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Review of 2022
Not a good year personally.Medical problems left me without personal transport hence s somewhat reduced output and work produced was of a far more local nature.Things should improve in 2023!
Today's '6C31' the 10:09 from Theale to Whatley Quarry was hauled by regeared HH-GM 66602 is seen passing B&H Lock number-56 in cold crisp frosty conditions.
..9 december 2022..
Wearing the earlier slightly paler incarnation of the G& W-Orange livery 66415 'You are Never Alone' draws '6M20' the 10:38 from Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings up through Berkley Marsh on a nice bright Winters morning.
..23 november 2022..
Deltic 55009 'Alycidon' sits in Kidderminster awaiting its 10:10 departure for Bridgnorth during the 2022 Autumn Diesel Gala.It sounded simply amazing running on both engines.Don't be fooled by the seemingly superb sky as within 60 minutes it had pretty much gone for the rest of the day!
..2 october 2022..
Colas's Tractor 37175 is seen with a NR-Test Train today running as '3Q37' the 10:09 from Westbury to Derby R.T.C cia White Crossing at Merehead.I think the reason for this run is to check the track nr Quarry Junction on the Merehead Branch after repairs that were needed as a pair of Class-59's and a few wagons became derailed there a week or so ago.Pictured nr Styles Hill on the Frome Avoiding Line.This is quite unusual to see a Test-Train here as the regular booked runs always go via the Station loop and not the Avoider. --Note the ex-Great Western Motorail NVA Van 96604 directly behind the 37. That passed here many times as LCHS came this way when 'Great Western' used Class-47's!
..11 september 2022..
This is Arriva-XC's flagship HST-Power Car 43184 (43384) which is now the star of the XC-Fleet. Here it is working '1E67' the 16:27 from Plymouth going to Leeds.Seen shortly after passing Yate in the northern suburbs of Bristol.
..6 august 2022..
69001 'Mayflower' is the first Class-56 to get a full makeover in GBRf's program to acquire reliable locomotives.The only parts used from the originals are the bare body shell and the bogies.Everything else inside is brand new....Ironically this Class 69 prototype was also (when built at Crewe in 1976) the prototype for the UK built 56's as 56031 which was eventually named 'Merehead'. So here it is passing Mount Pleasant in Southampton with '4Y19' the 12:30 from Mountfield going to Western Docks to collect a load of gypsum. Got to be better looking than a US-GM?
..11 july 2022..
In all the decades GM's have been handling the Mendip Stone traffic this is the first time I have ever seen a quadruple header with a full load in tow. 'Hanson in the Sun' 59101 leads with 59203/66416 & 59204 heading '7C77' the 12:19 from Wembley Reception Siding 1-7 going down to Merehead. Rare indeed,no doubt the rail-strike tomorrow was some thing to do with it?
..20 june 2022..
This is the relatively new Weedkiller Train currently being operated bt GBRf for Network Rail.Running as '6Z99' it is making its way up to Westbury from Eastleigh East Yard (departed at 14:29) as a VSTP.Lead loco is 66719 'Metroland' with 66751 'Inspiration Delivered-Hitachi rail Europe' on the rear.Seen at Mount Pleasant Road in Southampton.
..24 may 2022..
The final working of a 4 train 'Gala' in just 15 minutes due to the failed freight that was cleared barely 25 minutes ago was '6C76' the delayed 14:39 from Acton-TC to Whatley Quarry.G&W 'Tango' 59206 was doing the duty.Here seen at Pot Lane Overbridge at Berkley in the nice low evening lighting.
..21 april 2022..
DCR today started a new flow from Newton Abbot (Hackney Yard) to Willesden carrying aggregates.Here is 60055 'Thomas Barnardo' on the initial '6Z53' 11:18 from Oxford Banbury Road going to Newton Abbot to be loaded up.The train is shown departing Westbury at Fairwood in a lucky pool of good lighting on a day that was rapidly clouding over.
..17 march 2022..
DB-Red pairing 66130/66136 are seen approaching Bath Spa with '6Z86' the 07:31 from Didcot to Tytherington Quarry empties.Viewed from the dizzy heights of Alexandra Park which overlooks the City here.
..8 february 3033..
Here is '6C22' the 13:27 from Westbury Down-TC going to a worksite at Penarth Curve South Junction.Colas 56078 leads this loaded ballast working with 66846 on the rear as is passes Freshford in the Limpley Stoke Valley nicely coinciding with a brief patch of brightish sunlight.