28/02/07

08635 (WNYX) has been removed from Toton on a low loader and transported north to Thomson's, Stockton.
08927 (WNTS), the last Class 08 constructed and one that has been purchased privately, is to be moved from Motherwell to Peterborough at some point to feature in this coming weekend's gala on the Nene Valley Railway.
47298 (XHSS) at Barrow Hill has been undergoing component recovery being stripped out to little more than the basic shell in readiness for despatch for disposal.
47710 (SDFR) has been transported from Derby to Kingsbury by road. Devoid of bogies, the shell of 47710, stripped for overhaul some years ago at Derby, was noted early afternoon traversing the M1 near Long Eaton on a low loader en route. 

Loco sales, partial list...
Subject to the usual disclaimers about confirmation, re-sales, purchases not being completed etc. here is a partial list for the 82 locomotives recently offered for sale by EWS...

Brush Type 4 Fund: 47746
CF Booth, Rotherham: 31420 31427 31466
Direct Rail Services (DRS): 47790
European Metal Recyclers (EMR): 08414 08896 08946 37216 37372 37678 37683 37803 47721 47722 47726 47732 47733 47734 47737 47739 47741 47742 47747 47749 47750 47758 47773 47776 47781 47785 47789 47791
LH Group Services: 08913
Private Sales: 08881 08915 08927 37116 47770 47793
Raxstar: 47761 47772
Ron Hull Jr, Rotherham: 47736 47759
RT Rail: 08955
Sandbach Car & Commercial Dismantlers: 08926
Seco: 47635 47727 47783 47784
TJ Thomson, Stockton: 08506 08526 08635 08683 08695 08720 08792 08807 08883 08894 08902 08910 08912 08942 08947 37351 37505 37520 37705
Traditional Traction: 08411 08441 08460 08511
Unknown: 37146 37518 37674 37679 47782 47787
West Coast Railway Company (WCRC): 47760 47786 47792

Traditional Traction have bought the four Class 08s with a view to returning these locomotives to a standard whereby they can be hired back to the railway industry whilst Seco, better known on here for their hire of Class 58s in France during the LGV East construction project, do have UK operations in the south of England with may be a clue as to what they want these Class 47s for.
There is also a tie in between AMEC SPIE, currently hiring in VT 57/3s for their log train operations, and Colas, the parent company of SECO-RAIL, further details of which can be found in a press release on the AMEC web site. Further information about SECO-RAIL can be seen on the SECO-RAIL web site and on the relevant page of the Colas site.

Disposal...
The demolition of 37013, stored from the WKBN pool at Toton back in October 1999, has been completed at Kingsbury, RIP.

27/02/07

08526 (WNTS) one of the locomotives recently sold by EWS, has been moved north from Margam to Thomson's at Stockton, noted en route yesterday traversing the M4 near Newport. With regards to the sales, the list of who got what isn't complete enough to release yet, selling 82 locomotives at once has caused a few headaches at this end, but the sales appear to have been spread between a few private sales, some for preservation, Booth's, DRS, EMR, Raxstar, Ron Hull's, Thomson's and WCRC amongst others.
47717 (SDXL) is being prepared for removal from Barrow Hill to Kingsbury.

26/02/07

43023 (EFPC) has, only ten days after being released from re-engineering at Loughborough, re-entered traffic following re-commissioning at Landore meanwhile 43179 (EFPC) has been released from conversion today being hauled to Landore mid afternoon by 47703.

Returning Tugs...
60014 and 60049 from store at Thornaby, 60027 60039 and 60078 from store at Margam along with 60041 60060 and 60091 from store at Immingham have been returned to service. All are reinstated from WNTR to the WCAN or WCBN Network Sector pools.

Nemesis Rail...
Still all very hush hush, other than it has something to do with the remnants of Fragonset, but two pools have been created for Nemesis Rail locomotives; NRLO for operational and NRLS for stored. 31128 (this one was operating with Cotswold Rail recently) 31454 31468 31601 33103 45112 have been reallocated to the NRLO pool whilst 33021 56011 56021 56022 73104 and 73139 have been reallocated to NRLS.
Besides these transfers several other locomotives from the SD series allocation have been reallocated with 08631 47194 47355 47375 47488 47715 and 47832 being reallocated to the MBDL private owner pool from variously SDFR, SDFL and SDXL whilst 86424, Network Rail's spare can, has been reallocated from SDXL to QETS.

25/02/07

Sapper...
A press statement issued by the Bodmin & Wenford Mainline Diesel Group confirms that 47306, currently awaiting recovery from St Blazey, is indeed destined for preservation on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

"  It is with pleasure that we can confirm the speculation currently surrounding the future of this famous brush type four. 47306 is due to be moved shortly from St Blazey depot to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. The locomotive will be assessed and if all parties content with the condition of the components, the loco will remain at Bodmin into the custodianship of the Bodmin & Wenford Mainline Diesel Group and thus can then be considered preserved.  "

There was also reference to the two resident Class 20s leaving the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and it can be confirmed that 20166 and 20197 are to be joining the HNRC Class 20 fleet in due course. 20166 is seen as a prime candidate for joining the 'commercial' fleet whilst 20197 will have to be fully assessed mechanically, probably at Barrow Hill. As an aside it's 16 years ago this month that 20073 and 20197 worked off Barrow Hill depot, the last BR working prior to the depot closing.

Waverley...
Recently relocated to Long Marston from Ludgershall 47701 was, after some minor attention, started up for the first time in a long time on the 22nd. Cargo-D, who are using 47701 on site to heat stock as required, wish to extend their sincere gratitude to the members of the Brush Type 4 Fund who assisted in returning 47701 to operational status.

Convoy vid...
Video footage of 47826 leaving Clapham Junction on the 22nd with 47145 47709 and 47712 in tow can be seen in this YouTube video clip.

24/02/07

43147 (EFPC) has re-entered traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

WCML derailment...
Yesterday's 1S83 17:15 Euston to Glasgow service, VT Pendolino 390033, came off the track last night at Greyrigg, between Oxenholme and Tebay, on the WCML. All nine carriages were derailed with several sliding down the embankment. Although the derailment will have been at line speed, over 90mph at this point, the coaches appear to have held together very well structurally. Regrettably there are casualties and, at the time of writing, one fatality reported. Further information and speculation into the cause of this tragic incident can be found at the BBC web site and Sky News online.

23/02/07

58009 58032 and 58046 (all WZFF) were hauled from Wembley to Eastleigh this morning in the consist of the 6O10 service. 58032 has evidently been moved up from Dollands Moor in the last few days to join 58009 and 58046 at Wembley prior to transfer to Eastleigh.
66026 (WBEN) at Toton is ready for despatch to France.
86235 (SAXL) was unloaded at Long Marston late on the 21st following its movement there by road from Derby.

Network Rail DBSOs...
Four former Anglia DBSO vehicles; 9702 9703 9708 and 9714, have been purchased by Network Rail. It is understood that they are to be prepared to work with the Network Rail locomotives alleviating the need to have two locomotives top and tailing the various test train formations.

22/02/07

37422 (WKCN) was moved to Warrington from Bescot during the night and is booked to be hauled to Allerton today.
43035 (EFPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled away to Landore behind 47703 this morning.
47145 and 47712 from Clapham Junction along with 47709 from East Ham have been rounded up by 47826 (MBDL) and hauled north to Carnforth. Officially they are for storage on arrival at Carnforth so consequently these three Class 47s, along with 31468 31601 31602 and 47355 currently languishing unsold at Derby, are, pending developments, being added to the storage lists. 47145 from SDFL, 47709 and 47712 from SDFR have been reallocated to the MBDL pool.
86218 and 86232 (both SAXL) have been admitted to Glasgow Works for attention being transferred north from Carlisle Kingmoor this morning behind 37229.
90021 (WNTS) at Toton has been out-shopped from the paint facility in First ScotRail colours as sported by 90019 and 90024.

Ped v Espace...
The footage featuring 31107 and the staged level crossing incident due to have been aired on the BBC Top Gear programme a few weeks ago has been rescheduled to go out in the next episode, Sunday 25/02/07 at 20:00.

21/02/07

37422 (WKCN), with a noticeably oil spattered body side indicating liner and or piston problems, the jinx continues, has been dumped in Bescot Yard pending developments.
43027 and 43188 (both EFPC) have been deposited at Brush Traction for re-engineering, being transferred up from Landore today to Loughborough by 47703, whilst 43314 (IECP) recently released from Brush has re-entered traffic with GNER.
47826 (MBDL) has been despatched from Carnforth to East Ham. Reports indicate that it is to collect 47709 from East Ham then 47145 and 47712 from Clapham Junction, these have all been embargoed since the FM Rail collapse some weeks ago, and transfer them to Carnforth. As far as can be ascertained at this point, whilst things are vague with regards to 47145 and 47709, it appears that WCRC have acquired 47712. 47832 meanwhile, has been acquired by Victa Westlink outright.

20/02/07

Tugs...
60018, returned to use a few days ago, has now been reinstated, reallocating from WNTR to WCAM. 60018 swaps places with 60061 which has been stored WNTR at Toton.

EWS 37s...
37411 (WNTS) and 37425 (WNTR) left Didcot shortly before 10am running light to Margam and back to store. 37425 was under power hauling 37411 which had failed yesterday, it transpires, hence the delay in returning them to South Wales.
Allerton bound 37422 (reinstated to WKCN this afternoon) only worked as far as Didcot last night where it remained until early evening today before setting off northwards behind 66143 in the consist of the 7M28 to Bescot. 37422, reportedly faulty again, has displaced 37410 from WKCN to WKBN.

Eurosheds...
The Euroshed allocation has been increased by two following the transfer to WBEN of 66031 66033 and 66245, all are stopped for modifications at Toton, whilst 66011 has been reallocated back to the normal fleet transferring to WBAI.

92s...
92022 has been stopped and stored WNTR at Crewe EMD. Its replacement, a curious choice being one of the SNCF machines, reinstated to WTAE, is 92028.

Repatriates...
56038 and 56091 (both WZGF) have been moved up from Dollands Moor to Wembley Yard. 58032 (WZFF) remains at Dollands Moor whilst 56078 and 56106 (both WZGF) along with 58035 (WZFF) are still to be returned from France.

Shunter news...
08802 from store at Allerton has been reinstated to the WRWM pool but 08897, a recent arrival at Warrington from Allerton, has been stored WNTR at Warrington. Remote control fitted 08854 at Cardiff has been transferred to the WSAW pool with 08757, currently at Acton, taking its place in the WSLS pool.

Derby Can...
86235 (SAXL) has been moved across from Derby RTC to Derby Etches Park from where it can be removed by road. It, 86223 and 86233, are Long Marston bound.

Prologis 08...
MOLO allocated 08375 was delivered to Prologis Park, on the site of the old Coventry Coal Pit, just off the Coventry to Nuneaton line, on the 5th. Interestingly, as can be seen in a YouTube video clip, 08375 is another RT Rail shunter with RMS Locotec branding.

45112 to go mainline again...
Although billed as its farewell to the mainline when it went to Holyhead on January 27th with the Tubular Belle tour Cotswold Rail have 45112 on the itinerary for the return leg of a tour to Minehead scheduled to run on May 28th for the handover of 47840 into preservation.

"  Cotswold Rail, in association with the DEPG, Porterbrook Leasing and The Blue Pullman Train Co Ltd are running a Special Excursion from Derby to Minehead on the 28th May 2007, to officially mark the handing over of Class 47 number 47840 'North Star' from Porterbrook Leasing to the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group at Minehead. The train, that will operate under Cotswold's own train operating company, Advenza Freight and will encompass the delightfully traditional and exquisite Blue Pullman Train. To make the day even more special, the return journey is expected to be hauled by the only mainline registered Class 45, number 45112.  "

45112 is also booked, subject to availability, to feature on a tour by Heartland Rail from Gloucester to Penzance and return scheduled to run on July 21st.

19/02/07

37422 (WNTR) was returned to Eastleigh this morning from Westbury in the consist of the 6O41 service hauled by 66237 but is now on its way north. Due to join 37410 at Allerton for GSM-R fitment 37422 is working its passage to Warrington overnight being noted en route at the head of 6V27 with the allocated Class 66 train locomotive dead in tow. 37411 (WNTS) and 37425 (WNTR) have remained at Didcot today awaiting their transfer to Margam and back to store.

18/02/07

EWS 37s...
37401 and 37422 (both WNTR) have been engaged in engineering duties today, 37401 at Tamworth whilst 37422 ran down to Devon late yesterday for infrastructure duties at Totnes today. 37411 (WNTS) and 37425 (WNTR) were to have taken the ECS from yesterday's tour north from Bristol to Crewe today but no crew could be found for this so eventually 37411 and 37425, with the stock, presumably is now Old Oak Common bound, ran to Didcot instead. It is anticipated that 37411 and 37425 will be making their way to Margam at some point tomorrow to be returned to store.

SDAC and SDED disbanded...
The three hired Class 86s that had been allocated to the FM Rail SDAC pool, 86223 and 86233 at Oxley along with 86235 at Derby, have been reallocated to the SAXL, does Long Marston beckon for these three now?, whilst 73107, embargoed on the Mid Hants Railway, has been reallocated from SDED to the MBEL private owner electric locomotive pool indicating that it has been sold for preservation or at least to a private concern.

33109...
Another locomotive secured for preservation is 33109, currently located at Crewe LNWR, which has been acquired by the people involved with 33117 on the East Lancashire Railway.

17/02/07

EWS 37s...
As booked 37411 (WNTS) and 37425 (WNTR) handled today's Bard n Birch Railtour. 37401 (WNTR) has remained on hand at Bescot whilst 37422 (WNTR) retired to Bristol Barton Hill after delivering the tour stock from Old Oak Common.

16/02/07

EWS 37s...
37401 (WNTR) has been released from Motherwell and was brought south overnight to Bescot in the consist of the 6M76 service from Mossend behind 92034 before entering service working between Bescot and Washwood Heath today.
37411 (WNTS) and 37425 (WNTR) have been pressed back into service from store at Margam for the weekend. They worked a loaded test run from Westerleigh at the head of the 6B47 working with 60099 tucked inside and are booked to work the 'Bard n Birch' tour tomorrow.
37422 (WNTR), its paperwork now in order, is also back in action and has been tasked with delivering the ECS from Old Oak Common to Bristol overnight tonight for tomorrow's tour.

Eurotunnel 92s...
The five Class 92s purchased by Eurotunnel are 92020 92021 92032 92040 and 92044.

Power car notes...
43314 (IECP) left Brush Traction today in tandem with 43048 (IMLP) which came in with 43167 (IECP), 43167 under power it transpires, late yesterday afternoon. 43023 and 43177 (both EFPC) have also been released from re-engineering being hauled away to Landore today behind 47703.

15/02/07

37422 (WNTR) had been booked to work the morning 6Y26 Eastleigh to Quidhampton and return workings today but although 37422 was sighted in Eastleigh Yard early on for the Quidhampton job it was covered by 67023. 37422 has since returned to Eastleigh depot whilst its paperwork is updated.
43167 (IECP) has been hauled to Loughborough this afternoon, by 43048 from Neville Hill, for admission into the MTU re-engineering program at Brush Traction. It swaps places with 43314 (IECP) which is ready for release following re-engineering and renumbering from 43114.
60018 (WNTR) at Toton, one of several Class 60s being prepared for a return to use, has been pressed back into service.
90021 (WNTS) was moved from Crewe EMD to Toton yesterday for repainting. Presumably it will become the third Class 90 to go into the First ScotRail scheme.

Eurotunnel Class 92s...
It has been announced that Eurotunnel have purchased five of the seven redundant and long term stored former Eurostar Class 92s currently languishing at Crewe EMD.

"  Eurotunnel said Thursday that in line with its development policy, it has acquired five Class 92 locomotives for GBP2 million following a tender offer launched by Eurostar, the owner of a fleet of this type of engine. The Class 92 locomotives are Tunnel compliant and the value of the acquisition is slightly above GBP2 million (EUR2.9 million), the company said. This investment demonstrates Eurotunnel's desire to develop cross-Channel rail freight and to make the most of its know how in the sector through its subsidiary, Europorte 2, it said.
These multi-current electric locomotives, built in the United Kingdom, between 1993 and 1996, by Brush Traction have a maximum power of 5MW (6800 horsepower) and a top speed of 140 km/h. Following a major service, they will join Eurotunnel's existing fleet of 57 shuttle pulling locomotives. "

The seven Class 92s, five of which will be part of the deal outlined above, stored at Crewe since April 2001, are 92020 92021 92032 92040 92044 92045 and 92046.

37/4s...
In light of recent developments with 37401 and 37422 and the requirement for two EWS Class 37s for the Pathfinder 'Bard n Birch' tour from Bristol to Birmingham on the 17th time for a look at the *operational* EWS Class 37 fleet...

37401 WNTR Motherwell, wheelset attention
37405 WKBN Aberdeen, snowplough duties
37406 WKBN Oxwellmains, out of service since failing there on the 12th
37410 WKCN Allerton, GSM-R fitment
37417 WKBN Inverness, snowplough duties
37422 WNTR Eastleigh, paperwork issues

...a list that doesn't yet include 37411 (WNTR) that, at Margam, is also undergoing attention with a view to being returned to action.

14/02/07

37422 (WNTR) did venture out from Eastleigh today as anticipated being employed in a shunting manoeuvre at Southampton Western Docks before returning to Eastleigh.
43147 (EFPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being removed to Landore by 47703 this afternoon. There were no arrivals today but it is believed that 43314 (IECP) is ready to go and its release back to GNER is imminent.
57314 (ATTB) has been up the West Highland line today running from Polmadie to Crainlarich and back testing things out before AMEC commence running south with logs from Scotland. To date the Chirk Class 57/3 hauled wood supply has been coming from Carlisle.

13/02/07

08993 (WNTR) from Washwood Heath, replaced by 09014 (WSNE) transferred in from Healey Mills yesterday, and 08995 (WNTR) from Thornaby have been moved to Doncaster Carr where they join 08994 (WSEM) to be prepared for their forthcoming duties on the Manchester Metrolink revamp.
37401 (WNTR) at Motherwell is being prepared for a return to service to bolster the EWS 37/4 fleet whilst each locomotive visits Allerton for fitment of GSM-R signalling equipment. 37410 (WKCN) is at Allerton at the moment. 37422 (WNTR) at Eastleigh also looks set to make a return as for a time today it had been allocated to work from Eastleigh to Fawley and back tomorrow.

Disposal...
The disposal at Kingsbury of 08607, stored from Toton's ENSN pool back in March 1996, has been completed, RIP.

12/02/07

08492 and 08527 at Barrow Hill have been reinstated to the HNRL pool pending developments.
47840, a recent re-entry into traffic, has now been formally reinstated however it joins the FGW Class 57s in the EFOO pool at Old Oak Common rather than going into service with Cotswold Rail as had been anticipated.
56018 56087 and 56105 (all WZGF) along with 58046 (WZFF) have been moved up to Wembley Yard from Dollands Moor whilst 58004 and 58015 (both WZFF) have been moved from Wembley to Eastleigh at some point.

More Freds...
Freightliner have registered fourteen yet to be delivered Class 66s on the system, 66582 to 66594 inclusive along with 66625. All have been allocated to FD but are listed in the MBDL private owner pool rather than the more normal DF series Freightliner pools.

Power Car notes...
43168 (EFPC) has re-entered traffic being noted on the 07:45 Paddington to Swansea this morning. FGW have had a further shuffle with their fleet with several power cars being reallocated between Laira, Landore and St Philips Marsh.

11/02/07

47840 (SBXL) re-entered traffic proper today, ECS duties yesterday, running from Old Oak Common to Landore with a FGW coach in tow.
66071 (WBEN) is on its way to France, noted at Wembley yesterday en route to Dollands Moor from Toton.

10/02/07

43129 (EFPC) has been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore but fire prone 43176 (EFPC) has been sent back to Brush Traction, Loughborough. Water and foam ingress has not done its power unit any favours.
47727 (WNTR) was moved the short distance from Willesden Brent to Wembley Yard yesterday to await forwarding to Old Oak Common.

09/02/07

47701 (MBDL) has been removed from MoD Ludgershall for transportation by road to Long Marston, being noted near Warwick en route this morning.
47840 (SBXL) latterly at Crewe EMD for attention including tyre turning has been released and has made its way light engine from Crewe to Old Oak Common.

08/02/07

Power car notes...
Not previously recorded was the transfer to Loughborough by road from Plymouth Laira of 43159 (EFPC) at the beginning of the month for re-engineering at Brush Traction. 43135 and 43163 (both EFPC) have been returned to service following re-commissioning at Landore.

Disposal...
This time there is a pile of bits where 08448 was last stood so for the second, and hopefully the final time, the demolition of 08448, stored from Bescot's MSNB pool back in January 1994, has been completed at Kingsbury, RIP.

07/02/07

60011 at Toton has been reallocated back to a storage pool, its spell as a 'Eurotug' over, transferring from WBEN to WNTR.
92026 has been stopped and stored WNTR at Crewe EMD.

FM Sales...
As part of the dispersal of the FM Rail locomotive fleet the following has been established. 33046 has been purchased by a private buyer, joining 33008 and 33053, another recent purchase. EMR (European Metal Recycling) are understood to have secured Barrow Hill residents 47053 and 47717, Derby intern 47710 and the twelve Class 47s at Kineton; 47186 47201 47219 47226 47228 47280 47293 47307 47313 47314 47335 and 47360. Cotswold Rail are mooted to be acquiring some more locomotives but, to date, no details have been forthcoming whilst rumours are doing the rounds regarding the emergence of an operation to be known as Nemesis Rail.

06/02/07

43051 43056 and 43057 (all IMLP), the other three power cars for GNER to leave Neville Hill, were removed today by 31452. Whilst 43051 and 43057 have been deposited at Wabtec, Doncaster for resurrection to working order 43056 has been taken on to Brush Traction at Loughborough and therefore becomes a possible candidate for re-engineering prior to entering traffic for GNER.
60007 and 60015 from store at Immingham and Thornaby respectively have been reinstated, both to the WCBK pool. These are direct replacements for 66205 and 66235, reallocated from WBAK to WBAN to replace 66026 and 66249 which have been added to the WBEN Euroshed pool.
66623 and 66624 were unloaded from MV Fairload at Newport Docks this morning. 66623 has blue body sides with Bardon Aggregates decals.

47810...
Cotswold Silver has been applied to 47810 at Oxley.

" Monday 5th February 2007 47810 became the first vehicle to emerge from Alstom's new spray paint facility at Wolverhampton. The shop which has recently received funding of £4m - that also includes a wheeldrop - will see a further six Cotswold Rail (CR) locomotives receive the corporate Cotswold colour scheme. This work will be additional to the servicing and maintenance already undertaken at Oxley for CR
Sean Graham, Alstom's Traincare Centre Manager said "I am delighted to be working closely with Cotswold Rail with their continued expansion plans with our new facilities, and being able to uphold their corporate public image".
As well as the re-livery of the fleet, Alstom and Cotswold have also agreed an external maintenance program that will see all of the locomotives receive 3 monthly external examinations and 'touch ups', to ensure the external appearances remain 'fresh'.
47810 will be named 'Captain Sensible' at Brighton as part of the Heartland Rail charter from Gloucester to Brighton on 10th February 2007, with train guests from the Damned including the Captain himself who has laid on a special gig at a local pub on arrival at Brighton, immediately after the naming. "

05/02/07

56303 (now RCJA), out of use for sometime but a recent visitor to Derby for repairs, has returned to use with Fastline. Today it worked a service from Birch Coppice after running south light engine from Doncaster.

Freightliner locomotives for sale...
Several redundant Class 47s and Class 86s are being made available for purchase by Freightliner to selected interested parties. Up for grabs are 47197 47270 47279 47292 47302 47303 at Crewe Basford Hall, 47309 and 47358 at Southampton Maritime, 47370 at Ipswich along with 86606 86615 and 86620 at Crewe EMD. The Class 86s have been offered for sale before.

Correction...
Although part of its cab is missing it has been established that 08448 is still with us at Kingsbury.

04/02/07

43018 (EFPC) was hauled by 47828 from Landore to Loughborough yesterday and deposited at Brush for re-engineering.

Disposal...
The cutting of 08448, stored from Bescot's MSNB pool as long ago as January 1994, has been undertaken at Kingsbury. As far as can be ascertained its demolition was complete by the end of January, RIP. (See correction above)

No Ped on TV...
Probably omitted due to the recent fatal crossing collision in Scotland the item involving 31107 and the staged collision was not included in today's Top Gear show.

03/02/07

Eurosheds...
66028 (WBEN) released from being modified for work abroad left Toton behind 66102 yesterday afternoon. Not previously noted was the return from France of 66038 (WBEN) which was deposited at Toton on January 29th. Its stay back in the UK has been brief however as it was despatched south from Toton this afternoon behind 59202.

Deja vu...
Back in traffic following its exhaust fire nine days ago 43176 (EFPC) today again required the attention of the fire brigade when on the rear of this mornings 08:00 Swansea to Paddington service it caught fire on the approach to Didcot resulting in the evacuation of the station whilst the fire on the power car was extinguished. 43176 wasn't the only Western Region traction on fire today as 57604 (EFOO) suffered a bogie fire shortly after departing Paddington early this morning at the head of the 1C02 to Penzance service. 60095 was requisitioned to drag the ensemble back into Paddington where 57604 was substituted for 57602.

02/02/07

31461 (CREL) has been removed from Derby RTC to Shackerstone, Battlefield Line on a low loader.
43124 and 43136 (both EFPC) have been deposited at Brush Traction, Loughborough for re-engineering. They were conveyed north this morning from Bristol St Philips Marsh behind 31128.

More on the Blue Pullman...
Further to yesterday's press release from Cotswold Rail with regards to their acquirement of the Blue Pullman a statement from Victa Westlink has been issued...

"VICTA WESTLINK RAIL PASSENGER CHARTER OPERATIONS - A STATEMENT

Victa Westlink Rail are committed to continue to operate and expand the long-established Hertfordshire Railtours programme of all-1st class full-dining day and weekend excursions, together with the the Merrymaker programme of bargain-priced day trips. It is a fact that some - but certainly not all - of the Blue Pullman coaches have been purchased by a third party, but this will in no way compromise our full-dining trains, as the HRT programme over the years has never been `tied` to one particular set of coaches.
The Victa Westlink Rail core business has been - and will continue to be - the operation and development of freight traffic. Passenger charters are an important supplementary activity to this, utilising marginal locomotive and traincrew resources. This will include steam operations, where these can be demonstrated to be cost-effective. We are currently recruiting additional drivers and commercial staff, and we are engaged in positive on-going discussions with several locomotive and rolling stock providers, with a view to establishing a core fleet of diesel and electric locomotives, plus rolling stock, that will enable Victa Westlink Rail to meet our expanding freight and passenger commitments."

Two Riviera Class 47s, 47839 and 47853 most likely, and Rivera's blue set are allocated to tomorrow's Kings X to Buxton charter.

01/02/07

43130 (EFPC) has re-entered traffic with FGW following re-commissioning at Landore.
47703 (CRRH) which had been engaged in a redundant wagon transfer from Cornwall to Long Marston yesterday was hired in by FGW to pilot 57603 on the sleeper service up to London from Penzance last night. 47703 is set to return to Cornwall with tonight's overnight working to Penzance.
56303 (SDFL) latterly at Derby for repairs has been returned to Doncaster.

Ped on telly...
The footage featuring 31107 and its staged conflagration with a Renault Espace in Lincolnshire last August will be a feature of the next episode of Top Gear, Sunday 04/02/07 at 20:00. http://www.topgear.com/content/timetoburn/sections/galleries/other/tg_preview2/12/

Blue Pullman...
Further to yesterday's notes about Cotswold Rail and the Blue Pullman there has now been an official announcement by Cotswold Rail confirming the taking over of this operation.

"The company, that took possession of the assets from the FM Rail 'Blue Pullman' at 00.01 this morning, aims to uphold and retain the traditional train that has been recently experienced by many when operated under FM. Mainline status of the set will be retained under the sponsorship of Gloucester based rail operator Advenza Freight Ltd, that has its own UK National passenger operators licence.
Richard Clark, Advenza Freight Head Of Commercial said, "It is fantastic news that the Blue Pullman has followed me to Advenza and its place in railway history maintained", he continued "I am absolute passionate about this train, every time it enters service people are impressed with it's style, panache and quality. The X factor of charter sets"
The train can be booked for any purpose including Corporate events. Charters will also be run by Advenza's sister company, Heartland Rail using this set as a 1st Class full-diner emulating the sets previous use.
With the replacement from the set of brake vehicle number 9513 by a more modern example the train will, in the very short future, see the introduction of full disabled facilities.
Our new web-site will be launched in the next few days. It is considered that the set will continued to be based at East Ham depot in London for at least the next few weeks."

Nene Valley Metronet...
It has now been confirmed that GBRf will be supplying a Metronet Class 66 for the Nene Valley Railway Gala, 03/03/07 & 04/03/07. It will be working one round passenger turn before being placed on static display for inspection. The Metronet Shed will be running alongside 08484 D9516 D9520 D9523 31271 33063 40106 56003 56057 56098 and the Class 117 DMU.

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