30/11/06

08701 (WSXX) from Tyne Yard was still on the road this morning noted heading south westwards on the M5 shortly after 11:00.
56051 56060 and 56090 (all WZGF) have been brought up from Dollands Moor initially to Wembley Yard where they were joined by 56103 (WZGF) for the trip round to Old Oak Common this afternoon behind 59203.
56065 and 56117 (both WZGF) are also on their way up from Dollands Moor having being included in the consist of the 17:32 6B43 Wembley bound service behind 92003 which however, had suffered a failure en route in the Maidstone area.
66049 (WBEN) is now in France, despatched through the tunnel in the last couple of days.
86234 86245 86247 and 86260 (all SAXL) have completed their move to Long Marston being hauled on the final leg from Bescot Yard by 60042 this morning.

GNER MTU power cars...
Four HST power cars have been renumbered into the new GNER number range. 43090 43100 and 43120 already at Brush along with 43114, delivered to Loughborough today for re-engineering, have been renumbered to 43290 43300 43320 and 43314 respectively. 43300 may be released from Brush tomorrow.

More EWS sheds sectorised...
Some more EWS Class 66s have been reallocated to the new sector pools with three code being reactivated and revised. The Industrial sector has been allocated 23 locomotives which are transferred to WBAI (EWS Industrial Class 66) whilst the Construction division has been allocated 18 locomotives, these are reallocated to pool WBAK (EWS Construction Class 66). The energy sector has been given 77 Class 66s and these have reallocated to WBAM (EWS Energy Class 66). These changes leave 99 Class 66s still allocated to WBAN which has not yet been revised from EWS Class 66 nationwide so either there are some more changes to come or at some point the pool designation for WBAN will be updated.

Disposal...
As far as can be ascertained the remains of 31306 have at last been disposed of at Old Oak Common, to be honest there was very little left of it above sole bar level mid month anyway. 31306 was stored from the WMAN pool at Old Oak Common back in August 1999, RIP.

29/11/06

08701 (WSXX) from Tyne Yard has been removed by road being noted in the Washington area mid afternoon today. It is reportedly Margam bound.
60063 has been stopped and stored WNTR at Toton swapping places with 60074 which is reinstated to initially WCAN then WCAI (see below) from store at Toton.
66420 (now XHIM) was collected from Glasgow Works by 66404 this afternoon.

47714, 43164 and their recent wanderings...
Following on from yesterday's note about 43164 heading back to Loughborough with 47714 it transpires that they were en route to collect 43141 (IWRP), another re-engineered power car, and 47840 (SBXL) which has been released for use with Cotswold Rail although further attention is required before it can enter service. From Loughborough 47714 hauled 43141 43164 and 47840 to Gloucester where 47840 was deposited, pending a trip to Eastleigh for repairs, before continuing through to Landore with 43141 and 43164.

EWS pools revamp, sectorisation takes shape...
Several further reallocations have been put through and the structure of the sectorised fleet is starting to take shape. At the time of writing all the Class 37s, Class 59s and Class 67s have been attended to along with the Class 66 'Lickey Banker' sub group and the RETB equipped Class 66s. Basically the pool identity structure is W for EWS followed by A for Class 67, B for Class 66, C for Class 60 etc. as before. The third slot (to date) has A for general, B for RETB fitted, C for Cardiff / South Wales and L for Lickey Bankers whilst the fourth character denotes the sector; I for Industrial,  K for Construction, M for Energy and N for Network.

Taking a closer look at the changes put through to date may help understand what is to follow.

Class 37: Their four Class 37s have been reallocated to Toton with 37405 37406 and 37417 transferring from WKBM (EWS Class 37 RETB) to WKBN (EWS Network Class 37 RETB) whilst 37410 transfers from WKCK (EWS Class 37 S Wales) to WKCN (EWS Network Class 37 S Wales)

Class 59: Transferred en masse from Temple Mills to Toton 59201 to 59206 inclusive are reallocated from WDAG (EWS Class 59) to WDAK (EWS Construction Class 59)

Class 66: The five 'Lickey Banker' Class 66s have been split between two sectors, Energy and Industrial. 66055 66056 66057 66059 are reallocated from WBLN (EWS Class 66 Lickey) to WBLM (EWS Energy Class 66 Lickey) whilst 66058 reallocates from WBLN (EWS Class 66 Lickey) to WBLI (EWS Industrial Class 66 Lickey). The RETB fitted examples have been split between all four sectors with 66099 66104 66106 and 66107 being reallocated from WBBM (EWS Class 66 RETB) to WBBN (EWS Network Class 66 RETB), 66111 from WBBM (EWS Class 66 RETB) to WBBI (EWS Industrial Class 66 RETB) and 66114 reallocating from WBBM (EWS Class 66 RETB) to WBBK (EWS Construction Class 66 RETB). The remaining nine RETB equipped Class 66s, 66100 66101 66102 66103 66105 66108 66110 66112 and 66113 are still allocated to WBBM but this pool code is now designated as EWS Energy Class 66 RETB.

Class 67: 67001 67002 67003 67005 67006 67008 67012 to 67023 and 67025 to 67029 are reallocated from WAAK (EWS Class 67) to WAAN (EWS Network Class 67) whilst the RETB examples 67004 67007 67009 67011 and 67030 are reallocated from WABK (EWS Class 67 RETB) to WABN (EWS Network Class 67 RETB).

The pool codes WBLN and WDAG are now obsolete.

EWS Pools revamp, more sectorisation...
Since the above report was published the allocation changes for the Class 60 have been put through. The A and B designation between those with standard fuel tanks and those with extended range fuel tanks has been retained, WCAx for the 990 gallon tank examples and WCBx for the 1150 gallon tank tugs, and the active fleet has been split between the Industrial, Construction and Energy sectors. The pool codes WCAI and WCAK are back in use albeit revised whilst three new pools have been created; WCAM WCBI and WCBK. All are still based at Immingham.

The 990 gallon tanked Class 60s formerly allocated to WCAN have been distributed between three sectors with WCAI (EWS Industrial Class 60 990 gal) getting 23, WCAK (EWS Construction 990 gal) getting 8 and WCAM (EWS Energy Class 60 990 gal) being allocated 7. The 1150 gallon tanked Class 60s formerly allocated to WCBN have been split between Industrial and Construction with WCBI (EWS Industrial Class 60 1150 gal) being allocated 19 and WCBK (EWS Construction Class 60 1150 gal) getting 10.

Three Class 60s appear to have not yet been 'sectorised' with 60014 and 60100 still being allocated to WCAN whilst 60027 is still allocated to WCBN although the designation for these two pools may at some point be amended to the EWS Network sector

28/11/06

43164 (IWRP) was on its way back to Loughborough this afternoon behind 47714. Although released from re-engineering at Brush on the 24th whilst en route to Landore 47714, with 43164 in tow, was commandeered by FGW for sleeper duties out of Paddington and 43164 was deposited at Old Oak Common.
58034 (WZFF), returned to the UK from France on the 24th, was hauled from Wembley to Eastleigh in the consist of yesterday evening's 6X28 working behind 66041.
86218 and 86232 (both SAXL) have now completed their transfer to Kingmoor from Immingham Railfreight Terminal behind 66414. Although they were to have been taken through to Carlisle last night the ensemble only made it as far as York yesterday where the convoy was laid up overnight before continuing their transfer to Carlisle this afternoon.

WAAN / WABN...
The Class 67 allocation has been revised with two new pools WAAN and WABN replacing WAAK and WABK respectively.

27/11/06

20905 (XHNR) has been returned to Barrow Hill after a period on hire to DRS. It and 37038 (XHNR), for repairs, were hauled to Barrow Hill this afternoon by 37194.
86218 and 86232 (both SAXL) were extracted from Immingham Railfreight Terminal during the afternoon for transfer to Kingmoor with 66414 being provided for haulage to Carlisle via Scunthorpe, Doncaster, York and Hexham.

26/11/06

09104 (WNXX) recently transported to Thornaby from Allerton is to donate parts for the repair of 09201 (WSNE) also a recent arrival at Thornaby from Knottingley to where 08776 (WNTR) has been despatched as cover for 09201.

Toton notes...
Not previously noted was the arrival at Toton, a couple of weeks ago, of 08623 (WNTR) from Temple Mills whilst 58012 (WNXX) has, at some point, been returned from the depot to the adjacent compound.

25/11/06

66049 (WBEN) is on its way to France and had relocated to Dollands Moor by this evening to await transfer through the tunnel. 66049 has been to France before spending some time over there as a static training locomotive.

EWS pools reshuffle...
It would appear that EWS are to recast their fleet pool allocation with, so far, the four operational Class 37s being reallocated to new pools. 37405 37406 and 37417 latterly allocated to Motherwell (ML) and WKBM have transferred to Toton (TO) and WKBN whilst 37410 is reallocated from Margam (MG) and WKCK to Toton and WKCN. Both these pool codes have been used before but this time around it is most likely that the B in WKBN is for Scotland and RETB whilst the C in WKCN is for Cardiff and the Rhymney service locomotive. More to follow no doubt...

24/11/06

43129 and 43147 (both IWRP) didn't reach Loughborough yesterday it transpires, only Derby. 47714 and the power cars completed their transfer to Brush, Loughborough today exchanging places with 43164 (IWRP) extracted for transfer to Landore.
86234 86245 86247 and 86260 (all SAXL) have left Immingham Railfreight Terminal being hauled, as 7Z86 by 60019, to Bescot Yard this afternoon to await forwarding to Long Marston.

Work in progress...
The demolition of 56061 at Thomson's, Stockton is underway.

23/11/06

43129 and 43147 (both IWRP) were hauled to Loughborough this morning for re-engineering at Brush behind 47714 from Bristol. No news as yet however, regarding 43164 which was due to have emerged today whilst there are indications that the release of 43300 has been delayed until late next week.
60066 (WNTR) was transferred up to Thornaby from Toton a couple of days ago for wheelset attention.
92029 from store at Crewe EMD has been reinstated to WTAE.

Temple Mills...
Not quite closed yet. 08561 (WNXX) and 37694 (WNTR) have been moved inside, both showing signs of being stripped for spares. 08872 (WZTS) is back in use as depot pilot and 08786 (WSLN) is on site for repairs with parts probably being donated by 08561.

22/11/06

87002 (IWCA) absent from the Euston to Birmingham job for the last couple of days went out on test this morning prior to returning to working the 1G21 etc. diagram this afternoon. 87002 had been on repair and although it was available by yesterday afternoon 390011 had already been allocated.

Shunter notes...
08588 (MOLO) has turned up for duties at Ilford as planned, it arrived on the 20th, however there has been no word on the transfer north of 08613 which is due to go to Wabtec for attention. 09201 (WSNE) from Knottingley has been taken north by road to Thornaby where it has swapped places with 08776 (WNTR), the latter being taken south by road this afternoon, noted near Thirsk traversing the A19.

Power car notes...
43129 and 43147 (both IWRP) are the next two power cars heading for Brush for MTU re-engineering. 43147 was hauled from Laira to St Philips Marsh this afternoon by 47714 where they will pick up 43129 for the trip to Loughborough tomorrow. 43164 (IWRP) is ready for collection and should be moving to Landore tomorrow after the delivery of 43129 and 43147. Recent rebuilds 43125 and 43155 (both IWRP) are now in traffic with FGW whilst the first MTU power car for GNER 43100, or 43300 as it should be by now, is understood to be coming out on the 24th and is likely to be going to Neville Hill for inspection / re-commissioning.

21/11/06

08888 (WNTS) recently moved up to Worksop from Doncaster Carr is now back in active use whilst 09021 (WNXX) transported out from Doncaster Carr yesterday has been delivered to Immingham.
31460 and 47229 (both SDXL) have been hauled north from Derby to TJ Thomson's at Stockton. Noted en route through Chesterfield behind 47709 shortly before 7am this morning the convoy completed its journey to Thomson's shortly after 10am.
43154 (IWRP) has entered traffic with FGW.
66036 (WBEN) following transfer south yesterday from Leicester has made it across to France via Acton and Dollands Moor.
89001 (ACXX) currently residing at Barrow Hill has, following an appeal by the ACLG for funds to purchase this locomotive, been successfully secured for preservation. Further details are available at the AC Locomotive Group Website.

20/11/06

08567 (WNYX) has, as far as can be ascertained, been delivered to Doncaster Carr from where 09021 (WNXX) was extracted from on a low loader today.
37688 (XHSS) is in the final stages of its overhaul at Loughborough having being noted on test at Brush yesterday.
56049 and 56103 (both WZGF) have returned from France and whilst 56103 has been deposited at Wembley Yard to await further arrivals 56049 was dragged round to Old Oak Common in convoy with 56007 56059 and 56071 (all WZGF) this morning by 67020.
66036 (WBEN) has left Toton for France being hauled south from Leicester early this afternoon by 66078.

18/11/06

58021 (WZFF) is back from France and has been taken to Eastleigh already being hauled there from Wembley Yard last night by 66065.

17/11/06

09104 (WNXX) has followed 08567 (WNYX), still AWOL since being sighted near Crewe late on the 14th, out from Allerton being transported to the North East and Thornaby. It was unloaded this morning.
08995 (WNTR) currently in store at Margam is being prepared for transport by road to Doncaster.
60003 en route to Toton from Rotherham early evening and 60041 sidelined at Immingham have been stored, both WNTR, swapping places with 60030, reinstated to WCBN from store at Toton, and 60068 reinstated to WCAN from store at Immingham.
60066 (WNTR) has been out on a test run from Toton today.

IRFT clear out...?
It's looking like a clear out at Immingham Railfreight Terminal is on the cards with the news that the ten Class 86s on site (86205 86218 86226 86232 86234 86235 86245 86246 86247 and 86260) are being prepared for transfer elsewhere. Long Marston is to be the destination for most of these however 86235 is, along with 47550 and 56022 also on site, the responsibility of FM Rail whilst there are unconfirmed reports that a couple of Class 86s are to go to Carlisle for evaluation by DRS at Kingmoor.

16/11/06

20315 (now XHNC) recently returned to Kingmoor following attention at Glasgow Works is now back in traffic.
43026 (IWRP) has been released from re-engineering at Brush being collected and hauled away to Landore by 47813 today. There were no arrivals.
60074 (WNTR) from store at Toton has been out on test whilst 60068 (WNTS) recently reported working on Humberside has been returned to Immingham to await developments.

15/11/06

08567 (WNYX) from Allerton is on the move by road being observed at M6 Junction 16 near Crewe late last night.
31190 (SDFR) now in early style BR green with half height yellow ends and sporting its original number D5613, repainted for filming purposes, was hauled by 31454 from Barrow Hill to the GCR (North) yesterday.

VTWC 87s, endgame update...
Further to the earlier report a few days ago it appears that the end of the cover diagram may be sooner than initially anticipated with the news that the Pendolino modification program is almost complete therefore once the full Pendolino contingent is available again then the need for the Class 87 and stock ceases to be.

43300...
It has been indicated that 43300, undergoing re-engineering at Brush Traction, Loughborough and to be renumbered from 43100, is to be handed over to GNER on the 22nd.

14/11/06

MOLO on the move...
Three MOLO allocated Class 08s have been noted on the move by road today. In numerical order, 08588 from repairs at Wabtec was noted heading south on the M1 near Chesterfield this morning whilst 08756 which has been involved with the resurrection of the Stirling to Alloa line was removed from Kincardine this afternoon. Lastly 08873 latterly located at LH Group Services at Barton under Needwood, which although still allocated to MOLO is no longer an RT Rail machine, has been despatched north being noted heading up the M6 near Crewe at lunchtime today.

Work in progress, resumed...
Cutting work at Old Oak Common has resumed with 31306 losing what was left of its residual bodywork and a start being made on the demolition of 31308.

13/11/06

47348 (SDXL) was, after being sighted near Rotherham on the 9th, delivered to Hull's as suspected.
58027 and 58049 (both WZFF) have been moved from Wembley Yard being hauled to Eastleigh via the early evening 6O28 working behind 66065.
60068 (WNTS) has been returned to traffic from store and attention at Immingham.

VTWC 87...
The VTWC Class 87 and stock cover diagram is set to be wound up with the forthcoming December timetable change so at the moment it is looking like Friday December 8th for the finale. 87002 is still at the helm with 87006 being maintained at Wembley. As for 87007 it is now highly unlikely that it will see use at all.

12/11/06

66038 (WBEN) left Toton yesterday en route to France.

11/11/06

08888 (WNTS) put to store at Doncaster Carr a few weeks ago has been transferred out to Worksop.
58007 58011 and 58050 (all WZFF) were hauled from Wembley Yard to Eastleigh last night in the consist of 6X28 behind 66236.
60036 (WNTR) was moved from Immingham to Toton on the 8th. It has already been admitted for attention.

10/11/06

87012 and 87019 at Wembley, reportedly awaiting a move abroad, have been de-registered from the system. They were allocated to SBXL.

Willesden RIP...
London is set to loose another depot shortly with the news that Willesden is to close in May 2007, May 18th being provisionally set as the closure date. The Silverlink 313s are expected to go to Bletchley (or Northampton?) for maintenance, but as far as is known, a decision regarding the 508s and the GBRf locomotive fleet and their respective future maintenance requirements is yet to be reached.

09/11/06

20315 (XHMW) has been released from repairs at Glasgow Works being hauled south to Kingmoor by 66410 which had deposited 37197 and 66420 (both XHMW) at Springburn for attention. 66419 (XHIM) is now in service.
43135 and 43168 (both IWRP) were delivered to Brush, Loughborough yesterday evening for re-engineering whilst 43153 (IWRP), fresh from conversion, was released and hauled to Landore this morning. Both moves being undertaken by 47813.
47348 (SDXL) noted heading north on the M5 yesterday then at Woodall Services on the M1 near Rotherham this morning will have been delivered to Hull's, more than likely, by now.
47810 (SBXL) has been returned to traffic from repairs at Norwich.

08/11/06

47348 (SDXL) was extracted from Meldon by road yesterday. Its current whereabouts are unclear but it has been advised that it is Rotherham bound.
47805 47812 47839 47843 47847 47848 and 47853 have been reallocated back to the RTLO pool from XHNC, a development that confirms that the hire by DRS of the Riviera Class 47s is now over.
56007 56059 and 56071 (all WZGF) have returned from France in recent days. All three being recorded as having arrived at Wembley Yard by the 6th.
86401 (ACAC) has, since being observed traversing the M42 yesterday morning, been deposited at Long Marston where it joins the AC Locomotive Group's 73138 already on site. 86401 is to be fitted with TPWS.

DRS notes...
37197 sidelined at Kingmoor has been reallocated to the XHMW pool pending its transfer to works for attention meanwhile fellow XHMW allocated 66420 is to go to Glasgow Works, booked to go north tomorrow, for sorting out. It is anticipated that 20315 will be coming south after 66420 is delivered.
37059 ventured down to Long Marston yesterday to collect a set of coaches, 6FO and an RFM, which will become part of a DRS charter train.

Shunter notes...
08484 (ARZN) latterly to be found in the Felixstowe area has turned up at Goodman's, Sutton Coldfield whilst 08936 (CREL), from hire to Alstom at Wembley, has been transported to Gloucester.

07/11/06

86401 (ACAC) recently moved from LNWR at Crewe to the nearby Heritage Centre has left the Crewe area altogether now being noted on the move by road traversing the M42 this morning.

06/11/06

08770 (WNTR) from store at Margam has re-entered traffic in the Cardiff area.
47200 (CRRH) is not moving to Barrow Hill this week, as originally planned for repairs, its move north having being deferred for the time being however Cotswold Rail are set to move 43135 and 43168 (both IWRP) to Brush instead on the 8th for re-engineering at Loughborough. It is understood that 43153 (IWRP) is ready for collection.
47805 47812 47843 47847 47848 and 47853 (all XHNC) along with 47224 (DHLT) 47769 and 47815 (both RTLO) were noted parked up outside Crewe LNWR yesterday.

RT Rail notes...
Following on from the despatch of 08756 from Doncaster to Scotland RT Rail have advised that 08819 is next to be overhauled at Wabtec. In addition 08588, latterly in use at Peak Forest and more recently on the CTRL in East London, has been admitted to Wabtec for a C exam and electrical repairs after which it is planned for 08588 to replace 08613 at Ilford. 08613 is due a power unit change.

04/11/06

31190 (SDFR) despatched to Barrow Hill for a repaint from its current maroon scheme is understood to be going green. Initially the livery will be as authentic 1960s as possible for a filming exercise taking place mid November on the GCR North after which yellow ends and required stripes and other markings will be re-applied.
47200 (CRRH) currently sidelined at Gloucester is set to move shortly, Wednesday 08/11 pencilled in for the move, to Barrow Hill where repairs have been contracted out to HNRC. 20096 (ADFL) is expected to be coming south via the return working for Cotswold Rail staff training at Gloucester. Meanwhile 47810 (SBXL) currently sidelined at Norwich Crown Point is being repaired and will be returning to the CR series pool allocation shortly. Its recent transfer to SBXL described as being a clerical error.
66032 (WBEN) has been despatched through to France.

Dreads...
66407 66409 66412 and 66413 have been reallocated from the XHNR 'sandite' pool to the general Intermodal XHIM pool swapping places with 66403 66405 and brand new 66416 and 66418 which are now allocated to XHNR. 66419 is yet to enter traffic whilst 66420 has been reallocated to the XHMW pool which lends weight to the rumours that it has been built with a non UK spec cab.

03/11/06

Foreign investments...?
EWS are offering 37702 and 37888 (both WKGS) for sale, both of which having being on hire to GIF are currently sidelined in Spain. Further details for any interested parties are on the 'for sale' page.

02/11/06

08756, overhauled for RT Rail at Wabtec Doncaster, has been released being despatched north yesterday by road to Kincardine to work on the Stirling to Alloa line which is being rejuvenated.
20901 (HNRL) now at Barrow Hill for planned attention was collected from Flixborough and brought in by road after 20066 was despatched to Scunthorpe a couple of days ago.
43125 (IWRP) completed its transfer to Landore today, behind 47714 from Gloucester, whilst 43133 (IWRP) has now returned to traffic.
47812 (XHNC) 47815 (RTLO) 47843 and 47848 (both XHNC) made their way south in convoy this afternoon from Carlisle to Crewe with 37610.
58027 and 58049 (both WZFF) are the latest to return from France and have been deposited at Wembley Yard with the other Class 58s awaiting forwarding.

01/11/06

08454 (ATXX) undergoing an E exam at Longsight has lost its Silverlink colours currently being painted plain black. 08611 (ATXX) from Longsight has relocated to Edge Hill swapping places with poor condition 08887 (ATLO) which is now at Longsight.
43125 (IWRP) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction, Loughborough. Collected by 47714 this afternoon it has been hauled to Gloucester and is to be forwarded to Landore tomorrow for re-commissioning.
60100 from store at Toton has been reinstated to WCAN.
66032 (WBEN) is France bound being hauled from Toton to Bescot by 67029 with 66139 this afternoon whilst the Euroshed fleet has been expanded yet again with the transfer today of 66062 and 66064 to the WBEN pool from WBAN.

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