Testing Times...
86101 (ACAC) and 87022 (GBAC) came out on test today from Bounds Green in top and tail formation with the Cargo-D Mk3 stock. The plan was to run between Bounds Green and Doncaster before a return south to Peterborough followed by a working back back to Doncaster. Had all gone to plan then it was quite conceivable that the Hull Trains cover diagram utilising this ensemble would have kicked into action however problems have been encountered, wheel flats being reported, and the test only reached Peterborough on its initial northbound run before being turned round and sent back to Bounds Green for attention.

Tractor 405...
After a period sidelined at Toton awaiting repairs 37405 (WFMU) has been released back into service running from Toton to Warrington this morning with 66213 and 67025 in tow.

Chopper Swap...
Following repairs at Barrow Hill 20066 (HNRL) has returned to Corus at Scunthorpe displacing 20096 (HNRL) which was transported back to Barrow Hill this morning.

MTU...
43032 (EFPC) has been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore whilst 43063 and 43145, released from re-engineering, along with 43195 (all EFPC) which had been back to Brush for repairs, were hauled west from Loughborough to Landore today by 47375.

37109...
Following its stop over at Heanor, Langley Mill 37109 (now MBDL) has completed its journey by road from Hither Green to the East Lancashire Railway and preservation.

Not so Happy New Year...
37410 (WKBN) has been assigned for N ONE at Toton by New Year's Eve.

Grand Central News...
Training runs between the north East and London have recommenced utilising 43067 and 43080 (both GCHP) but the start date for the commencement of passenger services has slipped back even further now with mid to late December now the target.

Kingsbury...
The current disposition of the stored locomotives around the site at Kingsbury is...

20145 (two chunks of 47313)
37114
47360 47186 47280
47758 47226 47314 37198 37905
47737 47734 47733 47750 47741 47307 37372

EWS Shunter Fleet Sectorisation...
The operational EWS Class 08 and Class 09 shunter fleets have now been sectorised and several new pools have been created although the home depot allocations remain as they were. The four sector pools are WSSI for Industrial, WSSK for Construction, WSSM for Energy and WSSN for Network. Two other pools created are WSSA, for Axiom Rail, with one shunter allocated, and WSSF, for fleet management, to which a fair few shunters have been reallocated to. During this reorganisation 08701 08776 08897 and 08951, four of the shunters returned to use over the past few months which had remained allocated to a storage pool, rejoin the core fleet as they have now been allocated to an operational pool.

Disposal...
The disposal of 08720, stored from Motherwell's WSSC pool in January 2002, has been undertaken at Thomson's, Stockton, RIP.

WBEN Eurosheds...
66247 noted at Wembley some days ago has turned up at Crewe EMD swapping places with 66202 released for transfer abroad.

MTU...
43078 (EFPC) has returned to service following re-commissioning at Laira.

On the Road...
37109 (WNZX) has left Hither Green and has been transported up by road, noted circumnavigating the M25 this morning, to Heanor at Langley Mill, where it has stopped off en route to the East Lancashire Railway and preservation . 73118 (GPSN) has been collected from Temple Mills and is on transfer by road to Barry whilst 73130 (GPSN) was despatched to Stewarts Lane a few days ago. Both 73s, although technically redundant, are still owned by Eurostar.

50 Up...
The WBEN Euroshed fleet is now up to 50 strong following the reallocation to the pool of 66225.

WZGF 92s...
92043, recently reallocated to the WZGF pool from WNWX, was sent through to France on the 25th. Fellow WZGF 92; 92038 was, it transpires, returned to the UK and Crewe EMD from France late September.

Can 223...
86223 (SAXL) has been hauled from Oxley to Long Marston, 33103 being deployed for haulage this morning.

Recent Returnees...
57003 (DFTZ) has re-entered traffic following restoration to the operational fleet from store in Crewe Basford Hall, 37417 (now WKBN) is back in the normal fleet, it was paired with 37422 to drag the 1S26 sleeper service between Crewe and Preston via Manchester in the early hours of this morning, 37610 (now XHNC), the first DRS Class 37 to sport the 'Compass' colour scheme has been released into service and 43036 (EFPC) has been returned to traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

Project Genesis...
Freightliner are ordering 30 new locomotives from General Electric (GE Transportation), further details about which can be viewed on the Freightliner Website and the GE Website. Class 68 anyone?

6608...
37308 (MBDL) has been collected from Toton, being noted on its way into preservation, being hauled south through Burton on Trent this afternoon behind 50049. It is understood that 37308 is to go to Old Oak Common for repairs before reportedly gravitating to the Severn Valley Railway.

WBEN Round Up...
66032 has returned to France. 66222 was at Dollands Moor on the 22nd en route to France from Toton whilst 66233, readied for Europe at Crewe EMD, was noted at Warrington yesterday awaiting forwarding south, 66247 readied at Toton, is at Wembley en route abroad. 66234 is still at Toton being prepared for use abroad, 66234 evidently proving to be a bit of a problem having being on the load bank several times in the last few months, whilst 66195 66202 66203 66216 66223 66224 and 66242 are being prepared at Crewe EMD.

MTU...
43196 (EFPC) has re-entered service following attention and re-commissioning at Landore.

47832...
Following repairs at Crewe Gresty Bridge 47832 has been out and about on charter duties in top and tail mode with 47802. Still a Victa machine is has been indicated that 47832 is available for sale so whether DRS are interested or if there's anything in the rumours that ECT Mainline have an interest in acquiring it, thus re-acquainting it with some of its former operators, remains to be seen...

08807...
The delivery of 08807 to AV Dawson at Middlesbrough has taken place sometime in the last few days. It had been back to Thornaby for tyre turning after purchase from Thomson's at Stockton.

Class 37s...
37682 (HNRS) has been transferred from Barrow Hill to LaFarge making the move with 20901 and 20905 returning to Hope for ballast duties. HNRC are happy to advise that prior to despatch from Barrow Hill 37682 was, after a battery charge and a couple of adjustments, started up and ran under its own power. Also now up and running at Barrow Hill, on test, is 37100 (QETS) being overhauled for Network Rail.
37114 (WNZX) was loaded and removed by road from Bescot to Kingsbury this afternoon.

MTU...
43180 (EFPC) was despatched to Brush Traction at Loughborough yesterday swapping places with 43012 (EFPC) released to Landore for re-commissioning, 47375 and 47703 being involved in these transfers.

DRS Convoy...
37423 (XHHP) and 37610 (XHMW) have been released from Brush Traction, 66404 being utilised to haul them north from Loughborough.

Tug 13...
60013 from store at Toton has been reinstated, initially to the WCAN pool before reallocating to WFMU.

Disposals...
At Hull's, Rotherham the disposal of 47736, stored from Toton and the WHTN pool in August 2003, has been undertaken whilst down the road at Booth's the demolition of 56063, stored from Thornaby and WGAT back in July 2002, has been completed, RIP.

MTU...
43079 (EFPC) was hauled to Loughborough yesterday for re-engineering at Brush Traction.

Healey Mills Convoy...
37057 and 37682 (both now HNRS) have, after some shunting and running almost two hours behind schedule, been recovered from Healey Mills and hauled to Barrow Hill by 20901 and 20905, despatched from LaFarge, Hope to Healey Mills to collect the two Class 37s recently purchased from EWS.

MTU...
43144 (EFPC) has returned to traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

01/12/07 43002 & 43003...
Valenta farewell.

86101 & Hull Trains...
No definite date is set for the commencement of this operation as the Mk3 stock provided is being worked on at Bounds Green.

08936...
Former Gloucester resident 08936 (MBDL) currently residing at RMS Wakefield has been repaired loosing its HNRC Orange colour scheme in favour of RMS Blue.

Convoys...
56011 and 56021 (both MRLS) deposited in Chaddesden Yard near Derby last week have been on the move again being hauled to Long Marston this afternoon behind 33103 meanwhile the planned transfer of 37057 and 37682 (both WNZX) from Healey Mills to Barrow Hill, 20901 and 20905 are being utilised for this transfer, has been deferred and looks set to take place tomorrow.

MTU...
43032 (EFPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled away from Loughborough to Landore by 47375.

Disposal...
It has now been established that the scrapping of 37351, stored from Toton and the WKBN pool back in December 1999, was completed in the last few days at TJ Thomson's, Stockton, RIP.

Safe...
A deal has been done to secure 37308 (WNZX) from EMR for preservation.

Tugs +1...
The EWS Class 60 fleet is now 67 strong following the recent reinstatement of 60063 to the WCAN pool from store at Toton.

Back to SBXL...
43121 and 43157, currently stored at Wabtec, Doncaster and allocated to the EHPC Cross Country Power Car pool a few days ago have been reallocated back to SBXL pending developments.

TD no more...
Besides the recent demolition of the depot buildings at Temple Mills, TD (the depot code for Temple Mills) is also now defunct following the reallocation to TO (Toton) of 08482 (WRLN) 08786 and 08904 (both WSLN).

37114...
Ready for collection from Bescot 37114 (WNZX) has been moved up to the depot from the yard. As far as can be ascertained it is still EMR and Kingsbury bound.

60085...
Despatched to Crewe EMD for a B exam 60085 (WNTS) was hauled south from Warrington yesterday afternoon.

Healey Mills Transfer...
The removal of HNRC duo 37057 and 37682 (both WNZX) from Healey Mills to Barrow Hill has been scheduled for the 19th.

Cheque books out (again)...
EWS are offering another 28 locomotives for sale, one Class 08, one Class 09 and 26 Class 37s, several of which are 37/4s. Being offered for sale this time around are 08599 09021 37055 37250 37407 37408 37409 37412 37413 37418 37420 37424 37429 37430 37517 37668 37673 37685 37695 37696 37701 37706 37710 37712 37717 37719 37892 and 37894.

MTU...
43150 (EFPC) has been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

Class 37s...
37198 and 37905 were collected from the Dartmoor Railway, departure from Meldon being effected yesterday afternoon, and have been transported to Kingsbury by road, arriving at EMR early afternoon today. 37203 (WNXX) has been returned to the yard at Bescot whilst 37065 37308 and 37375 (all WNZX) have been moved up from the compound to the depot at Toton to await extraction.
At Barrow Hill 37100 (QETS), being overhauled for Network Rail is in the process of being painted in the all over NR yellow colour scheme, a picture of it can be viewed here, whilst former Eurostar duo 37601 and 37603 (both GPSV) have turned up at Stowmarket to commence use with DRS.

Disposal...
Cutting has resumed at Kingsbury with the disposal of 47313, stored from Bescot's WHBF pool in January 1999, being undertaken, RIP.

Tug 85...
60085 (WNTS) has come out from storage at Immingham and, noted at Warrington this morning, is en route to Crewe EMD for a B exam.

Eastleigh Transfer...
Following transfer south by road from York 73141 (QAED) was yesterday off loaded at MoD Marchwood from where it and 47739 (COLS) were hauled from to Eastleigh Works by D1015 this afternoon.

37029...
Departure from Glasgow Works took place yesterday afternoon and 37029 (XHSS) has been moved south to Brush Traction. It completed its transfer to Loughborough early this afternoon.

Grids on the go...
56011 and 56021 (both MRLS) have been extracted from Coalville Mantle Lane and transferred to Chaddesden Yard, north of Derby. 33103 was provided for this movement.

MTU...
43085 (EHPC) has been deposited at Brush Traction for re-engineering, the first Arriva Cross Country power car (see below) to enter works, 66708 hauling it down from Neville Hill this afternoon, meanwhile 43036 (EFPC), released from Brush Traction yesterday, has completed its transfer to Landore being hauled from Gloucester today by 47828 whilst 43192 (EFPC) is returned to traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

Back to Crewe...
Following attention in the east midlands 90028 and 92042 have returned to Crewe from Toton, being hauled west by 37411.

47739...
A path has been put in place for the collection and transfer to Eastleigh of 47739 (COLS) from Marchwood, last week's prospective move being cancelled.

New Pools...
The franchise changes and the creation of (Arriva) Cross Country, London Midland and East Midlands Trains sees three new pools being set up.

EHPC: Cross Country HST Power Cars
Stored 43101 43103 43121 and 43157 from SBXL along with 43007 43085 43104 43166 43178 and 43184 transferred over from IMLP have been allocated to EHPC. 43101 and 43103 already at Brush have been joined by 43085 (see above) whilst the rest of the allocation have been gathered together at Wabtec, Doncaster.

EJLO: London Midland Locomotives
Former HGSS allocated 08616 and 08805 have been reallocated to EJLO.

EMPC: East Midlands Trains Power Cars
The remainder of the IMLP power car allocation after the transfer of several to Cross Country (see above) have been reallocated to EMPC.

ED on the road...
Eastleigh bound 73141 (QAED) is on the move south by road today from York Works being noted on the A1 in the early hours this morning on on the A34 near Newbury mid afternoon.

Work in progress...
Although sold at Booth's 56063 was destined to be for spares only and the breaking up of the body shell is underway at Rotherham.

Spares or repairs...?
Reports from north of the border indicate that 37029 (XHSS) is being readied for transfer south from Glasgow Works by road meanwhile reports from south of the border indicate that 37029 is to go to Brush Traction at Loughborough...

T422...
37422 (now WKBN) has re-entered traffic following repairs at Wigan.

Toton electrics...
90028 (WEFE) and 92042 (WTAE) were deposited at Toton yesterday by 37417. 92042 at least, having being noted on the wheel lathe, is for tyre turning.

MTU...
43143 (EFPC) has been hauled to Brush Traction at Loughborough for re-engineering.

Brush Barclay...
Hunslet-Barclay, Kilmarnock has been bought by FKI Industries, the parent company of Brush Traction at Loughborough, and will be trading as Brush Barclay from now on. Further details can be found in the latest news section of the Brush Traction website.

MTU...
The latest MTU conversion released from Brush Traction, Loughborough is 43144 (EFPC), hauled away by 47828 early afternoon to Landore from where 43037 (EFPC) has re-entered traffic from following re-commissioning.

Work in progress...
Having being sliced in half, very little remains of one half, the cutting of 37351 at Thomson's, Stockton is now well underway.

EWS 37s...
Although earlier assigned for N ONE and a return to store 37411 (WKBN) is now assigned for a B exam at Warrington (the code for Warrington is now WT vice WA) so is going to be around a little longer. 37422 (WFMU) is still awaiting collection at Springs Branch.

GC Power Car on the move...
Following a stop off at Heanor's en route to Heaton from DML Devonport by road 43065 (GCHP) went north this morning. Regarding the Grand Central power car fleet two (43067 and 43080) have been in traffic, two (43065 and 43084) are at Heaton for acceptance whilst the final two (43068 and 43123) have yet to be released from DML Devonport.

T422...
Repaired and back on its bogies at Wigan 37422 (WFMU) was outside the shed at Springs Branch this morning ready for collection.

GC to London...
43067 and 43080 (both GCHP) and set ran staff only from Sunderland to London and back today in the paths of what will be the 1A60 and 1N26 service workings. Grand Central anticipate starting a limited service between Sunderland and London Kings Cross in the near future expanding to the full diagrammed service as further power cars and rolling stock becomes available. For further information see the Grand Central website.

MTU...
43028 (EFPC) was noted back in traffic yesterday following re-commissioning at Landore.

Hull Trains 170s...
A pair of Trans Pennine Express (TPE) 170s, 170305 and 170307 being deployed today, have been hired in to work between Hull and Doncaster and back as part of their days running on the Hull and Manchester circuit. It is understood that this is the fill in shuttle diagram between Hull and Doncaster which would have met with the 86 and stock at Doncaster had this commenced working today.
Today after arrival at Hull, 170305 worked in with the 1K08 from Manchester, 170305 and 170307 were paired up to work the 12:45 1A94 Hull to Doncaster and 13:45 1H04 return, 170307 having already worked an earlier trip to Doncaster, the 10:12 1A93 to Doncaster and 11:37 1H02 return to Hull.
Tomorrow the 10:05 1A93 Hull to Doncaster, the 11:24 1H03 Doncaster to Hull, the 18:12 Hull to Doncaster and the 19:47 1H06 Doncaster to Hull are rostered for TPE Class 170s with several runs twixt Hull and Selby in between. The deployment of a pair of 170s to these workings releases a 222 set for maintenance purposes but it remains to be seen whether this arrangement will be employed beyond today and tomorrow.

Sales update / 37676...
It has now been confirmed that 37676 is indeed purchased from EWS by WCRC.

EWS 37s...
37406 sidelined at Toton has been stored WNTS whilst 37416 (WNXX) on transfer from Motherwell to Toton spent the morning in Bescot Yard before being forwarded to Toton via the afternoon 6D44 service hauled by 60500.

GC Debut...
Grand Central has made its debut on the mainline today with 43067 and 43080 (both GCHP) and stock making two test runs from Heaton to Heaton, the first via Newcastle before a jaunt south to York and back.

57005...
Following attention at Southampton Maritime 57005 (DFTZ) returned to use yesterday. 57002 and 57003 (both DFTZ) are still at Basford Hall.

WBEN Review...
Since the last update 66179 and 66241 have been despatched to France, 66246 has returned abroad following attention at Eastleigh whilst 66032, back from France, was at Dollands Moor this morning. 66203 has been transferred from Toton to Crewe EMD where it is being readied for use abroad along with 66195 66202 66216 66223 66224 66233 and 66242. Toton are currently modifying 66222 66234 and 66247.

Transfer...
Allocated to undergo a bogie change, probably acting as a donor, 37416 (WNXX) from Motherwell is on transfer south overnight to Toton via Mossend and Bescot.

Tug 22...
60022 from store at Toton has been reinstated to the operational fleet, initially to WFMU but later to WCBM pool.

Power car notes...
43005 (EFPC) has returned to use following re-commissioning at Landore whilst 43189 (EFPC) has been hauled to brush Traction, Loughborough for re-engineering. Also 43004 (EFPC), one of the original pair of conversions, has been returned to Brush being noted on a low loader the M1 mid afternoon.

Pools news...
47363 47368 47489 47525 47526 and 47972 at Carnforth, 47550, still at Immingham Railfreight Terminal and 47780 already scrapped, the last few locomotives allocated to the defunct SDXL pool, have been de-registered from the system rendering the pool obsolete.
37351 37520 47736 47746 47759 47783 and 47784 have been de-registered from the WNSO pool whilst 47739 is re-registered to COLS (Colas Rail non operational).
Mainline Rail have created two new pools coded MRSO and MRSS for their shunters absorbed into the ECT set up from RT Rail.
The EWS Class 66 Euroshed pool has been expanded to 49 examples following the addition to the WBEN pool of 66195 and 66242, both being stopped at Crewe EMD for preparation.

The Germans have arrived...
the European Union Mergers Commission have approved the take over of EWS by Deutsche Bahn (DB). Further details can be found on this web page.

Champion...
Booked to haul a Seco Ballast Cleaner from Reading to Eastleigh tomorrow D1015 is to be utilised to collect 47739 from MoD Marchwood which has been awaiting forwarding to Eastleigh Works. Originally the transfer of 47739 was booked to take place tomorrow but later reports suggest that it will be moved on the 8th.

MTU...
43016 (EFPC) has been hauled to Brush Traction, Loughborough for re-engineering.

Hull Trains trainer...
The training run with 86101, stock and one of the GBRf 87s has been deferred to next week. It had been looking likely to run on the 8th.

Power Car on the road...
Midland Mainline 43064 (IMLP) was observed on a low loader heading north on the M42 near Birmingham at tea time today.

EWS 37s...
Noted heading north from Warrington early this afternoon with 37417 and 66101, 37425 (WNTR) has been despatched to Allerton. All that the system has to offer for the moment is that it is again N ONE but is understood that use as a shunting locomotive at Allerton is on the cards. At Wigan CRDC / Springs Branch 37422 (WFMU) has at last been admitted for repairs and was on the jacks this morning for under floor attention.

MTU...
43150 43160 and 43097 (all EFPC), the latter being returned from unspecified attention, have been hauled from Brush Traction, Loughborough to Landore.

Loco sales, update...
The reported sale of 37676 to WCRC looks to be erroneous as the Newton Heath Traction Group have now been indicated as being the possible purchasers of this one. It is understood that approaches have been made to EMR for the purchase of at least 37114 and 37308 whilst HNRC have advised that 37057 definitely has a future and has certainly not been bought as a source of spares.

Saltley...
All the track bar one stabling siding has been removed from Saltley and demolition of the former shed buildings is underway.

The Pride of the Valley's returns again...
37425 (WNTR) ran from Toton to Bescot late yesterday and has since been noted in use shunting in Bescot Yard. It currently has an assignment to go to Allerton which *may* be for OTMR fitment and, if so, may indicate that it now has a longer term future than it had a couple of days ago when it was retired to store at Toton...

Freightliner 57s...
57002 57003 and 57005 (all DFTZ) have been returned to the operational fleet from store at Crewe Basford Hall although none of the three have yet returned to normal service. 57002 and 57003 are still at Crewe whilst 57005 has ventured down to Southampton Maritime. Their mooted transfer to Long Marston some weeks ago didn't take place due to track problems at Long Marston.

47832...
Currently at Crewe Gresty Bridge for maintenance 47832 (VWLO) is likely, although not a certainty, to be absorbed into the DRS fleet once the ongoing situation with Victa Westlink, Stobart and DRS is resolved.

Loco sales...
As far as can be ascertained this is the position with the recent sale of eighteen Class 37s by EWS. As usual the list is subject to confirmation / amendment / updates / re-sales and any other miscellaneous developments...

CF Booth, Rotherham (6): 37379 37513 37519 37677 37708 37887
EMR (7): 37047 37065 37114 37174 37308 37375 37694
HNRC (2): 37057 37682
Private Sale (BRE Ltd) (1): 37403
Private Sale (ELR a possibility) (1): 37109
WCRC (1): 37676

Disposal...
The cutting of 56034, stored from Immingham and the WGAI pool back in November 1999, has been completed. Only its frame remained this morning, RIP.

Hull Trains 86 (and 87)...
It is anticipated that in the coming week a test run up the ECML will be undertaken utilising 86101, the MK3 stock and, in lieu of the still as yet unavailable driving van trailer (DVT), one of the GBRf Class 87s. Subject to a successful outcome of this test the Hull Trains workings between London and Doncaster may then commence running in top and tail mode with 86101 on one end and either 87022 or 87028 on the other pending the delivery of the DVT.

Tug 425...
37425 at Toton has been stored WNTR.

Work resumed...
After a break in activity the scrapping of 56034 at Booth's, Rotherham is again underway with only one cab and frame in evidence this morning

Long Marston 47...
47746 (WNSO) has been collected from Crewe, noted heading towards the M6 from the EMD mid afternoon on a low loader en route to Long Marston and into preservation.

Re-listings...
With the news that Dartmoor Railway residents 37198 and 37905 have been sold to EMR to, it has been indicated, finance the purchase of 37403 from EWS, these two have been re-listed. With regards to the current crop of sales by EWS most buyers have only just been informed and details are being held until all parties concerned have been identified.

87s to go...
It has been confirmed that all the Porterbrook owned Class 87s including 87022 and 87028, the two still operating, are to be shipped out to Bulgaria to join 87012 and 87019. This development will leave just three examples; 87001 (NRM), 87031 (Tyseley) and 87035 (Crewe HC), in the UK.

MTU...
43037 and 43192 (EFPC) have been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled away from Loughborough by 47703.

Eurosheds proper...
Reference details and photographs for three of the 60 new European spec Class 66 for Euro Cargo Rail (ECR) on the move in Canada can be seen on this website. Follow the links from the home page to Class 66 then under the Western Europe heading click the link to Euro Cargo Rail. The links to the photographs are at the foot of this page.

37425...
Its reprieve didn't last long as 37425 (WKBN) went N ONE last night and has today been escorted to Toton from Warrington via Bescot for store. 37411 (WKBN) is still in traffic.

47759...
Following a few days laid up at Heanor's yard 47759 (WNSO) has completed its transfer to Ron Hull's at Rotherham. The transport has been despatched to Crewe to collect Long Marston bound 47746 (WNSO) from the EMD.

47790...
Now reinstated to the XHNC pool 47790 has been released into traffic from Carlisle Kingmoor.

Power car notes...
43078 (EFPC) has been transferred from Landore to Laira by road being noted traversing the M5 near Taunton early evening today. Re-commissioned 43316 (IECP) was noted back in service yesterday whilst 43020 (EFPC) has been recorded in use today.

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