60008, 66214 BBHT 18th July 2000
Happier times at Avonmouth BHT sees two trains loading simultaneously which was a regular sight for a number of years. Here Loadhaul liveried 60008 'Gypsum Queen 2' hauling 45 HAA's through Silo 1 which would form 6A65 08:51 to Didcot PS. Coming in a close second through Silo 2 is 66214 with a 36 set destined for Aberthaw PS (6Z90 08:30 departure) All trains were normally loaded at 0.5 mph which was set on the loco's slow speed. Both 60's and 66's were good at holding this speed accurately but a few years previously when the Class 56's were used there was numerous spillages and train delays as the Grids struggled to hold the speed required. 56114 was a regular culprit and eventually banned from loading. As Aberthaw stations burnt a different blend of imported coal to others it required each silo to be filled with coal for specific power stations. At the time over 100 coal trains/week were programmed to run from Avonmouth.
66214 was eventually sent over to France to work for Euro Cargo Rail. The popular 60 has been stored for over 13 years at Toton and unlikely to run again.
Pentax 6 x 7 Slide Scan
60008, 66214 BBHT 18th July 2000
Happier times at Avonmouth BHT sees two trains loading simultaneously which was a regular sight for a number of years. Here Loadhaul liveried 60008 'Gypsum Queen 2' hauling 45 HAA's through Silo 1 which would form 6A65 08:51 to Didcot PS. Coming in a close second through Silo 2 is 66214 with a 36 set destined for Aberthaw PS (6Z90 08:30 departure) All trains were normally loaded at 0.5 mph which was set on the loco's slow speed. Both 60's and 66's were good at holding this speed accurately but a few years previously when the Class 56's were used there was numerous spillages and train delays as the Grids struggled to hold the speed required. 56114 was a regular culprit and eventually banned from loading. As Aberthaw stations burnt a different blend of imported coal to others it required each silo to be filled with coal for specific power stations. At the time over 100 coal trains/week were programmed to run from Avonmouth.
66214 was eventually sent over to France to work for Euro Cargo Rail. The popular 60 has been stored for over 13 years at Toton and unlikely to run again.
Pentax 6 x 7 Slide Scan