401 / 410...
37401 at Toton has been reinstated to the WKBN pool swapping places with 37410 which has been stored WNTS at Toton. It ran light engine from Warrington today.

Freightliner 57s...
On transfer to Basford Hall from Maritime and scheduled to go 'dead in tow' 57005 (DFTZ) powered the 4E76 from Southampton as far as Crewe last night where it joins 57002 and 57006 (both DFTZ), the latter of which is booked for transfer across to LNWR. *Rumours* circulating imply that 57001 and 57006 have been earmarked for transfer to Cotswold Rail.

MTU...
43041 (EFPC) has been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore meanwhile 43002 and 43003 (EFPC) are still in traffic evading the call to works for conversion.

Transfers on the 2nd...
Wimbledon resident 73201 (HYWD) is scheduled to be dragged to Long Marston for storage on January 2nd whilst DRS are to bring 87022 (GBAC) south from Oxley back to Wembley.

401 / 410...
Undergoing maintenance at Toton 37401 (WNTS) is being prepared for a return to service as a replacement for 37410 (WKBN) which has to come out of service tomorrow due to not being equipped with OTMR. 37410 was at Warrington today assigned for N ONE at Toton tomorrow.

Disposal...
A little belated this one but 08942 has been disposed of at Thomson's, Stockton and as far as can be ascertained it was scrapped during November. 08942 was stored from Cardiff Canton and the LNWK pool back in May 1998, RIP.

Year End Round Up, OTMR Issues and Freightliner Hand Backs...
As it's nearly the end of the year it's time to have a look at those locomotives that technically should have been added to the storage lists at some point in the past 12 months or so but have so far managed to evade addition. This year's crop include 33202 and 47714 sidelined at Loughborough, 47316 laid up at Gloucester and 73114 which hasn't been out since being returned from CTRL duties a couple of months ago. Also added / re-listed are 57007 57010 and 57012 which DRS haven't used since taking them on from Freightliner in May. Three further additions to the storage lists which should have featured in the round up at the end of last year are 37214 at Carnforth, out of use since summer 2006, 57001 sidelined with a serious engine fault last December and 66031 in bits at Toton since August 2006.
Obviously with the OTMR deadline looming large a number of locomotives not yet fitted with said equipment are going to be forced off the mainline and this situation will be monitored for developments whilst Freightliner are preparing to hand the five 'operational' Class 57s back to Porterbrook and these have been stopped; 57002 and 57006 at Crewe, 57003 57004 and 57005 at Southampton, pending their release. The four Freightliner Class 47s are also due to come out of traffic by tomorrow due to not having OTMR but there is a school of thought that one or two examples may still see use as yard 'super shunters', a duty already being undertaken by 47830 at Garston and 47841 at Dagenham anyway. 47811 and 47816 were to be found on Crewe Basford Hall this weekend.

Cock up o' the North...
Today's Class 87 farewell tour, the Electric Scot from Birmingham to Glasgow and return, hasn't run. Irresolvable problems with the stock at Oxley saw the tour being cancelled at Wolverhampton, the by then revised start point, after 87022 (GBAC) and stock had run ECS to Wolverhampton via Bescot and Soho.
87028 (GBAC) has been stopped N ONE at Willesden Mail Terminal pending transfer across to Wembley.

Leg Out...
Stopped at Margam awaiting the inevitable 60058 (WCBN) suffered a major engine failure whilst working this morning's 6H23 Margam to Llanwern.

Test...
37423 (XHNC) undertook a test run from Kingmoor to Shap and back yesterday with 66406 along for insurance.

WBEN Update...
Since the last review 66033 has been sent back to France from Toton. 66072 remains at Dollands Moor whilst troublesome 66234 has been to France but was back in the UK, at Dollands Moor, on the 27th. Crewe EMD still has 66195 66203 66224 66225 66242 and 66247 being prepared for use in Europe.

Tour 87 (now singular)...
Tomorrow's Class 87 farewell tour between Birmingham and Glasgow is now set to feature just 87022 as 87028 has been retired for store at Wembley. 87028 (GBAC) worked south from Scotland yesterday with a mail train routed via the ECML due to the WCML engineering blockade south of Birmingham, and was A ONE at Willesden this morning awaiting transfer across to Wembley and store. 87022 (GBAC) worked north with a mail train yesterday, via the ECML, and was at Warrington this morning later running south to Oxley ready for the finale tomorrow.

HNRC Notes...
The sale of 56128 to Hanson Traction is now complete paving the way for it to be transferred from Long Marston to Wansford for repairs whilst Barrow Hill resident 37079 has also been sold on. One that should probably have been re-listed as stored some time ago its future is secured and following a bogie change 37079 is expected to leave Barrow Hill for pastures new. Heading for Barrow Hill in the new year will be 37372 from Kingsbury from which, during component recovery, the power unit is to be extracted and made available for purchase. 20088 at Long Marston and 37672 at Barrow Hill are also being made available for purchase, details in the 'for sale' section.

Class 37 Notes...
EMR bound 37408 (WNYX) has been noted on Toton for draining of liquids in readiness for removal whilst further to the earlier report regarding locomotive sales (22/12) the general consensus is that both 37250 and 37424 have indeed been secured for preservation.

Class 87 Notes...
87022 and 87028 (both GBAC) have been assigned for N ONE at Wembley on the 31st after bringing the curtain down for the Class in the UK with the farewell tour between Birmingham and Glasgow and back on the 29th.

DRS 37s...
37229 and 37667 have been stopped and stored serviceable at Carlisle Kingmoor. These two along with the five stored a couple of days ago; 37194 37261 37510 37515 and 37668, are now reallocated to the XHSS pool.

37696...
EMR bound 37696 (WNXX) has been noted being drained of liquids at Bristol Barton Hill in readiness for removal to Kingsbury by road.

LH Plant...
Two recent arrivals noted at LH Group Services, Barton under Needwood are 08530 (DFLS) from Trafford Park and 08823 (KDSD) latterly located on the Churnet Valley Railway.

37519...
Awaiting transfer to Rotherham, Booth's bound 37519 (WNSO) has been dug out of the scrap lines at Eastleigh and positioned ready for collection.

47703 and 47715...
47715 (CREL) was hauled from from the NRM York to the Wensleydale Railway on the 21st by 47703 (CRRH) which itself, not yet being fitted with OTMR, has retired to the Wensleydale Railway to await developments.

Loco Sales...
The following locomotive sales by EWS have, subject to the usual notes about confirmation and other developments, been identified. Several are still outstanding...

EMR: 37055 37408 37409 37412 37429 37430 37673 37696 37701 37719 37892 37894
Private Sales / Preservation: 37407 37413 37418
WCRC: 37517 37668 37685 37706 37710 37712 37717
Unidentified: 08599 09021 37250 37420 37424 and 37695 of which 37250 and possibly 37424 are candidates for being private purchases.

Hanson Traction Grids...
Nene Valley Railway resident 56003 has been purchased by Hanson Traction, the owners of 56057 currently being prepared for a return to mainline status at RVE Derby, and the potential owners of 56128, the purchase of which is subject to finalisation of negotiations with HNRC. Both 56003 and 56128, once secured, are to be be maintained to mainline standards at Wansford before going to RVE Derby for final preparations for mainline running. It is planned to have 56003 in action at the NVR spring gala next March with 56128 in service for the autumn gala. In the longer term, along with 56057, they are to be made available for hire to the rail industry.

DRS Fleet Reduction...
37194 37261 37510 37515 and 37688 (all XHNC) at Kingmoor have been put into 'stored serviceable' status whilst 37197 (XHHP) recently brought down from Glasgow Works is also now regarded as stored.

Long Marston 08s...
Both 08517 and 08668 have completed their respective transfers from Doncaster to Long Marston, the second to go being noted en route on a low loader yesterday.

MTU...
43042 (EFPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled away from Loughborough today by 47237 and 47375.

Arrival...
37379 (WNSO) completed its move from Bristol Barton Hill to Booth's, Rotherham mid morning today.

Disposal...
Sometime in the last week or so at Hull's, Rotherham the scrapping of 47784, stored from Toton and the WHCD pool in February 2004, has been completed, RIP.

DRS Fleet Reduction in the Offing...?
Possibly, especially now that the sandite season has been wound up.

Long Marston Convoy...
The transfer of 31301 (NRLS) 31423 (MRLS) 31437 (NRLS) and 31439 (NRLS) from Meldon to Long Marston via a stop over at Gloucester was completed this morning behind 47237.

HT86...
86101 (ACAC), stock and BR blue DVT 82115, undertook some test runs between Bounds Green, Doncaster and Peterborough today. Further training needs to be undertaken so an entry into service with Hull Trains looks set to go ahead in the new year.

08517 or 08668...?
Noted on the M1 today ex Wabtec one from either 08517 or 08668, both are numberless in shabby BR blue with a pale green undercoated cab however the latter is without coupling rods, was observed en route to Long Marston from Doncaster.

Shunter Moves...
08874 (MRSO) from Bletchley has been transported by road to the Dartmoor Railway being noted on the move on the M42 near Bromsgrove this morning whilst 08993 (WSSN) latterly recorded at Doncaster Carr was deposited at Toton yesterday.

MTU...
43145 and 43172 (both EFPC) have been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

EWS Changes...
67020, currently located at Peterborough, has been stored WNTS. 92012 has been stopped and stored WNTS at Crewe EMD from where 92015 has been reinstated to WTAE from WNTR.

Tractor on the Road...
Booth's, Rotherham bound 37379 (WNSO) has been collected from Barton Hill being noted on the move by road north from Bristol mid afternoon today.

Peds on the Move...
Four long term stored Class 31s have been on the move today with 31301 (NRLS) 31423 (MRLS) 31437 (NRLS) and 31439 (NRLS) being hauled up from Meldon to Gloucester by 47237 from where they are to be forwarded to Long Marston tomorrow. Three of these four; 31301 31423 and 31439, were part of the infamous convoy that spent several weeks marooned at Burton four years ago during their transfer to Meldon.

08s to go...
08517 and 08668 have been dragged into Wabtec from the adjacent West Yard at Doncaster for eventual extraction by road to Long Marston.

GC Premiere...
Grand Central entered the foray today using 43067 and 43080 (both GCHP) on their inaugural Sunderland to London Kings Cross working.

HT86...
Subject to confirmation it has been indicated that 86101, stock and BR blue DVT 82115, may be venturing out on test from Bounds Green sometime tomorrow.

DRS Notes...
37197 (now XHHP) and 66410 (XHMW) were brought south from Glasgow Works to Carlisle Kingmoor yesterday whilst 37601 37603 and 37604 ran to Loughborough today for attention at Brush Traction.

MTU...
43146 (EFPC) has been noted in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

MTU...
47237 has deposited 43015 (EFPC) at Loughborough for admission to Brush Traction and re-engineering whilst 43034 (EFPC) is en route being hauled up to Gloucester today by 47375 from Laira. This leaves just 43002 and 43003 (both EFPC) in use with FGW unmodified.

GC Premiere...
Grand Central are set to launch with their first public services tomorrow morning with the 06:46 from Sunderland to Kings Cross.

Disposal...
At Thomson's, Stockton the scrapping of 47303, stored from DFLM December 2005, has been completed, RIP.

WBEN Update...
66033 and 66072 are back in the UK, at Toton and Dollands Moor respectively this morning. 66216 and 66249 have gone to / been returned to France whilst 66234 has at last been released from Toton being noted at Wembley earlier today awaiting forwarding abroad. Crewe EMD still holds 66195 66203 66224 66225 66242 and 66247 being prepared for use abroad.

Disposal...
Scrapped on arrival 37065 (WNSO) has been broken up already at Kingsbury. 37065 was stored in January 2004 from Old Oak Common and the WKAC pool, RIP.

37198...
Further to yesterday's speculative mention of 37198 and an interest from Cotswold Rail it has been advised that CR have no interest in 37198 as they are currently in the process of acquiring some Class 57s...

Toton...
67014, recently stopped for store at Toton, has been reinstated to the WAAN pool but 08689 at Toton has been stored WNTS.

Bescot...
37174 (WNSO) has been brought up from the yard to the depot to await extraction from Bescot to Kingsbury meanwhile 08577 (WNTR) 08580 (WNYX) 08651 (WNYX) and 09008 (WNTR) have, at some point, been returned to the yard from the shed area.

Disposal...
The demolition of 56131, only its bogies remain, has been completed at Booth's, Rotherham. 56131 was stored from Immingham and the WGAI pool in July 2002, RIP.

MTU...
43137 and 43170 (both EFPC), released from re-engineering at Brush Traction, have been hauled from Loughborough to Landore today by 47375.

37047, 37198 Resold...?
*Rumours* circulating indicate that there has recently been interest in purchasing 37047 and 37198 from EMR with Colas and Cotswold Rail respectively being suggested as potential buyers.

Skip 17...
67017 (now WNTS) arrived at Toton for store yesterday evening in a locomotive convoy from Bescot.

MTU...
43063 and 43181 (both EFPC) have been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

Shunters on the Road...
08775 (WSSI) has been transferred from Shotton to Bescot whilst 08331 (RFSH) was noted heading south on the M1 early this morning. 08495 (WSSI) is being transported from Crewe EMD to Westbury where it will replace 08714 (WSSN) which is due to be transported to South Wales. Lastly 09007 (WNTS) has reappeared at Doncaster Carr following a period in use at Worksop.

Skips...
67013 67015 and 67016 at Toton have been reallocated to the WNTS pool from WAAN whilst 67017 (still WAAN but now N ONE) had reached Bescot this morning on transfer to Toton.

Carnforth Transfer...
37676 (WNSO) has been collected from Healey Mills, 47804 being despatched over to haul it to Carnforth this afternoon.

Booth's Notes...
The scrapping of 56131 is at an advanced stage now with only its frame and cabs on bogies in evidence when viewed this morning whilst at Bristol Barton Hill Rotherham bound 37379 (WNSO) has been dug out and is being prepared for transportation north by road.

Toton Bone...
Latterly located in Toton Compound 58003 (WNXX) has been noted parked on the fuel point at Toton.

EWS Notes...
The active fleet has again been reduced with the storage of 60027 60045 60060 and 67018 at Toton, all were in the WFMU holding pool, along with 90031 at Crewe EMD from WEFE. All five have been reallocated to WNTS. 67013 67015 and 67016 (all still WAAN but status N ONE) have arrived at Toton. 67016 was moved up from Wembley to Bescot from where it was towed by 66100 in convoy with 67013 67015 and 67022 from Bescot to Toton. 67017 (WAAN) is on the move from Ilford and 67020 (WAAN) is now on 'special tests at Toton from where 37418 (WNXX) has been returned to the compound from.

EMSL...
08525 08690 08697 08899 08908 and 08650, the six Class 08s recently reallocated to EMXX have been reallocated again to another new pool coded EMSL for EMT Shunting Locomotives.

Old Oak Common HST...
As part of a fleet reorganisation FGW have reallocated a fair proportion of their HST power car fleet to Old Oak Common (code OO).

Tractors on the Road...
Completing its move north from Old Oak Common 37513 was transported up from Heanor, Langley Mill to Booth's, Rotherham this morning while 37065 (WNSO) was extracted from Toton Compound late afternoon for transfer to Kingsbury.

Welcome Back...
After eight years on the sidelines 37423 at Kingmoor has been reinstated to the XHNC pool.

Skips...
67014 sidelined at Toton has been stored WNTS, it was in the WFMU pool. As for the four earmarked for store although still allocated to WAAN 67013 and 67015 at Bescot along with 67016 at Wembley have been stopped and are now N ONE while 67017 out of use at Ilford is still in 'normal' status.

Work in Progress...
At Stockton the demolition of 47303 is underway.

MTU...
43190 (EFPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled to Landore today by 47813.

Skips...
The assignments for N ONE for 67013 67015 67016 and 67017 (all WAAN) have been put back by a day, all four now being assigned for N ONE at Toton tomorrow, 67013 and 67015 featured on yesterday's Compass tour from Stockport to Dundee. Meanwhile ominously, perhaps, 67020 (also WAAN) is / has been showing as allocated to NONE for its next working...

NX...
Fully re-branded in National Express (NX) livery 43238 and 43300 (both IECP) with set have been out in Scotland being filmed from a helicopter whilst 90003 (IANA) has been re-liveried from ONE into the NX scheme at Norwich Crown Point.

Heanor Visitors...
08503 (HNRL) collected by road transport from Wilton yesterday and 37513 which, it transpires, wasn't loaded and ready to leave Old Oak Common until mid afternoon yesterday, have been on the move. Both are currently located at Heanor's, Langley Mill, 08503 is Salford bound (see below) whilst 37513 is en route to Rotherham.

HNRC Notes...
At Barrow Hill 08695, brought down from Thomson's, Stockton in September, is back in operational condition and has been seeing use shunting about the Roundhouse complex meanwhile 08503, currently on transfer by road from Wilton, is to go to Creative Logistics at Salford, Manchester. Network Rail's 37100 has been successfully static load bank tested and is, apart from being reunited with its overhauled bogies, technically almost ready for mainline testing. HNRC have confirmed the purchase of Kingsbury incumbent 37372, for spares.

47712...
Now at Carlisle Kingmoor 47712 (XHHP) was transferred north overnight last night.

Toton...
Possibly for draining of fuels, oils and liquids 37418 (WNXX) has been dug out of the Compound at Toton being noted outside the 'Cathedral' building this morning. A few days ago 37429 (WNXX) was brought up to the main depot but it has since been returned into the Compound.

Work in Progress...
The cutting of 56131 at Booth's, Rotherham has commenced.

Another Skip Skipped...
67021 sidelined at Toton has been stored WNTS.

Power Car Notes...
On its way by road from DML to Heaton for Grand Central 43068 (GCHP) was noted at Washington Services, almost at its destination, early this morning. Re-engineered 43172 (EFPC) along with 43188 (EFPC), a returnee to Brush for unspecified attention, have been hauled from Loughborough to Landore this afternoon by 47813.

37513...
De-registered from WNSO but unclear if it has been brought north yet, 37513 was scheduled to have journeyed up from Old Oak Common to Booth's, Rotherham overnight / today by road.

Kingsbury Arrival...
Loaded at Old Oak Common yesterday evening 37694 (WNSO) has been extracted and transported north overnight on a low loader to Kingsbury.

Disposal...
At Thomson's, Stockton the disposal of 08883, stored from Motherwell and the WSSC pool in February 2004, has been undertaken, RIP.

EWS Notes...
08389 has been stored WSXX at Warrington while 08689 (WSSI), displaced from Dee Marsh / Shotton, has turned up at Toton on a low loader. 67025 has been stored WNTS at Toton, this was not one of those earmarked for store, but 92017 is reinstated to the WTAE pool from store at Crewe EMD.

MTU...
43012 and 43087 (both EFPC) have, in the last couple of days, been noted back in traffic following re-commissioning at Landore.

Grand Central Trainer...
43065 (GCHP) has been turned out for today's Grand Central training run to London. This is it's first appearance with GC displacing 43067 which had partnered 43080 to date.

WBEN...
66223 has been despatched through to France whilst 66216 has reached Dollands Moor ex Crewe en route to France. 66249 from Toton is at Wembley Yard now awaiting forwarding back abroad.

47832...
The VWLO pool is now defunct following the reallocation of 47832 to the DRS XHNC pool indicating that they may now have taken this locomotive on.

Disposals...
A busy couple of days at Kingsbury have seen 47186 47280 and 47360 being broken up into several rather large pieces, they had been parked in a line together. 47186 was stored from Bescot and DAET back in October 1998, whilst both 47280 and 47360 were stored from the WHBF pool at Bescot back in February 1999, RIP.

47s in Jeopardy...
At Hull's, Rotherham the scrapping of 47784 is about to take place / has begun whilst unsold 47759 has been authorised for component recovery and disposal.

47712...
Released from repairs and cosmetic attention at RVEL, 47712 (XHHP) was towed away from Derby by 66426 to Crewe, and the DRS facility at Gresty Bridge, late afternoon.

Skips for the Bin Revised...
Only four Class 67s are now earmarked for storage in a few days time. 67004 and 67019 have been reprieved but 67017 joins 67013 67015 and 67016 being assigned for N ONE at Toton by the 9th.

EMXX...
A new pool coded EMXX, East Midlands Trains Miscellaneous, has been set up with 08525 08690 08697 08899 08908 and 08950 from either HISE or HISL being reallocated to it leaving just 08535, dumped in Derby, allocated to HISE.

57002...
Resurrected to working order at Crewe Basford Hall 57002 (DFTZ) has returned to service.

GC Power Car on the Road...
43068 (GCHP), Grand Central's fifth power car, has been released from DML Devonport and is on its way north to Heaton by road being noted at Exeter Services on the M5 this morning.

WBEN...
66249 has been back in the UK for attention, being noted leaving Toton today behind 66165, whilst 66202 in France is on 'transfer' indicating a return to the UK is on the cards. 66216 at Crewe EMD is ready to go whilst 66223 was at Dollands Moor yesterday en route to use in Europe.

Network Rail, Items for Sale...
The advance notice advert in the for sale section for a variety of items being made available for sale by Network Rail has been updated. Of note is that NR are willing to trade for Class 31s, Class 37s or Class 73s.

Cotswold Expansion...
47237, released from Kingmoor running light engine across to York today, has been acquired by Cotswold Rail and is now reallocated to the CRRH pool.

Tractor to Kingsbury...
37375 (WNSO) from Toton has been transported to Kingsbury being noted traversing the M42 en route this afternoon.

Another Skip for the Bin...
67015 (WAAN) has also been assigned for N ONE at Toton on the 9th.

08613, 08936...
08613, recently transferred over from Barrow Hill by road, and former Gloucester resident 08936 (MBDL), fresh from repairs at Wakefield, have been transported to Shotton where they are to be based for shunting duties. The contract to supply shunters at this location being taken over from EWS.

Disposal...
The scrapping of 08910, stored from Motherwell and the WSSC pool in April 2002, has been undertaken at Thomson's, Stockton, RIP.

Skips for the Bin...
67004 (WABN) 67013 67016 and 67019 (all WAAN) have been earmarked for storage, all four having being assigned for N ONE at Toton by the 9th.

Ready to go...
37065 and 37375 (both WNSO) have been positioned on the concrete pad at Toton, near the paint shop, ready for collection and removal to Kingsbury.

47237 to Cotswold Rail...?
Swapped for some Mk3s apparently...

WBEN Update...
Since the last update 66202 66222 and 66233 have been despatched abroad whilst 66223 was on transfer, probably heading for France, from Crewe EMD a couple of days ago. Toton are still stuck with 66234 whilst 66195 66203 66216 66224 66225 66242 and 66247 are being readied for France at Crewe EMD.

Repaint...
At RVEL Derby (Derby RTC) for attention 47712 (XHHP) has recently been out-shopped in full DRS colours.

Power Car Notes...
By way of a farewell to the Valenta FGW turned out 43002 and 43003 (both EFPC) either end of an un-refurbished coaching set bearing their original cab end numbers 253001. Although these are likely to see further use in traffic their days are numbered and a trip to Brush for the remaining FGW Valenta quartet, 43002 43003 43015 and 43034, will be sooner rather than later. Not recorded so far was the release from Loughborough following re-engineering of 43041 and 43146 on the 29th which were transferred west with 43004. 43115 (IECP) was admitted to Brush Traction yesterday, it was escorted in by 43044, swapping places with 43313 (IECP) being released from re-engineering which took 43044 back to Neville Hill.

Shunter Notes...
As part of a series of checks before it is transported over to Wansford to appear in the Nene Valley Railway Diesel Gala next spring 03179 has, for the first time in quite a while by all accounts, been run up at Hornsey. 08613, latterly at Barrow Hill for tests, was removed by road a couple of days ago.

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