A Super Shed, several Tugs and a Skip...
59204 still at Warrington for training since coming north over a week ago has been reallocated to the WCAM Class 60 pool - 60096 has been continuing to perform on the Fiddlers Ferry circuit pending the Class 59/2 having another go at it. The Class 60 WC allocated fleet has been increased today following the reinstatement to WCBI of 60059 and 60071. Prior to being reinstated 60059 was despatched from Toton to Scunthorpe with 60094 (WNTR), 60094 has taken over as the shunter at Scunthorpe releasing 60071 for reinstatement to the main pool, before continuing on to Immingham. 60039 currently in the North East but still technically active has been stored WNTR whilst 60045 (WNTR) which had been seeing use since storage has now been stood down at Toton. 60011 (WNTR) has been displaced from shunting duties at Eastleigh and has set off for Toton being noted en route to Hinksey mid afternoon behind 66019. 67030 (WNTR) has been released back into traffic from Crewe EMD.

Tugs and Skips...
60039 has been reinstated again, back to WCAI, and has been returned to traffic following attention at Warrington. 60039 swaps with 60045 which has been stored WNTR but remains in active service. 60071 (WNTR) has taken up the shunting duty at Scunthorpe displacing 60085 (WNTR) which has been relocated to Toton. 67014 and 67021 have been stored WNTR at Crewe EMD swapping with 67026 and 67027 which are both reinstated to the WAAN pool.

Gordon Highlander...
55016 (MBDL) has been sold by HNRC to the owner of 55022. Further details can be seen in this press release.

37684 & 37896...
Further to the earlier report about the three Class 37s being brought north from Margam in Christmas Eve it transpires that 37684 and 37896 (both WNSO) have been left on trailers in a lay by off the A441 a few miles north from Studley.

37409...
It's especially so when something is resurrected from the graveyard so it's no surprise that HNRC are pleased to advise that 37409, at Barrow Hill being overhauled for DRS, is pretty much back together and has been started up.

James the Engine #2...
66048 (WBAN) has been released from the paint facility at Toton, it was noted at Bescot this afternoon awaiting transfer north to Mossend, in Stobart Livery and is named James the Engine.

Tugs and a Bone...
60009 has been reinstated to the WCBI pool replacing 60039 at Warrington which has been returned to WNTR and store. 60073 (WNTR) has arrived at Toton at where 60072 and 60090 (both WNTS) have been repositioned into the Compound swapping places with 58008 (WZTS) which has been brought up from the Compound to the depot.

37s on the road...
It has been confirmed that 37203 has been deposited at Hulls, Rotherham meanwhile 37684 37890 and 37896 (all WNSO) have been removed from Margam by road, as far as Allely's at Studley to await forwarding to Booths (37684) or Hulls (37890 & 37896) at Rotherham in due course.

Re-sales...
It has been indicated that 56134 is no longer privately sold and is heading for Booths instead whilst 37415 and 37428 currently residing at Booths have been set aside pending future developments.

DBS shunters...
08735 recently moved south from Toton to Eastleigh, 08757 despatched from Toton to Westbury a few days ago and 08907 at Bescot have been reinstated to the WSSN pool swapping places with 08632 08633 and 08706 which have been stored WNTR.

Kestrel...
A recently published picture of HS4000 'Kestrel' in store in Russia, the caption dates the picture as being taken during August 1985, can be seen here.

Tugs, DBS Gronks and a couple of Skips...
60039 has been reinstated to WCAI from WNTR at Warrington in exchange for 60084 which is now stored WNTR. 60084 along with 60041 (WNTR) were hauled to Toton from Doncaster on the 21st. Also Toton bound is 60073 (WNTR) from Westbury which was on its way north last night. 08405 at Toton has been stored WNTR whilst 08605 at Toton and 08888 recently despatched to Mossend are reinstated, both to the WSSN pool. 67026 and 67027 have been stored, both WNTR.

37s on the road...
37203 and 37893 (both WNSO) were removed from Bescot by road on the 21st. It is assumed, rumours regarding its purchase for preservation aside, that 37203 has been taken to Hulls at Rotherham - it was noted heading north both on the M6 then the M1 after leaving Bescot. 37893 - which is being secured for preservation - has been taken to Allely's Yard at Studley.

Gordon Highlander...
The ownership of 55016 (MBDL) has been transferred to HNRC. It is advised that 55016 will leave Barrow Hill shortly for the East Lancashire Railway where it is planned to have 55016 in the line up for the Type 4 and 5 Diesel Theme Day scheduled for January 9th 2010. 

Tugs...
60096 has, following repairs at Warrington, been reinstated to the WCAM pool from WNTR. It was in the WCBM pool before storage. 60039 sidelined at Warrington with an oil leak has been stored WNTR. 59204 in the North West for another bash at the incline from Liverpool Bulk Terminal has been reallocated from WDAK to WBAM, the Class 66 Energy pool.

Booths arrival...
37415 (WNSO) has completed its transfer from South Wales to Booths, Rotherham.

Shunter notes...
08888 (WNTR) has been deposited at Mossend displacing 08428 (WSSN) which has been brought south by road to Rugby. 08375 (MOLO) has been transferred from Coventry to Trostre whilst not previously noted was the transfer of 08757 (WNTR) from Toton to Westbury prior to 08706 (WSSN) being brought back north a few days ago.

Tugs...
The fleet is now up to five following the reinstatement of 60049 to the WCAK pool from WNTR at Toton. En route to Toton 60041 (WNTR) was hauled from Immingham to Doncaster yesterday in convoy with 60045 and 66193 behind 60051.

On the road...
08888 (WNTR) has been despatched north, being noted traversing the M6 near Preston on the 19th, whilst 37415 (WNSO) has left Margam for Rotherham. 37415 was noted parked in a lay by off the M42 in the West Midlands this morning en route to Booths.

Kingsbury delivery...
86258 (SAXL) has been transported from Long Marston to Kingsbury for disposal.

Booths arrivals...
Transfer north by road from Margam complete 37428 and 37698 (both WNSO) have been delivered to Booths, Rotherham.

Disposal...
Short work has been made of 08695 (HNRL) at Booths, Rotherham. Only its frame and wheelsets remain. 08695 was stored from Motherwell and WSSC in February 2004, RIP.

20301...
Although already out and about in traffic for several days 20301 has now been reinstated to the XHNC pool from XHSS.

59204...
Back to plan B. 59204 (WDAK) has been brought north to Warrington for the Liverpool Bulk Terminal coal workings currently in the hands of 60039.

67018...
Back together after quite some time out of use at Toton 67018 (WFMU) has been out on test.

Tugs...
60041 has been stored WNTR at Immingham swapping places with 60045 which has been reinstated to WCAI from WNTR at Toton. 60085 (WNTR) is still in traffic having taken over the Scunthorpe shunter role. 60063 and 60071 (both WNTR) which recently ran from Toton to Doncaster Carr are back in use. They are to be utilised in getting the EMR bound Class 56s from Healey Mills to Doncaster from where they can be forwarded to Kingsbury by road.

Disposal...
56118 (WNSO), stored on its return from France in June 2006 whilst allocated to the WZGF fleet, is now no more than a severed frame on bogies at Booths, Rotherham, RIP.

37s from Margam...
37415 37428 37684 37698 37890 and 37896 (all WNSO) have been moved over from Margam depot to the nearby Knuckle Yard from where transfer north by road - running a little behind schedule - to Rotherham can be facilitated from. 37428 and 37698 left for Booths this afternoon being noted traversing the M4 on low loaders en route.

Shunter swap...
Delivered to Booths, Rotherham today from Barrow Hill HNRC have swapped 08695 (HNRL) for former Healey Mills resident 08665 which has been transported away to Barrow Hill.

Shunters on the road...
08632 (WSSN) has been deposited at Toton today whilst 08706 (WSSN) was observed heading north on the M42 yesterday ex Westbury on its way back to Toton for repairs .

60039...
Back in the North West, 60039 (WCAM) has taken up duties on the Fiddlers Ferry coal circuit, a duty that had been identified for double shedding, this hasn't taken place yet. DBS Class 59s were trialled earlier in the year.

86258...
Stripped and ready for disposal 86258 (SAXL) has been positioned for collection at Long Marston. It is understood to be Kingsbury bound.

DBS Sheds...
66014 66040 66160 and 66198 have been reinstated to the WFMU pool following a brief spell in WNTR.

Tugs...
60019 (WNTR) displaced from shunting duties at Scunthorpe has been towed to Toton where it is joined by 60040 (WNTR), returned to store after being utilised on charter work, and 60049 (WNTR) now stopped at Toton from traffic. 60063 (WNTR) is sidelined at Doncaster Carr, it and 60071 (WNTR) it took there a couple of days ago are both currently showing 'HAUL' on the system for their next turn. Although initially the replacement for 60019 at Scunthorpe 60039 has been reinstated to the WCAM pool at the expense of 60096 which is now stored WNTR at Warrington. 60011 and 60073 (both WNTR) are still engaged as shunters at Eastleigh Yard and Westbury respectively, 60022 (WNTR) is out of use at Eastleigh, and 60085 (WNTR) is lingering on in service although it has arrived at Toton and should be taken out of traffic. The 'in use' Class 60 fleet this evening...

60011 WNTR Eastleigh Yard shunter
60039 WCAM Scunthorpe, allocated 6X29 (probably Warrington bound)
60041 WCAI 6E41 to Lindsey
60051 WCBI 6T27 to Santon (Scunthorpe)
60073 WNTR Westbury shunter
60084 WCAI 6D43 to Lindsey
60085 WNTR Toton, available

Grid 118 and other sold locomotives...
56118 (WNSO) has been transported from Crewe DMD to Booths, Rotherham and its demolition is underway. At Margam the six Class 37s to go to Rotherham have been dug out and readied for collection. The plan (bearing in mind that quite often due to the many variables involved transfers by road and a plan go astray) is for 37428 and 37698 (both WNSO) to move north tomorrow followed by 37415 and 37684 (both WNSO) on the 18th. These four are Booths bound. 37890 and 37896 (also both WNSO), the two heavyweights going to Hulls at Rotherham, should be on the move from Margam on the 21st. 37893 (WNSO) awaiting collection from Bescot appears to have been sold on, potentially for preservation.

BREL 47...
47270 has been reallocated from HTLX to BREL now coded Boden Rail Locomotives.

DBS Sheds and Skips...
The sandite season is over and the WBSN pool has been disbanded, 66012 66034 66053 66076 66078 66116 66119 66156 66158 66166 66167 66181 66199 66204 and 66237, the final allocation, being reallocated to the various WB** sector pools or to WFMU. The ingress of the extra Class 66s to the main fleet has seen several former Class 60 workings being hauled by pairs of Class 66s and will no doubt be a contributing factor to the standing down of the bulk of the Class 60s that had still been in traffic following transfer to the WNTR pool. The rotation of Class 66s through WNTR has resumed with 66014 66040 66160 and 66198 being stored WNTR at Toton. 66061 and 66181 have been stored WNTR and reinstated already. 67007 is back, reinstated to WABN swapping with 67030 which has been stored WNTR.

Tugs...
60040 (WNTR) has returned to traffic featuring on yesterday's Pie Bridge Pie Man tour alongside 47270 56312 and 59204. From Immingham 60009 (WNTR) has arrived at Toton, being brought in in convoy from Doncaster yesterday. 60011 (WNTR) appears to have taken over shunting duties from 60022 (WNTR) at Eastleigh whilst 60039 (WNTR) has been restricted to shunting duties at Scunthorpe, possibly to replace 60019 (WNTR). 60063 (WNTR) after spending the weekend on Toton ran up to Doncaster Carr late afternoon with 60071 (WNTR) in tow.

Motherwell cleared...
08924 (WNTS) and 37427 (WNXX) have been moved from Motherwell to Tyne Yard by road.

Tugs...
This afternoon..

Active WC** allocated fleet...
60041 WCAI 6D43 Jarrow to Lindsey
60051 WCBI 6E61 Westerleigh to Lindsey
60084 WCAI 6M82 Walsall to Tunstead
60096 WCBM Warrington

Stored but mainline active WNTR allocated fleet...
60011 WNTR Eastleigh
60039 WNTR Tyne Yard
60049 WNTR 6F05 Tunstead to Oakleigh
60063 WNTR Toton
60085 WNTR Westerleigh to Robeston

About to return WNTR allocated...
60040 WNTR Toton, A exam allocated 'tour'

Now WNSO...
The Class 37s and Class 56s recently sold by DBS are now reallocated from WNXX to WNSO.

Other DBS notes...
08993 from store at Doncaster Carr has been reinstated to the WSSN pool. 67022 is reinstated to WAAN whilst 67028 has been stored WNTR at Crewe EMD.
A reduction to the sandite fleet sees 66023 66070 66081 66101 66106 66108 66111 66127 66143 66164 and 66176 along with 67003 and 67027 being transferred out from the WBSN pool to variously WBAN, WBAK, WBBN, WBAI, WFMU and WAAN whilst 66199 has been added to the WBSN pool. These changes leave DBS with fifteen locomotives, all Class 66 now - 66012 66034 66053 66076 66078 66116 66119 66156 66158 66166 66167 66181 66199 66204 and 66237 -  still tied up on RHTT work. In addition to these, many of which will soon be coming available for general duties, a fleet survey taken yesterday revealed that DBS currently have 16 Class 66s allocated to the WFMU pool - 66001 66014 66024 66065 66100 66107 66129 66130 66147 66150 66164 66180 66194 66196 66206 and 66250. 

Tugs...
60035 (WNTR) from Bescot and 60077 (WNTR) from Doncaster Carr have arrived at Toton where they are joined by 60040 and 60045 (both WNTR) from traffic. 60045 (WNTR) brought 60035 in from Bescot before being stood down whilst 60040 came in convoy behind 67027 from Doncaster with 60077 and 66085. WC** allocated 60041 (WCAI) 60051 (WCBI) 60084 (WCAI) and 60096 (WCBM) remain as were. 60011 60039 60049 60063 and 60085 (all WNTR) are still in general use whilst 60019 60022 and 60073 (all WNTR) are still on shunter duties at Scunthorpe, Eastleigh and Westbury. 60009 (WNTR) remains at Immingham.

20301...
After being conveyed in convoy to Sellafield a couple of days ago 20301 (XHSS) has been returned to general traffic by DRS.

Freightliner 66s...
In the past couple of days or so 66578 and 66579 (DFTZ) have been taken out of service at Leeds Midland Road. All six Class 66s allocated to the DFTZ pool are now stopped.

DBS sales, a revised list and a couple of notes...
Below is a revised list replacing that first published on the 3rd. The usual disclaimers still apply. Collection of these locomotives looks set to get underway in the coming week. In readiness for transfer away 37203 and 37893 (both WNXX) have been moved from Bescot Yard on to the depot for removal.

CF Booth: 37415 37428 37684 37698 56118
EMR: 56033 56048 56056 56068 56079 56116
Ron Hull Jr: 37203 37890 37893 37896
Private: 56134

Tugs...
60009 (WNTR) has been stopped at Immingham and 60071 (WNTR) has been stopped at Toton. 60035 (WNTR) is currently at Bescot en route to Toton from Warrington. Still 'stored but active' are 60011 60022 60039 60040 60045 60049 60063 60073 and 60085 (all WNTR) running alongside 60041 (WCAI) 60051 (WCBI) 60084 (WCAI) and 60096 (WCBM) pending elimination of the Class. The four DBS business sectors have been asked to identify alternative methods for the operation for trains currently hauled by Class 60 locomotives to enable the total withdrawal of the Class 60.

Floyd 86s...
Breaking new ground for the Class the FLOYD 86s have been working to Arad, just over the Hungarian border into Romania.

Tugs...
Still four in the WC** pool but not the same four. 60009 and 60049 have been reallocated to WNTR, both remain active, swapping with 60041 and 60084 reinstated to WCAI and WCAK respectively. Further to yesterday's report it has been established that 60073 (WNTR) has indeed been on shunter duties at Westbury of late and remains active having worked today's 6B65 service meanwhile 60077 (WNTR) has been stopped, initially at Immingham later being dragged to Doncaster Carr. Another correction is 60091 (WNTR) which had been stopped at Toton by the 5th. 60035 (WNTR) has been removed from Warrington while 60074 (WNTR), taken through to Rotherham last night in the consist of 6E20, has since been tripped down to Toton.

08653...
Warrington's resident Gronk - 08653, has been reinstated to the WSSN pool.

20301...
Moved north in convoy with 57009 37608 and 37611 today 20301 (XHSS) has gravitated from Crewe Gresty Bridge to Sellafield.

Motherwell clear out...
Motherwell residents 08924 (WNTS) and 37427 (WNXX) are to be extracted by road. It is understood they are to be taken to Tyne Yard.

70s today...
70001 DFGI Training runs off Ipswich
70002 DFGH 6M65 Stoke Gifford to Rugeley etc.
70003 DFGH Crewe Basford Hall
70004 DFGH towed Crewe Basford Hall to Leeds Midland Road for training at Leeds
70005 DFGH Crewe Basford Hall
70006 DFGH towed Crewe Basford Hall to Ipswich for training at Ipswich

Tugs...
The WC** allocation has been reduced to just four Class 60s although there are still quite a few out and about whilst allocated to the WNTR pool. Before today's cull 60041, latterly in use stored but active, was reinstated to the WCBI pool swapping with 60084 which in turn was stored WNTR whilst remaining active. 60071 and 60073, two of the other Class 60s latterly in traffic but allocated to WNTR were briefly reinstated to the WCAN pool before being returned to the WNTR pool. This morning the Class 60 fleet, both WC** and WNTR allocated, disposition was...

60009 WCBI In traffic
60011 WCAI In traffic
60022 WNTR Eastleigh Yard
60035 WNTR Warrington
60039 WCAI Margam allocated 6B07
60040 WCAI in traffic
60041 WCBI In traffic
60045 WCAN Mossend A exam
60049 WCAK In traffic
60051 WCBK In traffic
60063 WCAI In traffic
60071 WNTR In traffic
60073 WNTR Westbury
60077 WCBK In traffic
60084 WNTR In traffic
60085 WCAI In traffic
60091 WNTR In traffic
60096 WCBM In traffic

Mid afternoon today the active WC** allocation was reduced by eight with the storage / transfer to WNTR of 60011 60039 60040 60041 60045 60063 60077 and 60085 leaving just 60009 60049 60051 and 60096 on the books. Only 60035 at Warrington and 60073 at Westbury, the latter may be on local shunting duties at the moment, have been stopped, the rest of the fleet that was with us this morning still seeing use.

WC** 60009 60049 60051 60096
WNTR 60011 60022 60039 60040 60041 60045 60063 60071 60077 60084 60085 60091

Whether these locomotives can be dispensed with remains to be seen. It's one thing shuffling things around on paper but running some services without Class 60s may present a problem. Double heading with 66s, with the sandite season winding down several are coming available whilst the WFMU pool currently has 18 Class 66s allocated to it, almost 10% of the DBS UK fleet, might be an option or reducing train lengths may be another. Lastly 60074 (WNTR) has been released from Margam and Toton bound was being moved north in the consist of the evening 6E20 service.

Skips...
67021 has been reinstated to the WAAN pool swapping with 67007 and 67022 which have been stored WNTR. Both are still in traffic. 67010 has been stored WNTR then reinstated to the WAWN pool.

70s...
Running as 0Z25 70003 70004 70005 70006 (all DFGH) have run from Newport to Crewe Basford Hall.

47770...
Although reported mid May last year that WCRC were taking Tyseley resident 47770 (MBDL) it later transpired that they weren't and didn't but now have. 47770 was towed north from Tyseley to Carnforth yesterday.

Not WNSO...?
The Class 37s and Class 56s recently sold by DBS have all been reallocated from WNZX back to WNXX.

Freightliner notes...
66578 and 66579, still in traffic, along with 66580 and 66581, stopped at Leeds Midland Road, have been added to the DFTZ pool. 66581 is the first to be stood down from Heavy Haul, the others were from Intermodal in turn being displaced by other Class 66s being reallocated over from Heavy Haul. Not previously noted is that 70001 (DFGH) has entered traffic without nameplates attached. It is understood that only one plate was affixed during the recent staff ceremony at Leeds. 70003 70004 70005 and 70006 awaiting movement from Newport have all been reallocated from DHLT to the DFGH pool.

DBS notes...
09007 has been stored WNTR. Initially at Allerton were until recently it was involved with the clearance of the depot, Allerton being one of several locations DBS are understood to be selling off, 09007 was delivered to Toton last night on a low loader following transfer by road from Liverpool. 67021 (WNTR) has been released back into traffic from Crewe EMD.

DBS, sales revisions...
Further to the list published on the 3rd it has been ascertained that the sales of the Class 37s are split between Booths and Hulls, both Rotherham, four each. Once confirmed etc. a new list will be provided.

DBS sales...
As far as can be ascertained, and subject to the usual disclaimers etc. the outcome of the recent tender list is (see notes above)...

CF Booth: 37203 37415 37428 37684 37698 37890 37893 37896
EMR: 56033 56048 56056 56068 56079 56116 56118
Private: 56134

37602...
Sidelined at Carlisle Kingmoor 37602 has been stored XHSS.

70s...
70003 70004 70005 and 70006 (all DHLT) have been off loaded at Newport Docks meanwhile 70001 (DFGI) has entered the fray for Intermodal working today's 4L93 Lawley St. to Felixstowe service.

DBS notes...
08706 recently despatched to Westbury has been reinstated to the WSSN pool but 08798 at Eastleigh and 08802 at Toton have been stored, 08798 to the WNTS pool whilst 08802 has been reallocated to the WNTR pool. 60019 (WNTR) is back at Scunthorpe. 67001 has been stored WNTR at Toton swapping with 67022 which is now reinstated to the WAAN pool.

Freightliner 66s...
66573 and 66574 at Leeds Midland Road have been stored - they are allocated to the DFTZ pool, as per 57001, rather than the usual DHLT pool, which may infer they are being prepared for hand-back to the leasing company. Several more Freightliner Class 66s have been assigned for tests and should be joining 66573 and 66574 in due course.

70s...
70002 (DFGH) takes the honour for working Freightliner's first revenue earning duty being deployed on a longer than usual, hence its routing via the Marches route, 6M56 Portbury to Rugeley Power Station. A YouTube video clip of it on this duty can be viewed here. The MV Beluga Fortune with 70003 70004 70005 and 70006 (all DHLT) on board sailed into Newport Docks on the early evening high tide today.

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