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Review of 2023
Yet another tough year personally. Medical problems with my eyes have left me without personal transport hence s somewhat reduced output and work produced was of a far more local nature.Lack of mobility 'carwise' has led to a much more reduced output of my pictures!
Here is GBRf's 47739 taking new EMU 701045 to Marchwood-MOD from Eastleigh-TRSMD as '5Q96' (11:30 off) for further secure storage (safe from graffiti attacks etc).Viewed at Totton where the branch to Marchwood diverges.
..31 january 2023..
Colas's 56049 'Robin of Templecombe' today worked '6C99' from Bedwyn back to base at Westbury-Down TC via Langley Reception Sidings (Reverse).It came over from S-Wales just for this working taking a break from its normal booked work,this being the Baglan Bay to Chirk Logs.Viewed passing Great Cheverell on the B&H in good sunlight just before it finally faded for the rest of the day.....Lucky or What?
..05 february 2023..
59201 rolls towards Clink Road Junction with '6C31' the 10:08 from Theale to Whatley Quarry morning empties.Note the first hopper is one of the new blue batch recently introduced on lease from the VTG Company.These will become much more common as the older FY and Hanson hoppers are withdrawn progressivly which they are now,slowly.
..22 march 2023..
GBRf's Celeb 66794 'Steve Hannam' in RF-Petroleum colours today worked '6V40' the 14:05 from Eastleigh to Westbury Down-TC engineering train.After a few weeks of solid rain and cloud it was a nice change for a bit of mild sunny weather!
..4 april 2023..
This was certainly a welcome surprise.Newly re-introduced GBRf pairing of 69004 and 69003 were assigned to work the weedkiller train from Woking down to Exeter-Riverside Yard for a program of weedkilling in Devon and Cornwall.The code being '3Q00' that departed Woking at 11:58 this morning.Certainly one of the workings of the year so far here in the Wylye Valley at Norton-Bavant.Thank goodness the skies were completely clear for this working instead of the usual dullness that normally happens!
..30 may 2023..
Todays monthly Test-Train '1Q18' the 07:59 from Derby-RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Weymouth was graced with a pair of Colas operated Class-37's 37612 &37254.Thankfully the Blue one 37612 was leading on the leg down to Weymouth with Colas liveried 37254 on the rear in the distance.Here seen at a very warm Bartletts Bridge at Fairwood shortly after its departure from Westbury.
..14 june 2023..
Amazingly the sun was in a nice patch of full blue sky when this Railtour '1Z50' the 07:07 from Ipswich to Paignton passed me here at Berkley nr Frome.GBRf's 50007 leads with 50049 tucked inside.----Marvellous! ---
..29 july 2023..
47749 was once one of the 'Colas-2' as 'Demelza' but now works for GBRf as 'City of Truro', its original name. Here seen on the rather cramped approach to Basingstoke Station with '5Q10' the 08:55 from Derby- Litchurch Lane to Eastleigh-T&RSMD delivering a brand new 'Aventra' 701055.
..10 august 2023..
A rather sad shot really.This is 43008 in Inter-City' colours along with 43007 in 'Original' style on the rear making their final journey in normal revenue earning service.They are to be removed at Plymouth and prepared in readiness for a farewell railtour at the end of September.Arriva-XC liveried examples will take their place on the booked return working. So here is '1V50' the 06:06 from Edinburgh to Plymouth viewed at Parson Street in Bristol....Thankfully it was a superb full sun day for this fairly historic albeit quite sad working.
..5 september 2023..
The main reason for my short visit to Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley was the passing of this returning ECS '5Z43' the 12:53 from Eastleigh-Arlington to Crewe-HS.It being the HST pairing of 43047 and 43046 reliveried as a repro-Midland Pullman.This 'full length' set of nine coaches is the only full size hst-set now working in the entire country with the recent demise of the Arriva-XC fleet.
..15 october 2023..
Immaculate EE Type-4 D345 in BR-Green passes Kelston Manor which overlooks the valley at Newton -St-Loe on the approach to Bath Spa with '1Z40' the 07:07 from Burton -on-Trent going eventually to Salisbury as a railtout operated by Pathfinder Railtours.So fortunate to have such a superb day for the passing of this noteable working!
..25 november 2023..
DCR's 60046 'William Wilberforce' was todays loco on '6Z60' the 10:05 from Willesden DC Rail Sdgs to Merehead with its set of empty Cappagh JNA's to collect another load of aggregates.Dire lighting yet again for this but what can you do?