"Tesco Liner" at Newport, 25th January 2018

66431 4V44 10:47 Daventry - Wentloog at Newport

Seen here as repainted at Eastleigh in March 2016. Works number 20078946-001, originally for Victa Westlink, delivered to the UK and leased to DRS in November 2008.

Returning with 4M36 18:58 Wentloog - Daventry. Some of the flats were noted to be the same as those on the earlier run, turned around in the afternoon at Wentloog.

60001 and the "Murco" tanks, Newport, 25th - 26th January 2018

Two views of 60001 on "Murco" workings between Robeston and Westerleigh.

We know these as "Murco" workings, but the refinery facility at Milford Haven was sold to Puma Energy, along with terminals at Bedworth, Theale and Westerleigh, and changed to a storage and distribution status in 2015.

Class leader 60001 was new to traffic in August 1991 and has at times been named Steadfast and The Railway Observer. Refurbished  in its current condition as a "Super 60", returning to traffic on 26th October 2013.

On Friday 26th 60063 was also on Robeston oil workings, working to and from Theale.

 6B47 18:14 Westerleigh - Robeston empty tanks on 25th January.

A closer view - not so easy, some luck required taking pictures of moving trains after dark.

On Friday 26th, leading 6B13 05:00 Robeston - Westerleigh loaded tanks.

EWS 870328 a TEA tanker on the rear of the train. Built in Poland by Wagony Swidnica in 2006.

Class 166 and the Ride Height Modification

Several Class 166's noted operating in the Bristol and Newport area last week, all sporting the "Ride Height Modification" (RHM). This is a key item to allow these trains to operate on the Portsmouth - Cardiff services, replacing the 158/9's. The trains seen here are working Taunton - Cardiff services, the Weymouth duties may be added this week.

There is also an ASDO modification under way, but it's not clear which units have this so far.

As of 16th January, 166202/3/4/5/6/8/10/12/14/16 & 19 have the RHM and are working from Bristol.

I did not look inside, but it seems that seating is still 3 + 2 meantime, with interior refurbishment yet to start.

Class 166 were new from ABB York as "Networker Turbo" units in 1992-93, similar to the preceding Class 165 but with air conditioning and additional toilets.

166202 seen arriving at Newport, 26th January.

RHM triangle for "Ride Height Modification"

The modification is a spacer which sits on top of the air bags in the suspension. This has some similarity in look and colour to an over-sized "Polo Mint", and thus raises the body by about "an inch".

GWR colours on 166216, at Newport on 25th.

166219 departing Newport on 25th.

WNXX forum discussion: 

GWR DMU developments & deployment - Part 10

GWR DMU developments & deployment - Part 11

GWR DMU developments & deployment - Part 12

22nd - 27th January 2018

Monday 22nd January: 66782 departed from the works 0Y63 09:42 Eastleigh - Hoo one two three
Tuesday 23rd January:
Wednesday 24th January:
Thursday 25th January:
Friday 26th January:
Saturday 27th January: 

37884 seems likely to be repaired. Rumours suggest that 47815 may be repaired at Eastleigh. Both locomotives remain in the exchange sidings at Foxton.

37025 may be retired from Colas duties this weekend - being kept in reserve at Barrow Hill, rather than an immediate return to Bo'ness.

DRS January Sale - only three Class 20s (20304, 20308 & 20309), four Mk IIA & IIC barrier coaches, and lots of Mk III coach bogies.

66954, which was in Southampton two weeks ago, has been moved to Immingham for export.

A rather quiet week, but fear not, 47soton has been to where there are Tugs, the Flying Banana, jacked up 166s, Colas 70's on freight, IETs and more ...... so watch this space!

6Z12 Alexandra Dock - Eastleigh, Romsey, 20th January 2018

This had started earlier as a triple header, as seen at Newport. 66011 came off at Westbury,

66168 + 66074
TIPH 78213 - TDA tanker
23.87.4384.032-0 - IPA quad (2+2) 4 wheel single deck car carriers (Cartic)
23.87.4384.034-6

6Z12 12:42 Newport Alexandra Dock Junction - Eastleigh Yard, via Chandler's Ford

Similar previous working on 4th November 2017.

66168 leads the train into Romsey, in very murky conditions, some 10 minutes before nominal sunset.

While 66168 is marked with 'DB', 66074 is still marked 'EWS'.

TIPH 78213, a TDA, is not a regular sight at Romsey, and may be heading for attention at one of the facilities in Eastleigh. Built by Marley Industrie in France in 1991-93, this has been active through South Wales on Westerleigh - Robeston tank traffic: one two three.

Detail of the rear car carrier.

Eastleigh, 20th January 2018

66544 stopped at signal at the Campbell Road bridge with 4B06 11:10 Maritime - East Yard empty flats for weekend storage. In practice this train often runs early.

70017 smokes away from a signal stop with 4O27 05:21 Garston - Maritime.

70008 departs from Eastleigh with 4O90 0527 Leeds - Maritime. This locomotive was in storage for a period in 2017.

Clever or what? Two of these were moving trains. Does anyone have a 4 @ 444 shot at Eastleigh?

Eastleigh Works, 20th January 2018

Newly repainted and renumbered 66782 (formerly 66046) and 66058 awaiting its repaint, both now for GBRf. The rear view mirrors have been removed from 66782, although the knuckle buckeye auto coupler is retained.

57307 LADY PENELOPE has now emerged from the works, but rather surprisingly has retained its 20 Years of DRS vinyls. Arrived at the works on 12th July 2017, and seen the next day for a comparison.

57003, stored in September 2017 at Eastleigh, having worked through that year until then.

73133 parked between shunt manoeuvres.