The Bristol Railway Archive

Last eve (17:30) I was walking up to catch a train into town from FAW...

On the walking through the car park I heard a loud racket and saw two 57's top n tailing what looked like the Cardiff Taunton service - 4 Mk 2's pulling out of the station towards Wales. From what I could see it was definatly one of the Virgin 57's with Dellner coupler and what looked like the old Great Western 57s on the rear...

Is this a sustitute service for the two 67's (which was the service I caught to BTM)? Does anyone know if they are going to be a common service, if so I'd like to get some pics!

Any timings Info would be greatfully received!

Sounds like the replacements for the 67s on Cardiff - Taunton now that the 67s are on Cardiff - Paignton duty.

The timings I've got scribbled down are

57/3
0728 Taunton 0903 Parkway (0800 W-s-M)
0913 Parkway 1001 W-s-M (1001 W-s-M - then ECS to Taunton)
1102 Taunton 1324 Cardiff (1134 W-s-M)
1400 Cardiff 1602 Taunton (1525 W-s-M)
1613 Taunton 1817 Cardiff (1645 W-s-M)
1900 Cardiff 2108 Taunton (2029 W-s-M)

67
0800 Cardiff 1125 Paington (0926 W-s-M)
1247 Paington 1629 Cardiff (1445 W-s-M)
1700 Cardiff 1915 Taunton (1829 W-s-M)
1918 Taunton 2045 Bristol TM (1950 W-s-M)

Recall reading that the 57s + stock are stored on the WSR at Bishops Lydeard during the week and return to Cardif for the weekend. Don't know about the 67s + stock but guess they are kept overnight at Barton Hill.
Saw 57312 & 57316 on Monday of last week (18/01) but I beleive 57309 has since taken over from 57312.

two weeks ago two class 57s spotted at taunton one of which was virgin thunderbird alan tracy

I think you mean these, pictured on the excellent Taunton trains website:

http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/

That's where I got my info from. 57309 must have been on a quick visit as 57312 & 57316 were on duty today with 67016 & 67017 on the Cardiff/Paignton.