NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

04/01 FLHH started the New Year concentrating coal operations from West Wharf the day’s workings being covered as follows: 66597 - 6M07 03:22 - Rugeley P.S., 66555 - 6M55 07:22 - Rugeley P.S. and 66546 - 6M?? 23:25 - Rugeley P.S.. The 07:22 (SX) was retimed later in the month to depart at 06:30, a 6M04 11:20 (MO) working to Rugeley P.S. was also introduced. 

05/01 The evening 6M05 Ironbridge coal service was powered by 66952.

12/01 Newly delivered 70011 was in charge of the 6M55 06:30 Avonmouth - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal.

26/01 66526 was on the 6M07 03:22 Avonmouth West Wharf - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal.

27/01 66039 worked a 6Z19 16:54 Avonmouth BBHt - Didcot P.S. ‘additional’ coal service.

31/01 59205 powered 6A63 17:16 Avonmouth - Acton loaded stone (for the record the inward empties ran as 6C63 10:05 Westbury - Avonmouth booked to arrive at 11:51). 66096 was also reported to have arrived on a a 4Z13 Margam - Avonmouth train of empty HTAs.

Staff duty changes here now see the driver in charge of loco run-rounds. The shunters are all ‘mobile’ and deal with crippled wagons only. A similar operation is also in place at Didcot. As the month closed, news was received of a new cement freight flow from Avonmouth. No other details are known at present, although DBS is expected to be the train operator.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the review period have included: 66023/025/035/039/063/069.

66133/140/166/185. 66526/546/555/597/952. 70011.

Badminton

31/01 A road bridge at the nearby village of Acton Turville, which had been closed for several months following a NR rebuild, with part funding by South Gloucestershire Council, was reopened on this date and the original 40 tonne weight restriction reinstated. The bridge was also heightened to accommodate overhead wires should electrification of this route be carried out in the future.

Bristol Parkway , Pilning and Westerleigh

16/12 A return 1Q06 Swansea - Temple Meads structural gauging train formed with dept c/stock: 99666, DB975280, DB975081, DC46000, 9708 and top n’tailed with 31285 + 97301 (reported earlier in the evening through Newport at 18:56, on the outward trip) was unable to cover the Tytherington Quarry branch due to a lack of a DBS pilotman.

18/12 Locos stabled during the day included: 66548, 66551, 66556, 66597, 66622.

23/12 Some First/GW Swansea - Paddington HST services were cancelled during the day. A Colas 6V56 Dollands Moor - Llanwern service (reported through Swindon at 11:45) operated with 66844 being booked to arrive in Newport at 12:46. Having worked north on 09/12, 142009 returned as 5Z43 09:14 Newton Heath - Exeter passing Parkway at 14:19 in a plain blue livery with no train operating company brandings.

29/12 A number of freight train diversions were running via Westbury and Bath around this date due to the Reading track re-modelling engineering blockade. This included the 6B33 Theale tanks and 4O51 Millbroook containers. Another interesting diversion through Parkway around passing around 17:30 was 66154 on a DBS 6Z44 12:07 Southampton West Dock - Newport ADJ container service, having run via Westbury and Melksham with a loco run-round at Swindon .

31/12 66555 arrived during the afternoon on 4V06 coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

03/01 Stabled locos at Stoke Gifford at 12:25 included: 66512, 66523, 66548, 66551, 66621.

05/01 66017 was in charge of what was to be the final 6V78 Dollands Moor - Llanwern steel empties, prior to a full transfer over to Colas operation. However, as the month progressed DBS still continued to move wagons associated with this working between Margam and Newport !

07/01 Colas 66844 worked 6V56 02:42 Dollands Moor - Llanwern exchange sidings and was reported through Westerleigh junction at 07:31 (56 early) and a 0Z25 Stoke Gifford - Taunton Fairwater light-engine move was formed with 66610 + 66543 + 66553 + 66526.

09/01 Stoke Gifford sidings at 12:30 held: 66512, 66550, 66551, 66569. The former was later seen shunting coal wagons. Earlier in the day, 66553 + 66526 top n’tailed 6Y33 09:00 Gloucester Yard junction - Taunton Fairwater yard HOBC through at 09:40 (6 late).

10/01 66523 was allocated 0Z24 12:41 Stoke Gifford - Newport docks light-engine to collect the newly delivered Class 70s, however this was changed to 0Z25 10:00 Stoke Gifford - Newport docks for the following day and then cancelled! The Class 70s were then booked as 0Z74 14:00 Newport docks - Stoke Gifford sidings, but this was also postponed to the following day!! Meanwhile, 66511 had been a Stoke Gifford arrival during the day on 6Z47 stone empties ex. Bow.

11/01 Having run 0Z56 08:20 Ripple Lane - Llanwern light-engine (due 13:50), 66841 returned the 6O55 Llanwern - Dollands Moor export steel through Pilning at 14:43. Following problems earlier in south Wales (also see Newport notes & news), the 0Z74 light-engine move arrived formed 70011 + 70008 + 70010 in Stoke Gifford sidings at 19:27 (368 minutes late!) via a reverse at Westerleigh junction. 66609 + 70008 + 70010 then departed at 02:27 (60 early) as 0Z70 Stoke Gifford - Crewe (due 07:05) via the Marches and Hereford , light-engines.

13/01 Flooding between Westerleigh junction and Hullavington in Chipping Sodbury tunnel saw First/GW passenger train delays of up to 90 minutes from around 10:00. HSTs from Swansea were diverted to run via Bath and Box, whilst trains starting and terminating from Cardiff were cancelled.

14/01 Chipping Sodbury tunnel continued to cause problems, First/GW continued diverting a number of their services via Day’s curve, Bath and Box. However there were 10 train cancellations during the day. It was interesting to note, road coach connections operated to and from Filton Abbeywood from Parkway instead of Patchway which is the normal station used when diversions are operating..

15/01 A 0Z98 10:30 Margam - Bescot light loco move was formed: 66127+ 66187 + 66060 + 66050 + 66143 + 66140 + 66128 + 66068 passing Parkway at 13:43 (79 late) and Swindon at 14:21 (86 late). Earlier, Colas 66844 passed Patchway at 09:16 with 6V56 Dollands Moor - Llanwern steel empties.

19/01 56312 + 47739 passed Parkway at 13:50 (4 late) on a Colas 0Z76 12:00 Washwood Heath - Plymouth Tavistock yard light-engine move, having been earlier reported through Cheltenham at 13:05.

20/01 Having run 0B42 Stoke Gifford - Llanwern light-engine 66953, worked a 6Z51 08:46 Llanwern - Eastleigh train of foreign registered covered steel wagons for store passing Pilning at 09:40 (3 early) and Filton Abbeywood at 09:52. Later in the day at 15:30, the following were present in Stoke Gifford sidings: 66523, 66525, 66953, 70004.

21/01 66548 ran 0Z28 10:19 Stoke Gifford - Westbury yard light-engine for a 6Z28 12:03 Westbury down yard - Newton Abbot Hackney yard stone empties move, later returning 0Z29 16:20 light-engine back to Stoke Gifford.

22/01 66118+66076+66131+66152+66170 passed Pilning at 06:40 as a 0X06 Margam - Westbury light-engine movement. 66621 + 70004 later departed Pilning loop at 09:29 on a 0Z74 Crewe - Stoke Gifford light-engine working. Early afternoon occupants at Stoke Gifford were recorded as: 66505, 66523, 66597, 66550, 66620.

23/01 The Severn Tunnel was closed for Sunday maintenance work.

26/01 Returning engineering train’s from overnight track work included: 66616 + 66610 as 6Y11 track replacement train, 04:30 Yate - Taunton Fairwater yard (reported Westerleigh junction at 04:57 - 23 late) and 66017 on 6W53 04:30 Evesham - Oxford Hinksey yard (via Parkway, Day’s curve and Bath ), being reported through Yate at 07:27. Later, 150123 passed Pilning at 07:22 on a 5Z84 St. Phillips Marsh - Cardiff Canton Pullman Rail ECS move for a repaint into First/GW local lines livery. 150121 already repainted in new colours was paired up with 150246 on the 2C67 08:00 Cardiff Central - Paignton First/GW local service. On the freight side, 70011 worked 4V06 08:53 Rugeley P.S.- Stoke Gifford coal empties arriving at Stoke Gifford during the afternoon. The loco also was recorded on this duty over the following two days.   

27/01 66526 brought in 4V47 Rugeley P.S - Stoke Gifford coal empties during the afternoon.

28/01 66616+66610 top n’tailing 6Y11 track replacement train departed Yate at 04:29 for Taunton Fairwater yard.

29/01 The 6V55 03:10 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern Reception sidings was noted passing Patchway at 08:48 double-headed with Colas 66844+66845. A second loco was involved in readiness for the following days return 6O55 diversion via the Stroud Valley where load adhesion problems occurred with this working over Sapperton bank the previous week. During the morning, Stoke Gifford sidings held: 66533, 66548, 66550, 66597, 66612.

30/01 70009 was repaired at Newport docks and ran 0Z25 11:05 to Crewe Basford Hall yard via Stoke Gifford to collect 66548 and for a driver change. The working was later reported passing Gloucester at 12:40, then being routed via Chepstow, the Marches and Hereford .

31/01 20304 passed in the down direction at 13:28 light-engine on a GBRf Gloucester - Cardiff route learning trip (also see Gloucester notes & news sections). Afternoon power station empty coal arrivals at Parkway included: 66526 (4V58) ex. Fiddlers Ferry (Charfield 13:28), 66550 (4V47) ex. Rugeley and 70011 at 15:26 (4V06) ex. Rugeley.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

16/12 A power failure in the Didcot area affected the recently commissioned power signal box. There were diversions via the Berks & Hants route and late running for example the 1L60 12:55 Cardiff Central - Paddington First/GW HST service (with power cars 43063 + 43079) was recorded as 195 minutes late at Reading!

17/12 The structural gauging train left the area as 1Q06 20:30 Temple Meads - Derby RTC in a top n’tail formation with 31285 + 97301, via Gloucester, Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend (reverse). The train actually departed at 20:41 (11 late), having made a 10:40 Temple Meads (west end bay) - Barton Hill move earlier in the day. Due to a road bridge vehicle strike in the Weston-super-Mare area, the 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth Arriva XC service, formed with HST power cars (and coaching stock set), 43366 (XC02) 43303 was diverted via Bath , Westbury and Castle Cary to Taunton .

18/12 There were several train cancellations during the day affected by snow fall. The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered as follows: 43303 (XC02) 43366 - 1V58 09:00 Glasgow Central - Penzance / 43207 (XC04) 43304 1V54 07:00 Glasgow Central - Plynouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds, 1V44 43301 (XC03) 43384 - 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central.

19/12 Arriva XC Sunday HST diagrams were covered as follows: 43301 (XC03) 43384 - 1V56 08:50 Edinburgh Waverley - Bristol TM / 1E47 17:30 Bristol TM - Leeds , 43378 (XC01) 43357 -1V48 08:10 Leeds - Exeter St. Davids / 1S55 15:51 Exeter St. Davids - Edinburgh Waverley, 43303 (XC02) 43366 - 2C64 09:05 Plymouth - Penzance / 1S55 Penzance - Edinburgh Waverley, 43304 (XC04) 43207 - 1V50 09:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1E73 16:25 Plymouth - Leeds. All the listed services were booked to run via a reverse at Newport , then Chepstow and Gloucester .

20/12 In a newly applied First/GW ‘local lines’ livery, 150127 worked the 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central - Plymouth service.

21/12 Adverse weather conditions with snow saw at least 9 services cancelled between Bristol and Taunton . A third track, a loco release loop, was noted laid and in use at the Bristol West (Railport) container terminal.

24/12 The afternoon 6C41 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental (via Day’s curve) was headed by ‘super-power’ with 59201 + 66147 + 66077 + 66152 + 66188 + 66023 + 66187 on a single OAA wagon! Arriva/Wales 150283 was recorded as on ‘spot hire’ to First/GW during the day.

27/12 Major track work and remodelling at Reading saw the station closed to all services until 01/01/11. A limited number of trains were however allowed through the area and call at the station to help passengers to destinations over New Year’s Eve. First/GW Bristol TM and Swansea services were diverted via Foxhall curve, Oxford (pick up), Banbury (pick up and reverse), Greenford and West Ealing to Paddington (although a 1O36 06:40 Temple Meads - Waterloo HST also ran each day until 01/01/11), whilst trains that originated from Devon and Cornwall were routed via Westbury (reverse), Salisbury, Basingstoke (pick up), Woking, Staines, Hounslow, and Clapham junction. Westbound services were also reported to have run via Richmond during the period also.

29/12 31465 headed dept c/stock: 99606, 99701 as 3Q13 06:38 Derby RTC - Temple Meads via Worcester , Evesham, Oxford (reverse), Worcester (reverse), Ashchurch, Charfield and Parkway. The working which stabled in the former Bath Road depot spur in Bristol was earlier reported through Cheltenham at 16:36.

30/12 31465 continued it’s departmental duties working 3Z14 Bristol TM - Weymouth and return during the day. The 6B33 Theale - Robeston empty fuel tanks were reported diverted through Bath during the afternoon headed by 66005 + 66088.

31/12 Afternoon delays were reported between Bristol and Taunton due to signalling problems. December ended the year as the coldest since records began over 100 years ago with an average temperature of minus 1 being recorded for a large part of the country.

01/01 The First/GW 1O36 06:40 Bristol TM - Waterloo HST was terminated at Basingstoke due to a lack of train crew to take the working onwards into the Capital.

02/01 Having arrived in south Wales light-engine (with 66844) via Gloucester earlier in the day, 66841 worked a diverted 6O55 13:55 Llanwern exchange sidings - Dollands Moor export steel formed of curtain sided foreign registered IHA wagons (the load being destined for France), leaving 13 minutes late, passing Severn Tunnel junction at 15:54 (54 late), Filton Abbeywood 15:24 (53 late), Bathampton junction 15:54 (52 late) and Westbury 16:12 (45 late). This routing was due to the blockade at Reading .

03/01 There were morning problems on the Weston-super-Mare loop, with road bus services running between the town’s main station and Worle station. Later, Arriva/ Wales ‘hire’ unit 150237 was noted on the 2D10 11:10 Weston-super-Mare - Bristol Parkway First/GW service. The new Colas steel flow, again diverted, this time with 66844 saw better timekeeping than the previous day! The train departed Llanwern at 13:48 (right time), passing Severn Tunnel junction at 13:56 (7 early), North Somerset junction 14:36 (1 early), departing Bath at 14:53 (1 late) following a crew change and passing Westbury at 15:20 (5 late). A view of Barton Hill depot during the early afternoon recorded the following Anglian livered coaches: 5964/985. 6006/042.

Departmental train activity included 31233 on a 3Z06 18:51 Derby RTC - Barton Hill (due 00:57 on 04/01) formed with dept c/stock: 6262, 99605, 9702 and 31106 on a 3Z12 17:54 Derby RTC - Laira (due 01:49 on 04/01) formed with dept c/stock: 6263, 99602, 9703.

04/01 The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered as follows: 43301 (XC05) 43366 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth / 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley, 43378 (XC01) 43321 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central and 43303 (XC0?) 43384 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth / 1E73 17:25 Plymouth - Leeds . The latter working was however in trouble at Dunhamstead (between Bromsgrove and Cheltenham ) being rescued by 66555. With the working being cancelled, the return 1E73 was later in the day started from Birmingham NS with a Voyager set. The defective HST set was later returned north hauled by a Class 57/3 loco for attention. Also, 31233 was on a return 3Z35 20:22 Barton Hill - Crewe test train departmental.

05/01 Following the previous day’s Arriva XC HST problem, there was only one diagram today with 43207 (XC04) 43304 working the 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth and 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley.

07/01 A 6Z98 09:40 Newton Abbot (Hackney Yard) - Eastleigh departmental was routed via Bristol during the early afternoon headed by 66550.

08/01 The 6Y33 HOBC, top n’tailed by 66553 + 66526 was reported as running 156 minutes late as 19:24 Taunton Fairwater yard - Cheltenham Spa via a reverse at Worcester.

11/01 There were further Arriva XC HST problems during the day with the 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth service (with power cars 43378 + 43384) terminated at Birmingham NS with an AWS fault. However, Voyager set 221126 was on hand to complete the day’s diagram. Also, 221133 was used on the day’s 1V54 06:32 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth and 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds services in place of another HST set. Later the 6Y33 HOBC ex. Taunton Fairwater was unusually routed via the Weston-super-Mare loop northbound with only 66526 being identified of the two locos involved running in the usual top n’tail formation.

13/01 There was general service disruption throughout the area due to weather conditions. Flooding at Flax Bourton and on Claverham Moor saw a 5 - 10mph speed restriction brought into force. NR used pumps to try and clear some of the water. The speed restrictions were lifted by 11:45.

14/01 BR green livered 31190 ran 0Z31 11:00 Meldon Quarry - Derby light-engine following Xmas and New Year passenger workings over the Dartmoor Railway from Okehampton.

15/01 A landslide between Taunton and Castle Cary saw some afternoon diversions via Bristol up until 18:00.

16/01 A 0Z11 12:10 Laira - St. Phillips Marsh stock move was formed with back to back HST power cars 43160 + 43009.

18/01 The second Class 31 used over the Xmas and New Year period on the Dartmoor Railway, 31454 returned north as 0Z62 12:47 Meldon Quarry - Washwood Heath passing Bridgwater at 15:44 (and was booked to stop in Yatton loop from 15:30 - 16:02).

19/01 Colas 56312 + 47739 passed during the early afternoon on a 0Z76 12:00 Washwood Heath - Plymouth Tavistock yard light-engine move to top n’tail a return 6Z76 07:35 Tavistock yard - Ealing track machine working on the following day via Westbury with departmentals DR92377, DR92400 and DR76601. Other reports for the day included: 66207 on a delayed 21 wagon 6V99 11:40 Worcester - St. Blazey china clay train passing Uphill junction at 14:38 and 66953 which ran 0Z28 07:10 Taunton Fairwater - Newton Abbot Hackney yard light-engine to work a 6Z28 09:40 Hackney Yard - Eastleigh East yard train via Bristol being reported through Bridgwater at 11:51 and Nailsea at 12:34 (being booked in Temple Meads from 12:47 - 12:49). Once the working was completed the loco returned as 0Z29 17:12 Eastleigh East yard - Stoke Gifford light-engine.

20/01 The 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe coal sidings nuclear flask train arrived in Temple Meads at 14:15 headed by 37601 + 37038 with one FNA wagon 550055.

21/01 The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered by: 43378 (XC02) 43303 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth and 43366 (XC04) 43207 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth . Two HOBC wagon turning moves were reported via Bristol , Bath and Westbury; 66553 - 6Z85 10:00 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater (due Temple Meads 10:48-11:12, but reported through Yatton at 10:53) and 66621 - 6Z28 14:28 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater.

22/01 It is unusual to report a problem on the VSOE, but 67030 working 1Z91 Victoria - Bath Spa was stopped at Didcot at 12:38 (76 late) the third coach from the rear, Ione (99539) having suffered a wheel flat at Pangbourne, the train being allowed to proceed onwards at 20 mph. With the passengers de-trained at the station, the defective coach was removed by 66011 and left in a siding, as the working returned as as a retimed 1Z92 13:53 to Victoria departing 19 minutes late. The ECS was booked to be serviced in Bristol East yard running here after arrival as 5Z92 12:55 Bath - Bristol East and 5Z93 16:37 return.

23/01 Freightliner Intermodal 66539 ran 0Y27 Stoke Gifford - Thingley yard to work 6Y27 Thingley yard - Newton Abbot Hackney yard via Bristol TM departing at 09:50 (having arrived at 08:15) and 10:27 through Uphill junction, running some 3 hours late. Track work in the Cheltenham area saw 66553 + 66526 top n’tail a return 6Y33 09:00 Gloucester New yard - Taunton Fairwater track replacement train passing Yatton at 10:28.

24/01 Arriva/Wales 150235 was ‘on hire’ to First/GW covering the 2M20 06:16 Swindon - Southampton Central, 2M97 08:23 Southampton Central -Great Malvern, 2O93 12:51 Great Malvern - Weymouth and 2V93 17:30 Great Malvern - Bristol TM, which turned out by the end of the month to be a regular ‘hire’ diagram. 66526 worked a 6Z87 05:45 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning move, whilst later Freightliner intermodal 66539 was still active on Heavy-haul duties having worked 6Z28 10:08 Newton Abbot Hackney yard - Oxford Hinksey yard and running 0Y27 Stoke Gifford - Newton Abbot Hackney yard light and a 6Y27 Hackney yard - Yatton loop working during the evening.

25/01 Having departed Westbury at 10:16, 60074 + 66021 passed Bath Spa at 10:41 and Filton Abbeywood at 11:14 hauling 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental formed of a single HOBC wagon 92282. Earlier in the day, 142001 had covered the First/GW 1A08 06:30 Exeter St. David’s - Paddington service as far as Temple Meads following the failure of the inward ECS to Exeter (5A08 04:20 ex. Laira) on Hemerdon Bank, with problems on power car 43128. 43148 headed the train back to Plymouth .

26/01 31459 propelled its three NR departmental coaches from platform 2 at 18:55 to Exeter . Anglian livered 5965/985. 6006/042 were all still visible on Barton Hill depot despite the end of First/GW’s loco hauled operation in November last year.

28/01 142068 worked north as 5Z42 Exeter St. Davids - Newton Heath ECS for a repaint to plain blue and Arriva/Wales ‘hire’ to First/GW unit 150253 worked the 2M20, 2M97,2090 and 2V93 diagram during the day (also see 24/01 notes).

29/01 Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Rother Don Explorer’ (1Z27 06:17 Temple Meads - Deeepcar and 1Z28 return) was worked by 66070 with c/stock; M35469, W3122, W3107, W3140, 1699, M1832, W5341, 5276, 5322, W5009, 4927, 5040, W5350, and called correct time outward at Parkway at 06:44. The trip returned at 23:07 to time, the ECS then going forward to Bristol East sidings for overnight stabling. Other locos used during the day on the trip were: 31190 + 31602 and DBS livered 60011.

30/01 For anyone somehow not in the know and was making a casual Sunday morning visit to the ticket barrier at Temple Meads, they would have had a big surprise with no less than 5 locos stabled on the up siding canopy road! 20304 + 20301 + 73209 (ex. St. Leonards) + 20302 + 20305 (also see the February 2011 Magazine cover) had all arrived late the previous evening as a GBRf 6V20 Acton - Gloucester (via Cardiff Tidal sidings to drop off the Class 73 to take up loco pilot duties there - see last months Magazine) move. Following problems with 20305 the trains formation was changed at Bristol West departing at 17:38 formed 20305 + 20302 + 73209 + 20301 + 20304, passing Ashley Hill at 17:42 and being later reported passing East Usk at 21:50 with the Class 73 removed, heading towards Gloucester . Two KPA barrier bogie tank wagons VTG85936 and VTG85933 departed on the rear, having arrived marshalled between the Class 73 and 20302 on arrival in Temple Meads . GBRf had been given 10 days notice to establish a new South Wales scrap metal operation with driver route learning using the Class 20s from the Birmingham area taking in Snow Hill, Rowley Regis and Handsworth (also see Gloucester notes & news section). A 0X74 16:30 Eastleigh - Barton Hill light loco move was formed with: 66115 + 66057 + 66117 + 66098 + 66096 being recorded in Temple Meads at 19:15. Also, earlier, the previous day’s railtour stock was noted being shunted at 12:45 with 66127 before departing as 5Z29 13:00 to Eastleigh via Bath and Westbury and HST power car 43097 was visible near the wheel lathe with a sheeted over cab having been damaged towards the end of 2010 following a collision with a tree on the Berks & Hants route.

Over at Barton Hill, coaches 9527 and 5998 were stabled in the car park siding with a rake of six other coaches alongside the Voyager shed with only 6066 and 5984 being identified. All were carrying the former Anglian livery.

A second report from Ashley Hill just before the 6V20 appeared was at 17:33 with an unidentified Hanson Class 59/1 heading towards Stapleton Road on a autoballaster and ballast cleaning train, believed heading for Westbury.

Cardiff

15/12 DRS 66434 collected a failed 66421 from Central station during the afternoon.

16/12 59002 was on Canton depot for wheel turning.

20/12 The Arriva XC 1W91 16:15 Cardiff Central - Holyhead service was worked by 57316. DRS 47832 ran 0Z68 19:00 Cardiff Central - Cardiff Tidal light-engine to work 6Z68 20:55 empty scrap wagons to Stockton (Advenza).

Gloucester

27/12 With some Arriva/Wales driver’s involved in industrial action at Gloucester , some Arriva XC long distance trains were making additional station stops as cover.

31/12 At around 01:30, a serious fire was started in the Gloucester station ticket office which caused around £300,000 of damage. A temporary portakabin was set up to deal with tickets and information and a 17 year old youth was later arrested by BT Police suspected of arson.

02/01 Colas 66841 + 66844 were noted during the late morning passing Gloucester OZ55 light-engine to Llanwern. The locos were for use on Dollands Moor steel trains departures, one later in the day and the second over the following day (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).

07/01 DRS 66416 was on 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal scrap empties.

09/01 With the Severn Tunnel closed for Sunday maintenance, Colas 66844 worked the 6O55 13:20 Llanwern Exchange sidings - Dollands Moor French export steel (departing at 13:05 - 15 early) via Gloucester and the Stroud Valley being noted passing Stonehouse at 14:20 and arriving Kemble at 14:44 (right time) departing at 14:53 (11 late).

15/01 A second Sunday Gloucester diversion took place for the Colas 6O55 Dolland’s Moor export steel, again with 66844 in charge.

23/01 A third Sunday of diversions via Gloucester saw the 6O55 arrive Kemble 14:42 (2 early) and departing again at 14:53 (11 late) with loco 66845.

26/01 66199 worked 6V72 23:34 (Tues) Liverpool EMR -Swindon Cocklebury yard scrap empties formed of 18 MBAs. This working is booked to arrive in Swindon at 05:58.

30/01 With problems over Sapperton Bank the previous week 66844 + 66845 were paired on the 6O55 13:10 Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor export steel, again via Kemble (being reported through Lydney at 13:44 - 3 early and Standish junction at 14:21 - 4 early). A path via Bristol Parkway and Day’s curve was also initially available as passing Yate at 14:03, Bath 15:31 and Chippenham 16:03.

31/01 20305 + 20302 + 20303 were all present stabled at Gloucester station having arrived here from Bristol late during the previous day for GBRf driver area route learning (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news). The fourth arrival, 20304 was already out on training duties being booked to run Gloucester - Bristol Parkway - Cardiff - Birmingham - Gloucester . The loco was to fail however at Cardiff !

Also noted during the late afternoon were: 57601 + 57005 + 47237 (ex. store at Gloucester , another former Advenza loco) + c/stock: 94101 + 47500 which all departed at 17:40 for Carnforth (also see Cardiff notes & news).

Newport

16/12 DBS livered 66152 worked the overnight 6V19 Immingham - Margam freight service onwards from Llanwern sidings.

17/12 57316 working Arriva XC 1V31 05:32 Holyhead - Cardiff Central service was reported as terminated at Crewe at 07:51 (19 late) due to severe weather conditions. Two inches of snow fall was recorded in Newport between 03:40 and 04:30.

22/12 57316 worked the 1V31 Holyhead - Cardiff Central service doing a repeat performance again during the following day.

24/12 66112 + 66230 (dit) departed Newport with the 6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) freight service.

29/12 66128 ran 0V51 Warrington - Newport ADJ light-engine only, with no automotive traffic destined for Portbury dock. Colas 47727 worked a 6Z55 Washwood Heath - Llanwern reception IHA ‘stored’ wagon move, before returning 0Z55 light-engine (reported passing Gloucester at 14:51). A second Colas loco 66844 had earlier also run light from Washwood Heath - Llanwern reception sidings (reported Cheltenham at 11:48) in readiness to work the first of a new export steel service destined for North-east France.

04/01 An unidentified FLHH Class 66 ran 0Z70 Stoke Gifford sidings - Newport docks in readiness to shunt the latest batch of new Class 70s on arrival.

05/01 The Beluga Endurance was seen to be berthed in its normal position within Newport docks with 70008 - 70012 on board following arrival from the United States .

06/01 Disaster on the dockside! The final loco to be off-loaded, 70012 was reported as dropped from around 15 ft back onto the ship. A HSE investigation followed and various rumours were circulating regarding the mainframe and cab damaged loco’s future. Sources suggested the loco would be collected by the same ship on return from another European port call and taken back to the United States for component recovery where a new 70012 will be built. Nothing had however been confirmed by the end of January. On the mainline, Colas 66841 ran 0Z66 Llanwern - Ashford light-engine.

08/01 66150 + 66085 (dit) worked the morning 6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) freight service onwards from Newport .

09/01 70012 was visible on the quayside in Newport docks loaded onto a lorry trailer low loader.

11/01 New Class 70 mainline movement, but rather short lived ! 70009 + 70010 + 70008 + 70011 ran 0Z74 11:20 Newport docks - Bristol Parkway Royal Mail siding to drop off 70011. Having departed at 11:15 (5 early) and recorded passing Newport Maindee West junction at 11:57 (21 early) it was all stop near East Usk yard with an axle problem on 70009 (also see the January 2011 Magazine cover). Checks were carried out on 70009 and with 70011 started the convoy retired to East Usk yard at 15:50 (also see Bristol Parkway , Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news). 70009 was later returned to the docks area.

12/01 In a new DBS red repaint 60011 ran 0A53 Bescot - Margam light-engine for West Wales fuel tank duty, being reported through Newport at 07:06.

21/01 DBS 66152 worked 6M96 Margam - Corby steel coils passing Newport at 07:07. DRS 66427 was later recorded on 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal scrap metal empties.

25/01 70009 was reported as moved whilst 70012 was now sheeted over on the quayside still within the docks.

29/01 A 0X69 Newport ADJ - Eastleigh light loco move was formed: 66047 + 66172 + 66107 + 66181 + 66112 + 66016 + 66177 passing Newport station a 08:10.

Portbury branch line

22/12 During the afternoon, an unidentified FLHH Class 66 was noted stabled in the cripple siding with 3 coal wagons. A DBS coal service was also being loaded at the same time.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the review period have included: 66014/063/069/083/085/133/140/185/188. 66512/522/554/555/556/597/599/952

Yate

After public pressure, over a period of four months, vandalised panels on the station’s waiting shelters have been replaced. The Friends of Yate Station group suggested the missing panels be replaced with plastic screens containing internal metal mesh to make them stronger, but First/GW initially stated this would be too costly. Repairs were however, completed by the end of January.

Units seen during the month

142001/009/030/068.

143603/611/612/618/619/620/621.

150120/121/123/127/128/130/131/221/232/235/237/238/239/244/246/249/252/265/266/279/283.

153305/329/361/370/373.

158749/766/767/798/951/952/953/954/955/956/957/958/959.

220006/008/011/021/029/030/033/034.

221126/131/132/133/137/141.

Arriva XC HST power cars: 43207/285/301/303/304/321/357/366/378/384.

SWT First/GW ‘hire’ units: 158887 (24/01), 158888 (05/01), 158889 (27/12/10, 15/01/11), 158890 (03/01, 15/01).

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS