Rounding off 2008...
A few fleet changes that took place towards the end of December that have not yet been recorded. 08786, last working in the Wembley Yard area has been stored WNTS and its replacement is 08897 moved south from Wigan CRDC following repairs which has been reinstated to the WSSN pool. 08886 at Toton, only recently reinstated, has been returned to store, WNTS.

WAFN...
67016 and 67017 have been allocated to a new pool coded WAFN for Class members going on hire to First Great Western.

DRS, further reductions...
All at Carlisle Kingmoor 20312 37038 and 37218, the two Class 37s have been operating as a pair in recent days, have been stored XHSS.

60005...
Now at Toton for assessment 60005 (WCBK) has arrived from Peak Forest.

60005...
Recently reinstated 60005 (WCBK) has been stopped at Peak Forest after suffering a serious engine malfunction early yesterday. It has been assigned to Toton with no exp ok date.

DRS, a further reduction...
37510 at Kingmoor has been stored XHSS.

Sales...
With regards to the recent EWS tender list as far as can be ascertained, the usual disclaimers apply, the following have been sold...

CF Booth (31) / TJ Thomson (7)
08402 08489 08509 08510 08582 08587 08665 08670 08694 08715 08775 08890 08900 08919 08933 08955 37046 37058 37077 37196 37221 37238 37293 37294 37377 37516 37692 37796 37798 56025 56043 56052 56064 56076 56082 56084 56086 and 56089 (unconfirmed indications suggest Thomson's are having seven Class 08s)

Hanson Traction
56027 and 56114

Private Sales / Preservation
37421 and 56101

Sandbach Car & Commercial
37799 and 37801

Artemis on tour...
56312 (HTLX) has today run from Wansford to Bescot in preparation for tomorrow's tour between Derby and Carlisle, out via the S&C, back direct via Preston. Selected timings for this jolly are...

1Z37 Derby to Carlisle
Derby 07:12, Tamworth HL 07:41, Water Orton 08:24, Birmingham NS 08:38, Wolverhampton 09:05, Telford 09:28, Shrewsbury 09:55, Crewe 10:41, Warrington 11:21, Wigan NW 11:42, Blackburn 12:17, Clitheroe 12:39, Hellifield 13:02, Ribblehead 13:27, Appleby 14:02 and Carlisle 14:48.

1Z38 Carlisle to Derby
Carlisle 16:30, Penrith 16:51, Lancaster 17:40, Preston 17:59, Wigan NW 18:15, Warrington 18:28, Crewe 19:05, Shrewsbury 20:09, Telford 20:36, Wolverhampton 21:04, Birmingham NS 21:28, Water Orton 21:47, Tamworth HL 22:05 and Derby 22:38.

Toton...
With space at a premium at Toton several stored Class 60s - 60002 60038 60045 60046 60056 60076 60092 and 60095 (all WNTR) - have been positioned into the compound on the two sidings in front of and immediately behind the paint shop to the south of the depot..

DRS notes...
Prior to the start of the Christmas break 20311 (XHSS) was stood down from service to store at Crewe Gresty Bridge whilst 37069 and 37610 at Kingmoor along with 37606 at Gresty Bridge have been stored XHSS.

60041...
Since being stopped for store at Margam 60041 (WNTR) have been moved up to Toton.

87s...
All three Class 87s being exported, 87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL), were across in Holland by yesterday, their departure has been confirmed.

Eddie junior...
66414 (XHIM) ran south from Glasgow Works to Carlisle yesterday in base light blue Stobart colours. It is understood to be getting 'Son of Eddie' decals at Kingmoor.

DBSW...
From January 1st 2009 EWS will be re-branding and trading as DB Schenker West. Further information regarding this development can be seen on this web site.

60s...
60005 and 60026 have been reinstated from WNTS at Toton, to WCBK and WCBI respectively, whilst 60012 at Toton and 60041 at Margam have been stored WNTR.

87s...
It is understood that only two from the three 87s; 87003 87006 and 87034, being exported, sailed last night, although the third should also be away by now.

56101...
It has been advised that 56101, currently at Immingham, has been purchased by a small group of enthusiasts who have previous Class 56 experience. Their stated intention is to preserve the locomotive, which has been described as being in reasonably good condition, for future heritage use on a line yet to be determined.

47703 & 47715 anyone...
The Wensleydale Diesel Traction Group in association with HNRC would lake to advise that 47703 (one return trip) and 47715 (two return trips) will be in action on the Wensleydale Railway on January 4th. Standard day rover fares apply.

20311...
Although stored XHSS on the 19th 20311 is still in service being noted in traffic with 37604 yesterday working south from Sellafield.

Export 87s...
On low loaders 87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL) have been transported across from Crewe to Hull today for export to Bulgaria. Providing all goes to plan, there had been a delay in the Crewe area, the lorries with the Class 87s will be on the overnight sailing from Hull to Rotterdam where the 87s will be transferred to barges for shipment up the Rhine and on to Bulgaria. The next three Class 87s being prepared at Long Marston for export, all three of which will be out-shopped in BRC green and yellow, are 87011 87020 and 87029.

37421...
Although discovering who has bought what from EWS in the latest round of sales is going to require a little more investigation yet the new owners of 37421 have advised that it is being purchased by L&S Locomotives, the current owners of 37023 37116 and 37219, and that a decision with regards to 37421's prospective new home, it currently resides at Motherwell, is to be made in the near future.

DRS...
An end of sandite (RHTT) season cull has taken place with nine Class 20s and six Class 37s being stored. Transferring to the XHSS storage pool, all from XHNC, are 20301 20302 20305 20306 20307 20310 20311 20313 and 20315 along with 37059 37194 37261 37602 37608 and 37682. The bulk of these are at Carlisle however 20311 is currently at Sellafield whilst 20307 20315 and 37682 are at Crewe Gresty Bridge (or the nearby Crewe Coal Yard secure compound).

EWS...
60011 is back in store again, WNTS at Toton, swapping places in the active fleet with 60091 which has been reinstated from WNTS to WCBN meanwhile 60028 (WNTS) has now completed its transfer from Scotland to Crewe EMD. The 'home depot' allocations for 37401 37406 and 37670, all the Class 58s and all the Class 67s have been altered. The three Class 37s along with 58001 to 58050 inclusive have been reallocated en masse from Toton to Eastleigh whilst 67001 to 67030 inclusive have been reallocated from Toton to Crewe EMD.

WCRC...
37706 (MBDL) has undertaken its first revenue earning duty under the WCRC banner working from Carnforth to Edinburgh whilst 37712 (MBDL) is being added to the storage lists pending developments, one way or the other, with the fire damaged locomotive.

60045 & 60092...
Recently stopped and stored at Immingham 60045 and 60092 (both WNTR) have now arrived at Toton.

Crewe 87s...
Electrical testing of 87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL) has been completed at Basford Hall and transfer across to Hull for export has been scheduled to take place this Sunday, the 21st.

56311 & 56312...
The two Colas / Hanson Traction Grids returned to Wansford, Nene Valley Railway today as planned.

EWS 37s...
37417 moved south overnight from Carlisle to Eastleigh has been stored WNXX on arrival at Eastleigh whilst 37670 which, it has been established, is undergoing repair work at Knottingley has been reinstated to the WFMU pool pending a return to use.

60s...
Several further Class 60 storages have taken place with 60026 60045 60046 60076 and 60091 being stored leaving the Class 60 fleet with only 37 locomotives in traffic. 60026 and 60091 have been stored WNTS at Toton whilst 60046 and 60076 have been stored WNTR, also at Toton. 60045 has been stored WNTR at Immingham and will be heading for Toton with 60092 (WNTR) which has a one journey only restriction in place so may be the train engine when their transfer takes place.
60095 at Toton has been reallocated from WNTS to WNTR whilst 60028 (WNTS) is on its way (slowly) from Mossend to Crewe EMD for wheelset attention, currently at Carlisle en route. 60056 (WNTR) has arrived at Toton for store, working in with the 6M73 working, whilst 60002 (WNTR), transferred from Warrington to Bescot overnight, was forwarded from Bescot to Toton in the consist of the afternoon 6D44 service.

08886 09107 & 90028...
08886 at Toton has been reinstated to the WSSN pool however 09107 at Doncaster Carr has been returned to store WNTS. Like 08664 08922 and 09101 reinstated and stored again in recent weeks, 09107 didn't actually return to use. 90028 has been stored WNTR at Crewe EMD.

Power car notes...
43089 (EMPC) and re-engineered 43295 (IECP) are ready for collection from Brush Traction. Loughborough.

60s...
60002 60038 60039 60056 and 60092 have been stored WNTR while 60007 has been stored WNTS but the assignment for N ONE for 60072 has been cancelled. 60002 is at Warrington awaiting a tow to Toton whilst 60007 60038 and 60039 are already at Toton. 60056 and 60092 are still technically active out and about but to work their way to Toton and store.
60061 (WCAN) is ready for its mainline return being booked to work from Toton to Crewe and back whilst 60062 (WCAN) has turned up at Aberdeen for snow duties alongside 37401 (WKBN) which has reached Inverness.

37670...
Its assignment for a B exam and other repairs at Toton has been cancelled although whether 37670 (WNTS) is to be worked on at Knottingley is unclear.

EWS notes...
08393 at Doncaster Carr has been reinstated to WSSI in exchange for 08428 which has been stopped and stored WNTR at Doncaster Carr whilst it receives an E exam.
60061 from Toton has been reinstated again, this time to the WCAN pool, and is currently on restricted duties in and around the Toton area pending the clearance to enter the fray proper. 60014 and 60043 have been stored at Toton, WNTS and WNTR respectively, and there are more to go with 60002 60007 60038 60039 60056 60072 and 60092 having being assigned for N ONE at Toton in the coming days.
37417 (WKBN) en route south from Inverness has reached Carlisle where it is awaiting transfer to Eastleigh via tomorrow's 6X12 working.

86609...
Following repairs at Crewe LNWR 86609 (DFNC) has returned to active service.

Hanson / Colas 56s...
56311 and 56312 (both HTLX) which will be out paired up again in the next couple of days are to return to Wansford mid week to spend the Christmas break on the Nene Valley Railway before returning to the mainline in January with more steel workings between Immingham and Washwood Heath.

37s...
As a consequence of 37417 being taken out of traffic 37423 (XHNC) has been hired in from DRS and has taken up residence at Inverness for snow plough duties and 37670 (WNTS) at Knottingley is assigned for movement to Toton and a B exam. Whether the potential return to service of 37670 sticks remains to be seen. 37682, returned to use late October, has now been transferred from XHHP to the XHNC pool.

MTU...
43053 and 43056 (both IECP) did run to Loughborough yesterday as scheduled.

Derby...
Noted recently on RVE 47790 (XHHP) is now multiple working equipped whilst 31465 (QADD) is now in undercoat ready for an application of NR yellow.

Crewe 87s...
87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL) brought up from Long Marston on the 10th have been deposited in Basford Hall yard, rather than at LNWR as had been anticipated, being noted there near 47289 and 86635 this morning.

86501...
Following repairs 86501 (DFGC) has been returned to active service.

37417...
Plans by EWS to have three Class 37s in service, 37406 being reinstated to WFMU the other day, could be in jeopardy as 37417 (WKBN) suffered a major power unit failure at Inverness this morning.

MTU...
A day later than advertised 43304 (EHPC) has been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction. Loughborough. 43053 and 43056 (both IECP) were due to run to Loughborough this morning but is unclear whether they have done so.

37706...
Released from repairs at Carnforth 37706 (now MBDL) undertook its test run to Hellifield and back this afternoon with 47851 and 47854 in tow.

87s convoy...
66723 was utilised today to haul Bulgaria bound 87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL) from Long Marston to Crewe for electrical tests at LNWR.

Brush swaps...
43207 (EHPC) and 43257 (IECP) have been released from re-engineering at Brush Traction swapping places today with 43051 and 43110 (both IECP) which have arrived at Loughborough from Neville Hill for re-engineering.

EWS reduction...
Two less, 09017 at Alexandra Dock Junction and 60029 at Toton have been stored WNTS.

Crewe Grids...
56031 56038 56065 56069 56078 56087 and 56107 (all WZGF), the seven Class 56s that have been lingering on the down holding sidings since arrival from Wembley, have today been shunted inside the DMD. 56018 (WZGF) is still at Warrington.

87s to go...
The next three Class 87s for Bulgaria, 87003 87006 and 87034 (all SBXL), are due to leave Long Marston - via the usual afternoon slot - for Crewe tomorrow. 87003 and 87034 are in BRC colours, the first time two have been out together in Bulgarian Green, whilst 87006 is in embellished DRS blue with stickers. After electrical tests at LNWR 87003 87006 and 87034 are to be shipped out via Hull Docks and Rotterdam etc.

Power car notes...
43207 (EHPC) and 43257 (IECP, now renumbered from 43057) are due to leave Brush Traction tomorrow whilst 43104 (EHPC, still to be renumbered to 43304) is due for release the following day. Going in to Brush should be 43051 and 43110 (both IECP) which ran to Neville Hill at the end of last week to await forwarding to Loughborough. 43053 and 43056, NX East Coast's other two Valenta power cars, are also stopped awaiting transfer to FGW.

66502...
Hauled north behind 66567 today 66502 (DFFT) has been taken north from Crewe to Glasgow Works for repairs.

20142...
A last minute change to plans has resulted in 20142 (MBDL) being diverted to Barrow Hill.

Three up...
37406 from store / repairs at Eastleigh has been reinstated to the WFMU pool from WNTS. Realistically this the only Class 37 at Eastleigh with a potential for being returned to use in the short term as 37410 and 37425 are, although operational, without OTMR, whilst 37411 and 37422 (yes, again) need replacement engines. 37416 has been used as a spares donor.

EWS shunters...
08630 stopped for repairs at Margam, 08664 08922 and 09101 at Doncaster Carr have been stored WNTS. The latter trio were three of the four Class 08s reinstated to the WSSN pool last month following an earlier purge of the EWS Network allocation.

92s...
92005 has been reinstated to WFMU at the expense of 92002 which is now stored WNTS at Crewe EMD.

Advenza 37...
Undergoing repairs at Barrow Hill 37029 has been re-registered and allocated to the Advenza Freight ADFL pool.

20142...
En route to the Great Central 20142 (MBDL) was noted en route this afternoon on a low loader traversing the A50 near Uttoxeter.

60047...
Noted on pilot duties in and around Toton over the past few days 60047 (WNTS) has been resurrected and has assumed the role of Toton's yard shunter.

Fleet cuts pending...
With the RHTT season entering the final stages reductions to the DRS and EWS respective operating fleets are anticipated.

37706 / 37712...
37706 being readied for a return to use at Carnforth could be out on test as early as next week, if all goes to plan, whilst 37712 (MBDL), sidelined at Carnforth since suffering an internal fire on November 24th at Crewe, is still on assessment.

73207...
Latterly located at Tonbridge 73207 (GBZZ) has been transferred to St Leonards.

57s on the move...
57001 (DFTZ) has been hauled from Crewe LNWR to Brush Traction at Loughborough for tests prior to being returned to Porterbrook whilst 57002 (XHHP) has been brought south from Glasgow Works to Carlisle Kingmoor, 66591 and 66417 respectively being deployed for these transfers.

92 on the move...
92044 (WNWX) has been released from Brush Traction being noted heading south from Loughborough on a low loader overnight and on the M25 this morning en route to Dollands Moor.

Wembley cleared...
56018 (WZGF) was brought north to Warrington for forwarding to Crewe in the consist of yesterday's 6X77 from Wembley behind 92001.

92s...
92005 and 92037 have swapped places in the operating fleet with 92005 being stored WNTS at Crewe EMD and 92037 being reinstated to WTAE following a brief period in store at Crewe.

Road transfers pending...
One of the seven Class 92s at Brush Traction (92020 92021 92032 92040 92044 92045 or 92046) purchased for use with Eurotunnel is to leave Loughborough shortly by road for Dollands Moor whilst 20142 (MBDL) booked to say farewell to the Llangollen Railway on the 7th is set to be moved to the GCR next week.

31452...
Delayed en route to the Weardale Railway by road 31452 (RVLO) only completed its journey north yesterday.

Colas 56s...
After a period of singe running with either 56311 or 56312, reliability proving to be quite good with these two, on the steel trains between Birmingham and Immingham, both are out tomorrow but on separate workings. 56311 is at Immingham ready to work the steel to Washwood Heath whilst 56312 has been booked for a jolly from Washwood Heath to Bristol and back with a ballast cleaner and support vehicles.

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