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NOTES AND NEWS
Avonmouth
06/05 59205 departed around 17.00 with the return 6C64 loaded import stone to
Westbury in KEA bogie box wagons.
07/05 66027 arrived at 06.27 with the 6V53 'enterprise' freight service from
Wembley. 08405 was on hand to top n'tail the train, with the Class 66 onwards to
the Chittening Industrial estate.
08/05 66027 was noted with what was assumed an early running 6M33 'enterprise'
freight to Wembley passing Henbury at 13.58.
14/05 66148 arrived during the early afternoon with a rake of NR side-discharge
wagons on a Bescot - Filton West 'infill' stone working linked with local
building work. The loco ran round in the bulk handling terminal to gain access
to the off-loading area actually on the Filton North-West curve, which was
subject to a 12.15 - 16.40 engineer's possession on days when the train
operates. The trains details are as follows; 6W71 08.40 Bescot-Filton (14.00)
via Avonmouth and 16.45 Filton West-Bescot empties (via Temple Meads loco
run-round).
18/05 The first Sunday passenger operation over part of the Severn Beach line
for many years started off with a road bus substitution on the 10.23 Temple
Meads-Avonmouth and 10.52 return services! Scheduled engineering work was
completed at 11.20 on the branch, the first service being worked later by 143617
on the 11.23 Temple Meads-Avonmouth and 11.53 return First/GW trains, eight are
to run on future Sundays up until 07/09.
19/05 66100 was on the Filton West infill stone working from Bescot, the working
being now reported as coded 6W82.
20/05 With the ship Aasfjord unloading stone from Belfast indock, 59202 was
incharge of the 6C63/6C64 empties and loaded Westbury stone trip. The inward
empties passed Filton North at 13.19 down on time due to there being no loco
available at Westbury.
22/05 A second stone trip operated for the week behind 60029, unusually formed
with a motley collection of 27 4-wheel PGA wagons thought to be a first for use
on this train! The working having left Westbury on time arrived slightly late at
Hallen Marsh at 13.30 due to losing it's path by just 10 minutes en-route.
27/05 Another Class 60 was recorded on the import stone, with 60025 being noted
loading a service in the docks area at 14.30, later being passing Brentry at
17.01 en-route to Westbury.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66080/128/151/153/166/175/181/201
08405 continued as the area shunting pilot.
Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh
10/04 Additional information has been provided regarding the Royal Train
noted passing Parkway on this date (See last Month's Magazine) in that the
coaching stock formation was recorded as;- 2903, 2915, 2916, 2917, 2920, 2921,
2923.
02/05 DRS 66423, still 'on loan' to Freightliner Heavy-haul worked the 4O51
Wentlooge-Millbrook loaded containers passing Pilning at 11.10.
03/05 66116 headed the 6E41 Lindsey tanks from Westerleigh, in place of the
normal Class 60. A Pathfinder Tour's 'Southern Irishman' (Birmingham
International-Fishguard) with steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester from and return to
Newport was cancelled.
05/05 Pathfinder's return 'Pembroke Coast Express' (1Z76 14.13 Milford
Haven-Temple Meads) with a steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester + Royal 67006
combination was noted passing near Pilning at 18.42, nearly an hour early! It is
believed a booked water stop (from 18.31-18.49 at Magor) had not taken place).
Part of the coaching stock formation in use was recorded as;- 5276, 5376, 5341,
3097, 3069, 3149, 17015, 17041 (loco support coach) this being again recorded at
20.03 passing Parkway behind 67006 heading ECS for Old Oak Common. Also seen
during the evening was Arriva/Wales 142083 heading back to South Wales following
attention at Barton Hill.
06/05 An evening First/GW Paddington-Swansea HST service was reported to have
failed in the Pilning area, requiring the use of Pilning station as an 'off
loading point' for passengers to be ferried back to Parkway station by road
buses for later services. Two afternoon Class 60 sightings were; 60047 on a late
running 6A11 Robeston-Theale tank train and 60075 running 0C79 Margam-Westbury
light-engine to collect coal empties from the cement works.
07/05 66112 passed Parkway at 19.26 on the 4M20 Southampton Eastern dock-Castle
Bromwich emty covered car carriers.
08/05 60052 was recorded at Parkway at 18.35 on a late running 6B33
Robeston-Theale empty fuel tankers. 47812 + 47769 were also seen earlier at
16.35 running Taunton-Derby light-engine the latter having failed.
09/05 66128 was on the 6M17 Newport ADj-Wembley 'enterprise' freight service.
12/05 Route learning/driver training light-engines in the area, found 47812
working 0Z43 Swindon-Old Oak Common (via Swansea) and 47843 as 0Z47
Westbury-Weymouth and retuirn.
13/05 47843 was again noted passing Parkway at 11.54 as 0Z43 Old Oak
Common-Paddington (via Swansea) light-engine.
15/05 The 'Stobart Express' passed through Parkway as 1Z36
London-Cardiff/Carmarthen top n'tailed by 47712 + 47802 (noted Pilning at
10.29). 66175 was later noted as the 6M17 Wembley freight loco.
17/05 Weekend closures of the Severn Tunnel for maintenance work continue with
two associated engineers trains being noted running from Patchway-Westbury as
6W31 11.00 (66023) and 6W32 11.30 (60077).
21/05 An unidentified Arriva XC Class 170 unit was observed heading eastbound
through Parkway at 10.38. Also recorded were 66574 + 66578 paired on the 4O51
Wentlooge-Millbrook containers at 12.38, and 66057 on the 6B35 Hayes-Moreton-on-Lugg
empty stone wagons (14.00). Other observations were; 66181 on 6B24
Didcot-Wentlooge MoD stores and 66175 again on the 6M17 Wembley 'enterprise'
freight.
22/05 20301 + 20305 passed northbound at 14.25 with the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe
nuclear flasks and DB Schenker liveried 60074 worked the 6E41 Lindsey tank
empties from Westerleigh.
23/05 A lightning-strike saw a signalling failure in the Yate and Westerleigh
areas. 150232 on a First/GW Gloucester service and 221116 on the Arriva/XC 12.25
Plymouth-Newcastle were diverted via the Severn Tunnel and Chepstow. Also First/GW's
12.30 Swansea-Paddington and 13.55 Cardiff Paddington HSTs were diverted via
Bath and Box. A FLHH additional freight working recorded through Parkway at
16.45 was 66597 heading loaded stone to Dagenham.
24/05 The First/GW 13.30 Swansea-Paddington HST was noted formed with 43196 +
43034 the latter power car carrying the name 'Travelwatch West'.
26/05 A preserved Class 52 D1015 Western Champion trip from Paddington-Weymouth
(out and back via Parkway, and Day's curve to Bath, Westbury and Yeovil) was
cancelled. This would have been the first Western visit to the Dorset resort
since 19/02/77 when D1013 Western Ranger worked in on a railtour from Waterloo
28/05 66008 was on the 6M17 Wembley 'enterprise' freight service.
30/05 60074 was again at Westerleigh on the 6E41 Lindsey tanks and 66008 was on
the 6B35 Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties. Colas 47237 arrive in Stoke Gifford down
sidings at 12.40 to join 47749 already stabled, whilst at 12.37, 66115 departed
for Barton Hill with a single bogie Murco tank wagon. The NRMT formed with power
cars 43014 + 43013 was also noted through Parkway during the day.
Bristol Temple Meads, Kingsland Road and Barton Hill
01/05 GBRf 66725 and the coaching stock (9506, 1211, 5797, 3312, 9505, 5925,
5981) which had arrived the previous day on the up through canopy siding loop
(See last Month's Magazine) departed as 5Z89 13.22 to Long Marston, being noted
passing Filton Abbeywood at 13.32. Brief visit this evening as it was rumoured
the new GBRF Class 66s would be passing through, as it transpired working
cancelled. Whilst there 66074 worked out of Avonmouth with a loaded mgr, NR HST
was present lead power car being 43089, this train moved out as the
"Cubes" were arriving behind 66201, therefore no idea of the rear
power car's number.
04/05 The First/GW 08.10 (Sun) Exeter St.Davids-Bristol Parkway was noted
formed; 158766 + 150263 + 150261 + 153372. Late ruuning was the order of the day
for the Railway Touring Company's 'Devonian Duke' (1Z71 08.20
Paddington-Plymouth and 1Z72 17.42 return) featuring Royal 67006 from Paddington
to Bristol for steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester to take over using coaching stock;
3121, 3047, 1693, 3141, 3146, 3110, 3098, 1842, 5322, 17077 (the last coach
being left at Temple Meads, but loco support coach 99041 being added). However,
an air-brake fault on the steam loco saw the Class 67 placed between 71000 and
the train, departure being around an hour late (noted passing Yatton 12.10).
This was not the end to the days problems, the Duke was in trouble at 14.48 on
Dainton Bank requiring assistance from the Class 67! Further delays were
encountered during the run-round at Plymouth Friary, which saw a late departure
(around 40 minutes) from Plymouth North Road for the return, however arrival
back in Bristol was not far off the 21.14 booked time.
05/05 The Royal/Duke combination was again in use on the Pathfinder's 'Pembroke
Coast Express' headed by steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester and 67006 (1Z75 07.07
Temple Meads-Milford Haven and 1Z76 14.13 return). The return working was
actually back in Bristol early (!) however a 71000, 5Z76 20.22 loco and support
coach move to Bishop's Lydeard was cancelled the loco remaining at Barton Hill.
Out of service steam loco 6024 King Edward I was originally booked to head this
train.
06/05 60049 was seen passing through Bath around 20.00 on a late running 6B33
Theale-Robeston emty tank train.
06/05 59205 seen on a southbound stone train at 17:30.
07/05 66207 worked the evening 6C89 MWFO Newport ADj-St.Blazey 'enterprise'
freight.
08/05 Advenza 47237 was stabled in the no.1 platform bay, then worked light to
Gloucester (va Cardiff Tidal sidings, where a scrap train move had been
cancelled). 66207 was noted on the up through at 18.55 on the 6B99 St.
Blazey-Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded scrap metal. Two workings recorded tonight,
66112 with the "Cubes" and 66201 with MGR empties for Avonmouth.
09/05 Another Advenza loco 57006 occupied the no.1 platform bay siding. BR 71000
Duke of Gloucester was resident at Barton Hill. (Still present on 16/5/08 &
23/5/08 & 30/5/08 & 27/6/08)
10/05 Mid Cheshire Rail Users 'Somerset Coast Express' (1Z42 06.20 Altrincham-Minehead
and 1Z43 15.45 return) was double-headed by EWS silver 67029 and 67017
throughout via the Marches and the Severn Tunnel. However, a Compass Tour's 'Torbay
Express' (1Z45 05.45 Sheffield-Paignton) and return trip was cancelled. As well
as the Class 67 hauled special, the WSR also had a second through railtour with
a Westbury-Minehead HST, 'Save the Children' charity trip using power cars
43071+ 43132, routed each way via Bristol.
11/05 The First/GW 08.10 (Sun) Exeter St.Davids-Temple Meads was formed 150243 +
158953 + 150213.
12/05 Three freights this evening starting with 66019 working the
"Cubes", 66153 mgr empties for Avonmouth and 66134 with the MoD liner.
13/05 DRS 66415 + 66417 passed Filton Abbeywood (08.20) and Worle junction
(Weston-super-Mare) at 09.05 on a 6Z73 Crewe-Keyham flask working. The return,
suffered brake problems leaving around four hours late as 21.00 Keyham-Crewe.
The 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADj engineers was also recorded passing Filton at
11.20 behind 60075. A new freight-flow commenced during the week bringing
ballast 'infill' to Filton, believed for use in connection with building work in
the area. The trains operated as 6W71 08.40 Bescot L.S-Filton West junction
(14.00) via Avonmouth (run-round) and 16.45 return via Temple Meads (run-round).
66148 was noted with the return empties in Temple Meads at 17.35, formed of side
discharge Network-Rail MRA wagons. Southbound departmental service seen at 11:00
hauled by 66159, 15 mins later in the opposite direction 66172 with a stone
train and a minute later 66199 with "Network Rail" vehicles went
south.
14/05 One of the two First/GW sleeper train formations (with all coaches now in
the new First/GW ' neon line' livery) was reported as 10534, 10612, 10594,
10232, 12161, 17173. behind 57605 (also in new livery).
15/05 66531 was on the afternoon 6Z60 Neasden-Burngullow sand empties, working
this train again on the 29/05. Three again this evening 66080 mgr empties for
Avonmouth, 66175 with a late running ADJ - Willesden Enterprise service and
66070 with flats carrying vans.
16/05 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester was still present on Barton Hill depot, a
trip planned for the following day , organised by the Railway Touring Company,
from Birmingham-Plymouth being cancelled. In Temple Meads, 47818 was noted
stabled at 07.15. The loco remained here until 20/05.
17/05 One of the newly introduced week-day Arriva XC 'hire' HST workings was
recorded with a MML set (with power cars 43007 + 43184), being booked at Temple
Meads from 14.35-14.40, as 9V49 08.30 Edinburgh-Plymouth. 400 First/GW cleaning
staff announced strike action over pay and conditions during the day. A railtour
date change from this day, was Pathfinder's 'Great Way Round' (06.00
Crewe-Weymouth), booked for two Class 33 locos being moved back until 23/08 due
to vandalism and theft from the allocated West Coast coaching stock at
Carnforth. A railtour runner, was Compass Tour's 'Devonian' (1Z24 05.45 Preston-Paignton
and 1Z25 17.19 return) top n'tailed by 47805 + 47815, using coaching stock;
3386, 3345, 1683, 3304, 3344, 3340, 3244, 1250, 5952, 5987, 5997, 5961, 9507.
The outward train was noted in Temple Meads at 10.58.
18/05 142029 ran 5Z42 11.30 Reading-St. Phillips Marsh, following attention via
Swindon and Chippenham. On the subject of First/GW dmu sets, the 15.08 (Sun)
Penzance-Bristol TM service was formed 153380 + 153373 + 153372 + 150244 +
150234! Light-engine movements reported during the day were;- 66525 + 66610
through Worle (Weston-super-Mare) around 13.00 towards Bristol (the second loco
showing signs of front end accident damage) and over at Keynsham at 14.50, 60077
+ 66023 + 66159 were seen running from Westbury-Newport via Gloucester. Further
Sunday diversions due to work between Westerleigh and Standish junction saw both
the 09.15 to Manchester and 10.30 to Edinburgh Arriva XC services from Temple
Meads diverted via Bath, Swindon (reverse), Kemble and Stroud to the North. This
was again the case for the following Sunday.
19/05 Advenza 57006 was stabled light-engine on the former Bath Road depot spur
opposite platform 15. An empty stock move from a previous days Exeter City v
Cambridge City Blue Square Play-off football cup-final at Wembley was worked via
Bristol and Bath as 5Z52 10.05 Exeter (Riverside)-Old Oak Common with 67006 +
67029. 66150 was on the Monday's Only St. Phillips Marsh fuel tanks, the empties
returning through Bath at 16.20. 66187 was also recorded here at 16.31 on the
return 6B63 Westbury Cement works-Margam coal empties. More southbound light
engine workings recorded, at 14:35, the loco being 60075, followed at 14:45 by
66603/613. Extra service this evening starting with 66015 with a scrap train for
South Wales, 66153 loaded mgr from Avonmouth, 66040 working the
"Cubes" and 66250 MoD liner.
22/05 DRS 20301 + 20305 arrived in Bridgwater at 06.24 with the 6V74 nuclear
flasks from Crewe, for the 6M67 departure north. 66025 + 66194 were later paired
on the afternoon 6C41 Newport ADj-Westbury departmental. Also seen was a further
Arriva XC HST 'hire' formed with MML coaches and power cars 43184 + 43007 as
9V57 09.00 (ThO) Derby-Plymouth. 66040 worked the "Cubes" again this
evening and 66128 took an empty mgr rake to Avonmouth
23/05 The return 9S66 11.25 Plymouth-Dundee was worked by the MML liveried HST
set and power cars 43007 + 43184. Another Arriva XC HST 'hire', was worked by
power cars 43104 + 43166 as 9V65 12.05 Edinburgh-Plymouth (FO). Arriva XC
catering staff, belonging to the RMT Union announced a strike ballot will take
place on June 19th in protest of the removal of buffet and shop facilities from
a number of services (including those over the Bristol-Sheffield-Newcastle route
from 20/05) and related possible job losses. A trolley service is proposed to be
introduced on a number of the trains once Voyager sets have been refurbished
with additional seating being made available in the former buffet area.
24/05 Following last year's operating problems relating to paperwork, First/GW
were able to use 'hire' DB Rail/EWS Class 67 locos and Riviera Train's coaching
stock as a 'bucket and spade' relief addition to the Dorset Coast.. Today's
locos were 67023 + 67003 running as 2O67 09.09 Temple Meads-Weymouth and 2O67
16.58 return. This train will run each Saturday until the end of August. Summer
Saturday Arriva XC HST 'hire' is to continue during 2008 with the following
power cars working the following services 1C02 07.35 Temple Meads-Paignton (via
Westbury)/1E46 10.32 Paignton-Newcastle-43056+43206. 1V29 07.24
Manchester-Newquay/1M28 15.22 Newquay-Manchester-43309 (carrying the new
National Express East Coast livery)+43108. 1Z47 09.40 Newquay-Edinburgh (which
would normally run as 1E47 to Newcastle)-43104+43166. 1V49 09.41
Newcastle-Newquay-43007+43184.
25/05 A 'Hire' MML HST set with power cars 43166 + 43049 worked the 08.50 (Sun)
Edinburgh-Penzance Arriva XC service.
26/05 As per the diagram, the previous days MML HST 'hire' set returned North on
the 9S66 08.30 Penzance-Dundee during the early afternoon.
27/05 A bomb scare in the Weston-super-Mare area saw no early evening trains
calling at Weston Milton and Weston stations on the loopline. Some passengers
used taxis and road buses provided by First/GW as an alternative. The NRMT HST
was noted during the evening with power cars 43014 + 43013 as 1Z17 Derby-Old Oak
Common (via Taunton). 66012 had earlier worked an 'extra' 13.16 Westbury-Machen
stone service (6B84).
28/05 66187 noted at 10:30 working a southbound "rail train".
29/05 43184 + 43007 were again used on the Arriva XC 'hire' ThO HST working 9V57
09.00 Glasgow-Plymouth (with coaches set XC04:41026, 41025, 42036, 42037, 42038,
42097, 44042). Advenza 57006 was noted stabled on the former Bath Road depot
spur, whilst newly formed 158956 was on the First/GW 19.00 Cardiff
Central-Taunton service. On what turned out to be a rain sodden evening only the
NR HST was seen with power cars 43013/014 being used.
30/05 'Hire' HST set with power cars 43184 + 43007 returned on the 9S66 08.30
Penzance-Dundee.
31/05 Diversions were again taking place due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel
for engineering work. 67001 + 67019 (which had earlier been paired on the 6V53
Wembley-Avonmouth 'enterprise' freight) were used on the First/GW 2O67 09.09
Temple Meads-Weymouth and 2V67 16.58 return. Actually on the day, the return
working for the top n'tail Class 67 operation was the 2O72 17.30
Weymouth-Bristol, due to an inward First/GW Weymouth service being cancelled and
the late arrival of the Class 67 driver at Weymouth! A second Saturday of Arriva
XC HST 'hire' took place involving the following power cars working the
following services 1C02/1E46-43312+43120. 1V29/1M28-43095+43314.
1E47-43105+43035. 1V49-43007+43184.
Gloucester
05/05 37401 + 37417 powered a Pathfinder's 'S & C Explorer' (1Z67 05.28
Swindon-Carlisle and 15.56 return) via Kemble and Stroud. 47769 worked 0Z47
Derby-Taunton via Kemble, Swindon (reverse), Melksham and Westbury, the loco
failing on arrival at Taunton! 47812 arrived light-engine the following day to
cover a route learning Taunton-Fishguard light-engine run.
06/05 31601 + 31106 top n'tailed a 1Z11 Derby-Eastleigh Serco test train via
Kemble and Swindon.
08/05 Advenza 57006 was on the 6Z72 10.25 Stockton-Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded
scrap (departing at 11.05). The booked passing times for Gloucester and Chepstow
being 18.45 and 19.20 respectively.
13/05 57006 worked a further 6Z72 Stockton scrap working passing Cheltenham at
17.31.
15/05 57005 hauled 47309 from Gloucester-Cardiff Tidal light, the two then going
forward (the Class 47 'dit') as 16.25 with scrap empties to Stockton. 57006 was
on a 5Z46 14.20 Brush Loughborough-Landore power car move (as far as Gloucester)
with barrier coach 6348 and 43025.
17/05 Royal 67005 was on a Victoria-Worcester Snow Hill VSOE working via Swindon
(12.10) and the Stroud Valley with coaches;- 99545, Lucille, Ibis, Gwen, Cygnus,
Perseus, Pheonix, Audrey, Ione, Zena, Vera, 6313.
21/05 47818 was on a 5Z46 Brush Loughborough-Landore HST stock move.
Portbury Branch Line
03/05 FLHH continue to stable a coal wagon set in the docks area over the
weekend.
21/05 66207 was noted stabled outside the 'control' cabin beneath the M5
motorway bridge light-engine, the loco later working the 6X52 17.27 loaded cars
to Washwood Heath (noted passing Parkway early at 17.26).
23/05 A thunderstorm affected the level crossing barriers at Ashton junction
which remained locked in the down position following the passage of a train
around 14.00.
31/05 66554 passed Abergavenny at 08.54 with the 6M55 (6Z70) Saturdays-only
06.19 Portbury-Rugeley loaded coal service.
Changes to headcodes for the FLHH Rugeley coal services took place during the
month with;- 6Z83 03.00 departure becoming 6M07, 6Z82 06.56 departure-6M55, 6Z70
08.25 departure-6M61 (from at least the 26/05), 6Z72, 10.35 departure-6M04.
Saturday Only; 6Z82 06.19 departure-6M55.
The recent series of EWS coal departures for Aberthaw finished during the middle
of the month.
Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included;- 66144/149.
66507/510/519/525/529. 66553/554/561/564/566/583/597/609.
Severn Beach Line
The Severn Beach line now has an enhanced service, a roughly 40 min frequency
due to the positioning of the passing areas and tails off after 18:00, the later
services being at 19:33, 20:34 and 22:15. The service to Severn Beach is roughly
2 hourly as previously all day daytime services 10:00 - 17:00 terminated at
Avonmouth. Saturday services follow a similar service pattern, train to Severn
Beach every 2 hours but some services during the day do not stop at Lawrence
Hill. Another milestone is the re-introduction of a Sunday service as far as
Avonmouth between 10:00 - 17:00 until 7/9/08, the first such regular service for
many, many ears. To mark this new services the Bristol Evening Post has printed
"Free Travel Tickets" for use on 1/6 and 8/6 to encourage usage or
novelty value at a may not be repeated timetable. Units used have comprised
Classes 143, 150, 153 & 158 to date in a variety of liveries including
Arriva and Silverlink.
Westbury
15/05 66527 on the return 6C66 Moorswater-Westbury was in trouble in the
reception sidings at the cement works during the early evening when two wagons
were derailed on the catch points protecting the mainline when the train moved
backwards. One wagon was reported as detached and down an embankment, the second
being off-track but still attached to the train. The mainline was unaffected and
remained open during the incident. The two damaged wagons were reported as still
present in the yard at the end of the month. The working on 15/06 was cancelled,
but normal service had resumed with 66610 on 19/05.
Units noted this period included
142029/030/070/083.
143603/611/612/617/618/620/621.
150121/127/213/219/221/229/230/231/232/233/234/238/239/243/244/246/247
150248/249/261/263/265/266/267/282.
153305/329/361/372/373/380/382.
158745/746/766/769/776/778/798/950/951/952/953/954/955/956.
159105.
220002/010/015/017/019/020/023/028/033/034.
221114/116/117/118/119/121/122/123/126/127/128/130/131/132/133/134/135
221136/137/138139/140/141.
LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge.
02/05 66423. 12/05 66541 15/05 66572. 16/05 66537. 21/05 66574 + 66578.
29/05 66541.
4V60 Calvert-Bath/Bristol BinLiner
01/05 66512. 02/05 66512. 06/05 66506. 09/05 66506. 16/05 66512.
19/05 66527. 23/05 66527. 27/05 66527. 30/05 66515.
6Z82 07.00 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. loaded coal.
01/05 66525. 02/05 66609. 07/05 66566. 08/05 66529. 09/05 66553.
14/05 66561. 15/05 66583. 16/05 66564.
6Z70 08.31 Portbury-Rugeley P.S. loaded coal
01/05 66507. 02/05 66507. 06/05 66507. 07/05 66507. 09/05 66510.
15/05 66529. 16/05 66529. 21/05 66553. 26/05 66554. 27/05 66597.
28/05 66597.
LOCAL EWS WORKINGS
6C01/6C02 Newport ADJ-Bristol East depot steel
02/05 66155. 06/05 66015. 07/05 66248. 09/05 66132. 16/05 66086.
19/05 66159. 21/05 66083. 22/05 66159. 23/05 60013.
28/05 66039 + 66187. 30/05 66115.
6B49/6B50 Newport ADJ-Swindon steel
02/05 66047. 09/05 66172. 16/05 66083. 20/05 60007. 23/05 66083.
30/05 66144.
6B13/6B47 Robeston - Westerleigh
01/05-03/05 60062. 07/06-10/05 60075. 12/05 60007. 21/05-22/05 60047.
6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties
01/05 60091. 03/05 60047. 06/05 60047. 08/05 60052. 10/05 60077.
17/05 60047. 22/05 60077. 27/05 60076.
6B83/6C83 Westbury-Machen-Westbury stone (T,Th (Q) SO)
01/05 66154. 10/05 60056. 17/05 60005. 20/05 59205. 22/05 59205.
29/05 59204.
6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental
13/05 60075. 15/05 66023. 21/05 66046. 27/05 66166. 29/05 66047.
4M20 Southampton Eastern dock - Castle Bromwich loaded cars
06/05 66019. 07/05 66112. 08/05 66112. 12/05 66019. 13/05 66019.
14/05 66165. 19/05 66040. 21/05 66040. 27/05 66009.
6C79/6B63 Parc Slip - Westbury loaded and empty coal
02/05 60034. 06/05 60047. 15/05 60055. 18/05 66187.
STOCK ALTERATIONS
Locomotives
Transfers
08466(OC)/466(MG)/495(TE)/500(ML)/514(TE)/538/578(BS)/605(ML)/630(MG)
08632(BS)/662(TE)/664/676(OC)/685(TE)/706/709(BS)/714(MG)/737(BS)
08752(MG)/757(OC)/770(MG)/782(BS)/798(ML)/799(TE)/802(BS)/804(OC)
08844(BS)/865/879(OC)/907(BS)/921(MG)/922(ML) - TO.
09001(MG)/005/006(OC)/013(MG)/014(TE)/017(MG)/019(OC)/022(BS) - TO.
09101/105(MG)/107(ML)/201(TE)-TO.
(It would appear that all EWS locos are to be allocated TO irrespective of
operational location)
31452/454/601(BH)-DF(RVLO), 66217/220 - France.
WNTS: 08512/709/775/765/783/842/854/909. 09003/013/024/103/205. 60030/048/090
WSSI: 08714/770 WSSN: 08994/995
WSEN EWS Euro Cargo Rail Shunting Locos 08738/939
Stored
08500/512/689/709/765/775/783/842/854/909/934/941. 09003/024/103/205.
60030/048/085/090.
AY: 09103. BS: 08709/775/842. DC: 08500/512/909/941.
EH: 08765. 09024. MG: 08854. 09003. ML: 08866.
OC: 08689/933/939.TE: 09205. TO: 08783. 60030/048/085/090.
WB: 08934. LNWR: 87007/008/026.
Traffic
08567 -TO(Didcot), 08623/701/742/776 -TO, 08951 -TO(Margam)
08993 -TO, 08994 -TO(Hams Hall). 08995 -TO(Hoo Junc), 37229 -KM,
37264 -HQ(FAMT), 37275. 46045 -HQ(MBDL), 56311 -DF, 57010/012 -KM.
Withdrawn
08541. 37158. 47309.
Disposals
HNRC: 37158 @CS
T Thomson: 47309
EMR: 08541
Renumbered
D2991 - 07007 -HQ(MBDL)
43039 - 43239, 43099 - 43299
56057 - 56311 (RVLO)
Diesel Multiple Units
Transfers
150257(EX)-CF, 282(CF)-EX
158881/882(SA)-NM, 886/887(NM)-SA
Stored
180109
977968 @RU
Traffic
l18102 -OO
Renumbered & Reformed
150016 (52116 + 57212 + 57116), 116 - Disbanded
158955 (52747 + 57765 + 52765),
158956 (57749 + 57768 + 52768)
158957 (52749 + 57771 + 52771)
Electric Multiple Units
Stored
442404 -ZG, 2413 -BI
Withdrawn
70734(310049), 72508/644(8209), 72624/625/712(8313),
72641(8204), 76384(3536)
Disposals
Booth: 70734. 76384.
Ocean Beach Rly(NZ): 72508/624/625/644/712.
Dalton Transport, Thirsk: 72641
Renumbered
450050 - 550, 051 - 551, 052 - 552, 056 - 556
Coaching & NPCC Stock
Stored
BH: 1254. 3366/74. 6117/22/73. ZB: 11016. 12077/113. 44072.
LM: 1211/56. 3312. 5797. 5866. 5906/25/58/81. 6168. 9497.
9500/05/06
Traffic
10677 -HQ(MBCS), 16156 -HQ(MBCS), 80349/438 -WQ
Withdrawn
1208. 3299. 5914/67/68/75/88. 6005/25. 6152. 17086.
977.944/945/946/947
Disposals
Booth: 977.944/945/946/947
Thomson: 17086
Ocean Beach Rly(NZ): 1208. 3299. 5914/88
Toll Rail(NZ): 5967/68/75. 6005/25. 6182
FREIGHT REVIEW (By Pete Merry)
Once again, welcome to my little effort for this month. Firstly, may I say
how good it was to finally meet some of you at Newport a few weeks ago. It is
nice to put faces to names and voices and a very pleasant day it turned out to
be for me personally, as well as meeting you all, I managed to see three out of
my last four required Class 175/1 units! Luck or what! There was a little
freight including a return empty bogie Murco tanks service during the afternoon
which filled about five gaps in the two series of tanks - 88xxx and 89xxx! It
was a long time previous to that when I spent time at Newport station, Godfrey
Road was still in use as a stabling point and there wasn't a Platform 4! Now on
to this month's news and sightings. For those of you into Continental vehicles,
the Austatte twin flats in particular, two vehicles which were renumbered for
Italian use have been renumbered back - and have been noted in Britain. The two
concerned are 33.68.4909.777 (ex-31.83.4909.283) and 33.68.4909.308
(31.83.4909.589). The covered steel carrier vehicles being built at W. H. Davis,
coded JSA, in the 4100-4139 series are converted from the bogie
aggregate/ironstone tipplers (265xx and 266xx series). Prefixed VTG, the
following list gives their former identities: 4110 (ex-26621), 4111 (26669),
4112 (26564), 4113 (26671), 4114 (26665), 4115 (26674), 4116 (26616), 4117
(26614), 4118 (26642), 4119 (26632), 4120 (26595), 4121 (26588), 4122 (26605),
4123 (26744), 4124 (26568), 4135 (26661), 4136 (26685), 4137 (26637), 4138
(26592), 4139 (26752). Anyone who attended the recent Open Days at Long Marston
would not only have noted all the stored older vehicles on the site, but also
the new Lafarge Redland bogie cement tanks. The batch 12400-12447 (except 12401,
which was undergoing test running from the RTC at Derby) were all in situ at
Long Marston. On 9th June an earlier start at Rugby, due to a day off, saw a
busy evening in glorious weather. Services noted other than Freightliner
services began with the in-bound W. H. Malcolm service in the charge of 66423 (a
first-time sighting by me personally) with the following Austatte flats in tow:
33.68.4909.424/043/385/744/ 124/077/708/411/862/873/714, 33.68.4943.084/087/081.
The GBRf service to Hams Hall was next noted, in the charge of 66719, consisting
of: 650009/ 010/051/052/035/036/002/001, 630037/38/25/26/39/40/27/28, 640652/
651/ 657/658/625/626. The southbound Enterprise, hauled by 92030 with 90039
inside the loco, was made up of: 23.87.4333.070/040/054/057/039/ 027, 4376.009,
33.80.4741.141/149/138/137/147/143/148/146/139/157. Nice! Then 66423 was noted
heading back north with the following: 33.68.4909.763/
965/360/408/932/751/397/622/394/417/498/021, 33.68.4943.071. It was then
Fastline's 56311 (ex-56057) heading south with the following flats: 643020/ 019/
005/ 006/ 003/ 004/ 010/ 009/ 014/ 013/ 023/ 024/ 001/ 002/ 018/ 017, 93384,
93426. The Northampton-Bescot "kick-out" engineers' service was then
noted in the charge of 66168, hauling the following impressive consist: 394800/
4048/ 4665/ 4954/ 1061/ 4921/ 4366/ 4805/ 5266/ 4588/ 4247/ 4140/ 4799/ 6003/
4382/ 4157/ 4551/ 1533/ 6061/ 4022/ 4845/ 5086/ 4963/ 6080/ 4086/ 4293/ 5052/
1351/ 4517/ 4859/ 4376/ 6101/ 4573/ 6110/ 4929/ 4781/ 4935. The second W. H.
Malcolm service was then noted northbound with 66412 at the head. Consist being:
33.68.4909.864/ 409/ 485/ 429/ 595/ 471/ 661/ 757/ 702/ 300/ 568,
33.68.4943.079/ 066/ 085. Other freight services noted this particular visit
being hauled by the following locos: 90044, 66504, 66232, 90048, 86638+86632,
66013, 656417, 90028, 66540, 92002, 66576 and 66589. Also noted heading north
light engine coupled to 66415 was 47712 Pride of Carlisle looking rather
magnificent in the later Direct Rail Services livery complete with snowploughs.
Stone Blower 80208 was also noted. A week later at Nuneaton, a couple of
services worth a mention were, firstly, 66146 with the following engineers'
train: 394874/1292/1946/5251/5278/5152/4809
5369/4641/4027/4299/5209/6145/4386/4879/4021/6052/5313/4837/1405/1272/4280/5256/1288/5318/6091/4677/1258/4637/
4829/ 4527/ 4634/ 4618. Secondly, the northbound Enterprise with 92007 in charge
and 37401 attached had the following consist: 23.87.4375.052/037/028/031/004,
23.80.2929.012/ 018/045/008/023, 33.80.7894.038. Other services noted were
hauled by: 66128, 66159, 66145, 66412, 66414, 66573, 66532, 66603, 66578, 66540
and 66593. On 23rd June, at Rugby, amongst the regulars, the following
engineers' service was noted in the charge of 66101: 979501, 93613, 93716,
93710, 93730, 93731, 93714, 93713, 93715, 93171. A second engineers' service
with 66099 in charge consisted of the following: 29116, 29367, 500314, 500348,
29127, 503132, 29341, 29267, 29388, 29212, 29120, 29156, 29094, 29486, 29536,
29342, 29371. Other locos noted that night on passing services were: 66068,
66548, 60059(!), 66060, 92030, 66417, 66570, 66594, 66567, 66201, 66401, 66537.
The fuel train noted at Newport on 28th June, hauled by 60044, was:
89026/018/022/004/012/020/024/003/021/015/027, 85305/307/304/306/ 314/312/308,
88119/137, 78257. A quick snippet of Nuneaton on 30th June. It saw the first
sightings of the new Fastline class 66s. 66301 and 66303 had already been noted
by other people earlier in the day, but at Nuneaton that evening 66304 was noted
heading towards Leicester with the following consist:
37.70.6791.004/005/003/006/001/002/000/016/017/015/
013/012/014/009/008/007/010/011, 371055/051. The continental-registered vehicles
are the new Fastline coal hoppers (37.70.6791.000-028 having been delivered) and
the other two are hired-in GBRf coal hoppers. Apologies if its a bit long a
report this time - hope it's of interest. More next time.
MISCELLANEOUS
Stolen Steel
A man was due to appear in Bristol Crown Court during June charged with the
theft of 171 tonnes of rail, with a scrap value of £22,308 from alongside the
main Swindon- South Wales main line at Acton Turville, near Badminton. The
mainly 40 ft rail lengths were lifted by crane onto a waiting lorry nearby this
actually taking place when the line was still open.
Police Aid
100 personal digital assistants (PDAs) have been issued to Transport Police
throughout Wales and the South-West to help identify and check suspicious
persons and vehicles much quicker in relation to railway issues such as trespass
and vandalism. Over 1,350 of these units are now in use throughout the UK.
Road Movements
31/05 0-6-0T 'Thomas' blue-livery (with no face!) northbound M5, near Sedgemoor
Services at 10.50.
28/05 Industrial loco in 'Yeoman' livery (possibly an 0-6-0) on road low-loader
in Third Way, Avonmouth at 11.50 (the haulier could have been King's Lifts, who
have a depot at this location).
PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS
Avon Valley Railway (R.W.Giles) 03/05/08
Ex. Southampton docks shunter D2994 (07010) was noted in action on this diesel
running day with coaching stock; M3745 + M35255 + M25299 + WGP8808. The loco
will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in preservation during July with previous
spells on the Mid Hants and West Somerset Railways having been withdrawn by BR
in 1976. RSHN 7151/44 is currently the regularly used steam loco over the line.
Helston Preservation Society/Diesel Group (R.W.Giles) 13/05/08
A visit to Trevarno Gardens found track laid and work underway on a new station
with two sidings on the former Helston-Gwinear Road branch line track bed.
Digging machinery has been provided free of charge to the group. The location
where the work is taking place actually didnt have a station, being located
between the former Truthall Halt and Nancegollan sites. Ex. BR dmu; (50413) +
(56169) both in a 'cosmetic' green livery and unserviceable (moved from Gwinear
Road). Industrials;- (D2960) RH 395305/56 in a black livery and out of service.
D2959 (Shire Lodge) RH 327974/54 in green livery and serviceable.
Notes;- Both of the RH locos came from the Northampton Ironstone Trust (having
both arrived there during 1997), the former previously on the Foxfield Railway
from at least the late 1970s, whilst the latter having been previously at Great
Eastern Traction, Hardingham having before been in industrial use at British
Sugar, South Lynn.
Clifton Rocks Railway
Work on the funicular railway has restarted following a £15.5 million deal
involving the sale of the Avon Gorge Hotel between companies, where insurance,
covering persons working or visiting the underground site had lapsed. The first
public open day of the year to view work progress took place during the month.
Conoco/Esso, Bitumen Terminal, Cattewater, Plymouth (R.W.Giles)
17/05 The site was viewed on this date following the removal of the final eight
4-wheel TTA empties the previous day at 06.20 by 09101. The rail depot is to
close during July, the company having invested in a road lorry fleet instead of
replacing the life-expired tank wagons, to move the around 23,000 tonnes of
bitumen from Fawley to Plymouth, originally delivered twice weekly by EWS with
West Country depot fuel tanks. It is reported locally that supermarket chain
Tesco are interested in developing the location as a new bio-fuels depot, but
whether rail would feature remains to be seen. The Laira-Cattedown branchline
(via Plymouth Friary) will still remain open as far as Shapter's Way level
crossing to serve an EMR scrap metal depot. Surprisingly, the yard loco,
Hudswell Clarke (D1373/65) was only returned from a complete overhaul (including
repaint) during early 2007! Also, on the date of viewing roal/rail excavator BCL
644 was present.
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