NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

03/02 Correction: April Magazine - 66602 was the loco number missing from the text as working the 6Z39 Avonmouth (West Wharf) - Milton Estate (Didcot) loaded stone on this date.

02/03 59001 powered 6A83 13:30 Avonmouth West Wharf - West Drayton ARC loaded Hanson stone wagons being recorded as passing Filton Abbeywood at 13:59. This train was to operate from this location on several dates during the month, normally as a MWFO working instead of loading at Machen Quarry.

04/03 59005 worked the day’s 6A83 13:30 departure to West Drayton ARC.

08/03 Blue livered 66623 was on a Freightliner stone trip with a booked 13:30 departure time, but did’nt leave until after 16:00 due to a wagon problem. A loco swap unusually took place on the Barton Hill - Avonmouth HTA wagon trip. 66046 (which had brought in the morning 6V51 Warrington car service to Portbury) arrived at 12:52 with 4 HTAs and 66058 which had earlier arrived on an empty coal service later returned two HTAs to Barton Hill. 66058 was then used on the return evening car service to Warrington.

09/03 59202 worked the 6A83 West Drayton ARC stone service.

15/03 66188 arrived at 13:28 with three repaired empty HTA coal wagons from Barton Hill followed at 13:32 by DRS 37059 + 37069 top n’tailing a 1Q12 11:00 Bristol TM - Bristol TM radio test train formed with departmental c/stock: 1256, 5981, 977997, 9481 (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes news).

17/03 66953 was on Freightliner stone duty at West Wharf.

18/03 66158 worked the 6A83 West Drayton ARC stone.

19/03 An additional Saturday early afternoon arrival was 66111 on a 4Z63 06:07 Worksop Mantle Lane) - Avonmouth train of HTA coal empties.

22/03 66610 departed on a 6Z39 13:30 West Wharf - Didcot Milton Distribution centre loaded stone, being also reported through Hallen Marsh at 14:05 and Swindon at 15:25. This train recessed until the following morning then went forward at 05:15 to Thorney Mill.

23/03 59204 was on the 6A83 West Drayton stone.

24/03 66558 was on the 6Z39 13:30 stone departure to Milton.

25/03 66111 was reported as passing Brentry at 13:34 with the 6A83 Avonmouth West Wharf - West Drayton ARC loaded stone service.

30/03 66158 ended the month heading the 6A83 West Drayton ARC stone.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66013/046/061/081/101/108/126/129/148/175/184/192.

An announcement from Bristol City Council has stated the £400,000 yearly subsidy towards the rail operation of the Severn Beach passenger service will be halved at the beginning of this financial year.

Bristol Parkway, Westerleigh and Pilning

01/03 The yearly ‘St. Davids Day special’, operated by Steam Dreams was in the hands of steam loco 44932, standing in for 34067 Tangmere, running as 1Z71 08:45 Victoria - Cardiff Central and 1Z73 16:43 return. The outward departed Parkway following a water stop to time at 12:47 and the return noted through Newport at 17:02. Other water stops were at Challow on the outward and Parkway and Wantage Road on the return. The c/stock in use was as follows: 99035 (loco support), 5249, 5236, 5237, 1961, 3096, 99125, 9104, 13440, 1860, 5200, 5171 with support loco 47500 attached to the rear, the Class 47 being reported as assisting the train into Patchway from the rear on the return!

03/03 70002 remained stationary in the yard all evening although the engine was running.  XC HST saw power cars 43205/384 in use and the Newport ADJ – Didcot freight was worked by 66024.

04/03 DRS 66431 + 66427 working the 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe Coal yard nuclear flasks arrived at Parkway at 13:30 but didn’t go forward until 16:15 in a top n’tail formation from the downside, presumably due to an unspecified problem. Another report for the day was 67027 on a return 1Z48 Cardiff Central - Northampton special routed via the GWML, Acton and Luton .

05/03 220018 working the Arriva XC 1S31 07:25 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley service was routed via the Severn Tunnel and a reverse in Newport, reason unknown. Also, 31285 propelled a 3Z34 04:45 Milford Haven - Derby test train with DBSO 9707 through Parkway at 10:15 (having earlier been reported through Newport at 09:16). Two Freightliner Heavy-haul records were: 66585 on return 6V60 Angerstein Wharf - Stoke Gifford stone empties and 66956 which headed a 6Y12 18:28 Westbury yard - Llandeilo junction (due 23:30) departmental. 66956 + 66538 arrived light-engine from Bristol West (Railport) at 13:47 to join 66522, 66615, 66956, 70006.

06/03 A 6Y12 08:50 Gloucester Yard junction - Westbury yard departmental formed of 20 JNA wagons was worked by 66956 and a 0N03 16:00 Eastleigh - Margam light loco move through Bath, Day’s curve and Pilning was formed: 66144 + 66054 + 66001 + 66133 and reported through Westbury at 17:06.

07/03 66951 noted in the yard and was joined later by 66623 with a stone train. 66157 worked the Newport ADJ freight service and XC HST power cars 43301/357 were recorded.

08/03 DRS locos 37059 + 37069 arrived in the area top n’tailing a 1Q12 11:33 Derby RTC - Temple Meads ‘radio signal’ test train, passing Parkway at 14:35.

09/03 31602 headed north working a 3Z35 23:40 Barton Hill - Crewe C.S. test train being reported as passing Yate at 00:46 (20 late). Shanks spilt liveried 66522 ran 0V60 Bristol - Taunton Fairwater light-engine during the early evening and 70006 was reported stabled on the downside at 17:50.

10/03 Colas 66844 ran 0Z78 light-engine to Llanwern Exchange sidings. 66585 returned 6V44 stone empties from Angerstein Wharf into Stoke Gifford during the late afternoon off the morning 6O56 loaded service from Pengam.

11/03 66207 + DBS liveried 59206 worked the afternoon 6C41 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental.

12/03 At 10:50, Stoke Gifford down sidings held: 66501, 66615, 66951.

13/03 Returning PW train reports included: 66617 + 66608 top n’tailing 6Y11 10:00 Gloucester Yard junction - Taunton Fairwater HOBC (recorded passing Dr. Day’s junction at 10:20) and 66561 + 66616 top n’tailing 6Y33 track replacement train with a 5 wagon autoballaster passing Westerleigh junction at 10:32 and in Yatton loop at 11:55. At 16:00, 66616 and 70004 were stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings.

14/03 66616 with empty HHAs off a morning Uskmouth coal working departed Parkway at 14:30 for Chipping Sodbury loop to run round. Earlier, 66207 + 66171 had passed Patchway at 13:18 on a 6Z60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) train of china clay wagons via Newport .

15/03 The DRS 37059 + 37069 top n’tailed 1Q12 test train was in action, arriving Pilning down loop from Avonmouth at 14:06 and later departing at 14:20 (31 early) and leaving Severn Tunnel at 14:34 (34 early) following a reverse, returning back through Pilning at 14:40 (62 early) for a another reverse on Hallen Moor being again recorded as passing Henbury at 15:15 heading back into Bristol.

16/03 66075 was on an additional 6Z98 09:34 Lindsey - Westerleigh loaded tank working (due 06:30) formed with 21 TEA tanks, the return being 6E41 00:01 (Thur) Westerleigh - Lindsey empties. Steam loco 70000 Britannia ran 5Z72 Crewe - Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) with support, 7 other coaches and 67006 ‘dit’ on the rear (via the Marches and the Severn Tunnel), following a successful return to steam test run two day’s earlier. The working was reported as 70 minutes late off Leominster a water stop being booked in East Usk yard. The train was eventually recorded as passing Lawrence Hill at 22:15 and Nailsea & Backwell at 23:50 (as 5Z75 loco and support coach), the booked Temple Meads times being between 20:32 - 20:59, where the Class 67 and stock were detached. Departure off Taunton , for West Somerset Railway metals was finally recorded at 01:48!

19/03 Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Heart of Wales Rambler’ (1Z90 05:52 Eastleigh - Llandrindod Wells and 1Z92 14:30 return) was worked throughout by 66006 with c/stock: 35469, 3144, 3146, 80041, 3112, 3098, 3110, 3107, 3140, 1813, 5009, 4927, 5350. The train was reported passing Yate at 08:35 and later made a rare call and loco run-round at Gloucester . The return was reported as departing Parkway at 19:47 (24 late) and Bath at 20:05 (14 late). Having run 0Z66 08:40 Eastleigh - Cardiff light-engine, unbranded, green former Freightliner 66581, now working for GBRf collected a failed 66403 (with flat batteries) and empty scrap box wagons returning as 6Z33 14:20 Cardiff Tidal - Eastleigh passing Parkway at 15:29 (3 late) and Swindon at 16:20. The train was reported as to return two days later as 6Z33 04:30 Eastleigh - Cardiff Tidal (booked Pilning loop 17:05-17:18), but this was believed cancelled. Two light-engine convoy reports were as follows: 66068 + 66044 + 66250 + 66204 + 66053 as 0X69 Bescot - Eastleigh, originally booked through Gloucester station at 16:28 for a reverse at Newport and onwards via the Severn Tunnel and Pilning, but following an Ashchurch report of 15:55 the locos ran mainline passed Gloucester towards Standish Junction! Also an 0X16 Margam - Didcot move was formed 66193 + 66136 + 66065 + 66015 + 66035 + 66117 being recorded as passing Parkway at 14:55, Swindon 15:55 and arriving at it’s destination at 16:12.

20/03 Stoke Gifford sidings held the following at 09:20: 66517, 66951, 70004.

22/03 66518 arrived at Stoke Gifford during the afternoon on a empty 6Z18 stone train from Didcot and 66554 brought in 4V47 coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

23/03 66207 worked the newly introduced 6Z12 Dolland’s Moor - Trostre steel service, the train having had a headcode change from 6Z80 (also see Newport notes & news).

24/03 66175 was on the 6Z12 Trostre steel service.

25/03 New plain blue livered 142063 passed Parkway at 15:33 on a return Newton Heath - Exeter St. Davids empty stock move.

26/03 66020 was on the 6Z12 Trostre steel, departing Dolland’s Moor at 10:07 (137 minutes late !) and formed of 24 IHA curtain sided wagons. 66599 worked in on 6V60 Angerstein - Stoke Gifford stone empties during the afternoon.

27/03 66232 was noted passing Parkway during the early afternoon on the 6Z14 Trostre - Dolland’s Moor loaded steel. Stoke Gifford downside held the following at 14:20: 66542, 66548, 66562, 66597, 66599, 66603, 66953, 66956.

28/03 57601 top n’tailing 37676 + 37685 returned week-end railtour ECS through Patchway at 10:20 as 5Z?? 09:33 Temple Meads - Carnforth (also see Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news). Glut of Freightliner 66s around tonight, 66509/951 stabled, 66548 shunting and 66599 with a rake of empty mgr wagons.  XC power cars were 43285/357 and no sign of the Newport ADJ freight at time of departure.

29/03 66121 worked the 6Z12 Trostre steel.

30/03 A 1Z45 06:00 Watford junction - Cardiff Central ‘Central Wales Circular II’ (via Llandrindod Wells) was worked throughout by 67022 using a full rake of mainly MkIII blue/grey Cargo-D stock. The return 1Z46 17:40 Cardiff Central - Watford junction was recorded passing Patchway at 18:13 (4 late), the loco carrying a ‘Rail Blue Charters’ headboard. ECS and light loco moves associated with the train were: 5Z45 14:38 Cardiff Central - Pengam sidings, 0Z47 Pengam sidings - East Usk fuelling point and 0Z48 16:16 East Usk - Pengam sidings light-engines and 5Z46 Pengam sidings - Cardiff Central. On the freight side: 66100 worked the 6Z12 Dollands Moor - Margam loaded steel, 66192 handled the return 6Z14 service.

31/03 The driver of the First/GW unit working the 1F26 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central service reported as hitting an object in the Severn Tunnel resulting in closure and First/GW and Arriva XC diversions via Gloucester. The 6X52 Portbury - Warrington loaded cars with 66153 was also affected and a pilot man needed due to driver route knowledge. The 2C87 18:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton local service was later used for track inspection, the line being fully re-opened by 19:10.

Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

02/03 East Coast ‘hire’ power car 43300 was noted in use with 43301 on the Arriva XC 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth and the return 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds services. 31285 worked a 3Z08 21:48 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Barton Hill test working.

03/03 The ‘hire’ HST power car 43300 (still with 43301) was used on the 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth and 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Arriva XC services. On the freight side: DRS ‘hire’ 66422 was noted at Bristol West ‘Railport’ departing on what was believed to be the ThO 4V30 container service from Southampton which later returns as 4L30 to Felixstowe. 31285 continued test duties as 3Z33 23:15 Barton Hill - Barton Hill via Swansea (booked 03:29 - 04:04) being reported through Patchway at 23:39 (2 early). 158749 + 150131 were paired on the First/GW 2U02 06:19 Temple Meads - Cardiff Central, then 2C67 08:00 Cardiff Central - Paignton and 2U20 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff Central, the Class 150 unit being removed at Temple Meads on the return ready for a move to Pullman at Canton for a repaint to First/GW local line livery completing the recent batch of units delivered from the London Midland. Other reports for the day included: 66616 on a 6Z85 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning move, 67002 + 67003 top n’tailing a 5Z43 16:43 Cardiff - Bristol East yard Northern Belle ECS ready for a working from Temple Meads during the following day and 31285, which departed on a 3Z34 22:59 Kingsland Road - Derby RTC test train (via Swansea, Carmarthen and Milford Haven).      

04/03 The First/GW 1A40 21:45 Penzance - Paddington sleeper with 57604 was booked via Temple Meads (calling between 02:24 - 02:33) with c/stock: 17175, 12161, 10225, 10612, 10563, 10532, 10589 (PZ89), whilst 57602 with the 1C99 23:45 Paddington - Penzance was routed via the Berks & Hants and Westbury with c/stock: 17174, 12100, 10232, 10543, 10584, 10616, 10590 (PZ88).

05/03 Having arrived as ECS the previous day, 67002 + 67003 top n’tailed a 1Z33 09:08 Temple Meads - Kensington Olympia Northern Belle dining special via Bath, passing Twerton at 09:19. The return was 1Z34 18:35 Kensington Olympia - Temple Meads . The train was due to work a Sunday circular dining trip at 14:10 off Gloucester during the following day. Later, DBS livered 59206 arrived at Barton Hill at 12:58 on a 0F59 light-engine move from the Bath direction and a 0N66 Margam - Eastleigh light loco move passed Stapleton Road at 11:55 formed: 66063 + 66040 + 66101 + 66133 heading for Day’s curve and Bath . East Coast HST power car 43300 (on loan to Arriva XC) was again reported this time on the 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Taunton service, later returning from Taunton - Edinburgh . The line west of Taunton was subject to weekend track work in the Tiverton area on several week-ends during the month.      

06/03 The Sunday Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered by the following power cars and intermediate coaching sets: 43366 XC01 43378 - 1V62 11:24 Edinburgh Waverley - Taunton / 1E77 19:54 Taunton - Leeds . 43303 XC02 43321 - 1V50 09:00 Leeds - Taunton / 1S52 13:53 Taunton - Edinburgh Waverley . 43285 XC04 43384 - 1M48 08:00 Leeds - Birmingham NS / 1S41 11:30 Birmingham NS - Edinburgh Waverley / 1E60 17:20 Edinburgh Waverley - Leeds .

07/03 The day’s Arriva XC HST services were worked by the following: 43366 XC01 43378 - 1V44 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central. 43321 XC02 43303 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds . 43384 XC04 43285 - 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth / 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley . 43301 XC05 43357 - 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth / 1E73 17:23 Plymouth - Leeds . Note: 43357 had replaced East Coast ‘hire’ 43300 on the 1V54 / 1E73 diagram.   

08/03 66510 was noted passing Twerton, near Bath at 13:37 (and later through Bristol Parkway at 13:55) with a three ferryvan 6Z30 11:10 Eastleigh - Carlisle yard.

09/03 Having arrived during the previous day from Derby RTC (see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news), DRS 37059 + 37069 top n’tailed the 1Q12 ‘radio test’s train formed with the usual dept c/stock: 1256, 5981, 977997, 9481, the day’s diagram from Bristol at 09:18 was to Swindon (reverse), Kemble, Cheltenham Alstone Road loop (reverse), Haresfield loop, Kemble, Swindon (reverse), Temple Meads, Swindon (reverse) and back to Bristol for Old Oak Common. Some reports for the day were from Keynsham at 09:39, Swindon outward at 10:55, Kemble 14:11 on the return (right time), Temple Meads 15:20 (2 early)/departing at 16:03 (12 early), and again at Swindon at 16:46 en-route to Old Oak Common.

12/03 The 1Q12 was noted stabled back in the west-end bay platform 2 at Temple Meads . Vintage Train’s ‘Collett -Double’ Railtour featuring steam 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe was postponed until 18/06/11.

14/03 37059 + 37069 worked 1Q12 09:18 Temple Meads - Temple Meads via a complex diagram during the day (with noted passing time reports in brackets), taking in Newport (reverse) - Magor (11:30) - Gloucester (reverse) - Yate (12:31) - Westerleigh junction (12:47) - Bristol Parkway (reverse) - Westerleigh junction (13:30) - Cam (13:43) - Gloucester - Severn Tunnel junction - Newport (reverse) - Magor (15:43) - Severn Tunnel junction - Pilning - Filton Abbeywood (16:19 - 74 early! ). The train then ran as 18:24 to Severn Beach and 20:22 return (departing early, but being held near St. Andrews road signal box until it’s booked time to fit in with branch line passenger services) to Temple Meads (booked arrival here being at 21:17). A HST set, with power cars 43034 + 43158 covered a First/GW unit diagram during the day as: 2Y05 07:51 Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare, 2U08 08:40 Weston-super-Mare - Cardiff Central, 2C73 11:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton , 2U18 13:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central, 2C83 16:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton and 2U28 18:08 Taunton - Cardiff Central (believed as far as Temple Meads only).

15/03 Having made an early return to Temple Meads on the day’s booked schedule (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news) 37069 + 37059 top n’tailing 1Q12 departed close to the 16:48 booked departure time for Highbridge loop (booked here from 17:51 - 18:08) via the Yatton and Weston-super-Mare loops, returning, passed Uphill junction at 18:11 (13 early) and Nailsea at 18:35. The train then ran from Temple Meads to Swindon and return via Parkway each way, the outward being recorded here at 20:12 (7 late). The test train which had departed Temple Meads at 11:00 visited Taunton at 12:15, the return being recorded passing Highbridge at 12:32 and Worle at 12:49 (right time).

16/03 First/GW 57602 was again routed via Temple Meads (booked 02:33 - 02:35) and Parkway (02:43) on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington sleeper service. The balancing 1C99 Paddington - Penzance service was again booked via the Berks & Hants and Westbury. The 1Q12 departed Temple Meads at 09:08 still top n’tailed with 37059 + 37069 today taking in Ashton Gate on the Portbury branch (which on the day was left out due to the late arrival of the driver from Taunton due to a train failure !) , Swindon (reverse), Kemble, Cheltenham Alstone Road loop (reverse), Kemble, Swindon (reverse), Thingley junction (reported as passing at 14:58), Bath to Temple Meads for a 16:05 move to Old Oak Common, but on the day was routed to Derby RTC via Parkway and Charfield! The Cheltenham Race ‘relief’ 1Z64 19:10 Gloucester - Euston was recorded passing Filton Abbeywood at 19:55 heading for Dr. Day’s curve and Bath, top n’tailed with 67021 + 67028 (also see Gloucester notes & news). Later steam loco 70000 Britannia made an appearance in Temple Meads on a late running move from Crewe to the West Somerst Railway (also see Bristol Parkway , Pilning and Westerleigh notes & news).

18/03 Two departmental reports for the day were: 66619 on a 6Z26 10:20 Rugby - Taunton Fairwater with an afternoon appearance through Bristol and Colas 47749 with 6Z47 09:26 Rugby - Eastleigh yard hauling stone blower DR80201, via Day’s Curve, having been noted passing Parkway at 13:27 (41 late).

19/03 Steam 34067 Tangmere arrived in Bristol on a Railway Touring Company ‘Bath & Bristol’ trip (1Z84 07:52 Three Bridges - Temple Meads and 1Z85 16:35 return) with 47804 attached to the rear of the train. The inward working, was reported at Salisbury at 12:30 and as departing Bath at 13:33 (15 late), the return being recorded at the same location at 16:49.

21/03 Steam 6024 King Edward I ran 5Z60 15:11 Barton Hill - Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) loco + support coach (booked via Yatton loop from 15:50 - 15:56) to replace 34036 Braunton, which was unavailable for the week-end’s steam gala. Later, 66617 + 66619 top n’tailed a 6Y11 Taunton Fairwater - Bridgwater HOBC train via a reverse at Bedminster.

22/03 A view of St. Phillips Marsh near the wheel-lathe area found: loose HST coach 44004 and barrier coach 6348. Both of the electric ‘tug’ locos, the Niteq and SET ‘rail cat’ were also visible.

23/03 66422 + 66303 in Fastline livery (but now working for DRS) were noted leaving Temple Meads at 14:10 on a two wagon 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe with FNAs 550041 + 550055. The working had arrived at Bridgwater earlier in the day at 06:19. The 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth Arriva XC service was noted formed with East Coast ‘hire’ HST power car 43310 XC04 43378. The train was however terminated at Temple Meads an hour late at 14:07, but later formed a 1Z52 service to Plymouth , returning as 1E67 17:25 Plymouth - Leeds . Over at Barton Hill, during the morning, a test train was noted with Class 37, 97303 at one end.

24/03 A second East Coast ‘hired’ HST power car 43326, with Arriva XC 43304 was recorded on the 1V54 06:32 Dundee - Plymouth service. Earlier, 43310 was again recorded this time on the 1V46 06:32 York - Plymouth and 1S55 13:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley, assumed still paired with 43378.

25/03 Observations at Ashley Hill, on Filton bank during the late afternoon recorded the following: Pacer 142068 on a 5Z42 Newton Heath - Exeter St. Davids empty move following an overall plain blue repaint at 15:40, 59205 on a two wagon 6C41 15:15 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental at 16:04  and 57601 + 37676 and 37685 top n’tailing a 5Z40 08:55 Carnforth - Temple Meads ECS (in readiness for railtour duty over the following day) at 16:23. This working was reported through Crewe at 12:11, Newport Maindee North junction at 15:35 (27 early) and booked to arrive in Temple Meads at 16:05.  

26/03 Spitfire Tour’s ‘Holly Oakes’ railtour had an unusual stating point of Weston-super-Mare due to engineering work further west. However, the ECS still arrived from the west surprising a few of the local Weston rail photographers who were facing the other way (!) with 37676 + 37685 top n’tailing 57601 with c/stock: 99723, 99347, 99352, Windermere (506), E3148, 5229, 1861, 4960, 99328, 99327, 99722, 5035. The train which ran as 1Z40 06:42 Weston-super-Mare - Holyhead arrived Temple Meads at 07:03 departing at 07:09 (right time) and departed Parkway at 07:20 (right time). The return 1Z41 16:54 Holyhead - Weston was reported as passing Abbotswood junction at 22:50 (63 late) due to a points failure in the area, a reverse in Gloucester station was to follow. Eventual arrival in Weston was at 00:32 (73 late). Another passenger special, was a 1Z36 07:43 Manchester Victoria - Bath Northern Belle dining trip worked throughout by 67026 being noted passing Yate at 11:58 and Keynsham at 12:10. The associated ECS workings were 5Z27 12:27 Bath - Swindon Transfer yard (recorded passing Chippenham at 12:35) and 5Z38 16:41 return for a a 1Z38 17:15 departure to Manchester . Evening departmental moves through the Bristol area included: 66617 + 66619 top n’tailing a 6Y33 20:52 Taunton Fairwater - Charfield track replacement train and unidentified hauling power on a 6Y11 20:38 Taunton Fairwater - Spetchley loop HOBC working.

27/03 The 1S52 13:23 Taunton - Edinburgh Waverley Arriva XC Voyager was cancelled, due to the very late arrival of the inward service. Later, 66169 + 66080 + 66113 were reported as involved with a 6W03 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental move via Day’s curve, departing Westbury at 14:50. The previous day’s ‘Holy Oakes’ ECS, top n’tailed with 57601 + 37676 and 37685 was noted stabled during the day on the down through line at Temple Meads . A Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Express’ working from London - Bath/Bristol via Salisbury using steam loco 70000 Britannia was cancelled

29/03 Unbranded former DRS owned 66403 passed through Day’s curve on an evening 6Z34 18:12 Eastleigh - Cardiff Tidal two ferryvan wagon move.

30/03 The return 6O34 Tavistock junction - Eastleigh empty fuel tanks was unusually routed through Bristol , with 66043 (the previous day’s 6V62/6C62 loco) being reported as in Temple Meads at 06:50 and through Salisbury at 08:53. 60049 was later noted passing Bristol East at 16:13 on the 6C41 15:15 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental. Earlier, also at Bristol East, in the freight sidings was the VSOE stock for servicing with loco 67003. The train had worked 1V80 09:44 Victoria - Bath and later 1O92 15:55 Bath - Victoria , the ECS (5O92) of which was reported as passing Keynsham at 15:47. The VSOE, on a Bath only visit (not Bristol ) now calls at Warminster each way on route so travellers have an additional option of visiting Longleat House and the safari park. For the record, the days stock in use was as follows: 9502, Lucille, Ione, Vera, Perseus, Minerva, Pheonix, Cygnus, Gwen, Ibis, Zena, 99545.

31/03 A signalling and points failure at Bath Oldfield Park delayed the Arriva XC 1S71 06:09 Bath - Edinburgh Voyager service by around 30 minutes. The First/GW 2B01 05:58 Westbury - Cardiff Central local service was also reported as delayed at Freshford. Test unit 950001 returned back through the area as 2Q08 07:12 Penzance - Temple Meads , being noted passing Worle junction at 13:22. A final report for the day was 66551 passing Temple Meads as 0Y27 Stoke Gifford - Taunton Fairwater to work a 6Y27 16:40 Taunton Fairwater - Newton Abbot Hackney yard train then 6Y27 19:11 Newton Abbot - Berkeley Road junction (via a loco run-round in Gloucester New yard) CWR train.  

Cardiff

04/03 150131 was reported as at Canton Pullman for a repaint into First/GW local line livery. Noted from Rover Way were 08925, 66403, 73209.

12/03 57313 + 57315 top n’tailed a 10:21 Holyhead - Cardiff Central and 20:42 return Six Nations ‘Ruggex’ relief.

18/03 A viewing from Rover Way saw 08925/934 66402 73209 present in the steel works sidings.

25/03 Fastline livered 66301, working for DRS arrived at Tidal sidings on a loaded scrap train from Stockton .

An additional Wrexham - Cardiff loco-hauled service, as well as the Holyhead - Cardiff service is under consideration by the Welsh Assembly for funding.

27/03 66403 was again present on Rover Way along with 08934 and 73209.

Gloucester

02/03 GBRf 66729 worked a 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal train of loaded scrap.

04/03 DRS 66414 powered 6Z90 Stockton - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap.

07/03 Unbranded, former DRS blue 66403 working for GBRf was on a further 6Z97 Beeston - Cardiff Tidal scrap metal move.

09/03 66170 was on the morning 6V72 Liverpool - Swindon scrap metal empties via Kemble whilst later Colas 47749 worked a 6Z47 13:00 Parkeston Quay - Gloucester New yard wagon move.

11/03 66170 was again on the Liverpool - Swindon scrap empties and later 59201 was a most unusual choice of motive power for the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD trip, the loco later returning light to Didcot.

The same loco was to later work to Warrington from Didcot during the evening.

13/03 66615 powered a 6Y12 09:30 Gloucester Yard junction - Westbury yard departmental via the Stroud Valley, Kemble and a loco run-round at Swindon. Colas 47749 was reported as stabled at Gloucester following a 16 cargowagon move from Long Marston.

15/03 This was the first day of the 2011 Cheltenham Race festival. It was the 100th Anniversary of the festival being held at Prestbury Park race course, now with a £500,000 prize going to the winner of the final day’s Gold Cup race. A 1Z63 07:48 Euston - Cheltenham Spa (due 11:15) via Birmingham and 1Z64 19:12 Gloucester - Euston via Bristol Parkway (booked 19:46), Day’s curve and Bath (20:11) operated by DBS on 15th, 16th and 18th, 67021 + 67028 top n’tailing the first two workings. The c/stock in use was reported as: 17015, 3384, 3364, 1683, 3397, 3426, 3390, 1699, 3330, 3417, 17077. On arrival at Cheltenham the train was booked to run 5Z63 11:20 Cheltenham - Worcester (12:44) for stabling, reversing at Gloucester between 11:28 - 12:12. Also during the event Arriva XC operated an additional Voyager ‘relief’ service as (as in 2010) 09:18 Derby - Bristol TM and 12:16 return to Birmingham NS . The set then worked a 15:10 service to Cardiff Central and 17:40 return to Birmingham .

17/03 The NRMT HST set, formed with power cars 43014 + 43013 worked 1Z15 06:50 Derby RTC - Swindon and 1Z17 15:15 return, out and back via the Stroud Valley and Kemble.

18/03 Gold Cup day at Cheltenham: 67028 worked the VSOE running as 1Z88 07:05 Victoria - Cheltenham and 1Z89 19:10 return, via Bristol Parkway (booked 19:50) and Bath (20:33) and 67003 + 67005 top n’tailed the additional 1Z63/1Z64 Euston service. First/GW ran additional HST services over the three days calling at Cheltenham at the expense of a number of Cardiff trains which were cancelled. 66006 headed the return 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD working passing Standish junction at 13:15.

23/03 66030 was on the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD trip being reported through Swindon at 08:20.

Newport

05/03 The Saturday Only 4V46 Basford Hall - Wentlooge containers were worked by 66534.

07/03 60074 headed the 6E30 17:51 Margam - Hartlepool BSC steel service.

08/03 66128 passed Newport at 07:52 on a 6W52 Bridgend – Westbury CWR train.

12/03 66540 was seen from the banks of the Newport & Brecon canal slowly approaching Abergavenny at 16:48 with the Saturdays only, 4M64 Wentlooge - Crewe Basford Hall yard container service.

18/03 60096 was on the early hours 6M11 Margam - Round Oak steel service.

19/03 The Saturday’s only 6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) was noted leaving Newport with 66250 and 66130 (‘dit’). Earlier, 60096 was recorded on the 6V19 (Fri) Immingham - Margam freight service.

22/03 A major electrical power failure in the Cardiff area affected signalling, caused up to 2 hour delays to some services. Road bus services operated to Newport from Cardiff (and to Bridgend in the west), some Valley lines were also affected by the problem. On the freight side, 66613 worked the 6O56 Pengam - Angerstein Wharf stone, returning the empties later as 6V44 to Stoke Gifford sidings. Also, a new freight flow, 6Z80 Dolland’s Moor - Margam operated behind 66080 passing Newport at 07:02. This working conveys packaging produced in Holland and is back loaded with finished steel product for the return to the European mainland to assist with Dutch production following a fire at the countries main Tata operated steel works. The train uses a set of IHA curtain sided wagons.

23/03 66599 was on the 6O58 loaded stone service from Pengam - Angerstein Wharf .

26/03 57316 + 57313 top n’tailed a 1V41 Holyhead - Cardiff Central footex ‘relief’.

27/03 Some evening freight train reports were as follows: 66020 on 6M75 Margam - Carlisle, 66035 with 6E47 Llanwern - Tees yard which departed at 16:25 and 66013 on 6E68 Llanwern - Redcar empty ‘coke’ HTAs which departed at 17:40 and was later noted passing Chepstow at 18:09.

29/03 60049 was on the morning 6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental, returning as booked on the 6C41 Newport ADJ - Westbury.

30/03 60013 powered the 6B03 Newport ADJ- Margam ‘trip’ freight.

31/03 66951 worked 6O56 Pengam - Angerstein Wharf stone and 66001 was on a 6C83 Westbury - Machen and return loaded stone. A most unusual loco movement during the day was: 57001 + 47768 + 47854 running as 0Z47 11:23 Barry Island - Carnforth being recorded as passing Maindee North junction at 12:40 (18 late). 57001 + 47854 had arrived in the area as 0Z57 15:28 Barrow Hill - Barry light-engines during the previous evening, running via Charfield (booked 19:25), Parkway and the Severn Tunnel. 47768 is expected to become a further member of the West Coast front line loco fleet following a full overhaul.

The recent Arriva driver’s dispute has been reported as resolved with a 12% pay increase over the next two years which will include additional working condition changes.

Portbury branch line

At least two loco swaps have been recorded during the month involving the 6V51/6X52 Warrington car service. On 08/03, 66046 brought in the morning 6V51 service with 66058 handling the 6X52 evening departure, whilst on 15/03, 66188 arrived with the 6V51 for 66153 to return on the 6X52. The locos were swapped via the normally Tuesday’s only Avonmouth / Barton Hill HTA wagon cripple trip.

Towards the end of the month, the wagons off the 6M05 20:45 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal service, returned south on a loaded Daw Mill - Didcot P.S. service, before returning to Stoke Gifford empty via Swindon.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66046/193. 66522/530/550/597. 66599/616/951. 70002/004/006/011.

Westbury

13/03 By mid-March, 6 DRS Class 66 locos were on ‘hire’ to either DBS or FL intermodal. 66420 and 66425 were working off Westbury on this date, top n’tailing a 6W53 departmental working to St. Blazey signal box (reported passing Taunton at 19:09) the following day.

15/03 The DRS ‘hire’ Class 66 pair returned as 6W53 06:00 Newquay - Westbury yard.

27/03 At 15:15 the following were present in the station and yard areas: 08711. 59001/002/101. 59204. 66058/132/144.

Units seen during the month have included

142063/064/068.

143611/612/617/618/619/620/621.

150120/121/123/127/128/129/130/208/219/221/227/230/231/232/233/234/235/236

150238/239/241/243/244/246/247/248/253/256/257/263/265/266/280/282/284.

153305/370.

158746/749/751/766/769/798/950/952/953/955*/957/958/959.

159019/101/102.

220001/004/005/009/011/013/018/019/020/021/022/023/024/025/026/028/029/031

220032/033/034.

221120/121/125/124/125/128/130/131/138/139/139/140/141.

Arriva XC HST power cars: 43285/300/301/303/310/321/326/357/366/378/384.

First GW ‘hire’ units from Arriva/Wales: 150230 (17/03), 150235 (22/03), 150253 (29/03), 150256 (30/03), 150280 (22/03), 150284 (25/03).

Notes: * 158955 was recorded as operating with 52765 + 57765 only. 158748 was reported as running as a correctly formed 2-car unit at the end of the month.

FREIGHT REPORT

It seems such a long time since I compiled a review -- and for that I sincerely apologise. The main reason is not lack of information but lack of time due to me moving house and being involved in packing up things and sorting things out. Anyway, enough of that and on to the review, I'm  not going to bore you with a complete list of sightings since my last compilation so will pick out some of the highlights.

Something at Nuneaton recently has been the regular sightings of a couple of the Euro-Spine vehicles, 83.70.4969.005 and 015 both being seen several times, one on the rear of a service from Ditton -- the service including the other vehicle is not known. The class 70s are appearing in the vicinity now with increasing regularity, 70008 being a regular on the Felixstowe-Hams Hall and 70009 on the Southampton-Trafford Park service - both through Nuneaton in the evening. Some of the more unusual services noted now. On 8th March 66090 was noted heading north through Leicester with the following rake of the old Railtrack green bogie opens: 3400/ 55/ 52/ 02/ 25/ 18/ 27/ 13/ 16/ 57/ 04/ 38/ 66/ 56/ 11/ 39/ 19. Not sure what the working was. The next day, 9th March, a day off from work saw me at Peterborough for a few hours in the middle of the day. Not a busy period from freight but a couple worthy of note. Firstly, 66726 was seen heading into New England yard with the following rake of "Salmon" bogie vehicles: 996577/ 382/ 613/ 614/ 537/ 279/ 571/ 472/ 460/ 619. Then 66956 was logged heading east with the following container service: 33.68.4943. 094/ 069/ 092/ 093/ 090, 33.68.4909.414/ 426/ 451/ 441/ 450/ 651/ 626. On 14th March, at Nuneaton , a southbound engineers' service headed by 66083: 93759/ 63/ 62/ 65/ 64/ 70/ 57/ 61/ 05/ 73/ 66, 93604/ 05/ 17, 979500. On the same evening the first DRS/W.H. Malcolm service, in the charge of 66426, consisted of the following vehicles: 33.68.4909.662/ 730/ 155/ 763/ 796/ 774/ 748/ 798/ 042/ 660/ 123/ 677/ 439/ 572/ 393. Just after this 66623 was noted heading west with the following rake of side-tipplers: 501188/ 187/ 023/ 053, 29512/ 408/ 411/ 542/ 042/ 012. The next morning noted passing through Leicester at 7.10 am was 66009 with the following very mixed rake of vehicles: 33.70.6790.073/ 085/ 051/ 015/ 069/ 079/ 001, 9835/ 23/ 06/ 33, 4423/ 17/ 20, Apparently, it was a Mountsorrel-Dagenham working. On 24th April, 70006 made an appearance at the head of the Crewe-Mountsorrel consisting of the following wagons: 37.70.5992.008/ 038/ 058/ 003/ 067/ 002/ 003/ 083/ 007/ 093/ 035/ 108/ 098/ 100/ 026/ 102/ 085/ 099/ 044/ 017/ 021. Moving on to 28th April at Nuneaton and the following noteworthy services. Firstly, the regular DB Schenker working into Hams Hall and, at last, the consist: 93394/ 374/ 458/ 479, 610020/ 19/ 117/ 116/ 263/ 264, 609050/ 068/ 052/ 059/ 026/ 023/ 046/ 100/ 074/ 063/ 092/ 007/ 038. Then the very rarely-seen empty steel from Corby was noted hauled by 66150 consist being: 900109/ 254/ 065/ 072/ 116/ 011/ 103/ 096/ 218/ 053/ 009/106, 910364/ 308/ 384/ 260. The following rake of four-wheel opens was then seen behind 66155: 396092/ 094, 391222/ 1066, 395035/ 141/ 092/ 241, 394011/ 798/ 284/ 229/ 899/ 141/ 465/ 536/ 197/ 072/ 855/ 117. Then, again on the same evening (a busy one, by the way), 70002 heading west with the following engineers' service: 12983/ 04/ 95/ 77/ 68, 380021/ 164/ 165/ 166/ 321, 29089/ 231/ 349/ 288/ 186/ 475/ 515/ 211/ 256. The Colas Rail steel service from Boston was also noted on this day headed by 47727 with the following wagons: 33.87.4915.015/ 001/ 017/ 008/ 014/ 009/ 016/ 007/ 010/ 012. A full day at Nuneaton on 12th May, from 07.45 to 17.40 yielded 42 freight workings -- nothing too out of the ordinary but the sight of 47270 heading north light-engine was nice, and Fastline-liveried 66301 on the southbound W. H. Malcolm working. On to 23rd May at Leicester and the northbound cement working from Theale to Hope, hauled by 66602, the train consisted of: 10857, 11124, 11075, 10787, 10826, 11132, 11133, 10892, 10899, 11019, 10795, 11090, 10763, 10819, 11009, 11098, 10868, 11067, 10818, 11028, 11020, 10809, 10793, 10790, 10875, 11137, 10798, 11102, 11023, 11027, 11022, 10752, 11061, 10781, 11123. Also in the area recently has been the test train from Derby top 'n' tailed by 37602 and 37603 the vehicles being: 9481, 977997, 5981, 1256. Also in the same vein, 37423 has been seen regularly propelling inspection saloon "Caroline". And finally, the "elusive" class 70, namely 70010 was noted three days running, 28th-30th June, at Leicester - twice on the Crewe-Mountsorrel and the other on the Toton-Mountsorrel. Also seen has been ex-works 66302 in DRS livery, and 66304, in Fastline livery, on Freightliner services.

Hopefully, this will redress the balance somewhat from missing a few months reports. All the best. Hopefully, my house-moving event will be complete by the next report. 'Bye for now.

LOCAL LOCO HAULED PASSENGER SERVICES

1V31/1W91 Holyhead - Cardiff Central - Holyhead ‘The WAG Express’.

01-04/03 57313.  07/03 57315.  09/03 57315. 30/03 57316.

Note: c/stock (CF01) in use was reported as: 10259, 5965, 5976, 9521 (01/03). 10259, 6183, 6137, 9539 (30/03).

 

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V51/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers

01/03 70003. 02/03 66566. 03/03 70003. 04/03 66543. 05/03 70003. 04/03 66543. 05/03 70003. 07/03 66955. 09/03 66517. 10/03 70003.

11/03 66563. 12/03 66537. 13/03 66537. 15/03 70003. 16/03 66575. 17/03 70003. 18/03 66534. 19/03 66587. 21/03 66592. 22/03 66563.

23/03 66575. 24/03 66504. 25/03 70003. 26/03* 66562. 28/03** 66504. 29/03 70003. 31/03 70003.

Note: * On arrival at Wentlooge on this date, the loco returned light-engine as 0Z51 to Stoke Gifford sidings. ** 66504 worked the day’s 4O51 being later followed by 66562 on an additional 4Z51 Wentlooge - Southampton container service. 

4V60 Calvert - Bristol Barrow Road binliner

01/03 66531. 02/03 66550. 04/03 66522. 08/03 66522. 09/03 66522. 10/03 66585. 15/03 66953. 15/03 66953. 18/03 66530. 22/03 66951.

25/03 66951. 29/03 66951. 30/03* 66953.

Note: This was to be the second last working of this train. A full historical report of this service will appear in the next Magazine.

6M55 06:55 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

04/03 70006. 22/03 70004. 23/03 70004. 29-30/03 66599.

6M61 08:26 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/03 66550. 07/03 66522. 08/03 70006. 09/03 66951. 10/03 66951. 16/03 70004. 17/03 70011.

6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/03 70002. 16/03 70011. 17/03 66530.

6F65 04:55 Portbury - Uskmouth (Fifoots) P.S. loaded coal

07/03 66951. 08/03 66951. 12/03 70004. 14/03 66616. 19/03 70011. 21/03 70011. 26/03 66597.

6M65 04:55 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal

01/03 70006. 02/03 70006.

6A21 Pengam sidings - Theale loaded stone

01/03 66585. 08/03 66565. 15/03 66951. 24/03 66613. 29/03 66953.

6M36 12:10 Westbury ‘la Farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) (MFO)

14/03 66523. 18/03 66547. 25/03 66622. 28/03 66620.

The Container Count - Bristol West (Railport).

The following have been recorded with train identification listed where known:

03/03 66422. 04/03 66534 (4O24). 05/03 66538. 66956 (4V32). 06/03 66538 (4L30). 66956 (4L32). 07/03 66956 (4L32). 09/03 66504 (4L32). 10/03 66501 (4L32). 66956 (4L30). 11/03 66501 (4L32). 14/03 66502. 16/03 66588. 17/03 66543. 66592. 18/03 66591. 19/03 66517. 21/03 66517. 22/03 66517. 23/03 66594 (4L32). 24/03 66540. 66594. 25/03 66594. 66956. 28/03 66956. 29/03 66517. 30/03 66517 (4L32). 31/03 66572 (4L32).

Train notes: Arrivals - 4V32 from Felixstowe / Ipswich (SO). Departures - 4L30 16:27 (ThO) - Felixstowe.  4L32 - Tilbury. 4O24 - Grain. 

LOCAL DBS WORKINGS

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks

01-04/03 59206. 05/03 60096. 07-09/03 59206. 10/03 66166. 11/03 * 60074 + 60096. 12/03 60074. 14/03 60074. 15/03 * 66175 + 60074. 16/03 66175. 17/03 66175. 18/03 60084. 19/03 66144. 21-26/03 60096. 28/03 60096. 30/03 60096. 31/03 60096.

Notes: On 11/03, 60074 + 60096 were reported as running 82 minutes late at Haverfordwest and on 15/03 - 66175 + 60074 were reported as running 120 minutes late. It is unconfirmed whether the failed loco had been removed somewhere en-route or the train terminated short of its destination. 

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey fuel tank empties

01/03 60074. 02-04/03 60015. 09/03 60015. 10/03 60015. 14/03 60015. 15/03 60015. 16/03 60015. 18/03 60015. 22/03 60015. 26/03 60015.

6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon stores yard loaded steel (TFO)

01/03 60074. 04/03 66199. 08/03 66034. 11/03 66138. 15/03 66157. 18/03 66157. 22/03 66051. 25/03 66069. 29/03 66166.

6B33 Theale - Robeston (Margam SO) fuel tank empties

01/03 66101. 03/03 60096. 05/03 60074. 08/03 60096. 09/03 66001. 10/03 66001. 12/03 60024. 15/03 60096. 17/03 60096. 21/03 60096.

23/03 60084. 24/03 66050. 26/03 60013. 29-31/03 60011. 

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

01/03 66232. 08/03 66116. 15/03 66095. 22/03 66006. 29/03 66043.

6X52 Portbury - Warrington/Mossend loaded and empty car carriers (TThO)

01/03 66185 02/03 66181. 03/03 66185. 08/03* 66058. 09/10 66185. 10/03 66185. 15/03* 66153. 16/03 66176. 17/03 66188. 22/03 66076. 23/03 66040. 24/03 66040. 29/03 66181. 30/03 66096. 31/03 66153.

Note: * The morning inward 6V51 working arrived with 66046 on 08/03 and with 66188 on 15/03.

6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

07/03 66098. 10/03 66077. 14/03 66112. 23/03 66199.

6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental

01/03 66207. 10/03 59204. 15/03 66128. 24/03 60013 + 66132.   25/03 59205. 29/03 60049. 30/03 60049.

6B59 Exeter ( Alphington Road ) - Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded scrap

08/03 66140. 15/03 66193. 24/03 66051. 29/03 66121.

6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) freight (via Newport ) (SO)

05/03 66077. 12/03 66148. 14/03* 66207+66171. 19/03 66250. 26/03 66169.

Note: * The train on this date (which was not a Saturday) ran as 6Z60 with a later departure time.

6C39 St. Blazey - Newport ADJ freight (ThO)

03/03 66084. 10/03 66171. 17/03 66250. 24/03 66169. 31/03 66151.

6C99 Newport ADJ - St. Blazey freight (TO)

08/03 66171. 15/03 66250.

LOCAL COLAS WORKINGS

6O78 Dolland’s Moor - Llanwern loaded steel

01/03 66844. 03/03 66841. 08/03 66842. 10/03 66844. 14/03 66844.  17/03 66844.

6V78 Llanwern - Dolland’s Moor export steel

01/03 66844. 05/03 66842. 08/03 66842. 12/03 66844. 31/03 66844.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V73/6M56 Crewe Coal sidings - CEGB Berkeley nuclear flasks

08/03 66427+66431. 10/03 66427+66431. 14/03 20303+37607. 21/03 20308+20309.

6V74/6M67 Crewe Coal sidings - Bridgwater nuclear flasks

04/03 66427+66431. 11/03 20308+37611. 16/03 20303+37607. 18/03 57003+57004. 23/03 66303+66422. 25/03 37087+37423. 30/03 37194+37667.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers

20118 – North Norfolk , 25191/901 – South Devon Rly

43041/042/043/069/070/071/079(OO)-LE, 57001 –CS(MBDL)

WBAL DB Logistics – Class 66

66007/009/013/015/019/027/035/043/056/065/080/081/083/085/091/106/118

66119/121/129/131/147/155/156/157/158/162/164/165/184/199

WBBL DB Logistics – Class 66 RETB

66101/104

Stored

BH: 37259/261/605/610. 57010. CE: 90020. 92017. LNWR: 86621.

ZG: 66573/574/575/576/577.

TO: 08480. 60011/021/024/049/054/059/065/084/086. 66242.

Amiens : 58001/004/006/011/013/026/034/038/040/042/049.

Traffic

08995 –TO ( Eastleigh ), 55022 – on hire to GBRF,

60010/013/015/040/045/071/074/096/099. 66019/084 –TO,

66579/580/733 –PG, 67019/025. 90028. 92005/012 –CE.

Disposals

EMR: 08481         Thomson: 56040 NK: 08826 @ZG Eden Valley : 37042

For Sale : 08389/393/500/514/580/593/646/662/664/685/709/783/798/842

08844/854/866/877/905/909/918/921/951 09006/011/017/020/022/023/024/107/203/205

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers

150285(CF)-NH 153366(TS)-NL

New Stock

172102/103/104 -HQ

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers

321411/415(IL)-NN

Stored

460004/006 –SL

New Stock

379011-014 –HQ 380007-015/113 -HQ

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

10237. 11019/027/030/044 – AL , 96603/604 -CP

10222/255. 12017/048/054/059/069/094/124/173/174/175. 82301-305 -HOCO

Stored

RU: 96602/605-609

Traffic

12139 -NC

Disposals

ASM Metals: 977723/866 @ AL

MISCELLANEOUS

Loco Workshops Remembered (18/03/11)

Bristol’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Colin Smith with Bristol Railway Circle President Gerry Nichols unveiled a blue circular wall plaque on the Ibis Hotel, Avon Street at 11:30 in recognition of the site once being used for loco construction. Founded in 1840 by Bath engineer Henry Stothert at the beginning of the railway loco ‘boom’, 2 broad gauge locos were ordered for construction: Firefly Class express passenger engines Arrow and Dart. With their seven foot high driving wheels these became the first locos to see use between Bristol and Bath on I.K Brunel’s newly constructed mainline to be later fully linked to London. Between 1864 and 1874 over 500 locos were delivered from the site, some for overseas use. At the end over 1,475 locos had been constructed but management problems and rising costs eventually saw the closure of the works in 1904. Fox Walker came to the rescue of the company which continued under the Avonside name at a new works in Fishponds for another 30 years constructing small industrial engines. A further take over was to take place by another Bristol loco builder Peckett, the site here however closed in 1962. The original Avon Street buildings survived into the 1990s prior to redevelopment of the area and were believed to have being used to start the Firefly replica broad gauge loco project which was moved to the GWS Didcot for completion where the loco can be seen in use today.

Missing Donner!

BT Police are investigating the rather bizarre theft of a 40lb kebab from the La Capricciosa pizza and kebab shop at Trowbridge railway station ! ! The burglars who broke in to the premises sometime between 02:30 and 14:00 on 19/03/11, took, as well as the large frozen kebab (complete with it’s central metal skewer), several bags of chips, onion rings, and around 500 polystyrene serving trays.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

Fire & Rescue Technical Centre, Nova Way, Avonmouth (03/03/11)

The Bance Landrover road-rail support trailer, reported here during February was noted as gone by this date.

GWR Museum, Coleford Railway yard, Coleford, Forest of Dean (27/03/11)

The site was viewed and the Peckett 0-4-0ST (1893/36) carrying a green livery was visible through a window of the loco shed. Ex.Internal user 061032 (DW150151), toad brakevan DW35959 and a choc/cream livered 4-wheel coach body which appeared to be mounted on a wagon underframe were also present.

Road Movements

14/03 Ex.GWR 2807 : south-bound M5 junction, near junction 13 at 11:40 en-route to the WSR.

26/03 Ex.GWR 7812 : north-bound M5 Avonmouth River bridge, view from Portview Road , Avonmouth at 11:05. The tender was reported as travelling on another road trailer in front.

TRACK MACHINES & DEPARTMENTALS

01/03 Par station: DR80302.

05/03 Tiverton: DR73112.

07/03 Parson’s St. stn: DR73115 + DR73905 passing in the down direction at 10:04.

14/03 Bristol Parkway : DR73115 + DR73905.

15/03 Par station: DR75406 (having earlier worked 6J83 from Taunton). Filton North: Quattro plant: support trailers: 564 (99709 010214-3). 567 (99709 010217-6). Pilning West: Hydrex: (9430003-1) personnel carrier. excavator: 4528 (99709 911123-8). support trailers: RT153 (99709 011137-5). RT224 (99709 011141-7).

20/03 Yeovil junction: rail-grinder: DR73241 - DR73247. Westbury yard: DR73111. DR73903.

Tavistock junction, Plymouth: 77901.

26/03 Tiverton junction loop: DR75406.

28/03 Bristol TM: DR73905 Eddie King. Road-rail support trailers: RT278. RT287.

29/03 Exeter St. Davids: DR77901.  Yatton: DR77903 passing in the up direction at 10:30.

30/03 Bristol TM: Hydrex road/railers: 3763. 3764. support trailers: 278. 287.