BRISTOL The final Torbay Express this year ran on 28th September behind 34067 “Tangmere” leaving Bristol as usual at 09.18. 47828 was stabled in the loco spur at the North end of platform 5 all day on 8th October and was also there on 13th. On 4th October 67001/02 worked a 07.52 railtour from Stevenage. On arrival 66173 replaced them for a trip round the Avonmouth loop via Filton, Henbury, Avonmouth, and Clifton Down. 67001/02 were then attached to the rear for a top and tailed trip to Portbury where the coal terminal lines were visited, but a car train in the general cargo terminal prevented this being visited. The newly refurbished HST set with power cars 43321/301 entered revenue earning service on 29th September working 09.00 Glasgow to Plymouth, returning north on 30th with the 06.40 Plymouth to Aberdeen. It repeated the diagram on the next two days, but was then taken out of service and returned to Wabtec at Doncaster. It was noted back in traffic on 16th October with the 06.40 from Plymouth with power cars 43321/357. On 27th October the 18.30 Paddington to Weston-Super-Mare was diverted from Swindon via Bristol Parkway following the failure of a Sprinter at Chippenham. Passengers for Chippenham were taken forward by road and Bath passengers continued to Temple Meads where they transferred to the 20.30 Bristol to Paddington HST. The Newport ADJ to Bristol steel train has been noted with 60014 on 22nd October and 66070/105/185.

BARTON HILL/KINGSLAND ROAD 67002/08 were noted at Barton Hill with the RHTT train on 13th October and have been working overnight, departing from Barton Hill 19.51 and visiting Taunton, Salisbury, Yeovil, Westbury, Bath, and then, at about 08.00 to Clifton Down, Avonmouth, Hallen Marsh Junction, Filton and on some days continuing to Weston Milton (reverse) before returning to Barton Hill. On Saturday 18th the train worked up to Parkway, arriving at 10.34 and returning towards Temple Meads at 10.40.

BRISTOL PARKWAY On 8th October Colas 47727 arrived in the down Yard at 16.56 with 4 Freightliner coal wagons and on 9th 66555 arrived in the up loop at 10.32 with cement wagons from South Wales and shunted to the down yard at 11.15. On 10th 59201 worked up Hanson’s to Westbury at 14.17 and 59203 worked down Hanson’s to Machen at 15.23. On 11th 66522/552 were in the down yard with coal trains and departed LE to Kingsland Road at 08.32, and 60063 worked a down Departmental at 15.26. On 17th 153356 in London Midland livery worked up ECS from Eastleigh Works at 13.20. On 18th 66951 and 66558 arrived with down coal trains and departed LE to Kingsland Road at 11.37, and 60100 worked Hanson stone from Machen to Westbury (via Reading due to Engineering work at Bath) at 15.22. On 25th 59203 worked Hanson stone empties Westbury to Machen, and 59206 worked a loaded train from Machen at 15.46. On 23rd 67005/06 worked the Royal Train up at 11.15 and 47739 worked up ECS from Exeter to Crewe at 14.15. The Bridgwater to Sellafield Nuclear Flask train has been noted with 20313/315 on 8th October, 20310/306 on15th at 12.35, and 20306/310 on 22nd. The Wentloog to Millbrook Freightliner was worked by 66532/536/538/541/542/567/587/592/593. Down oil trains have produced 60002/48/62/76.

WESTERLEIGH Noted on oil trains have been 60002/05/17/24/47/48/52/62/63/65/93.

FILTON On 4th October 60048 worked empty Hanson’s to Machen up at 07.53 and 60009 worked the return loaded train down at 15.25. On 9th 59203 worked Hanson stone from Machen to Westbury down at 13.46 and on 10th 66019/33/138 worked down with the Newport ADJ to Westbury Engineers train at 15.55. On 11th 59203 worked empty Hanson’s to Machen at 07.55, returning with the loaded train to Westbury at 15.50. On 16th 59005 worked a similar train down at 14.20 and on 23rd 60087 stone down at 13.20. On 18th 50044/49 with 57601 at the rear worked a charter from Manchester Piccadilly to Minehead down at 10.00 with the Cargo-D Rail-blue stock.

50049+50044 stand at Minehead on 18 October awaiting departure of the return charter to Manchester

PORTBURY BRANCH Coal trains have produced 66005/048/060/074/119/120/128/167/174/187 and 66522/546/548/552/558/583/596. The Washwood Heath car train has been noted with 66083/100.

HALLEN MARSH JUNCTION There has been just one Fastline coal working each week, leaving Bennett’s siding at about 11.30 on Saturday and it has been worked by 66304 on 4th, 11th, 25th, October and 66303 on 18th. EWS coal trains produced 66005/043/048/060/078/101/120/128/133/138/152/156/167/ 173/174/179/185/187/196/201. The Washwood Heath car train has been noted with 66100/118/153.

BATH On 28th September engineering work between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester and through the Severn Tunnel resulted in a limited cross-country service running from Bristol via Bath, Swindon (reverse), Kemble and Cheltenham. On 9th October what is believed to have been the final working of the Bath portion of the Avon Binliner was worked by 66513. The train continues to run, but now serves only the City of Bristol and 66513 was noted again on this train on 15th October. Engineering work closed Bath Station Sunday 12th October, and Saturdays and Sundays 18/19th and 25/26th. Coach transport was provided from the nearby bus station, but the only transport from the station was a shuttle bus for disabled passengers to the bus station. Meanwhile all trains were diverted via Bristol Parkway. On 19th October the up loop at Bathampton was renewed during the blockade. 66180 was at the Bath end with a ballast train, and 66013 with an engineers train stood on the down main line on the Chippenham side of the Junction.

Work was underway on 19 October to relay the Bathampton Up Loop. 66180 is at the head of the ballast train past the signal gantry

01/11/08