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Freightliner Class 66/4 66/5 & 66/9 (Pre-31 July 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.
Plain and nameless Freightliner 66567 draws '4O49' the 09:22 from Crewe-Basford Hall-SSM to Southampton Maritime slowly past Millbrook just a mile or so from its final destination.
..6 july 2017..
66517 passes a scrub strewn Eastleigh with '4O15' the 07:21 from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MCT.Note the recently re-activated and renovated 2nd track leading to the Depot area here.Guess where the depot responsibility ends and Network-Rails begin?
..6 july 2017..
This is an engineering working coming from Ystrad-Mynach (11:00 off) up the Rhymney Valley line north of Cardiff.It was worked as '6Y65' by Freightliner with their recently reliveried into 'Powerhaul' colours 66528.This loco carries the name 'Madge Elliot MBE-Border Railway Opening 2015'.The working is seen at journeys-end running into the yards at Westbury.
..25 june 2017..
66420 in the 'Powerhaul' livery c/w its new Freightliner ' logo and decal showing ownership by 'A Genesee & Wyoming Company' runs down Bruton Bank at Cole with the 12:12 away from Westbury Up-TC to Fairwater Yard at Taunton.This working '6C73' seems to be quite lightly loaded lately due to the amount of work emenating from Fairwater Yard seemingly now easing off somewhat. Today being just a single set of five HQA's.
..21 june 2017..
Powerhaul-liveried 66418 'Patriot In Memory of Fallen Railway Employees' smokes its way past a rather dull Thingley with '4L31; the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe.
..15 june 2017..
After several weeks of trying I finally managed to picture this 'Powerhaul' example 66420 in a spot of sunniness.Previous efforts being foiled by dullness or running as a L/E! Here it is working '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury returning down to Tauntons Fairwater yard with a set of loaded HQA's.Apparantly Network Rail are somewhat cash-poor at the moment so quite a few rail upgrade schemes are being posponed and I believe the HOBC's are currently out of regular use.Welcome to the real world RT! Hence the rather odd 'small' consists on the 6C72/6C73 roster of late.
..14 june 2017..
This working '4V31' has recently been retimed and as such now offers a chance for a westbound 'liner' approaching bristol in daylight.It is now the 07:53 from London-Gateway (Tilbury) to Bristol-FLT.The nicely loaded working is seen at North-Somerset Junction in the City of Bristol crossing over the Feeder-Canal. FL's 66529 was today doing the duty.
..13 june 2017..
Todays '6C72' was strangely just one container type wagon (92703) and nothing else.Quite why this was being taken to Westbury from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (09:20 off) is unknown.Anyway 66549 was doing the lightweight working and it is viewed gliding up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome in weak sunshine.
..13 june 2017..
Today this working '6V73' was delayed from departing at 12:12 from Westbury by over 70 minutes.Some sort of problem with the GBRf operated '6V40' preventing it from exiting the Virtual Quarry onto the departure road at Westbury.Anyway it eventually arrived in a short sunny period thankfully.66956 was leading its single-set of HQA's and whilst at Westbury it had picked up a 'hanger-on' 66512 which was now on the rear.
..18 may 2017..
Final shot of a long warm sunny successful days photography in the Southampton area was this working '4M99' the 16:57 away from Maritime going north to Trafford Park.Loco today being one of the several FL-GM-66's that now sport the 'Powerhaul' styling.This one 66418 being an ex-DRS loco was an obvious candidate for an early repaint.It carries the name 'PATRIOT-In Memory of Fallen Railway Employees'.Seen passing over the Mount Pleasant Level Crossing which spends more time closed than it does open to road traffic probably much to the annoyance of the local poputation!
..10 may 2017..
This is the 12:05 from Daventry Int-RFT going to Southampton-MCT. 5-door low-immission variant 66954 was doing to haulage,as it is seen at Mount Pleasant in Southampton going south.
..10 may 2017..
Freightliner's 66954 partakes in a spot of shunting here at the Southampton-Maritime Container Depot looking somewhat lost in the vast expanse of infrastructure,roads and shipping-boxes stacked around.Note the pile of dis-assembled railway bogie-flats and various other components awaiting Mtce or possibly scrapping?
..10 may 2017..
66555 grinds through Eastleigh with '4O14' the 05:36 from Garston-FLT going down to Southampton-Maritime.More containers for export.---The big question is ?? Are they empty or are they loaded.Almost certainly they are mainly empty due to the balance of trade this country operates these days!
..10 may 2017..
STP working '6Y40' the 13:50 off Oxford ?? going to Westbury Dn-TC passes Beanacre on the Thingley-Junction to Bradford-Junction single line with its load of basically soil from some sort of groundwork loaded into 4-wheelers and hauled by Freightliners 66956.
..9 may 2017..
Here is a newly introduced west-bound '4V31' the 07:32 from London-Gateway going to Bristol-FLT.66562 was hauling todays meagre load of just three containers,all the remaining bogie-flats being completely empty! Good job they were behind the loco for effect!.Location is Oldfield Park just west of Bath Spa.
..9 may 2017..
Next location on today's tour of the local photographic spots was Ladydown nr Trowbridge.This is an STP working booked to run each day this week from Oxford (13:50 off) to Westbury.The report number being '6Y40'.The load appears to be earth/soil coming from some sort of excavation up there in Oxford.The loco 66956 is one of the early low-emission variants which are easily identifiable by having a 5th-door on the side of the bodyshell.
..8 may 2017..
With the skies completely clear of any clouds and knowing that the working 'up' to Westbury was just a set of HQA's on '6C72' I felt there was virtually no chance of this return working '6C73' doing the dirty on me and returning via Bristol,as is does sometimes.Well things worked out today and here is Freightliners 66545 c/w its tatty set of HQA's running down Bruton Bank on its way back from Westbury's Virtual Quarry (12:12 off) to Taunton's Fairwater Yard.I have been meaning to nail this shot now for some time and with todays fine conditions today was the day!
..8 may 2017..
'6C73' the 12:12 away from Westbury-VQ back down to Fairwater Yard at Taunton passes the now shadowless location at Clink nr Frome. 66536 was again the loco.Note the pair of HQA's are loaded but the JNA's are seemingly just along for the both-way ride as empty runners or more likely as a source of additional brake-force..
..19 april 2017..
Freightliner's 66536 rattles the pointwork at Fairwood Junction with this rather short '6C72' the 08:20 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ.It would seem that the old pair of Seacows that were being used for supplementary ballast have now been replaced by this pair of ex-tiphook converted ballast hoppers.I believe they are now classed as HQA's albeit not in the normally expected set of five.
..19 april 2017..
66505 heads '4M20',yet another diverted freight service.This time from Felixstowe-North FLT (10:14 away) going to Lawley Street.Note the old long disused sidings here have been simply left after being long redundant.All adding to the superb atmosphere here at Whittlesea.
..8 april 2017..
'4M87' the diverted 09:46 from Felixstowe-North FLT to Crewe-Basford Hall powers through Whittlesea with its train od uniformly loaded white 'Maersk' containers.66531 being the power source today.
..8 april 2017..
Nondescript nameless Freightliner 66557 passes the Whittlesea Signal Box heading west with '4M93' the 08:46 from Felixstowe-North FLT going to Crewe-Basford Hall.Note the larger sized containers along with the smaller type on this train.This route having been cleared some time ago to accommodate the larger loading gauge.
..8 april 2017..
66592 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' runs through Whittlesea with the 22:01 from Coatbridge to Felixstowe-North FLT '4L89'.An unbelievably clear cloudless day today really justifing the 200 miles journey from home to here in Cambridgeshire for a few shots of todays diversions due to the line from Ipswich to London being closed at Shenfield for engineering works.
..8 april 2017..
Today the 'full' HOBC is seen returning to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from a job west of Bristol as '6Y37'.It departed Parson Street at 10:46 with 66519 leading and 66525 about 1/4 mile away on the rear of this long-long train! Seen at the freshly gardened Fairwood heading for home.
..26 march 2017..
'4O29' The 08:20 Crewe Basford Hall S.S.M to Southamptom-MCT with 66556 passes Hinksey Yard heading south with its well loaded train.
..25 march 2017..
66954 working '4O90' the 05:27 from Leeds-FLT down to Southampton-Maritime runs past the lakes at Hinksey in Oxford.A good load as usual on this working.This saturday was the final day of the year prior to the clocks going forward an hour for BST.Hence next week the lighting will be too head-on for photographing this train here.
..25 march 2017..
FL-HH's 66519 powers away from Westbury at Hawkeridge with '6C73' the 12:22 from there returning this part-HOBC back to Fairwater-Yard at Taunton.Today it travelled back to base via Bristol as a means of reversing the formation for operational reasons.
..17 march 2017..
Low-Emission 5-door Freightliner 66954 hauling its No-Emission train of empty container flats passes Shockerwick east of Bath-Spa.Train was '4L32' the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT going to London-Gateway FL.
..1 march 2017..
Freightliner's 66562 heads an engineering-working '6Y59' the 15:13 from Westbury Up-TC to Whitland which is way over in West-Wales.Load being about 20 JNA boxes fully loaded with fresh ballast.Seen easing through Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley just 20 minutes or so into its 9 hour journey!
..18 february 2017..
Today the regular top-up run of the HOBC from Taunton's Fairwater Yard and return 6C72/6C73 travelled via Bristol as '6C73' to reverse the wagon formation for operational reasons.Hence it being seen passing Parson Street shortly after passing through Bristol Temple Meads.5-door variant 66953 being the allocated loco.
..13 february 2017..
Freightliner do not seem to be having much luck with their fleet of 19 Class-70's.Quite a few are currently stored out of use and this one appears to have failed at Wentloog prior to working '4O70' the 09:56 from there to Southamptom-MCT.So here is that rather empty looking working passing Undy with 66525 assisting the dud 70006 down to Southampton.No doubt the depot down there will get it running again quite quickly.
..13 february 2017..
Humble coal trains were until quite recently considered the lowest of the low in order of preferance when picturing freight workings.How things have changed in the 21st century with these such workings now increasingly rare due to the UK's headlong dash to close most if not all the nations coal fired power stations within the next 6 years or so! Anyway here is '4V20' the 06:10 from Fiddler's Ferry down to Stoke-Gifford Yard being hauled by Freightliners 66507. Seen at Cattybrook east of Pilning.Note the stupidly over-engineered OHLE post base in the centre of the track formation here.For this split level section it looks like both lines electrification will be carried by a central pylon.Note the conventional OHLE-girders in the distance.
..21 january 2017..
Today's 'Bonus-Ball' was the recently re-started 6C72/6C73 tripper up from Taunton's-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ and back.Occasionally it returns via Bristol thus turning the wagon-set round for operational purposes.Luckily with the sun blazing down albeit on a freezing cold day I was in the right place at the right time to picture this return working '6V72' the 12:22 away from Westbury.Here is 66520 with just a very small proportion of this long-long set of wagons visible crossing the River-Avon at Bradford-on-Avon.Two Swans complete the scene but this time doing an excellent job of ruining the reflection!
..20 january 2017..
'4L32' the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT today is going to London-Gateway FLT.GM-66531 in standard workstained FL-Green is seen running through Swindon with this service.As usual with these Liners from Bristol the first few mega-frets are empty giving the train a quite unbalanced look!
..16 january 2017..
'4L32' the Bristol-FLT to London-Gateway normally runs via Swindon but for this week it has been diverted via the Wylye-Valley and starting from Bristol at the later booked time of 12:28.Here it is seen again as yesterday with nothing on the first 6 bogie-flats which was a pity since the sun was quite superb today.66955 was again in charge and was kicking out quite a smoke trail as it powered up the Upton-Scudamore Incline.The field was incredibly muddy and it took about 10 minutes to clean by shoes off afterwards sufficiently to be able to climb back into my car!
..29 december 2016..
Although it was now quite sunny the temperature here at Berkley Marsh nr Frome was still well below zero-degrees,hence the still obvious ground frost.This is '6C72' from Taunton's Fairwater yard to Westbury being hauled by 66562.The load being spent ballast going for reprocessing, probably at Eastleigh.This seems to indicate that the FairwaterYards are now back in use after several months of mothballing.Apparantly a new HOBC and shortly afterwards a new TRT-Train are due to be based there as well.
..29 december 2016..
This is '4L32' from Bristol-FLT(12:28 off) going to London-Gateway FLT. It is on diversion today via the Wylye Valley instead of its usual route via Swindon due to engineering works somewhere on that route.5-door 66955 was doing the duty and it is seen here cresting the Upton-Scudamoe Incline shortly after passing through Westbury.Pity most of the containers were loaded on the rear half of the train but that's how it is sometimes!
..28 december 2018..
Coal deliveries have currently resumed from Avomouth-BHT to Aberthaw- PS with Freightliner now doing most of the duties.This is '6B68' the 09:25 from Avonmouth .It failed at Hallan Marsh and required a rescue loco to be sent down from Stoke-Gifford.Amazingly it was only 115 minutes late passing here at Magor with rescue-loco 66955 dragging defective 66952 plus the loaded coal hoppers.
..29 november 2016..
'4O70' the 10:58 from Cardiff-Wentloo to Southampton-Maritime takes the route at Severn-Tunnel-Junction in readiness to dive under the river and head east.Loco 66587 had a reasonable load with the front -end thankfully full of boxes for a change.The first bogie-wagon being a 'pocket' type which allow the larger 9'6'' containers to be transported on this route.On standard liner-flats they would be out of gauge.
..29 november 2016..
Just as the morning mist starts to clear and in a faint glimmer of weak sunshine 66541 rolls '4L32' the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT to London-Gateway over Newton-St-Loe meadows.5 minutes later it was full light,but the working had gone and so had I!
..31 october 2016--
Today was the final day of diversions via Gloucester for trains that normally come out of S-Wales via the Severn-Tunnel.That being so this is the final and in fact my only opportunity to record '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff- Wentloog to Southampton-MCT.Here are 66590 and 66570 taking the route down to Swindon at Standish-Junction.Thankfuly coinciding with the first real break in the cloud cover of the day.
..21 october 2016..
Freightliner's 66572 rounds the curve on the approach to Thingley-Junction with '4L31' the 09:03 away from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe-North. As usual this working comprising mainly of 'pocket' wagons to allow use of the larger sized containers on this restricted height route.The mist having briefly cleared in this area.Two miles up the road it was fog bound!
..21 october 2016..
'4O57' the diverted and retimed 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT speeds through Kemble with it well loaded train. Loco is 66505 which was contrasting nicely with its containers and the old GWR water-tank.This station is a bit of a time capsule,unmolested in many ways.Even the benches are still either GWR or BR style.A nice place to spend on a warm sunny afternoon.
..13 september 2016..
Yet another plain-jayne nameless anonymous Freightliner GM,this time 66538 glides through the centre-road at Swindon with '4L32' the 10:58 away from Bristol-F.L.T going today to Tilbury-R.C.T.Sadly the well loaded train had four empty flats at the front somewhat upsetting the balance of the train photographically.
..13 september 2016..
Today's 'Pocket Express-4L31' from Bristol-F.L.T (09:03 off) to Felixstowe-F.L.T approaches Swindon in the pleasing early morning sunlight albeit a bit hazy with 66524 in charge.Lately I alway seem to see 'standard' livery Freightliner locomotives,the 'Powerhaul versions appear to be avoiding me!
..13 september 2016..
Todays '4O70' the 09:58 from Wentloog was terminated at Millbrook instead of Maritime.Quite convenient for me really as it enabled a shadow free shot as it ran the final mile or so 'wrong line down to the landward terminal there.A basic Freightliner -GM No-66547 was doing the duty.Viewed from Saxon Road footbridge just west of Southampton Central Station.
..8 september 2016..
The 10:58 from Bristol-FLT '4L32' today went to London-Gateway-FLT and is seen passing Shrivenham which is currently still a pole and obscenely oversized gantry free zone.For how much longer is a bit of a moot point.Not too long now I would suggest.Freightliner's 66567 which looks like it has had a front-end freshen-up including a revised Freightliner logo passes by.The load today albeit quite light was luckily loaded behind the loco not towards the back which is usually the norm.
..30 august 2016..
66591 a low emission variant (the 5th door being on the other side!) passes Shrivenham with the daily '4O70' 09:56 from Cardiff-Wentloog to the MCT at Southampton.Traffic continues to be quite healthy on this route currently.A few years ago this train was often half-empty.
..30 august 2016..
Freightliner's 66537 comes through Shrivenham with the '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT heading for Felixstowe North-FLT over in East Anglia. Always a good load on this service and nice to see the 'pocket' wagons in regular use along here.
..30 august 2016..
'4L32' the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT to Tilbury-RCT was running about 30 minutes late today which was quite convenient for me as I arrived a few moments before its late pass here at Oldfield park in Bath Spa.A good uniform load as well drawn by 66537.Nicely coinciding with a spot of sunshine in a rapidly clouding up sky.
..18 august 2016..
66542 worked '4L32' today from Bristol-FLT toTilbury-RCT.A well loaded working for a train that until a few years ago wasn't even a runner.Known as the 'Wineliner' the people of Bristol must all be complete alcoholics! Location is Shrivenham.Savour it while you can.At the rate the masts and gantry's are appearing just down the line at Challow and Uffington this shot probably has a few weeks remaining before it is ruined!
..16 august 2016..
66590 passes Shrivenham working '4O70' the 09:56 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.There has been a definite lack of Class-70's on this duty lately.Apparantly they have been appearing on the WCML lately on Liners from the north to Daventry.
..16 august 2016..
Todays '4L31' again consists mainly of 'pocket' type wagons to allow movement of the large 9'6''containers within the loading guage for this route.66591 was up front on this the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT heading for the Port of Felixstowe North-FLT.Seen at a currently superbly clear Compton Beauchamp east of Shrivenham.
..16 august 2016..
Here is '4M??' heading north through Kings' Sutton.It departed Southampton-MCT at 14:50 and the destination is Hams Hall-Parsec in Birmingham.Loco-66567 is wearing what appears to be a slightly lighter of Freightliner-Green was on Point.Note the Tower and Spire of the Church of St Peter & St Paul in the background undergoing some pretty extensive looking repair work!
15 august 2016..
'4M61' the 12:54 from Southampton-MCT to Trafford Park works up through Kings Sutton in the clear blue skies that prevailed today (For a change).66593 was doing the work.
..15 august 2016..
'4L32' with its cargo of mainly 'fresh-air' drones under the Stepping Stone Lane Bridge here at Bourton east of Swindon.Mundane FL-66591 was working the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT going today to London-Gateway Terminal.This particular bridge and the one in the background have managed to escape the indignity of a crappy NR steel parapet type rebuild for the electrification project because of their historic status.The trackwork was lowered instead.Far more civilized me-thinks!
..15 august 2016..
66564 works '6C84' up to Westbury from Taunton's Fairwater Yard for one reload of ballast from the Virtual Quarry there.There was even a short set of older seacows to load up for good measure.After it returned to Fairwater later that afternoon it was prepared and departed for its new base at Sevington just before midnight that evening as two seperate trains.The yards now at Taunton will be dormant for a few months,restarting anew early in 2017.
..12 august 2016..
This turned out to be the final sun shot of the day in the Twyford/Sonning area due to the rapid onset of a full grey sky. Indeed this shot was a bit of a miracle! So here is '4O54' the diverted 06:12 from Leeds going to Southampton-Maritime.66505,yet another plain-jayne FL-GM doing the job.Viewed from the overbridge just east of Twyford Station which is still amazingly mast-free.They currently end at Stanlake Lane Bridge but for sure will be here soon enough.
..09 august 2016..
The 07:43 from Hams Hall-Parsec to Southampton-MCT already diverted down the WCML now heads west on the WRML as far as Reading.Here it will regain its original route onwards to the south coast.66567 today worked this train '4O15' and it is seen coming under Duffield Road in Sonning.
..09 august 2016..
'4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe North-FLT passes Sonning going under Butts Hill Road.This working always uses a long string of 'pocket' wagons to enable the larger containers to be used on this route.Yet another plain green Freightliner-GM,this time 66541was doing the duty.
..09 august 2016..
'4M55' the 08:55 from Southampton-MCT bound for Lawley Street-FLT is seen passing under Butts Hill Road in Sonning.This is just one of the many freightliners diverted via the GWML due to their normal route via Oxford being currently closed for track work in the Hinksey area. 66554 in plain-jayne Freightliner colours was doing the duty.
..09 august 2016..
66526 'Driver Steve Dunn (George) with 66546 on the rear approaches Yarnbrook nr Trowbridge with '7Y59' the 18:58 from Westbury Up-TC going to Maindee-Junction in Newport S-Wales.Load is track sections,a crane and a set of 5-HQA's.Minutes after this shot was taken 66526 passed through Trowbridge where Steve Dunn was born and raised.He was tragically killed in the Great Heck Rail Crash in Feb-2001.A plaque as well as his name is carried by 66526.The plaque reads---'In remembrance of a dedicated engineman Driver Steve Dunn (George).Mr Dunn was tragically killed at Great Heck on 28th February 2001'.
..06 august 2016.."
66507 makes its way past Yarnbrook nr Trowbridge with '6Y60' the 18:50 from Westbury Up-TC going to Severn Tunnel Junction for an overnight spot of engineering work.The load being mainly the new quite distinctive 'lobster' bogie boxes with a few misc 4-wheelers along for the ride as well.
..06 august 2016..
Freightliner's 66537 heads '4O54' the 05:20 from Leeds to Southampton- MCT through Sonning Cutting.Pictured here at Duffield Road after being diverted via the WCML due toengineering work at Oxford and Banbury.
..06 august 2016..
'4O27' the 05:21 from Garston to Southampton-MCT is yet another 'Liner' diverted away from its usual route via Banbury due to engineering work and having to travel via the WCML and the GWRML.Hauled by 66542 It will regain its original path at Reading.Seen in Sonning Cutting off the Butts Hill Road Bridge.
..06 august 2016..
Green-Team's 66534 c/w its nice red nameplate 'OOC Express' passes through Sonning Cutting working the diverted '4M55' 10:00 away from Southampton-MCT going to Daventry via the WCML.Enjoy this view whilst it still remains available.After the over engineered posts/gantry's and wires are erected shots like this will be a fond memory!
..06 august 2016..
FL 66567 runs through Sonning Cutting working the diverted 'Liner' '4O15' the 07:35 from Hams Hall-Parsec going to Southampton-MCT.The usual route from the Midlands to Southampton being currently closed for signalling upgrade work at Banbury and track work at Oxford.
..06 august 2016..
66551 heads todays '6C84' from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ bringing the MOBC train for a refill of ballast.Viewed at Fairwood on the approach to Westbury yards.
..05 august 2016..
66546 rattles the pointwork at Clink Road Junction with '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury with the MOBC refill trip working.Not long to go now before this train set is moved on to Sevington and Fairwater Yard is mothballed until early in 2017.
..04 August 2016..
'6C84' the 09:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ powers up through Clink Road over the Junction there at a fair turn of speed with 66564 in charge.Its load being the MOBC set.Apparantly this regular work out of the depot down there at Taunton is to cease for a while with this 'set' going elsewhere.From April 2017 a new HOBC 'System 5' is due to commence work from there.
..25 july 2016..
66564 a member of the 'green-team' runs up through Clink on '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury with the MOBC to be topped up with ballast there.
..19 july 2016..
As usual when the sun shines the hoped for use of current resident at Fairwater Yard at Taunton 66419 in Ex-DRS colours failed to appear on this working. Oh well, I guess I will have to keep trying! Anyway today was 66551's turn in the older Freightliner style wto be in charge of '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yd to Westbury Up-TC with its usual part-MOBC for a ballast reload.Viewed at Fairwood Junction nr Westbury turning left to take the route into Westbury Station/Yards.
..14 july 2016..
Seen passing Berkley Marsh Freightliner's 66551 returns its reloaded 'part' MOBC to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from Westbury's Virtual Quarry.'6C73' departs Westbury at 12:12 but is often late,usually following the Plymouth bound '1C79' with which it shares a 15 minute window along this stretch.
..08 july 2016..
66957 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009' eases up past Clink Road-Junction in Frome in faltering sunlight with '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater yard to westbury Down-TC for the Virtual Quarry there.This later working now seems to have replaces '6C72' which had a departure time from taunton of 08:20.
27 may 2016..
Freightliner's 66953 passes Clink nr Frome working the 09:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury's Virtual Quarry.Load being a part-MOBC and a single set of HQA's.
..26 may 2016..
A very clean looking Freightliner owned 5-door 66957 rumbles up through Berkley Marsh with '6C84' the 09:20 from Faurwater yard heading for Westbury's Up-TC and then the Virtual-Quarry located there.One set of HQA's today plus the usual part 'MOBC' in tow.
..06 may 2016..
66953 was the motive power today on '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe North-FLT.The load being mostly 'pockets' to allow transportation of the larger sized (9ft6'') containers that otherwise would be out of guage on this route.Seen in the classic but not for much longer Sonning Cutting west if Twyford.Just imaging this scene with those awful OHLE gantrys and wires???? Yuck!!
..05 may 2016..
I know it's a 'GAW' but with the lighting this good it was to hard to resist.66553 brings up the rear of '6Y19' headed by 66416 going to Amberley via Westbury.This 'MOBC' is seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Look carefully and you can see the twin landmarks that Westbury is famous for.One is about to be demolished in the next few weeks whilst the other one will endure for many years to come.I leave you to work out which is which?
..04 may 2016..
Ex-DRS 66416 has been a Freightliner owned machine now for quite a few years and it is only fairly recently it has received a repaint into FL-colours.In this case 'Powerhaul' being the style.Here it is T-n-T with 66553 on an 'MOBC' train + a set of HQA's going to Amberley as '6Y19' from Taunton-Fairwater Yard (17:50 off) for an overnight line occupation.It must be a pretty big job as this working has been a regular now for several weeks.It is pictured at Berkley Marsh heading for Westbury where it will reverse to head down onto the Southern.
..04 may 2016..
Todays '6C84' comprising of a 'part-MOBC' also had four older 'Seacow' type bogie ballast hoppers nicely positioned next to the locomotive FL-66551.It had come up from Taunton-FairwaterYard (09:20 off) going to Westbury-VQ for a ballast refill.Pictured off of the Frome Bypass bridge east of Clink Road-Junction.
..03 may 2016..
5-door GM-66957 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009'looks commendably clean as it passes Clink nr Frome with '6C84' the regular morning trip up from Taunton's fairwater Yard to Westbury's-VQ.Same wagons (HQA's and part-MOBC) as of late and getting rustier as the year wears on!
..29 april 2016..
66548 was today handling '6C84' from Taunton-Fairwater-Yard to Westbury-VQ.The wagons being a barely recognisable set of 5-HQA's in NR-Yellow??? and a part MOBC.Pictured here swinging over Faiewood-Junction taking the Station/Yard route into Westbury.
..28 april 2016..
Todays '6C84' the 09:20 up from Taunton's Fairwater Yard rolls up through Clink Road-Junction in Frome.FL-HH 66536 with a set of rusty-bucket HQA's and a part MOBC doing the duty.
..26 april 2016..
Here is 66501 'Japan 2001' the first Freightliner Class-66 to enter service way back in 1999.Today it was taking a break from hauling container trains and helping the Heavy Haul-Division on an engineering job out of Hinksey Yard-Oxford going to Avonmouth.It departed Hinksey at 15:25 and is seen here at Yarnbrook nr Trowbridge.This train had to be diverted via the B&H just like all the HST's due to engineering works at Shrivenham. Again this was a fairly lucky shot with the sun only peeping through at the last moment but good enough to light the scene!
..23 april 2016..
Originally I was going to picture this working at Upton-Noble but due to it running later than planned the sun angle was becoming un-useable hence a trip down to Bruton Station where it was known to be much better.Aided by a further delay caused by a couple of HST's I managed the change of location comfortably. So here is 66953 returning to Taunton's Fairwater Yard from Westbury as '6C73'.Load remains the same as this morning,a part MOBC and a set of very rusty HQA's.
20 april 2016..
5-door 'Fred' 66953 rolls through Clink nr Frome with '6C84' the 09:20 from Taunton's Fairwater yard going for a ballast top-up at Westbury-VQ.The load today being a set of very rusty looking originally yellow set of five NR-HQA's and a part-MOBC.
..20 april 2016..
Today for some reason the Fairwater Yard (Taunton) to Westbury-VQ is listed as '6C84' instead of '6V72'?? Anyway it nominally departed at 09:20 with its mixed load of a part-MOBC and a set of HQA's.66546 doing the haulage.It is viewed here passing Fairwood nr Westbury,just a gleam of watery sun making a belated appearance.
..14 april 2016..
FL-HH 66546 heads a rather late running '6C73' which was running about 130 minutes down on booked timings.Note that four Seacows are again included in the make-up,the rest being the MOBC which no doubt has just had a refill at Westbury-VQ.Destination will be Taunton's Fairwater Yard.Location is again just west of Fairwood-Junction nr Westbury.
..05 april 2016..
5-door 66954 creeps away from Parson Street in Bristol with the fully loaded '4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury-RCT.Today this service will be diverted via Bristol-Parkway as its normal booked route is closed between Bristol and Bath-Spa for the week for engineering work in preparation for the forthcoming electrification of that route.
..05 april 2016..
The pretty care-worn looking 66536 wombles up through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with the 08:20 from Fairwater-Yard to Westbury-VQ.Wagons again tagged on the rear include four older Seacow type ballast hoppers.
..30 march 2016..
This was an 'STP' working from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard going to Parkeston Ss-GBRf in East-Anglia. Freightliner-HH 66560 is viewed hauling what looks to be the machinery part of an MOBC-set past Bratton on the B&H against the backdrop of Westbury Cement Works and its enormous chimney. As '6Z31' is departed from Fairwater-Yard at 10:11,49 minutes earlier than booked,however by the time it had reached Theale it was back to RT.
..29 march 2016..
Today the Track-Renewal-Train or as an acronym 'TRT' travelled back to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard from Swindon-East Loop running as '6X04'. The thing is so long it simply isn't possible to picture the entire train in one shot.What you see here,which was about 1/3 of its total length was being hauled by FL-HH 66561 and comprised of bogie-bolsters loaded with new replacement sleepers.Next comes all the machinary used on this set-up and finally on the rear was a set of five HQA's tailed off with 66419 an ex-DRS GM still wearing most of its old Compass style livery.It is seen passing Clink nr Frome.Now the clocks have altered to BST shots are now available off this location until well after 17:00,hence this shot was possible.Yesterday at the same time---No chance!
..27 march 2016..
One of the few freights running today on this gloriously sunny Easter-Good Friday was '4M18' the used sleeper working from Fairwater Yard at Taunton (09:47 off) going up to Washwood Heath-RMC.After an incredibly mad mad dash from Langley-Burrell we were able to arrive here with about 4 minutes to spare before this working '4M18' hauled by 66518 came into view here on the approach to Royal-Wootton-Bassett Junction.This location was of course the scene of the infamous 'SPAD' incident with 34067 'Tangmere' last year that has caused West Coast Rly's so much grief (And rightly so!)
..25 march 2016..
66546 brings the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ '6V72' up through Fairwood,albeit about an hour behind scedule.THe load being the usual 'MOBC' set going for a reload/top up before its next duty.Tacked on the rear were 4 seacows and a couple of JNA's.Nice to see the old school ballast wagons still playing a part in todays railway infrastructure workload.
..25 march 2016..
As usual the BBC-Weather got it completely wrong again this afternoon.Happily the predicted dull and cloud dissolved into a fine blue-sky afternoon.I had heard about this working was being diverted at Southcote-Junction up the B&H and the Wylye Valley (quite rarely) to avoid a failed Voyager at Oakleigh nr Worting-Junction.Originally it was going to be purely a record shot in the expected dullness as it was when I set off from home to here at Holybush Lane Foot-Xing at Warminster..Amazingly when '4O51' the 09:58 from Wentloog to Southampton-MT appeared here the sunshine had miraculously broken through! Also the loco was a very smart seemingly ex- works 66517 c/w shiny black bogies.That is something you do not see very often!
..22 march 2016..
66507 rolls up through Clink nr frome with '6V72' the 08:20 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ to top-up this portion on the MOBC. Note the four Seacows and a couple of JNA's are again part of the make-up.
..15 march 2016..
After washing the car,mowing the lawn and having a few coffee's I ventured out again just before dusk for the final Freightliner Engineering working of the day.It was '6X04' the Track-Replacement-Train coming from Swindon-East Loop returning to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard.This monster length train was over twice the length that was visible here,all that is on view here are the concrete sleeper carrying bogie-bolsters with 66546 as the lead loco with an invisible 66536 probably over a 1/4 mile away hiding on the rear!
..13 march 2016..
Freightliner-HH's 66957 brings '6Y97',the 09:00 from Ashchurch to Westbury discharged CWR-train slowly over the pointwork adjacent to the Power-Box here to gain access to the Down-TC Sidings which is its destination.
..13 march 2016..
The returning 'MOBC' that has been in use between Reading and Basingstoke overnight passes down the Frome-Avoider going back to base at Taunton's Fairwater-Yard from Basingstoke Signal BE-547 (08:02 off).It was running as usual as '6Y19'.66565 was leading with an unseen 66536 tagged on the rear and a very long way away at the back of this train.
..13 march 2016..
FL-HH's 66585 'The Drax Flyer' leads '6C73' down through Clink nr Frome going back to Fairwater Yard at Taunton after a visit to the VQ at Westbury.Of interest is the use of four YGB 'seacow' type bogie ballast wagons that were so common through here many years ago when most ballast for this region came from Meldon.Nice to see some of these quite iconic wagons still in revenue earning service on the mainline.
..10 march 2016..
The nameless FL-HH 66546 drops down Bruton Bank with '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury-VQ returning the reloaded MOBC to base at Taunton's Fairwater-Yard.Again I am stood on my 9ft ladder to get the shot over the palisade fencing and the few wispy plants in the way! (No pole for me!).
..03 march 2016..
10 years ago there was a reasonably bush and tree free shot here but not in 2016,hence this head-on type rendition of '6Y19' the 07:51 from Basingstoke returning the MOBC back to Taunton's Fairwater Yard after a nights occupational work.66585 was leading with 66536 well out of sight beyond the bridge in the distance on the rear.
..28 february 2016..
'Johnson Stevens Agencies' 66592 speeds over Newton-St-Loe meadows with '4L32' the 11:00 away from Bristol-FLT today destined for London-Gateway-FLT with its train of probably empty containers.This working is known locally as 'The Wineliner' as on the Bristol bound run it brings in bulk wine for the Bristol distributer 'Harveys' to bottle and distribute.
..25 february 2016..
'4L32' the 11:00 away from Bristol Freightliner Terminal going to Tilbury-RCT rolls out of Bristol past the Kingsland Road-Sidings with a pretty healthy looking load today.Powerhaul liveried 66414 which for quite some time a few years ago was in 'Stobart' colours was in charge. Click HERE to see that incarnation!
..24 february 2016..
After 66569 on '4L31' had slowly passed through Bath Spa station there was still plenty of time to pull-back and re-frame for a more panoramic view over the City of Bath from my lofty position in the Park situated off of Bathwick Hill.This view affords a better view of those 'pocket' wagons needed to allow those larger containers to be carried on this route.
..24 february 2016..
GM-66569 works '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT to Felixstowe-North slowly through the platforms at Bath Spa.The first nine containers being the larger 9ft-6'' type so were being carried in the 'pocket' type wagons.
..24 february 2016..
Plain old bog-standard nondescript Freightliner-66566 was today's choice to power '4O70' the 09:58 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MT.Here the fully loaded train is seen climbing away from the Severn Tunnel as it approaches the doomed station at Pilning.Once the pole-n-wires reach this location the footbridge along with the entire station will be erased from the map.Interestingly no formal notices have yet appeared at the entrance so closure must still be a few months away at least.Anyway if you want to replicate this shot do it soon before it gets lost forever!
..18 february 2016..
A Freightliner triple light-engine move whines up through Ponthir with the 14:13 from Stoke-Gifford (Fhh) going to Crewe-Basford Hall S.S.N. Leading locomotive is 66552 'Maltby Raider' with 66506 'Crewe Regeneration' and the non-named 66559 on the rear.
..15 february 2016..
'1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth rolls into Westbury with its pair of nondescript plain blue Power-Cars as Freightliner-HH 66585 rolls slowly forward in readiness to follow it out of the station going to Tauntons Fairwater Yard at its booked time of 12:12 as '6C73'.A pair of loaded 'JNA-s' hardly seemed worth the bother!
..09 february 2016..
66585 'The Drax Flyer' sits adjacent to Platform-3 at Westbury having just reversed out of the Virtual-Quarry here with its unusual load for this duty '6C73'.Usually an 'MOBC' set,today it is just a mere pair of bogie 'JNA's.
..09 february 2016..
Freightliner's HH 66561 cruises through Undy on the 'main' with the 11:05 from Uskmouth-Fifoots Power Station going to Stoke-Gifford with discharged coal-hoppers.Regretfully coal trains are now a quite rare working on UK railways due to the government misguided idea that if we stop burning coal as source for generating power so will other countries.Fat chance! The USA,Germany and China use as much as ever whilst in a few years time we will be suffering severe power outages due to lack of generating capacity!
..19 january 2016..
This is the ex-DRS 66418 that was transferred to Freightliner several years ago.Fairly recently it was reliveried into the now new livery for that Company 'Powerhaul' somewhat similar to that worn by the GE-Class-70's.It is seen in an extreemly lucky gap in the blanket clouds passing Nursling with the diverted '4O54' 05:27 from Leeds to Southampton-MCT.
..16 january 2016..
This weekend all the long distance traffic between Eastleigh and Southampton was being diverted via Andover and the Laverstock-Loop due to engineering works in the St Deny's area.Here is 66534 with '4018' the 05:03 from Lawley St going to Southampton-MCT crossing over at Redbridge to run wrong line to Maritime to gain access to the container terminal just a mile or so away.Today sun-wise promised so much but even by this time (10:30) the cloud banks had comprehensively rolled in.This shot was in a lucky gap in that shroud.A difficult stretch of line to photograph on in the winter, particularly in the earlyish morning so this somewhat head-on location had to do!
..16 january 2016..
H H Freightliner's '4M18' with its load of scrap concrete sleepers runs through Swindon having departed Taunton's Fairwater Yard at 09:47.Its destination will be Washwood Heath R.M.C. in Birmingham.66507 was the powering loco.
..15 january 2016..
Low-Emission variant FL-66589 passes Swindon on a brisk clean cold morning (Note the salt on the platform).The working is '4O70' the 09:58 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.Heavily loaded as is the norm these days with some nice tank-tainers right behind the loco.
..15 january 2016..
HH-Loco 66553 brings the 'MOBC' up through Berkley-Marsh.'6C72' departs Taunton's Fairwater Yard at 09:20 heading for Westbury-VQ to have a refill.Interestingly and unfortunately not visible on this shot the consist has had a couple of old Seacows added to the rear.Those are now not too common so nice to see them still in service.
..14 january 2016..
For the final shot of 2015 this one turned out to be well worth waiting for!. Here is Freightliner pairing 66522 and 66559 heading the diverted '6O26' the 10:10 from Hinksey Sdg's-Oxford going to Eastleigh East Yard.The duel Lime/Green 'Shanks' Loco is looking pretty careworn these days.Surely a repaint cannot be too far away? The working that comprised a partially loaded CWR train is seen at the top of the Upton Scudamore Incline nr Warminster.
..31 december 2015..
Freightliner's 66527 runs through Sydney Sardens in Bath-Spa with '6Y40' the 13:25 away from Bristol-Parkway to Westbury hauling recovered used ballast from the engineering occupation currently at Westerleigh-Junction on the top-road.Sadly when electrification does finally arrive here all these brunelian walls and parapets will have to be raised to 1.8 metres to meet euro safety regulations-------what a ruinous overkill!
..12 december 2015..
Freightliner's 66523 c/w its load of a MOBC (Medium Output Ballast Cleaner) passes Fairwood going to the Virtual-Quarry at Westbury for a refill. The working is '6C72' and departs Taunton-Fairwater Yard most days at 09:19.I was in luck today, the train beating the approaching cloudbank to this spot by little more than 20 seconds!
..04 december 2015..
66552 powers a long long full HOBC-set through Strap Lane nr Upton Noble with an out of sight 66555 tagged upon the rear.This working '6Y19' was returning to Fairwater Yard in Taunton from an overnight engineering occupation near Basingstoke. 66552 carries the name 'Maltby Raider'.Unfortunately it will never be raiding that particular Colliery ever again.The place was closed in 2013 and has been completely demolished.Another nail in the UK-Coal Industries now very empty coffin!
..22 november 2015..
About once a week '6C73' returns to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard via Bristol instead of the more direct route via Castle-Cary.This enable the wagon-sets to be reversed for operational reasons.Here is 66523 passing through the Limpley Stoke-Valley on the approach to Freshford with one such move.Departure from Westbury being nominally 12:07.Not a particularly clement day with the need for 1600-asa to obtain even this rather dull looking exposure.
..30 october 2015..
FL's 66594 'NYK Spirit of Kyoto' heads a lightly loaded (at the front anyway) '4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury past a seemingly settled and sunny Bourton east of Swindon.I came here for a 2nd go at the Grey-GBRf 66748 which was on '6M40' yesterday but regretfully 60 minutes later when it passed the skies had largely filled in completely with cloud so that little plan went straight down the tubes!
..30 september 2015..
Todays working '4L32' from Bristol-FLT (11:00 off) was booked to go to London Gateway-FLR. A very smart looking 'Fred' 66537 is hauling it past Wootton Basset.A well loaded working but unfortunately for me not at the front!
..29 september 2015..
Low-Emission 5-door GM 66591 hauls '4O29' the 08:19 from Crewe's Basford Hall down to Southampton-Maritime into Moreton Cutting past the yard taken over by the contractors doing their best to electrify this section of the mainline between London and South-Wales/Bristol and Oxford.
..26 september 2015..
A visit to Dunsomer Hill at the southern end of Moreton Cutting shpws how well (or badly) the electrification progress is proceeding.Notlong before the ugly and dreaded cross-arms go into place,that will finally kill of this location photographically.Anyway for now it is still a reasonable shot..Here is 5-door 66954 powering '4O54' the 05:27 from Leeds-FLT to Southampton-Maritime.A rather long train and full loaded as well.
..26 september 2015..
Double-Top today on '4L32' from Bristol-FLT (11:00 off) heading for Tilbury-RCT.66572 with 66587 pauses in the middle road at Swindon to allow a couple of HST's to pass.One from Bristol and one from Cheltenham and then---off---- after a short 8 minute delay.
..17 september 2015..
Freightliner's 66560 fairly smart appearence is somewhat marred by the rust stains created by trapped water in the window seals on the cab front end.Not gone into holes yet but probably well on its way! Here the loco has just backed out of the Westbury-VQ in readiness for starting out back down to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard with its freshly refill part-HOBC set as '6V73'.This it did about a minute after it had completed the push-back. It actually departed spot on time at 12:12.All very slick!
..10 september 2015..
HOBC tripper '6C72/6C73' was in the hands of 66599 this morning. Here the nominally 12:12 returning departure from Westbury for Taunton's Fairwater Yard was running nearly an hour later than booked.It is seen passing the duck-pond at Pink Wood nr Bruton.This is another location slowly being ruined by rampant bush growth.
..07 september 2015..
Yesterday morning this working was graced with one of the ex-DRS GM's that is still wearing most of its 'Compass' livery (But I missed it!) So today having made the base assumption it would do it again as it so often does I arrived well early for the shot.Sods-Law dictated today it was hauled by one of the basic nondescript plain nameless anonymous 66/5's---Oh well! so here is 66523 working up through Berkley Marsh with '6V72' the 08:20 from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard with its 1/2 an HOBC-set for a ballast top-up at Westbury-VQ.At least it was fairly clean and the sun was shining brightly!
..02 september 2015..
The recently reliveried 'Powerhaul' 66418 which also includes 'Genesee & Wyoming Company' branding as well passes Parson Street with the 'FO' Bristol -FLT to Southampton-MT working '4O24'.Today unusually instead of the regular train of empty-flats it was actually carrying a few Containers for good measure.This shot was supposed to be the 'tele' bonus but milliseconds later the working was blotted out entirely by a FGW-DMU going in the opposite direction,hence the later preferred shot was lost.
..28 august 2015..
66572 gets away from Eastleigh Station after a short stop to complete a crew changover.The very well loaded '4O14' from Hams-Hall departed there at 07:37,its destination being Maritime Container-Terminal in Southampton.Viewed from a very crowded Campbell Road-Overbridge where everyman and his dog was waiting for '1Z37' from Chester to Bournemouth excursion hauled by a pair of '37-s'.If you look carefully it is waiting in the station to depart a few minutes after this working had cleared the section.
..22 august 2015..
Freightliner's 66587 brings a lightly loaded (At the front anyway) '4O18' the 05:03 from Lawley Street to Southampton-Maritime through Mount Pleasant in Southampton.
..22 august 2015..
Here is the Fridays-Only '4O24' Bristol-FLT to Southampton-Maritime which departs Bristol in the ' Mon to Thur' slot of '4L32' to Tilbury (11:00 off) but of coarse doesn't go there. This workings usual purpose is to deliver empty liner-flats to Maritime for mtce and containers are only occasionally carried.Today interestingly this was the only GM (66505) to be seen going south.All the others were GE-70's.The working is seen passing Mount Pleasant in Southampton.
..07 august 2015..
66593 with its distinctive white '3MG' nameplate passes old Linslade on 4L41' the 06:04 from Crewe-Basford Hall heading for Felixstowe-North FLT.It was a pity that all the containers on this fairly well loaded service were on the rear...never mind! Still a pretty colourful scene with the 'Ragwort' or if you prefer the latin name 'Jacobaea Vulgaris' in fullflower in the foreground.
..31 july 2015..
A very Green looking 66517 passes Old Linslade which is north of Leighton Buzzard going north on '4M21' the 03:00 from Felixstowe-FLT to Trafford Park in Manchester.
..31 july 2015..
The Bristol-FLT to Tilbury-RCT service '4L32' (11:00 off Bristol) is currently being diverted along the Badminton route due to Box Tunnel being closed for track-prep work in readiness for the eventual electrification through Bath Spa.Here is Freightliner's 66590 with its fully loaded train passing Acton Turville in a rare patch of sun.I only just managed to get a full scene sun shot with literally two seconds to spare.No such luck with the other booked pair of liners workings along here in the mornings.Both those and yesterdays trio for that matter all passed in dullness or rain! What a crap July this has been!
..29 july 2015..
'4O27' the 05:36 from Garston to Southampton-MCT brings its partially loaded train through Mount Pleasant in Southampton.Bog standard anonymous 66559 doing the duty.
..30 june 2015..
GM-66557 is seen performing 'stand-in' shunting duties here at Southampton-Maritime.Here seen pushing back an assembled/loaded Freightliner formation back into the Redbridge holding sidings.Just as an illustration as how nothing stands still in the railway scene compare this view with one pictured just three days previously.The Mtce Depot is receiving a fresh coat of corporate-green from a seemingly more pleasant blue colour.Click HERE to see the transformation in less the 72 hours.
..30 june 2015..
M Todays '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury back down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard was the usual loaded 'HOBC'.Unusually the haulage was being performed by a pair of low-emission 5-door GM's 66599 & 66951.Seen amongst the tree's and bushes at Clink in Frome.
..29 june 2015..
Ex-DRS 66418 which has fairly recently been re-liveried into 'Powerhaul' colours stands in Southampton-Maritime undergoing a spot of maintenence parked quite closely to 66558. The revised colour scheme makes an interesting comparison.The 'green' being a definitely lighter shade.Note also beneath the 'Freightliner' Logo the added line 'A Genesee & Wyoming Company'.That Company completed the takeover of Freightliner in late March 2015.
..27 june 2015..
Freightliner-HH's 66599 heads '6C84', an MOBC up to Westbury for a refill of ballast from Taunton's Fairwater Yard past Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Note the gang of ten workmen who in just over thirty minutes managed to move just two bucket loads of ballast from the cess into the area between the running lines.No wonder Network Rail is in such deep Do-Do if this is an example of the current productivity of the contracted-in workforce!
..25 june 2015..
Todays '4L32' from Bristol-FLT to Tilbury-RCT was graced with a pair of late model 'low emission' GM's 66591 leading with 66593 inside.Amazing when you realise that between them these two locomotives have a total of 10 access doors! The Liner is seen between Wootton Bassett and Hay Lane nr Swindon. The lane itself over this bridge is nameless but where it joins the main W-Bassett to Swindon road the Pub opposite is called Sally Pussy Inn!!!!!
..23 june 2015..
The past few months has seen a revival of activity at Fairwater Yard in Taunton with '6C72' (09:19 off) up to Westbury-VQ happening again on a fairly regular basis.Here is 66599 bringing up the MOBC for refilling passing Clink Nr Frome.
..19 june 2015..
In yellowing light since it was now approaching 20:00 66532 is seen plodding northwards past Culham with '4M97' the 17:30 off Southampton-MCT heading for Hams Hall-Parsec.Another completely full train of imported goods probably from China?.Perhaps the economy is looking up after all...Well China's is anyway!
..18 june 2015..
66568,just another anonymous Freightliner-GM heads '4L32' the 11:00 away from Bristol-FLT going over to Tilbury-RCT with its load of Wine-Empties!
..18 june 2015..
I became mildly excited when this 'STP' working '6Z45' from Hinksey Yard in Oxford (14:48 off) down to Fairwater Yard in Taunton appeared on RTT.Particularly when it was noted the 'Shanks' 66522 was doing the job.Naturally sods-law dictated that the more conventional green end was leading and not the lime! So here is that train actually passing in full sunlight,the load comprising of just a couple of wagons 'DC60051' & 'DB979118' normally seen as part of the MOBC set.It is viewed at Berkley Marsh nr Frome (Where else ? on a local sunny evening!)
..16 june 2015..
Freightliner's HH division 66599 runs up through Berkley-Marsh with '6C84' the 09:19 from Fairwater-Yard at Taunton to Westbury-VQ.
..28 may 2015..
Today this train,the 12:12 away from Westbury-VQ back to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard actually departed on time following an HSTservice,just 5 minutes behind it leaving Westbury so it was a pretty safe bet it would go straight down the Frome Avoiding Line and not get sidelined in the station-loop.Of coarse if it had done that this shot would not have been possible. So here is 66526 'Driver Steve Dunn-George' dragging its now fully loaded 1/2 HOBC-set back to base.This location being quite close to Styles Hill in Frome.
..27 may 2015..
This working previously worked as '6C72' but now seems to be allocated '6C84' for the trip up from Fairwater-Yard (09:19 off) at Taunton to Westbury-VQ.Strangely to return working remains as '6C73'. So here is 66526 'Driver Steve Dunn-George' taking the station route at Fairwood-Junction nr Westbury with its train which consists of 1/2 of an HOBC-set.Not too much reloading to do as 50% of the hoppers were still loaded.
..27 may 2015..
66503 'Railway Magazine' approaches Bourton east of Swindon with '4L32' from Bristol-FLT heading today to Tilbury-RCT.
..21 may 2015..
Todays '4L32' from Bristol-FLT was booked to go to London Gateway-FL.Here the train with 66587 leading with 66591 attached to the rear passes Wootton Bassett-Junction.There is plenty of fresh-air on the first 1/2-dozen flats and only three containers on the remainder of the consist.
..13 may 2015..
Freightliners 66526 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' powers through Oldfield Park barely 4 minutes behind the Northern-Belle ECS.This is the returning '6V73' from Westbury Up-TC going to Taunton-Fairwater Yard.Obviously coming this way as there was a need to reverse the formation of this 1/2 HOBC set which has just been refilled in the Westbury-VQ. Interestingly just 30 minutes before this loco has passed through Trowbridge where Steve Dunn grew up and lived for many years before his tragic demise in the Great Heck Accident in early 2001.
..04 may 2015..
'4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol to Tilbury was again rather late due to a delayed inbound working to Bristol earlier in the morning.66503 'Railway Magazine' was in charge here passing the ripening Oil Seed Rape Fields at Circourt Bridge nr Denchworth.
..22 april 2015..
The 09:58 from Wentloog in Cardiff '4O70' motors past Circourt Bridge -Denchworth with its long fully loaded train.Non-Namer GM-66537 today making a change from the usually rostered GE-Class70.
..22 april 2015..
A very spruced-up 66588 makes a fine sight passing this classic location of Compton Beauchamp with its well loaded train on 'pockets' and loaded mega-frets to accomodate the larger sized 9'6''containers.It is the 09:03 from Bristol going to Felixstowe-FLT running as '4L31'
..22 april 2015..
66588 has received something of a 'refresh' with its nose-ends having had a bit of a repaint as well as what appears to be a pair of refurbished power-bogies.Here it is on '4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury passing SteppingStone Lane in Bourton at reduced speed because of new lowered track and ballast replaced a couple of days before.The blue bags seen next to the 'down' line are rolls of waterproofing which are laid before new ballast and track is added.I understand this section of line is to be done on the coming weekend.
..21 april 2015..
'4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe passes Shrivenham with its nicely loaded train of containers.The loco 66592 carries the name 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' and is one of the later variety with improved immission-control.Hence the extra 5th door visible in this shot.
..21 april 2015..
'6C73' returns from Westbury-VQ with its fully reloaded HOBC to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard.A few months ago this was a daily train but when the HOBC operation moved to Parkestone Quay in Suffolk the workings ceased.However it has returned for a few specific jobs hence this train is running again for a short while.As can be seen the driver was certainly giving the poor old GM 66596 a good taste of the power-handle as it was powering away from Fairwood-Junction nr Westbury.
..16 april 2015..
66533 'Senator Express' leads '4L32' from Bristol-FLT through Bourton going to Tilbury-RCT.Although supposed to be booked off Bristol at 11:00 it was actually 80 minutes late passing here.Perhaps the staff at Bristol were having difficulty preparing what is obviously a well loaded train in time for its booked departure slot!
..14 april 2015..
'NYK Spirit of Kyoto' 66594 runs past all the 21st century uglyness of todays railway.(And it is set to get even worse here when the OHLE is finally installed).It was working an 85 minute late '4L31'from Bristol going to Felixstowe-FLT (A working I was pleased to see thinking it was long gone upon my arrival minutes before).This working was fully loaded with the first ten wagons neatly comprising of just 'pockets' and Maersk-boxes.This location is known as Sally-Pussey Lane as its entrance is opposite a Pub of that name on the main road nr here.
..14 april 2015..
'4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT heading for Tilbury-RCT passes Hay Lane nr Swindon whilst yet another piling failure looks on wondering about its role in life! The rather scabby looking 66543 is hauling a fairly well matched set of colourful containers.Note this working is on its usual route and not one of the many diverts that are currently travelling this way to avoid difficulties in the Reading area.
..08 april 2015..
Well at least a string of empty 'pocket-wagons' is better than just plain 'flats'! Here is Freightliner's 66955,one of the 'low emission' 5-door versions introduced towards the end of the production runs.Pictured passing Compton-Beauchamp with '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT heading for Felixstowe-North FLT.
..08 april 2015..
A pleasingly clean Freightliner-HH loco 66598 (For a change) passes Coedkernew with an 'extra' working '6Z52' the 11:53 from Margam heading for Westbury.The load being just ten empty 'JNA-s'.
..26 march 2015..
Todays '4O70' from Cardiff-Wentloog (09:58 off) to Southampton-MCT was in the hands (For a change) of a GM and not a GE Loco.Here is fairly clean looking 5-door 66952 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' is running slowly past Magor on the approach to Severn Tunnel-Junction in S-Wales.Note the use of Mega-Frets and Pocket-Wagons to allow the newer 9'6'' containers to be carried on this as yet still out of gauge route for these containers on conventional flats.
..18 march 2015..
Looking a bit careworn and in need of a front-end repaint,rust stained FL-HH 66555 cruises up through Berkley-Marsh with '6C72' from Fairwater Yard-Taunton with the 'HQA' set from the TRT to be refilled with ballast from the Virtual-Quarry at Westbury.
..11 march 2015..
The Bristol-FLT to Tilbury-RCT working '4L32' draws past Parson Street shortly after departing the Freightliner-Terminal near there.Standard and nameless as well 66541 being in charge.Interestingly this was the 5th freight working past this location in just over an hour.Each train was a completely different load. Logs/Coal/Cars/Gypsum and this Liner.Quite a healthy variety me-thinks!
..10 march 2015..
66503 'Railway Magazine' draws the diverted 06:30 from Leeds-FLT to Southampton-MCT past White-Waltham.Note how finely manicured the trackside is in readiness for the forthcoming electrification and all the equipment that goes with it.It is just a pity that Network-Rail doesn't put that kind of effort in on a regular basis!
..07 march 2015..
Yet another variation in the FL-Class 66 fleet is seen here passing Ruscombe.Later members of the fleet,although having reverted to the original Group-Standard Light Clusters are now saddled with more stringent emissions rules hence they visually now have an additional 5th door because of poor access to the engine room now full of EU sanctioned filtration kit. Here is 66594 'NYK Spirit of Kyoto' operating '4O27' from Garston (05:21 off) going to Southampton-MCT approaching Twyford at Ruscombe.
..07 march 2015..
This working '4O14' the 06:17 from Hams Hall-Parsec to Southampton-MCT was practically fully loaded with 66532 leading.Ruscombe was again the location as yet another diverted 'Liner' that normally goes via Oxford passes by.
..07 march 2015..
Another diversion via the WCML and along here past Ruscombe is '4O18' the 05:03 from Lawley-St heading for Southamptom-MCT.This working was carrying a large consignment of fresh-air with its main cargo a long way away on the rear of the consist.66570,one of the minority of the FL fleet fitted with the higher intensity light clusters being in charge.
..07 march 2015..
Hauled by FL-66517 the well loaded 09:01 from Southampton-MCT going to Hams Hall-Parsec passes Ruscombe east of Reading with the diverted '4M61'.This changed route being due to the line closure nr Leamington-Spa at Harbury.Apparantly the work there to fix the landslip is nearly completed and these 'Liners' will resume their normal routing in about a weeks time.
..07 march 2015..
This working '4M18' carries old concrete sleepers from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard to Washward Heath-RMC in Birmingham.FL-HH's 66551 is seen passing through Parson Street Station in the western suburbs of Bristol.Through the railway achway can just be glimpsed part of the Bristol-West FL container depot that is now happily back into regular use.
..04 march 2015..
'6X04' the 14:26 from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard going to Wareham for an overnight possession.It is seen climbing Upton-Scudamore Incline at the perfect time in the afternoon for this location.Freight rarely passed this spot these days at this time (15:45) anymore.Freightliner's Low-Emission 5-door 66956 was leading with an 'out of site' 66555 powering for all its worth doing a spot of 'Banking' on the rear.Sandwiched in-between is the very long and heavy 'Track Replacement Train'.The whole thing being framed nicely between the winter sky and the remains of the stubble from last years Maize Crop.
..03 March 2015..
66956 brings in the set of 'HQA-s' used in the Track Renewal Train from Fairwater-Yard at Taunton for a refill here at Westbury-VQ.Nice to see the '6C72' working in use again after not running for some time since the HOBC left Taunton.It is viewed arriving at Westbury prior to reversing into the VQ to be loaded.After returning to Taunton it will reappear here again later this afternoon as past of the TRT going to Wareham in Dorset.
..03 march 2015..
The Track Renewal Train or 'TRT' powers up the Upton-Scudamre Incline heading for Wareham in Dorset as '6X04'.It originated from Fairwater-Yard in Taunton (14:28 off).66956 was leading at this point.For ease of operation it is also T-n-T.Todays other loco was an out of view 66555.Interestingly around Westbury now with the temporary demise of Fairwater-Yard used by Freightliner,Colas and GBRf are suddenly becoming more common and these 'green machines' are not being seen quite so regularly!
..02 march 2015..
The 05:36 Garston (Liverpool) to Southampton-MCT Liner working '4O27' is currently being diverted down the WCML due to line closure for landslip repairs at Harbury north of Leamington-Spa.Here it is passing through Taplow heading towards Reading from where it will regain its original route.GM-66571 was todays traction instead of the expected Class-70!
..18 february 2015..
The 11:00 off of Bristol-FLT to Tilbury-RCT passes White-Waltham with a distant 66517 leading and 66566 tagged on the rear.This working '4L32' is known as the 'Wineliner' to the Bristolians as it carries large consignments of imported wine for the local firm of Harveys.
..18 february 2015..
66540 'Ruby' accelerates through Slough with '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT heading for Felixstowe.This particular Container flow requires the larger 9'-6'' boxes to be carried in 'pocket' type wagons as seen here due to the route west of Didcot to Bristol not being cleared for those larger boxes on conventional bogie-flats.
..18 february 2015..
Sporting a very scabby front-end nameless 66543 powers the diverted 08:58 Southampton-Millbrook FLT to Lawley Street FLT '4M55' past Slough in superb winter light.These Liner workings to the north from Southampton are being diverted along here then up the WCML because its regular route is closed at Harbury Tunnel north of Leamington-Spa due to a monster landslip.Diversions are set to continue until at least early April.Yet another massive repair job for Network-Rail.
..18 february 2015..
Freightliner-HH's Low-Emission 66957 wearing a big cast nameplate 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009' rolls through Clink nr Frome with '6Y62' the 15:44 from Westbury-Down Yard going to Exeter-Riverside with less than 400 tons in a short set of 4-wheelers.Although the sun was still strong here albeit quite yellowish at 16:00 the rapidly lengthening shadows required the need for a full 200mm telephoto which in old-money(film days)works out at about 370mm.Quite a long focal length!
..06 february 2015..
66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' which is normally employed in the DFIM pool hauling intermodel workings today was in use on the DFHH duty bringing '6Y61' the 08:40 from Newton Abbot-West Jnc up to Westbury.Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Obviously a weekend Stoke-Gifford 'Chuck-Out'.No doubt it will be back its normal duties tomorrow.
..01 february 2015..
Nameless 66570 is seen approaching the Worting Junction Flyover west of Basingstoke with '4O29' the 08:14 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-Maritime.Literally a grab shot as it was approaching as we arrived in the car-park situated there.
..24 january 2015..
L/E Heavy-Haul Pair 66529/66528 hum up through the cutting at Upton Scudamore on the incline there with a transfer move from Stoke-Gifford (11:16 off) going the Eastleigh-East Yard.This worked as '0Y80'.
..23 january 2015..
'4O27' speeds under the newly rebuilt bridge at Lower-Basildon with 66591 leading.This working from Garston to Southampton-MCT departed at 05:36.
..30 december 2014..
Here is a small convoy of Freightliner locomotives heading over the Stoke-Gifford from here at Westbury.Leading is 66618 with 66610 and 66534 'OOCL Express'(DFIM pool not DFHH) in tow.Due off at 12:30 it actually departed here nearly 2 hours earlier than listed.I expect the driver wanted to go shopping with his missus????? Note a lone Steve McMullin looking on from the road overbridge!
..27 december 2014..
66954 approaches Swindon with a nice uniformly loaded '4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT to Tilbury.Normally this working does not run on fridays.Note the Class-66 shunting the recently built Steel -Terminal here in Swindon which takes steel train loads from S-Wales by rail almost daily.
..19 december 2014..
'4M18' from Taunton-Fairwater Yard (09:46 off) to Washwood Heath in Birmingham passes Swindon with its load of old concrete railway sleepers going for reprocessing.66514 doing the duty.
19 december 2014..
An extreemly grubby 5-door GM 66590 approaches Swindon with the 09:58 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT This used to be '4O51' but is now listed as '4O70'.An easy working to spot this as it is always made up of 'pocket' wagons and lowliner mega-frets to allow the larger size containers on this route.
19 december 2014..
Freightliner-HH 5-door low emission 66952 passes South Marston nr Swindon with '6X55' comprising a load of JNA ballast wagons and a set of Point-Carriers, (Hence the 'X' rating in the report code as they are considered an out of gauge wide load!).It departed Westbury at 11:12 and is heading for an engineering occupation east of Reading at Kennet Bridge Junction.
..13 december 2014..
Now this was the shot I had been waiting for for over 2-hours.A nicely lit freight on the fast-line here at Lower-Basildon.Something which in itself is a quite rare event! So here is a nice clean 66569 heading '4O29' the 08:14 from Crewe-Basford Hall going down to Southampton-MCT. A shot well worth waiting for although it left us very little time to rush to Challow for the expected 'Tanks' and 56's which were heading our way!
..06 december 2014..
At this time of the year the sun is at its highest point in the sky before noon.Even then the shadows are extreemly long.'Liner'-66501 'Japan 2001' on '4O27' the 05:26 from Garston to Southampton-MCT is seen at a slowly dying (photographically) Lower-Basildon heading south.Since freightliners were still running unusually on the fast-lines I decided to move to a less shadowed location in a field a few hundred yards further east.
..06 december 2014..
'4O14' the 07:37 from Hams-Hall (Parsec) to Soutthampton-MCT was another freightliner that today used the fast-lines from Didcot to Reading.This one utilised the crossover somewhat closer to Didcot-Parkway.Yet another anonymous 'Fred' 66532 was leading.Where are the 70's or ex-DRS versions when you want one? Seen from the 'Death-Bridge' at South-Moreton.
..06 december 2014..
The 05:03 from Lawley Street '4O18' unusually crosses over from the slow-lines to the fast at South-Moreton with 66517 in charge.There must have been some kind of problem or operational difficulty at Reading because virtually all todays Liner-Trains were running up the fast-lines.No complaints mind you as photographically it produces a much more balanced composition than if the trains were over on their normal path.
..06 december 2014..
'6O26' the 10:50 from Hinksey Yard-Oxford down to Eastleigh-East Yd passes Lockerley with a short rake of just five 'JNA-s'.Green now rules on this working and today it was 66547 catching the weak afternoon sun.Again this is a diversion due to work on the line at Winchester.
..01 november 2014..
Here is a working '4V59' that originated at Crewe-Basford Hall departing at 01:29 heading for Portbury Docks.However when seen here at Severn Tunnel-Junction it was 5-1/2 hours late! It was delayed at Shrewsbury presumably by the failure of 66526.Here seen behind the leading loco 66546 taking the route for the Severn Tunnel.
..21 october 2014..
The 11:42 from Neasden-Charrington to Pengham '6V33' runs past Duffryn with its set of near uniform green Freightliner-HH Hoppers.The loco 66526 is named after Steve Dunn, the driver who lost his life in the Feb-2001 Great Heck rail crash.
..11 october 2014..
Freightliner-HeavyHaul pair 66513 and 66951 rolls past Trowbridge going to Stoke-Gifford from Westbury as '0T74' Since 66951 was the first 'Low Emission 5-door' type of GM-66 to enter the country spending a few moments studying this pair will enable your to pick out some of the more obvious detail differences between the two versions.
..09 october 2014..
66556 heads '4L32' from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury through the deep cutting on the approach to Thingley-Junction west of Chippenham.
..08 september 2014..
This is a loaded sand from Wool-MOD sidings (15:08 off) going up to Neasden-Charrington in London.66519 was hauling this service '6M42'.In the adjacent siding here at Southampton-Maritime is the recently arrived ex-DRS 66420 with the FO empty flats from Bristol-FLT which ran as '4O24'.
..22 august 2014..
The '4O27' service from Garston that departed there at 05:40 passes a deserted Millbrook Station in Southampton.66587 looking pretty smart was handling the duty.It appears this is one of the recent partial re-paints that Freightliner have been carrying out to fix the often scabby and rust stained front-ends of some of their GM Fleet.
..22 august 2014..
5-door low emission GM 66591 speeds past Hay Lane west of Swindon with '4L32' coming from Bristol-FLT (11:00 off) going to Tilbury R.C.T. As usual the bog-standard Liner passed in full light unlike the 33/Bullied combo that passed less than 20 minutes earlier. Click HERE to view.
..18 august 2014..
As the Summer wears on the evening shadows are now starting to lengthen considerably after teatime.Here at Lower-Basildon a fair amout of 'tele' was needed to record '4M99' the 16:57 from Southampton-Maritime to Trafford Park.Usually a '70' working but today it produced 66558 hauling a very well loaded train.Note the crude oversize replacement numbers on the front of 66558 and also the difference between the two container sizes now in use these days loaded on the first bogie-flat.
..07 august 2014..
66593,one of the later 'Low-Emission' 5-door GM's working for Freightliner drones down through Lower-Basildon with a well loaded '4M62' from Southampton-MCT going up to Hams-Hall in Birmingham.Note the distinctive white '3M' nameplate affixed to this engine.
..07 august 2014..
The 11:00 off Bristol-FLT runs past Oldfield Park in the City of Bath-Spa. Freightliner's 66556 was todays traction for this working '4L32' going to Tilbury in East-London.
..07 august 2014..
About the only recognisable part of Corsham Station remaining is the substantial stone Goods Shed.Here 66570 heading '4L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT is seen passing it with todays well loaded 'Liner' going to Tilbury-RCT.This is another doomed location when the wires and masts appear sometime next year.Just beyond the bridge in the distance is the rather unglamorous eastern portal of Box Tunnel.Now that is going to be a challenge to wire for the forthcoming electrification for sure!
..06 august 2014..
With the Georgian terraced houses on the eastern outskirts of Bath prominent on the distant hillside '6L32' the 11:00 from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury-RCT passes Meadow Farm nr Bathampton.The loco is 66502,one of the first batch of GM-66's Freightliner took on over 15 years ago.It carries a commemorative nameplate 'Basford Hall Centenary 2001'.
..04 august 2014..
Freightliner's HH 66508 powers through Pilning with '6V60' the 11:56 from Neasden Charringtons-Flhh going to Pengham Reception Sidings.The Dollands-Moor to Margam empty steel '6V13' had been languishing in the loop here for nearly an hour and a half when this 'Rival' freight powered passed.I don't expect the DBS driver was very impressed. He was pacing up and down,on the phone several times,had a piss and sweating his cobs off in the heat! Anyway within 5 minutes the looped steel eventually departed after a stop of nearly 90 sweltering minutes!
..26 july 2014..
66504 to date still the sole UK based Powerhaul liveried Class-66.Here it is swinging through Royal-Wootton-Bassett with '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.Another mega load on this today.Business on this route has certainly pick up in the last year or so!
..25 july 2014..
66543/66420 head a train of empty container-flats going from Bristol-FLT down to Southampton-MCT.It was running in the path of the more usual '4L32' from Bristol to Tilbury but today the reporting number is '4O24' Seen passing the builder-yard that used to be Wootton-Bassett Station.Only a few weeks to go and this location will be closed off whilst the bridge is rebuilt to cope with the upcoming 'waste of money' err I meant electrification of this route!
..25 july 2014..
Now a Freightliner duty, '6M28' from Hinksey Yard at Oxford going to Bescot passes Kings Sutton with 66564 in charge.Nothing special today in the consist,just a load of 'JNA-s' full of fresh ballast.
..22 july 2014..
66542 rolls slowly into Didcot-Parkway for its regular short layover waiting 'time'.The train is '4L32' from Bristol going to Tilbury-FLT.A scene never to be repeated now the Eurocrat-vandals have got their way and stupidly think they can solve the worlds pollution crisis by demolishing Didcot-A PS. Meanwhile 160 new Coal fired Stations are being built and commisioned in China in the next 4 years.
..22 july 2014..
They say 'Every picture tell a story'.Well this one certainly does.66564 operates '6O26' from Hinksey to Eastleigh.A duty recently lost to Freightliner from DBS. Hoards of track workers are seen preparing the permanant way here at South-Moreton for the upcoming un-necessary electrification and finally the Cooling Towers of Didcot-A Power Station dominate the skyline.Well 4 days later the lefthand trio were demolished.The remainder will follow in a few years.By then no one will bother with this location as it will be totally ruined!
..22 july 2014..
'4L31' from Bristol (09:03 off) going to Felixstowe North-FLT with nondescript 66533 up front passes Steventon.This passed about an hour after the '70/8' on the Westbury-Bescot so consequently the side lighting was much better.A good load as well!
..22 july 2014..
66953 returns to Maritime-CT with a few repaired container-flats after attention at Eastleigh's Alstom Works.This 'Tripper' runs on Mondays and Wednesdays only.Seen passing St Denys.
..02 july 2014..
This is '6M42' coming up from Wool and going to Neasden-Charrington with yet another load of sand.Freightliner 66560 being in charge of this set of Freightliner liveried IIA type hoppers.Location for this is St Denys off the Horseshoe Road Bridge.
..02 july 2014..
66593 passes Northam with a 'cripple' tripper from Maritime-CT to Eastleigh-Works with a couple of liner-bogies that require works attention.People around here (Mt Pleasant) must be very patient,a couple of times during our visit here the gates on this crossing remained closed for up to 20 minutes!
..02 july 2014..
66503 carrying the name ''Railway Magazine' runs round the curve from St Deny's at Mt Pleasant in Southampton going to Maritime-CT from Crewe Basford Hall working as '4O49'.
..02 july 2014..
'4M28' from Southampton-MCT going to Ditton rolls slowly past Campbell Road in readiness for a stop at the station in Eastleigh to perform a booked crew change.66543 was leading with 66592 tucked inside DIT.Note the remains of 'Spike Island' motorcycle dealership that closed after most of the backyard was removed to make room for the yet to be commissioned additional loop line from Southampton- Parkway to the station here.
..02 july 2014..
Of the three Liners expected in a short 30 minute period this was the only one to produce a picture.The first one from Leeds was completely empty and arrived under a cloud and the one working down from Crewe was heavily delayed so was not seen first or last!.So here is good old reliable '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog gong to Soton-MCT passing Saxon Road Footbridge in Southampton.66567 being in charge.Note all the fresh ballast in the distance at Southampton Station.A major scheme being underway to remodel and replace most of the points and trackwork.
..12 june 2014..
66592 rolls past Eastleigh with '4M28' the working from Southampton going to Ditton.Note the empty yard behind the train that was partially demolished to make sufficient room for the new relief line that is yet to be commisioned (Not forgetting the inevitable over the top 10 ft high palisade fence!).These were once the premises of 'Spike Island Motorcycles'.There was always a good selection of various older machines parked here to keep you occupied between workings!
..12 june 2014..
Going to Lawley-Street as '4M55' from Soton-MCT,It is seen running slowly into Eastleigh for a booked crew-change stop.66503,a very early member of the Freightliner Fleet of GM's being in charge.Note the new but yet to be commissioned relief line behind the train.This extra piece of track going all the way back as far as Southampton-Parkway will greatly increase flexibility for trains coming up from Southampton,particularly the Liners which currently, can and do block all northbound traffic whilst halted here at Eastleigh several times every day. ..12 june 2014..
A fairly clean albeit rust stained 66560 powers up through Berkley-Marsh with a 1/2 HOBC on '6C72' going to Westbury-VQ for a refill from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard (08:20 off).
..11 june 2014..
Probably one of the most popular locomotives currently in the Freightliner fleet is the former 'James the Engine' 66414 in its unique blue style (See HERE for how it was) which is the base remains of its former Stobart livery.Antway here it is rolling past Royal-Wootton-Basset with '4L32' from Bristol FLT(11:00 off) heading for Tilbury in East-London.
..05 june 2014..
The now well established and invariably busy container flow between Cardiff-Wentloog and Southampton often requires a train on the weekend as well as during the week and sometimes then a couple of workings! Here is 6654O 'Ruby' with it well loaded train of 'pockets' and 'megafrets' motoring past Coalpit Heath with '4059' the '10:57' from Wentloog.
..03 may 2014..
Today '6O49' the Theale (Departs at 09:48) to Wool Sand-Empties ran via the B&H and the Wylye-Valley.Here is seen 66515 with its mixed rake of white and green FL-Hoppers passing Norton-Bavant south of Warminster in a lucky break in the mainly cloudy sky.
..24 april 2014..
5-door low-emission Fred 66953 is viewed approaching Westbury having come up from Taunton's Fairwater Yard with a 1/2 HOBC set to be reloaded with ballast at the VQ in Westbury.This is the regular '6C72' train that runs most days up from Taunton.
..17 april 2014..
FL-HH 66518 rolls over Fairwood-Woods Foot Crossing with '6C72' from Taunton's Fairwater yard going to Westbury-VQ to refill this part-HOBC set.Timing for this shot is incredibly important to ensure the shadow from a large lineside tree is clear of the loco and that the front-end hasn't come too far forward.Considering the train was doing about 50 mph when the shutter was pressed I was rather pleased with the framing!
..16 april 2014..
Amazingly less than 30 minutes after 66502 had passed its even older brother-loco 66501 'Japan 2001' passed by with '4L32' from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury-RCT.Yes the location is still Steppingstone Lane in Bourton.
..15 april 2014..
Here is the second GM that Freightliner took delivery of way back in August 1999.66502 carries the name 'Basford Hall Centenary 2001' and considering its been in continuous service now for 15 years looks in quite good shape with little or now sign of any corrosion. It is pictured passing Bourton with '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.
..15 april 2014..
66558 heads '4L31' from Bristol going to Felixstowe-North-FLT as it passes the site of the long closed Shrivenham Station.Amazing how in this day and age how the platform faces have survived so long.Almost certainly because they are so far from the running lines since the station loops were removed.
..15 april 2014..
This is the second 'Liner' from Bristol-FLT.It departed at 11:00,a couple of hours after '4L31's departure. This one is '4L32' and todays destination for this service is Tilbury.Here it is seen cruising down the twin-track west of Challow,already slowing to enter thr Challow loops.The nondescript nameless 66558 was heading this service.
..14 april 2014..
66534 wearing its classically red-backed 'OOCL Express' nameplates runs down the 'slow' at Challow with '4L31' from Bristol-FLT(09:03 off) heading for Felixstowe.
..14 april 2014..
A nice bonus to start off the day's photography was the 85 minute late running '6L35' from Cardiff-Tidal to Dagenham Dock empty scrap boxes.66598,one of the low-emmision versions being in charge.It is seen speeding through Challow heading east on the Main in an attempt to pick up some of the lost time!
..14 april 2014..
Bog standard and nameless as well 66538 runs up the slow lines at Dunsomer Hill on the approach to Didcot with the 14:12 off of Southampton-MCT going to Hams Hall Parsec.This working '4M62' was looking very well loaded as it passed here in the superb low evening sunlight.All you photographers out there need to make the most of the available shots such as this along the Thames Valley line.Another 2 years or so and it will all be ruined by the much vaunted but in truth very un-necessary electrification that is now regretfully in progress!
..08 april 2014..
FL-HH 66559 powers south on the ECML in the late afternoon sunlight with an empty set of coal hoppers at Gateforth New Road nr Selby.After a bit of investigation it turns out this is '4R20' from Sudforth Sidings (15:25 off) going to Immingham.
..13 march 2014..
Here is a somewhat wider angled shot of the same train '4N71' with 66596 departing the Eggborough branch as it commences its return journey to Redcar for a refill of pulverised coal. Note how in the dead calm still air that was over this area today the exhausts of the Power Station at Eggborough were going straight up with no deviation whatsoever!
..13 march 2014..
Low-Emission 66596 edges away from Whitley Bridge Junction with '4N71' returning the emptied coal hoppers to Redcar-High Level for another refill.This nominally departed Eggborough -PS at 14:58.
..13 march 2014..
More empties from Drax-PS (14:12 off) this time returning to Hatfield-Main Colliery here seen passing the exit from Eggborough -PS.The train made up of 20 bogie hoppers was hauled by FL-HH 66563.In the background awaiting a path is GBRf's 66729,this one bound for Doncaster Decoy. Click HERE to see that departure 12 minutes later.
..13 march 2014..
'6B53' hauled by 66596 from Redcar-High Level plods through Knottingley going to Eggborough with yet more coal.A fairly smart FL-HH 5-door low emission GM somewhat spoiled by the large dirty smudge on the front end!
..13 march 2014..
'6E94' all the way from Hunterston(High Level) in North Ayrshire in Scotland with loaded coal hoppers passes Wormesley Road Level Crossing in Knottingley going to Drax-PS just a few miles away so nearly at journeys end.A surprisingly clean looking Freightliner-HH GM 66531 being in charge.
..13 march 2014..
FL-HH working '6R08' from Immingham Import Terminal (07:38 off) going to Drax-PS with even more coal passes Sudford Lane with Kellingley Colliery in the background.66513 was the loco in charge.
..13 march 2014..
FL-HH 66563 powers past Whitley Bridge with the 08:18 from Kellingley Colliery going the short distance to Drax-PS.The train having a journey time of just about 30 minutes! This Mine at Kellingley is now one of only three deep coal mines still operating in the UK.A stark comparison with a few decades ago,In 1979 there were 170 !
..13 march 2014..
Freightliner-HH's 66523 rolls into Westbury with the 2-hour late '6C84' from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard.Services have been severely disrupted in the last few days with Taunton being completely cut off from the East by extreme floods.The line from Cogload-Junction towards Castle-Cary is now just about passable hence a few workings are now getting through.This working just catching a lucky short burst of sunshine at Fairwood just west of Westbury.
..10 february 2014..
This engine 66504 in Jan/2014 is still the only FL-66 in the UK to gain the 'Powerhaul' livery scheme.Here it is arriving at Millbrook going into the landward liner-terminal there.This is unusual as '4O54' from Leeds usually goes a mile or so further into Maritime.A slight glimmer of afternoon sun adding a touch of contrast to the scene!
..14 january 2014..
With several big infrastructure jobs underway in the area activity on the Taunton to Westbury supply corridor is very high.This is '6C73' nominally but instead of a loaded 'HOBC' returning to Taunton as usual today it was a long set of empty 'JNA-s' instead. 66596 was doing the job as it passed Frome heading westward.
..13 january 2014..
The Southampton to Cardiff-Wentloog '4V50' was running nearly 2 hours later than its booked path today having departed by that amount late from Southampton.Presumably due to traction problems-hence the pair of locomotives.here is 66556 with 66598 running down past Coedkernew not far from its destination.
..11 january 2014..
Nondescript 66550 ambles away from Westbury with a reloaded 1/2 HOBC-Set returning to Taunton's Fairwater-Yard.This daily refill service runs as '6C73'.Here seen at Fairwood a mile or so out of Westbury.
..09 january 2014..
Flushed with the success of the previous 'Liner' just 15 minutes previously our luck held out for the 'Train of the Day' here at Codford about six miles south of Warminster with the sole 'Powerhaul' liveried 66/5 in charge. So here is a rather smart 66504 on the diverted '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton M.C.T making what is probably its debut in the Wylye-Valley.A nicely loaded working which included an 'out of sight' 66569 that was used to aid reversal at Swindon.
..30 december 2013..
With Reading still closed for rebuilding work Freightliners were today diverted down the Wylye-Valley to get to Southampton and Tilbury amongst other places.Here is '4L32' from Bristol going to Tilbury with 66537 leading on 66564 on the rear.This back engine (just visible) was used to aid reversal of the train at Chippenham to gain the route to Westbury and beyond. Here it is seen in the Wylye-Valley passing Codford in a superb clear blue slot...Some kind of miracle after the mornings intense gloom! ..30 december 2013..
Against the colourful backdrop of the autumnal tree's here at Circourt Bridge at Denchworth Freightliner's 66547 runs past with '6M40' from Westbury going to Stud-Farm for a reload.Unusually today it was hauling 'MRA' sidetippers instead of the usual yellow Railtrack-boxes.
..13 november 2013..
Just as the much delayed '4V51' was departing Challow '4L31' from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe North-FLT was heading the other way.This was drawn by a much more workstained GM-66 from the Freightliner fleet 66572.
..13 november 2013..
66504,the only GM-66 so far adorned with the Freightliner 'Powerhaul' style livery suffered a problem whilst working '4V51' from Southampton to Cardiff-Wentloog this morning.Here it is seen creeping along to loops at Denchworth at about 5mph in readiness to buffer up to its rescue locomotive 70007 ready and waiting about a mile or so away at Challow.Location is again Circourt Bridge at Denchworth looking east.
..13 november 2013..
The 11:15 from Rugeley-PS going to Stoke-Gifford '4V47' passes Croome-Perry with Freightliner-HH 66560 in charge.I saw four freights here in the space of about 90 minutes going south and this was the only one to pass in decent sunlight.All around was full-blue except for a bar of cloud that persisted in covering the sun! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..12 november 2013..
After a 'hard days night' at Dolphin-Junction nr Slough working in a track possession '6Y14' with 66528 leading on the RHTT and a well out of sight 66559 on the rear passes Ladydown nr Trowbridge going to Westbury.It came this way via Swindon and Melksham due to the B&H being closed for weekend engineering works.Note how despite the very windy storm of last weekend most of the leaves still cling to the trees!
..10 november 2013..
One of the earlier GM's employed by FL-HH 66519 drones through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with '4M18' coming from Taunton-Fairwater Yard (09:40 off) and going the Washwood-Heath RMC with a load of recovered concrete sleepers for disposal.Another nice day contrary to the BBC-Weather that predicted just an hour or so of sun early in the morning before degenerating into full cloud----------Wrong!!!!!!!!
..04 november 2013..
'6C84',the 09:19 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome with a lightly loaded train of just one set of 5-HQA's.The locomotive 66526 carries the name 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' who as a Freightliner-HH driver perished in the Great-Heck accident on the 28th february 2001.He originally came from Trowbridge,less than 10 miles from this very spot.Nice to see this engine so local to his old home town!
..30 october 2013..
An early build work stained 66511 now working for the Heavy-Haul Division of Freightliner runs down through Standish-Junction with its set of empty coal hoppers from Rugeley-PS (08:56 off) going to Stoke-Gifford. Working reporting as '4V06'.
..10 october 2013..
This working '4L31' from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe became the third freight through this area west of Swindon at Bourton in under an hour so was aquite busy session!One of the 5-door low-emission variants 66595 was up front and bodywise was looking well cared for.
..10 october 2013..
'Ruby' 66540 on the 09:23 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Soton-MCT '4O49' curves away from Southampton Central nearing journeys end.Shot taken from the old lattice footbridge at Saxon Road in Western Southampton.
..05 september 2013..
'4O54' the 06:15 from Leeds to Soton-MCT runs through Southampton Central on a superb cloudless sunny hot late summers afternoon.66569 was looking fairly rustfree and well kept.The side panels particularly those just below the radiators are usually well corroded and often devoid of any paint in that area.Curiously this example looks in pretty reasonable condition bodywise.
..05 september 2013..
'4M61' the 12:58 from Maritime-CT going to Trafford Park powers it long long train of containers through Millbrook in the suburbs of Southampton.66590,one of the many anonymous Freightliner 66's that that company operates.Observation point was again the A33 bridge at Mountbatten Way.
..05 september 2013..
66571 heads this Liner from Crewe-Basford Hall to Soton-MT.Running as '4O49' it is seen passing Millbrook Station in Southampton.As with all the Freightliners viewed today this one was very long and very well loaded.If these trains are a barometer for the UK economy then things really are beginning to pick up!-Not before time!
..04 september 2013..
Coming from Cardiff-Wentloog as '4O51' 66533 eases slowly through the platforms at Southampton Central going just down the road to Maritime-MT.
..04 september 2013..
'4O54' the 06:15 from Leeds curves away from Southampton-Central on the final approach to journeys-end at Maritime-FLT just a mile or so away.A very green 66588 being in charge.
..04 september 2013..
'4M61' from Southampton-MCT and destined for Trafford Park moves slowly through the suburbs of Southampton at Saxon Road.Note the ham-fisted attempt to re-apply the front number,oversized numerals and when whoever did it ran out of space for the final '8' of 66558 it was just left overlapping ! amazing.................
..04 september 2013..
Freightliner-HH's '4V06' drawing empty coal hoppers from Rugeley-PS back down to Stoke-Gifford was just 6 minutes behind the Oil from Robeston.Here 66585 'The Drax Flyer' is seen at Wickwar about to plunge into the tunnel there.Despite appearances seconds after the loco had passed shadows had engulfed the scene.It was turning into that kind of day!
..31 august 2013..
'4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MT pauses briefly at Eastleigh to make one last crew change before journeys-end.Another pretty clean GM 66571.I suppose its due to all the warm dry weather we have been experiencing lately!
..22 august 2013..
More often than not this working '4O51' is operated by a member of the Class-70,however today it was a bog standard GM-66. A fairly clean and rust-free 66594 'Spirit of Kyoto' (What ever that was?????) is viewed slowly coming through the platforms at Southamton Central Station.This Liner came from Cardiff-Wentloog and was going to Maritime just a few miles west of the station here.
..22 august 2013..
'4M28' from Southampton-MT going to Ditton passes Eastleigh. This ex-Eddie Stobart de-branded GM 66414 was looking quite smart today and certainly a nice change from the regular FL fare on these trains.Note the work going on behind the train preparing the trackbed for the re installing of the long loop here to aid traffic flow through the conjested area of Eastleigh station.
..22 august 2013..
Here is the 05:10 from Roskear Crossover nr St Erith in deepest Cornwall running as '6Y97' finally nearing its journeys-end after over 7 hours in transit.66614 TnT with 66595 with an almost empty CWR.Fairwood Junction nr Westbury can just be seen in the distance.
..25 july 2013..
66504 the sole Powerhaul liveried FL-66 heads east at Shockerwick nr Bath with '4L31' the 09:03 from Bristol-FLT going to Felixstowe North FLT.Its taken me about 2 months since this engine was returned to service in this style but at last I finally managed to nail it!
..22 july 2013..
'Maltby Raider' 66552 eases into Westbury on '6Y12' the 10:05 from Gloucester with its train of jna's loaded with spent ballast.Infrastructure weekend workings seem to be currently split pretty evenly between DBS and FL-HH these days working out of this Wiltshire Hub.
..21 july 2013..
5-door 'low emission' GM-66956 rumbles past Coalpit-Heath in the northern outskirts of Bristol with '4V47' bringing a set of empty FL coal hoppers down from Rugeley-B PS (11:15 off) going only as far as Stoke-Gifford yard.
..17 july 2013
Freightliners 66563 passes Bathampton with a lightly loaded '4L32' from 11:00 from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury.(How much does fresh air weigh?).Right at the rear of the train was just five boxes so it has to be said this particular working probably ran at a bit off a loss!
..05 july 2013..
66534 'OOC Express' leads '4M68' going to Birch-Coppice past Dunsomer-Hill nr Didcot.Unfortunately the hawthorn bushes were not very prolific in the flower department here this year apart from the one in the foreground.A pity.
..04 june 2013..
Another northbound Freightliner out of Southampton Millbrook FLT.This time its '4M61' going to Trafford-Park.A reasonably smart 66516 was doing the haulage.Note how tall the newer 9ft-6'' containers are somewhat dwarfing the profile of the locomotive! Working is seen heading past Purtley-on-Thames west of Reading.
..04 june 2013..
The 05:40 from Garston moves slowly away from a short stop at an adverse signal here in the Thames-Valley at Purley-on-Thames.66564 is heading for Southampton-MT with this well loaded liner.
..04 june 2013..
Next freight to pass Kennington-Junction on this superb summers day was '4O14' the 07:00 from Birch Coppice going to Southampton.Green-team member 66517 still looking amazingly rust-free was in charge.
..04 june 2013..
The incredibly worn stained and scabby 66542 heads the Liner '4O02' from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MT. Once again this freight was flying along at full line speed and it was quite a feat to get the locomotive clear of the lengthening shadows here at Bramley Station north of Basingstoke.Something I achieved Just!
..01 june 2013..
A final working this evening to look out for was '4V57' the 15:24 from Rugeley'B' PS returning empty coal hoppers to Stoke-Gifford in North-Bristol.The attraction of this working was the use of 66522 in the 'Shanks' 2-tone green scheme.Amazingly the low evening yellowish sunlight popped out at the last moment enabling this reasonable shot to be taken.Surprisingly 66522 looks to have had a bit of a clean up.Lately it has been very very grubby.Oh-Yes! as usual it was the wrong way round with the non-line-green end leading.
..31 may 2013..
66955 powers through Tilehurst in the Thames-Valley with '4O02' from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MT.
..25 may 2013..
Freightliner's new 'must see' UK locomotive is 66504.It has very recently been repainted in the Powerhaul' style as applied to the 70's/86's and 90's.It is not the first FL-GM to get this makeover however,a couple of 'Freightliner-Poland' GM's received it earlier this year. Anyway here is 66504 regretfully successfuly dodging the sunny patches at Severn Tunnel-Junction with '4O59' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MT. I am not too sure about the front-end styling? It is certainly different!
..18 may 2013..
'4O49' from Birch Coppice going to Southampton-MCT rolls past Mount-Pleasant in the northern outskirts of the City of Southampton.66568 in charge.
..07 may 2013..
'6O49' the 10:51 off Neasden going to Wool in Dorset for another load of sand.66524 doing the duty.The Bardon-Blue hoppers not looking quite so blue these days.Here it is passing the Loops at Mount-Pleasant in Southampton.
..07 may 2013..
The Garston to Southampton-MT '4O27' was to be my final shot of the day.Seen from the footbridge at Millbrook Station as it rolls by.66571 was doing the job today.On the right of the picture can be seen the loading pads for car trains that have been disused for a good few years.It appears they are now back in use as the track leading up to them was looking very well used. And about time too!
..02 may 2013..
'4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MT powers round the corner away from Southampton-Central Station at Saxon Road in the western suburbs.66591,one of the later 'low-emission' 5-door versions being in charge.
..02 may 2013..
'4O54' from Leeds going to Maritime in Southampton with 66541 in charge rolls up the 'slow' and under the Saxon Road Footbridge,just round the corner from Southampton-Central Station.
..02 may 2013..
Freightliner '4M64' the 16:34 from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Crewe Basford Hall climbs up through Ponthir shortly after passing Newport.66568 with a nicely loaded train making a pleasant sight in the bright evening sunlight.
..27 april 2013..
66957 lifts '6Z30' from Westbury going to Eastleigh up the Upton-Scudamore Incline at Old-Dilton.Not much of a load so it passed me a quite a speed! This Engine sports a nice big cast nameplate 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009'.Also as a bit of a bonus it was reasonably clean as well.
..12 april 2013..
Low-emission 5-door 66955 hauls a well loaded '4L32' away from Bristol-West FLT going to Tilbury.The working is seen passing through Parson-Street in the western suburbs of Bristol-City.
..10 april 2013..
This working was diverted via the B&H due to the ongoing work at Reading. It is the Theale to Hope-Earles Sidings empty cement '6M91' made up of about 30 PCA four-wheel tanks.Its not very often you see this type of train on this line so shot included purely for the records.66546 was doing this Freightliner roster today.
..05 april 2013..
The Bristol to Tilbury Freightliner '4L32' gets away past Parson Street in the City of Bristol running pretty much bang on time with a fair looking load as well,the rather mundane un-named anonymous 66542 doing the duty..Reason for being here was the potentially 56 hauled Colas-Logs empties down to Devon,naturally being a full sun day it turned out to be a non-runner Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..02 april 2013..
Final shot of the day (For me anyway) was this one of '4O27' from Garston going to Southampton-MT.Double Freds as well today! 66564 and 66517 power up the Upton-Scudamore Incline at a steady 20mph.Again this is a sight not seen for many years forced upon the system by the Reading Area closure.
..29 march 2013..
With the Reading Area virtually closed over the entire Easter period to enable Railtrack to do major track and platform work there practically all traffic that usually passes through that area has been diverted via the Wylye-Valley in Wiltshire to gain access to the South Coast.Also all the FGW HST's that normally go to London from South-Wales,Bristol and Cornwall were also being sent this way and eventually ending up at Waterloo instead of Paddington.Hence today this line was extreemly busy. Here is the Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MT '4O51' passing Norton-Bavant in the Wylye-Valley with 66954 in charge.It must be noted that this route is not cleared for the taller containers so careful though must go into the loading of this type of train prior to despatch via this route.This working however as its from Wentloog always comply's with that instruction as that route from S-Wales is not cleared either. ..29 march 2013..
66572 heads '4V52' from Southampton-MCT (10:00 departure) going to Cardiff-Wentloog.Viewed passing the waterlogged fields at Shrivenham during a welcome patch of bright sunlight.
..16 march 2013..
A pair of 'Freds' today were unusually used to head '6M40' from Westbury-VQ going to Stud Farm.66598 and 66607 are passing Steppingstone Lane in Bourton just west of Shrivenham with their nice uniform set of 'IOA' ballast carriers.Incidentally this was the second train today from Westbury going to Stud Farm,an uncommon event in itself.
..14 march 2013..
One of the original batch of GM's Freightliner obtained way back at the turn of the century 66504 heads todays '4L32' from Bristol returning to Tilbury.The loading staff at Bristol seem to have the habit of leaving the first few bogie-flats empty.Here the train (today on time) is passing Thingley near Chippenham heading east.
..14 march 2013..
By 16:45 the light really was at the 'fag-end' so this was the final shot of a pretty good day sunwise with a few high clouds only now starting to appear.(Not bad for early March).Here is '4M68' from Southampton going to Birch-Coppice with 66567 hauling a well loaded set of container-flats.
..05 march 2013..
66590 with '4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall going to Southampton passes the southern throat of Oxford Hinksey-Yard.Nice that the entire fully loaded train just fitted into the scene (For a change).
..05 march 2013..
66414 the former 'James the Engine' in Eddie Stobart colours now works for Freightliner and looks quite odd in just the base-paint with all the decals removed.Here it is seen passing Compton Beauchamp with '4L31' from Bristol going to Felixstowe. Nicely loaded at the front thank goodness as well. To see this loco as it looked in 'Stobart' Style ClickHERE
..05 march 2013..
With monster Coal-fired power-stations like Didcot closing in the next few weeks smaller installations such as Uskmouth-PS at Fifoots Point will be left to carry the load.Apparantly this is one of the least polluting coal-fired generating plants in the whole of the UK. Here is an empty coal returning to Newport -Docks for a refill. Freightliner 66529 doing the duty '4F52' passing East Usk-Junction after running up the short branch from Fifoots.
..04 march 2013..
The nominally TO additional Freightliner from Southampton-Millbrook to Wentloog at Cardiff '4V50' passes Shrivenham bang on time heading west.66502 'Basford Hall Centenary 2001' with a nicely cleaned (for a change' cab doing the duty.
..19 february 2013..
In contrast to the previous working out of Bristol this one '4L32' was devoid of any boxes whatsoever!A perfect example of what is know as a 'Fresh-Air Express' It is of coarse necessary to get the bogie-flats back to the dock for another trip (hopefully loaded) to their next destination. This working was going to Grain-Thamesport drawn by 66556 and in fairness is usually reasonably well loaded.
..19 february 2013..
Coming from Bristol-West Freightliner Terminal and going to Felixstowe-FLT is 66542 on '4L31'.This working has a total of 10 'pocket' wagons behind the loco all of which were loaded.Location again Bourton nr Shrivenham.
..19 february 2013..
'4V64' from Crewe-Basford Hall to Wentloog motors through Duffryn nr Newport heading into the late afternoon sun.This could almost be a Liner from over10 years ago.A numerically low numbered GM 66505 hauling a complete train of the original 'small' containers and no 'pocket' wagons either.Of coarse this is due to clearance restrictions on the Welsh-Marches route. Nice though!
..02 february 2013..
Freightliners 66525 eases an empty '4F52' over the Usk Bridge on the approach to Newport Station.It has just come from Uskmouth-PS and is returning to Newport Docks for a refill.Not a particulary long distance this for a MGR!
..02 february 2013..
Just after Noon in Frome the sun made a surprise appearence so a quick trip was made to this local spot 'just in case' something---anything made itself available to pictue going South in the brief 20 minute window of brightness.Naturally nothing appeared so I had to satisfy myself with this shot of a Freightliner-LE 66529 going to Westbury from Taunton.Pity because the snow still clinging to the bushes here was very photogenic.Note how the tracks are pretty much swept clear of the quite dusty snow by the high speed passing of the many HST's that come this way.
..21 january 2013..
At this time of the year the sun is beginning to set even at 15:00 in the afternoon,hence the yellowish tinge and the very long shadows.Locations such as here is Circourt-Bridge Denchworth present one of the few places where pictures are still possible. Here is a Crawley to Pengham empty FL move '6V87' comprising 'MJA-s'.A grubby 66599 doing the duty.The driver giving a freindly wave as he passes on the down loop.
..15 january 2013..
The 06:15 Leeds to Southampton Liner '4O54' passes Oxford at Hinksey.A nicely loaded working with plenty of 'Pockets' and 'Megafrets' to accommodate the larger containers that are now becoming much more common.66543 was doing the job
..15 january 2013..
Final shot of todays sunny session here at Claverton came just as the skies were beginning to cloud over as can be seen by the encroaching white puffy things.Freightliner 66508 heads '6Y97' from Llandeilo-Junction in West-Wales returning to Westbury. Load being recovered life-expired track panels.These will be processed at the Westbury depot built specifically for this purpose.
..18 november 2012..
A shot I have never done before due to the fact the sun never gets round on this side.However because of the nice Autumn colours a picture of this interesting location seemed warrented. FL-HH 66553 emerges from the northbound single-bore Patchway Tunnel with some empty stone hoppers forming '6B42' from Bristol-Barrow Road going to Jersey-Marine in S-Wales.
..07 november 2012..
'4O02' from Lawley-Street going to Southampton-MT with 66556 in charge passes the Lake adjacent to Hinksey in Oxford.This yard is again going through a lull in activity and looks largely disused.However no doubt this will all change when the WR Mainline upgrade begins to get under way in the next year or so a few miles to the south.
..03 november 2012..
66594 is usually a dedicated engine for Intermodel work.However today it has found itself working for HH on '6C72' from Taunton going to Westbury-VQ.Here seen approaching Westbury at Fairwood amid the Autumn colours with just a 1/2 HOBC set.Interestingly it was fully loaded but still backed into the loading siding upon arrival?
..02 november 2012..
I only stopped here for a quick look to check out the lengthening shadows and to my surprise this working was already approaching!Anyway I managed to scrabble some kind of picture out of the panic!.Here is 66532 with '4L32' from Bristol-FLT going back to Tilbury.Seen at Bathampton passing the loop there.
..13 september 2012..
66534 with '4M68' to Birch Coppice from Southampton passes Lower Basildon heading north.
..05 september 2012..
66504 heads '4O09' from Trafford Park going to Southampton.After this shot pictures coming south were becoming too backlit to be worthwhile.
..05 september 2012..
'4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southamptom-MT passes the start of the 4-track section here at Challow.66540 doing the duty.
..05 september 2012..
Freightliner's 66513 TnT with 66222 sandwiching a set of 5 loaded JJA's passes Ferry Lane in the Limpley-Stoke Valley nr Bath heading for Eckington from Westbury as '6Y13' for an overnight track occupation and ballast drop.
..18 august 2012..
Fred-66548 runs down the grade into East-Usk in Newport with '6M04' from Portbury-Docks going to Rugeley-PS with another load of pulverized coal.
..10 august 2012..
66591 is on '4O86' from Crewe bound for Thameport.passing Cathiron as the sun finally decides to make a rather delated appearance.
..27 july 2012..
Right on the heels of '6M49' was this unknown empty coal going south.Not listed or reported so this working seen passing Barrow on Trent has to go unrecognised.66544 was the loco anyway.
..26 july 2012..
'6M49' from Barrow Hill to Rugeley-PS passes Barrow on Trent with loaded coal.This loco is named after Driver Steve Dunn who sadly lost his life in the Great Heck rail crash.Incidentally a great friend of his was with us here but missed the shot as it was coming just as we arrived.He was not very happy!
..26 july 2012..
66546 powers an unknown empty coal working on behalf of Freightliner south away from Burton-on Trent at Main Street-Branston.Note the Coors Brewery tower dominating the skyline here.
..26 july 2012..
66597 with a loaded Coal from Immingham going to Rugeley-PS running as '6M51' rolls past Catholme in the evening sun.Nice change to see a HH loco looking rather clean!
..25 july 2012..
66556 rolls past Catholme with '4O55' from Leeds going to Southampton-MT.This location is just south of Barton-under-Needwood where the main Central-Rivers Voyager Depot is situated.
..25 july 2012..
Whoever the Sales-Rep is for Freightliner dealing with the Wentloog to Southampton route is doing a remarkable job.Loadings until about a year ago were regularly rather poor but now an upsurge has resulted in an additional regular Saturday train plus extra workings in the week.A pretty impressive performance given the dire overall state of the econony at this time. Here is F-Liner's original 'Fred' 66501 'Japan 2001' running through Patchway heading for Southampton from Cardiff-Wentloog with '4O51'. Note the 'Arriva' bench looking somewhat out of place on the FGW platform!
..09 june 2012..
This empty coal '4F56' has journeyed from Uskmouth-PS in Newport.It is travelling to Chipping-Sodbury loops for the locomotive 66529 to run-round to enable the train to enter the yard at its destination,Stoke-Gifford next to Bristol-Parkway from the east..Here it is seen heading for the reversal at Chip-Sod passing Coalpit-Heath's site of the former station there.
..28 may 2012..
66593 looking quite smart heads '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog through Chipping-Sodbury going to Southampton-MT.This loco carries a rather large white nameplate with a logo shaped like a piece of puzzle carrying the name '3 MG Mersey Multimodal Gateway'.
..28 may 2012..
Loaded Coal from Portbury Docks '6Z15' heading for Crewe-Basford Hall exits the westbound loop at Pilning.66518 doing the business.
..26 may 2012..
'4O51' the now regular Saturday running of the Wentloog to Southampton Liner passes the loops at Pilning shortly after exiting the Severn-Tunnel.Again a nice healthy load making good use of the 'pocket' design wagons for the larger containers.66501 'Japan 2001' the original FL-Fred being in charge.
..26 may 2012..
66563 hums past Hinksey-Yard with '4O27' from Garston going to Southampton-MT.Not too much activity here these days with most of the sidings both rusty and empty.Only one seems to see regular use.
..22 may 2012..
66562 eases into the Didcot Station area from the west with '4O62' that has originated ast Bristol-FLT and going to Thamesport.It was about this time that most FGW services west of Reading were crucufied for the rest of the day by various signal/points failures coupled with an HST hitting a moped rider on the infamous Ufton-Nervet Xing on the B&H!
..22 may 2012..
A quick lookover the bridge at Southampton Dock Gate-20 at the Maritime Depot of Freightliner below.No Class 70's around for obvious reasons but plenty of 5-door low-emission variants of the 100 strong 66/5's.Here are 66590/66587 and 66592 waiting patiently for their next call to duty.
..19 may 2012..
Fred 66555 heads a train of ballast-spoil away from an overnight occupation east of Newbury. Heading back to Westbury running as '6Y13'.Seen at Edingon on the B&H in an extreemly fortunate 'blue-hole' whilst most of the rest of the sky was overcast.
..13 may 2012..
The Leeds to Southampton-MT '4O54' with 66570 passes Worting looking quite well loaded.Interestingly the first 6 wagons are 'pockets' designed specifically to carry the later larger containers on routes where these won't fit the loading-gauge when on normal FL-Flats.Presumably parts of the route to Leeds have not yet been re-gauged.
..17 april 2012..
66552 'Maltby Raider' rolls slowly over the Viaduct at Westerleigh heading back to Chipping-Sodbury Loop to collect its train of empty coal hoppers having just come from Newport.Entry to the yard at Bristol-Parkway is always from the east,hence the runround at Chip-Sod.
..11 april 2012..
Freightliner's finest! 66540 'Ruby' heads '4O55' from Leeds going to Southampton-MT past Catholme.The Virgin-Voyager Depot and L H-Group known for Shunter repairs is situated about a mile or so north of this location.
..28 march 2012..
'6M04' plods uphill past Ponthir with 66531 in charge.Originating at Portbury-Docks and going to Rugeley-PS.
..27 march 2012..
A typically grubby FL 66516 takes the route at Severn-Tunnel-Junction to pass under the River going from Cardiff-Wentloog heading for Southampton-MT with the daily '4O51' Liner that these days is regularly well-filled.
..27 march 2012..
'6A21' from Bristol Barrow Road (Was loaded earlier at Avonmouth) going to Theale with loaded gritstone passes Bathampton against the backdrop of a still slightly misty City of Bath.Fairly clean Fred 66585 'The Drax Flyer' heading todays working.
..24 march 2012..
'6O49' the loaded sand from Wool going to Neasden in London passes the River Itchen nr St-Deny's in Southampton.Somewhat backlit but still worth a shot.A rather rusty 66549 being in charge.By the looks of it the panel below the radiator-group venting was so corroded it has been removed completely.Incidentally the wagons carrying the Bardon-Aggregates signage were once a nice blue color not the sludge-biege they are now!
..23 march 2012..
The Garston to Southampton-Maritime '4O27' rolls round the curve at Mount-Pleasant in the eastern suburbs of Southampton.A fairly presentable 66591,one of the 'low-emission' editions working it today.
..23 march 2012..
'4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall runs down the freight lines at Millbrook on the approach to Maritime Terminal.66534 was up front.It looks like somebody has made a half-hearted attempt at giving the lead cab-area a bit of a clean betraying the true colour of these now usually heavily work stained Freds!That aside this is actually a quite rust free example!
..23 march 2012..
66533 'Hanjin Express' eases througn Millbrook Station running 'wrong-line to gain access to the landward Freightliner Depot at Millbrook.Working is '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog,easily identifiable by the use of lowliner and pocket wagons to allow transportation of the newer 'high-cube' boxes without smashing into tunnels and bridges!
..23 march 2012..
66516 runs through Millbrook approaching journeys end at the Maritime Dock Complex with '4O54' from Leeds.
..23 march 2012..
The Southampton-Maritime to Trafford Park '4M61' gets under way shortly after departing the Terminal there passing the Millbrook Depot on its left. 66532 carrying the name 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' being in charge today.
..23 march 2012..
One of only two GM's in Freightliner's Fleet that are marked out with a different livery style.(The other one being 66623).A rather grubby 66522 in its 2-tone green styling heads away from Westbury (12:30 off') going to Bishops-Lydeard nr Taunton with a 'Slinger/CWR' Train '6Y28'.Another member of the FL Fleet can just be made out on the back of this working, it was 66585.
..22 march 2012..
This Freightliner working '6B21'usually returns to Pengham from Theale via the 'top-road' through Swindon but today it has retraced its morning route back down the B&H then via Bath and onward to Wales.Here is 66509 with its now empty set of hoppers passing Westbury-Cement just prior to taking the Chord to gain access to the route up the Limpley-Stoke Valley.
..25 february 2012..
Grubby 66509 with its set of green/white loaded hoppers passes Hawkeridge on its way from Pengham nr Cardiff to Theale with '6A21'.Light was getting quite head on by the time this arrived but as the equine interest was posing nicely decided to include it anyway.I expect the horses were having a deep discussion about the relative merits of DBS or FL traction and which livery is their favourite!
..25 february 2012..
Todays dull-shot features the unique 66522 in its 2-tone green 'Shanks' colours.Looking pretty filthy due to the fact that it does not stand still long enough to have a good clean! Here it is seen running down past Frome (about 150yds from my house) with '6Z85' which is the Taunton to Taunton turning-move..The 'Magic-Roundabout' runs purely to reverse the order of these control wagons of the TRT.
..24 february 2012..
Today a hat-full of engineers trains were booked to return to Westbury between 09:30 and 11:30 in the morning.The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.What could go wrong? Answer---Everything. Both the 'Y' workings using FL traction rans over 90 minutes early,the 'Hanson' powered DBS job ran into the station at Westbury over an hour early and the final train with another 'Hanson' was over 2 hours late and by then it had clouded over.Here are the three FL units that powered the FL workings I missed,66571/66542 and 66619 forming '0Y12' returning to base at Stoke-Gifford after dumping their trains. Sometimes I wonder?????????
..19 february 2012..
'6Z28' from Eastleigh going to Hackney-Yard at Newton Abbot via Bristol is seen at Hawkeridge-Junction nr Westbury with filthy 66514 hauling a CWR-Set.
..02 february 2012..
'4V50' from Southampton-Milbrook going to Cardiff-Wentloog passes Coalpit-Heath heading west.Freightliner's 66571 being the motive power.
..01 february 2012..
Luckily this working was about an hour down on schedule so I was able to find a spot to picture it after driving up from Box (See below).Here is 66504 just passing over the double-bridge that marks the split at Westerleigh-Junction.Todays '4O51' certainly looks well loaded with plenty of containers.
..01 february 2012..
Workstained 66566 leans into the bend at Box with '4L32' from Bristol-FLT heading for Tilbury.So nice to have a day without a cloud in the sky to worry about!
..01 february 2012..
Freightliner's 66524 heads '4F56' from Uskmouth-PS heading back to Stoke-Gifford with its rake of empty coal-hoppers.Train seen approaching Bishton Crossing running in a lucky patch of brightish sunshine.
..27 january 2012..
No surprises today on '4O51' from Wentloog to Southampton.Traction today was 66504, a regular on this service.At least it was well filled with most bogie-flats loaded.Seen taking the junction at Severn-Tunnel to dip under the river heading east.
..27 january 2012..
66549 heads the double-set of 'HQA-s' and the TRT or Track-Replacement Train to give it its full name past Hawkeridge nr Westbury on '6Y33' from Abbotswood-Junction back down to Taunton.Normally this would have gone via Bridgwater but that route closed this weekend for engineering work.
..18 december 2011..
'6C72' from Taunton-Fairwater passes Berkley nr Frome with a part-HOBC plus NR-hoppers for refill at the VQ in Westbury.66549 today in cool and crisp temperatures and light.
..16 december 2011..
Now a regular saturday runner '4O51' from Cardiff Wentloog passes a shadowy Acton-Turville going to Southampton-MT.66539 being todays traction.
..10 december 2011..
Coming from Newton-Abbot's Hackney-Yard and going to Eastleigh was this working '6Z28' conveying a partially loaded CWR.Loco was 66598,another example of the FL-HH 5-door low emission series.Westbury these days see's far more Freightliner activity than DBS.They really are in the minority these days! Location is Hawkeridge coming up the longish straight from Yarnbrook nr Trowbridge.
..07 december 2011..
This working has originated at Birmingham-Washwood Heath and is going to Taunton-Fairwater Yard.Running as '4V11' with a load of new concrete sleepers in TRT wagons. The train is seen passing Hawkeridge a mile or so north of Westbury.Locomotive was 66951 which incidentally was the first 'low-emission' version that included the addition of a 5th-door to be built.
..07 december 2011..
'4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog passes under the Footbridge at the site of the former Ashbury Crossing nr Shrivenham.66542 doing the duty today.As the bridge was completely in shadow I tried this shot in the field but was continually being harrassed by a herd of young Bullocks.One particularly fiesty white one was nudging me and licking my arm as I was taking this shot.Being in a field with a herd of very exciteable young bulls is not to be recommended.Needless to say another Freightliner following a few minutes behind was not bothered with as I was more concerned with survival!
..01 november 2011..
A late running '4O14' from Birch-Coppice with 66567 finally arrives at a heavily congested Maritime FL terminal at Southampton.All 4 tracks under the unloaders are occupied,hence the arrival on the long through siding beside the depot.The train will be shunted under the loaders once the empty flats have been moved or loaded.
..22 october 2011..
66562 hauls the heavily delayed '4O07' from Leeds-FLT into Eastleigh past the North yard.This was held for a considerable length of time at Reading due to a major power failure knocking out signalling at Basingstoke.In total this working was 436 minutes late! Unusually the major signalling failure was down to a faulty transformer-unit and not cable theft as per normal by Dids!
..22 october 2011..
Seriously delayed north of Basingstoke by the signalling/power failure 66535 on '4O29' finally puts in an appearance at Eastleigh.Coming from Trafford Park and going to Soton-Maritime.
..22 october 2011..
Another bouyant working from the west is the Freightliner '4L32' from Bristol returning containers to Tilbury.Locally known as the 'Wineliner' due to the nature of the majority of the cargo.66537 being the traction today.
..14 october 2011..
The 09:23 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MT '4O49' passes Worting actually running 2 minutes behind time! Overall though timekeeping on these 'Liners' is quite impressive! This one hauled by 66570 looking fairly workstained but almost rust free! Another very full load.
..06 october 2011..
Zoom Lenses do have their uses,enabling me to pull back from a 200mm equiv to 50mm thus gaining the chance of a completely different perspective all within less than 2 seconds.Sometimes it goes wrong but this time it was successful. 66519 again 2 seconds later (from shot below) with the flyover as a backdrop drags the empty Wool-Sand '6O49' onwards towards the south. Note the new link-type fence recently erected here,now about 6ft high so if you want to shot some pictures, bring a good pair of steps!
..06 october 2011..
66519 powers past Worting with '6O49' from Neasden going to Wool dragging the Bardon-Aggregate Sand Hoppers (Empties).Hard to believe the flanks of these wagons was once the same colour as the blue that can be just seen on the internal sides of each end of the wagons.
..06 october 2011..
66518 looking in reasonably good condition apart from some heavy rust patches on the panel below the radiator grill passes Worting with '4O54' from Leeds going to Southampton-MT. Anoher well loaded working this,business certainly seems to be booming for Freightliner despite the never ending recession.
..06 october 2011..
Coming from Birch-Coppice heading for Southampton-MT is '4O14' with 66572 at the sharp end.The main girder structure of the flyover here just visible on the left.A notable feature of most of todays container trains was just how well loaded they all were.
..06 october 2011..
66535 heads '4M55' from Southampton-MT to Lawley Street.Its long-long train stretching right back to the flyover off-ramp.
..06 october 2011..
'4V50' from Southampton to Wentloog passes Pilning with a cargo of Zilch.66560 doing the work.I can only assume there must be quite a build-up of empty containers waiting to be returned to the Docks at Southampton at Cardiff?
..03 october 2011..
'4M68' hauled by 66541 from Southampton-MT going to Birch-Coppice powers past Lower-Basildon.Note the height differential between the two leading containers and the ones behind.Improving the clearances to suit these larger 9ft-6'' containers has cost millions and taken years to complete.
..28 september 2011..
'4O27' from Garston-FLT to Southampton-MT passes Moulsford with 66587 in charge.Although it is only 14:05 the shadows are becoming quite long,that and the tree colours show autumn will soon be upon us.
..28 september 2011..
66532 with the 'Wineliner' from Bristol-West going back to Tilbury coded as '4L32' passes South-Moreton.The new depot at Bristol has certainly generated considerable new traffic.A prelude perhaps to when the Bristol-Portbury Deepwater Dock starts receiving containers in a few years time!
..28 september 2011..
66543 with '4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall going to Southampton-MT hums by in the sunshine at South-Moreton.Shot taken from the 'Death Bridge',a pretty dodgy spot if you are not concentrating on what you are doing!
..28 september 2011..
66572 drags '4O51' past Didcot heading for Southampton,seen at South-Moreton with the towers of a seemingly powerless Didcot-power station in the distance.Note train composed almost entirely of 'pocket' type wagons plus low-liners to allow the newer 9ft 6'' height containers to go the Cardiff-Wentloog.
..28 september 2011..
66593 with its rather 'different' nameplate '3MG Mersey Multimodal Gateway' runs past Thingley nr Chippenham on '4L32' from Bristol-West going back to Tilbury-Docks.Nice to get a regular morning eastbound freight on this line again after a break of many years.
..26 september 2011..
66570 on '4L32' passes the loaded-coal still waiting in the loop at Malago-Vale having already been there nearly 30 minutes.A well loaded working this today.An interesting taste of things to come when the major new container port is finally opened at Portbury in a few years time.
..23 september 2011..
Having just departed the Liner-Depot at Bristol-West '4L32' slowly gets up to speed for the return journey to Tilbury.66570 was todays power.Parson Street Station seen in the distance.
..23 september 2011..
5-door 'Low-Emission' GM 66597 with its hefty sized nameplate 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009' rolls slowly up the loop nr Malago-Vale in Bristol with a Portbury to East-Usk Power Station loaded coal working.
..23 september 2011..
Don't get many freights in the Wylye-Valley at this time of day (14:35) so a nicely lit shot was very welcome. Here is '6Z28' from Newton-Abbot(Hackney Yard) to Eastleigh Yard via Bristol dragging a loaded CWR-set.Late build Fred 66597 doing the job. ..14 september 2011..
FL 66535 speeds its fully loaded '4L32' Liner from Bristol-West back to Tilbury past the now derelict yard just east of the junction of the Bath-Route and the Top-Road at Wootton-Bassett. ..14 september 2011..
'NHK Spirit of Kyoto' 66594,one of the newer '5-door' low emission versions runs past Mount-Pleasant in the northern suburbs of Southampton.Working is the '4O49' from Crewe-Basford Hall to Soton-MT. ..02 september 2011..
'4M41' from here (Millbrook) to Trafford-Park finally gets away over an hour late.Seen joining the mainline at Millbrook Station.66588 being todays allocated power. .02 september 2011..
66544 with '6Y33' viewed heading off on the night-shift from Taunton-Fairwater to Bedwyn on the B&H via a stop-over at Theale.Train was chock full of ballast,machinary and new sleeper components.Note it is T&T with 66602 just visible in the far distance.Location is the much maligned Berkley-Marsh nr Frome! ..24 august 2011..
'4O29' from Trafford-Park destined for Southampton-Maritime passes Shallowford nr Norton-Bridge with 66571 in charge.This was the final shot of the day in decent light. Big-Pity really because about 1/2 a dozen quite rateable workings past in the next 90 minutes or so including a Schenker-Red 92,an ECR-66 hauling a Kirow-Crane,a doubleheaded DBS-Liner,the Royal-Mail 325's (both directions) and a double-headed DRS hauled 'Northern-Belle'. ..22 august 2011..
'Fred' 66538 speeds past Millmeece heading north with '4M28' from Southampton going to Ditton.Notice the Cab-Air-Conditioning is in the 'on' position! ..22 august 2011..
Coal from Liverpool-Bulk Handling Terminal being delivered to Ratcliffe-PS seen here being hauled by 66599 on '6Z22'.Initial shot of the day at an ungodly hour of 06:56! The footbridge location is at Chorlton south of Crewe. ..22 august 2011..
66552 'Maltby-Raider' heads an empty 'CWR' train,identified later as '6Z28'.It came from Newton Abbot-Hackney Yard, journeyed via Bristol and Bath with a destination being Eastleigh.Pictured 'not hanging about' at Arn-Hill nr Warminster having just crested the top of the Upton-Scudamore Incline. ..19 august 2011..
6654O 'Ruby' speeds past Chipping-Sodbury on the main with the newly introduced regular '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton Saturday working.Traffic on this route must be booming as this train these days is invariably full and long unlike a few years ago! ..06 august 2011..
66957 named 'Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009' hauls '6Z28' from Eastleigh going to Newton-Abbot (The long way round).Load consisting of 'Continuously Welded Rail'.Location is Oldfield-Park in the City of Bath.FLHH seem to be getting more and more of the infrastructure workings these days in the West,something a few years ago that would have been highly improbable! ..03 august 2011..
FLHH 66552 'Maltby Raider' heads '6B11' from Neasden to Stoke-Gifford out of Chipping-Sodbury Tunnel passing a London bound HST on the way (43125 was rear PC).Pity the partial 'floater' 1/2 way down the train,this was the closest we got to a full-sun-shot all day! ..30 july 2011..
'Maltby-Raider' 66552 heads '6A21' from Pengham in S-Wales going to Theale.A mixture of green and white HIA's forming the load.Working seen passing the site of Bratton-Station about 5 miles east of Westbury.Only evidence it ever was a Station is the still intact Goods-Shed now used as Industrial Premesis. ..28 july 2011..
'6C66' from Moorswater back to Westbury-Cement Works passes Clink nr Frome .66525 with its nice rake of four-wheel 'PCA,s'..... ..22 july 2011..
66538 gets back under way after a brief booked stop in the loop at Chipping-Sodbury.'4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-Maritime always goes in here to allow an HST to pass if it is running in its correct path. .. 21 july 2011..
66527 'Don Raider' heads an extra '4Z29' from Eastleigh to Stoke-Gifford with just five FL-HH coal-hoppers.Probably off repair from the works there.Seen passing a sunny (By 1 minute) Arn-Hill nr Warminster.Dont get too many of the Green-Team going this in the afternoon. ..29 june 2011..
Sporting a nice red nameplate 'OOCL Express' 66534 cruises past Wootton-Bassett with '4O51' from Cardiff-Wenloog going to Southampton.This service was chock full with many of the 'pocket' wagons being used to transport the larger containers now becoming more common. ..14 june 2011..
With just three odd containers loaded behind 66955 the largely empty '4L32' from Bristol going to Tilbury passes the junction at Wootton-Bassett. ..14 june 2011..
Topped by 66557 and tailed by 66560,just visable at the rear of this very long Engineering-Train.Seen passing Brent-Knoll on '6Y33' from Taunton-Fairwater Yard and going to Tuffley-Junction. ..11 june 2011..
The Southampton to Cardiff-Wentoog corridor has seen a considerable increase in business of late.Hence the introduction of a return working now on a saturday as well as during the week.Here is that 'sat' working '4O51' in the cutting at Old-Sodbury about to enter the tunnel there.66539 being loco up front with its now regularly well loaded Liner going to Southampton. ..04 june 2011.
66591 finally gets '4O51' the Wentloog to Southampton Liner service underway again after a two hour delay due to the Severn-Tunnel being temporarily closed to traffic.Unlike the passenger trains that were diverted via Gloucester this one was simply held here a East-Usk Junction.Probably due to the FL driver not having the route-knowledge. Note the train now consists of 'pockets' & 'lowliners' due to the use of 9'6"containers now more common since the main route to the north out of Southampton was opened for these.An example of 'just in case' a 9'6" in destined for Wentloog . ..03 june 2011..
FL-HH 66519 powers east at Callow-Hill nr Brinkworth with '6Z39' from Hallen-Marsh (Avonmouth) going to Didcot. ..02 june 2011..
FL-66536 passes Wootton-Bassett Junction having appeared from the left on the actual junction in the distance.That means the train came via Bath.Working is '4L32' from Bristol going back to Tilbury. ..02 june 2011..
With the sun nearly on the horizon 66585 'The Drax Flyer' speeds up through Clink nr Frome with '6C66', the discharged 'PCA' cement presflo's from Moorswater back to Westbury Cement Works. ..27 may 2011..
66592 looking rather clean! approaches journeys-end at Maritime in Southampton Docks with a well loaded working of '4O27' from Garston.Loco is named 'Johnson Stevens Agencies' once carried by three older Freightliner loco's 37154/47394 and 47157.All are now scrapped. ..19 may 2011..
66570 was in charge of '4M61' today going to Trafford-Park.Again seen passing the footbridge at Norman Road in Southampton. ..19 may 2011..
'4O14' from Birch-Coppice to Maritime seen shortly after passing Southampton's main station.66539 doing the business. ..19 may 2011..
Just one more working to picture today was this,the 17:57 from Westbury going to Spetchley '6Y34'.66549 heads a set of five 'JJA-s' past Bathampton Loops.As befits the rest of the shots taken today the Ballast-Hoppers were in the Yellow Livery of Network-Rail . A very Yellow day today! ..28 april 2011..
General view of the yard at the Southampton Freightliner Maritime-Depot.Loco's in view are 66587/66503/66588/70009 and 70001 plus an unidentified 08.All commendably clean and tidy as they should be. ..23 april 2011..
66587 recieves a dose of Maintenence at Maritime-Depot.Note the '5th' door open.This is necessary to gain entry to the engine compartment on these 'low-emission' versions as access via the cab-door now blocked by loads of extra filtration gubbins. ..23 april 2011..
Coming up from Moorswater and heading for the now closed 'Westbury Cement Works' that is now used purely for distribution is '6C66' hauled by 66509.Shot taken across the 'sump' pond created to aid flood control on the new trading estate on the Frome Bypass. These now empty 'PCA's' will no doubt tomorrow be on their way back up to the Hope-Valley for refilling on the midday departure from the old works.
..21 april 2011..
FL-HH 66551 rattles the pointwork at Fairwood-Junction with '6C72' from Taunton coming up to the Westbury-VQ to refill the part-HOBC with fresh ballast. ..21 april 2011..
Freightliners 66551 motors back down to Taunton-Fairwater from Westbury-VQ with the HOBC on '6C73'.The small property adjacent to the tracks here is the residence of Mark Few---37 Railway Cuttings Clink--- Note the dent in the roof where he has been stood taking photographs! ..18 april 2011..
'6Y27' from Bridgewater to Eastleigh hauled by 66540 'Ruby' seen passing Frome on its very meandering route to Eastleigh.Bridgewater/Taunton/B&H to Reading/Didcot/Reading/Basingstoke and finally Eastleigh.Could be described as 'The long way round'. ..17 april 2011..
'5 Door' low-emission FL-Shed 66588 motors past Cocklebury Lane-Chippenham with the empty 'Wineliner' going back to Tilbury from Bristol-West Depot.This working '4L32' was thankfully well loaded at the front end with all the empty flats well to the rear. ..08 april 2011..
66551 heads '6Y33' going the Taunton-Fairwater Yard with a fair mix of infrastructure type wagons.Tagged on the rear is 66607.Here passing the site of the once extensive Malago-Vale Carriage Sidings in the western outskirts of Bristol. ..07 april 2011..
Low-Emission GM 66588 (Identifiable by the additional '5th' door) moves away from Parson Street shortly after departing Bristol-West FL Depot with '4L32' the empty 'Wineliner' going back to Tilbury. ..07 april 2011..
Extremly smart 'low emission' 5-door 66590 heads '4M68' from Southampton going to Birch-Coppice.Another fully loaded working out of the southern port.Cholsey Station can just be seen in the distance on this 4-track section between Reading and Didcot. ..19 april 2011..
A late running '4O51' from Cardiff-Wenloog going to Southampton passes South-Moreton nr Didcot about 90 minutes down on schedule.Grubby 66535 in charge of a well loaded train from Welsh-Wales. ..19 april 2011..
66503 with the '4O24' known as the'Wineliner' from Bristol-West Depot going to Grain passes Didcot.Always seems to have the containers right behing the engine if only partially loaded this one.This loco carries a nameplate to advise us all of the existence of 'Railway Magazine'.The name previously carried by HST-P/C 43197 a few years ago. ..19 april 2011..
Running from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton as '4O49'.Today it has a double dose of Freddery,66539 leading with 66955 (very low emissions as DIT) inside.Pictured at South-Moreton just east of Didcot with the Power-Station Cooling Towers just visible in todays rather unclear air.
..19 april 2011..
5-Door 66956 looking quite shiny passes South-Moreton Didcot with '4M55' from Southampton-Millbrook to Lawley-Street.Another well loaded service.Container services certainly seem to be enjoying a very busy time of late judging by how well filled most of the workings are! ..19 april 2011..
66543 with the very well loaded Leeds to Southampton '4O54' approaches Didcot North-Junction prior to going round the avoider to miss Parkwat Station. ..19 april 2011..
66548 runs '4V47',the coal empties from Rugeley-Power Station back to Stoke-Gifford.Seen passing Ram-Hill nr Coalpit-Heath. ..23 march 2011..
66585 drives slowly through Berkley-Marsh Frome following an HST as it goes the Taunton from Westbury with '6C73' the reloaded HOBC and friends. ..17 march 2011..
'The Drax Flyer' 66585 slows for Westbury with '6C72'.The usual daily refill run from Taunton-Fairwater for the HOBC and ballast hoppers.
..15 march 2011..
Freightliner's 5-door 66953 brings a set of steel carriers through the Wylye Valley as '6Z21' going to Eastleigh probably for storage. from Llanwern (08:46 off).Seeing this type of wagon passing through here is rather rare albeit not in revenue earning use.
..20 january 2011..
The well known 'Binliner' finally ended running at the end of the March 2011 with sadly no ceremony whatsoever,no even a headboard.Here is a earlier working passing Shrivenham with a full load of empty rubbish containers going back to Bristol Borrow Road for yet another refill for the journey up to Calvert for landfill dumping.Traction that day was 66536 on this now lost '4V60' working.
..16 november 2010..
A working of many years standing but regretfully to end in early 2011.The Binliner '4V60' from Calvert goes to just Bristol-Barrow Road these days.Once it serviced Bath and Westerleigh as well.Here the train with 66520 in charge of the now green rubbish-boxes passes Thingley-Junction heading west.Landfill is now frowned upon for rubbish disposal hence this workings demise.It will all be incinerated now instead. ..21 september 2010..
66533 exits the less well known eastern end of Box-tunnel with ;4O24' from Bristol going back to Tilbury.Shot taken at Corsham.
..16 august 2010..
This is a working sadly missing now from the daily lists through Bath.It is (or was) '4V60' the daily weekday bins/rubbish service from Calvert to Bath and Bristol.Here is the train after departing Bath going to Bristol Barrow Road with empty containers for refilling with those cities detritus.Freightliners 66559 doing to duty today.The final working was at the end of march 2011 ending 15 years of rubbish collection using this mode of removal.
..9 july 2010..
When this shot was taken the 'new' Freightliner depot at Bristol-West was in its infancy.Here is 66536 departing with '4L32' the empty 'Wineliner' heading east going to Tilbury.
..23 june 2010..
This january day dawned bright and clear so despite the appaling road conditions i ventyred out to Battledown nr Basingstok for a few snowy shots of diverted Freightliners.Here is 66566 with '4O29' the 08:14 from Crewe-Basford Hall going to Southampton-MCT via Andover pictured just after coming under the famous Battledown-Flyover.Even though the sun was shining weakly it was bitterly cold although it was only just before 14:00 in the afternoon.I left shortly after this working had passed as hypothermia was rapidly setting in------------It was that cold!
..9 january 2010..
An extra--'4Z86' running fron Grain to Avonmouth passes Shrivenham under an angry sky.Low-Emission 66956 providing the motive-power. ..28 november 2009..
66522 in the unique 2-tone green colours of 'Shanks' stands in the yard at Westbury's Le-Farge Cement Works with a train of 'PCA's full of cement being delivered from the Hope-Valley.Production of cement was halted here less than a month before and this huge complex now serves as a distribution-depot only.No more heavy coal trains will arrive here now so both the Industrial Shunters seen parked up in the distance are redundant and eventually moved on to pastures new. 'Le-Farge'----A French company asset stripping an English company for the benefit of France.
..24 april 2009..
66526 carries the name 'Driver Steve Dunn (George)' to honour the FL driver sadly fatally injured in the Great-Heck accident nr Selby on the ECML on 28th february 2001.Here the locomotive is seen leaving Westbury with '6V73' from the VQ there returning to Taunton hauling 2-sets of loaded 'HOA-s'. Note at this time the Cement-Works was still active and the Horse on the hillside is still actually White!
..29 october 2008..
Low-Emission 5-door GM 66952 passes Great-Cheverell on the B&H coming from Theale returning to Pengham Sidings in Cardiff.This working '6Z29' was using the recently acquired ex-RJH hoppers that were by now wearing the Freightliner colours.
..13 september 2008..
This is '6M19' from Barnham going to Dowlow.Here seen passing Dove-Holes Quarry at Peak Dale.66555 was dragging a completely uniform set of Freightliner-HH Hoppers in watery weak sun.Any sun up here is acceptable given the slow rate of traffic nowadays.
..25 april 2007..
A positively gleaming 66533 'Senator Express' drags '4E66' from Southampton going to Leeds away from Basingstoke towards Reading and the north.Basingstoke Station can be seen in the distance.