Running as '6Y29' the 07:45 Cowley Bridge-Jn to Thingley-Junction Sidings passes Clink nr Frome with another batch of 'replaced' rails going there for processing.Train is formed up using 66624 and a 'Slinger',very useful for unloading rails at journeys end.Of interest is the locomotive 66624,apparantly this engine is destined for export to Poland along with 66623,66625 is already there.Once the '70s' are here in quantity expect quite a few UK GM's to go abroad as Freightliners business there is booming! ..08 november 2009..

Here '6B13' pauses for the signal at Yate in the northern outskirts of Bristol waiting for clearance to cross over on to the Branch down to the Murco-Terminal. 60011 was todays choice on this still virtually 100% Tug diagram..06 november 2009..

Whilst 60011 waits for its path on to the Branch for Westerleigh with '6B13' from Robeston the NMT,presumably '1Z12' heads north away from Bristol going to Birmingham and beyond.Quite a surprise this chance shot particularly with two of the more interesting pieces of traction in the same frame! Location is Yate Station nr Bristol..06 november 2009..

Drawing to a halt at Yate Station waiting for a path onto the Westerleigh Branch is seen 60011 with '6B13' the loaded inbound tanks from Robeston.Weather today was extreemly dull but shots of this loco are not to be missed.......A case of here-today gone-tomorrow with the way DBS treat the remaining 60's..06 november 2009..

The now rather careworn 'Squaddy' Tug 60040 emerges on to the mainline at Yate shortly after leaving the Westerleigh Branch.'6E41',destination Lindsey ..06 november 2009..

Yesterdays '6M67' ran into difficulties when one of the wagons developed a hot-box.After a speedy repair an extra, '6Z05' was arranged to retrieve it from Bridgewater.Here is 37059/37608 flying up through Yate north of Bristol with the repaired 'nuke'wagon(FNA550042) in tow heading for Crewe..05 november 2009..

Here we see the derelict remains of Charfield Station north of Bristol.All boarded up and canopies removed.Amazing it is still standing,obviously sold by Railtrack many years ago,hence they are powerless to remove it.Arriva 150267 is seen running through with a Bristol bound service..05 november 2009..

The Patch-Work Mainline Tug 60011 today was in charge of the early running '6B13' from Robeston to Westerleigh.Here she is at Charfield Loops in the northern outskirts of Bristol.Good job it was early,5 mins later was lights-out for rest of the day! ..05 november 2009..

Long-Long tele-shot of the Patch-Work Mainline Tug 60011 today in charge of the early running '6B13' from Robeston to Westerleigh.Here she is at Charfield Loops in the northern outskirts of Bristol.Good job it was early,5 mins later was lights-out for rest of the day! ..05 november 2009..

The Hither-Green to Whatley' empties '6V18' rolls into Westbury after completing it's journey down the B&H.59002 'Alan J Day' was todays chosen traction.Behind the train is the overbridge for traffic to the local trading-estates.From next week this will be closed to all vehicles except light-vans and cars due to it becoming weakened from extensive corrosion and total lack of maintenence (see how rusty and decayed it looks).Railtrack may spend multi-millions on probably non-essential masts and crap but fails to look after its existing assets.What a bunch?..04 november 2009..

A rather work-stained 150239 gets away from the Westbury stop with the 15:38 'All Stations' service from Warminster to Bristol-Parkway in an all too brief patch of late afternoon sunshine..04 november 2009..

Now a somewhat irregular runner so when it was reported through Oxford decided to gamble on a shot as a largish blue gap was appearing over Chippenham way.Naturally it failed to materialise over Thingley at the appropriate moment! Here was 66520 with '4V60' humming it's way towards Bristol,running pretty much to time..04 november 2009..

The local 'RHTT' ambles down through Frome on the Avoider with '3S13' heading back to St-Blazey for servicing.The grubby pairing 66116/66148 on the job today.Just scraped the shot before the light folded for the rest of the day! ..02 november 2009..

43022 speeds down the Frome avoider with the 08:18 from Paddington to Exeter.Regretfully the heavy rain and wind over the last few nights has done an excellent job of clearing the autumn colours off the trees! ..02 october 2009..

'3S13' Westbury to St-Blazey via Salisbury shown at Upton-Scudamore nr Warminster 'jetting' off the leaf-residue on the line.Loco's are 66116 and 66148,both now completely filthy from a mixture of ballest dirt and chemicals..02 november 2009..

Riviara's D1916/47812 took a turn on the Burton-Dollands Steel today.Despite the dire light (500th@1.8 800asa) this shot was attempted at Culman as '6Z48' sped through running pretty much to time.Just 10 wagons today and probably the last time I will see this working as is due to finish before Xmas..29 october 2009..

67022 draws the'Northern-Belle' across Newton-Meadows on the last mile or so before reaching its destination at Bath-Spa.Running as '1Z53' it departed from Manchester Victoria at 06:05,an early start! ..31 october 2009..

FGW 150219 scuttles across Newton-Meadows as it approaches Bath-Spa with the 10:25 from Bristol-Parkway to Westbury.Was here for the 'Northern-Belle' that was running just 10 mins behind this service.Note the threatening sky,this duly carried out its threat 2 mins before arrival of the Belle! ..31 october 2009..

'1Z12' with 31459 leading runs back down through Didcot-North after a quick trip up to Kennington-Junction nr Oxford..29 october 2009..

Pushing its way over Foxhall-Junction taking the route north up the Oxford line is the Radio-Survey Train'1Z12' with Black 31459 doing the shoving.DBSO-9701 leading..29 october 2009..

After a trip to Theale '1Z12' was then routed to Swindon,here it is passing Steventon Level-Crossing heading west.31459 now owned by RVEL looks very dour in the plain dull black livery it now carries,on the brighter side the nameplates (Cerberus) are still in place..29 october 2009..

'1Z12' seen rolling away from Didcot PW at the commencement of the days survey work is 31459 the ex-fragonset loco now devoid of the red-stripe and decals of that now defunct concern..29 october 2009..

Straining up past Bratton old Station-Site is '7a17' unusually hauled by a DBS shed! instead of the booked '59'. Due to the current reduced loadings on this train 66130 can just about cope with 18 loaded hoppers on the B&H..28 october 2009..

The Fawley to Bristol-SFM then Plymouth Fuel Train '6V62' gathers speed shortly after leaving Westbury as it heads for the 1st 'drop-off point' on its delivery round at Bristol.Loco in charge today is the Prototype GM-Shed 66001 now 10 years old.Over 550 examples of this type are now in service around the World (Mainly in Europe) so I suppose this engine now has a degree of pedigree about it! ..27 october 2009..Footnote----This loco and 66002 are officially classed as 66/0,one of the differences is these two are the only DBS-Sheds not fitted with buckeye couplers which somewhat restricts their usefulness!

1&1/2 Class 158's now numbered 158957 rattles into Westbury with the 10:30 service from Cardiff bound for Portsmouth.Spent best part of 3 hours waiting for the '31' powered test-train but regretfully the 'Ped' failed at Bath and went no further! ..27 october 2009..

Freightliner now has a firm hold on the ballast workings that supply the VQ here at Westbury.Here re-geared 66607 draws out of the 'up' yard as it commences the journey to Stud-Farm for a refill.Report number for this working is '6M22' ..27 october 2009..

With the final few Autumnal Horse-Chestnut leaves hanging to the trees 66130 draws away from Westbury with '7C63',the Q Tues-only working to Avonmouth..27 october 2009..

Having been to Reading from Cardiff this working'5Z65' returned to Bristol PW,here approaching Coalpit-Heath.67005 with 82101 leading now,67006 on the rear.Interestingly large logo sticker on side of DVT,seems to have appeared overnight? ..26 october 2009..Footnote-----These 'WR' logo stickers are meant to depict ficticious TOC'Welsh Railways' as part of the Film-Plot of the Production for Channel S4C.......

'6B24' the daily MOD from Didcot to Wentloog passes Farleaze headed by GM 66134 with a matching set of containers..26 october 2009..

The daily Wentloog to Southampton FL working motors through Farleaze with 66536 doing the honours,rather a light load today on this duty..26 october 2009..

Going-away shot of '5Z65' simply to show the DVT 86101 that was part of this trains consist.Lead loco was 67006 with its partner 67005 bringing up the rear.Working was from Cardiff to Reading then back to Bristol PW then to Cardiff via Reading! In connection with 'on-board' filming for a forthcoming feature film.Pictured at Farleaze east of Badminton..26 october 2009..

'Royal' 67006 with its nice rake of 'Cargo-D' Mk2 & Mk3 stock runs through the Farleaze area/east of Badminton.Tagged on to the rear are DVT-86101 ? and the other 'Royal' 67005.Working was in assoc with an Entertainment Company making a feature-film for Television Channel S4C..26 october 2009..

Regular NMT working '1Z19' with 43014/43013 flies round the Crofton Bends running slightly ahead of booked time,note P/C's now sport red buffers beams..23 october 2009..

Still wearing the 2nd style of the now obsolescent FY-livery 59002 approaches Crofton on the B&H with '7A17' past yet another Notwork-Rail Junk-Pile! ..23 october 2009..

'The Red Baron' in the striking red of DBS approaches Crofton on the B&H with '6M20' bound for St-Pancras from Whatley.RMC wagons still predominate on this working giving considerable variations of wagon and loco combinations on this route..23 october 2009..

'6Z48' The Burton-on-Trent to Dollands- Moor empty steel-carriers ran again today.Only 4 wagons so two Class-47's a bit of an overkill,no doubt a pair being used due to their habit of going 'POP' lately! Here is seen reliable-regular 47805 'Talisman' with newcomer Ex-Virgin 47769 'Resolve' at the helm.Location is of coarse Hinksey nr Oxford,one of the very few places this time of the year a shadowless shot is possible if it sun deems to show itself! Clocks alter next weekend back to GMT so this was a last chance at this working south of Banbury in daylight.Been informed it is due to finish within 2 weeks so 'It was nice whilst it lasted' ..22 october 2009..

Drawing into Hinksey Yard-Oxford is '6V29'-Engineers from Eastleigh.An extremly filthy 66159 being the train engine with a dud 60051 tucked in behind.This 60 had been at Didcot earlier in the day but went for a ride to Eastleigh and back apparantly heading for Toton for repair,perhaps a good clean of the 66 is in order as well! ..22 october 2009..

With a freshly re-painted front-end (DBS equivilant of an 'F' exam) 60063 exits the loop at Steventon just west of Didcot with the empty-tanks from Theale back to Robeston (6B33)..22 october 2009..

Risking 'Life&Limb' stretching over the spiky-fence 66134 was recorded with an RHTT and is seen in Didcot-Depot probably getting a water refill for the Cannon-Bowsers..22 october 2009..

Having seen 60051 arriving at Didcot from Hinksey less then 30 mins previously was quite a surprise to see it DIT with filthy 66159 in charge of the '7O26' to Eastleigh when it passed Moreton.Nice long consist of CWR units in tow..22 october 2009..

Despite looking and sounding fine at this time 60051 here seen passing Didcot-North with '7O26' from Hinksey to Eastleigh Engineers was failed at Didcot and continued onward to Eastleigh DIT with Shed 66159 in charge..22 october 2009..

The one remaining 'As built' Tug 60054 rolls into Westerleigh Oil Terminal with '6B13' from West-Wales.Missed the earlier shot up the road because it was running early and got stuffed on 60011 with '6B33' running via Chippenham at Thingley-----------That's it for a week! Off to Turkey for a late holiday---Sod the 60's for a while! ..10 october 2009..

The one remaining 'As built' Tug 60054 rolls into Westerleigh Oil Terminal with '6B13' from West-Wales.Missed the earlier shot up the road because it was running early and got stuffed on 60011 with '6B33' running via Chippenham at Thingley-----------That's it for a week! Off to Turkey for a late holiday---Sod the 60's for a while! ..10 october 2009..

My first encounter with the only member of the Class-66 to so far get a coat of 'Schenker-Red' 66152,still looking smart after a visit to the Cornish China-Clay Circuit for some publicity-shots.Tonight captured in failing light passing Culham with '4L40',the cars (Mini's) from Cowley to Purley,being conveyed in the 'Blue Sausage'..08 october 2009..

Southampton to Bescot Car-Train '6X58' speeds north through Dunsomer Hill nr Didcot just catching the sunlight in the shadow laden cutting there.66124 looking remarkably clean did the honours..08 october 2009..

Sat idling away with the running-light on in Didcot-Yard with '6M65' (The MOD stores to Carlisle via Wembley) is 60045,now these machines are a bit more plentiful some are hauling other workings than Tank-Trains.Train departed at booked time(1800) under the inevitable cloud-cover..08 october 2009..

'4Z07' Test Train this time with 31106 doing the pulling passes Dunsomer-Hill nr Didcot returning there after a refueling run to the Turbo-Depot at Reading.Naturally light failed at the crucial moment! ..08 october 2009..

'6O41' from Burton-on-Trent to Southampton,a DBS Inter-Model drifts past South-Moreton lightly loaded with containers.66141 being the loco in charge..08 october 2009..

Off to Trafford-Park from Southampton is '4O61' with 66568 in charge.Seen passing Dunsomer-Hill.Note the red tints in the hedgerows,one good wet and windy night and it will be all gone!..08 october 2009..

Red-Tug 60096 passes Milton with Didcot-PS in the background.This train is of coarse everybodys favourite '6B33'.Luck was with us today and working came on the 'fast'.A much more satisfying shot than down the slow,sometimes gamble's do pay off!..08 october 2009..

Pushing away from Didcot past the dereliction that was once South-Moreton Yard is 31106 with '4Z07',off the Reading for a quick refuel and return..08 october 2009..

With DBSO-9702 and 31106 doing the back-scuttling,'4Z07' hurries? away from Didcot on its trip to Reading for a fuel top-up..08 october 2009..

'The Big Red-One' 59206 today was in charge of a rather small '7A09' comprising just 15 hoppers! Here Driver-Rogers eases past Crofton Pumping Station Crossing as he makes his way to Acton..08 october 2009..

59206 and a Mini-Jumbo comprising just 15 wagons draws past the remains of Patney-Station dodging the early morning shadows,you could almost say '7A09' is a shadow of its former-self! ..08 october 2009..

Whenever these 'rescue' type stock moves of yet another failed Sleeper occur light is invariably crap around my locality.However this time since rescue traction was a 'Virgin' a shot had to be done whatever the light!.Here in 500asa conditions (500th@f2.5) 57308 'Tin-Tin' drags errant 57604 plus stock up the Frome Avoider heading from Long-Rock up to OOC.Reporting number was '5Z70'Needless to say 20 minutes later the whole of Frome was under a large patch of blue-sky!..03 october 2009..

Running as '0Z77' doyen of the class 43002 with 43177 playing 'push-me-pull-you' passes Gt-Cheverill heading for Laira from OOC.This working had some how gained an hour! despite the fact it left London r/t.Very slack timings! ..02 10 2009..

As is the norm with this type of move '5Z67' had gained over 30 minutes on its schedule.Here it is seen passing Thingley nr Chippenham.34067 with support coach 551802 heading for Bristol-Barton-Hill from Southall in readiness for the tour on the weekend,headboard for which is already in place.Nice bit of coal-smoke as fireman had just fired it as working appeared under the bridge in the background! ..02 10 2009.. Footnote---Regretfully this tour never happened! 1st leg of the journey from Poole in Dorset to Bristol where 34067 was to take over failed at Salisbury with a defective 47760 being the culprit.No reserve traction was to be had in the area so 'That was That' !!!--

Regeared Fred 66607 will certainly be making use of the extra tractive-effort of the return journey to Fairwater-Yard Taunton from Westbury-VQ as this appears to be quite a heavy load.Here is '6C72' running over Fairwood-Junction on the approach to Westbury.This is my first visit to the 'Junction' since the old-git at the fish lakes got funny about 'terrorists' on the bridge with their IED-Cars.Happily no confrontations today as was only there about 10 mins!..02 october 2009..

Doubleheaded and Sheded '6V29' Eastleigh to Hinksey-VQ seen arriving at its destination winding slowly through to its selected siding.GM's 66124/66192 on point..01 october 2009..

Today was the first day of my retirement from working after 44 years and one month,and boy does it feel good! However no such luck for 47839 'Pegasus' seen here running down past Hinksey-Yard with '6Z48' from Burton to Dollands-Moor with the steel-import empties.This Loco now in its 45th year and still going strong,long may it last..01 october 2009..

Turdo-combo 166206/165124 speeds past the just visable lake at Hinksey-Oxford with the 15:01 from Oxford to Paddington working,,01 october 2009..

Palindromic 66066 busies itself with a spot of shunting at Hinksey-Yard Oxford whilst fellow American-Interloper 66141 looks on..01 october 2009..

Northbound DBS Intermodel pauses in the loop at Hinksey before continuing northwards with 66151 in charge,working un-identified..01 october 2009..

'The West Countryman' (1Z75) seen returning to Paddington after its three-day tour around Devon and Cornwall.Same Loco as the down train 66041 here speeding up the Frome Cut-off running to perfect time.Is this the start of regular use of Class-66's on rail tours or was this a one-off due to traction shortages?..27 september 2009..

Not knowing the area too well much footslogging was needed to find a suitable spot to record the returning '1Z50' tour from Swanage to Crewe.Here is 37516 and 37706 running over Furzebrook Common with the colours of these rather drab liveried engines looking reasonable for a change,due to the quite low angle of the sun.After another 30 mins even this location would have been in shadow..26 september 2009..

With an early evening departure back to Crewe booked to leave Swanage at 16:30 a decent shot was still possible on the old Furzebrook line between Motola and Worgret-Junction.Here now with 37516 leading and 37706 behind '1Z50' moves slowly along the branch passing over the common heathland near Furzebrook..26 september 2009..

Whilst skulking around looking for locations for the returning 'Purbeck Growler' 37-tour came across the yards at Furzebrook where the famous LPG-Trains to Hallen-Marsh used to be loaded.Still perfectly intact but now very rusty after no use whatsoever since last tank-train ran on 22-july-2005.Main-line past Motola is now 'bright' again as is used by traffic such as Rail-Tours etc to Swanage.Until the link to the Swanage Railway was restored only trains since 2005 have been Weedkiller workings as technically line is still part of the National-Network.Notwork-Rail have even renewed various signs along the line extolling the fact you are 'Leaving a Legally Protected Environmental Worksite'....What a load of un-necessary twaddle our lifestyle has become saddled with due to the twats regretfully now in control! ..26 september 2009..

About to cross the country road north of Norden station is '5Z49' the ECS from the 'Purbeck-Growler' visiting tour.Being taken to Motola(Eldon sidings) for afternoon parking..26 september 2009..

After '1Z49' had arrived at Swanage the ECS was dragged back to Norden and beyond just to get it out of the way for the duration of the tour visit.Here is 33111 with '5Z49' approaching Harmons Cross passing over the farm crossing off the Valley Road..26 september 2009..

The 'WC-Rly'Pair 37706/37516 amble across Corfe-Common on the final leg of the journey from Crewe to Swanage.Running as '1Z49'..26 september 2009..

The 'WC-Rly'Pair 37706/37516 amble across Corfe-Common on the final leg of the journey from Crewe to Swanage.Running as '1Z49'..26 september 2009..

After a long wait here at Wareham Station under crystal skies a certain amount of cloud cover bubbled up as 'train-time' approached.However just about scraped an acceptable shot of the 'Purbeck-Growler',the 06:04 from Crewe to Swanage hauled by 37706 and 37516,West-Coast having supplied also a nearly matching set of coaches.Traffic over the flyover here was intense! Just imagine the jams if the old crossing gates were still here!..26 september 2009..

'Metal-Tube' 444009 runs into Wareham past the remains of the sidings there with the 10:48 Waterloo to Weymouth service..26 september 2009..

Returning the 'HOBC' to Taunton's Fairwater-yard,seen at Witham-Friary with re-geared 66606 doing the business.Now fully loaded ready to go after a visit to Westbury VQ..25 september 2009..

Billed as 67 haulage,but as it turned out 66041 did the honours.'The West Countryman' 1Z41 eases down the Frome byline running exactly to schedule.This initial part of tour was bound for Kingswear.Coaching stock was made up completely of Mk-1 stock. ..25 september 2009..

Whilst stationed at Cardiff for a while 50049 was used sometimes for ECS movements,here it is passing Pilning with some 'Arriva' stock heading for the Welsh-Capital,unsure from where?..23 february 2006..

Dropping down the bank back to Temple-Meads(Bristol) is '1Z13' with 37608 on the test train,37607 on the rear.In the background is FL-Celeb 66522 doing the shunt of the Calvert Binliner into Barrow Road.Location is Laurence Hill..22 september 2009..

'Shanks' 66522 take a turn on the Bristol-Barrow Road Bin-Liner from Calvert(4V60).Seen here at Laurence-Hill backing down the short branch to the depot about 250yds round the corner.Typically the 'Lime' end was on the back..22 september 2009..

Limey 66522 approaches journeys-end at Laurence-Hill with the empty containers for the rubbish-depot at Barrow Road in Bristol.Train will go forward another 300 yards then reverse down the siding on the right into the Depot..22 september 2009..

Skip No-1 rolls by on the rear of '2C79' from Cardiff to Taunton,seen here at Laurence-Hill in the suburbs of Northern Bristol,what a dump!,imagine Baghdad looks something like this area and we felt just about as safe as if we were really there!..22 september 2009..

Out for a cruise around 47787 'Windsor Castle' heads an Inspection-Saloon with a trip from Tyseley to Bristol TM (2Z01) and return.Here it is passing Pixash-Lane nr Keynsham running about 30 mins early..22 september 2009..

'1Z13' powers away from Dr Days-Junction Bristol,37607 leading with this machine 37608 doing the pushing,going to S-Wales for the day and a spot of Radio-Surveying for Serco.43378,an Arriva XC coming the other way nearly fouled the whole scenerio up but in the end probably added a bit of extra interest..22 september 2009..

Late start from Bristol for '1Z13', the Radio Survey Train, Todays run is round South-Wales and return,finally departed about 40 mins down.Here seen at Dr Days-Junction in Bristol with 37607 leading and 37608 on the back..22 september 2009..

Negotiating the 'Rhubarb' at Dr-Days-Junc Bristol after departing from SFM-Depot probably going to S-Wales ECS is FGW-PC 43088,a rather plain example with not even a nameplate to give it some individuality..22 september 2009..

Amazing when you realise that both these Sulzers are in excess of 43 years old.Built in the sixties to replace in many cases the famous Pacifics of the LNER/LMS and Southern,people at the time said they would never last,just crap!.In fact both these engines have now been in service longer than the entire total of the famous steam Pacifics including A4's and Coronations.You have got to respect that and it certainly proved a lot of doubters in the sixties wrong! Here is 47805/47839 still earning a real living on '6Z48' from Burton to Dollands-Moor with the Steel-IHA empties.Big load today(19 wagons),still going strong this service,now well past the allocated 10 week trial period.Location is Didcot-North.Nearly missed it! as was going well,at least 50mph.This week did not stop as no problems with the Locomotives..17 september 2009..

Running down through Didcot -North Junction taking the station route in the only patch of sun all day is 66194 with what I assume is some kind of MOD working,possibly the 'back' working for '6A49' a Didcot to Bicester job.The white boxes on the rear were refrigerated ..17 september 2009..

This working '6B33' completed the set of 3 red tugs today on tanks trains in the south,also all recorded in dire light.(You have got to try?) Another different one, this time 60041 putting in an appearance.here seen passing Steventon just west of Didcot with the Theale to Robeston service..17 september 2009..

Another returnee from storage,recently re-activated is 60035 here thudding down through Coaley nr Stroud with '6B13' from Robeston to Westerleigh,went to the north end of the cutting there just in case the sun appeared---Fat-chance! ..17 september 2009..

Almost crossing with '6B13' is the northbound discharged tanks '6E41' from Westerleigh,this set going to Lindsey.60085 today making a substitution for 59 that had been on it all week.Location is Coaley south of Stroud..17 september 2009..

Probably the finest quality railway locomotive ever built 60163 attacks Upton-Scudamore incline in the virtual dark with '1Z64' from Exeter returning to Clapham-Junction.Running just over 10 minutes late at a time when every second counted in the quickly failing light,this shot was badly under exposed at 250sec@f3.5 with 1600asa! Required plenty of work in Photoshop to produce even this barely acceptable image! ..13 september 2009..

As we were attending the Great-Central Diesel-Gala just a few miles away it was a golden chance to record this working on the nearby MML,particularly as its running has become quite sparodic.In fact this is the first time it has run for weeks!. Here 60009 heads '6m34' the stone empties from Crawley going to Peak-Forest.Pictures passing Cossington under a cloudless sky (In the UK???)..12 september 2009..

Shortly after departing from Mountsorrel-Quarry the 'Lefarge Self-Discharge' Train heads south down the MML with a working going to Luton.Loco is 66518 and location is Cossington..12 september 2009..

Chugging along the MML at Cossington is seen '6E38' from Colnbrook heading back to Lindsey with 66129 doing the honours..12 september 2009..

With a slain pigeon neatly wedged in the front grill 43052 in the latest 'East Midlands' livery heads north past Cossington.remainer of the consist still in the older MML style including 43072,the rear power-car ..12 september 2009..

Meridian-derivative of the non-tilting Voyager 222102 motors through Cossington with an express heading for St-Pancras..12 september 2009..

The Burton to Dollands-Moor steel-empties finally struggles past Lower-Basildon after an enforced stop at Didcot due to the lead engine catching fire! A delay of 90 minutes followed whilst the situation was remedied,by this time driver was out of hours and the booked relief had to travel from Reading to take over the train.Eventually it all got going again,believe 47848 was going to be detached at Reading and 47839 to continue alone.Anyway, here train '6Z48' is pictured passing Lower-Basildon with just the rear engine (47839) powering being driven from the cab of dead 47848,note no headlight and lack of exhaust plume,also front loco had a terrible wheel-flat.Not a particularly successful first hiring for Riviera to Colas..10 september 2009..

'4m68' to Birch-Coppice from Southampton-MT kept the assembled photographers happy whilst waiting for the failed 47's on the Dollands-Steel.66539 speeds north with a nice healthy load at Lower-Basildon..10 september 2009..

Grey Tug 'Cairn-Gorm' 60073 restarts '6B33' away from Challow-Loops after the briefest of stops,allowing just one HST service to pass..10 september 2009..

Rolling down the Loop at Denchworth to allow an HST service to overtake is 60073 with the Theale-Robeston empties'6B33'.Today was a welcome return to tuggage!..10 september 2009..

With one of the local field residents munching the grass 43032 speeds by with a service heading west under Circourt Bridge,Denchworth..10 september 2009..

Freightliner regular working now is this VQ supply train to Westbury from Stud-Farm.Here is the return empties '6U72' the 11:56 off Westbury passing Circourt-Bridge a few miles west of Didcot.66619 did the honours today..10 september 2009..

Scary looking Army Chopper (5 bladed prop!) flew over Denchworth at a height of no more than 150ft.Made several passes,this one with the undercart down,probably on hire to Failtrack looking for Terrorists on railway bridges!..10 september 2009..

Plenty of tankers on todays '4O51' from Wentloog(Cardiff) down to Southampton.66548 viewed trundling past Denchworth in the late summer sunshine..10 september 2009..

Zipping past the site of the old station at Challow is Power-Car 43028 with a Paddington bound express..10 september 2009..

'Ice-Cream Van' number 1 with '7c31' leans into the bend at Crofton on the Berks & Hants where it skirts the Kennet & Avon Canal ..10 september 2009..

'2v67' thunders away from Frome in the '800asa' gloom.37670/37401 running just 2 minutes down passes Berkley-Marsh.Managed to chase from Thornford south of Yeovil arriving with about a minute to spare.DBS livery is the perfect antidote to dullness!! ..05 september 2009..footnote--Both engines still going strong after 46 and 44 years respectively!! Beat that General-Motors!.....

Thornford was supposed to be the best shot on the line and would have been if the clouds had kept away,do not expect anybody even saw the sun anywhere between Weymouth and Bristol.Here 37670 (which led in both directions) and the ETHEL 37401 run past in the ever increasingly gloomy light heading back to Bristol with '2V67'..05 september 2009..

Slumbering away at Yeovil-Junction is seen doyen of the class 50050.Engine now a runner again and a cosmetic refurb appears to be underway..05 september 2009..

After rejoining the mainline again south of Frome the 'pair' 37670/37401 on ''2O72' continue on their way into history with the last projected scheduled loco-hauled service to the coast at Weymouth from Bristol..05 september 2009..

Smoking lightly 37670 with partner 37401 run through Clink for one last time on a scheduled Weymouth service from Bristol.Next year this working is going to be either units or possibly an HST-set.All will be revealed next summer.RIP another proper train. ..05 september 2009..

The 09:09 Bristol TM to Weymouth (2O72) rolls into Clink nr Frome in the last dregs of the morning sunshine.Thank goodness somebody in DBS/FGW had the nous to mark the passing of LCHS on this service with a decent pair of loco's..05 september 2009..

Unbelievable gallery here at Bathampton of well known photograpers from far and wide.In total about 25 people here so a bit of a scrum!!..Train is the final LCHS from Bristol going to Weymouth hauled by the surprise pair of 37's mooted earlier in the week.Nobody really expected this to happen but yes---------it did. 37670/37401 with all the coaches FGW could muster power through Bathampton on '2O72' going to the seaside.Train was full to standing on leaving Bristol so expect the 'normals' who tried to board at all other stations were a little bit bemused! ..05 september 2009..

Un-Tugged Tanks today! '6B33' with GM 66137 runs down past Chipping-Sodbury shortly after emerging from the tunnel there with a predictably short load (21 TEA's) due to the inadequate haulage capacity of this design! ..22 august 2009..

Current Member of the DBS 'Resurrection-Shuffle' 60019 still carrying a nameplate (Pathfinder Tours-30 Years of Railtouring 1973-2003) creeps down the Westerleigh-Branch on the final approaches to the Fuel-Depot there at a steady 10mph,(Limit over foot-crossing in distance).Working is Robeston-Westerleigh '6B13'..22 august 2009..

1st time this year and probably the last time ever a 'Royal' heads the Bristol-Weymouth '2O72' service.67005 with 67025 on the rear eases away from Westbury at Fairwood with a fully matching set of BR liveried Mk-2's..22 august 2009..

Big-Big Thanks to K Poole for the warning this had just passed Fairwood-Junction.Arrived at Clink with about 40 secs to spare,Low-light was superb and a full tele was required to overcome the very lengthy shadows! 59102 and 59203 run a combined '7V64'and'6v12' down to Merehead..21 august 2009..Footnote---Never seen a driver with his 'Helmet' up on the dashboard before!......

Running as '6z85'and about an hour ahead of schedule and 5-seconds in front of the sun is 66618 with the HOBC on a turning move from Taunton to Taunton via Bristol.This Loco is used to commerate the 'Railway Illustrated' Photographer of the year Award.Not that this dull old shot would win anything!..21 august 2009..

Pretty much the most photographed loco about at the moment is the sole LH-Liveried 60059,particularly when it makes an appearance on '6B13' from Robeston to Westerleigh,here is that train at Coaley near Stonehouse with 60059 contrasting nicely with the colourful selection of bogie-tanks that are used on this duty..11 august 2009..

Cruising through Clink on it's way to Merehead from Acton is seen the delayed (approx 120mins) 7C77 hauled by the still quite smart 59206 in it's distinctive bright-red DBS colours..20 august 2009..

So as Jerry Steele and I arrived here at Dundus in the Limpley-Stoke Valley to record the passing of this working,we found the normally empty field 'choc' full of caravanette's.After about 3 minutes quite a gathering of curious campers had joined us,'Is Tornado coming ?' was the general drift of the conversation! No said I but they still waited.eventually 67005/67025 passed on the Weymouth-Bristol TM '2V67'.Lighting conditions dictated 800asa and only 500th with lens wide open.Gawd knows what the campers got?with their Finepix's and little Kodaks?..15 august 2009..