EWS 37s...
Still at Bescot awaiting transfer on to Eastleigh 37401 and 37417 have been stored WNTR.

Spain can wait...
It seems that a European jolly for 58001 (WNXX) will have to wait a little while yet as it, along with 56006 (WNXX), has been returned to Barrow Hill from Knottingley.

Reinstatements...
DRS have reinstated 57004 to the XHNC pool whilst EWS have reinstated 60072 to the WFMS pool. The return of the latter if notable as it had been dumped in the compound at Toton.

Robin of Templecombe...
Fresh from Eastleigh Works 47739 (COLO) has been named Robin of Templecombe at Templecombe today.

Eurovans...
Although it had been envisaged that they would be on their way by now 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) are still at Crewe LNWR ready for despatch east. The delay is purely down to the logistics involved - ships, loading and unloading facilities, barges and road transport - in getting these three 87s across to Bulgaria. It should be noted that when the time comes, the first leg of their journey, from Crewe to Hull, will be by road transport.

Roy's back...
47786 (MBDL) has returned to service with an evening test run, no problems reported, from Carnforth to Hellifield and back. 47851 and 57601 went along as insurance / load.

EWS 37s...
Following their weekend reprieve on the Cambrian ballast workings 37401 and 37417 (both WKBN) were returned to Bescot in the early hours of this morning. They are still assigned for N ONE at Eastleigh a couple of days ago.

DRS additions...
37682 and 47841, both at Barrow Hill, have been reallocated from HNRS to the DRS XHHP holding pool. This development confirms the latter's future lies with the blue team. 37683 also being attended to at Barrow Hill, for DRS, remains unallocated.

47829...
47829 (XHHP) was, it has now been established, delivered to Long Marston on the 25th.

9016...
Its farewell weekend of running complete 55016 will shortly be readied for removal from Peak Rail by road to Long Marston. In light of the reaction to the purchase of 55016 and the possibility of it being dismantled, this is still an option, HNRC are inviting offers / expressions of interest for the purchase of the locomotive (without the current bogies as these are sold already) intact. There's only a week to get your bids in and there are a number of terms and conditions to meet. Full details can be viewed on the for sale page.

EWS 37s...
Eastleigh bound 37401 and 37417 (both WKBN) had been stabled together at Didcot to await transfer to Eastleigh and store but the need for RETB equipped traction for a Cambrian ballast job has resulted in 37401 and 37417 being despatched north from Didcot to Bescot this afternoon for a return to traffic.

DRS Convoy...
37423 has been to Loughborough to collect and transfer to Crewe Gresty Bridge 20309 (XHMW) 37601 and 37603 (both XHHP).

Disposal...
The scrapping of 31188, stored in January 1999, has been undertaken at Thomson's, Stockton. Only its frame and bogies were viewable earlier today, RIP.

EWS 37s...
The proverbial plug is being pulled, albeit maybe not for good yet as sandite looms large on the calendar and there's the winter snowplough jobs in Scotland to consider. 37401 and 37417 (both WKBN) have been assigned for N ONE at Eastleigh, 37401 due to go south from Warrington overnight tonight. 37422 at Eastleigh has been stored WNTS already, it had been out of use at Eastleigh allocated to WFMU. Any other work with other members of the fleet at Eastleigh should by now have stopped.

Margam trio...
60033 60037 and 60067 (all WNTS) were moved up from Newport to Bescot Yard yesterday evening behind 66141 and today have been forwarded on to Toton behind 66063.

73201...
Potentially for use with GBRf 73201 (SBXL) has completed its transfer to St Leonards, the final leg of its journey from Tonbridge being completed behind 66702.

58001...
Not to be returned to Barrow Hill from Knottingley, it has been indicated. European contract use beckons...

MTU...
43357 (EHPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction, Loughborough.

Tugs...
Released into traffic today, noted leaving Toton with 60031 and 60100 on the 6M87 working, 60092 has been reinstated from store at Toton. It was initially allocated to the WFMS sandite holding pool before being reallocated to WCBK. 60035 has also been transferred from the WFMS sandite holding pool to WCAK. 60033 60037 and 60067 (all WNTS) en route to Toton from Margam are still at Newport. As to whether this increase in the Class 60 fleet is connected with the news that EWS are *possibly* on the verge of pulling the plug with their Class 37 fleet, this remains to be seen...

73s...
73136 has taken 73210 (MBEL) from Stewarts Lane to the Mid Norfolk Railway whilst 73201 (SBXL) is at Willesden PRDC awaiting forwarding to St Leonards.

Margam trio...
60033 60037 and 60067 (all WNTS) have been removed from Margam and are to go to Toton. The first leg of their journey today, to Newport, was behind 66206 running as 0Z53 to ADJ.

Colas 47...
Being readied for release into traffic 47739 at Eastleigh Works has been reinstated to the COLO operational pool.

Highway patrol...
47829 (XHHP) has been extracted from Crewe Gresty Bridge and is being transported by road to Long Marston. It was noted traversing the M42 late afternoon, on a low loader, probably heading for an overnight lay over at Allely's.

73s...
73201 (SBXL) has emerged from Long Marston and, reportedly St Leonards bound, was taken south today by 66723. 73210 (MBEL) is booked for transfer from Stewarts Lane to Dereham tomorrow.

08955...
Confirming that its proposed sale had fallen through 08955, currently residing in Bescot Yard, has been reallocated to WNXX from the WNSO sold loco pool.

90039...
Sidelined at Crewe EMD 90039 has been stored WNTR.

Executive sandite...
67029 and 82146, its regular partner usually to be found bolted to either end of the EWS executive train, have been out and about either side of a RHTT set testing the concept of operating Rail Head Treatment Trains in this mode rather than top and tailing with two locomotives.

No one said it had to be pretty...
Freightliner's Powerhaul...

37409...
Completing its transfer south from Scotland by road 37409 has been off loaded at Barrow Hill.

08350...
Pinned down at last. 08350 had been at Heanor's but was delivered to Hulls, Rotherham late last week. It is still intact.

Tug 79...
60079 has been reinstated to the WCAN pool from store at Toton.

Fastline 56s...
56301 and 56302 (both RCJA) have been hauled by 37423 from Derby, where they were sidelined awaiting repairs, to Brush Traction at Loughborough.

BRE 37/4s...
37409 and 37414 have been re-listed on the storage lists in light of their recent sales, 37403 which never left Margam had remained on the lists. 37409, now destined for a career with DRS, has left the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway and is being brought south by road to Barrow Hill where it is to be overhauled by HNRC. It is unclear what is in the offing for 37403 and speculation is still rife regarding the future of 37414, currently on the Weardale Railway, with variously DRS, Booths, EMR and just about every other scrap dealer mentionable being mentioned. More on these two later no doubt...

9016...
With regards to this coming weekend's farewell do for 9016 at Peak Rail, HNRC and the Peak Rail Operations Manager have requested that, as outlined on the Peak Rail D9016 Farewell web page it be reiterated that in the event of any misbehaviour during the weekend 9016 will be pulled from running. "Peak Rail is keen to emphasise that despite the strong feelings amongst some enthusiasts surrounding the locomotives future, the railway will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour over the weekend."

Rumours and speculation as to Gordon Highlander's future continue apace and a web site concerned with a project to try to purchase 9016 has been launched, it can be viewed at this link. HNRC have been approached about this continued speculation and are on record as stating that at the present moment, notwithstanding the fact that it currently isn't on the market, no offers to purchase the locomotive have been received from any UK railway operators.

37682 / 37683...
At Barrow Hill 37682 is on test and 37683 has been admitted for attention. Contrary to reports elsewhere, it should be clarified that 37515 has not been stripped to provide spares for the rejuvenation of 37682 and 37683.

08350...
Further to yesterday's report regarding the removal of 08350 (MBDL) from the MRC for scrap, a green Class 08 has been noted in the yard at Heanor, Langley Mill and it looks like this is 08350 still en route to Rotherham.

47703...
Recently reactivated 47703 (CREL) has been in action on the Wensleydale Railway's gala weekend performing alongside the line's resident 47715 and visitors 31108 and 60040.

Eurovans...
Due for release from Crewe next week Bulgaria bound 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) are to be shipped off abroad by sea via Hull rather than through the tunnel and overland across Europe to Bulgaria by rail. It is planned to transport the three Class 87s to Hull from where they will be shipped across to Holland for forwarding up the Rhine and beyond by barge.

37411...
Along with 37417 sent south for repairs 37411 (WNTS) has completed its transfer to Eastleigh.

08350...
Former MRC resident 08350 (MBDL) has been sold for scrap. As far as can be ascertained it was deposited at Hulls, Rotherham some days ago.

37s repainted...
Being prepared at Carnforth for a return to the mainline 37706 has been out shopped in the WCRC maroon colour scheme whilst 37682 (HNRS) is now sporting DRS colours at Barrow Hill.

Body lifts at Barrow Hill...
47237 (ADFL) at Barrow Hill for repairs has been reunited with its bogies following a lift to gain access. Its place on the jacks has been taken by recent arrival 47841 (HNRS) which is receiving attention to its wheelsets and bogies.

EWS 37s...
At Old Oak Common 37419 (WNTS) is being assessed to see if it is a suitable candidate for a return to service whilst at Eastleigh 37406 37410 and 37425 (all WNTS) would appear to be on the comeback trail. 37416 (WNTS) is being utilised for spares at the moment whilst 37411 (WNTS) is still at Warrington waiting passage south to Eastleigh.

Bones away...
58015 58027 58047 from Dollands Moor and 58050 from Wembley to Dollands Moor at some point (all WZFS) have now been taken through to France for forwarding on to Spain.

66502...
Sidelined at Garston 66502 (DFGM) is understood to have been involved in a 'bit of a scrape' in the Liverpool area.

Bones...
58047 (WZFS) has been moved south from Wembley to Dollands Moor where it joins 58015 and 58027 (both WZFS) awaiting transfer abroad whilst 58050 (WZFS) has been released from Eastleigh and was moved up to Wembley in today's 6M44 working.

Full circle...
En route to Eastleigh 37411 (WNTS) has been moved across from Doncaster to Warrington. It was at Warrington that 37411 was originally stopped and placed on decision before transfer to Toton, where it was stored, before being despatched to Knottingley thence Doncaster...

Springburn 57...
57002 (XHHP) was taken north from Carlisle Kingmoor to Glasgow Works yesterday.

47841...
Following a stop over at Allely's en route from Dagenham 47841 (HNRS) has completed its journey by road to Barrow Hill.

20142...
Re-listed pending developments it has been reported that 20142 (MBDL) at Llangollen has been sold into 'the industry'.

37 on the move...
37411 (WNTS) has left Knottingley being noted on the first leg of its transfer south passing through Doncaster with 66137 and 66166 en route to Carr loco.

47s on the move...
47811 (DFLH) has been transported down by road from Crewe to Dagenham where it takes up 'super shunter' duties allowing for the removal from Dagenham of 47841 (now HNRS) which has been sold. 47841 was taken to Tilbury for loading to road transport and, en route to Barrow Hill, was later noted on the M1 near London late afternoon heading north. 47841 does have a future...

37248...
A press release by the Growler Group concerning 37248 has been circulated...

Another significant milestone for the Growler Group has been reached with the signing of an agreement that sees them become custodians of class 37 locomotive no. 37248, owned by three Growler Group working members, and currently on hire to the West Coast Railway Company through the venture 'Type Three Traction'.

By placing the locomotive formally into the care of the Growler Group, the locomotive will be looked after into the future by a strong, established group of people who care passionately about class 37s and with a proven track record of quality restoration and care for its locomotives. It will also give the Group an opportunity to promote itself more widely and remain at the forefront of class 37 preservation by, in the short term at least, having the only 'preserved' class 37 currently operating on the Network Rail system. The locomotive is operated by the West Coast Railway Company, who are responsible for its care and maintenance for the duration of the hire, and operates throughout the UK from the Carnforth base of WCRC.

In recognition of this, and to mark the 10th operational year of 37215 in preservation, which was one of the first class 37s bought for preservation in 1994, the Group has also re-vamped its website at www.thegrowlergroup.org.uk, where full details of all three class 37s and the Group's news and activities can be found.

Bones...
58015 and 58027 (both WZFS) have been moved down from Wembley to Dollands Moor to await despatch abroad. There departure will be somewhat dependent on the re-opening of the Channel Tunnel to traffic after yesterday's lorry on a shuttle train fire. 58047 (WZFS) remains at Wembley whilst 58050 (WZFS) is still at Eastleigh.

Bone...
Only 58047 (WZFS) has been transferred from Eastleigh to Wembley Yard, 58050 (WZFS) hasn't been released yet. 58047 was moved up to London in the consist of today's 6M44 working behind 66088.

DRS 37s...
37087 37194 and 37261 have been reallocated to the XHNC pool and reinstated from store at Kingmoor. At Barrow Hill the repair of 37682 (HNRS) for DRS is progressing whilst 37683, a recent arrival at Barrow Hill from Long Marston, has been started and run up for systems testing prior to entering the workshop for overhaul for DRS.

XC Power Cars...
43007 43178 and 43184 (all EHPC) undergoing re-engineering at Brush Traction have been renumbered to 43207 43378 and 43384 respectively.

Bones...
58047 (WZFS) has been returned to Eastleigh. It and 58050 (WZFS) are booked for transfer from Eastleigh to Wembley via tomorrow's 6M44 working. 58021 (WZFS) is currently in bits at Eastleigh but inclusion in future batches of Class 58 to be used in Europe is quite probable.

43321...
Cross Country power car 43321 (EHPC), the former 43121, has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction and made its own way north today, with a barrier coach, from Loughborough to Craigentinny via the WCML.

Bones...
58047 (now added to the WZFS allocation, reallocated from WZFF) has been moved the short distance from Eastleigh to Northam for tyre turning whilst 58015 and 58027 (both WZFS) are on their way abroad having being moved from Eastleigh to Wembley Yard in the consist of today's 6M44 service behind 66069. At Eastleigh 58050 (WZFS) is still being prepared and it would appear that 58047 has replaced 58021 (WZFS) in this batch being prepared to go abroad.

Tugs and a Dyson...
60066 has been stored WNTS at Toton swapping places with 60075, back from store and reinstated to the WCAN pool from WNTR whilst 92012 at Crewe EMD has been reinstated from WNTS to WFMU.

DRS Notes...
66404 recently returned to Carlisle following repairs at Springburn has been reinstated to the XHIM pool however this change of status is fairly academic as it and most of the rest of the 66401 to 66410 batch due to come off lease at some point are sidelined at Kingmoor. Only 66401 66403 and 66405 have been seeing regular use of late. 37601 (XHHP) has been noted at Brush Traction, Loughborough in full DRS compass livery.

37683...
For overhaul and transformation to a DRS machine 37683 has been transported north from Long Marston to Barrow Hill. It was noted en route on a low loader traversing the M40 mid afternoon.

Assignments...
37411 (WNTS) at Knottingley has been assigned for transfer to Eastleigh whilst Freightliner stalwart 86607 (DFNC) has been scheduled for an F exam at Crewe LNWR.

WFMS 60s...
60007 60029 60035 and 60051 have been reallocated to a new pool coded WFMS which is something to do with fleet management and the forthcoming autumn RHTT (sandite) season.

MBEL 92s...
92010 92028 92038 and 92043, the four Class 92s in use with SNCF have been reallocated from WZGF, they were technically squatting in the the Class 56 French pool anyway, to the MBEL pool.

DRS Notes...
Two transfers on the 5th not yet recorded were the movement north from Carnforth back to Carlisle Kingmoor by 47832 of 37510 (XHHP) which, now in base DRS colours, is ready to have the 'compass' decals applied whilst 57003 (XHHP), still in Freightliner green, was taken south from Carlisle by 66403 presumably to either Crewe LNWR or Crewe Gresty Bridge. 37069 (XHNC) has received the 'compass' livery' whilst 66412 is now adorned with Malcolm's' decals.

Knottingley...
On display or involved with the special workings connected with yesterdays EWS do at Knottingley were 09201 37411 37670 45112 47805 55022 56006 58001 59202 60029 66011 66050 and 67029. During the event a suitably tided up 66050 was named 'EWS Energy' which begs the question, are the other sectors going to follow suit...

08757...
Since arriving at Toton from Acton 08757 has been stored WNTS.

Eurovan convoy...
The transfer of 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) from Long Marston to Crewe LNWR via a stop over at Stafford has been completed.

66404...
Following attention at Glasgow Work 66404 (XHHP) was brought south to Carlisle Kingmoor on the 2nd.

56312...
No longer exhibit D as the planned movement to and appearance of 56312 at the EWS Knottingley do has been cancelled. The family and friends event at Knottingley (see below) is now, according to the Royal Scots Grey website, open to the general public. 56312 is to remain at Wansford until re-certified and thoroughly tested then enter traffic directly from there.
With regards to its recent livery embellishments, certainly eye catching but not one for the purists, Hanson Traction have advised that 'Artemis' is the name for 56312 and that the others will be receiving their God / Goddess names in due course. Each Class 56 is being out-shopped in an independent livery scheme, 56311 was grey whilst 56128 / 56313 might have a blue base. These colour schemes are interim pending an application of the livery of whoever is hiring the locomotive *if* they require that their livery be applied.

86233...
Swift Rail advise that the sale of 86233 has fallen thorough and that it is now being re-offered for sale.

Knottingley...
Although as stated on the RSG website that the Knottingley event tomorrow is now open to the general public it has been advised that there is only a limited number of places available for the general public and that this number is very much dependent on how many EWS employees, family members and friends attend.
Further exhibits are set to include 66050 (WBAN) and 67029 (WAAN), taken north from Toton this afternoon, 45112 (NRLO) from Barrow Hill and 59202 (WDAK) which has been retained on workings in the north since tyre turning at Toton a couple of days ago.

57002...
Now in DRS colours 57002 (XHHP) has been dragged north from Crewe to Carlisle.

Eurovan convoy...
Still at Stafford today even though 47727 was despatched north last night to finalise the transfer of 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) to Crewe LNWR. Maybe tonight...

20166...
Noted heading north on a low loader via the M5 late afternoon 20166 (HNRL) has been moved up from Bodmin to the Battlefield Line.

Eurovan convoy...
Due to an administrative issue the transfer of 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) only got as far as Stafford and the three Crewe bound 87s have been dropped off in the engineers sidings to the south of Stafford station. Their transfer to LNWR is set to be completed late today.

MTU...
43311 (IECP) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction being hauled north from Loughborough to Neville Hill today.

Eurovan convoy...
Retimed to run a little later than advised Colas 47727 was utilised to collect 87010 87022 and 87028 (all SBXL) from Long Marston for transfer to Crewe LNWR. Following a rather lengthy stop over in the yard at Worcester due to pathing and route issues in the Birmingham area the convoy proceeded towards Crewe overnight.

20166...
The transportation by road of 20166 (HNRL) from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway to the Battlefield Line is set to take place shortly.

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