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Colas Rail
A small band of locomotives,some leaving and some arriving!
66846 now leads '3S69' after its reversal at Westbury having come from Swindon-Transfer.66848 now on the rear of this still very clean RHTT-Set.This being its first run of the 2023 Season.Pictured at Church Road in Heywood nr Westbury.It departed Swindon-Transfer as '3S69' at 15:54 getting eventually to Moreton on Lugg at about 05:40 tomorrow morning.The train after Westbury does the branches around Bristol then goes to S-Wales and pretty much cover most of that area as well! A long 12 hours duty.
..1 october 2023..
If its October it must be RHTT time! Here is the inaugeral '3S69' of the 2023 RHTT Season..The particular duty being the preserve of the Colas Concern.Here are 66848 and 66846 sandwiching the spraying wagon and reservoir tanks spraying as it approaches Church Road in Heywood nr Westbury.It departed Swindon-Transfer as '3S69' at 15:54 getting eventually to Moreton on Lugg at about 05:40 tomorrow morning.The train after Westbury does the branches around Bristol then goes to S-Wales and pretty much cover most of that area as well! A long 12 hours duty.
..1 october 2023..
Colas's 66847 runs through Basingstoke with '6V27' the 13:43 from Eastleigh East Yard going up to Hinksey Yard in Oxford.
..10 august 2023..
'Wylam Dilly' 66849 one of Colas's five GM's heads '6M40' the 11:34 from Westbury Dn-TC to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm for anothe refill of ballast to keep restocking the Westbury VQ.Viewed at Swindon passing through on the centre road.
..28 february 2023..
Here we have 60% of Colas's total fleet of 66's.66848/66847 &66849.They had just arrived in Eastleigh-East Yard as '0Y49' the 07:43 from Hoo Junction.
..11 july 2022..
An extreemly grubbly 'Colas' 66846 (Probably since before Xmas-2021 on RHTT duties) heads '6C26' the 14:29 from Westbury going down to St Blazey in Cornwall.GE-70803 being tagged on the rear.Its load is new concrete sleeper and at the rear a rather large Blue Crane-Set.Seen passing Berkley nr Frome.
..20 january 2022..
'3S69' is seen at Malago Vale having just completed the 'jetting' of the Portbury Branch.It is now on the final leg directly back to base at Swindon-Transfer having been out since 21:03 last evening.A duty for 17 hours! 66846 leads with 66850 on the back.
..6 october 2021..
The RHTT-Season is now upon us yet again.Here is '3S69' during its first few day of operation,hence the locomotives are still almost pristine.Give it a few weeks and they will be completely plastered in grime and barely recognisable.This working is based at Swindon-Transfer and over its 17 hours tour of duty (It departed Swindon at 21:03 the previous evening) covers most of the lines radiating from Bristol and also most if not all of South Wales.Here is the still very clean train with Colas-66850 leading and partner 66846 on the rear passing Malago Vale in Bristol about to turn right at Parson Street to 'jet' the line down to Portishead and return.
..6 october 2021..
Solo 'Colas' 66846 powers up through Clink with a CWR-Set with a few rails remaining unused after a rail drop near Truro in deepest Cornwall.The train is seen returning to Westbury after departing Truro at 04:35 earlier this morning as '6C99'.Viewed at 09:30 with the morning sunlight still catching the front end of this pretty smart looking GM-66 nicely at Clink nr Frome.
..20 september 2021..
One of Colas's 5 GM's 66846 powers '6Z22' down through Berkley Marsh nr Frome. It departed Westbury at 17:00 going down to Burngullow Junction in deepest Cornwall.
..3 september 2021..
Colas's 66848 and GBRf's 66732 sandwich this still partially loaded CWR-Train as it returns from a rail drop nr Burngullow in Cornwall.The train '6G98' departed Burngullow at 05:10 going only as far as Westbury Down-TC.
..22 july 2021..
With 3 sets of HQA's in tow along with 70806 on the rear 66848 motors up through Berkley nr Frome with '6C48' the 10:59 from crediton to Westbury.In fact at this point it was running 222 minutes early!
..27 may 2021..
'6C97' the 14:58 from Estleigh to Lisvane &Thornhill reversed at Westbury to continue its zig-zag journry to South-Wales via Taunton.Now Colas's 66846 led as far as Taunton where 56096 (unsighted on the rear) would take over again for the run over to Cardiff.Pictured approaching Clink Road Junction in Frome.Note how the spring blossom is now adding some muich needed colours to the embankments here.
..18 april 2021..
The Bristol based RHTT '3S59' responsible for most of South Wales and lines radiating from Bristol is seen on the Chippenham to Westbury leg of this evenings/tomorrow mornings duties with Colas's 66848 and 66846 in charge.It left Bristol Kingsland Road at 14:41 and will not eventually return there until 11:07 tomorrow morning....Quite a long programme me-thinks! Here seen at Church Road in Heywood Village as the shadows have begun to lengthen considerably.
..11 october 2020..
'Wylam Dilly' 66849 heads a train of 3-sets of HQA's (15 hoppers) working as '6C22' from Ledbury (04:40 dept) to Westbury /Seen at Westbury adjacent to the Power Signal Box there about to enter the Up Yard.
..21 september 2020..
Colas currently operate just 5 Class-66 GM's.Here 66849 'Wylam Dilly' is seen working '6O26' the 08:312 from Hinksey Yard at Oxford down to Eastleigh East Yard unusually via Westbury.Viewed at Arn Hill nr Warminster.Its load being a partially loader CWR-Train.
..14 july 2020..
Colas's 66846 today handled '6M40' the 11:42 from Westbury to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm taking empty RailTrack 'IOA'boxes there for a ballast refill.Seen on the grade away from Trowbridge at ladydown on the approach to Bradford Junction.
..12 march 2020..
One of the Colas-5 66849 'Wylam Dilly' runs through Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley with '6C20' the 18:22 from Westbury going to Gloucester via East Usk Junction. Behind the loco was a 125T Kirow KRC1200UK Crane No-DRK81612ZOA plus 10 XWA's.The Crane matching the locomotives colours nicely!
..20 july 2019..
One of just five Colas GM-66's 66846 runs down through Berkley nr Frome with a '6C97' CWR-Train that departed from Westbury Down-TC at 18:33 going to Lostwithiel.Its mission to drop a few lengths of continuous welded rail at a projected worksite.
..27 may 2019..
This working '1Z99' from Plymouth Laira to Westbury was diverted via Bristol due to a fatality on the line nr Castle Cary.That,plus the heavy time delay meant a shot with the sun nicely on the nose was possible here at Hawkeridge Junction nr Westbury.Working out a location for this train was all very sketchy as RTT failed to show it whatsover what ever route it took or was supposed to??. So here is Colas's 66847 hauling a heavy Crane c/w its runners for all the necessary equipment including jib extentions etc.
..25 march 2019..
66847 and 66850 are seen with the RHTT based in Bristol passing Shockerwick after a trip up to Chippenham and return.Just a small part of the large route this particular duty has to cover including most of the lines in S-Wales.It doesn't finish until after 12:00 tomorrow afternoon having started at 14:47 this afternoon from Briston Barton Hill W.R.D. as '3S59'.Quite a long workload!
..7 october 2018..
Colas's 66850 'David Maidment OBE' runs under Church Road in Heywood Village with '6C45' the 15:48 from Chipping Sodbury to Westbury carrying spoil in 4-wheel MHA wagons.
..6 july 2018..
With nothing else better to do on this dull,dank & depressingly cloudy day a short 1/2 mile walk to this occupation bridge through the muddy woods at Clink in Frome produced this rendition of 66848 and 10 HQA's plus 66846 on the rear heading back to Westbury from Crediton (09:00 off) as '6C25'.Note the superbly cleared embankments here offering some good opportunties for some nice shots if the sun ever shines, that is!
..15 april 2018..
Here is a T-n-T Colas formation comprising a CWR-Train sandwiched between a couple of 66's.66850 leads with 66847 on the back working '6C98' the 04:37 from Cardiff-Queen Street down to Eastleigh-East Yard.Yet another working that a few years ago would have been a solid EWS certainty,not so these days! Pictured passing the now seemingly out of use Millbrook inland FLT terminal in Southampton.Interestingly this pair are the only Colas-66's currently in traffic.The other three are currently in Toton of all places!
..10 january 2018..
Here is an interesting oddball working.Running as '6Z66' a crew-training trip from Tavistock-Junction (09:00 off) and return via Bristol.Colas's 66849 'Wylam Dilly' with half a dozen 4-wheelers loaded with ballast in tow.Viewed powering away from Fairwood Junction on the return leg to Plymouth.
..2 november 2017..
Today '6C97' ran up from Crediton nominally booked off at 08:30 but in fact was running about 90 minutes late due to the over-running section occupation.Just to break the monotony of seemingly endless Class 70/8's here we have a pair of Colas's GM's instead! The fairly smart 66850 'David Maidment OBE' was leading this CWR-train with nameless 66847 on the back.Pictured passing the now treeless/bushless/brambleless and for that matter virtually grassless Berkley Marsh nr Frome. It'll be nice while it lasts!
..13 august 2017..
Due to the speed this working was doing (5mph) in the occupation section between Bradford-Junction and Bathampton there was plenty of time to recompose and grab a 2nd shot showing the more conventional vista here at Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley.The train '6C23' from Westbury (15:46 off) to somewhere between Bathampton and Bath-Spa no doubt has Colas 66847 leading with classmate 66849 on the back.The load being 20 HQA's in various decrepid rust coloured liveries.
..22 april 2017..
With the entire line from Bradford-Junction to Bathampton closed as an engineering blockade this working bound for probably Bath-Spa creeps through the closed section at about 5mph as per the regulations no doubt.Colas's 66847 was leading 4 sets of fully loaded HQA's making a total of 20 bogies.Just visible on the rear is 66849 which will no doubt return the discharged train back to Westbury tomorrow sometime.The train,'6C23' the 15:49 from Westbury to nominally Bradford-Junction (The start of the occupation) is seen at Freshford approaching the station there.This is another local location that has had severe remedial work to get rid of the overgrowth of trees and bushes
..22 april 2017..
Here is an extra engineering working '6C25' running as the 10:27 from Fairwater Yard at Taunton to Westbury.The loco went down earlier as a L/E. Colas's 66847 is seen with what appears to be an overlong track section requiring a pair of 'runners either end of the IPE/IGE Flat-Wagon which was carrying it.Almost certainly going to the recycling depot in Westbury for scrap.It is viewed passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a brief patch of sunlight.
..31 march 2017..
A pair of Colas's GM's 66848 with 66847 on the back Top-n-Tails a set of rusty older Network-Rail HQA's on an engineering working '6C22', the 03:30 from Newquay to Westbury Down-TC.As can be seen pretty dire lighting but this pair certainly makes a change from the usual Class-59's that infest this area!
..16 march 2017..
Colas's GM-66849 'Wylam Dilly' brings RailVac No-4 up through Berkley Marsh after departing Exmouth-Junction at 07:40 as '6X54'.
..9 october 2016..
Colas's 66850 did a movement of a pair of barrier coaches today from Wimbledon E.M.U.D to Barry Island-Colas Rail.Here this quite striking combination is seen passing Arn Hill just north of Warminster.The report code was '4Z58' and it departed from Wimbledon at 13:43.Quite why it ran via Eastleigh is a bit of a mystery,probably adding about 50 miles to the journey distance ??????
..11 august 2016..
Work-stained 'Wylam Dilly' 66849 sits in Cam & Dursley Stn ready to exit the Engineering Occupation that was from here down to Yate nr Bristol with '6W11' the re-timed to 16:45 from Standish Jnc to Bescot-ES.The possession was supposed to start returning the engineering trains from about 08:00 this morning but it all went to pot and things didn't start moving until well after 15:00 some seven hours or so later than planned.Of coarse the lighting by now was too far gone for anything meaningful so this actually ended up the only result after 7 hours or so 'hanging around'..What a wasted day---I missed the omnibus edition of 'Home under the Hammer' for this!!!! Ha-Ha!
..30 may 2016..
With just five Class-66's in the Colas-fleet this working used 40% of the entire fleet! Here is 66848 with 66847 sandwiching just a single set of five HQA's.The train was coming up from Penwithers-Junction as '6C38' going to Westbury.It has departed Penwithers nr Truro at 05:45 taking nearly 6 hours to get this far!
..19 may 2016..
Colas-66850 hitches a ride back to Westbury from Eastleigh after working '6O41' this morning.Unfortunately there was no return load today and by the looks of things they have also found an additional loco to replaced 66850 which appears to have been on temporary 'Hire-In' to DB-Cargo for the last two days.So here are 66021/66850 on '0V41' the 14:47 from Eastleigh back to Westbury.Pictured in pretty dull conditions passing Norton-Bavant in the Wylye-Valley.
..01 april 2016..
66850,one of the Colas-5 (66846 to 66850) which was previously 66577 in another life stands off the platforms at Westbury awaiting its next duty.As usual this location is infested with Class-70's so to see one of these here was quite pleasing for a change!
..30 march 2016..
Overnight occupation engineers train '6C22' is seen here at Clink nr Frome returning from the worksite at Exeter St Thomas to Westbury Down-TC.Colas GM-66848 with its train of mainly 'side-tippers' doing the duty.
..28 february 2016..
Colas-Shed 66850 'David Maidment OBE' was again today the allocated power for '6O31' the 17:34 engineers from Westbury to Eastleigh.As usual it appeared running about 10 minutes early.No quite such a taxing load this evening of just a few 4-wheelers loaded with spent ballast.It is seen passing the fir trees at the curves at Old Dilton on the Upon Scudamore Bank.
..15 april 2015..
Because of difficulties keeping their fleet of Class-56's in service several Class-70's have been used as replacements instead.Therefore to cover the shortfall at Westbury this 66/8 has been called upon to plug the gap! Here is 66850 'David Maidment OBE' having a pretty fair struggle with its heavy load climbing the steep Upton Scudamore Bank at Old Dilton.Behind the engine was a really meaty looking crane and support vehicles plus a long long rake of loaded jna's as well.It was really straining so RTT's statement of 1800-tons trailing probably wasn't too far off the mark! This working '6O31' due off at 17:34 from Westbury going to Eastleigh invariably departs early,today it was just 10 minutes ahead of schedule!
..14 april 2015..
Colas-GM 66846 (If you can read the tiny number under the grime) runs up the Frome By-Line with '6C12',yet another ballast train from the Yeovil Pen Mill area worksite (09:30 off) Actually it was nearer Chetnole. This was another working bound for Eastleigh taking the long way round,Salisbury/Basingstoke and Woking!!!!!!!
..25 january 2015..
Well----- Getting this shot was a barrel of laughs! Struggling over a heavily waterlogged field and losing a shoe gave me a pair of extreemly muddy wet feet and trousers.At least it was worth it this time for a change! Here is 'Colas' 66847 going to Plymouth from Westbury with a loaded train of MHA's containing ballast.It departed at 12:08 under the code of '6C27'.It is seen approaching East-Somerset Junction nr Witham-Friary west of Frome.
..30 november 2014..
As it was a superbly clear morning I decided to try for the now regular Colas hauled 07:55 from Westbury to Bescot '6M50'. Typically it was another disappointment (Just like the last two times I have gone for it) in that it turned out to be just a couple of light-engines working as '0M50'.Poxy Colas seem to do more mileage as light engines than in actual revenue earning service! Anyway here are 66850 along with 70802 passing Broughton-Gifford about 30 minutes late due to signalling problems.
..07 july 2014..
This particular train has been quite unreliable lately.No crew available/late running and last week it was even derailed at Ripple Lane! However the trip to Bourton east of Swindon was made in hope rather than expectation it would actually pass this spot more or less R/T.Amazingly it did! So here is '6V62' the 11:00 Tibury-Riverside to Llanwern running actually 20 minutes early ! 66849 was on the duty instead of the regular Class-56 but I suppose you musn't grumble because at least the sun was shining!
..03 may 2014..
Todays bonus working was this extra '6M26' from Westbury (09:20 off) going to Stud-Farm.A long rake of 'JNA-s' being delivered for a ballast refill there which was hauled by Colas's 66846.Here passing Shrivenham.This particular loco seems to have gained a bit of a reputation as being a rather smoky example but today it seemed quite ok!
..15 april 2014..
Due to a Class-70 shortage today at Westbury!!!!!!! 'Smoky Joe' Colas-GM 66846 was pressed into service to work the 17:26 from Westbury to Eastleigh engineers train '6Z30'.I suppose it makes a change from 56's or 70's.Looking on the bright side at least the sun was shining tonight...That in itself is an achievement when this working departs Westbury! The lightly loaded GM is seen climbing Upton-Scudamore Incline shortly after passing Old-Dilton,about two miles south of Westbury.
..14 april 2014..
One of the many freight-flows that Colas now handles in the South of the Country is this one, '6V62' from Tilbury-Riverside returning empty steel -hoods from there to Llanwern after delivering goods manufactured by 'Tata' in South-Wales.66848 was handling the service as it was seen passing Bourton in a faint glow of partial sunshine. With a fleet now of over 20 locomotives,many brand new this company can now be considered a major player in this area on the freight scene.
..26 march 2014..
COLAS 'GM-s' are now an established part of the local operating locomotive fleet around Westbury-Wilts.Here is 66846 moving slowly away from Fairwood-Junction on the approach to Westbury.The load being 'JNA-s' full of spoil almost certainly from the Whiteball Tunnel job that has now been nominally completed.The working '6Z29' departed Exeter-Riverside Yard for its destination-Westbury at 10:55 and actually ran pretty much to time!
..10 february 2014..
'Colas' now operate the morning 07:55 from Westbury Infrastructure working going to Bescot '6M50'. To do this that company now has at least two of their fleet out-stationed there now almost permanantly.This one 66849 'Wylam Dilly' or as it is known locally because its is now a regular there 'Westbury Willy' is seen passing Circourt Bridge at Denchworth heading towards Didcot and the Midlands.A long long train comprising of side-tippers and 'JNA-s'......
..13 november 2013..
Colas 66848 was looking rather workstained as it passed Badgeworth west of Cheltenham-Spa with '4v30'from Ratcliffe-PS going to Portbury Docks for an imported coal refill.Not a full sun shot but still bright enough to make this less common style of GM worth picturing.
..12 november 2013..
'Colas' have this annoying policy of not placing the loco number on the front-end of their engines.So 'head-on' type shots like this make it difficult to identify what? the loco is.Anyway here is 66846 (Honest!) with '6Z29' from Exeter-Riverside to Westbury comprising of 15 auto-ballasters.From today 'Colas' have gained several infrastructure duties booked to radiate from Westbury requiring at least two loco's to be on hand.The regular 66849 went to Bescot this morning on '6M50' hence the appearence of this one.-------strange times?
..21 october 2013..
Westbury's current resident 'Colas' engine 66849 'Wylam Dilly' whines up past Dilton Marsh Halt with '6Z30' going to Eastleigh.A good load,I think this lot would have made a Class-47 struggle with a long long train of loaded ballast.I estimate in excess of 800tons which is more than a '47' is capable of up this steep bank at Upton Scudamore.Perhaps this will become a regular '66/8' turn unless a '56' is available (we live in hope!).Mind you with the evenings drawing in pretty soon this working will be operating in darkness so all rather academic anyway!
..01 october 2013..
Colas's 66849 'Wylam Dilly' was tonights offering on '6Z30' from Westbury to Eastleigh.As usual it was bang on time and with this immaculate 'GM' in charge will probably get there and back tonight later with no problems.The load was quite long but quite lightweight consisting of about ten 'YKA' Osprey track panel carriers albeit empty.It is seen passing Heytesbury in the Wylye-Valley as the ever lengthening autumn shadows get longer by the day!
..23 september 2013..
For some reason COLAS decided to send 66847 up from Easleigh to escort 66850 back there from Westbury after it had arrived with '7Z56' from Long Marston. Unfortunately the Wylye-Valley ain't the place for nice pictures in the evening of workings heading south-east.However as it was a pair of 'rare for this area' COLAS-GM's this glinty type shot was attempted. So here is 66847 dragging 66850 past Norton-Bavant going to Eastleigh East Yard.
..26 july 2013..
Regretfully this telephoto shot was the best I could manage of this rather interesting working as it was approaching Westbury.A rogue cloud simply refused to moved away from the sun until a few minutes afterwards! (As usual)...Anyway here is 66850 looking pretty immaculate having been cleaned for its naming ceremony at Long-Marston yesterday.Now named 'David Maidment OBE' it was working '7Z56' returning the infrastructure plant that was taken there for an exhibition by the two 47's and a 56 last Monday (22nd).
..26 july 2013..
A surprise this morning.Colas-Freight 66850 was used on '6O41' from Westbury to Eastleigh presumably just to get this loco back to the South-Coast. A triple header but I expect the two DBS-GM's 66096 and 66084 were DIT.Here the combination is seen cresting the Upton-Scudamore Incline at Arn-Hill going quite slowly due to an adverse signal ahead.Thank goodness for that as the light was pretty dire (As it always is when something interesting happens) making a 500th the max speed available on the lens in use today. Note the saturated field behind the train,almost to the point of putting the grass underwater.Something I have never seen here before! ..01 february 2013..
Another new Colas flow in the Midlands is '6M86' from Walsingham delivering coal to Ratcliffe-PS.Here 66847 passes the jungle and dereliction that is the southern end of the once incredibly busy Toton yards.Amazing,all those tracks and a couple a freights pass by in an hour if you are lucky! Note, no regular booked passenger trains pass this way.
..26 july 2012..
The main event of the afternoon was the returning discharged BP fuel-tanks from Sinfin going back to Grangemouth running as '6Z97'. Here a sparkling Colas 66850 accelerates away from North-Stafford Junction taking the Stoke line seen shortly after passing Willington level-crossing.
..26 july 2012..
Colas-GM 66850 with '6Z46' the Grangemouth to Sinfin aviation fuel supply train for Rolls-Royce at Derby is seen passing Stenson-Junction at the ungodly hour of 07:07 in the morning.No sun due to the misty conditions but well worth the effort to record this 'oddball' fuel working now Colas have the contract.
..26 july 2012..
This is an interesting train that has popped out of the woodwork! Colas-GM 66850 with a working '6Z60' from Llanwern Exchange Sidings (09:43 off) going to Wimbledon-Park C.S.D.Load being 4 swb sncf-type steel-hoods and 4 FL green boxes.The train is seen climbing Upton-Scudamore Bank in the now usual British Summer Weather---Crap indifferent light!
..27 june 2012..
Colas 66850 makes a strange sight on the Welsh 4-track at Coedkernow heading for Baglan Bay from Gloucester (08:35 off) with '6Z50' to collect a consignment of Logs for delivery to Chirk.Shame the sun wasn't shining and the loco was so filthy!
..21 may 2012..
Although it is quite unrecognisable this is actually 'Colas' 66846 on '6O78' from Margam going to Dollands-Moor with another trainload of export steel.No hope of a conventional type picture so this 'glint' type effort was tried instead. I think its about time Colas sorted this Loco out as everytime I see it it is belching dark blue smoke.Remember it is an ex-Freightliner Fred with many hours under its wheels despite the flash paint-job! The working is seen passing the site of the long closed Badminton Station.
..20 march 2012..
Coming out of the sun like a Japanese-Zero is 'Colas-Rail-Freight' 66846 with the regular '6O78' from Margam going to Dollands-Moor with steel for export.The train consisting of 20 Short-wheelbase SNCF bogie hoods.At least here at Duffryn the whole train is visible albeit somewhat backlit.
..06 march 2012..
Due to engineering-works '6O78' from Margam going to Dollands-Moor was today diverted via Bath,Westbury and the B&H, picking up its original path to the Channel-Tunnel at Reading.Here is the Colas-Rail-Freight powered working with 66847 up front passing the back of the White-Horse Business-Park nr Trowbridge,the location being a public foot-xing.A lucky shot,minutes later the light folded for the remainder of the day!
..19 february 2012..
The Margam to Dollands-Moor Steel '6O78' passes Pilning with a rather grubby 'Colas' 66850 at the head.This was the first freight to pass here in 3 hours so a pretty cold slow afternoon.Pity the light had failed as well but thats life!
..14 february 2012..
The former Freightliner 66573, now re-incarnated as 66846 of Colas Rail Freight is seen with the diverted '6O78' export-steel from Llanwern going to Dollands-Moor.Routed today via Westbury and the B&H due to engineering work on its usual route near Chippenham.Here the working is seen in low-light approaching Hawkeridge-Junction nr Westbury where it will take the chord to carry on up the B&H towards the east. News broke over the weekend of over 100 redundancies at the Steel-Works at Llanwern in South-Wales.How this will effect this flow is unknown at this time. 'TATA'-nee -Corus--- a british based subsiduary working for the good of a former colony India!----Its a mad sad bad world!
..04 december 2011..
As this was going to be my first sighting of one of the newer batch of 'Colas Rail Freight' GM's wearing the revised livery I though I would make the effort.Added incentive being it was diverted through the Limpley-Stoke Valley instead of its usual route via Swindon. Anyway here is 66846 with 20 swb SNCF type steel-hoods passing Claverton heading for Dollands Moor from Llanwern in S-Wales.By the time of its arrival here at 15:30 the sun had long gone over the hilly horizon so this was just about the best anybody east of Bath could do! The GM was certainly kicking out a lot of smoke,a indication of a requirement for some TLC! ..13 november 2011..
'6O78' from Llanwern going to the Continent via Dollands-Moor passes Magor.Sun not quite on the front here but thats the way the cookie-crumbles.One of the original batch of 'Colas' engines 66742 soon to move on to pastures-new being in charge today of the 20 SNCF SWB canvas steel-hoods.
..03 october 2011..
Margam to Dollands-Moor Steel traffic hauled by COLAS for the third day running! Here is a sparkling 66842 approaching Patchway with '6O78'.Come on COLAS you will be giving DBS a bad name! running around doing regular freight work AND looking smart! ..20 april 2011..
After a journey from Home to Patchway that took an unbelievable 90 minutes due to a road-accident and general congestion confidence was not too high for a decent shot of this working as cloud cover was all but complete upon arrival.However, prior to traintime the clouds parted (Just like the Red Sea) and a brief bright patch of sun just at the right time enabled me to 'Do' this shot. A very smart COLAS 66843 lifts its train '6Z78' of swb-sncf steel-hoods up out of the single bore tunnel at Patchway on the approach to the Station there.Coming from Margam now instead of Llanwern the destination is still Dollands Moor for Export. ..17 april 2011..
Crawling towards us very slowly after emerging from the single bore tunnel at Patchway is 66843 on '6Z78' from Margam going to Dollands Moor.This Colas Loco nicely presented as it gleams in the lucky burst of sunniness that just 3 minutes ago was a no-hoper sunwise! ..17 april 2011..