2. Railways

A day at Westbury

Westbury is a major freight hub on the Berks and Hants route of the former Great Western Railway. Heavy stone trains vie for paths amongs the HST's. It was an interesting place to spend a day with very changeable weather which made for a challenging day. 17/4/2000
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  • The sun hasn't reached the railway yet as 43181 runs towards Westbury station with 1A13 0500 off Exeter to Paddington.

    The sun hasn't reached the railway yet as 43181 runs towards Westbury station with 1A13 0500 off Exeter to Paddington.

  • 66038 skurries away from Westbury heading for Exeter Riverside Yard in the early morning sun. It is running as 0O92.

    66038 skurries away from Westbury heading for Exeter Riverside Yard in the early morning sun. It is running as 0O92.

  • The sound of this train was carried on the still morning air for a good five minutes before it came into view. Hanson liveried 59101 provides the front end pull for over 3000 tonnes of stone. The train is 7A09 0705 Merehead Quarry to Acton Yard Jumbo.

    The sound of this train was carried on the still morning air for a good five minutes before it came into view. Hanson liveried 59101 provides the front end pull for over 3000 tonnes of stone. The train is 7A09 0705 Merehead Quarry to Acton Yard Jumbo.

  • The morning sun has moved sufficiently to light the front of this unknown class 142 Pacer unit with a service from Frome, 0740 off, to Swindon.

    The morning sun has moved sufficiently to light the front of this unknown class 142 Pacer unit with a service from Frome, 0740 off, to Swindon.

  • 66044 sits idle at the stabling point beside the station. It did not move all day.

    66044 sits idle at the stabling point beside the station. It did not move all day.

  • An Alphaline branded class 158 express sprinter arrives at Westbury. 158824 is working the 0703 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central service.

    An Alphaline branded class 158 express sprinter arrives at Westbury. 158824 is working the 0703 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central service.

  • Sprinter 150251 rolls into Westbury from the north east for its station stop. It is working 2O86, the 0812 Bristol Filton Wood to Weymouth train.

    Sprinter 150251 rolls into Westbury from the north east for its station stop. It is working 2O86, the 0812 Bristol Filton Wood to Weymouth train.

  • Yard pilot loco 08664 goes about its business shunting empty bogie hoppers in the sun.

    Yard pilot loco 08664 goes about its business shunting empty bogie hoppers in the sun.

  • A move to Fairwood Junction to the west of Westbury and the point where the station avoiding line rejoins the main line. 43042 leads an up working and takes the station line with 1A39 0634 off Penzance to Paddington.

    A move to Fairwood Junction to the west of Westbury and the point where the station avoiding line rejoins the main line. 43042 leads an up working and takes the station line with 1A39 0634 off Penzance to Paddington.

  • 43190 approaches Fairwood Junction from the station direction. It leads 1C23 0933 from Paddington to Plymouth.

    43190 approaches Fairwood Junction from the station direction. It leads 1C23 0933 from Paddington to Plymouth.

  • 43135 is the rear powercar for 1C23 0933 Paddington to Plymouth. It clatters over the pointwork of Fairwood Junction at speed heading for Plymouth.

    43135 is the rear powercar for 1C23 0933 Paddington to Plymouth. It clatters over the pointwork of Fairwood Junction at speed heading for Plymouth.

  • 66038 comes back and takes the 1933 built station avoiding line with 6O92 1016 MO Exeter Riverside to Dollands Moor loaded china clay polybulks, it is running about an hour early. This traffic is destined for Sezzadio , Italy via the Channel Tunnel.

    66038 comes back and takes the 1933 built station avoiding line with 6O92 1016 MO Exeter Riverside to Dollands Moor loaded china clay polybulks, it is running about an hour early. This traffic is destined for Sezzadio , Italy via the Channel Tunnel.

  • 43024 is not booked to stop at Westbury station so it takes the 1933 built avoiding line. Train 1C31 1033 Paddington to Plymouth approaches Fairwood Junction with the station line to the left.

    43024 is not booked to stop at Westbury station so it takes the 1933 built avoiding line. Train 1C31 1033 Paddington to Plymouth approaches Fairwood Junction with the station line to the left.

  • The rear powercar of 1C31 1033 Paddington to Penzance is not known as the set speeds over the pointwork of Fairwood Junction coming off the avoiding line. The original GWR signalbox stood to the right of the turnouts. https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffsimages/6192811063

    The rear powercar of 1C31 1033 Paddington to Penzance is not known as the set speeds over the pointwork of Fairwood Junction coming off the avoiding line. The original GWR signalbox stood to the right of the turnouts. https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffsimages/6192811063

  • This working stumped me completely, I could not identify it. A South West Trains class 159 unit, 159013, joins the main line at Fairwood Junction heading west.

    This working stumped me completely, I could not identify it. A South West Trains class 159 unit, 159013, joins the main line at Fairwood Junction heading west.

  • 59104 leads a rake of loaded JHA hoppers with 12 open wagons at the rear loaded with forticrete blocks and takes the station route for a crew change. The train is 7A17 1055 from Merehead Quarry to Acton Yard.

    59104 leads a rake of loaded JHA hoppers with 12 open wagons at the rear loaded with forticrete blocks and takes the station route for a crew change. The train is 7A17 1055 from Merehead Quarry to Acton Yard.

  • 59104 heads for Westbury station with very threatening skies to the east. Rain was immenent.

    59104 heads for Westbury station with very threatening skies to the east. Rain was immenent.

  • Another move to the east side of the station and Hawkeridge Junction. 150251 reappears working back to Bristol Temple Meads, 1103 off Weymouth. The line to the left runs to Westbury East Loop Junction and forms a triangle with the main line to London. The sun was on a time limit!!

    Another move to the east side of the station and Hawkeridge Junction. 150251 reappears working back to Bristol Temple Meads, 1103 off Weymouth. The line to the left runs to Westbury East Loop Junction and forms a triangle with the main line to London. The sun was on a time limit!!

  • After a lengthy pause in the station to swap drivers, 59104 leaves the Westbury area heading for London. The town of Westbury forms the backdrop.

    After a lengthy pause in the station to swap drivers, 59104 leaves the Westbury area heading for London. The town of Westbury forms the backdrop.

  • During one of many heavy thunderous downpours of rain and hailstones, 66003 passes Hawkeridge Junction with a rake of loaded TTA tanks of gas oil bound for St Philips Marsh depot, 6V62 1032 off Fawley Refinery. Quite a contrast to the shot of 150251 taken a short while beforehand.

    During one of many heavy thunderous downpours of rain and hailstones, 66003 passes Hawkeridge Junction with a rake of loaded TTA tanks of gas oil bound for St Philips Marsh depot, 6V62 1032 off Fawley Refinery. Quite a contrast to the shot of 150251 taken a short while beforehand.

  • 08664 potters about the station environs with spoil wagons belonging to EWS and Railtrack.

    08664 potters about the station environs with spoil wagons belonging to EWS and Railtrack.

  • 66181 is in charge of 6V16 1148 Fareham to Whatley Quarry empty stone. The loco runs round its train in the station. Another April shower had recently passed over and can be seen in the distance heading east.

    66181 is in charge of 6V16 1148 Fareham to Whatley Quarry empty stone. The loco runs round its train in the station. Another April shower had recently passed over and can be seen in the distance heading east.

  • 158817 makes its station stop with a Wales and West cross country service, 1200 Cardiff Central to Brighton. That is a long way in an underfloor engined two car unit probably without any refreshments!

    158817 makes its station stop with a Wales and West cross country service, 1200 Cardiff Central to Brighton. That is a long way in an underfloor engined two car unit probably without any refreshments!

  • 66033 stands in for a MendipRail class 59 loco on a heavy class 7 freight turn. It slowly passes through on the up reception line with 7B12 1345 MWFO Merehead to Wooton Bassett stone train. More bad weather is coming in.

    66033 stands in for a MendipRail class 59 loco on a heavy class 7 freight turn. It slowly passes through on the up reception line with 7B12 1345 MWFO Merehead to Wooton Bassett stone train. More bad weather is coming in.

  • Another downpour is heading in as 66142 departs the yard with an unknown working of empty stone hoppers. 08664 was shunting these earlier in the day.

    Another downpour is heading in as 66142 departs the yard with an unknown working of empty stone hoppers. 08664 was shunting these earlier in the day.

  • 08664 is employed in the yard and fusses about with a rake of four wheeled hoppers.

    08664 is employed in the yard and fusses about with a rake of four wheeled hoppers.

  • In between the April showers the sun makes a very welcome reappearance. Also reappearing is 66003 running about 95 minutes early with 6C34 1517 MO St Philips Marsh to Westbury empty fuel tanks. The train will recess in the down sidings.

    In between the April showers the sun makes a very welcome reappearance. Also reappearing is 66003 running about 95 minutes early with 6C34 1517 MO St Philips Marsh to Westbury empty fuel tanks. The train will recess in the down sidings.

  • The driver of 66085 climbs down from his charge having arrived from the west. 08664 pauses during a busy shunting schedule.

    The driver of 66085 climbs down from his charge having arrived from the west. 08664 pauses during a busy shunting schedule.

  • The driver of 59001 brings his train to a stand right behind the last wagon of another train. He will come off here as the train, 7C75 1248 Acton Yard to Whatley Quarry empty box wagons, is booked for a crew change here.

    The driver of 59001 brings his train to a stand right behind the last wagon of another train. He will come off here as the train, 7C75 1248 Acton Yard to Whatley Quarry empty box wagons, is booked for a crew change here.

  • With the other train now clear and a fresh driver in the seat, 59001 gets away from Westbury heading for Whatley Quarry which is accessed from the Frome station line.

    With the other train now clear and a fresh driver in the seat, 59001 gets away from Westbury heading for Whatley Quarry which is accessed from the Frome station line.

  • Yeoman liveried 59005 has arrived at Westbury with 6V18 1239 off Hither Green to Whatley empty Jumbo stone hoppers. The driver has done his shift and has stepped off the loco. The sun has popped out from behind one of the many storm clouds.

    Yeoman liveried 59005 has arrived at Westbury with 6V18 1239 off Hither Green to Whatley empty Jumbo stone hoppers. The driver has done his shift and has stepped off the loco. The sun has popped out from behind one of the many storm clouds.

  • Class 153 Bubblecar 153382 slips away from Westbury with 1533 Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton local. The train will bear left and head south just beyond the station. Behind is 59005 during a crew change.

    Class 153 Bubblecar 153382 slips away from Westbury with 1533 Bristol Temple Meads to Southampton local. The train will bear left and head south just beyond the station. Behind is 59005 during a crew change.

  • With the next driver on board, he has brought it up to the down starting gantry to await the road. In the sidings to the left is 66003. Judging by the black sky, 59005 and its train is going to get very wet very shortly!

    With the next driver on board, he has brought it up to the down starting gantry to await the road. In the sidings to the left is 66003. Judging by the black sky, 59005 and its train is going to get very wet very shortly!

  • Rear powercar 43024 has a broken light cluster glass to the left. Its train is 1A66 1429 off Plymouth to Paddington, the up "Mayflower".

    Rear powercar 43024 has a broken light cluster glass to the left. Its train is 1A66 1429 off Plymouth to Paddington, the up "Mayflower".

  • 66102 comes charging through the station at a surprising speed considering the payload of loaded LPG tanks. This is 6V13 1340 off Furzebrook to Hallen Marsh.

    66102 comes charging through the station at a surprising speed considering the payload of loaded LPG tanks. This is 6V13 1340 off Furzebrook to Hallen Marsh.

  • The sky to the east is dark and threatening but will not affect Westbury. 43031 leads a westbound train making its station stop. The working is 1C50 1533 Paddington to Penzance.

    The sky to the east is dark and threatening but will not affect Westbury. 43031 leads a westbound train making its station stop. The working is 1C50 1533 Paddington to Penzance.

  • Despite how it looks 59005 is NOT coupled to the HST. 43031 departs the station with 1C50 1533 from Paddington to Penzance. 59005 will depart when the road is clear for Whatley Quarry.

    Despite how it looks 59005 is NOT coupled to the HST. 43031 departs the station with 1C50 1533 from Paddington to Penzance. 59005 will depart when the road is clear for Whatley Quarry.

  • The rear powercar of 1C50 is 43132. Time to go back to Wareham.

    The rear powercar of 1C50 is 43132. Time to go back to Wareham.

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