Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
FGW (Pre 31 July 2017)
Same Company (First) just didn't know what to call itself for a few years!.Is the largest operator of HST's in the country.
43012 with 43170 powers up Brewham Bank with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.The lead PC 43012 was until recently one of the four that carried the 'Bristol-Green 2015' livery.When it re-entered service in standard FGW-Blue it had gained the nameplates 'Exeter Panel Signal Box-21st Anniversary' that were originally carried by 43163.This one is still carrying the 'Visit Plymouth' colours it gained three years ago when these plates were removed from it!
..17 july 2017..
FGW HST- 43180/43071 combo passes Brewham with '1C76' the 09:06 from Paddington to Newquay.This is another area that a local 'cutting-crew' have done an excellent job of removing well overgrown vegetation.At least it gives respite for a year or so from the rampant shrubs and bushes!
..17 july 2017..
Bog-Standard FGW liveried 43069 speeds along under to 25KvA National-Grid Pylons on the Frome Avoiding Line with '1C84' the 14:07 from Paddington to Plymouth.Hopefully that is as close as OHLE will get to this section of the national network!
..3 july 2017..
Full-Blue Set with 43193 & 43152 speed down through Berkley Marsh working '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddington to Paignton.Not that much longer before the 'plastic' IEP's consign these FGW-HST's to the dustbin of history so when the sun is shining 'Why not a shot' ?
..16 june 2017..
It may be a 'GAW' shot but recording a 'mixed' GWR/FGW HST-set was not to be missed! Here 43146 in FGW-Blue brings up the rear of an almost all green GWR set with GWR-43194 leading.The working was '1A19' the 13:30 from Bristol-TM going up to Paddington.Seen going east at North Somerset Junction in Bristol.
..13 june 2017..
Anticipation was high when the allocations this morning indicated that the I/C liveried 43185 was going to do this working the 15:06 from Paddington to Penzance '1C86'.Strictly speaking that was true but the damned thing was on the rear instead of as the seemingly indicated leading PC. FGW-Blue 43020 was the actual one at the head of this train.Oh well, at least it was sunny!
..1 june 2017..
This is the view off the buttresses of the long removed bridge where the Somerset & Dorset Rly used to cross the GWR mainline here at Cole.The HST (sadly a plain blue one) is 43196/43130 working '1C79' the 11:06 away from Paddington going down to Plymouth.
..8 may 2017..
43197 which was once with Virgin-XC and named 'Railway Magazine' emerges from the 3444 yd long Chipping Sodbury Tunnel with 1B40' the 13:37 from Paddington to Carmarthan.43137 being on the rear.Note the driver is giving his windscreen a very soupy quick wash and clean up using the solitary single sweep wiper.
..23 april 2017..
'1U15' the 13:00 from Paddington to Plymouth passes Badminton with 43192 and 43125 in charge.This regulation issue Blue FGW-set is running with 1st-Class on the country-end,making the 'high-end' travellers have an additional 200yard walk to gain their seats at Paddington! The mess in the normally tidy field here is a compound set up by Network-Rail as a base for the GWR mainline farce,errrrr I mean electrification that continues to proceed westwards very slowly from London.
..23 april 2017..
For one more summer at least HST's continue to be the mainstay of the Paddington to South-Wales Expresses.43182 leads '1L53' the 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington whilst 43009 dutifully does its pushing at the rear.The working is seen passing over the River-Usk in Newport. Evidence of the upcoming (eventually) electrification can be seen on the embankment in front of the train.That however is now slowly returning to nature as the tree and shrub clearance done a few years ago is regrowing.Another big clear-up will be needed before it is electrified in possibly 4 years time? No expense spared when it is taxpayers money!
..23 april 2017..
43182 & 43154 pull and push their way past Clink nr Frome working '1C86' the 15:06 from Paddington to Penzance. Note the highly desireable single room bungalow set in its leafy garden with ivy growing up the art-deco walls.Close to a School and local amenities with good railway links to London and a well maintained gravel path adjacent to it for easy access to the town of Frome.Viewing by appointment (Hi-Viz clothing and helmets supplied by the vendor).
..12 april 2017..
43022 'The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Anniversary 1956-2016' speeds down the flat straight away from Fairwood Junction at Westbury.GWR-Green 43041 was on the back of this working '1C82' the 12:05 from Paddington to Penzance. Back in steam days this was the location of the water-troughs so that the non-stoppers to the West-Country from Paddington could replenish their water supply without having to call into Westbury Station.No sign of any of that equipment now,no troughs,no water-tanks and no evidence now they ever even existed!
..6 april 2017..
FGW's 43016/43023 are pictured once again after its brief halt at Newport Station.Here getting '1L46' the 09:28 from Swansea to Paddington on the move again crossing the Usk River Bridge.A superbly sunny day but the river was a dark shade of muddy brown,not blue as some people might think!
..2 april 2017..
'1L46' the 09:28 from Swansea to Paddington headed by FGW-Plain Blue 43016 with an unseen 43023 on the rear exits the Hillfield Tunnels on the approach to Newport-Gwent Station.Today all traffic was using the 'slow' lines as engineers had possession of the 'fast'.This shot was taken from the footbridge next to the overbridge recently replaced here in Newport in readiness for the sad over-budget electrification scheme.Interestingly it is completely untreated and is currently red-rusty.An extending ladder was needed to see over the 8ft high sided steel alley that passes for a footbridge!
..2 april 2017..
43023 c/w its sky-blue Bullied B-o-B style nameplate 'Sqn Ldr Harold Starr-One of the Few' draws away from Westbury at Fairwood with '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth.43016 was in support on the rear.
..31 march 2017..
Only another shot of an HST you might say ? However with the japanese built bodyshells for their IEP replacements now being fitted out in Italy their days are now truly coming to an end.The irony of the situation is that the replacements are not even 'bi-model' but just a cobbled together 'diesel-only' version rushed out to compensate for the complete disaster that the entire GWR electrification scheme has become!!! Anyway here are 43147 and 43186 running over Fairwood Junction on the approach to Westbury with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.
..2 march 2017..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington speeds through Great Cheverell on the B&H in nice low bright morning winter lighting.43025 was leading with 43180 on the rear.Soon to be part of history.Apparantly its replacements are now in production in Italy. The story goes something like this------A seperate contract signed with GWR provides for a fleet of diesel-powered IEP sets that have the ability to tackle the steep Devon banks and are due to be introduced from next summer (2018).Construction has now begun near Florence at Hitachi's manufacturing facility in Pistoia.The entire fleet of 93 trains are due to be passenger service on the GWR by the end of 2019.Hitachi also say that the design of the new trains ensures that they can withstand the region's weather conditions,including routes along the Dawlish coast.
..16 february 2017..
An unidentified HST Power-Car fitted with a 2200HP MTU engine brings up the rear of '1A85' as it makes its way towards Paddington from Plymouth at Heywood Road-Junction nr Westbury.Meanwhile this horse fitted with just one HP looks the other way completely disinterested wondering who is the idiot in a bobble-hat with a camera up to his face!
..19 january 2017..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington emerges through the thin mist at a still frosty albeit quite sunny Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Just a standard liveried FGW/GWR HST but time marches on and in a year or so all these will be replaced by Javelins,--I mean Bi-Model IEP's.So here are 43071/43183 heading east in their uniform blue colours.
..19 january 2017..
Yet another dark-dank day so a trip to Swindon was decided upon to watch a couple of 'celeb' Power-Cars passing through there perhaps and drinking several cups of coffee to idle the day away!.This is a pair of FGW's finest? 43193 on the rear of '1A12' the 07:40 from Paignton tp Padd adjacent to 43069 which is heading for Swansea with '1B20' the 09:45 from Paddington.An everyday scene currently,however give it a couple of years and it will be a couple of Javelins,errrrr I mean Hitatchi-IEP's!
..16 january 2017..
43020 'MTU Power,Passion,Partnership' leads '1B28' the 11:30 from Paddington to Newport-South Wales away from Swindon.43091 being on the back.This train is going only as far as Newport as the line to Cardiff beyond there is still closed for engineering works.
..2 january 2017..
'1L50' the 10:52 from Cheltenham-Spa going only as far as Swindon rounds the curve at the junction of the Gloucester line just west of Swindon Station. Behind it is the large building that steel from Port-Talbot is delivered to by rail for use in the construction of 'mini' bodyshells in the town.43195 was leading here with I/C 43002 out of view on the rear.
..2 january 2017..
I had originally made the 40 mile round trip to this location Newton-St-Loe to record an ECS off yesterdays Railtour.It was going from Newport-ADJ to Burton-on-Trent but much to my disgust went via Gloucester despite being routed this way on RTT.The consolation/booby prize was this '1A19' the 13:30 from Bristol-TM to Paddington.Plain-Blue FGW Power-Car 43020 'MTU Power.Passion,Partnership' with 43176 on the back doing to duty,here in the effectively 'wasted' afternoon winter lighting!
..4 december 2016..
43189/43148 speed though Shrivenham with '1B40' the 13:45 from Paddington to Swansea.Even at this time of just 14:30 in the afternoon the sun was so low it was giving a yellowy tinge to the colours.Regretfully this small break in the line of electrification masts has now been filled in making the entire length of the line from Bourton to Compton Beauchamp through Shrivenham an entire photographic lost cause now--------------A Pity.
..29 november 2016..
With the winter sun on its knees just on the horizon 43133/43126 sandwiches the GWR-set LA-16 working '1L66' the 13:28 from Swansea going to Paddington.Masts here at Bourton are now very prevelent,in fact the shot looking east is now ruined.For sure this large 'pole' gap will be filled in very soon.Sunset on the HST and very definitely sunset on this area for photographs unless you are blind!
..29 november 2016..
43155 'The Red Arrows-50 Seasons of Excellence' flies through Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary with '1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington to Penzance.43197 was on the back.
..28 november 2016..
Final excitement of a day that was surprisingly quite sunny was this move from OOC-H.S.T.D down to Laira T&R.S.M.D of a couple of 'back to back'Power-Cars running as '0Z77' the 10:50 away from OOC.Here are 43131 & 43190 making good time passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..11 november 2016..
Nondescript no-name 43098 along with 43151 speed past the rubbish dump that used to be Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary working '1C79' the 11:06 off off Paddington going down to Plymouth.The vicious 7ft high spiky fence here is nicely masked with vegetation softening the image somewhat.
..11 november 2016..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington leans into the curve at Great Cheverell heading east.43179 leads whilst 43124 provided the back-up on this all-blue FGW-set.
..10 november 2016..
43197 partnered with 43172 Harry Patch' ambles up through Berkley Marsh running about 45 minutes late on '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.It continued to loose time finally arriving in the capital over an hour behind schedule.As it passed here it was obvious the lead P/C was suffering from severe wheel flats and the driver didn't want to risk losing any teeth fillings,hence the restricted top speed.Almost certainly 'Harry Patch' will gain a replacement playmate whilst that little problem is sorted!
..9 november 2016..
43094 leads '1C14' the 11:57 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads across Newton Meadows west of Bath Spa in the superb low afternoon autumn light.
..5 november 2016..
This panoramic view of Bath Spa is available from Alexandra Park. Unfortunately it is the same all too familier story of ever encroaching bushes and trees making life more difficult year on year.Anyway a 'Heritage' FGW HST-set can be seen in the valley below getting away from Bath Spa with '1A20' the 14:00 Bristol-TM to Paddington nicely framed in the under and overgrowth!Set identity is unknown for obvious reasons.
..31 october 2016..
Despite the impression many photographers give most of the GWR-fleet of HST's are still in the older FGW-Blue style.These currently seem to be largely ignored for some misguided reason!. So here is 43154 paired with 43172 'Harry Patch' taking the Kemble/Swindon route with the diverted 1L74' 14:38 from Swansea to Paddington.Despite it only being 16:30 in the afternoon photography was now getting difficult due to the lengthing shadows that were increasing in length now by the minute.This then was the final shot of a rather 'hit-n-miss' day.Well at least it gets me out of the house!
..21 october 2016..
Power-car 43029 has quite a history.It was the last one to wear Inter-City 'Swallow' livery,It was the rear PC on the train that crashed at Ufton- Nervet (Lead PC 43019 was damaged beyond repair) and It also became the model for the then new 'barbie-white' livery for 'First' numbered as 43001.Now it is is just another mundane blue unit. Anyway here it is on the rear of '1C11' the 11:00 from Padd to Bristol-TM at Swindon with 43009 leading.
..13 september 2016..
Now the initial burst of corporate enthusiasm has worn off and the needs of day to day running take priority this set of GWR-Sludge 'LA16' is now running around with a pair of 'Blue' PC's instead of the original dedicated pair 43005/43041.Both of those were in fact in service today working seperately on blue carriages. So here are 43063 and 43162 rolling into Swindon with '1A10' the 09:00 from Bristol Temple Meads going to Paddington.All this variety certain makes life interesting as far as HST's are concerned.Every one that approaches could be something of interest.A nice finale to their FGW'GWR career!
..13 september 2016..
This is 43026 that was named last year in honour of Micheal Eavis, the man from Worthy Farm nr Glastonbury where the famous Music Festival is held most years.No doubt due to the tremendous amount of extra business that it generates for FGW/GWR every year!.Here it is standing in Swindon with '1L42' the 09:57 from Bristol-Parkway to Paddington.43071 is the rear PC.
..13 september 2016..
Combo 43129/43009 approach Fairwood-Jn nr Westbury with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington under a seemingly troubled sky that in fact came to nothing.As this is the 1st of September lets hope it is as productive photographically as August turned out to be,which was very sunny indeed overall!
..01 september 2016..
'1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff-C to Paddington speeds through the long closed Shrivenham Stn.43155 'The Red Arrows-50 Seasons of Excellence' with 43025 on the rear.Unbelievably the platform faces and indeed the platforms still survive after well over 50 years since this Station was closed on 7th December 1964.Considering the indecent haste some railway infrastructure is demolished soon after it has become redundant that is little short of a miracle!
..30 august 2016..
Standard-Issue Blue 43156/43168 speeds past Ashbury's Crossing at Shrivenham with '1L36' the 08:31 from the Spa Town of Cheltenham going up to Paddington.
..30 august 2016..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington leans through the curve adjacent to Crofton Pumping Station on the K&A Canal.An idylic summer scene. 43196 leads with 43024 somewhere in the rear.A rather nice reflection shot was nearly achieved but a light occasional breeze made sure it wasn't quite possible.
..26 august 2016..
Crofton Locks on the K&A Canal form the scene for 43175/43136 as they speed by working '1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington going down to Plymouth.43175 was the first production unit to be fitted with the now universal 'MTU' engines. This location as are so many is now suffering from bush growth making shot composition quite problematical.Fitting the leading power-car in between the annoying lineside bushes is quite a challenge!
..26 august 2016..
Now the initial novelty of the Green-GWR set's has worn off GWR seem more inclined now to simply replace a Green P/C with a Blue one to keep the complete set in service.Hence the sight you see here.Blue 43063 leads a Sludge-Set with 43188 on the back.Strangely 43187 its Green partner was out as well on a Blue set.No doubt they will be reunited asap. The train is '1C12' the 11:30 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM.The shot taken here at Shrivenham through the palisade fencing was using a 50mm prime lens simply because it fits through the fencing gaps!
..16 august 2016..
Standard-FGW Blue 43040 with 43195 pass Compton Beauchamp working '1A11' the 09:30 from Bristol-TM to Paddington. Note the 1st-Class is at the country-end giving the high-end passengers a long walk at Paddington.This set had obviously done the final Padd to Cheltenham Spa service and then ran ECS to Bristol-SFM for the night. Hence the set reversal.
..16 august 2016..
43003 the forgotten other half of 253-001 is partnered with 43138 as it swoops through the old station site at Shrivenham.Working is '1A16' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.For a few months the old platform faces of this once '4-track' station were clearly visible because NR had cleared all the vegetation in readiness for the bridge replacement here.That has now been completed and what a monster that has turned out to be.Parapets well in excess of 2 metre's high surrounded by totally un-necessary similarly sized palisade fencing like something in Berlin in the 1970's!
..15 august 2016..
'1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol-TM to Paddington passes Bourton at Stepping Stone Lane.Standard Blue pairing 43129 and 43162 doing the job.Note the train is in reverse formation with 1st-Class at the country-end.Such a trauma for those tier-1 passengers having to walk an extra 200yds at Paddington!
..15 august 2016..
With a combined output of 4500 horsepower, 43124/43146 powers past just one horsepower alongside the soon to be electrified and simultaneously ruined photographically mainline through Bourton east of Swindon.The working is '1C11' the 11:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.It would appear that summer has finally arrived in the UK at last for at least a week or so.Well it is mid-august and before you know it,it will be autumn!
..15 august 2016..
'1A12' the 07:40 from Paignton to Paddington speeds through Sonning Cutting with 43018 leading and 43122 on the back.The embankments at this location were completely cleared of trees and bushes etc and were quite clear for a while but now as can be seen the vegetation is regrowing with a vengeance!
..09 august 2016..
43017 leads '1P35' the 10:00 Didcot-Parkway to Paddington past a colourful Duffield Road at Sonning.Note the new masts in the background.Those have appeared in the few days since last saturday (6th) showing that this 'gap' in the ruination of the GWR around here is soon to be filled in.Indeed just further east past Twyford at Ruscombe (Southbury Lane) the location is now buggered completely!
..09 august 2016..
43053 'University of Worcester' aided by 43124 speeds eastwards at Duffield Road in Sonning Cutting.The booked working is '1A14' the 11:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads going to Paddington.
..06 august 2016..
43025/43098 operate '1A08' the 06:55 from Taunton going up to the Capital. Plenty of tree felling has been taking place here in Sonning Cutting in readiness for the erection of the long delayed electrification.The longer the better I say.At least it provides one last chance to obtain some decent shots in the now well open up cutting here before it is lost forever to misguided progress!
..06 august 2016..
I know FGW/GWR make a conscious effort to keep their reliveried Green HST-sets together but occasionally due to pressure of availability etc mis-matched sets slip through the net! Here is Blue 43174 in use on 'LA16' with 43041 in GWR-Green on the rear passing through Frome at Clink with '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Even after 2 minutes past its booked time here it was still dull and sunless but for once luck was on my side and the bling arrived 30 seconds before this working. Good Show!
..25 july 2016..
FGW-Blue pairing 43122/43018 speeds past the fields at Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington going only as far as Plymouth.
..08 july 2016..
Due to infrastructure work between Chippenham and Royal Wootton Bassett HST services between Paddington and Weston-S-Mare have been diverted via the B&H and the Limpley Stoke Valley.Here is '1C18' the 14:12 from Paddington going to WSM.Leading Power-car is 43026 named 'Micheal Eavis',the man from Pilton that runs the Glastonbury Festivel every year.For the record the rear one was 43029.
..02 july 2016..
Pairing 43163/43122 run through Undy with '1L42' the 08:22 from swansea going to Paddington.Slowly the overbridge around here are being dealt with to allow electrification.This one I was standing on now requiring a pair of steps to be able to see over the 1.8 metre high armoured parapet.The ancient footbridge in the distance is now closed and no doubt with be scrapped and replaced with a caged ugly modern variety that nobody really wants or needs!
..02 july 2016..
'Only' an HST you might say but even these won't be around forever once the IEP's take a hold.Here are 43031 leading with 43070 somewhere on the rear passing through Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '1C87' the 16:06 from Paddington going to Penzance.Even a mundane pair of FGW-Blue 43's look good in decent light!
..24 june 2016..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington hurries through Berkley-Marsh.Plain-Jane (Blue) 43175/43158 pairing doing the powering 43175 carries the name 'GWR-175th ANNIVERSARY'.Its rather obscure claim to fame being it was the first 'production' MTU fitted Power-Car for FGW. 43004 and 43009 should be considered as 'test-beds'.
..06 june 2016..
With a closing speed well in excess of 150mph a pair of the long serving FGW-HST's pass each other at Berkley Marsh nr Frome. 43143 'Stroud 700' was heading towards London as '1A92' from Plymouth whilst the working going west is '1C91' to Paignton from London-Padd.
..02 june 2016..
'1C86' the 15:06 from Paddington to Penzance speeds past Newbury Racecoarse.43093 and 43022 being the pair of bog-standard FGW-Powercars.
..05 may 2016..
43041 'Meningitis Trust-Support for Life' the July-2010 Lavington tree collision victim speeds through Sonning Cutting on '1L36' the 08:31 from Cheltenham-Spa to Paddington.Tail-end charlie on this pairing is 43146,the vinyl adorned loco 'building a greater west-eventually'.
..05 may 2016..
Sonning Cutting is probably more clear now of vegetation than it has been for several decades.We all know this is a prelude to the assembly of the OHLE through this historic setting.Then of coarse shots like this will be gone forever.Hence my visit here today! So here are 43097/43020 working '1P95' the 09:15 from Reading to Paddington service.This was the only HST I saw all day making use of the 'slow' going towards London. The picture was taken off the rather high cast-iron Warren Road Bridge looking west nr Twyford.
..05 may 2016..
'1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington passed Clink-Junction shortly after '6M20' a rather slow stone train had been released from Frome on to the mainline (Less than 4 minutes). No doubt it will be speed checked all the way to Westbury.43186 was leading with 43023 playing as back-up.Both PC's of coarse being bog Standard-Blue so my 'Vinyl' drought continue's to continue.
..29 april 2016..
Here we have a nondescript,non-vinyl'd non-interesting 43139 partnered with 43155 running through Great Cheverell with a diverted '1C19' the 15:00 from Paddington heading for Bristol-Temple Meads.Amazingly up to now today I had seen something approaching 20 Power-Cars and apart from the GWR-Green 'Pest' not a single Vinyl decorated version---The jinx continues.
..23 april 2016..
The 09:33 from Camarthen to Paddington rushes through Newbury on the B&H route having been diverted from its normal coarse via Swindon due to engineering works in the Shrivenham area.43078 being the lead Power-Car.
..23 april 2016..
43125/43162 pairing speeds through a pretty much deserted Newbury Station with '1C84' the 12:57 from Paddington going to Penzance.The only staff on duty were stood sentinel-like manning the newly installed ticket barriers on both platforms and for what ? The answer is an odd local Turbo every hour going into the bay platform.A strange state of affairs?
..23 april 2016..
With GWR-Green 166204 sat in the platform on a Reading to Bedwyn service 43154 hurries by on '1B40' the 12:30 from Paddington to Swansea. An unsighted 43129 being on the back.This train is of coarse yet another diversion via the B&H over this weekend.
..23 april 2016..
'1C13' the 12:00 from Paddington going to Bristol-Temple Meads speeds non-stop through the centre-road at Newbury.As the top-road route via Swindon is closed for a weekend of engineering work all FGW/GWR services to Bristol/Cardiff and beyond are on diversion via the B&H making for a very busy stretch of line today and tomorrow.Leading this particular working is 43168 with 43027 on the rear.
..23 april 2016..
'1C82' the 12:06 Paddington to Penzance runs through Bruton at full line speed.43035 (again a mundane plain blue livery) was leading with 43004 somewhere in the distance on the back.Note how clear the embankments here around this location are.The NR-Cutting Crew have been very busy of late,but not before time that's for sure!
..20 april 2016..
In view of the imminent demolition of this very tall chimney and famed local landmark at the former Cement-Works nr Westbury a trip was taken given the superb clear skies to grab a couple more pictures before it goes forever.GWR/FGW's '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance tp Paddington passes by with 43182 leading and 43174 on the rear.Still no sign of an elusive 'vinyl'd version so my personal jinx on that front goes on!
..20 april 2016..
Here is a Sunday Special working '1Z17' the 08:37 from Paddington going to Barnstaple operated by UK-Railtours as a 125-Special named 'The Tarker Tourer' giving its paying customers a rare opportunity to travel in comfort on the Tarka line. 43128 and 43165 were sandwiching 'Set-LA60'.It is seen approaching Clink nr Frome on its westbound journey.I was hoping GWR would have made a bit of an effort and at least provided one of their 'Vinyl'd Power-Cars as a bit of added interest.However that was a non-starter along with even a basic 'stick-on' Headboard!
..17 april 2016..
This particular HST-working was running about 75 minutes down on time due to a broken down freight train (70807 actually on '6C97') blocking the mainline west of Plymouth.Anyway here is '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington slowing for its Westbury stop.43093 was leading with 43198 on the back.Both regretfully plain blue power-cars.Its been so long since I have seen one of the vinyled versions I have lost count!---The jinx continues!
..14 april 2014..
Here is a busy 5-minutes for the staff here at Castle-Cary when a pair of HST's called simultaneously.The working now leaving for Paddington is '1A85' the 10:58 from Penzance tailed by 43137 whilst 43145 on the rear of '1C84' the 13:00 from Paddington to Penzance is still 'At' platform.The track to the right of the mainlines is used bi-directionally for trains to and from Weymouth provided they are only 2-car Units (The platform is a very short length).
..02 april 2016..
Standard-issue FGW-Blue pairing 43133/43035 pass a bright Great Cheverell on the B&H with '1A83' the 09:48 from Penzance to Paddington.With a heavy storm about to empty itself upon this area this shot concluded a brief 20 minute visit.Due to all Ex-Paddington services passing this way today because of engineering works I saw 6 HST's in that brief period!
..27 march 2016.
In the vain hope of picturing one of the elusive 'Vinyl' Power-cars I waited for the next eastbound working.This one was '1L51' the 09:45 from Swansea to Paddington. No joy again but plain-blue 43030/43125 would have to do! Note that this set is running with the 1st-Class sections on the Country-End.No doubt those passengers will try to complain because of extra 200 yards to the barriers at Paddington! Location is Royal-Wootton-Bassett and the bridge I was standing on is soon to be replaced with one of those awful ugly structures being built along this route to allow the electrification the proceed.Note preparatory work in the foreground for the new bridge foundations.
..25 march 2016..
43188 one of the only pair of GWR-Green power-cars was again unavailable for use today and was replaced by the very blue-43156 'Dartington International Summer School'.43187 was still with this GWR-set on the rear.It was seen slowing for the Chippenham Station stop passing Langley-Burrell.The train is '1C09' the 09:57 from Paddington taking the 'long way round' going down to Paignton in Devon.
..25 march 2016..
43179 'Pride of Laira' partnered with 43009 speeds through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with the well known local landmark, the Westbury-White Horse well visible in the far background.The working is '1C87' the 16:06 away from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.
..22 march 2016..
Viewed from the World-Heritage listed 'Brunel' built ornate cast iron bridge in Sydney-Gardens Bath is the pioneer-production power car 43002.Partnered with 43018 they were working '1A17' the 12:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.Grab shots whilst you can in these gardens because after the 'Modernisation', for want of a better word the whole atmosphere and timeless feel of this location will be gone forever.Just a few months to go before the vandalization commences!
..21 march 2016..
FGW/GWR HST-pairing 43125/43030 motor past Bathampton on the eastern outskirts of Bath Spa with '1A15' the 11:15 from Bristol-Temple Meads to Paddington.Still no sign of the dreaded electrification bases & masts yet!
..21 march 2016..
The GWR selection of Vinyl'd Power-Cars continue to elude me however at least I am building up quite a collection of 'Blue' ones! Here is 43135 backed up by 43171 speeding through Great Cheverell on the B&H with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.This poor anonymous thing hasn't even got a nameplate!!!!!!!
..17 march 2016..
43002 the Prototype-Production HST-Power-Car partnered with 43018 speeds down the Frome-Avoider with '1C76' the 08:57 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.In just over 6-weeks time this particular Class-43 is due to appear at the St Phillips Marsh GWR Depot Open-Day alongside the the original Unit 41001.It has been announced that 43002 will be returned to its original Livery.If that is indeed the case it cannot be but a few weeks before it is removed from service for that transformation to take place ?
..13 march 2016..
HST-Combo 43133/43145 speeds past Bruton Station at pretty much full line speed (90mph) with '1C81' the 11:33 from Paddington going only as far as Exeter-St Davids.For me the 'Vinyl' versions continue to be elusive so this blue-original FGW version will have to do! 1600th/sec just about stopped it!
..03 march 2016..
This is '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth descending Bruton Bank with 43091 leading and this P/C 43023 named 'SQN LDR HAROLD STARK-one of the few' on the rear.The 'Southern Railway' WC/BB style nameplates were given to this loco on 7th September 2015 as part of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.The naming took place in Swindon which was that man's home town. It has taken over 5 months since the naming for me to actually picture this loco or even see it for that matter!
..25 february 2016..
Yet another 'All Blue' FGW-HST passes me is the sun! This time it is 43162 with 43027 on the rear.Here crossing the meadows at Newton-St-Loe on the approach to Bath Spa. The working being '1A14' the 11:00 away from Bristol-Temple Meads going to Paddington.Kelston Park can be seen overlooking the valley at this location.
25 february 2016..
Oh No! Another standard Blue FGW-HST passes me!.In all today I have viewed 16 power-cars and not a single 'Vinyl'.My jinx continues! Here is '1C14' the 12:30 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM.It is seen crossing the viaduct on the approach to the Bath Spa station stop.Later this year the line here is to be closed for up to 6-weeks whilst this section is fitted with posts-n-wires for the vastly overdue and vastly over budget electrification farce.Unobstructed views such as this will then be fond memories.
..24 february 2016..
HST pairing 43063/43088 passes Kingsland Road-Sidings in Bristol shortly after departing Bristol-Temple Meads with the 11:00 to Paddington.These sidings were for several years used regularly by Freightliner for parking Loco's &Track Machines etc but now the state of the rails show they are pretty much disused.
..24 february 2016..
43162 heads '1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff-Central to Paddington.Viewed passing under the classic 3-arch bridge in Magor known as 'The Ramp'.With both the Footbridges now replaced and Church Road Bridge closed for rebuilding it cannot belong before that railbridge-crossing get the chop as well,ending up with ridiculous 1.8 metre high parapets and no artistic merit whatsoever!!!!
..23 february 2016..
HST-Combo of 43152/43040 speed west through Wapley with '1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington going to Swansea.Annoyingly it was a virtually cloud free day but regrettably on this route anyway it was a 'Vinyled Power-Car' free day as well.Well apart from the 'Bristol-2015 Green' one that passed typically in the dull!
..18 february 2016..
'1L48' the 09:28 from Swansea to Paddington sweeps through deserted platforms at Pilning.Grab your final shots here whilst you can! 43161 leads with 43037 on the distant rear-end of this east-bound working.
..18 february 2016..
'1L48' the 09:28 from Swansea to Paddington races past Magor at Redwick road bridge.43152 was leading with 43040 pushing.No sign of any of the Vinyled power-car fleet today.Apparantly most were going via the B&H down to Devon and Cornwall! Sod's law on such a fine and sunny albeit cold day here in S-Wales
..15 february 2016..
The 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth slows for Heywood Road-Junc on the approach to Westbury.43182 was leading with 43035 bringing up the rear. Note the large Solar Farm in the background.One of the Governments pathetic initiatives to replace Coal fired Power Stations in the UK.Not much electricity being generated today that's for sure!
..12 february 2016..
With a good sunny day in prospect and a few freights booked to run a trip to Swindon Station was undertaken using the 'direct' route via Melksham from Westbury.Unfortunately shortly after arrival it was learnt that a serious 'cable theft/vandalization near Uffington/Challow was paralysing services and resulted in all freights that could be, being diverted via other routes and I was effectively stuck here! Not a good day! Altogether nearly 2000 minutes in total were lost in delays due to this 'problem' However some shots were achieved,this being one of them.43159 sits on the rear of '1G21' the delayed 09:36 from Paddington to Cheltenham Spa whilst 43020 prepares to depart Swindon after a long long halt before going east with the 07:40 from Paignton to Paddington.
..02 february 2016..
HST pairing 43010/43088 roll into Chippenham with the 12:30 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads '1C16'.
..20 january 2016..
43018/43093 are seen passing Malago-Vale in the western suburbs of Bristol with '1A16' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Some substantial gardening has been done on the embankments here and amazingly without the excuse of 'electrification' prep work ?.Note the incredibly high wooden fence installed to deaden the railway sound for the newish housing estate built after the extensive carriage sidings located here were removed and the land sold for development!
..20 january 2016..
43092 with hidden partner 43017 speeds through Undy with '1B22' the 10:15 from Paddington to Cardiff-Central.Everytime an HST is due lately I am all ready in case it is one of the now 10-strong band of FGW-Power-Cars that are adorned with various Advertising Vinyl-Liveries.As can be seen I am not having a lot of luck in that department so Blue will have to do!
..19 january 2016..
43078 partnered with 43069 sweep through Magor heading for Paddington with the 09:28 from Swansea '1L48'.This fresh angle for eastbound workings here at Magor is from the new footbridge just reopened after rebuilding only a few days ago.Its green,its ugly,it's overengineered and very photographer unfriendly unless you possess a set of steps! Note the cloud bank in the distance.Luckily it was going west instead of the usual easterly direction so was never a problem throughout this fine and clear albeit cold day!
..19 january 2016..
43086 on '1C13' the 12:00 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads approaches Swindon as it passes GM-66174 recessed in the East-Loop with '6B35' the 10:46 from hayes going to Moreton-on-Lugg.
..15 january 2016..
43179 rolls past Fairwood on the approach to Westbury with '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.43186 although not seen here was the back Power-Car.
..08 january 2016..
I only tramped across a muddy field to this foot-crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury hoping that this working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington would be headed by one of the now quite common FGW-Power Cars that are carrying various repaints and vinyl wraps.As can be seen I was out of luck,plain blue 43098 with its equally bland partner 43186 were the pair today.
..23 december 2015..
n Power-Car-43088 brings up the rear of '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington.Here viewed passing the Fairwood-Foot Xing on the approach to the booked Westbury stop.The recently shorn sheep seemingly paying to notice whatsoever to noise from the passing train.Interestingly,when I crossed the field to gain access to the crossing they scattered very quickly!
..04 december 2015..
Network Rail have been uncommonly pro-active west of East Somerset Junction busily clearing some massively overgrown cuttings including removal of dozens of very substantial tree's.Amazingly the thoroughness has even included driving copper nails into the tree-stumps to prevent regrowth! Here can be seen the view looking west from Strap Lane illustrating just how thorough the job has been.HST service '1A78' is seen passing with the 08:40 from Plymouth heading for Paddington.43193 was leading with 43138 for company.The now almost leafless tree's producing an interestimg mottled shadow effect!
..22 november 2015..
Although it was only 14:20 in the afternoon this turned out to be the final shot of the day is decent light.Regretfully the Class-60 on '6V62' running about an hour behind was lost to a sinking sun and ever increasingly hazy,milky clouds. So here is 43087 '11 Explosive Ordanance Disposal Regiment-Royal Logistics Corps' leading '1C84' the 13:00 from Paddington going to Penzance,43139 was on the back.The use of a long-long telephoto lens was necessary due to the lengthening afternoon winter shadows.Anything closer than this was just not really possible!
..21 november 2015..
Today due to engineering works west of Reading all the traffic for Bristol,Cheltenham and South-Wales were diverted via the B&H route towards Westbury.Here is one of those diverts,the 11:27 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads '1C12'.43171 was leading as it passes Great Bedwyn here adjacent to the Kennet&Avon Canal.Plenty of mud and puddles about due to the very wet conditions of the past few weeks,at least the canal is well filled!
..21 november 2015..
43147 'Royal Marines Celebrating 250 Years' powers past the K&A Canal at Canal Bridge No-99 nr Great Bedwyn with '1C79' the 11:00 from Paddington to Plymouth.43125 was on the rear.
..21 november 2015..
After what has seemed an eternity but was in fact just three weeks I have finally managed to take a shot in some decent winter sunshine! This is a good old FGW-HST leaning into the curve at Great Cheverell on the B&H. 43020 with its white nameplate 'MTU Power,Passion,Partnership' leads '1A10' the 07:29 from Exeter St Davids going up to Paddington.
..21 november 2015..
43093 stands in Westbury having just arrived with '1A95' from Frome,a distance of just 5 miles or so (Is this the shortest Class-1 HST duty I wonder?).It will depart at 20:28 as '5A95' as ECS to Old Oak Common HSTD shortly.
..13 november 2015..
43162 ably assisted by 43018 still in the 'First-Great Western' Blue/Dymanic-Lines livery is seen arriving at Chippenham with '1C14' the 12:38 from Paddington heading for Bristol-Temple Meads. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but compared to the Durge-Green that GWR have chosen for its new recently re-launched franchise this older livery now seems quite suddenly very pleasant in comparison!
..20 october 2015..
43053 'University of Worcester' heads '1B31' the 12:15 from Paddington going to Cardiff.43022 was on the back.No doubt chock full of welsh rugby supporters going to the match in the Millennium Stadium.Viewed passing Acton-Turville nr Badminton.
..01 october 2015..
'1C84' the 14:06 from Paddington was booked to go all the way to Penzance but due to a brake-fault which had already resulted in it losing nearly 20 minutes to this point was terminated at Newton-Abbot as a complete failure. Here are 43159/43041 running quite slowly on the approach to Heywood Road-Junction because obviously (we now know) the driver was unsure of the braking capability.
..30 september 2015..
Here is a 'Back to Back' Power-car move '0Z77' from Old Oak Common H.S.T.D (14:30 away) going down to Laira T&R.S.M.D in Plymouth.Both units are carrying worthwhile names.Lead-PC is 43185 'Great Western' whilst the rear one is 43155 'The Red Arrows-50-Seasons of Excellence'.This quite shiny blue pairing is viewed running through great Cheverell on the B&H. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but this blue livery suddenly is beginning to look quite nice compared with the latest sludge-green that GWR have decided to use in its place.
..28 september 2015..
FGW-Blue 43156 'Dartington International Summer School' ably assisted by 43031 gets away from Oxford with the 15:01 from there '1P53'.Probably the best train from Oxford this afternoon.Plenty of seats since the service started here with no drone of under floor engines to keep the punters awake either! Note the copper clad tower in the background.This style is known as a Ziggurat and forms part of the Oxford-Said Business School. It actually stands on the site of the long closed Ex LNWR Oxford Rewley Road Terminus Station.The main parts of the buildings were preserved when the site was cleared in 1999 going to the Buckingham Railway Centre where once again it see's railway use.
..26 september 2015..
Now this is a shot I have never done before at Steventon.There seems to a faddy-fashion these days to use 'poles' and 'wi-fi' to get hithero difficult shots.Personally I find a 8ft telescopic ladder is sufficient (Handy for the car boot as well).If that is not good enough then forget it! Anyway here is 43079/43189 wearing 'Heritage-Ha Ha- Livery' speeding through Steventon west of Didcot with '1L40' the 08:36 from Worcester-Shrub Hill going to Paddington.
..26 september 2015.
I never though I would say this now but the superceeded FGW blue livery compared with the new sludge-green GWR effort actually looks quite appealing!They do say hindsight is a wonderful thing!....Anyway here is 43098 with 43092 on the rear crossing over at Fairwood Junction to take the station route for a booked Westbury stop.The working was '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance heading for Paddington.
..25 september 2015..
One last look at the largely abandoned platforms here at Pilning.An HST-ECS '5Z16' from Paddington to Cardiff Central to collect a train load of rugby supporters heading for the Capital speeds through the old station platforms here.43147 was leading with 43022 on the back. This place has only had just 2 trains calling here on saturdays only for several years (none whatsoever during the week).These are known as Parliamentary Trains in legal jargon.Sadly the only person who used those trains (On principal I might add) regularly passed away last year so the head count for these SO workings dropped to practically if not actually zero.Just the excuse RT needed to wipe it off the map.A golden opportunity lost if you ask me for a excellent Park-n-Ride facility on the English side of the Severn Tunnel.It could have been fully revitalized much like Severn Tunnel Junction has in the last few years. A Pity..........
..19 september 2015..
Power-car 43190 sits in Westbury on the rear of '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington to Plymouth.43150 was leading.Seeing as it is almost ex-works in a fresh coat of FGW-Blue it seemed a good idea to record it as on the 20th of this month 'FGW' branding is to officially disappear as the Franchise is re-branding itself as 'Great Western Railway' or 'GWR' for short! Note the dead pidgeon stuck into yet another shattered horn grill.That almost certainly happened earlier this morning on a run up to Paddington.Perhaps that bird was also having 'one last look' at a FGW-Blue HST.One thing is for sure it ain't gonna see a GWR branded one!
..10 september 2015..
43150/43190 HST-combo rolls into Westbury from Paddington (11:06 off) with 1C79' going eventually to Plymouth.A wide rusty metal bridge spans the entire station throat here.A few years ago it was deemed to be approaching the end of its life due to corrosion so a severe weight limit was imposed on it causing (and still does) severe disruption to the flow of lorries and buses (banned) because they were seen as too heavy.Network Rail should in all seriousness be planning a new replacement but somehow it is much lower on their twisted priority list than miles of useless palisade fencing,unnecessary electrification and seemingly everything else!
..10 september 2015..
43021 'David Austin-Cartoonist' passes the site of the former station here at Bratton on the B&H.The old Goods Shed still stands and is in industrial use.The FGW-HST-set was working '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.
..10 september 2015..
'1C82' the 12:06 departure from Paddington going to Penzance speeds through the very green and unpopulated area around Pink Wood nr Bruton.Its sheer remoteness probably goes a long way to explaining the total lack (or need) of ugly palisade fencing! HST Power-car 43053 'University of Worcester' was leading whilst 43181 was on the rear.
..07 september 2015..
43071/43152 on '1A16' the 08:20 from Penzance to Paddington via Bristol is seen at Flax Bourton passing the now closed and trackless 'Tyntesfield Fuel Depot' which for a long period in the 50's &60's was part of the Governments 'Pipeline and Storage System' set up in case of a national emergency-etc.Now decommisioned it is still largely intact but probable due for dismantling.For more information on this interesting ex-rail connected complex click HERE
..02 september 2015..
Here is an ECS from Weston-Super-Mare back up to Bristol-Temple Meads.It was listed as 5Y13' and is headed by 43017 with 43176 on the rear.Note the very tall wooden barrier fence here designed to partially shield the housing that was constructed on the site of the old Malago-Vale Carriage Sidings from the noise of the passing trains.
..28 august 2015..
FGW's 43175/43177 power through Parson Street in the western suburbs of Bristol with '1Z12' an STP working from Paignton (07:40 off) going only as far as Bath-Spa.The line east of there being closed entirely for all of August for Electrification work.
..28 august 2015..
'We Save the Children--Will You' 43132 leads '1A78' the 06:45 from Plymouth heading up to Paddington.43180 being on the back.Pictured at a now very overgrown foot-crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury.I reckon the bushes surrounding this crossing have grown about 4ft in about 3 months.Amazing but depressingly true!
..17 august 2015..
43079 backed up by 43069 powers through Hullavington on an STP (Special Train Plan) working '1U15' the 13:00 from Paddington going to Bath via Bristol.This of coarse is due to the normal route being closed for massive engineering works east of Bath at Bathampton and Box Tunnel to make the route fit for the coming electrification along there.
..15 august 2015..
This is '1L60' The 13:33 from Weston-S-Mare to Paddington.Viewed here passing Hullavington.Currently the lead Power-car 43170 has an MTU power-unit installed.During this locomotives long life the body-shell has housed a Paxman engine,then a Mirrlees-Blackstone MB190 followed by a revised Valenta-VP185 and finally (now) an MTU.Making a total of 4 engine types being used.I have no doubt though the MTU-Unit now fitted will see it through to the end of its career whenever that is?
..15 august 2015..
After a bacon sandwich and a brief snooze it was back to Acton Turville for the Swindon to Llanwern steel working.Naturally that passed in the dull so I settled for this--'1U14' the 12:30 from Paddington to Bristol-TM.It was utilising 43037 with 43042 pushing on the rear.Only an HST you might say but you watch the frantic hoards that will be out for them in the final few weeks before electrification finally takes over!
..28 july 2015..
43133/43033 HST-Combo speeds through Acton Turville with '1L13' the 10:33 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington.No signs as yet of the dreaded mast-bases for the electrification although both this bridge and the one in the distance have been rebuilt in readiness for the carnage to follow!
..28 july 2015..
'1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington going to Penzance speeds down through Upton Noble just east of Bruton.43142 'Reading Power Signal Box 1965-2010' was leading with 43012 on the rear.A combination of a blazing 'led' headlight and the suns reflection produced this interesting starlight effect on the nose of the lead '43'.Good job exposure was on manual or the camera would have produced an over-compensated dark exposure!
..18 july 2015..
Although seemingly a trespass this shot is in fact taken perfectly legally from a public foot-crossing on the Frome Avoiding Line.I was standing behind the barrier fence leading up to the actual crossing point. This is '1C84' the 14:06 from Paddington heading for Penzance. 43034 'Travel Watch South West' being the leading power-car.
..29 may 2015..
43170/43185 power the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington '1A77' that has already taken over 4 1/2 hours to get this far on its journey to the Capital which it will eventually reach today just before noon--A time of just over 6 hours.When the IEP series of new 'electrified' replacements come into service on this route the electrification will stop at Bedwyn.The trains going to Penzance will have to do approx 80% of the journey's on bi-model diesel-power.What a joke! A properly designed and built HST diesel replacement would have certainly done the entire job for far less investment and far less infrastructure destruction!
..27 may 2015..
An anonymous FGW-HST Set '1A18' working the 12:34 from Weston-S-Mare to Paddington passes Newton St Loe west of Bath Spa.The Oil Seed Rape crop in the foreground having past its colourful peak blends in nicely with the Cow-Parsley and the now very green countryside.
..23 may 2015..
43192/43036-Combination hustles '1A16' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington via Bristol-TM through Bourton east of Swindon.If you look carefully you can just make out the 'dip' in the track under Bourton Bridge in the background (Lowered for OHLE to pass under one day).This was done there and here at Steppingstone Lane to obviate the need to rebuild these two bridges,both of which are Grade-2 listed structures and as such could not be desecrated to the alter of electrification.Of coarse this beggers the question 'Why' was this method not used elsewhere.It only took 2 weekends work to save two 6-months rebuilding projects.......You tell me???
..21 may 2015..
43189 with 43142 on the back pushing for all its worth on '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea going to Paddington has just sped over Wootton Bassett-Junction.This was the scene of the infamous 'SPAD' affair involving 34067 'Tangmere' and West Coast Rly's on the 7th March 2015.That loco came to a stand right across the junction after passing a signal at danger,overrunning by many 100's of yards.By the Grace of God nothing was heading west towards the Bristol-Parkway direction otherwise the collision would have been horrendous!
..13 may 2015..
43098 and its partner 43097 drone through Woottoon Bassett with '1L51' the 10:55 from Cardiff to Paddington.Apartfrom the dross in the former station-yard here so far there is no significant evidence of OHLE-Piling or even preparation.Whereas a mile or so towards Swindon there are dozens on partially driven piles on both up and down linesides.
..13 may 2015..
The 43177/43021 combo powers through Berkley Marsh nr Frome on '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going up to Paddington.Its been a few years since this field has been as colourful as this hence even a mundane HST-set is worth a shot!
..07 may 2015..
A very clean,in fact immaculate 43026 paired with 43040 powers past Circourt Bridge nr Denchworth heading '1C16' the 13:30 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.The mystery of the covered nameplate was solved next day when it was revealed as 'Michael Eavis' c/w a circular Glastonbury Festival Crest at a short naming ceremony at Paddington in the morning.
..22 april 2015..
HST-43015/43031-Combo passes the site of the long closed Challow Station,a location that also marks the end of the long Challow-Loops.The working is '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington.
..22 april 2015..
FGW's 43018 aided by 43098 speed past Circourt Bridge at Denchworth with '1L48' the 09:48 from Swansea heading for the Capital.I think the European Community subsidised crop this year must be Oil Seed Rape as there are many many fields of the stuff everywhere including the one behind the train here.Another week or so and the background here will be solid yellow----All very photogenic!
..22 april 2015..
43041 and 43040 rolls through Bourton Cutting nr Shrivenham at reduced speed due to the 'up' line here having been replaced for a considerable distance to enable the track itself to be lowered sufficiently to allow the OHLE to be erected without the need for this bridge at SteppingStone Lane and the one in the distance at Bourton to be rebuilt.They are both grade-2 listed and as such could not be replaced by one of the ugly steel structures that Network-Rail seem to prefer.Interestingly it is only going to take two weekend occupations to lower the tracks in both direction and avoid the need to rebuild two bridges.Surely this method could be employed in many many other locations,thus saving millions of pounds and saving valuable historic infrastructure from getting trashed,perhaps it is too obvious!
..21 april 2015..
43176/43070 speed through Shrivenham with '1A13' the 11:30 from Bristol TM to Paddington.There is almost certainly the final summer when this view as indeed many other much favoured locations on this historic railway line will be open enough to allow decent photography.You have got to make the most of it because once it is gone it will stay gone forever thanks to the over budget late-running un-necessary politically driven electrification of this route.
..21 april 2015..
Just another HST! However in about 2 years time (Perhaps) these train-sets will be history even on this line which is not even going to electrified!The FGW management seem to think that the new Bi-Model Hitachi 'Super-Trains' will be able to do the job.A very strange situation considering a brand new 21st century HST-2 was considered not to be an option? Anyway here are 43023/43022 operating '1C86' the 15:06 from Paddington going to Penzance.It has just departed Westbury and is seen at Fairwood approaching the Junction there.
..20 april 2015..
43056 'The Royal British Legion' with 43156 assisting passes Fairwood nr Westbury on '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to the Capital.It has recently been announced that FGW is to dispense with HST's altogether including on the services to Plymouth and Penzance via the B&H which is of coarse mostly un-electrified.The new Class-801 Bimode EMU's are to provide service to the far west on diesel power only.That should be interesting???? It also beggers the question why wasn't a new all diesel train properly designed for all routes then this over budget electrification nonsense with all its attendant problems could have been avoided entirely? The answer--------Politics!
..16 april 2015..
The 12:30 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads '1C14' speeds westwards at Bourton. PowerCar 43024 'Great Western Society 1961-2011 Didcot Railway Centre' was leading...
..14 april 2015..
43023/43022 passes Sally Pussey Lane heading east having crossed Royal Wootton Bassett-Junction minutes earlier.This is '1L48' the 09:28 Swansea tp Paddington service.Note that 1st-class seating is not positioned as usual at the Paddington-end..An unexpected bonus for Cattle-Class upon arrival in the Capital!
..14 april 2015..
With the recent announcement that FGW are actually going to fully dispense with the use of HST's on all services including those to Penzance in deepest Cornwall suddenly they are becoming more interesting.Here is a late evening shot at Compton Beauchamp on the Top-Road of the 43131/43091-combo on the '1B39' 17:39 from Paddington going to Camartham as (unusually for an HST to be a 'B'service.) I suppose the spectre of new regulations in 2020 re plug-doors and retention toilets have frightened them off due to the cost.......No worries the Scots will do it instead because that is where they are all destined to go after the infamous and unwanted electrification of this route!
..11 april 2015..
The view from Alexandra Park overlooking the City of Bath is quite spectacular.Bath Spa Station is quite prominent being at a guess about half a mile away down in the Valley.Here is 43035 bringing up the rear of '1A19' the 13:30 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington.The girder bridge spans the River Avon here at the Station.A few years ago when this was an 'Open' Station the Cafe area behind the Power-car used to be a car-park with easy entry onto the platform through an always open iron railing gate.Now it is a no-go area to casual visitors. The use of a cropped sensor EOS-SLR plus a 200-mm telephoto lens enable me to capture this different angle of Bath Spa Station!
..11 april 2015..
Standing Sentinal at Hay Lane in West-Swindon is one of the many 'Piles' that the must vaunted Windhoff-Machine has failed to actually manage to drive into the rocky sub-soil in and around this location.Looking west most of the piling appears to be be only 1/2 driven in..Looks like a lot of Brunelian type manual digging is going to be needed on this stretch!. Meanwhile the HST's continue to provide a top notch service!! Here is 43186/43133 passing by on '1A14' the 11:00 from bristol-TM going to Paddington. Note,unusually the 1st-Class/Buffet coach is running in reverse formation meaning quite a few 1st-Class passengers will be thoroughly annoyed by the almost constant stream of prolatiate dragging their kids through to the buffet past their supposedly luxury seating!
..08 april 2015..
FGW-pairing 43168/43127 hurry through Compton-Beauchamp with '1A10' the 09:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads heading for the Capital (Paddington).Note the 1st-Class is not positioned as usual so the 'non-riff raff' do not have so far to walk at journeys-end.It is actually at the rear instead.This is probably due to the previous weekends diversions which required certain workings to have to reverse direction at Westbury,going to Waterloo instead of Paddington.
..08 april 2015..
Yet another diversion '1V78' the 17:07 from London-Waterloo going all the way to Penzance passes under the A350 main road at Arn Hill nr Warminster.43018 was leading and for the record 43024 was on the rear.By now at 18:45 the sun was beginning to go rather yellowy so this turned out to be the final shot of a very busy 2 hour nine-picture session.
..06 april 2015..
Regretfully by this hour (18:00) the view towards Westbury from the bridge here at Arn Hill is getting a bit backlit but as it was an HST that was less important. This is '1O55' the 12:50 from Penzance heading for London-Waterloo.43171 was leading with 43152 somewhere in the distance. Due to this train having to reverse in Westbury to gain access to this line to Salisbury and beyond the 1st-Class is now at the front.Basically that means that those upper-crust passengers have a short distance to walk upon arrival in London!
..06 april 2015..
FGW's 43015/43031 are seen at Arn Hill shortly after passing through Warminster with another diversion due to the Reading area being totally closed for engineering works.This working is '1V77' the 16:07 from London-Waterloo going to Penzance.Scenes such as this have always been very rare and after the GW-Electrification will almost certainly never happen again!
..06 april 2015..
Superb late afternoon spring lighting produced a hatfull of excellent shots here at Old-Dilton nr Westbury today.This is '1O45' the diverted 11:41 from Penzance going to London-Waterloo instead of its usual destination of Paddington headed by 43158.Ably being pushed up the Upton Scudamore Incline by the Lavington tree collision victim 43041 from a few years ago.Note the entire set of 8 coaches have freshly overhauled bogie sets,I understand this is Plymouth-Laira based set 'LA13'.......
..06 april 2015..
Easter-2015 was being used to completely close the lines between Paddington and Reading for major upgrade work to the infrastructure in that area.Hence all London to Plymouth FGW-services were being diverted into London-Waterloo via Salisbury.Here is '1O37' the 08:40 from Plymouth going to Waterloo.Having arrived at Westbury on the normal route the train then reversed and heads for Salisbury via the Wylye-Valley.From there it is a straight run up to the Capital on the SWT-route. Traction for this working consisted of 43093 leading with an out of sight 43143 doing the pushing.The location is Dilton-Marsh Halt on the Westbury to Salisbury line.
..05 april 2015..
Power-car 43165 brings up the rear of '1A85' the 12:56 from Plymouth heading for Paddington.The train has just crossed the Foot-Xing at Fairwood as it slows for its booked stop at Westbury.Note how new looking and tidy this Xing is now.Just last year there was no crossing boards and both sides were heavily shrouded with trees and bushes.Finally Network-Rail are doing something useful other than erecting largely un-necessary palisade fencing everywhere (Because they can!)
..31 march 2015..
With BST coming into force over the previous weekend an opportunity for a couple of morning stone trains here at Fairwood Woods Foot-xing with a bit of sun on the front end presented itself,that is until I actually arrived there.Where upon the previously nice light promply died so this arty type shot was tried instead.HST-P/C 43024 powers by with '1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington to Penzance.This crossing has just received a full upgrade complete with comprehensive vegetation removal,new gates and crossing boards.Perhaps a bit of sun next time as well!
..30 march 2015..
FGW-HST pairing 43138/43087 eases through St George's on '1B40' the 13:45 from Paddington to Swansea.Only a few years to wait before this service with use Hitachi-800 series bi-models limping along from Cardiff to Swansea with about the same power available as an old Class-31! (I tried to find the published BHP figures for the diesel engines of the bi-model 800 series but those facts are strangely absent!).
..21 march 2015..
After standing around here at Chipping Sodbury overlooking the tunnel mouth for about 90 minutes the expected 'sun' shot of '4B35' and its nice train of ex NP HKA's in original and Schenker-Red colours didn't happen because of a brief 4 minutes patch of crud!.So here is the consolation 'What if' shot of 43031/43015 on '1B35' the 12:46 Paddington to Swansea.I suppose in 3 years time looking back it will seem all very nostalgic!
..17 march 2015..
Power-Car combo 43010/43027 speeds past Wapley Hill with '1L55' the 11:28 off Swansea heading for the Capital.Plenty of work still to do on this replacement bridge here although the main structure is now complete.No doubt the look of this area will be completely sullied by copious use of that disgusting palisade fencing that Network-Rail are so fond of!
..10 march 2015..
The final production HST-Power Car 43198 'Oxfordshire 2007' heads west over the 'Sounding Arch' Bridge at Maidenhead.When originally constructed in 1838 by IKB it was a double-track broad gauge structure.However in 1892 with the changeover from broad-gauge to standard it was enlarged to allow for an additional pair of tracks,thus it became a 4-tracks wide.Visually from the sides nothing really changed.
..07 march 2015..
A FGW-HST led by 43129 heads for Paddington over the famous 'Sounding Arch' at Maidenhead.This was originally built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel way back in 1838 during the construction of the then new GWR.Today in 2015 there is heated debate about its desecration with the need to install OHLE on it for the forthcoming Electrification scheme.No doubt Network-Rail will get its way but the integrity and look of this national monument will be ruined forever!
..07 march 2015..
43150 heads '1A76' that left Exeter at 07:52 going to Paddington whilst Turbo 165119 which has just restarted a stopping service '2P37' from Reading (09:46 off) to Paddington from Twyford are nicely framed together at Ruscombe in the still clear cutting here.Soon this view will be history as indeed will the majority of the HST-sets and Turbo's due to the upcoming electrification..They say you cannot stop progress but in the case of this ex-GWR mainline that is a great pity!
..07 march 2015..
43004 which was one of the first pair of HST-Power-Cars to get MTU engines (The other was 43009) way back in 2005,unbelievably 10 years ago speeds west nr Westerleigh-Junction with '1B45' the 12:46 from Paddington going to Swansea.43034 on the back-end. Its name is 'First for the Future' with the welsh version 'First ar gyfer y dy fodo' on the other side.Both plates might as well be in welsh as the future under FGW is pretty bleak if you ask me!
..06 march 2015..
43026 ably assisted by an out of sight 43131 powers '1L54' the 11:55 from Cardiff to Paddington.It has just passed under the newly reconstructed Wapley Hill Footpath Bridge which is being rebuilt and raised to allow the OHLE for the forthcoming electrification to run underneath.Note the 1st Class on this HST has been reduced to just 1.5 carriages. Apparantly this has led on several occasions where passengers have purchased 1st Class tickets and then had to stand for their entire journey!!!!!! FGW?---What a bunch of Amateurs!
..06 march 2015..
Sunday Service working '1B20' going all the way to Carmarthen from Paddington (09:34 off) passes Shrivenham's Ashbury Crossing in the thankfully bright sun with few clouds.43133 was leading with its partner 43010 on the rear.Normally very little of interest passes this point on a Sunday morning but today LNER-B1 61306 was due shortly after the passing of this HST.To say it was rather crowded here with expectent photographers for that was a bit of an understatement!
..01 march 2015.
'1B22' the 10:15 from Paddington going to Cardiff passes a now almost treeless Acton-Turville.Plenty of Network-Rail activity around this location lately with chainsaws-etc but no evidence yet of the dreaded mast-bases.43188 was leading with 43196 on the rear.
..24 february 2015..
'1C79' the 11:00 from Paddington going to Plymouth runs into Westbury off the B&H for its booked stop there.43190/43098 being the allocated power.
..21 february 2015..
HST-set 43143 'Stroud 700' ably supported by 43187 speeds through Slough non-stop with '1L38', the 07:58 from Swansea to Paddington.Unlike the section between Reading and Didcot which is now being systematically defaced by electrification work this area around Slough/Taplow and Maidenhead remains (for now) pretty much untouched.A good area to visit whilst the freight diversions on ongoing until the end in April!
..18 february 2015..
FGW-HST Pairing of 43194/43093 pass South-Marston east of Swindon with '1L32' the 06:58 from Swansea heading for Paddington.
..18 february 2015..
43179 'Pride of Laira' was today the rear Power-Car of '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.This portrait-type picture taken during the booked passenger stop at Westbury.43148 was on the point.A superb day today but family commitments prevented me from travelling any further than Westbury today for some more interesting traction and workings! A Pity!!!!!
..17 february 2015..
The particular working '1C81' the 11:33 from Paddington to Exeter runs non-stop through Castle-Cary.Todays power provided by 43093 and 43069.It has just come down the fairly steep Bruton Bank so it has to brake quite significantly before the station and junction for the Weymouth route. In the distance through the gap in the bushes above the lead Power-Car can just be made out the track bed of the long closed S&D Rly.Next year will be the 50th anniversary of its closure.
..13 february 2015..
The recently overhauled 43176 runs into Westbury with '1Z18' the 10:10 from Plymouth to Paddington.Unusually for an HST train bound for London it was using Platform-1.Platform-3 had a single-car 153 in having just arrived from Swindon and a diverted Arriva-XC was minutes away from overtaking this service via Platform-2.
..01 february 2015..
'1A78' the 06:45 off Penzance leans through Great Cheverell going to Paddington. 43180 was leading with 43078 on the back.Moments after this working had passed the location became a dark zone and remained that way for '6M20' and 7A17'. A pity!
..30 january 2015..
After a superb full blue sky start today all fell apart at about 11:10 just before the two booked freights were due past Great Cheverell.However I did manage a couple of HST's seeing as the light was so good.Here is '1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington heading for Penzance passing the Mole-Hill infested Horse Paddock here at Cheverell.Funnily enough the dilapidated stables do not seem to have any residents at the moment! 43023 was the rear Power-Car.
..30 january 2015..
Sporting a nice prominent red nameplate 'The Red Arrows 50 Seasons of Excellence' 43155 speeds past the Kennet & Avon Canal nr Bedwyn with '1C79' the 10:59 from Paddington heading for Plymouth.This one is actually booked via the B&H so no lateness problems for this working.A just visible 43071 was the rear P/C.
..24 january 2015..
Doyen of the originally 198 strong class of HST-Power-Cars 43002 ably assisted by the unseen 43139 heads the diverted (At short notice due to a fatality east of Reading at Twyford + signalling difficuties on the top road) '1C10' 10:27 Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads.Here seen nr Bedwyn passing the K&A Canal which runs parallel with the line here for a while.
..24 january 2015..
With an anonymous-nameless pairing of 43180/43078 providing the power '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington runs past Great Cheverell on the B&H.It may have been sunny but the temperature was barely above zero so this 15-minute late service causing the freight that was following to be delayed as well was not particularly welcome!
..19 january 2015..
FGW-HST pairing 43189/43149 passes Ram-Hill just east of Coatpit-Heath north of Bristol.It is '1L55' the 11:28 from Swansea to London-Paddington. Sadly this once very clear location is now becoming overgrown and next year will probably be its last as a viable photographic location for eastbound workings.The shot the other way for so long a favourite for '6B33' etc is already consigned to history.
..29 december 2014..
With the shortest day of the year just 2 days away (21st) the sun was well and truly on the horizon by 15:30 in the afternoon.Here is a London bound HST catching the golden-glint as it rolls into Swindon from Swansea.
..19 december 2014..
43155 'The Red Arrows-50 years of Excellence' runs into Swindon with '1A12' the somewhat delayed 07:40 from Paignton to Paddington.43150 was on the rear.This was due to 153305 on '2M06' breaking down at Dauntsey-Lock ahead of it with loss of coolant.The contents of the toilet tank was a temporary fix to restart it and clear the line! Note the massively over-engineered new signal gantry recently installed to replace the still operating smaller version.Obviously built for clearing the new OHLE but it is so over the top much like the entire electrification scheme!!!!!!!!
..19 december 2014..
'1C82' from Paddington going to Penzance speeds down through Woodborough with a 43155/43150 combination.The lead P/C 43155 was named in August just prior to the Dawlish Air Show 'The Red Arrows-50 Seasons of Excellence' to honour that RAF Display Team which was performing there that day.Amazingly it has taken me 4 months before finally getting a shot of it c/w its new red plates.
..16 december 2014..
43174/43172 on '1C85' the 13:33 Paddington to Penzance (Diverted off the B&H) speeds westwards past Uffington as the sun slowly sets and produces ever lengthening shadows even though it was still only 14:30 in the afternoon.Actually getting to this spot is now quite a long hike as Network-Rail have seen fit to close the foot-crossing just 300 yards away.The notices placed there in December-2013 state the closure order was for just 6 weeks whilst work was being carried out.I suppose technically it is no longer officially closed as that time period is now exceeded but the very secure wire fencing states otherwise.Yet another example of NR's policy of closure by stealth! ----I hate them all!!!!!!!!!
..13 december 2014..
Another superbly clear Saturday meant another day on the 'Top-Road' doing pictures before the whole line is practically totally ruined by the Posts-n Wires.Evidence of the imminent loss of this particular location can be seen in the foreground of this picture in the form of the pile-driven foundation tubes designed to support the OHLE-Masts. Anyway here is 43094/43023 speeding past an as yet unsullied Ashbury-Crossing at Shrivenham with '1C11' the 11:00 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM.
..13 december 2014..
43162/43179 powers past Circourt Bridge at Denchworth on '1C15' the 12:57 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM.Even this mundane working at a clear-clear Denchworth will be worth a look in years to come.Only 18 months or so to go before this shot is ruined forever by gantrys and wires.
..06 december 2014..
This is a diverted Express from Plymouth going to London-Paddington which is normally routed via the B&H and Westbury.However today due to engineering works (Closure of the B&H) it ran via Melksham and Swindon.The lead Power-car of this service '1A78' the 08:52 from Plymouth is 43198 'Oxfordshire 2007' which was the final production unit manufactured in 1982,amazingly now 32 years ago.The working is seen at speed passing Lower-Basildon in the Thames-Valley.
..06 december 2014..
One of the FGW's 'Poppy-100' 43132 speeds through an incredibly dull Lower-Basildon in the Thamas-Valley with 1A15' the 09:18 from Paignton to Paddington.This is purely a record shot to show how close the new gantry posts for the OHLE have now come to finally ruining this shot forever.No doubt the next time I visit here it will be all over photography wise. A sad picture.
..15 november 2014..
43189/43159 accelerate past Fairwood heading for Plymouth with '1C79' the 11:06 from Paddington.I was here in anticipation of a booked Colas-70 working to Exeter due out shortly after this train.Needless to say it didn't run in its slot,in fact its was officially 'caped' then ran about an hour late.Naturally I had given up by then along with about 4 others!
..04 november 2014..
Looking very much 'ex-works' with new bogies/paint and cooler groups 43132 leads with 43191 pushing on '1G38' from Paddington going to Cheltenham. Amazingly although this Power-car 43132 has been named now for over 2 years this is the first time I have ever seen it! With its distinctive red nameplate it would certainly be one to remember!. The name is 'We Save the Children Will you?' In the gap is a small depiction of a Child!
..31 october 2014..
43092 approaches the old station site at Shrivenham with a 13:15 departure from Paddington going to Cardiff-Central as '1B37'.Within weeks the old steel girder bridge here is to be lifted out and scrapped and then replaced by a slightly higher uglier concrete structure all in the name of electrification progress. Progress? I prefer to call it something else!
..31 october 2014..
With a cheery smile from the driver '1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington speeds past Styles-Hill in Frome heading for Penzance.43169 was leading with 43152 on the back.The colourful leaves from the trees and bushes here probably have a week or so left to show their Autumn tints before they all end up on the ground.Apparantly today with temperatures up in the low 20's this is the warmest 31st October since records began!
..31 october 2014..
43004 'First for the Future' heads a somewhat delayed '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance to Paddington.Seen here leaning into the curve at Great Cheverell trying to make up the 20 minute deficit gained from a delay at Clink Road Junction nr Frome.All to no avail.Arrival at Paddington was 22 minutes down.
..28 october 2014..
The 43088/43125 pairing powers past the nicely manicured bushes at the site of the long gone Bratton Station,note the old Goods Shed still remains in use as an Industrial-Unit.All this week '1A78' has started its journey up to Paddington from Castle-Cary (departing at 10:45) due to the line between there at Taunton being shut for extensive engineering works.
..09 october 2014..
43070 backed up by 43155 swings through Great Cheverell on the B&H with the 10:45 from Castle-Cary '1A78'.The line between Castle-Cary and Taunton being closed for engineering work.
..07 october 2014..
Another bridge structure that will be almost certainly demolished and rebuilt with ugly high square concrete and sheet steel is this one at Stepping Stone Lane at Bourton a few miles east of Swindon.All in the name of the Great-God 'Electrification'.Talking to a couple of Irish Contractors the main road bridge at Shrivenham is due to be demolished by Christmas 2014.This one must surely follow shortly afterwards. So here is 43146 diving under that doomed bridge with '1A16' the 07:14 from Penzance going to Paddington.
..01 october 2014.. Footnote----In the Spring of 2015 Railtrack actually lowered the track under this bridge as well as the one at Bourton thus enabling the electrification to be installed without it being demolished!----Amazing---I understand that both these two bridges were listed structures hence the drastic trackbed option being taken!
The vandalisation of the 'World Heritage Site' that was the old GWR Mainline from London to Bristol continues. The previous weekend saw the destruction of this period-piece Ex-GWR Footbridge at Highworth-Junction just east of Swindon to be replaced by an ugly solid sided and probably caged monstrosity to enable the OHLE to pass underneath with the necessary clearance. Here is a 43035/43149 combination passing the remains of the partially dismantled old footbridge with '1A14' from Bristol-TM (11:00 off) going to the Capital.
..01 october 2014..
43193 leads with an out of sight 43148 at the rear pushing on '1C84' from Paddington (14:06 off) going to Penzance.It is seen emerging from under the road bridge at Woodborough on the B&H.This unfamilier shot taken from the new public footbridge (to nowhere) that Network Rail have just erected here to replace a foot crossing that nobody used!
..30 september 2014..
43188/43141 rattles the pointwork at Fairwood-Junction as the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington '1A78' as it takes the route to Westbury Station for its booked stop.
..09 september 2014..
66050 'EWS Energy' sits in the East-Loop at Swindon awaiting 'time' with '6B35'(I think) from Acton going to Moreton-on-Lugg.Meanwhile an unidentified HST forming '1A17' from Bristol-TM to Paddington heads off east past the yards here at Swindon.
..02 september 2014..
'1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington runs into Swindon with an Express going ultimately to Swansea.43005 was leading with 43031 slaving away at the rear.Until a few years ago Swindon had to make do with just an Island Platform with all the conjestion problems that brought as the 'dumb powers that be' decided it was no longer necessary.Of coarse as traffic flows increased a 'down' platform was re-opened but built next to the old down-fast leaving just a siding in the remains of the old original platform. I expect the same Idiot sanctioned that as the singling of the line up to Kemble! Oh yes that has just been re-instated as well--Funny isn't it!
..29 august 2014..
The 17:03 from Paddington '1C89' heading for Penzance passes Berkley-Marsh nr Frome in nice low evening light.43171 leading with 43148 dutifully following along behind. Note the new rabbit-proof fence that has just been installed for about 2 field lengths.Yet another cow pasture field giving way to crops no doubt!
..20 august 2014..
This is a Stock-Move from Old Oak Common going down to Plymouth-Laira. Departing there at 11:00 it was running as '5Z77' .It comprised of 43186 (Previously adorned with Jubilee and HP-White Liveries) leading and 43034 on the back sandwiching just two coaches, TGS-44023 and TF-41187. Is this a sign of things to come when the redundant HST's are redeployed from the new electrified lines to duties such as the Great-Malvern to Weymouth services...Even FGW are not that dumb---are they?
..19 august 2014..
An unidentified FGW-HST is seen approaching Saltford with '1C49' from Paddington going to Bristol-Temple Meads.Plenty of evidence here of this years Rose Bay-Willow Herb although it is now way past its most colourful.
..16 august 2014..
The old station site at Shrivenham has been slowly disappearing into the bushes and weeds for many years since it was closed.However Network Rail have totally cleared both platforms of vegetation which amazingly are still intact.This is obviously a prelude to the closure of the bridge I am standing on to provide working space for all the crap needed to replace the bridge structure.Here is 43010 aided by 43146 speeding through the old station site with '1A19' the 13:01 from Weston-super-mare going to Paddington.This was the sixth HST to pass before I managed one in the sunshine!
..09 august 2014..
'1C15' formed by 43041 with 43088 powers through Shrivenham with the 13:00 off Paddington going to Bristol-Temple Meads.The lead Power-Car was badly damaged way back in July/2010 when it collided with a fallen tree on the B&H near Lavington.To see the state it was in after that incident click HERE.
..09 august 2014..
'1C17' the 14:00 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM rushes through Bourton with 43168 leading in glowing sunlight.Naturally the reason for my visit here (60087 on 6V62) which followed about 14 minutes later was in the first cloud for nearly an hour.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..06 august 2014..
With 43023 leading and 43162 on the back,'1B46' the 14:45 from Paddington going to Swansea passes the recessed '6V62' with 56113 in charge in Pilning Loops.At least today this Colas-Steel actually made it as far as Pilning unlike the newly released 60087 that expired at Hullavington last Wednesday much to the disgust of the gathered gallery that day.
..26 july 2014..
A busy scene at Didcot-Parkway.43088 speeds by with '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington whilst '4L32' the freightliner from Bristol to Tilbury waits time.66542 was heading that one.
..22 july 2014..
FGW-HST 43132 heads '1A15' the 11:30 from Bristol-TM going to Paddington.The backdrop being the redundant three cooling towers of Didcot-A Coal Power Station that closed in March 2013.Sadly just 4 days after this shot was taken these towers were demolished. To see the towers coming down click HERE
..22 july 2014..
The somewhat late '1C10' from Paddington to Bristol-TM led by 43165 rolls to a halt at a very packed Platform-1 at Chippenham.It was to be nearly an hour before it was able to proceed due to a complete signalling failure at Thingley-Junction about 2 miles further west.Nothing was running either way and the freights I went here to picture were diverted either via the B&H or Bristol-Parkway.I have no doubt the 'Trailer-Trash' that reside near Thingley had been busy with their hacksaws and cutters!
..21 july 2014..
Despite it being teatime on a Sunday Westbury can still appear to be quite busy! Whilst 59101 waits time in the Up-Yard headshunt (Note the driver with his feet up upon the dashboard!) '1C87' the 16:00 from Paddington going to Plymouth threads its way into the Station. 43176 was leading with 43195 in the distance on the rear. The reason for being here was to picture brand new Colas-70808 which passed less than three minutes later coming from S-Wales..However that was a blowout due to a rather large black cloud so has been omitted --Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
..25 may 2014..
With the sun nicely out and a blaze of Oilseed rape to add a bit of colour even a FGW-HST can look quite attractive.Here is the 16:06 from Paddington to Plymouth '1C87' approaching the Farm-Crossing adjacent to Crofton Bottom Lock 63 on the B&H. 43194 was leading and although it is quite indistinct the 'Fly.Com' 43163 was on the back.
..03 may 2014..
43027 with 43141 speed past the colourful Oilseed Rape fields at Bourton. The train is the 13:30 from Paddington going to Bristol-TM '1C16'.
..03 may 2014..
The 43141/43027 combo powers through the long closed site of Coalpit Heath Station in the northern suburbs of Bristol.The working is '1L48' the 09:28 from Swansea going to Paddington.
03 may 2014..
As can be seen the weather at Dawlish upon arrival there had gone from bad to worse to terrible.High winds and heavy rain combined with the entire seawall still being a closed no-go area has turned this place into a Ghost-Town.Surprisingly even with high waves such as the one shown here the Voyagers were still running! Anyway here is '1C85' the 14:06 off Paddington to Penzance creeping along the heavily speed restricted Dawlish Sea Wall section.
..26 april 2014..
A visit to this spot at Beambridge was decided upon to picture the returning VSOE from Taunton to Plymouth.Naturally we were shafted by a wayward cloud missing the shot by about 15 seconds.However this one shot was managed of '1C81' from Reading (Cancelled from Padd) to Plymouth with 43084 leading and 43053 somewhere on the rear.
..26 april 2014..
43179 on '1A80' from Penzance going to Paddington cruises past Norton Fitzwarren in a patch of crystal clear sunlight.The track on the right is the mainline connection for the West Somerset Railway,soon to be used (within five minutes) by an incoming Railtour from the north.This of coarse was the reason for being here!
..26 april 2014..
For once Network-Rail have been doing something useful for a change.Instead of putting up palisade fencing (because they can) a team of workmen have been cutting down lineside trees and shrubs to improve the visability at Fairwood Foot-Crossing nr Westbury.As can be seen from this shot, not only is the crossing a whole lot safer to use but a nice location has now been opened up for workings approaching Westbury from the South-West. Here is '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going to Paddington led by 43186.
..17 april 2014..
HST pairing 43143/43027 passes Bourton with the '1A37' the 13:15 from Paddington to Cardiff Central.Amazingly on such a perfect day photographically and a couple of decents freight trains due with 30 minutes or so I was the sole occupier of this prime location....As usual I expect everybody was on the Concrete Footbridge at Ashbury Crossing about a mile or so south.----Why???????
..16 april 2014..
The cutting here at Steppingstone Lane in Bourton is the scene for the passing of '1A12' the 07:40 off of Paignton going to Paddington.Until a few weeks ago this service of coarse was unable to run due to the Dawlish Sea Wall having been comprehensively trashed in the Winter storms.Happily all is now repaired.A very clean 43040 sporting a recently reconditioned 'cooler-group' was leading whilst 43092 was pushing for all its worth at the rear.
..15 april 2014..
Yet another of the almost continuous stream of HST's that pass this way between Paddington and anywhere that doesn't need to go via the B&H-route.This one is '1A11' the 09:30 from Bristol-TM to Paddington. 43147/43188 was the combo in useon this service.
..15 april 2014..
The 07:12 from Taunton to Paddington via Bristol-TM emerges from under the B4000 road bridge at Shrivenham past a field there of ripening Oil-Seed-Rape.43171 was leading this particular HST-Set.
..15 april 2014..
'1C16' the 13:30 from Paddington blasts past Challow going to Bristol-Temple Meads.Power being supplied by 43036 and 43168.This is a superbly secluded spot,no people,no traffic noise with good vision for over a mile in each direction.All in all a pretty pleasant place to be!
..14 april 2014..
HST's have been to backbone of the passenger services along this line for many years now.Sadly when the electrification takes its toll on this route they will be largely displaced from the majority of their current diagrams.Duties to Cheltenham and Devon will survive but thats about it!. So with such lovely light available today picturing a couple of these 'threatened' train-sets is a given....So here is '1L54' the 11:55 from Cardiff going to Paddington.43193 was heading this service.
..14 april 2014..
This is '1A78' the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.The pairing of 43041/43197 providing the motive power.It is seen sweeping through Great Cheverell on the B&H where interestingly the lead Power-Car 43041 suffered an almighty collision with a fallen tree.This happened just the other side of Lavington about a mile east of this location in July/2010.To see the state of 43041 after that smash click HERE.
..11 april 2014..
FGW's finest in the form of 43084 with 43053 on the rear passes Dunsomer Hill with '1B59' the 16:45 from Paddington going all the way to Swansea.This location has (as have many in the Thames Valley) been well manicured in readiness for the installation of the dreaded OHLE Masts-etc. As I have said before---- Get 'em while you still can---The pictures I mean and not just HST's.
..08 april 2014..
'1C16' from Paddington going to Bristol -TM drones past Steppingstone Lane at Bourton. 43025 carrying a quite substantial looking nameplate 'The Institute of Railway Operators' was leading whilst 43020 'mtu-Power.Passion.Partnership' was busily pushing from the rear.
..08 april 2014..
HST-pairing of 43137 and 43133 rolls fairly sedately over a speed restriction in the Baulking area with '1A16' the 07:41 from Penzance going to Paddington taking to long way round via Bristol. At least this service is now running again all the way from deepest Cornwall now that the severe damage at Dawlish to the Sea-Wall has been fully repaired.
..08 april 2014..
The 09:00 from Bristol-TM to Paddington '1A10' speeds under the low girder bridge at the long closed station at Shrivenham. 43153 was leading with 43078 on the rear.The bridge is certainly doomed for replacement with some kind of concrete and sheet steel eyesore because there in insufficient room for the OHLE to pass safely underneath.
..08 april 2014..
So there we were positioned here at Shockerwick east of Box Tunnel awaiting the booked passing of a diverted '6B33' tanker train from Theale going to West-Wales hauled by 60059.Full Sun and the preceeding HST (This one) showing the lighting was just about right.What could go wrong? Easy--it reverted to its original route at Wootton Basset so it didn't pass this way,..... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....Oh well as a consolation??? Here is 43180/43128 on the 15:01 ex-Padd to Bristol-TM '1C19' showing what 'might have been'! I try and usually fail!!!!!!!!!!!!
..01 april 2014..
43015 leads '1C12' the 11:30 off Paddington going to Bristol-TM.The elusive 'Rail-Fly.Com' decaled 43163 was on the back! Here the working is seen in the high-wide cutting at Cocklebury lane on the approach to Chippenham Station just over 1/2 a mile or so away.
..01 april 2014..
Just to keep me awake waiting for a couple of booked freight trains I try an occasional long-long tele shot such as this. Here is '1C17' the 14:00 off Paddington heading for Bristol-TM. 43180 leading with 43177 on the rear. This is a full 200mm tele shot,equivalent to over 300mm in old film SLR terms. ..26 february 2014..
Another slightly wider angle on the westbound shot at Bourton taking advantage of the current lack of shrubbery/bushes and electrification masts. This time its is 43156 with 43179 on the rear powering '1B28' the 11:45 from Paddington to Swansea.Actually I have to say even the dullard FGW-Blue livery looks quite attractive in decent sunlight when it is clean! ..26 february 2014..
43015/43016 on '1G29' the 11:36 from Padd to Cheltenham speeds past a freshly manicured Bourton a few miles East of Swindon.All this trimming of lineside bushes and shrubs has been done purely to aid the installation of the upcoming electrification equipment.In my opinion this is what should be done regularly anyway then there would be less 'leaves' and 'trees' on the line to cause service problems! ..26 february 2014..
43029 and 43128 are partnered on '1L52' the 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington.Here seen in the wide open spaces on the approach to Bourton a few miles east of Swindon.Soon this unobstructed view will be destroyed forever when the unsightly and un-necessary 'Masts and Wires' are erected on this stretch of line. ..26 february 2014..
West of England services run by FGW are in a bit of a mess at the moment! This working '1C81' is supposed to go the Plymouth but because the the Sea-Wall at Dawlish is closed due to storm damage all services are terminating at Exeter-St-Davids.Not only that, since Whiteball Tunnel is also shut for heavy repairs the train has to divert at Castle-Cary and go via Yeovil-Jnc and Honiton.What a mess!..Anyway here is that working headed by 43162 passing Fairwood Junction against a leaden sky backdrop over Westbury. Click HERE & HERE to see what happened to the Dawlish Sea Wall 12 hours later! Services probably suspended now for Months!
..04 february 2014..
The 12:28 from Swansea going to Paddington '1L62' slows for the stop at Bridgend.Power-cars are 43148 leading with 43024 on the rear.For about 6 months this PC (43148) sported the White 'HP-All Change' livery as did 43186.Both are now back to anonymous FGW-blue.A pity really as livery variety makes the railway scene so much more interesting.Hopefully another striking 'advertising'scheme with appear for next summer!
..11 january 2014..
This is a consolation shot after arriving too late to picture 33029+ a Crane heading east on the B&H.That working ran 40 minutes early so I missed it! Anyway here is a good old reliable HST-set 43168/092 on '1C77' from Penzance going to Paddington.Viewed passing the old station site at Bratton. No platforms exist here now but somehow the Goods-Shed remains,now of coarse an Industrial-Unit.Minutes later a pair of NR-vans appeared and about 8 orange jacketed staff promptly disgorged and stood next to the gate making the following '6M20' a complete blowout! The sun was gone anyway and then so was I! ..09 january 2014..
'1L66' the 13:28 from Swansea going to Paddington slows for its Bridgend passenger stop.43137 was leading.
..23 november 2013..
A FGW- HST headed by 43176 rolls down the freight-line at Long Dyke Junction in Cardiff working as '5B01' the 11:10 ecs from Bristol-TM going to Landore-TMD whilst Arrive-Trains-Wales 150285 goes in the opposite direction with '2G58' the 11:15 from Maesteg heading for Cheltenham-Spa.
..23 november 2013..
Amazingly Network-Rail have actually got off their butt-ends and done a bit of lineside vegetation clearance! The brown patch in the foreground was until last week a 6 to 7ft high tangle of brambles and shrubbery.Now it offers full visability looking north towards Trowbridge.Hopefully they will be back to do the other 3 corners of this much used foot-crossing here at White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge.The working is a diverted HST coming from Paddington (11:37 off) as '1C81' and heading for Penzance.Due to the B&H being closed it went via Swindon and Melksham.43032 was leading with partner in crime 43127 pushing for all its worth on the rear.
..10 november 2013..
'1A78' from Penzance heading for Paddington approaches Lavington on the B&H.43025 was the leading Power-Car with 43088on the rear.
..15 october 2013..
Here is a stock move '5Z70' from Laira T&R.S.M.D (12:08 off) up to Old Oak Common H.S.T.D.Unusually just one HST Powercar was used for this.Here is 43138 plus a couple of HST coaches with Barrier-6330 bringing up the rear.It is seen about to take the Westbury avoiding line at Fairwood-Junction.
..18 september 2013..
43088 complete with a suicidal feathered passenger wedged in the shattered horn grill passes Frome with '1C89' the 17:06 from Paddington going to Plymouth.
..31 august 2013..
43140/43136 makes an unscheduled visit to the Westbury to Bath route due to signalling problems in the Didcot area having been diverted off its booked route at Reading.The working is the 08:30 from Paddington '1C06' going to Bristol-Temple Meads.Location for this was Fishermans-Crossing nr Dundus in the Limpley-Stoke Valley.
..22 july 2013..
The 06:30 from Bristol-TM '1A04' slows for its Didcot-Parkway stop during its journey to London's Paddington. 43098 was heading the working.
..04 june 2013..
43126/43087 roll slowly past Fairwood on the approach to their Westbury stop.No flash advertising livery on this Powercar yet but the times they are a changing!.The working is '1A78' 06:45 off Penzance going to Paddington.
..31 may 2013..
43002 partnered with 43034 sweeps past Hinksey-Yard with 1W59', the 17:50 off Paddington going to Worcester-Shrub Hill. Surprisingly as this is the Prototype-Production HST-Power Car and therefore now quite historic is is currently nameless,at least that is better than 'Top of the Pops'!
..22 may 2013..
FGW 43188 heads for Paddington with '1L76' from Swansea.Here it is viewed passing Briton-Ferry.The branchline from Baglan Bay is seen in the lefthand side of the picture.This has seen a revival of fortunes lately with it coming back into use for Log Trains going to Chirk currently a couple of times a week.
..27 april 2013..
With the help of the new website 'Real Time Trains' I was able to work out that a diverted Paddington to Plymouth service was about to traverse the Melksham line heading for Westbury and from there Plymouth.As predicted within a minute of the time provided '1C79' the 10:36 off Paddington duly appeared. 43093 was leading with 43098 hiding at the rear.Location is Broughton-Gifford, this time looking East.
..03 april 2013..
'1C86' with 43022 ably backed up by an out of sight 43135 leans into the curve at Thingley-Junction as it takes the Melksham line to regain its usual path down to Penzance from Paddington (14:36 off) at Westbury.Due to the massive remodelling of trackwork being carried out in the Reading area only routes via Swindon are available at this time. The B&H is at this moment effectively a very long siding from Westbury with no through trains.
..02 april 2013..
Another shot 'over' the spiky fence at St Philips Marsh made possible only with the use of an ultra-wide 10-20 Sigma lens was this line-up.Of note were 08822,150921 and 43021 plus a couple of sundry HST carriages.
..02 april 2013..
'1O40' the 12:56 from Penzance powers up though Old-Dilton south of Westbury having been diverted due to Reading engineering work.Its destination was still London but Waterloo instead of Paddington. 43136/43091 have just come through a patch of smoke where a local farmer had lit a bonfire about 10 minutes before this train was due....There is always something! Again the lighting was marginal but somehow the sun stayed out.
..31 march 2013..
43030/43023 powering '1O39' from Penzance (11:01 off) climbs the Upton-Scudamore Incline going to Waterloo via Salisbury and Basingstoke. HST diverts this way are a very rare happening.So nice to have a bit of sunshine to record their passing.
..31 march 2013..
Another divert-This time from London-Waterloo going to Penzance.It is '1V73' that left London at 12:10.After reversal at Westbury it will continue on its regular route on down to Cornwall. 43021 and an out of sight 43027 doing the pushing and pulling.Seen at Norton-Bavant with Scratchbury Hill forming the backdrop.
..31 march 2013..
43164 and 43187 power '1O38' the 08:35 Penzance to London-Waterloo.Seen in the Wylye-Valley having been diverted this way instead for going to Paddington due to Reading being completely closed to through traffic.This route is rarely used for London diversions hence HST's are not often seen coming this way apart from the occasional football special. Location is Norton-Bavant with Battlesbury Hill that overlooks Warminster forming the back-drop. ..31 march 2013..
Considering that these diverted FGW-HST's were every hour each way (approx) the fact that this is only the second one I managed to picture in the sun kind of explains what sort of day it has been.Most of the freight passed in the dull.I think I got 3 out of about 9 with any light upon them (2 of those were marginal),so don't let the shots for today in the Valley give you the wrong impression.Not only that but it was freeeezin cold as well!. Here is '1V75' the 14:07 off Waterloo going to Penzance.Upon arrival at Westbury it reversed to continue on to Cornwall. 43150 was leading with 43179 on the back. Arn Hill nr Warminster in the Wylye Valley was again the location. ..29 march 2013..
This is a diverted '1O43', the 10:00 from Penzance going to Waterloo instead of Paddington due to the Reading Station Blockade.This working reversed at Westbury to gain the Wylye-Valley route to Salisbury then up to London Waterloo via Basingstoke. 43190 was leading with 43098 just visible on the rear.Location is again Norton Bavant about 2 miles south of Warminster.
..29 march 2013..
43133 leads '1A12' the 10:00 from Bristol-Temple Meads going to Paddington past the worksite east of Swindon near Highworth-Junction that is having preparatory work done for a major depot associated with the upcoming electrification of this route from Paddington to Bristol and South-Wales.
..16 march 2013..
The 12:30 off Bristol-TM to Paddington '1A17' with 43154 leading powers through the cutting at Steppingstone Lane-Bourton.A nice location but the Track/Lane leading up to the bridge was extreemly rutted and muddy despite there having being no rain about for a couple of weeks.It was quite a struggle and the state of my car after I got back on to hard tarmac (just) bears witness to that!
..14 march 2013..
43071 backed up by 43150 passes through Oldfield-Park on the approach to its next booked calling point Bath-Spa.This was the 10:30 from Bristol-Temple Meads going to Paddington.I never can resist a sunny shot even if it is an HST particularly on an 80% cloudy day like today!
..12 march 2013..
'1L36' from Cheltenham going to Paddington with 43193 leading passes the unspoiled scene that is Compton Beauchamp.Hard to believe this will be destroyed forever when the politically driven and really unnecessary electrification for this route is completed.
..05 march 2013..
43041/43132 power '1L48' from Swansea going to Paddington.here passing the wide open spaces at Bourton east of Swindon.The lead P/C was the one involved in the B&H-Lavington Tree Incident that smashed the cab of 43041 very badly requiring a long visit to Brush at Loughborough to repair.
Click HERE to see the state it was in after that smash in 2010!
..19 february 2013..
FGW-HST 43088/43155 speeds through an unsullied (For now) Badminton with '1B35' from Paddington going to Swansea.Evidence of preparatory work for the electrification of this route is becoming apparent.One of the three overbridges around this location has now been rebuilt,no doubt this one and the main roadbridge will be done shortly.As it is about 1/2 a mile from the nearest road it will certainly present a few problems and cost a lot of cash! That's if they don't just remove it altogether!
..14 february 2013..
'1C77' the 10:06 from Paddington to Penzance otherwise know as the 'Cornish Riviera Express' speeds past Frome with most of the snow from the last few days now pretty much gone.43022 being the lead power-car.
..24 january 2013..
43159 kicks up a mist of snow particles as it powers through Great-Cheverell on the B&H with '1A76' the 06:55 from Plymouth going to Paddington.The temperature this morning was just below zero so the recent snow was still hanging in the trees and shrubs.
..19 january 2013..
So here we have some old nags being passed by a couple of equally old racehorses.Or is it the other way round? This superb view of the line at Denchworth looking east will soon be ruined forever when the electrification of this route gets under way in the next year or so.I ask myself is all the expense and destruction really worth it just to shave 15 minutes off the journey time to Cardiff. I'm sure the passengers would much prefer actually having a seat to sit in, in a nice long 12 coach 'real' train with a brand new state of the art Diesel at the head! Oh yes and at considerably less cost to the Country!!!! ..15 january 2013..
The reason I was stood in this freeeezing cold Copse at Newton-St-Loe was to picture Schenker-Red 59203 on the Machen to West-Drayton stone that followed this HST about 10 minutes later.Naturally I was humped by the encroaching clouds so had to settle for this more mundane albeit quite pleasing effort. Here is 43138 with 43151 on the rear approaching Bath on the 13:10 from Weston-S-Mare (!4:00 off Bristol-TM).
..05 december 2012..
With a chance of a bright midday in prospect plus a few interesting workings past this spot at Shrivenham east of Swindon the 100 mile round-trip was taken.All looked good as the 11:00 Paddington to Weston-S-mare with 43140/43161 passed in superb winter light.However all that changed as the expected 'Coal/Fuel-Tanks and Steam' scheduled time slots arrived.Back to the normal dire-dull conditions we all know and love.
..01 december 2012..
Yet another FGW-HST threads its way slowly down the Limpley Stoke Valley diversionary route from Bathampton to Westbury.At least it was a steady scenic ride through unfamilier country for those on board with a decent seat! (1st Class). 43182 was leading with 43139 bringing up the rear.Claverton nr Bathampton being the location.
..18 november 2012..
A FGW-HST 43138/43168 pairing coming from either Bristol or South-Wales is seen diverted via the LS-Valley and Westbury before heading of up the B&H for its destination-Paddington.The regular stock on passenger workings along this route is usually 150's/153's or 158 type dmu's so this makes a pleasant change! Location is Claverton nr Bathampton.
..18 november 2012..
'1C13' from Paddington going to Bristol flies through the countryside west of Steventon nr Didcot.43026 being the lead Power-Car.
..03 november 2012..
The 10:10 from Weston-S-Mare going to Paddington powers past Thingley on the approach to Chippenham. 43186 was the lead Power-Car and miraculously it is still wearing the 'Celebration' sticker-set to mark the Royal-Jubilee.43171 was bringing up the rear.
..12 october 2012..
'1A78' from Penzance going up to the Capital slows for the Westbury stop.Seen here crossing over at Fairwood-Junction.43009 being the lead P/C with 43183 on the rear. There is something quite interesting in the background just above the cab of 43009.What appears to be a white painted outline of a dead body can be seen quite clearly.Was this the scene of an unfortunate accident or just a dumped murder victim?????...
..04 october 2012..
The 14:06 from Paddington going to Penzance speeds past Great-Cheverell on the B&H in superb lighting.43139 is named 'Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1950-6 Nov 2004' to commemorate the engineman who perished in the Ufton-Nervat train crash.
..11 september 2012..
I actually visited this location to 'do' the West-Coast 47 hauled excursion that was about 10 minutes behind this scheduled HST service from Paddington (11:30 off) going to Weston-S-Mare.43183 was leading as it passed this surprisingly still clear spot at Langley-Burrell nr Chippenham.However a rather black cloud wrecked that opportunity so what you see is what you get!----Pity---
..11 september 2012..
This is a 'Fridays-Only' service running just during the summer months of July and August that is booked from Paddington to Exeter via Melksham.'1C00' the 14:36 off Paddington pictured at Hawkeridge Village between Trowbridge and Westbury.43031 was leading with 43097 happily pushing on the rear.
..03 august 2012..
Skirting the seawall at the iconic location of Dawlish is FGW service '1C84' from Paddington going to Penzance. 43143 'Stroud 700' leading with 43124 pushing at the rear.Note the metal plates positioned in-between the rails to prevent the ballast being washed away during stormy sea conditions.At least the veteran HST's can carry on running without the danger of being flooded out and failing like the V-ger designs do.In fact in stormy conditions all Voyagers terminate either at Newton-Abbot or Exeter rather than get washed out here on the 'Wall'.What a pathetic-design!
..21 july 2012..
'1C76' the 09:06 off Paddington runs past Dawlish-Warren going to Penzance.43190 leading with 43155 on the rear.Amazingly even FGW-Blue looks quite good in the bright sunshine!
..21 july 2012..
The 12:06 from Paddington to Penzance speeds across the Foot-Crossing at Blatchbridge nr Frome with Power-Car 43190 in charge.Amazingly the FGW timetable still advertises this working as 'The Royal Dutchy'.Such a pity no effort is made to have Headboards on these 'still' nominally named trains.It would glean much welcome good publicity to FGW.....Lord knows they certainly need it!
..19 july 2012..
43026/43041 pairing speeds through Berkley-Marsh with the FGW 16:06 service off Paddington heading for Plymouth.
..28 june 2012..
'1C75' the 08:35 from Paddington going to Paignton passes along the Sea-Wall at Dawlish at Rockstone Footbridge.The bright red sandstone cliffs here forming the backdrop.43092 was leading with 43023 on the back.For once the BBC weather forecast for this area was spot-on and by this time (11:30 am) the sky had become pretty much overcast for the rest of the day.
..23 june 2012..
The 11:06 off Paignton going to Paddington slows for its Westbury stop,here negotiating Fairwood-Junction taking the station route.43130 looking almost ex-works was leading as do the coaching stock.43022 was on the rear.
..20 june 2012..
Racing to keep ahead of the gathering cloud from the west is 43005 with 43125 on the rear.This is the 15:00 from Newquay going to the Capital. Naturally the working I was really waiting for (Empty Cement from Moorswater to Westbury '6C66') failed to materialise before it was 'lights-out' for the rest of the evening!
..18 june 2012..
43198 the final production-power-car for the HST programme runs non-stop through Oldfield-Park in the western suburbs of Bath.Named 'Oxfordshire 2007' it was working the 11:00 from Bristol-TM going to London-Paddington.
..09 june 2012..
One-half of the original prototype-production-pair 253001,43003 speeds up towards Westbury past Frome.Now named 'Isambard Kingdon Brunel' and still going strong after over 35 years! The working was the 06:45 from Penzance going to the Big City.43127 was playing 'tail end charlie'.
..16 may 2012..
Gleaming in the early morning sunshine 43139/LA10/43078 hustles up the line through Frome at Berkley-Marsh with the 05:05 from Penzance going to Paddington. 43139 is named 'Driver Stan Martin 25 june 1950-6 november 2004'. He was the driver who perished in the Upton Nervet xing crash.The locomotive 43019 was a total write-off but the rear unit 43029 runs to this day.
..16 may 2012..
Here is a close look at 43004,one of the two (43009 being the other) original experimental MTU conversions used to prove the new engine concept.As we all know the rest is history as all 43+++ units still in service now run with this conversion and very successfully too! This one now carries the name 'First ar gy fer y dyfodal' on this side,The plate on the other side in is plain english 'First for the Future'.It won't be long before HST's running to Birmingham will start carrying names in Pakistani !!!!!
..11 april 2012..
One of the two original prototype 'MTU' conversions 43009 (43004 being the other one) accelerates away from Cheltenham at Hatherley heading for Paddington going via the Golden-Valley Line and Swindon.
..06 april 2012..
43042 leans into the heavily canted track at the sharpish bend at Wolfhall-Junction on the B&H just west of Crofton.The service is the 12:55 ex-Plymouth going to Paddington.
..03 march 2012..
Circourt Bridge nr Denchworth is a very windswept exposed location hence the trees here bent over by the prevailing winds.Quite a pleasant day today even though it is only just into March.Here is the 10:10 from Weston-Super-Mare going to the Capital passing there.43124 leading with 43010 on the back.....Even FGW HST's look nice in the sun 'IF' they are clean!
..03 march 2012..
Once upon a time a Football-Special would have been a scratch set of coaches drawn by any locomotive that was available.In the world of FGW it is an HST like all the rest of their front line services.This is the 09:46 from Chippenham calling at Swindon only going to Oxford for a League Game. Running as '1Z30' it was 43153 leading with 43094 on the rear.The working is seen a Compton-Beauchamp not long after the special had left Swindon. I wonder if in the time honoured tradition the supporters wrecked the train on the way home afterwards as Swindon lost to Oxford 2-0 !
..03 march 2012..
Heading for the Capital after departing Plymouth at 08:40 is an HST with PowerCar 43163 leading.This one carries the red-backed nameplate 'Exeter Power Signal Box-21st Anniversary'.Seen from the public foot-crossing at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..26 february 2012..
43040 carries the name 'Bristol St Phillips Marsh' to honour the depot that does a high proportion of the work to keep these HST-sets going.Here it is seen departing Westbury with the 12:18 from Paddington going to Taunton.
..26 january 2012..
The 12:18 from Paddington passes the now redundant Cement-Works at Westbury heading for Taunton.This working terminates there with a bus connection for Minehead.
..16 january 2012..
One half of the original HST-set 253001 43003 now named 'Isambard Kingdom Brunel' now 35 years old slows for Taunton on the 11:06 from Paignton going to London-Paddington.43147 was the rear P/C.Say what you like about FGW but externally the majority of the HST's are kept pretty much immaculate!
..30 november 2011..
The 08:44 from Penzance to Paddington approaches Taunton in superb winter-light.43164 being the lead power-car.Now that the autumn leaves have now nearly all fallen a huge bunch of mistletoe can be seen growing high up in the treetops.I wonder how long before a bunch of 'Travellers or Immigrants' see a chance of a few extra quid over Xmas and climb up to 'harvest' it!
..30 november 2011..
Advertised in the Timetable as 'The Cornish Riviera Express' but you wouldn't know it as no headboard or even a sticker is carried.Here the 10:06 from Paddington going to Penzance passing Upton-Noble with 43139 up front. The autumnal coloured leaves have pretty much reached their peak so from now on will simply drop off the trees.Hence the need for the RHTT that was following this service.
..17 november 2011..
Another attempt at the RHTT was doomed to failure as it went via the Frome Station loop! So I had to content myself with just this shot of the 10:06 from Paddington going to Penzance.Billed as the 'Cornish Riviera Express' though for all intents and purposes just another HST! Here is 43169 'The National Trust' speeding past Frome on the Avoider there.Superb colours,pity no loco hauled freights passed whilst the sun was shining! ..29 october 2011..
The 06:45 from Penzance speeds around the curve at Great-Cheverell on the B&H heading for Paddington. 43183 leading with 43190 on the rear.With no prospect of this line being electrified in the near future these 35 years old HST's can look forward to quite a few more years on this route.Pity there is no prospect of a livery refresh as this dark-blue scheme looks pretty dull most of the time but in this shot actually looks quite smart!
..21 october 2011..
43034/43135 diverge at Severn-Tunnel-Junction taking the route down the 'Drain' towards London.Working is the 10:55 from Cardiff to Paddington.Interestingly the 1st-class is unusually at the rear of the train so the 'nobs' will have a much longer walk upon arrival in the Capital to clear the barriers.
..03 october 2011..
Nameless 43172 heads the 10:10 from Weston-super-Mare to Paddington past Bathampton Meadows.Another 5 years or so and this view will be gone forever due to the ridiculous scheme to 25KVa-OHLE this route.
..21 september 2011..
43149 'University of Plymouth' crosses over at Standish-Junction after coming up the Golden-Valley Line from Swindon.43172 was on the rear.Working is the 08:48 Paddington to Cheltenham running about 10 minutes down.Interestingly as this is a short formed buffet-less set used for commuting from Bristol or Cheltenham-etc there is not much chance of this powercar actually getting to the place it was named after.At least whilst in this formation! ..15 september 2011..
The 12:30 off Bristol Temple-Meads to Paddington speeds past the long closed station of Corsham situated about 3/4 mile from the less grand easterly portal of Box-Tunnel.43087 being the lead PC.Faint hopes that this station was to be reopened were dashed when the fledgling Oxford to Bristol stopper service was abandoned a few years ago. ..24 august 2011..
Although still advertised in the timetable as 'The Cornish Riviera Express' the 10:06 departure from Paddington is just an HST like all the rest of the services going West albeit with a few stop less hence slightly faster! Here is 43018/43129 swooping along the Frome-Avoider at full line speed (100mph) past the remains of this years crop of Willow-Herb that always flourishes just here. ..19 august 2011..
Mother-nature is slowly regaining this Cutting that was cleared just a few years ago.43040/43036 slows for the Chippenham stop with the 17:00 off Paddington going to Bristol-TM.Location is Cocklebury Lane just east of Chippenham Station. ..06 august 2011..
One-Half of the original prototype-pairing 253001, 43003 now named 'Isambard-Kingdom-Brunel' was operating with 43139 as it passes Oldfield-Park with the 13:30 off Bristol-TM going to Paddington. ..02 august 2011..
The 10:06 from Paddington going eventually to Penzance speeds down the Frome Avoiding-Line past the now slightly wilting Willow-Herb at Styles-Hill.43168 being the leading Power-Car. ..01 august 2011..
43029 brings the 14:45 from Paddington out of Chipping-Sodbury Tunnel going to Swansea.This P/C has had quite a career.It was the final Inter-City liveried example,was involved in the Ufton-Nervet accident and became the prototype unit to launch the FGW-Barbie Livery. ..30 july 2011..
43042/43185 were doing the powering on this the 17:00 from London-Padd going to Bristol.Viewed passing the loop at Bathampton.The object of our desire there 5 minutes earlier,the ECS from Southall for Sundays steam-special with 47500 on naturally passed in a cloudy patch------Grrrrrrrrrr. ..23 july 2011..
Power-Car 43128 swoops past Shockerwick nr Box with the 16:30 off Paddington bound for Weston-S Mare. ..23 july 2011..
The 10:28 from Swansea to Paddington speeds non-stop through Pilning as does everything except a once a week 'Parliamentary' unit to Bristol and return.Thus making the Waiting-Shelter here somewhat under used at one train every 7 days per platform! 43015/43127 were the push/pull power on this working today. ..21 july 2011..
Power-car 43025 currently named 'The Institution of Railway Operators' speeds through Great-Cheverell on the B&H with the 6:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.This one looking particularly smart,obviously having had some sort of extensive work done to it. ..14 july 2011..
The 16:06 from Paddington going to Penzance runs non-stop from Reading to Taunton.Here headed by 43028 that working seen at high speed passing Berkley-Marsh have minutes before used the Westbury Avoider and within seconds the Frome one as well. ..08 june 2011..
43017 eases slowly towards Severn-Tunnel Junction with the 10:56 from Cardiff to Paddington as is passes Undy.At this time the tunnel still out of action so this working was diverted up towards Gloucester and back down to Bristol before regaining it's original route. ..03 june 2011..
43145 fresh from an intensive-overhaul with even the bogies and roof inspection hatches gleaming! Working appeared to be the 13:30 off Paddington going to Bristol.There was heavy disruption earlier before noon with a massive signal failure between Reading and Didcot that threw the whole mornings schedule into total disarray.Probably the local Pikies on the thieve again! ..02 june 2011..
Judging by the rest of the photographs presented here in the month of May you would be forgiven for thinking HST-sets no longer ran on our rail system.Well they do and with monotonous regularity so as I had missed everything else today in reasonable light though I would show this 'forgotten' FGW-HST 43128/43124 speeding through an apparantly sunny Bathampton on the 16:00 off Paddington going to Weston-super-Mare. ..31 may 2011..
Today witnessed the rare spectacle of a FGW-HST set in the Wylye-Valley and in the sunshine to-boot! This working was '5Z30' ecs from Bristol-SFM to Fratton via Eastleigh to provide a return train '1Z30' from there back to Swansea for all the football supporters that went to the Portsmouth-Swansea Match.All that way for a 0-0 draw! And people think us Railway Photographers are crazy? Set provided was 'OC50' with 43098 leading and 43172 on the rear.Light for the return was not too good but if you really want to see it----look HERE ..23 april 2011..
43002,one half of the initial HST-set 253 001 originally introduced in 1976 and still going strong 35 years later though now re-engined with MTU-16v-4000 series units from Germany.These days anonymous but once afflicted with the name 'Top of the Pops' .The less said about that the better. Viewed here at Fairwood-Junc on the 06:45 from Penzance going to Paddington.43030 was its partner today on the rear. ..21 april 2011..
43179 leads the 12:06 Paddington to Penzance.Seen approaching East-Somerset-Junction where the Merehead Branch diverges. ..12 april 2011..
Normally seen as a quite drab livery,however when the sun strikes a clean example at the right angle can look stunning! Here is 43174 heading the 09:29 from Weston-S-Mare going to Paddington seen shortly after passing Parson- Street in the Bristol Suburbs. ..07 april 2011..
The 17:36 Oxford to Paddington 'fast' service passes Didcot-North heading for the Capital.These HST-Sets appear to run now without the Buffet-Car.Seems reasonable given the short transit time from Oxford to Paddington.43193 being the front P/C ..19 april 2011..
Power-car 43041 that last year suffered complete destruction of the Cab Assemby after being whacked by a rather large fallen tree, now happily back in service looking as good as ever.Reputed to have used the final spare cab body.Lets hope another is not needed!. ..23 march 2011..
43041,the Power-car involved in the collision with a fallen tree last year near Lavington is now fully repaired and back in service.Looking as good as new with a replacement cab fitted and entire front end rebuilt it is seen sitting in Westbury on a London bound service. ..13 march 2011..
The completely smashed remains of 43041's Cab after striking a fallen rotten tree near Lavington Viaduct.Driver was lucky to escape with his life! A full RAIB report has just been released (11 april 2011) and can be read HERE Picture was recorded at Westbury Station after the HST was rescued by 59201. ..10 july 2010..
43041 seen after being severely damaged about a mile further eastward after hitting a fallen tree is seen being slowly drawn by DBS 59201 at a very very slow speed towards Westbury Station (All passengers still on board).As can be seen cab virtually destroyed,all wheels on the train suffered 'flats'.The Power-car was out of service for about 8 months requiring an extensive rebuild of the entire Cab area.As stated in the other illustration driver was thankfully OK,just minor injuries. ..10 july 2010..