The 14:00 Cardiff to Taunton FGW service '2C79' swings through Dr Days Junction on the approach to Bristol TM,67016,4 Mk-2's and 67030 on the rear..04 may 2009..

A new take on the "Bunns-Lane" Witham-shot! 67030 powers under the bridge there with the late running"1Z82" VSOE from London-Victoria going down to Truro for the weekend..24 april 2009..

Sweeping round the curve on the fast at East-Usk nr Newport is the "2U24" 16:13 service from Taunton to Cardiff.67025 at the pointy end with 67017 on the rear.Carriages are a matching set of Mk2's from "Cargo-D"..21 april 2009..

Rounding East-Usk on the fast is "2U24" from Taunton to Cardiff."Western Star" 67025,4 Mk2's and 67017"Arrow" on the back..21 april 2009..

The 14:00 Cardiff to Taunton "2C79" service runs past East-Usk-Junction.67017"Arrow" with 67025"Western Star" on the rear.Nice matching set of Mk-2 coaches today!..21 april 2009..

First "Lchs" of the day to Cardiff from Taunton is "2U14" the 11:02 off Taunton,here rolling around in the sunshine at Magor with its delightful rake of blue and white "trad" stock,67017 was there somewhere as well..21 april 2009..

67005,one of the "royals" makes a fine sight as it swings through Great-Cheverill on the B&H with "1Z76" from Torquay to Great-Chesterford nr Cambridge.Hanging on the rear was the "company-skip" 67029..20 april 2009..

Loco haulage on these Taunton to Cardiff trains has been largely ignored by me for some reason? Anyway here comes the 11:02 Taunton to Cardiff service "2V14" running at full line speed through Pilning headlights beaming in the gloom.67016 and 67017 were booked pair today..23 march 2009..

Using the "Northern-Belle" stock this Rugex-Special (1Z86) from London-Victoria to Cardiff passes Woolhampton in sky-blue conditions with 67025 "Western Star" in charge..14 february 2009..

With sirens wailing and lights flashing 67021 runs across "Canute Road" as it comes off the Eastern Docks in Southampton with the ECS working "5Z83" to Eastleigh for turning purposes.Train was the VSOE from Victoria-London.Nice to see road give way to rail for a change! ..17 january 2009..

The 14:00 Cardiff to Taunton service (2C79) runs into Patchway Station.headed by 67016 with 67028 DOR.Coaching stock mainly nicely repainted in BR Blue and White.Well done FGW for at last realising people want real trains not vibrating cattle trucks..13 january 2009..

Football trains appear to be back in fashion! Here is "1Z70" from Plymouth to Finsbury-Park, North-London for a Plymouth Argyle-Arsenal FA-Cup fixture.Viewed at speed on the B&H at Great-Cheverall with 67019/67005 in charge of 12 bogies!..(For the record Arsenal won 3-1)..03 january 2009..

At this time still a practically new locomotive,67027 hauls a mail-train from Bristol to Swansea,seen on the "4Track" between Newport and Cardiff at Peterstone.Scenes such as this are now history,mail has long since ceased over most of the network,vans have gone for scrap and the 67's have moved on to other duties..09 february 2001..

"Skip" 67030 heads a VSOE (1Z95) from London-Victoria to Worcester.The telephoto effect really shows what a motley collection of different profiles the VSOE set really is!..11 october 2008..

Using the "Northern Belle" stock a special (1Z21) ran from Stockport to Bath-Spa.67017"Arrow" was the lead loco,on the rear was 67015,one of the reliveried ones selected for use on the Wrexham & Shropshire services.Working seen at a still misty Bourton nr Swindon..27 september 2008..

Tagged on the rear of "1Z21" was 67015,now running in "Wrexham & Shropshire" colours.Normally dedicated to the Wrexham to London-Maryebone services with just three coaches,today it has to deal with a real train length when it becomes the lead engine back from Bath to Stockport later in the day..27 september 2008..

Running from Cardiff to Par today was the "Northern-Belle" set.1Z22 (67017 Arrow) seen humming through the Frome area running pretty much to time..26 september 2008..

67025/67013 with 3 "cargo D" mk3's form the 15:17 Marlyebone to Wrexham service.Viewed passing Kings Sutton just south of Banbury.Within a few weeks dvt's will come into use on these workings so north-bound trains will no longer be "Loco-hauled"..20 september 2008..

"Royal" 67005 partnered with 67027 rushes through Strap-Lane east of Bruton with "2072" Bristol-Weymouth holiday extra.Amazing full sets of virgin coaches are still to be seen so long after the demise of XC loco haulage..23 august 2008..

Bristol-Weymouth (2O72) "Seaside Extra"continue's to run despite the crap weather! Here is 67021/67022 slowing for the Frome stop,pictured in weak sun that has managed to filter through the almost 100% cloud cover..16 august 2008..

"Tail-End Charlie" 67028 disappears into the short tunnel at Bradford-on-Avon as the Northern-Belle goes to Westbury prior to returning to reload the passengers it dumped there earlier.Lead loco was "Royal" 67005,working was "1Z33" Preston to Bath then Westbury ECS..29 july 2008..

"1Z33" Preston to Bath "Northern-Belle" having deposited its passengers at Bath runs through Bradford-on-Avon "ECS" to Westbury as part of a positioning move prior to its return working.67005 with 67028 were doing the honours..29 july 2008..

The returning Weymouth to Bristol (2V67) T&T with 67001/67025 captured running past the Boat-Yard nr Dundus.Only a few places after it leaves Yeovil where it can be had without vegetation causiing problems and this is one of them!..26 july 2008..

FGW's Holiday trains are the T&T operation from Bristol down to the seaside at Weymouth.Here we view "2O72" passing Meadow-Farm nr Bathampton shortly after leaving Bath-Spa.Loco in charge is 67025"Western Star" with an obscured 67001 on the rear..26 july 2008..

Other-wise occupied today but as a tailpiece decided just to grab a shot of the "Company Skip" 67029 acting as tail-end Charlie on "2V67" Weymouth to Bristol.Even though it is only mid-july shadows are already lengthening so this shot was the best I could manage around Frome.Recorded at Clink,train passing under the Bypass..19 july 2008..

"The English Riviara Express" (1Z27) runs down through Frome with 67006 in charge.Steam (34067) was to take over at Taunton for the rest of the trip down to Kingswear-Devon..16 july 2008..

67022 heading for Bristol-Barton hill probably from OOC with the ECS for tomorrows steam from Bristol to Paignton.Viewed at Coalpit-Heath nr Bristol..05 july 2008..

Bristol-Weymouth "2067" powers through Bathampton shortly after leaving Bath-Spa.67020 and 67021 doing the honours..05 july 2008..

Rolling into Westbury past the power-box there is 2Z32,the Swindon to Taunton Mud-Ex.67020/67021 doing the honours..30 june 2008..

"2Z53" powers through Frome heading for Swindon from Castle-Cary carrying another load of Pop Festival returnees.67021/67020 doing the shuttling..30 june 2008..

5Z30 Paddington Castle-Cary empty stock.Having already done one trip to London 67020/67021 return to collect another train load of Glastonbury Festival visitors.Added bonus this year,not too much mud on the train carpets!..30 june 2008..

Speeding along the Frome Avoiding line 67026/67022 head "2Z52" heading for Swindon from Taunton after stopping at Castle-Cary to collect its load of Weekenders from the Festival..30 june 2008..

Using the same Loco's and Stock as the Glastonbury shuttle trains the saturdays only return Weymouth to Bristol (2V67) runs down the single line for its booked stop at Frome.67021 and 67020 are in charge..28 june 2008..

"2Z50" at this stage of the Glastonbury Festival weekend probably quite empty returns from Taunton heading for Swindon,67022 and 67026 proving the power as required,viewed passing Clink nr Frome..26 june 2008.

67020 with 67021 on the other end hum down the Frome-Avoider with 2Z30 09:46 Swindon-Taunton Shuttle Special conveying more punters for their yearly roll in the Mud at Glastonbury..26 june 2008..

And so it is Glastonbury Festival time again,once again FGW are providing a pair of shuttle-trains between Swindon and Taunton connecting with the Festival site at Glastonbury via a bus service from Castle-Cary.This gives maximum flexability as trains can be caught to Cary from any of the major stations on the shuttles route......Here we see 2Z34 Swindon-Taunton passing through Frome Area with 67021 and Seven ex-virgin mk 2's and 67020 on the rear.Push-Pull being preferred method of operation..26 june 2008..

The other "Royal" 67006 was employed on 1Z27 (The Par Snip) Paddington-Plymouth Charter,seen sweeping through Clink Junction-Frome..21 june 2008..

"2O72",The Bristol-Weymouth service today produced one of the "royals" 67005 (67021 on the rear).Seen heading through the rain at Bunns-Lane nr Frome..21 june 2008..

Evening picture of a "Wrexham-London Marylebone" service running through Kings Sutton station south of Banbury.Working is "1P33", loco's in use were 67001/67012..17 june 2008..

"1J83",the 16:10 departure from Marylebone to Wrexham speeds through Kings Sutton with its rake of "Cargo D" Mk 3's,67025/67023 doing the honours..17 june 2008..

Heading north through Kings Sutton 67015/67013 with "1J82" from the Big City to Wrexham..17 june 2008..

Giving a nice view of the "Wrexham & Shropshire" livery,67013/67015 slow for the Banbury stop with the "1P03" service the London..17 june 2008..

Heading for the Races at Ascot 67020 with the "Great Briton" charter set from Manchester-Picc,running as 1Z67,seen passing the Banbury Stone Terminal..17 june 2008..

Heading for the Races at Ascot 67020 with the "Great Briton" charter set from Manchester-Picc,running as 1Z67,seen passing the Banbury Stone Terminal..17 june 2008..

Had to use a wide-angle lens here to squeeze all the scene in!.....67001 with 67012 pass the lever-frame Signal-Box at Banbury-North with "1P01" from Wrexham to London-Marylebone.Coaching stock at this time is still Cargo-D Mk 3's including a buffet-car looking really good in older BR blue and white livery..17 june 2008..

Arriving at Banbury with the early morning train to London from Wrexham are 67001 and 67012 (1P01)..17 june 2008..

Banbury is the first stop for the London-Marylebone to Wrexham workings.Here we see the early morning northbound working "1J80" with 67025/67023 during it's halt there.Note the hoards of passengers waiting for a southbound Voyager,all gazing longingly at the spacious Mk-3's going the other way!..17 june 2008..

Bringing up the rear of "1J80" 67025 with 67023 at the head.Viewed passing the still operational lever signal box at Banbury-North.The service going to Wrexham..17 june 2008..

Using a long lens(450mm equiv) to capture the arrival at Banbury of 67001 and 67012 with their short rake of Mk 3's on the "1P01" service to the Capital operated by the "Wrexham & Shropshire " Company..17 june 2008..

"2V67" The 16:58 Weymouth-Bristol extra viewed approaching Thornford (But will not stop here) on the single line section from Dorchester to Castle-Cary.67021 doing all the work,67026 along for the ride. ......Note...The track here is still constructed of wooden sleepers and bull-head rail,Quite rare now on main running-lines..14 june 2008..

"2V67" The 16:58 Weymouth-Bristol "Extra" runs into Frome on the single line at Feltham Lane keeping more or less to time.67020 &67019 doing the honours.Sky cleared to full blue nicely to coincide with its arrival at Frome.Wish the sun shone like this every evening!..07 june 2008..

Today's Bristol-Weymouth holiday extra"2O92" rolls through Clink nr Frome,67019"top" and 67020"tail". Note the old plastic "hut" in the foreground.,this was placed here for a single-line "stop and proceed" engineering session(flagmans shelter) in around 1998,was never collected so remains abandoned.It is alright for Railtrack to dump rubbish-------but-----etc---etc..07 june 2008..

"2O92" comes to a halt at the Clink-Junc signal to allow a Track m/c (DR77905) to clear the section before it ladders over for the Frome stop.67019/67020 did the honours this week. Hopefully these "extra" loco & coaches additionals will keep running all summer,unlike last year when they were withdrawn after just 3 weeks due to "paper" issues..07 june 2008..

The return Loco-hauled Weymouth-Bristol service was "stepped down" at Weymouth due to staffing issues,eventually left in the 17:30 slot instead of booked time of 16:58,now stopping at all stations....Working seen passing Berkley-Marsh Frome as it heads on towards Bristol.67019 on the Front and 67001 on the Rear..31 may 2008..

Had to settle for this shot of "2O67" Bristol-Weymouth at Bathampton due to the A36 road closure.A quick getaway was necessary for other booked workings........With the backdrop of the Georgian City of Bath behind it 67001 (with 67019 on the rear ) slows for Bathampton-Junction prior the running down the Limpley-Stoke Valley..31 may 2008..

After the Frome stop "2O72" rejoins the main-line to continue its journey to Weymouth from Bristol.Working is viewed at West-Woodlands.67023/67003 are in charge..24 may 2008..

No matter how they try,FGW cannot seem to be able to do away with the "Loco and Coaches" for the summer trains at weekends to the south coast.No doubt FGW being under the cosh from the SRA has a lot to do with it.Much more blatant ignorance of customer needs will cost them their franchise(We live in hope!).67023/67003 roll into Frome at Clink with the Summer "additional" 2072 09:09 Bristol-TM to Weymouth runing a few minutes late..24 may 2008..

"Skip" 67007 hums up the incline at Upton-Scudamore south of Westbury with the returning VSOE from Bath to London-Victoria.Unlike the steam hauled version diesels always seem to retrace their outward journey via Salisbury..14 may 2008..

67007 returns the VSOE from Bath to London-Victoria via Salisbury.Train seen climbing the incline at Upton-Scudmore shortly after passing through Westbury..14 may 2008..

1Z29.At the time this shot was taken this was billed as "The final passenger train to traverse the Folkstone-Harbour Branch".Here seen with the diesel leg of that tour,known as the "Golden Arrow" 34067 will take over in London to perform the last rites.Viewed passing Goring on the fast with "Royal"67006" at the head..13 april 2008..

VSOE seen heading down to Cornwall for a long weekend.67024 heads 1Z67 London-Victoria to Truro on the 1st leg of this tour.Working is viewed passing Styles-Hill Frome on the avoiding line there..11 april 2008..

Skip 67018 runs along the Sea-wall past the expanse of Dawlish Beach(At low-tide) with the morning mail-train to Plymouth.All the mail contracts finished within a few days of this shot,so was my last RES working captured in this area..20 january 2004..

67029 The"Company Skip" is now the official "3rd" royal and has been named "Royal Diamond" as a result.Here it is viewed passing Crofton Locks on the Berks&Hants with 1Z31 "Paddington to Cardiff Ruggex" diverted this way due to engineering work near Swindon.67024 was on the rear.It appears FGW may have realised that it is not really possible to do without a few LCHS trains when the need arises,apparantly this year 67's will again be used to Weymouth,this time without interruption!..09 february 2008..

Both "Royal Liveried" class 67's 005 and 006 were employed on this Rugby football special.Here we see the empty stock working (5Z30) OOC to Westbury,ready for a Westbury-Cardiff relief .Seen passing the Canal Locks near Bedwyn on the B&H..09 february 2008..

67024/67030 t&t 1Z62 Bristol TM-Chippenham shuttle,samwiched between loco's are 3 i/c and 5 anglia liveried mk2 coaches.It was a very dull day requiring 800asa camera rating to freeze the action!..15 december 2007..

Seen in very dull conditions is 1Z64 Bristol TM-Chippenham shuttle with 67027 and 67003 running through Thingley with a mixed rake old anglia and virgin mk2 stock..15 december 2007..

Appearing through the gloom 67003 with 67027 on the rear haul 1Z61 Chippenham-Bristol TM shuttle, seen running past the sidings at Thingley Junction.These are now in use for scrap rail recovery and processing..15 december 2007..

With headlights blazing 67030/67024 is seen with yet another Bristol-Chippenham shuttle(1Z63). Quite a surprise for FGW to actually use trains instead of buses to produce some kind of service whilst the line was closed near Swindon for track mtce..15 december 2007..

Double dose of Skip traction on this railtour bound for Parr,Most passengers will be heading for the Domes at the Eden-Project.Loco's were 67023 and 67027,location is of coarse Langstone Rock--Dawlish Warren..15 july 2006..

Passing down to Frome Avoiding line,the diverted "Atlantic Coast Express with 67015 at the helm.Loco replaced 34067 at Westbury for the leg to Exeter ..15 september 2007..

Skip-15 seen here on the rear of a rapidly disappearing"Atlantic Coast Express" drawn by 34067.Diverted this way from Waterloo to Exeter due to engineering works..Two local ladies look on as the steamer passes,expect they are wondering what the strange red carriage on the back of the train is ?..Location is Dilton-Marsh-Halt,a few miles south of Westbury ..15 september 2007..

67006 hauls the return VSOE from Bath to London-Victoria(1O92) Seen here climbing Upton-Scudamore incline on a glorious august late afternoon..08 august 2007..

The pair of Royals ran the Bristol-Weymouth service on this saturday,67005 leading through Strap-Lane, Upton Noble.reporting number 2O67,006 on the rear..28 july 2007..

67016/17 roar through Strap-Lane-Upton Noble with 1Z86 Hove-Penzance tour,in a rare patch of blueness..28 july 2007..

67029"The Company Skip" with 67016 on the rear heads the 2V67 Weymouth to Bristol TM relief holiday train past Feltham Lane on the single line approach to the Frome stop.Running a few minutes late under a beautiful blue evening sky..07 july 2007..

Well! a pretty sad 4 days for the Glastonbury Festival Extra's,out of about 35 passes managed just 2 in the sun,this was not one of them.Here we have "The Company Skip"67029 in charge of the 5Z59 empty stock back down to Castle Cary(via Taunton) to pick up more muddy people..rather apt really,skips usually used to collect tons of mud!..25 june 2007..

London-Victoria to Bath VSOE passes Bradford-on-Avon on the final leg of the journey through the Limpley Stoke Valley,67012 was in charge.Note the rather ugly liveried Generator Van in the consist!!.Thankfully this rather ugly livery is now history and generator van is now in the more traditional pullman style..12 january 2005..

67016 runs past Cockwood Harbour with a Virgin "hired in" holiday train..18 august 2004..

67015 sweeps through Berkley Marsh Frome with 5Z56 Castle Cary-Westbury.Final train of the days diagram for Glastonbury extra's ..21 june 2007..

Royal Skip 67006 with the 5Z52 Swindon-Castle Cary shuttle service conveying some of the hordes descending in Pilton for the £140 a go mud wrestling weekend..20 june 2007

67013 (with 67029 on the rear) on 2Z53 heading for Castle Cary from Swindon with another full train of Glastonbury Festival fans..20 june 2007..

67029"The Company Skip" on 5Z51,first train in 2007's series run for the benefit of Glastonbury Festival visitors passes Styles Hill Frome heading for Swindon..20 june 2007..

"Royal"67005 runs into Westbury past the power-box from Bath with the VSOE.34067 will handle the train from here back to London-Victoria via the Berks&Hants..30 may 2007..