09.40
Newquay-Newcastle (GNER 43099 + 43031, from Plymouth), 1V29 07.25 Manchester-Newquay/
1M28 15.22 Newquay-Manchester (MML 43046 + 43083) and 1V49 09.41 Newcastle-Newquay/
2P86 19.50 Newquay-Plymouth (MML 43052 + 43066)
27/05 Due to engineering works in the Westerleigh area, Virgin XC services were
diverted via Newport (reverse) and Chepstow to/from the North including the 1E53
15.35 (Sun) Plymouth-York formed with a MML HST set with power cars 43052 +
43066. Earlier, steam 6024 King Edward I worked the Railway Touring Company's
'Pembroke Coast Express' ( 1Z57 08.00 Bristol TM-Pembroke dock and 1Z58 14.50
return), the outward leg being delayed for around 45minutes due to over running
engineering work in the Lawrence Hill area.
28/05 Bank Holiday Monday and three railtour workings! Firstly, Pathfinder
Tour's 'Retro Retracer' departed to time with 59203 as 1Z59 05.09 Bristol
TM-Birmingham NS and 1Z93 20.14 return (with a selection of motive power in
between including a Class 56/3, 60, 92 and 40145 during a trip which took in
Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester). On return to Bristol, the ECS ran 5Z93 22.25
to Old Oak Common. Secondly, the Railway Touring Company's 'Devonian Duke' (1Z64
07.06 Paddington-Plymouth and 1Z65 16.32 return, originally booked to run via
Westbury) was headed by steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester onwards and return to
Temple Meads (West Coast Railway's 47826 and 47245 having arrived on the train
from London, the latter remaining on the up canopy road with coach 17015). The
outward was delayed slightly at Temple Meads (being noted passing Yatton at
10.13, the return passing Nailsea at 19.41, around 20 minutes early) due to the
train being routed via Badminton instead of Chippenham and Bath whose passengers
were road coached to Temple Meads. 47826 was recorded running light-engine in
front of the train, passing Malago at 09.38 and allowed 71000 to overtake at
Yatton whilst being looped. Thirdly, repainted green liveried 47840 North Star
(making its final mainline run prior to preservation on the West Somerset
Railway) double-headed 47828 and six coaches, with preserved Peak 45112 on the
rear, worked Heartlands 1Z47 08.10 Derby-Minehead (being noted in Yatton loop at
it's near enough booked time between 11.48-12.01 and the Peak top n'tailing the
1Z45 17.30 return with 47828 passing Nailsea at 19.41). The coaching stock
formations for each railtour was as follows;- 59203;- W21272, W3122, W3112,
1692, W3114, W3107, W3098, W1842, W5009, 4927, W5350, 71000;-5322, 5341, 3124,
3069, 1671 (3066), 3110, 3144 and 47840;- 11013, 11033, 11029, 6723, 6724, 9488.
Also noted during the day were;- 57304 heading westbound light-engine (Yatton
14.33), GBRf 66715 stabled in the former Bath Road depot stub near platform 15
and 66147 + 66040 which arrived on an up HTA loaded coal service (ex. Portbury)
on the down through road, the locos then detached and went light to Barton Hill,
assumed for fuel? At Barton Hill depot, track machine DR75406 was noted running
assumed 'on test' and 66510 and 66551 were both stabled in Kingsland Road
sidings.
29/05 GBRf 66715 worked 0Z66 07.30 Bristol TM-Laira light-engine, returning a
Laira-Derby stock move and steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester left the area as 5Z71
09.40 Barton Hill-Old Oak Common loco and support coach (via Bristol Parkway).
66151 noted heading a Westbury bound MGR service at 14:10.
30/05 66715 returned west with refurbished HST coaches as 5Z71 07.05
Derby-Laira, passing Yatton close to time at 10.52, formed 6336 (barrier),
41169, 42251, 42319, 42320, 42321, 44091, 6338. The VSOE, running as 1Z82 08.45
Victoria-Bristol TM and 1Z83 16.34 return was diesel hauled to and from Westbury
(having arrived here behind steam 35028 Clan Line) behind an unidentified loco.
31/05 66622 worked a further 6Z60 10.51 Neasden-Newton Abbot Hackney yard loaded
sand train (via Parkway).
Gloucester
01/05 Cotswold-Rail 47810 worked a Brush Loughborough-Landore stock move
formed with refurbished HST power car 43033.
03/05 Anglian liveried 47818 hauled HST power car 43071 from Gloucester-Brush
Loughborough for overhaul.
04/05 An engineering occupation between Cam and Stonehouse found
66507/510/547/606/611/619/622/623 all present in the area around 10.00.
07/05 Virgin XC diversions saw Voyager sets working over the
Swindon-Kemble-Standish junction line for the first time during the Spring Bank
holiday weekend. Recorded near Stroud during the afternoon were 221105 10.26
Newcastle-Plymouth (14.48), 221110 + 221102 12.25 Penzance-Glasgow (15.21),
221125 + 221133 09.00 Glasgow-Plymouth (16.14), 220009 + 221109 14.03 Paignton-Newcastle
(16.49).
09/05 47810 was present in Gloucester station running round 11 MkIIIs from Long
Marston for Derby, the train having already visited Worcester where the loco had
again run round!
19/05 67022 passed through the area with the VSOE as 1Z95 09.08
Victoria-Worcester and 1Z96 17.10 return.
28/05 47813 hauled repainted 47840, refurbished HST power car 43171 and two
barrier coaches as 5Z86 15.45 Brush Loughborough-Landore.
Portbury Branchline
Big news for the branch line is the expected addition of two new freight
flows during the Autumn. FLHH are to start a new imported loaded coal service to
Rugeley power station with three trains a day expected, the outward loaded
running via the Severn Tunnel and Hereford, the return empties back via
Charfield and Parkway. These trains could start in August, and it is believed, 9
more employees are to be taken on in the Bristol area by Freightliner including
drivers and ground staff as cover. Victa Westlink could be involved with a
Portbury-Long Marston movement of imported cars using the former First/GW
motorail wagons. The cars would then be distributed from the Midlands centre,
with a similar operation also taking place between Dagenham and Long Marston.
The current EWS operated car service, now sees the loco and wagons in use on a
Washwood Heath-Tyne dock move on return to the Midlands, the same loco being
recorded returning 24 hours later to Portbury. Empty wagons are conveyed inwards
and outwards as well as loaded both ways! The trains serving the port now are; -
6X51 03.07 Washwood Heath-Portbury (arr 06.36) and 6X52 16.30 Portbury-Washwood
Heath
11/05 A rare visitor to the line was 67014 (believed to be only the second class
member to work over the branch, the first being 67003 on a 6Z90 Avonmouth-Portbury
dock empty cartic transfer on 07/03/02). The loco arrived on 6X51, and is
assumed to have covered a loco failure and departed on 6X52, leaving late being
noted at Ashton Gate in heavy rain at 18.09.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66040/081/134/137/147/149/192/210.
The charity 'Coal Stone Haul' railtour visited this line on 3rd June with a
Class 50 and two Class 31s (not D1015 Western Champion as previously stated). A
full report for this trip will appear in next months Magazine.
Severn Beach.
The Severn Beach line has continued to be used as the route for the Virgin ECS working from Cardiff to Barton Hill on weekdays, also ballast trains have been heard passing through Montpelier late on Sunday evenings motive power not identified. The full quota of DMU types (excl 180) operated by FGW have been noted on this route during the month.
Units noted this period included
143611/617/618/619/620/621/624.
150221/233/243/244/247/249/263/265.
153369.
158745/746/748/749/751/760/761/762/763/764/765/769/771/776/778/798/815
158816/817/855/864/867/868/870/871/872.
159014.
220009/010/013/017/018/019/024/025/027/029/034.
221101/102/105/106/108/110/113/116/118/123/125/133/135/137/140.
180101/104/109.
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge.
01/05 66593. 03/05 66533. 04/05 66542. 08/05 66538. 09/05 57003.
10/05 66539. 11/05 66535. 14/05 66535. 15/06 66538. 16/05 66537.
17/05 66587. 18/05 66572. 23/05 66590. 29/05 66577. 30/05 66579.
31/05 66542 + 66533.
Bristol - Calvert Binliner
01/05 66584. 11/05 66547. 22/05 66551. 29/05 66510.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight service
03/05 67025 + 67027. 07/05 67026. 08/05 67026. 09/05 67023.
14/05 37406 + 37422. 16/05 66164 + 67023. 17/05 67019.
18/05 67019 + 67021. 31/05 67019.
6C01 ADJ - Bristol
01/05 66117. 04/05 66168. 08/05 66147. 16/05 66095. 17/05 66151.
23/05 66142. 24/05 66186. 29/05 66058. 31/05 66111.
6B13/6B47 Robeston - Westerleigh
01/05 60046. 03/05 60046. 04/05 60046. 08/05 60045. 09/05 60045.
10/05 60045. 11/05 60073. 15/06 60041. 16/05 60041. 17/05 60041.
18/05 60041. 29/05 60092. 30/05 60092. 31/05 60054.
6X52 Portbury - Washwood Heath
03/05 66194. 08/05 66221. 09/05 66023. 10/05 66221. 11/05 67014.
14/05 66163. 16/05 66163. 22/05 66056. 31/05 66162.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
47375(DF)-GL, 47488(DF)-CS, 47715(DF)-GL, 47829(CP)-KM,
66701-727(WN)-WB, 66123/209/241/245/246/249 -France, 66110 -UK
Stored
08077. 47840. 57007/008/009/010/011/012. 92019
CE: 92012/019. OO: 47840. ST: 08077. ZG: 47749.
Colne Valley: 08441. Crewe Gresty Bridge: 57007/008/009/012.
Derby RVE: 31200. Dollands Moor: 56078. 58035.
DR West Yard: 47528. Goodmans Yard: 08881.
LNWR: 47790. 57010/011.
Traffic
08993/994/995 -TO (Manchester Metrolink Duties)
Withdrawn
01559. 31319. 47298/783/784
Disposals
Booth: 01559. 31319. 47298/338. 56044
R Hull: 47783/784. 86606/615
T Thomson: 08720/807/883
EMR: 31421. 37803. 47186/201/219/226/228/280/293/307/313/314
47335/360/741/742/758 @ Kingsbury
Colne Valley: 08441 Severn Valley: 08635 SECO: 47749
Swanage: 47635
Renumbered
43096 - 43296, 43109 - 43309
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
150133(WN)-NH
156473/479/482/487(NL)-NH
Traffic
158770/773/777 -TS, 888 -SA
Renumbered & Reformed
158802 - 888
170392 - 171.130
158777 (52777 + 58714 + 57777) 888 (52802 + 57802)
Electric Multiple Units
Transfers
377154(SU)-BI
Stored
442416/418/423 - ZG
508204 -AF
Traffic
508205 -GI
Withdrawn
62072. 70732. 76181 (310.047), 76206 (8304)
Disposals
Booth: 62072. 70732. 76181/206.
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
1961. 3359/60/62. 3408. 5171. 5200/16/22/36/37/49. 9104.
9392. 13440 -CS
Stored
10212. 11064. 12054. 82101
KI: 5779. 5812/88/97. 5912/89/91. 6049. 6166
LM: 5936. 10242/245. 11011/018/020/026/040/042/052/060.
12004/007/008/017/025/029/036/047/050/055/059/069/072/075/080
12083/086/087/095/102/106/134/163/169. OM: 80458
ZG: 5996/99. 6005/10/11/15/18/25/26/59/61. 6112/59/72/82/84.
DY: 40417/425. TS: 9496. Mossend: 94199. 94519/536.
Toton C&W: 80401/432/434.
Traffic
10202/246. 10588. 11031 -CP, 11054 -KM, 11065/071/083/084,
11086/089. 12014/038/043/053/119 -CP.
Withdrawn
5752/76/91/94. 6805/08/11/17/28/29. 10569. 80331/345/356/358/361,
80367/373/378/380/385/417/423/437. 94111/132/133/164/172/180/198.
94327. 94414/418/424/436/443/444/474/480/484/496502. 95759.
975.499
Disposals
Booth: 80331/356/358/361/367/373/378/380/385/417/423/437.94436/496. 94975/499
Thomson: 94111/132/133/164/172/180/198. 94327. 94414/418/424/443
94444/474/480/484/502. 95759
Severn Valley: 10569 GWS Didcot: 80345
New Zealand: 5752/76/91/94. 6805/08/11/17/28/29
Codes
CDLO Cargo D Operational Fleet
CDLS Cargo D Stored Fleet
FAMT Blue Yonder Class 47
SRLO Swift Rail Operational Fleet
SRLS Swift Rail Stored Fleet
EWS has reviewed its "pool code allocations" and as a result locos are
allocated to pools to cover the operating sector's requirements, this may mean
daily or weekly re-allocations to cover duties.
Other changes are that "all stored" locos are allocated to TO as are
all operational Class 60s.
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
It's that time again to get the old thinking cap on to try and compile a
little report for you all to digest, at least I hope that you digest my small
efforts and find them of some use, even if only a tiny bit. Starting, as usual,
with a few items of news. Trial trains have been started from Honda at Swindon
using the SWA cartics with the idea of making this a permanent service.
Container flats 640901-923/931-943 are being used by GBRf on the troubled
Metronet contract. The following bogie tanks have gone into store at Long
Marston: 78207/08/09/20/26/34/38/39/41/44/45/46/48/49/76. Joining them are the
33.70.7899.xxx vehicles from Bescot. There are very substantial rumours of a new
W. H. Malcolm service starting in the autumn. All the 390xxx 'Gunnell' vehicles
are the next on the list for withdrawal. I personally saw a couple of rakes
parked in the yard west of Southall station on 6th June. The only ex-Yeoman PGAs
still in regular use are working in the London area. Again on 6th June, a decent
rake of these was in Acton Yard. The Grangemouth-Purfleet service has seen the
following Austatte vehicles in traffic: 33.68.4909.325/351/383/487/501. These
vehicles are believed to have come out of store. Also in the rakes have been
ex-Blue Circle KAA vans. On to my own personal sightings from the last month.
I'm afraid it from the usual location that I start, Nuneaton. An evening there
on 14th May generated the usual amount of movements starting with 66581 on a
Freightliner container service. Made up mainly of the "old" flats, new
build vehicles on the consist were: 640039/40/187/188. 606149/150/115/116. Then
66001 with the EWS flats in the 81.70.4908.xxx services. This is the former
Geest service which still appears to run as a "Ghost" service to keep
the path open! Another Freightliner followed in the charge of 66569. The first
W. H. Malcolm service was in the charge of 66402 with the following vehicles:
33.68.4909.416/451/580/340/ 728/914/067/494/451, 4943.070/087/083. Then 66019 on
a rake of EWS bogie coal HTAs:
310397/561/858/846/115/273/964/616/714/012/269/056/791/114/ 864, 311052/160. The
second W. H. Malcolm, in the charge of 66412, then passed northbound:
33.68.4909.471/356/770/499/912/872/418/303/021/ 4943.088/068/083/065 being the
rake of vehicles. Next 90016 was noted on a southbound Freightliner, followed by
66588, then 92009 and 92027 on the northbound enterprise. After this 66566 was
noted passing south with the following engineers' service: 979500, 92604, 93760,
93764, 93765, 93762, 93762, 93759, 93761 and 93758. This service seems to have
completely different consists every time it's noted and has been noted in the
charge of EWS locos as well as Freightliner ones! After this, three more
Freightliners were noted hauled by 66505, 66590 and 66577. on 18th May
"French" class 66 number 66209 was noted at Leicester hauled by 67003
with it's Euro Cargo Rail "poster" on the side! On 23rd May I spent a
few hours at Basingstoke (I was on holiday for the week in Christchurch) looking
to decimate my class 444 and 450 units (and believe me you can certainly do that
at Basingstoke!) Not quite sure how many I actually noted in the day, but it was
not the lot! Ten freights were noted in the day which wasn't too bad. Nothing of
note, but mostly Freightliners. One fuel tanks, one Mendip Rail service, one
enterprise and two engineers services broke the monotony. A flying visit to
London on 6th June (I went to Heathrow for my aircraft!) from Northampton (four
of us on a group save on Silverlink cost £12.70 each including the all zone
travel card!) At Northampton whilst waiting for the 09.11 train (tickets valid
after 09.00 in the week and all day Weekends and Bank Holidays) saw 66504 on a
Freightliner, 92031 on an Enterprise service, 66576 on a Freightliner, 66122 and
60021 light engines. Noted a few bits and bobs around and about. Acton was busy
as was Willesden. Sorry it's a bit of a mish-mash this month but will be
hopefully getting about a bit more in the next month. See you then.
DEPARTMENTALS AND TRACK MACHINES
Bristol TM (13/05) Road/rail; BCL643.
Stapleton Rd (19/05) Road/rail; bulldozer 2858, excavators; 4199/458, trailers; RT127/155.
South Liberty Lane (27/05) Road/rail; BCL643.
Bristol TM, fish dock (28/05) DR75406/407.
MISCELLANEOUS
Motorway Movements
08/05 Pullman coach ARIES in choc/cream livery, westbound M5 Avonmouth road
bridge 15.30.
TRIP REPORTS
Verderer's Venture. The Forresters. 24/03/07
Flax Bourton Old Station.
O.T.P. Hydrex owned Philmoor Trailer, Fleet RT 132, Works No. 2221/01
Brook House Garden Railway, Badgeworth.
Mr HARDY has sold the property and moved to Trowbridge. There are no items of railway property left on the site, except for the track.
Gloucester, Horton Road.
Locos 08936 31128/452 Minotaur 45112 The Royal Army Ordnance Corps 47(115)/200 The Fosse Way/714 Coaches. 1211 6117/122 9506/525 94101 + one other U/I Passing Units 158751 170511
National Waterways Museum, Gloucester.
Industrial Loco. AB 2126/42 Cranes Gibbings & Co 4w 10cwt Hand Crane
Booth Bros 4w 7 1/2 ton steam crane 4973/44
Note. There was another 4w hand crane on site with flangeless metal wheels. It
was therefore deemed to be a road crane.
Brian Faulkner, Pockets Cottage, Churcham.
Industrial Locos. Gauge 2' 0" L 8022/36 (green): L 33650/49 (yellow): LB
56371/70 (green): (Little Owl) M. J. Stokes/86.
Notes. All locos were used during our visit, except L 8022 which had recently
broken a wheel flange. Brian's main interest is in the Lister Company and his
collection included Lister road vehicles as well.
Queen's Farm, Churcham. (Opposite Pockets Cottage)
Coach. Grounded Billington LBSCR coach which had seen service as an ambulance coach. Very poor condition. It is free to a good home. It is otherwise going for scrap.
Private Location.
Industrial Locos. Gauge 2' 6" 1 Chevallier MW 1877/15 (Ex P116): Gauge
2' 0" 2630/52 CE B0142B/73: Janet RH 504546/63:
Notes. All the locos were grounded. The first two of those listed above were due
to go through Alan Keef's works for overhaul. Janet is due to visit the Flour
Mill.
Perrygrove Railway, Coleford.
Closed on this day.
Clearwell Caves, Coleford.
Industrial Locos. Gauge 2' 6". HC/HE DM1435/8583/77: Gauge 2' 0".
K9 HC DM801/54: T42 HC DM841/54: R3 HC/HE DM1442/8842/80: 68 HC: 68 HC: HE
8986/81 - frame only (assumed): WR L1009/79: Grounded 12t Van. 777649
Notes. All the locos were on short sections of track, except the WR, which was
on a track, inside the cave entrance and HE 8986, the frame of which was thrown
into a pile of scrap. MR 21282/57 and HE 7446/75 were not seen and were assumed
to be locked inside one of the several sheds.
Bill Parker, The Flour Mill, Bream.
Locos. (5619) (Ex P185): (6960 Raveningham Hall) (Ex P93): Industrial Locos. (28) Cdf 306/1897 (Ex P92): KS 3063/18: 1 TH 133C/63: GWR Inspection Saloon. (248) Other Coaches. (94501) + U/I Ferryvan Crane. Ransome & Rapier Steam Crane 8138/39
Hopewell Colliery Museum, Coleford.
Closed on this day
Ruspidge Halt, Cinderford.
Internal User. Tank 171 (061191) Pvd.
Thompson Rail Engineering, Cinderford.
O.T.P. 2 Permaclipper U/I: Schoma (98101) (Ex P92) Road/Rail. J 128 GGC - Ex
Balfour Beatty - now believed to belong to Thompson's.
Note.
The Permaclipper was one of two owned by Balfour Beatty. Unfortunately, the
group were unable to identify which one it was.
Hawthorn Tunnel, Drybrook.
Industrial Loco. HE 7386/76
Lea Bailey Mine, Newtown.
Industrial Locos. Gauge 2' 6". 10 HE 9053/ 81 (Frame only - thrown in a pile of scrap and covered with brambles) Gauge 2' 0". HE 8985/81 (inside the shed)
Bristol West Yard.
Road/Rail Hydrex Dumper Fleet No. 2848: Hydrex Case/Poclain Fleet No. 3739
A LITTLE PIECE OF HERTFORDSHIRE. Tring, Tring, Hello. 24/03/07
The Lawson Family at a Private Location.
Industrial Locos. Gauge 2' 6" CE B3135B/84 rbt CE B4005-1/94 rbt
B4066RF/94 (Ex P24): CE 3204A/85 rbt CE B4139/95 (Ex P24): GB 3546/48: GB
3825/49: RH 247182/47 (Ex P102 in 13EL) Gauge 2' 0" (LM264) RH 371535/54:
(LM265) RH 375696/54: (LM112) RH 375699/54: Gauge 1' 6" WR L800/83: WR
L801/83: WR 544901?84: WR 546001/87: WR 546601/87:
Note.
All the locos were grounded with some being stored in containers.
RUGBY WEEKDAY FLYER R. KING 24/05/07
Rugby 12:00- 20:00
56302, 57307, 60027,
66017/066/214/403/408/416/516/560/578/612/624/625/716/718,
86501/614/639, 90016/021/028/042/045/049, 92004/024/031,
222106/123, 321401/404/424 325004/005/012,
350104/105/107/109/110/112/116/120/125/129,
390001/002/003/004/005/006/007/008/009/010/014/015/016/017/018/019/020
390021/023/024/025/026/028/029/030/031/032/034/035/036/040/041/042/043
390044/045/046/047/048/050/051/053.
NEWPORT TRIP J. A. DICKS & R. J. PERRY 27/03/07.
Avonmouth Bulk Handling Terminal.
08405 66017/200
M4, Westbound, Near Severn Tunnel Junction.
Road/Rail BCL 842 on low loader.
Newport Docks.
09101. 66126 66582/583/584/585/586 66625 GWR Coach 6705
Alexandra Docks Junction, Newport.
60049/055/060/095. 66193. PW Wagons noted. 380401/501/601/602/612
Passing: 09101 Ivor 47810. 66163. 150243 158760/780/866 170108
Newport Station.
43012/030/176/182/186. 60049. 66009/019/146/160/250. 158747/748/769/776/822/824/832/839. 170103/108. 170520. 175004/007/009.
Avonmouth Bulk Handling Terminal
08405 66017/182/200 67007
NEWPORT TRIP John Dicks & Red Perry 21/04/07
Avonmouth Bulk Handling
08405
Newport Docks
66095 66587/588/589/590/591/592/593/594
Alexandra Dock Junction
66150/156/224 Passing DMUs 158747 Richard Trevithick/798
Newport Station
47425/854 (Both WCRC) 43032/040/155/161. 158788/869/872. 175007/010/108. 175106. Coach 99241. Track Machine 73901. Road Railer Rexquote Giga Railer type 1604 KUK, 168M301653/06.