W.R. Early 1980s London Division freight, - my photos

[Rivercider]

In the early 1980s I was working in Bristol TOPS, and on rest days I would sometimes catch a train and spend time taking railway photos.

A few of my trips were to locations in the London Division of the Western Region of BR,

In this thread I will add some of my photos from the area taken between 1980 and 1986, I will also sneak in one or two instamatic shots from the late 1970s. 

I have photos from Didcot, Oxford, a couple from the B&H and Reading, and a few from Acton.

These photos will illustrate some of the freight traffic that could be seen, though as with the thread covering the West of England Division this will not be an exhaustive list.

My earlier thread of photos taken around the West of England Division of the Western Region can be seen here:-

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/83609-western-region-1980s-freight-west-of-england-division-my-photos/ 

 

My knowledge of the London Division is not nearly as detailed as for the West Country, and as before I will rely on some of my books for extra information. 

The Inter-City Railway Society's Shunter Duties booklet for 1979 gives details of which yards had class 08 duties.

My various Ian Allan and Platform 5 loco books will show how many 08s were allocated to cover the duties.

My, well thumbed,  Bakers Rail Atlas (1980 3rd edition) shows the locations of yards and sidings.

No doubt there will be quite a few things I omit and, as before, any corrections or additional info will be welcome.

I hope this thread will show some of the variety of traffic that could be seen and provide some help and inspiration for anyone modelling the area and era.

 

It always seemed to me that the London Division did not have a large amount of originating freight traffic,

and that it was dominated by freight trains from elsewhere terminating in the area, or other freight rains passing through. 

Some of the important freight flows were:-

Coal from South Wales to Acton Yard and various Coal Concentration Depots. 

Aggregates traffic from the Mendips to various stone terminals.

Petroleum products from South Wales/Fawley/Thameside etc to various oil depots.

Freightliner traffic from Southampton to the Midlands and East Anglia. 

 

Although I am on RMWeb nearly every day this will again be a slow thread as I find the photos and try to confirm what I have seen!

 

Page 1  -   Didcot

Page 2  -  Oxford and B&H

Page 3 -   Acton Yard

 

cheers

Edited March 6, 2016 by Rivercider

[The Stationmaster]

There was actually quite a bit of originating freight in the London Division although in tonnage terms it was well outweighed by inwards and through traffic.  There was Guinness from Park Royal, scrap from Cox & Danks at Park Royal, cars etc from Moscow (Morris Cowley) plus occasional forwardings/reforwardings from Padworth, military traffic from Bicester and occasionally from Thatcham, plus some outwards traffic from Reeds paper mill at Thatcham.

[Rivercider]

There was actually quite a bit of originating freight in the London Division although in tonnage terms it was well outweighed by inwards and through traffic.  There was Guinness from Park Royal, scrap from Cox & Danks at Park Royal, cars etc from Moscow (Morris Cowley) plus occasional forwardings/reforwardings from Padworth, military traffic from Bicester and occasionally from Thatcham, plus some outwards traffic from Reeds paper mill at Thatcham.

Thanks for the info Mike.

Although I never visited either Guinness at Park Royal or the MOD at Bicester I have a little knowledge of them as at various times I was involved TOPS work relating to those locations.

Some of the sidings along the B&H mainline and some of the London area branches are more of a mystery to me though!

 

cheers

[The Stationmaster]

B&H line was very straightforward by then - working westwards from Southcote Jcn -

1. Theale. Large undercover stone terminal (Foster Yeoman), oil terminal (Murco), cement terminal (Blue Circle, now Lafarge), stone terminal (ARC, now Hanson).

2. Padworth (which I think is now disconnected) - had an oil terminal (out of use probably by then but not sure), and a coal yard.  I think any other traffic in or out had finished by the late '70s.

3. Colthrop - sidings on the Up side serving Reeds paper mills (manufactured cardboard mainly I think) - still there in the early 1980s but now gone.

4. Thatcham MoD Depot (now gone)

5. Newbury Racecourse Shell/BP oil terminal (now gone) but still rail connected in 1981.

6. Newbury Goods Yard - a small oil terminal (now gone).

 

Then no other revenue freight facilities until Westtbury cement works.  Theale is still quite busy but I don't know about Hanson stone going in there however I know that ARC were definitely working in there in 1978 as I scrounged some scalpings from them for my front drive in Tilehurst!

[Rivercider]

I will start my brief trip around the London Division by carrying on up the Great Western Mainline from Swindon to Didcot.

 

The first freight location to be reached to the west of Didcot is the Milton Freight Terminal on the upside.

I have passed by many times over the years, and do remember seeing ferry vans in the sidings

though I am not sure how much regular traffic there ever was, I don't think the terminal lived up to expectations. 

From 1996-99 when I was at Westbury TOPS it was part of our area, and there was occasional ferry traffic passing then.

 

The next location was the place that many railway and non railway people always associated with Didcot, Didcot Power Station

I visited Didcot in the 1970s with my dad when he was on duty making yard visits, this is one of the photos I took.

47328 passes Didcot North Junction and is nearing the end of the journey to the power station seen in the background, 2/8/79

 

Then at Didcot itself is the yard, also the Great Western Society were in residence in the former steam shed

but at that time the fuelling point had not yet been built at Didcot.

I think a lot of the land within the railway triangle was being used by the civil engineers as a spoil tip,

is this the area that later became one of the car parks?

 

The station of course saw all the passing traffic on the main line towards Bristol and South Wales, here is a vacuum braked freight on the Up Relief 

47243 is seen from the east end of the platform looking towards London, presumably this is a Severn Tunnel Junction to Acton working, 10/7/81

 

cheers

Edited January 16, 2015 by Rivercider

[Fat Controller]

I think the main carpark at Didcot (the one with the footbridge at the London end) is on the site of the former Provender Store; unlike the concrete ones seen around the country, this was a massive, brick-built, structure, used to house stocks of feed for the numerous horses used by the GWR.

[Rivercider]

One of the visits I made to Didcot was in November 1982,  where I took a number of photos.

Some of the pictures show freight traffic typical of the early 1980s, here are some in the order I took them that day.

 

Reading West Junction Yard was the focal point for engineering trains, both for weekend occupations,

and also midweek ballast drops for which Old Oak Commons class 31s were often used.

Here is a train arriving at Didcot from Reading,  

Old Oak Common allocated 31296 runs into Didcot Yard with seven sealions of ballast, 17/11/82.

 

A now a shot to add to the prototype for everything file, 

31296 has proceeded up to Didcot West Curve Junction and is now propelling the seven sealions around the curve towards Foxhall Junction, 17/11/82

 

cheers 

Edited January 17, 2015 by Rivercider

[Rivercider]

Coal for Didcot A Power Station was an important traffic for BR with trains originating from a variety of collieries

as well as coal imported through various ports over the years.

 

Here is a page from the May 1987 Freight Train Loads book showing some of the sources,

trains also ran from Cardiff or Newport Docks from time to time in the 1980s though these are not shown here.

 

When I first visited Didcot in the late 1970s coal trains were in the hands of class 47s with a maximum load of 30 to 36 HAA hoppers.

Class 56 locos replaced them in the late 1970s and the maximum loads increased to 35 to 45 HAAs accordingly.

From about 1983 class 58s became commonplace on the power station trains.

 

Here are a couple of views of class 56 locos working MGR trains on Foxhall Curve at Didcot. 

56050 is nearing the end of the journey as it rounds Foxhall Curve with a loaded train, in the distance can be seen

some of the buildings of the Great Western Society at Didcot, 17/11/82

 

Now looking the other way towards the Great Western Mainline we see an empty train.

56042, the class 56 fitted with CP3 bogies later used under the class 58s, has just begun the journey back to the Midlands

and is seen as it rounds the curve from Foxhall Junction, 17/11/82

 

cheers

Edited January 17, 2015 by Rivercider

[The Pilotman]

A now a shot to add to the prototype for everything file, 31296 has proceeded up to Didcot West Curve Junction and is now propelling the seven sealions around the curve towards Foxhall Junction, 17/11/82

That's a very interesting picture indeed! If I remember correctly, that signal (with position 2 junction indicator) would have been for the down main (perhaps Brian Daniels can confirm?) so exactly what this move was is anyone's guess. I certainly never remember pulling off for a propelling move like that. Initially I thought it might have been for a ballast drop on the up main between Foxhall and Didcot East but if that were the case, it would have had a Shark van at the back. Hmm...

Thinking about it a bit more, this train would have had to have been propelled all the way from Didcot North Junction to get to that position. Very strange.

Edited January 18, 2015 by Western Aviator

[Rivercider]

After photographing the power station coal trains I was then able to catch a couple of unidentified oil trains. 

 

I  walked across to the Great Western Mainline where we see a loaded oil train heading east

47280 is running on the Up Relief and has just passed Foxhall Junction which can bee seen at the rear of the train,

the barrier wagon behind the loco looks to be a former Motor Car Van for ferry traffic, 17/11/82

 

I returned to Didcot station, (it was not renamed Didcot Parkway until 1985) where another loaded oil train headed east

This time 47075 provides the power for a train of tanks as it passes the station, 17/11/82

 

cheers

Edited January 17, 2015 by Rivercider

[Rivercider]

There was no Freightliner terminal in the London Division of the Western Region in the 1980s though many Freightliner trains passed through,

many of them originating at Millbrook, or Southampton Maritime which had more services.

Here is a list of destinations from the May 1987 Freight Train Loads Book

 

While still at Didcot station before moving on that day in 1982 an unidentified Freightliner service passed through.

47100 enters the platform at Didcot on a Freightliner service for the north via Banbury, 17/11/82 

 

Between passing trains on the main line there was some shunting activity to watch in the yard.

The class 08 pilot at Didcot was supplied by Reading Depot, and in 1982 there were six 08s allocated there

to cover duties at Reading, Didcot and Oxford, they were 08363, 08640, 08803, 08816, 08850 and 08946.

08640 is the pilot this day, there are several rakes of engineers wagons, and some HAA wagons probably

cripples from the power station. On the right I think are the cripple sidings, 17/11/82

 

Lastly another view of the Freightliner train previously seen arriving at Didcot which had called for traincrew relief. 

47100 stands in the platform before departing northwards via Banbury, 17/11/82

 

cheers

Edited January 17, 2015 by Rivercider

[Banger Blue]

 

A now a shot to add to the prototype for everything file, 

scan0014a.jpg

31296 has proceeded up to Didcot West Curve Junction and is now propelling the seven sealions around the curve towards Foxhall Junction, 17/11/82

 

cheers

 

Certainly a lot more rural then, the field to the left of the 31 with the grounded van body is now an industrial unit (Didcot Plant Hire)

[Banger Blue]

 

Here are a couple of views of class 56 locos working MGR trains on Foxhall Curve at Didcot. 

scan0015a.jpg

56050 is nearing the end of the journey as it rounds Foxhall Curve with a loaded train, in the distance can be seen

some of the buildings of the Great Western Society at Didcot, 17/11/82

 

cheers

Today's view is a lot more hemmed in, in the background, a tree line would obscure the view of the GWS, to the left is the big Asda distribution warehouse and on the right is the Thames Valley Signalling Centre. The pond just seen behind the loco still exists.

[DavidB]

The class 08 pilot at Didcot was supplied by Reading Depot, and in 1982 there were six 08s allocated there

to cover duties at Reading, Didcot and Oxford, they were 08363, 08640, 08803, 08816, 08850 and 08946.

08640 is the pilot this day

Deep joy! I'm loving everything about this thread, which is taking me back to the many hours I spent as a teenager watching trains between Didcot and Reading, but this is the best of all. I remember all those 08s fondly, but 08640 was my favourite. From memory it spent more time at Didcot in the 80s than any of the others, gaining various chalked names over the years (first Vince and then Ada, suggesting a very modern style of gender ambiguity). I built a 7mm scale model of 640 back in 1982, using cast iron wheels, some very low spur gearing and a plasticard and brass body - it still runs from time to time, reminding me of the happy days when the real thing used to burble away as it jolted over the pointwork in Didcot yard. Many thanks for the nostalgia trip - and please keep the photos coming.....they're great.

 

David

[Rivercider]

Thanks David, some good memories there.

 

I passed by on the train from time to time and remember 08640 was the one I saw quite often.

Do you know where the Didcot pilot went for fuel and exam? I am guessing it was Oxford.

I know 08640 was one of four class 08s allocated to Oxford until 1974 when they were all re-allocated to Reading,

 

cheers

Edited January 18, 2015 by Rivercider

[Rugd1022]

Fantastic photos from the classic rail blue era, lots of warm memories of the WR being stoked up here, many thanks for sharing these Kevin and please keep them coming!

 

Ordinary, boring, everyday banger blue 47s with plated over headcode panels as nostalgia.... who'd have thought it eh?

[The Pilotman]

Thanks David, some good memories there.

 

I passed by on the train from time to time and remember 08640 was the one I saw quite often.

Do you know where the Didcot pilot went for fuel and exam? I am guessing it was Oxford.

I know 08640 was one of four class 08s allocated to Oxford until 1974 when they were all re-allocated to Reading,

 

cheers

I can't remember whether the pilot ever went to Oxford but I certainly recall visits to Reading in the late 80s and through the 90s, usually at night but sometimes on a Sunday. When it did run on a Sunday, from Didcot to Scours Lane (where the up goods started) was about 15 miles so slotting a 15mph loco in between the hourly stoppers was doable.

There was one occasion where the pilot went back to Didcot one night when the relief lines were blocked with a possession. Having checked VERY carefully that there was nothing else about, the West Junction signalman sent it off down the main line. As it passed through Cholsey, the Didcot signalman saw there were no other conflicting moves so gave it the flashing yellows onto the down relief at Didcot East from where it could be routed into Didcot Yard. The pilot driver stopped in Moreton cutting, got on the phone and said, "Hello Bobby, are you taking the p***? We can only do 15mph!" To which the signalman replied, "That's all right Drive, there's nothing about. Take your time."

I can't imagine there have been many circumstances where an 08 had flashing yellow across a 70mph junction.

Edited January 18, 2015 by Western Aviator

[rob D2]

Some great photos as usual ,

I guess this was before did or became a RFD hub for MOD traffic ?

Amazing how rural it was then, I have fond memories of walking over the sea of rusting sidings as you emerge from the tunnel towards the GWS...........like popping up in narnia to a train mad 10 year old Rob

[Fat Controller]

Some great photos as usual ,

I guess this was before did or became a RFD hub for MOD traffic ?

Amazing how rural it was then, I have fond memories of walking over the sea of rusting sidings as you emerge from the tunnel towards the GWS...........like popping up in narnia to a train mad 10 year old Rob

The RfD hub didn't emerge until the mid-1980s, I believe. However, prior to that, lots of published photos suggest that it fulfilled a similar role for parcels traffic; perhaps it was easier/more convenient to exchange portions of parcels services there, rather than at Reading?

[Rivercider]

Some great photos as usual ,

I guess this was before did or became a RFD hub for MOD traffic ?

Amazing how rural it was then, I have fond memories of walking over the sea of rusting sidings as you emerge from the tunnel towards the GWS...........like popping up in narnia to a train mad 10 year old Rob

Thanks for the comments Rob.

 

Yes that is right, back then the various MOD depots were served by whichever was the local yard, although that of course changed through the 1980s as yards closed one by one.

Fenny Compton was served by a trip from Banbury.

Bicester was served by a trip from Oxford (South Yard?), of which more later on in this thread.

Ludgershall was at one time served by a trip from Basingstoke.

Ashchurch was served by a trip from Gloucester.

 

cheers

Edited January 19, 2015 by Rivercider

[rob D2]

So , I think I recall from the thread on the bescot Banbury goods I started in 2008 (!) , Fenny Compton was served from Banbury as a MR trip, originating in bescot with a 25 normally.

 

Whereas, Bicester was a WR trip with a 31 from Oxford south ? Never seen pics of a 25 going to bicester

[Rivercider]

We now make another visit to Didcot, three years later in July 1985, and a number of things have already changed,

interestingly 08640 was the yard pilot again, though I did not capture it on film.

 

Firstly one photo from the morning, and a typical stone train passes by. 

47246 heads east on with a loaded ARC stone train of 100t former iron ore tipplers. 8/7/85

Several changes catch my eye in this shot. The class 47 now has a headlight, there is a new footbridge 

spanning the main lines, which I think gives access to the new car park.

In the yard we get a glimpse of some of the freight traffic, a VGA,a VDA (?) and two VEAs are probably carrying MOD traffic

as Didcot yard has now started to handle trips to various MOD locations.

 

Then a couple of photos of locos in the new freight livery. 

Running into the yard from the north is a spoil train formed of 16t minerals now in engineers use. 8/7/85

I think the loco is 31128 but stand to be corrected. The 16t minerals were a replacement in the engineers fleet

for a lot of old unfitted stock. They were not hugely successful, spent ballast being heavier than coal

meant that the wagons were frequently overloaded, to help prevent this holes were cut in the sides

though we can see that the second wagon has so far escaped the torch.

 

There has also been a change in the traction for the coal trains.

58002 rounds the curve with a loaded MGR train heading for the power station, 8/7/85

 

cheers

[Rivercider]

Two more general views of Didcot now from the afternoon back in 1985, both I think taken from the new footbridge.

First looking north across the yard.

A mixed formation DMU of class 101 set C812 and class 117 set L420 arrive at Didcot. 8/7/85

In the yard is a rake of spoil wagons mostly grampus but also one smaller engineers wagon.

To the right are three highfits presumably in engineers or CS&TE use.

Above the DMU is a long rake of 16t minerals now TOPS code ZHV in the engineers fleet.

To the top left are the tip sidings, spoil was dumped for some time presumably to raise the level of the land.

Is the fuelling point now located where the tip sidings were? 

 

A view looking the other way east towards the station.

The discharged oil train is headed by 56041.

In the yard 31165 is heading 3B07 parcels.

 

My father visited Didcot from time to time particularly when there was a lot of engineering train activity there,

He also several times had to make arrangements for engineers wagons to be removed from the 

Great Western Society sidings.

Behind the 16t minerals seen in the last photo were a pair of grampus they appeared to be loaded

with either ash or more likely loco coal, and had been shunted into the GWS without authority from the civil engineers.   

Later I think a wagon or two were specifically provided to move loco coal for the GWS.

 

One other train that sometimes appeared in Didcot Yard to the usual annoyance of the shunters

was the Avon Waste Binliner which occasionally had to recess in the yard if engineering blockades prevented it running normally.

It also sometimes called for reversal to get the boxes the right way round to unload at Calvert.

 

cheers

[Fat Controller]

The GWS does still have a couple of their own wagons for loco coal; a pair of BR ex-Ferry opens (OJX under TOPS, I believe). Whilst Speedlink was still around, they went as far as one of the Welsh pits to collect coal; these days they just cross the yard to the road access.

[Rivercider]

The GWS does still have a couple of their own wagons for loco coal; a pair of BR ex-Ferry opens (OJX under TOPS, I believe). Whilst Speedlink was still around, they went as far as one of the Welsh pits to collect coal; these days they just cross the yard to the road access.

They were the ones I was thinking of, but could not remember what build they were.

 

edit - I see from the Great Western Society site that former Open Ferry Wagons B715024 and B715029 are now numbered 5267 and 5268.

 

Back in 1985 here is the view that shows two of BRs grampus wagons in their sidings, probably without permission from the civil engineers!

The grampus are top left of the shot, 31165 waits in the yard with 3B07, and 50039 Implacable makes an evening departure towards Oxford, 8/7/85

 

cheers  

Edited January 24, 2015 by Rivercider