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
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 -
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
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
(
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
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
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
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
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 -
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
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
(
03/03
The ‘hire’ HST power car 43300 (still with 43301) was used on the 1V46 06:32
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 -
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
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 -
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
08/03
66510 was noted passing Twerton, near
Bath
at 13:37 (and later through
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
12/03
The 1Q12 was noted stabled back in the west-end bay platform 2 at
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
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
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
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
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
-
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
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
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
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
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 -
27/03
66403 was again present on
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
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
17/03
The NRMT HST set, formed with power cars 43014 + 43013 worked 1Z15 06:50
18/03
Gold Cup day at Cheltenham: 67028 worked the VSOE running as 1Z88 07:05
23/03
66030 was on the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD trip being reported through
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
23/03
66599 was on the 6O58 loaded stone service from Pengam -
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
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
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 -
4V60
Calvert -
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
(
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
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 –
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 @
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.