Ballasting the 00 Gauge TMD

Just the weather to stay at home and do some Ballasting of the TMD area

Time to Update I guess

Trains at Basingstoke - 450108

450108

South West Trains Class 450 third-rail DC Electric Multiple Unit Passenger Train. The Siemens Desiro 4 Car Passenger Train entered service in 2003 and in the photograph above Unit No. 450108 is arriving at Basingstoke Train Station on the 13th August 2013 with a service for London Waterloo.

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390050 "Virgin Invader" Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino at Stafford Railway Station 11th July 2013

390050 "Virgin Invader" Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino at Stafford Railway Station 11th July 2013

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43190 First Great Western Class 43 HST at Cardiff Central 2003

43190 First Great Western Livery Class 43 HST Power Car

Cardiff Railway Station 28th May 2003

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87002 Porterbrook Livery Class 87 Crewe Open Day 31st May 2003

 

 

87002 Porterbrook Livery Class 87 Photographed at the Crewe Open Day 31st May 2003

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9701 Network Rail DBSO at Didcot

 

9701 Network Rail DBSO at Didcot Parkway Railway Station 19th April 2013

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60049 EWS Class 60 at Coedkernw 8th April 2003

60049 EWS Livery Class 60 at Coedkernw 8th April 2003

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66301 DRS Livery Class 66/3 at Gloucester 9th April 2013

DRS Livery Class 66/3 66301 at Gloucester Train Station 9th April 2013

4V38 Daventry to Wentloog service

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444006 at Eastleigh

South West Trains Class 444 Railway Passenger Unit No. 444006 

Photographed at Eastleigh Train Station 11th April 2013

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Train Sightings at Cardiff 23rd May 2012

List of Train Sightings on a Sunny Day at Cardiff Central Station between 12pm - 3.30pm

12.34 East 66040 Steel Coils
13.55 West 66110 Steel Coil carriers
14.20 West 66055 Steel Coils
14.36 East 66059 Barry Dock to Newport ADJ Enterprise train
14.45 West 66077 Light Engine
14.52 West 66250 Loaded HTAs
15.00 East 66596 Freightliner Heavy Haul Hoppers

43017/018/030/033/063/069/137/145/149/155/158/172/189

56311

66619

142002/010/006/072/073/074/075/077/080/081/083/085

143601/602/604/606/607/608/609/610/614/616/622/623/624/625

150126/203/208/213/217/219/230/233/235/237/240/241/253/250/253/254/256/257/258/259/261/267/278/281/282/283/284/285

153305

158818/824/831/953/952/956/958/960/961

170107/110/637

175005/011/103/111/116

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Riding the Trains Around the Midlands 11th May 2012

Myself my Son and my Nephew decided to have a day out riding the trains around the Midlands with a bit of number taking and hopefully the odd photograph.  After some research the cheapest option we found was a West Midlands Day Ranger for £21.60 and £13.20 for Senior Citizens.  This we decided would be started from Hereford, which was only an hours car drive from home.
It was very cold on arrival at Hereford and got even colder has the day progressed but we persevered.  This is the list of trains we had planned to catch with some sight seeing on route, and the forward planning deemed to be successful, all trains on time and all trains caught.

9.40am Hereford to Birmingham New Street 11.13am - London Midland Class 170
11.33am Birmingham New Street to Rugby 12.11pm - London Midland Class 350
12.51pm Rugby to Birmingham New Street 13.27pm - Virgin Trains Pendelino Class 390
14.20pm Birmingham New Street to Crewe 15.07pm - Virgin Trains Voyager Class 220
15.49pm Crewe to Stafford 16.09pm - London Midland Class 350
18.28pm Stafford to Birmingham New Street 18.58pm - Cross Country Voyager Class 221
19.17pm Birmingham New Street to Hereford 21.02pm.

This is the list of sightings throughout the day.

DR73942

08805
31106
47712/802/847
56031/069/074/106
57316
66047/056/158/562/589
67003 + 9539 6183 5976 10259
70013
86247
90021/045/049
92036

150109
153364/366/367
158823
170112/503/513/516/520/522/630/631/636
172220/212/217
175007/011/108
220012/014/022031/032/033
221102/104/105/106/107/108/113/114/119/127/137/139/142
323132/201/209/228/233/340/342
350105/109/112/113/116/119/121/122/123/125/126/127/129/130/138/231/232/236/240/253/261/264
390001/008/009/017/019/022/023/025/029/032/036/039/043/044/046/049/051/052
390154/156/157


A great day was has by all for not a lot of money.

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Train Sightings at Cardiff 29th March 2012

60007 at Cardiff Central

Cardiff Central Station 8.30am till 11.50am

Loco Movements

08.40 66182 East with Ford Vans from Bridgen
09.10 50049 37308 50135 50044 + wagons W95194 200176 201056 in convoy Cardiff Canton to Kidderminster
09.12 56312 East via Platform 4
09.25 67003 off Cardiff Canton heading East driver route learning.
09.30 66847 West with French Steel Coil Carrying wagons
09.35 60007 East with Murco Bogie tank wagons
09.45 66119 HTA wagons to Aberthaw
09.50 66086 East Steel Coil Carrying Wagons
10.00 67002 arrived Platform 4 with the Holyhead to Cardiff Service + coaches 9521 6137 5476 10259
10.30 66020 East with HTA wagons
10.55 66121 East with 2 JSA wagons
11.10 66057 West with HTA wagons
11.20 66046 East with HTA wagons
11.40 67003 returned and went on to Cardiff Canton
11.35 66847 returned and went East light engine

Passenger Trains


Class 43 HST
43004/023/024/033/037/070/086/122/127/140/143/153/154/171/182/190/194
Class 142
142002/006/068/069/072/073/074/076/080/081/082/083/085
Class 143
143601/604/605/606/607/608/609/610/614/616/622/623/624/625
Class 150
150208/213/219/227/230/231/235/240/241/244/245/250/252/253/254/255/257/258/259/262/263/278/281/282/283/284/285
Class 153
153323/362
Class 158
158798/830/952/953/956/958/961
Class 170
170102/104/109/112
Class 175
175007/011/101/108/110/112/116

142085 arriving at Platform 6 Cardiff Central Station

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Train Sightings on a Trip to Stafford 28th March 2012

Train Sightings List on a trip to Stafford 28th March 2012.

Newly Painted 37259 at Crewe

Trip wasn't a good start the planned Arriva Trains Wales 06.19am Barry Dock to Cardiff did not turn up wish pushed my timings back fifteen minutes, and meant I would miss the planned Arriva Trains Wales 06.50am. to Manchester.  This was extremely annoying to say the least but proved to be fate has various sightings at Shrewsbury and Crewe would have been missed had the 06.19 turned up. My body was still suffering from the long haul yesterday but the last day of the Arriva Trains Over 55 £19 ticket had to be taken advantage off, and today I am armed with a stool to sit on.  On arrival at Cardiff and a quick look at the boards I decided on the 07.20am to Holyhead has far as Shrewsbury, then wait for the next train to Crewe, then on to Stafford.

Cardiff  06.50 till 7.20

56302 56312 still on the blocks
7.05am 66015 East with HTAs
7.15am 66155 West with HTAs

07.20am 175109 to Shrewsbury.

Compass Tours Huddersfield to Cardiff Railtour was parked up in the platform at Shrewsbury departed 9.55am

47786 top n tail with 57601
Coaches were:- 6022 6103 W5928  6115 6000 W1201 3362 3359 3350 3431 3313 9496

Shrewsbury 9.25 till 10am

153367 153364 158831 17501 175101

10.00am 175008 to Crewe

Crewe 10.30am till 11.15am

20309+20308 at Gresty
37259 in the Platform awaiting siganal clearance (looks freshly painted)
700015 arrived with auto ballast train hoppers and ran around then departed South
DR73906 "Panther" Swith/Crossing Tamper heading South
86614+86607+90045 arrived.

390041 390035 350122 221142 221118 323226 221116 323237 350117 390052 221112 390054 153323 150237

11.15am 350101 to Stafford

Seen on route to Stafford

47712 90042 66060

Stafford 11.40am - 6pm

 Loco Movements


12.16pm 66715 North with Containers
13.04pm HST Test Train 43013+43062 in charge going South
13.15pm DR79262 Switch/Crossing Rail Grinder North
13.18pm 66428 North with Containers
13.30pm 66009 South loaded Car Carriers (Range Rovers)
13.56pm 66703 South with Containers
14.38pm 66599 South Light Engine
15.01pm 66059 South with Containers
15.17pm 66562 North with Containers
15.38pm 70005 North Ballast train
15.41pm 86609+86627 North with Containers
15.48pm 70016 North with Coal Hoppers
16.10pm 66568 North Light Engine
16.11pm 66429 South with Containers
16.21pm 86638+86604 North with Containers
16.35pm 66130 North with Lime Hoppers
16.44pm North with empty Car Carriers
17.09pm 66186 North towing MPV DR98911 and 2 JNA Ballast wagons
17.11pm HST Test Train 43013+43062 in charge goingNorth
17.20pm 90047 North with Containers
17.22pm 66558 North with Containers
17.27pm 90016 North with Containers
17.34pm 66590+66418 South with Containers
17.39pm 66027 North with MLA Ballast wagon train
18.00pm 90020 South empty Car Carriers

Passenger Units at Stafford


Class 220
220001/003/005/010/017/026/029/030/032/033


Class 221
221101/102/103/105/106/107/109/111/112/115/117/118/121/123/127/129/135/140/141/142/143

Class 350
350101/107/109/110/112/116/117/119/121/122/127/129/211/227/231/238/242/245/252

Class 390
390001/003/004/005/006/008/011/012/013/014/015/017/018/020/021/024/025/026/027/028/032/035/038/039/040/041/043/048/049/051

17.55pm 390051 to Crewe

Crewe 18.30pm till 19.08pm

18.50pm  67002 arrived on the Cardiff to Holyhead

18.54pm Royal Mail 325004+325003+325002 going North

350117 158780 390047 350127

Scrap Lines
94476 94517 94529 6027 9428

19.08pm 175116 to Cardiff

at Shrewsbury 97303 top n tail with another yellow 37 and ballast hopper train awaiting to head South

Well what another brilliant day at Stafford, met some great train enthusiasts and station staff.  Station was very clean and Station Staff only to willing to help with any questions.
With that amount of sightings in one day I will most definately be returning in the near future when funds allow.
Highlight of the day my first ride on the Class 390 Pendelino full speed full tilt.

390021 Pendelino at Stafford

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Class 50 convoy Leaving Cardiff Canton 29th March 2012

On 29th March the three Class 50 locomotives, Class 37 locomotive and three wagons that had been based at Cardiff Canton for a good many years were being moved to the Severn Valley Railway.  I was lucky enough to photograph the departure in full sun.  Rumours have it that Colas have now taken over the Cardiff Canton Depot but I have not seen this confirmed.  Also noticed yesterday was that the very distinct water tower at Cardiff Canton has been more or less demolished., I am sure I have a picture of it somewhere.

Here is my photographic record of the 09.10am 6F50 Cardiff Canton to Kidderminster departure.

50049 "Defiance" in charge of the convoy

50049 "Defiance"

37308 in a rather sad state

50135 "Ark Royal"

W95194 Parcels Wagon

200176 VAA wagon

201056  VDA wagon

50044 "Exeter"

Thanks for Viewing - Hope you enjoyed

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Train Sightings on a Trip to Stafford 27th March 2012

Train Sightings List on a trip to Stafford 27th March 2012.

86632 + 86622 at Stafford  27th March 2012

06.19am 143607+142073 to Cardiff

56302+56312 on the Blocks at Cardiff
06.47am 66230 East with HTA wagons

06.50am 158825 to Crewe

Seen at Crewe

66525 47769
221106 323237 390012

09.45 350102 to Stafford

Stafford Station 10.15am till 17.09pm

Loco Movements

10.27am 86632+86622 South with Containers
10.33am 66431 South with Containers
11.18am 86607+86610 North with Containers
11.20am DR73108 South
11.41am 70018+66536 South with Containers
12.18pm 66703 North with Containers
12.24pm 66418 South with Containers
13.15pm 66136 South with loaded car train (new Range Rovers)
13.21pm 66430 North with Containers
13.48pm 66184 South with China Clay hoppers.
13.53pm 66221 North with Empty Car wagons
13.55pm 66715 South with Containers
14.08pm 70016 North with Freighliner Coal Hoppers
14.15pm 47501 South Light Engine (caused a big stir among the spotter fraternity)
14.39pm 66115 North Stone Hoppers ( was told Bletchely to Peak Forest)
15.14pm 66167 South with Containers
15.18pm 86501 North with Containers
15.20pm 66517 North with Containers
15.30pm 86639+86628 North with Containers
15.45pm 66424 South with Malcolm containers
16.00pm 70003 North Light Engine
16.14pm 86637+86614 South with Containers
16.23pm 20301+20302+Nuclear Flask North - was held for 20 minutes on the old Royal Mail line.
16.28pm 66117 North with Tarmac Lime Hoppers
16.35pm 70015 North with a Ballast Train
16.50pm 70005 North with Containers
16.55pm 66102 South with Containers
17.04pm 66040 North with Rail Carrier and Laying train
17.10pm 66589 North with Containers
17.14pm 66535 South with Containers

Passenger Units at Stafford

Class 180
180106 South Newly Painted and looking good (test run was told)

Class 220
220002/003/006/021/024/026/029/031/033/034

Class 221
221101/102/104/107/108/109/110/111/113/117/123/127/128/129/131/135/140/142/143

Class 350
350101/102/104/109/110/112/114/115/119/120/122/123/124/128/129/229/231/256/261

Class 390
390001/003/005/009/010/011/012/013/014/015/018/019/020/021/025/026/027/028/029/036/038/039/040/043/044/045/046/047/048/051/053/054

17.10 35112 to Crewe

Crewe 17.36pm till 18.08pm

90049 90048 90044 323223 390025 350120 153376 221003

18.08pm 175108 to Cardiff and home.

On the journey home I came up with the idea of doing it all again tomorrow, fool maybe, but it was such a good day, and besides tomorrow is the last day of the Arriva Trains over 55 £19 tickets so has to be taken advantage off.  I may not survive but as always will enjoy what I am doing.

390029 Pendelino arriving at Stafford

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Train Sightings at Cardiff 26th March 2012

Cardiff Sightings 1.45pm till 6.30pm
 

2.55 66076 Steel coil carriers East
3.05 66047 + HTAs to Cwmbargoed via Queen St
3.15 66847 light engine heading East
3.20 66075 Intermodal Barry Dock to Newport ADJ
3.20 66046 Cwmbargoed to Aberthaw HTAs loaded
3.40 66057 HTAs heading East
3.55 66014 empty coil carriers heading East
4.15 67002+coaches 10259 5976 6137 9521 first 67 hauled service Cardiff to Holyhead taking over from Class 57s from today.
4.20 66585 loaded HIA wagons heading East
4.45 66076 coil carriers West
5.25 66199 Steel coils loaded East

43002/009/012/013/017/018/020/021/031/032/033/086/122/126/132/140/143/156/159/172/174/175/180/183/194

142002/006/069/072/073/074/076/077/080/081/082/083/85
143601/602/604/605/606/607/608/610/614/616/623/625
150121/127/208/217/227/230/231/232/237/240/241/245/250/254/255/257/259/260/262/263/264/267/276/279/281/282/283/285

153361/362
158798/825/840/952/954/956/958/960
170102/104/398/518/637
175001/003/006/007/008/009/101/104/106/109/112

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Train Sightings at Cardiff 24th March 2012

Cardiff Central Station Train Sightings

1.40pm - 4.15pm

60007 west at 2.35pm empty BLA coil carriers

66050 west at 2.05pm  BEA wagons steel slabs.

70014 light engine onto Canton 3.10pm

66162 east at 3.30 with empty MEAs from Barry Dock.


43004/023/037/071/078/098/151/158/161/197

142002/006/067/069/072/073/074/076/077/080/081/083

143601/602/604/605/606/607/608/610/614/616/622/623/625

150101/124/217/227/230/235/236/240/241/242/245/251/252/254/255/257/262/264/267/269/278/279/282/285/288

153312/320/361/370

158798/826/838/952/954/960

170101/109/117/519

175004/009//109/112

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Train Trip to Stafford Sightings 8th March 2012

Arriva Trains Wales were offering £19 returns till the end of March so I thought I would take advantage and take a trip to Stafford with maybe more trips to follow.  To my surprise you can get a further £2 off with certain Rail Cards, also the tickets can be purchased on the train on the day of the journey, which is also good so you can choose the day and the weather.  So a return from Crewe to Stafford was also purchased with my Rail Card so total fare from Barry to Stafford was to be £23 instead of £70 plus, I think that was really good value.  So armed with a bag of sandwiches, hot water to make my own coffee, a note pad and the all important camera gear I was off on a very pleasant journey and day out.  The countryside travelling up to Shrewsbury was a pleasure to view again, there are some spectacular views and of course this time of year the fields were filled with newly born lambs. I really do not understand why people bury their head in a book, newspaper mobile phone with such wonderful scenery to see.  I travelled this line in the 50s and 60s very frequently due to my fathers family living just outside Shrewsbury, it was always a wonderful trip.  My mothers words still ring in my ears has we passed the golf course not far outside Shrewsbury "we are nearly there time for a quick wash and get your things together", so long ago but the memories are still clear.  Thanks go out to Brad Joyce whom I met at Stafford and was a very helpful young man giving heads up information on a few movements of that day.  How Stafford has changed gone were the Locomotive hauled trains of 2003 which I think was the last time I visited, Classes 86/87 and 47 at speed and fully loaded with comfortable coaches were always an awesome sight.   Even though now it is mostly units, it was a pleasant change of type and livery from the regular stock sighted at Cardiff

57008 + 47818 + 90015 at Stafford

This list shows my sightings for the day hopefully it will be of interest to some.

7.20 to Cardiff 150260

Cardiff 7.45 - 8.05

150127
158955
175006/009/115
43069/148/156/160
66160

8.05 to Crewe 175009

Newport Area
66188 ADJ
66520 Maindee Junction

Approach to Crewe

47841
56051/69/103
66562

Crewe 10.29 - 11.22

90048+86659+86614 convoy
47257+47854 convoy
90049
150227
153309
175108
221103/106
350103/105/110/258
390022/030/034/037/054/056/103

11.22 to Stafford 350266

Stafford 11.45 - 14.35

66132
66434
66557
66716/718
DR73108
57008+47818+90015 convoy
220005/011/017/018/029/032/033
221104/105/109/113/115/135/139/141
350101/105/108/109/112/113/114/242/250/258/262/266
390002/003/009/017/022/030/032/039/040/041/042/044/049/051/058/104

14.35 to Crewe 350113

Crewe 14.55 - 14.10

47257+47854 stabled in Platforms
221111/116
390002

15.10 to Cardiff 175011
17.55 to Barry 150237

350109 at Stafford

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Severn and Solent Rail Rover Day 5

October 1st and todays trip is Day Five and is to be to the West Somerset Railway's Autumn Steam Gala.  I got all my timings for the trains last night, the 7am Cross Country Voyager from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads, and then another Voyager from Bristol Temple Meads direct to Taunton in time for the 9am bus to the railway.

The 6am train to Cardiff was the Class 153 unit again 153367, and was nice and quiet, especially has I was still bleary eyed. 

I had to make my way to Platform Zero for the train, yes I did say Platform Zero. Anyone else know of a Platform Zero anywhere.

 I had plenty of time, it only being 6.20am.  That was my thoughts but that instantly changed to panic, for checking my tickets to go through the barriers to the platform, I did not have my one half of the Rail Rover ticket, the train I had just arrived on had left so couldnt check if I had dropped it, unsure what to do I boarded the train back home in panic, hoping and praying I had left it at home, but deep down gutted that I had been so stupid to possibly have lost or misplaced it with still four days left. Luckily I had my ticket from Barry to Cardiff  but explaining to the ticket collector what I had done, she said there was a possibility I could get a replacement beings I had the date half with me and the Senior Rail Card I had bought it with.  But knowing my luck that would only be a possibility.

On arriving back at Barry I legged it to the house which was luckily only five minutes from the station, and lo and behold there was the little tinker on my computer desk, phew what a relief, I knew exactly what I had done, after every trip I remove the extra tickets to get from certain points from the wallet and put the Rover ticket back, obviously this time I hadn't. I was so pleased to see it there I can tell you.  I legged it back to the station and caught the same train back to Cardiff, the ticket collector was also pleased I had found it, and I didn't have to pay again.  Arriving back at Cardiff I was now only running half hour late due to the habit of always going a lot earlier than I needed to incase of delays to any connecting services, or numpties forgetting tickets.

The train to Bristol was now 158956 but I did not really care what I was on I was just glad to be on my way.

I now didn't have any train times for the services to Taunton so a quick check on the boards at Bristol showed there was only ten minutes to wait for the 8.44am Cross Country Service to Taunton which was to be a Voyager.  Settling down in a nice seat the train sped off at a fair rate of knots due to being a direct service to Taunton.  I had not travelled this route for a long time so was a pleasant change to see some different scenery.  Twenty five minutes into the journey and bang the brakes came on very heavily, and the train came to a very very quick halt from what I suspect was around the 100mph area, the last few yards juddering badly, people looked at each other has if to say that did not feel right.  Suspecting an emergency I thought this is not turning out to be my day yet again.  Twenty minutes stopped in the middle of nowhere, with the train manager walking up and down the train was quite worrying, but then came an announcement, "sorry for the delay we are experiencing signalling problems in this area and hopefully we will be on the move again shortly".  We were soon off and arrived at Taunton with only a five minute wait for the bus. 

Sitting on the bus I could not help but overhear a conversation from some obvious Train Enthusiasts who were knowledgeable in their field, adorned with cameras and railway books and magazines.  "Were you on that Voyager" one asked, "I sure was came the reply that was a bad stop",  "Went through a red signal by a long way" came the reply.  Apparently the one gentleman had overheard the train manager talking to another member of staff saying you will have to cover my duties has the driver had over run a red light, and the emergency brakes have come on,  and she now had to go and sit by the driver before the train could proceed.  Now this is only word of mouth and I have no proof this is what had actually happened, but the stop was definately an emergency stop, I could not help but feel a little bit cold inside thinking of what could have happened, if those emergency brakes had not kicked in.

With a sigh of relief at long last I had arrived at Bishop Lydeard station, an all day rover ticket was purchased with hopefully an enjoyable and incident free few hours riding the steam trains.  The next train to the terminus at the other end Minehead was at 11am, so plenty of time to take some photographs before the first journey. 

 

This was to be my Chariot puller to Minehead

My Seat for the journey 

I boarded the train early, with the intention of getting a decent seat has experiences on past visits showed that the trains fill up very quickly.  The guard's whistle and the trains whistle sounded and were off, on a journey of pure nostalgia like a time machine.  The stations passed were as they were in days gone by all adorned with signs, milk churns and old railway trolleys from the past, and all well looked after with lots of pride.  The station names sounded just has old world as the era the railway was depicting, Crowcombe, Stogumber, Williton, Watchet, Blue Anchor and Dunster just to name some.  We passed rolling hills green fields and quaint cottages, as well as the numerous lineside photographers in strategically placed spots.  At certain points we passed the train coming the other way, and people clambered to get a door window to get a photograph of the passing train, or even just to stand and listen to the sounds of the steam locomotives working their trains.  The journey was unbelievable and well worth the trip, the full journey took one and half hours of sheer pleasure and comfort on real train seats.  

We arrived at Minehead bang on time, a mass exodus of the train began, many going to the station shops, many just taking photographs and many just walking into the seaside town of Minehead itself.  My plan was to get some photographs and catch the next train back to Williton which is the diesel maintenance depot stop.

Nunney Castle was a non runner which upset many who had come to see it run.

4160 was to be my Locomotive back to Williton

I boarded the train for the journey to Williton, managed to secure a seat more or less in the front and could hear the engine in full flow for the full journey awesome, wish I had been able to record it.

Arriving at Williton the sun was now beating down getting hotter by the minute.  Over the old footbridge adorned with photographers awaiting the trains departures and I was ready  for another photograph session. 

No 88 arrives at Williton with a Bishop Lydeard to Minehead

Followed not long after by 3850 from Minehead in the passing loop.

With a nice load of photographs it was time to move on, the heat was starting to get to me so firstly it was important to take on some fluids.  I was lucky enough to board the train hauled by No. 88 The Plan being to get back to Washford, has passing through the first time I noticed "Braunton" and some vintage wagons on show.  I do love riding these old trains but sadly time goes by so fast when your enjoying  yourself.
Arriving at Washford it was obvious "Braunton" was just shunting back and forth and on making enquiries, I was told that she had shed a tyre the day before, that was two of the main trains out of service, I bet that has led to some complaints.

 34046 "Braunton"

 

 

 34070 "Manston"

This was to be my final locomotive ride of the day back to Bishop Lydeard.  To be honest it was quite a difficult journey the heat was unbearable in the carriages despite all windows open, with people cluttered around the open windowed doors to get some sort of breeze if it was only to be a little.  I was really starting to struggle with the heat when we got back to Bishop Lydeard, and headed straight for the shop to get some cooling iced lollies and drinks, I suffer with heat problems anyways because of Thyroid problems and do not feel the cold, it was difficult for most on this journey but even more so for myself.  I took a  seat in the shade, plenty of fluids was priority, I took in the smells and sights for a while whilst I rested.  Sufficiently recovered I had a wander around the station buildings, model railways and museums, and following one last photograph I made my way to the now awaiting bus back to Taunton.

My thanks to the West Somerset Railway for a truly wonderful day.  I will be back

My transport home from Taunton was a Class 150/1 and was on its way to Cardiff which was okay plenty of windows and plenty of leg room on a hot day, and I was pleasantly suprised at the speed, I am not sure if they have had any modifications or not. 

Another one of my gaffs was imminent, I did not check the stopping stations for this service.  Pulling into the seaside town of Weston Super Mare on a Saturday on probably one of the hottest days of the year albeit the 1st of October was a big mistake, whilst viewing what must have been a few hundred passengers adorned with beach gear and red skin like lobsters clambering towards the not yet open doors of a 2 coach Class 150 is kind of scary and I couldnt help thinking to myself why did I not check.  But suprisingly they did all get on but it was now wall to wall hot bodies. Some sense was mustered by staff for a change and an announcment that this service was not now a stopping service but straight through to Bristol Temple Meads was very acceptable, but obviously not for the passengers expecting the stopping service who had to then clamber off.  

Arriving at Bristol there seemed little movement in anyone getting off so I made a dash for it and got off, I wasnt feeling comfortable in that overcrowded train after my traumas of the day, so we parted company.

There was another Class 150 to Bristol Parkway waiting, this was by far a better option and a quick change at Bristol Parkway and I was aboard the First Great Western HST to Cardiff and home.  The end of another memorable day with lots of photographic memories to share.  Hopefully soon I will have an events section on my photograph website where I can show many more images of my days out.

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