Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
EWS & DBS (After 01 August 2017)
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 Of the original 250 in the UK 64 now in France,15 are in Poland and just one has been withdrawn due to crash damage leaving just 170 in use in the UK
66140 is one of the diminishing band of EWS GM's that are still largely in the same state as when introduced livery-wise the best part of 20 years ago.Viewed at Clink with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings.The now usual HRA's on the hook.
..23 may 2019..
Another aggregate working delayed by the failure od '7A09' at Savernake was '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley going up to Churchyard Sidings in London.Plain old DB-66174 c/w the newish HRA's in DB-Red here seen at Great Cheverell going east.
..14 may 2019..
DB's 66136, as used on the british leg of the first overland freight service from Yiwa in China to London-UK runs through Clink nr Frome with a slightly less glamorous '4C76' the 14:39 empties from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry.Today classed as a '4' instead of a '6' because of the inclusion in the load of some ex coal hopper HTA's presumably.
..10 may 2019..
With the rebuilding of Dilton Marsh Halt in the past year or so all the ambience that prompted Sir John Betjemin to write a famous Poem about it is now totally and utterly gone under a sea of plastic and galvanised spear fencing---it's bloody awful!...Here is just about the only shot angle left here nowadays---EWS-66014 is seen speeding up the incline through Dilton Marsh Halt with '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury Dn-TC to Eastleigh East Yard.Mind you the load of just a couple of YQA's was never going to slow it down much!
..25 march 2019..
With the freshly cleaned Westbury-White Horse clearly visible 7 miles away 66183 draws '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead through Berkley Marsh in nice low evening lighting.Note this loco is still in EWS colours c/w the 3-heads logo and the wagons look pretty much unsullied by the rapant 'artists' that is so common now on these working that go near the capital at some stage.
..24 july 2018..
Former EWS but now stickered as DB 66176 puffs out a small plume of dirty exhaust as it gets '6M20' the 09:43 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings away from Clink Junction in Frome.Note the wagons are mainly the ex-national power bogies in various guises plus a couple of HOA's and IIA's for good measure.
..24 july 2018..
One of the fairly recently reliveried EWS-GM's 66130 now in DB-Red c/w its large white logo passes Heywood with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road heading for Whatley Quarry.
..23 july 2018..
Its not very often I am up this early so this shot here at Hawkeridge just after 08:00 is quite an event for me! Here is 66167 with '6W08' the 08:09 from Westbury going over to North Somerset Junction in Bristol for a spot of engineering occupation work.
..15 july 2018..
DB/EWS 66112 passes Kings Sutton with '4E68' the 15:53 from Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109 going to Wakefields-Europort.Yet another fully loaded liner style inter-model.
..5 july 2018..
DB-Red 66130 makes plenty of clag as it accelerates away from an adverse signal at Clink.The train is '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham going to Whatley Quarry.
..2 july 2018..
This is a late pathed '6C58' the 16:40 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry passing the ripening cornfields at Berkley Marsh nr Frome. 66197 in DB stickered 'old' EWS colours being in charge.Note the freshly cleaned up Westbury-White Horse gleaming in the distance!
26 june 2018..
'6O12' had a marathon journey today from Newport-ADJ (12:04 off) down to Eastleigh-East yard (Arrival at 20:25) via Gloucester,Westbury,The B&H,Reading,Didcot,Reading again and Basingstoke due to various line closure for engineering works etc.Here is that train passing Church Road at Heywood nr Westbury with 66130 in DB-Red leading and 66059 'inside'.The load being a single set of 'WIA' car-carriers.Quite a nice and unusual combination,particularly passing along this line!
..23 june 2018..
66093 today was again in charge of '6C58' the 11:19 from Oxford-banbury road to Whatley Quarry.Today though it was routed via Melksham and is seen on the single line through there from Thingley-Junc.The junction being somewhere in the overgrowth at the top of the picture.
..23 june 2018..
Still in original EWS colours 66093 chugs through Berkley nr Frome with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking Dn Yard going to Merehead.
..22 june 2018..
Final shot of a busy 60 minute session here at Masters Crossing nr Fairwood was this,'7V12' the15:38 from Woking Dn Yard to Merehead.66093 led its set of un-sullied boxes.That is probably because this set never gets to go to Acton-TC which currently seems to be the centre of the train graffiti universe at the moment!
..21 june 2018..
This evenings '6C74' was handled by EWS 66057 that was still looking quite smart in its original paint-job.Note the use of ex-coal hoppers HTA's on this duty.These Theale trains seem to be their most common use.This one departed Theale at 15:35 heading back down to Whatley Quarry.Viewed at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..21 june 2018..
After picturing this working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry slowing for the loops at Woodborough and feeling rather energetic a quick drive along to Patney (about a mile or so beyond the loops) gave me the chance for another bite of this rather sunny 'cherry'.This loco certainly looks good from any angle!
..21 june 2018..
An incredibly smart looking 66175 rolls slowly past me as it prepares to enter the loops at Woodborough to allow an HST to overtake it.The train being '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road going to Whatley Quarry.THis working used to take the more direct route via the Melksham branch but nowadays goes the 'long way round' via Reading.
..21 june 2018..
EWS 66063 is seen at Didcot North-Jn with '4O39' the 09:43 from Cowley-M.A.T going to Southampton Eastern Docks with another consignment of BMW-Mini's for export.
..20 june 2018..
66128 one of the now many DB liveried GM's drops down through Didcot North-Jn with '4O43' the 03:59 from Wakefield-Europort going down to Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109.
..20 june 2018..
DB-66041 works '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley to St-Pancras up past Berkley Marsh albeit about an hour late because of a track-cct problem on the branch up to Frome-North.Nice to see the old ex-RMC rust-buckets on this duty again!
..15 june 2018..
A very recently reliveried 66175 into DB-Red eases through Clink nr Frome with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC going today (Thurs only) into Whatley Quarry.Its usual destination being Merehead.
..14 june 2018..
Todays '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury deparmental comprised of 66102 leading with DB-66055 and a couple of Colas GM's 66849 and 66846 also along for the ride.The actual train was made up of half a dozen 4-wheelers. Mainly OBA's.This unusual lash-up is seen cresting the top of Upton Scudamore Incline just prior to the drop down into Westbury.
..11 june 2018..
DB-66053 approaches Clink Road Junction with '6C58' The 11:19 from Oxford Banbury Road going to Whatley Quarry.
..9 june 2018..
This shot taken about 15 seconds after the previous one shown required a quick sprint up the empty platform here at Lostwithiel. It produced a completely differant looking shot so was well worth the spurt of exursion! It is still '6G08' the 16:29 from Goonbarrow Junction to Fowey Docks Carne Point via the 'run-round here in the sidings at Lostwithiel.66031 being the loco.
..6 june 2018..
Cornish resident DB-loco 66031 gets away from Lostwithiel loop with '6G08' the 16:29 from Goonbarrow Junction down to Fowey Docks-Carne Point transporting China-Clay for export.
..6 june 2018..
Having just alighted from the GWR's new 'GTi' 2+4 HST formation of 43198 leading with 43187 sandwiching just 4 newly refurbished carriages c/w power-doors and retention toilets 66031 was seen departing from down-sidings here at Lostwithiel working '6G07' the 13:50 from Fowey Docks-Carne Point to Goonbarrow Junction empty China-Clay CDA's.The fun-sized HST being '2P85' the 12:57 from Penzance to Newton Abbot.
..6 june 2018..
Early GM-66014 drags three portions of wagons (about 56 bogies) through Trowbridge as '6C76' the 14:04 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry.It is a good job these wagons were empty because if they were full this loco would be unable to haul them even up a slightest gradient!
..14 may 2018..
66131 was the 2nd 'ex-works' looking DB-GM to pass this way today.Such a pity due to the timeof day the lighting here was rather harsh and 'head-on' for that matter as well! Here it is running back down to Whatley Quarry with '7V16' the 11:47 from Fareham-ARC.Seen at Clink.Hopefully it will hang around for a few days so another more satisfactory shot can be had!
..10 may 2018..
Here is '6Z12' from Newport-ADJ going to Eastleigh strangely via Westbury,Reading,Didcot and then Reading! Quite an oddball route. 66221/66131 & 66013 are seen passing Heywood Village nr Westbury where at least one and possibly a pair of these loco's were removed.The train then continuing onwards.I suppose the highlight was the set of IPA (Laadffoos) car-carriers that made up the load.This type of wagon is not seen that often in this area!
..5 may 2018..
'6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry pulls away from Westbury through Fairwood making for the Quarry .EWS GM-66075 being the loco of choice today.
..3 may 2018..
EWS 66120 with today a set of ex-coal hopper HTA's approaches Westbury with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to London's Churchyard Sidings (tarmac) with a load of aggregate.
..3 may 2018..
EWS-66051 operates this 'STP' working '7F29' from Westbury Down Yard (10:00 off) to Whatley Quarry,interestingly with a 4-wheeler in the set.Viewed passing the Rape-Seed fields here currently in full bloom at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..3 may 2018..
Todays '6C58' from Oxford-Banbury Rd to Whatley Quarry empties was divered via Melksham as the B&H is currently closed for engineering purposes.Here is 66051 with its long set of boxes passing Trowbridge nr Southview Farm.Again recent NR vegetation clearing-work has opened up this shot as never before this century. One summer of pictures at least!
..25 april 2018..
Here is a spot of inter freight company co-operation for a change! DB's 66118 still with Schenker logo's unusually has Colas's 66846 and 66848 along for the ride in '6V41' the 14:47 from Eastleigh East Yard up to Westbury Down Yard.Sadly the sunshine didn't appear for this one which was a pity.All I expecting was a grubby old EWS-GM.Seen passing Arn Hill nr Warminster at the north end of the Wylye Valley route..
..23 april 2018..
66115 in DB-Red c/w its motley collection of 18 various colours and style aggregate hoppers passes ADJ-Yard in Newport working 6V03' the 11:37 from Wembley Euro Freight Operations Centre going to Ryan's Wharf on Cardiff Docks.A very colourful working with plenty of character!
..19 april 2018..
DB's 66100 works '6V05' the 09:15 from Round Oak to Margam steel-coil empties past Newport-ADJ.Note the piles of cylindrical piles yet to be installed for the erection of the vastly over-engineered OHLE equipment that Network-rail has opted to inflict on the railways from London to Cardiff (eventually!).
..19 april 2018..
The very first 'production' GM Class-66 (66001&66002 were pre-production prototypes) snakes away from Newport-Alexander Dock Junction Yard with '6F06' the 12:00 from Newport Docks to Margam Yard.
..19 april 2018..
My first sighting of this loco 66018 since it has had its DB-Pink makeover. Here seen running into Newport-ADJ from Cardiff-Tidal 'light-engine' for stabling purposes.
..19 april 2018..
Now that the practice of reversing the inward steel trains from East Usk Junction down the branch to Birdport under radio-control has ceased,workings bound for that steelworks these days are top-n-tailed to make for a more straightforward arrival at Birdport. So here is 66174 leading with 66053 tagged on the rear passing Duffryn with '6H35' the 08:54 from Margam-TC to East usk-Birdport.
..19 april 2018..
This is a type of steel train you donot see so often these days! EWS-66021 is seen at Duffryn hauling a train of Steel Slab ingots.It departed Llanwern Sdg's at 10:33 going to Cardiff-Tidal Sdg's. I believe the steel is for export having originated from Port Talbot.
..19 april 2018..
An extreemly lightly loaded '4O21' the 09:15 from Trafford park-Euro Terminal going to Southampton Western Docks Berth-109 gets away from Eastleigh East Yard where it had a booked lay-over of 30 minutes or so. EWS-66076 was doing to duty.
..18 april 2018..
A freshly painted loco,superb sky and full lighting.The only thing missing was a decent load! Oh well. here is DB's 66135 with '4O43' from Wakefield-Europort (05:35) going to Southampton Western Docks-Berth 109.Viewed at Southampton-Central.In fairness there was quite a few containers on this train but all unfortunately right at the very rear of the formation.
..18 april 2018..
DB's 66103 slowly reverses a set of NR loaded JNA's back into Eastleigh's East Yard from the Virtual Quarry a few hundred yards away beyond the station itself.
..18 april 2018..
EWS liveried 66140 continues to shunt Eastleigh East Yard.Here seen with quite a mixed set of wagons.
..18 april 2018..
EWS-66140 busily shunts a flat wagon loaded with rail sections c/w a pair of 'runners' because of the load overhang here in Eastleigh East Yard.
..18 april 2018..
66103 exits Eastleigh East Yard with a set of empty JNA's going over to the Virtual Quarry to be loaded with ballast.
..18 april 2018..
66050 still carries the 'EWS Energy' nameplates left over from the days when EWS used to haul multiple coal trains.Here it is working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road Sdg's back to Whatley Quarry with its string of empty aggregate boxes.Seen approaching Fairwood Junction,the Westbury Avoider coming in from the right.
..16 april 2018..
The 'fridays-only' 09:08 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Cntre bound for Whatley Quarry '6B35' empty hoppers to collect a load of aggregates slows for Clink Road Junction.Note the interesting mixture of hoppers that make up this consist,mainly IIA's & HOA's in various liveries plus a lone ex-RMC rust bucket.EWS GM-66122 was the loco doing the duty today in the weak spring sunshine.
..6 april 2018..
'4O21' the 09:15 from Trafford Park-Euro Terminal to Southamptom Western Docks-Berth 109 drones through Cholsey under the now energised 25kva wires.DB-66200 which for over 10 years was named 'Railway Heritage Committee' but since 2015 is now nameless was doing the duty.Note the huge hooded mirror here on the platform designed for the drivers to monitor the passengers and train doors from his cab for 'Driver-Only' operation with the Class-387 EMU's
..5 april 2018..
66060 with its load of emptied boxes passes Didcot Noth Junction with '6C58' thr 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road returning to Whatley Quarry.Once this duty used to go via Swindon and the Melksham branch but these days goes down the Thames Valley to reading and then uses the B&H to Westbury.
..5 april 2018..
'4M71' the 09:19 from Southampton Western Docks Berth-109 to Birch Coppice Exch Sdg's rolls up through Didcot North Junction with a nice fully loaded train.Original liveried EWS's 66186 was doing the duty.
..5 april 2018..
DB-66130 brings its loaded string of 'Blue-Sausages' full of brand new Minis for export through Didcot-North Junction as '4O39' the 09:43 from Oxford-Morris Cowley MAT going to Southampton Eastern Docks.Nice to see the currently abandoned electrification OHLE didn't get as far as this bridge although it is quite close as viewed in the middle distance!
..5 april 2018..
The power of a long-long telephoto lens is amply illustrated depicting DB-Red 66130 rounding the curve away from Appleford on the approach to Didcot North Junction.(see the second shot taken at a more normal 55mm as opposed to 250mm for the stark difference! The working is '4O39' the 09:43 from Oxford-Cowley going to Southampton West Docks with a train load of BMW-Minis for export.
..5 april 2018..
EWS-GM 66140 works the seemingly completely empty '4O43' the 04:01 from Wakefield-Europort to Southampton Western Docks Berth-109 down through Didcot North Junction.In fact there was about half a dozen boxes right at the back end of this long string of liner type flats.
..5 april 2018..
After a nearly a week of total inactivity due to the really crappy weather of late here is my first shot for April albeit still in crud light! DB's GM 66060 runs through Great Cheverell on the B&H with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Rd going back to Whatley Quarry with its train load of empty boxes.All very dull,even the sheep were showing a complete lack of interest!
..4 april 2018..
This particular GM-66221 seems to be permanantly allocated around Westbury lately,seemingly popping up every day on one quarry working or another! Here today it worked to Oxford and this is the return from Banbury Road (11:55 off) to Whatley '6C58' emerging from under Marsh Bridge at Berkley during a brief splash of sunlight.
..28 marsh 2018..
DB's EWS liveried 66004 which still looks pretty much the same as when it arrived in this country almost 20-yrs ago drones through Berkley Marsh at Pot Lane Bridge with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road empties returning to Whatley Quarry.
..26 march 2018..
EWS-GM 66221 with its train of well used Ex-RMC orange JGA's rolls through Fairwood with the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry bound for Churchyard Sdg's at St Pancras as 6M20'.This view yet another example of the excellent work the local 'cutting-crew' has performed on the once largely overgrown tracksides around Westbury and Frome.
..26 march 2018..
'6V35' the 10:46 from Hayes & Harlington Tarmac Sdg's to Whatley Quarry approaches Clink in a spot of unexpected watery albeit rather head-on sunlight.66110 was doing the job along with its set of JGA's with a few IIA's and an HOA along for good measure.
..23 march 2018..
Early built GM-66004 runs through Clink nr Frome with '6C58' the returning empty aggregate boxes from Oxford Banbury Road (11:55 off) to Whatley Quarry.Now that it is late march the sun is sufficiently high to allow a shadow free shot at this location in late afternoons!
..21 march 2018..
Less than 15 minutes after a set of orange ex-RMC JGA-hoppers went towards Whatley Quarry this set came the other way here at Fairwood nr Westbury.This time on '6A26' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going to Hayes & Harlington.EWS GM 66162 was doing the duty.
..21 march 2018..
DB-Red 66009 with it mottly set of ex-RMC hoppers in tow passes Fairwood going to Whatley Quarry for a ballast reload coming from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre as '6V33' (07:18 off).Note the remains of the previous weekends snowfall that for a few days paralyzed the railways completely in this area mainly due to managerial over cautiousness and H&S paranioa!
..21 march 2018..
With a heavy train of loaded 'side-tippers' in tow 66061 crawls slowly up the incline past Dilton Marsh with '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard.
..21 march 2018..
One of the very few freights working today in and around Westbury due to frozen points paranoia and drifted snow was this working '6A83' the 13:26 from Avonmouth-Bennets Sdg's to Theale-FY.Here seen in superb lighting passing what was left of the rapidly thawing snow at Heywood Foot Crossing.EWS-66221 is seen with its set of HTA ex-coal hoppers that are now deployed on aggregate work.Well worth the cold cold wait!
..19 march 2018..
Considering todays weather forecast was supposed to be persistant rain catching this freight even in this weak sunlight was a minor miricle! Here is EWS-GM 66061 with '6C58' from Oxford Banbury Road (11:55 off) to Whatley Quarry passing Heywood after using the Melksham line,being diverted from its usual B&H route because of OHLE engineering work causing its complete closure.
..14 march 2018..
66004 still in 'as-built' livery rolls away from Westbury going down to Whatley Quarry operating the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road empty stone-boxes '6C58'.Seen departing Westbury at Fairwood. Interestingly it is now almost 20 years since this loco plus 66003 & 66005 became the first 'production' GM's to enter the country and were on display at the Toton-TMD Open Day in August-1998.
..8 march 2018..
It has to be that the DB-Red livery certainly stands out in the sunshine particularly if it is clean! Here is 66230 c/w its large DB logo sticker passing Fairwood nr Westbury with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry aggregate empties.
..7 march 2018..
66154,one of the now rapidly dwindling band of EWS-GM's for one reason or another grinds down part Masters-Crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury working '7V16' the 11:47 from Fareham-ARC returning empties to Whatley Quarry.
..7 march 2018..
This working '6V33' the 07:18 from Wembley Euro Frt Operations Centre to Whatley Quarry bringing in empty hoppers for loading just about caught the sunlight,albeit somewhat mottled here at Fairwood nr Westbury.DB-66084 with its rake of various liveried 'HOA-s' & 'IIA-s' plus one solitary 'PGA' dong the duty.
..7 march 2018..
Still in as delivered livery EWS-66030 works '6A26' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Hayes & Harlington using this set of 'rust-bucket ex-RMC hoppers.Seen at a rather patchy clouded Fairwood with just sufficient sun to make the shot useable!
..7 march 2018..
66136 in its celebratory vinyl's to mark the 1st transhipment overland from Chine to the UK all the way by rail in January-2017 catches a brief burst of sunshine as it reposes at Westbury in between shunting duties.
..20 february 2018..
66136 still in the special livery bestowed onto it for its involvement in the first train transhipment from China to the UK overland in January-2017..The story goes like this--------Two weeks after departing the Chinese port city of Yiwu, the first cargo to travel from China to the UK through the Channel Tunnel arrived in London. The containers traveled almost 12,000 kilometres before arriving at the Barking Rail Freight Terminal. During the journey, which started on January 1, they passed through a large number of countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France. As a result of the different track gauges used in some of the countries, tranonto other wagons took place twice. Of coarse this loco only hauled it from Dolland Moor up to Barking but took part in the arrival ceremony,hence the livery. Here it is viewed doing far more mundane work acting as the Yard- Shunter at Westbury Wilts!
..20 february 2018..
EWS-66030 dodges the shadows as it passes through Freshford in the Limpley Stole Valley with '6A83' the 13:26 from Avonmouth-Bennets Sidings to West-Drayton ARC.Another month or so and this location will be almost shadow free given the time of day!
..16 february 2016..
The 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sdg's plods up through Berkley nr Frome with its loaded set of ex-rmc rust buckets.EWS-66125 seems lately to be quite a regular performer on this duty.
..15 february 2018..
DB-Red 66085 hums through Cholsey with this well loaded Inter-Modal working '4O21' from Trafford Park (09:15 off) going down to Southampton West Docks-Berth 109.Note the large mirror type unit on a pole now planted on the platform here.This is an aid to the drivers on the local trains that stop here as these services are now 'single manned' with no staff on board apart from the driver (Known as DOO).This is the reason for the persistant strikes on the 'Southern'-TOC.GWR seem to have accepted it!
..12 february 2018..
DB-Red liveried 66020 takes the station route at Didcot North-Junction with '4O40' the 09:43 from Morris-Cowley MAT going to Southampton East Docks.The load being export bound BMW-Minis all nicely disguised in the 'blue sausage' car carriers.Pictured off the recently built 'monster' electrification style footbridge located here.
..12 february 2018..
Original EWS-66037 with no sign of DB ownership whines past Masters Crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road going to Whatley Quarry. Don't be deceived by the china-blue skies,behind me the approaching clouds were about to call 'time' on todays photographic activities!
..7 february 2018..
EWS-66125 with the old favourites,the ex-RMC rust-buckets today worked to Hayes & Harlington Tarmac Sidings from Whatley Quarry as '6A26'.A 10:37 departure from the Quarry as usual.Seen at Fairwood Junction taking the route via Westbury Station and Yards.
..7 february 2018..
With the sunlight now taking on a distinct yellowish tinge as the sun begins to set 66065 motors down the slow-line at Undy west of Severn Tunnel Junction with '6V92' the 10:22 empty steel coil carriers from Corby-BSC to Margam Yard.
..2 february 2018..
A very workstained EWS-66113 chugs down the slow line at Duffryn with '6H24' the tripper from Llanwern (11:20 off0 going back to Margam Yard comprising empty steel-coil carriers.
..2 february 2018..
Now wearing EWS/DB dual branding 66095 rolls through the incredibly tidy Berkley Marsh with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings (Tarmac) at St-Pancras in London.The old ex-RMC orange hoppers now seem to have settled back down to being the regular wagons on this working again after an absence of well over a year or so.Good show! adding a nice spot of variety to the local wagon scene.
..30 january 2018..
66103 c/w its set of grafitti stricken Ex-RMC rust-buckets works '6M20' thr 10:37 from Whatley Quarry heading for Churchyard Sidings at St-Pancras in London. I wonder how long it will be before this train becomes a GBRf duty if the rumour-mill is anything to go by?
..19 january 2018..
Dane's Foot Crossing nr Grazeley south of Reading see's 66091 which still looks quite filthy after obviously being used in RHTT-duties a month or so ago passing with '4O39' the 09:43 from Morris-Cowley to Southampton Eastern Docks conveying a load of BMW-Minis for export in the 'Blue-Sausages.
..17 january 2018..
Although this working '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley to Churchyard Sidings-Tarmac today wasn't listed as a runner on RTT it still operated! Here is DB-GM 66103 c/w a nice rake of old ex-RMC orange rust buckets powering up through Berkley Marsh going east against a background of a rather dark and troubled sky.needless to say within 20 minutes all was dark and remained so for the rest of the cold cold day!
..16 january 2018..
DB-66149 passes Great-Park north of Mortimer with '4O43' the 06:43 from Birch Coppice going down to Southampton Western Docks Berth-109.A difficult location this,a better shot being available in the next field.However as it was extreemly muddy and wet I settled for this and retained dry feet in the process!
..17 january 2018..
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was mild,clear and sunny.Today was dull,cold and misty requiring 1600-iso to take a picture!.Such is the temperamental nature of the UK's weather! Anyway this is 66025,one of the ever diminishing breed of EWS/Schenker/DBC locomotives here working '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to St Pancras in London with its load of full ex-RMC hoppers.
..11 january 2018..
A strikingly clean 66055 c/w its less common style of 'DB' decal on its flanks steadily climbs the Upton Scudamore Incline section of ther route between Westbury and Warminster.Todays train being coded as '6O39' instead of '6O41' because it is being routed via Chandlers Ford,possibly to allow easy access to the DBC Depot at Eastleigh to stable the rather large 'Kirow' type crane-set in todays days consist of mainly JNA's.
..29 december 2017..
With rumours rife that DB are set to depart the UK Freight scene and that GBRf may or may not be trying for the Mendip Quarry contracts (Somewhat borne out by the recent multiple duties given over to various other freight companies) 2017 could be the last full year of DB-Cargo operations in and around this area ? Time will tell but that company certainly seem to be throwing in the towel 're' many once solid EWS duties ? So here is EWS/DB-GM 66065 coming away from Westbury with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road stone-box empties returning the base at Whatley Quarry.Viewed at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..18 december 2017..
EWS-66102 crawls away from Westbury with '6C58' the 11:55 empty aggregate boxes from Oxford Banbury Road returning to Whatley Quarry.This shadowless sunny shot which was obtained at just 14:30 in the afternoon is just about the last shot possible here at this time of year.By the time the regular '7C77' is due which is only 40 minutes later this scene is pretty much 90% shadowed.Well we are only a couple of weeks from the shortest day of the year after all!
..1 december 2017..
Next week will probably be the final one for this years RHTT.It has been running now for about 6-weeks and the leaf-fall season has now pretty much ended.So here are the incredibly filthy 66127 leading with a virtually unidentifiable 66027 on the back running back down through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '3J13' the 08:40 from Westbury returning to base at St-Blazey LIP.
..30 november 2017..
66120 put in a surprise appearance with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.It was not showing on RTT after Didcot having diverted from its now normal route via the Thames-Valley and the B&H at Didcot (Thus showing 'No-Report' until Westbury).Today it was going via Melksham instead.Here viewed rolling through the somewhat dappled lighting at Swindon on the 'down' platform with its load of empty MRL-Boxes.
..28 november 2017..
The incredibly grubby pairing of 66127 & 66027 bring '3J13' the 09:07 from Westbury to St-Blazey LIP through Clink nr Frome returning to Cornwall.With most of the leaf-fall over this working probably only has another two weeks of operation this year to go before it is cleaned and put away for another 10 months or so!
..25 november 2017..
DB-China Celebrity 66136 in DB-Red c/w decals to mark its use on the 'First Yiyu-London Train' runs through Milbrook with the returning engineers timed at 14:47 from Eastleigh-East Yard to Westbury as '6V41' with a CWR-Set. I saw this arrive this morning from Westbury at Eastleigh and the loco still looked rather grubby from its RHTT use a few weeks ago.By a huge stroke of luck it seems it was given a wash and brush-up before the return journey.How lucky was that!
..17 november 2017..
66167 still in full original EWS styling rumbles through Eastleigh with '4O43' the 06:43 from Birch-Coppice going down to Southampton-Western Docks Berth-109.
..17 november 2017..
Our local 'Dirty-Duo' 66127 & 66027 continue to operate '3J13' the RHTT from Westbury (08:50 off) back down to St-Blazey via a trip up the Wylye valley to Salisbury and return.Here viewed shortly after departing Westbury on the final leg back down to Cornwall.No squirting necessary on this section as most of the shrubs and bushes and trees have been well and truly dealt with by the local foliage 'cutting crew'.
..16 november 2017..
66034 still looks quite smart just a couple of months after it September/17 repaint out of EWS into DB-Cargo Red.here is my first view of it in its new guise today working '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to St-Pancras-Churchyard Sidings.Viewed passing Fairwood Foot-Xing in some quite nice low autumn lighting.Still the same old ex-NP hoppers in various shades of decreptitude!
..16 november 2017..
66055 named after 'Alain Thauvette' the then CEO of DB-Cargo who also created ECR was today allocated as the Westbury 'super-shunter'.Here seen in the Up-Yard with a rather lightweight load!.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 66055 and 66066 have these German type 'Verkehrsrot' or in English 'Traffic Red' decals.
..15 november 2017..
66152 'Derek Holmes Railway Operator' sits on the rear of RHTT working '3S59' which is due to depart in a few minutes on its all night duty around the West and S-Wales jetting the rails to remove leaves and slime.The huge overall roof here at Bristol-Temple Meads forming the architecural backdrop.
..10 november 2017..
Basically this shot is pretty much on the limit for 'hand-held' photography given the lowlight conditions outside of the main well lit station here at Bristol-Temple Meads.Still 1/13th sec @F5 at 6400-iso after about half a dozen attempted exposures produced an acceptable result.So here is super-filthy 66024 heading '3S59' the 19:21 away from Bristol-Barton Hill W.R.D waiting to commence this nights work starting from here at 19:38.Schenker 66152 was the rear loco on this long overnight duty.
..10 november 2017..
The very grubby albeit partially wiped-over D.B.Schenker 66152 sits in Bristol-Temple Meads along with an unseen 66024 with the Bristol-Barton Hill W.R.D. based RHTT set that is working the incredibly long '3S59' duty that commences work at 19:21 and works through the night until approx 11:30 next morning! Viewed under the iconic curved overall roof in the station here in Bristol.So far this station hasn't been vandalised by any OHLE type masts-n-wires.Possibly this set of platforms won't ever be due to carriage clearance issues in the sharply curved platforms here at this part of the station.We live in hope!
..10 november 2017..
The 14:53 Didcot Fueling Point to Didcot Fueling Point RHTT '3J41' sits in Westbury Station waiting time with 66082 now on the rear prior to departure back up the B&H with its unidentified EWS-partner leading.The lighting here at Westbury is quite superb for photography without the aid of a tripod.This exposure was 25th/sec@F4 using 6400-iso hand-held.
..10 november 2017..
66114 in DB Schenker-Red livery approaches Pot Lane at Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford- Banbury Road emptyboxes heading for Whatley Quarry. Although there is an ugly mast/portacabin here at this location use of a telephoto lens set at 105mm (about 175mm in 35mm terms) is good enough to get past that piece of lineside junk!
..8 november 2018..
DB's 66109 draws '6V33' the 07:16 from Wembley-Euro Freight Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry through Fairwood c/w its set of mainly older ex-RMC hoppers plus a few HOA &IIA types as well.Superb crisp low late autumn side-lighting here.So much nicer than at the same time of day here in June/July! Note the apparant specks in the skies above the White Horse.These are not dirt on the camera-sensor but in fact are actually Hang-Gliders flying of the hills by the White Horse.!
..8 november 2017..
To say 66074 was looking somewhat work-stained is a bit of an under statement.This is what happens to a loco after working an RHTT duty for over a month solidly! Here the loco is passing over Fairwood Foot-Xing with '6A26' the 60 minute late 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Hayes & Harlington-Tarmac Sdgs.
..8 november 2017..
The local RHTT-set acquired a change of loco this weekend.66074 was replaced by a marginally cleaner 66127 with long suffering and now completely brown 66027 on the back.They are seen as '3J13' departing Westbury for St-Blazey as the 08:50 off via Salisbury at Fairwood.
..8 november 2017..
This was quite interesting.Todays Whatley Quarry to St-Pancras ran about an hour later than its booked slot and was shown as '4M20' instead of '6M20'.The wagons were actually empty and RTT although showing it as departing Whatley failed to report it afterwards.So it appears it just went to Westbury where it was sidelined.Loco was 66050 still wearing its 'EWS-Energy' 59 style nameplates under the cab windows.Wagons were the usual albeit empty ex-NP hoppers currently in use on the Churchyard Sdg's duty.Viewed at Clink nr Frome.
..6 november 2017..
Our local 'Dirty-Duo' 66074/66027 rumble down through Berkley Marsh with the '3J13' RHTT-08:50 away from Westbury back down to St-Blazey via Salisbury.Pictured at the superbly manicured setting here nr Frome.
..6 november 2017..
'3S69' headed by 66152 with 66024 blends nicely into the undergrowth alongside the track here at Malago-Vale due to its incredibly workstained condition.Bristol Barton Hill-WRD and Return via the 'World' for 16 hours continuously certainlytakes its toll on this set! Pictured running upthe relief heading towards bedminster in the western suburbs of Bristol.
..1 november 2017..
66152 'Derek Holmes Railway Operator' leads '3S69' on its final leg from Portbury back to Bristol Barton Hill Depot.66024 now on the rear.After nearly 16 hours on the move this pairing are just 10 minutes away from journeys end.8 hours later it will be doing it all again! seen running up the slow line at parson Street having just come off the Portbury Docks line.
..1 november 2017..
The local Bristol Barton Hill based RHTT that covers most of S-wales and the area around Bristol drops down from Bedminster going to Portbury Docks at Malago-Vale jetting as it goes.Filthy 66024 leads here with Schenker's first reliveried GM 66152 on the rear (Not that you would notice given its grimy state).This workings report code being '3S69' has been on the move since 21:07 last evening so it is a pretty intensive and long shift for this set!
..1 november 2017..
66005,one of the earliest GM's to enter this country still survives in largely original condition and livery.Here it is working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty boxes.Viewed in the now quite low afternoon light (15:15) because of the winter clock change approaching Clink Road Junction in Frome prior to taking the route down to the Quarry.
..30 october 2017..
'3J13' the absolutely filthy 'Rail Head Treatment Train' works from Westbury (08:50 off) returning to St BLazey via Salibury.66074 leads with its equally grubby partner 66027 is tagged on the rear.
..30 october 2017..
'6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings (Tarmac) at St Pancras with 66155 in charge approaches Westbury at Fairwood.
..30 october 2017..
It's a dirty job but somebody has to do it! The incredibly filthy pairing of 66074 and 66027 are seen with '3J13' the 09:07 Westbury to St Blazey via Salisbury RHTT on its currently regular trips to water-jet the leaf deposits off the railheads to aid traction and prevent skidding during braking.Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome in a pleasantly surprising patch of good sunlight!
..28 october 2017..
The Bristol-Barton Hill based '3S69' returns towards England after an overnight session in South Wales.It departs Bristol at 21:07 the previous evening finishing this afternoon at 13:20 back in Bristol.Viewed here passing Magor on the slow-line with Schenker-Red 66152 leading and 66024 on the rear.
..27 october 2017..
EWS-66138 today was in charge od '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.Viewed passing the wide open spaces here at Berkley Marsh on the approach to Clink Road junction in Frome.
..25 october 2017..
DB-Cargo's 66155 draws '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings/St Pancras up through Berkley Marsh.The recent hedge cutting activity now allowing shadow-free photography even with the sun now much lower in the sky.Last year at this date this shot would have been largely shadowed up by the now long gone bushes & shrubs.
..25 october 2017..
DB-66132 powers away from its booked stop in Swindon East-Loop with '6B35' the 09:42 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre going to Moreton-on-Lugg.Wagons are to older ex-RMC JGA's plus various IIA and HOA's as well.
..23 october 2017..
The West-Country 'RHTT' the 01:21 from Par to Westbury which worked up to here as '3J12' sits in the platform in readiness to continue on its duties back to St Blazey via Salisbury as '3J13'.66027 led up from Cormwall with 66074 on the rear.The train will of coarse reverse for the journey down the Wlyle Valley to Salisbury shortly.
..23 october 2017..
EWS-66144 heads an engineering working from Eastleigh-East Yard (14:47 off) to Westbury running as '6V41'.Today the load comprising of a pair of 4-wheelers MHA/MTA and a JZA-type CWR-train.Viewed passing Arn Hill nr Warminster just prior to dropping down the Upton Scudamore Incline into Westbury. Not much sign of Autumn colours yet even though the RHTT-season is about to commence around here in a few days time!
..5 october 2017..
66182 rolls through Berkley Marsh with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty-boxes.
..5 october 2017..
THE 10:37 from Whatley to St-Pancras '6M20' again,this time at Fairwood on the approach to Westbury Station.An unmolested and quite smart 66025 in as-built EWS colours doing the duty.
..5 october 2017..
66060 works '6V33' the 07:18 from Wembley Euro Frt Ops Centre to Whatley Quarry which continues to use the good old orange ex-RMC rust-buckets passes the wide open spaces of Pot Lane nr Frome.That is apart from one obvious montrous blemish!
..22 september 2017..
66198 again worked '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley-Quarry to St Pancras in the Capital with its complete set of ex-NP hoppers albeit in various shades of decreptitude! Here passing Pot Lane nr Frome.
..22 september 2017..
DB-66082 runs through Berkley nr Frome with a set of orange ex-RMC 'rust-buckets' as the 07:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry,presumably as '6V33'.Viewed at a bush-less Berkley Marsh.A rather head-on type shot because of the awkward positioning of one of the dreaded radio-masts and assoc equipment cabin making the more traditional shot from here now virtually impossible.
..19 september 2017..
EWS-66198 c/w its quite striking rake of ex-National Power hoppers in various shades of scruffiness cruises up through the immaculate looking Berkley Marsh working '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going up to Churchyard Sidings at St Pancras in the Capital.
..19 september 2017..
66127 pauses at Westbury with '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry going the St-Pancras (Churchyard Sdg's).Wagon consist today on this 60-minute late working was a set of ex-National Power hoppers,some of which have been crudely repainted in EWS-Red whilst some actually still retain their original NP livery,albeit now looking incredibly tatty.Its a pity the now locally operated Ex-NP 59/2's wern't still in that rather nice colour scheme as well!
..15 september 2017..
EWS GM-66147 hauls a loaded CWR-Train working '6V41' the 14:47 from Eastleigh-East Yard going to Westbury.Viewed at Arn Hill nr Warminster.
..14 september 2017..
This was another 'close shave' with the scudding clouds! I needed to make use of the full extent of the telephoto lens (105mm--170 35mm equivilent) to grab this before the shadows filled the frame. So here is an early GM-66006 still in original livery with no DB markings whatsoever heading '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road back down to Whatley Quarry.Notice the local 'cutting crew' have been busy here clearing small bushes and brambles.The larger fledgling trees etc will be removed soon by 'cutting crew no-2' that usually follow the 1st team.
..14 september 2017..
EWS-66006 runs into Westbury (obviously) with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry.Thanks to MVP for the inspiration for this shot---good on you!
..12 september 2017..
Todays '6B41' the 11:08 departure from Westerleigh Oil Terminal to Robeston Sidings empty TEA fuel-tank bogies rejoins the mainline at Llandeilo-Junction nr Trostre having taken the avoiding route around Swansea.Expectations were high it would be hauled by 60044 but that was replaced at Margam with this loco 66115.There was just a glimmer of weak sunlight to give the shot a bit of contrast.
..3 september 2017..
66004,still liveried as delivered in the first batch of three EWS production GM's in August-1998 passes Duffryn with the Margam (10:02 off) to Llanwer-Sidings tripper '6H25'.A bit of a tight angle here and fairy backlit but the shot works---just!
..3 september 2017..
DB-Cargo's 66167 still in untouched original EWS colours passes Metal Box Bridge at Perry Hill in Worcester working '6V35' the 12:20 from Bescot-Downside to Avonmouth loaded cement bogie tanks. The semaphore signal it is just passing is apparantly on borrowed time with its replacement already in position albeit hinged-down.It may have days,perhap a few weeks before being replaced.
..28 august 2017..
Early GM 66012 creeps away from Westbury with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty stone-boxes.
..21 august 2017..
EWS liveried DB-cargo GM-66121 rolls past Arn Hill nr Warminster working '5Z25' the ECS from Eastleigh-Arlington (zg) to Bristol-Temple Meads.This stock is to form tomorrow's 'Torbay Express' from Bristol down to Kingswear.Hopefully the allocated steam 35028 will be ready and willing,if not this shiny GM could well be its deputy!
..19 august 2017..
After a rather brisk drive through the country lanes from Great Cheverell to Fairwood I just managed to picture 66075 on '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley quarry once again.Here seen approaching Fairwood Junction ater a somewhat brief pause in the station area.
..15 august 2017..
Amazingly this is the first shot this month of a DB-Cargo GM-66.Such has been DB's almost complete capitulation to other freight companies working out of Westbury seeing an EWS-GM is almost becoming an uncommon event! It appears that this company has practically given up trying the compete for rail business in this area? Anyway here is EWS-GM 66075 running through Great Cheverell working '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford-Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empty boxes.