NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
16/07 Royal 67005 worked a return 'repaired' HTA wagon trip arriving at 12.06
as 6Z01 11.15 East Usk-Avonmouth.
17/07 66133 was noted in the bulk handling terminal at 12.00 shunting HTA
wagons, including a 'barrier' BRA steel coil carrier.
19/07 66126 was over in Bennett's yard with JNA box wagons loading the 6C64
14.20 loaded Irish import stone for Westbury, at 13.50.
28/07 Voyager set 220031 was noted passing Hallen village at 07.43 with Barton
Hill-Cardiff Central ECS to form the 09.05 (SO) Cardiff Central-Newcastle Virgin
XC service. 67005 + 67006 arrived in the area on the 6V53 Wembley-Avonmouth
'enterprise' freight service which included at least 10 wagons loaded with
bottled water for distribution in the flooded stricken Gloucester area.
31/07 66159 arrived late morning on a 6Z12 07.30 Bescot-Avonmouth (booked 11.23)
loaded water train to assist with the flooding emergency in the Gloucestershire
area. The loco and train were stabled alongside the Severn Beach running line
near St. Andrews station into the afternoon and assumed later off-loaded on the
Chittening industrial estate. The booked return working was 6Z13 16.54
Avonmouth-Mossend. 59204 was also recorded in Bennett's sidings during the
afternoon on another Westbury bound import stone working.
Along the line at Montpelier station, students from Fairfield School have tidied
up the murals on the platform buildings, which had been de-faced by vandals
during May. Six students, who won a competition were able to paint their own
designs on the walls, with graffiti artist Richard Minchin assisting, in the
presence of head of art at Fairfield School, David Otlet.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included 66183 and 66225 only.
Track work is assumed to have still been taking place at Foxhall Junction near
Didcot for part or all of the month.
08405 continued as the area shunting pilot.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
01/07 An engineering possession between Parkway and Westerleigh junction at
11.00 found; 66057/085. 59202/203/204 all 'in section' on separate engineer's
trains facing east, stopped on the up line.
02/07 Two sightings this evening firstly 66020 with the ADJ - Wembley
"Enterprise" service and 66127 with MGRs empties which stabled in the
down yard.
03/07 57004 was a surprise loco on the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook containers
passing Winterbourne Down at 11.22. The loco was believed to be the only
sub-class member in use on that day for Freightliner, the rest having been
stored. The Class 57 again worked the inward 4V50 and return 4O51 during the
following day. The first series of extracted stone from Tytherington, since the
summer of 2005 was due to commence running on the 02/07, today's working being
cancelled due to the wagons being sent to the wrong location during the morning.
The train is booked for a Class 66 with 18 JHA stone hoppers as 6Z23 04.32
Westbury-Tytherington and 6C38 11.44 return to West Drayton and recesses in
Stoke Gifford down sidings until the early afternoon, then running via Day's
curve, Bath and Box to save a run-round at Parkway. There was still a safety
issue on the quarry branch line prior to the first train operating because the
level crossing barrier, damaged some 16 months ago was still not back into
position at Latteridge level crossing.
05/07 59005 worked the 6C38 West Drayton stone, being recorded passing Dr Day's
junction at 14.55 and 67028 passed on a 1Z45 06.45 Manchester-Bath Northern
Belle dining trip during the early afternoon returning as 1Z46 17.12
Bath-Manchester.
07/07 60052 was recorded during the afternoon on the Theale-Robeston empty fuel
tankers.
09/07 Cotswold-Rail 47828 worked a 5Z46 11.20 Landore-Brush Loughborough works
HST power car move hauling 43149 for MTU engine fitting. The loco was reported
to have returned with a refurbished 43195 for Landore.
10/07 59201 was on the 6C38 West Drayton loaded stone service.
11/07 66540 worked the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook containers.
12/07 59202 departed Stoke Gifford down sidings at 14.23 with 18 loaded JHAs as
6C38 11.55 Tytherington-West Drayton loaded stone. 60074 later appeared with
6B33 Theale- Robeston empty fuel tanks.
13/07 The inward 4V50 Millbrook-Wentlooge containers were reported as running 80
minutes late behind 66534.
14/07 59104 passed Pilning at 14.15 on 6C80 13.33 Mchen-Westbury loaded stone
and 60020 was later noted at 14.20 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank
empties. A 6Z28 08.31 Pengam-Theale and 6Z29 14.14 Theale-Pengam loaded stone
and return empties was reported headed by 66544.
16/07 The Didcot-Wentlooge MoD stores was noted during the day with 66142 and
66553 was also seen with westbound stone empties.
18/07 Mainline blue, EWS stickered 60078 worked 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel
empties and 66512 passed Parkway at 19.46 on the newly introduced 4Z82 15.30
Rugeley-Portbury coal empties.
19/07 60078 was again on the 6B33 Theale tanks passing Parkway at 15.30 and
earlier 66724 passed on the platform 4 line at 08.35 with a 5Z90 06.30
Laira-Derby HST stock move formed with coaches; 41065, 41089, 42062, 42067,
42068, 42221, 44022, the loco later returning a 5Z91 14.00 Derby-Laira during
the early evening with refurbished HST stock; 41004, 41110, 42089, 42138, 42346,
42349, 44003. The 66/7 moved more HST stock from Laira-Ilford during the
following day!
20/07 Adverse weather conditions saw flooding in the Bridgend area with train
cancellations. A 12.30 Brush Loughborough works-Landore stock move was headed by
47828 hauling refurbished MTU engine fitted HST power cars 43164 + 43186.
21/07 Pathfinder Tour's 'Mort n'docker' from York-Newport, originally visiting
Moreton-on-Lugg (but later amended to Machen) and Newport docks (including Sims
Metals), was cancelled believed due to low bookings. The tour, booked to be
hauled by 2 EWS Class 37s (with a Class 60 assisting in a top n'tail formation
as needed), was to run via Stoke Gifford down loop (avoiding Parkway station
platforms) and Pilning down goods loop.
23/07 No MGR workings tonight just a couple of northbound diverted steel
services hauled by 66124 and 66122 respectively
24/07 Further flooding at 06.15 blocked the Chepstow mainline between Lydney and
Gloucester seeing a number of diversions via Parkway.
26/07 66609 noted on the return 4Z82 Rugeley - Portbury empties
27/07 66591 worked the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook loaded containers.
30/07 Three workings this evening starting with 66530 with an eastbound stone
train followed by 60056 with MGR empties for Portbury. The final sighting was
the late running car train from Portbury hauled by 66192 with 66001, the latter
not under power.
31/07 66589 was the 4O51 Wentlooge-Millbrook container hauling loco.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/07 A late running Pastime Rail 'Bright n' Breezy' (1Z79 08.15
Taunton-Brighton) excursion was reported still at Taunton at 09.00, and headed
by green-liveried 47815, being later noted passing South Liberty lane at 09.45.
The train, originally booked to run from Minehead, departed Temple Meads 48
minutes late (noted near Keynsham at 10.22) behind steam 76079, the arrival in
Brighton being however 8 minutes early! The 1Z80 16.54 return was back in
Bristol near to time at 20.47 behind newly Victa-Westlink Rail silver and black
liveried 47832. The trip was originally named the 'Pompey Local Standard' and
destined to run to Portsmouth & Southsea but was re-routed to Brighton due
to engineering work.
02/07 Victa-Westlink Rail 47832 was again back in the area with the previous
day's railtour ECS running as 5Z79 09.30 Bishop's Lydeard-Old Oak Common.
03/07 66725 passed through Bristol around 90 minutes late on an early evening
5Z90 13.00 Derby-Laira refurbished HST stock move formed; 41157, 41158, 42200,
42129, 42245, 42250, 44086.
04/07 West Coast train's handled a 1Z30 10.30 Paddington-Exeter believed to be a
corporate company special top n'tailed by 47245 + 47854. The 5Z30 13.30 Exeter-Carnforth
ECS was routed via Bristol and the Severn Tunnel, being noted passing Yatton at
14.28. Also reported during the day was; 60065 on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ
via Day's curve during the morning and 66725 at Temple Meads just after 12.30
with two First/GW barrier coaches having worked up from Laira.
05/07 66090 seen at 16:35 with a southbound ballast train.
06/07 Royal 67006 brought in eight former Virgin red liveried MkIIs
(5910/945/984/987. 6051/158. 9527/537) from Old Oak Common for use on the Summer
Saturday First/GW Weymouth 'relief' service. The six coach train, operating in a
Class 67 top n'tail formation and running as 2O67 08.34 Temple Meads-Weymouth
(11.03) and 2V67 17.47 return (Temple Meads 20.04) is due to run from
07/07-25/08.
07/07 For the first 2007 Summer Saturday of Virgin XC HST 'hire', the following
power cars were in use;- 1C02 07.35 Bristol TM-Paignton/ 1E46 10.32 Paignton-Newcastle
(GNER 43077 +43119), 2C34 06.53 Plymouth-Newquay/ 1E47 09.40 Newquay-Newcastle (GNER
43053 + 43102), 1V29 07.25 Manchester-Newquay/ 1M28 15.22 Newquay-Manchester (MML
43066 + 43083) and 1V49 09.41 Newcastle-Newquay/ 2P86 19.50 Newquay-Plymouth (MML
43047 + 43166). Another summer Saturday first was the Weymouth 'relief' top
n'tailed by 67016 + EWS silver-liveried 67029 with coaching stock; 9527, 5945,
6051, 5910, 5987, 6158. Another Class 67 loco working during the afternoon was
67027 on a 5Z64 12.55 Old Oak Common-Barton Hill 'Torbay Express' steam
excursion stock move, via Bath. The 'Torbay Express' loco for the first few
Sunday's steam 6024 King Edward I, ran 5Z65 17.35 Bishop's Lydeard to Barton
Hill loco with it's new water tank carrying wagon and support coach W35333. A
surprise appearance in Bristol during the evening was a return 'Blue Pullman'
dining train (including Cotswold-liveried buffet 10235 in the formation) top
n'tailed by 47828 + 47818 (Yatton 19.39) working 1Z48 17.15 Kingswear-Colchester.
The train was booked to return via Westbury (19.53), Melksham and the GW
mainline to London. On the freight side, 59206 was on the 6C80 Machen-Westbury
loaded stone. A railtour destination change for the day involved steam 30777 Sir
Lamiel on a Steam Dream's '1967 Gala Special' re-routed from Victoria-Bristol,
to Alton and the Mid Hants Railway instead.
08/07 The first 'Torbay Express' (1Z27 09.18 Bristol-Kingswear and 1Z28 17.15
return) of the 2007 season operated behind steam 6024 King Edward I passing
Parson's street at 09.23 and Yatton at 09.35 with coaching stock all in maroon
livery (except where stated); 21245, 3144, 3141, 3146, 4998, 1813, 4949, 5008,
4986 (green), 5023 (green), W35333 (choc/cream support coach), with water stops
being taken at Taunton on the outward and Exeter on the return. Later, a further
steam arrival was 850 Lord Nelson with Steam Dream's 'Southern Sunset', one of a
series of tours marking the end of steam on the Southern Region 40 years ago.
The loco was working; 1Z87 08.23 Waterloo-Exeter St. Davids and 1Z88 16.27
Exeter-Clapham junction the return leaving nearly an hour late, passing Lympsham,
near Weston-super-Mare at 18.32. A water stop was taken at Temple Meads, before
departure via Bath the arrival at Westbury being 49 minutes late where the loco
was failed and the train terminated! This did cause further problems, as the
coaching stock (35317 loco support, 5121, 5222, 5216, 1840, 5200, 13440, 9392,
5237, 1961, 5236, 5249, all in green livery) was in the wrong position for a
further railtour planned to run during the following day. Various locations
viewed during the afternoon found the following, Barton Hill depot 66183/199
67006/016/029, Kingsland road sidings 66524/525/609/625, Temple Meads (former
Bath road depot stub, near platform 15), 47714, 66519/530.
09/07 Two unidentified Class 31s operated a 4Z07 18.04 Barton Hill-Crewe test
working in a top n'tail formation. Westbury bound coal train recorded at 14:45
behind 60074.
10/07 Signalling problems in the Acton area saw late running and cancellations
for First/GW. A further refurbished HST stock move was headed by green liveried
47815 (carrying a 'Bristol Bluebirds' headboard) as 5Z90 12.20 Derby-Laira,
leaving the Midlands 105 minutes late, passing Washwood Heath at 15.01 (booked
14.18), Parkway 17.51 (16.04) and Yatton 18.28 (16.42). The stock formation was
as follows; 40713, 40757, 41093, 41114, 41162, 41194, 42107, 42183, 42184,
42185, 44001 with First/GW liveried barrier coaches 5707 and 5740. The Class 47
had made Old Oak Common-Laira-Ilford-Derby stock moves during the previous day.!
11/07 Steam 76079 passed through the area as 5Z76 08.55 Furzebrook-East Lancs
railway, running with support coach via Day's curve and the Severn Tunnel around
16.00, 40 minutes early. Earlier, 67021 had arrived on 1Z35 08.45
Victoria-Temple Meads VSOE, having taken over from steam loco 35028 Clan Line at
Westbury. An evening stock positioning move for the forthcoming 'Butlin's
Express' from Minehead-Bristol saw 31454 + 31452 double-head 5Z33 16.15
Gloucester-Minehead, most of the stock originally booked to be moved west by
33202, had arrived from Barrow Hill behind 31454. The train was noted running
late through Yatton at 18.42 formed with the following Inter-City liveried
coaches; 1211, 9497, 5906, 5797, 5866, 6168, 9500, 3312, the last two becoming
'spare' on arrival at Minehead. An evening freight service also seen at Yatton
was 66118 with 6C89 (M,W,FO) Cardiff Tidal sidings-Plymouth Tavistock yard empty
scrap wagons, at 18.20. 66132 noted with MGR empties for Portbury at 17:10.
12/07 Due to a lack of space on Barton Hill, the 'Torbay Express' ECS has been
noted stabled in the up canopy road siding. A freight working recorded was 66529
on 6Z60 10.51 Neasden-Newton Abbot Hackney yard sand empties (correcting
previous information given stating this train as being loaded).
14/07 Summer Saturday Virgin XC HST 'hire' power car workings were as follows;-
1C02/1E46: GNER 43110 + 43320, 2C34/1E47: GNER 43300 + 43306, 1V29/1M28: MML
43054 + 43104, 1V49/2P86: MML 43043 + 43166. Also recorded during the day were;-
Royal 67006 + 67016 top n'tailing a Pastime Rail 'York Flyer' (1Z57 06.30
Taunton-York and 1Z59 17.24 return), whilst the other Royal loco 67005 was with
67021 top n'tailing the 2O67 and 2V67 'hire' First/GW Bristol-Weymouth and
return diagram and FLHH 66616 top n'tailing Bardon -blue 66623 on a lengthy 6Y11
Taunton Fairwater-Wootton Bassett track relaying train passing Nailsea &
Backwell at 21.41.
15/07 The previous days 6Y11 with 66623 and 66616 was booked to return from
Thingley junction-Taunton, the route being unconfirmed as via Bristol. The MML
Sunday 'hire' HST 1E53 15.35 Plymouth-York service continues, being noted with
43043 + 43166.
16/07 Cotswold-Rail 47810 ran light-engine from Gloucester to Temple Meads
arriving late morning to collect 47714 which had occupied the former Bath Road
depot 'stub' siding near platform 15 since 15/06.
17/07 50049 ran light-engine from Cardiff Canton-Bishop's Lydeard (booked Worle
12.49) to assist with forthcoming 'steam' railtour specials from the West
Somerset Railway.
18/07 FLHH 66609 passed Severn Tunnel junction at 15.11 and Brent Knoll at 16.40
with 6Z39 Neath-Newton Abbot Hackney yard loaded stone formed with bogie box
wagons. Empty car train for Portbury seen at 06:30 headed by 66232.
20/07 Very heavy rain to the north and east of Bristol caused flooding on both
routes to London, being also reported on the Berks & Hants route in the
Newbury area and at Wootton Bassett, Chippenham and Box and between Swindon and
Didcot on the direct route. Subsidence was also reported at least one
unspecified location. First/GW were to introduce an emergency timetable.
Flooding in the Gloucester area also meant no trains running north of Bristol.
Similar conditions on the motorways also meant alternative road transport was
not possible. Despite the weather conditions, a Royal visit by the Queen and HRH
Prince Phillip took place to a number of North Somerset locations, the Royal
train calling at Yatton station arriving at 10.00 (being stopped in the correct
position by a hand-flagman) on the up-side having stabled overnight in the
Exeter area. The train, top n'tailed by dedicated locos 67006 and 67005 and
formed with coaching stock; 2921, 2903, 2904, 2923, 2917, 2920, departed at
10.05 'ECS' towards Bristol. The roads around the station were lined with
watching crowds including invited guests along the station approach behind
barriers opposite the Railway Hotel. A high police presence was observed in the
station area with the down platform being closed off to the public whilst the
train stood in the station. The first of the Victa-Westlink Rail's Summer series
of the Butlin's holiday train ran as 1Z35 11.16 Minehead-Bristol TM and 1Z39
14.06 return using a Mainline owned top n'tail five coach formation (6168, 5866,
5797, 5906, 9497) with locos 31452 and 31454. The outward train was noted
passing Flax Bourton late at 14.07, whilst the return was seen at South Liberty
lane at 14.40, again down on time. This was the first time-tabled mainline
connecting passenger services over the Minehead branch line since it was closed
by BR in January 1971. A 'Butlin's Express' headboard was noted being carried by
the lead loco in each direction. 'Peak' 45112 was due to work, 5Z42 06.55
Gloucester-St.Phillips Marsh ECS (with a 5Z47 19.39 return) formed of five extra
coaches for use with a series of planned Bristol-Weston-super-Mare 'T4 party on
the beach' pop shuttles due to operate two days later, but the weather and
unconfirmed loco problems curtailed this stock move.
21/07 There were still no services north to Gloucester and Birmingham, but there
was an hourly service from Temple Meads to Paddington via Swindon, with sections
being operated at a lower line speed as a safety measure. South Wales services,
however, ran only between Bristol Parkway and Swansea. All of the Virgin XC HST
'hire' workings were cancelled as no sets could make it through the flooded
areas in the Midlands. GNER 43105 + 43115 were confirmed as en-route ECS for the
1C02/1E46 but were terminated at Birmingham. Royal train locos, 67005 and 67006
top n'tailed the 2O67 and 2V67 Weymouth diagram, whilst 31452 and 31454 again
top n'tailed the 'Butlin's Express'. Two railtour cancellation for the day was
Pastime Rail's 'Torbay Express' due to the bad weather and a Heartland Tour's
1Z59 07.20 Gloucester-Penzance and 1Z60 17.00 return, originally booked for
45112, then two Class 33s, and then two Class 47s!! It is believed the weather
conditions and loco availability were the cause for the non-running of this
trip. On the freight side; 59206 worked the Westbury-Machen and return loaded
stone trip.
22/07 Virgin XC services were able to run north as far as Gloucester during the
day. The 'Torbay Express' was worked by steam 6024 King Edward I as 1Z27 09.18
Bristol TM-Kingswear and 1Z28 17.17 return, the outward passing Yatton at 09.34.
A series of 'T4 party on the beach' at Weston-super-Mare shuttles operated for
First/GW using the Victa Westlink top n'tail Class 31s and stock with 31452 and
31454 to help move some of the 40,000 people attending the event. The day's
diagram worked as follows;- Bristol TM departures were at 08.44 (1Z30), 10.19
(1Z31), 11.45 (1Z36), and return ECS moves at 18.53 (5Z33), 20.50 (5Z34), 22.04
(5Z35) all for Weston with ECS moves to Bristol (from Weston) being at 09.25
(5Z31), 11.04 (5Z36) and passenger trains at 18.10 (1Z32), 1932 (1Z33), 21.31
(1Z34) and 22.40 (1Z35). During the middle of the day the train returned to the
West Somerset Railway for servicing and stabling as 5Z36 12.26
Weston-super-Mare-Bishop's Lydeard and 5Z32 17.08 return. The 31s had positioned
themselves and train at Bishop's Lydeard during the previous evening working the
16.50 departure from Minehead in place of a DMU set. Also noted during the day
were strengthened First/GW DMU services including the 08.15 Exeter St.Davids-Cardiff
Central formed 158816 + 150232 + 153368 + 150244. Another observation during the
day was 50049 passing Yatton at 10.43 light-engine as 0Z49 10.15 Bishop's
Lydeard-Cardiff Canton following railtour duties.
23/07 Following the adverse weather conditions, all routes from Bristol were
once again open, but there was a de-railment near Wickwar involving an
engineering train top n'tailed by 60045 + 60074 causing further delays. Single
line working was in force overnight, both lines being reopened by 08.00. Royal
locos 67005 and 67006 were present on Barton Hill depot during the morning and
were assumed used on the 6M33 Avonmouth-Wembley 'enterprise' freight service
later in the day.
24/07 47813 + 47714 + 33202 arrived in Temple Meads light-engine from Gloucester
as a safety precaution against flood damage. GBRf 66718 worked a 5Z91 19.00
Ilford-Temple Meads refurbished HST stock move. First/GW were still operating an
emergency timetable between Bristol and London.
25/07 66718 continued westbound as 5Z91 06.15 Temple Meads-Laira and two FLHH
workings recorded were; 66617 on 6Z55 08.20 Newton Abbot Hackney Yard-Moreton-on-Lugg
stone empties and 66529 with a 6V60 Neasden-Hackney Yard train of sand empties.
26/07 66718 returned north with HST stock for refurbishment during the morning
(41037, 41038, 42055, 42056, 42292, 42343, 44018), returning as 5Z91 14.00
Derby-Laira passing Stapleton Road at 18.27 and Worle at 18.49. The refurbished
stock was recorded as; 41051, 41052, 42004, 42076, 42077, 42078, 44025, 42318
inside two barrier coaches.
27/07 Load-haul liveried 60007 was allocated 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol East depot
loaded steel, but 66059 was the loco actually used. During the evening First/GW
services suffered delays following the 17.30 Temple Meads-Paddington train being
held at Swindon whilst a person on board was located and checked by the police.
Services were running back to normal by 20.00. A morning FLHH 0Z20 Crewe Basford
Hall yard-Kingsland Road light-loco move was formed of five unidentified Class
66 locos.
27/07 Noted at Temple Meads this morning circa 09:30 were 33202 and 47714.
28/07 The Summer Saturday HST 'hire' services were back to normal, the following
power cars covered the following duties;- 1C02/1E46: GNER 43006 + 43111,
2C34/1E47: GNER 43099 + 43102, 1V29/1M28: MML 43060 + 43082, 1V49/2P86: MML
43072 + 43075. The First/GW Weymouth loco hauled service was worked by Royal
locos 67005 and 67006 and 31452 and 31454 top n'tailed the 'Butlins Express'
holiday train, the 1Z39 14.06 Temple Meads-Minehead return being noted near
Brent Knoll at 14.34, now operating as a six coach formation with brake 9500
also included. The Saturday's only, Westbury-Machen and return loaded stone was
cancelled.
31/07 Royal train locos 67005 and 67006 were still in the area at the end of the
month and during the day shunted the 'Torbay Express' stock from Barton Hill to
the up through canopy road at Temple Meads.
Gloucester
03/07 47828 worked the 4 stored Class 87s (reported in last months Magazine)
from Worcester-Long Marston, but was involved in a fatality on the line between
Evesham and Honeybourne. The locos were not owned by DRS as stated last month,
but 'off lease' and joined the other 19 class members already stored at Long
Marston.
04/07 Victa Westlink Rail liveried 47832 was booked to work a train of IKA
wagons as 13.10 Thameshaven-Worcester via Swindon (17.06), Kemble and Gloucester
yard (17.53-18.10), but failed at Swindon. The loco and train were collected by
GBRf 66710 the following day running via Melksham, the Berks & Hants,
Reading West curve, Didcot and Oxford!!
10/07 31454 handled a 5Z32 Oxley-Gloucester coaching stock move for use with the
Minehead-Bristol Butlins holiday train.
25/07 60038 worked 6Z12 08.00 Mossend-Ashchurch MoD palletised mineral water
believed for Tesco and for use by flood victims in the Gloucester area. DRS were
originally expected to work another emergency water train due to arrive at
Gloucester station platform 4 for four hours to unload. This was however
cancelled, but it was reported that Network-Rail water cannon wagons were on
stand-by at York if required, also to help.
30/07 60066 was unusual power for the Didcot-Ashchurch MoD service.
Portbury Branchline
02/07 At 06.20, the late running 6M38 05.00 Portbury-Ironbridge loaded coal,
headed by 66127 was seen 'face to face' with the 6X51 03.07 Washwood Heath-Portbury
loaded and empty car carriers behind 66218.
09/07 As reported in last months Magazine, Freightliner Heavy-Haul returned to
Portbury during the morning with 66609 running light-engine from Kingsland road
on a driver training/route refresher run covering as well as the branchline from
Parson's street, the internal docks lines, both into the coal stockpile area and
the general cargo sidings. At 20.38 (22 minutes early), 66610 arrived with 4Z82
15.30 Rugeley-Portbury coal empties (booked via Yate 19.29 and Parkway
19.45-20.02) formed of 19 Freightliner HXA coal wagons, a first appearance for
this wagon type over the branchline.
10/07 The first FLHH coal departure was in the hands of 66564, leaving 65
minutes late as 6Z82 07.10 Portbury-Rugeley power station (booked Pilning
07.58).
11/07 66610 worked the second 6Z82 leaving 73 minutes early at 05.57, crossing
the EWS 6X51 03.07 Washwood Heath-Portbury, part loaded and empty car train at
Ashton behind 66179 at 06.20. Jaguars as well as Land Rover 'Freelanders' were
observed on the inward car train. During the evening, 66564 brought back in the
4Z82 coal empties.
12/07 66548 worked out on the morning 6Z82 loaded coal, returning the 4Z82
evening empties (noted passing Parkway at 19.15).
13/07 66610 was reported as departing on the 6Z82 around 05.00!
16/07 66548 worked the outward 6Z82 and 66512 brought in the 4Z82 coal empties
during the evening.
18/07 66512 brought in the evening 4Z82 coal empties arriving at Portbury at
20.30 (30 minutes early).
24/07 66609 took out the 6Z82 and returned the 4Z82 empties during the evening.
26/07 66609 was again on the 6Z82 morning loaded coal departure.
30/07 66527 work the outward 6Z82. The return empties were retimed from this
date to 4Z82 21.30 Rugeley-Portbury as EWS required the path for a 6V17
Bescot-Portbury empty coal service. The EWS service, which runs from Portbury-Fiddler's
Ferry (then empty onwards to Bescot), is of particular interest being formed of
HTA wagons fitted with swing couplings (modified late 2005 for use on
Immingham-Scunthorpe Corus works coal trains) for Class 60 haulage. 60056 was
the loco in use on this working today.
31/07 60056 was again used on the 6V17 Bescot-Portbury empty HTA wagons.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;- 60056.
66077/127/132/141/199/221. 66512/527/548/564/609/610.
Units noted this period included
143603/611/612/618/619/620.
150219/221/232/244.
153368/377.
158745/746/749/750/751/760/761/763/764/765/766/767/768/769/776/778/815
158816/817/855/864/865/866/868/869/870/871/872.
180102/106.
220002/003/004/005/006/007/008/009/010/011/012/014/016/017/018/019/020
220022/023/025/027/028/029/031/032/033/034.
221101/102/105/106/111/112/113/114/115/116/117/120/121/122/123/124/126
221127/128/129/130/131/133/134/135/136/139/140/141/143/144.
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge.
02/07 66590. 03/07 57004. 04/07 66594. 05/07 57004. 06/07 66577.
09/07 66573. 10/07 66576. 11/07 66540. 12/07 66532. 13/07 66534.
18/07 66592. 20/07 66591. 23/07 66541. 24/07 66588. 25/07 66532.
26/07 66573. 27/07 66591. 30/07 66543. 31/07 66589.
Bristol - Calvert Binliner
06/06 66547. 27/06 66530. 11/07 66548. 16/07 66617. 17/07 66512.
26/07 66554. 27/07 66609.
6Z82 Portbury - Rugeley
10/07 66574. 11/07 66610. 12/07 66548. 13/07 66610. 16/07 66548.
23/07 66554. 24/07 66609. 26/07 66609. 27/07 66554. 30/07 66527.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley 'Enterprise' freight service
04/07 67006. 05/07 67006. 12/07 67013 + 67021. 17/07 67013. 19/07 67012.
24/07 67026. 27/07 66171. 28/07 67005 + 67006. 30/07 67006 + 67005.
6X52 16.30 loaded car service Portbury- Washwood Heath
02/07 66218. 09/07 66179. 12/07 66133. 13/07 66179. 17/07 66179.
18/07 66232. 19/07 66179. 25/07 66232. 27/07 66232. 31/07 66141.
6C01 ADJ - Bristol
02/07 60071. 05/07 66235. 06/07 66223. 20/07 66135. 23/07 66108.
25/07 66135. 27/07 66059. 31/07 66232.
6B13/6B47 Robeston - Westerleigh
02-06/07 60020. 09-10/07 60052. 12-13/07 60034. 16/07 60074.
19-20/07 60074. 23-27/07 60020. 30-31/07 60020.
6V49 Tees Yard - Newport Docks
03/07 66121. 04/07 66126. 05/07 66213. 06/07 66237. 10/07 66015.
11/07 60045. 12/07 66211. 13/07 66047. 20/07 66057. 25/07 66237.
26/07 66117. 31/07 66232.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
37217 - QADD, 47145/709/712(DF)-KM, 57007/008/009/010/012/012(FD)-KM,
66033/212/243 - France, 66036 -UK
The following ex Fragonset/FM Rail locos, irrespective of location and
condition have been nominally/actually reallocated to Barrow Hill (BH)
31128/289/301/415/422/423/437/439/452/464/601. 33019/021/103. 37255. 45112.
47640/707/767. 56011/021/022. 73103/104/105/114/117/134/139.
Stored
08847/871/936. 47145/709/712. 60008/010/019/022/036/042/046/072. 67003/030.
90039. 92015.
AN: 67030. BH: 37217. Barry: 08511. CE: 90039. 92015/031/034. CS: 47787. DC:
60015. GL: 08935. KM: 47145/709/712. LB: 92032. LM: 08447/736. 08345/728.
87006/007/008/026. NC: 08487/781.
TO: 60008/019/046/072. 67003/030. TS Locomotive: 50033. RVE Derby: 56057. IM:
60010/022/036/042. Deanside: 86218/232. Crewe DHS: 47575
Traffic
20309 -KM, 26010. 37175 -HQ, 47747 -CP, 47770 -HQ, 60047/053/065/075. 67009/013
-TO, 90021. 92012 -CE. 01507/509/583 -HQ*, 08623 -BS, 47760/776/786/787/804*
-CS, 60040 -TO, 92019 -CE
Withdrawn
31200. 37216/674/713/889. 47270/292/840. 56034/063/131. 86620.
Disposals
Booths: 31200. 56034/063/131. HNRC: 37713/889 @CD
Ron Hull: 86620. EMR: 86620. 08926. 37211/372. 47780. Ward: 08655/740 @ LH
Group. Thomson: 37505/705. 47279/303
Stainmore Railway: 37674. Nene Valley: 47270. WSR: 47840. GCR(North): 47292.
Pontypool & Blaenavon: 37216. Nene Valley: 37518. Northampton & Lamport:
37679
Renumbered & Registered
MoD 425 - 01507, MoD 433 - 01509, MoD 422 - 01583, 43038 - 43238, 47792 - 47804
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
142094/096(NL)-HT
156403(TS)-CK, 475/480/481/484/490(NL)-HT
158774(NL)-TS
Stored
142001 @ Barrow, 004 @ Sheffield, 030 @NH
158772
Traffic
142029/062/067/095 @HT (Periodic use only)
150106/122/214 -TS
158880/885/886 -SA
Renumbered
150003/022 - disbanded see Cl150 above
158737 - 880, 742 - 881, 744 - 883, 775 - 885, 779 - 886, 781 - 887,
158808 - 889 -SA
Electric Multiple Units
Transfers
377154(BI)-SU
Stored
9105/06 @BH, car 76836 @Serco, Derby
Disposals
Booths: cars: 62098 + 76207 (310101), 76190 (310093), cars 62092. 76151
(310067), 76157 (310101)
New Stock
Class 360/2 car 72434 (360204)
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Transfers
99350 -CS
Stored
99123/303/760/790
LM: 10204/208/215/226/236/249/255. 12022/028/071/076/085/124/144/160.
1252. 5773. 5845. 5918/51. 6157.
KI: 1221. 5788. 5919/60/95. 6059. 9516/22
Traffic
10233 -CP, 42353. 44100 - LA 1211. 3312. 5866. 5906. 6168. 9497. 9500 -GL?
5737/40. 6721. 9481/90 -OO, 10256/260 -GW
Withdrawn
5661. 6619. 9458. 42088. 92134(94435). 975051/554/555/721/903.
977449
Disposals
Booth: 9458. 975554/555/721. 977449. JT Land: 5661. 6619
HNRL: 975903 @CD. 93930 @CD. Peak Rail: 92134(94435), 975051 977449
Avon Valley: 10555
Pool Codes
BPTC Blue Pullman Train Company
CDCO Cargo-D, Operational Coaches
9508, 10202/246, 11071/083/084/086/089, 12014/038/043/053/119
CDCS Cargo-D, Stored Coaches
10233, 10588, 11031/065
EFTL FGW HST Low Density Coaches
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
Welcome to another delve into the freight scene over the past month.
Beginning with a few snippets of news that have come my way. Some of the
23.80.2929.xxx vans have been appearing renumbered to 23.80.2829.xxx series.
Quite what the reason is for this is not clear at present. Four have been noted
so far. There is news that Channel Tunnel access charges are to drop in the late
summer, which is good news for the European freight traffic which has been
having a tough time recently. RMC bogie hoppers 13701-13712 are appearing on
regular aggregate workings from Westbury, which does explain why they haven't
been seen on the Ely and Bletchley traffic. In fact these latter two services
are seeing the new bogie hoppers in the 320xxx series included in their
consists. The old Cartic sets in the 43.70.4287/4288 series are in the process
of being scrapped, with twelve sets already dealt with. Mentioning renumbering,
the STVA twin car flats in the 23.80.4333.xxx series are being renumbered into
the 23.87.4384.xxx series. Some have been noted at Washwood Heath on the Jaguar
traffic - 23.80.4384.004 and 009 being here on 4th August. They are resplendent
in a light brown livery. On to my personal sightings from the past month. Taking
advantage of an offer from the lovely people at Central Trains(!) on 28th July,
I and five colleagues spent a day in Manchester (£10 return from Nottingham)
hoping to decimate the new class 185 units (43 of the 51 being noted on the
day!). On the return journey, 67003 was noted at Chesterfield with the return
Ely-Peak Forest RMC service with the following three new bogie hoppers in the
consist: 320028, 320033 and 320038. And, whilst waiting at Nottingham station in
the evening, 60002 was noted passing through with a 30-bogie empty oil service
with the following EWS bogie tanks in the consist: 870268/ 205/ 332/ 313/ 284/
248/ 319/ 330/ 214/ 289/ 309/ 320/ 321/ 307/ 277. Nice to see such a large train
in the charge of a class 60 and not a class 66! Problems with floods on the
cross-country route through Oxford, meant that the Freightliner services via
that route (floods were at platform level at Banbury station) were diverted via
the WCML giving my visit to Nuneaton on 23rd July some extra traffic. It was
quite a busy evening with some late-running services. The Southampton-Coatbridge
was noted heading north about 150 minutes late in the charge of 57006 (the only
Freightliner class 57 in traffic). Also diverted was the EWS Ditton--Southampton
in the charge of 66147 and also the Southampton-Trafford Park and return working
were diverted via the WCML and Acton adding 90 minutes to their journey time.
The two W. H. Malcolm services was late runners also being hauled by 66412 and
66415. Away from the WCML, the Rugby Cement service from the Heathrow Terminal
Five project was noted heading north through Leicester at the end of July hauled
by DRS 66420 which, with 66418, is on hire to Freightliner. The GBRf British
Gypsum train has been hauled in the last month by 66712, 66707, 66721 and 66724.
The loco appears to be on the service for a complete week. Noted heading south
through Leicester on 9th August at 13.15 was 66727 with two barrier coaches
either end of a refurbished rake of First Great Western HST stock. Identities of
the stock or the barriers were not obtainable. The coal traffic to and from
Ratcliffe Power Station from Daw Mill seems to have been in abundance in recent
weeks, with five or six trains a day being noted through Leicester. Not a great
deal of unusual sightings this month. For those of you interested in track
plant, Birmingham International station is the place to view at the present
time. Extensive track work at the west end of the station until the middle of
September is seeing an abundance on varying on-track plant. The place was alive
with it on 11th August, with 66080 and 66148 on the attending engineers'
services. That's all for this effort. See you next time.
INDUSTRIAL & PRESERVATION MATTERS
Avon Valley Railway
Electro-diesel 73101 Royal Alex is to be 'loaned' to the Severn Valley to assist
with track replacement works trains carrying out flood damage repairs. The SVR
however, still continues to operate a service over sections unaffected by flood
damage. Also steam loco, Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T No. 70 (1464/21) has been on a
two week loan to the East Lancs Railway, the loco having already worked on this
line before arriving at Bitton. This year's AVR end of season gala is expected
to see a visit from former Somerset & Dorset 7F 53809. The Class 73 should
also have returned by the date, believed to be either on the 21st or 28th
October. A further carriage fire has been reported following an incident during
the morning of Saturday 07/07. The vehicle involved and the amount of damage
caused, is not known
Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway
The date of 07/08/07 marked the 100th anniversary of the running of the first
passenger train between Weston and Portishead. The line which had been completed
between Weston and Clevedon, 10 years earlier, was to close in 1940. The WC
& P Railway Group, formed in November 2005 have been set up in the Clevedon
area to locate and where possible preserve the remains of the route and its
associated structures. It is hoped sign posts and maps could be put in place to
mark certain surviving locations.
MISCELLANEOUS
Motorway Movements
24/07 The 'Hornby' special liveried HST power car 43087 was seen heading
northbound on the M5 near Gloucester.
CORRECTION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - AUGUST 2007 MAGAZINE.
Coal-Stone Haul Railtour (03/06/07)
Additional information; Following last months Magazine report of this local
railtour, the train's full running details were omitted. These were as follows;-
1Z20 10.00 Bristol TM-Portbury, 1Z21 10.30 Portbury-Bath Spa,
1Z22 11.18 Bath-Spa-St.Andrews Road jcn, 1Z24 12.10 St.Andrews Road jcn-Tytherington
quarry.
1Z25 15.15 Tytherington-Bristol Temple Meads, 1Z26 18.55 Bristol Temple
Meads-Severn Beach,
1Z27 19.48 Severn Beach-Bristol Temple Meads.
All three locos were often under power together throughout the tour, on the 11
coach train otherwise, for example the climb away from the Avonmouth area via
Henbury would have been 50049 and load 17 (each Class 31 would have been
equivalent in weight to three Mk II coaches!!).
Under Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road
23/06 The coaching stock for the steam 850 Lord Nelson worked train from
Hayward's Heath should read 3114, 3120 inplace of 3124 and 3149 respectively.
Also on this date some further coaching stock information has now been
reported;- Pathfinder's 'Cornishman' (1Z52) excursion headed by D1015 Western
Champion was formed;- 21272, 3107, 3140, 1699, 3114, 3122, 3098, 1863, 5040,
4927, 5009, 4902, 5350 and the 1Z55 Derby-St.Austell trip with 67026 was
formed;- 3414, 3400, 1680, 3388, 3318, 3331, 6720, 6110, 5954, 9494.