Former National-Power Engines now owned by DBS (was EWS) and work mainly out of the Mendip Quarries.
59204 leans through Great Cheverell with '7C77' the 12:41 from Acton-TC to Merehead.The new batch of JNA's from the 'Touax' leasing company were nicely placed right behind the loco today,making a change from the usual heavily graffitied FY &Hanson Hoppers!------------------27 february 2020------
Schenker-Red 59201 luckily with the bell-end leading passes Clink nr Frome with '7C28' the 13:44 from Exeter-Riverside Yard to Whatley emptied stone boxes.This working passed the other way a few hours ago before reversing at Westbury to gain access to the Quarry.
..31 july 2019..
59205,one of the soon to be sold 'DB 59/2-Six' draws '6V18' through Clink from Allington-ARS (11:25 off) to Whatley Quarry.Note the adandoned 'Bothy' that is slowly returning to nature.This temporary structure was placed there well over 20 years ago for a flagman to shelter in during signalling work at the nearby Clink Road Junction.Afterwards it was just simply forgotten!
..31 july 2019..
59206 the first EWS loco to get the Schenker-Red treatment all those years ago in 2009 now understandably looks a bit scabby and well work-stained.What the future hold for this loco is a bit of a mystery as it is well due to a major overhaul including new wheelsets and it is currently up for sale in a sealed bid auction as DB have been undercut for the Mendip Contract. Anyway here it is eeking out its existence working out of the Mendips.This working is '7C77' the 12:41 empties from Acton-TC down to Merehead.Viewed from a public foot crossing on the Frome Avoiding Line.
..31 july 2019..
With DB's ending of its association with the Mendip Quarries quite soon these Class 59/2's are set to move elsewhere unless Freightliner win the bidding process to obtain them (Assuming they have put in a bid in the first place?)..Here is DB-Schenker 59204 with the 'Jumbo' service from Whatley (13:24 away) to Dagenham Dock '6L21' crossing over at Fairwood taking the route into Westbury Station. Somewhat back-lit but still just about worth a shot!
..29 july 2019..
59204,one of the soon to be replaced Schenker-6 slows for Clink Junction with the empties from Theale (09:20 off) to Whatley Quarry running as '7C31'.
..29 july 2019..
Schenker-Red 59203 continues to haul aggregates out of the Mendip Quarries but for how much longer I wonder? This is 59203 with the fridays-only '7O40',13:35 from Merehead going down to Eastleigh-FY.Seen crawling up the now badly overgrown cutting at Upton Scudamore on the steep incline there.
..26 july 2019..
Doyen of the soon to be dumped by DB 59/2 sub class 59201 (bell end leading) approaches Clink Road Junction with '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC Sdg's to Whatley Quarry.Either they are going to move on to pasture new or (If bought by G&W) will end up in the Orange&Black livery of that Company still on the Mendip circuit.Not long to go now before all is revealed!
..18 july 2019..
This is one of only two 59/2's to currently carry a nameplate which will no doubt be removed this Autumn when these engines are probably moved away from the area. So here is 59202 'Alan Meddows Taylor MD, Mendip Rail Limited' working '7Z52' the 14:52 from Southampton-Up Yard to Whatley Quarry with returning emptied boxes.This shot scraped in a short burst of late evening sunniness at Berkley nr Frome.
..16 july 2019..
In the fast moving rail scene currently in the Westbury area we have seen to complete loss of HST's,DB losing the Mendip Quarry contracts and as a consequence the probable loss of the 59/2's on the aggregates trains.So every opportunity to grab some sunny 59/2 pictures has to be taken..here is 59204 with '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington-ARC going down to Whatley Quarry.Seen at a recent cleared out Clink but already it is returning to nature rather more quickly than I would like!
..16 july 2019..
A fairly workstained Schenker-Red 59203 pulls away from Fairwood Junction with '7C66' the 17:50 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead.Most evenings this is the final working available for photography even though there is sufficient light around for another hour at least at this time of year.
..11 july 2019..
Schenker-Red 59205 passes Witham Hall Farm with '7C66' the 17:50 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead.Not long now before the Green Team (or is it Orange) take over these workings.
..10 july 2019..
If I had to choose I suppose this loco 59206 albeit now in quite tatty overall condition is probably my favourite of the 6 loco's in this sub-class.Given that they are set to depart this area presumably for pastures-new in the autumn any shots of these now ageing workhorses are welcome.So here is 59206 passing Blatchbridge Junction in Ftome with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking returning emptied boxes back down to Merehead Quarry.
..10 july 2019..
59206 the last built Class-59 will soon be moving on to other work after DB lose the Mendip Contract to Freightliner in the Autumn.It is quite well known that this loco's needs major work including new wheel-sets in the near future so expect it to spent quite some time OOS in the near future whoever takes ownership after the current closed bid auction is completed. Anyway here it is still dragging MRL-boxes around for DB passing Frome.Viewed returning to Merehead with '6C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC.
..4 july 2019..
'6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry hauled by 59201 which was delayed at the previous signal waiting for the branch to Whatley Quarry to become available finally gets underway after being at a stand for more than 15 minutes.Enough time anyway for me to walk from the bridge in the distance to this location,about 1/4 of a mile or so for this 2nd shot!
..3 july 2019..
Doyen of the 59/2 sub-class 59201 with '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley stands at the signal protecting Clink Road Junction waiting for the Quarry branch to clear because of an outgoing aggregate working was currently using it.Note the use of ex-coal hoppers HTA's now on these stone workings.Sadly with the almost total demise of Coal fired Power-Stations they are now almost completely redundant for the job they were orginally built for.
..3 july 2019..
59203 still in Schenker-Red slows for Clink Junction with the late running '6V18' the 11:25 from Allington heading for Whatley Quarry. Apparantly the 59/2's have now been sold to an undisclosed bidder. I bet that mystery bidder is GBRf for sure!
..2 july 2019..
59203 rolls through Berkley with '7C66' the 17:50 from Wootton Bassett to Merehead.A few weeks ago Class 60's were seen on this working in a training role ready to replace these 59/2's until DB lost the Mendip Contract.Sadly this arrangement seems to have gone by the wayside so we are stuck with these GM's until the bitter end in September!
..28 june 2019..
The soon to be displaced and re-allocated 59201 passes Berkley Marsh with the Westbury White Horse as a backdrop with '6C76' the 14:38 from Acton-TC going to Merehead.You don't often get these HTA ex-coal hoppers on this working from London!
..28 june 2019..
59206 is now the most careworn of the Class59-2's.The paintwork is rusty and peeling and apparantly the wheelsets are now down to virtually scrap size.\Know wonder DB want to offload them onto somebody else as they are all now for sale due to the loss of the Mendip contracts! So here is that poor old 59206 working '7O40' the 'FO' from Merehead going down to Eastleigh Yard with its load of aggregates,Seen at Arn Hill nr Warminster.
..28 june 2019..
Not the expected Class-60 out on training but given that this Class will soon be history on the Mendip-Stones circuit the next best thing I suppose? 59203 still wearing its DB-Schenker decals works '7C66' the 17:50 from Wootton Bassett going down to Merehead.Seen passing the inevitable Berkley Marsh running about 30minutes early having missedoutits booked Westbury layover.
..31 may 2019..
59202 approaches Whiteball Tunnel with an empty set of aggregates boxes that ran from Exeter-Riverside Yard to Westbury Down-TC as '7C28'. Normally just a weekday service this running on a Saturday was a nice bonus.
..25 may 2019..
The late running '6V18' finally passes Clink about 50 minutes down on schedule.Schenker-Red 59205 was in charge of this,the 11:25 from Allington-ARC to Whatley Quarry.
..15 may 2019..
Doyen of the 59/2 sub-class 59201-B-end leading works '6V18' which today started from Acton-TC instead of Allington.It departed there at 13:40 and the all hopper train is seen passing Crofton under a cloudless sky.
..13 may 2019..
Schenker-Red 59203 swings through the Crofton Curve with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC going down to Merehead afternoon empties.Note the size of some of the tree's that have been recently removed here.Of note is all the stumps have been fitted with copper nails to prevent regrowth (Hopefully).
..13 may 2019..
The 09:20 from Theale taking empties back to Whatley Quarry as '7C31' passes the recently cleared out Crofton Crossing on the B&H.The K&A Canal run parallel with the railway for some considerable distance in this area.DB's 59205 was doing the duty.Once the HST's end in a few days time the next casualty of 'progress' will be the 59/2's.They wil be banished to pastures new next within the next few months since DB have lost the Mendip Stone contracts.
..13 may 2019..
The 11:30 from Merehead going to Wootton Bassett as '7B12' passes Pot Lane nr Frome.59201 'B' end leading being todays power. 2019 will be a notable year for all the wrong reasons around here for changes in traction.The HST's will be a thing of the past soon as will these 59/2's once Freightliner commence operation out of the Quarries instead of DB.
..30 april 2019..
59206 with its motley collection of badly graffitied MRL hoppers rolls up the B&H at Great Cheverell with '6L21' the 13:23 from Whatley Quarry going to Dagenham Dock-ARC.A heavy load this,I wonder what Freightliner will supply to work this train when they take over its running in the autumn? A pair of 66/5's,maybe a 66/6 or even a Class-70! Time will tell.Either way they have got a bit of a shock coming dragging these heavy trains up the B&H!
..29 april 2019..
With just over a fortnight to go before the HST's are banished from the Paddington to Penzance services the next local stalwarts to be moved on are sure to be the 59/2's owned by the soon to be displaced DB Company on these Mendip Stone services.Here is 59201 with its Bell-End leading passing through Cheverell on the B&H with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead Quarry.Yes no doubt about it,2019 will certainly be a memorable year locally for all the wrong reasons!
..29 april 2019..
59204 now in its final few months working out of the Mendip Quarries as it has done now for getting on for 15 years.Sadly they will depart for pastures new when Freightliner take over the Mendip-Rail portfolio in the Autumn. So here is Schenker-Red 59204 with '7C64' the 15:25 from Acton-TC to Merehead in the wide open spaces that is Berkley Marsh nr Frome. On a lighter note Steve McM who was stood next to me missed the shot because his camera shutter failed to work yet again.He wasn't very happy! Time to get it serviced me-thinks Steve ?
..25 april 2019..
59205,one of DB's prized heavy-movers that is soon to be moved on to pastures new since the company lost out to Freightliner for the Mendip aggregate contracts rolls down through Berkley Marsh at Pot Lane with '6c31' the09:20 from Theale returning empties to Whatley Quarry.
..12 april 2019..
After 59206 arrives at Merehead with '7C29' (see previous shot) it had a rest of about 3 hours before its next duty,this being '7O40' the 13:35 from Merehead to Eastleigh Aggregate Sidings viewed here ascending the Upton Scudamote Incline at about 5 mph due to the heavy load it is hauling.Its looking rather scabby now after 10 years of wearing Schenker-Red livery!
..29 march 2019..
59206 approaches Clink Road Junction in the cutting there that is still fairly shadowy even at nearly 10:00 in the morning.Its train being '7C29' the 06:25 from Acton-TC to Merehead Quarry.
..29 march 2019..
59201 was going to Whatley Quarry barely 10 minutes behind '6V18'.This working was '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley and passes the lengthening shadows here at Clink.Hopefully these will no longer be a problem next week at the same time as BST happens this next weekend.
..28 march 2019..
This duty '6M20' the 10:37 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sdg's -Tarmac is a solid GM Class-66 working but today this loco 59203 turned up on it.Viewed passing Clink nr Frome with the usual motley rake of HOA's and IIA's.These 59-2's could soon be off to pastures new quite soon now that Freightliner (G&W) have outbid DB for the Mendip Stone contracts?
..28 march 2019..
It is now over 10 years since this loco 59206 became the first loco in the country to get a coat of Schenker-Red.Now it is looking somewhat battleworn with rust pocks and faded paint.Of course it has worked almost continuously during that period. So here is 59206 with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead empties.Viewed at Master's Crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury.What next for this small class of just 6 locomotives? With DB losiing the Mendip Contracts to Freightliner they are almost certainly going to move away elsewhere sometime in the fairly near future.
..27 march 2019..
59203 nears Lavington with a 13:23 from Whatley Quarry to West Drayton-ARC.Not a regular working this (Yet?) so I am presuming it is using the '6A83' slot which usually starts from Avonmouth.
..25 march 2019..
With the sun finally popping out very briefly for a while this afternoon a shot of 59203 was grabbed working '6V18' the 11:25 empties from Allington-ARC Sdg's back down to Whatley Quarry.Seen here at Clink nr Frome just before the lengthening shadows filled the cutting here.Note the shiny engine hood that somebody has given a quick clean whilst it was off for a spot of Mtce! Obviously no time to do the rest of the loco!
..19 march 2019..
The much anticipated Railtour going to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore runs past the boundry-post that seperates Network Rail from the private railway.59201 was leading with an unseen 59206 on the rear. It departed London Victoria as '1Z78' at 07:48 and travelled via Newbury and Avonmouth actually arriving just a few minutes behind booked time.From here it was to do the various routes into and out of Merehead Quarry to satify the many track bashers onboard.Since the number of locations on this freight branch suitable for photography are virtually zero these days due to rampant vegetation growth and the late departure in dull conditions I decided to give those movements sadly a miss!
..16 march 2019..
DB's 59203 rolls along the rather rusty line on to the East Somerset Railway just about on the boundry between Rail-Track's property and the preserved line.It was running as '0Z59' the 10:40 from Westbury to Cranmore route learning and checking the tracks ready for a Railtour that will happen on the 16th of March 2019.Run by UK Railtours it is coming from London-Victoria via the B&H.Possibly hauled by this very loco,certainly a 59/2 and probably two. Note Cranmore Station on the East Somerset Railway in the background and some preserved coaching stock in the old Bitumen Sidings,even including an old RES-van.
..7 march 2019..
Although this Light Engine 'tester' from Westbury Down-TC (10:40 off) to Cranmore '0Z59' was shown on RTT as cancelled it did actually run.Indeed it was active right up until it got to Cranmore! The loco 59203 is seen slowly passing along the freshly cleared branch from Whites Crossing to Cranmore Station crew-training the route ready for a Railtour that is due into Cranmore sometime quite soon.This I believe will be the first train into here since a previous Tour (The Angel of Bedlam) with a pair of 59's way back in Feb 2012,5 years ago.Note the very rusty rails and the vast amount of tree and undergrowth removal that has been necessary since the last train passed!
..7 march 2019..
Not only are we about to lose the regular HST's on this stretch of line but it seems these Class 59/2's won't be around this area much longer either!. When Freightliner take over the Mendip stone workings DB will move these locomotive away very smartly! so here is 59205 running up the flat straight on the approach to Fairwood Junction with '6L21' the 13:23 from Whatley Quarry bound for Dagenham Dock-ARC.Pictured at Masters Farm Crossing now fully de-tree'd and with new traditional post-n-wire fencing that has been fitted in the last week or so.
..27 february 2019..
With the recent news that DB have lost the Mendip Quarry contracts from next Autumn it appears that the use of these 59/2's is set to end and if the rumours are to be believed sooner rather than later! So here is (for now) 59202 running through Hungerford Common with '6C76' the 14:39 from Acton-TC down to Whatley Quarry.Note to EWS-HTA's in the train make up.They will go of course as well!
..26 february 2019..
DB's-59203 works '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC going down to Merehead Quarry.Today it consisted of two portions.Pictured just west of Pewsey at Manningford Bruce.With the loss of the Mendip contract to Freightliner these loco's are set to disappear,certainly by the Autumn,possibly earlier if the rumours are correct!
..25 february 2019..
With its Bell-end leading 59201 hauls '7O40' the 13:35 FO from Merehead to Eastleigh Aggregate Sdg's slowly past Arn Hill shortly after completing the climb past Upton Scudamore from Westbury.When I was but a child all the freight up this bank (mainly 40 wagon coal trains) was assisted by a banking loco which continued right up to Warminster Station,still about a mile or so further down the line.
..22 february 2019..
59205 still stickered up as a DB-Schenker Loco passes Bratton with '6C58' the 11:55 from Oxford Banbury Road to Whatley Quarry empties.There is now sufficient angle for the spring-like sun to no longer cast dark shadows across the track here,hence my visit.
..22 february 2019..
These 59/2's possibly have just about another 6 months work to do operating out of the Mendip Quarries.After that it's a Freightliner contract and these loco's will move off elsewhere.So here is 59204 with 40 fully loaded hoppers on the hook (Try that with a 66?) working '7B12' the 11:30 from Merehead going up to Wootton Bassett.Seen passing Fairwood where these horses there give this monster-train barely a 2nd glance!
..19 february 2019..
Schenker liveried 59202 runs past Cowleaze Lane in Bratton with '6C31' the 09:20 empties from Theale -FY to Whatley Quarry.Interestingly the first 4 hoppers still appear to be fully loaded.Perhaps there was an unloading problem or maybe insufficient time to complete the operation before departure ????
..28 january 2019..
Sadly with the loss of the Mendip Quarries traffic to Freightliner from next Autumn the sight of Schenker-Red Class-59/2's of long aggregate trains on the B&H will become a thing of the past.Anyway here is 59204 approaching Woodborough with '6L21' the 13:23 from Whatley Quarry to Dagenham Dock.
..17 january 2019..
Schenker liveried 59205 hums through Hungerford Common with '7C77' the regular and today 'only' westbound afternoon empties going to the mendip Quarries.It left Acton-TC at 12:40 as usual.Today '6C58' and '6V18' were both cancelled.Typical on the best day for a spot of sunshine for weeks!
..17 january 2019..
Doyen of the 59/2 sub-class 59201 draws '7A77' the 11:41 from Merehead heading for Theale past Master's Crossing nr Fairwood-Westbury.The BBC weather service forecasted a dull-dull day and as often occurs the opposite happened,at least until just after lunchtime.Interestingly this loco's presentation-bell on the rear cab of this loco was missing for some reason.It was there a couple of days ago,possibly a disgruntled DB-Driver bagging a souvenir before redundancy?
..8 january 2019..
With the news just before the end of last year that DB have lost the contract for operating out of the Mendip Quarries this could very well be the final year of Class 59/2 working around Westbury and the surrounding area. Here is 59201 with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead.Seen at Fairwood nr Westbury having used the Avoiding Line as the station area is still closed due to signalling problems after the Christmas period rebuild of Westbury North Junction.
..4 january 2019..
Schenker-Red 59205 catches a brief patch of sunshine here as it approaches Clink Road Junction with '7V16' the 11:56 from Fareham-ARC returning empty boxes back to Whatley Quarry.
..3 december 2018..
No mistaking what the working is with its reporting code written-large on the second-man's window! The train (obviously) is '7B12' the 11:30 from Merehead heading for Wootton-Bassett.59201 with its bell-end leading was doing the duty today.
..14 november 2018..
Schenker-Red 59205 hauls '7C31' the empty hoppers from Theale-ARC (09:28 off) to Whatley Quarry through a rather autumnal Berkley marsh nr Frome.Note the ex-EWS Coal HTA's now in use on this aggregate duty.
..14 november 2018..
DB-Schenker's 59201 works a quite long '7C77' through Styles Hill in Frome.This train starts from Acton-TC departing at 12:40 going down to Merehead.With the clocks changing from BST to GMT the next weekend in all probability this shot will no longer be possible of this working here until next spring.Which freight company will be working the quarry trains then I ask myself ??????
..24 october 2018..
59206 'John F.Yeoman Rail Pioneer' in its now quite careworn near 10 year old original repaint Schenker-Red livery passes Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary with '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead.No hoppers today just boxes.
..4 october 2018..
Welcome to the new and improved Hungerford Common looking east.After several decades of total neglect Network-Rail have finally cleared all the rampant trees and bushes that had largely overgrown this stretch of railway.Amazingly some of the tree stumps that remain are in excess of 2ft on diameter!! So here is '6C31' the 09:59 from Theale-ARC returning empty hoppers back to Whatley Quarry.Schenker-Red 59203 leads with the first 1/2 dozen or so wagons being ex-EWS HTA coal hoppers having a revised lease of life on aggregate duties.
..19 september 2018..
Schenker-Red 'John F Yeoman-Rail Pioneer' 59206 hauls '7C77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead. Masters Farm Crossing just west of Fairwood Junction being the location.
..17 september 2018..
Schenker-Red 59202 draws its set of empty boxes from Woking (15:38 off) as '7V12' through Berkley Marsh going to Merehead.
..14 september 2018..
With the Westbury-White Horse six miles away forming the backdrop Doyen of the Class 59/2 sub-class 59201 passes the fields at Berkley Marsh with '6C74' the 15:35 from Theale going down to Whatley Quarry.Note the use of some HTA ex-coal hoppers on this train.The Theale trip from Whatley being a regular duty for these displaced hoppers.
..13 september 2018..
Schenker-Red 59203 comes through Great Cheverell with the 11:25 from Allington-ARC going to Whatley Quarry as '6V18'.When the sun shines there is no doubting just how effective this livery is for showing off the locomotive.Simple yet very effective methinks!
..13 september 2018..
Still surprisingly carrying DB Schenker branding instead of the now almost universal DB version 59205 works '6C31' the 09:57.5 from Theale returning empty hoppers to Whatley Quarry.
..3 september 2018..
DB Schenker Red 59205 slows for Clink Road Junction with '6C31' the 09:21 empties from Theale going down to Whatley Quarry today.This occurs on Wednesdays and Fridays (today).The remainer of the week this working goes to Merehead under the same coding.
..31 august 2018..
Dayglow Schenker-Red 59204 approaches Clink Road Junction at Berkley Marsh with a string of box-empties from Woking-Down Yard going to Merehead as '7V12'.
..21 august 2018..
'7C64' the 15:26 from Acton-TC to Merehead tonight produced the day-glow 59203 with yet more plain boxes.Hoppers seem to be a rather rare thing lately on these workings back to the quarries from London.
..10 august 2018..
Schenker-Red 59206 with just 'boxes' in tow today formed '7V77' the 12:40 from Acton-TC to Merehead Quarry.Viewed on the Frome Avoiding Line.In the background can just be seen Clink Road Junction.
..10 august 2018..
The last ever built Class-59,59206 glows in the low evening light here at Blatchbridge-Jn as it passes in the crystal clear lighting with '7V12' the 15:38 from Woking Down Yard going to Merehead with its train of empty boxes.This shot taken on a public foot crossing behind the H&S scaffold barrier!