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Class 150
Plenty of these around the Country,both variations.Vestibule and Non-Vestibule. Even a Network Rail owned Yellow version!
DMU-150239 rounds Langstone Rock at Dawlish Warren with '2T13' the 10:30 from Exeter-St-Davids to Paignton.
..4 september 2023..
150245 awaits departure from Cardiff with 1L57' the 14:17 from here to Maesteg.
..8 june 2023..
150270 is still in its 'Northern' colours but works for 'Transport for Wales'.No doubt a repaint will occur quite quickly. It is operating '2Y39' the 11:38 from Pontypridd to Barry Island services seen here departing Cardiff-Central.
..8 june 2023..
Brightly liveried 'Transport for Wales' 150260 slows for itd Cardiff-central stop with '2M26' the 11:26 from Barry Island going up to Pontypridd.Conrast this livery with the dire Slug-Green GWR inflicted on its Class-800 Fleet as seen here in the background!
..8 june 2023..
150217 in the current 'Transport for Wales' colours departs Newport with '2C71' the10:00 from Cardiff -Central bound for Taunton.
..3 april 2023..
Due to 'Storm Eunice' causing havoc on the railways nationwide services have been in quite a mess.Here is an emergency train-set running an Exeter-St-Davids to Westbury and return working..As no Class-800's were available very unusually a scratch-set of three Class-150's were employed instead.Here we have 150246/150265&150248 returning to Exeter from Westbury as the 11:57 from Westbury '1C78',possibly as an ecs as it was shown as cancelled on OTT. Pictured at Styles Hill on thr Frome Avoiding Line.
..20 february 2022..
NR's dedicated Test Train based on the style of a Class-150 number 950001 runs through Clink Road Junction in dull drizzly conditions with '2Q08' the 05:41 from Bristol High Level Sdg's to Laira T&R.S.M.D via the Mendip Quarries and then onwards to Laira via Bristol and Weston S Mare.
..27 october 2020..
NR's dedicated Test Train based on the style
Network-Rail's Test-Unit 950001 passes Great Cheverell travelling from Bristol-High Level (08:18 off) to Reading Triangle Sidings running as '2Q08'.
..21 august 2020..
A pair of dirty-dirge GWR-Green 150's led by 150221 today formed the 13:13 from Cardiff-Central to Fareham (1F19).Here seen in yellowing light at Arn Hill nr Warminster as the shadows lengthen with about an hour to go before sunset.
..19 january 2020..
This is something I havn't seen for quite some time! Here is 150246 with 158955 (unusually these days) working a Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff-Central service.This one being '1F28' the 16:23 fron PH to CF-Cent. Seen on the now sadly again rather overgrown approaches to Fresford Station in the Limpley Stoke Valley.
..20 july 2019..
Here is the 1984 built prototype Class 150/0 150001 which continues in service with GWR 35 years later! Only this and 150002 were built as 3-car Units .The remainder of the class (134) were all 2-car. It is viewed at Blatchbridge nr Frome with '2O94' the 14:50 from Great Malvern going down to Weymouth.
..10 july 2019..
This is 150001 the original 'Sprinter' uniquely built as a 3-car way back in 1984 (35 years ago) at York-BREL.Obviously retained for now by GWR due to its 3-car configuration it is seen at Malago Vale in Bristol working '2D04' the 07:35 from Taunton to Bristol-Parkway.
..26 march 2019..
These Class-150's that were so common around Westbury for so many years are now quite a rarity comparatively.Most services are now in the hands of the ubiquitous Thames-Turbo's. So here is 150243 running through Hawkeridge Junction with '2M07' the 10:47 from Swindon to Westbury,kmown locally as the Trans Wiltshire Express!
..25 march 2019..
The original 1985 built BREL prototype Class 150 No 150001 continues to work for a living currently with GWR.Almost certainly retained because along with 150002 (Also with GWR) they are unique as being the only 3-car 150's ever built with a true centre coach.Here it is seen departing Trowbridge at Dursley Footbridge with '1F13' the 11:08 from Cardiff Central to Fratton.Sadly there was some kind of issue with it as the train was terminated at Salisbury????
..24 march 2019..
The prototype Class-150 150001 continues to work in revenue earning service since being built way back in 1984 nearly 35 years ago.Because it's a 3-car set it has been retained by GWR whilst all of its 2-car 150/0 classmates have been moved off lease to pasture anew 'up north'. Here seen at Hawkeridge-Jn nr Westbury working '1F11' the 10:30 from Cardiff going down to Portsmouth Harbour.
..19 december 2018..
Here is one of the pair of original prototype 2nd generation of DMU's.This one 150002 along with 150001 are both still hard at work currently with GWR,probably because they are 3-car instead of 2 like all the other non-vestibule type that GWR have now handed back for reuse elsewhere in the country. The set is seen passing Hawkeridge-Jn with the 10:22 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Portsmouth Harbour as '1F19'.Normally this service runs from Cardiff-Central but today started at BTM due to engineering work in the area near Filton Abbey Wood.
..27 october 2018..
950001 Network Rail's Yellow Track Assessement Train speeds through Freshford which has very recently received lengthened platforms to be able to cope with 5-car DMU's.It was returning to Burton-on-Trent/Wetmore Sidings from Westbury as'2Z08'.It had arrived from Reading-Triangle Sidings earlier in the day.
..14 august 2018..
Amazingly with all the 150/1's having been cascaded to 'Northern' over the past few months here is one that has come the other way! Apparantly as a swap for a couple of Class-153's I have been imformed. So here is the Ex-Northern 150207 c/w GWR branding working in tandem with GWR-150234 on a nominally Cardiff to Portsmouth working '1F25' that today in fact started from Bristol-TM at 16:22.Seen at Hawkeridge Junction nr Westbury.
..24 july 2018..
GWR-Green 150233 passes Rockstone on the Sea-Wall at Dawlish with Langstone Rock forming the backdrop.The DMU was working the 16:43 from St Jame's Park to Paignton '2T23'.
..19 july 2018..
Today this Class-158/9 diagram the 13:30 from Cardiff-Central to Portsmouth Harbour '1F19' was reduced to a single Class-150 No-150266.No doubt the almost certainly full to standing load of customers were suffering from heat stroke in the 30-degree heat as these Units are not fitted with air-conditioning unlike the 158/9's.If I was going all the way to Portmouth I would bail out at Westbury, have a cold drink and wait for the next service which would hopefully have an air-con fitted 158 on it! Pictured at Heywood on the approach to Westbury.
..9 july 2018..
Two generations of DMU pass in Clink Woods nr Frome. 150265 with '2V90' the 11:10 from Weymouth going to Gloucester passes 166214 which left Gloucester at 10:42 going to Weymouth as '2O89'. I do wish Scott Turner (ST) would keep his garden a bit tidier?
..6 july 2018..
' Cattle and a Cattle Train' me-thinks! A GWR-Green 150/2** passes through Claverton with '2E25' the 15:38 from Westbury going to Great Malvern.
..26 june 2018..
150001 now in GWR-Green runs through Flax Bourton with '2U14' the 11:04 from Taunton to Bristol-Parkway.At that moment there were no services to Cardiff as normal due to the Severn Tunnel being closed for engineering upgrades. Of note is this is the actual prototype 2nd-generation DMU built is 1984 to start the replacement of all the original 1st-generation DMU's introduced way back in the 1950's to themselves replace steam!
..26 june 2018..
GWR-Green 150248 runs into Lostwithiel c/w its working signalbox and semaphore signalling with '2C48' the 15:57 from Plymouth going to Penzance.
..6 june 2018..
150248 runs into Truro with '2P86' the 11:41 from Penzance to Newton Abbot.The area behind the DMU was the site of the once quite extensive Truro Locomotive Depot c/w a turntable.
6 june 2018..
One of the remaining Class-150's on GWR's books is 150238 mainly because it is a vestubule-type.Most of the 150/1's or 'flatfaces' as I call them have now been transferred up North.Here it is approaching Westbury with '2F97' the 08:50 from Great Malvern going only as far as Westbury.This particular Unit still in the older FGW-Blue livery.Viewed at Hawkeridge Junction at Westbury.
..3 may 2018..
One of GWR's remaining 150's today worked '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome.150232 is seen passing the empty though nicely kept fields around Berkley Marsh on the approach to Frome at Pot Lane.
..2 may 2018..
Class-150 DMU's are not quite so common now around this area since the multiple cascade of Class 166 Turbo's to the Bristol area quite recently. In fact almost all the 150/1 (flat face-non vestubule) type have been re-allocated away from the GWR.Most of the remaining 150/2's are now in GWR-Green but this one 150238 seen at Westbury shunting around between platforms still retains it old FGW-Blue colours.
..26 april 2018..
Arriva Trains Wales's 150236 passes Park Junction in Newport with '2F30' the 12:37 from Ebbw Vale going to Cardiff-Central.Note the old wooden Signal Box and Semaphore Signals still in use here!
..19 april 2018..
Its hard to believe that both of these GWR DMU's are supposed to be the same colour.The light coating of day to day grime completely changes the look of this Unit compared to the very clean 158/9 behind.Yet another reason why this livery choice for thr GWR was such a crock! Anyway here are 150266 in harness with 158952 working '2O74' the 09:25 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Weymouth.I fail to understand why this seaside bound service had been strengthened given the temperature by the sea today is barely 3 degrees-C? Hardly a popular destination today I would say? The train is seen passing Witham Friary shortly after its Frome departure.
..11 february 2018..
Once quite a novelty but now plainly mundane! GWR's 150243 approaches Westbury at Fairwood with the 08:53 from Weymouth to Glouicester '2V88'.I was waiting for a couple of scheduled freights booked to run right behind it and seeing as the skies were perfectly clear picturing this seemed to be a nice idea to pass the time!
..5 february 2018..
Plenty of variety here today in S-wales.Here is 150277 operating '2F24' the 10:37 from Ebbw-Vale to Cardiff-Central passing a diminutive Colas-Ballast Regulator 73727 on a transfer from Cardiff-Canton (11:44 away) to Maindee Depot-ISU (CI) in Newport.Seen at Duffryn just west of ADJ yards.
..2 february 2018..
150101 'flatface' works a vstp '2Z86' as the 09:46 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Weymouth through Berkley Marsh nr Frome..Note this '150' is still in the old First-GW blue livery.Apparantly all the 150/1-versions in use with the GWR are to be moved on to another operator once the Class-165/166 Turbo's come on stream around here and they are cascaded west from the Thames-Valley.Hence the lack of GWR-Green on these Units.
..19 january 2018..
One of FGW/GWR's unique Class-150/9 3-cars 150926 passes through Wylye with '1F18' the 12:33 from Portsmouth Harbour heading for Cardiff-Central.Not a particularly luxurious way to travel about 150 miles instead of the more normal and comforable Class-158. Not that GWR care much anyway!
..19 december 2017..
Looking to be a recent repaint into GWR-Green 150244 speeds past the overgrown remains of Severn Tunnel Junction Freight Yard working '2U16' the 12:08 from Taunton going to Cardiff-Central.
,,27 october 2017..
This Unit 150002 is one of the original pair of prototype Class-150's built way back in 1984.They are unique in that they were built as 3-car units and after various engine experiments were eventually converted to standard configuration similar to the production versions which totaled an additional 135 train-sets. Here 150002 is seen passing Magor working '2C73' the 10:59 from Cardiff-Central to Taunton.Now wearing the almost universally applied GWR-Green livery.
..27 october 2017..
150123 passes Feltham Lane shortly after departing Frome with '2O90' the 12:56 from Great Malvern going to Weymouth.Recent foliage and tree removal on his section of line have revealed a long lost foot-crossing which is now clearly visible and offers potential for future shots at this location.
12 october 201`7..
Now 'for sure' an endangered species FGW-'Dynamic-Lines' liveried 150221 clatters through Upton-Noble with '2O86' the 08:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.
..12 october 2017..
150202 in what is now the almost universally applied GWR-Green on the Class-150 fleet (Just one left I believe) runs down through North Brewham working '2O86' the 08:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.Even though summer is virtually over this train was still completely full to standing with people very keen to sample the seaside air before Autumn really sets in!
..6 october 2017..
GWR-Green 150233 squeezes past the inviromentally friendly communications mast (Because it is painted green ??????) working '2O86' the 08:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.
..3 october 2017..
150131 leads 153380 along the seawall at Dawlish with '2F29' the 12:13 from Paignton to Exmouth about to pass under Rockstone Footbridge.In the distance can just be seen the section of the track that was washed away a few years ago and required many months of major works to rebuild.
..16 september 2017..
'Heritage' ????? FGW-Blue 150128 runs along the almost deserted seawall at Dawlish on a nice mid- September sunny morning.The train '2T13' started at Exeter-Central and is heading for Paignton.
..16 september 2017..
GWR-Green 150253 substitutes for the more usual 158/9 on '1F17' the 12:30 from Cardiff-Central to Portsmouth Harbour.I expect quite a few passengers on this journey will have to stand up in the vestibules.Even with the usual 3-car 158/9 there is barely enough seating for the on-board passengers.Viewed running into Westbury Station under a threatening sky.
..12 september 2017..
Arrive Trains Wales 150279 hurries up the relief lines at Marshfield between Cardiff and Newport.Note the plague of god-awful over-engineered masts have started to appear here.This train is '2N09' the 09:07 from Cardiff-Central going to Ebbw Vale Town.The reintroduction of services on this line a few years ago has been a complete success story and saved this once freight-only line (for years) from closure.
..3 september 2017..
2-car 'flat-face 150124 negotiates the 'jungle' on the approach to Clink Road Junction.This is '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth. All very mundane but used this as a quick lens-test for a newly acquired EOS 40mm STM Pancake prime lens.Seems to be OK?
..1 september 2017..
FGW-Blue 150221 accompanied by an unidentified 'Dogbox-153' friend rolls through Clink on the approach to Frome with '2O90' the 12:51 from Great Malvern going to the South Coast Seaside at Weymouth.This little used location required considerable use of a pair of garden-secateurs to defeat the rampant brambles that now infest this bridge.I understand the bleeding and scratches will heal given time!
..31 august 2017..
Since it was the friday before August-Bank Holiday there was not a lot of freight activity.Hence I was reduced to picturing this GWR working '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome 150246 here at the freshly manicured Fairwood Junction.The two selected target workings were most disappointing!One was a light-engine and the other got no further than Westbury Station.Try again next week!
..25 august 2017..
Here is a mixed pairing of 2-car Class-150's working '2O90' the 12:51 from Great Malvern going down to the seaside at Weymouth.FGW-Blue 150128 leads GWR 150246.All very dull and dreary.I can't decide which livery in worse,both are as bad as one another! Viewed approaching Clink Junction nr Frome.
..15 august 2017..
GWR 150266 passes an truly amazingly clear Berkley Marsh with '2C92' the 11:40 service from Frome going to Bristol-Temple Meads. A 'cutting crew' have been working here solidly now for over a week returning the embankments to the way they used to be over 25 years ago.Lets hope it remains clear here for a least 18 months or so before the dreaded bushes and shrubs regrow with a vengeance!
..13 august 2017..
GWR-150266 comes off the Frome Station Loop at Blatchbridge-Junction with '2Z97' the 17:49 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Weymouth.This 'Z' replaces '2O97' from Gloucester to Weymouth which was apparantly cancelled due to tresspass ?????.
..22 july 2017..
FGW-Blue 150106 drones by Cole just where the Somerset & Dorset Railway long closed in 1966 used to cross over the WR mainline on a long removedoverbridge.This section of the line is a steady climb up Bruton Bank with '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth to Bristol-Temple Meads passing by.
..18 july 2017..
150121 in harness with GWR-Green 150232 speeds towards its next station stop at Bruton.Seen here passing Brewham.The train is '2O86' the 08:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.
..17 july 2017..
A gleamingly reliveried 150239 in GWR-Olive Green crosses the Feeder-Canal Bridge in the City of Bristol working '2V90' the 11:10 from Weymouth going into Bristol-Temple Meads.Strangely the repainting teams never seem to give the unit-bogies any kind of clean-up or repaint which is a pity.
..13 june 2017..
With 70810 quietly waiting 'time' in Bath Good Loop '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome gets away from its Oldfield Park stop.150123 still currently in FGW-Blue doing the service.
..9 may 2017..
One of the now rapidly dwindling band of FGW-Blue Class-160 DMU's runs down Bruton Bank with '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth.This Unit being 150131.Viewed off the old S&D trackbed here at Cole nr Bruton.
..8 may 2017..
With the day clearing to full blue sky it was worth the effort to travel a bit further afield for a couple of selected workings.This is the newly opened up view off the old long lifted S&D trackbed at Cole in Somerset.Here is '2V90' a 2-car DMU 150124 operating as the 11:10 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads pictured climbing towards Bruton up the quite steep incline here.
..8 may 2017..
The relivery of the GWR owned Class-150's into Holly-Green continues now at an accelerated pace making these plain Blue versions fast becoming a minority. here is 150261 climbing Upton-Scudamore Incline working '2F95' the 14:59 from Frome going only as far as Warminster.An unexpected clear patch of blue sky prompted me to visit this location for '7O40' later. Forecasts indicated unbroked cloudiness but then what do the BBC know ???
..5 may 2017..
Barely 4 minutes behind GWR-Green 158950 came another green-unit,this time 150247 working '2F94' the 10:08 from Westbury to Warminster only. Location is again Penleigh nr Westbury at the commencement of the quite steep incline up to Upton-Scudamore. Despite appearances I am actually on a little used public footpath which becomes really well overgrown during the summer months!
..2 may 2017..
150232 in its 'Mickey Mouse' version of the 21st century GWR stands in the listed original Brunelian GWR overall roofed station here in Frome that is now over 160 years old! This Unit is working '2O90' the 12:51 from Great Malvern going down to the seaside at Weymouth.
..27 april 2017..
150266 looks to have received some kind of serious refurbishment.Not only has it gained a repaint into the hideous GWR-Olive Green but has also got some overhauled bogies as well! Here it is crossing over at Fairwood-Junction working '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads.
..27 april 2017..
Just a reminder that there is more to the railway scene around Westbury than an endless stream of various GM's.So here is Mongrel 150 3-car 150938 working '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome.The convenient hedgerows and shrubs here at Fairwood making a nice frame for the shot.
..18 april 2017..
GWR Sludge-Green,sorry I meant Olive-Green 150246 passes Fairwood nr Westbury with '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth to Bristol-Temple Meads.This one being a quite recent addition to the re-liveried fleet.Note how the bushes have greened up and the blackthorn flowers have appeared in the last few days as the air temperature has noticeably improved!
..5 april 2017..
New and Old versions of Arriva-Trains Wales liveries are seen combined here with 150264 (old) and 158837 (new) making up '1W07' the 10:37 from Cardiff-Central to Manchester-Piccadilly.Either livery looks fine to me,certainly better than the amatuerish GWR effort that's for sure! Viewed passing over the River Usk in Newport.
..2 april 2017..
'2V90' the 11:10 from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads scuttles past Fairwood as it slows for the Westbury stop.GWR-Olive Green 150234 was doing the job.It would appear now that getting on for 50% of the current fleet of 150's are now afflicted with this rather uninspiring dull livery. Oh well! that's how it is these days!
..31 march 2017..
Filthy 'Flat-Face' 150131 in FGW-Blue slows for Clink Junction working '2O90' the 12:51 from Great Malvern going to the seaside at Weymouth.Quite a few of the GWR-fleet of 150's are now in Olive-Green so shots of the old order seem to be a reasonable thing to do?
..20 march 2017..
GWR-Green 150232 rattles through Heywood with '2O90' from Great Malvern to Weymouth. Weirdly of the 8 DMU workings I viewed today in and around the Westbury area 6 were in the latest rather bland GWR-colours.I did see another new addition to the fleet (158950) incidentally.I suppose we have finally arrived at the 'tipping point' where the 'repaints' are now exceeding in numbers the older blue styling.Not long now before we start getting 'Yahoo' messages about blue 150 sightings on the Western-Region Haa Haa !
..10 march 2017..
This is one of the pair of original prototype Class-150's built way back in 1984 to test the design prior to mass production.This one being 150002.The pair (150001/002) are the only ones ever built as genuine 3-cars with a non-driving centre-coach unlike the later 'mongrel 150/9's. So here is 150002 in its fresh coat of GWR-Green working '1F13' which is normally a 158/9 diagram from Cardiff-Central (11:40 off) to Portsmouth Harbour.Apparantly during the refurbishment that included the repaint it was also fitted with toilet facilities in the centre car.This pair were famous for not having any hence being allocated exclusively on the Reading to Basingstoke shuttles for so long.
..24 february 2017..
150265 working '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth slows for the Freshford Station booked stop.Since the vegetation surrounding this location has been thoroughly cleared in the last few months I feel the need to return as often as possible here until the bushes eventually sprout up again.If you saw what this place was like just 3 month ago you would understand!
..24 february 2017..
GWR's 150232 passes Freshford as the setting sun begins to yellow and lengthen the shadows here.It was working a local '2C20' from Bristol-TM (15:42 off) to Westbury.
..18 february 2017..
GWR Sludge-Green 150232 slows for its Freshford Station stop with '2M98' the 12:27 from Southampton going to Bristol-Temple Meads.
..18 february 2017..
The local 'cutting crew' that have been tasked with sorting out the badly overgrown vegetation in the Limpley Stoke Valley have made a return visit to Freshford and completed the job they started last December.It has to be said it is more clear now than it has been for probably 40 years.An excellent job-Well Done! Here is GWR Class-150 150263 getting away from its booked stop here at Freshford as '1O98' the 10:50 from Great Malvern to Brighton. I do not think the newish livery change will compensate the customers for having to put up with such a basic 'unit' given the distance some customers will be travelling in it!
..7 february 2017..
Here at Avoncliff the K&A Canal crosses both the Railway and the River Avon on a stone Aquaduct.150249 is viewed travelling towards Bradford-on-Avon with '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth. I am a little confused? Why isn't there a 8ft high palisade fence to stop me falling down the steep muddy bank into the 6ft deep fast flowing river ??????..Answers on a postcard please! (Or am I tempting fate?)
..7 february 2017..
This stretch of line through the Limpley Stoke Valley near Avoncliff Halt hasn't been this clear of lineside vegetation since the days of Ivo Peters and his famous book 'Railway Elegance'.All thanks to a very thorough 'cutting crew' that are slowly working their way towards Bathampton from Bradford-on-Avon.Here is 150926 substituting for a more usual 158/9 working the 08:59 from Brighton going to Great Malvern as '1V94'.
..7 february 2017..
The 'One of a kind' custom built 950001 uses the same basic bodyshell as the more mundane Class-150 DMU's but is used as a Track Recording Unit today worked '2Q08' the 08:30 from Oxford-Down Carriage Sidings to Derby-RTC via Reading,Westbury and the B&H and then return.Here it is seen passing Great Cheverell going east having reversed in Westbury.
..7 february 2017..
Network Rail's Track Recording unit 950001 c/w its new logo's heads west at Great Cheverell on the B&H happily recording the permanant way as it goes.It was working '2Q08' from Oxford to Derby-RTC via Reading and Westbury.Some quite drastic digital 'tree surgery' was necessary to make this shot a bit more presentable.Time for a midnight visit with a small chainsaw methinks. MF are you reading this?
..7 february 2017..
GWR-150247 sits in Platform-1 at Westbury waiting to form '2F96' the 17:11 from here to Warminster,just 4 miles away! This shot hand-held using 6400-iso 80th/[email protected] F2-35mm prime lens.Fairly successful considering!
..25 january 2017..
Mini-Mongrel 3-car 150925 runs through a shadowed Fairwood nr Westbury with '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome.These mundane Class-150's are largely ignored these days but occasional pictures get included for the sake of completeness of the local railway scene.
..23 january 2017..
One of the ever increasing band of GWR-liveried Class-150's that infest this part of the country 150263 runs into Westbury with '2O86' the 08:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.There seemed to be some kind of difficulty with it as it remained in the platforms for over 45 minutes before it continued on its way! Note the set of Cable-carriers in the 'Ditch' behind.A pair of 56's was supposed to arrive here at Westbury earlier,hence the reason for coming here.However it was shown as 'caped' but in fact it ran some time much earlier but with no information shown when! A typical Engineering train re-hash.
..27 december 2016..
First Great Western-150131 slows for its Bradford-on-Avon station stop whilst working '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester to Weymouth.
..20 december 2016..
150257 in its revised Arrive Trains-Wales 2-tone livery passes under the currently 'closed' for rebuilding Church Road in Undy.A new footbridge appears to be already in place.Also it seems that the 'slow' lines here are not to be electrified so the small arches are set to remain. The train seen here is '2L53' the 10:45 from Cheltenham to Maesteg.
..5 november 2016..
FGW-Blue 150121 along with its 153+++ friend passes Undy in going to Taunton from Cardiff-Central (10:55 off) '2C73' being its Identity.
..5 november 2016..
150121 stands in Platforn 5 at Bristol-Temple Meads about to depart as '2K44' the 20:34 to Severn Beach.The superb overall roof here providing a magnificent background.
..2 november 2016..
One of the growing band of GWR Class-150's that are now wearing the Green-Livery of the latest Franchise around this area arrives at Warminster with '2F94' the 10:08 from Westbury to Warminster.This one 150234 still looking quite smart in the low morning light.Not too sure about those silver doors though for the 'partially sighted'.For sure the bright red ones that were in use on the FGW-Blue livery certainly wouldn't suit this scheme!
..2 november 2016..
Plain-Jayne 150130 rolls into Warminster with '2F94' the short-haul duty from Westbury (Departed at 10:08).It was carrying just one passenger! Even worse,the return back to Westbury a few minutes later was empty! Brings back memories of years gone by!
..27 october 2016..
2-car DMU 150130 and its little Class-153 buddie passes the ever encrouching jungle on the approach to Parson Street in the suburbs of Bristol.It is '2C71' the 10:39 from Bristol-Parkway heading for Taunton. These services normally work from Cardiff but currently the Severn Tunnel is closed to traffic whilst Network-Rail attempt to convert it for electrication.
..14 october 2016..
'Flat-Face' 150101 runs away from Westbury going to Weymouth with the 12:51 from Great Malvern '2O90'.This is one of the 150's due to be moved off lease when GWR finally gets an allocation of displaced Thames- Turbo's when the farce that is the Electrification scheme out of Paddington finally staggers into use!
..12 october 2016..
GWR's 150233 in the less than popular new Sludge-Green livery rolls into Southampton-Central on '2O05' the 11:11 from Westbury.This service terminated here and formed the '2M98' train to Great Malvern about ten minutes later.
..8 september 2016..
This early evening return service from Weymouth (18:28 off) to Bristol-TM '2V93 is always heavily loaded with passengers hence it is strengthened to up to five coaches.Tonights offering was a contrasting combination of the new GWR Dirge-Green liveried 150247 and the more pleasingly coloured charity liveried 158798.Here seen right on the edge of sunset catching a bit of a glint as it passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..13 august 2016..
FGW/GWR mongralism of their fleet of DMU's even extends to a few Class-150's. Here is a modified into 3-car formation 150938 traversing the Limpley Stoke Valley on the approach to Freshford Station with '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester going to Frome.
..12 august 2016..
FGW's Mini-Mongrel 3-car 150926 still in base-blue livery works up the Upton Scudamore Incline with '2F95' the 14:59 from Frome to Warminster.There it will terminate and form '2E45' the 15:28 to Great Malvern.
..22 july 2016..
A pair of anonymous Class-150's made up todays '2O09' from Worcester Foregate Street (12:41 off) going to Weymouth.Here viewed cruising through the Limpley Stoke Valley at Claverton.The small herd of young cows and bullocks were most inquisitive and followed us all the way up the very long field here.Thankfully keeping their distance as they charged around in a close knit bunch!
..02 july 2016..
'2C69' the 08:54 from Cardiff-Central to Taunton passes Undy west of Severn Tunnel Junction under a threatening sky.Todays combination was 150234 with a pair of unidentified Class-153 dogboxes.
..02 july 2016..
The 08:53 from Weymouth to Bristol-Temple Meads rattles up through Berkley Marsh shortly after crossing Clink Road Junction from its Frome Station Stop.Plain FGW-Blue 150128 doing the duty.
..06 june 2016..
'2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads rejoins the mainline at Clink Road-Junction after visiting Frome Station.Base-Blue FGW 150130 doing to duty.
..27 may 2016..
I know it must be a trick of the light but a surprisingly nice looking Base-Blue liveried FGW 150102 rounds the curve away from Bradford-Junction at Ladydown working '2F97' the 09:07 and a half from Worcester Shrub Hill going only as far as Westbury.The oddball departure time is due to the section between Great Malvern and Worcester being cancelled probably due to it being a late running northbound service.
..24 may 2016..
150232 in the latest GWR-Green attempt at a livery is partnered with a couple of Class-153's on '1F31' the 17:38 from Cardiff-Central going to Portsmouth Harbour.Here viewed at Yarnbrook in between Trowbridge and Westbury where the embankments have been substantially rebuilt due to continual subsidence.
..08 may 2016..
Only a DMU but the reality of today's railways is that the majority of the day to day services are performed by these train types!.Therefore photographs of these rather mundane machines are quite necessary for a balanced view of todays railways. So here is 150261 shortly after passing Clink Road-Junction in Frome with '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads.This DMU is somewhat off its usual territory today as it normally works between Exeter and Barnstable 'The Tarka Line' as advised by the large white stickers on each carriage.
..03 may 2016..
FGW/GWR are now starting the repaint their fleet of Class-150 DMU's into their new but hugely unpopular Sludge-Green Livery albeit very slowly.Here is the latest and only the 2nd one so treated 150247 standing largely ignored by the masses at the SFM-Open day.The door access paint-contrast for the partially sighted is not very impressive.Even I can't see the doors very well and my eyesight is nearly perfect!
..02 may 2016..
The 16:40 from Gloucester to Weymouth comes under Pot Lane Road Bridge with 'old style' 150202 in charge.At least if I was 'partially sighted' I would be able to see where the doors are on this Unit.Compare these with the pathetic grey doors on one of the recently reliveried into GWR colours Class-150's Click HERE to see.
..29 april 2016..
GWR-Green 150232 passes West-Woodlands east of Frome with '2O89' the 10:42 from Gloucester heading for the coast at Weymouth.Note the densely populated Rookery in the trees behind the train.If the birds could talk I expect they would be saying-------Caw------- look at that crap new GWR-livery.
..27 april 2016..
As usual,the late evening sun setting breaks up the cloud cover so I was able to grab this quite nice shot of '2O97' the 18:00 from Bath-Spa going down to Weymouth.150234 being the Unit of choice tonight.See approaching Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Naturally after about 30 minutes of unbroken sunlight it all died as the following empty stone with 59201 approached about 4 minutes afterwards!
..07 april 2016..
Here is Network-Rail's very own Class-150 that was specially built as a dedicated 'Test-Train'. It carries the number 950001 but has never carried any fare paying passengers ever! It is seen departing Westbury with the 09:44 from Didcot-TC going to Derby-R.T.C as '2Q08' eventually via Taunton and Bristol.This tele-shot was the best I could mange as by the time 950001 had come within 'standard' lens focal length range the high speed clouds had darkened the scene completely!
..06 april 2016..
Flat-Face 150102 sits in Castle-Cary during its short station stop here.It is on '2E24' the 13:10 from Weymouth going only as far as Westbury due to engineering works beyond Bath-Spa closing the line to Bristol-TM.This station is well known during the summer months for the annual rugby scrum that happens here during the Glastonbury Music Festival.For the rest of the year patronage is somewhat more sedate!
..02 april 2016..
With train from both directions only passing every 2 hours or so I had to make to most of the solitary train I saw here during my short visit.Here is 150263/150246 motoring away from Yeovil-Pen Mill with '2E22' the 11:10 from Weymouth to Westbury.Plenty to see here,various semaphore signals,point rodding,a working Signal Box and even some period looking rusty sidings!Well worth a visit but to see several trains at least 2 hours is needed.However there is a Cafe on site which does excellent Bacon-Butties and a decent cup of coffee to keep you amused during the wait!
..02 april 2016..
Apart from a few pathetic H&S type notices dotted about and various painted lines (White and Yellow) here and there this Station at Yeovil-Pen Mill has seen very little change for many years.Signals are still semaphore and train control on the single lines here is still with tablets and pouches.This is 150246 tailing 150263 on '2E22' the 11:10 from Weymouth going only as far as Westbury due to the line between Bath-Spa and Bristol being closed for track lowering work for the electrification on that route.A quite interesting location with plenty of old-world charm although trains are a little thin on the ground (Every 2 hours or so).
..02 april 2016..
2-car 150243 scuttles down past Malago-Vale in the western suburbs of Bristol with '2C75' the rather basic 12:00 from Cardiff-Central to Taunton service. Although the other side of this footbridge looking towards Parson Street has seen the rampant Buddleia Bushes substantially cropped back this side looking towards Bedminster is still growing as wild as ever.Lets hope the chopper-squad come back soon to deal with this side just as efficiently!
..16 march 2016..
FGW 2-car 150249 pauses at a tranquil Bruton Station to drop off just one passenger whilst nobody was waiting to board it either! This was the 11:10 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads '2V90'.Note the wide spacing of the tracks here,probably a legacy of when this route was broad gauge well over a century or so ago! It was actually converted to standard-gauge in 1874.
..07 march 2016..
Nondescript FGW-150202 scuttles up through Gant's Mill on Bruton Bank working '2V90' the 11:10 service from Weymouth heading for Bristol-Temple Meads. Beware of the headcase 'farmer' who has a couple of sheep in the fields in this area nr Gant's Mill.If he catches you in his field he is liable to get very aggressive.Hence why I am on a 9ft ladder overlooking a hedge on the public road.Just be warned,he is a nutcase that needs to be sectioned!
..03 march 2016..
The 11:10 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads '2V90' climbs Bruton Bank at an undisclosed secret location! FGW-150248 being todays allocated DMU.
..25 february 2016..
ATW's 150282 is seen working '2G56' the 09:16 from Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa through Magor east of Newport.Magor Baptish Church dominates the background.
..19 january 2016..
Today the first DMU in the new 'GWR' franchise livery style made its appearance in traffic.Here is 150232 in that very uninspiring GWR-Green.Interestingly they had not even bothered to clean and repaint any of the under-frame equipment whotsoever. It is seen on its first day passing Test Lane nr Redbridge with '2O05' the 11:11 from Westbury to Southampton.
..16 january 2016..
Class150/9 mongrel 150926 rolls slowly to a halt to form the 15:28 service from here (Warminster) heading for Great Malvern.It had arrived a few minutes earlier from Frome and required to reverse here to form this service.The station itself is pretty much as it was way back in the early 1960's when I used to board a train every morning at 07:30 to commute to Salisbury to attend the Tech College there.Trains then consisted of usually a Hymek or maybe a Brush type-4 with 5 Collett coaches.Of coarse all the sidings,goods sheds and signal box here are long gone but that progress (I think?).
..01 december 2015..
Class-150 2-car DMU's no-s 219 & 234 sits in the platforms at Westbury in the dull-shine??? Note the completely different shades of 'hi-viz' yellow applied to the front ends.Which one is correct? Answers on a postcard to the H&S jobsworth department at Network Rail-HQ Milton-Keynes!!!!
..05 november 2015..
150246,one of the dogsbody workhorses of the FGW-DMU Fleet passes Clink nr Frome with '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-TM.Well at least the sun was shining!
..16 june 2015..
A strengthened Unit-Combination of 150129 and 'Hire-In' SWT's-158882 make up the 12:27 from Southampton going to Great Malvern as '2M98'.Here passing Brougham Hayes in Bath. I bet when this combo pulls into a station most people from the benefit of experience try to make a beeline for the 158 which is bound to be more comforable than the 150.
..16 may 2015..
150130 scuttles past the blooming Oil Seed Rape Fields at Berkley-Marsh nr Frome.It's '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Temple Meads.I was actually here for an engineering working that was due a few minutes later but naturally the clouds won that argument so this shot was 2nd prize!
..28 april 2015..
150239 operates '2E27' the 17:28 from Warminster going to Great-Malvern.For a long time now the farmer here at Arn Hill has had wheat planted in the fields beside the line but this year it has been given over to the 'Crop of the EU Farming Subsidy Year' Oil Seed Rape.........Very colourful it is too.
..23 april 2015..
One of FGW's exceedingly plain looking 2-car Units 150124 runs down the straight towards Fairwood-Junction nr Westbury.The working is '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-TM.A gang of Irish workmen have been very busy along this section of track removing bushes,shrubs and trees.Evidence of their workmanship can be seen in the foreground.Where once there used to be a rather large tree that was casting a long shadow, all that is left now is a pile of saw-dust and chippings!
..16 april 2015..
'Flat-Face' 150128 forming '2O90' the 12:50 from Great-Malvern going to the seaside at Weymouth passes a sunny Fairwood with the unmistakable twin local landmarks of the Cement-Works Chimney and the White Horse in the far background.I have no doubt the White Horse will still be there in a few years time but the chimney is on borrowed time since it has been redundant/abandoned now for 5-years.
31 march 2015..
150280 which was seen earlier going to Newport from Shrewsbury was prompty turned round to form '2B67' the 14:55 from there to Llanelli. St George's west of Cardiff being the location which has remarkable similarities to Gossington south of Cam&Dursley!
..21 march 2015..
Compare to the dull&dour colours of FGW, Arrive-Trains-Wales are much more photogenic.Here is 150280 near Pontsarn with '2V38' the 09:00 from Shrewsbury going to Newport-Gwent.
..21 march 2015..
ATW's 150267 speeds through Coedkernew heading for Cardiff with another well loaded train from Ebbw Vale Parkway.This hourly service was re-introduced in 2008 after a gap of 46 years since it was originally closed.The passenger numbers using this new service has wildly exceeded the original estimates.As usual Network-Rail got its figures using overpaid consultants completely wrong! This particular train is the 12:39 from Ebbw Vale running as '2F30'.
..18 march 2015..
FGW's 150202 runs down past the former site of the Malago-Vale carriage sidings (Now all gone) with '2C71' the 10:00 from Cardiff heading for Taunton.The large wooden fencing is there to provide some kind of noise barrier for the houses that are now built on the former railway land here.
..04 march 2015..
The 12:42 from Gloucester to Frome '2C18' was today made up of the 3-car mongrel 150925.here itruns over Fairwood Foot Xing on the approach to the junction there.
..09 february 2015..
A 2-car DMU 150248 approaches Westbury at Fairwood working the 13:10 from Weymouth heading for Gloucester.As can be seen from the muddy track across the field here this Foot-Crossing is very popular with the locals.Indeed NR have just refurbished it c/w new walking boards and signage.
..08 january 2015..
Flat-Nosed Triple 150925 runs away from Westbury with '2C18' the 12:42 from Gloucester going only as far as Frome.This shot over the freshly trimmed roadside hedge would have been perfect for the booked pair of 70/8's originally due to pass at about this time.However they departed 55 minutes early so I missed them! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..08 january 2015..
150261 in plain FGW-Blue works '2E24' the 13:10 from Weymouth bound for Gloucester.It is seen at the site of major shrub and tree clearance activity at Yarnbrook between Westbury and Trowbridge.I understand this is in preparation for some embankment stabilization work due to start here shortly.
03 december 2014..
Cobbled together 3-car Class-150 now renumbered as 150925 whilst it remains so sits in Trowbridge about to restart the 15:28 from Warminster going to Great Malvern.Lighting this afternoon was particularly dire requiring 1600asa and 400th at F4. I was actually here to observe the passing of 60049 from Banbury Rd-Oxford to Westbury so a shot of this working helped to pass the time!
..13 november 2014..
FGW-DMU 150234 runs over the Feeder Road Bridge at North Somerset Junction in Bristol with '2E24' the 13:10 from Weymouth heading via Gloucester.
..25october 2014..
The 2-car 150101 runs along the 4-track between Newport and Cardiff with '2U12' which started its journey from Penzance at 06:00 early this morning.The time here at Coedkenew was just past Noon so its total journey time was well over 6 hours.What an endurance test that would be if you went the entire distance.In truth as it was an 'all stations' stopper I expect nobody did! Or would want too.
..21 october 2014..
This pair of DMU's were seen approaching Cardiff-Central at Long Dyke-Junction running in parallel.ATW's Dog-Box 143616 on '2B67' from Newport going to Llanelli alongside FGW's 150101 working '2U18' the 13:07 Taunton to Cardiff service.No prizes for guessing the more appealing of these two liveries?
..11 october 2014..
At last a full sun picture of this elusive but quite historic 'one of a pair' prototype Class-150 .Amazingly this was built 30 years ago and unlike most test-build prototypes is still running in regular service today.For the duration of this summer (2014) it has been transferred from its regular duties between Reading and Basingstoke and placed in the general user pool for FGW.All very well but this 3-car does not have any toilet facilies and when used as this one was today from Cardiff to Brighton (5 hours) and return from there to Bristol (3 hours) I expect several passengers were in some considerable discomfort. However when the summer-service ends it will revert to its previous duties where the full journey time is only about 23 minutes! So here is 150002 passing Arn-Hill nr Warminster with '1V96' the 15:46 from Brighton going to Bristol-Temple Meads. Whoever allocated this Unit to this duty is either stupid or has a wicked sense of humour!
..31 august 2014..
Here is the 12:50 service from Great Malvern going to Weymouth reporting as '2O90'. 150246 with an unidentified '153' along for the ride passes the back of the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge.
..13 august 2014..
Here we have 150002.This was one of the pair of original 3-car prototypes built to assess the potential of the '150' type of DMU. It was constructed in 1984,amazingly 30 years ago now and its success spelt the death knell of all the First-Generation DMU's plus many many loco hauled services as well. Now a FGW Unit it was until recently used exclusively on the Reading to Basingstoke services but these days is seen everywhere locally and is treated as just another '150' by the diagrammers.Interestingly it has no toilet facilities so when it is being used on longer journeys such as this one '2U18' the 13:08 from Taunton to Cardiff (Over 2 hours duration) some of the passengers could very well be in trouble! ..08 august 2014..
150233 gets away from Oldfield Park with '2F97' the 08:50 from Great Malvern going eventually to Westbury.
..07 august 2014..
Double-150 comprising of 150266 and 150126 trundles through Pilning with '2U20' the 12:48 from Paignton going to Cardiff Central.I took this shot just to line up the framing in anticipation of Colas-60087 on the Tilbury to Llanwern Steel that was due about an hour or so later.All was going well until it stopped in Hullavington Loop where it was declared a failure with a total loss of air in the braking system. You couldn't write it could you? Myself and about 8 or 9 other gathered photographers were not amused! It finally passed in the dark about 4 hours later DIT behind a Class-70.
..23 july 2014..
66713 rolls to a halt at the signal that controls access to the Melksham Branch. There was still a problem with the signalling on this branch since early this morning and '6M40' took on a pilot-man who could be seen waiting by the signal before it could proceed..Meanwhile 150129 was passing the other way on the main from Bath without any problems.This working was the 10:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth running as '2O89'.
..07 july 2014..
Lightweight 2-car 150131 loaded to bursting passes Fairwood-Junction with '2V88' the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Bristol-TM. Hard to believe just a decade ago this service would have been a 37/4 with 5 mk-2's.At least all the passengers would have had a seat!
..07 july 2014..
150102 rolls slowly back into Westbury Station as an empty-stock after coming off the DMU stabling point.It formed the 17:20 from Westbury going to Swindon '2M13',locally now known as the 'Trans-Wiltshire Express'.
..25 may 2014..
Here is '2O97' with 150105 dressed in the drab FGW-Blue rattling through Berkley-Marsh going to Weymouth from Gloucester (16:40 off).
..
..14 may 2014..
Just a reminder that Units also use the Rail-Network as well as Freight. Here is 150232 on '2E27' the 17:28 from Warminster going to Great Malvern.Seen passing Arn-Hill in the Wylye-Valley.
..09 may 2014..
150104 heads the '2E27' Warminster to Great Malvern service which departed at 17:28.Arn Hill itself forms the backdrop of this view looking towards Warminster.
..16 april 2014..
At last! now that BST is upon us and a perfect evening had arrived it was time to picture one of the new Colas Class-70's on '6Z31' from Westbury to Eastleigh.Here is the previous service '2F96' running from just Westbury (17:11 off) up the incline at Old Dilton. With a perfectly clear blue sky and the '70' reported as departed from Westbury shortly after this service has passed---what could go wrong????? Unbelievably its train became derailed as it was exiting onto to mainline on the throat of the Down-Yard there.So that was that--4 hours later it was still sat where it had stopped just outside Westbury. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..09 april 2014..
The smallest 'Test Train' in Network-Rail's fleet is this 2-car DMU specially built for NR based on the Class-150 type which runs numbered 950001.No mistaking this for the stopper to Weymouth from Bristol ! It departed Bristol-TM early this morning at 06:24 as '2Q08' and by now (10:26) had already visited both of the local Mendip Quarries.From here it is to travel up to Thingley-Jnc and after other various movements in the area will end todays testing at Taunton.It is seen here passing Clink Road Jnc which is in fact only about 200 yards from my home. (I still used the car to get to the bridge!)
..25 march 2014..
'Northern' liveried 150270 stands in one of the north facing bay platforms under the cavernous roof at York.
..14 march 2014..
Wearing the latest version of Arriva-TW Livery 150279 rattles past Water Street Junction nr Margam with '2B67' the 14:57 from Newport supposed to be going to Llanelli (As per destination blind).However due to being cancelled at the 'operators request' so it only went as far as Swansea!
..08 march 2014..
Here is another working that is happening due to the Dawlish Damage Blockade.'5Z92' is an ECS from Bristol-TM going down to Exeter-TMD.Obviously these FGW-Units 150239 and 153333 had been to the depot at St Phillips Marsh for servicing as their normal mtce depot-Laira is unreachable at this time.Seen at Fairwood west of Westbury.
..05 march 2014..
The '2O86' service from Gloucester (08:41 off) to Weymouth is seen approaching Hawkeridge-Jnc at Westbury.DMU-150126 looking as if it has just had a bit of a cosmetic refresh in plain FGW Blue. ..26 february 2014..
Highlight of the day was supposed to be the passage of D1015 with D821 in tow going from the SV-Rly to Bishops Lydeard.The booked schedule indicated a 20 minute halt at Westbury in platform-2.However the thing didn't stop so any chance of a few night shots of that disappeared as fast as that convoy '0Z42'. So by way of compensation (I needed the practice anyway) I took this portrait of 150104 about to depart Westbury with the 19:32 service to Cheltenham-Spa '2M17'.The FGW Unit taking on a ghostly appearence due to it being absolutely filthy hiding the crap livery! ..18 february 2014..
150108 rattles the pointwork at Standish-Junction as it takes the Golden-Valley route heading for Swindon with '2B92' the 11:19 from Cheltenham-Spa.This shot is taken from a public foot-xing despite appearences.
..10 october 2013..
Mundane 2-car 150249 sits in a seemingly deserted Westbury about to depart for Great Malvern with the 12:27 from Southampton-Central running as '2M98'.
..02 october 2013..
This is a very local service!'2F95' It runs from Frome (14:59 off) to Warminster via Westbury, a distance of less than 10 miles.Today a 3-car mongrel of the 150 class variety was in use.150927 is seen passing the colourful lineside wild flowerbed at Old Dilton on the ascent of the Upton-Scudamore Incline there.
..26 july 2013..
Paired 150219 &150232 rolls back into the DMU holding sidings 'ecs' after a shunt move out of the main station here at Westbury.
..21 july 2013..
With a superb display of Rosebay-Willow Herb in the foreground and some Ragwort also in full bloom 150244 makes for a very colourful picture as it climbs up past Old Dilton with '2F96' the 17:11 from Westbury going to Warminster.
..17 july 2013..
The '1F24' service made up of just 150249 only works the 14:23 off Portsmouth Harbour going all the way to Cardiff is seen speeding past Norton-Bavant in the Wylye-Valley on a virtually cloudless day with the temperatures in the high 20's (Nearly 80 degrees F in old money).The burning question is,why is such a primative DMU with no Air-Conditioning and consisting of just 2 carriages working such a high density route on a day like this.Every seat appeared to be taken so I would think the internal temperature in this sweat-box was pretty much unbearable.Good old FGW working to keep its standards as low as possible as usual!
..06 july 2013..
FlatFaced-150102 passes under the A350 at Arn-Hill Nr Warminster with '2E26' the 16:28 service from Warminster going to Gloucester.So nice to see a china-blue sky for a change.2013 certainly seems to be a more sunny year so far than the previous two!
..29 june 2013..
Non-Vestibule FlatFace 150131 slows for the request-stop at Dilton Marsh Halt.Today there was actually two passengers wanting to go to Warminster.A fairly logical conclusion as this working '2F94' is the 10:08 departure from Westbury going only as far as there,a distance of just 4 miles!
..27 june 2013..
This is '2O97',the 18:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth.As the famous Glastonbury Festival started allowing visitors onto the site from today all services that called at Castle-Cary (The closest station to the Festival) were strengthened to cope with the major influx of festival visitors.So here is 150234 and 150247 passing Berkley nr Frome in the evening sunlight.
..26 june 2013..
One of your basic 2-car DMU's 150101 motors away from its Frome stop with '2D05' the 06:40 from Weymouth going to Bristol-Parkway.Seen passing Clink on the town outskirts.
..25 june 2013..
2-car DMU 150216 hurries through the jungle setting that is Ladydown in Trowbridge with '2E18' the 08:38 from Westbury going to Gloucester.Current rumours are that FGW is about to hand back their franchise to the Government in the near future.We live in hope,then we might get a more pleasing livery eventually than the dour blue the entire fleet wears at the moment!-------------------------------15 june 2013-------
150232 climbs up past Old Dilton with '2F96' from Westbury going only as far as Warminster.This will then form the 17:28 departure from there going to Great Malvern.
..12 april 2013..
With all the extra traffic on this line today the schedules still had to accomodate the normal booked workings.here is the 15:28 from Warminster to Great-Malvern service '2E25'.It was actually about 10 minute late departing Warminster where it started,no doubt causing a few frowns in the Westbury-Power Box today! Former 'Midland' 150104 doing the service.In the background is Arn Hill that overlooks Warminster Town.
..29 march 2013..
A 'Fridays-Only' working due to the heavy volume of passenger traffic is this service that takes a DMU to Exeter via Castle-Cary from Westbury.Here is 150101 coming out of Westbury on this one-off per-week working '2J93'
..03 august 2012..
Once numbered 150127 but now since it was reformed as a 3-car has become 150927.This is a method to enable signallers to identify the length of the train so as to direct it into platforms if necessary of sufficient length.Here it is running into Westbury with the 14:59 from Frome going to Warminster '2F95'.Seen at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..03 august 2012..
Langstone Rock at Dawlish forms the scene setting backdrop as '2F17' rolls slowly by preparing to stop at Dawlish-Warren Station.150104 and 153380 make up this working, the 09:04 from Paignton going to Exmouth.
..21 july 2012..
150122 is one of the bunch of non-vestibule 150's that now infest FGW local services in the Westbury area.Seen here in its drab and dirty plain blue c/w H&S blindmans-buff pink doors passing Clink on the approach to Frome.This working came from Cheltenham-Spa,departing there at 13:35 and going (as the blind indicates) to Weymouth.I wonder what sort of impression these Units will make to all the hordes of foreign Olympic visitors who will probably be standing for most of their journeys in a few weeks time on the Weymouth route? ..18 june 2012..
150122 plus its '153' partner pauses at Oldfield-Park with the 11:08 from Bath-Spa going to Bristol-Parkway.Note the two well known local photographers Mark Few and Darren Brooks discussing the merits of the recently transferred but regretfully now repainted ex-Metro 150's.I have to say it was a very short conversation!
..09 june 2012..
'Flat-Face' 150129 wearing a sticker extolling thr 'Devon&Cornwall Railway Partnership' climbs Upton-Scudamore Incline past Dilton-Marsh Halt going to Warminster only with the 10:08 from Westbury.The Conductor is leaning out of the unit checking to see if it was necessary to stop at Dilton as this is a booked request stop.Since nobody was using the station either way it went straight through non-stop at about 5 mph.
..30 may 2012..
The 16:41 from Gloucester going to Weymouth slows for its Frome stop on the approach to Clink-Junction.Recent inductee to the FGW fleet 150104 regretfully now wearing FGW colours instead of the more pleasing green it arrived in when initially transferred doing the duty.Note the now freshly repainted Westbury-White Horse in the far background.
..23 may 2012..
Almost my first experience of sunlight this month allowed me this shot of 150247 leaving Bradford-on-Avon on the 11:10 from Weymouth to Bristol-TM.
..08 may 2012..
Former-Centro 150104 in its fresh coat of FGW-Blue passes Berkley-Marsh shortly after departing Frome with the 08:53 from Weymouth going to Gloucester.
..13 april 2012..
The Class-150 formed Frome to Gloucester service '2E22' speeds past the grazing sheep in the fields at Claverton nr Bath.Only 2-Car Units were suitable to make this shot work in the gap between the bushes so a long wait was necessary as most trains today were 158/9's.Thankfully the full blue skies made the usual furtive look back over your shoulder every few minutes un-needed today.
..24 march 2012..
One of the recently acquired ex-Midland-150's 150130 now unfortunately dis-figured with FGW-Blue motors away from Westbury on the 10:41 from Gloucester going to Weymouth.The large white sticker on the side extols the virtues of 'The Severnside Community Rail Partnership' but appears so faded it is virtually a waste of time or possibly just badly designed!
..22 march 2012..
150120,one of the recent additions to the FGW fleet from the Midlands motors south through Gossington with a Gloucester to Weymouth service '2O89'.This is a recent repaint but regretfully this makes it 'just another' incredibly bland fleet-150.I think FGW colours for their Unit-Fleet is almost as bad as 'West Coast' and believe me that is terrible!
..19 march 2012..
One of the ever decreasing number of recently transferred Class-150's still remaining in 'Centro' green.FGW are certainly wasting no time in daubing their new acquisitions in the rather dowdy 'House' colours.Here is 150216 slowing for Avoncliff Halt in the Limpley-Stoke Valley with the 11:10 from Weymouth to Bristol-TM.Yes there was one passenger waiting to board.The Lady on the left wasn't travelling today!
..28 february 2012..
The 12:42 from Gloucester going to Frome today was a none too common combination of a Vestibuled 150265 and a 'flatface' 150125.Not quite sure how the Guard manages his ticket checks with no corridor connection between the two halfs of the train,perhaps both sections are staffed? Either way is not really a viable operating solution. Working seen over the freshly trimmed hedge at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..25 february 2012..
Here is an interesting development on the FGW unit front! 150121 has now become a 3-car utilizing one half of 150212 as a centre-car.Apparantly 150212 lacked toilets facilities as this was a lash-up from 2 halfs of other units.Unfortunately they were the bogless-ends so this one has been split,150121 getting 57212 to make up this 'Tadpole'. Anyway here is the strengthened '2C79' from Cardiff going to Taunton passing through Pilning just east of the Severn-Tunnel.
..14 february 2012..
A recent new recruit to the FGW fold was 150125 for the Midlands.However no time has been lost in giving it a coat of FGW-Blue.Here it is seen on its first run after repaint at Bristol's SFM-Depot going to Westbury as an ECS from Bristol-TM as '3Z80'. A formal unveiling of the new 'Heart of Wessex' logo (just visible on the rear coach) at the station was held there.Its first revenue earning service was the 15:36 off Westbury going to Great Malvern.The Unit is seen in the Limpley Stoke-Valley passing Claverton.
..09 february 2012..
The unique Network-Rail Class-150 based DMU 950001 heads away from Westbury for a quick trip to Frome and back as part of todays testing program. Running as '2Q08' its route today from Westbury to Plymouth would include Reading/Oxford/Chippenham/Frome/Bristol and then onward via Bridgewater to Plymouth.
..16 december 2011..
Ex-Midland 150104 departs its Bath stop and moves off over the multi-arched viaduct that is now given over to small industrial units.I bet Network-Rail makes thousands every month from the rental on these arches!The service was the 10:42 off Gloucester going to Weymouth '2O89'.Note the hi-viz jacketed Nazi stood in the carpark waiting to dole out another 'ticket'!
..07 december 2011..
Pressed into active service almost immediately it arrived on transfer for the Midlands two days ago 150122 powers probably for the first time ever up the Upton-Scudamore Incline with the 14:59 from Frome going to Warminster.From there it returns on the 15:28 to Great Malvern.Certainly a much more colourful sight than the dour FGW-Blue it will almost certainly receive in the next few months. Unbelievably the sun burst through seconds before this workings arrival and died equally as quickly.Hence the superb lighting! Sometimes the sun does come out at the right time amd not the opposite!
..19 october 2011..
An interesting working this one.The 'FO' 15:20 from Westbury to Exeter-St-Davids.Running as '2C95' it is seen at Frome on the Avoiding line there.Not sure but I think this is the only non-HST passenger train booked to use this route.To add a bit of spice today it happened to be one on the new migrants from 'London-Midland' 150101 still wearing the previous TOC colours.
..06 october 2011..
150102,a London-Midland migrant was on the 08:53 from Weymouth,it had a '153' added at Westbury and departed about 15 minutes down.Though booked to go all the way to Gloucester it was removed at Bristol so perhaps it was feeling a little unwell? Seen here passing the Power-Box at Westbury in a slight glimmer of sunlight.
..05 october 2011..
Recent migrant to the FGW-fleet and now painted in their disgustingly dour 'House' colours 150130 exits Westbury on '2O90' from Gt-Malvern going to Weymouth.This duty, as of today will no longer be the preserve of 'hired-in' Arriva units as that contract ended yesterday. ..13 september 2011..
150239 heads a '153' and a '158' making up a quite large capacity working that left Weymouth at 11:10 and is going to Gloucester.Here passing the loop at Oldfield-Park west of Bath-Spa.Unfortunately that and the siding (just visible) do not see much use now since the demise of the regular 'Bath-Binliner' that once called here and Bristol-Barrow Road. ..02 august 2011..
To see a shot of the Binliner before if ended clickHERE.
The 11:10 from Weymouth rattles the points at Fairwood-Junction on the approach to the Westbury stop.Going eventually to Gloucester,this well strengthened 'Unit' working with 150285 leading with a '153' and a '158' also in the consist. ..28 july 2011..
Arriva 150245 trundles down the 'River' at Purton with '2L67' the 17:45 off Cheltenham-Spa going to Maesteg. June is the optimum month to visit this location for a few evening freight workings before the sun sets.Even a 150 looks good in this light! ..03 june 2011..
Ex-SilverLink 150130 now gleaming in a fresh coat of FGW Blue/Pink passes Undy on the 09:00 Cardiff to Plymouth service.Not really sure these Units were designed for such long distance workings but I suppose that pretty much sums up FGW's lack of respect for it's customer base! ..03 june 2011..
150248 formed the 10:42 off Gloucester going to Weymouth.Here seen exiting the 'Avenue' on the approach to the Bradford-on-Avon stop. ..23 may 2011..
Included this shot specially for our local 'Unit' Fan,Steve-McM.Everytime he see's an Arriva-Unit he nearly wets himself! Here is todays 'Hire-In' 150229 working the regular diagram for these Arriva's.That is the 13:34 from Cheltenham to Weymouth '2O90'.Location is of coarse the well worn Fairwood nr Westbury. ..03 may 2011..
150127 when it arrived in the FGW area originally was in 'SilverLink' Livery,hence it had some sort of individuality.However now its been repainted and now the initial shiny finish has dulled down it has become just another member of the dowdy FGW 150 fleet. Anyway this is it on the 17:08 from Westbury going just to Warminster.From there it reverses and becomes the 17:38 to Bristol-Parkway. Here pictured climbing Upton-Scud Incline through an avenue of Flowery Hawthorn. ..30 april 2011.. Look HEREto see this Unit when in 'SilverLink' Colours.
One of the recent migants to FGW.Flat-Fronted (No Vestibules) 150131 heads away from Westbury with the 10:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth.Didn't take very long to daub this Ex-Silverlink unit in house colours after it was transfered did it! ..25 march 2011..
Recent tranferee from 'SilverLink' and soon to lose these colours in favour of drab FGW-Blue.150123 departs Westbury here at Fairwood with the 13:31 from Cheltenham going to Weymouth.
..10 november 2010..
For a few months in the Summer of 2010 a London-Midland 150 was on loan to FGW.Unbranded but looking significantly different to the usual units seen around this area.Here is 150125 departing Westbury with the 16:10 service to Warminster.Note the Lady on the opposite platform,doing what women do best.Shopping-Bag in one hand and a Mobile -Phone in the other. ..28 august 2010..
Network-Rail track assessement train in the form of a new build but converted Class-150 then numbered 950001 slows for Westbury after a quick trip over the Chippenham via the Melksham line.Upon arrival a Westbury this working '2Q08' reversed and continued on to Plymouth via Bristol.
..20 july 2010..
Ex-Silverlink 150121 drives up through Old-Dilton with '2F96' the 17:11 from Westbury to Warminster.Although this Unit still works for FGW it does now wear the blue livery of that Concern and in 2016 will shortly be gaining GWR-dirge-green as the FGW/GWR attempts to upgrade their Image! and with this colour scheme appears to have failed completely!
..27 september 2008..
150265 seen sporting the now defunct TOC-Wessex-Trains Livery as applied to their fleet of 150's.Certainly more appealing than the drab FGW colours we are now afflicted with!.This train,the 10:42 from Gloucester going to Weymouth seen passing the site(Berkley-Marsh nr Frome) that is now blighted by one of those 'OTT' Edison era masts that really have no place in the 21st century given the technology now available. ..26 september 2008..
To see what a disgusting thing that mast is clickHERE
This Summer-Sunday morning working, the 09:15 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Weymouth was well known for producing interesting DMU-combinations to provide sufficient seating on this popular working.However todays 'lash-up' would take some beating!.Leading was ex-Silverlink 150121 followed by an unusual 'hybrid' mix of FGW 150244 (Coach no-55244) and Arriva-Trains-Wales 150252 (Coach no-55252).Also on the rear was 153370. Here it is viewed slowing for Clink-Junction nr Frome. An oddball lash-up indeed!
..27 july 2008..
As a surprise present for my 50th birthday my wife somehow arranged for me to officially have a trip from Westbury to Weymouth and return in the then loco hauled Saturday service '2O87'--- 07:45 from Cardiff. Here is a shot taken from the 2nd man position in 37411 'Ty-Hafan' as we waited for a Bristol-TM bound service using 150232 to clear the single line section at Frome Station.A memorable day with my main impression being just how much a '37' rattled and vibrated, just like using a pair of old fashioned metal wheeled roller skates! Can this really have been over 15 years ago????