Sunday 29 September 2013

31452 + 31190 with returning Railvac at Totton, 29th September 2013

On a rarer daytime working 31452 leads the Railvac, some spoil wagons and 31190 from Ascot (6Z31 depart 07:50) back into Totton , with a reverse into the yard. A "Cosham Plant" excavator waits there to unload the spoil, while the drivers depart in their cars.

More pictures on SkyDrive.
31452 arrives at Totton a few minutes late.
31190 leads the formation back into the yard.
Railvac RA7 9970 9515 001-4
31452 at the rear upon entry to the yard. The excavator is awaiting the yard to prepare the train for its next turn to Basingstoke, which left at 13:53, 45 minutes late.

Further coverage of the shunt after 13:00 by Simon Howard.

Saturday 28 September 2013

A scout around Totton Yard, 28th September 2013

Totton Yard is the current operational base for the Railvac, although the Network Rail sign at the gate still says Corrall's Coal Yard. There are also some stored Mark 1 & 2 coaches.

General view of Totton Yard which has seen something of a clear-out before use for Civil Engineering duties. The DBS owned coaches are FO 3255 (nearest), RB 1658, TSO 5386, TSO 5331, RB 1696 & FO 3368. Of these four may be sold, and two may be for repair (the RB's?). The coaches were in store from 2009 at Fawley, but it is understood that they were moved here on 12th July since there is road access.
Mk 2E FO 3255 (BR Derby, December 1972). From 1992 to 1999 this was Micro Buffet 3525.
Mk 1 RB 1658 (Pressed Steel, Linwood 1960).
Mk 2 TSO 5386 (BR Derby, August 1968), came out of normal main line usage in January 2002.
31452 awaiting its next nocturnal duties. New from Brush as D5809 in July 1961, later 31279 and converted to 31452 in October 1984. To Fragonset ownership, now with Devon & Cornwall Railways.
31452 with wagons, the Railvac and 31190 beyond.
Google Maps shows the layout of these sidings.
31190 (D5613 Brush, May 1960) is partially hidden by some spoil.

Cotswold - Purbeck Express, 28th September 2013

Promoted by The Cotswold Line Promotion Group. Several "firsts" may have happened. First FGW HST on main line from Basingstoke?  First HST to Bournemouth since 2002 (except the NMT)? First HST onto the Swanage Railway.
 43028 leads the train through Redbridge.
 43028 was completed at Crewe in August 1976.
43078 on the rear was completed in January 1978.

23rd - 29th September 2013

 31452 + 31190 work two wagons from Totton - Eastleigh, passing St Denys, 26th September. Image by Ian Knight.
Some time later, the two locomotives return. Image by Ian Knight.
66127 + 60024 approach Redbridge with 6O41 on 23rd September. Image by Ian Knight.

Monday 23rd September: 60065 6B41 06:56 Eastleigh - Fawley, 6Y32 08:24 Fawley - Honeybourne one two, 6Y34 20:03 Honeybourne - Eastleigh, 66127 + 60024 DIT 6O41 10:14 Westbury - Eastleigh, 47727 0Z47 16:49 Eastleigh - Washwood Heath, 31452 0Z31 21:31 Eastleigh - Totton, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 23:20 Totton - Winchfield,
Tuesday 24th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 05:31 Winchfield - Totton, 6Z32 23:20 Totton - Winchfield, 60024 6O15 (17:30 Mon Mossend) 06:54 Didcot - Eastleigh, 66040 + 60024 DIT 6V38 (Marchwood) Eastleigh - Didcot
Wednesday 25th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 05:31 Winchfield - Totton, 6Z32 21:10 Totton - Farnborough, 73109 + 73136 1Q66 05:58 Woking - Southampton DGL - Southampton - Southampton UGL - Shalford one two
Thursday 26th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 04:40 Pirbright Jct - Totton, 6Z33 10:40 Totton - Eastleigh one two three four five, 0Z33 12:25 Eastleigh - Totton one two three four five, 6Z32 23:20 Totton - Farnborough, 47818 5Z47 08:29 Crewe - Eastleigh one two
Friday 27th September: 47818 5Z47 04:25 Eastleigh - Salisbury (for "Autumn Highlander"), 31190 + 31452 6Z31 04:40 Pirbright Jct - Totton, 60024 6O15 (17:30 Mon Mossend) 06:54 Didcot - Eastleigh, 6B45 09:14 Eastleigh - Marchwood, 6V38 11:00 Marchwood- Eastleigh, 66158 + 60024 6V27 13:29 Eastleigh - Hinksey
Saturday 28th September: 43028 + 43078 1Z12 07:32 Worcester - Corfe Castle (for Swanage) one two, 1Z13 16:10 (Swanage to) Corfe Castle - Worcester - Mk III coaches not granted clearance permission to go through to Swanage, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 22:50 Totton - Ascot
Sunday 29th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 07:50 Ascot - Totton, 6Z32 13:02 13:09 Totton - Fareham - Havant - Basingstoke, 6Z31 22:30 Basingstoke -Havant - Fareham - Totton

Eastleigh Works Blog : 25Sep (a) 25Sep (b) Photos: 02Sep 03Sep 05Sep 06Sep 07Sep ICRS

Siemens - SWT Northam Open Day 12th October also Facebook

70018 was removed north DIT behind 66538 on 4M28 09:32 Maritime - Ditton on 26th, it was then moved on to Crewe Basford Hall and Leeds Midland Road. 53% of the class was out of service on Friday.

70017 continues to only work on Southampton - Wentloog turns.

New Worting Junction area blog

Saturday 21 September 2013

NENTA to Weymouth, 21st September 2013

NENTA 1Z70 05:34 Norwich - Weymouth, return as 1Z71 17:36 Weymouth - Norwich

47786 Roy Castle OBE  passes through Millbrook.
47786 working hard away from the stop at Southampton.
47245 is on the rear, and worked the return working.

Class 70's at Southampton, 21st September 2013

Four of the nineteen Class 70's were in Southampton this morning.
70009 takes empty flats as 4M55 to Lawley Street.
70017 at Maritime. Since return to service earlier this month, the locomotive has been restricted to Wentloog turns.
70018 only worked as far as Shawford before failing on Tuesday 17th, having been returned from repairs at Eastleigh on 13th. Parked here meantime.
70020 has been working intermodals, and he seen here in maintenance at Maritime. 66504 on the left.

16th - 21st September 2013

Romanian built 56312 Jeremiah Dixon (formerly 56003), completed in 1976, passes St Denys with 6Z56 Long Marston - Totton. Image by Ian Knight.
31190 at Eastleuigh, 16th September. Image by Ian Knight.
31452 attached to the Railvac at Eastleigh, 16th September. Image by Ian Knight.
60024 + 60049 6V41 at Redbridge, 17th September. Image by Ian Knight.
60024 with 6V41 at Millbrook, 16th September. Image by Ian Knight.

Monday 16th September: 57305 0Z57 09:40 Doncaster - Eastleigh one two three four, 66147 + 47812 T+T 5Z47 10:53 Bristol Barton Hill - Romsey - Eastleigh one two three, 60024 6O15 04:59 Didcot - Eastleigh, 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury one two three four, 56087 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh one two three four five six seven, 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury, 67028 5O61 21:34 Wembley - Eastleigh, 31105 3Q01 23:18 Hither Green - Bournemouth - Eastleigh, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 21:21 Eastleigh - Upton Lovell
Tuesday 17th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 04:15 Upton Lovell - Eastleigh, 6Z32 21:21 Eastleigh - Upton Lovell, 60049 6O15 (13:30 Mon Mosssend -) 04:59 Didcot - Eastleigh, 6B45 09:14 Eastleigh - Marchwood, 6B38 11:00 Marchwood - Eastleigh 60024 10:14 6O41 Westbury - Eastleigh, 60024 + 60049 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury, 57301 0Z57 15:06 Eastleigh - Westbury, 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh one two, 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury, 31105 3Q02 20:49 Eastleigh - Weymouth - Hither Green
Wednesday 18th September: 31190 + 31452 6Z31 04:15 Warminster - Eastleigh, 6Z32 22:35 Eastleigh - Tisbury Loop, 60024 6O39 10:14 Westbury - Chandlers Ford - Eastleigh, 7V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury, 57312 0Z47 15:06 Eastleigh - Westbury, 0Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh
Thursday 19th September: 31105 3Q08 03:39 Basingstoke - Eastleigh, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 04:20 Tisbury Loop - Eastleigh, 6Z32 22:35 Eastleigh - Tisbury Loop one two, 60024 7O35 06:35 Westbury - Fareham, 7V16 12:47 Fareham - Westbury47749 0Z47 15:06 Eastleigh - Redbridge - Westbury one two, 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh, 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury, 43014 + 43062 NMT 1X23 13:44 Salisbury - Southampton (reverse) - Salisbury, 60045 7O44 21:12 Westbury - Eastleigh, 31105 3Q15 22:31 Eastleigh - Brighton - Eastbourne - Brighton - Bognor Regis - Barnham - Eastleigh
Friday 20th September: 60045 7V98 03:28 Eastleigh - Westbury, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 04:20 Tisbury Loop - Chandlers Ford - Totton - Eastleigh, 56312 6Z56 12:50 Long Marston - Totton one two three four five six seven eight nine, 0Z57 19:36 Totton - Westbury, 31105 3Q06 22:02 Eastleigh - Exeter - Eastleigh (?)
Saturday 21st September: 31105 3Q02 10:50 Eastleigh - Derby, 47786 + 47245 1Z70 05:34 Norwich - Weymouth one two , 1Z71 17:36 Weymouth - Norwich, 47727 4Z47 08:01 Wimbledon Park - Eastleigh, 31190 + 31452 6Z31 20:30 Eastleigh - Totton - Netley - Boxhill

Eastleigh Works Blog 20th September

70018 was allocated to an intermodal for the first time in three months on Tuesday, 4M61 12:54 Maritime - Trafford Park, but failed at Shawford and rescued by 66564 working forward. 66564 + 70018 DIT 4O11 00:23 Basford Hall - Maritime on Wednesday, and not used again since.

Radio Solent interview on Real Time Trains

Thursday 19 September 2013

6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh, 16th - 19th September 2013

Images by Ian Knight.
 47749 Test Lane 19th September
 56087 Redbridge 16th September
57301 Redbridge 17th September

Saturday 14 September 2013

A ride on the Welsh Highland Railway, 1st September 2013

From the camera of Ian Knight:

Merrdin Emrys (Boston Lodge, 1879), coming off the Cob from Boston Lodge into Porthmadog

Welsh Pony (George England, 1867) on display at Porthmadog - a locomotive which worked the Welsh Highland

NGG16 143 (Beyer Peacock, 1958) arriving at Porthmadog from Caernarfon

NGG16 138 (Beyer Peacock, 1958) running around at Caernarfon

143 at Rhyd Ddu

Earl of Merioneth II (Boston Lodge, 1979) arriving at Porthmadog at the end of the day


Who remembers this? I have some photographs, but it was a rainy day.

9th - 14th September 2013

158884 on 2R58 15:56 Salisbury - Southampton - Romsey, approaching Romsey.
Detail of the ground frame at Romsey. I have seen a wagon / van set out here many years ago, but now appears disused.

Sunday 8th September: 59002 + 59004 0Z40 18:35 Eastleigh - Merehead (locomotives de-branded)
Monday 9th September: 47749 0Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh, 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury
Tuesday 10th September: 47749 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh, failed at Warminster, recovered to Westbury by 66142, 47749 6Z30 20:16 Westbury - Eastleigh, 0Z47 22:38 Eastleigh - Westbury
Wednesday 11th September: 31190 0Z31 11:00 Washwood Heath - Eastleigh47749 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh one two three, 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury
Thursday 12th September: 31190 6Z31 10:13 Eastleigh - Chaddesden one two, 67028 5O61 09:53 Wembley - Eastleigh, 47749 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh
Friday 13th September: 31105 3Z22 04:56 Victoria - Eastleigh, 22:03 Eastleigh - Redbridge - Bath - Redbridge - Portsmouth - Eastleigh, 57305 4Z47 10:13 Eastleigh - Doncaster, 56087 + 66596 DIT 6Z30 17:18 Westbury - Eastleigh, 56087 6Z31 20:12 Eastleigh - Westbury, 31190 + 31452 6Z32 16:30 Long Marston - Eastleigh,
Saturday 14th September: 31105 3Q02 06:17 Eastleigh - Hither Green

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Appleby East & West, 31st August 2013

 
Appleby East station building is maintained and in use as part of scrap yard complex, which rather litters the platform, running line and yard. No train has passed this way since the late 1980s, but the Eden Valley Railway has hopes of eventually running to here.
 Appleby North signalbox of 1951. The FoSCL believe that the boxes will stop being used around 2020.
Appleby West station on the Settle & Carlisle Railway. The bridge was moved from Mansfield in 1901.
4979 Wootton Hall at the Appleby Heritage Centre, with the water tower and tank on the Settle & Carlisle line.
158817 draws into Appleby with a Leeds - Carlisle working.

Appleby East (Eden Valley Railway) one two
Appleby West (Settle & Carlisle) one

Saturday 7 September 2013

2nd - 7th September 2013

 D1015 Western Champion on its first full main line tour since repairs, passing Redbridge, 7th September.
A further angle on Western Champion.
70019 at Maritime, having returned from Wentloog.

Monday 2nd September: 47749 6Z30 16:53 Westbury - Eastleigh one two three four, 0Z31 20:12 Westbury - Eastleigh
Tuesday 3rd September: 60045 + 67028 DIT 6O15 08:27 Didcot - Eastleigh one two , 60045 6B43 09:39 Eastleigh - Western Docks, 6B44 12:07 Western Docks - Eastleigh one two three, 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury, 70017 Eastleigh Works - Maritime, 47749 6Z30 16:53 Westbury - Eastleigh one two, 6Z31 20:12 Westbury - Eastleigh
Wednesday 4th September: 70013 + 47245 1Z67 08:44 Victoria - Weymouth one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven, 1Z69 16:35 Weymouth - Southampton - Laverstock - Waterloo one two three , 60045 6O41 10:14 Westbury - Eastleigh one two three four five, 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury one two
Thursday 5th September: 57007 + 47790 + 47853 5Z71 09:51 Willesden Brent - Eastleigh one two three four five, 57002 5Z70 14:20 Eastleigh - Crewe one two three, 60049 + 60045 6O41 10:14 Westbury - Eastleigh one two three four five six, 66204 + 66005 + 60045 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury
Friday 6th September: 60045 6O41 10:14 Westbury - Eastleigh, 6V41 14:45 Eastleigh - Westbury, 67020 1Y91 11:42 Victoria - Hove, 47749 0Z47 11:34 Eastleigh - Westbury, 47749 + 66850 0Z66 13:34 Eastleigh - Westbury
Saturday 7th September: D1015 1Z53 15:36 Weymouth - Leicester one two three four

70001 returned to service on 2nd September, 70017 on the 6th September.

Freight trains in Fife - rare things these days

The only regular freight train on the main line through Fife is 6B32 15:52 Aberdeen Craiginches to LaFarge Oxwellmains (near Dunbar) cement empties. The northbound working operates via Stirling and Perth, thus avoiding the Forth and Tay Bridges, but the empties are permitted to cross them.
66622 runs though Aberdour, 20th August.

Running less frequently, and usually now a Colas 66 turn, is the Linkswood tanks, to supply aviation fuel to RAF Leuchars, scheduled for closure in 2014 as a fighter base. The outbound working is from Grangemouth, via Stirling, Perth & Dundee (run around) to Linkswood. Return is via Ladybank, Thornton, Dunfermline, Alloa & Stirling to Grangemouth. The surprise on 23rd August was that 56105 was on the turn - and this has repeated several times in the past two weeks.
At this point the train was slowing and stopped at Charlestown Jct, where events took a strange twist. The now little used points for the line to Longannet had a problem, and a decision was made to send the train once around the Fife Circle before a successful second attempt about an hour later. 
Running through Dunfermline Town.
66617 is in charge of 6B32 on 27th August, with additional ferryvans.