railography photo galleries : Collections : New Photos : 25-D-1515 : (277 of 300)

Sixes and Sevens

One of the few Powerhaul liveried class 66s, 66504, crested the summit at Manningford Bruce with 7A40, the 08:40 Merehead Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop stone train, on 18 March 2025. The hoppers would continue from Hanwell Bridge to Bow as 7L43, returning to Merehead overnight as 7M88 to Wembley and then 7V91.

The number of Class 7 stone trains over the B&H has reduced significantly over the last year or so with new 60mph capable wagons replacing the old Yeoman hoppers with their 45mph maximum speed, thereby allowing more trains to run as Class 6.