Branch Outdoor Fixtures Archive
Branch 'Wickham Trolley' Evening at Midsomer Norton
On the warm and sunny evening of Friday, 20th June 2025, members of the RCTS Bristol Branch and the Bath Railway Society met at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust station at Midsomer Norton. The museum and shops were open, drinks and snacks were available, and there was an opportunity for everyone to ride the length of the line in the resident Wickham Type 27A trolley, no. B40W.
Pimms on the patio. Image credit: Paul Udey
B40W setting off. Image credit: Paul Udey
Whistle board. Image credit: Paul Udey
Arriving at Midomer Norton. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
B40W off-loading. Image credit: Paul Udey
Almost ready to depart. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Just short of the infilled cutting leading to Chilcompton Tunnel. The end of the line, for now... Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
After the last run of the evening. 'D1120' and D4095 in the background. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Image credit: Stewart Jolly
The Wickham is returned to its siding for stabling. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Derby-built class 107 DMU cars 52025 and 52006 are familiar to many RCTS Bristol Branch members, having been based on the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton for several years until moved to Midsomer Norton in 2022. Image credit Stewart Jolly
For next time??? Double chimney from 92207, under restoration off-site. Image credit: Paul Udey
A 380hp diesel-hydraulic shunter built by English Electric at the Vulcan Foundry in 1966 for industrial use. It spent its working life with the National Coal Board at Lea Hall colliery near Rugeley, and was acquired by the S&D Trust in 2003. The BR livery is not prototypical, and the number D1120 is actually the Vulcan works number D1120/1966. Image credit Stewart Jolly
Branch Observation Day at Swindon
On 22nd May 2025, several members of the Bristol Branch gathered at Swindon station to enjoy each other’s company and watch the trains go by…
66088 shunts the steel terminal at the western end of the station, having worked in earlier that morning with 6B24, the 05.13 Cardiff Tidal to Swindon Cocklebury yard. The locomotive remained there for the day, before taking the 17.41 Cocklebury to Cardiff return working (6V29). 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
The 09.21 Carmarthen to Paddington is booked for two 5-car class 800s east of Swansea, but on this occasion it was worked solely by 800032 throughout. No doubt very cosy for the passengers! 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
Although carrying the livery of Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express, Freightliner 66587 is clearly not limited to working intermodal traffic. It is pictured heading the 10.35 Oxford Banbury Rd to Whatley Quarry empties (6V53) away from Swindon East Loop following a booked pathing stop. Most westbound freight trains are booked to recess in the loop to fit between the half-hourly passenger services to both South Wales and Bristol Temple Meads. Pathing of trains to and from Westbury via the single-tracked line through Melksham is a particular challenge, and most trains were seen to adhere closely to their booked timings. 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
A well-travelled celebrity joined us very briefly! (802106 working the 14.00 Paddington to Bristol TM.)
Recently outshopped 66118 heads the 09.55 Northolt to Severnside ‘binliner’ (6C03) out of Swindon East loop following its booked pathing stop. 22nd May 2025. Image credit: Stewart Jolly
Running as the 08.57 Ely Papworth Sidings to Newport Docks (Unimetals), 37884 approaches on the down main hauling condemned ‘Networker’ EMUs 465238/239 for scrapping. 22nd May 2025. Image Credit: Stewart Jolly
The ‘Arterio’ saga continues. Running as 5Q75, 09.20 ex Eastleigh TRSMD, 69008 hauls 701007 to Long Marston for storage. The train is pictured crossing from the down main to platform 1 at Swindon to gain the Kemble line. Image credit: Arthur Turner
The 11.43 Merehead Quarry to Wootton Bassett (6B12) runs via a reversal at Swindon East Loop. It is pictured on 22nd May leaving the loop and about to pass through the station for a second time behind 59104. Image credit: Arthur Turner
802106 with 'Paddington' vinyls is seen for the first time that day working up with the 11.23 ex Weston-super-Mare, while to the left of the picture 800014 forms the rear portion of a down Carmarthen working. Image credit Arthur Turner
Freightliner 59101 heads the 12.50 Appleford to Whatley Quarry (6B12) out of Swindon East Loop following a booked pathing stop. The locomotive carries the livery of Heidelberg Materials, the German-based owner of the quarry. Image credit: Arthur Turner