Took advantage of todays later start to be rather lazy this morning, and finally caught the 0934 south from Weston, heading for Exeter to see the convoy to Meldon Quarry. Having heard about this one prior to the holiday season, I was expecting to see a few of the usual suspects along the way. An extended wait for a Voyager at Taunton which was announced as 22 late and 'receiving attention at Crewe'! A flurry activity around some rather colourful combinations of livery on Arriva Trains Wales services, and some unexpected visitors!

On arriving at Exeter, noted an unusually high proportion of cranks around already. Quick trip up the bank to Exeter Central, then back to St Davids and settled in to wait for 5V84. During the wait, news drifted over of a rare visitor at the other end of the station - one of the cascaded ScotRail units now with Arriva. Wandered over for a look and a picture. Noted that I'd seen this one last between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Back to the end of platform 5 with a now very large group of enthusiasts. I suppose that on a Bank Holiday when people have spent the last couple of weeks indoors, this relatively unusual working was always going to be well attended. Just a few minutes behind schedule, the convoy descended the curve from Central with 66708 and 73204 leading 205028 and 205032.


The train cruised slowly non-stop through Exeter St Davids, and headed north to Cowley Bridge Jcn and thence to Meldon. Noted how good the blue and yellow GBRf livery looked on both locomotives, almost reminiscent of BR blue in some ways! Stayed for a little longer to chat and watch what passes for an evening rush hour on a Bank Holiday monday here.

After blowing away Christmas cobwebs last year with a day freezing at Westbury, decided to continue the tradition with a trip to Newport today. News of a visiting steam train, diverted services and a reasonably normal day of freight despite the holidays provoked a flurry of text messages. A respectable crowd assembled in the usual spot on what started as a crisp clear morning.

Quite a bit going on at Godfrey Road throughout the day, and plenty of Class 60 workings provided much work for Mr Spinks new tripod! Two out of three of Wessex new three car units made an appearance, and an ex-First North Western Class 175 made a visit, followed by a quick pass through in both directions apparently for driver training purposes.

Unusually frequent quiet spells, perhaps due to the reduced holiday service - but plenty of freight still running including coal empties and trains related to the engineering works between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester, including one top-and-tailed by 60's.



Much confusion about the steam charter, and quite a few people waiting for it despite the day turning colder and damper. Finally heard it was cancelled around lunchtime. The Freightliner ran as expected, with every wagon loaded.


Things seemed to get very quiet later in the afternoon, which along with damp and dark conditions persuaded us to pack up for the day a little earlier than planned. Not before a couple of visits from back-to-back Class 43 power cars. On both occasions it was 43127, with a different partner - presumably running Landore to St. Phillips Marsh and back.


Headed back on a late running and heavily packed diverted Voyager to Bristol. Made plans to reconvene at Exeter St. Davids on Monday for visiting DEMUs. Successful, if chilly last outing of the year!

Woke to a damp, cold, December scene. Plan today was to go out for the Class 50 hauled circular dinner excursion from Bristol Temple Meads. After a long, rather trying week when after lots of tribulations, things balanced out on the better side rather than the worse, decided I wanted to get a bit further afield. So, set out on the curiously still timetabled 1Z29 Voyager to Bristol.

On arriving headed straight to the usual spot on platform 7. A quiet morning, with a steady flow of the usual sightings. One notable exception was 158786, now with South West Trains but remaining in Central colours. Slowly, a large bunch of cranks began to develop at the London end of the station for the arriving Class 50s. Remarkably, the sun also managed to come out.

After the tour departed, boarded the 1130 Paddington service as far as Didcot. Had thought about a trip to Reading, but spotting lots of 66s in the yard, decided to spend some time here. Quite a bit going on, including a 'Thomas the Tank Engine' weekend at the Railway Centre with a usually more stately 'Earl Bathurst' running back and forth wearing a 'face'! A couple of Freightliners too, one needing to crawl slowly through drifting smoke from 'Thomas'.



Waited around a little longer, enjoying the busy atmosphere and watching goings on in the yard. Eventually, the 50s arrived heading West at terrific pace on their return journey to Bristol. Quite a few photographers out for this one too.

Settled in for a good talk with others who'd turned out for the event. Amazed at the excellent performance of a rather cheap new vacuum flask purchased yesterday too - keeping me supplied with much needed hot tea throughout the day!

Headed back towards home on the 1512, feeling very sleepy after a long week and an interesting day at Didcot.

A week ago, it looked like today was going to be busy, but a series of rumoured cancellations left things a little uncertain. Nevertheless, set out early enough to see the 'Merchant Venturer' tour arrive at Weston. This was due to be diesel hauled to Bristol where a steam locomotive would take over. It was a choice of heading for that, or for First Great Western's Class 47 Farewell at Taunton. Chose the latter, but found a developing farce at Weston - the tour was late and the following Paddington service had been cancelled. Hedged bets and headed south on the 0757.

After passing 67002 just leaving Bridgwater with the tour stock, arrived at Taunton and bumped into familiar faces. A chilly morning with low mist and not much light. Set ourselves up for a photograph. A little late, 47815 appeared at very high speed thundering through Platform 3 with 47811 at the rear of the train. Reminded me of summer saturday Manchester-Paignton services of old! Photograph turned out pretty badly.

Up to Bristol in brightening sunshine, just in case things turned up - and bumped into yet another of our merry band. Heard more stories of cancellations, so decided to just wait and see what developed. Aside from the arrival and departure of the Class 31 hauled 'Santa Special' to Weymouth, a few elusive HST power cars, and a sudden burst of three 66's, not a great deal happening. Odd sight of 158751 on a Cardiff-Portsmouth with one end marked as 158962 - obviously soon to gain another car! A very cold but pleasant enough afternoon spent.

Back down to Taunton for a long cold wait for the return leg of the FGW 47 tour - now double-headed following a TPWS failure on 47815 at Plymouth earlier. Again, passed at speed with only a small crowd out to greet it in the freezing evening air!

Popped out again after arriving back in Weston for the returning 'Merchant Venturer' running somewhat early, again with 67002.

A long, cold and strange day - which despite cancellation after cancellation, turned out to be very enjoyable.