NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

03/06 The 6C90 Newport ADJ - Avonmouth Chittening PBA trip/and 6C89 11:12 return, was worked by 66030, with 66130 (10/06) and 66043 (24/06) also being reported during the month. The working on the 24th was to be the last inward train for this freight flow.

11/06 FLHH continue to load stone at Bennett’s West Wharf siding. 66514 departed with a loaded working on this date being later reported arriving at Parkway at 14:53.

19/06 66200 arrived during the morning with an additional train of empty HTA coal wagons as a 4V31 working from Immingham.

29/06 66530 was on a West Wharf - Angerstein Wharf loaded stone working.

Although there were no daytime DBS coal workings loaded at this location for Didcot during June, 66044 and 66054 were both recorded on empty coal HTA trains. 66136 was on Aberthaw coal trains during the month

Bristol Parkway , Pilning and Westerleigh

01/06 The planned £3.00 parking ticket introduction at Patchway station was withdrawn after numerous objections.

02/06 66002 powered an additional 6Z98 09:14 Lindsey - Westerleigh fuel tank train arriving during the early evening.

03/06 The DBS managers train was back in the area with its usual hauling power, silver livered 67029.

Running as 5Z05 12:50 Toton - Exeter , the Class 67 leading the train to Derby , arriving at 13:10 (7 late). The working was later recorded passing Westerleigh junction at 15:40 (5 late) and Fiton Abbeywood at 15:47 (7 early). Also see Temple Meads , Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news regarding this working.

04/06 FLHH 66604 was on the Friday’s only 6M36 Westbury ‘La Farge’-Hope (Earles) sidings empty JPA tanks passing Pilning at 14:22.

06/06 Returning engineering trains included 66545 + 66618 top n’tailing 6Y13 12:30 Abbotswood junction - Westbury (via Gloucester , Lydney and a reverse at East Usk ). Another working, a 6Y11 was also reported to have run top n’tailed by 66616 + 66612, but no further details were known.

07/06 With the re-opening of the Bristol West (Railport) container depot, two up container trains were now booked to run close together through Parkway during the morning period. Today’s workings saw: 4O51 10:00 Wentlooge - Millbrook pass with 66539 at 10:50 followed by 66572 with the 4O24 11:00 Bristol West FLT (Railport) - Grain at 11:20 (carrying six containers only!), the latter being the first departure from the reopened container terminal. Later, 70006 was reported as stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings and 66204 was on the 6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores, a train that has not been sighted for sometime.

08/06 Colas 66842 was an unusual sight at Parkway on a 6Z66 05:00 Dolland’s Moor - Port Talbot train of 35 SNCF steel carrying wagons (IHA) arriving at 10:33 (3 late) and departing at 10:45 (2 early). During the evening, 31465 propelled a northbound test train through Parkway for Derby RTC at 20:56.

10/06 Some morning services were affected by a fatality in the Cam & Dursley station area. 66571 passed Parkway with the ex.Bristol Railport container service to an unconfirmed destination but only loaded with four containers!

11/06 66619 was on the 6M36 (FO) Westbury ‘La Farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) cement empties via Patchway and the Severn Tunnel.

12/06 Blue livered 66623 brought in the 6B11 Thorney Mill - Stoke Gifford stone empties during the late afternoon.

14/06 The 6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores ran again this time headed by 66207.

15/06 66623 was again reported in the area working 6A21 Pengam - Theale loaded stone in Pilning loop at 09:30.

16/06 Vintage Train’s ‘Red Dragon’ (1Z53 07:06 Solihull - Swansea and 1Z61 16:35 return) had three hauling steam locos during the day with 4965 Rood Ashton Hall + 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe between Birmingham and Oxford and 6201 Princess Elizabeth onwards and on the return 1Z61 to Oxford, the return being noted passing Winterbourne (near Parkway) at 19:01 (11 late). Green livered 47773 was attached to the rear. 70006 was stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings during the morning.

18/06 Blue livered 66623, which remained in the area until 21/06, brought in stone empties to Stoke Gifford at 16:34 from Theale. Earlier, the 6B33 Theale - Robeston fuel empties with 66213 were noted formed with EWS instead of Murco branded tank wagons.

19/06 Stoke Gifford sidings held the following locos during the morning: 66585/599/615/623. 70004. The diverted 4V46 11:15 (SO) Crewe Basford Hall yard - Wentlooge (due 17:32) containers was again routed via Hatton, Oxford , Swindon and Parkway during the afternoon behind 66567.

20/06 66559, 66623, 66603 and 70004 were stabled in Stoke Gifford sidings during the evening.

21/06 The 6B13 arrived late at it’s Westerleigh destination behind 60071 following dragging brakes on the second wagon in the Cardiff area en route. The working noted passing Maindee West at 11:07 well over an hour down. At least one service, the First/GW 1L48 09:28 Swansea - Paddington HST was diverted via the Vale of Glamorgan line and Barry because of the incident.

23/06 59104 passed Patchway at 16:01 (4 early) running as 0Z59 14:32 Cardiff Canton ( Pullman ) - Merehead quarry light-engine. 70004 later brought in 4V61 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties formed with 20 HHAs.

25/06 The 6M36 Westbury ‘La farge’ - Hope (Earles sidings) cement empties passed Stapledon Road at 14:10 behind 66610 and 66142 + 59202 + 66159 + 66005 unusually headed the 6C41 15:14 Newport ADJ - Westbury departmental. The Royal Train was also reported through the area earlier in the day passing Pilning at 11:42, top n’tailed by 67005 + 67006 with ECS c/stock: 2921, 2922, 2923, 2916, 2917, 2915, 2920 heading for Wolverton. The train had been reported through Newport earlier in the day at 03:30 heading westbound. At 20:15, Stoke Gifford sidings held: 66555, 66556, 66559, 66604, 66623, 66604 having arrived during the evening on 6Z18 Crawley - Stoke Gifford stone empties.

26/06 A 0Z98 14:00 Margam - Bescot light-engine move (due 19:00) was formed 66187 + 66137 + 66007 + 66065 + 66132 being recorded passing Severn Tunnel junction at 15:06 (9 early) and through the former Royal Mail platform at Parkway at 15:30 non stop. Only 70004 was stabled on the downside, 66623 + 66604 + 66659 had all departed light-engine earlier in the day.

27/06 Blue 66623 worked 6C58 18:07 Stoke Gifford - Burngullow empty sand boxes. Stabled in the yard area were: 66559 and 66599 with 70004 stabled on an east facing loaded coal train. Some returning PW workings during the day were as follows: 6Y11 09:10 Cheltenham Alstone loop - Taunton Fairwater top n’tailed with 66612 + 66616 (Filton Abbeywood 10:07), 6Y33 10:00 Ashchurch - Taunton Fairwater top n’tailed with 66556 + 66611 (Filton Abbeywood 11:08), 6Y34 11:00 Ashchurch - Westbury with 66555 (Filton Abbeywood 11:12) and 6Y12 09:07 Gloucester New yard junction - Westbury top n’tailed with 66623 + 66604.

28/06 66120 + 66159 were paired on the evening 6A29 17:52 Wentlooge - Didcot yard freight service.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

01/06 Shunt loco, Green livered 47815 was visible on Barton Hill during the morning, whilst later 142001 arrived as a 5Z76 19:25 Exeter - St. Phillips Marsh move, having been recorded passing Uphill junction at 19:50 (7 early) and Parson’s street at 19:23 (28 early). The month started with 67003 + 67018 and 57305 + 57308 on the First/GW loco and stock ‘hire’ passenger services.

02/06 Blue livered 31106 powered 4Z07 17:39 Exeter - Kingsland Road (Bristol East) having worked 4Z55 22:19 Plymouth - Exeter ( Riverside ) the previous day, formed with c/stock: 6262, 999606, 9702. Evening observations saw a late running 1Z17 17:30 Derby RTC - Old Oak Common (via Taunton) NRMT HST pass Yatton at 20:47, where a northbound 6Y33 ex. Taunton Fairwater departmental was also seen top n’tailed with 66599 + 66611. During the day, several Cardiff - Portsmouth First/GW services were noted in the hands of Class 150/2 units inplace of the normal Class 158/9s.

03/06 Silver EWS (DBS) livered 67029 headed west on a 5Z05 12:50 Toton - Exeter managers train ECS calling at Temple Meads from 16:00 (2 early) - 16:07 (1 late), passing Taunton at 17:08 (23 late) and arriving in Exeter at 17:40 (25 late). 31106 with its test train were observed as still stabled in Kingsland Road sidings at 20:15. The train worked to and from Swansea overnight during the following evening and was at some stage due to revisited South Wales and return north over the Central Wales line.

04/06 47815 was shunting the ‘Torbay Express’ coaches, again stabled on the up through line as in previous years. The formation was recorded as: 5350, 5040, 4927, 5009, 1692, 3122, 3112, 3110, 3110, 21272 (all in choc/cream livery), with green livered S5023 shunted into the former motorail bay as spare. The DBS Manager’s was active in the West Country before returning north. Running as 1Z05 06:50 Exeter St. Davids - Fowey, 5Z06 09:05 Fowey docks - St. Blazey, 5Z07 11:40 St. Blazey - Parkindillack, 1Z07 13:00 Parkindillack - Fowey docks and 1Z08 16:00 Fowey docks - Exeter St. Davids. the train then continued as 1Z08 18:30 Exeter - Toton passing near Highbridge at 19:14. Customs & Excise issue saw a second ‘first’ train cancellation (the first being on 01/06) at the new Bristol West (Railport) container depot. Site security, including fencing being the main concern. 66599 was on a 6Z86 10:18 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning move via Bristol and Bath .

05/06 Pathfinder’s ‘Powy’s Chugger’ (1Z59 07:12 Temple Meads - Newtown (Powys) via Bath and 1Z97 16:15 return) was worked out and back by 59202 to the Birmingham area for Class 92 and Class 97/3 (37) haulage later in the day’s itinerary. The 1Z97 returned to Temple Meads at 22:42 behind the Class 59/2, the c/stock being recorded as: 5276, 5322, 5292, 4998, 1863, 1699, 3121, 3147, 3141, 21245. Another passenger addition during the day was a Northern Belle dining 1Z11 06:15 Lincoln - Bath and 1Z12 16:24 return top n’tailed by Royal duo 67005 + 67006, running via Leamington Spa, Oxford, Swindon (noted at 11:25) and Bath (noted 11:51). The train was stabled in East depot loop, the c/stock being recorded at 12:25 as follows: 10734 Balmoral, 10729 Crewe, 17167, 325, 3275 Harlech, 3247 Chatsworth, 3182 Warwick, 3267 Belvoir, 1566, 3273 Alnwick, 3174 Glamis. 67003 worked the First/GW 2O72 09:09 Temple Meads - Weymouth and 2V67 16:55 ‘bucket & spade’ service solo leaving 67018 on Barton Hill depot. The GBRf ‘hire’ 5U89 Taunton - Cardiff Canton maintenance ECS move, top n’tailed with 57308 + 57305 departed Taunton at 11:40 being later noted in Temple Meads at 12:20. Two of the three Arriva XC HST diagrams were reported as follows: 43285 (XC01) 43366 - 1V47 07:58 Manchester - Paignton / 1M93 13:47 Paignton - Manchester and 43303 XC03 43384 - 2N00 08:35 Plymouth - Newquay / 1S47 09:27 Newquay - Edinburgh. The set working the 1V45 07:00 Manchester - Newquay / 1Z70 15:24 Newquay - Birmingham NS remained unidentified. On the freight side, 66572 worked into the new Bristol West Flt (Railport) site at 04:33 with the first working, the 4V26 ex. Grain (which had departed the previous evening) formed of 19 loaded and one empty container flats. The train was then unloaded during the morning period. Also, 66063 was reported on 6Z60 06:45 St. Blazey - Bescot downside formed of 9 china clay tank wagons being recorded in Yatton loop at 11:45 and arriving in Temple Meads at 12:10 (9 early). An afternoon engineers train report was 66612 + 66616 top n’tailing - 6Y11 15:12 Taunton Fairwater - Abbotswood junction (high output ballast cleaner).

06/06 57304 + 57305 worked the 5C04 Cardiff Canton - Taunton maintenance ECS run, whilst 67016 + 67017 arrived at Barton Hill from the Midlands during the evening to replace 67003 + 67018 on the First/GW loco and coaches ‘hire’ passenger services. 59202 returned the previous day’s railtour stock as 5Z59 12:00 Bristol East depot - Eastleigh passing Hick’s Gate, near Keynsham at 11:45.

07/06 57304 + 57305 continued on the GBRf First/GW ‘hire’, along with 67016 + 67017 on the DBS train (from this date until the 10/06). During the evening, 66616 + 66611 top n’tailing the 6Y11 Taunton Fairwater - Chosley engineers passed through the area, being noted at Bath at 19:52 and the Loram rail-grinding unit was reported in Bristol East depot during the day. The first departure from the Bristol West (Railport) terminal was with 66572 working 4O24 to Grain via Bristol Parkway leaving at 10:21 (49 early).

08/06 A 0Z49 10:32 Kidderminster (SVR) - Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) preserved diesel move passed through the area formed D444 + 50026 + D821 + D1062 being recorded at Standish junction at 12:15 (1 early), Parson’s Street 13:04 (3 late) and Uphill junction 13:33 (18 late). An evening 6Y11 high output ballast cleaner from Taunton Fairwater - Charfield was top n’tailed by 66616 + 66611. A following 6Y33 track replacement train, later in the evening was top n’tailed with 66612 + 66599.

09/06 Problems with the new signalling centre at Didcot, saw delays of up to 30 minutes during part of the day. Block working was apparently brought into use with only three trains an hour being allowed in the Reading direction. EWS/silver livered 67029 arrived on a 1Z82 VSOE working from Victoria and was assumed to have taken over from steam traction (but this was unconfirmed) at Westbury returning the 1Z83 to the same location later in the day. Further preserved diesel movements saw D444 + 50026 run 0O50 08:10 Bishop’s Lydeard - Eastleigh works (via Temple Meads, being booked here from 10:48 - 11:04) running early, later returning as 6V53 14:13 Eastleigh works - Cardiff Canton (actually leaving 113 early) hauling 37308 + NDA stores van 201056 passing Bath at 15:24 (51 early), then arriving in Bath loop at 15:27 and departing at 15:40, Filton at 16:13 and Newport at 16:37 (45 early!). The Class 37 was reported as carrying a light blue with masking tape livery!

10/06 66141 headed West on a 1Z99 03:30 Bescot - St. Blazey breakdown train move formed crane ADRC96710 + coaches 975611 + 975574 + 975613 (being reported as arriving at Bristol Parkway at 05:34 - 128 early), to rescue de-railed wagons in St. Blazey yard from the early hours of the 09/06, off the 6C99 service from Newport ADJ. An afternoon Steam Dream’s ‘Cathedral Express’ (1Z82 Victoria - Temple Meads and 1Z83 16:36 return) was noted passing Oldfield Park at Bath, towards Bristol at 12:50 headed by steam 6201 Princess Elizabeth (in place of the expected 60019 Bittern) with c/stock: 35471 (loco support), 5249, 5236, 5237, 1961, 99127, 99121, 9104, 13440, 5200, 5171, 5216.

11/06 66590 passed Dagenham dock at 23:19 (Thur) with the 4V30 23:00 Tilbury - Bristol West Flt (Railport) loaded containers, being later reported through Swindon at 12:21. There were problems for both the First/GW loco and coach operations involving unit substitutions! 150239 was on the 2C67 08:00 Cardiff -Paignton and 2U24 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff services as far as Temple Meads for 67016 + 67017 to take over from at 15:21. With 57304 failed at Taunton , 150221 ran empty to Highbridge to start the 2D04 07:28 Taunton - Parkway service from here at 07:48. The unit continued on the rest of the diagram throughout the day.

12/06 67016 + 67017 top n’tailed the Saturday’s 2O72/2V67 Weymouth diagram. 08822 arrived in Temple Meads at 20:38 to collect a HST set with power cars 43026 + 43161 from the down through. The power cars had failed in the Chippenham area with brake problems on 43026 whilst working the 1C30 16:30 Paddington - Temple Meads First/GW service. An evening 6W30 19:55 Eastleigh - Bridgwater part CWR train was routed via Salisbury , Westbury, Bath and Bristol behind 66057, the train returning as 07:55 Bridgwater - Eastleigh, via Taunton (run-round), Westbury (run-round) and Salisbury .

13/06 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked the ‘Torbay Express’ (1Z27 09:15 Bristol - Kingswear and 1Z28 16:42 return). The return 5C04 Cardiff Canton - Taunton GBRf ECS move top n’tailed with 57305 + 57304 was recorded in Temple Meads at 20:18 (109 late).

14/06 66501 was on the morning 4L32 Bristol West (Railport) - Tilbury container service. Another preserved diesel move to take place during the month was 0M50 09:48 Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) - Kidderminster (SVR), booked Temple Meads 10:48-11:05, formed: D444 + 50031 + D821 + D1062, recorded as passing Bridgwater at 09:27 (28 early), Stapleton Road 10:14 (60 early) and Yate 10:29 (60 early). D444 + 50031 had earlier in the day run Cardiff Canton - Bishop’s Lydeard light-engine leaving around 05:00. Loco hauled news found unit 150243 covering the First/GW Class 57/3 diagram due to further loco problems, although 57304 + 57305 (following more problems with 57304) were back in action to work the day’s 2U24 16:16 Taunton - Cardiff Central and 2C89 19:00 return. Freight reports for the day included: 66608 on 6Z20 09:41 Stoke Gifford - Newton Abbot (Hackney yard) cement arriving in Temple Meads at 09:23 (23 late) departing at 09:36 (5 early). This train later ran 13:05 Newton Abbot - Moorswater and 6C66 20:45 return to Westbury, a 6M41 16:11 Burngullow - Bescot with 66141 routed via Taunton, Castle Cary, Westbury, Bath and Day’s curve to Newport ADJ and the morning container arrival at Bristol Railport Flt (unconfirmed with 66536) was routed via Box and Bath due to PW work in the Parkway area, passing Temple Meads at 04:35. Also the Barton Hill out-based MPV unit worked 6Z05 19:40 Barton Hill - St. Blazey, passing Highbridge at 20:17. A steam working during the day was 6024 King Edward I on 5Z70 10:08 Barton Hill - Taunton with support coach W35333 + 5008 for GWR175 display at the station (also see Taunton Notes & News). The working passed Worle junction at 10:31.

15/06 The 4V26 Grain - Bristol Flt (Railport) having been reported through Wotton Bassett at 03:18, was noted in the terminal at 09:20 with 66536. 66501 was also present. The morning departure had been put back to 10:57 on this date due to the track work. The DBS loco-hauled train was top n’tailed by 67016 + 67017, whilst the GBRf operation was again in the hands of unit 150243! 57304 + 57305 were however on hand to work the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton service. One engineering train reports for the day saw: 66153 work the 6X65 (6B65) 10:16 Westbury - Newport ADJ which conveyed tilting track wagons (seen passing Severn Tunnel junction at 11:44 - 13 late).

16/06 With further problems on 57304, Arriva/Wales livered 150279 worked the 2D04 07:24 Taunton - Bristol Parkway service onwards from Temple Meads . The Class 57s, ran 5D04 Taunton - Cardiff ECS (with a reverse at Parkway) and returned as 19:00 Cardiff - Taunton , passing Cardiff Central at 19:05, following repair, 57304 leading! The morning departure from Bristol West Flt (Railport) was noted passing Parson’s Street at 11:10 headed by 66536 loaded with only two containers! Later, the 2M72 21:11 Exeter - Temple Meads local service was formed 153368 + 143617 + 150249, the Class 143 being destined for maintenance at St. Phillips Marsh.

17/06 66599 top n’tailing 66612 on a return 6Y33 track replacement train, were noted in Temple Meads at 05:33 heading for Taunton Fairwater. The Class 57 saga continued - 57304 yet again failed at Bishop’s Lydeard with a starting motor problem! 153368 worked the 2D04 07:28 Taunton - Bristol Parkway (from Temple Meads ) and 2Y10 09:12 to Weston-super-Mare . Possibly the ‘local workings of the year’ were to unfold, when the GBRf train was ready to depart Taunton as 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff formed with 57305 + Metronet livered 66721in top n’tail formation!! The Class 66/7 had arrived in Taunton on a 4L31 sleeper train from Peterborough earlier in the week with 66706. The 57 + 67 combination was to finish the day’s diagram, although the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton service was turned at Parkway due to a wheel-flat on 66721! Evening engineering train sightings near Nailsea saw: 66612 + 66558 top n’tail 6Y33 track replacement train (20:12) and 66616 + 66611 with 6Y11 high output ballast cleaner (20:43). Also during the evening, 150232 + 153368 + 153372 + 153329 formed the 2T50 22:28 Temple Meads - Gloucester First/GW service.

18/06 The Arriva XC 1S59 14:25 Plymouth - Edinburgh service was started from Temple Meads at 16:25 due to a stock availability problem. 57304 + 57305 were back in action, starting on the 2D04 07:28 Taunton - Cardiff (the first time since the 10/06 ! ), working the diagram onwards during the day arriving in Taunton at 16:04 for the 2U24 16:16 return to Cardiff which was however cancelled due to a wheel problem on coach 9520. Earlier, 66536 had departed Bristol West Flt (Railport) at 09:45 with 4L32 containers to Tilbury, later being recorded through Parkway at at 10:17 (3 early) and 66558 was on a 6Z86 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC wagon turning move via Bristol, Bath (noted at 11:33) and Westbury.

19/06 67017 worked the 2O72/2V67 Weymouth diagram ‘solo’. Later, the Railway Touring Company ‘ Bristol & Bath ’ (1Z83 06:52 Three Bridges - Cardiff and 1Z84 16:35 return) arrived behind steam 44871 having been noted passing Oldfield Park, Bath at 12:25. At Bristol West (Railport), at 08:35, 66536 was stabled at the far end of the facility with 66572 present at the Parson’s street end. A 6Y33 18:18 Taunton Fairwater - Abbotswood junction (track replacement train) working was top n’tailed by 66612 + 66558.

20/06 There was no ‘Torbay Express’ on this date and on the following Sunday. 57305 + 57309 returned the 5C04 Cardiff Canton - Taunton maintenance ECS move, arriving at it’s destination at 18:37. A return 6Y11 08:30 Stoke Works junction - Taunton Fairwater yard (hobc) was noted in Temple Meads at 19:06 (19 late), top n’tailed with 66616 + 66611. The train had run via the Stroud Valley , Kemble, with a reverse at Swindon (arrive 17:28), then via Chippenham and Bath .

21/06 An interesting Voyager move, which has not been previously reported is 5S71 05:40 Barton Hill - Bath (via a reverse at Parkway, a run via Day’s curve and wrong line into Bath) to form the 1S51 06:40 Bath - Edinburgh Waverley service. A departmental working reported was: 31106 (with DBSO 9714) on 4Z10 11:03 Derby RTC (Serco) - Laira TMD (due Temple Meads 16:08-16:10) but recorded as passing Yate at 14:32 (112 early) and Uphill junction ( Weston-super-Mare ) at 15:12 (91 early). The train then worked 4Z11 22:19 Laira - Exeter ( Riverside ) via Penzance (booked 01:10-01:55). 143612 + 142009 formed the regular daily 5U32 19:09 Exeter St. Davids - Temple Meads empty stock move and 66612 + 66611 top n’tailed the 6Y33 Taunton Fairwater - Chosley track replacement train.

22/06 Problems for 57308 + 57309 top n’tailing the 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central service on arrival in Cardiff at 13:22, resulted in 158950 working the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton and 2U24 16:16 Taunton -Cardiff, the Class 57s being back inaction for the 2C89 19:00 Cardiff - Taunton formed with 57309 + 57303 (in place of 57308), but was delayed at East Usk due to a line side fire, reaching Yatton at 21:33 (80 late). Freight reports were: 66536 on the morning 4L32 Bristol West (Railport) - Tilbury containers and 66009 on 6V69 (TO) Bescot - Plymouth (diverted away from Newport due to the East Usk fire) freight formed of 1 WIB cargowagon and 16 JIA clay wagons. 31106 returned north as 4Z10 13:45 Exeter - Temple Meads , passing Worle (Weston-super-Mare) early at 11:28, and being recorded in Temple Meads at 12:45. The train later formed 4Z11 Temple Meads - Swindon and return during the evening, passing Bathampton junction on the outward at 20:30.

23/06 57308 + 57309 worked the First/GW, GBRf First/GW ‘hire’ passenger diagram during the day. Glastonbury Pop Festival HST ‘reliefs’ ran as follows: 2Z30 09:48 Temple Meads - Castle Cary (via Taunton , reverse 10:20-10:30), 2Z31 12:48 Temple Meads - Castle Cary ( Taunton 13:20-13:38), 2Z32 15:48 Temple Meads - Castle Cary ( Taunton 16:20-16:30), 2Z33 18:48 Temple Meads - Castle Cary ( Taunton 19:32-19:39). All return workings off Castle Cary were ECS to Temple Meads via Westbury. A two hourly HST service was also operated by First/GW from Paddington at 09:15, 11:15 and 13:15 via Swindon, Melksham and Westbury, with the 1B48 15:15 Paddington - Cardiff HST and the 1C28 19:30 Paddington - Weston-super-Mare also being ‘diverted’ to call at Castle Cary, the Cardiff working returning ECS to Paddington via the B & H route. Also, during the day, First/GW unit 150127 returned from overhaul at Laira, a rumoured GWR175 choc/cream repaint having not taken place! Evening engineer workings included: 66556 + 66612 top n’tailing the 6Y33 (track replacement train) from Taunton Fairwater - Chosley. 66616 + 66611 were reported on the 6Y11 (HOBC) although this trains destination and route was unconfirmed. The return morning 6Y11 from the previous nights PW occupation had been earlier recorded as 04:00 Charfield - Taunton Fairwater, passing Parson’s street at 05:43 (39 late) with 66616 + 66611 in the usual top n’tail formation.

24/06 66611 + 66616 top n’tailed 6Y11 04:00 Charfield - Taunton Fairwater through Filton Abbeywood at 04:58 (15 late). Some morning delays were reported in and out of Paddington following the theft of 300 ft of signalling cable in the West Drayton area. More Class 57/3 problems, unbranded former DRS blue 66402 was drafted in (also, as with 66721, following arrival on a sleeper train from Peterborough earlier in the week) worked the 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central (departing 7 late) with 57309, following the failure of 57303 which with 57309, had reached Taunton on the 5Y10 ECS from Weston-super-Mare . The same combination continued the diagram, later being noted on the 2U24 16:16 Cardiff departure off Taunton , leaving 5 minutes late. On the freight side, 66536 passed Temple Meads at 10:04 on an up container train from Bristol West Flt (Railport). One evening engineer’s train report was 66556 + 66612 top n’tailing 6Y33 (hobc) through Temple Meads at 19:37, assumed destined for Chosley. Also, the Bristol based MPV DR98908 + DR98958 worked a 6Z05 20:50 Barton Hill - Barton Hill weed killing trip via Plymouth (02:10).

25/06 66402 + 57309 continued on the GBRf ‘hire’ diagram throughout the day. Steam 5029 Nunney Castle, was also reported in Bristol having arrived via Bath (noted here at 11:20) running as 5Z25 Didcot -Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) with support coach W35461, departing Temple Meads at 11:38 (8 early) for railtour duty from Exeter during the following day.

26/06 A railtour Saturday, with no less than four converging on Penzance for the ‘Mazey Day’ town celebrations. The two trains via Bristol were: 37218 + 37259 on Spitfire Tour’s ‘Kernow Explorer’ (1Z82 06:45 Gloucester - Penzance and 1Z83 17:28 return ) with c/stock: 99680, 99352, 99350, 99348, 3150, 3143, 99311, 9440, 4984, 99328, 5478, being recorded off Temple Meads at 07:42 (2 late) and 56311 + 56312 with Pathfinder Tour’s ‘Cornishman’ but carrying a ‘Gordon’s 50th Birthday’ headboard ? ! (1Z80 05:47 Tame Bridge - Penzance and 1Z81 16:13 return) with c/stock: 21245, 3141, 3146, 80041, 3144, 3098, 3107, 3121, 1863, 4902, 5276, 5292, departing Temple Meads at 08:15 (to time), but due to a Yatton loop stop, was recorded passing Uphill junction ( Weston-super-Mare ) at 08:44 (10 late). There were however, problems at Penzance, with a de-railed HST power car 43150 at Long Rock, blocking some of the sidings and later a gorse bush fire in a cutting at Paradise crossing near Truro which caused all sorts of problems for returning trains! Returning tour times in the Bristol area were as follows: 1Z81 (Hanson Class 56s) having left Penzance at the correct time, called Temple Meads at 22:12 - 22:13 (134 - 135 late!), passing Standish junction at 23:00 (121 late) and arriving at Thame Bridge at 00:54 (120 late). 1Z83 (DRS Class 37s) later calling Temple Meads from 23:41 - 23:43 (89 - 91 late) and passing Yate at 00:04 (91 late). Incidently, for the record, the other Penzance diesel tour, the Class 67 hauled UK Railtours ‘Mazey Day’ return routed via Westbury was reported through Somerton at 22:20 (71 late). Earlier in the day the 5U89 Taunton - Cardiff Canton GBRf maintenance ECS run departed Taunton at 14:32 formed with 66402 + 57303 top n’tailing 57309. An afternoon freight arrival in Bristol was 66576 had on an afternoon, additional container service from Felixstowe (4V30) at Bristol West Flt (Railport).

27/06 The return 5C04 Cardiff Canton - Taunton ECS maintenance move was top n’tailed with 57309 + 66402. A replacement loco move involving 57308 was booked as 0V57 14:18 Oxley - Cardiff , but was postponed until 28/06. Meanwhile, 57305 + 57304 + 57303 ran 0M57 Temple Meads - Oxley (via Swindon and Oxford ) being reported through Bathampton junction at 08:39 and Swindon at 09:02. Also another light move was 67016 as 0Z80 20:47 Wembley Euro Ops - Barton Hill. First/GW ‘hire’ passenger train coaching stock formations for use during the following week were recorded as follows: M6064 + M6008 + M6046 + 9494 (DBS Class 67s) and 9520, 5998, 6042, 5985 (GBRf Class 57s).

28/06 Steam Dreams return GWR 175 ‘Cornish Riviera’ (1Z31 09:02 Penzance - Temple Meads) passed Yatton at 15:10 doubled headed with 5029 Nunney Castle + 6024 King Edward I carrying a 175 reporting number. D1015 Western Champion had run as 0Z52 light-engine, also returning from the West Country just in front of the special. Following a break in Bristol , the main train continued as 1Z32 17:38 Temple Meads - Paddington which departed 20 late. Several line side fires were reported between Highbridge and Weston-super-Mare, spoiling an otherwise classic day run from Cornwall to the Capital steam hauled. 57309 + 66402 top n’tailed the days GBRf ‘hire’ diagram, the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton being noted dparting Yatton 38 minutes late. 66539 worked 4O24 11:00 Bristol West (Railport) - Grain containers.

29/06 57309 + 66402 continued on the Taunton diagram, until the 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff where the Class 57 worked this train solo to collect a second Class member, 57309 from Cardiff for the 2C79 16:00 Cardiff - Taunton service. 57308 however returned the 2C79 solo and was noted departing Temple Meads 25 minutes late as ECS to Taunton - 57309 had failed at Cardiff ! 66402 was re-attached to the rear for the rest of the days diagram from the 2U24 16:16 Taunton - Cardiff service. Meanwhile the Class 67s were also in trouble, 67016 suffering problems prior to departing Exeter on the 2C67 08:00 Cardiff - Paignton service departing 30 late, the rear loco 67017 having been attached to the front. The pair of 67s returned the 2U20 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff as booked, as far as Weston -super-Mare where the train was terminated running onwards as ECS to Bristol . A HST set, with power cars 43140 + 43016 later covered the 2C85 17:00 Cardiff - Taunton and 2M68 19:19 return to Bristol TM. On the freight side, 66539 worked the 4L32 11:00 Bristol West Flt (Railport) - Tilbury container service.

30/06 67024 worked a return 1O92 15:55 Bath - Victoria VSOE, having stabled at Bristol East and departed here as 5O92 15:40 Bristol East - Bath ECS. A fatality in the Twyford area recorded some late running First/GW HST services from the Capital during the evening period. Blue livered 66402 + 57309 ended the month working the GBRf First/GW local passenger ‘hire’ diagram, a decision having already been made in that this would be the final fortnight of operation due to constant Class 57/3 failures. A second DBS Class 67 top n’tail diagram was to be introduced from Monday 5th July. 66616 + 66612 passed Naileas at 20:42 northbound on a lengthy engineers (6Y11) ex Taunton Fairwater.

Gloucester

03/06 66136 ran 0B36 Didcot - Ashchurch light to collect nine empty flats.

11/06 DRS 66419 was on a 6Z90 Tyne yard - Cardiff Tidal loaded scrap service formed with 15 JXAs.

23/06 37423 + 37607 were paired on a 6M56 Berkeley - Crewe single nuclear FNA flask 550032.

25/06 37218 + 37259 arrived with ECS for a following day’s railtour to Penzance as 5Z82 ex. Carnforth (also see Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road notes & news).

26/06 EWS silver 67029 worked a return 1Z96 Worcester - Victoria VSOE, being recorded through Swindon at 19:25.

28/06 37667 + 37194 worked the 6V73/6M56 Crewe - Berkeley and return nuclear flask trip.

With current Government financial savings, the £50 million reserved for the re-doubling of the Swindon - Kemble line is to be used elsewhere. It is reported the money could be used on West Country road improvements including a new Kingskerswell by-pass between Newton Abbot and Torquay.

Newport

04/06 The 1Z20 Old Oak Commom - Derby RTC (via Swansea ) NRMT HST passed at 08:12 west bound with unidentified power cars.

05/06 A 0W01 Alexandra Dock Junction - Bescot light-engine move passed at 09:12 formed: 66100 + 66169 + 66030.

06/06 66081 + 66163 + 66169 + 66030 passed light-engine at 13:10 in the up direction.

12/06 A retimed 6M60 Exeter (Riverside) - Bescot downside freight (now booked to depart Newport at 08:35) was noted treble headed with 66018 + 66083 + 66024 (‘dit’). Later, at 09:40, 66119 passed on a 6Z44 train of scrap empties, believed to be a Mossend - Cardiff Tidal working.

15/06 60071 was on the overnight 6V19 Immingham - Margam freight service.

18/06 57315 was on the morning 1V31 Holyhead - Cardiff Arriva XC service.

26/06 A Northern Belle dining trip (1Z25 11:55 Neath - Cardiff via Barry, Parkway and Gloucester ) was top n’tailed by DBS livered 67018 and an unidentified class member.

28/06 DRS 37608 + 37423 ran 0Z68 Crewe - Cardiff Tidal sidings light-engine, returning a 6Z68 21:17 Cardiff Tidal - Tyne dock empty scrap working, standing in for an unavailable 66417.

Portbury Branchline

This location is expected to provide Uskmouth ( Newport ) power station with coal when this facility re-opens in the autumn. Two trains a day are expected to run, leaving Portbury at 04:55 (6Z50) and 11:48 (6Z51).

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included:

66558/599/618. 70004/006.

Taunton

16/06 Steam 6024 King Edward I with coaching stock W35333 (loco support) + 5008 were stabled in the west end bay platform as part of the town’s GWR 175 Celebrations.

18/06 6024 King Edward I worked 5Z72 13:06 Taunton Station - Bishop’s Lydeard (WSR) with the two display coaches, departing 40 minutes late.

19/06 A 1Z27 07:09 Paddington - Minehead GWR 175 special was worked throughout by preserved mainline Class 52, No. D1015 Western Champion, steam 6024 King Edward I returning the train as 1Z28 17:11 Minehead - Paddington.

26/06 67024 + 67016 were on a UK Railtours ‘Mazey Day’ special (1Z31 09:07 Paddington - Penzance ) with c/stock: 5343, 1813, 1683, 3119, 3097, 3069, 1691, 3068, 3066, 17015. Later, steam 6024 King Edward I arrived suffering problems on Steam Dream’s ‘Cornish Riviera’ (1Z28 09:07 Paddington - Penzance ), a further GWR 175 special. Having arrived in the West Country the previous day (and due to work the ‘ Riviera ’ trip between Par and Penzance), D1015 ran light-engine from Exeter to Taunton to assist, departing here at 13:58 over an hour down. Following arrival, 55 minutes late, the King was revived at Exeter (the reason given was possibly a batch of poor quality coal?) for 5029 Nunney Castle to be added (as booked) for the onward journey to Penzance , leaving here at 16:33 (40 late). The c/stock in use was as follows: W35461, W35333 (loco support coaches), 5171, 5200, 1840, 13440, 9104, 99121, 99127, 1961, 5237, 5236, 5249.

Weymouth

15/06 Following a period of 11 years out of traffic, DRS 37409 paired with 37423 reversed at Dorchester junction (actually not quite reaching Weymouth!), with a circular 2Z02 09:31 Willesden Brent - Waterloo, saloon move with DB975025 Caroline which had run outward via Westbury and Yeovil Pen Mill.

Units seen during the month

142001/009.
143603/611/612/617/618/619/620/621.
150121/127/219/221/232/233/234/239/243/246/249/263/267/278/279/281.
153368/369/370/372/377/372/382.
158749/763/767/769/798/950/954/956/957/959.
159101/104/107.
220003/005/012/014/016/019/021/031/032/034.
221120/121/124/125/127/131/132/133/135/136/137.

Arriva XC HST power cars: 43207/285/301/303/304/321/357/366/378/384.
SWT First/GW ‘hire’ units: 158880 (05/06), 158886 (15/06, 19/06), 158888 (03/06), 158890 (04/06).

 Stock Alterations

Locomotives

Transfers

08331(EC)-DY, 66190 - France , 66624 - Poland

DFTZ – 66544/546

ETLS – Electric Traction Locos – Stored 86424 –LM

GBCM – 66701/702/708/709

GBEE – GBRf Class 20 Hire Locos – 20301/302/304/305/308

GBET – GBRf Electric Traction – 92028/032/038/043/044 –CO

GBMU – GBRf Modified for Multiple Unit Moves – 66728-66732

GBRT – GBRf Restricted Use Locos

GBSD – GBRf RETB Fitted for Scottish Operations – 66723-66727

Stored

AY: 09103. CB: 20315. CE: 67011. CS: 37602.

TO: 08567/653/752/909. 09019. 60009/054/074/096.

RVEL: 08536/697. SE: 73202.

Traffic

08676 –TO ( Rugby ), 08703 –TO (Immingham),

20301/302/304/305 –CG (Tube stock moves plus 20308 As reserve loco),

33108 –HQ, 37409 –KM, 37685 –CS, 47488 –BH, 47765 –HQ, 60011 –TO,

90039. 92019 –CE.

Disposals

Glos & Warks: 08202/598 (Ex Potter’s)

Unconfirmed Sales

Ron Hull: 08397 Battlefield: 08528

South Devon : 09010 HNRC: 09003/018. 47761

Cl58 Group: 58016/045

EMR: 08418/485/538/540/543/577/651/689/872/884/920/953 09008/012/016 09103/104 37675/689/709/886 56041/053/055/062/072/085/088/093/099/100/102/108/110/111/119/127/129  58003/014/019/028

Diesel Multiple Units

Transfers

141113 –Weardale Railway

Electric Multiple Units

Transfers

313210/216(WN)-BI

325001-016(WB)-CE

377157-160(BI)-SU

Stored

1497/98 –BM, Cars 62378. 76740 (1392) - Southall

508203/205/208/210/211 – Telford

Traffic

321432 -IL

New Stock

378231/232 -NG

Coaching & NPCC Stock

Transfers

80042 -BH

Stored

KM: 1657. NC: 82104. OO: 40709/724/726/744

Traffic:

5700/10 –HT(GCBV)

Withdrawn

4925. 5005/37. 6357. 5536. 5944. 6174

Disposals

Booths: 5180. 5267. 5874. 5917. 6124/48. 6523. 99322.

West Somerset : 4946/96. 5008.

LOCAL FREIGHTLINER WORKINGS

4V50/4O51 Southampton - Wentlooge containers

01/06 66530. 02/06 66594. 03/06 66562. 04/06 66559. 07/06 66539.

08/06 66568. 09/06 66537. 10/06 66517. 11/06 66955. 21/06 66539.

21/06 66539. 22/06 66501. 23/06 66571. 24/06 66540. 25/06 66537.

28/06 66562 29/06 66536.

4V60 Calvert - Bristol Barrow Road binliner

01/06 66585. 04/06 66585. 07/06 66514. 14/06 66585. 15/06 66585.

16/05 66585. 18/06 66599. 22/06 66559. 25/06* 66555+66559. 29/06 66559.

Note: * Part of the day’s working was in a top n’tail formation - reason unknown.

6M61 08:26 Portbury - Rugeley P.S.

01-04/06 70006.  11/06 70006. 15/06 66618. 16/06 66618. 22/06 70004.

24/06 70004. 28-30/06 70004.  

6M04 10:50 Portbury - Rugeley P.S.

14/06 66558. 16/06 66558. 18/06 66618. 22/06 66599. 24/06 66599.

28/06 66599.

6A21 Wentlooge - Theale loaded stone

08/06 66545. 15/06 66623. 22/06 66603. 29/06 66555.

LOCAL DBS WORKINGS

6B13 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded fuel tanks

01-04/06 60039. 07/06 60039. 08/06 60039. 10/06 60039. 11/06 60039.

15/06 66013+66159. 16-18/06 60071. 19/06 60071. 21-25/06 60071.

28/06 60071. 29/06 66040. 30/06 66040.

6E41 Westerleigh - Lindsey fuel tank empties

02/06 60054. 05/06 60054 06/06 60054. 10/06 60040. 12/06 60040.

15/06 60010. 16/06 60010. 18/06 60010. 19/06 60010. 21/06 60010.

23/06 60010. 25/06 60010. 28/06 60010.

6B49/6B50 Llanwern - Swindon stores yard loaded steel (TFO)

01/06 66137. 04/06 66007. 08/06 66034. 11/06 66095. 15/06 66098.

18/06 66126. 22/06 66007. 25/06 66030.

6B33 Theale - Robeston fuel tank empties

01/06 66135+66136. 03/06 66039. 05/06 66109. 08/06 66030+66039.

11/06 66201. 15/06 66097. 17/06 66159+66238. 18/06 66213.

19/06 66039+66150. 25/06 66118. 29/06 66200.

6B83/(6C83)/6A83 Westbury - Machen-West Drayton ARC loaded stone

02/06 66157. 04/06 66151. 07/06 66004. 09/06 66005. 14/06 66110.

16/06 66110. 21/06 66043. 23/06 66013. 28/06 66142. 30/06 66152.

6V62 Eastleigh - Plymouth Tavistock yard fuel tanks (TO)

01/06 66125. 08/06 66057. 15/06 66232. 22/06 66004. 29/06 66084.

6X52 Portbury - Warrington/Mossend loaded and empty car carriers (TThO)

01/06 66155. 03/06 66054. 08/06 66054. 10/06 66118. 15/06 66060.

22/06 66148. 24/06 66024. 29/06 66141.

6V78 Dolland’s Moor - Margam export steel empties

01/06 66112. 02/06 66018. 05/06 66232. 08/06 66232. 09/06 66097.

12/06 66013. 19/06 66227. 22/06 66075. 23/06 66155. 26/06 66025.

29/06 66004. 30/06 66144.

6O78 Margam - Dolland’s Moor export steel

03/06 66174. 06/06 66232. 16/06 66007. 23/06 66017. 24/06 66058.

6B35 Hayes - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties

11/06 66066. 30/06 66178.

6B65 Westbury - Newport ADJ departmental

09/06 66091. 15/05* 66153. 16/06 66143. 17/06 66035. 24/06 66160.

29/06 66086 + 59202.

Note: * on this date ran as 6X65 conveying tilting track wagons.

6B59 Exeter ( Alphington Road ) - Cardiff Tidal sidings loaded scrap (ThO)

03/06 66162. 17/06 66180. 24/06 66030.

6L97 Port Talbot (Grange sidings) - Lea Interchange ( Camden ) loaded slag

02/06 66019. 29/06 66020.

6M60 02:25 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot downside (SO)

05/06 66085. 12/06 66018. 19/06 66063.

LOCAL DRS WORKINGS

6V74/6M67 Crewe - Bridgwater and return nuclear flasks

03/06 66426 + 66430.

Note: This was the first working reported from here since 14/04.

FREIGHT REVIEW

Hello, and welcome to a delayed Freight Review - delayed due to me having a lot of things to sort out and time being a little limited over the past six weeks. So here we go. As usual I've been a little bit tied to the area due to the reasons mentioned above but, nonetheless, there have been some interesting workings around, especially through Leicester with two class 73s - 73138 and 73107 - being noted working through under their own power, 73138 with 31602 in tow and 73107 light engine. The latter one not being noted by me for several years. The Freightliner and DB Schenker coal traffic is also thriving at the moment with the Freightliner trains seemingly turning up different locos every week, the DB Schenker trains having locos that reappear for several weeks! Also the unit deliveries are still passing through on Thursday evenings with both class 172 and 378 series being regular - the 378s now as four-car units. So to some sightings. Nuneaton on 26th July and Freightliner coal hauled by 66512 with the following consist: 370033/ 115/ 183/ 413/ 385/ 378/ 402/ 156/ 058/ 306/ 435/ 364/ 367/ 147/ 121/ 375/ 052/ 130/ 010/ 322. This turned out to be a particularly busy evening (I did arrive about ninety minutes earlier than normal). This was followed by 66571 with the following container train: 608101/ 8104/ 8199/ 8198/ 8126/ 7134/ 8125/ 93329/ 640500/ 499/ 371/ 372/ 164/ 163/ 283/ 284/ 089/ 090/ 437/ 438. There then followed 86609+86638 speeding north with the Coatbridge Freightliner service (vehicles impossible to identify due to the speed!) The Hams Hall-bound GBRf service was next up headed by 66719 with the following consist in tow: 650050/ 049/ 054/ 053/ 045/ 046/ 052/ 051/ 019/ 020, 630010/ 009, 640607/ 608/ 672/ 676/ 677/ 688/ 666/ 692/ 673/ 639/ 686/ 652/ 601/ 602. The Hinksey-Stud Farm engineers' service was next in the charge of 66615. The train being: 31.70.5992.003/ 002/ 095/ 119/ 055/ 031/ 117/ 082/ 084/ 070/ 032/ 027/ 106/ 107/ 104/ 115/ 043/ 118/ 044/ 114/ 087/ 092/ 101. Incidentally, the consist of this service includes the five vehicles that were stored for a considerable time at Doncaster and Crewe, namely 027, 055, 070, 087 and 104, all of which I "scored" on this occasion! Another engineers' service was also noted heading north with 66612 at the head: 501073/ 157/ 159/ 158/ 013/ 053/ 277/ 278/ 279/ 113/ 042/ 244/ 245/ 246/ 102. Also, there was a rumour flying around Nuneaton that the Colas service to and from Hams Hall was to use Daventry instead. This has not proved to be the case as the service has been noted every Monday night since, as usual, at Nuneaton ! Locomotives noted on other freight services that night were: 66510, 90044, 66714, 66054, 66542, 66427, 66593, 90046, 90042, 86604+86639, 66955, 66221, 90019, 66842, 66413, 66562, 66956, 66516, 66571. As I mentioned, a busy night! But THE sighting of the night was 71000 Duke of Gloucester passing at 17.10 with a Gloucester-Victoria charter. Magnificent sight! Three services noted through Leicester on the following Thursday evening - 29th July - were firstly a DB Schenker coal headed by 66054: 311007/ 0440/ 0373/ 0450/ 0813/ 0700/ 0233/ 1017/ 0172/ 0311/ 0538/ 0402/ 0892/ 0553/ 0152/ 0941/ 0971/ 0222/ 0138/ 0024/ 0260. Then the Lafarge bogie cement service to Hope in the charge of 66548 consisted of the following: 12442/ 430/ 440/ 413/ 419/ 417/ 432/ 420/ 412/ 447/ 426/ 436/ 427/ 404/ 422/ 424/ 433/ 415/ 429/ 401/ 409/ 443/ 441. (As a footnote to this, these bogie vehicles are now appearing on trains into Westbury Cement terminal.) This was closely followed by the Crewe-Mountsorrel infrastructure service with 66609 leading the following vehicles: 31.70.5992.031/ 117/ 106/ 107/ 115/ 043/ 108/ 002/ 044/ 095/ 101/ 067/ 003/ 086/ 082/ 084/ 027/ 055/ 078/ 114/ 119. Strangely, some of these vehicles were noted on the Hinksey service a couple of days before! Moving to 2nd August and another evening at Nuneaton . A couple of DB Schenker workings, 66095 with the following rake: 311035/ 0936/ 0448/ 0033/ 0579/ 0098/ 0628/ 0439/ 0269/ 0434/ 0659/ 1084/ 0867/ 0248/ 0708/ 0866/ 0472/ 0424/ 0875/ 0979/ 0358. Then 66134 with the following MEAs in tow: 391597/ 476/ 491/ 610/ 548/ 267/ 499/ 394/ 264/ 342/ 231/ 550/ 409/ 213/ 559/ 518/ 531/ 539/ 274/ 228/ 244/ 394/ 335. This is the service to and from Welbeck Colliery. The most interesting movement of the night was the Bescot-bound engineers' service with 66088+90024+66029 (the latter back from France ) with the following vehicles: 380022/ 163/ 161/ 158/ 020/ 505/ 614/ 613/ 615/ 405. At Leicester on 5th August 66122 was noted heading south with the following train in tow: 979510, 93346, 93741/ 602/ 603/ 743/ 747/ 745/ 742/ 749/ 748/ 746/ 717. Travelling up to Nottingham on 12th August (a day's "bus spotting" in Nottingham and Derby with a couple of colleagues - sad!) 60039 was noted in the infrastructure depot at Beeston along with most of the 37.70.9378.xxx series of track-panel tilting vehicles. Finally, moving on to 23rd August and the usual evening at Nuneaton . A Freightliner coal in the charge of 66609, vehicles being: 370140/ 110/ 141/ 106/ 077/160/ 225/ 214/ 177/ 197/ 184/ 346/ 079/ 162/ 158/ 309/ 111/ 206/ 123/ 150. The Colas Rail service out of Hams Hall hauled by 66845 (still in basic DRS colour scheme) had the following vehicles in the consist: 33.87.4909.332/ 303/ 333/ 336/ 310/ 308/ 331/ 306, 33.68.4909.357/ 911/ 670/ 467. A DB Schenker coal service then followed behind 66206: 311017/ 0172/ 0341/ 0538/ 0892/ 0553/ 0152/ 0947/ 0971/ 0222/ 0138/ 024/ 0887/ 0440/ 0513/ 0837/ 0523/ 0583/ 0609/ 0390/ 0478. The class 70, 70001, worked this particular evening on the Ipswich-Lawley Street with an extended load of thirty flats. Impressive sight! Other freight movements noted this particular evening were hauled by the following locos: 66517, 90036 (empty automotive flats), 66430, 66417, 66563, 66503, 66534. A little quieter than normal. Just a final note concerning the class 60s. I have been informed that there were fourteen of the class working on 26th August including 60009, 60010, 60011, 60039 and 60040. Good to hear. Anyway, that's about it for now. Sorry for the delay. Will try and do better. All the best.

PRESERVATION & INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

GWS Didcot Railway Centre (20/06/10)

First/GW 57604 Pendennis Castle was on display during the day following a re-paint into a lined BR brunswick green as part of the GWR 175 celebrations.

West Somerset Railway (19/06/10)

DEMU set 1001 worked a ‘West Somerset Explorer’ (1Z82 06:31 Hastings - Minehead and 1Z83 15:10 return) trip. Sadly, following their long journey, with the train arriving close to time at 14:20, participants only had 50 minutes to spend in the Somerset seaside town before the return journey !

Standard Gauge Steam Trust, Tyseley (26/06/10)

Steam 4953 Pitchford Hall was noted with it’s front set of wheels hanging over the side of the turntable ! Re-railing apparently took place quickly, but there was some damage to the wheel set.

Welsh Wanderings  (27/06/10)    R.W.Giles

Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway

In use: Ex.BR: D4157 (08957) (on ‘hire’ from the Glous/Warwicks Railway) and Industrial steam: 71515 (RSHN 7169/44 reb HE 3880/61 ) - in ex.works condition carrying a red livery with ‘Mech Navvies Ltd’ tank branding, following an overhaul at the Flour Mill, near Bream (Forset of Dean), top n’tailing c/stock: Sc35494 + E1854 + M25444 between Furnace sidings, Whistle Halt and Blaenavon High level stations, the latter having re-opened on 29th May. Passenger trains had not called at this rebuilt and reconnected station site since 1941! Old Washery site and sheds: Ex.GWR steam: 4253 (in ex.Barry condition and reported for sale). 5668. (9629) - in pieces, under heavy overhaul. Ex.BR diesel: (D2141 03141). D5627 (31203) Steve Organ G.M. (37216) (inside new shed undergoing overhaul)/421 (out of service awaiting a new heat exchanger). 73128 O.V.S. Bullied C.B.E. Ex.BR dmu: (51351) + (51397) (117418). 51942 (L283). W52044 (S962) + W50632 (C398). 54270 (stored - with heavy graffiti). Ex.BR demu: 1129 (S60828 + S60117) - out of service, awaiting parts. Ex.BR emu: 1198. 1399.

Ex.Industrial Steam: No.19 H.M Dockyard Devonport (BG 2962/50) - on loan from the Plym Valley Railway. (1823 Harry) (AB 1823/24) - part restored. (Tom Parry) (AB 2015/35) - in pieces, reported as donating it’s boiler to AB 1823. (Llantanam Abbey) (AB 2074/39) - in pieces, under overhaul.

Ex. Industrial Diesel: (106) (D1226). 170 (HE 7063/71) - both static display locos on a siding below the new loco shed. (104) Llanwern (EEV D1249/3947/60 reb GECT 1975) - the current P-way train loco. NCB (DL16) (HC D1387/67) - serviceable, but parts awaited. Bill Caddick (HC D1186/59 reb HE 8526) - under a repaint back into it’s original Manchester Ship Canal livery in the new shed. (RH 421702/59) - heavily stripped, stored (?). 200793 Gower Princess (RH 200793/40). (11144) BP Shellmex (HC D615/58). (2 William Ellis) (TH 136c/64). (RT No.1 RT1) (JF 22487/38). Panteg (S 10083/61). Trolley: PWM 3692 (Wkm 6947/55). Ex.BR c/stock: 4046. (4300) - undergoing overhaul, inside new shed for future use with a visiting 3440 City of Truro during September. 4654. (E4677). M81453. (86396/95136). M94300. Ex.GWR: M&M 14, 6479 (80977). Ex.LMS: M378M. Ex. LSWR: GWR 70 (4132/7832). 76 (4138/7838) assumed, wood bodied remains on bogies only - in poor condition ( for scrap ?). (1357/3193/ADS70133). (M3????) unidentified 6 wheel BGZ. Ex. SR: (S4958S). (S1583) - grounded body only. Crane: 5640 (no jib). Small plant (personal carrier): RTU 9218.

Notes: Locos: 2 Pontyberem (AE 1421/00) was not on site, location unknown. Coaches: 4046. 4654/677 were all stored in the low level siding area with several others of those listed above, only being identified from a distance. BCK 21034 (not seen) may well have also been in this area under overhaul.

The railway hope to have two connecting running lines from the Blaenavon site to the Big Pit Museum laid over the next couple of years linking these two tourist attractions together.

Big Pit Mining Museum , Big Pit Colliery

Ex.Industrial: P 10 D (HC544/00). (6 Nora) (AB1860/20). Both in a green livery and in a static display with former coal wagons. Crane: 4 wheel (in black) - unidentified. Ex.Mining locos (2ft gauge): (HE 6049/61) carrying a white livery, in a central display area. (15/10) (EE 3147/61 RSHD 8289/61) in a rusty white livery, cut into two pieces in a machinery stores area at the top of the site next to the exhibition centre.

Brecon Mountain Railway Co Ltd

Pant Station: In use: Narrow gauge Steam: 2 (BLW 61269/80). Loco shed/works area (view): (26 ?) (BLW15511/1897) - at the rear of the works under ‘heavy overhaul’. Sybil (HE 827/03) - boiler lifted, under overhaul. unidentified 0-4-0 VBT (possibly, Pendyffryn, De Winston of 1894 ?) - under overhaul. Diesel: (HE 6298/64) - a 4wDM in green livery - assumed. Front of shed (in steam): Graf Schwerin-Lowitz (Jung 1261/08).

Pontsticill: Diesel: (BMR 001/87). Ex.BR c/stock : (grounded bodies): (S1418, S2504/524) in use as a a cafe and toilet block.

Note: A second diesel loco (possibly TU7 1698 Ex. Latvia ) or the line’s Wickham trolley 10943/76 ? was visible carrying a maroon livery through a crack in the shed door amongst a number of wagons inside.

Road movements

01/06 Industrial: ‘Thomas the Tank’ look alike. M5, northbound near Gordano (Junction 20) at 15:16.

14/06 Ex.BR Class 14: D9520. A38 North Petherton service station at 07:10.

30/06 Ex.BR Class 25: D7612. M5 northbound Sampford Peverell (Junction 27) northbound at 11:55.

MISCELLANEOUS

Bristol Railport - A Location History   R.W.Giles

Sidings have existed in the South Liberty lane area of Bristol since the early 1900s, but it was not until the early 1970s with the Bristol area re-signalling scheme (which saw the replacement of all mechanical semaphore signaling and signal boxes), that the current day location was built. Opened in 1974, in line with other sites throughout the country dealing with the Freightliner ‘box container’ a then new development for rail freight movement, the yard track layout was made up of two rear loading sidings (which needed a head-shunt for access - a former down through line being used ) and several loop sidings. A gantry crane was never provided, only ‘hired in’ road cranes for most of it’s operating life, the road access being never ideal with a narrow rail bridge needed to be crossed along South Liberty over the Portishead branch line for access to the City. By the early 1990s, a review of Freightliner’s container operation saw the depot, one of several in the country ear-marked for closure. At this time, there was only a daily inward train operating from Coatbridge (Scotland ) and a late afternoon departure for Swindon which connected to a service from south Wales (Dan-y-graig) for the London area. Eventual closure actually took place in May 1992, with at that time, the location handling 18,000 containers a year, 23 staff were made redundant. However, it was not the end for rail traffic with a large number of container flat wagons being ‘stored’ on site and a new freight-flow, running for six weeks from mid-May 1993 which saw the off-loading of carbon dioxide (CO2) overnight from Haverton Hill, these trains being hauled by a pair of Class 37 locos. The CO2 was destined for the Seabank, ICI Severnside works (near Avonmouth) which was on a maintenance close-down, the operation also taking place the following year, but not at South Liberty lane but at the Bristol Bulk Handling terminal (Avonmouth), Class 56 locos now working the trains in from the North-East. On completion of the gas traffic, the yard became a ‘high security’ area, the surrounding fencing being actually laid across the access track with no gates trapping the stored wagons inside! These wagons were eventually removed at the end of April 1998 to Bristol East depot (Magazine 316. June 1998) with a complex overnight shunting operation using top n’tail Class 37s (it has now come to light that one loco was believed to have been 37423). Some of the wagons were overhauled and returned to service on a ‘two for one basis’, with others being scrapped due to their long-term storage condition. Also during the late 1990s several proposals for site use came and went most notably for a sand traffic terminal with material extracted from Conygar Quarry, near Clevedon and a wagon repair depot, aimed mainly at car carriers used on Portbury automotive trains once the line had reopened in late 2001. However, by this time new pre-showroom cars dominated the yard with park & ride schemes for both nearby Bristol City F.C. (due to new parking restrictions in the Cumberland Basin area) and Bristol Airport following. Space for 1000 vehicles was reported as available! An interesting rail vehicle which took up residence at the depot during the late 1980s was the Blatchford Liner crane F93100 (tops code PXA), built in 1984 by Ralph Blatchford Ltd. (Midsomer Norton) with a works number 51030. This unique wagon, which was tested at Radstock West sidings, could load and off load wagons from rail to a road lorry trailer by standing on a track between the road vehicle and the rail wagon. The wagon was believed to still exist somewhere on the rail network up until nearly 10 years ago when it’s owner and builder was featured in a local newspaper appealing for information as to it’s whereabouts. As for the future - the location may only be a ‘stop gap’ with a new deep water container port proposal at Avonmouth now due to take place and open by 2015, the current South Liberty lane depot’s main customer is the giant Constellation Europe wine warehouse located at Kingsweston Lane, Avonmouth close to the new proposed dock site and would end the now constant flow of container carrying lorries along the A4 Portway.

June 2010 arrivals/departures:-

4V26 23:10 (previous to arrival day) Grain - Bristol West Flt (Railport) or 4V30 23:00 Tilbury - Bristol West Flt (Railport)- as required - booked to arrive at 04:45. 4L32 09:57 Bristol Flt (Railport) - Tilbury or 4O24 09:57 Bristol Flt (Railport) - Grain - as required.

Notes: All trains are booked each way via Parkway and Hullavington. Two hours is allowed for train yard shunting