8. GWML-17.02.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 8. GWML-17.02.15
Returning from my late father's house in Wiltshire found me passing close to the GWML near Swindon. As it was a lovely winter's afternoon, I took a break to capture some images prior to the scenery being wrecked by the forthcoming electrification. The journey was being undertaken in my recently acquired Saab 9-3 estate, a car that I came to really enjoy driving but one I did not keep for very long.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

43160, GW 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington (1L62), South Marston foot crossing SU196870 Just east of Swindon on the GWML is a foot crossing at South Marston. Pedestrian crossings of this type on the trunk lines on the UK network are getting rare now as Network Rail seeks to close them. There are actually two crossings at this location within a few hundred metres of each other so there will either have to be the expense of building two footbridges or, more than likely, an application will be made to close and divert one of the public footpaths. 43160 'Sir Moir Lockhead OBE' leads the 12.28 Swansea to Paddington past the easternmost of the two crossings located at grid reference SU196870. Keywords: 43160 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington 1L62 South Marston foot crossing SU196870
Position of electrification mast marked out, South Marston foot crossing SU196870 The early stages of the GWML electrification process have begun at Long Marston just east of Swindon. Using surprisingly low tech. methods, the location of just one of the many thousands of masts to be installed along the route from Paddington is shown using yellow plastic pegs! Along with the MML this route is last of the UK's trunk routes that remain free of electrification paraphernalia. Keywords: electrification mast South Marston foot crossing SU196870
43026, GW 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C16), South Marston foot crossing SU196870 43026 leads the 1C16 13.30 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads service past South Marston just to the east of Swindon. This image is taken from a foot crossing that affords generous views of the GWML in both directions. 43026 has been running up and down the GWML since its introduction in 1976 as one power car of set 253013. However, time has now been called on these fine trains as the electrification of this primary trunk route continues, if rather more slowly than expected. Keywords: 43026 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C16 South Marston foot crossing SU196870
Class 43, 13.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington (1L65), Bourton SU228874 At seventy-two miles from Paddington are the Bourton crossovers that the HST forming the 13.55 Cardiff to London service is seen passing over. This classic location is about four miles east of Swindon and provides superb open views of the line, that is until the forthcoming electrification arrives to spoil everything. The buildings behind the trees are Swindon's Honda plant at South Marston. Keywords: Class 43 HST 13.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington 1L65 Bourton SU228874
60019, 13.00 Theale-Robeston (6B33), Bourton SU228874 A regular afternoon working on the GWML is the daily 6B33 13.00 Theale to Robestson empty bitumen tankers. Running the other way, this train is very heavy so a 3100hp class 60 is usually rostered for it. In this image, 60019 'Port of Grimsby & Immingham' leads the train through the Wiltshire countryside past Bourton to the east of Swindon. The DB livery and the tankers strike quite a sight against the winter foliage especially when illuminated by the low afternoon sun. Keywords: 60019 Port of Grimsby and Immingham 13.00 Theale-Robeston 6B33 Bourton SU228874
43032, GW 14.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central (1B42), Bourton SU228874 Looking superb in the later afternoon winter sunshine at Bourton near Swindon, 43032 leads the 14.15 Paddington to Cardiff HST working. Notice the concrete covers over the pilings that have been dug to accommodate the electrification masts. This will mean that this superb view of the GWML will be completely ruined making this view impossible. Whilst this view looks a quiet rural one, the bridge on which I am standing is surprisingly busy for a country road and, being rather narrow, means that you have to keep your wits about you to avoid an accident! Keywords: 43032 14.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central 1B42 Bourton SU228874
43193, GW 14.30 London Paddington-Weston-super-Mare (1C18), Shrivenham The sun has now just set below the horizon behind me but there is just enough light to capture the 14.30 Paddington to Weston-super-Mare lead by 43193. This power car was one of six that were delivered late to the Eastern Region as part of 254056 sometime after their initial sets had been in service. The train is seen passing Shrivenham between Swindon and Didcot. Keywords: 43193 14.30 London Paddington-Weston-super-Mare 1C18 Shrivenham
Former Shrivenham station (closed 07.12.64) Despite closing over fifty years ago, the platforms marking the site of Shrivenham station are still clearly intact. The wide gap between the up and down platforms indicates that there were four tracks at this spot. The platforms have just been cleared of extensive vegetation and in preparation for the forthcoming electrification. Is suspect that this is a portent to them being removed to make way for the pilings and posts. Keywords: Former Shrivenham station
43005, GW 13.28 Swansea-London Paddington (1L66), site of Shrivenham station 43005 leads the 13.28 Swansea to Paddington past the former platforms of Shrivenham station in Wiltshire. Close examination of the image reveals that the driver is waving to me as I stand on the road bridge in the late afternoon with the sun having just set. 43005 is one of the earliest production power cars being part of Western Region set 253002, one that I first saw as a young spotter in 1976. Thirty-nine years later, it is still doing what it was designed to do but its time is limited as the electrification will bring an end to its use. Keywords: 43005 13.28 Swansea-London Paddington 1L66 site of Shrivenham station

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.