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EWS & DBS (After 01 August 2018)
The Original 66 type to enter the Country in 1998. Of the original 250 in the UK 64 now in France,15 are in Poland and just one has been withdrawn due to crash damage leaving just 170 in use in the UK
Here is '6Z42' or is it '4Z42'?? heading for Merehead Quarry from Acton-TC (14:32 off).This particular train being routed via Swindon and not down the B&H for some reason? A partially re-liveried EWS-GM 66012 being in charge of a string of newish looking stone-boxes.Here seen at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..31 july 2019..
66154 still in EWS colours approaches Clink Road Junction in Frome with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley.
..31 july 2019..
'6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley empty boxes passes Fairwood Junction. This locomotive 66003 still in its original paint was the first production GM Class-66 to enter the country way back in August 1998,21 years ago.66001 & 66002 can be considered as pre-production prototypes.Indeed 66002 remained in the USA for quite some time as a development mule!
..29 july 2019..
Temperatures may have been in the low 30's today but in reality it was mainly quite cloudy.This is the only local shot I managed in decent light.So here is EWS namer 'James Nightall GC' 66079 with '6C58' the 11:45 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley nearing journeys end at Clink.
..25 july 2019..
EWS liveried 66120 with its train of largely hot-air passes Worting working '4O43' the 04:54 from Wakefield-Europort to Southampton Western Docks Berth 109.
..24 july 2019..
The 16:42 from Gloucester Yard to Westbury working, '6W02' arrives in Westbury amongst the late evening shadows with 66012 leading a long string of mainly empty JNA's. This train was booked into the Down Yard which meant the shadows wouldn't have been such a problem.Sod's Law applied however and it was routed into the Up side still partially shadowed..Oh Well?
..21 july 2019..
There is only a very short window of opportunity to picture a freight working here at Blatchbridge Junction just west of Frome.As soon as the sun-angle become reasonable the shadows rapidly move across the tracks! Here is '7V12' the 13:38 from Woking heading for Merehead with its string of emptied boxes.'Heritage' EWS-66198 still in largely as delivered livery was doing the duty.
..4 july 2019..
An early repaint into Schenker-Red and still lacking the now almost universal large 'DB' stickers is 66118.Here returning '7V07' the 12:41 from Chichester Recp down to Merehead.Another few months and shots of these DB-66's will largely be history on this line once Freighliner commence operations out of the Mendips.
..3 july 2019..
GM-66144 still wears the oldest EWS colours c/w all logo's etc as it passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in London.
..28 june 2019..
EWS-66147 returns north to Halewood (Jaguar) from Southampton Eastern Docks (10:34 off) with its empty car carriers ready for another load to come south for export.Viewed approaching Eastleigh Station.
..27 june 2019..
DB's 66131 one of the increasingly large band of reliveried GM's runs through Eastleigh with 4M71' the 09:45 from Southampton W Docks -Berth 109 to Birch Coppiuce.Nice to see a 'liner' with a full load for a change!
..27 june 2019..
EWS-66144 again, this time with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley going up to the Capital at Churchyard Sidings.Viewed on what is the longest day of the year at Masters Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.Its downhill now for daylight all the way to Autumn! ---21 june 2019---
Finally after several days of abject lighting the skies finally cleared for a short time to allow a couple of shots in superb low evening lighting here at Frome.This is EWS liveried 66144 with an STP--'6Z52' the 14:51 away from Southampton Up yard returning empties albeit just 9 boxes back to Whatley Quarry.Seen at the classic location Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..20 june 2019..
66003,the first productiuon GM-66 (66001 and 66002 can be regarded as pre-production prototypes) runs through Fairwood with '6M20' the regular 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to the capital at Churchyard Sidings-St Pancras.Annoyingly now the summer is here the aggressive Bee's were attacking bystanders as in previous years.I hid in my car until the very last moment to avoid being stung as I have been here several times in the past!
..24 may 2019..
DB-Pinky 66137 c/w a set of matching HRA's rumbles into Westbury as '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up the Churchyard Sdg's-Tarmac at St Pancras.
..16 may 2019..
The nicely workstained original liveried EWS-GM 66181 passes Bratton on the B&H with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road empties going down to Whatley Quarry.
..15 may 2019..
DB-66113 coughs out a bit of blackness as it passes Fairwood with '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC returning empty boxes to Whatley Quarry.
..14 may 2019..
A remarkably bright and shiny 66140 still in its EWS form works up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '6M20' comprising a healthy length train of HRA's.Its destination being Churchyard sidings at St Pancras from Whatley Quarry on a 10:37 departure time.
..30 april 2019..
'Heritage' EWS 66162 still in its full original livery c/w decals heads '6A83' the 13:26 from Bennetts at Avonmouth going up to Theale-FY Sdg's. Viewed nr Great Cheverell running just one signal block (6 minutes) behind '6L21' that was bound for Dagenham Dock.
..29 april 2019..
DB's 66142 'Maritime Intermodal-Three' with '4O21' the 09:12 from Trafford Park to Western Docks-Berth 109 draws through St Denys in Southampton.All the loaded container-flats were on the rear leaving the loco looking rather lost with about a dozen empty bogies seperating it from its cargo.
..18 april 2019..
'Maritime Intermodel-One' 66005 has been dedicated to this working now for several weeks.This is '4E68' the 15:53 from Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109 going up to Wakefield Europort.Seen passing St Denys in some rather weakish sunlight.At least it was well loaded behind the loco and not carrying nowt as is often the norm lately on these container trains!
..18 april 2019..
The recently reliveried Maritime Intermodel-One' 66005 looks very striking as it passes Eastleigh East Yard working '4O43' the 05:59 from Wakefield Europort down to Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109.
..18 april 2019..
'4M71' the 09:45 from Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109 to Birch Coppice rolls slowly to a stop within the confines of Eastleigh Station so as to execute a crew change.This being a fairly regular happening with any of the companies working out of the Docks.Old style liveried EWS-66102 was doing the duty.
..18 april 2019..
Grubby workstained 66181 hauls its loaded set of 20 now quite faded and grafittied HRA's over Fairwood Junction on '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley going as ever up the Churchyard Sidings in the capital.
..15 april 2019..
'Old School' 66031 runs up through Berkley Marsh with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going to Churchyard Sidings-Tarmac in London. HRA's are now in use again on this train,20 in total.So far not completely defaced by the mindless jerks that infest the freight yards after dark in the London area!
..12 april 2019..
Almost totally immaculate 66142 in its new 'Maritime' colours c/w its 'Maritime Intermodel -Three' nameplates runs past Mount Pleasant in Southampton with a partially loaded '4O21' the 09:12 from Trafford Park to Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109.I would guess this loco needs a spot of engine tuning given the state of the roof panels that are covered in sooty deposits considering that it has only been 10 days since its full repaint!
..11 april 2019..
The newly reliveried DB-66005 in Maritime-Blue along with 'Maritime Intermodel-One' nameplates eases up the relief line at Mount Pleasant road crossing in Southampton with '4E68' the 15:53 away from Western Docks-Berth109 going up to Wakefield-Europort.
..11 april 2019..
DB's 66031 creeps away from Clink Road Junction with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings in London.Notably the converted (shortened) HTA'a now listed as HRA's are back on this duty after a week or so with the old ex-RMC doing the duty.
..11 april 2019..
EWS-66030 crawls to a stop next to the crew change point at Peak Forest with '6H52' the 13:07 from Dowlow Brigg Sdg's going to Ashburys.Note the plain DB-Red Class-60 seemingly with no identity whatsoever,certainly from my angle of view anyway.
..5 april 2019..
DB-GM 66177 draws a quite smart looking set of bogie-boxes through Berkley Marsh running as '6Z42 a Mon/Fri excepted-Q working.Not too bad for a 17:30 timed shot.The next weekend the summer clocks kick in and the light will be acceptable about here to at least 19:00!
..27 march 2019..
66031 is seen doing its bit for Global Warming as it works away from Westbury at Masters Crossing-Fairwood with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.A lovely quiet spot this with no road noise and just the sound of the birds to keep you company!
..27 march 2019..
66014 today powered '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC to Whatley. Seen on the straight away from Fairwood Junction.Interestingly 59102 was tagged onto the rear of this train.
..27 march 2019..
Grubby 66050 although now befeft of its EWS badging on the sides still carries its 'EWS Energy' nameplates on the cabsides.Not for much longer that's for sure. Anyway here it is at Clink working '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC returning emptied aggrgates boxes to Whatley Quarry.
..26 march 2019..
DB-66104 comes over Fairwood Foot Crossing with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings-Tarmac in the City of London.Back to a well worn set of HOA/IIA's for this duty. The brand new set of refurbished HRA's seem to have done a disappearing act!
..25 march 2019..
For a brief period four loco's with completely different liveries were clustered together here in Westbury.Another example of just what a 'hot-spot' this location has now become in the ever reducing world of the UK freight scene.From L to R they are AI-59005 on a Merehead to Wootton Bassett aggregate service,GBRf's 66773 that has just come in from Eastleigh to work '6M40' to Stud Farm, DB's-66009 doing a spot of yard shunting and Colas's-66849 that had just arrived from Cardiff-Canton to work a ballast train west later with 66850.
..13 march 2019..
DB-Red 66009 involves itself in a spot of shunting here at Westbury.The wagons arrived a couple of hours earlier nominally as '6V33' the 07:27 from Wembley to Whatley empties but they diverted into the Up-yard for some reason.
..13 march 2019..
After popping home for a couple of cups of coffee and a spot of housework I ventured out again a few hours later for this working, '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC down to Whatley Quarry.Seen as it makes a smoky getaway from Westbury on the approach to Fairwood Junction.A workstained 66091 was todays pick of the bunch to do this duty.
..11 march 2019..
The old 'JGA-s' or as I prefer to call them 'rust buckets' have made a return to this regular duty out of Whatley Quarry (10:37 off) to Churchyard Sidings-'6M20'.The pretty much original liveried EWS-66161 is seen passing Berkley Marsh with those wagons,also along for the ride was just three of the newish 'HRA' type in the formation as well.This mix-n-match has started already!
..11 march 2019..
The real reason for being here was 43002,the Inter-City HST Power Car on '1C82' which was running about 15 minutes behind this freight. Needless to say that appeared under a large dull cloudy patch so best forgotten! Anyway here by way of a consolation is EWS-GM 66169 with '6C58' working the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road taking empty boxes back to Whatley Quarry.Viewed at Bratton in full sun but in a howling gale of very strong winds.
..7 march 2019..
Deceivingly 66085 looks like it has just had a DB-red makeover when in fact it has been reliveried now for well over a year! Here is that rather smart GM working '6V33' the 07:27 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre empty hoppers to Whatley Quarry to collect a fresh load of aggregates.Pictured at Berkley Marsh is what was basically the final slot of sunshine for the rest of the day.
..4 march 2019..
66143 again worked '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley today.here seen in a brief bout of sunniness in an otherwise rather cold and dull day approaching Clink Road Junction.Alll very convenient as this location is only about 200 yds from my home.Open Time Trains (OTT) comes in very useful at times like this!
..28 february 2019..
EWS's 66059 draws '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road past Masters Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.This long straight flat location was the site of the Fairwood water troughs from way back in steam days when the non-stoppers around the Westbury avoider were able to replenish their tenders ready for a further 100 miles of running.
..27 february 2019..
66143 a rather smart example of the early EWS livery but confusingly stickered up as DB as well! runs away from Westbury at Fairwood with '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC going down to Whatley Quarry.
..27 february 2019..
This is a very busy locomotive.In the last three days it has been to Fareham,Eastleigh and now today Oxford! Here is EWS-66143 with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road returning empty aggregate boxes to Whatley Quarry.Seen at the wide open spaces that is currently Hungerford Common on the B&H route.
..26 february 2019..
'EWS Energy' 66050 dodges the shadows as it passes Hungerford Common with the late running '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings in London.The set of HRA hoppers continue to be dedicated to this flow from new now for over a month so it looks like the old ex-RMC's are now gone forever.
..26 february 2019..
With the sunset now getting later by the day there is now sufficient light to picture '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury Engineers working in a few places if the sun is shining.Today was an exceptionally warm and sunny day considering it is still February albeit quite late in the month. So here is EWS-GM 66143 passing Arn Hill nr Warminster about to crest the Upton Scudamore Incline ready for the drop down into journeys end--Westbury.
..25 february 2019..
GM-66014 in semi-EWS colours works '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties past the superbly restored and operational locls here at Crofton of the K&A Canal.The line itself is known as the B&H!
..25 february 2019..
66050 'EWS Energy' with the large EWS-Logo now erased but no sign of DB ownership hums through Wolfhall on the B&H with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings-Tarmac in London. Note how grimy the newly introduced 'HRA' hoppers have become in just a few weeks running up and down the line between the Somerset Quarries and the Capital.
..25 february 2019..
This is a curious one.Nominally '6V18' thr 11:25 from Allington-ARC to Whatley Quarry this train picked up that path when it started from Acton-TC at about 13:40.Destination still being Whatley but the wagons which are the quite new HRA rebuilds normally work up to St Pancras most mornings so this was a nice chance to picture them travelling in the opposite direction for a change! Loco was 66050 'EWS Energy' still with its nameplate '59 style' not on its flanks but on the cabsides. Viewed as the sun was rapidly going down passing Clink nr Frome.
..22 february 2019..
I missed this loco DB's 66100 'Armistice 100 1918-2018' last thursday at Oxford which was a particularly sunny day but thankfully today I managed to picture it working '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC returning empty boxes to Whatley Quarry.Caught in a brief splash of sunniness shortly after it had departed Westbury for Whatley Quarry at Fairwood.
..19 february 2019..
EWS-66086 works '6M20' with its now regular set of 'HRA' hoppers on the 10:37 Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings past Fairwood nr Westbury.Although the wagons are only a few weeks old they have already suffered grafitti attacks on a couple of wagons.Also the paint appears to already have taken on a more faded matt finish unlike the pristine gloss of just a few weeks ago.
..19 february 2019..
Now that it is mid-february and the sun is rising more to the east this shot is becoming quite 'head-on' even at 10:30 in the morning.So here is 'old' liveried EWS-66092 partnered with a rear loco 66034 passing Arn Hill nr Warminster with an STP working,'6W98' the 08:00 from Keynsham to Eastleigh East Yard.Looks to have been on an overnight rail-drop and some rails are still remaining on this CWR working.
..17 february 2019..
A quite tidy 66012 draws away from Westbury with '6C58' the empty boxes from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.
..15 february 2019..
Due to some kind of general delay on the WCML around Norton Bridge this train along with several others was quite severely delayed.This working '4O21' the 09:12 from Trafford Park-Euro Term to Southampton W Docks Berth-109 being 77 minutes down at this stage.Here it is seen at an increasingly shadowed Didcot-North Junction with DB-Red pairing 66082/66128 in charge of a quite nicely loaded train.The location and use of a long tele lens being made necessary by the increasing loss of shadowfree opportunities.(Desperation in other words!).
..14 february 2019..
After a very misty start to the day the fog finally lifted to clear blue skies just before 11:00 here at Didcot-North.First freight is reasonable sunlight was '4O40' the 09:43 from Morris-Cowley-MAT taking another consignment of BMW-Minis down to Southampton Eastern Docks for export.66095 in dull old former EWS colours was on this duty today.
..14 february 2019..
DB-66009 heads '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham returning empty boxes to Whatley Quarry.Seen at Sherrington looking south.In the last century a fairly decent 'side-on' shot was available here but rampant bush-n-trees grown put paid to that!
..13 february 2019..
I recently acquired a 'kit' lens of 18-55mm to replaced my 17-85mm that had failed yet again with internal ribbon cable problems for the second time.I did this because repair cost through Canon was more than the cost of its replacement lens.Quality is surprisingly fine certainly for web use anyway.So here is an ultra wide shot (18mm) of '6A26' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry(WO) going up to Hayes & Harlington-Tarmac.66014 was again going the job along with the new HRA,shortened HTA hoppers.
..13 february 2019..
Todays '6V33' the 07:27 empty hoppers (for loading) from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry passes Berkley on the approach to Clink Road Junction.Nice to see the old ex-RMC orange rust-buckets still in circulation.Note the wagon next to the loco EWS-66162 had some time ago had a 'Schenker-Red' makeover but now the paint has faded so much the colour now almost matches the old RMC shade of orange/red!
..13 february 2019..
Here is the first run this week in daylight and sun for that matter of the set of recently rebuilt HTA's into HRA's on '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings (Tarmac).Old style 66014 minus the large EWS on its flanks but without any DB markings whatsoever was doing the job today.Seen approaching Westbury nr Fairwood Junction in a brief pool of sunniness!
..12 february 2019..
DB's 66149 heads away from Fairwood-Junction with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty boxes.I came here to Master's Crossing nr Fairwood to picture the Test-Train to Weymouth with its pair of Colas-67's but at that time just 10 minutes previously the scene was clouded and dull.Obviously a vast improvement then for this shot!
..30 january 2019..
Day-2 of the use of these newly rebuilt ex-coal hoppers HTA's into HRA's on '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley to Churchyard Sdg's and two of the rake of 22 wagons have already suffered at the hand of the wannabe-banksy's probably in the London area. 66150 looking quite dull compared with the set of wagons.Seen at Clink nr Frome.
..29 january 2019..
Here is a full set of converted ex-coal hoppers (HTA) now rebuilt as HRA's,about 20% have been cut out of the centre making a more useful hopper for aggregate work.Hauled by DB's 66150 it is viewed passing Bratton on the B&H with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going to Churchyard Sidings.Does the appearence of these wagons mean the end on the old orange 'rust bucket' ex-RMC's I wonder?
..28 january 2019..
This is '6V33' the 07:27 from Wembley Euro Freight Ops Centre going to Whatley Quarry to collect a load of ballast.An early Schenker-Red logo'd 66101 was doing the duty.The wagons being the old National Power set now mostly repainted into DB-Red with just a few yet to be similarly treated in the make-up.Here seen at Baynton Farm (Cowleaze Lane) nr Bratton on the B&H.
..28 january 2019..
Shabby-Shed 66162 breasts the top of the Upton Scudamore Incline with '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury-Down Yd to Eastleigh-East Yd.A fairly light load today,just a set of 5-HQA's and a few wagons and flats.
..28 january 2019..
'6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings(St Pancras) was running 50 minutes late due to '6Z20' being inserted into the schedules in this trains time slot.here 66207 still in EWS colours passes the Loop at Hungerford going East drawing its regular rake of ex-RMC orange rust-buckets(I love e'm).
..17 january 2019..
An STP working ran today nominally in the path of '6M20' as '6Z20' from Whatley Quarry to Acton-TC.Here seen at Hungerford Common with an original looking EWS-GM 66199 in charge.With these IIA & HOA hoppers in tow it would be quite easy to mistake this working for the usual '6M20' that usually passes in this time-slot!
..17 january 2017..
'4O43' the 05:19 from Wakefield-Euroterminal to Southampton Western Docks-berth 109 hugs the hedge here at Millbrook as it takes the track into the docks.EWS/DB 66095 was doing the job.Again all the empty 'flats' were directly behind the loco!
..9 january 2019..
DB liveried 66134 heads '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard Engineers train.Interesting load today consisting of a rather large Colas-Crane and a set of HOBC wagons as well.Viewed in pristine winter light passing the ancient Church St-Nicholas of Mira at Little Langford in the Wylye Valley.
..9 january 2019..
Yet another recent repaint into DB-Red.This time it is 66027 seen here approaching Westbury with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings up in London nr St-Pancras.Now that Freightliner have won the contract for the Mendip-Quarry workings from next Autumn I wonder if this working will be included.It always uses DB wagons so perhaps this train will not be included in the changes???? I wonder.
..8 january 2019..
DB liveried 66035 'Resourceful' heads '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry past Masters Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.It didn't go via the Station as it normally does due to the Westbury Station area still being completely closed due to difficulties recommisioning the signalling there after the entire North Junction track layout was replaced during the Xmas shutdown.
..4 january 2019..
The rather filthy DB liveried 66104 (Probably from RHTT duties) passes Fairwood nr Westbury with this STP working '6Z06' bringing this pair of RHTT-FEA's 652020 & 642035 up from Exeter Riverside (10:08 off) to Westbury Down-TC. Now the leaf fall season is over these will go back to their base wherever that is ? for a good clean and service ready for next years duties.
..20 december 2018..
A promising morning sun-wise stirred me enough to make the trip over to Warminster to picture '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury down to Eastleigh East Yard Engineers working..Nothing too inspiring though just an EWS-GM dragging an empty CWR-Set. Seen cresting the summit of the Upton Scudamore Embankment at Arn Hill nr Warminster.
..10 december 2018..
Less than 5 minutes behind the Freightliner-Tripper from Taunton was '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry bound for Churchyard Sidings in London.This working was nearly 30 minutes early at this point but was held over in Westbury to allow an HST to run in front,thus reverting to a right time departure from there.Good old EWS liveried 66056 is seen in charge of the usual rake of ex-RMC's passing berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..4 december 2018..
This working appears to be a bit of an odd-ball.It ran from Acton-Mainline (07:47 off)? instead of Acton-TC going to Whatley Quarry.It ran as an STP.The hoppers seem to be DB owned so is not a regular Quarry based service.EWS-66011 did the duty and it is viewed shortly after departing Westbury on the final leg down to the Quarry passing Masters Crossing with Fairwood Junction in the far background.
..22 november 2018...
EWS-66086 with '6V33' the 07:25 from Wembley Euro Freight Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry passes 66006 with '6A26' to Hayes & Harlington. A nice piece of timing this,'6A26' vacated the Quarry line just a minute or so before '6V33' goes in from the opposite direction.This section of line between Westbury and Frome (Clink) is certainly busy with these aggregate workings! Viewed at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..21 november 2018..
With its usual set of Orange ex-RMC rust buckets '6A26' runs up through Clink nr Frome with EWS-GM 66006 in charge.After the high winds of the last few days quite a few of the bushes and trees along the line here have now pretty much lost most of their autumnal leaves. It will soon be time for some snow perhaps?
..21 november 2018..
EWS's 66116 is seen working '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham to Whatley Quarry through Berkley nr Frome under blue skies.As usual the BBC predicted clouds and even some rain by lunchtime whereas in fact neither actually happened.
..14 november 2018..
Filthy Duo-66067/66104 run down through Witham Friary with '3J13' the 08:50 RHTT from Westbury returning to base at St Blazey.A nice day considering the BBC had predicted one of dullness and heavy showers!.How can you plan a day-out when the forecast is so inaccurate?
..14 november 2018..
66221,still looking substantially as it did when delivered draws away from Westbury with '6C58' thr 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road returning empty aggregate boxes to Whatley Quarry.Seen at Fairwood just west of Westbury.
..6 november 2018..
DB-sticker free EWS-Original 66140 works '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry down the B&H at Bratton in the low late autumn lighting.Its nice to see a set of wagons along this line that are not plastered with mindless grafitti!
..2 november 2018..
Although the clocks changed to GMT from BST nearly a week ago I had to wait until now for a shot here in the sun with the shadows now gone due to that vital hour adjustment.Here is EWS-66067 with DB-Red 66104 in the now completely grubby '3J13' 08:50 Westbury to St Blazey RHTT working.Seen at Styles Hill footbridge on the Frome Avoiding Line.
..2 november 2018..
DB's 66137 rolls slowly up to Clink Road Junction with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley.With the change of the clocks and the ever shortening days this working is just about the only afternoon freight it is now possible to picture here.The later '7C77' and '6V18' are quite simply too late as the shadows will be well over both tracks within 30 minutes!
..1 november 2018..
66030 c/w its rake of ex-RMC orange rust-buckets creeps up through Berkley with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley going up to St-Pancras/Churchyard Sidings.
..1 november 2018..
EWS-66060 lifts a well loaded.'6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury to Eastleigh-East Yard up through Dilton-Marsh.Pity it was an EWS loco,at least the skies were full blue today. Note the pegged area's on the embankment.These are recently installed trap-doors to prevent Badgers from returning to their sets (holes) that were causing the embankment to subside,hence the clear spot on this roadside.Thanks Mr & Mrs Brock! Once they have been cleared out the holes/tunnels will be injected with cement to prevent it happening again.
..31 october 2018..
Replacement pairing 66067/66104 work the local RHTT '3J13' the 09:07 from Westbury to St Blazey via Salisbury away from Westbury at Fairwood.
..27 october 2018..
EWS styled with no DB stickers 66076 glows quite nicely in the autumn light as it passes Clink nr Frome with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.
..24 october 2018..
Grubby pairing 66067/66104 cruises through Berkley Marsh with the local RHTT '3J13' viewed here returning to St Blazey as the 08:50 from Westbury (via Salisbury).
..24 october 2018..
Todays '6A26' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Hayes & Harlington rolls up through Berkley with its usual rake of defaced ex-rmc rust-buckets.DB stickered 66023 was doing the duty.
..24 october 2018..
66006,one of the first EWS GM's to set wheel in this country continues to work in pretty much its original form c/w the 3-heads EWS logo of that long deceased company.Here seen at Mount Pleasant in Southampton on '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh going up to Westbury on the regular afternoon engineers working.
..22 october 2018..
Mount Pleasant in Southampton see's this passing shot.RHTT working operated by DR98914/DR98964 as the 07:36 from Totton Yard back to Totton Yard eventually,passes the 14:45 Eastleigh-East Yard to Westbury afternoon engineers train '6V41'.66006 did this job as the one that worked the morning incoming working 66200 was probably booked into the Depot at Eastleigh for a thorough clean-up as it was in a right state having been on an RHTT for quite a long time.
..22 october 2018..
'4O40' the 09:43 from Morris-Cowley MAT passses eastleigh heading for Southampton Eastern Docks.The car-carriers being fully loaded with BMW-Minis for export.After Brexit becomes final next March gawd knows what will happen next to this currently regular car export flow.
..22 october 2018..
EWS liveried 66060 having participated in the previous weekend's Railtour from Kings-Cross to Scunthorpe was today assigned to returning the ECS from Wembley Euro Ops Centre back to its base in Eastleigh Works-Arlington (ZG).Here it is slowly approaching the Works entry lines with it train of Mk-1 coaches.The long telephoto shot being necessary as it didn't actually pass Campbell Road Bridge where I was positioned.
..22 october 2018..
No load today on the regular Westbury to Eastleigh Engineers so it ran as '0V41'.The loco 66200 is very filthy after a stint on the Cornwall based RHTT.Perhaps it had been assigned a good clean up at Eastleigh Depot,it really needs it.The 'sad-eye' look is certainly quite a change from the norm!
..22 october 2018..
Heritage ? liveried 66075 works '4O44' the 09:29 from Didcot-TC away from Eastleigh going down to the Southampton Western Docks Berth-109.Shame about the lack of containers on the first eight or nine bogie-flats!
..22 october 2018..
DB's 66009 slows for Eastleigh Station with '4M71' the 09:47 from Southampton Western Docks going up to Birch-Coppice.
..22 october 2018..
DB Schenker-Red 66114 with partner the ex-RHTT loco 66200 in filth livery amble up through Berkley Marsh with '6W06' the 08:33 from Exeter-St Thomas to Westbury-Down TC.The train comprising of five 'YKA'-Ospreys,two of which now carry some scrap recovered track panels.
..21 october 2018..
In total three different RHTT diagrams include Westbury on their route.One from St Blazey,One from Bristol Barton Hill and this one from Didcot.Here is that Didcot based one '3J41' with the 14:53 from Didcot-Fuelling point and return via the B&H and Westbury.DB-Red 66019 was leading here with 66037 on the tail.Pictured at Cowleaze Lane nr Bratton.
..19 october 2018..
DB-66114 passes Lambourn Lane in Bratton with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry aggregate empties.A superb cloudless warm autumn day on the B&H!
..19 october 2018..
'3J13' the 08:50 Westbury to St Blazey-LIP RHTT has had a loco change since last week.This pair now being EWS-66067 leading and DB-Red 66104 on the rear.Here is a full frame-shot of it passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome at Pot Lane under a cloudless sky. (That Buddleia Bush is on borrowed time!).
..19 october 2018..
66002 the 2nd pre-production prototype of the Class-66 GM's that remained in the USA for quite some time after production commenced as a test-mule but eventually making it to the UK with no special status is seen here working '6V33' the 07:26 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry empties going for a load of aggregates.The wagons are ex-National Power in various stages of partial repaint giving us a reminder of what the 59/2 locomotives used to look like all those years ago.The train is seen passing the wide open fields at Berkley Marsh nr Frome approaching Clink road Junction.
..19 october 2018..
EWS-66119 lifts its complete set of orange ex-RMC hoppers away from Clink Road Junction as the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings '6M20'.Even these wagons have now suffered graffiti vandalization from the useless nobheads that roam the freight yards in London after dark!Yet another symptom of todays failing society.
..19 october 2018..
RHTT working '3J13' the 09:07 from Westbury to St Blazey via Salisbury just catches a brief glimmer of sunlight as it passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome.66200 now getting progressively more filthy along with 66120 were doing the job.
..13 october 2018..
DB-66129 heads '6M41' the 11:52 from Margam-TC to Round Oak loaded-steel over the Avon at Eckington going north.
..10 october 2018..
A southbound empty steel train '6V92' the 10:22 from Corby going down to Margam-TC passes Eckington Loop as loco 66103 in DB/EWS-Red powers up producing a slightly smoky exhaust!
..10 october 2018..
The regular '6V05' 09:15 from Round Oak going to Margam-TC empty steel carriers passes through Ashchurch returning to S-Wales.66079 an original EWS liveried GM which carries the name 'James Nightall GC' was doing the duty.Note the now seemingly disused spur line that served the large MOD depot here.A few years ago there were regular working from there down to Didcot and Marchwood.Nothing is listed these days to run.
..10 october 2081..
'6C03' the 13:12 from Southall to Severnside-Sita refuse-for-incineration train passes Shockerwick literally going like stink???? EWS-GM 66126 doing the dirty-job.
..7 october 2018..
What an absolute 'dumping ground' this location at Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary has now become! Crap everywhere! This is DB logo'd 66206 returning '7C66' the 14:41 empties from Wootton Bassett back down to Merehead Quarry.When I passed here this morning there was about 6 or 7 cars with all the attendant crowds of people waiting here to see and picture?? the Flying Scotsman as it passed.Now 6 hours later the place was deserted.Give me bags of ballast everytime over kids and pushchairs!
..4 october 2018..
Autumnal colours are now beginning to show up quite noticeably here at Clink as '6A26' the 10:37 from whatley Quarry going to Hayes & Harlington passes by. DB-Red 66034 is seen with a completely uniform rake of older ex-RMC hoppers still in their 'rust bucket' livery. These wagons add some nice variety to the local wagon scene.
..3 october 2018..
If its October then it must be RHTT time once again!This is my first encounter this year of the St Blazey based West Country Rail Head Treatment Train.It has been in operation now for just about a week and already the train is beginning to suffer from grime build-up.66200 leads here with feloe GM 66120 on the rear.The working '3J13' commenced at Westbury (08:50 away) and after a trip down the Wylye Valley to Novichok City (Salisbury) and return then goes down to St Blazey.Viewed here at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..3 october 2018..
EWS-Red 66113 approaches Clink Road Junction with '6V33' the 07:27 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry.Note the solitary Schenker-Red hopper in mid-consist.Repainting their wagon fleet never was much of a priority for DBS!
..3 october 2018..
Although this RHTT started to operate last week I was unable to picture it because I was enjoying a very warm week in Southern Spain (Its a tough life!).Thankfully it was still pretty clean when I saw it today running over Hungerford Common as '3J41' the 14:53 from Didcot Fuelling Point and return via Reading and Westbury down the B&H.66121 was leading with 66019 in DB-Red on the back.That would lead on the return leg from Westbury.
..1 october 2018..
This is an interesting one! Known by some as 'Shed-0-Shed' because of its palindromic number 66066 'Geoff Spencer' is viewed at Hungerford working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road going back to Whatley Quarry with a train of empty boxes..Of interest is the Logo on this loco 'DB' is white letters on a red background.Virtually all the other DB branded loco's have 'DB' in red letters on a white background. A very subtle and easy to miss alteration to this logo! Research shows only this loco 66066 and 66055 have these German type 'Verkehrsrot' decals.
..1 october 2018..
66169 still is EWS guise works '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties away from Fairwood Junction nr Westbury on the final leg of its journey back down to the Quarry.
..17 september 2018..
EWS-66147 powers away from Fairwood Junction with '6V33' the 11:06 from Wembrey Euro Frt Ops Centre going to Whatley quarry to collect a trainload of aggregates.Note the solitary Schenker-Red HOA hopper in the middle of the wagon-set.
..17 september 2018..
This classic shot has recently been opened up by the 'cutting crew' and is now nicely clear again.Several of the 'old' shots on the B&H have recently become available again due to that gang of workers actions! So here is EWS-GM 66169 rounding the bend at Great Cheverell with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road heading for Whatley Quarry with its set of emptied aggregate boxes.
..13 september 2018..
With September nearly 1/2 over the evening sunlight is now getting ever lower in the sky even though it is only 18:30.Here is an EWS GM-66199 catching a bit of a glint here at Berkley Marsh working '6A21' the 18:25 from Whatley heading up to Acton-TC.The wagons looking to be owned by DB on this working.
..12 september 2018..
EWS liveried 66005 who's claim to fame is it was one of the first batch of three production GM-66's to enter the country way back in the last century approaches Clink Road Junction with '6V33' the 07:27 from Wembley Eoro Frt Ops Centre going to Whatlay Quarry for a load of aggregates. Seen at Berkley Marsh where a rather large Buddleia Bush has sprouted during the summer months.I have no doubt it will magically disappear sometime before 2019 comes around!
..5 september 2018..
Still in the original EWS colours and condition GM-66160 drags its 23 strong string of ex-RMC JGA hoppers of various designs up through Clink working '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyards Sidings/St Pancras.
..3 september 2018..
EWS-66037 clears its lungs at it powers away from an enforced 15 minute wait at the signal that protects Clink Junction whilst an HST,the slow and heavy '6L21' stone train from Whatley and a local working-Turbo from Frome cleared the area. This train being '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Rd to Whatley.This brief splash of sun was the first spot of brightness since 66037 was halted within sight nearly 20 minutes ago!
..31 august 2018..
66160 in pretty much original EWS condition livery-wise draws away from Westbury as '6V33' bound for Whatley Quarry with a set of wagons for loading with aggregates from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre (07:26 away).Pictured in a patch of sunniness.The Westbury White Horse in the background wasn't quite so lucky!
..31 august 2018..
GM-66060 without EWS on the side panels but with the '3 heads' logo on the cabsides and no DB stickers anywhere (Probably created with the swapping on the main engine cover?)has just passed Fairwood Junction with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going to Churchyard Sidings at St-Pancras.Wagons being the good old 'rust-bucket ex-RMC's.This tele-shot was made necessary because the entire foreground was shouded in heavy shadows from the ever increasing clouds.
..31 august 2018..
DB's current shunt loco here in Westbury Up-TC Yard in 66161.Here seen dealing with a train of side-tippers.Conveniently for photography longer trains require the shunt loco to draw up past the platforms in the station and then push back.On a busy day this can happen quite a few times,sometimes even when the sun is shining!
..29 august 2018..
DB-Red 66124 runs through Westbury with an 'STP' from Hayes & Harlington (07:55 off) going to Whatley Quarry.I do not know the reporting number as this is not a regular working. Note this train is coming in from the Trowbridge direction as once again the B&H is closed whilst NR frantically assemble the infrastructure needed for the well behind scheduled Electrification.
..29 august 2018..
Yet another EWS liveried loco,this time 66057 passes Berkley Marsh with an empty set of boxes.This time as '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC down to Merehead.Perhaps there is a shortage of Class-59's ?????
..21 august 2018..
DB's EWS liveried 66126 brings a set of empty Hanson-Hoppers past Berkley Marsh as '6C74' the 15:35 from Theale heading for Whatley Quarry.
..21 august 2018..
Another recently reliveried DB-GM 66124 passes Clink nr Frome with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to St Pancras/Churchyard Sdg's.Although was pretty much 'on-time' here it eventually arrived at its destination 2 hours late due to it having to be diverted via Swindon with all the delays that entails due to an HST failing on the B&H nr Theale with a Power-car apparantly on fire!
..13 august 2018..
This working hauled by EWS-66057 is a bit of an oddball? Listed as the 18:20 from Whatley to Westbury presumably as '7F51'.I assume it will proceed on up the B&H at a later time from Westbury with a suspected destination of Wembley-Euro Frt Ops Centre judging by the set of ex-NP hoppers in use on this working.Either that or it could be bound eventually for Churchyard Sdg's at St Pancras?
..10 august 2018..
EWS's GM-66125 tonight worked '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead.It is quite unusual for a single Class-66 to do this working.More often than not it is a Class-59.I can only presume they were somewhat short of those up in Acton today!
..9 august 2018..
A rather clean ex-EWS now DB stickered 66105 heads '4O43' the 03:59 from Wakefield-Europort going down to Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109 through Eastleigh as seen from Campbell Road.A nice healthy load as well!
..7 august 2018..
EWS-66068 with '4M71' the 09:45 from Southampton Western Docks-Berth109 to Birch Coppice gets away from Eastleigh Station-platform-1 after a short pause to undertake a change of crew for the journey north.
..7 august 2018..
Spirited use of my Suzuki-Bandit enabled me to grab a 2nd shot of 66206 + its single 'IOA' wagon here at Arn Hill nr Warminster.(50 miles in 70 minutes with heavy traffic was quite good!).Here seen at Granada Bridge with Arn Hill in the background.The train was still '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh to Westbury!
..6 august 2018..
The very recently reliveried into DB-Red 66206 ambles through Millbrook in Southampton with '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury afternoon engineers working.Today unusually all it had on the hook was a single 'IOA' which is probably off-repair in the Works going back to Westbury to rejoin its usual wagon-set there.