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Freightliner/Genesee&Wyoming Class 66/4 66/5 & 66/9 (Post-01 August 2018)
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.
New Touax and older JNA's plusa few even older versions make up todays '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking returning empties to Merehead,Seen near Frome shortly after departing Westbury.Freightliners very green nameless 66569 doing the job.
..30 july 2020..
No-Name 66566 appears at Clink with '7V09' the 13:41 from Chichester Recp to Merehead with a mixed set of older and new JNA's.
..30 july 2020..
Freightliner's 'Ruby' 66540 cruises past Manningford Bruce on the B&H with '6C58' the 11:48 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.
..30 july 2020..
66546 with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead dodges an almighty black shadow as it passes Berkley nr Frome.Note how work-stained the 'new' Touax-JNA's are now after just a few months work.
..28 july 2020..
Plain nondescript Freightliner 66540 pilots ''7V07' the 13:41 from Chichester Reception to Merehead past Clink in a brief burst of bright sunlight.
..28 july 2020..
66588 with a short rake of HOBC hoppers going for a refill at Westbury passes Clink nr Frome as '6C72' the 08:30 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard.This place is again quite active after a short period of apparant desertion.
..28 july 2020..
'6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley passes through the now rapidly overgrowing cutting at Clink in Frome.66505 in bog-standard Freightliner colours doing the duty today.
..20 july 2020..
A fairly well loaded '4O57' the 13:29 from cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton MCT slowly climbs tthe steep bank at Upton Scudamore.Plain Jane 66513 being at the head-end.
..20 july 2020..
This is something of a rare beast lately.A Freighliner working between Wentloog and Southampton actual nearly fully loaded! So this is 66536 with '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT viewed at Heytesbury with Scratchbury Hill as the backdrop.
..17 july 2020..
Powerhaul liveried 66504 passes Westury North Junction with '4O71' the 16:48 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT.Sadly the loaded boxes are well back on the formation leaving just empty flats behind the loco.
..16 july 2020..
One of the small group of Freightliner GM's that acquired the 'Powerhaul' styling 66420 drops down through Dilton Marsh with '7V62' the 13:21 empties from Southampton Up Yard to Whatley Quarry.
..2 july 2020..
66564 c/w its rust stained front end and advertising sticker brings '7V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard to Whatley Quarry past Clink with its train of empty boxes.
..25 june 2020..
A rather clean and tidy Freightliner-66512 made an appearance today along with 59201 heading '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead.Here passing Styles Hill in Frome.
..25 june 2020..
'OOC Express' 66534 powers away from Central Station in Southampton with a lightly loaded '4O49' the 09:31 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MCT.
..24 june 2020..
66542 passes through Southampton-Central Station with '4O14' the 04:49 from Garston (Liverpool) to journeys end at Maritime Container Terminal just a couple of miles away to the west.Again nicely loaded behind the loco for a change.
..24 june 2020..
A more wider shot of 66525 rounding the curve on the approach to Southampton Central with '4M61' the 13:00 from Maritime Container Terminal going to Trafford Park. Nicely loaded behind to loco for a change.During the long long period of 'Covid' difficulties quite a few container trains are currently not running or are very lightly loaded.Hopefully things will start to return to normal in the coming months.
..24 june 2020..
66525 rounds the curve on the approach to Southampton Central with '4M61' the 13:00 from Maritime Container Terminal going to Trafford Park. Nicely loaded behind to loco for a change.During the long long period of 'Covid' difficulties quite a few container trains are currently not running or are very lightly loaded.Hopefully things will start to return to normal in the coming months.
..24 june 2020..
66512 looks like it has had a bit of a smarten up in the recent past.Even the bogies have vague evidence of their black gloss finish! So here is that presentable loco working '6V18' the 11:20 from Allington to Whatley Quarry passing Great Cheverell on the B&H.
..23 june 2020..
A rather rust & work stained 66594 powers away from Fairwood Junction with '6C73' the 12:17 from Westbury to Fairwater Yard at Taunton.Its load being the refilled part-HOBC that is once again station there for a while.
..23 june 2020..
Freightliner's 66509 looks quite smart as it powers '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.Seen passing Clink nr Frome running about 30 minutes early hence a nice lighting on its front-end.
..23 june 2020..
This working '7C66' the 19:07 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead occasionally runs just early enough for a shot in decent light to be possible here at Berkley Marsh.It used to depart Bassett about 30 minutes earlier so was easier then but now you need a bit of luck.Also now it's past the 21st of june unbelievably the days will soon start to get shorter.Then there will be no chance for this train usually booked to pass here at 20:25! Anyway here is Freightliner's 66513 passing Berkley with an almost complete set of the almost brand new 'HOA' in 'Touax-Red'.This being my first encounter with these new hoppers to date.
..22 june 2020..
'Recruiting Now!' says the advertising slogon on the sides of Freightliners 66564 as it passes Clink Road in frome with '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry.Perhaps they could employ a couple of painters to sort out the terrible condition of the front end of this loco!
..22 june 2020..
The afternoon sun just catching the front-end of Freightliner's 66509 with '6V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead passing the sight of the now long gone Warminster Signal Box.I used to spent many hours in that box as I knew most of the signalmen.My dear old Dad was also on duty there most days so basically I had the run of the station.No H&S in those days,just common sense!
..22 june 2020..
As usual '4O57' the afternoon 13:29 'Liner' from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT was fairly lightly loaded with most of the containers in the middle or at the rear of the train.Today it was the turn on nameless 66556 to do the job.Here rounding the curve through Warminster Station shortly after climbing the Upton-Scudamore Incline.
..22 june 2020..
This is the other end of '6Y11' the early running 07:37 from Wolvercote Junction returning the HOBC back to Fairwater Yard.With an out of sight 66596 leading this was the rear loco-Powerhaul-66414.Interestingly RHTT water-tanks are included in the formation presumably to dampen down excessive dust as the HOBC does its stuff.Probably due to another 'box ticking' edict from the H&S pen-pushers!
..21 june 2020..
66596 sporting a rather rust stained front -end heads a returning '6Y11' the 07:37 from Wolvercote Junction to Fairwater Yard-Taunton running at this stage 110 minutes earlier than timed.The load,the HOBC Train making a welcome return to the area after Fairwater Yard had lain dormant for some considerable time.
..21 june 2020..
'Lest We Forget' 66413 now wearing a rather faded shade of Genesee&Wyoming-Orange passes Wylye's Towns End Farm Crossing with '4O99' a vstp from Bristol West-FLT Depot (departed at 10:55} going to Southampton-MCT with just a pair of empty container flats,possible repaired cripples that have been parked there for some considerable time?
..8 june 2020..
This working '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington to Whatley when it was a DB duty was invariably a Class-59 of some kind whereas now with G&W/Freightliner operating the Quarry services is currently regularly a less powerful 66/5 or maybe a 66/6.perhaps the 'up' loaded working is less heavy nowadays than it was under DB days? This loco being 66563.
..2 june 2020..
This is '7C66' the 19:07 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead running 84 minutes earlier than booked hence I was able to picture it at just before 19:00 when the light was still just about acceptable.66543 is seen coming under the Pot Lane Bridge at Berkley.
..1 june 2020..
66564 which carries and advertisement for recruitment to join Freightliner puts in an appearance on the Mendip stone traffic today.Here viewed at Clink with '7V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up yard going to Whatley.
..1 june 2020..
Freightliner's 66585 with its very lightly loaded train '4O51' the 09:45 from Wentloog to Southmpton-MCT passes Westbury's Hawkeridge Junction running pretty much to time.
..30 may 2020..
'6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford banbury Road to Whatley slows to enter the loop at Woodborough to allow an express passenger working to overtake it. FL's 66572 being todays poer source.
..27 may 2020..
A rather scabby looking 66520 worked a VSTP today from West Drayton (13:14 away) down to Whatley Quarry of empty hoppers.Seen at Great Cheverell in superb late spring sunlight.
..26 may 2020..
One of the few aggregate trains operating today was '6A83' the 14:17 from Avonmouth-Bennets Yard to West Drayton.Here seen somewhat backlit passing Great Cheverell on the B&H.Freightliner's 66563 being the loco up front. ..26 may 2020..
A faded and rather scabby 66520 was the chosen loco for '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC to Whatley Quarry today.Seen at Clink nr Frome.
..18 may 2020..
Freightliner's 'Plain-Jane' 66544 passes Church Road in Heywood with '4O57' the now regular 13:44 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.Today again rather poorly loaded at the front. Thankfully a 'pocket' wagon was directly behind the loco helping to add a bit of interest!
..18 may 2020..
'The Railway Magazine' 66503 passes Westbury with '4O51' the 09:45 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.A mainly empty set of freightliner flats but thankfully just one loaded 'pocket' wagon directly behind the G&W-Orange liveried loco.
..16 may 2020..
The recently arrived 'Tuoax' JNA's that have been working off the quarries now for about 3 months or so are getting to look rather workstained.Here an almost complete train-set of them formed '7V62' the 13:21 from Southampton-Up Yard going to Whatley Quarry.Freightliner's 66955 doing the honours.
..14 may 2020..
66952,a low emission variant GM climbs up through the steep cutting approaching the top of the climb of the Upton Scudamote Bank.The train being '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog going down to Southampton-MCT.Not a particularly large load but at least the containers carried are situated behind to loco balancing the shot up nicely!
..14 may 2020..
66518 was in charge of '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley.Clink yet again!
..12 may 2020..
'6C68' the 12:30 from Avonmouth-Hanson Sdg's to Whatley is viewed at Clink just prior to taking the route down to that Quarry.66955 being the Freightliner loco in charge.This bridge and the one in the distance being my current limit for photography due to the current excercising advice.
..9 april 2020..
Another exercise walk.another shot at Clink.....This is pairing 66522 with 66532 (out of view) working '6X97' the 13:30 from Westbury Dn Yard going west heading for Lostwithiel to particpate in a spot of rail-dropping down there in Cornwall.
..4 april 2020..
66955 passes Clink with '7V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard to Whatley Quary empties..OTT tracking allows me to arrive here virtually as it passing thus allowing me to not be just be 'hanging around' like so many others ignoring the rules on self-isolating and exercising!
..3 april 2020..
66571 worked todays '6v18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC to Whatley Quarry.Quite a short train today of just 13 bogie hoppers.Seen at Clink on the approach to the junction there in Frome.
..23 march 2020..
Todats '4O57' the 13:29 from Wentloog going to Southampton-Maritime today had this consecutive pairing 66562/66561 in charge.A largely empty train with a few boxes scattered along its length.Seen here passing Heytesbur with the sun angle still just about lighting the front end.
..23 march 2020..
66511 with '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead is seen approaching Hungerford with its set of sadly defaced stone hoppers returning empties back to the Mendips.
..16 march 2020..
'6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry passes Hungerford loop with Frieghtliner's 66570 in charge.Note the twiggy bushes that were nicely chopped a year or so ago here will this year start to make photography once again quite difficult unless NR give them a further trim before they get too large!
..16 march 2020..
It was nice to see this working '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT nicely loaded throughout it length for a change.hence the photograph.Plain-Jane Freightliner 66515 albeit looking quite clean was the loco in charge.Here it has just finished the climb from Upton-Scudamore at Arn Hill.
..11 march 2020..
'6V18' these days seems to be a pretty solid 66/5 booked working.This is Freightliner's 66571 coming up the straight away from Fairwood Junction shortly after working around the Westbury Avoiding Line.This train left Allington at 11:25 bound for Whatley Quarry.
..6 march 2020..
Now we are into March the sun is sufficiently high enough for a reasonable shot here at Clink Road Junction for the few afternoon returning stone-trains back to the quarries.This is 5-door 66418 'Patriot' in Powerhaul styling with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road returning empties back down to Whatley Quarry.Grabbed in a lucky break in the patchy cloud formations.
..4 march 2020..
Todays '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead hauled by 66543 still has the seven brand new 'JNA-s' from the Touax' wagon leasing concern tucked nicely behind the loco.Here seen in an extreemly lucky splash of sunlight at Woodborough heading west.
..3 march 2020..
'Patriot' 66418 in Powerhaul colours passes Woodborough with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry service.Sadly the sunlight on this shot is somewhat weaker than i really wanted but that' the way it turned out!-Oh Well!
..3 march 2020..
Freightliner's 'Powerhaul' styled 66420 heads for Westbury at Heywood with '6Y42' from Chipping Sodbury.Although booked to depart at 15:00 was in fact just about an hour early.Seen at Church Road in Heywood nr Westbury.Its load being a set of very empty bogie-flats plus one quite rusty old 4-wheeler!
..1 march 2020..
66523 passes Edington on the B&H with '6B91' the 12:34 from Hayes & Harlington going over the East Usk Junction in Newport-Gwant.Load being older Freightliner green and white hoppers.A nice change here from the usual FY & Hanson types!
..29 february 2020..
Freightliner's 66559 was deemed sufficiently strong enough today to power '6V18' from Allington (11:25 off) back to Whatley Quarry.Here the rust-stained Green-GM to pictured passing Baynton Farm nr Edington under an almost 100% clear sky.Note the fresh gardening NR have undertaken along this section of track.Nice to see them returning occasionally to keep the embankments clear on what appears to be a regular basis.
..27 february 2020..
One of the rare breed of Freightliner Powerhaul 66's 66418 passes the waterlogged fields at Coulsdon on the B&H with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.
..27 february 2020..
'7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC to Whatley Quarry passes Masters Farm Crossing in nice lighting inbetween the intermittant heavy rain showers that is currently the weather pattern.The loco Freightliner's 66957 which is a 5-door low-emission variant carries the name 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009.
..13 february 2020..
'4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog powers through Warminster heading for Southampton-MCT.Freightliner's 66537 leads on this working.This route through the Wylye Valley now being its regular booked pathing.
..10 february 2020..
Lower emission 5-door variant GM 66953 slows for Clink Junction in Frome with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.This was the 3rd train of empties to pass down the branch to Whatley in under 40 minutes.A kind of mini rush hour!
..6 february 2020..
Yet another anonymous F/liner Fred 66547,this time with '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham to Whatley Quarry.Viewed here at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..6 february 2020..
Nameless 66570 gets away from Westbury with '6C68' the 12:18 from Avonouth going down to Whatley Quarry.
..6 february 2020..
One of the duties Freightliner took over from DB last Autumn was this one '6A83' the 14:17 from Avonmouth-Bennets going to West Drayton via the Westbury Hawkeridge Chord.This is 66557 with its string of Hanson-Hoppers passing through Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley.Amazingly it was quite a nice sunny day considering the terrible wet and windy conditions we had to endure yesterday!
..15 january 2020..
I was dragged out today away from my Bathroom rebuild under false pretenses because I was led to believe this working had 66415 in G&W Orange on it,but no! ------So here is a somewhat anonymous 66546 running through the platforms at Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley with '4O57' the 13:29 from Wentloog to Southampton-MCT Liner.A nice load albeit rather shadowed here in the platform area.
..15 january 2020..
Freightliner's 66552 'Maltby Raider' heads '4O57' the 12:46 from Cardiff-Wentloog bound for Southampton-MCT.Seen at Newton St Loe near Bath.This service is now booked regularly along this line and then the Limpley Stoke Valley and onwards to Southampton via Salisbury.This route change is to allow even more Class-800 services to run via the 'Top Road' since the new timetable changes earlier in december.freight trains being deemed as too slow now for that line!
..30 december 2019..
The 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry '6C58' gets away from Fairwood.Nondescript 66555 doing the job.
..3 december 2019..
66557 runs down through a very brown Strap lane at Upton Noble returning a few loaded HOBC wagons to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from Westbury as '6C73'.A nice spot this but like most bridges along here nowadays totally ruined aesthetically buy ugly palisade fencing on all four corners!
..28 november 2019..
The days of the odd Class-60 working this job from Oxford Banbury Road (11:45 off) back to Whatley as '6C58' are now well and truly over with Freightliner's total invasion of the Mendip Quarries. Here is FL's 66953 a 5-door low immission variant with that train running through Bratton on the B&H in just a faint tinge of weak low autumn sunlight.
..19 november 2019..
FL's 66569 cruises away from Westbury (12:08 off) with '6C73' the returning freshly reloaded Part-HOBC going back to base at Taunton's Fairwater Yard.Seen on the straightaway west of Fairwood Junction nr Westbury.
..18 november 2019,,
G&W Orange 66419 brings up the rear of a convoy '0A17' from Merehead as far as Acton Yard.59201 leads with 66537 and 66538 also in the consist. Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..18 november 2019..
Sadly with the morning here at Berkley nr Frome being bathed in excellent lighting there was very little traffic forthcoming.One interesting movement however was this working '0Z50' from Westbury Down-TC (09:59 off nominally) to Whatley Quarry albeit over an hour later than billed. 66513 leads with 66524/66951/66593 and the 'pink' one 66587 also along to the ride..Strange goings-on? 10 minutes later 4 more engines went light in the opposite direction from Merehead up to Acton Yard.Those being a 59/2 and 3 FL 66's including 66419 in G&W Orange!
..18 november 2019..
66510 with '4L38' the second Liner from Wentloog (09:56 off) to Felixstaoe-North within 2 hours passes a less sunny South Moreton nr Swindon.Again a well loaded train.Business to S-Wales from Felixstowe must be very good!
..13 november 2019..
A nicely loaded '4L36' the 07:45 from Wentloog going over to Felixstowe North-FLT headed by a low-emission 5-door version 66599 passes South Moreton just east of Swindon.A nice morning with high expectations of the Class-90 Test-Train due to run shortly after this working had passed. Naturally it didn't but isn't that always how it goes!
..13 november 2019..
The first loco of the 66/6 regeared sub-group 66601 'The Hope Valley' today put in an appearance on the new Mendip contracts now worked by Freightliner. This is an 'VST' working '6Z56' the fully loaded 10:00 from Whatley going to Stoke Gifford for onward movement somewhere? Wagons being ten green freightliner 'HIA's and another eight HOA's seen shortly after the working had traversed Clink Road Junction.
..12 november 2019..
FL's 66524 which carries a shabby looking advertisement on its flanks looking the recruit new drivers-etc approaches Clink Road Junction with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road taking emptied boxes back down to Whatley Quarry.
..11 november 2019..
'6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings in London is now a Freightliner duty and so the use of the uniform set of DB-Red HRA's has ceased to be replaced by a more mundane scratch set of mendip operated hoppers.The traction is now of course green as seen with 66513 at Berkley Marsh.
..11 november 2019..
Another shot of the Pink 'ONE' 66587 working '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham to Whatley quarry.At least today it was on time albeit in shocking lighting.Day-2 of the Freightliner takeover of the Mendip Stones and so far things seem to be going quite smoothly?
..5 november 2019..
Despite the total lack of any reasonable lighting this shot just had to be done given the presence of this 'Pink' thingy! So here is 66587 extolling the virtues of the ONE Shipping Company passing Clink Road with a rather late '7V16'' the 11:56 from Fareham to Whatley.Possibly a crewing issue from Westbury.I think that will be Freightliners main difficulty in the initial months of this long contract.Time will tell?
..4 november 2019..
This is my first picture of a G&W liveried loco with the sunlight firmly on the front end! This is 66419 in a very fortunate patch of good sunshine approaching Clink Road Junction with the initial '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry to be hauled by a Freightliner loco.This being the first day of the new contracts now with Freightliner to deliver stone from the Mendip Quarries.Quite a watershed moment really tinged with just a little bit of sadness.
..4 november 2019..
Sadly not in particularly great light but a noteworthy occasion anyway! This is 'AS ONE WE CAN' (An odd nameplate in block capitals) 66587 working '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham back to Whatley Quarry.Noteworthy because this day is the first of the new Freightliner contracts out of the Mendip Quarries.No coincid-nce really that this very 'pink' loco was used to kick off the future for stone trains in this area! Viewed at Arn Hill nr Warminster.
..4 november 2019..
With the sun dropping like a stone here at Clink a long long tele-shot was necessary to grab Freightliner's 66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' working a rather short-formed '7V07' the 12:41 from Chichester to Merehead. This is a foretaste of the near future when FL take over the Quarries completely in just over a weeks time.
..24 october 2019..
Freightliner's 66524 c/w an advertising notice on its flanks trying the increase their driver numbers passes Mount Pleasant in Southampton with the 115 minute late '4O90' 06:08 from Leeds to Soton-MCT. For some reason it was halted at Hinksey nr Oxford for nearly 2 hours.
..16 october 2019..
In a brief patch of watery sunlight which was quite a miracle given the cloud cover Low-Emission 5-door version GM 66956 draws its nicely loaded train away from Eastleigh Station after a booked crew change.The working being '4O14' the 05:36 from Garston going a few miles further down to Southampton-MCT to complete its journey.
..16 october 2019..
With a low pressure front rapidly approaching bringing forecasted days of rainfall and clouds 66533 'Hanjin Express/Senator Express' runs up through Frome at Berkley Marsh with the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ for a reload of ballast into this full length HOBC-Set.
..23 september 2019..
Freightliner's 66952 with '6B91' the 12:27 from Hayes & Harlington going to Stoke Gifford Yard passes through the now heavily disfigured Shrivenham. This is my first visit here since prior the OHLE being erected quite some time ago.Now I know why I havn't bothered with this area since!
..21 september 2019..
66544 hauls a lightly loaded '4V35' the 13:01 from London Gateway-FL to Avonmouth West Wharf. Viewed passing South Marston in Swindon.These liners now go to Avonmouth to serve the Bristol area since the Freightliner Depot at Parson Street closed to traffic quite recently.
..21 september 2019.
66533 'Hanjin Express' hauls its now reloaded HOBC-set back from Westbury-VQ to Taunton- Fairwater Yard as '6V73' the 12:08 off Westbury.Viewed nr Witham Friary.
..20 september 2019..
Freightliners anonymous 66588 along with its half -HOBC turns left at Fairwood Junction as it heads for the Virtual Quarry in Westbury Down-TC Yard. Its the 08:20 from Fairwater running as '6C72' which is again an almost daily runner currently as a full sized HOBC-Set is once again operating out of that yard at Taunton.
..19 september 2019..
The half-HOBC that went to Westbury-VQ for a full reload of ballast which incidentally only takes about 2 hours to complete is seen at Styles Hill in Frome as '6C73' returning to Fairwater Yard in Taunton.Departure time from Westbury being 12:08.The loco is 66533 'Hanjin Express'.
..18 september 2019..
66533 'Hanjin Express' (The other side carries the name 'Senator Express') brings a half-HOBC up through Frome going to Westbury-VQ for a ballact reload.The train '6C72' departed Taunton's Fairwater yard at 08:20.
..18 september 2019..
At this time this combination is still a bit of a novelty.Freightliner Green on MRL-Boxes.This wil soon become the norm..So here is a very Green 66547 hauling a set of emptied MRL boxes as '7V07' the 14:40 from Chichester Sdg's empties back down to Merehead Quarry.Pictured at a quickly yellowing Berkley Marsh as the sunset shadows start to get longer and longer.
..17 september 2019..
66526 along with its 1/2-HOBC draws through Clink nr Frome going to Westbury-VQ from Taunton-Fairwater yard (08:20 off) as '6C72'.This passed here at 09:30 thus allowing the nicely lit front-end.
..17 september 2019..
Due to a brief period around Westbury Station when all services were on 'stop' because of a signalling malfunction I was able to picture this 'TRT' working that was delayed by about 30 minutes. So here is '6X04' the 11:02 from Foxhall Junction returning to base at Taunton's Fairwater Yard.Standard issue Freightliner 66560 leads with a distant 66533 on the back as it passes Fairwood Junction west of Westbury.
..1 september 2019..
66598 works '6Y97 the 17:30 from Westbury Down-TC going down to Penwithers-Junction which is just west of Truru to perform a 'rail-drop'.Seen shortly after its Westbury departure passing Berkley nr Frome.
..31 august 2019..
Todays '6C72' the 09:20 away from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ passes Clink with a set of 5 JJA's in Network-Rail rust &yellow colours in tow.The loco being the dual named 66533.This side showing 'Senator Express' whilst the other side displays 'Hanjin Express'.
..29 august 2019..
Freightliner's 'Hanjin Express' 66533 works '6C73' the 12:08 from Westbury-VQ away from there going back to base at Fairwater Yard in Taunton.
..23 august 2019..
With the lengthening shadows ever lengthening 'Powerhul' liveried 66528 runs through Westbury-North Junction with '4O71' the 16:30 from Wentloog going to Southampton-Maritime.Sadly the few containers this train was carrying were all out of sight at the rear of the formation.
..15 august 2019..
Here is the quite massively long Track-Replacement Train returning to Fairwater Yard at Taunton from Wolvercote Junction (10:12 off) as '6X04'.66558 leads whilst 66533 was on the rear a very long way in the distance! Viewed at North Brewham not far from Bruton.Given the cloudiness at the time of its passing it was something of a miracle I managed most of the scenery in sunshine!
..28 july 2018..
Hard on the heels of '4O90' from Leeds thar passed just 10 minutes earlier this is '4O49' the 09:33 from Crewe-Basford Hall SSM to Southampton-Maritime hauled by 66503.one of the original batch of five GM's imported by Freightliner way back in 1999. I was certainly pleased this working had turned up on time.The heat standing on top of my extending ladder for 10 minutes with no shelter whatsover from the 30 degrees-C temperatures was almost unbearable.Needless to say I left immediately it had passed.In fact it was so hot I baled out for the rest of the day although it was only 13:45------Just too damned hot!
..24 july 2019..
66510 is seen working a very lightly loaded '4O90' the 06:08 from Leeds-FLT down to Southampton-Maritime past Worting Junction. How workings such as this with less than a dozen containers onboard even break-even cost wise is anybody's guess?
..24 july 2019..
66501 'Japan 2001' the pioneer GM Class-66 for Freightliner has just celebrated its 20 year of use with Freightliner.It was unloaded in Newport Docks on the 17th of July 1999 as part of an initial batch of just five locomotives and has worked virtually continuously ever since! Here it is working '4M58' the 09:25 from Southampton-MCT (via Laverstock) heading for Garston.Viewed passing Worting Junction just west of Basingstoke.
..24 july 2019..
With the temperature today exceeding 30 degrees-C standing around on railway bridges for hours on end isn't really a very pleasurable experience. Phew! Here is 66552 and '4M55' the 09:02 from Southampton-Maritime to Lawley Street in Birmingham passing Worting Junction with a nice full load.A far more pleasing looking train than with the usual empty 5 flats at the front that seems to be the norm these days.I shudder to think what the temperature is in the cab on these Class-66's on a day like this with no A/C available especially when the sun is streaming in the front windows as in this shot!
..24 july 2019..
Freightliners 66558 returned back down to Taunton-Fairwater Yard just about 90 minutes after it had arrived as '6C84'.This return re-loaded HQA working being '6C73'.Seen at Clink nr Frome.
..3 july 2019..
'6C84' passes Clink nr Frome nice and early hence the sun is just still lighting the front end of this GM-66558.It has just come up from Taunton's Fairwater Yard departing there at 09:20.The load being just one set of five HQA's that require a top-up at the Westury-VQ.
..3 july 2019..
Now this is how I like to see freightliners-----fully loaded right behind the locomotive! Here is 66559 in nondescript green with '4O49' the 09:22 from Crewe-Basford Hall down to Southampton Maritime.Seen nearing journeys end at Millbrook in Southampton.
..27 june 2019..
Somewhat backlit but worth a grab shot as I was standing there anyway was this Track Replacement Train top-n-tailed by 66953 and 66558 passing through Frome as '6X04' the 17:34 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard going up to Tilehurst.
..27 may 2019..
With the breaking news that the Bristol-Freightliner Terminal is to close at the end of July this shot takes on rather more significance.Here is '4V31' the 07:53 from London-Gateway going to that Terminal hauled by 66548. Apparantly since the abolition of tolls for lorries over the Severn Bridge it is now more cost effective to deliver the containers to Wentloog in Cardiff and lorry them in from there....This shot is taken from Alexandra Park that overlooks the City of Bath.
..21 may 2019..
Freightliner's 66550 is seen just east of Clink Road Junction in Frome with a now quite irregular '6C84' 09:20 from Taunton-Fairwater yard up to Westbury Up-TC.It was hauling a 'Ballast preparation machine' No-DR76701 (ZWA).
..21 may 2019..
Freightliner's rather tatty/rusty 66585 made a trip up from Fairwater Yard at Taunton to Westbury with just this IFA-70930100103 in tow.Running as '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yd it is viewed passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..11 march 2019..
Amazingly todays occasionally run 10:14 from Southampton-MCT to Bristol-FLT via Westbury had a fully loaded train for a change! Here is Freightliner's 66591 powering past Fisherman's Crossing at Limpley Stoke.No chance whatsoever of any sun so this 'wrong side' shot was a good bet!
..21 february 2019..
When the news broke a month or so ago that Freightliner were taking over the MRL locomotives and aggregate duties it was quite a shock locally.Here is one of the first signs of the changeover taking place. Freightliner's 66564 c/w an advertisement on its flanks for recruiting 'fully trained drivers' (Having a dig at DB no doubt!) passes Fairwood on '0F72' a 10:08 Whatley Quarry-FL HH to Stoke Gifford crew training run. This loco was obviously chosen for this duty because of this large advert on its flanks or am I just being cynical? Is this a first ever visit by a FL loco the Whatley Quarry I wonder???
..19 february 2019..
'6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury Up-TC down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard ran today for the first time in ages.66569 along with just 4 wagons out of an HOBC-Set being the somewhat miniscule load.Seen at Clink where the noonday sun nicely fills the cutting with sunlighting.
..13 february 2019..
Here is a Track Machine move from Fairwater Yard at Taunton to West-Ealing EMU-sidings,66569 and 66519 sandwiching DR92431 + a UtilityBox runner.Both units probably part of a HOBC-Set going off for a spot of maintenence.Pictured passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..11 february 2019..
Nondescript and nameless 66549 runs through Millbrook in Southampton working '4O90' the 05:45 from Leeds-FLT going the Southampton-Maritime.Quite well loaded but unfortunately all the empty 'flats' were behind the loco as seems to be the case these days if not fully loaded.
..9 january 2019..
Freightliner's 66545 brings a set of HOBC wagons up from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome.It ran as '6X84' and was simply parked in the sidings there and not reloaded with ballast.hence the 'X' coding I presume?
..8 january 2019..
Freightliners workstained 66557 leads a 1/2 HOBC past Pot Lane nr Frome as '6C72' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury's Virtual Quarry for a reload of track ballast.With the sun now approaching its lowest point in the sky this winter this is one of the few locations able to produce a shadowless shot.
..4 december 2018..
The current Fairwater-Yard resident loco 66509 today worked the '6C72/6C73' duty up to Westbury-VQ from Taunton's Fairwater Yard and return.Here viewed at Berkley Marsh shortly after departing Westbury Up-TC at 12:12.
..14 november 2018..
This is a fully formed HOBC returning from Didcot West Curve -Junction to Fairwater Yard at Taunton.It was headed by 66509 with 66557 well to the rear out of sight!.Viewed at the very golden looking Styles Hill in the Frome Avoiding Line.Note the engine-cover 'cant rail stripe' is misaligned.due to the original part being replaced for some reason?
..11 november 2018..
Freightliners 66511 with a rather short '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury to Tauntons Fairwater Yard.with just a single bogie sleeper carrier seen here at West Woodlands nr Frome.Sadly the lighting isn't too clever because the last weekend change from BST to GMT produced this somewhat miscalculated head-on sun angle.Oh well!
..1 november 2018..
Light engine Freightliner pairing 66514 and 66953 today formed '0Z86' the 11:50 from Westbury-Dn TC over to Stoke Gifford-FHH.Seen passing over the very colourful River Avon in Bradford-on-Avon.
..24 october 2018..
This is the Mondays-only '4O70' 09:56 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Maritime-FTL.This one 66545 taking the more usual route through Platforms 4/5 here at Southampton-Central.The load being mainly megafrets to allow the 9'6'' containers to work on the route from S-Wales.
..22 october 2018..
When this working '4O90' appeared coming past Southampton-Central working through Platform-1 I though it was heading for Millbrook instead of Maritime but no it continued straight past Millbrook to MCT.The train was the 05:45 from leeds-FLT to Maritime and was hauled by 66957.
..22 october 2018..
'Crewe Regeneration' 66506 works '4O18' the 07:24 from Lawley Street straight through Eastleigh at Campbell Road non-stop going down to Southampton-Maritime.With several boxes at the front of the train which help to balance the picture up nicely.
..22 october 2018..
66549 gets '4O14' the 06:05 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MCT underway again after a brief halt here at Eastleigh for a crew change before the last few miles down to Maritime.
..22 october 2018..
This working goes under the generic listing of '6Y15' and is working today as the 07:45 from Aynho Junction going back down to Taunton's-Fairwater Yard.66523 was leading the full HOBC-set with 66514 somewhere in the distance on the rear.Pictured powering through Oldfield Park in Bath running at a fair old speed!
..7 october 2018..
Freightliners pair 66552 & 66591 T-n-T an HOBC '6Y15' the 12:56 from Fairwater Yard heading up to Yate north of Bristol.Viewed running down the straight towards fairwood Junction nr Westbury.66552 still carries the name 'Maltby Raider',a reminder of the days when this loco regularly hauled coal to Power Stations.
..17 september 2018..
Freightliner-66591 returns from Westbury-Virtual Quarry fully loaded and heading back to Taunton-Fairwater Yard as '6V73' the 12:12 off of Westbury.Seen at Clink in a very small break in the clouds that nicely coincided with this GM's passing!
..5 september 2018..
Freightliners 66591,one of the low emission variants (The giveaway is the additional 5th door for engine room access) runs up the Frome avoiding line with its train of HOBC-sections as '6C72' the 08:20 off Tauntons Fairwater yard to Westbury-VQ.Note the autumnal colours are now just beginning to show here in the lineside trees and bushes.
..5 september 2018..
'6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury back down to Taunton-Fairwater Yard with the reloaded 1/2-HOBC passes down the Frome Avoiding Line having just come under the A3098 roadbridge at Styles Hill.66505 was handling this job having brought the wagons up earlier in the morning from Taunton.
..31 august 2018..
66505 still looks very smart given that it has now been in service with Freightliner for about 18 years.Here it is working '6C84' the 09:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard bringing a 1/2 HOBC-set up to Westbury to be refilled with fresh ballast there.Seen at Fairwood less than a mile from journeys end.
..31 august 2018..
66505,one of the first batch of five GM's Freightliner initially ordered way back in 1999 continues to work as reliably as ever! Here it is running up through Frome with '6C84' the 09:20 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard with a 1/2 portion of an HOBC going for a reload of ballast at the Virtual Quarry in Westbury-Up TC. How long before this one gets a repaint into the Genesee&Wyoming orange livery I wonder????????
..30 august 2018..
Freightliner's 66554 runs up the Frome Avoider with '6C72' the 08:20 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ for more ballast.The return working today ''6C73' returned via Bristol thus reversing the HOBC-set.
..24 august 2018..
Todays 1/2-HOBC working up to Westbury for a ballast refill was hauled by 66505.Seen here passing the freshly harvested stubble fields at Berkley nr Frome.
..23 august 2018..
Here is a close up look at the latest livery just applied to 66413.Complete with the new 'Genesee&Wyoming'/Freightliner logo it is viewed passing Redbridge Station on the track leading away from Maritime at Southampton heading westwards with '4M67' the 14:17 from MCT going to Hams Hall-Parsec via Andover.Thankfully for this particular shot the sunlight had faded due to a band of cloud.Very convenient actually as this location is not the place to be if the sun deems to shine!
..7 august 2018..
66583 runs through Eastleigh here at Campbell Road with '4O14' the 05:38 from Garston-FLT going to Soton-MCT.No annoying empty flat wagons behind to loco to upset the look of this working today!
..7 august 2018..
A rather anonymous looking nameless 66585 powers away from Eastleigh after a short stop to execute a crew change in platform-2.The train being '4O15' that departed Lawley Street at 07:21 and going to Southampton-Maritime a few miles further south.
..7 august 2018..
66413 in its new 'Genesee&Wyoming' colours works '4M67' the 14:17 from Southampton-MCT to Hams Hall-Parsec.This particular freightliner service travels via Andover thus making any choice of location to photograph it quite difficult at this time of day.So here it is at Redbridge having just diverged onto the Salisbury line there.Just about the only place possible to get some sort of a decent shot.