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NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

01/04 66024 worked the 6M33 'enterprise' freight to Wembley formed of two wagons only. 66106 headed this train six days later.
21/04 66054 arrived around 17.30 with 10 empty HTAs assumed from repair at Barton Hill depot.
22/04 60054 brought in the 6C63 Westbury-Avonmouth stone empties, being recorded en-route passing Hawkridge 11.23, Dr.Day's 11.04, Filton Abbey Wood 12.13 and Hallen Marsh 12.44. The train was formed of the usual 10 JUA boxes, returning across Hallen Moor at 16.56.
29/04 With two Aberthaw departures booked from Portbury, at 13.00 and 15.00, empty HTA wagons have been sourced from Avonmouth which included 66003 departing at 10.12 with empties for the former working on this date.
30/04 66121 + 66124 departed at 12.50 with a loaded train of HTAs.

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;- 66015/057/067/084/109/121/124/151/153/161/182/188/199. 08405 continues as the area shunting pilot.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

01/04 DRS 66405 arrived at Westerleigh around 15.30 with a track machine from the north. Earlier, two more DRS locos; 37218 + 37059 top n'tailed departmental coach DB999508 (a former 1960 built saloon) as 1Z14 07.23 Derby-Temple Meads (15.35), visited the line as well as Sharpness during the morning. An unsuccessful visit to Tytherington followed (the train passing Iron Acton at 14.08) before being terminated at the Iron Acton B4058 by-pass level crossing which failed to open due to lack of use, this being the first train over the line this year. The Class 37s and coach were replacing an unavailable 950001 test unit.
Also recorded during the day at Westerleigh were 60071 on the 6E41 empty tanks to Lindsey and 60097 on the inward loaded 6B13 tanks from Robeston.
03/04 FLHH 66561 worked the 6V60 Angerstein-Pengam stone empties through Parkway during the afternoon, along with 66605 on the 6Z60 10.51 (ThO) Neasden-Newton Abbot sand empties.
04/04 60097 was over at Westerleigh, again on the 6B13 tanks from Robeston. 66039 later was recorded at Parkway with the 6B36 Hayes-Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties.
05/04 60091 headed the 6B33 12.11 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties via The Berks & Hants, Trowbridge, Bath, Day's curve, Parkway and Gloucester. The expected route, due to engineering work in the Severn Tunnel was via the Great Western mainline, Swindon and the Stroud Valley to Gloucester. Later 47375 + 47828 passed at 17.00 light-engine running from St. Phillips Marsh-Gloucester.
06/04 A 4Z08 08.55 Derby-Bristol Barton Hill (due 12.31) test working top n'tailed by 31601 + 31233 (with c/stock 6264, 999602, 977983) passed Parkway running early at 11.37.
07/04 A path was in place for some of the new Class 66 loco arrivals (FLHH 66595-66597 and GBRf 66728-66732) at Newport dock;- 0Z66 11.30 Newport-Wembley. Four freights seen this evening, two MGRs 66182 with empties for Avonmouth and 66057 with a loaded train for Didcot, plus 66103 working the car train and 66204 the MoD Liner.
08/04 57009 brought in a stone-blower from the north over night, prior to running 0Z00 14.13 Stoke Gifford-Crewe Basford Hall light-engine (via Yate). 60097 was again at Westerleigh on the 6B13 fuel tanks from Robeston and 60068 was later recorded in Parkway loop at 15.00 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties and again in Pilning loop, departing here at 16.20 in front of an ex. works 150279 running Barton Hill-Cardiff empty following a C6 overhaul. Later, 37059 + coach DB999508 + 37218 appeared at 16.54, leaving the area as 1Z14 16.36 Temple Meads-Cardiff Canton overnight via some Welsh Valley lines.
10/04 Five workings recorded tonight, 66116 with ADJ - Wembley enterprise service, 66086 with a "scrap" for Cardiff Tidal, 66172 with the "Cubes" plus two MGRs, to Avonmouth with empties 66199 and loaded bound for Didcot 66153. Also seen was a mix 'n' match Class 150 with cars from 244 & 248 each in a different livery.
10/04 Royal train ECS passed Parkway at 12.55 top n'tailed by dedicated locos 67005 + 67006 running from Totnes-Wolverton. 60097 was again at Westerleigh on the 6B13, whilst 66561 worked the late afternoon 6V60 Angerstein Wharf-Pengam stone empties.
11/04 The 6Z60 Neasden-Newton Abbot sand empties appeared running 24 hours late during the early afternoon behind 66611! Later 66039 was recorded on the 6B35 Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties and 66086 powered the 6M17 Newport ADJ-Wembley 'enterprise' service.
14/04 60097 was still on morning 6B13 fuel tank duty at Westerleigh. A similar evening freight line up as 10/4/08, no Cubes but a MoD Liner, locos seen were 66199 with ADJ - Wembley enterprise service, 66145 with the "scrap" for Tidal Sidings, 66057 working the MoD Liner 6B24 Didcot-Wentlooge. MGR services seen were from Avonmouth - Didcot 66151, and reverse direction 66157.
15/04 60094 took over the 6B13 Robeston fuel tanks at Westerleigh, whilst the Network-Rail test unit 950001 was back in action being noted at Pilning heading into the Severn Tunnel around 12.45, returning some 30 minutes later.
17/04 66607 was recorded on the 6V60 Angerstein-Pengam stone empties. Seen tonight were two MGRs, both empties for Avonmouth headed by 66153 and 66015. Also seen were the "Cubes" worked by 66116.
18/04 66037 headed the 6B35 Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties and 66090 was on the 6M17 Newport ADj-Wembley 'enterprise' freight. At Pilning, during the early afternoon, 60042 passed with the 7C79 09.50 Parc Slip-Westbury cement works loaded coal, which unusually included a single YFA flat wagon destined for Westbury yard.
19/04 Over at Westerleigh, 60051 was on the 6B13 Robeston tanks and 60093 worked the 6E41 Lindsey empties.
21/04 66057 passed Parkway at 19.24 on the 4M20 16.50 Southampton Eastern dock-Castle Bromwich loaded cars. Two MGR workings this evening, 66121 with a loaded service from Avonmouth and 66007 with empties in the reverse direction. 66068 working the MoD Liner.
22/04 Colas 47727 ran 0Z47 Stoke Gifford-Newport ADj , then 6Z47 Newport (08.51)-Barry (via Bristol East depot) with trackmachine DR76601.
23/04 66058 was unusual power for the 6E41 Lindsey tanks over at Westerleigh, 60007 bringing in the 6B13 ex. Robeston, before the Lindsey service had departed.
25/04 Cotswold-Rail 47375 + 47309 + 33202 headed west light-engine through Parkway at 18.36 as Castle Hill junction (Redmire)-Totnes light-engines for the South Devon diesel gala. The Class 33 was collected en route at Gloucester.
27/04 At Pilning, a new four track signalling gantry was reported as installed over the weekend just to the west of the station. This forms part of the new Newport area resignalling scheme, Bristol panel is believed to be losing part of it's area on the Bristol side of the Severn. Diversions were again via Gloucester during the weekend.
28/04 Four freights seen this evening starting with a loaded MGR from Avonmouth - Didcot with 66074, the MoD Liner worked by 66171, the "Cubes" behind 66201 and finally 66124 with an empty MGR service for Avonmouth. The DB Schenker Rail liviered 60074 was back at Westerleigh, arriving on the overnight 6V98 23.30 Lindsey-Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks, taking out the 6E41 empties. 60062 worked the 6B13 Robeston tanks.
29/04 60062 again worked the 6B13 Robeston tanks.
30/04 66053 was the 6B35 Hayes-Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties loco.

Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill

01/04 The 4Z11 Peterborough-Taunton Fairwaters yard concrete sleepers were again routed via Bristol, assumed to maintain GBRf driver route knowledge. Today's working was top n'tailed by 66704 and 66705, being timed as passing Didcot at 11.59, Twerton (Bath) 13.12, Temple Meads 13.44 and Yatton at 14.00. The return 4Z31 16.39 Taunton-Peterborough 'used sleepers' saw the locos paired up, but was routed the normal way via Westbury and the Beks & Hants mainline.
02/04 DRS loco activity saw 37059 and 37218 top n'tail coach DB999508 as 1Z14 07.05 Temple Meads-Plymouth via Bath, the Whatley and Merehead quarry lines and Bristol again, being recorded using the down Yatton passing loop during the late morning.
66416 + 66422 were surprise power for the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks (the first sub class appearance on this train since early 2002) passing Filton Abbeywood during the early afternoon.
Also noted, slightly earlier at Filton Abbeywood was 60065 with the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADj at 13.07.
Over at St.Phillips Marsh, the last Arriva 'hire' unit 150237 was reported to have arrived to take up duties alongside already in the area; 150213, 150229, 150231 and 150257.
Another arrival here during the afternoon was 43198 + barrier coach, running as 5Z74 10.45 ex. Laira. Colas 47749 + 47727 ran 0Z47 Derby-Plymouth Tavistock yard light-engine, running via the Weston-super-Mare loop (15.35). The locos attended the Bodmin & Wenford diesel gala, before returning from St.Blazey-Exeter on 07/04 and 0Z47 09.30 Exeter-Eastleigh the following day. Westbury coal noted en-route at 11:40 behind 66078.
03/04 66043 seen at 10:20 with a southbound departmental service. A 'misformed' First/GW unit was noted in service running as '150244'. Formed First/GW 'neon' lines livery 52244 + former 'Wessex Train's ' vinyls 57248 (with blanked off set number), the set worked 11.04 Taunton-Cardiff Central, 14.00 Cardiff-Taunton and 16.05 Taunton-Cardiff local services during the day.
04/04 The DRS one coach test working returned north as 1Z14 06.20 Penzance-Derby (via Fowey), however the working on arrival in Temple Meads (at 12.15, five minutes early) only made East depot loop before returning to the Bath road depot stub for stabling. It was assumed 950001 was not ready to take over test duties. Also recorded at Temple Meads during the afternoon, were Cotswold-Rail duo 47375 + 47828 which arrived on the up through line from the north at 14.35, being later joined by 57006.
05/04 Preserved mainline Class 52 No. D1015 Western Champion (carrying a D1068 Western Reliance name and numberplate on one side at least) passed through the area with the return Pastime Rail 'Royal Duchy' (1Z53 15.20 Penzance-Paddington), being recorded at Bridgwater at 18.50 and Parkway at 19.36. Seen at 11:25, heading north were 66084/161 light engines.
06/04 Arriva liveried 150237 was noted in service on the First/GW 15.21 Taunton-Temple Meads service.
07/04 37218 + 37059 were still stabled with their one coach test train on the former Bath Road stub. 66090 arrived around 13.20, on the Monday's only 6V62 Fawley-St. Phillip's Marsh fuel tanks, but a 6C62 13.35 Neath Abbey wharf-Newton Abbot stone working was cancelled.
08/04 37218 + DB999508 +37059 departed as 1Z14 16.36 Temple Meads-Canton, with test unit 950001 still not ready for a return to traffic.
09/04 More normal hauling power for the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe flasks was 20302 + 20306 (departing Bridgwater at 12.00), 66137 worked the evening 6B99 St.Blazey-Cardiff Tidal freight and 66531 and 66523 were reported as stabled in Kingsland Road during the day.
10/04 31601 + 31233 were recorded as stabled on Barton Hill depot at each end of a test train.
Two FLHH departmentals during the day saw; 66549 power a 6Z78 09.20 Thingley Junction-St.Phillips Marsh (via Swindon, run-round) and more unusually 'on hire' DRS 66423 with a 6Z88 11.30 Crewe-Taunton (Fairwaters) being routed via Hereford and the Severn Tunnel, passing Bristol during the late afternoon the loco returning later light to Kingsland Road.
A couple of light-engine moves saw; 57005 run 0Z74 Derby-Temple Meads and 60048 as an evening 0V69 Bescot to Tavistock yard (Plymouth) to work the 6C21 13.20 (FO) Burngullow-Penzance and 6C11 return empties the following day. Hanson stone train powered by 60054 headed north at 06:30.
11/04 66551 and DRS 66423 were noted stabled in Kingsland Road sidings during the day.
12/04 142069 was on the 05.39 Exeter-Temple Meads local service, whilst 60048 returned from the west country on the 6M60 23.41 (fri) Tavistock yard -Bescot freight.
Kingfisher Tours's 'Golden Arrow' (1Z29 06.07 Taunton-Folkestone) was worked by Royal 67006, with steam 34067 Tangmere taking over at (and returning the trip to) Willesden. This was to be one of the final workings over the Folkestone Harbour branch section due for closure. The coaching stock in use was provided by Wessex; 5278 Melisande, 5419 Sir Lancelot, 1842, 9391 Pendragon, 5239 The Red Knight, 5229 The Green Knight, 3188 Sovereign , 3231 Apollo and was stabled overnight at Exeter, prior to the return to Old Oak Common (via Westbury) during the following day.
13/04 Having worked 5Z72 10.05 Exeter-Truro ECS, 67024 passed through the area on a return 1Z72 12.51 Truro-Victoria VSOE trip (Worle 16.48) and 142067 + 143621 formed a 5Z76 11.55 St.Phillips Marsh-Exeter empty stock move.
With the mainline closed in the Westbury/Frome area, some associated engineer's trains during the day were; 66611 on a down cwr working during the late morning and 59104 + 59004 top n'tailing a 6W45 Frome area-Westbury (via Bristol), noted near Uphill junction (Weston-super-Mare ) at 16.01.
15/04 Bardon-blue liveried 66623 was noted stabled in Kingsland Road sidings at 13.40. A fatality was reported in the Box Middle tunnel area mid-morning which saw the mainline closed and diversions in operation. Newly delivered GBRf 66728 + 66729 made a brief appearance in platform 5 from the north as 0Z14 Newport Docks-Willesden during the early afternoon before returning. A report suggested they ran onwards via Bath to 'test' both locos out following delivery problems.
16/04 The 1Z92 08.45 Victoria-Temple Meads and 1Z93 16.05 return was worked from and back to Westbury by 66237, having taken over from steam 35028 Clan Line.
17/04 DRS 66423 passed Filton Abbeywood at 08.55 on a departmental working to Stoke Gifford. 59203 passed Bristol East at 14.10 on return Machen-Westbury loaded Hanson's stone as steam 34067 Tangmere arrived with Steam Dream's 'Cathederal Express' (1Z96 10.12 Waterloo-Temple Meads) behind steam 34067 Tangmere hauling stock; 35518, 5171, 5222, 1840, 5216, 13440, 9392, 99350, 5236, 1961, 5237. The ECS arrived at Bristol West (near Bedminster) at 14.49, before the loco ran with support coach to Barton Hill prior to working the 1Z97 17.34 return to Waterloo.
18/04 66511 + 66554 + 66564 formed an 0Z59 Crewe Basford Hall-Kingsland Road afternoon light-engine move via Hereford and the Marches. A quick sortie was made to Kingsland Road at 20:00 looking for DRS loco 66423, which was not present but 6 Freightliner locos were two of them were 66555/607.
19/04 Further FLHH light-engine moves saw; 66597 + 66423 + 66522 run 0Z25 Reading-Taunton (Fairwater) collecting 66609 + 66607 from Kingsland Road en-route. A 1Z47/1Z48 Finsbury Park-Bath/Temple Meads 'Tyntesfield House' excursion, to be top n'tail by DRS Class 47s, using the Stobart Pullman stock was cancelled. The ECS was expected to be serviced on the West Somerset Railway at Bishop's Lydeard.
20/04 66616 + 66623 top n'tailed a late morning high-output ballast cleaner (HOBC) working from the Westbury area-Taunton (via Bristol). Trip repeated and a line of 5 Cl66 locos seen at 20:00, identified 66423/564/597.
21/04 66162 was on the 6V62 Monday's only St. Phillips Marsh fuel tanks. Newly formed 158954 was noted in service on this date.
22/04 47375 headed a St. Phillips Marsh-Brush Loughborough stock move with HST power car 43183 and 60052 worked 6C99 Cardiff Tidal-St.Blazey overnight.
22/04 60054 seen again with a stone train, this time heading south at 18:10.
23/04 20315 + 37606 powered the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks. 60052 returned on the 6B99 St.Blazey-Newport ADj freight during the evening.
24/04 One of the overnight First/GW sleeper coaching stock formations was reported as completely repainted in the new 'neon' lines livery behind 57603. 66531 worked west with the 6Z60 Neasden-Newton Abbot sand empties during the afternoon.
25/04 DRS 66424 + FLHH 66584 were noted paired on coal empties (HHAs) for Portbury at 07.55. The locos were still awaiting a path forward at 09.30, the return loaded service (6Z84 10.31 Portbury-Rugeley) not reappearing until around 13.40! Also recorded during the morning were 66582 + 66597, arriving from the north light-engine and reversing for Kingsland Road and three-car 158810 stabled in the platform 15 area, en-route from Heaton-Eastleigh works for overhaul.
26/04 The Saturday 6C80 Machen-Westbury stone (and morning empties) were diverted via Gloucester behind 59004. The return was not however recorded passing Bath until around 19.00, a Class 66 reported to be piloting the 59. Later, 66613 + 66623 top n'tailing an up HOBC working were viewed from the Long Ashton by-pass at 19.44.
27/04 47375 + 47309 + 33202 passed late afternoon as 0F80 Totnes-Gloucester following a gala event held on the South Devon Railway.
28/04 Morning delays due to over running engineering work in the Didcot area saw late running of up to 25 minutes.
Steve Webb, the MP for the Yate area invited First/GW Manager Andrew Griffiths to an 'ask the Manager session' on the 06.49 Worcester SH-Westbury First/GW local service. Passengers' main concerns were reported as overcrowding and a need for more trains to be running.
On the freight side, 60034 was on the 7C79 Parc Slip-Westbury loaded cement works coal.
30/04 Former FM Rail owned coaching stock still located in the west country was collected by 66725, the loco arriving light-engine, working 5Z89 08.25 Meldon Quarry-Yeovil Junction with 9505, 5925, 5981, then running 13.20 Yeovil Junction-Temple Meads up through siding with 9506, 1211, 5797, 3312 added.
Although running as late as 85 minutes, the working reached Bristol close to time, passing Uphill Junction at 15.22 (against a booked time of 15.20). The coaches were due to be moved forward to Long Marston for storage the following day.
Also recorded during the afternoon was Royal 67006 which arrived on a 1Z80 Victoria-Temple Meads VSOE working and 66607 on 6C62 13.35 Neath Abbey Wharf-Newton Abbot loaded stone.
30/04 Stabled on the up spur at Temple Meads this evening (21:10), en route from Meldon Quarry to Long Marston was 66725 with mk2 vehicles 1211, 3312, 5797, 5925/81 and 9505/06. At Barton Hill were DRS Cl37s, 37069/609 with a NR Departmental train.
Units 142085 and 150278 were reported to have visited Axiom Rail at Barton Hill for attention during the month.

Gloucester

03/04 20306 + 20315 powered the 6M56 12.40 (ThO) Berkeley-Crewe loaded nuclear flasks.
05/04 Saturday diversions due to engineering activity in the Severn Tunnel, saw 66180 run the outward 6C80 Westbury-Machen stone empties and 6B80 loaded return via Gloucester, the actual return train's destination being Acton via Kemble (this was also reported to have taken place during the previous Saturday) and 60091 working the 6B33 12.11 Theale-Robeston fuel empties via Parkway and Gloucester.
06/04 For the FA Cup semi-final between Cardiff City and Barnsley at Wembley, First/GW operated three additional loco hauled services, using Class 67 locos and Riviera stock being routed via Gloucester and the Stroud Valley to Swindon and the Great Western mainline due to the Severn Tunnel being closed;-
1Z30 67026 + 67021 on 08.25 Cardiff - Paddington with c/stock; 9520, 6138, 6027, 6051, 5937, 1200, 5792, 5769, 3277, 3295.
1Z31 67003 + 67002 on 08.55 Cardiff - Paddington with c/stock; 9537, 5984, 6054, 5910, 6141, 1212, 6104, 5929, 3417, 3379.
1Z32 67030 on 09.55 Cardiff - Paddington with c/stock; 5921, 3336, 3354, 5998, 6006, 6062, 5985, 5964, 6107, 9526.
Notes; The Class 67 locos were in a top n'tail formation. One of the 1Z32 locos, 67019 had failed in Margam yard and was left in South Wales. It was reported that loadings were light only 18 passengers on all of the outward workings were carried from South Wales(?)! The booked return services were run as: 19.36 (1Z52), 20.06 (1Z50), 20.33 (1Z51) with a 21.06 (1Z52), the latter would be used only if extra time was played out.
08/04 60096 worked the 6A32/6B36 Didcot-Ashchuch MoD service and return.
09/04 20302 + 20306 were paired on the 6M56 Berkeley flasks.
12/04 Two railtours during the day; were 40145 on Pathfinder's 'East Anglian' (1Z40 05.15 Birmingham International-Lowestoft and 1Z41 15.29 return) with c/stock; 5350, 4902, 5040, 4927, 5009, 1863, 3110, 3125, 3140, 6310, this train being returned by a Class 66 from Birmingham and 37401 + 37417 on Compass Tours 'Heart of Wales Explorer' (1Z70 05.10 Blackburn-Cardiff, via Llandrindod Wells and 1Z71 16.05 return, via Newport, Lyney and Gloucester).
The stock for the latter ran 5Z70 12.41 Cardiff-Margam and 5Z91 15.10 Margam-Cardiff ECS whilst in South Wales. A diverted freight via the Stroud Valley during the afternoon was 60007 on the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks.
14/04 A 1Z17 15.18 Derby-Cardiff Canton test train (via Gloucester and Chepstow) was top n'tailed by 31105 and 31602 with c/stock; 977869, 6263, 977986, 999550, 977868, 99666.
15/04 57005 hauled withdrawn 37704 as part of the 6Z71 10.25 Cardiff Tidal sidings-Stockton scrap empties. The Class 37 was going for scrapping at Stockton. The working was noted passing Severn Tunnel Junction, on the Gloucester line at 11.16.
18/04 Plenty of varied loco activity through Gloucester during the day saw; 66732 + 66730 + 66731 pass Severn Tunnel Junction at 16.12 as 0Z66 14.30 Newport Docks-Crewe (See the cover of last months Magazine for photograph). 66730 was reported to be in an 'unserviceable' condition, hence being moved in the middle of the other two.
Earlier, 47828 + 33202 with an HST power car had run 5Z46 11.10 Brush Loughborough-Landore (Newport 15.10) and 5Z80 17.35 Landore-Gloucester with 33202 and a barrier van (Cardiff 17.49).
57006 was also reported later on a further Advenza 08.25 Stockton-Barry loaded scrap train.
19/04 Kingfisher Tours 'The Severn Valley Phoenix' (1Z69 07.18 Kensington Olympia-Kidderminster and 1Z70 16.25 return via Oxford) was noted passing Stroud slightly late at 13.09 behind steam 60019 Bittern and 67003 on the rear. The steam loco had taken over the trip at Swindon Cocklebury yard having run 5Z19 Old Oak Common-Swindon loco and support coach. 67003 was to take over the return from the steam loco at Oxford. This was the first through working over the Severn Valley Railway following 'rebuilding' work along the line due to flood damage last year.
21/04 57006 worked 20.00 Barry-Stockton scrap empties.
26/04 A further Saturday Severn Tunnel 'diversion' was 60049 with the 6B33 Theale-Robeston empty fuel tanks passing the 1870's built relief crossing (ex.signal) box at Brimscombe St.Mary, in the Stroud Valley at 14.50.

Portbury Branch Line

FLHH coal services were suspended from early April through to 22/04 whilst maintenance work took place at Rugeley power station.

Locos recorded on coal duty have included;-

66003/054/08/142/151. 66424/508/520/530/554/559. 66565/583/584.

Westbury

19/04 DRS 37606 + 37611 were stabled on a test train outside the power signal box. Spitfire Tours 'The Weyfarer' (1Z30 05.29 Crewe-Weymouth) was headed by 20307 + 20310 (with 57601 on the rear providing train heat) passing at 10.20 with West Coast coaching stock; 5569, 99328, 4940, 4984, 99318, 6041, 99679, 3360, 3362, 99680. The train travelled outwards via Oxford, Swindon (09.22, 10 minutes late), Melksham, Westbury, Salisbury, Southampton and Bournemouth.
21/04 The new west country cement flow from here to Moorswater Lafarge sidings (replacing the former Earles, Derbyshire working) has settled down to a twice weekly operation, usually leaving Westbury at 17.25 (as 6C17) on MWO, arriving back around 20.30 (as 6C66) on TThO. The train runs via the Westbury avoiding line so is not seen from Westbury station. A light-engine runs 0C17 Kingsland Road-Westbury on Monday afternoons to work the trains, stabling at the cement works on Tuesday nights, then returns light-engine to Bristol on Thursday evenings. DRS 66423 was on the today's working.
23/04 66582 was the Moorswater cement diagram loco.

Units noted this period included

142029/067/069/085.
143603/611/612/617/618/620/621.
150121/127/213/221/229/231/234/237/238/243/244/246/249/257/261/263/265
150266/278/279
153369.
158745/746/747/760/762/763/765/766/771/810/950/951/952/954.
220001/003/007/009/013/020/021/023/024/027/028/029/034.
221117/118/124/126/130/131/133/134/138/141.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge.
14/04 66568. 15/04 66538. 18/04 66574. 25/04 66574.

4V60 Calvert-Bath/Bristol BinLiner
01/04 66552. 02/04 66621. 09/04 66552. 15/04 66423. 16/04 665555.
18/04 66555. 22/04 66597.

6Z82 07.00 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. loaded coal.
04/04 66554. 23/04 66520. 29/04 66530.

6Z70 08.31 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. loaded coal
06/04 66554. 22/04 66559. 23/04 66583.

6Z72 10.30 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. loaded coal.
04/04 66565. 25/04 66424 + 66584.

LOCAL EWS WORKINGS

6C01/6C02 Newport ADJ-Bristol East depot steel
03/04 66043. 08/04 66005. 10/04 66167. 14/04 66237 + 66015.
16/04 66166. 17/04 66041. 18/04 66090. 21/04 60075. 22/04 60075
23/04 66181. 24/04 66094. 29/04 66094. 30/04 66047.

6B49/6B50 Newport ADJ-Swindon steel
04/04 66237. 11/04 66237. 16/04 66008. 23/04 66157. 25/04 66155.
30/04 66135.

6B13/6B47 Robeston - Westerleigh

6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties
03/04 60007. 05/04 60091. 08/04 60068. 10/04 60065. 12/04 60007.
17/04 60051. 19/04 60030. 22/04 60049. 26/04 60083. 29/04 60007.

6B83/6C83 Westbury-Machen-Westbury stone (T,Th (Q) SO)
05/04 66180. 08/04 66176. 10/04 60054. 15/05 60063. 17/04 59203.
22/04 66250. 23/04 60007. 24/04 60043. 29/04 59201.

6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental
02/04 60065. 04/04 66039. 08/04 60065. 09/04 66176. 15/04 60031 + 60054. 23/04 66213. 25/04 66145. 28/04 60091.

6X52 Portbury-Washwood Heath loaded and empty car carriers
03/04 66024. 04/04 66078. 07/04 66103. 17/04 66016. 16/04 66085.

4M20 Southampton Eastern dock - Castle Bromwich loaded cars
10/04 66116. 21/04 66057. 22/04 66057. 23/04 66057. 24/04 66057.
29/04 66051.


STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers
57004(FD)-KM, 66210/240 -France, 66209 -UK
WAWN: Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Class 67 67012/013/014/015

Stored
08866/995. 60092/500
DC: 08866/995. 37689. KM: 08485. KY: 37670. LM: 47701. 86230. TO: 60092/500. Barry: 57003. GCR: 37198.

Traffic
08567 -OC, 08742 -BS, 60040/084 -TO

Withdrawn
37158/235/704

Disposals
HNRC: 37158/235 @CS
EMR: 37047
T Thomson: 37704
HNRL: 47714

New Stock
66595/596/597 -FD, 66728/729/730/731/732 -WB

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers
150231/237/257(CF)-EX
180110/111/113/114(OO)-XW
PFAD Hull Trains Class 180 - Crofton 180110/111/113/114

Withdrawn
977693/694/975/976

Disposal
West Somerset: 977693/694 , Arriva Trains Wales: 977975/976

Reformed

Disbanded
150016 158747/748/750/751/760/761/762/764
Formed
150116 (52116 + 57212)
158950 (57751 + 52761 + 57761) 158951 (52751 + 52764 + 57764
158952 (57748 + 52762 + 57762) 158953 (52748 + 52750 + 57750)
158954 (57747 + 52760 + 57760)
222001 (60161 + 60551 + 60561 + 60621 + 60341 + 60445 + 60241)
222003 (60163 + 60553 + 60563 + 60623 + 60343 + 60443 + 60243)
222004 (60164 + 60554 + 60564 + 60624 + 60344 + 60445 + 60244)
222005 (60165 + 60555 + 60565 + 60625 + 60345 + 60347 + 60245)
222006 (60166 + 60556 + 60566 + 60626 + 60441 + 60447 + 60246)
222007 (60167 + 60567 + 60627 + 60557 + 60247)
222008 (60168 + 60545 + 60628 + 60918 + 60248)
22010 (60170 + 60546 + 60630 + 60920 + 60250)
222019 (60179 + 60547 + 60639 + 60929 + 60259)
222020 (60180 + 60543 + 60640 + 60930 + 60260)
222022 (60182 + 60542 + 60642 + 60932 + 60262)
222023 (60183 + 60541 + 60643 + 60973 + 60263)

Electric Multiple Units

Stored
310049 -SS
442404 -AF, 2405 -BI, 2411 -AF, 2421/24 -ZN

Withdrawn
62084/095. 70755/969. 76138/143/154/383
Disposals

Booth: 62084, 76183 (310059), 62095, 70755, 76154 (310070), 76138 (310110), 76383(3536)
Car Services: 70969 (1304)

Formations
444026(68326 + 67126 + 67176 + 67226 + 63876)
508139(64687 + 71521 + 64734) 143(64691 + 71525 + 64730)

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers
10215/257. 11064 -CP.

EICO Wrexham & Shropshire Rly Operational Coaching Stock - 10235. 11029.
EICS Wrexham & Shropshire Rly Stored Coaching Stock - 10710

Stored
BN: 12158/163 KI: 5679. 5737/40. 6821. 9481/90
ZB: 12076/101/123. ZG: 1202/16/55/59. 5944/66. 6037. 6824
Marcroft: 10208/230. 12169. 44088. 82130/135
Traffic
99994 -HQ

Withdrawn
1215/19. 3181. 3521. 5647. 5947/99. 6011/61. 6112/21/34/72/84.

Disposals
GCR Ruddington: 1215 Mid Norfolk: 3521
MoD Kineton: 1219. 5947. 6121/34
New Zealand: 5999. 6011/61. 6112/72. 6824

Renumbered
41192 - 42290 -EC, 42246 - 41192 -OO

FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)

Here we go again with another look at the freight scene from the past month or so, beginning with some snippets of news as usual.
The Duisberg-Trafford Park service recently commenced is only running as required at the present time, it is utilising Austatte intermodal flats, some of which are new to this country. The Austatte flats on the Novarro-Hams Hall are being used for Norfolk Line containers. Bogie tanks 33.87.7898.000-040 are making a reappearance on traffic to this country hired by EREMWA. A new service to start is a Basle--Trafford Park (and return), and the Milan--Trafford park has restarted fully.
The new GBRf class 66s, 66728-66732 have now arrived, 66728 and 729 going straight to traffic and 66720-732 going to Crewe from some mods.
A couple of unusual sightings from the past four weeks have been, firstly, the glorious personal sighting during my "lunch hour by the line" at work on 8th May of "Western Champion" heading north light engine! Apparently on its way to Barrow Hill. The previous week, I believe it was 30th April, 40145 was noted sitting at the signal at Lancaster Road, Leicester, by a colleague of mine, heading southbound (the engine not my colleague!). Apparently, when arriving at Nuneaton this locomotive was utilised to drag the Bedworth bogie tanks service back into Nuneaton station after it had been give the wrong route!! (This information coming from a very reliable source!)
Anyway on to my news. Just the usual boring locations, but plenty of sightings nonetheless. I think I've mentioned the long consists of the automotive trains on the WCML, a case in point on 7th April at Rugby. Heading south, 66093 was in charge of the following: 23.87.4375.028/018/032/001/003/023/024, 23.87.4392.581/501, 23.87.4376.003, 23.87.4333.005/075, 90048/49/50/51. The two W. H. Malcolm services that evening were decent lengths in their own right. The first, hauled by 66415 had the following consist: 33.68.4909.353/450/401/965/303/399/397/169/507/419, 33.68.4943.065. This was closely followed by 66406 hauling: 33.68.4909.556/759/042/579/062/ 651/889/392/593/796/577/770/039, 33.68.4943.072.
A nice sight that night was 60021 (not many class 60s noted at Rugby these days) with the following engineers' service: 967643, 621499, 112195, 92532, 92532, 92530, 92529, 92528, 92527, 925276, 92547. All other services noted on this particular evening were Freightliner - eight in all.
Moving to 14th April and Nuneaton and a shorter automotive service hauled by First Scotrail-liveried 90019, consist being: 23.87.4392.515/ 635, 23.87.4375.029/ 045/ 017, 23.87.4333.022, 23.87.4384.014.
Again the W. H. Malcolm services provided a glut of Austatte vehicles, some noted for the first time by me on the services. Firstly, it was 66424 with: 33.68.4909.354/ 342/ 916/ 379/ 415/ 743/ 021/ 546/ 915, 33.68.4943.085/ 066/ 064. Then 66420 with the following: 33.68.4909.481/ 392/ 598/ 471/ 965/ 303/ 399/ 397/ 169/ 507/ 419/ 909/ 919, 33.68.4943.065.
The northbound Enterprise that evening, hauled by 92013 had, in the consist, bogie tanks 89113, 89101 and 89103 amongst the usual automotive vehicles.
Noted that evening also were Freightliner services hauled by the following: 66539, 66590, 66620, 66502, 66587, 66501, 66541, 66540 and the following EWS coal hauled by 66006: 310052/493/575/642/836/ 789/909/574/887/528/804/445/210/971/350/670/447/513, 311122/085/156.
On 21st April I was at Rugby again, and the Fastline service hauled by 56303 was noted with the following wagons in tow: 93385/ 290/ 398/ 467/ 378/387/344/323/430/462/360/488, 643007/ 008.
A southbound Enterprise, hauled by 92029 (must have been late-running) had the following large consist: 23.87.4375.029, 23.87.4392.540/745/546/536, 33.80.2797.686/ 069/ 104, 33.80.4741.120/111/121/134/127/122/155/143/129.
This was closely followed by an equally-interesting northbound Enterprise hauled by 92034, consist being: 33.87.7898.074/062/047/076/063/064/077/079, 23.87.4375. 017/040/027/020, 23.87.4392.635/504.
On 25th April at Nuneaton the really interesting movement amongst all the usual ones was the southbound mail with units 325.003/007/011 being hauled, rather rapidly one must add, by XP64-liveried 47853 (D1733) a spectacular sight.
That's all for this time. Enjoy the gorgeous weather that's here at the moment. Bye for now.

MISCELLANEOUS

Freight-flow News

EWS Energy
Coal used to supply Westbury cement works is expected to be sourced from Avonmouth West Wharf, sometime during the coming weeks. This is in place of Parc Slip.

Old Station News

Religious group the Plymouth Brethren are interested in using the former surviving Victorian downside platform building at Winterbourne as a gospel hall on Sundays and weekdays. A spokesman for the group has stated the building would be too small for their needs and difficult to convert. There is a call to demolish and replace it in a similar style structure but this would be against green belt policy rules. The station was built in 1898 (being opened on 1st July 1903) and closed to passengers on 3rd April 1961.
A £27 million retirement village at the old station site in Sandford, on the former Yatton-Cheddar 'Strawberry Line' has been approved by North Somerset Council. A total of 108 homes, featuring one, two and three bedroom retirement flats and cottages are to be built on the once Sandford Stone owned former railway land at Station Road. St. Monica Trust are the backers of the project, the work being expected to start soon with the first homes becoming available in late 2009. The remaining station buildings will be fully restored and refurbished as part of the scheme these being the best surviving examples (opened 3rd August 1869) along the former branch line closed on 9th September 1963, the track being lifted during the following year.

Road Movements

03/04 Ex. GWR (2874) westbound near junction 21 (Weston-super-Mare) at 16.00. The loco and tender were on separate road low-loaders, in 'ex Barry' condition. The move was from the Pontypool & Blaenavon to the West Somerset Railway.
17/04 A repainted 73101 Royal Alex (still in Pullman choc/cream) returned to Bitton around 19.30, from the Severn Valley Railway (via an appearance at Llangollen). Additional drivers are to be trained up on the loco prior to a return to service on the Avon Valley Railway.
23/04 Ex. GWR 5542 northbound M5 near Gordano junction 19 at 07.50, ex WSR.

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