6th December 2022

6/12/2022

Black surprise at
Bristol
Guy Vincent

A surprise awaited me on arrival at Bristol Temple Meads this afternoon with the sight of LNER A4 no 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley at platform 13 with the stock from a special 1Z82 0947 Victoria-Bath Spa Steam Dreams charter operated by Locomotive Services Ltd. The loco carries economy wartime all-over matt black livery. I wondered about organising a whip-round amongst the assembled spectators for a tin of LNER blue paint!

Regards. Guy Vincent

4498 Sir Nigel Gresely at BTM 5th December 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

It was most fortunate that you happened to be at Bristol at the right time and indeed very fortuntate for us too that you recorded the event. Many thanks Guy.

Sir Nigel Gresley at
Crofton
Peter Todd

Sir Nigel Gresley was in Wiltshire this morning. Running from London Victoria to Bath via the GWR Berks and Hants Line. Slightly late at 1225 hours.
D1935, tail end to SNG. Just in case.
In case you hadn’t noticed it was dry, cold and overcast but a delight to hear that chime whistle once more.
Cheers, PeterTodd.

4498Sir Nigel Gresley at speed at .Crofton. 5th December 2022. Copyright Peter Todd

D1935 provides back up on the London Victoria to Bath at Crofton 5th December 2022. Copyright Peter Todd.

Many thanks to you Peter

Cardiff
Adrian King

I hope your keeping well and enjoying this spell of dry, if a bit chilly weather. I see on today's website yet another set of super photographs by Clive Smith including a shot of 43022 leading 43005 at Teignmouth on Friday the 2nd December.
By chance I was at Cardiff Central the same morning, about to travel up to Colwyn Bay in North Wales and took these couple of photos of the same set 43022 Nether Stowey Castle with 43005 St Michael's Mount at the rear just about to set off for Penzance.
Cheers Adrian King

Cardiff - Nether stowey Castle. Friday 2nd December 2022. Copyright Adrian King

Cardiff - east end. 43022 waits to start its journey to Penzance on Friday. 2nd December 2022. Copyright Adrian King,

Many thanks indeed Adrian.

Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,
The 0953 Fairwater Yd to Doncaster Woodyard 6E18 ran today, and is seen here passing Creech hauled by 66566
running around 80min late. Photo attached.

Best wishes, Bill

66566 at Creech St Michael on stone to Doncaster, 5th December 2022. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill for turning out on what looks to be a non to pleasant day.

Berkley Marsh
Guy Vincent

Good morning Keith
Back-to-back Cross Country power cars 43208 and 43207 on a 5Z43 0820 Laira-Westbury-Bristol-Westbury-Laira training run passing murky Berkley Marsh near Frome this morning. Time to start making the most of HST operations in our region following recent news that the plan now is for the 'Castle Class' to be progressively withdrawn from front line service over the next 12-18 months. Hopefully the XC fleet will survive a while longer but only time will tell.
Best regards, Guy Vincent.