NOTES AND NEWS

WEST COUNTRY AREA

Avonmouth

06/01 66175 was stabled at Hallen Marsh having arrived on the 6Z92 18.20 Middlesborough-Hallen Marsh (for Chittening Industrial estate) fertilisers. The train formed of VCA/VKA vans returns as 6Z91 18.07 Avonmouth-Middlesborough Dawson's sidings.

08/01 Bennett's coal sidings were double-booked! The location which only normally sees a single afternoon coal departure from M-F saw 66032 on the Foxton (dep 16.05) and 66 140 with the Rugby Cement Works loaded MEAs (on the latter) and HBA/HAA's on the former. 60076 worked the Acton MEA's.

10/01 66123 worked the Ru~by coal from Bennett's yard.

12/01 A quick visit at 20.00 saw pilot loco 08653, 60068 and 66240 with empty MGRs and 66249 waiting to depart with a rake of VGAs.

15/01 66153 was on the Acton coal service.

17/01 08653 returned to the area as local pilot taking over from 08896 Stephen Dent. 66024 worked the Rugby coals.

24/01 56037 arrived with the 6Z92 at 09.45 departing light.

29/01 66162 worked the 6M75 16.04 enterprise to Warrington formed with eight coal cripples and seven empty VKA fertiliser vans (some of which now regularly return north via this service).

30/01 56048 worked the 6Z91 Middlesborough fertiliser empties formed of 21 VKA's.

31/01 66191 was power for the Acton coals and 66166 headed the 6M75.

MGR Report locomotives seen during January;- 60003/005/006/011/014/034/037/052/068/071. 66026/032/033/034/037/074/134/140/143/151/162/173/187/191/223/ 226.

Bridgwater

08/01 Petfood continues to be delivered in VKA vans on the afternoon 6C91/6C92 trip from Avonmouth. 66164 departed at 12.07 with empties for Avonmouth having arrived light.

15/01 60094 Tryfan worked the trip in place of a Class 66. This is believed to be only the second Class 60 apperence on this duty.

17/01 66233 paesed Yatton just after 13.00 with 5 vans for Bridgwater.

22/01 66166 returned vans from Bridgwater at 12.41.

24/01 66048 worked 1 vans west passed Yatton at 13.41.

To ease congestion on the Henbury branchline (still operating as a single line), the trip (or Light-engine to collect the empties) now runs direct to Bridgwater from Newport. A notice on the wall in Bristol panel box instructs the signalman to phone Exeter when the 6C91 (or 0C92) passes Filton Junction so a shunter can be despatched from Exeter to Bridgwater by road to deal with the train.

Bristol Parkway

02/01 37712 passed down at 18.04 with empty MEAs.

04/01 An interesting evening for freight, 37667 arrived in the goods loop apparently light engine, and later 67004 arrived light engine from Barton Hill did a tour of the Parkway layout, then backed on to the front of 37667. This ensemble then left for South Wales and was the same type of consist as seen behind 60098 the day before. Other services noted were 60011 with mgr empties for Avonmouth, and from Avonmouth 66045 with a long rake of VGA vans, one or two labelled as carrying mineral water, this service was bound for Teeside. The Felixstowe liner was powered by 47150.

05/01 20311 and 20313 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks.

06/01 47376 Freightliner 1995 in rather grubby condition called with Pathfinder tours 'Power Porter' (1Z38 06.18 Manchester Piccadilly-Tower Colliery) running twenty minutes down. This tour had been postponed on a number of occasions during 2000, Fifoots freight branch being still not available. The coaching stock was provided by Riviera Trains former Valley lines 5365 Deborah and 5378 Sarah being in the formation behind the loco. 56007 had earlier headed the train between Manchester and Crewe 66212 worked the Saturday morning stone empties for Tytherington.

08/01 Class 47 night with 4 machines noted in action, 47703 with a Leeds service and 47741 with a southbound service both deputising for HSTs. 47744 with a postal service and 47358 with the Felixstowe liner. Freight services recorded were 66068 Tytherington - Battersea stone train, 66135 with VGAs from Avonmouth, 66025 the fuel empties to Fawley. 60052 noted with a Didcot bound mgr service.

09/01 First GW 180101, in a five coach formation but with no internal intermediate coach fittings, made it's debut in Bristol arriving at 23.50 in the down loop (closely following the 1B75 22.12 Paddington-Swansea HST). The set is still not allowed in platform lines and departed at 00.01 (10/01) for Swindon. The unit was booked to run from Old Oak Common to Swindon and onwards to Parkway (23.50-00.05), then returning to Parkway at 02.37-02.52 and 04.30-04.45 before the return to Swindon and Old Oak Common. This was to be the booked workings for the rest of the week the trials including some high speed running.

10/0l 180101 was again recorded between 23.50-00.12.

11/01 66023 passed at 00.20 with the Llandarcy-Thameshaven bitumen tanks. Later 20307 and 20312 worked the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks. Class 47s again noted on VT services, 47839 with a late running northbound service and 47741 heading south. In addition a variety of VT HST formations were noted ranging from 4 trailers to the full complement. (Such formations seen regularly throughout the month). RES services northbound slightly delayed following the earlier failure of 67007, assisted to Parkway by 67018 with a 4 PCV set in tow. The only freight this evening was the Felixstowe liner headed by 47295.

15/01 66134 and 66240 were paired on an up engineers train at 20.33. Interesting evening starting with coal workings, 60005 Didcot bound MGR and 60071 empties for Avonmouth, later 66039 worked through with mgr empties and headed for South Wales and five minutes later 66231 took empties to Avonmouth. In between time 66240 headed east with about six long wheel base wagons with 66134 dead on the rear of this formation, 66055 with the empty fuel tanks for Fawley. The Felixstowe liner did not run this evening as the train loco, 47292, had failed.

17/01 180101 made a daylight appearance working as 08.36 Old Oak Common-Bristol Parkway (10.39-11.05), then to Southall and return to Swindon (14.52-15.07) and back to Old Oak. This was to be the booked diagram for the rest of the week, it is not known if the unit had worked the previous day (Tuesday), but the Monday trip, although booked was cancelled. Afternoon freights saw 66189 with the East Depot-Hayes stone and 20306 and 20308 on the Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.

18/01 66005 noted at 19.30 with the late running Wembley freight service, 66082 worked the Teeside VGA train, 66161 with coal empties to Avonmouth followed by 60006 also with MGR empties. Felixstowe liner was worked by 47303.

19/01 37688 was noted shunting the down yard during the morning.

22/01 An unconfirmed report stated that 31110 Traction Magazine and 31207 worked the 6V56 20.18 Tbameshaven-Llandarcy bitumen tanks, into South Wales. Afternoon observations recorded back to back IC liviered HST power cars 43006 and 43166 heading north at 14.56. Are these the final two IC power cars left in service carrying this colour scheme? 47806 noted with a VT HST ECS, comprising 2 x MkII vehicles as barriers and in between were 3 x Buffet cars and a TS heading south and 47839 with a HST substitute service. From Avonmouth were 66220 with the Teeside VGAs and 66150 with the Tyne Yard boxes and to Avonmouth were 66148 and 60005 with mgr empties. The Fawley tanks and Felixstowe liner did not materialise this evening hinting at operational problems in South Wales.

25/01 Quietest evening of the month with only 60006 bound for Avonmouth and 60052 for Didcot with mgr services plus the Felixstowe liner behind 47224.

27/01 56111 was the rostered power for Pathfinders 'Mancunian Marauder' (06.45 Cardiff-Stockport, for Manchester).

29/01 47812 and stock recorded working southbound in lieu of HST. 60071 headed eastbound light engine having taken in a rake of mgr empties a full rake worked to Didcot behind 60037. Other MGR workings noted were 66184 empties to South Wales and 66174 empties to Avonmouth. 66164 worked the Fawley tanks and 47303 Felixstowe liner.

Bristol Temple Meads

05/01 Some afternoon London Paddington services were delayed following the discovery of a body on the track on the Bath side of Box tunnel.

06/01 66247 worked 6M68 Burngullow-Warrington china clay train.

08/01 66047 was on 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties.

11/01 47789 worked 11:17 Manchester-Bristol and 15:35 Bristol-Glasgow as far as Preston.

12/01 37688 worked a lunchtime Newport-Thingley junction rail train via Day's curve. The former MOD and latterly failed preservation site is now used as CWR welding site the first train of imported rail arriving on the 23/12/00.

13/01 47849 and 47709 were paired on the 1V35 06.05 Derby-Plymouth, 47709 then going on loan to First/GW to cover out of traffic 47s. 60006 Scunthorpe Steelmaster, in new Corus silver was present on Barton Hill depot.

15/01 60067 James Clerk Maxwell work the 6V70 08.57 Cliffe Vale-St. Blazey freight formed of 15 wagons.

16/01 60062 Samuel Johnson worked the 6v70. 47701 Waverley powered the 17.30 Taunton-Leeds service. 66042 worked 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties.

17/01 During the late morning Barton Hill depot held 08402, 67004/007(booked afternoon TPO empties to Cardiff)/009/017/021/023.

18/01 The Class 47 hauling the 1V35 06.05 Derby-Plymouth suffered seized brakes near Yatton at around 08.45. Having slowly moved on to the station passengers were transferred to a First Great Western train from Paddington to Newton Abbot.

22/01 58024 worked a Newport-Thingley Junction rail train via Day's curve. 60041 later worked the 6V70.

23/01 66182 worked 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties.

24/01 47843 worked 1V65 15:50 Newcastle-Plymouth with a full Virgin West Coast rake of coaches, including a DVT!

27/01 66193 worked 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties.

29/01 60059 Swinden Dalesman and 66072 were paired on 6Y70 the 66 being switched off. The train was seen leaving Bristol at 15.16.

31/01 66009 worked 6V41 Irvine-Burngullow china clay empties.

Bristol Area New Freight Flows

Two new freight workings: 6ZB8 01.45 Port Clarence - Westerleigh 6Z40 16.05 Westerleigh - Port Clarence 6Z92 18.20 Middlesborough - Hallen Marsh 6Z91 18.07 Hallen Marsh - Middlesborough

The latter working is expected to soon run with a portion for Haversfordwest, which will be split from the Avonmouth portion at Newport.

Bristol St.Phillips Marsh

Fire-fighters from Temple Back station were called to the First Great Western depot during the early afternoon of 15/01 when a train mechanic's arm became trapped between a cooling motor and panelling on a HST power car. Due to restricted space, outside panelling from the power car had to be removed to reach him. The man recovered in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, suffering minor injuries following restricted circulation in his arm.

Bristol Area Engineering Activity

30/12 - 02/01 Track repair work in the Keynsham area closed the mainline between Bristol arid Bath between 17.00 (30/12) and 05.45 on 02/01. First Great Western services were diverted via Bristol Parkway, with a shuttle operating between Swindon, Chippenham and Bath.

27/01 - 31/01 The Wales & West Severn Beach branchline was closed between Shirehampton and Severn Beach whilst Railtrack undertook track upgrading programme to unable freight traffic to return to the branch whilst repairs to Charlton tunnel on the Henbury line are carried out. A bus service operated from Shirehampton to Severn Beach whilst work was underway, which saw sleeper replacement work at Avonmouth, Sea Mills and Montpelier with track strengthening near Avonmouth dock level crossing. 10 paths have been made available for Didcot-Avonmouth MGR empties, daylight passing times at Clifton Down of four 10:16, 11:58, 14:28 and 16:59. Only empty trains have been permitted to run over the line because of weight restrictions on two bridges at Sea Mills and Cheltenham Road.

Problems in Charlton tunnel have been ongoing since the brach was redoubled in 1992-93, this being due to subsidence and drainage problems. A time consuming pilotman/ticket system has been in operation since mid November, between Filton West Junction

Charfield

South Gloucestershire council have issued a progress report on plans to reopen the station closed in the 1960s on the Bristol-Birmingham mainline. The campaign to open the stations for passenger use has been gaining much interest over the past two years. A survey in the village showed a split over the prospect of a new park and ride station for commuters most being concerned over extra road traffic during the morning and evening peak travel times. However people living in the surrounding villages were in favour of a new station. Railtrack have no objections on the station reopening but funding will have to come from the South Gloucestershire Council and Gloucestershire County Council who has a scheme to reopen the station within the next five years. An environmental study is to be carried out to investigate the affect the station would have on the community and surrounding countryside.

Portishead Branch

Work commenced towards the end of December 2000 towards the reopening of the branchline from Parson's Street Junction to Pill and Royal Portbury Dock following the £15 million Government and £6 million private investment. A Jarvis road-rail unit in flail mode was active during the first week of January, being joined by a second machine noted on track relaying in the gorge (near the Clifton Bridge station site on 08/01). A site office and stores area been set on the former Ashton Meadows yard area where only the loop line of the Bristol Harbour railway remains (the security fencing actually crosses the line actually crosses the line with no gaps!). Additional problems have been encountered with with work on the branch including flooding in Ham Green tunnel and a landslide in the gorge in Leigh Woods-which did not affect the track but had to be checked be engineers. The line is expected to reopen at the beginning of December. Road rail Jarvis machines noted during January were R832DUB, S604LUG and S605LUG. Over on the Severn Beach branchline during the freight upgrade work at the end of January four BCL Service machines were in use, two being identified as 005 and 019. Hughes 749 was present at Hallen Marsh on 17/01.

St. Blazey

16/01 Locomotives present included 60067. 66021/042/126/200. 67020.

Swindon

A new stone terminal is under construction behind the former locomotive stabling point. The location is to be known as Hawksworth and operated by Hanson.

Avon to Calvert Binliner

This month's sightings are as follows:

02/01 66118. 09/01 66118. 13/01 66118. 18/01 66118. 22/01 66209. 24/01 66118. 25/01 66118. 29/01 66209.

Locomotives and Units

Class 47 Count TO 47741/747/750/805/812/839/840/843/845/848/849. CD 47575/737/744/757/762. Hire 47701/709.

Class 67 Count 67003/004/006/007/009/015/017/018/019/021/023/028.

Units Noted During the Month 143610/612/614/618/619/620/621/622. 150219/221/234/236/239/240/241/242/244/246/247/249/261/265/266/267. 153312/318/355/370/373. 158745/816/817/818/819/823/824/826/829/831/832/833/834/839/863/864/ 865/867/868/871.

Postal Sets Noted

4s (PCV)

94308 94204 94138 94307
94318 94116 94114 94321
94342 94196 94175 94322
94338 94117 94103 94309
94306 94202 94108 94334
94339 94137 94132 94337
94343 94215 94174 94305
94317 94224 94100 94316

4s (BG)

94510 94229 94213 94512
94504 94199 94101 94528
94442 94177 94445 94429
94465 94195 94216 94434

5s

94471 94126 94200 94441 94530
94527 94538 94508 94449 94515
94454 94102 94217 94433 94536
94474 94121 94180 94119 94511
94501 94112 94170 94225 94444
94496 94133 94155 94203 94537
94485 94193 94146 94118 94462

SOUTH WALES AREA

Cardiff Central

03/01 37418 worked the 2R38 16:50 to Rhymney hauling 4854, 5278, 4876, 35513. These are ex North Wales coast coaches, owned by HSBC Rail and all in Regional Railways livery. 4854/76 are Mk1s, the first regular use of these vehicles in South Wales for many years (and probably the last!). Their interior condition can be described as grim, with dirty upholstery, poor heating and water leaking from one of the toilets on 4854. 35513 is a BFK which carries labels warning that a supplement will be charged for passengers with standard class tickets! 66502 was at Pengam. and 66157 worked 6V14 07:30 Hull-Baglan Bay acetic acid tanks. 158859 worked the 14:55 to Nottingham.

05/01 66179 worked 6Z79 Cardiff-Carlisle Yard enterprise service and 66244 6V14. 66517 was at Pengam. 170631 worked the 15:50 to Nottingham and a mixed 170 comprising 50635 and 50509 worked the 17:05. The unit number on 50635 had the last three numbers taped over and 509 stuck below it. 37412 worked 2F06 07:44 from Rhymney and 37418 2V07 07:23 Rhymney-Radyr.

06/01 66523 was at Pengam.

07/01 66029 worked the 6M82 Margam-Hardendale limestone empties.

08/01 37668 made a surprise appearance on 6V14! 66231 worked 6Z79 with 37427 DIT. 66503 was at Pengam.

09/01 66525 was diagrammed to work 4S81 18.20 Pengam-Coatbridge but was replaced by 47152/302. 66009 worked 6Z79. 37418 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42 17:11 to Rhymney.

10/01 158956 worked the 15:00 to Nottingham and 170514 the 12:44 from Nottingham. 37418 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42.

11/01 37412 worked 2F06 and 37418 2V07. In the evening, 37412 appeared on 2R38 but 2R42 was worked by 37419.

12/01 60073, 66143/166/187 were noted at Canton and 57006, 66525 at Pengam. 37419 worked 2V07 and 2R38 whilst 37412 did 2F06 and 2R42.

15/01 158954 worked the 11:44 from Nottingham. 37412 worked 2R38 and 37428 2R42.

16/01 150251 worked the 07:30 to Portsmouth and 158857 the 07:40 to Nottingham. 57004 and 66501 were at Pengam. 37412 worked 2V07 and 2R38 whilst 37428 did 2F06 and 2R42. 66202 worked 6Z79.

17/01 37412 hauled 2F06. 37428 failed with defective brakes at Radyr on 2V07 after running around the train.

18/01 37428 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42. 66219 was on 6Z79.

19/01 37412 worked 2R38 and 37428 2R42. 66525 was at Pengam.

22/01 37428 worked 2R38 hauling 4866, 4849, 4880, 35516, all Mk1s except for the last coach (a Mk2 BFK). 4866 had no luggage racks and arrived at Cardiff Central from Canton with steamed up windows, suggesting there was damp inside the vehicle converted to air-borne moisture by the ETH, which condensed on the cold windows. 37412 worked 2R42. 66502 was at Pengam. 66102 was on 6Z79.

23/01 37428 hauled 2V07 and 37412 2F06.

24/01 37428 worked 2V07 and 2R38 whilst 37412 did 2F06 and 2R42.

25/01 66519 was at Pengam. 66070 worked 6V23 Hardendale-Margam limestone, 66103 Cardiff-Mossend enterprise and 66022 did 6Z79. 37428 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42.

26/01 37428 worked 2R38 and 37412 did 2V07 and 2R42. 66170 worked 6V23 and 66051 6Z79.

29/01 66513 was at Pengam. 37428 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42.

30/01 158847 worked the 07:40 to Lincoln. 66153 was on 6Z79 and 66143 on 6V14. 47303 was at Pengam and 66513 worked 4S81.

31/01 37428 worked 2R38 and 37412 2R42. 57012 and 66514 were at Pengam. 66108 did 6V14. 26038 was moved by road on a low loader from Sheffield to Cardiff Cathays, having been privately purchased by Tom Clift, the M.D. of Cardiff Railway Company.

Cardiff Canton

Cardiff Canton was viewed on several occasions during the month and the following observations were made:-

07/01 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/414/898, 37901/904. 47365/739/770/782. 60094. 66005/025.

14/01 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/414/419, 37898/901/904.47292/365/770/782. 56120. 60014/023/073/075. 66162/166/219/222.

21/01 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/412/414, 37428/898/901/904. 47365/770/782. 60024. 66032/045/053/169/510. 67029.

28/01 08493/756/801/819/955. 37185/222/225/229/264/403/406/419/428, 37898/901/904. 47365/770/782. 60044/061/062/066/071/073/082. 66173/176/200/220. 67007.

Cardiff Tidal Sidings

During the month the following observations were made.

07/01 08752/854/951. 14/01 08466/481/651/752/854. 21/01 08466/651/752/770/951. 28/01 08752/854.

Newport

02/01 At 19.50 Godfrey Rd contained 37712.66005/128/184/202/205/231.

03/01 66005/089/128/205 were at Godfrey Road. 66041/092/115/155 were on MGRs 66193 was on an enterprise working and 66216 on stone.

04/01 37520 worked 6G83 Worcester-Llanwern via Chepstow.

05/01 37427 worked a Llanwern-Worcester trip and 37520 did 6B22 ADJ-Swansea and return before working onto Godfrey Road to join 37427, 60008/014, 66032/061/207/208. 60046 was on iron ore, 66517 worked west at 15:55, 66083 was on a MGR and 60077 took Murco tanks west at 16:45. 150267 worked the 17:30 Cardiff-Portsmouth Harbour. Also noted were 66077/083/128.

06/01 A 1Z38 Manchester Piccadilly-Tower Colliery railtour arrived in Platform 1 at 11:25 with 47376 hauling 5378 Sarah, 5365 Deborah, 5009, 4927, 5040, 4963, 1863, 21272, 3112, 3140, 3098, 6310. 60023 worked off Godfrey Road, attached to the rear and the train departed at 11:50. Also on Godfrey Road were 60008/032, 66010/032/048/083/128/175. 158956 worked the 10:55 Cardiff-Nottingham, 158857 did the 09:17 Birmingham-Cardiff and 158958 (working as a two car unit with just the vehicles from 158797) worked the 06:58 Sleaford-Cardiff. 60007 was on iron ore and 66036 on coal.

07/01 Godfrey Road contained 37427. 60032/073/098. 66010/028/063/ 128/135/164/184/240. at 20:00

08/01 60008, 66028/128/172/215 were at Godfrey Road. 60046 was on iron ore and 47358 worked a freightliner east. 60032/035 were on empty steel trains, 66010 on empty bogie bolsters and 66187 on MGR. 60098 worked an empty ASW scrap train east and 60014 worked l.e. west. 66029 was on the 6V23 Hardendale-Margam limestone. 153320 worked 19:15 Birmingham-Cardiff in place of the normal W&W 158.

09/01 66048 worked a short steel train into Newport Docks and 66028/067/208 were on MGRs. 60023 took Murco tanks west and 66143 Ferrywagons east. 60045 was on iron ore and 66195 took a freightliner west! 60077 was on a steel train and 60035 worked l.e. east. 60032/094, 66032/046/055/134/143/159/187/202/210/215 visited Godfrey Road. 158852 worked 11:44 Nottingham-Cardiff, 158857 the 15:00 Cardiff-Nottingham and 170503 the 12:44 Nottingham-Cardiff

10/01 37668 arrived Godfrey road 1035 light from the east

12/01 09017 and 66138 were at ADJ at 16:30. 60023 passed east on a steel train. 60010 was on iron ore. 37668, 66036/055/156/208/222 were at Godfrey Road at 16:45. Also noted were 09105/107. 37668. 60007/010/031/035/069/073/098. 66055/066/077/156/162/166/207/208.

16/01 66162/207/214/249 were at Godfrey Road at 22:30.

18/01 66062/134/154/191 were at Godfrey Road at 18:30 whilst 66005 passed on freight.

19/01 170521 worked the 06:54 Worcester-Cardiff. 60023 hauled Murco tanks west at 17:40, whilst 66017/134/173/191/200/222 were at Godfrey Road. Also noted were 09105/107. 47292. 60010/021/022. 66010/013/053/116/119/162/166/169/205/245/249.

23/01 66032/033/134/154/173/215/249 were on MGRs, 66056/107/189/190 on Enterprise services, 66207 on oil tanks and 66138 on stone hoppers. 66510 worked light engine east. 66068/084/162/170/190/191 were at Godfrey Road.

27/01 37429, 66039/053/060/121/162/190/215 were at Godfrey Road at 23:00.

28/01 At 19.00 Godfery Road held 37429. 60058.66013/039/078/136/154/ 157/162/223.

30/01 56048, 66013/039/129/145/154/215 were at Godfrey Road. 66157 worked 7B47 Machen-ADJ. 66001/033/060/078/136/145/186/192/220/223 were on MGRs. 66162 hauled 6M75 Avonmouth-Warrington via ADJ.

31/01 37419 worked 7B48 ADJ-Machen and 7B50 return. 37429, 66001/006/154/193/220 were at Godfrey Road at 22:30.

The following units were noted at Newport during the month: -

143601/614/618/623. 150232/241/243/244/247/251/266. 153318/370. 156410. 158746/783/815/816/817/820/821/825/827/828/837/839/842/843/846/852/ 856/858/864/ 865/867/870/951/957. 170638.

STOCK ALTERATIONS

Locomotives

Transfers

08822(PM)-OC, 20189(CP)-ES o/l, 37057/114/116(CD)-OC, 37372(OC)-CD, 37379(OC)-ML, 37503/520/521(TO)-CD, 37669/670(TO)-ML, 37682/684/688/694/695/698(TO)-CD.

HNRL-DRS: 20016/057/066/073/081/092/132/138 33002/023/029/053/057/203/205/207 DFGM: 66503/504/523/524/524. DFRT: 66511/512/513/514/515/516/517/518/519/602/603/604/605/606. DFHH: 66521/522.

Store

31420. 37051/055/109/203/219/509/513/516/517/518/673/676/677/678/ 37679/680/685/689/692/893. 47052. 73205.

AY(WRD): 37518/679. BS: 37678. LH: 60085. CB: 47309. CP: 86213/228. CD: 37219/893. 47052. DD: 37051/375/413. EH: 37055/203. LR: 37109. LT: 20016/057/073/132/138. OC: 31420. SP: 47328/536/576. TE: 37516/517/673/676/677/680/685/689/692.

On Decision

31420. 37051/055/109/203/219/516/517/518/673/676/677/678/679/680/685/689 37689/692/893.

Component Recovery

37414. 73105/114.

Traffic

01553 (Ex 12082) -BH, 07001 -BH, 33108 -TM, 08506 -OC, 08891 -FS(AN), 73005/906 -BD.

Withdrawn

37334/341/344. 47362.

Disposals

CRDC: 47362. TJ Thomson: 08731*/826*. M Darnell, Manchester: 08773*.

* Corrections to previously published information.

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers

142084/095(NL)-HT.

Stored

53228. 51189/463/496. 101678 (51210 + 53746). 101684 (51187 + 51509).

Traffic

55003 -RL.

Formations

101653 (51426 + 54358).

Withdrawn

141101/105/106/112/113/116. 55518/538. (To Cotswold Rail)

Electric Multiple Units

Stored

308154. 8209. 8311/13. 9104/06. EM: 310057. NL: 308154. PC: 334003. WD: 4588007/08/09. SS: 357.017/018. Car. 75879. (S): 8209. 8311/13/14/18/19. 9104/06.

Traffic

310051 -EM.

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

4849/54/76/80-CF, 4939-ZA, 5002-BN , 5275-CP, 5278-CF 5307/50/64/65/78 6320 17077/086-CP 35513/515/516/518-CF, 80217-NY.

HSBC - Riviera Trains: 5275. 5307/50/64/65/78. 17077/17086.

Store

2903/05/06. 3228/29/44. 5309/31/35/86/89. 5420. 9480/92. 10327. 35517. CP: 3268. 5389. 5420. CS: 21266/268 OO: 3228/29/44. 9480/92. SS: 5629. 5711/15. 92194/939. ZC: 10327. ZD: 10662. ZN: 2903/05/06. 1 10669/677/695/721.

Traffic

7183 -HQ.

Withdrawn

3065. 5010. 5272. 6347/51/56/57/90. 9424. 17054. 18416/750. 93197. 99302/717/821/971.

Disposals

Raxstar (Scrap): 9424. 17054. 18416/750. (HSBC), 5010. 5272.(Riviera). Hound Inn, Arlecdon, Cumbria: 3065. Private Purchase: 6390. Chinnor & Princes Risborough RA: 93197. Cotswold Rail: 10664/667/669/676/677/681/694/695/698/721.

Codes

HNRS Harry Needle Railroad Company, Stored Locos WNWX EWS, Mainliine Locos - For Major Repairs MOLO RT Rail Tours Ltd, Class 08 (Locos off Hire, not MOTO) ES - Embsay Steam Railway

NEW STOCK

16/01 170302/304 were on the carriage washer line at Salisbury at 10:00 whilst 170304 was at Basingstoke on a Reading-Brighton service. The SWT livery looks good on these units. 460003 was at Victoria operating GatEx services.

25/01 175101 was noticed on test from Chester depot as a two car unit, with no seating fitted. In service that day were 175003/005/007/008/010/011/104/105/107/108/110. Chester is the best place to see these units, as some work Chester-Manchester services and do not pass along the North Wales coast or via Crewe.

27/01 170301/302/304/306/307/308 were at Salisbury depot and 170303/305 working Reading-Brighton services.

30/01 458008 was at Basingstoke and 458001/005/012/013/014 at Wimbledon. 357035/038 were individually working off-peak services at Fenchurch Street, trying to accumulate fault free mileage without risking mass disruption to the commuter peak in the event of a failure. 357041 was noted at East Ham depot.

31/01 465005 was operating Gatwick Express services, which were reduced to a half-hourly frequency due to capacity problems following a landslide adjacent to the line near Gatwick.

Preservation & Industrial Matters

Avon Valley Railway (28/01) R.W.Giles

A ceremony took place during the early afternoon for former BR Class 07 D2994, back into service following a complete overhaul and repaint. The loco was then used to haul a private 'Heritage Railway Association' dinning special over the railway's southern extension to the River Boyd bridge in top n'tail mode with long term loan '1F' 41708. D2994 is to be fitted with a cab nameplate 'Archie' after the locos' owner, the 07 also seeing use in preservation on the West Somerset Railway and the Mid Hants Railway following withdrawal from Eastleigh depot in October 1976. The 'Steam & Cuisine' dinning train was formed. 35255 + 1933 + 3745 Ruth + 9208 Grace, the latter coach being named after former committee member Dave Cole's mother who with Brian Cole celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary during 2000 - Grace being unaware she was to travel for a meal in a coach named after her! Other passenger stock present at Bitton:- Bay siding; 4035 'home of the Bitton Bears', 34111, 99153. Goods shed siding; E2599. DS70244, both in use as staff accommodation coaches. Restoration yard; E13231 under restoration. Signalbox siding; ADS5319 (35174), ADS3305 (3815) both stored. A recent arrival is 12 ton internal-user van 024531. During December 2000 more than 10,000 passenger visited the Railway to travel on the Santa Specials, mainly in the hands of 41708, this being a record figure for this time of year. The fall of snow at the end of December was another added bonus

West Somerset Railway

The HST special planned for 29/12 did not run due the lack of bookings.

Future Local Railtours & Special Workings

07/03 VSOE diesel hauled from Victoria-Bath/Bristol.

10/03 The Bristolian. Colchester-Bristol and return steam hauled by 4936 Kinlet Hall & 4965 Rood Ashton Hall- (from and return to Didcot).

14/03 VSOE steam hauled (35028 Clan Line) from Victoria-Bath/Bristol.

17/03 Exmoor Coast Express. 5029 Nunnery Castle from Birmingham-Minehead.

21/03 VSOE diesel-hauled from Victoria-Bath/Bristol.

24/03 Dorset Mariner 2. Rerun of April 2000 tour to Hamworthy/Frzebrook from the North with Class 66 haulage outward and back via. Day's curve.

24/03 Northern Belle VSOE trip to/from Bath. Probably Class 47 hauled.

24/03 Clan Line Farewell. 35028 last outing prior to ten year boiler exam. London-Exeter and return via Weston-super-Mare and Bristol.

31/03 Spinning Top. Postponed from November last year. Birmingham International-Newport (via Southampton/Westbury) with Class 59/2, 66 and 67 haulage.

31/03 The Bristolian. Ashford-Bristol (and return) steam-hauled by 4936 Kinlet Hall+4965 Rood Ashton Hall (from and return to Didcot).

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