28/02/06

08995 (WNTR) at Margam should be making a return having being admitted for attention.
37405 (WKCK) remains at Tees awaiting forwarding to Toton whilst 60001 (WCAN) is still at Bescot also awaiting forwarding to Toton.
60014 and 60031, both already in traffic, have now been reinstated to the WCAN pool but 60026 sidelined at Toton with alternator problems has been stored WNTS.
92001, released from Crewe EMD recently, is now reinstated to the WTAE pool but 92006 and 92043 have been stored at Crewe EMD. Curiously both 9206 and 92043 have been allocated to the WNWX storage pool.

27/02/06

37405 (WKCK) latterly located at Doncaster Belmont en route to Toton from Old Oak Common for attention to its defective alternator has been dragged north to Tees Yard as part of a move which should have seen it ending up at Toton but instead 37405 was left in the North East to await forwarding later.
37410 (WNTA) has been extracted from Healey Mills and transferred across to Doncaster Carr for assessment. Following a bit of a shunt at 'the Mills' 37410 was dragged to Doncaster in convoy with 67016 66080 and 60053.
60001 (WCAN) due to Toton for assessment has left Warrington being taken south as far as Bescot this morning.

On the road...
08466 (WSEM) has been removed from Peterborough being noted heading east up the A1 north of Grantham on the back of a low loader today. It was to have been removed from Peterborough a few days ago but didn't leave until today. 20189 (MBDL) has left the CTRL engineering project being transferred back to Wabtec by road whilst 43009 (IWRP) has also been on the road today following its release from Brush and transfer back to FGW territory on a low loader.

26/02/06

08630 (WSGW) latterly sidelined at Margam with shifted cranks and a suspect future has been transported north by road and deposited at Allerton.
40145 (MBDL) ran into trouble yesterday evening whilst returning from Cardiff with the 'Welsh Whistler' charter when it came to a stand just short of the Lickey Incline with a fractured air pipe. Network Rail called in Cotswold Rail to assist who duly scrambled 47714 (CRRH) from Gloucester which after running north via Droitwich to get in front of the stricken charter assisted 40145 and its load into Birmingham New Street where 47805 (RTLO) was waiting to take the train over for the remainder of its journey.

25/02/06

31465 from Old Oak Common by road and 37905 from Booth's Rotherham by road were both delivered to the Dartmoor Railway at Meldon yesterday. Whilst 31465, for now, remains the property of HNRC on hire to the C37LG 37905 passes into preservation.
37405 (WKCK) is on the move from Old Oak Common to Toton for attention having being dragged up to Doncaster Belmont meanwhile 37411 (WKCK) on a B exam at Temple Mills is now not expected to be released until March 3rd.
60001 (WCAN) could be in trouble having suffered an engine failure, unverified but has been described as having 'done a 60081' in the early hours of this morning. 60001 is currently dumped on Warrington awaiting a tow to Toton for assessment meanwhile 60031 (WNTS) is back in action following repairs at Immingham.

24/02/06

08776 (WNTR) is again back in use but is now to be found in Doncaster Belmont Yard whilst 08933 (WNTR) has turned up at Temple Mills.
47769 (RTLS) appears to have been left behind at Barrow Hill after 40145 left for Crewe via Bescot early afternoon.
60014 (WNTS) completed its run from Thornaby to Toton overnight but has since been released into traffic running light engine south this afternoon from Toton to Acton with an allocation for snowplough duties in force. Meanwhile 60031 (WNTS) has been stopped for repairs at Immingham.
92001 (WNTS) has been released from Crewe EMD being taken south to Wembley with 92002.

Power cars on the move...
Removed west from Reading late yesterday afternoon 43153 and 43155 (both FGXP) have, via a stop over at Bristol Parkway during the night, completed their transfer to Landore. The Old Oak Common barrier vehicle obtained yesterday was used to reposition the power cars back to back prior to their haulage from Reading behind 66505. This afternoon 66505 left Landore with 43092 and 43094 (both FGXP) in tow taking them to Brush, Loughborough for re-engineering.

IWCA disbanded again...
Although only resurrected a week ago the IWCA pool is now defunct again following the reallocation of 87002 and 87026 from IWCA to GBAC. 87002 at Oxley has undergone traction motor repairs but is now to be returned to Wembley whilst careworn 87026 is still in traffic on hire to GBRf whilst 87022 (GBAC) receives further attention.

EWS 37s...
For now lets just describe what is in the pipeline as being an extremely fluid situation in that plans appear to be changing all the time. So, bearing this in mind and noting that not all the Class 37s being moved on depots or even to be moved between depots are to be reinstated, time to sit back and see what transpires...

WCRC 33s...
West Coast's four Class 33s, 33025 33029 33030 and 33207, have been reallocated from the XHSS pool to MBDL.

23/02/06

31465 has been extracted from Old Oak Common and is en route to Meldon by road being noted heading west on the M4 this afternoon.
37405 (WKCK) sidelined at Old Oak Common with a defective alternator has been assigned for movement to Toton for assessment / repairs whilst 37905 has been extracted from Booth's, Rotherham by road for transfer to Meldon, see below...
43153 and 43155 (both FGXP) have been removed from store at Reading and are being transferred to Landore behind 66505. Their movement was scheduled to have taken place this morning but had been delayed somewhat due to the power cars being marshalled nose to nose. 66505 had to go to Old Oak Common to collect a barrier vehicle to facilitate the movement of the power cars.
47769 (RTLS) at Barrow Hill is ready for release and is booked to go to Crewe tomorrow afternoon with 40145.
60014 (WNTS) from store at Thornaby is making its way light engine to Toton this afternoon. Booked to run south as 0F54 at 16:40 from Thornaby it set off slightly late shortly after 17:00.
60031 (WNTS) is still in traffic having worked last night's Lindsey to Kingsbury service and today's return.
86225 (SAXL) is on the move by road from MoD Longtown to Hull's, Rotherham being noted heading south on the M6 near Preston late this afternoon.
92001 (WNTS) at Crewe EMD is available for traffic, repairs complete.

EWS 37s...
Following on from yesterday's report it has been established that EWS do have a requirement for Class 37s and that several are to be reinstated in due course. This appears to be connected with the Euro 66 program in that it has been anticipated that several Class 66s will be tied up with the European venture before the Class 56s and Class 58s currently on hire in France are back in the UK and ready for use here as has already been speculated about. Another potential and quite likely connected reason for the return to use of some stored Class 37s is the news that after its B exam is complete, currently ongoing at Temple Mills and due to be finished by the 25th, 37411 (WKCK) is to return to South Wales for use with Arriva.
As mentioned yesterday it is apparently RA5 Class 37s only to come back but the rumours regarding several 37/5s, the sandite hopper fitted examples are RA6, for a return persist with several 37/5s at Doncaster having being mentioned as possible returnees. Lending weight to this is the news that 37669 (WNTS) has been extracted from the scrap lines in Bescot Yard for assessment / attention.
So looking at the RA5 examples from the 37/0, 37/3 and 37/4 sub classes, what are the potential candidates for reinstatement, all of course subject to mechanical assessments. 37042 (WNTR) at Doncaster Carr is up and running again so bearing a major calamity looks certain to be a returnee.
Looking back to late 2004 / January 2005 when EWS practically eliminated their non ETS fitted Class 37s from traffic, several being returned to use for two weekend's engineering duties in January 2005 before being returned to store, a *very speculative* list of potential candidates to choose from for reinstatement can be drawn up; 37042 (WNTR at Doncaster Carr), 37047 (WNTA at Hither Green), 37057 (WNTA at Crewe EMD), 37109 (WNTA at Hither Green), 37114 (WNTA in Bescot Yard), 37174 (WNTS in Bescot Yard), 37203 (WNTR in Bescot Yard), 37216 (WNTR at Motherwell), 37308 (WNTR in Toton Training Compound), 37372 (WNTA at Motherwell), 37402 (WNTR at Toton), and 37410 (WNTA in Healey Mills Yard). Obviously any of these that went bang as opposed to having being switched off or stopped for minor repairs are less likely to feature.
Then there's 37422 situation, will it be repaired? and the recent extraction from the Training Compound to the main shed at Toton of 37065 (WNTR) and 37375 (WNTS). Surely these two, rejected for a return for sandite duties in 2004, are not on assessment again... Having had a look back through the archives it can bee seen that these two, along with 37797 recently scrapped at Booth's, had been looked at during 2004 for possible reinstatement for sandite that autumn but were both returned to the compound during September 2004.
No doubt things will become clearer in the coming weeks...

Meldon / C37LG...
31465 from Old Oak Common is on the move from Old Oak Common and 37905 from Booth's left Rotherham on a low loader shortly after 13:00 this afternoon also on transfer to Meldon. The Class 37 Locomotive Group (C37LG) have issued a press release outlining their current plans including the hire of 31465 and the movement of 37198 and 37905 to the Dartmoor Railway...

"BRE Ltd's 37905 was collected from CF Booth's in Rotherham today by Heanor Haulage. From there, it will be moved to its new home on the Dartmoor Railway at Meldon Quarry, where it will remain in the care of the C37LG.
The Dartmoor Railway is run by Ealing Community Transport Group (ECT) which will also be helping to return services to the Weardale Railway from this summer. The C37LG and BRE Ltd have forged close ties with ECT over the last twelve months. Together we will be planning gala's and regular dining trains using 37905 and the Groups other locos. News on these events will be made available once confirmed.
Very little mechanical work is required to return 37905 to operational condition. Cosmetically, the 'Slug' is rather tatty. However, it is hoped that the loco will work its first train in its current external condition, give or take a few patches of paintwork here and there. All missing parts have been sourced for '905 or are on order as new!
37198 is also ready to move to the Dartmoor Railway in early March. 37275 will move to the Weardale Railway to join 37414 in late March or early April along with the Groups two support coaches.
Meanwhile, 31465 - owned by a private individual - is also being moved by road from Old Oak Common today. This loco will join 37905 & 37198 at Meldon and will also be in the care of the C37LG. Like '905, 31465 needs only remedial work to make it operational again.
Why would a '37' group take on a '31'? Well, its a means to an end. We will be providing the Dartmoor Railway with an ETH loco as this will enable them to run loco hauled services throughout the year. "

22/02/06

08948 (GPSS) left Barrow Hill by road yesterday for North Pole and a return to use. It had been sidelined since mid 2004 with fire damage.
21546 (WLAN) was despatched south from Toton mid afternoon today on a low loader.
86214 (SAXL) is the third of the five Class 86s to be shipped across from MoD Longtown to Hull's, Rotherham for disposal being noted heading east on a low loader on the M62 late yesterday morning.

Disposal...
The cutting of 47774 on site at Crewe DMD is as good as complete. 47774, the one time 47801, was stored from Crewe's WHDD pool in June 2002, RIP.

Tugs...
Whilst 60031 (WNTS) has been pressed back into service again from Immingham, being noted at the head of yesterday evening's 6M06 Lindsey to Kingsbury working, 60014 (WNTS) is up and running at Thornaby ready to go, cleaned up with repainted ends and its petroleum sector markings replaced by EWS stickers. 60028 (WNTS) has been on the load bank at Toton so will be another candidate to return to use however fire damaged 60011 (WCAN) is parked on the scrap line at Toton.

EWS to reinstate some Class 37s...?
Details are sketchy at the moment but it's looking like EWS have identified a requirement for Class 37s and several reinstatements are potentially in the offing. An anticipated traction shortage in the Yorkshire area for weekend engineering duties has been mooted but as to how many and if this is what for remains to be seen. It has been established however that it's RA5 (Route Availability) examples in the frame for a return so this rules out the 'heavy weights' from the Class 37/7 series which are RA7. Probably connected with this is the news that 37042 (WNTR) has been taken in at Doncaster Carr for assessment / repairs and that one or two other 37/0s, including 37308 at Toton, have been given the once over in recent days.

21/02/06

08933 (WNTR) last sighted just off the M6 motorway near Haydock on the 17th on transfer from Motherwell has been on the move again being noted heading south on a low loader on the M1 yesterday morning.
47774 (WNSO) at Crewe DMD is in the process of being dismantled on site.
60031 (WNTS) returned to active duties from store at Immingham a few days ago has been returned to Immingham and store.
90014 (IANA) has been despatched to Brush for attention being delivered to Loughborough this afternoon by 47714.

20/02/06

Margam shunter report...
The last time it was mentioned here it looked like curtains for 08770 (WNTR) having sustained collision damage at Margam but it has been repaired and resurrected to use as the depot shunter there. Also attended to and ready to return to use is 09105 (WSGW), parts for the repair of this and 08770 have been sourced from 09102 (WNTS). 08630 (WSGW) though might be in trouble as it has been stopped at Margam with shifted cranks.

47798...
With regards to the recent movement of 47798 (MBDL) to Carnforth it has been despatched there to undergo remedial work to put it back into mainline working order as the NRM stand by / stock transfer locomotive. As for its livery it is possible that it will be loosing its 'Royal' scheme as it is no longer employed on such duties but it is understood that nothing formal has been agreed regarding a repaint at the moment. If the go-ahead to repaint 47798 is agreed a return to BR blue as 47609 or into Intercity colours as 47834 are a couple of options available.

Meldon / Dartmoor Railway...
It is understood that changes are in the pipeline for the Dartmoor Railway at Meldon. Information received suggests that 31465 awaiting removal from Old Oak Common is headed there along with one of the preserved Class 37s from the Wenselydale Railway. Also reportedly set to go to Meldon is 37905 when it is eventually extracted from Booth's at Rotherham. 08937, usually the Dartmoor Railway's resident shunter, is currently away at RMS Locotec, Dewsbury and the stored FM Rail locomotives on site are at some point going to have to be removed elsewhere. Of these 47716 and 73134 are or have been operational but 31301 31415 31423 31426 31437 31439 47348 73103 and 73117 are not although they remain regarded as being part of FM Rail's strategic reserve.

18/02/06

Disposals...
The cutting of 37242 and 37376 at Booth's, Rotherham are regarded as complete. As of this morning 37242 was little more than a frame on bogies whilst 37376 was also down to just frame and bogies with its severed cabs on the floor alongside. By a quirk of fate 37178, recently swapped for 37242, has been started up at Barrow Hill and is said to run satisfactorily. 37242 is also one of five locomotives, the others being 20094 20135 37111 and 50023, that have at one time been 'preserved' by the same individual, all subsequently being broken up for scrap. 37242 was stored from Toton's WKMS pool in December 1999 whilst 37376 was stored from WKMF in October 2000 on its return from hire duties in France, RIP.

IWCA notes...
Further to the recent entry regarding the reinstatement of 87002 and 87026 to the IWCA pool it transpires that the Pendolino modification program has slipped back slightly so the covering diagram is not now expected to be getting underway until sometime in April as opposed to next month as had been initially planned. Also, it should be noted at this point, there has been speculative talk of another operator trying to get in on the act with Class 90s, several of which they currently have laid up in store at Crewe EMD...

Rhymney return...
From Monday 20/02/06 one inbound working from Rhymney to Cardiff, the 07:44 off Rhymney, and one outbound working from Cardiff to Rhymney, the 17:01 off Cardiff, are reverting to loco and stock formation. 47843 has been rostered for these workings.

GBRf hire ins...
Below is a list outlining the Class 66s hired in by GBRf since December 2005.

66063 hired from 12/12/05 to 17/01/06, replaced by 66049
66175 hired from 12/12/05 to 25/01/06, replaced by 66147
66142 hired on 11/01/06 only
66049 hired from 17/01/06 to 29/01/06, replaced by 66005
66147 hired from 25/01/06 to 06/02/06, replaced by 66201
66005 hired from 29/01/06 to 01/02/06, replaced by 66218
66218 hired from 01/02/06...
66201 hired from 06/02/06 to 15/02/06, replaced by 66019
66019 hired from 15/02/06...
66050 hired on 17/02/06 only
66603 hired on 17/02/06 only

The two Class 66s currently on hire to GBRf are 66019 and 66218.

17/02/06

08776 (WNTS) and 08933 (WNTR) have been on the move by road today. Whilst 08776 was removed from Ketton this morning 08933 latterly in store at Motherwell was noted this afternoon just off the M6 on a low loader in the Haydock area.

IWCA resurrected...
87002 and 87026 have been reinstated to the IWCA pool in advance of the VTWC loco and stock cover diagram based on the London / West Midlands circuit due to start sometime next month. Whilst 87002 has been moved up to Oxley from Wembley this morning with 87022 (GBAC) as part of the latter's test run 87026, in traffic since mid January on hire to GBRf, will continue on hire with GBRf until 87022 is cleared to enter traffic then it will be positioned at Wembley for training purposes until required by VTWC. 87002 is to undergo traction motor repairs at Oxley and will be the training loco there until required for service.
It is understood that two further Class 87s are to be identified to join 87002 and 87026 in the IWCA pool at a later date but the choice of these two may depend on whether 87004 87010 87013 87014 87021 87025 87030 and 87033 are, as has been suggested, set aside for the 'Bosnia job'.
Meanwhile 87031 currently stored at Willesden has been reallocated from SBXL to the ATXX pool which may indicate that the ownership of 87031 has, for some reason, passed to Alstom from Porterbrook.

Further GL reallocations...
Cotswold Rail's 47033 sidelined at Doncaster and 47365 residing on the East Somerset Railway have also been reallocated to GL (Gloucester) from MM (Moreton in Marsh). The rest of their Class 08s and Class 47s have been reallocated to Norwich whilst Brush incumbent 31206 has been transferred to HQ (Headquarters).

16/02/06

21546 (WLAN) has now appeared at Toton for painting etc.
47798 (MBDL) was hauled from the NRM York to Carnforth this morning by 47826. Reports suggest that 47798 is to be cosmetically restored to its former guise as 47609.
60031 (WNTS) from store at Immingham has been returned to use and is recorded as working today's 6M55 from Lindsey.
86224 (SAXL) has made its move from MoD Longtown to Hull's, Rotherham for disposal being noted on a low loader heading east on the M62 yesterday evening it was unloaded at Hull's this morning.
92011 (WNTS) from store at Crewe EMD was released for a test run from Crewe to Carnforth and back but only made it as far as near Winsford before returning to Crewe.

GL resurrected...
The depot code GL (Gloucester Horton Rd) is back in use following the reallocation from MM (Moreton in Marsh) to GL of 08699 08936 47200 47316 47813 and 47828 whilst 47818 has been reallocated from MM to NC (Crown Point).

15/02/06

Work in progress...
The demolition of 37242 at Booth's, Rotherham is underway. This shouldn't take too long as 37242 was practically an empty shell, apart from amongst other things having a couple of defunct forklift trucks dumped inside it, when despatched to Booth's from Barrow Hill.

HNRC notes...
Battlefield Line resident 08825 has been returned to working order and is scheduled to move to Long Marston shortly to take up shunting duties there in place of Class 11, 12082 (01553) meanwhile 08576, also on the Battlefield Line, is to be raided for spares to return Barrow Hill incumbents 08827 and 08869 to operational status. None of the above should be regarded as 'preserved' as HNRC certainly don't see these shunters as such even though they are located at preservation sites.
The contract repairs to 08948 at Barrow Hill for EPS are as good as complete and 08948 is to be returned to North Pole shortly.
At Barrow Hill TPWS and OTMR equipment is being fitted to 20056 to facilitate its return to mainline running whilst 20901 and 20904 awaiting transfer from the East Lancashire Railway to Barrow Hill are also to be TPWS and OTMR fitted and returned to mainline standard in the fullness of time.
31465 currently at Old Oak Common is to leave West London shortly and is going on hire to a preservation society, location yet to be disclosed, whilst 37178 recently secured from Booth's and moved to Barrow Hill has had its missing parts replaced and once a set of batteries have been fitted it will be run up and tested.

14/02/06

37065 (WNTR) 37375 (WNTS) 58003 and 58012 (both WNXX) have recently been moved out of the compound at Toton back to the main shed area. Whilst 37375 and 58012 can be found at the front of the main buildings 37065 and 58003 have been parked out to the rear.
37376 has joined 37242 in the cutting area at Booth's, Rotherham for disposal.
86256 (SAXL) was moved across by road overnight from MoD Longtown to Hull's, Rotherham for disposal. 86207 86214 86224 and 86225 (all SAXL) at Longtown are set to follow on in due course.
92001 (WNTS) has been out on test running from Crewe to Carnforth and back today with 92002.

13/02/06

21545 (WLAN) left Toton on a low loader at about 09:30 this morning for Dollands Moor where it has been swapped with the next Vossloh G1206 locomotive, possibly 21546, due at Toton for painting.
37427 (WKBM) stopped a few days ago for tests at Motherwell is now showing B100 (B exam and engine repairs) with an ok date set for early March.
43068 at Landore along with 43084 and 43123 at Long Marston have now been reallocated from FGXP to SBXL thus wrapping up the power car trade off between Porterbrook and First Group whilst 43070 and 43087 (both CRRH) have been involved in a stock transfer today. The Cotswold Rail power cars running light from Gloucester to the West Somerset Railway to collect five Mk3 coaches and subsequently transferring them to Laira.
66002 (WBAN) recently seriously vandalised whilst parked up at Carlisle has been repaired at Motherwell.
66146 66201 and 66218 (all WBAN) are currently on hire to GBRf from EWS. 

11/02/06

08909 (WREM) has been returned to Ketton following attention at Immingham. Stored 08776 (WNTS) which has been covering for 08909 whilst it was away is expected to be removed from Ketton in the next few days.
37242 only recently delivered to Booth's, Rotherham from Barrow Hill has been placed into position for cutting.
66017 (WBAN) recently derailed at Melton Mowbray has arrived at Toton for assessment.
92001 (WNTS) which has been undergoing repairs at Motherwell was moved south in the consist of last night's 6M76 Mossend to Bescot service as far as Warrington from where it was tripped to Crewe EMD behind 37425.

EWS Euro 66s, speculation and possible implications...
Now that the program of modifications to several Class 66s for use in Europe is well underway its as good a time as any to mention a few bits and pieces, largely speculative at the moment it must be stressed, regarding what may come to fruition in the coming year or so. At the moment we have 66215 over in France for testing with 66010 66022 and 66029 being prepared for European use at Toton. With regards as to how many Class 66s are to ultimately feature in this venture this remains to be seen but it is understood that it will be considerably more than 10 to 12 examples as mooted here some time ago. Somewhere in the region of 40 to 50 locomotives being the current estimate, although of course this is tied in with prospective future traffic growth abroad, not necessarily just in France either perhaps.
So will the Euro modified Class 66s see action in the UK? Undoubtedly yes, before they go abroad, quite possibly yes, after they have been despatched abroad. At the moment a diesel locomotive with fuel in its tanks is not allowed through the tunnel however should it be possible to overcome this issue then it would certainly be feasible for EWS hauled freights to operate through from mainland Europe to the UK and vice versa via the Channel Tunnel with the train locomotive left in situ. Obviously a Class 92 would have to be attached for at least the Channel Tunnel bit and the Class 66s involved would have to be the modified examples with both UK and European signalling equipment installed but from an operations point of view this would certainly be a desirable scenario.
So if we have loads of EWS Class 66s operating the European market, revenue returns per working abroad are believed to be better than here in the UK, then what will fill the gap at home? There is currently some slack in the Class 60 fleet and we already have speculation that Class 58s could be re-used in the UK on their return from France and hire to Fertis, Seco and TSO but what about the Class 56s currently in France on hire to Fertis being re-used on their return and some of the stored EWS Class 37s scattered around the country being resurrected? Perfectly feasible apparently so long as they are TPWS and (to meet OTMR requirements) Q-Tron fitted. Several currently stored Class 37s are and it is understood that most if not all of the Class 56s and Class 58s in France at the moment are so fitted.
Potentially interesting times ahead...? Maybe.

GL...?
It is understood that Cotswold Rail have been given the go ahead to reinstate servicing facilities at Gloucester Horton Road. In view of this and that most of their equipment can be found in and around the Gloucester area these days will the depot code GL be brought back into use...?

10/02/06

21545 (WLAN) has been out-shopped in the EWS European maroon colour scheme at Toton. It dosen't carry its 21545 identity though as the FB1545 numbers have been re-applied.
47628 (SDXL) delivered to Hull's, Rotherham today following extraction from Barrow Hill yesterday almost made it into preservation it transpires. Apparently a deal for the sale of 47628 to a private buyer had been arranged but due to unforeseen circumstances this was cancelled at the eleventh hour and 47628 has gone for breaking up instead.

09/02/06

43154 43158 and 43194 have now been reallocated from SBXL to the FGXP First Group holding pool.
56061 (SDXL) latterly in store at Allely's yard near Studley has been transported up to Barrow Hill. After the unloading of 56061 at Barrow Hill was completed 47628, which is Hull's, Rotherham bound for breaking up, was loaded and removed.

In the dirt...
Having apparently overshot a signal somewhat near Melton Mowbray this morning 66017 (WBAN) ran through a set of catch points ending up embedded in the gravel.

08/02/06

21545 (WLAN) has been admitted into the paint shop at Toton for its cosmetic make-over.
37197 (MBDL) would appear to still in use with WCRC having returned to traffic running south to Crewe from Carnforth this morning with 33025 (still XHSS).
37510 (XHSS) is still located in Doncaster West Yard.

Power cars on the road...
43122 (FGXP) and 43194 (SBXL) have been removed from store at MoD Bicester today, both by road. Whilst 43122 has been transported to Plymouth Laira, being noted traversing the A38 this morning on the back of an Allely's low loader, 43194 was on the move this afternoon being noted heading west on the M4 near Swindon.
The extraction of 43122 and 43194 from Bicester completes the removal of the stored HST power cars from the MoD site which is being cleared leaving just the six redundant SBXL Class 87s, 87009 87011 87017 87018 87020 87034 on site. Meanwhile it has also been established that 43194 is the third HST power car involved in the swap for the three buffer fitted examples earlier purchased by First, 43068 43084 and 43123 (all still FGXP) being traded for 43154 43158 and 43194 (all still SBXL).

Disposal...
The cutting of 31123, withdrawn from Bescot's DCMN pool in March 1992, has been completed at Booth's, Rotherham. 31123, one of only a handful of surviving un-refurbished members of the Class, spent a period in preservation before being sold for spares, RIP.

07/02/06

37510 (XHSS) has been removed from Barrow Hill being noted behind 37611 at Doncaster this afternoon. As far as can be ascertained 37510 was left in the West Yard adjacent to Doncaster station which may indicate that it is to enter Wabtec for attention.

06/02/06

21545 (WLAN) recently moved up from Dollands Moor by road has completed its move to Toton being delivered early this afternoon. It had been diverted to Heanor's following an earlier unsuccessful attempt at gaining access at Toton.
60011 (WCAN) caught fire in Toton Yard in the early hours of this morning whilst returning from Tamworth with an engineering train. This is not the first time 60011 has 'gone up' having spent several months sidelined at Toton after catching fire in July 2004.
66029 (WBAN) is set to be another Class 66 to be prepared for use in Europe having being assigned to join 66010 and 66022 at Toton for special tests.

05/02/06

21545 (WLAN) was noted on the move by road making its way north from Dollands Moor yesterday to Toton for repainting. To clarify a misconception or two this 'rather large shunter' as some have described it after sighting it traversing the M25 and M1 motorways, has a power output in the same range as a Class 37.
47813 (CRRH) again worked the sleeper service down from Paddington to Penzance overnight.
60044 (WCAN) recently reinstated at Toton is retaining its Mainline Blue colour scheme but has received a set of the large yellow EWS stickers thus leaving only 60011 in the full Mainline Blue livery.
66010 (WBAN) is another Class 66 identified for European operations having also being stopped for 'special tests' at Toton.

Bone resurrection...?
Although several months off and certainly subject to change it has been indicated that plans are afoot for number of Class 58s, on return to the UK during the summer from operations in France, to be returned to use in the UK later this year.

04/02/06

More 60s...
Four more Class 60s have been reinstated bringing the active fleet total up to 72 examples. Reinstated this time around, all to WCAN from WNTS, are 60034 and 60082 from store at Immingham along with 60035 and 60044 from store at Toton the latter of which is reported as currently being inside the paint shop being repainted.

Booth's report...
31123 has been positioned on the cutting road recently vacated by 37230 and its demolition is underway. The frames and very little else of 37298 and 37797 were still present this morning.

HNRC notes...
The proposed re-run of a 'three to the sea' tour utilising three HNRC Class 20s has been deferred until further notice and no HNRC Class 20s are booked to feature on any tours at the moment. HNRC advise that other work commitments, including the planned reinstatement of 20901 20903 20904 and 20906, will not effect the recertification of locomotives for Network Rail operations.

03/02/06

37178 and 37242 have made their swap, both transfers being made by road. 37242 was removed from Barrow Hill last night and unloaded at Booth's, Rotherham today swapping places with 37178 which has been extracted from Booth's and transported to Barrow Hill. Meanwhile the removal of 37905 from Booth's and into preservation at an as yet undisclosed location is expected to take place early next week.
47813 (CRRH) didn't wait too long to have another spin on the Cornish sleeper as it worked the Paddington to Penzance service last night and returned to London with the overnight Penzance to Paddington tonight.

02/02/06

37688 recently removed from Healey Mills to Brush, Loughborough on behalf of DRS has been reinstated to the XHMW pool pending it being repaired. The other two DRS purchases from EWS, 37023 and 37051, remain allocated to the WNSO pool for the time being although it is understood that these two are also to be repaired and returned to use.
43029 (IWRP) sidelined since the Ufton Nervet collision and latterly off lease at Plymouth Laira has been returned to use with FGW.
37419 (WKCK) has re-appeared in traffic, its first outing since being put on stand by at Old Oak Common back in December, working out to Didcot with 37425 today meanwhile north of the border 37427 (WKBM) has been returned to use following brake block attention at Motherwell.
60069 from store at Toton has been reinstated to WCAN and is back in traffic. No Class 60 has been stored in exchange this time which lends credence to a recent indication that the EWS Class 60 fleet is to be increased in operational strength by several locomotives.
87006 (GBAC) has now entered the fray with GBRf taking up duties on the Willesden to Shieldmuir mail workings.
90037 has been stopped and stored WNTS at Crewe EMD. This is as a direct consequence of one of the Birmingham / Manchester stand by diagrams coming to an end last week.

Sleeper update...
43165 and 43187 with 57603 in tow worked last night's 1A40 Penzance to London sleeper as far as Bristol being swapped for 57604 sent out on the Penzance bound working from London with 57602. 57604 hauled the sleeper from Bristol to Paddington with the errant 57603 in the consist.
With 47840 unavailable at the moment, sidelined with a reasonably serious engine defect, Cotswold Rail's 47813 which had been despatched to East Anglia has been requisitioned by FGW again and has made its way from Colchester to Old Oak Common. Although employment on the Paddington / Old Oak Common stock workings is the most likely employment for 47813 another spin out on the sleeper service to Penzance at some point is a reasonable possibility.

Disposals...
The disposals of 37298 and 37797 can now be recorded as the cutting of both at Booth's, Rotherham is at an advanced stage. When viewed today 37298, stored from French WKMF pool on return from Europe in October 2001, was frame, bogies and its cooler group whilst 37797, stored from Crewe's WKAD pool in February 2003, was frame and bogies only, RIP.

01/02/06

20189 (MBDL) is currently in operation on the CTRL North. RT Rail advise that it can be viewed in action most days between St Pancras and Ebsfleet Junction.
37427 (WKBM) now at Motherwell has been granted a reprieve and its assignment for storage on the 5th has been rescinded. It is however assigned for 'special tests' on the 8th so for the moment it has another week in traffic.
43009 (IWRP) has been returned to Brush for inspection, movement to Loughborough taking place by road yesterday. In light of some of the stories currently doing the rounds implying that there is a problem with its power unit, 43009 being one of the two trial re-engined power cars, it should be pointed out that its return to Brush at the end of the trial period for inspection was always part of the plan and that there have not been any failures with the power unit or associated systems during the trial period and beyond.
92001 (WNTS) latterly dumped at Mossend was moved across to Motherwell for repairs a few days ago.

Unusual...
It's not everyday that you get a loco hauled set being worked by a pair of HST power cars coupled back to back but the overnight Penzance to Paddington sleeper service was despatched from Penzance marshalled as such. What would have been the train engine 57603 was in the consist behind 43165 and 43187 to provide ETH supply but the power cars, taken off a HST set at Penzance, provided the traction.
Cotswold Rail's 47828 had been requisitioned by FGW to take over at Plymouth but having left Gloucester earlier in the evening low on fuel it was booked to call in at St Philips Marsh for fuelling before continuing through to either Plymouth as per plan A or more likely being positioned at Bristol to take over at Temple Meads. En route to St Philips Marsh however a traction motor fault warning light came on and although it would have probably been ok for 47828 to work the sleeper through to London control turned it down and at the time of writing (23:00) there was a possibility that 43165 and 43187 with 57603 in tow might have been heading through to Paddington with the working.

87026 / 57307...
The saga continues. It now transpires that 87026 actually was a failure at Shieldmuir necessitating its drag south by 57307 on January 30th but was useable by the time it reached Warrington, flat batteries apparently. With regards to the speculation about GBRf hiring in 57/3s at some point this, although the use of 57307 turns out to have been unconnected, can be regarded as ongoing...

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