Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
EuroPorte GBRf (Pre 31 July 2018)
A growing Concern mainly based in the South and East of the Country.This band of locomotives has by far the most diverse selection of liveries applied to them since introduction in 2002.79 loco's are in the sub-class.One however 66734 has been broken up in Sept-2013 due to an accident and the impossibility of recovering it fully intact! A further 10 were added in late 2018 when the Company purchased additional locomotives from DB.
66710 'Phil Packer' passes Heywood nr Westbury with a heavy consignment of government owned 'fresh-air' on '6M46' the 12:18 from Marchwood going up to Bicester-MOD.
..23 july 2018..
Here is the ECS of the stock used yesterday on the Pathfinder Railtour from Cardiff down to Portsmouth as '1Z56'.Todays move came from Pengham and is heading for Eastleigh Works.It departed S-Wales at 13:59 as '5Z57'. GBRf's 66741 'Swanage Railway' led with Caledonion-Blue liveried 47727 'Edinburgh Castle' on the back.Viewed passing through Westbury-North travelling at quite a rate as it moved through the station non-stop.
..22 july 2018..
GBRf's 66741 'Swanage Railway' worked the returning '1Z56' from Fareham {18:12 off) to Cardiff-Central.47727 was dead on the rear.Viewed at Norton Bavant in the Wylye Valley.because of the rather late passing time (20:00 and counting) options for a shadowless shot are very limited.Mind you the sun has to be for that reasoning to apply!
..21 july 2018..
This is a rarity. An 'MOD' working from the long mothballed Army Sidings in Warminster-REME Workshops.In fact it ran a trial and an earlier working just last week so perhaps it is set to become a regular happening! This train hauled by GBRf's 66728 comprised a VGA-van and some War-Wells loaded with army vehicles including Land Rovers.It departed Warminster-MOD at 13:21 with a destination (for today} for Pengham Sidings nr Cardiff travelling the long way round via Basingstoke,Reading and Swindon.The trains final destination apparantly is Donnington nr Telford.Here pictured passing Scratchbury Hill nr Heytesbury in the Wylye-Valley.
..10 july 2018..
This is the Bath-Spa to Didcot-Parkway leg of todays 'Royal Scotsman' National annual Tour that originated at Newton-Abbot having departed Bath as '1Z82' at 13:30.GBRf's 66743 in its dedicated 'Scotsman' maroon livery was leading with its partner 66746 being on the rear,unfortunately not really visible as the working traversed the reverse curves here at Sherrington in the Wylye-Valley.
..10 july 2018..
At last after several years of trying a decent shot of the 'Royal Scotsman' on its annual national tour visiting the West Country.Here are GBRf's dedicated 66743 & 66746 leading the Royal Scotsman '1Z81' the 07:23 from Newton Abbot going to Bath-Spa passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome,conveniently just 4 minutes from my front door!
..10 july 2018..
Now fully loaded 66722 moves away from Clink Road Junction at Berkley Marsh with the 16:43 off of Whatley returning to Wellingborough as '6M41' Somewhat back-lit but the shroud of bushes here acts as a quite useful 'lens hood' to cut out the flare!
..6 july 2018..
66722 'Sir Edward Watkin' approaches the signal that protects Clink Road Junction in Frome with '6V42' the 07:50 from Wellingborough going to Whatley Quarry to collect another load of aggregates.
..6 july 2018//
GBRf's 66739 'Bluebell Railway' passes Clink with '6V42' the 07:50 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry bringing in a set of empty boxes for a reload of aggregates.Currently this is the only GBRf working to make it to a Mendip Quarry.If rumours currently circulating are an indication it will become one of many!!!!
..15 june 2018..
Today '6V42' the 08:03 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry ran,albeit somewhat behind time due to a problem of congestion in Whatley that took about an hour to resolve.Loco in use today was 66739 'Bluebell Railway'.Seen at Clink Road Junction in Frome.
..11 june 2018..
Class-59/0 clone-look-alike GBRf's 66711 'Sence' works away from Fairwood Junction heading for Whatley Quarry with '6V42' the 08:23 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry going to collect the fresh load of aggregates.This train was held on the Avoiding line for some considerable time and any chance of getting this in a spot of sunshine seemed quite slim to say the least.Anyway the delay actually worked in my favour for a change allowing this reasonable shot in nice light!
..10 may 2018..
66711 with the returning loaded 16:43 from Whatley Quarry to Wellingborough-GBRf '6M41' struggles to get across Clink Road Junction with its heavy load dragging against the sharpish bend on the approach (Well it may look like a '59' but is certainly isn't tractive effort wise!).Sadly the evening was quite dull and dreary requiring an 800-iso setting to produce this reasonable picture.Hopefully Thurs/Friday will be better!
..7 may 2018..
66711 'Sence' the GBRF 'AI' Class-59 look-alike finally made it into the Somerset-Mendips rubbing shoulders with the original AI's .Here it is viewed approaching Clink Road Junction with '6V42' the 08:23 from Wellingborough going down to Whatley Quarry for a load of aggregates. The name it carries, 'Sence' actually refers to the river that flows through part of the Bardon Hill Quarry that GBRf also operates into.
..7 may 2018..
66788 is one of 10 GM's purchased off of DBS by GBRf.This one was originally 66238.Here seen departing Westbury at Hawkeridge with '6M40' the 11:56 from there going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm for another load of ballast to resupply the Westbury-Virtual Quarry.These 10 GM's are unique in the GBRf fleet for being the only ones with buckeye couplers and all the rods-n-levers associated fitted to the front-ends.
..3 may 2018..
GBRf's 66758 wearing the now defunct 'europorte' styling passes Eastleigh East Yard with '4Y19' the 12:19 from Mountfield Sidings going to Southampton Western Docks with its train of empty Gypsum containers going for a reload.
..18 april 2018..
66786,the former 66141 in another life basks in the sunshine adjacent to Eastleigh Station awaiting its first turn of duty for its new owner-GBRf.It was released from Arlington (ZG) just the day before.This loco being turned out in the revised GBRf colours without the Europorte rounded ends looking more like the original GB styling.
..18 april 2018..
The abject early April weather continues but since it wasn't actually raining today this shot was recorded just to keep my eye in! So here is GBRf's 66717 with the name of 'Good Old Boy' passing Clink Road Junction working the 08:23 from Wellingborough Up tc GBRf to Whatley Quarry box-empties going for a reload of aggregates as '6V42'.
..12 april 2018..
GBRf 'Semi-Celeb' 66723 (ZA23) 'Chinook' speeds off the Didcot Avoiding line at the North-Junction with '6M26' the 08:50 from Eastleigh East Yard going to Mountsorell-GBRf for a ballast reload.
..5 april 2018..
66723 lost its 'Barbie' livery in August 2017 and it has taken me over 6-months before I have managed a shot of it in its new 'special' guise.So here is ZA723 (66723) still carrying the nameplate 'Chinook' (Hence the special paint job) getting away from Westbury Up-TC (11:56 off) going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm for yet more ballast to feed the Westbury-VQ.Viewed at Hawkeridge which like many locations in and around Westbury recently has now been superbly opened up for photography after many years of slowly getting choked with rampant lineside undergrowth.About time too NR!!!!!!!!!!! ----26 march 2018----
'Annette' 66777 gets away from Westury with '6M40' the 11:56 going up the Stud Farm.See approaching Hawkeridge-Jn with a view not seen like this for well over a decade.Strange they decided to leave that lone Silver Birch tree ??????? Perhaps it was too tall for that particular work gangs H&S remit and it will disappear later!
..23 march 2018..
66777 a member of the final batch 'ever' of GM-66's to enter this country in new condition gets away from Westbury going to Stud Farm as '6M40'.Unusually this loco spent the overnight parked in Westbury as yesterdays duty was cancelled because the 'powers that be' were afraid to operate the points at either end of the Melksham line in case they failed to reset afterwards.The result of that would have been total chaos on the mainlines at Chippenham and Trowbridge! Paranioa seems the reign supreme these days!
..20 march 2018..
Today this working '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley was supposed to be using its normal route via the B&H but due to an engineering over-run and a problem with the points at Heywood Junction it ran once again via Swindon and the Melksham line. Because of this it eventually arrived at Whatley Quarry nearly 3 hours late!!!!!! Here it is passing Heywood shortly after a huge storm cloud had passed by,as can still be seen in the background! GBRf's 66749 was once again in charge of this set of empty boxes going for loading at WQ.
..16 march 2018..
With the B&H line between Reading and Westbury currently closed whilst NR are in headless-chicken mode trying to erect OHLE to Newbury in one foul swoop all freight traffic from east of Reading bound for the Mendip Quarries is having to travel via Swindon and the Melksham route.Here is '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellngborough Up-TC GBRf going to Whatley Quarry passing Ladydown nr Trowbridge having just come of the single line via Melksham.Note the Wootton-Basset stone hauled by 59103 waiting to go to Swindon via that route.The loco is GBRf's 66749, a continental import from Holland in 2012.
..14 march 2018..
GBRf's 66736 'Wolverhampton Wanderers' has an easy day today with '6M46' the 12:18 'MOD' from Marchwood to Bicester comprising of just seven empty container-flats.Here seen passing Arn Hill nr Warminster.
..8 march 2018..
GBRf-Oddball 66727 'Maritime One' was today allocated to '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Stud Farm. Here seen at Mud Lane on the approach to Trowbridge in the regretfuly less than perfect conditions!
..6 march 2018..
Another day,another stab at this GBRf-celeb albeit in dull conditions.Here is the 'Maritime One' 66727 again working '6M46' the 12:18 from Marchwood going to Bicester-MOD.Todays effort was at Arn Hill nr Warminster.Making the most of this loco before it returns to its usual routes between Felixstowe and the North on GBRF-Liners!
..22 february 2018..
Finally this elusive GBRf Celebrity liveried GM has presented itself to my camera ! I had seen it way back in August-2007 when it was dressed in 'Barbie' colours so I was very pleased to see it today albeit in somewhat less than sunny conditions. So here is 66727 'Maritime One' working '6M46' the 12:18 from Marchwood going up to Bicester-MOD with some government stores carried in this nice sized 'Intermodal' style working.Here pictured at the very recently cleared out bridge on Church Road in Heywood Village nr Westbury.This spot hasn't been this clear for well over 20 years---
..19 february 2018..
66752 'The Hoosier State' which was the first Euro type-GM manufactured at the new Factory built in Muncie-Indiana is seen approaching Trowbridge Station at Dursley Road with the 11:56 from Westbury to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm '6M40'.A difficult working this to picture as it is backlit virtually all the way with a possible exception of Wootton Basset.I certainly wasn't going to go that far for this working today given the very unreliable cloudiness!
..15 february 2018..
GBRf's 66728 'Institution of Railway Operators' turns northwards at Didcot going to Mountsorrel from Eastleigh as '6M26' for another load of ballast for railway use.
..12 february 2018..
Former European 'Rush-Rail' GBRf import 66751 'Inspiration Delivered-Hitachi Rail Europe' runs through Undy with a short train of 'Greenergy' TEA-tanks working '6Z78' the 11:09 from Long Marston going down to Cardiff Docks-Greenergy Gb.These VTG leased wagons have been in this country since about 2012 having arrived here from Europe via the Channel-Tunnel.
..2 february 2018..
GBRf's 66722 'Sir Edward Watkins' was yet again heading '6M40' from Westbury up to Stud Farm for another load of ballast to feed the Westbury-VQ.Here viewed at Hawkeridge just after the Westbury departure.Just for a change I used my decade+ old EOS 400D and a non IS USM 28-105 lens for this shot and also for good measure the dire lighting required an 800-iso setting as well!.In truth for web-use the quality given the dull lighting doesn't suffer that much when downsized to a 2million pixel only file size!
..29 january 2018..
This was an odd working ??? Running as '0Z33' the 11:13 from Eastleigh-East Yard and back via a circular route up to Reading-West/Swindon then via Melksham/ Westbury and Salisbury.I only made the effort for see this L/E because it was 66743 the 'Belmond-Royal Scotsman' liveried engine despite the dire lighting! Here it is pictured rolling up the Upton Scudamore Incline returning to Eastleigh.
..22 january 2018..
Despite it being a dull,dire,drab,disgusting day I decided to take a trip to Warminster Station to record the passing of todays MoD working '6M46' the 12:18 from Marchwood going up to Bicester albeit using 1600-iso camera setting.A nice long train today of containers headed by 66738 'Wolverhampton Wanderers' which was for the first 8 years of its life numbered as 66404 working for DRS.With GBRf slowly taking over much of the freight traffic available in the UK their piecemeal loco fleet has come from virtually all the other operators in the country. Now it includes engines from Freightliner,DRS,Colas and most recently DB-Cargo plus the solitary ex Mendip-Rail Class 59.Rapid expansion is the current name of the game with the possibility of Mendip Quarry contracts in the offing next year ?
..20 december 2017..
GBRf's 66732 'The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith MD' sweeps through a now nicely sunny Great Cheverell with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough heading for Whatley Quarry to collect a trainload of aggregates.Notice there is still plenty of autumnal colours here considering it is now late november?
..23 november 2017..
66775 'HMS Argyll' and 66737 'Lesia' as seen easing slowly back towards the holding sidings adjacent to the platforms at Eastleigh Station.Both tracks here had the old disused 3rd-rails removed fairly recently and the lines were seemingly refurbished.Both now are in use and quite shiny whereas the one these locos are positioned on was for years quite rusty and disused.
..17 november 2017..
The Europorte livery styling on this loco lasted less than 18 months since it was delivered new into service back in February-2016.Now reverting so something similar to the original GBRf style but with a variation paying tribute to 'HMS Argyll' a type-23 'Duke' class Frigate number F231.66775 is seen here working '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury to Stud Farm empty 'IOA' ballast-boxes.Pictured pasing Ladydown nr Trowbridge.
..16 november 2017..
GBRf's 66767 works '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry past Berkley Marsh going for an aggregate refill.Plenty of autumn colours here but strangely it is all in the fields instead of the trees and bushes?
..20 october 2017..
66740 'Sarah' is seen working '6M46' for the umpteenth-time!Today it was quite nicely loaded at the front for a change.Starting from Marchwood-MOD at 12:18 going to Bicester-MOD.This particular working was an hour late departing and remained so all the way to its destination. Pictured at Ladydown nr Trowbridge in the 800-iso lighting conditions.
..9 october 2017..
'Institute of Railway Operators' 66728 works '6V42' from Wellingborough Up-TC to Whatley Quarry past Great Cheverell on the B&H.Blue boxes today coinciding nicely with a patch of brief sunlight.
..12 september 2017..
Just a little bit 'Contre-Jour' but needs must! Here is GBRf's 66728 'Institution of Railway Operators' working '6M41' the returning loaded aggregate working from Whatley Quarry (16:43 off) to Wellingborough Up-tc GBRf. Seen at Berkley Marsh east of Frome. Interestingly this working arrived at Westbury 3-hours late going to Whatley yesterday.Obviously there was no time to load it because it promptly terminated there and went back from wence it came as '6M41' at booked time.All a rather large waste of time/energy and diesel fuel me-thinks!
..31 august 2017..
GBRf's 66779 is seen cresting Upton Scudamore Incline working 'Route-66/The Lost Village of Imber'-- '1Z68' return working 17:04 off Bristol-Temple Meads to Peterborough.Apart from seeing it depart the docks in Newport during february last year under a shroud,this is my first view of this 'Fake-Evening Star'.Quite a dark green,it is a pity there was very little lighting to brighten the entire scene up a little bit! Oh Well!
..26 august 2017..
This is the first of a pair of shots grabbed of this 'instant' celebrity 66779 'Evening Star' working the return working from Bristol-Temple Meads (17:04) off to Peterborough as '1Z68'.It is viewed at Arn Hill on the approach to Warminster shortly after climbing Upton Scudamore Incline with its 12 coach train.Something it did with considerable ease!
..26 august 2017..
As usual after 90 minutes of unbroken sunshine here at Oldfield Park nr Bath Spa when the 'main event' was due the scene was dulled by a lone cloud!.So here is 66779 'Evening Star' the final GM Class-66 to be built ever for the UK decked out in the style of BR's final steam loco 92220 also named 'Evening Star'.The loco was working '1Z66' the 'Route 66' from Peterborough (07:04 off) to Bristol-Temple Meads.I have to say it was very nicely turned out,in fact it was immaculate! Interestingly it was sporting an 82F shed plate which was Bath Green Park where the original 'Evening star' was allocated in the 1960's.This location here is about as close as this loco will ever get to the old steam shed at 82F which is now a Homebase DIY Superstore.
..26 august 2017..
Here is the GBRf operated '6L48' car-carriers returning to Dagenham Dock from Garston (15:49 off) for another reload of imported cars.Loco here being 66745 'Modern Railways-The first 50 years'.Not a particularly dignified place to take photographs here.You need to be practically flat on the floor to prevent the overhead wires from ruining the composition by masking the loco roof-line. Location here is Mill Meece north of Norton-Bridge on the WCML.
..24 july 2017..
Today '6M46' the 12:18 from Marchwood MOD-GBRf to Bicester ran via the Wylye Valley.Selected loco was 66737 'Lesia' which is named after the MD of GBRf John Smith's wife to commemorate her 37'th birthday.Hence the enlarged 37 part of the side number.No prizes for guessing her age now but it was named back in may-2011! Hopes for a good load today were dashed when it appeared.All it had in tow was along string of empty container bogie-flats. Oh-well life goes on !!!!!!
..20 july 2017..
Todays '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry still had most of the aggregate it carried away from Whatley yesterday on board.Presumably something went wrong during the unloading proceedure.Also the train is still in the same formation as yesterday.Normally the wagon set runs reversed on consecutive days? Anyway here is 'Barbie' 66725 yet again,this time passing Cowleaze Lane nr Bratton.
..18 july 2017..
'6V42' the 08:13 Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry stone-empties ran again today going to a load of aggregates.Once again 'First-Barbie' 66725 was handling the duty.Seen here shortly after passing Fairwood Junction after using the Avoiding Line around Westbury.This it uses quite regularly even though the schedule clearly shows it is booked to go via the Station route.
..17 july 2017...
'Sunderland' 66725 in GBRf 'Barbie' colours again worked '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up Tc-GBRf to Whatley Quarry going to collect a trainload of aggregates.Here seen at Clink slowing for the junction there. This loco carries a passable replica of the 'footballer' style name applied many years ago to LNER Steam Engines of the B17/6 class.'Sunderland' was Lner-2854 then BR-61654.It is even cast in brass.The only thing different is the football-logo is now flat.On the originals it was literally 'half a football'.Modern gauging concerns prevent this being used today.
..14 july 2017..
'Barbie' liveried GBRf locomotives are now quite thin on the ground so when 66725 'Sunderland' appeared on this working from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry and return a shot had to be done,albeit rather backlit on the return duty '6M41' the 16:43 from Whatley Quarry going back to Wellingborough with a load of aggregates.Here seen at Berkley Marsh nr Frome going east out of the sun!
..13 july 2017..
As usual when something just a little bit different makes an appearance locally the weather turns---dull and wet! This is the GBRf loco 66746 in 'Scotsman' livery along with 66744 'Crossrail' operating a 'Royal Scotsman' Railtour.Here it is on '1Z80' the 13:20 away from Bath-Spa leg going to Banbury via Southampton and Reading and is seen in the Wylye Valley at Norton Bavant.All very tricky balancing on top of a ladder with a large umbrella in one hand and a Digi-SLR in the other in pouring rain!
..11 july 2017..
This loco 66775 is seen here with 66719 on '0V40' from Eastleigh-Trsmd to Westbury.From there it continued on down to Devonport Dockyard in readiness of a naming ceremony to twin it with HMS-Argyll a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate.It has been prepared specially for this event c/w a revised GBRf livery and a set of nameplates plus some kind of bodyside artwork.All will be revealed later at Devonport.Pictured passing through Dilton Marsh during its journey west.
..10 july 2017..
Nameless 66735 was todays GBRf choice to work '4Y19' the 12:19 Gypsum from Mountfield going to Southampton Western Docks.Pictured passing through St Deny's on the northern outskirts of Southampton.
..6 july 2017..
GBRf's 'Sarah' 66740 today worked '6M46' from Marchwood going up to Bicester. This train is now routed via Salisbury and the Wylye Valley since being taken over by GBRF a few months ago.Seen viewed approaching Eastleigh where it will take the route to Romsey just north of the station.
..6 july 2017..
GBRf's 66732 again worked '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry empty boxes to collect a load of stone products.Here seen passing Cowleaze Lane-Bratton on the B&H under a sullen sky.
..30 june 2017..
66732 with the rather long winded nameplate 'GBRf The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith MD' approaches Clink Road Junction in Frome with '6V42' the somewhat irregular 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry to collect another load of aggregates. A small glimmer of sun on an otherwise rather cloudy day just about making the shot worthwhile!
..27 june 2017..
GBRf's european refugee 66750 rolls through Lavington with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough-Up TC GBRf to Whatley Quarry with its empty JNA's train-set to collect a load of aggregates for return later that afternoon.
..19 may 2017..
66750 'Bristol Panel Signal Box', the former 'Rush-Rail' loco imported from mainland Europe a few years ago passes Berkley Marsh nr Frome working '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough going into Whatley Quarry to collect a trainload of aggregates.Various small differences give away it origins,square buffers,different light clusters and additional handrails on the front end.
..18 may 2017..
At last I finally managed to picture the GBRf 'pretend' Class-59,66711 in its version of 'AI' colours. So here is 66711 'Sence' looking quite smart hauling '4Y19' the 12:19 from Mountfield to Southampton Western Docks Gypsum working.This day was cloud free all day and the main target for me was this loco.Thankfully the skies remained clear and blue and bang on time it duly appeared.Thus rounding off a pretty satisfactory days photography in the Southampton area!
..10 may 2017..
GBRf's 66740 'Sarah' was todays selected loco for this,the 07:32 from Bicester-MOD going down to Marchwood-MOD as '6O44'.GBRf having now recently secured the contracts for these workings away from DB-Cargo.Load was half a dozen empty Warwells plus a selection of Containers.Seen passing through Eastleigh Station.
..10 may 2017..
Knowing the chances of any sunlight on this working today was pretty much zero this location was chosen to give me a good view of this locomotive 66709's unique livery advertising MSC,a Container Shipping Group.It also glorifies in the name of 'Sorrento'.Here it is working a disappointingly empty train of warwells and container flats on '6M46' the 12:19 from Marchwood-MoD going to Bicester MoD-GBRf. Viewed leaning through the sharp downgrade bend on the approach to Bradford-Junction just up the line from here at Ladydown nr Trowbridge.
..3 may 2017..
'The Black One' GBRf's 66718 slows for Clink Road Junction with the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry empty JNA boxes,'6V42' in readiness to collect another load of the crushed up Mendip Hills!
..13 april 2017..
Todays '6M46' the 12:21 Marchwood to Bicester MOD via Swindon working caught quite a few people out because according to RTT it was cancelled but in fact ran normally.Thank goodness for OTT-maps and a lone gen-report of it passing Redbridge right-time.It just goes to show RTT is not to be wholly trusted--it is often incorrect! Anyway here is that 'phantom' working with 66709 'Sorrento' in its MSC-shipping line colours. working a full load of containers through Bapton in the Wylye-Valley heading north.Well pleased with this,it is the first time I have viewed this loco in this livery having seen it years ago a couple of times when running in 'Medite' colours.
..11 april 2017..
66718 'Sir Peter Hendy CBE' was again hauling '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry empty boxes for filling with aggregate there.Here the 'LT-Museum' adorned loco is passing Great Cheverell on the B&H.A trifle backlit but still worth having none the less.
..11 april 2017..
GBRf's Black 66718 'Sir Peter Hendy CBE' passes Masters Crossing just west of Fairwood Junction powering '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough going to Whatley Quarry to collect a train load of aggregates.This long straight here used to be the site of the Westbury-Water Troughs as used by the likes of the 'King and Castle' powered non-stoppers from Paddington to the West.
..10 april 2017..
GBRf's 66762 works '4L29' the 08:30 from Birch Coppice to Felixstowe-North FLT through the deserted platforms at Whittlesea.This particular train actually travels this way normally.
..8 april 2017..
This was not quite the shot I had planned here at Bapton in the Wylye-Valley but a clouded foreground somewhat forced my hand into doing a long tele-shot plus a considerable digital-crop to at least produce something reasonable! So here is '6M46' the first running of the GBRf operated 12:21 Marchwood-MoD to Bicester-MoD.This appears to be an alternative arrangement now that the main spine for this service, the Eastleigh to Didcot and then the Didcot evening northbound Enterprise to Carlisle workings are apparantly finishing or being rejigged in some way. Loco today is 66722 'Metronet' with its short train of a VGA,a well-wagon and various empty or loaded container flats. Yet another flow where DB has simply rolled over and given it away...I fear for their future if indeed they have one ?
..3 april 2017..
GBRf's 'Royal Scotsman' liveried 66746 is seen handling '4M23' the 10:42 from Felixstowe-North to Hams-Hall passing Daventry-DIRFT at Barby Nortoft.Note all the Eddie Stobart and Less-C0 containers stacked up forming the backdrop here.Annoyingly this passed Rugby just a few miles further north in full sun.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.........
..27 march 2017..
The 'London Transport Museum' liveried nominally Black 66718 worked '6V42' yet again today from Wellingborough (08:13 off) to Whatley Quarry albeit today running over 90 minutes late having lost its path in London at Acton.Pictured once again here in indifferent lighting purely because after today it probably will not ever visit this area again,at least not in these colours.So all things being equal worth the shot just for that reason! Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..16 march 2017..
'Sir Peter Hendy CBE' 66718 in its unique albeit pretty filthy LT-Museum Livery runs through Great Cheverell on the B&H working (For the 2nd day running) '6V42' from Wellingborough down to Whatley empty-boxes to collect a load of aggregates.A short burst of sun enabled this near 'full light' shot to be taken.I certainly wasn't expecting that!
..14 march 2017..
The general idea of standing here was to picture this loco as it ran back L/E to Westbury after arrival at Whatley with '6V42'.However I actually beat it to here from Bratton on the B&H so a grab shot was in order of the still yet to arrive working.As it happened it didn't do the Whatley-Whatley L/E run anyway so this was as good as it got!.All the same it is a unique picture as this loco has never been down the Whatley Quarry branch from Frome ever before anyway. So here is 66718 'Sir Peter Hendy CBE' crossing North Row-Viaduct over the River Frome in Frome going to Whatley Quarry from Wellingborough (08:13 off).Note the brand-new VTG-JNA behind the loco.This batch are finished in a dark-blue as opposed to the previous batches which were silver.
..13 march 2017..
At last in full sun! So miracles do happen occasionally! I have finally nailed this (for me) rather elusive black livery of the London-Transport Museum carried by 66718 'Sir Peter Hendy CBE'. It is viewed passing Cowleaze Lane at Bratton on the B&H hauling '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up TC GBRf to Whatley Quarry going for a fill of Mendip aggregates.This loco before its repaint was one of the 'Metronet' series.
..13 march 2017..
Next up on this short sunny morning session on the B&H is '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough-Up tc-GBRf to Whatley Quarry empties going to collect a load of fresh stone.66730 'Whitemoor' was leading a mixed set of fairly new bogie-boxes.Some of the dark blue ones having previously been seen of various gypsum workings.Lets hope they get a thorough clean out before being used for that product again! Location here is Baynton Farm nr Bratton on the B&H.One of the few local locations where the sun actually lights up the nose of this fairly irregular working!
..16 february 2017..
GBRf-Muncie Machine 66774 comes out of the sun at Broughton-Gifford on the Melksham single line section working '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Stud Farm in the Midlands for a ballast refill.Since the HOBC has now restarted working out of Tauntons-Fairwater Yard on a regular basis this train is set to become quite regular again to keep up with the supply requirements.
..18 january 2017..
Today the first '6V42' of 2017 ran from Wellingbourough-GBRf (08:13 off) to Whatley Quarry to collect a load of aggregates.Former 'Barbie' 66732 -'GBRf' The First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith-MD- bring its set of almost new JNA-boxes up to Clink Road Junction ready to cross over to take the route down to Whatley Quarry.The cleanliness of the loco and the bright new wagons compensate somewhat for the crap lighting!
..17 january 2017..
Todays '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury-Up TC to Stud Farm was being hauled by 66778 which is in reality the final 'new' GM-66.The celebrated 66779 in the green BR colour scheme being in fact partially built with 2nd hand parts recovered from the old 66734/66402 that crashed nr Loch Treig in Scotland way back in the Summer of 2012 and had to be dismantled on site. Anyway here is the still very smart 66778 passing a still quite frosty Broughton Gifford with its load of empty IOA's a mile or so west of Melksham.
..5 january 2017..
GBRf's 66712 was supposed to work '6M40',the working the Stud Farm but it appears the locomotive had suffered some kind of failure as it was removed from the working and sidelined.That eventually departed 108 minutes late with DBC's 66083 in charge instead.It looks like a hurried 'hire-in' had taken place.No doubt the problem was something quite small,such as a speedo fault or TWPS.Still serious enough though to prevent its use on the mainline.
..3 january 2017..
Although all the publicity and attention is focused on the 'Green' 66779 this loco 66778 is in reality the final completely brand new Class-66 to be built. 66779 uses quite a few main components from the written off 66734/66402 so strictly speaking it is a rebuild! Anyway here is 66778 working through Broughton-Gifford with '6M40' from Westbury to Stud Farm.Although it has been in the country now for 9 months it has only just entered service having been stored most of the summer.Note how bright the headlight is due to the extreme 800-iso dullness!
..23 november 2016..
A second shot of '6V80' the 19:41 from Gascoigne Wood to Portbury Docks that left the north the previous evening had to be done.Deft use of the zoom function on the lens produces a completely different looking shot.Anyway the sun was out and I don't scrabble up this muddy hill too ofton so 'why not'! 66702 'Blue Lightening' filling the open gap in the bushes nicely for this wider type view.
..7 november 2016..
This is the third Indiana-Muncie Manufactured Machine that GBRf acquired just over 2 years ago.This one 66755 remains un-named albeit kept in seemingly immaculate condition.Here it is departing Westbury at the start of its journey to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm to collect another train load of ballast on behalf of Network-Rail in their IOA bogie boxes.The GAW type shot being necessary due to the winter sun angle here making the view the other way too backlit for comfort!
..10 november 2016..
The 19:41 departure from Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Portbury Coal Terminal-GBRf conveying Gypsum emerges from the trees at Wickwar going south.Early GBRf loco 66702 aptly named 'Blue Lightening' is hauling the all-blue set of open boxes full of the gypsum material.The working is is of coarse '6V80' and has been travelling south overnight!
..7 november 2016..
GBRf's 66752 drops down the incline towards Parson Street going to the Portbury Docks with its load of gypsum it has been hauling overnight from Gascoigne Wood as '6V80', the 19:41 from there.Just a glimmer of lighting appeared as it hove into view making the effort getting here just about worth it!
..14 october 2016..
66753 'EMD Roberts Road' approaches Clink Road Junction with the 55 minute late running '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley. All very convenient as it allows the front on the loco to be well lit by the autumn sun which is more favourably placed now that the world has turned somewhat on its axis in readiness for winter!
..12 october 2016..
Muncie-Indiana manufactured 66753 'EMD Roberts Road' passes Baynton Farm in Edington working '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up-TC GBRf going to Whatley Quarry for more aggregates.With this time of year the opportunity now arises of finally getting a spot of sunshine actually on the front of this working.Hopefully after the clocks change that situation will improve even more.
..10 october 2016..
66752 'The Hoosier State' the first of the batch of GM's built at the 'Rust Belt' slave labour camp in Muncie-Indiana passes Masters Farm Crossing as it has all week with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley. Nice to see something other than DB-GM's or 59's operating an aggregate working.
..23 september 2016..
66752 'The Hoosier State' was the first GM designed loco for the UK manufactured in Muncie-Indiana for GBRf.A total of 28 were produced ending with 66779.Here it is coming away from Westbury with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry with empty boxes for a load of aggregate to take back later this afternoon.Note the skyline now no longer features the famous Westbury Cement Works Chimney.That was regretfully demolished the previous weekend at 07:00 in the morning.
..22 september 2016..
66761 'Wensleydale Railway Association 25 Years 1990-2015' is one of the first batch of Muncie/Indiana built GM's to arrive in the country in 2014.The original GM's were built in London/Ontario in Canada but the company was sold to Caterpiller and production moved to Muncie because the workforce there was ready to work for 50% of the wages paid to the canadians.Caterpiller---a truly capitalist employer! Anyway here is that loco working '6M40' the 11:58 Westbury to Stud Farm empty IOA's going for a refill.Seen at Steppingstone Lane-Bourton.
..30 august 2016..
This was an STP working from Hoo-Junction to Eastleigh East Yard.Just a different start time than the normal one from Hoo.Interestingly this Colas working used a 'hired-in' GBRf loco and luckily it was 66723 'Chinook' one of the few remaining 'Barbie' liveried examples.The load of this '6Y42' the 12:54 off Hoo was a rather large crane.Consist was actually as follows, BB97404-KFA,DRK81602-ZOA and BB97411-KFA owned by Balfour- Beatty.Location again was Weston north of Winchester.
..26 august 2016..
66748,one of three ex-dutch Class-66's that was lying around in storage from 2003 until bought by GBRf in 2012.Sadly the 'delivery-grey' livery is now replaced with a coat of standard Eutoporte/GBRf blue and most of the external continental fitmants are now replaced by UK standard components. Anyway here is the immaculate 66748 working '4Y19' the 12:19 from Mountfield to Southampton Western Docks gypsom working.Viewed passing Weston nr Wallers Ash loops.
..26 august 2016..
66750 the ex-German 'Rush-Rail' import now regretfully repainted in standard Europorte/GBRf colours skirts the Kennet & Avon Canal at Crofton Locks working '7V42; the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley Quarry to get a load of aggregate.See how annoying that small bush is at upsetting the balance of the shot.Unfortunately there is little that can bre done about it (In daylight anyway)!
..26 august 2016..
66750 the former 'Rush-Rail' loco obtained by GBRf from the Continent of Europe (Germany) in 2013 heads '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough heading to Whatley Quarry for a load of aggregate.This service runs about one week in each month. Note the detail differences on 66750 to the usual UK spec GM's. Round style light clusters,square buffers and handles on the lower front fall-plate etc etc.
..23 august 2016..
66720 GBRf's 'Night&Day' Kids Creation showing the 'Night' side passes Steppingstone Lane at Bourton with '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury Up-TC heading for Stud farm for a reload of ballast.I have no doubt this working is set to become less regular as Freightliner have recently vacated Fairwater yard taking away the MOBC train that needed a considerable amount of stone every night it was in use.That train of course used Westbury-VQ as it source of ballast.
..16 august 2016..
Todays '4Y19' Gypsum from Mountfield (12:02 off) to Southampton Western Docks was T-n-T by 66706 'Nene Valley' with 66760 for some reason tagged on the rear.Here it is seen on a superbly hot and sunny day passing Weston which is south of Micheldever.
..06 august 2016..
The Royal Scotsman operated by 'Belmond' leans through the reverse curves at Sherrington in the Wylye Valley with '1Z81' the 13:30 from Bath Spa going to Oxford via Southampton.Great to see something other than a couple of filthy WC-Rly's 47/57's on this working although this train only makes an appearance in the South of England at best just once a year.Typically as seen today in dire 800-iso lighting conditions. 66746 was leading 66743 both in their dedicated RS colours.Not dissimilar to WC-Rly's but a nice change! This shot was taken in a heavy rainstorm and I have taken the liberty of removing the very evident rain streaks and dots to clean up the picture (well most of them anyway!).
..12 july 2016..
As usual the dismally below average british summer produced the 'normal' lighting conditions when this working passed through Frome at Clink today.In other words ---crap! GBRf's dedicated reliveried pairing of 66746 and 66743 runs through with the Belmond 'Royal Scotsman' set in tow.This working '1Z79' started this morning from Gloucester and was going to Bath via Bristol and Newton Abbot presumably to allow the guests on board to enjoy their breakfasts whilst traversing the sea-wall at Dawlish.Note the double heading arrangement to allow full use of the famed observation platform on the rear of the train.When WC-Rlys ran this operation a 47/57 was always on the back giving the punters a wonderful view of a huge yellow cab end of that locomotive.
..12 july 2016..
GBRf's Muncie-Machine 66772 rumbles through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up-TC GBRf taking empty boxes to Whatley Quarry for a load of aggregates.This service is unique in that it arrives empty and leaves fully loaded as opposed to leaving fully loaded and returning empty like every other train does.Of coarse this is the only non-DB operated train to use the Mendip Quarries hence the reverse working. Interestingly the set of JNA's in use this week are brand new from a leasing Business called Ermewa which is a subsiduary of SNCF-Logistics a French railcar leasing Company.
..08 july 2016..
GBRF-Europorte 66763 'Severn Valley Railway' stands in the yard on Eastleigh Works.Its amazing just how much rubbish just gets left lying around in places such as this! Also in the shot are a few discarded bags of aggregate,some old lengths of rail and a pile of old concrete sleepers!
..07 july 2016..
This working ''6M41' represents GBRf's toe-hold on the lucrative aggregates market working out of the Mendip-Quarries.All other trains are operated under the control of D B-Schenker.Here is 66772 with its fully loaded train heading back to Wellingborough Up-TC GBRf from Whatley Quarry (16:43 off) passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.Note the set of either completely new or freshly overhauled bogie-boxes on this working.However the graffitti artists have got to it already with wagon number seven being well and truly 'tagged'!
..05 july 2016..
GBRf's only working into Whatley-Quarry is from Wellingborough (08:13 off).It normally runs in weekly blocks.Working as the usual '6V42' the power today was being provided by 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat'. Viewed from Masters-Farm Crossing nr Fairwood in the annoyingly steadily failing thin sunlight.
..27 may 2016..
GBRf's 66744 'Crossrail' rumbles past Ladydown working '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury goint to Stud farm for yet another refill of ballast to supply Westbury's VQ.
..24 may 2016..
GBRF's 66738 'Huddersfield Town' motors unusually down the 'fast' in Sonning Cutting with '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up-TC to Whatley-Quarry with its set of empty boxes going to collect a load of mendip stone products.This is the sole non-DB aggregate working using the Mendip-Quarries and runs for a week at a time about every 6-weeks or so.Currently anyway.
..05 may 2016..
This occasional working which seems to runs in blocks of a week at a time every 6-weeks or so is the sole working by GBRf to make use of Whatley-Quarry.I expect DB-Cargo have got the 'Hump' about this breach of their monopoly but that's the way it is these days. Here is GBRf's 66738 'Huddersfield Town' approaching Clink Road-Junction with its empty-boxes on '6V42' from Wellingborough (08:13 off) going to Whatley Quarry for a load of stone products.Its return path is in the early evening around tea-time.
..03 may 2016..
After a couple of days of good lighting today dawned Dull-n-Dark, however a shot was produced here at Clink Road Junction of GBRF's 66738 on the 08:13 from Wellingborough Up-TC to Whatley-Quarry quite simply because it is only a couple of hundred yards to this location from my house so didn't require much effort!.This loco now carries one of the nice 'replica'-LNER style brass Footballer nameplates.This one being 'Huddersfield Town'.When it arrived in this country first in 2005 it was a Freightliner leased machine numbered 66578 however it went to GBRf in June-2011 and was renumbered as it is now.
..07 april 2016..
This is 66738 'Huddersfield Town' returning to Whatley-Quarry as '0Z42' on what is basically a Taxi-run.The loco had arrived at Whatley-Q earlier as '6V42' from Wellingborough.The trip up to Westbury and back must purely be to facilitate a change of crew for the working back to Wellingborough as '6M41' a few hours later. Strange but true? Location is Masters Crossing west of Fairwood Junction nr Westbury.
..05 april 2016..
I was nearly caught out by this train which unbelievably was running an hour earlier than booked.The shot was exposed about a 1/2 a second after a dash across a busy main road with virtually no time to even properly compose the framing.Even this was lucky as the 'standard lens' shot a second later was obscured by cloud! Anyway here is '6V80' the early running 22:56 from Gascoigne Wood Sdgs-GBRf to Portbury Coal Terminal carry another load of Gypsum in open boxes.The loco was 'Barbie-Blue' liveried 66726 'Sheffield Wednesday',one of the now quite rare remaining non-standard GBRF/Europorte engines.Hence my visit here today to Parson Street in Bristol! StrangelyI didn't see Ken anywhere ?
..05 april 2016..
Former 'Rush-Rail' German import 66751 now in standard 'europorte' colours rolls through Westbury Station away from the Virtual-Quarry with '6M40' going to Stud Farm for another load of ballast.Note the small differences to the UK style GM's..Light clusters/square buffers and low level handrails on the front fall-plate.
..30 march 2016..
GBRf's 66705 'Golden Jubilee' which unlike yesterday actually worked '6M40' the 11:56 off Westbury to Stud Farm with its usual load of Network-Rail yellow IOA's. It is viewed approaching Trowbridge Station only 15 minutes after it had departed from Westbury-UpT.C.
..15 march 2016..
Todays '0M40' up from Eastleigh that usually becomes '6M40' from Westbury to Stud Farm remained as a L/E and was redirected to Bescot-Up Engineering Sidings continuing as '0M40'.Here that working is seen passing Ladydown nr Trowbridge with just the immaculate 66705 'Golden Jubilee'. Now it is sporting 'Europorte' colours but previous to this it was well known as 'The Flag' but when it lost its original GBRf livery style the Union-Jack went as well---A Pity.. Click HERE to see the previous incarnation!
..14 march 2016..
Finally after 4-days of trying I have managed to scrape a sunny-shot of this locomotive 66721 'Harry Beck' in its commemorative Underground Map livery.Todays shot of '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley-Quarry empty stone-boxes was grabbed at Lavington on the B&H. Lets hope it runs next week with its partner-loco 66718 (The Black One).Quite simply because I have yet to even see that version let alone photograph it!
..11 march 2016..
Todays '6M40' from Westbury-VQ going up to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm was re-routed via the B&H to rejoin its original route at Didcot due to signalling problems apparantly in the Trowbridge area.Here is that unexpected working is seen going east at Great Cheverell with GBRf's 66716 at its head.This engine carries a quite distinctive circular nameplate 'Locomotive & Carriage Institute Centenary 1911-2011'.The load today was all 'IOA' NR-Boxes.
..11 march 2016..
Although the now infamous 'Barry to Barry' 37025 training duty actually went to Swindon today I was quite content to travel 1/2 a mile for a dull shot rather than the best part of 100 for almost certainly the same. So here is yet another view of 66721 'Harry Beck' slowing for Clink-Junction with '6V42' from Wellingborough (08:13 off) heading for the Quarry at Whatley for a load of aggregate. Oh well 5 mins later I was drinking hot coffee in the warm---say no more!
..10 march 2016..
With the clouds well in evidence everywhere I decided make the effort and travel just 800yds to picture this new working '6V42' the 08:13 from Wellingborough to Whatley-Quarry.Simply because 66721 the unique white GM was working it as it has been doing all week.Here it is seen approaching Clink-Junction prior to turning right into Frome and the quarry branch beyond.
..10 march 2016..
This working is booked to run for the rest of the week up to Friday but since the forecast is even worse for the remainder of the week I decided to grab a shot of this notable loco passing through my local spot Berkley-Marsh despite the abysmal conditions.So here is the loaded '6M41' a 16:39 departure away from Whatley Quarry going all the way to Wellingborough Up-TFC GBRF via the B&H route.Blanco 66721 is seen displaying its 1933 map-styling side c/w the 'Harry Beck' nameplate in its unique lower position. Who is Harry Beck ? He is the gentleman who designed the now iconic schematic London Underground Map. Shot at 800th@F4 800iso using an EOS-7+35mm F2 prime lens
..08 march 2016..
66721 the white 'Tube Map' GBRf GM today was allocated '6V42' the relatively new working from Wellingborough Up-TC GBRf (08:13 off) to Whatley-Quarry GBRf with its rake of specially cleaned out empty box wagons going there to collect a load of Mendip Aggregate.Here it is seen approaching Masters-Crossing just west of Fairwood-Junction.This working surprisingly came straight round the Westbury Avoiding Line instead of going through the station area as booked.This apparantly caught quite a few people out who were expecting it through there.Because it didn't come via the station it was travelling quite quickly here and I almost failed to notice it coming as I was fiddling around on my RTT-App wondering where it was!!!!!!!
..08 march 2016..
The Gypsum from Gascoigne Wood going to Portbury Docks in open boxes passes Malago-Vale in the western suburbs of Bristol.It runs as '6V80' and commenced its journey last evening at 22:56.Todays loco is a rather smart 66754 with a brightly painted rugby-football name of 'Northampton Saints'.This is the third GM for GBRf to be constructed in Muncie-Indiana and delivered in 2014.
..24 february 2016..
The Convoy of brand new Class-66's which incidentally is the last one ever due to the Meddlers in Brussels introducing impossibly high emission targets that this type cannot ever possibly meet passes Magor on the journey from Newport Docks to Doncaster Roberts Road Shed as '0X66'.Loco's from back to front are 66775/66773/66774/66778/66779/66776/and 66777.haulage was being performed by a similarly immaculate 66708 which was fresh out of Eastleigh-Works after a full repaint,looking brand new itself!Viewed at Magor with the new ugly replacement footbridge in the background.
..15 february 2016..
Nestling in between 66776 and 66778 was the sheeted over 66779 which is nominally the final ever GM-66 to be built and as such has received a special paint job to commemorate the fact.Allegedly it is Green with 'Evening Star-2' nameplates.All will be revealed shortly when it is unveiled/launched at the NRM-York in the near future.This loco so I have been informed uses the refurbished power-unit from the ill-fated 66734/66402 that was dismantled in Scotland a while ago after an accident at Loch Trieg.Viewed in '0X66' the Convoy from Newport Docks to Doncaster passing Magor.
..15 february 2016..
This was, I suppose the main event of the day and what prompted me to pay out £6:60 for a lone journey over the Severn Crossing Toll-Bridge! The final ever batch of new build GM-66's obtained by GBRf today travelled up from Newport Docks where they were unloaded over the weekend after their Atlantic-Crossing to Doncaster Roberts Road Shed.The working being '0X66'.The freshly repainted 66708 'Jayne' which I believe was the final original liveried loco in the fleet to gain 'Europorte' colours (Apart from special-66701) was powering the fleet of seven new loco's.They were 66777/66776/66779 (Tarpaulin covered)/66778/66774/66773 and 66775.The covered loco 66779 in apparantly painted in green livery and is named 'Evening Star-2' to commemorate its status as the last GM-66 for Europe. Interestingly it has the recovered and overhauled power-unit from 66734 so technically could be classed as a rebuild! Lets hope the paint-job has been done properly with black/orange lining and cast brass name and numberplates. This working is seen passing Redwick road bridge in Magor east of Newport.
..15 february 2016..
With 'Rush-Rail' 66750/51 now in Europorte colours and 66749 just into Eastleigh Works for a repaint only this loco 66747 and 66748 in Grey remain of the five GM-66's that GBRf brought over from the Continent a couple of years ago still in the old colour scheme's.So here is 66747 moving away from Westbury-VQ heading for Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm with '6M40' the 11:56 off Westbury heading north.
..09 february 2016..
66748,one of the three Dutch/European Class-66's imported by GBRf a few years ago and still wearing the grey livery they were originally delivered in passes Hawkeridge-Junction with '6M40' the 11:56 fromWestbury Up T.C. to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm-GBRf. When these loco's commenced work in the UK they were initially confined to the workings around Drax in Yorkshire due to the cab controls-etc being to european specification and required retraining to operate them.However since to introduction of the Muncie-Indiana built series for GBRf all staff had to be retrained as these were only available to european specification.Hence these three grey ones(66747-49) and the pair of other imports in blue (66750-51) can now go nationwide as required.
..01 february 2016..
Here is the 'White' London Underground Map adorned GBRf owned 66721.It still carries the name 'Harry Beck'.He was the man who devised the original iconic map of the Capitals Underground.The flank shown here is actually the 1933 version.The other side carries a rendition of the new 2013 design. It is seen running down through a still quite frosty Parson Street in Bristol with '6V80' the 22:49 (the previous evening) from Gasgoine Wood going to Portbury with its regular load of gypsum in open boxes.
..20 january 2016..
66705 'Golden Jubilee' which until it was reliveried into 'Europorte' colours some time ago carried the distinctive Union-Jack on its flanks (Click HERE to see how it looked then).Here it is powering through an extreemly dull and wet Lavington on the B&H with '6V42' the second time this working from Wellingborough-GBRf has operated in just under 3 weeks.Destination being Whatley-Quarry.This is the first 'regular' working into Whatley that is not powered by D B Schenker.I don't expect they are very happy about that!!!
..26 january 2016..
Here is a new working that starts from Cricklewood North-End Sidings and goes to Appleford-Tip.It is carrying spoil probably from the CrossRail project in London.It reports as '6V43' departing from Cricklewood at 07:28.This GBRf duty had 66728 'Institute of Railway Operators'.Although it now wears 'Europorte' colours this was one of the few engines that originally carried the 'First-Barbie' livery.Here it is seen threading its way through Didcot-Parkway Station as it takes the route north to Appleford just a couple of miles away.
..13 january 2016..
Todays '6M40' from Westbury-VQ to Stud Farm produced 66701 the original GBRf-GM.Seen here coming over Hawkeridge-Junction on the outskirts of Westbury barely minutes into its journey.This loco recently had a repaint but GBRf decided to leave it in the original style and not 'Europorte' as are almost all the class now.Also it now runs minus its 'Whitemoor' nameplates just as it when it first operated in this country in 2002,amazingly now 14 years ago!
..12 january 2016..
This working '6V42' has been in the freight timetables for many months but until now has never actually run.It is the 08:13 from Wellingborough up-tc-GBRf to Whatley Quarry.As far as I am aware this is the first non-EWS/Schenker working to be allowed to work a train into the Mendip Quarries.Hopefully next time the sun will remain out just a little longer so as to shoot it in the sunshine. Europorte's 66740 'Sarah' was doing the duty as it passes Fairwood nr Westbury.
..08 january 2016..
66758 with '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury Up TC to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm ballast empties speeds through Trowbridge in the dire mid-december lighting. This is the sole GBRf duty on this route on a regular booked basis and certainly makes a change from the more common Schenker/Freightliner and to a lesser extent Colas worked traffic.
..17 december 2015..
Indiana-Muncie-Manufactured-Machine 66766 rumbles '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm past an increasingly shadowy Broughton-Gifford nr Melksham.
..09 december 2015..
GBRf usually keep their fleet of locomotives in a fairly clean state,however this particular offering 66713 'Forest City' is looking in a right old state.No doubt due to it having seen very recent use on one of the RHTT-duties.These are particularly well know for giving the locomotives operating them a good plastering of mud! Anyway here it is seen passing Ladydown with a long set of empty NR-Boxes on '6M40' the 11:56 ex-Westbury going to Stud-Farm.
..10 november 2015..
One of the Muncie-Indiana built Class-66's manufactured by Progress Rail-Caterpiller,66756 approaches Hay Lane in the outskirts of Swindon with '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury to Stud Farm empty ballast working.Unusually the wagons today were a long set of rather careworn looking ex-EWS 4-wheelers.
..02 november 2015..
A trip to Shepton-Way footbridge in Bristol that overlooks the site of the former carriage sidings at Malago-Vale was undertaken today as the messages indicated that the rather elusive GBRf-66721 in London-Undeground Livery was working '6V80' the 03:56 from West-Burton to Portbury Gypsum train. Having left home in fog and dullness I was pretty pleased to be able to grab this shot in almost full light given the abysmal weather lately.Shame this location is becoming an almost fully overgrown jungle these days.
..28 october 2015..
Westbury's currently only regular booked GBRf freight service is '6M40' the 11:56 from the Virtual-Quarry there to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm-GBRf and return. Todays offering is 66731 'Interhub GB' in the now almost universal Europorte livery styling.Here seen passing Broughton Gifford with its empty cluster of various box types going for its refill in the Midlands.
..20 october 2015..
After this interesting loco worked '6M40' yesterday it was decided that 'if' it did it again today this location at Wootton Bassett would be the best location (sun angle wise) anywhere before it would turn north at Didcot.From there it is permanantly backlit anyway. Well I was in luck and 66748,one of three ex-Dutch imports working for GBRf turned up as required here at Wootton Basset.The train is of coarse as mentioned before '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm for a refill of ballast.
..29 september 2015..
GBRf's 66710 'Phil Packer' drops down the Upton-Scudamore Incline as '0V40' the 09:02 Eastleigh-Trsmd to Westbury Up-Yard in readiness to work the 11:56 from there to Stud Farm.
..12 august 2015..
GBRf's Unique White 66721 is named 'Harry Beck' and depicts a rendition of the London-Underground Map on its flanks.Harry Beck of coarse is the man who originally designed the iconic Underground Map Schematic we are all familier with.So here is that 'Hard to Miss' GBRf owned 66731 passing Mount Pleasant in the northern outskirts of Southamptom heading '4Y19' the empty Gypsum going to the Western Docks for a reload.The train comes from Mountfield departing at 12:19.
..07 august 2015..
GBRF's 'InterhubGB' 66731 rumbles slowly through Burton-on-Trent on '6V80' the 14:55 from West-Burton to Portbury Coal Terminal with another load of Gypsum.
..31 july 2015..
66725 'Sunderland,one of the few remaining 'Barbie' liveried GBRf 66's passes through Burton-on-Trent with '6M08' the 13:22 from Tunstead sdgs going to Small Heath-Lefarge in Birmingham.Its load looking strikingly similar to Gypsum although is probably just well crushed limestone.
..31 july 2015..
66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' powers northwards with its fully loaded 'Liner' through Old Linslade on '4M21' the 03:10 from Felixstowe-North GBRf to Trafford Park.
..31 july 2015..
This is '6B11' the 11:52 from Colnbrook-LeFarge GBRf to Pengham in Cardiff.Grey-GBRf 66749,one of just three to wear this unique colour scheme due to it being an import from Holland a few years ago was in charge.It is viewed passing Acton Turville in weak sunshine running just a few minutes behind the Robeston '6B33' tanks.
..28 july 2015..
Finally after enduring over two hours of sweltering 30 degree + heat the main target for the afternoon made its appearance.'4Y19' the 12:19 from Mountfield going to Southampton Western Docks on the Gypsum Circuit passed Mount Pleasant with the sun now giving a pretty acceptable angle height and sidelighting wise.This GBRf working has lately been the domain of 66748,one of the small unique batch of three imported (brand new from Holland) grey liveried examples.Note the patch painting on the cab roof where the Continental gauge Air-Conditioning Units were removed.
..30 june 2015..
One of just three GBRf locomotives wearing Grey livery due to being an import from Holland brand-new as few years ago. 66748 passes Mount-Pleasant in Southampton working '4Y19' from Mountfield going to Southampton Western Docks with its train of empty Gypsum containers.
---------------------------30 june 2015---------------------------
GBRf's 66716 carries a circular nameplate instead of the usual rectangular style. This one commemorates 'Locomotive and Carriage Institution 1911-2011'.Here it is passing Bourton with '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury-VQ heading for Stud Farm.
..21 may 2015..
GBRf's 66704 'Colchester Power Signalbox' runs past Wootton Bassett with '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury -VQ going to Stud Farm for yet another load of ballast.The wagons being EWS liveried 'JNA-s' and NR-IOA's.
..13 may 2015..
66728 'Institution of Railway Operators' gets '6M40' on the move away from Westbury-VQ.Todays load being a mixture of JNA's and IOA's bound for Stud Farm for a ballast refill.
..07 may 2015..
The 11:56 from Westbury going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm rounds the sharp downhill curve on the approach to Bradford-Junction.As this working is turning across the Bath route heading for Stud Farm via Melksham-etc extreme caution is always taken here in case the unsighted (From a distance) signals for the Junc are at Stop. 66729 'Derby County' with its long train of IOA's is seen at Ladydown where the shot albeit backlit is quite worth having thanks to a bit of twiddling in Photoshop!
..27 april 2015..
Europorte-GBRf GM-66729 'Derby County' indulges in a spot of shunting at Westbury after arriving from Eastleigh as '6Z40' instead of the usual '0Z40'.After picking up a few more empty IOA's it left as usual as '6M40' at 11:58 for Stud Farm.
..27 april 2015..
GBRf's Muncie-Indiana built 66765 stands in Challow Loop waiting time whilst a couple of HST passenger trains overtake it.It is working '6B11' from Colnbrook (11:22 off) going to Pengham in Cardiff.A recent takeover from Freightliner by GBRf of these duties centering on Pengham has brought some welcome addition variety along this route.Just in time before it is wrecked by the impending electrification!
..22 april 2015..
Having got well and truly 'Done' by the clouds that were by now slowly encroaching from the east at Circourt Bridge a quick drive round to Challow enabled a couple of 'Plan-B' type shots.Here is '6B11' the 11:22 from Colnbrook going to Pengham waiting at Challow loop to allow an hst or two to overtake it.GBRf 66765 being the loco.Once again Oil Seed Rape being a dominant crop in the fields adjacent to the loop.
..22 april 2015..
66728 with its rather small nameplate 'Institution of Railway Operators' powers through Baulking on '6V60' the 10:48 from Harlow-Mill going to Pengham in Cardiff.These recent GBRf workings are a replacement for identical trains previously operated by Freightliner-HH. That Company seems to be falling on hard times,what with these losses in the South of England and the current severe downturn in coal haulage in the North-East due to the Carbon-Tax.
..21 april 2015..
With its regular load of NR-IOA's GBRf's 66704 'Colchester Power Signalbox' trundles through Baulking with the 11:58 from Westbury going to Stud Farm for a ballast refill.The report number is 6M40'. This loco has very recently been repainted by Arlington-Services at Eastleigh-Works from the older GBRf stye into the now almost universal Europorte version.I have seen many of the immaculate fresh repaints from there but none of them have had any effort spent on the bogies,these are invariably still dirty and workstained when they return the service after repainting is done.
..21 april 2015..
GBRf-Europorte's 66736 'Wolverhampton Wanderers' runs down through Church Fenton with '6H98' the 15:38 from Tyne Coal Terminal bound for Drax-Power Station.The load being Biomass in converted coal hoppers as used by this company.By this time of the evening (19:00) the skies had cleared up superbly but with the shadows lenghtening by the second this was to be the final picture of our very successful 2-day expedition to Lincolnshire &Yorkshire.Now for a Burger and Coffee before the long 260 mile + journey home!
..18 april 2015..
Having completed our visit to the Barnetby area we called in at High-Eggborough to record the passing of this empty coal train '4N63' as it departed Eggborough-Power Station (12:51 off) which is quite prominant in the background here returning to Tyne Coal Terminal.The loco is one of just three ex-dutch 'new' locomotives that never actually turned a wheel in service in that country before being bought by GBRf and converted for UK use.So here is 66747 slowing for the mainline junction at Whitley Bridge with its set of dedicated GBRF-coal hoppers.
..18 april 2015..
Another L/E movement here at Barnetby-East.This time it is a GBRf 66733 'Cambridge-PSB' listed as '0D73' from Immingham going to Doncaster.
..17 april 2015..
Only a few years ago Freightliner had a lions share of the coal traffic in this area but now GBRf seems to have largely taken over.Anyway here is 66754 with '6F57' from Immingham-HIT carrying coal to Cottam-PS passing The Lime-Works at Singleton-Birch.The number of coal trains since the 1st of April has shrunk dramatically since the imposition by the government of a dramatically increased Carbon-Tax. No doubt the numbers will increase again once the stockpiles begin to get smaller..Oh yes that will be when our energy bills take another unnecessary hike!
..17 april 2015..
GBRf's 66754 rolls through Barnetby with an empty coal working from Cottam-Power Station heading for Immingham-HIT for a reload.It left Cottam at 06:15 and was running as '4R74'.This shot was taken off the monstrocity of a footbridge that was installed her a few years ago at a cost of probably a million+pounds due to H&S requirements for probably one or two passengers a day that need to be rolled around in wheelchairs.What ever happened to supervised use of old fashioned barrow-crossings.Oh yes I forgot---No staff anymore!
..17 april 2015..
GBRf' Footballer' 66729 'Derby County' passes Stepping Stone Lane at Bourton heading for Stud Farm from Westbury as '6M40' with its uniform set of NR-IOA-s.The blue plastic wrapped bags lying everywhere at this location presumably contain rolls of damp-proofing to aid drainage after it has been installed underneath the track bed...A bit of a monster job me-thinks!
..14 april 2015..
GBRF's 66758 on '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm for yet more ballast to supply the Westbury-VQ passes the currently very photographic location at Hay Lane in West-Swindon.If you fancy a shot or two here I reckon you have less than a year before it is ruined,not to mention the currently viewer friendly traditional cast steel bridge. No doubt it will soon be closed for a few months for either a 6ft high ugly green steel monster or even a cast concrete carbunkle as its replacement! All in the name of progress?????????
..08 april 2015..
Now that the repairs to the line north of Banbury have been completed this working '6M40' has reverted to its original route & departure time of 11:56 away from Westbury going to Stud Farm.Despite the abysmal lighting conditions a shot of this 'Rainbow' loco 66720 was taken,particularly as it is the other side to the one pictured earlier in the month.One side depicts 'Day' whilst the other 'Night' ???? You tell me which is which! Here it is passing resident Westbury Shunter 08799 now firmly reinstated after those Numpties in Schenker-HQ realised there is a need for a few '08-s' after all!
..30 march 2015..
66719 'Metroland' works '6B43' coming from Neath-Abbey Wharf and heading for Pengham Reception Siding(GBRf). Here it is passing Pontsarn.Some of the wagons in use on this working have been repainted into GBRf-Blue although most are still in Freightliner-Green.The GBRf concern continues to expand its range of influence and this working extends it now into West-Wales! Note the pair of Smile-Faces on the front of this GB.Seconds later I had one as well!
..21 march 2015..
Shiny GBRf 66713 'Forest City' runs through Chipping Sodbury with '6V43' from Neasden-Charringtons going to Pengham in Cardiff.Its load today was (for me) the rarely seen Bardon-Blue hoppers albeit now pretty care-worn and well graffittied. Note the small castle like structure on the hillside above the tunnel.This is actually an exhaust port for the tunnel,a necessity during the old steam days to keep it clear of fumes.
..20 march 2015..
GBRf's 66765 with '6V80' the 03:15 from Hexthorpe Yard going to Portbury Docks with a consignment of Gypsum from West Burton-PS is seen approaching Parson Street Station in the western suburbs of Bristol. here the working will diverge onto the single line branch down to Portbury. A pretty nice working this,no mistaking the ex-freightliner boxes loaded with the very white gypsum!
..10 march 2015..
Just 15 days after it was introduced into service (17th Feb) for the first time ever an almost brand-new GBRf owned 66768 runs down through Badminton with '6B11' the 12:20 from Colnbrook-Lefarge going to Pengham.A fairly ancient set of old ex-Bardon Hoppers making a stark contrast to the mint loco!
..04 march 2015..
GBRF's Muncie-Monster 66762 making for a colourful site here at Parson Street in Bristol with '6V80' from West Burton-PS going to Portbury Docks with a load of Gypsum.A very popular working this with the local photographers.That coupled with a china-blue sky meant that this prime location had about 7 or 8 people milling about taking the shot!.
..04 march 2015..
'6V80' the loaded Gypsum from West Burton-PS (03:56 off) to Portbury CT-GBRf which we saw earlier this morning finally makes it through Bristol after a booked 2-hour layover at Stoke-Gifford.All very convenient because it enable one to get ahead ofit for a 2nd bite at this particular cherry,particularly on a blue blue day like today. So here is the Muncie-Machine 66762 drawing its set of loaded Gypsum round the curve approaching Parson Street. From here it will take the single line branch running down to the Docks at Royal Portbury.
..04 march 2015..
The main event for the visit to the extreemly muddy hillside overlooking the approach to Wickwar north of Bristol was this,the 03:56 from West Burton-PS going to Portbury CT-GBRf with a load of Gypsum being transported in open box wagons.Recently introduced Muncie made machine 66762 was in charge as it is seen heading south running pretty much bang on schedule.
..04 march 2015..
The power of the long end of my 24-105 L lens on a cropped sensor camera give the benefit of an extra 'grab' shot of '6V80' the 03:56 from West Burton-PS going to Portbury CT-GBRf.The load being Gypsum being carried unusually to my mind in open boxes(Note the dust!).Traction is one of the recent additions to the UK and indeed GBRF's expanding fleet of Class-66's. This machine is 66762 and provides a really colourful sight as it approaches Wickwar nr Bristol going south.
..04 march 2015..
Here is a somewhat closer look at 66720's Rainbow/Kids/Graffitti colour scheme.The loco is just departing from Westbury for Stud Farm on '6M25'. It currently being diverted via Bristol and Gloucester due to the Landslip problems up near Leamington-Spa.
..03 march 2015..
With a message that the L/E move '0V40' was running late and it was visually seen to be 66720 -'The Rainbow Loco' despite TOPs saying it was 66738 a hurried scramble to Westbury was undertaken hoping I could arrive there before the delayed '6M25' had left.I was in luck arriving seconds before it pulled away by then running about 45 minutes behind booked time. So here is 66720 moving away from Westbury in a brief splash of timely sunshine with its train of NR-Boxes heading for Cliffe Hall-Stud Farm GBRf.
..03 march 2015..
This is a new working,hopefully it will become a regular as it brings yet another GBRF duty into Westbury from the South-Coast.As it is listed as '6O26' the 17:00 from Westbury-VQ to Eastleigh. and not a 'Z' working the signs are very good! Here is GBRf's 66738,one of their 'Footballer' namers.This one being 'Huddersfield Town'.It is seen in the extreemly low yellowing glinty light with the sun right on the horizon (Note the shadow length) at the top of the climb up Upton-Scudamore Incline off the A350 road bridge there.As it is fully loaded with ballast perhaps Eastleigh ballast workings will now be refilling from Westbury-VQ and not going to Stud farm seperately????? Seems logical to me now the HOBC isn't using that supply anymore
..02 march 2015..
GBRf's 66738 'Huddersfield Town' moves slowly up the departure road from the Westbury Up-Yard in readiness to leave for Stud Farm on '6M40' which departs at 11:56.Todays load being the usual rake of dedicated 'IOA' yellow-Railtrack bogie boxes.
..27 january 2015..
When it was noted that this working '4Y19' from Mountfield to Southampton Western Docks was running and a 'Barbie' was in charge a journey to the eastern side of Basingstoke was undertaken to this spot near Old-Basing.Pity about the 9ft high palisade fencing but at 15:45 in the afternoon in january beggers cannot be choosers.So here is GBRf's 66726 in its now defunct 'First' livery c/w the LNER-replica footballer nameplate 'Sheffied Wednesday' hauling the empty gypsom containers from Mountfield (12:02 off) heading for Southampton W-Docks.
..24 january 2015..
Barely 5 minutes behind the pair of HH-Freightliner 66/5's that that gone up the incline here at Upton-Scudamore earlier came the brand new GBRf loco 66766 completing its thunderbird mission by taking the errant 66738 back to Eastleigh for attention.This was '0Z14' which nominally departed Westbury at 12:15 but was actually passing here at that time.
..23 january 2015..
The failed '6V14' from Stud Farm to Westbury with 66766 helping 66738 rolls into the 'Up' Yard at Westbury.Although both locomotives are nominally in GBRf-Europorte livery the newer engine has a revised scheme incorporating a darker shade of orange on the cabsides etc,also the main blue body colour seems somewhat brighter.Admittedly 66766 has only been in service a few days so it is still factory fresh!
..23 january 2015..
This is the late running '6V14' from Stud farm (22:33 last night off) to Westbury-Virtual Quarry.It suffered a loco failure and was sidelined at Swindon until help was summoned from Eastleigh to drag it on into Westbury.The train engine was 66738 'Huddersfield Town' and the engine sent to retrieve it was 66766,one of the latest batch of Muncie built GM's that arrived in the UK early in December.Looking at its condition it has almost certainly only been in revenue earning service for a few days.Location was the perfectly lit Hawkeridge Curve on the approach to Westbury.
..23 january 2015..
A somewhat backlit GBRf 66738 'Hudderfield Town' gets away from Westbury (11:56 off) with it set of NR-hoppers going to Stud Farm for a ballast refill.At the moment this train still seems to be running every day even thought the Taunton based HOBC has now moved to Suffolk which would have reduced the need for ballast at the Westbury-VQ substantially.
22 january 2015..
GBRF's 66706 'Nene Valley' still wearing the old style colour scheme with no Europorte markings passes a very crisp Didcot-North with '6M26' the 08:50 from Eastleigh going to Stud Farm for a refill of ballast.
..30 december 2014..
66701 the original GBRf-GM Class-66 has just been repainted at Eastleigh.Interestingly it has been decided to retain the original livery in which it was delivered in 2002.Here it is passing Swindon on '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury going to Stud-Farm.
19 december 2014..
The Pioneer GBRf-GM 66701 has just received a full body-only repaint at Eastleigh-Works.As the majority of the class are now in 'Europorte' colours it seems it was decided to re-do this locomotive in the original scheme that GBRf used when the class was introduced in 2002.Also the nameplate 'Whitemoor' has been removed as well to complete the original look! The loco is viewed at Staverton on the Bradford-Jn to Thingley-Jn section working '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury to Stud- Farm.Interestingly RTT showed this as a non runner, even 3 hours later but quite obviously it ran!
..18 december 2014..
In sharp contrast to last weeks loco on this working (See HERE) 66703 was quite clean only having been released from Eastleigh after a repaint a few weeks ago.Here it is slowly drawing up to the departure signal with '6M40' going to Stub-Farm GBRF for yet another load of ballast for the VQ situated here at Westbury.
..15 december 2014..
66759 was still less than two months old and already looking rather workstained when pictured here in this rather backlit 'contre-jour' style shot.It is powering the '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury-VQ going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm GBRf empty ballast working.It is seen on the approach to Melksham Station on the single line between Bradford-Jn and Thingley-Jn.
..20 november 2014..
Still looking fairly smart after being in service for only about a month is GBRf's 66757.Seen here on '0M40' from Eastleigh to Westbury in readiness for working the morning empty ballast from there to Stud Farm.Norton Bavant being the location.
..28 october 2014..
As I may not see this loco again in such pristine condition a shot of it slowly going away under the bridge here at Ladydown in Trowbridge was not to be missed.The working '6M40' seems to throw up virtually any member of the GBRf fleet.Personally I am now waiting for a Grey ex-Europe, or one of the multi-coloured versions. We live in hope!
..10 october 2014..
Just about the newest locomotive in service in the Country (Commisioned three days ago) today graced '6M40' from Westbury going to Stud Farm.The mint loco is seen rounding the curve at Ladydown in Trowbridge. So here is 66757 from the GBRf fleet gleaming in the bright sunlight whilst still virtually spotless.....Nice.
..10 october 2014..
GBRf's 'Phil Packer' 66710 now freshly repainted in the 'europorte' style rolls the 11:56 from Westbury going to Stud Farm through Trowbridge past yet more passengers waiting for the next available Sardine-Can to Bath and Bristol!
..29 september 2014..
GBRF's 66745 'Modern Railways The First 50 years' draws away from Westbury in patchy sun wirh '6M40' going to Stud Farm.As usual the load was a set of Railtrack-Yellow 'IOA-s'.
..12 september 2014..
GBRf's 66722 'Sir Edward Watkin' gets '6M40' the 11:56 from Westbury to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm underway with its usual load of 'IOA-s'.This is currently that companys only duty out of this location. I can't help thinking how uneconomic is must be for that concern given the many miles of light-engine running required to do the job!
..09 september 2014..
Another week and yet another different GBRf-66 appears on this working,'6M40' from Westbury going to Stud Farm to collect fresh ballast to supply the Westbury Virtual Quarry.This week it is 66732 sadly now repainted out of its 'Metronet' style and sporting a recently applied coat of Europorte-Blue.Here the train is passing Cocklebury lane east of Chippenham.Wagons are the usual yellow 'IOA-s'
..08 september 2014..
The very new 66752 'The Hoosier State' was today again in charge of '6M40' from Westbury going up to Stud Farm for a ballast refill.Here it is seen shortly after departing Westbury with its uniform rake of 'IOA-s' in tow.
..03 september 2014..
One of the newest batch of GBRf locomotives that arrived in the UK from Muncie-Indiana early last month was today working the '6M40' 11:56 from Westbury going up to Stud-Farm for a fresh load of ballast. Here that loco 66752 'The Hoosier State' is seen passing through Swindon.Of coarse 'sods-law' dictated it had to pass through on the platform-line instead of the up-main like every other freight did that morning! No matter.It currenty still retains that new engine look complete with black shiny bogies and a clean roof panels. ..29 august 2014..
66738 carries one of the few brass nameplates in traffic today 'Huddersfield Town'.It is even made to look like the old 'steam' style footballer plate as fitted to LNER-B17 61653 which was withdrawn in 1960. Here this weeks allotted engine for the regular 11:56 from Westbury to Stud Farm empty ballast trip '6M40' passes Stepping Stone Lane in Bourton just west of Shrivenham. No sign of the dreaded mast-bases along this stretch of line yet!
..20 august 2014..
Several of GBRF's Class-66's are named after Football Teams with brass nameplates in the original style as fitted to the old LNER Class B17's. This one 66738 carries the name 'Huddersfield Town'.It is seen at Hay Lane nr Swindon on the regular '6M40' from Westbury going up to Stud farm for for a refill of Ballast.
..18 august 2014..
Nameless GBRf 'Europorte' liveried 66743 rolls away from Westbury with '6M40' the 11:56 departure going to Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm GBRf with its usual rake of yellow NR boxes.
..11 august 2014..
This is '6A82' a fridays only 'Q' working of loaded stone from Moreton-on-Lugg going to West-Drayton.An interesting freight as this is the only regular GBRf booked working to pass this way.66728 a former 'barbie' but now in the common 'Europorte' colours is seen toiling up the gradeint out of Patchway-Tunnel on the approach to the station there.Luckily there was just a touch of watery sun to brighten up the scene.
..08 august 2014..
The 10:36 from Ironbridge PS-G going to Portbury as '4V94' passes a very overgrown Gossington just south of Cam & Dursley.It was going to the docks there for a refill of imported biomass to feed the furnaces at Ironbridge.GBRf's 66739 was doing the duty which regretfully ran to time including a seemingly un-necessary booked long wait at Gloucester.If it had arrived earlier as it has done often in the past the sun angle would have been 15 degrees more favourable....Ah-Well!
..29 july 2014..
66743 heads the sole booked GBRf working out of Westbury going to Stud Farm '6M40' through Royal Wootton Bassett for a ballast refill to keep the VQ there fully supplied.Interestingly news broke today that GBRf have obtained 59003 from Germany and are to re-import it for UK use.Perhaps it will be outbased at Westbury for this duty or even possibly work out of the quarries.It makes sense being close to Merehead for mtce and spares! (To me anyway).
..29 july 2014..
GBRf's 66713 'Forest City' was on todays '6M40' from Westbury going to Stud-Farm.Viewed here passing Wootton-Bassett.Minutes before it passed a couple of young ladies appeared and it turned out one of them was the older sister of the newly qualified driver of this working (His first solo job).They were there to give him a wave.Note the driver has a big smile and both hands in the air returning his sisters excitement!
..25 july2014..
GBRf's 66713 rolls past Hay Lane with '6M40' the 11:56 off Westbury going to Stud Farm for more ballast to pile up at Westbury-VQ.
..17 july 2014..
66713 'Forest City' was seen just 5 days ago at Eastleigh -Works waiting to return to traffic after a repaint from the older GBRf colours into the now current Europorte style.Its first duty upon release was this working '6M40' which it has performed on since the 5th (Monday).So here is the immaculate 66713 rounding the curve at Ladydown in Trowbridge with its set of empty Network-Rail boxes going to Stud Farm for a refill.
..07 july 2014..
66719 'Metroland' was formerly one of the GBrF locomotives to carry Metronet colours.All these have now been repainted into Europorte colours as viewed here passing the small picturesque Church of St Nicholas at Little Langford in the Wylye-Valley which dates back to the 12th century although it was rebuilt in the mid 1800's albeit to original design. This LE movement occurs every day to get a GBrf loco to Westbury to operate the '6M40' empty boxes to Stub Farm for refilling to supply the Westbury-VQ.
..13 june 2014..
The final working of this quite profitable 90 minutes here at Wootton-Bassett was '6M40' from Westbury heading for Cliffe Hill-Stud Farm for a refill of yet more ballast to supply Westbury's VQ. GBrF's sole duty out of Westbury today produces 66745 in the now almost universal 'europorte' style colours. A difficult working to picture with light on the front-end.This location being just about one of the few places on its journey where it is almost possible!
..05 june 2014..
'InterhubGB' 66731 leads '6M40' today from Westbury going to Stud Farm for yet more ballast for the Westbury-VQ.Here seen traversing the single line between Bradford-Junction and Thingley-Junction at Broughton-Gifford.
..14 may 2014..
GBRf''s 66731 rumbles through Broughton-Gifford with todays '6M40' from Westbury to Stud Farm.Just a rake of your basic 'JNA-s' today.
..12 may 2014..
The recent takeover by GBRf of '6M40' has often produced the most colourful working of the day departing from Westbury.Unfortunately as it leaves just before midday the light is basically all wrong locally until a short kink in the track at Royal-Wooton-Bassett.This is the only place within 35 miles where the sun can be on the nose. Hence today I settled on this location at Ladydown nr Trowbridge.Here is seen 66738 with just one set of HQA's in tow heading for Stud farm for a refill.
..17 april 2014..
GBRf now seems to have a toehold on the Railtrack Ballast Contracts in the South-West. At the beginning of the current financial year the '6M40' Westbury to Stud Farm and return working was awarded to that company.I believe in a bid to even out the work between the competing freight companies. So here is 'Europorte' 66738 with its unusual load (for this working anyway) of 20 HQA's.For sure this load is not for unloading at Westbury-VQ upon its return. Bourton Cutting was again the location for this picture.
..15 april 2014..
The most recent 'Flavour of the Month' working is currently the 11:56 from Westbury going to Stud Farm.It has just been taken over from Freightliner by GBRf so it brings a splash of welcome colour to the local freight scene. So here is '6M40' with a short set of 'IOA' yellow boxes headed by 66710 'Phil Packer' passing Broughton-Gifford on the single-line from Bradford-Junc to Thingley-Junc.
..11 april 2014..
Another working that comes from Westbury that is attracting considerable interest lately is '6M40' going to Stud Farm.This empty train comes back loaded overnight to supply the Virtual-Quarry at Westbury.Just last week the contract for this operation was taken over by GBRf thus providing the first ever service operated out of that location for this concern. So here is that train passing Baulking with its long train of 'JNA-s'.One of the older original GBRf liveried examples, 66710 'Phil Packer' was in charge today.After our disasterous session at Shrivenham where 3 freights passed in the dull getting this in decent light was pretty much considered a miracle! Who is 'Phil Packer' ? Click HERE to find out.
..08 april 2014..
Today is the second day of the new contract awarded by Network-Rail to GBRf instead of Freightliner from the Virtual Quarry at Westbury-Wilts to Stud Farm in the Midlands.Here Europorte liveried 66742 which was once a DRS loco (66406) then for a period with Colas as 66841 is seen passing Cocklebury Lane just east of Chippenham with the empties going for a refill.It is still running as '6M40' and the Westbury departure time remains the same (11:56)
..01 april 2014..
Here is one of the three newest Class 66 GM-s currently working in this Country.This loco 66747 plus two others were imported by GBRf from Holland where they had been stored unused since their arrival there. a few years ago.They were fully cerified for UK use in July-2013 and are largely confined to coal/biomass trains to the Power-Stations in Yorkshire.Here 66747 is seen going south from Knottingley at Seniors Bridge with an unidentified loaded coal working.
.15 march 2014..
66744 'Crossrail' heads south away from Knottingley with '4R60' from Ferrybridge going over to Immingham-H.I.T for another refill.
..15 march 2014..
The 08:45 from Immingham-H.I.T going to Eggborough-PS '6C09' passes Burton-Salmon in a lucky patch of sun in a generally overcast sky. Europorte's 66740 doing the honours with a mix of ex-Fastline and GBRf coal hoppers.
..15 march 2014..
66729 on '4D21' from Eggborough slowly clears the junction at Whitley Bridge as it begins its journey to Doncaster Decoy Yard. Eggborough-Power Station forming the backdrop.Note how the exhausts from the various towers and chimneys is going straight up! Surely virtually windless days such as today are an extreemly rare occurence?
..13 march 2014..
66729 'Derby County' makes a fine sight as it crawls away from Whitley bridge Junction as it exits the branch from Eggborough-PS. This GBRf working '4D21' is bound for Doncaster Decoy Yard having nominally departed the Power Station at 14:35. I well remember a ride behind the original 'Derby County' an ex-LNER B17steam 4-6-0 No-61651 from Colchester to Ipswich via Parkestone Quay in about 1958 as a ten years old spotter.
..13 march 2014..
With its Europorte livery looking slightly grimy 66729 'Derby County' with its set of loaded mixed GBRf and ex-Fastline coal hoppers passes Wormesley Road in Knottingley with the 08:45 from Immingham going to Eggborough running as '6C09'. I know its only a 'Shed' but these GBRf liveried locomotives really look the part,somewhat reminiscent of the now long gone Loadhaul livery of the last century.
..13 march 2014..
The ex-Rush-Rail import 66750 heads west at Wormesley Road Level -Crossing heading for Gascoigne Wood Sidings with a set of empty boxes.I presume these came from Eggborough-PS even though RTT indicates they are from Drax?
..13 march 2014..
One of GBRf's newest locomotives, the ex-Rush-Rail converted continental GM now running as 66750 passes Whitley Bridge with '6C71' the 05:00 from Hull Coal Terminal going to Eggborough-PS. Quite a few minor differences to the stock UK version including the light clusters and style of buffers.Apparantly the internal cab layout is very much changed as well! ..13 march 2014..
Here is a light engine movement '0V12' from Eastleigh going to Cardiff Docks to work an empty oil-train back to Lindsey tomorrow morning. A rather grubby 66743 in the latest 'Europorte' colours for GBRf was the loco.Unusual to see a movement such as this up from Eastleigh.In fact this is my first encounter with a GBRf-GM wearing this revised livery at Westbury. Note 56302 parked up amongst the weeds in the background awaiting its next duty for Colas.Probably next mornings '6M50' working from here to Bescot.
..02 february 2014..
The lighting for the passing of '4V94' from Ironbridge-PS going down to Portbury Docks for a reload of Biomass pellets was considerably better than the pair of 37's going north just 5 minutes before! Here is ex-Freightliner 66580 now running as Europorte's 66740 crossing Eckington Viaduct heading south.There was no activity on the river whatsoever,no boats or fishermen,even the ducks had abandoned the river today!
..11 december 2013..
Back out again with a 'real' camera after a week in the Isle of Man this was my first shot since.... Running in the old GBRf style 66708 passes Badgeworth west of Cheltenham with '4V94' from Ironbridge going to Portbury Dock with the empty 'Biomass' going for reloading.
..16 july 2013..
66726 'Sheffield Wednesday' wearing the 'Barbie' colours for GBRf heads the Exeter-Alphington Road to Cardiff-Tremorfa scrap train.Seen here passing Undy just west of Severn Tunnel-Junction.This train somehow 'disappeared' for over an hour.Probably due to lack of driver 'route knowledge' after heading north away from Bristol instead of coming through the Severn Tunnel it was diverted via Gloucester adding another 60 minutes or so to the journey time.So '6B59' after passing through Gloucester techically became '6V55' as is was heading south into the Western Region!
..18 may 2013..
A GBRf Liner passes Stratford with 66745 in Europort colours in charge.This is '4M23' the 08:17 from Felixstowe going the Hams-Hall.Behind in the massive Westfield Stratford-City shopping complex.
..23 february 2013..
This GBRf hauled Inspection Saloon '6320' nicely liveried in LMS colours stands at the exit road of Bristol-Barton Hill depot ready to move off at 10:05 as '5Z01 up to Bristol Parkway in readiness to commence todays programme.66737 was providing the power.A nice touch being the white wheel rims.Typically the first morning of the late summer to produce heavy mist prevented this shot from being in the expected bright sunlight.
..08 september 2012..
After a break of several months the GBRf Biomass working from Portbury Docks to Drax-PS is running again for a few days.Here the incoming empty train '4V94' from Doncaster is seen almost at its destination about to go under the M5 nr Pill on the approach to the Docks complex. Europorte liveried 66737 named 'Lesia' doing the duty single handed as the loaded return train '6E95' will be going via Didcot thus avoiding the Lickey-Incline and the need for a 2nd loco.
..24 july 2012..
After yesterdays GBRf Family Charter down to Paignton and the Railtour to Plymouth the empty stock was today returned to Eastleigh from Cardiff Pengham.The working '5Z53' actually ran about 2 hours earlier than its booked time.This was nice as it allowed this shot of it with 66719 'Metroland' climbing up the incline at Upton-Scudamore.2 hours later and it would have been heavily shadowed.
..22 july 2012..
As '1Z50' was organised and run by GBRf for a Company family day by the seaside it was only natural that the Child designed 'Night&Day' liveried 66720 was selected as the drawback engine and fallback power in case the 50 had a brainfart.Here is 66720 showing its garish 'Day' side bringing up the rear of the tour as it passes Langstone Rock.Certainly a very colourful piece of GM-Tin,although I don't expect it will go down in history as an all time classic?
..21 july 2012..
GBRf 66710 'Phil Packer' runs down past Stoke Hammond south of Bletchley with '4L22' from Hams hall going to Felixstowe.The load being mainly containers from MSC-Shipping. Who is Phil Packer? He is an Army officer who sustained serious injuries whilst on duty in Iraq in 2008. Phil has since founded the British Inspiration Trust, which aims to support young people facing adversity.
..27 july 2012..
'6Z97' the Beeston to Cardiff-Tidal scrap working produced the infamous 'Night & Day' Child-Graffiti livery as worn by 66720.Still looking immaculate after its use on the GBRf Company Railtour to Devon and Cornwall just 5 days ago on the 21st.Here the engine displaying the 'Day' side finally passes Catholme after being held at Burton-on-Trent for over an hour in the loop there as the sun slowly sunk towards the horizon!
..25 july 2012..
66715 'Valour' still wearing the original style of GbRf livery passes Undy with '6Z30' from Handsworth-Queens Head going to Cardiff-Tidal with a full train of scrap,mostly shredded car bodies by the look of it.
..25 may 2012..
Final shot of the day was this unexpected (Well I had forgotten actually because it was running so late so had written it off) one of a Unit-Drag from Ilford (Aldersbrook Sidings) to Eastleigh-Works '5O17'.Looking at the unit 317708 it has obviously suffered a graffitti attack and is going in for a repaint.Traction was 66724,a Gbrf GM still in 'First' livery wearing the nameplate 'Drax Power Station'Train seen in the lengthening shadows passing Eastleigh Yard approaching the Station.Nice timing as 5 minutes later the weak sunlight hadf all but disappeared.
..17 april 2012..
The working that has caused much interest in the Bristol area and attracted some unwanted publicity due to the dust created whist it is being loaded at Portbury is '4V94' from Doncaster.Run by GBrF it is invariably double-headed due to having to climb the Lickey-Incline on its return north loaded.DBS 'Banker'charges being prohibitively expensive.Todays 'pair' were 66733 in 'Europort' colours and original GBRf-GM 66701 that seems to have lost its 'Whitemoor' nameplates? The wagons on this train are specially adapted with sealed top-lids to keep the biomass-pellets away from the howling winds whilst in motion..Location again was Hatherley in Cheltenham.A perfect spot but for the grey-grey cloud cover!
..06 april 2012..
66706 'Nene Valley' in the distinctive older GBRf livery passes Catholme with '6Z97' from Beeston going to Cardiff-Tidal with a train load of shredded scrap steel.
..28 march 2012..
After 66152 passed there was a projected wait of at least 45 minutes before this working '4Y19' from Mountfield going to Southampton Docks with the Gypsom was due so a move was required as the sun was getting too head-on at the junction.This place is Oakley just a mile or so further south but crucially round a slight curve,just enough to give us an extra hour of decent light.Anyway 66729 'Derby County' duly appeared bang on time wearing the new GBRf Eurporte style.This one being a full repaint as it was originally a 'Barbie'. A good end to a very entertaining days linesiding. ..06 october 2011..
GBRf oddball liveried 66709 carrying the 'Medite' name for MSC also now has a proper nameplate 'Joseph Arnold Davies'.Here drawing '4M23' the 10:45 from Felixstowe to Hams-Hall.Here seen as are most of the shots in this section passing Church-Brampton.Note rather aptly the first container behind the loco is actually an 'MSC' unit!
..29 september 2011..
After slowing for the signal at Didcot-North Junction 66731 moves off towards London via Didcot-Parkway with its empty 'JNA-s' going back to East-Grinstead from Appleford.Had a good tip about departure time from Appleford as we were able to x-examine the Driver and his Mate whilst they were in the local Mc-Donalds having their morning Mc-Muffin and Coffee.The GB-Railfeight hi-viz jackets were a bit of a give-away!
..29 september 2011..
GBRf Europorte 66731 now carries the name 'Interhub-GB' and was actually the first of the class to recieve the revamped livery. Here it is rounding the curve shortly after departing Appleford Tip returning the 'JNA'empties to East-Grinstead.The load being all the rubbish being excavated out of the cutting there to allow the Bluebell Railway to re-use it. New working this '6O10' having only commenced the previous monday.
..29 september 2011..
This one took us by surprise.A new working for GBRf handing the refuse being excavated from the cutting nr East Grinstead on the Bluebell Railway.Working goes to Appleford-Tip just north of Didcot.This being the empties heading back for refilling.Seen coming under the Didcot Bypass at North-Junction with 66731 in Europorte livery dragging its long rake of JNA's.Reporting as '4O10' with a nominal depart time from Appleford of 09:25.
..28 september 2011..
66712 still running in the original GBRf guise heads '6O96' from Mountsorrel going to Eastleigh-VQ.Shown here passing Cholsey Manor-Farm running on the up-slow.Nice uniform set of the latest 'Railtrack' bogie-boxes commissioned specially for these Ballast-Flows. ..19 april 2011..
Newly re-liveried 66731 into Europorte's restyled livery for the GBRf company now it has been sold on by 'First-Group' heads south on the WCML at Ledburn with '4L22' from Hams-hall going to Felixstowe.
..07 march 2011..
66714 heads a loaded coal train from Redcar going to Cottam-PS '6F20'.Recorded at Colton-Junction south of York.
..03 february 2011..
GBRf 66728 'Institution of Railway Operators' was at this time still in the 'Barbie' livery,here with 'JB' 73206 dragging a rake of redundant FGW buffet trailers extracted from some of their HST-sets.Also on the rear was yet another 'JB' 73212.The working was '5O66' from Plymouth-Laira going to Eastleigh.The carriages will eventually be delivered to Kilmarnock in Scotland where they will be converted into even more 'high density' cattle-trucks for the overcrowded services out of Paddington.
..08 july 2010..
'4E31' the scrap sleeper working from Taunton up to Peterborough passes Berkley-Marsh nr Frome with 66706 'Nene Valley' in charge.This was the only GBRf working to pass our way.Regretfully the contract with GBrf ceased and it is now just a plain Freightliner working instead!
..18 june 2010..
GBRf had a batch of new 'GM-s' delivered from new in 'First-Barbie' livery.Here 66723 is seen working a movement of three ex-WCML 87's from Long-Marston to Crewe '0M89' for electrical testing prior to export to Bulgaria.Loco's are 87026/87008 and 87007.What a sad situation when this country has no further use for these electric locomotives with at least 20 years life left in them! Formation seen crossing over to the mainline at Honeybourne-Junction.
..22 april 2008..
This I think was the first convoy of refurbished '87-s' from the Europhoenix facility at Long-Marston.They were going to Crewe to complete some electrical testing and certification prior to being exported to Bulgaria,a country with the intelligence to realise that these locomotives were far from life expired with many years of useful life ahead of them. The convoy '0Z90' was being hauled by GBRf's then un-named 66723.The 87's were 87026 (In green) and 87008 and 87007,this pair remaining in the grey colour from their previous owner 'Cotswold-Rail',probably because the paintwork was in such good condition.Naturally all three carrying the logo of the new Bulgarian owners.
..22 april 2008..
GBRf- Barbie styled 66723,yet to receive its 'Chinook' nameplates approaches Norton Junction with '4Z87' a Leeds(Hunslet) to Long Marston stock move comprising of six freightliner coal hoppers.They are going there for refurbishment work to be performed on the bogies.
..22 april 2008..
I went to Elford Loops mainly to photograph this working '4O90' from Doncaster to Grain because it was booked for 56 haulage.However today 66709 'Medite' was on the job.Not impressed at the time but time is a great healer!
..16 october 2008..
GBRf's 66708 hurries down the Frome-Avoider with '5Z99' from Old Oak Common going to Plymouth's Laira with a pair of Mk-2 barriers still in the old 'Fag-Packet' livery.The loco and barriers the next day would work '5Z90' from Laira up to Derby with an HST-coaching set going for refurbishment.
..03 september 2007..
Wearing the now obselecent '1st/GBRf' blue-livery 66727 passes Clink nr Frome with an ECS move '5Z91' of repainted HST coaching stock from Derby going down to Laira at Plymouth.The stock was sandwiched between a pair of 'fag-packet' mk-2 barriers.
..09 august 2007..
66715 'Valour' passes Eastleigh with '4Y19',the empty gypsom containers returning to Southampton-Docks from Mountfield.
..31 july 2007..
66718 'Gwyneth Dunwoody' in the then current Metronet style for GBRf rumbles up through Bruton with '5Z90' the 09:03 from Plymouth-Laira going to Ilford Depot in London with some MML HST stock sandwiched between various FGW carriages acting as barriers.Originally I was going to picture this from the platform end but decided to see what the shot was like on the footbridge.Imagine my surprise when it appeared going a high speed leaving me no chance to return to my original spot..As things turned out it was an OK shot anyway!
..24 july 2007..
The GBRf Celebrity 66705 'Golden Jubilee' famously sporting a Union-Jack on its flanks stands in Petersfield Station straddling the level crossing there.All the track formation in and around that station complex was being renewed.This was of coarse a full engineering Sunday occupation with hi-viz jackets and helmets everywhere,luckily none were visible in this shot!
..23 september 2006..
GBRf's 66707 'Sir Sam Fay' takes the Guildford line at Woking Junction shortly after it had reversed it train of engineering side-tippers in Woking itself which it had just brought up from Eastleigh.Its destination was the Petersfeild area where an engineering occupation was in full swing.