NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

03/02 66066 handled the 6C90 Newport ADJ - Avonmouth trip. Other locos recorded on this duty have been: 66126 (10/02), 66180 (17/02) and 66044 (24/02).
02/02 66107 worked the 4D98 Avonmouth - Barton Hill HTA wagon trip, passing Filton Abbeywood at 12:40. 66146 later powered a 6B77 16:37 Avonmouth - Aberthaw loaded coal service.
11/02 70002 + 70003 were paired on the 6M07 03:30 Avonmouth - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal when noted at Newport ADJ.
13/02 A 4Z86 09:15 Grain - Avonmouth West Wharf 'intermodal wineliner' passed Parkway at 14:55, with 66536, having been earlier recorded through Maidenhead at 12:40. The return working was 4Z87 19:51 Avonmouth - Reading West.
16/02 Friends of the Bristol Suburban Railway's have requested that new platform self-service ticket machines need to be installed at Sea Mills, Shirehampton and Avonmouth as on certain 'peak time' services, some traveling customers are unable to buy a ticket due to only a single collector being on board and unable to deal with everyone, between stations. The group also produced a large 'Valentines day' card at Clifton Down to promote and confirm their support for the line during the month!
22/02 66102 was on a morning 4Z51 Aberthaw - Avonmouth train of HTA empties.
23/02 FLHH arrived at 08:26 on 6Z42 stone empties from Stoke Gifford formed of MJA box wagons. The train was later noted at Holesmouth junction loaded waiting to depart at 12:30. The wagons had arrived in Stoke Gifford sidings the previous evening.
Between 25 - 28/02, two First/GW passenger information screens were stolen from Redland and Montpelier stations. The equipment would have no value if an attempt was made to resale, but a technical knowledge would have had to be known to safely remove the panels.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66102/112/142/146/158/165/194.
66511/553/560/585/611. 70002/003/005.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

01/02 The inward 6V98 Lindsey - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks with 60009 were reported as running in access of three hours late. Earlier, 66551 had arrived at Parkway at 01:17 (35 early) on the 6Z21 21:36 (Sun) Hope sidings - Moorswater loaded cement, the return was reported as departing Moorswater at 16:54 (116 minutes late). Evening FLHH locos stabled in Stoke Gifford were as follows: 66529, 66558, 70004. 66558 departed later heading for south Wales.
02/02 Afternoon freight observations recorded the following: 66199 + 66060 in Pilning loop at 16:30 with the 6B33 Theale - Robeston empty fuel tanks, DRS 66413 + 66419 through Filton Abbeywood on 6M67 Bridgwater - Crewe nuclear flasks at 13:10 and 66120 at Parkway on the 6L97 Port Talbot (Grange sidings) - Lea Interchange (Camden) 'Olympic' stone. Stabled during the evening were: 66544, 66560, 70004. 66560 had arrived on the 4V47 11:15 Rugeley 'B' power station - Stoke Gifford coal empties during the afternoon, being reported passing Standish junction at 15:07.
04/02 Test unit 950001 passed Parkway in the down direction at 13:39, whilst later 66001 was on the 6M17 18:10 Newport ADJ - Wembley 'enterprise' freight. Seen tonight were 66001 working Newport ADJ - Willesden (6M17), 66511 Rugeley - Stoke Gifford (4V57) MGR empties plus 66180 the MoD Liner (6A29). There was also a visit by the NR HST (power cars 43013/014) en route to Bristol. 66608 and 66585 were resident in the yard and 70004 departed light engine heading for Crewe via Newport (Loco reported at Carnforth around midday on 5/2/10).
05/02 The NRMT HST set was carrying out it's normal monthly Friday diagram as 1Z20 Old Oak Common - Derby RTC (via Swansea) passing Parkway at 07:46 and returning through Pilning at 11:55 with power cars 43013 + 43014 in charge. Earlier, 66608 worked a 6Z42 04:58 Stoke Gifford - Jersey Marine train of JCA stone empties (arriving at it's destination at 06:30 - 23 late) to form once loaded, a 6Z58 10:15 Jersey Marine - Croft quarry service (reported Newport Maindee North junction at 15:22 - 46 late). The empties had arrived in Stoke Gifford sidings during the previous evening.
06/02 Royal train dedicated 67005 + 67006 passed Parkway at 14:38 light-engine heading for Barton Hill depot. The locos were to take over from 67016 + 67017 which were both due for an exam, on the First/GW DBS 'hire' diagram. A 1Z27 12:03 Cardiff - Hounslow 'Ruggex' was reported as cancelled, due Bath at 13:09. Stoke Gifford held 66529, 66552 and 66611 by late morning.
08/02 66066 worked 6M17, Newport ADJ - Willesden, tonight 66506 4V56 Rugeley - Portbury stopping for a crew change and 6A29, MoD Liner saw 66180. 70002/003 arrived light engines from Crewe on 0V70 and were stabled in the yard joining 66951 which was at the head of stone wagons.
09/02 Departmental unit 950001 returned North through Parkway at 17:17 following West Country test duties, whilst two minutes earlier, 31454 + 31602 had departed South top n'tailing a test working to Exeter (Riverside). Later, 66126 was recorded on the 6M17 Newport ADJ - Wembley 'enterprise' freight.
10/02 A DBS managers train move was cancelled. For the record the working was scheduled as 1Z05 10:39 Paddington - Parkway (13:19) via the Berks & Hants and 1Z06 13:21 Parkway - Paddington return (via Badminton).
11/02 66599 returned the morning 6A21 Wentlooge - Theale stone empties as 6Z60 15:34 Theale - Stoke Gifford via Didcot. 70003 arrived at 17:30 light-engine from the North to join 70002 already present. 66951 shunted an empty MGR into the yard, early running 4V57? Rugeley - Stoke Gifford, was removed from the train and coupled up to 66599, these locos then replaced 66529 and 66611 in the rear of the yard. Only "moving" freight was 6A29 MoD Liner powered by 66037.
12/02 The 6L97 Port Talbot (Grange sidings) - Lea Interchange (Camden) 'Olympic' stone was noted passing through Pilning at 14:52 behind 66060. Earlier in the day, 31454 + 31602 had passed Parkway at 07:02 on a southbound test working.
13/02 SWT's 158884, on 'hire' to First/GW called at Parkway at 14:20 on the 12:51 Great Malvern - Weymouth service. During the late afternoon, the following were stabled in the downside: 66549, 66611, 66951, 70002, 70003.
15/02 66611 in the yard at the head of empty MGRs, engine running, lights on and there it remained during the visit. MoD liner, (6A29) was worked by 66031.
16/02 70003 arrived at 13:28 on 4Z70 coal empties from Rugeley P.S whilst later 66529 worked in at 16:45 on 6Z47 stone empties from Croft. 66232 powered the 6L97 Port Talbot Grange sidings - Lea Interchange loaded stone.
17/02 66653 arrived late afternoon on 6Z14 Harlow Mill - Stoke Gifford stone empties. Evening arrivals were 70002 + 70003 paired on 4V57 Rugeley 'B' P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties.
18/02 31105 worked a further test train, formed 9714, 999602 and 6263 towards Temple Meads at 16:56. Only moving freight was the MoD liner (6A29), headed by 66174. 70003 remained dormant at the head of empty MGRs.
19/02 The still only DBS livered Class 66, 66152 was on the 6B49 Llanwern - Swindon Stores loaded steel and return 6B50 empties, being recorded through Parkway at 09:15 and 15:55 respectively.
20/02 A Saturday PW block commenced at Bristol Parkway from 13:30 (lasting until 10:00 on 21/02). Arriva XC services were diverted via the Severn Tunnel, Newport (reverse) and the Chepstow mainline, whilst First/GW Swansea - Paddington HSTs were diverted via Bath and calling at Patchway with road bus connections between there and Parkway. One of the diverted Arriva XC HST services was the 1V54 07:00 Glasgow Central - Exeter formed with power cars 43357 + 43378. On the freight side, 60009 was delayed at Westerleigh removing a crippled wagon on the 6E41 fuel tank empties to Lindsey, eventually leaving arond 11:20 and FLHH 66615 which arrived after 09:15 at Stoke Gifford on a 6Z16 02:00 Barrow Hill - Jersey Marine empty stone.
21/02 66554 + 66951 formed a late afternoon 0Z76 Stoke Gifford - Taunton Fairwater light-engine move leaving 66552, 66617 70002, 70003 stabled.
22/02 Main line freight tonight saw 66090 working (6M17) Newport ADJ - Wembley service and 6A29, MoD Liner, using 66141. In the yard, 66554 was seen moving, light engine.
25/02 All the action this evening centred around the yard, 66524 departed light engine, 66951 moved around light engine and 70002 remained stationary and switched off at the head of an empty MGR. Arrival, (4V57 - Rugeley PS - Stoke Gifford), was double headed by 70003 with 66553 in tow. The Class 70 was detached and made its way to the sidings, 66553 was started up and shunted the train into the yard.
27/02 Two freight reports for the day included: 66109 on 6V95 21:58 (Mon) Lea Interchange - Port Talbot Grange sidings stone empties (which were due Parkway between 02:17 - 02:24 and reported through Reading at 00:11), the same loco later returning the 6L97 loaded stone from and to the same locations passing Parkway at 15:12, and 66188 with an 'additional' 6Z43 06:38 St. Blazey - Newport ADJ freight (which included 4-wheel fuel tanks) passing Taunton at 11:25 and Pilning at 12:46.

Car parking fees are due to be increased from the beginning of September at Parkway from £5.00 - £6.90 daily and Yate from £1.00 - £2.10. Also, a daily £3.00 charge will be introduced for the first time at Patchway.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

01/02 The day's two First/GW 'hire' locos and coaches were: 57316 + 57309 (with coaching set CF04) and 67016 + 67017. Earlier, the up and down First/GW sleeper services were confirmed as routed via Bristol: 57602 passing Worle junction at 02:17 on the 1A40 Penzance - Paddington and 57604 through Bridgwater at 02:32 with the 1C99 Paddington - Penzance. Interestingly, on arrival in the Capital, 57602 (with sleeper stock PZ89) + 57605 were used on the 1D13 07:22 Paddington - Oxford (arriving 30 late) and 1P27 09:01 return, normally a HST set 'commuter' turn!
02/02 The First/GW sleeper services were again confirmed as routed via Bristol, 57604 passing Uphill junction (Weston-super-Mare) at 02:40 on the 1A40 and 57602 with the 1C99 at the same location earlier at 02:17 (6 early). Later in the day, the afternoon empty unit move through Temple Meads around 15:00 (see last month's Magazine under Bristol TM, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes for 05/01) which has been confirmed as the 5J94 14:43 Westbury - Exeter was today formed with 150127. On the freight side, the 6C99 Newport ADJ - St. Blazey freight was diverted via Day's curve (22:27 - 22 early), Bath and Westbury to the West with 66197.
03/02 The 2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton First/GW service was held at Cardiff, due to a coaching stock set swap with a second Anglian blue rake which had arrived from Crewe the previous day. The working to recover time, ran non-stop from Temple Meads to Taunton, arriving here at 16:23 (19 late) with a loco problem! A unit was reported to have covered the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton part of the Class 57s diagram, departing Temple Meads at 20:09 (14 late). Another incident reported during the evening involved unit 158766 working 1F30 17:30 Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour which struck a car on a level crossing between Warminster and Salisbury.
04/02 Test unit 950001 ran as 2Z08 08:45 Derby RTC - Westbury via Cheltenham 12:40 (83 late) and Bristol Parkway. Later the NRMT HST set (with power cars 43013 and 43014) worked 1Z17 Derby RTC - Old Oak Common being recorded at Temple Meads at 19:51 and departing Taunton 20:31, also Bath at 22:15 (7 late) heading back towards Temple Meads and a reverse for the onward run via Parkway. During the day, 143620 was used on the 2D04 07:20 Taunton - Bristol Parkway service in place of the Class 57s, but 57316 + 57309 were back by the afternoon on the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton service, being recorded through Pilning at 14:42 and departing Weston-super-Mare at 15:33 (8 late). The train's c/stock in use was reported as: 6006, 6042, 5985, 9527.
05/02 57305 was noted in the No.2 bay at Temple Meads during the evening (having arrived as a light-engine move from Willesden). Test unit 950001 returned North as 2Z08 07:21 Westbury - Derby RTC (via Yeovil, Exeter, Salisbury and a return through Westbury to Bath) being noted on Filton Bank at 17:15. An afternoon departmental move saw 66554 run 0Z33 Stoke Gifford - Taunton Fairwater for a 6Z33 return move to St. Phillips Marsh, then 6Z34 return, being reported through Parson's Street at 13:06.
06/02 The first of three acts of vandalism for the month was reported from the Weston-super-Mare area, involving a Paddington - Exeter St. Davids service striking an object placed on the track near Worle around 00:05. The Saturday's only, 6M60 02:45 Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot downside (via Newport) freight was in the hands of 66197, whilst the 5U89 14:02 Taunton - Cardiff Canton ECS maintenance move was formed: 57305 + 57309 + stock + 57316. The working, which saw 57305 added at Temple Meads, departed here at 15:24 (12 late) and was noted through Patchway at 15:41. A 6W05 16:01 Thingley junction - Clarbeston Road departmental was noted on the up through line in Temple Meads at 19:08 and later reported through Pilning at 19:19.
07/02 Arriva XC Sunday HST power cars and stock formations for the day were as follows: 43285 XC02 43384 - 1V48 08:10 Leeds - Plymouth / 1S59 14:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh Waverley. 43304 XC04 43207 - 2C64 09:05 Plymouth - Penzance / 1S55 11:25 Penzance - Edinburgh Waverley. 43303 XC03 43366 - 1V56 08:50 Edinburgh Waverley / 1E75 18:23 Plymouth - Leeds.
43357 XC05 43378 - 1V50 09:00 Leeds - Plymouth / 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - York. The return 'hire' stock move, 5C04 17:21 Cardiff Canton - Taunton was top n'tailed with 57305 + 57309, arriving in Taunton at 18:30. Meanwhile, 57301 was allocated 0V13 09:40 Eastleigh - Temple Meads light-engine, believed for 'standby' duties.
08/02 Royal duo, 67005 + 67006 began the week on the First/GW 'hire' service, replacing 67016 + 67017. Meanwhile, 57305 + 57309 were in use on the other 'hire' loco and coaches. With the previous day's light-engine move being cancelled, 57310 worked 0Z14 10:00 Eastleigh - Cardiff light-engine being recorded through Newport at 13:47. Also, the Royal loco-hauled top n'tailed 2U20 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff Central was delayed due to the failure of 153372 on the First/GW 2F29 12:13 Paignton - Exmouth local, at Dawlish. Eventual arrival in Bristol was 22 minutes down, the working having not called at Worle, Yatton and Nailsea en-route to recover lost time. A further report regarding the Class 57s reliability, suggested a second DBS Class 67 operation was under consideration by First/GW. On the freight side, 66507 worked the 6Z21 Earles (Hope sidings) - Moorswater and 6M37 15:38 return empties passing Flax Bourton at 20:06.
09/02 DRS 66414 + 66417 arrived in Bridgwater at 07:15 (8 late) with the 6V74 nuclear flasks service ex. Crewe coal sidings, later departing at 12:03 with the return 6M67 to Crewe. Another DRS working through the area was a 5Z01 01:45 Crewe Gresty lane - Plymouth driver route training run with locos 57008 + 66427 hauling two flask 'escort' Mk II coaches 9419 and 9428, reported as carrying 9819 and 9828 (booked Temple Meads 05:36 - 05:55). Other reports for the day included: 66016 passing Filton Abbeywood at 12:53 with a return 4D09 Avonmouth - Barton Hill two wagon HTA cripple wagon trip and 31454 + 31602 top n'tailing 4Z08 12:17 Derby RTC - Laira test train (which had been caped on the previous day), passing Standish junction at 16:30, Nailsea at 18:05 and Bridgwater at 19:41 (5 late) having spent time, as booked in Yatton loop. Newly converted Micro Buffet 40115 was reported in service for First/GW. A second act of vandalism in the Weston area saw engineers remove concrete placed on the track near the Bristol Road bridge, again in the Worle area.
10/02 The Class 57 operated loco and coaches service utilised 57303 and 57309 today. Seen, at 23:50, were 2 x Class 31 on a NR train passing through Montpelier heading towards Stapleton Road. (Advised later that these were 31454 + 31602)
11/02 31454 + 31602 were noted in platform 2 on the return test train working. Also the DRS driver training run returned as 5Z01 10:47 Plymouth station - Crewe coal sidings, unusually in a top n'tail formation with 57008 + c/stock 9419 + 9428 and 66427 passing Parson's Street at 13:10 (around 60 early) and Winterboure at 13:19. The Exeter scrap metal service was reported as a runner with 66197 as 6Z48 02:09 Cardiff Tidal - Alphington Road and 6Z50 return, the latter being recorded passing Dr. Day's junction at 19:17 (65 early). The First/GW 1C95 19:03 Paddington - Plymouth HST service was diverted via Bristol and running 60 minutes late. The reason for this route change was unknown.
12/02 66551 worked 6Z21 Hope (Earles sidings) - Moorswater, and 6Z37 return cement empties. 31454 + 31602 continued test train duties as 4Z09 Temple Meads - Swansea and return. A check on the Arriva XC HSTs found the following in use: 43303 XC03 43366 - 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central, 43304 XC04 43207 - 1V64 13:06 Edinburgh Waverly - Plymouth, 43285 XC02 43384 - 1E63 15:23 Plymouth - Leeds and 43285 XC02 43384 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth, which was reported as in trouble at Wakefield Westgate departing here 30 late, eventually being terminated at Temple Meads having lost more time at 13:37, now 55 late.
13/02 The morning 6M60 (SO) Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot (Downside) freight was headed by 66041. A West Coast Railways, 'Valentine' special to Bath was cancelled, but did run as 1Z35 06:12 Doncaster - Salisbury, top n'tailed with 47786 + 47804. However, Steam 60019 Bittern did arrive on a Railway Touring Company's 'Valentines Express' (1Z24 09:35 Paddington - Temple Meads and 1Z25 16:34 return being routed via the Berks & Hants and watered at Newbury). This loco was a substitute for the unavailable 34067 Tangmere, the c/stock in use being: 17013 (support), 99121, 99125, Ullswater (504), 99352, 99350, 99122, 1860, 99328, 5032, 99723, 6312. The Saturday's only, 5U89 Taunton - Cardiff Canton GBRf/ First/GW 'hire' locos and coaches maintenance move was recorded as passing Stapleton Road at 15:16 formed with 57305 + CF04 + 57309.
14/02 The Royal Class 67s, having completed a week on the DBS First/GW loco and coaches 'hire', departed the area as 0Z70 19:30 Barton Hill - Crewe light-engines passing Dr. Day's junction at 19:45 (10 late). 67016 + 67017 were meanwhile returned as 0Z67 18:00 Crewe - Barton Hill (due 21:52) in the opposite direction. The First/GW 15:08 (Sun) Penzance - Bristol service was recorded as formed 153369 + 153373 + 150261 + 150219 on arrival at Temple Meads during the early evening. A new short term freight flow running from the Humberside area as 6V19, ran onwards as 16:50 Newport Alexandra Dock Junction - Par passing Worle at 18:20 (5 late). The train formed of 20 MEA wagons was to load sulphite/sand at Truro yard moved by road from a ship berthed at Falmouth docks.
15/02 67016 + 67017 were back on one of the local passenger diagrams for First/GW. A very rare visitor (and a first) was NR owned 'Cambrian line' yellow livered 97301 (ex. 37100) running as 0Z97 08:00 Barrow Hill - Exeter light-engine booked Temple Meads at 13:04, but was reported early through Highbridge at 12:28.
16/02 97301 returned North as 0Z97 10:56 Exeter - Derby RTC, being booked through Temple Meads at 12:45 (36 early), but was reported at Bristol Parkway at 13:21, having not actually passed through the station being recorded at Parsons Street at 12:11 (45 early) and Dr. Days junction at 12:38 (34 early) running via St. Phillips Marsh ! It was believed the working was a 'shakedown' for the loco following attention at the Barrow Hill site. Also during the day, a late running 6V74 Crewe coal sidings - Bridgwater two FNA flask working passed Filton Abbeywood at 08:00 behind 66423 + 66417 arriving at it's destination at 09:05 (128 late). The return 6M67 to Crewe departed at 13:26. 31602 + 72631 + 999606 + 9701 formed a test train stabled in Temple Meads during the morning.
17/02 The return 6Z41 sand from Truro departed here at 19:32 formed of 20 MEAs behind 66024.
18/02 31105 was on a 4Z13 06:32 Derby RTC - Kingsland Road departmental, via the Midlands, Worcester, Evesham, Oxford (reverse) and Cheltenham.
19/02 A second train of MEAs ran West as 6V19 17:56 Immingham Mineral quay - Truro yard again with 66024. FLHH 66607 hauled a Westbury la farge - Hope (Earles sidings) empty cement working. During the morning, 142001 + 150232 ran as a Exeter St. David's - St. Phillips Marsh empty stock move, departing Taunton at 10:55. 31105 later departed the area with test train as 4Z08 11:03 Kingsland Road - Derby RTC via Westbury, Castle Cary, Yeovil, Weymouth and return to Westbury, then via Melksham, Swindon, Oxford and Banbury to the Midlands. A third incident of vandalism in the Weston-super-Mare area was recorded: The 06:05 Manchester - Plymouth Arriva XC Voyager service was stopped due to an obstruction, around 10:00, the driver who had left the cab being hit by missiles thrown by a number of youths present.
20/02 66024 returned North as 6Z19 Truro - Immingham Mineral quay loaded sand running via Parkway, Westerleigh junction and Yate, not via the Severn Tunnel and the Marches as expected. The diverted 6B33 Theale - Robeston fuel tank empties with 66163 + 66025 passed Bath at 14:54 and Filton Abbeywood at 15:08, routed this way due to a PW block in the Parkway area starting at 13:30.
21/02 The return 5C04 17:21 Cardiff Canton - Taunton ECS maintenance move was top n'tailed by 57309 + 57307, the latter having replaced 57305 which had seen use during the previous week. Barton Hill was viewed with the following visible: 08516. 66044. 67016 + 67017 (with 'hire' coaching stock).
22/02 67016 + 67017 started the week working one of the First/GW 'hire' services, the same locos continuing together on this train onwards into March. The second 'hire' working was in the hands of 57309 + 57307. The Arriva XC 1V55 12:07 Manchester - Exeter St. Davids Voyager service was terminated at Highbridge due to a problem with the set which once passengers had been 'detrained' was moved to the nearby up and down passing loop. Passengers were then able to join the Class 57 hauled 2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton service to continue their onward journey.
23/02 Both the locos and coaches workings were seen this morning, 57307 + 57309 and 67016 + 67017. In addition a Cross Country HST set was also seen, using power cars 43207 + 43285. A return 6Z60 Truro - Immingham Mineral quay loaded sand working with 66024 was routed via Westbury. The Class 57/3 loco 'hire' train was reported as a failure at Bathpool early into its journey as 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central. The working was returned to Taunton where an air leak was found on 57307. With the 2U14 caped and the fault rectified, the train was eventually able to run ECS to Cardiff departing at 12:35.
24/02 31233 departed late not until after 11:20 with the 1Q06 08:20 Temple Meads - Penzance structural gauging train. The working was however, later reported as passing St. Erth at 15:12 (4 early!) and eventually arriving in Penzance at 15:23.
25/02 The Exeter scrap ran as 6Z48 22:48 (Wed) Sheerness Steel works - Alphington Road (via Didcot) with 66232. The return was 6Z50 17:18 Exeter Alphington Road - Newport docks. The structural gauging train returned to the area as 1Q06 16:44 Penzance - Temple Meads with 31233.
26/02 The Friday's only 2M68 16:44 Penzance - Taunton First/GW service, was formed with a HST set in place of a 150/2 unit and acted as a 'relief' service extension to Paddington (via Bristol) for the Wales v France Six Nations Rugby international.
27/02 142064 ran 5Z76 08:30 St. Phillips Marsh - Exeter St. Davids ECS. A 'St. Davids day' Northern Belle dining trip was top n'tailed with 67021 + 67022 as 1Z67 07:30 Cardiff Central - Kensington Olympia via a reverse in Temple Meads and onwards via Bath (where noted at 09:18). The £285.00 outing used the following c/stock: Alnwick (3273), 1566, Belvoir (3267), Warwick (3182), Chatsworth (3247), Harlech (3275), 325, 17167, Balmoral (10734).
28/02 57305 + 57309 top n'tailed the 5C04 Cardiff - Taunton return maintenance move. A report at the end of the month suggested FLHH had finished stabling it's locos at Kingsland Road sidings, normally used for the 'binliner' loco at least. All the company's locos are now kept at Bristol Parkway on the downside. Other recent news has confirmed the re-opening of the former Bristol West Container depot at South Liberty lane in June. The site was closed in May 1992 (see Magazine 238, November 1991), but is to receive two trains a week with traffic from Tilbury (expected to arrive overnight) for the Constellation Europe wine warehouse and distribution centre in Avonmouth. This will replace a currently twice monthly operated service dealing with this traffic from Grain (Thamesport). The site which had been previously used for wagon storage and car parking space latterly for Bristol City FC and a 'Park & Fly' scheme for Bristol Airport, was due to be cleared during April/May when also track work would commence involving NR and Freightliner's own engineers. Driver route learning, for Southampton based 'intermodal' drivers was also due to start in May using a 'Heavy-haul' Stoke Gifford out-based loco.

Gloucester

05/02 The Berkeley flask service continued to operate during the month, with DRS 37087 and 37510 being paired on the day's working 6M56 consisting of a single FNA.
10/02 37038 + 37607 powered the 6M56 13:41 CEGB Berkley - Crewe Coal sidings nuclear flask trip.
12/02 DRS 66431 worked 6Z67 Shipley - Cardiff Tidal sidings scrap empties during the afternoon.
17/02 37038+37059 were paired on the 6V73 and return 6M56 Berkley CEGB - Crewe coal yard nuclear flasks.
19/02 37601 + 37611 powered the 6M56 Berkley CEGB - Crewe nuclear flasks passing Standish junction at 12:38 (89 late) with a single FNA wagon. The inward 6V73 had passed Standish at 08:05. SWT 'hire' 158884 was in use on the Stroud Valley line along with 158769 on First/GW services between Cheltenham and Swindon. Also at Swindon, 66006 was the reported power for the 6V72 Liverpool Euro Metals - Swindon scrap empties, booked to return as 6M73 20:50 Swindon - Liverpool Euro Metals.
20/02 Vintage Train's 'Great Western Incursion' (1Z43 08:05 Tyseley Warwick road - Didcot and 1Z65 15:45 return) was double-headed using steam locos: 4965 Rood Ashton Hall + 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, being noted held at a signal check at Standish junction between 10:32 - 10:40 (departing 7 late). The train's c/stock was recorded as: W35470, 99349, 99361, 99353, W3125, W5198, W5177, W5157, W5191, W9101. Both locos took on water at Gloucester yard in each direction.
24/02 37603 + 37607 was on the 6M56 flask service. 66131 was on the morning 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD vehicles move.
26/02 66106 was on the 6B36 Ashchurch MoD trip.
On a least one occasion during the month, due to frozen point work at Sharpness, the flask working reversed the single wagon back to the off-loading area spur at Wanswell where the locos were split and a shunt move enabled the wagon to be propelled into the compound behind one loco only, for attention the train then being correctly reformed for the return journey to Crewe.

Newport

01/02 70005 working the 6M55 Avonmouth - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal service failed North of Hereford.
02/02 66197 brought in the 6V69 16:58 (TO) Bescot (downside) - Newport ADJ freight.
08/02 57315 was on the 1V31 Holyhead - Cardiff Central Arriva XC service.
09/02 57301 + 57311 + 57316 ran Cardiff Canton - Crewe light-engines. 57307 later arrived in Cardiff at 18:45 as 0Z58 14:33 Oxley - Cardiff Canton light-engine! Also recorded was Colas 47749 with a 6Z47 13:10 Long Marston - Llanwern steel wagon move, working 6Z47 09:50 Llanwern - Doncaster (via Chepstow) during the following day.
13/02 57314 departed Newport at 12:51 (7 late) on the Arriva XC Holyhead - Cardiff Central service formed with c/stock: 9521, 5976, 6137, 9539, 5965, 6183. 66011 was reported as stabled with HQA wagons in an engineering possession at Llanwern during the morning.
16/02 DBS livered 66152 returned to South Wales via the morning 6V49 Tees yard - Newport ADJ loaded steel service.
22/02 70002 was on the 6M55 Avonmouth - Rugeley P.S. coal and 66620 worked 6Z47 Croft - Neath Abbey Wharf stone empties through Newport at 08:30.
26/02 DBS livered 66152 passed on a 6V29 17:53 Lincoln Terrace - Cardiff Tidal train of scrap empties. 66030 was also recorded on the 6M60 (SO) Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot freight.

Portbury Branchline

05/02 Bardon-blue livered 66623 passed Parson's Street at 08:32 with the 6M61 08:25 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. coal, being later reported through Patchway at 09:24. DBS continued their import coal operation from the port to Didcot P.S.. The 6Z36 17:55 Portbury - Didcot being noted with: 66158 (02/02), 66146 (04/02), 66194 (09/02, 10/02). The empties for this working ran as 4F27 13:03 ex. Avonmouth.
The Port of Bristol have submitted plans for a new biomass power station on its land which could be in use by 2014. The French Energy company EON, have stated the 150 mega watt plant could provide enough power for 200,000 homes using 400,000 tonnes of wood waste brought in by sea, with a further 800,000 by road or rail to power the plant a year.

Units seen during the month

142001/064.
143603/611/617/619/620/621.
150121/127/221/232/233/234/238/239/243/244/248/261/263/265/266/278/279/281
153318/329/369/370/373/382.
158748/766/767/768/769/798/952*/955/957/958/959.
159106.
220007/009/016//017/020/021/029.
221119/121/124/125/134/139/141.

SWT First/GW 'hire' sets: 158883 (20/02, 26/02), 158884 (05/02, 13/02, 19/02), 158890 (11/12).
Arriva XC HST Pc: 43207/285/303/304/357/366/378/384.
Note: 158952 (formed 52762+57762) was running as a two car set during the month. 52751 (158951) was noted 'spare' on St. Phillips Marsh depot in the wheel lathe area sidings on 21/02.

Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers
57301 - 57316 inc(LO)-CF, 66843/844(SV)- Colas, 73109(WD)-SL (MBED)
BREL Boden Rail Locomotives - 47270
GBRT: 92028/044 PTXX: 92032/038

Stored
BH: 08665*. 37415*/428*. CE: 67003/014/021. DC: 08995.
DW: 56033/048/056/068/069/116/134. EH: 58008. LD: 66601.
TO: 08405/632/633/706/798. 60011/039/041/073/084/085.
Hinksey Yard? 08676. Tonbridge: 66410. Tyne Yard: 08924. 37427.
DW: Doncaster Wood Yard, * see disposals
BH: 08943. CE: 67022. TO: 08480/578/703/752/799. 09005/017.
60009/051/074. LH Group: 08441. Colne Valley: 20035/063.
Dagenham: 66573/574.

Traffic
08375 - Trostre, 08428 -TO (Newport), 08567 -TO (Rugby), 08605 -TO,
08735 -TO (Eastleigh), 08757 -TO (Westbury), 08802 -TO (CF Tidal),
08888 -TO (Mossend), 08907 -TO (Hoo Junc), 08913 - Daventry,
60009/049/074/096 -TO, 66403/404/405 -SV, 66573/574/580/581 -LD,
67022/029 -CE.
08393 -TO (Acton Yard), 08405 -TO (DC), 08460/484 - Felixstowe,
08676 -TO (Hinksey Yard), 08784 -TO (Hoo), 08921 -TO (CF Tidal),
08993 -TO (Sheerness), 08994 -TO (Fowey), 08995 -TO (Ketton),
09201 -TO (Peak Forest), 60054 -TO, 67014/021/023/028 -CE

Disposals
Booth: 08642/695. 31556. 37684/698. 56118
EMR: 86258
Hull: 37203/890/896
Sandbach: 86602/623 @LNWR
HNRL: 08665(swap for 08695), 37415/428, Private: 37893
EMR: 20139. 47550. 56033/048/056/068/079/116
Booth: 20138

Registered
21901/902/903/904/905 - PTXX (Europort)

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers
158883(NM)-SA, 888(SA)-NL

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers
313101/104/105/109(WN)-BI
377201/202/203/204/207/209/209/213/215(SU)-BI, 377416/429/447/452/460(BI)-SU

Stored
313103/107/112 @ZN
321410/418/430/431/433
508302/303 @EH (Proposed transfer to BD cancelled)
313106/114 @ZN
Cars 69133/833 @ZN
242420 @ZN

Traffic
313111/119 -WN
378005/007/008/010/011/013/014/015/016/017/018 -WN
(Late advice: there is a problem with some components - checks being carried out - units may not be in traffic)
321410 -HE, 425/426/434/435/436 -IL
442401-19/21-24 -BI

Disposals
Cars 76767/838 (1884) @ ZG
5-BEL Trust: 1881

Renumbered:
313102 - 202 (BI)

New Stock
377503/505 -BF
378003/006/009/012/019 -WN, 149/150/151/152/153/154 -NG
378003/019/020/021 -WN, 135 -NG

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers
3313/26/50/52/92/95. 3431. 5669. 9493 -CS
10202/246 -BH, 10540/554/682. 12059. 82108/116/122/123/131/137/144 (HOCS @ LM)

HOCO Chiltern Railways LHCS Operational AL
10208/215/235/236/257. 11029/031/040. 12072/117/127/131/145/169. 82302/303

HOCS Chiltern Railways LHS Non Operational Various Locations
10201/222/226/230/233/250/255. 10647/681/701/710/731. 11027/028/042/052/058/097. 12049/059/069. 82301/304/305

Stored
BN: 10231/240/253. 11006/011/026. 12008/022/029/036/045/047/063, 12065/083/087/092/095/101/134/139/142/144/156/158/160/163.
82111/124/125/140. (Vehicles with former NEEC franchise, nominally based at BN, exact location(s) unknown)
EH: 94515/538. LA: 40736
MI: 94106/160/170/214/217/222/225/229. 94304/308/322/343.
94406/420/431/433/482/490/498/539/544/547. 95300/301/400/410.
CD: 92193. LM: 12063/065/092/139. ZD: 40732. ZN: 11013/033.

Traffic
40107/109/110/113 -OO
40115 - OO, 82301 - 82305 -AL

Withdrawn
Booth: 82109
Mid Norfolk Rly: 5482.
Ron Hull: 975698/605. 977207/609.
ZG: 975976/977 (On Site)

Renumbered
42187 - 40110, 42262 - 40109, 42309 - 40113, 42334 - 40107
42320 - 40115, 94168 - 971004, 94190 - 971002

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers
01/02 66534. 02/02 66590. 03/02 66505. 04/02 66568. 05/02 66567.
08/02 66572. 09/02 66541. 10/02 66542. 11/02 66954. 12/02 66568.
15/02 66594. 16/02 66534. 17/02 66535. 18/02 66564. 19/02 66589.
22/02 66564. 19/02 66589. 22/02 66564. 23/02 66504. 24/02 66533.
25/02 66570. 26/02 66955.

4V60 Calvert - Bristol Barrow road bin liner
02/12-05/02 66529. 08-10/02 66529. 12/02 66611. 16/02 66951.
17/02 66951. 19/02 66951.

6M55 06:44 Avonmouth West Wharf - Rugeley P.S.
01/02 70005. 02/02 66585. 04/02 66511. 05/02 66560. 19/02 66951.
20/02 66553. 22/02 70002.

6M61 08:25 Portbury - Rugeley P.S.
03/02 66511. 04/02 66560. 05/02 66623.

4Z70 08:53 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford (due 13:38) coal empties
17-20/02 70003. 24/02 70002. 25/02 70002.

6A21 Pengam - Theale loaded stone
02/02 66506. 11/02 66599. 19/02 66611. 25/02 66620.

LOCAL DBS (EWS) WORKINGS

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh fuel oil
01/02 66068+66111. 02/02 66068+66111. 04-06/02 66068+66111.
08/02 66068+66111. 10-13/02 66111+66118. 15/02 66097+66168.
16-22/02 66097+66168. 24-26/02 66094+66149.

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey (6E77 Port Clarence, as required) empty tanks
01/02 60009. 03-06/02 60040. 08-11/02 60096. 19/02 60009.
20/02 60009. 22/02 60009. 23/02 60009.

6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon (TFO)
05/02 66066. 16/02 66066. 19/02 66152. 26/02 66169.

6B33 Theale - Robeston empty fuel tanks
02/02 66060+66199. 03/02 66060+66199. 06/02 66055. 09/02 66086+66157.
11/02 66199. 13/02 66097+66168. 16/02 66157. 17/02 66094. 18/02 66157.
20/02 66025+66163. 23/02 66094. 24/02 66163. 25/02 66025+66067.
27/02 66007+66017.

6B83/6A83 Westbury - Machen - West Drayton A.R.C.
01/02 59204. 04/02* 59206. 08/02 59204. 10/02 66039. 15/02 59204.
17/02 66128. 19/02 59202. 22/02 59204. 26/02 66192.
Note: Confirmed as running on the return as 6C83 12:40 Machen - Westbury.

6V62 Eastleigh - Plymouth Tavistock yard fuel tanks (TO)
02/02 66082. 09/02 66153. 16/02 66141. 23/02 66031.

6X52 Portbury - Mossend loaded and empty car carriers (TThO)
02/02 66107. 04/02 66174. 09/02 66016. 12/02 66063. 19/02* 66098.
24/02 66011. 25/02 66059. 26/02 66161.
Note: The train was confirmed as running as 17:33 Portbury Auto terminal - Doncaster Belmont down yard.

6V78 Dolland's Moor - Margam export steel empties
03/02 66131. 06/02 66150. 09/02 66122. 10/02 66122. 12/02 66060.
20/02 66193. 23/02 66124. 24/02* 66169. 27/02 66154.
Note: The train was failed at Iver, the loco continuing onwards as a 0V78 light-engine.

6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores
09/02 66054. 15/02 66031. 16/02 66177. 22/02 66141. 23/02 66015.
25/02 66174.

6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties
05/02 66098. 15/02 66015. 17/02 66015. 19/02 66057. 20/02 66060.
21/02 66128. 23/02 66060. 25/02 66027.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V74/6M67 Crewe coal sidings - Bridgwater and return nuclear flasks
02/02 66413+66419. 09/02 66414+66417. 16/02 66417+66423.
23/02 66418+66428.


FREIGHT REVIEW

Once again it's the time of the month to compile my little review of the freight scene - doesn't seem five minutes since I was doing last month's! Where does the time go! It's been another quiet month for me personally, but some snippets of news and information have come to my attention in the meantime. Firstly must be the news of the demise of the Jarvis company and its sister name Fastline at the end of last month. All Fastline track machines have disappeared from the sidings at Leicester station. The locomotives are reported to have been dispatched to Crewe except for 66434 which has been noted at Carlisle. The wagons were gathering at Gloucester but at least two rakes have since arrived at Eastleigh - supposedly for repainting in GBRf branding. The demise has seen the disappearance of the Fastline coal services through Leicester to be replaced with services in the hands of Freightliner. There is at least one service a day - there has been an empty train passing south through Leicester in the evenings at about 19.15. On 8th April this service was in the hands of 66951 and consisted of the following vehicles: 370848/536/632/580/716/556/529/713/715/615/578/678/682/639/577/558/620/626
543/522. The same rake of vehicles was noted at about the same time a week later in the charge of 66620 - a loco which, incidentally, had been at the head of the daily Doncaster-Mounsorrel engineers' service every day the week previous! They do get about there locos! Actually, whilst on the subject of Leicester, on 1st April two quite decent engineers' services were noted passing south. The first, at 19.00, hauled by 66149, consisted of the following wagons: 996280/443/350/419/438, 500221/264/267/266/218/232/278/244/258/ 233/202/258/262/257/231, 29096/262/009. Nice train. About ten minutes later, a second train headed south, top and tailed by 66207 and 66092 with an almost identical consist, but because of the arrival (timed to perfection!) of an East Midlands Trains Merdian only the following vehicles were identified: 29112, 500138/ 251/ 242/ 280/ 234/ 334/ 210/ 192. It was the Thursday before Easter so presumably they were heading for some engineering project that coming weekend. The only visit I have made to Nuneaton since my last report was on 29th March, which was the normal busy evening. Before leaving Leicester, the Hope cement train was noted in the charge of 66607 and consisted of the following Lafarge bogie vehicles: 12444/427/439/423/445/ 437/432/403/425/409/404/446/408/434/402/405/431/436/438/414/434. At Nuneaton all the usual services appeared with the following locomotives being noted: 66538, 90016, 92031, 92007, 66567, 66537, 66412, 70001 (Felixstowe-Lawley Street), 47739+47727 (in lieu of the usual 668xx on the Hams Hall-Dollands Moor Norfolk Line containers - lovely sight and sound!), 66557, 66558, 66571, 66434 (on a Fastline coal empties heading West - believed to be the last Fastline working!). Finally, some news of new vehicles to look out for. Noted at Westbury in the consist of a diverted Southampton-bound Freightliner were vehicles 32.70.4501.000-3 and 32.70.4501.001-1. They appear to be a new build of twin container flats. Watch this space! Also noted on some of the same services have been Tiphook bogie flats in the 93xxx series in ex-works blue livery. And a final loco note, 66845 (ex-66410) was noted at Peterborough on 13th April. I'm off for a week on the south coast from 25th April so will have a few hours at Eastleigh on one of the days and will report on that and other news next time. All the best.

MISCELLANEOUS

First/GW Buffet cars
By the end of the month the latest micro-buffet to enter service was 40119 (ex. 42090). The following standard catering coaches remained in use with the following sets:- 40709 (OC54), 40725 (OC33), 40726 (OC52), 40738 (OC55), 40744 (OC58). Note: 40709 was due to come off lease.

New Train Operators
An American owned 'Devon & Cornwall' Railway company is to start a passenger operation in Devon between Okehampton and Exeter St. James halt. The weekday commuter service expected to be formed of four coaches, would use Class 31s in top n'tail or a single loco in 'push-pull' mode (with a DBSO van). 31452 and 31601 both currently in use by NR on test trains are to be used on the new workings and already carry the company's new green D & C colour scheme. However, organising the new service has taken longer then expected and it may not now commence until at least during the late summer. Meanwhile, First/GWs regular Sunday passenger service, between Exeter and Okehampton was due to start on May 22nd. Another operator, believed to be linked to the Co-op, has shown an interest in running passenger trains from the Midlands to Weymouth, although what the proposed route would be and stock to be used remains unclear. Yeovil junction has been mentioned as a possible stock maintenance and stabling site.


PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

Avon Valley Railway, Bitton (01/02/10)
A newly built full size 1829 replica 0-2-2 Rocket, which took a year to build, saw running in and boiler tests over the line from this date for around a week. The loco, which had been constructed at the Bream Flour Mill, in the Forest of Dean was destined for onward movement to the National Railway Museum, York.

DEPARTMENTALS & TRACK MACHINES

23/01 Pilning station: 4416. 4490. Hydrex r/r excavators. Trailers: RT140. RT272. Pilning West: 3467. 3758. Hydrex r/r excavators. Trailers: TRT147 along with one other - unidentified.
05/02 DR73912 Pilning loop at 14:36 running as 6J80 09:08 Lostwithiel - Port Talbot Parkway.
21/02 Bristol Marsh Junction: DR76318. stored: DR73104. 73312. DR73414/419. St. Phillips Marsh (near wheel lathe): 6348 (barrier van). Barton Hill depot: ADB965209/231 (drift snowploughs).