Due to massive Budget economies DBS have had to resort to the use of primative DVT's instead of Locomotives,staff understandably not happy particularly when it is raining!(Windows have been ruled out purely on cost grounds). Also TDM was far too expensive so "good quality" 2-way radio's from Currys are now the order of the day.This was one of the trials in Westbury-Yard.Understand tests on the B@H are to be undertaken after Union Consultation!.This being the prototype "05" will shortly be named "Tiphook Pioneer"..30 april 2009..

Standing next to 56311 is "Colas" track Mtce Machines "DR76601 Olwen/DR92377/KFA 93446" Scene is Westerleigh Yard North Bristol. Grid is there to take the Track M/C's off to their next destination in the next few days..14 march 2009..

Formerly preserved 56057 "British Fuels" now runs around with the identity of 56311 for Colas-Rail. Here it is seen standing parked up for the weekend at Westerleigh in the sidings of the Engineers depot there.A fine looking machine,had to hide in the rampant budlia bushes here for a good 1/2 hour before the sun briefly came out to get this shot.........Well worth the Wait! ..14 march 2009..

An early victim of the EWS-Cull of UK traction with introduction of the class-66's was 58002.Taken out of service as long ago as october 2000.Technically only stored but loco is now basically "Trashed".Everything is a mess,probably the worst condition"58"around.Thought EWS put up spiky fence's to keep vandals OUT not IN! Loco viewed in the storage lines at rear of Eastleigh MPD along with 37 other loco's..17 january 2009..

Now lying abandoned amongst the lines of dead 58's,37's and 56's.37422 the last 37 to receive a half decent overhaul, at Cardiff-Canton (Hence the name) back in January 2003.Probably never to work again as power-unit failure was cause of its withdrawal.Viewed at Eastleigh MPD ..17 january 2009..

A rather sad picture this.Frome Clink-Junction Signal-Box in the days after the resignalling of the Frome area over the 6-7 October weekend 1984.By the morning of the 7th all windows were stripped out and levers etc had been removed.Within days as can be seen shell was demolished and burned.All that is left these days 24 years later is the scar where the base once stood..08 october 1984..

Prototypes always seem to end up at Westbury hauling stone trains!.Here we see two,one 59001 still going strong in 2008 nearly 20 years later.The other one however had only a few months useful life remaining.47901 looking quite smart after a repaint and intermediate overhaul was soon to be culled in the interests of standardisation.Pair seen outside the Rail-Freight Office at Westbury Station..Autumn 1989..

This is the remains of 47202 after the head-on collision it had with 33032.Driver survived but never drove again,loco did not and was consigned for withdrawal straight away.Went to Bristol-Bath-Road for storage and parts donation.Eventually cut up in september 1991,4 years later..24 march 1987..

"Peak" 45141 at rest under the classic roof of St-Pancras when it was just another "run-down" London Terminus.Times however have now changed and this location is now the most modern train station in the country.Interesting to note where locomotive is parked in this shot is now just "fresh air" as floor of the station now gone to reveal a massive Shopping-Mall below!..November 1987..

"Peak" Ixion 97403 stands on show at Basingstoke Open-Day..27 september 1987..

Here is the Revised/revised Aggregate-Industries Livery on 59001.Original light-blue lower band now replaced with a greenish look.Loco seen in company with 59005 returning from Eastleigh where the repaint was done. 2 down--------2 to go!..18 august 2008..

One of the "Colas 2" 47727 ambles through Berkley nr Frome with 0Z47 Tavistock-Junc (Plymouth) to Eastleigh LE Move via Westbury..30 july 2008..

The "Ghost" of Barton-Hill 37377 along with 37077 still sit parked in the Depot here.Now effectively abandoned,was virtually returned to working order for a french-contract when 37's were dropped in favour of 56's and 58's..26 july 2008..Footnote--On the ..22 august 2008.. these two engines were transfered by rail to Eastleigh-Depot...Spares or Repair?

Parked around the back of Bristol SFM Depot was lone Power-Car 43037,able to photograph this here through the "Spiky Fence" that surrounds this place!..26 july 2008..

An interesting comparison between class 59/2 and 66. Body shell is almost identical but many other things such as bogies,fuel-tanks and exhaust are quite different.59205 and 66094 at Frome..01 july 2008..

Now in the National Collection D1023 "Western Fusilier" reposes on Westbury Depot on its day off(Well it was a sunday),taking a break from its toils on stone traffic..Summer 1976..

D1005 "Western Venturer" stands at rest at the back of Westbury Diesel Depot by the fueling point..August 1974..

The view from the road bridge at Westbury looking towards the Diesel Depot on a sunday afternoon.Not much activity as no stone trains ran on sundays.Note majority of loco's on shed were "Westerns".All there is to be seen in that area now is rubble.Depot Buildings were demolished shortly after the class 59's took over on the mineral trains..August 1974..

Swindon built D1005 "Western Venturer" rolls slowly back onto a failed Class50,acting as a rescue loco.Noticed the "50" headed train stationary on the Frome avoider near Styles-Hill nowhere near a signal so waited to see developments.this loco appeared wrong-line,coupled up and was away quite quickly.These days with FGW train would be there for hours!..Spring 1976..

One of the "Top" preserved Diesel in the 21st century is D1015 "Western Champion",always immaculate and looking like new! However things were not so shiny in 1976.Here she is at Westbury Depot.As you can see one of the drivers was giving 2 small boys a ride up and down the yard!,things were quite slow on sundays,think they did it just to relieve the boredom.No problems visiting the shed then,...the good old days! ..Summer 1976..

D1053 "Western Patriarch" viewed across the rubble at Westbury Diesel Depot on a quiet sunday afternoon when there was no booked stone train workings..Summer 1976..

Westbury Depot was one of the last places see Western Class Loco's.Final workings were on the Mendip Stone trains.Here we see D1053 "Western Patriach"off duty on the Shed at Westbury..Summer 1976..

Whilst waiting at the Bridge near the entrance of Long-Marston for the Bulgarian Class-87 move,noticed this stored loco(86230 I think?) peeking out from behind some ferry-vans.Although about 3/4 of a mile away using a 300mm tele lens on an eos digi results in approx 460mm tele! so was able to grab this shot.Not bad for hand held!..22 april 2008..

Long-Marston-Crewe convoy 0M89.66723 hauls 87026/87008/87007 away from Honeybourne shortly after leaving the spur to the LM depot..22 april 2008..

Up-close view of 87026 in full Bulgarian livery.fully repainted and a nice job as well.Seen at Honeybourne on its way to Crewe from Long-Marston..22 april 2008..

Close-up of 87008/87007 as they roll through Honeybourne on their journey from Long-Marston to Crewe for electrical tests prior to export to Bulgaria..22 april 2008..

Tail-end Charlie on 0M89 was 87007.Looks much the same as when it went into Long-Marston as few months ago,still wearing basically "Cotswold"Livery with Bulgarian identification markings.Seen at Honeybourne..22 april 2008..

Captured sitting in the sun at Theale just prior to working "6B33" from here back to Margam in S-Wales was 60007 complete with battle scars and half an ews heads-rampant sticker..12 april 2008..

"Jaguar" 60065 viewed "over the Wall" at Whatley Quarry on the depot just prior to working 6Z20 to St-Pancras..17 march 2008..

87022 seen in the transfer convoy from Willesden to Long-Marston as it slows for a scheduled stop in Swindon..29 january 2008..

Centre Loco in the convoy to Long-Marston from Willesdon was 87002,interestingly still carrying its nameplates.There is a possibility this one may stay behind in the UK after rest are exported.The AC Locomotive Group are potential new owners it is believed.Time will tell.Stationary Loco recorded in Swindon Down Yard(over the fence)..29 january 2008.. ..footnote..On 27th april 2008 AC Loco Group has announced the purchase for preservation of this loco,to be returned to main-line service very soon after receiving an "E exam" at Long-Marston..

87028 brings up the rear of the 0Z48 transfer move from Willesden to Long-Marston..29 january.2008..

A peep inside Toton main Mtce depot.37073 undergoing some serious remedial work.(All the engine covers are removed)..30 august 1998..

47815 forms 0Z90-OOC to Laira ready for another stock move in the morning.Viewed at Berkley Marsh.Lighting was perfect,shame there was no carriages behind the loco..23 august 2007..

Now this locomotive has made it's public debut as 47749"Demelza" feel I can show this shot of it being prepared inside Eastliegh Works.Loco was built in 1965 so is now 42 years old.Was originally named as "City of Truro"..31 july 2007..

Now named "Rebecca" 47727 stands ready rubbed down in preperation for its new livery,old one still recognisable as EWS.Original number was D1629 from 1964.Seen inside Eastliegh Works..31 july 2007..

Eastleigh Yard----- viewed from the Petrol Station across the Mainline can be seen(just, amongst the Buddleia,Willow-herb and weeds) some of the stored(abandoned more like) Class-58 loco's,some of which have recently returned from duty in France.Seen are 58037/33/13 and 002-----Shot taken with a 35mm equivilant lens of 400mm!..31 july 2007..

Class 40 "namer" Samaria 40028 never to run again waits for the scrapmans call at Flag lane sidings,Crewe Works..04 july 1987..

40195 stands in the scrap-line near Eagle-Bridge in Crewe Works waiting for the cutters torch.End finally arrived in December 1988.Also seen is 40091.There was a birds nest in the front sand-box on the bogie of this locomotive!!..04 july 1987..

40091 and 85001 stand abandoned in the scrap-line near Eagle-bridge in Crewe works,85001 was to survive to become part of the national collection in York..04 july 1987..

Class 40 No 40028,D228 in old money"Samaria" stands alongside "Generator 47" 47409 on the scrap-roads at the flag lane end of Crewe Works awaiting its fate..4 july 1987..

A rather sad picture this.86211"City of Milton Keynes" seen lying in the scrap pile at Crewe Works.this Locomotive was involved in the Colwich Junction accident on 19/Sept/1986,when it was in a head-on collision with classmate 86249 "The Times".Both Loco's were write-offs..4 july 1987..

Inside Crewe Works.At this time one of the main activities was converting "Generator" type class 37 locos to "Alternator" and general rebuild to 37/5 etc specification.4 blue examples are seen,probably to emerge in Grey or redstripe,the lefthand one was 37032,On the right 37294(not a refurb) just a general overhaul..04 july 1987..

Brand new Locomotive provisional number 87201 stands inside Crewe Works in nearly completed condition.Loco was subsequently released to traffic numbered as 90001,so the class 90 variant was born..4 july 1987..

47468/56049 stand at Crewe works ex-works..4 july 1987..

Green Celebrity 33008 sits at a signal in the platform at Eastliegh..Sept 1992..

Swindon-built Warship D818 stands next to the turntable at Swindon Works during the 1979 open day.Thought at the time to be safe and bound for preservation.This was not to be and was cut up shortly after the works were told it was to close..19 may 1979..

As we approach the end game for most of the older UK built traction here is a shot to record the undignified end to 37220,devoid of its engine(given up to 37422 though later rejected as clapped out) seen sitting amongst the weeds and bushes at Long Marston.Not long for this world,dying aged 44(approx).Finally dismantled at Kingsbury in early september.RIP..Loco next to it 37170 however has a brighter future,scheduled to go to Barrow Hill for overhaul ..03 july 2007..

87007.008/006/026 now sit in the sun along with 47828 having just arrived.Loco's to be refurbished for further use in Bulgaria,why not England and Scotland????..03 july 2007..

47828 runs through the entrance gate of the Long-Marston storage depot with 87026/006/008 and 007.Visible are some of the many wagons of various types that reside here.This is almost certainly the last delivery of 87's as the remaining 2 on the mainline are in regular use(Update..30 january 2008)The very last 87's to run on main-line 87022/28 plus 87002 have now joined the rest of the fleet here for storage.Within a year the bulk of these are to be exported for further use in Bulgaria.2 loco's already there and working well, so this appears to be a done-deal.Good news really,at least class87's will live on in a country that appreciates the value of modern electric locomotives,unlike this sad,narrow minded cheapscape DMU culture we have to put up with!!!!!..03 july 2007..

47555 stands"Ex-works" at the Crewe basford hall open day in 1995..

Peak 45128 stands at Westbury station shortly before withdrawal..Autumn 1988....

Crompton 33035 freshly painted seen at Eastliegh open day ..Sept 1992..

Looking quite smart but destined to never run on the mainline again under it's own power,47200 "The Fosse Way" stands at the Horton Road depot in Gloucester of Cotswold-Rail.---Sold as scrap along with 47033 probably because price for scrap steel then was at an all-time high.Moved north to T J Thompson's in january-08,gone by may. rip ..13 march 2007..

57011 receives light maintenance on Southampton Maritime FL depot...This loco now off-lease and heading for DRS owner-ship..27 september 2005..

37403 seen dumped at Margam depot in open storage,paint badly faded and rust now taken a hold.Will probably never run again..23 january 2005..

60008/60091 sit inside Margam depot awaiting Mtce,with all the gear that entails littered around them..23 january 2005..

47303"Freightliner Cleveland" recieves a spot of repair work at the depot in Southampton at Maritime.By this time loco was relegated to only occasional use on mainline workings,mainly used as a "supershunter" either here or over at Millbrook about a mile away.Eventually withdrawn, loco was finally broken up at Thompson of Stockton during december 07..27 may 2004..

86615 and 57009 take a break on the stabling point adjacent to Ipswich Station..16 march 2004..