Branch Outdoor Fixtures Archive

Branch Observation Day at Nuneaton on 15th July 2025.

: A drizzly start to the day was brightened by the appearance of 20007 and 20205 light engine, working the first of two return trips from Kings Norton via the Camp Hill line, which were assumed to have been for route learning. Having arrived 31 minutes early, the veterans are pictured departing from platform 2 as 0T31, nominally 12.14 to Kings Norton, about 40 minutes ahead of their booked time. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: 68004 passes with 4M27, the 05.33 Coatbridge to Daventry International Railfreight Terminal. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: The most interesting working of the day unfortunately coincided with a torrential downpour, though the spray and the use of monochrome have produced an image with good dramatic impact. 57003 heads 5M43, the 10.19 West coast Railways ECS from Southall to Carnforth. Behind the 57 are 37668 and 47484, while just visible at the rear is 33207. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: By mid-afternoon the light had improved considerably. Running 17 minutes late, 390044 approaches the north end of the station at speed with the 11.36 Glasgow Central to Euston. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: Carrying its ‘Railway 200’ branding and symbolic running number 390200 on the cab side, 390016 passes with the 14.53 Euston to Manchester. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: All observed workings between Euston and Chester/North Wales were worked by class 805s. 805001/010 pass through with the 15.00 Euston to Holyhead. 805010 would detach at Chester and form the 17.32 thence back to Euston. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: Appropriately-named 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ approaches from the Leicester direction with 6G16, the 15.15 Cliffe Hill Stud Farm to Bescot. The train is running ‘wrong line’ to pass a stationary intermodal train occupying the usual westbound line through platform 6. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: 70017 arrives with 4M61, the 12.56 Southampton MCT to Trafford Park. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: 196006 is about to depart with the 16.37 to Leamington Spa, as 70017 restarts 4M61, the 12.56 Southampton MCT to Trafford Park freightliner, having paused for a crew change. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: 70017 continues its smoky departure with 4M61, as 390134 speeds through with the 15.33 Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. It is interesting to note that the liner train was booked to pass through Piccadilly approximately an hour and a half after the arrival of the Pendolino. Image credit: Stewart Jolly

: One of the few freights to be routed via the down main line, 66514 heads 4M56, the 12.56 London Gateway to Garston. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: 10 minutes behind the engineers’ working, 66709 approaches with 4M23, the 10.28 Felixstowe North to Hams Hall intermodal. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: Appropriately-named 66750 ‘Bristol Panel Signal Box’ approaches from the Leicester direction with 6G16, the 15.15 Cliffe Hill Stud Farm to Bescot. The train is running ‘wrong line’ to pass a stationary intermodal train occupying the usual westbound line through platform 6. Image credit: Dale Robertson

: All observed workings between Euston and Chester/North Wales were worked by class 805s. 805001/010 pass through with the 15.00 Euston to Holyhead. 805010 would detach at Chester and form the 17.32 thence back to Euston. Image credit: Dale Robertson

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 22^nd 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