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DRS
Carlisle based operator with work these days all over the Country, although some of the Locomotives are now assigned to different operaters but are still in the DRS Livery.
DRS's 66422 heads the daily '4V44' from Daventry(Tesco) to Wentloog 'Tesco Express'. Seen at Coedkernew heading West.
..3 april 2023..
DRS's 66429 is viewed working the 'Tesco Express' 12:19 from Daventry to Cardiff-Wentloog as '4V38'.This train is for now going via the Severn Tunnel as the line between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction is currently closed until early September of engineering works.Viewed at Engine Common north of Yate.
..6 august 2022..
Plain-Blue DRS 66427 was routed via platforms 1-2 here at Gloucester instead of as allocated the Down-ML sadly making the shot rather tighter than hoped for! Anyway here is '4M36' the 12:19 from Daventry(Tesco) to Cardiff-Wentloog.Known locally as the 'Tesco Express' approaching Gloucester having just crossed Horton Road Crossing.
..24 august 2019..
Now in plain-blue DRS's GM-66424 passes Upper Hathaway in Cheltenham with '4V44' the 10:47 from Daventry to Wentloog 'Tesco-Express'.
..10 october 2018..
Still retaining most of its old DRS-Compass livery even though it has now been a Freightliner loco for several years 66413 rolls down the incline from Trowbridge Station at Ladydown in readiness to take the Limpley Stoke Valley route at Bradford-Junction.The working being '4V54' (I think?) the 10:14 from Southampton-MCT going to Bristol-FLT. Rumour has it this could be the first freightliner loco to have the new 'Genesee & Wyoming' livery applied to it ???? ----Well, less than 2 weeks later this loco was in Crewe-LNWR undergoing a repaint into the new G&W Black-n Orange colours.So this loco as seen here is now history. the
..11 july 2018..
DRS's 66425 works the 'Tesco-Less Co2 Express' from Daventry (10:47 off) to Wentloog '4V44' through Newport-ADJ.
..19 april 2018..
Ex-DRS but now a long time Freightliner loco that still somehow resists the call to the paintshop for a 'powerhaul' makeover is 66419 seen here id 'semi' DRS colours working '4O14' the 05:36 from Garston-FLT heading for Southampton-M.C.T.Sadly yet another load of fresh-air to spoil the illusion of a booked service and not just an empty stock move! Viewed at Didcot North Junction going south.
..5 april 2018..
Now in the rather plain looking 'all-over economy' Blue livery 66425 works '4V44' the 10:47 from Daventry DRS (Tesco) to Wentloog Tesco-Express through Undy in slightly 'dippy' lighting.Still no real signs of the dreaded mast and wires at this nice open location just yet!
..2 february 2018..
Ex-DRS 66419 brings a part-HOBC up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome as '6C72' the 09:20 from Fairwater Yard at Taunton to Westbury-VQ.After it had been loaded it returned via Bristol to reverse the set upon arrival at Taunton.
..19 january 2018..
The former DRS 66419 still retains most of that previous operators livery although it has been officially a Freightliner loco now for many years.Here seen at Berkley Marsh returning '6C73' the 12:12 from Westbury back down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard.Good to see this MOBC-set back in operation there as it brings quite a few additional workings each week up and down through this area! ..16 january 2018..
66419 has long been transferred from DRS to become a freightliner-loco and still retains the remains of the long defunch DRS-Compass livery style.Here pictured passing Campbell Road at Eastleigh with '4O15' the 07:21 from Lawley Street going to Southampton-MCT.
..17 november 2017..
'4V44' the 10:47 DRS 'Tesco-Express' working from Daventry (DIRFT) to Cardiff-Wentloog passes Undy on the fast (as booked) with its usual full load of supermarket supplies for the S-Wales region. Viewed at Undy just east of Severn Tunnel Junction pretty much on time.Plain-Blue DRS 66433 was doing the duty.
..27 october 2017..
66413 although its been a Freightliner Loco now for many years,it still sports most of its ex-DRS 'Compass' livery which is now almost extinct on GM-66's.Certainly on the DRS-fleet anyway.Here that loco is viewed departing Westbury at Fairwood with a 'mini' 6C73 from Westbury (12:12 off) back down to Taunton-Fairwater Yard,A rather odd load of just a pair of HQA's.These usually moved around in fixed sets of five.Notice that this location is now completely bush/bramble free after a heavy onslaught from a 'cutting-crew' hired in by Network-Rail.Sometime I think there is hope after all when this type of clear-up happens!
..18 april 2017..
Today's Tesco-Express '4V38' has GM-66425 in the new,now rather plain blue DRS livery in charge.Here the well loaded working from Daventry-DRS (09:06 away) to Cardiff-Wentloog is passing the very open Duffryn just west of Alexander Dock Junction.As usual the rebuilt overbridge is a total overkill for a mud track but at least it now affords good views looking east in the mornings!
..2 april 2017..
'4V38' the 08:20 from Davantry to Wentloog 'Less-Co Liner' passes Undy in S-Wales just west of Severn Tunnel-Junction.Unfortunately the promised 'full sun' day had failed to materialise before this working had passed and to add insult to injury the 'thing' was on the freight-line instead of its usual path on the fast! So here is 66423 in the latest super-bland DRS utilitarian blue and dirt colour scheme chugging though the gloom heading west.Note the new palisade fencing that surrounds the new footpath bridge installed here very recently to allow electrification.Its specification includes massively constructed ramps for wheelchair access.What a joke!!!!!! One end of the very muddy lane has a small kissing-gate and the other end of the new footbridge exits into a muddy field....A complete and utter waste of money,No chance for wheelchair access from either direction but a fully compliant bridge-Just like the entire electrification farce a load of total mismanaged garbage!
..13 february 2017..
With Direct Rail Services now having pretty much completed the repainting of its Class-66/4 fleet into the new plain blue livery this Ex-DRS loco 66413 now with Freightliner must be one of the only ones left wearing the 'Compass' style .No doubt it will become 'Powerhaul' before too long! So here is 66413 droning past Thingley west of Chippenham working '4L32' the 10:58 from Bristol-FLT going today to London Gateway FLT.As usual a distinct lack of containers behind the loco except for just one.
..5 january 2017..
A very smart DRS-66305 powers through Undy on the 'fast' with '4V38' the daily 08:20 from Daventry to Cardiff-Wentloog Tesco delivery service.This shot here is now better than it has been for many a year due to vegetation clearance in readiness for the electrification that will now not happen in the near future due to total managerial incompetance and a total lack of understanding of just what the entire project really involved.
..29 november 2016..
Ex-DRS 66419 plods up through Berkley Marsh with '6Y19' going the Billingshurst once again from Fairwater yard.66564 was on the rear somewhere in the distance.This week will be the final one for this train to work out of Taunton.It is being transferred next week to Sevington.This will leave this area several workings short for a few months until things restart down at Fairwater early in 2017.
..09 august 2016..
Getting shots of this loco 66419 when leading this MOBC-working '6Y19' from Taunton's Fairwater Yard down to Billinghurst nr Arundel is quite difficult so 'why not' the old 'GAW' type shot instead particularly in light as good as this! 66564 was leading this long-long MOBC set-up as it passes Arn Hill on the approach to Warminster.Only a week or so left and this train will be departing Taunton for a new location,beleived to be Sevington in Kent.
..08 august 2016..
Ex-DRS 66419 is tagged on the rear of '6Y19' the 17:38 from Fairwood Yard going to Billingshurst in West Sussex.In fact the train reverses at Westbury and this loco will then lead for the remainder of the journey.Although unseen 66564 was leading here as it passed Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Apparantly in a couple of weeks the current activity out of Fairwater will cease and the MOBC-train seen here is moving to Sevington.All is not lost though as a new HOBC is due to take up residence there in the new year for a further term of duties.
..27 july 2016..
The return working for '6C84' is '6C73' returning the reloaded MOBC back down to Fairwater Yard from Westbury (12:12 off) ready for another nights work somewhere out on the network (In fact it is Billingshurst nr Arundel-West Sussex tonight!).66419 leads through Clink on this hot hot sunny day making it a double for me with this ex-DRS machine today.
..18 july 2016..
Ex-DRS 66419 has been a Freightliner owned loco for many years but still retains most of its original blue livery.Here it is coming up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '6C84' the 09:20 from Fairwater yard at Taunton going to Westbury.Unusually today three bogie flats loaded with new concrete sleepers were included in the make up along with the usual MOBC bits! I have lost count of the number of times I have tried for a shot of this loco here in the sunshine and failed.Finally my persistance has paid off!
..18 july 2016..
'6C73' the 12:12 away from Westbury returning the reloaded MOBC back to Taunton's Fairwater Yard passes masters-Farm Crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury.This was over an hour late due to a late arrival of '6C72' from Taunton earlier.Freightliners former-DRS 66415 with the remains of that companies blue colours was doing the duty.
..05 july 2016..
Ex-DRS 66419 has been a Freightliner locomotive now for many years but still retains most of it previous operators blue livery.Surely it cannot be too long before a coat of 'Powerhaul' paint is applied? Anyway here is a scruffy 66419 working '6C84' the 09:20 from Taunton's Fairwater Yard up to Westbury-VQ for a refill of its set on MOBC hoppers.Seen on the approach to Fairwood Junction nr Westbury at Masters Farm Crossing in some pretty weak sunshine.Naturally 15 seconds later it was fully out but by then the train had gone and so had I!
..28 june 2016..
One of the few remaining ex-DRS locomotives on the Freightliner-Roster still to retain most of its original livery 66419 shuffles up through Styles Hill in Frome with a late running '6C72' from Taunton's Fairwater Yard (08:20 off) to Westbury-VQ.Most of the trailing MOBC was still loaded so only a small top-up being required today.
..04 april 2016..
DRS's plain-blue liveried GM-66427 rolls down through Wye Valley-Junc just north of Chepstow with '4V38' the 08:20 from Daventry to Cardiff-Wentloog daily delivery for Tesco.Note the severe incline away from the long removed junction towards Tintern under the slanted dual-bridge.Despite appearences the track is still actually in situ albeit totally overgrown now.
..29 february 2016..
The former Fastline owned 66302 now operated by DRS runs through Magor with the Daventry-DRS to Cardiff-Wentloog 'Tesco-Express' or if you prefer '4V38'.Today at least it came on the fast-line thus affording a rather better opportunity to grab a picture.However nothing ever works out in this game and the light dipped somewhat due to an errant floater which required a fair bit of work in Photoshop to improve things even to this extent! Note the work in progress in the background to increase the parapet height to the magic 1.8 mtrs (Right hand arch now completed) ruining yet another bridge for photography without a 2 mtr set of steps.Not that it will matter much once the poles & wires are erected because all bridge shots will be rendered worthless!
..23 february 2016..
Annoyingly even though it was running to perfect time this working which regularly speeds through this location at Undy on the 'fast' was today routed for some reason onto the 'slow'.hence this rather cramped rendition seen here.Of coarse without NR having recently given the embankments here a major haircut even this version would have been impossible.So here is ex-Fastline 66302 on '4V38' the 08:20 from Daventry-DRS going to Wentloog with the regular 'Tesco-Express.Note the friendly wave from the driver! Better luck next time!
..15 february 2016..
The 'Tesco Express' from Daventry-DRS to Wentloog in Cardiff '4V38' sweeps through Undy fortunately on the 'fast' despite being somewhat late running.Plain-Blue DRS 66426 was powering the train today.Note the superb looking 3-arch bridge in the background.This will soon be destroyed in the name of progress (Whatever that is????) to be replaced by some concrete or steel ugly characterless piece of budget crap.Don't you just love the 21st century GWR???????
..19 january 2016..
'4V38' known as the 'Tesco Express' which runs from Daventry-DRS (DIRFT) departing at 08:20 and goes to Wentloog nr Cardiff.Today a quite clean looking 66424 was in charge as it passed Over just west of Gloucester.With all the storms and flooding currently causing so much havoc all over the country today was amazingly blessed with virtually clear blue skies all day.Something that hasn't happened now for several months!
..29 december 2015..
Usually this return working from Westbury-VQ back down to Taunton's Fairwater Yard runs quite a bit earlier than its booked time.With that in mind this location---Strap Lane at Upton Noble just east of Bruton fitted the bill perfectly.However instead of running early it was actually 45 minutes later than booked time.Consequently the still shining sun was rather head-on as it finally arrived here about 75 minutes later than planned---Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Anyway here is 66413 c/w its fully reloaded 1/2 'MOBC' returning west after its visit to Westbury as '6C73'.
..17 august 2015..
The former DRS loco 66413 still wears most of its former operator 'Compass' livery style albeit now with 'Freightliner' stickers on the front-ends.Here it is in superb morning light rolling up through Clink nr Frome with '6C72' a part 'MOBC' going to Westbury-VQ for a ballast reload.
..17 august 2015..
Recently reliveried into a more simplified version of the DRS colours 66426 heads northwards through Easenhall with '4S45' the 18:39 from Daventry-DRS (DIRFT 1) to Coatbridge-FLT.A good load here as it plods past avoiding the lengthening evening shadows.
..30 july 2015..
66422 on '4V38' the 08:20 from Davantry-DRS Dirft-2 to Wentloog passes good old Coedkernew with its long train of containers supplying South-Wales's Tesco Stores.It is sometimes known as the 'Tesco-Express'.
..26 march 2015..
66434 This is the former 'Fastline' and then 'Malcolm' liveried loco now operated by DRS.Here it is viewed passing Somerton in Newport-Gwent with '4V38' the 08:20 from Daventry-DRS Dirft2 heading for Wentloog.It is also known locally as the 'Tesco Express'.It has recently been repainted into a rather basic new DRS colour scheme incorporating just one plain DRS motif instead of previous more elaborate versions.Currently I think there is just two DRS-66's so far treated.To see how it looked in its previous guise as the much brighter 'Malcolm' version--------- Click HERE
..18 march 2015..
66413 still wears most of its Blue 'Compass' livery from when it was operated by DRS a few years ago.It does now however carry a rather prominant 'Freightliner' sticker across its front panelling.Here the loco is adding a bit of welcome variety passing Slough with '6M91', the empty 'PCA' 4-wheel cement tanks from Theale (11:13 off) going up to The Hope Valley-Earles Sidings for a reload.This scene is from a busy road bridge east of Slough Station.
..18 february 2015..
The former DRS-Stobart 'Eddie the Engine' 66414 which now wears just the base-colour of that old livery drones through Lower-Basildon with the 05:27 from Leeds heading to Southampton-MCT.Of course 'sods-law' dictated that this was the only Liner today to use the slow-lines when I really wanted it to be on the fast-line instead---typical! Note how over-engineered the stanchions seem to be that will support the soon to be installed OHLE...Their size being quite apparant next to the GM-66.
..06 december 2014..
Having missed this loco to an errant cloud when it passed Southampton-Central earlier it was nice to pick it up here at Maritime whilst it shunted away the train it arrived with, '4O24' from Bristol-FLT.The Loco is 66420 which has recently had the DRS indentity stripped off and a standard issue 'Freightliner' decal added to the cab-ends.No doubl an early candidate for a Powerhaul liveried makeover quite soon!
..22 august 2014..
Now that it has been de-decaled 66415 really is a former DRS-machine although still no formal identity of Freightliner ownership.Here it is powering '6V33' the 11:56 from Neasden-Charrington taking its train the Stoke-Gifford nr Bristol.Thankfully this was the one freight we saw during our short visit here that operated on the slow-lines. Which was nice! The scene once again is Sonning Cutting looking east from Pound Lane. Note this is a very dodgy bridge if you value your life! Unlike the ornate tall iron bridge just west of here you don't need a Samaritans Sign to prevent suicide jumpers jumping onto the track below,here you can get wiped out on the road whilst you are thinking about it!
..07 august 2014..
The holding sidings at the rear of Eastleigh Station was for many years before Freightliner created their Maritime-Depot always full of locomotives awaiting work away from the yards or Docks.Nowadays it has started to be used for loco storage once again,mainly GBrF but any goes really.Today was parked Freightliner operated DRS-66413/Colas's The Turkish 70801/70099 plus a couple of the now highly valued Electro's used by GBrF 73207 (L-Logo) and 73201 (BR-Blue).
..12 june 2014..
5-door low-emission 66418 acquired from DRS in 2011 has finally started to lose its DRS-Compass Decals (At least partly) and now bears no ownership identity to its former operator.Here it is passing Compton-Beauchamp with '4L32' the 11:00 off Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury-RCT.Again another loco in a state of flux livery that would have been nice to have recorded in better light than that shown. The METCheck website should be ashamed of itself,it indicated sun all day.Perhaps I should have check which month they were talking about.It certain wasn't March! ..11 march 2014..
Here is the 105 minute late running '4V38' from Daventry going to Wentloog in Cardiff. Known as the 'Tesco' or the 'Lessco2' or even 'Stobart' !!!!!!! This working was today hauled by DRS-66432 and is seen passing an increasingly overgrown Badgeworth west of Cheltenham. A few weeks ago the return working of this train derailed west of Gloucester and ruined about 2 miles of track and wrote-off two bogie liner wagons.No Dog-Food or Banana's were injured in the accident!
..12 november 2013..
Everybodies favourite odd-ball Freightliner engine 66414,formally with DRS in Stobart colours (See how it looked thenHERE ) but now defrocked back to its unique base-blue runs past Newton-St-Loe west of Bath with '4L32' from Bristol-FLT going to Tilbury-RCT fortunately with a full load of boxes today.About 20 minutes late so sun was just slightly off the front--still musn't grumble!
..04 november 2013..
Thanks to the use of my 24-105 zoom lens a second shot of 66414 on '4L32' from Bristol going to Tilbury was possible.This aspect looking completely different with Kelston House which overlooks Newton-St-Loe forming the backdrop.
..04 november 2013..
I visited this location the previous evening hoping for a shot of this engine DRS 66415 then but to my disappointment it was just a light engine.However tonights load on '6Z30' was just one bogie container wagon.That was sufficient to make the shot worthwhile.This working,although it is a 'Z' working from Westbury going to Eastleigh does run fairly regularly.The twist being it is an infrastructure working for Freightliner-HH and not DBS. No doubt about it FL are slowly taking over in our area.
..18 july 2013..
Even though it was 08:30 the shadows at Clink-Junction are still pretty long.However here is 66415 with a CWR-train going to Newton-Abbot's Hackney-Yard just about finding a short sunny patch.
..07 may 2013..
Thankfully as this Double-DRS was held just outside Westbury to allow a London bound HST to depart I was able to nip round the the bridge overlooking Westbury-Power Box to obtain a 2nd shot of '6Y13' from Spetchley-Loop going to Westbury.Here is 66415 with 66419 on the distant rear crossing over into the up-yard to deposit the HQA's.Shortly afterwards they departed (as a pair '0Yxx') going back to their base at Stoke-Gifford.
..05 may 2013..
Today a weekend engineering working from Spetchley-Loop back to Westbury '6Y13' was made up unusually of a pair of ex-DRS GM's sandwiching 10 'HQA-s'.Here it is at Hawkeridge-Junction with 66415 leading and 66419 just visable on the rear.All very nice,even coinciding with a large blue patch of sky so no anxiety as it approached an adverse signal at about 5mph from beyond the junction in the background.
..05 may 2013..
Ex-DRS 66420 was employed on todays Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-Millbrook duty.Here it is working 'wrong-line' to gain access to the landward Freightliner-Depot at Millbrook.Amazingly these Blue GM's are showing no inclination to going-green.Even the former operators decals remain in place! Again seen at Saxon Road in Southampton.
..02 may 2013..
'6M04' the 10:50 off Portbury Coal Terminal going to Rugeley-B Power-Station passes Parson Street shortly after coming off the branch from Portbury just west of the station seen in the distance.The loco is one of the Ex-DRS fleet 66419 wearing a characteristic layer of freightliner-filth.I suppose these engines are kept so busy there is no time, let alone anywhere with washing facilities to do such a time consuming job.At least they are still in the Compass-colours of DRS to break the 'green' monotony!
..10 april 2013..
Due to OHLE difficulties on the WCML '4V38' from Daventry to Wentloog known locally as the 'Tesco-Express' was over 3 hours late getting to S-Wales today.Here it is seen on the final leg of its journey west of Newport at Duffryn with ex-Fastline 66305 in charge.A nicely presented public face of Tesco that could do with a good wash and brush-up!
..04 march 2013..
DRS 66420 threads itself through the maze that is Stratford with '4M87' from Felixstowe going to Tilbury.This is my first visit to Stratford for a very long time.Then there was no Westfield Shopping Centre,no Olympic Park and no 66's on Freightliners!
..23 february 2013..
Coming from Newton-Abbot Hackney-Yard up to Westbury is '6Z29'.Today as it featured this ex-DRS 66413 the effort was made otherwise I wouldn't have bothered going out for it.However although the light was dire requiring 500th@F4 at 400asa at least I managed to stop the action.Load being an empty CWR.Seen on the Frome Avoiding Line.
..20 february 2013..
Today '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton-MCT produced one of the few ex-DRS locomotives that now work for Freightliner.That company very considerately has left these engines completely alone with respect to the livery so do make a nice change from the usual green.Here is 66420 with a very full long load speeding past Bourton running R/T.The sun had by this time (11:58) unfortunately just moved off the front but still well worth a picture.
..19 february 2013..
Ex-DRS 66418 today handled '6O52' from Cardiff-Wentloog going to Southampton-MT.Note the soon to be redundant Cooling-Towers of Didcot-PS in the background.From next March when the PS closes they will cease to issue water vapour and inevitably within a few years will be demolished like so many others .Quick! Somebody erect about a 1000 wind-generators in the field next door to replace the lost capacity!!!
..10 november 2012..
It never ceases to amaze me how fast a full blue sky can change to virtually full cloud cover in less than 20 minutes.Well Nature did this usual trick again here today at Pilning just prior to the arrival of '4O51' from Wentloog going to Southampton.Pity really as this was my first sighting of the Ex-Stobart DRS machine 66414 once known as 'James the Engine' now it has been stripped of all the Stobart identity and running in a unique looking 'Mainline' type blue. Here seen at Pilning running east on the main.
..07 november 2012.. To see 66414 in DRS/Stobart colours click HERE
'4O56' from Leeds going to Southampton was today graced with ex-DRS 66420 in surprisingly clean condition.Viewed heading south through Oxford at Hinksey with a train comprising of 'Pockets' and 'Lowliners'.Wagons more normally seen on the trains over to Cardiff from Southampton rather than a long distance run such as this where the loading gauge is more restricted.
..03 november 2012..
I musn't be ungrateful as todays '4V38' from Daventry to Wentloog had this,the DRS celeb and ex-fastline 66434 at its head.No doubt about it this is quite a distinctive livery and today luckily it passed in full sunlight on the LessCo-Express here at Coedkernew.However yesterday this service was graced with a pair of 37's but the clouds cover was virtually 100%.No doubt it will happen again!
..18 september 2012..
Having been parked up at the Bristol-FLT for most of the weekend it was a fairly safe bet ex-DRS 66416 would be the power for this mornings (11:05 off) Freightliner '4L32' from there going to Tilbury.Here seen rounding the curve at Lower Shockerwick east of Bath with a fairly well loaded train.Regretfully it was all at the back enabling me to get a nice shot of the trackside bushes behind the first 3 bogie flats!
..20 august 2012..
Formerly with DRS 66419, now working regularly for Freightliner-HH passes Bradford-on-Avon with '6Y12' returning from a night out on an Occupation at Abbotswood-Junction to Westbury.Nice light here at BOA this morning unlike last night on the outward journey when it was abject to say the least!
..19 august 2012..
Two of Freightliners more interesting locomotives were in use today on '6Y13' from Eckington down to Westbury after an overnight engineering occupation.Lead-Loco was 66419,an ex-DRS machine with Bardon-Blue 66623 bringing up the rear.Sandwiched beteween them was just one set of Auto-Ballaster HQA's.The working seen approaching journeys end at Westbury.
..12 august 2012.
Ex-Fastline but now DRS 66305 heads the 90 minutes delayed '4V38' from Daventry going to Wentloog.This 'Less-Co2 Express' was trapped at Daventry due to a collision between a Ballast-Regulator and a Stone-Blower during engineering work near Arley in Warwickshire.Quite serious by all accounts as 7 staff on board were hospitalised! Click HERE for the initial RAIB report. The working seen at East-Usk-Junction nr Newport running on the 'fast'.
..10 august 2012..
Ex-Fastline 66302,a low emission 5-door version of the GM-66series now wearing DRS colours heads south past Chelmscote with '4L48' from Daventry going to Tilbury.
..27 july 2012..
66416 now working for Freightliner passes Cathiron with '4O88' from Lawley Street going to Felixstowe.Surprisingly Freightliner have made no effort to rebrand these ex-DRS locos in any way.Just the filthy condition tends to give it away!
..27 july 2012..
A very reliable runner '4V38' from Daventry going to Cardiff-Wentloog passes Ashchurch well loaded with its uniform set of 'Less-Co2' Tesco containers.66425 doing the duty.
..25 july 2012..
One of the DRS cast-offs 66418 now working for Freightliner passes Didcot-North.'4O14' has come from Birch-Coppice and is heading for Soton-MT.Compare this well loaded working to the previous liner type train operated by DBS '4O53'.Perhaps they need a better sales team?
..22 may 2012..
Ex-Fastline 66302 now in DRS-Blue passes Coedkernow with the 'Tesco-Express' from DIRFT or Daventry if you like going to Wentloog at Cardiff,working is '4V38'.It certainly adds a bit of variety to the normally very 'red' scene here in S-Wales.
..21 may 2012..
Working of the day,or it would have been if the sun had stay out! Ex-DRS 66418 passes Saxon-Road in Southamptom with '4O52'.This additional Saturday working from Wentloog in Cardiff looks extremly well loaded.Note the use of the 'lowliner' wagons to enable the movement on the larger height containers on the route to Cardiff.Several 'pocket' wagons were included further back in the consist.Interestingly last year there was no Saturday Liners to or from Cardiff.Now there are two.Things appear to be looking up! ..19 may 2012..
Today due to Engineering work between Gloucester and Severn-Tunnel-Junction the 'Tesco-Express' from Daventry going to Cardiff-Wentloog was diverted via the Gloucester to Bristol route and then the Tunnel to Wales.Here is '4V38' with ex-Fastline 66305 emerging into the sunshine at Wickwar in the northern outskirts of Greater-Bristol.
..13 may 2012..
'4V38' from Daventry (DIRFT) bringing the Tesco-Boxes to Wentloog passes Hatherley in Cheltenham running about 100 minutes late (Assuming on the weekday schedule--but this was a Good-Friday.) As usual the cloud cover had rolled in and though brightish it was not quite the result I had intended.After last weeks superb spell of unbroken blue skies I am afraid things are back to normal! One of DRS's dirtiest, 5-door low-emission 66424 on the duty today. ..06 april 2012..
For some reason todays '6M36' was routed via Gloucester instead of the usual route up the Welsh-Marches.Here the Westbury Le-Farge to Earles Sidings with a considerable load of 36 4-wheel 'TTA-s' is seen passing Badgeworth heading north with ex-DRS 66419 in charge.Nice to see something other than a bogie-fuel train or aggregate hoppers!
..19 march 2012..
Former 'Fastline' 66302 heads '4V38' from 'DIRFT' or Daventry if you like going down to Cardiff-Wentloog.This new flow seems to be running 6 days a week and has certainly caused quite a bit of local Interest.Here the 'Less-co2' Express is seen speeding through a rather dull Badgeworth about a mile or so west of Cheltenham.Note how the 'Compass' Livery in the flank is completely ruined by the 5th-door of this low-emission version GM.
Lack of 'depth of field' is due to having to use a prime-lens virtually wide-open to enable sufficient shutter speed, thus freezing the action at 400asa because of the dismal lighting conditions.
To see what this Engine looked like in 'Fastline' Livery click HERE although loco seen is actually 66303. ..16 march 2012..
After a really quick turnaround at Theale this working '6B21' was actually running about 90 minutes ahead of booked time on the return to Bristol Barrow Road.66415 is seen making good time here at Bradford-on-Avon as it passes Barton-Farm-Xing.A very fine day as can be seen! Amazing really after the usual BBC forecast was predicting clouds and virtually no sun.Wot a bunch of amateurs ..10 march 2012..
One of the dwindling band of ex-DRS 66's being operated by Freightliner was today assigned to the Bristol Barrow Road to Theale '6A21'.Here it is with 66415 up front rounding the curve at Great-Cheverell on the B&H heading east. I think we need to make the most of these 'blue' engines because all the evidence points to them all being Poland bound in the near future.
..10 march 2012..
The returning Freightliner-HH empty hoppers from Theale going back to the siding at Bristol-Barrow Road.This working '6B21'was today graced with one of the ex-DRS machines still in the quite smart 'Compass' colours.This one 66415 will probably end up being exported to Poland as have several of its classmates that moved over from DRS after a short period of work with FL. Anyway here is 66415 swinging through Wolfhall-Junction just west of Crofton on the B&H running pretty much on time with its set of mainly green FL hoppers with a few white ones intermixed.
..03 march 2012..
'4S44' from Daventry (12:16 off) with 66428 runs past Litchfield heading for Coatbridge.This section of line was fairly recently upgraded from 2-tracks to 4 resulting in (for now) some fairly bush-free vista's of the southern side of the line around this area.
..28 march 2012..
The recently introduced Daventry (DIRFT) to Wentloog 'Less-Co2' working '4V38' passes Ashchurch with the current 'Malcolm' liveried DRS-Shed 66434 at its head.It certainly makes a colourful sight on this dedicated block working.
..28 march 2012..
The new regular flow '4V38' from Daventry (DIRFT) to Wentloog used to supply the massive Tesco Warehouses at Magor runs down past Portskewett just south of Chepstow.Unfortunately with the change to BST to light is now just off the front of this working here! Loco today is 66301 that is now a DRS engine where once it was in the pay of 'Fastline' and wore a quite pleasant Grey/Yellow livery.However when the owning company 'Jarvis Rail' folded so did 'Fastline'.....Pity......
..27 march 2012..
This is a new recent flow that has just started from 'DIRFT' Daventry down to Wentloog on behalf of Tesco.The entire train is branded 'Less Co2' as a play on words extolling the 'green' credentials of rail over road transport.In truth the cost of diesel is now so expensive railways are once again able to compete when handling in bulk! Anyway here is 66428 with the new '4V38' service passing Portskewett heading for Cardiff.Ironically the trains pass within 200yards of the Tesco Distribution Depot these containers are destined for but have to go a further 15 miles to Wentloog and are then roaded back to the Magor Depot. ..06 march 2012..
DRS cast-off 66420 passes Ram-Hill with '4V34' from Ipswich to Bristol FL Terminal loaded with just one box. Pity really but thats life! At least the sun was out.
..28 january 2012..
After just 90 minutes in the Virtual-Quarry at Westbury the whole train was fully loaded with ballast and was on the move back to Taunton.Pretty impressive considering all loading is done there with mechanical shovels! However this quick turnaround was largely wasted by this return working '6C73' having to sit in the Frome station loop for 3/4 of an hour.Anyway here it is passing Witham-Friary catching a brightish patch of winter-light.66419 looking quite smart in its now redundant 'Compass' livery.
..11 january 2011..
Ex-DRS 66419 is now a Freightliner engine and seems to spend quite a lot of time working off either Taunton or Stoke-Gifford.Hence when it was reported leaving Taunton on '6C72' bound for Westbury I decided to make the effort even though the light was not particularly special! Here it is powering through Clink nr Frome just a few miles from its destination.
..11 january 2012..
Now in the Freightliner-Fold, DRS refugee 66419 slows past Taunton on the approach to Fairwater-Yard with '6C73' from Westbury.Usual consist for this working of a 'part' HOBC and some 'HQA-s'.
..30 november 2011..
New recruit to the ranks of Freightliner is 66413 still wearing the colours of its old owner DRS.Seen here coming off the Worting-Flyover on '6Z22' from Eastleigh to Stud Farm.This Loco has got to an early candidate for repaint possibly in 'Powerhaul' colours?
..06 october 2011..
The former Malcolm Logistics liveried 66412 is also ex-DRS as it is now officially a Freightliner Engine.Seen on its first duty for F-Liner on '4V50' from Southampton to Cardiff-Wentloog.The very clean DRS/Malcolm-blue/black or is it black/blue? looking very smart in the bright sunlight,and the hazard-stripes on the buffer-plate give this one a unique appearance.Could this be the first 66 to recieve 'Powerhaul' styling as it certainly wont remain in this colour for very long. Working seen at Coedkernew on the 4-track between Newport and Cardiff.
..30 september 2011..
Shiny 66429 passes on the 'Suger-Liner' from Tilbury going to DIRFT at Daventry.Working is '4M71'. The sunshine today really showing off the DRS livery to good effect.
..29 september 2011..
Immaculate DRS 66421 slows with the 'Dream-Boxes' from Coatbridge going to Daventry-DIRFT.Running as '4M34'.The terminal is barely a few hundred yards from this location at Barby-Nortoft.
..29 september 2011..
Running just 5 minutes behind the preceeding HST-service was the now firmly established '4L32' Freightliner service from Bristol-West back to Tilbury.Today using yet another 'hire-in' from DRS.This time it was 66425.Another healthy load as well! Location as below was Bathampton. Note the 5th-door of this 'low-emission' version making rather a mess of the Compass-Livery Logo on the flank!
..21 september 2011..
First shot of the month and a cracker! DRS 66417 on-hire to Freightliner hauls the Bristol-West FLT to Tilbury Docks Liner past Corsham just east of the exit to Box-Tunnel.Working is '4L32' and today was a substantial load. ..01 september 2011..
Footnote---This engine left the Country on 28 february 2012 having been exported to Poland to work for the Freightliner Company there.
Welcome visitor on '4O51' from Cardiff-Wentloog to Southampton is this 'Hire-In' from DRS.Compass liveried 66431 seen passing Chipping-Sodbury with the now regular saturday working.Note the extensive use of 'pocket' and 'megafret' wagons to allow transportation of the now increasingly common larger sized containers that would be out of gauge without them.
..27 august 2011..
Now that 'Eddie the Engine' has been deflocked this one,66414 'James the Engine' is the only DRS loco to retain this extreemly colourful livery.Here seen powering through Chorlton with the '4M34' Coatbridge to Daventry Liner-Service. ..22 august 2011..
Todays '4L32' from Bristol West-Depot going back to Tilbury used the 'Hire-In' from DRS 66429 to do this duty.Train seen passing the site of the long closed Corsham Station not far from the easterly portal of Box-Tunnel. Nice symetrical tanktainers at the front of this well loaded working. 08 june 2011..
This former 'Advenza' working is now in the hands of 'DRS'.Coming from Stockton and going to Cardiff-Tidal is this train of shredded-scrap to be reprocessed into 're-bar' at Tremorfa-Steelworks.Reporting as '6Z90',today was hauled by 66428 seen skirting the River-Severn nr Purton. ..03 june 2011..
'On Hire' DRS 66420 rests at Westbury.You can tell it is on hire to DBS because it is so filthy!!!!! ..14 march 2011..
Here is a shot of the ill fated 66402 whilst it was working on the Cardiff/Bristol to Taunton LCHS diagrams during the summer of 2010.This loco was used due to the appalling reliability of the Class 57/3's that were the booked traction.Here it is passing Malago Vale in the western outskirts of Bristol working '2D04' from Taunton to Bristol-Parkway.One of the 57's,57309 in Virgin-Thunderbird livery being on the rear.At this point the ex-DRS engine had been de-decaled.Not long afterwards it went to GBRf and got renumbered as 66734 and repainted in Europorte colours.Almost exactly 2 years later on 28 june 2012 it was derailed beside Loch Trieg nr Tulloch in Scotland.Due to the almost impossible task of recovery the largely undamaged engine was cut up on site.However that is not the end of the story.The engine from this loco has now been rebuilt and fitted to 66779 'Evening Star',nominally the final Class-66 ever to be built.Life goes on-as they say!
..25 june 2010..
Here is a blast from the fairly recent past! Ex-DRS 66402 top-n-tailed with 57309 heads '2U24' from Taunton to Cardiff.Seen here passing Pilning. This significantly was the loco that after being transferred to GBRf and being renumbered as 66734 ended up getting derailed in Scotland beside Loch Treig at Tulloch on 28th June/2012.Due to the extreme difficulty involved in recovering the locomotive it was decided to cut it up on site,even though it was not actually that badly damaged and would have been repaired if it had been recovered. --------24 june 2010.........
DRS cast-off 66402 by this time working for GbrF runs up through Frome with the early morning scrap-sleepers from Taunton's Fairwater-Yard going to Peterborough.This working '4E31' no longer runs with GbrF and it also is not routed this way either.Sadly this engine was doomed and only had just over a year left in service albeit renumbered 66734 and repainted in Europorte colours.On 28 June 2012 it was derailed by a landslide beside Loch Trieg nr Tulloch in Scotland and due to the difficulties involved in recovering it from its precarious position a decision was made in early 2013 to dismantle it on the spot for scrap.
..22 june 2010..
'4S45' the 18:30 Daventry to Mossend headed by DRS 66414 running in 'Stobart-Rail' livery as 'James the Engine' passes Easenhall as it heads north on the WCML.
..13 august 2009..
66414 of the DRS Company decked out in 'Stobart Rail' Colours and named 'James the Engine' passes Easenhall in the Midlands with '4M44' from Grangemouth going to Daventry Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).
..13 august 2009..
'6C17' from Westbury Le-Farge to Moorswater.An on-hire to Freightliner DRS 66423 being in charge of its load of 12 'PCA-s'.Working seen passing Blatchbridge at the western end of the Frome Avoiding-Line.
..21 april 2008..
66417 runs down past Comberford on the WCML with '4M44' from Mossend going to Daventry.As can be seen the West-Coast was only twin tracks here but is in the process of being quadrupled with the new gantry's already in place as is some of the new trackwork.The locomotive was eventually passed on to Freightliner as surplus to requirements who duly exported it to Poland in 2011.
..23 october 2007..
The then pretty much brand new 66413 owned by DRS sweeps round the curve at Hiemes Farm north of Norton Bridge on the WCML.The working was the 'Malcolm Express' from Mossend to Daventry '4M44'.Prior to these GM's taking over this was a solid working for a pair of Class-37's.
..26 september 2006..
DRS 66407 at that time hired out to Freightliner exits Twerton Tunnel west of Bath with the Bath to Bristol Barrow Road leg of this MGR style Binliner duty.From there it will proceed to Calvert for unloading and tomorrow will repeat this circular operation all over again.This loco turned out to be a bit of an orphan for a few years.It took on the livery of 'Colas' as 66842 for a while then moved on to become 66743 in the GBRf-Europorte's expanding fleet.