Running about 25 mins down on schedule after a prolonged stop at Westbury where fitters were active in the engine compartment.Reporting as '1Z52' from Paddington to Minehead headed by 'The Western' D1015 seen passing the Willow-Herb Beds at Strapp Lane nr Upton-Noble.As usual for a top working conditions were Es-Aich-One Tee!..11 july 2009..

Hurriedly arranged deputy on '1Z37' turned out to be 40145 allocated from Westbury to Penzance solo.Here seen at Styles-Hill nr Frome handling train single-handed.37401 and shed 66188 both left behind at Westbury!..27 june 2009..

37401 with 66188 DOR handled '1Z37' from Portsmouth to Westbury only.Will also do same leg on the return this evening.Here the Tractor runs past Arn-Hill about 15mins down in dull misty-ish light..27 june 2009..

Although it has been repainted in 'Arriva' colours 57313 still has no branding of any kind.Here the Ex-Virgin Thunderbird (Formerly 'Tracy Island') powers up through Ponthir on '1W91' the 16:17 from Cardiff to Holyhead.This service is sponsored by the Welsh-Assembly as an aid to bringing the North and South of Wales closer together.It certainly works for the photographers present when this working appeared.People from Wales/Bath/Taunton/Frome/Plymouth and Southampton to name just a few! ..02 june 2009..

'0Z47' disappears down Upton-Scud Incline with the returning convoy of preserved diesels that were exhibited at the Eastleigh Works open-day over the previous week-end.47580 draws D7612,D8110 and 33002 heading back to Buckfastleigh via Bristol..27 may 2009..

Running to schedule from Eastleigh back to the SDRly at Buckfastleigh is the convoy comprising 47580 hauling D7612/D8110 and Crompton 33002.Location was Upton-Scudamore, light was rather bad and the drizzle was straight in your face,not really favourable for photography! 800asa setting being the order of the day ..27 may 2009..

The pair of DRS Tractors 37069/37602 growl through Cholsey-Manor-Farm on the return leg of the 'The Wessexman' Railtour to Weymouth from Crewe(1Z45).Despite time being 19:30 when they passed the sunlight was still very good----thank you very much! ..23 may 2009.. Footnote---The last time I saw 37069 hauling a train was at a place called Allen near Montelimar in the South-of-France during March 2000.This loco certainly has had a varied career that is not over yet!.......

Not the shot I had in mind when decision was made to try this location at South-Stoke again.This working '1Z44' from Crewe to Weymouth 'The Wessexman' headed by this pair of DRS Tractors 37602 and 37069 was supposed to be on the 'fast' so this place would have perfect,however sods-law prevailed and naturally it duly appeared on the 'slow'! Well at least the sun was shining! ..23 may 2009..

D1015 with 'JA'73006 in tow heads away from Westbury as it recommences it's journey from Kidderminster (SVR) to Eastleigh for the Open-Day there.Running as '0Z73' now,note the old head-shunt buffer-stop,a reminder of when this Junction used to have a large Steam MPD with an allocation of over 50 loco's.This area was completely devoid af any bushes or hedgerows and view of the line WAS clear completely in both directions as far as the eye could see! Won't be going there again!!!!..22 may 2009..

GAW shot of D7612-20110-33002 hauled by 47580,climbing Upton Scudamore heading for the Works.Loco's came from SDR at Buckfastleigh-Devon.Won't be going to the show,too many pushchairs and punters for me!..21 may 2009..

Looking Superb 47580 in its Large-Logo Livery throttles its way up the bank away from Westbury with its train of locomotives from the SDR in Devon,they were 33002/20110 and D7612.All looking immaculate and being delivered to Eastleigh for the 'BIG DOO' over the weekend..21 may 2009..

'County of Essex'47580 in all it's colourfulness motors up the Upton-Scud Incline shortly after leaving Westbury with three diesels for exhibition at the 'Open-Day' over this weekend at Eastleigh.Train ran as 0o47 from Totnes(SDR).Great to see a really distinctive(80's style) 47 running on the network again..21 may 2009.. Footnote--dragged loco's were 33002-20110 and D7612..

Surprise use has been made of this DRS engine 37607 on a Network-Rail sponsored route-learner from Westbury to Weymouth.Here '0Z37' swings through Clink nr Frome at a fair turn of speed,however all was not well as the trip was curtailed at Castle-Cary and loco was seen again about 30-mins later going back to Westbury,still going like the clappers,reason for abandonment unknown?..20 may 2009..

'1Z37' Pathfinder Tours 'The Cornish Parker' thunders away from Bristol Temple-Meads,this ran from Crewe to Parkandillack in deepest Cornwall.Traction was provided by this pair of Tractors,37401 and 37670,for this loco is was to be a bit of a homecoming,since it was allocated to St-Blazey TMD for many years doing China-Clay work,indeed engine still carries that depot's name! ..16 may 2009..

Rounding the curve after departing from the Ystrad-Mynach stop is 37402 in its unique livery with a saturday service train from Rhymney down the valley to Cardiff.Glad the Valley-Experience is all over now as towards the end the locals were getting quite aggressive at the visiting photographers!..24 january 2004..

The 'Retro-Avon Grid' tour starts away from Bristol as it commences the return journey to Huddesfield.'1Z57' with 56311/56312 in charge runs past the now largely empty Barton Hill DBS depot..04 may 2009..

Still tagged onto the rear for return journey from Swindon to Bristol were the 2 56's 56312/56311 ready to take command from Bristol onwards.Here the train '1z57' rolls slowly past the parked GM's on Kingsland Rd Sidings against a backdrop of the city of Bristol..04 may 2009..

Running back to Bristol TM from Bath with '1Z57' is 57311,viewed from the Spine Road overlooking the site of the once expansive 'East'marshalling yards.Note the 'air' bargains on offer,alright if you dont want to have an inflight poo,have no luggage and want to come back 6 weeks later..04 may 2009..

'Parker' 57311 now takes the 'Retro-Avon Grid' Tour on the final leg from Bristol Temple-Meads the last few miles to Bath (Its destination) Train will then continue on to Swindon where Loco's can be reversed so the 2 56's do the final leg from Bristol back to Huddesfield.This location,as train is seen leaving Bristol TM overlooks the Freightliner stabling point know as Kingsland Rd..04 may 2009..

Dropping down the bank from the north on the approach to Bristol TM is seen the 'Retro Grid Tour' from Huddesfield going to Bath.Here 56312/56311 with 57311 on the rear run slowly up to the junction at Dr Day's..04 may 2009..

Tail-End Charlie on the returning Tour from Bath to Skipton was 47851,Pictured here in the Limpley Stoke Valley nr Limpley Stoke!..23 april 2009..

"5Z44" ECS going to Bath from Westbury in readiness for the returning tour back up to Skipton."Advertising Loco" 47826,with 47851 on the rear power through the Limpley-Stoke Valley nr Freshford on a lovely late spring afternoon..23 april 2009..

Performing its job as "Backstop" to 47851 --47826 makes a fine study as it passes under the signal-gantry at Bathampton Loops.Train is the ECS to Westbury after arrival at Bath from Leeds "1Z43"..23 april 2009..

Running as "The Green Express" for the Kirklees Green Party this Merrymaker from Leeds to Bath "1Z43" arrived at its destination bang on time.Here is the ECS from Bath over to Westbury headed by 47851 with "The Hoarding" 47826 on the rear.Superb set of matching maroon coaching stock Location is Bathampton Loops recently cleared by the Network-Rail Lumberjack Squad!..23 april 2009..

Chances of bettering this shot are pretty slim! Lighting was perfect,sky was perfect and even the train appeared right on time! 57314 still with all the "dellner coupling kit" in place motors up through Ponthir with "1W91",the 16:17 service from Cardiff to Holyhead.....nice!..21 april 2009..

Originally started from Holyhead as "1V31" but after failing at Shrewsbury with 57313 the offender became "5V31" ECS non-stop to Cardiff just in time to work the balancing north-bound service.Engine here is 57314 scrambled from Cardiff.Train recorded on the slow? at Duffryn on the 4 track between Newport and Cardiff..21 april 2009..

Cotswold's 47818 staggers on in service still picking up the odd-job here and there.Here you can see"Emily" playing as it runs through Ladydown nr Trowbridge with "5Z50" stock move from Eastleigh to Long-Marston comprising eight Arriva Mk-2's.Weather was rather damp and dull at this time..17 april 2009..

Was going to have a look at this return working anyway despite the prevailing rain etc..However luck was with me for a change and this return charter "The Bristolian" running as "1Z46" duly appeared at about expected time considering it arrived 90 mins late.Run by the "Vintage Trains Company", don't think customers have much to complain about as the substitute-loco "D1755/47773" for the failed Castle 5043 is 45 years old so is vintage as well!...Here the returning working passes the opened out cuttings at Bathampton near the loops there.The rain that had thankfully ceased minutes before added a nice contrast to the countryside so quite a pleasing result..28 march 2009..

Been an amazing week locally,monday was a 56,tuesday was a 37 and now on thursday three 47's! Here is seen an ecs move from Crewe to Eastleigh "5Z72" with 47843 and XP64 47853 on the front and 47769 bringing up the rear,Stock was 2 ex-virgins 1260/6036,a Mk1 buffet 3146 and an anglia dbso 9713.This spectacle is seen climbing Upton-Scudamore incline nr Warminster in nice light (for a change) running about 75mins late..19 march 2009.. footnote---Last time I saw the XP64 locomotive near this location(Warminster) was in 1964,precisely 45 years ago----jeeeeez...

Being greedy,couldn't resist a tele shot of this "lot"as it climbed Upton-Scudamore bank shortly after passing Westbury on its way from Crewe to Eastleigh "5Z72" Loco's were 47843 and 47853 on the front with 47769 dor.First time any of these engines have been out on the mainline this year (I think?) Stock was 2 ex-virgin mk2's 1260/6036,a mk1 buffet 3146 and an ex-anglia dbso 9713.makes a change to a Shed on a stone train!..19 march 2009..

Today was the Day! At last a decent shot of a "Compass" liveried DRS 37.....Here is seen 37423 with 975025(Caroline) in tow on an inspection tour from Reading-West going all the way to Penzance.Running under a perfect sky the working "2Z01" is recorded passing Bunns-Lane,Witham-Friary nr Frome. Superb! Knew the roof of my work-van would come in useful eventually!..17 march 2009..

Cotswold locomotive 47714 liveried in Anglia style was used for a FGW stock move from Landore in South-Wales down to Laira.Working viewed at 40-steps footbridge Taunton..07 october 2006..

Looking none the worse for wear after the incident involving a fallen tree whilst powering the night-sleeper a few weeks ago 57602 is seen dragging 47375 through Frome on "0Z57" from OOC to Plymouth..20 february 2009..Footnote--A few weeks later 47375 was dragged by a 57 again but this time it was going for scrap! Advenza-Freight are so strapped for cash it was "Weighed In" for a sake of a "Triple-pump" repair!

With the imminent demise of the last of the UK built locomotive fleets (class 60) thought a reminder of the other "modern" uk class that has met an early end on the english freight scene would not go amiss.Here is seen Class 58's 58031/58020 being dragged by 66016 from Eastleigh to Newport for export to Spain for use with the "GIF" company on infrastructure work there.Shot taken at Westbury.Most of this class in the UK is still intact but the future looks pretty grim for these.RIP UK built Locomotives. ..19 may 2004..

After the problems encountered by 57602 with last nights Sleeper which resulted in stock not making it to Cornwall a replacement train was sent down to Penzance from OOC via the B&H.Here we see 57605 on the ECS "5A40" blasting through Berkeley nr Frome at full speed in very dire conditions as light is failing by the second(Time was 16:30!).Not a very clever shot (1600asa) but worthy of inclusion because of the rarity of such workings..04 february 2009..

After the night sleeper failed and was dumped in Westbury.Advenza Freight's 47375 was scrambled from Gloucester to act as a Thunderbird to return train to OOC.Reporting as "5C99" complete with 57602 DOR working is seen passing Westbury Cement-Works. Loco clags up as it gathers speed for the non-stop run to London..04 february 2009..Footnote----Within 6 weeks this perfectly servicable engine suffered an easily fixable engine-fault and was subsequently sold off for scrap by "Cotswold Fail"====

Passing the failed sleeper with 57602 at the head is the 11:06 Paddington-Plymouth HST drawn by 43152.Location is Westbury Power-Box..04 february 2009..

Parked in the refuge siding adjacent to Westbury Power-Box is 57602 c/w the night sleeper stock after suffering collision nr Savernake last night with a fallen tree.It went back to OOC later in the day..04 february 2009..

Closer look at 57602 off the failed sleeper that terminated at Westbury in the early hours of this morning after hitting a fallen tree nr Savernake .Note dents on front-end and a slightly bent handrail,various bits of greenery up and down the front end.Will live to run another day!..04 february 2009..

DRS ran the first "Boat Train" off the Docks at Southampton today for many years.Returning passengers from the Cunard Liner "Queen Victoria" to Manchester-Piccadilly is seen 47832/47802 in T&T formation on "1Z79" flying down the fast near Cholsey.Reason for head-on shot was,although reported as 40 mins late at Basingstoke arrived here just 10mins or so down....Expecting to see it on the slow-but no---sods law ruled!!!!! Not impressed! Arrived home to find Fotopic was dead so all in all a "pretty duff" day in more way than one..02 january 2009..

Ticking over in readiness for an evening departure down the valley to Cardiff is 37402,sat in the platform at Rhymney..24 january 2004..

I/C liveried 47812 speeds down past Hinksey-Yard nr Oxford with a working heading for Poole in Dorset..04 november 2000..

At this time owned by Pete Waterman 37029 speeds along the "4 track" between Newport and Cardiff with a Crewe-to Cardiff Extra.Viewed at Green Lane..27 may 2000..

47781/47749 viewed from the footbridge near Llanbradach Station..20 may 2000..

Heading an evening commuter service from Cardiff to Rhymney is 37401.Seen at Pontlottyn near the head of the valley.This shot now totally wrecked by spiky fence everywhere and a massive crash barrier,not that it matters now,the loco haulage on this line is long-gone!..30 may 2000..

47749,now a "Colas" engine and still going strong in 2008 arrives at Ystrad-Mynach with a Bargoed-Cardiff shuttle service.47781 was on the rear..27 may 2000..

The 18:22 service from Holyhead to Crewe seen shortly after leaving Holyhead past the road works taking the main road right into the centre of the town which was still under construction.37429 in RR livery with a matching set of coaches.This loco was formally the last 37 to haul a service train on the NW coast.History was not kind to it and loco was finally scrapped at Kingsbury Feb-2008..06 may 2000..

37415 passes Valley on the Isle of Anglesey heading for Holyhead with a train from Crewe..06 may 2000..

Billed as "The Torbay Quarryman" this tour organised by "Chingfinder" runs through Cogload nr Taunton with 31602/31601 in charge.Both machines were owned and operated at this time by Fragonset.Another name now consigned to the waste-bin of railway-history. Cogload itself is now a shadow of its former-self.Entire area between myself and the train is now a spiky-fence compound containing nothing but a few rusty rails and an ever growing crop of weeds and bushes!..14 may 2000..

37415 speeds through Rhosneigr with a Holyhead to Crewe working..06 may 2000..

37415 with the 17:17 Crewe to Holyhead speeds past Gaerwin on the Isle of Anglesey.Here used to be a junction for Amlwch..06 may 2000..

Original XP64 locomotive 47853 was still plying its trade nearly 40 years later on the Virgin xc services.This was the last year for these workings and "Virgin" as a celebration of the type repainted several back to original colour schemes in a farewell gesture...Here we see 47853(D1733) exiting Parsons Tunnel at Dawlish with a Paignton bound holiday train..Summer 2002..

During this period there was a bit of a shortage of 205/207 units for the Salisbury-Basingstoke stopper services so Cromptons with 2 coaches were used as substitutes.Here we see D6532 (33114) having just run round its stock at Salisbury ready for another trip up the mainline towards Basingstoke and beyond..March 1992..

West-Coast liveried 47245 plays back-up to 30777 on the rear of "1Z82" from Waterloo to Gloucester.Location is Denchworth west of Didcot..11 october 2008..

Running from Tame-Bridge Parkway nr Wolverhampton right through to Kingswear is "1Z40" (The Torbay Whistler) hauled by the preserved 40145 wearing the fictitious"Large Logo" livery.Seen swinging through the sweeping curve at Magor in S-Wales on a superbly sunny saturday morning (At Last!)..20 september 2008..

Racing through Frome is seen (just) the "Nenta" tour from Plymouth to Norwich.47826 at the head with 47851 dead on the rear.This loco failed on the way down at Taunton.The mystery is the "Advert" loco 47826 had the advert on the south side but somewhere loco has turned----Where was that?.Reason for shot this side was the advert but it was not there....500th at f4 1600asa----dire-----..23 august 2008..

Longish tele shot of the pair of Cromptons 33207/33025 rolling over the "Holes bay Causeway" on the approach to Poole with the returning "1Z34" Weymouth to Crewe.Nice to see these locos doing a long distance tour,workings by these engines now seem few and far between..23 august 2008..

33207/33025 head the Pathfinder-Tours "1Z34" return Weymouth-Crewe Rail-Tour.Viewed passing over Holes-bay Causeway as it approaches Poole.Luckily the skys remained clear along the coast,inland was a differant story altogether!..23 august 2008..

Rare Rail-Tour Traction presented itself today on "1Z33" Crewe to Weymouth."The Dorset Coast Explorer"running with a very mottled set of coaches and 33207/33025 in the livery of "West Coast Rly" blasts through Strap-lane nr Bruton in very agreeable light (for a change!)..23 august 2008..

A quick grab shot of "The Advert Loco" 47826 on the rear of "1Z25".Loco spends much of its time parked in York promoting the Steam Specials that run from there.Recorded at Strap-Lane nr Bruton..23 august 2008..

47851 flies through "Strap-Lane" with the Nenta-Tour from Norwich to Plymouth.Still retaining the old "2 tone green" livery given to it during the last few months of XC service.Reporting number for this working was "1Z25".Hidden at rear of the train was the mobile hoarding 47826 (Illustrated elsewhere)..23 august 2008..

"West-Coast" 47245 hurries "1Z82" onwards from Westbury(Where the 47 took over from "The Dutchess 6233") down the Frome Avoider heading for it's destination-Exeter-St-Davids.Working originated from London-Victoria..20 july 2008..

Inspection Saloon "TDB975025",also known as Caroline(Formally S60755,a Hastings gauge Buffet-Car) passes Berkley-Marsh nr Frome ably assisted by 37423 running in "Push"mode.Working was "2Z02" from Weymouth heading for Ludgershall via Westbury. The Saloon was rather full,I recon at least 10 people were inside all enjoying the thrash!..05 august 2008..

Full Credit must be given to DRS for the way they run and "turn out" their collection of older English-built locomotives.Most written-off as scrap but proving what "Really useful engines " they actually are......Here we see recently rebuilt 37423 hauling the Inspection Saloon (TDB975025-Caroline) on Upton-Scudamore Incline just south of Westbury with "2Z02" Weymouth to Ludgershall going rather slow due to some "brain" in the Westbury power-box allowing "7O40" up the bank in front of it!..05 august 2008..

After reversing at Westbury "1Q14" proceeds down the Wylye-Valley on its way to Eastleigh.37612/37259 swing through the reverse curves at Sherrington in dire weather conditions..29 july 2008..

Serco time again in our area.Here "1Q14" seen returning from Weymouth,destination Eastleigh.37259 leading until Westbury where 37612 will take over for final leg to Eastleigh.Working viewed on the Frome Avoider in a brief splash of sunlight!..29 july 2008..

After photographing this working at Crofton managed to get ahead of it again as the train went into Woodborough loops and eventually it came past ,still at 25mph..Here we see "4Z08" from the rear showing 31233 in its nice Network-Rail Banana livery with "dbso" 9703 on the front,seen passing the old site of Patney Station..15 july 2008..

"4Z08" Test-Train with ex-Anglia dbso 9703 at the sharp-end and 31233 doing the pushing trundles past Crofton on it's long journey(time-wise) from Didcot to Taunton.Speed was about 25mph!..15 july 2008..

The "Stobart Pullman" on 1Z72 Paddington-Paignton viewed passing the loops at Bathampton nr Bath..47832 with 47712 on the rear..05 july 2008..(Footnote..days later the entire "Stobart" charter operation went into meltdown and this loco has now been stripped of this livery)

47712/47832 runs through Bunns Lane nr Frome with a 05:40 Northampton to Minehead Charter.Reporting No 1Z64.47712 was very very smokey and smelt badly of burnt oil,looks like it is about to blow an exhaust-turbo..21 june 2008..

"Western Centurion" D1026 pauses at Westbury with a working bound for the London direction..August 1974..

Riviera 47843 "Vulcan" seen in command of a Reading-Cardiff extra (1Z31) assoc with rugby at the Millenium Stadium.Here working is viewed passing Badminton with a very mixed rake of multi-coloured stock..24 may 2008..

Railtour 1Z50 "Slough to Llandrindod-Wells" passes The Fisherman's Crossing in the Limpley-Stoke Valley.50031and 50049 doing the honours..24 august 2002..

Large Logo 47847 speeds through Creech-St-Michael nr Taunton with the SO(summer service) Preston-Paignton c /w "West Coast " DVT set,dvt was 82138..24 august 2002..

RES 47761 pilots 47812 away from Taunton with the Preston-Paignton "Summer Saturday Extra".This train always used a "West Coast Set" usually with a DVT in the consist..17 august 2002..

31459 now paired with 31602 restart the Summer Saturday Service from Bristol to Weymouth away from the Frome stop.This station still retains the original Brunellian "All-Over" roofing style.Mainly due to it's Grade 2 listed building status..24 august 2002..

47813 raises a dust-storm as it rushes over newly ballasted track on the Frome Avoiding-Line with a Plymouth-Paddington service..22 august 2002..

Fragonset is now another livery to pass into history,here we see 31459/31190 trundling away from Frome with a Bristol-Weymouth service comprising a nice rake of I/C Coaches..21 august 2002..

47853 was repainted into XP64 livery to mark the ending of Loco-Haulage on Virgin XC services.Here it is seen heading north approaching Taunton Station..17 august 2002..

Appearing out of the rain and gloom are a pair of DRS "Choppers" 20310/20307 blasting up the Upton-Scudamore incline with the Wey-Farer Tour from Crewe to Weymouth (1Z30).Even the rain does not seem to deter the windows-hangers doing the wet-arm salute.57601 was attached to the rear as a train heating unit,do not really see the need as virtually all the windows were open anyway!..19 april 2008..

Was so looking forward to chasing this working all the way to Weymouth.However weather was so dire decided to get just the one local shot.Quite difficult holding an umbrella in one hand and zooming a camera with the other when rain and wind are nearly knocking you over.Pity!....Anyway managed some kind of shot.(640th@6.3-800asa)..Here we see the pair of DRS "Choppers" 20310/20307 blasting up the Upton-Scudamore incline with the Wey-Farer Tour from Crewe to Weymouth (1Z30).Even the rain does not seem to deter the windows-hangers doing the wet-arm salute.57601 was attached to the rear as a train heating unit(Note the "Spitfire Railtours"Headboard practically obscuring the headlight!)..19 april 2008..

Several Virgin Class 47's were repainted in older liveries for the last few months of use on these services.Here we view 47851 as D1648 sitting in Bristol Temple-Meads shortly after arriving from the north(Hst substitution).this service terminated here enabling several bracketed time exposures to get a good picture..08 january 2002..

Porterbrook-Leasing's Class 57 prototype 57601 stands in Bristol Temple-Meads after arriving with an evening commuter service from Paddington..08 january 2002..

Bristol to Weymouth "seaside-service" was in the hands of top&tail 31's during 2002.Here we see 31602/31459 running into Maiden-Newton on the return leg to Bristol..31 August 2002..

Fragonset loco 47703 "Hermes" seen approaching Taunton at Bathpool with a Paddington-Plymouth Express routed via the B&H..01 september 2002..

DRS 37's are still performing on "Serco" duties.37608 leads the "1Q14" Test-Train past Arn-Hill nr Warminster heading for Westbury and it's overnight stop.Unseen on rear of train is 37611.Bit of a miscalculation here! expected entire train to be visable but was not to be!..17 april 2008..

Ex-RES Machine 47773 runs unexpectedly down the slow-line at Goring with an Excursion from Birmingham Moor-st to Portsmouth Harbour.Running as 1Z57 and advertised as the Pompey Vectis Explorer..12 april 2008..

Everything went wrong for this shot.........Lost the sun, then train came on the"slow", then the sun came out at the last moment, had to rush over for a wrong side shot which was better than nothing.Sometimes this pastime drives me nuts !!!!!...Here we view 40145 with the Pathfinder Tour from Birmingham to Lowestoft running as "The East Anglian" 1Z40 passing Goring east of Didcot..12 april 2008..

47816 runs down "Bruton Bank" past the then recently cleared embankments at Wyke-Champflower with a Padd-Plymouth service..06 september 2002..

This was the last official locomotive-hauled service train for Virgin.1M56 from Penzance.Viewed at Bathpool near Taunton 47840 and 47847 power away from the station stop there.Pity the weather was so dire for such an historic working..19 august 2002..

Named "Severn Valley Railway" 47828 runs into Taunton with a lunchtime northbound service.This loco still operating in 2008 under the "Cotswold Rail" banner and is now named "Joe Strummer"..30 march 2002..

47749 throttles through Berkley-Marsh with a fully loaded train of Glastonbury Pop-Festival visitors.All will get out at Castle-Cary for a short bus-ride to the festival site at Pilton..28 june 2002..

Running out of Westbury with another shuttle working to Castle-Cary for Pilton Pop Fans.Once again 47749 does the honours with 47769 on the rear,black headcode box end first on this day..28 june 2002..

47749 with another load of Glastonbury Festival Fans this time viewed on the Frome avoiding line..27 june 2002..

47829 (PC47) Constable-Brush makes an arresting site under a threatening sky as he speeds past a loitering gang of sheep whilst on patrol near a no-go area in the suburbs of Bristol (Yate).Date of the offence was ..25 june 2002..

The rebuilt 47825 now numbered 57601 sweeps over Fairwood Junction near Westbury with the morning express from Exeter to Paddington..28 june 2002..

47749 the former "City of Truro" at this time named "Atlantic College" runs under Styles Hill footbridge on the Frome avoiding line with a Glastonbury Festival extra,loco on rear was 47769.This engine still survives today running as "Demelza" for Colas-rail..28 june 2002..

Running about a hour late for some reason 47811 powers through Great Cheverill with the morning Exeter-Paddington duty..20 april 2002..

"The Purple Ronnie" 57601 prototype runs through Berkley nr Frome with the morning express from the West-Country to Paddington..02 august 2002..

"North Star" 47840 heads north away from Bristol through Yate with a midlands bound Virgin service..28 july 2002..

PC47 aka 47829 eases through Yate with a service to Bristol TM..28 july 2002..

47839 produces the characteristic puff of exhaust as the driver powers up after the curves at Yate north of Bristol with a Northbound Virgin XC service..28 july 2002..

Two-tone green 47851 lifts its train past the Cogload Flyover heading towards Bristol at a place called East Lyng..02 august 2002..

Barely disturbing the local cow population 47813"SS Great Britain" powers round the Frome Avoiding Line with an evening London bound service..01 july 2002..

Heading the return Paignton-Preston service 47840 with DVT 82117 behind cross the nicely filled Harbour at Cockwood nr Dawlish..20 july 2002..

Un-named FGW 47811 cruises over Cockwood Harbour with a London bound service..20 july 2002..

Final built class 37 37308 at this time repainted in BR Blue runs up through Frome with a Railtour from Minehead going to Alton..27 july 2002..

"North Star" 47840 runs down through Wickwar with a service from Edinburgh to the West-Country..21 july 2002..

31452 shunts around Westbury station preparing the stock for Weymouth service..28 may 2004..

Carrying the "Merlin" logo 47830 sweeps around the coast and is about to enter "Horse-Cove " Tunnel near Dawlish with a London bound express..10 july 1999..

Wearing full Virgin colours 47844 runs out of "Horse Cove" Tunnel near Dawlish with a train bound for Paignton..10 july 1999..

Transrail Dutch 37153 nears journey-end with the evening Cardiff-Rhymney commuter service train.Viewed at Pontlottyn with the Rhymney valley in the background,unusually fully lit..26 july 1999..

Great-western "Merlin" 47811 speeds westward with a Plymouth service via the B&H.Seen at Waltham east of Reading..24 july 1999..

Occasionally a no-heat 37 took a turn on the Bristol-weymouth services.Here we see 37678 running up through Wyke-Champflower nr Castle-Cary with the lunchtime return service to Bristol. Note the crude removal of the sector-decal from the bodyside.Looks like it was done with a hammer and chisel!..23 july 1999..

Skirting the Teign Estuary 47816 "Bristol Bath Road" heads for Paignton looking very smart having only just received a repaint..31 july 1999..

Now rebuilt as 57309 "Brains" 47806 is seen running along the Teign estuary with a northbound Virgin service.Some stock at this time was still to be reliveried in the virgin red,same as the loco..31 july 1999..

"County of Suffolk" 47702 hauls the "Summer Saturday Preston to Paignton"service.This one was always a WCML set including a DVT.Today it was 82143.Train viewed at Shaldon-Bridge shortly after passing through Teignmouth Station..31 july 1999..

47845"County of Kent" swings round the bend at Shaldon-Bridge on the River Teign with a northbound Virgin service.This locomotive became the 57/3 prototype 57301 and carries the name "Scott Tracy" to this day..31 july 1999..

"Cotswold Rail-Advenza" 47237 now with appropriate body-side logo and small numbers rounds the curve at Great-Cheverill with a few old liveried "first" mk2 barriers on "5Z70" Laira to OOC.Specially for the nerds, coach numbers were 5737, 9490 and 6721 ..16 february 2008..

Running as 1Z88 a special ran from Victoria to Fareham via Andover and Romsey organised by Eddie Stobart.This is the first run of the newly introduced "Stobart-Pullman" charter-set.Freshly re-liveried and named 47712 (Pride of Carlisle) with 47802 (Pride of Cumbria) on the rear.This very shiny train-set is seen passing Southampton-Maritime FL depot in superb sunny conditions..12 february 2008..