30/06/06

37668 37689 37710 and 37712 (all WNTA) have been returned to Healey Mills being dragged south today by 67019.

MTU...
43093 (FGXP) becoming the first power car of the squadron MTU re-engineering program has been released from Brush Loughborough and was hauled to Landore today by 47828 where it is to undergo further attention before it is returned to traffic. 43093 has been painted in the First Group 'Neon Blue' scheme but has yet to receive its vinyl's. 43175 (IWRP) should be next to emerge from Brush fitted with MTU equipment.

Tug news...
60029 60035 60062 and 60084 have been stored WNTR but all four are still in active traffic. This latest round of reductions will bring the fleet total down to 44 examples once they have been stopped. 60029 and 60084 are assigned for N ONE at Thornaby by July 2nd and 60062 is assigned for N ONE at Margam, also by the 2nd. Curiously, and maybe an oversight somewhere along the line, 60035 hasn't as yet been issued with an N ONE assignment but 60058 (WCBN) has and it is assigned for N ONE at Margam by July 2nd.
60043 60080 60083 and 60095 (all WNTR) moved to Toton yesterday have been authorised to receive B exams.

All here now...
66049 (WBAN) is back from France now being noted at the head of today's late afternoon Dollands Moor to Doncaster working which had fellow French returnee 66022 (WBAN) in tow. It is assumed that 66022 is ultimately Toton bound.

Last VT Red 90...
90011 (IANA), the last Class 90 in the obsolete VT Red colour scheme, could be Toton bound for a repaint being noted en route to Bescot this evening behind 66129.

And finally...
Not wishing to fuel the already raging fires of speculation regarding EWS directly but the people at the Traincrew Website have a rather interesting entry in their list of train operating companies on the drop down list at the site. Under TOC, top right or thereabouts, look between First Capital Connect and First Greater Western...

29/06/06

31452 and 31454 (both SDPP) came out to work the Serco TIC train today as anticipated.
37667 (WNSO) has been recovered from Bescot being moved to Barrow Hill by 20096 and 20905 (both ADFL) today.
43078 (IWRP) 43153 (FGXP) 43165 and 43197 (both IWRP) have been hauled from Landore to Brush Loughborough, 47828, itself a Brush incumbent until only recently whilst it received repairs, being provided for haulage from Swansea late afternoon. As a point of interest it is noted that both 43078 and 43197 haven't been at Landore long enough to receive ATP equipment therefore it is assumed that these two are, at least for the time being, to become spares donors at Brush.
60043 60080 60083 and 60095 (all WNTR) have been hauled from Immingham to Toton being noted in convoy behind 66039 en route early this afternoon.
87012 (GBAC) looks set to undertake its last jaunt to Scotland and back for GBRf as its been booked to work tomorrow's 1S96 to Shieldmuir before returning on Monday with a defective 325 mail set before going off lease on its return to Wembley.

28/06/06

37358 (WNZX) has been moved up to TJ Thomson's Stockton for breaking up, noted on site this morning parked behind 37100 which is still on site awaiting extraction, it is understood that 37358 was transported north by road from Immingham yesterday evening.
47355 (SDFL) suffered a minor fire near Nottingham this afternoon whilst engaged on Seco duties. It is anticipated that tomorrow's TIC (Track Inspection Coach) train will be Class 31 powered as a consequence, 31452 and 31454 are favourites.
87006 (IWCA) came off the VTWC diagram after working the inbound service this morning handing over to 87026 (IWCA) for the rest of the day. 87006 is short on hours and may be coming off lease however this is far from finalised at the moment.

Disposals...
08642 and 66521, both recent deliveries to Booth's Rotherham, have been disposed of. Whilst 08642 was stored during 1999 by Freightliner 66521 was damaged beyond repair in the fatal collision at Great Heck in 2001. RIP.

Another Chopper alert...
20096 and 20905 (both ADFL) have ran to Derby today from Norwich and tomorrow are due to go to Barrow Hill via Bescot where they are scheduled to pick up 37667 (WNSO). HNRC have advised that they intend to return 37667 to running order and mainline standards as soon as possible.

FM Rail sales...
It is understood, the usual disclaimers about confirmation etc. apply, that FM Rail have sold en masse the ten locomotives that were up for sale to Ron Hull's at Rotherham, 31154 31407 31412 31426 31433 31462 31524 47236 47704 and 47803.

27/06/06

08642 (DHLT) has been removed from Leeds Midland Road to Booth's Rotherham for disposal. It was unloaded at Rotherham this morning.
56040 (WNSO) becomes the fifth Class 56 to enter into preservation being unloaded at Dereham on the Mid Norfolk Railway this afternoon following movement south from Immingham by road.
66215 (WBEN) has completed its transfer to Toton, the final leg of its journey from Bescot sandwiched between 66128 and 66225. It is understood that 66215 is to receive further modifications, zebra stripes etc. as seen on 66022, before returning abroad.

26/06/06

20096 and 20905 (both ADFL) have, after the Leeds to Doncaster Mk4 transfer at the weekend, again been out on stock transfer duties today moving the overhauled stock of the final Mk3 set for ONE from Derby to Norwich. Doncaster to Derby as 0Z20 then Derby to Crown Point as 5N08.
37137 (WNZX) at Toton has been placed into position for collection indicating its removal to Thomson's maybe taking place sooner rather than later.
43089 (SBXL) at Brush has lost its MML Blue colour scheme having being repainted NR Yellow in readiness for joining the NMT fleet whilst down at Landore former VT Red 43194 (FGXP) has been noted repainted into the new First Neon colour scheme as worn by 43004 and 43009.
56011 and 56021 (both WNSO) have been removed from Immingham being taken south to Coalville today behind 33103 with 31190 in tow. In this day and age of depot closures and contraction its nice to see the return of a once very popular location to the map albeit as a storage location.
56040 (WNSO) has also been removed from Immingham by road being noted heading west on the M180 this morning. 56040 is Dereham and preservation bound.
60047 (WNTR) is now stopped and stored at Margam.
66022 (WBAN) only recently despatched abroad and 66215 (WBEN) sent over some time earlier are back in the UK! Whilst 66022 is at Dollands Moor 66215 has been sent up to Wembley for forward transit to Toton. 66049 remains in France for static training purposes.

25/06/06

60030 (WNTR) has been relocated from Peak Forest turning up at Toton yesterday afternoon with 66227.

24/06/06

66521 has, following final component recovery including the removal of its power unit, been transferred by road early this morning from Leeds Midland Road to Booth's Rotherham for disposal.

Disposals...
The disposals of 08666 at Kingsbury and 47146 at Booth's Rotherham respectively have been completed in the past few days. 08666 was stored from Allerton's DAAN pool back in September 1994 whilst 47146 has lingered since storage from Bescot's DAET pool back in August 1998, RIP.

23/06/06

43078 43165 and 43197 (all IWRP) completed their transfer to Landore today from Gloucester behind 47818. At Landore 43153 (FGXP) is ready for despatch to Brush at Loughborough.
56011 and 56021 (both WNSO) at Immingham were to have been on the move today to Derby, 31190 and 33103 have been despatched to Humberside to collect them, but an unforeseen problem has resulted in the move being delayed. After transfer to Derby it is expected that 56011 and 56021 will be forwarded to FM Rail's new storage point being set up at Coalville.
56118 (WZGF) and 58016 (WZFF) have been removed from Wembley Yard, but not to Toton as earlier scheduled, being dragged round to Old Oak Common by 67013.
60007 at Thornaby, 60030 at Peak Forest, 60047 which is still in traffic and 60080 at Immingham have been stored WNTR whilst 60500 recently released into traffic from Toton has been reinstated to the WCAN pool.
66411 66412 and 66413 are now reallocated back into the XHIM pool.
90012 (IANA) freshly out-shopped in ONE livery has been released from its repaint at Toton being tripped to Bescot in the consist of today's 6G45 service behind 66009.

Chopper alert...
HNRC 20s 20096 and 20905 on hire to Advenza / Cotswold Rail are due at Neville Hill tomorrow morning to work a 5Z25 stock move from Neville Hill back to Doncaster. They are expected to leave Doncaster for Leeds at about 09:00 or thereabouts.

Booth's tomorrow...
Please be advised that Booth's Rotherham will not be open to the public tomorrow morning.

22/06/06

43078 and 43197 (both IWRP) from Plymouth Laira and 43165 (IWRP) collected from Bristol St Philips Marsh are stopping off overnight at Gloucester before being forwarded to Landore tomorrow. Cotswold Rail's 47818 and 47828 providing traction for the transfers today. Ultimately 43078 43165 and 43197 are Loughborough bound but it is understood that at least one of these power cars is to become a parts donor so consequently may not enter the MTU re-engineering program.

21/06/06

60500 (WNTR) has been returned to active duties from store / overhaul at Toton being pressed into service on the morning 7B42 Toton to Forders working.
86233 (SAXL) from Oxley has been hauled to Derby RTC. 33103 being provided for traction.

20/06/06

20138 has been delivered to Long Marston after transfer south from Barrow Hill by road.
47813 (CRRH) has following its use on last night's Penzance to London sleeper been hired by FGW for the rest of the week. It will most likely be finding use on the Paddington / Old Oak Common ECS workings.
66411 66412 and 66413 have all curiously been reallocated to the XHSS storage pool again even though all three are now in or have entered revenue earning traffic.

Disposal...
At Kingsbury the disposal of 12098 has taken place. Scrapped in the last week or so along with two industrial shunters 12098 was withdrawn from Longsight back in December 1971, RIP.

Loco sales...
As far as can be ascertained the following have been sold by EWS. Subject to the usual disclaimers about confirmation and further developments etc. we have...

HNRC: 37217 37897 47306 47475
Private Sales (for preservation): 37175 37906
TJ Thomson's Stockton: 31110 37137 37358
Unknown (although probably a private sale): 47004

Also 47484 at Glasgow Works has also been sold on privately by WCRC.

DRS 57s...?
Although the mooted transfer of some Class 57/3s from VT to First Group / GBRf failed to materialise it would seem that redeployment of some of the fleet is still on the cards with the understanding that a possible transfer of a batch of 57/3s to DRS at some point in the future is under consideration. Something that will no doubt be a most interesting development if it comes to fruition...

19/06/06

20138 has been removed from Barrow Hill by road. Still carrying the board with 20115 painted on it 20138 was noted heading south on the M1 early this morning and is probably Long Marston bound.
92026 and 92039 only stored at the end of last week at Rugby and Crewe EMD respectively have been reinstated to the WTAE pool today.

Work in progress...
The demolition of 47146 and 56132 is underway at Booth's Rotherham.

Sit downs...
Several notable failures today. 57602 came to grief with this mornings London to Penzance sleeper which, after terminating at Exeter, had to be dragged to Plymouth by 43132 and 43138. 47813 has been hired in from Cotswold Rail for the overnight return working to London. 87026 got into trouble with the morning inbound London Euston loco and stock formation later being replaced by 87006 whilst 57310 on the afternoon Holyhead to Manchester working only made it as far as Bangor before running into difficulties with the stock in tow.

18/06/06

08655, also latterly located at TJ Thomson's Stockton, has been on the move by road being noted heading south on the M1 on the 16th. It is understood that it and 08740 have been transported to LH Plant at Barton under Needwood where they are to be joined by / have been joined by 08594 from Wabtec Doncaster. It would appear, pending further information, that these three shunters are to be repaired at LH Group Services, Barton under Needwood.
60042 (WNTR) has completed its transfer to Toton from Tyne via Doncaster whilst 60093 (WNTR) at Didcot is still awaiting transfer.
66022 (still WBAN) has gone through to France, despatch taking place sometime after the 13th.
66411 66412 and 66413 have now been transferred into the DRS XHIM pool ready for entry into traffic. 66411 has been released from Kingmoor venturing up to Mossend this afternoon whilst 66412 and 66413 are still on Kingmoor. All three have been out on test / acceptance runs since their arrival in the UK a few weeks ago.

Plenty of smoke, but is there a fire...?
The last few days has seen a lot of speculation doing the rounds, both from within and outside the company, concerning apparent developments at EWS following reports that auditors had been in to give the outfit a look over. There's no smoke without fire, the saying goes, even though we seem to get proclamations to the effect that 'EWS has been sold or whatever' on an almost monthly basis these days, but this time around the general consensus is that something is in the offing, but what?
At one end of the spectrum the doom merchants have adopted the stance that it's curtains for EWS and that the receivers are about to move in whilst others are of the opinion that the company is about to be sold on, its certainly a leaner set up than it was a couple of years ago when they were initially up for sale. Then there is the theory being passed about that EWS could be broken up into separate regional operations, after all we already have EWSI for the international division so would it be inconceivable to sub divide the UK operation?
Anyway so far it's all conjecture and to date, barring indications that something is to be announced on or after July 5th, there's nothing official regarding anything that may or may not be going on...

17/06/06

37668 37689 37710 and 37712 (all WNTA) have made their move from Healey Mills to Knottingley for de-fuelling etc. 37689 37710 and 37712 were visible outside the shed yesterday whilst it is assumed that 37668 is inside.

16/06/06

08822 (HJXX) has been returned west from repairs at Wabtec being noted traversing the M5 on a low loader near Gloucester yesterday.
60017 stopped at Thornaby with wheelset problems and 60055 stopped at Doncaster Carr for a B exam have been stored WNTR.
60042 (WNTR) latterly dumped in Tyne Yard has been moved south to Doncaster en route to Toton.
90012 (IANA) has arrived at Toton for a repaint into ONE livery.
92026 at Rugby with defective wheelsets and 92039 at Crewe EMD for overhaul have been stored WNTR.

15/06/06

08740 latterly located at TJ Thomson's Stockton was noted on the move by road this afternoon heading south on the M1 near Alfreton, destination unknown.
37411 (WNTS) has been returned to store at Margam, being stopped this afternoon, whilst 60071 (WNTS) was stopped for store at Thornaby yesterday evening.

13/06/06

37402 (WNTR) has been re-admitted to the main shed at Toton whilst recently reinstated 37422 (WKCK) is up on the jacks undergoing a bogie change.
87026 (IWCA) was turned out for a spin with this morning's WCML loco and stock working inbound from Birmingham to London being replaced by 87006 (IWCA) for the afternoon outings.

12/06/06

37411 (WNTS hired to WKCK) returned to the Rhymney circuit yesterday from store at Margam whilst 37425 has been stopped for repairs at Margam.
37668 37689 37710 and 37712 (all WNTA) at Healey Mills, the Warrington four, are booked for transfer to Knottingley.
60028 (WNTS) has been stopped and stored at Margam whilst 60053 (WNTR) is back in the bin at Toton. 60071 (WNTS) is still out and about assigned to Thornaby by the 14th.
66022 (WBAN) has arrived at Dollands Moor in readiness for transfer to France. 66022 which is now hired to the WBEN European pool  left Toton on the evening of the 10th moving initially to Doncaster Belmont behind 67025.
87006 (IWCA) with the return of loco hauled stock to VTWC operations handled the 16:55 1G21 Euston to Birmingham this afternoon. The return should have been the 19:00 1B05 to Euston but the set returned south with a later working at 19:30 due to WCML operating difficulties. The locomotive and DVT have received some world cup embellishments in that both now sport white buffers with a red cross.

10/06/06

47727 (WNTR) has been relocated to Willesden Brent not Wembley Yard as initially reported.
60028 60071 and 60092 were transferred to store yesterday, all from WCBN to WNTS. Whilst 60028 and 60071 are still out and about 60092 has been stopped at Temple Mills.

South Wales 37s...
Further to yesterday's report regarding 37411 and 37425 it transpires that 37425 isn't actually failed as such, it was working yesterday evening, but it has traction motor blower bearing problems so 37411 is being returned to use as cover for it. 37411 is still allocated to WNTS but is now on hire to WKCK until the 15th by which time, theoretically, 37422 will be available from Toton.

09/06/06

08891 (DFLS) at Southampton Maritime has been named 'J.R. 1951-2005'.
20215 (HNRS) on transfer by road from Smalmstown should have completed its journey to Long Marston by now having been noted parked up overnight last night on the A441 near Hopwood Services on the M42.
37411 at Margam has been transferred to the WNTS storage pool swapping places with 37422, still undergoing attention at Toton, which is reinstated to the WKCK pool. That's not quite it for 37411 though as due to the failure of 37425 and the need for a locomotive for the Rhymney diagram 37411 has this afternoon been authorised to receive an exam at Margam and is set to return to use. With regards to 37422, its prospective replacement, it can only be hoped that once it is ready to return things turn out a little better for it this time around however one duty it will not be undertaking is the Fort William sleeper as this diagram will be handled by Class 67s from tomorrow.
47727 (WNTR) abandoned at Willesden Railnet since early 2004 and the cessation of the Royal Mail contract with EWS has been removed and moved a short distance into Wembley Yard.
87012 and 87019 (both GBAC) are set to come off lease with GBRf. Whilst 87012 was in traffic with yesterday's Scottish mail 87019 has been stood down and awaits transfer back to Porterbrook. 87022 and 87028 (both GBAC) are, as far as can be ascertained, being retained for the time being at least.

08/06/06

08576 has completed its transfer to TJ Thomson's at Stockton for disposal. It has been stripped for spares prior to departure from the Battlefield Line.
20215 (HNRS), the last locomotive to have been stored at the Longtown / Smalmstown MoD complex near Carlisle, was removed by road yesterday for transportation to long Marston.
37411 (WKCK) has been stood down at Margam to await transfer to store.
56040 (WNSO) awaiting road transfer to the Mid Norfolk Railway has been released from Immingham and relocated to the nearby docks for collection.
56118 (WZGF) is now back from France, it and 58016 (WZFF) from Dollands Moor have been dragged up to Wembley to await forwarding to Toton. Both are described as being in quite a sorry state.
60018 60039 60046 60050 and 60078 have been put to store, all to WNTS from WCAN, at variously Thornaby, Immingham or Toton. This fleet reduction leaves the Class 60s with 56 examples allocated to the operational pools but this looks set to increase as 60053 (WNTR) has been returned to traffic being noted at the head of an inbound freight into Toton yesterday afternoon.
60093 (WNTR) residing at Didcot is showing as 'transfer' status indicating movement elsewhere is in the pipeline.
66022 (WBAN) at Toton receiving Euro Mods now has a yellow and black striped cow catcher thingy and has gained several other embellishments including a European number and an EWSI sticker on the cab ends.
67002 67004 and 67024 have been stopped and stored at Toton, all are reallocated to the WNTS pool.
90008 (IANA) which has been at Toton for repainting into ONE colours has been re-liveried and released being dragged south from Nottinghamshire this morning behind 66250 on its way home via Wembley meanwhile 90024 (WNTS) has left the paint shop moving to the main building at Toton. It has been repainted but isn't branded yet.
90040 and 92035 have been stored WNTS at Crewe EMD and as far as is known 92035 had not re-entered traffic following reinstatement in April.

05/06/06

08492 (WNSO) has completed its move to Barrow Hill via a stop over at Heanor's whilst 08576 which is understood to be Stockton bound for disposal at Thomson's has been removed from the Battlefield Line for transportation north.
20032 and 20072 (both HNRS), which had been on a weekend lay over at Allely's as suspected, have completed their transfer by road to Long Marston.

Mini trainer...
Re-training for the Class 87s and stock for VTWC continues this week but with 87006 and the usual stock stopped for an exam 87026 has been turned out with a shortened set consisting of just three coaches and a DVT.

04/06/06

08492 (WNSO) en route to Barrow Hill from Motherwell by road has stopped off at Heanor's, Langley Mill. With regards to 20032 and 20072 (both HNRS) heading for Long Marston, if they haven't been delivered yet there is every probability that they are spending the weekend at Allely's before completing their transfer south from Smalmstown.

03/06/06

60066 (WNTR) has been relocated from Worksop to Toton sometime in the last few days. It is easily recognisable from a distance having suffered the attention of graffiti artists whilst at Worksop.

Disposals...
86224 has been completely cut at Hull's Rotherham whilst at Booth's 47725 is now little more than a frame on a set of bogies. 86224 was stored from Longsight and the ICCA pool in July 2002 whilst 47725 was stored from Crewe's WHDD pool February 2003, RIP.

02/06/06

08492 (WNSO) has been extracted by road from Motherwell. It is Barrow Hill bound.
08891 (DFLS) at Southampton Maritime has been noted suitably spruced up with covered up nameplates in situ.
20032 and 20072 (both HNRS) have been recovered from Smalmstown and moved south by road, probably destined to Long Marston, each being noted separately heading south at various places on the M6 today.
37411 (WKCK) is now assigned for N ONE at Margam on the 8th rather than at Temple Mills on the 7th meanwhile at Toton spares donor 37418 (WNTR) has been returned to the main shed from the compound.
43193 dragged to Laira a few days ago is another addition to the FGW fleet being reallocated to IWRP on the 31st.
90008 (IANA) has arrived at Toton for repainting. 90024 (WNTR) remains hidden away inside the paint shop.

01/06/06

Crash test dummy...
31107 (QETS) been moved overnight by road from Derby to Barrow Hill. 31107 is to be fitted out with cameras and prepared for a filming session in which it is to be crashed at speed into a similarly kitted out car to highlight, for the benefit of anyone who doesn't understand the implications of not waiting at level crossings when they should, exactly what happens when you drive in front of and collide with a moving train.

Shunter notes...
No sooner than the apparent sidelining of 08077 (DFLS) at Southampton is mentioned then it is resurrected from the scrap line and returned to use at Maritime being noticed in action yesterday afternoon and this morning. 08994 (WSEM) has been transported north by road from Doncaster to Polmadie, noted at several locations en route yesterday, and 08995 (WNTR) at Margam is showing 'on transfer' so may be one to watch for on the road shortly. Riviera's 08780, latterly located at Wabtec, was on the road this afternoon being observed traversing the A38 near Ripley.

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