Class 87s…
87006 87014 and 87024 made it through to London today following an overnight layover at Preston last night. Typically the convoy arrived at Preston 10 minutes after one had given up on them and cleared off home! These three along with 87013 87022 87032 and 87035 have now come off lease. Meanwhile 87031 has received the Keith Harper nameplates latterly affixed to 90007.

Anglia 86s, hanging in there…
Although there was quite a few Class 86s out at the weekend and ONE Anglia services were supposed to be all Class 90s plus just three Class 86s by now it seems things might not be going quite to plan. A snapshot of Anglia Class 86 activity yesterday reveals that six, more than half the remaining operational fleet as of the 12 allocated to IANA 86209 is long term stopped and 86238 has blown its transformer recently, were in traffic.

HST news…
Details are sketchy at the moment but it is understood that Porterbrook have sold a number of HST sets, including 43123 and 43155 moved to the West Somerset Railway yesterday, to an as yet undisclosed operator. Further details when things become clearer.

WKSN 37s…
37503 and 37692 have been released into traffic from Bescot and Eastleigh respectively whilst 37174 at Hither Green and 37308 at Temple Mills are available for use. This leaves just six, 37375 and 37717 at Toton along with 37419 37517 37798 and 37890 at Margam, to return.

Toton…
56059 and 56087 have received full Fertis repaints in the last few days. 56087 and 56117 were on the fuel point today so might be on their way soon. There is an as yet unidentified Class 58 in the paint shop and 58032 was fired up on the load bank this afternoon.

08684…
Evidently the comment yesterday regarding the re-registration of this long scrapped shunter didn’t go unnoticed as 08684 has been deleted from the system today.

West Somerset HST…
The West Somerset Railway are anticipating delivery for storage (and possibly use if required) of an as yet unidentified ex VT HST set later today. It is understood that the working, booked for haulage by 47150, is from Derby so will most likely be 43123 and 43155 plus coaches.

McED…
Understood to be the first instance of a Class 73 in Scotland is the transfer by road of BR Blue 73119 from the MRC to the Keith & Dufftown Railway. 73119 was noted climbing Shap, albeit on the M6 but probably another first, yesterday.

As you were, sort of…
Most likely due to operating problems in all cases but Class 87s are still occasionally getting north of Wolverhampton and London Bridge had a ‘thumper’ departure yesterday on the 17:10 to Uckfield. Reports have 87006 87014 and 87024 available or on exam at Polmadie today.

Disposals…
As far as can be ascertained the two Class 47s, 47283 and 47361, latterly located at MoD Smalmstown near Carlisle before being moved to Kingsbury for disposal have been processed in the last week or so. So its RIP for 47283 stored from Freightliner’s DFLT pool in October 1999 and RIP for 47361 stored from Freightliner’s DFLM pool in May 2001.

Doomed 87s…
Although it has been established that 87005 and 87027 are, at some point, to be removed from Willesden for disposal it transpires that they are not Caerwent bound as had been anticipated.

08684…
Another oddity. 08684 has been re-registered with the MOLO pool however an enquiry reveals that its current status is, not surprisingly as it was scrapped in 1995, ‘off tops’.

Brush Loughborough...
Works report 25/09/04

21 reinstatements…
The WKSN sandite fleet has been bolstered to 32 examples with the reinstatement of 21 Class 37s from store and the transfer to the pool of 37521 from WKAD. The 21 Class 37s reinstated, all from WNTR, are listed below.

Class 87s, clarification and a spot of bad news…
Firstly a clarification. 87013 and 87014 are shortly to transfer to GBRf, not DRS as stated on the 24th. Further Class 87s are to follow as it transpires that GBRf are indeed going to take over the electric hauled diagram for the ScotRail sleeper service but not until December. EWS are to continue to provide diesel traction north of the border.
Now the bad news. It has been confirmed that 87005 is to go to Caerwent, as is 87027. Both are to be moved by road. The remainder of the fleet currently in store are returnable to use without too much difficulty.

West Coast from tomorrow…
Based on the WTT the new timetable is structured as follows…

Disposal…
Quite unexpectedly, as two Class 86s were in position for cutting at Booth’s last weekend, the disposal of 31442 has taken place instead. Only its frame and bogies remained extant this morning. 86243 has lost its other bodyside but most of its internals are still in situ whilst 86417 remains intact at Rotherham. BR blue to the end, 31442 which until recently had been in preservation was stored from Crewe’s RKCK (Regional Railway’s North West) eleven years ago, in September 1993, RIP.

Arriva finale…
A suitably well turned out 37408 and 37411 handled today’s final York-Leeds-Carlisle and return ATN working before retiring to Knottingley this evening. Whether 37405, the third member of the trio, will be returned to use is in some doubt but its looking like a trip to South Wales and Rhymney action for 37408 and 37411...

Class 87s...
Willesden’s resident demic 87005 (SBXL) has disappeared from its usual position in the last couple of days. Now thought to be Caerwent bound 87005 is quite probably somewhere nearby awaiting collection and transfer by road to South Wales to join 87016.
Details are sketchy on the following but it appears that 87013 and 87014 are to shortly transfer to DRS for driver training and or evaluation whilst it now appears that GBRf are not taking any of the type on for the Scottish sleeper service as, as far as can be ascertained, EWS are to continue providing traction for at least another year from October.

Anglia 86s…
Information received indirectly suggests that this weekend might be the last weekend of normal scheduled Class 86 operation in Anglia. If so, catch ’em while you can...

Disposal…
The demolition of 47711 in the compound at Toton is now at an advanced stage, only its grounded frame with one cab remain. 47711 was stored from Toton’s ILRA pool in June 2000, RIP.

Toton…
Now in full branded Fertis livery, 56117 was undergoing tests on the load bank today. Stored 60037 was noted running around the depot confines so a comeback is looking likely however 37065 37375 and 37797, all until recently inside the main depot, have been brought outside and dumped in the sidings to the south of the complex. 37375 had been regarded as a possible candidate to return to use whilst 37065 and 37797 have either been donating parts or have been found to be too far gone to be returned.

End of an era #1…
Tomorrow and Saturday are your last chance to sample to S&C on the top n tail Arriva / EWS Class 37 operated service. There are reports that the final days working will be strengthened to five coaches due to anticipated high loading. Of the three dedicated Class 37s there is still a question mark over the future of 37405 still languishing out of use at Thornaby but 37408 and 37411 will no doubt be re-deployed elsewhere.

End of an era #2…
As of yesterday all west coast Class 87 and stock formations were supposed to have been confined to some of the London / Birmingham and Wolverhampton diagrams but at least a couple made it through to Scotland today. This Sunday (26/09) sees an engineering blockade with associated diversions between Crewe and Preston via Bolton and a number of locomotive hauled sets are expected to feature. Providing VT can stick to the plan the last non Pendolino workings from Scotland to London should be several southbound services on Monday (27/09). Several Class 87s should be coming surplus during the coming week.

End of an era #3…
The last traditional locomotive hauled London to Holyhead services run this weekend after which we are left with Pendolino’s being dragged from Crewe by 57/3s (apparently 2 workings) and Voyagers for the rest. Whether any of the ATSP (Alstom Class 47 spare) Class 47s will actually be coming spare remains to be seen.

End of an era #4…
Tomorrow is last day of scheduled Thumper runs on the Uckfield to London Bridge services. The 18:12 ex London Bridge is likely to run as an 8 car set, and the normally 19:32 ECS from Uckfield to East Croydon will be a non-stop passenger working from Uckfield to East Croydon, arriving at 20:19. After tomorrow and into the new timetable, Thumpers will only cover for 170s / 171s in case of failure.

Work in progress…
In the compound at Toton the semi stripped shell of 47711 was hoisted this afternoon to allow the removal of its bogies which have been removed by road transport.

More repaints…
At Toton 56060 has been out-shopped in full Fertis livery. 56059, still in EWS colours has been positioned next to the paint shop whilst inside the paint shop with 67029 is another Class 56, presumed to be 56038.
At Old Oak Common 58047 has been painted yellow with a blue sole bar, TSO livery probably, whilst at Eastleigh, 58015, due to move to Temple Mills for tyre turning, has received Fertis grey but is as yet unbranded. The orange one, 58007, was still at Wembley this morning.

AR changes…
Alstom’s shunters have now been transferred into their new AT series pools…

90008…
Further to yesterday’s news of its reinstatement it has been established that 90008, still in unbranded VT red, made its way to Norwich on the 16th.

WR series…
Several EWS shunters have been transferred into the WR (hire fleet) pool series from their respective WS series pool allocations.

Sandite 37s…
Having a bit of a guess as to what the final fleet will comprise…

Class 37s…
37372 and 37676 from store at Thornaby along with 37682 from store at Doncaster Carr have entered traffic. All three are still allocated to WNTR but have been hired to WKSN. Meanwhile 37174 and 37896 (both WNTR) at Hither Green are awaiting a test run.

Anglia 86s…
Reports indicate that six Anglia Class 86s, 86209 86215 86227 86230 86238 and 86242, are to be moved, in two batches of three on the 6th and the 7th, to Barrow Hill during early October. This will leave just 86218 86232 86234 86235 86246 and 86260 in traffic.

VT relief…
The EWS powered VT west coast relief diagram started running yesterday, 90029 being provided so far. For the record the current diagram, until 24/09 when it changes, is…

Toton…
On the load bank today was 56118, a recent arrival from Bristol, which has now had its Fertis branding applied. 56038 is back out of the paint shop, still in EWS colours, as 67029 has been taken back inside.

Disposal…
The cutting of 31155, the last Class 31 on site, at TJ Thomson’s Stockton is as good as complete. 31155 was stored from Bescot’s LBDB pool back in July 1995, RIP.

Work in progress…
At Booth’s Rotherham a bodyside has been removed from 86243 and removal of its internals is underway whilst 86417 has, although still intact, been moved into the main cutting area.

Sandite 37s…
Although to date ten Class 37s have been reinstated to the WKSN sandite pool there are indications that another 20+ reinstatements are in the pipeline, mostly if not entirely to WKSN, by the end of the month.

Bone to go…
Seco orange 58007 is booked in convoy from Toton to Doncaster Belmont for forwarding to Wembley by the 19th then France.

Stored HST power cars, again…
43069 and 43070 were removed from Derby Carriage works to Derby Etches Park by 08569 on the 15th. 43123 and 43155 are also on Derby Etches Park but were noted up and running in the early hours of yesterday morning. 43086 43087 43159 and 43196 were extracted from Derby Carriage works yesterday afternoon by 66710.

WKSN…
The designation for the WKSN pool has been amended again, back to EWS Class 37 Sandite. It was changed to EWS Class 37 / Class 60 Strategic Reserve during August.

Grids on the move…
66088 has been despatched to Bristol to collect 56117 and 56118 for transfer to Toton. The ensemble left Barton Hill for Toton at 10:44 this morning.

Disposal…
The demolition of 73108 at Booth’s Rotherham has been completed. This locomotive, which nearly made it to Brush Loughborough a couple of years ago for overhaul evaluation, spent the best part of 2002 dumped at Toton before being returned south during 2003. 73108 was stored from Hither Green’s WPAG pool in January 2002, RIP.

Stored HST power cars, an amendment…
Further to the recent item listing a number of HST power cars being put to storage at Derby Etches Park, this was incorrect as they are located at Bombardier, Derby Litchurch Lane (Derby Carriage works). 43069 and 43070, initially listed as unknown, are there, along with 43086 43087 43158 43159 and 43196.
Regarding 43123 and 43155, this pair, supposedly to transfer to Fragonset at some point, appear to still be in use.

More repaint notes…
It transpires that the emergence of 67029 outside the paint shop at Toton should not have happened therefore its cosmetic transformation may not yet be completed.
90013 has received ONE livery at Willesden but awaits the application of its decals. 90008 should be next.

DRS Sandite trails…
Noted yesterday in Kingmoor yard was 37610 undergoing tests with a Network Rail water cannon wagon set.

Cotswold Rail pool amendments…
Still awaiting release, although nearly ready to go, from Wabtec Doncaster, 47033 has been returned to the CRUR pool from CREL meanwhile 47365 currently residing on the East Somerset Railway has been re-registered CRUR along with 47528 which was de-registered only recently.

Repaints…
56117 and 56118 still at Bristol Barton Hill awaiting transfer to Toton are both now in Fertis grey albeit without branding. 58015 and 58034 at Eastleigh are both in undercoat and are expected to receive Fertis grey in due course whilst 56060 has been admitted to the paint shop at Toton.
67029 has been out shopped from the paint shop at Toton in an all over silvery grey colour scheme with a white roof and white window surrounds. EWS executive livery perhaps…?

HST fleet decimated…
Sixteen HST power cars have been stored SBXL today. Into the bin go…

Registrations & de-registrations…
Three de-registrations, 31113 (preserved) 47528 (possibly a clerical error) and 47766 (scrapped) along with two re-registrations, 73119 and 73138, which are back on the system in pool MBEL.

14 reinstatements…
Ten Class 37s and four Class 60s have been reinstated. Whilst the Class 37s are reinstated to the WKSN, still designated as strategic reserve, pool the Class 60s have been returned to the main user pools. The fourteen reinstated this morning are…

Disposal…
One of the two remaining Class 31s at Thomson’s Stockton has been scrapped. 31237 was, when viewed today, no more than part of a locomotive on one bogie. 31155, their last Class 31 for disposal, is parked nearby. 31237 was stored from Bescot’s LBDB pool back in July 1995, RIP.

More work in progress…
The disposal of 73108 at Booth’s Rotherham has begun, part of one bodyside had been cut away when viewed yesterday morning.

Thornaby…
The seven resident stored Class 60s, 60014 60026 60029 60056 60057 60092 and 60095, have been lined up near the offices. Recent arrival 37676 is inside with 37710.

HST transfers…
Four now surplus ex Rio HST sets were dragged west today, Longsight to Laira, on transfer to First Great Western. The workings were…

Work in progress…
The demolition of 47711 in the compound at Toton has begun.

57313…
The former 47371 can now be regarded as 57313 as its conversion is complete and it awaits testing at Brush Loughborough.

Stored shunter pools revised…
EWS have undertaken a review of their stored shunter fleet and revised their allocations accordingly. The WSXX pool has been reduced to but five examples, these being shunters that see occasional use at specific locations such as 08877 the Wigan CRDC pilot. Those allocated to the now obsolete WSWX heavy repair pool have been reallocated elsewhere rendering this pool obsolete whilst WNXX and WNYX, which previously didn’t have stored shunters allocated, now have. Shunters identified for component recovery, quite a number of them, are now allocated to both the WNYX and WSYX pools. Full details of these changes are listed in the rolling stock library (RSL) section.

Toton…
Currently 56038 is on the load bank at Toton. 56087 has been admitted to the paint shop for Fertis treatment whilst Seco orange 58007 has been released from the paint shop to the main shed for further attention.
It looks like there is going to be a delay in getting 58038 out to Holland with the news that its bogies are to be removed and despatched to the Netherlands for 5811 (58039) which has worn tyres.

Au revoir…
Fertis duo 56078 (WZGF) and 58046 (WZFF) went through the tunnel to France this morning as planned.

Seco 58…
It has been confirmed that 58007 currently in the paint shop at Toton has been repainted into Seco colours. Predominantly orange with a yellow bodyside stripe.

Bicester or bust part 2…
43092 (ICCP) and 43122 (IMRL) have made the journey from Neville Hill to MoD Bicester today. 43098 and 43153 (both ICCP) sidelined at Derby yesterday whilst en route to Bicester are likely to remain there until being collected and forwarded sometime next week.

47811…
Currently sidelined at St Philips Marsh is to be repaired. This will certainly be of interest to its eventual user once released by FGW.

Here we go…
56078 (WZGF) and 58046 (WZFF) were hauled from Wembley in the early hours of this morning in the consist of 6B23 behind 66231. Next stop France via service 4404 at appropriately 09:09 behind 92028 and 92043.

57605…
Further to yesterday update it transpires that 57605 ran on test yesterday afternoon from Old Oak Common to Westbury then Chippenham before returning to London. Although a signalling problem in the London area put paid to the mornings test run 57605 is said to have returned the best test performance results of the four.

73209…
No doubt nearly ready for release from Derby, 73209 has been noted fully painted in GBRf livery.

Doomed 87…
There are indications that there is to be a road movement from Willesden to the MoD facility at Caerwent shortly conveying one of the Class 87s at Willesden from Willesden to Caerwent for component recovery and breaking up. 87016 appears to be favourite.

Bicester or bust…
Bust. 43098 and 43153 only made it as far as Derby yesterday before encountering difficulties.

We’re back…
Three of the eleven Class 60s stored WNTR yesterday have been reinstated to the WC operational pools, although, for the moment, all three remain N ONE at their storage locations.

Fertis no go…
56078 (WZGF) and 58046 (WZFF) didn’t undertake their booked move to Dollands Moor this morning. Both remain at Wembley awaiting developments.

37676…
The journey continues, en route to Thornaby 37676, running on four traction motors, has reached Rotherham Steel Terminal from Toton. There are unconfirmed reports that the repairs to 37405 currently out of use at Thornaby have been shelved and that 37405 is to be robbed for spares for 37676 on arrival.

Toton repaints…
56069 is now in complete Fertis livery having had its numbers and branding applied whilst 67029 has been admitted to the paint shop at Toton. 58007 is still in there.

WNTR 60s, update…
Since the earlier report 60090 has been retired to store at Immingham. 60043, assigned to Immingham for store, is still active on the Fiddlers Ferry circuit whilst 60092, assigned for store at Thornaby, is headed back north on a Lackenby bound working tonight.

Fertis to go…
56078 (WZGF) and 58046 (WZFF) are booked for transfer in the consist of the 6B23 04:50 service from Wembley to Dollands Moor tomorrow morning then through the tunnel in the consist of service 4404.

Indispensable, apparently not…
EWS have stored a further eleven Class 60s this morning, the eight assigned plus three others. All eleven have been stored WNTR. They are…

EWS Class 90s…
90019 and 90038, last known to be located at Wembley en route to Crewe have been stored WNTR. 90019 90031, which has been reprieved being transferred to WEFE from WEGE, and 90038 ran light engine from Norwich to Wembley this morning. The WEGE Anglia hire fleet is now vacated.

How odd part 2…
FGW have been at it again. 47811, out of action since failing on the 2nd with a reasonably serious engine malfunction, was hauled east this afternoon from Plymouth Laira by 43024 and 43005 coupled back to back. Presumably 47811 was either Old Oak Common or Landore bound.

New pools…
EWS are about to have another shuffle. Several new pools have been created but as yet nothing has been allocated / reallocated to them. New storage pools...

How odd…?
On the 3rd FGW turned out a pair of HST power cars, 43132 and 43151, coupled back to back, to haul the sleeper ECS from Old Oak Common to Paddington.

Cotswold Rail…
CR wish to announce that they have secured a five year contract to supply Daventry International Railfreight Terminal with shunting locomotives. 08847 currently at Norwich is TPWS fitted and the rest of their ‘active’ shunter fleet will be equipped with TPWS, of a type produced in house by CR, in due course.
After an initial period on hire, 47813 has been purchased outright by CR as 47832 which had been earmarked for CR but is now leased to Fragonset, was deemed unsuitable.

Disposals…
In the last few days the disposals of 08751 and 73106 have been undertaken at Booth’s Rotherham. 08751 was stored from Tinsley’s DASY pool back in May 1997 whilst 73106 which was no more than a frame on bogies this morning was stored from Hither Green’s WPAG pool in February 2000, RIP.

RT Rail…
The following has been advised regarding 08648 and 08762.

Toton…
56073 has been returned to the depot area and is now parked towards the rear of the shed. It has been joined there by 56128 from inside the shed which has also been stripped for spares. In the compound 47702 and 47711 have been swapped round and preparations for the disposal of 47711 have been made.

Barton Hill grids…
56090 recently added to the WZGF pool is being rubbed down for repainting whilst the transformation of 56117 into Fertis grey is now at a fairly advanced stage.

More Tugs in trouble…
EWS have issued storage assignments for seven more Class 60s, all are due to go on the 6th. The seven identified for the bin are 60043 (to be stored at Immingham) 60055 (at Margam) 60056 (at Thornaby) 60075 (at Margam) 60079 (at Immingham) 60090 (at Immingham) and 60092 (at Thornaby).

Class 90s reduction in the pipeline…
Besides the Class 60s identified for storage three Class 90s, 90019 90031 and 90038, have been earmarked for store, all due at Crewe EMD by the 7th. WEGE pair 90019 and 90031 have finished use with ONE and are currently spare at Norwich Crown Point.
This reduction to the fleet should prove short term however as EWS are understood to have a forthcoming undertaking with VT for the Cross Country standby operation due to commence later this month. It has also been indicated that EWS will be providing Class 90s for the return of the ‘Cobblers’ service however other sources suggest this is to be operated with Class 87s so we’ll have to wait and see with this one.

Fertis to go…
There are reports that 56078 (WZGF) is booked for movement from Toton to Bescot in the consist of tonight’s 6V19 Immingham to Margam service. 58046 (WZFF) which was busy shunting the scrappers in the compound this afternoon has been parked with 56078 so might be on the move as well.

Another Fertis grey…
56069 has been released from the paint shop at Toton in Fertis livery, albeit without decals as of yesterday evening. Its place in the paint shop has been taken by 58007 which *might* be going Seco orange.

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