13. GWML-24.03.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 13. GWML-24.03.15
Whilst driving back from Wiltshire I stopped off on the GWML at Baulking between Swindon and Didcot on a lovely but chilly and blustery early spring afternoon.
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43037, GW 13.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A19), Baulking With the gorse (Ulex) in full flower on the embankment at Baulking 43037 'Penydarren' leads the 13.30 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington. The sun had just gone behind an awkward cloud meaning that the front of the train is in shadow with the rear in the light still, better luck with the next shot..... Keywords: 43037 13.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A19 Baulking
43022, GW 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington (1L62), Baulking A better shot of an HST passing Baulking than the previous one, what a difference the sun makes! Power car 43022 leads the 12.28 Swansea to Paddington service. In the background, work can be seen underway constructing a new bridge over the line to carry a minor road that links together some farms. This, as is most work on the GWML at the moment, in connection with the forthcoming electrification that will mean the end for these elderly but much-loved HSTs. Keywords: 43022 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington 1L62 Baulking
43094, GW 13.36 London Paddington-Cheltenham (1G48), Baulking 43094 sweeps around a gentle curve on the GWML at Baulking leading the 13.36 Paddington to Cheltenham 1G48 service. It is superb open spots such as this that characterises the GWML that will be completely ruined for the photographer once the electrification masts arrive in the coming months. Baulking is s small west Oxfordshire village a few miles south of Farringdon. Keywords: 43094 13.36 London Paddington-Cheltenham 1G48 Baulking
43164, GW 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A20), Baulking SU324904 Just to the east of the village of Baulking in west Oxfordshire, a footpath follows a track parallel to the GWML. For a short distance, it is right next to the line only separated by a fence that recently has been renewed. This location provides very open views of the line both to the east and the west. With a very dramatic sky in the background, 43164 leads the 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington past this spot. Unfortunately, this superb location will be ruined in the coming months as the electrification masts obliterate the view. Keywords: 43164 14.00 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A20 Baulking SU324904
60017, 13.00 Theale-Robestson (6B33), Baulking SU324904 The daily 13.00 (or time thereabouts) 6B33 Theale to Robeston empty oil tanks more-than-often produces a class 60, not that it is really needed hauling the empty tanks back to west Wales. However, the fully loaded up working definitely does need the extra power of a class 60 over a 66. Here at Baulking, west of Wantage on the GWML, 60017 is seen in the lovely early spring sunshine getting a move on so as not to hold up fast express services hot on its heels! Notice the huge and relatively recently installed signal gantries, I am unsure if these will be removed and replaced when the electrification reaches this location? Keywords: 60017 13.00 Theale-Robestson 6B33 Baulking SU324904
Class 43, GW 14.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C17), Baulking An unidentified class 43 HST leads the 14.00 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads service past Baulking in west Oxfordshire. It is about to pass under the rather tired looking, if the corrosion is anything to go by, signal gantry that carries two colour lights with feathers for the Uffington crossovers. This 1970s installed gantry is now on limited time as new LED units are already in place with black bags over them ready for the arrival of the electrification. Keywords: Class 43 14.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C17 Baulking

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