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Class 59/0 (After 01 August 2018)
The Engines that started the GM Revolution in the UK. 5 built but 59003 was exported to Germany in 1997.However in 2015 it was repatriated and has started working in the UK for GBRf leaving 4 working out of Merehead for Aggregate-Industries who took over Foster-Yeomans.
The FO '7O40' 13:35 from Merehead to Eastleigh Aggregate Sg's passes heytesbury in the Wylye Valley with a heavy load on the hook.The final 'AI' 59005 'Kenneth J Painter' being todays allocated loco. Strangely the use of the three Sixty's now allocated to Westbury seems to have currently stopped.They havn't been used on any stone trains now for three days.This working was one of those they were allocated too regularly but not today! Oh Well.-----20 september 2019-----
A summer's day scene in deepest Somerset (Well just over the border from Wiltshire actually!) This is 59001 with its presentation bell end leading on '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC going down to Whatley Quarry.The wagons being a set of ex-coal hoppers-HTA's still showing EWS ownership.Viewed at Berkley Marsh nr Frome. These wagons are certain to disappear after Freightliner take over the Mendip contracts this Autumn.They will probably all be scrapped then as there will simply no use for them come the Winter!
..31 july 2019..
'AI' 59002 'Alan J Day' passes Blatchbridge Junction with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead Quarry.A really nice evening so well worth the effort to walk down the long lane to the junction!
..15 july 2019..
59005 hurries through Blatchbridge Junction with '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead.
..15 july 2019..
59002 rolls along the flat straightaway at Fairwood,the junction being in the far distance.It was working '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead.
..11 july 2019..
59004 'Paul A Hammond' is seen approaching East Somerset Junction at Witham Hall Farm with '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead.All boxes again,no hoppers.At least the morons with the spray cans that seem to infest the freight yards in London seem to leave these wagons alone.probably because their heavily fluted sides are not conducive to their shitty little pastime!
..10 july 2019..
An immaculate looking 59002 'Alan J Day'passes Blatchbridge with ab STP working from Acton-TC (14:32 off) going down the Merehead Quarry with a string of empty boxes.Interestingly it travelled via Swindon,and not down the B&H!
..10 july 2019..
'Alan J Day' 59002 hauling the 13:44 from Exeter-Riverside Yard to Whatley Quarry via a reversal at Westbury Down-TC passes Clink on a hot and cloudless afternoon here in the Frome area.
..4 july 2019..
Its hard to believe looking at the amount the shadows has moved in just the 15 minutes between 66198 in the previous picture and this one of 59005 'Kenneth J Painter' working the 90 minute late '7C77' the 12:41 off Acton-TC going down to Merehead.For sure another 30 minutes and this shot, shadow-wise will be completely gone for the day.As I said the photographic window here is less than a hour!
..4 july 2019..
'Paul A Hammond' 59004 was in charge today of '7C77' the 12:41 away from Acton-TC returning empties boxes-n-hoppers back down to Merehead Quarry.Sen a good old Clink Road-Junction.
..3 july 2019..
GM Pioneer 59001 eases through Clink with the early morning 'Jumbo' train from merehea (07:12 off) going up to Acton-TC as '7A09'.A nice bright blue ssky morning so I decided to make an almighty effort and nip out all bleary eyed to picture it!
..2 july 2019..
59005 passes Berkley Marsh on a superbly clear evening with '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC going down to Merehead with a string of empty boxes.
..28 june 2019..
A few years ago this was a nice wide shot for trains heading towards Warminster from the Salisbury direction.Today however at Heytesbury in the Wylye Valley this angle seen here is about as good as it gets! Here is '6V41; the 14:45 afternoon engineers from Eastleigh East Yard back to Westbury with good ol'boy 59003 hauling three loaded sleeper carriers.
..28 june 2019..
'6B44' the 12:18 from Marchwood-MOD going only as far as Eastleigh East Yard headed by 66736 'Wolverhampton Wanderers'. Note this train load.It is about the same as the UK's economic prospects given the bunch of amatuers that we are saddled with to run this country!
..27 june 2019..
I have known this locomotive since the first weeks of its introduction now way over 30 years ago.Seeing as I live right next to Frome's Clink Road Jn it wasn't to difficult! Now it has returned from its long long holiday on the Continent it is somewhat fitting that it is now based at Westbury albeit now in GBRf colours and not the local 'AI' livery! Here is 59003 'Yeoman Highlander' crossing Redbridge Junction with '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury going to Eastleigh East Yard.Not much of a load but at least its a living!
..27 june 2019..
Here is GBRf's badly under utliized traction asset 59003 doing its now regular 'thing' running exclusively up and down between Westbury and Eastleigh with the '6O41&6V41' trippers.This is the returning working today timed as a 16:48 departure from Eastleigh but in fact running about 2 hours earlier than booked.Here viewed passing Arn Hill with just a single YQA and a pair of YWA's in tow.
..24 june 2019..
AI-59005 trundles through Berkley Marsh with '7C66' the 17:50 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead empty hoppers.These were yesterdays delivery,59005 went the Bassett today light engine to collect them.
..20 june 2019..
Good Ol' Boy 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' approaches Fairwood Junction with '7C31' the 09:20 from Theale to Whatley Quarry.This years crop of choice here appears to be corn.Last year at this time it was a sea of yellow Oil Seed Rape.
..24 may 2019..
'Kenneth J Painter' 59005 was working '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC down to Whatley Quarry.Viewed at Clink.
..21 may 2019..
Because an earlier freight up the B&H ('7A09') failed at Savernake this train '6A74' the 09:22 from Whatley up to Theale was delayed by nearly 2 hours.Here is 59005 now making good time humming through Great Cheverell with a clear road ahead.
..14 may 2019..
After its weekend adventures down at the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala 59003 returned to Westbury straight away to continue its dominance of the '6O41/6V41' tripper to Eastleigh.Here it is climbing the Upton Scudamore Incline at Dilton Marsh with a CWR-carrier set in tow.I have finally nailed this loco at this location in decent light after the 5th attempt! Hooray...
..14 may 2019..
Buddied up yet again were 59003 and 73119.The Class-59 of course cannot haul trains here without the 73's tranlation help.Seen on Corfe Common in the late afternoon as the sun hasnow moved round even further to the west finallyputting so light on the front end on northbound services.
..12 may 2019..
Ex FY 59003 'Yeoman Highlander' now owned and operated by GBRf works in tandem with 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' (Being used for translater purposes).They are seen heading for the Coast passing Woodhyde not too far for Harmons Cross.
..12 may 2019..
With a nice evening cloud clearance a short trip was made to Berkley Marsh to pick off a couple of the returning empties going down to Merehead Quarry.Here is 59004 'Paul A Hammond' still for now in its 'AI' colours working '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking back down to Merehead. Seen at the still nicely clear berkley nr Frome.
..25 april 2019..
Poor old 'Yeoman Highlander' 59003 doesn't even get an Easter Monday- Bank Holiday off these days.Here it is climbing the incline towards Dilton Marsh with '6O41' the 10:14 from Westbury going to Eastleigh East Yard.Its load being an empty CWR-set.Typically the sunlight dipped and burst out again just after it had passed,however it was still just about bright enough to make a shot worthwhile.When I eventually get it here in full light this shot will of coarse be deleted!
..22 april 2019..
Since GBRf took over the '6O41/6V41' Westbury to Eastleigh Engineers return duty this loco 59003 has pretty much monopolised it.I am not complaining as I have known this loco from the first days of use with Foster-Yeoman up to todays incarnation.Nice to have it based at Westbury where it belongs!. So here is 'Yeoman Highlander' passing Mount Pleasant in Southampton with '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh East Yard with a well loaded CWR train.
..18 april 2019..
59003 seen at Arn Hill nr Warminster continues to be rostered to the tripper between Westbury and Eastleigh + the return and I have yet to get a full sun shot of the return working! This one being the best so far! Seen at Arn Hill on '6V41' the 14:45 from Eastleigh East yard to Westbury.Compared to its fellow 59-class members working out of the quarries this loco has a very easy time of it with the comparative light loads seen on this roster!
..15 april 2019..
Evidence of Spring is all around here at Clink as 'AI' liveried 59005 passes with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC going down to Merehead.With Freightliner taking ownership the entire Mendip Rail Fleet of eight 59's it must be just a matter of time until some if not all of them get a coat of G&W orange!
..15 april 2019..
59001 'B' end leading passes Berkley Marsh with '6C78' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry via the B&H.Quite a long formation of exclusively hoppers with a group of EWS ex-coal HTA's out of sight on the rear.
..10 april 2019..
Despite the the fact that RTT showed this working as '7V41' annoyingly it was an '0' working.Here is the firm Westbury 'Pet' 59003 cruising past Arn Hill returning from Eastleigh East Yard to Westbury.GBRf now works this duty on their roster having taken it over from DB from the 1st of April/19.
..10 april 2019..
Not only have GBRf taken over the daily Engineers from Westbury to Eastleigh from DB but the evening similar duty to there previously operated by Colas is now GBRf as well.Poor old 59003 'Yeoman Highlander' now seems to be having a very busy daily schedule.2 trips to Eastleigh and return per day. So here is '6O31' the 17:30 from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard running up the incline at Upton Scudamore on its way to Eastleigh again today for the 2nd time.
..1 april 2019..
Unbelievably although this loco has been a regular in Westbury now for many months this is the first time I have managed a shot with the sun on the front-end of it in GBRf colours.Its regular duty before the GBRf takeover of several engineering duties out of Westbury was '6M40'. This working was always backlit when departing northwards just after midday from Westbury.So here is 59003 on the very first GBRf operated '6O41' from Westbury to Eastleigh East Yard.GBRf's previous regular duty '6M40' has now been given over to Colas.All very entertaining I must say.The train is viewed in sparkling light passing the small church at Little Langford in the Wylye Valley.Hopefully some of the GB-Celebs will make occasional appearences as well--you never know.The Westbury Hotspot just got a little bit hotter!
..1 april 2019..
Grandaddy-Ying 59001 bell-end leading approaches Clink Road Junction with '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC to Whatley.
..28 march 2019..
'7C29' the 06:25 from Acton-TC to Merehead headed bty 59002 hums down the Frome Avoider at Styles Hill with some older looking rusty green boxes in tow.These were delivered to Merehead last week from Wellingborough by a GBRf loco.Possibly the first visit there on a freight ever by a GB engine.
..27 march 2019..
59003 'Yeoman Highlander' continues to operate regularly away from Westbury most days invariably working '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm.Today the ballast was to be loaded into a long train of side-tippers instead of the usual 'IOA' yellow-boxes.Seen coming over the Hawkeridge Junction nr Westbury.
..20 march 2019..
'6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC is seen approaching Clink Road Junction ready to take the line towards its destination,Whatley Quarry.'AI' 59005 catches the remaining sunlight before it enters the long shadows cast by the overbridge and the trees where I was located.In 35mm terms this is a telephoto shot in excess of 230mm.A standard 50mm lens would effectively be a waste of time!
..27 february 2019..
Veteran 'AI' loco 59004 'Paul A Hammond' runs down the straightaway from Fairwood Junction with '7C77 the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead.Just boxes again on this service today,no hoppers whatsoever!
..27 february 2019..
This was a bit of a bonus,running nearly 90 minutes early '6C74' the 15:35 from Theale returning empties to Whatley Quarry is seen west of Kintbury with 'AI' 59005 at the helm.Note the sad graffitied state of the ex-EWS HTA coal hoppers now used for aggregates.Its about time Network Rail hired active snipers and hungry guard dogs to patrol their Yards in and around London!
..26 february 2019..
'Kenneth J Painter' 59005 rumbles towards Crofton on the B&H with '6A74' the 09:22 from Whatley Quarry bound for Theale.Now these locomotives are the property of Freightliner (Genesee & Wyoming) it cannot be too far into the future before this 'AI' livery gets eliminated?
..26 february 2019..
Grandaddy-GM Pioneer 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' dodges the lengthening shadows as it slowly climbs Upton Scudamore Incline with '7O40' the fridays-only 13:35 from Merehead going down to Eastleigh Aggregate Sidings.Viewed passing the stubble fields where the once previously fallow fields have for the last 5 years or so have been given over to maize production. ..15 february 2019..
59005 powers up as it approached Fairwood Junction with the empties from Fareham (11:56 off) going down to Whatley Quarry.Note this is the only 'AI' without a 30 years commemorative plaque fitted to the cabsides. Quite simply this loco was only 28 years old when they were applied to the other loco's in the fleet!
..15 february 2019..
Earlier today 59002 ran light-engine from Merehead to Woodborough Loops to collect this rake of empty hoppers that were parked there possibly after a loco failure the previous evening..Here it is with this STP working that departed there at 12:11 going down to Merehead at Clink nr Frome.
..15 february 2019..
The Grandad of them all 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' runs up through Berkley Marsh with '7B12' the 11:30 from Merehead to Wootton-Bassett.
..23 january 2019..
59001 creeps slowly away from Woodborough Loop with a train of 40 bogies hoppers (mainly JHA's but a few IIA's and HOA's mixed in) fully loaded with aggregate goin to Theale from Merehead as '7A77'.This departed the quarry at 11:24.
..3 january 2019..
59005 rolls slowly through Fairwood with '7B12' the 11:30 from Merehead to Wootton Basset.A couple of days ago the news broke that Freightliner (G&W) have been awarded the contract to operate all these trains away from Merehead and Whatley from next autumn.All the 59/0's and 59/1's are included in the deal. Speculation is rife about what happens next ???? Are these loco's now considered life-expired after more than 30 years on the job or will they be refurbished.Freightliner havn't really got any satisfactory replacements.66/6's or 70's as a stopgap perhaps? but we shall see.Maybe DB will flog G&W a dozen refurbished Class-60's.Whatever happens G&W orange is set to become the norm within a few years!
..20 december 2018..
It may only be 14:18 in the afternoon but the shadows now in early November are now increasing considerably.Here is 59002 'Alan J Day' with '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC going to Whatley Quarry. Seen with the famed White Horse looking down upon it at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..6 november 2018..
'Kenneth J Painter' 59005 passes Bratton in somewhat back-lit lighting conditions.It was hauling '6L21' the 13:23 from Whatley Quarry heading for Dagenham Dock.The superb lighting and autumnal colours just about making the shot worthwhile!
..26 october 2018..
59003 'Yeoman Highlander',the one that got away---then came back continues the operate out of Westbury for its now owners GBRf I think it is probably missing its former original home---Merehead ? Here it is departing Westbury at Hawkeridge Junction with '6M40' the 11:56 to Cliffe Hill--Stud Farm going to collect another load of ballast. Note how much the embankment here have spouted trees and bushes in the few short months since they were completely cleared of all vegetation.Mother Nature making its return with a vengeance!Grab your shots here whilst you can!
..3 october 2019..
AI's 59004 slows on the approach to East Somerset Junction where this working '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking to Merehead will diverge off the mainline to take the branch down to the Quarry.
..17 september 2018..
With the sun now getting ever lower in the skies over Frome at just 18:45 in the early evening the first signs of autumn are now beginning to show in the lineside bushes as 59004 'Paul A Hammond' approaches Clink Road Jn with '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC going down to Merehead.
..14 september 2018..
'AI'-59004 'Paul A Hammond' catches the last dregs of sunshine as the shadows now race across the tracks here at Berkley Marsh just before 19:00 in the evening.It was working '7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Whatley-Q.
..13 september 2018..
'AI' 59005 works '6A74' the 09:22 from Whatley to Theale up through Berkley Marsh.Notice the eight maroon EWS-HTA's in the train still finding use on aggregate duties now that the movement of coal in this country is virtually a thing of the past.
..23 august 2018..
With its commemorative bell-end leading 59001'Yeoman Endeavour' runs down past Clink with '7V07' the 12:41 from Chichester heading for Merehead.
..16 august 2018..
30+ years old veteran GM-59004 'Paul A Hammond' in the colours of 'Aggregate Industries' works another hopper-less,just boxes '7C64' 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead.Here at good old Berkley nr Frome just before the sun dropped into the cloud banks that stretched to the horizon.
..13 august 2018..
With the Westbury White Horse in the background (Amazingly 6 miles away) AI's 59005 rumbles past the recently harvested cornfields here at Berkley Marsh.Just boxes on this train.Note the lack of grafitti.The Nobs that apply that crap obviously prefer the flatter sides on the hoppers to display their lack of intelligence!
..9 august 2018..
59005 'Kenneth J Painter' pops out from under Pot Lane Bridge at Berkley Marsh with '7C28' the 13:44 from Exeter's Riverside yard returning emptied boxes to Whatley Quarry.Luckily the freshly rolled Straw Bales are still in the field.No doubt they will all be removed within a day or so!
..9 august 2018..
GBRf's Ex Foster-Yeoman 'Yeoman Highlander' 59003 sits on the exit from Eastleigh loco sheds about to commence its journey to Westbury as '0V40' from where it carries on up to Stud Farm as '6M40'.Meanwhile 444028 brings up the rear of a 10-car '1W08' the 09:03 from Weymouth going up to London-Waterloo.
..7 august 2018..
With the Westbury White Horse glowing nicely in the evening sunlight amazingly nearly 7 miles away in the distance the Grandaddy-Ying of them all 59001 'Yeoman Endeavour' c/w its 30-years plaque as well passes through Berkley Marsh at Pot Lane with '7C66' the 18:38 from Royal Wootton Basset to Merehead empties.