Tugs...
60030 (WCBI) and 60090 (WFMU) have been stopped and stored at Toton, 60030 N ONE whilst 60090 is stored serviceable, both pending reallocation to the WNTS storage pool. 60075 (WCAI) which had been assigned for N ONE at Toton by May 1st has been granted a reprieve being authorised to undergo a B exam.

Disposal...
The cutting of 37695 at Hull's, Rotherham has been completed. 37695 was stored from Crewe DMD and WKAD in March 2004, RIP.

Shunters binned...
Former Scunthorpe pilot 08512 currently at Immingham and Ketton regular 08909 at Doncaster Carr have been stored WNTS.

66038...
Euroshed 66038 (WBEN) latterly back at Toton for attention is on its way back to the Continent leaving via the 6G45 service to Bescot this afternoon sandwiched between 66066 and 66006.

RVE 31s...
31452 31454 and 31601 have been reallocated from the MRLO pool to the RVLO operations pool.

The plates can go back on...
The AC Locomotive Group have confirmed the acquirement of 87002 and its fitment with OTMR equipment with a view to it being returned to mainline status in the UK.

47772...
It has been indicated that 47772 (WNSO) awaiting recovery from Margam has been resold but remains with the private sector destined for preservation.

Back to base...
47375 has returned to Gloucester from the South Devon Railway with 33202 (CRRH) and 47309 (CREL).

180111...
Hull Trains are now utilising 180111 alongside their fleet of Class 222 'pioneers' thus the hire in of 86101 and the Mk3 set has come to an end.

SDR Convoy...
From storage at the Wensleydale Railway 47309 (CREL) and from Gloucester 33202 (CRRH) have been hauled west to the South Devon Railway for this weekend's Diesel Gala. It has been indicated that a slot for the return to mainline standards of 47309 is being arranged with Nemesis at Barrow Hill.

37417...
Following repairs at Doncaster Carr 37417 (WFMU) has been returned to service joining 37401 for booked rail tour duties tomorrow.

HNRC 37s For Sale...
Besides 37672 which is being re-offered for sale HNRC are making 37680 37683 and 37696 available for sale to preservation. Details in the 'for sale' section.

DRS Notes...
Not previously noted is the return to operational service of 20315 (XHSS) which has re-entered traffic from store at Crewe Gresty Bridge sometime in the past week meanwhile 37229 (XHSS) has been out on test from Carlisle running south from Kingmoor to Carnforth and back this morning.

37411...
Hauled from Warrington to Bescot yesterday evening 37411 (WFMU) was deposited at Toton today being brought in from the West Midlands behind 60055 in the consist of the 6D44 service.

87s...
87007 87008 and 87026 (all SBXL) have been tested at Crewe and are passed to leave for Bulgaria. Their transfer south from LNWR to the Channel Tunnel and through to Europe is set to take place sometime next week with the completion of their trek across to Bulgaria set to take up to three weeks. With regards to the speculation surfacing that moves are afoot to try to retain one of the Class 87s, fit it with OTMR, and run it in the UK...? Yes, apparently so...

56311...
56057 / 56311 (MBDL) currently being prepared for mainline use at RVE, Derby was due to be putting in an appearance at the forthcoming Swanage Gala but has had to be withdrawn from the line up due to now having commitments to work with Fastline.

EWS 37s...
Only 37401 is seeing use at the moment as 37417 has been stopped for attention.

37401 WKBN In traffic
37405 WFMU Stopped Toton, engine defects
37411 WFMU Stopped Warrington (transfer to Toton), engine defects
37417 WFMU Stopped Doncaster Carr, injectors
37422 WFMU Stopped Eastleigh, wheelsets

Convoy...
66723 hauled Bulgaria bound 87007 87008 and 87026 (all SBXL) from Long Marston to Crewe this afternoon for electrical testing at LNWR (not the EMD as first indicated) prior to despatch abroad.

37411...
Still at Warrington 37411 (WFMU) has been assigned for movement to Toton by the 24th for repairs.

43007...
Released from store at Craigentinny, 43007 (EHPC) ran with 43178 to Neville Hill this evening.

Forthcoming Road Transfers...
Two road transfers pending, both Kingsbury bound and due to take place shortly, are 08541 from Old Oak Common and 31113 from Chinnor. Still outstanding are the respective collections of 09021 (WNSO) from Immingham,  37894 (WNSO) from Tyne Yard, 37407 (WNSO) from Mossend, 37424 (WNSO) from Motherwell and several items from Margam which are understood to be awaiting movement out by rail due to access arrangements at Margam.

Eurosheds...
Whilst 66228 (WBEN) has been despatched abroad 66045 (WBEN) is back in the UK being noted at Bescot this morning.

Disposal...
The scrapping of 37158 (TTTC) , stored from Toton January 1999, on site at Carnforth has been completed, RIP.

33202...
After its run to Landore with 43093 33202 (CRRH) was deposited at Gloucester.

08500...
Noted traversing the A69 near Hexham yesterday on a low loader 08500 (WNTR) has been brought south from Mossend to Doncaster Carr.

33202...
In convoy with 43093 today behind 47828, 33202 (CRRH) has been hauled from Brush Traction to Landore. 33202 is set to appear at the South Devon Railway Gala later in the month.

37695...
The demolition of 37695 at Hull's, Rotherham is underway.

43317...
National Express liveried 43317 (IECP) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being noted heading north from Loughborough yesterday. It has swapped with 43039 (IECP) which has been admitted for re-engineering.

47355...
Still languishing at Carnforth 47355 (MBDL) has been acquired by EMR. It has been indicated that it will be made available for resale, further details when made available.

57003...
Joining 57002 at Barry Island Railway for secure storage 57003 (SBXL) ran south light engine from Crewe to Barry this afternoon.

66228...
Adding to the recent WBEN report is a note about 66228 (WBEN) which, released from Crewe EMD, has been taken south for shipment across to France.

EWS 37s...
Following on from its transfer north from South Wales to Doncaster overnight last night 37670 (WNTS) was forwarded from Doncaster to Knottingley this afternoon by 66069. 37405, stopped at Toton with engine problems, and 37422, despatched to Eastleigh with wheelset issues, have been reallocated to the WFMU pool leaving just 37401 and 37417 in WKBN for the time being.

EWS 60s...
60084 from store at Toton has been reinstated to WFMU from WNTS swapping places with 60500, sidelined at Toton, which has been reallocated to WNTS from WFMU. 60075 and 60090 have been assigned for N ONE at Toton, 60075 by May 1st whilst 60090 is due out of service by April 26th.

NR 37...
37198 has been extracted from Kingsbury and transported to the Great Central Railway for secure storage pending overhaul.

WBEN Update...
Developments since the last look at the WBEN Euroshed allocation include 66010 at Toton and 66209 at Dollands Moor being returned from Europe whilst 66191 66211 and 66245 have been variously returned or despatched to France. Crewe EMD currently hosts 66217 66219 66220 66228 and 66235 being prepared for use on the Continent.

No 90s for NXEC...
Although it had been stated that as part of the future expansion of services by NXEC, that Class 90s with coaching sets would be deployed, it now looks like this plan has been shelved in favour of utilising some of the spare Class 180s on NXEC services on duties such as the proposed new operation to Lincoln. Extending some workings through to Cleethorpes and deploying 180s on diagrams to Harrogate from London via York has also been mooted. The 180s are suddenly very much in demand with, besides NXEC and their proposed requirement, Grand Central wanting to use 180s to add to their North Eastern venture while Hull Trains wish to expand their operation to destinations other than Hull. Interesting times ahead then...

St Blazey in Transit...
37670 (WNTS) is on the move overnight tonight from Margam to Knottingley having left South Wales in the consist of the 6E20 service behind 66094. It is to be dropped off at Doncaster for forwarding to Knottingley.

Sir William...
It has been confirmed that the HT cover diagram utilising 86101 and stock is to run this coming weekend. As with last weekend these are to be the final guaranteed outings.

BRC 87s...
It has been indicated that 87007 87008 and 87026 (all SBXL) being readied for Bulgaria at Long Marston will be transferring to Crewe EMD for electrical testing sometime next week.

New Sheds...
66596 66597 (both DFHG) and 66732 (GBCM) have been accepted into traffic.

37670...
Margam resident 37670 (now WNTS vice WNXX) has been assigned for movement to Knottingley for a B exam. This development is understood to be to assist the EWS Class 37 fleet which, with 37411 still sidelined on decision and 37405 rumoured to be 'unwell', is in need of a bit of a boost.

37704...
Conveyed north from Cardiff to Stockton to get it to TJ Thomson's 37704 (HNRS) was in the consist of the 6Z71 service from Tidal behind 57005 today.

57004...
Although Cotswold Rail / Advenza were thought to still be interested in it 57004 has been transferred to the DRS fleet and has been reallocated from DFTZ to the XHHP holding pool.

Bulgarian 87...
87026 (SBXL) has been out shopped in full BRC colours for use in Bulgaria. It along with 87007 and 87008 are due to visit Crewe for electrical tests before heading off to Europe. Further details and pictures of 87026 in its new guise can be found on the Electric Traction web site.

New Sheds...
66595 (DFHG) 66728 and 66729 (both GBCM) have been released from Newport Docks. The others are still being prepared at Newport for acceptance into traffic.

37704...
Hauled from Gloucester to Cardiff this morning sandwiched between 57005 and 57006, 37704 (HNRS) has been recessed at Cardiff Pengam to await forwarding to Stockton via an Advenza scrap working from Tidal.

60050...
Completing its transfer from Thornaby 60050 (WNTS) has been hauled from Doncaster Carr to Toton.

Shunter Notes...
After four years out of use 08567 has been reinstated from store at Doncaster Carr to the WSSN pool from WNYX exchanging places with 08500 which has been stopped and stored WNTR at Mossend. 08389 (WSXX) has been pressed back into action at Warrington following repairs whilst 08770 (WSSF) has returned to service in the Cardiff area following attention at Margam. Former Dartmoor resident 08874 (MRLO) was observed heading north on a low loader on the M5 near Gloucester this afternoon whilst an unidentified black Class 08, one of the Wabtec hire fleet quite possibly, was observed on a low loader in the Doncaster area this morning.

86101...
Awaiting confirmation but it's beginning to look like 86101 and set will be out again this coming weekend on the Hull Trains cover diagram due to the training of staff on the 180 being behind schedule.

60050...
Via a stop over at Doncaster Carr 60050 (WNTS) has been brought down from Thornaby to Doncaster Carr en route to Toton..

67012...
Completing the set 67012 (WFMU) has been out-shopped in WSMR colours at Toton.

37047...
Not noted en route but 37047 has been moved up by road from Hither Green to Kingsbury in the past couple of days.

Disposals...
At Kingsbury scrapping continues unabated with the finishing off of 47314 being completed and the demolition of 37055 being undertaken. 37055 was stored from WKAD at Toton April 2002 whilst 47314 was stored from Bescot and WHBF back in February 1999, RIP.

37s in Jeopardy...
At Carnforth the cutting of 37158 (TTTC) has begun whilst it has been indicated that 37704 (HNRS) is not now Long Marston bound and is to go to Stockton instead.

57s...
Reports indicate that 57001 (DFTZ) currently at Crewe LNWR and 57003 (SBXL) from Crewe Basford Hall are to join 57002 (SBXL) at Barry for storage, movement planned for the 18th. Whilst the prospects of 57001 being used by Advenza have evaporated 57004 (DFTZ) at Basford Hall may still be of interest but with spare 66s on the horizon...

MTU...
43099 (IECP) has been admitted to Brush Traction for re-engineering swapping places with 43302 (IECP) which has been released following re-engineering. 43318 was the escort vechicle to and from Loughborough.

47760...
Restored to mainline status by WCRC at Carnforth 47760 (MBDL) made its return to service today running with 57601 from Carnforth to York then on to the NRM at Shildon with D1023 before returning to Carnforth.

60040 / 60092...
from store at Toton 60040 has been reinstated to the WFMU pool swapping places with 60092 which has been stored WNTS at Toton.

Disposals, four of...
At Booth's, Rotherham the scrapping of 37887, stored from Toton and WKGN in October 1999, is almost complete, only its frame remained when viewed this morning. RIP.
Evidently, with the news that the breaking up of 37174 was underway a few days ago, the munching machine is back in action at Kingsbury, it (37174) 47226 and 47758 have been reduced to chunks and attention has turned to 47314. 37174 was stored from Toton and WKAD in January 2005, 47226 from Bescot and WHBF in February 1999 whist 47758 was stored from Crewe DMD and the WHDD pool in September 2003, RIP.

New 66s Registered...
The recent Class 66 arrivals in the UK have been registered on the system en masse to HQ and the MBDL pool pending acceptance and authorisation to run. Besides 66595 to 66597, 66728 to 66732 inclusive, yet to be delivered 66598 66599 and 66953 to 66957 inclusive have also been registered on the system, all also HQ and MBDL.

Disposal...
The cutting of 37235 on site at Carnforth is as good as complete with only its frame and bogies remaining. 37235 was stored from Immingham and the FDRI pool back in September 1995, RIP.

08994...
From store at Doncaster Carr 08994 (WNTR) has been transported to Worksop and returned to use.

57011...
Partnering 57009 from Crewe to Stowmarket this afternoon 57011 (XHSS) has been released back into traffic from store at Crewe Gresty Bridge.

More to Underline...
Freightliner's 66595 66596 and 66597 along with 66728 66729 66730 66731 and 66732 for GBRf have arrived at Newport Docks. All bar 66596 and 66597 were offloaded today.

37174...
The cutting of 37174, in error by all accounts because a buyer was lined up for it, is underway at Kingsbury.

Making Space...
Five more stored Class 60s have been moved into the compound at Toton. Shunted in from the depot area this morning, joining 60001a already in there, were 60008 60036 60057 60069 and 60072 (all WNTS).

37704 to Long Marston...
Two identical paths have been put in place for the 10th and 11th from Gloucester (13:03) to Long Marston (16:09) which, if either run, may include 37704 (HNRS) awaiting forwarding to Long Marston from Gloucester.

Catching Up...
Two developments missed at the tail end of last week wee the return to service from Craigentinny of 43178 (EHPC) and the delivery to Long Marston from MoD Shoeburyness by road transfer of 86230 (SAXL), 43178 has been placed on hire to NXEC and was in action partnering 43300 today on East Coast duties.

Work in Progress...
The scrapping of 37887 at Booth's, Rotherham and 37235 (MBDL) on site at Carnforth is underway.

HT86...
This coming weekend is the last weekend when the Hull Trains Class 86 and stock diagram is guaranteed to be in action. After this weekend 86101 and its set will, for a short period, be held on standby for thunderbird duties if required so there may be further outings albeit at short notice.

Disposal...
The demolition of 47316 at Thomson's, Stockton is complete, only part of its frame and several chunks of the former Cotswold Rail machine were in evidence earlier today. 47316 was retired from the CRRH pool October 2006. RIP.

WAWN Skips...
67013 and 67014 have been added to the WAWN pool, 67013 reinstated from WNTS, 67014 from WFMU.

37704...
Still at Gloucester.

WSMR Skip...
67015 at Toton has been reinstated to a new pool coded WAWN for the Class 67s that are to be employed on the WSMR job when it gets up and running later this month. April 28th is the planned start date for the commencement of services between London Marylebone at Wrexham with a full shadow operation to iron out any problems being implemented from the 22nd. 67015 was hauled from Toton to Bescot late afternoon to re-enter service.

More Yellow Paint Required...
It appears that 37198 currently at Kingsbury and 37372, a one time Kingsbury resident, currently at Barrow Hill, are to become Network Rail machines. One of these apparently being the subject of some horse trading involving EMR, WCRC and a saloon...

57s on the move...
57003 (SBXL) and 57004 (DFTZ) have been moved north from Southampton Maritime in the consist of a Coatbridge bound liner as far as Crewe behind 66567.

Toton Changes...
66031 (WFMU) has been recovered from the compound swapping places with 58003 (WNXX) which has been returned to the dump in its place. 09013 (WSSN) has also, maybe ominously, been deposited into the compound.

43148...
Cotswold Rail's 47828 was utilised to recover 43148 (EFPC) from Reading to Old Oak Common during the night.

86233...
Swift Rail have advised that 86233 (SRLO) is to receive an electrical inspection / repairs and be fitted with OTMR equipment whist at Crewe, at where day to day maintenance, once it is returned to mainline running, will be based. Active testing and shake down trials are envisaged for mid May onwards and it is to retain its current colour scheme.

Can to Crewe...
86233 (SRLO) has been brought up from Oxley to Crewe EMD for attention. 37422 had been allocated to haul it north this morning but in the end 66025 did the honours.

Shunter Increase...
08742 at Bescot has been reinstated to the WSSN pool from WNXX.

Disposals...
Two belated disposals to report. 08526 and 08599 have been broken up at Thomson's, Stockton and as far as can be ascertained they were processed during the second week of March. 08526 was stored from Margam and WSGW in October 2006 whilst 08599 was stored from Immingham and WSNE in February 2004, RIP.

Work in Progress...
At Thomson's, Stockton the demolition of 47316 is well in hand.

WSMR Skip...
A picture of 67015 in WSMR silver at Toton can be seen on this page.

Shunter Decrease...
08866 which was transported down to Doncaster from Carlisle a few weeks ago been stored WNTS at Doncaster Carr.

WBEN Increase...
The Euroshed fleet has been brought up to 60 strong (is that it now?) with the addition to the WBEN allocation of 66219 and 66220 meanwhile 66236 which had been at Toton for attention is on its way back to France being noted at Bescot this morning en route.

On the Road...
GC power car 43065 (GCHP) has been recovered from Newark and, noted on its way south of Newark last night, is en route to Crewe Works for attention. Still awaiting collection / movement are, all Kingsbury bound, 31113 from the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, 37047 (WNSO) from Hither Green and 37894 (WNSO) from Tyne Yard.

WBEN Update...
Since the last WBEN review 66038 has returned to the UK from France, it was at Bescot yesterday, whilst 66210 66214 66218 and 66240 have been despatched abroad. 66217 and 66228 have been moved up from Toton to Crewe EMD where they are being prepared for European operations with 66191 66211 and 66235. 66236 is still at Toton and 66245 remains at Dollands Moor.

Swap...
With regards to the item about 37430 and 55016... Further to the earlier speculation about 37430 possibly being saved from the axe, its transfer south some days ago from Motherwell to Kingsbury apparently sealing its fate, it would seem that survival is in the offing with a swap deal being arranged whereby 37430 will be exchanging places with, it has been discovered this morning, 55016 (!) which currently resides at Peak Rail...it was nothing more than a bit of April foolery. Just in case anyone hadn't realised...

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