News Archive: March 2005

31/03/05
37425 (WKCK) arrived at Toton early this morning for its repaint.
86615 (DFNC) has been removed from Ipswich to Crewe to await developments.
56091 (WZGF) is still at Warrington whilst 56094 56095 56113 and 56133 (all WZGF) are still located at Doncaster Belmont.

Tomorrow’s prospective casualties…
Of the five locomotives slated for storage tomorrow 37418 and 37421 are still at Inverness where they have been on stand by for the last few days. 60008 is stopped with engine trouble at Warrington whilst 60018 and 60060 are still out and about in traffic. To recap the Class 37s are due at Motherwell for storage whilst the three Class 60s are due to go to Toton for store.

30/03/05

Grid news…
The Immingham clear out looks set to get underway as four stored Class 56s, 56068 (WNXX) 56103 (WNSS) 56104 (WNTR) and 56110 (WNXX) have been assigned for movement out from Immingham to Healey Mills whilst at Knottingley 56124 (WNSO) is being prepared for movement elsewhere by rail.
56091 (WZGF) still at Warrington along with 56094 56095 56113 and 56133 (all WZGF) still at Doncaster Belmont were all booked for movement south during the night last night but their transfers didn’t materialise. Maybe tonight.

Class 84 resurrected…
Barrow Hill resident 84001 (MBEL) has been resurrected on the system being officially renumbered from 89502.

29/03/05
86102 (SAXL) has completed its transfer by road to MoD Caerwent being delivered by 09:30 this morning.

Fertis Grids…
56018 at Toton is now in Fertis grey albeit without logo’s whilst at Healey Mills 56071 has been extracted and positioned ready for movement. Meanwhile the Doncaster quartet, 56094 56095 56113 and 56133, are likely to be forwarded to Wembley at some point for onward transfers to Bristol Barton Hill or Old Oak Common as required.

28/03/05
56091 (WZGF) at Warrington is booked for movement south via the 6O12 service to Eastleigh sometime this week however there is, as yet, no news on any plans for the other four grids on the move, 56094 56095 56113 and 56133, being forwarded from Doncaster Belmont.

And then there were three…
The IANA Class 86 fleet operational strength has been increased to three with the return to traffic of 86234 which handled the 10:00 Norwich to Liverpool St service this morning. Completing the set, 86232 and 86235 have also been in action today.

27/03/05
60091 (WCBN) appears to have gained a reprieve as its assignment for N ONE on the 1st has been cancelled.
86615 (DFNC) was recovered from Colchester and removed in top and tail mode sandwiched between 66535 and 57011 to Ipswich yesterday.

25/03/05 21:00
37261 (MBDL) which is understood to have suffered a seized wheelset a few days ago was noted heading home to Carnforth on the back of a low loader via the M6 this afternoon.
56094 56095 56113 and 56133 (all WZGF) were hauled from Healey Mills to Doncaster Belmont this afternoon by 67024. The movement of 56094, which was supposed to have been moved to Warrington with 56091, had been delayed due to it requiring minor derailment damage repairs.
86102 (SAXL) has been transported to Allely’s West Midlands base where it is to remain over Easter thence onwards to Caerwent next week.

25/03/05 10:25
37214 recently re-registered on the system to pool WNSO to facilitate its transfer by rail from Barrow Hill to Carnforth for mechanical attention has been de-registered again.
87003 87030 and 87033 at Willesden have been stored SBXL.

24/03/05
56091 (WZGF) has been moved from Healey Mills to Warrington, noted in the yard there this afternoon. No news on 56094 which was supposed to be moving with it though.
86102 (SAXL) is on the move by road from MoD Longtown to MoD Caerwent having being noted heading south on the M6 near Carlisle late this afternoon.

Mission (almost) accomplished…
Class 87s on WCML passenger workings are getting rare now. Looking at the last couple of days, 87002 handled the 1R07 06:38 Wolverhampton to Euston service, part of the one remaining diagram, but the return working last night, the 1G35 23:40 Euston to Wolverhampton service, was a Pendolino. This morning’s 1R07 was also a Pendolino but 87010 was turned out for the 1T22 18:25 Euston to Crewe, normally a Friday’s only service but which ran today due to the Easter break. 87010 has returned to London ECS from Crewe. The only other West Coast IWCA Class 87 activity of note was the trip to Scotland this afternoon by 87012 with a redundant stock working from Wembley to Polmadie.

23/03/05
08689 (WNTR) latterly noted at Cardiff Canton following arrival from Doncaster by road recently has entered traffic at Cardiff Tidal covering for 09001 which has been sent away to Immingham for repairs.
43086 recently extracted from Bicester to Neville Hill then Derby Etches Park has been reinstated to the IMLP pool.
47358 sidelined for storage at Crewe Basford Hall has now been stored DHLT.
56091 and 56094 (both WZGF) are still at Healey Mills, last night’s planned move to Warrington failing to materialise.
60046 (WCAN) has returned to traffic surviving last weeks mishap with the Fiddlers Ferry unloading equipment.

Cotswold Rail & Advenza…
Sort of explaining why they are in the market for Class 87s Cotswold Rail Engineering Ltd are pleased to announce the acquisition of Advenza Freight Ltd.

22/03/05
37418 and 37421 (both WKSN) have been earmarked for store, both are assigned for N ONE at Motherwell by April 1st.
47358 (DFLM) has been stopped for store at Crewe Basford Hall.
60008 60018 and 60060 (all WCAN) along with 60091 (WCBN) are set to be the next batch of Class 60s removed from traffic as all four have been assigned for N ONE by April 1st, 60008 60018 and 60060 at Toton, 60091 at Immingham.
66062 (WBAN) is off decision and back in normal traffic.
86234 (IANA) being prepared for a return to use was powered up at Norwich Crown Point last night.

Fertis Grids…
The movement of 56091 and 56094 from Healey Mills to Warrington for forwarding to Bristol Barton Hill was due to take place earlier today but a problem with 56091 scuppered the move. 56091 and 56094 are now due to move west in tonight’s 6M30 Healey Mills to Warrington service. At Toton 56018 has been admitted to the paint shop whilst at Bristol Barton Hill 56051 is in Fertis grey although some decals are yet to be applied.
There is still no sign of any movements abroad although it had been indicated some time ago that there would be some transfers to France early this month which obviously haven’t materialised.

37902…
One cab, frame and engine block is all that remains at Beeston, not long now.

21/03/05
33207 (XHSD) returned to normal use today taking a Scottish bound freight north from Kingmoor to Hamilton this morning.
60084 at Margam has been stored WNTS, 74 to go...
86602 has been stopped and stored DHLT at Basford Hall.

20/03/05
86102 (SAXL) at Longtown has been moved to the gate to await removal from the site. It is quite likely that this is the Class 86 that is Caerwent bound.

West Coast Class 87s…
More on the subject. Although it has been established that VT West Coast are retaining six Class 87s along with three coaching sets from tomorrow this situation will only last for two weeks as it is planned to further reduce the fleet to four Class 87s and two coaching sets from the first weekend in April.

19/03/05
87030 and 87033 (both IWCA) which were on standby at Euston this morning have been retired to Willesden being noted parked with the other stored / off lease Class 87s late this afternoon.

Disposal…
The demolition of 86618, stored from Freightliner’s DFNC pool in August 2001, has been completed at Booth’s Rotherham, RIP.

37411 / 37425…
Large Logo Blue and BR Green for these two, apparently. It would appear that the Rhymney’s are going to go out in style...

18/03/05 21:30
37214 at Barrow Hill has been re-registered on the system to, strangely, pool WNSO.
37411 (WKCK) has also been assigned for painting at Toton.
73235 (SBXL) has re-appeared in traffic following rectification of a TPWS fault. It was on a unit drag with 73109 this afternoon.

Class 87s…
Further to the earlier notes regarding the dwindling West Coast Class 87s it has been established that 87003 was stopped and taken off lease a few days ago whilst 87030 and 87033 are due to be stood down this weekend. This will leave VT with six Class 87s to choose from, 87001 87002 87004 87010 87012 and 87019. It has also been established that Cotswold Rail are now to take on four Class 87s which, subject to finalisation of contractual bits and pieces, are likely to be 87003 87007 87008 and 87023.

Grids to go…
Five of the six WZGF Class 56s awaiting transfer from Healey Mills now have assignments for movement in place. 56091 and 56094 are assigned to Warrington for forwarding to Bristol Barton Hill whilst 56095 56113 and 56133 are assigned for transfer to Old Oak Common. All five are due at their respective destinations by the 25th. The sixth WZGF Class 56 at Healey Mills, 56071, is still trapped in at the head of a long line of stored locomotives.

18/03/05 14:30
08689 (WNTR) latterly in store at Doncaster Carr has been transported to South Wales having been noted recently parked in the freight sidings across from Cardiff Canton.
37422 (WNTS) went out on test from Toton to Ratcliffe and back today but on its return to Toton 37422 has been placed ‘on decision’.
37425 (WKCK) is scheduled for repainting having being assigned to pay a visit the paint shop at Toton early next month. Although repainted in EWS colours at Margam prior to reinstatement the clever money is on it getting a ‘commercial’ livery.
43086 (SBXL) recently hauled to Neville Hill with 43159 has been relocated to Derby Etches Park.
60046 (WCAN) has been stopped at Warrington with minor collision damage sustained at Fiddlers Ferry a couple of days ago.
66062 (WBAN) which had been despatched to Canton for attention on the wheel lathe has been placed on decision. Evidently 66062 has wheelset problems and although it can be moved by rail, subject to a 25 mph restriction, movement away by road may be an option.

86259…
Although it has still not been established why or whether 86259 (SAXL), moved to Tyseley recently, has been sold into private ownership, it has been confirmed that it is located at the Tyseley Museum part of the complex which certainly indicates that 86259 has changed ownership.

West Coast 87s…
After this weekend there is only one planned diagram and one spare set diagrammed for the VT Class 87s. At the moment there are still nine allocated to IWCA, 87001 87002 87003 87004 87010 87012 87019 87030 and 87033, but this is expected to be reduced to around four shortly.

17/03/05
37422 (WNTS) was due to have undertook a test run from Toton to Peterborough and back today but it was cancelled.
86259 (SAXL) noted on the M1 yesterday has been delivered to Tyseley.

Work in progress…
At Beeston the roof sections and bodysides have been removed from 37902.

DRS 33s, an increase on the cards…
Whilst DRS colours are now being applied to 33029 at Derby, 33207, for so long out of use at Kingmoor awaiting a replacement windscreen amongst other things, has been out on test running from Carlisle to Carnforth and back this afternoon.

16/03/05
56018 and 56032 (both WZGF) were hauled from Immingham to Toton this morning, in style, as 67029 was provided for traction.
86615 (DFNC) caught fire last night near Colchester whilst working the 4M59 Felixstowe to Trafford Park in multiple with recently reinstated 86637. By all accounts the damage is serious and regarded as terminal as 86615 was reportedly still smouldering this morning.
86259 (SAXL) from store at Immingham Railfreight Terminal was noted heading south on the M1 today. There is a possibility that it is Caerwent bound for breaking up.

Shunter round up…
08786 (WNTR) latterly in store at Eastleigh has, of late, been noticed back in use in Eastleigh Yard whilst 08907 (WNTR) recently stored at Sheerness has been moved to Temple Mills and 09011 (WNTS) latterly stored at Newport Docks has been relocated to Port Talbot near Margam depot.

Fred alert…
Freightliner’s next batch of 66s, 66578 66579 66580 66581 66619 66620 66621 and 66622, have been unloaded at Newport Docks.

15/03/05
37669 sidelined at Bescot with wheelset woes has now been stored, WNTS. As a result EWS now only have the eleven Class 37s from the ETS fitted 37/4 sub series left in active traffic.
43086 and 43159 (both SBXL) were hauled from store at MoD Bicester to Neville Hill today by 47197. These power cars are to be prepared for a return to use for this summer’s weekend additional services vice the use of Class 67s and stock as per last year.
60038 and 60085 at Thornaby have been stored, both WNTS.

87019…
Out-shopped in LNWR black livery 87019 was unveiled and re-named at Crewe station this morning before returning to London light engine. The less said about it loosing its Sir Winston Churchill nameplates on the 40th anniversary year of the death of one of the most important persons in British history the better. 87019 has instead been named ACRP Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

Les Choppers…
A deal has been secured to repatriate the four Class 20s, 20035 20063 20139 and 20228, sold to CFD Industries some years ago, back to the UK from France.

Bosnian 87s…?
The rumours that a batch of redundant Class 87s, possibly six of, may be hired abroad for use in Bosnia, which first surfaced in January, are doing the rounds again. Enquiries regarding this have, as expected, led to nothing so lets just say that ‘negotiations are described as on going…’

Freightliner shunter swap…
RT Rail’s 08573 (MOLO) has appeared at Coatbridge, it was noted heading north on the M6 a few days ago, displacing Freightliner’s 08530 (DFLS) which has been despatched to Bo’ness for attention.

14/03/05
58016 (WZFF) at Eastleigh is now in full Fertis colours.
86501 (DFGC) has been taken off decision at Crewe.

Disposal…
The cutting of 47114 which was stored from Freightliner’s DFLM pool in October 2001 has been completed at Booth’s Rotherham, RIP.

EWS 60s…
The following is largely speculative but…

It would appear that there are to be further reductions to the Class 60 fleet over the coming months and, as already mentioned with regards to the stored Class 56s (and 37s?) at the Humberside depot being removed to Healey Mills (probably), space is to be made at Immingham to take the anticipated influx of Class 60s going into storage. Although to date the majority of the Class 60s stored are being kept in an operational or almost operational state, several examples stored at Thornaby have been noted running or being worked on recently, it is understood that a handful of 60s may be written off. At the moment the writing appears to be on the wall for fire damaged 60006 currently languishing at Toton, along with long term stored 60070 and 60098 at Immingham.
Another factor affecting the current status of the fleet is the 15 year air tank rectification program which is ongoing whilst, in the longer term, it would seem that how EWS fare with their open access agreement in France will have an influence on what happens to the fleet in the future. Whether this ties in with the rumours that a number of Class 66s could be despatched to work in France, the 60s will be required to cover traffic in the UK if so, or whether Class 60 s would be sent abroad even, remains to be seen.
Then there’s the oft mooted re-engineering project, that it seems, is still on going. And then there’s the prospect of next autumn’s sandite season employing Class 60s either side of the rail treatment formations as opposed to Class 37s. Only time will tell...

13/03/05
09001 (WSGW) has been despatched to Immingham for traction motor repairs. It arrived on Humberside from South Wales on the 11th.
37427 has been out today on the regular Sunday Cambrian ballast job but it had 66240 with it instead of 37669, its usual partner, as 37669 has been laid up at Bescot with serious wheelset problems and is not expected to be repaired.

Grids to go…
Five of the six recently added to WZGF Class 56s, 56091 56094 56095 56113 and 56133, stored in the yard at Healey Mills have been extracted and lined up for departure. To get out the sixth, 56071, may present more of a problem as it is currently situated at the end of a dead end siding with a number of stored locomotives parked up behind it. These will all need moving to gain access to 56071.

86501…
Further to the earlier comments regarding the future of 86501 it has been established that 86501 will be returned to use as it has been stopped for nothing more serious than to undergo a series of modifications. Its placement to ‘on decision’ quite likely being simply a paperwork exercise. Whilst the long term future for 86501 is seemingly assured the same cannot be said for 47303 47309 47358 along with several Class 86/6s, 86602 and 86622 included, which are all expected to be taken out of use in the next few months…

12/03/05

Booth’s 12/03…
The disposal of 47114 is entering the final phase as when viewed this morning only its cabs, which have been prepared for removal, and frame remained. A start has also been made with 86618 which has lost most of its bodysides to gain access to the internals. Next for the chop should be 86416 which has been parked up behind 86618.

11/03/05
86501 (DFGC) has been stopped and placed on decision at Crewe Basford Hall. Although not the first time its future has been in doubt will it survive this time…?

Disposal…
The demolition of 86634, stored from Freightliner’s DFNC pool in May 2002, has been completed at Booth’s Rotherham, RIP.

Work in progress…
The cutting of 47114 is underway at Booth’s.

10/03/05 18:50
56058 (WZGF) was moved from Bescot to Toton this afternoon via the 6D44 service behind 66130.

More grids for France…
The WZGF French Class 56 hire fleet has been expanded again with the addition of 56018 56032 56071 56091 56094 56095 56113 and 56133. These additions are all currently stored in the yard at Healey Mills except for 56018 and 56032 which are located at Immingham. 56099 at Toton has however been deemed unfit and has been removed from WZGF to WNXX.

10/03/05 10:00
60045 stopped at Immingham since early March requiring attention to its brakes and a B exam has been stored WNTS.

Shunter news…
Crash damaged 08934 at Willesden has been transferred to the ATXX pool.
08907 at Sheerness has been stored WNTR being replaced by 08921 which is reinstated to WRLS whilst 09020 at Doncaster Carr has been stored WNTS.

The grey area…
Having had a look at the grey area, those locomotives that ought to have been listed as stored but hadn’t been, the following have been added to the storage lists for the reasons outlined below…

Several shunting locomotives awaiting scrap or which have a decidedly uncertain future: 08239 08692 08948 D4092 and 12098.
Non runners stood down late 2003 due to not having received TPWS: 33021 33108 47488 and 47701.
Two locomotives reinstated last year but as yet not used and which have no sign of being returned to action: 47375 and 87032.
A locomotive undergoing overhaul (?) since mid 1999: 47710.
Lastly, the unused IANA allocated Class 86s stood down at Crown Point during 2004: 86218 86246 and 86260.

09/03/05

Disposal…
The scrapping of 86631 at Crewe Works has at last been completed. Although reduced to frame and part of one cab some time ago it was only this afternoon that the final cutting took place. 86631, one of the October 2003 Norton Bridge collision victims, was stored from Freightliner’s DFNC pool in November 2003, RIP.

08/03/05
33029 at Derby has been undergoing yard running tests, load bank testing to follow.
73235 (SBXL) was booked out on driver training tests this morning from Woking to Poole but the exercise was cancelled at Basingstoke.

05/03/05
08689 at Doncaster Carr has been stored WNTR whilst 08933 at Motherwell has been stored WNXX.
73235 (SBXL) has been released to traffic with SWT being engaged in a failed unit drag yesterday afternoon with 73109.

Disposals…
Two more Class 47s have been dispatched into history. At Booth’s Rotherham the demolition of 47156 has been undertaken, only its upturned frame was in evidence this morning, whilst at Hull’s Rotherham the scrapping of 47547, the last NSE liveried Class 47, is as good as complete. 47156 was stored from Freightliner’s DFLT pool in July 1996 whilst 47547, for so many years a feature at the south end of Crewe DMD holding sidings, was stored from the PXLD pool in March 1996, RIP.

Work in progress…
At Booth’s the scrapping of 86634 is at an advanced stage and complete disposal is expected to take place in the next few days.

Anglia tractor action…!
Not content with hiring Cotswold Rail 47s when required or retaining Class 86s beyond two finales ONE went one better today by hiring in a no heat Class 37 from DRS to work a service train out of Liverpool St this afternoon with 37606 being rostered to haul the 15:00 to Norwich service. 86232 and 86235 along with 47828 and a handful of rostered Class 90s were also in action on Anglia workings today.
As an aside it is noted that 37606 is no stranger in these parts as between September 1973 and July 1983 this locomotive, in its original guise as D6790 then 37090, was allocated to Stratford and March depots so will have been a regular on workings into and out of Liverpool St.

04/03/05
56048 and 56134, moved to Toton from Immingham yesterday, have been added to the French WZGF pool. These two, like 56031 added to the pool in January, are long stored examples having being laid up since summer 2002.

03/03/05 19:20
37087 and 37515 (both XHCK) have been despatched to Barrow Hill for DRS repaints.
56081 (WZGF) made its move from Eastleigh to Bristol Barton Hill behind 66105 this afternoon.

03/03/05 12:45
92026 (WNTR) was returned to Crewe EMD after its test run to Carlisle and back on the 1st, it is now booked to receive a repaint, whilst 92024 (WNTR) has been out on test today, also making a run north from Crewe to Carlisle and back.

Grids…
56048 and 56134 (both WNXX) have been removed from Immingham being conveyed to Toton early this afternoon by 60040.
At Toton 56106 (WZGF) has been out-shopped in Fertis livery whilst Eastleigh resident 56081 (WZGF) has been assigned for transfer to Bristol Barton Hill.

02/03/05
86232 (IANA) has returned to use, both it and 86235 (IANA) were in action on ONE duties today.

Grids evicted…
The Class 56s latterly stored in the old steam shed / wagon shops at Immingham have been booted out into the open being replaced by several stored Class 60s which have been moved under cover.

01/03/05
08770 latterly in store at Margam is reinstated to the WSGW pool exchanging places with 09011 at Newport Docks and 09102 at Margam which have been stored, both WNTS.
43094 and 43198 (both FGXP) have been removed from St Philips Marsh to the West Somerset Railway.
92026 (WNTR) has been released from overhaul at Crewe EMD and is to run to Carlisle and back on test.

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