NOTES AND NEWS
WEST COUNTRY AREA
Avonmouth
01/05
Royal 67006 + 67015 were noted stabled in the loco servicing point during the
early afternoon. 66078 was visible being loaded at West
02/05
As reported in last month’s Magazine the new imported Irish stone flow has
commenced. Running as 6C63 11.16 Westbury-Avonmouth and 6C64 17.07 return the
first loaded train actually departed at 16.40 using JNA former Network-Rail
green bogie box wagons behind 66233.
05/05
66233 was again on the Avonmouth stone service the train’s eventual
destination being Merehead. 66172 was on the 6M41 Radcliffe coal service formed
of only seven HTA wagons.
09/05
66231 worked the Avonmouth stone service.
10/05
66233 made a third appearance on the Avonmouth stone but on this date Hanson JHA
hoppers were noted in use, the train load being destined for Theale.
16/05
The Avonmouth stone was booked to run T,W,FO this week but today’s working was
cancelled.
17/05
66046 was on the Avonmouth stone formed with 9 Hanson JHA hoppers destined for
Theale.
19/05
66177 with 16 JNA boxes formed the loaded Avonmouth-Westbury stone service. Coal
loading was suspended at the Bulk Handling terminal during the day due to high
winds.
20/05
66095 + 66186 were noted running light-engine away from Avonmouth at 11.20,
presumably heading for Barton Hill depot.
23/05
66221 was noted at Hallen Marsh junction at 15.17 with an early running Westbury
stone service. This was the only booked day of operation for this train during
this week.
24/05
The CAR brakevan B955172 used for propelling movements to the Chittening
Industrial estate was noted out of use in the wagon cripple siding.
Locos
recorded on coal duty during the month included;-
66033/078/104/108/121/123/125/130/133/141. 66156/172/186/212/216/230/232/243.
09003 continues as the area shunting pilot.
22/04
The outward Railway Touring company’s
02/05
37425 worked back to South Wales via the overnight 6V30 22.27 (Tues)
Dagenham-Bridgend car parts, the loco working a Machen ballast trip on 03/05 and
the 6M75 Newport-Warrington freight later in the day, returning back over night.
60084 was on the 6B13 Robeston loaded fuel tanks at Westerleigh.
04/05
60028 was on the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties and 60035 worked 6B33
Theale-Robeston fuel empties. 66557 headed a 6Z60 11.31 Angerstein
Wharf-Pengam stone empties. Two MGR workings seen this evening 66194
with
a loaded train from Avonmouth and 66161 with empties heading for Portbury. Also
seen was 66557 heading eastbound light engine.
05/05
60084 passed around 16.00 on 6B33 12.20 Theale-Robeston fuel empties.
06/05
60028 was again on the 6C23
09/05
66530 worked an afternoon 6Z11 Thorney Mill-Pengam empty stone train.
08/05
Three MGR workings seen this evening, 66212 with a loaded train from Portbury
heading for the Midlands and two empties from the
10/05
33103 with saloon coach DB975025 Caroline returned to the area running 2Z01
08.30 Crewe-Paddington via the
11/05
Morning observations saw 66186 pass on Cardiff Tidal-Swindon empty scrap MBAs (Pilning
09.45) and 57010 on the 4O51 Wentloog-Millbrook container service. 60032 was on
the 6B33 Theal fuel tank empties later in the day.
12/05
60019 worked the afternoon 6B33 Theale-Robeston fuel tank empties.
13/05
For the FA Cup final at the Cardiff Millenium stadium between
15/05
Between 15:00 and 20:00 the following were noted on freights
66003/033/061/085/095/123/133/141/159/186/198/216/232 67013
21/05
Another Cardiff Millennium football event, the Leeds v
22/05
60044 was over at Westerleigh on the 6B13 loaded fuel tanks from Robeston and
60030 worked the 6B33 Theale fuel empties. Another reasonable evening with three
freights, 66008 empty MGR bound for Portbury, 66016 loaded MGR from Avonmouth to
Didcot and 66056 empty MGR heading for Avonmouth.
23/05
Just a couple of workings this evening, firstly 66605 noted light engine heading
for South Wales and 66222 with MGR empties for Avonmouth.
24/05
60044 was at Westerleigh on the 6B13 Robeston loaded fuel tanks.
25/05
66099 worked the 6C23 Hayes-East Usk stone empties, more often a Class 60 duty.
26/05
Three workings to report this evening starting with 66222 working a loaded MGR
from Avonmouth to Didcot, followed by the NR HST using power cars 43014/154 and
66201 with MGR empties heading for South Wales.
30/05
An 0Z66 14.10 Newport docks-Carlisle move was formed 66403 with newly delivered
66411 + 66412 + 66413, but did not depart to 15.00, the booked Parkway time
being 15.23, however the locos were further delay and passed around 17.40! A
Newport docks-Didcot loaded coal service was the cause of the ‘local’ delay,
66004 being noted passing Patchway ‘wrong-line’ at 14.30, returning around
16.30 hauling 66043 and train which had failed in the Patchway tunnel area.
01/05
66510 and 66514 were stabled on
20/04
Correction to last Month’s Magazine; (under this date)......with 43041 + 43042
and return 0Z74 with (from the opposite page, under 29/04)......43152 + 43161
(noted passing near Yatton at 16.28).
01/05
31601 passed through the area around 09.45 on the 0Z31 08.44 (m-f) Exeter-Exeter
(via
03/05
The return Birmingham NS-Exeter driver route learning trip, with 31601 was noted
running around an hour down at
04/05
37425 was a popular choice for the 6C01 Newport ADJ-Bristol East depot loaded
steel and 6C02 return. The train, loaded to 8 wagons was recorded passing
Pilning at 10.30 inward and the return empties at 13.45 passing Dr.Day’s
junction.
05/05
Back to more normal power for the 6C01/6C02
06/05
67027 was on a 1Z65 07.09 Birmingham International-Par and 1Z73 return
‘Edenex’ excursion, however a Pastime Rail ‘
08/05
A DRS driver route learning trip (0Z47 01.47 Crewe-Plymouth) working was
cancelled. 66086 was on the 6C01/6C02
09/05
20307 + 20313 were paired on the 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe flasks.
10/05
As reported under Bristol Parkway & Westerleigh Notes, 33103 with saloon
975025 Caroline headed west as 2Z02 14.35 Paddington-Exeter, leaving the London
terminus at 15.48 (73 minutes late) and was noted passing Nailsea at 18.49, the
Class 33 propelling the saloon. The train returned north via Westbury during the
following day. Earlier 67013 had worked a VSOE special to and from
11/05
37425 made a rare West Country visit on an extra 6Z11 09.55 Cardiff Tidal
sidings-Exeter (Riverside) train of 10 slurry tanks, providing an ‘old’ look
view of the former 6S55 Burngullow-Irvine silver bullets which started off with
pairs and single Class 37 hauling power in the mid-eighties! The train was noted
passing Yatton at 11.44, the loco returning passed here at 14.53 as 0Z11 13.03
12/05
West Coast Rail 47826 + 57601 top n’tailed a 5Z33 10.21 Carnforth-Temple Meads
ECS noted passing Wickwar not far off time at 17.25. On the freight side during
the day, 66089 was on the 6C01 Bristol steel, 66233 worked the morning 6B65
Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental and 66093 was on the 6C79 Parc Slip-Westbury
cement works loaded coal.
13/05
66510/552/581 were stabled on
16/05
The Network-Rail HST set worked 1Z20 05.50 Derby-Plymouth and 1Z21 15.53
Plymouth-Derby for the unveiling of the I.K.Brunel Engineer 1859 wording on the
Royal Albert, River Tamar bridge on the Devon/Cornwall border. The lettering had
been partially covered by walk-ways for many years, NR repositioning these as
part of the Brunel 200th Anniversay celebrations. The HST, with only power car
43062 being identified called in at St.Phillips Marsh for fuel en-route and was
reversed due to late running at Liskeard instead of Par in
18/05
Cotswold-Rail’s 47810 + 47813, having worked a 5Z90 11.10 Bicester-Laira stock
move via Westbury (with 41168, 40401, 42108, 42094, 42093, 42092, 44076, 44100)
the previous day, headed a St.Phillips Marsh-Derby working formed with 40437,
40231, 42259, and Cotswold owned 10235 and 12014 acting as barrier coaches.
19/05
31128 was on an 0Z31 12.05 Exeter-Exeter driver route learning trip via
Westbury, Bath, Bristol Parkway, Oxford, returning via Temple Meads and
Bridgwater.
20/05
A Kingfisher Tours ‘S & D outing feturing steam 34067 Tangmere was
cancelled. During the evening a return Pastime Rail ‘
21/05
66025 returned a 1Z66 12.30 Truro-Victoria VSOE via
22/05
37029 ran 0Z48 09.30 Crewe-Plymouth DRS driver route learner, this was the
working originally planned to run on 08/05. Cotswold 47818 was reported to have
run light-engine to Didcot to collect a failed First/GW HST set. On the freight
side, 60047 was on the 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental and 66119 powered
the 6C79 Parc Slip-Westbury cement works loaded coal.
23/05
20309 + 37606 were paired on 6M67 Bridgwater-Crewe nuclear flasks and 60047
headed a 6C83 12.20 Machen-Westbury stone service. 47818 was involved in a
further First/GW stock move hauling former, now unbranded, GNER HST power cars
43078 + 43198 as 5Z02 12.00 Long Marston-Laira. The two power cars were actually
at Evesham when collected by the Class 47, the train reaching
24/05
60047 was again on the morning 6B65 Westbury-Newport ADJ departmental service
via Day’s curve.
25/05
60047 headed the 6B65 again leaving Westbury for
26/05
31601 and a failed 31128 passed Nailsea at 20.27 on an 0Z31 northbound driver
route learning trip.
27/05
Hired in by Virgin, cross country HSTs were again the order of the day, and are
set to return for Saturday’s 03/06 and from 01/07-02/09 during the summer
timetable. Today’s trains and working power cars were as follows;- 1C02 07.35
Temple Meads-Paignton/1E46 10.22 Paignton-Newcastle (GNER 43045 + 43049), 1V29
07.24 Manchester-Newquay/1M28 15.22 Newquay-Manchester (MML 43104 + 43056) ,
1V49 09.41 Newcastle-Newquay /2C75 19.15 Newquay-Plymouth (MML 43081 + 43051)
and 2C34 06.51 Plymouth-Newquay/1E47 09.40 Newquay-Newcastle (MML 43066 +
43064). The 1C02 is again as in previous years, booked to run via Westbury to
30/05
Cotswold’s 47714 + 47813 hauled HST power cars 43086, 43159 and 43193 from
Gloucester-Laira returning on a 5B08 15.45 Laira-Gloucester stock move. 60076
was on an afternoon Newport ADJ-Westbury departmental.
31/05
EWS silver 67029 stood in for the unavailable steam 34067 Tangmere on a
Victoria-Bristol TM and 16.04 return VSOE outing. 60047 worked the 6C79 Parc
Slip-Westbury loaded coal service.
16/05
St.Blazey was viewed, with 08994. 09016. 66025 being visible. 09019 was present
in the nearby freight sidings. 66002 was at Par station between 13.40-13.47
running round the 6C11(TO)
29/05
Pastime Rail operated a series of
Gloucestershire
03/05
Blue/grey liveried one-car DMU 960014 (977893) was recorded north of
05/05
A Class 50 ran Cardiff-Gloucester and return on a driver training trip.
09/05
47810 hauled 87004 + 87010 + 87013 + 87014 from Oxley-Gloucester for store at
Long Marston, going forward to here on 11/05.
13/05
37411 and 37425 top n’tailed a 19.05 Gloucester-Cardiff and 20.30 return FA
Cup final shuttle with coaches 5965, 6013, 6035, 9521.
20/05
A proposed Cotswold-Rail HST trip from Gloucester-Weymouth (via Kemble and
Portbury
Branchline
01/05
60057 was seen heading north near
03/05
66149 worked 6X52 16.30 Portbury-Washwood Heath loaded cars.
04/05
The 6F92 East Usk-Portbury coal empties were worked by 66140 with 66043 in
charge of this train on the following day and 66198 on the day after that.
09/05
Three Channel tunnel ‘trial’ automotive trains operated during the month as
6X64 16.30 (TO) Portbury-Dollands Moor conveying around 200 Honda cars using two
tier IPA Wincar wagons for mainland Europe. 66046 was in charge of the day’s
train, which was the first, being noted at Ashton junction just before 17.00.
17/05
66133 powered the 6X52 Washwood Heath loaded cars.
21/05
66147 was seen at Ashton junction at 20.28 with loaded coal HTAs. The day being
a Sunday, seemed unusual but investigations found there are currently two booked
Sunday evening workings the details being;- 6V09 13.36 Crewe-Portbury (17.38)
returning loaded as 6M02 19.07 Portbury-Fiddlers Ferry and 6V17 14.28 Crewe-Portbury
(20.19) departing loaded as 6M12 22.10 Portbury-Fiddlers Ferry.
23/05
The third Channel Tunnel car train was noted in the hands of 66122 (the second
working which took place on 16/05 ran with an unidentified Class 66).
The
coal terminal remains busy with daytime workings during the month being;- 6M04
09.20 (M-S) Portbury-Rugeley, 6Z72 08.00 Rugeley-Portbury (14.12) and 6Z42 16.00
Portbury-Rugeley. Whether or not work on a new coal loading siding in the
terminal is underway remains unconfirmed, but a road/rail excavator has been
noted near the dock gates on a couple of occasions so far this year.
Locos
recorded on coal duty during the month have included;-
66004/043/125/130/140/147/151/182/198/237.
Units noted during
the month included
143603/611/612/617/618/619/620/621.
150219/230/233/238/240/241/243/246/247/249/251/253/254/263/264/265.
153302/369//372/373/374/377/380.
158741/745/746/747/751/792/794/796/855/863/867/870/871/872/962/963/964
180105.
220001/003/005/006/007/009/013/015/016/018/022/026/027/029/031.
221103/104/108/109/110/113/114/115/119/120/121/123/124/125/126/127/132
221133/134/136/138/139/140/141.
Note*;-
158964 was formed 57816 + 52815 + 57815 with 158815 being displayed on one end.
05/05
37425 was still in the
07/05
Stabled on
10/05 66552
& 66557 top and tailed a mixed Network Rail train including old concrete
sleepers on a Reading to Margam working at 05:20
13/05
The FA Cup final produced seven class 67 hauled specials as follows passing
through between 11:00 and 13:00.
67018 1Z20
67005 1Z17 08-00
67014 1Z47 08-15 Crewe –
67025 1Z28 08-45
67012 1V75 08-32 Newton-le-Willows –
67021 1Z22
67006 1Z26 09-42 Paddington –
37411
and 37425 with 50031 and 50049 top n’tailed passenger shuttle trains for the
FA Cup final, the Class 50 coaching stock in use being; 5869, 5976, 6162, 9509.
20/05
37415 and 50049, 47815 and 47839 top and tailed shuttles between
25/05
47805 with a rake of MKII coaches as 5Z20 Crewe –
26/05
66611 ran light engine from Crewe to Tidal, before working the 6Z98 Tidal –
Beeston empty scrap, this service runs via Shrewsbury.
27/05
Godfrey Road LHS closed today, the last locos to leave were 66043 and 66099
which left at 18:00 heading to the new stabling point at Alexandra Dock
Junction. The new stabling point is in the V between the docks branch and the
main yard, with new offices at the
28/05
The access point to
29/05 The
new DRS class 66s were unloaded from M.V. Daniella between 09:00 and 11:20.
66403 was in attendance as shunting loco after arriving light from
30/05
66403 hauled 66411/412/413 to Carlisle Kingmoor as 0Z66 from Newport Docks
passing through
LOCAL
FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS
03/05 66552. 11/05 66510. 15/05 66552. 19/05 66514.
4V50/4O51
02/05 57005. 03/05 57010. 04/05 57005. 08/05 66502. 09/05 57010.
10/05 57009. 11/05 57010. 12/05 57009. 15/05 57001. 16/05 57009.
26/05 57011. 30/05 66536.
4V08
03/05 66517. 12/05 66516.
LOCAL
EWS WORKINGS
6B13
Robeston - Westerleigh
02/05
60038. 03/05 60084. 09/05 60051. 10/05 60051. 11/05 60080.
16/05
60046. 19/05 60046. 24/05 60044. 26/05 60003. 30/05 60080.
6M33
16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley
Locos
recorded on the 6M33 16.23 (SX) Avonmouth-Wembley ‘enterprise’ freight have
included;-
05/05
67006 + 67015. 08/05 67006 + 67015. 09/05 67006 + 67015.
10/05
67006 + 67015. 12/05 67005 + 67015. 15/05
67013.
18/05
67005 + 67006. 19/05 67005 + 67006. 22/05
67013.
23/05
67013 + 67015.
Note;-
The appearance of both ‘Royal’ locos in the burgundy livery is a possible
first for a freight service.
Stock Alterations
Locomotives
Transfers
47840(OO)-GL
37419/427. 43197. 47365. 60036/049/057/083
GL: 47365. IM: 60036/049/083. KY: 37057/682. 47749/760.
LE: 43194.
LH: 56044. 43154/155/158. LM: 20088. 43078/197.
87004/010/013/014/021/025/027/030/033. LNWR: 47829. ML: 37427. OC: 58048. TD:
37419. TO: 60057.
Traffic
08359 –HQ, 08921 –TD, 37406 –ML, 56303 –RR, 60020-IM, 87006 –WB
Disposals:
Booth:
37686
HNRC:
47515/775 @CD
Ron
Hull: 86240.
Renumbered
56125 – 56303
New Stock
66411/412/413 -KM
Diesel Multiple
Units
Withdrawn
51506
Disposal
Booth:
51506
New Stock
185101/104/105/111/112/114/115/116/117/118 -AK
Electric
Multiple Units
Transfers
321407(NL)-BY, 423(BY)-NL
377124/141/142/147/152(BI)-SU, 401/404/434(SU)-BI
Stored
365531 4588014/22 @CJ
Withdrawn
76061/115/887
Disposals
Booth: 76061/115 (X1748)
Coaching &
NPCC Stock
Transfers
10563/588 -GL
Stored
BH: 92100. BS: 3416. 5928. GL: 42084/087. KI: 5944/66.
6028/37. 6174. 6805/08. 9713/12. LM: 10202/235. 11028/036/045/071/083/084.
12014/043/048/053/058/063/094/101/112/117/119/127/136/152/155. 82150.
99602/603/604/605/606/607/608/609. NC: 82104. OO: 5679. 5737. 6721/23/24.
9481/88/90. OY: 17172. 82134. ZD: 41085/086/160. 42302/303/304/305. 44068. ZI:
40436.
Traffic
5916/17. 6000/14/22/41. 6103/15/35/48 –CS, 94406 –ML.
11044/066/068/081/082/085/088/089/090/092/094/098/099/100. 12066/067/081/093/099.
12107/108/110/111/114/115/129/135/137/143/151/153/166/168/170/171
– NC.
Withdrawn
6801/02/03/10/12/14/15/18/19/22/26. 10677. 80324/325/332/333/334/340/343/348/366/372/376,
80381/383/384/393/406/413/416/421/425. 94102/114/119/140/174/193/212/215/223.
94448/456/461/464/465/466/469/473/475/477/478/516. 95715/739/749/762.
975653. 977934.
Disposals
Booth: 80324/325/332/333/340/343/348/366/372/376/381/383/384/406/416/421
80425. 94114/174/193. 94456/466. 95739/762. 977934.
TJ Thomson: 94119/140/212/215/223. 94448/461/464/465/469/473/475/477/478/51.
95715/749.
Rushden Historic Transport Society: 80334/413. 94102
Renumbered
11228 – 11322, 11233- 11422, 12535 - 11291.
Pool Codes
QETS Network Rail European Train Signalling 31102/200/319
Plant
& Track Machines
01-03/05 73805 noted in the old fish dock at
Newport
02-03/05 73111 77902 noted at
Danescombe
Pottery, Wood Cottage, Danescombe Valley, near Calstock (18/05)
R.W.Giles/F.J.Neate.
(S25
26) WR D6886/64 was located with a single wagon on a short section of track
outside a small shed on a riverside road. Between the loco’s location and the