In poor light, without a fanfare and with only me to witness it*, 66129 slowly brings the Mendip Mariner excursion into Whatley Quarry. 59205 can just be glimpsed in the background - 17/01/15 * 3 other chaps did turn up just as I was leaving.
Passing under the Styles Hill road bridge at Frome, 70804 leads 6C26 05:00 Penwithers Junction - Westbury empty autoballasters with 70801 at the rear - 25/01/15
Newly repainted 59002 Alan J Day ticks over at Whatley - 17/01/15
59205 bringing up the rear of Pathfinder tour's Mendip Mariner seen at Murty en-route to Whatley quarry with 66129 up front - 17/01/15
66129 heads Pathfinder Tour;s Mendip Mariner excursion from Eastleigh as it passes through Murty near Frome. Running as 1Z71 and taking in some interesting lines around the Bristol area, the tour nears the highlight of the trip without the usual intrepid souls hanging from the windows as it approaches Whatley quarry. 59205 was at the other end of the working - 17/01/15
With evidence of much recent trackside clearance 43136 passes Dunch lane at Melksham leading 43005 with diverted FGW service 1C79 10.33 Paddington to Plymouth - 02/01/15
Back to work after a nice Christmas break at Arlington Fleet Services in Eastleigh, running as 0x59 59103 leads 59102 and 59101 past Bunn's lane near Frome heading for Merehead - 02/01/15
153305 makes its way slowly past Broughton Gifford near Melksham with 2M09 12.47 Swndon to Westbury service - 30/12/14
FGW "Celebrity" unit 158798 approaches Bathampton junction in poor light with 1F11 10.30 Cardiff to Portsmouth - 30/12/14
66540 appears out of the gloom at Bathampton with 4L32 11.00 Bristol to Tilbury freightliner service - 30/12/14
In super lighting FGW 158957 passes through Heywood with 1F13 11.30 Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour - 29/12/14
FGW 43040 leads 43163 through Heywood, Westbury with 1C79 10.30 Paddington to Plymouth service. Due to engineering work on the B&H services between Devon/Cornwall and the capital were diverted through Swindon and Thingley junction through Melksham and onto Westbury to resume their normal path at Fairwood junction - 29/12/14
Local celebrity unit 158798 in livery advertising the Portsmouth retail outlet Gunwharf Quays passes through Heywood on approach to Westbury with FGW service 1F11 10.30 Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour service - 29/12/14
59102 leads sister 59101 towards Clink Road junction with a movement from Merehead to Eastleigh, they stopped at Westbury to pick up 59103 - 23/12/14
Network Rail's Plasser & Theurer Ballast Regulator DR 77904 and Tamper/Liner 73114 Ron Henderson pass Norton Bavant with a movement from Woking to Rugby Depot access line - 23/12/14
Ex LMS Stanier Black 5s 44871 and 45407 lead 1Z31 the Cathedrals Express excursion towards Heywood Road junction, Westbury. Bound for Bristol Temple Meads, the journey had started from Newington in Kent. I wasn't confident at catching Tangmere at Tisbury and the 5s at Westbury but in the end I arrived with 20 minutes to spare and no mad dash was required - 16/12/14
Un-rebuilt Bulleid Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 Pacific 34067 Tangmere heads 1Z82 The Railway Touring Company's Sherborne Christmas Carol past Tisbury in fine style. The excursion originated from London Victoria bound for Yeovil junction. It's easy to make a case for too much steam but hey, what a sight (and sound) ((and smell afterwards))! - 16/12/14
47580 at Bathampton junction bringing up the rear of 1Z36 06:38 Skegness - Bath Spa which curiously carried the headboard Spirit of the lakes on 47245 - 13/08/14
47245 passes through Bathampton junction approaching it's destination with 1Z36 06:38 Skegness - Bath Spa. The headboard says Spirit of the lakes (??), the more colourful and photogenic 47580 was on the other end - 13/12/14
Former SR Light Pacific 4-6-2 34067 Tangmere in charge of 1Z84 The Bath Christmas Market railtour seen forging through the Avon valley with 37668 at the rear within a few miles of journey's end, the trip originated from Three Bridges - 06/12/14
Former LMS Black 5s 44871 and 45407 in charge of 1Z89 07.39 Cathedrals Express West Brompton to Bristol TM excursion find a welcome patch of sun as they approach Westbury - 02/12/14
Routed via Frome station to allow the late running FGW 10.33 Paddington to Plymouth to pass, Colas 66847 restarts 6C27 12.08 train of MHAs loaded with ballast going to Plymouth from Westbury - 30/11/14
Ex LMS 4-6-0 Black 5 45407 departs Westbury with eleven coaches plus 47746 in tow forming 1Z87 06.50 Poole to Bath/Bristol TM - 27/11/14
66571 leads 66502 towards Twerton with 4L32 Bristol to Tilbury freightliner service. In the distance can be seen the newly re-opened, at a cost of £2.6 million, A431 Kelston road, closed since a landslip in February - 24/11/14
43062 rolls slowly away from a signal halt outside Gillingham station with the NMT round-robin OOC-Exeter-OOC working. The "foreign-sounding" lady next to me on the station footbridge with the small point-and-shoot camera informed me that the driver was her husband and offered me a look around the cab (politely declined) as the working was due to stop to wait the passing of a SWT service - 20/11/14
DCR's 31601 was tasked with conveying 50026 from Eastleigh to Taunton (and onwards to Okehampton on the 20th) as the 50 is to be used on the "Polar Express" specials run on the Dartmor Railway. The pair are seen in poor light passing Styles Hill, Frome - 19/11/14
DCR's 31601 was tasked with conveying 50026 from Eastleigh to Taunton (and onwards to Okehampton on the 20th) as the 50 is to be used on the "Polar Express" specials run on the Dartmor Railway. The pair are seen in poor light passing Styles Hill, Frome - 19/11/14
Network Rail's measurement train speeds up the rise into Bruton with 1Q24 Old Oak Common to Weymouth working. 43062 John Armitt was leading with 43014 The Railway Observer at the rear - 23/10/14
Crawling up the bank from Old Dilton to Upton Scudamore, 66598 leads a mixed collection of loaded MTAs and MHAs which it has worked up from Exeter new yard via Bristol and the Avon valley heading for Eastleigh - 16/10/14
70804 curves into Warminster with a short rake of JNAs from Westbury bound for Eastleigh, the loco returned light engine 3 hours later - 16/10/14
Devon and Cornwall Railway's 31452 leads 31601 through Warminster station en-route from Eastleigh to Meldon quarry, presumeably to collect one or more museum pieces (turned out to be 47701). The working is 0Z31 - 16/101/4
59201 leaves quarry junction at Merehead behind with 7Z12 going to Royal Wootton Bassett - 10/10/14
66117 leads sister 66168 seen at Clink Road junction at Frome with 3J13 RHTT working returning to St Blazey - 10/10/14
59001 leads 7C31 Theale to Merehead through Clink Road junction, Frome. The consist made up of ex. National Power HTA coal hoppers with a JHA wagon at either end to facilitate coupling and shunting - 10/10/14
73107 at the rear of the interesting 3S88 Tonbridge to Tonbridge via Warminster RHTT round trip, 66744 is up the sharp end as the unusual pairing leave Upton Lovell behind - 09/10/14
It's that time of year again and a real treat 1st up (well for me anyway, only my 2nd 73 folks) . 66744 leads 73107 working 3S88 Tonbridge to Tonbridge RHTT through Upton Lovell. According to RTT this working was due to reverse at Warminster but it must have gone on to Westbury as 1 FGW went up and 2 SWT before photographed returning down the Wyle Valley - 09/10/14
Running a full hour late but worth the wait, 70806 runs through Berkley with a lengthy working for Castle Cary. One of several workings over the last few days as Network Rail attempt to shore-up the route across the Somerset levels to Taunton, presumeably in order to avoid a repeat of February's flooding issues - 07/10/14
59101 forges through Berkley near Frome with today's 7A17 working for Colnbrook from Merehead - 30/09/14 - Where were you going in such a hurry Tom?
Network Rail's 950001 working 2Q08 BTM to Plymouth (via many places) passing Wanstrow on the freight-only line from Merehead Quarry - 23/09/14
Network Rail's 950001 working 2Q08 BTM to Plymouth (via many places) runs through Frome station (rather than around the Frome avoiding line) en-route to Merehead Quarry - 23/09/14
Network Rail's 950001 working 2Q08 BTM to Plymouth (via many places) passes Murty near Frome on the freight-only line from Whatley Quarry. The last time I observed this working it did not progress to Whatley but paused at Frome North for a lengthy period before returning to Westbury - I doubt whether it made it as far as the quarry on this occasion either as the time between me photographing it's coming and going at this location was only 4 minutes - 23/09/14
Ex GWR 4-6-0 5029 Nunney Castle passes under the road bridge at Styles Hill, Frome with a Clapham junction to Kingswear excursion - shame about the weather - 16/09/14
A refreshingly clean 150261 is pathed through Frome Station with 2Z11 The Mendip Sprinter excursion from BTM to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore, The trip was organised by East Somerset Models and visited Merehead quarry en-route to Cranmore - 13/09/14
59206 passes Blatchbridge junction Frome with early evening empties for Merehead - 30/07/14
59104 leads 66151 slowly towards Quarry junction at Merehead with 7C77 empties from Merehead - 28/08/14
BR(S) Rebuilt Light Pacific 4-6-2 no. 34046 Braunton heading the return Weymouth Seaside Express steaming nicely through Berkley near Frome, only a gallery of 5 today - 24/08/14
West Coast Railways 37706 seen approaching East Somerset junction bringing up the rear of 1Z47 the 0725 Southend East - Minehead charter train. Sister WCR loco 47237 was leading - 16/08/14
West Coast Railways 47237 leaves Frome behind with 1Z47 the 0725 Southend East - Minehead charter train. Sister WCR loco 37706 is at the rear - 16/08/14
DRS 37409 heads the Network Rail test train through Feltham on the outskirts of Frome returning from Weymouth, it's ultimate destination was Didcot - 29/07/14
Looking superb (despite it's WRC livery) 33029 gets underway from Frome station at the rear of the Weymouth Seaside Express, oh yes, 5029 Nunney Castle was up the other end - 27/07/14
Seen only a matter of 3 miles from it's namesake, ex GWR 4-6-0 5029 Nunney Castle approaches East Somerset junction with 1Z82, The Weymouth Seaside Express 08.20 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth excursion - 27/07/14 The locomotive is 80 years old, the actual castle is over 700 - 27/07/14
British Railways standard class 7 (Britannia class) 70013 Oliver Cromwell leads 1Z65 London Victoria to Bristol excursion through the Avon valley. Along for company (or rather in case of fire) is West Coast Railway's 47237 - 24/07/14
Ex SR 'West Country' class 4-6-2 34046 Braunton hammers along the Frome avoiding line with the returning Torbay Express - 13/07/14
Time for the wellie brigade to make their way home, 43032 leads one of several 'extra' FGW services in relation to the Glastonbury festival, 1Z32 10.32 Castle Cary to Paddington away from East Somerset junction. 43138 at the rear just passing the two trees reminiscent of Sunday's headline act, take your time... yep, Dolly Parton - 30/06/14
Clink road junction Frome bears witness to 165127 leading 165110 with 5Z32 12.33 ECS from Castle Cary back to OOC carriage sidings - 26/04/14
Always nice to see multiple units on the Frome avoiding line, even better when they're something out of the ordinary. 165110 leads 165127 with the wellie express 1Z32 10.30 Paddington to Castle Cary - 26/04/14
The first two FGW services to Castle Cary in relation to this year's Glastonbury Festival were HST sets common to this area, the third service was a bit more exotic. 165131 leading 5Z32 12.33 ECS from Castle Cary back to OOC carriage sidings having dropped off it's precious cargo of Glastonbury festival goers, 165107 was bring up the rear when seen approaching Fairwood junction, Westbury - 25/06/14
It must be Glastonbury festival time again, not seen in these parts since last year's festival, 165107 leads 165131 away from Fairwood, junction, Westbury with 1Z32 10.30 Paddington to Castle Cary (buses to the festival site). Not the first of the day's special trips from the capital but the most interesting as the previous two were HST sets - 25/06/14
59001 passes through Berkley with 59004 for company with a lengthy 7C77 Acton to Merehead empties - 24/06/14
This rag-tag collection of wagons passing Patney forms today's 6Z20 Whatley to Hothfield aggregates excursion, 66129 at the helm - 23/06/14
A few weeks into this SO HST service (24/05/14 - 06/09/14) 43144 is seen in unfamiliar surroundings approaching Thornford station with 1V67 17.28 Weymouth to Bristol TM - the bookend service to the morning's 1O72 09.06 Bristol TM to Weymouth and a nice change from the ususal diet of 150 and 158 units. 43092 was at the other end - 21/06/14
57316 passes through the Avon valley at Claverton with a matching set of coaches and 57313 en route from Southall to Bristol prior to running the Snowdonia Statesman excursion the following day - 20/06/14
Derailed at Doncaster (is that like Sleepless in Seattle?) on 30th May, DBS 66057 is on the straight and narrow approaching Whatley quarry with 15 MBA wagons worked up from Exeter Riverside yard (via Westbury) - 19/06/14
Nearly there, 59101 leads 66161 into Whatley quarry with 6V18 empties from Hither Green - 19/06/14
43014 leads Network Rail's NMT towards Buckhorn Weston tunnel with most of Dorset in the distance. 43062 is at the back, this working, 1Q23, had started the day at Old Oak Common and after a route taking in many parts as far as Exeter it culminated at Salisbury - 19/06/14
08.00 East Somerset junction - 66129 nears journey's end at Westbury with a load originating down in St Blazey at 22.30 the previous night, good job FGW's passenger service doesn't take that long! - 19/06/14
66161 is seen forging through the Avon valley at Freshford with 6A83, aggregates from Avonmouth and bound for West Drayton - 18/06/14
43164 leads 2 coaches and 43186 around the Frome avoiding line with a movement from OOC to Laira - 17/06/14
No need for the Nokia today, in lovely conditions 59204 brings 7C77 Acton to Merehead empties past Edington near Westbury - 17/06/14
66063 is seen at Berkley with an engineers working from Yeovil Pen Mill to Westbury - 15/06/14
I must explain, not my preferred location for capturing the 1Z38 returning to Stafford from Swanage, I was en-route to Upton Lovell but several vehicles had decided to have a coming-together by Knook camp and the police had shut the road (the traffic officer I spoke with did not seem to grasp the importance of capturing a shot of this working and turned me around). 37423 and 37402 lead a matching 11 coach set with sister locomotive 37604 bringing up the rear passing Heytesbury - 13/06/14
59101 seen in familiar surroundings at Styles Hill, Frome with 7C31 the returning empties from Theale to Merehead. I only stopped here as I passed a guy with a video camera on a tripod as I drove over the bridge in the background, always assuming that other folks are better informed than me (couldn't see anything unusual on RTT) I hung around for a while but this was the only thing of any interest* (you can't ever get enough 59s on Mendip aggregates am I right?!) - 13/06/14
*Next time I'll just bloody stop and ask.
*Next time I'll just bloody stop and ask.
A regular performer for FGW on the Westbury to Swindon service, for a change 153333 is entrusted with 2J93 15.20 FO Westbury to Exeter St Davids seen leaving Blatchbridge junction, Frome behind - 13/06/14
37423 and 37402 lead a matching 11 coach set with sister locomotive 37604 bringing up the rear making a fantastic noise on approach to Bradford on Avon with 1Z37 Pathfinder Tour's The Purbeck Explorer - 14/06/14
66850 passes the gallery (of 4) at Berkley with 6Z27 West Ealing to Fairwater train with repaired YDAs for the Taunton out-based HOBC - 12/06/14
In superb light 66139 leads 59206 through Berkley near Frome with 6C76 working of empties from Acton to Whatley. Just managed to sneak the White Horse in top right - 12/06/14
59004 in charge of 6Z21 the big boxes from Grain en-route to Merehead rounds the curve through Clink Road junction, Frome - 12/06/14
Rushing around the curve on approach to Frome North junction 59005 is seen (instead of the usual 66) in charge of 6M20 Whatley to Chuchyard sidings, St Pancras - 12/06/14
Classic Clink, classic err... yellow thing. To give it's full title, UK NRIL 99 70 9131 001-8 seen passing through Clink Road junction Frome with a Swindon to Swindon round robin. This contraption is something to do with overhead electrification, it certainly looks expensive, I love the rocket-launchers! - 11/06/14
Forging through the Wiltshire countryside at Norton Bavant is 59102 in charge of an early morning working bound for Woking - 11/06/14
Seen from the main A361 road bridge looking over Berkley near Frome, 59201 slows to take the road to Whatley at Clink Road junction with 6V18 empties working from Hither Green - 10/06/14
The 7C77 Acton to Merehead is today in the capable hands (or should that be wheels?) of 59206 seen approaching Clink Road junction - 10/06/14
59203 gets seriously underway at Berkley having just joined the main line at Clink Road junction with 6A26 to Hayes - 09/06/14
67025 descends the bank at Upton Scudamore between Warminster and Westbury running to time with Pathfinder Railtour's The Chester and Shrewsbury Explorer originating from Eastleigh. Shame about the poor light - 07/06/14
DCR's 56303 pulls up the rise to Bruton station with BR Mk1 BCK 21268 coach for company. The movement is to Eastleigh from Yeovil junction where the locomotive was an attraction at Yeovil Railway centre's 20th anniversary event over the weekend - 02/06/14
Ex LMS 4-6-0 Black 5 no.44932 guides the Catherals Express away from Gillingham past Muddock's Copse. The excursion originated at Waterloo bound for Yeovil junction and was in conjunction with Yeovil Railway centre's 20th anniversary celebrations - 01/06/14
43134 leads 43053 around the Westbury avoiding line running from Laira to OOC - 30/05/14
Presumably to cash-in on the extra summer passengers and revenue FGW has scheduled an HST set on SO 1O72 09.06 BTM to Weymouth and 17.28 return. 43128 is seen sheltering from the rain(!) under the roof of Frome's Grade II listed building on the first day of the service - 24/05/14
70805 approaches East Somerset junction on it's jack-jones running from Eastleigh to Newton Abbot Hackney yard. Not being connected to any info group I had no idea if there would be a load or just a light engine, still looking for one pulling a load of any kind. One thing is for sure, Colas have done their best with the livery but these things just aren't pretty at all - 21/05/14
West Coast Railway Company's 57314 pilots 34046 Braunton and a rake of stock. The movement was 5Z40 09:55 Bristol Kingsland Road to Southall, bit of a result as I assumed the 57 but got the steam as a bonus. Location is Norton Bavant near Warminster - 19/05/14
God only knows what I was thinking!!* I've only known this location at Clink in Frome for 30 odd years, everyone knows right side of the bridge AM and left side PM! A view of the wrongside of 5Z77 working from OOC to Laira lead by 43150 with a MkIII coach and 43138 at the rear - 17/05/14
* To be fair, due to RTT website "losing this one between Reading and Westbury I only had about 3 mins notice and arrived with about 30 secs to spare.
* To be fair, due to RTT website "losing this one between Reading and Westbury I only had about 3 mins notice and arrived with about 30 secs to spare.
SWT's 159020 leads 159004 on the Frome avoiding line with the 1Z62 Westbury to Bishops Lydiard portion of UK Railtour's The Lorna Doone which originated at London Waterloo and bound for West Somerset Railway. Multiple units unusual on the Frome avoider, SWT 159s even rarer so nice to see - 17/05/14
West Coast Railway's 57314 bound for Bristol with ECS from Southall blasts through Thingley. The stock was for use behind 34046 Braunton on Railway Touring Company's 'The Welsh Borders' special from Bristol Temple Meads to Oxford, Worcester and Hereford (and return) - 16/06/14
60020 rounds the curve at Great Cheverell running over 2 hours late with 6A11 Robeston to Theale Murco tanks. Just before 07.30 and I was hoping the sun would just come around a smidge more, another 30 minutes would have done it for sure - 16/05/14
GWR Castle class 5029 Nunney Castle leaves Fairwood junction (and a huge gallery) behind with the Westbury to Plymouth leg of 1Z44 Pathfinder Tours 'The Anniversary Limited'. Making my way across Westbury from Hawkeridge for a second shot I admit I as staggered to see the huge crowd scene at Fairwood - I've seen less people at Waterloo station - I even wondered if Stephenson's Rocket was taking over at Westbury! I weaved through the Fairwood car park and made it to this location near Rudge, only a small crowd of 6 waiting there! If I'd known it was running a few late I would have legged it nearer to Frome - 09/05/14
DRS pair 47813 and 47828 approach Hawkeridge, Westbury and journey's end with Pathfinder Tour's excursion from Stafford to Westbury, from there the consist went forward to Plymouth behind ex GWR locomotive 5029 Nunney Castle - 09/05/14
Resplendent ex GWR Castle class 5029 Nunney Castle seen approaching Hawkeridge, Westbury having run down with support coach from Bristol Barton Hill. The steam locomotive rendezvoused at Westbury with 1Z44, 'The Anniversary Limited',hauled from Stafford by DRS 47813 and 47828 for onward steam traction to Plymouth - 09/05/14
West Coast Railway's 33029 Glen Loy and the London Underground 4-TC set climb up to the site of Furzebrook sidings nearing journey's end with the 1Z33 Ealing Broadway to Swanage Purbeck Explorer 1 excursion - 07/05/14
D6515 hauls 50026, 50031 and 73207 up the gradient towards Furzebrook sidings. The working is 0Z33 Eastleigh Works to Swanage Railway Diesel Gala Convoy - 07/05/14
D6515 hauls 50026, 50031 and 73207 away from Worgret junction, Wareham and approaching Furzebrook sidings. The working is 0Z33 Eastleigh Works to Swanage Railway Diesel Gala Convoy - 07/05/14
55002 towing D6700, 47292 and the prototype HST Power-Car 41001 up the bank at Upton Scudamore. Spectacular sight, spectacular sound and (after it passed) spectacular smell too... all-in-all ... Spectacular! Talk about a close run thing, having pictured the convoy at Avoncliff the advertised stop at Westbury did not occur and I arrived here literally 30 seconds before it did -, lucky I didn't go to Freshford (originally my first choice), it would have been just a bit too far, also I was originally planning to nab the second shot at Norton Bavant (!)- 02/05/14
Not often that you get a view of the rear-end of an HST power car on a mainline so here you go, I think Gladys appreciated it too. 55002 towing D6700, 47292 and the prototype HST Power-Car 41001 through Avoncliff in the Avon valley en route from Kidderminster to Swanage - 02/05/14
55002 towing D6700, 47292 and the prototype HST Power-Car 41001 through Avoncliff in the Avon valley en route from Kidderminster to Swanage. The working ran as 0Z56 - 02/05/14
66554 passes through Avoncliff in the Avon valley with the fourth working of the day from Westbury to Rumney river bridge junction. Nice to see that Gladys (far left) has had a makeover, nice purple rince! - 02/05/14
A shabby 67024 leads 1Z83 12.20 Truro to London Victoria slowly up the incline at Upton Scudamore with 67006 presumably giving assistance at the rear, the pair had spent the weekend tooling around parts of Devon and Cornwall. This was my second choice of location, local legend Mark Few having already bagged the field at Old Dilton - 27/04/14
37612 leads 37611 at Upton Lovell returning north having run The Heart of Wales Meanderer Eastleigh to Llandrindod the previous day - 22/04/14
66098 passes Upton Lovell in the Wyle valley with empties returning from Chichester bound for Merehead - 22/04/14
And finally, the big boxes from Grain seen from the Styles hill road bridge in Frome 59203 in charge today - 15/04/14
59001 slows on approach to Clink Road junction Frome with empties for Whatley from Appleford, north Didcot - 15/04/14
59206 leads the day's 7C77 Acton to Merehead empties through Styles hill Frome as it has many, many times before - 15/04/14
A nice study of 59202 approaching Frome North junction before taking the Whatley quarry line with empties from Theale - 15/04/14
59004 7A17 Merehead to Acton with a new consist to this area (or rather a return from use in the 1990s) comprised of ex Bardon JGA s and 11As. The view is of course Berkley near Frome - 15/04/14
66130 leads 6M20 Whatley to Churchyard sidings, St Pancras slowly through Berkley - 15/04/14
59101 pilots 7A09 Merehead to Acton away from East Somerset junction - 15/04/14
Apparently Mendip Rail are currently advertising for someone to fill the role of Managing Director (it's true, Totaljobs.com)*
Here's my application.
*If I knew how to do all that "linky" business I'd attach it but I don't.
Here's my application.
*If I knew how to do all that "linky" business I'd attach it but I don't.
Running over 90 minutes late 59102 passes slowly through Berkley with 08.40 Theale to Merehead. Intentionally taken on the "wrong side" for the hell of it, looks reasonably good - 14/04/14
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, does that apply to an absence of sun, steam and inspiration I wonder? I like this location by the Westbury cement works but I've been caught out before (Tornado that time) with a lack of steam as the driver slows for the junctions and curve at Heywood and Hawkeridge - I decided to chance it anyway, c'est la vie! Former GWR Castle 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe brings 1Z36 The Berks & Hants Aqua Sulis excursion from Solihul to Bristol into Westbury just approaching Heywood Road junction - 12/04/14
As my missus says,"with something bad comes something good"(!?!) - my first two choices of location to view this working were both crowd scenes* when I arrived (that's the bad) so here is my third choice location (turned out to be pretty good) near Witham Friary. Gresley A4 Pacific 4-6-2 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in charge of 1Z32 Cathedrals Express excursion from Woking to Kingswear on the Dartmouth Steam Railway - 10/04/14
* It's not that I'm unfriendly it's just that I much prefer to have a unique shot if possible rather than a similar one to loads of other guys (whose efforts are usually better than mine!).
* It's not that I'm unfriendly it's just that I much prefer to have a unique shot if possible rather than a similar one to loads of other guys (whose efforts are usually better than mine!).
Oops!... I did it again (sorry Britney), another entire consist in frame, this time it's the 'big boxes' - 14 in all forming today's 6Z21 Grain to Merehead empties. Not much further to go now as 59206 passes Bunns lane - 08/04/14
59101 barrels through Clink Road junction at Frome with the second Merehead to Acton working of the morning. I decided to take the image slightly more head-on than normal in order to try and get the entire consist in, looks like something worked out right for a change - 09/04/14
43028 leads 43079 away from Clink Road junction at Frome with 0Z70 09.00 Laira to Old Oak Common power car move. I'm sure these movements occur more often than I realise but being so used to seeing complete HST sets running through these parts I find this image kind of mesmeric, I can't stop looking at it (Doctor) - 09/04/14
With Devon and Cornwall now open for business West Coast Railways was contracted to move 8 refurbished FGW coaches from Kilmarnock to Laira on 5th April. The following day 57313 leads 5Z00 10:50 Laira to Southall with barrier coaches Nos. 6330 & 80204 and 47746 at the rear - 06/04/14
Having dropped off it's charge at Westbury, 33029 passes the site of Edington & Bratton station on it's run back to the Southall Railway Centre, nice and quiet compared to the glorious racket it was making when seen earlier with the VolkerRail crane - 05/04/14
I knew I wasn't getting paranoid, 6L21 Whatley to Dagenham once more in the hands of class 66 traction, this time 66130 seen passing the former goods shed at the site of Edington & Bratton station - 05/04/14
West Coast Railway's 33029 Glen Loy passes Norton Bavant near Warminster with 6Z33 12:10 Totton to Westbury movement of the VolkerRail crane - 05/04/14
My new-found curiosity regarding more 66s on aggregates in the Frome area led me to Murty for today's ever-reliable 6L21 Whatley to Dagenham working which was in the hands of 59205(!), a pleasing result regardless of the locomotive although it's getting tricky here thanks to mother nature's efforts at this location - 31/03/14
Freightliner's 66528 at Berkley nears journeys end at Westbury with a working of spoil from Exeter St Thomas - 31/03/14
Sporting it's sheep proudly 66089 passes a particularly lengthy section of discarded rail at Berkley as it works 7Z12 Merehead to Royal Wootton Basset. Although I'm not in the loop (as our American friends say - we say "in the know") about these things, it seems to me that 66s are currently moving in on a few more workings in this area , the working from Acton on the 27th, this, 6L21 the other day, haven't a clue why though - no change there - 31/03/14
66742 makes its way down through Upton Scudamore en route to Westbury from Eastleigh to take out the first 6M40 Westbury to Stud Farm working under GBRf's control having taken over from Freightliner - 31/03/14
66074 trudges up through Upton Scudamore with the day's 6O41 Westbury to Eastleigh working, a pretty mixed bag today - 31/03/14
A short time later but equally damp and gloomy, Network Rail's 950001 makes it's way from Westbury to Derby via all points with working 2Q08 seen at Freshford station, it's lovely here in the sunshine (honest) - 28/03/14
In damp and gloomy conditions 150124 passes through Freshford with today's 2E18 08.45 Westbury to Gloucester - 28/03/14
Looks like my cue to leave as the sun starts to wane on the scene at Berkley with 66160 bringing a rake of empties bound for Merehead from Acton yard - 27/03/14
59103 seen at Berkley with a long train of empties making the short trip from Westbury yard to Whatley - 27/03/14
59203 passes Berkley with the empty big boxes from Grain to Merehead. Nice on the front but sadly shocking depth-of-field - 27/03/14
Currently de-branded 59004 is seen at Murty near Frome with 6V18 empties from Hither Green. What with the shadows from the line-side trees and the nearly head-on and low sun casting a shadow from/of the bridge it was a pretty close-run thing but just about got away with it - 27/03/14
Network Rail's 950001 running as 02.45 Taunton to Westbury skirts Frome on the avoiding line. This working had started early doors in Taunton before negotiating most currently navigable parts of the Devon rail network then heading north to finish in Westbury - 27/03/14
950001 makes it's way out from the Merehead quarry complex with 2Q08 06.24 Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton (via Whatley (aborted), Merehead and Melksham) - that's a few trips in and out of Westbury, it is seen approaching quarry junction - 25/03/14
You know what it's like, you're out admiring your freshly slurried field when a train comes along to spoil the view - thank goodness for decent wellies. Network Rail's unique 950001 seen approaching Quarry junction at the entrance to the Merehead complex - 25/03/14
Contrary to local understanding (and as originally advertised on RTT) the unit DID NOT reach Whatley quarry, only making it as far as Frome North - I should know, I spent nearly 2 hours perched in a bloody tree at Great Elm (no pun intended) with just the birds for company.
Contrary to local understanding (and as originally advertised on RTT) the unit DID NOT reach Whatley quarry, only making it as far as Frome North - I should know, I spent nearly 2 hours perched in a bloody tree at Great Elm (no pun intended) with just the birds for company.
43013 again leading the Network Rail Measurement Train with 43062 at the rear as it speeds away from Fairwood junction, Westbury on the avoiding line. This working, 1Q19, originated from Exeter Riverside yard and is bound for London Paddington. From this view it's just possible to see that the down mainline is very rusty as no traffic has used this section since an embankment collapse less that a mile further up the track at station road. No surprise that the slippage was due to severe flooding, a lengthy and expensive repair is underway - 21/03/14
Network Rail's Measurement Train lead by 43013 approaching Templecombe with 43062 on the rear, the working is 05.59 Westbury to Salisbury (via Exeter) and had worked down from Derby the previous day - 20/03/14
Wrong.
I freely admit to not having much knowledge or savvy regarding most rail movements so maybe no surprise that I staked out a good spot, waited about an hour and the darn thing was running backwards! - who knew?!? I kinda assumed that the locomotive would change ends at Weymouth - still they're bound to remedy the situation prior to running up to Didcot during the stop at Westbury right?
Something like what I was hoping 3Q14 would look like when it arrived at Feltham lane, Frome but it figures that the sun would disappear. Anyway, a pleasant view of FGW 158950 slowing for the Frome stop with 2E24 13.10 Weymouth to Gloucester - 18/03/14
31105 leads Network Rail DBSO 9714 past Pot lane, Berkley near Frome with 3Q14 0938 Bristol High Level Siding to Didcot T.C (via Weymouth) - 18/03/14
Class 70-watch, day 26 and out of the fog.... 70805 passes Witham Friary working up from Fairwater yard, Taunton. The locomotive had worked down to Taunton earlier from Cardiff Canton. Is this the first time a class 70 has travelled this route?, pretty sure it is - 14/03/14
Not having any success with either the weather or the numerous new Colas 70 workings from Westbury so decided to go for something reliable - 60059 passes Hullavington with 6B33 13.00 Theale-Murco going to Robeston-Sidings. Might get a 70 working before Christmas! - 12/03/14
43132 is tail-end charlie for today's 1J99 15.23 Taunton to Paddington service. I always like to see an HST coming off at Blatchbridge junction and calling at Frome station rather than constantly batting around the avoiding line. It looks like Network Rail has put in a spanking new set of steps at this location at Feltham lane, Frome, good news for the 20-or-so dog walkers who use it daily - I wonder how much that cost? - 07/03/14
Recently this service has produced a Voyager but today it is much easier to get the number(!). 43285 speeds through Blatchbridge junction, Frome with 1V54 06.32 Dundee to Exeter St Davids - 07/03/14
Colas 56302 powers 6V51 from Exeter Riverside going to Chirk-Kronospan seen at Sydney Gardens, Bath with an awful lot of wood in tow, 19 loaded wagons. The logs were delivered by road to Exeter Riverside as the normal point of origin at Teigngrace is unreachable by rail, it was unusually routed via Westbury and up the Avon valley to Bath due to the continuing infrastructure problems relating to flooding in the Bridgwater area - 06/03/14
Super Voyager 221126 is rostered for today's 1V54 06.54 Dundee to Exeter St Davids for those wishing to swap Scotland's fourth largest city for Devon's county town. Weather indifferent but I decided to try for a bit of quantity (with hopefully quality in evidence too) at Blatchbridge junction, Frome, unfortunately the Acton/Merehead ran early (Grrr) and the Chicester/Merehead... well I'd still be waiting for it now due to cancellation at Westbury (double Grrr) - 05/03/14
And still they come, this time from Dundee. Super Voyager 221123 speeds past Standerwick near Frome with XC service 1V54 06.54 Dundee to Exeter St Davids. This is typical of what happens when you are outside the loop regarding info groups etc - while I was pressing the shutter on this one, those in the know were lying in wait around Westbury/Warminster for 70805 working up and back from Eastleigh. Think I'll just stake-out Tom Curtis's house and follow him everywhere in future - 03/03/14
More neutral light sees 60059 with 6B13 Robeston to Westerleigh heading in a Southerleigh direction (see, it's a gag that keeps on giving) at Wickwar - 27/02/14
As predicted, the mere thought of a working of interest and the clouds come over. 60092 with 6E41 Westerleigh to Lindsey powers in a Northerleigh direction (see what I did there?, streugh you're a tough crowd) away from Rangeworthy - 27/02/14
Last Super Voyager of the day (well for me anyway), also as predicted the last sun of the day which sees 221138 pass Wickwar with 1S43 Bristol TM to Glasgow. Can't come up with any power station or reptilian reproductive organ type facts for this one, sorry, ohh ohh I wonder if Billy Connelly was on board? - 27/02/14
Another escapee from the clutches of Wickwar tunnel (what Pete??) XC 220023 in charge of today's 1V48 06.45 Newcastle to Bristol TM, I wonder if Ant and Dec were onboard - crocodile testicles from the buffet trolley anyone?? - 27/02/14
Having only recently discovered Voyagers and Super Voyagers what with them being diverted though East Somerset due to the flooding issues further south, the novelty has not worn off yet - I like the look of them although I do think the wheels seem far too small on the bogies. The only problem is getting the numbers off the damn things when they're pretty head-on, lucky I had some help with me thanks to half-term. 221136 speeds through Wickwar with 1M37 11.00 Bristol TM to Manchester Piccadily - 27/02/14
For once, a "going away" shot that was on purpose not just compensation for a head-on that didn't work out. Ex Virgin trains 47769 brings up the rear of a convoy also including 47375 sandwiching 31459 and drawn by 20189 and 20142. The working is 0Z20 from Okehampton to Derby Gas Tank sidings, the location is Freshford in the Avon valley and the purpose of the move was to get 31459 to Derby and 47375 and 47769 to Barrow Hill - 25/02/14
20189 leads sister 20142 through Freshford station in the Avon valley near Bath with 0Z20 working from Okehampton to Derby Gas Tank sidings. In tow are 47375, 31459 and 47769. Although the shot is slightly against the light I gambled on a lack of full sun (just like at Fairwood below) to get a good view of the convoy both coming and going (above), besides I like Freshford station, it's nice and quiet. The purpose of the move was to get 31459 to Derby and 47375 and 47769 to Barrow Hill.. - 25/02/14
I'm sure this working prompted much local interest with all the usuall suspects out for it, my chosen location was the farm crossing by Tennis Corner Wood on approach to Fairwood junction, Westbury - always gives me a chance to trot out my interesting fact about (whichever train it happens to be) having just passed from Somerset into Wiltshire...OK... maybe not that interesting then, please yourselves. Typically, I just lost the sun as 20189 leads sister 20142 with 0Z20 working from Okehampton to Derby Gas Tank sidings. In tow are 47375, 31459 and 47769. The purpose of the move was to get 31459 to Derby and 47375 and 47769 to Barrow Hill - 25/02/14
Typically, just lost the sun as 280mm sees 20189 lead sister 20142 with 0Z20 working from Okehampton to Derby Gas Tank sidings. In tow are 47375, 31459 and 47769. The location is a farm crossing just before Fairwood junction, Westbury. The purpose of the move was to get 31459 to Derby and 47375 and 47769 to Barrow Hill - 25/02/14
Funny thing that, a few weeks ago a sight of this working would have had me doing back-flips but I've got well used to the diverted XC workings now and I'm really just passing time waiting for 0Z20. Also a good illustration of sod's law as the sun was out for this one(!). 221138 passes between Tennis Corner wood, to the right, and Round wood to my left with 1S45 09.23 Exeter St Davids to Aberdeen, I wonder how many of the passengers are on board for the entire (nearly) 12 hour trip - 25/02/14
20142 leads sister 20189 through Wickwar with 0Z47 working down from Barrow Hill to Okehampton, the working ultimately terminated for the day at Taunton due to lack of crew driving hours - 24/02/14
The clouds were kinder to me for the arrival at Wickwar of 220004 with another of Cross Country's long distance runners - 1V56 07.50 Glasgow to Exeter St Davids - 24/02/14
221125 passes the dog-legged platforms at Yate with 1V54 06.32 Dundee to Exeter St Davids - phew, they ain't kidding when they call themselves "Cross Country" - 24/02/14
I hate those blank, neutral skies, wish I knew how to "drop another sky in" with Photoshop like some folks do, something to do with layers and such like - all greek to me, cropping, rotating and a bit of sharpening is currently my limit*. 56302 is seen on the Frome avoiding line with working 6Z29 from Exeter bound for Westbury (isn't everything around these parts!) - 19/02/14
*help please
*help please
And when they team up w220007 passes Standerwick near Frome with another diverted Cross Country service, this time it's 1C22 09.48 Bristol TM to Exeter St Davids (or should that be Exeter SD?). Fortunately the service was running 18 minutes late as I was in bed 10 minutes earlier! Damn you silver boxes - "God damn you all to hell" - 16/02/14
221132 heads into the sunset at Berkley near Frome with 1V56 10.56 Cross Country Newcastle to Exeter St Davids service - 15/02/14
Super Voyager 221130 seen at Trowbridge Note the modified front-end skirt used on Virgin examples - 13/02/14
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Okehampton anymore." 150120 seen at Trowbridge en-route to Bristol TM forming 5Z74 ECS move from Exeter St Davids. The destination blind at the rear giving away it's more usual neck of the woods - 13/02/14
What, how about a FGW HST for a change?, blimey, OK then here goes. A nice bit of organisation here as 43016 is seen with 43015 bringing up the rear (you'll have to take my word for it) approaching East Somerset junction leading 1C81 12.06 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids - 13/02/14
Aren't I bored with all these diverted Cross Country services yet, hell no.
Aren't I bored with all these diverted Cross Country services yet, hell no.
It's the devil's own game trying to get the number off these Voyager sets, fortunately the other end was cleaner and I managed to establish that this is 220019 approaching Freshford with (diverted) 1S45 09.23 Exeter St Davids to Aberdeen. No sign of the incredible hailstorm deluge of just 40 minutes earlier, it made the trip down the short lane to Freshford station a bit of fun and games - 13/02/14
43003 leads 1C81 12.06 FGW Paddington to Exeter St Davids negotiates Hawkeridge junction, Westbury. Due to flooding/infrastructure problems no HST services were running south of Westbury (Weymouth service were unaffected as the problems were south of Castle Cary) after 13.00, it was running 35 minutes late at Heywood Road junction and was then routed through Hawkeridge and on to Bristol TM - 12/02/14
With nothing moving south of Westbury due to flooding/infrastructure issues 43303 and 43357 were quickly sent back from whence they came only 15 minutes earlier with 1V50 06.08 Edinburgh to Exeter St Davids. This is 43357* seen at Haweridge junction, Westbury with a hastily convened 1Z63 Westbury to Bristol TM - 12/02/14
*Is it me or is the number spacing between the 3 and the 5 a bit off?
*Is it me or is the number spacing between the 3 and the 5 a bit off?
Cross Country's 43303 seen approaching Hawkeridge junction, Westbury with the (diverted) 1V50 06.08 Edinburgh to Exeter St Davids - 12/02/14
43378 passes through the well manicured Bruton station at speed with (diverted) 1V44 06.00 Leeds to Exeter St Davids - 12/02/14
Super Voyager 221119 races through Bruton with 1S45 Exeter St Davids to Aberdeen - 12/02/14
Taken from the bridge at Pot lane, Berkley near Frome, Voyager 220032 heads into the setting sun with Cross Country's (diverted) 1V56 07.50 Glasgow to Exeter St Davids - 11/02/14
43378 passes Claverton in the Avon valley with (diverted) 1V50 06.06 Edinburgh to Exeter St Davids service - 11/02/14
I couldn't resist this "going away" shot of 43285 on the back end of (diverted) 1S51 12.23 Exeter St Davids to Glasgow at Claverton, less than 2 minutes later it would be joining the Bristol/Bath to London Paddington route at Bathampton junction - 11/02/14
Cross Country's 43321 leads (diverted) 1S51 12.23 Exeter St Davids service through the Avon Valley at Claverton, the rear power car is 43285. With just the 80 - 300 mil today it was touch and go whether I would get the full consist in - 11/02/14
SWT's 159009 is just one of many in today's cavalcade of multiple units plying their trade through the beautiful Avon valley near Bath. The working is 1O48 12.51 Bristol TM to Salisbury - 11/02/14
150921 seen passing through Claverton in the Avon valley with 1O98 10.50 Great Malvern to Brighton - that's quite a trek but still not a patch on Aberdeen to Exeter St Davids (and beyond once the Dawlish problem is resolved) - 11/02/14
Re-thought 1C78 09.06 London Paddington to Castle Cary passes Strap lane near Upton Noble - 11/02/14
Due to the flooding in the Taunton area FGW had to re-think it's services to and from the capital, 43037 climbs Brewham Bank leading 1A78 10.45 Castle Cary to London Paddington - 11/02/14
Super Voyager 221125 climbing Brewham Bank with diverted 1S45 Exeter St Davids to Aberdeen, phew, that's quite a trek - 11/02/14
It's not often you see multiple units on the Frome avoiding line, and 143s, well they're as rare as sunshine! 143611 leads 5Z74 1130 Exeter St Davids ECS to St Philips Marsh past Styles Hill. 143620 was on the rear with 143618 inbetween - 10/02/14
With no services running south of Castle Cary due to flooding and infrastructure problems FGW services are currently subject to change. Berkley near Frome is no stranger to HSTs but ECS movements are rare - here 43132 is on 5Z91 16.10 Westbury to Castle Cary ECS - this stock will form 1A91 17.39 Castle Cary to London Paddington - 09/02/14
Presumably related to the general FGW scheduling problems caused by the closure of the line south of Dawlish, 43147 is seen at Frome with working 1J99 15.41 Castle Cary to Bedwyn(!), why not - 07/02/14
Unidentified FGW 158 unit passes Bapton in a still water-logged Wyle valley with 1F07 08.30 Cardiff to Portsmouth. I was there principally to capture 6O41 (that didn't work out so well), this was a nice bonus - 04/02/14
43146 leads 1C85 FGW 12.48 Paddington to Penzance past the unfamiliar surroundings of Galhampton between Castle Cary and Yeovil due to the West of England line closure at Whiteball tunnel - 29/01/14
43156 forges through the Somerset countryside near Queen Camel with 1C81 FGW 10.48 departure from Paddington to Penzance. Services from the South West being diverted through Honiton and Yeovil to regain the West of England line at Castle Cary due to the closure of Whiteball tunnel south of Taunton - 29/01/14
Due to the ongoing closure of Whiteball tunnel FGW services between Devon/Cornwall and London are routed through Exeter and Yeovil regaining the West of England line at Castle Cary. 43134 is seen approaching Sparkford with 1A83 09.40 Penzance to Paddington, 43003 on the other end - 28/01/14
Hardworking local celebrity Colas' 56113 approaches the junction at Fairwood with 6Z28 working from Westbury to Exeter Riverside. A lucky patch of sunshine for me and several others - 09/01/14
Enthusiasts were out in force (shame the sun wasn't) at Fairwood junction, Westbury to see 5029 Nunney Castle. Steaming from many an orifice but then she is 80 yeas old in May, the working originated on the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard and was bound for Southall, nice to know not everything in West Somerset is currently under several feet of water! - 09/01/14
Not the ideal lighting for me or the five other guys who chose to view this working from the bridge at Fairwood junction, Westbury. Ex GWR 5029 Nunney Castle plus support coach working up from Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway to Southall. The board reads "5029 Support Group", I suppose we'll all need a support group when we reach 80 years old - 09/01/14
West Coast Railway's 33029 pulls away from Heywood Road junction, Westbury with 6Z47 working from Westbury to Woking. The consist of VolkerRail 100 tonne crane plus support is seen passing the currently moth-balled cement works owned by Lafarge. Nice to see the (partial) correct headcode displayed - 09/01/14
Always a compositional dilemma, tall trees, buildings, pylons etc, to include as above or to crop as here, WCR's 33029 Glen Loy displaying the correct headcode passes Westbury cement works with 6Z47 Westbury to Woking Up Yard. The consist, VolkerRail 100 tonne crane DR81601 plus entourage - 09/01/14