NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
17/03 A previously unreported passenger working over the line saw what was
believed to have been the 17.05 Edinburgh-Bristol TM Virgin XC service with
Voyager set 221116, late running due to a bridge strike in the Berwick area
passing around 00.45, running this way because of engineering work on the Filton
bank.
01/04 Engineering work just west of Charlton tunnel saw the Filton-Hallen Marsh
freight-only line blocked, with 59201 and 66043 noted on engineering trains,
with at least the former returning to Westbury via Clifton Down.
03/04 66021 was noted in the bulk handling terminal at 12.50 with a long rake of
low sided engineers wagons, believed to have been used in the Charlton tunnel
area earlier in the day.
10/04 Mainline-blue liveried 60078 worked a 6W54 Westbury-Westbury departmental
via Avonmouth, being reported as passing Dr. Day's Junction at 06.55.
15/04 Further track work in the Charlton tunnel area saw; 67027 + 67018 top
n'tail a 6W14 07.36 Newport ADj-Filton West ballast, reversing at the worksite
and 60100 on a materials train, later departing as 6W13 14.00 Holesmouth
junction-Westbury being noted passing Sea Mills at 15.05. The relief Barton Hill
driver for the latter train who was waiting at Avonmouth was found not to be
Class 60 trained when the working arrived here!
The Severn Beach line has continued to be used as the route for the Virgin ECS working from Cardiff to Barton Hill on weekdays, also ballast trains have been heard passing through Montpelier late on Sunday evenings motive power not identified.
The two currently disused former LPG sidings, in the Royal Edward dock area
are planned to be used as an additional coal loading area.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66021/043/079/092/142/163/179.
08405 continues as the area shunting pilot.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
28/03 Cotswold-Rail 47810 worked overhauled HST power car 43183 down at 14.13
from Brush Loughborough works-Landore and returned in the opposite direction at
16.14 with 43187 for overhaul.
02/04 Four freights seen this evening, 66095 working Newport AdJ - Willesden
"Enterprise" service, 66175 with cars from Portbury, 66040 with a
loaded MGR from Portbury and finally 66044 with MGR empties for Avonmouth.
05/04 60068 was recorded on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tankers.
11/04 The Port Talbot resignalling work was reported as over running from Easter
and not due for completion until 05.00 on 14/04! In the meantime, there were no
passenger workings west of Cardiff and only a few freight workings. Having
stabled overnight, DRS 37069 departed at 13.32 light-engine for Crewe, whilst
earlier in the day at 09.07, Cotswold Rail (but up for sale) 31452 passed down
light-engine for Eastleigh.
12/04 20303 + 20304 passed at 14.45 on 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.
Three workings recorded tonight, 66079 with MGR empties for Portbury, a visit by
the NR HST using power cars 43013/062, and 31452 heading eastbound light engine.
13/04 180109 + 180114 worked up at 08.02 on a diverted Plymouth-Paddington
First/GW service routed this way due to a track machine failure on the mainline
near Westbury!! and the NRMT formed with an HST set with power cars 43013 +
43062 headed west at 12.30 to Cardiff returning at 13.58 in the up direction.
14/04 Pathfinder's 'Principality Freighter' (1Z37 06.19 Birmingham
International-Onllwyn and 1Z74 13.33 return), a tour originally booked for DRS
traction (and redated at least twice!) called slightly down on time behind 37422
+ 37410, being noted near Pilning at 09.44. The train also visited Cwmgwrach,
Swansea Burrows, Jersey Marine and Uskmouth with 60038 assisting in top n'tail
mode. The stock was 6310 21272 3122 3112 3098 1863 5009 4927 5040 4902 5376
During the afternoon, FLHH 66582 was recorded on a Theale-Cardiff Pengam train
of empty HIA wagons.
16/04 47810 was again reported on a Loughborough-Landore HST power car move
hauling newly MTU engined 43124 + 43136. 66112 was noted with a loaded MGR from
Portbury.
17/04 The morning 4V50 Millbrook-Wentlooge containers were reported as running
90 minutes late behind 66517 and West Coast Railway's 47854 with a saloon coach
was in the area working 2Z01 09.30 Cheltenham-Llanelli and 2Z02 14.08 return (Pilning
16.43), working on to Derby the following day.
18/04 47703 and HST stock which had arrived from London the previous evening was
noted stabled at 09.30, the coaches being later collected by 47810 for Laira.
Anglian liveried 47714, which has not seen much use locally of late ran
Gloucester-St. Phillips Marsh and back light-engine collecting 47703 on the
return.
19/04 47810 hauling HST power car 43128 passed at 15.40 on a Landore-Brush
Loughborough move.
20/04 47810 returned during the early evening from Loughborough hauling HST
power car 43126 to Landore. Earlier, 'thunderbird' rescue loco 57302 had passed
light-engine at 15.00 heading for Oxley.
21/04 60008 was in charge of the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tankers, but
the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties were found to be cancelled.
22/04 Steam 45407 Lancashire Fusilier was back in the area, this time working
Pathfinder Tour's 'Severnside Rambler' trips. The loco was noted passing Pilning
at 08.54 on the 1Z76 07.50 Cardiff Central-Gloucester, which later in the day
visited the Dean Forest Railway (as 1Z77 10.15 to Parkend and 11.50 return) and
worked two return trips over the Sharpness freight-only line which had not seen
any steam traction for over 40 years. The coaching stock in use was recorded
as;- 35317 (loco support), 3140, 3107, 3098, 1863, W5009, 4927, 5040, 4902,
W21272.
23/04 57302 put in a second appearance for the month at 10.45 heading westbound
light-engine. Four freight workings noted during the evening starting with 66186
on the Newport ADJ - Willesden "Enterprise" service, 66191 with a
loaded MGR from Portbury, 66519 with a loaded stone train heading east and 66161
with MGR empties for Portbury.
24/04 37038 + 20313 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and
60054 worked a down departmental to Newport ADJ at 15.12. The First/GW 13.15
Paddington-Cardiff HST service was terminated here on time at 14.44 due to a
fuel leak on one of the power cars, 43156.
25/04 180105 working the First/GW 05.27 Paddington-Swansea service caught fire
at Bourton, just east of Swindon resulting in a line blockage at the start of
the morning peak period. As a result, several First/GW services were cancelled,
others were diverted via the Berks & Hants route and eventually when the up
line was reopened several were allowed to pass under single line operation.
Normal working were resumed by 10.00, but disruptions continued as stock and
traincrews were in the wrong place. Later, Virgin XC services suffered some
delays due to a fatality in the Starcross area around dinner time.
26/04 Freight train observations during the day included; 57012 on the 4O51
Wentlooge-Millbrook containers, 60054 with the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties
at 13.44 and 60035 at 15.52 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks. 47810
worked down with two barrier coaches at 11.46. Later, brand new FLHH locos 66594
+ 66588 + 66593 passed 98 minutes late at 18.25 as 0Z42 16.00 Newport
docks-Crewe, 66593 then running light-engine to Southampton overnight. Two MGR
workings this evening, 66191 with a loaded service from Portbury and 66185 with
empties in the reverse direction. Also seen was 66009, heading eastbound with a
rake of empty "Railtrack" hoppers.
27/04 47810 returned from Landore-Brush Loughborough with HST power car 43156,
later returning a refurbished 43018 to Landore. Confusion and much speculation
was the only way to describe the movement of the remaining five new FLHH locos!
Two paths were available, an 0Z42 16.00 Newport-Crewe, via Parkway and an 0Z25
15.30 Newport-Crewe, via Chepstow, 66591 + 66590 + 66592 + 66589 + 66587, all
eventually using the 0Z25 path passing through Newport station at 17.08.
28/04 The newly introduced Saturday's only Freightliner container train has been
identified as 4Z54 10.00 Tilbury-Wentlooge (booked to pass Severn Tunnel
Junction at 15.30), today's loco being 66568. Other freight workings during the
day were recorded as 60092 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks and
66168 with 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties.
30/04 DRS 37510 arrived light-engine to stable overnight, as 0Z37 10.00
Stowmarket-Stoke Gifford for a stoneblower move to Ashford the following day.
Our correspondent has noticed both platform shelters have recently been
completely reglazed at Pilning station, the first time for many years! Also a
small bike rack has been fixed near the entrance gate. Strange happenings
indeed, as the station now has no stopping weekday services, only a couple of
Saturday trains now call!!
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/04 For the Johnstone's Paint Cup Final between Bristol Rovers and
Doncaster Rovers at the Cardiff Millennium stadium, the last cup final to be
played here with Wembley now ready, a number of additional services operated to
help convey some of the 40,000 Bristol fans to and from the event. EWS provided
a top n'tail loco and stock formation with Royal 67006 and 67026 and coaches
5632, 5659, 6110 (all EWS maroon), 5910, 5946, 5986, 5984, 6158, 5987, 6051,
9537(all unbranded Virgin red livery). The day's diagram was; 5Z30 08.01 Bristol
Parkway-Temple Meads ECS, then 1Z30 08.25 and 1Z34 11.05 departures from Bristol
to Cardiff (with a 5Z34 09.20 Cardiff-Bristol ECS in between) and return 1Z52
16.22 and 19.20 departures from Cardiff to Bristol (with a 5Z55 17.39
Bristol-Cardiff ECS in between). Also First/GW operated an extra HST using power
cars 43012 + 43186 at various times and the 08.15 Exeter-Cardiff and return
11.05 Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour were noted strengthened formed 158765, 150247,
158762, 153369, 158763. Barton Hill depot was viewed at 08.30 the following
being noted;- 08516. 66021/025/040. 67013/019. 220024/026/034. 221116. Steam
loco; 45407 with support coach; 35517. Stored locos; 37077/(377)/379/696. Stored
c/stock; 94190. Snowploughs; ADB965209/231. At Kingsland Road sidings; 66612/613
were both present.
02/04 Test DMU 950001 was noted stabled in the siding alongside platform 15 at
19.00. The set had visited Sharpness (late morning), Westerleigh and
Tytherington (afternoon) as a 2Z08 06.30 Derby-Temple Meads working earlier.
Other workings of interest during the day were; 60092 on the 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol
East depot steel and Cotswold-Rail 47810 on a 5Z50 14.30 St. Phillips
Marsh-Brush Loughborough stock move with HST power car 43174.
03/04 Test unit 950001 worked west as 2Z08 07.00 Temple Meads-Plymouth (via the
Yatton and Weston-super-Mare loops) and steam 45407 Lancashire Fusilier ran
09.08 Barton Hill-East Lancashire Railway with support coach 35517.
04/04 60053 worked 7C79 10.13 (MThO) Parc Slip-Westbury loaded coal via Day's
curve and an unidentified Class 66 arrived during the early afternoon on a VSOE
working from Westbury (and worked a return 16.34 to Westbury) which had arrived
there behind steam 35028 Clan Line from Victoria.
05/04 A MML HST set with power cars 43007 + 43072 was used on the 1V05 06.05
Derby-Plymouth and 1E47 11.50 return to Newcastle in place of a Voyager set and
47840 handled a 5Z72 18.27 Loughborough-Temple Meads move believed formed of
barrier vehicles.
06/04 47840 was stabled in Temple Meads during the morning, and later seen
running round two First/GW coaches. A late afternoon arrival was steam 71000
Duke of Gloucester on the first leg of the Railway Touring Company's 'Great
Britain' railtour, which over the following week was to visit the most westerly
and northerly parts of the rail sysem behind steam traction. However the 1Z42
12.42 Paddington-Temple Meads formed with an all maroon coaching stock set
(W17041loco support coach, 99127, 99371, 1961, 99350, 99328, 99121, 99993 club
car, 99128, 99125, 1882, 99304) was only 12 minutes down at Iver, but left the
Challow water stop nearly an hour down due to the fire engine running out of
water! The train was reported passing Wotton Bassett at 16.00 (booked 14.25) and
seen passing Filton at 16.25, the booked arrival Temple Meads time being 15.22.
07/04 West Coast train's 47245 worked west with the next stage of the 'Great
Britain' railtour (1Z23 07.16 Bristol TM-Penzance), the train returning as 1Z24
12.54 Penzance-Temple Meads headed by steam 5051 Earl Bathurst + 6024 King
Edward I (noted on the Weston-super-Mare avoiding line at 19.17, having passed
through Taunton without a booked water stop) arriving in Temple Meads at 19.50.
Earlier, 47840 was active working a St. Phillips Marsh-Laira move with HST power
cars 43140 + 43029, returning a 5F70 10.10 Laira-Old Oak Common stock move (via
Bristol). Also 59203 was reported to have worked the 6C80 Machen-Westbury loaded
stone. A railtour cancellation for the day was a Heartland Tours Easter Mystery
dining circular excursion from Gloucester via Bristol.
08/04 The 'Great Britain' continued it's journey north behind 71000 Duke of
Gloucester as 1Z43 12.55 Temple Meads-Preston (noted passing Filton Abbey Wood
at 12.25 and Severn Tunnel junction at 12.38), the first water stop being at
Hereford. Locos that featured later on the trip were; 6233 Duchess of
Sutherland, 60009 Union of South Africa, 48151 and 61994 The Great Marquis.
47245 was shadowing the tour, passing Severn Tunnel junction at 12.52.
09/04 Steam loco 5051 Earl Bathurst ran 0Z21 10.20 Barton Hill-Didcot, with
support coach via Bath and later at 17.45, an 0Z72 arrival from Crewe for
Kingsland Road was formed 66623 (in a new Barton Aggregates blue livery) + 66585
+ 66584 + 66582 + 66624. 66624 was a late substitute for 66602 which had failed.
The test unit 950001 was again noted stabled in the siding near platform 15
during the evening.
10/04 950001 departed the area being seen passing Filton Abbey Wood at 17.22 for
South Wales. Other workings noted during the day were; 60019 on 6B65 09.15
Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers and 66582, noted on the 4V60 Bath/Barrow Road
refuse container train.
11/04 The First/GW 07.10 Bristol TM-Paddington service was cancelled. Two
engineer trains recorded during the day at Filton were; 66253 + 66171 paired on
the 09.15 Westbury-Newport ADJ (11.03) and 60078 on an extra up working to South
Wales at 18.55.
12/04 During the afternoon, the blue liveried 66623 worked west early noted
passing Yatton at 17.01 (booked in the loop here between 17.49-17.54 ) with 17
Freightliner green liveried HIA wagons as 6Z60 13.18 Neasden-Newton Abbot
Hackney yard loaded sand. Earlier 66585 passed the same location up light-engine
at 16.58.
13/04 60078 was on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADj departmental.
14/04 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked Pastime Rail's 1Z32 09.35 Bristol
TM-Carmarthen and 1Z33 16.25 return 'The Red Dragon' and another tour recorded
in the area was Compass Tour's 1Z49 05.59 Preston-Minehead and 1Z42 16.50 return
top n'tailed by Victa-Westlink locos 47853 and 47847 with a mixed Anglian blue
and former Virgin red stock formation. The 1Z42 was noted on the
Weston-super-Mare avoiding line at Oldmixon at 11.24 being followed at 11.32 by
47840 on a further refurbished HST stock move running as 5Z72 08.48 Derby-Laira
(which had left 70 minutes late) formed barrier coach 9493, 41163, 41166, 42198,
42093, 42094, 42207, 44076, 40205, 40204, and barrier 9490.
Overnight engineering work saw the First/GW 21.58 Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour,
terminate at Bath Spa and both the 20.22 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff and 21.25
Southampton-Bristol TM terminate at Westbury.
15/04 Further morning train alterations due to engineering work saw the First/GW
08.05 Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour terminate at Bath Spa and the 09.35 Frome-Bristol
TM terminate at Westbury. Road buses ran between Bath and Westbury for all of
the affected services. Steam 6024 King Edward I returned to Didcot via Bath
during the afternoon.
16/04 37087 + 37510 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and
the Moorswater cement operated for the first time since September last year,
running as 6Z20 18.36 (Mon) Hope sidings-Moorswater arriving behind 66519, for
66582 to take over. Earlier in the day 66582 had been on the 4V60
Calvert-Bath/Barrow road refuse containers.
17/04 66582 returned from Cornwall as 6M37 15.25 Moorswater-Hope sidings formed
of only PCA cement tanks.
19/04 Having worked a stock move the previous day, 47840 was back stabled at
Temple Meads with two coaches. An afternoon Neath-Newton Abbot Hackney yard
stone working was headed by 66519 running around 90 minutes late, having been
noted at Pilning at 17.15.
20/04 Virgin 'thunderbird' loco 57302 ran 0Z57 12.35 Laira-Birmingham NS.
21/04 59201 was on the Saturday's 6C80 Machen-Westbury yard loaded Hansons stone
trip passing Filton at 15.04. Two railtours operated during the day, both via
the Severn Tunnel, these being;- 67023 + 67026 on 1Z89 06.37 Hooton-Plymouth and
1Z90 16.08 return, passing Filton outward at 10.16 with coaching stock; 9713,
5986, 6006, 6027, 3334, 3277, 3417, 5929, 5950, 6056, 1212, 3379, 3336 and
Compass Tours 'The Western Cathederals Express' with 47812 and 47853 top
n'tailing 1Z91 07.14 Mosseley Hill-Salisbury and 1Z92 16.30 return with coaching
stock; 9527, 5932, 5963, 3304, 3345, 5945, 6054, 1250, 3314, 3325 passing
Pilning at 11.34 (8 minutes late). Problems on the return 1Z92, which had the
locos double-heading from Salisbury, saw a swap round at Westbury for 47853 to
take the lead, this train being 57minutes late at Pilning and running close to
the return 1Z90 with the Class 67 locos.
22/04 Locos stabled in Kingsland Road during the day were;-
66519/527/550/584/606/613/619.
23/04 Some of the days observations recorded;- 60035 on 7C79 Parc Slip-Westbury
loaded coal (reported leaving Margam at 11.20 and the return empties being seen
near Saltford at 16.18), 66550 on the 4V60 refuse containers in Bath at 15.00
and 66041 on the Monday's only Westbury-St. Phillips Marsh fuel trip. SWT's
159107 was noted at 14.57 near Bath on a service from Waterloo.
25/04 67025 worked the VSOE into Bristol from Westbury having taken over there
from steam traction and 47840 was on St. Phillips Marsh depot, later leaving on
a 5Z77 16.20 working to Landore. During the morning, 60066 failed in the
St.Annes area on the 6B65 09.15 Westbury-Newport ADJ engineers around 10.15,
being assisted forward by 66205 from East depot which had arrived on the steel
trip from Newport. The train was later seen passing Patchway at 14.00, although
the hauling power was not reported.
26/04 Cotswold 47810 passed Standish junction at 11.24 on a 5F77 10.30
Gloucester-Laira stock move and 47815 + 47847 headed westbound light-engine as
0Z38 08.54 Crewe-Minehead for railtour duty during the following weekend.
27/04 Observations at Narroways Hill junction during the early afternoon saw;-
57302 Lair-Birmingham light-engine (13.09), Royal 67006 Barton Hill-Avonmouth
light-engine (13.11) and 47840 on a Derby-Laira refurbished HST stock move
formed; 41119, 41187, 42348, 42347, 42268, 42249, 44078 (with two barrier
coaches in First/GW green/white colours) at 14.18. New track sections were in
place alongside the running line ready for the junction here to be relayed over
the May day bank holiday weekend.
28/04 Two railtours during the day saw; 47847 + 47815 double-head 'The Eternal
City of York' (1Z30 05.55 Minehead-York, being noted just north of Yatton at
08.11 having called at Weston-super-Mare and 47851 top n'tailing 47245 the
'Georgian Bath' (1Z79 06.28 Skipton-Bath and 1Z80 17.25 return), noted outward
passing Wickwar at 11.57. The former trip, was noted using the Scottish Railway
Preservation society, Bo'ness maroon stock still present on the West Somerset
Railway from the recent Spring gala (the stock numbers being reported in last
month's Magazine). The 1Z79 was reported in trouble en-route in the Sheffield
area with a partial failure on 47851, which was rectified by a travelling
fitter!
30/04 47847 + 47815 returned the SPRS maroon stock as a 5Z73 07.59
Minehead-Bo'ness ECS.
Gloucester
01/04 For the Johnstone's Paint Cup Final between Bristol Rovers and
Doncaster Rovers, as well as the additional workings for the Bristol fans (see
Bristol TM notes & news) two extra loco hauled trains operated as 1Z41 08.25
Doncaster-Cardiff (EWS silver 67029) and 1Z42 08.40 Doncaster-Cardiff (Royal
67005), the latter working carrying a small 'Doncaster Rovers' headboard.
05/04 47810 + 47703 ran light-engine from Gloucester-Port Talbot during the
afternoon.
21/04 37406 returned via Gloucester light-engine having earlier worked a Bescot-Newport
ADJ engineers via Hereford and the Marches.
22/04 Steam returned to Sharpness for the first time in over 40 years. 45407 The
Lancashire Fusilier worked two return Pathfinder 'Severnside Rambler' trips as
1Z78 14.30 Gloucester-Sharpness and 16.10 return and 1Z79 17.33
Gloucester-Sharpness and 18.45 return. The long term future of this branch line
which currently sees only one DRS flask train working a week from Crewe, must be
in doubt, with the decommissioning of Oldbury power station (following a 10 year
life extension) due to start in December 2008. The docks remain rail connected
with an internal rail system and it is known that talks are still underway
regarding possible freight traffic operated by Victa-Westlink. The port exports
scrap metal to China and India and imports cement from Spain, as well as small
amounts of coal (origin unknown), all movements to and from the dock being by
road. Dock land is also used for car storage acting as an 'overflow' site for
Avonmouth.
Portbury Branchline
04/04 The test unit 950001 was booked to visit the branch line but the move
was cancelled until later in the week.
06/04 An unusual visitor was 60063 on 6V16 13.08 Washwood Heath-Portbury coal
empties, arriving at the port for loading at 17.09 for 6M46 19.00 to Ironbridge.
The loco in the morning was allocated 6V32 Daw Mill-Didcot loaded coal!!
It has been noticed over the weekends during the month, a rake of coal empties
have often remained stabled in the dock gate area.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
60063. 66014/017/100/157/163/179.
Locos recorded on the 6X52 16.30 Portbury-Washwood Heath loaded cars have
included;-
03/04 66203. 04/04 66175. 11/04 66125. 13/04 66125. 17/04 66068.
20/04 66077. 30/04 66118.
Tytherington Branchline
The line has not seen any rail movements (only the 950001 test unit) since February this year. Along the line, the level crossing at Latteridge is reported to only have one crossing gate barrier.
Units noted this period included
143603/617/619/620.
150219/232/233/234/241/243/244/247/249/253.
153318/369/370/380.
158745/746/747/749/750/751/761/762/763/764/765/766/767/771/776/778/798
158815/816/855/864/866/867/869/871/872.
159107.
180105/109/110/114.
220001/002/004/008/011/012/013/014/016/017/018/020/021/022/024/025/026
220028/030/031/032/033/034.
221102/105/106/108/111/113/114/115/116/118/119/120/122/126/127/128/129
221130/132/133/134/137/140/142/144.
SOUTH WALES
Newport
09/04 Some of the newly delivered Freightliner 66s made an early return to
Newport when 66623 hauled 66585 + 66584 + 66582 and 66602 from Crewe to
Kingsland Road.
20/04 Locos noted today included 60078. 66121/129/142/186/210/539.
27/04 Freight services were noted behind 66056/074/180
New Class 66
MV Fairlift arrived at Newport Docks on 25th March with six new Freightliner locomotives on board and two others bound for Europe, also on board was ex GWR coach 6705 returning to the UK from a North American Railway Museum. 66582-585 were off loaded on the 26th March with 66586 following the next day. The first locos left as 0Z22 to Crewe with 66525 hauling 66584, 66582, 66583 and 66586 passing through Newport at 16:37 on 31/03/07. 66585 followed on 04/04/07 passing Newport at 14:45.
Build details are as follows
66582 20058772-004 11/2006
66583 20058772-005 11/2006
66584 20058772-006 11/2006
66585 20058772-007 11/2006
66586 20058772-008 12/2006
66625 20058772-003 11/2006
EU06 20058725-006 09/2006
EU07 20058725-007 09/2006
Another batch arrived on board MV Fairload on 20th April along with a further
six for Europe. 66587-594 were all unloaded by 21/04/07. They left for Crewe in
two batches the first departing on 26/04/07 at 17:45 with 66594 hauling 66588 +
66593. The second left at 17:00 on 27/04/07 consisting of 66591 + 66590 + 66592
+ 66589 + 66587
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V50 Southampton - Wentlooge.
02/03 66533. 06/03 66517. 07/03 66539. 08/03 66574. 09/03 66577.
12/03 66577. 13/03 66535. 14/03 66541. 15/03 66532. 16/03 57009.
19/03 66579. 20/03 66571. 22/03 57009. 23/03 57010. 26/03 66573.
27/03 57010. 28/03 66573. 29/03 66571. 39/03 66572.
Bristol - Calvert Binliner
10/04 66582.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight service
03/04 67020. 06/04 67019 + 67025. 10/04 67025. 11/04 67023 + 67027.
27/04 67006. 29/04 67006.
6C01 ADJ - Bristol
06/03 66217. 07/03 66169. 08/03 66075. 23/03 60072. 26/03 66232.
27/03 66009. 28/03 66205. 30/03 60235.
6B13/6B47 Robeston - Westerleigh
01/03 60041. 02/03 60027. 07/03 60036. 08-09/03 60074. 09/03 60074.
12/03 60500. 13-14/03 60049. 16/03 60073. 20/03 60072. 22/03 60054.
26-28/03 60043. 29-30/03 60054.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
43051/056/057(NL)-EC, 66032/073/229 -France
WBAI: 66013/019/081/088/098/155/156/167/171/183/185/187/190/207/211/227
WBAK: 66006/016/075/078/119/126/134/142/148/189/226/239
WBAM:
66012/025/035/086/087/090/097/120/146/153/163/176/177/180/192/204/205/216/224
WBAN:
66003/011/015/020/039/043/051/077/084/093/094/118/149/152/161/174/179/182/194/195/225/232/236
WBBN: 66102/103/105/112
WBEN: 66072/212/243
WCAI: 60039/048/049/068 WCAK: 60035/044/083 WCAM: 60014/074
WCAN: 60019/024/029/062 WCBI: 60027 WCBK: 60041/091
WCBM: 60007/026
Stored
60099. 92025
CE: 90021. 92025. CS: 47355/760/776/786/792. TO: 60040/075/099. ZG: 47635/727.
Colne Valley: 08411/460. Derby RVE: 31102.
LH Group: 08913. Goodmans Yard: 08926/946. DRS Crewe: 47790.
Tyseley Loco Works: 47770/773.
Traffic
60044 - IM, 92003 -CE.
Withdrawn
08631
Disposals
Booth: 31420/427. 37131 @ Kingsbury
EMR: 37678. 47721/722/733/734/737/749/750/789 @ Kingsbury
T Thomson: 08506/792/894/902. 47782
For Scrap/Re-sale?
EMR: 47780
North Norfolk: 08631 Glos & Warks: 08927 Foster Yeoman: 08947
Midland RC: 33046 Chinnor & PR: 37116 Kirkby Stephen: 37146
Cotswold Rail: 47715 Stratford Cl47 Group: 47732
47401 Group: 47761
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
142089/092/093/094/096(HT)-NL
156483/486/488/491/497(NL)-NH
158771(HT)-PM, 784/790(PM)-NL
Stored
117: 51341/353/395/398. 59486/521 -Midland RC
51356/392. 59492 - Weardale
142001/030/063/068/070 @Blackpool
142004/009/029/062/064/067/071/095 @HT
158737/775/777/779 @ZB, 770/773/781 @CA
Traffic
153311/313/326 -NC
159108 -SA
Reformed
158770 (52770 + 58708 + 57770) 773 (52773 + 58702 + 52773)
159108 (52807 + 58701 + 57801)
165112 (58890 + 55426 + 58927)
166216 (58137 + 58616 + 58888)
Electric Multiple Units
Withdrawn
Cars: 62083. 72702
Disposals
Booth: 62083(310058), 72702(8303)
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
40749. 41067/41112. 42194/225/227/229. 44027 -LA
Stored
GL: 6117/22/73. 9506/25 SL: 3232 ZB: 82128/134
Traffic
1823. 3872. 4252. 4455. 5000 - NYMR (NR Registered)
3277/95. 3334/79. 3417. 5921/29/50/64/85/98. 6006/42. 9713 -CP
Withdrawn
3433. 5141/99. 5746/84/96. 5847. 5915. 6149. 17089. 977.977
Disposals
Booth: 977.977
Thomson: 80375/426/427/428. 94305/319/321/342/345. 94437/467.
Sims: 94204. 94439 @Exeter
Plym Valley: 5141/99. 17089. Glos&Warks: 80433/435
Codes
GCHP Grand Central HST Power Cars
43065/067/068/080/084/123
GCHT Grand Central Operational Coaches
11017/038/045. 12033/044/088/112/121/136/149/152/155. 40424/426/433.
44065/068/089
GCST Grand Central Stored Coaches
11023/036/055. 12058/104/156
WFMU EWS Fleet Management Unit Stored Locos
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
Once again it's time for a run-down of snippets of information and sightings
regarding the freight side of the business. I'll begin with some items of news
that have come my way over the last month.
Firstly, it looks as though B&Q will be starting to use the railway with
containerised traffic hauled by EWS.
The Hull Dock line is likely to be doubled to cope with extra capacity in coal
traffic. Also more freight is to be routed over the line via Kirton Lindsey to
assist with congestion in the area.
The water traffic has commenced to and from the ProLogis site at Coventry in
continental vans. The vehicles traverse the old Coventry Colliery line at Three
Spires Junction on the Coventry to Nuneaton branch.
It is believed that all the EWS bogie tanks in the 870xxx series are now in
traffic. (I know that they have started to appear in the Colnbrook services
through Leicester.)
The GBRf coal traffic has commenced between Tyne Dock and Drax. Some
renumberings now.
Some "new" vehicles for Network Rail services are bogie wagons, the
use of which is believed to be various. The vehicles in question, with their
previous identities in brackets, are:
97126 (33.790.2797.126), 97138 (33.70.2797.138), 97147 (33.70.2797.147), 97151
(33.70.2797.151), 97161 (33.70.2797.161), 97162 (33.70.2797.162), 97166
(33.70.2797.166), 97216 (33.70.2797.2160, 97220 (33.70.2797.220), 97221
(33.70.2797.221), 97236 (33.70.2797.236), 97247 (33.70.2797.247).
The new vehicles are prefixed GERS.
The 395xxx 'Coalfish'-type vehicles now being noted in their dark grey livery
are renumbered from the 'Limpet' 390xxx and 393xxx vehicles. Number series is
395251 to 395405 and they are renumbered in sequence from 390150 to 393035.
A couple of OCA vehicles stored at Derby RTC in internal use are 112005 and
112392.
More 'Coalfish' vehicles are appearing. The latest list of former identities are
as follows:
396107 (356492), 396108 (356830), 396109 (356758), 396110 (359265), 396112
(356565), 396113 (356970), 396114 (356550), 396118 (356259), 396119 (357113),
396128 (356002), 396131 (357058), 396132 (3592540, 396133 (356953), 396134
(356955), 396135 (357027), 396136 (356416), 396138 (358907), 396130 (356108),
396140 (357562), 396141 (356453), 396142 (356663), 396144 (357116), 396145
(356963), 396146 (356465), 396147 (356954), 396150 (357235).
On to some of my personal sightings mow, starting with a cracker for me
personally. I work alongside the old Humberstone Road yard at Leicester and
there are still three holding/run-round sidings in situ. On Friday 11th May at
07.40 when I arrived at work 66099 (I think!) was parked with the following rake
of EWS Aggregate bogie hoppers: 320007/ 042/ 041/ 025/ 017/ 019/ 043/ 032/ 031/
027/ 022/ 011/ 029/ 026/ 039/ 014/ 040/ 030. Up to this point I had only ever
identified one of these vehicles! What the working was I have no idea.
Another "score" of mine was on the British Gypsum service to and from
East Leake worked by GBRf. Just recently single bogie flat 640652 has been added
to the consist. There are two services a day to and from East Leake for British
Gypsum, one worked by GBRf the other by EWS.
The usual Monday evenings have been spent equally between Rugby and Nuneaton and
have been their usual productive periods. One thing noted recently has been the
disappearance of class 57s on their usual services, replaced by class 66s
obviously, although 47830 was noted at Nuneaton on 30th April!
On another personal note, locomotive-wise, it has been a profitable two weeks.
On 30th April at Nuneaton I noted by last DRS class 66, 66415 on one of the W.
H.Malcolm services, the same night logging Freightliner 66593 on the Trafford
Park--Southampton service.
The following Saturday Lawley Street was host to 66587, 66588 and 66589 and on
Saturday 12th May it hosted 66590 and 66591! Add to this the sighting at Blaby,
on the Birmingham branch and my home village, of 66582 and 66625 light engine on
2nd May and I must say "It was a good month!"
Nothing too spectacular to report in my sightings, but freight totals of 18, 15
and 17 on the past three Monday evenings in my usual three-hour slot is not too
bad.
I am off down to Christchurch for a week from 19th May, so my next report will
include something different. Have a good month.
Miscellaneous
Loco Horns
The rail industry has decided that train horns need no longer be sounded between 23.00 and 07.00. The lower tone of the two-tone horn however, is permitted for use when passing whistle signs between these hours. This follows on to the end of sounding horns when entering tunnels, which finished a few years ago, and again benefited residents living alongside railway lines.