NOTES AND NEWS

Avonmouth

01/07 66089 ran 0C97 Newport - Avonmouth light-engine to collect the final trainload of empty cargo-wagons. Having started in September 2002, initially as an ‘enterprise’ service to bring in paper reels which originated in Scandinavia (via Felixstowe), this service operating on a daily Monday- Friday basis. With the loaded wagons moved with other freight from the East Anglian port onwards to Wembley, latterly the train was started here and was a double headed Class 67 duty for several years. Reduction to a once weekly out and back ‘trip’ from Newport ADJ took place in August 2008 with the payload consist ending mainly with chipboard. It is not known why this traffic has now finished as a rail operation.

14/07 66133 was in use on driver ‘refresher’ empty HTA coal wagon runs ready for a restart of coal movements to Didcot P.S. later in the month. These workings were also to take place over the following two days.

18/07 The Friends of Suburban Bristol Railway (FOSBR) organised a second Sunday service ‘day out’ this time from Severn Beach - Weston-super-Mare for a group picnic using the 09:46 departure and the 16:14 return from Weston, services. This follows a trip from Bristol - Severn Beach on the first Sunday of operation over the whole branch line during May this year the group organising a picnic and rounders match at Severn Beach.

21/07 Freightliner Heavy-haul have continued their stone working’s from Bennett’s siding, 66616 heading a 6Z17 01:20 Avonmouth - Crawley service.

29/07 66530 ran 6Z42 08:03 Stoke Gifford - Avonmouth (Bennett’s) stone empties for a 6O56 13:30 loaded working to Angerstein Wharf. This train in fact, was booked to run as a WThFO operation during this week.

30/07 DBS livered 67018 was unusually rostered on a 4D97 11:30 Barton Hill - Avonmouth 3 HTA wagon ‘trip’ move. 66530 was also recorded on 6Z43 13:00 Avonmouth - Stoke Gifford loaded stone in MJA wagons, noted passing Brentry at 14:15. The train ran to Chipping Sodbury for the loco to run-round to gain access to the downside at Stoke Gifford. Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included: 66080/130/133/164/186.

Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh

01/07 At 17:45 the downside at Stoke Gifford held the following: 66555, 66559, 66604, 66611. 70004 later arrived at 20:45 on coal empties from Rugeley P.S.

06/07 A 10 train only, new FLHH diagram was reported as starting on 4th July, involving the 6M02 20:45 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal service, which following off-loading runs empty to Killoch Opencast mine (Scotland) for coal loading, destined for use at Aberthaw P.S., the empties then running as 4Z37 12:20 Aberthaw - Stoke Gifford (booked Pilning 14:41). The empties were then booked to go as a 4C09 17:52 empty to Portbury for the 6M02 20:45 departure. 66514 was on today’s diagram.

07/07 66549 was on the 4Z37 coal empties, working the 6M02 20:45 Portbury - Rugeley P.S. loaded coal again later the day. Also during the day, 59202 was noted at 13:46 running light-engine from Swindon- Margam and 31602 was seen stabled in the former Royal Mail parcel’s platform with dept c/stock: 999508, 6262, 999605, 9702. The 6B24 Didcot - Wentlooge MoD stores also ran during the day with 66139.

09/07 The NRMT HST set formed with power cars 43013 + 43014 passed Parkway at 08:11 as 1Z20 Old Oak Common - Derby RTC (via Swansea). The return was later recorded through Patchway at 11:40. Later in the day, railtour ECS stock (5Z28 13:14 Crewe - Swindon), top n’tailed by 57601 and blue livered 47270 passed Parkway at 17:20 (55 late) having been routed via Hereford, the Marches and the Severn Tunnel. The c/stock formation was recorded as: 17056, 3340, 3314, 1659, 3344, 3386, 3304, 1212, 5952, 5955. 66530 was earlier on the 4Z37 Aberthaw P.S. coal empties.

10/07 67021 + 67005 top n’tailed a 1Z17 07:06 Cardiff Central - Par (and return) ‘Edenex’, Northern Belle dining special being reported through Pilning at 07:38 (2 minutes late).

12/07 66554 was on the 4Z37, 66530 making a return appearance during the following day.

14/07 66066 was reported in the early hours on 6A35 21:40 Moreton-on-Lugg - Hayes loaded stone through Pilning.

15/07 66530 was on the 4Z37 Aberthaw coal empties, with 66554 working the final train of this series during the following day. 66604 worked 6Z18 Crawley - Stoke Gifford stone empties.

16/07 66556 heading a 6Z26 09:55 Rugeley P.S. - Stoke Gifford coal empties unusually had a loco run-round in Temple Meads before arriving at Parkway from the weSt. Steam loco 71000 Duke of Gloucester passed Parkway at 17:50 on a 5Z41 10:20 Castleton North junction (East Lancs Railway) - Barton Hill loco and support coach move for railtour duty during the following day.

17/07 Stabled on the downside at 17:00 were: 66530, 66559, 66616, 66951. Earlier, a DBS 0W48 13:10 Margam - Westbury light-engine move was reported through Pilning and Day’s curve (14:46) formed with: 66142 + 66122 + 66082 + 66155.

18/07 66616 worked 6C58 12:47 Stoke Gifford - Burngullow sand empties.

19/07 66074 worked 6Z16 Hothfield - Moreton-on-Lugg stone empties, whilst 60013 arrived at Parkway early at 14:15 on the 6B33 12:11 Theale - Robeston empty fuel tanks not departing until 16:15. !

23/07 60074 passed Charfield at 18:33 (53 late) with 6B47 Westerleigh - Margam fuel tank empties.

26/07 Colas 47739 passed Patchway at 12:50 (2 late) on a 6Z47 12:05 Gloucester New yard - Newport ADJ train formed of seven empty flat wagons (also see Gloucester Notes & News).

28/07 70003 ran 0Z74 Crewe Basford Hall yard - Stoke Gifford light-engine, reported as passing Abergavenny at 03:01.

Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road

28/06 Additional information: The ‘Cornishman’ trip with steam locos 5029 Nunney Castle + 6024 King Edward I used the following c/stock: 5171, 5200, 1840, 13440, 9104, 99121, 99127, 1961, 5237, 5236, 5249, with loco support coaches W35461 + W35333.

01/07 Following a number of loco failures, this was the second last day for the GBRf First/GW ‘hire’, loco and coach operation, 66402 + 57309 being in charge of the days workings. 67016 + 67017 started the month on the DBS ‘hire’ passenger trains for First/GW. Two of the day’s Arriva XC HST workings were reported as: 43321 + 43357 - 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh Waverley - Plymouth (and return 1E63 15:23 Plymouth Leeds). 43303 + 43384 - 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central.

02/07 Although the contract was originally expected to end in March 2011, the GBRf ‘hire’ contract was terminated with loco problems, notably numerous Class 57/3s failures. The workings commenced as a stop-gap, awaiting the arrival of more units, in December 2009 to run alongside the current DBS Class 67 operation. 57309 + 66402 became the final locos to work these trains, the full list of locos used being as follows: 66402/721. 57302/303/304/305/306/307/308/309/312/315/316.

03/07 67016 was on the First/GW ‘bucket & spade’ relief (2O72 09:09 Temple Meads - Weymouth and 2V67 16:55 return), using c/stock: 9508, 6117, 6008, 6064. The return was late into Bristol having departed the Dorset coastal town at 17:25 (30 late) due to a problem on Upwey bank (see Weymouth Notes & News). Also, 57308 ran 0Z57 Taunton - Birmingham NS light-engine (via Gloucester, noted here from 11:58-12:05) and steam 6024 King Edward I arrived in Temple Meads during the day with support coach W35333 to work the following day’s Torbay Express, in place of an unavailable 60163 Tornado.

04/07 Steam 6024 King Edward I worked the ‘Torbay Express’ (1Z27 09:15 Temple Meads - Kingswear and 1Z28 16:42 return), the loco later running with support coach to Southall via Bath (noted here at 21:56). Also the second DBS locos and coaches arrived (to replace the GBRf Class 57/3 set) after midnight as 5Z04 21:19 Eastleigh yard - Barton Hill formed: 67029 + 9526, 5769, 5792, 5748 (CP03 - in old Inter-City colours) + 67018. With the end of loco and stock stabling on the West Somerset Railway and the Saturday ECS move to/from Cardiff Canton, additional moves for the second DBS diagram (both SX) were: 5D04 05:42 Barton Hill - Taunton and 5C89 21:12 Taunton - Barton Hill (via Westbury and a reverse at Lawrence Hill, Bristol).

05/07 The usual loco-hauled pass at Nailsea & Backwell station (at around 15:00) took place, this time seeing four Class 67s at this location ! 67017 + 67016 (2U20 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff Central) and 67018 + 67029 (2C79 14:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton ) being the locos involved. Also, a 5Z74 13:39 Exeter fuel point - St. Phillips Marsh empty unit move was noted passing here at 14:57 formed 153368 + 142029 + 153377. Temple Meads station was closed around 19:00 for an unspecified reason, but police were seen to be in attendance.

06/07 66170 departed Temple Meads with 24 four-wheel TEA fuel tanks as 6V62 09:30 Fawley - Plymouth (Tavistock yard) passing Malago at 14:50.

07/07 The Barton Hill ‘shunt’ loco, green livierd 47815 Great Western, saw some mainline action, running light to Taunton to collect the GBRf ‘hire’ Anglian livered coaches and form a 5Z47 move to Cardiff Canton, departing at 14:30 and passing Worle junction at 14:56 (31 early), close behind the Class 67s on the 2U24 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff Central service .

08/07 A GBRf 5O66 10:00 Laira - Eastleigh stock move (via Bristol, Bath and Westbury) was headed by 66726 hauling ‘off lease’ First/GW buffet coaches: 40736, 40725, 40726, 40744, 40738, 40709, 40745, unusually using Class 73 locos 73206 + 73212 as barrier vehicles ! This interesting working had departed Laira 2 minutes early, passing Bridgwater at 11:53, departing Yatton loop at 12:15, through Bristol TM 12:41 and North Somerset junction 12:56 (9 late). The train locos had run light as 0V66 10:00 Tonbridge - Laira via the Berks & Hants route and Westbury during the previous day. During the evening period the NRMT was recorded as departing Temple Meads at 20:11 for Taunton, on the usual ‘q’ (Thursday’s only) 1Z20 Derby RTC - Old Oak Common (via Taunton) working.

09/07 31106 + 31285 top n’tailed a 3Q83 21:31 Kingsland Road - Derby R.T.C. move via Bedminster (reverse), the Severn Tunnel, Cardiff, Barry, Llandielo Junction (booked 01:26 - 01:37), Barry, Cardiff, Chepstow and Gloucester.

10/07 As on some previous Saturday’s earlier in the year, a First/GW HST set covered some unit workings during the day. With power cars 43192 + 43124 in use, on the 2U04 07:21 Temple Meads - Cardiff Central, 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central Temple Meads, 2U10 10:21 Temple Meads - Cardiff Central, 2C75 12:00 Cardiff Central - Temple Meads, 2U16 13:21 Temple Meads - Cardiff Central, 2C81 15:00 Cardiff Central - Temple Meads, 2U22 16:21 Temple Meads - Cardiff Central and 2C87 18:00 Cardiff Central - Temple Meads being the assumed diagram completed - or at least operated in part. EWS silver livered 67029 was on the day’s 2O72/2V67 Weymouth diagram. An afternoon 0F75 Margam - Westbury light-engine move was reported through Dr. Day’s junction and Bath at 10:48 formed: 66098 + 66081 + 66047 + 66213 + 59202.

11/07 The day’s ‘Torbay Express’ was cancelled due to low bookings, possibly due to the World Cup final between Spain and Holland (?). For the record, Spain became the new world champions following a very ‘physical’ encounter !

12/07 The week’s First/GW passenger ‘hire’ started with 67017 + 67029 with the former Class 57 workings and 67018 + 67016 on the usual DBS diagram. The First/GW 1A13 10:30 Temple Meads - Paddington service was cancelled.

13/07 A train which has not been seen in the area for several years is the Royal Scotsman land cruise, but Bath formed part of a 2010 round Britain tour, the working arriving as 1Z29 06:24 Hereford - Bath (via Chepstow) then running 5Z29 09:30 Bath - Westbury ECS, returning as 5Z30 12:30 Westbury - Bath ECS (via Bristol East booked 14:01-14:36) for 1Z30 14:52 Bath - Oxford. The working was top n’tailed with West Coast locos 47786 + 47804, some reports for the day being through Maindee North Junction at 07:18, Bath down goods loop arrive 13:05 (9 late), Bristol East depot loop 14:03 (2 late) - 14:36 (2 early) - and Swindon 15:26 (6 late). The train’s all maroon c/stock formation was as follows: 9440, Service car (99969), State Car no.5 (99968), State Car no.4 (99964), State Car no.3 (99963), State Car no.2 (99962), State Car no.1 (99961), Dining Car no.2 (1999 / 99131), Dining Car no.1 (99967), Observation Car (99965). 47786 carried a ‘Royal Scotsman’ headboard, whilst it was noticed coach 99965 still has a open veranda at one end. On the freight side, the 6C99 21:47 Newport ADJ - St. Blazey freight with 66107 was routed via Day’s curve, Bath and Westbury during the evening.

14/07 47815 ran 0F47 Barton Hill - Cardiff Canton to collect the four former GBRf First/GW ‘hire’ coaches and form a 5Z47 11:07 Cardiff - Eastleigh ECS move. The working did not depart until 11:46 (49 late) and was recorded through Cardiff Central at 11:50 (39 late) and near North Somerset junction at 12:07 (64 late). The Class 57 returned as 0V74 15:24 Eastleigh - Barton Hill light later in the day. Steam 6024 King Edward I was also recorded as a Bristol afternoon arrival, standing in for 35028 Clan Line on VSOE duty (1Z94 08:45 Victoria - Bath/Temple Meads and 1Z95 16:40 return) with c/stock: W35333 (support), 99545, Lucille, Ibis, Gwen, Minerva, Cygnus, Phoenix, Perseus, Vera, Ione, Zena, 6314. The outward water stop was reported as Challow, the working being however seen running late when noted passing St. Annes ( Bristol ) at 13:13, the booked arrival time in Bristol being as 12:57. Earlier, the day’s Bristol West (Railport) container service was noted formed with 19 FEAs and 1 TIPH container flats headed by loco 66592 as train 4L32 the 11:01 departure to Tilbury (via Parkway).

15/07 A St. Swithens day positioning move special, booked to be steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester hauled and diesel on the return, was cancelled. Also during the day, 66612 was on a 6Z85 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC turning move via Bridgwater (reported 10:28), Bristol , Bath and Westbury. The evening MPV DR98908 + DR98958 weed spray move was 6Z05 Barton Hill - Barton Hill via Plymouth (booked here 01:48 - 02:22).

16/07 A fatality at Highbridge & Burnham involving the Arriva XC 1S39 09:25 Plymouth - Aberdeen service with 220024 saw several cancellations, bus road substitutions and diversions via Westbury, one of the affected Arriva XC workings reported this way being the 1S43 08:28 Penzance - Glasgow Central with 221133 + 221132. The following 2U14 11:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central with 67016 + 67017 was held at Bridgwater until 12:50 and then terminated at Temple Meads . 150246 had meanwhile covered for the Class 67s onwards from Temple Meads and back for the 67s to continue the 2C79 14:00 Cardiff - Taunton service onwards. Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester ran 5Z41 10:20 Castleton North junction (East Lancs Railway) - Barton Hill loco and support coach via the Marches and the Severn Tunnel. During the early hours, having worked a 4Z01 19:10 Didcot - Cardiff test train the previous evening (via Parkway), 31106 arrived on a 4Z02 01:32 test train (ex. Cardiff Central) to Kingsland Road via a reverse at Wotton Bassett (03:44 - 03:54), Parkway, Temple Meads and a further reverse at Bedminster.

17/07 67017 was on the Saturday’s only First/GW 2O72/2V67 ‘bucket & spade’ Weymouth relief diagram. The Saturday’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered as follows: 2N00 06:35 Plymouth - Newquay / 1S47 09:27 Newquay - Dundee - 43357 + 43378 (off the previous day’s 1V64 13:07 Edinburgh - Plymouth service). 1V54 07:00 Glasgow Central - Newquay / 2P86 19:58 Newquay - Plymouth - 43207 + 43285. 1V47 07:58 Manchester - Paignton (off the previous day’s 1S51 12:23 Plymouth - Edinburgh service) / 1M93 13:47 Paignton - Manchester 43301 + 43303. The 1V47/1M93 and a 1V58 09:00 Glasgow Central - Penzance service (which returned as 1S47 09:30 Penzance - Glasgow during the following day). These workings were reported to be operating until Saturday 10/09/10 only. No ‘hire’ HST sets were to be used by Arriva XC on Summer Saturdays during 2010. An evening arrival in the area was Centro green livered 150125 as a 5V50 18:05 empty stock move from Tyseley depot - St. Phillips Marsh for a First/GW ‘hire’ period commencing on 19th July (see the July 2010 Magazine cover). With this unit being made available for the ‘high Summer’ period, the use of a rumoured third ‘hired’ DBS Class 67 and stock set (reported in the August 2010 Magazine) was now no longer required.

18/07 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester worked the 1Z27 09:15 Temple Meads - Kingswear and 1Z28 16:42 return ‘Torbay Express’. The outward working via the Weston-super-Mare loop was thought to be this locos first appearance in mainline preservation (or possibly ever!?) at this location. Later, having only arrived the previous day, newcomer 150125 was in action working the First/GW 2C34 22:15 Temple Meads - Westbury. The set was reported as visiting Weymouth during the following day.

19/07 The First/GW loco and stock diagrams began the new week with: 67017 + 67029 ( Cardiff - Paignton, former Class 57/3 diagram) and 67018 + 67016. During the evening, two engineering train reports were: 66957 + 66556 top n’tailing 6Y33 track replacement train from Taunton Fairwater (departing at 19:20) - Charfield and 66619 + 66612 top n’tailing 6Y11 18:17 Taunton Fairwater - Chosley HOBC, departing at 18:39 and routed onwards from Temple Meads via Bath.

20/07 Returning PW trains during the morning were recorded as: 66612 + 66619 top n’tailing a 6Y11 04:05 Didcot East junction HOBC and 66556 + 66957 top n’tailing a 6Y33 05:20 Yate - Taunton Fairwater track replacement train. A 5Z47 10:02 Crewe - Eastleigh stock move headed by 47812 and formed of 10 choc/cream and maroon livered coaches, was reported through Bath late at 14:50, the booked Pilning time being 13:43. Test unit 950001 was running late due to a mis-understanding at Woodborough as to whether the driver had to take the unit over the loop line or not!, working a 2Q08 05:45 Westbury - Plymouth via Reading West. The set was later reported through Bath at 10:50 (62 late) and Uphill junction at 12:03 (93 late). During the evening, engineering departures from Taunton Fairwater were: 66957 + 66556 top n’tailing a 6Y33 track replacement train through Parson’s street at 20:12 to Charfield and also 66612 + 66601 top n’tailing a 6Y11 HOBC working to an unreported location..

21/07 The First/GW 1C99 23:45 Paddington - Penzance sleeper service was confirmed as running via Bristol Parkway and Temple Meads (booked 01:53-01:55) with 57602 and coaching stock set PZ89 (12161, 10225, 10563, 10601, 10612, 10589). Later in the day, a 0Z74 08:30 Laira - St. Phillips Marsh stock move formed with back to back HST power cars 43150 + 43040, was noted passing Worle junction at 11:58 (60 late). A 0Z77 move followed, which saw 43150 + 43193 return to Laira during the afternoon. The Bristol based MPV unit was on a 6Z05 22:17 Barton Hill - Barton Hill weedkilling move via Bath, Westbury, Reading, Didcot, Swindon, Chippenham and Bath.

22/07 Centro green livered 150125 was noted working the 2C85 17:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton returning with the 2M69 20:00 Taunton - Cardiff Central service. Also during the evening, 66601 + 66620 were noted in Temple Meads at 19:34, top n’tailing a 6Y11 HOBC working ex. Taunton Fairwater yard.

23/07 Centro First/GW ‘hire’ unit 150125 was reported working the 2S04 06:02 Taunton - Cardiff Central and 2C69 09:00 Cardiff Central - Plymouth services. Evening FLHH departmental activity found: 66603 on a diverted 6A73 19:17 Westbury - Taunton Fairwater move via Bath and Bristol (reported North Somerset junction at 19:29) and 66556 engaged on two HOBC turning moves working 6Z85 18:17 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater arriving in Temple Meads at 19:42 and later a 6Z86 23:15 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater move, the direction of travel for this train not being reported.

24/07 67017 worked the 2O72/2V67 Weymouth diagram using c/stock: M6064, M6046, M6117, M9508. Still attracting attention, the Centro livered First/GW ‘hire’ 150125 was on the 2C85 06:20 Gloucester - Taunton, 2U10 08:58 Taunton - Cardiff Central, 2C75 12:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton, 2U20 14:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central, 2C85 17:00 Cardiff Central - Taunton, 2M70 19:07 Taunton - Cardiff Central and 2C34 21:54 Temple Meads - Westbury. The day’s Arriva XC HST diagrams were covered with the following power car and intermediate coach formations: 1S47 09:27 Newquay - Dundee - 43357 (XC05) 43378. 1V47 07:58 Manchester - Paignton - 43207 XC04 43321. 1V54 07:00 Glasgow - Newquay - 43366 (XC04) 43304. 1V58 09:00 Glasgow Central - Penzance - 43303 (XC03) 43384.

25/07 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester worked the day’s ‘Torbay Express’ (1Z27 09:15 Temple Meads - Kingswear and 1Z28 16:42 return) arriving at the Weston-super-Mare stop at 09:37 (3 early). A summary of engineering train activity during the day (via Day’s curve) was as follows: 66155 - 6W26 Westbury - Cardiff Rumney River bridge / 6W36 14:26 Cardiff Rumney River bridge - Westbury. 66143 - 6W30 07:30 Cardiff Rumney River bridge - Westbury (track panels). 66037 - 6W31 08:00 Cardiff Rumney River bridge - Westbury (formed of JNAs). 66082 - 6W32 09:30 Cardiff Rumney River bridge - Westbury. 66056 - 6W33 13:00 Cardiff Rumney River bridge - Westbury (reported Filton Abbeywood 14:17 - 15 early). 66132 - 6W35 08:39 Westbury - Ebbw junction. 66530 - 6Y25 10:30 Gloucester Yard junction - Westbury. 66951- 6Y34 Ashchurch - Westbury (autoballaster). A points failure at North Somerset junction saw a period of wrong line working in this area during part of the day. 

26/07 Steam 71000 Duke of Gloucester departed Bristol as 5Z69 09:53 Barton Hill - Gloucester , with support coach for the following day’s ‘Midland Tornado’ excursion (also see Gloucester Notes & News).

An evening westbound test train called at Weston-super-Mare as 4Z08 12:00 Derby RTC - Exeter (Riverside) departing Temple meads at 18:01 (4 late) formed with a DBSO driving van leading and 31465 at the rear. The train arrived in Weston at 19:42 (2 late) and departed at 19:25 (23 late) being later recorded through Highbridge at 19:42.

27/07 The Tuesday’s only 6V62 Fawley - Plymouth (Tavistock yard) loaded fuel tanks, numbering 24 on this date, was noted headed by 66097 west of Bristol unusually conveying a cargowagon as part of it’s formation. Having visited the Tytherington quarry branch earlier in the day, MPV set DR98908+DR98958 ran 6Z05 22:00 Barton Hill - Barton Hill, visiting Merehead Quarry and the Cranmore branch with an earlier reverse in Exeter (02:18). DBS livered 67018 was recorded as having changed ends on the local passenger service for the evening working, presumably having reversed at Parkway sometime during the day - reason unknown.

28/07 67019 arrived in Temple Meads on a 1V80 VSOE working from Victoria , returning as 1O92 15:35 to Victoria . Two other reports for the day were: 66503 on a 20 wagon 4L32 11:00 Bristol West (Railport) - Tilbury loaded containers through Temple Meads at 10:35 (32 early) and 31465 on a 3Z03 15:56 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Kingsland Road evening test train move.

29/07 A door lock problem with a coach (reported to be 5748) on the Taunton Class 67 set saw 150244 work the 2U02 06:19 Bristol - Cardiff Central service and the 2C67 08:00 return to Paignton with 153372 being added at Temple Meads. On arrival back in Bristol with the 2U20 12:47 Paignton - Cardiff Central, both units were replaced by 67016 (in place of 67029) + 67018 to complete the day’s diagram, which was noted formed with three former Anglian and one former Inter-City livered coaches on the 2M68 19:17 Taunton - Temple Meads service near Nailsea at 20:28. Also recorded here earlier at 19:59 was a northbound 6Y33 track replacement train (with autoballasters) top n’tailed by 66618 + 66601.

30/07 A unit, 150265 was again working the First/GW Class 67 Cardiff/Paignton ‘hire’diagram (in place of 67018 + 67016) throughout the day. 66182 brought in a 5Z00 Eastleigh - Barton Hill 4 coach Anglian livered stock move during the evening, to replace the defective Inter-City rake which had suffered problems during the previous day. 66585 was on a 6Z87 10:05 Taunton Fairwater - Taunton Fairwater HOBC turning move via Bristol and Westbury during the morning.

31/07 EWS silver livered 67029 was again on the 2O72/2V67 Weymouth diagram formed with the CP02 coaching set. Further Class 67 activity saw Royal 67006 arrive on a 1Z15 Crewe - Bath Spa Northern Belle dining special (via Chippenham noted passing here at 12:17) with c/stock: Glamis (3174), Alnwick (3273), 1566, Belvoir (3267), Warwick (3182), 325, 17167, Balmoral (10734). On arrival at Bath at 12:15, the train departed 1 late as 5Z15 12:22 ECS to Bristol East depot (due 12:34), prior to a 5Z16 17:08 return ECS to Bath (noted passing Keynsham at 17:10) for the run back to Crewe . On the freight side: 66563 was a late afternoon arrival at Bristol West (Railport) on a 4V32 11:11 empty container flat service ex. Ipswich yard and later departmental train reports included: 66620 + 66585 top n’tailing a 6Y33 20:17 Taunton Fairwater - Ashchurch (which returned as 10:00 Cheltenham Alstone level crossing. - Taunton Fairwater the following day), 66618 + 66620 top n’tailing a 6Y11 Taunton Fairwater - Ashchurch area and 66559 + 66523 top n’tailing a 6Y34 21:37 Westbury - Berkeley Road junction (via Day’s curve) which was reported to have returned as a 11:30 Cheltenham Alstone level crossing - Westbury move also during the following day.

Cardiff Central

08/07 Former Advenza 57005 was viewed at the east end of the station.

Gloucester

02/07 37194 + 37682 worked 6V73 Crewe Coal sidings - CEGB Berkeley nuclear flask calling at Cheltenham Alstone level crossing box (for the Sharpness branch line token) at 07:29, later returning to the same location at 12:17.

08/07 Colas owned 66842 was on a 6Z66 Hoo junction - Gloucester yard train of flat wagons (assumed destined for Long Marston) during the late afternoon.

09/07 DRS 66430 worked loaded scrap through at 19:45 for Cardiff Tidal sidings.

10/07 A UK railtour ‘Royal Oak’ (1Z60 08:04 Paddington - Worcester and 1Z24 16:35 return) headed by steam 6024 King Edward I was routed outward via High Wycombe and Birmingham and the return via Cheltenham, Standish junction and Kemble to the GWML at Swindon. Earlier a Pathfinder Tour’s ‘York & Weardale Explorer’ (1Z28 05:52 Swindon - York ) excursion was top n’tailed by 47270 + 57601 via Kemble and Stroud. A further report for the day was: 66020 + 66043 + 66183 + 66160 + 66034 on a 0Z?? Margam - Bescot light loco move passing Gloucester at 15:30.

11/07 The previous day’s Pathfinder tour’s ECS ran as 5Z29 12:40 Swindon - Crewe carriage sidings with 47270 + 57601, still reported in a top n’tail formation, and again route via the Stroud Valley passing Standish junction at 13:14.

12/07 66430 passed Lydney at 23:10 in the Gloucester direction on Cardiff Tidal sidings - Tyne dock scrap empties.

14/07 The Ashchurch MoD trip ran as 4B36 ex. Didcot headed by 66083.

16/07 66081 on a 6W65 cwr train departed Gloucester and a PW possession at 05:43 heading for Westbury, with a loco run-round at Newport en-route.

20/07 66132 was on the 6B36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD. Also recorded during the day was the latest First/GW ‘hire’ unit, Centro 150125 noted paired with 150239 on a service to Westbury (also see Bristol Temple Meads, Barton Hill and Kingsland Road Notes & News).

26/07 ‘Hired’ Centro livered 150125 was on Stroud Valley , Swindon - Cheltenham line First/GW local services throughout the day. The 6A36 Ashchurch - Didcot MoD working was in the hands of 66199 formed of five wagons. Colas 47739 was also recorded during the day, as a 0Z47 08:20 Rugby - Gloucester yard light-engine at 10:47, working a 6Z47 12:05 Gloucester yard - Newport ADJ (also see Bristol Parkway, Pilning and Westerleigh Notes & News) wagon move later returning via Chepstow and Gloucester at 15:13 as a 0Z48 14:30 Newport ADJ - Doncaster West yard light-engine. A ‘Midland Tornado’ (1Z66 08:45 Victoria - Gloucester) trip which passed Standish junction at 12:03 top n’tailed with a Class 66 + 67 loco was worked forward as 1Z71 14:12 Gloucester - Waterloo (via Birmingham and Nuneaton) by 66050 + steam loco 71000 Duke of Gloucester, the latter standing in for an unavailable 60163 Tornado. The Class 66 formed part of the train due to fire risk.

28/07 66197 passed Cheltenham at 11:01 on the 6B36 Didcot - Ashchurch MoD service returning later as an 0A36 light-engine move.

Newport

03/07 150285 replaced a Voyager set on the 1V74 07:30 Manchester Piccadilly - Cardiff Central service, onwards from Gloucester . WCRC 47804 + 47826 returned a 1Z87 Pengam sidings - Nottingham railtour via Chepstow at 18:39, following steam haulage over the Central Wales line with 45407 + 44871.

05/07 MPV DR98908+DR98958 worked a Margam - Bescot weed spray move through Newport during the morning.

08/07 31285 + 31106 top n’tailed a 3Q58 Didcot yard - Kingsland Road test train (via Gloucester) with a reverse at Newport being noted here at 23:11.

09/07 NRMT HST set with power cars 43013 + 43014 worked the usual 1Z20 Old Oak Common - Derby RTC (via Swansea) test train out and back via Newport during the morning.

11/07 The Newport - Hereford line was closed for PW work during the day.

12/07 Green livered Class 50, D444 ran 0Z52 18:20 Hockley Hill (East Lancs Railway) - Cardiff Canton ( Pullman ) light-engine for a preserved loco move, being reported at Gloucester at 21:38.

17/07 66047 + 66081 + 66167 departed Newport around 08:00 on the Saturday’s only 6M60 Exeter ( Riverside ) - Bescot (downside) freight.

20/07 66082 + 60074 were paired on the 6V69 (TO) Bescot (downside) - St. Blazey freight (being reported passing Gloucester at 20:02).

21/07 59001 was on a 0F59 Westbury - Cardiff Canton light-engine move, through Newport at 07:58.

22/07 59001 returned from wheel-turning as 0V59 Cardiff Canton - Merehead quarry light, passing Newport at 09:39.

30/07 60013 was reported on steel duty, working: 6M76 03:04 Llanwern - Dee Marsh and 6V75 09:30 Dee Marsh - Margam return.

Portbury Branchline

Locos recorded on coal duty during the month have included:

66133. 66514/530/554/951. 70003/004.

Tytherington Quarry branchline

28/07 Following an overnight ballast drop several weeks previous, MPV DR98908+DR98958 visited the line as 6Z05 12:00 Barton Hill - Tytherington Quarry and 13:51 return, being noted passing Iron Acton at 13:13 and on the return at Latteridge level crossing at 13:58. The branch is to be returned to use following a near two year gap, during August.

Westbury

19/07 A new track re-cycling depot on the down-side has opened and is to deal with a quarter of Britain’s rail network redundant track expected to be around 10,000 tonnes during a year as well as 30,000 tonnes of steel for re-cycling. This is the first of three such sites to be opened around Britain .

25/07 With 08757 moved to Didcot, 60049 was used on yard pilot duties over the following few days.

Weymouth

03/07 The 2V67 16:55 Weymouth - Bristol TM with 67016 was delayed due to problems with 150243 formed with 153318 on the 2E27 16:08 service to Great Malvern (which had departed in front of the Class 67’s train), on Upwey bank. The train could only move at slow speed, the Class 153 doing it’s best to assist!

09/07 Steam 46115 Royal Scotsman put in its first appearance away from the Midlands on a 1Z96 08:25 Kensington Olympia - Yeovil junction working, arriving to time at 13:20. 47760 then took the train forward as 1Z97 14:00 Yeovil junction - Weymouth , with a loco run-round at Pen Mill station, for the steam loco to return the trip as 1Z98 17:38 to Waterloo following a light-engine run after turning at Yeovil junction.

28/07 Steam 60019 Bittern arrived at 13:30 with a 1Z96 Waterloo - Weymouth ‘Dorset Coast Express’. The return 1Z97, which departed around 17:30 was banked from Weymouth, over Upwey bank by 30777 Sir Lamiel, the second loco being detached at Wareham (for the Swanage Railway). Bittern had during the afternoon made the regular trip to Yeovil junction for turning to work the return.

Units seen during the month
142009/029/063.
143603/611/612/617/618/619/620/621.
150121/125/127/219/221/232/233/238/239/243/244/246/247/249/261/263/265/266/278/279/281.
153305/318/329/361/368/372/377/380.
158749/763/766/767/769/798/950/951/952/953/954/956/957/959*.
159001/012.
220001/011/014/019/024.
221122/123/127/128/130/131/132/133/134/139.
950001.

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