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Freightliner Class 66/4 66/5 & 66/9 (Post-01 August 2017)
Very pro-active Company with interests in Liners/Aggregates/Coal and anything else available! Over 100 locomotives available in either 66/4, 66/5 and 66/9 guises (A total of 107 engines of both types were built--11 have been exported to Poland and one was written off in an accident).A few others have gone to GBRf and Colas.
Freightliners 'old' liveried nameless 66544 runs down through Frome on the Avoider there with a returning refilled HOBC from the Frome-VQ back down to Taunton-Fairwater Yard as '6C73' the 12:12 off Westbury in readiness for tonights work load westwards from Taunton nr Newton Abbot.
..31 july 2018..
Running over an hour earlier than its booked slot of 12:12 away from Westbury back down to Fairwater Yard as '6C73' 66592 passes down the Frome Avoiding Line with just the small portion off an HOBC in tow,now reloaded with ballast.The JJA's being left at Westbury for some reason.
..25 july 2018..
'Johnsons Stevens Agencies' 66592 rolls through Clink with '6C72' the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard heading for the Virtual Quarry at Westbury.Load being nine JJA's and a short portion out of an HOBC trainset.
..25 july 2018..
66593 works a short section on the 'HOBC' up from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (08:20 off) to Westbury Up-TC as '6C72' for a top up with track ballast.It was only just over a fortnight since I pictured this exact train here at exactly the same time of the morning and the lengthening of the shadows is very noticable!
..24 july 2018..
Freightliners 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' 66592 eases up through Clink with '6C72' the 08:20 from Tauntons Fairwater Yard to Westbury Virtual Quarry for a ballast reload.
..13 july 2018..
66508,one of the first batch of 20 that Freightliner took on the replace the aging Class-47's continues to work reliably nearly 20 years after it introduction.Here it is seen in the late evening lighting passing Kings Sutton powering north with '4M99' the 17:00 from Southampton-MCT going up to Trafford Park with a nice full train.
..5 july 2018..
Tonights '6M28' from Hinksey Yard at Oxford (18:16 off) to Bescot-Up Engineers Yard is viewed passing Kings Sutton with Freightliner's 66564 in charge of just a large Crane and a few 4-wheels acting as runners.
..5 july 2018..
Freightliners 66588 drags the well loaded '4M67' 14:17 from Southampton-MCT up through Kings Sutton going to Hams Hall-Parsec.Note how yellowed the embankments and fields are becoming due to the prolonged hot (very hot) dry summer we are unusually experiencing!
..5 july 2018..
66592 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' runs up through Clink Road Junction with '6C72' the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ with a short set out of the HOBC for a ballast refill.
..5 july 2018..
Todays freightliner '4Z25' the 16:25 from Bristol-FLT down to Southampton-Maritime was mainly 'fresh-air with a few boxes perched on the back-end as usual.Here is 66562 running over Westbury-North Junction having just come off the line from Bath and Bristol.
..3 july 2018..
66953 leads '6Y15' with 66952 somewhere on the rear through Bunns Lane at Witham Friary going on to the Merehead Branch at Witham Friary from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (09:24 off).
..1 july 2018..
66550 with 66562 work '6Y16' from Westbury Down-TC (09:34 off) through Blatchbridge comprising 10 HQA's loaded with track ballast.Also waiting on the adjacent track to reverse in Frome and follow it to East Somerset Junction and the Merehead Branch is '6Y15' the Track Replacement Train led here by 66952.
..1 july 2018..
66593 'MG Mersey Multi Modal Gateway' gets '6Y15' away from its reversal stop at Frome and continues on down to East Somerset Junction from Fairwater Yard at Taunton.66592 now being on the rear.It is viewed crossing over the ladder junction at Blatchbridge putting in plenty of effort dragging this long loaded train over the curved junction.
..30 june 2018..
66592 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' which normally finds itself on Freightliner container train duties today was working along with 66593 this Track-Replacement-Train from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to East Somerset Junction via Frome for a weekends use on track mtce.This train '6Y19' (10:26 off of Fairwater) is seen slowing for Blatchbridge Junction at Frome in readiness to reverse here to enter the Merehead branch at East Somerset Jn..
..30 june 2018..
'6X04' the 10:49 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard heading for Crewe-Basford Hall was the 'TRT'.66556 was leading with 66541 on the back.Pictured at Yatton Loops west of Bristol.
..26 june 2018..
66531 runs up through the wide open spaces at Berkley Marsh with '6Y97' the 08:35 from Dawlish Warren to Westbury Down-TC.It looks like it has been on an overnight rail-drop somewhere west of Exeter.
..24 june 2018..
Freightliner's 66562 passes Heywood with an engineers working the 07:08 from Hallen Marsh going as far as Westbury Yard.
..24 june 2018..
Freightliners 66587 heads the returning '6X04' TRT working from Twyford (13:45 off) back down to Taunton-Fairwater Yard.66522 the 'Shanks' was on the rear of this lono long train. Viewed at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..10 june 2018..
This is the returning 'Track Replacement Train' from Twyford to Tauntons Fairwater Yard.Booked to depart there at 13:13 as '6X04' it actually passed here nearly 4 hours earlier than expected This long-long train formation hauled by 66587 also had 66516 on the rear but that is well out of sight beyond the bridge in the distance. Pictured at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..3 june 2018..
After departing its worksite at Kennet Bridge Junction nr Reading (13:45 off) the Track Replacement Train headed back to Fairwater Yard at Taunton as '6X04'. Freightliner-66539 led with 66568 somewhere on the back of this long-long train,probably way back at Clink Road Junction as this shot was made.Full marks to the NR-clearance teams for doing the down side embankments here..Lets hope the up side gets the same treatment before too long!
..13 may 2018..
This working '4M27' the 05:25 from Coatbridge-FLT down to Daventry-IRFT is booked as a pair of FL Class-90's.In fact they were actually on the train until Crewe-Basford Hall where they were replaced/ripped by this loco GM-66556 for the final section south of Crewe.So it was a bit of a disappointment when this passed to say the least here at Atherstone.
..7 may 2018..
Pretty much a repeat of the shot taken of 66550 about an hour earlier but at least the loco was back to front this time! So this is 66536 running into a sun drenched Westbury-North with '6Y41' from out of a possession at Twyford east of Reading (Nominally 11:58 off but in fact arrival here was 117 minutes late).Load being just misc junk plus a few old surplus concrete sleepers.
..5 may 2018..
'6Y41' the 11:58 from Twyford to Westbury finally arrives there about 2 hours later than billed.Freightliner 66536 doing the job along with a long string of NR-JNA's partially filled with various spoil and old sleepers-etc.Seen coming off the B&H at Westbury North Junction adjacent to the Power-Box there.
..5 may 2018..
Freightliner's 66550 rolls into Westbury with '6Y40' the 13:30 from Maidenhead trailing a set of yellow JNA's loaded with miscellaneous crap mainly comprising old concrete sleepers-etc.
..5 may 2018..
This picture albeit a 'GAW' shows the complete make-up of the TRT in this evenings formation.66543 leads with multiple wagons loaded with new concrete sleepers followed by all the mechanised aquipment needed to deal with the installation requirents.66536 was the rear loco used for on-site shunt purposes and of coarse to bring the train back home to Taunton tomorrow.Seen at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..2 may 2018..
Here is a rather 'Contre Jour' type shot of the TRT passing Frome with '6X04' the 14:00 from Fairwater Yard going up to Honeybourne North Junction for further track replacement work.66543 was leading with 66536 out of site beyond the bridge in the distance.
..2 may 2018..
66524 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' heads the 'Track Replacement Train' with an unseen 66543 on the rear back to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from Honeybourne North Junction (05:05 off) as '6X04'.Here pictured at the freshly landscaped Styles Hill on the Frome Avoiding Line.This view hasn't been available now for at least 7 years due to rampant bush growth---Welcome back!
..1 may 2018..
Today the UK-wide Railtour 'Great BritainX1' hauled by steam throughout was operating its 7th day out of 8 from Cardiff down to Weymouth.I selected this spot for obvious reasons,also to get away from the steam-nobs that come out of the woodwork nearer towns and villages.All was fine with nobody else here whatsover! Anyway train time came along with the biggest,darkest cloud that was spilling bucket loads of rain as that steam tour passed.The shot was completely ruined by all the speckly raindrops over the entire image--So that was that...This picture unbelievably was taken about 10 minutes later when that squall had passed and the sunny conditions had resumed..Sods Law had won the day again! This triple L/E comprising 66526/66566 & 66534 passes a sunny North Brewham nr Bruton with (I presume-(0Y85) the 11:25 from Westbury DN-TC going to Tauntons Fairwater Yard.
..26 april 2018..
Freightliner's 66526 'Driver Steve Dunn (George) works '6Y15' the 08:44 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard up to the West Ealing Plasser Works with a train of engineering machinery going there for some kind of attention,just maintenence or possibly repair.Seen at a pretty desolate looking Clink Road Junction nr Frome.
..23 april 2018..
Sadly the sunlight died on me seconds before this hove into view! 66536 with a working that was an amazing 266 minutes early here as it passes Clink Road Junction coming up from Plymouth to Westbury as '6Y40'.It actually passed here nearly 2 hours before its booked departure time from Plymouth !!
..22 april 2018..
66526 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' powers the Track Replacement Train through Clink in Frome working home to Fairwater Yard in Taunton from Kennington Junction nr Oxford .An unseen 66533 was tagged onto the rear of this working.
..22 april 2018..
Freightliner now operate several steel-flows out of S-Wales.This one is '6M86' the 10:29 from Margam-TC going up to Dee-Marsh. Nameless 66553 is pictured at Duffryn on the approach to Newport-ADJ.
..19 april 2018..
With coal movement by the railways now down to pitifully low levels seeing a loaded coal train is now something on a rarity! Here is Freightliners 66569 working '6V40' the 05:02 from Barrow Hill Up Sdg No-1 going to Grange Sidings at Port Talbot.The fuel to be used to feed the furnaces there.Viewed passing Duffryn nr Newport.
..19 april 2018..
Early '5-door' GM 66957 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009' passes through Central Station in Southampton nearing journeys end at Maritime-F.L.T.This service '4O90' originated from Leeds-F.L.T at 08:02 this morning.How much nicer the large cast nameplate on this loco would look if it had a red background.Being painted in freightliner-green renders it almost invisable!
..18 april 2018..
A well loaded '4O15' the 07:21 from Lawley Street to Southampton-Maritime passes Eastleigh East Junction as it slows for the booked station stop for a crew change.Nameless nondescript 66517 was doing the duty today.
..18 april 2018..
Nameless nondescript Freightliner 66537 runs northwards through Cholsey with '4M61' the 13:00 from Southampton-Maritime going to Trafford Park.Note the size of the larger containers right behind the loco.Considerably larger than the older type that are being carried further back in the train.
..5 april 2018..
Freightliners 66519 trundles northwards with '4M55' the 09:02 from Southampton-M.C.T to Lawley Street.Seen passing under the replacement footbridge at Didcot North Junction rebuilt to allow the now moribund electrification to Oxford to take place.Someday it will happen,but not for a few years yet!
..5 april 2018..
66552 with its 'Maltby Raider' nameplate harking back to its days with 'Heavy Haul' operates '4O18' the 07:21 from Lawley Street (Birmingham) down to Southampton-M.C.T.Here seen at Didcot North Junction taking the station avoiding route.Thankfully the few containers that were on board were behind the loco.Most of the remainder of the train was pretty much fresh air!
..5 april 2018..
This loco 66951 was the prototype '5-door' low emission Class-66 brought into the country.Here it is seen passing Clink nr Frome working '6C72' the 08:20 from Taunton Fairwater Yard taking this part-HOBC to Westbury for a ballast reload.
..21 march 2018..
66534 'OOC Express' which is more normally seen working Liners away from Southampton or Felixstowe todays is pictured bringing the part 'HOBC' up from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ for a ballast refill.This train '6V72' left Fairwater at 09:20 reaching this location shortly before the clouds rolled in for the rest of the morning!
..16 march 2018..
Typically 'Sods law' dictated that this working (The 4th freight past this location today) and the first in sunshine was hauling just a train of empty liner-flats.Oh-Well! So here is 66556 working '4O49' the 09:22 from Crewe-Basford Hall SSM to Southampton-MCT through Southampton-Central.Well the clouds were quite nice anyway!
..13 march 2018..
Here is a 1/2 HOBC-set returning to Taunton's Fairwater Yard as '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury.odays green-machine being 66555 seen here at the recently cleared out Clink nr Frome.
..6 march 2018..
'4L31' the 07:53 Freightliner from London-Gateway to Bristol-FLT approaches Bath Spa Station with a fairly evenly distributed light load of just ten containers.Green-FL-66523 being todays motive power.
..16 february 2018..
Well what a disappointment this working turned out to be! Completely empty apart from one solitary box towards the end of this long long string on flats.that was probably empty as well! So here is 66531 at Didcot-North Junction with '4O90' the 06:12 from Leeds-FLT heading for Southampton-MCT.At least it gets the container flats down to Southampton to return north later with plenty of imported full boxes!
..12 february 2018..
'4O18' the 07:24 from Lawley Street to Southampton Maritime-CT approaches Didcot North-Junction with its well loaded train.GM-66592 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' being the traction. Plenty of rampant bush growth here since my last visit but thankfully still no OHLE!
..12 february 2018..
Freightliner's 66953 leads the 'Track Replacement Train' with 66511 somewhere about 400yds away in the distance on the rear.Here seen passing the now nicely cleared-out Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary working '6X04' the 09:00 from Didcot East Junction returning to Fairwater Yard at Taunton.
..11 february 2018..
Having refilled the 1/2 HOBC at the Virtual Quarry at Westbury '6C73' drawn by 66595 makes its way back to Fairwater Yard.Here running through Clink nr Frome past the very recently cleared embankments here (About time too!).
..7 february 2018..
Freightliner's 66595 rattles the pointwork as it turns left at Fairwood Junction going to Westbury-VQ from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (09:20 off) as '6C72'.Another couple of weeks and the shadows will have receeded considerably more.Unfortunately you will have to wait until BST for the light to be on the nose at this time of day!
..7 february 2018..
Freightliner's 66561 was todays traction on '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yard to the Virtual Quarry at Westbury.Here today having 1/2 an HOBC-set in tow in need of a refill of new ballast.It returned back to Taunton later via Bristol so as to reverse the wagons.No doubt tomorrows train will do the same to keep it all in the correct order!
..5 february 2018..
Freightliner's 66558 draws a pair of well-grafittied 'HHA' bogie coal hoppers through Undy on '6C09' the 13:!5 from Stoke-Gifford to Newport-East Usk Yard.Almost certainly off repair and being returned to use in a much longer set of wagons no doubt.
..2 february 2018..
The almost immaculate looking Freightliner-66559 hauls a couple of 'JJAs' and the 1/2-HOBC up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome as '6C72' the 08:20 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ for a ballast top-up.
..30 january 2018..
Freightliner Pairing 66557 & 66542 speed south past Danes Foot Crossing nr Grazeley south of Reading with '4O90' the 06:12 from Leeds-FLT going to Southampton-MCT.
..17 january 2018..
Todays Freightliner operated '6O26' ran as '6X26' due to it comprising the Points-n-Switch Carriers which are deemed as a wide-load! Hauled by 66507 it is viewed passing Silchester going to Eastleigh-East Yd from Oxford-Hinksey Yd (10:19 away).
..17 january 2018..
Doyen of the Freightliner's GM-Fleet 66501'Japan 2001' that has now racked up nearly 19 years of steady service speeds up through Clink nr Frome with an MOBC-Set going to Westbury-VQ from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (08:20 off) as '6C72'. This location here on the Frome-Bypass is now nicely cleared out by the local 'Veg-Cutting Crew' primarily to prevent the soon to be introduced Bi-mode IET-800's ripping off their pantographs on the overhanging vegetation!
..12 january 2018..
Yet another 'Powerhaul' liveried ex-DRS GM 66416 worked past Mount Pleasant this afternoon.This one operating '4O49' the 09:22 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MCT.For some reason a high proportion of Freightliner's Class-70's are in storage,these are often seen on this train and also the previous one from Leeds,not today however.One wonders just what the future holds for those 19 locomotives that are obviously not favourites with FL's Management?
..10 january 2018..
'Powerhaul' liveried 66420 sweeps around the curve at Mount Pleasant in Southampton with '4O90' the 06:12 from Leeds-FLT going to Maritime with its well loaded train.
..10 january 2018..
'4O48' the 07:21 from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MCT passes through Eastleigh at Campbell Road.Freightliners rather anonymous 66567 was doing the duty. Note the rake of rusty old boxes to the right of this Liner.They were being hauled by Europheonix's 37884 that was sadly going into Eastleigh Works instead of down to Soton E-Docks as booked.'That' was the reason for being at this location and as can be seen despite perfect lighting,an early running train and full blue skies still turned into an abject failure. Oh Well !!!!!!!!
..10 january 2018..
Freightliners 'Low Emission' GM 66952 brings the nicely loaded and spaced '4V31' the 07:53 from London-Gateway to Bristol-FLT steadily around the curve on the approach to Freshford Station in the Limpley Stoke Valley.These liners are now a fairly regular happening on this route since the clearance issues with the Dundus Aquaduct Overbridge was dealt with a year or so ago.A useful route to have given the continued disruption on the GWR mainline whilst Network Rail continue to struggle with their 'nemesis'--the electrification project!!!!!
..28 december 2017..
Green-Team 66592 gets away fro Swindon-East Loop with '4V31' the 05:45 from London-Gateway to Bristol-FLT.Note the electrification masts creeping ever closer to the station here.The final kiss of death for this location will be the erection of the incredibly ugly cross gantrys and wires.Then it will be a total mess just like Didcot is now!
..28 november 2017..
66511, the latest Freightliner-GM to make an appearance here from Taunton's Fairwater Yard is seen at Westbury shunting this ex-works 'YSA' 50T rail carrier DB979411 in readiness to depart quite soon back to Fairwater yard as '6C73' with just that in tow.
..28 november 2017..
'4O90' the 06:12 from Leeds-FLT today went to Millbrook-FLT instead of its booked Maritime.Here seen running 'wrong-line' through Millbrook to gain access to the terminal there.66569 being the nondescript,nameless plain green freightliner loco up front today.
..17 november 2017..
This loco 66522 'Shanks' is another engine displaced from the 'Heavy-Haul' division of Freightliner and transferred to the Container sector instead due to dwindling Heavy-Haul traffic.It is seen on 'the pad' at Southampton-Maritime' undergoing a regular maintenance examination.I am quite surprised this engine still retains this livery style for so long.Surely an early candidate for a 'Powerhaul' makeover me-thinks?
..17 november 2017..
Freightliner's 66542 passes up through Berkley Marsh taking 5 loaded JJA's from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury as '6C72' the 08:20 departure albeit 60 minutes late today for some reason.The loco after dropping off the wagons quickly returned to Taunton less then an hour later.
..16 november 2017..
Today with clear blue skies and the knowledge that this loco-66542 ran up to Westbury earlier from Taunton's Fairwater Yard 'light-engine' I was very confident today was the day after about 5 attempts that had previously failed for one reason or another I would finally get a picture of a Freightliner loco hauling the DB-set of Lobsters-MXA's back down to Taunton after being unloaded of their spoil in the Down-Yard.What could go wrong--answer--This!!! So here is '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury to Fairwater Yard with 66542 hauling just a single container wagon from a HOBC-type train set. Oh well! At least it was in the sun
..8 november 2017..
Despite the light being shite I though I had better get a shot of this Freightliner working using recently built DB liveried 'Red Lobster MXA-s' just in case it stops running! So here is 66542 returning to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from Westbury (12:12 off) as '6C73' with the well cleaned out MXA's.Some sort of excavation work is being carried out down at Fairwater Yard with the spoil coming to Westbury-Down Yard for disposal.Viewed at Berkley Marsh nr Frome in quite misty conditions.It is worth noting it comes up from Taunton loaded and returns empty the next day.Not like the usual 6C72/6C73 daily ballast loading trip.
..3 november 2017..
66537 passes through an autumnal Malago-Vale with '4V54' an occasional direct service via the Wylye-valley from Southampton-MCT (10:14 off) to Bristol-FLT.A nicely well loaded working which would certainly enliven the Wylye-Valley if it became a regular duty!
..1 november 2017..
This working used to pass here in the mornings making for a much better lit photograph but now its departure time from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MT is 3 hours later at 13:29 as '4O57'.Here that somewhat back-lit working is passing Undy on the approach to Severn Tunnel Junction with Freightliner's 66538 in charge of its well loaded train.
..27 october 2017..
The Green Team in a spot of Bother!--------- The Track-Replacement-Train passes North Brewham returning to its Fairwater Yard Base about 4 hours later than planned due to 66531 failing and the train being stopped at Didcot for well over 3 hours,hence this double header with 66553 leading a dead defective 66531.It left Kennet Bridge to return home actually earlier than its booked departure time of 04:30.This 4 hour delay giving me a nice opportunity to grab this picture though a randon cloud in an otherwise completely clear sky nearly scuppered the whole deal--Note the shadows in the far distance!
..6 october 2917..
This working '6C73' is at the moment regularly just this pair of reloaded JJA's that are part of the 'Track-Replacement-Train' currently based at Fairwood Yard nr Taunton.With no 'HOBC' there currently this is probably as good as it gets on this tripper! So here is 66531 and its short train of just a pair of refilled JJA's departing Westbury (12:12 off) returning to Fairwater Yard.Seen at Fairwood where the air was clear and the trackside pleasantly clear of any vegetation (for now!).
..5 october 2017..
66553 brings up the rear of the 'TRT' as '6X04' with 66531 leading as it passes through Berkley Marsh nr Frome going up to Ruscombe from Fairwater Yard for an overnight track occupation.Note the back end of the train fully loaded with new concrete sleepers.
..4 october 2017..
A small hole in the generally overcast skies allowed me this somewhat backlit rendition of '6X04' the 15:40 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard going to Ruscombe via Southall for a spot of overnight track replacement work.66531 leading with 66553 sandwich the Track-Replacement-Train that is current working out of this Taunton Base.It is pictured at yet another location at Berkley Marsh nr Frome where the local ground crews have been doing a splendid job of removing most of the lineside vegetation.I know it will regrow but it will be nice whilst it lasts!
..4 october 2017..
66553,one of the Freightliner-GM's fitted with the larger style cluster-lights heads a rather lightweight '6C72', the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard up to Westbury Up-TC.The pair of JJA's (12966/12955) in a surprisingly clean Network-Rail yellow making up the load.I presume these are part of the 'Track Replacemnt Train' that is working out of Fairwater most nights currently.Seen passing the recently manicured Clink nr Frome with the A361 main road bridge now visible in the background.