Meridians maybe…
First it was on then the proposed use of the nine car Meridians on MML services appeared to be off but now there are reports of training being underway so now, pending further developments, it appears to be on...

Class 87s…
The nine Class 87s still in the London area, 87001 87002 87004 87010 87012 87019 87029 87030 and 87031, are all now on Wembley, 87001 87002 87010 87012 87019 and 87029 being moved up from Willesden with the five celebrities, 87001 87002 87010 87012 and 87019, being lined up for a press do today.
87012 and 87019 which have already been reallocated, a tad prematurely it seems, to the GBAC pool are to transfer to GBRf use at the end of the week and are to be joined by 87001, after it has undergone a transformer change, and 87002 in due course. The current GBRf duo, 87013 and 87014, are to be stood down as both are described as being ‘long in the tooth’. Meanwhile the remaining Class 87s on Wembley, 87004 87010 87029 87030 and 87031, are expected to be going up to Oxley at some point for either variously store or transfer to Cotswold Rail.
Lastly, when are we going to see an 87 in CR silver…? Soon apparently.

Scottish changes pending…
The current *estimates* for the pending changes affecting locomotive hauled travel in Scotland are the end of July for the EWS Class 90s on the North Berwick job going over to units and sometime between ‘late summer’ and October for the displacement of the Class 37s from the West Highland sleeper service.

Disposal…
At Booth’s Rotherham the cutting of 86416, stored from Crewe’s WEOE pool in February 2002, has been completed, RIP.

Meridians no go…
It appears that the deal for Midland Mainline to start using the surplus Meridian units on their services has, for one reason or another, fallen through.

North Wales Skoda and an 87 back on VTWC…
90039 found itself in uncharted territory for an electric locomotive when it was hauled along the North Wales Coast line today. Having been turned out as loco and stock for this morning’s Birmingham to Holyhead service instead of the usual Pendolino, 90039 made its way to Crewe where it should have been taken off for a 57/3 to continue through to Holyhead. However, although 57313 was attached, 90039 was left on the train, duly being dragged westwards beyond Chester and beyond where electric locomotives are currently allowed to go. As a result the service was terminated at Llandudno Junction where 90039 was dumped to await clearance to be collected and returned to the electrified parts of the network. The return working was hauled back to Crewe by 57313 where it handed over to 87013, the GBRf thunderbird locomotive on hire to VT again this weekend, which has worked through to London. 87013 has handled the northbound working out of Euston this evening, the 19:13 to Holyhead, as far as Crewe. 90039 has since been collected by 47830 and returned to the West Coast.

Les Sheds…
Further to yesterday’s mention regarding the rumours about EWS Class 66s being put to use in France it appears that this is so and that initially approximately a dozen examples are going to be prepared to work abroad as part of EWS’ open access agreement to run services on the continent. The locomotives selected will have to be fitted with the necessary signalling and safety equipment. In addition, it is anticipated that this development will have an impact on the Class 60 fleet size that is to be retained as these will now be needed to release the 66s for France. Whether there is anything in the *rumours* doing the rounds that some Class 60s are to receive overhauls remains to be seen...

Locomotive sales…
The following sales of surplus locomotives by EWS have been advised…

Work in progress…
The cutting of 86416 at Booth’s Rotherham is underway.

EWS 66s for France…?
The rumours regarding sending a number of Class 66s to work in France are doing the rounds again. There is even talk of EWS opening or taking over a depot near Paris…

GBRf vans…
The GBRf Class 87 fleet has been doubled to four with the addition of 87012 and 87019 which have been transferred to GBAC from IWCA. This development leaves only 87002 allocated to the now defunct IWCA pool.

Class 60s, fleet reduced again…
EWS have stored another six Class 60s today reducing the operational fleet to 52 examples, almost half. The latest casualties are 60014 60032 60058 60068 60088 and 60093. The three Class 60s, 60058 60068 and 60093, that had been pre-assigned for N ONE today are still in traffic whilst 60014 60032 and 60088 were already stopped in need of attention.

87s…
Whilst the IWCA trio of 87002 87012 and 87019 have now been taken off lease 87007 and 87008 (both CREL), two of the Cotswold Rail fleet, have re-entered traffic running north to Polmadie today to collect a rake of coaches which are Norwich bound tomorrow. 87013 (GBAC) was on hire to VT at the weekend for thunderbird duties out-stationed at Carnforth but didn’t see use, a situation that is likely to be repeated for the next few weeks due to full 57/3 utilisation on weekend drags. 47816 (DFLH) was also hired in from Freightliner.

HYWD…
South Western Trains have created a new pool coded HYWD designated Class 73s Wimbledon. 73109 from HYSB and 73235 from SBXL have been allocated but for the moment their home depot allocations remain Bournemouth and Headquarters respectively.

Anglia 86s…
Conspicuous by their absence during the whole of last week due to increased Class 90 availability the writing may be on the wall for 86232 and 86235 although it is understood that there is no date set as such for termination of their use. Will another farewell run be in the offing…?

43074…
Midland Mainline power car 43074 came to grief near Harlington yesterday when it became tangled up with the overhead line equipment which had been brought down by another train. 43074 has since been retired to Derby Etches Park to await developments.

More 60s for store…
Three more Class 60s have been identified for storage with 60058 60068 and 60093 being assigned for N ONE on the 20th. 60058 currently stopped at Thornaby is to be stored at Thornaby whilst 60068 and 60093 at large in South Wales this morning are scheduled to go to Immingham for store.

South Wales shunter shuffle…
Following the return of 09001 (WSGW) to the Cardiff area recently reinstated 08689 (WSGW) has been despatched west by road presumably to Onllwyn to replace recently stored 08941 (WNTS) which is now at Port Talbot. 09011 (WNTS) which has been stood at Port Talbot is now on Margam depot.

Access authorised…
The clearout at Wigan CRDC is finally to get underway in a few weeks time with the news that access will be available from July 11th through to September 23rd after which date the bollards will be going back in for good. Those with bids in place for locomotives at the CRDC that have been offered for sale are being invited to resubmit their tenders, if still interested, then arrangements can be made to start clearance of the site.
For the record the locomotives that have been offered for sale at some point, subject to the embargo, or which have been offered recently are 08815 08825 37010 37040 37071 37074 37131 37162 37170 37185 37298 37370 37376 37686 37697 37711 37715 47146 47217 47241 47328 47474 47519 47536 47566 47576 47624 47725 47762 47764 47765 47768 47779 56004 56029 56034 56036 56121 and 56132. Three locomotives on site are sold but uncollected: 47331 47478 and 86603 whilst 56066 is supposedly sold subject the verification of the rumours that its sale has been cancelled. This leaves just 08481 08877 37407 37414 and 47778 outstanding.

31514…
Further to yesterday’s report it transpires that 31514 is passing into preservation at Wirksworth following its transfer north by road from Old Oak Common.

CF Booth, a reminder…
No doubt coupled to the recent influx of locomotives for breaking up at Booth’s they have experienced an upsurge in visitors turning up on weekdays. Please be reminded that the site is open to casual visitors on Saturday mornings only.

DRS 87s, endgame already…
It would seem that the use of Class 87s by DRS is not being continued with and that the trail lease of 87006 87022 87028 and 87032 which ends shortly is not going to be renewed. Several reasons for the discontinuation of their use have been cited in local press (Cumbria) reports today [ http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=253638 ] but the main sticking points appear to be an apparent 40% hike in the charge for drawing overhead power being imposed or to be imposed by Network Rail and the need to use diesels to shunt at either end of the freight trains journeys.

MML cascade…
Whilst it is understood that the 9 car Meridians that are likely to be put to use with Midland Mainline should be entering service at some point, from the end of this month onwards has been mentioned, there is an issue over fuelling facilities still to be resolved. Their introduction to traffic is likely to displace a number of HST power cars, up to 14 being mentioned. Obviously those not refurbished or black box fitted are the one’s in the frame for displacement.

Tugs hammered again…
EWS have further reduced the Class 60 fleet with the storage of six more locomotives, 60002 60003 60040 60060 60077 and 60096. All have been transferred to the WNTS pool although two are still out and about in traffic.

And…
Evidently nothing’s safe any more following the storage of 66047 sidelined at Toton since mid April. It is also transferred into the WNTS storage pool. 249 to go!

Still here…
56051 and 56058 (both WZGF) remain at Dollands Moor whilst 56091 (WZGF) and 58010 (WZFF) are still at Wembley.

IWCA, the new order…
Five EWS Class 90s are on hire to IWCA this morning for West Coast workings, 90017 90022 90023 90030 and 90039. The three IWCA allocated Class 87s, 87002 87012 and 87019, are still technically on lease but this is probably just pending the paperwork being put through. 90030 has been out with the Birmingham to Manchester ’mini set’ whilst 90017 and 90022 have been engaged on the ‘Cobbler’ Northampton diagrams this morning.

HNRC notes…
It is planned to collect 20901 (HNRL) currently residing at Carlisle Kingmoor for transfer by road to the East Lancashire Railway Bury. The ELR were to be having 20066 but this is on restricted duties at Barrow Hill and 20901 is to be its replacement. Also earmarked to attend the ELR summer gala, subject to mainline registration being completed in time, are 20096 and 20905, currently guests on the South Devon Railway, and the recently repainted 37510 at Barrow Hill.
Following a review of their assets HNRC are offering four Class 20s for sale, 20072 20088 20145 and 20215, with the proviso that they are for private purchase / preservation or for spares recovery etc. All four are currently located at Smalmstown.
Anybody with requests for details about the planned triple 20 tour to York and Skegness pencilled in for September can send an e mail to [ info@hnrc.co.uk ].

Disposal…
Finally 47574, which had been languishing in a semi cut state at Hull’s Rotherham for the last few weeks, has been put out of its misery. Only a cab remained when viewed yesterday. 47574 was stored from Immingham’s FDKI pool back in December 1996 and becomes the 300th Class 47 to be disposed of, RIP.

VT 87s, the closing chapter…
87002 (IWCA) hauled 87010 (SBXL) from Oxley to Willesden this afternoon where they joined 87012 and 87019 (both IWCA) for a photo shoot on the depot.
Regarding the curtailment of their use a day early it is understood that a decision was made sometime yesterday morning that the use of 87002 and 87010 on the ‘farewell’ run to Manchester would be the last. The diagrams that had booked workings for Class 87s in place for today had already been amended and the disputed runs to Preston had been cancelled. A Pendolino was turned out for last night’s Friday’s only Euston to Crewe service and all diagrams today that might have seen stock and Class 87s in use have been covered by Pendolino’s. So there you go, another chapter closes, quietly.

Farewell…
What is being billed by VT as the Class 87 farewell run from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly ran this morning with 87010 (SBXL) and 87002 (IWCA) at the helm. 87002 was ‘dead in tow’ as far as Stockport from where it was planned to have both 87010 and 87002 powered for the final run into Manchester however although the pan was raised on 87002 a TDM configuration problem meant that only 87010 was working on arrival at Piccadilly.
87019 (IWCA) worked into Euston with this mornings 06:38 service from Wolverhampton whilst 87012 (IWCA) handled the 07:30 Northampton to Euston working. As far as is known both these locomotives have been retired to Wembley to await going off lease.
Word today is that that’s that and that there will be no Class 87s out tomorrow...

Reiterating…
Having seen quite a lot of discussion / comment / denial regarding this mornings listing of the Class 87 diagrams so may I reiterate that these were the booked diagrams only and not a statement of what will actually work on the day, especially Saturday. It is known that the powers that be at VT do not want 87s out anywhere north of Wolverhampton, if at all, on the 11th, and will put out a Pendolino if possible.

West Coast 87s again…
Further to yesterday’s report, below is what is *understood* to be the planned diagrams (on paper) for the IWCA Class 87s on their final two days, tomorrow and Saturday, with runs to Preston included.
Please note that everything is subject to change at any point and most importantly it should also be noted that these are normal service trains that will have non enthusiasts on board so anyone intending travelling must give priority to the general public.

87s on the 11th…
Or possibly not as it may turn out. On the one hand there are reports that the last day of Class 87 running for VTWC will on the 10th (Friday) but the general consensus is that there will be some kind of west coast Class 87 activity on the 11th (Saturday) especially bearing in mind that VT / Alstom will be busy preparing for the increased Pendolino requirement of 46 sets in traffic daily from the 13th (Monday). As for the mooted runs from London to Preston these are seemingly as good as dead in the water, indeed, the official line from Virgin PR is that ‘there are no plans to run (87s) to Preston’ on the 11th. It is therefore expected that any Class 87 activity on the day, if at all, will be centred on the London / Birmingham / Wolverhampton circuit. Basically it boils down to what *control* decide to do on the day…

IWCA 87s…
87001 which is believed to have suffered a blown transformer has been taken off lease at Willesden. The current displacement of the six IWCA allocated 87s this morning is…

67011 and Scottish sleeper notes…
Following its stint at Fort William for driver training 67011 has returned to Motherwell this morning. Whilst up at Fort William it was used to train EWS crews, a conversion course as they already sign for 66s, who will at a later date be utilising the 67 off the sleeper on the Corpach job. It should be noted however that the training of ScotRail crews has yet to begin so the displacement of Class 37s from the sleeper service is still some time off, at least a month, possibly more.

43009…
A successful testing program with FGW has been completed and 43009 has been accepted into of the normal operating fleet.

Tommy’s back…
87010 (IWCA) has been returned to lease with VTWC increasing the allocated fleet to five, 87001 87002 87010 87012 and 87019, however there is a strong possibility that 87010 is a replacement for 87001 which is expected to be going off lease.

Reprieve…
The N ONE assignment which had been placed on 60003 has been cancelled and no other Class 60s are, at the moment, earmarked for storage.

HNRC railtour…
HNRC have advised that they are to get involved with two tours set to run later this year. They stress this will be a one off and that they will not be doing any more. First up is a jaunt from the midlands to York and Scarborough (it did say Skegness, must have had a lapse into days gone by) pencilled in for September utilising three Class 20s (20096 20905 and 20906) for traction whilst the second tour to run later in the year will involve 40145 and a trip to Edinburgh and the Fife circular.

Still here…
56051 and 56058 (both WZGF) are still at Dollands Moor this morning whilst 56091 (WZGF) and 58010 (WZFF) remain at Wembley.

Bescot clear up…
Most of the stored shunters and mainline locomotives latterly residing on Bescot depot have been moved away from the shed area to the adjacent yard area. Moved into the yard from the depot area are 08418 08543 08577 08828 08884 08905 08920 37174 37667 37669 37678 37707 37893 37895 37897 and 47770 joining 37114 37203 and 37402 which were already situated in the yard.

Toton Grids…
It has been noted that 56048 (WZGF) 56099 (WNXX) and 56134 (WZGF) at Toton have been de-fuelled and parked at the north end of the shed seemingly ready to be removed, possibly to Healey Mills. If this is the case then it would seem that 56048 and 56134 have been rejected from the French hire fleet. 56099 had for a while been allocated to WZGF but was removed from the French pool some time ago.

West Coast 87s, the farewell…
Based on information received it’s looking like the last day of *planned* use of the VT Class 87s will be on the 11th with two London to Preston workings being turned over to locomotive and stock. The current scenario, subject to change / confirmation / further developments, is…

37509…
It has been established that 37509 (WNXX) has, like the stored Canton shunter collection, only been removed from Cardiff Canton to Cardiff Tidal on paper. The rusting hulk of 37509 which is quite probably unfit to go anywhere by rail is still located on Canton depot.

More Tugs to go…
There are indications that another batch of Class 60s are to be stored shortly, one of which will be 60003, active in South Wales this morning, which has been assigned for N ONE at Toton on the 4th.

MML changes afoot…?
Its looking like the as yet unused Class 222 ‘Meridians’ are now going to be pressed into service with Midland Mainline, a development which will no doubt see many of their current HST power car allocation being displaced.

IWCA 87s, endgame…?
Although there is the *sort of official* farewell run with Class 87s on West Coast VT services on the 10th with the 09:38 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly being rostered for loco and stock (it will not be working back as a service train) there has been some doubt over whether VTWC would be able to go over to a full Pendolino operation and that Class 87s might last a little longer. However indications are now afoot that EWS Class 90s are to be hired in as required to allow for the removal from service of the last Class 87s.

West Highland 37s, endgame…?
Although the training of crews on Class 67s for use on the West Highland as replacements for the Class 37s currently employed has been mooted for some weeks it looks like training is now underway with 67011 working up to Fort William this afternoon.

HNRC Choppers…
At Barrow Hill 20096, now part of the HNRC fleet, and 20905 have been fitted with TPWS. It is planned that their mainline test run, to be arranged, will see 20096 and 20905 running to Crewe to collect 20906 from LNWR which is due to go to Barrow Hill for TPWS fitting. The mainline return of 20066, currently restricted to shunting duties at Barrow Hill, is on hold for the time being.

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