2. Railways

Farlease to Shrivenham

After a quick drive up from Dorset I started the day on the other side, albeit by a few miles, of Chipping Sodbury Tunnel picking up where I left off the previous day. My progress was heading in an easterly direction as the day went on. 22/6/2005
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  • A new day has dawned bright, sunny and clear. After a quick drive from Dorset I find myself on a quiet farm road near Farleaze between Badmington and Hullavington. First up is 43134 fronting an early morning Swansea departure for Paddington. The train is 1L24 0630 off Swansea.

    A new day has dawned bright, sunny and clear. After a quick drive from Dorset I find myself on a quiet farm road near Farleaze between Badmington and Hullavington. First up is 43134 fronting an early morning Swansea departure for Paddington. The train is 1L24 0630 off Swansea.

  • This working snuck up on me and almost caught me out. As it approached I realised it was a class 47 and not a class 57. In glorious morning sunshine Freightliner's 47150 drifts down the 1 in 300 gradient with 6Z49 0400 Crewe Basford Hall to Bath. The class 47 has 6 MJA bogie boxes and two empty flats on the drawbar.

    This working snuck up on me and almost caught me out. As it approached I realised it was a class 47 and not a class 57. In glorious morning sunshine Freightliner's 47150 drifts down the 1 in 300 gradient with 6Z49 0400 Crewe Basford Hall to Bath. The class 47 has 6 MJA bogie boxes and two empty flats on the drawbar.

  • Looking east for down trains and the sun is almost into the lens at this hour. An unknown HST passes by with 1B12 0815 Paddington to Cardiff Central.

    Looking east for down trains and the sun is almost into the lens at this hour. An unknown HST passes by with 1B12 0815 Paddington to Cardiff Central.

  • The second freight of the day is a bit more expected, 66036 appears with a rake of empty HTA coal hoppers on 4D06 0750 Didcot power Station to Avonmouth.

    The second freight of the day is a bit more expected, 66036 appears with a rake of empty HTA coal hoppers on 4D06 0750 Didcot power Station to Avonmouth.

  • Class 180 Adelante unit 180105 is employed on 1L46 0955 Cardiff Central to Paddington.

    Class 180 Adelante unit 180105 is employed on 1L46 0955 Cardiff Central to Paddington.

  • Another Freightliner train approaches the over bridge at Farleaze. 57001 fronts 4O51 1003 Wentloog to Southampton Millbrook freightliner service. I was joined here by a guy who got me the details of the 47 working, he was very surprised about it!

    Another Freightliner train approaches the over bridge at Farleaze. 57001 fronts 4O51 1003 Wentloog to Southampton Millbrook freightliner service. I was joined here by a guy who got me the details of the 47 working, he was very surprised about it!

  • A move to another farm overbridge near the village of Rodbourne. An unknown HST comes down grade at 1 in 300 with 1L52 1030 Swansea to Paddington.

    A move to another farm overbridge near the village of Rodbourne. An unknown HST comes down grade at 1 in 300 with 1L52 1030 Swansea to Paddington.

  • The view for trains in the down direction is quite tight and head on here. An unknown HST leads west with 1B28 1145 Paddington to Swansea.

    The view for trains in the down direction is quite tight and head on here. An unknown HST leads west with 1B28 1145 Paddington to Swansea.

  • Constant observation is required here as there is very little warning of approaching trains due to the curves either side of the bridge. 66167 is recorded at the hea of 25 empty HTA coal hoppers heading back to Avonmouth for another load of imported coal.

    Constant observation is required here as there is very little warning of approaching trains due to the curves either side of the bridge. 66167 is recorded at the hea of 25 empty HTA coal hoppers heading back to Avonmouth for another load of imported coal.

  • Another unidentified HST powers by in the up direction working 1L60 1255 Cardiff Central to Paddington. I decided to return here at the end of the day to spent the night in the car.

    Another unidentified HST powers by in the up direction working 1L60 1255 Cardiff Central to Paddington. I decided to return here at the end of the day to spent the night in the car.

  • Callow Hill near Wooton Bassett is a spot pointed out to me by the guy at Farleaze and a nice spot it is too. 43130 fronts 1L62 1230 off Swansea to Paddington.

    Callow Hill near Wooton Bassett is a spot pointed out to me by the guy at Farleaze and a nice spot it is too. 43130 fronts 1L62 1230 off Swansea to Paddington.

  • A down working with powercars 43133 and 43187 approach the road overbridge dropping down grade at 1 in 660 with service 1B37 1315 Paddington to Cardiff Central.

    A down working with powercars 43133 and 43187 approach the road overbridge dropping down grade at 1 in 660 with service 1B37 1315 Paddington to Cardiff Central.

  • An up freight appears with 66184 providing the type 5 power for 6D15 1246 Avonmouth to Didcot Power Station loaded coal hoppers.

    An up freight appears with 66184 providing the type 5 power for 6D15 1246 Avonmouth to Didcot Power Station loaded coal hoppers.

  • A going away shot of 1L66 1330 from Swansea to London Paddington with 43020 at the front and 43136 pushing away at the rear.

    A going away shot of 1L66 1330 from Swansea to London Paddington with 43020 at the front and 43136 pushing away at the rear.

  • Another freight approiaches in the down direction and my second class 47 worked train of the day. Debranded Virgin liveried 47841 leads three 4-CIG units, 1867 1869 1869 for scrap. The working is 5Z45 Stewarts Lane to Carwaent.

    Another freight approiaches in the down direction and my second class 47 worked train of the day. Debranded Virgin liveried 47841 leads three 4-CIG units, 1867 1869 1869 for scrap. The working is 5Z45 Stewarts Lane to Carwaent.

  • Another move to an overbridge on the east side of Wootton Bassett. A Paddington to Bristol working comes by formed by 180101 working 1C48 1530 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.

    Another move to an overbridge on the east side of Wootton Bassett. A Paddington to Bristol working comes by formed by 180101 working 1C48 1530 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.

  • Type 5 super power in the form of Hanson liveried 59104 powering a rake of loaded stone hoppers. This is 7B12 1345 Merehead to Wootton Bassett. The train had run round at Swindon to access the siding for off loading.

    Type 5 super power in the form of Hanson liveried 59104 powering a rake of loaded stone hoppers. This is 7B12 1345 Merehead to Wootton Bassett. The train had run round at Swindon to access the siding for off loading.

  • The gradient here is 1 in 660 in the up direction and an unknown HST passes with 1L71 1430 off Swansea to Paddington.

    The gradient here is 1 in 660 in the up direction and an unknown HST passes with 1L71 1430 off Swansea to Paddington.

  • At this time of day, late afternoon, the view looking west was not so good as it is right into sun. 43028 and 43164 power 1A24 1600 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington at Wootton Bassett.

    At this time of day, late afternoon, the view looking west was not so good as it is right into sun. 43028 and 43164 power 1A24 1600 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington at Wootton Bassett.

  • A down working for Swansea approaches after its Swindon stop with 43172 leading and 43127 at the back. The train is 1B51 1525 off London Paddington.

    A down working for Swansea approaches after its Swindon stop with 43172 leading and 43127 at the back. The train is 1B51 1525 off London Paddington.

  • This was another surprise on a day of surprises! I heard a train coming and looking through my binoculars had me stumped for a moment, then I grabbed my camera. 31459 leads a rake of 5 mkII coaches with 31601 on the back.

    This was another surprise on a day of surprises! I heard a train coming and looking through my binoculars had me stumped for a moment, then I grabbed my camera. 31459 leads a rake of 5 mkII coaches with 31601 on the back.

  • Turning round for the going away shot of the two Brush type 2 locos working 5L74 1524 Castle Carey to Swindon. These trains are for the nearby Glastonbury Festival.

    Turning round for the going away shot of the two Brush type 2 locos working 5L74 1524 Castle Carey to Swindon. These trains are for the nearby Glastonbury Festival.

  • A pair of class 180 Adelante units coupled together form 1A25 1630 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington. The units are 180107 and 180103.

    A pair of class 180 Adelante units coupled together form 1A25 1630 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington. The units are 180107 and 180103.

  • A short while after the class 31's went east they returned heading west back to Castle Carey 1700 off Swindon possibly as either 1L74 or 2L74.

    A short while after the class 31's went east they returned heading west back to Castle Carey 1700 off Swindon possibly as either 1L74 or 2L74.

  • 67022 is once again rostered to the Avonmouth to Wembley enterprise working. Today there is nothing to take back and the loco return to London light as 0M33 1622 off Avonmouth.

    67022 is once again rostered to the Avonmouth to Wembley enterprise working. Today there is nothing to take back and the loco return to London light as 0M33 1622 off Avonmouth.

  • A class 2 working formed by bubblecar 153305 on 2M86 1647 Westbury to Swindon skurries by.

    A class 2 working formed by bubblecar 153305 on 2M86 1647 Westbury to Swindon skurries by.

  • The sun is starting to come round onto the side of the train but is still very much into the lens. 43141 and 43150 are the powers cars on the HST set forming 1A26 1700 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington.

    The sun is starting to come round onto the side of the train but is still very much into the lens. 43141 and 43150 are the powers cars on the HST set forming 1A26 1700 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington.

  • After a very brief layover at Swindon, 153305 shuttles back to Westbury, 1743 off as 2M87.

    After a very brief layover at Swindon, 153305 shuttles back to Westbury, 1743 off as 2M87.

  • The sun is working round to favour the down train even more as the side is lit better. 43168 fronts 1C50 1630 Paddington to Taunton.

    The sun is working round to favour the down train even more as the side is lit better. 43168 fronts 1C50 1630 Paddington to Taunton.

  • The down workings are becoming very frequent as the evening rush kicks in at London. The 1700 off Paddington, 1C51, is just over an hour into its journey of 1 hour 51 minutes.

    The down workings are becoming very frequent as the evening rush kicks in at London. The 1700 off Paddington, 1C51, is just over an hour into its journey of 1 hour 51 minutes.

  • The lowering sun pushes the shadow off 66167 well in front of the loco as it returns to Didcot power station with another load of coal from Avonmouth Docks. The train is 6D19 1653 from the docks.

    The lowering sun pushes the shadow off 66167 well in front of the loco as it returns to Didcot power station with another load of coal from Avonmouth Docks. The train is 6D19 1653 from the docks.

  • The guy at Farleaze gave me a few locations and told me of one which is good for a late sun. On arrival the road looked familiar and I realised I had been here before. 43025 heads for London with 1L88 1755 from Cardiff Central, the location is near Shrivenham.

    The guy at Farleaze gave me a few locations and told me of one which is good for a late sun. On arrival the road looked familiar and I realised I had been here before. 43025 heads for London with 1L88 1755 from Cardiff Central, the location is near Shrivenham.

  • The light favours the down working and fGW "Barbie" livery is lit to perfection as 43147 and 43186 power a down working to Cheltenham, 1G70 1818 off Paddington.

    The light favours the down working and fGW "Barbie" livery is lit to perfection as 43147 and 43186 power a down working to Cheltenham, 1G70 1818 off Paddington.

  • Another wonderfully lit train is 4D16 1745 from Didcot power station to Avonmouth empty coal hoppers with 66036 providing the motive power.

    Another wonderfully lit train is 4D16 1745 from Didcot power station to Avonmouth empty coal hoppers with 66036 providing the motive power.

  • The shadows are starting to encroach onto the up running line as 180114 catches a shadow as it speeds by. Its train is 1L87 1813 from Cheltenham to the former Great Western railway terminus at Paddington.

    The shadows are starting to encroach onto the up running line as 180114 catches a shadow as it speeds by. Its train is 1L87 1813 from Cheltenham to the former Great Western railway terminus at Paddington.

  • The shadows on the Swindon side of the bridge are over both sets of lines as 43138 provides the rear end push for 1C54 1830 Paddington to Weston Super Mare.

    The shadows on the Swindon side of the bridge are over both sets of lines as 43138 provides the rear end push for 1C54 1830 Paddington to Weston Super Mare.

  • An up train powers past the overbridge with 43091 at the front and an unidentified sister on the rear. This working is 1L90 1730 from Swansea to Paddington.

    An up train powers past the overbridge with 43091 at the front and an unidentified sister on the rear. This working is 1L90 1730 from Swansea to Paddington.

  • The sun is sinking fast and the whole up line is in shadow now. Adelantes 180103 and 180107 are seen again as they power back to to Swansea 1915 off London, 1A81.

    The sun is sinking fast and the whole up line is in shadow now. Adelantes 180103 and 180107 are seen again as they power back to to Swansea 1915 off London, 1A81.

  • The last shot at Shrivenham on a superb day and 66117 fronts 6M17 1636 Newport ADJ to Wembley enterprise. The sun just manages to catch the side of the loco between the shadows of the bushes and trees.

    The last shot at Shrivenham on a superb day and 66117 fronts 6M17 1636 Newport ADJ to Wembley enterprise. The sun just manages to catch the side of the loco between the shadows of the bushes and trees.

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    This working snuck up on me and almost caught me out. As it approached I realised it was a class 47 and not a class 57. In glorious morning sunshine Freightliner's 47150 drifts down the 1 in 300 gradient with 6Z49 0400 Crewe Basford Hall to Bath. The class 47 has 6 MJA bogie boxes and two empty flats on the drawbar.
    Looking east for down trains and the sun is almost into the lens at this hour. An unknown HST passes by with 1B12 0815 Paddington to Cardiff Central.
    The second freight of the day is a bit more expected, 66036 appears with a rake of empty HTA coal hoppers on 4D06 0750 Didcot power Station to Avonmouth.