30/04/07

37116, following a stop over at Heanor, Langley Mill, was delivered to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway and into preservation on the 28th.
47840 (EFOO) has returned to Brush Traction, Loughborough for cosmetic attention prior to its hand over to the West Somerset Railway and preservation in a few weeks time.

Kingsbury arrivals...
Both being transported in by road 31421 from the Midland Railway Centre and 47360 from MoD Kineton have been deposited at Kingsbury today.

Hull Trains HST...
Cotswold Rail's 47810 was despatched to Long Marston this morning to collect some coaches for transfer to Derby and 43103 (SBXL) for movement to Brush Traction, Loughborough. However in the event the power car was not transported north with the stock and will now have to be moved to Loughborough at a later date by road. 43103 and 43121, to be collected from Wabtec at Doncaster, are to be prepared for use by Hull Trains in lieu of the continued absence of 222103 and will run in a 2+5 HST formation, refurbished to the same standards as the First operated HST sets being on the WR.

29/04/07

Kingsbury...
As far as the records are concerned both 47726 and 47781 have been broken up at Kingsbury during this month however it should be noted that their respective disposals were mixed up and that the remains of a Class 47 finished off a few days ago were of 47781 not 47726 as recorded.
With regards to 47741 it has been discovered that it hasn't been moved to Kingsbury yet as per the earlier report, its continued presence at Toton, parked with 47758 near the paint-shop this morning, is confirmed.
In the middle of the yard at Kingsbury we have 20145 37678, then in order of arrival, 47789 47722 47721 47742 47335 and 47313, still on a trailer, whilst 47737 47733 47734 47750 and 47749, all brought in by rail, are still on the reception siding near the perimeter. Several piles of scrap metal can be viewed, these being the remains of 31102 47726 and 47781.
Not previously mentioned was the sighting of a pair of sheeted up and unidentifiable RES Class 47 cabs observed on the back of a low loader heading southwards on the M5 motorway near Gloucester on the 25th. It is possible these were from either 47726 or 47782, the latter of which has been scrapped at Stockton, see below...

Disposal...
The demolition of 47782, stored from Crewe's WHCD pool September 2003, was completed about a week ago at Thomson's, Stockton, RIP.

31421...
The shell of 31421 at the Midland Railway Centre is shortly to be despatched to Kingsbury for disposal.

28/04/07

47313 has been delivered to Kingsbury by road from Kineton, being noted on site this morning still perched on a low loader, however conspicuous by its absence is 47741 (WNXX) which although removed by road from Toton on the 25th hasn't, it transpires, been deposited at Kingsbury. There is also a discrepancy with the Class 47s disposed of this month, more of which, hopefully sorting out a couple of items, in the next update.

Disposal...
The disposal of 31102, stored over 11 years ago from Bescot's LBDB pool back in November 1996, has taken place at Kingsbury, RIP.

Freightliner 57s, fleet report...
Earlier today with the farewell entries into the system as FARE WELL.

57001 DFTZ Marcroft Stoke, repairs
57002 DFTZ Ipswich, available
57003 DFTZ 0K41 Daventry to Crewe Basford Hall, allocated A exam
57004 DFTZ 4M47 Felixstowe to Hams Hall, allocated 0L90
57005 DFTZ 0B04 Eastleigh to Southampton Maritime, allocated 0Z61
57006 DFTZ Lawly St FLT, available
57007 DFTZ Crewe Basford Hall, allocated farewell
57008 DFTZ Crewe Basford Hall, allocated farewell
57009 DFTZ 0K41 Daventry to Crewe Basford Hall, allocated farewell
57010 DFTZ Crewe Basford Hall, allocated farewell
57011 DFTZ Leeds Midland Rd, allocated farewell
57012 DFTZ 4M73 Felixstowe to Ditton, allocated 0K72

27/04/07

08782 (WRWM), a recent arrival in South Wales, possibly broken already, has been transported by road from Cardiff Tidal to Margam swapping places with recently resurrected 08951 (WNTS) which has taken up duties at Tidal.
66587 66589 66590 66591 and 66592 (all DFIN) have entered service running north from Newport to Crewe en masse late afternoon / early evening.

More trading...
It would appear that Seco are to give up 47635 (MBDL), currently being restored to working order at Eastleigh Works, for preservation in a swap deal that sees 47749, currently languishing at Kingsbury, being secured and traded for it.

Disposal...
At Kingsbury the demolition of 47726, stored from Toton and the WHTN pool back in October 2002, has been completed, RIP.

Barrow Hill convoy...
31128 (NRLO) hauled 31468 31601 (both MRLO) 33021 (NRLS) and 47375 (MBDL) from Derby RTC to Barrow Hill this afternoon thus clearing the RTC of the none RVE operated locomotives. It has been indicated that the 47375 may receive mechanical attention at Barrow Hill whilst the Class 31s and 33021 are on a short term stop over pending transfer elsewhere at a later date.

Freightliner 57s...
With the arrival of the latest batch of Class 66s for Freightliner six of their twelve Class 57s are to come off lease with 57007 to 57012 inclusive being rounded up for a return to Porterbrook and redeployment elsewhere. 57008 57009 and 57010 at Basford Hall are as good as stopped whilst 57011 has been despatched to Leeds Midland Rd for hand-back repairs leaving just 57009 and 57012 from this batch in service. The blue team at Carlisle are likely to still have an interest in these whilst the maroon brigade at Carnforth are thought to have their names on a couple of Class 57s when available...

Power Car notes...
43156 (EFPC) has been hauled to Brush Traction for re-engineering swapping places with 43018 (EFPC) which is released following its rebuild. 47810 was provided for these transfers meanwhile 43160 (QCAR), part of the Hitachi Hybrid HST scheme, in unbranded First style blue has also been released from Brush Traction, by road, to the Great Central Railway for tests and display at this weekend's event.

26/04/07

37259 (XHMW) has been released from repairs at Glasgow Works, a bogie swap with 37029 and a repaint, being hauled back to Kingmoor by 66404 early this afternoon.
47335 was transported yesterday from MoD Kineton by road to Kingsbury. Another Class 47 is expected to follow from Kineton shortly.
66245 (WBEN) left Toton for France yesterday spending last night stabled on Bescot awaiting forwarding south. It and 66033 66246 and 66249 (all WBEN) still at Toton have received the Euro Cargo Rail branding.
66588 66593 and 66594 (all now DFIN, a new pool) have been released from Newport Docks running north to Crewe, 66594 leading, late afternoon.

Shunter notes...
08807 (WNYX) was brought down on a low loader this morning from Motherwell to Thomson's at Stockton after which 08635, sold for preservation, was loaded and transported south to the Severn Valley Railway. The transporter is due to go to south Wales to move 08951 (WNTS) from Margam to Tidal. 08951, recently brought down from store at Allerton, has been repaired and is returning to traffic.
08790 (ATLO) has been deposited at Oxley where it is to replace 08653 (WRWM) hired in from EWS. 08790 is now named Starlet, its previous name MA Smith being of local importance, has been transferred to Longsight resident; 08721.

Sales amendments and a spot of conjecture...
It has been indicated that the five Class 08s earlier advised as sold to either EMR or Thomson's but diverted to Goodman's at Sutton Coldfield have now been acquired by Goodman's whilst 47783 and 47784 (both WNXX) at Crewe DMD rejected by Seco are now to go to Hull's at Rotherham.
31452 (CROL) at Gloucester is now an ECT Mainline Rail locomotive following the completion of its sale by Cotswold Rail whilst 47785 (WNTR) awaiting recovery from Motherwell is understood to be another sale on potentially for preservation. There may shortly be developments with 47733 47734 and 47749 at Kingsbury whilst rumours persist regarding a trade off with EMR and Riviera at Crewe for 47747 (WNTR) at Millerhill.

Chopperfest...
To celebrate fifty years of the Class 20s in service the Class 20 Locomotive Society are having a bit of a do at the midland Railway Centre next month...

"The Class Twenty Locomotive Society is pleased to announce 'Chopperfest' on the 18th,19th and 20th May at the Midland Railway Centre, a unique and entertaining event not to be missed by any enthusiast!! With numerous Class 20s from the preserved stock and DRS working trains and all the usual static exhibits based at the Midland Railway centre."

Further details can be found on the Chopperfest web site.

Further power car notes...
Not previously noted was the transfer of 43124 and 43136 (both EFPC) from Brush Traction to Landore behind 47810 on the 16th.

25/04/07

47741 (WNXX) has been transported from Toton to Kingsbury by road today.
66245 (WBEN) at Toton is ready for the off to France having being put on transfer status.

More shunters on the road...
08790 (ATLO) latterly at Longsight was observed heading south this afternoon near Warrington and Crewe whilst former Castleton resident 08782 (WRWM), a remote control equipped example, was moved south to Cardiff Tidal by the 21st.

21/04/07 - 24/04/07

08881 (WZTS) hasn't been transported to Barry as theorised, but has been deposited at Goodman's at Sutton Coldfield.
31602 (SDPP) out-shopped from Derby in Network Rail yellow has re-entered traffic.
47742 (WNXX) has been transported from Toton to Kingsbury by road, it was extracted from Toton on the morning of the 23rd. The two remaining Class 47s at Toton, 47741 and 47758, are expected to follow in due course.
66110 (WFMU) is back in the UK following wheelset tests in France whilst 66123 and 66241 (both WBEN), the two Eurosheds with ECR markings, are now in France.
73114 (NRLS) as a replacement for the usual Class 14 on the CTRL, has been transported from the Battlefield Line to the CTRL in East London.
86615 (DHLT) rejoins 86606 having being transferred by road from Crewe EMD to Hull's, Rotherham.

MTU / Power car notes...
43029 and 43128 (both EFPC) have been admitted at Brush Traction for re-engineering, 43029 being delivered by road on the 13th whilst 43128 was hauled to Loughborough on the 20th by 47810 which in turn took 43126 (EFPC) away on the 20th to Landore for re-commissioning. 43367 (IECP), the former 43167, was released to Neville Hill on the 24th being escorted away from Loughborough to Neville Hill by 43082 which had earlier brought in 43109 (IECP) for its rebuild.

Pool changes...
Cotswold Rail have added 47715 to their listings reallocating it from MBDL to the CRRH pool. It remains at the NRM York.
EWS have been busy again swapping Class 60s, Class 66s and Class 67s between the various operations pools and the new WFMU pool. The WBEN Euroshed allocation has been increased again, to 34, with the addition of 66213 and 66218. As for the rest of the reallocations between the various pools, many of which a reversals of earlier reallocations, or as in some cases a reversal of an earlier reversal, it could be construed that keeping the allocated locomotives to the diagrams within the individual sectors isn't quite going to plan...

Shunters on the road...
08873 (MOLO), usually to be found at Trafford Park, Manchester, was noted on the M62 yesterday whilst 08937 has been despatched by road back to the Dartmoor Railway from Wabtec.

Resistance is futile...
66587 to 66594 inclusive, another eight of, have arrived at Newport Docks.

20/04/07

08881 (WZTS) from Motherwell has been transported south today being noted on the M6 near Carlisle at 08:30 and passing Warrington at 12:30. Privately purchased there were indications some weeks ago that this one had been earmarked to go to Barry but whether this is still the case remains to be seen.
43306 (IECP) which has been back to Brush Traction for rectification work has been released again being hauled by 47703 this morning to Neville Hill for re-commissioning.

Another game of two halves...
Like 47726 chopped in half at Kingsbury a few days ago, it is still in this condition, 47782 recently deposited at Thomson's, Stockton has also been cut into two halves and its disposal is well underway.

Not quite the right shade of blue but...
It has been indicated that DRS have acquired 47709 and 47712 (both MBDL) currently languishing at Carnforth.

19/04/07

08077 (DFLS) at Southampton Maritime has been returned to stored unserviceable status so looks to be back 'in reserve' now.
08484 (ARZN) has been moved by road from Goodman's at Sutton Coldfield to St Philips Marsh but was supposed to have been deposited at Cardiff Canton, the low bridge on the access road no doubt getting in the way again. Noted on the M42, M4, after being turned back from Cardiff, and M32 motorways en route 08484 has been repainted in a mid all over blue colour scheme.
47829 (now XHSS) has at last been collected by DRS and moved the short distance from Crewe DMD to Crewe Gresty Bridge for assessment / repairs.
66123 and 66241 (both WBEN) have left Toton for France, awaiting forwarding from Wembley this morning, whilst 66073 and 66229 (both WBEN) were despatched abroad a few days ago. 66110 (WFMU) in France is showing 'transfer' status so looks set to be heading back to the UK.

18/04/07

31319 (QETS) has completed its move from Throckmorton to Derby where it is to be stripped for spares prior to being released for disposal. Meanwhile 31102 (QETS), its number panels cut away shortly after arrival at Derby from Throckmorton a few weeks ago and can be found on this web site dedicated to the collection of flame cut number panels, has been removed by road from Derby to Kingsbury for breaking up.
47488 (MBDL) has joined the other ex FM Rail Class 47s for sale being hauled up from Barrow Hill to Carnforth this afternoon by 47854.
47787 (WNXX) awaiting collection from Healey Mills, earlier reported to be a private sale, is now understood to be heading to WCRC at Carnforth.
86606 (DHLT) completed its transfer to Hull's, Rotherham from Crewe via Heanor's on the 16th.

Shed shuffle...
A whole raft of EWS Class 66 reallocations between the sectors has taken place, many reverting to their earlier allocation reversing the changes put through earlier in the month. Transferring in from WFMU 66065 66096 66143 66165 66196 66214 66242 and 66250 have rejoined the main sectors whilst 66025 66066 66105 66108 66164 66185 66189 and 66225 are reallocated to WFMU. Also transferred into the WFMU pool are 66031, in a sorry state at Toton, and 66110, the non modified Class 66 currently in France. Both had been allocated to the WBEN pool and are replaced by 66206 and 66208 which have been reallocated to the WBEN Euroshed pool.

Grid 57...
Further to the earlier report that 56057 was being sold on it transpires that no deal has been done however the locomotive, currently domiciled on the Nene Valley Railway, is being put up for sale and the relevant details are published in the 'for sale' section.

17/04/07

43122 (EFPC) has been noted in service following re-commissioning at Landore.
66123 and 66241 (both WBEN) at Toton are now sporting 'Euro Cargo Rail' logos in place of the large body side EWS lettering. The other Eurosheds despatched abroad have been sent unbranded, without the EWS logo.

Tug shuffle...
There have been some changes within the Class 60 allocations with several locomotives being reallocated between the various sectors. The original WFMU quartet are now back in the normal pools being replaced in WFMU by 60021 60036 60048 and 60063. One oddity noted is that 60062 has been reallocated from the short range WCAN pool to the long range WCBM pool.

WFMU reduced...
37405 67011 and 92034 have been reallocated from the WFMU pool back to their respective WKBN, WABN and WTAE pools.

Delayed Ped on the road...
Yesterday's proposed road transfer of one of the Class 31s from Throckmorton to Derby failed to materialise but 31319 (QETS) is on the move today being noted on the M42 mid afternoon on an Allely's low loader. This in turn has delayed the transportation of 31102 (QETS) away from Derby for disposal.

Kineton 47s...
Activity at Kineton suggests the stored Class 47s on site are being prepared for removal, all are sold to EMR. It has been suggested that their movement to Kingsbury may take place by rail although road transfer is more likely.

6/04/07

08993 (WNTR) 08994 (WSEM) and 08995 (WNTR), all very tidy following repaints and white wheel rim treatment, are lined up at Doncaster Carr. Next stop Bury...?

Ped on the road...
A second Class 31, either 31200 or 31319, is being / is to be transferred from Throckmorton to Derby today by road.

Work in progress...
The demolition of 47726 at Kingsbury is underway, the locomotive has been cut in half.

15/04/07

31465...
Recently put up for sale by HNRC, 31465 has now been sold and will be leaving the Dartmoor Railway to Barrow Hill in due course where it will be repaired and prepared for a return to mainline use. HNRC and its future owners recognise the efforts of BRE Ltd with 31465 whilst it has been used at Meldon and a farewell day has been arranged for it for May 5th. Further details can be viewed on the Dartmoor Railway web site.

Class 47s still for sale...
47488 at Barrow Hill, 47145 47355 47709 and 47712 at Carnforth are still being advertised as available for sale on this page at the GVA Grimley web site.

14/04/07

86606 (DHLT) has been removed from Crewe EMD by road to Heanor's at Langley Mill prior to despatch to Hull's at Rotherham.

Disposal...
The carcass of 37131 has been dismantled at Booth's, Rotherham already, cutting being completed this morning. 37131 was stored from Bescot and the WKSN pool back in December 1999, RIP.

13/04/07

08947 (WNXX) has been moved by road from Westbury to Merehead today. It would appear that this is another resale with Foster Yeoman taking over ownership of this one.
08993 (WNTR), one of the three low height Class 08s shortly to be transferring to Bury for the Metrolink revamp, has been noted in use, repainted and on test in Doncaster Wood yard.
43024 and 43169 (both EFPC) have been noted back in service following re-commissioning at Landore.
47635 and 47727 (both MBDL) at Eastleigh Works are being prepared for a return to action for Seco and their operations in the south of England. More Class 47s are required by all accounts, but only if they are in decent condition.
47761 (WNTR) recently purchased by the 47401 Project for spares has been noted up and running at Margam.
66123 and 66241 (both WBEN) have been returned to Toton. Their visitation to Leicester yesterday, was, it transpires, a test run out rather than their despatch abroad.

47732 & 47749...
The Stratford Class 47 Group, the purchasers of 47732 recently deposited at Tyseley, are appealing for photographs of their locomotive in service, either as 47732 or in its earlier guises as 47580 or 47167 or D1762. Any photographs being made available can be sent to Andre at this e mail address.
Meanwhile Martin Nixon (e mail), trying to drum up support for a rescue attempt for 47749 (City of Truro), currently languishing at Kingsbury, advises that about half the anticipated purchase price has been pledged so far, so drop him a line if you want to help save 47749 from the torch.

12/04/07

31602 (SDPP) on long term hire to RVE looks set to be joining the Network Rail fleet as a repaint in to NR yellow is underway at Derby.
37100 (HNRS) at Barrow Hill has been stripped out but unlike 37131 which has been transported from Barrow Hill to Booth's, Rotherham for disposal, 37100 would appear to be in the initial stages of receiving an overhaul. More yellow paint required no doubt...
66123 and 66241 (both WBEN) have left Toton for France being noted at Leicester this morning en route with 66147.

Disposal...
The demolition of 47781 at Kingsbury was completed this morning. 47781, a large hole cut into its flank a few days ago to enable removal of internal components, was stored from Crewe's WHCD pool in September 2003, RIP.

Trading places...
Whilst there are rumours that 47292 (DHLT) at Basford Hall may be a candidate for a re-sale into preservation there have been indications that 31113 and 56057 are being / are to be purchased by a private buyer whilst it would appear that 31452 recently offered for sale by Cotswold Rail is to be heading to Mainline Rail.

Hired help...
66601 (DFHH) was hired to EWS this morning to work the 09:30 6M56 Lindsey to Rectory and 6E82 return oil tanks. No doubt the failures of 60048 and 60054 this morning didn't help the situation.

11/04/07

37405 (WFMU) and 37422 (WKCN) were paired up for today's 6P24 Manchester Metrolink ballast working into Bury and 6P25 empties away. 37405, the last operational EWS Class 37/4 yet to visit Allerton for GSM-R, was brought down from Scotland to partner 37422.
47770 (WNXX) has been hauled by rail from Bescot to Tyseley and into preservation, 57601 being provided for its transfer.
66073 and 66229 (both WBEN) off to France left Toton during the afternoon behind 66040.

Disposal...
Cutting has resumed at Kingsbury and the heavily already stripped remains of 56029, stored from Immingham's WGAN pool back in December 1999, have been disposed of, RIP.

10/04/07

Eurosheds to go...
66073 and 66229 (both WBEN) at Toton are showing 'transfer' indicating that their despatch to France may be on the cards.

WFMU survey...
37405 has reached Motherwell whilst 37417 can be found at Allerton for GSM-R fitment. 60018 60046 60056 and 60090, all the Class 60s allocated, are in use, 66004 66116 66131 66143 and 66166 are out of use at Toton but 66014 66065 66096 66165 66196 66214 66242 and 66250 are in service. 67011 is also in traffic with 67009 92012 and 92034 available.

System deletions...
The following locomotives have been de-registered from variously the WNTR, WNXX, WNYX and WZTS pools; 08411 08460 08926 08946 37116 37146 47732 47749 47750 47773 47782 and 47793. 47635 and 47727, Seco's Class 47s, have been reallocated from WNTR to MBDL.

09/04/07

37131 (HNRS) at Barrow Hill for component recovery has been stripped out to a shell.
47761 (WNTR) awaiting recovery from Margam has been sold on again and the 47401 Project, its new owners, have advised that 47761 will be utilised as a source of spares for 47401 and 47417 once it is relocated to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley.

08/04/07

47780 (SDXL) at Barrow Hill has been dug out and positioned in the 'station' area indicating that it is ready for collection and removal by road.

07/04/07

37146 (WNXX) was removed from Tyne Yard by road yesterday afternoon and has been transported west to Kirkby Stephen where it joins 20169 and 31410 in preservation.

Springburn in trouble...
At the head of a Sheffield bound tour returning from Scotland 47826 (MBDL) ran into difficulties near Beattock with smoke trailing from the locomotive. 47854 was called upon to assist from the rear to get the train into position where the fire brigade could attend. Reports as to the severity of the fire varied at the time of the incident but will be probably be nothing worse than a traction motor fire. After a three hour delay the charter was underway again with 47854 at the helm whilst 47826 was left at Beattock, to be collected at a later date.

South Wales shunters...
08951 (WNTS) last noted on its way south on a low loader from Allerton has been off loaded at Margam as anticipated. Another recent arrival at Margam is recently reinstated 08770 (WSGW) latterly in use at Onllwyn which has been replaced there by 08523 (MOLS), an RT Rail / RMS Locotec / Mainline Rail / ECT machine, transported south during March.
Things are not faring too well with the WSAW shunter fleet, these are remote control fitted and required for shunting duties at Allied Steel and Wire, Cardiff. All the South Wales allocation are stopped at the moment. 08466 has been on long term repairs at Margam and 08752 is away at Eastleigh with shifted cranks. 08854 has been stopped at Cardiff Tidal with an auxiliary generator fault whilst 08921, also at Tidal, has suffered shifted cranks.

06/04/07

47782 (WNXX) hadn't made it to Thomson's last night as, it transpires, it was still on its way north yesterday evening and was unloaded at Thomson's this morning. The trailer was then despatched to Tyne Yard where, by lunchtime, it was on site to remove either locally sold 37146 or EMR bound 37803. There have been no reports of either of these being noted on the move since though.

Disposal...
The demolition of 31110 which, it turns out, was a runner after all when it left Barrow Hill for disposal, has been completed at Thomson's, Stockton. 31110 was put to store from Old Oak Common and the WMAC pool back in February 2001 before being selected to represent the Class in the EWS WMOC heritage fleet, RIP.

05/04/07

08951 (WNTS) has been transported south by road from Allerton, probably to Margam, being noted both on the M6 and M5 motorways on a low loader during the course of today.
33046 has entered preservation at the Midland Railway Centre having being transported there by road from Derby today.
47782 (WNXX) should have completed its transfer by road to Thomson's, Stockton by now being noted traversing the M1 this morning en route north from Old Oak Common.

Yesterday's convoy...
It has been confirmed that 47749 and 47750 (both WNXX) have been deposited at Kingsbury whilst 47732 (WNTR) and 47773 (WNXX) were taken through to Tyseley and private ownership yesterday evening as suspected.

More ownership changes...
It has been indicated that Barrow Hill resident 47780 (SDXL) has been sold to EMR whilst Cotswold Rail have acquired 47715 (MBDL) which is currently located at the NRM York. Cotswold Rail are to release 47338 (CROL) for disposal and offers are being invited for 31452 and 31461 which are being put up for sale. Lastly WCRC are said to have purchased 47363 47368 47489 47525 47526 and 47972 (all SDXL), all of which are in various states of disrepair at Carnforth.

04/04/07

31110 being dismantled at Thomson's, Stockton is down to little more than a frame and one cab now.
43010 (EFPC), showing signs of frontal collision damage, has been hauled up from Old Oak Common to Loughborough by 47840 as part of a stock transfer to Derby whilst 43185 (EFPC) has returned to traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.
47782 (WNXX) has left Old Oak Common by road and is on its way north overnight tonight to Stockton. Thomson's have purchased this after Nemesis Rail, the original buyer, unsurprisingly considering it's little more than an empty shell, pulled out of its purchase.
47793 (WNTR), removed from Healey Mills by road on the 1st, was delivered into preservation at the Mangapps Railway Museum, Burnham on Crouch in Essex, yesterday.
66585 (DFHG) has entered traffic running north light engine from Newport to Crewe this afternoon.

Healey Mills convoy...
WCRC despatched 47854 to Healey Mills to remove four more 'sold' Class 47s by rail to Tyseley via Kingsbury. As far as can be ascertained, reports doing the rounds suggest that 47756 and / or 47775 were involved but both of these are long since scrapped, the four removed today were 47732 (WNTR) 47749 47750 and 47773 (all WNXX) which, if so, will have seen 47749 and 47750 being deposited at Kingsbury this evening before privately purchased 47732 and 47773 were taken through to Tyseley. 47854 was noted shortly before 10pm in the Wolverhampton area heading home light engine.

WFMU update...
37405 remains awaiting collection from Inverness but 37417 was hauled to Motherwell from Aberdeen today by 66103. 60018 and 60046 are still in service being joined by 60056 60090 66096 66196 66214 67011 and 92034 which have returned to use or are available for use since the last report. These developments lend weight to the school of thought that the WFMU pool is a sort of contingency pool from which the other sectors can 'borrow' locomotives from as and when required.

03/04/07

37401 (WNTR) has arrived back at Toton and is returned to store.
47355 (MBDL) from store at Derby has been hauled north to Carnforth. 47851, making its first appearance in traffic since last autumn, was despatched south from Carnforth this morning but it failed at Preston en route to Derby and had to await rescue in the form of 47854. 47854 then ran through to Derby with 47851 to collect 47355 then completed the trip back to Carnforth with both 47355 and 47851 in tow.
47635 and 47727 (both WNTR) have been collected from Old Oak Common and Wembley Yard respectively, 47635 being tripped to Wembley, and hauled to Eastleigh by 47703 where they have been admitted to the works for further storage pending developments.

More extractions from Healey Mills...
WCRC are to return to Healey Mills tomorrow to collect some more Class 47s. Showing 'transfer' therefore favourites for removal tomorrow are Tyseley bound 47732 (WNTR) and 47773 (WNXX) along with possibly 47750 (WNXX) which, quite interestingly, is now showing K/GEN on the system, something it won't get if its still destined to go to Kingsbury.

WFMU...
EWS have created a new pool code coded WFMU titled Fleet Management Unit. This pool appears to, in the main, be for locomotives out of service or temporarily surplus, for example 37405 and 37417 which have just come off snow plough hire duties in Scotland. Twenty-four locomotives had been allocated, one of which has since been stored, leaving twenty-three currently allocated to this new pool...

Class 37s: (2) 37405 37417
Class 60s: (4) 60018 60046 60056 60090
Class 66s: (13) 66004 66014 66065 66096 66116 66131 66143 66165 66166 66196 66214 66242 66250
Class 67s: (2) 67009 67011
Class 92s: (2) 92012 92034

92025 was initially reallocated to WFMU from WTAE but it was subsequently put to store WNTR at Crewe EMD. 92003 has been reinstated to WTAE as a replacement for 92025. Of the WFMU allocation as listed above, based on a fleet survey from this morning, all were stopped for one reason or another except for 60018 and 60046.

Other EWS pool changes...
Several Class 60s (yesterday) and a load of Class 66s (today) have been transferred between the various sectors. Not including the losses to WFMU, all sectors have contributed to those now allocated to WFMU, Industrial loose two Class 60s but gain two Class 66s, Network looses one Class 60 and two Class 66s, Construction gains three Class 60s but looses two Class 66s whilst Energy gain one Class 60 and one Class 66.

New Freds...
66585 remains at Newport but 66582 and 66625 are available at Basford Hall whilst 66583 66584 and 66586 have entered service.

02/04/07

37116 (WNYX) currently on hold in transit is eventually destined to go to the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway and into preservation.
37401 (WNTR) in the London area this afternoon after its Railtour stint at the weekend, standing in for 37406, has been assigned for transfer to Bescot for probable forwarding to Toton and back to store.
43174 (EFPC) has been hauled, 47810 doing the honours again, to Loughborough for re-engineering at Brush Traction.
47793 (WNTR) was removed from Horbury on a low loader early yesterday evening.
60099 sidelined at Toton was stored WNTR at the end of last week meanwhile 66072 66212 and 66243, all at Toton for modification, have been added to the WBEN Euroshed pool.

01/04/07

47793 (WNTR) has been tripped the short distance from Healey Mills to the Marcroft Sidings at Horbury for removal by road. It was loaded this afternoon ready for transfer to the Mangapps Railway Museum in Essex.
66625 (DFHG) worked north from Newport to Crewe yesterday evening with 66582 66583 66584 and 66586 (all also DFHG) in tow.

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