Round-up from the train and freight operators.
Rail Head Treatment Trains
Reports are now coming in as the Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) season gets underway. Class 57 No. 57306 Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate 175 was noted at Harwich International on 0Z06 on September 11, working an RHTT route-learner diagram, returning to its Stowmarket base as 0Z07 after a short 10-minute break. The first complete 3S60 Stowmarket – Stowmarket RHTT running, working the GEML southern branch lines, occurred on Monday, September 25 with Class 66 No. 66776 Joanne heading into Harwich International at 09.45 with No. 66753 EMD Roberts Road at the rear.
The 3S84, from Effingham Junction Carriage Holding Sidings to Effingham Junction Carriage Holding Sidings, was seen passing Wimbledon West Junction on Monday, September 25, formed of Multi Purpose Vehicle Nos. DR98973+DR98923. The diagram ran via Hampton Court, Surbiton, Basingstoke, Woking Up Yard Reception, Aldershot, Wimbledon, and Guildford.
RHTT 3W90, from Tonbridge West Yard to Tonbridge West Yard via Redhill, Brighton, Haywards Heath, Lewes, Newhaven Marine, Kensington Olympia, Sutton, Tulse Hill, East Grinstead, Uckfield, Norwood Junction, Horsham and Redhill, was seen approaching Haydons Road station on Monday, September 25. The train was formed of two FEA flat wagons with the appropriate modules attached and was headed by Class 73 No. 73201 Broadlands with No. 73128 OVS Bulleid C.B.E at the rear of the train.
Observed at Westbury on October 5 at about 17.30, Class 66 Nos. 66155 and 66044 ran into the down platform avoiding line and, after a crew change, ran out again top-andtailing a RHTT.
Avanti West Coast
Observed at Crewe on Thursday, September 14 were new Class 805 units Nos. 805001+805003 working a 5Q31 from Oxley Carriage Maintenance Depot to Holyhead. Plastic covers were in place on the seats of No. 805001, but No. 805003 did not appear to have had seats fitted.
The first of the new Class 805 units to be delivered in full AWC livery, No. 805005 was moved by Class 56 No. 56081 from Newton Aycliffe to Oxley on September 26.
LNER
On Saturday, September 16, the first of this year’s East Coast diversions were observed passing Thankerton with the following units reported: 800101-04/07/11-13, 800202/ 06/08/10, 801107/08/11.
Reported on Sunday, September 17, were Nos. 800102/04/05/07/10-13, 800201/02/06/08/10 and 801103/07/13.
Great Western Railway
Reading Traincare Depot was viewed from a passing train on Friday, September 8. he three ex-Marston Vale two-car D-stock sets Nos. 230003/04/05 were stabled towards the western end of the sidings.
As will be evident to anyone travelling into Paddington station on a GWR train, progress is being made on the new HS2 station at Old
Oak Common. The time is drawing near when the station works will have reached the point where the civil engineer requires a complete blockade on the Great Western Main
Line into Paddington. The blockade will prevent GWR trains running east of Ealing Broadway, where passengers will be able to transfer to London Underground. Trains may also terminate at Reading, where passengers can transfer to South Western services to Waterloo.
On Friday, September 29, GWR chartered a train from West Coast Railways to explore the options for running services to Euston or Waterloo whilst Paddington is closed for HS2 works at Old Oak Common. The charter was first noted, from a passing London Overground service, stopped at Acton Wells Junction when working as train 2Z02 from London Euston to Acton Terminal Complex with Class 33 Nos. 33207 and 33029 top-andtailing inspection saloon No. 999506. A little later the train was seen again, passing Kensington Olympia running from Acton Terminal Complex to London Waterloo. The train was seen for a final time by platform 17 at Waterloo station. It had stopped at the country end of the platform to minimise the diesel fumes under the overall roof.
Greater Anglia
The normally reliable and dependable Stadler Class 745 and 755s suffered two consecutive days of unit failures that caused frustration with travelling passengers. On September 25, No.745104 failed at Colchester and on September 26 when Nos. 755336+755338+755424 failed at Bow Junction. Both were hauled back to Norwich Crown Point by ROG’s Class 37/6 No. 37601 Perseus that was on hand at Orient Way.
The final two Class 321 units stored at Clacton, Nos. 321306+321314 left on September 29 to continue their storage at Walton Old Junction sidings, Warrington.
Abellio Scotrail
Ayr station was closed on the evening of September 25, when the nearby hotel was once again the victim of an arson attack. Services were suspended between Ayr and Irvine to the north and to Girvan in the south with a bus replacement being put in place. Two units were ‘trapped’ south of Ayr with Class 156 No. 156495 being observed in a siding at Girvan while No. 156503 provided a shuttle service between Girvan and Stranraer.
On Saturday, October 7, parts of Scotland saw a month’s rain fall in less than a day. A weather warning had previously been issued and Network Rail took the decision to impose a blanket speed restriction of 40mph, including on the West Coast Main Line between Glasgow Central and Lamington.
Avanti West Coast advertised all its services were cancelled north of Preston, however a very limited service was provided with trains leaving Glasgow for Preston at 07.22, 09.07, 11.15, 14.10 and 15.11, with a 17.09 to Carlisle and from Preston to Glasgow at 10.40, 13.34, 14.54, 17.09, 18.49 and 20.41. The sight of these trains passing Thankerton at just 40mph enabled your correspondent to see that some were well loaded.
TPE withdrew all its trains within Scotland. The temporary timetable in place because of the fire at the former Station Hotel at Ayr was modified with ScotRail trains only operating between Glasgow Central and Irvine. The usual ScotRail routes which are known to be prone to flooding were closed, West Highland Lines, trains between Helensburgh Central and Dalmuir/Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, Balloch and Hyndland and the Highland Main Line between Perth and Inverness. Other routes saw a reduced service being provided.
In the event, the amount of rain which fell was greater than expected, with one weather station recording 107.5 mm in a 12-hour period. Unsurprisingly, water courses were unable to cope with widespread flooding occurring. Services were suspended between Wemyss Bay and Glasgow after water levels rose significantly at Branchton station. At Bowling station, as seen on television news reports, the flood water was almost to platform height. At Langbank, flooding closed the route between Gourock and Glasgow Central. All services operating via Glasgow Central were suspended following flooding at a number of locations.
Services between East Kilbride and Glasgow Central were suspended due to flooding at Thornliebank. The Shotts route between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh was the next to be closed due to flooding in the Shotts area.
The Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa services were unable to operate between Stirling and Alloa. Serious flooding was then confirmed at Achnasheen justifying the earlier route closure.
Springburn to Milngavie services were suspended, along with trains between Glasgow Central and Ardrossan Harbour/Largs. An alternative service was provided between Kilwinning and Largs.
By 16.30 the situation had deteriorated with the following report in place: “There will be no replacement transport provided. For the areas of suspension, the message is DO NOT TRAVEL. For the rest of Scotland, the message is travel only when necessary and expect delays. There are widespread timetable reductions as a result, and customers need to check
their journey before setting off. Transport Scotland are expecting disruption across the road network also.”
Monday, October 9 saw the service between Dundee and Edinburgh reinstated from about 09.00 once the flooding issues at Craigo had been resolved. The West Highland Lines and the Highland Main Line remained blocked.
Reported by Network Rail Scotland on October 10, the line between Dunblane and Perth was to remain closed while work was carried out to repair the huge amount of flood damage.
Heavy rain continued over the following days across several areas of Scotland, and speed restrictions were put in place on the West Highland line and on the resumed Inverness/Kyle of Lochalsh line between 09.00 on October 10 and 08.30 on October 11.
Caledonian
A signal power failure on the WCML north of Preston in the early hours of Wednesday, September 20, brought delays to the two sleeper services out of London Euston. The Glasgow-bound service (1S26/23.50) pulled by Class 92 No. 92043 arrived in Glasgow Central 212 minutes late at 10.50. The Inverness-bound service (1S25/21.15) worked out of Euston on time, being pulled by No. 92033, finally arrived in Inverness 256 minutes late at 13.31.
Other service operators to experience delays included the 1S04/23.47 Birmingham International to Mossend Down Yard operated by Swift Express Class 321 No. 321334 being 263 minutes late; the 4S83/17.45 London Gateway to Coatbridge FLT hauled by Class 90 Nos. 90003+90044 being 232 minutes late. The TPE 1S30/04.58 Manchester Airport to Glasgow terminated at Carlisle and the 1S34/05.20 Wolverhampton to Glasgow passed Thankerton about 60 minutes down.
Not everything was late as the 6S99/05.21 Carlisle Kingmoor to Georgemas Junction worked by Class 68 Nos. 68006 and 68033 passed 25 minutes early.
CrossCountry
Observed at Bristol Parkway on August 28, the 14.44 departure to Glasgow Central headed by Power Cars Nos. 43007 and 43008, departed 17 minutes late at 15.01 due to delays west of Bristol. Additional delays were encountered in the Cam & Dursley area as the preceding GWR service to Worcester Foregate Street made its station call. Good running thereafter saw Birmingham New Street reached 24 minutes late at 16.19.
A correspondent made a journey on Friday, September 8, from Cheltenham Spa as far as Tamworth on the 1S51/12.27 from Plymouth to Glasgow Central, which was headed by No. 43303, with No. 43304 at the rear of the train. Departure from Cheltenham Spa was seven minutes late, but a quick crew change resulted in an on-time departure from Birmingham New Street. Arrival at Tamworth was one minute late. The opportunity to ride on two of CrossCountry’s HSTs was taken on Thursday, September 14, the first from Tamworth to Cheltenham Spa on the 1V50/06.06 from Edinburgh to Plymouth headed by No. 43304, with No. 43303 at the rear of the train. The return journey from Cheltenham Spa to Tamworth was then made on the 1S51/12.27 from Plymouth to Glasgow Central, with No. 43378 at the front and No. 43321 at the rear. Arrival at Birmingham New Street was three minutes late, but time spent awaiting a crew member meant departure was 16 minutes late.
The final westbound 1V44 Leeds-Plymouth on September 16 arrived at Bristol Parkway on time behind Nos. 43321+43378. The running onto Plymouth was sprightly with a just a brief interruption before Worle after catching up a late running GWR service to Weston-super-Mare. Departing Taunton six minutes late, a fast run down the Exe Valley and along the coast to Newton Abbot followed by one last climb over the South Devon Banks brought the service to a stand in Platform 4 at Plymouth just one minute late at 11.49.
The very last regular service by a CrossCountry HST ran on Monday, September 18 and is reported to have been the 1E73/16.27 from Plymouth to Leeds headed by No. 43008 with 43007 at the rear.
With the cessation of the HST units with CrossCountry, the stock is
being dispersed away from Laira with Mk.3 coaches Nos. 41194+42370+42377+44021 leaving by road in early October for store at Long Marston. Power car No. 43285 ran light from Laira to Derby on October 10 for a new life with Colas on test trains. A rake of Angel stock formed 43239+ 41026+42051+42379+ 41035+42037+42342+43366 left Laira for store at Ely on October 11.
Northern Rail
It has been reported the lease on Northern’s Class 319 units ends in November and will not be extended. Observed on Tuesday, September 12 No. 319361 was seen alongside platform 4 at Liverpool Lime Street forming the 2F58/13.15 departure to Wigan North Western.
Transpennine Express
Class 802 Azuma No. 802203 made a welcome sight stopping at Brighouse station on September 9, with the 08.36 departure, next stop Manchester Victoria, due to arrive in Liverpool Lime Street 10.04. During September and October, Trans-Pennine Express trains were rerouted down the Calder Valley on weekends only, whilst electrification work is being undertaken in the Huddersfield area. Although such diversions are by no means new, it is the first time that Brighouse has been a stopping point even though only four miles from Huddersfield station.
With the Class 68 locomotives and Mk.5 carriages expected to be withdrawn from the December timetable change, now is the time to take every opportunity to see and ride with them. On Monday, September 11 the 1U60/14.48 from Scarborough to Manchester Piccadilly, was seen arriving by platform 1 at Manchester Piccadilly led by driving trailer No. 12813, with Class 68 No. 68032 Destroyer propelling at the rear. The formation was then seen leaving as the 1U71/17.30 to Scarborough.
The following day, a journey was made as far as Huddersfield on the 1U63/15.35 from Manchester Piccadilly to Scarborough led by No. 12806 and 68027 Splendid on the rear.
Observations on October 2 found Class 68 No. 68024 + TP06 passing ECS through Heaton Chapel with 5Q32 Crewe South Yard to Longsight during a routine TPE set swap. In the opposite direction TP02 was moved from Longsight to Crewe South Yard by Class 68 No. 68020. On the same day ROG Class 37 No. 37510 + Class 68 No. 68026 with TP03 were seen passing through Heaton Chapel with 5Q37 Scarborough to Crewe South Yard being dragged back to Crewe due to problems with the Mk.5 set at Scarborough.
A highly unusual move on October 5, found Class 397 No. 397007 being top-andtailed by Class 37 Nos. 37611+ 37510 from Longsight to Brodies, Kilmarnock at a maximum speed of 30mph.
Transport for Wales
Observations at Chester mid-afternoon on August 22 found Class 197 No. 197104 forming the 14.43 to Liverpool Lime St via Helsby and Runcorn. Unit Nos. 197047+ 197013 formed the 14.51 (from Manchester Airport) to Llandudno. No. 197017 worked the 14.52 (from Holyhead) to Manchester Airport and departed seven minutes late. The 15.25 (from Birmingham International) to Holyhead was formed of Class 158 Nos. 158820+158834, although they were split at Llandudno Junction with only one proceeding to Holyhead.
Two days later, Class 197 Nos. 197108+197109 passed through Bangor on test at 11.40 for Crewe. No. 197021 was noted on the train to Holyhead from Manchester Airport, while the 12.01 to Cardiff departed at 12.07 formed of Class 150 No.150258. Later in the day, several delays occurred. The 16.02 to Manchester from Cardiff was delayed with a reported train problem. It eventually arrived at 16.37 formed of Class 197 Nos. 197016+197001 with passengers advised several stations would be omitted and those wanting those stations should catch the 16.35 to Chester that would be following shortly. The train to Cardiff from Manchester was delayed by 48 minutes and formed of Class 67 No. 67012 and Mk.4 coaches. Realtime Trains showed it had been cancelled between Manchester and Crewe and had left Crewe 31 minutes late.
Observed arriving on August 28 at Birmingham New Street, the 13.30 from Aberystwyth to Birmingham International was on time formed of Class 158 Nos. 158839+158835+158822.
A journey was made from Crewe to Shrewsbury on Saturday, September 9 on the 1V54/16.30 from Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central hauled by Class 67 No. 67013, with driving trailer No. 82227 at the rear. Whilst the level of comfort in the Mk.4 stock is generally rather good, on this occasion the train’s movement caused the seats to rattle and squeak to such an extent it was quite annoying.
It has been reported the Class 67s and loco hauled stock were not used during the period from Tuesday, September 12 to Thursday, September 21 whilst engineering work was taking place between Shrewsbury and Hereford. The work related to re-laying in the Dinmore Tunnels (there are separate tunnels for each track. Apparently, the work overran and there are reports the line closures continued on Friday, September 22.
A visit was made by a correspondent to the Borderlands Line on the morning of Tuesday, September 12, to see and ride on the Class 230. Whilst walking to the Borderlands Line platforms at Shotton a Class 230 was noted heading north which according to Realtime Trains was No. 230007 running ECS to Bidston. At Shotton station No. 230009 was seen forming the 2J60/10.34 from Bidston to Wrexham Central. A journey was then made from Shotton to Bidston on the 2F62/10.34 from Wrexham Central to Bidston formed of Class 150 No.150258.
The depot at Birkenhead North was viewed from a passing train where No. 230010 was noted in the sidings.
MerseyRail
Deliveries of new Class 777 units included Nos. 777020+ 777026+777152 from Dollands Moor to Wembley on September 20 hauled by Class 66 No. 66099, then going forward to Walton Old Junction later in the day behind the Rail Adventure Class 43s. The next delivery was of Nos. 777024+777028+777030 to Walton Old Junction on October 11, being hauled north from Wembley by Rail Adventure Class 43 Nos. 43484+43465+43468+43480.
As increasing numbers of the new Class 777 units enter traffic, so the Class 507 and 508s depart for scrap at Newport with Nos. 508117+508130 being moved by Class 37 No. 37884 on October 2, followed by the Class 37 taking Nos. 508111+508128 to Newport from Crewe on October 5. Four days later, on October 9 the Class 37 took Nos. 508124+508125 from Birkenhead to Newport.
West Midlands Railway
One of West Midlands Trains new Class 196 units No. 196104 was observed leaving from platform 6 Birmingham New Street on August 28 on time for Shrewsbury at 16.26.
Observed leaving Liverpool Lime Street on September 4 was new No. 730202 on 5Q62 working to Wolverhampton.
c2c
The new Class 720 trains have had a low-key entry into service. The first day of operation in regular service is reported to have been Wednesday, September 27 when Nos. 720609+720610 worked the 1B21/07.29 from Thorpe Bay to Fenchurch Street. The next reported new entry to traffic was on October 9 when Nos. 720601+ 720605 were observed.
South Eastern Trains
Networker units are being moved away and placed in store at Worksop as more Class 707 units arrive from SWR. On September 15 Class 37 No. 37884 moved Nos. 466001+ 465933 from Gillingham to Worksop followed by the Class 37 moving Nos. 466017+ 465931 on September 18.
The Class 37 was in use again on September 21 to move Nos. 466009+465920, and on September 28 Nos. 466005+465921. A further move reported occurred on October 10 when the Class 37 took Nos. 466030+465934 north from Gillingham.
Additional Class 707 units to transfer from SWR are Nos. 707015+707016 overnight on September 29-30 with Nos. 707017+707022 following on October 13-14.
Southern Railways
Littlehampton suffered its third day of disruption in a row on September 20, when all services leaving the station before 6am were cancelled due to no night shift signaller. All ECS moves to Southampton, Portsmouth and Bognor Regis remained at Littlehampton and started as additional passenger services.
The morning of September 21 saw a reduction in available rolling stock at Littlehampton. The 07.10 service to London was formed of Class 377 Nos. 377212+377207, instead of the 12 carriages, as No. 377406 was pulled from traffic with a damaged coupler after hitting a trolley at Hilsea the previous evening, caused by high winds and heavy rain with trees falling onto the lines in many areas.
More disruption occurred on September 22, when trespassers were on the railway line in the Worthing area. The 06.10 Littlehampton to London formed Nos. 377472+377403 was diverted via the Arun Valley with Three Bridges being the first stop. The 06.05 service to London Bridge formed of Nos. 387207+387219+387223 was delayed at Littlehampton as the driver didn’t sign for the Arun Valley, but eventually departed 16 minutes late.
The 06.40 service to London formed of 377205+377412+ 377463 departed 14 late from Littlehampton. Due to a shortage of train crew the 06.52 service to Portsmouth was cancelled. The 08.13 service to London Victoria was in trouble before leaving the siding with a fault with the door equipment, Nos. 377107+377459 being the culprits. The service eventually departed 16 minutes late and was diverted via the Arun Valley with Gatwick Airport being the first stop.
A landslip on the Cliftonville Spur between Hove and Preston Park on September 28 caused numerous problems with some services being terminated at Preston Park, while others were diverted via the Arun Valley.
The evening peak was further disrupted when No. 377324, forming the 18.55 Littlehampton to Portsmouth, hit concrete in the Barnham area, luckily not causing a lot of damage to the unit but it didn’t stop the 18.33 Portsmouth to Brighton with No. 377447 being diverted into Littlehampton and terminate due to late running. It then formed the 20.01 ex-Brighton to Portsmouth & Southsea starting at Littlehampton.
The 18.31 Brighton to Southampton terminated at Fareham with the 20.28 return to Brighton starting at Fareham due to late running.
On September 29 the 06.51 Brighton Depot to Littlehampton ECS move was delayed by a unit failure in the depot. This would normally form the 08.13 Littlehampton to London. In the event, the 07.21 ex-Brighton formed of Nos. 377213+377404, normally the 08.43 service to London, was stepped up to cover for the 08.13. The 08.43 was eventually cancelled from Littlehampton and started from Hove formed of a single four-car Class 377 instead of the booked eight-car formation.
South Western Railway
Reconfigured Class 458 Juniper units returned to Bournemouth from Widnes included No. 458405 on September 5, top-and-tailed by Class 57 No. 57305 and Class 47 No. 47749. No. 458423 was moved south by Class 50 Nos. 50007+50049 on September 25, followed by No. 458425 on October 10, also top-and-tailed by Nos. 50007+50049.
The lines between Waterloo and Windsor, Weybridge and Reading were brought to a halt on Tuesday, September 12 due to a major fault at Basingstoke PSB which meant that none of the level crossings in the Egham, Windsor or Chertsey area could be operated. This virtually shut the line for over three hours with trains stuck in both directions and unable to divert.
Three Class 701 units Nos. 701038, 701045 and 701019 were visible from the road outside Marchwood on September 20.
Deliveries of the new Class 701 units from Derby continued, with No. 701514 being brought south to Eastleigh by Class 47 No. 47739 on September 26, followed by 701515 on October 4, hauled by Class 47 No. 47749. Class 47 No. 47727 took No. 701516 to Eastleigh on October 11.
Charter Trains
On September 23, GWR ‘Castle’ 4-6-0 No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe worked Vintage Trains’ 1Z29/08.33 ‘Melton Pieman’ from Birmingham New Street to Melton Mowbray with Class 47 No. 47773 on the rear. It was observed making a fine sight steaming along the South Leicestershire Line near Croft.
Making a return to the mainline on September 27, Class 142 No. 142003 worked a Locomotive Services special 1Z77 from Wilmslow to Llandudno through Newton-leWillows. The service also ran via Liverpool Lime Street.
Pathfinder’s 100th tour, the ‘Pilgrim Centurion’ hauled by Class 50 Nos. 50007 and 50049, ran on September 16 from Swindon to Edinburgh where it arrived three minutes late at 13.15. The formation then left Edinburgh ECS to Polmadie for servicing. Various delays followed resulting in a late return to Edinburgh causing a 39 minute late departure from Waverley, but included an unadvertised run round the suburban line to get back to Slateford. The train finally arrived back at Swindon 41 minutes late at 01.03 on Sunday morning. A long day for Swindon passengers as the train left at 05.30.
Noted passing East Croydon on September 23, working an East Midlands Parkway to Sheffield Park UK Railtour was Class 73 Nos. 73109 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary + 73212 Stephen Eaves and Class 66 No. 66718.
DB Cargo
Class 60 No. 60015 has dominated the Boston steel trains since August 30, being noted on the 6E02 Toton to Boston on August 30, and September 1 and 11, and the 6E01 Wolverhampton to Boston on September 6, 12 and 13.
The Immingham to Kingsbury tanks were diverted via Scunthorpe from September 2-10, as Network Rail was renewing the River Devon viaduct at Newark. The 6M35
overnight Humber Refinery to Kingsbury loaded tanks were diverted from September 11-15, while the 6E54 Kingsbury to Humber Refinery, the return empty tanks, was hauled by two Class 66s on September 4, 6, 11, 13 and 14.
On Thursday, September 7, Class 66 No. 66054 was seen passing Barnes station at the head of a rake of JRA bogie open wagons forming the 6M95 from Cliffe Brett Marine to Neasden Engineers Sidings. The train was running almost exactly two hours late.
On Friday, September 8, the 6V92 from Corby B.S.C. to Margam Terminal Complex was seen passing Cheltenham Spa station hauled by Class 66 No. 66171 still in EWS livery. A little later, No. 66102 was seen hauling the 6V51 from Burton-on-Trent West Yard to Cardiff Tidal Terminal Complex. Returning to Cheltenham Spa station on Thursday, September 14, the 6V92 from Corby B.S.C. to Margam Terminal Complex was seen again with Class 66 No. 66197, and a train made up of BYA Bogie Steel Coil wagons.
The 4L56 from Trafford Park Euro Terminal to London Gateway was seen passing Manchester Oxford Road station on Wednesday, September 13, worked by Class 66 No. 66005.
Scrap metal trains reported between Cardiff Tidal and Sunderland, all hauled by Class 66s, included No. 66125 from Cardiff to Sunderland and back on September 14, followed by Nos. 66109+ 66175 from Cardiff to Sunderland and Tees Yard. From Tees Cardiff, No. 66175 worked solo. No. 66095 took the empties to Sunderland then to Tees Yard from where No. 66192 took the loaded train back to Cardiff on September 26, then No. 66129 did a round trip to Sunderland and back on September 28.
Three days later, No. 66175 worked Cardiff-SunderlandTees Yard, with No. 66192 back to Cardiff.
Class 325 units Nos. 325013+ 325012 were observed working a Shieldmuir to Daventry diagram on September 29, to the new Royal Mail centre. A further report was of No. 325012 working the same diagram solo on October 5.
Freightliner
The 4L36 from Wentloog to Felixstowe North Freightliner Terminal hauled by Class 66 No. 66516 was seen being brought to a stand alongside platform 14 at Reading station for a crew change on Friday, September 8.
Class 66 No. 66523 was seen standing by platform 2 at Nuneaton station on Thursday, September 14, whilst working the 4O17 from Lawley Street Freightliner Terminal to Southampton Maritime Container Terminal. On the same day Class 90 Nos. 90005 and 90048, both in orange livery, were seen heading the 4M87 from Felixstowe North Freightliner Terminal to Trafford Park Freightliner Terminal through Nuneaton station.
Class 70 No. 70014 was seen stopped by platform 3 at Eastleigh for a crew change, on Saturday, September 23, whilst heading the 4O27 from Crewe Basford Hall S.S.M. to Southampton Maritime Container Terminal.
During the morning of October 5, Class 66 Nos. 66538 and 66556 came through the down platform avoiding line at Westbury with empty ballast wagons. Nos. 66525 and 66725 were in the down yard.
In the evening No. 66415 brought box wagons into the down yard from the Salisbury line, ran round, and left towards Fairwood Junction. Later Class 59 Nos. 59201+59205 paused briefly in the up platform avoiding line before leaving for the Berks & Hants with 40 loaded wagons of stone.
DRS
The twice-yearly 6L70/01.00 Crewe Coal Sidings-Sizewell C.E.G.B. nuclear waste movement ran on September 12, with Class 68 No. 68007 Valiant and Class 88 No. 88002 Prometheus and returned as 6M69, passing through Manningtree on time at 17.45 on the return trip.
DRS Class 68 No. 68002 Intrepid + Class 88 No. 88009 Diana (with pantograph down) ran as a light engine duo on Thursday, September 14 as 0Z45/16.15 from Crewe to Carlisle. Earlier that day Class 88 No. 88005 Minerva ran light from Carlisle (0Z88) to Crewe and back (0Z89) possibly on a footplate training exercise.
On Thursday, September 14, Class 66 No. 66421 Gresty Bridge TMD was seen passing Gloucester at the head of the 4V44 from Daventry to Wentloog.
On Saturday, September 23, DRS Class 68 Nos. 68018+ 68034 pulled three white FNA flask vehicles from Sellafield (6K73/08.29) via Barrow-inFurness to Crewe.
The afternoon loaded mineral train 6K06 from Shap Quarry to Crewe is usually a DRS Class 66 or Class 68 working. However, on Wednesday, September 27, this service was worked by TPE liveried Class 68 No. 68029 Courageous.
GBRF
Class 66 Nos. 66774 on 4L03 and 66772 Maria worked stopover intermodal (both originating from Doncaster i-Port) into Harwich Parkeston Quay yard on September 2, and worked out with 4R43 and 4Y66 on September 4. Come September 9, it was Nos. 66786 Cambridge University Railway Club Founded by Junior Members 1911 and 66737 Lesia, while it was Nos. 66737 again and 66724 Drax Power Station on September 16.
The Harwich Branch was closed on the weekend of September 23/24 for sleeper re-laying at Manningtree and level-crossing work at Wrabness, completing the month on September 30 was Nos. 66737 and 66718 Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill of Imber in the County of Wiltshire.
Class 66 No. 66733 Cambridge PSB arrived at the Harwich Refinery on September 4, on a 0P41 from Ipswich to handle the empty condensate tanks on 6P41 to North Walsham, returning with loaded tanks the next day.
The following week on September 13 it was supposed to be No. 66752 The Hoosier State, but classmate No. 66760 David Gordon Harris failed on 4E53 to Tinsley at 07.02 by Haughley Junction (which caused massive delays and cancellations as it was blocking the down main to Norwich), and it was temporarily rerouted to handle the recovery. Apparently and surprisingly, ‘wheel slip’ was the problem and No. 66752 came off at Bury St Edmunds, leaving No. 66760 to continue onwards to Tinsley, while the former headed towards Harwich Parkeston Quay some three hours late and the empty tank movement was postponed until the following day.
Not surprisingly, the consist was left at North Walsham while No. 66752 returned to Peterborough via the Norwich to Ely route. It wasn’t until September 19, that No. 66784 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 50th Anniversary 1968-2018 made its way from Whitemoor to Ipswich before heading down to North Walsham and returned as 6A32 with the loaded set before setting out again on September 20, and returning next day before taking the normal evening exit to Peterborough MPD as 0E06.
The following week it was No. 66782 on 0P41 sent from March on September 27, returning with the normal 6A32 and back the following day.
Class 69 No. 69008 was seen passing Barnes station on Monday, September 4, at the head of the 4Y19 from Mountfield Sidings to Southampton Western Docks.
Returning to Barnes station on September 7, the service was seen again by No. 69001 Mayflower.
A visit to Tonbridge on September 20, found plenty of GBRf traction in Tonbridge West Yard. Class 73 Nos. 73202 Graham Stenning and 73212 Stephen Eaves were attached to RHTT units as was 73141
Spa Valley Railway 25th Anniversary and 73119 (Dutch Livery) recently named Paul Taylor, while Nos. 73965 Des O’Brien and 73136 Mhairi were either end of an engineers’ train.
Also in the yard, about to exit under 0Y22 was a quartet of 73s headed by 73963 Janice, 73962 Dick Mabbutt, 73964 Jeanette with 73128 O.V.S. Bulleid C.B.E on the rear bound for St. Leonards Engineering Depot. Also noted in the yard that morning was Class 69 No. 69001 Mayflower with a consist of empty JNA box wagons, and Class 66 No. 66788 Locomotion 15 on shunting duties, after coming over from Whitemoor to Hoo Junction the previous evening and onward to Tonbridge early morning.
Noted through Tonbridge later in the afternoon were Class 66 No. 66742 ABP Port of Immingham Centenary 19122012 on the 4C65/12.06 Ferme Park to Tonbridge WY empty HYA hopper wagons and No. 66769 LMA League Managers Association/Paul Taylor Our Inspiration on 6G30/14.05 Sevington Loop to Hoo Junction (via Tonbridge West Yard to run round) with three FEA-W bogie wagons loaded with railtrack and concrete sleepers aboard. In addition, No. 66775 HMS Argyll hauling 6O17/12.20 Purfleet Deep Wharf to Tonbridge WY empty blue VTG-branded JNA wagons.
Class 57/3 No. 57310 Pride of Cumbria also worked light engine through the station into the West Yard under 0Z57 on RHTT route-learner around the Kent area before the first full RHTT operation of the autumn (3W74/05.36 Tonbridge WY-Tonbridge West Yard) passed through hauled by Class 73 Nos. 73109 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary and 73213 Rhodalyn with RHTT unit No. 35 in between.
Class 66 No. 66774 was seen passing Kensington Olympia station on Friday, September 29 at the head of the 6L37 from Hoo Junction Up Yard to Whitemoor Yard Local Distribution Centre.
An unusual MoD train on October 10, saw Class 66 No. 66790 on a BicesterMarchwood-Doncaster diagram. Two days later, the consist was taken forward by No. 66709 from Doncaster to Tees Docks, returning to Doncaster then through to Bicester. It is understood this may have been the second MoD train to Tees Docks in recent weeks.
Colas Rail
Class 70 No. 70808 was seen passing Tamworth station at some speed at the head of tanker train 6E59 from Kingsbury Oil Sidings to Lindsey Oil Refinery on Friday, September 8.
On Saturday, September 9, an unidentified Colas liveried Class 56 was noted in the sidings at Chirk. The 6J37 from Carlisle Yard to Chirk Kronospan was seen passing through Chester station on Wednesday, September 13, headed by Class 70 No. 70817.
Network Rail Class 97 No. 97303 Dave Berry and HNRC Class 37 No. 37405 worked the 6C55/09.50 Aberystwyth to Chirk log train on September 16.
Observed at Westbury on the morning of October 5 was Class 37 No. 37116 in Colas livery resting in the up yard at the head of a motley selection of Network Rail coaches and bogie vans including an Ultrasonic
Test Unit with a DVT at the far end. At about 18.00 it ran out of the yard with its train and took the curve towards the Berks & Hants line. Not long afterwards the train reappeared with the DVT leading and paused in platform 1 before leaving towards Fairwood Junction. Another 10 minutes or so later it came back with the Class 37 again leading, ran into the up yard and on to the headshunt as if about to reverse back to where it had started.
West Coast Railway Co
On Friday, September 15, Class 37 Nos. 37676+37685 were observed passing Thankerton with the 5Z37/06.06 Carnforth Steamtown to Bo’ness Junction Exchange sidings. They were then seen passing Thankerton in the afternoon with the 5Z40/17.00 Hamilton E G Steele to Carnforth Steamtown. Each time they were hauling a different set of coaches.
WCR’s green liveried Class 57 No. 57009 pulled two pristine maroon Mk.1 coaches from Carnforth (5Z28/08.21) on Wednesday, September 27, initially to Tyseley Steam Trust. From there the working continued to Butterley with No. 57009 later running light back to Carnforth (0Z30) to arrive at 21.56.
DC Rail
Observations of Class 60 No. 60046 William Wilberforce found it hauling No. 60028 and 18 box wagons on 6Z26 Chaddesden to Peak Forest Cemex and 6Z27 Peak Forest Cemex to Chaddesden on August 21. It was further observed again on August 29/30 when it powered 6Z43 Chaddesden to Acton Yard, 6Z45 Acton Yard to Burton on Trent Maurice Hill spoil train and 6Z48 Burton on Trent Maurice Hill to Chaddesden.
The following day, it hauled the 6Z27 Peak Forest Cemex to Brandon stone train. It was further reported on Monday, September 4 working the 6Z85 Ravenhead to Chaddesden empty sand train. On September 5/6 it had charge of the 6Z45 Acton Yard to Burton on Trent Maurice Hill spoil train and the 6Z48 Burton on Trent Maurice Hill to Chaddesden followed by the 6Z91 Chaddesden to King’s Lynn empty sand train on September 8.
It was out again on September 11, hauling the 6Z27 Peak Forest Cemex to Chaddesden stone train, and the 6Z30 Brandon to Chaddesden empty stone train on September 13, and the 6Z91 Chaddesden to King’s Lynn empty sand train on September 15.
On Monday, September 4, Class 60 No. 60029 was seen between West Brompton and Kensington Olympia at the head of the 6Z71 from Grain Foster Yeoman to Willesden DC Rail Sidings.
Class 56 No. 56091, in grey livery, was seen at line speed through Tamworth station on Thursday, September 14 running light engine 0Z56 from Leicester LIP to Hellifield Goods Loops.
Locomotive Services Ltd
Looking resplendent in its green livery, Class 37 No. D6851 Flopsie (aka 37667) was seen passing Thankerton on Monday, September 26 whilst running light engine as 0Z37/09.15 Carlisle High Wapping Sidings to Tom Na Faire Depot at Fort William.
LSL’s Class 47s Nos. 47712+ D1924 top-and-tailed a rake of Pullman liveried coaches on Wednesday, September 27 from Hull (1Z17/08.35) on a 234-mile journey via Leeds and Shap to Appleby. Later it returned to Hull on a 172-mile journey via Hellifield, Blackburn and Hebden Bridge.
Hanson & Hall
Hanson & Hall has purchased the following coaches: 10406, 11092, 11093, 11099, 11101, 12125 and 12154 from Third Life Rail.
H&H has been responsible for the following unit moves in recent weeks: August 30: 165017 Banbury-Barton Hill and 165006 Barton HillBanbury. August 31: 168216 Banbury-Crewe and 168219 Crewe-Banbury. September 20: 165024 Banbury-Barton Hill and 165017 Barton HillBanbury. September 26: 168001 Wolverton-Wembley. September 28: 168112 Banbury-Crewe and 168216 Banbury-Crewe.
Loram
On-loan to Colas Rail, HNRCowned Class 37 pairing of Nos. 37607 and 37610 worked the monthly engineers’ train 1Q97 Ferme Park to Clacton-on-Sea through Harwich International on September 13.
Plasser & Theurer 08-4x4/4S tamper No. DR73910 Jupiter was seen stabled at Nuneaton station on September 15. The track machine carried a large label – ‘This machine is powered by HVO Fuel’. Apparently, Colas Rail is trialling the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil as a more sustainable alternative to diesel for fuelling a Class 56 freight locomotive, four tampers and a Kirow crane.
Plasser & Theurer 09-3x Duomatic Tamper No. DR73121 was seen pausing by platform 7 at Reading station on Tuesday, September 19, whilst running as the 6Q54 from Reading Triangle Sidings to Woodborough Up Sidings.
Noted in Tonbridge West Yard on September 20, was Class 37/0 No. 37099 Merl Evans 1947-2016 with an engineers’ consist. GPV No. DR98220 was noted passing through Tonbridge station on the same day working 7J06 Hither Green RAD-Hither Green RAD. Class 73 Nos. 73962 Dick Mabbutt and 73964 Jeanette were in Littlehampton on September 26, working the Eastleigh-PortsmouthLittlehampton-PortsmouthSouthampton-Eastleigh Network Rail test train, the formation being: Nos. 977868+977983+5981+6262.
Sprinter No. 153376 visited various parts of the Southern area on September 27, including Bognor Regis and Littlehampton before heading off to Tonbridge via the Arun Valley and Redhill. On Friday, September 29, it was seen passing through Wimbledon station forming the 2Q25 from Woking Up Yard Reception to Eastleigh East Yard.
On Friday, October 6, NR’s Stoneblower No. DR80208 moved from Nuneaton (6U28/10.50) to Carlisle.
South of Lancaster No. DR80208 was held at signal PN226 and then directed across the southbound line to be held at Platform 5. This was to allow a number of Freightliner, DRS, Northern and AWC services to pass before it continued north.
Our thanks
THE Railway Magazine’s thanks for information go to: Paul Atkinson, John de Boer, Peter Boyce. Gene Collins, Mike Cooper, David Gurr, Philip Hellawell, David Hunt, Martin James, Barry Knock, Sean Morris, Richard Moxon, George Orriss, Mark Reynolds, R.D.Richardson, Ed Spearey, Dave Staples, Craig Wellum and Chris West.