16. GWML-14.04.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 16. GWML-14.04.15

After working at my late father's house in Wiltshire I stopped off at the GWML on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border on a glorious spring afternoon.

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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

43143, GW 11.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington (1L54), Knighton crossing SU276890
Since my last visit to Knighton crossing just over a month ago, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/v/photos/21936chg/C343908004/x10-gwml-27-02-03-03-15 , things have progressed a little more significantly with regard to the much delayed electrification of the GWML. As can be seen in this image, the piling that will receive a mast is in place ready to be pounded into the ground whilst the others around it have already had the treatment. 43143 'Stroud 700' leads the 11.55 Cardiff Central to Paddington hst service. It is a delightful spring day in the west Oxfordshire countryside with the trees just coming into leaf.
Keywords: 43143 11.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington 1L54 Knighton crossing SU276890

43027, GW 12.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central (1B31), Knighton crossing SU276890
One cannot deny what a fine sight an hst is in full flight doing exactly what it was designed for namely, working at full chat on the GWML! 43027 'Glorious Devon', one of the first batch of Western Region power cars introduced as part of set 253013, leads the 12.15 Paddington to Cardiff 1B31 service. This is something that is has done nearly forty years now but is one that will come to an end soon with the electrification of the line to Bristol and Swansea.
Keywords: 43027 12.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central 1B31 Knighton crossing SU276890

43160, GW 12.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A17), Knighton ACcrossing SU276890
Hst power car 43160 'Sir Moir Lockhead OBE' leads the 12.30 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington in glorious spring weather past Knighton in west Oxfordshire. The pilings for the forthcoming electrification are clearly spoiling this photograph, a new arrival since my last visit to this spot. 43160 was late delivery power car as part of a fifth and final batch delivered to the Eastern Region in 1981 as part of set 254036.
Keywords: 43160 'Sir Moir Lockhead OBE' leads the 12.30 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington 1A17 hst service past Knighton crossing SU276890 HST

70801, 11.51 Hinksey-Westbury (0F17), Knighton crossing SU276890
Light engine moves are not the most photogenic but when it's a Colas liveried class 70 in weather such as this, it becomes a different proposition! 70801 travels along the GWML at Knighton on the Wiltshire and Oxfordshire border as the 11.51 Oxford Hinksey Yard to Westbury. This locomotive will travel through Swindon to Chippenham then taking the Melksham route to Westbury at Thingley Junction.
Keywords: 70801 11.51 Hinksey-Westbury 0F17 Knighton crossing SU276890

66533, 11.00 Bristol Freightliner Terminal-Tilbury (4L32), Knighton crossing SU276890
On this warm spring afternoon, the driver of 66533 'Hanjin Express/Senator Express' has left his cab door open for a little extra ventilation. The locomotive is leading the daily 11.00 Bristol Freightliner Terminal to Tilbury 'liner working and is seen passing the site of the former level crossing at Knighton in west Oxfordshire.
Keywords: 66533 11.00 Bristol Freightliner Terminal-Tilbury 4L32 Knighton crossing SU276890 Hanjin Express/Senator Express

43036, GW 13.00 London Paddington Bristol TempleMeads (1C15), Baulking
With absolutely no evidence of the forthcoming electrification, 43036 leads the 13.00 Paddington to Bristol hst service past Baulking. It is views like this that make the GWML and the MML such a pleasure to take pictures along with no impinging from the electrification masts and wires. Once all the equipment is in place both this view and the motive power seen will be a thing of the past!
Keywords: 43036 13.00 London Paddington Bristol TempleMeads 1C15 Baulking HST

43175, GW 13.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central (1B37), Baulking
43175 'GWR 175th Anniversary' heads west leading the 13.15 Paddington to Cardiff Central. A uniform set of stock in an hst formation looks good in the spring sunshine as it pass Baulking approximately halfway between Swindon and Didcot at just over sixty-five miles from London.
Keywords: 43175 13.15 London Paddington-Cardiff Central 1B37 Baulking GWR 175th Anniversary

43130, GW 12.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington (1L60), Baulking
As the 13.15 Paddington to Cardiff hst service heads west, 43130 leads the 12.55 from Cardiff eastbound. The trains have just passed the Uffington crossovers, one of which can be seen between the two trains. The new bridge, built to accommodate the 25kv wiring, which carries a minor road over the line can be seen in the very distance. However, photographic opportunities from it are limited as it has the ridiculously high anti-suicide parapets!
Keywords: 43130 12.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington 1L60 Baulking Great Western HST

59001, 13.00 Appleford-Whatley Quarry (6C48), Baulking
Even though it is now nearly thirty year's old, 59001 is still on the mainline earning its keep! It was a pioneer when it first arrived on our shores in 1986 and I clearly remember seeing it for the first time passing through Westbury station. Here, it is seen passing Baulking with the 6C48 13.00 Appleford to Whatley quarry empty stome train looking very smart in its Aggregate Industries bright blue, turquoise and centre silver striped livery.
Keywords: 59001 13.00 Appleford-Whatley Quarry 6C48 Baulking empty stone train

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.