Trainspotting

Newport 1997 & Reading 2002
 

Newport and Reading were not places that I visited back in the 1950's steam days, though I did go to both on shed visits. But in the early 1970's, I visited Reading several times mainly to see, and listen to, the  Western diesel hydraulics. But my notes of what I saw are long gone. Then on 13th February 2002, I once again stood on Reading station. It had a lot to do with a D1015 Western Champion test run.  My visits to Newport in the late 1970's were to see the wide variety of Diesel motive power that was on view on the extensive freight services that passed through.
 
 
    NEWPORT: TUESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 1997: 
 
In the late 1990's, Newport was regarded as one of the "Hot spots" for trainspotting. The motive power to be seen on the freights that pased through the station included class 37's, 47's, 56's, 58's, 59's, and 60's. So I made several visits during the years 1997 to 2002. But then slowly the new  EWS General Motors class 66's began to take over most of the freight workings, and the locomotive variety diminished. HST's worked the Paddington to South Wales express passenger services. This was my third trip, and I arrived at Newport at 11.45, and stayed until 17.15. Below is what I saw.  
 
 WESTBOUND TRAINS 
 
12.00/12.08 37898 arrived Light Engine to yard
12.06/12.07 37411 called on 11.30 Bristol-Cardiff (4)..7 late
12.25 60015 passed on Steel empties (13)
12.38 37219 & 37899 passed Light Engines 
12.53 RM 74 (Western Track Renewals) passed (TL)
12.54/12.56 HST 43170/43017 called on 11.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..13 late
13.00/13.05 37696 departed Light Engine from Yard (see 15.27 Eastbound)
13.03 37679 passed Light Engine
13.03 09107 (Shunter) passed Light Engine (see 13.00 Eastbound)
13.07 56053 passed on Llanwern-Margam Empty MGR (35)
13.09/13.15 56064 departed Light Engine from Yard (see 15.14 Eastbound)
13.37/13.41 HST 43031/43186 called on 12.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..1 early
14.00 47301 & 47376 passed on Freightliner (19)
14.11 59103 passed on Llanwern-Port Talbot Iron Ore empties (30)
14.26/14.27 56054 passed on Westbound Tankers/timber/various (19)
14.42/14.43 HST 43130/43010 called on 13.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..1 late
14.47 60016 passed on Steel empties (20)
15.00 47790 passed on Bristol-Cardiff TPO empties (10)
15.16 37903 passed Light Engine (see 14.23 Eastbound)
15.35/15.38 60089 passed on Nacco bogie tankers (12)
15.40/15.43 HST 43190/43??? called on 14.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..1 early
16.12 60035 passed on Oil tank bogies (22)
16.18/16.19 56118 arrived Light Engine to yard (see 13.46 Eastbound)
16.27 56040 passed on Llanwern-Margam Empty MGR (35)
16.40/16.43 HST 43192/43191 called on 15.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..1 early
16.52 59102 passed on Llanwern-Port Talbot Iron Ore empties (30)
16.58 37707 passed on Departmental Ballast (30)
16.59 37371 passed on Containers/Pallets (6)
 
In addition to the above Class 158 DMU's called on services bound for Cardiff or beyond at 11.49 (Lincoln), 11.54 (Manchester), 12.30 (Liverpool), 12.34 (Portsmouth), 12.37 (Birmingham) , 13.00 (Brighton), 13.19 (Portsmouth), 13.29 (Manchester), 13.56 (Nottingham), 14.20 (Portsmouth), 14.34 (Birmingham),  15.04 (Manchester), 15.13 (Waterloo), 15.22 (Portsmouth), 15.26 (Manchester), 16.03 (Nottingham), 16.25 (Portsmouth), 16.29 (Manchester), 16.32 (Birmingham), 16.37 (Penzance), and 16.44 (Liverpool).    
 
And Class 143 DMU's called as follows: 13.51 (Weston to Maesteg), 14.54 (Weston to Maesteg), 15.58 (Bristol).
 
 EASTBOUND TRAINS 
 
12.06/12.21 09203 (Shunter) passed Light Engine
12.19 59103 passed on Port Talbot to Llanwern Iron Ore (30)
12.21/12.23 37696 arrived Light Engine to yard
12.24 60056 passed on Margam-Dee Marsh Steel (15)
12.33/12.34 37889 arrived Light Engine to yard
12.39/12.41 HST 43030/43145 called on 11.32 Swansea-Paddington (8)..2 late
12.48/12.50 37275 arrived Light Engine to yard
13.00 09107 (Shunter) arrived/reversed Light Engine (see 13.03 Westbound)
13.34 37679 passed on Departmental Ballast (26)
13.36/13.39 HST 43036/43040 called on 12.32 Swansea-Paddington (8)..R time
13.41/13.46 56118 departed Light Engine from yard (see 16.18 Westbound)
14.08/14.09 37898 arrived Light Engine to yard (see 12.08 Westbound)
14.17/14.23 37903 passed on Steel empties
14.19/14.21 37411 called on 14.05 Cardiff-Bristol (4)..1 late
14.29/14.31 37899 & 37219 arrived Light Engines to yard (see 12.38 westbound)
14.39/14.41 HST 43026/43168 called on 13.32 Swansea-Paddington (8)..2 late
15.07/15.14 56064 passed on Newport to Warrington Enterprise (19)
15.25 59102 passed on Port Talbot to Llanwern Iron Ore (30)
15.27 37696 passed on Llandarcy-Llanwern Oil tanks (7)
15.31 56040 passed on Margam-Llanwern MGR (35)
15.37/15.39 HST 43017/43170 called on 14.32 Swansea-Paddington (8)..R time
15.48/15.50 37263 arrived Light Engine to yard 
16.01 47301 passed on Newport-Wembley Freightliner (Connectrail) (19)
16.12 47635 passed on Swansea-Wembley Mail (5v)
16.26/16.27 60012 passed on Nacco bogie tankers (20)
16.38/16.40 HST 43186/43031 called on 15.32 Swansea-Paddington (8)..1 late
16.54/16.56 56046 arrived Light Engine to yard 
16.57 56054 passed on Cargowagons/bolsters (10)
 
In addition to the above Class 158 DMU's called on services from for Cardiff or beyond at 12.01 (Manchester, 12.09 Bristol, 12.28 Brighton, 12.32 Birmingham, 12.45 Portsmouth, 13.03 Manchester, 13.09 Nottingham, 13.44 Portsmouth, 14.01 Manchester, 14.15 Birmingham, 14.45 Portsmouth, 14.51 Waterloo, 14.59 Manchester, 15.08 Nottingham, 15.45 Portsmouth, 15.59 Manchester, 16.30 Birmingham, 16.50 Portsmouth, 17.00 Manchester, 17.14 Paignton. 
 
And Class 143/150 DMU's called as follows: 13.15 Bath Spa (class 143), 15.21 Weston (class 150), 16.15 Abergavenny (class 143), 16.19 Bristol (class 150).
 
The attraction of Newport was the volume of the freight traffic, and the variety of the motive power that hauled it. Express services to and from Paddington were all HST, and all other passenger services were DMU, with the exception of one Bristol to Cardiff return working, which was a class 37.

On 30th September 1997, passenger services ran well throughout the day, the Paddington  HST's particularly so. 37411 was on the class 37 Bristol to Cardiff  turn.
 
 
 READING: WEDNESDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2002:  
 
On this particular date, freight traffic was sparse, particularly the Stone traffic, but at least there was the advantage of a Western Diesel Hydraulic. Other visits around the same period,  resulted in considerably more freight, including 37's, and also class 58's and 60's on the afternoon  Bescot to Hoo Junction steel empties. 

Not included in the survey are the Thames trains services to and from Paddington.
 
 WESTBOUND TRAINS 
 
12.27/11.29 HST 43126/43182 called on 12.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..5 late
12.42/12.44 HST 43189/43148 called on 12.15 Paddington-Bristol (8)..4 late
12.54  Voyager 22015/22019 departed on 11.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (8)
12.58/13.01 HST 43151/43018 called on 12.33 Paddington-Plymouth (8)..R time
13.00/13.02 66163 called TL on MBA wagons
13.11/13.15 HST 43017/43028 called on 12.45 Paddington-Bristol (8)..5 late
13.26/13.28 HST 43174/43131 called on 13.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..3 late
13.31/13.33 HST 43034/43009 called on 13.03 Paddington-Cheltenham (8)..3 late
13.43  59002 passed TL on Hanson Stone train (39)
13.55 HST(VT) 43161/43196 departed on 12.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (7)
13.57/14.00 HST 43190/43124 called on 13.30 Paddington-Bristol (8)..3 late
14.02/14.04 HST 43191/43145 called on 13.33 Paddington-Penzance (8)..2 late
14.07 HST(VT) 43094/43103 departed on 6.50 Edinburgh-Bournemouth (7)
14.11/14.13 HST 43129/43130 called on 13.45 Paddington-Bristol (8)..3 late
14.26/14.28 HST 43128/43147 called on 14.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..4 late 
14.31 59001 passed on Mendip Stone train (18)
14.34/14.46 59101 called TL on Hanson Stone train (17)
14.43/14.45 HST 43152/43015 called on 14.15 Paddington-Bristol (8)..5 late
14.52/14.54 47828 called on 14.18 Paddington-Glasgow (7)
14.59 Voyager 22033/22009 departed on 11.06 Newcastle-Bournemouth (8)
15.00/15.02 HST 43135/43042 called on 14.33 Paddington-Plymouth (8)..R time
15.11/15.13 HST 43004/43183 called on 14.45 Paddington-Bristol (8)..3 late
15.32 Voyager 220002 departed Empty stock (4) [see 14.55 Eastbound]
15.34/15.37 HST 43140/43168 called on 15.00 Paddington-Swansea (8)..10 late
15.52/15.54 HST 43024/43023 called on 15.15 Paddington-Bristol (8)..14 late
16.00/16.02 HST 43005/43149 called on 15.33 Paddington-Penzance (8)..2 late
16.05 D1015 (+47774) passed on Mail (9v)
16.04/16.13 Voyager 220017/220004 called on 14.40 Portsmouth-Blackpool (8)..5 late
16.15/16.17 47811 called on 15.42 Paddington-Exeter (7)..6 late
16.26 47829 departed on 9.10 Edinburgh-Bournemouth (7)
16.29/16.34 Voyager 220007/220023 called on ? Brighton-Edinburgh (8)..4 late
 
Only Locomotive hauled trains are shown (HST's and Voyagers included)
 
 EASTBOUND TRAINS 
 
12.11/12.13 Voyager 22004/220017 called on ? Blackpool-Portsmouth (8)..17 late
12.29/12.31 HST 43147/43128 called on 9.30 Swansea-Paddington (8)..29 late (note)
12.34/12.35 HST 43190/43124 called on 9.30 Plymouth-Paddington (8)..1 early
12.42/12.44 HST 43145/43191 called on 11.15 Bristol-Paddington (8)..13 late
12.48 Voyager 220019/220015 arrived on 11.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (8)
12.52/12.54 HST 43130/43129 called on 11.45 Bristol-Paddington (8)..R time
13.01/13.03 47806 arrived on 09.09 Manchester-Paddington (6)
13.14/13.22 59005 stopped TL on Yeoman Stone  train (26)
13.25/13.27 HST 43015/43152 called on 12.15 Bristol-Paddington (8)..2 late
13.38/13.39 HST 43042/43135 called on 10.30 Swansea-Paddington (8)..40 late (note)
13.48 HST(VT) 43196/43161 arrived on 12.20 Bournemouth-Edinburgh (7)
13.51/13.53 47816 called 13.51/13.53 on 8.20 Plymouth-Paddington (7)
13.53 HST(VT) 43103/43094 arrived on 6.50 Edinburgh-Bournemouth (7)
13.58/13.59 HST 43183/43004 called on 12.12 Weston-Paddington (8)..9 late
14.18/14.20 HST 43010/43016 called on 12.30 Cheltenham-Paddington (8)..11 late
14.22/14.24 HST 43168/43140 called on 9.42 Penzance-Paddington (8)..6 late
14.25/14.27 HST 43132/43138 called on 13.15 Bristol-Paddington (8)..1 late
14.37/14.41 HST 43023/43024 called on 11.30 Swanse-Paddington (8)..37 late (note)
14.50 Voyager 220009/220033 arrived on 11.06 Newcastle-Bournemouth (8)
14.50/14.52 HST 43149/43005 called on 13.45 Bristol-Paddington (8)..1 late
14.55 Voyager 220002 arrived Empty stock [see 15.32 (4) Westbound]
15.05/15.10 Voyager 220029 called on ? Liverpool-Portsmouth (4)
15.10/15.19 66223 stopped TL on Mendip Stone train (14)
15.25/15.27 HST 43040/43033 called on 14.15 Bristol-Paddington (8)..1 early
15.42/15.47 HST 43031/43036 called on 12.38 Plymouth-Paddington (8)..5 early
15.54/15.56 HST 43148/43189 called on 14.45 Bristol-Paddington (8)..1 late
16.04/16.07 HST 43185/43??? called on 12.30 Swansea-Paddington (8)..65 late (note)
16.14 47829 arrived 16.19 on 9.10 Edinburgh-Bournemouth (7)
  

Due to Flooding in Chipping Sodbury tunnel, services to and from from South Wales were diverted by Dr Days Junction and Bath Spa. The 12.55 and 14.55 services from Cardiff were cancelled, and the 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, and 12.30pm services from Swansea were 29, 40, 37, and 65 late.

Other First Great Western services ran well, and Virgin Cross Country was relatively well behaved. And they also ran sensible length trains.
 
One final comment. It does seem to me that Reading station is working at absolutely maximum capacity for much of the day. With most long distance services in both directions making stops, there are frequently trains halted on the approach, in both directions, waiting for the previous train to vacate the platform. And the Up line from Reading West conflicts with traffic on the Down main. No quick fix for that one.