Just 'CLICK' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280+853 nominal)
Freightliner/Genesee&Wyoming Class 66/4 66/5 & 66/9 (Post-01 August 2021)
Very pro-active Company with interests in Liners/Aggregates/Coal and anything else available! Over 100 locomotives available in either 66/4, 66/5 and 66/9 guises (A total of 107 engines of both types were built--11 have been exported to Poland and one was written off in an accident).A few others have gone to GBRf and Colas.
Freightliners G&W-Orange 66503 was recently rededicated (7 August 2022) to Railway Magazine to mark its 125th anniversary. Its full revised name is now 'Railway Magazine Celebrating 125 years 1897-2022'.Here it is seen approaching Clink Junction with '6Z42' the 10:42 empty jna boxes from Didcot-Milton Sdg's to Whatley Quarry.-----3 october 2022-----
Recently reliveried 66605 is only the 2nd 66/6 to acquire the G&W-Orange makeover. This one due to accident damage.It was repaired and repainted at Brodies in Kilmarnock-Scotland.Here it is with '0C68' from Avonmouth to Merehead.Viewed at Berkley Marsh.
..1 august 2022..
66413 'Lest We Forget' in the earlier version of G&W-Orange takes the avoiding line at Fairwood Junction with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley Quarry going up to the Capital at Churchyards Sidings.
..1 august 2022..
Congestion at Clink Road Junction produced this busy looking scene here at Clink with '6C31' hauled by 59202 waiting for the junction at Clink Road to clear as G&W's pioneer (lighter shade) Orange repaint 66413 'Lest We Forget' powers through with '7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead heading for Wootton-Bassett.
..29 july 2022..
For a few days earlier this week most freight was cancelled due to the extreeme heat,in fact in parts of the country it exceeded 40 degrees C! Thankfully yesterday temperatures abated somewhat and today they were back to a more reasonable 23 degrees C,hence freight workings have resumed. So here is FL-66591 coming away from Clink Road Junction in Frome with '6A60' the late running 08:32 from Whatley Quarry to Oxford Banbury Road.
..21 july 2022..
Here is a late running '6V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard to Whatley Quarry at Berkley.Green-66589 being todays power.A mixed bag of JNA's,even one of the brand new-Blue VTG ones has got mixed in as well!
..14 july 2022..
Nondescript and nameless FL-Green 66547 passes the East Yard at Eastleigh with 4O18' the 07:24 from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MCT.
..11 july 2022..
FL-Green 66531 is currently a regular fixture of Mendip stone traffic.Here it's passing berkley with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to the Big City at Churchyard Sidings.
..8 july 2022..
'6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings with FL-66550 powering rolls through the cutting just east of Clink Road Junction.
..28 june 2022..
66594 works a 3 hour late '7C05' 05:03 from Acton-ML(Bow) to Merehead through Clink.It seems it was held at Theale most of that time for some reason.Normally this occasional work passes here at around 07:30 so way too early for me!
..28 june 2022..
66531 draws '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital away from Clink Junction. In the rush to leave the house I picked up my older Canon-Eos 400D in error which has far less pixels than my usual 7D and given the 2m pixels picture sizing for web purposes there isn't really a lot of difference.???
..22 june 2022..
Day-1 of industrial action which largely crippled the railways still produced a few services,both freight and passenger.Here is 66558 with '6C58' the 12:22 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.Here seen at Clink just getting away after a brief halt to allow a passenger service '1A85' to clear Clink Road Junction after it called into Frome.
..21 june 2022..
FL-GM 'Ruby' 66540 completes the very green scene here at Clink.It's 6V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard returning emptied JNA's to Whatley Quarry.
..20 june 2022..
5-door 66594 heads a 'combi' type '7C77' the 12:19 from Wembley Reception 1-7 to Merehead down the Frome Avoiding \Line at Styles Hill.Loco mid-train today being 66416.
..16 june 2022..
A very tidy looking FL-66531 is seen approaching Fairwood Junction at Masters Farm Crossing with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley heading up to the capital at Churchyard Sidings.
..16 june 2022..
66416 wearing the 'Powerhaul' variation of FL-Green which makes a welcome change passes Berkley Marsh with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking going down to Merehead.
..15 june 2022..
With the road bridge that overlooks Clink Road Junction in the background 66555 creeps past with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley which today is going to West-Drayton Frays Sdg's.
..15 june 2022..
Running as '6C64' the 14:46 from Wembley-Reception Sdg's 2-7 to Merehead passes through Berkley.Loco being 66596 with an all JNA consist.
..13 june 2022..
Plain-Jayne FL-66594 with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead approaches Clink Road Junction at Berkley Marsh in the excellent low evening lighting here.
..13 june 2022..
This evenings '7C64' the 14:46 from Wembley to Merehead was a 'Combi' working with 66531 leading and a just visible 59004 situated mid-train.Seen a Berkley nr Frome with the Westbury White Horse which is seven miles away seen in the far background.
..8 june 2022..
The rather elusive Freightliner-66587 'AS ONE WE CAN' was finally pictured in good light here at Berkley Marsh albeit on the rear of '6X37' the 16:04 from Taunton Fairwater Yard to Ruscombe HOBC working. An unseen 66507 up the front well into the distance..
..31 may 2022..
Plain Jayne FL-Green 66533 which carries the dual names of 'Senator Express/Hanjin Express' passes Mount Pleasant Level Crossing with '4O35' the 09:31 from Crewe-Basford Hall to Southampton-MCT.Nicely loaded at the front end.
..24 may 2022..
The 'PINK' one,66587 runs back down through Frome at Clink with the returning '6C73' the 12:18 from Westbury-VQ to Taunton's fairwater Yard.Again full sunshine eludes me for this loco yet again,just a faint tinge of brightness that at least has lifted the contrast partially!
..23 may 2022..
Freightliner's very distinctive 'ONE' liveried 66587 'AS ONE WE CAN' runs up through Clink with '6C72' the 08:30 from Fairwater Yard to Westbury taking HOBC wagons for a ballast reload.
..23 may 2022..
The very Pink 'AS ONE WE CAN' 66587 is seen heading '6Z84' the 12:54 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury for a ballast reload.
..20 may 2022..
Plain Green FL-66549 draws '7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead to Royal Wootton Bassett up through berkley Marsh under a stereo typical Simpson sky.
..19 may 2022..
A very green 66590 merges into the scenery as it passes through Berkley Marsh with empties from Wembley (15:08) off going down to Merehead as '7C64'.
..13 may 2022..
FL-Green 66569 passes through the very green cutting on the approach to Clink Road Junction with '6V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard empties going down to Whatley Quarry.
..13 may 2022..
FL's GM-66555 with '7C64' the 14:59 from Wembley Receptiom Sidings to Merehead today was a 'combi' working with a just visible 59202 located mid-train.Viewed at Pot Lane-Berkley in the superb evening lighting.
..4 may 2022..
The G&W/Freightliner 'Memorial Loco' 66413 named 'Lest We Forget' heads towards Westbury at Berkley with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in the Capital.
..26 april 2022..
The final few hours after teatime here at Berkley Marsh present a superb sun-angle for any stone empties returning to the Mendip Quarries. This one has come from Woking departing there at 15:38 and going down to Merehead.FL-66956,one of the later 5-door low-emission versions was doing the duty today.
..25 april 2022..
Feeling somewhat energetic I decided to take an E-cycle trip from Frome to Fairwood Junction nr Westbury for a bit of a change of scenery. So here is '7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead to Wootton Bassett. FL-66569 leads a somewhat shortened load of just eleven loaded stone hoppers.Pictured at masters farm Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.
..25 april 2022..
66415 'You are Never Alone' is seen mid-train on the 'Combi' working '7C77' the 12:24 from Wembley to Merehead passing berkley nr Frome. Ironically despite the name 'You are Never Alone' this engine here is just that! No power,no crew and here basically just another wagon!
..21 april 2022..
fl'S- 'Powerhaul' 66528 travels down through Berkley with 'Combi' 7C77' the 12:24 departure from WembleyReception Sdg's to Merehead.Unseen is 66415 in the middle of the consist where 2 trains were combined at Wembley before departure.
..21 april 2022..
'Lest We Forget' 66413 catches the low evening sunshine as it passes Berkley nr Frome with the delayed '6V62' 13:21 from Southampton Up yards to Whatly.It was stuck in the Westbury Cement Works Sidings after its reversal there for over 2-hours whilst a Theale to Whatley empty stone working that had completely blocked the mainine at Clink with a complete loss of its airbrakes was rescued and removed.
..21 april 2022..
G&W's memorial engine 66413 'Lest We Forget' in its early slightly lighter shade of Orange livery begins the drop down the Upton Scudamore Bank with Arn Hill in the background. The train being '6V62' the 13:21 from Southampton Up Yard going to Whatley Quarry after a reversal at the Westbury Cement Works G&W Sidings.
..21 april 2022..
With the sun now pretty high in the sky once again this view in the deep cutting at Upton Scudamore is now available for this working,the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT Liner service. Today once again 66512 was doing the honours as '4O57'.
..21 april 2022..
FL's- 66590 gets away from Clink Road Junction in Frome with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to Churchyards Sidings in the Capital.
..21 april 2022..
The sun is now sufficiently high enough in the sky to allow this view here at Dilton Marsh Halt to once again be shadow free for the summer months.So here is a rather mundane '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT. Loco being a 'plain-jayne' FL- 66512 with a largely empty train on mainly 'pocket' wagons.Load being overall just 10 well spaced out containers.
..20 april 2022..
Wearing the earlier lighter shade of G&W-Orange 'You are Never Alone' 66415 draws ''7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead through Berkley Marsh going up to Royal Wootton Bassett with yet another trainload of aggregates.
..20 april 2022..
'6V18' the 13:49 from Hanwell Loop to Whatley-Q with FL-66549 in charge is at a stand on the approach to Signal W110 which protects Clink Road Junction whilst GWR's 800319 speeds by with '1A88' the 12:15 from Penzance to Paddington Express.
..11 april 2022..
The original G&W-Orange loco 66413 'Lest We Forget' albeit in a slightly lighter shade of Orange than used nowadays rolls through Clink with '7C77' which today originated from Acton-TC at 12:41 heading for Merehead. No 'Combi' today as that only seems to occur when this working originates from Wembley.
..11 april 2022..
Powerhaul-66528 'Madge Elliot MBE-Borders Railway Opening 2015' sweeps eatwards at Great Cheverell with '6M20' the 10:38 fromWhatley Quarry heading up to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.
..5 april 2022..
'7C77' continies to run as a 'combi' with a 2nd loco DIT in the middle of the formation.It rans from Wembley Sidings departing at 12:03 heading for Merehead.Today anonymous green 66569 led with DB-Red 59201 somewhere in the middle of the wagons.Viewed passing Styles Hill on the Frome Avoiding Line.
..31 march 2022..
Despite the skies being very overcast today after a week of virtually unbroken clear skies this working was worth pedalling out to Berkley Marsh for a record shot of it. Here is a pair of FL-GM's 66956 & 66558 performing a rescue mission for a couple of loaded open aggregate wagons that were left in Woodborough Up Sidings a few days ago after being declared failures.They returned to Whatley Quarry as '8Z66' (10:37 booked departure but actually left 90 minutes later than that) and passed here at about 5mph.The very loud hammering noise coming from at least one wheel set proving that one of the bogies at least had a really serious flat.
..28 march 2022..
Nicely loaded at the front-end the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT crests the top of thr Upton Scudamore Incline at ArnHill looking towards Westbury.5-door low emission GM 66952 being the selected loco today.
..25 march 2022..
No-Name FL-66558 gets '6M20' underway after coming over Clink Road Junction.This train departs Whatley at 10:38 bound for Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.
..25 march 2022..
Powerhaul 66528 'Madge Elliot MBE-Borders Railway Opening 2015' rolls through Clink with 'Combi' working '7V77' today from Acton-TC (12:41 off) with Tango-59204 located mid-train.
..24 march 2022..
FL's GM- 66518 slowly climbs the Upton Scudamore Incline with '4O57' the Liner from Cardiff-Wentloog (13:29 off) to Southampton-MCT. Annoyingly the first half a dozen or so wagons were still empty!
..23 march 2022..
A rather rust stained grubby no-name FL 66544 approaches Clink with '6V18' the 11:20 from Allington to Whatley Quarry.
..22 march 2022..
Powerhaul liveried 66528 'Madge Elliot MBE-Borders Railway Opening 2015' rumbles down the Frome Avoiding line with '7C77' the 12:18 from Wembley-Reception Sdg's to Merehead. Just a single loco and a short rake of JNA-Boxes today.
..22 march 2022..
66547 creeps towards Fairwood Junction with the now fully replenished HOBC-Set returning to Fairwater Yard as '6C73' the 12:18 away from Westbury.
..22 march 2022..
66547 with '6C72' the 08:40 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ crosses Clink Road Junction going for a ballast refill for its set of HOBC hoppers.
..22 march 2022..
66569 is seen here positioned mid-train on '7C77' the 12:22 from Wembley Reception Sdg's to Merehead being led by 59204.This method of working is seen as a way to allow two trains to use a single path back to the Mendip Quarries thus saving a bit of cash in the process....The practice doing the same thing going towards London with loaded workings now seems to have been abandoned.
..17 march 2022..
'7B12' the 11:23 from Merehead to Wootton Bassett approaches Westbury at Fairwood.66561 being todays power.
..17 march 2022..
Todays '6C84' made up of a full HOBC-set going for a refill at Westbury-VQ.It departed Taunton-Fairwater Yard at 08:40.Loco today was as usual 66547.Seen at Clink nr Frome.The return working '6C73' was cancelled as I suspect it ran later via Bristol to reverse the entire set.
..18 march 2022..
66547 with its replenished part-HOBC cruises through the open countryside nr Frome with '6C73' the 12:18 from Westbury Up-TC returning to Taunton-Fairwater Yard.
..15 march 2022..
'6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley runs up through Berkley Marsh going up to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.A basic 'no-name' FL 66509 doing the duty.
..14 march 2022..
Occasionally I can still get out now I am unable to drive myself for at least a year (Medical not Criminal reasons).Hence pictures are currently few and far between. So here is 66415 'You are Never Alone' in G&W-Orange working '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT passing Arn Hill nr Warminster in the best lighting for many weeks.Hopefully as Spring progresses such opportunities will become common.
..7 march 2022.. O cc
FL's 66951,the first low-emission 5-door GM to enter the country powers '4V54' the 10:15 from Southampton-MCT to Avonmouth container train.Seen in somewhat backlit lighting passing Hawkeridge Junction heading towards Bristol.
..25 february 2022..
66553 passes the wide open spaces at Berkley Marsh working '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.
..25 february 2022..
66952 hauls '6C73' the 12:18 from Westbury back down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard after a refill at the Westbury-VQ.Viewed at Clink.
..24 february 2022..
Freightliner's 66547 returns to Fairwater Yard with its now fully reloaded HOBC-Set from Westbury as '6C73' the 12:18 away from Westbury Yard. Viewed at Clink Junction now that the sun has moved round sufficiently to lose the shadows in the somewhat overgrown cutting here.
..17 february 3033..
66547 hauls an HOBC-Set up from Tauntons Fairwater Yard (08:40 off) as '6C84' up through link nr Frome for a ballast refill at the Westbury-VQ.
..17 february 2022..
66616 approaches Clink Junction at Frome with '6C58' the 12:10 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.
..16 february 2022..
Freightiner's GM-66531 grinds away from Clink Junction with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to Churchyatd Sidings in the Capital.66547 add a bit of interest as '0C73' returning to Taunton-Fairwater Yard.
,,14 february 2022..
66591 powers over a rather gloomy Clink Road Junction with a late running '6A60' the 08:32 from Whatley to Oxford Banbury Road.
..14 february 2022..
Here is 66514 sandwiched between 13 in the front and 14 in the rear with 59101 leading '7C77' the 12:24 from Wembley to Merehead.This practice is designed to get two trains back to the Mendips in one path and is due to G&W no longer coming from Acton-TC with this working because of excessive DB charges for that yard.
..27 january 2022..
66532 heads a nicely loaded '4O57' the 13:29 from Wentloog in Cardiff down to MCT at Southampton.Pretty much all 'Pockets' to carry the larger sized containers on this route via the Wylye and Limpley Stoke Valleys. Seen on the steepest part of the Upton Scudamore Incline shortly before the top of the climb.
..26 january 2022..
This is a recent addition to the afternoon schedules returning empties to the Mendip Quarries. Here is '6Z50' with 66514 passing the wide open fields at Berkley nr Frome. This working departed Neasden-Charrington FLHH at 11:14 and goes down the Merehead.Just boxes on this turn it seems.
..20 january 2022..
Low-Emission,5-door variant 66952 is seen with '6C58' the 12:10 from Oxford-banbury Road to Whatley quarry empties here at berkley nr Frome. I am not sure why there is a hopper in the consist as there are no facilities at Oxford to get it unloaded?
..20 january 2022..
One of the few FL-GM's to ever receive the 'Powerhaul' livery is 66528 'Madge Elliot-MBE-Berder Railway Reopening 2015'.Here it is passing Master's Farm Croosing with '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings in London.
..20 january 2022..
Here is '6C84' the 08:40 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard taking an HOBC-Set of hoppers to Westbury -VQ for a ballast reload.66556 is seen at Master's Crossing on the approach to Fairwood Junction in superbly clear and cloudless crisp cold morning.The frost having cleared in the last hour or so. ..20 january 2020..
The working '6Z60' originated from Neasden-Charrington FLHH at 11:14 with a destination of Merehead..Seen approaching Woodborough Loops which on this occasion were passed non-stop.Loco is 66514 still in the nondescript base FL-Green colours.
..17 january 2022..
More JNA empties,this time from Oxford Banbury Road but still going to Whatley pass Cowleaze lane in Bratton.Low Emission 5-door Shed 66957 was doing this duty today.
..14 january 2022..
With sunset less than an hour away the shadows now are very long and the light has taken on a yellowy tinge as 66540 'Ruby' passes Norton Bavant with '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT freightliner service.Battlesbury Hill forms the backdrop.
..13 january 2022..
'4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT crests the Upton-Scudamore Incline in yellowing late afternoon lighting and lengthening shadows.66519 leads with the first five wagons being empty 'pockets'.
..05 january 2022..
This '6C73' the 12:18 from Westbury to Taunton-Fairwater Yard ran about an hour later than booked due to some shunting being necessary to collect additional wagons from the 'Down' Yard,hence the delay.So here is FL-66566 with its mixed train of old and seemingly almost brand new HOBC wagons passing Berkley in the bright mid-morning sun.
..05 january 2022..
Freightliner's 66514 with '7C81' the 06:10 from Colnbrook to Merehead empties passes the recently re-seeded grazing fields at berkley nr Frome.
..05 january 2022..
Here is the my first 'sun-shot' of 2022. FL's 66951 heads '6V60' the 09:26 from Ardingly-Hanson Aggregates to Whatley Quarry empty hoppers.Viewed using a longish telephoto to get over the lengthening shadows here at just 14:30 in the afternoon approaching Bratton on the B&H.
..04 january 2022..
Here is 66502 'Basford Hall Centenary 2001' which was one of the first GM's Freightliner took delivery of way back in 1999 (over 22 years ago).It continues to give reliable service week in-week out.Here it is on '6C68' the 11:38 from Avonmouth to Whatley Quarry with its train of empty JNA's.Seen approaching Clink Road Junction in Frome.
..8 december 2021..
66516 again worked '6C84' the 08:40 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard to Westbury-VQ going for a ballast refill for this part-HOBC.Seen at Clink.
..1 december 2021..
This loco 66542 ran up to Woodbourough Loops earlier this morning to collect these wagons which were left there.Probably cripples from an eastbound working as they were all fully loaded.It returned to whatley quarry as '7Z41' the 09:35 from Woodborough as is sen at Clink nr Frome.
..29 november 2021..
66516 partnered with a very distant 66591 sandwich an almost completely brand new HOBC-Set as it returns to Taunton-Fairwater Yard from Oxford-Hinksey Reception Lines (departed at 09:27) as '6Y15.Viewed coming down the straightaway from Fairwood Junction just west of Westbury.
..28 november 2021..
Showing off the long-long shadows even at just 13:00 in the afternoon 66514 with a replenished HOBC section passes Fairwood nr Westbury returning to Fairwater Yard at Taunton as '6C73',the 12:17 from Westbury-VQ.
..25 november 2021..
66506 'Crewe Regeneration' rattles up through Berkley Marsh with a string of very rusty looking older 4 wheelers including a few OBA's as '6Y80' the 09:00 from Yeovil-Pen Mill to Eastleigh-East Yard.The skies were lovely and clear but it was very cold and windy.
..21 november 2021..
Autumnal colours are in full bloom here at Clink as '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry passes by with 66951, the first of the '5 door' low emission GM's to be introduced in charge.
..17 november 2021..
Freightliners rather anonymous looking 66512 rattles past Arn Hill with the empties from Chichester to Merehead.This departing from there at 13:41 as '7V07'.
..21 october 2021..
66511 very slowly climbs the Upton Scudamore Incline with '4O57' the very well loaded 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT.This train these days usually runs with complete sets of 'pocket' wagons to allow for the larger containers that are now becoming far more common.These wagons being essential for this route which has not been regauged for the use of normal liner-flats and the larger containers-combined!
..21 october 2021..
Freightliner's Powerhaul liveried 66416 is seen lifting Freightliner '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT up through Old Dilton on the Upton Scudamore Incline.Another lucky period of good sun,a minute later it was full dull for the rest of the day. ..20 october 2021..
With the aid of a longish telephoto lens plus some cropping I just managed to record this working '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead in reasonable sunlight.By the time this train had reached the bridge here at Fairwood the light had departed completely! So here is Team-Greens -GM 66563 with G&W-Orange 59203 tucked inside approaching Fairwood after taking refuge in Westbury Station for a few minutes to allow a GWR- IET to overtake on the Westbury Avoiding Line.
..7 october 2021..
Powerhaul liveried 66528 'Madge Elliot MBE-Border Railway Reopening 2015' continues to work on the Mendip Quarry Circuit. Here seen at Masters Crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.This obsolescent livery was certainly an improvement on the original plain FL-Green version.However it is being replaced by Tango-Orange eventually!
..29 september 2021..
Freightliner's 66520 hauls the very regulat 'yB12' 10:38 from Merehead to Royal Wootton Bassett in London past Masters Crossing at Fairwood.The normal proceedure to this train is to firstly go to Swindon Cocklebury Yard,then return to Bassett where it reverses into the Discharge Sidings there.However something was amiss today as the train got no further than Swindon.The rest of the journey to Bassett was caped.
..29 september 2021..
Nondescript Green 66556 works an HOBC-Set that has just been reloaded with ballast in Westbury's VQ back down to its base Fairwater Yard in Taunton. It departed Westbury at 12:17 as '6C73'.
..27 september 2021..
This working viewed at Clink nr Frome was listed as '6Z20' the 08:56 from Whatley going only as far as Westbury with FL-66520 in charge.However from there it became '6Z25' the 10:22 from Westbury to Cricklewood via Swindon with DB power.No doubt the seperate headcodes were due to the 'split' nature of the freight operators since DB are no longer allowed into the Quarries after they lost the stone-contracts a couple of years ago!
..27 september 2021..
FL's 66951 leads with 66556 on the rear as '6Y15' the 07:10 from Oxford makes its way back to base at Taunton's Fairwater yard.Seen passing Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary with this HOBC-set.
..26 september 2021..
This particular stone working does not go via Westbury Station.It diverges at Hawkeridge Junction to take the B&H heading East.It is '6A83' the 14:17 from Avonmouth-Bennetts Sidings to West Drayton.Loco today is the palindromic 66566 still wearing the all too common FL-Green colours.
..21 september 2021..
Red Nameplater 'OOCL Express' 66534 approaches Heywood nr Westbury with '4O57' the 13:29 Liner from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-Maritime.A good load today but as usual those vital few boxes directly behind to locomotive were missing!
..21 september 2021..
66524 c/w its jobs Advertisement leads '6Z81' an extra from Whatley Quarry to Appleford with a load of aggregates.Seen at Church Road in Heywood.
..21 september 2021..
In fairly low albeit sunny lighting 66565 gets away from Clink Road Junction with '6A60' the 08:32 from Whatley going to Oxford Banbury Road with another load of aggregate for use on the HS-2 Project in the Midlands.
..21 september 2021..
Freightliner's Advert-loco 66524 approaches Clink Road Junction with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.
..20 september 2021..
66556 drags '6C73' the 12:17 from Westbury back down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard.The HOBC-Set having received a ballast refill at the Virtual Quarry in Westbury.
..16 september 2021..
Standard-Issue FL-Green 66542 passes Clink nr Frome with todays '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings in the Capital.
..16 september 2021..
Powerhaul styled 66528 ' 'Madge Elliot MBE-Border Railway Reopening 2015' edges towards Clink Road Junction in the increasingly autumnal looking early evening with '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry empties.
..15 september 2021..
The Track Replacement Train '6X08' is viewed making its way past Berkley with the 16:01 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard.Tonights destination being Ruscombe.66566 was leading with an 'in view' 66561 tagged on the rear.
..6 september 2021..
With the wheat crop now harvested and the bales of straw piled up ready for removal '7v12' passes with 66520 in charge.This train from Woking (15:38) off goes down to Merehead.Seen across the fields of summer at Berkley Marsh.
..6 september 2021,,
The first signs of Autumn form the backdrop as 66511 runs down to Whatley Quarry with '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC.Seen at Berkley.
..6 september 2021..
Freightliner's mobile advertising board 66524 sweeps through Great Cheverell on the B&H with '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead.
..6 september 2021..
66621 hauls the '6Z24' the 09:24 odd-ball working from Bishops Lydeard to Whatley past the freshly cultivated fields at Berkley Marsh.Until this recent work these fields had only ever been cow pastures for about the last 30 years at least!
..6 september 2021..
Todays '6C72' the 08:30 from Taunton-Fairwater Yard looked somewhat different to its usual consist of just 5 JJA's/Today not only was there extra wagons both front and behind the JJA's but Colas-GM 66 66846 was also tagged on the rear.Palindromic. 66566 was seen leading this odd combination as it passes Berkley Marsh going to Westbury.
..6 september 2021..
A friendly wave from the driver as '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead passes Master's Crossing nr Fairwood.Bog standard FL old-stager 66502 doing the job with an unusually light load consisting of just one short portion of JNA-Boxes.
..3 september 2021..
Here is GM-66413 'Lest We Forget' which was the first Freightliner locomotive to get the G&W-Orange treatment albeit in a slightly lighter shade than later incarnations. It is working '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT. Once again it was fully loaded and comprised of mainly 'pocket' wagons which of coarse are very necessary for the larger containers to operate on the Limpley Stoke Valley route between Cardiff and Southampton.
..2 september 2021..
Here at Woodborough on the B&H 66566 with '6C58' the 11:45 empties from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry slows to enter the down loop here to allow a following GWR-Express to overtake it.
..26 august 2021..
'6X08' the 16:01 from Fairwater Yard to Slough TRT-Train passes the ripening wheat fields at Berkley nr Frome.66561 is by now well out of sight under the Pot Lane road bridge with 66515 being seen on the rear of this long-long train.
..25 august 2021..
Powerhaul styled 66528 ' 'Madge Elliot MBE-Border Railway Reopening 2015' in nice lighting here at Great Cheverell passes with '6V18' the 11:20 from Allington to Whatley Quarry.The sheep in the field continued with their grass munching totally oblivious to it all.
..25 august 2021..
Sadly as an IEP was rapidly approaching from the Westbury direction this shot of '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead had to be taken as a telephoto rather earlier than anticipated.A couple of milli-seconds later the background would have been all green and plastic so this tele shot was really the only option. This is 66542 leading with 59002 behind heading to Merehead from Acton passing between the two bridges at Great Cheverell on the B&H.
..25 august 2021..
As can be seen by the rather lenghy shadows the day was drawing to a close .In fact it was 19:50 when this passed here at Pot Lane-Berkley Marsh. The sun albeit quite yellowy was still pretty strong!.So this is '6C62' the late path 16:50 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry emptied boxes.The loco is bog-standard early build FL-Green 66502 which carries the name 'Basford Hall Centenary 2001'.It arrived in the UK in July-1999 so is now amazingly over 22 years old!
..10 august 2021..
FL-Green 66542 contrasts nicely with the multi colours for the JNA boxes it is dragging back to Merehead from Chichester (13:41 off0 as '7V07'.Seen at pot lane nr Frome.
..10 august 2021..
66420,one of the quite small band on Freightliner GM-66's that carry the 'Powerhaul' styling in the manner of the GE-70's climbs up through Dilton Marsh with '4O57' the 13:29 from Cardiff-Wentloog going down to Southampton-MCT.Today was a full train right up behind the loco with the majority of the wagons being the 'pocket' type.With all repaints now being into the G&W-Orange style the powerhaul 'swirl' will continue to be a relatively uncommon sight!
..10 august 2021..
I think this was running as '6Z04' the 14:45 from Westbury returning to Taunton's Fairwater Yard after the five JJA's were refiled with fresh ballast at the VQ there.66515 being the loco used.Viewed at fairwood nr westbury.
..10 august 2021..
GM-66561 with its speedily loaded 3-JJA's returns to Fairwater Yard from Westbury-VQ (departed at 12:17) as '6C73' having only spent an hour there after arrival.Seen at Pot Lane nr Frome passing the unsightly GSM-R mast and portacabin that now blights this location.
..4 august 2021..
Here is '6C84' the 08:40 from Fairwater Yard at Taunton going to the Virtual Quarry at Westbury to reload these three JJA's with fresh ballast. Freightliner-66561 did the working ansd is viewed at Fairwood Foot Crossing approaching Westbury.The reload was executed almost immediately and this combination was on the move returning to Fairwater Yard after just an hour!