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Colas Class-70
A total of 17 now in service.The first one 70801 being originally 70099 the Turkish built demonstrater finally taken on by Colas.
Colas's GE-70814 brings '6C98' a partially discharged CW-rail train up from Baldhu nr Redruth via Penzance to Westbury.
..6 october 2023..
Colas's 70804 is seen moving around at Westbury shortly after arriving with an engineering train from South-Wales.Seemingly it has recently had a bit of a paint refresh and has now lost its nose-end number identity.
..11 september 2022..
Colas's GE-70809 speeds through Freshford Station with a train load of JNA's full of ballast spoil coming from Penarth Curve South Junction (dept at 12:03) as '6C20'.
..16 january 2022..
Colas's-70815 just misses the bright morning sunlight here at Berkley as it works '6C99' the 05:00 from St Austell returning to Westbury with its still fully loaded CWR-Train.
..10 december 2021..
A rather smoky 70806 gets '6M40' the 11:42 from Westbury (Here) to Stud Farm away about 50 minutes late.It could be seen shunting up and down making up the train set well after its booked time.
..21 october 2021..
70810 rattles the pointwork at clink Road Junction as it powers by with '6C97' the 04:25 from Cambourne (near Truro) to Eastleigh East yard partially emptied CWR-Train.
..27 july 2021..
Colas's 70817 runs up through Frome with '6X21' the 06:55 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Westbury with an emptied 'Switch and Points Carrier Train.The pre-built sections being used in the Bristol-TM track remodelling project.
..21 july 2021..
Work has now started on the remodelling of the entire track layout at Bristol-Temple Meads.Here is an empty spoil train going to Bristol-West via Taunton to clear some of the debris etc from that ongoing contract. Colas's 70812 is seen passing down the Frome Avoider as the 10:12 from Westbury to Bristol as '6F02'.No doubt there will be many of these engineering trains assoc with this job in the coming few weeks.
..11 july 2021..
With 3 sets of HQA's & 1 of JJA's (20 wagons in all) Colas's 70806/70815 are seen returning '6C49' the 17:00 from Crediton back to Westbury. Viewed in superb evening lighting at Berkley Marsh nr Frome. ..31 may 2021..
With 3 sets of HQA's & 1 of JJA's (20 wagons in all) Colas's 70806/70815 are seen returning '6C49' the 17:00 from Crediton back to Westbury. Viewed in superb evening lighting at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..31 may 2021..
2nd engineering train today going to Crediton as the 15:08 off westbury '6F28' was hauled by GE-70808.This working was all flats loaded completely with new concrete sleepers.Pictured as it gets away from Fairwood Junction seen in the far background.
..18 april 2021..
Another CWR-Drop took place overnight again nr Crediton in Devon.This time with Colas's70806 leading and 70806 seen on the back of the partially emptied ''6C97' the 09:00 from Crediton to Westbury. Viewed across the meadows at berkley nr frome in a very brief burst of spring sunlight.
..16 april 2021..
The now fairly empty CWR-Train having dropped of its load of rails is seen returning from Crediton as '6C98' the 08:09 from there back to Westbury.70810 now leads with 70809 on the rear.Seen at Clink nr Frome.
..13 april 2021..
Top-n-Tailed by Colas's 70809 and 70810 '6C98' a CWR-Train as 18:11 from Westbury to Crediton powers through Berkley Marsh on its journey West. Note the really quite large herd of cows in the fields behind.
..12 april 2021..
A rather clean and shiny Colas-70807 thunders through Freshford with '6C35' the 06:06 from Aberthaw to Westbury Cement Sidings.Due to the engineering over-run in North Bristol whilst Network-Rail attempt to replace an underbridge and are experiencing severe problems,this service has had to travel via Gloucester hence it is nearly 2 hours later than it is supposed to be.....Viewed passing through Freshford Station in the Limpley Stoke Valley.
..13 november 2020..
I'm going to be quite fit with all this cycling whilst this goddam 'Lockdown' remains in place!. Here is '6C25' the 12:16 engineering working from Westbury going to Bristol West Junction via Taunton.Colas 70813 was in sole charge of a couple of sets of HQA's and four loaded track panel bogie-flats.The tele-shot was necessary due to the foreground being in blanket shadow from a big big cloud! ..2 may 2020..
Colas's 70805 scuttles up through Frome is dire lighting with a partially discharged CWR-Train,''6C97' the 08:15 from Truro going down to Eastleigh.
..29 december 2019..
Here is a train working back to Hinksey Yard at Oxford from Castle-Cary It is associated with the current week long engineering occupation at Cogload Junction nr Taunton.It left Cary at 11:00 with a reporting number of '6C21'.The loco being Colas's GE-70805.The load being a couple of sets of HQA's and a large crane.
..13 november 2019..
The distinctive roar of this GE-70810 could be heard a mile away as it sped up the Frome Avoiding Line returning to Westbury Dn-TC frpm Crediton (09:10 off) as '6G71.A good load of 5-sets of HQA's (25 bogies in total) with a further GE-70813 tagged on the rear.Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a lucky patch of complete dullness!
..4 november 2019..
Here are 70808 &70807 returning to Westbury with '6C20' the 08:30 from Crediton after a night out on engineering works.Seen on the Frome Avoiding Line at Styles Hill in somewhat dire conditions!
..29 september 2019..
Colas GE-70816 whines down through Berkley Marsh in the late evening sunshine with '6C98' the 18:32 from Westbury-Dn TC to Liskeard.Its load being a RDT-set fully loaded with continuously welded rails for that location.
..2 april 2019..
This is a remarkably clean Colas GE-70816 working '6C20' the 12:03 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Westbury Up-TC.The load being 8 nicely loaded YKA track panel carriers. Seen in this well wooded section of the Limpley Stoke Valley approaching Freshford Station on a superbly warm and clear early spring day.
..30 march 2019..
I wasn't going to go out today doing any pictures but the superb lighting available made me consider otherwise! So here is Colas's grimy 70817 running through Trowbridge at Dursley Footbridge with '6C21' the returning engineers the 13:02 from Bristol West Jn to Westbury Up-TC.Just the one loco but unfortunately unsighted was a massive crane tagged on the back of this rake of still loaded JNA's. ..24 march 2019..
Colas's 70815 is seen passing Cowleaze Farm Lane in Bratton with an engineering train '6C27' the 10:45 from Oxford-Hinksey Sidings going down to Newton Abbot-West Junction.The load being five JJA's and five HQA's.
..27 january 2019..
With the evening shadows lengthening fast 70810 makes its way through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with a short rake of RT-yellow JJA's going down to Truro via Long Rock for a spot of overnight engineering work.It departed Westbury at 18:32 as '6C43'.
..13 september 2018..
70807 brings up the rear of '6F22' the 09:30 engineering train returning from Bedwyn to base here at Westbury.70813 was the lead-loco.
..29 august 2018..
With the B&H closed to normal traffic the only trains running on it were engineering workings going too and coming away from the worksite nr Great Bedwyn.This is '6F22' the 09:30 from Bedwyn back to base at Westbury Up-TC.Top-n-Tailed by 70813 &70807.Pictured here arriving in Westbury from its overnight occupation.
..29 august 2018..
Colas's 70815 rounds the curve at Ladydown in Trowbridge on the approach to bradford-Junction with '6C36' the 12:19 from Westbury-Lefarge returning emptied PCA-tanks back to Aberthaw Cement Works in S-Wales.Apparantly Colas are divesting itself of all work which is not Infrastructure related by the Autumn.I wonder who will take over this duty,GBRf perhaps.It may even revert back to the roads which would be an incredible pity!
..24 july 2018..
Colas's 70802 rolls into Westbury with '6C45' a short term flow from Chipping Sodbury (15:48 off) to Westbury conveying soil waste from the Bristol track quadrupling project below Filton Abbey Wood. The bogie wagons being the very colourful 'Lobsters' coded 'MXA-s'.Seen at Westbury going into the Down Yard off the Trowbridge route.
..27 june 2018..
Here is a nice little bonus working in the hot-hot sunshine we are currently experiencing! This spoil train is running from Chipping Sodbury into Westbury with crap presumably from the quadrupling work going on Filton Abbey Wood down into Bristol. The working '6C45' the 15:48 from Chipping Sodbury with its nice colourful set of 'lobsters' full of spoil dragged by 70802 is seen approaching Westbury at Heywood Village.Annoyingly its passing time is right on the cusp of the sun being at 90 degrees and any delay albeit a few minutes makes it backlit (like this!).
..26 june 2018..
Colas's 70806 powers '6C37' the 15:24 empty cements PCA-s' from Westbury-Lefarge going back to Aberthaw-Cement Works. Seen at Claverton in the wide open spaces of the Limpley Stoke Valley.
..26 june 2018..
A very clean 70803 runs past Church Road in Heywood Village with '6F24' the 07:40 from Filton Abbey Wood back to Westbury Up Yard.This train had been in the occupation to the north of Bristol where the 4-tracks from Bristol-TM to Filton are being restored to use.
..24 june 2018..
Colas-70806 draws '6C37' the 15:24 from Westbury-Lefarge to Aberthaw-CW empty cement tanks across North Somerset Junction in the middle of Bristol. Rumour has it that Colas (as a company) are looking to divest itself of all freight work in the UK apart from Infrastructure Rail Track commitments.If so the sight of these loco's on pure freight workings could well become a thing of the past!
..22 june 2018..
Colas's 70807 heads engineering working '6C40' the 17:31 from Westbury bound for Crediton.The train conprising of 3-sets of HQA's---15 hoppers in all.
..11 june 2018..
Colas's newest GE recruit 70817 runs past Heywood Village with a L/E movement from Westbury-Down Yard (15:15 off) going over to Cardiff-Canton.
..25 april 2018..
A somewhat workstained Colas-70802 motors unusually up the fast line past Alexandra Dock Junction in Newport with its rake of discharged PCA cement tanks from Moorswater (08:16 off) going back to Aberthaw Cement Works as 6B36'.
..19 april 2018..
It's hard to believe that not so long ago locomotives were painted in mostly either plain blue or green.Not so these days.The more garish the better it seems! Here are a few examples! Colas's 70803 and 70813 cosy up to one another whilst GBRf's 66786 and 66732 look on.Seen in the holding sidings adjacent to Eastleigh Station.
..18 april 2018..
The use of a good quality zoom lens enables a second shot of this Colas hauled cement working to be taken making effectively a totally differently composed picture.Also known as a second bite of the cherry! So here is 70817 again with '6C36' to Aberthaw from Westbury-Lefarge passing Freshford.A nice uniform train of 29 tanks making up the working.Sadly a week later Contracters filled this field with a whole load of building materials/porta-cabins and misc junk including an artificial road to commence work on lengthening the station platforms here to allow 5/6-cat Turbo's.This particular scene is now impossible to reproduce---A pity!
..16 february 2018..
Colas's newest GE 70817 hums through the Limpley Stoke Valley at Freshford with '6C36' the 15:24 from Westbury-Lefarge returning 29 empty cement tanks back to Aberthaw cement Works in South Wales.
..16 february 2018..
Colas owned GE-70807 works through Undy with '6B22' the 14:29 from Avonmouth to Aberthaw Power Station.The once common site of endless coal trains working into the nations many coal fired generation stations is slowly slipping into history.Another seven years (2025) and in all probability these movements by rail in the UK will have ceased altogether.Yet another 'end-game' for the railways!
..2 february 2018..
Due to the unexpectedly bright and clear morning it was decided to picture todays '6C36' the 12:38 empty Cement Wagons from Westbury-Lefarge to Aberthaw-Cement Works here at Bradford-on-Avon.GE-70812 was doing the duty today.Sadly a passing Swan had disturbed the surface of the river moments before this train passed otherwise I would have had a near perfect reflection. Still musn't grumble!
30 january 2018..
Colas pairing GE's-70814/70809 run up through an as yet untouched by the local foliage 'cutting-crew' Styles Hill with a returning overnight engineers '6C31' from Hemerdon nr Plymouth up to Westbury-Down Yard.
..14 january 2018..
This is my first shot of 2018! Colas's 70816 along with an unseen 70813 work a long infrastructure train as '6Z29' from Westbury bound for St-Blazey.Now it has been over a fortnight since the Winter-Solstice (21-Dec) shadows should soon start to be significantly shorter as the month wears.By the end of January daylight will have increased by nearly an hour-Roll On!
..5 january 2018..
Colas's 70813 today worked '4C21' the 10:15 empty coal from Aberthaw Power Station to Avonmouth Nat-Pwr Silo No-1.Seen passing Magor in S-Wales heading for the Severn Tunnel.
..27 october 2017..
Colas-GE-70810 dodges the shadows as it motors through Oldfield Park in the western suburbs of Bath Spa.The train being '6C36' the 12:37 discharged cement tanks from Westbury-Lafarge returning to Aberthaw Cement Works for refilling for tomorrows working down to Moorswater in Cornwall.
..19 september 2017..
Colas's 70813 is viewed working '6X34' returning a pair of Rail-Vacs from Exmouth Junction (11:34 off) today as far as Westbury.It was supposed to have happened last week but a brake defect on one of the pair of 'vacs' meant it had to be deferred until repairs were effected.Here it is seen approaching Fairwood Junction nr Westbury in a slight glimmer of weak sun.Pictured because a pair of Noo-Noo's together has got to a quite rare occurance!
..18 september 2017..
Colas GE-70805 comes over the junction at Hawkeridge nr Westbury with '6C36' the 12:37 from Westbury-Lefarge returning empty cement tanks back to Aberthaw Cement Works.A pretty sunless scene which was just as well really because if lit,it would have been totally backlit and flared out!
..15 september 2017..
Colas's 70806 eases round the downhill curve at Ladydown-Trowbridge with '6C36' the 12:37 from Westbury-Lefarge returning discharged cement-tanks to Aberthaw-Cement Works.
..15 august 2017..
'6O31' the 18:12 from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard hauled by 70806 lifts a load that included a small Crane and a long string of empty 'Coalfish' 4-wheelers over the summit of the Upton Scudamore Incline here at Arn Hill nr Warminster.The fields around here now contain acres of ripening corn that will soon be ready for harvesting.
..13 july 2017..
Colas seem to pretty well to have most of the engineering work lately out of the yards at Westbury.Here is GE-70809 with '6C24' the 14:42 from Westbury Up-TC going to Wootton Bassett via Reading to work in the currently closed stretch of track west of there.The train is pictured on the B&H at Cheverell comprising of many 4-wheelers loaded with what appears to be as sand.
..12 july 2017..
Colas-70805 rumbles along the 'up' main with '6C36' the 12:37 empty cement tanks from Westbury-Lefarge going to Aberthaw-CW.Seen at Oldfield Park on the western fringes of Bath-Spa.
..7 july 2017..
70817 Colas's newest GE recruit approaches Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley with '6C20' the 07:30 from Leckwith Junction (nr Cardiff) to Westbury.The load of Schenker-Red Lobsters combined with the '70' making a rather colourful combination!
..18 june 2017..
Colas's well used 70810 brings an empty CWRT up from Saltash (09:10 off) to Westbury.Seen at Master's Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.
..18 june 2017..
Here we have a double helping of Colas-'Newbies'. 70814 and 70817 today lead '6C36' the 12:38 from Westbury-Lefarge returning 14 empty PCA 4-wheel cement tanks back to Aberthaw Cement Works.Pictured passing through the pretty much unsullied station here at Bradford-on-Avon.
..16 june 2017..
Today was finally the day when the weather conditions made the journey to Bristol to picture this working at North Somerset Junction in the City of Bristol worthwhile.The guarantee of a sunny shot being needed to justify the long long walk along the inner-ring road flyover to get to this location.So--here is the latest Colas-GE 70817 still looking pretty much brand new hauling '6C36' the 12:38 from Westbury-Lefarge returning 24 empty 'PCA-s' to Aberthaw Cement Works in S-Wales.A classic location particularly when the train is taking the curve to got via Dr Days Junction directly.
..13 june 2017..
Colas's 70810 rolls slowly down the Bath Goods Loop to await 'time' with '6C36' the 12:48 from Westbury-Lefarge going to Aberthaw Cement Works with discharged cement-tanks.This is a revised schedule and I had failed to notice that this 'stop' here had been added to the timings whereas previously it was on the main going non-stop.Oh dear! I won't make that mistake again!
..9 may 2017..
With all the current interest for Colas-70/8's concentrated on the latest to arrive in the UK (70811-13) the earlier ones that have been around now for over 3 years are looking quite work-stained.Here however is an exception! 70802 has received a pretty thorough 'clean-up' and it certainly shows here partnered with filthy fellow class-member 70806.Seen at Fairwood running as '0F84' the 13:07 away from Westbury going to Cardiff-Canton via Taunton.This rather 'long way round' being due to engineering work in Bath Spa Station to enlarge/modify the platforms there for the new IEP's creating pathing difficulties due to only one line through the station being operational.
..10 april 2017..
A somewhat backlit shot but worth it simply to catch this new locomotive Colas's 70811 returning to Westbury from Bristol-East as '6C25'.This was its first tour of duty ever so a shot was deemed necessary. Location being Clink Road Junction in Frome.Finding a location for a front-end type shot within 40 miles was just not possible so this had to do!
..9 april 2017..
The newest Class-70/8 Number-12 arrives back in Westbury from Tavistock Junction bringing the now repaired 70803 with it. This has been out of commission since late-February last year after being damaged at Ivybridge during an engineering occupation there.The clever staff at Plymouth-Laira having managed to effect the repairs.Whether 70812 settles down to work regularly out of the Colas-Base here at Westbury remains to be seen.This working was listed as '0C20' the 12:28 from Tavistock Junction Yard-Plant Depot to Westbury-Down T-C via Bristol due to the direct line through Castle-Cary still being out of service because of the derailmant at East Somerset Junction.
..23 march 2017..
The diverted 13:45 Exeter-Riverside to Westbury empty stone boxes '6C28' rumbles round the curve at Ladydown with a pair of Colas-70'8's in charge.70806 leads with a failed 70807 tucked inside being returned to base at Westbury. No RTT schedule for this working via Bristol listed but as it was shown as passing Taunton was obviously coming via Bristol.Luckily it passed here minutes before the ever encroaching shadows would have rendered this location 'gone' for the day.A spot of late afternoon sun helped as well!
..22 march 2017..
70808 draws its load of 22 discharged PCA-cement wagons through Trowbridge as '6C36' the returning empties from Westbury-Lafarge (12:20 off) back to Aberthaw-Cement Works.No chance of any light on this today so an opportunity was taken to picture it with the 70/8's orange panel leading on the 'wrong' side..So much more pleasing photographically as the yellow end against the front panel seems to flair out very easily!
..21 march 2017..
Another member of the Colas 'Filth' squad 70804 based here at Westbury returns to home base with Railvac No-4 in tow having just come up from Plymouth via Bristol as '6X54'.The more direct route via Castle-Cary being out of commission for weekend engineering works.
..12 march 2017..
Colas's 70807 drops down from Trowbridge past Ladydown with '6C36' the 12:20 empty PCA cement tanks from Westbury-Lafarge going ack to Aberthaw-CW.This particular loco has been exceptionally filthy now for quite some time and is well due for a spot of body cleansing!
..10 march 2017..
Fresh off the Ship from the USA at Liverpool just a few days ago this is the brand new Colas GE-70812 on its first run in service after arrival at Westbury from the north.With probably just over 200 UK miles on its odometer it is seen cruising through Clink nr Frome working '0Z70' the 11:45 from Westbury-Down TC heading for Tavistock-Junction Plymouth.Judging by the performance of the rest of the Colas fleet of 70/8's it will settle into regular service quite seamlessly!
..8 march 2017..
This is a long-long tele-shot + a severe-frame crop off the end of the platform at Westbury looking at the stabling point for the Colas based locomotives here.The hard-standing the loco's are situated on used to be the covered area of the once quite substantial diesel depot that stood here which was demolished with indecent haste after the Class-59's took over the stone traffic over 20 years ago.70802 leads another pair of 70/8's along with a Colas Gm-66847.Note the piles of chopped rails and concrete sleepers in the Infrastructure processing installation in the background.
..28 february 2017..
Finally I have managed to picture '6C36' the 12:20 from Westbury-Lafarge to Aberthaw-CW empty PCA's in a spot of sun at this now very clear location on the approach to Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley.So no need to bother again,at least for a few months anyway! Traction today is the rather scruffy albeit hard working Colas-70807.The fact that it is fairly grubby is quite good really because these 70/8's with the yellow end leading do tend to flair out very easily if clean losing quite a lot of bodyside detail.
..24 february 2017..
The filth encrusted 70807 again worked '6C36' the 12:20 away from Westbury-Lefarge to Aberthaw-CW returning ther empty PCA's that came in very early this morning for unloading into the storage silo's at the former cement works at Westbury.Here seen speeding through Freshford running to perfect time.Now this duty seems to be consolidated it is currently running like clockwork,always as advised and always to time.
..21 february 2017..
Although there was a couple more engineering trains due past here within an hour of this one sadly the sun was settling on the horizon rendering any further shots out of the question.Oh well,roll on Summer! So here is Colas's 70810 with a couple of sets of 'HQA-s' going to Ashton-Jn in Bristol from Westbury Up-TC (16:48 away) as '6C20. A long tele was needed for this one due to the setting sun.I did my usual trick and left my 70-200L lens at home hence this one is a bit of a crop to compensate. I never learn!!!!!
..18 february 2017..
This pair of hard working Colas-70's are seen scuttling back to base at Westbury-Down-TC from Cardiff-Canton Sidings as '0F75'.The filthier 70807 was leading whilst the more clean one was 70808.
..18 february 2017..
One of the very few bright spots in the current local railway scene is the emergence of this now regular flow of cement products and return from Aberthaw-Cement Works to the former Works at Westbury.It goes there for distribution purposes and basically replaces the now lost production from that closed facility.This particular working being '6C37' the 15:28 off returning 19 discharged PCA's back to Aberthaw.Today the rather grubby 70807 was doing the duty.It is seen approaching Yarnbrook nr Trowbridge in just a glimmer of late afternoon sunlight.
..17 february 2017..
'6C36' the 12:20 from Westbury Cement Works Sidings to Aberthaw Cement Works hauled by a fairly clean 70810 runs through Avoncliff in the Limpley Stoke Valley.Load was a fairly lengthy empty set of 21 PCA type 4-wheeler cement tanks.Currently this is the newest 70/8 in use with Colas.This is set to change shortly with 70811 and 70812 en-route from the USA currently.
..7 february 2017..
Having called into this location at Avoncliff Halt just to check out the latest efforts of the tree clearing gangs I recorded the passing of this pair of Colas-70's 70808/70802 working '0F74' from Canton back to base at Westbury.All pretty dark ([email protected] 3200-iso) but I was there anyway!
..27 january 2017..
Colas's 70802 again was in charge of the Aberthaw Cement Works to Westbury-Lefarge and return delivery run.Here it is as the returning '6C36' 12:20 away from Westbury-Lefarge to Aberthaw. Load being 21 PCA 4-wheelers.Pictured rounding the recently cleared embankment on the approach to Freshford Station in the Limpley Stoke-Valley.Although it was slightly misty still even at 12:50 it had dispersed enough to make the shot well worthwhile.Another 'tick in the box' as far as this working is concerned!
..24 january 2017..
At last! After several attempts I have managed a sunny shot of the Westbury-Lefarge to Aberthaw Cement Works train '6C36'. Amazingly it actually depart Westbury R/T at 12:20 and with a cloudless sky I knew it was going to be a successful try today.Here we have Colas's GE-70802 crossing the River Avon at Bradford-on-Avon with its train of PCA 4-wheeler cement tanks.Sadly only a pair of tanks can be seen here but that is the penalty you pay if you want this 'bridge' shot. No complaints from me on that score. I can try further down the Valley for this working now that this location has been nailed.
..20 january 2017..
Dire lighting for this shot 1600-iso 640th@F4 but seeing it was a daylight run of the loaded cement nominally from Aberthaw but actually according to the schedule '6Z70' the 10:37 from Barry Island-Colas-Rail to Westbury-Lafarge it was worth braving the dullness and rain for! So here is 70807 with its train of 19 'PCA-s' all looking rather damp rounding the curve at Ladydown on the approach to Trowbridge.Interestingly there is nothing in the system listed for a return working,certainly in the next 3 days anyway! Footnote-----Apparantly after the cement is off loaded the wagons are to remain in the old Cement Works in storage,hence no return path!
..6 january 2017..
Colas-70810 ambles up the 'main' at Circourt Bridge under the ugly 'meccano' that is supposed to represent progress in this railways development! Me? I am not convinced this mess was the way to go however the damage is now largely done so gawd help us! The working is '6M50' the 07:55 from Westbury to Bescot.In fact it was curtailed at Oxford-Hinksey c/w its light loading of just five OCA/OBA's.
..2 january 2017..
Colas's 70801 'The Turk' ambles through an autumnal Great Cheverell kitted out with the 'RILA' equipment.That stands for 'Rail Infrastructure aLignment Acquisition'.It is also known as the Fugro raildata automated rail geometry testing equipment.It departed Westbury at 08:28 earlier this morning and spent several hours scooting up and down between Frome and Newbury before returning to Westbury later that afternoon.
..16 november 2016..
70807 draws its still loaded CWR-Train up towards Fairwood-Junction nr Westbury at Masters Crossing.This working '6C97' departed Plymouth at 09:00 and passed this position minutes after the superb morning sunshine had dissolved into the crud you see here.Oh well,it's only a Colas-70!
..6 november 2016..
An ever-reliable but fairly work-stained 70807 runs through Trowbridge at Dursley Road with '6C97' the 08:20 from Crediton to Westbury-UP TC. This ran via Bristol instead of the more direct route via Castle-Cary.The load was an empty CWR (It dropped the rails overnight).Note the forgotten tail-light still on the front lamp-iron.70809 was T-n-T on the rear but of course from this positioning remained unseen.
..9 october 2016..
70807 a Colas-GE runs back up through Clink nr Frome with its now empty CWR-train having done an overnight rail drop somewhere west of Totnes in Devon.Its headcode was '6C97' and it departed Totnes to return to Westbury Dn-TC at 08:30 this morning.
..18 september 2016..
'6M50' runs eastwards through Swindon on '6M50' the 07:55 from Westbury going to Bescot Engineering Sdg's.This is a regular Colas-'70' duty.Todays choice off the line at Westbury is 70807 looking quite clean bodywise anyway.Load is just a long set of JNA's.
..13 septembher 2016..
The former 70099-Turkish Construction-Kit now renumbered as 70801 cruises through Ashbury's Crossing with an extreemly lightly loaded '6M50' the 07:55 from Westbury going to Bescot.Note how now at the end August the shadows here have lengthened quite considerably.Sadly this is (for sure) the final summer that this location will be free of the ugly over sized masts being used on the ill-fated GWR-Mainline electrification.
..30 august 2016..
Colas 'Hire-In' 70802 (The one with no numbers on the front of one end!) comes up through Frome past a now extreemly overgrown Styles Hill on the Avoiding line there.It was working a Schenker duty to Exeter and is viewed returning the empties as '7C28' the 13:45 from Riverside Yard to Westbury.
..25 july 2016..
This is an STP working from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MCT.It departed there as '4Z70' at 15:37.Freightliner having to 'hire-in' Colas-70809 which was sent from Westbury earlier to do the duty.Here it is seen lifting its heavy fully loaded container train up the Upton Scudamore Incline at Old Dilton.It is captured in a bit of weak sun which is unbelievable as it had been unbroken sun for 2 days.Sod's law as usual produced a small clump of cloud just at the wrong moment (As ever).
20 july 2016..
A rather clean Colas-70808 works '6C22' as it growls through Lacock on the Melksham line going to Chippenham from Westbury (18:29 off) to an engineering worksite east of Chippenham.Train was a few sets of MRA-side tippers.
..02 july 2016..
Colas-70802 comes up through Berkley Marsh with a returning CWR-Train that went down to Truro the previous evening.Anticipation was high for that shot at Blatchbridge-Jn but the damned thing was running 25 minutes early and I missed it by 30 seconds---Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr..Anyway here is the returning '6C97' that left Par at 05:21 going to Westbury Down Yard-TC.No mistakes this morning as I was able to track it rather more accurately.
..06 june 2016..
This working '6O30' the 17:30 from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard is such a sparodic runner that most of the time I cannot be bothered to try for it.However thanks to Richard Sulzmann posting that it was sat ready to go from Westbury Down-Yard a quick trip up to Arn Hill Bridge (Granada) nr Warminster produced this effort.Rather back-lit I know but I wanted to picture the rapidly fading Oil-Seed Rape in the background before it went completely.Loco is the 'Turk' 70801 with a longish string of 'JNA-s'
..02 june 2016..
70809 apparantly was a late substitute for 47739 on this overnight duty from Westbury to Totnes and return.That was a pity because unlike last weekend it was brilliant sunshine all day.No matter. Here is that Colas 'GE' dragging the 'RailVac' KFA7095150048 back to Westbury from Aish Emergency Crossing nr Totnes.The duty '6X54' was nearly 2 hours late departing due to the lack of an available driver at its booked departure time.Thus causing several passenger train delays due to the line being blocked by it.Here viewed running up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Of coarse if it had run to time the light here would have been at a much better angle.
..29 may 2016..
Tonight the '6O31' Colas engineering working from Westbury (17:30 off) to Eastleigh -East Yard actually ran for a change! It is seen passing a very colourful Heytesbury in the Wylye-Valley with GE-70807 hauling just four older style 'Seacow'ballast hoppers.
..26 may 2016..
Colas-70807 rolls up through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with a CWR which was still pretty much still fully loaded running as '6C97' the 05:10 from Par to Westbury.This slightly 'tele' shot being forced upon me by a speeding Salisbury to Yeovil SWT-ECS 159 which was only just out of shot. 500 m'secs later the freight was completely blotted out!
..19 may 2016..
This working '6C20' followed '6C22' running about an hour behind it as it was approaching Westbury. This one was booked 09:37 away from Alstone Level Crossing nr Cheltenham following the same route via Swindon (reversal).70804 was leading yet more loaded spoil wagons with 70806 in T-n-T mode on the rear.Also towards the rear were some nice new Schenker-Red 'Lobster' bogies but from here unfortunately are practically out of sight.Location is again Hawkeridge on the approach to the junction there.
..17 april 2016..
'6C22' the 09:00 from Alstone Level Crossing nr Cheltenham to Westbury via Swindon rolls past Hawkeridge on the approach to journeys-end at Westbury. Colas-GE-70802 with its long train of MHA's loaded with spent ballast was doing the duty.
..17 april 2016..
70099 the former 'Green-Turk' but now just plain old Colas-70801 drones up through Old-Dilton with '6O31' the 17:28 away from Westbury going to Eastleigh-East Yard.Amazingly today it actually had a load whereas the previous two evenings it was just a light engine! Lighting wasn't too great but just enough to highlight the loco and the cranes in behind it plus the additional string of JNA's loaded with spoil.
..14 april 2016..
A filthy looking Colas-70807 runs slowly over the viaduct on the approach to Bath-Spa with an engineering train '6C24' from Hinksey yard in Oxford heading into the still closed section of line between here and Bristol with a load of fresh ballast materials being used to relay the sections of track that are being lowered to allow electrification of the route under certain 'listed' bridges that could not be destroyed in the name of progress.Viewed from Alexandra-Park whick overlooks the entire City of Bath.
..09 april 2016..
Colas GE-pairing 70804/70806 whisks its lightly loaded '6O31' up the Upton-Scudamore Incline with no effort whatsoever.Three Seacows and a few MHA Coalfish 4-wheelers being the easy load.Luckily I actually arrived here with seemingly 30 minutes to go before the expected passing of this working.However an early departure from Westbury bound for Eastleigh meant I only had to wait less than 5 minutes before it powered by..Now that was lucky, and the sun was shining!
..06 april 2016..
The fairly clean looking Colas-GE 70806 speeds up through Old Dilton with '6O31' the 17:30 from Westbury heading for Eastleigh.Tonights featherweight load being just one set of 5 'HQA's.
..05 april 2016..
Colas-GE 70804 powers '6C21' the 11:20 from Acton-West going to Westbury with a load of scrap track-panels.It is passing Brimslade Farm on the B&H which is an area famous for its ancient woodlands.Many trees at this location including the one visible in this picture are known to be over 400 years old.
..25 march 2016..
For some reason this working '6X23' was held on the mainline between Somerton and Castle-Cary for over 40 minutes.Anyway it eventually arrived here at Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a brief splash of sun rewarding the long cold wait!.Turkish assembled 70801 (nee 70099) was leading with 70807 somewhere in the distance.The 'X' element of this train, the 10:00 from Exeter St Thomas to Westbury Down-TC was the 'Point Carriers' that are just visible in the middle of the consist.
..28 february 2016..
Colas's rather grimy 70806 comes off that Companies staging area here at Westbury in readiness to depart a few minutes later as '0Z70' ?? the 14:18 from here going to Southampton-Maritime.Apparantly Freightliner are a bit short on GE-power at the moment and have hired this one in as cover.I expect to see several reports of those workings in the next few days!
..22 january 2016..
Colas's 70809 sits in Westbury about to depart the Up-Yard with '6C20' the 19:19 from here going to Dawley-Loop just east of West-Drayton.Load was fresh ballast and several bogies-flats for old recovered rail track panels.
..13 november 2015..
This morning, representatives of four freight companies Schenker/GBRf/ Freightliner and Colas were present in Westbury,a total of thirteen locomotives were present in the yards.Seven of them were Colas Class-70's! Here all of those GE's are seen with five being parked in the nominal Colas-Depot that has been set up here for day to day servicing and refuelling. It is a supreme irony that a fully equipped Diesel Depot that was on that site c/w full servicing and staff facilities was flattened about 20 years ago.Now all Colas have is a concrete-pad siding.Another victory for the railways bean counters and demolition crews! 70808 and 70803 are in the foreground whilst 70801 (the Turkish assembled version previously numbered 70099) heads the row of five others.
..05 november 2015..
The incredibly dull late october weather lingers on.At least this pair of brightly coloured Colas 'light-engines' show up well in the 800asa darkness! This is 70802 with 60096 in tow going to Cardiff-Canton from Westbury.It departed there at 12:00 working as '0F84'.Viewed slowing for Bradford-Junction at Ladydown nr Trowbridge.
27 october 2015..
'6C21', yet another saturday evening engineers out of Westbury going to Cornwall.This 18:26 departure was heading for Lostwithiel and 70809 was travelling solo! Pictured from Berkley Marsh where an even longer telephoto was required to eliminate the dark shadows from the frame of the shot.The loading and consist of this working was identical to that of the '6C22' that passed ahead of it just 40 minutes previously!
..12 september 2015..
'Colas' Top-n-Tail pairing of 70802 and 70807 sandwich a rake of twelve 'JNA-s' as '6C22' the 17:28 (But left 20 mins down due to a late running HST) departure from Westbury going to Largin.Seen at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Despite it only being 18:00 or so the rapidly lengthening shadows required the use of of a short telephoto to overcome them.
..12 september 2015..
Yet another engineering working from the Bath/Bathampton worksite returns back to base at Westbury.This one is the 08:29 from Bath-Spa to Westbury Down-TC going via Taunton.Colas GE-70807 is seen passing Malago-Vale west of Bristol on its 100 mile + journey to get back to base,a distance 'As the crow flies' of just 20 miles!
..28 august 2015..
Smokey 70804 soaks up the last few minutes of todays sunshine as it rolls slowly through Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with '6T55' the 19:31 from Westbury going to Bath-Spa via Taunton.Its wagon load was a long string of empty MTA/MHA's in readiness for collection of spent ballast in the Bathampton area. It passed here at about 10mph,a far cry from a note on RTT which indicated this working had a timed top speed of 134mph????????
..16 august 2015..
A rather workstained Colas-GE 70802 brings engineering working '6C35' into Westbury from Slough-West (14:58 off).Its load being now empty 'JNA-s'
..21 june 2015..
Colas's 70810 which is the newest pure-freight locomotive currently operating in the UK draws slowly up to the summit of the Upton-Scudamore Incline with '6031' the 17:34 from Westbury heading for Eastleigh.Its load this evening is spent ballast heading for reprocessing down at Eastleigh.
..15 june 2015..
70803 t-n-t with 70809 sandwiching a Kirow-Crane passes a nice selection of Blackthorn bushes now in full flower at Berkley-Marsh nr Frome.This is '6C21' the 17:47 from Westbury heading for an overnight occupation in the Truro area of Cornwall.Use of a longish telephoto-zoom lens enables a couple of shots of the same working to be taken,each producing a completely different composition.
..16 may 2015..
This is '6C21' a Westbury to Truro engineering working top-n-tailed by 70803 and 70809.Sandwiched between JNA's loaded with ballast was a beefy looking Kirow-Crane.The set-up was seen passing down through Berkley-March nr Frome shortly after departing Westbury at 16:47.
..16 may 2015..
Colas's 70808 throbs away as it climbs Upton Scudamore Incline here passing Old Dilton with it load of sleeper bogie-flats and various 4-wheelers.This working is '6O31' which for a change actually departed Westbury heading for Eastleigh pretty much right-time for a change.As can be seen the field is being prepped for its 3rd year as a Maize Crop.Pretty scary stuff when it is 8ft tall and a little damp! At least the farmar cannot see you in his field then so you can relax a bit!
..22 april 2015..
Here is the 07:55 from Westbury going to Bescot.(These early mornings are killing me!).Todays loco is a fairly work-stained 70802 dragging a load of mainly JNA's filled with spent ballast and a few bogie-flat track panel carriers.The train is passing an as yet unsullied Compton Beauchamp.For sure this will be the final summer such an unobstructed view will be possible here.Pretty soon the ugly Piles will start to appear then the dreaded Masts.Hence my many visits to this area in the past few months.Still as they say,once it's gone it's gone!
..22 april 2015..
Westbury Yard seems to have become the main hub for the fleet of Colas-70/8s.Sometimes as many as six are present!.This working '6O30' the 17:34 from Westbury to Eastleigh-East Yard is one that these loco-types seem to have a virtual monopoly on (Except last week but that is another story!). Here are 70810 and 70808 with a moderate train of loaded JNA type bogie low-boxes.Here crawling up through Old Dilton going very slowly considering the none to heavy train on the hook behind.
..20 april 2015..
'The Turk' formally 70099 but now running as 70801 ambles down through Bourton on a L/E move from Oxford-Hinksey (11:51 off) going to Westbury as '0F75'.The only consolation for a lack of a load was the immaculate state of the paintwork after it had received what is probably its annual clean up and polish!
..14 april 2015..
Grubby 70802 lifts '6O31' up Upton Scudamore Incline running as usual about 10 minutes or so earlier than its nominal departure time from Westbury heading for Eastleigh.An interesting load this evening, a large heavy duty crane + a set of 5 HQA's + about 1/2 a dozen of the old-order---Seacows! A pity they were on the rear.
..09 april 2015..
After seeing this working arriving at Westbury about 50 minutes earlier and knowing it was booked to stop there for a while a steady drive for 15 miles down the Wylye-Valley got me to this location in plenty of time.The place is in fact the actual village of Wylye.So here is '6C30' from Claydon L.N.E Junc to Eastleigh running fairly slowly right behind '6O41' which has passed eight minutes earlier.70809 was still leading with a distant 70805 at the rear of this CWR-train. Photographically I think these 70/8's picture much better when the orange-end is leading.There is less tendancy for the cab area to become overexposed!
..09 april 2015..
'6C30' with 70809 leading and 70805 on the rear of this TnT empty CWT has come from Claydon-L.N.E Junc (01:30 off) and after a brief stop in Westbury will continue on to its destination Eastleigh-East Yard.Here it is seen approaching Westbury at Hawkeridge.
..09 april 2015..
The former 'Turkish Demonstrator-70099' ended up as 70801 in the Colas-fleet of 10 GE's.Here is the freshly spruced up 70801 climbing the Upton-Scudamore Incline on the early running '6O31' consisting of loaded 'JNA-s' full of spent ballast.It nominally departing Westbury at 17:34 for Eastleigh-East Yard.In practice it regularly leaves at least 10 to15 minutes early and consequently never seems to show up on RTT until it has reached Warminster,a full 20 minutes into its journey! All very confusing!
..08 april 2015..
Todays '6M50' from Westbury going to Bescot was hauled by 70803 looking almost as smart as it did when originally introduced into service just over a year ago.It appears to have been subjected to a much needed 'heavy clean' after its first year in service with little or no attention whatsoever with a cleaning rag! Here it is passing a still unsullied Compton-Beaucamp east of Shrivenham.Probably this time next year this view will be completely ruined by the ridiculously over-engineered and not to mention un-necessary OHLE which is unfortunately coming...Like it or not!
..08 april 2015..
Todays '6O31' from Westbury going to Eastleigh again ran about 15 minutes before its booked time-slot with no updates on RTT until well after it had passed Warminster,about 20 minutes into its journey.Unlike yesterday this loco 70802 was decidedly grubby and in need of some TLC.So here it is with its long train of fully loaded with spent ballast 'JNA-s'.Viewed at Arn Hill off the A350 road bridge there.
..07 april 2015..
More often than not this working '6O31' ends up as simply a loco movement '0O31' but today even more amazingly as it was a Bank-Holiday it actually ran as a loaded freight!...Which was nice! Here is a recently spruced-up almost immaculate 70803 dragging a long rake of Network-Rail Side-Tippers.Old-Dilton is again the location but as this was really the target for the visit is the final picture here of the sequence taken.
..06 april 2015..
43130 stands ready to depart from Westbury with '1C94' the 18:35 from Paddington to Plymouth.In the background in the well lit sidings surrounding the Virtual Quarry there stands a dormant Colas-70804 and an unidentified '153 BugBox.
..20 march 2015..
Today was a delayed start for '6M50' out of Westbury.It departed at 11:25 and was re-routed via Bristol and Gloucester regaining its original route at Stoke Works-Jn on its journey to Bescot.A fairly clean looking 70803 was in charge of its load of 15 'HQA-s'.Here it is passing Coalpit Heath in the northern outskirts of Bristol.
..06 march 2015..
Colas-GE 70809 rumbles through the centre-road under the overall roof at Bristol Temple Meads with an empty set of coal bogie hoppers coming from Gloucester-Yard from where it departed at 14:34 as '4V78', heading for Portbury Coal Terminal (Colas).It was pretty dire light given the overhead conditions requiring a setting of 1000ASA to have even half a chance of stopping the action!
..19 february 2015..
The reguler duty for one of the Westbury based Colas-70/8's is the 07:55 from there up to Bescot Engineering Sidings.Todays Loco was 70807 with just one set of 'HQA-s' as the load.Note how the ballast chutes can and are left either stowed away or left in the deployed position.Policy? or just sloppy workmanship! The train is seen passing South-Marston shortly after departing Swindon.A new location for me this but as it is so open I would guess it is best not to hang about too long here or some over pro-active HST driver will report a possible suicide situation!!!!!!!
..18 february 2015..
GE-70803 with the Turkish 'Airfix-Kit' 70801 along for company runs up through Fairwood-Junction with a L/E movement from Exeter-Riverside (09:00 off) back to base at Westbury.Note the contracters sitting in their van supping coffee.I was there, stood in the freezing cold for over an hour. Naturally they remained in their seats at all times.!!!!!!
..06 february 2015..
Colas seem to have made Westbury the home-base for a portion of their new Class70/8 fleet.There is always at least a couple within the yard confines parked up somewhere.Today 70803 and 70809 have full occupancy of the short loco siding just off the platforms at Westbury Station.Although less that a year old these now seemingly quite reliable machines do not often get cleaned,indeed they are now becoming pretty grubby!
..27 january 2015..
Colas seem to have taken over from DCR some of the stock movements concerning this contraption known as the 'Swedish-Railvac'.Here is 70804 with Railvac-3 ( It seems there are now 3 in the country) coming back up from Goodrington Sands nr Paignton (Dep at 11:45) as '6C51' travelling only as far as Westbury.Here it is slowing at Fairwood on the approaches to Westbury-Yard.
..26 january 2015..
The Gala continues! T-n-T by 70804 leading with the 'Turk' 70801 on the rear '6C26' from Penwithers-Junction (05:00 off) passes a rather dull Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Load was 3 sets of 5-HQA's.
..25 january 2015..
The nine Seacows full of ballast seen yesterday T-n-T at Worting-Junction going to Yeovil-Pen Mill were obviously not required as this morning as 70806 brought them back from the worksite unused.Here '6C13' passes Clink Road-Junction in Frome heading eventually for Eastleigh.Lighting was appalling requiring 1600 asa and very marginal [email protected] to grab this rather grainy shot.Such a pity as it was due to be a bit of a 'Colas' Gala this morning with five engineers trains from that Company due in less than 2 hours!
..25 january 2015..
This saturday overnight engineering working '6C14' operated by Colas originated at Eastleigh departing at 12:06,It first went to Woking where it reversed and is seen here at Worting Junction heading eventually to Yeovil-Pen Mill via Salisbury and Wesbury.It was an interesting combination of the old and the new.70806 was leading with 70809 on the back sandwiching nine old style ballast discharge Seacows.Nice to see some of these old stagers still doing a good job of work.Perhaps there is a bit of a shortage of available HQA's!
..24 january 2015..
With Freight pretty much absent from the local network Westbury Yard was chock full of locomotives waiting for things to liven up at the beginning of next week.With Schenker's 66144 looking on the rest of the scene here is dominated by engines bearing the Colas-Livery.GE-70805 was the nearest with a couple more led by 70808 first in line down on the relaid concrete pad track that used to be at old Westbury-Diesel Depot (I bet they wish it was still there now!). Hiding behind those two were 60076 and 60085.60085 was the one making all the exhaust smoke as it had just started up for probably the first time since the 27th of December,nearly a week ago.I presume they departed Westbury on a VSTP that popped up shortly after the booked working to Doncaster as cancelled.....This left in the dark at 16:30.I left at 15:00........
..02 january 2014..
Again today like yesterday I went out early at Stupid-o-clock to get to Didcot to picture '6M50' from Westbury to Bescot with hopefully a pair of Colas-60s in charge.Once again that failed to occur (Along with the forecast early morning sunlight|). So I had to settle for GE-70808 with this long rake of side-tippers instead.Here it is seen slowly negotiating the West-curve at Didcot as it turns north there.It may have been rather cloudy but the temperature was well below 0-degrees-C as is evident from the state of the bushes and ballast.
30 december 2014..
This working,the 08:58 from Aberthaw-PS to Gloucester-Yard ended up running three hours later than planned hence another visit to Pilning was necessary! Here is Colas-70804 powering up the incline away from the Severn-Tunnel at Pilning Station in the very low afternoon light although it was still only 14:40! Some ground frost is still evident where the winter sun had failed to reach!
..29 december 2014..
After the previous weekends engineering works had brought a pair of Colas-60's to Westbury it was assumed they would be quickly despatched back north again on '6M50' to Bescot on the Monday. Well no! Four days later on the 31st they are still parked up in Westbury-Yard going against all the local perceived wisdom! So it was 70809 (Note the frost crust on the roof) allocated to it now running as '6X50' due to the inclusion of a set of Point-Carriers.Viewed here in the now quite strong morning sunlight passing Bourton at just 09:13 in the morning in sub-zero conditions.
..29 december 2014..
Workstained Colas-70809 rounds the curve on the approach to Westbury with '6C23',an engineering working from Ruscombe east of Reading due originally to depart at 06:26.Thankfully it was nearly 2 hours later than planned.Hence the opportunity here at Hawkeridge for a relatively shadowless shot! The load consisted of recovered track sections destined for deconstruction and scrapping in the depot in Westbury Yard.
..27 december 2014..
Although it was only 14:15 in the afternoon the low sun was already causing difficulties with lengthening shadows.Luckily it was still ok for this shot. So here is 70806 rolling extreemly slowly up to an adverse signal that is protecting Fairwood-Junction (An HST from Paddington was due).The train is the 14:15 Westbury to Exeter-Riverside loaded ballast,obviously for weekend engineering work further south.I did attempt to chase it to Frome but arrived about a minute too late due to being stuck behind an incredibly slow person who though his car only had 3 gears! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
..14 november 2014..
70806 had only arrived at Westbury from Exeter less than a hour ago and now it is off back down there again with a freshly loaded train of ballast.This working was booked off Westbury at 14:15 heading for Riverside Yard in Exeter.Again it is a set of EWS 4-wheelers! Picture taken across the recently pruned hedgerow at Fairwood.
..14 november 2014..
Colas's 70806 brings '6C26' through Fairwood going to Westbury.It departed Exeter-Riverside an hour later than its booked departure time of 10:32.Of note is all the wagons it is hauling are labelled as EWS!
..14 november 2014..
Colas GE-70802 misses the full sunlight by seconds as it passes Berkley-Marsh wih '6C21' from Cogload-Junction going back up to Westbury.Interestingly this loco seems to have lost its number off the frontend. Perhaps it never ever had one?
..19 october 2014..
Regretfully the occasional sunny periods that appeared at odd times today did not coincide with this mega working.'6C29' from Exeter-Riverside going to Westbury via Bristol.However it is included due to its interesting combination of Colas locomotives. 70803 leads with 66850/66848 and 66846 DIT along with a long rake of JNA's is seen passing White Horse Business Park nr Trowbridge.This spot was chosen because 'if' the sun had been out it would have shown the whole train pretty much unobstructed with the front-end lit as well..Ah-Well life goes on!
..09 october 2014..
'6C00' the 15:39 from Eastleigh to St Erth CWR-Train having now reversed at Westbury had 70807 leading for this leg of the journey.70808 just being visible on the rear. Berkley-Marsh nr Frome is the location.
..10 september 2014..
70808 heads '6C00' from Eastleigh going to St Erth in Cornwall.The train comprising of a loaded CWR.70807 was on the rear as well.It is seen passing Codford in the Wylye-Valley.The formation will reverse at Westbury prior to continuing on down west.
..10 september 2014.. Footnote----This is the first shot taken with my new EOS-7D as a replacement for my faithful older 40D model.Did I notice any quantum leap in quality ????????-No not really!
The working '6Z30' ran today and for a change actually had a reasonable load.Here are70806 and 70810 with 30 'Coalfish' 4-wheelers loaded with spent ballast approaching Redbridge nr Southampton.The lengthening shadows show how the year is now grinding on,not helped by the fact that this train today was nearly 20 minutes late! However even at 19:05 it was still a bright enough scene!
..22 august 2014..
Hooray! At last a '70' with a decent load on '6Z30' the 17:26 from Westbury going to Eastleigh. Here is a positively gleaming 70810 with a goodly load including 10 HQA's and some misc 4-wheelers climbing Upton-Scudamore Incline at Old Dilton. Now I have finally achieved a pretty decent shot here I won't be back until the 8ft high maize jungle has been harvested.Getting to the lineside was a real struggle and we were well covered with a good layer of green pollen like dust off the seedpods.
..29 july 2014..
Colas 'newbie' 70804 rolls slowly up to Hawkeridge-Junction nr Westbury with the 08:15 Infrastructure CWR train from Dolphin-Junction (nr Slough) to Westbury.
..27 july 2014..
70808 eases through Steventon west of Didcot with a lightweight '6M50' from Westbury to Bescot.The load looking to be recovered steel sleepers from the Track Recovery Depot now in use at Westbury.
..22 july 2014..
At last I have finally got a shot of a Colas-70 with the sun on the nose here at Old Dilton just south of Westbury.This is virtually the only place between Westbury and Eastleigh where a shot with light on the front is possible.I have left it so long because I have no wish to be confronted by the local 'angry' farmer who has let it be known photographers are not welcome here.However now the Maize crop in approaching 6ft high this affords plenty of natural cover for the odd covert shot or two! So here is 70806 with just DB979607,a piece of trackplant in tow passing Old Dilton on '6Z30' going to Eastleigh from Westbury Yard.
..09 july 2014..
Today I took my little 250 'Honda for a Wander' down to the Southampton area.The final working of a long mixed fortune day to be pictured was this one '6Z30' the 17:26 off Westbury going to Eastleigh East Yard.After some confusion about it being just a light-engine it actually departed with this fully loaded-load of side-tippers.Also to add more interest it was headed by 70810 the newest and currently final member of the new Colas 70/8 fleet. Here the working is seen approaching Redbridge running a few minutes behind schedule.The sunlight is unfortunately not quite on the front-end but after this working has passed Old-Dilton nr Westbury it never is again for its entire journey to Eastleigh. ..12 june 2014..
Something 'Colas' seem to be pretty good at is moving their new fleet of 70/8's around in block light-engine movements.Here is a further example of that habit.70805/70804 and 70808 roll through Broughton Gifford on '0Z72' from Westbury going to Oxford-Hinksey in readiness for overnight engineering trains out of that location.A going-away shot was necessary as by this time in the evening (19:45) the front ends would have been virtually black!
..07 june 2014..
After the previous 'grabbed' tele-shot here is the 'standard' lens shot of '7C21' hauled by Colas-70805 coming from Gaer-Junction in Newport to Westbury.Location once again Hawkeridge and for once the clouds were kind and allowed the picture in fairly decent light albeit rather high in the sky!
..25 may 2014..
Barely 10 minutes behind the Freightliner hauled train from Ashchurch was this working from Gaer-Junction in Newport.It was reporting as '7C21' and being drawn by the very new 70805 still looking quite smart in the (now common around Westbury) yellow/orange of the Colas Company. This train was also terminating at Westbury just around the corner from here at Hawkeridge. The load appeared to be some kind of crane and a load of recovered track panels.
..25 may 2014..
This is the 17:24 departure from Westbury going to St Erith '6C65' top-n-tailed by 70807 and 70804.Seen passing through Clink nr Frome heading for the far west.This is this brand new locomotives first journey westward out of Westbury.It arrived there about 2 weeks ago but promptly went straight to Eastleigh with a problem that needed fixing..Now returned to service this is its first real job...lets hope it behaves itself!
..15 may 2014..
After last nights farce where the booked Colas hauled CWR was missing one of its pair of loco's then it was realised the train was formed backwards. resulted in it being cancelled,tonights effort was much better organised .In fact it departed Westbury going to St Erith slightly ahead of time.Here is '6C65' with the Colas-Combo 70807 leading with 70804 on the rear sandwiching just one set of HQA-s. Just like this morning the lower light was superb helped nicely by the good showing of flowering Blackthorn here at Clink nr Frome.
..15 may 2014..
Hope were high for a superb shot of this loco-Brand New 70806 departing Westbury going to Bescot on '6M50'.Unbelievable for the first time since Colas took over this duty several months ago it was to be '0Z50' that passed me.To say I was a little irratated was an under statement.Apparantly it called in at Hinksey-Oxford on the way and collected a lengthy set of wagons...Not much good to me here at Hawkeridge!
..15 may 2014..
Colas's 70804 was certainly making a bit more noise this evening with this load of three sets of five-HQA's all fully loaded with ballast.This working '6Z30' from Westbury to Eastleigh is currently an almost solid '70/8' working.However things are set to change in the future with these locomotives looking to have a future quite a bit further north....Oh dear! I suppose we will have to put up with 37's/56's and possibly 60's.I think we will be able to cope with that!
..09 may 2014..
This working '6Z70' was originally booked to depart Bristol-Kingsland Road going to Eastleigh-Trmsd at 10:00 this morning but due to problems with some of the wagons (Paperwork apparantly) it didn't actually get on the move until 14:00. Consequently it was a bit of a rush to get somewhere suitable before its arrival having less than 30 minutes warning thinking it was caped for the day.Anyway after eventually arriving here after trying two other bridges with no chance of sun my luck was in! Slightly backlit but just about OK.Amazingly it appeared in the distance less than 30 seconds after I arrived. So here is 70804 with ten log-carriers that look like they have never actually been used passing Norton-Bavant south of Warminster.
..30 april 2014..
The American-GE manufactured former 70099 that was assembled in Turkey now runs as 70801 and operated by Colas powers up the Frome Avoiding Line with '6C29' from Newton Abbot-Hackney Yard (13:29 off) going to Westbury. Load consisting of a long train of Network Rail -side tippers.
..25 april 2014..
Still looking pretty smart two of GE's finest ????? 70803 and 70804 heads '6Z30 ,the 17:26 from there to Eastleigh over the crest of Upton-Scudamore Incline at Arn-Hill nr Warminster.The lead loco last week was involved in a minor derailmant of this self same train when several 4-wheelers came off the road as the working was leaving the yard at Westbury.The engine itself was undamaged.
..16 april 2014..
'6M50' continues to produce a regular diet of new Colas Class-70's on this working.Today it was the turn of 70803 to head the train.Here it is with its long uniform trainset of 'JNA' bogie wagons passing through the long abandoned Shrivenham Station. Locally (Westbury Area at least)-these new locomotives seem to have acquired the nickname of Warthogs.
..15 april 2014..
Today '6M50' from Westbury going to Bescot produced just one '70' instead of a seemingly more regular pair.Here is the Colas 70804 speeding through Challow having omitted to take the loop as usual here.Not only that it didn't stop at Swindon either so by the time it passed here is was nearly 30 minutes early.Indeed when it turned north at Didcot it was over 40 minutes ahead of schedule.All in vain of course as it arrived at Bescot exactly on time!
..14 april 2014..
Here is the stricken '6Z31' working hauled by 70803 that became derailed as it was departing the Down-Yard at Westbury hoping to get to Eastleigh.The locomotive and two sets of side-tippers look to be ok so presumably one or more of the 'MTA/MHA' type 4-wheelers tagged on the rear must have jumped the track on the pointwork where the Down-Yard exit road joins the mainline.Obviously everything was on 'All Stop' and shortly afterwards' SLW' was instigated around the luckless 70+train. 4 hours later it had still not moved but by next morning the track was cleared.The line in the foreground is the Westbury Avoider,note the down formation is very rusty.This is because it has been out of use now for several months due to a severe embankment slip close to Station Road in Westbury.That has been a major repair operation and looks to be nearing completion shortly. ..09 april 2014..
For me at last a shot of '6M50' the 07:55 from Westbury to Bescot engineers train in pretty much perfect early morning light.Today was the turn of a pair of the still shiny looking Colas Class-70's,numbers 70805 and 70803.It's rather curious that these brand new locomotives seem to work quite regularly in pairs???? Anyway here the train is seen passing the still unsullied Compton-Beauchamp just east of Shrivenham.
.. 08 april 2014..
Shiny new 70804 sparkles in the late afternoon sun as it rolls almost silently past Arn-Hill with '6Z30' from Westbury going to Eastleigh. I know locomotives need to be 'run-in' but this is a bit ridiculous. I calculate that there is nearly 750 HP for each of the 5 empty wagons on this train.
.. 18 march 2014..
Colas T-n-T combo of 70802 with 70803 sandwiching ten loaded JNA-s rolls out of Westbury and into history as it becomes the first working ever bound for Devon using GE Class-70 power.The train '6Z70' albeit 75 minutes late departing is going to Exeter St Thomas in readiness to enter the Occupation on the Dawlish Sea Wall.Its load is to be used to rebuild and replace what was swept away in the great storms that destroyed this section of line a few weeks ago.Both locomotive remain immaculate as since their entry into service a few weeks ago it has been very dry so they have not yet acquired any track spray to dirty them up!
..18 march 2014..
Making its first revenue earning run in daylight 70802 with 70805 along for the ride hums through Bourton east of Swindon with '6M50' the 07:55 from Westbury engineers going to Bescot.The chances of a pair of immaculate 70/8's together working a train again are pretty remote so despite the dire lighting this event couldn't be allowed to go unrecorded! Note the extra cooling-fans fitted on these 70/8's.Apparantly all 19 Freightliner editions are to be shopped at Brush for similar mods to be made,hopefully to stop them bursting into flames If ? we have a decent Summer! ..11 march 2014..
As the evenings get brighter and the clock revert to BST at the end of this month this working '6Z30' is set to become a firm favourite with the locals. Particularly as the traction used on it could be anything Colas have available at Westbury.This might even include later in the year 'Pairs of 37s' (We live in hope!).Tonights offering in the last dregs of daylight was 70805,a shiny new example of the 'GE' breed just out of the box.Only a light load but it was certainly humming as is passed here at Dilton Marsh shortly after departure from Westbury going to Eastleigh-East Yard. Settings for this rather gloomy shot were [email protected] 800ASA.
..03 march 2014..
Looking brand-new which in fact it is,Colas owned 70805 on probably only its second duty since introduction last week rolls almost silently down the Upton-Scudamore Bank with '0Z31' from Eastleigh-East Yard going to Westbury to work '6Z30' later that same afternoon.Who would have though 12 months ago that Westbury would become a 'Hot-Spot' for Colas with its various classes of locomotives!
..03 march 2014..
Colas-Pair 70801/56078 speed through Shrivenham with '6V62' from Tilbury to Llanwern with a train of empty Steel-Carriers.Thankfully the skies remained clear for this interesting working although the lengthening shadows required the need for a partial 'tele' shot to overcome that particular problem.This is another location that is going to be 'raped' by crap masts and wires in the name of 'perceived' progress? ..26 february 2014..
This freight '6V62' is a working from Tilbury-Riverside returning empty Steel-Carriers to the Llanwern Steel Works in S-Wales.Now firmly in the hands of Colas today it was the turn of 'newbie' 70801 or 70099 (If you prefer) with 56078 DIT to perform the duty.This was its first real revenue earning freight train after a couple of runs out last week moving 56's about probably just out on proving tests.The HST going in the opposite direction caused a few choice words as its drone was heard from behind as the 70/8 and 56 combo was drawing nearer! Location is Shrivenham. ..26 february 2014..
70801 draws 56113 and 56094 past Ladydown in Trowbridge in the pouring rain.Not only is this 70801's first day in service but almost certainly this is the first time ever a '70' has been paired with two 56's! It seems the orange on this loco is rather intense,hopefully it will dull-down after a few months in service.Anyway after this convoy had passed it was back home for a change of clothes and several hot cups of coffee!
..17 february 2014..
Working number 2 for the 'New kid on the block' was yet another loco-move,this time from Westbury over to Bristol-Barton Hill. It ran as '0Z56' and moved 56113 and 56094 barely 45 minutes after they had arrived on a working coming up from Exeter. So here is 70801 running fairly quickly with the two Grids in tow.Once again here at Ladydown it was pelting down with rain but these shots of its first day in service needed to be done!
..17 february 2014..
70801/56302 sit in the short siding that has become the home for many of the Colas locomotives that now work out of Westbury. 56302 was left here whilst the 'Turkish Delight' 70801 moved on the Bristol about an hour later taking a pair of 56's with it.
..17 february 2014..
So, after being in the Country since Oct/2012 doing not very much except being dragged from Piller to Post 70801 nee 70099 has finally run under its own power on the National-Network. Here is the now Colas owned 'Turkish-Delight' dragging 56302 from Eastleigh up to Westbury.The working is believed to be '0Z70' and marks a step change in haulage capability for Colas.Lets hope it a bit more reliable than the Freightliner versions built in the USA that have had quite a painful first few years in service.This historic working is seen dropping down Upton-Scudamore Incline at Dilton Marsh.Shame it was such a dire day c/w steady rain and extreme dullness!