NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

02/10 Freightliner Heavy-haul continued to operate two morning coal services to Rugeley P.S. for most of the month (in place of Portbury), departure times being at 06:48 (6M55) and 11:23 (6M04).

07/10 66059 passed Newport at 09:42 with the 6C90 Newport ADJ - Avonmouth freight ‘trip’. Other locos reported on this Wednesday’s only duty during the month have included:- 66017 (14/10) and 66248 (21/10).

08/10 The 3S59 Barton Hill - Barton Hill (via South Wales) ‘overnight’ water cannon passed Brentry at 00:10 top n’tailed by 66159 + 66237 heading towards Patchway.

10/10 Despite 66546 being reported as allocated, a 4Z86 09:15 Grain - Avonmouth and 4Z87 20:08 return container service was cancelled.

12/10 The 3S59 return Barton Hill water cannon (with locos 66237 + 66159) was noted stabled outside the offices in the Bulk-handling terminal at 08:20, the train being later seen passing near Shirehampton at 09:44 heading towards Clifton Down, having crossed a local passenger service (as booked) in the Avonmouth area.

13/10 A signalling problems at Clifton Down during the early afternoon, saw ‘road’ bus connections running with an extra 40 minutes added to travelling times. 59102 was unusual motive power on the 6C63 inward ‘import’ stone empties from Westbury, later departing on a 6?64 return 16:59 loaded service, of which the destination was unknown. A 6B65 13:51 Avonmouth - Aberthaw P.S. coal service was operating in place of the 13:00 (6B86) departure from Portbury, the inward empties being 4F83 06:15 Aberthaw - Avonmouth.

17/10 66237 + 66159 passed Hallen Marsh junction at 11:26 and Clifton Down at 11:50 with the return 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon heading towards Bristol.

18/10 With a Sunday PW block between Stapleton Road and Temple Meads, the 10:23, 11;23 and 12:23 departures from Bristol - Severn Beach were covered by ‘road’ buses.

19/10 The 3S59 water cannon, with the usual locos 66237 + 66159 passed Sea Mills at 09:48 for Barton Hill. Monday and Saturday mornings have proved to be the only day-light runs for this train over part of the Severn Beach line so far during its period of operation, although the Saturday run has been known to run direct via the mainline at Filton.

21/10 An additional 6Z?? 23:15 Avonmouth - Fiddler’s Ferry loaded coal service ran behind 66585. Also the 6M61 03:53 Avonmouth - Stoke Gifford, loaded coal service was restarted.

26/10 The first of a new ‘intermodal’ container service for Freightliner ran as 4Z86 09:15 Grain - Avonmouth (allocated for 66585?) but on the day headed by 66578, being noted passing Parkway at 15:44. The return 4Z87 was reported as passing Brentry at 23:19. The train is off-loaded at West Wharf and is believed linked to the new Constellation Europe wine store warehouse and bottling plant located on Kingsweston Lane which is now the biggest operation of its type in Europe .

27/10 An ‘additional’ 4Z87 12:25 Avonmouth West Wharf - Reading West container train ran (passing Hallen Marsh at 12:29) behind 66578, which had returned overnight light-engine. The train’s consist was only a small number containers not ready for loading when the main train left the previous evening, the working being later reported through Swindon at 13:45.

29/10 66237 + 66159 passed Montpelier at 11:56 on the return 3S59 water cannon to Barton Hill.

30/10 Early hours DBS coal departures from the Bulk Handling terminal were:- 66192 on 6B81 00:50 Avonmouth - Aberthaw and 66164 with a 6Z71 02:20 Avonmouth - Aberthaw.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66008/055/089/092/093/137/163/164/173/192. 66510/518/520/563/552/953.

Bristol Parkway , Pilning and Westerleigh

01/10 Advenza 66842 passed Parkway at 10:51 with a single TEA bogie fuel tank running as 6Z50 Gloucester - Eastleigh .

03/10 Running unusually on a Saturday (normally TFO), 60041 was noted at Pilning at 09:11 with the 6B49 Newport ADJ - Swindon loaded steel service.

05/10 The Barton Hill water cannon (3S59) passed Pilning at 08:36 top n’tailed by 66237 + 66159 and later 60011 passed on a 6Z33 Theale bound tank service having been noted earlier through Newport at 09:59.

06/10 Late night and early morning signalling problems in the Newport area recorded some late running. Two First/GW HST delays were: 1B88 20:15 Paddington - Swansea (dep Newport 02:13 - 218 late) and 1B94 22:45 Paddington - Swansea (dep Newport 02:40 - 105 late! ). An additional First/GW HST service was to operate as 01:45 Parkway - Paddington arriving in the Capital at 03:34. Later in the morning, a cable signalling theft in the Caldicott area saw some diverted services running via Parkway, instead of the Chepstow mainline to Gloucester . Also during the morning Advenza 66842 running as 0Z66 09:10 Cardiff - Wembley, passed Pilning around 10:15, crewed by a GBRf driver. An announcement was made on this date that Advenza freight had ceased operating due to financial issues, Porterbrook reclaiming the Class 66/8s and the other company owned Class 47 and 57s being impounded. The 6Z50 Gloucester - Eastleigh single TEA tank move with 66842 on 01/10 being reported as the operator’s final working.

07/10 A 1Z12 09:15 Didcot - Banbury (via a reverse at Severn Tunnel Junction) test train, passed Pilning on the return at 12:44 top n’tailed by unidentified DRS Class 37 locos, being routed via Parkway, Swindon,

Oxford and Claydon junction.

09/10 66187 worked a 6Z35 12:38 Moreton-on-Lugg - Acton loaded stone, whilst the NRMT HST, formed with power cars 43014 + 43013 appeared on the usual Friday Only 1Z20 Old Oak Common - Swansea test working.

10/10 The 6B49 Swindon steel was again noted running on a Saturday leaving Pilning loop at 10:09 behind 66089 then travelling via Day’s curve, Bath, Box and Chippenham, due to engineering activity in the Parkway area where road bus connections were in operation between Parkway, Patchway and Filton Abbeywood. All Virgin XC services were running via Chepstow and Gloucester , with a reverse at Newport , during the day. An evening departmental working was 66563 on 6Y29 21:50 Thingley - Patchway, requiring a reverse at Swindon and routing via Chippenham, Box, Bath and Day’s curve.

11/10 DBS livered 66152 returned previous day’s railtour stock (off a Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Cumbrian Mountain Tornado’ from Worcester - Carlisle , featuring 60163 Tornado) as 5Z84 13:56 Worcester Shrub Hill - Eastleigh (EWS) passing Charfield at 14:30 (being booked through Parkway at 15:06).

13/10 60063 (with newly repainted, by staff at Didcot, yellow ends) worked the 6B49 Swindon steel departing Pilning loop at 10:09 and passing Westerleigh at 10:28. Later, the 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon was recorded at the same location at 11:11 heading back to Bristol , top n’tailed by 66237 + 66159.

16/10 66157 was on the 6L97 Port Talbot (Grange sidings) - Lea Interchange ( Camden ) Olympic stone and green livered 47851 (a replacement for the allocated 47787) brought in ECS to stable overnight in Parkway as 5Z64 07:30 ex. Carnforth (which had departed Crewe late at 14:48), with 37516 + 37676 attached to the rear.

17/10 Spitfire’s ‘Jorvic Growler’ having arrived at Parkway at 06:39 (2 minutes late) headed by 37676 + 37516 was in trouble with the failure of the second loco. Following a train loco re-marshal, the working departed at 08:15 (90 late) with 47851 (moved from the rear and leading) + 37676 + failed 37516. The railtour struggled to recover time, later departing Birmingham NS at 10:06 (89 late), a planned ‘circular’ outing via Harrogate from York being cancelled. The train’s electric train heating was also reported as a failure onwards from Cheltenham ! The return working (with 37516 left at York ) was reported off Weston-super-Mare at 22:26 (2 early) formed with c/stock: 99328, 99327, 4905, 5032, 99722, 1860, Derwent Water (586), 3362, 3360, Ullswater (504), 3136 Diana, 3143. The trip was originally planned for DRS loco hauling power. On the freight side, 60011 + 60054 (failed) passed Yate late at 15:07 on the 6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks, which had departed Pencoed at 11:43. Also, a 5V66 08:20 Carlisle - Laira refurbished HST stock move headed by GBRf 66704 (and formed with 40808, with barrier vans 6330 + 6338 either side) was originally booked via Charfield and Parkway, but re-routed via Lydney and Chepstow due to late running. The train also included 50049 being returned to Cardiff Canton, although once the train reached the south Wales area was on the rear due to an extra train loco run-round at Nuneaton . The working was then again re-timed from it’s booked 16:00 Cardiff - Laira to 17:45 and reported through Patchway at 17:46 (46 early), the arrival at Laira in the end being 20:15 (60 early!). The return 66704 and barrier moves, ran as 5Z74 20:30 Laira - Temple Meads arriving in Bristol at 22:55 (5 early).

19/10 Having stabled in Bristol over the week-end, 66704 ran 5Z66 09:08 Temple Meads - Old Oak Common (with two barriers vans) passing Parkway at 09:16.

20/10 60045 was unusually employed on the evening 6M17 Newport ADJ - Wembley ‘enterprise’ freight service.

21/10 The 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon (with 66237 + 66159) was noted passing Patchway at 19:45 in the up direction, having earlier in the day being seen departing Weston-super-Mare at 12:46.

22/10 60073 working the 6B47 Westerleigh - Robeston fuel empties, suffered a tank wagon bogie de-railment prior to departure.

23/10 60045 was noted passing Parkway at 09:58 with the 6B49 Newport ADJ - Swindon steel.

24/10 Week-end FLHH locos stabled on the down-side at Parkway (at 16:00) were reported as 66510, 66520, 66563, 66585. A ‘filming’ train ran as 5Z60 06:26 Wembley - Cardiff Canton, 5Z61 10:51 Canton - Parkway (via a reverse at Reading ) and 5Z62 15:35 Parkway - Canton (via a second reverse at Reading ). The working, formed of 6 Cargo-d coaches was reported as running late throughout the day, the driving van 82101 being removed from the train’s formation at Parkway during the early afternoon. The camera work was reported as for a Welsh language documentary centred on Swansea railway station, the coaches being unconfirmed as carrying a Welsh Rail logo! Another source stated the filming was linked to the popular Gavin & Stacey TV series, now in its final year of production.

25/10 Due to week-end track work, the 10:05 Cheltenham - Temple Meads First/GW service was diverted to Cardiff . Road ‘bus’ services were running between Patchway, Filton Abbeywood (and Temple Meads ) and Parkway during the day, as well as between Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare .

26/10 The DBS operated ‘filming train’ completed it’s two day session, still top n’tailed by the Royal train duo 67005 + 67006 using c/sock: 9506, 5995, 6122, 5919, 10242, 11083 (all in blue/grey), 82101 (Virgin red) running as 5Z65 09:52 Cardiff Canton - Bristol Parkway (via a reverse at Reading), 5Z66 14:43 Parkway - Canton (and again via a second reverse at Reading). The working was noted passing Pilning at 10:50 heading east (also being reported through Newport at 10:20) and later at Patchway at 19:25 (close to right time).

27/10 The FLHH 6A21 08:31 Pengam - Theale loaded stone was worked via Day’s curve behind 66520. The filming coaching stock, in use during the previous day, was returned to Barrow Hill.

28/10 66503 arrived at Wentlooge at 12:06 (231 late) on the 4V50 ex. Millbrook containers, the train having also arrived in excess of 2 hours late at it’s destination during the previous day. Later in the day, at 15:18, Stobart livered 66411 + DRS livered 66422 appeared on the 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks.

29/10 The diverted 6A36 12:43 Ashchurch (Army) - Didcot MoD service was noted passing Wickwar, (heading towards Yate and Parkway) at 14:44 (running around 70 late) behind 66189, being followed at 15:10 by GBRf ‘hire’ loco 66726 on a 4V09 Chaddeston - Portbury train of coal empties.

30/10 FLHH locos stabled at Stoke Gifford were as follows: 66560, 66520, 66565, 66566, 66585.

31/10 DBS livered 66152 passed Parkway at 08:30 with the 6V78 04:59 Wembley - Margam export steel empties and later 66560 having run outward light-engine, appeared on a return two wagon 6Z22 09:48 Abergavenny - Stoke Gifford down side ‘cripple wagon’ move, which passed at 10:25 en route to Chipping Sodbury for a loco run-round.

  Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

13/09 Correction: (October Magazine): The c/stock formation recorded behind steam 60163 Tornado should have read 3066, 3068 (in carmine and cream), and not 3068 and 3069 as stated.

01/10 Virgin ‘thunderbird’ loco 57308 was on ‘hire’ to First/GW to work the overnight 1C99 23:45 Paddington - Penzance sleeper service, returning with the 1A40 balancing working during the following morning. Later in the day, having worked over the Midland Mainline the previous day, West Coast 47787 was in charge of a 2Z47 08:46 Derby - Taunton and 2Z48 13:38 return saloon move with 999506. The working was noted passing Parson’s street at 12:41, the return which departed Taunton 9 minutes late was recorded in Weston-super-Mare station from 14:15 -14:23 (leaving right time) to allow two local services to pass.

02/10 Steam 34067 Tangmere ran 5Z67 10:28 Southall - Barton Hill (arriving at 13:50 3 minutes early) ready for railtour duty, the following day.

03/10 The First/GW sleeper up (1A40) service was reported to have been part worked by a HST set. The first football special to be organised from the Bristol area for well over twenty years was run by the Bristol Rovers supporters club for their game at Norwich . The ‘Pirate’s footex’ working (1Z41 07:00 Weston-super-Mare - Norwich and 1Z42 17:38 return) was top n’tailed with 67003 + 67020 using c/stock: 3279, 3424, 3318, 3331, 1842, 3358, 3400, 3292, 9520 and carried around 300 supporters at a cost of £45.00, departing Temple Meads (via Parkway) at 08:09. Incidentally, the road coach fare for the trip from Bristol to Norwich was £24.00. Although Rovers lost the game, the trip was deemed a success. However an unsuccessful trip on this date was the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Dartmouth Express (1Z92 07:00 Poole - Kingswear and 1Z93 16:40 return booked to be hauled by steam 34067 Tangmere onwards and back to Bristol), which was terminated at Salisbury with the failure of 47760 in the nearby Salisbury tunnels the train already running 30 minutes late. Also during the day the 5C41 Temple Meads - Taunton Arriva XC driver diversionary route learner was reported to have run with 220019 passing Bath at 15:28, DBS liveried 66152 worked the 6M60 00:30 Tavistock yard - Bescot (via Newport, where 66095 was included in the train’s formation) and earlier 60011 ran 0B33 Theale - Newport light-engine.

04/10 Having had no railtour work, due to the West Coast Train’s Class 47 failure the previous day, steam 34067 Tangmere returned to Southall as loco and support coach.

05/10 57308 was again on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington First/GW sleeper service having run 0Z77 19:30 Old Oak Common - Laira light-engine. The First/GW loco-hauled ‘hire’ service with locos 67016 + 67017 suffered a brake defect, the diagram onwards from the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff - Taunton service being in the hands of a unit.

06/10 The DBS First/GW Class 67 ‘hire’ was noted running with three, instead of four coaches during the day. A return steam move involving 4953 Pitchford Hall + 5029 Nunney Castle (with support coach W35461) from the West Somerset Railway - Tyseley was postponed until 20/10 - reason unknown? The 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon was noted passing through Bristol top n’tailed by 66237 + 66159 (with wagons 640034 + 640020) for Weston-super- Mare, arriving there at 12:32 and departing for Barton Hill at 12:51.

07/10 66159 + 66237 passed Barton Hill around 13:30 on the 3S59 water cannon, heading towards Temple Meads and over at Bristol East loop VSOE empty stock was observed stabled. A 4Z07 test train with 31106, was reported to have visited the WSR during the evening.

08/10 A successful outing for steam 34067 Tangmere working Steam Dream’s ‘Catherals Express’ (1Z84 08:45 Victoria - Temple Meads and 1Z85 16:39 return) throughout, passing Keynsham at 12:42, slightly down on the booked Bristol arrival time of 12:33. Some late arrivals from London were recorded during the early afternoon due to a fatality at Ealing Broadway, the mainline being closed because of the incident. The First/GW DBS loco ‘hire’ service, with locos 67016 + 67017 was noted operating as the normal four coach formation, but both available DBSOs 9494 and 9508 unusually formed part of the train. The Bristol based water cannon (3S59) with the usual Class 66 locos was reported through Bedminster at 12:05 on the down to Weston-super-Mare and later returning through Parson’s Street at 13:11 for Barton Hill. During the evening, the NRMT HST set was back in the area doing the regular 1Z17 Temple Meads - Taunton - Bath - Swindon - Bath - Parkway - Old Oak Common move with power cars 43013 + 43014.

09/10 66605 worked the 6Z21 Hope (Earles sidings) - Moorswater cement and 66621 ran 0Y28 13:54 Kingsland Road - Thingley junction light-engine, for a 6Y28 16:06 return NR wagon working to Tiverton loop via Bristol during the early evening. Three new HST micro buffet conversions were reported in service: 40111 (ex. 42248) part of set OC36, 40114 (42086) part set OC34 and 40116 (42147) part set OC37. Three further conversions are expected: 40106 (from 42162), 40108 (42312) and 40112 (42336).

10/10 With the Bristol Parkway route closed for track work, the 6B33 12:12 (Sat) Theale - Robeston fuel tank empties were diverted via Box, Bath and Day’s curve being noted into East depot loop at 14:50 and off Day’s junction at 15:03, behind 60011. A 4Z86 09:15 Grain - Avonmouth container service (and 4Z87 20:08 return) was also booked via this route, but was cancelled. An evening engineer was also reported as running this way as 6Y29 21:50 Thingley junction - Patchway, passing through Chippenham at 21:16 behind 66563 for a loco run-round at Swindon, being booked on the return through Bath at 23:22.

12/10 31454 powered a 2Z08 09:46 Derby - Temple Meads test working, being noted through Filton Abbeywood at 13:43, close to the booked arrival time in Temple Meads at 14:06. Earlier, a 6Z28 08:42 St. Phillips Marsh - Taunton Fairwater barrier van headed by 66606, passed Uphill junction ( Weston-super-Mare ) at 09:23. A further 5Z22 18:30 Fairwater - Laira move was cancelled due to brake problems on the coach.

13/10 DBS livered 66152 passed Parsons Street at 15:52 on the Tuesday’s Only 6V62 Fawley - Tavistock yard loaded fuel tanks. Later the following were reported in the Bath area: 59102 with 6Z63 Avonmouth - Acton loaded stone Hansons (19:56), 66237 + 66159 with the 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon (21:40) heading for Westbury, GBRf (Fastline ‘hire’) 66720 on 6Z99 19:00 Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. (20:01) and 66605 with 6Z21 Westbury - Hope (Earles) sidings cement empties at 22:46.

14/10 60065 passed Day’s junction at 11:35 with the morning 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental (later returning as 0C41 Newport - Westbury light-engine), the 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon was reported through Severn Tunnel at 10:40, Pilning loop at 11:42 and on the return through Parson’s street at 13:02 (11 early). 37510 + 66430 was a most unusual combination on the 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks, passing Parson’s street at 13:13 and later noted in Parkway loop at 13:48.

15/10 The Thursday Only, 6V77 Cliffe Vale - St. Blazey freight behind 66060 was only formed of four wagons. An announcement was made to use part of the fenced in South Liberty container sidings land for over-flow Bristol City F.C. Saturday home game car-parking following new parking restrictions brought into force in the Cumberland basin area, close to the ground.

16/10 A GBRf 5V66 10:55 Kilmarnock (Barclays) - Laira HST stock move headed by 66704 (and formed 6330 + 40808 + 6338) was recessed at Carlisle due to no driver being available. The train continued forward during the following day (see Bristol Parkway , Pilning & Westerleigh notes & news).

17/10 Spitfire Tour’s ‘Jorvic Growler’ (1Z64 05:22 Taunton - York) headed by 37676 + 37516 (with 47851 on the rear) departed Taunton at 05:24 (2 late) and Temple Meads at 06:24 (right time) but was later to suffer a loco failure (see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news). The ECS had earlier worked West as 5Z64 04:05 Stoke Gifford - Taunton .

18/10 The 5Z65 09:35 Bishop’s Lydeard - Carnforth (ex railtour) ECS passed Worle at 10:09, headed by 47851 with 37676 on the rear. The train was originally booked for a 12:20 departure from the West Somerset Railway, but on the revised timings a 10:41 - 13:00 booked stop was to take place in Temple Meads , where the Class 47 moved the Class 37 to the front of the train, the working then being noted through Pilning West at 14:32 (62 late).

19/10 31106 was on a 4Z08 12:17 Derby - Laira test train, passing Dr. Day’s early at 15:58 for St. Phillips Marsh. The working was later noted in Temple Meads from 17:50 - 17:58 heading West. Earlier, steam 6024 King Edward I had worked a 5Z27 12:50 Bishop’s Lydeard - Kidderminster (SVR) loco and support coach (W35333) move, departing Temple Meads at 14:44 (2 late).

20/10 Two further West Somerset Railway departures (following gala use) were steam locos 5029 Nunney Castle + 4953 Pitchford Hall (with support coach W35461) running as 5Z27 09:30 Bishop’s Lydeard - Tyseley (via Parkway), which departed Taunton at 09:54.

21/10 67008 was on a London - Bath VSOE working, with the ECS assumed to have continued onwards to Bristol for stabling. Arriva XC HST workings for the day (with power cars) were as follows:- 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth   43357 + coaching set XC04 + 43321. 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth 43301 + XC01 + 43366. 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth 43303 + XC02 + 43304. (This service was terminated at Newton Abbot due to late running, returning North in the path of the 1E63 15:21 Plymouth - Leeds service, onwards from this location). 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth 43207 + XC05 + 43285.

22/10 The 20:55 (Wed) Hope (Earles sidings) - Moorswater cement (6Z21) was in the hands of 66518 formed of the now usual PCA tanks.

23/10 Kingsland Road held a test train during the morning formed: 31106 with c/stock: 6263, 999602, 9703. Evening observations at Temple Meads found a loco change on the 3S59 Barton Hill water cannon, noted reversing on the up through road at 21:15, now formed with 66237 + 66198 (replacing 66159). Earlier, GBRf ‘hire’ 66726 had passed at 20:45 on a late running 6Z99 19:00 Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. Fastline coal service and at 21:34 (35 late), Advenza livered 66843 passed on the platform 3 line with a 5V66 10:55 Kilmarnock (Barclays) - Laira stock move formed with barrier coaches 6338 + 6330 and 40806 in between. The latter working was of interest, being operated by GBRf (despite the loco livery !) and not departing until 11:45, being recorded through Golbourne junction (Wigan) at 17:24 (19 late), Little Mill at 20:53 (45 late) and Patchway 21:24 (37 late), with an arrival time at Laira of 23:46 (22 early !).

24/10 The returning 66843 was noted on the up through line from the previous days stock move running as 5F66 02:40 Laira tmd - Old Oak Common with the barrier vans, departing 1 minute late at 04:57. (Incidentally, two other former Advenza Class 66s, nos. 66841 and 66842 had moved to Eastleigh three days earlier to take up duties for Colas Rail). Also locally, 66105 was noted stabled on the down through at 05:00 in Temple Meads with the 6M60 Tavistock yard - Bescot (via Newport) freight (formed with two TTA oil tanks and china clay empties).

25/10 Arriva XC HST allocations for the day were as follows:- 43303 + XC02 + 43321, 1V52 09:00 Leeds - Plymouth (via Stourbridge) / 1E73 16:25 Plymouth - Leeds and 43285 + XC05 + 43207, 1V50 08:10 Leeds - Plymouth (via Stourbridge with reverses at Gloucester and Swindon) / 1E67 15:21 Plymouth - Leeds .

26/10 A 1Z12 09:40 Derby - Temple Meads test working arrived 3 hours late behind 31285.

27/10 31285 continued its test train duties as 1Z12 09:13 Temple Meads - Didcot, failing near Bath at 09:29, but was able to reach Bathampton loop. A replacement 0Z31 rescue loco, 31459 was noted passing Filton at 15:34, the working eventually going forward again, passing Chippenham at 17:02. Another replacement loco, 67024 arrived at Barton Hill as 0Z74 ex. Eastleigh to take over from 67017 on the First/GW loco and stock ‘hire’ service

28/10 66514 was on the 6Z21 Hope - Moorswater cement and 6M37 return empties. Some afternoon observations West of Bristol saw: 66237 + 66198 pass Bedminster at 12:08 (14 early) with the 3S59 water cannon to Barton Hill, via Weston-super-Mare, Stobart 66414 + DRS livered 66422 with the 6M67 14:02 Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks through Yatton at 14:27 (having departed 27 early) and 66611 passing Nailsea at 10:35 on a 6Z85 09:20 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater wagon turning move. In the Bristol area, 31233 was stabled on the former Bath Road spur during the morning and 59102 worked the 6A83 12:40 Machen - West Drayton A.R.C. via Day’s curve and Bath (as booked) but was then routed via Westbury and Newbury (booked 16:18) instead of Box.

29/10 A body found on the down side embankment at Nailsea & Backwell station around 08:30 saw all booked train stops cancelled whilst BT police investigations took place. At Temple Meads , 31459 departed on a 1Z12 test working (formed with c/stock : 977868 + 9701) for Reading .

30/10 Royal Train dedicated 67005 was most unusual power for the diverted 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch (Army) MoD trip formed with covered vans and a single empty wagon, being recorded through Box at 10:00, Parkway 10:45 and Charfield 11:29 (104 late). The return 6A36 12:43 Ashchurch - Didcot was recorded through Parkway at 17:55 (412 late!). A First/GW unit failure was reported at Bath , Oldfield Park involving the 1F30 15:30 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour with set 158954 around 16:30. It was hoped the following SWT’s unit working the 1O60 15:52 Temple Meads - Waterloo would assist from the rear, but the stricken set was still not moved at 18:15! Incidentally the same unit was to fail again the following day whilst working 2O90 12:40 Worcester Shrub Hill - Weymouth at Bradford -on - Avon !

31/10 Pathfinder Tours ‘Western Rocks’ (Temple Meads - Buxton) using mainline preserved D1015 Western Champion was put back to 20/03/10, due to loco problems. A 1Z53 06:05 Manchester - Bath (and 1Z54 16:57 return) Northern Belle dining trip did run powered by 67022 and formed with c/stock: 3174 Glamis, 3273 Alnwick, 3267 Belvoir, 3182 Warwick, 1953, 3275 Harlech, 3247 Chatsworth, 17167, 10734 Balmoral, 10729 Crewe. The train, routed both ways via Parkway was recorded at St. Anne’s at 11:08, the ECS going forward as 5Z53 11:26 Bath - Swindon . The return 5Z54 16:15 Swindon - Bath ECS arrived on time at Bath (16:48), but departed 19 late (delaying the following 1C20 15:30 Paddington - Temple Meads First/GW HST service), possibly due to loco problems as a swap took place, for 67016 on an unscheduled return stop in Temple Meads. On the freight side the 6M60 02:10 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot freight was worked by 66105.

Gloucester

01/10 60011 worked the 6V07 Round Oak - Margam steel service. 66013 ran 0A36 light from Ashchurch - Didcot having brought in the morning MoD trip.

02/10 Class 60 activities during the day included: 60041 on 6V92 Corby - Margam steel empties and 60035 on the 6V07 Round Oak - Margam steel empties.

03/10 After a gap of several years, preserved Hastings DEMU set 1001 (formed 60116, 60501, 69337, 60519, 60118) was back in the area working a 1Z27 07:00 Hastings - Worcester Shrub Hill outing (via Swindon and Kemble) with the 1Z28 16:33 return being routed via Birmingham, High Wycombe, Greenford, Kensington Olympia and Tonbridge.

06/10 60096 + 66148 + 60073 were reported to have formed a 0A53 13:04 Saltley lip - Newport ADJ light-engine move.

09/10 60045 was unusual power on the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD service, being recorded passing Swindon at 08:25 heading for Kemble.

10/10 67008 powered a 1Z95 08:45 Victoria - Worcester Shrub Hill and 1Z96 return VSOE outing, routed each way via Swindon, Kemble and the Stroud Valley .

12/10 60035 was on the 6V07 Round Oak - Margam steel service.

14/10 60011 headed the 6V05 Round Oak - Margam towards South Wales , being recorded passing Chepstow at 11:39. 66079 passed Cheltenham at 12:21 on the 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD train, and later DRS 66423 was on 6Z67 10:58 Shipley - Cardiff Tidal scrap empties, previously an Advenza freight duty.

16/10 DRS 47832 was on a 6Z47 on a Westerleigh bound departmental, which required a loco run-round at Gloucester. The train was thought to have originated at either Ealing or Rugby , and arrived at it’s destination at 14:10.

17/10 A UK Rail ‘ Regency Cheltenham’ excursion (1Z62 07:42 Stevenage - Cheltenham) was headed by Royal 67005 using c/stock: 5341, 1813, 3068, 3097, 1699, 3066, 3149, 1691, 3119, 3120, 17015.

19/10 60011 was again on the 6V05 Round Oak - Margam steel service, with 60004 working this train during the following day.

21/10 60063 headed the 6V92 Corby - Margam steel empties.

22/10 60035 powered 6V40 Lackenby - Llanwern loaded steel.

23/10 60073 was on the 6V05 Round Oak - Margam steel empties, being reported through Chepstow at 14:59.

24/10 An ‘additional’ Saturday 7X36 17:00 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD service was worked by 66142, the loco and train being already noted in the reception loop alongside the mainline at 15:50.

26/10 The day’s Round Oak - Margam steel empties were in the hands of 60004 (6V05) and 60073 (6V07).

30/10 Track work, believed to be linked to drainage improvements in Sapperton Tunnel saw the Swindon - Standish junction line closed for the week with road bus links between Gloucester - Stroud - Kemble and Swindon . A diverted freight service during the period was the Ashchurch MoD (6B36), being routed via Bristol on at least three occasions during the closure period (also see the Bristol Parkway & Temple Meads notes & news sections). DRS 66427 was on 6Z67 06:51 Shipley - Cardiff Tidal scrap empties during the early afternoon, being unconfirmed as routed via Bristol Parkway (being booked here at 13:39).

Newport

09/10 60096 was on the 6M96 05:50 Margam - Corby loaded steel coils.

12/10 66060 arrived in the area on the Monday’s only 6V69 16:58 Stoke Cliffe Vale - Newport ADJ freight service.

14/10 57316 + 57315 were noted top n’tailing buffet coach 10202 through the station on an unidentified working.

15/10 31454 worked a 2Z08 test train over the Newport - Ebbw Vale line during the evening, being reported as ‘crossing’ the Barton Hill (3S59) water cannon (with 66159 + 66237) at Cross Keys.

17/10 60073 + 66192 were paired on the overnight 6V19 Immingham - Margam ‘enterprise’ freight.

19/10 66174 was on the Monday’s only 6V69 16:58 Bescot downside - Newport ADJ freight.

26/10 66186 + 66008 + 66093 + 66138 passed at 08:43 on a 0F85 light-engine move to Margam.

27/10 57315 worked the 1V31 05:32 Holyhead - Cardiff Central Arriva Trains service. 

The planned £150 million Newport signalling scheme is to be completed over the Xmas period, with the Severn Tunnel and Chepstow mainlines being closed from 27/12/09 - 03/01/10. A previously out of use platform at Severn Tunnel Junction is to be brought back into use on the ‘up’ Bristol mainline. This location is expected to be used for spectators (with a shuttle bus road connection) visiting the 37th Ryder Cup tournament being held at Celtic Lodge, near Newport from 01/10/10 - 03/10/10.

Portbury Branchline

Fastline’s coal plan for first part of the month was as follows: w/c 05/10: 4V09 11:49 (TWO) Chaddeston - Portbury (16:12) for 6Z99 19:00 Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. w/c 12/10: 4V09 11:49 (MO) Chaddeston - Portbury (16:12) coal empties, 4V09 10:00 (TWO) Ratcliffe P.S. - Portbury (16:12), both for 6Z99 19:00 (MTWO) Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. loaded coal. 6M18 05:00 (MO) Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. w/c 19/10:

4V09 11:49 (MTO) Chaddeston - Portbury (16:12) for 6Z99 19:00 (MTO) Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. 6M18 05:00 (MTO) Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included:- 66192. 66301/303/305. 66507/510/545.

66720/726.

Westbury

14/10 Mainline preserved Class 52 D1015 Western Champion (running as D1054 Western Governor) was unusually ‘hired’ by Colas-rail to move ‘stored’ china clay wagons from Salisbury - Burngullow. The loco ran 0Z52 14:20 Eastleigh - Quidhampton (arriving at 14:59, 9 early), to work 6Z52 15:55 Quidhampton - Plymouth Tavistock junction, comprising of 15 slurry bogie tanks, via Salisbury, Westbury (run-round, departing here at 17:38 13 late), Castle Cary and Taunton (18:23 2 early). Following overnight stabling in Plymouth, the train continued as 6Z52 09:35 Tavistock yard - Burngullow (15/10), the loco returning as 0Z52 11:00 Burngullow - Eastleigh light-engine. Also during the day, 66621 was reported as working the 6M22 Westbury - Stud Farm stone empties.

Further news from the area is Network Rail are to built a new rail and sleeper recycling facility on the old depot/fuelling point site (close to the station, on the up side) which will create around 20 new jobs.

Weymouth

06/10 ‘Heritage’ EMU sets 1497 + 1498 were located in the Town’s Jersey siding during the day. Their working days over the Brockenhurst - Lymington pier branch line now being numbered with a May 2010 take over by ‘modern’ stock now expected to take place.

Units seen during the month

143603/612/617618/621.

150121/127/219/221/234/238/239/244/247/248/249/263/267/281.

153305/368/369/370/372/373/382.

158748/766/767/769/798/950/951*/952/953/954/956/957/958/959.

220003/008/010/015/019/022/024//025/026.

221119/121/123/127/130/132/133/139.

Note:- 158951 was recorded as running as a two-car set (52764 + 57764).

First/GW ‘SWT’ unit hire

01/10 158888.  03/10 158884. 06/10 158880. 09/10 158888.

19/10 158887.  20/10 158885.  23/10 158884.

XC HST PC Count: 43207/285/301/303/304/321/357/366/384.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers

58021 - France

DFIM Freightliner Class 66 Intermodal 66562/564/565

DFTZ Freightliner Class 66 Stored 66573/574/578/579/580/581

GBRT First GBRF Class 92 Training 92038/043

XHAC DRS  Class 47  47501/712/790/802/832

XHCK DRS  Class 57  57002-004/007-009/012

Stored

08460/511 (TTLS)

BH: 20168. CE: 37429/670. 67028. DC: 08993. KM: 57010/011.

TO: 08605/737/742. 60004/019/022/024/035/039/045/049/059/073,

60084/096. Shotton: 08809.

Traffic

08495 –TO(Mossend), 08711/735. 09106 –TO(DC), 37425. 60051 –TO.

Disposals

Booth: 08345/728/736. 20215

Thomson: 01557

Private: 56134

Booth: 37415/428/684/698. 56118

EMR: 56033/048/056/068/079/116

R Hull : 37203/890/893/896

Renumbered ( Poland )

66582 – 66009, 65583 – 66010, 66584 – 66011, 66586 – 66008,

66625 - 66101

New Stock

70001 –FD, 70002 - 70006 -LD

DFGH Freightliner Cl70 Heavy Haul LD

DFGI Freightliner Cl70 Intermodal FD

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers

313102/108(WN)-BI

377208/209/213(BF)-SU

Stored

321426/427 –Orient Way , 432 -ZG

Traffic

321427 –IL

44209/415/416/418/422 –BI

508302/303 –BD

New Stock

377515/522/523 -BF

378011/012 –WN, 140/141/142 -NG

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

6378/79 –GBXX, 11028 –EICS, 94150/168/190/191 –QGUV

Stored

LA: 40228. 40712/714. TO: 94177/208. 94316/318

Traffic

40106/108 -OO

Disposals

Booth: 6160

Ron Hull: 975392

North Norfolk: 9448 East Lancs : 35452

For Sale : 5309. 10540/554/682. 17161.

Renumbered

42162 – 40106, 42314 – 40108

 

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

 4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers

01/10 66503. 02/10 66592. 05/10 66572. 06/10 66535. 07/10 66587.

08/10 66577. 09/10 66558. 12/10 66501. 13/10 66955. 14/10 66569.

15/10 66571. 16/10 66577. 19/10 66576. 20/10 66592. 21/10 66505.

22/10 66530. 23/10 66541. 26/10 66536. 27/10 66530. 28/10 66503.

29/10 66579. 30/10 66569.

 4V60 Calvert - Bristol Barrow road bin liner

09/10 66598. 23/10 66585. 30/10 66560.

 6M55 06:48 Avonmouth West Wharf - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

04/10 66563. 08/10 66510.

 6M04 11:23 Avonmouth West Wharf - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

02/10 66518. 04/10 66510. 12/10 66518. 09/10 66552. 21/10 66520.

22/10 66520.

 LOCAL FASTLINE WORKINGS

 6M18 05:00 Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. * 6M69 (SO) loaded coal

12/10 66720. 19/10 66301. 20/10 66726. 31/10* 66303..

 4V09/6Z99 19:00 Portbury - Ratcliffe P.S. loaded coal

07/10 66720. 12/10 66301. 13/10 66720. 14/10 66305. 22/10 66726.

23/10 66724. 28/10 66305. 30/10 66726.

 LOCAL DBS (EWS) WORKINGS

 

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh fuel oil

01/10 60054. 02/10 60054. 05/10 60054. 07/10 60063. 08-10/10 60054.

12/10 60054. 13/10 60054. 14/10 60013. 15/10 60054. 16/10 60054.

17/10 60011+60054. 19-21/10 60054. 22/10 60073. 23/10 60054. 26/10 60054.

27/10 60054. 29/10 60054. 30/10 60054.

 

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey / 6E77 - Port Clarence (WO)

01/10 60085. 02/10 60085. 12/10 60010. 15/10 60040. 15/10 60040.

16/10 60040. 26/10 60084. 27/10 60084. 28/10 60054. 30/10 60084.

31/10 60054.

6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon steel

03/10 60041. 09/10 66165. 13/10 60063. 16/10 66083. 23/10 60045.

30/11 66248.

6B33 Theale - Robeston fuel tank empties

06/10 60063. 08/10 60096. 13/10 60011. 15/10 60011. 17/10 60035.

20/10 60063. 22/10 60063. 26/10 60063. 27/10 60073. 29/10 60004.

6B83/6C83 (6B80/6C80 SO)

02/10 59201* 07/10 59202. 09/10 59202* 14/10 66115** 16/10 59205*

21/10 59202* 23/10 59205. 26/10 59201. 28/10 59102** 30/10 59201*

* Note: The return working was confirmed on these dates as: 6A83 12:40 Machen - West Drayton A.R.C.

** The return working was confirmed as 6Z83 11:40 Machen - West Drayton A.R.C on these dates.

6V62 Eastleigh - Plymouth Tavistock yard fuel tanks (TO)

06/10 66077. 13/10 66152. 20/10 66158. 27/10 66001.

6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental

06/10 66103. 14/10 60065. 22/10 66117.

6B35 (or 4B35) Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

09/10 66165. 15/10 66227. 20/10 66135.

6X52 Portbury - Tyne Yard / Mossend loaded and empty car carriers

02/10 66164 06/10 66011. 08/10 66004. 09/10 66102. 13/10 66069.

15/10 66016. 20/10 66063. 27/10 66161. 29/10 66174. 30/10 66094.  

6V78 Dolland’s Moor - Margam import steel empties

02/10 66050. 06/10 66131. 10/10 66248. 17/10 66213. 20/10 66178.

29/10 66137. 31/10 66152.

6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores

14/10 66092. 19/10 66100. 21/10 66100. 26/10 66154.

6V77 Cliffe Vale - St. Blazey china clay empties (ThO)

01/10 66119. 15/10 66060.

 FREIGHT REVIEW

 A production error resulted in the same review appearing in both the October and November editions of the Magazine.

Well, it's been a somewhat quiet month for me personally due to a couple of inactive Mondays in late November due to other commitments, which has cut down my logging numbers quite considerably. So, this may be a shorter review than recently, but here goes. The main talking point "in these parts" recently has been the arrival of the class 70s. Lawley Street Freightliner Terminal played host to 70001 for a few days, and it was noted by a few colleagues on training runs to and from Crewe and Leeds Midland Road . A fellow enthusiast noted 70002 passing through Walsall on 4th December with the Portbury-Rugeley coal. As four other examples have now also arrived in the country, I personally should note one at Nuneaton on Monday evening, as one of the services earmarked for class 70 haulage is the evening Ipswich (ex-Felixstowe)-Lawley Street Freightliner service which crew-changes at Nuneaton around 19.50. There is, I believe a class 70 to be allocated to a Southampton-Trafford Park Freightliner service which passes through Nuneaton around 16.30, which is before I arrive on the station. Still, we'll see what ensues this coming Monday (14th December). Locally to me, the British Gypsum traffic to and from East Leake has been working quite regularly recently, locos involved being 66703, 66711, 66713, 66718, 66727 and 66729, The Lafarge bogie cement service, 6M92 West Thurrock-Earles Sidings has been in the charge of 66612 for weeks now. (Don't think they know how to detach the locomotive from the train!) The Mountsorrel-Doncaster working of yellow boxes has also been regular over the past month as I see it at lunchtime during my break. Again, as with the Lafarge train, the locos don't vary much, 66611 and 66617 being the motive power. On to my only two visits out this month to Nuneaton . On 16th November a usual busy night was had with all the booked servicECS turning up, starting at Leicester as I boarded my train, with 66109 noted passing through with the Colnbrook-Lindsey tanks and 66623 closely following with (I think) the Westbury-Mountsorrel yellow boxes, then passing the "leaf-buster" service just south of the station top'n'tailed by 67001 and 67029. The first service noted at Nuneaton was a Southampton-Trafford Park freightliner hauled by 66576, this was closely followed north by another freightliner hauled by 90047. The southbound automotive empties were in the charge of 90018. The DRS Stobart/Malcolm services this particular evening were in the charge of 66413 and 66411 (first time sighting of this loco this year for me personally) on the two northbound services and 66430 on the southbound empties at around 20.00. The Enterprise service northbound, made up exclusively of automotive vehicles, was headed by 92009. The local "leaf-buster" was also noted with 66023 and 66143 in charge. Other freightliners noted that night were hauled by 66579, 66505, 66542, 66546, 66578 and 66567. Added to this list was a Freightliner coal service in the charge of 66551 and a Fastline coal with 66305 at its head. Incidentally, these Fastline coal services seem to run to a completely different pattern these days, with sightings of them seemingly haphazard from day to day. Moving to the week later, 30th November, with the same two services noted at Leicester before I departed - the Colnbrook-Lindsey tanks in the charge of 66056 and the Westbury-Mountsorrel yellow boxes with 66954 at its head. At Nuneaton, all the usual services as the previous date - 90044 and the northbound liner, the southbound automotive empties with 90020 and 90018 at the "sharp end", 66416, 66422 and 66428 on the Stobart/W.H.Malcolm services, the northbound enterprise (again totally made up of automotive vehicles) in the charge of 92009/92019, and completing the sightings were 66528, 66505, 66575, 66588 on various Freightliner services. As a footnote to my report, en route into Birmingham New Street at 08.00 on 11th December, I noted an unidentified Colas Rail 66/8 entering Hams Hall with a Norfolk Line container service. These are the services that have been the domain of the class 56. Apologies, that there appears little substance this month, but it is a quiet time for me around this time of the year as it is for many enthusiasts as Christmas approaches. All good wishes for 2010 and enjoying the hobby.

 MISCELLANEOUS

WATER CANNON (RHTT)

27/10 A check of allocated locos in the South Wales & West areas found the following in use:- St. Blazey (3S13)    : 66116 + 66153. Margam (3S61) : 66098 + 66106. Bristol Barton Hill (3S59) : 66198 + 66237. Didcot (3J41) : 66009 + 66134. 

Road Movements

29/10 Ex.BR diesel 20110, M5 Avonmouth bridge 10:05, westbound en-route to the South Devon Railway, from the Spa Valley Railway.

Named Trains

First/GW are to reinstate the following names on these listed service trains during December 2010:

The Merchant Venturer –

07:30 London Paddington - Penzance .

The Torbay Express 

10:00 London Paddington - Paignton (Weekdays).

    16:30 Paignton - London Paddington (Saturdays).

    14:15 Paignton - London Paddington (Weekdays).

    07:20 Paignton - London Paddington (Saturdays).

The Cornish Riviera  

10:06 London Paddington - Penzance .

    08:45 Penzance - London Paddington.

The Mayflower   

11:06 London Paddington - Plymouth .

    15:00 Plymouth - London Paddington.

The Royal Duchy  

12:06 London Paddington - Penzance .

    14:00 Penzance - London Paddington.

The Golden Hind  

18:03 London Paddington - Penzance .

     05:05 Penzance - Paddington.   

The Night Riviera   

23:45 London Paddington - Penzance (Weekdays).

     23:50 Penzance - London Paddington (Sundays).

     21:15 Penzance - London Paddington (Sundays).

     21:45 Penzance - London Paddington (Weekdays).

 PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

 Joe Nemeth Engineering, Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton (10/10/09)       R.W.Giles

A successful vintage transport ‘open day’ was held at this new loco builders site (opened in October 2008) with the following present:- 60cm gauge: 0-4-0WT (Jung 3175/21), undergoing overhaul/rebuild expected to be completed in 2010.

2ft gauge: all on temporary laid running lines: 4wPM DSN 09 (J.Nemeth 2009) green livery (new build, using a refurbished lister 2 cylinder engine). 4wPM (L 33650/49) yellow livery (visiting loco from B.Faulkner, Churcham, Glous). STATFORD 0-4-0T (HE 3903/05) red livery, in use with two empty wagons (visiting loco from the Statford Barn Railway).

Notes: Several miniature railway locos were on site for over-haul/repair along with some freight wagons. A 10.25inch gauge 4-6-2 2647 Robin Hood ‘A2/1 Pacific based’ (with six-wheel tender) built in 1947 by David Curwen, was in use giving rides in sit in wagons alongside one of the barns. In the workshop, alongside the Jung were 10.25inch 4-6-2 ‘GN Atlantic based’ 3292 John Terence nearing a complete return to working order having been built in 1908. A 10.25inch GWR 14xx 0-4-2T working loco was also under construction (new). Vintage cars, army vehicles and farm equipment, along with a number of trade stands completed the scene as well as a specially arranged Concorde ‘fly-past’, which was part of a model air display (of course!) £150 was raised for local charities a similar event is planned for 2010.

 DEPARTMENTALS & TRACK MACHINES

 01/10 A370, Hewish (near Weston-s-Mare): on road trailer: Quattro-rail machine 231. Trailer 112.

06/10 Gloucester ‘old’ depot: DR77327. DR80206.

06/10 Weston-s-Mare: Quattro-rail r/r excavator: 472.

10/10 Bristol East depot: r/r excavator: 455.

17/10 Westerleigh (view): DR76601. DR92400.

30/10 Flax Bourton Old Station: Quattro Fleet No. 148 Komatsu PC138US, 4560/04. Fleet No. 225 Komatsu PW130ES, 940410-2, K32144/01