Class 66/4 66/5 66/9 Post-01 August 2023

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Freightliner/Genesee&Wyoming Class 66/4 66/5 & 66/9 (Post-01 August 2023)

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.

Another day,another FL 5-door GM in day to day usage.here is 66594 with '6a18' the 09:18 from Whatley to Oxford Banbury Road.

..30 july 2024..

66567 dodges the shadows at Clink Road Junction working '7A40' the 08:40 from merehead bound for Hanwell Bridge Loop nr Southall.

..26 july 2024..

Apart from Freightliner's GE Class-70's only six GM-66's carry the now superceeded 'Powerhaul' livery styling.Here is one of those so treated when it was reliveried out of its previous DRs Blue colour.66416 hauls '6V18' the 13:38 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley.
Nice to see a set of MRL wagons that are not completely defaced with awful graffiti for a change.!

..22 july 2024..

'4O38' the 09:52 from Lawley Sreeet to Southampton-MCT gets underway again at Eastleigh after its booked crew change.Is it me? or are these Freightliner workings getting longer?Loco for thid duty ws FL-Green 66560.

..17 july 2024..

66560 passes eastleigh East yard on the approach to Eastleigh Station.The train is '4O38' the 09:52 from Lawley Street to Southampton-MCT.Note GBRf's 69010 in the background on a Class-450 Unit stock move.

..17 july 2024..

'Tango' 66415 which carries the name 'You Are Never Alone' on behalf of the Salvation Army rolls through Berkley Marsh with '7V50' the 14:21 from Wembley Reception Sdg's to Merehead.A nice evening tonight! the first for several weeks!

..16 july 2024..

FL's-66547 drags '7V20' the 05:30 from Wembley Reception Sdg's to Merehead through Blatchbridge Junction at the western end of the Frome avoiding line.

..6 july 2024..

More JNA's,this time '6V26 the 15:37 from Woking to Merehead so not coming down the B&H.66563 this time,Annoyingly all the trains this evening were headed by members of the 'Green Team'.So here is 66563 at Berkley with load of boxes.

..2 july 2024..

Now that the B&H was reopened as all the lineside fires had been dealt with nr Pewsey there was a procession for 4 freights in little under an hour that had been stacked up in various sidings and loops between Westbury and Theale. First one being '6V18' the 13:38 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley.66586 with its string of JNA's passes berkley in the nice evening lighting.

..2 july 2024..

FL-Green 66547 runs through Frome with '7V40' the 08:58 from Purfleet to Merehead.This was diverted between Reading and Westbury via Swindon as the B&H was closed this afternoon due to lineside fires amongst dry grasses caused by sparks from an eastbound stone working 's sticking brakes!

..2 july 2024..

Pictured on the seldom seen North side at Manningford Bruce on the B&H is FL-66567 with the 16:31 from Wembley going down to Merehead Quarry empties.Just one loco tonight but often a pair and sometimes even a triple!

..27 june 2024..

FL-66558 works '6C85' a 17:15 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury conveying a few pieces from to HOBC that is current residing down there.

..26 june 2024..

66505,one of the first batch of 5 loco's Freightliners bought for GM in the USA in 1999 runs up through Clink with '6A18' the 09:18 from Whatley Quarry going up to Oxford Banbury Road.

..26 june 2024..

One of the very few FL-66's to acquire the 'Powerhaul' Style was this ex-DRS machine 66416 which needed to lose its blue colours. So here it is in Clink Cutting on '6A18' the 09:18 from Whatley Quarry with a load for Oxford Banbury Road.

..18 june 2024..

Another mundane member of the 'Green Team' 66558 makes its way down to Whatley with '6C54' the 16:42 from Oxford Banbury Road.This bridge at Pot Lane,Berkley Marsh is another one now slowly being engulfed by overgrowth with no change of of any 'gardening' now the awful palisade fencing is protecting the growing area's.

..17 june 2024..

These evening shots here at Berkley Marsh are becoming increasingly difficult now as the rampant bushes and vegetation are slowly growing taller and taller.Not helped by the recent erection of multiple palisade fencing which prevents the bushes from getting a quick trim now and then-------A pity....So here is 66981 with '7V50' the 14:21 from Wembley going down to Merehead.

..17 june 2024..

66598 passes through Clink Cutting with '6V18' the 13:38 from Oxford-Banbury Road empties heading for Whatley.

..17 june 2024..

66952,one of the low-emission versions rounds the bend towards Click Junction with ''6V40' the 09:12 from Purfleet going down to Merehead.All open JNA boxes on this one.

..12 june 2024..

As this loco 66414 joined the Freightliner fleet from DRS in their blue colours it was quickly given a repaint into the then new revised FL-Green Powerhaul version.However not too many loco's gained this livery before G&W decided to use the now fairly common 'Tango' styling..So here is 66414 going to Merehead as '7V50' the 14:21 away from Wembley.Seen at BerkleyMarsh.

..3 june 2024..

FL's original liveried 'Johnson Stevens Agencies '66592' is seen with one of the 'Trippers' that now often work between Westbury Tarmac Sidings at the old Cement Works Site and either of the two Mendip Quarries.This on '7Z61'.16:20 of the Tarmac Sdg's is going to Merehead.Seen at Clink Cutting.

..30 may 2024..

A pretty wet-n -dull evening (call it 1600-iso) but as this Railtour from Eastleigh to Weymouth and return was surprisingly diverted via Westbury between Dorchester and Redbridge due to the line between Wareham and Poole being closed because of a fatality getting somewhat wet was worth it I suppose?.The train '1Z81' the 'Millbrook Meanderer' (17:08 away from Weymouth) was led on this diverted return by G&W-orange 66509 'Josiah's Wish' with 50008 'Thunderer' on the rear sandwiching the London Transport-4TC set.Viewed at Clink Road Junction in torrential rain!

..26 may 2024..

Freightliner's 5-door low emission variant 66592 creeps past the lengthening shadows at Clink with '6V60' which departed Wembley Reception Sdg's at 14:43 bound for Whatley Quarry.

..20 may 2024..

66415 'You Are Never Alone' in the early 'lighter shade of pale' G&W-tango colours runs up through Berkley Marsh in superb early morning lighting with '6A40' the 08:40 away from Merehead Quarry heading to Hanwell Bridge Loop where the train will be reshufflled before going on to its final destination.

..20 may 2024..

With the change from GMT to BST a couple of weks ago the few workings towards the quarries in the early evening are now a possibility if there is a chance of a bit of sunlight...Here is '6C54' the 16:42 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley passing Berkley marsh in nice low evening lighting.Power being provided by Plain-Jane FL-66517 on this occasion hauling a set of mixed coloured JNA boxes.

..15 april 2024..

Plain-Jane FL 66549 powers up through Berkley Marsh with '6A50' the 10:26 from Whatley Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop where this loading will be marshalled into formations ready to proceed to their final destinations.Sadly because of this proceedure the definitive arrival points are now unknown?

..15 april 2024..

66587 the 'ONE' one carries the name 'AS ONE WE CAN' is the only Freightliner '66' running around in a non-standard livery so nice see to grab it here at Clink in full sun albeit looking rather grimy! So here it is working '6V18' the 13:38 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty JNA's.

..12 april 2024..

Todays '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT was pretty heavily loaded from end to end (Nice to see!).Here seen climbing the steep incline on the approach to the crest of the Upton-Scudamore Incline nr Westbury.Bog Standard Freightliner-Green 66543 was the sole power and it was moving very slowly as it passed me here.

..4 april 2024..

66589 hauls a complete HOBC-Set from Westbury Dn-TC to Taunton's Fairwater Yard as '6C73' the 12:18 from Westbury..This had probably remained at Westbury overnight after being used all day in and around Frome Station and the associated track layout yesterday.Also no '6C72' ran this morning so it certainly didn't travel up from Taunton this morning.

..2 april 2024..

Use of the Eos-80D's 'Flippy Screen' and the Live-View' function allowed this shot over the top of the 7ft high spiky fence that surrounds Stoke Gifford yard of 66504.Allowing a nice portrait of this quite rare livery.

..23 march 2024..

Use of MF's 300mm 'L' lens enabled this shot of Freightliner's 66551 sitting in the sun at Stoke Gifford yard waiting for its next duty.

..23 march 2023..

66504 in the now defunct 'Powerhaul' livery sita with several members of Freightliner's Stable of General-Dogs-body Class-66's at Stoke Gifford yard in North Bristol.

..23 march 2024..

66593 '3MG Mersey Multimodel Gateway' leans through the bend at Great Cheverell' on the B&H with '6A40' the 08:40 from Merehead to Hanwell Bridge loop.Signs of Spring here with a Hawthorn Bush now into bloom!

..26 february 2024..

Plain-Jayne Freightliner Green 66516 heads the virtually empty '4O57' 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT Liner through Warminster.The dozen or so containers that were on the rear of the largely empty formation are out of sight obscured by the lineside vegetation.

..16 february 2024..

FL- No-Name 66549 running as '0C66' the 09:35 from Stoke Gifford Yard to Whatley passes Berkley Marsh under a cloudless sky.

..12 february 2024..

66506 'Crewe Regeneration' creeps up through Clink with the 10:26 away from Whatley to Hanwell Bridge Loop as '6A50'.This destination it just a freight loop being used by Freightliner as a staging point so as to avoid Acton Yard and the charges levied by DB for its use! So I am not to sure of the eventual destination for this loaded stone.Maybe it Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras?????

..12 february 2024..

'6C31' the 10:14 from Theale to Whatley Quarry is one of the few trains now that runs under its original reporting number and timings since the massive Mendip schedule revamp at the beginning of 2024. Here is 66539 slowing for Clink Road Junction in readiness for going down to the Quarry.

..1 february 2024..

66506 'Crewe Regeneration' or as I see it after the dramatic freight timetable revision of the Quarry workings lately 'Mendip Degeneration' works '6A50' from Whatley Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop nr Southall.Seen at the now dramatically quiter,almost barren during daylight hours Berkley Marsh nr Frome.

..16 january 2024..

As the Mendip-Quarries wind doiwn for the Yuletide Break this working '7A99' the 10:50 from Merehead to Theale-FY is viewed passing Berkley Marsh with 66604 & 59005 at the head.Not been out much in the last few weeks as its been 'wall to wall' dullness.Who needs shots of the same old workings particularly in very poor conditions?

..21 december 2023..

FL-GM 66548 catches a heavy glint on its front cab as it passes Newton-St-Loe nr Bath with '4O51' the 10:40 from Wentloog to Southampton-MCT freightliner service which was virtually empty apart from a few boxes at the very rear.

..25 november 2023..

Just 4 minutes after DCR's 60046 had passed with '6Z60' G&W-Orange 66415 'You Are Never Alone' appeared working '6C50' the 12:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley empties.Seen in cracking low late afternoon autumn sunlight at Fairwood nr Westbury.

..7 november 2023..

The long wet spell continues with an occasional short spells of sunshine. Here in brightish albeit showery conditions FL-Green 66511 passes Arn Hill nr Warminster with '6V16' the 11:55 from Fareham returning empty JNA-boxes to Whatley Quarry.

..6 november 2023..

Nondescript- 66569 again worked '6M20'' the 10:45 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings today.Seen shortly before this mornings unexpected sunshine departed.

..26 october 2023..

FL's GM-66569 hauls its set of completely graffitied loaded hoppers up through an increasingly autumnal Clink working '6M20' the 10:45 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings at St-Pancras in London.

..24 october 2023..

66549 an anonymous member of the 'Green' team bring '6V18' the 11:17 from Allington to Whatley round the bend on the approach to Clink Road Junction.

..3 october 2023..

By the time this working passed Clink Road Junction it was now very backlit but as the combo of Pinky 66587 'AS ONE WE CAN' and 59005 was leading '6L21' the 13:21 from Whatley to Dagenham Dock worth a shot..Amazing what you can do in Photoshop to drag a shot back from the brink if you try?

..3 october 2023..

66415 'You Are Never Alone' in the distinctive G&W-Tango colours heads a 'JNA' only '6C77' the 12:21 from Wembley-Reception Sidings to Merehead Quarry through Clink in a brief patch of late afternoon sunniness.

..29 september 2023..

FL-GM 66524 passes a rapidly clouding over Berkley Marsh with '6A24' the 10:18 from Whatley taking its load of aggregates to Oxford Banbury Road.

..29 september 2023..

Amazingly after about 2 months this 'celebrity' continues to work the Mendip Aggregate duties.Here is the 'Pink'one,66587 'AS ONE WE CAN' slowing for Clink Junction with '7C29' the 07:15 from Willesden S.R.S heading for Merehead with a rake of JNA's.

..26 september 2023..

66549 speeds down the Frome Avoiding Line at Styles Hill with its lightweight '6C77' of just 20-JNA's.It left Wembley at 12:21 and is going down to Merehead Quarry.

..15 september 2023..

FL-Green 66511 is seen at Clink returning the replenished Part-HOBC to Taunton-Fairwater Yard from Westbury Down-TC. '6C73' departed from Westbury at 12:21'

..15 september 2023..

No-Name 66515 hauls '6M20' the 10:45 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyards Sidings at St Pancras in London up through Berkley Marsh.

..14 september 2023..

'6C84' the 08:40 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard passes Berkley Marsh going to Westbury-VQ for a ballast reload for this HOBC-Set.66548 being the loco today.

..14 september 2023..

FL-GM 66587 in its 'ONE' Pink livery carries the name 'AS ONE WE CAN'.Here seen at Clink with '6A24' the 10:18 from Whatley Quarry to Oxford Banbury Road loaded aggregates.

..14 september 2023..

Amazingly 66587 'AS ONE WE CAN' in its unique 'Pink' colours continues to work the Mendip Quarry Circuit.It has been around here thankfully now for over 3 weeks! So here it is with '6C50' the 12:46 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry approaching Clink Road Junction in Frome. I noticed it on the OTT maps barely one signal block away from my local bridge so quickly managed to get there with 20 seconds to spare....Nice!

..8 september 2023..

66551 hauls '6C77' the 12:21 from Wembley Reception Sdg's 1-7 to Merehead past Bratton on the B&H.

..5 september 2023..

The unique liveried 66587 in the 'ONE' pink colour scheme has been hiding in Merehead now for about a fortnight not doing much work.However today it took a trip down to Woking and this is the return working '6B12' the 15:38 departure from Woking returning empties to Merehead.Seen at Berkley Marsh running nearly an hour earlier than booked because of an almost complete lack of passenger trains due to the ongoing rail dispute.

..1 september 2023..

FL-66551 approaches Clink Road Junction with '6C77' the 12:21 from Wembley to Merehead.

..30 august 2023..

66569 at Berkley Marsh with the 10:38 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in London.

..26 august 2023..

66518 with an HOBC passes Clink Road junction on '6C84' the 09:03 from Fairwater yard going to Westbury-VQ for a refill of fresh ballast.

..26 august 2023..

'66568 heads a rather short '6C73' returning to Taunton's fairwater yard from Westbury-VQ (departure being 12:12).

,,22 august 2023..

66525 works '6v62' the 12:12 from Southampton Up Yard to Merehead empties.Seen in the very leafy cutting nr Clink Road Junction.

..22 august 2023..

66549 powers up through the heavily overgrown cutting just after Clink Road Junction with '6m20' the 10:45 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in the Capital.

..17 august 2023..

66513 passes Baynton Farm in Bratton with '6A19' the 10:38 from Whatley going to West-Drayton.

..16 august 2023..

66587 with '6C84' from Fairwater Yard going to Westbury-VQ for a ballast refill.Pictured at Fairwood Junction as it takes the route into Westbury Station area.

..15 august 2023..

'6A24' the 10:18 from Whatley to Oxford Banbury Road rolls down the Westbury Avoiding Line at Fairwood.Re-geared 66620 being in charge.

..15 august 2023..

FL-Green 66551 today powered '7v12 he 15:38 from Woking to Merehead.Seen at Berkley Marsh in the bright early evening sunlight.

..15 august 2023..

66513 with '6M20' the 10:45 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings take the route via Westbury Station at Fairwood Junction.

..15 august 2023..

66519 passes Berkley Marsh with its string of multi coloured JNA-Boxes forming '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead.

..14 august 2023..

66586 paired with a disant 66511 are seen working '6X37' the 16:05 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Maidenhead for some overnight engineering work.Viewed on the approach to Clink in Frome.

..14 august 2023..

66546 speeds past Clink Junction via the Avoider with '7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead going to Wootton-Bassett.

..9 august 2023..

66556 with '7B12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead empties passes Berkley Marsh on a clear blue summer's evening.

..7 august 2023..

66568 with its replenished 1/2 HOBC passes Clink nr Frome with '6C73' the12:18 from Westbury to taunton'd fairwater Yard.

..7 august 2023..

66610 passes Click Road Junction with '7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead going to Wootton Bassett.

..7 august 2023..

66546 draws '6M20' away from Clink Road Junction with the 10:45 from Whatley bound for Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in London.

.. 7 august 2023..

66620 hauls '6A24' the 10:18 from Whatley Quarry to Appleford through Clink nr Frome.

..7 august 2023..

'6C84' the 08:40 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard which brings a part-HOBC up to Westbury-VQ for reloading passes Clink with FL-66568 in charge.

..7 august 2023..

With a bit of spare time on my hands I was able to cycle the mile or so to this location at Berkley in readiness for '6M20' the 10:45 from Whatley to St Pancras-Churchyard Sidings in London.Just a plain old green FL-66551 doing the business today.

..3 august 2023..

'6C68' the returning empty JNA-Boxes from Avonmouth going down to Whatley creeps up to Clink Road Junction in the very green cutting here.Re-geared 66620 doing the job today.

..3 august 2023..

66551 with '6m20' the 10:45 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings passes Clink.

..3 august 2023..

66503 'Railway Magazine' again,this time with '6A24' the 10:18 from Whatley going to Appleford with loaded JNA's.Seen rattling the pointwork at Clink Road Junction.

..3 august 2023..

66544 with '6V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead passes Berkley in a brief lull in the almost constant torrential rain we have been experiencing for most of the day.Where has the Summer gone to??? Interestingly this shot was taken using my old EOS40D and 28-105 ef-usm lens which still lurks in a camera bag and has done for many years.
Still a valid 'back up in an emergency!

..2 august 2023..

'Railway Magazine' 66503 creeps over Clink Road Junction with '6M20' the 10:45 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in London.

..1 august 2023..