2. Railways

A flat day at Severn Tunnel Junction

The last day of my tour of South Wales and I return to a favourite location, Severn Tunnel Junction. After three days of good sunshine I was a little disappointed weather wise and this day turned out flat with no rain but little or no sun either. 4/8/2006
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  • Severn Tunnel Junction is the location on a day of flat light and overcast skies. 66541 runs through the deserted station with just seven containers hidden by the footbridge. This is 4V50 0500 Southampton to Wentloog Freightliner, a notoriously lightly loaded service.

    Severn Tunnel Junction is the location on a day of flat light and overcast skies. 66541 runs through the deserted station with just seven containers hidden by the footbridge. This is 4V50 0500 Southampton to Wentloog Freightliner, a notoriously lightly loaded service.

  • The first departure for South Wales from Paddington is booked (at the time) for a class 180 Adelante unit. 180114 forms 1C01 0543 Paddington to Cardiff.

    The first departure for South Wales from Paddington is booked (at the time) for a class 180 Adelante unit. 180114 forms 1C01 0543 Paddington to Cardiff.

  • The first of the day's seen EWS freight action approaches with 66117 hauling a rake of empty MBA bogie boxes. The working is 6Z71 0652 Margam to Washwood Heath empty scrap.

    The first of the day's seen EWS freight action approaches with 66117 hauling a rake of empty MBA bogie boxes. The working is 6Z71 0652 Margam to Washwood Heath empty scrap.

  • By 8.30am there are a few commuters waiting for their train as 66200 passes along the Down Relief road with 6V54 0530 Round Oak to Margam empty steel train.

    By 8.30am there are a few commuters waiting for their train as 66200 passes along the Down Relief road with 6V54 0530 Round Oak to Margam empty steel train.

  • After a night at the motel Del Astra (the car!) it's breakfast time, sausage and beans with potatoes and mushrooms washed down with a cup of coffee! Burup :-)

    After a night at the motel Del Astra (the car!) it's breakfast time, sausage and beans with potatoes and mushrooms washed down with a cup of coffee! Burup :-)

  • 150285 is a former ScotRail unit now employed in South Wales. Here it departs STJ heading back towards Newport having run in a few minutes previously. I'm guessing it is on a crew training run.

    150285 is a former ScotRail unit now employed in South Wales. Here it departs STJ heading back towards Newport having run in a few minutes previously. I'm guessing it is on a crew training run.

  • The Internet was buzzing with news of 37417 working 6C01 0941 Newport ADJ to Bristol East Depot loaded steel on BEA flats, but I was NOT aware of the allocation. So I was very pleased when it appeared and I was the only person here to see it. The train was signalled for the tunnel route.

    The Internet was buzzing with news of 37417 working 6C01 0941 Newport ADJ to Bristol East Depot loaded steel on BEA flats, but I was NOT aware of the allocation. So I was very pleased when it appeared and I was the only person here to see it. The train was signalled for the tunnel route.

  • Even in 2006 class 37s were becoming a rarety so getting one is a real bonus. 37417 carries the name "Richard Trevithick" and has been seen a few times this last week.

    Even in 2006 class 37s were becoming a rarety so getting one is a real bonus. 37417 carries the name "Richard Trevithick" and has been seen a few times this last week.

  • The daily Robeston to Westerleigh loaded petroleum bogie tanks, 6B13 0533 from the refinery approaches and as usual a class 60 is at the front and 60021 is this day's rostered loco.

    The daily Robeston to Westerleigh loaded petroleum bogie tanks, 6B13 0533 from the refinery approaches and as usual a class 60 is at the front and 60021 is this day's rostered loco.

  • This a very heavy train and a single class 66 may not be powerful enough to haul it over the challenging road from Robeston.

    This a very heavy train and a single class 66 may not be powerful enough to haul it over the challenging road from Robeston.

  • 180114 takes the turnout for the Severn Tunnel heading back to London Paddington with 1L46 0955 from Paddington.

    180114 takes the turnout for the Severn Tunnel heading back to London Paddington with 1L46 0955 from Paddington.

  • The question has to be asked, how viable is it to run a train between two freightliner terminals with just TWO conatiners being carried. 66541 is hardly taxed with this load of mainly "fresh air", 4O51 1002 from Wentloog to Southampton.

    The question has to be asked, how viable is it to run a train between two freightliner terminals with just TWO conatiners being carried. 66541 is hardly taxed with this load of mainly "fresh air", 4O51 1002 from Wentloog to Southampton.

  • Just a few minutes after the "Freshairliner" passed, 66053 emerged from the Severn Tunnel with 6B65 0915 Westbury Yard to Newport ADJ. This departmental working is a long train of continuous welded rail.

    Just a few minutes after the "Freshairliner" passed, 66053 emerged from the Severn Tunnel with 6B65 0915 Westbury Yard to Newport ADJ. This departmental working is a long train of continuous welded rail.

  • 66200 must have dropped off the wagons from its previous train at either Newport ADJ or Llanwern as it is now heading back north with 6M41 to Round Oak, 1034 off Llanwern.

    66200 must have dropped off the wagons from its previous train at either Newport ADJ or Llanwern as it is now heading back north with 6M41 to Round Oak, 1034 off Llanwern.

  • FGW are re-engining their powercars and one of the two first is 43004. Here it leads 43169 on 1L51 1055 Cardiff to Paddington. It has been reliveried into an "electric blue Barbie" colour scheme.

    FGW are re-engining their powercars and one of the two first is 43004. Here it leads 43169 on 1L51 1055 Cardiff to Paddington. It has been reliveried into an "electric blue Barbie" colour scheme.

  • Somewhat far from its liveried former area of operation, Trans Pennine branded 158763 slows for its STJ stop with 2C71 1100 from Cardiff to Taunton.

    Somewhat far from its liveried former area of operation, Trans Pennine branded 158763 slows for its STJ stop with 2C71 1100 from Cardiff to Taunton.

  • 66124 wheels its 18 empty HTA coal hoppers onto the Up Tunnel road and will dive below the Severn Estuary heading for Avonmouth Docks and another load of imported coal. The train is 4C55 0858 Aberthaw Power Staion to Avonmouth Docks.

    66124 wheels its 18 empty HTA coal hoppers onto the Up Tunnel road and will dive below the Severn Estuary heading for Avonmouth Docks and another load of imported coal. The train is 4C55 0858 Aberthaw Power Staion to Avonmouth Docks.

  • The other powercar turned out with 43004 is 43009 and it too was given the new livery. It fronts 1L54 1155 Cardiff to Paddington with 43091 at the rear.

    The other powercar turned out with 43004 is 43009 and it too was given the new livery. It fronts 1L54 1155 Cardiff to Paddington with 43091 at the rear.

  • I've heard these units called a "dog box" but I prefer bubble car. 153377 departs the station with 2B94 1105 Taunton to Cardiff.

    I've heard these units called a "dog box" but I prefer bubble car. 153377 departs the station with 2B94 1105 Taunton to Cardiff.

  • On Track Plant is often ignored but they form an intergral part of the Network and have an important role to play. 73901 is a Plasser and Theurer 08-275 Switch and Crossing Tamper.

    On Track Plant is often ignored but they form an intergral part of the Network and have an important role to play. 73901 is a Plasser and Theurer 08-275 Switch and Crossing Tamper.

  • More OTP and 73920 is another Plasser and Theurer product, a 08-16/4x4C80-RT tamper.

    More OTP and 73920 is another Plasser and Theurer product, a 08-16/4x4C80-RT tamper.

  • More empty coal hoppers head for Avonmouth for reloading with 66211 powering 4C58 1313 from East Usk Yard, Newport.

    More empty coal hoppers head for Avonmouth for reloading with 66211 powering 4C58 1313 from East Usk Yard, Newport.

  • Yet more OTP, this time heading away from the area. 73935 is a 08-4x4/4S-RT switch and crossing tamper and, like the others, is built by Plasser and Theurer.

    Yet more OTP, this time heading away from the area. 73935 is a 08-4x4/4S-RT switch and crossing tamper and, like the others, is built by Plasser and Theurer.

  • Train 2C77 is the 1400 departure from Cardiff to Taunton, the train is made up of 150243, 143620 and 153382 all in advertising livieries.

    Train 2C77 is the 1400 departure from Cardiff to Taunton, the train is made up of 150243, 143620 and 153382 all in advertising livieries.

  • 66053 is recorded for the second time, this working is a class 7, 45mph departmental train consisting of sea cow ballast hoppers and a shark ballast plough van. The working is 7C41 Newport East Usk to Westbury.

    66053 is recorded for the second time, this working is a class 7, 45mph departmental train consisting of sea cow ballast hoppers and a shark ballast plough van. The working is 7C41 Newport East Usk to Westbury.

  • A down HST powered by 43135 and 43040 climbs out of the hole in the ground that is the Severn Tunnel. The train is 1B35 1245 Paddington to Swansea.

    A down HST powered by 43135 and 43040 climbs out of the hole in the ground that is the Severn Tunnel. The train is 1B35 1245 Paddington to Swansea.

  • 158842 is branded with the name of a local newspaper, The Western Mail. The set gets away from STJ station whilst working 2L59 1358 Gloucester to Maesteg.

    158842 is branded with the name of a local newspaper, The Western Mail. The set gets away from STJ station whilst working 2L59 1358 Gloucester to Maesteg.

  • 37417 reaches the top of the three mile climb from the lowest point in the Severn Tunnel, 1 in 90 all the way.

    37417 reaches the top of the three mile climb from the lowest point in the Severn Tunnel, 1 in 90 all the way.

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    The daily Robeston to Westerleigh loaded petroleum bogie tanks, 6B13 0533 from the refinery approaches and as usual a class 60 is at the front and 60021 is this day's rostered loco.
    This a very heavy train and a single class 66 may not be powerful enough to haul it over the challenging road from Robeston.
    180114 takes the turnout for the Severn Tunnel heading back to London Paddington with 1L46 0955 from Paddington.