1. Journey down, GWML-11.10.16

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2016 > 47. GWML, Frome & 5Z62-11-13.10.16 > 1. Journey down, GWML-11.10.16
A leisurely journey down stopping to get some pre-electrification shots.
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Images 1-22 of 22 displayed.

43125, GW 07.40 Paignton-London Paddington (1A12), Baulking The lookout gets himself into a stable and safeposition as 43125 passes him at full line speed with the 07.40 Paignton to Paddington. The scene is at Baulking between Didcot and Swindon and shows the slow progress being made with the GWML electrification that should now be ready to be energised. After a very foggy start to the day, that considerably slowed my journey from Northamptonshire, the sun was beginning to burn through. Keywords: 43125 07.40 Paignton-London Paddington 1A12 Baulking
43159 & 43015, GW 10.15 London Paddington-Swansea (1B22), Baulking 43159 leads 43015 as it passes Baulking between Didcot and Swindon working the 10.15 Paddington to Swansea service. This spot used to be spoilt by a large colour light gantry, whilst that has now been removed, it has been replaced by a ghastly electrification mast! Keywords: 43159 43015 10.15 London Paddington-Swansea 1B22 Baulking
43040, GW 10.54 London Paddington-Brisol Parkway (1U25), Knighton SU278890 With absolutely no signs of the advancing electrification works in sight, 43040 'Bristol St. Philips Marsh' passes along an embankment near the village of Knighton that itself is close to Uffington in Oxfordshire. Unfortunately, I have not quite framed the HST, that was working the 10.54 Paddington to Bristol Parkway, properly just missing off the rear power car. Now that the fog has cleared, it has turned into a stunning autumn morning. Keywords: 43040 0.54 London Paddington-Brisol Parkway 1U25 Knighton SU278890
43135, GW 10.58 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1L48), Knighton SU278890 A super broadside shot of 43135 leading the 10.58 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington service. It is seen speeding eastwards near the village of Uffington in Oxfordshire; something that this power car has done for years! This iconic shape has stood the test of time well as have the Mk. III coaches that remain comfortable and roomy for the passengers. Will their replacements prove to be so competent and enduring? Keywords: 43135 10.58 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1L48 Knighton SU278890
43155, GW 11.15 London Paddington-Swansea (via Gloucester) (1B27), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 43155 'The Red Arrows 50 Seasons of Excellence' passes Ashbury Crossing near Shrivenham with the 11.15 Paddington to Swansea that was routed via Gloucester due to engineering works in the Severn Tunnel. Despite the fact that the electrification should be almost complete by now, at this location there is no evidence whatsoever apart from some covered pilings directly in the foreground that will take the masts. This classic view from the relatively new concrete occupation bridge will then change forever and a picture such as this will become impossible. Keywords: 43155 11.15 London Paddington-Swansea via Gloucester 1B27 Ashbury Crossing SU246878
43018, GW 09.28 Swansea-London Paddington (via Gloucester) (1L51), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 Having travelled up the Severn Estuary via Lydney to Gloucester and then via the Golden Valley to Swindon, 43108 leads the diverted 09.28 Swansea to Paddington past Ashbury Crossing near Shrivenham. I love the dappled lighting in this picture This time of year creates a very special light that is warm and getting low but one that still has some strength in it. Notice the pilings ready to take the electrification masts that will totally obliterate this lovely view. Keywords: 43018 09.28 Swansea-London Paddington via Gloucester 1L51 Ashbury Crossing SU246878
43182 & 43165, GW 11.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C12), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 43182 leads an immaculate set of stock with 43165 'Prince Michael of Kent' on the rear past Ashbury Crossing near Shrivenham in west Oxfordshire. This lovely spot on the GWML, that has been a favourite with photographers such as Martin Loader (http://www.hondawanderer.com/index.htm) for many years, will soon change irrecoverably once the electrification masts arrive. Keywords: 43182 43165 11.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C12 Ashbury Crossing SU246878
43126, GW 10.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A15), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 Wearing its instantly recognisable and unique vinyls, 43126 leads the 10.30 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington 1A15 service. It is seen passing the site of Ashbury level crossing that was closed in the early 1970s to be replaced by a huge concrete bridge, allegedly so that the local hut could still cross the railway. Keywords: 43126 10.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A15 Ashbury Crossing SU246878
43174, GW 11.36 London Paddington-Cheltenham (1G29), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 43174 leads the 11.36 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa past Asbury crossing just south of Shrivenham. I have always admired how FGW have maintained their stock and power cars keeping them smart despite them coming up for forty year's old! Having said this, 43174 was a later power car being introduced for the north east/south west route in the summer of 1982. Keywords: 43174 11.36 London Paddington-Cheltenham 1G29 Ashbury Crossing SU246878
66595, 10.58 Bristol FLT-Tilbury (4L32), site of Shrivenham station Freightliner's 66595 passes the site of Shrivenham station with the daily 10.58 Bristol FLT to Tilbury Docks 4L32. Notice the platforms of the former station still showing through the undergrowth despite it being closed in December 1964, some seven months after I was born! Keywords: 66595 10.58 Bristol FLT-Tilbury 4L32 site of Shrivenham station
43171, GW 12.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C13), site of Shrivenham station 43171 leads the 12.00 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads past the site of Shrivenham station that is just behind the bridge on which I am standing. This bridge is a new replacement that has only recently opened and intended to give more height in order to accommodate the electrification wires that will be installed sometime in the future! The fenced off area to the right has just been vacated by the contractors who constructed the bridge. Keywords: 43171 12.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C13 site of Shrivenham station
43169 & 43056, GW 10.28 Swansea-London Paddington (via Gloucester) (1L54), site of Shrivenham station 43169 'The National Trust' leads the 10.28 Swansea to Paddington past Shrivenham in west Oxfordshire with 43056 'The Royal British Legion' at the rear. Notice some contractors working in a compound area to the right laying a solid and large concrete floor. I suspect that this is in preparation for the forthcoming and hopelessly delayed electrification programme. Keywords: 43169 43056 10.28 Swansea-London Paddington via Gloucester 1L54 site of Shrivenham station
43195, GW 12.15 London Paddington-Swansea (via Gloucester) (1B31), Bourton SU233875 This spot at Bourton on the GWML is one of my favourite locations for a relaxing hour or so watching the trains go by and taking some pictures. It's down a lovely green lane with nothing nearby to spoil the peace and quiet. The bridge parapets are low and there are great views in both directions with the line going roughly east to west so the sun is usually right (when it's out!) However, ominously, this scene is likely to change as the first pilings have appeared to accommodate the intrusive electrification masts; they can be seen either side of the power car in this picture. 43195 leads the 12.15 Paddington to Swansea diverted via Gloucester due to the Severn Tunnel being closed. Keywords: 43195 12.15 London Paddington-Swansea via Gloucester 1B31 Bourton SU233875
43035 & 43162, GW 12.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A17), Bourton SU233875 43035 leads 43162 'Exeter Panel Signal Box 21st Anniversary 2009' past the lovely bridge just outside of Bourton, a small village on the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire county boundary. The HST is forming the 1A17 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington and it looks superb passing in the lovely warm autumnal sunshine. Keywords: 43035 43162 GW 12.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A17 Bourton SU233875
43156 & 43040, GW 12.58 Bristol Parkway-London Paddington (1L55), Bourton SU233875 Using my zoom lens has foreshortened the HST forming the 12.58 Bristol Parkway to Paddington as it passes Bourton in the far west of Oxfordshire. The HST is being led by 43156 'Dartington International Summer School' with 43040 at the rear. The trailing power car has been earning its keep on this route since its introduction as part of set 253020 in 1976; a quite incredible achievement and testament to the design of this train. Notice the electrification mast pilings all set to ruin the lovely open virew from this bridge. Keywords: 43156 43040 12.58 Bristol Parkway-London Paddington 1L55 Bourton SU233875
43129 & 43010, GW 13.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A18), Bourton SU228874 43129 leads 43010 working the 13.00 Bristol Parkway to Paddington. The train is getting into its stride after its Swindon stop some few miles back as it approaches Bourton and Shrivenham. This long and elevated section of line has been a favourite spot with photographers for many years but this will change soon with the arrival of the electrification paraphernalia. Keywords: 43129 43010 13.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A18 Bourton SU228874
43032 & 43180, GW 12.36 Cheltenham-London Paddington (1L58), Bourton SU228874 43032 and 43180 race eastwards past the village of Bourton with the 12.36 Cheltenham Spa to Paddington. Whilst 43180 was a late delivery in 1982, 43032 was one of the first HSTs being part of 253016 that entered service in the autumn of 1976. Keywords: 43032 43180 12.36 Cheltenham-London Paddington 1L58 Bourton SU228874
43186 & 43091, GW 13.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C15), Bourton SU228874 The recent removal of an obtrusive 1970s signal gantry at this spot has opened it up nicely but, as can be seen, this will not be for long as there are a pair of pilings just level with the power car that will accommodate some huge electrification masts thus ruining the view again! 43186 and 43091 power the 13.00 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads express past the village of Bourton on the Wiltshire and Oxfordshire county boundary. Keywords: 43186 43091 13.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C15 Bourton SU228874
43179 & 43164, GW 13.57 Bristol Parkway-London Paddington (1L62), Hay Lane bridge SU108824 As the autumn afternoon sun gets low in the sky the shadows begin to lengthen and darken the GWML just west of Swindon. 43179 'Pride of Laira' and 43164 pass Hay Lane bridge working the 13.57 Bristol Parkway to Paddington. Despite its appearance, this is a busy and noisy spot on a main road just off the M4 motorway Keywords: 43179 43164 13.57 Bristol Parkway-London Paddington 1L62 Hay Lane bridge SU108824
60039, 13.30 Appleford-Whatley (6C48), Hay Lane bridge SU108824 60039 'Dove Holes' accelerates past a track worker at the head of the 13.30 Appleford to Whatley empty stone wagons. This 6C48 will continue its way along the GWML past Chippenham to then take the Melksham line at Thingley Junction to continue to Westbury and then to Whatley near Frome. The train is passing the busy B4005 Hay Lane bridge just west of Swindon with the M4 over-bridge just seen at the top of the picture. Keywords: 60039 13.30 Appleford-Whatley 6C48 Hay Lane bridge SU108824
43165 & 43182, GW 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A20), Hay Lane bridge SU108824 43165 'Prince Michael of Kent' and 43182 prepare to slow down for the stop at Swindon some three miles to the east of this spot with the 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington. service. The sun is just beginning to cause some problems as it comes round on this lovely autumn day standing at Hay Lane bridge located between Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon. Keywords: 43165 43182 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A20 Hay Lane bridge SU108824
43192 & 43028, GW 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C16), Hay Lane bridge SU108824 43192 heads the 13.30 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads past Hay lane bridge just west of Swindon. As it does, a coach also heading west can be seen on the nearby M4 motorway Keywords: 43192 43028 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C16 Hay Lane bridge SU108824

Images 1-22 of 22 displayed.